Daily Check In.
Sep. 27th, 2025 06:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
adafrog posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fandom_checkinThis is your check-in post for today. The poll will be open from midnight Universal or Zulu Time (8pm Eastern Time) on Saturday to midnight on Sunday (8pm Eastern Time).
Please, talk about how things are going for you in the comments, ask for advice or help if you need it, or just discuss whatever you feel like.
Poll #33665 Daily poll
Open to: Access List, detailed results viewable to: Access List, participants: 1
How are you doing?
I am okay
0 (0.0%)
I am not okay, but don't need help right now
1 (100.0%)
I could use some help.
0 (0.0%)
How many other humans are you living with?
I am living single
0 (0.0%)
One other person
0 (0.0%)
More than one other person
1 (100.0%)
Please, talk about how things are going for you in the comments, ask for advice or help if you need it, or just discuss whatever you feel like.
5 Pontiacs You Might Not Know Were Rebadged From Other Brands
Sep. 27th, 2025 10:25 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
jalopnik_feedCar rebadging is relatively common and allows automakers to release new models without much development. Here are five Pontiacs rebadged from other brands.
What Causes High EGT On A Diesel Truck?
Sep. 27th, 2025 10:05 pmjalopnik_feedDiesel engines run hot under load, but extreme heat means trouble. Here are the hidden causes of rising exhaust temps and how to keep them in check.
Me-and-media update
Sep. 28th, 2025 11:23 amchina_shopPrevious poll review
In the Muppets poll, 40.7% of respondents chose Kermit, followed by 37.0% for Animal, and 29.6% for Gonzo. Hugs won the ticky-boxes, followed by paper tigers. Thank you for your votes!
Reading
I'm loving Black Water Sister -- the interactions between different religions are especially delightful. I'm making my way through it pretty slowly because I haven't had much listening time, but it's great!
Slowed down even more on Inventing the Renaissance. And the entirety of my non-audio reading has been the Guardian subs in Korean (skipping over some bits I don't know, but still looking up way too many words).
Kdramas (so many Kdramas)
( Cut for length. )
Other TV
We've started The Newsreader (Australian, stars Anna Torv) set in a TV newsroom in 1986. It's great so far -- Torv's character has a lot of emotional range, and the other lead is also interestingly complex. (TW: depression, anxiety.)
Also, one episode of Skeleton Crew, which is just as The Goonies-ish as I've heard. We'll give it another episode and see. Prehistoric Planet, which is really good. Just lovely animation and creature work. Bluey -- how is this so consistently excellent?? We're ploughing through season 3, and then there'll be none left. Oh no!
Guardian/Fandom
I am behind on EVERYTHING! Including this post. /o\ Also, I've been going through my browser windows and randomly closing tabs, now and then, so apologies if I left you hanging in a comment exchange. Firefox was just getting too hard to navigate.
Writing/making things
The Wishlist clock is ticking. I keep bumbling around like a bee doing things that are not writing fic, and then after a while saying to myself out loud, "This is not Writing Fic!" My brain gears don't seem to be working properly, and there's this one treat I'm stuck on... gah! Trying to remind myself that deadlines are just games we play with ourselves.
Life/health/mental state things
I have new glasses! They're really great. Except for biking home after picking them up, I've been wearing them non-stop with very few issues. Good for driving, okay for biking, great for TV. The fact that I have a world map and an artwork at the top and bottom of my stairs, respectively, turns out to be very helpful for distracting me from the out-of-focus stairs themselves. My keyboard is wobbly when I look at it, and sometimes the kitchen bench ("counter" for Americans) swims when I turn my head, but that's fine. I have yet to a) get the knack of gracefully attaching my clip-on sunglasses, and b) break my habit of looking under my glasses or taking them off for close work. But I'll get there. Generally I'm super happy, no notes! (My optician was right.)
Next test: we're seeing Avatar: The Way of Water in HFR 3D next week. I'll take my old glasses as backup, just in case.
Korean
Zoom call yesterday, and omg, I fumbled so much. I seriously need to practice speaking before next time. I yearn to rattle things off without having to think about it.
Link dump
Darebee home workouts (via Tumblr) | NHS's Couch to 5k page | AO3 has added Collection Tags | this shot-for-shot remake from Phineas and Ferb of "Genghis Khan" by Miike Snow (viapetra, I know exactly nothing about the canon, I've watched it twice, can't get over how good it is, I think I have... a platypus ship??) | Timothy Olyphant on Conan, taking it all very seriously (TW: toe bruises).
Good things
Jaffa Cakes, tv-watching friend dates, new glasses, writing, betas (♥!), Dreamwidth, a glorious wealth of Kdramas, wikipedia, fandom, Guardian, Guardian, Guardian.
In the Muppets poll, 40.7% of respondents chose Kermit, followed by 37.0% for Animal, and 29.6% for Gonzo. Hugs won the ticky-boxes, followed by paper tigers. Thank you for your votes!
Reading
I'm loving Black Water Sister -- the interactions between different religions are especially delightful. I'm making my way through it pretty slowly because I haven't had much listening time, but it's great!
Slowed down even more on Inventing the Renaissance. And the entirety of my non-audio reading has been the Guardian subs in Korean (skipping over some bits I don't know, but still looking up way too many words).
Kdramas (so many Kdramas)
( Cut for length. )
Other TV
We've started The Newsreader (Australian, stars Anna Torv) set in a TV newsroom in 1986. It's great so far -- Torv's character has a lot of emotional range, and the other lead is also interestingly complex. (TW: depression, anxiety.)
Also, one episode of Skeleton Crew, which is just as The Goonies-ish as I've heard. We'll give it another episode and see. Prehistoric Planet, which is really good. Just lovely animation and creature work. Bluey -- how is this so consistently excellent?? We're ploughing through season 3, and then there'll be none left. Oh no!
Guardian/Fandom
I am behind on EVERYTHING! Including this post. /o\ Also, I've been going through my browser windows and randomly closing tabs, now and then, so apologies if I left you hanging in a comment exchange. Firefox was just getting too hard to navigate.
Writing/making things
The Wishlist clock is ticking. I keep bumbling around like a bee doing things that are not writing fic, and then after a while saying to myself out loud, "This is not Writing Fic!" My brain gears don't seem to be working properly, and there's this one treat I'm stuck on... gah! Trying to remind myself that deadlines are just games we play with ourselves.
Life/health/mental state things
I have new glasses! They're really great. Except for biking home after picking them up, I've been wearing them non-stop with very few issues. Good for driving, okay for biking, great for TV. The fact that I have a world map and an artwork at the top and bottom of my stairs, respectively, turns out to be very helpful for distracting me from the out-of-focus stairs themselves. My keyboard is wobbly when I look at it, and sometimes the kitchen bench ("counter" for Americans) swims when I turn my head, but that's fine. I have yet to a) get the knack of gracefully attaching my clip-on sunglasses, and b) break my habit of looking under my glasses or taking them off for close work. But I'll get there. Generally I'm super happy, no notes! (My optician was right.)
Next test: we're seeing Avatar: The Way of Water in HFR 3D next week. I'll take my old glasses as backup, just in case.
Korean
Zoom call yesterday, and omg, I fumbled so much. I seriously need to practice speaking before next time. I yearn to rattle things off without having to think about it.
Link dump
Darebee home workouts (via Tumblr) | NHS's Couch to 5k page | AO3 has added Collection Tags | this shot-for-shot remake from Phineas and Ferb of "Genghis Khan" by Miike Snow (via
petra, I know exactly nothing about the canon, I've watched it twice, can't get over how good it is, I think I have... a platypus ship??) | Timothy Olyphant on Conan, taking it all very seriously (TW: toe bruises).Good things
Jaffa Cakes, tv-watching friend dates, new glasses, writing, betas (♥!), Dreamwidth, a glorious wealth of Kdramas, wikipedia, fandom, Guardian, Guardian, Guardian.
Poll #33664 Fire burn and caldron bubble
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 5
Choose a potion
View Answers
sleep
2 (40.0%)
love
0 (0.0%)
immortality
1 (20.0%)
transformation
2 (40.0%)
grow-a-tail
1 (20.0%)
other
1 (20.0%)
ticky-box full of acoustic toothbrushes
1 (20.0%)
ticky-box of but now I can see all the dust and cobwebs
1 (20.0%)
ticky-box full of moose having a picnic buffet and running out of salad
3 (60.0%)
ticky-box full of a top-up prescription for writing mojo
3 (60.0%)
ticky-box full of hugs
1 (20.0%)
What would the smell of a subtropical monsoon climate zone be like?
Sep. 28th, 2025 12:08 amhuberthubert posting in little_detailsHello everyone!
I am writing a oneshot essentially set in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. My character is so surprised and overwhelmed by what he is seeing that I am introducing his senses one by one, but I couldnt quite imagine what it would smell like being in his position.
I know its quite humid, so thats probably the bulk of the experience, but are there any other, more subtle undertones I could include to make the scene feel more alive?
Even if you havent been to the exact location, any experience in a subtropical, humid climate would already be quite helpful.
Thank you!
I am writing a oneshot essentially set in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. My character is so surprised and overwhelmed by what he is seeing that I am introducing his senses one by one, but I couldnt quite imagine what it would smell like being in his position.
I know its quite humid, so thats probably the bulk of the experience, but are there any other, more subtle undertones I could include to make the scene feel more alive?
Even if you havent been to the exact location, any experience in a subtropical, humid climate would already be quite helpful.
Thank you!
9/27/2025 North Lake SF // Emeryville Marina
Sep. 27th, 2025 12:55 pmmrkinchThis morning U and I went to chase rare migrants around North Lake in Golden Gate Park. Driving out Fulton reminded me just how enormous that Park is! Anyway, we parked about 7:45 and walked clockwise around the Lake, then retracing out steps from the northeast corner. There were quite a few birders and photographers looking for the Chestnut-sided Warbler and the Blackpoll Warbler that had been reported there, and while we dipped on the Blackpoll we found some folks who'd found the Chestnut-sided and got some diagnostic if not wonderful looks. I'd see Chestnut-sided before - in winter they have an amazing hi-viz yellow-green head - and was more excited by the Black-headed Grosbeak that I heard and that was later seen by others. ( The first list: )
Back in the East Bay we stopped at Emeryville Marina to look for the Palm Warbler that's being reported. (Like so many warblers they are hilariously misnamed: they breed in Canada.) Some folks were on it when we arrived but I think the photographer pushed too close and the bird flew off. We wandered around for a while without luck, and when U said she was going to make a final loop I said I'd go back to where it had been when we arrived, and there it was: rufous crown, yellow below, and bobbing tail. So we both got pretty good looks. ( Another little list: )
Again, we'd seen this bird before at the edge of Berkeley Meadow, and I was more impressed by the long lines of Brown Pelicans and the Osprey fishing just off shore. What a wonderful morning!
Back in the East Bay we stopped at Emeryville Marina to look for the Palm Warbler that's being reported. (Like so many warblers they are hilariously misnamed: they breed in Canada.) Some folks were on it when we arrived but I think the photographer pushed too close and the bird flew off. We wandered around for a while without luck, and when U said she was going to make a final loop I said I'd go back to where it had been when we arrived, and there it was: rufous crown, yellow below, and bobbing tail. So we both got pretty good looks. ( Another little list: )
Again, we'd seen this bird before at the edge of Berkeley Meadow, and I was more impressed by the long lines of Brown Pelicans and the Osprey fishing just off shore. What a wonderful morning!
The Reason Audis Are Known For Understeer
Sep. 27th, 2025 09:25 pmjalopnik_feedAudis have had a tendency to understeer for a few different reasons, so designers and engineers worked together to find a solution - with limited results.
🔊 Daily music
Sep. 27th, 2025 04:23 pmbluapapilioI want to hold you in my arms
And heal my open wounds and scars
Please, let me hear you say
"No, this isn't wrong"
Take me far away 🎤
Lollia ft. Chi-Chi - Magnet
(Minato English Cover)
And heal my open wounds and scars
Please, let me hear you say
"No, this isn't wrong"
Take me far away 🎤
Lollia ft. Chi-Chi - Magnet
(Minato English Cover)
Don't Worry, GM's Tech Center Is Now Free From Legionnaires' Disease
Sep. 27th, 2025 09:05 pmjalopnik_feedGM closed the center on September 10, after it received word from the Macomb County Health Department that two employees had tested positive for the disease.
What to Watch This Week: 60+ Premieres, Finales and More
Sep. 27th, 2025 09:00 pmtvline_sytycd_feedTo help you navigate the best of broadcast, cable and streaming TV, TVLine offers curated daily, weekly and monthly What to Watch columns, along with an overview of every new TV show premiering in 2025. This week, you’ll find seven series premieres (including Charlie Hunnam in Monster: The Ed Gein Story and Glen Powell in […]
The Toughest Formula 1 Tracks, Ranked
Sep. 27th, 2025 08:45 pmjalopnik_feedIt's not easy to determine the ten hardest Formula 1 tracks in the world, but based on the challenges they pose to F1 drivers, this is our list of the toughest.
Engine Degreasers Explained: What's In Them And How They Work
Sep. 27th, 2025 08:25 pmjalopnik_feedThere are a few different solutions you can use to remove sludge and other contaminants from your car's engine, but soapy water should not be one of them.
fandoms past
Sep. 27th, 2025 01:30 pmmuccamukkForgot to include this in my last post: I've been getting a bunch of comments on my Ted/Booster long fic, so I thought maybe there was new canon for them. After realising that most of my old resource sites have changed since I was last in comics fandom, I turned up that DC doesn't seem to have done any major comics with either character in about ten years. I feel like DCEU (and maybe even James Gunn) teased a Booster Gold TV show a couple times? And Ted was in the Blue Beetle movie that immediately got made non canonical. But nothing recently.
Then I reread the long fic (I'm doing school work, I swear!), and remembered how much I loved my stupid boys, and also how rushed that fic was, and that it maybe needed another editing pass or five. Oh well. Heady days of early fandom love and tight exchange deadlines.
Then I reread the long fic (I'm doing school work, I swear!), and remembered how much I loved my stupid boys, and also how rushed that fic was, and that it maybe needed another editing pass or five. Oh well. Heady days of early fandom love and tight exchange deadlines.
Why European Trucks Can Pull More Weight Than American Semis
Sep. 27th, 2025 08:05 pmjalopnik_feedBigger isn't always stronger. Here's why U.S. trucks are capped lower, how Europe's rules allow more weight, and where mega-loads push the limits.
Collection is live!
Sep. 27th, 2025 03:00 pmclassicfilmex The collection is live!
If you run into any issues — if, for example, your gift violates a DNW from your signup, or you don't have a gift at all — please let us know either by email at classicfilmexchange@gmail.com or by commenting here (comments are screened).
Enjoy your gifts, and please make an effort to make your authors aware of your appreciation! Comments are crucial.
2026 Lexus LS 500 Heritage Edition Will Be The Last New LS In The U.S.
Sep. 27th, 2025 07:05 pmjalopnik_feedJust 250 examples will head to our shores, and they're priced at a rather steep $99,280.
Hedjog is go flop
Sep. 27th, 2025 08:21 pmoursinToday was the day of the conference at which I had been invited, at rather short notice, to give a keynote.
Not only did I have to get up EARLY especially for a Saturday, I had a rotten night because the lower back decided to kick off and even when it had calmed down a bit it took ages to get back to sleep.
And then as I was doing my final preparations I discovered the battery in one of my hearing aids was flat, which was a bit irksome, because I had been expecting all week for it to do the warning bonging, like the other one did, and had to replace that.
So anyway, I got out, and found that the place I was aiming at was not quite so far distant from the Underground station as had been indicated, and also, even though I was late, so was the start.
Rather few actual in-person attendees - I'm not sure how many there were on the Zoom.
Crisis! there was supposed to be a delivery of sandwiches at lunchtime which Did Not Arrive so we all went out to forage (these later turned up some hours later, what is the point).
So, I think my paper went over okay, and there were some questions, even if some of them got rather off-topic onto more general questions about archives.
Some of the papers were moderately interesting, some of them were a bit hard to hear, and I picked up at least one useful reference (possibly) for one of my own projects.
Met one old academic acquaintance from way back, and a couple of interesting Younger Scholars.
Had already decided that I was not up for going on to meal in restaurant, so came home to flop.
[ SECRET POST #6840 ]
Sep. 27th, 2025 02:36 pmcase posting in fandomsecrets⌈ Secret Post #6840 ⌋
Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.
01.
( More! )
Notes:
Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 50 secrets from Secret Submission Post #977.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 1 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ], [ 1 2 - secrets made from copy pasting other people's random FS comments? There's probably more I don't recognize in this week ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.