Events of note
Nov. 23rd, 2025 10:35 ambullet points for October & November
( yeah it's 99% ice hockey )
And that brings me to this week! In which I got a cold on Wednesday and therefore skipped training Wed and Fri and worked from home Thu and Fri. I did shake off the cold enough to play my first game for Huskies last night (in Gosport, against Southampton Spitfires), and later today I'll be playing for Kodiaks 2 against Lee Valley Vampires. I am especially looking forward to this one, I love playing against teams full of friends.
Next weekend Kodiaks 2 have a double-header weekend of home games in Peterborough: Saturday night against Lee Valley Vampires and Sunday night against MK Falcons 2. And that wraps up 2025 for Kodiaks 2: after 6 games in 5 weekends in November, we have zero games in December.
Check-in Post for Round 6 - Now through 30 November
Nov. 23rd, 2025 11:01 pm1. Things aren't great. You don't think you can complete your assignment(s) by 24 January 2026.
Please go to AO3 and press 'default' on your assignment(s). You don't need to comment here, or contact me with a reason; whatever reason you have is good enough, and I wish you well. If you default on your assignment(s) before the end of the check-in period, you are welcome to sign up to all future rounds, as long as you also comment on any gifts you've received.
2. Your situation is complicated and you want to ask a question.
Sure! Please contact me at mod.modzilla@gmail.com. Please include your AO3 name and your recipient's name(s).
3. You expect to complete your assignment(s).
Great! Please comment below with the following information:
You don't need a Dreamwidth account to comment, but if you're commenting without logging in on Dreamwidth, and you want me to email you to confirm the check-in, please say so. (If you comment while logged in, you'll get a notification when I reply.)
You do NOT need to give me any details of your progress or any samples of your work as part of your check-in. I don't need to know where you're up to right now (though it's interesting!) as long as you have a plan that works for you. If you want to, because it would amuse me/yourself, consider including a line from your fic or telling me about something that happens in your fic or comic. Or a thing you've researched, or a thing that you've had to cut. Any notes you add are entirely optional.
Or just fill out the first four questions. That's fine.
If you have more than one recipient on the go (thanks and good luck), please give check-in information for each recipient. They can be in the same comment.
If you're planning to post two half-length works to fulfil your assignment, please let me know, and I'll send you a second assignment so you can fulfil both through AO3's interface. This is easier for me to keep track of than one assignment and one treat. It's okay if you change your mind closer to the deadline.
Comments are screened. I will not start replying immediately, but I'll reply to comments from logged-in DW users, and if you ask me to reply by email, I will do that.
New this year: I will also, in the next couple of days, email all participants who need to check in to alert you to this post.
Please leave your comment by 11:59pm EST, 30 November (see countdown).
If you do not comment confirming that you are still an active participant in the exchange, I will default you and send recipients to pinch hit by approx December 2-3.
Participants who don't need to check in
-People who have already posted in full (congrats!!)
-People who have pressed or who are now pressing the default button
-People who have previously participated and who have confirmed with me they don't need to check in (f, G)
-People who recently picked up pinch hits for ...
recipients:
CousinShelley[Challenge #415] BtVS / Spuffy — Past Mistakes
Nov. 23rd, 2025 10:26 amFandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Characters/Pairing: Buffy/Spike (Spuffy)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: some coarse language
Word count: 100 (Google Docs)
Setting/Spoilers: Set post-S11 (comics) in an alternate reality where Buffy and Spike are an established couple.
Summary: SFPD Supernatural Crime Unit consults with Buffy and Spike about a project that sounds too much like reiterating past mistakes.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created for fun and no profit has been made. All rights belong to the respective owners.
Challenge: #415 - Outlaw
Crossposted:
—
( READ: Past Mistakes )
[Prompt: #469 - Rehearse] Guardian RPF, Bai Yu/Zhu Yilong
Nov. 23rd, 2025 10:03 amFandom: Guardian RPF
Pairing: Bai Yu/Zhu Yilong
Rating: G
Notes: No warnings apply.
Tags: Established Relationship, Character Bleed, Soft, Bittersweet
[ Read on AO3 ]
SGA: Born Under a Bad Sign by Brumeier
Nov. 23rd, 2025 09:10 pmCharacters/Pairings: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay, Evan Lorne, Radek Zelenka, Laura Cadman
Rating: Teen
Length: 7984
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: Brumeier on AO3
Themes: Mystery and suspense, Psychic powers, Friends to lovers, Complete AU: law enforcement
Summary: Rodney had thought the worst part of his day was coming home from the office and finding a dead man in his living room. He was wrong. But the investigation brought him and John together, and that's when things really got interesting.
Reccer's Notes: This is an engaging story in which Rodney's the head of his own tech company and John's a psychic with clairvoyance and precognitition who works with Lorne, a detective. They get called in when Rodney finds a dead stranger in his apartment, leading to an investigation. The story revolves around Rodney's reactions to John's abilities (mistrust gradually changing to fascination), all while being attracted to him. John is troubled, mostly seeing death and being able to locate killers, after being traumatised by his mother's death. Until he meets Rodney! :D It's romantic, with an interesting plot - an excellent read.
Fanwork Links: Born Under a Bad Sign
Well, this is a new solution to the sandwich conundrum...
Nov. 24th, 2025 02:51 am(Taken from the comments here.)
( Read more... )
Holiday Wishes 2025
Nov. 23rd, 2025 12:28 am1) The obligatory amazon wishlist. Getting this out of the way first: mostly consists of wants. If I add anything that's a need I will note that but it's mainly my 'ooh shiny' depository for the season. No obligation to get me anything: for media, used is of course fine. That should work (and be set to ship to me), please let me know if it doesn't.
2) Gift cards to Target (I know), Barnes & Noble, & Shaws (albertsons) supermarkets. I am limited to where I can shop due to transportation issues, I try not to shop at Target but it is near where I work and does stock essentials.
3) Donate to your local animal shelter/pet rescue
4) Comments & kudos on my fics found at my ao3 HERE. Main fandoms include: Baby Sitters Club, Glee, Riverdale, British Royalty RPF, Everybody Loves Raymond, Sweet Valley, and Friends, but I do have over 1K fics on there so I am certain I've dabbled in something for everyone.
5) Fanworks based on my fics found at my ao3 at the above link.
6) Sweet Valley books & related items (I am willing to cover shipping+ am willing to pay per book up to a certain amount) in any of the varying series.
7) Baby Sitters Club books & related items (I willing to cover shipping+ am willing to pay per book up to a certain amount) in any of the varying series.
8) European (any, but especially British) royalty memorabilia that predates the death of Queen Elizabeth II (or is inclusive of her death, mainly, I am uninterested in UK royalty in the present day; current memorabilia is fine for the other European royal households)
9) Prompts from any of the fandoms/pairings listed HERE.
10) Fics from any of the fandoms/pairings listed HERE.
Thank you again for your consideration! I look forward to giving and receiving this season. My address is available on request: you can either DM me or comment on the top entry of my DW or email me at mariakellyrobinson AT gmail DOT com. Merry Christmas!
I had the most amazing idea the other night
Nov. 19th, 2025 03:09 pm(It turns out I'm not the only person with this idea, which just shows how brilliant it is!)
( Read more... )
So...
Nov. 22nd, 2025 11:40 pmTrying to find little moments of joy
Nov. 22nd, 2025 11:23 pmI went for boba tea only to find the place closed. Not sure why.
Went to Remo's Italian hotdogs for a footlong covered in chili and pickles and since it was packed and I was waiting, there was time for drama. The guy who helps out behind the counter was leaving and he runs back in as two police cars rocket by. 'There's a guy lying in the street I think a car hit him.' Remo is over there saying 'is it someone we know.' Me and another customer, a nurse with Holzer, bust out of the joint, ready got run down the street to help but he had misread the situation. The cops had two men laid out in handcuffs. Things were fine (for us, not so much for those two teens)
Aldi's had all kinds of advent calendars and on an unrelated note I have a chocolate advent calendar now.
Pittsburgh is having so much for the holidays I don't know how I'll get to it all. I plan to try and stave off the insanity that way.
Two more Hazbin Hotel prompts showed up at
Hell it's nearly midnight and I'm just setting down to do anything. So I still don't have my Hazbin break down. Sigh. Haven't read much of anything in weeks.
But have Science Saturday while it's still legal for it to exist (after this week I'm not holding my breath)
Human trash is 'kick-starting' the domestication of city-dwelling raccoons, study suggests
Sunken city discovered in Kyrgyzstan lake was a medieval hotspot on the Silk Road — until an earthquake wiped it out
'Impossible' black hole collision pushed relativity to its breaking point — and scientists finally understand how
Viking Age woman found buried with scallop shells on her mouth, and archaeologists are mystified
Aging Out of Fucks: The Neuroscience of Why You Suddenly Can’t Pretend Anymore (From Betty)
14,400-Year-Old Paw Prints Are World's Oldest Evidence Of Humans Living Alongside Domesticated Dogs
Incredible Footage May Be First Evidence Wild Wolves Have Figured Out How To Use Tools
First-Ever Look At Neanderthal Nasal Cavity Shatters Expectations.
Bird Apocalypse
Nov. 22nd, 2025 10:05 pmMigratory birds that fill North American forests with spring songs depend on Central America’s Five Great Forests far more than most people realize. New research shows these tropical strongholds shelter enormous shares of species like Wood Thrushes, Cerulean Warblers, and Golden-winged Warblers—many of which are rapidly declining. Yet these forests are disappearing at an alarming pace due to illegal cattle ranching, placing both birds and local communities at risk.
Free Epic Poll
Nov. 22nd, 2025 09:59 pm"No Worthless Herbs"
Shaeth and Trobby owe a favor to Abredin the Herb Goddess.
92 lines
"Once the Avalanche Has Begun"
A foolish choice in a neighboring town makes life challenging for Shaeth's followers.
70 lines
Which of these should be the free epic?
Finally watching Murderbot
Nov. 22nd, 2025 08:13 pmAnd don't get me wrong! It's very good! I just.
It's very tonally different from the books? A lot more tense/intense? And since my ADHD means I have trouble switching away from the mood of whatever I just read/watched/whatever...
I am honestly glad for reasons other than story integrity that there's only ten episodes in a season for Murderbot.
Again, good show! Well adapted! Love the cast! Bad fit for me personally. I'll probably stick it out for the rest of the season, but when taken with my homework stress... This is just not a good time for it for me. I may have a conversation with my parents instead.
Bad Decisions, Good Decisions (part 1 of 1, complete)
Nov. 22nd, 2025 09:12 pmBy Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1680
[Second week of December, 2016]
:: A decision made at the power company in an attempt to prevent rolling blackouts has a huge impact on certain people in Mercedes. Frank organizes a response, including rigged equipment to substitute for generators that aren’t available. Part of the City Engines story arc in the Polychrome Heroics universe. This story was written from a prompt by
“Boss?” the young woman asked, flexing her fingers nervously. One hand held her phone, staring at the text displayed on her screen.
“What is it, Nela?” Frank paused, lifting his wrench away from the engine.
“I’m subscribed to the emergency services line, and they’re cutting power in the next half hour to a section of the county bordered by the plaque we’re working on.” Her voice shook like she was standing at the epicenter of the Big One, and sweat beaded on her brow.
( Read more... )
it's 9 o'clock on a saturday
Nov. 22nd, 2025 09:10 pmIn a brief work update, they did finally announce the new CEO on Thursday, but for some reason*, the current board chair refused to give a quote for the press release, so they had the person we think is going to be the new board chair (still a secret for some reason!) give a quote instead.
*now my boss and I are speculating that she had backed a different candidate for the job and is taking it personally that she did not get her way, but that is absolutely just speculation and may be unfair to her. We just can't think of another reason why she's been so weird about the whole thing.
Yesterday was busy with committee meetings, and I logged off at about 4:45 and crashed hard into a two-hour nap, and then slept nine hours when I went back to bed for the night.
I can't believe Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Where did this entire year go?
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