solivini | Reading

Got up at 10:00 and had breakfast and coffee. Then I puttered online for hours, not doing much of anything.

Eventually I showered and dressed, and continued puttering online.

I did read some in one of the zines I brought home from the con, not the new one I paid for but one of the freebies.

Then finally I headed into the Bronx for my Al-anon meeting. I had my pizza first of course, and got to the church by 6:30, where L met me masked, and gave me the key, and left cause she's sick. Maybe Covid.

I knew several people weren't coming, so I opened but didn't bother setting up. Then, just when I was thinking of leaving, two of the beginners showed up, so I ran both the Beginners meeting and the regular meeting. C came to the regular meeting, and drove me to the bus stop afterward.

Came home and tried to Team the FWiB. The computer wasn't working right, Teams wasn't working right, and I think there's some issue with the FWiB's iPad too. The result was awful. I had to hard restart the computer several times because it froze up. He ended up phoning me to say good night.

I turned off the computer to let it rest while I fed the pets and it seems to be working OK now.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Zines.

3. My meetings and the people there.

4. Pizza.

5. Beautiful autumn day.

6. Bed soon.

Current Mood: frustrated

zenigotchas posting in

addme

Intro:
Hi my name is Mint Chocolate Chip but I also go by more sensible names like The Overlord of The Pasta as well. That is actually a childhood nickname given to me when I was 42...

I'm abt 25.... A zillenial/zoomer-millenial hybrid and no, I was not grown in a lab despite the rumors.

I post frequently and the blahg is a hybrid between personal/recovery stuff for my cptsd and interests and passions. I am many things, but aren't we all? Things I regularly think about and do (or at least TRY to engage with regularly) are reading, writing, comicking (I'm trying my hand at my own super robot series. It's very.... Me), indulging my musicphilia, lifting, animals (dinosaurs and evolutionary theory oh my!), smol chubby things (think pibbins as an example) and generally trying new things in these categories.

I will say my personality is Cheerfully dark or darkly cheerful. A lot of gross, creepy, weird things cheer me up, make me laugh or inspire me to do better. And I am a very easily amused person who really likes jokes, but my ideas of what's funny can be really odd or morbid. Like I thought the movie Tusk was just okay but had a very life affirming message about personhood. Ultimately, scary stuff registers to me as beautiful. Is it because it's so scary it's pretty? Or it's not scary at all? I don't think I'll ever know, but the closest equivalent I can think of is what gothic fiction describes as "the sublime."

How I try to live can be summed up by something I wrote on my blog recently that I will paraphrase here:
1. Death is the ultimate equalizer. If it won't matter after you're dead, it's not going to matter while you're alive.

2. Being yourself is the only way out.

3. Everything you know and love will pass and be forgotten one day. Including you. It's like we all get to keep special secrets from the next generations.

Likes: Metal, classical music, jazz, french house, horror, sci fi, surrealism, reading, philosophy, Friedrich Nietszche (did I spell that right?), superheroes, mecha/super robot (real robot is okay), violent stuff, birds, birds being dinosaurs, bones, medsci, dentalsci, psychology, flexibility, playfulness, puns, wordplay, spicy food, clowns, birds, dragons. A lot more but I'll be here all day if I list everything. Fandoms include Sonic, Mario, Getter Robo, Pokemon, Batman, Spawn, Godzilla, Street Fighter, Story of Seasons, Stardew Valley. Again, a lot of fandoms. That's not even all of them. Most of all, anything filled with cheese, hopium or grossness is what I love most.

Dislikes: The way a certain strain of nerds are like that, people who are mean to animals, country music, folk music, SOME types of pop music (I enjoy the genre but am not fond of certain pop artists who are currently big) AI """art,""" rigidity and inflexibility.

I'm working on being more interested than interesting and I like people of different backgrounds. I like swapping thoughts with people who share similar feels abt things + have good boundaries. I like independent personalities who like to laugh.

As a warning, I wouldn't describe my blog as gloomy but very honest. I am someone who likes having the ability to be articulate and say what I mean and mean what I say, mental illness be damned! So I WILL talk abt the hard times, when mental illness hurts and stuff like that.

There will ALWAYS be TWs, but I'm mentioning this bc I don't think I will be good match for people who find that stuff inherently depressing as I don't see it that way at all and don't want to repress how I talk for the comfort of others. I am going through some major changes in my life after a lot of personal tragedy, including but not limited to homelessness, and I want to feel free to share it honestly.

On interactions:
Just bc it's in my dislikes doesn't mean I dislike people who like what I don't. Unless you're into some sick shit, I will be interested in hearing your differing perspective and would be open to friendship or whatever other type of platonic relationship it evolves into. I'm not someone who is easily scandalized or put off by people.

Though I admit, remembering to write back or to be unafraid to be emotionally vulnerable is NOT always easy and I'm trying hard to get better at it.

I don't tolerate ableism or any abusive rhetoric towards the poor or homeless.

Going back to what I said earlier. Most shit we are told matters actually does not matter and that fits a lot of nerd drama/discourse well. I will never see lolisho or whatever else some people go to bat for as some free speech issue I am obligated to fight for, I think it's disgusting, I don't have to justify myself and I'm not interested in being converted (people have tried that before). Those are the types of people who I block liberally.

I do not add minors.

If you are mentally well, NOT white trash, monosexual, or are just curious, I ask you to please be open minded and to ask questions if you decide to follow and interact. I am like. A random bi religious lady who was raised and identifies strongly with the white trash thing. I can't tell you how EVERYONE who falls under this very niche overlap thinks and I don't intend to, but I think I can tell you an excellent story.

Anythin else?
I'm white trash.

I never got to finish highschool.

I don't post horny stuff but I'm not allergic to discussing media that portrays sexuality or discussing sexuality itself.

I don't post many graphic pictures or vids, but I do like media with graphic stuff in it.

I don't get political, as a personal boundary and way to make sure I stay respectful online. Please do not push me to share my beliefs. I do not mind if YOU get political (tho a journal all about politics isn't my bag), but I will only share my political stances if I feel comfortable doing so.

Evolution is the most important scientific fact for me. It is a driving factor in my decision making and personal worldviews. I like that people are monkeys. Don't you think that's hilarious? I love that birds are dinosaurs.

I'm bi. I was agnostic for most of my life but I like that I started practicing christianity as an adult. I don't see these as contradictory. I like theistic evolution. I read a lot of things I disagree with anyway bc it's good for the soul.

I am someone's whose definition of freedom is "I am allowed free to do or say what I like" rather than "I am free from the consequences of what I do or say." So speaking honestly and openly is more abt self improvement than just being a dick and then saying "Well I'm just being HONEST! You're violating my freedoms if you push back or block me!" It's about having uncomfortable conversations and realizing we don't know everything and we never will and that's just more reason to keep having conversations.

Add me! Or don't. I don't really care.

Current Music: Perry Mason – Ozzy Osbourne

silver_chipmunk

Got up this morning at 7:30, ate my Cheerios, but did not have coffee, and then went back to bed until 10:00.

At 10:00 I got up, had coffee, and puttered on line. I wrote a little in the story I hope to have finished soon. It's coming along.

Eventually I got up and showered and washed my hair. I got dressed, and then got back on line, and was reading back entries of my journal, looking for various reasons to see what I was doing in 2014, when

mashfanficchick called.

Our original plan for today was that ze was working, and I would head over to zer with zer zine around 4:00, in order to get there when ze was done and we'd have dinner.

Instead, since there were storms forecast for this evening, ze said I should come over then and we'd have lunch. So I packed up the zine and headed to the bus.

Got the 44 so I decided to stay on and take the bus rather than the subway. Got to Main and Union, and was waiting for the 45 or 46, when a 45 pulled up way past the stop, let people off, and drove away before I could reach it. Very frustrating, but I got the next 46 so it was OK.

Got off and called

mashfanfichick who said I should proceed to zer place, so I did.

Ze met me there, and we decided to go out to Cobblestones for lunch. I don't know why but I've always wanted to try that place.

Lunch was very good. I even had a glass of wine, a moscato, with lunch. I had mozzarella sticks, and a burger with provolone and mushrooms, and sweet potato fries.

After lunch I came home because it was supposed to storm as I said above. Spoiler alert. It didn't.

But anyway, I got home about 6:00, after taking the subway back, so it was almost time to Team the FWiB. WE talked at 7:00 as usual, until 8:30 when I called Middle Brother. He's doing fine, hasn't done anything interesting lately but is looking forward to October.

After that I went to the bedroom an played solitaire and scrolled Facebook until pet feeding time. Then I fed the pets, and started here.

That's about all.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Out for a change.

3. It didn't rain.

4. Good lunch.

5. Friends.

6. Middle Brother doing well.

Current Mood: relaxed

tcpip

In the past three evenings, I have found myself attending three China National Day events, even though all these celebrations are a week early, as the National Day is actually October 1st. The first was organised by a consortium of Chinese community organisations and was attended by some five hundred people, all crammed into a reception centre in Tottenham. As I have mentioned previously, the Chinese in Victoria really know how to hold amazing functions, and this was no exception, with a truly impressive program of dancers, singers, and performances. There were, of course, speeches by several guests, including the chair of the National Day Celebration Committee, the Consul-General, the Multicultural Commissioner, a few state members of parliament, and myself, courtesy of my role as president of the Victorian branch of the Australia-China Friendship Society. It seemed to be received well, as I injected a bit of passion into the idea that multiculturalism requires respect and understanding, along with celebrating the economic and technological successes of the country; Lǜ shuǐ qīngshān jiùshì jīnshān yín shān ("Green mountains and clear waters are worth more than mountains of gold and silver").

The following evening was an event in East Melbourne hosted by the Consulate and attended not only by various leaders of Chinese organisations in Victoria, but also by political leaders from Victoria, again with about five hundred people in attendance. The Consul-General, Fang Xinwen, gave a speech that was as diplomatic as it was poignant, expressing the country's commitment to economic leadership and being a global citizen. The premier, Jacina Allen, having just returned from a very successful trip to China, spoke of the objectives for tourism, trade, education, technology, and especially the need to develop people-to-people connections. Speeches were also given by the state leader of the opposition, and by the Federal member for Chisolm, Dr Carina Garland.

Then, the evening after, a smaller (about 60 people) but incredibly enthusiastic dinner was hosted by the Fujian Association of Victoria in Docklands for a visiting delegation from said province. The head of the delegation, the Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office, gave an impressive speech in content and the fact that it was lengthy and entirely off-the-cuff. The nature of this gathering afforded a lot more time for socialising and networking, which I thoroughly enjoyed, especially given that it was now the third evening in a row that I had spent with some of the attendees. A real personal highlight for me was meeting Dr Guo Xiaoping, president of Quanzhou University of Information Engineering. We are already engaged in some correspondence on a project of personal interest, but further elaboration on that will have to wait for another time.

Current Mood: busy
Current Location: The Rookery
Current Music: 65dos, Silent Running

silver_chipmunk

Slept until a little before 12:00, so I actually made it up in the morning. Had breakfast and coffee.

Put in a Shipt order and waited for it to be delivered, and then put it away.

Then I cleaned the cat pan. I put on some clothing and took out the dirty litter, and walked around the block.

Called

mashfanficchick and made plans for tomorrow. I have to bring zer the zine I picked up for zer at SHarecon.

I called the Kid at a little after 5:30 but she didn't pick up.

I lay down and played solitaire until 6:00ish, then got on the computer again. My psychiatrist phoned and we talked. Then at 7:00 as usual I Teamed the FWiB. He's coughing again an I hope it doesn't get worse!

We talked til almmost 8:30 because D&D was cancelled tonight. Hopefully next week...

The FWiB phoned me, they had a power outage and he didn't want me to worry about not getting email from him for the rest of the evening.

I called the Kid again, and again she didn't pick up, but she called a bit later and we talked awhile.

Then I texted Cousin Steve about a Columbus Day family get together, which may or may not happen, we shall see. I hope it does, I want to see them!

Then it was time to feed the pets, and start here, so here I am.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Clean cat pan.

3. Shipt.

4. Family.

5. The Kid.

6. My D&D group, even when we don't play.

Current Mood: mellow

incomplete_ruler posting in

addme

Name: Kia (They/Them)

Age: 20s

About Me: Been on dreamwidth for about five months now. For a while I've mostly used my journal as a personal diary, but recently I've wanted to make more public posts about the various things I enjoy. I've kind of distanced myself from being online everywhere else, but I'm still up for meeting new people here. I'm ideally looking for other active journals to read and maybe become mutuals with. Don't have to be in the same fandoms, but as long as we have some common interests then that's good enough for me.

I mostly post about: Just whatever I get up to in the week (mostly shorter posts). I'm also trying to make a habit of journaling any media I get into, but that's definitely a skill I need to work on.

My hobbies are: Writing, music, language learning, reading, gaming

My fandoms are: Various anime, comics, games etc. that I can't list out (my interests tend to change a lot)

I'm looking to meet people who: Neurodivergent and/or queer people, nerds who post about fandom/media often (especially meta stuff but that's just personal preference), people interested in languages, people who post about cooking or just anyone who wants to see me scream into the void about things that vaguely matter to me

My posting schedule tends to be: Anytime I want

When I add people, my dealbreakers are: Anyone under 18, not too picky with anything else but as long as we still click in some way then we're good (I think me saying that I'm queer should be enough of a signal though)

Before adding me, you should know:

Don't give out access to people unless we've been mutuals for awhile or already know each other.
Occasional venting and suggestive/nsfw posts (you can read the terms in my intro post for more info)

Current Mood: hyper

silver_chipmunk

Slept til 1:00 today, then got up and had breakfast and coffee.

Didn't do much of anything except putter on line. I did unpack my bags from the con and sort of put things away. And I played the lottery tickets that came in the raffle baskets I won. I got $60 from four winning tickets. Of course, since I have to cash them in by mail unless I want to go to Virginia, (which is where they are tickets from) I'll net less than that, but it's still nice.

I dozed for some time, and then at 6:00 got on the computer again puttering until 7:00 when I Teamed the FWiB. Then at 8:00 I tried to start the Al-anon meeting. I had trouble with the Zoom site, the site itself, not the computer for a change. I finally got it going, it was just me and M though, so small, but nice.

After that I had dinner, and then went to the bedroom to scroll Facebook and play solitaire until pet feeding time.

Then I fed the pets, and here I am.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Time to recover.

3. Winning lottery tickets.

4. My meetings and the people there.

5. The goodies I got from the con.

6. My cat.

Current Mood: tired

silver_chipmunk

Slept til 8:00 and then got up and went down to breakfast. People were leaving which is always sad.

I went back up and showered, dressed, and completed my packing. Then I brought the luggage down at the consuite and hung out there with the people who were still around.

Eventually it was decided that those of us who were left should go out to lunch at Glory Days. Matsir and Tech Support drove me and Martha and Diane there, and we had a very good time, there were nine of us by then. Flamingo paid for everyone, which was nice.

Then they drove me to the train station, with a half hour to spare. I got a seat on the train, and the person I was sitting next to got out after a couple of stops, so I moved over and had a window seat. I dozed a good part of the way, and played solitaire.

Finally made it to NYC. I decided the best way to get home was the Long Island Railroad to Flushing an an Uber from there, so I went and got a Flushing ticket.

That's the Great Neck line, and it left in just about a half hour, so I waited staring at the board til the track posted. Then went down and got on.

I got a seat. Flushing is the third stop, so it didn't take long to get there.

Then I called an Uber from the sidewalk in front of the train station and almost went crazy trying to figure out what the pickup spot was!

Eventually the driver got there and we connected though, and I got home.

All was well. Oreo had a little food left over but not much so it's good I got home today. I hooked up the computer, and got Teams going and finally got to see the FWiB for the first time since Wednesday.

We talked for about an hour and a half, and then we got off. I caught up on my other internet stuff, and then it was time to feed the pets. So I did that and then started here.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all applicable.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. SHarecon.

3.

mashfanficchick

4. All well at home.

5. Got everything here safely.

6. Bed soon!!

Current Mood: cheerful

silver_chipmunk

Got up at 7:30 today and had breakfast and coffee, then showered and dressed.

Then the con started, we had one panel, and then during the replay of the vid show I went through the loot from my three baskets of raffle wins. I weeded out the few duplicates of zines, and stashed everything I could fit in the stuff I have with me. Then I took the duplicates down to the con suit and arranged to have the bulk of the stuff shipped to me.

Then we had another panel, and finally we had the Comatose Dog Panel to finish up the con.

The last food came after that, and then I hung out in the con suit, chatting and playing Cards Against Humanity for a bunch of hours. By that time it was 8:30 so I called Middle Brother. He is fine, went to a park and then Applebees yesterday.

Then we watched vid until 11:30.

And then I came back to the room and had something to eat, and started here.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. The Con.

3. Middle Brother doing well.

4. Still have a night here.

5. Getting the zines shipped.

6. Bed soon.

Current Mood: happy

batlatte posting in

addme

Name: Celestial

Age: 31

I mostly post about:

my personal life, thoughts, day to day stuff. Sometimes mental health/trauma related stuff. Crafts, occasional outfit photos. Cat pics. I also recently did a huge family photo archiving project, so I want to share some cool old photos and what I know about the people in them.

My hobbies are:

I like dabbling in different types of crafts. Primarily into making beaded jewelry, but I've also been learning stained glass this year and that is really cool. Trying to get into reading again. Taking photos, doing home DIYs, watching a lot of movies and TV. I like fashion, but don't dress up much lately (trying to fix that).

My fandoms are:

not a huge fandom head in the traditional sense anymore. I'm a diehard My Chemical Romance fan since I was literally 10 years old. Also a big Nicolas Cage fan, almost finished with a quest to see every single movie of his. Can't think of many others off the top of my head but I fixate on stuff for a while and then forget about it.

I'm looking to meet people who:

are also neurodivergent (audhd here). have a wealth of different experiences and points of view. anyone who is willing to read and occasionally comment.

My posting schedule tends to be:

I'm aiming for once a week this time around, but may be more or less depending on what's going on in my life.

When I add people, my dealbreakers are:

No TERFs, no centrists or republicans, no Zionists. I don't care if you're personally religious but I'm not and don't appreciate that perspective in regards to my own life. No Harry Potter fans, it's lame if you're still into that given... everything. Don't be a shithead in general. And probably no one under 21.

Before adding me, you should know: Hmm. As I said, there may be the occasional post about mental health/trauma stuff. I'm also regrettably a true crime enjoyer, i rarely talk about it but if I do I'll tag. Unsure about anything else that might be relevant

silver_chipmunk

Got up at 6:30 again, went down to breakfast a little after 7:00.

The day was fantastic again. Highlight was the Baaaad S&H Theater, which is something done every SHarecon. This years was excellent, and hysterically funny.

But the big thing is my success at the raffles! I won three baskets! I have no way to get all the stuff home, I'll have to see if the con can arrange to ship some of it to me. I'm thrilled with what I got!

Lunch was deli sandwiches and dinner was chicken nuggets and mac and cheese and salad.

We played a murder mystery game, which was fun but confusing. They had real drinks at the "bar", and I had two. They weren't very strong. They were mai tais.

After the game we had the second part of the premier vid show, and then another panel, on humor in S&H, and then finally played Cards Against Humanity, the S&H version. That was hysterical, and I had a great time.

Then more vids, and finally came back to the room to do this.

During the day I texted

mashfanficchick. Ze has been attending the con virtually.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. SHarecon.

3. Winning raffles.

4. Other fans.

5. Lois McMaster Bujold just announced she has another Penric and Desdemona novella coming out.

6. Bed soon.

Current Mood: good

neurosismancer posting in

addme

Name: Nora Neurosismancer (they/she)

Age: 41

I mostly post about: Whatever is on my mind, also my daily poetry when I'm happy enough with it to share.

My hobbies are: Poetry, paganism, witchcraft, and so much music. I'm big into all things gothy: darkwave and coldwave, post-punk, synthpop, new wave, industrial, metal, and just outright werid shit. Oh, and I do competitive air guitar.

My fandoms are: Star Trek and Trek-adjacent stuff, also I'm deep in the fandom for various bands, especially DEVO.

I'm looking to meet people who: Post interesting stuff. Bonus points if you're trans or some other flavor of queer.

My posting schedule tends to be: I'm aiming for a couple posts a week.

When I add people, my dealbreakers are: No minors, no TERFs, no Nazis, no Evangelical Christians, no Harry Potter.

Before adding me, you should know: I write some pretty emotional, and sometimes sexually oriented poetry. I've precious little filter about adult topics.

silver_chipmunk

Got up at 6:30 and went down to breakfast. Had grits and yogurt and coffee. Then at 8:00 I registered for the con, and then went back to the room and showered and dressed, then went back to the con.

The rest of the day was panels, games, and vids. A wonderful time! Lunch was sandwiches, and salad. Dinner was an Italian buffet.

I won the third round of Starsky and Hutch bingo. There was a cool prize, an original photo of three zebras.

From the free table I got a bunch of zines, a bracelet, and a new wallet in zebra pattern. I really needed a new wallet, too!

It has been a wonderful day. Martha has fallen asleep with her iPad running S&H episodes, I'm going to have to wake her up to turn it off I fear.

Bed after this.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. The con!

3. New wallet.

4. New zines.

5. Zebra photo.

6. Bed soon.

Current Mood: tired

pantoneocean posting in

addme

name: squid

age: 21

location: midwestern united states

i post about: i'm into a lot of things but what i end up posting about are monthly periodical-types of the music i discover and listen to (free for anybody to access) and the general musings and feelings of an anxious college guy (behind an access lock). i might someday make a dedicated post about history or politics or literature but i rarely feel like i have any meaningful contribution to what could be said. that's a very broad characterization but check my about me on my profile for a slightly more detailed synopsis

my hobbies are: my whole life revolves around music, more or less :] i listen to music extensively (squid771 on last.fm and rateyourmusic), collect vinyl records, and go to college studying sound engineering (i'm a senior!). i have an off-again, on-again recording project that i'll someday release something under. i play guitar, i'm an untrained singer, and i play various keyboard instruments. i always try to watch movies but usually that means i'll just gather a bunch, watch 2 in one night, and then go 6 months without watching another. i'm trying to read more (5 books read this year; infinitely times more than the past couple of years), i'm big into history (currently researching the george mcgovern 1972 campaign, and concurrently the history of how the word socialism/communism got such a negative connotation in the U.S.), and i like to walk around at night, or in the rain, or both. i try to appreciate the little things. i want to write, and learn esperanto, but i've never found enough consistent motivation to try either

my fandoms are: i haven't really considered myself to be really big enough on anything to be part of a fandom, but some of my favorite bands/artists are fishmans, stereolab, broadcast, nick drake, elliott smith, the radio dept., the field mice (all of sarah records really), brian eno, yo la tengo, ichiko aoba, and many many others! i could talk about music for days and days. as far as like forms of media go i'm big into the trails series (games 1-5, trails and crossbell; cold steel ruined the franchise), deltarune (haven't played undertale but i generally know what happens by osmosis), off, team fortress 2, and disco elysium; and then cowboy bebop, samurai champloo, NGE, general 2000s adult swim-core type stuff for anime

i'm looking to meet people who: i put a post up here about 6 months ago when i first started this account and i did get a lot of responses but nearly all of the people that replied to me aren't active anymore. i'm looking for people to really connect with and are in this site for the long haul (or at least for a while). i'm not too picky about sharing interests but having mutual appreciation for something always helps. the main thing though is that i'm just trying to make more friends :]

my posting schedule tends to be: whenever i feel like there's enough going enough in my life to post about something. this is usually like 2 to 5 times a month. i do tend to get wordy in my posts for what that's worth

when I add people, my dealbreakers are: i'm a very vague socialist so i'm not particularly chill with MAGA types or people who are just unnecessarily rude but i think there's like only 2 people on this site with those beliefs anyways

before adding me, you should know: i don't really comment much but i read everything that's posted. i get in my own head about responding to/posting comments and not feeling like i have enough to say. but i'm always looking to talk to more people and come out of my shell
i'm very depressed and mildly autistic and can be in my head a lot of the time, so the posts behind my access lock can get mopey and despondent. i'm doing the best i can to grapple with my emotions and the world around me so a little bit of empathy goes a long way. we're all going through something

tcpip

A kind friend recently remarked that I write in a universal voice. That is true, albeit not by conscious intent, although it allows me to have a journal that is both public and personal without falling to the superficial culture with its self-indulgence and sycophancy. Instead, I prefer to take those selective slices of the classics which have accessible meaning and relevance: "Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto" ("I am human and nothing human in alien to me", Publius Terentius Afer). It does serve a challege to us all - are we capable of truly understanding the experiences of others or, to quote Conrad (and nicely adopted by the punk-funk group "The Gang of Four"), do we live, as we dream, alone? Our existential experiences: life, love, hope, guilt, fear, sickness, death, shared by all but in very different degrees and often, we can express with sadness, wickedly imposed by people upon others.

The past few days, I have been struck by a minor malaise. In my convalescence, however, I thought about how even a minor illness can be so disruptive. "This sickness does infect the very life-blood of our enterprise", said Shakespeare (Henry IV, Part I). As a busy person, I was frustrated by a number of events that had to be cancelled or modified. A Chinese arts and culture delegation from Shenzen had to be guided through the National Gallery by the Vice-President of the ACFS instead of myself. An HPC presentation to research team leaders at work had to be handballed, and other meetings were cancelled, and, alas, dinner and other social plans with friends also suffered this fate. Operational work, research essays, and studies have likewise been delayed. Needless to say, my usual fitness regimen had been suspended as well.

The only way to deal with such illnesses is rest and nutrition, followed by gradual recuperation. In this regard, I have been truly blessed by the presence of Kate R., who put her professional nursing skills to good use for this patient. As for the feeling of frustration, that is often resolved by shifting focus to something that one can control. Even in a semi-delirious state, I managed to work my way through the new Duolingo chess skill tree, along with keeping up with Spanish lessons. However, most of my sparse waking time was spent in passive entertainment in the form of the series "Arrested Development". I first encountered this show almost twenty years ago and, despite a few efforts, I'd hitherto never even managed to complete the first season. The hilariously dysfunctional family with its internecine manipulations and suspicions suits my absurd and ironic sense of humour: "there's always money in the banana stand".

Current Mood: sick
Current Location: The Rookery
Current Music: Leonard Cohen, The Essential

silver_chipmunk

Got up this morning at 7:45 and had coffee and showered and dressed, and then headed off to Manhattan.

I went to the bank first, and then the E train to Penn Station, and from there to Moynihan Train Hall. I got there with almost an hour to spare, so that was good. I spent it waiting in the waiting area, no surprise. Then they called the train so I went to track a5 and got on line. I got to the point where the line turned to the escalator, and I got called aside for random baggage check!

Well I had my duffle bag, my laptop bag, and my purse, but all they did was run a test strip over the zippers on my duffle bag. They put the test strip in a reader, and it said "No threats detected" and that was all. They didn't check anything else, so what was the point?

Anyway, I got on the train, and found a seat next to someone, and settled in. The train trip was very nice. I got breakfast from the cafe car, a ham, egg and cheese on a bialy, and orange juice.

Then I got to the station, and I called the hotel and found out to my shock that the hotel no longer sends a shuttle to the train station. I nearly panicked but I asked if Flamingo was there (using her name of course) but she wasn't. But I asked if any of the con were there, and when she asked my name I said my name but added Silver Chipmunk. And people were there who knew me and we arranged for me to be picked up by Matsir and Tech Support.

So they got there pretty quickly and I got to the hotel, and then spent several hours sitting around the lobby with other fangirls from the con waiting for Martha so we could check in.

Eventually she got there, after I'd had a very good time talking to everyone. We got checked in and went down to the lobby again, and eventually a bunch of us went out to an Afghan restaurant for dinner. That was delicious.

We came back to the hotel and Martha and I came upstairs to our room. I called Middle Brother as usual. He went bowling and had a good time.

Now I'm hooked into the hotel WiFi and doing this and talking to Martha.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Middle Brother having fun.

3. I'm at SHarecon!

4. Good train trip.

5. Got picked up.

6. Good dinner.

Current Mood: happy

silver_chipmunk

I got up this morning at 7:45 and had coffee and showered and dressed. Then I headed out to the oncologist.

I took the subway to the LIRR. I almost got on a train that didn't go there, but I noticed in time and didn't. Got to Jamaica easily on time and got to Bethpage with just enough time to get to the oncologist. Had some trouble with the Uber app, but I finally got an Uber and was only a couple of minutes late.

They took bloods, and I saw the oncologist. My bloods were fine and all is well. I go back in four months.

Then I got an Uber back to the train station. Again I had trouble with the app, but I finally got it to work. The pickup spot was in the middle of the parking lot, though, for some reason. But I got to the train station, and a NYC bound train was due in six minutes, so I didn't have long to wait.

Got in to Jamaica and took the 20 bus home to my place where I finished packing for SHarecon, and fed the pets and left Oreo a big bowl of food and a big bowl of water. Then I took the 44 bus and 46 bus back to

mashfanficchick's place.

We hung out doing not much in particular until 6:30 when I Teamed the FWiB. We talked til 8:00 when I used this computer and my phone to get to my D&D game. Whenever the computer froze up I switched to the phone until it unfroze again. So I managed to take part in the game fairly well.

We had ordered chicken teriyaki for dinner to be delivered after my game, and we just finished eating.

So that was the day. Busy and fun.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Good report from the oncologist.

3. My D&D group.

4.

mashfanficchick

5. The Kid.

6. My phone.

Current Mood: good

silver_chipmunk

Got up at 10:00 and had breakfast and coffee. Then I showered and washed my hair and dressed.

Then, reflecting on the death of Robert Redford, I got an idea for a small story. So I sat and wrote it. It's short, less than 500 words, but I like it.

After that, I packed up stuff, including the computer, and came over to

mashfanficchick's place to spend the night because I have an oncologist's appointment tomorrow, and since the Kid can't take me I have to take myself, and it's faster to leave from here.

Ze was sleeping so I set up the computer here, and edited the story a bit. Then I posted it in my three usual places, ffnet, AO3, and the Starsky and Hutch archive.

It's here on ffnet: Reminiscences 2025

And here on AO3: Reminiscences 2025

Then at 7:00 I Teamed the FWiB and we talked til I had to get off for my meeting.

The Zoom for the meeting was a disaster. Just as bad as two weeks ago or whenever it was for the Starsky and Hutch Zoom. It kept dumping me out of the meeting. At least it didn't end the meeting, I don't know how that worked, but I kept being able to get in. Finally I used my phone and that worked. Fortunately S kept it going while I couldn't. I hate this computer!

Anyway,

mashfanficchick got up then and we had dinner. And now we're just hanging out.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. My meetings and the people in them, especially S.

3. New story.

4. Friends.

5. Almost SHarecon!

6. The Teams at least worked well.

Current Mood: accomplished

silver_chipmunk

Woke up to use the bathroom at 6:30 and never got back to sleep. Finally around 7:30ish I just got up and had breakfast and coffee, and showered an dressed.

I killed time until 10:00 and the started into Flushing to go to Duane Reade. I picked up my meds, and browsed the Halloween stuff. Then I headed over to

mashfanficchick's place. There is a clothing store in the 74th st subway station that I had been planning on browsing but when I got there it was closed, so that was disappointing.

I got to the Kew gardens/Union Tpk. stop but it was too early to go to

mashfanficchick's and wake zer up, so I went to Starbucks and got an iced pumpkin latte. I don't think she made it right, there's supposed to be whipped cream on it and there wasn't. But I didn't complain because truthfully I don't need the calories anyway.

I sipped that for the better part of an hour, and then I went to CVS and browsed their Halloween stuff. Finally I called

mashfanficchick and told zer I was on the way.

We left right after I got there, took the 46 bus and then the N25 to zer doctor, and I waited while ze had zer appointment. Then we went to another building, and finally went to the shopping center where we had Wild Fig for lunch.

Then ze decided to go to Target, which meant we passed right by Barnes and Noble so of course we had to browse there for awhile. I got a book, Dead Man's Hand by James S Butcher, who is Jim Butcher's son. Can't wait to read it.

Then we went to Target, the first time I've been to that one. We shopped there for awhile. Then we walked to the 46 bus again.

I got off at Main Street, and took the 20 back home. When I got here I Teamed the FWiB and we had a nice time, talked for about an hour and a quarter.

And that was pretty much the day. I lay down til pet feeding time,

mashfanficchick called about tomorrow, that's all.

Gratitude List:

1. The FWiB.

2. Barnes and Noble.

3.

mashfanficchick

4. Wild Fig.

5. My cat.

6. Sunflowers and marigolds.

Current Mood: tired

tcpip

The past several days, courtesy of my great book giveaway, I've had several bookish visitors gracing my abode. The sort of person who is interested in my academic books tends to be a person with a vibrant curiosity, so it has inevitably led to long and fertile discussions across the arts, the sciences, and the laws (to use the contemporary trivium). This has included Elliot B., Marc C., Liza D., Kate R., and, as interstate visitors, Dylan G., and Adrian S. It's been several years since I last saw Dylan, a former co-worker from VPAC days, so that was an excellent evening. Inverting the style, I visited Brendan E.'s new abode in Northcote, where he gifted me a first print copy of Wired magazine, which now, appropriately, sits next to my Mondo2000 User's Guide; cyberpunk forever. I have further updated my free book giveaway, this time with a small mountain of texts in computer science.

Other interstate visitors cam the week previous in the form of Lara D., and Adam B., from the Territory, and we had a glorious time at the French Impressionists at the NGV, after joining Anton W with a visit to the State Library where there is an excellent and highly recomended Misinformation exhibit. Of course, the works of the famous artists were at the NGV; Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, et al, but the one which really caught my attention was Fantin-Latour, whose simple subject matter made his skill in texture all the more clear. A few days later I would visit the NGV at Federation Square with Liana F., which always has excellent indigenous artworks, and the evening previous Liza D and I ventured to the Northcote Social Club (fine venue) to see Guy Blackman from Chapter records perform for his first album in "quite a while". His lyrical talent is really quite special, and his stage presence curiously enticing, and the self-deprecating humour pleasing. Certainly, this will be worthy of a Rocknerd review.

Going further back, I was thoroughly charmed to attend Nitul D's family gathering for Ganesh Chaturthi Puja, and a few days later, I would join him again, attending the 2025 Hugh Anderson Lecture by Marilyn Lake "Rapprochement with China" at the Royal Historical Society. Dr Lake was able to give some impressive history, a great deal of regional context and, of course, had a few words to say about AUKUS. It was the first time I'd been in the RHS building, a late-deco establishment and once a military hospital. Another one of Melbourne's hidden gems. On similar subjects, I must mention Dr Wesa C's birthday gathering last week at Vault Bar, a delightful little place and, as the name suggests, a former bank vault. It should be mentioned that Wesa is a bit of a hidden gem herself, and I had no prior knowledge of her singing talent!

Current Location: The Rookery
Current Music: Martin Dupont, Inedits 81-83

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Everybody's trying to get into heaven..

...but nobody's dead so far

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Haven't done this in a while

Out for a change

China National Day Events

Another quiet day

👋wavey wavey👋

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Trying the dreamwidth thing again!

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back again!

The Frustration of Sickness

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Wrote a story

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April 2017

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