brief note
Jan. 8th, 2026 12:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yhleeI requested this for multiple reasons, of which the recent Nebula-and-AI rules change handling fiasco was only the latest. I'm done.
To sf/f writer-folk, good luck out there.
I'm running an infection and I have work to do; comments disabled.
More Joy Day
Jan. 8th, 2026 11:44 amsenmutChapters: 1/1
Fandom: Dragonriders of Pern
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Robinton [Dragonriders of Pern]
Additional Tags: Drabble, More Joy Day
Summary:
Prompt: Pern/Robinton/Hey kids, let's put on a show!
Improv for a Rainy Day
The rain was unending, it seemed to Robinton. Tempers were fraying, there were apprentices in mischief, and worst… the wine delivery was delayed.
Robinton looked over the packed hall, thinking of future assignments. That did not alleviate this.
"Gentlemen and ladies," he said as he rose. "I propose a challenge, for all ranks, by table! Improvisational skills on display, one and all! A demonstration of pantomime and lyrics, displaying an historic event! To be presented tomorrow at this very same time."
He saw the challenge take hold, the spark of creativity even in those who groaned, and sat back down.
AO3 link | Doctor Care (100 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Elim Garak/Julian Bashir
Characters: Julian Bashir, Elim Garak
Additional Tags: Drabble
Summary:
Prompt: DS9, Garak + Bashir (friendship or (pre)slash, you decide!), respite
Doctor Care
"How many different ways do I need to inform you that you must rest, Doctor!" Garak finally snapped, after losing count of how many times the man had gotten up to prowl for something to do.
"But — "
"No." Garak went and took him by his arm, one of his own going behind Julian's waist to escort him firmly back to the chaise lounge Garak had installed for this. "Superior or not, you need to let your body rest while the fever runs its course."
Julian sighed, settling, and Garak sat beside him, keeping close contact.
"Tell me a story?"
"Yes."
update: how can I get my email inbox under control?
Jan. 8th, 2026 05:29 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
askamanager_feedRemember the letter-writer who was struggling to get their email inbox under control? Here’s the update.
I was the person who was overwhelmed by my inbox and was looking for help to manage high volume comms. Overall, the chaos of busy season was definitely easier to manage this year, even though the volume of email did increase up to around 300+ a day in the peak season, likely because I have been in my role longer so more people know me and like to ask me stuff. I really appreciated the commentariat suggestions and would love anyone to add any more systems and hacks – and to those who manage 1000+ emails a day, I take my hat off to you!
What worked:
* Having set times for smashing out emails. I liked to do a batch first thing in the morning and just after lunch, with a final half hour at the end of the day. I tried to use my standing desk for this – for my health, but also as it gives a sense of urgency? Almost like I’m running!
* Blocking those set times in my calendar. Sometimes I have to shift them, but in busy season having a dedicated reply time was essential. I also blocked a time for lunch so I either didn’t get meetings at a regular time slot each day or I moved the lunch to make sure I have it, and I would go sit outside or have a little jump around.
* This ties into ADHD and other neurospicy divergents – having a break and resetting my brain meant that I could work at higher capacity for more of the day. I tried to lean into my biorhythm when I could. For the same reason, I try to avoid meetings at 3pm – this is the worst time to pitch anything to me! I am twice as likely to say no or just generally be uncollaborative.
* Turning off my email when I needed focus time. I already kill as many notifications as I can, but even having it open and silent was distracting. It helped when I could to make my tasks into silos instead of multitasking, which is well known to sap everyone’s brain power.
* Using Quick Parts/ Templates either in app or on a Word doc – putting info that I was asked for over and over again that rarely changes into templates that I could autofill, e.g. the style guide with links to logo files.
* Not replying too quickly! Pick your battles. I found that with some emails, if I deliberately left them for a couple hours, other people would jump in and do the working out on my behalf. Don’t be too eager to be the one to fix stuff if you are busy!
* Judicious use of out-of-office: if I was off-site or super busy, I would let people know with auto-replies and defer them to another day or even another week to focus on deadline-driven priorities. An example was saying that I would only be replying to emails around “key deadline” this week, and all other enquiries would be attended to next week. Sometimes I even ask if they can reach out again after X date so I don’t have to backtrack.
* Once a month I reset to a kind of zero inbox-ish. (I’ll likely never be truly zero inbox again!) I would change the filter on the inbox to “from” instead of “date received.” This would allow me to see at a glance what had been dealt with from each person and what was outstanding that still needed to be picked up or given a bump to keep it moving. It’s a great way to clear out old emails and pick up missed items.
* Still using a physical notebook: small daily tasks, random thoughts to ask my boss, reminders of upcoming meetings, it was definitely still useful to have this and flick through it to see what needed ticked off. Especially for anything that was a small task and didn’t need to go into the project management software, or things that were not high priority but needed the input of three other people.
What didn’t work:
* Full disclosure — the list above has a few things that sound like I was amazing but I was definitely erratic with lots of this, I am definitely learning as I go. The silo tasks was hit and miss, the replying too quickly is definitely a key area to improve, my breaks policy was best practice only. I wasn’t always able to do all of these tactics at all times but I could definitely see the benefits when I did use them. When I’m tired, best practice falls away quickly if it’s not a habit.
* I tried to use a system of flags and “to do” on Outlook to monitor and keep on top of tasks, and it was too complex and dropped off under pressure.
* The biggest impact was one that can’t circumvent all or even any of the hacks — this year I was sick a lot less than last year. For Reasons, I was much healthier this year so didn’t have so many days with brain fog, or days out of the office that turned into two days out and so forth. Unfortunately, in the relentless busy season there is no way to catch up on absences.
What I want to try next year:
* Using new digital tools. LLM/AI garner a spectrum of opinions but there are definitely new tools coming through that should help us busy folk. Using automations to pick up on missed tasks. Tidying meeting notes so I can focus more in the session and type more roughly. Using automations to upload daily reports directly into our data management software, and using automations there to analyse it and email it back to me! I am keen to see what they develop in this space in so many ways.
* Doing the reset to zero inbox by sorting by name once a week, preferably on a Thursday so that I stay on top of small tasks a bit better. This was really a gamechanger and clearing out the inbox so I know where I am at makes a huge difference to my mental clarity. Big tasks make it into our project management software but there are a lot of things that are more work than needed to turn into a task.
* Giving it to someone else: training my direct reports with more nuance so that I can hand over more things to them.
That’s my wrap for the year, please do share your hints and tips!
The post update: how can I get my email inbox under control? appeared first on Ask a Manager.
Jo-Jo-style Bar Dio in Nakano City, Japan
Jan. 8th, 2026 12:00 pmatlas_obscura_places_feed
The Jojo manga franchise is infamous for it's strangely dressed characters and wacky plotlines that somehow are well written. It has fans all over the world, but only one of them opened a bar themed around the franchise and crested dozens of unique drinks around the characters and their 'stands'.
The bar itself is a small hole-in-the-wall type establishment, just large enough to seat about 10 people. It is covered from head to toe with prints and miniatures of the Jojo franchise, as well as original drawings and hand made replicas of the faces of various stands. Behind the bar the show is constantly playing, and the owner has watched it so often that he talks primarily in Jojo quotes (in Japanese). For those who want to read instead of watch, there is a library with all the Jojo books in one corner.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the bar is his long menu, which has about 50 drinks for each of the five Jojo seasons, each containing several unique cocktails named after the characters, their stands, and the moves of the stands.
Venezuela
Jan. 8th, 2026 12:16 pmaurumcalendula posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
thisfinecrewH.Con.Res.68 - To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/68
and
S.3595 - A bill to prohibit the use of funds for the deployment of United States military or intelligence personnel in Venezuela for certain purposes.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3595
(I saw the AP mention that a war powers resolution to limit further attacks on Venezuela advanced in the Senate, but I'm unclear if that referred to either of these)
ETA (1/9/2026): I think this is the resolution mentioned by the AP:
S.J.Res.98 - A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/98/
Happy More Joy Day! Drabbles & Limericks posted
Jan. 8th, 2026 11:47 ampetraChrestomanci
due South + Murderbot
due South + Venom
Interview with the Vampire (TV)
KPop Demon Hunters
Pride and Prejudice
Singin' in the Rain
Slough House
Star Wars
Prompt me if you would you like something in one or more of my fandoms. I may not get to you today, but we can have Even More Joy Day tomorrow!
Historical Fiction, a Murder Mystery, & More
Jan. 8th, 2026 04:30 pmsmartbitches_feedConsort of Fire
Consort of Fire by Kit Rocha is $1.99! This is book one in Bound to Fire and Steel fantasy romance series. Book two is also on sale. Have you read either book? What did you think?
From cult-favorite writing duo Kit Rocha comes a fiery novel set in a lush fantasy world brimming with ancient magic, dangerous secrets, and erotic connections.
For three thousand years, an ancient dragon god has protected the borders of the Sheltered Lands. In return, he makes only one demand: every one hundred years, the mortal ruler must send their heir to serve as his consort…for as long as they can survive.
Sachielle of House Roquebarre is the thirty-first consort to be sacrificed to the monster who guards the mountain passes. She is young, beautiful—and she has three secrets.
First: she’s a disposable orphan trained in seduction.
Second: her handmaid, Zanya, is an assassin and the only person she has ever loved.
Third—and most dangerous: she’s cursed. Sachi and Zanya have five weeks to murder the Dragon in his bed. If they fail, the mortal king’s curse will steal not just Sachi’s life, but her very soul.
The Dragon has only one secret: he is nothing like what they have been told. And he will do whatever it takes to possess them both.
Voyage of the Damned
Voyage of the Damned by Frances White is $2.99! This is a fantasy mystery set on a ship and has been mentioned before on the site. Have you read it?
A mind-blowing murder mystery on a ship full of magical passengers. If Agatha Christie wrote fantasy, this would be it!
For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this incredible feat, the emperor’s ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess’s Mountain. Aboard are the twelve heirs of the provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a Blessing.
All except one: Ganymedes Piscero—class clown, slacker and all-around disappointment.
When a beloved heir is murdered, everyone is a suspect. Stuck at sea and surrounded by powerful people and without a Blessing to protect him, Ganymedes’s odds of survival are slim.
But as the bodies pile higher, Ganymedes must become the hero he was not born to be. Can he unmask the killer and their secret Blessing before this bloody crusade reaches the shores of Concordia?
Or will the empire as he knows it fall?
Digging Dr. Jones
Digging Dr. Jones by Olivia Jackson is 99c! This is a standalone adventure romance with elements of forced proximity and opposites attract. I’m a little curious about this one!
A laugh-out-loud spicy adventure romcom. Perfect for fans of The Lost City, Lyla Sage and Christina Lauren.
A surprise gift is exactly what Adriana Jones needs to improve her vacation, and a bracelet with gems will do the trick.
Except once it’s on, she’s faced with two problems:
1. The bracelet is actually meant for Andrew Jones – the renowned and utterly gorgeous archaeologist
2. It will not come off, no matter how hard she tries…
Andrew Jones needs this bracelet if he wants to find an ancient lost treasure deep in the jungles of Colombia. And there’s no way he’s letting Adriana’s mistake cost him his career.
There’s only one solution: Adriana must accompany him on his quest. Trekking through jungles and crawling through crypts wasn’t on Adriana’s vacation agenda, but an adventure with the very sexy Dr Jones might just be the treasure she’s been seeking…
The Essex Serpent
The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry is $1.99! I read this one and was expecting some kind of eerie cryptid mystery. And while the writing was beautiful, it definitely had more of a Gothic historical fiction vibe than the paranormal mystery I was hoping for. There’s also an adaptation out with Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes.
Set in Victorian London and an Essex village in the 1890’s, and enlivened by the debates on scientific and medical discovery which defined the era, The Essex Serpent has at its heart the story of two extraordinary people who fall for each other, but not in the usual way.
They are Cora Seaborne and Will Ransome. Cora is a well-to-do London widow who moves to the Essex parish of Aldwinter, and Will is the local vicar. They meet as their village is engulfed by rumours that the mythical Essex Serpent, once said to roam the marshes claiming human lives, has returned. Cora, a keen amateur naturalist is enthralled, convinced the beast may be a real undiscovered species. But Will sees his parishioners’ agitation as a moral panic, a deviation from true faith. Although they can agree on absolutely nothing, as the seasons turn around them in this quiet corner of England, they find themselves inexorably drawn together and torn apart.
Told with exquisite grace and intelligence, this novel is most of all a celebration of love, and the many different guises it can take.
Snowflake Challenge 4: an excuse for a linkpost
Jan. 8th, 2026 04:18 pmdolorosa_12snowflake_challenge prompt 4 asks the following: Rec The Contents Of Your Last Page
Any website that you like, be it fanfiction, art, social media, or something a bit more eccentric!
Given that the last non-work website that I looked at was a somewhat grim political podcast, I'm going to reinterpret this as an opportunity to link a weird and wonderful piece of longform journalism that I've had bookmarked for a while: The snail farm don: is this the most brazen tax avoidance scheme of all time?
The title doesn't do it justice, and neither does my summary: a septugenarian who made his money in his family's shoe-selling business empire in the north of England, and has decades-long associations with the mafia in Naples (including hiding mafia members on the run in his properties in the UK) has for the past several years invested most of his time and energy in exploiting an elaborate UK tax loophole by which — if you claim to be running a snail farm on your property (including in residential blocks of flats or office buildings) — you pay no tax. In his telling, he's doing this purely to pass the time and keep his mind active in his later years. It's a wild ride.
This kind of written long-form journalism, essay or interview — with left-field subject matter and larger-than-life personalities — is my absolutely favourite type of nonfiction.
let’s discuss TMI: when coworkers overshare at work
Jan. 8th, 2026 03:59 pmaskamanager_feedInspired by yesterday’s letter about someone who vastly overshared personal mental health details with clients, let’s talk about oversharing at work!
Over the years we’ve heard about oversharing in the forms of a colleague who showed an explicit slideshow of her baby’s birth, a boss who kept sharing drama between his current wife and his ex-wife, a coworker who felt the need to share that her husband didn’t like her Brazilian bikini wax, a brand new hire who kept asking everyone whether he should cheat on his wife, and much more.
Let’s discuss workplace oversharing in the comment section.
The post let’s discuss TMI: when coworkers overshare at work appeared first on Ask a Manager.
Japanese Bonsai Garden in Schwielowsee, Germany
Jan. 8th, 2026 10:00 amatlas_obscura_places_feed
Started by a passionate bonsai enthusiast in the mid-1990s, the garden combines landscape design, art, and quiet reflection. Visitors follow winding paths lined with glowing azaleas, cherry blossoms, and fiery maples. Bonsai trees, some over 180 years old, are displayed among stone arrangements, mossy hills, and a pond filled with colorful koi. Stepping stones and small bridges lead to a wooden pavilion that frames the miniature landscape like a painting.
The tea house, overlooking the Zen garden, offers a peaceful stop for visitors to enjoy Japanese teas and sweet treats like Dora Yaki. A small shop nearby sells tea, traditional snacks, pottery, and bonsai supplies, allowing guests to take a piece of the garden home.
At the end of October, the garden hosts a Lantern Festival, when dozens of bamboo and stone lanterns illuminate the paths and trees in a soft glow. Visitors should check the garden’s website for current dates and event details.
katiedid717 posting in agonyauntMy grandchildren are in or nearing their teenage years. Two are from my son and his wife, and two are from my daughter and her husband. Of course, all children love and, to some extent, expect birthday and Christmas gifts. My daughter-in-law and her children continue a tradition of giving me handmade greeting cards every Christmas. They also always send me handwritten thank-you cards for the gifts I send. However, I receive no gifts from my other grandchildren, both boys, and never thank-you cards.
I mentioned this to my daughter, their mother, but there was no response. I suggested that each might give me a card promising 30 minutes of picking up sticks in my yard. I know that gifts should come from the heart with no sense of reciprocity, but the current situation bothers me. There seems to be a lack of moral character being demonstrated, as well as poor ethics and manners.
What do you think?
From the Therapist: You’ve framed your grandsons’ behavior as a case of bad manners or moral failure, but I hear a yearning underneath. No matter how much we tell ourselves that gifts aren’t about reciprocity, the reality is that they often hold emotional significance in which both parties are essentially asking to be recognized. The giver wants acknowledgment of their thoughtfulness and investment, while the receiver wants confirmation that they’ve been truly seen. Both are essentially asking, “Do I matter?”
When we don’t feel seen or appreciated, hurt feelings can disguise themselves as something else, like concern about good character or proper etiquette, because it’s easier to push pain outward than to say, “I feel unimportant to you.” But remember that children take cues from their parents, and I have a feeling that this lack of acknowledgment has more to do with your daughter than with her sons.
For instance, you mentioned that you got no response from her when you brought this up. But instead of telling her what her children should do for you, I’d be curious about why she doesn’t facilitate gift-giving or thank-you-note-writing. I say “she” because most teens don’t do this without some parental prodding, and I imagine that your daughter has her own feelings about your relationship that are being played out in the gifting dynamic.
Maybe gifting between you and her family feels empty or performative, when what she really wants is a different or more meaningful relationship with you. It could be that she perceives you as critical of both her and her sons, demanding of something that she doesn’t feel she or they owe you. She might also find your suggestion that the boys pick up sticks for you as a bit thoughtless: Would it make you happy to ask her children to do something that would feel more like a burdensome chore than something they would actually enjoy giving you?
Meanwhile, you say that your “daughter-in-law and her children” give you cards and write thank-you notes, but I noticed you don’t mention your son. It’s nice that your daughter-in-law has created traditions for her kids around gifting, but this doesn’t mean that her children have stronger characters than your daughter’s children do. It just means that the person your son married facilitates gifting and thanking — and that your son and your daughter don’t.
So what might help? First, separate your hurt feelings from judgments about character. You can feel unappreciated without that meaning that these boys are being raised poorly — or that this is primarily about them. Second, consider what you actually want. Do you want thank-you notes, or do you want to feel more connected to and valued by this branch of the family? If it’s the former, you could issue an ultimatum (no thank-you notes equals no gifts), but I don’t think forced statements of gratitude are what you really want. If you want genuine connection and appreciation, you can start by approaching your daughter with curiosity instead of complaints.
Community Recs Post!
Jan. 8th, 2026 10:08 amglitteryv posting in recthethingThis works great if you only have one rec and don't want to make a whole post for it, or if you don't have a DW account, or if you're shy. ;)
(But don't forget: you can deffo make posts of your own seven days a week. ;D!)
So what cool fanart/fanvids/fics/podfics/fancrafts/other kinds of fanworks have we discovered this week? Drop it in the comments below. Anon comment is enabled.
BTW, AI fanworks are not eligible for reccing at recthething. If you aware that a fanwork is AI-generated, please do not rec it here.
Current state of the Catherine, etc.
Jan. 8th, 2026 08:14 amcatherineldfBut for those worried about me personally, I am living alone, unemployed and taking care of a sick cat who requires regular medical attention. Add into that a bum leg and ice-covered streets and I'm not out much at night except for planned activities where I am meeting with or being driven by friends. Am I going into areas where folks have been targeted? Yes. I was at the Mercado Central yesterday for lunch after a post office run. It was largely deserted because people are justifiably terrified, but I got lunch from the lady making pupusas (one of the very few places that was open) and toiling away to feed the 10 or so people who were there. The front door was locked and building security was much in evidence. This is a reminder to support local immigrant-owned businesses.They need all the help they can get right now. I am also planning on going to the rally this Saturday, but will skip the march. Other than that, I am supporting my good electeds and local organizations, writing emails and will be doing some volunteering on related things (online, etc.) as time permits.
What else is going on? Well, today I'm "auditioning" for a part-time gig at a nearby local bookstore. A long time staffer is leaving and they're hoping I'll be a good fill in option. Not the week I would pick to start a retail gig in Minneapolis, but that fault lies neither with the bookstore or me. It's close enough, I think I can work out the med and event schedule with the store's needs, but we'll see how it goes. Shu is still hanging on, albeit with a few more periodic bad days (no more seizures so far, at least) - he still wants loves and cuddles and food and brushing so I'll try and keep him going until he wants to go. A friend just sent me a Reedsy invite so I need to get my editing info together and post out there as the bookstore gig will not cover all of my expenses. I did get some good financial news recently so not desperate, just want to make sure I don't become so and I need to avoid going on Social Security for a while longer or life will get even more problematic.
Other news:
- Queen of Swords Press is celebrating its 9th birthday this month! Also known as "Holy Shit! We Made it!" Huge thank you shoutout to everyone who's helped along the way! We are having a birthday sale this week - use code BIRTHDAY at check out to get a discount when buying direct from us through 1/11 and you'll get entered in our prize drawing!
- Jennie Goloboy and I are co-teaching "To Market, To Market" at The Loft Literary Center on 2/28. Get help from a prominent literary agent and an award-winning small press publisher on getting your book submitted and potentially published and all that good stuff.
- I just added some things to my Ko-fi store, including a couple of signed copies of an out of print award-winning collection.
- I have a Patreon where I post fiction, nonfiction, Queen of Swords Press news and more. This supports me in the sense of paying me for my publishing work.
- You can hire me to edit, teach, write and all that good stuff! Check out my Professional Editor's Network page here.
- Blue Moon (the next werewolf book) has cleared 18k words, I'm working on a queer Arthurian story for an anthology invite, I'm starting on a nonfiction piece for a successful pitch and I have a novella and a short story in progress. Working on building my nonfiction portfolio and helping people remember that I used to be a pretty well known fiction author so definitely open to more projects!
EDITED: Looks like the bookstore gig will work out once we get schedules and stuff sorted. Which means you'll be able to see me at DreamHaven Books in Minneapolis more often!