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Entry tags:

crafts: spinning

unhinged spinning

Unhinged spinning experiment: Immolation Fox prototype #1 (WIP)

Close-up:

(This is a WIP single, which I'd plan to ply, so that's active twist right now.)

I'm resigned at this point to destroying fiber in the service of something I find personally delightful to spin but Shinjo only knows how I'm going to get rid of the resulting yarn since I don't knit or crochet and don't plan to start. I took it up as an extremely backhanded way of additional physical therapy for my ankles.

If I am scarce right now, I'm physically ill, sorry! Spinning is at least a different sickness distraction from Balatro, which eats my device batteries.

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Friday, August 15th

Angel: Um, am I gonna see you this weekend? You, uh, you-you probably have plans.
Buffy: Right, birthday. Um, actually, I, I do have a thing.
Angel: Oh, a thing. (trying to be cool) A date?
Buffy: (nods) Nice attempt at casual. Actually, I do have a date. (steps closer) Older man. Very handsome. He likes it when I call him 'Daddy'.
Angel: (smiles) Huh, your father. (frowns) It is your father, right?

~~Helpless~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Claim by Higgystar (Drusilla/Spike, E)
I Know How Joan Of Arc Felt by bitterxox (Giles & Willow, T)
Not for You by Higgystar (Angelus/Spike, E)
The Witch Burns You by Pzyii (Willow/Buffy, not rated)
The Nanny by Kannaxaxel (Spike/OC, M)
Spots in the blood by Higgystar (Darla/Drusilla, M)

[Chaptered Fiction]

She's in Parties, Chapter 5 by betweenfactandbreakfast (Drusilla/Spike, E)
Aim High: A Stargate Tale, Chapter 15 by Buffyworldbuilder (Buffy, Stargate crossover, G)
The Blood Of A Slayer, Chapter 11 by Cosmic__Cowgirl (Buffy/Giles, E)
No Rest for the Wicked, Chapter 11 by TargaryenPug (Faith/Buffy, M)
The Haunting of Greenwood Place, Chapter 3 by Cosmic__Cowgirl and unendingwanderlust (Buffy/Giles, M)
I Came Home, Like A Stone, Chapter 7 by Viwiel (Buffy, DCU Batman crossover, G)
A Thrilling Adventure, Chapter 15 by TheAcidQueen (Buffy/Spike, E)
Roll With It, Chapter 6 by Mirrored_Illusions (Buffy, Stargate crossover, T)
The McFly Girl, Chapter 2 by LexLemon (Buffy/Spike, T)
Would You Believe I'm A Cancer? Chapter 2 by xaeyrnofnbe (Xander/Spike, M)
Looking for Bigfoot (and Other Stupid Things Faith Talked Me Into), Chapter 2 by Stokley (Faith/Buffy, M)
Any Way You Want It, Chapter 4 (complete!) by LadyInQuest (Buffy/Spike, E)
What Stars Are For, Chapter 4 by pesseyer (Buffy/Spike, M)
Doors of Perception, Chapter 2 (complete!) by SchrodingersKatInABox (Giles/Faith, M)
Birthing Point, Chapter 1 by SchrodingersKatInABox (Giles/Faith, M)

Something Borrowed, Chapter 15 by Geliot99 (Buffy/Spike, R)
What Love Looks Like, Chapter 14 by DeamonQueen (Buffy/Spike, Adult Only)
Thursday... what a concept, Chapter 68 by NotYourGrave (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Place, Chapter 11 by flootzavut (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)
serves you right, Chapter 4 by Nadia James (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
Game On, Chapter 4 by Melme1325 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
All For You, Chapter 3 by Melme1325 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
Undead, Chapter 10 by Nora (Buffy/Spike, R)
What Stars Are For, Chapter 2 by Pesseyer (Buffy/Spike, R)
Can't Remember to Forget You, Chapter 1 by LadyInQuest (Buffy/Spike, R)

The joining of souls, Chapter 38 by delfine (Buffy, Lord of the Rings crossover, FR13)
Aim High, Chapter 15 by Buffyworldbuilder (Buffy, Stargate crossover, FR13)

Fury of the Fallen, Chapters 1-8 by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: Spike by billyballzzzzz (worksafe)
Artwork: I love my diva by ornitharts (Lorne, worksafe)
Artwork: 'Buffy renaissance', digital study by superpantsverified (Buffy, Giles and Spike in Pangs, worksafe)
Artwork: Dark Willow sketch by pzyii (worksafe)
Header and icon: Buffy in Pangs by scorpjns
Headers: 1x09, The Puppet Show by buffyedit
Fanvid: bangel edit from my tiktok by ceciliastark

Tattoo: Buffy wraparound by Freddie Albrighton (worksafe)

[Reviews & Recaps]

Podcast: Episode 142: Selfless by Myth Taken: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast

[Recs]

Fanfic Recs ("great Buffy fics") by multiple posters

Fic rec: One Life (Buffy/Angel, E) by Chrislee recced by I Will Remember You Marathon

[Community Announcements]

[Fandom Discussions]

Video: Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997- 2001) - 5 Scenes You Didn't Know Were Unscripted by Slumber Cult

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

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podcast: aggro goose

Aggro Goose #2

Watch on YouTube

Aggro Goose #2: mimesis is a vector quantity (worldbuilding, "fictive complaints")

(I think the one cuss word this time is...assholes? Badasses?)

My real agenda is to refine my vocal plugin chain, with sf/f discussion as a side-effect. That said, Aggro Goose is happy to take topic suggestions in comments or to yoon at yoonhalee dot com.

(FYI, I'm scarce right now thanks to orchestration homework &c.)

Entry tags:

Photos: Apple Blossoms (5/6/25)

I realized, as I looked back at my photo posts, that I never posted any photos of the apple blossoms! Granted, I was still wearing a walking shoe/boot at this time (and if I recall correctly, it was soaking wet all the time), so I couldn’t take any walks through the orchard, but the apple trees in front of the house blossomed nicely. Here are just a few pics from the early days. (All were taken on 5/6/25.)

( 8 more back here )

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Thursday, Aug 14)

I didn’t have to do any shopping this morning, but I did go to the bank for my aunt and got in a walk around the park while I was downtown. I dropped off a book at the library on my way to visit my aunt and talked to the librarian about it (and picked up another book). I did a load of laundry (washed, dried AND folded), hand-washed dishes, took Grant for a walk, cut up chicken for the dogs’ meals, and scooped kitty litter.

I visited mom, read some fanfic, finished the Kindle cozy and started another, and read more about Hatshepsut. (I have already concluded that this is not a book I’m going to be able to just sit down and read through. My plan is to read a little bit each day, and read something light in between.) I also received another GC (the Bakery) for my birthday! And tomorrow is breakfast with my used bookstore friends to round out the celebration.

Temps started out at 63.5(F) and reached 88.7. Today was supposed to be the first in a string of (supposedly) cooler days. o_O

Mom Update:

Mom was doing better than yesterday, but not great. ( more back here )

Entry tags:

SGA: Always Crashing in the Same Car by WonkyElk

Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters/Pairings: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay, Patrick Sheppard, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan
Rating: M
Length: 11,758
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: WonkyElk on AO3, cookiemom6067 on AO3, cookiemom6067 on the Audiofic Archive
Themes: Marriage of Convenience, First time, Hurt/comfort, Complete AU

Summary: “Damn it, John, you’re thirty-six, and you’ve never had a stable relationship.”

Patrick Sheppard adjusted his tie and gave him that familiar look, that 'I’m trying to love you, son, but you just keep on disappointing me’ expression, which had started somewhere around John’s eleventh or twelfth birthday - just as soon as he got an ounce of healthy rebellion - and had rarely left his dad’s face since.

Reccer's Notes: Ronon plays matchmaker in this marriage of convenience, recommending Rodney to John, who's undertaking the marriage mostly to piss off his father, but also to strengthen his place in the company hierarchy. Rodney seems the perfect spouse to annoy Patrick Sheppard, being brash, and, most importantly, male. But then it turns out they get on remarkably well, and eventually Rodney encourages John to be himself, not continue to try to please his (impossible to please) father. There's angst, character development, romance, and some action/adventure, until they work it out. An excellent read!

Fanwork Links: Always Crashing in the Same Car and there's a podfic by cookiemom6067 here

Entry tags:

Smallville: Red Tape by Lenore

Fandom: Smallville
Pairings/Characters: Clark/Lex
Rating: Explicit
Length: 16,262
Creator Links:

lenore
Theme: Marriage of convenience

Summary: Clark’s illegal, and Lex makes him a green card proposal.

Reccer's Notes: Here with another Smallville rec! This time, it's Clark who, ostensibly, needs to get married because he has no social security number, no legit adoption papers. Lex is the mayor of Metropolis in this story, and Clark is a reporter at the Daily Planet. Lex knows the secret of Clark's/Superman's identity, and he doesn't want to be the bad guy who has to deport a beloved superhero. Solution: marriage!

What I love about this story is how absolutely befuddled Clark is by Lex's proposal and the actuality of the marriage. It's SO CLARK. Lenore touches on another of my favorite Clark traits, which is his loneliness and his inability to sustain a relationship because of his secret. I don't recall the story explicitly stating Clark's age, but I think he's in his late twenties, maybe almost thirty. Those added years give more emotional weight to the (of course) eventual romance and falling in love.

Lois and the Kents feature in the narrative, and it never fails to delight me when Lois makes coffee or Mr. Kent talks farming with Lex.

Fanwork Links: Red Tape. This story was originally posted on LJ/Smallville Slash Archive and later moved to AO3, which resulted in a duplication. I was told by the author that this is the correct version.

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Thursday, August 14

Giles: The rest of the pack were spotted outside Herbert the mascot's cage. They were sent to the principal's office.
Willow: Good! That'll show 'em... Did it show 'em?
Buffy: They didn't hurt him, did they?
Giles: They, uh... ate him.

~~The Pack~~

[Chaptered Fiction]

Sacrifices, Chapter 8 (Buffy/Spike, R) by GuinevereSummers
The Choice To Stay, Chapter 32 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Spikelover4ever
Buffy and the Slayer - Season 2, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by Sunnydale Sentinel
Undead, Chapter 9 (Buffy/Spike, R) by Nora
Thursday... what a concept, Chapter 67 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by NotYourGrave
No Truth Left Behind, Chapter 8 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Maxine Eden
An Abundance of Buffys, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by JayeMaru
If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck..., Chapter 10 (Buffy/Spike, R) by zinjadu

The Spooky Tree Strikes, Chapter 25 (Buffy/Spike, R) by GuinevereSummers
Fake It 'Til You Make It, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Cazzy
A Demon With No Name, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, AO) by Cazzy

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:My partner and I just finished S1 and we are already obsessed. Here's some artwork I did 🦇 by alt_retro

Artwork:practice sketch of spike by professeurm
Gifset:"And Buffy, be careful with this gift." by bangelgifs
Gifset:Buffy the Vampire Slayer 4.09 | Something Blue by marril96
Gifset:Buffy the Vampire Slayer | 1x11. Out of Mind, Out of Sight by mikimeiko
Gifset:BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER // 4.15 "This Year's Girl" by loisfreakinglane
Gifset:favorite drusilla looks -> season 2 by lovebvffys

Video: Once More, With Feeling "Rest in Peace" (Acoustic Cover) - Stephen Santouris by Behind the Curtain Theatre Productions CIC

[Reviews & Recaps]

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 3 Episode 3 | Daughters First Watch | Reaction by Maya and Gareth
Buffy The Vampire Slayer "OLDER AND FAR AWAY" S6E14 REACTION by JerBear Reacts
Buffy the Vampire Slayer 1X2 & 1X3 | Reaction by Heathen Reactions

[Fandom Discussions]

Here my prediction for the buffy reboot by sanshofox
If I were a Slayer and I met Angel (= a vampire with a soul), the first thing I’d do is study him by angrysandwichphantom

They needed to define Willow's problem earlier [Cont.] by multiple authors
Why did Drusilla torture Angel in What's My Line? by multiple authors
Question "Villains": Why were the demons so sure Buffy's healing factor alone would help her survive the gunshot? by multiple authors

Dopplegangland is a work of art! by multiple authors
Finished Buffy for the first time and some thoughts by multiple authors
Anya by multiple authors
Why Tomorrow/Deep Down are so hard to watch by multiple authors
what are some random BTVS moments you think about? by multiple authors
Favorite weapon? by multiple authors
What do you think Spike's reaction to the Vampire versions of Xander and Willow would have been? by multiple authors
Why did Wolfram and Hart bring back Darla? by multiple authors
Two Angel/Buffy Window Scenes — Intentional Parallel or Coincidence? by multiple authors
Main Characters as Vampires by multiple authors
Would Tara have been insulted by Giles comments to Willow by multiple authors
Cordelia knocking down the wall in her apartment by multiple authors
"Villains": Why were the demons so sure Buffy's healing factor alone would help her survive the gunshot? by multiple authors
*SPOILER* First video of Chase Sui Wonders on set as cameras roll by multiple authors
The way Oz made it Willows fault for him turning into a wolf again infuriates me (S4 EP19). by multiple authors
What’s the smallest thing that bothers you in Buffy the vampire slayer? by multiple authors
10 minutes of quietly waiting to present your case at Angel Inv. Is interrupted by a man’s erratic blubbering in the next room. What’s he crying about? by multiple authors
New Sunnydale by multiple authors
Buffy revivals attempts by multiple authors
vampire's sense of self? by multiple authors
What are your "derp" moments about Buffy? by multiple authors
Do we expect to see any cameos from the Angel cast in the Buffy sequel? by multiple authors
Choice as a central theme by multiple authors
Giving Angel the Gem of Amara?! by multiple authors

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

Podcast/Interview: Emma Caulfield Full Interview | Back To The Best Podcast by Back to the Best

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

Entry tags:

Photos: More Pumpkins & Flowers (with bonus Grapes)

More pumpkins! (These pics were taken on a couple different walks.)

These two look like the pumpkin is forming even before the flower does.

~*~

( more back here )

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Wednesday, Aug 13)

I had a chiropractic appointment and a pedicure this morning. I chose a light teal polish, though it looks like a brighter blue on. Still, this is the summer for experimenting with different colors on my toes, so I’m okay with it.

I hit Price Chopper and the Pharmacy while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park. I also picked up Chinese for my lunch.

I did a load of laundry (mom’s that she sent home with me; got it washed, dried and folded to go back to her tomorrow), hand-washed dishes and did a load in the dishwasher, took Grant for a short walk, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, scooped kitty litter, and showered.

I visited mom, started two Kindle cozies (finished one), and started the Hatshepsut biography.

Thanks so much for birthday wishes from

goss,

mific,

scriggle,

tarlanx, and

tozka.

Temps started out at 70.5(F) and reached 86. That I saw. It had to be hotter than that, but the clouds had started rolling in before I got home. In fact, the temp dropped two degrees the short time I was home between downtown and visiting mom.

It was so hot downtown, but just as I was pulling out of town, dark clouds rolled in. I drove through rain on the way to the garage to pick up Grant (another story), some of it quite heavy. And then it stopped, but the roads were wet. It was also wet at the garage, and about a third of the way home from there, and then dry pavement. We were supposed to get some rain later in the day, but we only got enough at our house to get everything wet. Meanwhile, the garage got a second storm and Pip said he thought they might have gotten over two inches because it came down so hard and fast.

Mom Update:

Mom was not doing great. She was lying on her bed after having a dizzy spell when I arrived. ( more back here )

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday, August 13th

CONNOR: All right. I get it. I messed up.
FAITH: Hey, cheer up, punk. That just makes you one of us.
GUNN: You headed out?
FAITH: Yeah, no tears, big guy. (gives Gunn a high-five)
GUNN: Nah, I'm good. I just wish I could've seen you kicking the crap out of junior, here.
FAITH: It was pretty funny.

~~Orpheus~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Triple Drabble: No Choice by badly_knitted (Buffy, Joyce, PG)

Weekly Drabbles #277 — Prank War by veronyxk84 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

soup - ch. 43-45 by jewelram (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) COMPLETE!
What the Drabble? Vol. 3 - ch. 77 by VeroNyxK84 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Aww Hell... ch. 3 by Tjin (Xander centric, Percy Jackson xover, FR13) COMPLETE!

ketchup - ch. 11-14 by jewelram (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) COMPLETE!
Faith Around & Find Out - ch. 5 by Kenijo (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Comic under the cut: I've posted the cover before but full comic (five full pages) under the cut for Kendra the Vampire Slayer in An Empty Moment. by sideartblog999 (Kendra, worksafe)
Artwork: This is how i view them idk by yarboyandy2 (Giles/Jenny, worksafe)
Artwork: [Bang Bang you're dead] by garscrucible (Warren, worksafe)
Artwork: My Graveyard Princess by coffeehunt (Drusilla, worksafe)
Artwork: picnic by mistyintherivers (Giles/Jenny, worksafe)
Artwork: Buffy Polaroid number 2! Hair from szn 3 episode “Bad Girls” by kleoshe (Buffy, worksafe)
Artwork: my take on the apple drawing trend by shortnailsforfuntimes (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)
Artwork: [playing card] by sayanrougshaban (Spike, Angel, worksafe)
Artwork: Varies angel expressions I went through for a linking keychain by blue-star-charmer-art (Angel, worksafe)
Artwork: I found this pathetic thing in my garden do I let it in . It is on fire by thedullsea (Spike, worksafe)
Headers: Buffy, the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) 1x03, The Witch by buffyedit (Buffy, Amy, Willow, Xander, worksafe)
Icons: [Cordelia in the library and OP has many other icon posts] by kimberlyshaws (Cordelia, worksafe)
Textpost: this freak again?? (pt. 15) by xaeyrnofnbe (Angel, Angel/Cordelia, Buffy/Angel, worksafe)
Textpost: btvs as textposts pt5 by lesbian-spuffy (ensemble, worksafe)
Textpost: Buffy Summers mood board part 2: text edition by adanseying (worksafe)
Gifset: aufredpratt requested: spike/fred gifset I don't want to go. by gothamstreetcat (Fred/Spike, worksafe)
Gifset: buffy summers + ✨girlie stuff ✨ by sophsun1 (Buffy, worksafe)
Gifset: favorite jenny calendar looks -> season 2 by lovebvffys (Jenny, worksafe)
Gifset: favorite cordelia chase looks -> season 2 by lovebvffys (Cordelia, worksafe)
Gifset: ANGEL // 5.14 "Smile Time“ by loisfreakinglane (Angel, Lorne, worksafe)
Gifset: BEST OF BTVS: Buffy Summers — Season Three by clarkgriffon (Buffy, worksafe)
Gifset: BUFFY SUMMERS + scarves & neckerchiefs by clarkgriffon (Buffy, worksafe)
Fanvid: Cordelia they could NEVER make me hate you by agentaace (Cordelia)
Fanvid: Had to make something to quell my spuffy brainrot by i-married-the-universe (Buffy/Spike)

Fanvid: Buffy Summers - Walk (Thank you for 700 subscribers!) by Faith Victoria (Buffy)

[Reviews & Recaps]

[Recs & In Search Of]

ISO w/recos: o0psididitagain wonders where are we reading the BTVS comics??
Fic rec w/meta: [commentary in OP tags and] paper stars empty caskets by tinkerbellamy recced by camellcat

ISO w/recs: StateOfSiege97 seeks Recommended Podcasts—?

[Community Announcements]

[Fandom Discussions]

10 Harsh Realities Buffy Fans Must Face [article discussion] by FallenAngel00 and others

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

Entry tags:

reading Wednesday

Just Finished:. Gifts by Ursula LeGuin, the first of the Annals of the Western Shore. A re-read, but it had been probably 15 years since I first read it, so it was good to visit again. Such creativity, such a wonderful voice, such marvelous characters, even if so much of the content is grim (as it involves using supernatural gifts for power and violence). Good stuff.

Now reading: Voices, the 2nd of the Annals. And The Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer, on audio. This one is remarkably charming and I am definitely enjoying it.

Up next: The Scarlet Pimpernel, for book club (on audio from Librivox), and Powers, the finale of the Annals of the Western Shore.

****

Today I was in a meeting with many people from around the organization, strategizing on how to spend $100M, and there were 10 people on the call and I was the only woman. Joy.

I had takeout Thai on Sunday when I hosted two friends, and ended up with a small container of leftover peanut sauce. So tonight I mixed it with extra olive oil, garlic, rice vinegar, and peanut butter, and stretched it enough to make it into salad dressing. Very tasty! I recommend.

In a few minutes I have to get up and make a tray of dessert for the division summer BBQ on Friday. I think I shall probably make these.

Work is entirely out of control. Apparently I could ask for OT for some of this work but I just cannot bring myself to do any more than I have the time to do in a 40-hour week. And if not enough gets done, well, that's just not my problem.

Entry tags:

Wednesday Reading Meme & Books 85 - 88 of 2025

What I Just Finished Reading: Since last Wednesday I have read/finished reading: Lord of the Silent (An Amelia Peabody Mystery) by Elizabeth Peters, The Sound of Broken Glass (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) by Deborah Crombie, Kidnapped in the Kitchen (The Inn at Holiday Bay) by Kathi Daley and Through the Evil Days (Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries) by Julia Spencer-Fleming.

What I am Currently Reading: I just finished a book last night so haven’t started another one, but I’m hoping it’ll be the book I requested on a whim, The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara Cooney. (Yes, I requested it while reading the last Amelia Peabody book.)

What I Plan to Read Next: Uncertain. I do have another library book out, but I might actually read one of my own books first.

Book 85 of 2025: Lord of the Silent (An Amelia Peabody Mystery) (Elizabeth Peters)

This book is so good!! ( spoilers )

I enjoyed this very much and am giving it five hearts.

♥♥♥♥♥

Book 86 of 2025: The Sound of Broken Glass (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) (Deborah Crombie)

This book was so good! ( spoilers )

I enjoyed this very much and am giving it five hearts.

♥♥♥♥♥

Book 87 of 2025: Kidnapped in the Kitchen (The Inn at Holiday Bay) (Kathi Daley)

This book was okay. ( spoilers )

I'm starting to get tired of this series, but I also have the need to know what happens, so I'll most likely continue with it. Unless I forget about it when the two new books come out in the fall (there is one left to read that is already out). I'm giving this one three hearts.

♥♥♥

Book 88 of 2025: Through the Evil Days (Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries) (Julia Spencer-Fleming)

This book was (mostly) good. ( spoilers )

I enjoyed this book right up until the author cut out my heart at the end; I’m deducting a heart because it still stings.

♥♥♥♥

Entry tags:

book report

Interior Chinatown, by Charles Yu

What if your life was a TV show? Would you be the star or a background character?

Willis Wu lives and works in Chinatown and dreams of being Kung Fu Guy, just like his father before him, but Will's role in life—or in the script—is more Generic Asian Man Number Three. Then he falls for Attractive Lady Cop and has to make a choice between a family life in the suburbs or the job he's always wanted.

This is one of those stories that's more about an idea than a character, and more a thesis than a story. The idea is interesting and the thesis is credible—and completely spelled out for you in a courtroom scene at the end in case you somehow missed it—but the characters have the stock feel of a parable and gave me little reason to care about their struggles as they toil in a system that's been stacked against them for centuries.

The system is racist as shit and Yu supports this with real world examples but doesn't do much to personalize it for his characters. He does dramatize it, literally, as parts are in script format, but even much of that is intentionally clichéd, and despite some early ??? as I wondered what the fuck was going on, I didn't find this challenging or exciting, but I think it did what it meant to.

Contains: cops; racism (including stereotypes and slurs); elder care; poverty; generational trauma; pomo; second person perspective.

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Tuesday, Aug 12)

I hit Walmart and the Dollar Tree while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park.

I did two loads of laundry (both washed, dried AND folded), hand-washed dishes, baked and cut up chicken for the dogs’ meals, scooped kitty litter, and shaved. I grilled steak for Pip’s supper.

I visited mom and finished the Clare Fergusson book.

Temps started out at 68.0(F) and reached 92.3. The temps should be a tad lower after this (low- to mid-80s for a few days) before dropping to mid-70s. We’ll see if that holds.

Mom Update:

Mom was very tired today. ( more back here )

(no subject)

I've finally reached the point where I've posted more Bleach fic than I have Smallville fic, which feels right because I posted all that Smallville fic two plus decades ago. There should be a 'show only my top most written fandoms in the last five years' button 😂 I filtered by date updated for five year periods to see what fandoms I was most deranged about writing in in any given period, and first of all it's not even accurate because I have three fics tagged LOTR and it says I have only two. And secondly I think I've realised I'm just as unhinged in the 2021-2025 time period as I was 2001-05. I may have written 21 Buffy stories in the 01-05 period (well, I wrote more than that, but plenty of my early extra bad fic was not posted backdated to AO3, and in fact has been lost from the internet), but I also wrote ...uh... 23 Mysterious Lotus Casebook stories in a year and a half in the 2021-2025 period, so... there's that...

Whereas 06 to 10 and 11 to 15 is just [gandalf I have no memory of this place meme]. I wrote Merlin fic?? I wrote Teen Wolf fic?? I wrote Young Avengers fic?? I have absolutely no memory of ever writing getbackers fic, but I was obsessed with it, so at least that makes sense.

Entry tags:

Bleach fic

Limbo (1014 words) by thawrecka
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Bleach (Anime & Manga)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Kira Izuru & Matsumoto Rangiku, Kurosaki Ichigo & Kurosaki Isshin
Characters: Kira Izuru, Matsumoto Rangiku, Kurosaki Ichigo, Kurosaki Isshin, Tia Harribel
Additional Tags: Bittersweet, Grief/Mourning, Post-Winter War (Bleach), Awkward Conversations, Angst
Summary:

Three different shared griefs, in three different places.

Entry tags:

TXT: promise not to promise anymore by ratherunnecessary

Fandom: TOMORROW X TOGETHER | TXT (Korea Band)
Pairings/Characters: Choi Soobin/Kang Taehyun, side Choi Beomgyu/Choi Yeonjun, unrequited Soobin/Beomgyu
Rating: Teen and up
Length: 21K words
Creator Links:

ratherunnecessary
Theme: Marriage of Convenience, Alternative Professions

Summary:
Choi Soobin: Korea’s hottest leading man—who’s secretly nursing a broken heart.

Kang Taehyun: heir to the legendary Kang Entertainment—but only if he gets married first.

Reccer's Notes: I love Soobin in this - he goes from broken-hearted to agreeing to help an acquaintance (by marrying him, of course) to a devoted husband. He comes into his own as a partner over the course of this, and is more solid in himself at the end, too.

The other characters are also great. Yeonjun, in particular, just shines.

Fanwork Links: promise not to promise anymore on AO3

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Tuesday, August 12th

Cordelia: I feel a little guilty.
Angel: Don't. - I mean, nineteen dollars for a - sashimi couscous appetizer is money well spent. How was it anyway? Pretty good? I mean, it ought to be pretty...
Cordelia: It's delicious but that's not what I feel guilty about.
Angel: Oh. (Sees Wesley looking at him) I 'm not cheap, I-I'm just old. I-I remember when a few bob got you a good meal, a bottle *and* a tavern wench. - You were saying?

~~Belonging~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Clawfully Yours by veronyxk84 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)
Moon Light and Eyes by madimpossibledreamer (Buffy, SMT Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha crossover, T)

BigBadBabyBoy's stream is starting... by Higgystar (Darla/spike, E)
Pacify by Higgystar (Darla/Spike, M)
Duty Calls by Higgystar (Angel/Spike, E)
Depressioners by GarsCrucible (Warren/Andrew, M)

Masquerade Ball by sevendeadlyfun (Buffy, Spike, PG)
Untitled by brunettemarionette (Spike/reader, not rated)

Soap by bunniesarebad (Buffy/Spike, PG)

[Chaptered Fiction]

The Coven, Chapter 10 by heckate (Willow, Giles, T)
The Blood Rushing Through Her Veins, Chapter 16 by Saphire_Naida (Buffy/Angel, E)
For Research Purposes, Chapter 6 by shekissedmedead, spikes_guy (Buffy/Spike, E)
Cunning Woman, Chapter 14 by desicat (Buffy/William, Anne Pratt, E)
Weight of Echos, Chapter 27 (complete!) by SchrodingersKatInABox (Giles/Faith, M)
The Scientist, The Witch and the Superspy, Chapter 90 by Dyrla (Faith, Willow, multiple crossovers, E)
Pokegirl Adventures, Chapter 11 by gothicjedi666 (Dawn/OC, Pokegirls and Teen Titans crossover, E)
Here Be Dragons, Chapter 1 by TargaryenPug (Buffy/Faith, not rated)
A Thrilling Adventure, Chapter 13 by TheAcidQueen (Buffy/Spike, E)
Roll With It, Chapter 4 by Mirrored_Illusions (Buffy/Daniel Jackson, Stargate crossover, T)
Looking for Bigfoot (and Other Stupid Things Faith Talked Me Into), Chapters 1-5 (complete!) by Stokley (Buffy/Faith, M)

Moth to a Flame, Chapter 34 by tragic (Buffy/Spike, R)
Dead Poet's Inheritance, Chapter 16 by Soulburnt (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
Thursday... what a concept, Chapter 65 by NotYourGrave (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
Undead, Chapter 7 by Nora (Buffy/Spike, R)
Buffy and the Slayer - Season 1, Chapter 12 (complete!) by Sunnydale Sentinel (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Heroes, villains and Slayers, Chapter 15 by DoctorSkywalker (Scoobies, multiple crossovers, FR18)

Revelations, Chapter 21 by Niamh (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
What the Drabble? Vol. 3, Chapter 76 by VeroNyxK84 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)
For Research Purposes, Chapter 6 by spikes_guy, Alisandrerose (Buffy/Spike, Adult Only)
Out of Dodge, Chapter 16 by VeroNyxK84 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)
Finality, Chapter 4 by flootzavut (Buffy/Spike, PG)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: Flowers by C0ffee_B0nes (Spike/Drusilla, worksafe)

Custom Buffy 6-inch action figure by aarongeis (worksafe)

Artwork: Sketchbook, Chapter 14 by JSBirsa (Buffy/Spike, not worksafe)

Artwork: Anya and Willow by pzyii (worksafe)
Artwork: Slayers and Nurses by sozomaika (Buffy, worksafe)
Artwork: Inspired by explosionshark’s fic body language by aa-arttss (Buffy/Faith, worksafe)
Artwork: Steam Workshop::WARREN MEARS by garscrucible (worksafe)
Artwork: 🍎it'll grieve me, 'cause I love you so🍎 by mistyintherivers (Willow, worksafe)
Artwork: Faith/Buffy by mistyintherivers (worksafe)
Gifset: you're in love with him, and he's in love with you, and it's like a goddamn tragedy by gothamstreetcat (Lilah/Wesley, worksafe)
Gifset: #small detail that goes hard for me by anjelia3 (Angelus, Buffy, worksafe)
Animatic for the post s5 Buffybot Summer by snakeliciousbaby (WIP, worksafe)

[Reviews & Recaps]

[Recs]

Fic recs: Angel whump by whump-in-the-night

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The Day in Spikedluv (Monday, Aug 11)

Pip had a procedure this morning, basically an endoscopy, to remove a nodule they’d found in a previous endoscopy. The annoying bit is that the doctor looked at it and said it didn’t need to be removed. Why did they schedule the procedure, then?!! (Pip’s regular gastro doc, the one who saw him back when he got really sick and diagnosed him with celiac, had this other doc look at the pictures he took AND the tests had already come back that it was benign, so why we needed to go through this I have no idea.) *deep sigh*

I did a load of laundry (washed, dried AND folded!!), hand-washed dishes, cut up chicken for dogs’ meals, scooped kitty litter, and showered. I also visited mom briefly and stopped at Stewart’s on the way home. I grilled country style pork ribs for supper.

I read more in the Clare Fergusson book.

Thank you for the additional birthday wishes from

adafrog,

celli,

cordeliadelayne,

lunabee34,

malinaldarose,

pattrose,

reeby10,

silver_chipmunk,

sperrywink,

thatjustwontbreak,

turps,

umadoshi, and

vysila.

I also forgot to mention that I received birthday wishes and an invite to breakfast from my used book store friends, so I'll be meeting them on Friday! I haven't seen them in a while. It still feels weird. BC (before Covid) we saw each other several times a week, now it's several times a year.

Temps started out at 63.3(F) and reached 93.2. Again, so hot. I think we have one more day where it’s going to be this hot, then around 80, then a full week of mid-70s. That’s gonna feel so strange.

Mom Update:

Mom had her chemo today and once again it started the process of her being knocked on her butt. ( more back here )