Girl Genius for Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Jan. 28th, 2026 05:00 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
girlgenius_main_feedThe Girl Genius comic for Wednesday, January 28, 2026 has been posted.
So, in my Outgunned
Jan. 27th, 2026 10:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
james_davis_nicollI think the schtick is the crew gets sent out to investigate potentially revolutionary tech and it's always legitimately amazing but also not what they're expecting. Case in point, they were looking into a supposed teleporter and now everyone is ant-sized.
Among my other ideas
( Read more... )
Among my other ideas
( Read more... )
Nine to five.
Jan. 27th, 2026 10:01 pmhannahI'm wanted for three full days a week at the day gig for the next three weeks, minimum. I'd be foolish to turn it down. I'd also be foolish to leave other people in the lurch and hanging, even if all that's happened is a couple of emails. That it's a project with a defined end - eventually, they're going to run out of books - helps a little bit in assessing the coming days.
To my pride, last week I'd suggested they move the children's books they wanted to save to the closet in one of the kid's rooms. They decided to pack them up to move them, so last week I packed them up - too much per box to be practical, but finally contained. Today they said they wanted them in one of the kid's rooms, so I unpacked, sorted, and put them all away, and they were deeply pleased with the end results.
There's a lot to get through, and there's rooms of books in this place. They're coming out of closets, they turn up in boxes, they're hiding behind each other, and I haven't even touched the other side of the apartment. Rarely do I look forward to having to be at work in the morning, but then, rarely do I have this much fun at the job.
To my pride, last week I'd suggested they move the children's books they wanted to save to the closet in one of the kid's rooms. They decided to pack them up to move them, so last week I packed them up - too much per box to be practical, but finally contained. Today they said they wanted them in one of the kid's rooms, so I unpacked, sorted, and put them all away, and they were deeply pleased with the end results.
There's a lot to get through, and there's rooms of books in this place. They're coming out of closets, they turn up in boxes, they're hiding behind each other, and I haven't even touched the other side of the apartment. Rarely do I look forward to having to be at work in the morning, but then, rarely do I have this much fun at the job.
Check-In Post - Jan 27th 2026
Jan. 27th, 2026 07:55 pmbadly_knitted posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
get_knittedHello to all members, passers-by, curious onlookers, and shy lurkers, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.
Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?
There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.
This Week's Question: What are your crafting goals for 2026?
If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.
I now declare this Check-In OPEN!
Feeling guilty no more
Jan. 27th, 2026 10:51 amsusandennisOk, just got clarity.
Jim Across The Hall, has maybe 4 marbles left. He needs to be in memory care and would be if they had room. He also has nearly no one. All he can do is watch TV and walk downstairs to the front desk and back. That is really his entire life. Oh and he does come to elbow coffee. And he's not at all stressed or unhappy or hurting anyone.
He knocked on my door today to ask for help. He can not articulate what he needs help with so I have to go to his apartment. It's his TV - he's got no signal. This is his life and he's got nothing else. He's already been down to the front desk and they told him the IT guy would come tomorrow at 1:30. That's forever in his life.
"If you can't do anything that's fine. but I thought it might be worth asking you."
It took me a minute to figure out his system and that it was cable. So I rebooted his DVR. No joy. But then I rebooted his cable box and that did the trick. He was so happy, he could not even express it. It made my day.
That's the kind of help I'm happy to provide. He has no one else. He has no other distraction.
Hazel and John have no business buying a smart phone with no plan on how to get it operational. I am not that plan. Plus, they have family and resources. Even Jim had already lined up help and was just asking if I could help sooner. I no longer feel any guilt about Hazel and John. Thank you, Jim!
Jim Across The Hall, has maybe 4 marbles left. He needs to be in memory care and would be if they had room. He also has nearly no one. All he can do is watch TV and walk downstairs to the front desk and back. That is really his entire life. Oh and he does come to elbow coffee. And he's not at all stressed or unhappy or hurting anyone.
He knocked on my door today to ask for help. He can not articulate what he needs help with so I have to go to his apartment. It's his TV - he's got no signal. This is his life and he's got nothing else. He's already been down to the front desk and they told him the IT guy would come tomorrow at 1:30. That's forever in his life.
"If you can't do anything that's fine. but I thought it might be worth asking you."
It took me a minute to figure out his system and that it was cable. So I rebooted his DVR. No joy. But then I rebooted his cable box and that did the trick. He was so happy, he could not even express it. It made my day.
That's the kind of help I'm happy to provide. He has no one else. He has no other distraction.
Hazel and John have no business buying a smart phone with no plan on how to get it operational. I am not that plan. Plus, they have family and resources. Even Jim had already lined up help and was just asking if I could help sooner. I no longer feel any guilt about Hazel and John. Thank you, Jim!
The Brightness Between Us, by Eliot Schrefer
Jan. 27th, 2026 11:02 amrachelmanija
The sequel to The Darkness Outside of Us. I enjoyed it! It's both interestingly different from the first book and is satisfying on the level of "I want more of this," which is exactly what one wants from a sequel.
Literally everything about this book is massively spoilery for the first one, including its premise. I'll do two sets of spoiler cuts, one for the premise and one for the whole book.
( Premise spoilers )
Stop reading here if you don't want to be spoiled for the entire book.
( Entire book spoilers )
I had too much to dream last night
Jan. 27th, 2026 09:28 amsusandennisMy brother reminded me of the song about having too much to dream and it's been me lately. My dreams have been long and involved and more like scripted TV without the ads. This morning the alarm went off in the middle of about the 3rd act. It was not hard to get up but it was really hard to shed the groggy. I had to think hard to figure out it was not Saturday.
I ran into Hazel and John yesterday. I was trying to get on the elevator and they were coming off and they blocked me. Hazel said she wanted to come see me so I could set up the new 'flat phone that John bought me'.
NFW to the max. I told her that she needed to find another avenue for that endeavor. Call IT (they never come). Take it down to the Kid Tech Helpers (oh they talk over my head). The IT team - two very nice guys, are here to help people with their Timber Ridge provided TV and wifi. IF IF IF they have spare time, they might also help with phones and computers. The Kid Tech Helpers are volunteers who come to help with whatever technical issues you have.
I have this horrible vision of my setting up Hazel's phone and then every single time she wants to use it, she will be at my door to have me show her one more time. This is the same woman who brings me her tablet every three months. All she does is play solitaire on it but then, of course, clicks on everything because she can't really see the thing well enough and then it fills with crap and I have to clear it out again. And she wants to use a smart phone??????
John still cannot get on his computer. I think they are both mad at me because I won't help them. But neither of them makes the tiniest effort to help themselves. They also have a son who could help them. I do feel guilty but all of my energy goes to fighting that feeling. They can be mad all they want.
Oh I did fix an Apple watch today. In the middle of volleyball, Holly's watch kept trying to call 911 and she couldn't get it to stop. I figured it out (works just like my Pixel watch) so the game could continue. It was the first time I'd ever touched an Apple watch. They are a nice piece of hardware.
Another one of our regular volleyball players had to leave the game today early so she could get ready for her birthday party. She's 96 today.
My closet/dressing room continues to delight. I am now two clear boxes away from done. I needed four but I was just not sure how they would work out and they come in packs to 2 so I ordered one pack to test. Perfect so the second will be here today and the closet will be done.
There's a very small space behind the dirty clothes hamper and yesterday I threw down an old Mariners fleece blanket. It's the new favorite cat spot.
Today is house cleaner day. But also day two of bunny exploration. I'm trying out new patterns. I think I have the one I want. The first one (below) I did was ok. The second one was too big. The third one might be perfect but so far I've only done half. Martha came by last night and approves but says they need ribbons so I'm going to make up some and she'll decorate them.
I ran into Hazel and John yesterday. I was trying to get on the elevator and they were coming off and they blocked me. Hazel said she wanted to come see me so I could set up the new 'flat phone that John bought me'.
NFW to the max. I told her that she needed to find another avenue for that endeavor. Call IT (they never come). Take it down to the Kid Tech Helpers (oh they talk over my head). The IT team - two very nice guys, are here to help people with their Timber Ridge provided TV and wifi. IF IF IF they have spare time, they might also help with phones and computers. The Kid Tech Helpers are volunteers who come to help with whatever technical issues you have.
I have this horrible vision of my setting up Hazel's phone and then every single time she wants to use it, she will be at my door to have me show her one more time. This is the same woman who brings me her tablet every three months. All she does is play solitaire on it but then, of course, clicks on everything because she can't really see the thing well enough and then it fills with crap and I have to clear it out again. And she wants to use a smart phone??????
John still cannot get on his computer. I think they are both mad at me because I won't help them. But neither of them makes the tiniest effort to help themselves. They also have a son who could help them. I do feel guilty but all of my energy goes to fighting that feeling. They can be mad all they want.
Oh I did fix an Apple watch today. In the middle of volleyball, Holly's watch kept trying to call 911 and she couldn't get it to stop. I figured it out (works just like my Pixel watch) so the game could continue. It was the first time I'd ever touched an Apple watch. They are a nice piece of hardware.
Another one of our regular volleyball players had to leave the game today early so she could get ready for her birthday party. She's 96 today.
My closet/dressing room continues to delight. I am now two clear boxes away from done. I needed four but I was just not sure how they would work out and they come in packs to 2 so I ordered one pack to test. Perfect so the second will be here today and the closet will be done.
There's a very small space behind the dirty clothes hamper and yesterday I threw down an old Mariners fleece blanket. It's the new favorite cat spot.
Today is house cleaner day. But also day two of bunny exploration. I'm trying out new patterns. I think I have the one I want. The first one (below) I did was ok. The second one was too big. The third one might be perfect but so far I've only done half. Martha came by last night and approves but says they need ribbons so I'm going to make up some and she'll decorate them.
1/23/26 - 1/27/26 Action Items in Congress Section
Jan. 27th, 2026 09:44 amgwydion* I didn't even finish scaffolding the ICE Protests, but there are so many action items, I had to post.
* "Trump's Greenland War Faceplants:"
( Embed: )
******
* "Jason Rezaian - Amplifying the Iranian Experience Amid Protests & Media Blackouts | The Daily Show:"
( Embed: )
* "Trump raises US tariffs on South Korea imports to 25%:" https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyw3ynwe37o
* "China says Canada deal does not target the US after Trump tariff threat:" https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8r4kxgpx6o
*** Immigration/I.C.E/Autocracy/Slow Motion Civil War/Violent Illegal Occupation of Blue Cities News (Sort likely a little rough)***
* "Trump administration is potentially sending two gay men to their death by preparing to deport them to Iran:" https://www.advocate.com/news/iranian-men-deportation-danger
* "Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino and some of his masked agents will leave Minneapolis:" https://www.advocate.com/news/greg-bovino-leaving-minneapolis
Stay noisy! It's not remotely over, but resist hard enough we can move the needle.
* "Greg Bovino Loses His Job:" https://archive.ph/aYe22
* "Critics slam Pam Bondi’s demand for Minnesota voter rolls amid ICE surge:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/26/pam-bondi-minnesota-voter-rolls-ice-surge
There is no legal basis for them having access to these records, and this is clearly extortion designed to get records they can they weaponize to steal yet more basic rights from Minnesotans.
* "ICE says its officers can forcibly enter homes during immigration operations without judicial warrants: 2025 memo:" https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ice-policy-officers-enter-homes-immigration-without-judicial-warrant-rcna255305
This is blatantly unconstitutional. Let us see if SCOTUS will declare the 4th and 10th Amendments unconstitutional.
* "Unbelievable ICE Memo Just Leaked:"
( Embed: )
* "ICE Making List of Anyone Who Films Them :" https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/ice-making-list-of-anyone-who-films
* "Footage, documents at odds with DHS accounts of immigration enforcement incidents:" https://stateline.org/2026/01/23/footage-documents-at-odds-with-dhs-accounts-of-immigration-enforcement-incidents/
* "Court records raise doubts that ICE is detaining the ‘worst of the worst’ in Maine:" https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/court-records-raise-doubts-ice-detaining-worst-worst-129513568
* "Federal immigration agents are a modern-day ‘slave patrol,’ says former Minneapolis City Council president:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/states/andrea-jenkins-minneapolis-ice-terrorization
* "They ‘Had Done Everything Right.’ ICE Detained Them Anyway.:" https://archive.ph/Kuyq1
* Yet more child Abuse from ICE. "Border Patrol detained family seeking care for 7-year-old child at Portland hospital:" https://www.koin.com/news/portland/border-patrol-detained-family-of-3-seeking-care-for-7-year-old-child-at-portland-hospital/
* "Witnesses say they begged ICE agents not to detain Minnesota 5-year-old after father's arrest:" https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/23/witnesses-say-they-begged-ice-agents-not-to-detain-minnesota-5yearold-after-fathers-arrest
* "Immigrant families protest inside Texas facility housing 5-year-old boy, father detained in Minnesota:" https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/24/immigration-facility-protest-texas-liam-conejo-ramos/
* Stay noisy! "Morale is plummeting among ICE agents over long hours, quotas and public hatred: reports:" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/ice-agents-morale-reports-minneapolis-shooting-b2907742.html
* "ICE vs. Everyone: Minneapolis learned a lot from the George Floyd protests and it shows.:" https://www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/online-only/ice-vs-everyone/
* "I’m a Minneapolis sociologist who studies violence. Here’s how ICE observers are helping.:" https://www.ms.now/opinion/minneapolis-ice-watch-protesters-violence-research
* "Your rights, explained: What to do if you encounter ICE or DHS agents:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/immigration/ice-immigration-rights-protesters
* "Minnesotans strike in protest against ICE surge: ‘No work, no school, no shopping’:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/23/minnesota-economic-blackout-ice-protests
* "Photos: Clergy, activists protest ICE at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport:" https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/23/clergy-and-protesters-gather-at-msp-airport-to-demonstrate-against-ice
* "Americans grow more outraged as Trump’s ICE grows more outrageous:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/americans-grow-more-outraged-as-trump-s-ice-grows-more-outrageous-2483191363788
* "‘State law applies’: No ‘absolute immunity’ for Trump’s ICE henchmen, prosecutor says:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/state-law-applies-no-absolute-immunity-for-trump-s-ice-henchmen-prosecutor-says-2483201603544
* "Exclusive: DOJ sought criminal probe of Renee Good after her death, sources say:" https://www.ms.now/all-in/watch/exclusive-doj-sought-criminal-probe-of-renee-good-after-her-death-sources-say-2483160643705
* "Appeals court declines to reimpose restrictions on agents at Minnesota protests:" https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5707439-trump-administration-wins-appeal/
* "Judge orders Trump administration to address motives behind ICE's Minnesota operation:" https://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-hears-arguments-state-minnesota-seeks-temporarily-halt/story?id=129567914
* "Federal agents kill another person in Minneapolis:" https://www.advocate.com/news/federal-agents-kill-minneapolis-man
* "Alex Pretti's killing was recorded on body-camera videos, DHS says:" https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dhs-says-body-worn-camera-video-fatal-shooting-alex-pretti-rcna255978
* "The Execution of Alex Pretti Broke Me:"
( Embed: )
* "Minnesotans mourn Alex Pretti, man killed by Border Patrol agents:" https://www.advocate.com/news/minnesotans-mourn-alex-pretti-ice
* "Pritzker, Johnson call for ICE to be abolished after second fatal shooting by feds in Minneapolis:" https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/01/24/pritzker-johnson-call-for-ice-to-be-abolished-after-second-fatal-shooting-by-federal-agents-in-minneapolis
* "Chris Madel ends GOP bid for governor, says he can’t support federal ‘retribution’ against Minnesota:" https://www.startribune.com/chris-madel-ends-gop-bid-for-governor-says-he-cant-support-federal-retribution-against-minnesota/601570793
* "Nurses Union Calls ICE Agents “Public Health Threat” After Alex Pretti Killing:" https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/01/nurses-union-calls-ice-agents-public-health-threat-after-alex-pretti-killing/
* "Queer lawmakers call for ICE to be reined in after killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis:" https://www.advocate.com/news/lgbtq-pols-condemn-minneapolis-killing
* "‘State law applies’: No ‘absolute immunity’ for Trump’s ICE henchmen, prosecutor says:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/state-law-applies-no-absolute-immunity-for-trump-s-ice-henchmen-prosecutor-says-2483201603544
* "Large protests spread across US after Alex Pretti fatally shot by federal agents:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/protests-alex-pretti-killing-federal-agents-ice
* "'My heart just dropped': Protestors rally demanding accountability for shooting of Pretti:" https://abcnews4.com/news/local/my-heart-just-dropped-protestors-rally-demanding-accountability-in-shooting-of-alex-pretti
* "Over a Thousand Protesters in New York Denounce ICE After Latest Killing:" https://archive.ph/tZsC6
* "‘We must stand up’: Hundreds of S.F. protesters demand end to ICE:" https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/ice-protest-embarcadero-minneapolis-21313251.php
* "Protesters in Los Angeles mourn another person killed by federal agents:" https://ktla.com/news/local-news/protesters-in-los-angeles-mourn-another-person-killed-by-federal-agents/
* "Killing of man in Minneapolis by federal agent fuels Seattle protests:" https://www.seattletimes.com/news/killing-of-man-in-minneapolis-by-federal-agents-fuels-seattle-protests/
* "Anchorage protestors gather to remember Minnesota man killed by immigration officials as Minneapolis ICE crackdown continues:" https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/01/26/anchorage-protestors-gather-remember-minnesota-man-killed-by-immigration-officials-minneapolis-ice-crackdown-continues/
* "A city-by-city look at anti-ICE protests planned in Florida this week:" https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2026/01/26/see-where-anti-ice-protests-held-this-week-florida-trump-immigration-minnesota/88359072007/
* "US citizen detained by ICE amid multiple brawls at Phoenix protest:" https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/immigration/2026/01/24/emily-despain-detained-ice-phoenix-protest/88324706007/
* "ICE protest in Park City at Sundance Film Festival after Minnesota killing, Utah leaders react:" https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/park-city-ice-protest-sundance/
* "Maddow: Americans flexing democratic muscles are stronger than Trump:" https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow/watch/maddow-americans-flexing-democratic-muscles-are-stronger-than-trump-2483596355901
* "Maddow: Trump in retreat as disastrous anti-immigrant campaign becomes political catastrophe:" https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow/watch/maddow-trump-in-retreat-as-disastrous-anti-immigrant-campaign-becomes-political-catastrophe-2483596355613
* Extended Josh Shapiro Interview:
( Embed: )
* "Minneapolis Is Just The Beginning (How To Prepare Your City For ICE):"
( Embed: )
* "Want to Stop ICE? Go After Its Corporate Collaborators.:" https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/ice-businesses-boycott-campaign/
* Here are some ways to help Immigrants and the anti-ICE Protesters:
"Here are Minnesota groups that need your help organizing against ICE and DHS operations:" https://www.advocate.com/news/minnesota-mutual-aid-groups-ice
"How To Help if You are Outside Minnesota:" https://naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/how-to-help-if-you-are-outside-minnesota/
"Support minnesotans defending their communities from ICE:" https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
"When the Feds Come to Your City: Standing Up to ICE :" https://crimethinc.com/2025/12/03/when-the-feds-come-to-your-city-standing-up-to-ice-a-guide-from-chicago-organizers
Immigrant Defenders: https://give.immdef.org/give/545119/#!/donation/checkout
The Bail Project: https://bailproject.org/
National Bail Fund Network: https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/en/nbfn-directory
Amnesty International: protect asylum-seekers: https://donate.amnestyusa.org/page/113080/donate/1
The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights: https://www.theyoungcenter.org/
CHIRLA: https://www.chirla.org/
AL Otro Lado: https://alotrolado.networkforgood.com/projects/63833-al-otro-lado-fund
"Know Your Rights:" https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights
"Disappeared In America:" https://www.disappearedinamerica.us/
* "Funding deal begins to unravel as Senate Democrats vow to oppose DHS bill over Alex Pretti shooting in Minnesota:" https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/funding-deal-begins-to-unravel-as-senate-democrats-vow-to-oppose-dhs-bill-over-alex-pretti-shooting-in-minnesota
* "Senate Democrats urged to demand ‘real reforms’ over ICE funding bill:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/27/senate-democrats-ice-dhs-funding-bill
* "Ban on deporting U.S. citizens removed from DHS funding bill, congresswoman warns:" https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow/watch/ban-on-deporting-u-s-citizens-removed-from-dhs-funding-bill-congresswoman-warns-2483600963726
* It is essential that all Democrats stay firm. Contact them so they don't betray America like those 7 Quislings in the House.
Model Script:
"Senator script about defunding DHS, helping from outside Minnesota, and resources for new activists:" https://thisfinecrew.dreamwidth.org/322553.html
Contact your Republican Senators too.
For Republican Senators: "Call your senators to oppose ICE funding:" https://thisfinecrew.dreamwidth.org/322615.html
* "Padilla, Booker Announce Legislation Cracking Down on Cruel ICE Detention Facilities and Practices:" https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-booker-announce-legislation-cracking-down-on-cruel-ice-detention-facilities-and-practices/
* "Powerful House Oversight Democrat calls for Kristi Noem’s impeachment & ICE abolishment:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/robert-garcia-kristi-noem-impeachment
* "Kristi Noem Impeachment: 140 Lawmakers Sign On—Full List:" https://www.newsweek.com/kristi-noem-impeachment-lawmakers-sign-on-full-list-11417711
If your rep hasn't signed on yet, please contact them:
* "Trump calls on Congress to pass legislation ending sanctuary policies:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/25/trump-congress-legislation-end-sanctuary-policies-00745836
* "Trump’s ‘unqualified insurrectionist’ pick to be Wyoming U.S. attorney under fire for anti-LGBTQ+ record:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/wyoming-us-attorney-problematic-history
* Our until Midterms is to survive, to build grassroots resistance, to do all in our power to slow the republican Christo-fascist agenda, and to prepare for 2026 in case there is still Democracy.
"Take action with Indivisible:" https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/
Trump 2.0 Indivisible Guide. https://indivisible.org/resource/guide
If you can't safely contact them in person, here are some other options for contacting your Congress Critters:
Five Calls to your critters: https://5calls.org/
Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/
And another: https://faxzero.com/fax_senate.php
Snail Mail Campaigns: https://conuly.dreamwidth.org/3622760.html
"Congress. gov:" https://www.congress.gov/
White house (Possibly Dangerous): https://www.whitehouse.gov/
ACLU advice for writing to your Critters: https://www.aclu.org/writing-your-elected-representatives
This tracks legislation: https://www.govtrack.us/
"The Public Comment Process (+ how to write effective public comments):" https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/781844516804149248?source=share
"Swing Left:" https://swingleft.org/
Run for Something: https://runforsomething.net/
"Vote Smart:" https://justfacts.votesmart.org/
Protests: "50501 Events:" https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events
"ICE Raids Toolkit: Defend Against ICE Raids and Community Arrests:" https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/raids-toolkit/
Contains a raid tip hotline amoung other things. "Know Your Rights
LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY:" https://wearecasa.org/know-your-rights/
* "RAM Shortage Killed My Business:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RVnQbfHUDLA
* "How 'don't ask, don't tell' came to be, what it did, and how it ended:" https://www.advocate.com/history/dont-ask-dont-tell-history
* "AIDS took Ross Laycock 35 years ago. His legacy lives on:" https://www.advocate.com/opinion/ross-laycock-legacy
* "Errant bus driver takes passengers for unwanted ride to Vienna Metro station:" https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/01/20/errant-bus-driver-takes-passengers-for-unwanted-ride-to-vienna-metro-station/
* I had food poisoning, but have recovered. It's been so cold here I had to scrape my car for a library run a little before ten the other day. I hope my perennials survive, as it usually isn't this kind of prolonged cold here in our weird little micro-climate.
Monday, I had the dentist. I cleverly left a lot of extra time to scrape as it was extremely cold all night still, but it wasn't as bad, particularly inside the windows, so possibly I am making headway on the damage from the incompetent thieves letting it rain inside the car. (It is way harder to get the inside ice off).
It seems the fillings that crumbled during the trying to weather strip the window in the rain emergency aren't high risk for real damage, though they do need mending, which is scheduled. I've a not covered previously scheduled cleaning coming up. February is going to be a bear financially for all the usual reasons, but that's a next month problem and I'm in the danger zone on my teeth now. (My dad's family had genetically bad teeth caused by naturally thin enamel, plus he and my mom had bad born during WWII teeth which is a thing caused by uneven nutrition due to shortages in an era before fluoride). I've seen how bad and labour intensive Periodontal disease can get in my dad's case. (Yes we all brushed and flossed and got regular check ups and cleaning, but I basically couldn't afford it after the one poverty place closed for half a decade as an adult before poverty clinic opened to all their medical patients, and my teeth have never really recovered). so I need to cover sliding scale cleaning, plus housing tax, plus car tax, which usually is January, but the bill is late. I am fascinated to see how I juggle it all.
My sliding scale lapsed, so I drove home and got the essential paper to make that happen, got gas, then drove back to turn it in, dropped off the weekend library books as it's right there, stopped at the pharmacy. I dragged home bedraggled and exhausted and over heated as I was dressed for the finger freezing cold of morning, but the cold font noticeably moved on between 8 and 9AM. Finally.
I should definitely not been spending money, but I gave in and bought a thing I'm hoping will help with the inside the car damp on the way home because it's really concerning and interfering with safe driving. We'll see.
Physio is still hogging all the spoons, so if I have to do anything much else it really lays me up. Between assorted errands and food poisoning and having to function outside in the cold, I just keep falling asleep and needing to lie still a lot when awake. Hence me not managing a Monday aggregate and the now massive backlog of news I didn't get to last week. Sorry.
* "Jon on Alex Pretti's Killing, DHS vs. Video Evidence & MAGA's Gun Rights Surrender | The Daily Show:"
( Embed: )
* "Masked Secret Police Are Not Victims | The Truth About Alex Pretti | What Would The Founders Do?:"
( Embed: )
* "Meanwhile... Deadly Space Junk | Pre-Columbian Syphilis | Mushroom Magic | Gym Germs:"
( Embed: )
* "Oscars 2026 nominations live updates: 'Sinners' sets new Oscar record with 16 nominations:" https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/live-blog/oscar-nominations-2026-live-updates-rcna254762
* This! "Problematic Praetorian Pomposity:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ip0R4jVA-RI
* "Chronic Chivalry:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LgyrjITmrAo
I have often found myself trying to tell people real chivalry wasn't like what the Victorians pretended it was.
* "Swordmaster Simplicity:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BgWZYULfQgg
* "Dramatic Dynamic Declarations:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/X9Qv8P_3nCc
* "Kind-hearted Kids:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KwhfYqMCEy8
* "Kind-hearted Kids 2:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TvcHm-Xk1XM
* "Kind-hearted Kids 3 (Birthdays):" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m0DHG855AuY
* "Kind-hearted Kids 4 (school days):" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0sDJ1SyB7dI
* "Ultra Ubers:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8CVUPRUJ4H4
* "Chess Chronicle:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/42DBVkQRk70
* "That 1 Lore Friend:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9Xh2COyiyc0
* "Trump Awards Cold Open - SNL:"
( Embed: )
* "Backstab Island - SNL:"
( Embed: )
* "Toy Commercial - SNL:"
( Embed: )
* "Nobody Likes Ice:"
( Embed: )
*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.
The help links are at the bottom under the cut.
* "When the Feds Come to Your City: Standing Up to ICE :" https://crimethinc.com/2025/12/03/when-the-feds-come-to-your-city-standing-up-to-ice-a-guide-from-chicago-organizers
* "Swing Left:" https://swingleft.org/
* If you need help with chest binders:
* "Free Chest Binders:" https://www.pointofpride.org/free-chest-binders
* "Brother 2 Brother Binder Program:" https://blacktransmen.org/binder-program/
* "Morebinders:" https://www.morebinders.com/about
* "The Queer Trans Project :" https://queertransproject.org/
* "Free Gender Affirming Gear Program:" https://www.ftmessentials.com/pages/ftme-free-youth-binder-program
( More )
* "Trump's Greenland War Faceplants:"
( Embed: )
******
* "Jason Rezaian - Amplifying the Iranian Experience Amid Protests & Media Blackouts | The Daily Show:"
( Embed: )
* "Trump raises US tariffs on South Korea imports to 25%:" https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyw3ynwe37o
* "China says Canada deal does not target the US after Trump tariff threat:" https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8r4kxgpx6o
*** Immigration/I.C.E/Autocracy/Slow Motion Civil War/Violent Illegal Occupation of Blue Cities News (Sort likely a little rough)***
* "Trump administration is potentially sending two gay men to their death by preparing to deport them to Iran:" https://www.advocate.com/news/iranian-men-deportation-danger
* "Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino and some of his masked agents will leave Minneapolis:" https://www.advocate.com/news/greg-bovino-leaving-minneapolis
Stay noisy! It's not remotely over, but resist hard enough we can move the needle.
* "Greg Bovino Loses His Job:" https://archive.ph/aYe22
* "Critics slam Pam Bondi’s demand for Minnesota voter rolls amid ICE surge:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/26/pam-bondi-minnesota-voter-rolls-ice-surge
There is no legal basis for them having access to these records, and this is clearly extortion designed to get records they can they weaponize to steal yet more basic rights from Minnesotans.
* "ICE says its officers can forcibly enter homes during immigration operations without judicial warrants: 2025 memo:" https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ice-policy-officers-enter-homes-immigration-without-judicial-warrant-rcna255305
This is blatantly unconstitutional. Let us see if SCOTUS will declare the 4th and 10th Amendments unconstitutional.
* "Unbelievable ICE Memo Just Leaked:"
( Embed: )
* "ICE Making List of Anyone Who Films Them :" https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/ice-making-list-of-anyone-who-films
* "Footage, documents at odds with DHS accounts of immigration enforcement incidents:" https://stateline.org/2026/01/23/footage-documents-at-odds-with-dhs-accounts-of-immigration-enforcement-incidents/
* "Court records raise doubts that ICE is detaining the ‘worst of the worst’ in Maine:" https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/court-records-raise-doubts-ice-detaining-worst-worst-129513568
* "Federal immigration agents are a modern-day ‘slave patrol,’ says former Minneapolis City Council president:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/states/andrea-jenkins-minneapolis-ice-terrorization
* "They ‘Had Done Everything Right.’ ICE Detained Them Anyway.:" https://archive.ph/Kuyq1
* Yet more child Abuse from ICE. "Border Patrol detained family seeking care for 7-year-old child at Portland hospital:" https://www.koin.com/news/portland/border-patrol-detained-family-of-3-seeking-care-for-7-year-old-child-at-portland-hospital/
* "Witnesses say they begged ICE agents not to detain Minnesota 5-year-old after father's arrest:" https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/23/witnesses-say-they-begged-ice-agents-not-to-detain-minnesota-5yearold-after-fathers-arrest
* "Immigrant families protest inside Texas facility housing 5-year-old boy, father detained in Minnesota:" https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/24/immigration-facility-protest-texas-liam-conejo-ramos/
* Stay noisy! "Morale is plummeting among ICE agents over long hours, quotas and public hatred: reports:" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/ice-agents-morale-reports-minneapolis-shooting-b2907742.html
* "ICE vs. Everyone: Minneapolis learned a lot from the George Floyd protests and it shows.:" https://www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/online-only/ice-vs-everyone/
* "I’m a Minneapolis sociologist who studies violence. Here’s how ICE observers are helping.:" https://www.ms.now/opinion/minneapolis-ice-watch-protesters-violence-research
* "Your rights, explained: What to do if you encounter ICE or DHS agents:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/immigration/ice-immigration-rights-protesters
* "Minnesotans strike in protest against ICE surge: ‘No work, no school, no shopping’:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/23/minnesota-economic-blackout-ice-protests
* "Photos: Clergy, activists protest ICE at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport:" https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/23/clergy-and-protesters-gather-at-msp-airport-to-demonstrate-against-ice
* "Americans grow more outraged as Trump’s ICE grows more outrageous:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/americans-grow-more-outraged-as-trump-s-ice-grows-more-outrageous-2483191363788
* "‘State law applies’: No ‘absolute immunity’ for Trump’s ICE henchmen, prosecutor says:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/state-law-applies-no-absolute-immunity-for-trump-s-ice-henchmen-prosecutor-says-2483201603544
* "Exclusive: DOJ sought criminal probe of Renee Good after her death, sources say:" https://www.ms.now/all-in/watch/exclusive-doj-sought-criminal-probe-of-renee-good-after-her-death-sources-say-2483160643705
* "Appeals court declines to reimpose restrictions on agents at Minnesota protests:" https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5707439-trump-administration-wins-appeal/
* "Judge orders Trump administration to address motives behind ICE's Minnesota operation:" https://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-hears-arguments-state-minnesota-seeks-temporarily-halt/story?id=129567914
* "Federal agents kill another person in Minneapolis:" https://www.advocate.com/news/federal-agents-kill-minneapolis-man
* "Alex Pretti's killing was recorded on body-camera videos, DHS says:" https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dhs-says-body-worn-camera-video-fatal-shooting-alex-pretti-rcna255978
* "The Execution of Alex Pretti Broke Me:"
( Embed: )
* "Minnesotans mourn Alex Pretti, man killed by Border Patrol agents:" https://www.advocate.com/news/minnesotans-mourn-alex-pretti-ice
* "Pritzker, Johnson call for ICE to be abolished after second fatal shooting by feds in Minneapolis:" https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/01/24/pritzker-johnson-call-for-ice-to-be-abolished-after-second-fatal-shooting-by-federal-agents-in-minneapolis
* "Chris Madel ends GOP bid for governor, says he can’t support federal ‘retribution’ against Minnesota:" https://www.startribune.com/chris-madel-ends-gop-bid-for-governor-says-he-cant-support-federal-retribution-against-minnesota/601570793
* "Nurses Union Calls ICE Agents “Public Health Threat” After Alex Pretti Killing:" https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/01/nurses-union-calls-ice-agents-public-health-threat-after-alex-pretti-killing/
* "Queer lawmakers call for ICE to be reined in after killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis:" https://www.advocate.com/news/lgbtq-pols-condemn-minneapolis-killing
* "‘State law applies’: No ‘absolute immunity’ for Trump’s ICE henchmen, prosecutor says:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/state-law-applies-no-absolute-immunity-for-trump-s-ice-henchmen-prosecutor-says-2483201603544
* "Large protests spread across US after Alex Pretti fatally shot by federal agents:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/protests-alex-pretti-killing-federal-agents-ice
* "'My heart just dropped': Protestors rally demanding accountability for shooting of Pretti:" https://abcnews4.com/news/local/my-heart-just-dropped-protestors-rally-demanding-accountability-in-shooting-of-alex-pretti
* "Over a Thousand Protesters in New York Denounce ICE After Latest Killing:" https://archive.ph/tZsC6
* "‘We must stand up’: Hundreds of S.F. protesters demand end to ICE:" https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/ice-protest-embarcadero-minneapolis-21313251.php
* "Protesters in Los Angeles mourn another person killed by federal agents:" https://ktla.com/news/local-news/protesters-in-los-angeles-mourn-another-person-killed-by-federal-agents/
* "Killing of man in Minneapolis by federal agent fuels Seattle protests:" https://www.seattletimes.com/news/killing-of-man-in-minneapolis-by-federal-agents-fuels-seattle-protests/
* "Anchorage protestors gather to remember Minnesota man killed by immigration officials as Minneapolis ICE crackdown continues:" https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/01/26/anchorage-protestors-gather-remember-minnesota-man-killed-by-immigration-officials-minneapolis-ice-crackdown-continues/
* "A city-by-city look at anti-ICE protests planned in Florida this week:" https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2026/01/26/see-where-anti-ice-protests-held-this-week-florida-trump-immigration-minnesota/88359072007/
* "US citizen detained by ICE amid multiple brawls at Phoenix protest:" https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/immigration/2026/01/24/emily-despain-detained-ice-phoenix-protest/88324706007/
* "ICE protest in Park City at Sundance Film Festival after Minnesota killing, Utah leaders react:" https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/park-city-ice-protest-sundance/
* "Maddow: Americans flexing democratic muscles are stronger than Trump:" https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow/watch/maddow-americans-flexing-democratic-muscles-are-stronger-than-trump-2483596355901
* "Maddow: Trump in retreat as disastrous anti-immigrant campaign becomes political catastrophe:" https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow/watch/maddow-trump-in-retreat-as-disastrous-anti-immigrant-campaign-becomes-political-catastrophe-2483596355613
* Extended Josh Shapiro Interview:
( Embed: )
* "Minneapolis Is Just The Beginning (How To Prepare Your City For ICE):"
( Embed: )
* "Want to Stop ICE? Go After Its Corporate Collaborators.:" https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/ice-businesses-boycott-campaign/
* Here are some ways to help Immigrants and the anti-ICE Protesters:
"Here are Minnesota groups that need your help organizing against ICE and DHS operations:" https://www.advocate.com/news/minnesota-mutual-aid-groups-ice
"How To Help if You are Outside Minnesota:" https://naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/how-to-help-if-you-are-outside-minnesota/
"Support minnesotans defending their communities from ICE:" https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
"When the Feds Come to Your City: Standing Up to ICE :" https://crimethinc.com/2025/12/03/when-the-feds-come-to-your-city-standing-up-to-ice-a-guide-from-chicago-organizers
Immigrant Defenders: https://give.immdef.org/give/545119/#!/donation/checkout
The Bail Project: https://bailproject.org/
National Bail Fund Network: https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/en/nbfn-directory
Amnesty International: protect asylum-seekers: https://donate.amnestyusa.org/page/113080/donate/1
The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights: https://www.theyoungcenter.org/
CHIRLA: https://www.chirla.org/
AL Otro Lado: https://alotrolado.networkforgood.com/projects/63833-al-otro-lado-fund
"Know Your Rights:" https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights
"Disappeared In America:" https://www.disappearedinamerica.us/
* "Funding deal begins to unravel as Senate Democrats vow to oppose DHS bill over Alex Pretti shooting in Minnesota:" https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/funding-deal-begins-to-unravel-as-senate-democrats-vow-to-oppose-dhs-bill-over-alex-pretti-shooting-in-minnesota
* "Senate Democrats urged to demand ‘real reforms’ over ICE funding bill:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/27/senate-democrats-ice-dhs-funding-bill
* "Ban on deporting U.S. citizens removed from DHS funding bill, congresswoman warns:" https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow/watch/ban-on-deporting-u-s-citizens-removed-from-dhs-funding-bill-congresswoman-warns-2483600963726
* It is essential that all Democrats stay firm. Contact them so they don't betray America like those 7 Quislings in the House.
Model Script:
"Senator script about defunding DHS, helping from outside Minnesota, and resources for new activists:" https://thisfinecrew.dreamwidth.org/322553.html
Contact your Republican Senators too.
For Republican Senators: "Call your senators to oppose ICE funding:" https://thisfinecrew.dreamwidth.org/322615.html
* "Padilla, Booker Announce Legislation Cracking Down on Cruel ICE Detention Facilities and Practices:" https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-booker-announce-legislation-cracking-down-on-cruel-ice-detention-facilities-and-practices/
* "Powerful House Oversight Democrat calls for Kristi Noem’s impeachment & ICE abolishment:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/robert-garcia-kristi-noem-impeachment
* "Kristi Noem Impeachment: 140 Lawmakers Sign On—Full List:" https://www.newsweek.com/kristi-noem-impeachment-lawmakers-sign-on-full-list-11417711
If your rep hasn't signed on yet, please contact them:
* "Trump calls on Congress to pass legislation ending sanctuary policies:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/25/trump-congress-legislation-end-sanctuary-policies-00745836
* "Trump’s ‘unqualified insurrectionist’ pick to be Wyoming U.S. attorney under fire for anti-LGBTQ+ record:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/wyoming-us-attorney-problematic-history
* Our until Midterms is to survive, to build grassroots resistance, to do all in our power to slow the republican Christo-fascist agenda, and to prepare for 2026 in case there is still Democracy.
"Take action with Indivisible:" https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/
Trump 2.0 Indivisible Guide. https://indivisible.org/resource/guide
If you can't safely contact them in person, here are some other options for contacting your Congress Critters:
Five Calls to your critters: https://5calls.org/
Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/
And another: https://faxzero.com/fax_senate.php
Snail Mail Campaigns: https://conuly.dreamwidth.org/3622760.html
"Congress. gov:" https://www.congress.gov/
White house (Possibly Dangerous): https://www.whitehouse.gov/
ACLU advice for writing to your Critters: https://www.aclu.org/writing-your-elected-representatives
This tracks legislation: https://www.govtrack.us/
"The Public Comment Process (+ how to write effective public comments):" https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/781844516804149248?source=share
"Swing Left:" https://swingleft.org/
Run for Something: https://runforsomething.net/
"Vote Smart:" https://justfacts.votesmart.org/
Protests: "50501 Events:" https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events
"ICE Raids Toolkit: Defend Against ICE Raids and Community Arrests:" https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/raids-toolkit/
Contains a raid tip hotline amoung other things. "Know Your Rights
LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY:" https://wearecasa.org/know-your-rights/
* "RAM Shortage Killed My Business:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RVnQbfHUDLA
* "How 'don't ask, don't tell' came to be, what it did, and how it ended:" https://www.advocate.com/history/dont-ask-dont-tell-history
* "AIDS took Ross Laycock 35 years ago. His legacy lives on:" https://www.advocate.com/opinion/ross-laycock-legacy
* "Errant bus driver takes passengers for unwanted ride to Vienna Metro station:" https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/01/20/errant-bus-driver-takes-passengers-for-unwanted-ride-to-vienna-metro-station/
* I had food poisoning, but have recovered. It's been so cold here I had to scrape my car for a library run a little before ten the other day. I hope my perennials survive, as it usually isn't this kind of prolonged cold here in our weird little micro-climate.
Monday, I had the dentist. I cleverly left a lot of extra time to scrape as it was extremely cold all night still, but it wasn't as bad, particularly inside the windows, so possibly I am making headway on the damage from the incompetent thieves letting it rain inside the car. (It is way harder to get the inside ice off).
It seems the fillings that crumbled during the trying to weather strip the window in the rain emergency aren't high risk for real damage, though they do need mending, which is scheduled. I've a not covered previously scheduled cleaning coming up. February is going to be a bear financially for all the usual reasons, but that's a next month problem and I'm in the danger zone on my teeth now. (My dad's family had genetically bad teeth caused by naturally thin enamel, plus he and my mom had bad born during WWII teeth which is a thing caused by uneven nutrition due to shortages in an era before fluoride). I've seen how bad and labour intensive Periodontal disease can get in my dad's case. (Yes we all brushed and flossed and got regular check ups and cleaning, but I basically couldn't afford it after the one poverty place closed for half a decade as an adult before poverty clinic opened to all their medical patients, and my teeth have never really recovered). so I need to cover sliding scale cleaning, plus housing tax, plus car tax, which usually is January, but the bill is late. I am fascinated to see how I juggle it all.
My sliding scale lapsed, so I drove home and got the essential paper to make that happen, got gas, then drove back to turn it in, dropped off the weekend library books as it's right there, stopped at the pharmacy. I dragged home bedraggled and exhausted and over heated as I was dressed for the finger freezing cold of morning, but the cold font noticeably moved on between 8 and 9AM. Finally.
I should definitely not been spending money, but I gave in and bought a thing I'm hoping will help with the inside the car damp on the way home because it's really concerning and interfering with safe driving. We'll see.
Physio is still hogging all the spoons, so if I have to do anything much else it really lays me up. Between assorted errands and food poisoning and having to function outside in the cold, I just keep falling asleep and needing to lie still a lot when awake. Hence me not managing a Monday aggregate and the now massive backlog of news I didn't get to last week. Sorry.
* "Jon on Alex Pretti's Killing, DHS vs. Video Evidence & MAGA's Gun Rights Surrender | The Daily Show:"
( Embed: )
* "Masked Secret Police Are Not Victims | The Truth About Alex Pretti | What Would The Founders Do?:"
( Embed: )
* "Meanwhile... Deadly Space Junk | Pre-Columbian Syphilis | Mushroom Magic | Gym Germs:"
( Embed: )
* "Oscars 2026 nominations live updates: 'Sinners' sets new Oscar record with 16 nominations:" https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/live-blog/oscar-nominations-2026-live-updates-rcna254762
* This! "Problematic Praetorian Pomposity:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ip0R4jVA-RI
* "Chronic Chivalry:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LgyrjITmrAo
I have often found myself trying to tell people real chivalry wasn't like what the Victorians pretended it was.
* "Swordmaster Simplicity:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BgWZYULfQgg
* "Dramatic Dynamic Declarations:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/X9Qv8P_3nCc
* "Kind-hearted Kids:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KwhfYqMCEy8
* "Kind-hearted Kids 2:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TvcHm-Xk1XM
* "Kind-hearted Kids 3 (Birthdays):" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m0DHG855AuY
* "Kind-hearted Kids 4 (school days):" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0sDJ1SyB7dI
* "Ultra Ubers:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8CVUPRUJ4H4
* "Chess Chronicle:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/42DBVkQRk70
* "That 1 Lore Friend:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9Xh2COyiyc0
* "Trump Awards Cold Open - SNL:"
( Embed: )
* "Backstab Island - SNL:"
( Embed: )
* "Toy Commercial - SNL:"
( Embed: )
* "Nobody Likes Ice:"
( Embed: )
*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.
The help links are at the bottom under the cut.
* "When the Feds Come to Your City: Standing Up to ICE :" https://crimethinc.com/2025/12/03/when-the-feds-come-to-your-city-standing-up-to-ice-a-guide-from-chicago-organizers
* "Swing Left:" https://swingleft.org/
* If you need help with chest binders:
* "Free Chest Binders:" https://www.pointofpride.org/free-chest-binders
* "Brother 2 Brother Binder Program:" https://blacktransmen.org/binder-program/
* "Morebinders:" https://www.morebinders.com/about
* "The Queer Trans Project :" https://queertransproject.org/
* "Free Gender Affirming Gear Program:" https://www.ftmessentials.com/pages/ftme-free-youth-binder-program
( More )
Tags:
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- xenophobia
Media Roundup: Bits and bobs
Jan. 27th, 2026 08:47 amforestofgloryWell I haven’t gotten very far with my pile of graphic novels from the library, and in fact I’ve put holds on even more of them so the pile is only getting bigger. But did finish enough things that it feels worth posting another media roundup.
Goat Magic by Kate Wheeler—Another graphic novel, this one with very cute goats. The art for this one was so cute and charming. I did feel a little bit frustrated with the politics, where there was some confusion about bad people vs bad systems. Also the romance kinda came out of nowhere (It didn’t help that I thought one of the main characters was like 12) Still a pretty fun book overall.
The Two Towers—Watched this with the kid and R, who as mentioned have recently finished reading the books. It’s fun to discuss the changes between the book and the movie with the kiddo! Also I forgot how good the armor details are in this! However a three hour movie with some chatting is a lot for me – at the end I was hitting sensory overload and needed to go sit somewhere quiet by myself for a while.
The Legend of the Demon Cat (2017)—I watched this movie with my group watch. It’s about a cat demon but also features Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi and various other historical figures. It was really good, though I’m having a hard time explaining why. It has a really big emotional range – some bits are creepy (and there is a bit of gore), some bits are sad, but some bits are really fun. And Bai Juyi’s character in this is great!
Unboxing Libby by Steph Cherrywell—My kid’s school is doing an optional book club, and this was the most recent book. I’ve been reading the books along with the kid and this is the third book this year. It’s about robots made to be kids toys who end up being used to simulate a human community on Mars. I really liked it! the friendship stuff was complicated and good!
Remember how I was all like “I guess I don’t read much original fiction anymore but I’m at peace with it” in my post about my 2025 media? Yet somehow I have read 10 books this month? They are mostly graphic novels which are quicker and easier for me, but still books are books. I don’t really expect to keep this up but it's nice for now.
Goat Magic by Kate Wheeler—Another graphic novel, this one with very cute goats. The art for this one was so cute and charming. I did feel a little bit frustrated with the politics, where there was some confusion about bad people vs bad systems. Also the romance kinda came out of nowhere (It didn’t help that I thought one of the main characters was like 12) Still a pretty fun book overall.
The Two Towers—Watched this with the kid and R, who as mentioned have recently finished reading the books. It’s fun to discuss the changes between the book and the movie with the kiddo! Also I forgot how good the armor details are in this! However a three hour movie with some chatting is a lot for me – at the end I was hitting sensory overload and needed to go sit somewhere quiet by myself for a while.
The Legend of the Demon Cat (2017)—I watched this movie with my group watch. It’s about a cat demon but also features Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi and various other historical figures. It was really good, though I’m having a hard time explaining why. It has a really big emotional range – some bits are creepy (and there is a bit of gore), some bits are sad, but some bits are really fun. And Bai Juyi’s character in this is great!
Unboxing Libby by Steph Cherrywell—My kid’s school is doing an optional book club, and this was the most recent book. I’ve been reading the books along with the kid and this is the third book this year. It’s about robots made to be kids toys who end up being used to simulate a human community on Mars. I really liked it! the friendship stuff was complicated and good!
Remember how I was all like “I guess I don’t read much original fiction anymore but I’m at peace with it” in my post about my 2025 media? Yet somehow I have read 10 books this month? They are mostly graphic novels which are quicker and easier for me, but still books are books. I don’t really expect to keep this up but it's nice for now.
TV Tuesday: Viewing Resources
Jan. 27th, 2026 10:32 amyourlibrarian posting in tv_talk
Do you miss printed show episode guides that summed up plots and provided episode facts or are wikis and other online sources equal or better options? What makes you try out new shows? Take the poll ✅
If you have specific resources to recommend or want to detail what you use, please share in a comment!
Poll #34122 TV Resources
This poll is anonymous.
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 15
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 15
What resources do you use for TV show selection or scheduling?
View Answers
Printed guides
2 (13.3%)
Website lists
9 (60.0%)
Your own notes
6 (40.0%)
Social media
8 (53.3%)
Fandom rec lists
6 (40.0%)
Something else
6 (40.0%)
What factors are involved when you choose a new show to watch?
View Answers
Cast
10 (66.7%)
Overall theme
11 (73.3%)
Genre
11 (73.3%)
Recommendation from someone you know
6 (40.0%)
Reviews
5 (33.3%)
Recommendation from other viewers
5 (33.3%)
Streaming service "for you" lists
4 (26.7%)
Personal mood
9 (60.0%)
Rating Sites (i.e., Rotten Tomatoes)
2 (13.3%)
Wanting a mix of different types of shows
1 (6.7%)
Showrunners/writers
4 (26.7%)
Ties to other shows (spinoffs, reboots, sister shows)
9 (60.0%)
Fandom for the show/fan-created guides
4 (26.7%)
Something else
1 (6.7%)
Are there resources you use while you're viewing an episode?
View Answers
No
2 (13.3%)
Yes, info on the cast/looking up a familiar face
13 (86.7%)
Yes, info on the plot/refresher of a season
1 (6.7%)
Yes, info on particular episodes
5 (33.3%)
Yes, fan reactions to the episode/particular developments
1 (6.7%)
Yes, info about showrunners/writers
2 (13.3%)
Yes, looking for spoilers
2 (13.3%)
Yes, something else
0 (0.0%)
City on Fire (Metropolitan, volume 2) by Walter Jon Williams
Jan. 27th, 2026 08:45 amjames_davis_nicoll
Having successfully fled her home city with the proceeds of a spectacular heist, Aiah must now build a new life on that foundation.
City on Fire (Metropolitan, volume 2) by Walter Jon Williams
neighbors
Jan. 27th, 2026 12:25 amcellioWe got a bunch of snow on Sunday and paid someone to clear the sidewalks, but as expected, there was a lot more snow overnight. This morning I noticed that someone had done another pass on the public sidewalk in front of our house -- nice! I suspected our next-door neighbor, who's done that for us before (and I return the favor if I get outside first, though he usually beats me), but he said it wasn't him this time. He did, however, start shoveling my front steps at about the time I went out to clear a path from our door to the public sidewalk, which is how I found out he didn't know who did the sidewalk in front of both our houses. Later, when Dani and I were shoveling the back sidewalk and mini-driveway, he showed up again to help. After he helped us he proceeded up the block.
A bit over a year ago, we had a furnace emergency on a very cold day -- contractors had nicked the gas line, so service was cut off and couldn't be turned on until someone from the utility could inspect the repair, which in the end happened at 2AM. The neighbor three doors up noticed the activity going well into the evening, came by to ask if we needed any help, and upon learning that it was a furnace problem, immediately offered space heaters and said to call at any hour if we were too cold that night. I was touched that someone who I've only had occasional sidewalk conversations with both noticed the possible problem and offered help unprompted.
I'm very glad to live in a place where neighbors look out for each other.
SGA: Where the Brave Dare Not Go by Telesilla
Jan. 27th, 2026 02:38 pmmific posting in fancakeFandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters/Pairings: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Anne Teldy, Carson Beckett, Radek Zelenka, Jennifer Keller
Rating: Explicit
Length: 18,013
Content Notes: Graphic depictions of violence. Jeannie, Rodney's sister, has died long before the story starts. Academic ethics are somewhat compromised!
Creator Links: Telesilla on AO3, helens78 on Audiofic Archive
Themes: Crack treated seriously, First time, Friends to lovers, Animal transformation, Werecreatures, Complete AU, Interspecies pairing, Research, Worldbuilding (I had difficulty finding actual tags to reflect some of these because while there's a minor character werewolf in this, most of the Weres aren't wolves.)
Summary: John Sheppard has had over twenty years to come to grips with the fact that every four or five weeks, he turns into a mountain lion. Like most Were, he accepts that that's just the way it is, and so he's not particularly interested when he learns that researchers at the local university are trying to to develop drugs that will help Were control their cycles. Then he meets Dr. Rodney McKay, a brilliant but irascible biochemist with reasons of his own for spearheading the university's Were research and John suddenly finds himself struggling with more than just his attraction to McKay.
Reccer's Notes: Werewolves, or in this case, Werecreatures in general, are a popular crack fantasy trope. This story's excellent as it turns the fantasy trope into a real minority of individuals having Were genes, forced to change cyclically to an animal form. In this story's interesting worldbuilding, Were are discriminated against and find it hard to get jobs and live as full members of society. John is a werecougar and he meets Rodney who's a scientist running a research trial to test a new drug intended to suppress mandatory cycling. The story is crack "taken seriously" as there's no fantasy element. This is a genetically-driven thing, with Were a slightly different species to humans. Their cycles vary according to gene expression, and aren't moon-driven. Plus, in this world, Telesilla shows the politics of discrimination against Were, with John initially resisting the research as he's angry that they're yet again being viewed as humans with a sickness that needs treatment. The story has lots of plot and drama, a great developing relationship with Rodney, and a satisfying conclusion. Very much recommended!
Fanwork Links: Where the Brave Dare Not Go, it's locked to AO3 so here's a Wayback link
Excellent podfic by helens78 here
Characters/Pairings: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Anne Teldy, Carson Beckett, Radek Zelenka, Jennifer Keller
Rating: Explicit
Length: 18,013
Content Notes: Graphic depictions of violence. Jeannie, Rodney's sister, has died long before the story starts. Academic ethics are somewhat compromised!
Creator Links: Telesilla on AO3, helens78 on Audiofic Archive
Themes: Crack treated seriously, First time, Friends to lovers, Animal transformation, Werecreatures, Complete AU, Interspecies pairing, Research, Worldbuilding (I had difficulty finding actual tags to reflect some of these because while there's a minor character werewolf in this, most of the Weres aren't wolves.)
Summary: John Sheppard has had over twenty years to come to grips with the fact that every four or five weeks, he turns into a mountain lion. Like most Were, he accepts that that's just the way it is, and so he's not particularly interested when he learns that researchers at the local university are trying to to develop drugs that will help Were control their cycles. Then he meets Dr. Rodney McKay, a brilliant but irascible biochemist with reasons of his own for spearheading the university's Were research and John suddenly finds himself struggling with more than just his attraction to McKay.
Reccer's Notes: Werewolves, or in this case, Werecreatures in general, are a popular crack fantasy trope. This story's excellent as it turns the fantasy trope into a real minority of individuals having Were genes, forced to change cyclically to an animal form. In this story's interesting worldbuilding, Were are discriminated against and find it hard to get jobs and live as full members of society. John is a werecougar and he meets Rodney who's a scientist running a research trial to test a new drug intended to suppress mandatory cycling. The story is crack "taken seriously" as there's no fantasy element. This is a genetically-driven thing, with Were a slightly different species to humans. Their cycles vary according to gene expression, and aren't moon-driven. Plus, in this world, Telesilla shows the politics of discrimination against Were, with John initially resisting the research as he's angry that they're yet again being viewed as humans with a sickness that needs treatment. The story has lots of plot and drama, a great developing relationship with Rodney, and a satisfying conclusion. Very much recommended!
Fanwork Links: Where the Brave Dare Not Go, it's locked to AO3 so here's a Wayback link
Excellent podfic by helens78 here
Tags:
- fandom: stargate atlantis,
- length: 10.000 - 20.000 words,
- length: 60+ minutes,
- non-fic recs: podfic,
- theme: au,
- theme: au: complete au,
- theme: au: complete au: animals,
- theme: crack treated seriously,
- theme: first time,
- theme: friends to lovers,
- theme: interspecies pairings,
- theme: research,
- theme: shapeshifting,
- theme: worldbuilding
No time left.
Jan. 26th, 2026 08:24 pmhannahChallenge #12
Make an appreciation post to those who enhance your fandom life. Appreciate them in bullet points, prose, poetry, a moodboard, a song... whatever moves you!
The first person I lost in fandom - really lost, not moving blogging platforms and falling out of touch, not drifting apart, not a falling-out so extreme there's no talking anymore - wasn't someone I knew well. I knew people who knew her well and we'd spoken in person at BASCon a couple times, and because we had nametags, we could greet each other easily. But between one year and another, something went wrong - complications with surgery, as I recall - and she wasn't there anymore.
I've since lost a lot more people. Some I'd spoken with frequently, some who were friends of friends. Some I knew by wallet name, some where I couldn't tell you any more than what fandoms we shared. Sometimes it was a surprise and sometimes it wasn't unexpected. A few times people told me, a few times I wondered about them and went to check and learned that way, a couple times it so happened I'd see something they'd made or stumble over their account and then learn they'd passed on years ago.
Late last month, someone I knew pretty well - we'd chat a few times a week, pass links onto each other - disappeared off Tumblr. Deactivating their blog, deleting their Archive of Our Own account. They'd been undergoing some fairly drastic health issues and had occasionally stepped away from the internet for weeks at a time, and after a few days of worry, it was seeing the deleted AO3 account that actually made me feel a bit better. Tumblr's a place where deactivation can happen willy-nilly, but AO3 requires deliberate effort. It let me tell myself they made the choice to step away as far as they could, rather than them leaving without providing a forwarding address. Tonight I found someone else I knew pretty well - we shared dinner in London once - who'd stopped posting over two years ago had their Tumblr account deactivated, also. Maybe they stepped far away. So I tell myself.
I knew I'd lose people someday. It's part and parcel of knowing people - knowing that they'll leave. When I got into fandom, I mostly made friends with people older than me; I've lately looked around and realized I'm mostly making friends with people my own age or younger. I don't know how long any of them are going to stay in my life. I know it's not going to last forever, or even as long as I'd wish it would. But I know they're here right now. And I know they've made my fandom life better, no matter how much time we had together.
Make an appreciation post to those who enhance your fandom life. Appreciate them in bullet points, prose, poetry, a moodboard, a song... whatever moves you!
The first person I lost in fandom - really lost, not moving blogging platforms and falling out of touch, not drifting apart, not a falling-out so extreme there's no talking anymore - wasn't someone I knew well. I knew people who knew her well and we'd spoken in person at BASCon a couple times, and because we had nametags, we could greet each other easily. But between one year and another, something went wrong - complications with surgery, as I recall - and she wasn't there anymore.
I've since lost a lot more people. Some I'd spoken with frequently, some who were friends of friends. Some I knew by wallet name, some where I couldn't tell you any more than what fandoms we shared. Sometimes it was a surprise and sometimes it wasn't unexpected. A few times people told me, a few times I wondered about them and went to check and learned that way, a couple times it so happened I'd see something they'd made or stumble over their account and then learn they'd passed on years ago.
Late last month, someone I knew pretty well - we'd chat a few times a week, pass links onto each other - disappeared off Tumblr. Deactivating their blog, deleting their Archive of Our Own account. They'd been undergoing some fairly drastic health issues and had occasionally stepped away from the internet for weeks at a time, and after a few days of worry, it was seeing the deleted AO3 account that actually made me feel a bit better. Tumblr's a place where deactivation can happen willy-nilly, but AO3 requires deliberate effort. It let me tell myself they made the choice to step away as far as they could, rather than them leaving without providing a forwarding address. Tonight I found someone else I knew pretty well - we shared dinner in London once - who'd stopped posting over two years ago had their Tumblr account deactivated, also. Maybe they stepped far away. So I tell myself.
I knew I'd lose people someday. It's part and parcel of knowing people - knowing that they'll leave. When I got into fandom, I mostly made friends with people older than me; I've lately looked around and realized I'm mostly making friends with people my own age or younger. I don't know how long any of them are going to stay in my life. I know it's not going to last forever, or even as long as I'd wish it would. But I know they're here right now. And I know they've made my fandom life better, no matter how much time we had together.
