'Anyone who runs is shot': Watch Russian soldiers describe killings of troops who refuse orders
Feb. 24th, 2026 07:32 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
bbcnewsworld_feedThe men, who are on the run, told of the horrors they witnessed on the Russian side of the front lines in Ukraine.
Delaying next book until next week
Feb. 24th, 2026 06:55 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shewhostaples posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
girlmeetstroubleApologies everyone, I'm not feeling very well.
This does at least give me a chance to let you know that we'll be reading chapters 1-3. Thereafter we'll do either two or three chapters per week (there are 22 total) but I need to look ahead to see what split makes most sense.
This does at least give me a chance to let you know that we'll be reading chapters 1-3. Thereafter we'll do either two or three chapters per week (there are 22 total) but I need to look ahead to see what split makes most sense.
(no subject)
Feb. 24th, 2026 08:51 amhagar_972 posting in purimgiftsHi all! I come with a quick update from behind the scenes - I know it looks like there's a lot of works missing, but there's only one assignment we're still checking the status of and everything else is ACCOUNTED FOR.
Russian soldiers tell BBC they saw fellow troops executed on commanders' orders
Feb. 24th, 2026 06:02 ambbcnewsworld_feedFour men expose the horror and brutality of conditions in the Ukraine war, with two saying they saw soldiers being shot for refusing orders.
Bowen: Why Ukraine remains defiant and does not feel close to defeat
Feb. 24th, 2026 06:02 ambbcnewsworld_feedThis month marks four gruelling years since the full‑scale invasion began and a genuine ceasefire still feels far from assured
Probe under way after illness kills 72 tigers in Thai tourist park
Feb. 24th, 2026 03:45 ambbcnewsworld_feedAuthorities said samples showed canine distemper virus, but have not confirmed where it came from.
Explosion near Moscow rail hub kills police officer
Feb. 24th, 2026 01:28 ambbcnewsworld_feedThe unidentified suspect also died and two other officers were injured, Russian officials say.
Rob Jetten becomes Netherlands' youngest ever PM
Feb. 23rd, 2026 04:33 pmbbcnewsworld_feedThe 38-year-old is sworn in as premier after clinching a narrow victory in October's election.
umpteen
Feb. 24th, 2026 12:00 ammerriamwebster_feedMerriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 24, 2026 is:
umpteen • \UMP-teen\ • adjective
Umpteen is an informal adjective meaning "very many" or "indefinitely numerous."
// The artist has painted the same subject umpteen times, yet each piece has its own unique quality.
Examples:
"The life of a showgirl often includes umpteen costume changes, elaborate props and copious amounts of hairspray." – The Economist, 4 Oct. 2025
Did you know?
There may not be a gazillion ways in English to refer to a large, indefinite number, but there are definitely more than a soupçon. Many of these, such as zillion, bazillion, kazillion, jillion, and bajillion, start with -illion (as in million) and add a satisfying consonant or syllable in front for some extra oomph. The adjective umpteen does the same for -teen, with the oomph provided by the ump in umpty. Umpty, an adjective meaning "such and such" (as in "umpty percent" or "umpty-four") arose, like umpteen, in the latter half of the 1800s. We only occasionally use umpty these days, but you're bound to hear or read umpteen and umpteenth ("latest or last in an indefinitely numerous series") any number of times.
Name Change Feels
Feb. 23rd, 2026 04:10 pmgremdarkI'm bracing myself to start the legal process of changing my name next month, which means I need to finally decide what I want it to be. The first and middle names are sorted, and in fact I've used them socially and professionally for my entire adult life. The last name(s) are the issue.
I've written under my mother's maiden name for a while. That side of the family is very tight-knit, with a well documented history that means the world to me. I am generally closer with them. Firstname Maidenname would make sense.
I do not often speak to my father, and his last name is common enough in the United States that it, paired with my similarly-common legal first name, has given me major issues over the years. (Imagine trying to get anything done when your name is John Smith and there are 4300 other John Smiths in every database, some of whom share your exact birthday down to the year. It's a nightmare.) That being said, my father's name is also his father's name, and my grandfather and I are very close.
When my grandfather was a small child, he was forcibly taken into foster care, and records indicate his mother was institutionalized at that time. We do not know his original surname, or indeed if he had a surname prior to being placed in the 1940s foster care system. We know that ours was government-assigned, a common practice at the time where indigenous foster kids were concerned. He has never been able to locate sufficient records to find members of his birth family.
So my last name has always been complicated for me.
On one hand, I think having a less-common surname would make many of my lifelong database issues disappear. On the other hand, I have decidedly mixed feelings about severing a tie to what my grandfather refers to as his "family stump." On the other other hand, I have no other strong emotional connections to the name, and I'd love to gain my mother's maiden name.''
I'm tempted to just have two last names, with or without a hyphen. But the internet says that sometimes creates logistical database issues of the very kind I hope to escape. So here I sit, weighing my options for the millionth time. It's certainly a quagmire.
I've written under my mother's maiden name for a while. That side of the family is very tight-knit, with a well documented history that means the world to me. I am generally closer with them. Firstname Maidenname would make sense.
I do not often speak to my father, and his last name is common enough in the United States that it, paired with my similarly-common legal first name, has given me major issues over the years. (Imagine trying to get anything done when your name is John Smith and there are 4300 other John Smiths in every database, some of whom share your exact birthday down to the year. It's a nightmare.) That being said, my father's name is also his father's name, and my grandfather and I are very close.
When my grandfather was a small child, he was forcibly taken into foster care, and records indicate his mother was institutionalized at that time. We do not know his original surname, or indeed if he had a surname prior to being placed in the 1940s foster care system. We know that ours was government-assigned, a common practice at the time where indigenous foster kids were concerned. He has never been able to locate sufficient records to find members of his birth family.
So my last name has always been complicated for me.
On one hand, I think having a less-common surname would make many of my lifelong database issues disappear. On the other hand, I have decidedly mixed feelings about severing a tie to what my grandfather refers to as his "family stump." On the other other hand, I have no other strong emotional connections to the name, and I'd love to gain my mother's maiden name.''
I'm tempted to just have two last names, with or without a hyphen. But the internet says that sometimes creates logistical database issues of the very kind I hope to escape. So here I sit, weighing my options for the millionth time. It's certainly a quagmire.
multi-fandom icons
Feb. 23rd, 2026 07:09 pmluminousdaze posting in icons
request for recipes
Feb. 23rd, 2026 06:55 pmsnickficI would like to bulk up my store of recipes that travel and reheat well and are good for taking to other people, the "casserole for someone who's ill/grieving/up all night with a newborn" kind of thing. Casseroles and hearty soups are welcome, but also other kinds of one-dish meals that don't require much fiddling other than reheating.
In return, I can offer one of my own that fits this description:
White chicken chili
In return, I can offer one of my own that fits this description:
White chicken chili
[Challenge #428: Drink] Doctor Who: 'Somewhat Equivocal'
Feb. 23rd, 2026 06:45 pmbut_can_i_be_trusted posting in anythingdrabbleTitle: 'Somewhat Equivocal'
Fandom: Doctor Who
Characters: Eleventh Doctor, River Song
Word Count: 100
Rating: G
Notes: Crossposted tovocab_drabbles and ficlet_zone
Summary: "An accurate translation is difficult to come by."
( Somewhat Equivocal )
Fandom: Doctor Who
Characters: Eleventh Doctor, River Song
Word Count: 100
Rating: G
Notes: Crossposted to
vocab_drabbles and ficlet_zoneSummary: "An accurate translation is difficult to come by."
( Somewhat Equivocal )
And they're gone!
Feb. 23rd, 2026 06:05 pmhalfshellvenusI took the books to the library this weekend, and our bonus room has space in it again! There are a couple of boxes and bags in there with stuff to take to Goodwill (we seem to always have a running box for that), but all the books are gone now. Huzzah!
This was a weekend in which I actually got some things done. In addition to getting those books out, I cleaned up an office chair that I need to sell, and I assembled a couple of end tables I bought from Overstock last week. They were easy to put together, and they look pretty nice. But it took almost as long to get all of the tape off the boxes (for recycling) and break up the styrofoam they shipped with! I really wish styrofoam was recyclable. :(
While working on the end-tables, I started watching Euphoria on Hulu. This was mainly because someone recommended Eric Dane's performance in it (sadly, he passed away this weekend from ALS), and it also has Jacob Elordi. It's a high-school-age drama, and really well-written, though the kids lives are messy. It's full of things you would really hope teenagers aren't doing. It's also much more sexually explicit than I would like, especially given the age of the characters. I realize all the actors are in their 20s, but they're supposed to be kids, so it's kind of skeevy on top of being TMI. But I will say that Jacob Elordi was gorgeous even in his early 20s, and looked much the same as he does now. This isn't always true, especially for men— Gregory Peck, Cary Grant, and even Mel Gibson weren't really good-looking until after about age 30. For some, it's needing to lose a little of the baby fat that makes their faces less distinctive. For Gregory Peck, I think most of it was needing to put on about 20 pounds!
We also watched Sinners, which we enjoyed but I wouldn't consider Oscar-worthy— mainly because of the vampires! The period detail was really good, though, and Michael B. Jordan (as twins) lived up to all the reasons I have a weakness for him. :)
Next weekend: the coffee table I also bought last week. \o/
This was a weekend in which I actually got some things done. In addition to getting those books out, I cleaned up an office chair that I need to sell, and I assembled a couple of end tables I bought from Overstock last week. They were easy to put together, and they look pretty nice. But it took almost as long to get all of the tape off the boxes (for recycling) and break up the styrofoam they shipped with! I really wish styrofoam was recyclable. :(
While working on the end-tables, I started watching Euphoria on Hulu. This was mainly because someone recommended Eric Dane's performance in it (sadly, he passed away this weekend from ALS), and it also has Jacob Elordi. It's a high-school-age drama, and really well-written, though the kids lives are messy. It's full of things you would really hope teenagers aren't doing. It's also much more sexually explicit than I would like, especially given the age of the characters. I realize all the actors are in their 20s, but they're supposed to be kids, so it's kind of skeevy on top of being TMI. But I will say that Jacob Elordi was gorgeous even in his early 20s, and looked much the same as he does now. This isn't always true, especially for men— Gregory Peck, Cary Grant, and even Mel Gibson weren't really good-looking until after about age 30. For some, it's needing to lose a little of the baby fat that makes their faces less distinctive. For Gregory Peck, I think most of it was needing to put on about 20 pounds!
We also watched Sinners, which we enjoyed but I wouldn't consider Oscar-worthy— mainly because of the vampires! The period detail was really good, though, and Michael B. Jordan (as twins) lived up to all the reasons I have a weakness for him. :)
Next weekend: the coffee table I also bought last week. \o/
Savoring the cold.
Feb. 23rd, 2026 08:42 pmhannahIt was beautifully quiet today. The snow helped, of course, and the snow was the cause - people staying home, cars not getting driven, taxis not cruising for passengers. Helicopters and planes staying on the ground. It took me a while to realize I wasn't hearing the usual sounds. When the snow let up and people started driving again, I honestly felt resentful that the travel ban wasn't going on longer. It'd been a nice glimpse into a quieter New York City. I feel like that's how it always is. Just a glimpse of a better world.
Or at least, a moment to resettle so I can realize just how noisy the West Side Highway really is. I went down to the park to walk a bit in the afternoon, after the snow stopped, and I don't mind noise from kids that are shouting about how happy they are or what a good time they're having when they're sledding down a big hill, or noise from people talking about an inflatable toy's weight limit before sledding down the big hill themselves. Human voices. There were a couple of shrieks right near me for some reason, and of course a very loud barking dog that its owner insisted was friendly, and overall, just nice sounds of people.
I had my headband on and my hood up, and both those things helped muffle the world. The coat itself was warm enough that when I lay back in the snow, twice, I stayed comfortable enough to settle in for a little bit. Not many minutes, but enough time to measure on a stopwatch, easily.
There were several taped-off CAUTION areas around fallen trees and threatening branches, and I found it wonderful that people had already made a single-file path underneath one of the trees in between the branches - sticking as close to the path that the tree had fallen over as best they all could. Ducking down to get under and through. A little ways away there was a bower made from bushes bent over with snow that also provided something of a roof, and some parents took pictures of their kids hanging out in there and posing at the entrance. It made for a nice echo of both adults and children doing more or less the same thing, if on different scales. The intent of play was close enough to call it the same.
There were snow men, snow women, snow people, and snow animals. There were snow structures made from hand packing it and snow structures made from using plastic bins to mold sturdy bricks. There was a moment I saw the sky start to come out and felt a pang of disappointment because it meant the day was moving on from the storm. I'd fallen back into the snow already then, and made a point to do it a second time. If I'd been more careful with my legs not getting wet, I'd have lain there a while longer. But I knew the day was going, so I might as well go, too, so I wouldn't have to see it end.
Or at least, a moment to resettle so I can realize just how noisy the West Side Highway really is. I went down to the park to walk a bit in the afternoon, after the snow stopped, and I don't mind noise from kids that are shouting about how happy they are or what a good time they're having when they're sledding down a big hill, or noise from people talking about an inflatable toy's weight limit before sledding down the big hill themselves. Human voices. There were a couple of shrieks right near me for some reason, and of course a very loud barking dog that its owner insisted was friendly, and overall, just nice sounds of people.
I had my headband on and my hood up, and both those things helped muffle the world. The coat itself was warm enough that when I lay back in the snow, twice, I stayed comfortable enough to settle in for a little bit. Not many minutes, but enough time to measure on a stopwatch, easily.
There were several taped-off CAUTION areas around fallen trees and threatening branches, and I found it wonderful that people had already made a single-file path underneath one of the trees in between the branches - sticking as close to the path that the tree had fallen over as best they all could. Ducking down to get under and through. A little ways away there was a bower made from bushes bent over with snow that also provided something of a roof, and some parents took pictures of their kids hanging out in there and posing at the entrance. It made for a nice echo of both adults and children doing more or less the same thing, if on different scales. The intent of play was close enough to call it the same.
There were snow men, snow women, snow people, and snow animals. There were snow structures made from hand packing it and snow structures made from using plastic bins to mold sturdy bricks. There was a moment I saw the sky start to come out and felt a pang of disappointment because it meant the day was moving on from the storm. I'd fallen back into the snow already then, and made a point to do it a second time. If I'd been more careful with my legs not getting wet, I'd have lain there a while longer. But I knew the day was going, so I might as well go, too, so I wouldn't have to see it end.
Tuesday :: TV Episode Titles
Feb. 23rd, 2026 09:30 pmToday's theme is TV Episode Titles.
More Information: If you want to add the TV show the episode title comes from, that’s okay, but not necessary, unless you’re requesting the TV show that the episode title goes to.
This is a good site to find episode titles.
Just a few rules:
No more than five prompts in a row.
No more than three prompts in the same fandom.
Use the character's full name and fandom's full name for ease in adding to the Lonely Prompts spreadsheet.
No spoilers in prompts for a month after airing, or use the spoiler cut option found here.
If your fill contains spoilers, warn and leave plenty of space, or use the above mentioned spoiler cut.
Prompts should be formatted as follows: [Use the character's full names and fandom's full name]
Fandom, Character +/ Character, Prompt
Some examples to get the ball rolling...
+ any, any, The Enemy Walks In (from Alias)
+ any, any, Wouldn't It Be Nice (from Brothers & Sisters)
+ any, any, Belly of the Beast (from Coach)
We are now using AO3 to bookmark filled prompts. If you fill a prompt and post it to AO3 please add it to the Bite Sized Bits of Fic from 2026 collection. See further notes on this new option here.
Not feeling any of today’s prompts? You can use LJ’s advanced search options to limit keyword results to only comments in this community. Fret not, DW members; we are working on a way to search through old entries for prompts for you! As of right now, the best way to search for a lonely prompt on DW is to search the community’s archive, which can be found [[HERE]].
While the use of LJ's advanced search and DW’s archive are options, bookmarking the links of prompts you like might work better for searching in the future.
As a friendly reminder about our schedule, Lonely Prompts and sharing completed fills are encouraged on Sundays, while new themes and prompts are posted on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Saturdays are a Free for All day. We'll share our posts on DW and LJ for everyone's convenience. Keep an eye out for notifications!
If you have a Dreamwidth account and would feel more comfortable participating there, please feel free to do so…and spread the word!
tag=episode titles