Daily Happiness
Saturday, 21 February 2026 20:47![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
torachan1. So nice to get back to my routine at home. I tried my best to stick to the things I could while away but it's not the same and it's definitely a source of stress.
2. Carla got some frozen char siu fried rice from Trader Joe's and it's really good. Making fried rice from scratch is an easy meal, but I wouldn't mind keeping a bag of this in the freezer for times we feel like something even easier.
3. A moth got in the house the other day and Carla was able to get some really great pics of Ollie when he was laser focused on the moth.
2. Carla got some frozen char siu fried rice from Trader Joe's and it's really good. Making fried rice from scratch is an easy meal, but I wouldn't mind keeping a bag of this in the freezer for times we feel like something even easier.
3. A moth got in the house the other day and Carla was able to get some really great pics of Ollie when he was laser focused on the moth.
it would be so fine to see your face at my door
Saturday, 21 February 2026 21:15musesfoolThis afternoon, I made this lemon cake because 1. I had an open container of ricotta I wanted to use up before it spoiled, and 2. I've been looking for a nut-free alternative to my favorite lemon cake since one of my nieces has a tree nut allergy. It turns out I did not have enough ricotta, but I made it up with sour cream, and the cake seems fine. It did stick to the pan in one small spot so I didn't take a picture of it since it had a gash in it, but it tastes great. The trick of adding turbinado sugar to the glaze to make it crunchy is a good one, too.
I also made dressing for coleslaw, which I've never done before - always just bought the pre-made deli version - and it's ok, not great. Not tangy enough, tbh. I wonder if replacing some of the mayo with buttermilk is the way to go. I ate some with a steak I pan-fried for dinner and that was nice. I don't have steak very often, but sometimes it goes on sale and I get it.
We're supposed to be getting between 12"-18" of snow tomorrow/Monday (wait, I just checked, and the current forecast is 39% likelihood of at least 18" if not more, wow), and I'm supposed to go into the office on Tuesday, so I guess we'll see what actually materializes, whether the streets are cleaned, and how I feel on Tuesday morning. Supposedly we're getting a free lunch, but I don't know when the consultant who is supposed to be buying it for our in person meeting is flying in, idk what is going to happen. There was some back and forth on Teams today about the storm and they are notifying everyone to be remote on Monday, which is the smart choice.
Anyway, my menu is not very cozy - I was planning on making that lemony macaroni salad for lunches, and some baked oatmeal with cherries and chocolate chips for breakfast. I do have bread, milk, and eggs, so there could always be French toast! Though I did make that on Wednesday when I realized it was Ash Wednesday (and that I'd completely forgotten Shrove Tuesday). I'll probably have pasta for dinner tomorrow regardless, since it's Sunday.
Today, I watched Batman Ninja, which features the Batfamily time traveling back to feudal Japan (but so much Joker and I am so tired of Joker), and then its sequel, Batman vs. the Yakuza League, which I enjoyed more because it has Wonder Woman in it and she's fantastic as always. It also features ( I guess this is a spoiler ) It was weird to me though that we got 4 Batboys (Jason's feudal Japan headgear is HILARIOUS), but no Cass or Babs at all, and I didn't love the art for Selina. Someday we'll get an animated version of Wayne Family Adventures and the girls and Duke will get their due!
*
I also made dressing for coleslaw, which I've never done before - always just bought the pre-made deli version - and it's ok, not great. Not tangy enough, tbh. I wonder if replacing some of the mayo with buttermilk is the way to go. I ate some with a steak I pan-fried for dinner and that was nice. I don't have steak very often, but sometimes it goes on sale and I get it.
We're supposed to be getting between 12"-18" of snow tomorrow/Monday (wait, I just checked, and the current forecast is 39% likelihood of at least 18" if not more, wow), and I'm supposed to go into the office on Tuesday, so I guess we'll see what actually materializes, whether the streets are cleaned, and how I feel on Tuesday morning. Supposedly we're getting a free lunch, but I don't know when the consultant who is supposed to be buying it for our in person meeting is flying in, idk what is going to happen. There was some back and forth on Teams today about the storm and they are notifying everyone to be remote on Monday, which is the smart choice.
Anyway, my menu is not very cozy - I was planning on making that lemony macaroni salad for lunches, and some baked oatmeal with cherries and chocolate chips for breakfast. I do have bread, milk, and eggs, so there could always be French toast! Though I did make that on Wednesday when I realized it was Ash Wednesday (and that I'd completely forgotten Shrove Tuesday). I'll probably have pasta for dinner tomorrow regardless, since it's Sunday.
Today, I watched Batman Ninja, which features the Batfamily time traveling back to feudal Japan (but so much Joker and I am so tired of Joker), and then its sequel, Batman vs. the Yakuza League, which I enjoyed more because it has Wonder Woman in it and she's fantastic as always. It also features ( I guess this is a spoiler ) It was weird to me though that we got 4 Batboys (Jason's feudal Japan headgear is HILARIOUS), but no Cass or Babs at all, and I didn't love the art for Selina. Someday we'll get an animated version of Wayne Family Adventures and the girls and Duke will get their due!
*
Weekly Reading
Saturday, 21 February 2026 16:24torachanRecently Finished
The Reyes Incident
I think I got this on some sort of ebook sale. It feels like the sort of thing where I'd be like "well, it's free or just a dollar, so I'll take a chance". It wasn't great, though. Interesting premise about a woman who comes to the police station with a story of killer mermaids who ate her friends. The writing just wasn't great, though.
Another Appalachia
Memoir about a queer Indian woman who grew up in West Virginia, where her dad had taken a job as a company doctor for one of the chemical companies there in the 70s. I liked this.
A Skinful of Shadows
Set in the 1600s during the English civil war, the MC is the bastard of a powerful family who all have the ability to see ghosts and host them inside themselves. When her mother dies, she is taken in by the family, who it turns out, like to keep bastards close in the event that they need a ghost host, becaue the currently living members of the family are all host to multiple ghosts each, of dead family members. In some cases the host is too weak and becomes completely taken over by the ghosts. This was a neat premise and an enjoyable read. I have never not liked anything by Francis Hardine that I've read, and this was no exception.
Paying the Land
Non-fiction graphic novel about First Nations people in the Northwest Territories. The author is white, but he spent a lot of time interviewing people and it's basically like an illustrated interview. Very interesting.
Hen na E vol. 4
Ojisama to Neko vol. 16
The Reyes Incident
I think I got this on some sort of ebook sale. It feels like the sort of thing where I'd be like "well, it's free or just a dollar, so I'll take a chance". It wasn't great, though. Interesting premise about a woman who comes to the police station with a story of killer mermaids who ate her friends. The writing just wasn't great, though.
Another Appalachia
Memoir about a queer Indian woman who grew up in West Virginia, where her dad had taken a job as a company doctor for one of the chemical companies there in the 70s. I liked this.
A Skinful of Shadows
Set in the 1600s during the English civil war, the MC is the bastard of a powerful family who all have the ability to see ghosts and host them inside themselves. When her mother dies, she is taken in by the family, who it turns out, like to keep bastards close in the event that they need a ghost host, becaue the currently living members of the family are all host to multiple ghosts each, of dead family members. In some cases the host is too weak and becomes completely taken over by the ghosts. This was a neat premise and an enjoyable read. I have never not liked anything by Francis Hardine that I've read, and this was no exception.
Paying the Land
Non-fiction graphic novel about First Nations people in the Northwest Territories. The author is white, but he spent a lot of time interviewing people and it's basically like an illustrated interview. Very interesting.
Hen na E vol. 4
Ojisama to Neko vol. 16
Daily Happiness
Friday, 20 February 2026 23:03torachan1. I am back home! The flight was delayed by about an hour (I first got a notification just after I'd left the store and was waiting for my uber that it would be delayed by about half an hour, but at that point I was not about to change my plans so I figured that would just give me extra time at the airport to eat dinner, but then after I got to the airport it was delayed again), so from the time of leaving the store to arriving at home, I actually could have driven in about the same time. :p Oh well. I like that the flight itself is so short, but the associated airport rigamarole, not to mention having to get an uber each way, is kind of a pain.
2. It looks like there's no more rain forecast for down here. I saw they're supposed to get a few days of rain next week up north, and originally it was saying down here, too, but now we're not going to be getting it, I guess. I am tired of rain, so glad to hear it.
3. Tuxie is probably glad there's no more rain coming, too.
2. It looks like there's no more rain forecast for down here. I saw they're supposed to get a few days of rain next week up north, and originally it was saying down here, too, but now we're not going to be getting it, I guess. I am tired of rain, so glad to hear it.
3. Tuxie is probably glad there's no more rain coming, too.
Daily Happiness
Thursday, 19 February 2026 21:34torachan1. It sprinkled a little this morning but otherwise did not rain. Very windy, though, and cold! My clothes were not made for the piercing wind. Also even though there’s been rain, I’m in air conditioned buildings too much and feeling really dried out. Definitely will be glad to get home tomorrow.
2. I don’t like having to eat out for every meal, but I’ve been able to try a lot of new places. I’ve been trying to stick to places we don’t have at home (with the exception of Shake Shack yesterday). This morning I went to Philz Coffee for breakfast and got a breakfast burrito (decent) and an amazing cashew latte. Lunch was at a pizza place called Arthur Mac’s, which had good pizza and super delicious sweet potato tater tots. For dinner I went back to the same food hall as yesterday and at at Super Duper Burgers, where I had a burger with a fried egg on top (tasty but messy), jalapeño cheese fries, and a strawberry chocolate shake.
3. I have trouble sleeping a lot of the time so I’m always worried about sleeping somewhere other than my own bed, but I slept all right last night. I’m exhausted again today so hopefully won’t have much trouble again.
2. I don’t like having to eat out for every meal, but I’ve been able to try a lot of new places. I’ve been trying to stick to places we don’t have at home (with the exception of Shake Shack yesterday). This morning I went to Philz Coffee for breakfast and got a breakfast burrito (decent) and an amazing cashew latte. Lunch was at a pizza place called Arthur Mac’s, which had good pizza and super delicious sweet potato tater tots. For dinner I went back to the same food hall as yesterday and at at Super Duper Burgers, where I had a burger with a fried egg on top (tasty but messy), jalapeño cheese fries, and a strawberry chocolate shake.
3. I have trouble sleeping a lot of the time so I’m always worried about sleeping somewhere other than my own bed, but I slept all right last night. I’m exhausted again today so hopefully won’t have much trouble again.
the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat
Thursday, 19 February 2026 17:25musesfoolIn what is likely the only time I will be all "USA USA" about these Olympics (or basically anything these days), the US Women's hockey team won gold in OT over Canada! 🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅
Hilary Knight with the game-tying goal with 2 minutes left and the goalie pulled - she became the all time leading US scorer at the Olympics! GOATed! (She also got engaged yeserday{? I think it was yesterday? to a lady speed-skater} so she's having a time in Milan!) And then Megan Keller won it in OT - right through the 5-hole on Desbiens (who I do feel bad for - she had herself a game today after getting pulled in the previous US-Canada game)! What a sick goal!
(I don't think the overtime in a GOLD MEDAL GAME should be 3-on-3, but at least they were scheduled to play a full period - no shootout in the gold medal game.)
Of course, I was supposed to be working so people kept emailing me and calling me and I couldn't be like, "Don't you know the US women's hockey team is in OT against Canada in the gold medal game!??!" so ugh. work.
In other news, last night I was struck with a mighty strong craving for an Orange Julius, and i had an unopened 11 oz bottle of OJ in the fridge so I stuck it in the freezer, and then this morning I pulled out the blender to make it, and I think the part that defrosted enough to get scraped into the blender was all water, because it had only the vaguest of orangey taste. But I have the other half of the bottle left, so I will try again tomorrow. I'm sure nostalgia is playing a part, but there was something so amazingly good about an Orange Julius at the mall when I was in high school.
*
Hilary Knight with the game-tying goal with 2 minutes left and the goalie pulled - she became the all time leading US scorer at the Olympics! GOATed! (She also got engaged yeserday{? I think it was yesterday? to a lady speed-skater} so she's having a time in Milan!) And then Megan Keller won it in OT - right through the 5-hole on Desbiens (who I do feel bad for - she had herself a game today after getting pulled in the previous US-Canada game)! What a sick goal!
(I don't think the overtime in a GOLD MEDAL GAME should be 3-on-3, but at least they were scheduled to play a full period - no shootout in the gold medal game.)
Of course, I was supposed to be working so people kept emailing me and calling me and I couldn't be like, "Don't you know the US women's hockey team is in OT against Canada in the gold medal game!??!" so ugh. work.
In other news, last night I was struck with a mighty strong craving for an Orange Julius, and i had an unopened 11 oz bottle of OJ in the fridge so I stuck it in the freezer, and then this morning I pulled out the blender to make it, and I think the part that defrosted enough to get scraped into the blender was all water, because it had only the vaguest of orangey taste. But I have the other half of the bottle left, so I will try again tomorrow. I'm sure nostalgia is playing a part, but there was something so amazingly good about an Orange Julius at the mall when I was in high school.
*
Daily Happiness
Wednesday, 18 February 2026 21:27torachan1. Despite a mixup at the airport, I arrived safely in NoCal for my first ever business trip. After I got through security this morning, an airport staff person asked me what airline I was flying on and when I said Southwest, she told me I had to go downstairs and take a shuttle to my gate. This seemed odd to me since I entered at the place at that said Southwest but there’s a lot of construction going on, so I figured maybe it had something to do with that. But when I arrived at the other terminal, it was clear I was in the wrong place, so I had to take the shuttle back. Thankfully I was at the airport with plenty of time to spare so there was still like an hour before boarding and I was able to get breakfast and get to my actual gate in plenty of time. The flight itself is short, only like an hour in the air, though we did have to circle around the airport once before landing because it was so windy they had to come in from the other direction. Amusingly there was a guy from work on my same flight, though we hadn’t realized until boarding that we were traveling together.
2. I have mostly avoided the rain today. It was raining a little traveling from the airport to the store, but I wasn’t the one driving, and it had stopped by the time I arrived. Dry throughout the day, I was able to take a walk after lunch. And my hotel is just across the street. But tonight I had to go out to buy toothpaste and toothbrush because the hotel doesn’t provide them (cheapskates) and I didn’t take my umbrella because it wasn’t supposed to rain for hours, but when I was leaving the store it was pouring, so I had to go back in and buy an umbrella. I actually have one in my suitcase! D: But now I have another one. I did get pretty soaked even with it, but I think I can manage to dry my shoes out with the hairdryer the hotel provided. Tomorrow is supposed to be no rain all day so fingers crossed.
3. There are loads of nice restaurants around and tonight I walked to a sort of food court area where I ended up getting some very tasty yuzu ramen.
Sorry, no cat pics today or tomorrow as posting is fiddle enough from my iPad. I did post on bluesky, though. I’m torachan on bluesky if you want to see cats. Otherwise I will be back to cat posting on Friday.
2. I have mostly avoided the rain today. It was raining a little traveling from the airport to the store, but I wasn’t the one driving, and it had stopped by the time I arrived. Dry throughout the day, I was able to take a walk after lunch. And my hotel is just across the street. But tonight I had to go out to buy toothpaste and toothbrush because the hotel doesn’t provide them (cheapskates) and I didn’t take my umbrella because it wasn’t supposed to rain for hours, but when I was leaving the store it was pouring, so I had to go back in and buy an umbrella. I actually have one in my suitcase! D: But now I have another one. I did get pretty soaked even with it, but I think I can manage to dry my shoes out with the hairdryer the hotel provided. Tomorrow is supposed to be no rain all day so fingers crossed.
3. There are loads of nice restaurants around and tonight I walked to a sort of food court area where I ended up getting some very tasty yuzu ramen.
Sorry, no cat pics today or tomorrow as posting is fiddle enough from my iPad. I did post on bluesky, though. I’m torachan on bluesky if you want to see cats. Otherwise I will be back to cat posting on Friday.
i have scaled these city walls
Wednesday, 18 February 2026 18:36musesfoolSome things make a post, right?
1. I had the dentist today, so I took the day off, because I am always so exhausted when I come back from the dentist. It's rarely bad, but trying to breathe through the cleaning is always an adventure I do not enjoy and it makes me tired. But I told them that the crown I got in December is mostly fine except if I try to eat almonds or other hard things, so the dentist did something to it "fix the bite." He also said it didn't look like anything was wrong either in the examination or on the x-ray, and to let him know if it didn't get better (or even got worse), so I guess we'll see.
1a. I arrived about 30 minutes early for my appointment - it usually takes much longer to get there so I allowed an hour - but they took me in right away since I was only scheduled to be there for a cleaning, and I was home before noon.
B. I was excited to see ZIBANEJAD score the tying goal for Sweden, but then Quinn Hughes won it for the US in overtime. I have to admit, I don't like 3-on-3 overtime (or shootouts!) for the Olympics. Just play another sudden death period.
iii. This past weekend, Baby Miss L went to her first princess tea party event at the Riverhead aquarium (or near there?) and the pictures of her holding court among the princesses are amazing, but my favorite picture is the one of her making a very excited "oh wow!" face at the plate of desserts in front of her. She was ready to dig in!
d. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band are coming to MSG in May!!! Tickets go on sale this weekend! I will probably not try to get them, even though MSG is pretty much the 2nd most convenient venue he could play. (Forest Hills Stadium would be the most convenient for me, but would never happen.)
5. I've reached The Butcher's Masquerade in my DCC reread, and I think it might be my favorite of the books? It has a couple of my favorite scenes in it, anyway, including ( spoilers ) I definitely prefer the more open-world type floors than the stuff like the Iron Tangle (and I did find the cards so fucking tedious in book 6; otoh, ( spoilers )).
Though This Inevitable Ruin is also a strong contender, since I fucking love ( spoilers ) There's a lot in it that I enjoyed and that also makes me so curious about what happens next, both in the dungeon and outside of it. I am definitely writing up an epic post based on notes I'm taking on rereading, which will eventually get posted. I hope. *g*
*
1. I had the dentist today, so I took the day off, because I am always so exhausted when I come back from the dentist. It's rarely bad, but trying to breathe through the cleaning is always an adventure I do not enjoy and it makes me tired. But I told them that the crown I got in December is mostly fine except if I try to eat almonds or other hard things, so the dentist did something to it "fix the bite." He also said it didn't look like anything was wrong either in the examination or on the x-ray, and to let him know if it didn't get better (or even got worse), so I guess we'll see.
1a. I arrived about 30 minutes early for my appointment - it usually takes much longer to get there so I allowed an hour - but they took me in right away since I was only scheduled to be there for a cleaning, and I was home before noon.
B. I was excited to see ZIBANEJAD score the tying goal for Sweden, but then Quinn Hughes won it for the US in overtime. I have to admit, I don't like 3-on-3 overtime (or shootouts!) for the Olympics. Just play another sudden death period.
iii. This past weekend, Baby Miss L went to her first princess tea party event at the Riverhead aquarium (or near there?) and the pictures of her holding court among the princesses are amazing, but my favorite picture is the one of her making a very excited "oh wow!" face at the plate of desserts in front of her. She was ready to dig in!
d. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band are coming to MSG in May!!! Tickets go on sale this weekend! I will probably not try to get them, even though MSG is pretty much the 2nd most convenient venue he could play. (Forest Hills Stadium would be the most convenient for me, but would never happen.)
5. I've reached The Butcher's Masquerade in my DCC reread, and I think it might be my favorite of the books? It has a couple of my favorite scenes in it, anyway, including ( spoilers ) I definitely prefer the more open-world type floors than the stuff like the Iron Tangle (and I did find the cards so fucking tedious in book 6; otoh, ( spoilers )).
Though This Inevitable Ruin is also a strong contender, since I fucking love ( spoilers ) There's a lot in it that I enjoyed and that also makes me so curious about what happens next, both in the dungeon and outside of it. I am definitely writing up an epic post based on notes I'm taking on rereading, which will eventually get posted. I hope. *g*
*
Daily Happiness
Tuesday, 17 February 2026 19:20torachan1. I got my hair cut this morning. Nice to get that out of the way before my trip.
2. I'm all packed for tomorrow except for a few last things I can't pack until the morning. Hopefully I can get to sleep with no issue and early enough, because I have my alarm set for four tomorrow. D:
3. The rain was much better today. It rained a little here and there, but mostly was dry, and none of the times it was raining interfered with anything I was doing.
4. Gemma's helping pack.
2. I'm all packed for tomorrow except for a few last things I can't pack until the morning. Hopefully I can get to sleep with no issue and early enough, because I have my alarm set for four tomorrow. D:
3. The rain was much better today. It rained a little here and there, but mostly was dry, and none of the times it was raining interfered with anything I was doing.
4. Gemma's helping pack.
Daily Happiness
Monday, 16 February 2026 19:41torachan1. So much rain today. When I went out for my walk this morning, it was just sprinkling very lightly (at times not at all) so that was fine, but I stopped at the store to get a few things and it was raining harder when I came out, then after I got home, it started really pouring and did not let up for hours. It did pause a few times, and I was able to get out to the garage to use the exercise machine and work on my puzzle, and then later I went on another walk myself and then one with Carla, and both times it started raining right after we got home. There's still supposed to be more rain for the next few days, but it looks like it'll mostly be happening overnight, so hopefully won't be too intrusive.
2. When I stopped at the store this morning, they were just putting out the fresh bakery baguettes we like, so I got one of those and some ham to make jambon buerre sandwiches for dinner. The only problem is I still had about half a mile to walk to get home, and the baguette is long and comes in a paper package. But! I had the smart idea of getting a couple plastic bags from the produce area and putting one on each end of the baguette, so it was protected from the rain.
3. I finished up another puzzle today, another 1000 piece one. This one was fun, but I don't think I'll want to do it again, so I'll probably put it out in the Little Free Library for someone else.
4. I cleaned the stove today. It's an old stove (based on the brown color, I assume it and the oven and the old fridge we no longer have were installed in the 60s by the people who owned the house before my parents) and is hard to just wipe clean after using because it has a setup similar to the top picture in the wikipedia page on gas stoves, but somehow even worse? Anyway, if you miss cleaning it after use just a few times, the grease build-up is impossible to take care of quickly and easily and it becomes a huge project of having to take the stovetop apart and scrub all the pieces. Definitely something to be done on a day when I don't have anything else to do, which is rare, so today was a perfect day. I had it on my to-do list but was tempted to put it off to some unknown time in the future, but since I was stuck inside with the rain, I just went ahead and did it, and while the stove will never look actually nice just due to age, it looks presentable and I feel really good about it.
I would like to get a new stove, but because we have a built-in stovetop and separate oven, it's not as simple as just buying a new one, and would require new countertops, and then if you're doing that, might as well replace the awful 45 year old flooring that's peeling up, and the cupboards are pretty dire, too, and it's a whole kitchen remodel, which is not only going to be expensive, but hard on the cats, so... (Someday, but not right now.)
5. Jasper was exploring the dryer the other day.
2. When I stopped at the store this morning, they were just putting out the fresh bakery baguettes we like, so I got one of those and some ham to make jambon buerre sandwiches for dinner. The only problem is I still had about half a mile to walk to get home, and the baguette is long and comes in a paper package. But! I had the smart idea of getting a couple plastic bags from the produce area and putting one on each end of the baguette, so it was protected from the rain.
3. I finished up another puzzle today, another 1000 piece one. This one was fun, but I don't think I'll want to do it again, so I'll probably put it out in the Little Free Library for someone else.
4. I cleaned the stove today. It's an old stove (based on the brown color, I assume it and the oven and the old fridge we no longer have were installed in the 60s by the people who owned the house before my parents) and is hard to just wipe clean after using because it has a setup similar to the top picture in the wikipedia page on gas stoves, but somehow even worse? Anyway, if you miss cleaning it after use just a few times, the grease build-up is impossible to take care of quickly and easily and it becomes a huge project of having to take the stovetop apart and scrub all the pieces. Definitely something to be done on a day when I don't have anything else to do, which is rare, so today was a perfect day. I had it on my to-do list but was tempted to put it off to some unknown time in the future, but since I was stuck inside with the rain, I just went ahead and did it, and while the stove will never look actually nice just due to age, it looks presentable and I feel really good about it.
I would like to get a new stove, but because we have a built-in stovetop and separate oven, it's not as simple as just buying a new one, and would require new countertops, and then if you're doing that, might as well replace the awful 45 year old flooring that's peeling up, and the cupboards are pretty dire, too, and it's a whole kitchen remodel, which is not only going to be expensive, but hard on the cats, so... (Someday, but not right now.)
5. Jasper was exploring the dryer the other day.
read the book of my life and see I've overcome it
Sunday, 15 February 2026 18:42musesfoolI lost most of yesterday to feeling unwell and spending a good part of the day in bed, but I did make char siu and therefore did make pork buns today and as always, they are so good! And remarkably easy, too, if you follow the recipe. I still have tomorrow for doughnuts, potentially.
I also spent some time yesterday watching more Pluribus and I find myself arguing with myself about it. ( spoilers )
So I still am not sure how much I like it as a show, but I am definitely curious to see where it goes (no spoilers past "HDP" please!).
*
I also spent some time yesterday watching more Pluribus and I find myself arguing with myself about it. ( spoilers )
So I still am not sure how much I like it as a show, but I am definitely curious to see where it goes (no spoilers past "HDP" please!).
*
2590 / Fic - The Pitt
Sunday, 15 February 2026 12:00siriaSmall Mercies
The Pitt | Gen | 1000 words | Episode fic for 2.06. Thanks tosheafrotherdon and traveller for betaing.
(Also on AO3)
( When grief is its own kind of mercy. Perlah says goodbye to Louie. )
The Pitt | Gen | 1000 words | Episode fic for 2.06. Thanks to
sheafrotherdon and traveller for betaing. (Also on AO3)
( When grief is its own kind of mercy. Perlah says goodbye to Louie. )
2589 / Fic - The Pitt
Saturday, 14 February 2026 16:14siriafrequently, secretly
The Pitt | Jack/Robby | ~3200 words | Co-written with![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
luciferinasundaysuit
(Also on AO3)
( 'Uh huh,' Santos said, setting her coffee down on the table. 'Okay, boss, I have a very important question. Have you ever kissed Dr Abbot on the mouth?' )
The Pitt | Jack/Robby | ~3200 words | Co-written with
(Also on AO3)
( 'Uh huh,' Santos said, setting her coffee down on the table. 'Okay, boss, I have a very important question. Have you ever kissed Dr Abbot on the mouth?' )
now the touch is made
Thursday, 12 February 2026 17:20musesfoolI am very tired. I took tomorrow off and we're closed on Monday, so I have a 4-day weekend and I am looking forward to not having to deal with several varieties of annoying co-worker (e.g., one who expects me to show up and take minutes at a meeting I was never even invited to [it's tomorrow, though, so my boss informed them I would be on vacation and someone else would have to do it]; one who insists I fill out paperwork I have already filled out and submitted - they went silent when I emailed the signed form back with the email from the day I sent it and then the invoice got paid so I guess I can't complain too much; one who feels the need to do everything by phone when email would suffice, etc.).
I've got some fun cooking plans - hopefully I get some sausage tomorrow and can make that pasta dish, but I have also been struck with the idea of making calzones, so I might do that (on Monday if not tomorrow, maybe). I took some pork ribs out of the freezer and plan to do char siu on Saturday and char siu bao on Sunday, and I might also take a crack at making some doughnuts. Depends on how much I feel like deep frying I guess. Maybe I'll make cranberry curd and fill them with that. Who can say? It might just end up being raspberry jam or pastry cream. All of it sounds good to me.
*
I've got some fun cooking plans - hopefully I get some sausage tomorrow and can make that pasta dish, but I have also been struck with the idea of making calzones, so I might do that (on Monday if not tomorrow, maybe). I took some pork ribs out of the freezer and plan to do char siu on Saturday and char siu bao on Sunday, and I might also take a crack at making some doughnuts. Depends on how much I feel like deep frying I guess. Maybe I'll make cranberry curd and fill them with that. Who can say? It might just end up being raspberry jam or pastry cream. All of it sounds good to me.
*
and we're not in the subjunctive, either. it's going to happen.
Thursday, 12 February 2026 11:35kaydeefallsI finally finished a thing! Somehow, this is the longest single fic I've ever written, and I have no idea why. But here we are. Yay, team.
This fic secretly owes a debt to History Boys - that's where the recurring theme of the subjunctive originated. I find it fitting that my original queer British schoolboy fandom has bled out into my current one.
The Subjunctive Mood (113512 words) by kaydeefalls
Chapters: 15/15
Fandom: Heartstopper (TV), Heartstopper (Webcomic)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Nicholas "Nick" Nelson/Charles "Charlie" Spring, Elle Argent & Nicholas "Nick" Nelson
Characters: Nicholas "Nick" Nelson, Elle Argent, Charles "Charlie" Spring (Heartstopper), Tao Xu (Heartstopper), Isaac Henderson (Heartstopper), Otis Smith | Omar, Sai Verma, Christian McBride (Heartstopper), Imogen Heaney, Tara Jones, Darcy Olsson
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Teen Romance, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Friendship, Friends to Lovers, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Fluff and Angst, Fake/Pretend Relationship, the fake dating is Nick and Elle and it definitely stays fake, Bullying, Coming Out, queer found family is so important, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Happy Ending, Benjamin "Ben" Hope is His Own Warning, as per canon, Angst with a Happy Ending
Summary:
This fic secretly owes a debt to History Boys - that's where the recurring theme of the subjunctive originated. I find it fitting that my original queer British schoolboy fandom has bled out into my current one.
The Subjunctive Mood (113512 words) by kaydeefalls
Chapters: 15/15
Fandom: Heartstopper (TV), Heartstopper (Webcomic)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Nicholas "Nick" Nelson/Charles "Charlie" Spring, Elle Argent & Nicholas "Nick" Nelson
Characters: Nicholas "Nick" Nelson, Elle Argent, Charles "Charlie" Spring (Heartstopper), Tao Xu (Heartstopper), Isaac Henderson (Heartstopper), Otis Smith | Omar, Sai Verma, Christian McBride (Heartstopper), Imogen Heaney, Tara Jones, Darcy Olsson
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Teen Romance, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Friendship, Friends to Lovers, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Fluff and Angst, Fake/Pretend Relationship, the fake dating is Nick and Elle and it definitely stays fake, Bullying, Coming Out, queer found family is so important, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Happy Ending, Benjamin "Ben" Hope is His Own Warning, as per canon, Angst with a Happy Ending
Summary:
"The subjunctive is the mood of uncertainty, right? What might have been. Or might be someday. It's…hopeful. You don't know for sure, but maybe." Nick gives Elle a crooked smile. "It's the mood of possibility."
Canon divergence AU: Nick befriends Elle first. Charlie and the others come along as a package deal. And it turns out that accidentally fake dating your bestie gets even more complicated when you catch feelings for someone else...
