Dept. of Grammar Strangness

Jul. 6th, 2025 05:40 pm
kaffy_r: (Badly Written)
[personal profile] kaffy_r
I use semi-colons; you?

Anyone who reads anything I write, whether fictional or non-fictional, knows of my love for semi-colons. When I think about why that's so, the one thing that leaps to what I laughingly call my mind is that I use them to reflect the same patterns I use when speaking. I find them extremely useful to demarcate thoughts, observations, realizations - that could reasonably be considered "in process," rather completed. (Protip; don't use quotation marks quite as liberally as I undoubtedly have. That leads to bad grocery window displays; almost as much as apostrophe misuse.)

WRT that last sentence; see wut I did thar? But I digress. 

I read this WaPo article* this morning and have grumbled about it all day. In part that's because it's not that well-written a story - it's apparently predicated on the assumption that cleverness is preferable to writing a story with a point, or at least preferable to having to prove you can write such a story.

In larger part it's because I'm part of an apparently shrinking number of English speakers and writers who have sworn off this kind of proscriptive grammar pedantry, in favor of punctuation that has a perfectly understandable and effective use, if used properly. 

So I must ask my friends, for whom the acronym AKICOTI (all knowledge is contained on the internet, for those who don't trust the internet) was undoubtedly coined: 

Poll #33330 Semi -colons: Threat or Menact
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 15


I use semi-colons

View Answers

All the time; if it's good enough for Jane Austen and Lincoln, it's fine by me.
6 (40.0%)

When I deem the time is right. Which isn't all the time, damnit!
8 (53.3%)

Occasionally; that's because it's only occasionally useful.
0 (0.0%)

Rarely; I mean, I think that's what the WaPo writer meant ....
0 (0.0%)

Never! *makes warding anti-semi-colon sign*
0 (0.0%)

Other, which I'll explain in comments
1 (6.7%)


* I cancelled my subscription months ago, but was told I was still a member until sometime in November. Most likely they hope I'll resubscribe.




elynne: (Default)
[personal profile] elynne
And back! Will be out of town next weekend, so next chapter will go up Sunday, July 20th--unless my travel plans get catastrophically interrupted...

Read more... )

Thoughts on Alligator Alcatraz

Jul. 6th, 2025 07:38 am
malada: Canadian flag text I stand with Canada (Default)
[personal profile] malada
It was supposed to be a Jet Way: an airport specifically made for the supersonic aircraft that were coming Real Soon. Away from major cities so the sonic boom wouldn't be a problem and with a long runway it was to be the future of air travel.

It was a future that never arrived. With only the Concorde flying (at significant cost and ticket price, the age of supersonic never happened. The runway and some outbuildings were completed but nothing else.

So when a concentration camp was proposed there my first thoughts were, is there water hook ups there? Sewage and sanitation? Electricity? As originally planned, this was supposed to be a big honking airport - you had to have those things. Were these things finished back in the day? Do they still work? I have the sneaky suspicion that the general answer is no - there's no water/sewer/power available to sufficient enough to service thousands of prisoners and their guards.

What I've seen is cages made of chain link fence material and metal bunks with no mattresses. There's ducts for air conditioning but where's the A/C units? Where do they get power?

And all the talk about 'full service deportation' with planes whisking prisoners to dog knows where? THEY BUILT THE BARRACKS ON THE RUNWAY. I"ll grant you there's a muck ton of runway but still...

Yeah, yeah they broke the law by entering the USA illegally, but this has all the hallmarks of a death camp.
Most came fleeing political or social dangers. Many came to save their families. They came seeking freedom and to work, build a better life. They don't deserve to die for their one small act of criminality.

Dept. of Fare thee well, Democracy

Jul. 3rd, 2025 01:33 pm
kaffy_r: Image of personified Death with scythe (Death's definitee)
[personal profile] kaffy_r
They Did It

I mean, there was no way it wasn't going to pass, but it's still like a knife twist, like salt in the wound that knife left, like the laughter of the people who brought knives and salt to the scene.

Motherfuckers. Murderers. 


Meida Round Up: Girls and Demons

Jul. 3rd, 2025 11:21 am
forestofglory: Cup of tea on a pile of books (books)
[personal profile] forestofglory
It's that time again! More thoughts on media:

The Truth Season 3 case 8 (I think, the numbering is confusing now)— this case featured Chinese style horror, and it was very creepy but in a fun way. I also enjoyed the earthly 20th inspired costumes

I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming— I’m writing about this even though I didn’t finish it because I think some of you might enjoy this. The first bit was really fun! The main character is a wildlife biology PhD student, who when she finds herself on an alien planet is upset that it's full of dinosaurs all from different time periods from each other! (Very relatable really) The book has a very fun voice. Unfortunately it ends up becoming too much sex for me.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh— A Korean inspired fantasy YA novel about a girl who chooses to sacrifice herself in place of the designated Sea God’s Bride and enters a spirit world full of mythical beings and complex politics. (I read this even though the mom is dead, and really there’s no narrative reason for it) This was lovely and very atmospheric, though the ending left me a little dissatisfied. (Content Note: Infant death)

Painted Devils by Margaret Owen— Second book in the Little Thieves trilogy. Very fun and twisty in a similar way to the 1st book.

Kpop Demon Hunters — It's an animated movie about a kpop girl band that are magical girl-sque demon hunters, there's lot of musical numbers.A Koren friend of mine described it as “an American movie set in Korea” and I think that’s spot on. She specifically complained about how the worldbuiling/theology feels too christian. It doesn't fully work through the consequences of all the violence but the flight scenes are very swooshy and fun, and I liked the themes a lot. I also really liked the female friendship aspect.
malada: Canadian flag text I stand with Canada (Default)
[personal profile] malada
I mean, look at Jeff Bezos He didn't just get a yacht, he got a super yacht and replace it with a mega super monster yacht. Dude, what are you compensating for?

And he basically wanted to rent the best parts of Venice for his wedding? Seriously? Shouldn't you be doing something productive like with all that money like, oh FIXING YOUR FARKING ROCKET? Your little hopper rocket is cute and everything but how about something that can get to orbit and deliver your stupid satellites? Haw about PAYING PEOPLE A LIVING WAGE? A private plane I can understand: he's a business man with far flung holdings. Fast transportation without having to mingle with the dirty masses that feed your empire probably counts for something.

How many houses does he own? A Google search shows he has for a half a BILLION dollars in real estate! Five New York City apartments,two homes in D.C., three mansions in Beverly Hills, a ranch near his launch site (at least that makes sense) and probably more. WTF? How much time does he actually spend in each one? Does he even know the layout of each one? He probably needs a GPS unit to find the bathroom each time he moves. From what I understand, hoarders tend to collect stuff that *might* be usable or fixable but they never have time to mess with any of that because they're busy collecting more stuff! Now I'm sure that all of Bezos' homes, offices, yachts and other items are useful but does he actually realize how much he has? Hoarders tend to forget until it's clean up time then everything is Important and Valuable and they Must Keep It.

When does the impulse to have MOAR and MOAR stop from being simple greed to a mental illness?

Sales and other updatey things

Jul. 1st, 2025 08:18 pm
catherineldf: (Default)
[personal profile] catherineldf
Spent the weekend peddling books at TC Pride and it was a....LOT. Hot, sporadic rainstorms (with a big one overnight that trashed some folk's tents) and other wackiness. Full writeup here. Short version: terrible location, lower sales than last year, a state funeral next door with all that goes with that, primo people watching, good chats, nice folks and TC Pride in all its gigantic glory. Also, vendor pals gave me a piece of really tasty homemade coffeecake and Alexa (my assistant) is a champ.

The other cool thing that happened was that the Queen of Swords Press reissue of the classic gay fantasy, Point of Hopes (Astreiant #1) by Melissa Scott and Lisa A. Barnett, won the Midwest Book Award from the Midwest Independent Publisher's Association! Very pleased about this. Hopes was our third title to be a finalist for these awards and is now our second award-winning title after The Voyages of Cinrak the Dapper by A.J. Fitzwater, winner of a Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Collection. :-D

2 days left on the Pride StoryBundle! Melissa and I got a really great lineup this year and we've raised $770 for Rainbow Railroad so far. I might add that the proceeds from this will also be a nice help to the participating publishers and authors, including my own press, and that, seeing as I will be unemployed by Thursday, my half of the curator's fee will help cover my travel expenses for Readercon which would be super helpful. If you're in a position to get one and it looks appealing, maybe pick one up?

The Summer/Winter Smashwords Sale has also kicked off today and you can get a great deal on Queen of Swords Press titles, including my own books. This is traditionally a solid sale for us and it means that I can pay myself more this month if it goes well. Also, speaking of sales, the audiobook for my second Wolves of Wolf's Point novel, Blood Moon, is on sale right now through 7/15. The narrator that Tantor hired is really good - I've been enjoying listening to her reading my books while I get regrounded for/in Book 3.

What am I going to do for the next couple of weeks? Honestly, rest. Write. Read. Get caught up on projects like the developmental editing class I paid to take online...last year. Clear some stuff out of the house. Put some things up for sale. Spend time with people who I've wanted to see for quite a while. Spend some time with my kitties (I don't think Shu will be around a whole lot longer). Can I afford to retire? Alas, no. But I have got to unglue from the ceiling and the last 8 months of this job have been toxic with a cherry on top. I will need to start job hunting soon after I get back from Readercon though and possibly exploring other areas of endeavor if IT has dried up for me so lots of uncertainty ahead. In the meantime, if you are in a position to support me recovering for a bit, consider pledging the Patreon and buying a book or two. I also have a Ko-fi and will be more active out there soon. Stay tuned! More updates ahead.
And hugs to everyone who needs them.




clamp / median / range

Jul. 2nd, 2025 02:45 am
fanf: (Default)
[personal profile] fanf

https://dotat.at/@/2025-07-02-cmp.html

Here are a few tangentially-related ideas vaguely near the theme of comparison operators.

Read more... )

More Doll outfit pictures!

Jun. 30th, 2025 01:42 pm
forestofglory: patch work quilt featuring yellow 8 pointed stars on background of night sky fabrics (Quilt)
[personal profile] forestofglory
I have been sewing a lot recently! It's really fun!

many pictures )

Dept. of Dreams

Jun. 29th, 2025 03:44 pm
kaffy_r: Umbrella's, figure rise in a field; from Magritte? (umbrellas rise)
[personal profile] kaffy_r
I Try to Save the World in My Sleep

I don't dream nearly as much as I used to, or at least I don't remember the dreams I probably have. I think most people have that experience, especially as they grow older. But there are dreams I remember, and they are almost always of a type. 

In all of them, I'm trying to save someone, or many someones. I'm always so very slow, my limbs sticky with dream physics, but I keep trying, even though sometimes I know that what I can do isn't nearly enough. 

Dreams underneath )

Tha'ts right he killed their dog too.

Jun. 27th, 2025 09:46 pm
malada: Canadian flag text I stand with Canada (Default)
[personal profile] malada
From NPR:

Melissa Hortman’s husband, Mark, and dog, Gilbert, were also killed by a gunman who broke into their home. Their bodies now lie in state at the capitol building.

That's right, the motherf*cker killed the dog too.

I hate people.

Dept. of Success

Jun. 27th, 2025 05:30 pm
kaffy_r: (Hurrah!)
[personal profile] kaffy_r
Got Through to the IRS

Huzzah!

I don't have to say much about it, but yes, I managed to complete my IRS account, and got approved for a timed repayment plan. Huzzah indeed!
catherineldf: (Default)
[personal profile] catherineldf
It's Twin Cities Pride this weekend and I'm headed in to do some preliminary setup this morning. It's been raining for days, with some more expected this weekend and 3 of the interstates are closed - what could go wrong? No, don't answer that. At any, Queen of Swords Press will have a table in the Queer Writes Test/Zone (called different things on the map), space #496. I'm "between jobs" (out of work/taking a short break) as of 7/3 so if you can't make it to Pride and are up for buying a book or two, now would be a great time. Library requests help a lot too!

Readercon 34 - I will be attending (please buy a Pride StoryBundle if you can! My half of the curator's fee is funding my trip cash for July and these are some great books. We're also raising money for Rainbow Railroad too!). My schedule is here and I'm on everything from small press publishing to aging in sf to erotica and horror to doing a reading.  Looking for ward to it! Will I see you there? Let's get a meal/snacks.

I am also adding an October trip to Iowa City on 10/11 to accept a posthumous Laura Young Award for Jana from Guild of Bookworkers at their Standards Conference. That will be something of a whirlwind, but if you're in the area, breakfast on Sunday could be a thing.

I have a Seattle Worldcon schedule but it doesn't look quite baked yet. I also apparently promised a debut reading of Blood Moon, (Wolves of Wolf's Point #3) from some months back when I had 10K words...then had to revise and reset in a different character's head. Apparently, there will be a lot of writing in the next couple of weeks to get some things ready for readings at both cons!


Things

Jun. 27th, 2025 09:42 pm
vass: Small turtle with green leaf in its mouth (Default)
[personal profile] vass
Books
Still reading A Power Unbound.

Comics
Caught up on Order of the Stick (I was at about #1319, and the most recent one was #1328.) Welp, that was a thing that happened.

Things are also Happening in Dumbing of Age. I am looking at the title text in June 24's strip and glowering distrustfully at Willis after what happened last big finale.

Games
Playing a lot of Simon Tatham's Puzzle Games on my phone.
Slay the Spire: have now unlocked Ascension 4 on all four characters. Surprisingly (to me?) the hardest run on Ascension 3 was with the Defect.

Links


Cats
Ash is down an incisor and a canine as of last Tuesday. He was good and brave at the vet and, after he got home, patient with Dorian's mistaking him for a stranger because he smelled Wrong.

Phenology
No new kangaroo visits. It's been very cold out.

Sidetracks - June 26, 2025

Jun. 26th, 2025 10:24 pm
helloladies: Gray icon with a horseshoe open side facing down with pink text underneath that says Sidetracks (sidetracks)
[personal profile] helloladies posting in [community profile] ladybusiness
Sidetracks is a collaborative project featuring various essays, videos, reviews, or other Internet content that we want to share with each other. All past and current links for the Sidetracks project can be found in our Sidetracks tag. You can also support Sidetracks and our other work on Patreon.


Read more... )

Dept. of Kafkaland

Jun. 26th, 2025 12:07 pm
kaffy_r: Rory and Amy having a rabbit hole day (Rabbit hole day)
[personal profile] kaffy_r
Humans? Hah! The IRS Needs No Humans!

Ol' Franz would have blanched at the IRS )
catherineldf: (Default)
[personal profile] catherineldf
Well, I'm hella tired. So sleep and doing odds and ends are looking very appealing. Also writing and editing. I'm signing up for various workshops and classes and just came across a developmental editing class that I signed up for...a year ago. I should probably finish that. In a couple of weeks, I will be looking for editing, teaching, speaking, writing gigs, but I definitely need to recharge a bit. Let me know if you're interested in my sundry nonIT skills. For the IT end of things, my contracting company will keep looking and the very large healthcare co. that currently rents my services has expressed interest in having me back in another capacity so we'll see if anything works out there. In the next couple of weeks, I have vending at Twin Cities Pride this weekend (500,000+ people, 3 day marathon - come see us at the Queer Writes Tent in Loring Park!), the Inbound Book Fair for Grownups in 2 weeks (4-5000 people last year, 2 day marathon - come see us at the Fairgrounds in the Education Building!), followed immediately thereafter by Readercon (my schedule is lit!). Then back for a couple of weeks, then off to Seattle for Worldcon. Somewhere in there, I will freak about money if I haven't figured something out, but I also figure I've been planning for this for the last year and if I don't seize the moments where I can, when will I?

I've halted Folding for a while

Jun. 24th, 2025 07:26 am
malada: Canadian flag text I stand with Canada (Default)
[personal profile] malada
With the heat wave and having limited air conditioning I've decided to halt my Folding @ Home for a while. The energy costs aren't great but A/C and fans do suck up their own amount of juice.

And the system fans do ramp up when the folding gets complicated. I'll need to install better coolers in my systems.

Stay cool kids.

Dept. of Surfacing

Jun. 23rd, 2025 03:35 pm
kaffy_r: A typical day in the BSG!verse (Frakkin' Watchtower)
[personal profile] kaffy_r
It's Not the Heat, It's the Humidity ...

... which is, of course, a rank lie, at least here in Chicago and a fair amount of the American Midwest. *checks weather site* It is currently 98F, with a heat index of 108F, thanks to the aforementioned humidity. This is the third day, and I imagine I should be grateful that the heat index wasn't up at 117F, as it was yesterday and the day before. 

Griping, etc. under here )
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