Saturday, November 15th, 2025 06:00 pm
Today we visited two events, the Otto Center Bazaar and a craft market at Cross County Mall.
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Saturday, November 15th, 2025 12:11 pm
Today is partly sunny and quite warm. It's already up to 75°F.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, plus a male cardinal.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 11/15/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 11/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 11/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
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I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, plus a male cardinal.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 11/15/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 11/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 11/15/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
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Saturday, November 15th, 2025 12:52 am
People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.
Is some degree of censorship necessary?
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Is some degree of censorship necessary?
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Friday, November 14th, 2025 09:31 pm
Why I Am Resigning from the Heritage Foundation (Guest-Post by Adam Mossoff)
[DB: This is a guest post from my Scalia Law colleague Professor Adam Mossoff, reprinting his letter to Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts resigning his position as a visiting fellow at the Foundation. As Adam says, this is a time for choosing on the political right: you either abandon conservatism and stand with Tucker Carlson and nihilism, collectivism, Nazism, and Jew hatred, or you stick up for (conserve, if you will) the American traditions of individual rights, religious and ethnic pluralism, and the rule of law.]
An interesting feature of modern politics is how often it highlights where people draw the line, that they are comfortable or tolerant of A-Y but not Z.
[DB: This is a guest post from my Scalia Law colleague Professor Adam Mossoff, reprinting his letter to Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts resigning his position as a visiting fellow at the Foundation. As Adam says, this is a time for choosing on the political right: you either abandon conservatism and stand with Tucker Carlson and nihilism, collectivism, Nazism, and Jew hatred, or you stick up for (conserve, if you will) the American traditions of individual rights, religious and ethnic pluralism, and the rule of law.]
An interesting feature of modern politics is how often it highlights where people draw the line, that they are comfortable or tolerant of A-Y but not Z.
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Friday, November 14th, 2025 07:41 pm
Want to build a deeper, richer community? Learning how to handle conflict is key, the Gottmans say
As Julie told Good Good Good, in the decades they have spent doing this work they have observed time and time again: “Conflict can really lead to greater understanding between people.”
The trick is approaching conflict with a goal to understand; not to conquer.
“Speak in such a way that you don't sabotage yourself getting listened to,” Julie said. “That means avoiding criticism, contempt, defensiveness, totally shutting down, or stonewalling.”
( Read more... )
As Julie told Good Good Good, in the decades they have spent doing this work they have observed time and time again: “Conflict can really lead to greater understanding between people.”
The trick is approaching conflict with a goal to understand; not to conquer.
“Speak in such a way that you don't sabotage yourself getting listened to,” Julie said. “That means avoiding criticism, contempt, defensiveness, totally shutting down, or stonewalling.”
( Read more... )
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Friday, November 14th, 2025 07:35 pm
Virtual 'University Of The People' provides a free college education to anyone in the world
The university offers accredited certificates, associate and bachelor’s degree programs in business administration, computer science, and health science, and master’s degree programs in business administration, information technology, and education.
There is no tuition involved in obtaining a degree, but a variety of fees are required that add up to about $5,000 for a bachelor’s degree.
( Read more... )
The university offers accredited certificates, associate and bachelor’s degree programs in business administration, computer science, and health science, and master’s degree programs in business administration, information technology, and education.
There is no tuition involved in obtaining a degree, but a variety of fees are required that add up to about $5,000 for a bachelor’s degree.
( Read more... )
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Friday, November 14th, 2025 02:37 pm
"What's Shining Hearth?" It's a free online gathering of Elves, Fae, Sidhe, and adjacent folk, held on Discord on the fourth weekend in March (March 27-29, 2026). The server and event are 18+ only. There are workshops and discussions, games and watch parties, music, and plenty of time just to hang out and chat. For more information, see our website.
Presenter sign-ups are now open for next year's Shining Hearth! Presentations can be on any topic that would be of interest to elfae folk and can be in any format: lecture, panel, group discussion, demonstration, ritual, meditation, performance, etc. Timeslots are 1 hour long. (You don't have to fill up that whole time, but should use at least 30 minutes.) There are time options available for those in the Americas, Europe, and Australasia. If you want to present as a group, choose one person to be the primary contact and only fill out the form once. (All members of the group must be 18 or older and must agree to the Privacy Policy and Code of Conduct.)
Presenter applications will be accepted through January 16, 2026, or while space is available. The signup form is here.
Interested in presenting, but need inspiration for a topic? Check out the schedules from previous years here, or see this compilation of workshop descriptions from otherkin gathers of yore.
Presenter sign-ups are now open for next year's Shining Hearth! Presentations can be on any topic that would be of interest to elfae folk and can be in any format: lecture, panel, group discussion, demonstration, ritual, meditation, performance, etc. Timeslots are 1 hour long. (You don't have to fill up that whole time, but should use at least 30 minutes.) There are time options available for those in the Americas, Europe, and Australasia. If you want to present as a group, choose one person to be the primary contact and only fill out the form once. (All members of the group must be 18 or older and must agree to the Privacy Policy and Code of Conduct.)
Presenter applications will be accepted through January 16, 2026, or while space is available. The signup form is here.
Interested in presenting, but need inspiration for a topic? Check out the schedules from previous years here, or see this compilation of workshop descriptions from otherkin gathers of yore.
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Friday, November 14th, 2025 01:26 pm
Today is mostly sunny and quite warm -- it's 75F outside.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
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Friday, November 14th, 2025 12:43 pm
Well, it's not Monday, but ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
dialecticdreamer is running a Magpie prompt call that will stay open until Friday night. Leave prompts, get ficlets!
The theme for this month is Disruption and Opportunity.
Life throws disruptions at us all the time, but sometimes, those disruptions are opportunities. Genna Saint Croix, driving halfway across the country at the invitation of a lazy detective to check a John Doe body, has a major disruption amid a life-altering crisis already going on. That she stopped to help a teenager who convinced his pals not to rob her was an opportunity… for both of them.
dialecticdreamer is running a Magpie prompt call that will stay open until Friday night. Leave prompts, get ficlets!The theme for this month is Disruption and Opportunity.
Life throws disruptions at us all the time, but sometimes, those disruptions are opportunities. Genna Saint Croix, driving halfway across the country at the invitation of a lazy detective to check a John Doe body, has a major disruption amid a life-altering crisis already going on. That she stopped to help a teenager who convinced his pals not to rob her was an opportunity… for both of them.
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Friday, November 14th, 2025 08:36 am
Draconity 2025 Zine is available for download!
This 66 page zine is a collection of pieces created by nonhumans and alterhumans about what draconity means to them. Both fiction and nonfiction pieces were accepted. Also, this zine imposed no set definition on what is or isn’t “dragon enough.” We're not a cop, and if someone feels the label fits them, then it does!
Thank you to everyone who submitted to this zine! This project is a labor of love created for free to give back to the alterhuman and nonhuman communities.
Alt text is included for all of the artwork entries.
Download for free on our itch.io!
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Friday, November 14th, 2025 02:55 am
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Thursday, November 13th, 2025 05:12 pm
5 'foods of the future' that could help save the planet
Fortunately, regenerative agriculture, sustainable farming practices, and eco-friendly approaches are changing the way we farm, fish, and feast. From grain that’s been cultivated since 5000 BC to newly engineered “climate blend” bread, these five foods may have different histories, but they all have a part to play in future food menus.
I am increasingly interested in lesser-known, indigenous, and climate-resistant foods.
( Read more... )
Fortunately, regenerative agriculture, sustainable farming practices, and eco-friendly approaches are changing the way we farm, fish, and feast. From grain that’s been cultivated since 5000 BC to newly engineered “climate blend” bread, these five foods may have different histories, but they all have a part to play in future food menus.
I am increasingly interested in lesser-known, indigenous, and climate-resistant foods.
( Read more... )
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Thursday, November 13th, 2025 05:09 pm
Today is partly cloudy and mild.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 11/13/25 -- I watered the Egyptian walking onions.
I gathered seeds from the 'Shirley' landrace zinnias that I'm developing.
EDIT 11/13/25 -- I emptied the two spigot jugs of comfrey tea. The pure one had so little liquid that I just dumped it out, and it didn't have much of a smell, just kind of moldy. The one with a handful of leaves decanted 2 gallons of tea-colored liquid fertilizer, and not much noticable smell. That's the one I'm more likely to repeat. I never did get around to testing it because the weather was so sweltering most of the time. But I have it to try out in spring.
EDIT 11/13/25 -- I rinsed out the two spigot jugs and brought them in.
EDIT 11/13/25 -- We walked around the yard looking at places in the prairie garden that need to be mowed, trimmed and carried away a few branches, and now my partner Doug is out mowing.
EDIT 11/13/25 -- We walked around the yard again and got another strip mowed.
I did a lot of work around the patio.
I've seen a fox squirrel running through the trees.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 11/13/25 -- I watered the Egyptian walking onions.
I gathered seeds from the 'Shirley' landrace zinnias that I'm developing.
EDIT 11/13/25 -- I emptied the two spigot jugs of comfrey tea. The pure one had so little liquid that I just dumped it out, and it didn't have much of a smell, just kind of moldy. The one with a handful of leaves decanted 2 gallons of tea-colored liquid fertilizer, and not much noticable smell. That's the one I'm more likely to repeat. I never did get around to testing it because the weather was so sweltering most of the time. But I have it to try out in spring.
EDIT 11/13/25 -- I rinsed out the two spigot jugs and brought them in.
EDIT 11/13/25 -- We walked around the yard looking at places in the prairie garden that need to be mowed, trimmed and carried away a few branches, and now my partner Doug is out mowing.
EDIT 11/13/25 -- We walked around the yard again and got another strip mowed.
I did a lot of work around the patio.
I've seen a fox squirrel running through the trees.
As it is now dark, I am done for the night.
Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 10:12 pm
Carcinization is a form of convergent evolution in which non-crab crustaceans evolve a crab-like body plan. The term was introduced into evolutionary biology by Lancelot Alexander Borradaile, who described it in 1916 as "the many attempts of Nature to evolve a crab".
Crabs have evolved five separate times – why do the same forms keep appearing in nature?
... including at least one sexbot whose lower body is a mechanical battle crab. :D
Crabs have evolved five separate times – why do the same forms keep appearing in nature?
... including at least one sexbot whose lower body is a mechanical battle crab. :D
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Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 08:04 pm
The November 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl made its $300 goal, so there will be a half-price sale in Polychrome Heroics from Monday 17-Sunday 23. Mark the dates on your calendar, and I hope to see you then!
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Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 05:40 pm
Happy Monsterotica Launch Day!
The crowdfunding campaign to fund publishing of our next erotic anthology, Monsterotica: Tales of Unusual Courtship and Coupling, is now live on Kickstarter!
Now through December 2nd, 2025, we seek to raise $10,500 to cover publishing of the anthology and creation of the related merchandise. This awesome book contains 16 queer stories by 16 awesome authors, each story up to 7,500 words long. We encouraged authors to pitch us stories featuring unusual creatures and unconventional genitals; you won’t find any vampires or weres here, but you will find insectoid aliens, mountain cryptids, scales and feathers, tentacles, detachable anatomy, interspecies shenanigans, courtship confusion, and much more. And of course, in addition to featuring monster x monster and monster x human relationships, every single story also includes queer characters and queer relationships!
The crowdfunding campaign to fund publishing of our next erotic anthology, Monsterotica: Tales of Unusual Courtship and Coupling, is now live on Kickstarter!
Now through December 2nd, 2025, we seek to raise $10,500 to cover publishing of the anthology and creation of the related merchandise. This awesome book contains 16 queer stories by 16 awesome authors, each story up to 7,500 words long. We encouraged authors to pitch us stories featuring unusual creatures and unconventional genitals; you won’t find any vampires or weres here, but you will find insectoid aliens, mountain cryptids, scales and feathers, tentacles, detachable anatomy, interspecies shenanigans, courtship confusion, and much more. And of course, in addition to featuring monster x monster and monster x human relationships, every single story also includes queer characters and queer relationships!
Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 05:29 pm
My poem "GAMING" is up on ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
computerworld. beavertech has been commissioning poems to be posted in The Freaks Club family of communities.
computerworld. beavertech has been commissioning poems to be posted in The Freaks Club family of communities.Tags:
Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 05:22 pm
In praise of the small things in life: DDG Bangs!
DuckDuckGo is a privacy-respecting search engine launched in 2008 that has been slowly expanding into something else truly. (I mean, come on, Identity Theft Restoration?). Well, nevertheless, I still use DuckDuckGo because it's easy, their search results aren't polluted with all sorts of nonsense, they did introduce an AI summarize feature but I don't use it and it's easy to opt out thankfully. But all of that pales in comparison to the best DDG feature, Bangs!
Bangs are… well it's kinda hard to describe them, it's basically a shortcut from your search engine to wherever else, so if you have DuckDuckGo set as your search engine, you can basically search using other search engines quite easily!
DuckDuckGo is a privacy-respecting search engine launched in 2008 that has been slowly expanding into something else truly. (I mean, come on, Identity Theft Restoration?). Well, nevertheless, I still use DuckDuckGo because it's easy, their search results aren't polluted with all sorts of nonsense, they did introduce an AI summarize feature but I don't use it and it's easy to opt out thankfully. But all of that pales in comparison to the best DDG feature, Bangs!
Bangs are… well it's kinda hard to describe them, it's basically a shortcut from your search engine to wherever else, so if you have DuckDuckGo set as your search engine, you can basically search using other search engines quite easily!
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Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 02:32 pm
Here is an interesting discussion about what it costs to buy kitchen equipment. None of this is how I'd go about it, unless someone handed me grant money earmarked for that purpose. (Fair disclosure: I could make a crude but usable knife by busting a rock, and I could cook on a flat rock or with sticks. Kitchen equipment is a beloved convenience for me.)
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
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Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 02:08 pm
Massachusetts is turning retired cranberry bogs into natural wetlands. They’re on track to rewild 1,000 acres
In November 2024, the DER funneled $6 million in grants to the restoration plan. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, more than 500 acres of retired cranberry bogs have already been converted into wetlands — with hopes of restoring 1,000 acres in the next decade.
“These projects will transform degraded former cranberry bogs into thriving wetlands that will provide habitat to important species, flood control in time of storms, and access for all to beautiful natural areas,” Governor Maura Healey said in a statement.
This is a brilliant plan that will provide tremendous benefits for wildlife, as wetlands are among the most biodiverse communities. It will be especially helpful to migrating waterfowl of the Atlantic Flyway.
In November 2024, the DER funneled $6 million in grants to the restoration plan. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, more than 500 acres of retired cranberry bogs have already been converted into wetlands — with hopes of restoring 1,000 acres in the next decade.
“These projects will transform degraded former cranberry bogs into thriving wetlands that will provide habitat to important species, flood control in time of storms, and access for all to beautiful natural areas,” Governor Maura Healey said in a statement.
This is a brilliant plan that will provide tremendous benefits for wildlife, as wetlands are among the most biodiverse communities. It will be especially helpful to migrating waterfowl of the Atlantic Flyway.
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