Rec-Cember Day 4-6: 3 Babylon 5 recs [2 fic, 1 fanart] + a commenting success story
Dec. 6th, 2025 10:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sholioI figured that I'd group these together as they're by the same author. I wanted to talk about this anyway, because this is one of the more gratifying experiences I've had with leaving comments on older fic. Basically, I commented on a long WIP that hadn't been updated in several years, and the author not only wrote the rest of it but ALSO, to my delighted amazement, posted another long fic in the same universe, and started posting some new fanart too. It was wonderful. ♥ Never be afraid to comment even years later; sometimes you not only make someone's day but get lovely fanworks in return.
( 3 Londo/G'Kar Babylon 5 recs (by the same creator) cut for spoilers )
( 3 Londo/G'Kar Babylon 5 recs (by the same creator) cut for spoilers )
まるさんの思い出２。-Memories of Maru 2.-（動画）
Dec. 7th, 2025 04:58 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
maru_feed2008年のまるさんです！ たくさん遊んだ思い出。 Maru in 2008! Memories of playing with Maru a lot.
Video of V3cam being destroyed by lava fountain
Dec. 7th, 2025 04:42 ammetafilter_feed(With 2:00 video) The V3 camera was located on the south rim of Halema'uma'u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano on the Island of Hawai'i. The camera, located in a hazardous closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, was buried by tephra from an inclined lava fountain between 9:55 and 9:57 am HST on December 6. The story on Big Island Video News
2562 / Fic - The Old Guard
Dec. 6th, 2025 11:15 pmsiriaAs If From the Sea
The Old Guard | Andy/Quỳnh | ~1000 words
(Also on AO3)
( Andy, Quỳnh, and a moment in a temple courtyard. )
The Old Guard | Andy/Quỳnh | ~1000 words
(Also on AO3)
( Andy, Quỳnh, and a moment in a temple courtyard. )
FIC: The View from T'Khut (Complete).
Dec. 6th, 2025 05:10 pmlaurajvThe View from T'Khut (50669 words) by Laura JV
Chapters: 9/9
Fandom: Star Trek, Star Trek: Alternate Original Series (Movies)
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Spock/Nyota Uhura, James T. Kirk/Spock, Sarek & Spock (Star Trek), Spock & Spock Prime, James T. Kirk & Spock
Characters: Spock (Star Trek), Spock Prime, James T. Kirk, Nyota Uhura, T'Pau (Star Trek), Sarek (Star Trek), Vulcan Characters (Star Trek), Crew of the Starship Enterprise
Additional Tags: Vulcan Culture (Star Trek), Vulcan Mind Melds (Star Trek), Vulcan Language (Star Trek), jj abrams should be ashamed of himself, Vulcan history, Vulcan mythology, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, symbiotic red algae
Series: Part 1 of The View from T'Khut
Summary:
Chapters: 9/9
Fandom: Star Trek, Star Trek: Alternate Original Series (Movies)
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Spock/Nyota Uhura, James T. Kirk/Spock, Sarek & Spock (Star Trek), Spock & Spock Prime, James T. Kirk & Spock
Characters: Spock (Star Trek), Spock Prime, James T. Kirk, Nyota Uhura, T'Pau (Star Trek), Sarek (Star Trek), Vulcan Characters (Star Trek), Crew of the Starship Enterprise
Additional Tags: Vulcan Culture (Star Trek), Vulcan Mind Melds (Star Trek), Vulcan Language (Star Trek), jj abrams should be ashamed of himself, Vulcan history, Vulcan mythology, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, symbiotic red algae
Series: Part 1 of The View from T'Khut
Summary:
Part I: The Absent World. The planet vanishes, but her people go on.
Part II: An Archaeology of Loss. The world-death left a scar in spacetime, and a void in the heart of the Federation.
Part III: Time and Darkness. In which Ambassador Spock fires unexpected shots.
"President Trump uses unconventional diplomacy"
Dec. 6th, 2025 10:05 pmmetafilter_feed"The days of the United States propping up the entire world order like Atlas are over." Since 1986 American presidents have published national security strategy statements. With the recently posted "National Security Strategy of the United States of America" the Trump administration now proclaims its views and plans for its foreign policy and the world.
There's a lot in the document, including a Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, continuing a cold war with China, "cultivating resistance to Europe's current trajectory within European nations," and "want[ing] the restoration and reinvigoration of American spiritual and cultural health."
Commentary from War on the Rocks, The Economist ("bleak, incoherent"; ungated), Al Jazeera, New York Times, Le Monde ("targets Europe and spares adversaries"), Carl Bildt ("new security strategy places itself to the right of the extreme right in Europe"), former ambassador of France to the United States Gérard Araud ("reads like a far-right pamphlet"), Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Atlantic Council, DW News, the Washington Post editorial board ("less a strategy than a mood board"), and The Atlantic ("Like the babble of a thrashing sleeper who alternates between fantasy-laden dreams and cold-sweat nightmares").
There's a lot in the document, including a Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, continuing a cold war with China, "cultivating resistance to Europe's current trajectory within European nations," and "want[ing] the restoration and reinvigoration of American spiritual and cultural health."
Commentary from War on the Rocks, The Economist ("bleak, incoherent"; ungated), Al Jazeera, New York Times, Le Monde ("targets Europe and spares adversaries"), Carl Bildt ("new security strategy places itself to the right of the extreme right in Europe"), former ambassador of France to the United States Gérard Araud ("reads like a far-right pamphlet"), Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Atlantic Council, DW News, the Washington Post editorial board ("less a strategy than a mood board"), and The Atlantic ("Like the babble of a thrashing sleeper who alternates between fantasy-laden dreams and cold-sweat nightmares").
Beware of boys in tight pants
Dec. 6th, 2025 09:43 pmmetafilter_feedPeople of the World: Relax!
"People of the World: Relax!" is excerpted from "The Complete C Comics," a collection of Joe Brainard's innovative work Joe Brainard, previously
"People of the World: Relax!" is excerpted from "The Complete C Comics," a collection of Joe Brainard's innovative work Joe Brainard, previously
New story in anthology -- out now!
Dec. 6th, 2025 03:29 pmgenartiI have various longer posts to make (job transition news, a write-up of a truly hilarious theater experience, etc), but in the meantime, a quick post to let you know that the Murderfish anthology, which I have a story in, is now officially out and available for purchase!
Murderfish is, as it says on the tin, an anthology of stories about murderous fish. (Its predecessors were Murderbirds and Murderbugs, which cracks me up every time I think about it.) Each story features a different kind of sea life, as well as very cool art of them all! I haven't read all the rest yet, but I'm excited to, and it looks like there are a whole lot of genres involved. My story, "In Sheets of Seaweed," is about a woman in the simultaneously privileged and precarious position of being a prince's mistress, who dreams increasingly of sharks calling to her; I called it my "shark selkie" story for a long time before I thought of a title, and in fact after. I'm very fond of this story, and I'm delighted it's found a home at last.
The ebook is available here and the paperback here. The audiobook is coming soon, but hasn't been unveiled quite yet.
Those are both Amazon links, though not affiliate ones. If you're like me and prefer to avoid buying things through Amazon, full support, but for the moment that's all I have. I've asked if it'll be available on other sites as well, and I'll update when I get an answer.
Murderfish is, as it says on the tin, an anthology of stories about murderous fish. (Its predecessors were Murderbirds and Murderbugs, which cracks me up every time I think about it.) Each story features a different kind of sea life, as well as very cool art of them all! I haven't read all the rest yet, but I'm excited to, and it looks like there are a whole lot of genres involved. My story, "In Sheets of Seaweed," is about a woman in the simultaneously privileged and precarious position of being a prince's mistress, who dreams increasingly of sharks calling to her; I called it my "shark selkie" story for a long time before I thought of a title, and in fact after. I'm very fond of this story, and I'm delighted it's found a home at last.
The ebook is available here and the paperback here. The audiobook is coming soon, but hasn't been unveiled quite yet.
Those are both Amazon links, though not affiliate ones. If you're like me and prefer to avoid buying things through Amazon, full support, but for the moment that's all I have. I've asked if it'll be available on other sites as well, and I'll update when I get an answer.
Gosh! names it's best graphic novels of 2025
Dec. 6th, 2025 08:03 pmmetafilter_feedYou know, for kids. Gosh! is the best comics shop in London - and possibly in the whole UK. They also have a best of 2025 list for adults. There's no ranking here to fight about, just alphabetical lists.
The only book I've read on either list is Craig Thompson's Ginseng Roots, which I heartily recommend.
The only book I've read on either list is Craig Thompson's Ginseng Roots, which I heartily recommend.
Producing alternative proteins for vegans is not as easy as you think
Dec. 6th, 2025 07:58 pmmetafilter_feedProducing alternative proteins for vegans is not as easy as you think. The world is facing a crisis in food production and alternative sources of protein can be part of the solution, but the fledgling Australian sector is struggling.
A specialized use of Claude code tool.
Dec. 6th, 2025 07:48 pmmetafilter_feedIt seems to be very useful for de-compiling other code. HN talking about:
"The unexpected effectiveness of one-shot decompilation with Claude (blog.chrislewis.au)"
The author's previous post on de-compiling an N64 game. https://blog.chrislewis.au/using-coding-agents-to-decompile-nintendo-64-games/ But it's not a magic button for people who don't know what they're doing. As a couple of HN comments describe: [snip] saagarjha 3 hours ago | prev | next [–] It's worth noting here that the author came up with a handful of good heuristics to guide Claude and a very specific goal, and the LLM did a good job given those constraints. Most seasoned reverse engineers I know have found similar wins with those in place. What LLMs are (still?) not good at is one-shot reverse engineering for understanding by a non-expert. If that's your goal, don't blindly use an LLM. People already know that you getting an LLM to write prose or code is bad, but it's worth remembering that doing this for decompilation is even harder :) zdware 1 hour ago | parent | next [–] Agree with this. I'm a software engineer that has mostly not had to manage memory for most of my career. I asked Opus how hard it would be to port the script extender for Baldurs Gate 3 from Windows to the native Linux Build. It outlined that it would be very difficult for someone without reverse engineering experience, and correctly pointed out they are using different compilers, so it's not a simple mapping exercise. It's recommendation was not to try unless I was a Ghrida master and had lots of time in my hands.
The author's previous post on de-compiling an N64 game. https://blog.chrislewis.au/using-coding-agents-to-decompile-nintendo-64-games/ But it's not a magic button for people who don't know what they're doing. As a couple of HN comments describe: [snip] saagarjha 3 hours ago | prev | next [–] It's worth noting here that the author came up with a handful of good heuristics to guide Claude and a very specific goal, and the LLM did a good job given those constraints. Most seasoned reverse engineers I know have found similar wins with those in place. What LLMs are (still?) not good at is one-shot reverse engineering for understanding by a non-expert. If that's your goal, don't blindly use an LLM. People already know that you getting an LLM to write prose or code is bad, but it's worth remembering that doing this for decompilation is even harder :) zdware 1 hour ago | parent | next [–] Agree with this. I'm a software engineer that has mostly not had to manage memory for most of my career. I asked Opus how hard it would be to port the script extender for Baldurs Gate 3 from Windows to the native Linux Build. It outlined that it would be very difficult for someone without reverse engineering experience, and correctly pointed out they are using different compilers, so it's not a simple mapping exercise. It's recommendation was not to try unless I was a Ghrida master and had lots of time in my hands.
A Story About Some Expensive Shit
Dec. 6th, 2025 06:06 pmmetafilter_feedPolice in New Zealand recover a James Bond inspired Fabergé egg pendant six days after the would be thief tried to smuggle the $19K pendant out of the store by swallowing it.
The pendant was retrieved naturally, with no medical intervention, according to NZ police.
The pendant was retrieved naturally, with no medical intervention, according to NZ police.
2561 / Fic - The Pitt
Dec. 6th, 2025 11:39 amsiriaZoology and Other Specialities
The Pitt | Jack/Robby | ~6600 words | Thanks tosheafrotherdon for betaing.
(Also on AO3)
( 'I can't believe I'm saying this,' Robby said, 'but humans don't turn into dogs.' )
The Pitt | Jack/Robby | ~6600 words | Thanks to
sheafrotherdon for betaing.(Also on AO3)
( 'I can't believe I'm saying this,' Robby said, 'but humans don't turn into dogs.' )
Who tf is Doug Wilson?
Dec. 6th, 2025 03:44 pmmetafilter_feedBack in August a video of church leaders who want the 19th Amendment repealed went viral after being retweeted by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. They were from the Congregation of Reformed Evangelical Churches [what?] led by Doug Wilson [who?]. What is Doug Wilson on about and why should we care? Fundie Fridays will tell you all about him [youtube | 2h27m]
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can't sleep, prestige TV will eat me
Dec. 6th, 2025 09:41 amthe_shoshannaI have watched the first two episodes of Heated Rivalry, and omg it is so much fun (and I find it better than the book tbh; the book sometimes felt awkwardly written and the show just smooths out and amplifies so many great moments). I haven't watched the third episode yet and am desperate to, but I also kind of want to reread Game Changer first, just slam through it this morning, so I can better recognize the ways it's been adapted. (And of course I want to reread the book of Heated Rivalry as well, just to see if my memory is betraying me!) And I just learned twenty minutes ago that a sequel series to Spartacus just dropped and I'm dying to check it out. And how did I miss that there was a third series of Leverage: Redemption? (And on top of all those things that are sitting on my hard drive absolutely alluring me, I'm watching The Pitt with a friend -- her first time through it; my second -- and watching the current series of Shetland both with Geoff and with another friend, and already counting the days until the Call the Midwife Christmas special drops -- and omg it's specials, plural, we get one on the 25th and a second one on the 26th and then the new series presumably sometime in the spring.)
I have to prep to help lead service at church tomorrow morning, and all I want to do today is read Rachel Reid and watch TV. Can't I just stay home and worship at the Church of Bubble Butts?
I have to prep to help lead service at church tomorrow morning, and all I want to do today is read Rachel Reid and watch TV. Can't I just stay home and worship at the Church of Bubble Butts?
You just know there's going to be food puns
Dec. 6th, 2025 02:41 pmmetafilter_feed[BBC] Four people have been arrested after custard and apple crumble were flung at a display case containing part of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London ... Take Back Power, which describes itself as a new non-violent civil-resistance group, claimed it was behind the act. [Guardian] The demonstrators then opened their coats to show their T-shirt slogans reading "Take Back Power", before one shouted "democracy has crumbled". [Metro} They have been taken into custody. [Apple crumble recipe]
A ceasefire in name only
Dec. 6th, 2025 02:20 pmmetafilter_feedScotland's The National laid out a timeline of Israel's ceasefire violations on their front page this week. ungated Watched, tracked, and targeted - Life under surveillance in Gaza. ungated CNN investigation points to the Israeli military bulldozing the dead bodies of Palestinians seeking aid. Israeli forces kill two Palestinian men in West Bank after they appear to surrender.
(Previously.) Current state of US legislation: - HR 3565 Block the Bombs Act - 57 cosponsors - HRes.876 - Recognizing the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza - 21 cosponsors Commentary: Mondoweiss - Stop calling right-wing criticism of Israel "anti-Zionism" - One danger of this misidentification is that it reproduces, in reverse, the spurious logic that conflates anti-Zionism and antisemitism. The resistance by pundits and politicians like Fuentes, Owens, Marjorie Taylor Green and others to U.S. support for Israel is transparently rooted in antisemitism first and foremost. Foreign Affairs - The End of the Israeli Exception ungated - by Andrew Miller, former Biden staffer. NYT - How the Democrats Blew It On Gaza ungated - by Ben Rhodes, former Obama staffer
(Previously.) Current state of US legislation: - HR 3565 Block the Bombs Act - 57 cosponsors - HRes.876 - Recognizing the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza - 21 cosponsors Commentary: Mondoweiss - Stop calling right-wing criticism of Israel "anti-Zionism" - One danger of this misidentification is that it reproduces, in reverse, the spurious logic that conflates anti-Zionism and antisemitism. The resistance by pundits and politicians like Fuentes, Owens, Marjorie Taylor Green and others to U.S. support for Israel is transparently rooted in antisemitism first and foremost. Foreign Affairs - The End of the Israeli Exception ungated - by Andrew Miller, former Biden staffer. NYT - How the Democrats Blew It On Gaza ungated - by Ben Rhodes, former Obama staffer
Site update! (Sort of.)
Dec. 6th, 2025 08:00 pmflamebyrdI ate'nt dead and all that...
We upgraded Ubuntu on our webserver, which upgraded PHP, which broke the CMS I was using for random.fangirling.net. The CMS (PicoCMS) is no longer supported or under active development, as is the way of such things, and it makes sense to me because the niche it filled - flat file CMSes - was quickly squeezed out by static site generators.
So I figured I should rebuild it using a static site generator (SSG), and spent some time playing around with Astro and Eleventy before I got too frustrated by how hard it was to build a site with the file structure I wanted. And then I thought, why did I spend all that time writing a static site generator if I wasn't going to use it?
And thus, here we are. random.fangirling.net is now mostly functional again. Please let me know if anything seems amiss!
The biggest thing that's missing is the breadcrumb navigation, which was the only kind of navigation I had on the site but which is difficult to generate with my script. So that's on the TODO list.
I thought I might make the code I use to generate the site public too, as a demo for how to use my
We upgraded Ubuntu on our webserver, which upgraded PHP, which broke the CMS I was using for random.fangirling.net. The CMS (PicoCMS) is no longer supported or under active development, as is the way of such things, and it makes sense to me because the niche it filled - flat file CMSes - was quickly squeezed out by static site generators.
So I figured I should rebuild it using a static site generator (SSG), and spent some time playing around with Astro and Eleventy before I got too frustrated by how hard it was to build a site with the file structure I wanted. And then I thought, why did I spend all that time writing a static site generator if I wasn't going to use it?
And thus, here we are. random.fangirling.net is now mostly functional again. Please let me know if anything seems amiss!
The biggest thing that's missing is the breadcrumb navigation, which was the only kind of navigation I had on the site but which is difficult to generate with my script. So that's on the TODO list.
I thought I might make the code I use to generate the site public too, as a demo for how to use my
makesite.py fork. Something to ponder!