Resistance Hat
Apr. 7th, 2026 12:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lydamorehouse
Image: me in my fancy new Norweigan Resitance hat made especially for me by Paula Rice Beiver
I promised a picture of the hat that Paula made for me at Minicon, so here it is! As I noted, I really feel like there are some magical ways in which the resistance here in Minnesota operated. The generation and distribution of whistles--you could not walk into a place of business and not see a bowl of them (bookstores, coffee shops, car repair places, restaurants, etc.) People handed out whistles on the street, in little free libraries, etc.. I feel like there are probably people who have a story that goes with "and then I was handed/picked up my very first whistle."
Similarly, the fact that so many people were making these very historically meaningful Norweign resistance hats as a way to promote visiblile solidarity, at one point, we had a shortage of red yarn.
Up the revolution, y'all.
As for news from today, I may have mentioned that I am currently hunting for a job. The capitalist system is not kind to writers, and especially not to ones who have stalled out on their second novel in a series. So, I drove all the way out to Blaine in Anoka County to interview for a job as circ staff at their library system. It seemed to go okay? I was, of course, stumped by one of those corporate-speak interview questions: "tell us about a time you made a mistake and what steps you took to correct it." I suppose what I should remember is that they're trying to find out if you are the sort of person who handles critique well and I should just make something up so that I can say things like, "Even though I felt ashamed that I had made the mistake, I did not get angry. I was able to listen to my supervisor and cheerfully apply their suggestion!" Because that's what they want to know. Are you the kind of person who punches someone when they tell you that you screwed up. Alas, I fumbled around and, well, NOW I HAVE A STORY ABOUT A TIME I SCREWED UP. :-P
But, that's sort of all I know. There was a lot of rigamorale around the fact that everyone in my family needed to be somewhere this morning and we only have one car. Luckily,
naomikritzer was able to loan me her husband's car (he really can't use it at the moment becuase he has a broken arm) and so half my family could go off to their dental and physical appointments, and I could head off for my interview in Ed's car.As a bonus, we got to chat a bit when she gave me a ride back to mine, after I returned the car this morning.
I am now trying to decide how energtic I feel. As you know, because I mention it a lot, my mutual aid place, ZCC, is still hopping. Even if I can only go for a few minutes, there is almost always something that needs doing. Since it's only 12:30 as I finish writing this, I think I will wander on over there and do a little good for the resistance efforts. Might as well, since, if I get this job, I'll have a lot less time to devote to things like that.
The other, OTHER mental health problem with generative AI [ai, tech]
Apr. 7th, 2026 03:43 amsidereaThis is legitimately one of the most alarming things I've heard about AI. I can see no lie.
2026 Apr 6: Alberta Tech [YT]: "Vibe Coding is Gambling" [56 seconds]:
2026 Apr 6: Alberta Tech [YT]: "Vibe Coding is Gambling" [56 seconds]:
Con Report: Sunday Wrap-up
Apr. 6th, 2026 02:56 pmlydamorehouse I should probably have sat down to write this earlier this morning, but I had another job to apply for and some appointment/interview one-car family shinanigans to untangle for tomorrow. I will see what I can remember.
I headed off to the convention hotel early on Sunday morning because I wanted to meet up with a friend with whom I played a multi-player journaling RPG called "The Machine." I was the first person to write the entries and so I had not seen how the story ended. I hung out with them in the Bozo Bus Tribune office, read the journal. I agreed to take it with me in the hopes that maybe we could find a fourth player to pass it on to as there was room in the diary, and... I literally, JUST NOW, realized I lost the journal somehwere at the con!
What is spooky about this?
The RPG actually suggests that you consider leaving the journal somewhere for others to find. Apparently, without intending to, I followed the rules.
Weird.
Anyway, I had one panel on Sunday, a panel I was dreading because not only was I moderating, but also it did not seem like something we could talk about for an hour. That is "The Second Book." As I was telling a lot of people I ran into before the panel, the problem I had was that for a lot of professionally published authors the answer to the questions posed as part of the panel description, like, "How do you know if you have a second book's worth of story?" and "When do you decide to write a sequel?" is often, "When the publisher tells me they're going to buy it." Which is kind of a bummer of an answer? Like, we *could* have had a "welcome to the cold hard truths about publishing" panel, but I did not think that was what Minicon intended for this discussion. Plus, half the panelists were self- or small press published. Clearly, they likely had different answers to the questions--fun answers! Interesting answers!
I think the panel went okay? I did try to strike a balance.
It's often hard to tell how the panel is going when you're the person moderating because, while your fellow panelists are talking, you're trying to listen for things in what they are saying to build on, while also trying to gauge the audience's interest level and making sure all the panelists who seem keen to jump in or add on or otherwise have a chance to speak get an opportunity to do so (and, of course, making sure that folks who aren't good at jumping in still have a chance to talk, if they want.) It's a lot of mental gymnastics. A job that I don't make easier for myself by preparing for. I prepare? I sometimes bring questions I don't want to forget to ask, but sometimes I show up with nothing. Not because I'm not ready to lead the discussion or ask questions, but because I really prefer, when possible, to have a dynamic, on the fly conversation among the panelists. So I just say that up front on any panel I'm moderating, ie, "I hope we can have a conversation," and then I also I encourage people to jump in when they have a thought. It can be more difficult to manage, but it tends to make for a livelier panel than those that just pose a question and go down the line to get answers from panelists 1, 2, 3, ... At least, IMHO, which, let's be honest is probably not all that humble if I'm the sort of asshole who shows up without notes. *grins*
This was a tough one though, because, as I mentioned, the answers really do depend on how you're publishing. I wrote a second book the series because my agent sold a three book contract after he sold my first novel. That was the entirity of my thought process on the matter. But, we did pull out more creative answers and we talked a bit about the "new" (it's several decades old by now) trend to have a first book just end in the middle of the adventure because the PRESUMPTION is that there will be a follow-up book that will simply pick up where the story left off. I hate these? I feel like a book should have a beginning midddle and end. I wrote my series with a larger plot also happening that built-up as the story continued, but each book can stand alone. This is really not been the done thing for some time, and it can bite an author in the butt. I got to the end of Marguette Reed's book Archangel and literally thought that I had a faulty copy as it seemed to end mid-scene. There has not been a second book to my knowledge.
And, I mean, I am currently struggling to write the sequel to Welcome to Boy. Net so there's that.
Anyway, I ended the con by helping a friend jump her car. As I told a different friend later, I do believe that it is my solemn duty as a butch lesbian not only to always offer to aid any damsel in distress, but ESPECIALLY if the trouble is car related. They might pull my butch card if I don't!
I'd forgotten to mention that one set of folks that I ran into was Paula R. B. and Erik B. Paula has been knitting Norwegian Resistance hats and asked me if I wanted one made for me. Of course, I said yes. I feel, in fact, that the only properly magical way to get one of these hats is if someone knits one for you (or you knit one for yourself.) I did not expect that she would be able to finish an entire hat in one day, but she did. By the time I was leaving the con, she handed one to me!! I have not yet taken a proper selfie in it, but I will do that ASAP and post it here.
I headed off to the convention hotel early on Sunday morning because I wanted to meet up with a friend with whom I played a multi-player journaling RPG called "The Machine." I was the first person to write the entries and so I had not seen how the story ended. I hung out with them in the Bozo Bus Tribune office, read the journal. I agreed to take it with me in the hopes that maybe we could find a fourth player to pass it on to as there was room in the diary, and... I literally, JUST NOW, realized I lost the journal somehwere at the con!
What is spooky about this?
The RPG actually suggests that you consider leaving the journal somewhere for others to find. Apparently, without intending to, I followed the rules.
Weird.
Anyway, I had one panel on Sunday, a panel I was dreading because not only was I moderating, but also it did not seem like something we could talk about for an hour. That is "The Second Book." As I was telling a lot of people I ran into before the panel, the problem I had was that for a lot of professionally published authors the answer to the questions posed as part of the panel description, like, "How do you know if you have a second book's worth of story?" and "When do you decide to write a sequel?" is often, "When the publisher tells me they're going to buy it." Which is kind of a bummer of an answer? Like, we *could* have had a "welcome to the cold hard truths about publishing" panel, but I did not think that was what Minicon intended for this discussion. Plus, half the panelists were self- or small press published. Clearly, they likely had different answers to the questions--fun answers! Interesting answers!
I think the panel went okay? I did try to strike a balance.
It's often hard to tell how the panel is going when you're the person moderating because, while your fellow panelists are talking, you're trying to listen for things in what they are saying to build on, while also trying to gauge the audience's interest level and making sure all the panelists who seem keen to jump in or add on or otherwise have a chance to speak get an opportunity to do so (and, of course, making sure that folks who aren't good at jumping in still have a chance to talk, if they want.) It's a lot of mental gymnastics. A job that I don't make easier for myself by preparing for. I prepare? I sometimes bring questions I don't want to forget to ask, but sometimes I show up with nothing. Not because I'm not ready to lead the discussion or ask questions, but because I really prefer, when possible, to have a dynamic, on the fly conversation among the panelists. So I just say that up front on any panel I'm moderating, ie, "I hope we can have a conversation," and then I also I encourage people to jump in when they have a thought. It can be more difficult to manage, but it tends to make for a livelier panel than those that just pose a question and go down the line to get answers from panelists 1, 2, 3, ... At least, IMHO, which, let's be honest is probably not all that humble if I'm the sort of asshole who shows up without notes. *grins*
This was a tough one though, because, as I mentioned, the answers really do depend on how you're publishing. I wrote a second book the series because my agent sold a three book contract after he sold my first novel. That was the entirity of my thought process on the matter. But, we did pull out more creative answers and we talked a bit about the "new" (it's several decades old by now) trend to have a first book just end in the middle of the adventure because the PRESUMPTION is that there will be a follow-up book that will simply pick up where the story left off. I hate these? I feel like a book should have a beginning midddle and end. I wrote my series with a larger plot also happening that built-up as the story continued, but each book can stand alone. This is really not been the done thing for some time, and it can bite an author in the butt. I got to the end of Marguette Reed's book Archangel and literally thought that I had a faulty copy as it seemed to end mid-scene. There has not been a second book to my knowledge.
And, I mean, I am currently struggling to write the sequel to Welcome to Boy. Net so there's that.
Anyway, I ended the con by helping a friend jump her car. As I told a different friend later, I do believe that it is my solemn duty as a butch lesbian not only to always offer to aid any damsel in distress, but ESPECIALLY if the trouble is car related. They might pull my butch card if I don't!
I'd forgotten to mention that one set of folks that I ran into was Paula R. B. and Erik B. Paula has been knitting Norwegian Resistance hats and asked me if I wanted one made for me. Of course, I said yes. I feel, in fact, that the only properly magical way to get one of these hats is if someone knits one for you (or you knit one for yourself.) I did not expect that she would be able to finish an entire hat in one day, but she did. By the time I was leaving the con, she handed one to me!! I have not yet taken a proper selfie in it, but I will do that ASAP and post it here.
🔺 [music]
Apr. 5th, 2026 07:39 pmsidereaPolka-dotted extraterrestrials with prehensile toes and monster groove have come to save humankind with virtuoso looped microtonal rock in compound time signatures.
Look, based on that description, I wouldn't have given this the time of day myself either, but there's a reason these maniacs have become an absolute phenomenon.
Gentle readers, Angine de Poitrine.
Absolutely read the comments. As much of a treat as the band.
Like a lot of things that have arrived from space, their initial point of impact on this planet was Québec. Some clever person noticed that their track titles are phonetic spellings of Québécois slang (Joual).
ETA: 2026 Apr 4: David Bruce Composer [YT]: "Angine de Poitrine's Math Rhythms Explained". 2026 Mar 21: David Bennett [YT]: "How Angine de Poitrine use Microtonality ". 2026 Feb 18: Stephen Weigel [YT]: "Sarniezz (Angine de Poitrine) transcription".
Look, based on that description, I wouldn't have given this the time of day myself either, but there's a reason these maniacs have become an absolute phenomenon.
Gentle readers, Angine de Poitrine.
Absolutely read the comments. As much of a treat as the band.
Like a lot of things that have arrived from space, their initial point of impact on this planet was Québec. Some clever person noticed that their track titles are phonetic spellings of Québécois slang (Joual).
ETA: 2026 Apr 4: David Bruce Composer [YT]: "Angine de Poitrine's Math Rhythms Explained". 2026 Mar 21: David Bennett [YT]: "How Angine de Poitrine use Microtonality ". 2026 Feb 18: Stephen Weigel [YT]: "Sarniezz (Angine de Poitrine) transcription".
Minicon (Saturday): Another Missed Panel
Apr. 5th, 2026 10:01 amlydamorehouse
Image: Minicon Con Suite signage done in intentional 60s/70s style.
Minicon is going to stop putting me on panels. I managed to miss another one yesterday (Saturday.) I would say through no fault of my own, but that would be a lie. I made the very intentional decision that I wanted dinner that was more than a gobbled con suite sandwhich.The only "to be fair to me" part of this equation is the fact that I had a solid block of panels fro 5:30 pm until 9:30 pm and no dinner break. Still, I probably could have made it work with a little inguinity. (Voice over: Readers, she did not.)
But, we'll get to that part of the story in a minute.
I got to the convention yesterday some time just afternoon again. Since the Con Suite seems to be the hang out and find people to chat with place at Minicon, I wandered over there with the secondary thought that more coffee is, for me, never a bad idea.I know many people for whom "more coffee" is a terrible idea or for whom it quickly reaches the level of a terrible idea, but I am one of those lucky souls who can--and do--drink caffeinated coffee right up until bedtime.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the person I ran while looking for coffee was
caffeine! He was sitting with a bunch of folks that I either did not know or did not know well. As it happens, my favorite thing about cons is talking to the people I have not yet me who might be awesome. And they were! Names, of course, now escape me, but there was a mustache that I shall never forget! Very curly! Very Salvador Dali! I had a lovely chat for a good long while with everyone there about various Apple+ shows we'd seen and now I have a recommendation to try to watch Ascention, a mini-series about a generational ship. This rather highly specific conversation that started because I had brought up the Elon Musk character type that you find in science fiction novels of a certain type, often newer SF/cyberpunk--although, not always, as I would argue the Charlie Stross's Manfred Macx from Accelerando (2005) reads as Musk-like, even though it may pre-date the Real Life version's heyday. At any rate, that got me remembering For All Mankind, an alternate history series that I absolutely adore--at least the first several seasons of. Alas, unfortunately, one thing that hasn't aged well is that it has a Musk analog, though at least the character in For All Mankind is Black. (I have a hard time finding other people who have seen it because Apple+ is not as popular a streaming service, despite the fact that it has a lot of good, originally produced SF like Silo and, of course, Murderbot.)
caffeinemeantioned that he felt I was missed on the cyberpunk panel. He felt one of the panelist was of a type that he thought I would have been a good counter to. Well, poo. Again, it was a choice I made? I can't really regret that one, though. Shawn's 59th birthday comes around only once!At some point, despite really enjoying the company and the corresponding conversation, I decided I should probably move along and so I wandered off to check out the dealer's room. I ran into Anton P. again and he wanted to introduce me to the bookseller who is going to be at Quantum Con, so we could figure out a way to have some of my books at there. (Look at me, reminding people about this con again!!)
We made our way slowly around the room, stopping first to chat with Greg Ketter, who was staffing the Dreamhaven Books & Comics table. Greg, as you may know, went viral right after Alex Pretti's execution and so one of the things I got from him was a donation for Da'Wah Institute, a local mosque that I regularly patrol (even still.) Da'Wah is having a lot of finanical woes thanks to Operation Metro surge and is running a fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with-minnesota-dawah-institute-during-a-difficult-time. Greg is not a fan of the GoFundMe model and so we arranged for me to pick up an actual direct donation. He told me a little bit about all the other causes he's been giving money to and how weird it is that people are STILL just randomly sending the store/him $20-$100 bills, sometimes with no note at all.
I managed to not buy anything in the Dealer's Room, despite being sorely tempted by a woman who makes these absolutely incredible spider brooches. I just ran out to the car to see if I was smart enough to grab one of her business cards, but, alas, I was not. If I remember to today, I will, so you all (at least all of you who are not spider-phobic) can look at these amazing objects d'art.
Then, I need to confess that I have some very dear friends, Laurie and Cate, who I run into who at cons, during the resistance, etc... (and I think because god hates me)... I always, ALWAYS flub their names. For some reason, in my head, I always want to call Cate, Cat, and Laurie, Laurel. It's annoying. I tell you this as a confession of my sins in the hope that the universe will absolve me and I CAN START GETTING IT RIGHT. Because I was talking to Anna W. and Anton and they came up to chat. I went to introduce them and completely fucked up their names again. Gods, I love for that to never happen again. (Voice over: Readers, she will do it again, later, in this very story.)
I finally went to my first panel around 4:30 pm and it was "Greg and Naomi are Still F*cking Angry." This was basically a panel for collective healing from the trauma many of us are feeling around the federal occupation that was ICE. Despite (or maybe because) of that, it was a really good panel. For those of you unfamiliar with Minicon or Twin Cities are fandom, there was ZERO push-back. Not one question from the audience of the "but aren't you all domestic terroritsts?" or "but we need to get rid of criminal immigrants, right??" variety. Not one. THIS is largely why the metro area of the Twin Cities was NOT the city/cities to fuck with. It is not 100% blue, but it is REALLY 99.9% blue here.
rant/
As a side-note. I do think it's funny in a sad way that everyone on our side who talks about this tends to forget Saint Paul and suburbs like Columbia Heights (where Liam, the Bunny hat boy is from) and will use "Minneapolis" as a short had for where EVERYTHING happened (sometimes even while filming in front of the SAINT PAUL capitol building), and, ironically, the more inclusive term for all of us is "the metro area" which fucking Trump and his cronnies got right when they called their evil, "Operation Metro Surge."
/mini rant
Anyway, my point? A good panel. Well with it.
Then, I had a panel with Naomi at 5:30 called "Evil Overlords." That one was fun, but I will admit that other than writing about Morningstar/Lucifier, I don't have a huge amount of personal experience writing about Evil Overlords. The good news is that GoH Pat Wrede does. I happen to know that
naomikritzerproposed this panel, in part, to make sure that Pat had a chance to talk about her newest novel The Dark Lord's Daughter. This panel was also an excuse to introduce a new generation to Peter's Evil Overlord, aka "The Top 100 Things I'd Do If I were an Evil Overlord" list: http://www.eviloverlord.com/lists/overlord.html We almost got off the rails when someone brought up some real life evil (again, why do people do that?) but the heart of the audience member's question was actually about how one DEFINES evil, generally, and so we were able to wrestle it back to true before everyone started to implode over the morality of the bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The panel I skipped in favor of dinner with Lois McMaster Bujold and Naomi Kritzer (the sheer number of Hugo awards I dined with was astronomical!) was "On Writing Badly." As I noted to the two of them, I guess I know a lot about that since my career has utterly tanked? I will have to ask around, but I sort of presume the panel was not about writers who suck at writing, but more about how important it is to allow first drafts to suck, etc.
The final panel of the evening was "Reading Dystoria vs. Living Dystopia" which turned into a very lively discussion, despite the fact that it STARTED at 8:30 pm. Again, Naomi moderated. Adam Stemple and
pegkerrwere on the panel with me. Peg started us off in a good direction talking about how writing the fan-project Alternity surprised her by how many responses to an evil overlord (Voldemort in this case) used in the local response to Metro Surge that they predicted. Naomi asked us what we thought dystopia novels and stories got wrong in comparison to Real Life Dystopia and what they got right? A lot of the responses to the first question seemed to revolve around the fact that none of us expected evil to be this obvious and this stupid. Books and other media have prepared us largely for smart and clever evil. I tried to talk a bit about the fact that I feel like one of the things that books about dystopia get wrong is the idea that it takes someone special (or with a special McGuffin, like the One Ring) to resist. This met with some push-back (and not necessarily wrongly) from the audience who wanted to argue that the Hobbits were supposed to represent ordinary people. I agree with that? My issue is that Frodo did inherit the One Ring, so it's not like he stepped up JUST BECAUSE. He was called because he had the McGuffin and had to choose to be a hero. Most of the people I know who faced guns with whistles were ordinary people, some in their pajamas, who decided that evil simply must be stopped right here, right now. I think I made my point better when I suggested that a way to think about it is how different a triology LotR would have been if the first town that the Nazgul stopped at looking for "Baggins" simply grabbed their whistles and formed a human chain saying, "We don't know any Baggins, but we will not let you take them!"Because that's what happened here, in essence.The Nagzul showed up and we said, "We see evil and we are willing die to make sure that it does not spread."
Obviously, that didn't fully happen yet, but that was what the vibe of our response was.
ANYWAY. That very naturally led to me hanging out in the con suite way too late, drinking coffee with a dear friend who was a former A.I.M. member, and swapping "war stories" from the ICE raids. (Side note: my friend obviously generally has more expreience facting down Federal Agents and it made me feel weird about the work I've done for the resistance. Like? Was I brave enough? Does any of it count if I never saw an ICE agent FOR CERTAIN? Of course, in the morning light, I see that all actions against fascism are acts of bravery, but it is so weirdly easy to turn this into a heirarchy of activism.)Right! Well, that got long! Apologies for that. I'm off now to hopefully hang out with a friend who I played a journaling RPG with. I started the project, mailed it to Poland, and then the person in Poland mailed it to this friend who wrapped up the adventure. So, I haven't seen the finished project. I have one panel today that I am moderating called "Second Book in the Series." I'll let you know tomorrow how all that goes!
Con Report: Minicon 59 (Friday)
Apr. 4th, 2026 09:42 amlydamorehouse It's about a quarter to ten in the morning on Saturday as I start this. I am planning on heading over the convention in a little while, but, once again, I thought I'd try to do an old-timey con report (even though the last time I did this for Capclave, I was well and truly burned by the experience.) Well, you know what they say! Never let the bastards get you down!
As you know, gentle reader, I had a conflict with my two evening panels. For those of you just now tuning in, the conflict was my wife's birthday (observed.) Her actual birthday is (and it is no joke) April 1. We did a bunch of things for her birthday (actual) because, no matter how old she is, she always takes the day off.
Here's a lovely picture of the charcuterie we had for a "light lunch."
Image: a table set with fancy cheeses, fancy crackers, and fancy salami
But, you may be saying, that was Wednesday! What happened yesterday at con!?
I did end up missing all of my evening panels, but I went over to the convention around noonish yesterday in order to register/pick-up my badge and to make sure to drop off the reading materials for my body double.
Again, for those of you just tuning in, knowing that I'd be missing a my own reading, I put out a call yesterday on Facebook for folks going to Minicon who might be willing to read my work for any folks who might not get the word that I was unable to attend. I got a DM almost right away from Anna Waltz. She reported to me last night that the reading seemed to go well. Likewise, I got my answers to the moderator's questions for the cyberpunk panel that I also thought I'd be missing. The moderator of that reported this morning that the audience appreicated my additional thoughts, even though I couldn't be there in person. ADULTING for the win! Look at me, being all responsible and everything.
So, as I said I went over to the hotel, got my badge, and then hung around long enough to see if I could run into Anna ornaomikritzer , who I had designated as my contact person for Anna. I ran into Anton P. who spent a lot of time reminding me that I need to let people know that I am going to be one of the guests of honor for his convention in May 15-17, Quantum Con. https://quantum-con.org/ Consider yourselves reminded!
Technically, Tate Hallaway will be the guest as Quantum Con is a paranormal/fantasy con, but, as it happens, Lyda Morehouse will also be there, since we come as a set. I think Anton has a fantasy that I will appear as Tate, in full drag, but that is NOT happening. I gave up on dresses some time ago and, at this point in my life, have none in the house that would fit me, even if I wanted to cosplay my pen name.
I also felt a little bit... I guess hungover? I was at a seder the night before and, because I actually like Mogen David, I was offered not only my cup, but Elijah's too. I did NOT actually drink that much, because I would not have made it home, if I had. (Reader, I am the lightest of the light weights when it comes to alcohol.) But, I do think I ended up drinking a little too much for me? Because I felt cloudy, distracted, and grumpy kind of all morning. Anton took me to the Green Room and filled me up on strong coffee and that seemed to do the trick at least.
After coffee, I ran into Eric H. and Polly, which... is always a little hard, since part of my mind always remembers Eric from before he got sick. Still we had some good back and forth, almost like the old days. Eventually I ran into Naomi and the two of us wandered around trying to find something for her to have that would pass as a late lunch. I suggested we brave the out of doors for the taco place that's just up the street, but unbenownst to me, it had started raining. She ended up having con suite food, which is always fine.
I hung out talking to Greg J., who is somoene I only ever run into at cons, about his early days as a music geek and his recent experience at the Bruce Springstein concert. (This reminds me that I failed to post about No Kings? I will end this post with a picture of me there. I went with Naomi as a rally buddy and we had a lovely time.) But, I really only had a little while before I had to jump back in the car and head back to pick up Shawn.
The thing I was most disappointed to have missed was Terry Garey's memorial. It started exactly when I needed to leave, but Naomi informed me this morning that she picked up the sampler someone had made of Terry's writing. At least I'll have that.
Not much convention news in my con report yet, but I should have much more about the panels and whatnot in tomorrow's round-up.
Me looking dorky at No Kings in Saint Paul, MN. I'm holding my We Keep Us Safe poster with the loon with a baby on its back. I am also holding some signs that a stranger handed to us that is the Minnesota flag (upside down) with H-OPE written on it.
As you know, gentle reader, I had a conflict with my two evening panels. For those of you just now tuning in, the conflict was my wife's birthday (observed.) Her actual birthday is (and it is no joke) April 1. We did a bunch of things for her birthday (actual) because, no matter how old she is, she always takes the day off.
Here's a lovely picture of the charcuterie we had for a "light lunch."
Image: a table set with fancy cheeses, fancy crackers, and fancy salami
But, you may be saying, that was Wednesday! What happened yesterday at con!?
I did end up missing all of my evening panels, but I went over to the convention around noonish yesterday in order to register/pick-up my badge and to make sure to drop off the reading materials for my body double.
Again, for those of you just tuning in, knowing that I'd be missing a my own reading, I put out a call yesterday on Facebook for folks going to Minicon who might be willing to read my work for any folks who might not get the word that I was unable to attend. I got a DM almost right away from Anna Waltz. She reported to me last night that the reading seemed to go well. Likewise, I got my answers to the moderator's questions for the cyberpunk panel that I also thought I'd be missing. The moderator of that reported this morning that the audience appreicated my additional thoughts, even though I couldn't be there in person. ADULTING for the win! Look at me, being all responsible and everything.
So, as I said I went over to the hotel, got my badge, and then hung around long enough to see if I could run into Anna or
naomikritzer , who I had designated as my contact person for Anna. I ran into Anton P. who spent a lot of time reminding me that I need to let people know that I am going to be one of the guests of honor for his convention in May 15-17, Quantum Con. https://quantum-con.org/ Consider yourselves reminded!Technically, Tate Hallaway will be the guest as Quantum Con is a paranormal/fantasy con, but, as it happens, Lyda Morehouse will also be there, since we come as a set. I think Anton has a fantasy that I will appear as Tate, in full drag, but that is NOT happening. I gave up on dresses some time ago and, at this point in my life, have none in the house that would fit me, even if I wanted to cosplay my pen name.
I also felt a little bit... I guess hungover? I was at a seder the night before and, because I actually like Mogen David, I was offered not only my cup, but Elijah's too. I did NOT actually drink that much, because I would not have made it home, if I had. (Reader, I am the lightest of the light weights when it comes to alcohol.) But, I do think I ended up drinking a little too much for me? Because I felt cloudy, distracted, and grumpy kind of all morning. Anton took me to the Green Room and filled me up on strong coffee and that seemed to do the trick at least.
After coffee, I ran into Eric H. and Polly, which... is always a little hard, since part of my mind always remembers Eric from before he got sick. Still we had some good back and forth, almost like the old days. Eventually I ran into Naomi and the two of us wandered around trying to find something for her to have that would pass as a late lunch. I suggested we brave the out of doors for the taco place that's just up the street, but unbenownst to me, it had started raining. She ended up having con suite food, which is always fine.
I hung out talking to Greg J., who is somoene I only ever run into at cons, about his early days as a music geek and his recent experience at the Bruce Springstein concert. (This reminds me that I failed to post about No Kings? I will end this post with a picture of me there. I went with Naomi as a rally buddy and we had a lovely time.) But, I really only had a little while before I had to jump back in the car and head back to pick up Shawn.
The thing I was most disappointed to have missed was Terry Garey's memorial. It started exactly when I needed to leave, but Naomi informed me this morning that she picked up the sampler someone had made of Terry's writing. At least I'll have that.
Not much convention news in my con report yet, but I should have much more about the panels and whatnot in tomorrow's round-up.
Me looking dorky at No Kings in Saint Paul, MN. I'm holding my We Keep Us Safe poster with the loon with a baby on its back. I am also holding some signs that a stranger handed to us that is the Minnesota flag (upside down) with H-OPE written on it.
It's high time I reintroduce myself!
Apr. 4th, 2026 09:08 amorbble posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
addme_fandomName: Orbble
Pronouns: He/They
Age Group: I'm in my early 30s. Only looking to add folks 18 or older!
Country: USA
Subscription/Access Policy: Basically all access-only! Looking for folks who enjoy chatting, about shared fandoms, writing/fic in general, or just... life!
What I post about: General life updates, games I'm playing, and my fandoms. I like getting analytical about characters and want to post more of that. Occasionally I'll wax philosophical about life and the world through a fandon lens, which I also really enjoy doing.
I'm looking to connect with people who: Want to talk and share their enthusiasm, too! I'm a chatterbox who really wants to extend his fannish social circle - my work leaves me with a good amount of free time and I'd love to spend more of it engaging in fun talk!
I'm also looking to connect with people who are open-minded and accepting, and not interested in anti culture or the idea that censorship is a good thing. Absolutely not looking to connect with Trump supporters or other political extremists, nor TERFs or other transphobes. I will also note, I do best with people who aren't uncomfortable looking at the problems connected to their fandom and its creators/companies (I like multiple Disney properties and the Hellaverse, so... yeah...) but who are also understanding of the idea that there is no ethical consumption under capitalism, and that what one likes does not equal who you are.
Main Fandoms: Pokemon (the games and the Horizons anime/early OG anime), Helluva Boss, Hazbin Hotel, Disney Duckverse (DuckTales and its reboot, the comics, etc)
Other Fandoms: Delicious in Dungeon, In Stars and Time, Steven Universe, Megaman NT Warrior (manga), Dimension 20's Cloudward Ho! and Fantasy High, The Muppets, Sonic the Hedgehog (the movies and the games, though I've only played a few) Lilo & Stitch, Tangled (though my feelings on the tv series for each are... mixed at best lol), Fraggle Rock. Inside Out, Zootopia, Kung Fu Panda, the Spider-Verse movies, Fire Emblem (Awakening, 3 Houses, Fates, Engage)
Favorite Ships: Blitzo/Stolas, Blitzo/Fizz, Fizz/Ozzy, Millie/Moxxie (Helluva Boss), Husk/Angel, Niffty/Baxter (Hazbin Hotel), Chilchuck/Marcille (Delicious in Dungeon), Protoman/Megaman, Lan/Chaud (NT Warrior), Comfrey/Daisuke, Maxwell/Torse (Cloudward Ho!), Judy/Nick (Zootopia), Jumba/Pleakley (Lilo & Stitch), Meowth/Pikachu (Pokemon anime), Rapunzel/Eugene (Tangled)
What I create for Fandom: Fanfic and meta! And occasionally icons, but mostly the other two.
Other Hobbies: Video games, reading, bracelet weaving, TTRPGs, icon making, and I've started getting into drawing this year!
Pronouns: He/They
Age Group: I'm in my early 30s. Only looking to add folks 18 or older!
Country: USA
Subscription/Access Policy: Basically all access-only! Looking for folks who enjoy chatting, about shared fandoms, writing/fic in general, or just... life!
What I post about: General life updates, games I'm playing, and my fandoms. I like getting analytical about characters and want to post more of that. Occasionally I'll wax philosophical about life and the world through a fandon lens, which I also really enjoy doing.
I'm looking to connect with people who: Want to talk and share their enthusiasm, too! I'm a chatterbox who really wants to extend his fannish social circle - my work leaves me with a good amount of free time and I'd love to spend more of it engaging in fun talk!
I'm also looking to connect with people who are open-minded and accepting, and not interested in anti culture or the idea that censorship is a good thing. Absolutely not looking to connect with Trump supporters or other political extremists, nor TERFs or other transphobes. I will also note, I do best with people who aren't uncomfortable looking at the problems connected to their fandom and its creators/companies (I like multiple Disney properties and the Hellaverse, so... yeah...) but who are also understanding of the idea that there is no ethical consumption under capitalism, and that what one likes does not equal who you are.
Main Fandoms: Pokemon (the games and the Horizons anime/early OG anime), Helluva Boss, Hazbin Hotel, Disney Duckverse (DuckTales and its reboot, the comics, etc)
Other Fandoms: Delicious in Dungeon, In Stars and Time, Steven Universe, Megaman NT Warrior (manga), Dimension 20's Cloudward Ho! and Fantasy High, The Muppets, Sonic the Hedgehog (the movies and the games, though I've only played a few) Lilo & Stitch, Tangled (though my feelings on the tv series for each are... mixed at best lol), Fraggle Rock. Inside Out, Zootopia, Kung Fu Panda, the Spider-Verse movies, Fire Emblem (Awakening, 3 Houses, Fates, Engage)
Favorite Ships: Blitzo/Stolas, Blitzo/Fizz, Fizz/Ozzy, Millie/Moxxie (Helluva Boss), Husk/Angel, Niffty/Baxter (Hazbin Hotel), Chilchuck/Marcille (Delicious in Dungeon), Protoman/Megaman, Lan/Chaud (NT Warrior), Comfrey/Daisuke, Maxwell/Torse (Cloudward Ho!), Judy/Nick (Zootopia), Jumba/Pleakley (Lilo & Stitch), Meowth/Pikachu (Pokemon anime), Rapunzel/Eugene (Tangled)
What I create for Fandom: Fanfic and meta! And occasionally icons, but mostly the other two.
Other Hobbies: Video games, reading, bracelet weaving, TTRPGs, icon making, and I've started getting into drawing this year!
March 2026 Reading Wrap-Up
Apr. 4th, 2026 01:48 pmbadfalconMarch had absolutely no plan.
No TBR. No structure. No 'I will read X books this month.' Just vibes, mood shifts, and whatever my brain decided it could focus on that day.
And somehow... I finished five books.
🌱 March Intentions
📖 Read gently
🎨 Create something small
🧡 Protect my energy
😴 Rest often
📝 Simplify tasks
Looking back, March really did lean into these. The reading wasn't forced, creativity stayed small and manageable, and I gave myself permission to rest without turning it into a failure.
📊 By the Numbers
Books read: 5
Average rating:3.9 ⭐
A very solid, quietly successful month - especially coming out of February's one-book energy.
⭐ Standout Vibes
Not a single overwhelming five-star this month, but a strong run of *consistently good* reads - the kind that keep you engaged without wrecking you emotionally (which, honestly, was exactly the energy I needed).
📚 Everything I Read
Ali Hazelwood - Loathe to Love You ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to Happiness ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alison Maloney - Life Below Stairs ⭐⭐⭐½
Seanan McGuire - Beneath the Sugar Sky ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nancy Warren - Mosaics and Magic ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A genuinely chaotic mix of romance, nonfiction, cosy mystery, and portal fantasy - which feels very on-brand for an unplanned reading month.
🧭 Reading Mood
March felt like a recovery month
After February's lack of focus, I found myself:
Picking up whatever held my attention fastest
Letting go of books without guilt
Leaning into comfort, familiarity, and lower-pressure reads
No overthinking. No forcing it. Just following the thread of 'does this work for me right now?'
And it worked.
💬 Mini Thoughts
Ali Hazelwood continues to be ridiculously readable - perfect for getting out of a slump
Beneath the Sugar Sky scratched that slightly surreal, emotional fantasy itch
Mosaics and Magic delivered peak cosy mystery vibes
Life Below Stairs was interesting, but didn't quite grip me the same way
Bill Bailey was exactly the kind of gentle, thoughtful nonfiction I needed this month
🌱 Final Thoughts
March didn't need structure to be successful.
It just needed permission.
Permission to read inconsistently. To follow moods. To enjoy books without turning them into a checklist.
And somehow, that led to one of the most balanced reading months I've had in a while.
If February was about softness, March was about trust.
Let's see what April brings.
No TBR. No structure. No 'I will read X books this month.' Just vibes, mood shifts, and whatever my brain decided it could focus on that day.
And somehow... I finished five books.
🌱 March Intentions
📖 Read gently
🎨 Create something small
🧡 Protect my energy
😴 Rest often
📝 Simplify tasks
Looking back, March really did lean into these. The reading wasn't forced, creativity stayed small and manageable, and I gave myself permission to rest without turning it into a failure.
📊 By the Numbers
Books read: 5
Average rating:3.9 ⭐
A very solid, quietly successful month - especially coming out of February's one-book energy.
⭐ Standout Vibes
Not a single overwhelming five-star this month, but a strong run of *consistently good* reads - the kind that keep you engaged without wrecking you emotionally (which, honestly, was exactly the energy I needed).
📚 Everything I Read
Ali Hazelwood - Loathe to Love You ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to Happiness ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alison Maloney - Life Below Stairs ⭐⭐⭐½
Seanan McGuire - Beneath the Sugar Sky ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nancy Warren - Mosaics and Magic ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A genuinely chaotic mix of romance, nonfiction, cosy mystery, and portal fantasy - which feels very on-brand for an unplanned reading month.
🧭 Reading Mood
March felt like a recovery month
After February's lack of focus, I found myself:
Picking up whatever held my attention fastest
Letting go of books without guilt
Leaning into comfort, familiarity, and lower-pressure reads
No overthinking. No forcing it. Just following the thread of 'does this work for me right now?'
And it worked.
💬 Mini Thoughts
Ali Hazelwood continues to be ridiculously readable - perfect for getting out of a slump
Beneath the Sugar Sky scratched that slightly surreal, emotional fantasy itch
Mosaics and Magic delivered peak cosy mystery vibes
Life Below Stairs was interesting, but didn't quite grip me the same way
Bill Bailey was exactly the kind of gentle, thoughtful nonfiction I needed this month
🌱 Final Thoughts
March didn't need structure to be successful.
It just needed permission.
Permission to read inconsistently. To follow moods. To enjoy books without turning them into a checklist.
And somehow, that led to one of the most balanced reading months I've had in a while.
If February was about softness, March was about trust.
Let's see what April brings.
Minicon Schedule
Apr. 2nd, 2026 11:02 amlydamorehouse For the second time ever, my wife's birthday is conflicting with Minicon. I am probably going to miss a number of the panels that I've been assigned to? But, I think, HOPEFULLY, the only affected panels are Friday night's.
Here's what they gave me:
Evil Overlords | SAT | 5:30 PM | FrontBallrm
Second Book in the Series | SUN | 2:30 PM | FrontBallrm
Here's what they gave me:
-------
READING: Lyda Morehouse | FRI | 7:00 PM | Ver-1
READING: Lyda Morehouse | FRI | 7:00 PM | Ver-1
Cyberpunk in the Age of AI | FRI | 8:30 PM | Ver-1
Evil Overlords | SAT | 5:30 PM | FrontBallrm
On Writing Badly | SAT | 7:00 PM | BackBallrm
Reading Dystopia vs Living Dystopia | SAT | 8:30 PM | FrontBallrm
Second Book in the Series | SUN | 2:30 PM | FrontBallrm
---------
So, ironically, the two things I'm probably the most looking forward to--my reading and the cyberpunk panel--are the ones I will most likely be unable to make. It really will depend? Shawn tends to like to eat dinner insanely early (like between 4 and 5:00 pm), so it is possible that I'll make both? However, I don't necessarily want to rush her birthday evening. Not unless what I want to give her is the opportunity to divorce me as a birthday present.
I did leave notes behind for the moderator of the cyberpunk one, so, worst case scenario, I will still be "represented," albeit via my email.
I feel badly about this? But I was not, to my knowledge, given a preliminary schedule wherein I might have be able to note that Friday night might be bad for me. Maybe I was asked at some point and missed it or didn't think through the fact that, while Shawn birthday was actually yesterday, we almost always do "birthday observed" celebrations on the weekend nearest the actual day? Anyway, I am sorry to be potentially bailing on some stuff. But, so it goes. I'm sure my fellow panelists will be fine without me. And, it's not like I'll be missing something I was supposed to moderate.
The reading? Well, I will try to make it, but if you're there and I'm not? You'll know what happened!
Hmmm, maybe I can give my reading to a colleague and have them read my work.... let me strategize.
So, ironically, the two things I'm probably the most looking forward to--my reading and the cyberpunk panel--are the ones I will most likely be unable to make. It really will depend? Shawn tends to like to eat dinner insanely early (like between 4 and 5:00 pm), so it is possible that I'll make both? However, I don't necessarily want to rush her birthday evening. Not unless what I want to give her is the opportunity to divorce me as a birthday present.
I did leave notes behind for the moderator of the cyberpunk one, so, worst case scenario, I will still be "represented," albeit via my email.
I feel badly about this? But I was not, to my knowledge, given a preliminary schedule wherein I might have be able to note that Friday night might be bad for me. Maybe I was asked at some point and missed it or didn't think through the fact that, while Shawn birthday was actually yesterday, we almost always do "birthday observed" celebrations on the weekend nearest the actual day? Anyway, I am sorry to be potentially bailing on some stuff. But, so it goes. I'm sure my fellow panelists will be fine without me. And, it's not like I'll be missing something I was supposed to moderate.
The reading? Well, I will try to make it, but if you're there and I'm not? You'll know what happened!
Hmmm, maybe I can give my reading to a colleague and have them read my work.... let me strategize.
hello future friends!
Mar. 29th, 2026 09:50 amchurin posting in addme_fandomName: Jude
Age group: 90's Kid
Country: US
Subscription/Access Policy: All my posts are public!
Interests: My main interests right now are hoyoverse games (Genshin/Honkai/Zenless Zone Zero), but I'm also interested in: selfshipping, five nights at freddy's, bleach, gachiakuta, my chemical romance, ffxiv, the apothecary diaries, danmei (heaven official blessing, mo dao zu shi, ssvss) mirai nikki, one piece...the list goes on!
I like to post about: a mix of fandom stuff and personal/irl stuff! I also just enjoy talking to friends/mutuals~
About Me/Other Info: i love making new friends and meeting new people! so don't be afraid to comment to say hi to me! i'm also big into making art (drawings, writing and music)!
Age group: 90's Kid
Country: US
Subscription/Access Policy: All my posts are public!
Interests: My main interests right now are hoyoverse games (Genshin/Honkai/Zenless Zone Zero), but I'm also interested in: selfshipping, five nights at freddy's, bleach, gachiakuta, my chemical romance, ffxiv, the apothecary diaries, danmei (heaven official blessing, mo dao zu shi, ssvss) mirai nikki, one piece...the list goes on!
I like to post about: a mix of fandom stuff and personal/irl stuff! I also just enjoy talking to friends/mutuals~
About Me/Other Info: i love making new friends and meeting new people! so don't be afraid to comment to say hi to me! i'm also big into making art (drawings, writing and music)!
bensect intro
Mar. 28th, 2026 11:19 pmbensect posting in addme_fandomName: Ben
Age group: 20s
Country: US
Subscription/Access Policy: All my posts are public but would prefer no minors please.
Fannish Interests: Transformers, Hollow Knight/Silksong, Star Wars (specifically focused on Grievous because I am normal about him), Living Machine media (including world of Cars and others), Ultrakill, bad horror B-movies, furry fandom
I like to post about: Longform articles about media analysis and other kinds of in depth meta discussion, I love talking to people about themes and narratives. I do occasionally write fanfic but not that often and I'm not really confident in it. I love to read it though.
About Me/Other Info: Hi! I'm Ben, he/it. I like media with convoluted lore that has crazy implications if you think about it to its logical conclusion. I love having long detailed discussions about this and analyzing media from a queer/leftist perspective both in universe and out of universe. I would love to have mutuals to talk to about this stuff. My Tumblr is bensect and my website is bensect.space.
Some other non-fandom things I like: bugs, biology/ecology, Linux/open source, digital media preservation, datahoarding, indie webdev
Age group: 20s
Country: US
Subscription/Access Policy: All my posts are public but would prefer no minors please.
Fannish Interests: Transformers, Hollow Knight/Silksong, Star Wars (specifically focused on Grievous because I am normal about him), Living Machine media (including world of Cars and others), Ultrakill, bad horror B-movies, furry fandom
I like to post about: Longform articles about media analysis and other kinds of in depth meta discussion, I love talking to people about themes and narratives. I do occasionally write fanfic but not that often and I'm not really confident in it. I love to read it though.
About Me/Other Info: Hi! I'm Ben, he/it. I like media with convoluted lore that has crazy implications if you think about it to its logical conclusion. I love having long detailed discussions about this and analyzing media from a queer/leftist perspective both in universe and out of universe. I would love to have mutuals to talk to about this stuff. My Tumblr is bensect and my website is bensect.space.
Some other non-fandom things I like: bugs, biology/ecology, Linux/open source, digital media preservation, datahoarding, indie webdev
Cat Picture!
Mar. 28th, 2026 09:27 amlydamorehouse
Image: Mr. Buttercup being a bed hog. Ms. Willow is tolerating his foot planted firmly on her back. They are sacked out together on my ugly Christmas sweater quilt on our couch.
I don't have a lot to say today, I just wanted to be sure to post at least once a week.
I took some time off this week from some of my volunteer work. I've got an interview on the 7th of April for a job at Anoka County Libraries doing the exact same work that I used to do for Ramsey County Libraries. Wish me luck? I feel kind of special to have gotten this far, considering the job market. Given the food prices, etc., goddess knows we could use the money.