Gender-based blindness is a thing
Mar. 12th, 2026 04:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rattfanUntil now, I didn't realise this was a thing which a transman could catch. Be warned, my brothers!
Concerning my mum's missing watch. I had thought it might have been left at the hairdressers. which is just one floor down at the Beaumont. So Mike, the manager, and I looked in there on Tuesday after hours, it having gone missing the previous Friday. We saw nothing and concluded it wasn't there, because surely it would've been handed in. I was mystified because I did what I considered a police-standard search of M's apartment. [And yes, I've seen one]
Today I got an email saying the watch had been found! At the hairdresser's. I was over at the Beaumont again, delivering drugs. M's prolia, which the doc kindly rang me up at 8 am to say was due, and please see it was in the office fridge! Mike's wife Karen said she thought the failure to find was due to men looking. Mike got accused of "domestic blindness." Karen thought I was just as useless! Of course I didn't explain why I was happy to be accused of gender-based incompetence, but so glad that one is over.
Concerning my mum's missing watch. I had thought it might have been left at the hairdressers. which is just one floor down at the Beaumont. So Mike, the manager, and I looked in there on Tuesday after hours, it having gone missing the previous Friday. We saw nothing and concluded it wasn't there, because surely it would've been handed in. I was mystified because I did what I considered a police-standard search of M's apartment. [And yes, I've seen one]
Today I got an email saying the watch had been found! At the hairdresser's. I was over at the Beaumont again, delivering drugs. M's prolia, which the doc kindly rang me up at 8 am to say was due, and please see it was in the office fridge! Mike's wife Karen said she thought the failure to find was due to men looking. Mike got accused of "domestic blindness." Karen thought I was just as useless! Of course I didn't explain why I was happy to be accused of gender-based incompetence, but so glad that one is over.
Stranger Things: Problems of a Follicular Nature, by insignificant457
Mar. 11th, 2026 10:42 amrunpunkrun posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fancakeFandom: Stranger Things
Pairings/Characters: Steve Harrington & Dustin Henderson
Rating: G
Length: 2,489 words
Creator Link:![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p2.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
insignificant457
Theme: Siblings, Gen
Summary: "See, the problem is this: in the past few weeks there's been a distressing increase in the thickness and darkness of the peach fuzz on his upper lip, to the point that it's becoming noticeable and also gross. He should be happy about it, really, because it's a sign of manhood, isn't it?"
Sometimes, not having a dad around really, really sucks. But recently acquiring a big brother does have its perks.
Reccer's Notes: As the author says, "They're brothers your honor." I love the way Steve and Dustin adopted each other in the show, and this fic feels like it could be a missing scene. The voices are spot on, and the vibes are good.
Fanwork Link: Problems of a Follicular Nature
Pairings/Characters: Steve Harrington & Dustin Henderson
Rating: G
Length: 2,489 words
Creator Link:
Theme: Siblings, Gen
Summary: "See, the problem is this: in the past few weeks there's been a distressing increase in the thickness and darkness of the peach fuzz on his upper lip, to the point that it's becoming noticeable and also gross. He should be happy about it, really, because it's a sign of manhood, isn't it?"
Sometimes, not having a dad around really, really sucks. But recently acquiring a big brother does have its perks.
Reccer's Notes: As the author says, "They're brothers your honor." I love the way Steve and Dustin adopted each other in the show, and this fic feels like it could be a missing scene. The voices are spot on, and the vibes are good.
Fanwork Link: Problems of a Follicular Nature
SGA: Fieldwork by Rheanna (and Homework by busaikko)
Mar. 10th, 2026 12:42 ammific posting in fancakeFandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters/Pairings: Ronon Dex/John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Dave Sheppard
Rating: Teen, Gen
Length: 3158 (Homework is 963)
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: Rheanna on AO3, busaikko on AO3, susan_voight on AO3
Themes: Siblings, Friendship, Going home, Established relationship
Summaries:
Ronon starts his e-mail correspondence with Sheppard's brother more or less by mistake.
For some reason, after his father's funeral Dave Sheppard keeps getting e-mail from Ronon Dex.
Reccer's Notes: This is a remix of Homework by busaikko, and they can be read in any order - this is basically a rec for both fics, Fieldwork being from Ronon's POV, and Homework, which is just as good, from Dave's POV. Ronon's in a relationship with John and as part of learning English he starts emailing John's estranged brother, Dave. Rodney then gets involved as Ronon goes to him for help. The characterisations of Ronon, John, and Rodney here are spot on, and it's both funny and moving - a wonderful set of stories.
Fanwork Links: on AO3: Fieldwork and Homework
Alternate DW links: Fieldwork and Homework
Susan_voight podficced both stories, both separately and collated.
Characters/Pairings: Ronon Dex/John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Dave Sheppard
Rating: Teen, Gen
Length: 3158 (Homework is 963)
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply
Creator Links: Rheanna on AO3, busaikko on AO3, susan_voight on AO3
Themes: Siblings, Friendship, Going home, Established relationship
Summaries:
Ronon starts his e-mail correspondence with Sheppard's brother more or less by mistake.
For some reason, after his father's funeral Dave Sheppard keeps getting e-mail from Ronon Dex.
Reccer's Notes: This is a remix of Homework by busaikko, and they can be read in any order - this is basically a rec for both fics, Fieldwork being from Ronon's POV, and Homework, which is just as good, from Dave's POV. Ronon's in a relationship with John and as part of learning English he starts emailing John's estranged brother, Dave. Rodney then gets involved as Ronon goes to him for help. The characterisations of Ronon, John, and Rodney here are spot on, and it's both funny and moving - a wonderful set of stories.
Fanwork Links: on AO3: Fieldwork and Homework
Alternate DW links: Fieldwork and Homework
Susan_voight podficced both stories, both separately and collated.
Seven Days - Seven Covers: 2026 - Day One
Mar. 8th, 2026 05:39 pmsmallhobbitstonepicnicking_okapi reminded me about this, so I thought if I was going to take part this month, I needed to get on with it. So, seven books I own, no caption, no comment. Happy to answer questions in the comments.
The Red Shoes
Mar. 7th, 2026 10:47 amsmallhobbitRegularly readers of this blog will know that I am a fan of Sir Matthew Bourne's New Adventures productions. Their current production is The Red Shoes, based on the 1948 film. Originally, we had planned to see it back in January at Sadler's Wells, in London, but the weather that week was dodgy, which would have upset the trains (GWR trains are very temperamental), so we got a credit for our theatre tickets and booked to see it in Cardiff instead.
We went on Thursday, with a much shorter train journey, arriving in time for lunch and a quick walk around part of Cardiff Bay before heading to the matinée performance. The Cardiff Millennium Centre is a great venue for productions, and one I'd happily return to.
The production was everything we'd hoped for. I last saw it in December 2019, so remembered most of the story, but with different dancers the performance was always going to be new. The dancing was excellent - I don't think I can pick out anyone in particular, although I was delighted Victoria Page was danced by Cordelia Braithwaite, who I really like. The staging, music and lighting all helped to enhance it, and I was so pleased we had seen it.
It continues to tour for another couple of months, and then next year, it will be Cinderella. I'm already thinking of booking tickets.
We went on Thursday, with a much shorter train journey, arriving in time for lunch and a quick walk around part of Cardiff Bay before heading to the matinée performance. The Cardiff Millennium Centre is a great venue for productions, and one I'd happily return to.
The production was everything we'd hoped for. I last saw it in December 2019, so remembered most of the story, but with different dancers the performance was always going to be new. The dancing was excellent - I don't think I can pick out anyone in particular, although I was delighted Victoria Page was danced by Cordelia Braithwaite, who I really like. The staging, music and lighting all helped to enhance it, and I was so pleased we had seen it.
It continues to tour for another couple of months, and then next year, it will be Cinderella. I'm already thinking of booking tickets.
Media Roundup: Grumpy Foot Pain Edition
Mar. 5th, 2026 10:50 amforestofgloryThe last several days my foot has been extra painful and I have been very grumpy about it. It’s really unpleasant and I would like to stop being grumpy already. But I have been reading things while trying to rest my foot and distract myself so have some thoughts:
Ghost Circus written by Adrienne Kress art by Jade Zhang— MG graphic novel about, what else: a ghost circus. The story here didn’t really grab me, but I loved the art, especially of the circus performances. (content note: ghost kids, child in peril)
Lumberjanes, Vol. 15-20 by Shannon Watters, et al.— I have now read all of the main series of these! There’s still some extra stories and graphic novels to check out, but the main thing feels complete. Vol 19 where the campers decide to do one last thing before the end of camp was especially charming. The ending was a bit rushed but narratively satisfying. This whole series was very good and fun and I’m glad I came back to it and read the second half.
Gotham Academy Second Semester— The second Gotham Academy series. This one is all one long arc where the first one was more episodic. I didn’t like this quite as much as the first series, which I adored. Its a little bit darker and less fun. But I still love Maps and Olive and their friendship. I’m sad there aren’t more of these, but at least there are a few more stories where these characters show up for me to read. (Maps reminds me of very early Tim and I think it would be fun if they hung out, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.)
Batman, Vol. 6: Abyss by Joshua Williamson et al— I read this because it contains a story featuring Maps from Gotham Academy. That story was great! (Well except for the fact that some of the art of Japanese characters was bordering on racist caricature– that was not good at all!) The rest of it wasn’t bad– a little confusing because so much of it referenced other story lines and I have no idea what’s going on in comics this decade.
Kindred Dragons by Sarah Mensinga— A very sweet MG graphic novel about a girl who really wants a dragon egg. She lives in a world where fairies bring some girls dragon eggs – but it mostly runs in families and she isn’t from a “kindred” family. It’s set in Canada which confused me at first, but works for the vibe. The book says “volume 1” very prominently so I was a little worried that it would end on a cliffhanger but it's a complete story.
Ghost Circus written by Adrienne Kress art by Jade Zhang— MG graphic novel about, what else: a ghost circus. The story here didn’t really grab me, but I loved the art, especially of the circus performances. (content note: ghost kids, child in peril)
Lumberjanes, Vol. 15-20 by Shannon Watters, et al.— I have now read all of the main series of these! There’s still some extra stories and graphic novels to check out, but the main thing feels complete. Vol 19 where the campers decide to do one last thing before the end of camp was especially charming. The ending was a bit rushed but narratively satisfying. This whole series was very good and fun and I’m glad I came back to it and read the second half.
Gotham Academy Second Semester— The second Gotham Academy series. This one is all one long arc where the first one was more episodic. I didn’t like this quite as much as the first series, which I adored. Its a little bit darker and less fun. But I still love Maps and Olive and their friendship. I’m sad there aren’t more of these, but at least there are a few more stories where these characters show up for me to read. (Maps reminds me of very early Tim and I think it would be fun if they hung out, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.)
Batman, Vol. 6: Abyss by Joshua Williamson et al— I read this because it contains a story featuring Maps from Gotham Academy. That story was great! (Well except for the fact that some of the art of Japanese characters was bordering on racist caricature– that was not good at all!) The rest of it wasn’t bad– a little confusing because so much of it referenced other story lines and I have no idea what’s going on in comics this decade.
Kindred Dragons by Sarah Mensinga— A very sweet MG graphic novel about a girl who really wants a dragon egg. She lives in a world where fairies bring some girls dragon eggs – but it mostly runs in families and she isn’t from a “kindred” family. It’s set in Canada which confused me at first, but works for the vibe. The book says “volume 1” very prominently so I was a little worried that it would end on a cliffhanger but it's a complete story.
The Protomen: The Inevitable Fall of the Firstborn by ricefu
Mar. 5th, 2026 10:04 ambluerosekatie posting in fancakeFandom: The Protomen
Pairings/Characters: Protoman & Megaman, Protoman & Dr. Thomas Light, Protoman & Dr. Albert Wily
Rating: Unrated, estimated to be Teen and Up
Length: 3,178
Creator Links: ricefu on Ao3
Theme:
Siblings, Science Fiction, Apocalypse/Dystopia, Robots, Androids and AI, Trauma & Recovery, (Not Really) Character Death, Old Fandoms
Summary:
You have heard me tell this story many times before you sleep... This time listen carefully.
Reccer's Notes:
A beautiful and sad character study of Protoman, the older sibling of two tragic brothers in the Protomen universe. It connects his backstory and dives into psyche throughout the canon storyline, including his relationship with his younger brother, his father, and the main antagonist. Although I'm tagging the Not Really Character Death theme for a reason, this is a tragedy, so tread carefully.
Fanwork Links:
The Inevitable Fall of the Firstborn on Ao3
Pairings/Characters: Protoman & Megaman, Protoman & Dr. Thomas Light, Protoman & Dr. Albert Wily
Rating: Unrated, estimated to be Teen and Up
Length: 3,178
Creator Links: ricefu on Ao3
Theme:
Siblings, Science Fiction, Apocalypse/Dystopia, Robots, Androids and AI, Trauma & Recovery, (Not Really) Character Death, Old Fandoms
Summary:
You have heard me tell this story many times before you sleep... This time listen carefully.
Reccer's Notes:
A beautiful and sad character study of Protoman, the older sibling of two tragic brothers in the Protomen universe. It connects his backstory and dives into psyche throughout the canon storyline, including his relationship with his younger brother, his father, and the main antagonist. Although I'm tagging the Not Really Character Death theme for a reason, this is a tragedy, so tread carefully.
Fanwork Links:
The Inevitable Fall of the Firstborn on Ao3