Hobbies: Stage Magic
Jun. 26th, 2025 09:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithFolks have mentioned an interest in questions and conversations that make them think. So I've decided to offer more of those. This batch features hobbies.
Stage magic is a hobby of illusion. There are many styles, from closeup to grand stage effects. Some can be done with very affordable props. Much is now available online for free. If you have any interest in card magic, start with The Royal Road to Card Magic and an ordinary deck of playing cards. Pay attention to skill trees, that is, which techniques will enable you to learn more techniques based on them. Note that this hobby is fun and easy to start, but getting good at it will require a lot of practice.
On Dreamwidth, consider creative communities like![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
justcreate.
( Read more... )
Stage magic is a hobby of illusion. There are many styles, from closeup to grand stage effects. Some can be done with very affordable props. Much is now available online for free. If you have any interest in card magic, start with The Royal Road to Card Magic and an ordinary deck of playing cards. Pay attention to skill trees, that is, which techniques will enable you to learn more techniques based on them. Note that this hobby is fun and easy to start, but getting good at it will require a lot of practice.
On Dreamwidth, consider creative communities like
justcreate.( Read more... )
Parallel: New Tricks & Ted Lasso
Jun. 26th, 2025 09:11 pmdevinwolfiFandom(s): New Tricks & Ted Lasso
Characters: Denny Clacy, Roy Kent & Nathan Shelley
Details: 6 subtitled screenshots, 3 per series. My #gayroy agenda
On tumblr
( When in Chelsea... )
Characters: Denny Clacy, Roy Kent & Nathan Shelley
Details: 6 subtitled screenshots, 3 per series. My #gayroy agenda
On tumblr
( When in Chelsea... )
Birdfeeding
Jun. 26th, 2025 12:28 pmysabetwordsmithToday is mostly sunny and sweltering.
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.
Community Thursday
Jun. 26th, 2025 06:57 amvriddyCommunity Thursday challenge: every Thursday, try to make an effort to engage with a community on Dreamwidth, whether that's posting, commenting, promoting, etc.
Second-to-last vigilantes chit-chat on bnha_fans, as the current season approaches the end!
Commented on common_nature, booknook, anime_manga, ffxv.
Promoted finalfantasy in a comment.
Signal boosts:
- everykindofcraft, a new comm for all kinds of craft and already decently active!
- Continuing to enjoy the weekly stories on senzenwomen, "Histories of women in and around Japan, 1868-1945"
- Bunch of fanweeks, zine and other events for Final Fantasy XV being promoted on ffxv :)
- Via squidgestatus, SquidgeWorld is having their summer fundraiser!
Goblincore
Jun. 26th, 2025 12:34 amysabetwordsmithGoblincore is an aesthetic based on the darker side of faery and the appreciation of imperfect things that other people often consider ugly or otherwise undesirable. Many of the reference pages are less than flattering, but the entries on Wikipedia and Aesthetics Wiki offer a starting point. It is laughably dated to the 2020s. I'm guessing whoever wrote that missed the entire history of fairytales, curiosity cabinets, and the rest of its very long history.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
the shed in the village in the fog
Jun. 25th, 2025 10:01 pmanarchonurzoxmore on the old guy
He'll give you some tools from his shed at first - a spade, a hoe, some gloves. He'll make sure you give them back too. Eventually if you help him consistently he'll give you access to the shed (he'll tell you that he only keeps it locked because otherwise the kids forget to put them back). You can probably use these to access something??
Anyway he probably keeps some other things in the shed. Maybe a tool chest you can look through, find some photos of him and his wife and his kids. He'll get annoyed if you bring them up and remove them... it's too personal at that point to have you looking through his stuff.
Maybe also an old gun that's broken / doesn't work / doesn't have any ammo. Just kinda a piece of junk. You can ask him about it - he'll tell you that he used to go hunting. Sometimes hogs or deer would come in through the fog. Theoretically, he says, you could try to spear one now. But it would be dangerous, so nobody risks it.
He'll give you some tools from his shed at first - a spade, a hoe, some gloves. He'll make sure you give them back too. Eventually if you help him consistently he'll give you access to the shed (he'll tell you that he only keeps it locked because otherwise the kids forget to put them back). You can probably use these to access something??
Anyway he probably keeps some other things in the shed. Maybe a tool chest you can look through, find some photos of him and his wife and his kids. He'll get annoyed if you bring them up and remove them... it's too personal at that point to have you looking through his stuff.
Maybe also an old gun that's broken / doesn't work / doesn't have any ammo. Just kinda a piece of junk. You can ask him about it - he'll tell you that he used to go hunting. Sometimes hogs or deer would come in through the fog. Theoretically, he says, you could try to spear one now. But it would be dangerous, so nobody risks it.
Ancient Life
Jun. 25th, 2025 10:00 pmysabetwordsmithHow Earth's First, Unkillable Animals Saved the World
Sponges have survived every catastrophe and every mass extinction event that nature has thrown at them. And by being the little, filter-feeding, water-cleaning creatures that they are, sponges may have saved the world.
How Volcanoes Froze the Earth (Twice)
Over 600 million years ago, sheets of ice coated our planet on both land and sea. How did this happen? And most importantly for us, why did the planet eventually thaw again? The evidence for Snowball Earth is written on every continent today.
That's reassuring given the poor life choices of Homo sapiens today.
Sponges have survived every catastrophe and every mass extinction event that nature has thrown at them. And by being the little, filter-feeding, water-cleaning creatures that they are, sponges may have saved the world.
How Volcanoes Froze the Earth (Twice)
Over 600 million years ago, sheets of ice coated our planet on both land and sea. How did this happen? And most importantly for us, why did the planet eventually thaw again? The evidence for Snowball Earth is written on every continent today.
That's reassuring given the poor life choices of Homo sapiens today.
I'm back!
Jun. 25th, 2025 08:43 pma_natural_beautyAlright - it's been a few weeks since I've been on here! Sorry about that! I mean a big sorry - I do love being a part of this community. But I just haven't felt like doing much on my lap top. I haven't even been working on my comic, but now I am back at it again slowly. Plus my internet has been having issues with staying connected. The last time I was on here it would cut in and out with my connection.
I'm trying to think what else has been going on. I feel like a-lot of changes in my life. Wiley is out of his splint now. He needs to take it easy for the next few weeks but is putting more weight on that back leg. It's weird how he's lost some muscle mass from not using that leg for nine weeks. And they had to shave it, so it's been growing hair back again. He's been in a-lot better spirits which is nice to see finally.
Sapphire has been still doing good. She's been making bubble nets near the front of her tank.
Mike is pretty much all moved in. Which is also nice. It is hard getting used to having someone in my space again but it's a positive change. We've had to rearrange furniture and move things around. I've been going through my clothes and belongs which has been sort of an exhausting time. You never realize how much stuff you collect over time and I don't think I want to go shopping for some years for basic clothes. (I sort of hate shopping anyway)
Nothing too new has happened with my yard as of lately. But that's okay. Just keeping up with the mowing and the heat and the rain has been enough. I did have a bleeding heart grow back after I thought it died last year - that was a nice surprise since they are one of my favorite plants.
My indoor plants are all still doing just fine. I should write a list of what I have around here to let you guys know. It's a fun collection. My indoor plants bring me a-lot of joy.
I've been reading still like no tomorrow! Also again I need to update you guys on my books. I'm still getting through reading those interesting art books. There is a summer reading program going on at my public library which if you read for 30 minutes you get a ticket to put in for some prizes. The prizes are so-so. But it's nice being in involved. Our library has gotten over 200 people to sign up!
My parents are doing alright but my mother's health has again just gotten worse. She's now at I think she is today 74 pounds... which is insane to me. I worry a-lot about her. I fear she doesn't have a lot of time left. Some days she seems to have more spunk but other days she is just tired and falling asleep on the couch peacefully. I think helping care for her has been stressful at times for my dad. But they are pulling through together. Each week my sister and I come over to spend time with them and visit. Anymore we come over and help with stuff around their house. But we've talked about it and are happy to do so. It's nothing terrible, just things like help with their laundry, dishes and trash.
Of course I feel like there is more to write here but I will do so later. I plan on trying to start up writing again on here weekly - maybe bi-weekly again. Later tonight I will go through my reading list and my updates. Hopefully the internet issues are behind us! It feels like to be back.
I'm trying to think what else has been going on. I feel like a-lot of changes in my life. Wiley is out of his splint now. He needs to take it easy for the next few weeks but is putting more weight on that back leg. It's weird how he's lost some muscle mass from not using that leg for nine weeks. And they had to shave it, so it's been growing hair back again. He's been in a-lot better spirits which is nice to see finally.
Sapphire has been still doing good. She's been making bubble nets near the front of her tank.
Mike is pretty much all moved in. Which is also nice. It is hard getting used to having someone in my space again but it's a positive change. We've had to rearrange furniture and move things around. I've been going through my clothes and belongs which has been sort of an exhausting time. You never realize how much stuff you collect over time and I don't think I want to go shopping for some years for basic clothes. (I sort of hate shopping anyway)
Nothing too new has happened with my yard as of lately. But that's okay. Just keeping up with the mowing and the heat and the rain has been enough. I did have a bleeding heart grow back after I thought it died last year - that was a nice surprise since they are one of my favorite plants.
My indoor plants are all still doing just fine. I should write a list of what I have around here to let you guys know. It's a fun collection. My indoor plants bring me a-lot of joy.
I've been reading still like no tomorrow! Also again I need to update you guys on my books. I'm still getting through reading those interesting art books. There is a summer reading program going on at my public library which if you read for 30 minutes you get a ticket to put in for some prizes. The prizes are so-so. But it's nice being in involved. Our library has gotten over 200 people to sign up!
My parents are doing alright but my mother's health has again just gotten worse. She's now at I think she is today 74 pounds... which is insane to me. I worry a-lot about her. I fear she doesn't have a lot of time left. Some days she seems to have more spunk but other days she is just tired and falling asleep on the couch peacefully. I think helping care for her has been stressful at times for my dad. But they are pulling through together. Each week my sister and I come over to spend time with them and visit. Anymore we come over and help with stuff around their house. But we've talked about it and are happy to do so. It's nothing terrible, just things like help with their laundry, dishes and trash.
Of course I feel like there is more to write here but I will do so later. I plan on trying to start up writing again on here weekly - maybe bi-weekly again. Later tonight I will go through my reading list and my updates. Hopefully the internet issues are behind us! It feels like to be back.
Comment Bingo! Again!
Jun. 25th, 2025 08:16 pmdevinwolfiI have signed up for comment bingo again!
I am still wanting to blackout my previous card. I read loads of fics and left comments often enough, just not on stuff that met the squares.
( My Card... )
( Card Code... )
I am still wanting to blackout my previous card. I read loads of fics and left comments often enough, just not on stuff that met the squares.
( My Card... )
( Card Code... )
Ceramics
Jun. 25th, 2025 06:12 pmysabetwordsmithI spotted this video about harvesting, shaping, and firing wild clay. I did that back in high school at Ancient Lifeways Camp. It was a lot of fun to dig and clean the clay, then make things. Our theme was Sumeria, so we made oil lamps (harder than you'd think) and cuneiform quotes. I also made a ceramic goddess figurine. We used a pit fire, which helps keep the temperature more stable. If you have a source of natural clay, this kind of project is well worth trying.
Artificial Intelligence
Jun. 25th, 2025 06:10 pmysabetwordsmithLatest new exhibits in the LLM-Generated Garbage hall of shame
Featuring Santa Claus and reindeer.
Warning: Do not read with mouth full!
Featuring Santa Claus and reindeer.
Warning: Do not read with mouth full!
[TWST] "Our" Sweater
Jun. 25th, 2025 01:17 pmhaunted_cherriesFandom: Twisted Wonderland
Characters: Rem Van der Zee (OC), Jade Leech (canon), OC x Canon
Rating: Gen
Words: 293
Prompt: Loyal forfandomocweekly
Summary: What kind of boyfriend would Jade be if he didn't commandeer one of Rem's sweatshirt for his own personal use?
Notes: Been sitting in my WIPs for much too long, so it felt really nice to polish this off and send it out in to the ether (before I ultimately throw myself back into Raidou Remastered and Persona 5X xD)!! Enjoy! ^ o^)/
"Jade…" Rem leaned against the doorway of Jade's dorm room, waiting for his boyfriend to acknowledge him. "Ya know what I'm about to ask, don'tcha?"
( Read more... )
Characters: Rem Van der Zee (OC), Jade Leech (canon), OC x Canon
Rating: Gen
Words: 293
Prompt: Loyal for
fandomocweeklySummary: What kind of boyfriend would Jade be if he didn't commandeer one of Rem's sweatshirt for his own personal use?
Notes: Been sitting in my WIPs for much too long, so it felt really nice to polish this off and send it out in to the ether (before I ultimately throw myself back into Raidou Remastered and Persona 5X xD)!! Enjoy! ^ o^)/
"Jade…" Rem leaned against the doorway of Jade's dorm room, waiting for his boyfriend to acknowledge him. "Ya know what I'm about to ask, don'tcha?"
( Read more... )
Books
Jun. 25th, 2025 01:21 pmysabetwordsmithA Rainbow of Queer Books for Pride 2025: Indigo
HAPPY PRIDE 2025! For Pride this year, we’re changing up our usual rec lists. Instead of doing books with specific identities or themes, we’re focused this time on cover color! Throughout the month of June, we’ll be doing 8 rec lists, each with covers inspired by one of the colors of the original Gilbert Baker Pride Flag. We drew a little additional inspiration from the meaning behind the color and why it was included in the original LGBTQIA+ flag (in this case, indigo = serenity), but we prioritized color over meaning. The contributors to this list are: Shadaras, polls, Shannon, Linnea Peterson, Nina Waters, and Tris Lawrence.
HAPPY PRIDE 2025! For Pride this year, we’re changing up our usual rec lists. Instead of doing books with specific identities or themes, we’re focused this time on cover color! Throughout the month of June, we’ll be doing 8 rec lists, each with covers inspired by one of the colors of the original Gilbert Baker Pride Flag. We drew a little additional inspiration from the meaning behind the color and why it was included in the original LGBTQIA+ flag (in this case, indigo = serenity), but we prioritized color over meaning. The contributors to this list are: Shadaras, polls, Shannon, Linnea Peterson, Nina Waters, and Tris Lawrence.