dorchadas | Network

two log cabins with snow on the roofs in a wintery forest the text snowflake challenge january 1 - 31 in white cursive text

Challenge #10: Big Mood (Board)

CHOOSE SOMETHING YOU LOVE AND CREATE A MINI MOOD COLLECTION OF THREE (or more) ITEMS THAT EVOKE YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT IT. You don’t have to limit yourself to visual media, or collect the items into a special format like a square (though you can if you’d like).

Post your answer to today’s challenge in your own space and leave a comment in this post saying you did it.

Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so. Also, feel free to entice engagement by giving us a preview of what your post covers.

I wasn't quite comfortable doing a mood board, because I didn't know where to get images from for it! Look, I care about artists/photographers/graphic designers; I am not about to do a random web search and steal their art for a frivolous purpose. I did look at Pixabay briefly for free clipart but didn't see anything that was right for the first term I searched on, which was "crying", lol.

Anyway, I ended up making a word cloud of terms and feelings from Final Fantasy XIV. And yes, "sobbing" was one of the first words I put in. There is a certain zone in this game that I sobbed my way through. No really, it took me THREE HOURS to traverse the zone and I cried for every minute of it. That's how powerful the emotions are in this game.

I cannot say enough good things about FFXIV. The story is absolutely amazing and you WILL be affected by it. The gameplay is pretty darn fun, too! I love the game to pieces and thus there was no competition here; I +was+ going to create something related to it.

If you're interested in giving FFXIV a try, let me know! I'd be glad to give pointers to any sprouts (FFXIV term for "new player").

loganberrybunny

I Feel: discontent

Public

History will really not be kind to the people who could have stopped this, some of them years ago, people who were not True Believers but who refused to act when they could.

Cowards.

rekishi

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

phys_environment_feed

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-cleaner-ship-fuel-linked-lightning.html

Cuts in sulfur emissions from oceangoing vessels have been tied to a reduction in lightning stroke density along heavily trafficked shipping routes in the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea, according to new research from the University of Kansas.

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-cleaner-ship-fuel-linked-lightning.html

phys_environment_feed

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-previously-unknown-chemical-pathway-air.html

An atmospheric scientist at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, has helped uncover a previously unknown chemical pathway that plays a major role in the formation of air pollution particles in environments influenced by both natural and human-made emissions—an advance that could reshape how scientists understand air quality and climate impacts.

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-previously-unknown-chemical-pathway-air.html

scalziwhatever_feed

Posted by John Scalzi

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2026/01/20/reminder-scammers-are-out-there-pretending-to-be-me-and-other-authors-as-well/

https://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=59155

Three times in the last week I’ve gotten inquiries from authors, about email from an account purporting to be me. This account praised their book in a very “AI” fashion and tried to get them to write back to the account, with the end goal, no doubt, of scamming them out of money via “marketing services” or some such. These authors, quite reasonably, wanted to confirm that the email they got sent was a scam.

I was happy to confirm it, and was happy that they checked rather than allow themselves to be taken in. Nevertheless, this is one of those times where it will be useful to have a post dealing with it that I can point people to (and other people can point people to as well). So here it is, in convenient list form.

1. If I were going to contact you, about anything, it would be from my actual email address and not any other. If you get an email from “me” from any other domain, it’s not me. If you’re not sure, even though I just told you now, you can email me at my actual address and I will tell you. Actually what I will probably do is link you to this post. Hi! You’re not the first person to have a scam attempted on them!

(If you do get a suspicious email that appears to be from my actual address, and you want to double-check: one, make sure the actual reply address matches mine, and two, you can send me a brand new email, not as a reply, saying “hey, was this really from you?” I don’t mind you checking.)

2. No, I almost certainly have not contacted you to tell you privately how great your book is. I probably haven’t read your book (sorry) unless I’ve been contacted by your publisher/editor/publicist about the possibility of blurbing it. If that’s the case, the blurb would be going through that channel, not to you directly.

Conversely, if I don’t like your book, I’m not going to email you about that, either, because I’m not that kind of asshole. Similarly, I will never email you offering suggestions about how to make the work better, because that’s not my job, and also the book is already published, it’s too late for that.

The point of the scam person buttering you up (or negging you, depending) is to get you to start a conversation where they will segue into offering a “service” of some kind, which would entail you sending money, and them taking it and running off with it. Don’t fall for any of that.

3. If I had read your book outside of blurbing and thought it was terrific, it’s extremely unlikely I would contact you directly about it, and not just because I couldn’t be bothered to track down your email. What I would do is praise it publicly, through this site and/or social media. Why publicly instead of privately? Because that’s what would do the most good for you — to tell other people they should look out for your work, and maybe even buy it. That’s how you help other writers in the age of social media: Tell people about them.

4. Outside of you (or anyone else) purchasing my books, I neither want nor need your money. Likewise I don’t use any publishing, marketing or promotion services outside of my publishers. Additionally, I myself do not offer any editing/consulting services directly to other writers. To top it all off, I would never ever just randomly pull up in your email about any of the above. I am both too lazy, and have too much to do, for any of that. So if you see “me” doing any of that crap, it’s not me.

5. Nearly all of the above can be applied to pretty much any “big name” writers that scammers will impersonate to gain your trust and from there, your money. You know what, most of us just don’t have time for individual outreach, and if we did, we’re not going to segue into trying to offer you publishing-related services. We have books to write and our own things to deal with.

Now, some authors do offer consulting, or do workshops, or other things. What they are not likely to do, and what should be a red flag for you, is track you down individually and offer that service directly. They will do it via their sites, or announcements through social media, or through their newsletters, etc. Beware that “personal outreach.”

6. I don’t typically encourage writers to use “AI” for anything — do your own work, it’s better that way — but here’s one thing you can do: Go to ChatGPT, or Gemini, or any other “AI,” and enter the following prompt: “Write me an email to [Your Name] telling them in no more than 150 words how awesome their book [Your Book Title] is.” Put in your name and your book title where directed, and hit enter. There, now you have an idea a) what “AI” praise looks like, so you will recognize it in a scam email, b) how fast a scammer can now produce an individualized piece of praise.

It feels good to get praise! It feels even better to get praise from someone who is, to some degree or another, successful in the field! This is why these scammers do this. They want to get past your defenses and aim for your money. The better you understand how this fake “praise” is generated, and how quickly it can be generated, the better armed you will be against it.

7. Does it feel like a scam? It’s a scam. Are you not sure if it’s a scam? It’s a scam. Absolutely certain it’s not a scam? My friend, I have some real bad news for you.

8. This should in no way preclude you, as a writer or a fan (or both!), from sending a nice email to a writer telling them how much you enjoyed their work. Write it yourself — don’t have an “AI” do it, come on now — and I recommend being brief. It is actually nice for writers to get positive email about their work from real people.

Likewise, if you are a writer, you don’t have to mistrust every complimentary email you get. In a short enough time, it becomes clear which emails are from actual people, and which ones are “AI”-generated scams (hint: the real emails tend to be more endearingly awkward). But if that “big name” shows up in your email box, it’s not only okay to give it heightened scrutiny, it’s actually necessary to do it.

— JS

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2026/01/20/reminder-scammers-are-out-there-pretending-to-be-me-and-other-authors-as-well/

https://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=59155

james_davis_nicoll

Further developments here.

phys_environment_feed

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-roadmap-outlines-strategies-pharmaceutical-pollution.html

Pharmaceuticals used in health care provide huge health and economic benefits to society, but are now found extensively as pollutants across global waterways.

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-roadmap-outlines-strategies-pharmaceutical-pollution.html

phys_environment_feed

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-birds-solar-coexist.html

Solar panels on bodies of water in the northeastern U.S. might generate renewable energy but could also carry risks for birds, especially waterbirds. Now a new study provides a data-informed approach to siting floating solar that could protect waterbirds and others, without sacrificing the potential for energy generation.

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-birds-solar-coexist.html

rebeccmeister

This is just a blog post to whinge about having to complete paperwork, which takes time and brain capacity that I'd rather be using for other things, like SCIENCE.

I'll get over it eventually. A certain amount is necessary, anyway.

soemand

I Hear: Wild World, Cat Stevens

I've been profiling my home and work environments for ambient noise to better understand my listening experience. At home, it's a serene 25 dBA, while my workplace averages a much more active 50 dBA.

To maintain focus, I use headphones that provide 40 dB of isolation, and I typically listen to music at levels between 70-75 dB. Because most commercial music is mastered with a dynamic range of around 60 dB, the audio easily swamps any stray external sounds that might try to sneak through. All told, this setup creates a total sonic bubble—don't hear the background at all, regardless of what's happening around me.

prisca posting in

fic_promptly

( You're about to view content that a community administrator has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

dizzojay

Challenge #10: Big Mood (Board)

CHOOSE SOMETHING YOU LOVE AND CREATE A MINI MOOD COLLECTION OF THREE (or more) ITEMS THAT EVOKE YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT IT. You don’t have to limit yourself to visual media, or collect the items into a special format like a square (though you can if you’d like).

So for this challenge, I thought I would concentrate on something that is prominent in my mind at the moment. My first convention of the year is hurtling toward me, only three months away.

Those who know me well know I operate almost exclusively in the Supernatural fandom, and Supernatural conventions are my happy place.

That's where I can be me. I can meet up with the fabulous friends I've made through fandom. I can catch up with Supernatural's awesome cast. I can create art for autographs. I get to travel and broaden my horizons - in recent years, apart from my homeland of the UK, my Supernatural travels have taken me to France, Germany and Italy.

So yes, this is a happy, joyful convention mood board...

susandennis

1. Uncustables do not suck. I had a honey and peanut butter one yesterday and enjoyed it thoroughly. Tasty, easy, and just the right amount to polish off between here and the pool. A very good option!

2. You know how when people die and you go through their stuff and find random bits of change? Well, I'm not dead yet, but I just went into the fabulous storage area to find paper clips and discovered $98.76 in change and a spare mail key!! On the down side, sorry, bro. On the up side, my storage area shelves are now my happy place.

3. Daniel - the very best of our maintenance guys - just came in to check my dishwasher door situation. He thinks he might have to replace the door. He did not take it off but took pix and went to find a part. He left his cart outside my door so I'm thinking this will happen soon.

badly_knitted posting in

get_knitted

I Feel: tired

Hello to all members, passers-by, curious onlookers, and shy lurkers, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.

Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.

This Week's Question: What are your crafting goals for 2026?

If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!

thisbluespirit

Hello, I am still recovering, etc. Quite nicely as these things go, but still not up to doing all my usual little things.

Anyway, thought of something fannish and fun I could do if anyone wanted it - I made a personalised bingo card for

theseatheseatheopensea once, which was fun, and I do always love doing that kind of thing. So...

... if anyone else would find a custom-made bingo card (for writing/creating prompts) fun/useful/inspiring, comment here and I will have a go at making you one!

(I'll use the Bingo Generator, so it's very easy, and if I fail and include some rubbish prompts, a new card without such prompts can magically be re-generated with no trouble. Will do any size from 2x2 to 5x5.)

So just comment here if you'd like one & say what size card you'd prefer. You can also point me to/away from any fandoms/prompt types etc if you'd like, but no need. (If I'm really stuck for some reason, I'll just ask you for some pointers!)

serafaery

Got Indian Ridge yesterday for July, I am hoping that trip pans out. That tower can be incredible in the right conditions, and miserable in the wrong ones. Crossing my fingers.

Still trying for a couple more summer lookouts. I already have: Green Ridge for May 5 (we'll call this my birthday trip), Fivemile for June 3 (possible mushroom trip), Acorn Woman for July 3-5 (possible Tyler birthday trip, we've spent the 4th here before and it's wonderful), and now Indian Ridge for July 19.

I would still like Acker for Josh (the one with the rock climbing route below it) and Gold Butte I haven't been able to scrounge up but I would love to get Josh out there on a weekend, if the road is passable (it got really badly damaged in the big fire a few years ago). If we can link it with soaking at Breightenbush, even better.

Green Ridge opens back up in March for its September dates. The first open date in Sept is our anniversary, wouldn't that be nice?

But there's always Timberline Lodge for a backup plan :) It is extra nice having showers and food and a pool and hot tub, it's closer and there's glorious hiking and we can bring our own food if we don't want to spend more than the room fee, making it almost as affordable as a lookout trip. Off-season at Timberline is a newly discovered treasure and we are so lucky to have this option.

...

I got up too early, I am sleepy and underslept. There is so much I want to do today, my day off, but I need more rest first?

I want to go to silks at noon, do my PT while I'm there, and then take my laptop to the coffee shop and try to get started on my student loan recertification. Also hire the gutter cleaner guy and also a few other admin chores.

There is so much maintenance I need to do on the website but maybe I can work on that tomorrow, after hiking or biking (I am tempted to go back to Dog?).

I want to do housework! At least the floors, but omg my poor bedroom/office/closet/bathroom situation, I can't keep neglecting it forever? I don't know how to motivate to fix this.

I need to catch up on laundry and get groceries, also. Oof, tired just thinking about all this.

I should make some dinner for Josh? He's got lunch at least - Tyler did not eat the noodles I brought for him.

Tyler and I went hiking yesterday! For the first time in forever! It was so nice! I actually felt super super good with him for the first time in a long time. He seems a little subdued. He seems somehow smaller. He always used to seem larger than life, to me. He was more affectionate than usual, sticking close and holding me from time to time. I snuggled him aggressively, he let me.

Saddle Mountain was unexpectedly closed which was SO sad, but we went to Neahkanie instead which is a lovely consolation prize. The downside is a longer drive and shorter hike with more people (there are two trailheads so lots of people take the easy/short one, so the peak gets crowded), but the day was glorious and it felt like a decent workout anyway. It's a steady 1600' climb so no picnic :) I made us all beautiful food before I left - bison flat iron steak bites, sourdough noodles with veggies, sliced cheese and apples, extra fruit and crackers for nibbles, kombucha and I made us mint hot cocoa for the top (it tasted good even though it was a warm day). There is a glorious view of the ocean on top of Neahkanie.

Afterward we drove down to Manzanita and put our toes in the icy cold Pacific and watched the sunset. Tyler bought me a latte on the way to the coast and insisted on buying us treats at a little winery for dinner. He got the little mezze plate and a rose, I got their Best Day n/a IPA, which I usually would drink on the drive home but had forgotten to bring this time - I love drinking non-alcoholic beer while driving, there's something about it that feels soooooo satisfying lol. But drinking it with Tyler sipping fancy wine next to me outside by a huge barrel firepit while watching the sky change all sorts of unspeakable shades of darker and darker blue was pretty spectacular, too. I love him so much.

I also love Josh for encouraging all of this and for loving Tyler almost as much as I do. (Tyler introduced us and has consistently been a lynchpin of our relationship. Most of my favorite moments of my life have been with these two.) Josh chatted with Tyler a bit before we left in the late morning, while I served him lunch and packed our food for the hike.

...

Work Thurs/Fri as usual, then a rare free weekend, hopefully that will entail some quality time with Josh and Cynthia and catching up on more house stuff.

...

Josh and I had the MOST FUN dancing Sunday night. 20 years ago when I used to dance at the Fez, DJ Gregarious did a night called Shut Up and Dance, every Friday. Preston and I were devoted regulars of this night. Derek was doing Shadowplay on Thursdays which I also attended but Fridays were my date night with my boy and it was always super fun. I got to know Greg a bit and he was often request-friendly. So having him at Coffin Club in any capacity makes me really happy. I talked him into doing Shut Up and Dance there a few times in recent years, and he thanked me for the encouragement. His Sunday night thing is called Now That's What I Call Goth, and is a really silly mix of new wave and 80s/90s/2000s random stuff. It's a more relaxed crowd and a fun goofy night, and Josh and I had the best time.

I danced without a bra for the first time since surgery, and only suffered a small amount for it. I wore my itty bitty sparkly purple sequin shorts and the purple handmade top that is Josh's favorite (it is a one of a kind work of art, hand felted sculpted wool and silk made by an artist in the Bay Area who no longer makes them - such a lucky find at a consignment shop next to my grocery coop). I had my Shut Up and Dance tank top over it when we got there, a) because it was SO COLD and b) because of Greg. When I went to say thank you and goodnight to him, he gave me a big hug, and his wife Elizabeth hugged me too, it was sooooooo sweet. I felt so loved. It was a good vibe all around, everyone seemed to be having a good time, even the staff.

...

Boob is still dented but healing, I don't know, trying not to stress too much over it.

I am doing an amazing job of not texting Finley before he leaves the country for three months.

I haven't reached out to Amanda yet. I know she is hurt by my withdrawal and I am afraid of hurting her more. I would like to reconnect but not on the level I know she would want. It's hard.

I want more Duncan time but I need to catch up on my own work, first.

I *really* need to do a solid, deep grief meditation, today. All the back ick thoughts are bubbling up, about how I mistreated my mother and failed her completely as a daughter and let her die in a miserable way and and and. It's bad. Also bad thoughts about the loss of my skating coach (and skating in general, a loss I also need to grieve), and my climate grief, and and and.

I also need to do some doodling and just decompress. It's time. My wings need attention but I'm not ready for that yet.

Had the most lovely sparkle party with my mardi gras ladies on Sunday, it went perfectly and I am so grateful. I was completely wiped out and exhausted and came home with $250 for the day, which is less than a usual hard day's work for me, but I am so happy that the ladies were happy, and was so uplifted and inspired by them, I am SO LUCKY to be able to do this work, I am thrilled beyond measure and it is more than enough to reward my efforts, here. They are more than worth it, I am happy.

Need to reach out to some friends I've been neglecting, eat some healthy food, okay, off I go.

phys_environment_feed

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-world-era-global-bankruptcy-scientists.html

Amid chronic groundwater depletion, water overallocation, land and soil degradation, deforestation, and pollution, all compounded by global heating, a UN report today declared the dawn of an era of global water bankruptcy, inviting world leaders to facilitate "honest, science-based adaptation to a new reality."

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-world-era-global-bankruptcy-scientists.html

rionaleonhart

After seeing Christmas Carol Goes Wrong on stage, I bought the official script; I thought it would be a nice way to remind myself of my evening at the theatre. And it is! But it's also interesting to see how many things had been changed or added by the time I saw it in performance.

Flicking through, here are some of the more interesting differences I've noticed between the script version and the actual performance I saw on the fourteenth of January!

( Some differences between the script and the actual staged version of Christmas Carol Goes Wrong. )

Finally, a delightful little exchange from the script that I don't remember being in the show itself:

Sandra: Listen, we all know the Cornley Gazette's official policy has been not to review our shows since our immersive production of Dracula.
Robert: The small print on the ticket clearly said I would enter his house and bite him.

schneefink

I think this is the last year I do

fandomtrees because like last time I didn't make as many gifts as I wanted and feel bad...

But I did write a post-canon Silksong drabble I'm quite proud of:
Silk Snare for

knave_of_swords
post-canon Lace(&Hornet) drabble
Summary: Much Silk was needed to see her sustained.
Notes: One of my favorite fannish drabbles I've written, I think it works very well.

I got pretty icons under my tree: some Hornet icons by

gimmighoulcoins and some Grian icons by

sarajayechan :D Lovely.

And I also got two other Silksong gifts recently:
Sunlight Dyed by

CrushingOnGogh
stained glass art
Summary: Hornet from Silksong, depicted in stained glass
So pretty! The lights and the colors and the shapes!

reprieve by

strifetxt
1k, Hornet & Shakra gen
Summary: Hornet, a conversation, and a musing.
Aaah the Hornet feelings <3

soc_puppet

I Feel: dammit!

Fffffffuuuuuck, I just remembered some other ficlets I need to rescue from LJ.

...I'll probably be fine if I have a nap first, right?

phys_environment_feed

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-climate-sahel-worsening-conflicts.html

The Sahel, the semi-arid African region stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea in the east, has become the epicenter of global terrorism, given the high number of attacks by armed groups and the resulting fatalities, including those suffered by civilians. This development is rooted in a complex interplay of factors. They include state fragility, illicit economies, limited presence of government in rural areas, and conflicts driven by resource scarcity due to climate shocks.

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-climate-sahel-worsening-conflicts.html

phys_environment_feed

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-air-pollution-human-body.html

I grew up in rural Colorado, deep in the mountains, and I can still remember the first time I visited Denver in the early 2000s. The city sits on the plain, skyscrapers rising and buildings extending far into the distance. Except, as we drove out of the mountains, I could barely see the city—the entire plain was covered in a brown, hazy cloud.

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-air-pollution-human-body.html

phys_environment_feed

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-limiting-urban-sprawl-requires-limits.html

Cities need clear limits and targets on urban sprawl to understand whether planning tools like greenbelts and denser development are working, according to new Concordia research. Applying such metrics in urban planning as rigorously as in other fields that work to limit environmental degradation is essential to achieving a sustainable future in the decades ahead, the study says.

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-limiting-urban-sprawl-requires-limits.html

kiramori

I'm a bit torn right now. I don't know if I should pursue something with this person.

She's nice to me, we always have good conversations but we see eachother only once a week.

Maybe I'll try and ask her to grab a coffee or something, but I'm a bit confused whether I should or not look to get something going between us, the reason being: I don't know if we click that well. I mean, we have no interest in common and that kinda sucks.

Still, she's nice and I like giving her little gifts from time to time, maybe I'll pretend I had to arrive early this week so I can chat with her a bit more.

Profile

dorchadas

January 2026

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Page Summary

althea_valara - Snowflake Challenge 2026 - Challenge 10: Big Mood Board
loganberrybunny - All I can say tonight is this
rekishi - (no subject)
phys_environment_feed - Cleaner ship fuel linked to reduced lightning in key shipping lanes
phys_environment_feed - Previously unknown chemical pathway for air pollution particle formation uncovered
scalziwhatever_feed - Reminder: Scammers Are Out There Pretending to Be Me (and Other Authors as Well)
james_davis_nicoll - Huh
phys_environment_feed - New roadmap outlines strategies to reduce pharmaceutical pollution in waterways
phys_environment_feed - With planning, birds and floating solar can coexist
rebeccmeister - All the paperwork. [work]
soemand - Music setup
prisca in fic_promptly - Tuesday, January 20 - Promotion Day Reminder
dizzojay - Snowflake Challenge 2026 - Day 10
susandennis - Three Random drive bys
badly_knitted in get_knitted - Check-In Post - Jan 20th 2026
thisbluespirit - Personalised bingo card offer
serafaery - motivated but underslept
phys_environment_feed - World enters 'era of global water bankruptcy': UN scientists formally define new post-crisis reality
rionaleonhart - God Bless Us, Everyone?
schneefink - I wrote a Silksong drabble and got Silksong gifts
soc_puppet - (no subject)
phys_environment_feed - Fighting climate change in the Sahel is worsening conflicts. New research shows how
phys_environment_feed - What air pollution does to the human body
phys_environment_feed - Limiting urban sprawl requires establishing clear targets and limits to expansion, new study propose
kiramori - Cringe Topic Alarm

Another rainy day

Network

Page Summary