Recent Playing: Baldur's Gate 3
Jun. 20th, 2025 05:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rocky41_7 posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
gamingI've fallen into the trap of being so busy playing Baldur's Gate 3 that I haven't had the time to say anything about Baldur's Gate 3 (a problem I've experienced before - which is why I've never yet reviewed My Life as a Teenage Exocolonist). There's also the fact that anyone on the farthest verge of the gaming sphere is aware of this game and has probably already read a least one review of it. Still, I'll throw my thoughts out, for whatever they're worth.
2025 has been a strange gaming year for me. Far and away my most anticipated game was Dragon Age: The Veilguard, a game I've waited almost a decade for with baited breath. Baldur's Gate 3 was barely even on my radar—I played a few meager hours of one of Larian's earlier RPGs, Divinity Original Sin 2, which cemented my hatred of turn-based combat and dislike of isometric games. (Which is not a knock on DOS2—it was a very well-done game! Just not for me.) I was not willing to shell out BG3's price for the significant chance that its gameplay would be too frustrating for me to get into the story. Fortunately, my sister handled that issue by gifting it to me for Christmas—a free experiment.
In January, as usual, I plunged into my holiday cache of new games, starting with DATV—for more on my disappointment with that, see this review. When I'd quickly burned out on DATV, I turned to BG3, the unknown factor. Admittedly, this game is not optimized for console. Even after its eighth patch, it frequently crashes, particularly in battles with a high number of participants. Its menus and maps are difficult to read at a distance, such as from couch to TV. Its controls can be obtuse as the game tries to cram the huge number of functions onto a controller's limited button scheme.
However, in spite of these flaws, I've been reflecting the last few weeks on how BG3 has nevertheless been so much more fun than DATV, the game I was predisposed to like. What was it, I wondered, that made BG3 more fun? (And sorry--there will be more DA comparisons below.)
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Birdfeeding
Jun. 20th, 2025 05:09 pmysabetwordsmithToday is cloudy and muggy.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. I also saw a male cardinal and a squirrel up in the trees.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. I also saw a male cardinal and a squirrel up in the trees.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
Heat
Jun. 20th, 2025 01:20 pmysabetwordsmithreadera has a post about heat precautions regarding the heat dome. These are my additions...( Read more... )
Check-In Post - June 20th 2025
Jun. 20th, 2025 07:12 pmbadly_knitted posting in get_knittedHello 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: We all probably have multiple WiPs, but which of yours has been hanging around longest, waiting to be finished?
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!
DCU: not far from the apples by susiecarter
Jun. 20th, 2025 09:33 amsinesofinsanity posting in fancakeFandom: DC, technically the Justice League (2017) movie, but can reasonably fit with most DC timelines
Pairings/Characters: Martha Kent, Atlanna
Rating: T
Length: 2,909 words
Creator Links: susiecarter
Theme: Female Relationships, Female Friendship, Gen, Minor Characters, Superpowers
Summary: There's a very unusual woman on the train, when Martha boards just outside Metropolis.
Reccer's Notes: I love depictions of Martha Kent where she is no-nonsense and kind, but ultimately human. She is out of her depth in the superhero shenanigans but perfectly suited to handle any and all human things before and after. I love how she immediately clocks Atlanna as "strange and possibly dangerous" and so decides to strike up a conversation. It's lovely to see these two women bond over their sons even before they really know who each other is. Also Alfred cameos at the end which is always fun.
Fanwork Links: not far from the apples on AO3
Pairings/Characters: Martha Kent, Atlanna
Rating: T
Length: 2,909 words
Creator Links: susiecarter
Theme: Female Relationships, Female Friendship, Gen, Minor Characters, Superpowers
Summary: There's a very unusual woman on the train, when Martha boards just outside Metropolis.
Reccer's Notes: I love depictions of Martha Kent where she is no-nonsense and kind, but ultimately human. She is out of her depth in the superhero shenanigans but perfectly suited to handle any and all human things before and after. I love how she immediately clocks Atlanna as "strange and possibly dangerous" and so decides to strike up a conversation. It's lovely to see these two women bond over their sons even before they really know who each other is. Also Alfred cameos at the end which is always fun.
Fanwork Links: not far from the apples on AO3
Wednesday Word: Apophenia
Jun. 18th, 2025 07:38 amcalzephyr posting in 1word1dayApophenia - noun
Similar to pareidolia, apophenia is the tendancy for people to see connections or meaningful patterns between random and/or unrelated things, whether they are objects, visuals or ideas.
I scheduled posts for the LJ community as I'm a little busy this month--DW doesn't have scheduling, so my posts here may be out of sync for a bit!
Similar to pareidolia, apophenia is the tendancy for people to see connections or meaningful patterns between random and/or unrelated things, whether they are objects, visuals or ideas.
I scheduled posts for the LJ community as I'm a little busy this month--DW doesn't have scheduling, so my posts here may be out of sync for a bit!
My 2025 Summer Anime Season Preview
Jun. 20th, 2025 08:13 amlee_bella posting in anime_mangaReposting from my DW blog.
Summer solstice is almost here, which means a new anime season is about to start. This is the most stacked summer anime season I've ever seen, with at least 60 series airing this season. We have high profile sequels (Dandadan, Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru, Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun, Kaijuu 8-gou), reboots of old classic (Jigoku Sensei Nube, Cat's♥Eye), horror (Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu), an all new KyoAni series (City the Animation), a potential big hit (Gachiakuta), etc. Strangely enough, there are four series this season that will only run for 4 to 6 episodes (because the source manga are only one to two volumes long).
As usual, I'm only previewing the series I'm interested in. For a full list of series airing in the summer, see AniChart.
( My 2025 Summer Anime Season Preview. )
What will you be watching this summer? Old series? New series?
Summer solstice is almost here, which means a new anime season is about to start. This is the most stacked summer anime season I've ever seen, with at least 60 series airing this season. We have high profile sequels (Dandadan, Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru, Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun, Kaijuu 8-gou), reboots of old classic (Jigoku Sensei Nube, Cat's♥Eye), horror (Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu), an all new KyoAni series (City the Animation), a potential big hit (Gachiakuta), etc. Strangely enough, there are four series this season that will only run for 4 to 6 episodes (because the source manga are only one to two volumes long).
As usual, I'm only previewing the series I'm interested in. For a full list of series airing in the summer, see AniChart.
( My 2025 Summer Anime Season Preview. )
What will you be watching this summer? Old series? New series?
Photos: Charleston Library Butterfly Gardens
Jun. 20th, 2025 04:03 amysabetwordsmith posting in common_natureWe visited the butterfly gardens at the Charleston Library, on June 19 although this is dated 20 because it's after midnight. They were filled with birds, although I didn't manage to catch any pictures of them.
( Walk with me ... )
( Walk with me ... )
Photos: Charleston Library Butterfly Gardens
Jun. 20th, 2025 03:58 amysabetwordsmithWe visited the butterfly gardens at the Charleston Library, on June 19 although this is dated 20 because it's after midnight. They were filled with birds, although I didn't manage to catch any pictures of them.
( Walk with me ... )
( Walk with me ... )
Tags:
Just One Thing (20 June 2025)
Jun. 20th, 2025 07:23 amnanila posting in awesomeersIt's challenge time!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished! Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished! Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
Thursday Recs
Jun. 19th, 2025 08:22 pmsoc_puppet posting in queerly_belovedPhew, on time for once!
Do you have a rec for this week? Just reply to this post with something queer or queer-adjacent (such as, soap made by a queer person that isn't necessarily queer themed) that you'd, well, recommend. Self-recs are welcome, as are recs for fandom-related content!
Or have you tried something that's been recced here? Do you have your own report to share about it? I'd love to hear about it!
Do you have a rec for this week? Just reply to this post with something queer or queer-adjacent (such as, soap made by a queer person that isn't necessarily queer themed) that you'd, well, recommend. Self-recs are welcome, as are recs for fandom-related content!
Or have you tried something that's been recced here? Do you have your own report to share about it? I'd love to hear about it!
The Friday Five for 20 June 2025
Jun. 19th, 2025 08:34 pmanais_pf posting in thefridayfive1. If you were a fruit, which would you be and why?
2. If you wake up and smell smoke, and you have to get everybody (pets included) out of the house safely, but you have time to grab one item, what would you grab?
3. If you were stuck on an island, who would be the one person you would want with you and why?
4. If you could change one thing about your physical appearance, what would it be?
5. If you could spend the day with one famous person, dead or alive, who would you choose?
Copy and paste to your own journal, then reply to this post with a link to your answers. If your journal is private or friends-only, you can post your full answers in the comments below.
If you'd like to suggest questions for a future Friday Five, then do so on DreamWidth or LiveJournal. Old sets that were used have been deleted, so we encourage you to suggest some more!
2. If you wake up and smell smoke, and you have to get everybody (pets included) out of the house safely, but you have time to grab one item, what would you grab?
3. If you were stuck on an island, who would be the one person you would want with you and why?
4. If you could change one thing about your physical appearance, what would it be?
5. If you could spend the day with one famous person, dead or alive, who would you choose?
Copy and paste to your own journal, then reply to this post with a link to your answers. If your journal is private or friends-only, you can post your full answers in the comments below.
If you'd like to suggest questions for a future Friday Five, then do so on DreamWidth or LiveJournal. Old sets that were used have been deleted, so we encourage you to suggest some more!
Leave Me Behind, by Navi and SQORE (Celeste fanmix, 2025)
Jun. 19th, 2025 06:45 pmlb_lee posting in pluralstories"You think you can just leave me behind?
That's unfortunate. I don't think so."
Blurb: A theatrical song from the perspective of the "bad" headmate of the protagonist of the video game Celeste, explicating their selves-hatred and -sabotage.
Why is it worth your time?: This is a very unusual remix, with a musical theater feel, very far abroad from the original soundtrack song it's based off of. It's free and short, give it a shot!
Plural Tags: abuse:intermediate focus, enmity, voices
Content Warnings: selves-hatred, commands to suicide, sudden screaming
Access Notes: Available for free to listen on Ocremix.org! Lyrics are here.
That's unfortunate. I don't think so."
Blurb: A theatrical song from the perspective of the "bad" headmate of the protagonist of the video game Celeste, explicating their selves-hatred and -sabotage.
Why is it worth your time?: This is a very unusual remix, with a musical theater feel, very far abroad from the original soundtrack song it's based off of. It's free and short, give it a shot!
Plural Tags: abuse:intermediate focus, enmity, voices
Content Warnings: selves-hatred, commands to suicide, sudden screaming
Access Notes: Available for free to listen on Ocremix.org! Lyrics are here.
Birdfeeding
Jun. 19th, 2025 01:18 pmysabetwordsmithToday is partly sunny and mild. It rained yesterday.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- We went out for a while and saw the library wildflower meadow, Fox Ridge, and the Charleston Food Forest.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I refilled the thistle feeder that was half empty.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I sowed 5 pots with yellow raspberries.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I picked up sticks from the south side of the driveway and dumped them in the firepit.
Lots of fireflies are coming out. :D
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I picked up sticks from the North side of the driveway and dumped them in the firepit.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- We went out for a while and saw the library wildflower meadow, Fox Ridge, and the Charleston Food Forest.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I refilled the thistle feeder that was half empty.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I sowed 5 pots with yellow raspberries.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I picked up sticks from the south side of the driveway and dumped them in the firepit.
Lots of fireflies are coming out. :D
EDIT 6/19/25 -- I picked up sticks from the North side of the driveway and dumped them in the firepit.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
Wildlife
Jun. 19th, 2025 01:16 pmysabetwordsmithNew butterfly species wows scientists: 'This discovery reveals a lineage shaped by 40,000 years of evolutionary solitude'
The Satyrium semiluna, or half-moon hairstreak, is a small gray butterfly that looks like a moth at first glance. The wildflower lovers are widespread across North America, from the Sagebrush steppe to the montane meadows of the Rocky Mountains.
But tucked away in the southeastern corner of Alberta, Canada, another colony of butterflies flaps across the Blakiston Fan landform of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Until now, they were thought to be a subpopulation of half-moon hairstreaks — until scientists made a phenomenal discovery: They were a new species of butterfly that had hidden in plain sight for centuries.
The researchers, who recently published their findings in the scientific journal ZooKeys, defined the new species as Satyrium curiosolus.
The Satyrium semiluna, or half-moon hairstreak, is a small gray butterfly that looks like a moth at first glance. The wildflower lovers are widespread across North America, from the Sagebrush steppe to the montane meadows of the Rocky Mountains.
But tucked away in the southeastern corner of Alberta, Canada, another colony of butterflies flaps across the Blakiston Fan landform of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Until now, they were thought to be a subpopulation of half-moon hairstreaks — until scientists made a phenomenal discovery: They were a new species of butterfly that had hidden in plain sight for centuries.
The researchers, who recently published their findings in the scientific journal ZooKeys, defined the new species as Satyrium curiosolus.