Daily Happiness
Nov. 4th, 2025 07:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
torachan1. The election results tonight are so exciting! Mamdani! And so much good news out of Virginia! Polls here don't close for another half hour, but I am cautiously optimistic about Prop 50. Of course Republicans are already saying everything's rigged, but that's what being a Republican means these days.
2. We had a nice lunch today at Disneyland. We didn't go on the weekend since I still was feeling under the weather, but I didn't have anything scheduled this morning, just a meeting in the afternoon, so I was able to make good use of that flexibility.
3. Carla took her Switch and some games to Book Off today while we were down in Gardena and got $250 for the lot. Her Switch was an Animal Crossing one (doesn't come with the game or anything, but the design is super cute) and she still had the original box, so I was pretty sure they'd give a decent price for it. I think that was about $150 and another $100 for the games. She'd call the night before to make sure that location was buying systems as some of them don't, and they said yes, and that they had a promotion right now for Switch games where you get an extra 20% over their usual buying price, so we went through our games and found some we don't think we'll play again.
4. Chloe's celebrating election victories!
2. We had a nice lunch today at Disneyland. We didn't go on the weekend since I still was feeling under the weather, but I didn't have anything scheduled this morning, just a meeting in the afternoon, so I was able to make good use of that flexibility.
3. Carla took her Switch and some games to Book Off today while we were down in Gardena and got $250 for the lot. Her Switch was an Animal Crossing one (doesn't come with the game or anything, but the design is super cute) and she still had the original box, so I was pretty sure they'd give a decent price for it. I think that was about $150 and another $100 for the games. She'd call the night before to make sure that location was buying systems as some of them don't, and they said yes, and that they had a promotion right now for Switch games where you get an extra 20% over their usual buying price, so we went through our games and found some we don't think we'll play again.
4. Chloe's celebrating election victories!
2025 Disneyland Trip #70 (11/4/25)
Nov. 4th, 2025 05:24 pmtorachanWe had originally planned to go to Disneyland for dinner (with Carla coming down to work with me and doing shopping etc. while I had meetings for a few hours), but as I was thinking about it, I realized we could go to Disneyland first for lunch and then go to work for my meetings and just come home and relax in the evening, so that's what we did!
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Fancake's Theme for November: Mystery & Suspense
Nov. 4th, 2025 08:51 amrunpunkrun
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fancake's theme for November is mystery & suspense. If you have any questions about this theme, or the comm, come talk to me!Daily Happiness
Nov. 3rd, 2025 05:35 pmtorachan1. I worked from home in the morning but did go in to work in the afternoon for a meeting. I'm feeling mostly all better but do have a bit of a lingering cough still.
2. Instagram seems to have finally fixed the issue where it was saving copies of photos I post on my phone, even if I had the settings checked so it was not supposed to do that. It was fine for years and then a few months ago just started randomly saving the photos, meaning I have to remember to delete them off my phone every time or end up with dupes of everything I post there. Googling only got me instructions to turn off the setting related to that, which was already off. I tried turning it on and off again, logging out of my account, etc. to no avail, so I just decided to live with it and the annoyance of deleting the photos, for the convenience of Instagram crossposting to facebook, though it was very tempting to just abandon my Instagram account altogether. Anyway, a few days ago it just as randomly stopped saving photos. Fingers crossed it doesn't break again, or this time I really might just give up on it, since I don't really use it much other than for posting my daily cats.
3. And with that, a daily cat:
2. Instagram seems to have finally fixed the issue where it was saving copies of photos I post on my phone, even if I had the settings checked so it was not supposed to do that. It was fine for years and then a few months ago just started randomly saving the photos, meaning I have to remember to delete them off my phone every time or end up with dupes of everything I post there. Googling only got me instructions to turn off the setting related to that, which was already off. I tried turning it on and off again, logging out of my account, etc. to no avail, so I just decided to live with it and the annoyance of deleting the photos, for the convenience of Instagram crossposting to facebook, though it was very tempting to just abandon my Instagram account altogether. Anyway, a few days ago it just as randomly stopped saving photos. Fingers crossed it doesn't break again, or this time I really might just give up on it, since I don't really use it much other than for posting my daily cats.
3. And with that, a daily cat:
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Daily Happiness
Nov. 2nd, 2025 03:07 pmtorachan1. Still a little sniffly and coughing, but mostly over the cold. Tested again today and still negative. I have a meeting tomorrow that can't be done online, so I was going to just bow out if I was still sick, but I think I'll be in good enough shape to go.
2. I got the last of my mom's/her husband's stuff moved from the shed with our stuff to the shed with my step-sister's stuff, so now I can work on rearranging the stuff in our shed so it's more easily accessible. I got another set of wire rack shelves this past week and put them up today, and will probably end up getting one or two more. I'm not making it a big project, just a repeating weekly task on my to-do list, so every weekend I can get a little done here and there. I'm looking forward to having it more organized.
3. We bought a Christmas tree today! Now that we have a cat free zone in the garage, we can have a tree up again, but the tree we had before was super old (had actually been one my mom bought when I was in my teens and she got tired of getting live trees every year, so it's probably 35 years old at this point) and we put it out on the curb last year when we were cleaning everything out of the garage before the remodel. We checked out Walmart last week, but all they had were pre-lit trees and I do not want one, because you're stuck with unremoveable lights when they die, and having to string new ones over them, or throwing the tree out and buying a new one. Today at Target we managed to find one tree without lights on it, and it's a nice looking one. Taller than I was anticipating buying at 7.5 feet, but the garage has a high ceiling, so it will look nice (just means I have to get the step stool out for decorating). Haven't set it up yet, but looking forward to doing that soon.
4. ( Discussion of weight loss )
5. Tuxie loves spending a few hours under this tree in the morning after breakfast.
2. I got the last of my mom's/her husband's stuff moved from the shed with our stuff to the shed with my step-sister's stuff, so now I can work on rearranging the stuff in our shed so it's more easily accessible. I got another set of wire rack shelves this past week and put them up today, and will probably end up getting one or two more. I'm not making it a big project, just a repeating weekly task on my to-do list, so every weekend I can get a little done here and there. I'm looking forward to having it more organized.
3. We bought a Christmas tree today! Now that we have a cat free zone in the garage, we can have a tree up again, but the tree we had before was super old (had actually been one my mom bought when I was in my teens and she got tired of getting live trees every year, so it's probably 35 years old at this point) and we put it out on the curb last year when we were cleaning everything out of the garage before the remodel. We checked out Walmart last week, but all they had were pre-lit trees and I do not want one, because you're stuck with unremoveable lights when they die, and having to string new ones over them, or throwing the tree out and buying a new one. Today at Target we managed to find one tree without lights on it, and it's a nice looking one. Taller than I was anticipating buying at 7.5 feet, but the garage has a high ceiling, so it will look nice (just means I have to get the step stool out for decorating). Haven't set it up yet, but looking forward to doing that soon.
4. ( Discussion of weight loss )
5. Tuxie loves spending a few hours under this tree in the morning after breakfast.
Dark Shadows: Blood Levy by Susan Rains/Carey Kasdot
Nov. 2nd, 2025 09:02 ampronker posting in fancakeFandom: Dark Shadows
Pairings/Characters: Barnabas Collins, Roger Collins, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Angelique Bouchard Collins, Elliot Stokes, Julia Hoffman, David Collins, Hallie Stokes, Maggie Evans, Willie Loomis
Fanwork Links:
Blood Levy (Dark Shadows 1971) Book 3 - Chapter 1 - Carey Kasdot (SusanRains) - Dark Shadows (1966) [Archive of Our Own]
Pairings/Characters: Barnabas Collins, Roger Collins, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Angelique Bouchard Collins, Elliot Stokes, Julia Hoffman, David Collins, Hallie Stokes, Maggie Evans, Willie Loomis
Theme: Mystery & Suspense
Summary: Four strangers converge on Collinsport. But maybe one of them is coming home.
The vicious killing of two young boys has Barnabas convinced that a vampire preys upon Collinsport. His suspects are four newcomers: three strangers, and an enemy from his own past, long believed dead.Summary: Four strangers converge on Collinsport. But maybe one of them is coming home.
Reccer's Notes: Though it may be read separately without much fuss, this fic follows Lunatic Yarn, recc'd a few days ago. Blood Levy details the goings on of the ever-put-upon Collins family as they struggle to maintain their reputation while wringing a little love and enjoyment out of ~Life. It's a fine mystery using all the familiar TV show performers, the main ones in their regular roles, while various supporting performers Author has envisioned as original characters. Beginning with sudden action, continuing in an eerie atmosphere, well, could we expect anything else?
Blood Levy (Dark Shadows 1971) Book 3 - Chapter 1 - Carey Kasdot (SusanRains) - Dark Shadows (1966) [Archive of Our Own]
Sherlock Holmes: Bad Dog by Unpainted Canvas
Nov. 1st, 2025 08:47 pmkingstoken posting in fancakeFandom: Sherlock Holmes (tagged both books and Granada)
Pairings/Characters: Holmes/Watson
Rating: T
Length: 11,539 words
Creator Links: Unpainted Canvas (RatTale)
Theme: mystery & suspense, casefic
Summary: During a hard case Holmes and Watson part ways after an argument, and now Holmes suddenly has more to worry about than missing children.
Reccer's Notes: After they have a terrible row, Watson is kidnapped by bad guys to prevent Holmes from pursuing a case. The entire story is from Holmes POV, and there is a lot of worry and tension as Holmes tries to solve the disappearance of his friend. It's a good casefic, as well as the circumstances leading to realization of feelings by Holmes.
Fanwork Links: AO3
Pairings/Characters: Holmes/Watson
Rating: T
Length: 11,539 words
Creator Links: Unpainted Canvas (RatTale)
Theme: mystery & suspense, casefic
Summary: During a hard case Holmes and Watson part ways after an argument, and now Holmes suddenly has more to worry about than missing children.
Reccer's Notes: After they have a terrible row, Watson is kidnapped by bad guys to prevent Holmes from pursuing a case. The entire story is from Holmes POV, and there is a lot of worry and tension as Holmes tries to solve the disappearance of his friend. It's a good casefic, as well as the circumstances leading to realization of feelings by Holmes.
Fanwork Links: AO3
Daily Happiness
Nov. 1st, 2025 05:12 pmtorachan1. Still not covid. I'll test one more time tomorrow, but I think if it's not showing anything after four days I can safely say it's a cold. Still feeling pretty good overall.
2. The farmers market had spicy watermelon fruit leather! Just one package and it was smaller than usual, but they had it. I thought it was totally gone for the season but I guess they had a little bit of watermelon left.
3. It's feeling properly like fall today. Very overcast and chilly all day. This can continue!
4. I love how pensive Molly looks. Contemplating life while enjoying the sun.
2. The farmers market had spicy watermelon fruit leather! Just one package and it was smaller than usual, but they had it. I thought it was totally gone for the season but I guess they had a little bit of watermelon left.
3. It's feeling properly like fall today. Very overcast and chilly all day. This can continue!
4. I love how pensive Molly looks. Contemplating life while enjoying the sun.
Round 180: Mystery & Suspense
Nov. 1st, 2025 09:49 amrunpunkrun posting in fancakeSpooky season's not over yet because our theme for November is mystery & suspense!
The tag for this round is: theme: mystery & suspense
If you're just joining us, be sure to check out our policy on content notes. Content notes aren't required, but they're nice to include in your recs, especially if a fanwork has untagged content that readers may wish to know about in advance.
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( Promote this round! )
Dark Shadows: The Lunatic Yarn by Susan Rains/Carey Kasdot
Oct. 31st, 2025 10:51 pmpronker posting in fancakeFandom: Dark Shadows
Pairings/Characters: Barnabas Collins, Julia Hoffman, Elliot Stokes, David Collins, Elizabeth Collins, Roger Collins, Angelique Bouchard Collins, Harry Johnson, Willie Loomis, Maggie Evans
Rating: T
Length: 37,304
Creator Links: archiveofourown.org/users/SusanRains/pseuds/Carey%20Kasdot
Theme: Uncommon settings
Summary: A dumbwaiter system found in the house unleashes a baffling illness which turns pleasant friends into infatuated screwballs. Meanwhile, games with the dumbwaiter bring Hallie and David nights of terror. With the addition of an afghan that roams the house at will and a houseguest no one wants, Collinwood hits the height of mayhem.
Reccer's Notes: You'd be pretty hard put to discover a stranger, more unsettling setting than a dumbwaiter in which an intrepid soul or two ventures to travel. Add to this Halloween rec the inimitable spookiness of the great estate of Collinwood and you've discovered a delightful read with stellar characterizations and the usual undercurrent of Things Unseen in the fandom.
Fanwork Links: The Lunatic Yarn (Dark Shadows 1971) Book 2 - Carey Kasdot (SusanRains) - Dark Shadows (1966) [Archive of Our Own]
Pairings/Characters: Barnabas Collins, Julia Hoffman, Elliot Stokes, David Collins, Elizabeth Collins, Roger Collins, Angelique Bouchard Collins, Harry Johnson, Willie Loomis, Maggie Evans
Rating: T
Length: 37,304
Creator Links: archiveofourown.org/users/SusanRains/pseuds/Carey%20Kasdot
Theme: Uncommon settings
Summary: A dumbwaiter system found in the house unleashes a baffling illness which turns pleasant friends into infatuated screwballs. Meanwhile, games with the dumbwaiter bring Hallie and David nights of terror. With the addition of an afghan that roams the house at will and a houseguest no one wants, Collinwood hits the height of mayhem.
Reccer's Notes: You'd be pretty hard put to discover a stranger, more unsettling setting than a dumbwaiter in which an intrepid soul or two ventures to travel. Add to this Halloween rec the inimitable spookiness of the great estate of Collinwood and you've discovered a delightful read with stellar characterizations and the usual undercurrent of Things Unseen in the fandom.
Fanwork Links: The Lunatic Yarn (Dark Shadows 1971) Book 2 - Carey Kasdot (SusanRains) - Dark Shadows (1966) [Archive of Our Own]
Daily Happiness
Oct. 31st, 2025 07:04 pmtorachan1. Still not covid. Fingers crossed it stays that way. My symptoms seem to have skipped the sinus stage and just went directly from sore throat to chest congestion, which is similar to a cold I had last year. I don't love chest congestion (always a bit worried something will lurk in there and turn into bronchitis or pneumonia) but I really hate being stuffed up, so I'm happy to not be right now. I feel fine otherwise, a little tired. Worked from home again today, though aside from a meeting this morning and answering some emails and messages, I didn't really do a lot of actual work.
2. The heat spell is over and it was very pleasant today. We took a midday walk and though the sun was bright, it wasn't too hot. A little breezy. Very nice weather for a walk.
3. We have been doing this Star Wars Halloween countdown calendar we got from Disneyland and the figures are so cute! Next year we can just put them up as decorations from the beginning, but it was fun to open one each day, ending on the 31st (there are thirteen total because spooky).
We kept them on what's left of the mantel lol (just a narrow ridge of bricks since we removed the wood). I wouldn't want to put anything delicate up there, breakable or legos or such, but these are sturdy plastic figures so even if the cats had knocked them down, they wouldn't be damaged, but no one touched them.
And a closeup:
4. I love how this yawn looks like he's frantically trying to warn someone about something.
2. The heat spell is over and it was very pleasant today. We took a midday walk and though the sun was bright, it wasn't too hot. A little breezy. Very nice weather for a walk.
3. We have been doing this Star Wars Halloween countdown calendar we got from Disneyland and the figures are so cute! Next year we can just put them up as decorations from the beginning, but it was fun to open one each day, ending on the 31st (there are thirteen total because spooky).
We kept them on what's left of the mantel lol (just a narrow ridge of bricks since we removed the wood). I wouldn't want to put anything delicate up there, breakable or legos or such, but these are sturdy plastic figures so even if the cats had knocked them down, they wouldn't be damaged, but no one touched them.
And a closeup:
4. I love how this yawn looks like he's frantically trying to warn someone about something.