senmut: An orange-blue gradient field, with a black and white star in the right upper corner, reading "A Star to Steer By, A Wind to take me home again" (General: One More Time)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 13th, 2026 06:22 pm)
I don't want "misunderstood villains" or "trying for redemption". Tell me a villain that is THE VILLAIN, they did do all that, and you absolutely hope the heroes get the upper hand every time!

The first one that defined this concept for me? J. R. Ewing of Dallas. When I compare Babylon 5's Bester to him, I mean it as a solid compliment. I don't want tragic stories pasted on, other characters 'fixing' them, or any of that. I want them to be as bad and as nasty as they do so well... and I will cheer any and every person that gets the upper hand on them.

Because, my lovely friends, heroes ARE measured by what they overcome, and that includes the antagonist.
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senmut: Plate of food and "let's feast" on it (Food: Feast)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 12th, 2026 08:14 pm)
Tell me a favorite drink.

Non-alcoholic? Coffee with milk and sugar, my go-to.

Alcoholic? White Russian. Again with the coffee...
senmut: Notes of music above a rainbow swirl (General: Musical Rainbow)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 12th, 2026 12:11 pm)
What is it: A song fest
When is it: July
How does it work: Pick up to 5 songs, albums, or artists. Try to create up to five creative works (your choice on style, media, min/max). Share with everyone!

Longer form:

1. Post a comment to this post with up to 5 selections of songs, artists, or albums. You then use these as inspiration to create a thing, any thing, something NEW!
2. In July, I will put up a post for people to drop links to their creations (please include the inspiration as a note!)
3. On August 1st (ish) I will create a master list!

NB: if you post on AO3 or one of the other non-profit archives, please remember that lyrics cannot be quoted in more than a couple of lines. Provide a link instead, to Genius or A-Z Lyrics, if we need the full lyrics.

Examples:

You claim Prince or David Bowie. I'd be looking for art or meta or fic centered on gender fuckery or other aspect that the artist used as a trademark in their career.
You claim "Freebird". I'd be looking for a creative work that centers the theme, the title, or a lyric (including using a line from the song) in its concept.
You claim Operation: Mindcrime. I'd be looking for something that furthers the concept of the dystopic anarchist assassination rock opera.

No minimums. No maximums. Please share the idea around and redirect them here. If you want to participate without commenting here, that's fine too.
senmut: Plate of food and "let's feast" on it (Food: Feast)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 11th, 2026 06:54 pm)
Any food, doesn't have to be your fave of all time, no judgment for "health" factor here. If you want to mention a food you can't get (person died, restaurant closed) that's cool too.

Which means of course, mine is going to be Felini's. They sold what was billed as Greek cuisine. However, the family that owned it were Albanian, and so the cuisine was a little different than what I thought of as Greek... and it was FABULOUS for the differences. Their gyro and soups were to die for. The family was wonderful to every customer, but if you were a regular... well, you were taken care of.

I miss them terribly. Now, if I want a gyro, I will order from the Turkish coffee shop.
senmut: Superman (Chris Reeve) with "You've got to give more than you take" words (DC: Superman Give)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 10th, 2026 09:40 pm)
Brought to you by me doing both front and back yard (I try to split days on them) all today to beat the rain:

If you are responsible, directly, for the upkeep of a yard, do you do it your self or have a service?

I used to have a service. Then they started either coming too often or SAYING THEY CAME and trying to bill extra. And then I had a pair of older ladies supplementing retirement. But then when one of them moved, I got myself an electric lawnmower and I've been doing it since.
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All people, past and present have warts and nasties that throw a tarnish on them, not denying that. BUT. The power of the past people to inspire (or warn) present generations persists.

Mine is likely no surprise to any, but it is Hatshepsut, who took the reins of government and ruled well by most accounts we can piece together. Her era of prosperity laid the grounds for Thutmose III to rebuild a solid Egyptian power in the region. By all rights, the weakness of the Dynasty had reached a point that it could very well have collapsed, given Hatshepsut's first consort, Thutmose II was not destined to excel. Hatshepsut, however, took matters in hand while Thutmose III grew into manhood. She expanded trade, began the restoration of many monuments and temples, ushered in a grand period of art.
senmut: Classic Star Wars title shot in black and white (Star Wars: Title)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 8th, 2026 06:44 pm)
What's the first movie you actually know you saw in theater?

As possibly a warning to all parents out there, unexpected runaway hit sci-fi movies can imprint themselves on toddlers brains.

Star Wars, retroactively Star Wars: A New Hope, was the first movie that I formed conscious memories around. This was tested at a re-release, when I began telling my dad what was going to happen next. Granted, I was also 'helpfully' translating for Artoo, as I imprinted strongest on him.

I was not quite 2. I know it was not the first I saw in theater; my mother bemoaned the fact that I slept through a re-release of Sleeping Beauty EXCEPT for the dragon.

I do not have the memory of seeing SW in theater myself NOW. But it was family lore that I did know the full plot and character names at that re-release, so I accept it as the first I formed memories of.
I'm not asking for bashing of the original, or even that you dislike the one and love the other.

I'm just looking for a song that you (either for musicality or because you heard the cover first) prefer the cover.

Mine is definitely a "I heard the cover first so the original sounds off".

"Hazy Shade of Winter" was released by the Bangles in 1987, had apparently been a staple of their live shows for 5 years at that point. I don't think I consciously heard the Simon & Garfunkel version until I was in my 20s.

don't click here until you choose your own to share

I am firmly expecting someone to mention "Hurt" and "Sounds of Silence" in comments.

senmut: Two interlocked hearts, carved from the graphite of a pencil, still attached to the pencil (General: Pencil Art (Love Is))
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 6th, 2026 09:59 pm)
So I am being a sap. As today is the 20th anniversary of my now wife and I exchanging contact information and starting on the road that led to here.

Do you have an oh moment you would be comfortable sharing?

Mine was almost definitely in the month after I moved here, and a perfectly normal conversation where I was watching this bright, lovely woman who had offered me freedom... and I knew I could not see a future without her. Just... had to grow into what it wished to be from there.
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senmut: An orange-blue gradient field, with a black and white star in the right upper corner, reading "A Star to Steer By, A Wind to take me home again" (General: One More Time)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 6th, 2026 07:51 pm)
1. Aegon the Conqueror
2. Aenys I (son)
3. Maegor the Cruel (brother)
4. Jaehaerys the Wise (brother)
5. Viserys I (grandson)
6. Aegon the Usurper (son)*
7. Aegon the Dragonbane (nephew)
8. Daeron the Young Dragon (son)
9. Baelor the Beloved (brother)
10. Viserys II (uncle)
11. Aegon the Unworthy (son)
12. Daeron the Good (son)
13. Aerys I (son)
14. Maekar I (brother)
15. Aegon the Unlikely (brother)
16. Jaehaerys II (son)
17. Aerys the Mad King (son)

283 years of dragon kings. Average length of rule at 16.6 years. Relationship to previous king in parentheses.

*Rhaenyra was the sworn-by-lords heiress but passed over for this one.
senmut: Fulcrum in background of TCW Captain Rex in Armor (Star Wars: Fulcrum and Jaig Eyes)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 6th, 2026 01:19 pm)
AO3 Link | Not In My Head (1211 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Babylon 5, Star Wars: The Clone Wars [2008] - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Major Character Death
Characters: CT-7567 | Rex, Alfred Bester [Babylon 5]
Additional Tags: Crossover, Walk Into A Bar
Summary:

Bester escaped the island, but ran afoul of something else taking him to the GFFA for better or worse.



Not In My Head

Escaping the island had been easy enough, ahead of the trap that the leader of the resistance was. He'd have to regroup, but the PsiCorps lived in him, would be the salvation of all in due time. Telepaths under strict rules, laying down the foundation of society for the others to live in? One way or another, that would be the reality of life, just as soon as Alfred Bester found his feet planted on solid ground again.

His mistake, though, was in thinking the galaxy as a whole was done throwing curve balls.

Maybe it was a remnant of the Shadow War. Maybe it had been a nascent threat brought fully to life from the Vorlon meddling in humanity. Either way, when Bester reached the coordinates he'd memorized from a very early memory of meeting the Director, it was not the haven he'd made himself believe it would be. His genetic code, delivered in a drop of blood, activated the technology without any hesitation.

The device that came up around him pushed through every shield he'd ever built more effortlessly than Ironheart could have done. What it saw and recorded rendered a judgment to his helpless mind, his body frozen, before triggering a random implosion of quantum events to shunt the catalyst of so much suffering into a time/place far from this one.





Captain Rex, formerly of the 212th, currently in command of the 501st without either of his Jedi for back-up did not like the look of the ridged ovoid with a panel missing. At least he had found the 'meteor' they had tracked before finally breaking the Separatist stranglehold on the system.

"You deserve a light mission. Just scout it out, figure out if it's a weapon, and then get the legion back up. Snips and I will handle this thing for Master Tiin and be right back."

The skepticism Rex had felt then was nothing like the bad feeling he now had. This thing had been occupied, based on the scans. And no one was visible.

"Jesse, get the unit formed up and prepped for return to the Resolute," he called over his comm. "My squad and I have a tracking task now."

"Yes sir, Captain." The man waited a beat, then continued on personal frequencies instead of the regimental one. "Keep yourself alive, little brother."

Rex snorted. Jesse liked throwing around that he was a very early decant, but it did help unwind Rex's nerves.

"Alright men, let's find where the being went, probably headed for that town over there. Light jog, eyes and ears out!"





Bester had staggered his way to what passed as civilization, felt more than understood an overpowering relief in the locals. They seemed human, but the language was not any of his. Fortunately, he could filter through minds swiftly, accommodating his needs nearly as fast as he'd acquired clothing that let him blend in better.

There were a few non-humans present, and those, he avoided. He'd paid enough attention to other species to know that telepathy came in varying degrees, that the senses of a human were considered disadvantaged by many, and that just lifting the language wasn't going to let him pass as a local.

The idea that there were many worlds, that technology was so far in advance of this particular place elsewhere, gave him a yearning to find such. Rifling more minds told him to stake out a cantina, and he should be able to find a pilot and ship… once the newer military that had run off the other military left the system.

The people he'd taken information from were skeptical that they hadn't just exchanged one yoke for another, and Bester wondered if he might do better by using his abilities on a member of the occupying army to get away from here.





There was a lot of frustration building in the back of Rex's mind as the locals were the most unhelpful sapient species he'd seen in quite a few systems. No one had seen anything strange, couldn't point to strange arrivals, or anything… outside of making back-handed mentions of the G.A.R. troops.

It was enough to make him wonder why they even bothered to break places like this out of Seppie control.

"Alright, we're going over to that cantina, and I have enough credits to get us all one drink," Rex told the four men with him. "Nurse it, listen, and if you do start talking, try to keep it nice and calm. They don't seem to like us any better than their former occupiers, but we have to know who was in that pod, in case it's a bio-weapon or something else the Seppies dreamed up."

He passed out the currency that General Kenobi had put in his keeping for discretionary maneuvers, and they headed to the building with live music and plenty of people to scout for their objective. Rex had to believe that the discipline would hold up, that there wouldn't be any fights with the locals.

None of his men would embarrass him to the General or Commander that way, after all.





Fate was smiling, if Bester was willing to believe in such mysticism. Five of the soldiers, wearing armor with blue markings against the white, all of it heavily scarred by the war they were a part of. A cursory search of the four that had shifted out among the patrons of this dive told him their purpose. They were seeking him, thinking him to be a potential threat.

The one who had stayed at the bar was the officer. That was the one Bester needed. He would not go into the introduction without understanding that one intently, and he prepared to slice through the man's experiences to best craft the story he would use to insinuate himself near something like a power, to begin pursuing his dreams in this far away place, away from Vorlon manipulations and Shadow plots.





Rex had survived having Asajj Ventress in his head, controlling him, and managed to still find a way to warn his Jedi that he'd been compromised. There might not have been a real reason for him to realize he wasn't alone in his head this time; whomever it was wasn't the witch, holding him against a wall by his throat after all.

But he did know. More, he knew where the source was.

Maybe it was working hand in hand with Anakin Skywalker so much, or honing his instincts to keep track of the padawan-commander.

Either way, his blaster was in his hand and he was turning before that intrusion caught the intent.

One clean shot, and the stranger — looked human — slumped at the table he'd been keeping between him and the world.

"Sorry for the mess," Rex said quickly, and put the last of the credits on the bar, as his people moved to acquire the body.

Turned out, with the body not belonging to a local, they didn't care all that much about the stranger's fate, leaving the G.A.R. men to do as they wished.

Rex decided they'd recover the ovoid, put the body in stasis, and turn it all over to the Jedi when they got back to puzzle it out.

senmut: Ahsoka landing after beheading 4 mando warriors (Star Wars: Mando Killer)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 6th, 2026 09:22 am)
The Way of Ressiliencce (1277 words) by CinnamonBunWrites
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Star Wars - All Media Types, Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Jedi Master Character(s) & Jedi Padawan Character(s), Clone Troopers & Jedi Characters (Star Wars)
Characters: Lissarkh (Star Wars), the only canon character in this fic, Original Jedi Character(s) (Star Wars), Original Clone Trooper Character(s) (Star Wars)
Additional Tags: Jedi are space Buddhists and you cannot change my mind, Pro Jedi, jedi order, a mix of legends and canon lore, Philosophy, Martial Arts, I Wrote This Instead of Sleeping, no beta we die like the Republic, canon is an orchard and I am baking a single pie, Oneshot, Jedi June Appreciation Event 2026, Jedi as Found Family (Star Wars), Clone Troopers and Jedi as Found Family (Star Wars), Jedi Training (Star Wars), Jedi Culture & Customs (Star Wars), Editing what editing
Summary:

Week 1 Prompt: Resilience
Knight Lissarkh starts a demonstration Soresu for her Padawan learner, discussing its philosophy, and ends up with more than one student.

senmut: an owl that is quite large sitting on a roof (General: Owl House)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 5th, 2026 09:43 pm)
Hmm, still not feeling the pull to create much in new fandoms. Still dabbling in Drizzt and Star Wars fics as the mood strikes.

Have fallen for House of the Dragon, and read the story collection. Yes, I know I will have my heart murdered this coming season. I just hope the creative team sticks the landing.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/84429766/chapters/222714561 - Have a rec for a fic that is Rhaenyra/Alicent and a delight to me. 5/7 chapters posted, trust in the author when she says the other chapters are being edited.

Was never solidly a Buffy fan, but Giles was dear to me, and many other roles ASH had touched me in some way. His memory is a blessing. (And in checking if his brother was still alive, I learned that ASH's daughter was Sofina the Red in DND: Honor Among Thieves.) (Yes, Murray is still alive.)

Hmm, not much else. HotD is too big a fandom for me to dive in on tumblr or AO3 (bad takes, not my cuppa in so many fics), so if you have writers/artists YOU trust in those fandoms, please enlighten me. (I learned my lesson in GoT of being VERY careful how I touched fandom.)
Just what it says. I see (and feel) so much negativity about working. And I know many of us have a resentment of being trapped in full time work.

What do I like about my job? A sense of aiding in the treatment of patients. Everything I do is to help lab results get done and reported in a timely fashion. At my last lab, I was far more hands-on: I worked primarily in Client Services, the people who talk to doctors and staff, but I covered:

Processing (get requisitions entered, matching samples for testing, spinning them down as needed)
Logistics (picking up specimens or checking them in from flights/drivers)
Microbiology (mostly setting up blood cultures in the incubator)
Chemistry (moral support for third shift, handling beepy machines, finding new pipette stashes...)

I learned a LOT of technical knowledge that my current lab does not impart to the Client Services (where I work) and this leads to me being able to handle more calls from beginning to end without needing to escalate it.
First: I am asking about musicians who either are queer, or are predominantly considered to be singing about queer motifs. (do NOT start flame wars about Gaga or Swift, please)

What musician rocks your queer little heart?

My most influential is NOT Freddie Mercury, Elton John, George Michael, or any of the others that dominated my early childhood because... I didn't yet have the questions they were asking fully formed in my heart.

No. Melissa Etheridge, who I found very solidly in the summer of '88 after I'd had my first realizations of being attracted to my best friend more than just the visual crush I'd had on lady celebs. She's my heart's queer anthem leader. The ambiguity of her early songs really just... wrapped around me so tight.
senmut: 3 blue seahorse shapes of varying sizes on a dark background (General: Seahorse Triad)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 3rd, 2026 07:14 pm)
Next up, having spoken of resonance, I'm asking:

What character has inspired you? Inspiration can be many things. To be better, to pick up a skill, to try a new food, anything.

This one is a toughie for me, because I was constantly tackling encyclopedias to learn new things introduced in books I read, but not necessarily directly because of a character. And I've inflicted several skills I tried to pick up on my original characters, but uncertain if that goes int he other direction.

Fortunately, I'd been warned about Turkish Delight. +g+

So ultimately, I think it comes to being inspired to be better. And I can't pinpoint one. Black Beauty inspired me to look for the best in others (before I became a member of the Certified Cynics). John Carter taught me that I can offer my skills, but ultimately the people around me need to sort themselves out (so don't barrel in with solutions without taking input is the way I modernized that). Moreta made me strive to face challenges with more calm (which honestly helped curb some of my temper for a time).
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senmut: Ramoth and Mnementh's mating flight (Pern: Dragons Mating)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 2nd, 2026 06:51 pm)
What character, in any kind of media, did you (if you ever did) have the kind of resonance with that is 'I see some of myself IN this character'? (Which is different from aspiring to BE like the character.)

For me? I think it hit me first and hardest with Nerilka. I know others vibe strong with Menolly, but in Nerilka I saw pieces of me. Abuse of neglect, wanting to find a place she could be herself and help others, too mature for her youth? She was very much a resonant character for me.
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denise: Image: Me, facing away from camera, on top of the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome (Default)
([staff profile] denise posting in [site community profile] dw_maintenance Jun. 1st, 2026 10:56 pm)
Quick note that post-by-email and comment-by-email is (sometimes?) failing silently without actually posting right now! I'm pretty sure this is related to last night's shenanigans and will be fixed once Mark can finish the full fix for it, which he's working on, but if you've posted or replied by email in the last 24 hours, fish it out of your sent folder to check if it posted!

EDIT: This should be fixed as of around 7AM EDT! We *believe* everything that was stuck in the plumbing has been sent along to your journal or the comment thread it was meant for; it's definitely not where it was stuck anymore, at least.
senmut: Rebecca Horne in a hat with a smirk (Highlander: Rebecca)
([personal profile] senmut Jun. 1st, 2026 06:15 pm)
I may not answer (generally if it is rude, and y'all don't tend to be) but ask me anything at all.

Going to attempt to throw a question or meme up daily this month to get back in the habit of regular posting.
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denise: Image: Me, facing away from camera, on top of the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome (Default)
([staff profile] denise posting in [site community profile] dw_maintenance May. 31st, 2026 10:00 pm)

Robby has managed to put in a temporary fix for the site errors and things failing to refresh or not showing up where they should! The permanent fix is going to need Mark's experience, and unfortunately -- seriously, this literally never fails -- Mark has been on an international flight all day, because of course he has. (Never. Fails. He and I are not allowed to both take vacation at once.)

The site will work just fine with the temporary fix in place, things just might be a little slow here and there. We'll keep you updated.

.

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