Volunteers for September
Aug. 30th, 2025 02:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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Week 1: 7th to 13th
Week 2: 14th to 20th
Week 3: 21st to 27th
Week 4: 28th to 4th
September sign up
Aug. 30th, 2025 02:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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Sign-ups will be open until the end of September.
Level of challenge: 1 chapter, 1000 words, 1 fic finished, whatever you like
Fandom(s) involved: if you know at this point
What you're looking for from the challenge: this could be as vague or specific as you like: someone to be accountable to, someone to remind you to write, someone to bounce ideas off, etc.
What you could offer other participants yourself: ditto!
How people should contact you: DW message, e-mail, IM etc.
Time zone: useful for seeing who might be up for a writing session at a time convenient to you
Copypaste below:
The post for hosting the daily check-in is here and thanks to everyone who helps out with this. If you're interested in helping out and there are still slots available the post remains open until the last week of the month and we generally run our week Sunday to Saturday, I'm happy to chat via PM on DW for anyone who might need it.
If you have ever completed a fic through this challenge we have a collection on AO3 and on SquidgeWorld both collections are open and unmoderated. Should there be an issue with adding a work, let me know and I'll see if there's a fix for it.
Check In: Day 29
Aug. 29th, 2025 03:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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How has writing gone today?
Not a discussion question, but borrowing from other check-ins: What's your writing goal for this weekend? Do you plan on having daily word counts? Set aside time for brainstorming or editing? Focus on recuperation or general life events?
When In California...
Aug. 29th, 2025 01:00 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png)
...never let the guy from Boston order your bachelor party cake.

Bummah.
Thanks to Jerry F., who was the real stah of the pahty.
*****
P.S. Here's another (hilarious) reminder that English is hard:

P Is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever
*****
And from my other blog, Epbot:

Check In: Day 28
Aug. 28th, 2025 06:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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How did writing go today?
-Amazing!
-Okay!
-Got a bit done!
-Got some editing done!
-Got some brainstorming done!
-Too busy/Rest!
Discussion question: Because of my recent obsession with a new item of jewelry, I must ask, has anything you've ever gotten or bought inspired the creation of an OC or an interpretation of a cannon character?
We Are The World Wrecks
Aug. 28th, 2025 01:00 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png)
As you've probably guessed by now, most of the wrecks on this site are made right here in the good ol' US of A. Which may be a sad point of pride, but we'll take it. (America! Heck yeah!!)
Still, in an effort to give our American bakers a much-needed shot of schadenfreude, we've decided to search through 16,000 submissions to find a few wrecks from other countries.
"But Jen," you're thinking, "isn't that kind of like William Shatner picking on Andrea Boccelli for singing a single note slightly off-key one time while he had a cold?"
Yeah, kind of.
Are we going to do it anyway?
Heck yeah!!
From Denmark:

I'm not sure if these are actually cakes or just giant Danishes, but whichever it is, keep in mind that someone thought the green icing was helping.
From Egypt:

You might think camouflage triangles, shooting stars, and neon splattered rings would be a little crazy, but that white pom pom thing really pulls it all together.
From Taiwan:

I don't know what it is, but I think it wants to kill me.
From Morocco:

Is that...Doc? From Snow White? Hey, I think it's Doc!
No, wait. The little trees are all knocked over.
Must be Sneezy.
From Iran:

That's either a fish or a rubber chicken. Final answer.
Courtesy of the Ivory Coast, here's one way to cover up messy handwriting:

Inadequately.
From our friends over in China:

Say, is your tank dripping, or are you just happy to see me?
And finally, from Mexico:

I will now yell at a Mexican cake in a bad Scottish accent.
"Heed! Down in front!
"Would you look at the size of that girl's head? That's a 'uge noggin'! It's a virtual planetoid! It has its own weather system!"
Thanks to Stephanie B., Heather B., Alisa K., Cindy P., Lisa, Amanda D., Jacquie B., & Clau for that veritable tapestry of nations. A world showcase, if you will, providing illuminations for our own American Adventure.
******
P.S. In the spirit of continued learning and broadening our horizons, I found you some take-home reading:

What If? Serious Scientific Answers To Absurd Hypothetical Questions
*****
And from my other blog, Epbot:

about to head out
Aug. 28th, 2025 04:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
The holiday has crept up on me super-fast, and rather stressfully.
Most things are booked and sorted, I need to set up tours in Portugal and in Toronto, but otherwise...I think I'm set. I hope I'm set.
Today has been a change in the weather, occasioning runny noses and sore throats. At least, I hope it's the weather, cause I'll be absolutely furious if it's COVID or a flu.
I've been called in for Jury Duty in the middle of my holiday. I've submitted my flight details, which have been booked since April, but which were rebooked in August - luckily beforfe they sent the notice of the Jury summons. Ugh.
I suspect at some point, though, I might have to use the work situation as a defence against being called up.
--
It's now just past 11pm and I think I've managed to pack all the things I have to pack. PHEW.
A couple of things I haven't managed to do - update my will, and get my power of attorney sorted.
Just sent the itinerary.
Okay, time for a wash and bed. And hope this sore throat is just the weather. UGH.
Dutchman's Flat
Aug. 28th, 2025 12:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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A collection of his short stories. Several with the sort of plot familiar from the novels -- one in fact later was expanded into a novel -- and a few ones where the smaller compass let him do some quirky plots.
Check In: Day 27
Aug. 27th, 2025 12:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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How has writing gone today?
-Amazing!
-Pretty good!
-Okay!
-Did some editing!
-Did some brainstorming!
-Too busy/rest day!
Today's discussion question: What's your favorite piece of fan-created media?
Free Throws
Aug. 27th, 2025 01:00 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png)
A while back one of our readers suggested a fun activity for the next book tour: set up plain frosted cakes, and let contestants hurl various bits of candy, flotsam, and ribbon at said cakes. Whichever looks "best" wins.
Unfortunately, I think some wreckerators out there took this as career advice.
And believe me: there are no winners here.

Wow. I didn't know you could get that kind of distance out of mini marshmallows.
You know what they always say about edible splatter paint!:

Nothing, actually. They're all too busy trying to avoid the pieces with the poo-colored jelly beans.
Here's one that made use of the drop method:

Most of it even landed on the cake!
Of course, when you're lobbing across such great distances, some breakage is to be expected:

Boops.
You can see that a lot of throwing went into this one:

(Psst. Throwing up counts, right?)
Hang on a sec, something's wrong.
This one's making me hungry:

Mmmm.
Curse you, Wreckerators, and your nefarious mind-washing piles of
whipped cream and berry goodness!
I mean, what next? Will a professional chef on a national reality show get in on the act??

[holding head] We're too late! AAHHHH!!
Thanks to Jill N., Ashlee M., Cassie G., Julie V., Kimberly B., & Elizabeth L., who all get to be first in line come book-tour-throwing time.
*****
P.S., Speaking of books, I just found one right up our wrecky alley:

A Wizard's Guide To Defensive Baking
I don't even need a synopsis. I'm sold.
*****
And from my other blog, Epbot:

Check In: Day 26
Aug. 26th, 2025 08:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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How did writing go today?
-Amazing!
-Pretty good!
-Moving along!
-Mostly brainstormed!
-Mostly edited!
-Rested!
-Too busy!
Discussion question of the day: What's a piece of media you keep returning to?
Parental Payback
Aug. 26th, 2025 01:00 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png)
Parents, when it comes to planning your child's birthday party, prepare for a lot of whining, temper tantrums, and willful brattiness.
Plus your kids might be a pain, too.
Well, here's one way to exact a little revenge: your kids' birthday cake.

Can't sleep. Barney will eat me.
Yep, there's something about seeing their favorite lovable character transformed into a homicidal psychopath that could slightly unhinge more impressionable minds.

"To infinity! and killkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkillkill."
Hey, whatever doesn't make your children soil themselves in panic-stricken terror only makes them stronger, right?
"Now, don't worry, kids; Elmo's more afraid of you than you are of him!

"Billy, would you like to do the honors? Let's start with a good clean stab through Elmo's eye. Go on.
"Oh, quit crying. Birthday boys *like* eating Muppet eyes! And just look at that face! Elmo wants you to eat him!"
Ok, granted, you'll be the one paying for their therapy sessions later, but in the meantime...

Spongebob No Pants is here to say hello, kids!
Besides, sometimes there are added benefits:

I'm pretty sure your daughter will never ask for a pony again.
Thanks to wreckporters Laurie H., Stephanie L., Kevin H., Fraulein M., & Jennifer S., who think I should totally write parenting books. (Working title: Odds Are, They'll Live.)
*****

*****
And from my other blog, Epbot:

Fic – Yowamushi Pedal / 弱虫ペダル – my Sleeping Beauty. (pg-13, one-shot)
Aug. 26th, 2025 01:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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Author : Yui_Miyamoto
Story Title : my Sleeping Beauty.
Rating : PG -13
Genre(s) : Romance, Humor
Main Character(s) : Makishima Yuusuke, Toudou Jinpachi
Summary : Before going abroad, Makishima visits Toudou.
Warning(s) : M/M.
Disclaimer : This title is owned by Watanabe Wataru-sensei. I’m just here because of all the cuteness. And the fact that Yamashita Daiki’s rendition of Love Hime lives rent free in my head.
Livejournal / Fanfiction.net / AO3
Spy X Family: Code White
Aug. 26th, 2025 01:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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I just hope next time Anya sees a suspicious piece of candy in a box she refrains from eating it.

Mississippi legal challenge: beginning 1 September, we will need to geoblock Mississippi IPs
Aug. 26th, 2025 12:24 am![[staff profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user_staff.png)
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I'll start with the tl;dr summary to make sure everyone sees it and then explain further: As of September 1, we will temporarily be forced to block access to Dreamwidth from all IP addresses that geolocate to Mississippi for legal reasons. This block will need to continue until we either win the legal case entirely, or the district court issues another injunction preventing Mississippi from enforcing their social media age verification and parental consent law against us.
Mississippi residents, we are so, so sorry. We really don't want to do this, but the legal fight we and Netchoice have been fighting for you had a temporary setback last week. We genuinely and honestly believe that we're going to win it in the end, but the Fifth Circuit appellate court said that the district judge was wrong to issue the preliminary injunction back in June that would have maintained the status quo and prevented the state from enforcing the law requiring any social media website (which is very broadly defined, and which we definitely qualify as) to deanonymize and age-verify all users and obtain parental permission from the parent of anyone under 18 who wants to open an account.
Netchoice took that appellate ruling up to the Supreme Court, who declined to overrule the Fifth Circuit with no explanation -- except for Justice Kavanaugh agreeing that we are likely to win the fight in the end, but saying that it's no big deal to let the state enforce the law in the meantime.
Needless to say, it's a big deal to let the state enforce the law in the meantime. The Mississippi law is a breathtaking state overreach: it forces us to verify the identity and age of every person who accesses Dreamwidth from the state of Mississippi and determine who's under the age of 18 by collecting identity documents, to save that highly personal and sensitive information, and then to obtain a permission slip from those users' parents to allow them to finish creating an account. It also forces us to change our moderation policies and stop anyone under 18 from accessing a wide variety of legal and beneficial speech because the state of Mississippi doesn't like it -- which, given the way Dreamwidth works, would mean blocking people from talking about those things at all. (And if you think you know exactly what kind of content the state of Mississippi doesn't like, you're absolutely right.)
Needless to say, we don't want to do that, either. Even if we wanted to, though, we can't: the resources it would take for us to build the systems that would let us do it are well beyond our capacity. You can read the sworn declaration I provided to the court for some examples of how unworkable these requirements are in practice. (That isn't even everything! The lawyers gave me a page limit!)
Unfortunately, the penalties for failing to comply with the Mississippi law are incredibly steep: fines of $10,000 per user from Mississippi who we don't have identity documents verifying age for, per incident -- which means every time someone from Mississippi loaded Dreamwidth, we'd potentially owe Mississippi $10,000. Even a single $10,000 fine would be rough for us, but the per-user, per-incident nature of the actual fine structure is an existential threat. And because we're part of the organization suing Mississippi over it, and were explicitly named in the now-overturned preliminary injunction, we think the risk of the state deciding to engage in retaliatory prosecution while the full legal challenge continues to work its way through the courts is a lot higher than we're comfortable with. Mississippi has been itching to issue those fines for a while, and while normally we wouldn't worry much because we're a small and obscure site, the fact that we've been yelling at them in court about the law being unconstitutional means the chance of them lumping us in with the big social media giants and trying to fine us is just too high for us to want to risk it. (The excellent lawyers we've been working with are Netchoice's lawyers, not ours!)
All of this means we've made the extremely painful decision that our only possible option for the time being is to block Mississippi IP addresses from accessing Dreamwidth, until we win the case. (And I repeat: I am absolutely incredibly confident we'll win the case. And apparently Justice Kavanaugh agrees!) I repeat: I am so, so sorry. This is the last thing we wanted to do, and I've been fighting my ass off for the last three years to prevent it. But, as everyone who follows the legal system knows, the Fifth Circuit is gonna do what it's gonna do, whether or not what they want to do has any relationship to the actual law.
We don't collect geolocation information ourselves, and we have no idea which of our users are residents of Mississippi. (We also don't want to know that, unless you choose to tell us.) Because of that, and because access to highly accurate geolocation databases is extremely expensive, our only option is to use our network provider's geolocation-based blocking to prevent connections from IP addresses they identify as being from Mississippi from even reaching Dreamwidth in the first place. I have no idea how accurate their geolocation is, and it's possible that some people not in Mississippi might also be affected by this block. (The inaccuracy of geolocation is only, like, the 27th most important reason on the list of "why this law is practically impossible for any site to comply with, much less a tiny site like us".)
If your IP address is identified as coming from Mississippi, beginning on September 1, you'll see a shorter, simpler version of this message and be unable to proceed to the site itself. If you would otherwise be affected, but you have a VPN or proxy service that masks your IP address and changes where your connection appears to come from, you won't get the block message, and you can keep using Dreamwidth the way you usually would.
On a completely unrelated note while I have you all here, have I mentioned lately that I really like ProtonVPN's service, privacy practices, and pricing? They also have a free tier available that, although limited to one device, has no ads or data caps and doesn't log your activity, unlike most of the free VPN services out there. VPNs are an excellent privacy and security tool that every user of the internet should be familiar with! We aren't affiliated with Proton and we don't get any kickbacks if you sign up with them, but I'm a satisfied customer and I wanted to take this chance to let you know that.
Again, we're so incredibly sorry to have to make this announcement, and I personally promise you that I will continue to fight this law, and all of the others like it that various states are passing, with every inch of the New Jersey-bred stubborn fightiness you've come to know and love over the last 16 years. The instant we think it's less legally risky for us to allow connections from Mississippi IP addresses, we'll undo the block and let you know.
They're Gonna Need 'Em
Aug. 25th, 2025 01:00 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png)

Ask where the second "e" went all you want; *I* want to know what's in that icing.
[shudder]

Sorry, Ash, you only get one.

Aw, this is my fav "favewell" cake ever. It's the bes!

I'm a little unclear on the message here. Is it:
"Best wishes! Here's a pile of crap! With plastic! And curly ribbon!"
Yes? No? Am I close?
Ok, so in the Ghostbusters video game (oh, c'mon, you knew I was a nerd) there's this cursed clock that claims to show the exact time of death for anyone who looks at it. Creepy, right?
Well, guess what came to mind when I saw this cake?

You think this Wreckerator knows something about Beck Y's future - say, around 10 PM - that we don't? I mean, she filled in everything else from "play with gran kids" to "gardaning," so that lone blank spot is looking pretty dang ominous, if you ask me.
In fact, maybe the baker should just get right to the point:

Or:
Buuuuuh...

Buhbye.
Thanks to W.C., Ashley B., April C., Ginny B., Heather J., Betsy U., & Jennifer H. for all the fell wishes.
*****
And from my other blog, Epbot:
