JiM's Dreams

Today is partly sunny and sweltering.  It rained early this morning.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, plus a fox squirrel.














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Every once in a while, Kickstarter throws me a link to a totally random project. Believe it or not, this one was after an update for an aromantic anthology.

For my gizmologist and hobby-scientist friends: Have you ever wanted a gizmo of your very own? This one can even make other gizmos! :D I love nerds so much. It's not even a product type suited to my creativity, but I enjoyed the hell out of browsing just for the fun of it. Reminds me of geeking out with friends at Uni High.

SALTGATOR: The 1st Desktop SoftGel Injection Molding Machine
Rapid Soft Part Making | 10-Minute Ready | 3D-Printing Mold Support | For DIYers & Designers

$278,954 pledged of $15,000 goal
1,097 backers
38 days to go

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The Desert Links Compendium is a collection of links assembled to encourage learning about and appreciation for the ecology, history, and cultural heritage of deserts and drylands, with a focus on the Sonoran, Chihuahuan, and Mojave Deserts.

Satellites just revealed a hidden global water crisis—and it’s worse than melting ice

Unprecedented continental drying driven by severe droughts and groundwater overuse are reducing freshwater and contributing to sea level rise.

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Five Musicians Who Owe Their Careers To Stack Moore (And One Who Doesn’t) (394 words) by Resonant
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Sinners (2025)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Elias "Stack" Moore, Billie Holiday, Paul Simon, Lil Nas X (Musician), Rhiannon Gidden (Musician), Sarah Vaughan (Musician), Prince (Musician)
Additional Tags: music industry, RPF if you're a real stickler
Summary:

It's who you know.

Beta thanks to mific and terminally_underwhelmed.

This looks promising. 

Today is partly sunny, humid, and hot.  It rained a little yesterday.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.

EDIT 7/27/25 -- I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/27/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 7/27/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 7/27/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 7/27/25 -- I potted up the last of the black cherry seeds.

I am done for the night.

ELON MUSK’S TESLA DINER IS THE CYBERTRUCK OF RESTAURANTS

The retro-futuristic Hollywood establishment opens as a tourist trap whose nicest amenity is probably the parking lot.

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This performance neatly illustrates the difference between violin and fiddle. Technically they're the same instrument, but there are a lot of little tweaks and tricks that lead to different music -- even playing what is also, technically, the same song.  Violin invites you to sit on your ass and listen; fiddle motivates you to get off your ass and move.

People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.

What would a utopia be like, how would it function and continue to exist?

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A friend tipped me to this Etsy page, which offers dice bags and card cases with leaf and flower themes. 

Solar is now 41% cheaper than fossil fuels, new UN report finds: 'The sun is rising on a clean energy age'

Fifteen years ago, solar power was nearly four times the cost of fossil fuel alternatives.
[---8<---]
According to two new United Nations reports, renewable energy has passed a “positive tipping point,” and solar power is now 41% cheaper than fossil fuels.

Progress!

Today is overcast, humid, and hot.  I'm hearing thunder, so it's likely to rain soon.

I rushed through feeding the birds.  I've seen several sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/26/25 -- It rained at least a little.

I refilled the thistle feeder.  I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, plus a male cardinal.

EDIT 7/26/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 7/26/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 7/26/25 -- I potted up a white nectarine and a white peach seeds.

EDIT 7/26/25 -- I planted 2 wild senna, one under the golden rain tree and one under the maple.

EDIT 7/26/25 -- I potted up 5 cherry plum seeds and 2 black plum seeds.

I watered the newly planted things.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
 

Check out the awesome essay about 69 Accommodations: Working with disabilities, sensory issues, and sexual disorders.

Indigenous-designed mural doubles as a giant solar power generator, reducing 150 tons of CO2 emissions annually

What if public art could also power an entire residential building?

The SunRise Building, an apartment complex in Alberta, Canada, has answered that question — and is now the title holder of the Guinness World Record for the largest solar panel mural on Earth.
[---8<---]
On the northern wall of the building is the main mural, called “The Land We Share,” which stands 85 feet tall, by the Edmonton-based Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal. The photovoltaic panels are strategically placed to depict a tribute to the First Nations and Chinese cultures that are integral to the history of the area.


More of this would be good. People often resist green energy projects because so many of those are eyesores. Make them beautiful, and they will become more popular.

Sunshine Revival Challenge 7: The Ferris Wheel

Journaling: Life in fandom goes through ups and downs. Reminisce about the "wild ride" of your time in fandom or in other online communities.

Creative: Create an image or a photo with the theme "let's go for a ride".

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.



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Now open for crowdfunding!  :D 3q3q3q!!!  This is a project I want to support.  Pass the word to your queer, nerdy, and librarian friends.

EDIT 7/25/25 -- I have backed this project.


Scholarly Pursuits: A Queer Cozy Academia Anthology
A collection of 22 delightfully queer, charmingly cozy stories that put a fluffy LGBTQIA+ spin on the dark academia genre.

$5,735 pledged of $13,000 goal
90 backers
17 days to go

Pursue an education in queer speculative fiction with Scholarly Pursuits!
Transforming the core settings of “dark academia” to be cozy and snug, Scholarly Pursuits: A Queer Anthology of Cozy Academia Stories features 22 delightful, charming science fiction and fantasy stories set at colleges, universities, libraries, and other places where people pursue academic excellence – and all feature queer characters! From field research shenanigans to cooking adventures, from space station education departments to eldritch libraries, our awesome authors have brought their vivid imaginings to life in this anthology. We can’t wait to share it with you!

Today is partly sunny and sweltering.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. Some of them are dustbathing in the burn barrel; they like the fresh ashes.

EDIT 7/25/25 -- I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/25/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 7/25/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 7/25/25 -- I picked herbs to make omelettes for supper, which also included some cherry tomatoes from yesterday.

It's drizzling a bit.

EDIT 7/25/25 -- I refilled the birdfeeders.

EDIT 7/25/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

I am done for the night.

Today's theme is Horror.

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The future of antisemitism

We can't get confused about what constitutes anti-Jewish prejudice.
[---8<---]
That's why we have to face a painful paradox: when it comes to the continuing agony of Gaza, Israel's most fervent defenders are the ones muddying the water. They seek to define criticism of the actions of Israel as anti-Jewish prejudice.

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