Green Lantern #194
Aug. 12th, 2025 06:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
iamrman posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
scans_dailyWriter: Steve Englehart
Pencils: Joe Staton
Inks: Bruce Patterson
Hal Jordan lost his Power Ring and the woman he loved. How could it possibly get any worse?
( Read more... )
More on Smokey
Aug. 12th, 2025 05:20 pmlexinI am unpopular with Smokey.
I took her to the vet today for an x-ray - the appointment was for 09:00, meaning I had to get up at a sparrow’s fart. She didn’t like being put in the carrier.
They were very careful to explain to me that it involved a general anaesthetic and they could not guarantee that Smokey would survive. I said I understood and that at her age (she’s 19) I wouldn’t expect a heroic revival if anything happened.
As you can imagine, I have been on tenterhooks all day.
I got a call at quarter to four to tell me that she was ready to be picked up.
It turned out that the only thing the x-ray showed was swollen lymph nodes. So we are giving her at least a month’s rest from being dragged to the vet, and may then repeat her bloods. Someone on FB asked me if they have checked for pancreatitis, and yes, they have. They are as sure as they can be that it’s not that.
When I got her home, I opened her carrier and she ran up the stairs as if the hounds of hell were at her little furry heels. Poor cat!
Poor me, too. The doors to the poor house gape ever wider. X-raying a cat is not a cheap hobby. Neither are taxi fares x four. I may have to live on cheap biscuits and porridge.
I took her to the vet today for an x-ray - the appointment was for 09:00, meaning I had to get up at a sparrow’s fart. She didn’t like being put in the carrier.
They were very careful to explain to me that it involved a general anaesthetic and they could not guarantee that Smokey would survive. I said I understood and that at her age (she’s 19) I wouldn’t expect a heroic revival if anything happened.
As you can imagine, I have been on tenterhooks all day.
I got a call at quarter to four to tell me that she was ready to be picked up.
It turned out that the only thing the x-ray showed was swollen lymph nodes. So we are giving her at least a month’s rest from being dragged to the vet, and may then repeat her bloods. Someone on FB asked me if they have checked for pancreatitis, and yes, they have. They are as sure as they can be that it’s not that.
When I got her home, I opened her carrier and she ran up the stairs as if the hounds of hell were at her little furry heels. Poor cat!
Poor me, too. The doors to the poor house gape ever wider. X-raying a cat is not a cheap hobby. Neither are taxi fares x four. I may have to live on cheap biscuits and porridge.
Excalibur #59
Aug. 12th, 2025 02:29 pmiamrman posting in scans_dailyWriter: Scott Lobdell
Pencils: Scott Kolins
Brian and Meggan go to Wakanda on a business trip only to get dragged in to the latest attempted coup.
( Read more... )
The Demon #16
Aug. 12th, 2025 10:32 amiamrman posting in scans_dailyWords and pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Mike Royer
Morgaine le Fay returns just in time for the book to be cancelled.
( Read more... )
Mod Post: Off-Topic Tuesday
Aug. 12th, 2025 09:22 amicon_uk posting in scans_dailyIn the comments to these weekly posts (and only these posts), it's your chance to go as off topic as you like.
Talk about non-comics stuff, thread derail, and just generally chat among yourselves.
The intent of these posts is to chat and have some fun and, sure, vent a little as required. Reasoned debate is fine, as always, but if you have to ask if something is going over the line, think carefully before posting please.
Normal board rules about conduct and behaviour still apply, of course.
It's been suggested that, if discussing spoilers for recent media events, it might be advisable to consider using the rot13 method to prevent other members seeing spoilers in passing.
The world situation is the world situation. If you're following the news, you know it as much as I do, if you're not, then there are better sources than scans_daily. But please, no doomscrolling, for your own sake.
In the UK, new, repressive rues intended to "protect the children from porn", have ended up with Spotify requiring facial recognition to ensure that children aren't listening to adult lyrics. A cycnical soul would suggest this is going to end up with a sharp spike in VPN usage and/or pirating having a second heyday.
It's getting hard and harder to ignore the increasingly desperate attempts by the US administation to deflect from the ongoing Espstein scandal and possibly from the upcoming diplomatic car-crash which will be the (likely) US/Russia-only discussions about the invasion of Ukraine, which are taking place later this week.
The chosen distraction this time is the mobilisation of the National Guard in Washington allegedly to combat rising crime (Which has actually been falling for several years)
Speaking of hostile infestations (too subtle a swgue?), Alien: Earth lands this week.
And speaking of macabre scenes... okay, I'll stop now, the first part of "Wednesday" season 2 arrived on Netflix
To end on a happier note, shooting for "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has started in Glasgow, and Tom Holland has been being utterly delightful with a small fan who showed up to watch. Media stunt? I don't care, a small child met their hero, and that's always going to melt this shrivelled walnut of a heart.
Talk about non-comics stuff, thread derail, and just generally chat among yourselves.
The intent of these posts is to chat and have some fun and, sure, vent a little as required. Reasoned debate is fine, as always, but if you have to ask if something is going over the line, think carefully before posting please.
Normal board rules about conduct and behaviour still apply, of course.
It's been suggested that, if discussing spoilers for recent media events, it might be advisable to consider using the rot13 method to prevent other members seeing spoilers in passing.
The world situation is the world situation. If you're following the news, you know it as much as I do, if you're not, then there are better sources than scans_daily. But please, no doomscrolling, for your own sake.
In the UK, new, repressive rues intended to "protect the children from porn", have ended up with Spotify requiring facial recognition to ensure that children aren't listening to adult lyrics. A cycnical soul would suggest this is going to end up with a sharp spike in VPN usage and/or pirating having a second heyday.
It's getting hard and harder to ignore the increasingly desperate attempts by the US administation to deflect from the ongoing Espstein scandal and possibly from the upcoming diplomatic car-crash which will be the (likely) US/Russia-only discussions about the invasion of Ukraine, which are taking place later this week.
The chosen distraction this time is the mobilisation of the National Guard in Washington allegedly to combat rising crime (Which has actually been falling for several years)
Speaking of hostile infestations (too subtle a swgue?), Alien: Earth lands this week.
And speaking of macabre scenes... okay, I'll stop now, the first part of "Wednesday" season 2 arrived on Netflix
To end on a happier note, shooting for "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has started in Glasgow, and Tom Holland has been being utterly delightful with a small fan who showed up to watch. Media stunt? I don't care, a small child met their hero, and that's always going to melt this shrivelled walnut of a heart.
The School Reader. Third Book
Aug. 11th, 2025 07:33 pmmarycatelli posting in booksThe School Reader. Third Book: Containing Progressive Lessons in Reading, Exercises in Articulation and Inflection, Definitions, by Charles Walton Sanders
The third book is still focused on reading. Very few of the pieces come with bylines. Still, it's taking on the aspect of the later readers, with the focus on good readings, edifying and instruction.
May be chiefly of interest in view of what they selected in the era.
The third book is still focused on reading. Very few of the pieces come with bylines. Still, it's taking on the aspect of the later readers, with the focus on good readings, edifying and instruction.
May be chiefly of interest in view of what they selected in the era.
Captain America #385
Aug. 11th, 2025 06:12 pmiamrman posting in scans_dailyWriter: Mark Gruenwald
Pencils: Ron Lim
Inks: Danny Bulanadi
Bernie Rosenthal has been kidnapped by the Watchdogs.
( Read more... )
Power girl And Ice Have A Discussion. About The Justice League And Their Personal Lives.
Aug. 11th, 2025 10:41 amBlue Beetle #19
Aug. 11th, 2025 02:29 pmiamrman posting in scans_dailyWriter: Len Wein
Pencils: Ross Andru
Inks: Danny Bulanadi
All the reanimated furniture is giving me Inferno vibes. Although, this time it is because of mad science as opposed to demonic possession.
( Read more... )
Knightfall: Batman #495
Aug. 11th, 2025 12:30 pmiamrman posting in scans_dailyWriter: Doug Moench
Pencils: Jim Aparo
Inks: Bob Wiacek
Poison Ivy hijacks a Wayne Foundation fundraiser.
( Read more... )
Amazing Spider-Man #108
Aug. 11th, 2025 10:30 amiamrman posting in scans_dailyWriter: Stan Lee
Pencils and inks: John Romita, Sr.
Trouble has followed Flash Thompson home from Vietnam.
( Read more... )
The Bone Harp by Victoria Goddard Review
Aug. 10th, 2025 08:07 pmlabingi posting in booksThis is the first self-published book I have ever read a good chunk of without realizing it was self-published. [EDIT: This is not a dig at self-published writing. I am self-published and hope my books are roughly comparable to traditional in quality, but it is a mountain to climb to do all the traditional publisher work yourself on your own dime, so I'm impressed when a work does it, and I want to uplift that it's possible.] The book is as well written as a number of recent traditionally published books; it’s well edited, proofread, designed, nice cover art. It looks professional.
But in retrospect, it had to be self-published because it’s a Silmarillion fan fic with the names changed, and a traditional publisher wouldn’t take it for fear of being sued. (Not really spoilery: this is clear quite early.) Its premise (I’ll just render this in Tolkien terms) is one of the exiled Noldor returns to the Undying Lands after dying (?) in Middle-earth. That’s a fantastic premise for a fic! With some alterations, it’s a great premise for an original story. That’s why I bought it! I don’t think it fully exploits this premise, though. It’s a goldmine for psychological and philosophical development, and it has fairly little of either, in my opinion.
It does have a great original addition in the idea of a male and female elf who are well-matched “professional/vocational” rivals to such a degree they can be almost interchanged with each other. That concept may be the story’s strongest, and again, I felt it wasn’t fully exploited.
But some of my discontents are discontents with the source material (The Silmarillion): 1) the style is, for my taste, too expository—too much “telling,” not enough “showing”; 2) I just don’t get the concept of the Undying Lands on any deep level, because my cosmology is very different from Tolkien’s. Goddard is, I think, trying to follow Tolkien here, and part of my difficulty suspending disbelief may come from my just not getting it. I give her marks, on the whole, for showing respect for Tolkien’s work and not altering his Elves in any bizarre ways.
One the whole, I find the book conceptually fascinating but not developed deeply enough to fully engage me.
Spoilery review at my DW.
But in retrospect, it had to be self-published because it’s a Silmarillion fan fic with the names changed, and a traditional publisher wouldn’t take it for fear of being sued. (Not really spoilery: this is clear quite early.) Its premise (I’ll just render this in Tolkien terms) is one of the exiled Noldor returns to the Undying Lands after dying (?) in Middle-earth. That’s a fantastic premise for a fic! With some alterations, it’s a great premise for an original story. That’s why I bought it! I don’t think it fully exploits this premise, though. It’s a goldmine for psychological and philosophical development, and it has fairly little of either, in my opinion.
It does have a great original addition in the idea of a male and female elf who are well-matched “professional/vocational” rivals to such a degree they can be almost interchanged with each other. That concept may be the story’s strongest, and again, I felt it wasn’t fully exploited.
But some of my discontents are discontents with the source material (The Silmarillion): 1) the style is, for my taste, too expository—too much “telling,” not enough “showing”; 2) I just don’t get the concept of the Undying Lands on any deep level, because my cosmology is very different from Tolkien’s. Goddard is, I think, trying to follow Tolkien here, and part of my difficulty suspending disbelief may come from my just not getting it. I give her marks, on the whole, for showing respect for Tolkien’s work and not altering his Elves in any bizarre ways.
One the whole, I find the book conceptually fascinating but not developed deeply enough to fully engage me.
Spoilery review at my DW.
Hot, Garden, Dog Class, Firefly, Rat
Aug. 10th, 2025 04:05 pmranunculusIt has been hot, 106F yesterday, with the wind out of the south-east which always sets off my worst allergies. Around here they call them the Diablo Winds. It looks like there is now a cooling trend that will take us back into the low 90's again. Although the last few days have been hot, in reality this has been the coolest summer we have had for many years.
With the warm weather the garden is cranking out loads of produce. I really should make pickles tonight. There is enough okra for a couple of jars of pickles, and there are lots and lots of cucumbers, though not very many pickling cucumbers. The shade cloth seems to be doing its job of keeping things from burning.
Chena's class yesterday went well. We learned Send and Return. Each of us had a cone set in front of us, and were to send the dog out and around the cone. Chena was happy to do it, though I'm not sure she quite got the concept. We practiced having our dogs Stay in the down position while the instructor strolled around playing a loop of ducks quacking on her phone. Chena did break position on that one, but not the next one, which was a squeeky toy and a plastic bag being rustled around. During the Backup was another new command for the class. I've been practicing that for some time with Chena and she has it down. No we are working on going straight back. We practiced Touch, where the dog touches a hand or item with their nose. The instructor suggested we might want to put a buzzer next to the door so the dog could ask to go out. NO, NO, NO!! Chena would be much worse than any cat about wanting to go in and out through the door!
While at dog class I handed the instructor, Nancy, a completely revised Core 2 handout. The one she had given us was terrible. Last week Kim got very confused about what we had been taught, so I wrote up notes for her. While doing that I referenced the handout which was a hodge-podge of disorganized bad writing. Since I was already writing up notes, I went to work on it. Nancy was surprised and a bit taken aback, but after glancing at my work and thinking for a moment she admitted that she knew the Core 2 handout needed work and that it had been hastily pulled together from multiple sources, which was blindingly obvious. I don't know that I got it all correct, but at least each command is formatted the same, the commands are listed in alphabetical order so you can find them, and instructions don't stop mid-sentence.
Back at the Ranch, I've been spraying Firefly down with water. She loves it. Then she goes and rolls in the dust. Sigh. Thank goodness there is a silicone based product in her mane and tail so they don't tangle too readily. The dirt tends to fall right off.
I saw a very large rat out at the hay pile last night. I have no idea where rats like that are coming from, these are rats that normally live near human dwellings and don't do well in our arid landscape. I suppose now I'll need to bury my compost for a while. Hopefully the screech owl I hear at night will fly by and take care of the problem. Or Chena will catch it, she tried last night.
With the warm weather the garden is cranking out loads of produce. I really should make pickles tonight. There is enough okra for a couple of jars of pickles, and there are lots and lots of cucumbers, though not very many pickling cucumbers. The shade cloth seems to be doing its job of keeping things from burning.
Chena's class yesterday went well. We learned Send and Return. Each of us had a cone set in front of us, and were to send the dog out and around the cone. Chena was happy to do it, though I'm not sure she quite got the concept. We practiced having our dogs Stay in the down position while the instructor strolled around playing a loop of ducks quacking on her phone. Chena did break position on that one, but not the next one, which was a squeeky toy and a plastic bag being rustled around. During the Backup was another new command for the class. I've been practicing that for some time with Chena and she has it down. No we are working on going straight back. We practiced Touch, where the dog touches a hand or item with their nose. The instructor suggested we might want to put a buzzer next to the door so the dog could ask to go out. NO, NO, NO!! Chena would be much worse than any cat about wanting to go in and out through the door!
While at dog class I handed the instructor, Nancy, a completely revised Core 2 handout. The one she had given us was terrible. Last week Kim got very confused about what we had been taught, so I wrote up notes for her. While doing that I referenced the handout which was a hodge-podge of disorganized bad writing. Since I was already writing up notes, I went to work on it. Nancy was surprised and a bit taken aback, but after glancing at my work and thinking for a moment she admitted that she knew the Core 2 handout needed work and that it had been hastily pulled together from multiple sources, which was blindingly obvious. I don't know that I got it all correct, but at least each command is formatted the same, the commands are listed in alphabetical order so you can find them, and instructions don't stop mid-sentence.
Back at the Ranch, I've been spraying Firefly down with water. She loves it. Then she goes and rolls in the dust. Sigh. Thank goodness there is a silicone based product in her mane and tail so they don't tangle too readily. The dirt tends to fall right off.
I saw a very large rat out at the hay pile last night. I have no idea where rats like that are coming from, these are rats that normally live near human dwellings and don't do well in our arid landscape. I suppose now I'll need to bury my compost for a while. Hopefully the screech owl I hear at night will fly by and take care of the problem. Or Chena will catch it, she tried last night.