Watching the Screen

Oct. 22nd, 2026 09:32 am
runpunkrun: john crichton and aeryn sun, text: john crichton: space astronaut (these are my astronaut pants)
[personal profile] runpunkrun
On Netflix:

Bridgerton (S4): I loved Sophie, but somehow this show is perfectly calibrated to annoy me in minor yet meaningful ways so I don't find it as relaxing as I'd like. And while its diverse casting is usually delightful, this season served up a dragon lady stepmother—like, literally, right down to the costuming: the points on the shoulders of that last dress—aaaaaaaaaaaand is that okay? Surely that is not okay. The next season better be about Eloise being awesome or I'm going to flip a table. Also bring back Michaela.

Four Seasons (S2): This season is as good as the first. Funny and lightweight, until it's not. Contains lockdown-era covid, elder care, and Will Forte being an angry nice guy, which I think is why I detest him so much as an actor. He just gives off that vibe. Like he's always one second away from completely losing his shit.

Shrill (S1): I can only watch one ep of this a day (or less) because the bummer to joy ratio is too high for me. Seeing Portland on screen is nice, but the combination of body shaming, food policing, low self-esteem, and Annie being a bad friend who makes bad decisions can make this unpleasant to watch. I've seen season one plus the first episode of season two and I'm not sure I want to go on.

Below (S1): What if Jaws, but the small, remote island was cold instead of hot? Canada instead of the US? Coming home week instead of tourist season? What if the scientist were a woman instead of a man? And the hero a fisherman instead of a cop? What if the real evil was capitalism all along? Then you have Below. It's fun. It's got an interesting setting and likeable characters. It doesn't really pull off the big turn in the last episode, but I could see where they were aiming. It's very gory at times, but no jump scares. Some flashing lights.

The Diplomat (S4): More non-stop thrills and shouting for Kate and Hal. Everyone's continuing to crush it, but most especially Allison Janney. This season continued last season's trend of Kate fucking Hal's shit up, just as he spent the first two seasons fucking her shit up, and now I'm really hoping we'll get a chance to see whose shit they can fuck up together if they ever manage to get rowing in the same direction.

Enola Holmes 3: Not quite as charming as the first two movies—Enola spends the first half alone, feeling out of her depth, and being shitty to Tewkesbury—but I do appreciate the attempt to reckon with the crimes of the British Empire. Though Malta wouldn't be free of it until September 21, 1964.

And various documentaries of varying quality, listed here in order of decreasing quality:

Trust Me: The False Prophet: An engaging and compassionate look at the FLDS community in Short Creek from the perspective of an ex-Mormon, but Warren Jeffs is just as fucking gross as the guy claiming to be his successor so the women who escaped one but haven't freed themselves of the other are still being controlled by a monster, though the documentary lets the viewer draw that conclusion on their own, assuming they have enough information to do so. It's a real horror-movie you-missed-some-of-the-eggs moment there at the end. (Much like Below, see above.)

FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened: A bunch of rich influencers get conned by an even richer asshole. No one gets (physically) injured in the melee so we're free to feel smug about it, but the Bahamians who did the physical work of setting up the festival were exploited for their labor and the documentary won't let you forget it.

Michael Jackson: The Verdict: Very uncomfortable subject matter, not very well constructed. The only thing of any journalistic (?) value is the footage of his interview with Martin Bashir. The rest is filled with straight-to-the-camera talk from fans, "family friends," some cops, and two jury members, one of whom just straight up disappears from the narrative about halfway through. I got some details I wish I hadn't, but there's no real attempt to describe Jackson as a person beyond "eccentric" and "lives in an amusement park," and no look at what his family life was like or his experiences as a child star. All I know for sure is that whatever was going on with him and those kids, it was a goddamn tragedy. Which I already knew. But Macaulay Culkin??

And one EXCELLENT documentary, on PBS Passport and maybe Kanopy:

Marcella (2024): Marcella Hazan didn't start out a chef; she was a scientist who got married, learned to cook for her husband, moved to America, and ended up changing the way America approached—and ate—Italian food. Highly recommended. From American Masters, season 39.

And on DVD from the library:

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: I can't say I enjoy this series, so I won't, but here's the stuff I enjoyed from season 3:
  • Spock and La'An dancing together (and being sex friends, I guess; they didn't give me enough to form an opinion on that, but they are my two favorite characters, so I think I like it in theory).
  • Jess Bush perfectly threading the needle in her role as first officer in the fake Star Trek.
  • Una's "—and loud" in response to Vulcan!Pike's "THIS MEETING WILL BE BRIEF."
  • Ortegas getting her own episode, plus an annoying little brother. (Have they actually told us Ortegas is queer, or are we just supposed to assume so based on her haircut, sleeveless shirts, and motorcycle repair? Anyway, I want her to be friends with Reboot!Kirk now. They could get into so much trouble together.)
  • Kirk/Spock mind meld!!
  • Carol Kane
Project Hail Mary (2026): Loved this. Watched it twice. Despite being a book-before-movie sort of person, based on my experience with The Martian, I decided to watch this without having read the book, which was an excellent decision. But as soon as I finished the movie I wanted more, so I opened up Libby to put a hold on it. I'll read it as soon as the *checks watch* 1,365 people ahead of me do. In the meantime: Fanfic! ~Sometime later~ Caved and requested a paper copy from the library, which reached me much sooner. Meanwhile there are only 973 people ahead of me for the ebook.

The Sheep Detectives (2026): As soon as Hugh Jackman righteously stormed into the church for no apparent reason, I shut this off. The talking sheep were just way too cutesy for me (if a sheep has anything to say it's going to be WEIRD and your types of sheep aren't going to map onto human traits, they're gonna be like "will eat anything" and "gets stuck in corners" and "worships the faucet" and "lurks in the bushes" and "wants to be best friends with the dog" not "the smart one" and "the dumb one" and "the glam one") also Hugh Jackman was acting like a lunatic (derogatory).

Birdfeeding

Oct. 22nd, 2026 11:29 am
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Today is sunny and mild. 

I fed the birds.  I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.














.
 
[syndicated profile] lifehacker_feed

Posted by Naima Karp

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Anker released the noise-cancelling Soundcore Space One headphones a few years ago, and while they were a more budget-friendly alternative to premium models from Bose and Sony, their performance and fit still fell short in several areas. The brand’s updated Soundcore Space 2 headphones are a major upgrade across the board: They’re comfier, have better ANC, and are currently 18% off at $106.49 (originally $129.99), a rare price cut for a still-new release from a popular brand.

Battery life is one of the Soundcore Space 2’s most attractive features: They last up to 50 hours with ANC on and 70 hours with ANC off, and a five-minute charge gives you up to four extra hours. The noise cancellation is strong for the price, blocking out lower-frequency sounds well. Comfort is also a major upgrade from its sparser predecessor, with roomier, more plush memory foam earcups and a padded headband. They’re also travel-friendly, as the earcups rotate and fold.

The Soundcore app allows you to customize EQ and sound presets, giving you added flexibility if you don’t like the default tuning. Instead of touch-sensitive panels, these headphones use conventional buttons, which help prevent accidental commands while adjusting the earcups and are easy to operate. Along with supporting Bluetooth 6.1, they also have a wired-cable option, which isn’t always the case with modern wireless headphones. That said, they don’t support USB-C audio.

If you want over-ear noise-canceling headphones that perform well but don’t have $200 to shell out for a more expensive model, the Anker Soundcore Space 2 headphones are a comfortable, effective, and long-lasting alternative that hover around $100 at the current discounted price.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now
Deals are selected by our commerce team

Exposérunde in Rastatt

Oct. 22nd, 2026 06:02 pm
[syndicated profile] pr_blog_feed

Posted by Enpunkt

Es ist sinnvoll, wenn sich – vor allem bei einem so umfangreichen Projekt wie PERRY RHODAN – Autoren und Redaktion zusammensetzen und miteinander über verschiedene Themen diskutieren. Am Dienstag, 20. Oktober 2026, trafen sich deshalb Ben Calvin Hary, unser Chefautor, sowie Christian Montillon mit Madlen Bihr und mir in den Räumen der PERRY RHODAN-Redaktion in Rastatt.

Ein Grund, warum wir das machten, war tatsächlich auch die Pressearbeit. Unter anderem kam ein Journalist des Südwestrundfunks vorbei, um uns zu interviewen. Wir wurden dabei von Leonhard Beyrle unterstützt, der in der Nähe von Rastatt wohnt und in der PERRY RHODAN-FanZentrale aktiv ist – das fand ich sehr nett von ihm.

Unsere eigentliche Arbeit ging so allerdings erst los, nachdem der Journalist das Haus verlassen. hatte. Wir sahen uns noch einmal den Abschluss des »PEGAOS«-Zyklus an und betrachteten die bisherige Arbeit am »Chroniden«-Zyklus. Vor allem aber sprachen wir über die konzeptionellen Ideen für die Romane ab Band 3450 – wenn wir im kommenden Herbst mit einem neuen Handlungsabschnitt beginnen wollen, ist es ja sinnvoll, schon jetzt erste Hinweise zu erarbeiten.

Es liegt nahe, dass ich an dieser Stelle nichts über die Inhalte unserer Besprechung schreiben werde. Wir warfen viele Ideen zusammen, wir diskutierten über redaktionelle Abläufe, und wir blickten auf das eine oder andere Lizenzprodukt.

Wieder einmal war die Besprechung viel zu schnell vorüber – beim nächsten Mal werden wir uns wohl wieder digital treffen ...

(Das Bild wurde von Sophia Roßnagel geschossen. Es zeigt – von links – Christian Montillon, Madlen Bihr, Ben Calvin Hary und Klaus N. Frick.) 

Yuletide 2026 Letter

Oct. 22nd, 2026 04:52 pm
maggie33: Infanta Margerita - Las Meninas, Diego Velazquez (Default)
[personal profile] maggie33
[archiveofourown.org profile] maggie33

I love Yuletide, and I’m so happy it’s this time again, yay! :D Dear Author, there are a few prompts below, but if you have a different idea, go for it.

Treats are welcomed, I have the option to receive gifts on AO3 turned on.

(  GENERAL LIKES )

( DNW )


A few words about crossovers – I love them even if it’s just a tiny thing, and not a proper crossover. For instance – Klao and Warich talking about Minister Nong’s latest scandal, or listening to Lion Heart’s songs. Something like that is always very welcomed.

Explicit fics are welcomed, too, but of course not necessary. As you’ll see below I’m rather vanilla when it comes to smut likes. :)



SMUT LIKESHard, desperate kisses (especially neck kisses, hands around necks are my thing, too)
Possessive behavior (with “you’re mine” or “you belong to me” language)
Frantic sex with tearing the clothes off or still half-dressed
One person being naked and the other still dressed
Service tops
Rough sex with biting and marking
Manhandling
Overstimulation with characters being overwhelmed or begging for more
Coming untouched
Penetrative sex and non-penetrative sex are all good
Sex in the bed is great, sex on the table or in the chair or on the floor or against the wall or in the shower is fantastic, too



Cases Between UsYuan Hong, Zhao Shaoshang

I am so happy that I finished watching this drama just in time to request it for Yuletide. Because I love it, and I love our two leads – Yuan Hong, who didn’t even dream about having a normal life until he met Zhao Shaoshang. And Shaoshang, who is loud and shameless and hard not to notice, but also has a good heart and a lot of kindness. And who brought joy and sunshine into Yuan Hong’s life. Aww…

Of course I want all the post-canon fics with them finding their way to each other. Because of course Yuan Hong survived, I won’t accept any other option. :) And Zhao Shaoshang is resourceful and clever, he for sure will find a way to return to Beijing, or at least to send a message to his sister or to Yuan Hong.

I would also love getting together fics with all their first times – first kiss, first love confession, first time having sex. Maybe it happened when they were living together after Shaoshang got injured.

Speaking of them living together - I would gladly read fifty fics about that time period. And I really want a fic about their sleeping arrangements. Did Shaoshang claim the bed after all? Did he invite Yuan Hong to sleep with him? :)

Of course POV Outsider fics are always welcomed. Especially from the POV of Wan’er or Jang Dezhi, or Zhao Cai.



The Edge of HorizonTin, Phob

Oh how I love Tin and Phob. This drama is exactly what I like - an angsty, historical romance between a prince and a servant. With heaps of loyalty kink and repressed longing, and tragedy, and hot, hot lovemaking. :) I’m glad Tin and Phob got their happy ending, despite everything and almost everyone being against them.

I would love any post-canon fics. Just slice of life stories, with them living their life together, and being cute and domestic and happily in love. Or something more angsty is fine, too. Just not too angsty, I really want Phob and Tin to finally find a little bit of happiness. :)

Or fics taking place during that month of sweet domestic bliss they had in canon. Just fluff, or smut, or both would be wonderful.

A future fic would be nice, too, taking place in our times maybe, with a historian or a novelist finding something about them, maybe Tin’s secret diary, maybe Siri’s diary, maybe Tin and Phob’s letters. Or maybe Chat was released from prison earlier, since he wasn’t one of the leaders of the countercoup, and he managed to get married and had a child. And that child finds out about family’s secret history and about his nice uncle Tin’s life and his relationship with Phob.

Other Outsider POV fics are great, too. For instance from Janthorn’s POV or from Siri’s POV (you can make them girlfriends, I will be delighted :)). Or even from Chat’s POV. Because I find it funny in a sort of ‘good for Chat’ way, that Chat’s main objection, when he finally found about them, was not that Phob was a man, but that he was a servant. :)

Or you can add one of my favorite tropes - time-travel. And have Tin and Phob travel to the future somehow, to current times, because it would be nice if they could see that the world indeed changed, and that same-sex couples can get married in Thailand now.



MandateVee, Nong

I love this drama and this couple. Complicated and passionate age gap romances are my jam. And Vee and Nong’s relationship is like tailor made for me. The way Vee always protects Nong, and believes in him makes me so happy and heart-eyed.

If you’re writing a fic set during or post canon I’m fine with all the political stuff being mentioned only in a handwavey way, without any details.

Of course I would love a post-canon ‘getting back together’ fic. Any post-canon domestic fluff and/or smut is very welcomed. Or Vee and Nong pretending to be enemies and meeting in secret behind Sun’s back. Or Nong getting a confirmation somehow that it was indeed Vee that saved his life.

And a fic about what exactly happened during their first time. Or what did they do the next morning on that couch. I did write that second fic, but I want someone else to write their version, too. :)

And since I love weddings, I would love a future fic about Vee and Nong’s wedding, let’s say five years later when Nong is no longer a minister.

Or canon divergence AU where Nong didn’t go into politics (because Ning didn’t get into the accident for instance), and maybe they meet the same way like in canon, or maybe some other way, but they always fall in love. And then they do start a farm in Phu Chaloem together, as Nong jokes about in episode 7. :)

I would also love Outsider POV fics, especially from Ni’s or Jump’s POV, because they have a front row seat to their budding romance. But other POV is great, too. Especially Sun’s POV. Or Gale’s POV post-canon. And of course a look at Vee/Nong RPF shippers would be wonderful. For instance a fic from the POV of that perky admin of their fanpage we meet briefly in episode 6. Or give me discussions on reddit or tumblr, give me snippets of fics on AO3, or horny twitter threads.



Perfect 10 LinersKlao, Warich

Ah, my beloveds with their intense, complicated and passionate love. I will always love them to pieces. :)

I love weddings in BL drama, and here we only got a marriage proposal. So give me a wedding fic. What shenanigans and mishaps happened then. Or maybe it all went perfectly this time.

And give me all the post-canon fics. I would prefer them to be more on a fluffy and/or smutty side. Angst and relationship problems are fine, but with the happy ending, pretty please. :) And I would love to see them as dads, so a kidfic here is very welcomed.

And we never met their families, so I would love to read about Warich interacting with Klao’s family, or Klao meeting Warich’s family.

And I would love a pre-canon fic about how they met. Did someone introduce them? Or maybe Klao came to their bar and met Warich there. And instantly fell in love. Or at least in lust at first. :D

Nop and Newton seem to be very familiar with ups and downs in Klao and Warich’s relationship, as we see from their reaction to Klao and Warich’s fights and reconciliations, and to Klao and Warich’s tendency to have sex in semi-public places. So Outsider POV fic from one of their POVs would be great.

Or an Outsider POV fic from the POV of Gun, for instance, since he seemed to get close to Warich pretty quickly. Or from the POV of a long-suffering bartender at the bar.



Bump Up BusinessGong Jihoon, Kang Eden

I love this drama. It made me into OnlyOneOf fan. I think Nine and Mill are wonderful as Jihoon and Eden. And I love both of them so much – Jihoon who’s so cautious and closed off in the beginning because of scars he has from his previous relationship, and Eden who’s like a little ray of sunshine in Jihoon’s life.

I want them to be happy together forever, so I would love a post-canon fic about their everyday life – fluff or smut or both. For instance the real vacation with just the two of them post-canon. Or Jihoon meeting Eden’s family. I don’t mind some angst, for instance about the necessity of keeping their relationship secret if they want to be kpop idols, but I want their personal relationship to be happy and fulfilling.

I also love first time fics. And in reference to that – maybe something triggers Eden’s memory and he’ll remember their first kiss?

And to steal the idea from real life – maybe Jihoon and Eden are offered the opportunity to act in a BL drama. How would they deal with that? Jihoon/Eden RPF shippers would explode for sure. :DDD

Outsider POV would be great, too – for instance from their manager Choi Dajung’s POV, or from Jay’s POV. Or maybe even from a fan’s POV. I would also love a fic about Lion Heart’s fandom – excerpts from RPF fics, discussions on tumblr or discord, tinhating.



VincenzoJang Han Seok, Jang Han Seo

I love Jang brothers, they were my favorite part of Vincenzo. And I love complicated siblings relationship, and their relationship is so damn complicated, and so wonderfully fucked up.

I will be very happy with both gen fic and incest fic. If you’ll go with incest, I have no problem with their sexual relationship starting when they are both teenagers, but I don’t want Han Seo to be younger than 15 then.

I don’t want Han Seok to be a good guy, I love him as a villain, but he can be a little bit better than he is in canon. :) So post-canon AU where Han Seo lives, because Han Seok couldn’t shoot his brother after all would be very nice. Maybe Han Seok is in prison or maybe he’s on the run – both options are fine.

Or pre-canon AU based on what Han Seo says to Vincenzo about Han Seok in episode 20 in the flashback: “When he killed his friends in middle school, my father sent him away, so no one could find him. Had he been punished then, he may not have turned out this way”. So what could happen if Han Seok was punished in some way much earlier?

Or dark Han Seo with Han Seok as his monster on the leash.

If you’ll decide to write Han Seo/Han Seok, then with this pairing I’m very into dub-con where Han Seo doesn’t really know if he wants it or not. And he may hate himself afterwards, but at the same time he can’t resist it.

Challenge 136: Feathered friends

Oct. 22nd, 2026 10:53 am
abyss_valkyrie: made by <ser name=breyzyyin> (Default)
[personal profile] abyss_valkyrie posting in [community profile] stocklove_ic



[livejournal.com profile] cassielaehallh  [livejournal.com profile] luppiters  [livejournal.com profile] leesa_perrie  [personal profile] alexia_drake


Welcome to Challenge 136:Feathered friends. Icon all kinds of birds, even ones which are not really friendly with humans. :D


★ You can make up to 5 icons
★ Icons are due Thursday, 5th November by 9pm (GMT+2)
★ You can use any stock pictures, that were not previously edited. Here you can find some resources
★ Post your icon and the icon url in a new post to the community (you can post alternate versions of the same icon in your entry, but they won't be considered in the voting post).
★ Tag you entry with your username (maker: xxx), and challenge number (!challenge: xx)
★ Your icons must conform to DW standards (100x100, 60 KB)
★ Remember icons must be made by you, and exclusively for this challenge!
★ All effects are allowed (as long as it fits the current challenge's theme)
★ If you have any question, just ask!
Please vote for Challenge 135 here.
[syndicated profile] lifehacker_feed

Posted by Beth Skwarecki

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

I fell in love with cold weather running while I was training for a spring marathon. It wasn’t a choice at first: Some weeks, the weather was bad for days on end, and if I stayed home, I would fall behind in my training. Everybody else in my training group was braving the elements, so I did too—with no regrets.

I got to run on quiet mornings while snow was softly falling. I signed up for a winter race that herded finishers into a heated barn for hot chocolate and soup. I set a personal record at a spring race, during which I pushed myself hard without breaking a sweat. I now find it sad when somebody tells me they’re afraid of running in the cold, or that they would run in the winter but don’t know what to wear.

No, cold weather doesn’t have to stop you from running, but getting dressed can be a puzzle: How do you keep from freezing your butt off at first and avoid overheating once you start to sweat? Fortunately, it isn’t as tough as it looks. With the right gear, your fingers and ears can stay toasty while you jog through a winter wonderland. Below, I’ll give you a temperature-by-temperature running cheat sheet, and then dive into the specifics on how to buy the best socks, shirts, and more.

Use the"feels like" temperature and the 20-degree rule

When I get dressed to run in winter, I take a look at the “feels like” temperature, not the actual high or low. I also make sure to check the weather for the time I’ll go running, not for the whole day. It doesn’t matter how warm it will be at 2 p.m. if my run will be happening at 6 a.m., before the sun is up. I use the Carrot Weather app, but any app that gives you hourly feels-like temps will work just fine.

Next, use the 20-degree rule. Imagine that the temperature is 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) warmer than it really is. What would you wear then? Here's an example: if it’s 50 degrees out, you should dress as if it were 70: in a T-shirt and shorts, most likely. If it’s 30 degrees, you’d dress as if it were 50: long pants and maybe a light jacket. Get the idea? 

Everybody has their own preferences. Some people wear shorts even when it’s snowing, while others will pop a beanie on as soon as there’s a detectable chill in the air. I’m a pretty middle-of-the-road runner when it comes to keeping warm, so here’s what I wear at each “feels like” temperature, starting with warmer weather and working our way colder. I'll give a guide to each type of garment or accessory at the end.

What to wear if it's 50 degrees or warmer

At 50+ degrees Fahrenheit, I’m wearing basically the same things I would for a summer run. 

  • Bottoms: shorts or light leggings.

  • Top: A tank top or T-shirt.

  • Head and hands: Nothing special. No gloves and no hat, unless it’s a baseball cap to shade my eyes from the sun.

What to wear if it's in the 40s

We’re starting to feel the first bit of a chill. This is where I may start bringing gloves, although they’ll probably get stuffed into a pocket by the end of the run. Remember, with the 20-degree rule, it will feel like 60 degrees by the time you're warmed up.

  • Bottoms: Leggings, lightweight long pants, or shorts.

  • Top: Something with long sleeves, but ideally made of thin material (think long-sleeved T-shirt, not a full-on sweatshirt or jacket). If you wore a sun shirt in the summer, that's a good layering option for these cool temps. I like my REI Sahara Shade hoodie here, but any long sleeve will do. If you run fall and winter races, you'll probably be handed a free long-sleeved version at some point.

  • Hands: I usually just pull my shirt's sleeves over my hands, but you could wear knit gloves if you want. Consider something like Flipmits for an intermediate option (they can be folded down into a wrist cuff when your hands warm up).

  • Head: A headband if you need protection for your ears.

What to wear if it's in the 30s

You may see a few snowflakes drifting down, but don’t bundle up in a snowsuit. Once you’re warmed up, it will only feel like 50 degrees—so go for something in “light jacket” territory. 

  • Bottoms: Leggings or running tights. The fleece-lined kind can be nice. (I have these.)

  • Top: You’ll want some kind of jacket or sweatshirt. A lightweight, reflective rain jacket is great here, or just throw on a regular hoodie over your T-shirt. (I go with cotton sweats in dry weather or light snow, but I'd go for synthetics or wool if there's rain or sleet.)

  • Hands: Definitely wear gloves. The cheap knit ones are usually good enough, but consider treating yourself to a nice pair of running gloves.

  • Head: Your choice of hat or headband; I’d stick with the headband.

  • Feet: This is around the temperature you may start to want warmer socks. That goes double if snow is in play: snow that falls onto your shoes will work its way through the mesh, melt, and make your feet wet. Wool is a good material here, so consider something like these from Smartwool.

What to wear if it's in the 20s

This is where I’ll officially say it’s “cold.” Whatever warm-weather gear you were getting away with at warmer temps, you’ll probably have to swap it out now. Shorts people will break out their long pants. Headband people will wear a real hat. 

  • Bottoms: Leggings and shorts. I don’t care if you think it looks goofy to wear both; this is an A+ hack. Or try a puffer skirt.

  • Top: It’s definitely jacket weather. Rather than getting a warmer jacket, I like to wear the same light jacket as I did at 30 degrees, but this time with a long-sleeved fleece or wool base layer underneath. 

  • Hands: Real gloves, please. You can keep wearing your little knit gloves if you’re able to tuck your hands inside your jacket sleeves, or if you have a pair of mittens to wear over top; otherwise, get windproof gloves.

  • Head: A hat, and maybe also a buff for your nose and mouth. (If you have any cloth masks still hanging around from the early COVID days, they’re perfect for cold weather runs.)

  • Feet: Warm socks for sure. If you’ll be doing a lot of running in these temperatures, you may want shoes that are specialized for the elements. Look for ones with Gore-Tex uppers, like the Brooks Ghost GTX.

What to wear in the teens or single digits

This is where I tap out. If a run is just barely in the teens, I’ll make do with the 20-degree items I mentioned above, adding an extra layer wherever needed. But if that isn't enough, I opt for the treadmill. You certainly can run in this weather if you are determined. You’ll want windproof everything, some kind of face covering, and you may need eye protection such as goggles. 

Whenever the weather gets to your own personal “too cold” temperature, remember that you still have options. The early afternoon is often the warmest part of the day, so a run may be tolerable then. There’s also no shame in using a treadmill (even if you have to join a cheap gym for this reason alone).

Everybody has different preferences, and with practice you’ll figure out if you’re the kind of person who wears three shirts before it hits freezing or the type to run through the snow in shorts. But this should give you a starting point when you head out for your first (or next) cold weather run.

How to buy good cold-weather running gear without overspending

As you continue on your cold-weather running journey, you may need to buy some new gear or repurpose things from elsewhere in your closet. And yes, the first few minutes of your run will feel chilly. But if you’re wearing the right shoes and clothes (and planning routes with a few extra factors in mind, which I’ll discuss below), winter running is not just feasible; it’s actually fun. So here are the items you may want to consider. 

Socks

Your feet need to be warm and, if possible, dry. Warm socks go without saying, but there are some extra considerations when you’re picking socks to run in. Wool socks are ideal because they keep your feet warm even when they get wet. You may not think of winter as a wet time, but any snow that meets up with your body heat will turn into water. If you don’t have wool socks, synthetic wicking fabrics are a good second choice. Cotton is a no-no

First, the socks have to be able to fit into your shoes. If you’ve been running in super thin cotton or synthetic socks all summer, thick socks may not fit. Smartwool run socks are available in a thin version that can fit no problem—but in colder weather you’ll want some thickness for extra warmth. That thickness, in turn, may mean that your winter running shoes need to be roomier than the shoes you wear in summer. If you’re buying a new pair, make sure to try them on with the type of socks you intend to run in.

Shoes

If your warm socks fit, you can make do with the same shoes you wore in the summer. Your feet will stay dry if the weather is dry and you stay out of puddles. If you encounter snow and slush, though, your feet will have to endure warm-but-wet conditions for the rest of your run. That can be okay for short runs, but for serious winter running, consider upgrading your shoes.

Some running shoes are available with water-resistant uppers. This level of water resistance will keep stray snowflakes out of your socks, but it isn’t reliable if you’ll be stepping in slush puddles. In that case, you’ll want something more waterproof, like Gore-Tex shoes, many of which are made for running trails.

If you expect to run on a lot of ice or packed snow, especially on trails, spikes can give you a little extra grip.

  • Yaktrax makes a rubber harness that stretches to fit your shoe, with steel coils and small spikes, for about $40.

  • Microspikes are a notch up from there, costing around $90 for what look like a miniature version of the chains you’d put on car tires.

  • And if you’re really dedicated—and are seeking a purpose-built pair of snow shoes—you can attach individual spikes: either these traction spikes from IceSpike, or via a DIY approach using sheet metal screws. (There’s a tutorial here.)

The versions that include rubber, like Yaktrax, can wear out quickly on pavement, so it’s best to save these for runs on trails or on unplowed paths. You’ll also want to be careful about the fit. I tried a pair that were similar to Yaktrax, but they were a tad too big. Shortly into my run, I found that the rubber stretched enough to pull the front set of spikes up over the top of my shoe. I've since gotten better-fitting ones, and they work great.

Spikes and specialized shoes help you go more places, in worse weather—but remember that they’re not required to just head out on a chilly day. Regular shoes are fine if the weather is cold but dry, or if you’re willing to put up with a little moisture.

Shirts and jackets

I actually love when the weather gets cold enough that I need a jacket, because then I get to wear something that gives me extra pockets! Stick with thin jackets that have some room inside. By the time temps dip into the 20s or below, you’ll be doing some serious layering: for example, an undershirt, a long-sleeved warm layer, and a jacket. A great option for that warm layer is a wool base layer like this one. (Don’t worry, it’s not itchy.) If you can’t wear wool, a synthetic fleece is a good alternative.

Before you run out to buy all new clothes, experiment with what’s in your closet. Try repurposing a thin sweater, for example. Some people would never wear cotton for running (it can be cold when wet), but I wear it as my undershirt layer and have lived to tell the tale. Just make sure to shower or change after your run, so you aren't sitting around in cold, wet clothes.

The jacket is the most important layer. You can grab a sweatshirt in a pinch, but to be really well-equipped for nasty weather, you’ll want a jacket that is windproof and water-resistant. Jackets made for running are lightweight, for layering. Consider ones that are visible at night, with bright colors and reflective areas, and that come with zippered pockets. 

Leggings, tights, and pants

Once it’s too cold for shorts, you’ll want to start layering your bottoms, too. Loose pants let cold air in, which is why leggings or “running tights” like these are standard winter wear for all genders. Running tights come in different thicknesses; go for something fleece-lined for your coldest runs, or layer two pairs.

Accessories

You need to keep your ears warm, but don’t reach for a winter hat right away: an ear warmer or headband can cover your ears while still letting heat escape from the top of your head. And if anything is falling from the sky (say, snow), a baseball cap will keep it out of your eyes.

Fleece or knit hats are great for cold enough days, of course. The dividing line between earwarmer weather and hat weather is a personal one, and depends on whether you’re overheating. If you’re wearing a hat but sweating into your base layers, the hat is probably overkill.

Gloves, however, are essential. I keep a pair of cheap knit gloves in my jacket pockets, but windy or very cold days call for something stronger. You can layer gloves; I find gloves under mittens work well. You can also get windproof insulated gloves, which are warmer than any number of layers of holey knit gloves.

Your face will freeze on windy or very cold days, so this is where your old stash of pandemic face masks really shines. Consider a balaclava or even a fleece-lined bandana. A neck gaiter stays on better than a scarf if your neck is cold. At this point, every inch of you is covered but your eyes. Sunglasses can take care of that.

abyss_valkyrie: made by <ser name=breyzyyin> (Default)
[personal profile] abyss_valkyrie posting in [community profile] perioddrama_ic


Congrats, guys and thank you so much! We have our winners for Challenge Ninety Six: In my hand. Thanks for the entries and the voting.

1st
[personal profile] wickedgame 
2nd
[personal profile] aurora_amethyst 
3rd
[personal profile] momentomoris 
4th
[personal profile] momentomoris 
Best Colour 
[personal profile] wickedgame 
Best Composition
[personal profile] wickedgame 
Best Lighting
[personal profile] momentomoris 
Mod's choice
 [personal profile] thesleepingbeauty 

fic recs

Oct. 22nd, 2026 10:25 am
sixbeforelunch: dal from prodigy looking out at a star field, text reads "explore" (trek - prodigy explore)
[personal profile] sixbeforelunch
I've been reading a lot of fic lately, and I've been saving up stories for a big rec dump, but at this point the sheer number of stuff I have saved makes the idea of putting it all into one post intimidating. I'm just gonna start reccing stuff a little at a time.

( Four recs: Project Hail Mary, Star Trek: TNG, and MCU/DCU )
[syndicated profile] lifehacker_feed

Posted by Emily Long

If you use Google Chrome, you can turn on a new safety feature that will warn you if you navigate to a suspicious website that looks like others already known for malicious behavior. The alerts are part of Enhanced Protection mode in Chrome's Safe Browsing, which checks your activity against potentially harmful sites and warns you if you're at risk of encountering malware, phishing, intrusive ads, or social engineering attacks.

How Chrome protects against malicious websites

Most internet users are familiar with the full-page alerts that appear if you navigate to a site that's known to be malicious. These red "dangerous site" warnings indicate a high risk of harm to the user and can't really be ignored since they take up the entire screen and urge you to go back to safety.

The new "suspicious site" alerts indicate possible risk of harm based on patterns consistent with other known malicious sites. This means that Google isn't as confident that the website is actually dangerous, but it looks a lot like others that are spreading malware or running phishing scams. These suspicious site warnings are smaller pop-ups with the text "This site doesn't seem right" and two button options: Mark as safe or Back to safety. The different colors, text, and formatting make it easy for users to distinguish between what Google deems dangerous versus suspicious.

You can enable Enhanced Protection in your Chrome settings

Safe Browsing in Chrome has three options: standard protection, enhanced protection, and no protection at all (which isn't recommended). Standard protection checks your browsing activity, extensions, and downloads against Google's list of unsafe sites, which is updated periodically. By contrast, enhanced protection works in real time and uses AI analysis. Note that enhanced protection does require you to share more information about your activity to Google, and the data are linked to your Google Account.

While privacy-conscious users may be hesitant to send more info to Google, enhanced protection is likely worthwhile for those who aren't as savvy to advanced scam tactics (and therefore more likely to enter credentials or financial information on or download a file from a malicious website). To enable Enhanced Protection and receive suspicious website warnings, go to Settings > Privacy and security in Chrome and toggle Enhanced protection on under the Safe Browsing section.

[syndicated profile] lifehacker_feed

Posted by Pradershika Sharma

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Amazon has dropped the price of the Philips Keypad Front Door Lock Set to $89.98 from $142.99, taking $53 off and bringing it to its lowest price ever, according to price trackers. For that, you get an electronic deadbolt along with two matching lever handles in a matte black finish, so you can replace your existing front door hardware without having to find coordinating pieces separately. The set also makes a good case for itself if you've been considering keyless entry but don't necessarily want another device connected to your home network, since this lock operates entirely offline. Being offline doesn’t limit your ways in, though; you can use a fingerprint, a PIN, or one of two backup keys.

Philips claims the fingerprint reader works in 0.3 seconds, which could be handy when you're carrying groceries or don't feel like digging around for your keys. You can also register multiple fingerprints for family members and generate unlimited one-time PINs for visitors—so your dog walker can get in without needing your personal code. There's also an adjustable auto-lock timer that secures the door after 30 to 180 seconds, along with alerts for incorrect entries, low batteries, and a jammed lock. Privacy, away, and silent modes add further control.

Getting all of that onto your door is fairly simple and takes just a screwdriver, provided your door meets the requirements: 1⅜ to two inches thick, with a one-inch edge bore and a 2⅜- or 2¾-inch backset. The biggest limitation is its lack of connectivity—you can't unlock the door remotely, check its status from your phone, or integrate it with other smart home devices. Anyone who needs those features will have to look elsewhere, but for straightforward keyless access without connectivity, this Philips set covers the essentials.


Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now
Deals are selected by our commerce team
[syndicated profile] lifehacker_feed

Posted by Pradershika Sharma

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Homes with shedding pets, mixed flooring, and low furniture can quickly reveal the shortcomings of a basic robot vacuum. The Roborock Qrevo CurvX is built to handle those challenges, and it is currently available on Amazon for $749.99, down from $1,499.99. That is a $750 discount, and price trackers also indicate it is the lowest price recorded for this model. And while $750 is still a considerable amount to spend on a cleaning appliance, the discount brings it closer to midrange model pricing while retaining features normally associated with flagship machines.

The CurvX earns that higher price by doing more than simply vacuuming an open stretch of floor—its 22,000 pascals of suction can handle pet hair, crumbs, and debris caught in carpet, while the DuoDivide main brush guides hair toward the center to reduce tangles. There’s also an extendable side brush that reaches along walls and into corners, and a lifting chassis that helps the robot cross rugs, exercise mats, and other raised surfaces without getting stuck. Its mop pads are similarly adaptable, extending toward room edges for better coverage and lifting by up to 17 millimeters over carpet so the CurvX can move between hard floors and rugs without dragging a wet mop across both.

When it encounters low furniture, its top-mounted LiDAR sensor retracts to reduce the robot’s height to 3.14 inches, allowing it to clean beneath most sofas and beds. And once the CurvX finishes cleaning, its docking station takes care of much of the work that would otherwise fall to you—it empties the dustbin, refills the water tank, washes the mop pads with water heated to 176 degrees Fahrenheit, and dries them with air heated to 113 degrees. It also has a dirt sensor that can prompt it to wash its mop pads again or repeat a cleaning pass when an area needs more attention. The Roborock app gives you further control, allowing you to clean specific rooms, create schedules, set virtual barriers, and mark areas the robot should avoid, while SmartPlan 2.0 adapts the routine to different rooms and floor types.


Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now
Deals are selected by our commerce team
james_davis_nicoll: (Default)
[personal profile] james_davis_nicoll


The June 2021 Yellow King RPG Bundle featuring .PDF ebooks of the surreal supernatural tabletop game The Yellow King from Pelgrane Press.

Bundle of Holding: Yellow King RPG (from 2021)