Ring Around the Sun by Clifford D. Simak
Mar. 22nd, 2026 08:48 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
james_davis_nicoll
One determined man struggles to save humanity from the mutant scheme to avert doomsday.
Ring Around the Sun by Clifford D. Simak
james_davis_nicollOne determined man struggles to save humanity from the mutant scheme to avert doomsday.
Ring Around the Sun by Clifford D. Simak
Books Received, March 14 — March 20
Mar. 21st, 2026 08:56 amjames_davis_nicoll
13 books new to me, and save for one mystery, all fantasy. Man, fantasy is just eating SF's lunch. Not that that will be reflected in what I actually review.
Books Received, March 14 — March 20
Poll #34393 Books Received, March 14 — March 20
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 36
Which of these look interesting?
View Answers
The Siren by Tomi Adeyemi (October 2026)
8 (22.2%)
Twined Fates: Tangled Hearts, Book Three by K. Bromberg (October 2026)
0 (0.0%)
Light of the Song by Joyce Ch’Ng (September 2025)
8 (22.2%)
The First Flame by Lily Berlin Dodd (November 2026)
1 (2.8%)
A Destiny So Cruel by Amanda Foody & C. L. Herman (November 2026)
1 (2.8%)
Find Me Where It Ends by Cassandra Khaw (October 2026)
11 (30.6%)
Bad Company by Sara Paretsky (November 2026)
7 (19.4%)
The Kings’ List by Jade Presley (May 2026)
2 (5.6%)
My Unfamiliar by Mara Rutherford (December 2026)
8 (22.2%)
Ghosted by Talia Tucker (November 2026)
3 (8.3%)
The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki Vansickle (September 2026)
6 (16.7%)
The Scarlet Ball by Nghi Vo (October 2026)
12 (33.3%)
Chosen Son by Adrienne Young (November 2026)
2 (5.6%)
Some other option (see comments)
0 (0.0%)
Cats!
29 (80.6%)
Varsity!
Mar. 21st, 2026 11:58 amrmc28This time a week ago I was on the ice with fellow Cambridge alumni for "Alumni game 1", kicking off Varsity. Photos (from one of my Warbirds teammates!) that actually make me look good are over at my hockey insta but here's my personal favourite, capturing a moment in motion:
After about an hour on the ice (2 periods running clock, 4 lines), I had a quick shower, and then spent the next ten or so hours mostly on my feet, doing music and announcements for my Huskies teammates, and scoresheet and in-game announcements for Women's Blues and Men's Blues. Final scores were:
- Alumni game 1: 1-1
- Alumni game 2: not sure, but we won
- Huskies: 3-8
- Women's Blues: 0-1
- Men's Blues: 5-1
The alumni games were a great vibe: we cared, but it wasn't that intense. A whole load of the women I played with in 2022-23 came back, and for me that was really joyful, plus I got to make some new friends. A couple of the older guys in game 1 had played with my old work colleague Brian Omotani back in the day. Although he didn't play, he was there to watch, and he made time to come and find me for a brief catchup later in the day.
The rest of the day though was a different gear. The Huskies game was especially tough to watch, and I felt every goal against my teammates. The Women's Blues game was incredible, the team worked so hard and it was probably the best I've seen them play. And the Men's Blues winning so decisively was delightful, especially as the first goal came from one of the two ex-Huskies (and they both got an assist each later). The whole day was incredibly intense. And then I took my kit home to hang it up, changed, met up with everyone at Mash, danced until the club closed, went to Maccies (and realised just how much my feet hurt) until that closed, and sat on a bench gossiping with two of my favourite people in the club while one of them finished his burger. Eventually we all cycled home. I didn't want the day to end, but I had things to do on Sunday.
That is, very nearly, the end of the season with just the Nationals weekends in Sheffield to go. We've finished the league games, we've had Varsity, we're shifting to "summer ice" open practices, and even had the very last "S&C" gym session on Thursday this week. Some people will graduate and leave soon, and I will miss them so much, but I am so grateful for this university season and the time I've had with these wonderful people.
Four New Superhero RPGs to Watch Out For
Mar. 20th, 2026 10:22 amjames_davis_nicoll
If you love dice-rolling and superheroes, you're in for a treat...
Four New Superhero RPGs to Watch Out For
What We Are Seeking by Cameron Reed
Mar. 19th, 2026 09:05 amjames_davis_nicoll
John Maraintha wanted to rebuild his life. Instead, he was marooned on a backwater world in the middle of a first contact crisis.
What We Are Seeking by Cameron Reed
65
Mar. 18th, 2026 09:01 amjames_davis_nicoll
I lead an active life so I am sure I have the physique of a 64 year and 11 month-old.
The Proposal by Myung-Hoon Bae
Mar. 18th, 2026 08:51 amjames_davis_nicoll
Nobody is sure who the enemy is, where they come from, or what their goals are. Still, they are the enemy and it’s up to the United Earth Surface and the Allied Orbital Forces Command to show the enemy what’s what.
The Proposal by Myung-Hoon Bae
Bundle of Holding: Trail of Cthulhu MEGA
Mar. 16th, 2026 01:58 pmjames_davis_nicoll
A monstrously large horde of rulebooks, supplements, and sourcebooks for Trail of Cthulhu, the tabletop roleplaying game of eldritch Cthulhu Mythos investigations using the GUMSHOE System from Pelgrane Press.
Bundle of Holding: Trail of Cthulhu MEGA
Paul R. Ehrlich is dead
Mar. 15th, 2026 10:31 pmjames_davis_nicollFinally.
Interestingly, although he died a couple of days ago, I couldn't find a news article to which I felt comfortable linking.
Interestingly, although he died a couple of days ago, I couldn't find a news article to which I felt comfortable linking.
Bring the Jubilee by Ward Moore
Mar. 15th, 2026 08:50 amjames_davis_nicoll
Hodge would like nothing better than to study American history. Be careful what you wish for.
Bring the Jubilee by Ward Moore
Books Received, March 7 — March 13
Mar. 14th, 2026 12:21 pmjames_davis_nicoll
Seven books new to me: four fantasies, one science fantasy, one science fiction, and I am not sure how to categorize the Shepard. At least three are series books.
Books Received, March 7 — March 13
Poll #34364 Books Received, March 7 — March 13
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 43
Which of these look interesting?
View Answers
The Lion and the Deathless Dark by Carissa Broadbent (July 2026)
5 (11.6%)
Teach Me to Prey by Jenni Howell (December 2026)
0 (0.0%)
Heart of Thieves by Jessica S. Olson (September 2026)
0 (0.0%)
The Dagger in Vichy by Alastair Reynolds (October 2025)
18 (41.9%)
Crows and Silences by Lucius Shepard (December 2024)
16 (37.2%)
Engines of Reason by Adrian Tchaikovsky (September 2026)
23 (53.5%)
The Heart of the Reproach by Adrian Tchaikovsky (July 2025)
17 (39.5%)
Some other option (see comments)
1 (2.3%)
Cats!
27 (62.8%)
Hockey hockey hockey
Mar. 14th, 2026 02:29 amrmc28I hadn't been on the ice since last Saturday (Huskies and Women's Blues practices were all Varsity squads only, and Kodiaks practice got cancelled by the rink) but I made it to and through Warbirds practice tonight. It was so worth it. I also got my Varsity notebook from Women's Blues: every team member gets a notebook, and everyone writes a note in every teammate's notebook, and we read them before Varsity to inspire us. Mine was very sweet and I love the team very much for making me welcome.
I need to leave the house in 7.5 hours to get back to the rink for Varsity. I'm playing in alumni game 1, getting cleaned up during alumni game 2, and spending the rest of the day in the scorekeepers box with a rotating cast of some of my favourite people. The three non-alumni games will be livestreamed
- 14:00 Mixed 2nds (Huskies v Vikings B)
- 17:00 Women's Blues
- 20:00 Men's Blues
I also had a little art session this evening before going to the rink, making signs for my Huskies teammates. The sign in Irish may well only be understood by the teammate who got me back into learning Irish this year - our class covered "how to cheer on your sports team" a couple weeks ago and I made careful notes - or maybe it will cause any lurking Gaeilgeoirí in the rink to make themselves known.
I think I'm wound down enough to sleep now.