redbird | Network

Title: softening
Fandom: Guardian (TV)
Rating: G-rated
Length: 1176 words
Notes: Many thanks to

trobadora for beta. <3
Tags: Da Qing & Shen Wei, Shen Wei & Ye Zun, background Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan, Post-Canon, Alternate Universe – Everyone Lives, Aftermath, Feelings, Cat Tribe Best Tribe
Summary: Da Qing curls up and assesses. He likes this lap, with its faint aroma of dark energy and its feeling of safety, but the thighs reveal a trembling tension. If Da Qing doesn’t mend Shen Wei’s mood, his nap will surely be cut short.

( softening )

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https://phys.org/news/2025-05-filtered-car-emissions-toxic-sunlight.html

A new international study led by Helmholtz Munich and the University of Rostock reveals that emissions from modern gasoline cars—despite meeting the currently strictest European emission standards EURO 6d—can become significantly more harmful after being released into the atmosphere. The findings, published in Science Advances, challenge the assumption that filtered exhaust from EURO 6d-compliant vehicles is inherently safe.

https://phys.org/news/2025-05-filtered-car-emissions-toxic-sunlight.html

https://phys.org/news/2025-05-soil-slugs-songbirds-plastic-ecosystems.html

For many people, "plastic pollution" calls to mind pictures of turtles and other marine life drowning in single-use plastic bottles and discarded fishing nets. My own research looks at how the same story is playing out on land.

https://phys.org/news/2025-05-soil-slugs-songbirds-plastic-ecosystems.html

https://www.mentalfloss.com/strange-animal-evolutions?utm_source=RSS

From the long legs of the jerboa to basically everything about the duck-billed platypus, evolution has taken some weird turns.

https://www.mentalfloss.com/strange-animal-evolutions?utm_source=RSS

Posted by /u/GaryWray

https://www.reddit.com/r/ClassicHorror/comments/1kxrzxg/first_kill_in_curse_of_the_demon_1957_painting_by/

First Kill in CURSE OF THE DEMON (1957) / Painting by Gary Wray (me) 2009

submitted by /u/GaryWray
[link] [comments]

https://www.reddit.com/r/ClassicHorror/comments/1kxrzxg/first_kill_in_curse_of_the_demon_1957_painting_by/

https://phys.org/news/2025-05-outdoor-air-pollution-affect-indoor.html

We typically spend 80% of our time indoors, where the quality of the air we breathe depends on the age and type of building we occupy, as well as indoor pollution and outdoor pollution sources. But also playing an important role is the kind of HVAC system used to heat, ventilate and cool the building, according to new research from the University of Utah.

https://phys.org/news/2025-05-outdoor-air-pollution-affect-indoor.html

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-national-covid-memorial-wall

The wall extends for 500 meters as a visual testament to the pandemic.

Stretching along the south bank of the River Thames, facing the Palace of Westminster, the National Covid Memorial Wall stands as an evocative memorial to the UK’s profound loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 500 meters of hand-painted red and pink hearts. now exceeding 240,000, cover the Albert Embankment between Westminster and Lambeth Bridges. Each unique heart marks the life of an individual lost to COVID-19.

Political campaign group Led By Donkeys and the group "Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice" collaborated to create the wall in March 2021 as an expression of grief. Volunteers painted approximately 150,000 hearts in 10 days, transforming that act of public grief into an enduring memorial. Families are invited to inscribe each heart with a name and personal message, a visible testament to their love and loss. One might see a heart bearing a child's drawing, beside a heart paired with a flower and photo, and another with a handwritten poem, each a poignant reminder of a life lived and remembered.

As the elements took their toll, fading the original artwork, a group called"Friends of the Wall" stepped in. Many, having suffered their own personal losses to COVID-19, understood the importance of preserving this space. They continue to maintain and restore the memorial by repainting faded hearts, rewriting dedications, and adding new hearts to reflect the pandemic's ongoing impact, ensuring each person is remembered as an individual, not merely a statistic.

The sheer scale of the sea of hearts, seemingly endless from either end, powerfully illustrates the pandemic’s impact on families across the nation. In March 2023, the Commission for Covid Commemoration recommended the wall become a permanent memorial.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-national-covid-memorial-wall

https://www.mentalfloss.com/american-cities-with-beautiful-commutes?utm_source=RSS

From Clearwater, Florida, to Davis, California, these U.S. cities offer beautiful drives that make commuting a lot more bearable.

https://www.mentalfloss.com/american-cities-with-beautiful-commutes?utm_source=RSS

Posted by Matt Webb Mitovich

https://tvline.com/ratings/the-chi-season-7-viewers-streaming-record-1235454171/

https://tvline.com/?p=1235454171

More people than ever are finding their way to The Chi via streaming. The Showtime drama’s recent Season 7 opener drew two million cross-platform viewers, making it the most-streamed season premiere in the series’ history — up +2% versus last season. TVLine readers gave the episode an average grade of “B+”; read Kim Roots’ recap. […]

https://tvline.com/ratings/the-chi-season-7-viewers-streaming-record-1235454171/

https://tvline.com/?p=1235454171

( books (Shaw, a different Shaw, Spinney, Ames, Barkataki, Palmer) )

yarning
ahahaha, etsy. So, out of the blue, I sold 3 things Monday, 2 of which I didn't have in stock and had to make, and guess who hadn't crocheted at all in 3 weeks? And hardly at all for nearly 3 months? Also, I hadn't sold anything through Etsy except patterns in months, or promoted my shop on social media, or even uploaded the few things I've finished lately to my shop. Stupid shoulder, stupid slump. But now I've caught up, I need to jump back into it. And also get the sold items in the mail.

dirt
omg the thrips saga is ongoing. The whole extensive bathroom-greenhouse is at risk, and I've sprayed almost everything in there down with Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew, whether it's edible or not. Also unfortunate, there are fungus gnats in my terrarium, so along with a Buddha statue, there are 2 yellow sticky trap flags. They really set the tone. Um, not. Also, but fortunately, the snail is 100% NOT a leaf-eater, so I'm hoping it lives on detritus and not something important, like roots. Will have to do more research now that it's large enough to possibly identify.

( healthcrap )

food
I made mujadara for the first time in at least a year, and it turned out so well. I'm glad I used both giant sweet onions, because they were just enough. Also made sunflower arugula pesto. Zucchini noodles are weirdly satisfying, even if they aren't near filling enough. Still having trouble getting anywhere near thirty different plants a week in my diet, and also getting enough protein.

#resist
June 1: Pride LGBTQ Protest
June 3 to 9: Target Boycott
June 14: Flag Day & No King's Day (Trump's Birthday) Protest
June 19: Juneteenth Protest
June 27: Stonewall Anniversary Protest
June 24 to 30: McDonald’s Boycott
July 4: Independence Day Boycott and Protest

a list of resources:
50501, Tesla Takedown, Build The Resistance, The General Strike, Indivisible, Rise & Resist, Move On, The People's Union USA, all but the last taken from 50501's latest Substack post. Plus, on DW:

thisfinecrew and

communityactionusa.

I hope all of y'all are doing well! <333

Tags:

(Previous update here)
I did finish the shirt! Info below.
( Read more... )

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crafty things

[Podfic] Dreams and Thoughts (66 words) by pieces0fstars
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Kushiel's Legacy - Jacqueline Carey
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Phèdre nó Delaunay/Melisande Shahrizai
Additional Tags: POV First Person, Introspection, Podfic, Audio Format: MP3, Audio Format: Streaming, Audio Format: Download, Podfic Length: 0-10 Minutes
Summary:

Podfic reading of Dreams and Thoughts, by merfilly.

Author's summary:
Phedre thinks on her Lady

Tags:

Just to be consistent, my TBL remains at 14, so I have titles which will carry me into next year.

Maigret in Vichy by Georges Simenon read by Gareth Armstrong
Maigret and the Wine Merchant by Georges Simenon read by Gareth Armstrong
Maigret's Madwoman by Georges Simenon read by Gareth Armstrong
Which means I've now listened to all the Maigret audiobooks currently in my library - however I have three in physical copy, so I shall not be missing my Maigret fix! As always I enjoyed all three for the stories, for the way Maigret tackled the crime and for the sense of place. The latter two are set in Paris, the first, clearly takes place in Vichy where Maigret and his wife are having a holiday to enable Maigret to take the waters as he hasn't been feeling well.

The Windsor Knot by S J Bennett read by Samantha Bond
This was on offer, so I thought I'd try it as I've heard it recommended. I enjoyed the plot and how the Queen solved it, but could have done without hearing about how wonderful the queen was. I have the second in the series and, if I enjoy that, may well continue, as it's pleasant listening.

The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré read by Michael Jayston
This was long, and although I've enjoyed the previous George Smiley books, I was ultimately disappointed.

Tags:

audio books

Sidewalk Sign for MudPuddles Toys & Books
Nikon Z8 • NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
f/4 @ 55mm • 1/1500s • ISO 200

Sadly, MudPuddles Toys & Books is closing its store in NW Portland on July 20. A liquidation sale will begin on June 13. MudPuddles years ago had taken over the store that used to be Child’s Play – a favorite store of mine (outside of Finnigan’s).

Child’s Play was important as that was where I bought Mr. Bear in April 2008. Mr. Bear is still keeping me company every night, even after 17 years. He’s a little bit ragged but has held up amazingly well. Still, no stuffed animal lasts forever, especially one that gets hugged to death every night.

So I thought I should make a trip to MudPuddles before they close. I had not been there in many years. I planned a special trip into Portland – and followed my plan yesterday (Tuesday) – a sunny day.

( A City Adventure Below This Cut )

Tags:

have given money to ford and firestone in honor of still driving my van. sigh. I am trying to collect the rebate on the new tires, but, they are bound and determined to make me use a QR code, give them my email, or do crap I dont want to on electronic devices. What ever happened to just filling out a piece of paper, xeroxing the invoice and mailing it in? so simple and easy. And it doesnt take screen time, just a xerox machine. I am really rejecting this modern age now. Of course they want to track you and sending you emails and texts, because thats what they are rebating you for I guess. Maybe they should call it a ReBait instead. I already have their damn credit card, I think thats enough data sharing.

this is the 3rd week of the 3.0 dose of trulicity. Still having odd moments, and when it hits the sleep phase its 10-12 hours before I can function. If this higher dose doesnt bring down my A1C then the last increase will be to 4.5 and thats it on the diabetes train for me.

Got 2 raised beds cleared and planted with tomatoes, weed whacked the front lawn only, and have been attacking the blackberries that think my flower beds are their new homes. Not.

went and saw the new Stitch movie with my niece, its movie lite.... and they left out my favorite line "its okay, my puppy has a chainsaw" We both wanted to see the new Karate Kid movie, but its not out yet.

Some days its a struggle to read, and to even play my game online, but I still not giving up.

https://www.sciencealert.com/jwsts-deepest-gaze-at-a-single-spot-in-space-reveals-ancient-wonders?utm_source=DamnInteresting

JWST's Deepest Gaze at a Single Spot in Space Reveals Ancient Wonders (from sciencealert.com)

https://www.sciencealert.com/jwsts-deepest-gaze-at-a-single-spot-in-space-reveals-ancient-wonders?utm_source=DamnInteresting

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/06/02/the-radical-development-of-an-entirely-new-painkiller?utm_source=DamnInteresting

The Radical Development of an Entirely New Painkiller• Mirror (from newyorker.com)

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/06/02/the-radical-development-of-an-entirely-new-painkiller?utm_source=DamnInteresting

Posted by Dorothy Neufeld

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/americas-fastest-growing-and-declining-headquarter-markets/

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/?p=178038

See this visualization first on the Voronoi app.

Use This Visualization

Where Are Companies Moving Their Headquarters To?

This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

Key Takeaways

Dallas is the fastest-growing headquarter market in America, gaining 100 relocations between 2018 and 2024.
The San Francisco Bay Area lost 156 corporate headquarters over the period, fueled by high taxes and stringent regulations.
In just 2024 alone, California lost 17 headquarters, of which 12 moved to Texas.

Today, public companies based in Dallas-Fort Worth hold a combined $1.5 trillion in value—a figure doubling in the past five years.

Owing to its pro-business policies and lower cost of living, Texas is attracting scores of corporate headquarters, particularly from California. As a result, states are losing billions in tax revenues as the corporate landscape shifts south.

This graphic shows the fastest growing—and shrinking—headquarter markets in America, based on data from CBRE.

Corporate Headquarters Are Moving to the Lone Star State

Below, we show the top five markets nationally gaining the most headquarters since 2018:

Top 5 Markets	Number of New Headquarters 2018-2024
Dallas	100
Austin	81
Nashville	35
Phoenix	31
Houston	31

As the country’s best state for doing business, Texas is home to three of the top five markets nationally.

Fueling this migration are its growing talent pool, the absence of corporate and personal income tax, and its lack of red tape. The state is notable in its diverse business landscape attracting Chevron, Charles Schwab, and SpaceX to relocate headquarters since 2018.

Additionally, companies are expanding their presence in the state. Goldman Sachs, for instance, plans to grow its headcount in Dallas to 5,000—up from 970 in 2016.

U.S. Markets Losing the Most Headquarters

By contrast, California is experiencing a corporate exodus.

With homes at least 50% more expensive than in Texas, along with the fifth-highest tax burden in the country, the state has lost at least 275 headquarters since 2018.

Bottom 5 Markets	Number of Lost Headquarters 2018-2024
San Francisco Bay Area	-156
Greater Los Angeles	-106
New York City	-27
Chicago	-15
San Diego	-14

As the above table shows, the San Francisco Bay Area stands as the hardest hit market, in a market facing one of the highest office vacancy rates in the nation.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about this topic from a population growth perspective, check out this graphic on the fastest growing states since 2003.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/americas-fastest-growing-and-declining-headquarter-markets/

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/?p=178038

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has marked as possibly inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. )

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book log: reading wednesday

https://phys.org/news/2025-05-el-nio-la-nia-transitions.html

The butterfly effect suggests that small changes in a system can have a large impact on eventual outcomes. One metaphor used to illustrate this concept is a butterfly flapping its wings only to cause a hurricane across the ocean. While meteorologists' current cause-and-effect understanding of weather isn't this granular, researchers are actively investigating how changes in temperature, rainfall, wind patterns, etc. can impact weather phenomena halfway across the world.

https://phys.org/news/2025-05-el-nio-la-nia-transitions.html

Praise then darkness, and creation unfinished

Don't mourn, organize

Guardian: fanfic: Softening

Filtered car emissions still turn toxic after sunlight exposure, study reveals

From soil to slugs to songbirds: How plastic is moving through ecosystems

6 Strange Animal Evolutions

First Kill in CURSE OF THE DEMON (1957) / Painting by Gary Wray (me) 2009

Does outdoor air pollution affect indoor air quality? It could depend on buildings' HVAC

The National Covid Memorial Wall in London, England

The 10 U.S. Cities With the Prettiest Commutes

The Chi Scores Its Most-Streamed Premiere Ever, 7 Seasons In

What I'm Doing Wednesday

Shirt update: shirt finished!

Podfic!

Audiobooks April and May 2025

A Mini Adventure

(no subject)

JWST's Deepest Gaze at a Single Spot in Space Reveals Ancient Wonders

The Radical Development of an Entirely New Painkiller

Charted: The U.S. Cities Gaining and Losing Corporate HQs

Where Are Companies Moving Their Headquarters To?

Key Takeaways

Corporate Headquarters Are Moving to the Lone Star State

U.S. Markets Losing the Most Headquarters

Learn More on the Voronoi App

Reading Wednesday

El Niño and La Niña transitions affect tropical cyclone development half a world away

About Me

A Few Useful Links

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