Night Island

Back again

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:41:04 GMT

Oh no, it has been too long again! Unfortunately, I lost track of everything again because my grandma and mom have been experiencing some health issues. I really need to find balance in my life and move forward. I am trying, but my anxiety has been getting in the way.

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Promotion

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:03:03 GMT

I have had a lot going on, but I thought that I'd post this promotion while it's on my mind.

vampiremedia is hosting 20 vampires in 20! A community event that aims to create 20 vampire icons in 20 days.

Our theme for the first round is WOMEN.

Join vampiremedia today and participate!

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Actually posting Wednesday reading

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 22:36:59 GMT

1. What have you recently finished reading?

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green. I was in the mood for some short non-fiction to help keep up with my reading goals for this year. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I have had trouble getting into his non-fiction books. I appreciate what they are doing, but I don't enjoy them quite as much as the Anthropocene Reviewed podcast. I may have enjoyed it more if it were more academic. Still, I learned some things, and it was very relevant to my interests. I appreciated the historical and global perspectives since it is not just a 19th century disease for many in the world.

2. What are you currently reading?

I just started Persuasion by Jane Austen. I really want to read this novel this year since it is her 250th birthday. I am not the biggest Jane Austen fan (I am more of a Bronte and Marry Shelley girl), but based on everything I've heard, I think this one will appeal to me.

I also started rereading The Vampire Lestat in anticipation of the new season of Interview with the Vampire. I was not as immediately drawn into it this time, though.

3. What will you be reading next?

As I have just started the aforementioned books, I have not really thought about it yet.

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Improvement?

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 01:50:05 GMT

I am starting to feel a little better after all of the rough days at the end of October. The time change appears to be helping a little as I am waking up earlier, but my sleep schedule is still messed up. I was extremely tired in the afternoon today in spite of drinking both coffee and tea. However, I stretched and did some singing, which helped wake my brain up some more. I'm no longer just thinking about how early I can go to sleep!

I started rereading The Vampire Lestat last night because I was having trouble sleeping and would like to reread it before the new season of the show comes out. Unfortunately, I had some trouble focusing on it, and I found the first person narration less charming than when I read it for the first time years ago. I guess that I have read a lot more now and grown a lot so the bold first person perspective seems less of a revelation now. Also, Lestat is really optimistic in the beginning. While that optimism and enthusiasm may have had more of a place in the 80s when it was originally published, it feels a little out of place these days. Yes, things have improved since the 1700s. However, with everything going on, it is hard to believe that things are continuously getting better since it seems that we have regressed so much as of late. Maybe it's just Lestat's/Rice's naivete and biases that I did not notice before. They both can be pretty grandiose. Anyway, I did not get very far because I got tired almost right away. I only got to the part with the wolves.

I actually feel like doing things now so I may start the second season of Nobody Wants This.

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Good things are still in store for me!

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 23:45:23 GMT

This week has been truly awful, and I had probably the worst Halloween ever. I wish I could redo most of October, but I am ready to welcome November with open arms.

However, I also got some great gifts from fandomgiftbasket and trickortreatex so all is not in vain.

( Gifts under the cut )

All are highly recommended, and I am truly grateful to the writers for helping to take my mind away from life's trouble's for a little while. ♥

I have yet to check out anyone else's gifts, but that sounds like a good distraction for today. After receiving my gift fics, I am really in the mood to read some more Disney fics.

I hope that November has some good in store for me. I really need it!

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Meme: 30 Songs of Importance 1-4

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 03:14:05 GMT

Found this via shipperslist and thought it might be a fun and welcome distraction from my life at the moment.

1. A song you discovered this month:
The Fate of Ophelia from Taylor Swift's latest album. It's been stuck in my head this month! ♥

2. A song that makes you smile:
Opalite from the same album. I'm dancing through the lightning strikes.

3. A song that makes you cry:
For Good from Wicked

4. A song that you know all the lyrics of:
...Baby One More Time by Britney Spears

( Full list of prompts under the cut )

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Keep it 100 on the land, the sea, the sky

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 02:38:36 GMT

It didn't affect me too much, but I *did* not enjoy the AWS outage today. Like many universities, the one that I just graduated from uses Canvas, which was affected. I am happy that I did not have to deal with that from a student or instructor perspective as it sounded very inconvenient.

Did I ever mention that I finished the second season of Interview with the Vampire and loved it? As someone who has red most of the books, I was really into the changes for the most part. I actually really enjoyed the time period change. I also really liked aged up Claudia even though that may have made her situation seem less plausible. In spite of the many changes, Armand is still my favorite! He is no longer that eternal teenage angel, but I don't mind at all and prefer this version in some ways. His manipulation, fragility, and fear of abandonment are all still there and fascinating to watch. I also like what they have done with Daniel, but that is another big change. All of this just makes me want to read the books again, which I will probably do in anticipation of The Vampire Lestat season. Please let it be just as good! Fingers crossed.

I also watched up to episode 31 of Apothecary Diaries and am still really enjoying it. Maomao is such a great offbeat heroine, and I eat up all of the palace intrigue. I can definitely see why people interpret her as aromantic/asexual, but I do ship her with Jinshi so far. I want to read the light novels at some point too.

I did end up signing up for Yuletide for the first time and am trying to be chill about the writing that I have coming up. Again, fingers crossed. I have always wanted to do it so I hope it goes well for me. I just need to get back into writing. Even doing this helps clear the cobwebs out of my brain. Before I started writing this, I just wanted to go to sleep, but I feel like a giddy kid now. I'm always happily surprised that I can still feel that way.

I am listening to The Life of a Showgirl again; I don't think that I ever posted about that either. The backlash has surprised me. Maybe it's just where I am spending my time? Yes, it is very different than her last three albums, but I knew it would be and appreciate that return to a poppy, lighter sound. I won't argue that it lives up to the lyricism of the last three albums, but it's fun and it does not have to as far as I am concerned. Are the lyrics really so much worse than what she has done before in her other pop albums? Remember spelling is fun? it's just happy and dancey, and that's what I am in the mood for these days. I think that her use of slang is meant to be at least a little tongue in cheek as well.

I know that Taylor Swift does not need me or anyone to defend her, but I just want to bask in the silly fun of new music for a while. I don't think it is her best album by any means, but it's catchy and did not disappoint me. Time will tell, I guess. I may write up a separate post about the whole album. Actually, I had meant to do that sooner, but I got distracted of course.

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Late Friday Five

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 19:40:06 GMT

Usually, if I miss the questions on Friday, I just don't bother with it or I completely forget. I saw the questions last night and just noped out for the moment because I was too tired and not able to get my brain to wake up, but why not now? I have things to say!

1. How long ago did you join LJ (or DW)?

I don't know for sure for LJ since I have long since deleted it, but I know it was around 2005 or 2006. I definitely remember having it by 2006 because I distinctly remember participating in FMA and other anime-related communities. I had known about LJ for quite a while before I joined it, though. I am pretty sure that I also had a private journal on one of the more obscure LJ clones... Ujournal, I think? Does anyone remember that?

For DW, I joined in 2013 when I was starting college and just trying to get back into fandom and stop lurking around so much. It helped get me into Welcome to Night Vale back in the day.

2. How did you find out about LJ (or DW)?

For LJ, Various anime websites that linked to it. I am thinking of LELOLA, in particular. For DW, I just followed everyone else here.

3. If someone introduced you to LJ (or DW), is s/he still on your friends list?

I learned about it because of lelola, but we were never mutuals.

4. Have you introduced anyone to LJ (or DW)?

No, it's my own little oasis away from people I know in the real world. I haven't led any fannish people here that I know of.

5. Is your LJ (or DW) public or friends only, and why?

Public because I try to keep my personal details vague and don't think anyone I know in real life could find their way here. I have thought about changing my stance for some entries just to be safe, though.

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Yuletide Letter

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:57:02 GMT

Dear Yuletide Writer,

Hi there! I am so happy that we matched for this Yuletide. I am AngelsAtTheRitz. This is my very first time participating, and I am excited to see what you come up with for me. As you can see from my requested fandoms, my taste is somewhat eclectic, and that goes for fic as well. Odds are that whatever you choose to write will work for me because I want to see your own creativity and unique take on things shine. Please be mindful of my DNWs and try to write something that is generally in line with the spirit of the work that inspired it unless otherwise noted. Other than that, I aim to be flexible and am eager to see what you create for me.

General DNWs: scat, watersports, character bashing, non-con (dub con is fine), humiliation, infidelity, non-canonical character death, modern Aus for historical canons

General Likes: Humor, romance, witty banter, canon divergent Aus, character studies, missing scenes, hurt/comfort, soulmates, reincarnation, angst, mutual pining, post canon, first times, fluff, fake dating, epistolary, holiday and winter themes, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, established relationships, time travel, world-building, magic/supernatural elements

For more specific details about each individual fandom, please see below. Treats are very much welcomed and appreciated. :)

Weekend Update (SNL)
Any

( Read more... )

The Little Mermaid (2023)
Ariel, Eric

( Read more... )

The Life of a Showgirl – Taylor Swift

( Read more... )

Akhnaten

( Read more... )

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Friday Five

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 01:13:28 GMT

1. Do you ever wonder if the way you see things visually aren't how other people see them?

Well yes, I am legally blind so I kind of assumed that comes with the territory.

2. What kind of sounds are the most annoying?

Related to nails on a chalkboard: fingernails tapping on a window. I also really dislike whispering sometimes. I think it's the opposite of ASMR.

3. When walking through a store, do you shop with your hands by touching/feeling the texture of things?

Yes, most of the time. Since my vision sucks, texture is very important to me.

4. If you could only smell three scents for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Coffee, petrichor, and freshly cut grass.

5. What sorts of things do you savor when eating them?

Pretty much anything that I enjoy.

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Promise to be dazzling

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 02:49:42 GMT

Right now, I am just sitting here waiting for Taylor Swift's new album to come out. This is one of those evenings when all I feel capable of doing is sitting and scrolling semi-mindlessly. In anticipation for the new album, I am listening to The Tortured Poets Department again. I loved it so much when it first came out, but I haven't listened to it all the way through much lately. I feel like it's her strongest album lyrically, and is just so much my vibe thanks to all the torture and poetry. Hope this new album is good, but I expect it to be a very different vibe, and I'm fine with that.

I watched Hocus Pocus for the first time today. I never watched it as a kid, but I know a lot of people my age who did. I can totally understand why people love it so much. I may watch the sequel at some point. This month I am trying to watch a Halloweenish movie for every day of October. I missed a day yesterday, but I plan on watching two movies one of these days to catch up. I've wanted to do this for years so let's hope that I can keep it up because I love this time of year. I plan to watch Sinners tomorrow.

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Watching stuff

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 20:29:11 GMT

Happy bisexual Visibility Day to all my beautiful bisexuals! ♥

So, I have actually been watching stuff, and I think it has lifted my mood somewhat. Here are my thoughts--I try to avoid spoilers for the most part.

Bridgerton - ( Read more... )

Interview with the Vampire - ( Read more... )

Wednesday - ( Read more... )

Apothecary Diaries - ( Read more... )

Ranma 1/2 - ( Read more... )

I have also started watching The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, but I don't really have that much to say about it right now.

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Friday Five all about soulmates

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 04:26:54 GMT

1. Do you believe you can have more than one soulmate in life?

Yes, I do. I also believe that soulmates are made by growing together rather than found at random, but of course some people are more suitable for each other than others. Still, there is no singular perfect person out there or a missing half. I do find Aristophane's concept of soulmates to be interesting, though.!

2. Are you with that soulmate now?

Sadly, no. I'm still looking.

3. If not, how long did your relationship with your soulmate last?

This is assuming that I have met them yet, which I definitely have not.

4. Do you still think about your soulmate, if you are not together?

I think about who they could be even though we haven't met.

5. If you're not together, do you think your soulmate still thinks about you?

Again, I have not met this person or persons, but I like to imagine that there is someone out there who is looking for someone like me.

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August slipped away

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 01:41:27 GMT

August is nearly over. It was not the fun and exciting month that I thought it would be. Instead, I got some rather crushing news about someone who was very important to me. I fear that I was not nearly as important to him. In fact, it was quite like the Taylor Swift song of the same name--except it never even got that far.

Choir started up again so I have that to look forward to. It's been really hot lately, but I did manage to go out for some yummy hand rolls. I think I've only tried them once before.

Meanwhile I'm really enjoying Sabrina Carpenter's new album! ♥ I've decided that the controversy over the album cover is just ridiculous. Then again, I grew up in and around fandom so it hardly seems kinky to me.

For September, I'd really like to focus on my writing again.

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Friday Five for the first day of August

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 20:23:53 GMT

1. What is something you collect? Why?

This has changed a lot over the years. I used to collect a lot of anime/manga and related merch, but I intentionally cut back so that I don't go overboard. I still do collect fandom merch probably more than I should because I like to show off the things I enjoy. In addition, my time in grad school has led me to collect a lot of scholarly articles on my hard drive. I don't know what I'm going to do with them now that I'm done with school for now, but I don't have the heart to delete them. I just love analysis and collecting knowledge.

2. If you could make one ice cream flavor, what would the ingredients be and what would be the name?

Mm, lavender and coffee! I'd be really original and call it Lavender Latte.

3. What can't you go a day without?

the internet, unfortunately, It's a necessary evil, though. I am trying to engage with it more intentionally. The key word here is trying.

4. What position do you sleep in? *back, right side, left side, stomach . . . etc.*

Left side most of the time. I can't sleep on my back because I tend to get nightmares when I am in that position.

5. What is your typical morning routine before work/school?

It's typically atypical these days. The first thing I do is reach for my phone, which I don't love.

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Goodbye July

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 03:39:32 GMT

I can't believe it's the last day of July already! The days start coming and they really don't stop coming.

I'm trying to post more regularly again even if things aren't particularly interesting right now. There was a smallish earthquake this morning, but it really wasn't that bad. I basically just went back to sleep afterwards because I did not go to sleep early last night. I've been slightly tired for most of the day.

I *did* finish Bridgerton season 2 yesterday. It's not my favorite thing ever, but it is relevant to my interests as someone who has studied the 19th-century a lot. I kind of enjoy reading about all of the historical inaccuracies, honestly. I don't take it too seriously, but I enjoyed this season and Kate/Antony quite a bit.

I also forgot to mention that I watched Kpop Demon Hunters not too long ago and thought it was fun. The music is so catchy too, but that's to be expected. I don't know much about Korean mythology, but it has caught my interest.

Lady Gaga is in town this week, but tickets are so expensive! I can't justify it, but I have massive FOMO.

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Fearless

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 04:31:05 GMT

Fearless era Taylor Swift just came up on Spotify, and the nostalgia is strong. It takes me back to a time when I was more naive and hopeful. I can't help smiling to myself. I want to cling to that glimmer of optimism in spite of it all.

I don't remember posting here at all last year, but I guess I did! It hasn't been as long as I feared. I don't really want to go into details of everything that has happened, but I'm fine. Finally finished grad school, though.

I've been catching up on shows that I never got around to before. I just binged the first season of Wednesday, and it made my inner goth teen happy. ♥ Now, I'm finishing up Bridgerton season 2. Yes, I am really behind, and it feels like I have been living under a rock.

What's up?

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Back again with media consumption

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 05:25:25 GMT

Oh goodness, it has been a while again... That is so typically me, I'm afraid.

I will start with a quick recap of today. I went to a coffee shop by the beach this afternoon to relax. I also watched the first episode of the new Ranma 1/2 anime on Netflix. I've never seen the original (save for a commercial for one of the movies at the end of one of my Pokemon VHS tapes back in the day), but as someone who got into anime at the tail end of the 90s, I was of course aware of it and knew the general premise. I enjoyed the first episode, and can definitely see why it was so popular as the characters and their interactions are fun.

I watched the first episode of Nobody Wants This as well, which was cute! I love Kristen Bell so much. ♥

A while back, I watched the first season of the Interview with the Vampire series and loved it.

Hope to be back with more when my brain isn't so tired!

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The Friday Five

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 18:13:49 GMT

Wow, August 11th already?

1. Do you want to get married?

Yes? I always thought I would because I grew up surrounded by people who married young. I just assumed that it would happen easily and effortlessly for me, but obviously that didn't happen. Honestly, I'm glad that it didn't happen earlier because I have changed so much since my 20s and my mental health was not in a good place during many of those years. I could have so easily fallen into a bad relationship (if I put myself out there, which I didn't), and I was aware of it even then. I would still like to, but I've seen so many crappy marriages that I feel trepidation. Still, if the right person comes along...

2. Where would you like to get married?

Somewhere outside where there's trees and greenery. Places like that fill me with peace.

3. If you were getting married in a week, who would be in your wedding party?

Honestly, that is my biggest concern because I really don't know.

4. What would your wedding colours be?

Never thought of it.

5. Does marriage mean to you 'til death do us part?'

Generally yes, but not if it's detrimental to either partner. I don't want anyone to be stuck with jerks or abusers.

Wow, the song that's playing is oddly fitting. XD

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Throwback Thursday

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 06:11:14 GMT

I just noticed this updated playlist on Spotify. It updates every week, but this week they are featuring songs that turn 25 years old in 2023.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWWwaxRea1LWS?si=be3c2cc2e5304046

There's a lot of good stuff here! We've got "...Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears, "believe" by Cher, "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies, "Crush" by Jennifer Paige, and "Frozen" by Madonna to name a few of my favorites. They are all really nostalgic and make me miss the late 90s. For reference, I was in mid to late elementary school when these songs came out. I feel old now.

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Fic stats meme

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 01:51:46 GMT

Got this from musesfool

rules: give us the links to your fics with the most hits, most kudos, most comments, most bookmarks, most words, and least words.

( Read more... )

Okay, that was enlightening, and I was happily surprised with many of the results! I wasn't sure how it would make me feel about my writing, but surprisingly, it made me feel better about it. I still want to write more, though.

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Choir!

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 16:29:07 GMT

I got up way too early this morning, but I'm holding up surprisingly well considering that I didn't go to bed early last night even though I was exhausted. However, I may be getting a cold. It's either that or allergies. Either way, I should take it easy because I am supposed to be singing with my social justice choir on Saturday for our concert.

Speaking of which, I had a rehearsal with them last night--that's why I was tired. I feel like in the few months since my semester ended that I've forgotten how to be around other people who I don't know well, and my social anxiety has been acting up again. Still, I think that I did pretty well overall, and I'm trying to give myself props for just showing up. Most of the other members have degrees in music, which can feel pretty intimidating because I can't even read music and don't even know anyone nearby who can. I always have a good time with them, though! There are many openly queer folks in the choir, and it makes me happy to be surrounded by all these beautiful queer people and allies living their best lives.

I also finished watching Good Omens yesterday, and I fully intend to make a separate post about that with all the spoilers. For now, my short, non-spoilery reaction is that I loved it!

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Cruel summer?

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 05:41:22 GMT

I just realized that I've had this journal for ten years now. The official anniversary was on July 22nd, but today is close enough. Let's hope that I continue posting even more in the next ten years!

The heat has been really getting to me. It's pretty hard to concentrate, and I just feel scattered overall. It feels like time is going by really fast, and I'm not able to accomplish as much as I would like. We don't have AC, and it really sucks! Earlier in the summer, I was house-sitting for my aunt who does have AC, but since then, I've been trying to cope without it.

One of the things I have accomplished is finishing my assignment for seasonsofdrabbles. I am pretty pleased with it, and more than that, I am happy to be writing again. I love writing drabbles for their minuteness and the need to make every word count. In that way, they remind me of poetry. I hope to write some treats as well if I can get my mind to cooperate. I am really excited! :D

Also, I still need to finish Good Omens.

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First Friday five in a long while!

Sat, 29 Jul 2023 03:36:54 GMT

From thefridayfive

( Read more... )

Now, I should get to watching the new season of Good Omens before I risk spoiling myself...

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Barbie movie (no spoilers)

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 22:36:55 GMT

I finally went to see the Barbie movie yesterday. Overall, I enjoyed it. I was expecting something like Life-Size or Disney's Enchanted,and that's basically what we got--except even more meta and existential. I had read that was what it would be like, but I still wasn't ready for it! I'd really like to see more of Greta Gerwig's work now since I also enjoyed her version of Little Women (Which is actually the only version of Little Women that I am familiar with in any medium).

I also absolutely loved the soundtrack. I was listening to the songs before the movie came out and will continue doing so now that I've seen it. I could list my favorites, but I would probably list half of the songs in the process. I may make a post about it later.

The movie was pretty quotable, too, and I plan to watch it again once it comes out on streaming! Allan was definitely my favorite and weird Barbie was fun too.

I don't really have anything else to say about it for now. In the meantime, check out these articles about the movie:

Queer Easter eggs in the movie (spoilers)

It is not an explicitly queer film, but the Barbie movie does have quite a few queer references.

The discontinued dolls in the Barbie movie

As the link says, this is an article about the various discontinued and controversial dolls featured in the movie. I knew about Earring Magic Ken and pregnant Midge, but I had no idea about the history of the others.

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