DreamHaven

darkdanc3r @ 2026-04-19T12:19:00

2026-04-19T19:26:12Z

Still nowhere close to a bingo, and now the pride yarn has been packed for our upcoming move. That takes out the bun, the octopus, and the chicken. Drat. On the other hand, I can work on fic, clean my desk, and scan som books into Library Thing if I can figure out how it works.

reforged cardigan	kitty clicker cotton	random chicken	random bun	scan books into library app
bi octopus	organize desk	~~wash cat toy components~~	label boxes	bobinate thread
lee's chicken	cat toy1	FREE SPACE	cat toy3	the wave cross stitch
updt fic	random octopus	cat toy4	amazon bookmark(s)	random snake
~~new fic~~Pillow Princess	sort boxes in corner	cat toy5	ace octopus	hexicardigan

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Not Begging... Yet.

2026-04-19T17:46:36Z

We've run into hard times. As I've mentioned, I lost my job the week before Christmas last year. I've done hundreds of applications and interviews, but nothing past a second interview ever works out. We're at a point where we need to keep the car at least until we can move to somewhere with public transportation. And as anyone who's moved before knows, there are a TON of fees associated with getting into a new place.

I've started a GoFundMe to help with the car costs and any additional bills that funds might come in for.

If you can't help, I'd appreciate a signal boost. This has been cross-posted to Instagram and Facebook.

Car and Moving Help

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Bingo Card Update

2026-03-20T17:10:41Z

So far I've finished the cat toys, done some clickers, and worked on the Cardigan. It still isn't finished, but I figured I'd update and see where I'm at for a bingo. I'm not close, but keeping the update is good for my ADHD accomplishment goals.

reforged cardigan	kitty clicker cotton	random chicken	random bun	scan books into library app
bi octopus	organize desk	~~wash cat toy components~~	label boxes	bobinate thread
lee's chicken	cat toy1	FREE SPACE	cat toy3	the wave cross stitch
updt fic	random octopus	cat toy4	amazon bookmark(s)	random snake
~~new fic~~Pillow Princess	sort boxes in corner	cat toy5	ace octopus	hexicardigan

Surprisingly close to a bingo up the center! Need to determine what goes in the Free Space.

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Craft Month Bingo

2026-03-04T02:19:58Z

So it's National Craft Month at the Allbingo community, and I figured I've got a month and who knows when I'll be employed again, so I might as well make myself a productivity project.

((Reforged Cardigan spot can't be checked off until completed. I have until the 24th to do so.))
(hexicardigan doesn't have to be finished, but should spend at least 3 hours on it before checking off))

reforged cardigan	kitty clicker cotton	random chicken	random bun	scan books into library app
bi octopus	organize desk	wash cat toy components	label boxes	bobinate thread
lee's chicken	cat toy1	FREE SPACE	cat toy2	the wave cross stitch
updt fic	random octopus	cat toy4	amazon bookmark(s)	random snake
new fic	sort boxes in corner	cat toy3	ace octopus	hexicardigan

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Hubris (or, the main Escapade project)

2026-01-24T12:39:40Z

Hubris: excessive pride or self-confidence.

Here is the project that has earned that definition for me. This was originally a cross stitch design. "Only" 8 colors, 7" in diameter.

The finished crochet project is closer to 16"x16" square-ish. I need to add the last ten rows of black to make it square, tie off the back loose ends, iron on some interfacing to secure said ends, and put the back piece on to make it a pillowcase.

No, I've not got any hubristic tendencies when it comes to my crochet skills

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Still Life

2026-01-24T12:10:28Z

Still unemployed. Getting real tired of getting ghosted by companies. One went so far as to ask me what times I was available for an online interview and then never spoke with me again. +shakes fist+

On the proverbial upside, I've nearly finished Hubris and I'm about half-done with the associated cross stitch. I've got a few penguins for Escapade (their mascot), and I've mostly finished my friend's ARMY of tiny plushies. I'd share photos, but there's over 50 of the little guys and I need to put the finishing touches on all of them.

So... I guess yay crochet/crafting time?

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Feeling the Pressure

2026-01-18T02:54:17Z

Getting fired a week before Christmas sucked. And the job search sucks even more. I've had 3 interviews that never went past the first interview. I'm 'not competitive enough' or not what they're looking for. I expected to be with my last company for at least a decade, not a day over 6 years. I can't finish school because I can't get student loans, I can't afford all my bills because unemployment insurance sucks AND I have copays for medication that I can't afford. I'm just... whining.

I at least have Escapade to look forward to the weekend after my birthday. Hotel room is covered, memberships are already paid, and gas there/back is less than 200 dollars. Which was set aside in cash before I lost my job. Escapade is a multi-fandom con for writers and readers, with panels on everything from Sing-a-Longs for popular musicals/movies (Wicked, Hazbin Hotel, K-Pop Demon Hunters, etc) to technical panels on how to set up/use Calibre to meta panels like 'Bring Your Fandom to Work Day' where we'll talk about how to incorporate your favorite characters/fandom into everyday life.

The website is escapadecon.net/ and it's located in Los Angeles, CA USA. This year the con runs from 2/120-2/22. I'm taking my partner with me this year, and she's already looking forward to potentially running her own panel about how Endings can sometimes be a crap-shoot.The panels aren't finalized yet, so she might not be running one, but the fact that she was willing to try delights me.

Anyway, sorry to bitch. You should check out Escapade, it's a ton of fun.

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I have indulged in (digital) violence.

2025-12-28T22:53:39Z

Sooo... as a holiday gift from my job, I got fired. Not laid off, full on fired. The week before Christmas, a day after my 6th year anniversary, and two weeks after I put a new gaming pc on a payment plan.

Ratchet works wonderfully, by the way.

I have an interview with USAA in two days that I'm kind of dreading, b/c it's a panel interview in person. I dread interviewing in the first place, and in-person interviews are worse because you're expected to meet people's eyes and sound competent when people are staring at you. It's hard to think when I have people staring at me, and harder still to sound competent. I have the qualifications they're looking for after 6 years at State Farm, but how do I get that across without flubbing? Ugh.

And my thanks to Ilyena for the gift.

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Alive and kicking

2025-10-12T21:23:55Z

So we still have no clue what's going on with my recent trip to the hospital, but I'm getting genetics testing for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. And other immune syndromes. I got local-area allergy testing -- nothing new there, I'm allergic to everything green (trees, grass, etc), cats, dogs, and mold. But we're working on figuring things out.

How's everyone else - if you're still here - doing?

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Life update - it won't let me cut

2025-09-05T04:06:13Z

So the last month and a half has been hell.

( Read more... ) But yeah.... 5 weeks of alarming.

TLDR: out of the hospital now and trying to figure out what happened. I have an appointment with an immunologist/allergist and the biopsy came back benign.

Cat tax:

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I've gone Active!

2025-07-10T02:24:46Z

If anyone does still read this, and has an interest, I've started crafting again, and want to share my little friends with the world. Pocket pal octopodes, ready for your fidgety needs. May grow to include hedgehogs and fidget chickens.

Check out my WarpedSkies Ko-fi -- I'm looking for funds to get additional yarn colors right now. Pre-made octopus are 20$ US apiece, custom colors (beads and yarn) are 25$, and shipping is included.

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Bwee!

2025-06-28T14:04:51Z

So I was introduced to a fan/slash con called Escapade, and they're doing a virtual convention halfway through the year. I voluntarily got up at 6:30 am to attend opening ceremonies. You guys, you don't realize how DIFFICULT it is for me to function before noon on a Saturday, let alone 7am! But ti's worth it. I think. We'll find out.

Oh, and I participated in the Monsterfucker Gift Exchange, if anyone wants to pop by my AO3 account later. It should be posted later today or tomorrow.

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Not Dead Yet

2025-04-26T20:58:43Z

SO, amazingly, I am still alive. I've been reminded of my account due to the potential shenanigans coming up with Discord's change in management. I'm still writing on AO3, crocheting, and cross-stitching. Taking a break from school (working on a Master's degree!), but still working my ass off at State Farm. Hit me up if you want to chat, I've got notifs on.

I think.

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Not Dead Yet

2024-08-29T00:42:44Z

What the label on the box says... not dead just yet. I've been incredibly busy with work and a blanket I'm trying to finish for a wedding in October. For not offering overtime, work takes up an amazing amount of time. But I'll hit five years with the company in December, so yay. Haven't been writing much - want to get back into that maybe after the blanket is finished. So many ends to weave in, but it looks amazing so far...

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Summer Swelter (because it's already 110

2022-06-14T00:26:39Z

I feel like one of those weird relatives that everyone has but nobody remembers except when the family Christmas cards go out detailing the last year of the family's life. Consider this one of those holiday card letters. But first, obligatory cat tax!!

( The Details. See below for cats and medical in that order )

On a less depressing note, I've picked up a new hobby! Or maybe it's I've picked an old hobby back up.

Lookie!

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Still Not Dead

2021-10-01T04:19:11Z

So I'm working again. And writing again. Kind of. Little bit of roleplaying, and starting to write fic again. Mostly Transformers stuff, but I'm going to try and do Yuletide this year if a friend helps me remember in time for signups!

Just a little update, to prove I'm not dead.

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The Pros and Cons of Breathing

2021-01-21T07:51:00Z

The Pros:

The VoidTrine from my last post are all now approximately 6 months old. Starscream and Thundercracker (now officially Jinx and Jasper, respectively) are at their forever home in California, and Skywarp is here with me.

He is a demon child, 6 - maybe 7 - pounds of crazy. At least 85% zoomies by weight. Supposedly his sibs are super calm, and also larger (approaching 8 pounds). Guess Sky got all the crazy, they got all the growth hormones.

He gives good cuddles when he's in the mood, though he doesn't appreciate being cried on.

Which leads to the Cons:

( This is more medical shit, and the anxiety it's causing. )

TL;DR: Current Primary Care Physician is useless, Short Term Disability claims are hard, and migraines suck.

Assuming insurance approves, I expect to have an MRI, Sleep study, and EEG within the next 3-4 weeks.

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More Little Friends

2020-08-27T22:01:04Z

( Medical stuff under the cut )

But! I have more little friends. A feral from the colony around our current complex dropped her kittens in our courtyard and left them for hours. I live in Arizona, it's too hot for an adult to be outside in the heat, let alone wee little black babies.

We now have 3 blue-eyed voids in the spare bedroom. We've taken to calling them Sky, Star, and Thunder. They're all but identical unless you flip them over to see the different white patches, so Sky has a bit of black yarn for a collar, Star has red, and Thunder is 'naked'. (hey, it's the only yarn I have, everything else is in storage!)

( Kitten photos behind the cut to save folks' reading pages )

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Say Hello to My Little Friend

2020-07-21T01:01:54Z

So for years I've been dealing with an irregular heartbeat, sometimes palpitations or serious racing. I'm on shrinky meds, and some of them are known to cause/exacerbate heart problems.

( VERY mild ranting behind the cut )

Anyway! I finally got a doctor who listened, and sent me to a cardiologist.

For the next two weeks (well, starting from 7-16) I have a portable heart monitor. And because I live in a high medtech area (all those retirees coming to Arizona are finally coming in handy!) my heart monitor is high tech. Just a little half inch thick plastic box about the same size as the lid of a Gatorade bottle. And 3 times that in adhesive pads. If I feel any symptoms I push on the box, and then record what I felt in an app on my phone.

Let me tell you, though. The adhesive itches SO. BAD.

Just.. ignore the hair, please. We don't trust hair salons currently, but the fluff was getting out of control.

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Not Dead Yet

2020-07-15T23:12:55Z

i realize it's been a while since I updt'd. I'm not dead, promise. I now live in Arizona, still with my partner - we'll hit 10 years together in April of 2021.
I lost Bumblebee in 2017, and that kinda sorta broke me a little (maybe a lot?) and haven't been able to get a new therapy animal. and partner's two cats are HORRIBLE at cuddling. too many pointy bits.
I have a decent job, working from home right now because of... well, everyone knows why. Of course, right now we're looking for a new place to rent, because our current accommodations are only temporary.
I'm on discord most of the time, these days, but I'll try to remember to update here once in a while. Same email as my username at gmail, so if you want my discord handle, hit me up.

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Summer Exchange Author Letter

2018-06-05T09:32:26Z

Thank you for taking on my request! I welcome all kinks but the ones that mechs really can’t do (scat and watersports). I enjoy all forms of interfacing for these guys - plug and play, spark, tactical, sticky... I'm sorry, I'm really horrible at these letters, but feel free to have a mod pass on any questions you might have.

Request 1
Bay Transformers

Jazz/Prowl. Fix it fic. I hate that Jazz died so much. And that Prowl never managed to show up. If you could write something where Jazz lives, or even better if Jazz and Prowl could be reunited.

Art or fic, I’m open for either. I welcome all kinks but the ones that mechs really can’t do (scat and watersports).

Request 2
IDW

Need more Wing in my life! Wing/Ratchet/Drift would be especially awesome. I’m a sucker for that trio. But, really, anything where Wing lives and gets to keep annoying the Knights works for me.

Request 3
Generation One

Prowl/Skywarp is my OTP. I don’t know why, but I love the pairing of the reckless prankster and the logical Cop. It works beautifully in my head somehow, and I love seeing how people put them together.

Request 4
Generation One

Jazz/Starscream is my fiancee’s OTP, a match to my Prowl/Skywarp. She can’t write, but I promised to offer up her request as part of my own. Much as my OTP, Jazz and Starscream are just such an interesting combination of personalities that it’s a blast to read.

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April Writes Playlist Challenge

2018-03-25T10:08:06Z

So.. I’ve been wanting to write more, and while I was listening to my Spotify playlist I came up with an idea. I put my playlist on random and saved every other song that played to a separate list, no matter what it was. I’m going to list them here, with the lyrics and a video (may just be a lyrics video) because the tone of a song may not match the lyrics.

I’m opening up requests - pick a song, give me a character or pairing, and let me know if you want the whole song, the tone of the song, or just a lyric or two, and I’ll try to write at least 500 words. I want to do one for each day of April, so anything that isn’t chosen I’ll try and come up with on my own.

I’m going to stick with just Gundam Wing or the Transformers franchise, for these, for the sake of my (limited) sanity. And I’ll paste the whole list on my AO3 account, as well. I’ll leave comments open, so make requests there - it’ll be easier than trying to track this list across Tumblr and Dreamwidth.

So, without further ado - and in no particular order - the list:

Heavy by Linkin Park(feat. Kiiara) Video Lyrics
Battle Symphony by Linkin Park Video Lyrics
Battle Cry by Imagine Dragons Video Lyrics
Hole in my Soul by Apocalyptica Video Lyrics
Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken by P!nk Video Lyrics
The Great Escape by P!nk Video Lyrics
But We Lost It by P!nk Video Lyrics
Warrior by Disturbed Video Lyrics
The Catalyst by Linkin Park Video Lyrics
Start Over by Imagine Dragons Video Lyrics
Not Strong Enough by Apocalyptica Video Lyrics
Waterfall by Sia & P!nk Video Lyrics
The Light by Disturbed Video Lyrics
Stay by Shakespear’s Sister Video Lyrics
You’ve Haunted Me All My Life by Death Cab for Cutie Video Lyrics
What Do I Have to Do by Stabbing Westward Video Lyrics
Never Again by Disturbed Video Lyrics
Alive by Sia Video Lyrics
Dead Man’s Eyes by Apocalyptica Video Lyrics
Downfall by Matchbox 20 Video Lyrics
Battle Born by Five Finger Death Punch Video Lyrics
Faraway, Vol 2 by Apocalyptica( feat Linda) Video Lyrics
Hold Me Tight or Don’t by Fall Out Boy Video Lyrics
Miss Missing You by Fall Out Boy Video Lyrics
Lullaby by Nickelback Video Lyrics
Rainbow by Sia Video lyrics
Sleeping at the Wheel by Matchbox 20 Video Lyrics
What About Us by P!nk Video Lyrics
Wrong side of Heaven by Five Finger Death Punch Video Lyrics
I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie Video Lyrics

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Please help

2017-01-28T03:30:47Z

Not sure how many will see this, but I'm begging for help. My partner and I have been trapped on a friend's couch for the last six months trying to get a new start after moving. We were okay where we were but for my partner's health getting increasingly bad. We're trying now to get an apartment, but the deposits and everything are more expensive out here than we're used to. I've got a GoFundMe account set up, and every little bit helps. Please help us, sofa beds were not designed for months of continual use!

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Dear Yule!writer

2014-10-26T16:23:06Z

I'm so sorry this was delayed! Real life decided to chew on my laptop.

( Transformers: G1 )

( Black Jewels )

( Young Wizards )

( St. Trinian's )

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The upcoming year

2014-01-01T05:16:06Z

So, I'm not making any resolutions or goals for this upcoming year, I don't think. I had resolutions at the end of 2012, and didn't follow through on any of them, so I'm just going to go with it this year. My girlfriend agreed to marry me eventually, and my 'children' are healthy. I think I'm still employed, and I am essentially physically healthy. I will walk into the new year with that knowledge in my hands, and hope for the best.

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