@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

Byrdbrnz

@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange

Writer, dabbling artist, and game streamer. Smol friend full of opinions. Constantly between things, bi and non-binary (they/she). Currently working on:
#FarNorth - debut novel series, features vampires and trauma.
#GreenhouseMuseum - slice-of-life solarpunk alt-now series.
Avatar image: a raven skull with a sunflower where an eye would be, created by A Byrd

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Byrdbrnz, to Bloomscrolling
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

Once upon a time, I met a small-time farmer who sold garlic at a Seattle farmer's market. At that time I thought all garlic came in one variety: small and white, the kind you find at the grocery story. Garlic was garlic. There wasn't much variety.
This farmer blew my mind with the varieties they had. Black garlic, elephant garlic, French red garlic, Bulgarian garlic, purple garlic; all the different varieties in all different sizes. The best part is that he knew which varieties would go best in what I was cooking. Their face lit up as I was all too happy to learn what they knew about this precious plant.
I went home with three different bulbs. Don't remember what varieties they were now, but I do remember that farmer. I remember wanting to be as dedicated to a plant as they were. To feel the same kind of joy in sharing knowledge.
Maybe its time to plant some garlic now that I have my own tiny patio garden.

Byrdbrnz, to writing
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

Friday #SelfPromo!
If you're looking for something new to #read this weekend, might I humbly suggest my debut #novel Far North: Running? The first book in a planned four book series. It features a tortured soul and a young naive girl, the mystery of a frozen land, and mysterious wealthy new neighbors that move into town.
You can find it on itch.io in PDF and EPUB format: https://byrdbrnz.itch.io/far-north-running
#writing #books #bookstodon

HeliaXyana, to books
@HeliaXyana@mastodon.nl avatar

Please help.

I am looking for the most privacy friendly way to buy ebooks.

Every shop and platform I've looked at would index and sell my purchase and a lot of other information.

I can get my ebooks in different ways but I explicitly want to pay the author for their work without me and my behavior ending up a resell product for which ever platform I use to complete this purchase.

Any ideas?

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@HeliaXyana @forteller @libreture Thanks for posting about this! Definitely going to review the list to see if anywhere outside of itch.io is a good place to sell my book. I do wish that Bookwyrm also allowed for direct selling, maybe it's a feature request to float their way at some point...once we convince more people to review books over there instead

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@crcollins @HeliaXyana @forteller @libreture That's my longer term plan, for sure! Once I get the epub formatted I'll be offering it on my website. For now I only have a decently formatted pdf 😅 Itch also offers some additional benefits, like being able to offer it in bundles more easily. Something I want to be able to do when Halloween comes around and the spooky bundles start being offered lol

Byrdbrnz, to fediverse
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

Hey
Is someone working on a universal profile for the fediverse?
I understand there's more than just Masto. I want to post to *key, Hubzilla, AP, et al but don't want to have separate accounts on different instances for different platforms. I do have my own domain that I could, theoretically, turn into any and all of these (I just don't know how yet.) Ideally, I'd be happy to install one program that lets me talk with all platforms. Yes, I recognize this may be technologically impossible or a very difficult ask, I just want to know if there are any projects currently working on this.
(End user controlled universal profiles are my end goal for social media. Not interested in having a debate on the merits and demerits of it, tyvm.)

Byrdbrnz, to random
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar


Other artistic pursuits outside of writing?

I dabble in things and it sort of depends on what we're defining as art. I sketch and paint, mostly, but have dabbled in music in the past. If it was safer to do, acting was another art I was involved in.
But also, I garden and cook, which are arts too. 😊 Anything is an art if you're creating something where it didn't originally exist before.

Byrdbrnz, to random
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

In other news, the are once again very pleased with their peanut offering
There's currently an adult and juvenile out back (the juvenile has such a cute high-pitched call ❤️) We also learned that the clucking noise we hear them make sometimes is the adult pointing out something of interest. They're just so fun!

aral, to Israel
@aral@mastodon.ar.al avatar

“Pro-Israeli investors have created a culture of fear in where supporters of Palestinian freedom feel unable to raise their voices. I have spoken to many people in tech who are afraid that if they speak up, they’ll be unable to raise their next round, and lose 5-10 years of work on their venture, for their families and for their employees.

We must break the silence around the genocide in Gaza…we cannot continue to be complicit in this genocide.”

https://blog.paulbiggar.com/i-cant-sleep/

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@serpentroots @aral This is something I'm hearing about more and more (I've been letting my LI gather dust for years) and for some reason I'm completely shocked by it. And I wonder how many people engaging in these pile-ons are: 1) bots or 2) facing any professional reprocussions for it.
Definitely reaffirming my decision to not look for work on their platform.

floofpaldi, to random

I'm putting together a Christmas list for my family. It's that time of year again. So... Send me some reading recommendations! Give me links to YOUR books, guys. I'm going to bookmark this and save it for later, so I can purchase stuff throughout the year as well. I want to support everyone.

I hope everyone will check out the comments, too. Let's all support and love one another and help each other when and where we can.

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@floofpaldi Love seeing everyone promoting their work! 😊❤️ Hope the family finds a new favorite among them!
My book isn't out (yet), I just have some short stories and research articles available on my BuyMeACoffee. If you do this again next year, I'll throw my work in then. I will recommend "The Starless Sea" by Erin Morgenstern. Haven't finished it yet but what I have read I've enjoyed.

compost, to mastodon
@compost@regenerate.social avatar

Share your journey on how you reduce your waste with black gold at home on and we will boost your post.

We are trying to inspire the people of to reduce their waste. This social media is that special place where we were able to make an account on composting popular.

We only wish to give back and help the by boosting your
Thank you.

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@compost This is fantastic! We've been wanting to compost but we live in an apartment, every guide I see is usually assuming people have a home or large garden to use their compost in. Really hoping some other apartment composters will post their set-ups

mikemathia, to random
@mikemathia@ioc.exchange avatar

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@mikemathia We love the moon, cause it is close to us. But not as much, as say, maybe, a spoon. Cause it is useful for eating soup and things
(Hello, yes, this old flash animation has been living rent free in my head for years)

Teri_Kanefield, to random

This won't work.⤵️ It will not fool anyone.

"GOP strategists urge congressional candidates to campaign against a national abortion ban"

"Disturbed by tough election losses on Tuesday, Republicans say the party needs to make clear to voters, in speeches and TV ads, that it doesn't favor banning all abortions."

Their idea: Say the GOP is for "reasonable limits on late-term abortions" as opposed to Dems' "taxpayer-funded abortion without limits.”🙄

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republicans-urge-congress-candidates-oppose-national-abortion-ban-rcna124253

1/

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@Teri_Kanefield 🤔 Pretty sure we've heard that one before...Incredible that they think it'd work twice

GottaLaff, to legal
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

Guess Vanky toughed it out on a school day.

🧵THREAD starts here 1/…. As always I’ll live-thread reports from multi reporters, scrambling, so can’t reply. Plz remember to preface replies w “Not for Laffy” or similar so I don’t get distracted. TY

Via Dan Alexander:

just made the long walk up the stairs of the Lower Manhattan courthouse where she will face questioning this morning from the attorney general’s office as part of her father’s 250 million fraud suit.

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@GottaLaff (Not for Laffy)
Dang, I'm gonna be so hydrated by the end of this. Almost out of water 😂

jerry, to random

The place I’m at (Panama city beach, FL) is very close to the Eastern edge of the central time zone. Now that the time changed, the sun sets at 4:50pm.

video/mp4

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@jerry It's nice to be able to wake up with the sun though...for now...

GottaLaff, to random
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

Yes, another day of posting some decent news only to have people immediately go negative on it.

How about appreciating good news for like 2 seconds, when we get it?

And no, it wasn't just my last post. It's a couple of them already today.

I'm going to start muting people. I'm really sick of the 👎🏼 knee-jerk replies I get.

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@GottaLaff Big feels, Laffy
I often want to say "all I have is hope and patience" but then don't say it because of the cynical replies like these. Or people who wanna come out of the woodwork to say that isn't enough and advocate for their extreme alternatives.
Thanks for trying to spread a second of positivity and stand by it 🙏

glassbottommeg, to random
@glassbottommeg@peoplemaking.games avatar

The fuck kind of Christian was my family? Vague memories:

  • church Elders, and a pastor
  • "born again"
  • Thought we were Protestants (when I learned about that in normal school history), but nobody called themselves that? So like an offshoot?
  • Not a mega-church, not associated with other churches
  • Typical first service everyone, second service the kids went downstairs to Sunday School, free cookies and drinks in between
  • The music was the boring kind, not the cool rock-band kind
  • The bread and wine (grape juice) wasn't literal
  • I have vague memories of thinking someday I should go to Israel for a, pilgrimage? I don't know? Why did I think this?
  • Study bibles (King James edition)
  • Baptisms in your teens
  • Wasn't fire and brimstone teaching
  • Weird undertones of racism that I'm still shaking out of my psyche decades later

Did I grow up Evangelical? Is THAT what that fuckery was? Because eyyyyy that sure is the topical one now, fuck.

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@glassbottommeg Did they also give out bread to new members?
idk kinda strikes me as maybe Nazarene? It vaguely aligns with what I remember of going to church with my cousins and their family was Church of Nazarene.

GottaLaff, to random
@GottaLaff@mastodon.social avatar

Via Scott MacFarlane

I asked Rep Don Bacon (R-NE) if the House GOP requires any to be a 2020 election denier. He said no… but then acknowledged it remains a divisive issue that is splintering the House GOP.

Bacon says he believes the results of the 2020 election

Yes, Rep Bacon says he’ll vote for Rep Johnson to be speaker. Other House Republicans, including Rep Ralph Norman (R-SC) predict overwhelming, if not unanimous, GOP vote for Johnson

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@GottaLaff What was the deal that was made to get the entire group on board? Truly need to know

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@GottaLaff Legitimately don't mean to sound ignorant on the pulse around the country: but is that really a safe bet these days? Are all Republican voters guaranteed to be swayed by this?
Because I may be in a bubble where all I see and hear are Republicans dissatisfied with the continued charade, who don't want Trump or his similar anymore 🤷‍♀️

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@GottaLaff Fair, I just interpreted the second statement as meaning voters. Think I'm just a little shocked at how quickly they all went belly-up this time. Though I suppose they're that desperate and disgusting, so it shouldn't be a shock anymore.
Anyway, apologies and thanks for answering. Take care of yourself today. 🙏

Teri_Kanefield, to random

Reporter Stephen Neukam confirmed that a "joint" speakership between Kevin McCarthy and Jim Jordan is currently being floated.

The Constitution provides that "The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers."

In four other places, "the speaker" is singular.

I don't know if "Speaker" can be two people.

I'm not sure how this would work in practice, whether it is even Constitutional, or how it would be challenged.

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@Teri_Kanefield Except that the same holdouts are just going to continue to vote against their double ticket 🤣😅 As my partner said "when are they just going to float Gaetz so he can get a taste at losing?"

jerry, to random

Hi all. Fedia.io is going to be offline for a while during some open heart surgery on the database. If you are a religious person, praying might be in order.

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@jerry Is it a thing that can be slept on and returned to?

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@jerry Excellent, may you have good dreams in an uninterrupted block 🙏 😆

Firlefanz, to random
@Firlefanz@writing.exchange avatar

10/10. Did you learn cursive/joined-up writing in primary school?

Yes. It was - and still is - the norm in German schools.

In fact, I learned to write with a fountain pen. Still have my old school pen (and many, many more).

I can write faster by typing these days, and write all my novels on the computer. But I still handwrite my diary every morning. In cursive, mostly. And always with a fountain pen.

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@Firlefanz What sort of pen do you use?
I've been using a Lamy that a friend gave me years ago. Absolutely love writing with it when I journal about things.

Byrdbrnz, to random
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

7/10
Any TV/movie that reminds you of your work? So much so that you wish you'd written it?

Not really? I think there's some influence from Interview with the Vampire and Golden Compass in here, for sure. Also some Vampire the Masquerade sprinkled in.
My partner does a lot of comparing it to JoJo's Bizarre Adventure...which I take as a compliment. He also sees a lot of Dracula in it, which I can't argue with. It is a vampire story afterall and trying to reinvent the genre wasn't at all my plan; I'd expect the classic tales to find their way in.
But as for wishing to have written it? Other than maybe JoJo and Golden Compass...I'll pass. 😉

Byrdbrnz,
@Byrdbrnz@ioc.exchange avatar

@seanpatrickphd My partner informs me that all of Part One is apparently this 😅I started watching the most recent part on Netflix, so it's all news to me. TIL: Apparently Araki was inspired by Dracula when he created Dio

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