Recent Reading: How to Love Your Daughter
May. 12th, 2026 06:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rocky41_7 posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
booksThe other book I finished during my voyage through the southwest was How to Love Your Daughter by Hila Blum, translated from Hebrew by Daniella Zamir. This was book [checks notes] #17 from the “Women in Translation” rec list. It’s about an estranged mother and daughter; as the mother peers through the windows of her adult daughter’s house from across the street, she ponders what went wrong in their formerly loving relationship.
How to Love Your Daughter is a cerebral kind of novel that swims back and forth between Yoella’s present, desperately reaching after the daughter who’s walked out of her life, and Yoella’s recollections of raising Leah.
The twists and turns of their relationship are subtle, almost too subtle. Both characters come off slightly neurotic, fussing about every minor interaction and seeming, to me, to invent problems where none really existed. In the end, it’s not so much a long-deteriorating relationship, which is what I expected, as it is Yoella making one decision that forever alters Leah’s perception of her.
“No one warned me my love could destroy her,” Yoella says about Leah at one point and that’s the core of it. Yoella adores her daughter, almost beyond reason. And it’s that very willingness to put Leah above everyone and everything else that eventually pushes Leah away from her, which is such a perfect tragedy.
I saw another review that said this book was both too long and too short, and I think there’s some truth to that. There are drawn out middle sections which don’t necessarily add much, but the ultimate break and subsequent efforts at reconciliation by Yoella don’t get as much room to breathe as might have benefitted them.
However, the ending is an exquisite microcosm of the tension of the whole novel, leaving you wondering about unreliable narrators and perceptions. Some people felt that Yoella gets off too easy—I would recommend rereading the section where Leah talks to Yoella about her reality/fantasy of Dennis writing her a letter.
I don’t know that either Yoella or Leah comes off as really sympathetic here, but they do come off very human, full of flaws and self-justifications and irrational reactions. And maybe sometimes it’s just human nature to create a tragedy where there didn’t have to be one.
The sign at the bus stop reminds me that farejumping comes with a fine up to $150
May. 14th, 2026 11:10 amconulyThe fare is $3. If you commute, you take the bus or train twice a day, five days a week. Every week you spend $30*. You'd have to be caught and ticketed more often than once every five weeks in order to make this math not work out in your favor. And that is never going to happen, because there aren't nearly enough enforcement agents. As it is, the ones we have cost more than they make back. It's all a racket, but you'll notice the buses still aren't free because Albany is still in control of the MTA.
* I'm making a few assumptions here, first, that you're not sharing the same card among several family members with staggered schedules; once you spend $35 in a week on the same card, subsequent trips are free. Also, this is the full fare for most buses and trains, but not for the express bus.
* I'm making a few assumptions here, first, that you're not sharing the same card among several family members with staggered schedules; once you spend $35 in a week on the same card, subsequent trips are free. Also, this is the full fare for most buses and trains, but not for the express bus.
Watson Birthday Prompt Fest!
May. 12th, 2026 06:29 amkingstoken posting in sherlockbbc![a collection images of Watsons from various adaptations](https://i.ibb.co/6Jt4xF8p/Watson-Birthday-Prompt-Fest-smaller.png")
Description: Returning for 2026, the Watson Birthday Prompt Fest! According to some sources, John Watson's birthday is August 7. So, lets celebrate it, by having a prompt fest!
Come over to the Ao3 collection and leave a prompt or claim a prompt. Open to all Sherlock Holmes related fandoms, and all genres, ratings, and relationships (ships, gen, etc). The main rule being that all fanworks should focus on our beloved Watson.
The goal is to have lots of fanworks to enjoy for Watson's birthday on August 7th
Schedule: Prompting and claiming will be open until August 7, 2026
Links: Fest
Recent Reading: Ninefox Gambit
May. 11th, 2026 06:50 pmrocky41_7 posting in booksI went out of town for my little sister’s graduation this weekend and finished two books on the trip! The first was Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee, a fantasy-in-space story about a young infantry captain who has the soul of a famous traitor embedded into her mind to assist with a tricky military campaign.
I nearly had to eat crow on this book because I’ve said so many times I prefer when SFF books just dump you into their world rather than giving you an expositional primer, but Ninefox Gambit really tested my commitment to that. The first third of this book is a whirlwind of terms, practices, and concepts that not only are never explained, but for which the context is nearly nonexistent. I think you simply have to accept being confused to enjoy this one, which is why many reviews did not.
Semi-related, this may dress itself up as sci-fi, but it is fantasy. This is a magic system. A magic system that makes use of mathematics, but a magic system nonetheless. Accepting that going in will make dealing with the practical jargon much easier.
All that said, I ended up really enjoying this one, and I do plan to read the next two in the series. There’s just oodles of machinations and scheming and recontextualizations that I think are great fun and the end payoff was worth sticking with it.
As is the case with any story of this nature, our resident omnicidal traitor, Jedao, eclipses the book’s actual protagonist, Cheris. It’s just hard for our young, inexperienced infantryman to be as engaging as someone with as much history and baggage as Jedao. But I do think Cheris holds her own and doesn’t become just Jedao’s shadow. Additionally, Jedao, who is the most tactically brilliant mind the empire ever produced, gets plenty of opportunity to shine without making Cheris look like an idiot in comparison, which is a difficult needle to thread as the author. Furthermore, Cheris comes into her own more over the course of the book, which makes sense for her rapidly expanding level of experience.
Jedao is great fun to poke at and learn about, though I won’t say too much here to avoid spoilers. I hope we get to hear more from him in the next books.
Lee tees up the next book perfectly here without ending on a total cliffhanger. Nevertheless, I’ll be getting my hands on book 2: Raven Stratagem as soon as I can.
Two fics, two days - both set in the early 1990s
May. 13th, 2026 02:12 pmconulyFic one: Protagonist very recently, like, last week, left home to live with a friend. Protagonist wonders how his newly estranged family found him, then reflects that "the internet still exists". Technically a true statement in 1994, however, it's perhaps a bit more likely that they just used the phone book.
Fic two: Protagonist is touristing in NYC, casually stops in a bodega, buys a flip phone so he can text people. Not in 1992 he didn't - texting via phones was only just invented that year and phones were bricks!
You gotta laugh. Kindly and gently, but still - you gotta laugh!
*****************************
( Read more... )
Fic two: Protagonist is touristing in NYC, casually stops in a bodega, buys a flip phone so he can text people. Not in 1992 he didn't - texting via phones was only just invented that year and phones were bricks!
You gotta laugh. Kindly and gently, but still - you gotta laugh!
( Read more... )
(no subject)
May. 12th, 2026 10:26 pmconulyI was introduced to this piece - specifically Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity - via Wolf 359, the Christmas episode, aka the one where things go from "comedically dark" to "shit just got real".
Black Cherries by W. S. Merwin
May. 11th, 2026 02:17 pmconulyLate in May as the light lengthens
toward summer the young goldfinches
flutter down through the day for the first time
to find themselves among fallen petals
cradling their day's colors in the day's shadows
of the garden beside the old house
after a cold spring with no rain
not a sound comes from the empty village
as I stand eating the black cherries
from the loaded branches above me
saying to myself Remember this
****************
Link
toward summer the young goldfinches
flutter down through the day for the first time
to find themselves among fallen petals
cradling their day's colors in the day's shadows
of the garden beside the old house
after a cold spring with no rain
not a sound comes from the empty village
as I stand eating the black cherries
from the loaded branches above me
saying to myself Remember this
Link
Have a happy day today!
May. 10th, 2026 08:53 amconulyAnd, you know, feel however you feel about your mother!
****************************************
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Tigers by Eliza Griswold
May. 9th, 2026 02:00 pmconulyWhat are we now but voices
who promise each other
a life neither one can deliver
not for lack of wanting
but wanting can’t make it so.
We hang from a vine
at the cliff’s edge.
There are tigers above
and below. Let us love
one another and let go.
**********
Seen on the SIR
This poem references the well-known zen koan.
who promise each other
a life neither one can deliver
not for lack of wanting
but wanting can’t make it so.
We hang from a vine
at the cliff’s edge.
There are tigers above
and below. Let us love
one another and let go.
Seen on the SIR
This poem references the well-known zen koan.
Sigh
May. 7th, 2026 11:31 amconulyMy shampoo is no longer being produced and I need more shampoo.
It needs to be perfume light, and ideally I should be able to get shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that don't clash with each other. I generally find that products marketed as natural are more likely to have scents that aren't overwhelming and don't make my eyes itch, give me a sore throat, or trigger a headache - but there's no guarantee there.
And, of course, it needs to get my hair clean, ideally without drying it out.
Help?
It needs to be perfume light, and ideally I should be able to get shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that don't clash with each other. I generally find that products marketed as natural are more likely to have scents that aren't overwhelming and don't make my eyes itch, give me a sore throat, or trigger a headache - but there's no guarantee there.
And, of course, it needs to get my hair clean, ideally without drying it out.
Help?
![[site community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/comm_staff.png){kind=small}
Batman; MCU: If It's A Highway by there_must_be_a_lock
May. 6th, 2026 04:20 pmsasheneskywalker posting in fancakeFandom: Batman - All Media Types, Marvel Cinematic Universe
Pairings/Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes/Jason Todd
Rating: Explicit
Length: 77,145 words
Creator Links:![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p2.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
there_must_be_a_lock
Theme: journey & travel, crossovers/fusions, crossover pairings, slow burn, angst with a happy ending
Summary: Bucky’s been running for a week when the supposedly-untraceable burner phone he stole from a Hydra warehouse starts ringing. He’s in a gas station bathroom off a remote highway close to the Croatian border, getting ready to bleach his hair; the ringtone bounces shrilly off the bare tiles and makes his jaw clench tight.
[Or: the one where Bucky is hired to train Jason, and he ends up learning a thing or two himself.]
Reccer's Notes: One of the best DC/MCU crossover fics I've ever read. I love how the fic explores Jason's and Bucky's perspectives on love, sex, romance, intimacy, trauma, and relationships <3
Content Notes: discussion of past suicidal thoughts, discussion of past underage sex work, allusions to past torture and present canon-typical violence
Fanwork Links: If It's A Highway
Pairings/Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes/Jason Todd
Rating: Explicit
Length: 77,145 words
Creator Links:
Theme: journey & travel, crossovers/fusions, crossover pairings, slow burn, angst with a happy ending
Summary: Bucky’s been running for a week when the supposedly-untraceable burner phone he stole from a Hydra warehouse starts ringing. He’s in a gas station bathroom off a remote highway close to the Croatian border, getting ready to bleach his hair; the ringtone bounces shrilly off the bare tiles and makes his jaw clench tight.
[Or: the one where Bucky is hired to train Jason, and he ends up learning a thing or two himself.]
Reccer's Notes: One of the best DC/MCU crossover fics I've ever read. I love how the fic explores Jason's and Bucky's perspectives on love, sex, romance, intimacy, trauma, and relationships <3
Content Notes: discussion of past suicidal thoughts, discussion of past underage sex work, allusions to past torture and present canon-typical violence
Fanwork Links: If It's A Highway
Doctor Who: once upon a time in nazi-occupied france by yonderdarling
May. 5th, 2026 01:36 pmkingstoken posting in fancakeFandom: Doctor Who
Pairings/Characters: Twelve/Missy (but also Doctor/Master generally)
Rating: Not Rated
Length: 121,404 words
Creator Links: yonderdarling
Theme: Journey & Travel, getting back together
Summary: "He's sitting in a cafe in Vichy France (he was aiming for 2042) and waiting for his lunch when Missy plops down in the chair opposite him." This is an idea they've had before, it's just the first time they've both been able to consider it. The Doctor and Missy try travelling together.
Reccer's Notes: After Twelve loses Clara, Twelve and Missy try travelling together through space and time. Reading Missy and Twelve together in the TARDIS is a delight. However, the fic digs into the complicated nature of their relationship, gives them a rather tragic backstory, and focuses how they deal with things as they start falling into a romantic relationship and the consequences of that.
Fanwork Links: AO3
Pairings/Characters: Twelve/Missy (but also Doctor/Master generally)
Rating: Not Rated
Length: 121,404 words
Creator Links: yonderdarling
Theme: Journey & Travel, getting back together
Summary: "He's sitting in a cafe in Vichy France (he was aiming for 2042) and waiting for his lunch when Missy plops down in the chair opposite him." This is an idea they've had before, it's just the first time they've both been able to consider it. The Doctor and Missy try travelling together.
Reccer's Notes: After Twelve loses Clara, Twelve and Missy try travelling together through space and time. Reading Missy and Twelve together in the TARDIS is a delight. However, the fic digs into the complicated nature of their relationship, gives them a rather tragic backstory, and focuses how they deal with things as they start falling into a romantic relationship and the consequences of that.
Fanwork Links: AO3
Gorillaz (Virtual Band): The Answer by sonatas
May. 3rd, 2026 04:14 pmzorbo_jorks posting in fancakeFandom: Gorillaz (Virtual Band)
Pairings/Characters: Murdoc Niccals/Stuart "2D" Pot, Various OCs, Hannibal Niccals, Noodle, Russel Hobbs
Rating: Explicit
Length: 298,396 words (26 Chapters)
Creator Links: https://archiveofourown.org/users/sonatas/pseuds/sonatas
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: When a phone call informing him of his father’s death sends him on an unexpected and unwanted trip back to his childhood home, Murdoc finds himself confronted with more questions about his origins than he ever could have anticipated. Who knew a couple of shoe boxes, left to gather dust in his father’s closet, could contain such heart-wrenching secrets. And why is 2D so invested? Post-canon. 2Doc.
Reccer's Notes: I have just recently started peeking into this fandom, and did not realize that this is one of the Big Fics for the pairing until after I finished it, but it's so earned! The story pulled me along the whole way: imagine a world-wide road trip where every party is kind of miserable, and there are occult curses and ghosts chasing them the whole time! Great world-building and mystery elements too, and pique character work and dramatic tension!
There is a lot of fanart embedded throughout, as well, which is such a treat!
Content Notes: violence & injury, drug abuse, addiction, and grief, and past child abuse, CSA and adult SA
Fanwork Links: https://archiveofourown.org/works/11767422/chapters/26527818
Pairings/Characters: Murdoc Niccals/Stuart "2D" Pot, Various OCs, Hannibal Niccals, Noodle, Russel Hobbs
Rating: Explicit
Length: 298,396 words (26 Chapters)
Creator Links: https://archiveofourown.org/users/sonatas/pseuds/sonatas
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: When a phone call informing him of his father’s death sends him on an unexpected and unwanted trip back to his childhood home, Murdoc finds himself confronted with more questions about his origins than he ever could have anticipated. Who knew a couple of shoe boxes, left to gather dust in his father’s closet, could contain such heart-wrenching secrets. And why is 2D so invested? Post-canon. 2Doc.
Reccer's Notes: I have just recently started peeking into this fandom, and did not realize that this is one of the Big Fics for the pairing until after I finished it, but it's so earned! The story pulled me along the whole way: imagine a world-wide road trip where every party is kind of miserable, and there are occult curses and ghosts chasing them the whole time! Great world-building and mystery elements too, and pique character work and dramatic tension!
There is a lot of fanart embedded throughout, as well, which is such a treat!
Content Notes: violence & injury, drug abuse, addiction, and grief, and past child abuse, CSA and adult SA
Fanwork Links: https://archiveofourown.org/works/11767422/chapters/26527818
Hazbin Hotel: Put Your Head On My Shoulder by auxkabel (cablecurrent)
May. 3rd, 2026 12:42 pmwrittenwordsaloud posting in fancakeFandom: Hazbin Hotel
Pairings/Characters: Valentino & Velvette & Vox, Valentino/Vox
Rating: M
Length: 7634
Creator Link: auxkabel (cablecurrent)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Some people lose their heads. Vox loses his body. It’s a sex thing.
Or: while Vox is busy making sure Valentino Day goes smoothly, his meatsuit departs on an epic journey across the Pentagram. Now it’s up to Valentino, Velvet and Vox’s head to find the damn thing before something bad happens to it.
Reccer's Notes: Can't usually find much travelling with Sinners in Hazbin, but it definitely counts when some Overlords have to go around on foot to find someone body.
First of all, Val being angry that he can't find Vox's body instead of concerned brings me great joy. As if Vox did it all on purpose.
I have to think about all the other reasons (other than Alastor) that Vox would have for letting his body do whatever it wants when his consciousness appears to remain with his body at all times. Does he get to choose where his mind stays? In which case, the body that "wines and dines" Val is only less important because Vox's consciousness isn't in it.
And we know Vox would love Val even as a worm. He would hate loving him as a worm, but he would.
Velvette shaming Val is so tasty. Shaming Vox? Yes, of course. But fixing Val with the disappointed look is so much funnier in this context.
I'm so freaking happy Charlie's first reaction was that Vox's body was a Dullahan. There is a version of this fic where Angel wasn't around to inform them it was Vox, leaving Charlie and Vaggie to go on an adventure to find a head and making it even harder for the Vees to find him.
The goat demon is a freaking boss. Risking talking back to the Vees, considering he actually knows that's who he is talking to. What a hero. Who else of his level could get Val to kiss them?
And I'm glad Maggot Mary seems to have what she wants in order. Her body really does seem like one of the worst punishments Hell could have provided someone. How often does she die and have to reconstitute? I want to know what her guard dogs are like.
So many people might construe calling someone's body "our things" as dehumanizing, but considering it's Velvette saying it Vox indeed has the money on the mark. It's her attempt at being flippant while she indeed cares about him. After all, why would Velvette have bothered putting this much time in otherwise? Even with putting out fires.
In the end, of course Charlie lets him keep the nightgown so he doesn't have to go home nude. And Velvette doesn't bother to give him another outfit to wear. Going for takeout and straight home is such a boon for Vox as well. You know if Velvette wasn't busy she would have wanted to spend some time threatening Vox with having him go into a restaurant like this.
I love to consider what S2 would have been like if this had happened first: because Alastor then wouldn't have Vox to fall upon to get him out of his deal with Rosie, Vox couldn't insult the hotel while convincing people to rise up against Heaven, and it would have been perhaps a somewhat more lighthearted comedy before Vox blew a hole in Heaven.
Fanwork link: Put Your Head On My Shoulder
Pairings/Characters: Valentino & Velvette & Vox, Valentino/Vox
Rating: M
Length: 7634
Creator Link: auxkabel (cablecurrent)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Some people lose their heads. Vox loses his body. It’s a sex thing.
Or: while Vox is busy making sure Valentino Day goes smoothly, his meatsuit departs on an epic journey across the Pentagram. Now it’s up to Valentino, Velvet and Vox’s head to find the damn thing before something bad happens to it.
Reccer's Notes: Can't usually find much travelling with Sinners in Hazbin, but it definitely counts when some Overlords have to go around on foot to find someone body.
For after reading
First of all, Val being angry that he can't find Vox's body instead of concerned brings me great joy. As if Vox did it all on purpose.
I have to think about all the other reasons (other than Alastor) that Vox would have for letting his body do whatever it wants when his consciousness appears to remain with his body at all times. Does he get to choose where his mind stays? In which case, the body that "wines and dines" Val is only less important because Vox's consciousness isn't in it.
And we know Vox would love Val even as a worm. He would hate loving him as a worm, but he would.
Velvette shaming Val is so tasty. Shaming Vox? Yes, of course. But fixing Val with the disappointed look is so much funnier in this context.
I'm so freaking happy Charlie's first reaction was that Vox's body was a Dullahan. There is a version of this fic where Angel wasn't around to inform them it was Vox, leaving Charlie and Vaggie to go on an adventure to find a head and making it even harder for the Vees to find him.
The goat demon is a freaking boss. Risking talking back to the Vees, considering he actually knows that's who he is talking to. What a hero. Who else of his level could get Val to kiss them?
And I'm glad Maggot Mary seems to have what she wants in order. Her body really does seem like one of the worst punishments Hell could have provided someone. How often does she die and have to reconstitute? I want to know what her guard dogs are like.
So many people might construe calling someone's body "our things" as dehumanizing, but considering it's Velvette saying it Vox indeed has the money on the mark. It's her attempt at being flippant while she indeed cares about him. After all, why would Velvette have bothered putting this much time in otherwise? Even with putting out fires.
In the end, of course Charlie lets him keep the nightgown so he doesn't have to go home nude. And Velvette doesn't bother to give him another outfit to wear. Going for takeout and straight home is such a boon for Vox as well. You know if Velvette wasn't busy she would have wanted to spend some time threatening Vox with having him go into a restaurant like this.
I love to consider what S2 would have been like if this had happened first: because Alastor then wouldn't have Vox to fall upon to get him out of his deal with Rosie, Vox couldn't insult the hotel while convincing people to rise up against Heaven, and it would have been perhaps a somewhat more lighthearted comedy before Vox blew a hole in Heaven.
Fanwork link: Put Your Head On My Shoulder
Downton Abbey: Slow Boat to China by Laramie and LinkWorshiper
May. 3rd, 2026 07:30 pmdickinsons posting in fancakeFandom: Downton Abbey
Pairings/Characters: Thomas Barrow/Jimmy Kent, Lady Anstruther, OCs
Rating:T
Length: 79,395
Creator Links: Laramie, LinkWorshiper (AO3)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Though Jimmy Kent has found success and fortune since moving on from Downton, he has never been able to forgive Lady Anstruther for the troubles she's caused him in the past. Motivated by a burning desire for revenge, Jimmy takes action - and enlists the help of the one person he's ever trusted. Naturally that person is Thomas Barrow.
Reccer's Notes: This fic has romance, a revenge plot, and mystery fiction elements, all while the characters travel to China. It's a really fun read.
Fanwork Links: Slow Boat to China
Pairings/Characters: Thomas Barrow/Jimmy Kent, Lady Anstruther, OCs
Rating:T
Length: 79,395
Creator Links: Laramie, LinkWorshiper (AO3)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Though Jimmy Kent has found success and fortune since moving on from Downton, he has never been able to forgive Lady Anstruther for the troubles she's caused him in the past. Motivated by a burning desire for revenge, Jimmy takes action - and enlists the help of the one person he's ever trusted. Naturally that person is Thomas Barrow.
Reccer's Notes: This fic has romance, a revenge plot, and mystery fiction elements, all while the characters travel to China. It's a really fun read.
Fanwork Links: Slow Boat to China
full_metal_ox posting in fancakeFandom: “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” (Arrogant Worms song; Captain Tractor cover)
Pairings/Characters: Gen; OCs of assorted genders.
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 4:13
Content Notes: The OP identifies the song as by the Arrogant Worms—who originated it, but the version used here is Captain Tractor’s cover.
Creator Links: (YouTube):![[youtube.com profile]](https://youtube.com/favicon.ico)
vinnyreid
Theme: Journey & Travel, Fanvid, Just Plain Fun, Kidfic (child performers), Old Fandoms, Pre-AO3 Works
Summary: This is a video that I made with some of the students from the youth group back in April 2003. Its pretty cheezy, but we had lots of fun making it and still get a laugh out of watching it. Hope you enjoy it too. The song is "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" by the Arrogant Worms.
Reccer's Notes: This is an exercise in how to make a killer fanvid on a backyard budget—propelled by the sheer exuberant glee of the kid pirates running amuck and by the masterfully edited nonstop action—Benny Hillesque chase scenes, sword fights, and Scooby Dooby Doors. (Note in particular the inventive use of camera angles and farm and playground architecture to create the impression that they actually have a ship.)
Things I Learned in the process of fact-checking this post: “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” has become such an anthem for Saskatchewanians (and Canadians in general) that it’s taught in grade-school music classes! (It’s also a compelling fantasy to lots of non-Canadian dwellers in regions marked by farming and economic disgruntlement; The Longest Johns (of viral “Wellerman” fame) have localized it accordingly.)
I would have added “a large local body of water”, but it turns out that part of the regional in-joke is that Regina (“Regina’s mighty shores”), the provincial capitol, is in a landlocked part of Saskatchewan; the Jolly Roger is a legendary dive bar there.
Reid doesn’t specify the affiliation of the youth group, but the censorship of the word “damn” leads me to suspect a church.
Fanwork Links: The Last Saskatchewan Pirate (fanvid), by Kevin Reid and his youth group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHAl1tWvvPA
Pairings/Characters: Gen; OCs of assorted genders.
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 4:13
Content Notes: The OP identifies the song as by the Arrogant Worms—who originated it, but the version used here is Captain Tractor’s cover.
Creator Links: (YouTube):
Theme: Journey & Travel, Fanvid, Just Plain Fun, Kidfic (child performers), Old Fandoms, Pre-AO3 Works
Summary: This is a video that I made with some of the students from the youth group back in April 2003. Its pretty cheezy, but we had lots of fun making it and still get a laugh out of watching it. Hope you enjoy it too. The song is "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" by the Arrogant Worms.
Reccer's Notes: This is an exercise in how to make a killer fanvid on a backyard budget—propelled by the sheer exuberant glee of the kid pirates running amuck and by the masterfully edited nonstop action—Benny Hillesque chase scenes, sword fights, and Scooby Dooby Doors. (Note in particular the inventive use of camera angles and farm and playground architecture to create the impression that they actually have a ship.)
Things I Learned in the process of fact-checking this post: “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” has become such an anthem for Saskatchewanians (and Canadians in general) that it’s taught in grade-school music classes! (It’s also a compelling fantasy to lots of non-Canadian dwellers in regions marked by farming and economic disgruntlement; The Longest Johns (of viral “Wellerman” fame) have localized it accordingly.)
I would have added “a large local body of water”, but it turns out that part of the regional in-joke is that Regina (“Regina’s mighty shores”), the provincial capitol, is in a landlocked part of Saskatchewan; the Jolly Roger is a legendary dive bar there.
Reid doesn’t specify the affiliation of the youth group, but the censorship of the word “damn” leads me to suspect a church.
Fanwork Links: The Last Saskatchewan Pirate (fanvid), by Kevin Reid and his youth group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHAl1tWvvPA
Brief Update
May. 2nd, 2026 11:47 ammarthawellsA week ago I got back from Japan where I was a guest at HALCon, an annual SF/F convention held in the Kawasaki International Center, and it was awesome. (Though right now I am still dead from jet-lag.) The convention itself was great, I walked to so many cool people, and was treated to so much good food. The Japanese edition of System Collapse translated by Naoya Nakamura had won the Seiun Award, and they presented me with that, which was also awesome.
Afterward we went down to Kamakura, which was the seat of the first Shogunate, and saw the Great Buddha https://www.kotoku-in.jp/en/ and two other Buddhist temples, one in a bamboo grove, and a huge Shinto Shrine. It was an incredible trip and I'm so glad I went.
Tour dates for Platform Decay, the next Murderbot novel:
https://us.macmillan.com/tours/martha-wells-platform-decay/
Afterward we went down to Kamakura, which was the seat of the first Shogunate, and saw the Great Buddha https://www.kotoku-in.jp/en/ and two other Buddhist temples, one in a bamboo grove, and a huge Shinto Shrine. It was an incredible trip and I'm so glad I went.
Tour dates for Platform Decay, the next Murderbot novel:
https://us.macmillan.com/tours/martha-wells-platform-decay/