#sonnetsandswingouts

[systlin]

Plauntie, what's your non-Roundup way to kill poison ivy? Dad took one look at the side yard of the house I'm renting and said "hey so maybe don't walk over there" 😬😬😬

Well, don’t do what I did and pull it with your bare hands (though I forgot there was poison ivy there, in my defense.) That might involve a trip to the doc and a prednisone shot and prescription strength topical cream. 

Spray it with vinegar. Seriously. It’ll wilt the leaves. Keep spraying it with vinegar as new leaves sprout. Then wade in armored up in clothes and heavy gloves, rip it out, bag it up, and get rid of it. Do NOT burn!!!

Then immediately wash your clothes and gloves, twice. Run an empty wash cycle on the washer. Jump in shower and scrub down just to be on the safe side. 

[kedreeva]

Kind things for NYE! 1) I'm AMAZING at putting together outfits 2) I'm good at making people feel welcome and included 3) practicing mandolin is paying off and I'm getting better!

Heck yeah!! Mandolin playing is so neat!

Thresher sharks can whip their tails at 30mph!

Bats, despite how it looks when they do it, are actually more efficient fliers than birds.

Marine iguanas can hold their breath for 30-40 minutes while diving for food.

[bomberqueen17]

“crop factor”

I am going to link to a nerdy B&H article that explains this far more thoroughly than it really needs explained, but because of a conversation i just started infodumping into @sonnetsandswingouts‘s mentions (sorry), I was inspired to go look this up.

This is about digital photography. This is about when you’re shopping for lenses. The focal distance on the lens tells you whether it’s a wide-angle or telephoto lens or what, but the numbers are not absolute; lenses are designed for different cameras, and the effective focal distance on your camera is going to depend on some things. So people talk about “the crop factor”, and that article explains it, but to sum up--

A “full-frame” digital camera, or a 35mm film camera, both have imaging areas that are the same size. A “crop-sensor” camera, which for a long time was the default in digital but a few years back they realized they could make big bucks making normies pay extra for full-frame sensors (formerly the provenance exclusively of studio professionals), has a slightly smaller sensor. So your lens, if it is designed for a full-frame camera, will have a slightly different effective focal distance on a crop-sensor camera, and vice versa.

(Every manufacturer has a different way of denoting this, but an easy shorthand, if you’re in the biz, is to recognize that certain numbers only make sense for one or the other. Your 28mm lens is amost certainly full-frame. Your 18? That’s for a crop-sensor.)

(A further confusing factor: mirrorless or compact cameras with interchangeable lens systems, such as the Sony NEX, Nikon Z, uhhh, there are others, but I don’t care about them. Fortunately, usually they have much different mounts, so the lenses aren’t compatible, so it doesn’t cross over or matter, excepting adaptors, which are a whole thing I’m so disinterested in I can’t summon the energy to explain.)

Lenses that are in compatible mounts (Canon EOS, Nikon AF-S) will work on both kinds of cameras. I own a number of full-frame lenses, some of which date from the film era, which I use on my crop-sensor camera body.

A general rule of thumb is that crop-sensor lenses are shite on full-frame cameras. (You can’t use the whole sensor. so why have the whole sensor? don’t bother with this lens.) The converse rule of thumb is that often your full-frame lenses are a waste of money on your crop-sensor cameras, since you’re only using the middle of the lens.

Part of it is that you pay extra for wide-angle in a crop-sensor. So don’t. Your all-in-ones-- (28-75, 24-70, 28-135) are not going to be useful at their wider range, because they won’t look wide-angle with your wee sensor.

But your lovely prime lenses (those are the ones with one number-- a 28mm f/1.8, a 50mm f/1.8 [for many years the default, before they invented zoom lenses; they were called “nifty fifties”], a 105mm f/2.8-- those will still be lovely on your crop-sensor camera.

So don’t buy a 28-135 for your crop-sensor DSLR, because you’re paying for a wide angle you can’t use. Buy an 18-200. (I recommend image stabilization, or VR or IS or VC or whatever the manufacturer calls it.)

If you want example images, ha ha ha, well. Do I have recent ones? No. But my entire Flickr is example images, and a great thing about Flickr is that they include the EXIF data, so it tells you what camera took the photo with what lens and what flash, if applicable, and what the settings were.

Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8 fisheye-- this is a crop-sensor lens, and it would vignette badly on a full-frame. (Oh this is probably my favorite photo I’ve ever taken with this lens, though.)

Tamron 18-270mm all-in-one-- a crop-sensor lens, which is notably not fantastic at its extreme telephoto end but is pretty fantastic up to about 200mm, and i bring it everywhere. That first photo is at 18, this one’s at about 220, and here, alas, is at 270, where it has kind of fallen down, but it was a big ask. (Honestly though that’s better than no photo!)

My usual low-light or indoor lens is a 17-50mm f/2.8 VC, which I think is a Sigma brand-- the VC is image stabilization, which is super helpful if you’re going to shoot at slow shutter speeds. I have used it to good effect for nighttime shots.

And I have a whole stable of fast glass-- prime lenses with huge apertures-- that were super essential back when I was shooting indoor sports with a slower camera body. But in 2013 or so they hit that point where camera sensors are fast now, and that glass isn’t necessary anymore, not in the same way. I hang onto it because they take beautiful pictures, but they need so much premeditation-- I joke that I always have the wrong lens on my camera, and more often than not that wrong lens is my beloved 85mm f/1.8, because I love that lens because it has gotten me some really beautiful shots in my day and everything looks beautiful through it, but if your subject comes closer well you’re shit out of luck. (It’s the shallow depth of field, it’s how you can pick a thing and isolate your subject, that’s what makes fast glass worth it. nowadays your phone does that with a filter but it fucks it up half the time.)

Anyway if anyone has questions about what the numbers on lenses mean it’s a while since I was on the sales floor but I very much do still work in a camera store, LOL.

[tetedurfarm]

For rabbit breeds ask, Netherland dwarf?

useless and crazy, every single one i have ever put my hands on has been wack.  cute though, they really nailed the baby forever thing, but they still go

[lesbiansforboromir]

I. I am going to have to download LOTRO after ten years clean. dammit. (I just want fancy hats! And to cook and pick flowers and sneakily stab bad guys!)

And that’s valid. A completely valid way to play the game :)

[gallusrostromegalus]

For the ask meme - 6. When’s the last time you felt like you were floating?

Earlier this morning at the rec center pool after doing laps for a while, becuase I decided to float for a bit.

[theshitpostcalligrapher]

DTF: Desiring Thorough Fornication

oh this ones PERFECT for a fancier font

Askbox is currently closed as I work my way through these older asks

[likeawildthing]

Good Vibes: reorganized the living room so I have a proper wfh "office" aka not the dining table! My long distance partner got here just before things got bad so I have company and kisses! Cooking actual meals because I'm home all day!

i’m glad your partner is home with you and that you’re bonding over food and quality time. way to reorganize the living room! i made a similar change before i got sick, just a foldable table in the kitchen, but it feels nice to have my own proper space for the coming months. nice to see you’re making the best of it

[rudjedet]

sonnetsandswingouts replied to your post: Okay, your honest opinions please: if a main...

I wouldn’t have an issue with it, as long as it wasn’t fridging the mom.

Oh, god no. She survived the dad by a couple of years but hard labour and malnutrition aren’t generally kind to one’s life expectancy. There’s no shock value to it whatsoever; when the main character finds out it gives a sense of closure more than anything (she has dissociative amnesia and remembers very little about her early years to begin with). Basically, the mom died because it was kind of hard to keep living in those circumstances. 

[elsewhereuniversity]

Numbers don't lie - she studies accounting - except when they do - she studies finance and economics - and savvy to the power of contacts and words. Dabbled in theater, and runs the student martial arts club, but feet firmly on the ground. Tends to keep to herself. Strong Irish heritage. Odds of surviving?

Your roommate is stolen away, leaving you with the care of their illegal rabbit, who you grow to love as a source of sage advice, a master of riddles, and an excellent cuddler.

[imaginarycircus]

I had a long day, begun by waking up entirely too early for last class of the semester. But then I got to hang out with friendwholivesfaraway. We went and window shopped; I got a delightful pair of light blue plaid Keds. I tried a Southern Democrat cocktail at dinner (tasty - bourbon and tea and peach) and spent most of the evening at dance helping people with the routine we're performing in two weeks. Also, it rained a lot.

I love hearing about all your dancing. David and I can’t figure out how to swing dance together. He learned with a rock step and I learned the faster kind (is it a Lindy? IDK. You would know.) and we could probably figure it out if we were patient. I think that might be one of the most southern sounding cocktails I’ve ever heard of.

[caffeinewitchcraft]

I literally can't remember a time when I didn't know how to read. Mom says I taught myself around age 2. By the time I hit elementary/middle school, I didn't get grounded, I got books impounded, and got in trouble for reading too late/instead of schoolwork or chores. Mom bought me a rolling suitcase cause she was worried I'd hurt my back carrying around the 20-book library check out limit.

First of all, wow you started young! That’s impressive!

Secondly, books impounded? Sounds like it’s time for a prison break.

We’re going to need a cardboard box, an alarm clock, a window of opportunity, and that man’s leg!

[simonalkenmayer]

I, too, made prime rib for the family Christmas dinner. It was meltingly tender and full of flavor.

Also featured: candied sweet potatoes, spinach souffle, green beans, and pickled beets.

- @sonnetsandswingouts

Proper. Together we can educate @jamisings ridiculous family. -S

[bomberqueen17]

replying to replies with bonus boob-centric fic snippet

exrayspex replied to your post “magic boobs”

this is delightful oh my god. keira is def familiar with the whole boobs trying to escape through the armholes of your sleeveless shirt thing and she would not stand for it!

sonnetsandswingouts replied to your post “magic boobs”

LOVE the premise, I always look at those kinds of necklines and shudder to think of the sunburn.

bebeocho replied to your post “magic boobs”

i would just like to say that even though i am woefully behind on Meet Death Sitting, i really enjoyed both these snippets very very much. that first one made me emotional (Lambert, baby!! :'(( ). also, GOD i wish i had magic that could keep my tits up

LOL thanks yes-- I have become obsessed with Keira’s magic invisible bralette. I say this as a certified Big Titty Bitch (who, TMI, is currently dealing with how at a certain size in the summer you just always have that bit where skin’s gotta overlap and if you don’t have The Perfect Bra at all times that’s gonna get chafed and then it won’t heal? Mega Fucking Bummer)-- all I ever do with summer fashions is look wistfully at their lack of bra coverage (WHY ONE-SHOULDER WHY FUCK U WHO CAN WEAR A SINGLE-TIT BRA THAT MAKES NO SENSE), and all those great scraps of lace they call bras that all the skinny girls get to wear, and like, *wistful sigh* wouldn’t that be amazing, anyway, back to my Glamorise old lady sports bra that goes to my collarbones cuz it’s the only thing i own that doesn’t leave overlap to chafe.

(witch hazel helps, word to the wise, just always be applying witch hazel to all skin, in all seasons, this is how i live, bonus you can put some rose water in it if you don’t like the smell, it’s in the indian food aisle and works basically exactly the same)

On this note however, I have found myself (it is my birthday, I am indulging myself) enmired in yet another Keira story, which is the follow-on from What Mages Are Like where she goes to Yennefer for advice on how best to give a Witcher what he really wants in bed (namely, The Strap), which was only ever a porny side idea I’d sort of abandoned, and yet, Keira walks into Yennefer’s office and all Yennefer can do is think about improvements to the invisible-bralette spell.

(I don’t write enough f/f and listen I have needs)

Keira gave the room a wary, surreptitious, and sensible once-over as she came in, and dropped into the chair with a force that should have sent her breasts right out of her so-called shirt, but they didn’t move. Yennefer itched to pick the spell apart. It would be so much more distracting, she thought, if the spell were designed to allow for some movement, like a looser-fitting breastband-- perhaps enough movement that the nipples nearly showed but not quite-- but they were held firmly.

A shame.

snoutbeetle replied to your post “fic snippet”

Oooo, I'd really like to see more of this!

bittylildragon replied to your post  “magic boobs”                   

   *I* want more Keira/Lambert from you :D                   

why thank you both! it is suffering currently because I realized at a genuinely astonishing eighteen THOUSAND words in that I was writing Lambert as a new face model superimposed over Geralt Is A Doormat and that wasn’t going to work, so I’ve had to go and rewrite a bunch of it, but. I am committed now, I guess.

[tetedurfarm]

Hello! Do you have any advice for training an adult rabbit to be docile when handled? I got my Netherland dwarf as an adult, and his prior family didn't handle him much, so he is VERY grumpy about me picking him up or trying to clip his nails. Bribery hasn't been super effective thus far...

honestly some rabbits just....don’t like being handled, even if you start them from a young age.  they are more tolerant than ones that never get handled, but i have a few that their line just.  isn’t that friendly, despite my best efforts.

for these guys i really just keep handling to a minimum - nail trims, breeding checks, and when/if they go to shows (most of them are just meat mutts so they don’t have to deal with that.)  in general though my methods of training animals is to just do what i need to do regardless of how much they pitch a fit, because if they think they can get away with something, they will.  so i just don’t let them get away with anything.  if i need to cut their nails it doesn’t matter how much they kick me, their nails are getting done.  they can either chill and it go easy, or they can fight me and make it difficult.  they usually learn that just letting me do what i need to do is the best option, but i still have to wrestle a couple into submission for trims sometimes >>

[theleadingfraeulein]

A collection of your answers to my thoughts on making progress as an ambidancer

Thank you, you lovely people, for your thoughtful responses to my post last week! I’d like to share with the public some of your opinions regarding to my report of how I feel starting out as an ambi-dancer might have had an impact on my learning progress. Here they are: Disclaimer: I used the pronouns they/them/their for the folks without listed preferred pronouns in their bio. If that confuses you check this out.

1)      Coppersunshine was the first to respond to my post. An ambi-dancer themselves they didn’t believe that ambidancing slows down the learning curve. Instead they linked my experience of “stagnating for a while and then suddenly leveling-up” to typical human learning behavior. That they also experienced themselves. Also they stressed how learning is something very individual that depends on “natural talent+quality teachers+time spent practicing, etc, etc”.

 2)      Lehcimnibor argued that just because I felt like I was plateauing that that might not be the case. That instead I was learning small things along the way that suddenly just came together. They wrote that learning is not a linear graph. They added that learning to follow improves leaders since they’d learn how to listen to their follows and adjust to their dancing/height and be more careful with how rough they dance. For my partner learning faster than me Lehcimnibor argued that in their experience followers are faster in picking up cues than leads because their portion of the dance depends on it rather than my friend learning faster just because she focused on one role. “Often when someone tries a move I don’t know, if they’re leading it right then I can follow it without knowing what I’m doing. Whereas a lot of leads need to know exactly how to do the move so there’s more pressure there.”

Also they had they had the nicest short conclusion: “Being a leader who can follow is better for your dancing than just being a leader and your follows will love you for it”.

 3)      Wecanthavethat (aka the person that I imagine to be a dancing chicken) shares how they’ve heard of the general learning-experience of how people get quite decent dancers after one year of dancing but then seem to stagnate in their learning and only make real improvement after 2 or 3 years and that that’s normal. My experience therefore might not be linked to me learning two roles but me being… a mediocre human being I guess (my words not theirs).

Wecanthavethat asks what it even means to be a good dancer. Is it having control over your body, having connection with your partner, being able to stylize and do variation, having your own personal style? They think being a good dancer comes from experience with a lot of different partners but also putting a lot of time and energy into going to workshops/classes. Yes a person who takes those only on one role might be able to but more energy into them. But then not two people are alike.

 4)    sonnetsandswingouts is also an ambidancer that picked up following and leading from the beginning (in their case they started leading due to the lack of male leads in their scene). They got to the upper intermediate level as a follow pretty quickly. When they felt like they had plateaued as a follow they concentrated more on their leading which helped improved their leadingskills but also in the end with their following. Then they also picked up other swing dances aside from lindy hop.

They think that “it’s more effective to work on styles of dance one at a time, it works better to dedicate fairly significant spans of time (2+ months) to focused work on either leading or following. It’s different body mechanics, different mindsets, and different movements.” That wouldn’t mean to stop socially dancing the other but that you’d have to be aware that this would affect skill acquisition speed since you’d be constantly switching back and forth between roles.

 5)      Neorxnawang (for some reason I always read Marx instead Neorx…) was until now that I write this, the last to comment. She states that in her observation people who take classes as the non-traditional role for their (assumed) gender often start ambidancing immediately because of how often they get asked to dance the other role. Also most ambidancers she knows pick up their secondary role on the dancefloor and might start taking some workshops in that role after a time, which also contextualizes my experiences. Thank you for that!

She is following and leading in various swing dances, started out as a follow though. Her experience on the “oh, learning ‘the other role’ will help you in your primary role” is that her learning curve as a lead has been far more satisfying than as a follow which – if I got it right – falsifies that statement. She started out as follow, and then began leading and feels like her leading is better than her following.

She wonders just like me wether she’d been in her primary role if she hadn’t picked up the other one as well. At the same time progress isn’t linear to her and she also believes that stretches of stagnation with bursts of progress are fairly typical learning experiences for dancers and that it can’t be blamed on ambidancing. Also she adds that in the end we as ambidancers can do more than people who have been dancing for the same amount of time but only in one role.

She closes with a note concerning my feeling about “watering down the political message” by not just leading but also following as a cis-woman. She’s not very comfortable with the fact that dance-roles on the dancefloor are political. She’d rather that we’d be able to “could just dance whichever role we want and with whomever we want without it being political at all. I don’t think we should have to feel like we’re representing our gender on the dance floor.” But she fears that that might be just wishful thinking of hers.

  So thank you again for letting me know what you think! It was very lovely reading your opinions! :)