Sandstone
@quartzen.bsky.social
Programmer and SFF reader. Sega fan. Asexual and otherwise queer. She/her. 📚
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If you can't find something on the TV this #boxingday , might we suggest catching up on our Solaris Presents online events? FREE, available anywhere in the world, ft. @premeemohamed.com @mattfnwallace.bsky.social @isabelcanas.bsky.social @mkhardywrites.com @voidcricket.bsky.social & more!
Solaris Presents
Free online events with your favourite authors on Crowdcast!
www.crowdcast.io
December 26, 2025 at 9:23 PM
If you can't find something on the TV this #boxingday , might we suggest catching up on our Solaris Presents online events? FREE, available anywhere in the world, ft. @premeemohamed.com @mattfnwallace.bsky.social @isabelcanas.bsky.social @mkhardywrites.com @voidcricket.bsky.social & more!
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Birthright citizenship has been part of our constitution for over 150 years. The Trump administration wants to change that. Here are the facts: bit.ly/44Tm6Mn
Birthright Citizenship Under the U.S. Constitution
The 14th Amendment has long been understood to grant American citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil.
www.brennancenter.org
December 25, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Birthright citizenship has been part of our constitution for over 150 years. The Trump administration wants to change that. Here are the facts: bit.ly/44Tm6Mn
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Government services aren't businesses. Delivering mail to citizens is something we pay for.
But if these are businesses, you won't believe how much money the military loses.
But if these are businesses, you won't believe how much money the military loses.
The USPS faces a tight squeeze. With fewer people using the mail, it’s lost more and more money: $9 billion in the 12 months ending in September alone.
https://cnn.it/4qkeNoF
https://cnn.it/4qkeNoF
December 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Government services aren't businesses. Delivering mail to citizens is something we pay for.
But if these are businesses, you won't believe how much money the military loses.
But if these are businesses, you won't believe how much money the military loses.
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All now complete, enjoy on this Christmas Eve 12 books that are worth your attention and why.
Do I like Christmas? No! Do I like excuses to talk about books? Yes! So I'm going to do twelve days of bookmas - starting today and running up to Christmas Eve - where I talk about twelve books I read this year that were cool, fun, interesting or discussion-worthy.
December 24, 2025 at 8:32 PM
All now complete, enjoy on this Christmas Eve 12 books that are worth your attention and why.
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Somehow Palpatine returned again
New Rumor Claims the Third AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Teaser Trailer Will Focus on a Very Surprising Character
New Rumor Claims the Third AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Teaser Trailer Will Focus on a Very Surprising Character
The release of director James Cameron ’s sequel Avatar: Fire and Ash has brought the release of the first teaser trailer for Marvel’s highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday . The first trailer was...
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Somehow Palpatine returned again
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PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOW OPEN on prohibiting gender affirming care for young people.
Flood 'em with comments!
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Flood 'em with comments!
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Medicaid Program; Prohibition on Federal Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Funding for Sex-Rejecting Procedures Furnished to Children
This proposed rule would require that a State Medicaid plan must provide that the Medicaid agency will not make payment under the plan for sex-rejecting procedures for children under 18 and prohibit t...
www.federalregister.gov
December 24, 2025 at 3:28 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOW OPEN on prohibiting gender affirming care for young people.
Flood 'em with comments!
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Flood 'em with comments!
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
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I’m nobody special and I’ve had right wing extremists try to ruin every aspect of my personal and professional life, including showing up in person and leaving written death threats at my work and home. This “problem” is an inherent part of right wing extremism; it’s a feature not a bug.
“I’m 84 years old. Threats against my life expectancy are kind of hollow. I don’t have much time anyway. I’m more concerned that our democracy is at risk because of the trends against the rule of law.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
Judges who ruled against Trump say harassment and threats have changed their lives
More than 100 pizzas were delivered to the homes of judges and their families this year, some with signs of foreign involvement. Judges say the message is clear: We know where you live.
www.nbcnews.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I’m nobody special and I’ve had right wing extremists try to ruin every aspect of my personal and professional life, including showing up in person and leaving written death threats at my work and home. This “problem” is an inherent part of right wing extremism; it’s a feature not a bug.
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It’s the last issue of 2025 at @strangehorizons.bsky.social (I know, what even is time etc). What do we have for you in Reviews?
Monday is the always incisive @octavia-cade.bsky.social on Syr Hayati Beker’s What A Fish Looks Like (@stelliform.press). “Is there one right way to navigate apocalypse?”
Monday is the always incisive @octavia-cade.bsky.social on Syr Hayati Beker’s What A Fish Looks Like (@stelliform.press). “Is there one right way to navigate apocalypse?”
What A Fish Looks Like by Syr Hayati Beker
Is there one right way to navigate apocalypse?
strangehorizons.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:18 PM
It’s the last issue of 2025 at @strangehorizons.bsky.social (I know, what even is time etc). What do we have for you in Reviews?
Monday is the always incisive @octavia-cade.bsky.social on Syr Hayati Beker’s What A Fish Looks Like (@stelliform.press). “Is there one right way to navigate apocalypse?”
Monday is the always incisive @octavia-cade.bsky.social on Syr Hayati Beker’s What A Fish Looks Like (@stelliform.press). “Is there one right way to navigate apocalypse?”
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It is open season on all of us, but I am so deeply concerned about our contingent colleagues, lecturers, and graduate student instructors.
Hope that she sues and wins.
Hope that she sues and wins.
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.” https://cnn.it/4b6g3rd
Oklahoma instructor removed from teaching for failing a Bible-based gender essay | CNN
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
cnn.it
December 24, 2025 at 5:06 PM
It is open season on all of us, but I am so deeply concerned about our contingent colleagues, lecturers, and graduate student instructors.
Hope that she sues and wins.
Hope that she sues and wins.
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I’d be grateful if folks followed this project on Kickstarter 🖤
Aiming right now to go live in January, depending on when I get all my materials ready.
We have some exciting invited authors and @mspencerdraws.bsky.social is on board for interior illustrations.
Aiming right now to go live in January, depending on when I get all my materials ready.
We have some exciting invited authors and @mspencerdraws.bsky.social is on board for interior illustrations.
December 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I’d be grateful if folks followed this project on Kickstarter 🖤
Aiming right now to go live in January, depending on when I get all my materials ready.
We have some exciting invited authors and @mspencerdraws.bsky.social is on board for interior illustrations.
Aiming right now to go live in January, depending on when I get all my materials ready.
We have some exciting invited authors and @mspencerdraws.bsky.social is on board for interior illustrations.
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I am delighted to report that Spellcasting On by @andiwrites.bsky.social is exactly as delightful as I thought it would be! Go get it!
amzn.to/49njAjB
amzn.to/49njAjB
Spellcasting On (Riverbank Yarns Book 1)
amzn.to
December 21, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I am delighted to report that Spellcasting On by @andiwrites.bsky.social is exactly as delightful as I thought it would be! Go get it!
amzn.to/49njAjB
amzn.to/49njAjB
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Diamond Dust Zone, Act 1
'Sonic 3D Blast'
SEGA Mega Drive
Tatsuyuki Maeda
'Sonic 3D Blast'
SEGA Mega Drive
Tatsuyuki Maeda
December 24, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Diamond Dust Zone, Act 1
'Sonic 3D Blast'
SEGA Mega Drive
Tatsuyuki Maeda
'Sonic 3D Blast'
SEGA Mega Drive
Tatsuyuki Maeda
Reposted by Sandstone
For sale, soggy shoes, possibly worn
- Ernest Herringway
- Ernest Herringway
Mystery as hundreds of Victorian shoes wash up on Ogmore beach
Mystery as hundreds of Victorian shoes wash up on Ogmore beach
More than 400 leather hobnailed boots, thought to date back to the 19th Century, have been found.
www.bbc.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:23 PM
For sale, soggy shoes, possibly worn
- Ernest Herringway
- Ernest Herringway
Reposted by Sandstone
The ACLU of Missouri is suing the state and the Secretary of State over the implementation of a new congressional redistricting map.
In September, Missouri lawmakers passed a mid-decade redistricting map meant to add a Republican congressional seat, done at the behest of the Trump administration.
In September, Missouri lawmakers passed a mid-decade redistricting map meant to add a Republican congressional seat, done at the behest of the Trump administration.
ACLU sues over new Missouri congressional map going into effect
The ACLU is arguing the declaration by Attorney General Catherine Hanaway that the new Missouri congressional map is in effect violates Missourians’ rights to a referendum.
www.stlpr.org
December 23, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The ACLU of Missouri is suing the state and the Secretary of State over the implementation of a new congressional redistricting map.
In September, Missouri lawmakers passed a mid-decade redistricting map meant to add a Republican congressional seat, done at the behest of the Trump administration.
In September, Missouri lawmakers passed a mid-decade redistricting map meant to add a Republican congressional seat, done at the behest of the Trump administration.
Reposted by Sandstone
How to make glass in ancient Assyria.
First, you grind your ingredients separately, which can include certain kinds of stone, roasted carnelian-coloured seashells, “white plant”, and salicornia ashes.
Then, “You mix them together” and place them in a cold kiln with four openings
First, you grind your ingredients separately, which can include certain kinds of stone, roasted carnelian-coloured seashells, “white plant”, and salicornia ashes.
Then, “You mix them together” and place them in a cold kiln with four openings
January 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
How to make glass in ancient Assyria.
First, you grind your ingredients separately, which can include certain kinds of stone, roasted carnelian-coloured seashells, “white plant”, and salicornia ashes.
Then, “You mix them together” and place them in a cold kiln with four openings
First, you grind your ingredients separately, which can include certain kinds of stone, roasted carnelian-coloured seashells, “white plant”, and salicornia ashes.
Then, “You mix them together” and place them in a cold kiln with four openings
Reposted by Sandstone
Well, I just had the royalty report from my little book that could: Sleeping With Monsters, a collection of reviews published by Aqueduct Press in 2017.
www.amazon.co.uk/Sleeping-Mon...
www.aqueductpress.com/books/978-1-...
www.amazon.co.uk/Sleeping-Mon...
www.aqueductpress.com/books/978-1-...
Sleeping with Monsters: Readings and Reactions in Science Fiction and Fantasy
Sleeping with Monsters: Readings and Reactions in Science Fiction and Fantasy : Bourke, Liz: Amazon.co.uk: Books
www.amazon.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Well, I just had the royalty report from my little book that could: Sleeping With Monsters, a collection of reviews published by Aqueduct Press in 2017.
www.amazon.co.uk/Sleeping-Mon...
www.aqueductpress.com/books/978-1-...
www.amazon.co.uk/Sleeping-Mon...
www.aqueductpress.com/books/978-1-...
Reposted by Sandstone
New ship of Theseus just dropped: is it the same band if all the original members have been replaced
December 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
New ship of Theseus just dropped: is it the same band if all the original members have been replaced
I feel like the tide has turned against it, justifiably so, but I'd actually like to put in a good word for "write every day" as advice, it has helped me commit to making progress- even just a little progress! my daily writing is sometimes under ten words!- through a year of variable mental health
December 23, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I feel like the tide has turned against it, justifiably so, but I'd actually like to put in a good word for "write every day" as advice, it has helped me commit to making progress- even just a little progress! my daily writing is sometimes under ten words!- through a year of variable mental health
Reposted by Sandstone
Orthoceras (big) and Lituites
December 23, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Orthoceras (big) and Lituites
Reposted by Sandstone
There are many people who simply do not understand the stakes and either understate or overstate them. The issue is not that AI will replace writers or w/e: it can't. The issue is that AI will make our working conditions significantly worse and harm the development of new artists in our fields.
December 23, 2025 at 4:55 PM
There are many people who simply do not understand the stakes and either understate or overstate them. The issue is not that AI will replace writers or w/e: it can't. The issue is that AI will make our working conditions significantly worse and harm the development of new artists in our fields.
Reposted by Sandstone
I've been meaning to do this FOREVER, but I have finally redesigned my fancy stained glass coaster set using all the knowledge I've gained over the past year, and I love them! I'll be getting new color combos up in the shop soon!
December 23, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I've been meaning to do this FOREVER, but I have finally redesigned my fancy stained glass coaster set using all the knowledge I've gained over the past year, and I love them! I'll be getting new color combos up in the shop soon!
Reposted by Sandstone
The survey is open to non-members (I am not one) and to readers (who here is not &c.) so I encourage you to share your feelings on the matter. Don't assume that everyone already understands that AI is bad or why! I mean, people *should*, but you could say that about a lot of things.
SFWA members and general SFF community:
In this press release, our Board of Directors apologizes for recent events.
Feedback from writers is strongly welcomed in the survey.
SFWA Members: Write to office@sfwa.org to support our Emerging Tech Committee.
www.sfwa.org/2025/12/22/p...
In this press release, our Board of Directors apologizes for recent events.
Feedback from writers is strongly welcomed in the survey.
SFWA Members: Write to office@sfwa.org to support our Emerging Tech Committee.
www.sfwa.org/2025/12/22/p...
December 23, 2025 at 4:53 PM
The survey is open to non-members (I am not one) and to readers (who here is not &c.) so I encourage you to share your feelings on the matter. Don't assume that everyone already understands that AI is bad or why! I mean, people *should*, but you could say that about a lot of things.
Reposted by Sandstone
do you want to participate in my last of 2025/first of 2026 paperback queer book giveaway for three copies of CONFESSIONS OF THE FOX by Jordy Rosenberg? yes? sign up for my newsletter:
buttondown.com/SharonJGoche...
buttondown.com/SharonJGoche...
Chicken Musings
buttondown.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:06 PM
do you want to participate in my last of 2025/first of 2026 paperback queer book giveaway for three copies of CONFESSIONS OF THE FOX by Jordy Rosenberg? yes? sign up for my newsletter:
buttondown.com/SharonJGoche...
buttondown.com/SharonJGoche...