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gemmy.bsky.social
Lotta
@gemmy.bsky.social
270 followers 250 following 930 posts
Swede in D.C. Hockey, ceramics, nature, kayaking, Taiwan. Tolkien nerd, brassica fan. www.lottaworld.com Pottery pics: www.instagram.com/lottainvirginia/
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gemmy.bsky.social
Decided I have too many things to do, so I took a hike instead of taking the kayak out. Regretting my choice right now, it is gorgeous (albeit chilly) on the Potomac.
The Potomac River with the Wilson Bridge in the background. The blue of the water meets the blue of the sky, with the white bridge between them. In the foreground is driftwood along the bank, and some anchored boats.
November 29, 2025 at 4:20 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
Do you play the accordion? Does someone you know? I’m looking for someone to record a few bars of accordion music as a gift to my mom. Happy to pay. Story in photos.
Musical notation in a childish hand in Swedish. I think maybe the first bar is something else? ”My Waltz” is written between bars 1-2. Lyrics are ”now we will sing a little song that all birds will listen to” followed by two instrumental bars, and then the final ”thus I can end my waltz” Text on a white background. My dad, who passed away suddenly a few years ago, played the accordion when he was a kid. Recently, mom gave his accordion away to a local music school. In the process, she discovered a booklet where he had composed "my waltz" when he was maybe 12/13. As a Christmas present for my mom, I was hoping to have someone record the snippet of music on an accordion so I can send it to her. Final output would be an mp3 file of his composition, played on an accordion. Difficulty: Old-school Swedish musical notation (not sure if that matters), a pretty fuzzy photo of the page of notes. Happy to pay for the help. Flexible on the amount. My dad in between bouts of playing the accordion (fairly poorly if I recall correctly!) many years after composing the waltz. It’s a beautiful old school accordion, he is sitting in a white chair and looks really content.
November 25, 2025 at 12:29 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
Vad gjorde du 17 juli 2018? (What did you do July 17, 2018?)

Såg Joywave på Broadberry i Richmond, Virginia. Dom spelade "Blastoff" live för första gången någonsin.

(I saw Joywave at the Broadberry in Richmond. First live performance of "Blastoff")
The band Joywave performing on a stage, taken from the railing. Joey playing guitar on the left, Paul on the drums, Daniel singing. (On the bass is Jeremiah and Ben on keyboards. Both of them are no longer members of the band.) In the back is a big lit-up sign that says "Broadberry" and the lights are purple and orange.
November 21, 2025 at 7:46 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
Got to pick up my kittycat luminary this week. Happy that it turned out! Also picked up a little face bud vase. I didn’t mean for him to be crying!! 😂
Blue luminary shaped like a cat, with holes where the light will emanate out through the body and face. A little face on a bud vase. Looks like a cartoonish face with the eyes crying.
November 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
No, not true. There was no additional arms sale to Taiwan this week (so far!). This was a contract award announcement to Raytheon for the NASAMS that were notified to Congress on October 25, 2024. Two completely different things.
Acre magic of text from https://www.war.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4333778/ Raytheon Co., Tewksbury, Massachusetts, was awarded a $698,948,760 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System fire units. Work will be performed in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2031. Fiscal 2026 Foreign Military Sales (Taiwan) funds in the amount of $698,948,760 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-26-C-0002).
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 AM
gemmy.bsky.social
Productive day at pottery open studio today. Stuck 4 bisqued raku clay items in my car, ready for my February workshop. Threw the remaining class clay a bit bigger than normal to get rid of it before my class breaks for the holidays, then used the leftover raku clay for a little figurine choir. :)
A little figurine clay choir using groggy raku clay on the slab roller. A buff clay bottle. I usually do rounded forms, so it was a challenge to get the edges. Large tapered vase on a purple 12-inch bat. Buff clay, lilac bat. :) Bisque fired bottle in raku clay, ready for the raku workshop I’m signed up to take in February!
November 15, 2025 at 11:25 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
I hate that DSCA insists on posting Taiwan arms sales notices at like 9 pm. Don’t they know I’m not at work then!! 😂
(Yea, yea it’s morning in Taipei. Still annoyed for myself!)
Text from an arms sales notice. Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States – Non-Standard Spare and Repair Parts DoD News Feed (DSCA) / by Pentagon News / Nov 13, 2025 at 9:14 PM WASHINGTON, November 13, 2025 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States of Non-Standard Spare and Repair Parts and related equipment for an estimated cost of $330 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress.
November 14, 2025 at 12:47 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
Good day at the studio today. Put my kitty cat lantern out to dry before bisque, picked up a finished spout tester bowl, and threw a few pieces in a new Raku Clay in preparation for my Raku workshop in February.
My little soy sauce bowl with a failed spout - my first ever. Too short so it spills liquid if you put too much in the bowl, and it dribbles a bit too. But at least he’s cute! Another figurine luminary, a bit larger than my last three, and my first ever cat! There is a hole at the top of the body, in the hopes that he will have glowing eyes and mouth when lit. A thick-bodied vase in Clayworks’ raku clay, which should withstand the thermal shock better in the raku firing environment. Will need to be bisque fired before the workshop. I have three types of clay in my cubbie at the moment, which makes me feel like I may be an actual potter now. 😂
November 1, 2025 at 10:29 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
Yay, #ALLCAPS hockey with @msewb.bsky.social for the first time this season. Psyched!!
View of the Capital One Arena rink from the 400s. The Zamboni’s are making the ice pretty in preparation for the Caps vs Isles.
October 31, 2025 at 10:53 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
Purity Ring at 9:30 Club. Sublime show, only marred by the super tall guy ahead of me on the rail. I’m still obsessed with Fineshrine after 13+ years! Weirded out by so many people standing stock still with arms crossed during the entirely of this danceable show…
Silhouette of Megan James in front of a screen with sparks both behind and in front A blurry Megan James in front of a screen with video game imagery The tall guy blocking my view of the stage, with cool fiery faces off to the side. The stage show is fabulous
October 30, 2025 at 2:41 AM
gemmy.bsky.social
Problem with hiking in the mid-Atlantic in the fall is spending 20 minutes clearing stick-tights off your clothes in the parking lot before you can leave!
Several strands of tick trefoil seeds stuck to my clothing after hiking today. Fern Pass at Mason Neck state park. Very green glass on the ground beneath the stems of trees, with sun shining in the background, making sharp shadows.
October 23, 2025 at 9:31 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
Can’t believe I’m back here again. Late night omelette while making to do lists for my conference. Year 24. Surreal to have every year pass so quickly…
A diner table with an omelette and hash browns, a hot tea cup and a notebook with lists of things to do tomorrow to prep for conference start on Sunday. So much work, but worth it!
October 18, 2025 at 1:07 AM
gemmy.bsky.social
Picked up some of my finished pieces - a set of figurine luminaries- at my pottery class last night. I’m so so happy with how they turned out! May have to make some more for the holiday sale in early December.
A luminary shaped like a deer. Buff clay, Blue Black glaze. A luminary shaped like a moose. Buff clay, Panama Red glaze (turns green in the electric kiln) A luminary shaped like a robot. Buff clay, Blue Amber (adulterated Honey Amber) glaze. His ”hair” is high temp wire. The tree luminaries lit last night. I had intended for the robot’s eyes to serve as holes, but sadly, it didn’t work out so well and one of the eyes got glazed shut.
October 15, 2025 at 1:26 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
The deluge of completely unhinged GOP spam continues to to my work email spam. 75+ since 10 am. If it's not warnings about Dems in Congress, it's the money they are promising me, or the propping up of candidates. Poor Nancy seems desperate... It's hard to imagine how anyone would find it persuasive.
The NEW Trump White House: See the Gold & Marble - VIRTUAL TOUR OF TRUMP'S NEWLY RENOVATED WHITE H .. . SIGN YOUR NAME: Remove llhan Omar from Congress - llhan Omar celebrates the deaths of slain Americans and .. . Thank you for your donation to Rep. AOC. - BREAKING: AOC just grabbed Schumer by the b*lls! It's Dem-on-Dem .. . I recorded this just for you - Patriot, It's Senator Mike Lee of Utah. In light of recent events, I felt it was important to .. . Patriot - I'm making my final plea to you. - Patriot - I'm making one final plea for help before it's too late. My situat .. . Confirm your MAGA STATUS RIGHT NOW>> - NEED YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION RIGHT NOW! 0 CONFIRM NOW if .. . Patriot, I just got a phone call about you. - Hey Patriot, it's Jimmy - Funny enough, I actually just got a phone call .. . If Jesus hadn't saved me, I might not be here today ... - YES! I want to share Isaiah 45:7 with you, Patriot. "I form Ii .. . You're normally on time, so I'm worried! - Patriot, you're really a last minute nelly. They say the early bird gets the .. . She was 17, pregnant, and told to GIVE UP. She FOUGHT instead. - Patriot, This is Zak Daniel - I want to share so .. . You're legendary, Patriot! - You're an absolute legend, Patriot. You've been selected as a recipient of our Golden Ga .. . My daughter is in the fight of her life - Hi, This is Brigadier General James Emory Mace, US Army (Retired). Today, I .. . I'm being hunted. Stalked. Threatened. But that doesn't scare me. THIS does: - Patriot, this is my final email toy .. . URGENT: Confirm Your $5,000 D.O.G.E. Refund Eligibility. - 475B in waste cut. Should Americans qet 5K back You ..
October 13, 2025 at 5:52 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
First some work partying with 2000 of Taiwan’s closest friends in DC at the 10/10 day celebration at Twin Oaks. Now some hockey on my TV! Yay the boys of winter are back! Go #ALLCaps
10-10 in Chinese characters carved in clear ice, standing on a table in a party tent. Photo of my TV. The Capitals are losing 0-1 against the Bruins at the end of the second period.
October 9, 2025 at 1:16 AM
gemmy.bsky.social
The spam replies are getting out of hand, honestly. But I think what bothers me most is that many of them even fail to spam tag right! Which Sean do you mean? Which Jacob are you talking about? The lack of a link to click means it's more than useless!! I hate it so much.
Spam replies where half of them actually tag someone so you could see what they are trying to do by making people click the handle, but some of them are just "Sean" with no link. Which account are you even trying to spam tag here? It's beyond stupid. I'm guessing maybe the linked accounts have already been taken down?
October 2, 2025 at 9:45 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
Sad to see that Jane Goodall passed away. She was a giant in her field, and will be missed. I saw her speak once, and it was super inspirational. A huge loss to the world. RIP.
Jane Goodall alone by a podium standing on a giant stage speaking. You can see her trademark grey ponytail. It’s at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.
October 1, 2025 at 9:36 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
New to me paddling destination today - the Tridelphia Reservoir. It’s nice, despite the insane number of dead and dying spotted lanternflies floating on the surface….
The front of my Oru Kayak. I take back are tree-covered shores and blue skies dotted with clouds. The water is greenish from the algae bloom.
September 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
GUNS! For this Swede, this is one of the weirdest things about living in the US…
A pawn shop front across the street, advertising GUNS (Pawn, Buy, Sell) on a huge yellow and black banner.
September 11, 2025 at 2:49 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
They get smaller and fewer every year, but always there to remind you. I will not forget, and those of us who watched the Pentagon burn are not likely to…
Large American flag hanging from a building in Rosslyn, Arlington, Virginia. (Pic from my car two days ago)
September 11, 2025 at 12:40 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
My pottery class is on break for another two weeks, but I got to pick up some finished pieces at the Open House today. Pleased with them. Also working on a little pinch pot bud vase at home, with some new-to-me stoneware clay my friend traded me.
A fairly large vase with carvings in variegated blue glaze. A video of the same vase is in my timeline when I had just carved it. Another large vase with twisted vertical lines and carved trees in Panama Red (turns green in electric) glaze. Three little tiki-faced bud vases, with underglaze red mouths and blue eyes under a glossy white glaze. A round pinch pot bud vase with petals I’m about to paint red. Clay is Laguna Miller 65, which I traded some Brown Bear clay for with my friend. Was good hand-building clay, just like she said!
September 6, 2025 at 11:08 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
Friday evening in Arlington/Washington D.C. A few games at the Pinball Basement in Rosslyn, followed by a Roosevelt Island walk and some fishing. Didn’t catch anything, but still a nice time. [Oh wait, I’m supposed to be scared to death of being a white woman alone around the city… 🙄]
Fishing area 2. The water between the island and land, towards Georgetown on the right. A plane is on approach to DCA in tue background. Teddy Roosevelt statue Fishing area 1. The back boardwalk. A marshy spot with bulrushes and trees, and a small area of open water.
September 5, 2025 at 11:50 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
GOP emails are being marked as spam because they have all the hallmarks of spam. This is what my Google Workspace work spam folder looks like. My email would be near unusable if they didn't all get filtered. Note that they are already fundraising off it (see the "Test" email in the screenshot)...
A screenshot of my work spam folder. It's mostly appeals from various people and conservative organizations to "Patriot" to do something, with anti-Zohran propaganda and "DOGE Refund Eligibility" pitches mixed in. I get at least 100-120 of these types of spam emails a day. They were mistakenly in my inbox for an hour or two the other day, and it made my work email almost unusable.
September 4, 2025 at 9:15 PM
gemmy.bsky.social
Post a PERFECT album from the 90s that isn't Nirvana or Pearl Jam.
Cure for Pain by Morphine
September 4, 2025 at 3:28 AM
gemmy.bsky.social
Oh. I see. Lovely.. Two months out from my defense conference and it’s starting for this year already…
Screenshot of my inbox, showing a solid wall of Google Workplace Alerts, warning of all my users being the targets of government-backed attacks…
September 3, 2025 at 12:54 AM