sraun | Reading

Now, we move into December, the first of which is the meteorological start of Winter and as has happened for the last two years, it has suddenly gotten cold here. As is obvious from the name, December was the tenth month of the Roman calendar and it is a month filled with holidays for us moderns.

Again, the theme for this month on the Sea of Stars design journal will be Winter: festivals and gifts: cursed gifts, divine gifts, magical gifts or whatever else we can think up. As usual, if there in anything on those theme, or Winter in general, that you would like to see highlighted or discussed, let me and I will do my best to work it in.

Looking back over November 2025, we saw the following posts, including several campaign reports and other things too:

Articles:

Feasts and Celebrations in the Sea of Stars, some of the events in the world for this month’s RPG Blog Carnival.

New Magic Items:

Balmorial’s Bountiful Bread, a last-lasting meal, a venturer’s friend.

Inexhaustible Honeycomb, sometimes you just need some honey.

Knut’s War Shield, a tribute to a brave companion.

Perplexing Pouch of Polygonian Projectiles, show them what for with these Platonic Solids.

Campaign Reports:

Elikae Sugarfoot’s Diary, a hobbit’s viewpoint on our Greyhawk set D&D campaign: Entry Two, Entry Three, and Entry Four.

October Shadowrun Report and new Seattle Scream (#113).

Shadowrun Sundays and more:

Dark Future Ahead, News from the ‘Net of a Cyberpunk Bent 48, more interesting stories of technology and more from around the web.

The Top Hat Club, dance the night away to jazz and swing in this themed club.

If you like what you have read here in the journal, please support my Patreon, which makes it easier for me to create more things for people.

Photo from pxhere and is in the Public Domain.

https://seaofstarsrpg.wordpress.com/2025/11/30/welcome-december-november-passes/

http://seaofstarsrpg.wordpress.com/?p=27388

billroper

I dropped K off to catch her bus back to Ball State today, then ran over to Mission BBQ for lunch since I was in the neighborhood. That's pretty much the sum total of what I managed to get done today.

Tomorrow will be more active. *Much* more active...

ndrosen

I’ve been slow about actually posting this, but back on Thursday, November 20th, The Washington Post printed an opinion column by Mike Bird, the author of The Land Trap, together with an image of Henry George’s bearded face parts of buildings. Mr. Bird writes about George and the impact of his books and ideas in the late nineteenth century, saying, “Land was at the forefront of American politics.”

After that, to quote Bird again, “The revolutionary left’s attack on capital left no special role for land, as the right pursued a campaign for widespread homeownership.” But, he says, land is roaring back into politics, and reports that from 2012 to 2024, the proportion of house prices accounted for by the land beneath the houses has risen from 36 percent to 59 percent. On the one hand, some people are demanding rent control and affordable housing programs which deliver benefits for some lucky tenants; on the other, homeowners in some jurisdictions are seeking the abolition or drastic limitation of the property tax. Neither of these is a real solution, and the column concludes, “Without a dramatic shift, the bitter new era of land politics is just getting started.”

I agree, and to give Mr. Bird credit, he seems to be more of a Georgist than I had thought from reading a review of his book. A real solution, as those who have been reading my blog have surely heard before, has to involve replacing other taxes, including the property tax on buildings, with land value taxation. Unfortunately, even if this idea is in circulation to some extent, it is not widely accepted, or even widely debated, and we can soon expect the bursting of the current land price bubble, which can be expected to lead to another Great Recession.

sharonlee_feed

Posted by Sharon

https://sharonleewriter.com/2025/11/easing-back-into-rl/

https://sharonleewriter.com/?p=14713

I hate to waste a Buzz Lightyear stamp on the quarterlies (yes, I pay my fourth quarter in December), but that’s all I seem to have.

Also, it’s almost 11 hours from here to North Towinda NY, which — I’m trying to remember how we did that? Surely we didn’t go through Canada? I mean, we might — Oh. Wait.

We went via Pittsburgh.

Maine to Pittsburgh for Guest of Honor gig at CONfluence, then to North Towinda to the Herschell Museum, then to Niagra Falls, late, because that museum is awesome and we got lost for hours, and if you’re ever near enough for it to be even a tiny bit feasible, Do. It.

I remember coming home via Saratoga Springs, so that would have been 90 to 295.

Well. I’m glad I got that straightened out.

Looks to be more snow than mix outside, so, yeah, that’s still happening.

Maybe a cup of hot chocolate before I go down to cut some glass…

Firefly shared her blanket with me, even though I did not share my hot chocolate with her.
So that’s today’s fun with glass. I’d like to say I’m getting better, but what I’m actually doing is less “man that was awful” and more “that was a good cut.”

It’s now raining, and I’m thinking I should investigate the theory of lunch.

I think I’ve had enough fun for one day. I’m going to sign off, watch the last installment of Magriet, serve up Happy Hour when it’s time, read and go to bed on time. Tomorrow — is tomorrow.

Everybody have a good evening. Stay safe. Watch out for black ice.

I’ll check in tomorrow.

https://sharonleewriter.com/2025/11/easing-back-into-rl/

https://sharonleewriter.com/?p=14713

redbird

I signed up for a 2026 Medicare Advantage (part C) plan today. I had it narrowed it down to two plans, and decided yesterday which one I like better. There are minor differences--in particular, the one I chose has a lower copay for physical therapy--but there don't seem to be significant differences. It also has a slightly better rating, according to the Medicare.gov site, by half a star, but that might not be significant (an average 3.7 rounds to 3.5, and 3.8 rounds to 4).

Now, it should just be a matter of telling various doctors and pharmacies that my insurance has changed as of Jan. 1st, and maybe dealing with a new mail-order pharmacy for the Kesimpta.

They gave me a confirmation number, and if I don't hear from the company in the next few days I will call. (Normal open enrollment ends Dec. 7, but I have a "special election period" that runs through February.)

Current Mood: accomplished

rolanni

I hate to waste a Buzz Lightyear stamp on the quarterlies (yes, I pay my fourth quarter in December), but that's all I seem to have.

Also, it's almost 11 hours from here to North Towinda NY, which -- I'm trying to remember how we did that? Surely we didn't go through Canada? I mean, we might -- Oh. Wait.

We went via Pittsburgh.

Maine to Pittsburgh for Guest of Honor gig at CONfluence, then to North Towinda to the Herschell Museum, then to Niagra Falls, late, because that museum is awesome and we got lost for hours, and if you're ever near enough for it to be even a tiny bit feasible, Do. It.

I remember coming home via Saratoga Springs, so that would have been 90 to 295.

Well. I'm glad I got that straightened out.

Looks to be more snow than mix outside, so, yeah, that's still happening.

Maybe a cup of hot chocolate before I go down to cut some glass...

Firefly shared her blanket with me, even though I did not share my hot chocolate with her.
So that's today's fun with glass. I'd like to say I'm getting better, but what I'm actually doing is less "man that was awful" and more "that was a good cut."

It's now raining, and I'm thinking I should investigate the theory of lunch.

I think I've had enough fun for one day. I'm going to sign off, watch the last installment of Magriet, serve up Happy Hour when it's time, read and go to bed on time. Tomorrow -- is tomorrow.

Everybody have a good evening. Stay safe. Watch out for black ice.

I'll check in tomorrow.

notalwaysworking_feed

Posted by Not Always Right

https://notalwaysright.com/the-benefits-of-being-at-the-table/397819/

https://notalwaysright.com/?p=397819

Read The ‘Benefits’ Of Being At The Table

Me: "It sounds like you’re purposefully creating reasons to fire people to stop them the benefits they deserve."
Store Manager #2: *To my Store Manager.* "I thought you said he was cool."

Read The ‘Benefits’ Of Being At The Table

https://notalwaysright.com/the-benefits-of-being-at-the-table/397819/

https://notalwaysright.com/?p=397819

lois_mcmaster_bujold_feed

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/26249786-penric-audio-news

Some preliminary dates have surfaced for the release of "Testimony of Mute Things" by Blackstone Audiobooks.

General release is scheduled for February 14, 2026:

https://www.downpour.com/products/boo...

And at all the usual suspects/online vendors. Happy Valentine's?

In addition, Audible has an earlier release on December 16th.

https://www.amazon.com/Testimony-Mute...

I've no idea why Audible gets a 2-month exclusive head start; business matters I expect. It was the same for "Demonic Ox".

At any rate, "Coming Soon!" is roughly true.

Ta, L.

posted by Lois McMaster Bujold on November, 30

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/26249786-penric-audio-news

oglaf_comic_feed

https://www.oglaf.com/goat/

notalwaysrelated_feed

Posted by Not Always Right

https://notalwaysright.com/his-thoughts-arent-exactly-setting-the-world-on-fire/398943/

https://notalwaysright.com/?p=398943

Read His Thoughts Aren’t Exactly Setting The World On Fire

Adorable Children

Enjoy this short cute story from Not Always Right!

Read His Thoughts Aren’t Exactly Setting The World On Fire

https://notalwaysright.com/his-thoughts-arent-exactly-setting-the-world-on-fire/398943/

https://notalwaysright.com/?p=398943

brithistorian

I finally got an answer on my AO3 tag wrangling application. I was not selected. I'm feeling pretty pissed-off and crappy and unwanted over the whole thing. I'll be over here having a pity party today; feel free not to come — I don't even like interacting with me when I'm in this kind of mood.

ETA: A couple of hours later, I'm feeling somewhat better.

james_davis_nicoll

21 works reviewed. 11 by women (52%), 10 by men (48%), 0 by non-binary authors (0%), 0 by authors whose gender is unknown (0%), and 8 by POC (38%).

Book by book, closer to aleph null.

November 2025 in Review

sharonlee_feed

Posted by Sharon

https://sharonleewriter.com/2025/11/sunday-snowing/

https://sharonleewriter.com/?p=14708

The below is apt.

Yesterday, I did needed chores, ordered in from Asian Cafe, set up my Happy Light, took a shower, dressed in snuggly clothes and watched the penultimate Magriet, cats in attendance. I plan on doing more of the same today.

This morning starts a new winter tradition as I have my first cup of tea with the Happy Light and read FB on Steve’s tablet.

Hope everyone’s doing well.

https://sharonleewriter.com/2025/11/sunday-snowing/

https://sharonleewriter.com/?p=14708

rolanni

The below is apt.

This morning starts a new winter tradition as I have my first cup of tea with the Happy Light and read FB on Steve's tablet.

Hope everyone's doing well.

notalwaysfriendly_feed

Posted by Not Always Right

https://notalwaysright.com/a-titanic-misunderstanding-2/398336/

https://notalwaysright.com/?p=398336

Read A Titanic Misunderstanding, Part 2

Me: "I found this one. James Cameron."
Friend: *Frowning.* "Never heard of him. He probably made films with a lot of bombings and shootings, which I don't watch."
Me: "Yes, you do know him. He made that movie... heh, that movie with the blue people..."
Friend: *With a large smile.* "Oh, he directed The Smurfs?"

Read A Titanic Misunderstanding, Part 2

https://notalwaysright.com/a-titanic-misunderstanding-2/398336/

https://notalwaysright.com/?p=398336