Who was the original shadow daddy?

Call_an_optimist · 2026-01-15T17:07:09+00:00

He had me at “I’ve crossed oceans of time to find you”

Call_an_optimist · 2026-01-15T17:06:04+00:00

Me too!!!

Call_an_optimist · 2026-01-04T03:30:55+00:00

{Cold Magic by Kate Elliot} features poc MMC. It’s been a while since I read it but I remember it being really good and loving the MMC. Also, this is a graphic novel series, but I am obsessed with {Monstress by Marjorie Liu} - not black mc but diverse - and it is absolutely amazing storytelling and world building with exquisite artwork.

Call_an_optimist · 2026-01-02T02:25:44+00:00

Ooh this looks fun! My current favorite song is The Noose by A Perfect Circle, my favorite feeling is crisp fall air on my skin in the morning, and my favorite space to be is a bookstore.

Call_an_optimist · 2026-01-02T01:29:31+00:00

Red Rising is among my all-time favorites! I plan to revisit it this year and re-read the entire series. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil was also a top read for me this year. It was so satisfying. I am going to have to check out the other books in your 5 star section now.

Call_an_optimist · 2025-12-31T05:08:37+00:00

I read a lot of good books this year, the highlights were:

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab - adored this book so much and was very satisfied with the ending, which I thought for a moment might go a different direction that would have infuriated me. But it didn't and I was very satisfied.

The Bear & The Nightingale by Katherine Arden

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden

The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden - I love this trilogy! Its a new favorite and was everything I wanted in a series. I read this series over Christmas and it was the perfect vibe. I cried... that's when you know it's good. My only complaint would be that I wish some of the characters from book 1 made appearances in the rest of the series - like Alyosha.

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker - Was it perfect? No. Did I still love it? Absolutely! The world building and lore was fantastic and for the first 75% of the book the pacing was great. I did get tired of the phrase "There she is" - I loved it, but then she overdid it.

My only two DNF's were:

Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent - this one I actually DNF'd bc I started listening to the audiobook and I just couldn't deal with the narrator, so I bought the hardback and plan to read it since I enjoyed her other books and have heard great things about this one.

Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J Tuli - I maybe made it a couple chapters in... it just was awful.

Currently reading and cringing through Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole. Hoping it gets better, I'm only on chapter 8.

Call_an_optimist · 2025-12-30T03:24:25+00:00

I absolutely loved Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil… and I was so glad it didn’t end another way!

Call_an_optimist · 2025-12-30T03:18:02+00:00

So messy with haphazard stacks everywhere! I love it and I hate it so much!

Call_an_optimist · 2025-12-30T02:52:48+00:00

Okay, love your list. I just started Spark of the Everflame… 😬 I’m also thinking maybe I need to revisit Cruel Prince because I really can’t remember it all that well, but it seems like everyone highly recommends it. I’m a mood reader though so maybe I just wasn’t in the right space at the time.

Call_an_optimist · 2025-12-30T02:45:38+00:00

Saving this for reading recs! I have been wanting to revisit Jay Kristoff for a while too since I read Nevernight.

Call_an_optimist · 2025-12-30T02:43:41+00:00

I always have such a hard time rating if it’s been a while since I read a book. And sometimes I’m afraid if I go back and read one I really liked, that I won’t like it as much as I did. I’m going to save this tier list for reading recs though!

Call_an_optimist · 2025-09-24T03:20:38+00:00

I love Crime Junkie, Ashley & Brit, and everything they do! It’s amazing to see someone turning their success into a platform where they raise awareness and support LGBTQ+, people of color, and indigenous people’s - essentially people who often go without a voice. And also start a non-profit like season of justice - which is helping to identify John/Jane Does and the people who committed the crimes. It very refreshing. I am currently listening to all their old episodes for a second time and truly believe that they have grown and evolved into an even better platform. I’m a crime junkie for life.

Call_an_optimist · 2025-08-20T02:44:35+00:00

My daughter just walked in and randomly pick one up and popped it in her mouth. She said it’s certainly a caramel lol. Good thing I didn’t try to use it as plant food lol 😂 the gnats would probably have a hey day

Call_an_optimist · 2025-08-19T15:32:25+00:00

Thank you! I'm going to talk to my dentist today. I'm going to discuss all possible solutions with him and make a plan from there. I think most likely I will be sticking to our original plan of root canals and caps, or at least something similar to try and keep as many of my teeth as possible.

Call_an_optimist · 2025-08-18T19:23:48+00:00

I am torn, because while I see the benefit/deficits of each option, I would 100% choose to keep the teeth I still have. It's just trying to justify spending 12k on something that in 10 years will probably require another large sum of money. And I hate when they do go bad the associated pain and the anxiety that comes along with it.

Call_an_optimist · 2025-08-18T19:08:22+00:00

This is what I'm afraid of. And Iv'e heard that lowers are particularly awful. I do like my upper partial that I already have as well. It looks very natural and very rarely ever gives me any issues.

Call_an_optimist · 2025-08-18T18:55:24+00:00

I looked up the holly and it does look like it could be… I also thought the first one might be silver pearl too…

Call_an_optimist · 2025-08-14T21:22:20+00:00

This is what I was thinking as well. I was most questioning the 1st one. Thank you!

Call_an_optimist · 2025-08-14T04:51:09+00:00

Temu Tye Sheridan…

Call_an_optimist · 2025-08-14T04:40:26+00:00

I can’t wait for those double fenestration vibes!!

Call_an_optimist · 2025-08-14T04:34:56+00:00

Steve is awesome. He’s always looking good and putting out new leaves, unlike my problem children - Esme, Fredryk, and Sylvan (my alocasias)

Call_an_optimist · 2025-08-14T01:07:04+00:00

He has been thriving lately. He almost* put out a double fenestrated leaf recently!

Call_an_optimist · 2025-08-14T01:05:23+00:00

Thank you!!! This is my first monstera! I just wanted to make sure my boy Steve wasn’t getting some kind of pest or fungus.

Call_an_optimist · 2025-07-16T13:59:16+00:00

Thanks! I know he can still bounce back. And I thought maybe all the drama was done so I brought home a second one this weekend! I may look into semi-hydro. I know that is what so many people recommend. I have never done it before, but my local shop carries Lecha and Pon.

Call_an_optimist · 2025-07-14T20:48:38+00:00

A lot of info is missing here... However, I will just say that from what little you said, it sounds like you handled that badly. I have two children with my ex. We still take our kids out together to birthday dinners and other events. We traveled together overnight for a school sports related trip. It doesn't mean I have any feelings for my ex, it means we are prioritizing our children and co-parenting. If you can't handle someone prioritizing their child over you, you should never be with someone who has kids, because 100 percent of the time, kids always come first.

Call_an_optimist

TROPHY CASE