Just a fangirl, finding her way in the world. I read, I write, I vid, therefore I am. Other places where I am fannishly social (to varying degrees): https://twittervidder.com/hardboiledbaby/https://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mjxieyznpk2hFind me an #undersea cavern, build me a mountain citadel, whisk me away to the deepest, darkest forest. Hide me away from the world and its hateful noise, if only for a day. Let me slumber and dream beautiful dreams. I will emerge refreshed, calm, equilibrium restored. If only for a day. #vss39520 Apr 2026 22:11 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjxieyznpk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mjutyqwads2qA life of deceit #trickery and deception to win at all costs-- only to lose everything deceiving only oneself #vss365 #tanka19 Apr 2026 21:01 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjutyqwads2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mjurubats22hHe'd usurped the pomp and circumstance that he believed he was entitled to. An #investiture worthy of a monarch, though this country is not a monarchy. Powers of a dictator, though this isn't a dictatorship. A tyrant surrounding himself with sycophants. The erosion of democracy in real time. #vss36519 Apr 2026 20:23 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjurubats22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mjpki2qtdk2xThe waves roll and break, leaving a lacy border of #seafoam atop the rocks and along the shore. The ocean advances and retreats, little crabs skitter out in the pauses between. The last one splashes at a child's feet, delighting him. He gives chase, his laughter mingling with the Pacific's. #vss36517 Apr 2026 18:28 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjpki2qtdk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mjnmfxpf4s2e"What are you doing?" "Leaving you," she said. "I'm not going to be the nail to your #hammer anymore." "You'll be sorry. Who's going to love you now?" he snarled, flexing his hands into fists. Into hammers. "I'm going to love myself. About time I started." She left without looking back. #vss36516 Apr 2026 23:57 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjnmfxpf4s2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mjleoy6qrc2i"If that's what you want." It wasn't so much the #words as the tone. Flat, clipped. "I guess so." "Sure, okay." Uninvolved, detached. "It's fine." "Whatever." Oh, the kiss of death, that one. No fury, no Sturm und Drang. Just a quiet abdication, surrendering to the forces of apathy. #vss36516 Apr 2026 02:33 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjleoy6qrc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mjldbh5vnk24Kelly watched the stunt pilot in awe, squinting against the sun as the plane #looped and rolled. "I'm going to do that," he declared to his family. I wish I could tell you he made good on his childhood dream. But alas, turned out he was a white-knuckle flyer. He went into accounting instead. #vss36516 Apr 2026 02:08 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjldbh5vnk24https://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mjiqddhwrk2gFay set down her pen with a firm nod. She'd taken pains to make this handwritten letter special, #letters flowing in graceful calligraphy on elegant stationery. "Dear Ron, I know you cheated. Again. Don't ever come back. No love, Fay" She smiled. A kiss-off should be a beautiful thing. #vss36515 Apr 2026 01:24 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjiqddhwrk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mjg6ibtgj227She poured #water into the coffee maker, put bread into the toaster. Pulled out creamer and jam from the fridge. Hummed a little as she poured and stirred. Ate her breakfast over the sink as she scrolled through her news feed, hoping... Nope. Still not dead. Damn. Oh, well. Maybe tomorrow. #vss36514 Apr 2026 00:59 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjg6ibtgj227https://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mjaqvht6yk26It was a fine summer day for childhood trauma. #Sink or swim, Dad said. Literally. Threw me in the pool with no fanfare. 'Cause that's how he learned, and he turned out just fine. Instinct will take over, he said. I do not have good instincts. And that is why I got to take swimming lessons. #vss36511 Apr 2026 21:13 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjaqvht6yk26https://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mj6cwz64nk2dThe world is so noisy these days, filled with the cacophony of 8 billion humans. It's become the background of our lives, ubiquitous. But it's not all dissonance. Birds still #sing. Crickets, frogs, and whales too. Babies coo and babble. Listen carefully, and maybe join in. Find the harmony. #vss36510 Apr 2026 21:57 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj6cwz64nk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mj3vv5svp22hMy first #blind date was my last. Never again! My best friend insisted. "You'll get along like a house on fire!" A burning building wasn't my idea of a good time. But I went, prepared to bolt at the first red flag. Guess what? Turned out, we do get along. Yeah, no more blind dates for me. 😁 #vss36509 Apr 2026 22:58 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj3vv5svp22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mizmmnxsqs2hMy first 'paycheck' was for babysitting at age nine. I insisted on putting it in the #bank. I felt pretty grown up, with my shiny new passbook, saving my birthday and Christmas cash. Nowadays, it's all direct deposit and e-statements. Convenient, but y'know, I kinda miss that little book. #vss36509 Apr 2026 01:07 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mizmmnxsqs2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mix3db3yns24In Shakespeare's day, quills were used to scribble painstakingly on paper, words interspersed with #ink blots and scratched out deletions. Today, writers have advanced tools: laptops, the back space key, autocorrect. Easier? Perhaps. But the truly creative spark still must come from within. #vss36508 Apr 2026 00:53 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mix3db3yns24https://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3miurfubhms2oIsaac loved a road trip. He and his college pals did it on the regular, whenever they could. Shades on, windows rolled down, #arms out to catch the sun and the breeze. Looking back now, he barely remembers the destinations. It was all about the journeys: the time spent together as friends. #vss36507 Apr 2026 02:50 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3miurfubhms2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mirrpmnqlk2xGina sat quietly, her #hand extended for inspection, waiting for curiosity to overcome fear. Her patience was rewarded when she was finally allowed to touch. Gentle strokes were received warily at first, but then with purrs of delight. That, folks, is the Cat Distribution System in action. #vss36505 Apr 2026 22:17 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mirrpmnqlk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mirpo45yxs2xTen years on, you won't recall the endless circling for parking, or the long trudge to the beach with all your gear. You'll have forgotten about the #sand in your shorts, the sunburn, the lost sunglasses. You'll just remember that the last day of summer vacation had been the best time ever. #vss36505 Apr 2026 21:41 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mirpo45yxs2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3min5v5qu722fShe's intelligent, experienced, and principled. She speaks with conviction and eloquence, the #ring of truth clear in her words. She was obviously qualified for the role she was nominated for. Objectively, she should have won. Sadly, objectivity has little to do with it. So, we all lost. #vss36504 Apr 2026 02:12 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3min5v5qu722fhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mikklidvjk2n"Are you really sure you want to do this?" my sister asked skeptically. "Yes, I think I'm ready," I said, stretching and flexing my fingers. "I've been practicing, you know. Think it's time I stepped up my game." "Okay," she shrugged. "The New York Times crossword puzzle in #pen? Good luck!" #vss36503 Apr 2026 01:21 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mikklidvjk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mihujp43a22iHe strode into the store like a #man on a mission. But he stopped in an aisle with confusion on his face, so I offered to help. He showed me a photo on his phone. When I pointed out the right box, he grinned. "Thanks, she'd have killed me if I got the wrong tampons." Mission accomplished. #vss36501 Apr 2026 23:41 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mihujp43a22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mieykfhgnc24It's a downright travesty when someone in an #exalted position abuses their power, and worse, when they're enabled by sycophants who should know better but cannot see beyond their own avarice. Used to be, public servants served the public, not their own self-interest. This is why: No Kings. #vss36531 Mar 2026 20:15 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mieykfhgnc24https://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3micuj4ch4k2dMy favorite restaurant was renowned for the excellent service of its head waiter. His manners were faultless, his #conduct impeccable. "Ever want to tell off the rude customers?" "Sometimes. But it's not about the rude ones, it's about the nice ones that are watching." Food for thought. #vss36530 Mar 2026 23:57 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3micuj4ch4k2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mia7zzlcqc2t"I took a shortcut from school through the woods and got lost. A forest #sprite led me home," I said. "They're not real," Mom scoffed. Grandpa only nodded. After she left, he said, "The fairyfolk appear only to believers," and gave a wink. My new friend winked back, giggled, and vanished. #vss36529 Mar 2026 22:46 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mia7zzlcqc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mi5el62l6c2wIt may have been called The Kingdom of Make-Believe, but to those of us who visited the Neighborhood on the regular, it was far from #illusive. The characters were real, their stories were meaningful. Daniel Stripèd Tiger taught me that a little kindness goes a long way. Thanks, Mr. Rogers. #vss36528 Mar 2026 19:29 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi5el62l6c2whttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mi3mf3iluk2zThe first date went well, but his suggestions for the second all #revolved around sports. She was not interested. Finally, he said, "How about a movie? I've got Rocky on DVD." She sighed. Time to cut her losses. "Do you have On the Waterfront?" "No." "Too bad. You coulda been a contender." #vss36528 Mar 2026 02:43 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi3mf3iluk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mhykezpbnc2iHis green eyes are designed to #fascinate, but the tilt of his head projects extreme nonchalance. He is the ultimate combination of come hither/stay away. All red flags. I should not become invested. And yet... Reluctantly, I scritch under his chin. He purrs with satisfaction. Damn cat. #vss36526 Mar 2026 21:29 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhykezpbnc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mhvz6njxxk2wMy aunt always arrived with peak drama, the proverbial #tempest. Dad disapproved, called her the black sheep, but she was my best pal and partner in crime. She left for her final adventure today. It's too quiet now. Maybe I'll raise a little ruckus in her honor. Here's to you, Aunt Hazel. #vss36525 Mar 2026 21:16 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvz6njxxk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mhtqf3n42k2i"Even with a high-stress job, you're the most zen person I know. Tell me how you do it," he said. "The trick is to not let the world's stupidity #frustrate you," I told him. "Do yoga, meditate, practice gratitude." "Really?" he said skeptically. "Well... a good mojito doesn't hurt, either." #vss36524 Mar 2026 23:34 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhtqf3n42k2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mhrdeyxk7k2xOne of the perks of being a celebrity was nabbing those sweet product #endorsements. Getting paid to hawk basketball shoes or diet soda was a lucrative deal for the already-famous. Now, it's the other way around? Promoting products can make you a celebrity? Influencer culture is wild, man. #vss36524 Mar 2026 00:36 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhrdeyxk7k2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/hardboiledbaby.bsky.social/post/3mhohtlv2wk2hLook there, a grandfather and a grandson, strolling hand in hand. Their steps are not quite steady but the clasp of fingers is firm, the love that binds them is strong. In this moment, they take in the beauty of a rosy sky with #wavering gilded clouds. A sunrise or a sunset? Somehow, both. #vss36522 Mar 2026 21:17 +0000at://did:plc:cnluolgljxcxtlewq3eu4br3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhohtlv2wk2h