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Now, they began to throw stones at the men thrashing in the water. The soldiers quailed for a moment, unsure what to do.
Major Hillsong, an island of lucidity among the madness that surrounded him, bellowed, "Charge!" (3/3) #wss366 (from Lady Cecelia's Temptation)

"Take that, dogs of Havelock!" hooted Sergeant Baker from across the river.
Chaos reigned. The men on the far side, at the direction of Sergeant Baker, had sawed through timbers of the bridge and used huge draft horses to pull the bridge over. (2/3) #wss366

The cloudy sky grew pallid as dawn approached.
Cecelia heard when the lead ranks began to cross a wooden bridge.
"Ware!" Hillsong suddenly bellowed. "Pull back!"
With the sound of wrenching timber, the bridge toppled over sideways. Dozens of soldiers spilled into the muddy water. (1/3) #wss366

"What's so funny? What are you laughing at? Huh? Are you laughing at me?" #DogsOfMastodon

"Dinner!" Mom called.
"Yay!" Bobby yelled. He sat at the table with his grandma. "What's for dinner?"
"Ham, green beans, and buttered potatoes."
"Aw!" Bobby said. "Not mashed potatoes?"
"I made buttered potatoes," his mom said, a bit peeved. "But you can mash them yourself."
He ran out to kitchen and rummaged in the drawer for a minute. He came back with an implement and proceeded to mash his potatoes.
"Look, Grandma! I'm a #masher!"
"You certainly are!" She smiled. #wss366

Revin went into the #backroom and decoded the message from Will.
"Still no definite word," he reported later to Tiny, Rachel, and Grip.
"What do you expect?" Grip said. "An exact date and time?"
"He did say to pour him one, though," Revin said. "Whatever that means."
Grip stood abruptly. "Tonight," he said. "He means it's tonight." #wss366 (from *Devishire!* a Revin's Heart sequel)

How I make hash-browned potatoes. https://stevendbrewer.com/hash-browned-potatoes/

Lambda snorted, then made a hacking noise.
"Now, now. There's no accounting for taste!" Totemo looked at the muffin. "Speaking of which, this is pretty good! Thanks!" (5/5) #wss366

Lambda growled again.
"Omega, huh?" Totemo said absently, spreading butter on the muffin. "Which one is he again?"
Lambda barked angrily.
"Oh, right!" she said, taking a bite of muffin. "I remember him. He's that flashy fawn with the white stripe on his nose." (4/5) #wss366

"A doggy bag? For me?" Totemo looked inside and found a couple of bagels, a muffin, and a few packets of butter. "Thanks, I guess."
Lambda paced angrily, growling.
"That good, huh?" Totemo commiserated, cutting the muffin in half. "Meetings are always like that." (3/5) #wss366

Totemo Isogashii spent a glorious weekend summarizing old field notes and organizing data. Usually, during the weekend, she felt that Lambda prevented her from getting as much work done as she wanted.
Late Sunday, Lambda returned carrying a small paper bag. She ruffed at Totemo. (2/5) #wss366

Lambda had gotten a message inviting her for a NeoBoxer summit at Collina Margherita — the Holufinian Center for NeoBoxer Development. She departed late Friday afternoon and caught a SkyJumper for the trip. (1/5) #wss366

It's like a chainsaw that frequently bucks and chops off your hand. It's not that the chainsaw is going to destroy humanity. And it doesn't matter how good it is at cutting wood. If it cuts off your hand more than 0.00001% of the time you use it, it's going to be a commercial failure.

A NYT article today is fixated on the idea that public disenchantment with AI is due to irrational fears that it will destroy humanity. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/technology/ai-boom-backlash.html?unlocked_article_code=1.N1A.0dS2.1kUOY4vkbrw7&smid=url-share

I think it completely misses the point. Personally, I just think they won't actually work very well for most things. And that the risks of using them will be higher than the value gained.

It's weird how they're banning social media for miners. What's next? Banning it for roughnecks? Or truck drivers?

Heather came to when bilge water sloshed over her face. Coughing and sputtering, she thrashed to get her head above the water. She struck her head against a beam in the narrow compartment. She saw stars in the darkness as she struggled to orient herself. Then her hand touched something that made her #flesh crawl. She reached out and touched another hand. It was cold and dead -- stiff with rigor mortis. Her gorge rose and saliva filled her mouth as she struggled not to vomit. #wss366

Zaza called the Better Angels to dinner. They arrived at the galley chattering, filed in, and each took a Fun Meal. They sat at their places and, only then, noticed an empty #chair.
"Where's Popo?" asked Sisi.
Everyone turned to Zaza.
"She's… otherwise engaged."
Mumu made a rude gesture with her hands.
"Did she go in a hole?" Bebe asked.
"Ssh!" hissed all of the other Angels. #wss366

"I do not have LRC," Zaza shouted. "You pointed to the left!"
Tau howled, pointing to the right.
"I'm over here!" their quarry said.
"Shut up!" Zaza said, firing her railgun wildly to the right. "You keep out of this!" (3/3) #wss366

Zaza took a quick look around the corner, then jerked her head back as bullets began to fly from the other direction.
"How did they get behind us?" she barked.
Tau barked back and pointed to the right.
"You pointed to the left!" Zaza said.
Tau growled and pointed to the right again. (2/3) #wss366

Zaza crept along the corridor, cradling a railgun. She was following Tau, who was nose-to-the-ground, following the scent of their quarry as they approached an intersecting corridor.
"And what does your #keen nose detect, Cap'n," she said.
He ruffed quietly and pointed to the left. (1/3) #wss366