#get to work hurley

[omegalomania]

haven't seen anyone sharing this here yet, but andy was a part of a hardcore compilation in support of palestine - the comp is available on bandcamp and all proceeds will be going to humanitarian aid in palestine, so i highly recommend giving your support

[weallpartyatybcpatricksfuneral]

love that fall out boy has had a consistent lineup for 20 years. their secret? friendship

[pitayaparty]

repotting season at 221b

[laurapalmerz]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Twin Peaks (TV 1990) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Relationships: Donna Hayward/Laura Palmer/Bobby Briggs/James Hurley, Donna Hayward/Laura Palmer, Bobby Briggs/Laura Palmer, James Hurley/Laura Palmer, Donna Hayward/James Hurley, Bobby Briggs/James Hurley, Donna Hayward/Bobby Briggs Characters: Donna Hayward, Laura Palmer, Bobby Briggs, James Hurley (Twin Peaks), Dale Cooper (Twin Peaks), Harry Truman (Twin Peaks), Lucy Moran, Andy Brennan, Tommy "Hawk" Hill, Maddy Ferguson, Sarah Palmer (Twin Peaks), Leland Palmer, BOB (Twin Peaks), Audrey Horne, Ben Horne, Big Ed Hurley, Nadine Hurley, Norma Jennings, Shelly Johnson, Leo Johnson Additional Tags: Polyamory, Canon-Typical Violence, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Period Typical Bigotry, Polycule AU, Internalized Homophobia, Grief/Mourning, Angst, Trans Bobby Briggs, Trans Donna Hayward, Trauma, Childhood Trauma, minor fluff, Domestic Violence, the group come together to solve laura's murder, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism Summary:

on february 24th, 1989, laura palmer is found dead in the small town of twin peaks, washington.

her partners, donna hayward, bobby briggs, and james hurley are devastated at the news. aiming to seek justice for her death, they band together to figure out who could possibly be the murderer. along the way, they uncover secrets buried in the roots of the place they call home.

---- [take care when reading]

[sash4testhis]

me when fall out boy have the audacity play a fall out boy song at the fall out boy concert when i am not there (i am in a different country):

[jonny-versace]

Laughed against my will like six times at Sawyer in this episode where Hurley tricks him into being an actual decent human man..... Is it over for me? To be clear he's still thoroughly middle of pack as far as my men of Lost ranking goes but this is worrying

[piizunn]

until we got nothing left (2023)

collage

[asexual-squidward]

Great, now I’m thinking about birthdays on the island.

Pre-series:

Getting things too and from the island is tricky, so Ben would buy gifts for Alex as and when he came across them on his missions for Jacob.

Ben once learned to bake his own small cake when he was a child from a dharma cookbook (when his father was at work), which he learned to perfect year on year through trial and error. He learned most of his cooking skills this way, as his dad never cooked (and if he did it was just for himself)

There were a few children around the village, but all from off-island due to the pregnancy issues, so there were children for Alex to play with (although she preferred to play at the edge of the forest, which always put Ben on edge). Ben would organise the party and then make himself scarce and keep an eye ok proceedings at a distance.

While adult members of the Others know Ben’s ruthless reputation as their leader, they also know about his soft-spot for children so trust him to keep them safe regardless of if he likes their parents or not.

Ben is usually quiet about his birthday (a learned habit), and the ongoing political tensions don’t help matters. Still, he does get a few cards from some of the friendlier faces in the village. He has kept all of Alex’s cards to him (which she always drew herself).

Alex didn’t leave the island, so a lot of her presents to him as a child were pieces of art and homemade crafts. She once made him breakfast in bed when, and while it was a disaster he makes an effort to eat it anyway.

Post-series

Ben doesn’t tell Hurley when his birthday is. It doesn’t seem like a thing to bring up, after everything - also (as always) the Island takes priority.

Hurley is distracted with island business so almost forgets about his own birthday. However, that morning he finds a card and a small cake left on the counter of his Dharma house, left there in the early hours. He hadn’t told Ben when his birthday was, so he doesn’t know exactly how he found out.

Ben has also organised a boat for Hurley to leave the island on to visit his family. He had reached out under the guise of Hurley’s ‘secretary’ so they know to expect him.

Hurley spends a few days at home, leaving Ben to hold the fort back on the island - but he makes sure to bring him back some cake.

Hurley somehow figured out Ben’s birthday. Ben isn’t entirely sure how, but figures ‘touché’.

That morning Hurley leaves him his own card on the table, alongside a book he’d bought during his visit home, and a hotpocket (an injoke he hopes Ben will appreciate).

Ben feels quite touched and quietly thanks him when he sees him that morning. Hurley gives him a hug (something Ben appreciates but hides behind a witty remark). Hurley knows Ben is still unsure of himself in this new status quo so let’s him process this friendship at his own speed.

He sees Ben reading the new book on his porch the next day.

Since we never got a proper insight into Ben raising Alex during the show itself, I’m here to headcanon that he was actually a good dad and the situation we find them in during the series is a low-point due to Alex’s teenage rebellion and Ben’s increasingly extreme actions due to the stress of leading the Others (ontop of the tumour, Jacob’s orders, and a plane falling out of the sky)

As a dad, Ben:

Raised Alex as a single father with seemingly no real aid from anyone else in the Others, despite active threats against her life by Charles.

Didn’t fall into repeating the physical and emotional abuse he experienced from his own father, and instead became overly protective of her (which was also a fault, for different reasons)

Didn’t tell her about her mother because he wanted to protect her from the knowledge her mother is a crazy, murderous wild woman living in the woods. Again, a flawed choice but understandable.

Him threatening to disown Alex was actually a cover story to have her meet Rousseau. I don’t think he would have actually abandoned her with the Survivors, but things went drastically wrong from that point so we’ll never know how it would have worked out.

What he did to Karl was messed up, but essentially done out of fear of losing her to a deadly pregnancy. Also I find it funny to imagine that’s just the Other’s equivalent of dads’ threatening their daughters boyfriends.

As soon as the smoke monster appeared as Alex, he immediately apologises and states that it was all his fault. Honestly, that’s more than 80% of the dads in LOST do…

Additional headcanon:

Ben has a zero tolerance policy for abusive parents, both pre and post series. He was responsible for sending at least one abusive father from within the Others on a Goodwin-style suicide mission, then allowed their family to move back to the mainland.

[notapradagurl7]

Winter Kisses.

Megan Thee StallionStud! x Black Fem! Reader

Taglist: @henneseyhoe @thecookiebratz @thecapodomme @keyera-jackson @playgurlxoxo @planetblaque @megamindsecretlair @hurleys-world @megantheestallion-ismypresident @sweettea-and-honeybutter @harmshake @sageispunk @onyxstones-world @satoruya @urfavblackbimbo @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @xblackreader @caashmoneynae @lesbiantreehugger

Summary: You and Megan decided to go to a lovely Air B&B for the winter, on the first night of a few drinks and. You ended up being closer than ever.

A/N: even though it’s fall I have thought of this cute fic, don't forget to leave a like, comment & reblog to support, feel free to ask for a request if you like! ❤️

Warnings: +18, dirty talk, nipple play, praise kink, sissoring, fingering, fluff, sloppy kissing, straight-up filth, a submissive Megan, degradation kink, mention of burnout, playful banter, dominant reader, spanking,

————

You sat in the passenger’s seat of the small black car while you peeked through the window, the tall woman sitting pretty in the driver's seat with her hand on the steering wheel, dressed in a snug turtle neck sweatpants that accentuated her curves, paired with high-waisted pants that hugged her hips perfectly.

The warm breeze tousled her black hair as she turned to you with a playful grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Are you ready for this, babe?" Megan asked, her voice smooth like honey. "I hope you can handle all this heat."

You chuckled, feeling a flutter in your stomach. "Please, I’ve been handling your heat since we met. This is just a warm-up."

Megan raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh really? You think you can keep up with me? I might just have to show you who's boss tonight."

You leaned back in your seat, crossing your arms with a feigned look of confidence. "Boss, huh? You know what they say about the boss—she's got to put in the work. You better be ready for a long night, Meg."

Megan laughed, her deep, infectious laugh echoing in the car. "You think you can outlast me? You’re in for a surprise, baby."

Peeling away from the small neighborhood, you heard other cars passing by and the smooth jazz music playing from your playlist, calming you down as the lights from the houses faded away.

You were dressed in a black turtle neck sweater and matching pants, boots and tube socks on your feet. Your black and blonde locs hung by your face, a beanie and your brown skin and eyes sparkled with happiness.

“So we're going to an Air B&B for the winter? I'm kinda nervous?” You asked with a confused tone.

Megan turned to you, with a concerned look, "I get it, babe. It’s a little intimidating being away from home, but just think of it as a mini getaway for us. No distractions, just you and me," she reassured you, her eyes flickering with warmth.

You nodded, feeling a little more at ease. "You're right. Just us. I could use some time to unwind."

Megan chuckled, her laughter lighting up the car. “Right, that's the spirit, You’re feisty tonight! I like that. But just remember, when it comes to relaxation, I might have a few tricks up my sleeve."

Your sight was greeted by a scenery of trees and bushes, littered with snow in bundles, the feel of the holiday sometimes made you sad because it would go by so fast, but you wanted to enjoy this moment with her.

As you pulled into the private driveway of the cozy Air B&B, a soft glow from the porch light illuminated the snow on the ground. The trees near the cabin made into a home type of feel, the brown wood made you smile.

Your nerves shot through the sky and you grabbed her hand, pulling her close to your side, the warmth of your bodies pressed against each other made your cheeks heat up with fervor.

“It’s alright, I'm right here with you, I know you’re not much of a cabin person but I’m glad to be here with you…”

“Me too, I can do this..”

Pulling you close to her face, lips locked immediately with a soft smack, tilting your head to side and her mouth opened wide, your tongue swirling with hers, you moaned at the sensation. Pulling away from each other as you chuckled lightly.

“Whoa there girl, let’s get into the cabin first..” You said with a chuckle and smirk. Your hands gave her plump ass a smack and she chuckled with you.

The wooden cabin looked inviting, nestled among green trees with a slight dusting of snow. You both stepped out of the car, the cold air hitting your skin and sending a shiver down your spine. The gate behind the two of you was locked.

“Let’s get inside and warm up,” Megan suggested, her voice low and playful.

You followed her to the front door, and as she unlocked it, a wave of warmth greeted you. The interior was beautifully decorated, with plush furniture and a crackling fireplace. You admired the space, after placing your bags in the bedroom, the two of settled in the spacious living room.

“Wow, this place is amazing,” you said, glancing around.

“I know, right? I figured we deserved something nice for our little vacay,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

You gently plopped on the couch with your eyes on Megan who was still dressed in her baggy clothes, grabbing the hot mugs of cocoa from the counter. Walking toward the couch and passing you a green mug.

“Mm, this smells so good..” You hummed with a smile, before picking up the Roku remote and clicking on Netflix.

Megan plopped down next to you, her body radiating heat as she leaned in closer, her shoulder brushing against yours. “What do you want to watch first? Something scary?” she asked, her head tilted.

You chuckled, taking a sip of the warm cocoa. “I agree, I’m in the mood for horror too, nothing too mushy or lovey dovey. I’d rather not have nightmares tonight,” you replied, glancing at her with a playful smirk.

“I’m such a acaredy-cat,” Megan teased, poking your side playfully.

“Sure, but only if you promise to cuddle me during the scary parts,” Megan said, raising an eyebrow at you.

“Oh, I’ll do more than just cuddle,” you replied, a suggestive glint in your eyes.

You felt your cheeks heat up as you turned your attention back to the screen. The opening credits of a haunting scary movie filled the room, but your mind was elsewhere, lost in thoughts of what the night could hold.

As the movie played, you found yourself stealing glances at Megan, watching her as she laughed at the funny parts, her eyes sparkling. You couldn’t help but admire her beauty; the way her hair framed her face, the curve of her lips when she smiled.

“Hey,” she said suddenly, catching you off guard. “What are you staring at?”

You smirked, leaning back with feigned nonchalance. “Just appreciating the view. Is that a crime?”

Megan laughed, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “You know if you keep looking at me like that, I might just get the wrong idea.”

“Maybe that’s the idea,” you shot back, feeling bold.

Megan raised an eyebrow, leaning closer until her lips were almost brushing against yours. “Oh really? You think you can handle me when I get the wrong idea?"

Your heart raced as you locked eyes with her, the tension thick in the air. “I can handle anything you throw at me, Meg.”

With a playful grin, she leaned in closer, her breath warm against your lips. “You sure about that?”

“Positive,” you replied, your voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline coursing through you.

After finishing your hot cocoa and wiping the reside from your lips using a napkin, you scooted closer to her side. Cupping her face in your hands and brought her face close to yours. “I want to take this night with you further..” You whispered, kissing her lips twice.

Your lips pressed against hers, soft and plump just the way you liked it and glided your tongue across her lips. Moaning in the kiss softly, Megan kissed you back and wrapped her around around you.

Unbuttoning her pants and sliding them off, her boxers slide down to the floor. And you slid off her sweater, unhooking her bra with her plump breasts poked out beautiful.

Megan took off your clothes as well, littered across the soft rug and you gently pushed her onto the soft cushions, “This time, I’m gonna take the lead, baby”

The tall woman relaxed her back against the couch, her legs spreading out for you and rested your hands on her thighs, a rush of excitement zoomed through her, wrapped your lips around her throbbing clit. Her thighs twicthed from the slight peck of your lips.

Her breath hitched but she only moaned from every flick of your tongue, her juices coating your mouth, moving your head from side to side, “Fuck! Yes! Just like that..”

While your tongue rolled around her clit, your fingers slid between her wet folds, Megan’s head fell onto the soft pillow and balled her hand into your locs, pumping your fingers in and out of her ever skillfully, at the right pace. Megan’s hand gripped the armrest of the couch tightly, her thick hips rolling with the pace of your fingers.

“Bad girl, you don’t get to fuck yourself yet, you lil slut..” You shot back with a seductive tone, your hand spanked her thigh, the heat pooled through her. You couldn’t help but watch in awe by the sight of the woman pleasuring herself more with your fingers, your fingers pinched her clit, her essence gushed out.

“N-no baby, I’ll be good this time, I promise.” Megan moaned loudly, keeping her legs still just for you, still shaking from your pace picking up. Despite the command, she kept moving her hips and brought your lips to her clit again, your tongue flattened and swirled.

“Right there..shit!” Megan whimpers, her nails scratch into the soft fabric and moaned louder, feeling her girlfriend curled her fingers up, hitting a spot perfectly. Megan came undone and screamed out.

Settling on the couch, you crawled toward the woman who sprawled across the couch and bought your fingers to her mouth, “Open..: You commanded, watching her mouth open.

Sliding your fingers inside her mouth, watching her plump lips wrap tightly around, sucking and licking your finger clean, pulling your fingers out and kissing her lips tenderly. “You look so pretty..”

You carefully intertwined your legs with hers, pressing your pussy against hers, causing the both of you to cry out in pleasure, moving your hips with hers. “You like that? Your pretty pussy kissing mine?” You teased with a soft moan, resuming to move your hips.

All Megan could do was moan and wrap her arms around her waist, bringing your breasts together with your hardened nipples touching, tears “F-fuck! Yes! i love it when you fuck me good, you’re all mine!” Megan groaned with a raspy scream.

Pinching each other’s nipples aggressively with your fingers, your hips moved faster and you gasped, “Don’t stop…don’t stop! Keep fucking me good!” You cried out, your legs shaking weakly, kissing her lips again, whimpering softly.

The soft squleching sound of your wet folds latching onto hers, your essence coating over each other’s thighs and your clits throbbing together sent you over the edge, “Shit..shit..Don’t you hear how good your pussy sounds? So fucking wet with mine..” You moaned harshly, littering kisses and hickeys all over her neck.

“I love you…I love you…baby girl, you’re so fucking beautiful..” Megan slurred as if she was drunk, her manicured nails left welts on your back. You hissed from the pain and spanked her ass again, rolling your hips again. “Pussy’s too tight.” The sensations brought the both of you to cloud nine. Your mind went blank and tears rolling down your cheeks.

Both of you on the brim of a release, your hips swiveled in different pace, only going harder, “I love you more..fuck..” You moaned again, your tongue siding across her neck, wrapping your mouth around her breast and moaned in the tender flesh.

Making your pussy clench around hers, pleasure washed over you again and again. This was so good with her, your eyes rolled back. “I want to cum with you, baby” Megan begged, sucking your nipple harshly.

By her beg, you felt a surge of electricity course through your body, igniting every nerve ending. The way she pleaded for release made your heart race even faster.

“Alright, sweetheart. Let’s cum together,” you whispered, your breaths coming in quick gasps as you continued to grind against her.

You began to quicken the pace, your bodies moving in perfect harmony, each thrust sending waves of pleasure crashing over you both. The beads of sweat coated over your melenated bodies. Tongue kissing her with passion.

Your climaxes hit like a tidal wave, with a few pushes of your hips. You both of you cried out in unison—your bodies shaking together and twitched, your clits throbbed against each other and your essence gushed over your cores, feeling the clenching of her folds with yours.

The room was filled with the sounds of your heavy breathing, the soft crackle of the fire.

You collapsed onto Megan, both of you panting, trying to catch your breath as the aftershocks of your orgasms coursed through your bodies.

Megan pulled you closer, her arms wrapping around you securely. “That was…fucking amazing,” she murmured, a satisfied grin spreading across her face. Her fingers gently traced patterns on your back, a soothing contrast to the intensity of what just happened.

You chuckled softly, resting your head against her chest. “Yeah, amazing doesn’t even begin to cover it. I think I definitely brought the heat tonight.”

Megan laughed lightly, the sound vibrating through her chest. “You really are something else. I didn’t know you had that in you.”

“Well, I guess you bring out the best in me,” you replied, looking up at her with a playful glint in your eyes. “And you’re not so bad yourself.”

She smirked, leaning down to place a soft kiss on your forehead. “Just wait until tomorrow. We’ve got plenty of time to explore this cabin and each other more.”

You felt a thrill run through you at her words, the promise igniting a spark in your chest. “I’m looking forward to it. But for now, how about we clean up a bit and enjoy the rest of the night?”

Megan nodded, her eyes bright with excitement. “Sounds like a plan. But first, let’s take a quick shower together. I think we could both use it after… you know,” she said, a teasing lilt to her voice.

“Definitely,” you agreed, a smile spreading across your face as you stood up, offering her a hand. The two of you made your way to the bathroom, the warmth of the cabin wrapping around you like a cozy blanket. Washing each other clean in the shower, the steam cover the room.

“I could stay in here all night with you,” Megan admitted, her voice soft and playful as she leaned in to kiss you again, the water mixing with the taste of your lingering ecstasy.

“Same here,” you replied, pulling her closer, feeling the warmth of her body against yours. “But we should probably get out before we turn into prunes.”

Megan pouted playfully, but ultimately relented, letting you guide her out of the shower. Wrapping yourselves in fluffy towels, you moved back to the living room, dressed in your pajamas and sat on the couch, where the fire still crackled softly, casting a warm glow.

————-

[faorism]

every once in a while, when it's a quiet moment between him and one of his partners—could be anything from a stake out to a long drive in lucille to the warm moments between making love and sleep—eliot will turn to them and say, tell me something i don't know.

parker will usually tell him secrets. the bits of history that only exist between her, bunny, and now eliot. there's a lot from living on the streets, when she was young. she tells him about training with archie; eventually, she tells him what it felt like. she tells him about loneliness and not understanding and frustration and how her hands hurt when she wants to flicker them around; when he asks her why she doesn't let them, she says to ask another night. that's too big a secret to share when another's been revealed already. he does ask, and she does answer. once, she says in a shaking voice, i love you and hardison so much, and parker feels silly because duh eliot knows that, hardison knows that, but eliot heard something deeper than she could express, so he held her tight and kissed her hair as she shivered through the weight of her confession. after sharing with eliot, sometimes parker feels comfortable enough to share with hardison, peggy, sophie, or a client who needs to know they are not alone in the mess and hardship of the world. much later, the fact that parker has shared something once makes it easier to tell her shrink as she gets on SSRIs, which she seeks out after confessing to eliot that even if it had been based on a lie to grift hurley, maybe there was something to her treatment at the second act rehabilitation center that she missed. occasionally, she'll tell him about art. he listens just as patiently as anything else she decides to divulge and she loves him all the more for it.

hardison infodumps. parker didn't press eliot for what he meant the first time he asked; hardison did. eliot had shrugged, anything you wanna share. hardison nips out a testy, so if i go off about (he paused thinking of something that would surely turn eliot off) optimal simcity street design strategies, you wouldn't mind? eliot didn't back down, even when hardison went into a two-hour spiral that branched into different iterations on the concept, including rollercoaster typhoon. eliot made a few comments here and there, asked some clarifying questions now and again, but otherwise let hardison rail on. the next time, the question was framed as what you working on? but the effect was the same. eventually, hardison stopped hesitating and started looking forward to these monologue sessions. hardison doesn't think anything of them other than he's got some quality time with his partner, until one day on a job with some leverage international trainees, eliot manages (elle woods style) to untangle the lie at the heart of a condo scam with a few pointed questions about the plumbing. when one of the trainees asked how the hell he knew that, hardison expects to hear over the comms how eliot once dated a plumber or an architect; instead, eliot scoffs, you met my partner. genius knows a little of everything. which is when hardison remembers once infodumping about sprinkler systems. eliot gets the tightest of hugs when he gets home for truly listening to hardison.

[omegalomania]

i mean like so what if i dreamed up a whole complicated self-indulgent urban fantasy au based on the tourdust set design and marketing and aesthetic of the whole so much for stardust era where the members fall out boy all have magic powers and they have to work together to save magic before it disappears from the world for good like would you be mad

[70sscifiart]

The Last-Minute Sci-Fi Gift Guide

There's only one thing worse than procrastinating on getting gifts for your loved ones, and that's procrastinating on putting together a guide to help out everyone else with all those gifts. It's Dec 12, so you can decide for yourself which I'm doing.

Art book: Worlds Beyond Time, $32

If you follow this blog, you might have heard of this one. I published Worlds Beyond Time: Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s this year after five years of work on it, and I think it's really good! 400+ images, 100+ artists, with lots of fun art history and jokes.

Also, it's just $20 right now if you order through my publisher and use the code SKIPTHELINE! Cheapest it's ever been!

Card game: Coup, $14

In this "social deduction" card game, you play as a government official in a future dystopia who needs to backstab their way into power. Everyone starts out with just two cards in this bluffing game, so the tide can turn pretty quick when players start assassinating each other's cards. The fast pace makes it a good gift for someone who loves spies but thinks they don't like card games.

Game to play over Zoom: Bad Spaceships, $3

If a bluffing game stresses you out, try Bad Spaceships: It's a collaborative world-building game in which you roll dice to see what area of your spaceship connects to another, forcing you to spitball exactly why this is the case. As the game puts it, you might fix the hull by playing Tetris, or charge your weapons in the swimming pool. You're basically getting weird prompts to tell a story that can evolve over the course of the game.

It's such an indie game that it comes as PDFs you download from itch.io, but you can play it just as well over Zoom, if you're looking for an excuse to catch up with your old digital nomad college friend.

Movies/TV: Streaming service gift card

Gift cards are all well and good, but you can personalize them by recommending a few of your favorite shows as well. I suggest:

Hulu: Cowboy Bebop

Apple TV+: Severance

Criterion Channel: Ravenous, Paprika, Strange Days

Paramount+: Yellowjackets

Amazon Prime: The Devil's Hour

But to be honest, this entry is just an excuse to talk about the new Max show Scavenger’s Reign. Inspired by the work of French artist Moebius and with a clear debt to famed 70s animated film Fantastic Planet, this stylish sci-fi show features a bunch of humans trying to survive on a beautiful but hostile alien world. Perfect for lovers of fictional nature.

Vintage sci-fi

This Etsy shop has some good stuff, like the 1971 Frank Kelly Freas NASA poster above, a bit of history that I even mentioned on page 167 of my art book.

Penguin science fiction postcards, $28

These postcards have a ton of very cool sci-fi covers I've blogged in the past – great value if you want a lot of art for a low cost.

Meteorite pendant necklace, $34

I think we all know what kind of rock your loved ones need around their neck: A chunk of meteorite straight out of the 1576 Argentinan meteorite fall.

Book recs

For astronauts: Packing for Mars by Mary Roach, The New Guys: The Historic Class of Astronauts That Broke Barriers and Changed the Face of Space Travel by Meredith Bagby

For comedians: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, Even Greater Mistakes: Short Stories by Charlie Jane Anders 

For sleuths: Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty, Drunk on All Your Strange New Words by Eddie Robson

For crafters: Knits of Tomorrow: Toys and Accessories for your Retro-Future Needs

For the resistance fighters: The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley, An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

For slasher movie fans: Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare

Syd Mead "Biomorph Vehicle" button down shirt, $49

T-shirts aren't classy enough for the world's coolest visual futurist, Syd Mead. I haven't actually bought this incredibly odd shirt, but I really need to.

Art prints (and more) from 70s sci-fi artists

Artist shops can be surprisingly hard to track down on the internet, but here's a short list of ones I've come across. All of these artists are featured in my book (except one), so you can read up on them before you commit to a print.

Michael Whelan 

John Harris

Syd Mead

Don Maitz

David B Mattingly

Peter Andrew Jones - Jones was one of just a few artists who declined to be included in my art book, but he has a distinct, colorful style that I would have loved to have featured!

Finally, here's one extra bonus, just for everyone who made it to the end of this article: The UK-based educational charity Centre for Computing History sells three big officially licensed John Harris posters featuring these three artworks, famous for their use as covers for Sinclair programming manuals.

It's a great deal that I've never seen mentioned anywhere, and Harris' work has a timeless quality that makes it great for an unassuming wall decoration. If you're outside the UK, the shipping costs will be a pain, but there's no better deal for a classic sci-fi poster.

[ninyard]

Do you have any HCs for Kayleigh?? I always wonder about the pre-AFTG series story (and the big players).

There’s brief stuff in the EC abt Tetsuji & Kayleigh. but other than that it’s pretty blank?

Also the detail abt exy becoming popular partially via a manga ? I want the missing chapter when Tetsuji reacts to that 😭😭

Oh Kayleigh and Tetsuji!!!!!!!! I picture her so clearly in University in Dublin in her final year of Sports Management or whatever course she did, writing her thesis on mixed gender sports or the invention of new sports and sitting down with her thesis lecturer with this idea. Kayleigh finding a mentor in this man, or woman, and saying to them I want to do something bold, something amazing. She's on the Lacrosse team in UCD. She plays on as many of the teams that she can without jeopardising her studies.

Kayleigh moving to Japan for her masters, and meeting Tetsuji, and she sees herself in him, this glint in his eyes that says he needs to be destined for more. Them sitting across from each other in the library with books about sports and the invention of different things and Tetsuji looks at a sport like Lacrosse and says it's missing something. I think it could be better. And they spitball these ideas back and forth. Should it be on ice, bigger teams, smaller teams? Should it be outdoors or indoors? Is it violence? Is it violence that it's missing?

Kayleigh talking to her mom, sending letters to Ireland, making expensive phone calls in the middle of the night all the way across the world, begging her to send her VHS tapes of as many hurling games as she could find - her mother complaining about how expensive they'd be to ship to Japan, but she agrees anyway. Kayleigh finding as many books as she can about Irish sport and the history of it all. It's a couple of weeks before she get the package at her door, and she calls Tetsuji when he's in the middle of a lecture and tells him to come over. There in front of her is four, five, six tapes of All Ireland final matches, and they sit down in front of the TV with their notebooks in front of them.

They don't write anything after the first match, Tetsuji staring at the screen like he's taking it all in, Kayleigh staring at him with a smile on her face like this is what he was waiting to see. 70 minutes go by and she switches the tape out for another one, and then another, and another, and they stay up until the sun rises just taking notes and watching. Brainstorming. Kayleigh explains the rules to him. They draw pictures, and there's a million failed ideas that don't work, like a flat racquet more similar to a hurley than a lacrosse stick, or helmets more similar to a cricket helmet than an american football one. No armor, more armor, too much armor.

Them finding each other after class, and proposing this idea for their dissertation, their master's thesis, their final project, and getting a ridiculous look. Getting shut down, getting told it's ridiculous. So they do what they were supposed to do; make it fucking happen anyway.

They spend all the savings that they have, and Tetsuji contacts his family, and they get things shipped over to Japan - hurling helmets, hockey gear, lacrosse sticks. All these mish-mash element that creates the idea thats been living inside their heads. They have 10 different types of balls, a tennis ball, a cricket ball, a baseball, all these different options, and the two of them find out the schedule of all the pitches and fields and courts on campus and try it everywhere. It's messy, but it's exciting, and invigorating. They have their bulging notebooks on the ground, and every rule and idea they have, every thing that feels right or wrong, they write it down. They're taping weights around the lacrosse sticks to see if it feels better, padding out their gear with cardboard and duct tape. There's something missing, still. They try it on ice, and its too unbalanced and sloppy, but the first time Tetsuji shoots a ball at the plexiglass wall, and it rebounds right into Kayleigh's net, they both look at each other like that's it. That's what we've been missing. They jump on top of each other and get scolded for falling on the ice and screaming in the rink.

They figure out how much it would cost for them to rent out the unused college soccer pitch for the summer, and find ten of their friends and classmates and explain the rules as best they can. It's expensive, buying the gear for them all, figuring out how to surround the soccer pitch in plexiglass that's strong enough to not topple over from the weight of a person. They spend that summer finessing the rules, and finessing the positions, and teaching their friends how to play. By September, Tetsuji invites his family to watch, and Kayleigh invites their lecturers to watch, and there they stand. The first ever game of Exy.

It's not perfect - a goal falls over, the floor of the pitch isn't quite working, because they keep stumbling over their own feet when they run, but it's a brilliant thing to watch; something new, and unique, and never been done before. Kayleigh's team beats Tetsuji's team, and for a while they don't hear much. But their friends keep playing, they keep contacting people, making phonecalls to manufacturers and sports clubs.

I'm just thinking about those first few years where Kayleigh and Tetsuji probably spent every waking moment together just figuring it out. Their dorm rooms or apartments full of crap, different balls and equipment. Her bedroom wall covered in drawing and scraps of paper and ideas. Them spending most of their time on the phone with each other when they're not together in person. Thinking about them creating presentations and pitches and just trying to get their silly little idea of the ground, waiting for someone to take a chance on them, waiting for all the different sports committees and companies to call them back. A million "Sorry, no thank you!" emails and a million "It's just not something we can help you with" letters and phone calls. Until they get that one, then those two, those three words that say fucking go for it. The four words that say I believe in this.

I think about Kayleigh and Tetsuji running off of redbull and adrenaline, and how happy they would've felt when that first game finished and they saw something in each others eyes. Before their passion got killed by the reality, by the Moriyama's, by the world pushing them back again and again and again. But more of their classmates get involved. Somebody asked "What is it that you kids have built on the soccer field?" and then it's in a local paper. It's letters sent back to Ireland signed off in Japanese saying I can't wait to tell you what I've been working on.

Yeah. Yeah I have a lot of thoughts about Kayleigh. I have some images of her and Tetsuji in my head. Just a few!

[horrorshow]

god bless rhonda hurley. for @spnficrecfest

JUST SO YOU KNOW, I WAS THINKING OF YOU by ficlicks rhonda/dean + sam/dean, 7.7k, nc-17 “If we’re friends then what’s my favorite color?” Dean lifts his head and looks around the bedroom. It’s a tiny room, smaller than the one he shares with Sam. There’s an old white four-poster bed pushed up against the wall with chipping paint and tiny butterfly stickers stuck to the headboard. Her dresser is covered with books, bottles of nail polish and hair clips. On the floor is a laundry basket with freshly folded clothes. Dean scoops up the pair of panties sitting on top and slingshots them at Rhonda. “Pink,” Dean says, crawling onto the bed next to her.

OH SO GOOD, OH SO FINE by deadlybride sam/dean, 7.5k, rated E Zachariah gave them their memories back, but he didn't erase what had happened in the time they were other people. Dean Smith made a mistake, and Dean Winchester--well. He's still living with it.

WITH AUTUMN CLOSING IN by deadlybride sam/dean, 15k, rated E Seven years have passed since then. Sam thought he let it go.

NOT THE GOOD THINGS, NOR THE BAD by deadlybride sam/dean, 20k, rated E Dean wavers in a grey area between being taken and giving in.

THE SECRETS THAT WE KEEP by bexgowen endverse cas/endverse dean, 9.9k, rated E It’s 2014. The Croatoan virus has taken over the world, and Dean Winchester’s brilliant plan to kill Lucifer has failed. Dean should be working on Plan B, but all he’s been able to think about since Zachariah tossed that 2009 version of Dean into Camp Chitaqua was the secret that the younger Dean revealed. The one they’ve kept since they were nineteen years old. The one about the panties.

YOU SAY, GO FAST (I SAY, HOLD ON TIGHT) by hearthouses sam/dean, 11k, rated E This is what Dean looks like blanketed in desert night air. This is what Dean sounds like humming along to Johnny Cash on the local radio station, his thumbs tapping out the rhythm of the song on the steering wheel. This is what will be gone in a few dwindling months. (Mid-Season Three: Sam and Dean take some time away from figuring out how to save Dean from his deal, and live for the moment.)

SYMBIOSIS by deadlybride john/dean, 2.8k, rated E Dean plans a surprise for his dad.

BEDROOM HYMNS by fathersalmon cas/dean + rhonda/dean + dean/baseball team, 8.9k, rated E 5 times Dean Winchester tried to deny his panty kink and the one time he didn't.

PINK AND BLUE by jemariel cas/dean + rhonda/dean, 4.9k, rated E "Would you --” Cas swallows, his voice low and yeah, that’s definitely his ‘I’m horny’ voice, the one that gives Dean the shivers. “Would you like to show me your favorites?”

HUNTER, KNOW THYSELF by imogenbynight rhonda/dean, 2.5k, rated M In which Dean sets up his bedroom at the bunker and remembers his night with Rhonda Hurley.

FRAGILE by dragonspell sam/dean, 3.4k, nc-17 Dean likes to pretend he's the stronger one. But Sam knows just how fragile Dean can be on the inside. Now he just wants the outside to match.

LOVE IN DISGUISE by sleepypercy sam/dean + dean/omc, 4.9k, rated E In order to catch a CEO that's been cutting out hearts, Dean reluctantly poses as a hooker. Sam never expected his brother to look so good in that skirt.

BLUNT by lesson_in_love rhonda/dean, rated R Rhonda Hurley. Dean always thought it was an awful name.

RED LACE by dragonspell sam/dean, 2.3k, nc-17 Dean never thought that Sam would go through with it. He’d thought it was just one of those things—one of the random bits of filth that dropped out of Sam’s mouth whenever he was in the mood.

OH SO FINE by valiant sam wesson/dean smith, 2.4k, nc-17 Sam Wesson really wants into Dean Smith's pants. When he finally manages to get him to say yes, he's shocked to find out that he wears women's underwear under those pressed suits.

[usafphantom2]

Here’s why the SR-71 Blackbird SR-1 Ejection Seat had two loops on the D ring

SR-71 Blackbird

SR-1 Ejection Seat

Two loops on the D ring

SR-71 Blackbird

The SR-71, unofficially known as the “Blackbird,” was a long-range, Mach 3+, strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A aircraft.

The first flight of an SR-71 took place on Dec. 22, 1964, and the first SR-71 to enter service was delivered to the 4200th (later 9th) Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., in January 1966.

The Blackbird was in a different category from anything that had come before. “Everything had to be invented. Everything,” Skunk Works legendary aircraft designer Kelly Johnson recalled in an interesting article appeared on Lockheed Martin website.

For instance, the Blackbird’s ejection seat (in the form of the Lockheed SR-1 ejection seat) had two loops on the D ring.

Why is that?

SR-1 Ejection Seat

The SR-1 ejection seat is a Lockheed design not much different from the Stanley designed Lockheed C-2 used in the very early A-12 and SR-71 Blackbirds (as can be seen in the cockpit of A-12 06925).

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. SR-71A Blackbird 61-7972 “Skunkworks”

According to The Ejection Site, the D-ring at the front center of the SR-1 ejection seat is cable connected to an initiator under the seat pan.

The cable is spring-mounted to prevent injuries after ejection and before seat separation at which time the cable is severed. When pulled, the initiator gas is routed to the inertia reels to retract the crewman back upright. It is also routed to the foot restraint reels and via a quick disconnect fitting to the canopy removal system.

As the canopy is jettisoned, an initiator in the canopy system is actuated and gas from it is directed back into the seat via another quick disconnect to actuate the gas-operated sequencing system, and to fire the catapult after a 0.3-second delay to allow the canopy to clear the area.

Two loops on the D ring

SR-71 pilot Darryl Greenamyer was as short as Bob Gilliland (another Blackbird driver) was tall. They were both examples of above and under-the-average test pilots hired by Lockheed Skunk Works.

This model is available from AirModels – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.

As told by Donn A. Byrnes and Kenneth D. Hurley in their book Blackbird Rising: Birth of an Aviation Legend, when Darrell was placed in the cockpit and the depressurized simulated (this was done by pumping up his pressure suit to 3.5 psi over atmospheric pressure) …

His suit became so rigid that he could not reach the ejection seat loop mounted on the seat between his knees (The D ring) so they made it fit. The result was a second loop that raised above the initial loop.

As seen in the picture below.

Be sure to check out Linda Sheffield Miller (Col Richard (Butch) Sheffield’s daughter, Col. Sheffield was an SR-71 Reconnaissance Systems Officer) Twitter X Page Habubrats SR-71, Instagram Page SR71Habubrats and Facebook Page Born into the Wilde Blue Yonder Habubrats for awesome Blackbird’s photos and stories.

Photo credit: Tony Landis, Richard Graham via The Ejection Site and U.S. Air Force

SR-71 Blackbird

Previous « JMSDF, US Navy increase cooperation between UP-3D and EA-18G electronic attack aircraft as EP-3 era ends

@Habubrats71 via X

[booboodaddysblog]

The Beauty

Warnings: smut, love talking, overthinking, little curses

Detective Drew Foster's character based on a comic book series by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley.

Words: 2254

It was one o'clock in the morning. Drew sighed heavily, loosened his tie. He put the gun down on the nightstand. He looked at the upturned figure of his wife. Janna suddenly turned in his direction.

- Oh... you're awake. I thought, I wouldn't wake you up. Shit. Sorry, babe - he took off his jacket and put it on a chair.

- You weren't kidding when you said you'd be back late. But, no, I was awake. I was waiting for you. You know I can't sleep without you - she held out her hand to him - I missed you, come to me - she smiled sweetly.

Drew smiled and shrugged his shoulders, rubbing his neck.

- Yeah, well... work had other plans today. But I'm already here, by your side - his eyes darkened as he inched closer to her and his lips brushed her ear - hmm… how about we skip the chat and get straight to something more fun?

- Oh, aren't you tired? - Janna asked, sliding her finger along the buttons of his shirt.

Drew giggled quietly, drawing circles with his fingers on her bare skin.

- Tired? Maybe a little. But darling, you light up my whole world. Your touch, your smell... it lights up every cell in my body. This dance… I will never get tired of. So let's dance the tango until dawn, my love. Who needs sleep when we have each other?

- Maybe first let's talk about how your day went? Was it really that bad? I didn't see any news on TV about this new case - she said still stroking his chest.

He furrowed his brow, stepping back slightly.

- It's complicated... There's a lot going on. But I promise you that I will deal with it. I won't let this matter get out of hand. Everything will be fine. So why don't we leave my work behind for now? Today is about us, okay? Let's focus on ourselves instead - he seemed slightly annoyed.

- Baby, but of course I believe that you can handle this case. You are the best, and so are your people in the department.

He smiled and leaned over to kiss her gently.

- Thank you, my love. It means a lot to me. And now let's forget about everything else. Just you and me... naked. No past, no future... just now.

- Ohhh… you’re so stubborn - she laughed a little - so what do you have for me tonight? - she bites her lower lip.

Drew smiled, reaching out to gently lift her chin.

- Hmm... how about I show you instead of telling you? After all, actions speak louder than words. So close your eyes and get ready for a wild ride, baby.

Janna silently nodded her head. She closed her eyes and waited for his next move. She felt his slender fingers move across her chest and slowly strip her of her silk nightgown. He leaned over her and whispered quietly in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

- Trust me, my love. I won't let you fall asleep.

- I trust you 100% and I am all yours.

He murmured. Her words fueled his desire.

- Good girl. You are mine now. Every inch of you belongs to me.

- I can't wait - her eyes sparkled with excitement.

He fell passionately into her mouth, his hands firmly grasped her waist.

- All right, if that's what you want. Hold on tight!

Suddenly he lifted her off the bed and she felt herself standing on the floor. Drew began to turn her in a slow dance. Her laughter filled the whole room.

- You're crazy! - Janna couldn't stop laughing.

He laughed feeling her laughter vibrate in his chest.

- That's music to my ears, my love. But I haven't yet shown how crazy I am about you.

- Show me!

With a devilish grin, he jumped on the bed, pulling her with him.

- Hold on tight, baby!

As soon as they were on the bed again, he grabbed her around the waist and turned her around so that she was under him.

- Now, where were we? - he asked, and his eyes lit up with desire - Oh yes, it was time for something pleasant!

Drew looked deeply into her eyes, and the intensity of his gaze made her breathless. He slowly leaned in, gently brushing his lips against hers.

- So beautiful... - he whispered softly.

His hands moved over her body, caressing every curve with tender precision. Passion between them flared like wildfire, consuming everything in its path.

As Drew's fingers danced on her skin, she felt her body tremble under his touch. He quickly sensed what his beloved wanted. He positioned himself between her legs. With a gentle thrust, he slid into her, both of them moaning under the strong sensation. Their hips began to sway in perfect harmony, creating a rhythm that spoke louder than words.

Each movement sent waves of pleasure that pushed them closer and closer toward the edge. Desperately cuddling against each other, they rushed through the storm together, lost in a torrent of passion. Under the influence of the moment, Drew once again sank into her parted lips, swallowing her cries of ecstasy as she neared her peak.

As he continued his movements inside her hot interior, he felt her body tighten around him. He moaned loudly, realizing it wouldn't last long. He accelerated his movements, thrusting deeper into her with each thrust. Her breathing became erratic, her back arched. He thrust hard one last time, causing both of them to explode.

Their bodies trembled violently, caught in the grip of intense pleasure. They collapsed on the bed, panting heavily. Drew drew her close, holding her securely in his arms.

- I'll always be here for you, sweetheart - he whispered quietly, hugging her tenderly - no matter what may happen... always... I'll always be here.

- I love you, Detective Foster - her breathing was still uneven. She cuddled into him tightly.

Drew smiled, tenderly looking into her eyes.

- And I love you too, Mrs. Foster - he gently stroked her hair - no matter what challenges we face, our love will get us through them - he pulled her even closer to him, wrapping his arms protectively around her - rest now, darling.

He watched her eyes slowly close. She seemed even more tired than he was. He gently slipped out of her embrace, careful not to disturb her peaceful state. Covering her with the quilt, Drew placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

- I'll be here when you wake up, I promise - he whispered.

Janna drifted off to dreamland, and Drew sat beside her, reflecting on the day's discoveries and devising the next steps of his work. In the quiet darkness, he wondered how the whole affair would affect his personal life. His wife was the most important thing to him, and this virus named Beauty could stand in the way of their happiness. He hid his face in his hands.

A heavy burden rested on his shoulders, but he knows that facing these challenges is the only way forward. With determination etched on his face, Drew Foster prepared to delve into the mystery surrounding the Beauty virus. But what he didn't realize was that their journey would be fraught with danger and unexpected twists and turns.

He glanced at the clock, realizing that there was little time left until dawn. He decided to take a quick shower and get at least a little sleep.

————

Entering the kitchen in the morning, Drew was greeted by the familiar sight of Janna sitting at the table, surrounded by the warm glow of the morning sun. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, filling the room with its fragrance. Leaning against the door frame, he watched Janna flip through the morning newspaper. Her eyes scanned the headlines and articles with interest. He approached his wife, placing a light kiss on her cheek, then poured himself a cup of steaming coffee.

- Morning, beautiful - he greeted her warmly, joining her at the table - did you find something interesting there? - he gestured to the newspaper, curious.

- This case, beauty, is probably something serious, right? - Janna shows him the headline on the front page.

Drew nodded, putting down his coffee mug.

- It certainly looks like it, darling - he furrowed his eyebrows and reached for the newspaper while reading the headline that Janna had pointed out. The bold letters shouted about the recent developments of the Beauty virus and its potential consequences - yes, this issue... is much bigger than we expected - he confirmed with seriousness.

- How many people have already died?

Drew furrowed his brow, concentrating on the numbers mentioned in the article.

- According to this article, more than two hundred cases have been confirmed worldwide, with nearly fifty deaths linked to the Beauty virus - he didn't realize it was spreading so fast. He sighed out loud at the sight of these staggering statistics.

He understood that they were dealing with a global health crisis that needed immediate attention.

- It is crucial that we work quickly to stop this threat - he declares firmly, with determination drawing on his face - we will find the answers, darling.

- It's terrible. It's beyond comprehension. I can't imagine it could get us - Janna shook her head in disbelief - what would you have for breakfast? - she asked, getting up with a smile to pour more coffee for her husband.

- It's good that you are trying to change the subject, but it's not so easy - he got up from the table to join her - I will eat everything you prepare for me - he embraced Janna from behind. He gently rested his chin on her shoulder. He closed his eyes, allowing himself a moment of solace amidst the chaos.

He relaxed too much as he drew Janna close to him and gently began to caress her neck.

- Why don't we give up this breakfast? Let's relax, shall we? - he whispered tenderly, his warm breath tickling her skin.

Janna turned in his embrace. Her eyes focused on his, reflecting the concern she saw in his gaze. She placed a reassuring hand on his chest and felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath it.

- Let's have breakfast, baby - she smiled sweetly at him, placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

Drew rolled his eyes and released Janna from his grasp.

- You are absolutely right - he said with a sigh.

Together they began preparing breakfast, a simple but hearty meal that would nourish both body and soul. As they worked side by side, their movements synchronized, and each step strengthened the bond that kept them together for better or worse. Their conversations moved from heavy matters of life and death to lighter topics, shared memories, dreams for the future, and even humorous banter.

Their laughter echoed throughout the kitchen. Drew couldn't help but feel grateful to have Janna by his side, this beacon of hope in an increasingly uncertain world.

They put the plates with breakfast on the table and began to eat.

- What are your plans at work today? Will you continue to look for the source of this disease? How exactly does it spread? - Janna asked curiously.

Drew savored another bite of his breakfast before answering his wife's questions.

- I'll go back to the office - he began, wiping his mouth with a napkin - we are working tirelessly to determine the origin of this virus and understand how it spreads - he fell silent for a moment, thoughtfully reaching for his coffee mug - from the information we've gathered so far, Beauty appears to be transmitted mainly through sexual contact... although there may be more to it than may appear at first glance - Drew shrugs his shoulders, realizing the complexity of their investigation.

- I understand. Please be careful whatever you do. You know, I’m always worried about you - Janna grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly.

Drew looked into Janna's concerned eyes, and his own reflected a mixture of gratitude and determination.

- Don't worry about me, dear - he reassured her, also gently squeezing her hand - I am well prepared. Besides, who would want to mess with this charming detective? - he laughed.

His words brought a small laugh to her lips, temporarily improving her mood. She knew how good a detective Drew was.

- I love you so much, Drew - she got up from the table and walked over to him. She sat on his lap, kissed him gently on the lips and hugged him tightly - I don't know what I would do without you.

Drew pulled Janna closer, returning her kiss with fervor. His hands moved down her back, gripping her firmly at the waist.

- And I love you - he muttered into her mouth.

They closed their eyes, their breaths mingled in a promise of undying devotion. Their hearts beat in unison. Two souls entwined by fate and bound by love.

Drew felt an overwhelming peace. In that magical moment, surrounded by her warmth and affection, he found himself with the strength to face whatever was coming.

@ladyjpm