#haven't used that tag in a while

[becausegoodheroesdeservekidneys]

Hi! Could you tell us more about the hoopoe sighting, specifically from the human / social side? Are these bird watchers or regular folk? How did the word spread around? Are people coming in from further (definition pending) away or are these walking distance neighbours? Etc etc etc

Basically, this situation sounds fascinating but I feel like I'm missing as to how this is happening and what social rules have emerged. It doesn't look like there's press coverage or wildlife protection or the threat of a wild animal killing you like with the [sea lion? Seal? That one pinniped] incident. So, how is this all playing out?

ALSO, I'm writing a story in which a non-native bird arrives one day and that manages to bring together some of the neighbours, so this event is personally fascinating to me. Thank you so so much for your reporting.

Sure! So, first off for context, a hoopoe sighting in the UK is not unheard of, but super super rare. It's something that happens like... once every few years, maybe? But normally on the south east coast of England, it is super super super rare to get one in Wales.

Now, whenever you get rare sightings like this, it's mostly bird watchers who care, and who spread the news. Last year a golden oriole turned up in a scrap of woodland on the Gower - much like the hoopoe, just passing through - and within hours of someone spotting it and putting it on a bird forum, the twitchers descended, lol. As luck would have it I was leading a field trip in that woodland on that day, so I got to see about two dozen people turn up, singly or in small groups, over the course of about four or five hours, all armed with proper cameras and also good binoculars. I never saw it in the end, which was a shame, but I know where it was, because I saw the birders gather in a small, hushed crowd at one end as we were getting back on the bus.

In the case of this hoopoe, things are a bit more relaxed. Unlike that golden oriole, it was first spotted earlier this week, and has hung out every day along the beach at roughly the same spot. You can see how unbothered it is by humans, too, look:

So close! Look how close it came in the photos! And the path it's on is a cycle path; bikes going past merely made it raise its crest momentarily and then carry on feeding. This means it's been a more relaxed affair, because if you want to see it, it's bizarrely easy to find. The first two days had slightly bigger crowds, but by now the QUICKLY GO AND SEE BEFORE IT LEAVES fervour has gone.

With that said, it's still mostly birders and other environmentalists going to see it. I don't think local news has even covered it, funnily enough. A quick search for 'Swansea hoopoe' gets me bird watching websites, birding soc med groups, a YouTube video, and a news article from last year when a hoopoe turned up in an Aberystwyth garden, of all places. The Evening Post really should have mentioned it for local interest, actually, but nothing. Although, of course, that's probably helped keep crowds down.

But environmentalists are definitely sharing the news with each other lol, so there's that (especially on the local scene). WE are all very excited. Of the little crowd of about 10 people there today, most had proper cameras. Several were discussing RSPB sites. Many had English accents, which suggests they travelled in to see it (although of course that's not definite). So, it's mostly a specialist crowd, interspersed with locals who stop to see what everyone is staring at.

The difference with the walrus, though, is I think partly the level of exoticism (most people don't know what a hoopoe is, but have seen birds; by contrast, they do know what a walrus is, and most haven't even seen a seal), and partly impact. Wally was exciting regardless, but he also kept squatting on slipways and capsizing boats, leading to funny photos of lifeboat volunteers trying to shoo him away with a broom.

And even funnier photos of him sinking the boats of rich toffs as they watched helplessly on and underwent the five stages of grief.

And, actually, he came visiting in lockdown, when people couldn't travel far and couldn't gather indoors, but you could go to Tenby and stand on a cliff, and I do think that played a part. But, as I say, most non environmentalists just don't know the hoopoe is even there to get excited.

Anyway, I hope that is at all useful! Good luck with your story.

[itscherryterry-again]

had a thought

[kujakumai]

in the first appearance of the Domino Museum (Shadi's introductory chapter) we meet its owner, who is a designated despicable jerk who Shadi quickly murders. around 300 chapters later Yami Bakura casually drops that Bakura's dad owns the museum despite this literally never being mentioned ever before

this leads us to the inference that:

Bakura's dad was very recently able to sweep in and buy the museum specifically because Shadi Shin brutally shadow-game'd the previous owner to death personally (!)

Deeplore theory that killing the museum owner was Shadi playing ninth-dimensional plana plot chess to ensure that Bakura's dad could own the museum and allow the memory world board to exist

[belabellissima]

pov you're jude and you go to visit your banished fae dad and he walks in with boba wearing jeans and this t-shirt. how are you reacting?

a) being chill about it

b) committing patricide

~~~

a gift for @popjunkie42 who wanted to see Madoc in this shirt.

[dreamer-of-all-time]

do you still have requests open? can we request a htfasj character? Take your pick.

-👻

Hell yes

Minor blood warning but major angst

[ghcstcd]

@plaquerat YEAH. So basically, I hc the first Emeritus of the clergy from ages ago (thinking 1300's) was gifted with demon blood by Satan. Turning them into essentially a half demon. Thing is, over the centuries, it's thinned out a lot. They're practically human now. So the blood/blessing is kinda supplemented through them consuming the blood of ghouls. However, that usually looks like drinking wine spiked with blood. Or straight from the ghoul, I suppose!

I don't think the Emeritus family is the only ones who drinks wine with demon blood in it now, though. I think the Clergy as a whole may partake :) It's interesting to think about it, if it's ritualistic, or if they believe it also gives them powers. Perhaps it does.

back to your hc on vampire primo, I think it'd be fun if even having a little demon blood gave them some qualities of demons like vampires.

[evolutiononthebrain]

WTTT Midwest Nicknames HCs

I'm bored and scrolling through the #wtttindiana tag so... credit to @xechoecho88x for this idea! :D

Indiana - I see your "Indi" nickname and I spit on it (/nm /lh) it's a cute nickname but I - and by extension, he, as these are my hcs - think Indi/Indy is reserved purely for the capital. so sorry. Not a big nicknames guy; will respond to "Hoosier" or some variation of "Ill- Ohi- Mich-" because he's used to the others mixing up the Midwests' names atp.

Illinois - HATES nicknames. His name does not lend well to them, and he refuses to acknowledge others if they try to call him by another state's name, or, God Forbid, call him Chicago. Appreciates the nickname "Prairie", as it's his official nickname, but if you're not close with him (so. if you're not Indiana, mostly, stretching it if you're Minnesota, Michigan, or Ohio) he might actually cut you. so.

Ohio - "'Hio" (pronounced Hi-O), "I-O" (pronounced the way it's spelled), "Buckeye" - He's really pushing for "O-H" (also pronounced the way it's spelled) but the other states dgaf. (his ass is NOT getting called O-H). Also refuses to respond if other states start calling him anything other than his name. Will shun and not speak to someone if they accidentally start saying "Mich-"

Minnesota - Will respond to "'Sota" (pronounced Soda) and "North Star", and will be passive-aggressive but respond to, "Minnesota" in a very stereotypical Minnesotan accent. Wisconsin does this often. "Minne/Minnie" (pronounced Minnie) depends. If he's in a very good mood, go for it. Does not go over well in meetings; as the youngest Midwest state, he's got kind of a thing about being seen as 'childish', even if it's just a cute nickname.

Michigan - "Mich" is pretty standard. Secretly prays for the day that somebody calls him "Wolverine" as it's one of his official nicknames but nobody is going to do that. Also not a big nicknames kinda guy, but Ohio is walking proof that he will respond to "The One that Shall Not Be Named", "That State up North", "Voldemort", or any variation of that.

Iowa - Generally others just call him by his name; it's pretty hard to shorten a 4-letter name. "I-O" (pronounced as seen above) can be used but only if Ohio isn't around. Sometimes referred to as "Hawkeye", as it's his official nickname. This drives Michigan up the wall - if Iowa can get a cool superhero name, why can't he?! Iowa doesn't gaf.

Nebraska - "'Braska" is pretty solidly his only nickname. He doesn't care what people call him. He'll respond to a mix of, "Ill- Indi- Wisc-" but be passive-aggressive about it. Might be petty and call the state who'd messed up the wrong name on purpose, but generally doesn't care.

Kansas - Like Illinois, generally dislikes nicknames since his name doesn't lend to them. However, will happily respond to, "Sunflower" or "Dorothy". He thinks they're cute nicknames and doesn't mind friends or other states using them.

South Dakota - Responds to "South" best, or "SD" (pronounced like it's spelled). Doesn't have a lot of other nicknames, but will start a massive argument if you accidentally call him North. Doesn't respond to "'Kota" since it's a shared nickname with his brother.

North Dakota - "North" or "DK" (pronounced like it's spelled) are his preferred nicknames. Will be passive-aggressive and make you feel like sh!t if you accidentally call him South. Doesn't respond to "'Kota" since it's a shared nickname with his brother.

Missouri - "Souri" (pronounced like Zuri, from Jessie if you've seen that) is pretty much his only nickname - though it doesn't get much use. He doesn't like many other nicknames, not that there are many. "Missy" can be tossed in, but that's usually just teasing from Ohio or other states trying to bother him.

Wisconsin - Happily accepts "Sconnie" as a nickname, doesn't get called "Badger" (another official nickname situation) often but doesn't mind that, either. He's generally pretty chill about it and doesn't mind the use of his full name or whatever nickname you can come up with.

This was all in good fun, no offense meant :3 - if you think of any fun state nicknames for them definitely tag them I just can't stop thinking about them. I love them. Found Family (they're literally us states)

[hatsoff-forgandalf]

Rewatching Neverafter

[house-of-mirrors]

Vacation and massive school deadlines this month have me much less active online

Hope you've missed me lol

[knickynoo]

One of the most frequent dream plots I have is desperately needing to use the bathroom but either being unable to find one or finding one that I can't use for various reasons.

A lot of the time, my dream-self ends up finding a public restroom, but the walls are made of glass. Other times, the doors don't lock, and people keep barging in on me. A few months back, the dream involved a bathroom that was just an empty room with no toilet. Very stressful.

Last night, I had another one of these dreams, but instead of frantically running around in search of a restroom, it took place in my own house, so the bathroom was there and free to use. Improvement, right? Wrong. When I went inside, I discovered there was a group of school children having a field trip in my bathtub.

[jandjsalmon]

Be Kind, Rewind by @ozmathegreatand (8/8 -T)

Summary: “I’m going to say something crazy, and I need you to believe me.”

Enid frowned softly, but nodded. “Ok.”

Wednesday took a deep breath. “I’ve already lived through this day. Eight times.”

A puzzled look crossed Enid’s face. “You’re… having déjà vu? Or a vision? You had a vision of how this day is going to go already?”

Wednesday shook her head. “No. I’m cursed, I think. It’s happened before. I’ll go through today and if I do something wrong, I’ll wake up and the day will start over again.”

Enid’s eyes went wide. “You’re Groundhog Day cursed?”

Notes: One of my favourite fics ever. Definitely has my favourite scene in all Wenvier fic (get to the dance with the red-paint rain and you'll see what I mean). I felt it was festive and should be shared today. Enjoy!

[iveneverseenthesebowlsbefore]

Cleaning out the drafts for the first time in forever and i found this

Note the timestamp and also my gift of prophecy

[silly-ehggy]

Lots of them. too many spams

Things in ourple drawn by @ramsley-r-ramslington i think

[tittyinfinity]

Last night I had a dream that I was at a job interview. We were in a very small room, about 8x8 feet. The walls were painted a shade of off-white that was nearly yellow – like walls that had been stained by cigarette smoke over time. The only objects in the room were the hiring manager's desk, his laptop, his chair, and my chair.

I was interviewing for a graphic design position. This guy had only seen memes that I've made and wanted "the most bullshit looking program possible."

He asks me a lot of questions, but they seem to be more random as time goes on. How long have I worked in graphic design? Never have, the last classes I took was when I was like 12. How long have I been using photoshop? Since I was 8. How many people did I sleep with in my best friend's attic? 6.

Once he's done asking me questions, he beckons me over to his side of the desk and shows me his laptop screen. "So this is what you'll be doing." He grabs the back of my head with his hand and shoves my face into the screen. An intense video of instructions on how to build the Company Minecraft World is playing. "LEARN IT! LEARN IT! ARE YOU LEARNING IT? LEARN IT!"

then I woke up

[sdwolfpup]

hi! i know i’m several years late, but i’ve spent the past few days reading HFoG and i don’t think words can describe how involved and invested i am in that fic. it is so beautifully written, the characters are all so endearing and characterized really well, and i’ve loved the plot and the slow burning and yearning. i’m only about halfway through but i already know this fic is going to become a comfort fic for me that i revisit again and again! i just wanted to thank you for sharing such an amazing story with us!

🥹🥹🥹

It is so sweet of you to take the time to reach out and say this. I am always incredibly delighted (and a bit awed) that people take the time to read such a long fic, and it makes me really happy to know that you're enjoying it, no matter when! It's never too late to read someone's fic. 😊

[anachronistic-falsehood]

WAIT HOLY SHIT. HANG ON. PAUSE. DAN AND PHIL CRAFTS VIDEO????????