#seriously folks help out here and we can make this a lot of fun

[andorshitdaily]

One year of Andor shit later....

Well, almost. In fact, a month from today will be the one-year anniversary of this ridiculous blog! And in celebration of all the crazy times we've had, I'm planning a week full of extra special shit.

From June 23 to 29, we'll have extra crap going on every day, and I need your help for some of it. Here's what we've got:

Sunday, June 23 - Starting a brand-new, GIANT poll tournament for this week only! (topic is a secret for now unless you're in the discord)

Monday, June 24 - Mega Mon Monday, Part 2. SUBMIT YOUR BEST MON MEMES NOW!!!

Tuesday, June 25 - T-Shirt Tuesday with new Shirts That Go Hard memes. SUBMIT 'EM IF YOU'VE GOT 'EM

Wednesday, June 26 - the triumphant return of Wandor Wednesday Wars!!! subject TBA

Thursday, June 27 - Throwback Thursday, revisiting your old favorite posts and moments from a year of stupidity. let me know what they are!

Friday, June 28 - Character Appreciation Friday, but YOU submit your most appreciated characters

Saturday, June 29 (actual anniversary) - Shitpost Submission Saturday, any other submissions you've got will get posted, plus whatever else I can think of

As you can see, this is going to require y'all to share all your deranged ideas and brilliant thoughts with me. Do that at any point in the next month, just let me know what you're submitting for! I'll reblog this several times before any of this starts, as a reminder.

In the meantime, thank y'all (nearly 600 of you!!!) for being here and continuing to show love for this fucking incredible show!!! I don't know where I'd be without it or you <3

[varpusvaras]

"So, like", Bly starts. He is definitely drunk at this point. So is Fox, to be honest, but he is still judging.

"So like what?" Fox asks.

"So, like, what is it?" Bly asks. "The thing."

"Maybe we should have this talk when your brain is not made of 80 percent of alcohol", Fox says.

"No no, we are having this now", Bly says. "Like, the thing. With the Queen and the Senator. Like, you know, I like Aayla because-"

"He's asking you what it is about them that makes you like them that much", Wolffe explains, promptly interrupting Bly, before he can start rambling about General Secura.

Fox knows he shouldn't say anything.

But then he looks at everybody else around the table. They are all grinning.

Yes, his brothers have been teasing him about his choices. Oh, Fox has gotten fancy while on the Triple-Zero. He does not care for the same things as us common folk. No, Fox likes the finer things now, like all the rich people around him.

Fox knows that his brothers are not really taking Bail and Breha seriously. They all respect them, like they should. Bail is not constantly putting himself in the middle of battles to help them and the people out, nor is Breha constantly pushing more credits and aid and trying to handle diplomatics to get better things for the army, for them all to disrespect them.

But Fox knows that they don't take Bail and Breha seriously. They are still rich people, royalty, nobility, people who have gotten used to nice things and nice things only. People who are nice and aspire to do good, but are still soft and delicate in their eyes.

So Fox opens his mouth.

"They are nice", he starts, because that is the starting point.

"Yeah, yeah, we all know that", Rex says. Fox glares at Cody, who in turn, smacks Rex on the arm.

"They treat me well", Fox continues. "And they are fun to be around."

"I'm starting to think that we have a very different understanding of fun these days", Bly grins. "What do you even do for fun? Sit on fancy couches and talk poetry? Do they kiss your hand as a good-bye when you leave?"

"Sometimes", Fox says. Wolffe gags. Fox glares at Cody again, who, in turn, smacks Wolffe on the back of his head.

"Hey, you all have to admit, it's very romantic", Ponds says. "It's very nice."

"Yeah, if sappy romance is all you want", Bly says.

Fox should really keep his mouth shut.

But no. No, he has been listening to this enough. It's time to shut them all up for good.

"You know that they have been married for well over ten years now?" He asks.

"Yeah?" Bly says.

"Do you know how much sex people have on average in long-term relationships?" Fox asks. "According to several databases, at least once a week. That's sex on average every four days. Now, count in your little alcoholic head, how much that is in over ten years."

Bly squints his eyes. Ponds leans his head on his hand.

"It's a lot", Fox says. "And how does it go, Rex? In your book, experience outranks everything?"

Rex pulls a face for being included all of a sudden. Too bad, he opened his mouth first.

"Yeah, but", he says. "Isn't Senator Organa on Coruscant a lot, and not at home on Alderaan?"

"Yes?" Fox tilts his head.

"So like, the calculation is off, then", Rex tries.

Fox grins.

"It is not", he says. "I'm here, too."

Rex looks disgusted. Wolffe gags again.

Cody smacks Fox. Fox smacks him back.

---

"Is everything alright with your brothers?" Bail asks.

"Yes?" Fox asks back. "Why?"

"I met up with a few of the Masters at the Temple earlier today", Bail says. "Some of your brothers were there, too. They seemed a bit...strange, all of a sudden."

"They are all idiots", Fox says. "Don't mind them."

Bail shakes his head.

"If you say so", he says. "Oh, by the way, Breha is coming to Coruscant, to attend a couple of galas and session for educational aid budgeting. She'll be staying a little over a week."

"Oh, that's nice", Fox smiles. "Sorry, I need to send a quick message."

CC >>>>>>>>

Fox: Hey I have to cancel our next two nights out, Breha's coming over

Cody: Okay, say hi to her

Wolffe: Why next two

Fox: She'll be staying for over a week

Wolffe: And?

Fox: Remember, on average, once a week. gotta get that second week's average as well

Fox has been temporarily banned from CC >>>>>>>>

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

01/20/2024 Crew Recap

TLDR; David Jenkins Message on IG; How you can help; Contacting Netflix, Prime, AppleTV; General Guidelines for Wooing Networks; New Hashtags; UK Crew Updates; Petition/Fundraiser Status; Articles; Extras; Rhys' Stiddy

=== Chaos Dad's Message ===

David Jenkins messaged us FRIENDS and gave us a new heading to steer the ship for the crew. Truly an amazing and sweet message, and helping give @renewasacrew a good place to start on new networks.

== How you can help ==

So based on Chaos Dad's tweet, what the folks over at @renewasacrew have recommended is we focus our efforts on Netflix, AmazonStudios, and Apple TV. We'll be polite menacing but also doing some more specific wooing this time so please see below for more information.

= Reach out to Netflix =

You can reach out to Netflix Here.

= Reach out to Apple TV =

You can reach out to apple tv by going here.

= Amazon Prime: Thank you @mermaid-stede for this write up: =

1) if you have an Amazon account, go to My Stuff > Settings > Help & Feedback > Provide Feedback

2) If you don't, write here

3) might as well try their customer service 888 280-4331, using the same strategy from above (though you might need an Amazon account)

4) and here's an email! complaints@amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com: AIV Website Feedback Form

DIGPRJSURVEY.AMAZON.COM

You can see more of their write ups here

=New Hashtags=

#AdoptOurCrew #RenewAsACrew #SaveOFMD

Things to remember:

Only Message 1 of the 3 networks at once. We are wooing them, they want to be enticed, not included in a crowd. If you are reaching out to one, make sure to reach out to all three (just separately)

Be Polite, this is a bit of a different strategy from max, we WANT these people to pick us up, we're not grumpy at them.

Yes you can use season 3 and beyond, use the same terminology David Jenkins did.

More specific info from folks regarding the things to remember:

=== UK Crew ===

Great job everyone! Your efforts made a difference! Thanks for the update @lamentus1!

Something else to mention for our UK and International Friends that are reaching out via social networks or email/phone:

=Daily Engagement Reminder!=

Our Flag Means Death Wikipedia Page

Google Search for Our Flag Means Death

Google UK Search for Our Flag Means Death

Our Flag Means Death IMDB

=== Petition / Fundraiser Status ===

Petition: ALMOST at 75K!

Renew as a Crew - Benefiting Rainbow Youth is fully funded at $17K!

OFFP Care for Gaza - HITS $10K!!!! Great job all!

=== New Articles ===

Fans Declare War Against Warner Bros., Light Up Times Square for Beloved Show

Our Flag Means Death’s Renewal Campaign Lands Times Square Billboard

=== Other Stuff ===

Some BTS from Vico's IG reels

=Wanna help out our fellow cancelees?=

Sign the Petition for Rap Sh!t!

-------------------------------------------------------------

So Dad's message kind of blew everything else out of the water today, there were some sightings of various crew on the web but most of them were reactions to David's reel so I figured it probably wasn't worth adding today. Thank you as usual to the @renewasacrew team, and @TheCozyPirate for all their steering and insight and helping make these pivots possible each day!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Side note: I saw a lot of really great stuff today-- people focused more on action with the renewal and starting to discuss fun things more and more, less dealing with trolls. I hope that means you all are getting some rest and avoiding some of the crazy shit going on.

Seriously, you're doing amazing. David sees it, the cast sees it, the crew sees it, we all see it. You should all feel super proud of yourself for all the hard work you're doing, whether it's just enjoying the show, being active in the renewal efforts, or just being you.

Please continue to make art, and fics, and goofy memes, and silly videos, and everything. Your creativity is so inspiring and fun and it keeps us all sane! (Also please share them with me I love them.)

On that note, here's Rhys grabbing one of those Stiddies.

Gif courtesy of ofmd-ann's post here

[catastrophicalcat]

Catwoman's Love Interests, Ranked

No. 1. Batman. Predictable? Perhaps. Correct choice? Absolutely. They work purrfectly together. I may roll around to write a similar post for Bruce, but from Selina's perspective, he is an equal to her, values her independence, and helps her believe in herself.

(From the double date in Batman (2016) # 37, where Lois is wearing Selina's outfit)

No. 2-10. Selina herself. She is independent! But seriously, one of the things I loved the most from her 90s run was how not romance-focused she was! It was a lot of fun and refreshing to see female main character just not give a fuuuuck about romance.

(Look at her, just slapping this creep away as a squirrel laughs at him! From Catwoman (1993) #30).

No. 11. Christopher Castillo "Blondie". From Selina's adventures in Rome, the Blond was enamoured, charming, and helpful. Also, it wasn't clear if the attraction was truly reciprocal, or if Selina just got a fun vacation boy toy.

(Catwoman, When in Rome #6)

No. 12 Dean Hadley. I am not sure he really qualifies as a love interest, since I don't think that Selina was into him, but at least he died heroically trying to protect her.

(Can't compete with Batman, dies tragically, from Catwoman (2018) # 34)

No. 13 to 20. Selina on her own some more! Can't get enough of this girl on her own! Love the storyline where she unknowingly has a crush on a serial killer in a dog mask. You know what she did when she found out the truth about her crush? That's right, clawed the shit out of him!

(Catwoman (1993) #53. I think this storyline counts as her loving herself than being into this guy - she barely had any qualms about dumping him once she found out; none of that "but maybe I can fix him" for this cat!)

No. 21. The Riddler. Shocking choice, I know! But I'm thinking here of the Lonely City version - Batman is dead, time has passed, he made amends, they found each other. Doesn't work in other continuities, was fun here.

(Catwoman: Lonely City #3. The reveal that Eddie was a coke addict makes SO.MUCH.SENSE).

No. 22. James Thien. I guess he was fine. I didn't like it because her interest into him was really jarring - this was during the post-wedding break-up period when Selina was generally falling apart. But James was neither fish nor fowl. There wasn't enough development for her to be genuinely interested in him, and her interest was portrayed more like genuine interest than a random hook-up.

(Literally, I think that this is all the development there is! And then I don't remember what happened to him. Maybe he also died? That kind of seems to happen to her love interests a lot. Catwoman (2018) #12)

Nos. 22-90. Selina on her own some more! And Eiko. And others. Never enough of Selina being on her own! I also think that Eiko goes somewhere here probably, if not in my earlier "Selina on her own spot" - I just haven't read the New 52 run so I dunno. Other possible contenders in this range:

Onyx (but I don't think they had enough development)

The Trickster (Reddit tells me he's a Catwoman love interest but I don't remember it so it must have been neither good nor bad)

Spark (also new 52, so I dunno).

OK, this is where we get to bottom of the barrel, where unfortunately most other folks are. BTW, what's up with Selina having so many relationships with older mentor figures?

No. 91. Frank Baz. Some mafioso with whom Selina was hanging out in Italy. Ranked so low since he seems like a bad guy, there was a big age difference with her being really young, and he didn't do that much.

No. 91. Slam Bradley Sr. I think that Brubaker did a decent job making the romance between Selina and Slam Sr. work. I like how the run addressed how messy this relationship was, and how Slam was kind of preying on Selina's vulnerable emotional state. (Slam shouldn't have won that argument, but at least it was raised!) But unfortunately this is ranked so low since Slam becomes kind of a chump later on in the run and Selina's relationship with his son makes this very creepy.

(From Catwoman (2001) #17. Their relationship was actually pretty good in the beginning, but quickly got icky...)

No. 92. Wildcat/Ted Grant. I really like the backstory of Selina learning boxing from Wildcat. It's a sweet little bit setting up her eventual super-heroics, plus, Wildcat is awesome! He's a grumpy old man who is respected by everyone, even Batman (whom he also trained). Which is why I hated when Wildcat/Catwoman wrote her to have a crush on him. Gross! Did I mention that he's old?

(Catwoman/Wildcat #3. The art in this book is really 90s)

No. 92. Slam Bradley Jr. I totally get that hot people in costumes would have one night stands on rooftops after adrenaline rush situations. And the poor guy died right after sleeping with Selina! Nonetheless, ranked so low because it's sooo weird since she slept with his dad - which I think he knew - plus I'm pretty sure that their relationship started really antagonistic. Principles before hoes, bro! Also, not his fault but I don't like how he messed up Helena's paternity story some more.

(Catwoman (2001) #61. No idea why Selina tells the dad the story about how she banged his son?)

No. 93. Cat cult person who kidnapped Selina, dressed her up as princess Leia, and tried to marry her. Forgot this dude's name. Considering the stuff he did, he was a pretty nice dude. But - the stuff he did is pretty despicable!

(Catwoman #31. I really hated this storyline, so I feel like he should be lower, but I also really hated Stark and Valmont, so where can it go? Also not sure that kidnapping and forced marriage qualifies as a "love interest"; may rethink including him altogether but I also wanted to emphasize how much I don't like Stark or Valmont).

No. 94. Stark. Criminal who took Selina under his wing when she was still an underage sex worker, and slept with her. He's also a murderer. Pretty gross person overall, really creepy relationship.

(Selina's Big Score)

No. 95. Valmont. I really hate Valmont, OK? I wrote a whole giant post already about how much I hate him!

[lurkingshan]

On Boston and Brian Kinney

I’ve seen a lot of folks in the Only Friends tag recently making connections between the show and Queer as Folk, both US and UK versions, which makes sense because QaF is a clear reference for the show, both visually and thematically, and we know Jojo likes to reference western media in his work. One parallel folks are drawing is not tracking for me, however, so I am jumping in the wayback machine and putting on my old QaF stan hat to talk to y’all about Brian Kinney, and why Boston is actually nothing like him. Tagging @bengiyo and @neuroticbookworm who talked this through with me and also @slayerkitty because I saw you were contemplating this connection between the two characters.

So, first, why are people making this comparison? It really boils down to one thing: Brian and Boston are both sluts. That’s… pretty much it. They both like sex and prefer to have it with many different partners, and neither has much use for monogamy. But this is pretty much where their similarities end. 

So let’s remind ourselves who Brian Kinney is: a kind of fantasy of a hot, rich, self-actualized gay man with unmatched sexual prowess and a surface level flippancy masking a heart of gold. Brian is an adult man with a thriving career and money that he earned for himself after leaving his abusive and homophobic family (who would eventually explicitly reject him because of his sexuality). As a result, he is defiant in his commitment to live his life as loudly and queerly as possible—which includes a dedication to fucking and sucking, public sex, and a rejection of heteronormative constructs like monogamy.

Brian has a very clear moral code he lives by, even if it’s not one most can relate to. He decides to have a son with his (lesbian) best friend because part of him wants to believe in a better future and build a family of his own. He is extremely loyal to his found family even as he’s a jerk to their face most of the time, and he is always working behind the scenes to protect them even as he often hurts their feelings with his glib remarks and shitty behavior. Despite his disdain for monogamy, he never actually tries to destroy any of his friends’ happy relationships (in fact, he tries to sacrifice his own friendship with Michael to ensure he stays with his boyfriend).

Brian has a sense of responsibility to others and often takes on the blame for things he didn’t even do, which is why he takes baby gay Justin to Debbie and ensures he is cared for even as he tries to dissuade Justin from getting attached to him, and why he cares for Justin in the aftermath of his bashing. He cares deeply about his community, to the point where he pours his money into protecting the local gay scene, literally bankrupts himself to stop an anti-gay politician from winning an election, and gives up a dream job to stay put in Pittsburgh and help rebuild the community after a hate crime.

Brian is unflinchingly honest and he avoids making promises because once he does, he knows he will absolutely keep them—he takes his commitments seriously and he always does what he says he will. When he falls in love, he does not abandon his core values but he is willing to make some compromises. And he hides his better self and often wallows in self-destructive behavior because he feels deeply unworthy of love, which goes back to the intergenerational trauma he experienced as a child in an abusive home and the parental rejection he felt due to his sexuality. 

Boston, by contrast, is a character who feels more rooted in reality. He’s a pampered rich kid who is indulged in his hobbies and who already has a life plan laid out for him and paid for by his daddy. He likes to sleep around mostly because it’s fun, and because he knows his life here is temporary so he doesn’t see any point in getting attached to people. In stark contrast to Brian’s out and proud and fuck you if you have a problem with it brand of politics, he is still trying to hide who he is in service of his father’s political career, even if he’s pretty sloppy about it (see him fucking Top in a car with giant windows parked in the driveway at a house party).

Boston’s moral code is fungible and ever-changing to fit his circumstances—boy is a hypocrite (see his opinions about people filming and photographing him even as he does the same to others constantly). He has no loyalty and no qualms about hurting and betraying his friends, and actively tries to destroy their relationships for sport or as a means to get what he wants. He does not feel responsible for anyone and often lies and ducks accountability for the things he does. He does not care about his community at all, and in fact already has a NYC escape hatch in his back pocket for when he inevitably burns his bridges. He is not as honest as Brian and sends a lot of mixed messages to keep people guessing and on the hook.

Rather than hurting people by being brutally honest as Brian does, Boston plays psychological games and manipulates his friends and lovers, and he seems to take twisted pleasure in blowing up their happiness. We haven’t seen him make a promise or fall in love, and while there are some signs that he may have some sort of inferiority complex at play (with Mew in particular), his motives are not tied to any past trauma. Boston is just a messy bitch who loves chaos and doesn’t really care who gets hurt as long as he gets what he wants and stays entertained. Where Brian is literally a superhero to his loved ones, Boston is just a very flawed human being. 

But Shan, I hear you saying, I thought you liked Boston! I do, besties, I do. He’s a fantastic character and a very real kind of person many of us encounter in our 20s. Because that’s the thing: Boston is so young. He hasn’t developed any sense of responsibility to others or any understanding of the importance of queer community, and he has never had to take care of himself, which is perhaps the biggest difference between him and Brian. Brian has lived independently for more than a decade when we meet him in QaF, whereas Boston is a spoiled rich kid who has barely lived. Brian is a fully realized adult and his more nuanced characterization is a reflection of that; Boston is actually a pretty basic chaotic drama queen who will grow up eventually. 

TL;DR: Aside from being promiscuous, Boston has very little in common with Brian Kinney. He is more a reflection of a very real kind of person you will meet on the scene in queer communities than an homage to a larger than life fictional QaF character. And while OF is absolutely referencing some of the themes and values and stylistic flourishes of QaF, it is not making direct parallels to its characters. 

[changingplumbob]

Denton Levine

Entering to WIN (seriously you two, stop mucking with my keyboard) try to win the heart of Kasumi Nakamura in the bachelorette challenge by @rebelangelsims.

Entry interview below the cut!

Tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do to keep busy? How would your friends describe you?

Hey, Denton here! You may know me from my daring adventures on simstagram and simtok. I do everything from hiking beautiful landscapes to visiting haunted houses. If you think you recognise me from the meme of a guy fainting when he saw he stepped on a worm... that wasn't me! Deep fake is getting crazy. I like the good stuff in life, I tune out the yuck with the help of our live in maid, shoutout to Gale! My closest friends tend to country hop with me, checking out the good places and sharing our travels for those unlucky enough to have to stay in one place. My twin Harper would say I'm a menace but that's just because I refuse to let her buy stuff for my wardrobe. Join me on my next adventure as I steal the heart of Kasumi.

Why did you apply?

I mean traveling is fun and all but I'm beginning to think there could be appeal to just... staying in one place? I've never been great at being by myself, twin curse I guess. Then I saw the pictures of Kasumi and WOW. That girl is a catch! Plus I like sims in glasses, maybe if we get close I could convince her I'm worth taking the contacts out for. I get the vibe that she's creative so I think we could have a lot of fun making stuff together, whether it's ideas for her paintings or making clips for simtok. And I feel like she would not get annoyed with my constant singing to myself.

Outfits - What do we think?

I like my style, I'm comfy in it. Drives my sister crazy that I won't wear contacts or let her dress me up like a doll but I'm my own person. I've had plenty- I mean, the normal amount of sims appreciate me on an intimate level after my fashion catches their eye.

How do you see yourself getting on with other competitors?

They can go home, seriously. I'm here to win and I will. I always get what I set my mind to, now I'm setting it on Kasumi. I'll dazzle her so much she won't even notice there are other competitors.

What are you looking forward to?

Falling in love with Kasumi and having her fall in love with me. I'm a catch to you know. Dad tried to find out what kind of challenges we'll be put through but this is from a studio he doesn't own yet so no spoilers for me. Hopefully there's something where I can show my passion for adventure and art.

What are you dreading?

OMG any kind of unclean, unsanitary environment. Covid is not a hoax folks! Sneeze into your elbows or so help me I will throw hands.

Do you have a message for Kasumi?

Hey gorgeous. I know I have this starlet persona but give me a chance. I would love to get to know you and will tell you whatever you want to know about me. Will you be my greatest adventure?

...

Denton can be downloaded individually (SFS) or with his twin Harper(SFS). She is CC FREE, using EA packs instead.

[sagemonsters]

Kaia on ko-fi has a blind date with...

Stelios the Centaur

Stelios has the lower body of a chestnut draft horse and the upper half of a muscular, redheaded human man with lots of freckles. He works as a ranger in a large, mountainous wilderness park, and takes his job very seriously. He is always rescuing lost hikers and tending their injuries, and sometimes scaring off bears! He carries emergency medical and food supplies in his saddlebags and always has a helping hand at the ready.

Ecology is Stelios’ primary hobby, and it’s not just for work. He is very passionate about reforesting now-barren former woodland and getting rid of invasive species. He can talk for hours about it, but also wants to hear about your own interests and passions. He understands what it feels like to realize that you’re the only person in the room who truly cares about a particular subject, and knows how to push forward against other peoples’ indifference.

Stelios loves gaming, but unfortunately rarely has time for it due to the nature of his work. He’s easily frustrated by technology and prefers tabletop games to video games (and yes, his D&D characters are primarily druids). When you invite him to a TTRPG session, he makes every effort to clear his schedule and come to the event; he wants to make more friends.

Stelios drinks a lot of coffee… maybe too much. Although he isn’t picky about what kind of coffee he drinks, he makes a point of avoiding chain coffeeshops and tries to support small businesses in his area, especially ones owned by queer folks or else that are havens for marginalized people.

CW for giant arachnid (scorpion) + use of firearms

“Get on my back,” the centaur wearing a ranger’s jacket mutters to you.

“Why?” you mutter back, although you are nonetheless already very close to the centaur’s flank in the steep-sided, marshy gully.

“It’s doing a threat display,” the ranger explains, eyeing the giant swamp scorpion with its enormous, snapping pincers and venom-dripping stinger, “we don’t have much ti—”

The massive arachnid rushes forward at you, its legs thudding into the soft ground. You hoist yourself up onto the centaur’s back faster than you thought possible outside of an adrenaline-fueled emergency, and the centaur wheels around and gallops as fast as he can away from the threat—but not fast enough. The boggy terrain is slowing him down, and the swamp scorpion’s wide, flat feet help it move more quickly.

You pull a pistol out of the holster at your hip, twisting on the ranger’s equine back to fire off a few shots at the scorpion. Even on the back of a struggling centaur, your aim is true, and black ichor gushes from the scorpion’s new injuries. It squeals and twitches in pain, slowing down just long enough for the centaur to reach the end of the gully and start climbing up a slope onto firmer ground. Unwilling to leave its lair, the swamp scorpion remains behind to nurse its wounds.

“You could have used that a little sooner,” the centaur grumbles. “The noise of a few shots might have scared it, at least.”

“I don’t have a permit to hunt scorpions,” you explain. “I wasn’t sure I was allowed to shoot that thing.”

“You would have been in luck if you’d tried—they’re invasive, so we would pay you rather than the other way around—and self-defense is a valid defense against being fined. I’m Stelios, by the way.”

You introduce yourself as well, and Stelios lets you hitch a ride back to the nearest ranger station. Along the way, he offers some suggestions for how to replace your lost hiking and camping gear more cheaply, and you have a good time chatting with him and swapping emergency medical treatment tips. Once at the ranger station, the swamp scorpion’s lair is reported so that a better-equipped team can handle the giant arachnid, and a kindly human ranger offers you a ride in an ATV back to the park’s main entrance.

All in all, it turned out to be a pretty fun-filled day.

see here if you'd like your own blind date with a monster!

[stories-me]

Potential Character for Mrs. Kelsey and Tumblr 5/22/2024:

Rambley Raccoon, Chief Mascot of Indigo Park:

What he’s from: Indigo Park.

What he might be in: Gamma World.

All about him (according to the “Indigo Park Guide”): “The star of the show is here! Everyone’s favorite trash panda, Rambley is here to make sure you have the most fun as possible! While his friends may think he gets a bit too excited, Rambley is always there for his friends! No matter what happens, Rambley will be there to brighten your mood! Meet Rambley today, only at Indigo Park, located in scenic REDACTED!”

Personality:

He can be rather childish, likes trains, and likes to hear himself talk. He takes his job very seriously, places a large amount of importance on those he considers friends, has a good conscience, and wants to do what’s right.

Background:

Rambley is one of the inhabitants of Indigo Park, and, like the others, was based on one of the beloved characters of animator Isaac Indigo. His life and his job were simple: Make the guests happy, alongside his friends: Francis Fox, Mixie Mouse, Finley the Sea Serpent, Lloydford “Lloyd” Lion, Salem the Skunk, and Mollie Macaw. Even his “enemy”, Salem Skunk, and his rival, Lloydford “Lloyd” Lion, were a part of this.

Then, one day, something happened. Something bad. Something none of them expected. It started when some of the guests and “cast members” came in. They looked uneasy and nervous, but, at first, didn’t want to talk about why. Eventually, one of the cast members mentioned that there were “tensions” between America and certain other nations, but assured Rambley that “life would go on”.

Suddenly, a strange sound was heard. A siren. The guests and cast members began panicking. Rambley and his friends tried to calm everyone down. Then there was a big flash and it felt like something hit them.

In spite of all this, Rambley managed to convince his fellow mascots to keep everything ready, for when the guests returned. Francis kept the gardens in order, Mixie made treats and dishes, Finley kept his shell collection in order, Lloyd rehearsed for his performances, Salem used their inventiveness to create gadgets around the park, Mollie kept her planes in working order, and Rambley himself organized things and kept the park clean.

They continue to wait for the guests to return. Maybe those folks on the horizon might be guests!

How he is like me:

We both put a lot of emphasis on friends (like Trey, Mr. Kuartez, Dr. Mosier, and others) and we like to talk about things that interest us (like Rambley likes trains and I like fan fictions).

Kelsey Notes:

Sometimes individuals with autism never outgrow their “childlike” interests and preferences. 

          This relates more to feelings of nostalgia and remembering a simpler time in their life

It can also relate to having an appreciation of something from the past that they feel guilty forgetting about (i.e. holding on to stuffed animals or VHS tapes)

Rather than fixate on what might have happened to the guests, Rambly was able to encourage everyone to hold on to hope and keep everything up and running until their guests made it back

Keeping the park up and running gave them jobs to do and kept them busy in their spare time even though they didn’t know if the guests would return or not

Rambly was able to help keep them distracted to not find out about the events happening outside of the park

Sometimes keeping busy can be a good thing because it helps to build tolerance for non-preferred activities

Having enough activities to fill the day can also be helpful when we get bored of our interests- it’s hard to believe that we can get grumpy spending TOO much time with our interests and free time

          It does happen and this is usually when a support system steps in to help with activities outside of the house, etc.

There is such a thing as having too much time to think which can often lead to restlessness, anxiety or hyperactivity

Jobs like keeping the park up and running, even if it seem pointless, helps Rambly and friends balance their time and it keeps them distracted from overthinking too much about what could be happening outside the park

[tellthemeerkatsitsfine]

Well, I think I made a mistake by putting Jordan Brookes first in the running order of my (first) Edinburgh Fringe experience. I thought it would be cool. Start the Fringe with the only person who has ever held the title of Edinburgh Fringe Festival Champion (they've changed the name of the Perrier so often, I'm just going to call it Champion as a name that's standard across eras) for more than a year. That's fun. And I very much like all his NextUp shows (I think there are four and I recommend all of them, but especially Bleed and Body of Work, both of which are also on YouTube for free), so it's a safe bet.

Unfortunately, he has set the bar way too high. I came away thinking... is there any chance all Edinburgh shows are that much better if you see them in person than on a recording? And I'm sure that helps, but that can't be the main reason why tonight was so good. I'm pretty sure tonight was amazing because Jordan Brookes has written an incredible show that no one else can live up to.

I mean, it does help that this was a rare case of me seeing a show in person. I think I might get clowning now! This wasn't a clown show or anything - I don't think, certainly more laughs came from things he said than things he did - but he did a lot of throwing his body all over the place in ways that made me laugh tonight, and that I know would not make me laugh on a recording. I've said for ages that I know my inability to "get" clowning may just be down to me watching most comedy on recordings, maybe it's only funny in the room. But to be honest, when I said that, I didn't really believe it. I really thought it was just a weird thing I don't understand. However, it turns out that people doing absurd things with their bodies is actually very funny, if they're right in front of you. Who knew? (Lots of people knew.)

Oh I've been here one evening and have already been able to play comedian spotting! I am very, very bad at recognizing faces, so I'm not going to be great at that game throughout the week. But in his show, at one point Jordan Brookes was reading a list of made-up names, and he said "Edward Hare", and I thought, "Isn't Eddy Hare one of the guys in Crizards?" Later on some people came out to do background dancing during the show, and it was really funny, but I kept being distracted by thinking "Is the guy on the right that guy from Crizards, or do I just think that because I heard his name earlier?" At the end of the show, the backup dancers were outside giving out flyers to their own shows, and the guy I recognized gave me one that confirmed he was Eddy Hare from Crizards, so score one against my face blindness there.

More significantly, throughout the show, I kept seeing this one guy in the audience and thinking "Is that Jin Hao Li or am I a racist?" I'm pleased to say that after the show, I saw a woman go up to him, I heard her call him "Jin" and tell him she was a fan of his comedy. Score two points against my face blindness in one night! I've seen one Fringe show ever, but I've already watched one comedy show while sharing the audience with another comedian - one I like enough to have booked his show later in the week. That's what festivals are for (according to my previous experience of festivals, which are folk music festivals where I'll frequently see a show with one musician on stage and one in the audience, then at the next show the second musician will be on stage and the first in the audience).

Seriously though, Brookes was amazing. We walked by him on the way out, the guy in front of me told him "That was the best show I've ever seen at the Fringe." The guy who said that had the look of someone who's probably seen a lot of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe before. And I thought... it's the best show I've ever seen at the Fringe too! I know I've only seen one, but I feel like that would be true even if I'd been coming for years! It's too high a bar!

Anyway I then went for a walk through the Royal Mile and surrounding area at night, and I don't know nearly enough words to describe how incredible that was.

I spent so much time in the run-up to this trip reminding myself that not everything will be as cool as it looks on the internet, real life is mundane everywhere. To try to lower my expectations so I wouldn't be disappointed. What I hadn't prepared for was the possibility that it really would be this beautiful.

[thewhynotpod]

Welcome to Why Not?!, Episode 7: “Borealis; or The Twins”! Spotify

Apple

As you may have guessed by the title, this is the one we’ve been talking about, where we “chat” about Aurora and Northstar and…a lot of what’s been going on there.

So! We called in some backup and are joined by Sara Netzley! Sara is a professor of communication by day and a romance author and freelance entertainment writer by night. Her first exposure to comic books were the X-Men posters on her brother Chris' (this is how we were able to get her) walls in the '90s, but since then she's read a bunch and watched a whole lot more. Sara teaches classes on journalism, fake news, conspiracy theories, and representation in the media, and she definitely has an opinion about your favorite TV show. You can find her on all the socials under Sara Netzley (Instagram and Threads), and she publishes her rom-coms as Sara Whitney (Instagram and website).

Having competent folks on this early in our existence is…gratifying? Neat? Sure? But, seriously folks, we have A LOT of fun.

In this episode, Chris:

almost pulls a Jean Reno (listen to the outtake)

makes fantastic points re: how we understand characters and stories and how reading the things we love at different points in your life can really peel back some layers

has a great time interacting with his older sister (like, folks!, it’s really quite sweet)

Sara:

wonders why she agreed to come on here

gives a crash course in media theory, specifically re: queer representation

brings up the appropriate amount of information vis-a-vis slash fiction (Tom here: I never thought I’d write such a phrase but here we are)

Tom:

does his favorite thing: a lot of accent work

engages in some unfortunate internet research

also wonders why Sara came on here

really wants a livestream of Thanksgiving at the Baker household this year

Issues covered:

Alpha Flight #7 - The Importance of Being Deadly - cover date February 1984

Written and drawn by John Byrne

Colored by Andy Yanchus

Lettered by Michael Higgins

Edited by Denny O’Neil and Jim Shooter

Alpha Flight #8 - Cold Hands, Cold Heart - cover date March 1984

same creative team as #7

Alpha Flight #9 - A Stranger In My Mirror (specifically the backup story) - cover date April 1984

same creative team as #8

Alpha Flight Issue #10 - Family Ties (specifically the backup story) - cover date May 1984

same creative team as #9

We jump around a fair bit in this one as we pull from 4 different issues to build this tapestry of Aurora and Northstar. We get into queer coding, possibly some incest coding, and address the use of Aurora/Jean-Marie’s split personality. So there’s a lot we address but damn if we don’t keep it as light as possible!

As indicated in the bullet points above, we’ve started to include some outtakes! So please listen to the end for a peak behind the curtain.

We’ve had a lot of fun making this and we really do hope you enjoy it, too. And even if you don’t, a great rating and review costs you nothing. Literally nothing. Not even five seconds, right? Less time than it takes Guardian to cross Canada. (Still can’t believe they did the math that…wrong.)

Check us out at The Why Not Pod to see the full art clips for this episode and leave us a comment; we love to (try to) answer your questions about Alpha Flight!

Special thanks to the Excelsior Embroidery Co. for helping make this project a reality.  Here's this episode's Featured Design: the Sasquatch face patch! You can see this and more at the GeekCraft Expo in St. Louis on July 27 and 28. Mention the podcast and Chris will have something nice for you.

Follow us on these platforms:

Instagram

TikTok

[incorrecthoroscopes]

Since the Grand Final is almost here - the signs as this year’s Eurovision entries!

(as always, please don’t take this too seriously, this is just me having fun)

Aries - Queen of Kings 🇳🇴

She’s a warrior, she’s fearless, she’s unstoppable, she has that power that only a Mars-ruled fire sign can have. “A firestone forged in flames” is a great way to describe Aries!

Taurus - Tattoo 🇸🇪

The lyrics are very Pisces-y, but there’s something in the music that won’t let me give this one Pisces. Still— romance is a good topic for a Venus-ruled sign. The song itself is familiar, it’s sung by a former winner, it’s a very safe choice, and Taurus likes familiar, it likes to feel safe, it’s a fixed sign that knows what it likes and sees no need to change it. It worked before, it’s gonna work again.

Gemini - Who the hell is Edgar? 🇦🇹

It’s fun, it’s quirky, AND it’s about writing - quintessential Gemini. No need for further explanation.

Cancer - Duje 🇦🇱

An entire family is singing together, about the importance of family. You can hardly find a more Cancer-y song. The ethnic vibes fit too, feel quite nostalgic.

Leo - Cha cha cha 🇫🇮

It would’ve been easy to give Leo a dramatic ballad, but that’s not all Leo is - they’re the Sun, bright and the centre of attention, but also bringing light and life to everything around them. And Cha cha cha does that, it’s lively and energetic and memorable, it draws people’s attention and it’s fun, unique, everyone likes it.

Virgo - My Sister’s Crown 🇨🇿

Mostly because of the braids. A very Virgo-y hairstyle. But the message of solidarity and support fits Virgo too, they’re the kind of people who help and uplift others.

Libra - Évidemment 🇫🇷

At first I wanted to give this one to Taurus - largely because it’s so… French, and so is Taurus, aesthetics-wise - but the lyrics didn’t quite fit. Taurus is pure beauty and pleasure, Libra is more balanced - and this song is both about beauty and pain. She’s looking for love, yet cannot find it, she’s becoming disillusioned with the beautiful promises she’s heard. And Libra is ruled by Venus, true, but it’s also where Saturn is exalted. I feel like this song is a good combination of Venus and Saturn. Especially “dans mon jardin d’enfer poussent des fleurs” - love that line!

Scorpio - Ai Coração 🇵🇹

I didn’t want to give Scorpio the stereotypical edgy song (so instead I went with the one about going mad from heartbreak…)

It’s about strong emotions you just cannot move on from, feelings so intense they entirely consume you. Very fixed water. And it’s done in a pretty energetic, passionate way - very Martian.

(Plus, there’s a lot of red)

Sagittarius - Carpe Diem 🇸🇮

It’s just a very Sagittarean sentiment. I don’t know what else to say. It fits.

Capricorn - Heart of Steel 🇺🇦

Yeah, largely because of the title. But also: “life is just a game and I’m playing for the win” “світ палає а ти дій” - the combination of cynicism and single-minded determination is very Capricornian.

Aquarius - Mama ŠČ! 🇭🇷

It’s different. It’s avant-garde. You either love it (correct) or hate it (you’re wrong). It rejects artistic norms. Many people write it off as nonsensical, just because it’s too unfamiliar, too extreme, too far out of their comfort zone, but it’s actually very well thought-out, with layers of symbolism.

Pisces - Soarele şi Luna 🇲🇩

It may not sound Pisces-y - a soft ballad might fit the aesthetic more - but everything but the sound is so quintessentially Pisces. The song being about love as magical as in the folk tales, a bit otherworldly, a bit ethereal. The sense of oneness with nature we get both from the lyrics and the performance. The combination of modern and traditional, making the song, and the love it speaks of, feel timeless and eternal.

(Also, I’m a Pisces Venus and I love this song)

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

I'm so glad you're normal about Taika/Rita because so many people haven't been. And unfortunately, a big chunk comes from people just not respecting Rita.

I'm not saying she's perfect, she's made some mistakes, she's human. But people have looked down on her for years, mostly for vey flimsy reasons like 'tries too hard'. I even found an article from 2014 that basically called her the 'punching bag of the music industry'. Even when she wasn't really on my radar, people on Twitter and Reddit kept saying shit like 'never seen a Rita Ora fan, how is she successful', even though its understandable to anyone with an actual brain who thinks about it for a minute.

I remember when it came out she and Taika were together, people were just so rude about her (this was a bit before the huge turn against Taika). Just saying stuff like 'what do they even TALK about???' etc. They clearly though she was beneath him. I know people can date for shallow reasons, but it was the just so mean and disrespectful. Not even considering that he might actually like her for more than just her appearence.

As i'm typing this, im realising this might be another reason they work together (obligatory i don't know them), they both know what its like to be unfairly targeted and ridiculed by the media and the internet. It's one thing to sympathise with someone, it's another to actual have them understand how it feels.

Hey Anon! Sorry for the delay, trying to catch up on asks, lots of write ins the last couple days! Thanks! I think a lot of us are a lot more normal about Taika/Rita but the assholes tend to be louder. I LOVE that I'm seeing so many people since that IG post of his really rally together and start pushing back. You all are so inspiring and sweet! I know some people are being shits though on twitter so remember to block if people start getting nasty because no one needs that kind of abuse. Some super sweet folks here are getting harassed on twitter and I'm getting very mama bear about it. To your point, you're right, she's human, she makes mistakes, we all do, seriously. If you don't like her, fine but don't be a dick about it? Like spreading rumors and being shitty does nothing but make you feel better (the royal you, not you anon!). That's an interesting point, it's possible they bonded over their both having to deal with trolls, and it seems like their personalities really match up-- they're both goofy and fun, so having someone who has had that same kind of life experience would be really helpful supportwise.

I think what we've learned from all of this is that people are just dicks sometimes and if we can, ignore/block them because not everyone feels that way and the more voice we give them the more they'll shout.

Anyway, thanks for writing in anon, I'm so glad to hear there's so much love and support for Taika and Rita despite their faults. <3 The more we talk about it, the more it'll become normalized again and we can help make that happen.

Hope you have a lovely weekend anon! Take care!

[winterandwords]

🌞 Writeblr positivity tag

Tagged by @reneesbooks. Thanks, friend!

1. What motivates you to write?

World's simplest answer, but enjoyment. I just really, really enjoy writing and couldn't imagine not doing it.

2. A line/short snippet of your writing that you are most proud/happy of. If not maybe share a line of someone else's work you love (just please credit them)

This bit from November Breaks (you can read and download the whole thing for free at @novemberbreaksbywintersimpson!) will forever make me feel fizzy about my wordstuff...

Hovering above the boundary between potential and decision, I am opaque. He holds me at the edge of the void and I become transparent. I wrap my bravado in ribbons of tendons and bruise-kissed skin, and even that is not enough of an offering.

3. Which OC makes you smile every time you think/talk about them and what are they like?

All of them! If I absolutely have to pick one, probably Brett from November Breaks and Spin Cylinder. He's a terrible bastard, but he's so much fun. He's reckless, self-centred, manipulative, and usually high on something. He's a very "That's a terrible idea. We should do it immediately" kind of person with no conscience and enough charisma to turn most situations in the direction of his choosing. Not someone I'd be friends with in real life, but a great dude to have living in my head.

4. What process of writing do you enjoy the most?

Editing. Specifically line editing. Like final draft level line editing. Obsessing over the tiny details with the guts of the hard work already done.

5. What part of writing do you think you are the best at? (Yes stroke your own ego it's okay)

Dialogue, maybe? I write a lot in first person, so maybe that should be monologue. I hear character's voices really clearly in my head, so I always feel like I'm just writing down something someone else is dictating to me.

6. What is something in the writeblr community is most enjoyable?

The level of support and pure hype. How people will go absolutely feral over each other's writing. It's fucking beautiful. Also, I don't feel like the only fucked up weirdo here, so that's nice.

7. A writing tool/device you use that helps you with writing? (It could be speech to text, a writing program etc)

I recently discovered LivingWriter and I'm in love. I adored Scrivener, but I need to be able to access my writing on my phone as well as my laptop and Google Docs didn't have the structure I crave. LW looks like how the inside of my brain feels.

8. A piece of worldbuilding that you like in your own story? (It could be the magic system, a particular place in the story, a law etc)

The psychoactive frequencies in Bridge From Ashes and Project Aria are fun. I've always wished it was possible to get the effect of drugs or adrenaline-junkie experiences without the potential consequences, so I made a fictional way for that to happen.

9. What piece of advice would you say to encourage others to write if they are having a rough patch?

TAKE A BREAK. No, seriously. If you're feeling burned out, exhausted or lacking in motivation, let yourself rest and recharge. We're all so conditioned to push through and often the best thing to do is just chill, switch off or switch gears for a bit, and let the muse kick back in when it's ready.

10. Tag some people whose works you love/have been your biggest supporters

@kaiusvnoir, @indecentpause, @thegreatobsesso, @manathen, @nanashi23, @elbritch-kit, @reeseweston, @drabbleitout, @diphthongsfordays, @i-can-even-burn-salad (I feel like I'm forgetting people because there are so many amazing folks on here and I'm endlessly grateful for you all)

Tagging @cherrybombfangirlwrites, @clairelsonao3, @daisywords and @diphthongsfordays if they'd like to do it, with an open tag for anyone else who wants to take part. Blank questions are under the cut 💜

1. What motivates you to write?

2. A line/short snippet of your writing that you are most proud/happy of. If not maybe share a line of someone else's work you love (just please credit them)

3. Which OC makes you smile every time you think/talk about them and what are they like?

4. What process of writing do you enjoy the most?

5. What part of writing do you think you are the best at? (Yes stroke your own ego it's okay)

6. What is something in the writeblr community is most enjoyable?

7. A writing tool/device you use that helps you with writing? (It could be speech to text, a writing program etc)

8. A piece of worldbuilding that you like in your own story? (It could be the magic system, a particular place in the story, a law etc)

9. What piece of advice would you say to encourage others to write if they are having a rough patch?

10. Tag some people whose works you love/have been your biggest supporters

[queenlucythevaliant]

See and Hear Everything Twice

(Or, How I attended a Taylor Swift concert with my sister in spite of my severe photosensitivity)

So as I indicated on this blog while we were sitting in traffic, I went to Taylor Swift's Eras Night 1 in Foxbourogh over the weekend.

"But Leah," I hear you saying, "How in the world did you manage that? Surely such a thing would liquify your poor, photosensitive brain! After all, twinkle lights have been known to give migraines before. Surely a stadium concert is a bad idea!"

Well. Yes. My sister went into the concert alone. I listened from outside the stadium.

My sister and I are long-time, vintage Swifties. We started out listening wearing grooves in the Fearless CD, and we've never let up. My sister and I are also night-and-day different in both our interests and dispositions, to the point where I've had friends ask, "But what do you do together?" And the answer to that is a lot of things, but "sing along to Taylor Swift" is definitely a big one.

I looked hard and was eventually able to get my sister a single ticket to Eras for her birthday (which has the added advantage of being substantially cheaper than two tickets together). The idea was that I would (a) become the Coolest Big Sister ever by making this happen for her and (b) be able to experience the whole thing secondhand. Both of us took that concept very seriously.

I don't know if you know it, but there's a Christmas story that we like in my family called "Why the Chimes Rang." Here's an excerpt:

"But I cannot bear to leave you, and go on alone," said Little Brother. "Both of us need not miss the service," said Pedro, "and it had better be I than you. You can easily find your way to the church; and you must see and hear everything twice, Little Brother - once for you and once for me."

My sister quoted this to me the morning of our concert and I can't describe what it meant to me. She saw and heard everything twice. Sitting outside the stadium (and wearing both the concert tees we bought on top of my regular clothes - it was a cold night), I got to hear the music that we grew up listening to together. More than that, in a lot of ways, it felt like my incredible little sister was sitting right next to me, like we were listening together. Really, it was kind of surreal.

I've long since made my peace with the idea that there are lots of things that my illness won't let me do. Yet it was really beautiful to be able to cross one impossible thing off that list this weekend, with some help from my sister.

I've waxed poetic enough, so I'm just gonna bullet point some of the details below for anyone who's interested:

The traffic on the way in wasn't terrible, but when we stopped at a rest stop for lunch the place was stuffed with Swifties in full concert apparel. A feeling of fun and camaraderie in the air.

The merch line was a good hour and forty five, but I was able to get a poster for the shadow box that my sister plans on making (she's crafty like that).

Everybody's outfits were NUTS. Lots of sequins, sparkling cowboy boots and hats, replicas on iconic T Swift looks, etc. One gal was dressed as the crumpled up piece of paper from "All Top Well."

Friendship bracelet swapping was SO fun. I spent the run up to the concert knotting bracelets and everyone I talked to seemed to think they were really cool!

There were probably 40-50 people hanging out by the stadium the night of our concert. Lots of folks were picnicking. There were these four little girls in identical concert sweatshirts there with someone's mom and they were having a grand time dancing and singing and oh boy was it infectious. You could hear all the music clearly from where I was, though probably only about 20% of the dialogue.

My highlights were probably the Fearless set (something buoyant in the air + truckloads of deep fondness), august into the illicit affairs double bridge (SHIVERS), 22 (a fave + fond moment with my sister over text), and the end of the 1989 set (high on the night and singing along).

Our surprise songs were "Should've Said No" and "Better Man." My sister sent me some genuine hall-of-fame texts as Taylor was announcing them. Both are firmly A-tier songs for which I have a lot of love. Also, we both found it funny that the Yeehaw Swifties won so big in Massachusetts, of all places.

The traffic getting out of Foxbourogh was horrific. We barely moved for the better part of two hours after getting back to the car.

After the concert, my sister came running when she found me and all but leapt into my arms. For all that I loved the music, that was the best part of the night.

[cuckoo-on-a-string]

Tips for Presenting at Conventions

YOU can present at conventions!

Seriously. You reading this. You can.

As a programming director for a local convention with several years of experience (and a lot less hair than I started with), I thought I'd make an informative post to help newbies join the fray and have some fun.

Here are the basics:

Know what you want to present, and get specific with it ("Vampires" is a lot less inspiring than "America's vampires: slavery, class warfare, and myths of antiquity." It will also up your chances of being accepted if someone else is presenting about another vampire-related topic.).

Make sure you're addressing the right topic for that convention (the above presentation would rock at horror or steampunk cons but probably not an anime or comic con).

Check the convention website for proposal directions. There will probably be a form. Take your time and fill out the whole thing.

If there are issues when the programming director reaches out to you, address them promptly. They won't be able to do much except drop your presentation from the schedule if you wait til two weeks before the show to explain you have other commitments at the time you're supposed to present.

Assume things are hellish behind the scenes and be patient and polite if things go wrong (I can promise things are worse than you think).

Come prepared. Bring the tech hookups your show director advises for projectors/any handouts/etc.

Engage the audience, but don't feel bad about ignoring problematic audience members. If the know-it-all in row three wanted to do this presentation, he should've submitted a proposal and done the work.

Have fun! And don't feel bad about a bit of shilling. Want folks to know about your website? Book? TikTok? Share it! If they liked your presentation, they probably want more of your content.

And now, my dears, we must address the "Don'ts":

Do not submit an idea for a panel (a presentation with more than one presenter/usually a group of experts discussing the topic) without having put together a panel. It is not the programming director's job to find panelists for your panel. It is not the programming director's job to contact your dream panelists and enlist them to your panel. It is your job. All yours. You literally signed up for it. It should be fun. Do it.

Do not assume that because you are friends with someone on staff and have discussed your presentation that it is accepted and on the schedule. Submit the form. If you aren't sure you did that, and you haven't received confirmation of receipt, email and ask BEFORE THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE.

Do not become the bully by playing victim if you don't get what you want (a time you don't like/room you don't like/aren't accepted/etc.). (This is different from discrimination, and you know it, so don't @ me.)

Don't complain about attendance/imply it is the programming director's job to wrangle people in for you. I have a friend who walked around in a sandwich board sign challenging people to duels to draw attention to his presentation. It worked a treat.

Don't claim you're only available during peek hours. Everyone wants to present on Saturday. No one wants to present in the morning. Anticipated hangovers do not count as a disability (there are probably presenters with genuine time-related needs linked to their disabilities - so don't be a twat). The friend mentioned above could pack out the largest room during the earliest time slot. Have something interesting to say and make sure people are aware. Then you'll have an audience as hung-over but enthusiastic as you are.

Really, though, I hope more of you get out there and participate in local conventions! Small ones are eager for new blood, and they're a great way to meet people with similar interests. Have fun out there, and remember the two key rules: enjoy yourself, and don't be a dick.

[jesusnf-blog]

This is the first story I publish here. I wrote it a year ago when I finished the books and it's one of the first ones I did that I like the most.

The story is a continuation of the end of the saga "The folk of the air" written by Holly Black. They are books with an incredible dark fantasy story and I highly recommend them. So if you haven't read them yet and you're interested, you better stop reading. If you are not so interested in the saga and you are only here for the tickles, let me tell you that this is the cute story of a couple trying tickling for the first time.

I hope you like it a lot, I love receiving comments, so if you have any, you are welcome to write them.

Without further ado:

The weakness of the kings of Elfhame

One more day, the High King skips his duties. And I'm sick of it! Ever since our power was established and I officially began ruling alongside Cardan, he has done nothing but escape from his duties as king. It is possible that he needs a little rest, I left him alone for a year, without being able to answer his letters, with all the power in his hands and with my father on the lookout to start a big attack... But that is not reason enough to leave me stranded again with the Living Council. Oh no, not this time.

Notifying the Council of our delay, I head to the royal quarters as I watch the guards who guard the doors begin to open them upon my arrival. I think my annoyed expression has made it clear to them that I don't want to waste time. When I enter the room I see him. Despite the fact that several hours have passed since the moon began to bath the fields of Elfhame with its rays, Cardan is still lying and curled up between the blankets without his shirt. I'm still angry. I'm still angry. Or so I want to believe. But it's just that seeing him with that calm expression while he sleeps in our bed only manages to relax me and make goofy smile appear on my lips, smile that I try to erase to recover my seriousness. Gently, I crouch down in front of him and begin to gently touch his face.

-Hey, hey, hey, wake up - I know how much it bothers him that I wake him up like that, so I can't help but do it this time.

However, my fun (if that's what I can call it) is interrupted when Cardan carefully takes my wrist and gives me a menacing smile, his eyes slowly opening filled with "hate".

"How many times have I told you that this is not the way to wake up the High King of Elfhame?"

"And how many times have I told you not to anger the High Queen of Elfhame?" I pull my wrist out of his hand as I stand up trying to suppress my triumphant smirk for having bothered him.

-And what did I do this time my dear wife? - he answers as he shakes his head beginning to sit up. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see how his tail lashes against the mattress.

- What do you think, Cardan? - I point out the window - we should have met with the Living Council a long time ago, remember?

-Ugh, again? But we just met few days ago. I'm sure Randalin just wants to annoy us and make us fight like now, since he doesn't want you as Queen of Elfhame -he replies with a pout as he falls back down on the bed suddenly.

-Cardan~ the important thing is that you want me as Queen of Elfhame, and leave Randalin now, you know that that was only at the beginning. Can we go now?

-Tsk, I still don't trust him - with a sigh he extends his hand towards me with a smile and a strange twinkle in his eyes - since we have to go yes or yes, could you at least help me get up, please?

This can't give me a worse feeling. When he looks like this, it means he's up to something and I should nip that something at the root before he thinks he can keep avoiding his tasks as king. However... I know well that he is responsible, and that he knows his obligations, he is no longer the same prince that I knew at school. I also know that it is true that the Council met with us very recently and as far as I know, there is nothing too serious or that urgently need our attention. Lastly, I have to admit that for the past few months, that look of his has done nothing but pull me in and draw me in, even though I feel like it could get me in trouble, I've kept moving towards it, because it's one of the best things about Cardan. I know he can get you into trouble, but it's never too bad to worry me or too mild to bore me. So, finally, I decide to extend my hand to his to take it.

-You're unbearable, you know that~? - I asked amused taking his hand.

-Unbearable falls short, my dear queen~ -after that, Cardan pulls my hand with some force to make me fall over him - *gasp* oh no, are you okay~? Guards! Your queen has had a little accident, we don't need help, but close the doors and notify the Council of our delay.

And that's how the doors close, leaving me isolated with dumb Cardan. It was obvious that he was going to do something like that, but I'm not going to give in, not that easily. I roll onto his chest so I can land on the other side of the bed and start to sit up to get out of bed.

-Cardan, these are no longer hours for your little games, we have to attend to our responsibilities.

-Come on Jude~ don't be boring, we need to relax, come here! - with a funny tone, Cardan gets up and grabs me by the hips to try to make me fall back on the bed. However, his touch just makes me jump and feel all my skin heat up as I blush.

-Kyaaaa~ - I stay for a few seconds lying next to Cardan looking at the ceiling while I try to assimilate the situation. Now I am grateful that the doors have been closed, it would have been even worse if the whole palace had heard the shrill shriek that I just let loose. When I look at the fairy, it seems that he has been looking at me for a while, with a soft blush and a look that contains both surprise and malice.

-Jude~ what just happened~? he asks raising an eyebrow and outlining his mischievous smile.

Shit.

-N~nothing, you just caught me off guard, just that-in a quick movement that I can't predict because of my nerves, Cardan climbs on my legs while he leans little by little over my face.

-Tsk~tsk~tsk~ we said no lies, my human Queen -he said remarking on the fact that I, as a human, can lie unlike him- And I know you well, I know that it's impossible for something to catch you off guard, and if it does, you don't react like that. No~ this time something happened, do you want to tell me by yourself~?

I move my burning face to one side so I don't keep looking into his jet-black eyes that I like so much. I think it's clear that he's figured it out. My body has always been very sensitive. When we were younger, my sisters would take advantage of that from time to time. If they didn't want to do something, they forced me to do it after doing... That. However, as the years passed and with our arrival at Elfhame, that game seemed more and more like children's, and as if that were not enough, because of my training with Madoc, it was more difficult to attack me and without wanting to, I tried to defend myself with more force than I wanted in reality, so they just stopped doing it. Now that Cardan has figured it out, I feel a chill run through my skin as my body begins to shake gently.

-Cardan, I already told you, I was simply distracted, besides... You touched my scar on my side! It still hurts you know? - I try to sound convincing even though I know that scar stopped hurting a long time ago. If there is something good about healing with earth magic, it is that in addition to being fast, it does not leave pain in the wounded place.

Cardan shoots a concerned look at my torso as he thinks about the possibility. However, his mischievous smile returns to his lips seconds later.

-Oh~ but my queen, I had thought that this pain no longer existed, I thought that you had already told me several nights before when I was holding your side, right?

I had forgotten that I had already told him. A new wave of shame washes over my body as I try to raise my hands to push him away from me.

-But now it has hurt me, okay? We are going to meet with the Council as soon as... -again, too distracted to anticipate his movements, his hands take my wrists and return them to their place against the bed. I think if my face gets any redder I might explode.

-You see, Jude, I'm really sorry, I don't believe you at all. So, I'm going to explain to you what I think is going on here.

Cardan begins to raise my hands above my head as I try to hide my heavy breathing. Although I try to force myself to lower them, I can't. Why? I've always managed to wriggle out of my sisters' grip ever since I started training. Why am I feeling so weak with him? As if that were not enough, this new weakness is accompanied by great nerves and a stupid smile that appears on my lips little by little despite the fact that I try to stop it.

-Jude, from your reactions, I'd say your big problem is~" Without giving me time to react, he grabs both of my wrists with one hand and uses the other to start moving his fingers in the air.

-Cardan! Don't even think about saying it! - I try to sound serious, but the smile on my lips doesn't allow it, and Cardan seems to be very amused.

- What, Jude? What can't I say? -he asks with a mischievous tone as he brings his hand to the bed near my side and starts scratching it slowly.

-You know what I'm talking about, let me go- I try to struggle again thanks to the new small forces that appear in me when I see his hand near my side.

-Mmmh~ I think I do know, but I'm not sure.

-Yes, you know.

-Not quite sure~

-Yes!

-I repeat that I'm not entirely sure Jude~

-You were going to say I'm ticklish! -after mentioning the forbidden word, I realize his ingenious trap. I also notice how my ears and neck are getting hot, I guess they've turned red too.

-Oh~ was that it? One of the possibilities I was thinking about was that maybe they had cast a spell on you, but of course, with Dain's geis, it's impossible for that to happen - he says with a mocking smile that reminds me how much I hate him - so, the fearsome and fierce Jude Duarte, is ticklish, huh~? I have to check that with my own hands!

His words make me feel ashamed, but I can't focus too much on that feeling because of his hand that lands on my side. I start to laugh between squeals, however, I can't enj-... The thing is, he's hurting me. Her fingers move too roughly and dig hard into my skin.

-Cardhahahahahahaha wait hahaha no, you hurt me!! -I recover the strength in my arms, with which I am able to release myself from his grip and take his hand with some force to stop him.

I caress the attacked area, feeling it slightly sore, and when I look at Cardan, my heart breaks a little. His eyes have turned slightly showing me a sad and worried expression. His tail, which before I could see moving quickly from side to side, slowly falls to the bed, curling around my leg gently.

-Did hurt you? But they're not supposed to do that, are they? I'm sorry Jude.

And of course my poor king doesn't know how they work. Having had a childhood with a mother who ignored him and siblings who barely paid attention to him, it is impossible for him to learn it on his own. Surely the little contact he has had with them has been just as violent as now.

- Well, of course they're not supposed to hurt, darling. You were just doing it too hard, look -I take the back of his hands to bring them over my belly- you just have to apply gentle pressure, with only that is ok, you can make it a little more intense, yes, but in that case you have to be careful. For now, just a gentle pressure, even walking your nails around here will make me laugh, I promise -I say amused as I smile at him.

With some insecurity, Cardan begins to press my belly and sides with all his fingers very gently. And because of my exaggerated sensitivity, I start to stir and laugh like a fool under his hands trying to avoid stopping them. His fingers begin to move slowly as they sink gently into my skin, and when he sees that there is no complaint on my part, they begin to move faster, but always maintaining their delicacy.

-Sehehehehe~? With this hahahahahahahahahahahaha~ this is enoughhahahaha~ -My constant giggles embarrass me and make me blush, and on Cardan, they seem to have the same effect.

His face is completely red, and a goofy grin begins to settle on his lips as he uncoils his tail and waves it gently again.

-Jude~- he calls me, stopping his hands by placing them on my side.

-Yes~? -I answer trying to relax my laughter and covering my face while I gasped softly.

-Why are you helping me? Before, you seemed determined to stop me - he asks with a funny smile.

That's when I realize what I'm doing. My face regains its reddish tones as I cover my face even more tightly. I was supposed to convince Cardan to go to the Council, not stick around and play with him. Damn looks. And I wasn't supposed to let him T...Tickle me, but I'm teaching him how to do it... I think there's no point in hiding it anymore, and I don't think I feel like hiding it anymore either. Covering half of my face with my arm as if covering my mouth to hide that these words do not come from me and looking away, I begin to speak.

-Well... You just seemed very discouraged when you did it wrong... I hate seeing you like this, it doesn't look good on you... Besides... I guess I... That I... I missed them - I feel my face warmed greatly after that confession.

When I return my eyes to Cardan I see him looking at me with some surprise, and then leaning next to me with a mocking smile but maintaining a certain tenderness while he began to play with my hair looking into my eyes.

-Let's see if it's clear to me~ Are you trying to tell me, Jude Duarte~ that you, the most dangerous queen in all of Fairieland, are not only weak to tickles but also like them~?

-God, Cardan, shut up, I know it's ridiculous -I decide to cover my face with both hands.

It's been a long time since Cardan made fun of me like he did before at school, with mischief and being hurtful, but , they were many years of bullying, so by reflex I'm prepared for him to start laughing at me. However, I am surprised when I feel both of his arms around my torso as he sets me on top of him and gently removes my hands from my face showing me a radiant smile.

-I don't think it's ridiculous, in fact, I think it's something really sweet of you, and it's a bit hard to find those things in you sometimes. I just discovered it and I think I'm already loving it~

I think that I am going to faint. I don't take very well the combination of a friendly Cardan and words as beautiful as the ones he just said to me, so my immediate reaction is to hide my face in his chest. And so the seconds go by, until I start to feel two fingers gently and slowly poking my sides. First one and then the other, first one and then the other. I try to ignore them, but it doesn't take too many repetitions for me to start moving from side to side trying to avoid them as a soft laughter escapes my lips.

-Wow~ you really like them~ you're not even asking me to stop~ - he says chuckling softly as he goes on to grab my sides and gently press them up and down.

-Cardhahahahahahahaha nohahahahahahahahahahahahaha~- I started to jump gently while moving, but at no time did I try to grab his hands, so I guess that's enough of a sign for him to continue.

-Not like that~? Wow~ I think you are wrong, my dear queen, you have entrusted a very dangerous secret to the High King of Elfhame, and I have no mercy~ - smiling mockingly without taking his eyes off my smiling face, he takes his hands to my armpits.

By reflex movement, I join my arms to my body as quickly as I can, but it's too late, now I have his hands locked against them, which soon move their fingers gently, making me scream again and move more roughly. I manage to get off Cardan and stay next to him, but he doesn't take long to follow me to stay over my legs.

-Nahahahahahahahahahaha Cardahahahhahan take them out of ahahahahahahahahah take them out of pffffft~ ahahahahahahahahahahaha~ - I start to gently kick the bed while I shake my head quickly.

Cardan's eyes shine brighter than ever, he has the expression and happy smile of a child who has been given a new toy that he loves and never plans to let go of.

-Oh~ Jude, I'd love to~ but, see~? I can't ~ you have me trapped under your arms, wait, I'm trying to get them out -with that, he increases the movements of his fingers beginning to gently scratch the skin of my armpits.

I throw my head back between more mad giggles as I try to squeeze as hard as I can to stop him from moving, but I don't quite succeed.

-Cardahahahahaha~ please hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha~

-Mmmmh ~ okay ~ then raise your arms and I promise to stop tickling you ~

-I dohohohon't believe yououhahhahha- NONONOAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA OK! OK! I'LL RAISHAHAHAHE THEEHHEHEHEM STOAHAHAHHAP~ - with a shriek as I feel his fingers move with a faster rithm, I raise my arms fighting the urge to let them down again.

Cardan keeps his promise, and moves his hands away from me to rest them on the sides of my body. As I try to calm my breathing between giggles, I see that fascinated look in Cardan's eyes again accompanied by a happy and sincere smile. All of this aggravates the blush on my face.

-You look beautiful when you laugh, you know that~? He confesses as he caresses my cheek with his hand.

-Shut up, idiot~...-I look away, but press my face into his hand. Who knew that I would ever end up longing for the touch of that cruel fairy's hands - you can't tell anyone about this.

-Sorry? Why would I do that? You are mine Jude, and I want to be the only one who can see you or make you feel the way I did today~-when he finished, he approaches my lips to kiss me affectionately, to which I respond with the same feeling.

After a few seconds, I gently push him away and look into his eyes as the blush on my cheeks fades little by little.

-They are waiting for us in the meeting room my dear king~ -I say getting up from the bed.

Cardan rolls his eyes exaggeratedly to make me laugh and lies face down next to me.

-Oh Jude~ why did I do all this~? You're still just as boring. I don't feel like going~

-Cardan, please, we have to do it.

I kow he is coming, he just likes to be coaxed. Then, I look on his tail, who comes dangerously close to my side to get under my nightgown and rub his thick lock at the end of it against my belly.

-Cardaahahahahahahaha stop that~ nohahahahahaha~ -I sit again trying to reach the tail and stop it.

-Come on~ stay with me to laze around, once is once~ you know you want to~

-Cardahahahahaha~ seriouslyhahahahahahahahaha stophahahaha no! -I manage to reach his tail and get it out of my clothes -come on, honey, please, I want us to do it together.

However, I stop my little plea as the last strategy to convince him. Why? Because I've heard it. I've heard the squeal that has drowned out in the pillow in which he has buried his face when I have started to play with his tail between my hands out of nerves.

-Oh~ what's wrong Cardan~? Don't tell me you too are~?

Silence. He doesn't answer, for a moment I worry, but then I realize it. I guess this is one of those many times where they'd rather keep quiet than tell the truth. With that, my confidence grows, and I sit on his behind as I watch his tail lock brizle gently.

-J~Jude, what are you up to~? he spoke with an uncertain tone as he raised his head from the pillow to look back.

-Oh ~ nothing ~ just return the favor ~ - With an evil smile, I throw my hands to his sides to quickly press them carefully.

-Judahahahahahahaha, whahahahait that's cheatinghahahahahahahahahaha~ - Cardan's laugher is beautiful. I love how he laughs habitually, but his uncontrolled laughter? It sounds melodious and kind, for a second you can forget that it is the great High King of Elfhame. I think I understand Cardan's goofy grin from earlier now, surely I must be putting on the same one right now.

-Wow~ wow~ wow~ just when I thought fairies couldn't surprise me anymore~ I find that the High King is ticklish~ how does that feel, mhm~?

-Don't say it hahahahahaha ~ don't say it hahahahahahahahaha~ - he laughed as he tried (without much effort) to reach my hands.

-Oh~ what's up~? Does it make you even more sensitive if I say so~? I decide to change my tactic and run my nails up and down his back. This time he jumps surprising even me- so soft touch is much worse than rough touch for you huh~? I will keep it in mind.

-Judehahahahahahahahahahaha noahahahahahaha get it out~ get it out of your mindhahahahahahahaha~

-Well~ maybe I will, but everything has a price. Will you come with me to meet with the Council~?

-Yeahhahahahahaha I'll go hahahahaha I promise to go hahahahahahahaha~

-Mmmmh~ fine, and~ will you take care of my tasks as queen for this week~? I ask as I change technique and gently peck her back with my nails.

-Yehehehhehehehes yeehhehehhes Whateverhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha~ -while he hops with each poke, I stop and lean over to kiss his cheek- I hate you~

-I hate you too~- I said amused as I went to change into the official queen clothes. As we change, Cardan doesn't say much, and he maintains a strange look along with a soft blush. I admit that it makes me worry a bit, but the change in his attitude towards the Council to return to being the same as always and do our royal duties, distract me and make me forget that look.

_____________________________________________

After the meeting with the Council, the audit with our subjects, meeting with the court of Shadows and the usual banquet, we return to our room. As I close the curtains while looking at the morning sun, I remember his look in the afternoon . I laid on the bed next to him as we both stared at the ceiling. He's unusually quiet.

-Today I don't know why, but I feel more tired than usual~

Without looking at me, he brings his tail close again to tickle my belly button. I cringe laughing and try to get his tail out.

-Maybe it's my fault~ - he says with a soft mocking tone.

-Don't start hehehehehahahaha~ -I manage to get his tail out and move it away- is it that you want me to attack you again like this afternoon~? - I say smiling mockingly looking at him.

-..... Maybe so -as a bright red takes over his cheeks, I begin to understand his looks.

-Mmh~ -without warning him, I sit on his hips and lean over him- but my king ~ don't have to behave badly to get that ~ although I don't care if you do it either. Just ask me, and I'll do it~ -I ​​keep a soft mocking smile, but my eyes are sincere.

-Ugh, Jude, really~? - he complains, looking away from him as his tail hits the bed quickly.

-Very seriously Cardan~

-Tsk… Jude… Tickle me, please…

-At the command of the High King~

I think Cardan and I have found a new game to share together. I'm glad I told him about my secret~