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extrapenguin posting in

space_swap

Creators have been revealed! Thank you to all of you for another successful year of Space Swap. <3

flowing_river posting in

whumpex

All nominations have been reviewed at this time. If your nominations were rejected due to incorrect formatting, please read the previous post to see how to get your corrected nominations added to the tagset.

Please reply to this post with your clarifications by April 21st at 8PM PST. Nominations that are not clarified will not be accepted to the tagset.

Leech - Hiron Ennes

Solo: Hurt The Institute (Leech) - Is "The Insititute" a distinct, individual character or a group? If it is group that is a recognizable and established set of 6 or less characters, could the nominator list out who would be part of the group and reformat this as a group nomination rather then a solo nomination? Otherwise, could the nominator chose specific characters they would be interested in seeing from "The Institute".

The Other Side of Paradise - Glass Animals (Music Video)

Dave Bayley & Dave Bayley Clones (TOSOP) (Any Hurt) - Is "Dave Bayley Clones" a recognizable and established set of 6 or less characters? If so could the nominator list out who would be part of the group? Otherwise, could the nominator chose specific characters paired with Dave Bayley they would be interested in seeing from "Dave Bayley Clones"? "Original Dave Bayley Clone Character" would also be an accepted character as part of the relationship tag.

Original Work

Older Female CEO/Younger Plump & Curvy Female Employee who wears glasses (OW) (Hurt Employee) - We are not accepting mixed nominations this round (i.e. relationship tags with both / and & in them). Please reply if there is a relationship tag with only / or & you would be interested in seeing instead.

Hadestown - Mitchell

Eurydice & The Fates (Hadestown) (Hurt Eurydice) - Is "The Fates" a recognizable and established set of 6 or less characters? If so could the nominator list out who would be part of the group? Otherwise, could the nominator chose specific character(s) to pair with Eurydice they would be interested in seeing from "The Fates"?

Star Trek: The Original Series (TV)

James T. Kirk/Spock & Saavik (Star Trek: TOS) (Hurt Saavik) - We are not accepting mixed nominations this round (i.e. relationship tags with both / and & in them). Please reply if there is a relationship tag with only / or & you would be interested in seeing instead.

Final Fantasy X

Anima/Seymour Guado (FFX Series) (Hurt Anima) - "Final Fantasy X Series" has it's own canonical fandom tag (as a metatag for "Final Fantasy X"). Can the nominator clarify if they are interested in fanworks for "Final Fantasy X" or "Final Fantasy X Series"? The nomination will be updated accordingly.

Anima/Seymour Guado (Final Fantasy X Series) (Hurt Anima) - "Final Fantasy X Series" has it's own canonical fandom tag (as a metatag for "Final Fantasy X"). Can the nominator clarify if they are interested in fanworks for "Final Fantasy X" or "Final Fantasy X Series"? The nomination will be updated accordingly.

Auron/Jecht (FFX Series) (Hurt Auron) - "Final Fantasy X Series" has it's own canonical fandom tag (as a metatag for "Final Fantasy X"). Can the nominator clarify if they are interested in fanworks for "Final Fantasy X" or "Final Fantasy X Series"? The nomination will be updated accordingly.

Auron/Jecht (Final Fantasy X Series) (Hurt Auron) - "Final Fantasy X Series" has it's own canonical fandom tag (as a metatag for "Final Fantasy X"). Can the nominator clarify if they are interested in fanworks for "Final Fantasy X" or "Final Fantasy X Series"? The nomination will be updated accordingly.

Seymour Guado/Tidus (FFX Series) (Hurt Tidus) - "Final Fantasy X Series" has it's own canonical fandom tag (as a metatag for "Final Fantasy X"). Can the nominator clarify if they are interested in fanworks for "Final Fantasy X" or "Final Fantasy X Series"? The nomination will be updated accordingly.

Seymour Guado/Tidus (Final Fantasy X Series) (Hurt Tidus) - "Final Fantasy X Series" has it's own canonical fandom tag (as a metatag for "Final Fantasy X"). Can the nominator clarify if they are interested in fanworks for "Final Fantasy X" or "Final Fantasy X Series"? The nomination will be updated accordingly.

Seymour Guado/Yuna (FFX Series) (Hurt Yuna) - "Final Fantasy X Series" has it's own canonical fandom tag (as a metatag for "Final Fantasy X"). Can the nominator clarify if they are interested in fanworks for "Final Fantasy X" or "Final Fantasy X Series"? The nomination will be updated accordingly.

Seymour Guado/Yuna (Final Fantasy X Series) (Hurt Yuna) - "Final Fantasy X Series" has it's own canonical fandom tag (as a metatag for "Final Fantasy X"). Can the nominator clarify if they are interested in fanworks for "Final Fantasy X" or "Final Fantasy X Series"? The nomination will be updated accordingly.

Yuna/Yunalesca (FFX Series) (Hurt Yuna) - "Final Fantasy X Series" has it's own canonical fandom tag (as a metatag for "Final Fantasy X"). Can the nominator clarify if they are interested in fanworks for "Final Fantasy X" or "Final Fantasy X Series"? The nomination will be updated accordingly.

Yuna/Yunalesca (Final Fantasy X Series) (Hurt Yuna) - "Final Fantasy X Series" has it's own canonical fandom tag (as a metatag for "Final Fantasy X"). Can the nominator clarify if they are interested in fanworks for "Final Fantasy X" or "Final Fantasy X Series"? The nomination will be updated accordingly.

Final Fantasy XII

Bergan/Ghis (Ivalice Alliance) (Hurt Bergan) - Is there a reason why this nomination is disambiguated with "Ivalice Alliance" rather then "Final Fantasy XII" or "FF XII"? Can the disambiguation be updated to match the fandom this tag was nominated under?

Drace/Fran (Ivalice Alliance) (Hurt Fran) - Is there a reason why this nomination is disambiguated with "Ivalice Alliance" rather then "Final Fantasy XII" or "FF XII"? Can the disambiguation be updated to match the fandom this tag was nominated under?

Drace/Vayne Carudas Solidor (Ivalice Alliance) (Hurt Drace) - Is there a reason why this nomination is disambiguated with "Ivalice Alliance" rather then "Final Fantasy XII" or "FF XII"? Can the disambiguation be updated to match the fandom this tag was nominated under?

Ghis/Halim Ondore IV (Ivalice Alliance) (Hurt Ghis) - Is there a reason why this nomination is disambiguated with "Ivalice Alliance" rather then "Final Fantasy XII" or "FF XII"? Can the disambiguation be updated to match the fandom this tag was nominated under?

Halim Ondore IV/Basch fon Ronsenburg (Ivalice Alliance) Hurt Basch) - Is there a reason why this nomination is disambiguated with "Ivalice Alliance" rather then "Final Fantasy XII" or "FF XII"? Can the disambiguation be updated to match the fandom this tag was nominated under?

Reddas/Zargabaath (Ivalice Alliance) (Hurt Reddas) - Is there a reason why this nomination is disambiguated with "Ivalice Alliance" rather then "Final Fantasy XII" or "FF XII"? Can the disambiguation be updated to match the fandom this tag was nominated under?

Vossler York Azelas/Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca/Basch fon Ronsenburg (Ivalice Alliance) (Hurt Basch) - Is there a reason why this nomination is disambiguated with "Ivalice Alliance" rather then "Final Fantasy XII" or "FF XII"? Can the disambiguation be updated to match the fandom this tag was nominated under?

The Secret World

Solo: Hurt Player Character (The Secret World) - According to the Ao3 canonicals, there are specific player characters like "Dragon Player Character", "Illuminati Player Character", and "Templar Player Character". Could the nominator please chose a specific version of the player character they are interested in requesting?

Solo: The test subject from the Vali floors of Orochi Tower (The Secret World) - Is this character a distinct, individual character and would this description be recognizable to anyone who has consumed this canon? Additionally, could this character's name be condensed to something like "Vali Floors of Orochi Tower's Test Subject"?

Feel free to comment on this post or email us with your clarifications!

bluapapilio

Watch on YouTube

@ Spotify

I tried to forgive them
I triеd to forget
Though they had forgotten
I am sorry I can't
Now I'm both thе victim
And I am to blame
For all the things that I am
I am🎤
Kalandra - I Am

Current Mood: tired

seleneheart

The Party Crasher by Sophia Kinsella

Blurb:

It's been over two years since Effie's beloved parents got divorced, destroying the image of the happy, loving childhood she thought she had. Since then, she's become estranged from her father and embarked on a feud with his hot (and much younger) girlfriend, Krista. And now, more earth-shattering Greenoaks, the rambling Victorian country house Effie called home her whole life, has been sold. When Krista decides to throw a grand "house cooling" party, Effie is originally left off the guest list-and then receives a last-minute "anti-invitation" (maybe it's because she called Krista a gold-digger, but Krista totally deserved it, and it was mostly a joke anyway). Effie declines, but then remembers a beloved childhood treasure is still hidden in the house. Her only chance to retrieve it is to break into Greenoaks while everyone is busy celebrating. As Effie sneaks around the house, hiding under tables and peeping through trapdoors, she realizes the secrets Greenoaks holds aren't just in the dusty passageways and hidden attics she grew up exploring. Watching how her sister, brother, and dad behave when they think no one is looking, Effie overhears conversations, makes discoveries, and begins to see her family in a new light. Then she runs into Joe-the love of her life, who long ago broke her heart, and who's still as handsome and funny as ever-and even more truths emerge. But will Effie act on these revelations? Will she stay hidden or step out into the party and take her place with her family? And truthfully, what did she really come back to Greenoaks for? Over the course of one blowout party, Effie realizes that she must be honest with herself and confront her past before she'll ever be able to face her future--

I got this book because the library had it tagged as 'humor' and I needed something for the bingo square. Also, I read "Confessions of a Shopaholic" a long, long time ago and enjoyed that. This book didn't seem very funny at first, because the protagonist is NOT OKAY. Her inner monologue is pretty tragic, actually. I think this book would be much better as a movie - the screwball comedy type. However, as the book went on and Effie starts to get over herself, the story became laugh-out-loud funny.

With that, I have my third bingo:

Current Mood: weird
Current Music: Hollerado - Juliette

andrewducker

I'd been hearing talk about how good Frieren was for a while. It seemed to have come out of nowhere to instant acclaim, and to actually be about things. So a month ago, when I was looking for something to watch during the occasional 20 minutes when I get lunch alone, I thought I'd give the first episode a go. And while it didn't make me cry it came very close, and it had an atmosphere I hadn't encountered anywhere else, so I was completely grabbed from the beginning, and now that I've finished the first season I feel somewhat bereft.

It is, in background, a bunch of totally standard fantasy tropes. But it does something interesting with them, which is to base itself after the point most stories end. This is the story of what happens to Frieren, an immortal* elven mage, after her adventuring party defeat The Demon King. And how she lives in a world where the friends she makes live much shorter lives than her, how she connects with the people around her, and what she does when she realises that this matters to her.

There is plot, and action**, but mostly not that much of it. The point is the people, and watching them orbit each other, learn from each other, or completely fail to. The characters are interesting, and I love feeling that there is much more to most of them than is obvious on the surface. I particularly loved the first few episodes, which set everything up, but even once we get past past these in to the ongoing arc*** I have found myself looking forward to the next episode more than in almost any TV I've seen in the last decade.

I suspect some people will get put off by some of the tropes, both the ones taken straight from fantasy/roleplaying and the ones that are stock anime conventions. But I could happily look past those and enjoy the meat of the show, which was excellent. I eagerly await season 2. The only nervousness I have is that the original manga has been on hiatus since October, and the creators have clearly struggled with the production schedule, so I don't know whether it will ever be completed. But, frankly, it's not (at this point) the kind of show where I need an ending, I'm delighted just to be along for the ride.

* It is not clear how long elves live. But it is clearly at least thousands of years.
** And when it happens it is gorgeously animated
*** I'm not sure it's a plot, as such. Things are happening, but I'm not convinced that it's going somewhere in particular more than it is just following characters around to see what they get up to.

oglaf_comic_feed

https://www.oglaf.com/cryptwear/

fred_mouse

I've been struggling both with energy and motivation for exercise. At some point, I opened a browser tab to Darabee and it has sat there since (best guess: since last year).

Today, I'm browsing it and thinking about options. It has programmes for people with very low fitness, and my intention is to start there. I've decided to look at the options in 'monthly' programs, and filtered only to the lowest difficulty, which gives me 8 options. Which is too many, can't do decisions.

Fortunately! Only looking closer, the Recovery: Post Cold, flu or covid option is 15 days while everything else is 30 days, and committing to the bare minimum feels about where I'm at. Also, I find the title reassuring. So that was a 'eh, pick the easiest' kind of decision making. It lists the exercises as being 'yoga, breathing, stretching', which sure, that sounds like a place to start.

Will I stick with it? Historically no. But the exercise I do any of is better than the exercise I do none of. I .. might remember to check back in?

chickenfeet

It's so much more than ex-cons making sandwiches...

https://operaramblings.blog/2026/04/19/bread-and-buddha/

shallowness

Ficlets: all original fiction, probably all rated universal. Anything over 100 words will also be posted at AO3. (Yeah, still filling prompts.)

Drifting away. Original fic, OCs, 131 words. Written for the prompt ‘Any, any, drifting away’ at the Three Sentence Ficathon 2026.

( Read more... )

Impossible, Original fic, OC. Second person POV. 74 words. Written for the prompt ‘Any, Any, Delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen, which is impossible because you live alone.’

( Read more... )

Silvery moonlight, Original fic, OC, 56 words. Written for the prompt ‘Any, Any, Silvery moonlight.’ at the Three Sentence Ficathon 2026.

( Read more... )

selenak

The Testaments 1.04: again, my only nitpick with this wasn't about the episode itself but solely source material related, as in, my favourite element of the source material is still not in it. As an episode buildng on the first three, it's tops, acting and script wise, continues to flesh out the two woman characters, heightens the stakes, and does, in fact, a better job with one of them than the book did. (I thought this in the first three eps as well.) I'm also intrigued by some of the chances due to what they could mean long term. ( Spoilers beneath the cut. )

For All Mankind 5.04: In which we get introduced to a new cast member and learn an old acquaintance is on their way. Also: (some) answers about the latest dastardly scheme.

( Spoilers wait with their reveals until after mission launch )

Current Mood: chipper
Current Location: Munich

canyonwalker

Ohio Waterfalls Travelog #8
Hocking Hills State Park · Fri, 17 Apr 2026. 2:30pm

Our next hike today at Hocking Hills State Park will be Whispering Cave, a spot where there's another waterfall. But first, we need some lunch.

We noted while we were down in the canyon on our previous hike that instead of hiking around to Whispering Cave and back all on one long hike, extending the round-trip trek to 4.5 miles, we could save a mile or two by cutting short the canyon hike after Broken Rock Falls and driving to another trailhead for Whispering Cave. Plus, we saw on the map, the trailhead for Whispering Cave is where the park has a lodge. We figured that meant we could buy food there.

The lodge at Hocking Hill State Park... also a trailhead (Apr 2026)

The lodge at Hocking Hill State Park... also a trailhead (Apr 2026)

The park lodge turns out to be a pretty nice affair. It always strikes me as odd when I see a nice, modern park lodge like this. As a function of the places I've lived, "park lodge" engenders expectations of some ramshackle historic structure that was built in 1926 and lacks modern conveniences. Y'know, the kind of place that's advertised with, "Some rooms come with private baths!" Instead this is the kind that has wall-to-wall carpeting, air conditioning (that works), and plenty of electric sockets. And it also has a snack stand in the lobby.

Little of the food was to my liking; it was mostly carbs and sugar. But I was happy to sit down and eat a protein bar from my pack and finish off a soda from this morning while Hawk ate pretzels and hummus. Then we returned to the car to get our packs then back around the hotel to begin the trail.

The lodge at Hocking Hill State Park... kinda wish we were staying here (Apr 2026)

The lodge at Hocking Hill State Park... kinda wish we were staying here (Apr 2026)

I lamented again how I didn't know the park lodge was this nice. Had I known, I seriously would have considered staying here instead of at a Holiday Inn Express 30 miles away. Yes, it would've been more money, but without having to trade off 1920s-vintage standards the convenience can't be beat.

Update: coming back through the hotel on the way back from the hike I spotted they have a hot tub. None of the other hotels I looked at has a hot tub! I figured it was some Ohio anti-hot tub policy or something. Now I really wish I'd known about this place when I was booking.

fromtheheartofeurope_feed

Posted by fromtheheartofeurope

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/top-facebook-and-bluesky-posts-q1-2026/

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/?p=66340

A little belatedly, I have discovered that now that I have ticked the “digital creator” box on Facebook, I can get the system to show me the levels of engagement for each of my posts there. These are the top five from the first three months of this year – two cute photos from my Gallifrey One trip, one book review, one Guardian article and one scammer.

5) Messages with someone pretending to be an old acquaintance.

4) Cute pic from the convention.

3) Scary story from the Guardian. (Incidentally it does not seem to have been a problem that I linked directly to the article from the Facebook post.)

2) One of my book reviews, which in fact outperformed all of the other book reviews that I posted in Q1 by a factor of at least ten. Perhaps the photo of Carole Ann Ford helped?

1) Another cute picture from Gallifrey One.

Last weekend’s post about car nationality stickers beats all of these put together.

But then, what about Bluesky, where I focus more energy though I admit I get less return? Well, three of the best performing posts there from January, February and March are all links to articles by other people; and the most quoted is only eight words long…

Most liked:

Most reposted:

Most replies:

Most quoted:

My top performing post of my own content was this anniversary one (start of a very long thread):

Last week’s post about Ian Watson did better than all of the above.

I post less on LinkedIn, though I should start investing in it more consistently, not least because it gives me analytics without having to do anything extra. My three top posts there for Q1 were:

3) A brief note on a small aspect of EU-US relations:

2) Yet another scam:

And finally 1) a querulent note asking why an EU story from the UK was passing without comment in Brussels. This one had neither an image nor a link.

Al three of these are a bit spiky, I must admit. So many LinkedIn posts are annoyingly positive – perhaps bring grumpy is the way to stand out.

NB that you are welcome to follow me on all of the above, but I am unlikely to accept a connection request if I do not know you personally.

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/top-facebook-and-bluesky-posts-q1-2026/

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/?p=66340

james_davis_nicoll

A stalwart trader sets out to recover a lost probe on behalf of feeble space giants.

Mission of Gravity by Hal Clement

dorktower_feed

Posted by John Kovalic

https://www.dorktower.com/2026/04/17/20000/

https://dorktower.kovalic.com/?p=20000

Most DORK TOWER strips are now available as signed, high-quality prints, from just $25! CLICK HERE to find out more!

HEY! Want to help keep DORK TOWER going? Then consider joining the DORK TOWER Patreon and ENLIST IN THE ARMY OF DORKNESS TODAY! (We have COOKIES!) (And SWAG!) (And GRATITUDE!)

https://www.dorktower.com/2026/04/17/20000/

https://dorktower.kovalic.com/?p=20000

slacktivist_feed

Posted by Fred Clark

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2026/04/19/sunday-reading-42/

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/?p=73849

"I hated everyone / but I acted generously / and no one found me out"

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2026/04/19/sunday-reading-42/

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/?p=73849

rogueslayer452

++ We ended up having quite a massive thunderstorm recently, while not uncommon for there to be big bursts of rain nonstop for several days, having it be accompanied by thunder for the entire time was pretty abnormal. It was fantastic. We'll get punished for this during the summer (hot, humid, over hundred degree weather weeks on end, something I am not looking forward to) but it was a pretty awesome to experience.

++ The crew of Artemis II arrived back home safely, and although brief it was such a wonderful thing to witness something this historic in such a heartwarming way.

++ The Spaceballs sequel has officially been titled as Spaceballs: The New One. XD

++ Recently I've been watching The West Wing, a political drama that I only saw little bits and pieces of when it was airing but never actually got into at the time. Watching it now though, I can better appreciate it and I understand the praise and recognition it received, from the performances and especially with how everything is filmed -- as it is known for their "walk and talk" long-shot take moments particularly throughout the White House.

However, it is bittersweet since it demonstrates what an actual intellectually competent presidency is supposed to look like. I cannot help but get this sense of nostalgic yearning for something like this especially in comparison to what we have now, and I'm sure fans of the show also thought the same thing when it was airing too. It's a merely a fantasy of competent politicians and world leaders while also focusing on the stresses and difficulty of the job with varying levels of serious, emotional, and ridiculous scenarios. It makes me think of all of the other media that does something similar, from political comedy movies The American President (also by Aaron Sorkin) and Dave to shows such as Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, they're lighthearted in nature but set in a very serious career environment. While The West Wing tackles more serious situations the drama is balanced out nicely with the funny and lighthearted character moments. It's an engaging show that I've been enjoying lately. It's also fun seeing familiar actor faces, from both the main cast and some guest appearances, and the performances they give.

Current Mood: okay
Current Music: Ashnikko - Daisy

siria

Under the Circumstances
ER | Carter, Gen | ~1100 words | Episode coda for 4.15. Thanks to

sheafrotherdon for audiencing.

(Also on AO3)

( 'And then,' Carter said, beaming, 'the fire captain told me that I personally did okay! Under the circumstances!' )

andrewducker

1. Uruguay has the only stable, successful South American economy. Why is that?: (tags:history economics SouthAmerica video )
2. Europe doesn't care about the UK - we're deluded: (tags:UK Europe doom )
3. China's Humanoid Robots Are Now as Fast as Usain Bolt: (tags:china robots running )

smartbitches_feed

Posted by Amanda

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2026/04/sbtb-bestsellers-april-4-april-17/

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?p=172023

The latest bestseller list is brought to you by birthday cake, good hugs, and our affiliate sales data.

Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis Amazon | B&N | Kobo
The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Eclipse the Moon by Jessie Mihalik Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Sylvia’s Second Act by Hillary Yablon Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport Amazon | B&N | Kobo
The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran Amazon | B&N | Kobo | GooglePlay
Hunter’s Treasure by Olivia Jackson Amazon | B&N | Kobo
The Devil You Know by Kit Rocha Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Son of the Morning by Awkaeke Emezi Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai Amazon | B&N | Kobo

I hope your weekend reading was something to celebrate!

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2026/04/sbtb-bestsellers-april-4-april-17/

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?p=172023

darths_and_droids_feed

https://www.darthsanddroids.net/episodes/2767.html

Episode 2767: Backfire When Ready

If players are debating what to do and someone suggests the worst possible thing that could happen...

Well, they've just written the next part of your adventure for you.

aurilee writes:

Commentary by memnarch (who has not seen the movie)

Hm! I'm surprised by Annie's response. Perhaps it's a "something to think through later" or maybe just an "I want to look into this more later." Either way, that was much more subdued than I'd expected.

Which is almost the complete opposite of the spaceship fight. Only point-defences? Ok, there's thousands of them apparently, but where's all of the thousands of fighters? If we've got this silly large number of star destroyers, surely we can have thousands of little TIE fighters as well. I guess if we're only having the small Resistance fighters versus the star destroyers, the fluorocarbon atmosphere is a good enough reason for that to not happen. Not that the Resistance needs the deck stacked any more against them, but it feels weird without the TIE fighter swarm at the same time.