#Data Driven Trading

[brunhildeelke]

How are Investors using AI in Stock Market Trading to Drive Powerful Results?

AI in Stock Trading has quietly become Wall Street’s most trusted partner, a digital oracle guiding decisions with data, not emotion.

From detecting trends before they go viral to executing trades in the blink of an eye, it’s transforming how investors and CEOs conquer the markets.

This isn’t just about automation. It’s a revolution in intelligence, strategy, and results.

Why is AI becoming the secret weapon of modern-day traders and investors?

Let’s peel back the curtain and explore why AI in Stock Trading is quietly reshaping the way investors, analysts, and decision-makers approach the market with more precision and power than ever before.

Because it’s no longer just a buzzword, it’s Wall Street’s new brain

Once seen as a futuristic concept reserved for tech geeks and hedge funds, AI in Stock Trading has now entered the mainstream. It’s quietly disrupting age-old trading strategies and replacing gut-feel decisions with precision-based automation.

And it’s doing so with alarming efficiency.

AI is doing to traditional stock trading what GPS did to printed maps which is rendering them obsolete, one algorithm at a time.

From real-time sentiment analysis to predictive forecasting, AI is taking over not just how trades are executed, but why they’re made.

If you're a CEO, CTO, investor, or portfolio manager, the message is clear: Get ahead of the AI curve or get left behind.

The evolution from human intuition to machine intelligence

Not long ago, a good trader needed a sixth sense; a mix of experience, instinct, and maybe a little caffeine-induced luck. But now, success hinges on data accuracy, speed, and pattern recognition, which AI does exponentially better.

AI doesn't sleep

AI doesn’t panic in volatile markets

AI sees patterns humans simply can’t

It digests billions of data points in real-time, identifies anomalies, and executes trades at the speed of thought or faster.

So, what does this mean for modern-day investors?

It means the edge is no longer emotional intelligence, it’s algorithmic intelligence. It’s about integrating a system that can think, learn, and act all while sipping your morning coffee.

Let’s break down how to harness this edge, what tools you’ll need, and what pitfalls to avoid in your AI in Stock Trading journey.

How does AI actually work in stock trading behind the scenes?

To understand the true power of AI in Stock Trading, we need to look beneath the surface and follow the data trail that fuels every intelligent decision.

It all starts with data. And lots of it.

At the heart of every AI-powered trading strategy is data. Tons of it. We’re talking about:

Market price history

Trading volumes

Social media sentiment

News headlines

Financial reports

Macroeconomic indicators

AI uses this to train models, spot patterns, and make informed predictions.

Think of AI like a trader with 100,000 eyes, scanning markets, news, and trends simultaneously.

Key AI techniques used in trading today:

These aren’t just buzzwords from a tech conference. They’re the engines driving today’s most powerful AI trading systems, each with their own roles in turning raw data into real-time decisions.

1: Machine Learning (ML):

Uses historical data to forecast future prices and trends

Learns from past trades and adapts without manual input

2: Natural Language Processing (NLP):

Analyzes news articles, tweets, and even Reddit threads to measure market sentiment

Detects shifts in investor mood before markets react

3: Deep Learning (Neural Networks):

Mimics human brain functions to find hidden patterns

Effective in predicting price volatility and automating high-frequency trading

4: Reinforcement Learning:

A trial-and-error approach where the algorithm learns strategies over time, improving with every trade

"Machine learning is the only way to discover exploitable inefficiencies in modern markets." - Dr. Marcos López de Prado (AI expert, author of Advances in Financial Machine Learning)

Real-world application of AI in trading:

While theory shows us the potential, these real-world applications prove just how deeply AI in Stock Trading is already woven into the strategies of global financial powerhouses.

JP Morgan’s LOXM: Executes trades with minimal market impact

BlackRock’s Aladdin: Manages over $21 trillion in assets using AI risk analysis

JP Morgan’s LOXM

JP Morgan developed an AI-powered trading engine called LOXM, designed to execute large trades with minimal market disruption. Instead of pushing large orders into the market all at once (which can move prices), LOXM smartly breaks them down and times each part to get better pricing. It’s like having a trader who never gets tired, never second-guesses, and always aims for the most efficient result.

BlackRock’s Aladdin

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, runs its operations using an AI-driven platform called Aladdin. This system helps manage risk, analyze portfolios, and make data-backed investment decisions across more than $21 trillion in assets. From scanning market changes to stress-testing portfolios, Aladdin acts like a digital brain behind BlackRock’s global investment machine.

The takeaway? This isn't theory, this is practice.

How to use AI in stock market trading the smart way?

Understanding the strategy is only half the battle. To truly unlock the potential of AI in Stock Trading, you need a clear roadmap that turns ideas into intelligent action.

Step-by-step: From concept to execution

There’s a misconception that AI in Stock Trading is only for billion-dollar hedge funds. Not true. Whether you're an individual trader, financial startup, or mid-size enterprise, implementing AI is possible and profitable if you follow the right framework.

Let’s break it down in simple, actionable steps.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing AI in Stock Trading Operations:

Building an AI-powered trading system involves defining clear objectives, collecting and preparing quality data, choosing the right tech stack, training and validating models, running thorough backtests, and gradually deploying into live markets with continuous monitoring and refinement.

Define Your Objective:

Are you building a predictive model? Risk management tool? A sentiment analyzer?

Clear goals help narrow your AI approach.

Gather High-Quality Data:

This includes structured data (prices, indicators) and unstructured data (news, social posts).

Garbage in = garbage out.

Choose the Right Tech Stack:

Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn

Consider cloud platforms like AWS or Azure for scalability

Build & Train Your Model:

Supervised or unsupervised? Regression or classification? Choose based on your trading logic.

Validate the model against historical data.

Backtest Like Crazy:

Test your AI model using past data to simulate real-world scenarios.

Refine based on success metrics like Sharpe Ratio and ROI.

Deploy in a Sandbox Environment:

Monitor your AI’s performance before going live.

Protect your capital while the model learns in real-time.

Go Live & Scale:

Start with small volumes.

Monitor trades and make iterative updates.

The smarter the model, the longer it takes to train, but the more powerful the payoff.

What’s the real ROI of AI in stock trading?

To truly evaluate the value of AI in Stock Trading, you need to move beyond the hype and look at the measurable impact it delivers in real-world operations.

Spoiler alert: It can be massive if done right

When implemented strategically, AI can unlock impressive returns and drastically reduce trading risks.

Higher accuracy in forecasting

Faster trade execution

Lower transaction costs

24/7 market monitoring

Firms using AI have reported:

AI in stock trading is already delivering real results, with firms reporting major gains in performance and efficiency.

Up to 30% improvement in portfolio performance

40% reduction in operational costs

Real-time fraud detection and prevention

In the race of trading efficiency, AI doesn’t just run faster, it predicts the finish line.

Want to dive deeper into AI tools, implementation models, and real-world examples?

Don’t miss our in-depth post: AI in Stock Trading: The Complete Guide

It’s a must-read if you’re serious about understanding how to use AI in stock market trading effectively, securely, and profitably.

What the future holds for AI in stock trading

The future of AI in stock trading isn’t just promising. It’s already unfolding. As the technology evolves, it’s unlocking smarter, faster, and more personalized ways to invest and it’s only going to get better.

1. AI and Blockchain Will Bring New Levels of Trust

The next generation of trading will combine AI with blockchain, creating systems that are not only powerful but also fully transparent. Every trade can be tracked, verified, and trusted, making automated strategies even more secure and reliable.

2. Quantum Computing Will Supercharge Performance

With quantum computing on the horizon, AI models will be able to process and learn from data at speeds we’ve never seen before. That means better forecasts, quicker decisions, and stronger results for both individual investors and large institutions.

3. Hyper-Personalized Trading Experiences

AI will no longer just track market trends. It will learn how you invest, what risks you’re comfortable with, and how to tailor strategies to match your goals. Imagine having a smart advisor that adjusts your strategy in real time based on your unique profile.

4. More Accessible AI for Everyone

AI in stock trading is becoming more user-friendly and accessible. Thanks to open platforms and low-code tools, more startups, independent investors, and financial advisors can now tap into the same powerful tools once reserved for major firms.

5. Built-In Intelligence for Compliance and Stability

AI will help keep trading environments safer and more compliant. Future systems will include real-time monitoring and automatic checks, making sure trades follow regulations while reducing risk, all without slowing you down.

The takeaway: AI in stock trading is not just the future. It’s a smarter, more reliable, and more inclusive way forward. Whether you’re managing billions or just getting started, AI is creating opportunities for everyone to trade with more confidence, clarity, and control.

"AI is the defining technology of our time. It will augment human capability and help us do more." - Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft)

Conclusion: The future of trading is already here, and it’s powered by AI

The message is loud and clear: AI in Stock Trading is no longer the future, it’s the present.

From hedge funds to home offices, algorithms are analyzing markets, identifying patterns, and executing trades with precision that human brains simply can't replicate. But the real power lies not just in adopting AI but in implementing it strategically, ethically, and intelligently.

Whether you're a CEO exploring digital transformation, a fintech founder building a next-gen platform, or an investor looking to scale smarter, AI isn’t just an option.

It’s your competitive advantage.

Ready to leverage AI for strategic market dominance?

Let’s make the market work for you, not against you.

[emmawilliams12]

In our interconnected world, the exchange of goods and services across borders is crucial for shaping the global economy. Malaysia, a key player in international trade, contributes significantly. Analyzing Malaysia's trade data, including the Importers List and Export Data, provides valuable insights into economic trends, market dynamics, and the global economy's overall health. Explore the article "The Impact of Malaysia Trade Data on the Global Economy" to gain more knowledge.

[thabisonjoko]

Strengthening Travel Data Collection in Eswatini: Global Insights and Local Action from ITC Day 2 Training

Introduction

On April 9, 2025, the International Trade Centre (ITC) hosted the second day of its specialized training in Eswatini, focusing on strengthening the collection and integration of travel service data. The training, part of a broader initiative to foster trade integration in Africa, emphasized the importance of accurate travel statistics in compiling a country’s Balance of Payments (BoP) and making informed policy decisions.

Understanding the Complexity of Travel Data

Travel services stand out from other services in international trade because they involve direct interactions between travelers and service providers. Capturing this data accurately is a challenge for many developing countries due to high costs, technical complexities, and fragmented data sources.

The ITC highlighted multiple data collection methods, including:

Personal and Household Surveys

Enterprise and Establishment Surveys

International Transactions Reporting Systems (ITRS)

Administrative Records (e.g., immigration, health, and education)

Operational Data from payment cards and mobile networks

Best Practices from Around the World

Participants explored successful case studies such as Algeria’s detailed ITRS classification system, which includes over 20 specific travel transaction categories. Italy’s visitor survey methodology was also presented, offering detailed expenditure breakdowns and capturing valuable insights into tourist behavior. Spain and Germany demonstrated how integrating mobile data and credit card transactions can enhance the granularity of travel statistics.

Local Contributions and Presentations

Three key national institutions shared valuable insights during the workshop:

Central Bank of Eswatini – Presented by Khetsiwe Dlamini-Maziya Highlighted legal frameworks, monthly travel service data from ITRS, and challenges such as misclassification. Emphasized cooperation with the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and the importance of seamless data sharing.

Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) – ETA Surveys & Stats Presentation Provided an overview of tourism-related surveys, including the Exit Survey, Day Visitor Survey, and Event Impact Surveys. These tools are central to measuring tourist behavior and destination performance.

Central Statistical Office (CSO) – Presented by Philile Mdluli Focused on hotel and accommodation statistics, data collection frequency, and challenges in working with tourism establishments. Noted issues like high staff turnover and lack of standardized data systems, proposing both short- and long-term digital solutions.

These presentations emphasized the critical role of local data collection and inter-agency cooperation in enhancing the quality and reliability of tourism statistics.

Challenges and Solutions

Key issues identified included the misclassification of travel expenses, timing mismatches between payment and service delivery, and low response rates in enterprise and household surveys.

Solutions discussed included:

Enhancing the granularity of ITRS codes

Leveraging mobile tracking and payment data

Improving survey designs and interviewer training

Strengthening confidentiality and legal frameworks

Encouraging inter-agency collaboration

Data Integration and Coordination

A strong focus was placed on integrating multiple data sources to avoid duplication and ensure completeness. The training encouraged structured cooperation between statistical offices, financial institutions, and telecom providers. Formal agreements and shared protocols were highlighted as essential tools.

Eswatini’s Path Forward

As Eswatini works to improve its travel data infrastructure, the ITC training provided practical tools and exposure to international best practices. The national presentations reinforced the country's existing strengths and pointed to opportunities for innovation in legal, technical, and operational areas.

Conclusion

Day 2 of the ITC training reinforced the critical role of accurate travel data in national statistics. Through better methodologies, inter-agency cooperation, and the integration of modern data technologies, Eswatini is well positioned to improve tourism intelligence and support sustainable growth in the sector.

[neuronstock]

Understanding Forex Market Sentiment

Forex market sentiment reflects traders' collective outlook on currency pairs, shaped by economic indicators, political events, and market news. It drives trading behavior and impacts exchange rates. By understanding market sentiment, traders can better anticipate price movements and adjust their strategies to align with prevailing market attitudes and trends.

In the world of forex trading, market sentiment plays a crucial role in influencing currency movements. Market sentiment refers to the overall attitude of traders towards a particular currency pair or theForex market sentiment as a whole. This psychological factor can drive prices up or down, often leading to trends that traders aim to capitalize on.

What Influences Forex Market Sentiment?

Economic Indicators: Economic data releases, such as GDP growth, employment figures, and inflation rates, significantly affect sentiment. Positive data can lead to bullish sentiment, while negative data might create bearish feelings.

Central Bank Policies: Decisions made by central banks regarding interest rates and monetary policy can shift sentiment quickly. For instance, a rate hike may strengthen a currency as traders anticipate higher returns.

Geopolitical Events: Political stability or unrest can impact traders’ confidence. Events like elections, trade negotiations, or conflicts can create uncertainty, swaying sentiment dramatically.

Market News: Real-time news, including reports about economic conditions, financial crises, or natural disasters, can lead to rapid shifts in sentiment. Traders often react instinctively to such news, influencing currency prices.

Technical Analysis: Many traders use charts and indicators to gauge market sentiment. Patterns and signals can provide insights into whether traders are feeling optimistic or pessimistic.

Measuring Market Sentiment

Traders often utilize various tools and indicators to measure sentiment, including:

Sentiment Indicators: Tools like the Commitment of Traders (COT) report show the positioning of different market participants, revealing whether the market is predominantly long or short.

Surveys: Reports from institutions that survey traders’ sentiments can provide insights into the prevailing mood in the market.

Social Media and Forums: Platforms where traders discuss their views can also offer clues about sentiment. Trends in online discussions can sometimes predict price movements.

Impact of Sentiment on Trading Strategies

Understanding market sentiment is vital for developing effective trading strategies. Here are some approaches:

Contrarian Trading: Some traders adopt a contrarian strategy, betting against prevailing sentiment. For example, if the majority are bullish, a contrarian trader may look for opportunities to short.

Trend Following: Conversely, many traders prefer to follow the trend indicated by market sentiment. If sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, they might take long positions, believing the trend will continue.

Sentiment Divergence: Observing divergences between price movements and sentiment can signal potential reversals. For instance, if prices rise but sentiment declines, it might indicate an impending correction.

Forex market sentiment is a powerful force that traders must consider in their decision-making processes. By staying informed about economic indicators, geopolitical events, and using sentiment analysis tools, traders can better navigate the complexities of the forex market. Ultimately, understanding sentiment can provide a competitive edge, helping traders make more informed choices in an ever-changing landscape.

Read for more info:

AI trading platform

AI market predictions

stock market analysis

[seairexim]

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[woso-dreamzzz]

Difficult VI

Mapi Leon x Ingrid Engen x Teen!Reader

Summary: You're a racing star

Ingrid can remember it like it was yesterday.

It wasn't the best race she'd watched, not with you crashing out from third position on the first lap, not when you'd fallen from your bike and rolled on the floor for a bit.

But then you'd gotten up again and you'd gotten back onto your bike and sped off to catch the pack.

It'd been a brutal battle for you to make up the places you lost and then from last you were second, closing in on first around the second to last corner.

Ingrid can remember the commentators when she watched the race back.

"And...Oh my god, Redbull's Rookie sweep pasts her championship rival! From last to first at the first Barcelona MotoGP race, it's the home favourite! The Norwegian raised in Barcelona, the Rookie in her first year! Y/n Engen-León crosses the line! Her first win! One of many I think!"

Ingrid can remember it all so clearly as you parked your bike, took off your helmet and ran at her, sobbing into her shoulder.

It was your first year in MotoGP. It was your first race win too and you sobbed like that little girl who once watched Ingrid lift the Champion's League trophy.

And, now, you're here.

"I'm Max Verstappen, former Formula One driver."

"And I'm Y/n Engen-León, current MotoGP champion and I'm going to be trading in my motorbike for a Formula One car."

You'd been a Redbull girl since your very first race at the tender age of five. It had been on one of the dirt tracks in Mapi's hometown and a Redbull representative had come up to you all at the end of the race to discuss your potential.

From there, you'd grown up driving for Redbull. You'd driven for them in Motocross and then now in MotoGP too.

You were more than happy to drag Ingrid and Mapi along to your interviews and opportunities.

But Ingrid has to admit to some degree of fear seeing you in Max Verstappen's old championship winning car.

It had taken years for Ingrid to get used to you on a bike and while a car is meant to be safer, that fear increases tenfold as she watches you mess around with the steering wheel and test out the pedals.

"I like this," You say to the camera before turning to your parents," Mumma, Mami, check this out."

Always eager, Mapi practically prances forward to look at where you're pointing. Ingrid follows a little more slowly, a tense smile on her face.

"It'll be fine, Mumma," You say, reaching out to take her hand," I'll be okay. I was made for this kind of thing."

As Ingrid watches you peal onto the track, she can't help but think that you're kind of right. You've adored all types of racing since you were tiny, the little daredevil that you were.

It was just luck that Mapi's father got you a bike instead of a kart or else you would have ended up in one of these cars rather than your bike.

You had a need for speed and a racer's disregard for speeding laws.

You took to all forms of racing as you turn through a corner neatly and cross the line.

"Woo!" You say, pumping your fist as you step out," That was good. Was it good?"

Max Verstappen looks up from the data, nodding. "Two seconds off the reference lap."

You grin. "Not so bad for my first time, huh?"

He purses his laps, eyes studying you. "I think you could do better."

Your grin stretches into a smirk. "I know I could do better."

You do lap after lap after lap until your barely one-hundredth of a second off your reference lap.

Ingrid knows, in theory, that Formula One racing is different to your racing but you make it look so easy. You look like you've been racing cars your entire life.

"Look at her," Mapi says in awe," Look! Look!"

Your last lap is your best, one tenth faster than the reference and you're grinning like you've just won your home race again.

Your fists pump up as you jump from the car, pulling off your helmet.

"Did you see? Mumma, Mami? Did you see?"

"I got a video!" Mapi says," I'll send it to your Abuelo, he'll be so excited to see this!"

After your drive in the car, you end up in another interview with Verstappen.

You've become quite the star in your racing series and the team are really trying to capitalise on it.

"Yeah, I mean," Ingrid catches you saying," I've been racing since I was little. My Abuelo got me my first bike when I was still young and we had to hide it from my Mumma for months because she didn't approve."

Ingrid can still remember seeing you on your first bike. She can still remember thinking that it was surprising they made ones that small. She can still remember your racing suit and your helmet and the joy you got out of something simple as going up and down the bumps of the dirt track.

"I don't think I can even explain what I felt when I won in my rookie year. It means so much to me and my parents had to sacrifice a lot to help me on my journey. I didn't have quite as much success in Motocross as I'm having in MotoGP right now. I know my Mumma would prefer if I chose a safer sport but I think that's why I try so hard. I want to prove to her that despite all these injuries and despite all the danger, she did a good thing in letting me keep racing. I could have driven under Spain's flag if I wanted but Mumma's Norwegian and I'm Norwegian and I want to make her proud."

Something in Ingrid breaks then and she turns her head into Mapi's neck, tears falling from her eyes as she tries not to sob out loud.

Of course she's proud of you. She's so proud of you. She'll always be proud of you.

With or without a championship.

"And of course, my Mami and her family are the ones that got me into racing. Her father used to be my mechanic when I was a kid and Mami was always signing me up for races and supporting me when I got hurt. She designs all my helmets. I think my first win at Barcelona was really the culmination of all the hard work she put into me and my racing."

Verstappen nods along with you. "Would you say that your mothers are your biggest supporters?"

You grin. "Definitely."

[astroeleanor]

°💸⋆.ೃ🍾࿔*:･Your 2H Sign = How To Make More $$$ 💳⋆.ೃ💰࿔*:･

Your 2nd house is the part of your chart can show you the best side hustle ideas to increase your income. Look at the sign on your 2nd House cusp, its ruling planet, and any planets sitting there. They symbolize out how you monetize.

The 2nd House is the House of Possessions: movable assets, cash flow, food, tools, anything you can trade. The sign on the cusp sets up your style of 'acquisition' (Taurus = slow‑build goods, Scorpio = high‑risk high‑reward holdings), while the ruler’s dignity and aspects describe reliability, or lack thereof, of income.

Planets inside the 2nd act like tenants shaping the property: Jupiter here inflates resources, Saturn conserves but can pinch, Mars spends to make, Venus monetizes aesthetics.

Because the 2nd is in aversion to the Ascendant (no Ptolemaic aspect), you often have to develop its promises actively: wealth isn’t “you,” it’s something you must manage. So, let's look at the kind of side hustles you can do to increase your revenue!

♈︎ Aries 2H: Physical, Fast, ACTION-Driven

(Aries rules motion, competition, fire, physical activity, force)

Personal trainer or group fitness instructor.

Manual labor gigs like junk removal, or yard work (physical and gives instant results.)

Motorcycle/scooter delivery (Uber Eats, DoorDash): speed + autonomy? Very Aries.

Selling refurbished sports equipment.

Pressure washing services, which is oddly satisfying AND includes aggressive water blasting lol.

Fitness bootcamps in local parks (Mars rules the battlefield… or, in this case, bootcamps)

Pop-up self-defense workshops

Bike repair and resale (hands-on + quick turnaround)

Car detailing (mobile service). You vs. grime. Who wins? You.

Sell custom gym gear or accessories.

♉︎ Taurus 2H: Sensory, Grounded, Product-Based

(Taurus rules the senses and the material world, it’s a sign connected to beauty and pleasure)

Bake-and-sell operation (bread, cookies) at markets. Taurus=YES to carbs and cozy smells.

Meal prep or personal chef (nourishing others = peak Taurus.)

Sell plants or houseplant propagation, you’re growing literal value.

Create and sell body care products: lotions, scrubs, soaps… (Venus-ruled.)

Furniture refinishing for resale.

Offer at-home spa services (facials, scrubs.)

Curate and sell gift boxes (Venus loves a well-wrapped present.)

Do minor home repair or furniture assembly.

Build and sell wooden plant stands or decor (wood + plants + aesthetic = Taurus.)

♊︎ Gemini 2H: Communicative, Clever, Multi-Tasking

(Gemini = ruled by Mercury = ideas, speech, tech, variety, teaching)

Freelance writing or blogging.

Transcription or captioning services.

Resume writing/job application support.

Social media management (multitasking + memes.)

Sell printable planners or flashcards (info = money.)

Offer typing or data-entry services, which are low lift & high focus

Sell templates for resumes, bios, or cover letters, Mercury loves a system!

Write email campaigns for small businesses, you can become the voice behind the curtain.

Teach intro to AI tools or chatbots (modern Mercurial real-world applications.)

Create micro-courses on writing or communication.

♋︎ Cancer 2H: Caring, Cozy, DOMESTIC

(Cancer rules the home, food, feelings. It’s the nurturer through and through)

Home organization services, give cluttered homes and their owners love.

Baking and delivering comfort desserts (cookies = hugs in edible form!!)

Make and sell homemade frozen meals, nourishing the body AND soul.

Offer elder companionship visits (heartfelt and so needed.)

Run a daycare or babysitting service. Moon=family.

Run a laundry drop-off/pickup service.

Custom holiday decorating (homes or offices), make it feel like home anywhere.

Help seniors with digital tools (basic tech help.)

Create sentimental gifts like memory jars or scrapbooks.

♌︎ Leo 2H: Expressive, Bold, Entertaining

(Leo rules performance, leadership, fame, visibility, and the desire to SHINE)

Portrait photography (kids, pets, solo, couples.)

Event hosting or party entertainment.

DJ for small events or weddings.

Basic video editing for others (help THEM shine!)

Personalized video messages. charisma = income.

Teach short performance workshops (confidence, improv) to help others own a stage.

Become a personal shopper.

Sell selfie lighting kits or content creator bundles.

Host creative kids camps (theater, dance, art.)

Make reels/TikToks for local businesses (attention = currency.)

♍︎ Virgo 2H: Detailed, Service-Oriented, Practical

(Virgo rules systems, refinement, discernment, organisation, usefulness)

Proofreading or editing work. Spotting a comma out of place or “their/they’re” being misused = Virgo joy.

House cleaning or deep-cleaning services.

Virtual assistant (email, scheduling, admin.)

Sell Notion or Excel templates. Virgo: spreadsheets.

Bookkeeping for small businesses.

Create custom cleaning schedules or checklists.

Offer “organize your digital life” sessions.

Specialize in email inbox cleanups.

♎︎︎ Libra 2H: Tasteful, Charming, Design-Savvy

(Libra = Venus-ruled = style, beauty, balance, aesthetics)

Styling outfits from clients’ own wardrobes.

Become a personal shopper.

Bridal/event makeup services (enhancing natural beauty = Libra.)

Teach etiquette, the power of grace

Curate secondhand outfit bundles.

Custom invitations or event printables that are pretty AND functional.

Offer virtual interior styling consultations.

Sell color palette guides for branding or outfits.

Create custom date night itineraries (romance, planned and packaged=Libra!!)

Style flat-lay photos for products or menus.

Do hair, make-up, nails, etc.

♏︎ Scorpio 2H: Deep, Transformative, Private

(Scorpio rules what’s hidden, intense, and powerful, alchemy, psychology)

Tarot or astrology readings.

Energy healing or bodywork.

Private coaching for money/debt management.

Online investigation or background research (Scorpio = uncovering hidden information)

Teach classes on boundaries, consent, empowerment, etc.

Sell private journal templates for deep self-reflection.

Moderate anonymous support groups or forums.

Specialize in deep-cleaning emotionally loaded spaces (yes, THAT kind of clearing.)

♐︎ Sagittarius 2H: Expansive, Global, Philosophical

(Sag rules teaching, travel, and BIG ideas)

Teach English (or any other language) or become a tutor online

Sell travel guides or digital itineraries, help others travel smarter=Sag

Rent out camping gear or bikes (freedom for rent lol.)

Ghostwrite opinion pieces or thought blogs, say what others are thinking!

Create walking tours for travelers or locals.

Sell travel photography.

Become a travel influencer on the side.

Translate travel documents or resumes.

♑︎ Capricorn 2H: Strategic, Structured, Business-Minded

(Cap rules time, career, limitations, long-term value)

Resume or career coaching, help others climb the “mountain of success”.

Freelance project management.

Property management or Airbnb co-host (passive-ish income.)

Sell templates for business (contracts, invoices).

Create accountability coaching packages.

Sell organizational templates.

Freelance as an operations assistant (the CEO behind the CEO.)

Build a resource hub for freelancers or solopreneurs (structure = empowerment.)

♒︎ Aquarius 2H: Innovative, Digital, Niche

(Aquarius rules tech, rebellion, and the future. But it’s also connected to community!)

Tech repair or setup.

Build websites for local businesses, or anyone else for that matter.

Sell digital products (ebooks, templates).

Run online communities or Discords.

Host workshops on digital privacy or tools. Collective knowledge (Aqua)= power

Build and sell Canva templates for online creators.

Curate niche info packs or digital libraries.

Help people automate parts of their life or business.

♓︎ Pisces 2H: Dreamy, Healing, Imaginative

(Pisces rules the sea, the arts, spirituality, dreams, and all things soft)

Pet sitting or house sitting, caring for beings + quiet time? It’s perfect for this energy.

Sell dreamy artwork or collages.

Offer meditation classes or hypnosis.

Teach art to kids or adults.

Custom poetry or lullaby commissions (very niche tho.)

Sell digital dream journals or prompts.

Make downloadable ambient music loops.

Create printable affirmation cards.

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[reasonsforhope]

"The Netherlands is pulling even further ahead of its peers in the shift to a recycling-driven circular economy, new data shows.

According to the European Commission’s statistics office, 27.5% of the material resources used in the country come from recycled waste.

For context, Belgium is a distant second, with a “circularity rate” of 22.2%, while the EU average is 11.5% – a mere 0.8 percentage point increase from 2010.

“We are a frontrunner, but we have a very long way to go still, and we’re fully aware of that,” Martijn Tak, a policy advisor in the Dutch ministry of infrastructure and water management, tells The Progress Playbook. 

The Netherlands aims to halve the use of primary abiotic raw materials by 2030 and run the economy entirely on recycled materials by 2050. Amsterdam, a pioneer of the “doughnut economics” concept, is behind much of the progress.

Why it matters

The world produces some 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste each year, and this could rise to 3.4 billion tonnes annually by 2050, according to the World Bank.

Landfills are already a major contributor to planet-heating greenhouse gases, and discarded trash takes a heavy toll on both biodiversity and human health.

“A circular economy is not the goal itself,” Tak says. “It’s a solution for societal issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, and resource-security for the country.”

A fresh approach

While the Netherlands initially focused primarily on waste management, “we realised years ago that’s not good enough for a circular economy.”

In 2017, the state signed a “raw materials agreement” with municipalities, manufacturers, trade unions and environmental organisations to collaborate more closely on circular economy projects.

It followed that up with a national implementation programme, and in early 2023, published a roadmap to 2030, which includes specific targets for product groups like furniture and textiles. An English version was produced so that policymakers in other markets could learn from the Netherlands’ experiences, Tak says.

The programme is focused on reducing the volume of materials used throughout the economy partly by enhancing efficiencies, substituting raw materials for bio-based and recycled ones, extending the lifetimes of products wherever possible, and recycling.

It also aims to factor environmental damage into product prices, require a certain percentage of second-hand materials in the manufacturing process, and promote design methods that extend the lifetimes of products by making them easier to repair.

There’s also an element of subsidisation, including funding for “circular craft centres and repair cafés”.

This idea is already in play. In Amsterdam, a repair centre run by refugees, and backed by the city and outdoor clothing brand Patagonia, is helping big brands breathe new life into old clothes.

Meanwhile, government ministries aim to aid progress by prioritising the procurement of recycled or recyclable electrical equipment and construction materials, for instance.

State support is critical to levelling the playing field, analysts say...

Long Road Ahead

The government also wants manufacturers – including clothing and beverages companies – to take full responsibility for products discarded by consumers.

“Producer responsibility for textiles is already in place, but it’s work in progress to fully implement it,” Tak says.

And the household waste collection process remains a challenge considering that small city apartments aren’t conducive to having multiple bins, and sparsely populated rural areas are tougher to service.

“Getting the collection system right is a challenge, but again, it’s work in progress.”

...Nevertheless, Tak says wealthy countries should be leading the way towards a fully circular economy as they’re historically the biggest consumers of natural resources."

-via The Progress Playbook, December 13, 2023

[emmawilliams12]

In the dynamic world of global trade, businesses strive for growth and profit. Sri Lanka, at South Asia's core, has established itself as a key player in international commerce. Entrepreneurs tap into Sri Lanka's Import-Export and Trade Data to navigate the complexities of its trading landscape for maximum market potential. Explore the article "How is Sri Lanka's Import-Export Data Decoded for Business Success in Navigating Global Markets?".

[thabisonjoko]

Building Eswatini’s Future Through Data: Day 1 of the ATO Trade in Services Workshop

By Thabiso Njoko

Mbabane, Eswatini — April 8, 2025

It’s not every day that a room full of economists, statisticians, tourism operators, government officials, and academics come together with a shared purpose: building a smarter, data-driven future for Eswatini.

That’s exactly what happened on Day 1 of the African Trade Observatory (ATO) Trade in Services Workshop, hosted in Mbabane and facilitated by two powerhouse experts from the International Trade Centre (ITC)—Katerina Blanchard and Christophe Durand.

With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gaining momentum, countries like Eswatini are looking to strengthen their trade systems, not just in goods, but also in services. And it all begins with data—clean, clear, internationally aligned data.

From Concepts to Conversations: Setting the Tone for Trade Intelligence

The day began with a warm welcome and a walkthrough of the ATO project, where Blanchard and Durand laid out the bigger picture: why travel services data matters and how it fits into Eswatini’s national development goals.

The sessions dove into:

Defining “travel” versus “tourism” from both statistical and practical lenses

The Residence Principle—a foundational but often misunderstood concept in trade statistics

Balance of Payments (BPM6) and EBOPS 2010 classifications

Real-life case studies that sparked rich discussions and raised important questions about current practices

As Christophe Durand put it, “Trade in services is about people moving, not just products. We’re talking about students, patients, business travelers, seasonal workers—it’s personal, and that makes it complex.”

Katerina Blanchard echoed the sentiment: “Eswatini is in a unique position. By investing in better data now, you gain leverage—not only for planning and development but also for negotiating within AfCFTA frameworks.”

Who Was in the Room? Everyone Who Matters.

One of the day’s highlights was the diversity of participants. The workshop brought together 35+ representatives from across the country’s trade, tourism, and statistical landscape.

Here are just a few of the stakeholders who contributed to the vibrant Day 1 dialogue:

Central Bank of Eswatini

Eswatini Tourism Authority

Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade

University of Eswatini

Melula Travel

Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority

Community-Based Tourism (with insights from Thabiso Njoko)

Hospitality and Tourism Association of Eswatini (HOTAES)

Tour Operators Association

Eswatini Revenue Services

Limkokwing University of Creative Technology

Happy Valley Hotel, Eswatini Air, and TransMagnific Shuttle Services

It was a rare space where data experts and on-the-ground tourism operators could share insights, challenge assumptions, and build mutual understanding.

Why Day 1 Mattered

Travel services may not always grab headlines, but they are one of the most economically significant and statistically challenging areas of trade. Understanding how to classify a student’s overseas expenses, or what a tour guide earns from a foreign visitor, can directly impact how a country tracks its economic health.

And for Eswatini, this workshop is more than a learning opportunity—it’s a launching pad for policy-shaping, opportunity-mapping, and evidence-based growth.

What’s Next?

As the workshop continues, participants will explore data sources, survey best practices, and metadata systems. There’s also a strong focus on dissemination, ensuring data doesn’t just sit in a report—but actually informs decisions and drives change.

By the end of this week, Eswatini will be better equipped to tell its trade-in-services story—not just to itself, but to Africa, and the world.

And that’s the power of Day 1.

Want to follow the journey or learn more about ATO? Visit ato.africa

Connect with the facilitators: Christophe Durand, Katerina Blanchard

[thetimesofindia]

Advantage India! As West moves away from China & Bangladesh, India’s apparel exports see big growth; $120 billion US market biggest opportunity

India's apparel exports are experiencing robust growth, driven by Western buyers seeking alternatives to Bangladesh and China. A significant 11.3% year-on-year increase in May signals a recovery from post-pandemic stagnation. Duty advantages over China and political instability in Bangladesh are further fueling this surge,

India is fast emerging as an alternate destination for reliable apparel sourcing for buyers in the West, as they move away from Bangladesh and China. India's garment exports maintained robust growth, showing an 11.3% year-on-year increase in May, according to data from the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI).This export growth provides relief to India's apparel sector, which experienced two consecutive years of difficulties following the pandemic. In the US market, India's share stands at $10 billion, whilst China maintains a $30 billion share.Buyers from developed countries are encouraging Indian manufacturers to increase production capacity and obtain necessary certifications. This push comes as India stands to benefit from duty advantages over China, resulting from reciprocal tariffs implemented during the Donald Trump administration.Advantage IndiaThe sector witnessed significant growth following political instability after Sheikh Hasina's government was removed in Bangladesh last August, according to an ET report. Export figures rose by 17.3% in September, followed by a 24.35% increase in October.Also Read | ‘Dramatic decline…watch out…’: China’s exports to US dip sharply amid Trump trade war; why India needs to be on the guard"There was a fall in India's apparel exports after Covid, as consumers bought fewer newer clothes due to excess purchases made during the Covid period.There was a period of stagnation or degrowth for about two years post Covid," said Sanjay K Jain, chairman, National Textile Committee, Indian Chamber of Commerce.The apparel sector began showing signs of improvement after the political changes and unrest in Bangladesh. Industry experts noted that due to the continuous nature of apparel production, buyers seek stability in their supply chains.Bangladesh's apparel sector has substantial manufacturing capabilities, enabling them to fulfil large orders quickly, which differs from Indian manufacturers.Also Read | Big win! China companies now exporting ‘Made in India’ smartphones & electronics to US, West Asia; notable shift for Chinese brandsThe export growth is expected to continue for Indian manufacturers due to duty advantages compared to China. "There is a big window of opportunity for Indian apparel exporters. The $120 billion US market is the biggest opportunity. All we need is to get the raw material at competitive rates," said Jain.Whilst apparel exports continue to rise, raw cotton imports are increasing as domestic prices exceed international rates. The projected cotton imports for India in 2024-25 are set to more than double compared to the previous year.The Cotton Association of India reports that the nation's cotton imports are expected to reach 3.3 million bales of 170 kilograms each in 2024-25, an increase from 1.52 million bales in the previous year.

[beardedmrbean]

The United States on Monday moved to extend federal protections to all species of pangolins -- a step that would tighten trade restrictions and highlight the urgent conservation plight of the world's only scaly mammals.

Found in the forests, woodlands, and savannas of Africa and Asia, pangolins are small, nocturnal creatures known for their distinctive appearance, slow and peaceful demeanor, and habit of curling into a ball when threatened.

Often likened to a walking pinecone, they use long, sticky tongues to feast on ants and termites, give birth to a single pup each year --  and are the most heavily trafficked mammals on Earth. Their keratin scales are coveted in traditional medicine, and their meat is also considered a delicacy in some regions.

Despite steep population declines driven by poaching, habitat loss, and inbreeding, only one species — Temminck's pangolin of Africa -- is currently protected under the US Endangered Species Act. Monday's proposal by the US Fish and Wildlife Service would extend that status to all eight known species.

In a statement, the agency said it intends to list the four Asian species -- Chinese, Indian, Sunda, and Philippine -- as well as the three other African species: white-bellied, black-bellied, and giant pangolins.

"I'm delighted the United States is doing its part to save these adorably odd creatures," said Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity.

"Pangolins are on the razor's edge of extinction, and we need to completely shut down any US market for their scales. There's no good reason for anybody to ingest any part of a pangolin."

Pangolins are currently protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which prohibits international trade for commercial purposes and allows it only under exceptional circumstances.

Still, the illegal trade persists.

In April, Nigerian authorities seized nearly four tons of trafficked pangolin scales — representing the slaughter of some 2,000 animals. In November 2024, Indonesian officials intercepted another 1.2 tons.

US demand remains a factor. Between 2016 and 2020, border officials intercepted 76 shipments of pangolin parts, including scales and products marketed for traditional medicine, according to public data.

[mariacallous]

These days, when Nicole Yelland receives a meeting request from someone she doesn’t already know, she conducts a multi-step background check before deciding whether to accept. Yelland, who works in public relations for a Detroit-based non-profit, says she’ll run the person’s information through Spokeo, a personal data aggregator that she pays a monthly subscription fee to use. If the contact claims to speak Spanish, Yelland says, she will casually test their ability to understand and translate trickier phrases. If something doesn’t quite seem right, she’ll ask the person to join a Microsoft Teams call—with their camera on.

If Yelland sounds paranoid, that’s because she is. In January, before she started her current non-profit role, Yelland says she got roped into an elaborate scam targeting job seekers. “Now, I do the whole verification rigamarole any time someone reaches out to me,” she tells WIRED.

Digital imposter scams aren’t new; messaging platforms, social media sites, and dating apps have long been rife with fakery. In a time when remote work and distributed teams have become commonplace, professional communications channels are no longer safe, either. The same artificial intelligence tools that tech companies promise will boost worker productivity are also making it easier for criminals and fraudsters to construct fake personas in seconds.

On LinkedIn, it can be hard to distinguish a slightly touched-up headshot of a real person from a too-polished, AI-generated facsimile. Deepfake videos are getting so good that longtime email scammers are pivoting to impersonating people on live video calls. According to the US Federal Trade Commission, reports of job and employment related scams nearly tripled from 2020 to 2024, and actual losses from those scams have increased from $90 million to $500 million.

Yelland says the scammers that approached her back in January were impersonating a real company, one with a legitimate product. The “hiring manager” she corresponded with over email also seemed legit, even sharing a slide deck outlining the responsibilities of the role they were advertising. But during the first video interview, Yelland says, the scammers refused to turn their cameras on during a Microsoft Teams meeting and made unusual requests for detailed personal information, including her driver’s license number. Realizing she’d been duped, Yelland slammed her laptop shut.

These kinds of schemes have become so widespread that AI startups have emerged promising to detect other AI-enabled deepfakes, including GetReal Labs, and Reality Defender. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also runs an identity-verification startup called Tools for Humanity, which makes eye-scanning devices that capture a person’s biometric data, create a unique identifier for their identity, and store that information on the blockchain. The whole idea behind it is proving “personhood,” or that someone is a real human. (Lots of people working on blockchain technology say that blockchain is the solution for identity verification.)

But some corporate professionals are turning instead to old-fashioned social engineering techniques to verify every fishy-seeming interaction they have. Welcome to the Age of Paranoia, when someone might ask you to send them an email while you’re mid-conversation on the phone, slide into your Instagram DMs to ensure the LinkedIn message you sent was really from you, or request you text a selfie with a timestamp, proving you are who you claim to be. Some colleagues say they even share code words with each other, so they have a way to ensure they’re not being misled if an encounter feels off.

“What’s funny is, the low-fi approach works,” says Daniel Goldman, a blockchain software engineer and former startup founder. Goldman says he began changing his own behavior after he heard a prominent figure in the crypto world had been convincingly deepfaked on a video call. “It put the fear of god in me,” he says. Afterwards, he warned his family and friends that even if they hear what they believe is his voice or see him on a video call asking for something concrete—like money or an internet password—they should hang up and email him first before doing anything.

Ken Schumacher, founder of the recruitment verification service Ropes, says he’s worked with hiring managers who ask job candidates rapid-fire questions about the city where they claim to live on their resume, such as their favorite coffee shops and places to hang out. If the applicant is actually based in that geographic region, Schumacher says, they should be able to respond quickly with accurate details.

Another verification tactic some people use, Schumacher says, is what he calls the “phone camera trick.” If someone suspects the person they’re talking to over video chat is being deceitful, they can ask them to hold up their phone camera to their laptop. The idea is to verify whether the individual may be running deepfake technology on their computer, obscuring their true identity or surroundings. But it’s safe to say this approach can also be off-putting: Honest job candidates may be hesitant to show off the inside of their homes or offices, or worry a hiring manager is trying to learn details about their personal lives.

“Everyone is on edge and wary of each other now,��� Schumacher says.

While turning yourself into a human captcha may be a fairly effective approach to operational security, even the most paranoid admit these checks create an atmosphere of distrust before two parties have even had the chance to really connect. They can also be a huge time suck. “I feel like something’s gotta give,” Yelland says. “I’m wasting so much time at work just trying to figure out if people are real.”

Jessica Eise, an assistant professor studying climate change and social behavior at Indiana University-Bloomington, says that her research team has been forced to essentially become digital forensics experts, due to the amount of fraudsters who respond to ads for paid virtual surveys. (Scammers aren’t as interested in the unpaid surveys, unsurprisingly.) If the research project is federally funded, all of the online participants have to be over the age of 18 and living in the US.

“My team would check time stamps for when participants answered emails, and if the timing was suspicious, we could guess they might be in a different time zone,” Eise says. “Then we’d look for other clues we came to recognize, like certain formats of email address or incoherent demographic data.”

Eise says the amount of time her team spent screening people was “exorbitant,” and that they’ve now shrunk the size of the cohort for each study and have turned to “snowball sampling” or having recruiting people they know personally to join their studies. The researchers are also handing out more physical flyers to solicit participants in person. “We care a lot about making sure that our data has integrity, that we’re studying who we say we’re trying to study,” she says. “I don’t think there’s an easy solution to this.”

Barring any widespread technical solution, a little common sense can go a long way in spotting bad actors. Yelland shared with me the slide deck that she received as part of the fake job pitch. At first glance, it seemed like legit pitch, but when she looked at it again, a few details stood out. The job promised to pay substantially more than the average salary for a similar role in her location, and offered unlimited vacation time, generous paid parental leave, and fully-covered health care benefits. In today’s job environment, that might have been the biggest tipoff of all that it was a scam.

[writing-until-i-drop]

What's In A Name? Chapter Five

Meg Harding and Kate Carter were inseparable until their friends died five ago, then she ran to New Orleans to save lives as a paramedic. But when Javi calls on his two oldest friends to help him collect data, counting on their matching natural instincts for tornadoes, Meg goes home for the first time in years. That's where she meets Tyler and the rest of the Wranglers, the YouTube storm chasers her dad likes to watch, and finds herself fitting in more with them than with Storm PAR. Meg only plans to stay for the week but will it be easy to leave when the dust settles?

If a certain cowboy has a say in it, nothing about leaving is going to be easy.

A/N: Meg has to make a very interesting phone call...

AO3 Link

Previous Chapter

Meg woke up with Tyler curled around her, his heavy arm draped over her waist, a large hand splayed across her stomach, keeping her tight against him. It had been the best night of sleep of her life and she stubbornly gave credit to the softness of Boone’s shirt for it. She carefully slipped out of his hold and down the ladder.

At some point, the Wranglers had driven the camper and the rest of their vehicles to a different motel and they were all gathered up outside, bundled in blankets, sitting around an extinguished fire. Boone was the first to notice her, popping out of his chair to hug her tightly, rocking her back and forth.

“I’m glad you’re okay, Doc, and thank you, thank you, for keeping T safe.” The rest of the Wranglers were quick to join in on the hug, even Ben after she heard the shutter of his camera. Meg almost started crying from the sheer amount of love surrounding her, feeling at home again in Oklahoma for the first time in five years. “You hungry, Doc?”

“Starvin’,” Her stomach growled in agreement.

“I’ll rustle something up,” Boone patted her on the shoulder. “Also, do your parents watch our streams?” She nodded. “They were name-dropping you something fierce in the chat last night, asking for updates if you were okay.” Of course, they had. Meg knew better than to think it was just her dad demanding answers in the chat.

“The whole crew’s probably at my parent’s house debating whether they should drive out here.” She shook her head with a huff of laughter. “Dex, can I borrow your phone? I don’t know what happened to mine.” He obliged and she dialed the house phone, putting it on speaker.

“Harding’s phone,” Rabbit picked up. “Meggy, this you?” Dexter’s mouth fell open, putting all the pieces together faster than the rest.

“Yeah, it’s me. Y’all can stop freaking out, all limbs are accounted for and in working order.” 

“Bill, Jo, guys, it’s Meggy!” 

“Meggy, honey,’ Preacher’s voice was the next on the line. “You scared us half to death.” 

“Margaret Marie Harding,” Her mom shouted into the receiver. “Have you lost your damn mind?” Meg cringed,

“Mama, I’m just following in dad’s footsteps.” There were shouts of “The Extreme” in the background. “Also, y’all might be on speaker with the Tornado Wranglers.” 

“Holy shit, Meggy,” That was Beltzer.

“We’re big fans,” And that was Haynes. The Wranglers were watching her with amused and star-struck looks. Ben, thankfully, was the first to recover.

“Your daughter is quite remarkable.” 

“And alive,” Boone added, giving Meg a thumbs up that she returned, mouthing good job.

“We’re glad to hear it. Hi, Pumpkin.” 

“Hiya, dad. Did you want that mug of yours signed? Pretty sure I can swing it.” 

“Dani, get the man a mug!” Dexter pushed a laughing Dani towards the camper where Tyler still slept. The Wranglers and the original team energetically traded exclamations of excitement and amusement that Meg had kept her last name a secret for so long. That was until her mama started shouting again. 

“I don’t want you anywhere near a tornado unless you’re harnessed  in, do you understand me, young lady?” 

“Mama, please, you’re embarrassing me.” 

“Let me talk to Dexter,” Jo demanded. “He seems like the only responsible one.” Meg didn’t argue, taking her mom off speaker and handing the phone to Dexter.

“Yes, ma’am?” There was a shout of her name from inside the camper, signaling to everyone that Tyler had woken up to an empty bed.  The Wranglers snickered at her, Lily giving her a good-natured shove to the shoulder. “Of course, ma’am. I’ll make sure of it.” 

Tyler came stumbling out of the camper, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, a grinning Dani right behind him with a mug and a marker in either hand.

“Where’s Meg?” 

“That’s Meg Harding to you, Ty,” Lily teased and Tyler’s eyes went wide. “Yup, your girlfriend’s the daughter of storm-chasing legends.” Meg flushed, hoping her parents hadn’t heard that. Tyler looked at her, dumbstruck.

“Your parents are…”

“Yeah.”

“Holy shit,” Tyler ran a hand through his already chaotic hair. “You’re a-,” He pointed at her, “Your parents are-” Meg nodded. “Holy shit.” 

“My parents are big fans of your channel, Ty.” She saw the moment Tyler’s brain fully stopped functioning, giggling. 

“I need coffee,” Tyler’s shoulders slumped. He sat down in Boone’s abandoned seat beside Meg, grabbing her hand and squeezing it, like he was afraid she’d run off on him. Meg squeezed back. “Who’s he talking to?”

“My family.” Meg could get used to surprising the hell out of Tyler, laughing at the startled look on his face.

“Doc, Rabbit wants to talk to you.” Dexter jogged the phone over. “Can I meet your parents?” He whispered and Meg nodded, rolling her eyes with a smile.

“What’s up?” 

“Don’t let your mom fool you, Meggy. She’s giddy as hell you’re chasing again.” Meg knew that in her heart but the reassurance made her smile. “Also, we’re betting on how long it takes you to ride the cowboy. Don’t tell your dad.”

“Rabbit!” Meg shrieked, slapping a hand over her mouth. She glanced over at the sleepy man beside her who didn’t seem to have heard what Rabbit said. Meg was going to turn that man into rabbit stew the next time she saw him.

“Blame Haynes, her idea.” 

“Don’t blame me, blame Joey!” 

“She knows damn well it wasn’t me, it was definitely Lawrence.” Could they get any more embarrassing? She felt like she was fifteen again, listening to the group place bets on how her first date would go.

“Guuuuyyyyysss. Can you please just put my dad on the phone?” There was a brief shuffle.

“Hey, Pumpkin. What was Rabbit saying?” 

“Nothing, just being annoying. She glanced at her blonde cowboy, getting a mischievous idea. “Tyler’s here if you want to talk to him, he’s a fan of yours.” She giggled at the look on his face. “Well, you talk, he’ll hyperventilate.” 

“Be nice to that boy,” Her dad scolded playfully. “I’ve got fifty bucks on you marrying him.” 

“Oh my God, that’s so much worse!” She wanted to disappear into thin air. Tyler took the outstretched phone.

“This is Tyler Owens, sir.” Tyler sat up straighter in his seat, running a hand through his bed head.

Boone came jogging back to the group, holding a 7/11 bag above his head.

“I got you coffee, a muffin, and a burrito.” Giving Tyler’s hand one last squeeze, Meg went to collect her breakfast, thanking the man with a kiss on the cheek. “Dani said you take lots of cream and sugar.” Meg looked at the woman who shrugged,

“I guessed.” 

“You guessed right, Sweet Thing. Thanks again, Boonie Baby,” She gave him another kiss on the cheek before going back to her seat. Meg kept the burrito, passing Tyler the blueberry muffin.

“Yes, sir. No, sir,” Meg couldn’t help but wonder what her dad was asking him, nibbling on the corner of the lukewarm burrito. Bean and cheese, nice. “No, she didn’t tell us her last name.” Tyler chuckled, “Yes, sir. I’m starting to understand that.” He paused, eyes going wide. Meg shifted in her chair, letting her legs fall across Tyler’s lap. He rested a hand on her knee and Meg couldn’t help but think that she could do this every morning, sitting there, admiring Tyler’s stubbled jaw line while the rest of the Wranglers joked around with each other. “I’d be honored but first we’ve got to go find Kate, yes, sir. Sapulpa.” He tapped her knee, “Here, darlin’.” He passed the phone, trading it for her coffee, his nose scrunching up. “I prefer black.”

“Not everything’s about you, Arkansas.” Tyler stuck his tongue out at her. “Hey, dad.” 

“You should marry that boy, Meg.” Her eyes cut to Tyler who was eyeing her back with a small smile on his face, making him even cuter than normal. 

“We’ll see, dad,” She sighed. “Gotta chase down my other half first. Now go feed the guys, I love you.” 

“I love you too, Pumpkin. Come home before you leave.”

“I will, should I bring Kate?” 

“And Tyler. Keep an eye on the sky, Pumpkin.” Meg hung up, mumbling through a mouthful of burrito.

“Trouble makin’ busy bodies, the whole group of ‘em.” 

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were Jo and Bill Harding’s daughter,” Her mom would have liked the way he put her name first. “No wonder you’ve got such good instincts.” 

“Get ‘em from my daddy.” Dani came over, presenting Tyler with the mug to sign.

“And here I didn’t think you could get any cooler, Meg,” Dani teased. “We gotta keep you around.” 

“Here here,” Boone raised his coffee in cheers. “T, buddy, don’t go fucking this up for us.” The Wranglers all added their agreement, making Meg laugh. She swiped the coffee back from Tyler, admonishing him for drinking more than half the cup if he didn’t like it. Then it hit her and she nearly spit out her mouthful of coffee. Lily had called her his girlfriend and neither she nor Tyler had corrected her. What the hell did that mean?

“Stop thinking so hard, darlin’.” Tyler squeezed her knee like he could read her mind. “Just enjoy the morning.” His hand moved up to her thigh as he kicked back in his chair to eat and she rested her hand on top of his, letting her attention fall to Boone and Dani as they teased Dexter for his fangirling. Ben started snapping pictures and Meg didn’t let herself worry about how she looked wearing borrowed clothes, eating a gas station burrito, mud from the night before still on her cheeks, with Tyler’s hand on her thigh.

Unlike when he was chasing, Tyler was an incredibly safe driver on the way to Sapulpa. Meg on the other hand was an incredibly unsafe passenger. She had the passenger seat pushed all the way back, her feet kicked up on the dash, and her boots abandoned on the floorboards.

Lily had lent her a pair of mismatched socks, one was striped and the other was dotted. They were both singing along to the country music blaring on the radio and Meg couldn’t remember a time she felt happier. And she was sad she had to ruin it.

“I should probably tell you what you’re gettin’ into before we get there, Ty.” Tyler turned off the radio, giving her as much attention as he could while driving.

“What, darlin’, you hiding a boyfriend from me in Sapulpa?” Meg snorted, she wished that’s all she had to confess. Instead, she held out her hands in front of her. Her fingertips were all kinked, not quite straight. They were also calloused and scarred, not only from chasing but from her time as a paramedic. Her favorite scar was one on the pad of her thumb, permanently messing up her fingerprints, from when she stuck herself with an EPI pen instead of the patient. 

“You ever notice how crooked my fingers are?” 

“I was a bull rider, healed breaks are normal to me.” She hummed at his non-answer, answer. 

“I met Kate in college and we became close, our friend Addy used to call us two shades of the same color. Always the same but slightly different.” Dandelion and Sunflower, shades of yellow, were her favorite comparison to make. She’d always make a joke about how they were happiest when the sun was hidden behind clouds, so they needed to be surrounded by bright colors. “Mama was her thesis advisor. There were six of us helping her with the research.” 

Meg let the tears roll down her cheeks without wiping them away.

“Parveen and Kate spearheaded the actual idea, Javi collected the data with Dorothy, Addy was there to take photos, Jeb,” She chuckled. “Jeb was just in love with Kate, so he’d follow her anywhere, and I was there to make sure no one got hurt. But they did.” She had spent a lot of time on her partner’s couch drinking and thinking about the situation, coming to grips with the fact that her EMT certification couldn’t have saved her friends that day. “Everything was going great and then an EF-5 came out of nowhere.” 

Tyler exhaled heavily, reaching out to rub her knee.

“We thought it was going to be an EF-1, maybe 2, so we didn’t have the good sense to be scared until it was too late.” 

“I’m sorry, Meg,” Tyler offered in sympathy. Because what the hell else do you say when someone’s telling a story like that?

“Our only hope was an underpass, which tells you how shit outta luck we were. Parveen couldn’t run so fast and was swept up first, then I fell and I dug my fingers into the dirt to hold on.” Her fingers and wrist ached at the memory, “I broke every single one of my fingers and debris shattered my wrist. While I was layin’ there, I heard Addy and Jeb fly away, screaming for their lives.” 

“Shit, Meg. That’s horrible,” She hummed in agreement.

“Kate survived of course but she won’t talk about it and Javi was in the follow vehicle. All he could do was watch as the tornado headed our way. To hear him tell it, it was the worst day of his life and it probably was.” The hurtful things Javi said the night before filtered through her mind, making her sick to her stomach. “Police officer found me and Kate stumbling along the highway, trying to get back to Javi, and took us to the hospital.” 

Meg took a long, deep breath. If things had gone differently that day, her life would have turned out a lot differently. She never would have moved, none of them would have.

“Kate ran away to New York, Javi joined the military, and I went to New Orleans. I was a wreck on the job but my partner Nick’s always had my back. You’d like him,” Nick was her rock, both on and off the job. “He took me to my first second line after one of our GSW patients, Tayvon, a fifteen-year-old kid, didn’t make it.” 

It had been her second week on the job, she had never been on the scene of a drive-by shooting before, there had been so much chaos and blood. They worked on him for a few minutes before they decided it was best to work while driving. Meg had still been an EMT, so Nick worked on Tayvon in the back of the rig while she drove through the busy streets like a bat out of hell. By the time they passed him off to the doctors, things were looking up.

  “To see everyone smiling through their tears and celebrating that kid’s life, it healed me more than anything else ever could. Everyone needs a Nick and Kate didn’t have one.” 

“I think I want to meet this Nick guy,” Tyler squeezed her knee, “Buy him a beer and thank him for taking care of you.” Meg chuckled, thinking about all of the embarrassing stories Nick would tell him about her.

“He’d buy you a beer, tryin’ to charm you into making me your problem instead of his.” 

“Be my problem, baby,” Tyler’s hand moved upwards to squeeze her thigh. Meg laid her hand over his, tears starting up again.

“I’m crying about my dead friends while you drive me to see my traumatized other half. Hate to say it, Sweetie Pie, but I think I’m already your problem.” Laughter filled the truck, first hers and then Tyler’s. “A little late to back out now.” 

“I’m not backing out, Meg, just making sure we’re on the same page.” 

“Which is?” She feigned ignorance. 

“You’re my problem, baby. All mine.” Her dad was going to be over the moon whenever she told him about this conversation. So would Nick.

“Thoughts and prayers, Cowboy. You’re gonna need ‘em.” 

Taglist: @theforevermorereject @beltzboys2015-blog @writingrose @sinners-98-world @nerdgirljen @candlejuice @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby @football1921 @katiemcrae @emma8895eb @itsdesiree86

Next Chapter

[brockgold]

Noquaria: The Golden Wake

Brock Gold stepped off the landing ramp, boots gleaming like sunrise over obsidian oceans. Above him, the Golden Mothership shimmered in low orbit, radiating heatless light that painted the gentle tides in bands of molten gold. Before him—Noquaria.

A world of endless sea, dotted not by land but by ancient, living islands. Great cephalopods whose backs rose above the waves like lilypad continents. Upon them, the Noquarians lived—a gentle, amphibious race of artisans and fishers. Their soft vocal clicks and iridescent skin reflected a culture of peace, ritual, and deep balance.

Brock had arrived in peace. The Hive had detected the planet's unique biological rhythms—data pulses matching the Golden Code. For weeks, he lived among the Noquarians, joining feasts of seagrain and glowscale fish, trading stories and teaching rudimentary signal glyphs.

But then—the disappearances began.

Children missing. Circular trails of bloodless water. Heavy night fogs pierced by deep clicks. The elders blamed the water. They had released toxins months earlier, they confessed, to drive away the reef serpents—creatures they feared but now suspected had once kept something far worse at bay.

Brock dove beneath the tides in a pressurized gold-weave exosuit. Down into abyssal trenches where even Noquarians dared not swim. There, he saw them—Cetaphracts, ancient, mammalian leviathans with eyes like void-stars and intelligence crueler than hunger. They swam in silence, hunting without song. Tracking.

And then—the realization. The poisons had not just driven out the reef serpents. They had broken the ecosystem's ancient agreement. The predators now ruled.

Back on the cephalo-island village, Brock stood before the gathered people. His armor steamed with sea mist, golden light piercing through the dark. "You do not need salvation," he said, voice modulated for their ears. "You need remembrance. Harmony. And strength."

He activated a module on his wrist.

From orbit, satellites adjusted. Drones descended. Brock deployed Hive-seeded coral pods—golden growths that filtered the waters, healed the damage, and attracted the reef serpents once more. They returned, not as invaders, but as protectors. The balance restored.

Noquaria pulsed with life again.

That night, under the twin moons, the villagers gathered. Brock stood at the base of the shuttle ramp. “The Golden Army offers no empire. No conquest. Only order, unity, and strength. Walk with us, if you wish.”

A hush. Then—one Noquarian stepped forward. Young. Bright-eyed. Their skin shimmered with resolve.

“I want to know the stars,” they said.

And Brock extended his hand.

Moments later, the Noquarian emerged aboard the mothership—now clad in polished biomech armor, skin golden-slick with transformation. A new drone? A new brother?

A new star.

From orbit, the planet Noquaria glowed faintly below. A trace of gold. A beginning.

Epilogue – The First Trace of Gold

Noquaria gleams now—not with conquest, but with harmony. A single choice. One brave step into the unknown. From that moment, the tide turned—not just for one world, but for all worlds yet untouched.

The Golden Army does not demand. It invites. It does not conquer. It uplifts.

There is order in unity. Strength in discipline. Perfection in obedience.

Across galaxies, new stars await.

📡 Transmission from the Golden Army Mothership: Planet Noquaria—stabilized. Harmony—restored. New drone—awakened.

One spark was all it took. One choice. One transformation. The Hive is listening. The Hive is expanding.

You’ve seen the proof. The Gold uplifts. The Gold protects. The Gold perfects.

🛰️ We offer: — Biomechanical transcendence — Indoctrination chambers in lunar orbit — Purpose beyond entropy — Uniforms forged in light — Brotherhood through code

Ready to ascend? Step forward. Extend your hand. Let the Gold reshape you.

🪐 Apply for Hive integration: Recruiters live now @brodygold | @goldenherc9

[sculkapologist]

Was suddenly possessed with the desire for a lil set of profiles for everyone in the Corrupted World minecraft AU!! you can probably tell by their names that these guys started life in the Bendy fandom, but then we got really carried away with MINECRAFT LORE...

the Basic Premise of Corrupted World AU is that when a bit of code gets corrupted, or degrades over time, the world replaces that code with something similar -- a corrupted bit of grassland will be overwritten by the code of nearby grassland. This works fine for most things, but there's nothing else like a Player in the world of Minecraft.................... these little bits of encroaching mob data have been mostly benign, until Joey's curiosity stretches the world to its limits, and the world's corruption becomes more aggressive.

Some basic notes on everyone under the cut!

Jack is an old player whose code changed so slowly that he honestly can't remember a time when he wasn't a little sheepy. A peaceful, friendly guy who loves to explore and makes contacts wherever he goes -- moving from village to village, build to build, to bring items he's found in his travels to trade and sell, sounding his own broken goat horn to announce his wares. Thanks to Jack, the world's far-flung players might be able to start to connect again...

(design by Mochi and Shazz, character by Mochi)

Sammy is a grumpy and strangely cautious player who keeps to himself ever since he escaped from an Ancient City..... changed. He was once an adventurous builder with an exacting sense of aesthetics, but now he's just trying to survive quietly with his sheep. Afflicted with painfully sensitive hearing and infected with sculk, he hides in an underground, wool-insulated home out in the hills and lives the most pacifist life he can manage, avoiding any death that could spread the sculk in his body.

(design and character by Shazz (me!))

Henry was always driven to look out for others, and when he died defending a village from attack, the grateful villagers helped to revive him the only way they knew how. He kind of wishes they'd just let him respawn... not realising some glitching armour had scrambled his health too badly to come back normally. In any case, Henry's gotten attached to the village... becoming more protective of the people there... almost unwilling to leave.

(design by Maf and Shazz, character by Maf)

A bit of a loner with a strange sense of humour, Norman often lingered near the ocean and didn't notice the little changes like not needing air when his water-breathing potions should've run out... until the corruption of his code made it sort of impossible for him to return to land. That's alright; he's perfectly happy to hassle the others when they wander into his territory.

(design by Shazz and Boo, character by Thren)

Wickedly clever with a knack for experimentation, Susie was left stranded in the Nether a long time ago and was determined to thrive even in that hellish domain -- and thrive she did. Now she's gotten a bit of reputation even on the Overworld, both for a mastery of potions and magic, and a cruel willingness to take what she wants.

(design by Boo and Thren, character by Thren)

Ever since Joey defeated the Ender Dragon and heard that conversation between two mysterious voices, he hasn't been able to let go of the idea that there is something more beyond this world of blocks and code -- but this charismatic dreamer has been prying at the world's secrets well before that. He convinced Susie to join him as the first to explore the Nether, talked Sammy into delving into an Ancient City with him, and tried to get Henry to join him in his quest for the End, gifting him code-modified armour that was better than anything his old friend could get. For some reason, though, they all lost contact, and Joey found himself alone in the End, where more code experiments in a land where only one mob is really prevalent had... an effect on him....

(design and character by Boo)

Pete isn't a player at all, he's a villager... but one day he found himself outside of his village, suddenly realised how big the world is, and couldn't resist the urge to explore. He's close with Jack, and has joined up with him on some expeditions to aid his own work as a cartographer. Without the ability to respawn, though, it's significantly more dangerous for him, and the two of them MAY have poked into some evoker magic looking for an alternative...

(design and character by Thren and Mochi)

Linda is deeply interested in the world's history, curious what sort of people or ancient players must've once populated the ruins, and she's also an experienced crafter with a penchant for metalworking. While the world of Minecraft has no real concept of monogamous relationships, she's settled with Henry as her one-and-only... which works out now that he's partially made of metal. Linda hadn't experienced any code corruption until data replacement became more aggressive, and it's still subtle for now. But it's handy to be able to touch things that are burning hot without taking damage!

(design by Shazz, character by Thren and Maf)

Fixing Sammy should be easy enough, Joey thought. Some of his data was corrupted by sculk -- if they can find that lost data in the code somewhere, it just needs to be reintegrated with Sammy. Attach it to an eye of ender, replace one of Sammy's eyes with the eye of ender -- simple! A complete Sammy! ...the lost data itself had other ideas. This strange construct that collected around the eye Joey provided is a mix of Sammy's lost data, garbled junk data, and -- he claims -- the remnants of an Ancient Player from the days when end cities were populated, before everything went so wrong and Minecraft's world became so lonely. His speech is glitchy and garbled, struggling to describe a Game and Code and a True Player that he believes must reset a world that has been "running too long." In lieu of a username, this apocalyptic anomaly goes by "the Prophet".

(design and character by Shazz)