#{ Musing: 3A-7 }

[whimsicallyenchantedrose]

Season 3 Rewatch Drabbles: 3x9 Save Henry

Summary:  A series of 100-500 word drabbles to accompany my    rewatch of season 3 of Once Upon a Time.  There will be a drabble–either a deleted scene, a “fix it” fic or a character musing for each episode of the season.  Focus will be on Emma, Henry, the Charmings and Killian–with an emphasis on Captain Swan’s epic love story.

Word Count: 843

Other Chapters: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) (24) (25) (26) (27) (28)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Note: It had been my plan to keep at least 3a thoroughly CS focused in these drabbles, with the POV changing from episode to episode between Killian and Emma (this episode was meant to be a Killian episode), but after watching this episode, the big sister/aunt/godmother in me, who has been around and helped care for babies all my life, absolutely had to step in and have someone give first-time mom Regina a little advice about how to handle a crying newborn. (disclaimer: I’m not a mother, so I’m well aware I can’t possibly know the full extent of what it means to be a parent, and I’m not in any way trying to lecture or Monday morning quarterback anyone about parenting, but I am affectionately known as “the baby whisperer” among my family, so I’ve got to be doing something right, right?)

Regina was at her wits end.  Everyone said parenting a newborn was hard.  Everyone said the lack of sleep would be difficult.

No one told her it would be like this.  She was so tired she felt like she was perpetually walking around in a fog.  She did everything she could for Henry–fed him, changed him, held him, rocked him, even tried singing lullabies to him, but nothing worked.  Nothing stopped the relentless crying.

Finally, desperately clawing for something, anything, that could help her, she’d brought her baby to Dr. Whale, sure that there had to be a physical reason for it all.

But he told her Henry was perfectly healthy (before scaring her to death by mentioning the possibility of genetic issues that she had no (legal) way of determining.)

Clutching at that last straw, she’d decided to call Sidney and have him dig into Henry’s sealed adoption records, and to get a moment of peace to do so, she’d handed her baby off to Mary Margaret.

The last thing she’d expected when she turned back around was to find her baby quiet and peacefully cooing up at the school teacher.

Regina’s heart dropped even lower.  What if it wasn’t a physical or genetic problem? What if it was…

”How did you do that?” she asked, walking over to her erstwhile nemesis.

”Do what?” Mary Margaret asked absently as she smiled and cooed down at Henry.

“Make him stop crying.” 

Mary Margaret shrugged.  “I didn’t do anything. He’s so sweet.”

Now was not the time to analyze the ins and outs of why this miracle had occurred.  Now was simply the time to enjoy it.  Regina took Henry from Mary Margaret.

And he immediately started wailing again.

 “Oh no!  No, no, NO!”

Mary Margaret fluttered her hands looking distressed. “I’m so sorry!  Did I do something?”

A cold, stinging sensation settled deep inside Regina.  It wasn’t anything Snow White did.  It was her.  All her. ”No.  No, you didn’t.  It’s me.”

“Well, that’s just nonsense,” came the no-nonsense voice of Granny Lucas as she breezed onto the scene.  “Here, hand him over.  I’ll show you a thing of two.”

While Regina’s first inclination was to stand to her full height and tell the woman she was fully capable of caring for her own son, she realized she really had nothing more to lose.  She deflated and passed Henry over to Granny.

The older woman took him, smiled down at him, and then placed him up against her chest, her hand gently but firmly holding his head to her with her other hand under his little bottom.  She began to bounce and sway, making little shushing noises.

Henry’s wails faded, and then came to a stop.

“But…how?” Regina asked.

“You don’t raise a daughter and then a granddaughter without picking up a few tricks along the way,” Granny said.  “First off, you’ve gotta relax.  You’re wound as tight as Leroy when I run out of bacon.  Babies…they can feel your tension, so you feel yourself tensing up?  Take a couple deep breaths.  Let ‘em out.  Set him in his crib where he’s safe and step away for a few seconds if you need to.  I’m telling you, it’s the key.  You relax; he’ll relax.”

“So…just breathe?  That’s your solution?” Regina asked, with a sardonic raise of the brow.

“Of course not.  That’s just step one,” Granny said.  “Next, look at how I’m holding him.  Ruby refers to it as the ‘Granny choke hold.’  Don’t look at me like that; I’m not choking your baby!  I’m just holding him tight.  Babies like to feel secure, and they like to nestle on your chest where they can hear your heart.”

“Breathe and hold securely.  Got it,” Regina said, “anything else?”

“Last step,” Granny said, “I like to affectionately call the ‘baby jig’.  Just kind of bounce and sway.  It’s soothing.  Gets tiring after a while, but then usually once you get ‘em calmed down you can generally move to a rocking chair.  You wanna try it?”

Did she?  Well, she quite literally had nothing left to lose.  Regina nodded.

“Good,” Granny said with a nod, “now take that deep breath.  That’s it.  Now let it out.  Feeling relaxed?”

Regina nodded.  Granny nodded again and handed Henry over.  He began to fuss, annoyed at being moved from his comfortable position, but remembering the steps Granny gave her, Regina carefully maneuvered him up onto her chest.

And then a miracle happened.  

Henry not only stopped crying; he actually burrowed into her, sighing contentedly.  A warm rush of maternal love washed over her, and she knew she would do anything for this little boy.

Parenting may be the hardest thing she’d ever done, but they would be okay.  They were a family.

Note: I learned how to hold babies from watching my own grandmother who liked to walk around holding babies exactly as Granny does here.  We always used to jokingly call it the “grandma choke hold”, but never fear.  Like Granny said, there is no choking involved.

NEXT CHAPTER->

[tempest-toss]

Important! Event rules. Please read

An event is going to begin on Tempest, so some ground rules are to be established.

1. During the event the muses will be different. This takes place off-site, so none of the Council and most of the Another Muses cannot be reached. Any asks meant for them will not be answered until after the event.

2a. This event will follow a man named Matthias who is trapped in the Calico Carnival. This means that only he and the Troupe of Shadows characters can be sent asks.

2b. The Troupe cast can be accessed via the pinned post, but will be linked at the bottom for quicker access

3a. I want to try something unique with the set up. I will post small story segments that describe the next part of the plot, and end it with a poll. These polls will dictate what happens next.

3b. While poll data is being collected you can still send asks to Matthias or Troupe members or any named (and living) character mentioned in the story.

4. You can suggest non-poll options for what to do or say next, but do not tell a character something critical that they don't know to change the outcome. Ex, Matthias is hiding in a trash can from a Troupe member. You can't tell the member "Hey, Matthias is in the fourth trash can on the right" but you can say "Why don't you go check the multiple trash cans you have?" Or suggest to me something like "Can you have them slowly check the trash cans to build up the suspense?"

5. The event has no set ending, but will end early if something out of my control happens

6. Trigger warnings are in play, and can include but is not limited to: Violence, child harm, torture, cannibalism, needles, injections, animal harm, blood and gore, eye trauma, swearing, death.

7. Unless something down the line happens, this event will not end the Troupe

8. If you need to message me directly, use dms or apply parentheses in your ask

9. If you're sending an ask,please specify who it is going to, especially if you want to know more about them

10. All characters have bios if you wish to k ow more, just ask!

11. I hope you have at least some degree of fun.

--Mun

(List of the Troupe if you want a refresher, don't forget it's in the pinned post too)

[alexesguerra]

The Muse Tarot: A 78-Card Deck & Guidebook The Muse Tarot: A 78-Card Deck & Guidebook Cards – April 7, 2020 by Chris-Anne (Author) --Brand New-- Expect magic, exploration, and inspiration. Infused with a wildly eclectic spirit, The Muse Tarot will illuminate your path towards inspiration and magic with its bright symbolism and powerful Muse energy. The suits are recast as Emotions (Cups), Inspiration (Wands), Voices (Swords), and Materials (Pentacles) to deliver messages from the source of creation. The detailed guidebook contains card meanings, poetry, and word prompts to offer insight into your readings while stoking the sparks of your creativity. Ignite the Muse within! About the Author Chris-Anne Donnelly is a deck creator, designer, and magic-maker, as well as a brand strategist and owner of pixelbrand--a branding and graphic design company. She has successfully Kickstarted three independent card decks: The Sacred Creators Oracle, The Light Seer's Tarot, and The Muse Tarot, and she offers unique courses for creators that combine marketing and branding with manifestation and intuition. Product details Cards Publisher: Hay House Inc. (April 7, 2020) Language: English ISBN-10: 140195832X ISBN-13: 9781401958329 Product Dimensions: 3.2 x 2.1 x 5.2 inches Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces

[amorremanet]

why did you call Jackson a "white guy" on twitter? Colton Haynes has Native American descents, therefore Jackson is canonically a POC. If you apply the "Tyler Posey is half Mexican so Scott is Mexican too even though Scott McCall was written as a white guy in the script and his race is never even mentioned in the actual show" logic to Scott, then you have to apply it to Jackson, Theo, Erica, Derek and other characters too. Otherwise you are just a hypocrite

1. Colton Haynes may have 1/32 or 1/64 Cherokee ancestry, but he is not a member of Cherokee Nation. Moreover, he himself never claims that ancestry; the source is something that someone (it could be pretty much anyone) put on his fucking IMDB page. Listen to ACTUAL NATIVE PEOPLE about this: because actual Native people have written about why Colton Haynes isn't Native, and their voices are the important ones here.

2. That post I linked by @/capricornsicle addresses Tyler Hoechlin as well: he claimed Native heritage once, on twitter, in 2012 (not even a specific tribe, just "Native American"), but said he was still researching & it's never come up again. More importantly, he does not claim membership in any First Nation. Therefore, he isn't Native and neither is Derek Hale.

3. Scott and Melissa being Mexican *IS* brought up in the show, actually. I believe the refs to it start during season 3a.

4. I said literally nothing about Theo Raeken during the past few days of talking on Twitter about the harassment campaigns against me and others back in the Teen Wolf fandom of old—the ones that, among other results, pushed me back into active suicidal ideation and pushed a 19-year-old Black girl to not only leave the fandom but to also leave tumblr entirely because she couldn't get away from the 30-something white woman who resented being asked to NOT SAY THE N-WORD—nor did I say anything about Cody Christian's heritage.

4a. Nor would I have said anything about either of them because Cody Christian isn't white. He is a member of the Penobscot Nation.

5. If your argument for bringing up Erica is that her last name is Reyes, then either: a. you're showing your own ignorance, because Latinx people can be white. "Latinx" is a complex ethnocultural designation that includes both white people (e.g., Cameron Diaz) and BIPOC (e.g., Gina Torres, Zoë Saldana, Benjamin Bratt, Jaime Camil, Guillermo Diaz, Kandy Muse/Kevin Candelario, queer icon Javier/Harvey Guillen);

or b. showing your own hypocrisy, because if your argument is that Erica is supposed to be a BIPOC character, then you should still be pissed off that a white actress was cast to play her. (Literally, the only thing I can find on Gage Golightly's heritage is "white." Not even "1/4 Polish, 1/3 Scottish, 1/3 Irish, 3/17s German" or something. Just "white.")

6. Trying to prove that the Teen Wolf fandom was never a hot mess of racism and harassment……by sending me anonymous harassment that is also massively racist. Bold move.

7. Congrats on getting anon privileges revoked for everybody. I'm not dealing with the garbage I went through back then again. (For that matter: are you bringing twitter shit over here because I have you blocked over there or something? Because that happened with some dude who brought twitter shit to my AO3 comments a while back so he could block-evade, and if that's the case………please get a life?)

8. I'm not in the Teen Wolf fandom anymore. I haven't been for YEARS. I only spoke up about long-buried Teen Wolf fandom wank to help explain a common site of confusion between people who experienced or witnessed the bullshit of the Teen Wolf fandom, and people who talk about "antis" and "pro-shippers" in the sense of "people who harass, stalk, suicide-bait, etc. other fans on the Internet over which fictional characters they want to kiss, make erroneous allegations of pedophilia over people shipping two unrelated adults who the anti doesn't personally approve of, etc." and "people who don't do that."

I spoke up because I've seen that confusion A LOT, in multiple contexts. I've actually tried to speak up about it multiple times before; this past weekend is just the only time when one of the big names in contemporary fandom ""discourse"" [wank] actually listened. In all of my threads about what happened back then, I tried to be very clear that the people behind the harassment were not indicative of how the entire Sterek fandom behaved, that many people in the Sterek fandom didn't realize what was going on because the narrative got spun and the victims of the harassment got vilified so hard, and that I was not attacking Sterek or people who ship it, only discussing how I and others were targeted for YEARS of harassment by people who did ship it, all because we: a. said that bigotry was wrong and undermined the idea of making fandom inclusive for everyone; and b. shipped things other than Sterek.

None of this should be controversial. If you want me to actually say something controversial: I think Lady Camden is fine? On the current season of Drag Race? But she's not some Robbed Goddess who's being unfairly overlooked by the judges just because she hasn't won every challenge or because she got rough critiques during the girl group challenge. She's just a talented queen who is doing fine in the challenges, but outside of the soap opera challenge, in my opinion, hasn't had as many standout moments as a lot of the Drag Race fandom seems to think. She's just fine, y'know?

There, I have been controversial for you.

Now kindly shoo and leave me alone.

[remmysbounty]

joaquin torres masterlist

the moon and the ocean (aka analyst/shield!reader)

calling to you (gn!reader; fluff; meet cute; request)

don’t go (gn!reader; soft angst; joaquin’s deployment drabble; request)

welcome home (gn!reader; fluff; Joaquin’s back home; there’s a puppy now; request)

rough tide (gn!reader; tough of angst with fluff)

vitamin sea (gn!reader; fluff; sort of a part 2 to rough tide; request)

dark nights (gn!reader; angst, hurt/comfort; nightmares; soft!Reader; Fish watches over them; request)

arriba, mi amor (gn!reader; fluff; morning wake up drabble; request)

on speaker (gn!reader; fluff and funny; secret relationship revealed; Fish introduced; Bucky and reader moment; request)

you and me (gn!reader; fluff and funny; drunk!Joaquin; Joaquin and Bucky moment; request)

enough (gn!reader; emotional hurt/comfort; insecurities and doubts; love strengthened; request)

like it rough (gn!reader; remmy’s first try at smut; 18+ only; not explicit or descriptive but still; angry!Joaquin; request)

amor? (gn!reader; ANGST; request)

perdoname? (gn!reader; part 2 to amor?; happy ending; jealous!Joaquin; reader and him make up; request)

family recipes (gn!reader; Joaquin and reader baking; lazy day; request)

need you (gn!reader; 18+ only; Joaquin has baby fever; needy!Joaquin; grabby hands all throughout; request)

our chiquitin (afab!reader; pregnant!reader; tiny bit of angst but mostly fluff; protective!Joaquin; request)

come home (afab!reader; pregnant!reader; ANGST but fluff at end; Joaquin is deployed; request)

welcome to the world (afab!reader; tw: pregnancy; tw: labor complications; stressed! Joaquin; Joaquin falling in love with his daughter; request)

angel and flyboy (superpowered reader)

dinner? (gn!reader; fluff; cute drabble; request)

just admiring (gn!reader; fluff; tea scene in ep 1; request)

see you soon, flyboy (gn!reader; fluff; cute drabble; references to ep. 2; request)

devil came out to play (gn!reader; Reader gets captured; inspiration from ep. 3; request)

angel falling (gn!reader; aftermath of capture; request)

got your back (gn!reader; Joaquin is Falcon; request)

date me? (gn!reader; best friends to lovers trope; request)

new muse (f!Wilson!reader aka Sam’s younger sister; artist; Sam’s sets up Joaquin and his sister; Sam is the best brother; request)

simple families (f!Stark!reader; Stark daughter!; reader talks about her father; supportive!Joaquin; soft and feels; request)

brotherly love (gn!reader; Zemo is like a brother to the reader; soft!Joaquin, feels, forehead touches; request)

kiss me (gn!reader; short!reader; we are fighting and fall on top of one another; request)

take me home (afab!reader; co-write with @pascalpanic; allusions to sex; horny; request)

they were roommates (gn!reader; roommates; that picture on Danny’s story the other day; request)

breathtaking (gn!reader; superpower!reader; imagine Airbender from Avatar: the last Airbender; request)

trip of magic (gn!reader; HC; car trip to Disney; family trip with Sam and Bucky and Sam’s fam; request)

lifeline (gn!reader; anxious!reader; tw: panic attack; tw: anxiety attack; Joaquin is reader’s lifeline; request)

3 knocks (gn!reader; 2 times you patch Joaquin up and the one time he patches you up; I try to do concussed flirting; request)

meeting you (afab!reader; like Natasha, Bucky’s like a big brother; request)

careful hands (afab!reader; 3a/3b curly hair; curly hair representation; request)

sunrise picnics (gn!reader; sunrise picnic; request)

flowing through (gn!reader; ATLA!Inspired; Airbender!reader; request)

dancing in your arms (gn!reader; dancing bachata with Joaquin; request)

papa bear (gn!reader; protective!Bucky; dad!Bucky; found family; request)

papa bear pt. 2 (gn!reader; protective!Bucky; dad!Bucky; tw nightmare; tw Hydra days; tw Winter Soldier; found family; request)

masterpiece (gn!reader; tattooed!reader; Joaquin loves his partner’s tattoos; body admiration; request)

you’re the one for me (gn!reader; reader meeting Joaquin’s ex; high school reunion, ex identifies as bisexual; request)

our hat (gn!reader; inspired by that selfie that Danny posted on his story; if you know the one you know; request)

choose your own adventure fic (gn!reader)

prologue (prompt #5 & roommates)

chapter 1 (scenario #2)

chapter 2 (scenario #2)

chapter 3 (scenario #2)

chapter 4 (scenario #2)

chapter 5 (scenario #2)

chapter 6 (Joaquin & Reader reveal feelings)

chapter 7 (KISS)

chapter 8 (THE END)

[kohiu]

Q&A - Let's chat!

Hi, it's Kan. Thank you for everyone who has sent me questions since last week, I am also combining this QnA with questions I've received directly before, so brace yourself!

1. What brushes do you use?

Hi!! I mostly use my custom brushes which can be downloaded from my Clip Page. Or simply search for "kohiu" on Clip Studio Profile, in case the external link doesn't work.

Here is how I've customized my G-Pen brush in Clip Studio Paint.

2. I love your poses and compositions! They're always so dynamic and unique. Do you have any particular thought process when coming up with illustrations?

Thank you! I will just repeat this answer from my fanbox: When it comes to personal illustrations (whether fan art or original), I tend to muse from the music I listened to. Which is why I often include "BGM" in my posts! Even with my Goretober book, I don't want to try too hard to commit to the set prompts. I like to break myself from the conventional illustrations I have to work with on a daily basis.

TL;DR: I'm pretty much anti-boredom.

(11 more questions answered under Read More!)

3. Would you ever consider posting speedpaint videos? How about tutorials?

3a. This is more of a request than a question and I am sorry. If you have the time and do not mind would you mind recording or doing more step by steps of your sketchwork or casual drawings? I really enjoy watching processes and from what Ive seen of yours in the past its very interesting. The way you use fill brushes is really neat. Thank you

3b. not a question but I really love watching that one speedpaint you put on youtube ages back (it was just a white haired person in a tracksuit sitting on the ground) and find it inspiring, i hope you'll make more in the future sjdjshffh or if you have uploaded any other ones in the past, can you link them for us??

Hi!! I thought of just combining these questions into just "timelapse video request", but the messages are so nice... So I have to show them here, so thanks! Though I apologize for the textwall for everyone else though.I managed to spend a day to record, edit and upload this timelapse

and semi-explanatory of the tools I used for the illustration. This video is not a tutorial, nor it should apply to all of my works, so keep that in mind!

Timelapse Video: https://youtu.be/ch-uPze1CII

(if you're seeing ads in the video, let me know so I can replace the video with no sound instead).

4. How did you get into art?

Playing with crayon pencils, doodling at the back of a receipt papers, you know, kid's stuffs. Otherwise, persistence and stubbornness have led me here now today.

5. What did you major in?

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Language and Linguistics.

6. What are your (art) inspirations?

In my younger years, I was most definitely influenced by manga and video games. By the time I got access to the internet, seeing all the independent creators out there, they definitely influenced me from time to time too.

If you're looking for arts recommendation: Check out AKIRA, I love the way they compromised the calligraphy thick brush into their illustrations.

My only most consistent "inspiration" is music. Even the video games and shows, the sole reason why I was so enamored by them was because of the sound design. As I am reaching my 30s, I am finding more experimental music to listen to everyday.I can recommend a ton. For now, I can't stop binging Kamen Rider Zero-One OSTs.It's on spotify!! Wow!! Please watch this show with me!!

7. Do you have any anatomy resources, figurine/mannequin for drawing recommendation?

I bought this Anatomy-kun and Anatomy-chan series just a few months ago! All four of these costed like $25 from a Chinese storefront. I hope you can find a good price, depends on your local store and such. They help me the most in positioning characters in different perspective and angle!

For Anatomy book, I got this one: Anatomy for the Artists by Sarah Simblet. [Store Link].

I'd say my anatomy observation isn't the most accurate out there. I prefer to draw body parts which are considered attractive to me (yeah).

8. Typically, are you more likely to draw with no idea in mind and have that turn into an illustration, or do you go into illustrations with a goal in mind from the start? which is more enjoyable?

It depends!

In commissions, I'd have first to memorize the information given to me, and then coordinate it into my already prior knowledge of the topic. It's a fun challenge for me to work with external direction!

With personal arts, this is also 50/50 in terms of "go wild" vs "work with intention". I can also definitely change my mind in mid-progress, scrap and redo everything over. Either method requires Patience, I don't see which one is considered more enjoyable to me (laughs).

This is also why I'd have to flat out refuse request commission of my typical "sketch page", or "just a rough sketch!", usually refer to my typical personal doodles. It is difficult to price something that is considerably spontaneous in nature. I don't set any certain standards when doodling for myself too. So um, even if they look "so easy" in the audience's eyes, they're... actually... not easy to make.

TL;DR Sometimes I go head empty no thought AND sometimes I want to draw with a structure.

9. Do you have plans to develop your original stories/ideas into anything?

I don't have any plan to develop my original projects into anything yet. I appreciate there is a tiny crowd that keeps an eye on them though!!

10. I've noticed you disabled most reply/message methods on tumblr and twitter. I assumed you might not like it, or something must've happened to you.

Yeah so basically I just quit social media. I've tried to come up with several explanations (or excuses? (ง ´͈౪`͈)ว ), the only consistent reasons are:

- I have zero energy. - Mental health weird. - Is in constant self-quarantine and not touching as much grass as I should.

Friends would come reach me out to ask "why? what happened?" out of concerns. And it'd be, too incorrect to say "oh no nothing happened!!". But, yeah, apparently, right now, having an offline hobby is actually more emotionally rewarding. Eh, on a side note-

If you're long-term mutual or a friend and would like to keep in touch with me pleaaaaase I'd love to have your discord. Come talk to me!! Kinkshame me!!! Email me!! Go to my email address!! (it's kohiu(@)outlook(dot)com OR contact(@)kohiu(dot)com ) (and YES i have to have to add the (@) and (dot) because I get so much spam mails for the span of 2-3 years, theyre SO BAD).But yeah please don't interact with just my public posts bc 99% I will miss those.

11. Do you post your art right away after completion? Or do you prefer to wait for awhile before posting? (Do you collect your arts from a different times before posting?)

With my years of realizing how I'd notice a million mistakes after posting, I prefer to Not post art after completion anymore.

It took a bit of self-discipline, and a private discord server for me to upload drawings I've finished in real-time. It does help a lot! Especially with large paintings that I cannot finish in one-sitting. I totally recommend you to create some sort of private blog platform in which you can keep in check with your progress. Discord server works for me because of how easily searchable it is. I can organize on-going projects in directory, and when I'm done with them, they can be exported with an app called "ExportChatExporter".

Being able to archive things... feels really good....

As of how I operate now with Patreon, Fanbox and Gumroad ebooks. Yes, I do prefer to post collage of drawings I've completed in different times. And these platforms suit me best. With celebratory (fan) arts, I did have to draw them prior to posting date, and sampled and then scheduled the publishing on different platforms. My apologies if it seemed like I was online when my posts were live (lmao), I only check on my posts once I start to schedule another one again.

12. Are you into any video game lately?

On the top of my head. the games I've managed to finish (last year) were Red Dead Redemption 2, Life is Strange 2, Hades, Obra Dinn, and some [redacted] ero games.

Right now I'm glued to Dont Starve (Together), and slowly going through Blasphemous.

13. Been a long time fan of yours but has there ever been times where you wanted to stop drawing?

I thought a lot about this question, and I don't know how to answer this genuinely without sounding grim.

I always have a difficult relationship with arts. One example was around summer last year, I'd break down crying in front of my friends how I'd like to quit drawing altogether, find a job related to my degree instead. Another example is around earlier this year, I reached out to a complete stranger that... went under really difficult circumstances with their arts. We're friends now!! Although we didn't get to find any solutions to our original problem (laughs).

These days I limit myself to post online, and I may one day stop posting arts altogether. I'm at peace with that idea now, I think.

At the very least, I never run out of things to draw.

Q&A ends here.

Those are all the questions I have gathered!! If you have any more questions uhhh, just email me. I will keep my anonymous google form open for now until I decide to close again. Thank you so much for everyone who have helped me this QnA!! I can now go back to sleep _(:3_|

[asexy-phoenix]

Gravity Falls fandom history

So I’m 21 and I remember when Gravity Falls first came out...I was in middle school and there were a few of us at my school that were really into the show and would gather in the library to discuss our theories like the baby nerds we were. Now, we’re eight years into the fandom or thereabouts and I was musing about where we came from and thought I’d write down a few of my musings here under the cut.

Feel free to add onto this post if there’s something else you guys remember btw! I love learning about fandom history!!

1. Stanley’s Twin. This was one of the major theories and was around since the beginning. The license plate that read “Stanley” was one of the first major indicators, and by the time episode 9 came around (The Time Traveler’s Pig) people were pretty evenly split on whether or not the person we saw was Stanley or Stanford.

1a. That being said, there was a pretty popular idea going around that the Stan who ran the Mystery Shack was Stanford and the missing twin was Stanley. There’s still some old fics out there with the mixed up names.

2. Shipping wasn’t really a thing in the early fandom? There was Wendy/Dipper, obviously, and Mabel/Dipper (ew ew ew) but besides that not a whole lot that I remember? Once season 2 aired, Pacifica/Dipper really took off.

3. Back to theorizing, um, I remember most of it was focused on the author of the journals. McGucket was a major contender. There’s a reason Alex Hirsch came up with that hoax and it’s because the fandom was super ready to believe it. I remember people suggesting that the cast on his arm was left over from an injury where he lost the sixth finger that would mark him as the author.

3a. Speaking of author theories, Vailskibum94 released a hilarious April Fools video that claimed Grenda was the author, it was great.

4. Now, all of this changed when Dreamscaperers came out. As soon as that episode dropped, the Stanley’s Twin theory was seen as basically confirmed. The names were still a little up in the air (that wouldn’t be confirmed until season 2) but everyone invested in the theory knew they were basically right.

4a. Although I do remember at least one analysis that said the flashback in the Columbian prison wasn’t our Stan because of the facial structure? There was some kind of theory that Ford had taken Stan’s spot or that they had swapped at one point? I honestly don’t remember all of the details...it was a long time ago.

5. Bill’s introduction was kind of a gamechanger. The shipping didn’t start right away and he was seeing as a lot more of a comedy character, but people started theorizing about him immediately. Of course, the Cipher Wheel had been spotted right from the beginning so people knew he was important.

6. Oh, god, the Cipher Wheel. So much theorizing. Mabel, Dipper, and Soos were placed from the beginning. Stan was also confirmed because of the symbol on his fez. Wendy was theorized but there was a lot more contention over her...ultimately, those who said she symbolized the ice were right. Robbie was placed but no one took much notice of him. The Author was the six-fingered hand, but people were arguing over whether Fiddleford was the glasses or the hand. Long story short, the Cipher Wheel was a big source of discussion.

7. Besides the Cipher Wheel, Wendy and Robbie were up for a lot of discussion. I remember theories about Robbie being a zombie and Wendy being a mermaid. (the evidence for that one was that her boots looked like they were wet??? idk)

8. On to AUs...Reverse Falls was the first one and I have no idea where it came from. Monster Falls got very popular for a while...that one’s kind of fun. Transcendence AU is still very popular in some circles - i have no idea where it came from, but it really took off in Season 2.

9. The hiatus between seasons was awful. Such a cliffhanger and so many questions...it was full of fan content. The main theory I remember was that there was a secret society in Gravity Falls (correct), Stan was part of it (incorrect), and they had helped him collect the journals and were working to restart the portal (incorrect). The main thing that made people think he was working with this secret society was that they weren’t sure whether he had said “Finally. I’ve got them all,” or “Finally. We’ve got them all,” in the final scene. Turns out it was I’ve and Stan had nothing to do with the secret society.

9a. I think a lot of that theory came from Vailskibum94 - he was a major influencer for theories in the early days of the Gravity Falls fandom.

10. You know who we haven’t talked about yet? Gideon. Man, everyone and their mother had a theory about him! That he was a vampire, or a demon, that him having five fingers instead of four was meant to symbolize something, that the name Carla in his commercial had something to do with the Carla in Stan’s memories...you name it, it was talked about.

10a. The vampire thing happened because of similarities between Gideon and an advertisement for one of Gravity Falls’ terrible movies.

10b. The demon thing really picked up steam around the release of Blendin’s Game when a billboard was graffitied to give Gideon devil horns. Also there was noise about the timeline not matching up because Gideon was only supposed to be 9 instead of the 11 that episode implied.

10c. The “five fingers instead of four” thing got brought up at a Q&A panel at a con when a girl supposedly asked about Gideon’s hands but there was apparently no clear answer? i never saw that interview so I’m really not sure

10d. Carla McCorkle from Stan’s memories is probably a totally different person than the Carla in Gideon’s commercial. Either that or it’s a fun Easter egg.

11. No one ever found out what was up with Gideon’s mom either, as far as I know.

12. As far as season 2, I’ll confess I don’t know as much about these theories. I do know Bill really blew up, especially after Sock Opera, where Bill/Dipper became a huge thing. Alex Hirsch “leaked” the photo to throw people off the trail and then Society of the Blind Eye told us the full story which was really fun to see. The author was finally revealed and both Stan twins backstory was told.

13. After A Tale of Two Stans came out, there were a lot of people theorizing that it wasn’t Stan who had caused the perpetual motion machine to break but that it was Blendin or some kind of other time/supernatural shenanigans that broke it.

14. Shermie! No one knew what to think of Shermie and they still don’t. There are two main camps: either he’s the baby Ma Pines is holding when Stan’s kicked out, or he’s the father of that baby. Honestly, I lean more towards option 2, but it’s very up in the air. There was also one fanfic I read where Shermie is the youngest daughter...that was cool.

15. Mystery Trio was also very big...don’t know when it started but it was early enough that people weren’t sure which Stan twin had which name.

16. Around Season 2 is also when crossovers with Rick and Morty were at their peak. Both Alex Hirsch and Justin Roiland had shown up for cameos in the others shows and there were quite a few Gravity Falls Easter eggs in Rick and Morty.

16a. Crossovers with Steven Universe existed but never at the same level of popularity.

16b. Also, when Journal 3 was released, there were Rick and Morty Easter eggs in it, so the nods went both ways.

17. After the show ended, the Same Coin theory started gaining traction. Basically, from what I understand, it’s the idea that Bill, after being defeated by the Pines, didn’t die completely and instead took up residence in Stan’s head somehow. I personally never looked it up because I like the canon ending with all its warm fuzziness. I do know MatPat of Film Theory made a video about this theory a couple years after the show ended and a lot of fans were like “um...yeah...we’ve already said all of this...”

17a. I also saw a thing where Filbrick was Bill, but I don’t remember many of the details and also don’t like it because it kind of absolves Filbrick of being a terrible person if it’s all the fault of an interdimensional dream demon.

OKAY, that was a lot! Thank you for sitting through all of that and please do add on to this! I know I can’t be the only one who was around for the beginnings of this show, so I’d love to hear what other people remember from the early days of the Gravity Falls fandom

[industryhearts]

This is part 7, there are 6 previous ones... whyyy in 2020

Kloss folklore?

Whos betty about?

Whats going on?

Must be 'absolutely nothing' the most obvious choice lol

[bisluthq]

Tily nation please read this and let’s discuss. This... sounds so expressly like Tay’s super private muse from Miss Americana. And it totally stacks up with my Rep analysis.

The most important bits, I think are:

She’s wearing Converse, grey skinny jeans and a blue jumper that she periodically pulls up over her mouth once she’s finished speaking. She has a long gold chain around her neck that she keeps popping into her mouth. She will not sit still.

This attitude is indicative of the pretty healthy work/life balance that Lily has going on; a luxury not afforded to many of her model contemporaries, who have opened the virtual Pandora’s box and are now 24/7 brands in their own right. I ask her whether she feels any pressure to perform on social media and the answer is a straight-up no. ‘I just put out as much as I’m comfortable with. I don’t really think about it too much. But there is a line: you can overshare with people,’ she says. The kind of recognition that brings is not something she’s interested in: ‘I have friends who have that and it’s not something that I’d ever be after. I like to be able to walk around anywhere I like.’

Real life is spending time with her boyfriend (who she won’t talk about in any meaningful way, but with whom she’s obviously completely smitten), driving off somewhere obscure – Detroit, or Albuquerque, or Texas – and just exploring new places. Last year, she drove across America herself. She loves watching documentaries, visiting museums and, like most people approaching 30, wishes she’d taken her time in education a bit more seriously.

[bananaofswifts]

By : Callie Ahlgrim and Courteney Larocca

Taylor Swift released her eighth studio album, "Folklore," on Friday.

Swift surprised fans by announcing its release just one day in advance — and less than one year after the release of her acclaimed seventh album "Lover."

"Most of the things I had planned this summer didn't end up happening, but there is something I had planned that DID happen," she wrote on social media. "And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore. Surprise!"

She described "Folklore," stylized in all lowercase, as "an entire brand new album of songs I've poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into."

Much of the 16-song tracklist — 17 on the deluxe edition — was cowritten and produced by The National's Aaron Dessner. Smaller pieces were cowritten by Bon Iver, Jack Antonoff, and someone named William Bowery. Antonoff also produced five songs.

Insider's music team (reporter Callie Ahlgrim and celebrity and music editor Courteney Larocca) listened to the new album on our own, jotting down our initial thoughts track by track.

Almost immediately, we were forced to reckon with the fact that "Folklore" might be Swift's best album yet — potentially even better than "Red," which previously seemed like it couldn't be topped. We were stunned with the mature, poetic, stunningly understated collection of new songs.

Here is what we thought of each song on "Folklore" upon first listen. (Skip to the end to see the only songs worth listening to and the album's final score.)

"The 1" is the best album opener Swift has had in years.

Ahlgrim: "I'm doing good, I'm on some new s---" is a wild way to begin a new Taylor Swift album. This is going to be different.

This is easily the best intro song she's released in years. "The 1" far surpasses "I Forgot That You Existed" on "Lover," "...Ready for It?" on "Reputation," and "Welcome to New York" on "1989" in terms of sheer quality.

It's also an engaging scene-setter; I find myself gently rocking back and forth, eyes closed, smiling without realizing. It's only the first song and so far, I am totally grasping the woodsy aesthetic of this album. I'm already ready for more.

Larocca: I would argue that there hasn't been a strong album opener on one of Swift's albums since "State of Grace" on "Red" in 2012. "The 1" breaks that curse.

I was vibing from that very first piano note, but when Swift comes in and warmly delivers the first line of the album — "I'm doing good, I'm on some new s---" — it became evident this project wouldn't be anything like the rest of her discography.

As far as "The 1" goes as a standalone song, it's incredibly solid. Swift has a breezy attention to rhythm as she paints a tale of a the-one-who-got-away romance. I truly, truly love it. This might end up being an all-time favorite track.

"Cardigan" is beautifully influenced by Lana Del Rey.

Ahlgrim: I heard "Cardigan" first because I watched the music video before I listened to the album.

Right off the bat, I was struck by the Lana Del Rey melody in the chorus; I jotted down "folksy 'Blue Jeans.'"

Swift has actually cited Del Rey as an inspiration in the past, so this makes sense — and that particular shade of nostalgic, haunting glamour really works for Swift's voice, so I'm overall very impressed with this direction. I am more than amenable to a "Red" meets "Norman F---ing Rockwell!" album experience. On my second time around listening, sans music video, "Cardigan" already feels richer coming after "The 1."

This time, I'm struck by small lyrical details like "Sequined smile, black lipstick," a clear callback to her past eras, and "Tried to change the ending / Peter losing Wendy," an effective way to evoke young love and innocence lost.

I also think the song's central refrain, "When you are young they assume you know nothing," is clean and sharp and — especially given Swift's public struggles with sexism and years-old contracts — extremely poignant.

Larocca: I had the thought that Swift listens to Lana Del Rey after hearing "Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince" on last year's "Lover," but now I know for sure that Del Rey is an influence on Swift.

While "Cardigan" isn't what I thought this album would be like sonically, I'm overjoyed at how clearly singer-songwriter this album already is. I've been waiting years for Swift to make a lyrical marvel set to acoustic, warm, folksy instrumentals and it's here.

(And while I expected something different sonically, I am not mad at all by the backing instrumental choices here.)

"The Last Great American Dynasty" proves Swift is a natural storyteller.

Ahlgrim: Personally, I love Storyteller Taylor, so this is quite literally music to my ears.

There are so many delicious details here to unpack. The first verse, with its subtle sexist whisperings about Rebekah Harkness ("How did a middle-class divorcée do it?" and "It must have been her fault his heart gave out"), is a truly savvy way to set up for the song's eventual reveal.

Rebekah spent her time partying with friends, funding the ballet, playing card games with Salvador Dalí, somehow "ruining everything" — and her Holiday House was "free of women with madness" until Swift herself moved in.

That twist in the bridge is poetic genius. When the final chorus adjusts to the present day, underscoring the parallels between Rebekah and Swift, I'm forcefully reminded of an iconic bridge when Romeo finally proposed and changed everything — but Swift has evolved past daydreams of pure white dresses and fathers giving permission.

Larocca: I'm immediately taken back to 2012's "Starlight" when "The Last Great American Dynasty" starts. Thankfully, this song ends up being a lot better than "Starlight," which always felt more like a filler track on "Red" to me.

I love a lot here: the casual use of "b----," the acute attention to detail ("She stole his dog and dyed it key lime green"), and every version of this line: "There goes the maddest woman this town has ever seen."

I had a marvelous time listening to this song.

"Exile," featuring Bon Iver, is one of Swift's most successful duets to date.

Ahlgrim: Swift and Bon Iver, aka Justin Vernon, are two of the best songwriters alive today, so this song was destined to be breathtaking.

Swift has historically had difficulty allowing her voice and vision to coexist with a featured artist; her collaborations often leave me feeling like she should've just delivered the whole song herself.

But Swift and Vernon were able to weave their lyrics together so gracefully, I was left feeling grateful for his presence. His rich, rustic tone and those iconic hummed harmonies lends the regretful song an added coat of sincerity.

The production here is generally fine, but the layered instrumentals in the ending really bring the song together. I love a dramatic exit.

Larocca: When I see a "featuring Bon Iver" on a track, I instantly assume Vernon is going to come in with his high falsetto. So it was almost jarring that the song starts with Vernon sounding like a lumberjack dad who hasn't left the woods in a decade.

That didn't end up being a detriment, though. Swift sounds delicate on her verse, and their vocals contrast nicely later on the track.

This one also brings to mind her collab "The Last Time" with Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody. The line "I think I've seen this film before and I didn't like the ending" is also reminiscent of "If This Was a Movie."

I'm obsessed with the clear influences Swift's previous discography had on these tracks, which have also so far felt completely unique to her catalog.

"My Tears Ricochet" is an extraordinary display of Swift's songwriting powers.

Ahlgrim: First of all, "My Tears Ricochet" is an incredible song title. Let's take a moment to appreciate that.

In fact, pretty much every line of this song is arresting.

Much of it feels both familiar and rare, like you know exactly what Swift is singing about, but hadn't thought to put it in those words before — which is, in my opinion, the mark of any good piece of writing but especially a breakup song. You can relate to the emotion, if not the particular details. You can hear the pain. It almost plays like a funeral march.

What a gift it is, what an exhilarating experience, to feel like you're listening to a poem being recited in real-time.

Larocca: Any true Swiftie knows that track five is reserved for the most vulnerable moment on the record, so I went into "My Tears Ricochet" ready to be sad.

I am endlessly impressed with how Swift managed to bake the word "ricochet" into this song so effectively. She also ditched her traditional song structure for this one, and instead built the track from peak to peak, utilizing clever lyrics along the way to tell an epic, devastating story, almost obviously calling back to the most beloved track five of "All Too Well."

I'm calling it now — this one is going to age like a fine wine. As all of Swift's best breakup ballads do.

"Mirrorball" is several strokes of genius.

Ahlgrim: This song gives me intense Clairo vibes, and I mean that as a very high compliment.

It's so fun and refreshing to hear Swift slip into different musical styles, and this shimmery take on alternative-bedroom-pop highlights her soft vocals and nuanced songwriting supremely well.

Also, my Leo sensibilities are fully under attack by this bridge: "I've never been a natural, all I do is try, try, try / I'm still on that trapeze / I'm still trying everything to keep you looking at me." Oof! Just tag me next time.

Larocca: This one is so pretty! Swift's vocals sound better than ever as she spins on her highest heels across a glittery daydream.

"I'm a mirrorball / I'll show you every version of yourself tonight" might be the thesis statement of this entire album. So far, "Folklore" feels both diaristic and vague; detailed and completely anonymous.

Fans will be debating for years whether this album is about Swift's own life, or if it's simply really great storytelling pulled directly from her own mind. In the end, it doesn't really matter.

Because as all of Swift's best songs do, these songs will attach themselves to listeners in completely new ways, showing them elements and stories from their own lives.

"Seven" is pure whimsical magic.

Ahlgrim: This is playing make-believe in the garden when you're too young to feel self-conscious; it's poetic and nostalgic and full of awe in such an unpretentious way.

I wouldn't change one thing about this song. Swift's whispery high register sounds divine, and at this point in the tracklist, her rhythmic delivery in the chorus hits like a shot of espresso.

Right now, I'm wondering if it's possible for Swift to maintain this intrigue and momentum for another nine songs. There hasn't been a misstep to speak of, and I remain wholly beguiled. Can it last?

Larocca: The beginning of "Seven" sounds like Swift listened to Marina's "Orange Trees" on repeat before showing up to her songwriting session. Fortunately, "Orange Trees" is the only song I like on Marina's "Love + Fear" so I will gladly accept this inspiration.

Swift continues to impress with both her vocals and her sense of rhythm on "Seven." I also personally love space imagery so the line "Love you to the moon and to Saturn" is a standout line.

"August" will go down as one of the best songs in Swift's extensive repertoire.

Ahlgrim: I'm immediately catching hints of Phoebe Bridgers and girl in red in Swift's delivery. And I simply adore the idea that Swift has spent the last few months sitting at home, daydreaming about summertime humidity and listening to music by queer indie-pop girls. 

In an album full of songwriting expertise, this song has some of Swift's best lines yet: "August sipped away like a bottle of wine / 'Cause you were never mine" actually hurts me.

In my notes, there simply sits this valuable insight (yes, in all-caps): "WANTING WAS ENOUGH. FOR ME IT WAS ENOUGH TO LIVE FOR THE HOPE OF IT ALL." This song has my favorite bridge on the album so far.

In terms of production, "August" is exquisite. It's lush and layered without feeling overwhelming at any point. It builds to the perfect level then recedes, like a wave. 

Also worth mentioning: It can now be considered a historical fact that any time Swift mentions a car or driving in one of her songs, it's a perfect song.

Larocca: While listening to "August," I texted Callie and said, "I can't wait to finish the album so I can relisten to 'August.'" It's an instant favorite. 

This is also the first track on the album that seems directly inspired by our current state. Not because she's expressing fear or singing about being bored at home, but because she so easily slips into a reflection of a relationship that ended years ago with a newfound wave of wistful nostalgia. 

When quarantine started, it seemed like a million lifestyle articles came out explaining why everyone suddenly felt compelled to text their exes and why we're so invested in looking back instead of forward right now. 

"August" validates those feelings with zero judgment, letting its listener know that yes, it's totally normal for you to be overanalyzing that quasi-relationship you were in back in college that never made it past graduation. Am I projecting? Maybe, but that's debatably what Swift's music is best utilized for.

I'm also going to be thinking about this song's bridge and outro for the rest of my life.

The National's influence can be felt on the stunning "This Is Me Trying."

Ahlgrim: "This Is Me Trying" quickly strikes a more sinister tone than its predecessors — still nostalgic and wistful, but carrying an edge, like a threatening secret.

Ironically, this one was co-written and co-produced by Jack Antonoff, not Aaron Dessner, though I can really hear The National's influence here. I'm getting strong wafts of songs like "Pink Rabbits" and "Dark Side of the Gym."

Based on Swift's own words, we can speculate that "This Is Me Trying" is a fictional tale, built around the image of "a 17-year-old standing on a porch, learning to apologize." And, as previously stated, I'm a big fan of Storyteller Taylor, so I'm into it.

The song's darker tone mingles really well with Swift's imagery; when you're a teenager, and you make a mistake, it can feel like the end of the world.

Larocca: "This Is Me Trying" is precisely what I imagined this album sounding like when I found out Swift collaborated with the National's Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver.

But I'm glad she was strategic about her use of echo and also finally paid attention to the tracklisting from a sonic standpoint. This haunting soundscape is reminiscent of 2014's "This Love" and comes in right when you need it after the yearning daydream of "August."  

I'd also like it to be on the record that the line "I got wasted like all my potential" ruined me and this song is a win for that lyric alone.

"Illicit Affairs" is a glowing example of what sets Swift apart from her peers as a songwriter.

Ahlgrim: The expert songwriting on "Illicit Affairs" reminds me of the as-yet unseated queen in Swift's discography: "All Too Well."

Swift is a master of wielding specific details like weapons: "What started in beautiful rooms / Ends with meetings in parking lots," she sings. "Leave the perfume on the shelf / That you picked out just for him." These are the sorts of images that set Swift apart, and they're especially strong when she punctuates their delivery with a little growl in her voice.

This song has real power. I have chills.

That power is magnified in the third verse, similar to how "All Too Well" builds to a crescendo: "Don't call me 'kid,' don't call me 'baby' / Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me."

Certainly, "Illicit Affairs" is more restrained than Swift's iconic arena rock ballad, but goddamn that last verse hits hard.

Larocca: The way that she says "him" in the second verse shook me out of my skin in the very best way. And "Don't call me 'kid,' don't call me 'baby' / Look at this idiotic fool that you made me" will go down as one of her best breakup lines of all time.  

It's been a minute since Swift delivered a painstakingly beautiful breakup ballad, and the fact that this album is littered with them is, simply, a gift.  

"Illicit Affairs" has growing power and will likely become one of those tracks that fans form a strong emotional attachment to over time.

"Invisible String" is Taylor Swift at her most Taylor Swift.

Ahlgrim: "Invisible String" is a feast of Easter eggs and callbacks.

"Teal was the color of your shirt" reminds me of the line about Joe Alwyn's blue eyes on "Delicate," and her reference to a dive bar is similarly familiar. "Gave me no compasses, gave me no signs" recalls the push-and-pull on "Exile."

"Bad was the blood of the song in the cab" is undoubtedly a reference to Swift's 2015 single "Bad Blood," while "One single thread of gold / Tied me to you" feels like a nod to Swift's description of love's "golden" hue on the "Lover" album closer "Daylight."

This song is sprightly and sparkly and certainly nice to listen to, but its real strength lies in these details.

Swift is weaving many different stories on this album, many connected by a sort of "Invisible String," tying different pieces of her life and your life and other lives together. It ends up feeling like a growing plant with far-reaching roots, or a sentient treasure map.

Larocca: I'd be lying if I said there weren't multiple points throughout this album where I worried that Swift and her boyfriend Joe Alwyn had broken up. 

Thankfully, "Invisible String" is a rosy, wide-eyed ode to love. The plucky guitar paired with Swift's soft vocals is a sound I want to live in, which is fitting since this track feels like coming home. 

Every small detail, from the nod to Alwyn's time spent working at a frozen yogurt shop in his youth, to the color imagery that paints every inflection of Swift's adoration (especially the single thread of gold) come together to lay the holy ground Swift's relationship walks on. 

Also, the image of Swift mailing Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner gifts for their expectant first child brings about an unbridled sense of joy.

"Mad Woman" is yet another highlight.

Ahlgrim: Every time I think I've heard the peak of this album's songwriting potential, Swift manages to surprise me. 

Case in point: "Do you see my face in the neighbor's lawn? / Does she smile? / Or does she mouth, 'F--- you forever?'" Whoa.

And another, for good measure: "It's obvious that wanting me dead / Has really brought you two together." I texted Courteney, "Did she really just say that??"

This song is sublime on its own, but the way it ties back into the perception of female freedom and "madness" on "The Last Great American Dynasty" makes it even better. "Mad Woman" is definitely a personal favorite so far on this album, if not in Swift's entire catalog.

Larocca: "Mad Woman" will forever hold the honor of being the first song in which Swift says "f---" and for that, we should all be thankful. 

I was also so wrapped up in the storytelling of this album, that it took a minute for this to even register that this is likely about the Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta / Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West ordeals of Swift's past. These callouts used to be so obvious, that I greatly appreciate the subtlety and restraint here. 

It almost feels like these feuds were a lifetime ago, but this track does an excellent job at showcasing how anger and pain can leave an indelible mark on you. Swift went mad years ago, and that's just an accepted part of her narrative now. 

But for the first time, her rage sounds like freedom.

"Epiphany" doesn't stand out.

Ahlgrim: There are some really interesting vocal moments on "Epiphany," but so far, this is the only song I haven't felt captivated by. It's a bit snoozy, and a bit too long.

This song clearly references war, the loss of a loved one, and the coronavirus pandemic, which makes it lyrically intriguing at best — but distressing at worst. I don't mind letting the overall effect waft over me, but this won't be a song I revisit outside the context of the album.

Larocca: "Epiphany" is the only track on "Folklore" that didn't immediately grab me. It's essentially a war drama in song format, so some people might like it, but I truly couldn't care less about war movies or war songs! So it's not my favorite, but it makes for pretty background music. 

"Epiphany" does have another benefit though: Now, whenever some random dude erroneously claims Swift "only writes songs about her exes," fans have a clear song in her discography that they can point to and be like, "That's not true. This one's about war." 

That's not to say Swift needed that — anyone who has been paying attention understands she's quite possibly the best songwriter of her generation.  

This just happens to be further proof of that fact.

"Betty" is a charming callback to Swift's country roots.

Ahlgrim: "Betty" is like the best, sauciest song from Swift's 2006 debut country album that no one got to hear. It has sonic and lyrical similarities to hits like "Our Song" and "Tim McGraw," plus some name-dropping stuff like 2008's "Hey Stephen," plus a little harmonica thrown in for good measure! I love that for us.

"Betty" also appears to complete a three-song story, recalling details from "Cardigan" and "August" to close the loop on Betty and James, a couple in high school with some infidelity issues.

Looking back, it feels like "Cardigan" was told from Betty's perspective, while "August" was told from the perspective of a sort of "other woman" character. Now, we get James' side of the story. This is high art, folks! This is peak Storytelling Taylor!

"Betty" is also, like, very gay? I know it's easy to assume that James is a male character, but Swift herself was named after James Taylor, so she could be referring to herself. The song also references someone named Inez; James and Inez are the names of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's daughters.

Plus, in retrospect, the idea of whispering "Are you sure? Never have I ever before" during a summer fling seems pretty gay to me.

I'm not saying the story of Betty and James would be better if it was written about sapphic lovers, but I'm not not saying that.

Larocca: This one is gay, and if you try to tell me otherwise, I will simply ignore you. 

But Courteney, it's from the perspective of a guy named James. James and the other character, Inez, share the same names as Reynolds and Lively's kids (will leave it up to you to decide if that means their third daughter's name is Betty). James is their daughter. Get out of here with your antiquated ideas about which names connotate which genders. 

To me, the James named in this song is a woman and a lesbian and this song is for the gays. I will not be saying anything else or accepting any feedback on this opinion, thank you.

"Peace" is honest and raw.

Ahlgrim: This song's intro sounds like LCD Soundsystem had a baby with "The Archer." The gentle guitar riff is also lovely.

With Dessner's echoey production, Swift's voice sounds like a warm little fire in a cave — fitting, since she sings in the chorus, "I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm."

OK damn, I'm getting really emotional. This songwriting is beautiful and haunting. "Peace" perfectly captures the ambient dread of feeling your partner slip away, of wondering whether love can be enough. 

Larocca: If you're a "Call It What You Want" stan, you're going to love its mature older sister "Peace." 

I will hereby forever be thinking about the parallels between "But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm" with "He built a fire just to keep me warm" and between "Family that I chose, now that I see your brother as my brother" with "Trust him like a brother."

Also, "Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?" has the same emotional impact as when Swift changes the lyric in "The Archer" to "I see right through me" and that's meant as the highest form of compliment. 

Swift's vocals are so crisp, that guitar riff is so stunning, and these lyrics are so gut-wrenchingly vulnerable. A perfect song, through and through.

"Hoax" is unlike any other album closer in Swift's catalog.

Ahlgrim: I don't know if Swift is going through a traumatic breakup, but if she isn't, the woman is one convincing creative writer.

The National makes some of my favorite music to cry to, so when I heard Aaron Dessner had co-written and produced much of this album, I knew I was in for some glossy cheeks. Until now, I think I've felt too captivated by Swift's artistry to really let myself get there.

But finally, "Hoax" is making me cry.

This is heart-wrenching stuff for anyone, but for a fan and student of Swift's work, this is like reading a friend's diary entry.

"Don't want no other shade of blue, but you" must be a reference to "Delicate," in which Swift sings: "Dark jeans and your Nikes, look at you / Oh damn, never seen that color blue." Later, she croons, "You know I left a part of me back in New York," perhaps regretting the move to London that she detailed throughout "Lover." 

"You knew it still hurts underneath my scars / From when they pulled me apart," recalling the public shaming she endured and demons she exorcised on "Reputation." "But what you did was just as dark." Like I said before: Whoa.

Personally, I love having a good cry set to moody music, so I appreciate Swift's soul-bearing. "Hoax" is one gut-punch of an album closer.

Larocca: Swift has a habit of ending her albums on an uplifting, hopeful note and I always eat it up. But if "Folklore" hadn't made it clear by now that it should be consumed differently than any of her previous works, "Hoax" brings that message home.  

Instead of reveling in all the ways that love has made her stronger, happier, or more whole, "Hoax" deconstructs everything Swift has learned about love and leaves a bleaker picture about how maybe even the best of relationships hurt. 

But at its most tragic, this love still isn't something Swift will ever let go of: "Don't want no other shade of blue but you / No other sadness in the world would do."  

Finishing a Taylor Swift album has never been so devastating.

Final Grade: 9.7/10

[whimsicallyenchantedrose]

WIP Meme

I was tagged by @initiala .  The muse has been frustratingly silent lately.  (Seriously, I can’t seem to write a word to save my life, even though the next chapter of Until the Stars Are All Alight is all outlined in detail and seemingly ready to write.)  Hopefully listing out my WIPs will help jump start the muse again! 

Rules: post the names of all the files in your wip folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. send me an ask with the title that most intrigues you and i’ll post a little snippet of it or tell you something about it! and then tag as many people as you have wips.

So here we go.  Fair warning; a lot of these are old ideas that I haven’t thought about in so long, I’m not sure I even remember what  I was thinking with them. (I’m listing the chapter titles for the rest of UTSAAA to show you that, yes, I have been thinking it all through, even if I haven’t been writing it.)

1. CSSNS 2019: Until the Stars Are All Alight      a. Chapter 18: Renewed Shall Be Sword That Was Broken      b. Chapter 19: The Pyre of Rumplestiltskin      c. Chapter 20: Lament for the Fallen      d. Chapter 21: The Gray Havens      e. Epilogue

2. Season 7 companion fic--what’s going on in SB during all the alternate EF/Hyperion Heights canon stuff.

3. Season 8 spec fic--or, Jen drives herself nuts trying to make A&E’s timelines make sense, not to mention all the dopplegangers running around the united realms.

4. Manifest fic--Post 3a, Hook leaves SB with Henry and Emma. They return what feels like a few hours later to them only to find 5-ish years has passed.

5. Optometrist au--for Fluffy Fridays?

6.  Medieval marriage of convenience au

7. Kate and Leopold au

8. Persuasion fic

9. Canon-as-book “fic”

10. Season 1 canon divergence where Killian is cursed in SB--Killian as barista? Killian afraid of water, won’t go near the sea? (because, curse)

Tagging my normal tag list, because why not?   @sailormew4 @annaamell @flslp87 @emmateo26@bethacaciakay @ultraluckycatnd @ineffablecolors, @ilovemesomekillianjones @kat2609 @brooke-to-broch @missgymgirl @galadriel26 @the-lady-of-misthaven @charmingturkeysandwich @jennjenn615 @laschatzi @kimmy46 @snowbellewells @iamanneenigma @daxx04 @nickillian @a-rose-for-a-savior @in-spirational @gillie  @britishguyslover @ginnyjinxedandhanshotritafirst @kmomof4  @linda8084 @golfgirld @captain-swan-coffee @searchingwardrobes @hollyethecurious @laughswaytoomuch @deathbycaptainswan @allyourdarlingswans @killiarious @winterbaby89 @facesiousbutton82 @therooksshiningknight, @lfh1226-linda @tiganasummertree

Feel free to send me an ask about any of the above WIPs.  I may not have much more information to give on them, but I can make something up, lol.

[arseneiic]

Short, sweet, and to the point. Follow these rules and we all have a great time.

1. Mutuals only. I must be following you and you must be following me. Only those that I follow can like starter calls, send in character asks, and reply to posts.

1a. I will not interact with non-Mutuals, that includes asks, unless it’s done anonymously and it doesn’t have a url attached.  Anyone who breaks this rule will get about a few pardons but after that will be blocked.

2. My time is limited here in what I can do. This means that I am very selective in what I reply to. Doesn’t necessary mean that I am ignoring anyone. Some days I reply to everything and everyone, others I am so burnt out from irl things or work that I just lurk and do the bare minimum. My mental health and well-being comes before anything else.

2a. Replies vary by length and time. I normally work eight to ten hours a day and experience a lot of exhaustion. Unless I don’t see a thread or an ask going anywhere and publicly make a post saying it’s been dropped, consider everything as pending / will do ASAP. Memes are okay to send in late unless it clearly states, not accepting. My timezone is Eastern Standard Time or EST. United States is where I am located at. I am usually online from 10 PM EST to 3 AM EST unless it’s a day off from work, which the online time will vary from 12 PM EST to 3 AM EST.

2b.  Role-playing is a hobby, not a job. Do not pester me for replies or asks to be answered. I am not obligated to owe anyone anything on this website. I am human and can’t cater to everyone’s needs.  Being persistent here is not going to make me answer yours faster than other people.

2c. Don’t follow, unfollow, and then refollow my blog. It’s not going to make me want to follow you back, ever. It’s annoying and no one is being crafty by doing that. If you continue to do this and it isn’t a tumblr glitch, I will be inclined to block and possibly report for spam.

3. If you do need to break mutuals with me, HARD BLOCK my blog. Don’t just UNFOLLOW or SOFT BLOCK because chances are that I could mistakenly follow you again. And that’s something we both don’t want since it would be quite awkward.

3a. I have the right to unfollow whoever I want to and so do you. Please don’t go on a hunt and try to guilt trip me into following you back again. Just don’t. I can and will tell you the reason why I unfollowed you but other than that, just let me leave in peace.

3b. Personal blogs and non RP blogs will be blocked on site. Please, if you have a side blog let me know through asks so I don’t accidentally block you. IMs are not a good way to let me know since they are closed for non-mutuals.

4. Duplicates are welcomed to follow me. The more the merrier. I do not suffer from same muse anxiety and encourage any of the same muse to follow me. Only request is that you don’t steal my headcanons, edits or icons. Other than that, we should all be able to have a good time. I’m always up for twin verses or alternate universes shenanigans.

4a. Original Characters are allowed to follow me. However, they need to be a little flesh out before I make a decision to follow them back or not. Just a small backstory or biography is all that I need. Headcanons also work if there isn’t an about page but must have about one page worth for me to consider following.

4b. Crossover Characters from other shows are allowed to follow me but I must know about said muse or else I’ll have a hard time whether to follow or not. Few fandoms I won’t interact with because I have no interest in these series are: Avatar the Last Airbender, Avatar the Legend of Korra. ( more to be added ).

5. I am a multi-ship blog. Arsene himself is ageless but his physical form is around 25 when he became a shadow / persona / demon and as such, I will only be shipping him romantically with muses around the 20s to 30s range. Some threads may get a little spicy but nothing that requires a ‘do not read at work’ type of posts. I will tag those post that are suggestive with a ‘spicy: tw & spicy for ts’ and ‘Looks like someone needs proper punishment’ for blacklisting purposes.

5a. I am open to all kinds of ships, not just romantic ones. I also enjoy platonic, rivalry, and familiar bonds. All ships are open to discussions through my IM(s) or otherwise known as Instant Messenger. Chemistry is key. As long as we interact a little, there’s always the chance that both muses can be in a relationship.

6. Things for you to tag for me are: BIRDS, CHAIN LETTERS, ORGANS, DOGS. For the birds and dogs, just in real life ones trigger me. I am fine with cartoon / art / video game ones as they are not real.

6a. Things I’ll tag for you: BLOOD, GORE, DEATH, BODY HORROR, EYE HORROR, INSECTS, MAGGOTS, BRUISES, SCARS, GUNS, KNIVES, CLOWNS. If there are anything I missed that you want tagged, please let me know through IM(s).

7. I am over the age of eighteen. However, I refuse to write smut as I am not comfortable with that subject to begin with. Please never force me to write this with you and if you keep sending things to me in this type of nature, I will report you, no questions asked.

7a. If I see any form of hate and I find out it was you that sent it, I will immediately BLOCK you. No questions asked. Life is too short to send unwanted hate, anon or not. All anon hate and hate towards me and my characters ( s ) in general will be reported and then blocked, no questions asked.

8. My pen name on here is SERE. Obviously, that is not my real name but it’s what I go by. It’s short for ‘Serena’, the English name that DIC gave Usagi Tsukino in the Americanized version of Sailor Moon. It’s pronounced; SIR-REE.

9. I am not a meme source. If you need to reblog a meme from my blog and don’t plan to send me anything, reblog from the source. I hardly get asks as it is, and for you to just use me as a meme source puts a bad taste in my mouth and I feel like I’m being used, which isn’t a good feeling. If you wonder if you should send in a meme to me, please do. I love getting asks. I do hoard them from time to time like a dragon hoards treasure but I do get to them eventually. The more memes / asks, the merrier.

9a.  Feel free to turn inbox replies into threads. Just remember to make separate post when replying. Do not reblog threads not meant for you and don’t reblog my headcanons. It’s okay to reblog my asks though if you want them to be keepsakes on your own blog. Also, it’s alright to reblog musings and images from me.

10. I rather not be bothered by callout posts and any potential drama that might accumulate. I am just here to have fun and I hope everyone else can too. Life is too short to spend on certain things that don’t matter in the long run. If I see multiple call out posts from you in a single day or that’s all you post, I will quietly unfollow you.

11.  Out of character posts will be on here from time to time. Mostly talking about life in general or me venting once in a great while. If this annoys you, please remember that this is my blog, not yours. You are welcomed to unfollow / block at any time.

11a.  The best way to interact with me is to send memes / asks / inbox things. I am always up for unprompted things in my inbox. Also, my instant messenger is always open if someone needs to contact me out of character or to plot something. Don’t hesitate to talk to me. I will try my best to respond.

11b. Not interacting after a month or two with me and my blog will make me silently unfollow you or result in a soft block. Or if you don’t interact with me at all, even out of character. Also, if you are gone for more than 6 months, I consider your blog inactive and will probably assume that you aren’t going to return.

12. I’m really laid-back in nature so don’t feel pressure to reply to anything I send to you. I understand that life happens and that sometimes you just need to unwind from the stress of daily life.

13. For pronouns; either SHE/HER or THEY/THEM is okay with me. My orientation is DEMIROMANTIC ASEXUAL. I love anime, manga, video games, music, drawing, and writing. If you read all of this, then thank you! I won’t ask for passcodes but please still try to remember these at some point. That’s all I ask. <3.

( rules may be updated from time to time so please check here once in awhile. I will also post when these are updated as well ).

[agentsix606]

New Years: Damirae. Oneshot.

Titans tower is a mess regardless, but with streamers, red solo cups and confetti everywhere. It was even worse. Garfield was passed out face first on the worn-out couch, Roy Harper was lying on the countertop, Donna was on the carpet beside Gar looking dead as a doornail and the rest of the titans had somehow managed to make it into their own rooms.

No one could really remember what happened last night, drunk or not. Maybe it was because no one lasted until the stroke of midnight, most had passed out or given up on waiting for the new year. The only two that stayed out and kissed when the ball dropped, were Dick and Kori, though no one was surprised at that.

Jaime wasn't nearly as intoxicated as Gar and Donna had been, but he was near there. He'd been able to safely walk to his room and land on a bed. Roy and Donna on the other hand didn't even make it to a couch, both drunkenly opting for the floor or cold countertop. Dick and Kori both went to bed just after midnight, the pair being sober.

Kori had only allowed the Titans to drink for the one night, so they weren't going to refuse the offer. Except Damian and Raven who both figured that it would be better and safer if they were completely sober. Even though her healing factor would burn off the alcohol before it could affect her, Raven was contempt with opting out. Damian just felt that it was unnecessary. He muttered something along the lines of alcohol being a distraction and a recipe for disaster, which it was.

Him and Raven had gone to bed relatively early. He wanted to be up early to train, as per usual, and she just wanted to get away from the overwhelming emotions of her intoxicated teammates.

The morning went by quickly, Dick and Kori moved the three teens into their own rooms and cleaned up the mess left with the help of Raven. Damian had finished training at around 7 and had lent a hand as well.

"So, I take it your night was enjoyable, Raven?" Damian asked as he handed a red cup to Dick, the smell of the alcohol left in it burning his nose.

Raven scoffed, "Clearly not as enjoyable as theirs." She muttered, motioning down the hall towards the team's quarters, "and you?"

"It was satisfactory at most, this New Years that you spoke about seemed to be nothing spectacular, in fact it seemed rather ludicrous."

"That's a fairly accurate synopsis, at least this year no one was awake to try and kiss anybody at midnight." She shuddered at the memory of Gar getting into her personal space after failing to woo Terra. To be fair, he deserved that black eye.

"It's snowing outside." Damian noted, "I doubt Logan or Reyes would be found anywhere outside with it blizzarding."

"I doubt they'll even leave their rooms today." Raven mused. "But who knows about Donna's physiology, she could probably heal from the hangover quickly, and Gar is just as complicated."

He hummed quietly, pressing his thumb to his lip, "Do you have any plans today?"

"Nothing beyond my usual day, you?"

Damian pondered for a minute; the only plan he had was travelling to Gotham to see his father. He found himself conflicted about whether to ask her to partake in the voyage. "I'm required to visit father in Gotham City with Grayson." Pause. "Would you like to accompany me?"

Raven stopped in her tracks. The garbage bag he didn't notice she was carrying had fallen to the floor. "You want me to go with you to Gotham to see your family?" her quiet voice asked.

"Yes," the word came out hesitant, "father is curious about my relationships with the team, and I am closest with you." It was a lie, a small one. But still a lie, father was curious, but not that curious.

If anything, it was Damian himself that was curious about Raven. His feelings for her were confusing to him, he thought that if she came with him, he could figure it out without the prying ears of his teammates. "if you do not wish to join, I will not force you to, it is simply an open invitation."

"Damian- "she started, frowning at the ground, "-you've never asked anyone to accompany you to Gotham, ever."

"you're a friend, my father has what he calls an indoor policy." He leaned against the counter, "you're always welcome at the Manor."

"In that case, maybe I will. Dick mentioned that your library is exceptionally large." She nodded towards him before picking the garbage bag up again and throwing it in a portal. "Thank you for the invitation, when do we leave?"

[himborpheus]

Welcome to Olympus! Olympus is a lively town thats home to many gods,muses,and others from Greek Myths. The town holds an amazing university that is known and loved by all its residents. Many of the residents have some strange quirks like weird abilities or memories from another time, but that’s all they are; quirks, right?

*This is a discord server for a tumblr rp community! The discord is definitely not required to be in but it helps to keep track of everything and theres also an in character group chat and stuff in it it. We have not started rping yet at the time this post is made (though this is a restart of an old community) and some of the blogs used are: @aphrod8me , @selfproclaimedpartygod (though that blog is filled with stuff from before the reset, so I still need to clear it out), and @thecomedycentral

there is more explanation to the lore in the welcome channel in the server so if you’d like to pop in and ask questions and see whose available and check out what’s happening that’s cool!

please reblog this even if you don’t feel like joining just to spread the word!

[tasmiq]

My Beautiful Broken Brain

The movie review is in fact one of a fascinating documentary feature available on Netflix, inspired by a life event of a film maker in her early 30’s by the name of Lotje Sodderland (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Beautiful_Broken_Brain).

The tale begins with the words: “The simplest form of awareness alone, is worthy of seeing, hearing, contemplating and realising”, said by David Lynch. A profound muse for Lotje and we learn later, a co-producer of this documentary feature itself.

The ominous happening occurs soon after Lotje goes to view fireworks during a celebratory occasion. She got a feeling while sleeping that night, that she would die. She felt herself falling in and out of consciousness, and she knew she needed help! She stumbled into a nearby hotel but she couldn’t speak. Then there was a thud, and she remembers nothing more. At one point we meet Lotje’s mother, who recounts how easily she would lose a sense of Lotje’s whereabouts as a child. Lotje was located in a London hotel, later in her sorry tale in adulthood. 

She suffers a brain stroke as a mysterious account of a haemorrhage. Her mother says she suffered an acquired brain injury, but it’s equally an acquired new world. She eventually contacts a film maker and justifies how she is obsessed with recording everything during her recovery process because she can’t remember most of it. She describes it as a surreal reality where she often has imaginary conversations with David Lynch, her muse.

I related to Lotje as a survivor in the following ways:

1.       It was a mysterious happening that led to what I refer to as my accidental epiphany, but in a car accident as opposed to her case of a brain-stroke. It happened to both of us in our 30’s.

2.       Her best friends are her brother, a life-long female friend and later, her husband.  It is similar to my case as my brother, my life-long high school girlfriends and later joined by my husband.

3.       We hear from her social circle how Lotje was a socialite, as an articulate person. I can definitely relate to that and I can even be unconsciously snobbish in my articulate way of being.

4.       She struggles to express her abnormal strife. Moreover, she is aware of what she could do and fails to do in her post-stroke state, which are very real dynamics for survivors. Her brother Jan recounts how basic logic that people take for granted and that Lotje post-stroke struggled with socially. This is akin to David Lynch referring to simplest forms of awareness; as I felt as a survivor that had to relearn the simple act of using my trusty right-hand and still craves to brush her own hair.  

5.       Jan adds that because Lotje is so energetic she puts pressure on herself and frequently has meltdowns. I can relate to this 110% in my current being.

6.       At one stage, Lotje laments about her real identity, she identifies that she is hardworking and has lots of friends, travels all over the world and loves to read. This is based on clues around her, but without these clues she wonders who she is. It's similar to how I needed clues around me to rediscover my world. Just as we as the audience, learn that over time, she finds love and joins her muse in a meaningful way. Similarly, I am experiencing my recovery in action already.

7.       Lotje reflects that everything becomes a momentary experience; time has a new meaning as elongated and transient. Everything is a new world which is all yours, by yourself. As far as her social circle can see, nothing has changed around them but it has all changed for her. She planted new ideas in my consciousness to what I also refer to as my moment-by-moment strategy to life, as a new form of existence.

8.       At one point, Lotje is mystified by the unfamiliar familiarity of her former life before her brain-stroke which feels dream-like and she even gets the physical sensation of vomiting. As I felt on my first car drive post-accident en route to my Therapists' location.

9.       Her friend recounts how Lotje characteristically keeps going on, in this new abnormal normal life she finds herself in. I find this hugely inspiring, and wish to aspire to just as much, in my recovery journey.

[1988mlm]

ten songs tag!

thanks @verysweetandincrediblysalty for tagging me :)

rules: you can usually tell a lot about a person by the type of music they listen to. put your music on shuffle and list the first ten songs, then tag ten people. no skipping

1. Salt - Thomston

2. Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen

3. 4th Dimension - KIDS SEE GHOSTS, Louis Prima

4. Cigarette Daydreams - Cage The Elephant

5. Hell, Yeah - Nothing But Thieves

6. Lover, You Should’ve Come Over - Jeff Buckley

7. Tongue Tied - Grouplove

8. Plug In Baby - Muse

9. Fade Away - Susanne Sundfør

10. WHAT’S GOOD - Tyler, The Creator

here’s a link to my spotify if anyone’s interested!