#(not 2025. that's too soon alas)

[theinfinitedivides]

'alright, Ustaad ji, who is this tone deaf creature?' 'this is the great Saeeda Bai from Agra!' 'why would a woman from Lahore waste her time listening to a woman from Agra?' — ep 1 - the queen of heeramandi | heeramandi, 2024, dir. sanjay leela bhansali.

[ruinix]

Oh, Quinn might fly away with those hairwings any second now. Someone hold onto him!

He's even looking up like he's preparing for a flight. If you're gonna fly, Quinn, don't go near the sun! It's hot there. I know you're hot! No need to get too hot. Who am I kidding? Quinn is already TOO HOT. The sun's got nothing on him. Plus, he's pretty. So, so, so, so pretty. Haunted but pretty.

But alas, he still looks like our sad canuck. We must protect him from the elements (hockey and hockey shenanigans). Including from himself--i swear if he goes to the barbers anytime soon, i'm gonna lose it. BAN HIM FROM THE BARBERS ALREADY!

Hairwings must thrive! Don't cut it now, Quinn. Not when it's too floofy!

From getty (Jared C. Tilton) (Vancouver Canucks @ Carolina Hurricanes, Jan 10, 2025)

[graciewrote]

♡ Forever and Always

♡ LS2 x Vowels!Reader

♡ Inspired by the lovely @pucksandpower ly!!

♡ Likes and reblogs appreciated!

♡Reqs open!

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Staring at her screen in shock, Y/N looks at the signing announcement. Glancing at Logan, sat with a smile on his face, she frowns.

"Darling, did something happen?"

Turning to her boyfriend, "They signed Carlos, but-"

"Oh."

"Oh baby, he didnt tell you? Bastard."

"He's your father. He just probably didn't want to upset you."

"To hell with that, Logan. He was discussing a contract with you and fuckings signs Sainz! It's not fair. To play with someones dreams, their life, like that. He's an ass, my dad or not, he's an ass for that."

Looking at each other now, the pain in Logan's eyes is obvious.

She moves to comfort her love, the man she's loved for years.

He didn't tell her when he signed for Williams, or even when his contract was extended. He knew no matter what, she'd be there. A singular tear slips down his face. His girl more upset than him. He thought he was going to be getting another shot to prove himself, but alas the cards did not play that way.

Phone chiming as Oscar texts, asking if the couple are okay. One single message from her father. 'I'm sorry' is all he wrote.

She knows its a business at the end of the day, but how can one be expected to perform against a grid of 2024 cars, when he is racing one from 2023. When his own boss, future father-in-law is saying how much he wants to replace him. He never stood a chance, he was only a seat warmer. Logan's head is a mess. All that's running through his mind is how much he failed, every fuck up, every DNF, Australia, and the only light he sees is her. His Y/N.

No matter what his future holds, he has his girl.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Logan has all of summer break to wallow in sadness. Cuddled with Y/N, watching trashy TV. As quick as ever, Zandvoort rolls around, and he is dreading facing the media.

Luck is not on Logan's side, forced to be on the press conference with Carlos. However Oscar's there too!

Most of the press don't bother to ask him anything, just assuming he won't have a seat and has nothing to add.

Logan's heard things about team principles shitting on Vowels, and the way he's treating Logan.

"And to Logan-" shocks him out of his daydream, "How did your girlfriend react when she found out you hadn't resigned with Williams?"

Logan chuckled, "Uhm, actually, we found out at the same time, James and I had been discussing a contract, and discussing my performance. I had no idea he'd signed Carlos. So yeah, bit of a shock to us both."

"And did you know, Carlos, that James was discussing with Logan?" Everyone looks at Carlos now. His respone is immediate.

"At first yes, I knew Logan was still a contender, but then he'd said that it was just me. So I didn't sign knowing Logan was still discussing contracts"

"And what does everyone think of Andretti appealing the FOM desicion and winning, now they'll be joining the grid for the 2025 season?" Everyone looka shocked at the interviewers question. Everyone but Logan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Qatar. Hot. Humid. Sweaty. That's what Y/N feels standing in the Williams garage. Still, she's there to support Logan. And that's what matters. However, she is suspicious. Hiding phone calls, changing his phone password which used to be their anniversary. Logan's become really skittish since Carlos' signing was announced. He won't be cheating on her, she's sure of that. She has two thoughts, he's either joining Mick in the second Andretti Porsche seat, or he's proposing soon. Focusing back on qualifying, she notices all purple sectors for a Williams, her Logan's Williams.

Last minute of Q1. P13. He's done it.

The garage cheers and she just beams with pride.

Logan makes it to Q3, ending up P6.

He's happy with it.

~~~~~~~~

December rolls around with no news on Andretti's other driver. It's a hot topic in the media. Some think it'll be a rookie, some say Kimi or Seb will come back.

Logan grins going into the media pen after his best quali yet. This is his moment. He has a point to make.

"Logan! P5! How're you feeling?" Logan loves being interviewed by Natalie Pinkham.

"Feeling good, car is handling well, I always love racing here. It feels even better knowing next year I got a new team behind me." Smirking, he knows Natalie will pick up what he means. He just needs her to ask.

"New team?" Bingo!

"Yeah, Andretti reached out to me after

Monza, and well, yeah I just had to take the offer! Racing with Mick, and along side him will be fun! He's a good driver. We both had a rough two seasons to start, but the only way is up!"

" Thank you Logan! And good luck!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sitting down, he glances at his phone.

Over 50 missed calls from his love.

"LOGAN HUNTER SARGEANT! I MIGHT JUST KILL YOU YET!" He knows she's not angry, upset he didn't tell her, but not angry.

"You know gold washes me out!"

He laughs, of course she makes a joke.

That's why he loves her, she knows him better than anyone.

"Marry me"

Shit. He had a whole plan. He was gonna take her to Venice. They love Venice.

"Yes. I found the ring, two weeks ago, but I know you Lo, you have a whole plan. So my answer is yes. When you ask me properly. It's yes."

Giggling they embrace and share a tender kiss. "I'm so proud of you. I love you Lo, forever and always"

"Forever and always baby, me and you against the world"

[aesopsharpmybeloved]

Sharp March 2025 - 1. Patronus

Let me start off by saying this - I'm sorry. Last year I was being all hot stuff, doing all the prompts and even drawing illustrations for them, but this year, well... I hope to at least be able to write everything, but alas, I have only managed a few prompts, with no illustrations. It's been a tough few months, I've been terribly busy because of my work, and it took a toll on my mental health and inspiration. I would still like to complete all of them, but I'm afraid it won't be all in March and might sprawl into the following months as well.

Thank you in advance everyone who'll take the time to read the silliness I wrote, and I apologise again.

Patronus (1.5k)

If Aesop Sharp never saw another Dementor in his life, it would be much too soon. As much as he tried, he was never able to forget the first time he faced the horrible guards of the wizarding prison.

He was a young man back then, just out of the Auror training, and on one of his first jobs to learn the ropes. He was accompanying an older experienced Auror into Azkaban to interrogate some criminal. "You'll be here often enough, best you get used to it fast," he said.

Aesop had been cocky then, completely certain he'd be fine, even after his temporary partner told him that he knew a fellow who after having been brought there ended up being violently sick immediately after they'd disappeared from the fortress.

After all, what could go wrong? Aesop and Ashley had been capable of casting the patronus charm since their sixth year of Hogwarts, and sometimes did so just for the fun of it, watching Ashley's bay mare trot in circles with Aesop's brown bear. Ashley would sometimes tease him that his patronus was speaking through him, when Aesop would grumble morosely about something.

His cockiness plummeted from a hundred right into the negatives, however, when he and the older man entered the dreaded prison. He swallowed much too loud for his own liking, and his legs turned to lead. Suddenly, he felt very cold, as if he took a plunge straight into the Black lake during winter dressed only in his underwear.

"Unless you want to become an early lunch for them, boy, I recommend you cast your patronus," the older Auror said, almost bored. He himself showed little reaction to being among these walls, with the dark figures flowing around him, and there was a challenge in his eyes.

Aesop weakly raised his wand. "E-expecto..." he stammered, then took a deep breath, which he regretted. The cold air invaded his lungs and made him cough. Recovering, he raised his wand higher, and tried harder: "Expecto Patronum!"

However, much to his horror, only a weak mist left the tip of his wand, and dissolved into nothingness within mere seconds. He swallowed again, panic creeping up on him. "E-expecto patronum!" he yelped again, but now there wasn't even the mist, and the foul creatures were drawing closer, becoming rather interested now that it seemed the young Auror was quite defenceless against them.

"Come on, boy," the older Auror spoke with a surprising patience, seemingly still unbothered by the looming dread, "you know as well as I that we're about to become a meal unless you get your head straight."

Aesop bit his lip and shut his eyes. A happy memory, he needed to stop panicking and instead focus on a happy memory, damn it! The cold was making it hard to think!

The cold...

In his mind, he saw snow, pure and white, almost blindingly so. His neck and back were cold, following a well targeted snowball that broke apart upon impact, and slid right under his scarf and the collar of his coat. A girl's laughter, which promptly turned into a  squeal, when a different snowball was suddenly hurled right at her. Her short brown hair bobbed as she tried to run around him, but Aesop didn't give her a chance to get away.

He tackled Dinah onto the ground, and pinned her mittened hands on each side of her head. She laughed and kicked and tried to buck him off, but it was no use. Aesop admired how little snowflakes stuck to her eyelashes, and the way her cheeks were flushed from the cold. He kissed her.

"Expecto Patronum!"

Suddenly, there was light. A strong, glowing current of magic shot out of his wand, and enveloped Aesop and his partner like a warm blanket. Aesop found himself breathing a little easier, shielded from the cold and the darkness, and the horrible dread these creatures made him feel.

"That's it, son," came the older Auror's voice, "that's it. Good job."

Good job, son.

---

Aesop's eyes closed again. Now surrounded by the warmth, he almost felt like he was somewhere else entirely, sitting in front of the fireplace on the ground, cross legged, a sketchbook laid on his legs, and his entire right hand black from the drawing coal. On the paper, several fluffy sheep were grazing, little bells on their collars, and there was even a ram with curled horns.

It was a gift for his mum's birthday which was coming next week, and he made use of the fact Magdala Sharp was currently out, meeting a healer over in St Mungo's. Careful to only grip the sketchbook in his clean left hand, he went to find his father.

The tall man was sitting at the table in the dining room, poring over some newspapers and nursing a delicate china cup of tea. "Daddy, look!" he said excitedly, holding the sketchbook out for the Sharp patriarch to take. Theodore Sharp's eyes instantly left the paper, and the crease between his brows disappeared, as he instead focused on his small son.

"What do we have here then?" he asked, and carefully took the sketchbook out of Aesop's hold. However, before he looked at it, he laid it upon the table, and reached towards Aesop once more, easily picking the small boy up, and sitting him up on his leg.

He then finally looked at the drawing, and gave a low whistle. "Would you look at that!" he said, observing the lines. "It's for mummy's birthday," Aesop explained, and carefully pointed to one of the fluffy clouds on dark sticks, "it's sheep."

"Indeed it is!" Theodore said, "And this, if I'm not mistaken, is a ram, isn't it?" Aesop replied in enthusiastic agreement.

"Seems we have a little Edgar Degas on our hands, don't we?" his father asked, his tone soft as he wrapped his arms around him. Aesop turned around to look at him: "Who's that?" After a few seconds, Theodore Sharp merely chuckled.

"Doesn't really matter. Remind me to take you and your mum to a gallery sometime," he spoke, his voice as warm and caring as always. It made Aesop feel warm too, warm and safe.

"Good job, son."

---

"Expecto Patronum"

He said again, not really knowing why, considering they were already shielded. However, he was more than glad he did. He watched with a strange sort of happiness as a huge brown bear made entirely of light and magic suddenly charged against the Dementors, making them scramble to get away from him and the older Auror.

"Well, I'll be..." Aesop heard a voice, but paid little mind to it, trying to hold on to the warm feeling in his chest for as long as he could.

Several seconds later, all of the Dementors flew away to hide in some other corridors of the prison, and the bear stood unmoving in front of Aesop and his partner. And then it gently dissipated, casting the area around them in darkness once more. Aesop was glad to find that it at least wasn't so bloody cold anymore.

He looked at the older Auror, who stood with his arms crossed still looking at the spot where the bear stood a few seconds ago.

"Well," he said only, "that was quite a display."

Aesop said nothing, only breathed out in relief. Then, however, his eyes grew wide as the other man turned around to leave. "Wait," Aesop said, "didn't you say we had someone to interrogate?"

The older man turned and chuckled: "Oh, we don't. This was something of a... well, not a test, per se, more like an initiation. If you've got what it takes, I suppose. And you, Mr Sharp, have just earned yourself some solid bragging rights. Come along."

And, just like that, the pair of them left the horrible place Azkaban was, and Aesop was very happy to remain stable on his feet once they disapperated. Which reminded him of the story his temporary partner told him before. When he turned to him, he found a small chocolate bar extended towards him.

"Always better to have something sweet at the ready after dealing with Dementors. You'd do well to remember that," the Auror said.

Aesop thanked him and accepted the sweet. As he unwrapped the bar, broke off a piece and plopped it into his mouth, he once more looked at the older Auror.

"That fellow you told me about," he said, chewing on the chocolate and feeling it further calm him down, "the one who ended up sick after being in there for the first time. Did he stay in the office, or did he end up going someplace else?"

The older Auror chuckled, and leaned against a nearby tree stump: "While it was a rather nasty shock, I decided to stay anyway. Was not easy, but then again this job never is."

Aesop looked at him with disbelief. "Oh, you sod!" he said suddenly, making the other man chuckle further before he raised his arms. "As I said - initiation. I meant what I told you, though - that was a bloody good job there.

"Aesop Sharp. I reckon we can expect great things from you."

---

Thank you for reading. You can check this little story out on my AO3

If I do manage to finish all of them, I'll make a masterlist. But, for the time being, you can find all my entries on my blog under the Sharp March 2025 tag. Love you, bye!

[instruth]

🎶A SONG OF MY SOUL🎶

🎼

Do you remember me, my love?

It is I, Prudence, your beloved.

How long I have waited for your return.

I love you - oh, how dearly I miss you.

You've been away too long, captured and lured

To the remotest world of externalism,

Where you have become deceived.

Your perception of me is illusory,

Even though your desire still persists,

For you have forgotten my face.

🎼

You have known me to the deepest part of me,

Alas! Now I exist in you,

Only among the distortions of your mind,

Of physical symbols that soon will disintegrate.

I am reduced to fantasy and imagination,

Fulfilling your longings for you.

I become a myth, a mere image,

Representing what you consider unreachable.

Yet I, Prudence, am your only true love,

But do you remember me, my love?

🎼

I have waited patiently for you,

Sharing you with the outside world,

Yearning for you unceasingly,

To embrace the least part of you,

Even if that be only a momentary glimpse,

In the twilight that separates our existence.

Like Moon and Sun, we have drifted apart.

I watch you go - oh, how it grieves me so,

For I can see you suffering even more,

All lost in a land of faded memories.

🎼

Today, my love, you have chosen to come home,

Recalling past realities through present dreams.

I am rewarded, for at last, you are awakened.

Today, you recognize me in my essence;

And I rejoice with praise and gratitude for this blessing.

We were created as one, meant eternally for each other,

In perfect compatibility - with you in me and I in you,

As I, Prudence, submit to you in inexhaustible intimacy,

Laying down with you in our matrimonial nest,

For this is a reunion - our most sacred union.

©Johnny J P Lee

31 January 2025

🎶A Poetic Love Song of the Soul🎶

Photos Credit, Soulful Images

- by Sanjogsonsand

[pebblysand]

The Year I Finished Castles

As we all know, 2024 is now drawing to a close. It's been quite a year, hasn't it? For me, it's obviously also the year I finished castles. After four years of hard work and dedication, and joy, and sleepless nights, almost to the day, I finally wrote out "the end."

Still, the adventure is not quite yet over. I didn't expect this, but it turns out that saying goodbye has been a very gradual process for me. First, because writing-wise, while I had a lot of great plans for what I would do and write after, it's actually taken me a bit more time than I expected to fully move on. That's okay. I've had a bunch of health issues to sort out, as well as a lot of travelling and resting to do, and in between, sadly haven't written much. I'm hoping the new year will bring a new start, and that I'll get back in the flow of things.

Second, because incredibly, people are still reading, and discovering this fic. That's been incredible to witness. I thought it had plateau-ed but it definitely hasn't, and I still have a backlog of over thirty comments to answer, and perhaps I always will. As soon as I answer a batch, another keeps coming. This fills me with joy beyond belief and brings a smile to my face every single day.

Third, because a number of castles-y things are still ongoing. I'm keeping the Discord discussion open until the end of December. There is a podfic being recorded by the wonderful josnail on AO3, and people are now finding and enjoying this fic thanks to them. And, now, as I have teased a couple times on different platforms, I have a surprise for you. I really wanted to get this over to you before Christmas/the end of the year but alas, the proofs took ages to come, so here we are.

There's a book. A physical one. You can have it too!

It's beautiful. It's a labour of love. It's got illustrations and a cover and loads of different things I hope you will enjoy! I made it for me primarily, but I also made it for you.

So, how do I get it?

Please fill out this form.

How much does it cost?

Nothing. This is a gift from me to you, so you don’t need to pay anything. However, if you’d like to help with the costs, you can donate to my Ko-fi. To give you an idea, the printing fee is €25.90 per copy, and shipping fees range between €10 and €30, depending on where I ship it.

(If you are part of the tiktok/tumblr fanfiction police and want to explain to me why I'm awful for illegally printing/selling these and will kill fanfiction because Anne Rice's ghost will sue me, please go touch grass. my fic is not hugely popular, and i'm anticipating maybe thirty people ordering copies, tops. also, i'm a lawyer, well able to calculate my own legal liability/risks, and what you think about the monetisation of fanfic is most likely wrong.)

When is the deadline to order?

31 January 2025. 

How will this work?

I will order the books in batch to my place. I will then sign them/dedicate them, then ship them to you. I am doing this because 1) I think it's cooler if they're signed and 2) I'm very Type A and want to make sure each of them is perfect before you receive them.

Important: while I created the cover, picked out the chapter illustrations on Canva, and created the typeset myself, this is a private company I'm paying to bind and print the books. I am not hand-binding them. I neither have the skills nor the patience for this.

When will I receive my book?

I can't say for certain. I will be making the first order at 8pm GMT, Monday 9 December, and hopefully receive and ship out the first batch of copies by 21 December. Then, I will make a batch order every Friday until the end of January. Once I receive the books, I will sign them and ship them to you. If you live in Europe/UK, it will be quicker than if you live elsewhere. I am hoping/anticipating everyone will have their copy by end of February.

I have other questions...

Please send them to my ask box ❤️.

[othcrside]

@anchoragestarters saylor + ??? : january 1, early morning @ the 7-11

The fallout of New Year's Eve was normally something Saylor dreaded like clockwork every year. Alas, 2024 had proved eventful enough within itself and they narrowly avoided catastrophe for one of the few times in their thirty years of existence. After the clock struck midnight, they indulged in a whole bottle of red wine and a homemade pizza, making a mess of their kitchen as they danced around the kitchen isle and slid back and forth in their fuzzy socks. Pure bliss threaded through their veins as they realized this day, this new year, it was all theirs to claim. They didn't believe in resolutions, because they did more to stifle growth than encourage it in the young lily, but they did make a mental checklist of men to avoid from there on out. There could not be any ruinous repeats of the humiliation they suffered the year prior. That was all they'd asked for out of 2025 — that, and a package of powdered donuts from the 7-11. So, they made the drive and bought two packages and a cherry coke slushie, sauntering to the candy aisle so they could continue perusing until they'd finished their sugary breakfast. It seemed they might have spoken too soon about dodging catastrophe, however, as their lacking attentiveness sent them crashing against another customer and combusting their slushie all down the front of the stranger's clothes. "Oh, fuck!" they cursed loudly, glancing down instinctively at their own, thankfully untouched pajamas. "Goddammit, I just got that. You wanna wring your shirt out back into the cup? ... No, that's gross. Fuck. I can buy you a new one from the bin in here, but half of them look like they're for elderly tourists. I think I may have a spare Louis Vuitton jacket in my trunk?"

[magistralucis]

2025 Translation Tuesday Entry - 03/52 Title: Порушка-Параня (Porushka-Paranya) Artist: Ариэль (Ariel) Album: На острове Буяне (On Buyan Island, 1980)

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

Уж ты Порушка-Параня, ты за что любишь Ивана? (Oh you, Porushka, Paranya - why is that you love Ivan?) Эко я за то люблю Ивана, что головушка кудрява, (Why, I am in love with Ivan, for the curls upon his head.) Я за то люблю Ивана, что головушка кудрява, (I am in love with Ivan for the curls upon his head,) Что головушка кудрява, а бородушка кучерява. (For the curls upon his head, and his curly beard.) Что головушка кудрява, а бородушка кучерява. (For the curls upon his head, and his curly beard.) Кудри вьются до лица, люблю Ваню – молодца. (His curls reach down to his face, I love that young Vanya*.)

Кудри вьются до лица, люблю Ваню – молодца. (His curls reach down to his face, I love that young Vanya*.) Эх Ванюшка – Ванюшка по горенке похаживает. (Eh, see that Vanyushka** pacing about the room,) Уж как Ванюшка по горенке похаживает. (See how Vanyushka** paces about the room,) Он своих сапог и об сапог поколачивает. (He walks, soundly knocking his boot upon his boot.)

"Уж как ты меня, сударушка, высушила, ("Alas, sweet girl, see how you've tormented me:) Уж ты без морозу, без ветру сердце вызнобила." (Without frost, without wind, you made my heart tremble.") "Уж как ты меня, сударушка, высушила, ("Alas, sweet girl, see how you've tormented me:) Уж ты без морозу, без ветру сердце вызнобила." (Without frost, without wind, you made my heart tremble.")

Уж ты Порушка-Параня, ты за что любишь Ивана? (Oh you, Porushka, Paranya - why is that you love Ivan?) Эко я за то люблю Ивана, что головушка кудрява, (Why, I am in love with Ivan, for the curls upon his head.) Я за то люблю Ивана, что головушка кудрява, (I am in love with Ivan for the curls upon his head,) Что головушка кудрява, а бородушка кучерява. (For the curls upon his head, and his curly beard.)

*/** - diminutives of the name 'Ivan'.

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

(There's a lot of Youtube links in this post. I try to upload as many songs as I can to tumblr proper, so that they're accessible to anyone who's logged in and reading those posts on tumblr, but due to copyright reasons those uploads don't always succeed. I only hope you guys can view these links, but I apologize if this is not possible. 😥)

The first folk tune of this project! I happen to love the Ариэль version the best - there's such a quaint charm to it, it's damn catchy, not to mention it was the second version of this song I'd ever heard - but there are countless variations of 'Порушка-Параня' (or sometimes known as 'Я за то люблю') that you can choose from. Here's a selection:

Ирина Цыганкова (Irina Tsygankova) - Я за то люблю

Марина Девятова и Варвара (Marina Devyatova and Varvara) - Порушка-параня

Живица (Zhivitsa) - Порушка-параня (Acoustic)

A remixed cover with Queen's 'We Will Rock You' by Синергия

I'm also somewhat certain that Отава Ё's (Otava Yo) 'Про Ивана Groove' ('About Ivan Groove') is an adaptation of this song, or at least is paying homage to it. But I'm not 100% sure. I link to it nonetheless as reference, and also because this band is awesome, even though I won't have much time to talk about them during this project 😭 Too modern for my time period, I'm afraid!

Finally, here's a 1983 live performance of Ариэль's cover. This was during the band's heyday, and the performance and staging is a good example of what Soviet folk-pop (or really; a lot of sanctioned pop music at the time) used to look like. There will be another Ариэль song featured in this series soon. In that post, and probably a couple before it, I'll go further into the history of this band and the type of ensemble they embodied in the USSR.

[jmdbjk]

Man at work.

 Apparently working more than we thought he was...

Kookie bought a pack of 500 straws so he could exercise his vocal chords because he saw Sam Smith do it. But alas, he didn’t think it was working for him. Nevertheless! they won’t go to waste! because he can slurp down his highball much faster using a straw...

This cute goofball is the global spokesperson for Calvin Klein jeans... he mentioned that the Calvin Klein video was up and he acted bashful about it. He did say when doing these types of endorsements as a group is one thing, but doing them personally on his own, the product must be something he personally endorses. And he also said he will be embarrassed when people speak to him about his ad images. Perception vs reality. 

He tells us he’s cleaned out his closet recently and only kept all his black clothes, but now he says he will wear Calvins now. One thing to look forward to... Calvin Klein clothing silhouettes are typically cut close to the body. Meaning they are not the oversized baggy things that we normally see on JK. Just sayin’! Bring on the airport fashion! 

He asks to please show Calvin Klein a lot of support. Check! Marked off the list! I believe that company is scrambling to actually have any merchandise in stock this week, right? They weren’t prepared. Mission accomplished, JK. 

For a few moments he thought he spoiled Jimin’s episode of Suchwita because he couldn’t find it on Youtube. Sus, Youtube. 

Aside from the adorable heart eyes he had and the knowing grins and outright laughter while he watched, Jungkook nodded when Jimin said if he could go to any point in time, past or future, he would choose 2025 when they would all be together again. Kookie nodded vigorously again and let out a deep, wistful sigh while watching that brief segment. Was he getting a little lump in his throat too, just like I was?

Yoongi then says “we all have an idea of what things will be like when we come back” and Jimin agrees and when Yoongi asks Jimin what he thinks it will be like, Jimin says “we’d all be back together after we’re done.” I am assuming he means military service, and that he is curious to know how it will be and that’s why he wants to go to that point in time. 

Jimin, we all want to fast forward to that time. None of us want you all to have to take this mandatory break and we all want it to be over with as soon as possible. 

When it was over, Kookie fixed himself a fresh drink, took a potty break and then sat wordlessly on the couch for at least 15 minutes listening to music and pondering the universe (it seemed). Songs he queued up: “12:45″ by Etham; “thoughtboutu” by Karencici; “Another Day” by Gervs; “Adrenaline” by Lauv; “Where Does the Love Go” by by María Isabel and Yeek and “Honeymoon” by Johnny Stimson.

He sweetly sang along to “Honeymoon.” That song has a similar vibe to “10,000 Hours” and I wish to god Kookie would create a song with that ambience because it would become one of those all time greatest hits.

JK read a few comments (FINALLY?) he randomly says he was wanting to look up Jimin’s lyrics...? Jungkook and his never-ending fight with his Apple TV commands ensues. And he finally finds what he’s looking for... the BigHit intro.

He proceeded to fanboi during Set Me Free Pt 2 even being a tad slack-jawed and droolly when the 2nd verse started and Jimin’s cheat sheet tattoos were on full display, JUST LIKE US! 

Done satisfying his need to know the lyric was “maze” and watching the entire video anyway, he quickly found a Jimin compilation video. Are you shitting me? 

Now, we all know how insidious the Youtube algorithm is. If you watch ONE video of any genre/topic... what happens? YT serves up several more from the same creator or same topic or genre. Watch a reaction video? Then a dozen videos by various Youtube reactors will be summoned. Watch a Korean street food video? Then you will see a dozen videos about Korean street food. FACTS!

Every time you go to Youtube after that it’s like trying to get rid of cockroaches. You spend some time hitting the “not interested/don’t show me this shit ever again” option or else that will be all you ever see forever and ever amen. 

So my point is, that Jimin compilation video was not random. Youtube isn’t a random platform, it is very articulated to deliver cocaine in video form straight to your brain in order to get you addicted so you keep coming back. 

Anyway. Kookie again was like a kid watching cartoons and Army comments were totally forgotten while he watched this fan made video. 

The evening full of Jimin, laughing at a fan made compilation video and a song that was playing called, “up at night”, by Kehlani featuring Justin Bieber, stirred something inside him and the lightning bolt of inspiration hit him and that was it. Game over for the live broadcast.

I’m glad he’s working. I’m glad he’s doing well. He’s still our Kookie and he still loves his Jiminie and the rest of his hyungs. 

[edai-crplpnk]

Hi, it’s me, the tagging menace. Please tell me more about this unnamed ShikaYoshi fic 👀

[link to the WIP game]

I wrote a chapter two years and a half ago and haven't touched it since then, but I fully intend on getting there eventually. I want to say it's my 2025 project but I already said that about the Shinki adoption fic lmao.

It's for my canon compliant/worldbuilding series. It's set during the year after the 3th War and follows Shikaku and Yoshino as they reunite, get together, and at least settle that they're going to have a child together. I'm not holly sure yet when it ends, if it's then or if maybe it continues until Shikamaru's birth? Unclear for now. But it's mostly a getting together fic.

Some facts:

ANBU Yoshino at the start

Chronically Ill Yoshino (hence why forecfully retired Yoshino for most of the fic, and she hates it thouroughly)

Yoshino having strong feelings about misogyny and ging to great length to substract herself from her abusice upbringing and the general expectation of society placed on her because she's a woman

Probably Shikaku shutting up so misogynistic jerk (his dad) too

Past Shikaku/Inoichi that Shikaku is majorly not over with while Inoichi is getting married to Ino's mother

Chouza being the unwilling witness and but friendly support of trainwreck Shikaku

Some clan politics

Ex-ANBU Shikaku

Yoshino bonding with Shikaku's lesbian aunt over shitty dads

Yoshino and Shikaku do beat each other up a little but it goes them some good

Yoshino keeps mocking him but alas he has a humiliation kink I fear

"I'll be honnest with you. I have to marry this year and get myself an heir. You can say no, but if you do, please say it now cause I'm gonna have to find someone else." "You don't sell it well." "Because I'm not trying to sell it. I respect you to much to lie to you. We both know this wouldn't be either of us' first choice, but this is what I have to offer, do you want it?"

It's angsty and badass and romantic and I will write it I promise.

As a bonus I offer ANBU Yoshino + tiny Kakashi snippet:

“The Fourth is calling for you.” Great. Precisely when she was starting to let herself anticipate the moment she would finally go back to the barracks and pass out for a while. “Why?” The man shrugs, evidently unbothered by the bite in her tone – rightfully so, it’s not really directed at him anyway. She can’t say she expected him to be either, it’s hard to find someone impressed by anything around here. Newbies at first, sure, but they all either grow a thicker skin quite quickly, or leave. (Or die.) As if on cue, the frail silhouette in the locker room on the other side of the corridor raises its porcelain mask towards them. It looks ridiculously oversized, even cut down to try and fit the tiny head behind it. Out of duty and in a building field with grown men chiselled for murder, he looks miserably young and small – which he is, more so even than when she joined the faction herself – yet he doesn’t look intimidated in the slightest, just curious sometimes, and, from what she’s heard, he’s been living up to his Cold-Blooded nickname for the few months he’s been here. He’ll go far. Or he’ll crash soon, she’s not certain yet. “Got a problem Fox?”

[guerrerense]

Snowbound At Sawyers - Take 1 por David Blazejewski Por Flickr: Back when I was younger the Conway Scenic Railroad was a strictly seasonal operetion and would largely shut down during the winter months. In recent years however it has become a year round operation running trains to Conway all winter long and for the first time this winter running trains through Crawford Notch in the snow. Not wanting to miss out on the chance for some snowy winter shots along the old Mountain Sub I made the trip up on the long President's Day weekend to try for some snowy images. Alas the Saturday trip featured just CSRR 255 solo with five cars meaning the return trip which is the better chase photographically would be long hood forward which just didn't interest me. Regardless, I did make the trip up through the Notch for a few signature shots and then called it a day. However, I'd specifically chosen this particular weekend since the railroad had trains scheduled on back to back days so I held out hope Sunday would be better. And indeed when I awoke in the morning the predicted snow was coming down and things were looking up when I saw that the railroad had MUed both of their GP38s for the trip to Crawford. With 252 trailing I was looking forward to the return chase east later in the day with the classic pseudo Maine Central schemed loco leading. Alas....this hoped for redemption was foiled when the railroad soon realized the snow was accumulating too fast and with no plow train running ahead of them it was too risky to head all the way to Crawfords so they decided they would travel only as far as Sawyers River and run around there...but it would get even worse later....so stay tuned. After pausing to pick up a trackman in Bartlett to ride out to assist with shoveling switches they have finally made it as far as they'll go here at MP 74.8 (as measured from the former Portland Union Station) on the old Maine Central Mountain Subdivision. The snow is still coming down, and you can see how deep it is covering the siding which is actually to the left of the train though you'd never know! Ultimately they would be stopped here for about two hours and instead of attempting to traverse the siding and completely run around the train they dug out only the west switch and then cut off the lead unit and ducked it into the siding and then pulled the train by with the second unit in order to let the former lead unit couple up to the rear end to lead the train back. On the rear of the train is CSRX 210, the third and most recently acquired dome car on the railroad. Built by Budd in 1954 for Northern Pacific's famed Northcoast Limited, it came to the Conway Scenic in 2022 from the defunct Orford Express dinner train in Quebec. From 1877 to 1928 the 8 mile long Sawyers River Railroad (a logging operation) connected here although the MEC agency at this spot was closed in 1921. Two historic structures survive to this day, the section men's car house (blocked by the train) and the foreman's dwelling in the distance at left, both now privately owned. One interesting fact is that the house used to also be located on the right (north) side of the mainline but was moved across in the 1950s when Route 302 was relocated. Not wanting a private grade crossing here they chose to move the home instead! Sawyers River Harts Location, New Hampshire Sunday February 16, 2025

[imaginespazzi]

Bestie👋 We're back to routine/reality!

Happy 2025 :) How are you? Hope the rest of holidays were great and the new year is treating you well so far. Thought of your blog the other day in DFW 😅. (Sidenote but related, Lou and her family dog just melt my heart). My Xmas recap in brief - overall smooth travel, lots of fam time w eating and drinking too much on a regular basis, had no snow during the break yay, college bball and fb galore on tv, highlight gift was probably getting a helix piercing.

The in case you missed it portion:

https://www.tumblr.com/wintrrliqht/771452732561358849?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/bkristen/771236520640282624?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/ldapper/771237582627618816?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/lexipoo/770893626985365504/go-to-tim-tok?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/paiges-1vur/770939613672030208/the-cutest?source=share

Pleasant tea/lore: 👀 So eyebrows raised at recent stuff people are sharing re Lauren Betts. Also gotta say I feel more and more confident over time re Miles/Westbeld speculation (who Im willing to say are by far the most likable thing about ND).

Welp UConn wins their initial Big East contests and w/ no real injuries, so folks should take that for the time being huh. I def give grace for the games immediately before and after the holiday break tbh. Caught some of Texas/OU last night which was a good watch overall. And Michigan gave UCLA a pretty good run in their matchup new years day. Im so looking forward to Unrivaled starting up soon too! As a Mystics girly, I was especially excited to see Natasha Cloud and Shakira Austin playing together again, but alas Tash got moved to a different club late.

Alrighty thats about everything I can think of 😅 Best,

-☕️

Happy New Year Bestiiiiieeeeeee <3

I'm so good my love, how are you? I'm so glad to hear that you had a good Christmas and here's to a just as good 2025!

Awwww I love your incase you missed it section so much because even I didn't miss it, it's a chance to see my babies being all cutesie and adorable.

Loved the Betts tea and I'm really rooting for it to be true. I am completely sold on Olivia and Maddy and man what an attractive couple they are.

Yeah honestly, it's a blessing to be going through this season relatively injury-free (my poor Yanna bear aside) and that's something we shouldn't take for granted. Oklahoma does not move me at all I fear despite their ranking. Michigan just needs to give Syla a solid secondary player and I think they could make something shake in the next two years.

I was little underwhelmed by the Unrivaled jersey but considering that's literally the only they've disappointed me with, I'm very, very, very excited to watch the league unfold and as a former Storm fan, I'm so excited for the Jewell-Stewie combo again. If it wasn't clear, I will be supporting the Mist! Like my duo and Li-Li, how could I picky anyone else?

[kkarmalade]

Wow your photos look really great!…love the passion you put into it.

Are they up for sale? If so kindly message me directly on Tumblr 👍

Thanks. My photographic influences are relatively sparse in terms of demonstrative academic proficiencies. I've pieced together a novice's competence in terms of drawing and geometry by trying to absorb Barnstone's insights. I took a semester to deliberately and intensely study the mathematical relationship between, "intentional" forms and, "forms grown or derived from the substrate." I'm especially influenced by Mitchell Feigenbaum and Benoit Mandelbrot.

Many, "image makers" understand, "logistic organization" but I like to think, "every beautiful thing is already organized like that; your job is to seek that out with nothing short of divine madness and turn it into images that are interesting to look at..." I'm privileged that I started out playing musical instruments. Herzog's, "adequate images for the 21st century" will be visual jazz- we need only find our Charlie Parkers, Thelonious Monks; our Charlie Christians (!)

Select curated images will soon be available for select buyers. We have plans too of creating some materials for, "mass consumption" ala Warhol (t-shirts, patches, posters, ect...). I will update my blog as we approach release day in January 2025.

"Be smart like Harold Bloom. Read like Harold Bloom just don't be precisely like Harold Bloom. Be Wilde; "be a Man and follow me not.""

[lifviakaza]

"Fabiayyi ala irobbikuma tukadziban" (فَبِأَيِّ آَلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ) yang artinya "Maka nikmat Tuhan kalian yang manakah yang kalian dustakan?"

*"Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?"*

Little Monica was a bookworm. She could consume at least 10 magazines or an almost 300 page of novel in a day. So was the Tuntunan Sholat-- How to Perform Prayers Book, just one day, she memorized everything.

She hated Tajweed lessons, it was boring. Growing up, she ended up reading Al-Qur'an but always knew that something was missing. A few months before finishing senior high school, out of nowhere she told her mum, "I want to wear hijab."

"Oh, maybe in university? We don't have money to buy new long sleeve uniforms for you." She held her tears knowing her mum was choking burying her own sadness and disappointment for not being able to fulfil her last daughter's request, for the umpteenth time.

"We don't need money. I can wear sister's and my cousin's, they graduated and won't need the long sleeves anymore."

That day was so memorable, so magical. For the first time in my life, after many, many struggles my family and I went through more than 1.5 decades of my life, I eventually felt loved by God, Allah. Throughout those years I prayed, prayed and prayed for something to end but it just never ends. That moment when I wore hijab for the first time in my boarding school, some old uniforms that didn't require money yet I got almost 1 million IDR and some scarfs given by my cousins who supported my decision. For some ppl maybe it's a 'simple' story but for me esp at that period of my life, I needed something or someone, an event, anything that could convince me that God didn't resent me cz of everything that I was going through for years as a naive little girl, I felt like he hated me or someone in our family or maybe all of us as MY prayers were never answered.

I believed again and my life was lighter, all the matters were still there yet it was never that heart-wrenching anymore to face.

I've experienced Ramadan in my hometown ofc, in other cities I used to live like Padang, Pekanbaru, Jakarta, Lombok, on the plane, on the train to Thailand, in Russia, Ukraine, and so on.

I started fasting when I was 5 I guess. And fasting in Saint Petersburg, Russia was the most harsh as I fast for 22 hours basically as it was the peak of Summer and there was White Nights! The last 5 days were super hard, I got nosebleed every night:)) But I made it, I did it.

My supervisor asked me during this Ramadan period in SPB, "Your performance is decreasing in terms of yk, the quality. Is there anything to do with you fasting? I meant,... yk..."

I didn't look at her eyes when I replied, "There's nothing to do with my fasting." I wish I could say what I hid deep inside, I just didn't want to do that work anymore (see my IG highlight, SCAM)

Eid Al Fitr is the same. Most times I spent it with my big family in Kerinci but growing up as a nomad it's a reality you won't be able to confront--that sometimes you've gotta spend it all alone in your 3x4 room thousands of miles away from all those familiarities. It's also a part of adulting when you just want to sit by a beautiful beach with your best friend. Approaching 30 yo, I, was scared of birthdays and Eid celebrations. Yes, I hate that one question, "Kapan Nikah aka When will you get married?" The other reason was, I just wanted to be left alone. Sometimes, I feel like I don't have the energy anymore to fake smiles, to care when I actually don't, and maybe, maybe l,... There's more than JUST a series of events I didn't want to recall every time I am _home_ .

Not only one time I mentioned this to my best friends, "I don't remember much about my childhood, just the ones that are really significant and mostly they're the worst ones."

"My teenagehood? Hmm, I could still recall many of them, maybe I was happy back then in that boarding school."

Looking back, ever since I wore my hijab in high school, there's so many blessings mashaAllah. I guess in my childhood too, I just didn't notice as I always thought that I was being punished every time new problematic reality hit. Connecting the dots, all those wishes, desires, hopes, all of them were actually granted in so many different pieces that I didn't understand, I couldn't comprehend, at that point of life's journey.

- I was never left starving

- I have homes in not just buildings but people I care about and they love me tremendously

- I get to pray and ask Allah whatever I want and the most important as well as be au ti ful thing is that, He always, always grants it-- even though sometimes it's not what I begged for still, the replacement is out of this world, to even think about it, is not possible.

These last two years, I spent Ramadan and Eid (insha'Allah) here in my hometown and I am so sad that this Ramadan is coming to an end very, very soon.

I just want Him to know how grateful I am to be who I am today and where I am. At some point in my life I kept on saying, "I'd love to 'retire' young. I'd love to have the freedom I deserve and needed. It was my 11 year old soul who wanted these the most."

I guess I've practically achieved those along with all the du'as I raised and spelled in Mecca and Madinah only a few months ago. MashaAllah MashaAllah Alhamdulillah:")

Through this writing I shall remind myself and hopefully anyone who needs this; "Look back once in awhile, you'll be amazed at how much and how many of your dreams, prayers, wishes that came true in so so many beautiful, beautiful unpredictable storylines."

"Fabiayyi ala irobbikuma tukadziban" (فَبِأَيِّ آَلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ) yang artinya "Maka nikmat Tuhan kalian yang manakah yang kalian dustakan?"

*"Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?"*

_Mong, 29th Night of Ramadan 2025, in a place that used to be her darkest unanswered hole._

[comeonhelene]

This note was left on the Riverview Gate - WAVL NC - January 2025

These words were meant to fit into my 30-minute free writing time for today, but alas, it evolved into a tome...

The day after Helene arrived, Saturday, September 28, 2024, my daughter and I hitched a ride with neighbors to see if we could help out any parents with young children at the AB Tech community college shelter. On Helene Eve, September 26th, my daughter made glow in the dark bracelets anticipating that the power would be out for a few days.

A few days. Oh, my sweet summer self.

After an afternoon of exploring and triaging our neighbors and their houses after the storm ended on Friday, replete with a transistor radio dance party and pillow fight on the back porch in utter darkness that night, I was itching to be useful when Saturday morning rolled around. [How's that for a run-on sentence? Shoo-wee.]

The dudes in the hood had the chainsaw work squared away, some folks were checking on their circle of friends, most neighbors were hunting and gathering food, water, and supplies, so I started thinking about fanning out a little further.

Knowing that parents would be totally fried after having to evacuate, I decided we needed to head over to the AB Tech emergency evacuation shelter and give them a break. So, we packed up board games, coloring books, crayons, stickers, a big bag of freshly handmade bracelets, and set off for an adventure we could never have anticipated.

Heading into downtown Asheville, cars were lined up for miles upon miles waiting at quickly gasless pumps, tourists were packed 5 people deep on the sidewalks, spilling into the city streets, trying to score a Wi-Fi signal outside of any and every hotel, desperate for rental cars, flights, or any way to flee Asheville.

While we were at a relentless standstill, I remember several times when folks would roll down their car windows and shout into the neighboring car windows, "Which way to Atlanta?" "Nashville?" "Just outta here?"

It would normally take 10 to 15 minutes to get to AB Tech from our house. It took us over 1 hour the day after Helene came to town.

But first, our neighbors cruised through the South Slope before dropping us off and I will never forget our very own Asheville-shaped canary in the coal mine:

When I saw World Central Kitchen set up outside of Bear's Smokehouse, I knew immediately in the pit of my stomach that things were unimaginably bad all around us. I'd recently read that WCK was still stationed in Ukraine and Gaza among many other shockingly desperate places... And they were here? In my little city*?! I was very grateful, but honestly, more aghast.

[*And WCK is still here feeding folks all across WNC nearly 6 months later. They need to be included in the "Helene Heroes Ticker Tape Parade" I'm semi-seriously trying to get off the ground. Who's in?]

Back home after a lively day with the kids, including some very memorable rounds of Simon Says, we were startled by the utter silence of our appliance-deaf house. The hum of the refrigerator and the whir of fans were still mute. Of course, the eerie peace was quickly replaced by a near constant drone of helicopters, emergency sirens, chainsaws, and a string of noisy generators across the street.

I realize now that it was a strange grace to not know the full extent of the damage to our beloved corner of the Appalachian Mountains until about 8 days later. That was due in large part to our lack of access to Wi-Fi and cell service, but it was also intentional. I asked our community to refrain from sharing non-essential details with us from "the outside." My child's world had already been rocked being a Covid Kindergartener. I didn't want to overexpose her to the gruesome details of also having lived through a major natural disaster at the tender young age of ten. She would know too much soon enough.

Plus, we had plenty of work to do in our precious corner of Buncombe County and it would've been a complete waste of time and energy fretting over things outside of our ability to help... But that's another story for another day.

Do you remember your favorite cell signal spot in those early days and weeks after Helene? Finding one was like sniffing out buried treasure. Every once in a while, even now, I blow my Wi-Fi spots a kiss when I pass by. They were like our very own little tin cans with string to the outside world.

Those were hard, sweet days, weren't they? I'm holding my memories of them with a lot more tenderness than weariness lately. I hope you can do that, too, friends.

One day at a time. Sometimes taking it one hour or even 5 minutes at a time are helpful for me.

Here it is again because I've had it on repeat lately: R.E.M. - Oh My Heart

"It's sweet, and it's sad, and it's true

How it doesn't look bitter on you."

<3

[2dkapsddr]

March 9th, 2025 - DDR WORLD

okay okay, today was the day!!! i was gonna go to round 1, i was gonna get the best scores possible for the tournament, and i was gonna move onto the final round and claim victory against all my opponents!!! it was a flawless plan, right? WRONG!!! i was doing homework practically all day to save myself from the stress while playing, but the more i got through... the later and hungrier i was!!! when the time where i should've been at round 1 came, i was instead picking up some pizza while walking that took me an hour of both homework and dance gaming time.

but eventually after finishing my most time-sensitive assignments of the day, i was LATE!!! i ran out of the house to the bus and waited for it, but just when it stopped by... it went off!!! without me!!! not a single care in the world!!! hate it here... so i spent another whole half-hour in the rain waiting for the next stop, and i'm heavily convinced it got me super sick the next day (ergo, as i'm writing this)... but i got there, washed my throat down with some water, put away my umbrella, and entered ready to set some banger scores and get outta there as soon as possible...

but to my horror, it was FULL . there were too many damn people, and all of them were waiting their turn on the cab!!! it was all people i recognized, sure, but they were In My Way and i realistically wouldn't be able to set any good scores in their presence . alas, i had no choice but to give up for the day... until i saw a really good friend of mine that i hadn't seen since college!!! one that was just as passionate about rhythm and fighting games as i was!!! we greeted each other with a big hug and caught up with each other on our interests and improvements over the past... year??? damn, so it really has been that long... but it was nice and awesome, i'm super glad to have stuck around enough to greet her before i left :] we left alongside her group for the day, me being convinced i wouldn't have gotten any good submissions for the tournament, and despite not achieving what i came here to do... i still left happy and eager!!!

ohyeah, there was a single notable score today though!!! didn't write all that for nothin' after all :] a sweet sweet 46p PFC on Mesmerizer [ESP-15] as 15 PFC #20!!!