#1990s hand gel

[y2kbeautyandother2000sstuff]

Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea Anti Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Gel

late 1990s-early 2000s

Found on Ebay, user b.gstyle

[tragady]

                     CHARLES  WOOD         BEATING  SOUL  AND  BREATHING  BLOOD.

basics.

given  name.     charles  wood. nickname.     charlie,   chuck,   give  him  some.     call  him  anything  but  charles. age.     thirty-three   (   november  10,   1990   ). place  of  birth.     long  beach,   california. song.     mr  sandman  by  the  chordettes. orientation.     bisexual,   slight  preference  for  women.     probably  left  many  a  situationship  at  home  but  would’ve  still  called  himself  single. occupation.     the  wretched  butcher  for  a  glum  town. education.     passed  high  school:   held  no  love  for  his  studies. religion.     possibly  been  baptised  but,   otherwise,   holds  no  emotion  towards  any  branch  of  faith.     occupied  his  younger  brothers’  weekends  by  sending  them  to  sunday  school.

physical  characteristics.

height.     one-hundred  seventy-eight  centimetres,   five  foot  ten. eyes.     shy  of  a  deep  brown,   livened  in  the  light  when  he  flashes  his  teeth. hair.     jet  black.     can’t  gel  his  hair  properly  anymore;   absolutely  slicks  it  back  with  his  sweat  now. gender  identity.     cis  man   (   he   +   him   ). build.     broad  shoulders  and  long-legged. distinguishing  marks.     a  white  grin  dripping  red  from  his  bloodied  lip.     ever  the  charmer.

personality   &   behaviour.

hobbies.     the  demanding  kind,   especially  pertaining  to  his  hands:   fiddling  with  a  car  engine,   sculpting  wood,   scaling  stone  walls  and  chainlink  fences.     with  all  the  time  in  the  world,   these  hobbies  probably  bore  a  craftsman’s  hands.     a  big  gamer,   and  winner  against  his  brothers.     recently  began  hunting  before  arriving  in  the  town. likes.     shuffling  a  pack  of  cards,   watching  the  moon,   now,   and  the  path  it  lights  for  him  to  follow,   when  a  vein  pops,   a  crowded  bonfire,   cracking  full  beer  bottles  against  skinny  trees   –   for  target  practice,   of  course. dislikes.     the  songs  crickets  sing,   dry  mornings  peppered  by  an  animal’s  lightfoot,   true  silence,   a  bedroom  of  his  own,   freshly  cleaned  hands. quirks.     bites  his  bottom  lip  so  often   –   therein  will  lie  a  moment  of  genuine  emotion:   his  deep  sneer  and  lowered  chin   –   that  it  often  looks  swollen. strengths.     when  he’s  talkative  in  a  way  that  reads  as  friendly. weaknesses.     when  he’s  glib  like  a  hungry,   pink  cat. moral  alignment.     chaotic  evil. character  inspiration.     lalo  salamanca   (   better  call  saul   ),   feyd-rautha  harkonnen   (   dune   ),   billy  butcher   (   the  boys   ),   wade  wilson   /   deadpool   (   marvel   ),   spike  spiegel   (   cowboy  bebop   ),   tyler  durden   (   fight  club   ),   vaas  montenegro   (   far  cry  series   ),   mr  blonde   (   reservoir  dogs   ),   handsome  jack   (   borderlands  series   ).

background.

before  your  mother,   there  is  your  sister,   biting  your  shoulder  after  you   –   wide  and  itching;   greedy  down  to  your  fingertips   –   stole  another  fry  from  her  plate.     your  mother  isn’t  there,   in  your  mind’s  eye,   but  she  must  be,   ignoring  your  sister’s  indignant  cries.     but  not  your  reddening  cheek,   nor  the  deep  teeth-marks  now  dampening  your  washed  shirt.     the  cupboard  hinge  creaks,   the  sink  continues  to  drip,   and  your  mother  watches  a  salt-lipped  smile  cling  like  a  loose  scab.     there’s  a  pinched  cheek,   and  a  wet  temple.     a  gaunt  laugh.     this   is  how  she  pockmarks  your  memory.     how  you  mark  your  territory.     yes,   your  mother  was  there.     it  wasn’t  your  aunt,   or  their  mother,   or  a  neighbour.     or  a  kind  stranger  at  the  supermarket.     she  was  there.

after  you  and  your  sister,   there’s  a  flock  of  younger  brothers.     stretched  years  between  you  and  them;   your  hands  must  warm  their  blankets.     offer  their  toothless  mouths  your  food,   this  time.     your  mother  is  less  than  a  memory  now,   barely  a  footnote.     your  sister  knew  this  before  you  did.     she  accepts  a  dream  for  what  it  is,   and  then  provides  anew.     chips  the  colour  away  with  her  nail  until  their  beds  remember  what  mother  means  in  this  house.     how  it,   too,   yearns  for  that  woman’s  touch.     weeps  its  paint  off  the  old,   plaster  walls.     it  admits  something  that  you  never  will.     not  even  when  you  surrender  to  the  same  fate.

there  is  a  man  in  the  house.     out  on  the  patio.     in  the  garden,   amid  the  wilted  soil  and  yellow  grass,   leaning  against  the  old  tree.     just  as  crooked,   bending  into  the  neighbour’s  garden.     the  silhouette  of  a  man,   which  is  all  any  of  you  could  know,   without  you  in  the  house.     you  learn  to  provide   –   under  the  quiet,   harsh  press  of  your  sister’s  thumb   –   with  quick  work  cutting  meat  at  the  book-end  of  a  grocery  store.     uniformed,   yet  rowdy.     you’re  messy  when  you  skin  an  animal.     your  teeth  are  still  white,   like  the  milky  edges  of  your  eyes.     you  are  the  man,   and  now  you  are  the  silhouette  too.     your  mother’s  son,   your  father’s  legacy.     your  own  rotten  dream.

where  was  charles  when  he  saw  the  tree  and  the  murder  of  crows?     where  was  he  going?     was  he  travelling  alone?     how  did  he  feel?

he  was  returning  to  the  family  cabin  after  a  morning  hunt.     alone,   of  course,   like  any  older  brother  would  be.     and  the  empty  pit  in  his  chest  that  comes  with  it.     if  anything,   he  thinks  of  the  cold,   and  how  he  needs  a  new  jacket.

describe  charles’  first  day  in  town.     did  he  arrive  in  the  daytime?     was  he  warned  by  the  residents?     did  he  have  to  be  restrained?

roved  through  the  red-sunned  woods  for  a  while.     despite  knowing  the  trek  is  longer  than  it  should  be,   he  levels  his  hunting  rifle  at  the  first  person  that  crosses  his  path.     you’re  trespassing,   he  would  say,   this  is  my  land.     but  there,   he  learns  that  there  is  no  land.     or  how  all  that  remains  is  land.     the  news  doesn’t  disturb  him   –   not  in  the  way  the  villagers  might  expect   –   he  just  laughs  and  laughs.     forgets  that  there’s  a  rifle  in  his  hands.     sun-blistered  face,   again,   under  a  new  set  of  stars.

what  did  he  leave  behind?     what  was  his  life  like  on  the  outside?

he  leaves  a  family  that  was  rich  with  warmth.     the  sister  that  will  look  into  the  mirror  in  his  room,   and  see  her  mother’s  face.     the  butcher  will  only  notice  that  his  hand  shakes  more,   now  that  he  cuts  more  meat.     charles’  empty  heart  joins  him.

[brooklynmuseum]

In the late 1970s, the status of color photography was still disputed within the spaces of museums and art galleries, in part because of its associations with commercial and vernacular uses of the medium, such as fashion photography, advertisements, and home snapshots.

Perhaps even more than the content of his photographs, Jimmy DeSana’s use of gels and tungsten lights to create garish pinks, greens, reds, and oranges flew in the face of accepted taste and allowed him to utilize the medium in decidedly unconventional ways. 

In “Storage Boxes, (1980),” shown here, a pair of figures sit poolside in lounge chairs, holding hands but with their heads and feet encased in boxes. While many of the figures in his work from this time appear to be confined or dominated by objects, their performances look not like a limitation so much as a relational space that generates a capacity for self-knowledge and pleasure. 

📷 Jimmy DeSana (American, 1949–1990). Storage Boxes, 1980. Inkjet print, printed 2022, 15 1/2 × 23 1/2 in. (39.4 × 59.7 cm). Courtesy of the Jimmy DeSana Trust and P·P·O·W Gallery, New York. © Estate of Jimmy DeSana. (Photo: Courtesy of the Jimmy DeSana Trust and P·P·O·W Gallery, New York)

[luxorpen]

A Deep Dive into Gel Pens in India: Styles, Brands, and Popularity

Gel pens are more than just writing tools—they're icons of creativity, precision, and expression for millions in India. Whether students, artists, or office-goers, gel pens hold a special place in the hearts (and pencil cases) of many Indians. Their popularity has only increased over the years, and it's easy to see why: smooth ink flow, vibrant colors, and an enjoyable writing experience. In this blog, we'll delve into the history, the types, the popular brands, and the factors contributing to the gel pen's stronghold in India.

1. The Origins of Gel Pens and Their Rise in India

Gel pens were first developed in Japan in the early 1980s by Sakura Color Products Corporation. The brand introduced the first gel-based ink that combined the smoothness of ballpoint pens and the color variety of rollerball pens. By the late 1980s, other Japanese giants like Pilot and Uni-Ball joined the market, refining and expanding gel pen technology. By the 1990s, gel pens had made their way to India, quickly capturing the interest of students and professionals alike.

Their popularity in India can be attributed to their unique benefits—smooth ink flow, a wide range of colors, and an ergonomic grip. Unlike ballpoint pens, gel pens can write on various types of paper without much pressure, making them ideal for long writing sessions, which are common for students preparing for exams or professionals in meetings.

2. The Anatomy of a Gel Pen: What Sets It Apart

Understanding the anatomy of a gel pen can help explain why it feels different from other types of pens. Here are some essential components that make gel pens unique:

Ink Composition: Gel pens use water-based gel ink with pigment suspended in it. This gives the ink its unique opacity and allows for a wide range of vibrant colors, from basic black and blue to metallic, neon, and pastel hues.

Ball and Nib Design: Gel pens typically have a finer ballpoint than regular ballpoint pens, often ranging from 0.5mm to 0.7mm. The ink flows smoothly and evenly due to the pen's design, providing a controlled and smooth writing experience.

Grip and Barrel: Many gel pens come with rubber grips or ergonomic barrel shapes, which make them comfortable to hold and reduce hand strain during extended use.

3. Popular Gel Pen Brands in India

In India, several brands dominate the gel pen market, each offering distinct styles, features, and price ranges. Let's explore some of the most popular brands and their standout products:

1. Reynolds

Reynolds, one of India's most recognized pen brands, has successfully maintained its popularity for decades. Known for affordable yet high-quality writing instruments, Reynolds gel pens are found in almost every Indian household.

Reynolds Trimax Gel Pen: Known for its smooth ink flow and sleek design, the Trimax is a favorite among students.

Reynolds Gel Racer: This pen is designed with a smooth grip, suitable for students and professionals alike.

2. Cello

Cello pens have become synonymous with reliable, quality writing tools in India. They produce a range of pens, from basic ballpoints to high-end gel pens.

Cello Butterflow Gel Pen: Cello's Butterflow line is a popular choice due to its ultra-smooth writing experience.

Cello Colour Up Gel: This range includes various colors, making it a favorite for creative projects.

3. Pilot

Pilot is renowned worldwide for its innovation in writing tools, and their gel pens have gained a significant following in India. Known for their high quality and attention to detail, Pilot gel pens offer a premium experience.

Pilot G2: This iconic gel pen is loved for its durability and smooth ink flow.

Pilot Frixion: Known for its erasable ink, the Frixion is popular among students and artists alike.

4. Uni-Ball

Uni-Ball pens are popular among those looking for an ultra-smooth writing experience with a touch of luxury. Their pens come in various colors and sizes, making them versatile and functional.

Uni-Ball Signo: Known for its vivid ink and precise lines, this pen is a favorite for both writing and drawing.

Uni-Ball Eye: A reliable choice for professionals, the Uni-Ball Eye provides a smooth, uninterrupted ink flow.

5. Pentel

Pentel is known for its high-quality Japanese craftsmanship and produces some of the most reliable gel pens in the market.

Pentel EnerGel: Loved for its fast-drying ink, the EnerGel range is ideal for left-handed writers who want to avoid smudging.

4. Types of Gel Pens Available in India

Gel pens in India cater to various needs, with types varying in nib size, ink color, and other features. Here are some popular types:

Standard Gel Pens: These are the everyday pens used by students and office-goers. They come in basic colors like black, blue, and red.

Multi-Color Gel Pens: These pens, with colors like green, pink, and purple, are popular among students and artists for highlighting and color-coding.

Metallic and Glitter Gel Pens: Perfect for creative projects, these pens are often used for artwork, card making, and decoration.

Erasable Gel Pens: The Pilot Frixion series is a popular choice for those who want the ability to erase mistakes, a helpful feature for students.

5. Why Gel Pens are Preferred by Different Age Groups in India

Students

For students, gel pens are essential for taking notes, highlighting key points, and making the study experience colorful and engaging. Gel pens’ ease of use, variety, and affordability make them popular among school and college students. Brands like Reynolds and Cello offer budget-friendly options that are easily available.

Artists and Creative Professionals

Artists appreciate gel pens for their variety of colors and smooth ink flow, making them ideal for drawing, journaling, and coloring. Metallic and glitter gel pens are commonly used for art projects, posters, and greeting cards. Professionals in creative fields use gel pens as a staple for personal sketches and highlighting intricate details.

Office Goers and Professionals

For professionals, gel pens add an element of refinement to daily writing tasks. They are smooth, stylish, and help create a neat, bold line on paper. Premium gel pens from brands like Pilot and Uni-Ball are frequently used by corporate professionals in meetings and presentations.

6. Challenges and Future of Gel Pens in India

While gel pens are beloved by many, there are some challenges, such as:

Ink Leakage and Short Lifespan: Due to the water-based ink, gel pens tend to leak and run out faster than ballpoint pens. Some users find this a downside, especially during high-stress situations like exams.

Price Variations: High-quality gel pens from brands like Pilot and Uni-Ball can be more expensive than standard ballpoint pens, making them less accessible to some consumers.

Despite these challenges, the demand for gel pens continues to grow. Many brands are innovating with fast-drying, smudge-proof inks, especially for left-handed users. The future of gel pens in India is likely to see more innovation, with eco-friendly options, refillable pens, and a wider range of colors and finishes.

7. Tips for Choosing the Right Gel Pen in India

If you’re new to gel pens or simply looking to upgrade your collection, here are some tips:

Consider the Purpose: If you’re a student, a durable, smudge-proof pen like Cello Butterflow may be ideal. For artwork, try metallic or glitter options for added flair.

Check the Ink Quality: A high-quality ink like that in Pilot G2 or Uni-Ball Signo will offer a smoother experience and longer-lasting ink.

Look for Ergonomic Design: For extended writing, go for gel pens with a comfortable grip and an ergonomic design. Pens like Reynolds Trimax are particularly user-friendly.

Choose Eco-Friendly Options: Some brands offer refillable gel pens, which are more environmentally friendly and economical in the long run.

Conclusion

Gel pens in India are much more than just writing tools—they’re symbols of creativity, reliability, and style. Whether you’re a student, artist, or professional, there’s a gel pen out there tailored for your specific needs. Brands like Cello, Reynolds, and Pilot have become household names by providing quality, affordability, and a touch of personalization in every pen.

As we look ahead, gel pens will likely continue to evolve, incorporating eco-friendly designs, innovative inks, and diverse colors. But one thing is certain: the Indian love affair with gel pens is here to stay. So, the next time you reach for a gel pen, remember—you’re holding more than just a pen; you’re holding a piece of India’s writing culture!

[27fm]

Playlist 23.07.2024

Staples Jr. Singers - Lost In A World Of Sin (4:01) [Searching - 2024]

Slim Cessna's Auto Club - Magalina Hagalina Boom Boom (3:39) [SCAC 102 An Introduction For Young And Old Europe - 2015]

Munly & The Lupercalians - Döder (4:51) [Kinnery Of Lupercalia; Undelivered Legion - 2022]

Gel - Attainable (1:43) [Only Constant - 2023]

Conservative Military Image - Indoor Skins (1:55) [No Squares In Our Circle - 2024]

GREM - Persevere (2:20) [GREM Demo - 2024]

Cosmic Psychos - Accountant Song (3:53) [Mountain of Piss - 2021]

Die Verlierer - Beton (2:33) [Notausgang - 2024]

Ruhr - Gestalt (2:32) [RUHR - 2024]

Ligatures - Instant Death (2:49) [Instant Death & Creator (Single from A23a) - 2024]

Poison Ruïn - Execute (3:01) [Confrere - 2024]

Zach Bryan - Sandpaper (Feat. Bruce Springsteen) (3:36) [The Great American Bar Scene - 2024]

Johnny Cash - Poor Valley Girl (2:16) [Songwriter - 2024]

Entombed - Left Hand Path (6:39) [Left Hand Path (Full Dynamic Range Edition) - 1990]

Darkness Everywhere - Retaliation (2:58) [To Conquer Eternal Damnation - 2024]

Alcest - Flamme Jumelle (5:17) [Les Chants de l'Aurore - 2024]

Bossk - Truth II (7:57) [.4 - 2024]

Baratro - The Bad, The Bad And The Ugly (4:24) [The Sweet Smell Of Unrest - 2024]

Melancholia - Yersinia in Bloom (3:02) [Book of Ruination - 2023]

Uprising - Eternal Mantra (6:37) [III - 2024]

Vígljós - 𝓭𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓫𝓾𝓶𝓫𝓵𝓮𝓫𝓮𝓮 (3:50) [𝓣𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓘: 𝓪𝓹𝓲𝓭𝓪𝓮 - 2024]

Insect Ark - Psychological Jackal (8:21) [Raw Blood Singing - 2024]

[spreadjoys]

The Impact of Online Trading on Your Financial Future.

Recently, the roles of online trading, investing, and financial flapping have skyrocketed in popularity! With tons more people flocking to the internet to manage their money, the rise of online trading beaches has made it simpler than ever for people to invest from the comfort of their homes into stocks, bonds, and other fiscal instruments. This article aims to traverse both the benefits and drawbacks of online trading, holistically rendering a few tips for newbies eager to launch!

First and foremost, the primary advantage of online trading is the convenience it brings! Investors can access their accounts or make trades anytime they wish; there's no need to go to a broker or step onto a physical trading floor. This flexibility could save oneself time and coins and appears to offer a lot of control over their investments. Moreover, the trading stages often propose various investment genres and utilities, enabling investors to diversify their manpower and formulate more informative decisions.

Conversely, accompanying online trading is its own bag of risks and bumps. The absence of a seasoned broker might push investors towards making emotional or on-the-whim trades, paving potential losses. Therefore, the dread of cyber attacks and fraud remains pronounced, risking the security of a financier's account. Despite these challenges, though, online trading remains a lucrative and accessible means for individuals to handle their finances and perhaps emergent profits.

Understanding online trading

Online trading has neatly tied up in popularity recently, handing out opportunities for investors to fuss with financial instruments in the snugness of their couches. This section here gives a peek at online trading, including its history, evolution round-ups, and briefs on the various financial trading platforms one can commence on.

History and Revolutions of Online Trading

Previously, in the late 1990s, online trading was just a cub with the advent of electronic communication networks (ECNs). These herds allowed traders to milk real-time quotes and perform trades electronically, making brokers an old hat soon. Over time, these platforms evolved fancier to harbour a broader array of financial instrument stake options and features.

Today's trappings in online trading Stages have grown intensely intricate, furnishing gel to a myriad of analytical implements and research treatments. Major platforms also outstretch mobile apps, the handiest of tools for on-the-go trading.

Types of Financial Trading Stages:

Numerous breeds of financial trading platforms have indexed the market, providing varied flavours and perks:

Brokerage platforms: These platforms come from traditional brokers offering plethoras of instruments like stocks and options.

Forex platforms: Specializing in currency, they fork out extensive chartings and analytics.

Cryptocurrency platforms: They engage a range of cryptos, including biggies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Robo-advisory platforms: This auto-pilot ship where algorithms commandeer investments aimed at those leaning-back investors.

Getting Going with Online Trading

Commencing is pretty blunt. Choose a platform echoing your taste, then set up an account and dump the initial deposit in. With your account bitten by the fund bug, you plunge into trading diverse financial gizmos.

But, recall, online trading plays a risky Instrument: always wade through your investment aims and how much risk you're itching for. And, never oversee the Impact of online trading on one's financial upcoming, consisting of both the downs and ups.

Investment Strategies, along with Risk Managing

Assessing Market Tendencies:

Every successful online trading effort flows from keenly eyeing how various monetary instruments are gallivant. Decoding these movements demands skills in technical, fundamental, and quantitative analysis.

Diversification and Asset Dispersal:

Keys for a healthy trading journey include spreading risks by planting investments across varied terrains; this shields against market Mood Swing and other risk calamities and might balloon your success rates over long drifts.

Risk Assessment Plus Mitigation:

Finally, grasping risks and cloaking them is vital. Variety in risks like market volatility and liquidity should be mitigated using strategies right from stop-loss orders to hedging diversification.

With wise investment strategies and risk management, your online trading could very well shape a lush financial future.

[aykutiltertr]

Hayranım - Niran Ünsal - Ritim Karaoke Orijinal Trafik (Türkçe Pop)  Ayrıcalıklardan yararlanmak için bu kanala katılın ( Join this channel to enjoy privileges.) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqm-5vmc2L6oFZ1vo2Fz3JQ/join Şarkının Orijinal Versiyonunu Linkten Dinleyip Ritim Karaokesiyle Çalışabilirsiniz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aUXjmBeFB8 Aykut ilter Ritim Karaoke Kanalıma Abone Olun Beğenip Paylaşın Hayranım - Niran Ünsal - Ritim Karaoke Orijinal Trafik (Türkçe Pop) intro: Dm C C A# Bm            Em Seninle biran ömre bedel A                 G               Bm Geçtiğin yollara gönlümü serdim ara sıra gel Bm            Em Gözüne kurban sözüne hayran A                G              Bm Gözgöze geldiğim herseferinde eridi bu can Bm                           A Hayranım kaşına gözüne maşallah A                          G Razıyım çilene derdine eyvallah Bm                             A Çarpıldım boyuna posuna bismillah A                     G Razıyım çilene derdine ah Bm                Em Bazen uğra bize yok hiç kötü niyetim G                     F#m    G        A      Bm Bir çift tatlı söze yaralı gönlümü mest edeyim Bm                Em Bazen uğra bize yok hiç kötü niyetim G                  F#m     G       A     Bm Tatlı sohbetinle yaralı gönlümü mest edeyim... Bm Em  G  A Aaaaaaaahhh   )   Bm aaaaahh A                G                 Bm yalvara yalvara, ağlaya ağlaya eriyorum ahhh Em seviyorum ahhh A                 G               Bm söyledim halimi, anla biraz beni banada günah Bm               Em seviyorum ahhh, eriyorum ahhh A                 G              Bm söyledim halimi, anla biraz beni banada günah.. Bm HAYRANIM... Niran Ünsal Madde Tartışma Oku Değiştir Kaynağı değiştir Geçmişi gör Araçlar Vikipedi, özgür ansiklopedi Bu maddedeki bilgilerin doğrulanabilmesi için ek kaynaklar gerekli. Lütfen güvenilir kaynaklar ekleyerek maddenin geliştirilmesine yardımcı olun. Kaynaksız içerik itiraz konusu olabilir ve kaldırılabilir. Kaynak ara: "Niran Ünsal" – haber · gazete · kitap · akademik · JSTOR (Ağustos 2022) (Bu şablonun nasıl ve ne zaman kaldırılması gerektiğini öğrenin) Niran Ünsal Doğum adı Fatma Uludan Canevi[1] Doğum 13 Ağustos 1976 (47 yaşında) İzmir, Türkiye Tarzlar Pop Meslekler Müzisyen, besteci Çalgılar Piyano Etkin yıllar 1992-günümüz Müzik şirketi Nü Müzik Prodüksiyon Resmî site NuMuzik Resmî Web Sitesi Eş Kaan Canbağ (e. 1990; b. 1990) Peker Açıkalın (e. 1999; b. 2001) Selçuk Soğukçay (e. 2004; b. 2004)Oğuz Türküsev (e. 2007; b. 2009) İbrahim Gugu (e. 2010; b. 2011) (e. 2011) Çocukları Hande Ünsal Narin Şeker Açıkalın Bera Gugu Liva Gugu Fatma Uludan Canevi, ya da tanınan adıyla Niran Ünsal (d. 13 Ağustos 1976, İzmir), Türk pop müzik şarkıcısı. Hayatı Niran Ünsal; 13 Ağustos 1976 tarihinde, TRT İzmir Radyosu keman ve ses sanatçısı Nursal Ünsal ve kanun sanatçısı Ahmet Canevi'nin ikinci çocuğu olarak İzmir'de doğdu. Müzik hayatına sekiz yaşında İzmir TRT Çocuk Korosu'nda başladı. İleri koro ve gençlik korosu derken uzun yıllar TRT İzmir Radyosu'nda görev aldı. Daha sonra Türk Sanat Müziği Korosu'nun sınavlarını kazandı. Dört ay kadar koroda görev aldı. Ancak müzikal tercihini pop müzikten yana kullandı. Bu yüzden radyodan ayrılıp orkestra eşliğinde sahne çalışmalarına başladı. Aynı yıllarda bir evlilik gerçekleştirdi. Bu evlilikten Hande adında bir kızı oldu. Bir dönem İzmir'de radyo programcılığı yaptı ve bu esnada İzmir Devlet Konservatuvarı Şan Bölümü Öğretim Üyesi Müfit Bayraşa ile tanıştı. Bayraşa Pop Show 94 yarışması için hazırladığı besteyi Niran Ünsal'ın yorumlamasını istedi. Yarışmanın ödülleri arasında S Müzik'le albüm anlaşması da yer alıyordu. Fazla düşünmeden teklifi kabul etti ve "Serseri Mayın" isimli eserle Pop Show 94 yarışmasında birinci oldu. Yarışmadaki başarısının ardından müzik birikiminin yeterli olmadığını düşünerek, müzik dünyasının usta isimleriyle sahne çalışmaları yaptı, beste denemelerine başladı. Sekiz aylık bir çalışmanın ardından 1996 yılının 13 Ağustos günü ilk albümünü çıkardı. Haktan adını taşıyan albüm, boğazda yat turuyla başlayıp Ortaköy meydanında halka ücretsiz verilen konserle biten, yaş gününün de kutlandığı bir kokteyle tanıtıldı. On iki şarkının yer aldığı albümün müzik yönetmenliğini Garo Mafyan ve Selim Çaldıran yaptı. Albümle aynı adı taşıyan "Haktan", çıkış parçası oldu ve video klibi Deniz Akel tarafından çekildi. Diğer parçaların söz ve müziği Seda Akay, Garo Mafyan, Selim Çaldıran ve Tamer Özkan imzasını taşıdı. Faruk Nafiz Çamlıbel'in şiirinden Suat Sayın'ın bestelediği klasik bir parça olan "İntizar"ı da seslendirdi. "Haktan"ın sonraki klipleri ise sırasıyla "Aşka Davet" ve "Beyaz Sevda" adlı şarkılara çekildi. İlk albümünün ardından sahne çalışmalarına yoğunlaşan Ünsal, Metin Şentürk gibi isimlere bestelerini verdi. Niran Ünsal, ikinci albümünü 1999 yılında piyasaya sürdü. Şarkılara Tutundum adlı çalışmada Attila Özdemiroğlu'yla çalıştı. İlk video klip, sözleri Aysel Gürel'e müziği Niran Ünsal'a ait olan "İtiraf Ediyorum" oldu.

[agentlothcat]

Oh, this will be odd since it is out of context 🤣

“Karabast! Stop that!” Zeb growled, but without any real ill-intent. With an irritated sigh, he popped the cap on the hair gel and poured a small amount into the open hand that Ezra was now offering him. And with that, Ezra headed back to their room while Zeb repositioned the armchair, end table, lamp, and magazines, grumbling under his breath the whole time. Today was going to be a long day. 

From Chapter 4 of A Summer Place, a Kalluzeb 1990’s-horse-summer-camp-AU. Thank you @thatonegreyghost for the tag! I guess anyone else who wants to play along can?? @mystical-salamander and @twinsoulvisionary I played along 💜

WIP Tag Game

Share the last line of your work in progress, then tag as many people as there are words in it.

Thank you, @brokenphoenix99 for the tag.

Denal huffs.  “You’re not pathetic.” Axe smiles at him.  “Thanks.”

From my Clone Ship Big Bang fic 👀👀

No pressure tags to @marbled-polecat, @seascribbling, @sellanslashgeode, @nimata-beroya, @thatonegreyghost, @posstrophe, @rowansparrow

[lokis-army-77]

please consider writing a part 2 of Zodiac 😭💖💖 the story was so cute

Zodiac PT. 2

Edward Nashton x f!reader

Dano riddler x f!reader

Word Count: 2506

After being stood up on their first date, reader and Eddie finally go out.

Warning: mentions of murder

Inbox is open

Masterlist Taglist form

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Tuesday came and the day felt like it went on for hours. I was anxious to see if Eddie would actually show up. But when the time came for me to clock out, he was standing at the bottom of the old marble staircase in the library. His attire was different from what I had seen him wearing the last few times, khaki slacks with a white button-up tucked in and a light brown blazer. His hair looked like it had been combed back with a bit of gel.

He hadn't noticed me descending the stairs until I came up behind him on the last step and tapped his shoulder. He jumped a little and stumbled forward in surprise. I let a giggle slip out as he turned to look at me. The shocked expression quickly turned into one of joy.

“You look very beautiful.” He complimented me as he held his hand out to me, helping me down the last step.

“You don’t look too bad yourself. You clean up nicely.” We walked through the library doors hand in hand.

“Listen, I really am sorry I stood you up yesterday.” He apologized for what felt like the millionth time.

“Eddie, I already told you, it’s okay. I completely understand, work sometimes gets in the way of personal life.” I said with a smile, bringing our hands up so I could pat him with my free one.

“I know, I just feel really bad about it.” His head hung low. We came to a stop beside a gold 1990 two-door Pontiac Grand Am parked beside the sidewalk. “Um, this is us.” he awkwardly let go of my hand to open the passenger side door. He watched as I slipped in, maneuvering my dress so I wouldn't accidentally roll the skirt up. Eddie closed my door and quickly ran to the driver's side and settled into the seat.

With his hands on the wheel, he took a deep breath and then asked, “Where would you like to go?”

“Well,” I said, turning in my seat to look at him. “There is this nice little hole-in-the-wall Chinese place close to the wharf in Chinatown. I like it because not many people go there and it's quiet.”

“Then Chinese it is.” He placed the key into the ignition and turned it, and the engine came tumbling to life.

I slimed to myself as I watched Eddie drive. Never having learned how to drive myself, it amazed me how someone could easily switch gears like it involved no thinking whatsoever.

“I can feel you staring,” he pointed out as we made another turn.

“I’m sorry. It’s just that I never learned how to drive. Automatic cars give me trouble so it’s fascinating to watch you drive stick.” I confessed as I turned away to watch the road, blushing.

“I, I uh could teach you if you want.” He offered. I looked at him in surprise, he was watching me from the corner of his eye.

“Really? You would do that?”

“I don’t see why not, it could be fun.” I could tell he had gained some confidence since we had last seen each other on Saturday.

“Thank you, Eddie, I’d love for you to teach me.” I loosened my seatbelt and leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. His face lit up in the afternoon sun like a red hot iron, I just chuckled and sat back in my seat.

Minutes later we arrived at the restaurant after I directed us. Eddie was ever the gentleman and helped me out of the car and led me into the restaurant with our arms linked. We were seated in a corner booth, next to the window looking out into the harbor. We were both quiet as we wanted for our orders, but once we had our food and were sure we wouldn’t be bothered by the waitress, we started our conversation.

“So, do you like working at the library?” He asked, taking a mouthful of fried rice.

“I do, although I almost never have anything to do. We barely get seven people a day.” I took a bite of my honey chicken. “What is it you do for work?”

“Oh well, I’m a forensic accountant. I basically go over the numbers of businesses suspected of money laundering, embezzlements, and any other illegal money stuff.”

“Wow, sound’s important.”

He shook his head. “Not really, it’s not like they do anything when we find evidence.”

“I know what you mean. The governing system in Gotham is awful, I wish I could do something to change it.” I noticed his posture shift slightly, his back becoming more straight. “How’s the Zodiac Killer research going?”

“Pretty good, I should be done with research and then onto planning out my project in the next week or so.” He smiled at me.

“Mind telling me what this project is?” I was curious, maybe he would say something about that stream last night, only if it was him of course, although I still suspected that it was.

“That is a secret. Highly classified.” He said in a joking tone before taking a sip of water.

“Oh come on Eddie, I helped you find those books, I think I deserve to know at least a bit of what you are doing.” I pressed playfully.

“You’ll know in due time,” was all he said before looking back down at his food. I sat there and thought about whether or not I should ask about the Riddler or not, but my curiosity won out.

“Does this have anything to do with the Riddler?” I blurted out. In an instant, his eyes were on me and he had dropped his fork, it made a loud clattering sound as it hit the glass tabletop.

“Where did you hear that name?” He asked, breathlessly. I cut my eyes sharply at him.

“So it was you.”

“Was me what?”

“Last night. You blew me off to stream, I saw the tail end of it. You used what I said to you at the library as a quote.” He was staring at me wide-eyed.

“I- I” He couldn’t get the words out as I stared back at him.

“I’m not mad at you Eddie if that’s what you are worried about. I just wish you would have told me what you were really doing instead of lying.” I rested a hand on top of his on the table. “I would like to know what it’s about though.”

“I can’t tell you.” Something like fear passed behind his eyes.

“What do you mean, of course, you can tell me.”

“No, no I- I can’t. You wouldn’t see me the same if you did.” He was shrinking back into himself. I just squeezed his hand and made him look up at me.

“Eddie, just tell me, please,” I pleaded. “I swear I won't look at you any differently.”

He gave a great huff and looked around the empty restaurant. Raising one hand for the check, he wreaked the other through his gelled hair, messing it up in a nice way. “It would be better if I showed you.”

Eddie drove us through the city all the way up to his apartment in the Bowery district. I clung to him as we walked from the small parking garage to the entrance of his apartment complex. The Bowery wasn’t safe at night, everyone knew this. Carmine Falcone and his goonies ran this district and the surrounding areas, as well as petty thieves and murderers. This wasn’t the place a man and a woman should be strolling along at night.

The building was decrepit, almost as if no one had actually lived inside for nearly sixty years. But the elevator surprisingly worked and it took us to the third floor. I let go of Eddie so he could unlock his door and usher me inside the dark space. After a moment of trying to find my way in the dark, a dim yellow light flickered on above me.

The light only really lit up the entryway and small kitchen area. Eddie slipped past me and into, what I assumed was the living area, to turn on several lamps. When the lights came on, I was transported into chaos. There was clutter everywhere on the tables and shelves lining the living area, but the floor was clean.

I stepped further into the living room and took everything in. On the far right was a collage of newspaper clippings and pictures tacked and taped on the wall. In big bold white lettering, painted above the clippings, was the sentence, ‘THE TRUTH ABOUT GOTHAM’.

“Eddie, what is all this?” I asked, turning to him, thoughts racing through my head.

“Remember when I said that no one does anything when we find evidence of illegal activity at my job? Well, this is me taking the matter into my own hands.” He gestured to the room around us.

I nervously turned my gaze from him to look back around the room, taking in all the newspaper clippings and pictures, even a few drawings of random contraptions.

“So, what are you planning to do?” I asked, wondering to myself if I really wanted to know the answer.

“I’m going to take them down, one by one, and then I am going to cleanse the city, with the help of my following of course.”

“Yes Eddie, but what does ‘take them down’ imply?”

He took a seat on the chair in front of his cluttered desk. “I don’t know if I should tell you.”

“You brought me this far Ed, if you don’t tell me now, I’ll find out on my own sometime down the road. It’s best if you just tell me yourself.” I urged him to confide his plan to me.

He sighed, raking his fingers through his hair, something I was begging to think he only did when nervous.

“Fine, but please don’t freak out at me, or get mad,” he grabbed hold of my two hands as he pleaded with me. I nodded in agreement. “I’m going to kill them. The Mayor, commissioner, the district attorney, and Bruce Wayne. Eventually, I’ll get Carmine Falcone, but I need muscle for that, that's where The Batman comes in.”

I just listened to him rant about what he had found, the embezzlement of the Renewal fund into the pockets of Falcone, how almost every top government official in Gotham is a part of the scheme, and on Falcone’s payroll. His passion for the subject intrigued me and left me wanting to help.

I was having a mental dilemma standing in the middle of Eddie’s apartment. On one hand, I know killing is wrong but these people have caused so much suffering in this city for God knows how long and they should be stopped, and on the other hand, if they didn’t die, the city would stay in ruin and never have a chance to rise from its own ashes.

There was no doubt I looked crazy, muttering to myself while still holding onto Eddie’s hands, but I had to go over every possible option in my head before I even began to talk again. As I came to a decision, I squeezed Ed’s hands and pulled him up from his seat. He looked down at me through his glasses, eyes curious.

“I want to help.”

The curiosity left his eyes in favor of a new emotion, shock. He blinked several times before shaking his head to seemingly clear it out. “You what?”

“I want to help you. If what you said is true then those people don't deserve to be in such highly regarded positions. They don’t deserve to be making the rules for the common people. If we don’t do anything, then what’s to stop them from destroying Gotham more than they already have?”

Never had I thought Edward could be an intense person, but as he stared down at me, I suddenly felt small. I couldn't determine the look on his face and it worried me a little now that I knew he was actually wanting to kill people.

“Are you sure? Once you start helping me, you can’t take it back. You’ll be in this permanently.”

“Yes, I’m sure.” I silently prayed that I was making the right decision.

He let go of my hands then and raised them to cup my face, the confidence he had lost earlier, now rushing back to him. His hands pulled me gently, closer to himself. My heart was beating so hard, I swore it would explode from my body. He leaned down to where his face was directly in front of mine, I could feel his warm breath on my skin and I closed my eyes.

Jumping slightly, I was surprised when warm soft lips pressed into my own. Not that I had an extensive history in kissing, but I knew that Eddie’s kissing was a little inexperienced. Not sloppy as most inexperienced boys were in high school, just nervous. It was more or less a long peck on the lips before I reached my hands up to his neck and pulled us together more. I initiated the movement, opening my mouth to help him along. He followed and soon we were kissing properly.

Eddie pulled back slightly and looked at me, a crimson red blush appearing across his cheeks. “Sorry, I should have asked you first before I did that.”

“No, it’s okay. I liked it.” I whispered, pulling him back in for another kiss. My fingers played with the short strands of hair at the base of his neck. His left hand slipped down from my cheek and to my waist, pulling our bodies closer together with a little rougher than I think he had expected.

I pulled away from the kiss this time and rested our foreheads together as we both caught our breath. Drawing my hands away from his neck and resting them on his chest, I spoke. “Eddie, I think I should go home.”

“What? Why?” He held onto me tighter.

“Because it’s getting late and we both have work tomorrow.”

“No, just stay here, it’s too dangerous to go out there right now.” He excused.

“Eddie, I have nothing to wear and I don’t usually stay the night with a date on the first outing. Nevertheless, come to their apartment,” I mumbled the last part to myself.

“Oh, you can wear one of my shirts and my sweatpants. Come on.” I pulled away some more, looking him in the eye. It took everything in me to try and resist the kicked puppy look he was giving me, but I eventually caved.

Sighing I moved my hands in a shrugging motion. “I give up,” I sighed.

Eddie smiled and kissed me on the cheek before letting go and rushing off to what I assumed was his bedroom to find me some clothes. I just shook my head.

Oh god, what have I gotten myself into?

Riddler tag list: @caterpillerxd @sagexsenorita @the-goon-tm @trelaney

[deadfruity]

Do you have any fem losers fic recs? Or fem reddie? Or just your favorite recent it fics in general? I'd appreciate it!!

I'll hafta get back to u on those first two, but there actually.Actually if anyone has any recs for fem losers TELL ME. I got this super sweet one to add on here tho! And then yes ofc I got some favs to share:

areas of expertise (puzzle stan. funniest one on this list)

the year of the goat and your kid back (y2k + eddies dad is alive, gay, yadda yadda + new yawk + bada boong + stan's a stoner)

Won’t You Be My Neighbor, Dr. Tozier? (everyone wants richie's dad's richard)

Selected Interview Highlights—Dateline NBC: SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK (if u imagine bill hader as richie we’ve got a bill and kieth morrison paradox in our hands)

If I'm Butter (my favorite romcom)

Richie from 5 to 7 (took a common concept and had me howling)

Collateral (i specifically love U, bevvie)

The Kids Table + Honeylamb (this is the author stitchy, no explanations !)

in the morning i'll call you (also my favorite romcom)

me and you (setting in a honeymoon) (richie (flirting): 'what kind of gel do you use? ur hair looks ugly as fuck rn.')

What Beauty Is For (richie's manager clearly doesn't count his blessings!!)

we made houses out of cardboard boxes (one of my favorite eddie's liiiiterally ever)

Been Down Two Times (wip, but still perfect)

Gift From the Turtle God (if stephen king himself wrote a happy ending)

Bed Knobs and Bar Fights, (+ book eddie casual sexual crisis Judgment, and Mike, Eddie, and Mr. Chips starring in Elegy For My Best Friend) 

There Are Easier Ways To Kill Yourself, You Know (haven't actually read this one in 4 years, but i remember thinking it was it went so harddd!!!!!! and i trust myself. it's the only one that's stuck with me all this time. it heather's au where the losers club r bad people!!)

and now i don't have to go in (my 1990's recc! im so handsome!)

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hi JWB, analysis anon here. I have a fun question to ask. What do you think are some of the greatest loopholes in IPK? I can think of one—-Khushi running around every nook and corner of Shantivan every day but never coming across Shyam’s life size portrait in Anjali’s room😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😂😂😂😂 Would love to hear what you find as hilariously absurd. Thanks a bunch and much love❤️❤️❤️❤️

Hello Analysis Anon!!!

So lovely to see you after so many days! Oh - I always love fun questions. Legit this is one of my favorite asks of all time, lol.

Greatest (Funny) Loopholes in IPK

1) The disappearing Shyam Photograph

- Khushi never seeing a single photograph of Shyam, especially the huge portrait that conveniently keeps disappearing (maybe Shyam took the heavy frame out every time he knew Khushi was coming - where do you think his biceps came from?)

2) Washroom? Corridor?

- The washroom/corridor in Arnav and Anjali's room. LITERALLY in the first few episodes it was shown as a corridor (why does Arnav have three entry points in his room in the first place; poolside, in room corridor AND a door) and then it becomes a washroom (that too the cheapest washroom in the world). I remember these things.

3) Arnav bitwa’s changing wall deco.

- Lol, some wall deco of Anjali/Nani’s room is left in Arnav's room. Since it's the same set, I could understand the same almirah cause he probs bought all the furniture from the same place (and it's difficult to remove heavy furniture) but did anyone think I wouldn't see a flash of red/gold/orange/sparkle wall deco in a gray and white room... lol

4) India’s cheap security system

- Khushi and Mami's James Bond moment by 'entering' the security footage warehouse. Of India Gandhi International Airport. Like Delhi is the capital of India. And this is their main international airport. That has 24x7 security. And that there won't be any security cameras that would capture these two women - with no training to do such missions - effectively find the exact recording, see it, have a Kyun Dard Hai Itna moment, and go back. It was 2012, not 1990.

Psst, did they just forget India's long standing history of having her flights hijacked led to the toughest security measures around everything to do with flights...

5) Hari Prakash? Hari Prasad? Hari...

- How 2 people played Hari Prakash. Lol. And then poor guy was sometimes called Hari Prasad!

6) Wolverine Khushi.

- She gets hit multiple times on her head, multiple bruises on her hand and there's just no effect. Woman has the recovery of a superhero. Guess there are some benefits being Devi Maiyya's bhakt.

7) The inconsistencies of KKGSR.

- She starts as someone who doesn’t like bursting Diwali crackers because of ethical issues and ends up becoming someone who wants to burst them. Lol.

8) Mrs Disaster Track

- The whole Mrs India track. Be it the visibly cheap production for it (literally one of the ‘art’ on the wall is a thin paper print of designs?), the fake walls, Khushi’s exaggerated makeup, Arnav drowning in gel, the no connection to how things actually run... *sigh* the list is endless. 

9) The non consistent body doubles!

- The body doubles! Ok, IPK uses them in other scenes and it’s not an issue because they’re done well - you can’t spot them! But omg in some scenes I am like, lol, I can SEE it’s not the actors. Hahahaha. In the hut scene Barun was really fit and muscular and his dupe isn’t - so it’s hilarious when they shot the intimate scenes cause on one hand I see Arnav’s really solid shoulders and in the next cut it has all disappeared. Also Khushi has super straight hair and then in the next shot her hairstyle has become fizzy and curly. Also, the best thing, in one shot Sanaya has tiny nails with mehendi on her hands and in the next one we have some woman’s long fingernails - painted bright red - with a sticker mehendi on... umm... I don’t think my suspension of disbelief can last that long!

10) The Raizada's become poor or... not famous

Somehow after the first episode the Raizada name holds no worth. After convincing us that the name is valued like the Mittals, Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra or Birla... we have people not caring about that name at all. Lol. I find it hilarious that the cops - who usually know everything - don’t budge when Khushi calls herself a Singh Raizada. Or when the airport refuses her.... like you literally had a visa issued for her in 24 hours because she’s a Raizada. Looooool. Also, did Khushi lie her way into a competition - that’s not legally allowed. They need identification. Also, I find it exceedingly funny that the airport and cops didn’t literally call Delhi’s CM into the matter of Arnav Singh Raizada’s wife suspecting he’s kidnapped. Yeah, I legit see the CBI getting involved if a Mittal was kidnapped!

So thanks for this ask - I had A LOT OF FUN making this list!

Lol,

Best,

- JWB

[y2kbeautyandother2000sstuff]

Bath and Body Works Art Stuff Berry Go Round Bit-O-Glitz Anti Bacterial Hand Gel

1996-2004

Found on Ebay, user Tiffany's Home

[dawning-games]

and in honor of the season of gift giving and eating too much good food (or of going to see discounted movie tickets during other people's holidays), have the current opening to chapter four:

The doors before you had been deceptively large; you'd braced yourself to force open a heavy weight, and instead found yourself stumbling after them as they slid open wide at the slightest push to reveal a vast ballroom that was full to bursting with a crowd of revelers. Where there had been a weighted, almost claustrophobic silence on the other side of the doors, you were now hit with what felt like a solid wall of sound. An unseen orchestra filled the air, competing with the laughter and singing and raised voices.

Every surface glittered and gleamed, although it was difficult to narrow down just what materials they were made of. Every time you tried to concentrate on the flooring below your feet or the chandeliers overhead rather than the crowd, they almost seemed to shift before your very eyes. Sometimes you thought you were looking at gilt and marble, at others murky water shot through with weak beams of moonlight, full of tangled wood and fish that darted past you like a flock of startled birds.

You reeled back at that last part, bringing you face to face with the crowd you'd been trying to avoid looking at directly. Hair, fur, and trailing clothing floated behind the revelers as they whirled past you, almost as if you really were still underwater. You'd thought you'd known what to expect from a place known as The Fallen Court, but to your disappointment there was no consistent style of dress or dance or anything else, really. Elaborately embroidered clothing that wouldn't have looked out of place in a museum was worn right alongside someone in a power suit from the 1990's, complete with shoulder pads, all of them worn by… You assumed they had all started off as human beings, but only because no one had told you to expect otherwise. Off to one side was a masculine person whose entire torso was a stringed instrument you recognized as a tar, while off to another was a hulking, fluid shape that looked like a cross between water and a thick gel that was boiling with sea life.

1: The assault on your senses left you twisting your hands into an anxious pretzel

2: You looked around yourself impatiently. Who were they trying to impress?

3: You always had been one for parties, and you grinned excitedly

[lightsonparkave]

HAPPY TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO LIGHTS ON PARK AVE! 🎂🎉 In celebration of LoPA’s birthday (August 22, to be exact), all of the prompts from the previous year are up for grabs.

Round 24 will end on August 31, 11:59 PM ET (what time is that for me?).

As always, you’re free to jump in whenever you’d like during the round, a wide variety of work types is accepted, and there are no minimum work requirements. Unfinished works and works for other fandom events are allowed. You can find more information about Lights on Park Ave and the participation guidelines here.

Here are all 149 prompts. Go crazy and have fun! 🎈

ROUND 13: TIME

A quote about being infinite in the present moment from The Perks of Being a Wallflower

“Vellichor,” the the strange wistfulness of used bookstores

“How long is forever?” dialogue from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

“Time” - Hans Zimmer (Inception OST)

A quote and gifset from Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival (2016) about the nonlinear structure of time

Agnès Varda’s portraits when she was 20, 36, and 80 years old

A John Irving quote about what time does to the people who matter to us

Ten traveling back to see Rose on New Year’s Day in 2005 before he dies and reincarnates in Doctor Who

Future inventions in 2015 as seen in Robert Zemeckis’s Back to the Future Part II (1989)

A quote about what time does for wounds

ROUND 14: LIMINALITY

A photoset of various liminal spaces

Illustration of a black cat in front of a red-lit house with the caption, “They say no one is living here—but the lights come on, once every year”

A photoset of Victorian-era spirit photography, an art form that attempted to capture the ghost of a deceased loved one

Information on the famous Mojave phone booth, a lone telephone booth in the middle of the desert that received calls from all over the world

Rosemary Ellen Guiley’s The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits Third Edition’s definition of “witching hour”

Illustration of a ghost train on an abandoned trestle bridge in the Pacific Northwest

A quote by Isabel Allende about spirits coming out at night in the library

Gifset of the spirit world in Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001)

Illustration of a neon roadside sign of a motel that only appears at night by a long-forgotten highway

“Pacific Coast Highway” - Kavinsky

A gifset quote from The Twilight Zone (1959)

Scenery from Twin Peaks season 1 (1990)

A quote about something shifting into a strange, new place inside of a person from Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

ROUND 15: LOSS

A quote about being lost and found by someone special by Sue Zhao

A photo of the Mildred, wrecked off Gurnard’s Head, Cornwall in 1912

A quote about ephemerality and the beauty of it from Troy (2004)

Two paintings of people visiting ruins by Caspar David Friedrich

A quote about desire and loss by Lara Mimosa Montes

A photo of an overgrown, abandoned conservatory

A passage about what disappears and what remains in ruins from Suicide by Édouard Levé

Dialogue about gratitude for people who aren’t meant to stay in your life but shape who you are from BoJack Horseman

A scene from Fleabag where the Priest chooses God over Fleabag and gently tells Fleabag that her love for him will pass before they part ways

A prayer to St. Anthony, patron saint of lost things, people, and souls

Oscar Wilde’s tomb in Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, covered in lipstick kisses from admirers

Photos of a cemetery statue in Austria, wrapped in branches and dead leaves, holding a single flower

ROUND 16: DEVOTION/SERVICE

A gifset of Kevin on the phone, telling Chiron he’ll cook food for him from Barry Jenkin’s Moonlight (2016)

Buttercup’s monologue to Westley about how she would do anything for him from The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Gifs of Merlin saying that he was born to serve Arthur from BBC’s Merlin

An excerpt about giving all of oneself to someone despite what it costs from House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

A gifset of various times Jaime and Brienne demonstrate their loyalty to and love for each other in Game of Thrones

A gifset of all the different ways Cliff is there for Rick in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

A gifset of Nadia deciding to be by Alan’s side no matter what in Russian Doll

“Devotion” - Ocean Vuong

A gifset of Bond comforting a traumatized Vesper in the shower in Casino Royale (2006)

A gifset of Sookhee refusing to leave Hideko, saying her job is to look after her in Park Chanwook’s The Handmaiden (2016)

ROUND 17: DREAMS

A dreamscape gifset and quote about repressed thoughts in dreams and the Internet from Satoshi Kon’s Paprika (2006)

A gifset of Mitsuha and Taki finally meeting in their own bodies in a dream from Shinkai Makoto’s Kimi no Na wa (Your Name) (2016)

A quote by Tinker Bell telling Peter Pan where he can find her and where she’ll always love him in Steven Spielberg’s Hook (1991)

The scene where Keating tells his students that poetry, beauty, romance, and love give life meaning in Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society (1989)

An animated illustration of a storefront called “Hauntings” with a flickering “99¢ dreams” neon sign

Various dreamscape scenes and a quote about ideas being the most resilient parasite from Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010)

A quote about how all living beings must dream to survive reality from The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

A comic about people we love taking turns to visit us in dreams every night

Lovers and Sleeping Couple, two drawings by Egon Schiele

A quote about belief in a better world by Robert Frobisher to his lover, Rufus Sixsmith, in Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

A quote about the feeling of falling in love lingering when you wake up from a dream in Alexis Dos Santos’s Unmade Beds (2009)

A photo of subway graffiti by an unknown author insisting that they’ll never give up making the world a better place to live in

ROUND 18: PHYSICAL TOUCH

A scene about how to return a stolen kiss from Daniel Ribeiro’s The Way He Looks (2014)

A line about kissing someone the way a flower opens from “I Know Someone” by Mary Oliver

A gifset focusing on showing affection and care through hands from Park Chanwook’s The Handmaiden (2016)

A passage about two people leaving invisible marks on each other through the accumulation of touches over the years from A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood

Two conversations about never being touched before and only being touched by one person from Barry Jenkins’s Moonlight (2016)

Going from yearning to touch someone but stopping oneself to being allowed to touch them from Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy

Moving art of two bodies made of stars and the cosmos embracing

A quote about maintaining sanity by touching someone but being separated despite proximity from The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

A line about proving that one still exists and is real through touch from On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Different touches between Villanelle and Eve expressing violence, threat, sexual tension, comfort, and companionship in Killing Eve

A juxtaposition of two scenes from Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love (2000) of Su Li-zhen rejecting and accepting Chow Mo-wan’s hand

A compilation of marble sculptures by Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Syd (Chris Evans) trailing kisses down London’s back in London (2005)

ROUND 19: IMMORTALITY

James Baldwin talking about how art helps you discover that people before you have experienced the same thing as you and you are not alone

Dr. Brand saying that love transcends time and space in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar (2014)

Nadia and Alan meeting for the first time as they’re about to die and relive the same day again in Russian Doll

The loneliness of losing everyone by having a long life as expressed by Ten in Doctor Who

The doomed eternal time loop romance of Simon and Alisha from Misfits

A quote by Edvard Munch about becoming eternal through the flowers that grow from his body after death

Nagai Kei recalling the traffic accident that killed him and triggered his immortality, making him one of the rare persecuted humans to possess the power, in Ajin

A collection of moments from Jay Russell’s Tuck Everlasting (2002)

A quote by Mary Wollstonecraft hoping for something that lasts inside the heart

Various scenes with Jack Harkness from Doctor Who

Aya telling Asou-kun to live on and live forever as she nears the end of her life in 1 Litre of Tears

An excerpt about the immortalization of the self through love from “Love of the Wolf” in Hélène Cixous’s Stigmata

A collection of scenes from the Black Mirror episode “San Junipero”

Naoko telling Toru to always remember her and remember that she existed in Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

Dom explaining to Ariadne that he uses the PASIV to dream as it’s the only way that he can be with his wife and children in Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010)

ROUND 20: POETRY

“I’m Going Back to Minnesota Where Sadness Makes Sense” - Danez Smith

A line about wanting to forget how much you loved someone and then actually forgetting from Bluets by Maggie Nelson

“Perhaps the World Ends Here” - Joy Harjo

“In Time” - W. S. Merwin

“By Small and Small: Midnight to Four A.M.” - Jack Gilbert

“Magdalene: The Addict” - Marie Howe

“Wild Geese” - Mary Oliver

“Morphology 2″ - CJ Scruton

“20″ from Moscow in the Plague Year by Marina Tsvetaeva

“To Hold” - Li-Young Lee

ROUND 21: LONGING

“I Loved You Before I Was Born” - Li-Young Lee

A poem about longing for someone through worlds by Izumi Shikibu

A gifset of Marianne and Héloïse falling in love from Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

“Make Me Feel” - Janelle Monáe

A quote about living in longing being better than realizing that longing from 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

“I Want You” - Mitski

Orpheus and Eurydice in Hades - Friedrich Heinrich Füger

Long definition of the word “saudade”

Definition of the word “hiraeth”

“Something About Us” - Daft Punk

Two lines about burning quietly from the poem “The Pillowcase” by Annelyse Gelman

A conversation about wanting each other after decades of separation from Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory (2019)

A Hanahaki disease mood board

“Shrike” - Hozier

Two lines about wanting someone to return from Herakles by Euripides

“Love of My Life” - Queen

“Eyes, Nose, Lips” - Taeyang

A screenshot of Kathy and Tommy holding onto each other desperately from Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go (2010) and a quote from Kazuo Ishiguro’s eponymous novel

ROUND 22: YOUTH

“Perfect Places” - Lorde

A piece about realizing you’ll never be this young again, but it’s the first time you’re this old by Kalyn Roseanne Livernois

A conversation between Neil and Mr. Keating about Neil feeling trapped and unable to live the life he wants because of his father from Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society (1989)

An excerpt about being too young to know how to love properly from Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

“I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” - Arctic Monkeys

Elio’s father telling Elio not to try to rid himself of his sorrow and pain—and with that joy—which he feels so strongly because he’s so young from Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman

A quote about how everything feels final to young people because they’re experiencing it for the first time from Middlemarch by George Eliot

Lara Jean telling Peter that she had to make it seem like she liked him to deal with her love letter fiasco in Susan Johnson’s To All the Boys I Loved Before (2018)

Rue and Jules dancing together and partying it up in Euphoria

“Le Plongeoir” by Laurent Roch

A quote about being pushed into adulthood and not being ready from Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

A photo of a roller rink illuminated by pink and purple lights

Pastel photo series of Coney Island by Mijoo Kim and Minjin Kang

“Hips Don’t Lie” - Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean

“Young Dumb & Broke” - Khalid

Different moments accompanied by the letter to Mr. Vernon at the end of detention from John Hughes’s The Breakfast Club (1985)

Various scenes and a quote about growing up and realizing life isn’t like a fairy tale from Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Stills of the young lesbian couple in love from the music video of “You Know” - Jaurim

Lines by Effy about her emotional and mental struggles from Skins

Nathan chiding the group for not taking advantage of their superpowers as young offenders from Misfits

ROUND 23: HEDONISM

A passage about giving into passion and losing control from The Secret History by Donna Tartt

“Thot Shit” - Megan Thee Stallion

An aesthetic photoset of the Greek god Dionysus

A quote about living for ecstasy rather than balance from From a Journal of Love by Anaïs Nin

A photo of an anonymous person in nothing but a silk robe and lingerie

A photo of Donatella Versace lounging in a chair, surrounded by shirtless, muscular men sunbathing around her in Capri, Italy in 1994

An aesthetic photoset based on The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The music video for “Heartless” by The Weeknd

A plea for summer to never end from Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman

“Plastic Love” - Mariya Takeuchi

A gifset from the music video of “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd, a continuation of the “Heartless” music video

“XS” - Rina Sawayama

A gifset from the music video of “Body” by Mino

Photos of people dancing at the legendary Studio 54

Photos and a description of the party scene at Studio 54

Chris Evans and Evan Rachel Wood hooking up in a car in the “Gucci Guilty Black” commercial

[aestheticmeloetta]

Types of People: Decades

1920′s: Black and gold, champagne, truly living your best life, Making out behind leather seats, extroversion at its finest, dancing in the streets, singing at the top of your lungs and your friends are dying from second hand embarrassment but “WHO CARES?”  “The light at the end of the tunnel is only an oncoming train.” 1930′s: Working hard to make ends meet. Hands coated in coal and dust. Takes no shit from anyone at any point. Longing for what used to be. Thrifting everything and learning to appreciate the art of DIY and upcycling. Faded pictures in sepia tones 

1940′s: Missing someone so much that your heart breaks, wearing makeup to cheer yourself up, rereading love letters over and over, pitiful glances, gardening, rallying for something to believe in, fresh pie, bittersweet celebrations. 1950s: Milkshakes with your sweetheart. Satin ribbons wrapped around ponytails, family secrets, pretending to be perfect and then crying yourself to sleep. Being nice to everyone, floral patterns, butterfly kisses, self-esteem issues out the wazoo, freckles and dimples, soft giggling, imagining the future

1960s: Probably a drug-user. Just wants some peace and will stop at nothing to get it, chill nights at home. The smell of burnt popcorn, marigolds in a bouquet, road trips to places less then an hour away, friendship bracelets, that one girl in your class who sits two rows ahead of you and plays ukulele

1970s: Sends memes in the group chat to which the only proper response is “wtf”, uses reddit for the weirdest things, always does things unironically, a group of friends breaking out into hysterical laughter, exercising at 4:30 in the morning, the master of a good pump-up playlist 1980′s: Glitter “just because”, regrets, probably had that one OC as a kid, you can never trust them to send videos in the group chat because it is always a rick roll, bowling alley glow-in-the-dark carpet, fresh pizza, dance parties, doing the peace sign pose in pictures and sticking your tongue out, pom-poms

1990′s: Plaid everything, lopsided posters, gossip at sleepovers, flavored lip gloss, movie quotes, feeling like no one understands you, getting your hair dyed, revolution, keeping a journal, going to concerts

2000s: Being amused by the simplest of things, chatting with friends online, wanting to feel grown up, quizzes in magazines, having “so much potential” according to friends and teachers, your throwback playlist is made up entirely of Taylor Swift, feeling like your childhood was taken from you way too soon, glitter gel pens, scribbling in the margins of your notebooks.

2010s: 15 minutes of fame, wholesome memes for when everyone is struggling, knowing that everyone is struggling so you feel ashamed for talking about your problems, having 10000 different acquaintances but like 3 close friends, a morbid sense of humor, not knowing who you are, succulents for days

2020s: Time is an illusion, CAKE, knowledge that’s an inch deep but a mile wide, crying from fear, mood swings, rollercoasters, sitting at home and dreading every minute of it, not wanting to get in the way so you keep your problems to yourself, taking the world’s burdens on your shoulders

[back-and-totheleft]

"Hollywood rabble rouser"

Late one night in the summer of 2008, I found what turned out to be a stockbroker’s iPhone in the back of a NYC taxi. Turning it on in order to contact the owner, I noticed that amongst the stock watch apps and currency converters was an icon of Gordon Gekko, the corrupt market raider immortalized by Michael Douglas in Wall Street, Oliver Stone’s 1987 tale of insider trading and corporate excess. Intrigued, I hit Gekko’s pixilated face (it felt good) and a website flashed up with an entire transcription of his infamous “Greed is good” speech — one of Hollywood’s most iconic parables to the pursuit of unrestrained greed. Whoever owned the phone found those words as important as checking Facebook or texting his girlfriend. Gekko was his hero, his daily inspiration.

Watching back Wall Street a few weeks later as news of the Lehman Brothers collapse and global recession spread, it struck me that a whole generation of financiers must have grown up, like Charlie Sheen’s character Bud Fox, yearning to be Gekko. He was the business equivalent of a rapper wanting to become Tony Montana, another Stone creation. And some of these brokers, as we’ve all since discovered, were willing to trade money that didn’t exist in pursuit of pin stripe suits, corner offices, penthouses, boats, women, and stacks of cash. Perhaps the perks made the 22-year prison stretch Gekko received at the end of the film seem like a viable risk. Or they deliberately chose to ignore his downfall.

Inspired by financial fiends like Bernie Madoff, Stone decided to spring Gekko out of prison for Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps. Set in 2008, he is a reformed character that tries, and fails, to warn business leaders of the impending credit crunch. Many fans are understandably nervous about Douglas reprising his Oscar winning role, especially since his hair gel and brick phone have long been put into storage. Stone, who only agreed to direct the film because he felt that current financial climate lent itself to a sequel, understandably feels that it’s time for bankers to grow up. As the director of Natural Born Killers, JFK and Platoon he’s used to Marmite reactions. But, after giving Dubya an easy ride in W, will Gordon 2.0 be one step too far? Is the world ready for goody Gekko two shoes? Or will traders across Wall Street be deleting their “Greed is good” iPhone bookmarks forever? As they say on the stock market floor, let the bull charge.

Tim Noakes: When you were 18 your father got you to work on a financial exchange in France. Was that your inspiration for Wall Street?

Oliver Stone: No, it was a great summer job actually, because it was very exotic. My father was always into the stock market, into numbers. He loved that world in New York and I grew up on the fringes of it but I wasn’t particularly attuned to it. So it was a chance to see it first hand but I didn’t do very well as a trader. In those days you’d run from the phone booth in the back to the floor. It was cocoa and sugar. It was violent and busy. They used to elbow each other to get into the inner circle, like matadors. It was a real crush. I elbowed my way through it and got up to be assistant buyer, which was very complicated because you had to make the orders for everything right. You couldn’t screw up. A lot of money’s involved. So then I thought I should be one of the cocoa buyers. I was a little too ambitious for my own good.

Your father died before you made Wall Street. What do you think he would have made of it?

I think he would have appreciated that I had done a business movie. We always talked about it. He loved movies and he took me to them. We discussed them afterwards, which was an invaluable experience, and he would say that there weren’t many business movies. And there weren’t. There was not a specific genre. Hollywood was not into the business movie concept. It’s hard. I can understand why. It’s all financial talk, it’s not interesting to most people and it lacks those human emotions. Money is an interesting subject, however, for America. That’s why I addressed it in 1987. I thought, ‘Americans love money’, and what lengths they will go to get it is what that movie is about. Especially coming off Platoon, which is a different kind of movie. I was trying to prove that I could do something domestic with ‘Wall Street’.

The original was very much of its era.

It was the era of “Greed is good” and Reagan. With Wall Street 2, I’m obviously more mature, I’ve done more films, I have more confidence, I hope. I’m trying something a little bit deeper in the relationship field. There’s no Darryl Hannah in the movie. There’s a real English girl this time (Carey Mulligan). She anchors strongly the emotions of the film, because she is damaged. She’s the daughter of Gordon Gekko, if you can imagine what that can be like.

Michael Douglas once said that your style of directing is like taking people into the trenches. What did he mean by that?

He makes it sound like I dress him up in uniform and have a military hierarchy. Every single actor that I’ve worked with, and there’s obviously dozens now, you’d have to talk to every single one of them to get their perception. I would say some would disagree. Maybe Michael, because he hasn’t been in the military, would regard it as a military experience. I didn’t think of it that way. I think of a movie as an organisation that has to work at a very fluid pace involving a large amount of people who have to move quickly over a landscape. Call that what you will. It could be an adventure party or a military organisation. It’s really a satellite business. You form, you group, you rehearse, you shoot, you separate. It’s very nomadic. In that chemistry you bring together so many conflicting types of people who have different kinds of egos. It’s quite a mix. At the end of the day, if you look back at the — what is it? 19, 20 films — that I’ve directed, it’s just a mix of styles. Sometimes it really works with people. It clicks. I think Michael did great work on both films, so I’m very pleased with his result. My style might not have been good for him, but it works for other people. Some people, like Shia LaBeouf and Josh Brolin, were digging it. They loved the way I worked because it was intense and to the point and relatively fast.

Do you see yourself as a hard taskmaster or a disciplinarian?

No, I’m not a disciplinarian. I’m disciplined with myself and I think I try to lead by example not by imposition of my will. I try to lead by example. That’s just to say that people know that I’m trying to get this thing done. My approach is that we’re all in this together. The idea is king. We all serve that king. It is not a democracy, it is a constitutional monarchy, so to speak, with strong legislative power in the House of Lords. No, but the idea is king. I repeat that. Not the director. The idea. I serve the idea.

How do you balance the logistics with trying to create a piece of art?

Oh boy, if I didn’t tell you I wasn’t humbled so many times, you would not believe it. It’s a very humbling experience to make a movie, because you’re at the mercy of the elements. Of the winds and the weather as well as conditions that can go wrong — disease, sickness, bad tempers. All sorts of stuff can happen. Given that nature, to pull off a movie is extremely difficult. The editing room is another humiliation. All your mistakes are thrown back in your face. No matter how many good choices you make, and making a movie involves thousands of choices, you’re constantly having to question yourself again. I find it a very difficult position. I don’t think I enjoy it. I think I’m more experienced at it but I don’t think I completely enjoy it. I think sometimes it’s so painful you want to scream bloody murder and run somewhere.

What’s the cut-off point? How do you stop?

How do you stop? A famous director once said that every film is abandoned, never finished.

So you just let it go?

Some people won’t but I do let it go. I’m not looking for perfection. I don’t believe in it. I believe that a film is many things to many people and it changes over time. I think you have to feel good about it and about what you did. It hangs together and it’s going to be a story that can move an audience. It’s so difficult to pull off quickly. It takes time.

The world’s moved on since Wall Street. Were you apprehensive about creating a sequel to such a well-loved film?

Apprehensions? No. I’d have had more apprehensions if I’d had to do it in 1990, I think. Twenty-three years is a long time to call it a sequel. I think of it more as a bookend.

Don’t you think that’s laying you open for even more criticism? Look at what George Lucas did with Star Wars..

We’re not going back into that period. The beauty of this thing is that there’s a new period upon us, which is quite different, technically. It’s a different kind of Wall Street. The landscape has changed. It’s no longer 1987. It’s really a computer game now. The money has accelerated at a square root that is beyond belief from millions to billions. Hedge funds invest 30–40 billion dollars. Even to have one billion dollars is an enormous amount of money. When you hear these guys say, “Oh, it’s just a billion dollar hedge fund” it’s unbelievable arrogance. The heights are dizzying, and the losses are dizzying. It’s just unbelievable what happened. By all accounts it was a near-fatal heart-attack.

Were you planning on revisiting Wall Street is the crisis hadn’t happened?

No, that was the catalyst for it. It wasn’t the only reason. It was a wonderful idea for a script, that Gekko would be a different type of person. That he would start from the outside. He didn’t have power or connections anymore. Time had passed. He was dated.

Is Michael Douglas in danger of becoming a pastiche of what made Gordon Gekko good?

I feared that. That’s why we approached it in a wholly different way. Michael is playing it twenty-two years older, he’s coming out of prison. Michael has changed in that interim. He was a charming rogue, certainly, in the Eighties. You saw a lot of that in his subsequent performances. You saw a lot of Gekko in later films, so I think it was smart to move away from that pastiche, as you call it, because it would have been boring after a while. There are flashes of the old Gekko, which I love, but it’s not like the charming reptile, so to speak. It’s a different man now. I’m not saying that he’s a wholly reformed figure looking for a martyrhood, but what’s interesting about him is what he’s going to do, and how he’s going to play the game to get back. He has suffered extensively in prison, his family has fallen apart, his oldest son has committed suicide. It’s very tough on him.

How did you persuade Michael to get back on board?

Frankly, I didn’t convince anybody. I passed on the script in 2006. It wasn’t important for me to make it. I felt, what was the need to make this movie if it was going to glorify the pigs on Wall Street? They were really making money and it was ugly. There was a spate of books too like The Wolf of Wall Street, which was a big hit and they are going to make a movie out of that. There was kind of a surfeit and there was sickliness to it all. I got turned off by it. I passed, and I moved on with my life, and I did W and World Trade Centre and stuff like that. Then there was this crash and the crash changed the equation I think, I hope.

Do you think the original message of Wall Street failed because young traders ended up idolising Gordon Gekko?

That’s a very good question. Frankly, I wondered at times. The original Wall Street came about because of my experiences on Scarface. I was living in New York and I was hanging out with the dealers and the mob. That whole scene in Miami was a very shocking thing in 1982–3. Wall Street, was like Scarface north. I was suddenly seeing people my age, in their twenties, making millions of dollars, so easily, so quickly. Moving inordinate amounts of money. Also, snorting and drinking. The partying scene had really kicked in big time in the 80s. It was all new to me, so that’s how that was born. Then it went to excess. But I was very clear that Gekko was the antagonist in the movie, but as you say a lot of young people caught on to him. I do think, and perhaps I’m retrograde, that although he was not feted at the time the anchor of the movie is Charlie Sheen.

But no-one wanted to be Bud Fox.

Well that’s the movies. They want to be heroes. They want to make money. I did meet a lot of people in their 40s that said, “When I saw your movie I was studying this-or-that at this-or-that school, I was going to do history or medicine or law but then I saw the movie and I moved to Wall Street for that reason.” The the kicker was that some of them were multi-millionaires, one of them was a billionaire, and they had moved to Wall Street because of the movie. I said, “Oh boy, I wish I had a royalty on that.” These guys are really rich.

I find that quite worrying.

I gave birth to some rich people. But some of them did good. Some of them created something. That was the whole point of the original. Not to shit on Wall Street but to basically say, ‘Look, this is an engine of capitalism’. This can work. My father always felt that Wall Street was a good thing. It creates companies, it finances new companies, creates research and development, and it does. It still does, by the way, it’s not forgotten but it’s been buried in the greater picture of making bigger profits and more greed, but it’s still there. Wall Street is a good thing. It was a good thing and it can be a good thing.

Throughout your career critics have said you shouldn’t glamourise the people you put on the big screen. Do you like to provoke that reaction?

No, I like to make bigger-than-life characters but ‘World Trade Centre’ is about two very ordinary men who were real heroes. On Bush I guess you could say I supped with the devil and brought out all the reasons I thought why people voted for the guy. There is this fundamental thing which Americans like in him, and I was trying to root that out and how he became President.

You were criticised for making Bush too likeable.

You can fault that, but he was re-elected. I didn’t like him. I was very clear — I empathised. Empathy means I walked in his shoes, or tried to. As opposed to sympathised. I don’t agree with anything he said. Anything. I think he was a disaster. It was a nightmare eight years.

Do you think you were too soft?

No. I wish I’d done it a year earlier and it would have been more timely. He was out of favour when it came out, because of the economy, but frankly the movie was about the national security state which concerned me more.

Why are you drawn to these anti-heroes?

They don’t do me any good. Nixon, too.

I see a lot of similarities between Tony Montana and Gordon Gekko. In Scarface, Tony says “You need people like me to point the finger at and say, ‘That’s the bad guy’”. Do you think film critics see you in that light?

I think you’re right. I think film critics have me as a punch ball. It’s an easy target, I guess. I’ve been misidentified with the characters, but I think over time you see that there’s a whole assortment of different characters. But I agree, I think that’s true and I think that’s hurt me. It’s hurt my career as well as some of the political statements I’ve made and positions I’ve taken in documentaries I’ve made. They’ve hurt me too and they’ve given me a profile that’s not necessarily me, it’s just a profile. Absolutely.

There’s been huge furor recently that you’re reported to be attempting to humanise Hitler, Stalin and Mao Zedong.

I think it’s out of context. I did use the word ‘scapegoat’ and I think that was an unfortunate word, but frankly it’s a very interesting history that we’re putting together. We’re using the facts that we have, that are known but have been forgotten. There’s no question that Hitler had a big hand up the ladder. He didn’t come out of nowhere. He is a Frankenstein, he is a monster and I have no sympathy for him, but he was created by a Dr Frankenstein. That Dr Frankenstein is a very interesting mixture and you have to study cause and effect to understand history, otherwise you don’t learn anything from it. It’s my fault because I’m interested in the world, and I’m willing to go out there. I’m not trying to provoke, I’m trying to look for the truth. I’m trying to shine a light. For Christ’s sake, I feel like we’ve become so politically correct that you can’t do shit anymore. You’re not supposed to turn around.

Do you feel like you sometimes exploit sensitive subjects too much? More than some people can take?

Well, that’s why I like the English. They’re much more out there and they’re willing to explore subjects that the Americans are not. Having been to war, having seen the devastation America visited onto Vietnam, I cannot just be another typical American and live in isolation. My taxes are going as we speak to blowing up people in Afghanistan. I don’t feel good about that.

Back to Wall Street. Gekko says “Every dream has its price”, what’s the biggest price you’ve paid to get to where you are?

I’d have to talk to my psychotherapist, who I haven’t seen in ages. I suppose the price is that you do have long absences from home and normal quotidian values, at times. Your children grow up and you have to readapt to the fact that you haven’t been the attentive father. That’s a big issue, but I have been as attentive as I can be in taking care of them. Still, there’s gaps there. Divorces have happened. Those things.

I see Wall Street as epitomising the ruthlessness of the Eighties. During that era did you find yourself being a slave to the success that you had earned?

Yeah, I suppose everybody can become a mental slave to the need to produce. Remember, I was on a roll in the sense that I had to get financing for very complicated movies. I felt like I had a mission. To get JFK made in that era was very tough, still. You need heat. To make that movie after The Doors you need to keep rolling. In a sense I worked very fast, and hard, but I knew that I could get things done. Nixon was sort of the end of the line. I was making movies all those years. Platoon was impossible to get made. So was Salvador. Every single fucking one. ‘The Doors’. They were always problems. There were always tremendous issues. You asked what the price is? The price was to keep going fast, before they change their mind. The idea was ‘Wrap it up, get another one done’. These are tough subject matters. With ‘Nixon’ I’d done eleven or ten, I was exhausted. Frankly, I needed to take a break.

What kept you moving on? Obviously the pressures that you’re talking about manifested in different ways. You had your drug problems earlier on, but how did it manifest when the financing started to crumble down? Did you resort to those kind of vices?

I think there’s other factors. There was a lot of living. A lot of pain. Children. Divorces. This and that. But I think I have been very successful. I got movies made that wouldn’t have been done in the normal radar. They were not on the scope.

In Wall Street 2 Shia LeBeouf says, “No matter how much money you make, you’ll never be rich”. With all your success, do you empathise with that sentiment?

Of course I do. I don’t think money is the solution to happiness. Life is complicated, but certainly money can have the opposite effect. It can make you unsatisfied with life, and make life harder for you. There are two effects of it. One is that it leaves you unsatisfied, you always want more, as we see from these billionaires. Two, it leaves you falsely content and over-satisfied.

And you’re not either?

I don’t feel that way, no. I feel like I’m one trade away from disaster.

The new film is called Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps. What gets you off to sleep?

What gets me off to sleep? Sonata. Medication. I’m just joking. The best solution for sleep is having lived a full day and tried hard to live life fully. That makes you feel the reward of sleep.

-Tim Noakes, "The Hollywood rabble rouser sets his sights on a new generation of Wall Street wolves," Medium, Mar 3 2010 [x]