#CHICAGO IN 4 DAYS ahhh

[valenhell]

From the studio that brought you “I can’t find good Byler fics in the ao3 tag”, comes:

"The Definitive Byler fic rec list"

Literally no one asked for this but because I spent the majority of last year (...and 2019, and 2018...) reading byler fics and coping with life, I thought I’d make a list of some of my absolute favorites. 

The other day I was basically starving for some byler fics and the angel @magicalfairy provided me with some of her faves so I thought I’d do the same, because I love reading, and I love all of these fics and I appreciate their writers💗 And fic writers in general, come on!

- This is a mix of long works and one-shots/short stories. - Everything is mostly fluff with a tad of angst and a lot of internalized homophobia conflict.  - Every fic is completed, except for the ones I mention that they are not. - I try my best to lay out the stories in a way that I won’t spoil you the plot but also warning you of some stuff you might don’t like. Either way, all of these fics are correctly tagged by their respective authors/owners, so read at your own risk. For better understanding, in between brackets I denote Rating, Words and quantity of Chapters. - I feel like I should clarify, none of these are narrated in the singular first person. None of that “And I told him...”, no. 

Long fics

a dream always the same (T, 99k, 35 chapters) What happened in those few weeks between the Battle of Starcourt and the Byers leaving Hawkins. Literally a satisfying and very needed fill in of season three, with a good dose of Mike’s thoughts and conflict. Mike’s characterization is specially amazing in this one. The writing style is amazing and I know the author put everything into making it historically accurate, and it was really sweet. You probably read it, it’s by the amazing sevensided here on Tumblr🧡

Spring Break (T, 120k, 14/15 chapters) The slowburn of my dreams. Lots of internalized conflict and conflict with each other. Conflict within the Party (uhh kind of), conflict with Mike and Will. Byers family has moved and the kids are visiting! Chaos. Characterization is on point. Yeah, I know it’s unfinished, but the fourteenth chapter actually serves as a pretty nice ending. 

This is where it starts (M, 148.8k, 24 chapters) Aged up characters. The Party is in college and Will disappears again, but now it’s different. Mike knows he didn’t vanish from thin air, and the discovery he and the Party end up making is pretty insane. Mystery solving/fantasy/third dimension, throw in a bit of D&D and Mike realizing some shit, and you get this marvelous fic. It’s a breath of fresh air. The world building is definitely one of the elements that stands out the most, because it’s very nicely described, it sounds like a dream and it’s completely immersive. Absolute gem of a fic. 

there’s a Starman waiting in the sky (M, 30.6k, 8 chapters) Do I need to say anything? Will is out there living his best life and Mike realizes that wow, umm, maybe his best friend looks a bit too nice with that costume... and wait, is he getting horny? It’s actually really fun and sexy.

The Evening Speaks (T, 23k, 7 chapters) In where Mike is a late-night college radio host and Will is the art student that stays up till late to catch up with Wheeler on the Mic. They flirt through songs y’all, this one is really sweet. 

heads or tails? (E, 24k, 3 chapters) Aged up characters. I know most people don’t enjoy sex in fics and with specific characters but this one is insanely well written. It’s a slowburn that commits to the tension and with every word you are grasping and anticipating their next move. I think you can find the author here on Tumblr as yousaidyes🧡

The Man of Average (M, 56.7k, 5/? chapters) Aged up characters. No but you don’t understand, the writing here is absolute gourmet. The story is exciting as well, it’s super interesting. Weirdly enough, for being very aged up characters, they are well characterized but they don’t feel like teenagers. They are naturally Mike and Will. The author really captured Mike and Will’s essence. I know, it’s unfinished and it’s updated very rarely, but this is the typical fic you can’t believe someone just posted on the internet for free. I will say though, I think it’s definitely not for everyone. Read at your own risk.

Heartstrings (E, 82.8k, 24/? chapters) Aged up characters. By the same author of The Man of Average. A collection of memories, the road to Mike and Will’s happy ever after. And fucking hell!!!!! You’ll cry and get angry, you’ll cheer for them, then you’ll want to crash their faces together because god dammit you love each other!!! But yeah, same thing here. The writing and the way the story is laid out as a nonlinear narrative is brilliant. And I also think this is one of the best Will versions I’ve read. The author might as well be the og creator of this two characters tbh. You can find the author here as mylesimeblr🧡

Sinners behind the walls (T, 1.5k, 1/1) And because I can’t stop recommending this author, a little thing of Mike tormenting himself but also being too deeply committed to Will. 

The Red Envelope series (T/E, 167K, two completed works) Something happens that Will thought was impossible and from there, pure drama and romance. Anything by this author has the potential to become your absolute favorite fic, but this series in particular is amazing. I doubt that any of you haven’t read this, but it doesn’t hurt to put it in this list. I’m pretty sure the author is serendipitous-magic on Tumblr🧡

A New Fight series (T, 91k, two completed works, one WIP) And finally the Star Wars AU that we all needed. But this isn’t your typical “Mike is Han”, “Will is Leia” and “El is Luke”, it’s way more interesting than that, and the author has appropriated the Star Wars world like no other. I’ll admit I’m not a 100% fluent in SW lore but this is amazing to me either way. This author is also on Tumblr, tea-for-one-please🧡

- Yes, most of these are (if not all), in a way, canon compliant/canonverse/canon continuation into fanon. (In a way)

One-shots and short stories

Sundae for Two, Please (G, 4.8k) Steve being the supportive friend and older brother these kids collectively need. (not Jonathan erasure, we love him). Steve is very sweet himself, and this little cute thing through his POV is gorgeous. Yes, it’s byler.

Backstage (T, 10k, 2/2) Jonathan, you forgot to mention to Will how hot your new band’s guitarist is, dude. Now he’s hyperventilating and weirdly flirting with him in the corner. Background Stonathan because why not.

102 Peach Street (G, 3.8k) Established relationship, but not only that, they are married :’’))) PURE fluff. Extreme fluffiness. Diabetes. 

sweatshirts and bottled up feelings (T, 3.2k) Or, Mike thinks that the sweatshirt Will wears looks insanely good on him. And kitchens are for lovers. 

kiss it better (T, 16.3k) Basically one of the best character studies of a few precise moments of Mike and Will’s relationship and feelings. 

will wonders ever cease (T, 11.3k) #i ship will and happiness. Omfg what a beautiful piece of fanfic. Will centric, this kid really deserves all the good in the world.

The Calm After the Storm (T, 1.6k) Tooth rotting fluff, boyfriends in love. Boyfriends being lazy, cuddling, love words, kisses. Boys loving each other’s company... Basically, Mike and Will in their element. What more can you ask for?

neither of us ready to let go (T, 4.8k) That scene from season three, but a bit of a fix it. 

Still in love (G, 1k) Domestic, married life au fluff. Y’all, I’m a sucker for established Byler, even if I can’t find many fics with it. But this is very sweet. It takes place in 2020, but I don’t think there are any mentions of the COVID-19 crisis that I remember.

I Nver Find Out ‘Til I’m Head Over Heels (G, 12.5K) Classic 5+1 fic. If you haven’t read it, where have you been? This is your moment. In where Mike keeps inviting Will to the school dances and Will thinks it’s just a joke until he realizes it’s not. 

Before You’re Gone (T, 5.9k) Will is leaving Hawkins and Mike thinks this is a great moment for a confession. This one I discovered last friday, thank you friend @magicalfairy 💗

You’re weird Wheeler (M, 4.5k) Mike unintentionally starts a tradition of going to each other to talk about their sexual encounters just after they finish. Will keeps getting more explicit with the details he shares, and he makes his best friend interested. This one is really fun y’all.

Out-Of-Town Friends (N/R, 4.6K) It’s not rated. I haven’t re- read it but I’d say it would probably fall in a T rating. So cute!! Will has new friends and sneaks off every friday and the Party doesn’t know where he is going, so Mike decides to follow him and is surprised. 

Snowed Under (G, 1.3k) By the same author of The New Fight series. Mike is spending christmas by himself in college because a snowstorm hits Chicago and Nancy can’t drive to see him, but then he has a surprise visitor. Ahhh just a lil sweet holiday fic. Super cute. 

you love me anyway series (T, 7.1k, three completed works) Literally just the cutest thing ever. Established Byler. Will loves to take pictures and he loves taking pictures of Mike. It’s adorable. 

you wanna be friends forever (i can think of something better) (T, 9k) This one is so amazing. So. Amazing. From Will’s POV, my kid deserves the world and he gets it. 

okay not to be okay (T, 4.9k) Mike is a bit sad but then everything is okay. 

can’t hold out forever (G, 18.4k) Y’all!!!!! 5+1 sweetness. Mike has been falling in love since kindergarten. And it’s long af, you’ll enjoy it. 

even if it takes forever (G, 1.3k) College short AU, they miss each other, they love each other, they promise all to each other. It is sappy y’all.

clear as day (N/R, 18.4K, 4 chapters) It’s not rated, but I’d say it falls in the T category. Strangers to friends to lovers. And also, everyone is pretty gay; we have our dynamic trio Mike, Max and El as disaster lesbians (and gay). Will works at the library and he is also gay. Lucas and Dustin and Will are the best friends we needed. It’s very sweet and the Party is kind of formed here!

I went overboard with the one-shots, so you must have realized how much I love long one-shots and I favor them over long works lmao but they are all amazing!!! If it’s on this list, I probably read it at 2 am, sobbing in my bed. So. Hope you enjoy it☺️🧡

[plistommy]

Alrighty so @lovebillyhargrove tagged me into this awesome Harringrove ask game they made, so let’s do it! 💕💕 (I won’t tag anyone but feel free to do this! It was fun!)

1. Do they get together BEFORE MF possessing Billy or AFTER shit goes down? (Or maybe DURING😲) 

I always like to think the guys would sleep around before the whole MF thing, but aren’t in a relationship. So maybe after? 👀 Them falling in love while they’re both recovering from the whole 4th of july shit? Sign me up.

The first time they’d have sex after everything, it would be gentle instead of rough like they used to have. Like Steve slowly riding Billy and they both can’t keep their eyes off of each other.

2. Who kisses who first?

Billy. I think they’d both be really nervous to make the first move, but Steve seems the type to give the other their time and honestly, it’s so new to him too and he’s still learning about Billy! He doesn’t wanna mess it up. So when Billy does kiss him, Steve can’t get enough of it!

He loves kissing!

3. Where do they have their first sex? (Location) (HJs and BJs count)

Steve’s bed is my fav, but honestly I think in their cars?? Probably Billy’s.

4. Who says 💖 I LOVE YOU 💖 first? 

I GOTTA GO WITH BILLY AGAIN…. I think after Nance Steve’s too afraid to say it first. He doesn’t want to be rejected again.

5. Bottom!Steve or Bottom!Billy?

Has been bottom Steve since day one! ;)

6. Do they give gifts to each other? 

YES!! they’d 100% spoil each other

7. Where do they end up living? California, Chicago, Hawkins... Idk .. Alaska??)))) Any other location? 

I love to think they’d grow old together at Cali!!! Or somewhere else, but not Hawkins. I think it would be good for them both to leave it behind once things calm down there.

8. What are their future jobs?

I HAVENT EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT THIS 💀💀 I already have a hard time deciding what I wanna work LOL! But hmm… I love teacher Steve, but I honestly think he wouldn’t wanna go back because school wasn’t easy for himself either, but not sure what the pretty boy would be up to! I’d love to see him doing something with animals. Billy on the other hand would probs do something with cars or surfing! (these are kinda bad but I seriously have no idea LOL)

9. Who’s a better cook?

Billy! He learned to cook whenever he had to look after Max (But Steve’d learn too!)

10. Steve Hargrove or Billy Harrington?

Steve Harrington is so iconic so gotta go with Billy Harrington!

11. What’s Max’s reaction when she hears they’re together?

Honestly she’d probably be like ”wtf??” at first but 100% support them and would smile at them whenever they aren’t looking at her. She has never seen Billy so happy!

12. Describe in ONE SENTENCE Hopper's reaction when he hears the names Hargrove and Harrington mentioned together?

He’d simply just be like ”Don’t even tell me” when he hears the guys names LOL

13. Does Robin like Billy OR does Robin hate Billy?

Hmm… I do think she likes Billy, they could have pretty similar humor, but at the same time she keeps an close eye on him so he doesn’t do anything to the precious little Stevie LOL!

14. What about Dustin?

OH he’d be terrified at first, shocked even, but he’d come around eventually. Slooooowly. He’d also keep an eye on Billy. But I get it since he beat Steve up, so he has that little brother protective mode going on.

15. Fav Harringrove AU?

AHHH S1 HARRINGROVE!!! best stuff when Billy wrecks that bratty Steve

16. Billy+Camaro=…???

He’d never get rid of it! It was his first ever car and he just loves the way he always feels free when he drives it, even when he already is. It just makes him feel good and he loves to hear the little gasps and whines from Steve who tells him to drive slower even when he’s laughing.

[myonechicagoworld]

CHICAGO FIRE – LET HER GO (S01E23)

[TW: Blood]

Christopher Herrmann: We were scheduled to open our bar after

                                         next shift. And in light of what happened,

                                         we were gonna push it. But… me and

                                         Dawson and Otis… We talked about it,

                                         and instead, we’re gonna make it a

                                         celebration of Hallie’s life. All the

                                         proceeds for tonight will be donated in

                                         her name to Children’s Memorial.

                                         Thanks.

Chief Boden: Not an easy day. Not for any of us. Lieutenant Casey

                       is meeting with detectives from CPD. Arson

                       investigators are at the clinic right now. All we can do

                       for Matt is be there the best we can.

                                             cutscene

                                               [traffic]

                                    [background chatter]

Matt Casey: Hey. Lieutenant Casey. I’m here to see Detective

                     Dawson.

Man 1 (Sergeant Pruitt): [laughs] We got a fireman in the house.

                                         Look at him, well-rested and fed. Must be

                                         nice being a fireman, washing fire trucks…

Detective (Julia Willhite): Sarge, Sarge. The DOA from the clinic

                                           fire, Lieutenant Casey was her boyfriend.

Man 1 (Sergeant Pruitt): Ah. That’s my bad.

Detective (Julia Willhite): Detective Julie Willhite. Intelligence.

                                           I’ll take you upstairs?

Matt Casey: All right, yeah.

Antonio Dawson: Those two guys we flipped had scrips all over

                               ‘em.

                               I’m so sorry, man.

Matt Casey: Thanks. So, where are we at?

Hank Voight: I just got off the phone…

Matt Casey: I don’t deal with you. I deal with Antonio.

Antonio Dawson: ME report came in. Hallie was struck in the back

                               of the head and killed before the fire started.

Surveillance Tech: (over radio) Units in 21, foot man on Taylor

                                Street. Just confirmed sighting of your silver

                                Magnum. 1400 block of West Taylor.

Antonio Dawson: That’s the car that fled the clinic fire.

                                          [sirens wailing]

Officer (Nicole Sermons): (over radio) This is 2121.

                                            (into radio) Silver Magnum’s been

                                            located going East on Taylor.

                                            We’re not on Taylor.

Officer (Jim Barnes): I know.

                                       [tires screeching]

                                         [siren whoops]

                                          [tires revving]

                                         [horn honking]

Officer (Nicole Sermons): (into radio) Blocked on Racine. They

                                            bailed out! We’re in pursuit.

Man 2: [grunts]

                                           [dog barking]

Officer (Jim Barnes): [heavy breathing]

Man 2: Aah!

Officer (Jim Barnes): Seriously?

                                         [tires screeching]

                                           [horn honking]

                                         [tires screeching]

                                           [horn honking]

Man 3: [grunts]

             Ahhh!

Officer (Nicole Sermons): Stay down!

Man 3: [groans and coughs]

Officer (Nicole Sermons): Aw, please.

                                              [taser buzzes]

Man 3: [groans]

Officer (Nicole Sermons): [panting]

Officer (Jim Barnes): You good?

Man 3: [groans]

Officer (Nicole Sermons): [panting/out of breath]

                                     [indistinct radio chatter]

                                        [car doors shutting]

                                               cutscene

Antonio Dawson: What do we got?

Officer (Nicole Sermons): A couple of oxy heads; a handful of

                                           priors for armed robbery, mostly around

                                           UIC. They’re saying they knew the car

                                           was hot, but they bought it from a black

                                           male for 500 and were gonna use it for a

                                           couple days to do some stickups and

                                            then dump it.

Man 3: [groaning]

Officer (Nicole Sermons): He resisted.

Man 3: She kicked me in the balls.

Antonio Dawson: Cry me a river!

Officer (Jim Barnes): They’re denying any involvement in the clinic.

                                    There’s no arson or bodily harm on either of

                                    their records.

Antonio Dawson: Who’s the brains of the outfit?

Officer (Jim Barnes): That guy.

Antonio Dawson: Bring him over here!

                              Who’d you buy the car from?

Man 2: Black dude named Shorty.

Hank Voight: Oh. Shorty.

Man 2: Shorty.

Antonio Dawson: Get him outta here.

Officer (Jim Barnes): Come on.

Detective (Julia Willhite): [exhales]

                                   [knocking on body of car]

Detective (Julia Willhite): Looks like a lot of cars we’d find in

                                          Narcotics. Generic dummy plates. A lot

                                          of ‘em have traps built in to move the

                                          dope and cash.

                                          Okay.

                                          There we go.

                                          [sighs]

Matt Casey: So what does this mean? Who are we looking for?

Detective (Julia Willhite): Someone who was moving major

                                           dope.

                                           - title screen -

Leslie Shay: Hey. Hey.

Kelly Severide: Hey.

Leslie Shay: Um, on the heels of all this, I was thinking that, you

                     know, God forbids something were to happen to

                     either one of us, that maybe we should have

                     something written up legally in terms of who would

                     take care of the baby.

Kelly Severide: Absolutely.

Leslie Shay: And speaking of, we go in tomorrow.

Chief Boden: Casey’s heading back down to the fire scene with the

                       detectives.

Kelly Severide: I’m coming. And I’ll… I’ll be there.

Leslie Shay: Yeah.

                                             cutscene

Gabby Dawson: That’s so nice of you. Thank you. Bye.

                            The Optical shop on the corner is gonna donate a

                            couple pairs of sunglasses to raffle off.

Otis Zvonecek: Great. As soon as Zoya starts, she can help go

                           collect all this stuff.

Christopher Herrmann: Who?

Otis Zvonecek: Uh, my cousin. From Russia? Zoya?

                           We talked about this.

Christopher Herrmann: When?

Otis Zvonecek: At the soft opening?

Christopher Herrmann: What? When I got like six beers in me?

Otis Zvonecek: Hey, you signed off, dude.

Christopher Herrmann: Do you know anything about this?

Gabby Dawson: First I’ve heard of it.

Otis Zvonecek: Okay, uh, she’s here on a six month work visa. But

                          apparently, the nanny job was killing her. She’s nice,

                          she’s cute, she’s got restaurant experience, and you

                          agreed to it.

Christopher Herrmann: What kind of restaurant?

Gabby Dawson: Who cares? It’s fine. She’s in. We got funds to

                            raise.

Christopher Herrmann: You guys are killing me.

Otis Zvonecek: Ah, you’ll love her.

                                               cutscene

Arson Investigator: It’s what we know so far.

Chief Boden: Thank you very much.

Arson Investigator: Sure, Chief.

Kelly Severide: How you holdin’ up?

                                    [indistinct radio chatter]

Matt Casey: Best I can.

Chief Boden: There’s no security video. Two of the cameras were

                        fake. The other had no database. Arson is saying it

                        don’t look like a break-in.

Detective (Julia Willhite): Same director of this clinic runs another

                                           over on Wabash.

Hank Voight: Let’s take a look. Thanks, Chief.

Chief Boden: This is the ignition point.

Detective (Julia Willhite): Patient prescription records.

Matt Casey: Actually… Hallie… right before we went to lunch, she

                     was standing there looking at something and-and she

                     said, “that’s weird.” I just figured it was about billing or

                     something.

Dispatcher: (over radio) Main to Battalion 25, Truck 81, Squad 3, 

                      and Ambulance 61, responding…

Chief Boden: No, no, no.

Dispatcher: (over radio)…to civilian in distress…[continues

                     indistinctly]

Chief Boden: Your head’s not in the game right now. I’ll cover for

                        you.

Detective (Julia Willhite): He can roll with us.

Chief Boden: (into radio) Battalion 25 en route.

Dispatcher: (over radio) Copy that, 25.

Hank Voight: Not a problem.

                                            cutscene

                                        [sirens wailing]

Delivery Man: I swear I heard screaming down there.

                                 [running water splashing]

Victim 1: Help!

Kelly Severide: Get your lights!

                           [grunts]

Victim 1: Here!

Chief Boden: Voice came from over there. Watch yourself. Water’s

                       moving fast.

Kelly Severide: Chief, down there!

Victim 1: I don’t think I can hold on much longer!

Kelly Severide: Hang on. We’re gonna get you out.

Chief Boden: Get your webbing out. Secure it to this handle.

                       I’ll hold the line.

Victim 1: [cries]

Kelly Severide: Don’t let go.

                                      [water splashing]

Chief Boden: Be careful. Watch that current.

Kelly Severide: I got you.

Victim 1: Can’t move!

Chief Boden: Talk to me, Kelly.

Kelly Severide: Chief! Both her feet are sucked into a drain.

Chief Boden: (into radio) We got one victim pinned in. I’m gonna

                       need rescue rope and scuba gear in the west end of

                       the tunnel right now.

                       Coming in.

Victim 1: Something’s cutting my leg [groans]

Kelly Severide: Chief. Suction’s trapping debris at her feet.

Chief Boden: I got her.

Kelly Severide: I gotta dive down, get you clear.

Victim 1: [whimpers] Please… please don’t let me die down here.

               Please

Chief Boden: I got you.

                       Come on!

Victim 1: [cries]

Christopher Herrmann: They’re over here!

                                              [coughing]

Kelly Severide: Got some clear, but I need more time.

Chief Boden: We don’t have it.

Harold Capp: Severide!

Chief Boden: We need the scuba gear over here now.

Firefighter: Here you go, Chief.

Kelly Severide: I got it! Get my mask!

Chief Boden: Hey, I’m gonna put this mask over your face. It’s

                       gonna help you breathe under the water.

Victim 1: [whimpers]

Christopher Herrmann: Wait right there, just hold still. You got air?

Chief Boden: Get it on… whoa, whoa, whoa!

Firefighter: She’s going under!

                   Can’t see her!

Christopher Herrmann: You got her, Chief?

Chief Boden: I got her. I got her.

Joe Cruz: The water level’s rising.

Kelly Severide: Hey, hey. I got the debris clear, but the suction’s

                           keeping her down. We need to pull her up.

Chief Boden: Get the webbing on now.

Christopher Herrmann: [starts indistinctly]… under her arm.

Kelly Severide: I need more light.

Christopher Herrmann: Severide, feed that under her arm.

                                        Watch the mask… you got her, Chief?

Christopher Herrmann: She’s ready to go.

Kelly Severide: Easy, easy.

Christopher Herrmann: Grab the webbing! Hang on.

Chief Boden: Ready? One, two… pull!

                       Watch her head.

                                       [overlapping yelling]

Kelly Severide: Grab her legs.

Christopher Herrmann: You got her?

                                         Watch the tank.

Joe Cruz: I got it, Chief.

Victim 1: [coughs]

Christopher Herrmann: You okay, kid? Look at me. Sucking down

                                        that river, huh?

                                        Okay, we got you, girl. Let’s go!

                                        You good, Chief?

Chief Boden: We’re good!

Kelly Severide: Nice work.

Chief Boden: Good job. Let’s get the hell out of here.

                                               cutscene

Antonio Dawson: Do you recognise either one?

Man 4 (Steven Goody): I’ve never seen them before.

Antonio Dawson: Any problems with anyone at the clinic?

Man (Steven Goody): Not with our employees. Everybody works,

                                     and volunteers are here because they care.

                                     They-they wanna give back.

Antonio Dawson: Patients?

Man (Steven Goody): Let’s just say a few bad apples have walked

                                     through that door.

Antonio Dawson: Anyone specifically?

Man (Steven Goody): Who might kill Hallie? Oh, I… I’m… I don’t

                                     know.

Detective (Julia Willhite): Two of the security cameras were fake.

Man (Steven Goody): [sighs] I… I’m just trying to keep the doors

                                     open. You know, it’s a lot of things I can’t

                                     afford that I’d like to.

Detective (Julia Willhite): The fire was started near prescription

                                           records. Our guess, someone tried to

                                           cover up some impropriety. Those

                                           scrips are for a hell of a lot of

                                           Oxycontin.

Man (Steven Goody): For you, maybe. Not for someone in pain.

Antonio Dawson: Any problems with your prescription drugs? Any

                              missing inventory?

Man (Steven Goody): Not that I know of. We have a drug cage, and

                                    there’s never been a problem.

Detective (Julia Willhite): Mr. Goody, we’re gonna need a list of

                                           employees, patients…

Man (Steven Goody): And I’m gonna have to stop you right there.

                                    We are dealing with protected health

                                    information, uh, potential HIPAA violations,

                                    insurance, liabilities, blah, blah, blah. It’s

                                    gonna have to go through our legal

                                    department.

Antonio Dawson: If your clinic was a pill mill and Hallie found out

                              about it and someone killed her to shut her up,

                              now, right now would be the time to tell us.

Man (Steven Goody): [scoffs] It-It’s not a pill mill.

                                     [sighs] Okay, look. Um… there was this guy,

                                     Jubal Bartlett. He was a drug dealer. His

                                     girlfriend came in with a broken jaw. We

                                     reported it to the police. He did not take it

                                     kindly. He made threats.

Detective (Julia Willhite): We’ll be back.

                                                 cutscene

                                [TV announcer in background]

Otis Zvonecek: So, uh, Zoya, this is Herrmann and Dawson.

Christopher Herrmann: Nice to meet you.

Otis Zvonecek: Guys, this is Zoya.

Gabby Dawson: Hey, so nice to meet you.

Zoya: Hello.

                                   [Herrmann & Zoya chuckles]

Christopher Herrmann: So Brian said that you’ve got some

                                         restaurant experience.

Zoya: Thank you.

           [speaking Russian]

Otis Zvonecek: Uh, um…

Otis Zvonecek & Zoya: [speaking Russian]

Otis Zvonecek: Uh, anyway, so I just wanna make some quick

                           introductions, and we will see you at the bar.

Gabby Dawson: Ooh.

Christopher Herrmann: We’ve got Yakov Smirnoff tending bar

                                         now?

Gabby Dawson: Who’s that?

Otis Zvonecek: Um, so for the opening and the benefit, I’m pretty

                           sure she said she’s gonna bring a monkey

                           [chuckles]

Christopher Herrmann: A monkey?

Otis Zvonecek: Yep.

Gabby Dawson: Otis.

Otis Zvonecek: Look-look, it-it’s probably some sort of good luck

                           gesture or-or, you know, it has some sort of 

                           cultural significance. What’s the worst that could

                           happen?

Gabby Dawson: Did you see the lady on Oprah who got her face

                            chewed off by a monkey?

Otis Zvonecek: I did see that. And if it looks like it could take us, I’ll

                          tell her to keep it in the car.

                          Thank you. Thank you. Thank you [exhales]

                                                cutscene

Antonio Dawson: I’ve got the word out to all my CIs. Nothing yet.

Detective (Julia Willhite): And none of the neighbours saw or heard

                                           anything prior to the fire.

Antonio Dawson: Subpoena will get us employee and patient

                              records in a couple hours.

Hank Voight: What about the drug dealer the clinic director turned

                       us on to?

Antonio Dawson: Can’t find him.

Hank Voight: Can’t find him?

Antonio Dawson: Ran him through NCIC and the FBI to see if he

                              got pinched anywhere else.

Matt Casey: What’s this drug dealer’s name?

Hank Voight: Yeah, it’s probably best we don’t tell you. You know,

                       we don’t want you… doing something rash.

                       I understand that you and Hallie broke up before her

                       death. Is that right?

Matt Casey: For a few months… yeah.

Hank Voight: She see anyone in that gap?

Matt Casey: No one serious.

Hank Voight: Did she ever mention anyone that she felt

                       uncomfortable around? Was afraid of?

Matt Casey: Yeah. You.

Hank Voight: Lieutenant, I am sympathetic to what you’re going

                       through.

Matt Casey: I don’t believe that for a second.

Hank Voight: Fine. Don’t.

                       But I have allowed you to be here as a courtesy.

Matt Casey: Courtesy, from you? I don’t need it. I want you to find

                     out who killed my girl!

Antonio Dawson: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Matt Casey: All right?

Antonio Dawson: You gotta chill out, bro.

Matt Casey: Voight isn’t gonna lift a finger unless someone pays

                      him under the table.

Antonio Dawson: I got my eye on him, okay? He’s working the

                              case. Go back to the firehouse and cool off.

Matt Casey: No. I’m staying here.

Antonio Dawson: You’re not. Wait to hear from me.

                              Go on.

                                              cutscene

Leslie Shay: Okay, there’s what would happen if both of us died…

                     Who would take care of the baby?

Kelly Severide: Yeah, we should figure that out.

Leslie Shay: Dawson, right?

Kelly Severide: Yeah.

Leslie Shay: Okay.

Kelly Severide: What is it?

Leslie Shay: I’m just excited.

Kelly Severide: Me too.

Leslie Shay: And part of me feels horrible ‘cause of what Casey’s

                     going through. Here I am with butterflies in my stomach

                     ‘cause I’m getting ready to get pregnant, and… [sighs]

                                        [alarm beeps & buzzes]

(Over PA): Ambulance 61. Gunshot victim.

Officer (Elam): Neighbours reported shots fired.

                         30-year-old female, single gunshot to the stomach.

                         Actually, that’s a guess. It’s hard to tell. There’s a lot

                         of blood.

Officer (Kevin Atwater): She was pumping out pretty good. I

                                         applied pressure, but I don’t know what’s

                                         going on.

Leslie Shay: It’s okay. I got it.

                     Not feeling anything.

                                            [machine flatlines]

Gabby Dawson: She’s gone. I’m calling it.

                            (into radio) 61 to main, victim is DOA. We’re

                            delayed on scene while we document for CPD.

Leslie Shay: Dawson. She was a nurse at the clinic Hallie worked at.

                                                 cutscene

                                      [indistinct radio chatter]

                                            [car doors shut]

Gabby Dawson: Hey. What the hell’s going on?

Antonio Dawson: That’s what we’re trying to find out.

Gabby Dawson: How’s he been?

Antonio Dawson: Busy, like everybody on this case. I’ll get at you

                              later.

Hank Voight: Boo.

Detective (Julia Willhite): In on it?

Antonio Dawson: Or she found out who was.

Officer (Elam): Neighbour only heard the gunshot. No one on either

                         side saw anyone leave. But we can keep knocking

                         on doors.

Detective (Julia Willhite): Willhite.

Hank Voight: Do that.

Detective (Julia Willhite): Thanks.

                                           The drug dealer, Jubal Bartlett? He’s

                                            been locked up in Virginia Beach for the

                                            past four days on a possession charge.

Hank Voight: I want that clinic director in the hot seat… now.

Antonio Dawson: I told his lawyer I was gonna issue an arrest

                              warrant for obstruction by the end of the week if

                              he didn’t get his client to honour the meet.

Hank Voight: Man, whoever did these two hits will be long gone by

                       the end of the week.

Antonio Dawson: This ain’t the Gang unit, Voight. Sarge. You can’t 

                               do everything with a battering ram.

Hank Voight: The hell I can’t.

Antonio Dawson: Don’t worry. I got him handled.

Detective (Julia Willhite): I noticed.

                                               cutscene

Leslie Shay: Oh my God.

Kelly Severide: What?

Leslie Shay: I just took this baby-proofing quiz. We live in a death

                     trap. Spiral staircase, upper floor apartment with

                     accessible balconies…

Kelly Severide: Are you giving birth tomorrow?

                          Listen, we have time to make any fixes we need.

Leslie Shay: We need a locked liquor cabinet. Remind me.

Kelly Severide: Okay.

Woman 1 (Nurse): Leslie Shay?

Leslie Shay: Hi.

                     Here we go.

                     All right.

                                          [kissing sound]

Leslie Shay: Will you rub my belly for good luck?

Kelly Severide: [chuckles]

Leslie Shay: Just…

Kelly Severide: Relax.

Leslie Shay: All right.

Woman 1 (Nurse): You ready?

Leslie Shay: Yeah. Feeling fertile.

Woman 1 (Nurse): Feeling fertile. Okay. We’ll make sure of that.

Leslie Shay: Okay.

                                                cutscene

Joe Cruz: A monkey?

Otis Zvonecek: Why is everybody acting like she said she’s gonna

                           bring a unicorn? Yes, a monkey.

Joe Cruz: Why?

Otis Zvonecek: Ask her when she gets here.

Gabby Dawson: Ask Otis to ask her. She doesn’t speak English.

Joe Cruz: Oh.

Otis Zvonecek: It’s serviceable.

Joe Cruz: [laughs]

Mouch: You gotta go White Sox.

Christopher Herrmann: No, I don’t wanna alienate half the

                                         neighbourhood who are Cubs fans. We

                                         gotta go with teams that we can all agree

                                         on: The Bears, the Bulls and the

                                         Blackhawks.

Mouch: And the fire?

Christopher Herrmann: The who?

Mouch: Soccer team. Chicago Fire.

Christopher Herrmann: Who knew?

                                         Okay, sure, fine. Get a banner.

                                               [chuckling]

                                        [cell phone vibrates]

                                                cutscene

Peter Mills: Hey. Thanks for coming.

Gabby Dawson: Of course.

Peter Mills: Um… I’ve been thinking about everything, you know?

                     And uh, I’m waiting for this… I guess anger to go away.

                     It’s not. And I’m not mad at you. But I do have to say I

                     wish you would’ve told me when you found out.

Gabby Dawson: Yeah, I know you do. All I can say is that I-I just felt

                             stuck ‘cause I didn’t wanna hurt you, and… and it

                             wasn’t my business.

Peter Mills: But it was your business. I was your boyfriend.

Gabby Dawson: Was?

Peter Mills: I think I need some time. Look, I respect you too much

                    to have you twisting in the wind, wondering where my

                    head’s at.

Gabby Dawson: Oh man… I mean [clears throat]

                            I knew this was a possibility if I told you, but…

Peter Mills: I still love you. I do. But this whole thing just… I guess

                    it’s just… a little deeper than I thought.

Gabby Dawson: Well you need to figure it out, Pete, one way or

                             another.

Peter Mills: I know.

Gabby Dawson: [sniffles] I gotta go.

Peter Mills: [sighs]

                                                 cutscene

Man 1 (Sergeant Pruitt): Uh oh, Voight’s here. Everybody hide your

                                          wallets!

Hank Voight: Hey, what’s up, Pru?

Man 1 (Sergeant Pruitt): There it is. You gotta be the luckiest son of

                                          a bitch I ever met. How do you walk

                                          around all day with that horseshoe in your

                                          ass?

Hank Voight: [laughs] Just living the dream.

Man 1 (Sergeant Pruitt): I guess you are.

Hank Voight: Yeah.

Man 1 (Sergeant Pruitt): [chuckles]

Hank Voight: Anything for me, man, in narcotics?

Man 1 (Sergeant Pruitt): [sighs] Nothing yet, man. We set a bunch

                                          of controlled buys ups. But nothing, man.

                                          Not even a vitamin. CIs have nothing

                                          either. Don’t know what to tell you.

Hank Voight: Mm.

Antonio Dawson: Prints came back on that Magnum. Calvin

                               Jackson, goes by CJ. Extensive sheet for

                               dealing, including oxy.

Detective (Julia Willhite): We’re heading over to grab him up.

Hank Voight: No, no. I’ll take care of it. Great work.

                                    [muffled rap music]

                                     [indistinct chatter]

Man 5: [chuckles] I heard that.

            [laughs] Yeah, you know it, man.

            Look at this.

Hank Voight: What’s up, Mo?

Man 5 (Maurice Owens): I knew they couldn’t keep you down.

Hank Voight: Hey, man, not in this lifetime.

                       We got a little problem with your nephew CJ. We got

                       his prints on a car that booked it from that clinic fire a

                       few days back. Was he involved?

Man 5 (Maurice Owens): What if he was?

Hank Voight: I don’t like guessing games.

Man 5 (Maurice Owens): He was buying prescrips from some dude

                                           who was working with a nurse inside and

                                           the guy who ran the clinic. Next thing I

                                           know, CJ comes back all tweaked. He

                                           was at the clinic doing a pickup when the

                                           place caught fire. So he bounced.

Hank Voight: The name of the dude.

Man 5 (Maurice Owens): CJ didn’t say, and I didn’t ask. He did say

                                          that this guy ain’t right in the head. Like,

                                          white-boy-serial-killer-crazy. Second

                                          thing: he knows about me and you.

Hank Voight: And how would my name come up, Mo?

Man 5 (Maurice Owens): CJ told him you gave us protection. So if

                                           you lock him up and he starts runnin’ his

                                           trap, that ain’t good for any of us. You

                                           know what I’m sayin’?

Hank Voight: You get CJ on the phone, and get me the name of that

                        guy.

Man 5 (Maurice Owens): Nah, CJ is gone. I told him to dump his

                                          phone and clear out for a bit. You know

                                          how I work. This is your problem now.

                                           Five stacks. A little welcome back gift.

Antonio Dawson: [sighs]

                                                 cutscene

Leslie Shay: So you can start the college fund when, um, the baby’s

                      born. And it’s only like 5 dollars a month. Even if they

                      don’t go to college, they still get the money. So I’m not

                      quite sure why they call it a college fund. It’s… really,

                      it’s just a-a fund for when they turn 18. So… Are you

                      okay?

                                    [laundry machine hums]

Gabby Dawson: Um… [sniffles]

                            Mills broke up with me.

Leslie Shay: Oh my God. Over the Boden thing?

Gabby Dawson: Yeah.

Leslie Shay: [sighs] What an idiot. I’m sorry, sweetie.

Gabby Dawson: [sniffles]

                                            cutscene

                                    [knocks on window]

Matt Casey: I was gonna call him, but then it felt like that was the

                     easy way out. So I drove over. And her parents were

                     having a dinner party. Hallie’s sister was there, her

                     kids, her parents’ friends, all of ‘em. It was the hardest

                     thing I’ve ever done in my life.

Kelly Severide: I’m so sorry, Matt.

Matt Casey: Yeah, I appreciate this.

                     [laughs] I needed it [sniffs]

Kelly Severide: You know, when Andy died… without even realising

                           it, I found myself needing to be around people

                           acting normal just to get my frame of reference

                           pull myself out of the hole I was in. So whenever

                           you wanna grab a smoke, or hit golf balls, or

                           whatever…

Chief Boden: Casey. Antonio and Detective Willhite are here for you.

Detective (Julia Willhite): We're waiting on the nurse's cell phone

                                           records, fingerprints from her apartment.

Antonio Dawson: But we're not homicide, so we can be a little 

                              more aggressive.

Matt Casey: Good.

Antonio Dawson: We cooked up something. You go in to the clinic

                              director. He knows you’re Hallie’s boyfriend,

                              right?

Matt Casey: Right.

Antonio Dawson: You tell him you were going through her

                               computer at home. She spelled out the whole 

                               thing. She also mentioned the director was a

                               good guy and probably was forced into this.

Detective (Julia Willhite): And after that you don’t say a word,

                                           ‘cause he’ll either take the bait and

                                           give us a name of his accomplice or

                                           he won’t.

Antonio Dawson: We’ll be outside, so if anything goes sideways,

                               we’re right there.

Chief Boden: He’ll be wearing a wire?

Antonio Dawson: That’s right.

Chief Boden: How do we know this director isn’t the trigger man

                       and he pulls a gun?

Antonio Dawson: We wouldn’t be here if we thought that was a

                              valid scenario. But can we guarantee your

                              safety 100%? No.

Matt Casey: I don’t care, I’m in.

                                             cutscene

                                        [car door shuts]

Hank Voight: (into radio) All right, here we go. He’s walking into the

                       clinic.

Officer (Nicole Sermons): (into radio) This is Sermons. We’re

                                            tucked away and standing by.

Hank Voight: [sighs]

                                       [computer beeps]

Detective (Julia Willhite): Prints came back from the nurse’s

                                           apartment. Timothy Campbell. Whoa.

Antonio Dawson: What?

Detective (Julia Willhite): Armed robbery, drug possession, assault

                                           with a deadly weapon.

Matt Casey: How you doin’? I’d like to talk to Steven Goody?

Woman 2 (Receptionist): He’s in a meeting.

Matt Casey: You know when he’ll be out?

Woman 2 (Receptionist): I don’t.

                                   [muffled male shouting]

Matt Casey: Mind if I wait until he’s done?

                                              [gunshots]

                                             [screaming]

Hank Voight: Go!

                                             [siren wails]

                                          [horns honking]

Antonio Dawson: Chicago Police! Get down!

                                              [screaming]

Antonio Dawson: Move!

Man 6 (Timothy Campbell): [grunts]

Matt Casey: [groans]

                                        [both men grunting]

Matt Casey: [groans]

Antonio Dawson: Casey!

                                             [horn honking]

Antonio Dawson: Casey!

                                             [horns honking]

                                                [siren wails]

Antonio Dawson: Casey!

Officer (Jim Barnes): El platform.

                                             [tires screeching]

Antonio Dawson: Police! Get down!

                                                  [screaming]

Antonio Dawson: Get down! Police!

                                                  [screaming]

Antonio Dawson: Police! Get down!

                              Casey!

                              Casey!

                                               [horns honking]

                                              [tires screeching]

Detective (Julia Willhite): Clear, right.

                                                [horns honking]

                                              [overlap shouting]

                                               [tires screeching]

Detective (Julia Willhite): Stay with it. Stay with it.

                                                 [horn honking]

Matt Casey: [grunts]

                                                 [siren wailing]

                                                [siren whoops]

                                                    [gunshot]

                                                  [screaming]

Antonio Dawson: Freeze!

                              Let him go! Drop the gun, Campbell.

Man 6 (Timothy Campbell): I swear to God, I’ll blow his head off.

Antonio Dawson: Let him go.

Man 6 (Timothy Campbell): Put the gun on the ground.

Antonio Dawson: That ain’t happenin’.

Man 6 (Timothy Campbell): Put it on the ground!

Antonio Dawson: I’m not dropping my gun!

                              Here, look… Okay? Now you gotta do the same

                              for me.

                              Voight.

Man 6 (Timothy Campbell): Wait, you’re Voight? Thank God. Tell

                                               them…

                                        [gunshot]

Matt Casey: [coughing & gasping for air]

Hank Voight: (into radio) King 84-10, emergency.

Dispatcher: (over radio) King 84-10. Go with your emergency.

Hank Voight: (into radio) Shot fired by police. Roll an ambulance to

                       the El platform on Kinzie and Wells. Officer not hit.

                       Offender down. Gunshot wound to head.

Dispatcher: (over radio) Copy that, 84-10. Bus is on the way.

Antonio Dawson: Nice shot.

Gabby Dawson: And yep. He be dead.

Leslie Shay: We’ll hand it over to the ME.

Detective (Julia Willhite): Thanks.

Gabby Dawson: Any way you can get back into Vice?

Antonio Dawson: I would if I wanted to.

Officer (Nicole Sermons): You okay?

Matt Casey: Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks.

                      [sniffs]

                                               cutscene

Leslie Shay: And check out those names on the sheet. See if you

                     like any of those.

Kelly Severide: Yeah.

Leslie Shay: Oh, I saw online that recording an agreement is also

                      beneficial. That way, if there’s ever a disagreement,

                      instead of looking at a bunch of words you can see

                      yourself talking to the present you and advising

                      yourself to behave rationally and fairly. So what do

                      you think? [clears throat]

Kelly Severide: Um… I think Molly’s is opening up tonight.

Leslie Shay: [laughs] Have a baby first, deal with this later?

Kelly Severide: Sounds good.

                                                 cutscene

Christopher Herrmann: Doors open in an hour. I think we got it all

                                         covered, right?

Joe Cruz: You’re all set, man. The place looks great.

Zoya: [speaking Russian]

Otis Zvonecek: Monkey’s here.

Christopher Herrmann: Are we insured for this? I’m not even

                                         joking.

Zoya: [speaking Russian]

Christopher Herrmann: That’s the Stanley Cup.

Otis Zvonecek: [speaking Russian]

                           [mimics monkey]

Zoya: [speaking Russian]

          [laughs]

Otis Zvonecek & Zoya: [speaking Russian]

Otis Zvonecek: So I guess in Russian, chimpanzee and hockey

                           championship are this close phonetically [chuckles]

Christopher Herrmann: That’s the Stanley Cup.

                                             cutscene

                                        [car door shuts]

Woman 3: Hank.

Hank Voight: 5k. Guy’s name is Maurice Owens. Mid-level dealer.

                       It’s all in the report.

Woman 3: Strange bedfellows, huh?

                  This is a good start. Keep putting yourself out there as

                  dirty. Who knows what fish we’ll catch in the net, right?

Hank Voight: I want a receipt for the cash when you’re done with 

                       your inventory.

Woman 3: You don’t trust me, Hank?

Hank Voight: I want it by tomorrow.

Woman 3: Keep in touch.

                                          cutscene

                                 [overlapping chatter]

                                            [music]

                               [bottles/glasses clinking]

Mouch: Can I chug a beer out of it?

              No you know what? I’m good, I’m good. Get in here.

                               [overlapping chatter]

Christopher Herrmann: [laughs]

Leslie Shay: Hey.

Matt Casey: Hey.

Leslie Shay: How you doing?

Matt Casey: How you doing?

Leslie Shay: I’m good.

Matt Casey: Hey.

                      Thanks for coming. You look great.

Girl (Sophie): Hi.

Matt Casey: How are you?

Girl (Sophie): Good.

Matt Casey: Good?

Girl (Sophie): Mmhmm.

Matt Casey: Gary, good to see you. Really.

Man 7 (Gary): Good to see you.

Matt Casey: How you doin’? Nice to see ya.

                     [chuckles] This the real thing?

Otis Zvonecek: Yeah.

Matt Casey: I, uh… [sniffs] one of our first dates was a…

                     Blackhawks-Devils game. When she told me she

                     knew what icing was, I knew I had a keeper.

                                       [crowd chuckling]

Matt Casey: Yeah, this means a lot, guys…[sighs & sniffs]

                      And it means a lot to her, ‘cause I’m sure she’s looking

                      down.

                      To Hallie.

All: To Hallie.

                                        [sombre music]

                                              - end -

Definitions:

UIC = University of Illinois Chicago

Oxycontin = Brand name for a timed-release formula of oxycodone, a narcotic analgesic (medication that reduces pain). Oxycodone is an opioid medication and is highly addictive and commonly used recreationally by people who have an opioid use disorder

HIPAA = Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (1996) is a US federal statute enacted by the 104th US Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton. It is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge

Yakov Smirnoff = Ukranian-American comedian, actor and writer

CIs = Criminal Informants

Subpoena = A writ ordering a person to attend a court

NCIC = National Crime Information Center (NCIC) is a computerised index of criminal justice information (i.e. criminal record history information, fugitives, stolen properties, missing persons)

[cowandcalf]

Hey! Can you do 8, 11, 29, 36, 46 and 55 for asks? 🌸

Ahhh! Uhhh! Yeah, sure I remember you’re also obscureh50posts :-)There you are sending me the questions! I don’t even try to pretend I can answer them as cool and funny as you do. I’ll answer them as the nerd I am. Very serious and sticking to the rules *cracks knuckles* let’s bring it home.

8. Your notp

Jerry Ortega/Steve McGarrett - oh, wow, nope, nah, sorry. I respect the shippers who ship them and write stories for them. But I can’t feel the fire and the affection, like holy fucking shit no!

11. The episode you always skip

Ah, shoot a question at me and I draw a blank...I can’t think of a specific episode because at one point there’s Steve or Steve related material I need to see. BUT there are long moments with Lou Grover, especially non H50 stuff. All episodes which revolve around him and his time in Chicago, his former days as a cop. The way he needs to make things right, dealing with his family, his brother...it would be good material to create a storyline but Grover just bores my pants off when he does his “the world’s bad and I need to fix it and on top of that I need to talk to Will about it. Teach him a lesson.” I can’t watch it. I always skip these parts.

29. The core four or the seasons 8-10 ohana?

There’s no chance to take sides. The core four is like the glue and the baseline, the ground H50 has grown strong and famous from. I’ll always love Kono and Chin and everything they stand for. Steve and Danny have a long history with these guys and that makes it all the more special. They marched through hell and back together. They evolved as persons and they choose to go separate ways. It still hurts to have lost them but the memories float around like bubbles. I love Tani and Junior, especially Junior because he’s a SEAL and Steve needs one by his side. They rock my world too, just at a different pace. Can’t decide, love them both.

36. How many times have you rewatched the show?

I don’t rewatch the entire show. I always stop around season 5 or 6 and I start all over from the beginning. The pilot I’ve seen 10 times, 15 times I think. And the rest around 4 times? And sometimes, I just pick a single episode I love so much and watch it. My favorite seasons are season 1 to 5.

46. Max or Noelani

No one can replace Max. Noelani is great though but Max was exceptional.

55. Choose a character we don’t know dob of, and speculate on their star sign

Gah! Uhm, let’s take the shop owner from the gun shop, the one with the funny, thick glasses. From the episode where Steve wears his famous white pants and Danny rants about Steve’s obsession with guns and ammo and the one where the shop owner always asks if he might assist with the sniper on the roof across the street. Okay, he’s Virgo and he hates it. He would love the be Leo but again he’s a gun geek with a funny streak to keep all neat and tidy in his shop. He’s actually jealous of this tall guy with the dark hair and the ridiculous white pants. Virgos might wear white pants. So this buff guy must be Virgo or the unicorn-style of Cancer. The short one with the sharp tone must be Taurus. And maybe he asks again if he might be of any help. He might teach this white pants wearing guy a thing or two. *giggles*

Thank so much for the big amount of questions! It was fun to answer them for you!

[hegglespeggles]

How to write an essay you could not care less about in 10 steps

Hello. I have an essay to write.

I am also, (unfortunately) the kind of lazy, apathetic burnout who will only do my FUCKING work if I get really worked up. Usually that ends up meaning all of my papers are spite-fuelled tirades but my profs seem to like them so fine. I hope you find this particular raging tirade useful.

Today, I would like to educate the 4 of you that will actually see this on a fine art I have perfected over the years. Writing a paper, about which, you do not give a single, solitary, crumb of a fuck about. This is (you may have guessed) and excellent way for me to procrastinate doing a paper that *I* do not give a single solitary crumb of a fuck about. For best results, I recommend doing this NIGHT-BEFORE-PANIC like, a week in advance so you can fix all the NONSENSE that your more reasonable brain will undoubtedly find. But if it’s the night before and you are shit outta luck, this will get ‘er done. And with practice, you can even pull good grades outta these bitches.

 Dissociating? I gotchu. Woke up the day of the deadline to feel like absolute utter garbage? Search no more friends.  

  FAILING GRADES ARE BETTER THAN ZEROS JUST FUCKIN DOOOOOO ITTTT

1.    Go get the prompt.

I fucking mean it. Even if you are like 1000% sure you know what the prompt is asking, go to the FUCKING assignment, and copy that shit into your word document. Got the assignment on paper? TYPE THAT SHIT UP MOTHERFUCKER.

(Do you see what I fucking have to deal with)

Boom?

BOOM.

Congratulations, you now have a document, and whats more, there are WORDS in it!! You aren’t starting from scratch anymore kiddo. Fringe benefit, you always know EXACTLY what the assignment wants because its fucking Staring You Down. Not saying you have to do exactly as it says, mama didn’t raise no BITCH and I aint scared of fuckin CALLING PROFS OUT but if you wanna break the rules you gotta know what they are first

(Disclaimer: I have also been kicked out of class on numerous occasions for fighting with the prof and had full classes where the lecture WAS me arguing so maybe take my opinions of conformity with a grain of salt.)

2.    Math THE FIRST

I know, this is an essay and not a fucking calculus test. But some of this shit is USEFUL OKAY

Take the paper in question. How long does it have to be? Mine is 5 pages. A page is generally accepted to be 250 words (double spaced because we FUCKING LOVE OURSELVES) so 5 x 250 = 1250 wds. That’s the goal. That’s the pinnacle. That’s your new holy grail.

Time to split this bitch up

  3.    Yarrrrrr, CONTENT

And finally, we get to the part that is the reason why you are being an absolute bitch baby about this essay (maybe. I might be projecting. Your life is your life and im sure youre doing your best.) I Hate this part, but now with our magic number we don’t need to pull 5 pages out of the ether.

This part really requires you to know your vibe. Is this something that you have a lot of little opinions (read: evidence) about or like, only 2 or 3 big bois? Look deep into your soul and figure out which is the easiest for you to shit out, a rant or a list. a  great way to do this is to WRITE ANYTHING YOU GOT OUT

Here you can see I’ve put all of the thoughts I have about the question into a list, slapped some standard “opening” and “closing” shit around it so I can FUCKING FIND IT AGAIN and given it a good hard look. Whats the common thread in all of my opinions? That the prompt is fucking stupid and makes no sense is asking 2 different questions. Congratulations: you found your thesis. This essay, like many of my essays, bears the thesis “this is a weird question to be asking” (which falls under my broader category of “bitches aint shit” essays.)

Congratulations you have the bare bones of your skeleton.

  4.    MATH THE SECOND

 The magic number returns. All hail our glorious leader. 1250 right?

So heres how I break this down. Break off a small chunk at the beginning. For this essay im gonna split off the 250. Split that baby in half. Congratulations, now you have a word count on your opening and closing. Personally, I know I like a lil extra space at the end to get all ranty, so Imma split this puppy up 100 for my opening and 150 for the closing. WARNING: You will think that you will be able to write enough in your opening and closing to take up lots of space. You will feel the urge to give them both the same amount of words that you give your points. This is misguided and foolish. Not only will you 1) not be able to do it but 2) even if you did, that’s like getting a sandwich which is all bread. No one wants that. Don’t be that dude. Fight the urge.

 RIGHT SO. We’re still left on the other 1000 words.

If you have an idea that like, is bigger than the others, go ahead and give that puppy more of the word count than the others, fractions are your friend here and you wanna think about how much of your final product each of these babies will be. If you, like me, are an utter buffoon with no clue what youre doing, open your calculator up. Divide the remaining word count by the number of points you have. Congratulations. Youre doing the essaying.

If this is enough to get you started, GREAT! See you at step seven. BEFORE YOU GO I would like to give you this tip

5.    CITE YOUR INFORMATION AS YOU ADD IT IN.

It doesn’t need to be a full citation, just literally a footnote with something that will help you remember where its from and for the love of god WHAT PAGE IT IS ON. The you of 3 hours from now will thank you.

  6.    Filling in the skeleton

 I don’t know about you, but I cant exactly riff off of a single sentence. Like, I know what the VIBE of my point is, but like, I cant pull it out of a hat. The name of the game here is whittling down your arguments into thinner and thinner chunks that are easier and easier to bullshit. This is how you avoid that “burning building found in flames during Brooklyn fire” bullshit that memes. You don’t wanna meme. You wanna pass. So, figure out what the things you are gonna say and in each bit, keep track of how many words you are gonna write. EITHER

a)      You put how many words you think you can write on any point beside the point as you go and just keep developing points and shuffling word counts around until it matches the total for that section

or

b)     You evenly breakup the word count between all the points and keep breaking them down until you look at a subject and a word count and go “yeah that’s doable. I can do that.”

I prefer the second so LEGGO.

Ta-Da!

7.    Write ‘er up

Ahhh glad to see we’re all back together again. Try-hards who can ACTUALLY bullshit papers, glad to see you’ve rejoined us! This is the part where you take all that shit you’ve broken up into nice little chunks and you turn it into something worth reading. You can do it. I believe in you. Try and keep your citations in place.

I like to do this as a question answer thingy, like an exam, so halfway through writing mine is gonna look like this

 The handy part about the numbers is that it gives you a frame of reference for how your bullshit is going. Realized you had a lot more to say here than you thought? Dope! Less bullshit somewhere else, take it out of a weaker point. This point didn’t give as much as you thought it would? Split the difference elsewhere! This way you have checkpoints and you can see how your essay is going

And then you can go ahead and delete your skeleton work. Its time. Its served you well. For extra drama, whisper menacing nothings to it as you send it into the darkness. Personal favourites include “no one will mourn you,” “your fate belongs to me,” and “so this is what you have come to”

  8.    Citations

Theres like a million ways out there to find out how to do your citations and its gonna depend on what kind of a paper you are writing. I use Chicago most of the time, including here. My advice? Use a site like, bib.me or something to do your bibliography, and then plaster that in the bottom of your document. Use that as the building blocks to do your footnotes. Let Purdue Owl be your guide. Purdue Owl Style Guide Is A Mighty Friend Indeed.

 Also your welcome for that, “putting the page numbers in as you put the info in” shit. That took me alarmingly long to figure out. It’s a wonder theyre giving me a degree.

  9.    Proofread that shit, ya bougie bitch.

If you wanna be time effective, getting a friend to proofread while you do your citations is a great way to go. If you have a few days, put your paper away and come back to it. If you are out of friends and time then https://www.paperrater.com/ is your last hope.

  10.       Slap a title page on that shit and GET IT SUBMITTED

 No joke, I have been using the same template for a coverpage all through highschool and my undergrad. There is only one title page and every time I write an essay I take the title page from the last paper I wrote. There is no beginning. Only title page. Title? Topic of paper: point of paper. For example, If I had to title this screed I’d call it Essay Writing: An exploration of mediocrity. slap the date and your name and the course and instructor on there and BAM. YA DONE.

 Anyway submit that shit an go to bed youre done goodnight

EPILOGUE

I’ve gotten this essay back, and when I wrote it, I was barely a human being. Barely capable of human speech let alone a coherent argument. I would forget the end of the sentence by the time I typed out the beginning. But I still for a 70%! is it the best mark I’ve ever gotten? no! but it is a hell of a lot better than the 0% I would have gotten if i hadnt done this. I get it. And i hope this helps. 

[nice-bright-colors]

OK. Fuck That Shit.

I scramble to try to accomplish things all week. I work late every night. I scramble to try and get things done on Friday, when I should be focusing on personal matters.

The entire office shuts down at 4:00p to go have Happy Hour at Harbor (recent restaurant opening we were the Architects for). Now I get to live this through social media....great.

FYI - If you are an Owner of a project we did, and you OWE us money...we will accept food and booze. - And you are fucking lucky I’m not in the Chicago office anymore. Ask the Owner of The Franklin Room, I put away $1K of rare bourbon on his dime once.

So Fuck This Shit. Since my only responsibilities tonight include feeding the dog who is currently sleeping along with the Wife.... I’m starting early. Just might take those steps to the liquor store. - They are starting to know me by name.

I wonder if I can get to the Platinum level here, like I did at Binny’s back home? Ahhh, the good ol’ days when I could phone in an order at Binny’s and have it ready, waiting, and put in my trunk when I pulled up.

Probably not something I should be proud of. But fuck that, I don’t have much in my life.

[perfectlyfine-notfineatall]

PERSONAL APPLICATION TO REPUTATION

Hi everyone! I’m Stephie, 23 as of April 13, from Chicago suburbs. I am going to personally apply my last few years to reputation. This record holds the most closely to my heart due to how it applies to my life!!! I LOVE IT DEARLY. @taylorswift @taylornation

1. ...Ready For It? -I went to a New Years party on 12/31/16 after FINALLY BLOCKING my abusive ex-boyfriend (GO ME!!) Of course, I ran into an old male friend (Kyle) that used to like me for me. This whole song describes how I felt first wondering who he was, who I was, who we finally were, and where things would take us. 2. End Game. -Kyle and I continued talking, drinking, & staying out late with mutual friends & strangers. All my “friends” told me to NOT fall for him due to his “bad” high school reputation. However, I had a pretty bad reputation over how I left my abusive ex, so I did not care about our reputations. “I got some big enemies- big reputation, big reputation, ooooh you and me would be a big conversation, ahhh-” To which we were, in fact, most of my “friends” dropped me after hanging out with him after New Years. Plenty of conversation goes around....

3. I Did Something Bad -Kyle helped me rebuild my self-esteem. Due to “I never trust a narcissist, but they love me,” my abusive ex started talking shit & harassing me/us (keyed my car, made a public dating account in my name, hacked into my emails, spam-blasted our phones, had others threaten/talk shit on my happy posts, tried to drive Kyle off the road, etc.) I went to the police to report him because “if a man talks shit, then I owe him nothing. I don’t regret it one bit-cause he had it coming.”

4. Don’t Blame Me -very obviously, “love made me crazy.” I no longer cared what people thought of Kyle & I spending time together. He started to really appeal to me on every level of attraction, desire, and longing. He truly wanted to enjoy life together while helping me. He was like the one good drug for me.

5. Delicate -I recognized how fragile people are after what I went through. I realized Kyle & I were in a vulnerable, fragile, delicate place. I decided to make sure this was going to be something-despite our reputations, despite my past abuse, & despite the world around us because “he likes me for me.”  I was not going to hurt him. I started to express my feelings for him despite my self-doubt & worry & fears about starting a new relationship.

6. Look What You Made Me Do -I took my DV situation to civil court. After I found the dating account of me, I knew I had to do something to fight back for myself and my reputation. The pre-chorus is everything. “But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time. Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time. I've got a list of names and yours is in red, underlined- I check it once, then I check it twice.” And of course, “The world moves on, another day, another drama, drama. But not for me, not for me, all I think about is karma. And then the world moves on, but one thing's for sure. Maybe I got mine, but you'll all get yours“ because sure, maybe I was not the nicest breaking it off and maybe his “revenge” hurt me and was “karma,” but surely his and his friends’ karma would come around sooner or later. (P.S. It does)

7. So It Goes... -I started to really focus on Kyle now that my abusive ex could not contact me with the emergency restraining order placed.”All the pieces fall right into place,” describes my initial feeling at this time. Then, “I’m yours to keep and I’m yours to lose. You know I’m not a bad girl, but I do bad things with you.” I was not sure if we would become something or fall apart, but he had either option available as long as I got to experience him. I was not the bad person everyone was making me out to be. With him, I could be and feel bad, but it would be perfect. “You did a number on me, but honestly baby, who’s counting? I did a number on you, but honestly baby, who’s counting? Who’s counting....? 1,2,3-” Despite my ongoing court case, we were so connected and fragile and yet hopeful of things one day turning around for us to be together in our own safety & privacy. He went through a LOT to just hang out with me, but he kept choosing to despite all my abusive ex tried to threaten/harm him. We did numbers on each other but we wanted to keep counting them together.

8. Gorgeous -This track brings me back to the New Years party. We literally would not talk to each other until about 4 hours in when we both wanted to leave the party. “You should take it as a compliment that I’m talking to everyone here but you.” We talked to everyone but each other but kept slyly eavesdropping in & watching each other socialize. This goes with, “You’re so gorgeous. I can’t say anything to your face cause look at your face. And I’m so furious at you for making me feel this way, but what can I say? You’re gorgeous.” He later came up and asked if I wanted our own hotel room; I obviously said “sure” as shyly as ever. He got our own hotel room and we talked nonstop. We stayed up for 24 hours straight that night. He was super gorgeous & perfect, and I finally got the courage to invite him over for our New Years Day party before we left. He promised to be at my house later that day. “You make me so happy, it turns back to sad. There’s nothing I hate more than what I can’t have. Guess I’ll just stumble on home to my cats...alone unless you want to come along.” So perfect, except I have 2 dogs instead of 2 cats, (sorry Tay) but he came along!!

9. Getaway Car -I was getting away from my abusive ex with Kyle. First, I blocked him and cut all ties- “It was the great escape, the prison break. The light of freedom on my face, but you weren’t thinking & I was just drinking.” Kyle & I were enjoying each other’s company without wondering if my abusive ex was going to attempt to destroy us. I started to question why my abusive ex did not see this coming-I had left an old boyfriend for him years ago. Why was he even questioning that I took off with someone new when he saw it happen years prior? “The ties were black, the lies were white. In shades of gray and candlelight, I wanted to leave him. I needed a reason,” I just finally knew I wanted out, but he (ex) always made me at fault like I had no legitimate reason to leave even when I did. “You were driving the getaway car. There were sirens in the beat of your heart. Don’t pretend it’s such a mystery- think about the place where you first met me.” Kyle & I were making my getaway together. It was no mystery and it should have been expected by my ex. I found someone who saw my worth, of course I was getting away for good, even if this one didn’t work out too. One day my abusive ex literally chased/tried to drive Kyle off the road. Kyle called me freaking out and this depicts it well- “Well, he was running after us- I was screaming, ‘go, go, go’ with the 3 of us honey, it’s a sideshow. And a circus ain’t a love story, and now we’re both sorry.” I wanted my abusive ex out of our picture. I never asked for a love triangle; I never asked for him to literally come after us in person & online. I did not want my abusive ex anymore.

10. King of My Heart -In March 2017, Kyle & I made us official. We just had our one-year weeks ago!! (yay!) First, “cause all the boys & their expensive cars, with their range rovers & jaguars never took me quite where you do” is now a joke between us because my abusive ex was obsessed with his car & materialism. I hated it. Anyway, Kyle has literally & figuratively been there for me more than anyone, ever.  This clearly translates into, “And all at once, you are the one I have been waiting for-king of my heart, body & soul.” I finally found someone to cherish & love & take care of all of me, even the broken parts of me. And finally, “Is this the end of all the endings? My broken bones are mending with all these nights we’re spending up on the roof with a school-girl crush, drinking beer out of plastic cups, say you fancy me not fancy stuff, baby all at once, this is enough.” Back to our materialism jokes & fun with an addition of all our times enjoying drinks & each other & just being happy while I was finally healing with him. I have the painting/poster above my bed!!

11. Dancing With Our Hands Tied - We were literally like...dancing with our hands tied. We were trying to become a couple while facing my abusive ex and trying to not be bothered. I was in a bad state when we first met due to the abuse.“My love had been frozen deep blue, but you painted me golden.” Kyle fully believed me & wanted to help me; he offered to take the stand for me in front of my abusive ex in court on my final hearing date. So, “I had a bad feeling, but we were dancing. I-I loved you in spite of deep fears that the world would divide us. Oh, baby can we dance, oh, through an avalanche? Say-say that we got it. I’m a mess, but I’m the mess that you wanted. Oh, cause it’s gravity keeping you with me.” I LOVE THIS ONE because he literally had no reason to stay with me with all my past was putting him through. It was a constant state of waiting for him to leave me because of all the harassment towards him and my being in a very poor mental/emotional state; it was like gravity was the only reason he was still there for me, cause no one was there for me altogether. He fought it all for me, regardless.

12. Dress -We have been together for 1 year now. He actually just became an over-the-road truck driver, so we are long-distance until the weekend comes. So, “all of the silence & patience, pining, & desperately waiting, my hands are shaking from holding back from all this-” literally describes Monday-Friday waiting for his arrival to have our 2 days together, Next, “Inescapable, I’m not even gonna try- and if I get burned, at least we were electrified.” This one is important because with him, I am no longer afraid of an ending since I even stood the chance with him. This is HUGE for an abuse-survivor. “Flashback when you met me, your buzzcut & my hair bleached. Even in my worst times, you saw the best in me. Flashback to my rebounds, my mistakes, my earthquakes, even in my worst lies, you saw the truth in me. I woke up just in time, now I wake up by your side.” We hung out together years before this and he literally had a buzzcut and my hair was literally bleached and he was just cheated on while I was with my abusive ex and we just understand each other so well now, and we wake up together on the weekends, that’s a plus.

13. This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things -This one is a given. My abusive ex was constantly attacking me publically, damaging my personal belongings, damaging property, and degrading my reputation altogether. He was the reason my life could not just be...a nice thing. All of our mutual friends turned on me & became friends with him, to this day they all talk shit on me, and on my relationship, and my existence, but it’s okay. I met great people in graduate school, in a big, wide city with the world to ourselves (catch the reference?) At least my life is nice now. “Here’s a toast to my real friends-they don’t care about the ‘he said, she said.’ And here’s to my baby, he ain’t reading what they call me lately. And here’s to my mama-had to listen to all this drama. And here’s to you, because forgiveness is a nice thing to do...hahaha I can’t even say it with a straight face!!” This bridge just sums it up entirely. I found my happiness. I found genuine people. I used to constantly forgive him and now I don’t. I found how to live again.

14. Call It What You Want - First, after I won the final hearing, I felt better but knew they still felt that they won because it was obvious I was impacted during my hearing. So, “My castle crumbled overnight. I brought a knife to a gun fight. They took the crown, but it’s alright. All the liars are calling me one. Nobody’s heard from me for months. I’m doing better than I ever was.” I decided to delete my old accounts, created a blocked list of 40+ people I used to love, made new/private accounts, and went into hiding for the next 8 months. Hence why I was inactive on Tumblr for so long. Next, “all my flowers grew back as thorns, windows boarded up after the storm- he built a fire just to keep me warm.” After court, I was traumatized. My abusive ex kept hiding out in my neighborhood, wandering around my house/work, I had no sense of peace. However, Kyle understood me & decided to just shut the world out with me too, instead of anything better. He took care of me in every way. “All the drama queens taking swings, all the jokers dressing up as kings-they fade to nothing when I look at him.” All these cruel people used to be the only thing on my mind, the only thing that existed, and that suddenly went away when Kyle was near. “And I know I make the same mistakes every time. Bridges burn, I never learn. At least I did one thing right.“ My past mistakes with love no longer matter because I finally ended up somewhere I wanted where I was safe & happy. And of course, “’I recall late November, holding my head, slowly I said: you don’t need to save me, but would you run away with me’...? Yes.” Ironically, I flat-out asked him to just go private with me online and be cautious of those we talked to and he agreed to.

15. New Years Day -Flash-forward to New Years on 12/31/17 and we were finally happy. We went out to a hotel, just the 2 of us, enjoyed drinks at a bar, shared a tub-room, drank wine, and stayed up all night talking. In the morning, we were picking up bottles together like we did at our first moments, and it was the most precious moment after everything we had fought through to be together cause “I stay when it's hard or it’s wrong or you’re making mistakes. I want your midnights. But I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year’s Day.”

THANK YOU FOR READING, UNDERSTANDING, INTERACTING. ENOCURAGING, & EMPOWERING OTHERS. THANK YOU TAYLOR FOR THIS RECORD. IT SAVED MY LIFE. IT MADE ME-ME AGAIN. @taylorswift @taylornation @tree-paine I AM NOW BRAVE ENOUGH TO TELL MY STORY, THROUGH MY TRUE reputation.

I ENCOURAGE OTHER SWIFTIES TO DO THE SAME. THIS TOOK ME 3.5 HOURS TO WRITE. PLEASE, PLEASE TALK WITH ME! :)

[artistsonthelam]

My voice is going from shouting through my mask at all the wonderful people who came to the Artists on the Lam booth at MDW Art Fair last night who I hadn't seen in years(! some of them like 10!) and who had such overwhelmingly kind words to say to me 😭 Thank you ahhh!

If you missed the opening last night, not to worry—we're doing it all again today! We'll be here all day from 12-9pm. I will personally be present starting at 5pm if you wanna say hi to me :) (and if you wanna catch that incredible golden hour light and watch the sunset through our window!). 4th floor of Mana Contemporary Chicago, booth #40 (walk towards the back and we're on the right).

Photos:

1 - YES

2 - Edra Soto (Chicago artist/curator/co-founder of The Franklin) and Fiesta! 😍 Thank you Edra for coming to the booth [especially with two doggies (reader, I went nuts over them)] and for the kind words!!

3 - The cutest written response so far to featured artist Zachary Trebellas' piece!

4 - Someone replicated featured artist Emily Thornton Calvo's painting How We Move to Be Fruitful so well!! I didn't get his name (and he didn't want to be photographed and I respect that~) but he was amazing and sat there for an entire hour and would've stayed even longer [until they kicked everyone out at the end] and asked me for my critique~ and was so dedicated to making this perfect and it is perfect!

5 - Artists on the Lam assistant for the weekend, Nanxi Jin! Thank you so much! She'll be at the booth all weekend so go say hi to her!

6 - Fur! I don't remember this one's name but s/he was adorable 🐶

7 - Featured artist Emily Calvo with her piece, How We Move to Be Fruitful! Come improve and/or replicate it!

8 - Featured artist Zachary Trebellas with his installation Time Warp! Come and complete these sentences: "100 Years Ago I Was A..." and "Today I Am A..." You can take pieces home with you too!

9 - Look at that light! Featured artist Cristy C. Corso installing her piece My Radioactive Valentine—come make some buttons!

10 - My dad came at the end and insisted on taking a photo of me and it's stretched out and I'm blinking 😅  (mood)

// (c) Jenny Lam 2022

[sky-on-blog]

Which Band?

1. Van Halen or Guns N’ Roses: Guns N’ Roses.

2. MC Hammer or Vanilla Ice: I don’t really know many songs by either. Vanilla Ice, I guess?

3. Queen or AC/DC: Queen. <3

4. Motley Crue or Poison: Motley Crue.

5. Metallica or Iron Madien: Don’t know a whole lot by them either, but Metallica.

6. Nsync or Backstreet Boys: N’Sync.

7. Nirvana or The Beastie Boys: Nirvanaaaaa.

8. Avril Lavigne or Destiny’s Child: Hmm. I think I like more of Avril Lavigne’s songs, but the ones I like by Destiny’s Child are better, if that makes sense? I’m gonna go with Destiny’s Child.

9. Foreigner or Deep Purple: Foreigner.

10. Quiet Riot or Boston: Boston, I guess. I think I only know one song by both of them.

11. Alice Cooper or KISS: Kiss.

12. Simple Plan or Blink 182: Blink-182.

13. Duran Duran or Foghat: Duran Duran, I guess.

14. Lynyrd Skynyrd or Led Zeppelin: Ehhh. I don’t care for either of them much. I guess Lynyrd Skynyrd.

15. Celine Dion or Savage Garden: Savage Garden.

16. Ozzy Osbourne(solo artist) or Black Sabbath: Honestly, I don’t know many songs by either one. I think I’ll go with Ozzy just because he’s so ridiculous.

17. The Rolling Stones or Bad Company: The Rolling Stones. I don’t think I know any songs by Bad Company.

18. Def Leppard or Aerosmith: Aerosmith.

19. The Cars or Bob Seger: The Cars, I guess? I don’t know who Bob Seger is.

20. Whitesnake or White Lion: Never heard of White Lion, don’t know any songs by Whitesnake.

21. Wild Cherry or 98 Degrees: 98 Degrees. I only know that one song from Mulan, and I’ve never heard of Wild Cherry.

22. The Eagles or ZZ Top: The Eagles. Don’t know anything by ZZ Top.

23. Katrina & The Waves or Rick Springfiled: Never heard of Katrina and the Waves, but that’s a cool band name. So Rick Springfield, I guess.

24. Belinda Carlisle or Men Without Hats: Men Without Hats. Never heard of Belinda Carlisle.

25. Tears for Fears or The Village People: The Village People.

26. Selena or Venessa Carlton: Vanessa Carlton. Selena is cool, though.

27. U2 or Blondie: Blondie. U2 has a few good songs, though.

28. Twisted Sister or Ted Nugent: I don’t remember any songs by either of them.

29. Steppenwolf or Smash Mouth: Smash Mouth, haha.

30. The Romantics or Nine Days: I only know one song by both of them, so I’m gonna have to go with Nine Days. Story of a Girl was the shit back in the day.

31. Kane or Kansas: Kansas. Never heard of Kane.

32. Judas Priest or Great White: Never heard of Great White, so Judas Priest it is.

33. Huey Lewis & the News or The Doobie Brothers: I don’t think I know any Doobie Brothers songs, so I’ll go with Huey Lewis and the News. I know they do a song from Oliver & Company, lol.

34. David Bowie or Cinderella: David Bowie.

35. Warrant or Brownsville Station: Don’t know any songs by Warrant, and haven’t heard of the other.

36. Bon Jovi or the Beach Boys: The Beach Boys.

37. Abba or Priestess: ABBA.

38. Radiohead or Motorhead: Radiohead.

39. Grand Funk or Gloria Gaynor: Gloria Gaynor.

40. Tim McGraw or Neal McCoy: Tim McGraw, just because I’ve never heard of the other guy.

41. Jethro Tull or Blue Oyster Cult: Blue Oyster Cult.

42. The Cult or Living Colour: Don’t know anything by either.

43. Social Distortion or R.E.M.: Social Distortion.

44. Michael Jackson or Marylin Manson: Michael Jackson.

45. Alice in Chains or Green Day: Green Day.

46. Weezer or Sonic Youth: Weezer!

47. Jane’s Addiction or Primus: Primus.

48. Stone Temple Pilots or Queens of the Stone Age: Stone Temple Pilots, I guess.

49. My Bloody Valentine or The Offspring: The Offspring.

50. Pearl Jam or Buckethead: Pearl Jam.

51. Madonna or Eric Clapton: I don’t think I know any Eric Clapton songs. So Madonna, although I’m not a big fan.

52. Jamiroquari or Outkast: Outkast.

53. Megadeath or Matchbox 20: Matchbox 20.

54. Bare Naked Ladies or Creed: Barenaked Ladies.

55. Garbage or Mountain: Garbage.

56. Slayer or Korn: Korn.

57. Sublime or Red Hot Chili Peppers: Sublime.

58. 2Pac or Smashing Pumpkins: 2Pac. Smashing Pumpkins have some good songs, but the dude’s voice gets to me sometimes.

59. Nine Inch Nails or Rage Against the Machine: Nine Inch Nails.

60. The Misfits or Skid Row: I don’t think I know songs by either. I don’t know how I’ve gotten this far in life, lol.

61. Counting Crows or Incubus: Counting Crows.

62. Tenacious D or Goo Goo Dolls: Tenacious D.

63. Deo or REO Speedwagon: REO Speedwagon. 

64. Thin Lizzy or Phish: Don’t know anything by either.

65. Iggy Pop or The Scorpions: Ehh. I only know one song by both. I guess the Scorpions?

66. Pink Floyd or Night Ranger: Pink Floyd.

67. Saga or Dokken: Never heard of them.

68. The Ramones or Styx: The Ramones.

69. Meatloaf or The White Stripes: The White Stripes.

70. Jimi Hendrix or Elvis Presley: Jimi Hendrix, I guess. 

71. Cream or The Rascals: Don’t know anything by either.

72. Canned Heat or Blood, Sweat & Tears: Never heard of them.

73. The Byrds or The Buffalo Springfield: Never heard of the Byrds, and dislike Buffalo Springfield.

74. The Doors or Issac Hayes: Don’t know anything. :x

75. The Zombies or The Kinks: The Kinks.

76. Little Richard or Genesis: Can’t remember anything.

77. The Who or The Bee Gees: The Who.

78. Earth, Wind & Fire or Bruch Springsteen: Bruce Springsteen, I guess?

79. The Allman Brother Band or Santana: Santana.

80. Heart or Diane Ross: Heart, just because I don’t know any Diana Ross songs.

81. The Supremes or The Dramatics: The Supremes.

82. Golden Earring or Average White Band: Never heard of them.

83. Run DMC or Phil Collins: Phil Collins, although Tricky is pretty great.

84. The Police or Dire Straits: The Police.

85. The Cure or Hall & Oates: Ahhh. The Cure, but You Make My Dreams is awesome.

86. The Bangles or Chicago: The Bangles, I guess -- I can’t remember any Chicago songs.

87. Cyndi Lauper or Elton John: Cyndi Lauper.

88. New Kids on the Block or The Stone Roses: Is it bad that I don’t know any New Kids on the Block songs? Lol. And I’ve never heard of the Stone Roses. I’m bad at this survey.

89. Dead Kennedys or B-52s: The B-52s do Love Shack, right? I guess them.

90. Air Supply or Yellowcard: Yellowcard.

91. Billy Ocean or Cher: Cher.

92. Boys Don’t Cry or The Clash: I don’t care for the Clash, but I’ve never heard anything by Boys Don’t Cry.

93. Cutting Crew or Bay City Rollers: Cutting Crew.

94. Joan Jett & The Black Hearts or Europe: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts <3

95. Lifehouse or Survivor: Lifehouse.

96. Kutless or Gotthard: Kutless.

97. Jet or Anastacia: Jet.

98. Linkin Park or Hawthrone Heights: Linkin Park, duh.

99. Aaron Carter or Pat Benetar: Again. Obviously Pat Benatar, lol.

100. Boyz II Men or Matthew Sweet: Boyz II Men.

101. Right Said Fred or The Reverend Horton Heat: Right Said Fred, I guess? Never heard of the other.

102. White Zombie or Salt-N-Pepa: White Zombie.

[l0velyvely]

Belly up. Paws up. Snoring. Don't care. Chilling on a 4 day. Ahhh... the life of a dog. Not a care in the world. #DogDaysOfSummer #Potato #PotatoAllDay #ProCouchPotato #LoveMyPotato (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEufYG5ljyFX3zP6ImBQVcVivWYZpY1CQhpPlU0/?igshid=j3zpn21nzijf

[theofficialcunt]

Simplicité - Chapter 6

Simplicité Saturday ahhh! I can’t believe it’s already been another week. Is it just me or is this year coming to an end really fast? Anyway, this chapter is surprisingly fluffy, other then a few minor details! Thanks to @veronicasanders for always being a quick efficient beta! This story would probably be going nowhere without her ✨TW: Smoking, drinking. Teensy bit of angst. PS: The Biadore is coming 😉 “So you’re probably wondering why I’ve called you in here.” Bianca started, watching Courtney seated across from her. She was nervous, mostly because she felt like a terrible person and Courtney probably wasn’t going to forgive her for what happened between them. Bianca felt so bad that she had toyed with Courtney’s emotions that way, it felt like she was being crushed by it. “I am.” Courtney nodded stiffly. “Am I here to be reprimanded by my boss?” She didn’t know what was about to happen, but whatever Bianca decided she felt would be for the best. “I want to apologize to you, Courtney.” Bianca began, voice barely above a whisper. “I-I’ve been thinking all morning about what you and Bob said to me and it’s really sunk in.” Out of all of the things Courtney was thinking would happen, this was not one of them. She sat up straighter, feigning alertness and trying to hide the fact that she was severely hungover and wearing the backup outfit out of the trunk of her car. “I’m just really sorry I put you through that Court.” Bianca sniffed uncharacteristically. Courtney raised an eyebrow, slightly unsure of how to react to her best friend crumbling right in front of her. Bianca was usually rock solid emotionally, other than these last few months of her grieving. “Bianca-” “If you don’t want to work for me anymore then I understand.” Bianca sighed, shoving a stack of paperwork towards Courtney. “No pressure.” “Bianca, can you just relax? I’m over it,” Courtney said nonchalantly, pushing the paperwork to the side. “W-what?” Bianca stammered, thrown off by her cool response. She was over it? “Just last night you were going on about it-” “Honestly Bianca, I’ve done some thinking too and yes it happened and it sucked, but I just want to move on. You’re my best friend, and it seems like you’ve had some sort of epiphany or something. That’s all the closure I wanted really,” Courtney blurted out. “I just wanted an apology.” Bianca leaned back in her chair and studied Courtney. She seemed to be 100% serious about being over what happened, and she knew better than anyone when she was being honest. Her heart felt lighter now that they seemed to be on the same page, and for the first time in months Bianca almost felt normal again. “That’s it? It’s never that easy,” Bianca muttered in disbelief, still not sure. “Seriously Bianca. I don’t care.” Courtney shrugged. She coughed into her shoulder, holding back the urge to gag. She hadn’t been able to keep anything down today, which had made work very difficult. She gulped, clearing her throat trying to push whatever was about to come up back down. Bianca raised an eyebrow at Courtney, narrowing her eyes in disbelief when she noticed that she didn’t look 100%. Her hair was different and she swore she had seen that outfit somewhere…. “You’re hungover.” Bianca realized incredulously. “You’re wearing your backup outfit and you brushed out your curls from last night!” “I am not!” Courtney shrieked, trying to keep the smile from creeping onto her face. “Oh my god did you get laid?” Bianca teased, letting a long cackle ring out. “I don’t need to discuss my sexual encounters with the likes of you!” Courtney laughed as her cheeks burned red. “Since you aren’t firing me, I’m leaving!” “No, no, no! I’m curious, who had the honor?” Bianca smirked, amused. “It doesn’t matter, she lives in Indianapolis and it was just a one night stand-” “You went to fucking Indie last night?” Bianca roared. “God, no wonder you’re so tired looking. You must’ve driven all night.” “I did,” Courtney admitted. “Her name was odd, I can’t remember it exactly but she went by Will for short. She was pretty hot.” “Oh god.” Bianca chuckled, shaking her head. “Tell you what, go home. You don’t have anything scheduled for the rest of the day, right?” “No, I don’t. Are you sure you want to send me home though? You don’t want help with Adore?” Courtney questioned, standing up from her chair. “Adore is a grown woman, Courtney. I think I can handle it from here. Go home and get some sleep.” Bianca ordered. Courtney nodded as she walked around the desk, tackling Bianca in a tight embrace. Bianca laughed and squeezed her tight, thankful that Courtney forgave her. She was lucky to still have her in her life after everything that they went through. As Courtney squeezed Bianca, she didn’t feel like the usual tortured soul pining that she usually did when she hugged her. Things were different now, she was glad that they could stay friends and not be weird. “Courtney?” “Yes, pussyface?” “I’m glad to see that you’re back out there trying to date.” “Awe, I’m so glad you approve,” Courtney smirked. “Now I can continue my day in peace, knowing that I’ve finally gotten the approval I’ve been waiting for!” “I can’t stand you,” Bianca laughed. ——— Courtney and Bianca chatted for what seemed like forever before they came back upstairs from their meeting. Bianca clapped her hands loudly together as she entered the salon room, startling everyone out of looking down at their phones. Adore looked up at the both of them with wide eyes, wondering what exactly was about to happen to Courtney. “So before you guys start talking shit, I’d like to say that Courtney isn’t being fired. I am however letting her go home early, so Courtney, go home.” Bianca announced, waving her hands towards the front door. “Bye guys.” Courtney waved, scurrying out of the salon like a bat out of hell. Her face seemed calm, which was odd to Adore but hell, maybe things ended up working out between the two of them. She turned her attention back to Bianca, who also seemed at peace after what had happened. “As for the rest of you, shouldn’t you be working? Go practice on the mannequins or something. Or better yet, Valentina go stand out front and hand out brochures.” Bianca ordered. “Yes cousin.” Valentina mumbled, grabbing a pile of brochures before walking out. “Who’s going to answer the phone then?” Farrah asked confused. “Adore needs the phone because she’s about to make some phone calls for me.” Bianca smiled wickedly, brown eyes burning into hers. “I-I am?” Adore stuttered, suddenly feeling nerves infiltrate her stomach. “Yes, so come sit down and I’ll tell you who you need to call.” Adore walked meekly behind the desk, planting her ass on the chic looking chair as Bianca leaned over her. “Okay, so Modern Salon called and wants to set up an interview with me. The only days that work for me are Thursday morning and Friday evening, so see if that works.” Bianca ordered, giving Adore the phone number. Adore stared down at the piece of paper and nodded. “Why aren’t you writing anything down?” Bianca barked. Adore jumped, grabbing a nearby piece of paper and writing down the times swiftly. Bianca rolled her eyes annoyed. “Where the fuck is your notepad?” Bianca asked. “I forgot it! Sorry!” Adore exclaimed flinching slightly. “What else?” “I need you to book the Chicago Spring Fashion Week slot. We’re going to be doing hair and makeup there in about 4 weeks. I need you to book 6 slots: one for you, Courtney, Me, Bob, and Farrah. Oh, I guess that makes 5-” “Bianca, I can’t do makeup.” Adore reminded her. “You’ll be ready by then. Tomorrow you’re spending the day painting everyone’s face. Including mine. Hope you’ve been paying attention to your reading.” Bianca patted her on the back, smiling before turning to Farrah. “Can you go order food from Eureka? I’d like a cuban sandwich and a blood orange scone, Also, a skinny latte from Starbucks would be fabulous.” “Bianca I have no money-” “Take my card.” Bianca reached into her pocket handing her the business card. “Adore, do you want anything?” “Can Eureka make me a grilled cheese?” Adore asked. Bianca rolled her eyes, and Farrah nodded smiling. “Really queen, a fucking grilled cheese?” Bianca asked, shaking her head. “Add on a scone for her too.” “I’ll be back.” Farrah winked before walking out behind Valentina. “You better get going on those calls.” Bianca called as she walked downstairs. Great. ———- “Farrah! What am I getting for you today?” Eureka exclaimed, face lighting up as she walked through the door. “Hey,” Farrah said stiffly. “The usual for Bianca and I, and add on a Grilled Cheese and a scone.” Eureka’s smile faltered at the girl’s unusual mood, and she nodded inputting the total into the cash register. “14.50 please.” Farrah handed over the card, pacing awkwardly in the front of the cash register. It was a cute place, modeled partly after the café’s in France, and partly after the tea rooms in England. It was a weird mix but somehow, it worked. There were a dozen small round white tables, a couple spilled out in front of the quaint shop. It was decorated minimally, doilies littered the table tops and various pastries were on display in the front. “Do you have time today?” Eureka murmured, eyes shifting from side to side making sure no one was around. Eureka was too good to her, which was going to make this even more awkward. She visibly trembled as she realized the dreaded moment was here. “Eureka, there’s something I need to tell you.” Farrah started, voice cracking. Eureka looked up, eyes wide before she continued, “I uh, I don’t know how to say this but I met someone else. And I think we could have something. I know you aren’t ready to come out of the closet yet, and I totally respect that. I just want to kind of play the field a bit-” “It’s fine Farrah.” Eureka said, abruptly cutting her off as her eyes became glassy. “I get it. Let me go fix your food.” She quickly left the cashier area, pressing her lips together tightly to prevent herself from letting out a wail in front of the girl. “Eureka-” Farrah started but it was too late. Eureka was already in the kitchen. Eureka couldn’t really blame her, if she were in Farrah’s position she would probably do the same thing. She just couldn’t come out of the closet, due to her very religious parisian mother. She would probably disown her, and Eureka couldn’t bear to lose her mom. She was in Paris most of the time but her dad was here with her in Chicago, he helped her in the kitchen a couple of days a week. As she got the breads ready for the sandwiches, she sniffled, letting the tears fall onto the smooth quartz countertop. Today the food wouldn’t be made with love, today the food would be made with sorrow. ——– “Okay great, Bianca and I will be there Thursday morning!” Adore exclaimed. “It was nice talking to you too, buh bye.” “You and me?” Bianca asked confused, making Adore jump. “Don’t do that!” Adore laughed, jabbing Bianca playfully in the arm. “Yeah dude, the Modern Salon chick liked my energy so she wants to meet me too.” Bianca was pleased, she didn’t expect Adore to charm the editors just like that but she was learning everyday not to underestimate her. “And the fashion week booking?” Bianca asked. “4 weeks out, all 5 of us are set. We’ll be set up in between MAC and Redken.” Adore beamed. “What?” Bianca asked surprised. “How in the hell did you get us a slot in between those two huge names?!” “Oh, I just really stressed that we needed as many outlets as possible and that you wouldn’t do the show if we weren’t near at least Redken.” Adore shrugged. “On one hand, I’m pissed that you would risk our slot like that.” Bianca started. “But on the other hand, I’m extremely impressed. Nice work.” Adore felt her heart soar at the positive feedback from Bianca. Finally, it was starting to feel like she was getting the hang of things around here. “So I wanted to talk to you about my salary…” Adore trailed off. Bianca nodded in agreement. “Let’s go downstairs and talk about it.” ———– “Here’s your food.” Eureka handed the food to Farrah quickly before going back into the kitchen. “See you around, Farrah.” “Eureka, wait!” Farrah called, panic tainting her voice. She stood there for a few minutes, waiting for her to come back, hoping that a customer would come in so that she would have to come back out. But of course a customer never came, and soon after a defeated Farrah left. ——- “$17 an hour?” Adore asked, shocked, as she stared down at the piece of paper stating her salary. In LA that wasn’t much but here, that stretched a lot further than before. “Your job is very demanding. You haven’t really gotten into the full part of it yet, but once you do you’ll see why you deserve the salary.” Bianca nodded. “I’m open to negotiations if necessary-” “There’s nothing to negotiate.” Adore cut her off. At 40 hours a week, possibly with overtime pay, she’d be bringing anywhere from $2700 to well over $3000 a month. She’d have enough to buy whatever fancy clothes Bianca wanted her to wear. “Okay, sign here then.” Bianca pointed to the line underneath her own signature which was regal and elegant looking. Adore signed her name messily before handing the piece of paper back. “Okay, well I’ll let you study for the rest of the day and then after that we’ll go home and-” “Actually, I’m hanging out with Farrah after work. I’ll probably be back late. Is that cool?” Adore interrupted, tilting her head. “Yeah, that’s fine.” Bianca said through gritted teeth. She didn’t know why their friendship was bugging her so much but alas, she sucked it up. “We’ll talk when you get home.” “Great! Thanks Bianca.” Adore exclaimed happily, walking around the desk to engulf her in a big hug. ——— The rest of the day went pretty quickly, albeit Farrah acting a bit weird after coming back from Eureka’s. Adore waved goodbye to Bianca, who was flat ironing a clients hair as she clung onto Farrah’s arm. Bianca smiled faintly, watching the two girls run out of the salon and onto the street where Farrah’s mini cooper was parked. Bob stared at Bianca, shaking his head at her as he watched her pine for Adore. “Fucking lesbians.” Bob muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he refocused on mixing his color. From a few doors down, Eureka stared at the same scene grimly. The girl Farrah was with was beautiful, with long sleek black hair and on point makeup skills. Of course she would want to drop everything to be with her, she was literally everything that she wasn’t. Tall, skinny, and dark hair. She sighed, running a hand through her long bright blonde hair, hoping that somehow some way, Farrah would make her way back to her one day. Even more importantly, she was hoping one day she would muster up the courage to come out of the closet. Maybe that day would be soon, she thought as she watched Farrah throw her head back in laughter at whatever the raven haired girl had just said. —– Farrah had brought her to a vacant spot in Millennium park, where they were cloaked on a bench under a few trees. Rabbits hopped nearby, and Farrah handed Adore a joint before lighting her own. It took a few tries before it lit, due to all of the crazy wind. “It’s probably not as good as what you’re used to, but hopefully it satisfies.” Farrah winked. Adore took a hit and nodded, tasting the foreign weed for the first time. “I guess what they say is true. California really does have the best weed.” Adore laughed lightheartedly, tasting the sourness on her tongue. “Awe no! It’s not that bad is it?” Farrah whined. Well it wasn’t terrible, Adore thought. It did the job well enough - she thought, as she took another hit. “It’s not bad. Thanks for smoking me out.” Adore smiled, nuzzling her face into her shoulder. Farrah froze, feeling the urge to shrug her off but fighting it. What was wrong with her? Farrah and Eureka were just fuck buddies for a few months and nothing more. Why did she feel so guilty about the way she left things? Furthermore, why couldn’t she enjoy the time she had with Adore, who was fucking smoking hot? Eventually, Farrah relaxed, slumping into the bench, and let herself enjoy the moment as much as she possibly could. They sat there for awhile like that, Adore’s head on Farrah’s shoulder as they smoked their joints together quietly. Adore’s tolerance had already gone down a little, but she knew she still needed something to kick it up a notch. The silence felt awkward, she thought. Farrah also seemed a little bit off, she noticed as she had stiffened originally when she rested her head on her shoulder. The mixed signals. Lifting her head up, she sat up and dug through her purse, finding her bedazzled flask. “Oh my god where did you get that?” Farrah squealed, grabbing the flask. It was encrusted with a ton of swarovski crystals, shimmering in the low light. “Amazon girl. Have some!” Adore gestured. Farrah unscrewed the flask gratefully and tilted her head back, letting a generous amount of vodka swirl down her throat. She chased it with a splash of water, handing it back to Adore. Adore made a mental note that Farrah had basically chugged the better part of the liquid in the flask. She decided that maybe it was just the nerves, and thought nothing of it. They sat in the park, passing the flask back and forth and before they knew it they were off stumbling drunk and around the bean. “Adore,” Farrah slurred. “Look how fucking cute we are.” She grabbed her hand and pointed at their reflections in the giant mirrored bean. Adore smiled, stumbling into Farrah as she watched their reflections. Adore towered over Farrah, but the combination of dark hair and platinum blonde complemented each other. “Let’s take a picture!” Adore exclaimed, pulling out her phone. She pointed the camera at the bean, getting their reflection in it before snapping the photo. She then turned towards Farrah, who was already looking up at her expectantly, pink lips slightly parted. Adore closed the distance between the two of them, cupping Farrah’s chin up into her hand as she kissed her gently. She tasted of cheap vodka and weed, but smelled like a vanilla cupcake. It was confusing to her senses, but it just worked with her. Farrah stood on her tip toes, throwing both arms around Adore’s neck as the kiss deepened. Soon it was becoming violent, and Farrah ended up pushing Adore against the metal bean. Adore groaned, grabbing a fist of Farrah’s hair in her hands. She pulled away gently, before smiling and pushing her away. “That’s gonna be a hot picture.” Farrah finally said. Adore roared with laughter and grabbed Farrah’s hand, moving on as they spent the rest of the day exploring downtown Chicago together.

[boystownbirdie]

LMWTV4U: GOT S7E6

Welcome back to Let Me Watch TV 4 U, the blog where I watch TV for you! Tonight we’re talking bout Game of Thrones season 7 episode 6, “Beyond the Wall” aka Disney Presents The Walking Dead on Ice! Let’s jump right in to this icy abyss, shall we?!

SPOILERS AHEAD!

We open on a curious panning across of a map, and no I’m not talking about the opening credits. It looks like the giant map/table in Dragonstone? 

However we quickly cut to our Eastwatch crew...

...who are marching one by one further and further North. We’ve got Bae, (the artist formerly known as) Stoney, New-Thor (let’s just say Thor, shall we? He’s not so new anymore), Gingerbae, Gingerbun, Eyepatch, the Hound and approx 5 rando nightswatch dudes and/or wildlings who are doomed because no backstory = dead first.

First, we get some ice-breakers (sorry can’t stop won’t stop) when Thor tells us he’s never even seen snow before and I’m like bb boi come here to Chicago I’ll show you some midwestern winters! Thor is also still feeling a little salty toward Eyepatch and Gingerbun for selling him off to the red witch while the Hound keeps score and is like, Thor you didn’t really have it so bad. Gingerbun hands Thor the olive branch in the form of a flask.

Meanwhile, Gingerbae asks Bae about Khaleesi and Bae is all coy but GB sees right through that. Gingerbae helpfully reminds us that he still loves Brienne of Tarth (aka Ladyknight) very much.

Bae and Stoney swing their swords around (not a euphemism) and Bae tries to give his huge fancy sword to Stoney since it belonged to Stoney’s dad. Stoney is like naw, it’s yours man, give it to your KIDS. And we’re supposed to be thinking, whoa! Is Bae on the market for marriage/kids? Cuz sign us all up! Later Eyepatch tells Bae that Bae doesn’t really look like Ned Stark which, duh, cuz we know Bae is Ned’s nephew. But also Bae’s bio-dad was Khaleesi’s bro and apparently had silver-white hair like her so WHERE DID BAE GET HIS LEWKS FROM? Heaven, apparently.

Before we get into the meat, pun intended, let’s pop into Winterfell, shall we?

Sansa and Arya discuss gender roles and Arya tells us a tale of their dad, Ned Stark, sort of tacitly approving of her being a fighter rather than a lady. And then she’s like, speaking of, dad was killed by the Lannisters with YOUR help, Sansa. Arya brings up the letter she found last week that poor bb Sansa was forced to right by QPC and is not happy about it. And Sansa is really caught off guard but also like STEP ALL THE WAY OFF, I have been THROUGH IT. They argue about the past few years and who’s had it the worst but also as Leslie Knope would say, uteruses before duderuses, ya know?

Later, Sansa is talking to Littlefinger, who set up all this nonsense anyway and he’s like well Ladyknight can be your referee since she lurves both of you? But then Sansa sends Ladyknight away to King’s Landing to be her proxy in this upcoming summit with QPC. Towards the end of ep, Sansa decides to do some snooping of her own a la Arya last week and finds Arya’s suitcase full of faces from the face-swapping-assassin-training-academy which Arya dropped out of after a misunderstanding with a professor who wanted her killed. Sansa is like srsly, WTF? And Arya explains the face-swapping thing which sounds crazy the first time you hear it, but so did dragons and we got them now so all’s fair, right? Arya grabs a knife and basically threatens to cut Sansa’s face off but then hands Sansa the knife and scoots outta there. So at the end of the day, no Stark-on-Stark crime this week but stay tuned!

We pop in to see Khaleesi and Tyrion chatting by the fire…

She’s like, you know what I like about you? You’re not brave. And he’s like umm thanks? And then she’s like all of my fave bois are brave but stupid and she includes Bae on that list. And T is like, so you’re taking a liking to him, eh? They discuss strategy and have a little tiff wherein Khaleesi again questions T’s loyalty. And then he’s like btw, you said you can’t have kids so...who gets to be in charge when you die? And she’s like let’s cross that bridge when we come to it, and he’s like it’s called a LIVING WILL for a reason, babe.

Back North of the wall...

Bae and Gingerbae spot a bear but they’re like, that’s weird… he’s got blue eyes-ahhh zombie bear! Zombie bear kills one of the no-name/ no-backstory guys (like we care!?) and maims Gingerbun. Eyepatch smartly cauterizes the wound with his flaming sword while the Hound is too busy having PTSD about fire. Really unfortunate to be afraid of fire in a world without electricity, huh?

Bae and Gingerbae spot a small crew of ice zombies and decide to take one of them prisoner. During the scuffle, Bae kills a leader-ice-zombie and suddenly all of his pals drop dead too. They find out that you kill the leader, the rest die too- good to know! But in capturing their prisoner-zombie, his squeals seem to alert the 5 million other ice zombies to their location and next thing you know, the crew is about to be trapped. Bae smartly tells Thor to run back to the wall and tell Khaleesi the scoop. Poor Thor has to give up his hammer before he leaves so that the rest of the crew has more zombie-smashing tools.

SOMEHOW, I still don’t understand the logistics of it all, but Bae and crew get stuck on this little island surrounded by a frozen lake. The 5 billion zombies surround them but can’t walk further into the lake without falling in. It’s a real pickle. Luckily, Thor does make it back to the wall to tell No-Knuckles to send word to Khaleesi.

Speaking of Khaleesi, that raven flew fast because she already got the scoop. She is DECKED OUT in her cold-weather best and is heading North to save the day with all 3 dragons. Tyrion is like BAD IDEA HUN but she goes anyway. While Khaleesi flies like the actual wind on her #1 dragon, poor Gingerbun has succumbed to his injures or maybe freezes in the night and is no longer with us. So, much like Rose must let go of frozen Jack (but why does she say “I’ll never let go” as she is literally letting go? I’ll never understand the word choice), Eyepatch has to burn Gingerbun’s body before he becomes a zombie too.

Sidenote: Why didn’t everyone bring weapons made of dragonglass or valyrian steel? We know now that only these 2 things plus fire kills the ice zombies and Bae just mined heaps of dragonglass from Khaleesi’s basement for this very purpose. Sometimes I think I should be the King in the North, ya know!?

But back to the battle, the Hound decides to skip stones across the lake like an idiot, which leads the ice zombies to learn that the lake is frozen solid again. Now that the zombies can cross the lake, they attack the crew and they are VICIOUS. Bae and co retreat to another little island but are completely surrounded and basically dead. Bae is tweakin’ out probably thinking about what a bad idea all of this was, when all of the sudden, Khaleesi’s dragons have landed!

They all fly around burning up ice zombies by the hundreds and narrowly missing our crew. After Khaleesi successfully wipes out a good number of zombies, she lands to let her priority boarding pass holders on dragon #1 with her. Meanwhile, Bae is still fighting off some zombies. The #1 in charge ice zombie aka the Night King, throws a giant ice spear at #2 or #3 dragon (honestly idk, let’s say #3) and makes it on the first try. It’s sad that #3 gets speared and all but I’m kinda like wow nice shot. Dragon #3 falls into the icy water and sinks and Khaleesi is weepin’ about it.

At the same time, Bae is now fully overrun by interloping zombies and this FLIGHT IS ABOUT TO DEPART, honey! He falls into an ice-hole and Khaleesi sees the Night King winding up his ice javelin so she has to go. I know what you’re thinking, wow Bae is super dead, right? He fell into a frozen lake whilst being attacked by zombies. WELL YOU ARE WRONG.

Bae crawls outta that ice hole, grabs his fancy sword, and starts walking. Soon enough the zombies see him walking in a non-zombie-like fashion so they are on it. BUT Bae’s uncle Benjen (who is pretty much the only person whose relationship with Bae is unchanged by his whole bio-dad and bio-mom thing!) rolls up on his horse with his incense-swinger! Uncle B saves Bae (remember Uncle B saved Bran last season?) and sticks him on his horse, but stays behind to fight off zombies with his incense-swinger. Bae, who is like 65% Leo-from-Titanic-frozen at this point, heads back to the wall.

The rest of the crew are back at Eastwatch and we learn that the Hound is the one who’ll be bringing the “sample zombie” back to show QPC. Khaleesi is watching from the top of the wall to see if Bae makes it back while Stoney is like, let it go, he’s dead, I’m alive and recently not-Stoney...when suddenly Bae rides back to camp.

On the ship back to Khaleesi-ville, Khaleesi sees Bae on the operating table and notices that he has a stab-scar on his heart. Remember when Bae died and then got brought back to life but then Bae has been super secretive about it? Well the secret's out babe! She watches him being warmed up/revived and sits there watching him sleep for awhile #gottaenjoytheview. When he wakes up (still topless!) he’s like wow I’m so sorry #3 dragon died this was a horrible plan. And she’s like no, I’m glad I saw the army of zombies. I will fight with you, Bae.

And Bae is like wow, also I know I said I wouldn’t kneel to you but honey, I will. Then he calls her Dany and she’s like...eww...my creepy bro used to call me that. And he’s like well then I’ll just call you MY KWEEN. And I’m like yassss gaga. Also they hold hands. Also, she’s like I can’t have kids, ok?!? So just… cards on the table. They hold hands some more and it looks like we might get a little kiss but naw, she’s G2G.

In our last scene, we see thousands of zombies working together (good for you! teamwork!) to pull dragon #3 out of the frozen lake. The Night King walks over and touches him and BAM! ZOMBIE DRAGON. SHIT IS GONNA GET REAL.

Let’s recap:

Biggest surprise this ep: Uncle Benjen? How did you know Bae was in this part of town?

Biggest letdown: I wanted more witty banter from Thor! Also, enough with the will-they won’t-they, GoT. This isn’t Cheers!

Important fashion moments: Khaleesi’s Wintertime Fantasy Realness was GIVING ME LIFE. THAT. COAT. 

Who died this ep? Gingerbun, a lot of ice zombies, Uncle Benjen (although he was kinda already dead?) and dragon #3. RIP Gingerbun I will miss being confused-ly attracted to you.

Thanks for reading! Tell your friends and subscribe!?

[melissahappyplace]

HAPPY PLACE:  What Are Your Top 5?

What are the TOP 5 things that bring you joy?  What type of things give you an endorphin rush?  Your answer is the key to creating your Happy Place.  Your answer informs what you need to incorporate more of in order to live your BEST life.  Self-care has to be intentional.  It doesn’t happen accidentally.  You have to (a) think about what brings you comfort and renews you, and (b) make a consistent effort to prioritize them and bring them more fully into your daily life.

I’ll help you get started by outlining my TOP 5!  You should understand that what brings me joy is very personal.  What works for me will not necessarily give you an endorphin rush, but the overarching idea is the same…  Sometimes the simplest things bring us the most happiness.  Don’t underestimate the value in paying attention to those things that give your life the richness and peace that you deserve.

 #1: BOOKS

I have been called worse things than a “book sniffer” and I am NOT ashamed to be one!  I cannot tell you how much pleasure I get out of the smell and feel of a book.  Believe it or not, there are several different types of scents a book can have and there is one in particular that is indescribably pleasant.  It’s a gift to my senses that I feel grateful for each time I pick up a book and throughout each reading experience.  

As I read, I feel the pages and every once in a while give the book a good sniff. My husband likes to tease, “You dirty, rotten book sniffer.”  I smile coyly and return to the pleasures of my book.  Even if the story that unfolds in a book is disappointing, I feel rewarded by the world I have been taken to and the people I have met.  Nothing gets me out of my own head like a book.  It’s the only activity that effectively enables me to truly let go of the day’s challenges and the things that are worrying me. Reading feels like I am in a safe little mountain top cabin warming up by the fireplace safe from the thunder and lightning outside.

As I have said many times, a book can make any place a Happy Place.  Whether I’m on my lunch break at work or waiting in a doctor’s office, I pull a book out and I am transported.  I am fully engrossed and present for the journey the author is taking me on while the rat race goes on around me.  

Fiction takes me to places I have never known or comforts me by reminding me of places I know well.  It introduces me to people who help me to better understand myself and those I love.  Sometimes it reminds me of who I want to be and other stories warn me of what can happen when our character flaws win out over our best inclinations.

My other favorite type of book is self-help.  I won’t lie. I hate that term!  “Self-help”…ick!  It makes me feel like there’s something wrong with me that I need and like these books. When the reality is that people who are constantly in pursuit of a fuller, bigger, more meaningful life are the strongest among us.  I am fully aware that one book can change your whole life.  I read two books in the last year that were real deal changers. Last summer, I read “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert and the writing of this blog was born.  In the fall, I read “Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis and my health and fitness journey began.  2 books! . . . 2!  Maybe 6 hours spent reading and reflecting on a book led to fulfilling my dreams as a writer and better health.  That’s BIG MAGIC!

 #2:  OFFICE SUPPLIES

I’ve admitted this one in a past article.  I love myself some pretty office supplies! I don’t want to know how much I have spent on pens, colorful post-its, well designed file folders, and notebooks.  I even know the exact style of pen that makes me the happiest… Black Bic Velocity 1.0 or higher.  And I’m not ashamed!  They just make me happy!  I work better, think better and feel better when I am writing with my favorite pen in a colorful notebook.  I get a little rush when I put a document in a stylish file folder.  And let’s face it… there are much worse habits and it’s a relatively inexpensive way to put some pep in my step.

Yes, I am a nerd and I’ve passed this addiction down to my daughter and I got it from my father.  It’s a 3 generation addiction and love for office supplies!  If you come to my office at work or at home, you’ll see the nicest supply of pens and post its this side of Indiana.  Don’t hate me because my pen collection is beautiful!

#3:  NATURE

I started out loving being outside as a tomboy living in LaPorte, Indiana.  I climbed trees, dug up worms and came home with feet so covered in dirt my older sister thought she’d never get them clean during bath time.  When the weather is nice and we don’t have a lot going on I will spend all day in my favorite chair outside reading a book and soaking in our wooded backyard.  It feels like the ultimate retreat!  When I smell leaves or wood burning outside, I breathe that favorite smell in like it’s my last breath.  While walking on the Notre Dame campus where I work, I am constantly soaking in the gorgeous landscaping work, the statues, the butterflies, and more.  My favorite place to exercise is outside taking in the beauty and smells of the outdoors and checking out my neighbors’ homes and pets. I feel as at home outside as inside.

My favorite part of nature is WATER…any body of water will do really.  Whether it’s the South Bend river or walking along the canal in Indy or the river front in Chicago or the beaches along Lake Michigan, I am in my Happy Place along the water.  My favorite colors can be seen in the ocean – blues, teals, greens, oh my I love them! The sound of rushing water…the sunlight reflecting on the moving water…the sunrise or sunset on water…people playing in the water.  I just can’t imagine a happier location than on the water.  For some, it’s the mountains and for others the deserts out west. But, for me it will always be a beautiful body of water and a deep breath… Ahhh, my Happy Place!

#4:  MINIATURES

I am not sure how or where this little passion started for me.  But, I adore miniature anything!  I never had a doll house or paid attention to miniatures as a kid.  In recent years, anytime I see miniatures on social media I get a childlike thrill that rushes through my body.  Miniature plants, paintings, household products, furniture, books, anything you can imagine shrunk to the tiniest size possible!  I even watch a miniature food cooking show called, “Tiny Kitchen.”  Its where all my miniature dreams come to life!

Miniature images are a place my mind likes to go to feel comforted.  It makes me feel like life can be far less complicated and cozier. Every adult longs to be a child once in a while and miniatures gives me little breaks from adulting.  My definition of self-care is unique to me and while miniatures may sound like a strange passion, it works for me so I don’t question it.  I just let it be what it is…brain candy…a mini-Happy Place.

#5:  GIFTS

I should start by saying this one is last, but certainly NOT least.  I love buying gifts for my friends and family!  It brings me so much joy to think about the person, who they are, and go out in pursuit of gifts that will make them happy. Bringing me as much pleasure is the gift wrapping process!  I love to buy beautiful wrapping paper at Old World Market, the Container Store, etc. and cover my gifts in gorgeousness. I cannot give someone a gift that hasn’t been lovingly packaged and wrapped.  It’s not about impressing anyone either.  It’s about the pleasure I get from beauty!

I always ask the women I interview for this blog, why does beauty matter?  And while their answers have never been exactly the same, they all centered around the meaning and richness that beauty brings to our lives.  If beauty didn’t matter, I’d hand a gift over to someone in a brown grocery bag.  It the intentionality of selecting beautiful wrapping paper at the store and the joy that wrapping a gift brings me that matters.  For some, this type of beauty doesn’t bring them happiness.  For some, what brings them happiness is beautiful clothing, home décor, woodwork, and it’s all good stuff… as long as you find the things that are beautiful to you and make you happy…it’s all good!

YOUR TURN!

So what are your top 5?!?  What are the strange and everyday things that bring you a surprising amount of joy?  Are they in your life enough?  How can you intentionally make them a bigger part of your daily life?  It seems like a simple question, but I feel strongly that it is the key to self-care and intentionally enjoying your life to the fullest.  If you aren’t sure what your top 5 are, it’s even more important that you spend time figuring it out.  If you’ve lost touch with the simple things that take you away from the stresses of everyday life…you’re missing the point entirely!  We only get this one life…start the journey to find your Happy Place now … the end is nigh.

[thotyssey]

After an eventful three years since we last spoke, Thotyssey catches up with the Drag Race Season 9 star to chat about her bridal reality show, DragCon, fan photo etiquette, her (temporary) return to weekly NYC gigs, and the one “pageant” title she will never step down from.

Thotyssey: Hello Alexis, great to talk to you again! So it’s been a whole month already, but where were you for NYC Pride?

Alexis Michelle: OMG, this June was my craziest pride to date! It was busy, especially here in NYC for World Pride… but I love all the rainbow energy. I think all year should be like that! I’ll just tell you about my last few days of June, since the month would take this whole interview! I had the honor of dancing with a group of queeroes backing up Cyndi Lauper, opening the launch at Barclays. Then I had two amazing sold out nights of my new cabaret show at Club Cumming. Saturday morning, I flew to Chicago to perform at Pride in the Park headlining with Todrick Hall, Iggy Azalea, Coco Montrese, Taylor Dayne and more. Then Sunday morning, I painted at the Chicago airport at 4:30am to get to the march here in New York on time… we all know how that went, hahaha! But seriously, the vibes were great. And then I finished the night at Viacom for an awesome party with Lady Bunny spinning tunes!

Wow, I just sat home and watched Gilmore Girls, lol! Is it amazing to you that it’s been over two years since you starred on Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and here you are still constantly busy with gigs, projects, collaborations, etc?

It’s not amazing to me, it’s appropriate! But I am deeply grateful. Once the initial touring craze slows down, I think you find your way into your pocket of showbiz and end up doing the projects that are really geared towards you and who you are as a performer.

Werk! I loved your recent performance of “I Am What I Am” with the American Pops Orchestra… very dramatic and fun! Where was that?

Thank you! It was part of a concert called I Am What I Am: an evening of Jerry Herman and I was invited to come sing with The American Pops Orchestra lead by the wonderful Luke Frazier. It’s a JOY to sing with a full orchestra, and I got to perform at Arena Stage in DC with Paige Davis, Mauricio Martinez and Kathy Najimy! What a gag!

Amazing! And now Thorgy is performing with her full Thorchestra… I guess now even the “high arts” are better with a healthy dose of drag.

ABSOLUTELY!

Speaking of Thorgy, I really enjoyed “Drag Me Down The Aisle,” a reality show that starred you two with Jujubee and Bebe Zahara Benet, where you advised brides-to-be before their wedding. It was super cute! Only two episodes were aired on TLC, might we see more in the future?

Actually, it was just one epic special so far, and then there was a second prime time airing of the same wedding. We had so much fun filming it and making Emily and John’s wedding awesome, so fingers crossed for more soon!

Yes, definitely crossed! So, I won’t go dragging a certain young queen’s name further through the mud, but there’s been a bit of controversy regarding a recent Drag Race star who refuses to take (free) pictures with fans. She has her own reasons for this, but I think it also speaks to the greater issue of of how much or how little a Drag Race alum should let in a particularly rabid fanbase. Do you find that challenging to navigate sometimes still?

Ahhh… hot topic! Quickly, to the queen you’re speaking of: there is a valid part of the point she was making that I’m not sure has been mentioned yet. Venues and promoters usually charge for meet-n-greets. And there is sometimes pressure to keep the meet-n- greet’s value by not doing pictures with people who didn’t pay. So there’s a layer of respect to the people that paid, and also the venue that hired you. That being said, I think that’s not something that needed to be Tweeted.

For me, the only thing I’m strictly against are photos when I’m not on stage, without consent. If I’m performing under stage lights, fire away baby! But if I’m walking or standing around, or in an elevator, please ask. The way I separate meet-n-greet pics from quick photos people ask for when I’m on the go is, I offer to take a selfie. Rather than a posed shot usually with lighting, a selfie is more casual and I feel that keeps meet-n-greets that people paid for sacred. Plus, I can control my angles; I take a mean selfie! Also, if I agree to take a pic and I say “make sure your flash is on,” it’s not a discussion. I don’t give a fuck if you think a dark shadowy pic of me is “good,” I didn’t spend an hour on my face to be shot without a flash… so don’t argue! I will take your phone and delete said pics.

A valid warning! I also wonder if maybe New York queens are already wired to think of pics as being part of the gig? All the girls here take tons of pics with fans after their shows, regardless of whether their face has been sweated off or their bladder is about to explode. Maybe that’s not the case with every local scene.

I bet it’s common anywhere, and if my face is a shitty mess I probably will refuse. Luckily that’s not too much of a problem for me!

Ha! But of course! So as thrilling and fulfilling as it is to do these grand scale performances, you must sometimes miss the routine of a weekly local show.

Weekly shows definitely keep the drag muscles working in a different way, and I have missed that regularity.

Well, for a little while at least, you’ll be back in that saddle again! While your local sis Sherry Pie is Away Doing Stuff, you’ve taken over her Marquee Mondays at REBAR! That’s co-hosted by Danny Marandola, and is themed around a different stage or movie musical each week.

Yes! Miss Pie is taking some well deserved time off, so I’m stepping in for a bit. Danny and Sherry have done Marquee at REBAR for over a year, and it’s such a fun show. I’ve guested there several times, so stepping in and co-hosting with Danny is awesome. We had a great first week with Company, and I can’t wait for Monday… we are doing Funny Girl!

I’m also doing Sherry’s bingo Wednesdays at 8 at the Blue Whale and back with Danny at 10 at the Sip-N-Twirl for their “Big Movie Adventure” show, both in the Fire Island Pines.

And on August 10th you’ll doing Dragapalooza at the Hard Rock Atlantic City! Along for the ride will be Dusty Ray Bottoms, Derrick Barry, Coco Montrese and Rhea Litre. 

Yes, so excited to sing live with these awesome dolls! It’s gonna be a rockin’ good time!

Should be a fun summer. What are your DragCon plans?

I’m super excited about my booth concept, and I’m tying it to a show at Club Cumming on Friday the 6th… the first night of the Con. I won’t say the theme yet, but it’s Iconic AF. Show will be at 9pm!

Can’t wait to see it! And the question that’s on everyone’s minds: when the next All-Stars season comes a-calling, will you answer?

I’ll have to check my dance card to see if there’s space.

Fair! And I’m asking many queens, but your input is essential: the CATS movie trailer! Totally creepy, or amazing?

Creepy, but my gay ass will still go!

Ha! Finally, many aspiring queens want to know: what’s your best advice for a potential Miss DickPig Continental 2019? 

Give up. I’m not stepping down.

Thanks, Alexis!

Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Alexis Michelle’s upcoming area appearances, check out her website, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

On Point Archives

  Previously: Alexis Michelle (6.28.2016)

1 Thot Minute With Alexis Michelle After an eventful three years since we last spoke, Thotyssey catches up with the Drag Race Season 9 star to chat about her bridal reality show, DragCon, fan photo etiquette, her (temporary) return to weekly NYC gigs, and the one "pageant" title she will never step down from.

[anamorales]

73 questions

Hey friends! Happy Thursday! Hope you’re enjoying the week. 

It’s been a fun and crazy one over here. The girls have had half-day camps, Liv auditioned for dance team, the Pilot has been flying nights, and madre’s birthday was on Tuesday! We got together for a *small* family dinner (we joke that we’re just a small party of 28), and ate Mexican food, cake, and sang “Happy Birthday” to the amazing lady who gives so much to everyone in our family.

 My fave picture from the night! 

(The cake was from Whole Foods bakery and so so good.)

Workout-wise, I’ve crushed every day this week. Sunday, we filmed Summer Shape Up videos (the party starts June 24)! Monday, I hopped on the Peloton bike for a 30-minute ride, Tuesday was barre, Wednesday was a BODYATTACK class On Demand (my link is good for 21 days FREE of the amazing Les Mills workouts), and today and tomorrow are off since I’m traveling to Chicago for a blog trip. I’m looking forward to catching up with Anne and Julie, and meeting some new blogger friends. I’ll be sure to share some of the adventures on IG stories!

I originally planned to post this one while we were on our cruise, but since internet was a bit sketchy – and I blasted through the ship’s plan in a mere 24 hours – I didn’t get the chance to get this one published. I originally saw this survey on my friend Ashley’s blog, and then Julie’s. I loved reading their answers so much, so I thought I’d join in the survey fun. 

1.  What’s the best thing that happened to you this month? Taking a Disney Cruise with the fam! 

2. What’s your favorite game? We don’t usually play board games at home, but our favorite games is a hide and seek and tag hybrid. I hide, the girls try to find me, I jump out and go “AHHH!” and they scream, I chase them around until I tag them, and then they hide. 

3. When are you most inspired? Mid-morning, usually after I’ve had breakfast and survived the school drop-off. 

4. If you could teach one subject in school what would it be? Math

5. What’s your favorite beverage? LaCroix 

6. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? A friend from the gym sent a text message while the Pilot was deployed and basically gave me a pep talk. She said she was proud of me for doing so well with work stuff and solo parenting. It was very unexpected and really made my whole month. It was a great reminder to let other people know when I’m inspired by them or think they’re crushing it. 

7. What is your favorite birthday cake? Yellow cake with chocolate buttercream

(That was my bday cake last year!)

8. What is one thing you still have from your childhood? A photo album that my mom made for me when I was 4 and we’d taken a trip to California. I was with all of my aunties, my parents were still married, and my uncle was still alive. Our dog chewed around the edges of it when I was younger, and the small plastic photo album contains quite a few happy memories from being a kid.

9. What is your favorite movie? Love, Actually

10. What is something you can’t do? Play the flute even though I faked it for an entire year in 5th grade. I could do all of the finger work, but no sound would come out. So I just pursed my lips and acted like I knew what I was doing. 

11. Window or aisle seat? Aisle so I can get up a thousand times if I feel like it. 

12. What makes you laugh no matter what? P makes the most ridiculous faces that make me laugh every day. We get a kick out of zooming in on photos that she’s in, because you never know what you’re going to get.

13. What does creativity mean to you? Free from any perceived restraints or judgments. 

14. What are your favorite lyrics of all time? “Look around, look around, how lucky we are to be alive right now.” I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of Hamilton.

Or hanging out with Betsy  

15. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving

16. What’s heavily played on your music playlist right now? “Far Too Good” by John Smith. 

17. If you could raid one woman’s closet who would it be? My friend Annie’s! Whenever she posts Instagram posts, I want her outfit and her shoes

18. Must have purse item? Color Intense lipstick in at least 3 shades

19. What did you want to be when you grew up when you were 12? On Broadway

20. What is something you will not be doing in ten years? Wondering where the heck we’ll be living in a couple of years. It’s so crazy to be able to know and plan where we want to live. 

21. What is an important life lesson for someone to learn? Your gut instinct is always right.

22. How do you start your day? Scrolling through my phone with one eye closed.

23. Would you ever live anywhere besides Tucson? Yes! We’d love to make it back to San Diego one day but love being in Tucson for now.

24. What is your favorite dessert?  Anything super chocolaty.

25. Is there a dessert you don’t like? Creme brûlée is gross.

26. It’s brunch! What do you eat? Eggs, breakfast potatoes, turkey sausage, and a mimosa because brunch without cocktails is just a sad breakfast. <— words of wisdom from Prep & Pastry

27. Where was the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Positano

28. Favorite Disney animal? Stitch

29. What is a book you are planning on reading? “Educated” is downloaded on my Kindle but I haven’t started it yet

30. What did you read most recently? “Where the Crawdads Sing” and loooooved it

31. Favorite solo artist? Michael Bublé for life

32. What is something you’re tired of? The Instagram algorithm. They want to turn it into a “pay to play” platform, which was the downfall of Facebook

33. What’s a city you wish to visit? Paris

34. Heels or flats? Wedges

35.  Where does one go on a perfect road trip? To Sedona. It’s just an easy drive from us and has an incredible energy.

36. What do you do on a rainy day? Try to find indoor activities to entertain the kiddos! We’ll do art, visit a museum, go rock climbing, or see a movie

37. What’s your favorite exercise? Spin, barre and BODYPUMP are tied

38. What was your worst subject in school? English which is a hilarious thing since I write a blog for a living

39. What is your spirit animal? An otter. I want to spend the day in the pool, floating on my back, eating salad

40. What do you usually eat for breakfast? A giant egg patty and either oatmeal with almond butter or a brown rice tortilla

41. What do you usually eat for dinner? We change it up every night but some classics are salmon, sweet potato and salad, Harney Cobbs, or sushi roll bowls

42. Cooking or Baking? Both!

43. Favorite baked good? Cookie dough on the bottom, Oreo’s in the middle, and brownies on top

44. What is something you wish you could be good at? Organizing photos on my laptop. It’s a hot mess

45. Skiing or Surfing? Paddle boarding 

46. First celebrity crush? JTT — Jonathan Taylor Thomas — I became a vegetarian for him when I was 8

47. Most recent celebrity crush? Aaron Tveit. I love his voice!

48. What color was your prom dress? Junior year it was bright pink and senior year it was light purple and silver

49. How do you manage stress? Try to do the most challenging/inconvenient item on my to-do list first

50. What do you do to relax? Read or cook

51. Age when you were first kissed? 12

52. Place you were first kissed? Playing “spin the bottle” after musical theatre class

53. Favorite fashion trend of all time? Low-top sneakers with dresses

54. Best fashion advice you’ve ever received? If you have to convince yourself that you like it, you’ll never wear it, so don’t buy it

55. What is your current favorite piece of clothing that you own? These embellished sandals. I wear them all the time and am constantly asked where I bought them

56. Shoes or Bags? Bags! I love a good crossbody

57. How do you know if you’re in love? When you know, you know

58. Television show you’ve binged on recently? The Bachelorette! We’re almost caught up for the season

59. Who do you turn to when you’re sad? My mom – she always knows exactly what to say to make me feel better

60. Leather or lace? Lace

61. Vintage or new? New

62. What is your Kryptonite? Chocolate or guacamole

63. What are you most enchanted by? Surface level: Moms on social media who have 18 children, homeschool, are all matching in neutral clothing with zero stains, and elaborate mermaid braids in their hair. Deeper: I’m beyond enchanted with Liv and P. They surprise me, make me laugh, and make my heart explode every single day. I often find myself wondering how they’re so darn amazing?

64. What is your biggest strength? Hustle

65. What is your biggest weakness? Stressing over all of the details

66. What are 3 words to describe living in Tucson? Picturesque. Hot. Eccentric.

67. Cutest thing on planet earth? Baby koalas

68. Favorite color? Peach

69. Best first date idea? Something active, like a low-key hike, followed by dinner and drinks

70. Favorite time of day? Late.. probably around 9 or 10pm. I enjoy the quiet and downtime

71. What do you first notice about someone when you meet them? Their smile 

72. What’s your guilty pleasure? Take a jar of almond butter, sprinkle chocolate chips into the jar, scoop out with a spoon

73. Favorite band? I wouldn’t say I’m super into bands at the moment and my music taste is all over the place. Back in high school, I was obsessed with Dashboard Confessional

That was a fun one! I always love surveys because it gives me the chance to get to know you all better.

So, tell me friends:

When are you most inspired?

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? 

What’s one thing you cannot do? 

Cutest thing on planet earth?

What do you do to relax? 

Or pick any of the questions above and share your answers below! 

Have a lovely day.

xoxo

Gina

  The post 73 questions appeared first on The Fitnessista.

73 questions published first on https://immigrationways.tumblr.com/

[darkgreyclouds]

This is a massive anon ask answer post. I’m so sorry I have been very bad with these, have been reading them but haven’t had any energy to answer them, but!! thank you so much for sending them, I really appreciate the thoughts, you all are lovely, never stop being awesome ;w;

Answers below the cut:

Hey anon, sorry it’s so much! The reason is because USPS postal prices for International shipping is exorbitant and that is completely out of my control. I would opt to use another service but USPS is the cheapest option for you and for me so this is the best I can do. What I can tell you is that all my international packages are insured so if it gets lost they will cover it. And that I stick a heck of a lot more extra goodies in there because I know how expensive it is for you guys! Hope it helps!

Yes, once con season is over my store will be open. Whatever left over stock will be up there! No worries!

Thank you so much, Anon! I got it sorted! Thanks for pointing this out to me!!

Hi omg yes that’s fine!! I’d love to see your finished cosplay omg!!!

Hello you’re amazing anon, I love you!!! 😘

Ahhh I’m sorry anon, I don’t do Canadian cons;;; The closest I’ll be getting is near Chicago/Michigan?;;

Omg don’t apologize!! Thank you for being a delight!!

Ahhh I’m so sorry to hear! Unfortunately I do not plan on restocking those pins;;;

I really should put this in my faq actually thanks for reminding me! In the past because a lot of rper’s just took my art without asking first, I usually am not okay with it, but also because of the frequency of use of the icons I would actually prefer ppl not use my art for rp, I’m sorry!

omg hDU I’d give it back to you because you are far more amazing, anon! ;w;

AHHH thank you omfG You stop being a splendid being, you!

omg Anon!!! You are so adorable thank you i’m so beyond happy to see your wonderful message!! Thank you, I’m fine I hope you are doing well!!!

omg YeA they love her a lot i mean its hard not to because Elise is just a pure child but yea I usually don’t want to go down that path of the Aftermath of birthright because it’s too sad for the Nohr family ;m; So many sad emotions....

LOL that’s fair!

Thank youu, I use Clip paint studio!

It’s open now!

I’ve seen a lot of artists do Bunny Niles and they drew him so well, you should check them out!

hmmm are you talking about reference materials for materials to use? Because for either or, you don’t need a lot to get started! Just paper, a drawing medium you like and then something to draw. To learn basics I’d suggest life drawing, but if you have a style you prefer, life drawing is still important, just draw from life using your own style!

Thank you! I didn’t really have any time to do any more easter art but if they have any other themed events in the future it is definitely a consideration ^^

tbH 

mmm probably not! I have other au’s planned tho!

Omg congrats!! I’m so happy to hear!!

Ummm thank you so much you’re so sweet?? TwT I’m so glad you enjoy my doodles and I’m so glad you sent a sweet note too thank you!! Olivia and lasnigo are forever love!!

I think I drew a comic with them later haha~ This is already answered!

Ahhh thank you so much!! <333 

Anon, I just want to let you know this ask incapacitated me for a couple of days, hdu. Soleil looks at Olivia and is like hot damn grandma is beautiful, and omg lil daddy...honestly inigo as a baby was probably adorable and soleil probably already thinks grown up dad is adorable, so nothing has changed except he a baby :’) Thank you for this

HEY ANON, HOW DARE U B SO ADORABLE EXCUSE U YOUR EXISTENCE IS VERY GOOD VERY PURE PLEASE DON’T STOP 💖💖💖

To be fair, benny/keaton is the cutest ship I really like it! But realistically, I don’t think I can my plate is at the point of spilling over with stuff to do rn. I’m sorry, Anon ;m;

Ok first of all A STANDING OVATION 4 UR EXCELLENT TASTE FOR LOVING LASLOW OK sfadl;kadskak;dkfa omfg you’re too sweet honestly back at you!!! I hope you have a good one!!

This is the cutest thing!! Like a group of tourists just having fun that’s so wonderful! They definitely would make the best of the situation and have fun with it. I love camaraderie sm too ahhh the awakening trio is the best...:’)

Thank you so much, Anon! Inigo and Olivia are so wonderful I’m glad to share the love and meet many others who love them all the same. ;w; <33