#Etude House Be My Universe

[rainydawgradioblog]

Nobu Performs at the Seattle Symphony and I subsequently cry my eyes out

There is nothing quite like the solidarity that you get from silently wiping away your tears at the symphony as the fellow next to you does the same thing. I think Rachmaninoff just has that effect on people.

I went to see Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 on January 28th, performed by Nobuyuki Tsujii (also referred to as Nobu by his fans) on the piano and the Seattle Symphony conducted by Jiří Rožeň. I hadn’t realized how famous Tsujii was until I showed up to Benaroya Hall. It was a packed house with a lot more people my own age in attendance than what you typically see with the usual symphony crowd. Despite my ignorance about Nobu’s notoriety, I was about to discover the reason for this justifiable fame soon enough. Nobu’s dynamic sensitivity was absolutely sublime, at times it seemed his fingers were merely brushing against the keys and then, just moments after, he would bring the piano up to its full capacity, all the while not sacrificing any clarity. It would be remiss to not mention that Nobu is fully blind, which makes his talent all the more awe-inspiring, given that he has to commit everything he plays to memory without the use of sheet music and goes purely off of listening to specialized recordings. As for the choice in music, it resonated perfectly with me in my current state. As someone who often finds themselves struggling with the blight of seasonal affective disorder in the Seattle winters, reading the program about how Rachmaninoff wrote his second concerto as he was exiting a depression made the music feel like a deliverance. The encore was an etude by Nikolai Kapustin, and I always feel my ego puff up a bit when I can recognize the encore, since it is not listed in the program and the pianist often doesn’t say what they've just played. I could truly appreciate the level of Nobu’s virtuosity with the Kapustin etude, as I had since recovered from the emotional journey Rachmaninoff had put me through, and my vision was no longer blurred by my tears.

Nobu’s performance was sandwiched between two beautiful works by Czech composers. The conductor, Jiří Rožeň, who specializes in works by Czech composers, led the charge with Dvořák’s Carnival Overture. I had never heard the piece prior to this performance, but it was delightful all the same. The night was closed out with Martinů’s Symphony No. 6, which was also new to me, but seemed to be in keeping with what I have heard from the composer in the past. The dissonance that Martinů employs often makes me think, “oh god that’s awful, I love it.” The joy of going to the symphony is that it is consistently introducing me to new pieces, even though I usually only buy tickets for the shows that are headlined by works that I already know.

Every so often, living in the Seattle area graces me with the opportunity to see a world class musician. I’m not entirely sure how to capture what I mean by “world class,” but I do know that it is a rare virtuosity, and outside of just technical perfection, it is a performance that has emotional breadth. I’m not particularly religious but sometimes it seems to me that some musicians have been sent down from on high. Perhaps they are connecting to a universal plane that is always there, but only occasionally tapped into. I experience shivers that start at the top of my head and travel to the tips of my fingers, and if that in itself is not a religious experience, I'm not sure what is. I felt it when I saw Daniil Trifonov perform back in November, and then again with Nobuyuki Tsujii. I am beyond excited for Rach Fest which is coming up in April. If you plan on attending, remember to wear waterproof mascara. 

Photo credits go to Brandon Patoc, and special thanks to Courtney from the Seattle Symphony's PR team for helping me in my pursuit of becoming a regular symphony attendee.

Xoxo, Addie

[valleyofthegoths]

안녕하세요

Hello everyone! This is part 2 in my holiday collection series. You can read part one here. In this post I will be focusing on the fun and interesting Be My Universe collection from Etude House. Another collection I was very excited to get in the mail. I purchased everything from beauty box korea. I am fascinated with space and the motif was just screaming my name. This collection featured a little bit of everything including new lipstick colors, cosmetic bag, a fragrance, two palettes, a brush set, eye pigments, and redone mascara packaging to fit the collection.

♥

Dear My Matte & Glass Tinting Lips Talk in PP502 Aura Purple $7.20 3g

Case is #29 $3.60: There are 5 lip colors in the collection and three are made just for the collection. And there 5 new cases introduced for the line as well. I was drawn to this color because it is a purple tone and unusual to see from Korean brands. In the tube this lipstick is a purple duo chrome with a green shift. Sounds intimidating I know! When it is swatched it is a sheer deep purple with a lot of purple and blue glitter. The color can be built up to a more metallic purple lip. The formula smells and tastes softly like fruit candy. It is creamy when you apply it on the lips and does dry down and feels comfortable to wear, but the glitter does transfer everywhere. If you do not like a ton of glitter in your life you should steer clear of this lipstick. The color does leave behind a light berry stain. The wear time isn’t the best of the lipstick and I have to reapply quite often through out the night. You can also use this lipstick as a lip topper to deepen any shade and add some glitter.

♥

Colorful Scent Eau De Perfume White Floral Mush 50ml + 7ml $20.71: This perfume set comes with a giant bottle of perfume and a rollerball to carry with you anywhere. The design of the packaging for each is adorable. The purple color is echoed in packaging for other items in the line as well as the stars on the roller ball. They both look very classy and expensive. The scent is a white floral mush with a top note of neroli and orange a heart of rose, muget, jasmine, and violet and a base of musk, cedarwood, and scandalwood. This is a very powerful scent where a tiny little bit goes a long way. The scent sadly reminds me of my grandma’s house. The cedarwood and scandalwood are very overpowering and you can’t really smell any of the other notes.

♥

Universe Multi Palette 1gx6 / 1.8gx1 in Golden Galaxy $17.10: There are two versions of this palette Pinky Galaxy (with a pink blush ) and Golden Galaxy (with a golden highlighter) I went against the gran and went with the golden version I also liked the front graphic much more. The graphic is printed on the palette and is absolutely mesmerizing. The palette consists of 2 mattes, 1 metallic/ shimmer shade, 3 glitter shades, and 1 highlighter. Some of the shades do have a hard time showing up on my NC25-NC30 skin tone and with a primer the shades to fade quite a bit throughout the day. I like how soft and creamy the shades are and how well they blended together on the eye to make a sexy soft smokey eye.  The highlighter shade (pressed with the shape of Saturn) is a soft champagne color that comes off more shimmery than glittery and is great is you want a subtle glow over a blinding highlight and is great for every day use. I do have to say the colors in this palette are a bit boring for the theme and I feel quite limited with what I can do with them and the pink glitter shade feels out of place.

♥

Final Thoughts: 2.5/5 The collection looks so fun and captivating with glitter and holographics , stars and Saturn motifs. The lipstick is a unique color that can be used alone or as a lipstick topper but the effects on it are not long lasting. The perfume looks beautiful on my vanity but the scent just isn’t for me. The palette is beautiful and you can achieve a soft smokey eye and a nice everyday highlighter, but the intensity fades even with a primer and the colors feel a bit boring and I have a hard time getting some of them to show up on my skin. This collection is eye candy but I am so sad to say the performance I have encountered was meh.

♥

Thank you so much for reading and please follow me ♥ to never miss a post!

Buy Me a Coffee

Holiday Glitter Part Part 2 안녕하세요 Hello everyone! This is part 2 in my holiday collection series. You can read part one…

[sims4t2bb]

4T2 BG Conversions - Wall Deco

Your item guide is under the cut!

Paintings

Antiqued Patent Posters by Veranka

Art in a Box by Michelle

Bembe Maraj’s Hand-Woven Tapestry by MorePopcorn

Birds of a Feather Print Set by Veranka

Blue for the Blues Wall Painting by TenLittlePandas

Decals on a single mesh by Nutty:

Bunny Totem

Dream Eater

Open Hearted Princess

Oonicorn the Unicorn

Movie posters on the BV Travel Keeper mesh by SelenaQ13:

Cop and Llama

Cow Plant Love

Epic Wood

It’s Amber

Malpractice

Stay Weirder

Still Life

Sul Sul

Coq au Peinture by Michelle

Debug Observatory Photos by Nutty

Etude in Blue by TenLittlePandas

Eye for Nature Painting by LadySimPlayer8

Floating Away by Nutty

Floral Revelation by Michelle

Fruit on Fruit Watercolour Set by Veranka 

Gravity and Light Contemporary Watercolour by Veranka

History of the World, Print 3 by Veranka

I Otter Be a Star Pop Art by Veranka  

La Vida en Color - Mural by TheNinthWave

Lemon Branch Contemporary Watercolour by Veranka

Let There Be Plumbobs! by Tee-Sims

Mega Art by Dee

Mystery Poser Antique Portrait by Veranka

No. 46 Landscape by Michelle

Ode to Jazz 1: “Golden” by TenLittlePandas

Ode to Jazz 2: “Goldentips” by TenLittlePandas

Ode to Jazz 5: “Ivory” by TenLittlePandas

Ode to Jazz 6: “Ghost Quartet” by TenLittlePandas

Ode to Jazz Triptych Trio by TenLittlePandas

On Phantom Wing Wall Art by Veranka

The Pianist by TenLittlePandas

Portrait of a Marriage by Michelle

Pride Flag by TheNinthWave  

The Primrose Path by Veranka

Saxophone in Silhouette by TenLittlePandas

Superasymmetry by Veranka

Symbols of the Watery Moon by Limonaire

Tragic Clown by SelenaQ13

Unconverted:

#1 Mom Wall Decal

Alpine Peace

The Amour-propre

Baby Bug Nursery Art

Baby Bunny Nursery Art

Baby Dino Nursery Art

Better than Bunny Decal

“Blooming Beauty” Wall Painting

Ceci N’est Pas Une Poire

Chic Shoe Fashion Poster

Cloud Space Thing

Cool Serenade

Curiosity is Electrifying Poster

Delightful Dino Stencil

Dramatic Cooking Poster

Every Man Decal

Every Woman Decal

Fluffy Clouds Stencil

Grin and Bear It!

Heavenly Wall Decal

Henry Puffer Poster

Hot and Cold Tech Spec Poster

It Happened

The Illustrated Sports Poster

Inspirational Mouse Poster

The Intrepid

Jazz Cats: Whiskers of a Forgotten Past

“Just Justin” Fan Poster

Kick It, Sally Soccer Poster

Land-Coral Garden

Light of My Life Painting

Martian Memories Landscape #1

Martian Memories Landscape #2

Martian Memories Landscape #3

Mochi Booger Parade

My House Kid’s Painting

Ode to Jazz 3: “Sea Bass”

Ode to Jazz 4: “Feeling Blue”

Directional Up Arrow

Only One Directional Arrow

The Downer Arrow Decal

To The Left Decal

Paradise Falls

Plumbosion!

Raising a Reader Kids’ Poster

Read-asaurus Rex Kids’ Poster

The Recondite

“Revanne” Poster

Rock My Universe Pinup Girl

Roman Temple Architectural Study

Rorschach Bunnies

The Sealinicorn, in repose

Slightly Damp Poster

Still Life with Apples and Pitcher and Books and Bottles and Flowers

Snow Falling on Cinders Abstract Art

Sole Star Athletic Poster

Spuds in Space Potato Print

Study of the Human Form

Still Life

Teen Idol Poster

Tenor Mood

Treebra Series 4, Print 337

Unidentified Creature Stencil

Viva La Landscape

Viva More of La Landscape

Winsome Growth Chart

“Working for Peanuts” Wall Painting

Wall Deco

Better as a Pair of Paintings by Autumn-RoseSims

Cactus Cantina Sign by HafiseAzale

Chronos Magazine (Framed Collector’s Edition Issue) by Delonariel

Executron Personal Stock Ticker by Delonariel

Flower of the Dead by Shasta

Get Your Jazz on by HafiseAzale

Jazzy Saxophone Wall Sign by HafiseAzale  

Large Cork Board by Tony-Veis

Positronic Pro Magnetic Knife Rack by Veranka

RAW Cookware Collection by Veranka

RAW Oversized Fork and Spoon by Veranka  

Spy Satellite (as fire and burglar alarm by HugeLunatic)

Supreme Freelancer Award by Moocha

Tetraptych Wall Hanging by Shasta

Tactical Map by HugeLunatic 

Wall-Mounted Garden Hose Reel by Delonariel

Aging Up

Apple of Your Eye

Chalkboard Menu

Circular Neon Tiki Sign

Coat of Arms with Shield and Swords

Copper Cow Mould

Curated Cork Board

Goldora Dove Décor

In Session Novelty Chalkboard

Large Award Ribbon

Mega Wall Hanging

Mega Wall Hunk

Neon Circle Wall Sign

Neon Palm Tree Sign

Neon Parrot Sign

An Open Book, Framed

Orange Squeeze

Ordinary Things Shadowbox

Pictures, Pictures on the Wall

Pinbacker Wall Art

Pink Pig Copper Mould

Polly Wants a Plate Tree

Postmodern Signature Sign

Sunny Days Wall Decor

Three Framed Skeleton Keys

Vinoteca Bottle Rack

Wish in a Dish

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Wednesday 11 December 1839

8 ¾

1 5/..

Note from countess P- to be there about 11 – to go to the cholera Institution – answer yes! – very fine morn[ing] – breakfast at 10 20/.. to near 11 – at the P-s’ at 11 10/.. – alighted for ¼ hour till all were ready – countess A.P. her daughter Sophie and the adopted and the governess and the count – off at 11 25/.. and there in 2 minutes – large handsome local – ci-devant the house of an Aprakine – the Madame A- said count P- chez qui vous allez – this the 3rd place the institution has been in – the Directeur, and the directeur des etudes accompanied us – 1st the garçons – then the filles – 150 of each = 300 – quite separate never see each other – the 2 divisions parted by the handsome chapel – all orphans and noble, or instead of 300 would have as many thousands – but the fond of the establishment was the enfans of the victims of the cholera – the boys finish their studies at the university and choose their career, civil or military – the girls complete their education here for institutrices – wonder what the emperor N- has done in the last 13 years – wishes to have people of his own to fill up all places in society – not to be obliged e.g. to have foreign governess at 2,000/. and 3,000/. a year – when more concurrence (20 years hence said I – answer no! much less than that) good governess will be had for 500/. a year – what N- has done in all departments is certainly wonderful – La Posterité l’appellera N- le grand – the two bedrooms (boys and girls) each a large handsome (Ionic?) colonnaded salle – I merely observed that we had not such palaces for our Institutions in England – Did the governess seem jalouse of my allowing this? our Institutions are excellent and numerous – but they are lodged in good substantial commodious buildings, not in palaces – but whether you see them at a moments notice or at 3 or 4 days notice, they are always the same – the kitchen that we saw seemed rather the boulangerie – or at least we only saw fresh baked bread and ovens apparently

not hot at the moment but all the bright picture of neatness – the girls in green stuffed gowns and white line pelerines – very neat and untumbled – hair dressed and brushed neat as at the Enfans Trouvés – boys in plain green? coats and light blue cuffs and collars – their singing the grace before dinner and God save the emperor, very good – the girls good, but not so good and besides they had an instrument (a bass) to help them out – the boys had nothing? count P- said the singing is better in the South Charcoff – the Directuer spoke of difficulties with children noble-parvenu, nor one thing nor other – but said it was a pleasure to teach at the grand Institution des nobles – this the model of excellence as an Institution – However, count P- seemed to think our Cholera Institution the thing at present – the other a little gatée – that may be, in comparison with this last, and yet no fault to be found with the less perfect of 2 such – countess P- asked us to return with her to take broth – but much obliged – took our leave (had been 1 5/.. hour there till 12 35/..) and home before 1 – out again and at our Tverskoi [Tverskoj] boulevard at 1 7/.. to walk – Gross and the carriage followed and we setting off on the opposite side to our ordinary walk, walked along up hill and down along the interrupted boulevard till in an hour we came down to the river (the Moskva) at the farther extremity of the Enfans trouvés, at 2 10/.. – several washing places trailing sheets? about (with sticks) in the water – little sledges and traineaux driving about on the river – sauntered along the Quai which begins at the end of the Enfans trouvés much admiring the Kitai gorod [Kitaj-gorod] wall masked with [margins] of bled etc. – walked to the new bridge and stood some time – a horse had fallen down – they whipped for some time – then loosed him from the little sledge of wet washed linen – dragged the thing up the little steep, and then reyoked – we had sauntered ½ hour, and got into the carriage at the bridge at 2 40/.., and home at 2 55/.. – no Leopold today – he has fallen and hurt his leg! – Had Mrs. Howard – mentioned the want of fresh air to open the little [?] in one of the dining room windows – feel as if I had a stone weight over my temples the moment I come into the house – to inquire after Leopold – but it strikes me it is to be an-over-with-him to us – Mrs. Howard had thought as well as I of our taking the man who came the other day – I would not pledge myself to take him afterwards – mentioned 4/. a day – he would be very well – perhaps from the police – I have no objection – it had occurred to me – then would give him 3/. a day – yes! he would be very well satisfied – sat musing – no [roads] Mrs. H- said as yet – there was new moon last night – we had best wait for the next new moon – nobody travelling who could help it – the Deaf and dumb gentleman arrived

SH:7/ML/E/23/0150

yesterday evening per diligence – upset – roads terrible – would not stir but had promised to spend Xmas at St. P- and .:. must return – Mrs. H- knew not how long he would stay – perhaps 3 weeks – no roads even for provisions – but must be roads in 3 weeks – sat musing till near 5 – dressed – wrote all but the 1st line of today till now 6p.m. – Mr. Fischer called and left his card while we were out – He has been uniformly civil and attentive – dinner at 6 in about ¾ hour – A- and I walked about – then had Mrs. Howard to say Leopolds’ leg was very bad – erysipelas – Mrs. Howard cures it (cured the Earl of Wiltshire etc.) with chalk finely powdered and camphor (about a tea spoonful of powdered camphor to a cup of chalk) laid on to woollen cloth and applied to the part –

for scurvy birch buds stewed in the oven, very good – the buds to be put into a pot and luted over, so as to be air tight – Dr. Lan attends Mr. Howard for his leg – recommends as a laxative (Mr. H- suffering from piles) magnesia, Glauber salts and sulphur – probably my recipe except that it is not made up with honey – mine is equal parts of carbonate of magnesia – carbonate of Soda, and sulphur, and as much honey as required to make it into a paste which will froth up and run over the jar it is put into –

Jackson who is doing our carriage commode tells Mr. Howard the Railroad from St. P- here is determined upon – Mr. Cockerell of Liège is to have 6 millions to do it with – six millions roubles will not do much = about £300,000 ÷ 500 miles = £600 per mile – the Leeds and Selby railroad was esteemed by Stevenson? at £15000 per mile – 500 at £15000 = £7,500,00 and I should think the road from St. P- here could not cost less than 1/3 of that or at any rate could not less than £2,000000 or at least 40 millions of roubles – had just written the last 17 lines now at 8 ½ p..m. at 8 ¾ to 9 20/.. then wrote copy and copy of ditto of letter for A- to Mr. Adam and had Grotza at 11 ¼ - then a little while at Russian grammar – very fine day   R -9° = F about 12° at 11 ¼ p.m.

[jiminrings]

Hello, it's me. Again. Let's get this bread!

Contour:

Jordana Sculpt N' Go Creamy Contour Stick

Kiko Milani Sculpting Touch Creamy Stick Contour

Catrice Prime and Fine Professional Contouring Palette

Smashbox Cali Contour Face Palette (I'd say it works for fair to medium complexion)

*or you could just get a concealer that's a few shades darker than your normal shade lol

Bronzer:

Marc Jacobs O!mega Bronze in Tan-Tastic (do they still sell this??)

Nars Sunkissed Bronzing Cream (shade 'Laguna')

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer (I FORGOT TO INCLUDE THE HOURGLASS AMBIENT LIGHTING BLUSH IN THE BLUSHER CATEGORY)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Matte Waterproof Bronzer (shade 'Park Ave Princess')

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow Contour Duo (I know, I know. It says 'contour', but imo the shade is too warm for contouring)

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer (cult fave)

Mascara:

L'oreal Lash Paradise Waterproof (holy grail. This was the first mascara I discovered that legit holds my curl)

Etude House Lash Perm Curl-Fix Mascara (you better prepare some heavy duty oil-based makeup remover because hooo boy this thing is clingier than yours truly)

Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Waterproof Mascara

*side note: I have straight Asian lashes, okay. They're decent in length and they're pretty thick, but they're as straight as a pogo stick.

Chanel Le Volume (ehh it was okay. Gave me volume, but that's it. Didn't curl at all)

Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara (this is a tubing mascara, easy removal. Pretty much the same with Chanel, gave me volume but no curl)

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir (smudged on me, didn't hold my curl)

It Cosmetics Superhero (meh)

Glossier Lash Slick (meh)

Benefit Roller Lash (meh)

Lancome Hypnose (meh)

Essence Volume Stylist 18 Hr Lash Extension Mascara (meh)

Colourpop BFF Mascara (meh)

Tarte SEA Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara (meh)

On my wishlist: Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Mascara, Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara, Innisfree Skinny Microcara, Neogen Extra Volume Curl Metal Mascara

Eyeshadow:

Urban Decay Naked Palettes

Milani Gilded Palettes

Nyx Ultimate Shadow Palettes

Natasha Denona (costs you an arm, a leg and a kidney BUT they're so good)

Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow (I have the shade '318 Blurry Green'. Don't get me wrong. It's nice, it's pretty, but is it worth it? There's also no matte shadows in it)

Colourpop Palettes (good formulations, comparable to high-end ones)

Eyeliner:

Sephora 12 Hour Contour Pencil Eyeliner Waterproof (holy grail)

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (holy grail)

L'oreal Infallible Lacquer Eyeliner (creamy, glides on smoothly, doesn't smudge on me)

Nyx Epic Ink Liner Waterproof (on my wishlist!)

Brow:

Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil

Milani Precision Brow Pencil

Nyx Micro Brow Pencil

Anastasia Brow Definer

Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade

Anastasia Brow Gel

Nyx The Brow Glue (when they say it's glue? It's GLUE. Though it doesn't dry stiff or crunchy)

Glossier Boy Brow

Benefit 24-Hr Brow Setter

Benefit Precisely My Brow

Lip Pencil:

Pat McGrath Labs PermaGel Ultra Lip Pencil (shade 'Done Undone'. Holy grail)

Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil

MAC Lip Pencil

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner ('Pillow Talk'. Need I say more?)

Revlon Colorstay Longwear Lip Liner

Maybelline Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner

Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Lip Liner

Lip Gloss:

Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss (holy grail)

Fenty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer (holy grail)

Milani Keep It Full Nourishing Lip Plumper (holy grail)

Tower 28 ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss

Pat McGrath Labs LUST: Lip Gloss (holy grail)

Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss ('712 Melted Honey' is where it's at)

Essence Shine Shine Shine Lipgloss

Nyx Butter Lip Gloss

Lipstick:

H&M Lipstick (so underrated! It's so creamy and pigmented, comparable to high-end lipsticks. My fave is in the shade 'In a Nutshell')

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Mattes

L'oreal Color Riche

Tom Ford Lip Color Lipstick (listen... They're nice and all, but it's gonna cost you your first born soooo 🤷🏻‍♀️)

Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick

Tarte SEA Color Splash Lipstick

Chanel Rouge Coco Flash (shade '54 Boy'. I always go back to this. Yes, I should probably branch out and try other shades but I'm a creature of habit, okay? Sue me 💅🏻)

Liquid Lip/Lip Tint:

Dior Lip Tattoo (shade '351 Natural Nude')

Etude House Fixing Tint

Innisfree Vivid Creamy Tint

Nars Air Matte Liquid Lipstick

Armani Lip Maestro

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink

Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick

Sephora Cream Lip Stain

L'oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick

Fenty Stunna Lip Paint

*honestly, K-beauty has tons of great liquid lipsticks/lip tints! They have too many imo 😂

Did I miss anything?

HIT AFTER HIT YOU ATE THANK U SO MUCH MISS V <33 YOU DIDN’T MISS ANYTHING AT ALL!!!! IM GOING TO SLEEP HAPPY TONIGHT ILYSM VERONA 10/10 will update u as soon as i buy any of the things you’ve mentioned <33

[rimichii]

1 week left for internship yey!!! Also i am loving this apricot lippie from etude house /i wi)/ the kumamon was given to me by my bff! And it matches well my bag 😝

[mindoir]

I was tagged by @ava-du-mortain​ and @brother-genitivi​ ❤️ 

rules: answer 30 questions and tag 20 blogs you are contractually obligated to know better

tagging: @cailantheirin​ @apostatequeen​ @hawkepockets​ @elfgremlin @dunwcll and anyone else who’d like to fill this out! (no pressure to answer these if you don’t want to ✨)

name/nickname: Rhea

gender: female (she/her pronouns)

star sign: leo

height: 5′

time: 1:58 p.m.

birthday: August 2

favourite bands: Nothing but Thieves, Imagine Dragons, Coldplay

favourite solo artists: Bleachers, Hozier, Lorde

song stuck in my head: Light On by Maggie Rogers

last movie: Soul

last show: Black Sails

when did I create this blog: May 14, 2020

what do I post: mostly Dragon Age and Mass Effect

last thing googled: Etude House Double Lasting foundation 

do I get asks: occasionally 

why I chose my url: my shepard’s from mindoir 

following: 171

followers: 78 

average hours of sleep: 7-9

lucky number: I don’t think I have one!

instruments: I can (kind of) play the kalimba

what am I wearing: joggers, t-shirt, and a sherpa jacket

dream job: oh boy. it’s a lot but hear me out: I want to own a bed and breakfast where I’m a good good cook and baker so I can make a lot of the food, have a greenhouse at back with tons of plants, along with many plants inside and a garden or two somewhere. In my free time, I’d play some kind of instrument (violin or piano or harp), work on my next bestselling book, or knit/crochet blankets. idk I just love the idea of owning a historical home where I can host people, talk to them and learn their stories, and make lots of new friends. also, there’s probably a fluffy dog and cat

dream trip: Hawaii, Norway, or Germany!

last book I read: oof... I couldn’t tell you (says the person who claims they like to read)

favourite food: crab rangoon pizza

nationality: american

favourite song: Real Love Song by Nothing but Thieves

top three fictional universes: Pokemon, Star Wars, and Mass Effect

[chiaki-translation]

A3! SSR Taichi [Soul Abandoned by Heaven]: Backstage Translation

Hello, I’m back and this time I’m translating the backstory from the newest SSR Taichi. It’s just so cute and Taichi is too precious~

Summary:

Because going to a Haunted House with Taichi is a good idea~

I’m referring to this card~

I actually don’t really know what should I translate next so in the meantime maybe I’ll just be doing short backstories like this, enjoy~

Disclaimer:

A3! is owned by Liber Entertainment

Escape from the Haunted House!

Taichi

Di, director sensei! I mean, Cindy! I will protect you from the devils!

O, of course, it’s, it’s going to be alright! No worries at all!

Director

(It doesn’t seems to be alright at all, I can’t help but to worry…

Taichi-kun, is he going to be alright… Ah, that’s not it, I mean, Jonathan.)

Taichi

Uwah! There’s a mysterious looking shadow over there…..!!

Director

Ca, calm down! It’s just a shadow from the torch you’re holding!

Taichi

A, ah, it is….

Director

(I really don’t expect things to go like this…)

<Flashback>

Director

A pair ticket to a Haunted House?

Kazunari

Yep, it’s a puzzle-solving game with a limited time western horror theme. I’ve managed to get the invitation ticket~

I thought director-chan won’t have any interest in it, so I’ve already promised to go with my university friends.

Director

If it’s puzzle related, Banri-kun and Chikage-san might be interested.

Kazunari

They said they were too pro for this.

Director

Well, that’s true. I should have expected that.

Kazunari

As you expected from Veludo City, it seems that they added an etude element inside as well.

The participants were lost in the middle of the storm and they decided to take shelter in a mansion. The characters are carried into the settlement along with a group of travelers.

The characters will be evaluated based on their puzzle-solving performance.

Director

That sounds very interesting!

It really sounds like it can be a good practice for a play.

Taichi

I’m home.

Kazunari

Ah, welcome back~!

Taichi

What are you guys doing here?

Director

Just now, Kazunari-kun was giving me this pair ticket to a puzzle-solving event--

Taichi

A puzzle-solving event with director sensei? I want to go!

Director

Really? That’s great!

I can’t think of anyone who wants to join.

Taichi

Hehe, I’m looking forward to it~

Director

(Eh, but, Taichi-kun is not good with horror……)

Kazunari

Woah, Taichan I’ll leave it to you to protect her.

Taichi

Of course! I’ll be the one protecting director sensei!

Director

(Umm, no, most probably the one who needs protecting will be……)

<End of Part 1>

Taichi

Uwah!

Director

(I was about to keep silence about the hint that Kazunari gave me beforehand, but I’m actually glad I listened to him before……)

Taichi

Fo, follow me, Cindy! I’ll definitely protect you!

Director

(I have a feeling Taichi is just getting pressured at this point, we actually got ‘lover’ as the scenario……)

But really, if we don’t have that torch, it will be pitch black here.

We have time limit, if we don’t move forward soon ……

Taichi

Uwaaaaah! A knife! I… I… I’m going to be killed!

Director

Ca, calm down! We’re just in the kitchen!

Taichi

Oh! Tha, that’s it, as expected of Cindy!

Director

What will be the hint and where is it?

Taichi

Wah! There’s a head on the plate!!!

Director

Yo, you’re wrong! It’s just a roasted dish!

Taichi

A, ah, you’re right……

Eh? There seems to be a letter there.

Director

Maybe, that’s the hint?

Taichi

The room that holds knowledge is connected to the outside and I have hidden the key within a book. Be  careful, you should never be found by the devils of this mansion. Escape from their eyes. The devils are lurking in the shadow.

Director

What does that mean……?

The next room is…… a study I think.

Taichi

It, it seems that there’s nothing particular in this room.

Director

This is a great collection of books……

Taichi

Ah, I found a door!

It’s locked……

There should be a key around here somewhere.

Director

By the way, the letter just now mentioned ‘the room that holds knowledge’. So, is it about this room?

Taichi

Ah, that’s it! Then, this door should lead to the outside!

Director

Then the next will be the key within a book……

Taichi

Eh, with so many books around, we won’t know which book is the key!

Director

(There’s no helping it, it  seems our character settings are already all around the place. It’s too difficult to keep calm and solve mystery at the same time in a horror setting like this……!)

Tachi

Actually, I’m also curious about the last sentence in this letter.

Be careful, you should never be found by the devils of this mansion. Escape from their eyes. The devils are lurking in the shadow.

Director

We have to be careful not to be found by the devils……

Taichi

But, there weren’t any devils around.

Director

Maybe it’s actually a hint to find the book……

Taichi

Ah! Over there, there’s a statue of devils!

Director

You’re right.

Taichi

It’s also on that shelf! Also, this shelf over here!

Cannot be found by the devils, maybe they are referring to the missing statues?

Director

I see! That means, the shelf without the statues will be, the one on top over there.

But, there are still so many books on that shelf alone……

It seems to be filled with books about devils.

Taichi

Ah! Only that book on that corner, it doesn’t have any ‘devils’ in its title.

Director

Then, that book is ----

Taichi

It’s such a high place……

Director

Ah, there’s a stool over there.

Taichi

I’ll go up!

Director

!?

<End of Part 2>

Taichi

Eh!? Wh, what!?

Director

That’s……! The devils!?

Taichi

We have to hide……!

Director

(Th, the skeletons are floating!?)

Taichi

!!!

Shh, hold down a bit.

Director

--

Taichi

Let’s hide here.

Be quiet over here and we should be alright…… It’s going to be alright.

Director

……

(The skeleton is, gone……?)

Taichi

Alright, let’s take the chance to get the book, Cindy.

I’m pretty sure, inside this book……

Director

There it is! The key!

Taichi

The remaining time limit is….  Let’s hurry, Cindy!

Director

Right!

<Move  to Town>

Director

Ah, I’m so glad! We made it just barely!

Jonathan…… I mean,  Taichi-kun, that was fun!

Taichi

Ugh……

Director

A, are you alright!?

Taichi

Th, that was so scary!

Director

Now of all times!?

Taichi

I was so scared, I couldn’t think of anything else, by the time I realized I was just so focused on playing as Jonathan.

And then, when I thought that I really need to protect my lover, Cindy, I could do everything somehow.

Director

(That, somehow sounds like Tasuku-san……)

But Jonathan just now, I mean Taichi-kun, was very cool and reliable.

My heart totally skips a beat as your lover.

Taichi

Really!

Ah, but, that’s not me, that’s Jonathan……

Director

Well, maybe that’s the case, but the one playing Jonathan was Taichi-kun right?

Taichi

That’s true……. Honestly, I was really scared, but Cindy, I mean Director-sensei, I tried to keep calm to protect you.

As I thought…… Director sensei is really a special existence!

<End of Part 3>

[shimmerjjang]

#Startup Seo Dal Mi Makeup & Outfit Look + My K-Drama Ramblings

우와~ 진짜 오랜만이다 여러분..

Gosh, as of writing, I just finished shedding a bucket of tears after watching the last episode of tvN’s Startup on Netflix. It was quite an emotional ride. It was fun, but I’m still left in a trance because I’m not sure how am I supposed to move on with Han Ji Pyeong’s character lol

Anyhooo, as a way for me to celebrate my love for this K-Drama, I thought of recreating Seo Dalmi’s (Bae Suzy) Date/Breakup Makeup & Outfit Look which she sported in Episode 12. Dalmi rarely dolls herself up in this drama, but when she did for her date with Nam Do San, she nailed it 100%! I uploaded a video of this on my IGTV which you can see here. But since I can’t really figure out how to properly embed it here on Tumblr, I also uploaded it on YouTube. Yeah I know, 10 years on Tumblr and I’m still this noob. Do San help me! kk~

It’s best viewed on mobile because it’s vertical! haha! It sure is mega difficult to look even just a bit closer to Suzy, but at least the fringe kinda worked, right? haha! 

There’s nothing much to explain with the makeup look, because it’s just super simple! I think the only special thing I can share here is the oil-pressing technique I did in which I applied 2 drops of oil on a damp sponge and pressed it over my base makeup (in this case, I only used concealer). This way, it’ll create a ‘glass-skin’ finish that’ll also help bounce off light to minimize appearance of deep acne scars like mine. ^^

Just in case you are curious, here’s the full list of the products I used:

Keep Cool Ocean Mist (available at Charis)

The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer in 1.5 Natural Beige

Skinpotions Snow Potion Oil

Skinpotions Glowdust in Sizzle

Pixi Beauty x Chloe Morello Palette

Innisfree Blusher in #03 Ripe Fig

Laneige Wild at Heart Palette

Laneige Milky Way Burgundy Two Tone Shadow Bar

Laneige Two Tone Lip Bar in Dear Pink

Forencos Plum Burgundy Eyeliner

Clio Rouge Velvet Lipstick #3 Muse City

Etude House Be My Universe Palette

Heroine Makeup Mascara

Here are more snaps of my Dal Mi-inspired Date/Breakup Look ^^

I’m currently sifting through the internet just to find a similar jumper dress! I’m already waiting for it to arrive in my doorstep. I hope it fits! 

For now, this denim jumper which I had for a while now is the closest I can get, plus my white ruffled cotton top as inner blouse. TMI, this denim jumper used to be a bit tight but I think I unintentionally lost a bit of weight in the past months. ahe~

Aigooooooo. I don’t want to spoil anyone who hasn’t seen tvN’s Startup yet. But I’m assuming only a few people will stumble upon this post so I guess I’m free to ramble aimlessly here lol 

Startup just means so much because I can relate to it. Being someone who worked with several startup companies, I felt the difficulties that the characters faced. From the fun and excitement of brainstorming ideas in hopes of turning them into reality to the hardships of securing investors. Tbh, it’s pretty much the same thing I liked about one of my favorite K-Dramas of all time “Because This is My First Life” - the love story’s just a bonus!

Startup is perfect, but the second-male lead syndrome here is just so major! Ugh, the way they developed Han Ji Pyeong’s (played by Kim Seon Ho) character is amazing and it really shone all throughout the drama. They built his character up so well but had him stuck in this “lonely bubble” until the end. It’s depressing! Thank goodness for Halmeoni because she made sure our Jipyeong won’t get the saddest ending he surely doesn’t deserve! 

I see the point though, most particularly in his last conversation/scene with Seo Dal Mi. He’s just too late. He had 15 years, and then another extra 3 years - but he just didn’t take all those chances. He’s just a huge ball of regret. Aigoo

Oh well, please don’t do this again to us, writer-nim haha

Well, still #TeamHanJiPyeong until the end. But I’m happy for Do San and Dal Mi ^^ The final scene kinda made up for it. At least we all get to see his super bright smile! He looked genuinely happy nemen hehe

Now let me continue binge-watching 2 Days & 1 Night (1박2일) to make up for this sadness haha! Wah, I used to watch 1박2일 all the time on KBS World but stopped at around 2014 or 2015. I’m glad I get to see it again thanks to Seonho-jjing! Kim Seon Ho is a regular member in S4! hihi~

That’s enough rambling! See you on Instagram (@shimmerjjang)! I update there all the time! ^^

[blackkudos]

Carl Hancock Rux

Carl Hancock Rux (born March 24, 1975) is an American poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, actor, director, singer/ songwriter. He is the author of several books including the Village Voice Literary Prize-winning "Pagan Operetta," the novel, Asphalt, and the Obie Award-winning play, Talk. Rux is also a singer/songwriter with four CDs to his credit, as well as a frequent collaborator in the fields of dance, theater, film, and contemporary art . Notable collaborators include Nona Hendryx, Toshi Reagon, Bill T. Jones, Ronald K. Brown, Nick Cave, Anne Bogart, Robert Wilson, Kenny Leon, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Jonathan Demme, Stanley Nelson Jr., Carrie Mae Weems, Glenn Ligon and others. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Doris Duke Award for New Works, the Doris Duke Charitable Fund, the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Prize, the Bessie Award and the Alpert Award in the Arts, and a 2019 Global Change Maker award by WeMakeChange.Org. . His archives are housed at the Billy Rose Theater Division of the New York Public Library, the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution as well as the Film and Video/Theater and Dance Library of the California Institute of the Arts.

Early life

Rux was born Carl Stephen Hancock in Harlem, New York. His biological mother, Carol Jean Hancock, suffered from chronic mental illness, was diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic, and was institutionalized shortly after the birth of his older brother. Rux was born the result of an illegitimate pregnancy (while his mother was under the care of a New York City psychiatric institution) and the identity of Rux's biological father is unknown. Rux was placed under the guardianship of his maternal grandmother, Geneva Hancock (née Rux), until her death of cirrhosis of the liver due to alcoholism. At four years of age he entered the New York City foster care system where he remained until he was eventually placed under the legal guardianship of his great uncle (grandmother's brother) James Henry Rux and his wife Arsula (née Cottrell) and raised on a step street in the Highbridge section of the Bronx, later used as the filming location for the stairway dance scene in the 2019 film Joker.

Rux attended PS 73, Roberto Clemente Junior High School and received a scholarship to the Horace Mann School, an independent Ivy college preparatory school in the Riverdale section of the Bronx before transferring to the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts where he studied visual art. Exposed to jazz music by his legal guardians, including the work of Oscar Brown Jr., John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln, Rux eventually double-majored in music/voice, and sang with the Boys Choir of Harlem. He also became a member of the Harlem Writers Workshop, a summer journalism training program for inner-city youth founded by African-American journalists, sponsored by Columbia University and The Xerox Corporation. At the age of 15, Rux was legally adopted by his guardians and his surname changed to Rux. Upon graduation from high school he entered Columbia College where he studied in the Creative Writing Program; took private acting classes at both HB studios; and trained with Gertrude Jeanette's Hadley Players as well as actor Robert Earl Jones (father of actor James Earl Jones). Rux continued his studies at Columbia University, American University of Paris, as well as the University of Ghana at Legon.

Career

Working as a Social Work Trainer while moonlighting as a freelance art and music critic, Rux became a founding member of Hezekiah Walker's Love Fellowship gospel choir and later found himself influenced by the Lower East Side poetry and experimental theater scene, collaborating with poets Miguel Algarin, Bob Holman, Jayne Cortez, Sekou Sundiata, Ntozake Shange; experimental musicians David Murray, Mal Waldron, Butch Morris, Craig Harris, Jeanne Lee, Leroy Jenkins as well as experimental theater artists Laurie Carlos, Robbie McCauley, Ruth Maleczech, Lee Breuer, Reza Abdoh and others.

He is one of several poets (including Paul Beatty, Tracie Morris, Dael Orlandersmith, Willie Perdomo, Kevin Powell, Maggie Estep, Reg E. Gaines, Edwin Torres and Saul Williams) to emerge from the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, most of whom were included in the poetry anthology Aloud, Voices From the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, winner of the 1994 American Book Award. His first book of poetry, Pagan Operetta, received the Village Voice Literary prize and was featured on the weekly's cover story: "Eight Writers on the Verge of (Impacting) the Literary Landscape". Rux is the author of the novel Asphalt and the author of several plays. His first play, Song of Sad Young Men (written in response to his older brother's death from AIDS), was directed by Trazana Beverly and starred actor Isaiah Washington. The play received eleven AUDELCO nominations. His most notable play is the OBIE Award-winning Talk, first produced at the Joseph Papp Public Theater in 2002. Directed by Marion McClinton and starring actor Anthony Mackie, the play won seven OBIE awards.

Rux is also a recording artist, first featured on Reg E. Gaines CD Sweeper Don't Clean My Streets (Polygram). As a musician, his work is known to encompass an eclectic mixture of blues, rock, vintage R&B, classical music, futuristic pop, soul, poetry, folk, psychedelic music and jazz. His debut CD, Cornbread, Cognac & Collard Green Revolution (unreleased) was produced by Nona Hendryx and Mark Batson, featuring musicians Craig Harris, Ronnie Drayton and Lonnie Plaxico. His CD Rux Revue was recorded and produced in Los Angeles by the Dust Brothers, Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf. Rux recorded a follow up album, Apothecary Rx, (selected by French writer Phillippe Robert for his 2008 publication "Great Black Music": an exhaustive tribute of 110 albums including 1954's "Lady Sings The Blues" by Billie Holiday, the work of Jazz artists Oliver Nelson, Max Roach, John Coltrane, rhythm and blues artists Otis Redding, Ike & Tina Turner, Curtis Mayfield, George Clinton; as well as individual impressions of Fela Kuti, Jimi Hendrix, and Mos Def.) His fourth studio CD, Good Bread Alley, was released by Thirsty Ear Records, and his fifth "Homeostasis" (CD Baby) was released in May 2013. Rux has written and performed (or contributed music) to a proportionate number of dance companies including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company; Jane Comfort & Co. and Ronald K. Brown's "Evidence" among others.

Literature

Books by author

Elmina Blues (poetry)

Pagan Operetta (poetry/Short Fiction/SemioText)

Asphalt (novel/Simon & Schuster)

Talk (drama/TCG Press)

Literary fiction

Asphalt (novel) (Atria, Simon & Schuster)

The Exalted (novel) forthcoming

Selected plays

Song of Sad Young Men

Talk

Geneva Cottrell, Waiting for the Dog to Die

Smoke, Lilies and Jade

Song of Sad Young Men

Chapter & Verse

Pipe

Pork Dream in the American House of Image

Not the Flesh of Others

Singing In the Womb of Angels

Better Dayz Jones (Harlem Stage)

"Stranger On Earth" (Harlem Stage)

The (No) Black Male Show

Mycenaean

Asphalt (directed by Talvin Wilkes)

Etudes for the Sleep of Other Sleepers (directed by Laurie Carlos)

Steel Hammer (co-written by Will Power, Kia Cothran and Regina Taylor for the SITI company, directed by Anne Bogart).

The Exalted (directed by Anne Bogart)

NPR Presents WATER ± (co-written by Arthur Yorinks, directed by Kenny Leon)

Selected essays

"Eminem: The New White Negro

"Dream Work and the Mimesis of Carrie Mae Weems"

"Belief and the Invisible Playwright"

"In Memoriam: Ruby Dee (1922–2014)"

"Up From The Mississippi Delta"

"Democratic Vistas of Space and Light"

"A Rage In Harlem"

Selected anthologies

Experiments in a Jazz Aesthetic: Art, Activism, Academia, and the Austin Project University of Texas Press

Soul: Black Power, Politics, and Pleasure NYU Press

Heights of the Marvelous NYU Press

Juncture: 25 Very Good Stories and 12 Excellent Drawings Soft Skull Press

Da Capo Best Music Writing 2004: The Year's Finest Writing on Rock, Hip-hop, Jazz, Pop, Country, and More, DeCapo Press

Words in Your Face: A Guided Tour Through Twenty Years of the New York City Poetry Slam, Counterpoint Press

Humana Festival 2014: The Complete Plays, Playscripts, Incorporated

Action: The Nuyorican Poets Cafe Theatre, Simon & Schuster

Bum Rush the Page: A Def Poetry Jam, Three Rivers Press

The African American Male, Writing, and Difference: A Polycentric Approach to African American Literature, Criticism, and History, State University of New York Press

Meditations and Ascensions: Black Writers on Writing, Third World Press

Plays from the Boom Box Galaxy: Theater from the Hip-hop Generation, Theatre Communications Group

Bad Behavior, Random House

Verse: An Introduction to Prosody, John Wiley & Sons Press

Significations of Blackness: American Cinema and the Idea of a Black Film, UMI Press

So Much Things to Say: 100 Poets from the First Ten Years of the Calabash International Literary Festival, Akashic Books

Black Men In Their Own Words, Crown Publishers

Bulletproof Diva, Knopf Doubleday

Race Manners: Navigating the Minefield Between Black and White Americans, Skyhorse Publishing

In Their Company: Portraits of American Playwrights, Umbrage Press

Listen Again: a Momentary History of Pop Music, Duke University Press

Journalism

Rux has been published as a contributing writer in numerous journals, catalogs, anthologies, and magazines including Interview magazine, Essence magazine, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, aRude Magazine, Nka Journal of Contemporary African Art (founded by fellow art critics Okwui Enwezor, Chika Okeke-Agulu and Salah Hassan) and American Theater Magazine.

Libretti

Makandal (music by Yosvaney Terry, stage design and costumes by Edouard Duval Carrie, directed by Lars Jan) Harlem Stage

Blackamoor Angel (music by Deidre Murray; directed by Karin Coonrod) Bard Spiegeltent/Joseph Papp Public Theater

Kingmaker (music by Toshi Reagon) BRIC Arts Media

Perfect Beauty" (music by Tamar Muskal)

Music

Solo albums

Cornbread, Cognac, Collard Green Revolution

Rux Revue Sony/550 Music

Apothecary Rx Giant Step

Good Bread Alley Thirsty Ear

Homeostasis CD Baby

Singles

"Miguel" (Sony) 1999

"Wasted Seed" (Sony) 1999

"Fall Down" (Sony) 1999

"No Black Male Show" (Sony) 1999

"Good Bread Alley" (Thirsty Ear) 2006

"Thadius Star" (Thirsty Ear) 2006

"Living Room" (Thirsty Ear) 2006

"Disrupted Dreams" (Giant Step) 2010

"Eleven More Days" (Giant Step) 2010

"I Got A Name" (Giant Step) 2010

"Living Room" (Kevin Shields Remix) (Mercury) 2013

12-inch singles

"Lamentations (You, Son)" Giant Step Records

EP

Carl Hancock Rux Live at Joe's Pub (forthcoming)

Collaborations

Sweeper Don't Clean My Streets Reg E. Gaines Polygram

Eargasms Vol. 1

70 Years Coming R. L. Burnside Bongload/Acid Blues Records

Our Souls Have Grown Deep Like the Rivers: Black Poets Read Their Works, Rhino

Bow Down to the Exit Sign David Holmes Go! Beat

Love Each Other Yukihiro Fukutomi Sony/ Japan

Optometry DJ Spooky Thirsty Ear Recordings

The Temptation of Saint Anthony (Studio Cast Recording)

Inradio 5 Morningwatch 2004

Thirsty Ear Presents: Blue Series Sampler (Thirsty Ear)

Poetry on Record: 98 Poets Read Their Work, 1888-2006 Box Set Shout! Factory (2006)

More Than Posthuman-Rise of the Mojosexual Cotillion Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber, TruGROID

The Dogs Are Parading David Holmes Universal

Life Forum Gerald Clayton Concord Jazz

Tributary Tales Gerald Clayton

Tomorrow Comes The Harvest Jeff Mills Tony Allen Decca Records

Humanist Rob Marshall Ignition Records

Songwriter

Mckay Stephanie McKay Universal Music

Contemporary Dance (text & music)

Movin' Spirits Dance Co.

Kick The Boot, Raise the Dust An' Fly; A Recipe for Buckin (chor: Marlies Yearby, co-authors: Sekou Sundiata, Laurie Carlos, music: Craig Harris ) Performance Space 122, Maison des arts de Créteil (France)

Totin' Business & Carryin' Bones (chor. Marlies Yearby), Performance Space 122, Maison des arts de Créteil (France)

The Beautiful (chor: Marlies Yearby, co-author:Laurie Carlos), Judson Church, Tribeca Performing Arts Center

Of Urban Intimacies (chor: Marlies Yearby), Lincoln Center Serious Fun!, Central Park Summerstage, National Tour

That Was Like This/ This Was Like That(chor: Marlies Yearby, music: Grisha Coleman), Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Central Park Summerstage, National Tour

Anita Gonzalez

Yanga, (chor: Anita Gonzalez, music: Cooper-Moore, composer), Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Montclair State College

Jane Comfort & Co.

Asphalt (dir/chor: Jane Comfort; vocal score: Toshi Reagon, music: DJ Spooky, David Pleasant, Foosh, dramaturgy: Morgan Jenness, costumes: Liz Prince, lighting design: David Ferri ), Joyce Theater, National Tour

Urban Bush Women

Soul Deep (chor: Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, composer: David Murray), Walker Arts Center, National Tour

Shelter (chor: Jawole Willo Jo Zollar, music: Junior Gabbu Wedderburn) International Tour

Hair Stories (chor: Jawole Willa jo Zollar) BAM Theater/Esplanade Theater (Singapore) Hong Kong Arts Festival

Jubilation! Dance Co.

Sweet In The Morning (chor: Kevin Iega Jeff)

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Shelter (chor: Jawole Willo Jo Zollar, music: Junior Gabbu Wedderburn) City Center, International Tour

Uptown (chor: Matthew Rushing) Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Four Corners (chor: Ronald K. Brown) Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 2014

Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble (Ailey II)

Seeds (chor: Kevin Iega Jeff) Aaron Davis Hall, Apollo Theater, National Tour

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Theater

The Artificial Nigger (chor: Bill T. Jones) Arnie Zane Bill T. Jones Dance Co; music: Daniel Bernard Roumain National Tour

Roberta Garrison Co.

Certo! (chor: Roberta Garrison, music: Mathew Garrison) Scuola di Danza Mimma Testa in Trastevere (Rome, Italy) Teatro de natal infantil Raffaelly Beligni (Naples, Italy)

M'Zawa Dance Co.

Seeking Pyramidic Balance/Flipmode (chor: Maia Claire Garrison) 651 Arts

Robert Moses Kin

Helen (chor: Robert Moses) Yerba Buena Performing Arts Center

Nevabawarldapece (chor: Robert Moses) Yerba Buena Performing Arts Center

Topaz Arts Dance

Dreamfield (chor: Paz Tanjuaquio) Hudson River Park NY

Actor

Theater

Rux studied acting at the Hagen Institute (under Uta Hagen); the Luleå National Theatre School (Luleå, Sweden) and at the National Theater of Ghana (Accra). Rux has appeared in several theater projects, most notably originating the title role in the folk opera production of The Temptation of St. Anthony, based on the Gustave Flaubert novel, directed by Robert Wilson with book, libretto and music by Bernice Johnson Reagon and costumes by Geoffrey Holder. The production debuted as part of the Ruhr Triennale festival in Duisburg Germany with subsequent performances at the Greek Theater in Siracusa, Italy; the Festival di Peralada in Peralada, Spain; the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria in Santander, Spain; Sadler's Wells in London, Great Britain; the Teatro Piccinni in Bari, Italy; the Het Muziektheater in Amsterdam, Netherlands; the Teatro Arriaga in Bilbao and the Teatro Espanol in Madrid, Spain. The opera made its American premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music / BAM Next Wave Festival in October 2004 and official "world premiere" at the Paris Opera, becoming the first all-African-American opera to perform on its stage since the inauguration of the Académie Nationale de Musique - Théâtre de l'Opéra. Combining both his dramatic training and dance movement into his performance, Rux's performance was described by the American press as having "phenomenal charisma and supreme physical expressiveness...(achieving) a near-iconic power, equally evoking El Greco's saints in extremis and images of civil rights protesters besieged by fire hoses." Rux has also appeared in several plays and performance works for theater, as well as in his own work.

Film/Television

Radio

Carl Hancock Rux was the host and artistic programming director of the WBAI radio show, Live from The Nuyorican Poets Cafe; contributing correspondent for XM radio's The Bob Edwards Show and frequent guest host on WNYC as well as NPR and co-wrote and performed in the national touring production of NPR Presents Water±, directed by Kenny Leon.

Performance Art Exhibitions/Curator

The Whitney Museum "Beat Culture and the New America, 1950-1965"

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum "Carrie Mae Weems: Live"

Thread Waxing Space "Sacred Music"

The Foundry Theater "Roundtable on Hope"

The Kitchen "Sapphire: Black Wings & Blind Angels"

Harlem Stage "We Da People Cabaret"

The New School "Comrades and Lovers" Glenn Ligon

Mass MoCA "Until" Nick Cave

Kennedy Center/Spoleto Festival "Grace Notes"; Carrie Mae Weems

Grace Farms "Past Tense"; Carrie Mae Weems

Selected Directorial Credits

"Chapter & Verse" by Carl Hancock Rux /Dixon Place; Nuyorican Poets Cafe

"Mycenaean" by Carl Hancock Rux CalArts/BAM Next Wave Festival

"Third Ward" by Tish Benson/Nuyorican Poets Cafe

"Girl Group" by Tish Benson, Latasha Nevada Diggs, Sarah Jones/Aaron Davis Hall

"Stranger On Earth" by Carl Hancock Rux/ Live Arts; Harlem Stage

"Poesia Negra" by Carl Hancock Rux /RedCat; Lincoln Center; Aaron Davis Hall; BAM Next Wave. *"Who 'Dat Who Killed Better Days Jones?" by (Various Artists)/ Aaron Davis Hall

"blu" by Virginia Grise/ New York Theatre Workshop

"Welcome to Wandaland" by Ifa Bayeza/ Rights & Reasons Theater/Brown University

"String Theory" by Ifa Bayeza/ Rights & Reasons Theater, Brown University

"Bunky Johnson Out of The Shadows" by Ifa Bayeza/Shadows on the Teche

Academia

Rux is formally the Head of the MFA Writing for Performance Program at the California Institute of Arts and has taught and or been an artist in residence at Brown University, Hollins University, UMass at Amhurst, Duke University, Stanford University, University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin at Madison, and Eugene Lang New School for Drama, among others.

He has mentored award-winning writers including recipients of the Yale Drama Prize, Whiting Writers Award, Princess Grace Award, and BBC African Performance Playwriting Award.

Personal life

Rux's great uncle, Rev. Marcellus Carlyle Rux (January 8, 1882 - January 5, 1948) was a graduate of Virginia Union University, and principal of The Keysville Mission Industrial School (later changed to The Bluestone Harmony Academic and Industrial School), a private school founded in 1898 by several African-American Baptist churches in Keysville Virginia at a time when education for African-Americans was scarce to non-existent. For about 50 years the school had the largest enrollment of any black boarding school in the east and sent a large number of graduates on to college. For the first five years, Marcellus Carlyle Rux was a teacher in the institution. Such was the record he made that he was promoted to the principalship in 1917. Under his administration, the school reached its highest enrollment and had its greatest period of prosperity. The post-Civil war school was one of the first of its kind in the nation and was permanently closed in 1950. The school's still existent structure once featured a girl's and boy's dormitory and President's dwelling and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Marcellus Carlyle Rux is listed in History of the American Negro and his Institutions.

Rux's younger brother is a New York City Public School Teacher and his cousin a New York City middle school principal. Rux's older brother died of AIDS-related complications.

Rux's home, a Victorian Brownstone in the Fort Greene Brooklyn section of New York City, has been photographed by Stefani Georgani and frequently featured in home decor magazines and coffee table books internationally, including Elle Decor UK.

Activism

Rux joined New Yorkers Against Fracking, organized by singer Natalie Merchant, calling for a fracking ban on natural gas drilling using hydraulic fracturing. A concert featuring Rux, Merchant, actors Mark Ruffalo and Melissa Leo and musicians Joan Osborne, Tracy Bonham, Toshi Reagon, Citizen Cope, Meshell Ndegeocello and numerous others was held in Albany, N.Y., and resulted in public protests.

Rux was a co-producer (through a partnership between MAPP International and Harlem Stage) and curator of WeDaPeoples Cabaret, an annual event regarding citizens without borders in a globally interdependent world. A longtime resident and homeowner in Fort Greene Brooklyn, Carl Rux worked with the Fort Greene association and New York philanthropist Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel to erect a cultural medallion at the Carlton Avenue home where novelist Richard Wright lived and penned his seminal work, Native Son. Rux is a member of Take Back the Night, a foundation seeking to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence.

Honors, awards, and grants

Rux was featured in Interview Magazine's "One To Watch" and New York Times Magazine's "Thirty Under Thirty". His essay Eminem: The New White Negro was selected for Da Capo's Best Music Writing 2004. Rux's radio documentary "Walt Whitman: Songs of Myself" was awarded the New York Press Club Journalism award for Entertainment News.

[kristarantsandmuses]

Quaranthings: Korean Dramas

It’s been a while, Tumblr. LOL I haven’t posted in a while – but we are living in a time of pandemic. I have never thought such day would come but here we are.

It has been 41 days since Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was implemented in Manila – and I have managed to catch up on my Korean drama backlog.

Thanks to streaming sites like Viu and Netflix, I have spent countless hours just catching up on the latest dramas (The King: Eternal Monarch, Itaewon Class) and the ones I have not finished watching (Mr. Sunshine, Reply 1997, Go Back Couple, Kill Me, Heal Me, My Love from the Stars). I also found time to rewatch my favorites (Secret Garden, Innocent Man).

The last one I watched was Mr. Sunshine. The writer, Kim Eun Sook, tells the story of a Joseon slave-turned-American soldier named Eugene Choi and a noble named Go Ae Sin – and the people around them: the mysterious samurai Go Dong Mae; the rich playboy Kim Hee Seong; and the beautiful, rich heiress/double agent named Hina Kudo. Set in the early years of the Korean Empire (led by Emperor Gojong), the drama depicted the political turbulence of the time: the traditional Joseon ways clashing with that of imperialists as well as the personal struggles of each character. Then there’s storge, eros, philia, and agape - I’ll probably write another review of that because in terms of writing, I think this is the best Kim Eun Sook drama. 

 I have been meaning to write something like this, but I guess I was inspired to share with the world why I love Korean dramas – like it really is a hill I would die on anytime.

Some weeks ago, a Filipino director openly tweeted his disdain for Korean dramas. In his words, he said that Filipino movies and tv are “doomed” because of “K-drama galore: faux Cinderella stories with belofied whiter than white actors. And it’s all about love in the midst of pandemic.”

 LMFAO. I had to laugh.

It came from a director with reputable filmography – I mean I loved two (2) of his films for their social commentary but I have to ask.

How many Korean dramas have you watched – LOL don’t tell me you only watched Crash Landing on You.

HELLO, ITAEWON CLASS WAS IN THE TOP 10. DID YOU WATCH THAT? Did you watch the rags-to-riches story of Park Saeroyi and his quest for justice to defeat the biggest food company, Janga Corporation?

Have you watched Sky Castle? The compelling story of rich families and their schemes to get their children into the best universities?

 How about the Reply series? A nostalgic drama that tells the story of families, youth, and the times they lived in – 1994, 1997, 1988 – the nostalgia was fucking rich. I especially enjoyed 1994 and 1997.

Did you check out Another Oh Hae Young: a woman struggling to come into terms with her personal insecurities? Or have you picked up on It’s Okay, That’s Love: a romantic drama that properly tackled mental illness (the lead had schizophrenia).

From personal experience and the vast filmography of Korean dramas I have seen, let me point out why Korean dramas are the best – and why they’re so fucking addicting. I would have to say that this is not a research paper but rather a lengthy analysis based on my 12-year experience as a Korean drama enthusiast.

 1.      Creative value

Every drama starts with a great plot.

Sure, many Korean dramas are romantic. In fact, most of the Korean dramas I have seen in the early 2000s are romantic: Autumn in my Heart; Stairway to Heaven; Winter Sonata; Full House; My Name is Kim Sam Soon; and Princess Hours. There’s also Memories of Bali; I’m Sorry I Love You; and Coffee Prince. These dramas actually launched the Hallyu (Korean wave) that we know today – and their plots have the typical Korean drama romantic equation: guy meets girl – they don’t get along at first – then they fall in love – misunderstandings (or separation) ensues – reunited – fall in love again – they get married or end up together (or a lead dies). Then there are the non-romantic ones (historical): Jewel in the Palace and Jumong.

But as time went on, you see that the genres become varied – we started seeing action dramas (one of my favorites was Time Between Dog and Wolf) and medical dramas. Then there were dramas that also featured how Korean dramas were made (The World We Live In).

Korean dramas have varying plots that get recycled in many instances but with great plots also come characterization. The characters we see in dramas remind us of real people – we always relate to a character and we all get frustrated when they make stupid decisions (the Noble Idiot Syndrome) that really do not make sense. At the end of the day, we want happy endings for those who deserve happiness – we want justice served, we want closures, etc. because that’s how humans are.

In many romantic dramas, plots are reused but no character is the same. They would have similar traumas but never the same, carbon-copied character. There are villains you want to kill and then there are villains you sympathize with – because you realize that humans are multilayered, complicated creatures.

 2.      Production value

Another observation I have with Korean dramas is their careful attention to details. When writers create the script, they somewhat have actors in mind to play the character. In Korean dramas, they don’t really care about love teams. In the Philippines, we produce dramas based on the hottest pairs. In Korea, they don’t give a shit about that. Dramas are produced with the intention of creating a meaningful production so actors are chosen based on whether the writers and producers think they can bring their characters to life, not because they are the hottest commodity. In some dramas, actors have to audition, but in many instances, scripts are sent to actors with potential to perfectly portray the character.

Prior to filming, writers, actors, and production staff would spend a day or two in story conferences – actors would have the opportunity to discuss with everyone how he or she thinks his/her character is like. The directors and writers would provide their input on how the characters should talk, act, etc. Actors would also take the extra mile to learn a skill or two for the characters they played. They would have dialect coaches, language instructors, etc. Writers would consult with professionals – for instance, in many medical or legal dramas, they would hire doctors or lawyers on board to verify accuracy of terms. During broadcast, you would even see the jargon on screen to simplify them for the audience. In historical dramas, you would also see the terms used (in Chinese characters) and explain them in hangul.

During filming, you’d see how the staff has placed much attention on details – from the wardrobe to the set. You would also see themes, symbols, etc. The production aspect is really like how movies are: vivid, deliberate, beautiful. Who would’ve thought red pinwheels would make me tear up? 

Each drama has a particular soundtrack – can I just say that Korean dramas have the best soundtrack. Each song played in a specific scene perfectly conveys the mood and feelings of the character. I have cried so many times listening to Park Hyo Shin’s “Snow Flower” (I’m Sorry I Love You) or Ji Sun’s ”Goodbye Without Saying Goodbye) (My Name is Kim Sam Soon). On my Spotify account you would see I have played Goblin, DOTS, and CLOY OSTs countless times.

In the past, dramas are not really pre-produced (meaning script came a week or two before filming). There are dramas wherein halfway through the broadcast, they had to switch writers because the earlier writer had a falling out with the production – so you’d see that the quality suffers (story plots would go crazy lol). There are dramas wherein they had to replace the actors because of scandals or accidents. In the last 5 years however, Korean dramas have become pre-produced: meaning the dramas will be filmed 6 months-2 years before being broadcasted. I guess this aspect has contributed to the fact that many Korean dramas are already available on streaming sites.

 3.      Cultural value

Each drama gives us a slice of the Korean culture – food, drink, skincare, attraction, and history. And noraebang (karaoke). Every romcom Korean drama has to have a scene at the noraebang...or jimjilbang (sauna). 

Modern and traditional Korean dramas have to feature food: Korean barbecue, stew, side dishes. LOL you name it. There’s also soju, beer, and makgeoli. BEER AND CHICKEN. 

In most modern Korean dramas, makeovers are a must. You would see product placements of known Korean products: Laneige, Etude House, Nature Republic, etc. The characters would go shopping in a particular shop like The North Face. Their coffee dates would be in one of these (Caffe Bene, Dal.Komm, HOLLYS, Zoo Café, Mango Six). They would buy their cakes or bread from Paris Baguette or Tous Les Jours.

Then there are road trips – many Korean dramas would feature a particular attraction, province, or city. Who can forget Nami Island (thanks Winter Sonata) or Namsan Seoul Tower (Boys Over Flower) or Petite France (Secret Garden, My Love from the Stars)? Of course, you can’t forget Busan (Reply 1997) or Jeju (Warm and Cozy) or Gangwon-do. It is definitely a K-drama fangirl’s dream to be able to visit in one of these places so we can relive our favorite Korean drama moments.

All of Korean dramas I have seen put emphasis on family – the importance of filial piety is always highlighted. The characters are often portrayed as dutiful daughters or sons. Conflicts often ensue when the character is challenged to choose between the parents or the love of his/her life (well in most Korean dramas that’s the case lol). Many dramas portray characters who try to be the good daughter-in-law and yet nothing is ever good enough. Then there are subtle flexes on Korea as an emerging superpower as seen by drama characters (chaebols) who head conglomerates. There is always a character who is filthy rich and can afford a billionaire lifestyle. Product placements include big companies like Samsung, Hyundai, etc.

Slice-of-life dramas also depict the realities in Korean society. Because This is My First Life and Something in the Rain aptly depicted the realities of harassment in the workplace from a woman’s experience. Many Korean dramas also relay harsh realities: meritocracy in the workplace; young adults juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet, etc.; even real estate situations are featured. Often you would find characters renting a small room because that’s all they can afford. From the dramas you would also notice that Koreans are not very kind towards single mothers or orphans. Then of course, there’s the North and South Korea situation: Crash Landing on You, Doctor Stranger, Spy Myeong-Wol, Descendants of the Sun are a few dramas that discussed this theme. The Reply series is a nostalgia drama featuring families that lived through some of important events in South Korea like the Seoul Olympics (1988), Asian financial crisis (1997), Sampoong Department Store collapse (1995), and the historic World Cup (2002).

Korean historical dramas are also interesting on their own – I guess until now, the Japanese occupation of Korea is still a sensitive matter for Koreans. Many of the dramas that feature such themes always depict the resilience and resolve of Koreans as they try to fight off the enemy. Yes, the scenes are depicted artistically, and the thought lingers long after the episode is over.

In terms of marketing, the government has also been proactive. With the Korean Wave (Hallyu), Korean dramas, as well as films, music, food, etc. have become an important commodity overseas. In 2016, Korean Culture Center wrote that Descendants of the Sun was sold to 27 countries, posting a profit of over KRW 10 billion (Php 412 million). The government acknowledges the important contribution of Korean dramas in tourism. Numerous papers have already been published showing the effect of hallyu in the South Korea tourism industry.

 To make the long story short:

Korean dramas have gone beyond “faux Cinderella stories with belofied whiter than white actors”.  I mean, if you want to produce a quality drama, it takes time and effort. Personally it has become a great escape from the realities I face. I do not welcome opinions that clearly spring out of snobbery and disdain for another person’s craft. Perhaps the director can look beyond the Top 10 (since that’s what he mentioned) and check out the wide selection on Netflix. Viu is also a great platform (I’ll start on World of the Married – been hearing and reading about it lol)

Hallyu did not flourish overnight, and the Korean drama industry – while a great model to cite – is also not perfect. There have been numerous cases and instances when staff are overworked or not paid long after the production is over. The #MeToo movement has also exposed some actors who have harassed fellow actors. If we want Filipino dramas to enjoy the same spotlight as that of the Korean dramas, we should be frank about the outputs we have had. We have potential, but it really is up to the decision-makers (at least from the network perspective since it’s all about profits and star value rather than quality production in the Philippines) to come up with a formula that would revitalize Filipino dramas. I can’t say the same for Filipino films because we have great films – the dramas need much work to be profitable. I mean, are we really satisfied with a few dramas being sold overseas? When will we produce dramas that are at par with our Korean chingus? If you want Filipino dramas to be streamed on Netflix or Hulu or Apple TV – maybe we can look at genres beyond police brutality or infidelity or hacienderos harboring a secret child somewhere.

 Anyway, Korean dramas are awesome – and that’s the tea.

[odium-amare]

MBTI Types as Makeup Brands

ISFJ: Fenty Beauty

Tries to be innovative with flashy names, but surprisingly plays it safe when it comes to colors and not that much interesting variations. 

ISTJ: bareMinerals

It’s been around for some time with pretty quality products, but no one ever really seems to notice or talk about it. 

ENFJ: Clinique

Charming, lovely, proper and for some reason, always takes the most space in everyone’s eyes at every beauty counter. 

ENTJ: Huda Beauty 

Tries too hard to be bold and intimidating, but comes off vain and obnoxious instead. 

ISFP: Kat Von D

Emo and problematic, but hey, that’s an aesthetic right? 

ISTP: NYX

Portable, but it’s suspiciously too useful of a substitute for other makeup products, one has to take a closer look. 

ESFJ: Too Faced

What a befitting name. Its ostentatious colors and packaging looks like it belongs in a Barbie universe? 

ESTJ: Shiseido 

Disciplined and quality if not kind of...Basic. 

INFJ: Skinfood

Too focused on looking deep within they might as well sell 100% all skincare products instead. 

INTJ: NARS

I am professional and pretentious. Love me. 

ESFP: Kylie Cosmetics

I like to look more expensive than I really am, but you don’t need to know that cause I need the schmoney. 

ESTP: Urban Decay

Edgy and full of dirty makeup names is just my style. 

INFP: Etude House

Too adorable with such soft pigmentation, I’m basically too delicate for this world. 

INTP: Morphe

Muted packaging and don’t really seem to know what they’re doing, but they seem to be surviving.

ENFP: Colourpop

Surprisingly quality and cute, but can’t seem to promote itself to high end. 

ENTP: MAC

They like to think they’re more creative than they actually are. 

[applegelstore]

Fic: The Magic Flute, Violin, Viola, and Clarinet

Tales of Zestira, Gen

(what else)

Summary:

Little Rose makes friends with some other kids in the orchestra. She then proceeds to incorporate her new friends into her business plans.

AO3 Link here!

Or hit the cut to read on tumblr!

Hey look it has pictures. If you’re ONLY here for those, check out the post with the isolated pictures! (also because tumblr fucks up pictures within posts)

CREDITS:

@jadeluminescence wrote a few lines; namely, she fueled me on tumblr with ideas for the weird magical girl powers that little Sorey comes up with; I really wanted to include her ideas because it warmed my ice cold heart with warm and fuzzy feelings to see somebody else adding to my ideas on their own volition.

@pengiesama was so infinitely kind and beta’d for me to make my sentences 100% better readable. All remaining mistakes and bad decisions are my own. She also wrote me two one-shots from that same universe earlier, so if you enjoyed this, I highly recommend you check out her take on the theme! Here’s the AO3 Links: One Two

Rose was about nine-something years old when she met Sorey and Mikleo. They played in the same junior orchestra that she recently got into, and soon they’d go to the same school together in Marlind, so it was in everyone’s best interest that they’d get along. It was additionally in Rose’s best interest to get along with Alisha.

Alisha Diphda was the latest addition to the junior orchestra, and clearly needed Rose’s guidance. What else would you expect from the illegitimate daughter of some filthy rich dude of old noble ancestry? She’d been raised in some big fancy mansion and, up until recently, had been homeschooled by private tutors. She was very lost in this world, and Rose was the one who would have to teach her social skills. But that was okay – Rose had already planned to sit behind her in every class so she could drop frogs down her blouse, as needed. She’d simply draft up some paperwork to take her share of the Diphda family’s business as compensation for her hard work.

It aligned with Rose’s business plans that neither Alisha nor the boys were particularly hard to get along with, and they seemed to share her ambitious plans for the junior orchestra (such as playing with the adults some day, and patiently explaining to them that it was very cool to play the opening song  from your favourite show on your clarinet even though you were supposed to practice that Mozart piece whose name you forgot because usually they were all just named “etude in G major” or whatever.)

However, despite the easy familiarity, the boys were profoundly weird. They were both able to remember with terrifying accuracy which piece was part of which opera, or oratorio, or symphony, and which composer had written the particular “etude in G major” that they were currently playing. Sorey didn’t really mind if you pointed that out to him – he would just grin at you, and continue to blabber about what you had previously pointed out as weird. Mikleo did mind it, but he brought it upon himself, really. It was one thing, and plainly a fact, that some people needed glasses – but it was another thing to wear blue-rimmed fat spectacles that covered almost half his face, screamed “I sit in the first row at school,” and looked like they were pulled straight out of a cartoon.

Alisha was. Well. Alisha.

They had gathered at Mikleo’s house in the (terribly tiny and irritatingly quiet) town of Camlann to practice their parts for their first orchestra performance together – mostly because they were out of other options. Sorey’s house was next door, but his parents were basically never at home, and he might as well have lived with Mikleo and his mum. Rose was an orphan and lived in a crowded little place with a friend of her late father and various members of his rock band. In the same house lived Dezel, whom she valued as the only person who could counter her throwing kazoos – as every good adoptive big brother should be able to do. However, there was no way Alisha’s father would allow her to come to a place like that, so it wasn’t even worth discussing.

The downside of Mikleo’s place was that it was Sunday, and they never really got much practice done there on Sundays. Sundays meant that Uncle Michael was at home.

(Uncle Michael was, of course, only Mikleo’s uncle – but since Mikleo shared basically everything with Sorey, why shouldn’t they share Uncle Michael as well? This was why Rose only ever heard of him as “Uncle Michael”. The first time she had come to visit, Michael brought a tiny reconstruction of an ancient hydraulic organ. The boys had been so fascinated with it that they wouldn’t do anything unless it involved the organ. She had to admit that it had been fun to play with the pipes, and to see what happens if you blow into them, and to annoy Mikleo because “that’s not how you play an organ”. Sometimes Mikleo’s mum would come in, smile at everyone, bring them waffles with whipped cream and maple syrup, ruffle Michael’s hair, and leave again. All of this without anyone batting an eye or making a comment.)

Michael burst into the living room and yelled: “I brought new samples!”

Sorey and Mikleo visibly lit up, and promptly dropped their instruments, so apparently this particular scenario of Uncle Michael bringing home “samples” took place on a regular basis and needed no further explanation. The “samples” were a whole assortment of smaller items, presumably more reconstructions of ancient instruments, and a big one wrapped in cloth that made it look like a tube.

Michael arranged the smaller ones on the floor for the children to see. Rose really liked the ancient harp because it was made of bones and a turtle’s shell. Alisha, however, was clearly disgusted. She idly plucked the strings on the wooden lyre, though.

Another item looked like a fly swatter without a net, except it had interesting metal pins stuck through its sides. They looked like spoons, but Rose figured they would still make decent spikes if need be. She gripped one of them between two fingers, but was stopped in her tracks.

“I think you’re supposed to rattle it,” Sorey whispered.

Rose shot him a glare. She fully expected some weird curse to fall upon them when they used the rattle, or a dragon to fall from the skies and eat them up for breakfast. She greatly preferred the latter option because she disliked ghost stories and disapproved of curses that were laid upon her without her being able to physically touch and punch the culprit.

“Rose, you also play winds, don’t you? This one should be more to your liking,” Michael said and unwrapped the big package.

It looked like a wooden cannon, and had white and red animals painted on the outside, which Sorey and Mikleo clearly appreciated if Sorey’s little squeals of delight were anything to go by. Rose expected him to start discussing which cave painting this reminded him of.

“It’s called a didgeridoo,” Michael announced and gestured the children to sit still, watch and listen. “They’re still used in folk music in Zaphgott Moor, so this is a new one, fresh from the man who built it. But they’ve been in use for at least three thousand years. I’ve been thinking about investigating their relation to the woodwinds used in Hyland at that time.”

“What does it sound like?” Mikleo asked.

Michael brought the mouthpiece to his lips and blew into it to demonstrate. The didgeridoo made a deep, deep humming noise that sounded distinctively different from any instrument used in a modern orchestra. It piqued Rose’s interest for being exotic, and potentially exploitable. If all else failed, she could surely just drop it on people’s heads if she didn’t like their opinions.

Alisha and the boys stared at Michael with wide eyes. Rose could have sworn there were sparkles in them.

“Who wants to try?” Michael asked them and handed over the didgeridoo.

Mikleo sat in the middle, so he stretched out his hands to take it. It wasn’t as heavy as it looked, but it was unwieldy. This didn’t keep the other kids from clinging to his back and shoulders. Rose peeked into the mouthpiece to check for any curses or dragons.

“Don’t lean on me,” Mikleo complained, which earned him a pout from Sorey that he didn’t see. “I wanna try this and you’re in the way.”

The didgeridoo was bigger than any of the kids were tall, so Mikleo opted to stand on the sofa to blow into it. The sound it made wasn’t exactly what any of the children expected. Because it didn’t sound anything like what Michael had just done with it, and instead sounded more like what happens when you pout and then blow through your closed lips. Except with a loud echo.

It wasn’t what Mikleo expected to come out of the things he usually blew into at all, and he backed away from the instrument with a slightly disgusted face. Sorey fell over and rolled with laughter.

“I’m still figuring this out,” Mikleo grumbled.

“See how big it is and how large the mouthpiece is designed?” Michael explained with admirable patience. He wasn’t usually patient enough to deal with anyone (child or not) who couldn’t immediately follow his university-level lectures on additive rhythm in music composed during the Temperance of Avarost. People had reported first-semester students leaving with headaches. Luckily, he had more empathy for a lack of air in a tiny boy’s lungs. “There’s no way you could make high-pitched sounds with this like you would with a C-tuned standard Hyland concert flute. It also means you can’t purse your lips the same way you do with your flute. See?”

Mikleo nodded in understanding.

Rose nodded in a different kind of understanding. She drew Sorey and Alisha close and mumbled low: “Do you think the people in Zaphgott Moor would pay good money to see their traditional giant music cannon thingy on a big stage?”

“There should be a movie with those!” Sorey decided. “A musical! To show how the magic in the instruments works.” He waved his hands around to explain. Which didn’t help at all, but he wasn’t bothered by such trivialities.

“Magic?” Alisha piped up.

“Yep! Like, the didgeridoo would be used as a cannon in ancient days. It’s the heroes’ secret weapon which can only be used if they all combine their magic powers into one to create the force of void!”

Rose didn’t dare to ask which powers, but luckily (or unfortunately?) Alisha did it for her. Even Mikleo let the didgeridoo be for a second and turned back to them with one eyebrow raised in curiosity.

“So, imagine if we could all summon magic with the songs we play? Like the heroes in the ancient myths?” Sorey babbled on. “You know what happens if you wear one of these cheap sweaters and then rub Oysh’s fur and get an electric shock? Imagine if I could send shocks like these from my violin strings!”

“What’s my power then?” Mikleo inquired.

“How about you can control the flow of water if you play your flute? And when you play staccatos, the water freezes!”

“And what does the piano do?”

“That one can make the water dance! The louder you play, the bigger the drops!”

This was going into a direction Rose could get behind. “Well, what’s my ability?” she asked.

“Rose, you can… uuuuuh, shoot knives out of your clarinet.”

Rose narrowed her eyes. “That’s not magic.”

“It would totally be magic if you could fit knives into a clarinet’s mouthpiece,” Michael pointed out, but he was ignored.

“I’m still thinking!” Sorey retorted. “Alisha can make magical sound waves!”

Mikleo raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t we just establish that we all have magical sound waves? You should make up your mind how the song magic works before you assign any powers to us.”

“You wanted me to make up powers for you!”

“Excuse me for assuming you had thought ahead then. I should have known better.”

Sorey opted to tackle him and throw him off the sofa to tickle him. The resulting scene resembled kittens at play – always going for the necks but miraculously always being left unharmed in the process. Alisha looked down at them in shock. Clearly she had never been in a good old pillow fight brawl. Rose had so much yet to teach her.

Michael silently gathered his “samples” to get them out of the way of harm, so all of this was presumably normal. He waited until both boys were out of breath from laughter and leaned their backs on the sofa. Michael crouched down in front of them and tousled Sorey’s hair. Mikleo was already busy fixing his own (and his glasses).

“So, to get back to the topic. What’s your expert opinion? How’s the tuning?”

“The flutes all sound weird. Like half a note off,“ Mikleo mumbled.

“More like three quarters,” Sorey added. “The lyres were also three quarters. All of them.”

“I liked the sistrum,” Rose chirped.

“Well, they’re modeled after instruments used roughly two thousand years and some ago, so naturally they must be tuned differently than your modern standard Hyland concert tuned instruments. Thank you, guys. I knew I could count on you.”

He left the children alone to play. Or to continue practicing; whatever they’d fancy. Except Sorey couldn’t concentrate for the life of him. He picked up his violin and glanced down at it with longing.

Sorey usually only looked that sad when you tried to take Mikleo-time away from him for some reason. And making Sorey sad was very much like kicking a puppy. Rose would never kick a puppy, even if Dezel wasn’t there to scold anyone who’d dare, but she just knew that she wouldn’t be able to bear the guilt of doing it. It was the same with trying to imagine making Sorey sad on purpose. You just didn’t do it. There were evil people, and there were people so wicked to the bone that they kicked puppies and made Sorey sad. She would never be one of them. She was a good girl, after all. She understood the gravity of the whole situation.

“You know… it would really be cool if we could summon magic with our music. We could make it rain if it’s too dry in the summer, or summon wind to make the old windmill run, and save kittens from trees,” Sorey mused.

Mikleo wiggled close to him again and silently guided him to lay his head on his shoulder. Sorey accepted with a dramatic sigh. There was a minute of silence.

“I would love to know how you save kittens from trees with music,” Alisha eventually offered.

Cute, but Alisha still wasn’t seeing the full potential of things.

“I would love to see you show a bit more business sense!” Rose scolded. “It would make a great show, don’t you think? Captain Sorey and his merry music friends saving the world with the power of music! Every week! But we still have to add some murder and mystery and a giant space monster who was banished from the realm of giant space monsters to earth as punishment for enraging the queen of the elves, otherwise it’s boring.”

Sorey beamed. “I don’t know about a show, but we could make it an opera! Then we can make Lailah sing the part of the queen of the elves.”

Rose nodded gravely and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Leave it to Rose Sparrowfeather. She’s got big plans. If she’s to stay in this orchestra, she’s gonna make it big. I’m gonna give your old Gramps a hint that it would be a cool birthday present.”

It took a little longer than little Rose would have anticipated. More than eight years.

But now, she was finally basking in the feeling of seeing the final product of her production on stage. It was surprisingly high quality for an opera whose plot was the product of a nine-year-old’s vivid imagination, and which dealt with a bunch of kids saving the world from evil forces with the power of music and also friendship. It had been a bit of a challenge, since Zenrus’ orchestra was a bit peculiar. It wasn’t a full in-house orchestra with contract-bound musicians and a choir; it was a hobbyist orchestra. A good hobbyist orchestra, mind you. You had to audition to get in. But you were not bound to stay, and you weren’t paid either. People moved. People got new jobs. People lost interest. And Zenrus was only a good natured professor emeritus who didn’t want to fully retire yet, and he had little funds to compensate his people for what they were doing. Ticket sales went to an allowance for special expenditures. Many of the people stayed for years (Sorey and Mikleo had pretty much been born into it. It was probably okay that they had had little say in the matter as infants because they never complained). It was great, in a way. It was refreshing, and welcoming, because you got to know many different people who all actually wanted to be there.

It was fun, but it wasn’t ambitious enough yet to support the dreams of a bunch of nine- or ten-year-olds.

Zenrus had insisted on writing the music himself – anything for little Sorey (Nevermind Sorey was no longer little.) That was the easy part. The part that actually took Rose eight years was growing up, and letting her ambitions grow alongside her.

She procured a loan from a source she didn’t tell anybody about to get some top-notch solo singers. The light show was a sight to behold. Milla had offered to provide some special effects for the magic music that the protagonists would be producing, but Zenrus had gently but insistently argued against real fire on stage, or a landslide. But he granted that a bit of rain and wind wouldn’t hurt, as long as the orchestra wasn’t in range to get watered like a bunch of flowers, or have their sheet music blown away by the fans.

By now, Zenrus was living his dream of adopting a collection of small kids who may or may not need actual adoption by mentoring a ten-year-old named Laphicet (or Phi, for short.) Phi would have jumped a cliff for the chance to conduct an opera (if his aunt didn’t stop him in the process), so he stood next to Zenrus during all the performances to learn what he could. Since little Phi was already taller than him, and also had such an obnoxiously wide smile on his face that it visibly lit up the entire orchestra hall, it was hard to overlook him. The main difficulty for the orchestra was following what Zenrus was doing with his baton, not what Phi was doing (He tried his best to copy Zenrus’ movements, and he did a good job on it, too, but it was still distracting to see this little kid stealing the entire show.)

It was worth the effort, though. Phi’s presence added to the performance. Nobody even dared to think of talking him out of the idea that the singers on stage were his chosen holy warriors and he was the god of the conductor’s baton.

Rose basked in the spotlights as they highlighted her during the applause, stepping in front of the stage, ready to (more or less) humbly accept the cheers that were due for her job as producer. And oh dear, did she bask in it.

Two weeks after the premiere, Rose counted the sold tickets. A broad grin split her face as she waved a sheet with the final count in front of Sorey’s face.

“So? You happy with your own personal little opera?” Rose said and tried to rest her elbow on Sorey’s shoulder. “Tried,” because he was like almost a head taller than her, and she had a nagging suspicion that he wasn’t even done growing yet. But she was athletic and always up for a challenge.

He beamed. “I love it! My favourite thing is the light effects and the waterfall scene with the rainbow.”

“No shit. I was talking about the sales, but okay. Good old Zenrus sure knows his craft. And I bet Lailah’s aria alone would have been enough to squeeze that applause out of the audience every damn time. I told ya the minute you slap classical music over it, the people eat up everything as high culture. Shakespeare. Offenbach. Just everything about the Magic Flute. I mean, our plot isn’t much dumber. See what I mean?”

“Well, I do. But Shakespeare’s plays were the Renaissance equivalent of soap operas, and nobody took Schikaneder’s libretto seriously even after Mozart had written music for it…”

“Ksh. Ksssssh. We’re no longer friends if you keep talking.” Rose punched him gently in the shoulder when she couldn’t keep up leaning on it any longer. “So. What next? Phi told me you made friends with his aunt and her metal band…”

[ms-m-astrologer]

Transiting Venus enters Virgo

July 9 - August 6, 2018

The traditional Virgo flower is the aster:

Astrologer Isabel Hickey wrote:

Venus is in its fall in Virgo. This is an indication that the critical and analytical mind is far from an understanding of love. When a person has Venus in Virgo they may be discriminating and proper but they are extremely unloving and apt to be faultfinding. They have not yet learned to love and have difficulty in attracting love because of their own lack. They can change, and the secret is hidden in the higher meaning of Virgo: service and humbleness of heart. Willing to be nothing in order than the hidden Christ can come forth.

Since this is transiting Venus, we can expect some of that Venus/Leo luster to flag and falter, over the next 29 days. The morning after?!? Most of the aspects which follow are of the flowing variety, but remember that “flowing” only means “easy access.”

The people I’ve known with Venus/Virgo are true tightwads. We’re definitely not liable to overspending during this transit! There could be some instances of the opposite of “penny wise and pound foolish” - namely, “pound wise and penny foolish” - know what I mean? The kind of selfishly false economy where one skimps on the necessities in order to continue the luxuries.

Venus/Virgo values can be truly admirable. For example, my Venus Rx/Virgo mother was on board with the beginning of the 1970s recycling craze as soon as it happened. (She had been a teenager during World War 2, when the US had scrap metal drives, rubber drives, newspaper drives, etc. etc.) We value practicality, sustainability, and efficiency.

The Venus/Virgo approach to art, on the other hand, can be a little quirky and unusual. If you ever read the interviews John Lennon did with “Playboy,” just before his assassination, you’ll find that he repeatedly refers to the songs he wrote as “pieces of work.” He’s even on record, in an earlier interview (1968 IIRC), as comparing the blues to building chairs. No “art for art’s sake” with this crowd - everything has to be functional.

Reminders: Venus enters Libra, her own sign, on August 6; she enters her upcoming retrograde zone on September 2, at 25:20 Libra; she stations Rx on Friday, October 5, and stations direct on Friday, November 16; she finally leaves her Rx zone on Monday, December 17, at 10:50 Scorpio. What house(s) will she be backwards in?

Celebrities with Venus in Virgo:

John Lennon, Meghan Markle, Chrisses Hemsworth and Pine, Carrie Fisher, Natalie Wood, Sylvia Plath, John D. Rockefeller, Bill Murray, Martha Stewart, Johann von Goethe, Neil Armstrong, Marcel Proust, Joni Mitchell, Guy de Maupassant, Louis Armstrong, Toni Braxton, Julie Andrews, Mark Hamill, Lucille Ball, Louis Vuitton, Debra Messing, Diana Rigg, John McCain, Henry Ford, Pele, Joan Jett

Wednesday, July 11, Uranus/Taurus trine Venus/Virgo, 2:16

Some new ideas about practical, efficient sustainability - again, you Southern Hemisphere folks have the advantage with planning your gardens. I suppose if Venus/Virgo is ever going to drop a lot of change, it would be now, for a premium top of the line composter or something. There’s a Cancer Moon too, helping the energy find a focus.

Planets/Points affected lie between 1:16 and 3:16 of the yang signs Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.

Friday, July 13, Saturn Rx/Capricorn trine Venus/Virgo, 4:39

This trine can sometimes manifest as a kind of “be nice to the grandparents” thing, Chauffeur them on their errands, do their yardwork, mop their kitchen floor for them, etc. It’s also really auspicious for the more classical art forms - if you’re working on some excruciating Chopin etude, this can help you find your way through it. And again, if we spend money, it’s going to be for something of timeless quality, like a beige Burberry trenchcoat.

Planets/Points affected lie between 3:39 and 5:39 of the yin signs Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.

Sunday, July 15, Juno/Taurus trine Venus/Virgo, 6:21; Monday, July 16, Ceres/Virgo conjunct Venus/Virgo, 7:33

This interesting little line-up will include a Virgo Moon, on the 15th, so let’s revel in the womanliness! There’s a particularly strong emphasis on family and community; we want to find the practical things to do to ensure that everyone has their basic needs met. Partnerships are more of the “working” kind and take on more traditional aspects.

Planets/Points affected lie between 5:21 and 8:33 of the yin signs Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces; and between 6:33 and 8:33 of the yang signs Aries*, Gemini*, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius*, and Aquarius*.

Sunday, July 22, Jupiter/Scorpio sextile Venus/Virgo, 13:32

Thank goodness Venus is in Virgo, putting the brakes on all that excess! Still, the excess might turn up as excessive restraint and prudishness. This is an “11th House,” waning sextile, so a better use of the energy would be to find and join a group of congenial people trying to make the world a better place. It might be the luckiest thing you ever do. There’s a Scorpio Moon on the 21st, inspiring us to act on our best hopes.

Planets/Points affected lie between 12:32 and 14:32 of the yin signs Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.

Tuesday, July 24, Neptune Rx/Pisces opposite Venus/Virgo, 16:09

And this is where the legendary Virgo critical nagging rears its ugly head. Our ideals are so lofty and exalted that nothing and no one can ever match up. We may sacrifice ourselves for an unworthy goal; we may guilt-trip everyone around us on our own personal martyr trips. The day’s Capricorn Moon suggests that there’s a lack of self-worth behind the shenanigans.

Planets/Points affected lie between 15:09 and 17:09 of the signs Taurus, Gemini*, Cancer, Virgo*, Scorpio, Sagittarius*, Capricorn, and Pisces*; and between 0:09 and 2:09 of the fixed signs Taurus*, Leo*, Scorpio*, and Aquarius*.

Friday, July 27, Pluto Rx/Capricorn trine Venus/Virgo, 19:38

On the day of a scary lunar eclipse, this trine can help us survive the difficulties by giving us a sense of integral connection to The Universe. We can find a place where we can make real contributions. This is an influence also for “official” legal relationships, for doing the traditional cultural relationship things. Unfortunately, this may also make the capitalist patriarchy seem more attractive. Resist!

Planets/Points affected lie between 18:38 and 20:38 of the yin signs Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.

Monday, July 30, Vesta Rx/Sagittarius square Venus/Virgo, 22:09; Sun/Leo (7:46) semi-square Venus/Virgo (22:46)

The issue here is with finding and/or owning one’s valid personal identity - Venus/Virgo is persnickety and capricious. Nothing is perfect enough, least of all ourselves. The joys of a binary culture, I guess. If our identity is based on self-aggrandizement, then yes, we’ll never be satisfied. If we’re trying to “fit in,” we’ll never be able to contort ourselves properly. I keep seeing (on Facebook) a recommendation to always do my best - if at the end of the day, I know I’ve done my best, that’s accomplishment enough.

Planets/Points affected lie between 21:09 and 23:46 of the mutable signs Gemini*, Virgo*, Sagittarius*, and Pisces*; and between 6:09 and 8:46 of the fixed signs Taurus*, Leo*, Scorpio*, and Aquarius*.

[chocolate-bahhh]

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[farshyn]

KOREA 2018: Ehwa Womans University

Ehwa Womans University is one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea. It’s founded in 1886, and it’s also the largest women’s university in the world.

This high relief cherry blossom sculpture is a famous spot for taking photos. 

Ewha Womans University Fashion Street is one of the popular places to shop in Seoul. It’s lined with roadshops brands and trendy clothing stores. The prices are budget-friendly as it caters to students. 

Always a plant lady.

Neil and I found this quaint little flower shop. If we lived in Seoul, I would buy every time for our home. Every thing is so pretty and lovely, I could stare at them all day.

My dream of seeing a cotton stalk in person came true. lol. I wanted one for myself but decided against getting one because I wouldn’t be able to bring it intact in PH.

I’m honestly overwhelmed by makeup stores even if I watched plenty of beauty and shopping vlogs before going to Korea. Even then, I didn’t buy any as I already got what I need online.

I tried to look for a coat while the others were shopping at Etude House. There were plenty of good selection but it was way out of my budget.

Boyfriend duties.

The girls and I left the guys the guys at Starbucks while we looked for coats. We found ourselves in the back streets and that’s where we found better deals. There’s a coat shop with pretty good selection and the girl who assisted us was so nice and bubbly. She gave us huge discounts and we’re very thankful. I found a photo of her with a traveler on Instagram. 

Cheongyecheon Stream at night. We were supposed to go to Myeongdong that day but we didn’t want to get too tired of walking because we’ll go skiing the next day.