#Fari recommends

[trasheryy]

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

"A real loser is somebody who is so afraid of not winning they don't even try"

dir. Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

[dropoutbeatle]

If you guys have any movies, manga, books, and albums recommendations, please send me.

Music I love:

The Beatles - Rubber Soul

Devon Hendryx - The Ghost Pop Tape

Weezer - Pinkerton

Movies I love:

Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver

Studio Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart

Jonathan Dayton/ Valerie Faris’ Little Miss Sunshine

Mangas I love:

Keiko Takemiya’s Kaze to Ki no uta

Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Fire Punch

Yuko Osada and Kazuya Machida’s Shiori Experience

Books I love:

Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood

Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves

J. D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye

And yes, its ironic AS A BEATLES FAN to be a lover of Catcher in the Rye.

[book-report-101]

WINGS by Aprilynne (NON-SPOILERS)

Published: May 5, 2009

Demographic: Y/A

Summary:  A fifteen-year-old girl (Laurel) who discovers she is a faerie sent among humans to guard the gateway to Avalon.

My Opinion:

Will admit I read this book a few years ago.

In the beginning, I did quite enjoy the story, I found the lore to be interesting, and I did like the characters, however, when the character Tamani was introduced, I grew annoyed.

It became a love-triangle, and I failed to see the appeal of Tamani. The longer it went on, the less I cared about the characters, and therefore the plot. With an ending that infuriated me.

I later learned that this was a part of a series, but I did not read the rest of it. I did not care for this book, but if anyone wants to read it, go ahead, and if anyone disagrees, tell me why. I'd really like to hear it!

Cover Art:

[musette22]

So my sister and I are currently working our way through Chris's movies, and I wanted to recommend some to you, if that's okay - I saw that post about his movies, and no, you don't suck for not watching all of them.

You've already had recommendations for Snowpiercer - I have nothing to add there, just that it's really good.

Puncture is a very underrated film. There's quite a bit of Chris eye candy which is always nice. Personally it's one of my favourite performances from him along with Snowpiercer. He's so so good. There are some emotional bits though, so be prepared for that.

What's Your Number? is kinda a mixed bag. The plot is kinda weird and I don't love Anna Faris, but Chris is really good in this movie. My sister and I watched it purely for him and still enjoyed it. It's worth it for the basketball scene alone.

The Losers is also quite underrated imo. You know how Seb said Chris should do more comedy? Well this movie shows how good his comedic timing is. He has some great one liners here. Also he wears glasses the whole time, which he should do more.

That's all I can recommend at the moment, but I can update you on some more later, if you want.

Oh, you are so sweet 💖 Thank you so much!! I really appreciate this thoughtful message and the recommendations!! That's genuinely helpful 🫶🏼 Snowpiercer is definitely high on my list, but it's great to know what to expect with some of Chris's other movies as well.

I also don't love Anna Faris, which is the main reason I've steered clear of What's your number? so far, but if you say it's worth it for Chris (and the basketball scene 🔥) then I'll take your word for it!

The Losers does look fun, and it's got some great actors aside from Chris, so that one's going on the list too! I definitely think he's a natural at comedy so I am excited to see him use that comedic timing fully! (and the glasses don't hurt either 👀)

Thanks so much again for taking the time to share your thoughts and recommendations! When I watch another one, I'll make sure to share my thoughts on here too. And definitely feel free to let me know if you see any other movies of Chris's that are worth a watch! I'd really appreciate that. Hope you and your sister have fun watching!! 💞

[mysharona1987]

Movie opinion that would get you this reactions from film critics?

I’ll start. Anna Faris was better and more sympathetic in Lost in Translation than Scarlett was. Kelly was lonely…but ultimately a nice lady. She talked too much is all.

Charlotte was lonely too, but a snob, aloof and not a great person overall.

”Christ, not everyone went to Yale!”

Isn’t that how she got the role in Friends? Matthew Perry saw her in the film and recommended her.

[doukeshi-kun]

Icarus Falls by Kolyasangel is an untraumatised y/n and meeting Nikolai in a different circumstance

i have read some chapters of icarus falls and it's extremely fluffy! and fari's writing is absolutely beautiful. totally recommend it ❤️

[eemamminy-art]

What final fantasy games other than xiv have you played and how did you like them? I've slowly been playing the entire series more or less chronologically for almost three years now so I love hearing other people's opinions

Omg yeah! I've played all the mainline final fantasy games and some of the side games! I've been a huge fan of the series since I was a child! I'll throw out a few favorites in no particular order:

FFV - Not only does it have so many women in the cast, Faris absolutely changed my brain chemistry seeing her when I was just a tomboy child not willing to entertain the feelings I had about other girls 👀 Replaying it as an adult, I find Lenna to be a tremendously good character too-- one of those female characters that is so strong while still being so feminine!

FFVIII - My favorite! It is controversial because uh.. it has a plot point that people find very convenient so it kinda takes them out of the suspension of disbelief (I won't spoil it for you) and the battle system is very different from other titles and explained through dry tutorials so a lot of people found the gameplay frustrating. I adore it though 🥺 The main character is someone who begins the game very solitary and aloof, not wanting to connect with others, but as you proceed you learn it's because he has these deep-seated abandonment issues and it takes one very persistent girl who loves him to help him see that the power of love and friendship does indeed conquer all!! AHHHHH I love it so much! Highly underrated FF game!! (now just imagine if Squall was a butch and it would be UNBEATABLY PERFECT!! 😤🥴🥺🥰😏😳)

FFT - If you like the kind of writing that's in ARR/HW in XIV, you'll love FFT 👀 It's gritty, it's bleak, it's unfair, the world is cruel and fighting against the system that nobility has built up and maintained feels sisyphean, but god is it a good story! Also!!! Agrias is a lady knight sworn to protect Princess Ovelia, and they are one of the earliest examples of a solid femslash ship in the series!

FFTA - Completely different tone to FFT, the plot is basically that these four middle schoolers have miserable home lives and wish upon a magical book to go into their favorite video game. Life is so much better for them there, but they come to mature and learn a lot and overcome that intense desire for escapism and find ways to improve and cope with their lives in the real world! It lays the groundwork for the setting that later appears in FFXII, with races like bangaa, seeq, and viera! People usually pass up this game because it's not as dark as FFT was, but I adore it!! Also, the girl in the cast, Ritz, finds her self love by surrounding herself with viera while in the other world 👀 I'm not saying it was her lesbian awakening but it absolutely was

FFXII - Speaking of which, the same sort of things apply here as they did to FFT! It's a very dark storyline compared to other games, but it's so good! It's a lot more hopeful though, I would say! The main character is a disgraced Queen trying to reclaim her kingdom from an empire, while the character the player controls is a teenage boy in that lost kingdom who just wants freedom after losing everything and growing up under imperial rule. There's a lot of things that appear in XIV that are highly inspired by XII, so I for sure recommend it!

FFX - My second favorite! This is another game that has a strong female lead who is very feminine in her strength, but the supporting ladies are also amazing!! This game never fails to make me cry, it's so beautiful 🥺 If you have ever had issues with your family/parents this game will twist your heart and not let go-- same goes for anyone who has lost a close loved one. Probably the most accessible FF game to people who haven't played any before, as it is relatively straight-forward with the gameplay and has voice acting!

I feel like this has gone on long enough but!!! I COULD indeed go on!!!! There isn't a game in the series I've played that I disliked, at least among the main numbered games! Which games have you played so far? And what are your thoughts? :3 I feel like the earlier installments are harder to get into but from IV onward the series starts to really take shape into what it is by now!

[officialtayley]

i'll link a few i feel are important! under the videos will be a list of what is hopefully close to what you asked for in terms of events, lore, etc! /// omg this is Amazing!!!! THANK YOU so much for putting this together!! :) it’s been a week since I saw them in Cardiff and if I’m honest I’ve been wayy more hung up on them than TS (who I went there for 😅)

you're welcome!! <3 if there is anything else you want or any other questions or whatever then you're always welcome to ask :)

i didn't go into any detail about hayley's solo era or even halfnoise, which is zac's side project which was his main project before he rejoined the band, but i recommend listening to both of you haven't!

i also forgot to mention that when josh left in 2010, he shared in the blog post that he did not like a line in the song careful as he believed hayley was contradicting the bible even though she didn't mean it like that, he also told someone in the comments he found the song playing god unnecessary and hurtful.

i also recommend her own interviews with zane lowe (#1, #2, #3), her episode on mayim balik's podcast & her episode on anna faris podcast too

it's so nice to hear you've been hung up on them since the show. now you can become even more familiar with them and i hope you have a good time on this little journey!

[newmusickarl]

5-9’s Album of the Month Podcast – new episode out now!

With a sadly absent Mama Mañana Records’ founder Kiley Larsen, myself and 5-9 Editor Andrew Belt review five high profile album releases from the past month in music, ultimately naming one as our Album of the Month at the end of the discussion. It’s another eclectic selection of albums, as we cover some of the biggest and best releases from February.

For our January episode, it was global superstar The Weeknd who shockingly emerged victorious in a tightly contested month, earning our first award for 2025 with his epic final album, Hurry Up Tomorrow. Now in our second episode of the year, the albums vying for the February 2025 Album of the Month title are:

Erotica Veronica by Miya Folick

Sinister Grift by Panda Bear

End of the Middle by Richard Dawson

People Watching by Sam Fender

Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory by Sharon Van Etten (Poll winner, thanks for voting!)

Just like January, it’s another tight vote with divided opinions, so hit the links below or click play above to see which album emerged victorious!

A reminder also that if you want to listen to any previous episodes, simply follow the links below and be sure to follow 5-9 Blog on Instagram and YouTube for more news and polls relating to the podcast.

Listen on Spotify here

Watch, like and subscribe to our YouTube channel here

Vote for the fifth album to join our April line-up here

Album & EP Recommendations

MAYHEM by Lady Gaga

Back in 2009, I was lucky enough to see pop icon Lady Gaga perform at Glastonbury. I didn’t realise it at the time, but I was witnessing (excuse the deliberate pun) a star being born. You see hers is an influence that can still be felt on the mainstream pop acts of today, be it the dance-pop of Charli XCX or the theatrical flair of Chappell Roan. Now with her career having detoured everywhere, from more Rock and Country-inspired records to even a shift into TV and Hollywood, Lady Gaga is back – and she’s returning to (excuse another deliberate pun) the sound that brought her to the dance – pop.

MAYHEM is very much the return of vintage Gaga, from the artistic music videos all the way through to the club-inspired, earworm anthems. You’ll likely already have consumed singles ‘Disease’, ‘Die With A Smile’ and ‘Abracadabra’ either consciously or subconsciously into your psyche by now, but it is some of the deep cuts that end up having the biggest replay value here. ‘Perfect Celebrity’ is the kind of addictive powerhouse track that would’ve slotted in perfectly on Gaga’s debut The Fame Monster, while ‘Zombieboy’ is the kind of Gwen Stefani and Nile Rodgers crossover that only Gaga could cook up. ‘Don’t Call Tonight’ then brings some 80s shimmer with shades of both Kavinsky and Daft Punk, before ‘Blade of Glass’ serves up a soaring Bonnie Tyler-style power ballad.

A wild rollercoaster ride through various shades of pop music, MAYHEM is an album that certainly lives up to its name. Never a dull experience and bringing her career full circle, it proves Lady Gaga can still do it better than anyone.

Listen here

Night Life by The Horrors

Also making a welcome return after some time away, albeit at the other end of the spectrum to Gaga, are industrial goth rockers The Horrors. With their last full-length project ending with ‘Something To Remember Me By’ and longtime keyboardist Tom Furse leaving the band, I had pretty much made peace with the fact that The Horrors may have ceased to exist. Thankfully, the band have finally returned with new music and they are sounding as great as ever on moody sixth album, Night Life.

I’ll admit the pre-release singles didn’t do much for me in isolation, which left me going into this one with fairly mild expectations. However, I needn’t have doubted them as Faris Badawan & co. have forged a dark and atmospheric audio experience that ranks alongside their best work. The shimmering synths of recent single ‘Ariel’ are an immediate highlight, while other singles like ‘The Silence That Remains’, ‘Trial By Fire’ and ‘Lotus Eater’ have more impact within the context of the whole. However it is the final stretch where this album really comes alive, with the synth-driven rock of ‘More Than Life’ recalling their Primary Colours prime before triumphant closing anthem, ‘LA Runaway’.

Mixing electronica, shoegaze and industrial as well as they have ever done, this is a mighty return from the Southend goth rockers that already feels like one of my favourites of the year so far.

Listen here

Microtonic by bdrmm

Then if you’re looking for something in a similar vein to The Horrors, I’m also loving Microtonic, the evolutionary third album from Kingston shoegazers bdrmm.

With their last release I Don’t Know seeing them add more electronic elements to their traditional shoegaze sound, Microtonic feels more like a full transition into crafters of lush, synth-driven soundscapes. Opening on a snappy collaboration with Working Men’s Club, the album doesn’t let up from there, navigating majestically through blissful highlights like ‘John On The Ceiling’, ‘Snares’ and ‘Clarkycat’, before eventually drifting into the ambient haze of ‘The Noose’.

While the greater shift away from shoegaze will put off some longtime fans, for me personally this is my favourite bdrmm project yet. An almost full of auditory delights, made for strapping on a pair of headphones and allowing yourself to get fully immersed in the wonderful vibrations.

Listen here

Service Station At The End Of The Universe by Antony Szmierek

Poetic and powerful, Mancunian spoken-word raver Antony Szmierek finally released his much-anticipated debut album back at the end of February and it’s a life-affirming record that only gets better with each new spin.

The magic of Antony’s music is not just in the euphoric beats or his clever turn of phrase, it’s in the way he’s able to find the beauty in the everyday. Whether that’s a piece of confetti falling from a club ceiling (‘Rafters’), a commercial office building turned Indian restaurant (‘The Great Pyramid of Stockport’), a Yoga Class (‘Yoga Teacher’) or even motorway graffiti (‘Angie’s Wedding’). The stories told across the record are full of joy and optimism, with Antony’s observational prose transforming the mundane into the magical. Add-in a backdrop of inspired synth-driven grooves that will make you want to dance and it’s a combination that will make you want to return to Antony’s perspective of the world again and again.

As far as debut albums go, this one is right up there with the year’s best so far. One for fans of The Streets, if you want uplifting stories you can move to then look no further.

Listen here

The Machine Starts To Sing EP by Porridge Radio

From a debut to a final outing now, as the Brighton rockers led by Dana Margolin sadly announced that this new EP will unfortunately be their last.

As a final shortplayer offering for fans, it delivers everything that has been great about Porridge Radio over their outstanding last three records. From ominous opener ‘Machine Starts To Sing’ to the shuffling acoustics of ‘OK’, to Dana’s signature anguished vocals on ‘Don’t Want To Dance’ and the defiant, lo-fi resignation of ‘I’ve Got A Feeling (Stay Lucky)’, it’s a bittersweet triumph.

Listen here

KOKO by The Lottery Winners

“Influenced by charismatic frontman Thom Rylance receiving an ADHD diagnosis during the early stages of the album creation process, ‘KOKO’ finds the quartet lyrically reflective and seeking to provide some reassurance to all those in need of a little pick-me-up. With the band set to support Robbie Williams on his stadium tour this summer too, the record feels built for the masses, with each track brimming with assured confidence and earworm melodies.”

Listen to the album here

Read my full review for CLASH magazine here

Watch the 5-9 interview with Thom Rylance on the making of KOKO here

Nothing Compares To Nineteen EP by Fiona-Lee

“However, ‘Mother’ isn’t the only frank, emotionally charged moment on ‘Nothing Compares To Nineteen’. Across six soaring tracks, Fiona is refreshingly open about her battles with anxiety, depression, grief and self-confidence, all feelings we each can experience but often don’t know how to put into words. While her musical inspiration and eloquent lyricism often comes from painful memories and experiences, it is at the same time a rewarding process.”

Listen to the EP here

Read my full Next Wave interview with Fiona-Lee for CLASH magazine here

Also well worth checking out:

Lust For Life by Courting

The Sky, The Earth & All Between by Architects

Tell Dem It’s Sunny by Greentea Peng

Out Of A Dream by The Slow Readers Club

Constellations For The Lonely by Doves

Blindness by The Murder Capital

Atmospherics by Hands Like Houses

Festival Season by Saint Jhn

Blood On The Silver Screen by SASAMI

Tsunami Sea by Spiritbox

Song Recommendations

Relationships by HAIM

The sisters are back!

While the title and release date for their new album has yet to be revealed, the HAIM sisters have returned with an excellent new single, with many suspecting it to be the first taste of the much-anticipated follow-up to 2020’s Women In Music Pt. III. Instantly catchy with an infectious R&B-style groove, the track offers an apathetic look at romantic entanglements and arrives complete with a cinematic video directed by Camille Summers Valli.

Watch the video here

Running/Planning by CMAT

One of the biggest breakout stars of the last few years, Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson’s first two albums already feel like instant classics. Now her third album EURO-COUNTRY is due to drop in August and that’s not just the name of the record but also an insight into what to expect from the album’s contents too. Lead single ‘Running/Planning’ is CMAT unveiling her new brand of country music, a heartfelt and string-laden epic that culminates in some hair-raisingly passionate vocals from CMAT herself. Sensational!

Watch the video here

Flood by Little Simz featuring Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly

Rapper Little Simz has also been on an incredible album run in recent times, also delivering three certified classics in Grey Area, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and NO THANK YOU on her last three outings. However, we’ll soon find out if she can make it four-in-a-row with new album Lotus due to drop in early May. The tribal rhythms and seismic bass of ‘Flood’ is the first taste of the forthcoming project, a collaboration with Nigerian singer Obongjayar and South African musician Moonchild Sanelly that suggests Simz’s visionary artistry isn’t slowing down any time soon.

Watch the video here

Emergence by Sleep Token

Anonymous metal outfit Sleep Token have had a meteoric rise over the last couple of years, with 2023 album Take Me Back To Eden catapulting them to the top of festival bills and enabling them to sell out arenas nationwide. ‘Emergence’ feels a fitting first single then for their upcoming project Even In Arcadia, due for release in early May, just one month before their heavily debated headline booking at Download Festival. If this awesome new single is anything to go by though, it should be a suitably epic and genre-defying live experience.

Listen here

Statue In The Square by Kae Tempest

Their first new music in two years, immensely talented spoken word rapper, poet, novelist and playwright Kae Tempest returned this month with dazzling new single ‘Statue In The Square’. Brilliantly bold, it’s a song about courage and community that sees Kae weave intricately woven bars, spinning them from their lips at rapid, jaw-dropping speed. As mind-blowing as ever from one of the country’s most original creatives.

Watch the video here

The Test by Billy Nomates

Punk singer-songwriter Tor Maries has already dropped a new project in 2025, with her OST for Mary & The Hyenas boasting more than a couple of highlights. However, ‘The Test’ is the first track to be taken from upcoming third studio album Metalhorse, the follow-up to 2023’s brilliant CACTI. The first song written for the project, it’s a typically strong start to the new era from Maries, a determined anthem about persevering in the face of adversity.

Listen here

Bonnet of Pins by Matt Berninger

After releasing two albums in 2023 with his bandmates in The National after a supposed spout of writer’s block, it seems Matt Berninger has got his creative groove back. Now his second solo album Get Sunk is due out at the end of May and first single ‘Bonnet of Pins’ is a belter. While it doesn’t stray too far from The National’s formula, it’s an anthem that more than matches the exceptionally high standard of his day job, thanks to some scintillating guitars, triumphant horns, gorgeous vocal harmonies and Matt’s signature tongue-in-cheek lyricism.

Listen here

Letter From An Unknown Girlfriend by The Waterboys featuring Fiona Apple

Shaping up to be one of the most ambitious projects of the year, legendary Gaelic rockers The Waterboys are set to release their new 25-track odyssey in April - Life, Death and Dennis Hopper. As the title suggests, it’s an album that will examine the last 75 years of human existence and pop culture through the lens of actor Dennis Hopper’s life. With a few superstar collaborations lined up too, ‘Letter From An Unknown Girlfriend’ is one of the first to be revealed, a beautifully tender song written by Mike Scott but performed by American singer-songwriter, Fiona Apple.

Watch the lyric video here

spit it out / follow your direction by Low Island

Add this to the longlist of exciting releases dropping in May, DIY Oxford outfit Low Island are set to return with their first new album in three years, titled bird. Working with one of their musical heroes in Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear on the project, the band have released two quite contrasting teaser singles so far. Lead single ‘spit it out’ is a rage-fuelled, Radiohead-inspired rock track built on thunderous guitars, while ‘follow your direction’ is a heartfelt, minimalist electro-ballad that sees Carlos Posada’s vocals beautifully shimmer through the distortion. With both singles showcasing the band’s ever-present versatility and eclectism, I personally can’t wait for this one.

Listen to spit it out here

Listen to follow your direction here

East Alameda St. by Free Range Buddhas

You guessed it – another album also dropping in May! This time it’s Hatched, the sophomore effort from Santa Fe outfit Free Range Buddhas. Released on the always consistent Mama Mañana Records, this final single before the album release might just be the best cut off the project yet, bringing together a beautiful love letter to their New Mexico hometown that sees frontwoman Francesca Jozette’s vocals soar over some warm bluesy guitars.

Listen here

Double Blind by Tinvis

What’s that, you want another sonic gem from Mama Mañana Records?! Well you’re in luck, as Californian musician Joel Daniel - AKA Tinvís – just released his fantastic debut single, ‘Double Blind’. One for fans of The War of Drugs, it sees Daniel working with accomplished session players Max Hart (Tegan & Sara, We Are Scientists) and Eric Gardner (Dot Hacker, Melissa Etheridge, Tom Morello) to deliver a stirring heartland rock ballad, brimming with subtle strings, emotive piano chords and Daniel’s own passionate vocals. With album Texnia expected this summer, I personally can’t wait to hear more!

Who Wants To Live Forever by Mickey Callisto

Ending as I always do on a cover, this month’s choice comes from Sunderland-born, superstar-in-the-making, Mickey Callisto. Discovering him through Dot To Dot festival a couple of years back, Mickey’s incredible talent for performing is as raw and obvious as it gets. Beginning his musical life performing in Queen tribute acts, he channels the showmanship and voice of Freddie Mercury into his own original music – with his brilliant debut EP Homospace named one of my top shortplayers for 2023. While it may have taken a few years, I’m pleased to say Mickey is finally getting noticed thanks to a sublime, goosebump-inducing performance on this year’s season of Britain’s Got Talent. Covering Queen’s iconic single ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’ and knocking it out of the park in the process, it is simply a star-making moment that demands to be seen.

Watch Mickey’s performance on Britain’s Got Talent here

And if you want a bonus cover for this month – check out Fontaines D.C. mashing up Bring Me The Horizon’s Can You Feel My Heart with Nirvana’s Heart-Shaped Box for Triple J’s Like A Version here.

Also well worth checking out:

The Giver by Chappell Roan

Lucy by ABSOLUTE & Joe Goddard featuring Lucy Fizz

I HEART YOU by Confidence Man & Eliza Rose

Confession by Girl In Red

Skin by Marika Hackman featuring Laura Marling

The Queen of Mercy by Soda Blonde

Heathen by Deafheaven

Time Will Tell (Maybe) by Share

Jungle Child by ROB.GREEN

The Cross by Dusty 4 Track

REMINDER: If you use Apple Music, you can also keep up-to-date with all my favourite 2025 tracks through my Best of 2025 playlist. Constantly updated throughout the year with songs I enjoy, it is then finalised into a Top 100 Songs of the Year in December.

Add the Best of 2025 playlist to your library here

[wearethekat]

January Book Reviews: The Pillar by Kim Fielding

I'm not sure where I found this book, but my best guess would be the goodreads recommendations again. In The Pillar, healer Faris saves a slave from the eponymous pillar where he has been whipped and left to die. Ex soldier Boro begins to recover and grow close to Faris--but when his old master discovers he's alive, will their idyll be shattered?

This is a compact novella, so the queer romance is relatively uncoenjoyed. by drama, aside from Faris' troubled background as a thief who was left to die on the same pillar himself. The author has also made an interesting and novel choice to set it in the 14th century Balkans under Ottoman rule, which is a setting I don't believe I've seen before. It's well-executed and we get a fun cameo into the Ottoman justice system. Both Faris and Boro are older (in their thirties), and tentative to form a connection after their respective traumatized pasts, and their romance is appealingly bittersweet.

A well-executed romance in a novel historical setting. Recommended for historical queer romance enjoyers.

[lilly-does-stuff]

Possibly Unpopular Idea

Honestly, I think the Fairly Oddparents A New Wish is way overrated.

Yes, I do agree the whole diversity thing in it is good (like Hazel being a black, possibly autistic, character or one of her friends being non-birnary, and the social class differnces between characters... that's good) but beyond the diversity, the show really lacked the charm the og Fairly Oddparents had.

Like for example, Wanda. In the og, she was the character who attempted to ground Timmy and Cosmos stupid ideas. Sure she nagged a lot, but that was part of her charm and humor. In A New Wish, Wanda completely ditched that character trait.

Meanwhile Cosmo... Cosmo just wasn't very memorable. I can easily pull up jokes from the og show made by Cosmo (like Philip the Quater, or I'm a Zebra with no stripes!) while there are no memorable moments in A New Wish (mind you. It's been years since I've watched the Fairly Oddparents and only a few weeks since I've seen A New Wish.)

There are some things that are interesting, like the story arch with Hazel and her brother, but there's also the fact the only reason she was assigned faries in the first place was because of her missing her brother. Her parents are loving, and her school life seems average to any other kids. If the show gave her a little more problems then just issues with her brother not being there and her moving to a new city, then it could slide.

In general, the characters aren't very memorable either. I can only remember the names of the main character (Hazel) her hair from that one episode (Diana) and the fairy Jorgan initially wanted to assign her (Cookie) and that's about it.

Beyond that, the episodes themselves are very mediocre. They rarely have a lesson, and to me they just seem loud and nonsensical.

And idk, Perri/Poof just seems weird to me. I'm not entirely sure, it just seemed like a weird curveball to be thrown.

Idk, I'm only posting this to see if others share my views. No hate to A New Wish. I still recommend watching it, especially if you're a Fairly Oddparents fan. I just guess it wasn't my cup of tea.

[sinnettini]

omg please recommend italian music!! i love any genre, so its very wellcome :) i'll also check your other blog! (i'm already excited for all the fics and edits ideas hehe)

hi!! um sorry this is like 10 days late 😭 i hope you still see this anon 💔

also this is the worst possible thing you could've said to me "rec italian music" because i AM taking this too seriously and i will NOT shut up. so this is way too long i'm sorry fjfvjh

but okay i decided to pick some of my favorite artists from different genres and rec some of their songs that i like. i initially was also gonna rec singular songs i like by other artists but that would've been TOO MUCH 😭 but if you want more or like, a wider range of artists, feel free to send another ask! i'll never get tired of talking about italian music. oh also i tried to limit myself to one song max per album but i did break my own rule sometimes lmao (either bc i like the songs too much or bc the artist has few albums)

okay so! i don't want a million sections so genres are loosely interpreted 😭😭 but let's start with modern pop singers/singer-songwriters

ermal meta: odio le favole, vietato morire, piccola anima, le luci di roma, certe cose

mahmood: gioventù bruciata, il nilo nel naviglio, rapide, talata, stella cadente

marco mengoni: ti ho voluto bene veramente, non me ne accorgo, come ti senti, muhammad ali, proibito

epoque: boss (io & te), nemica, no stress, aposto

madame: per il tuo bene, voce

fabrizio moro: desiderare, libero, 21 anni, alessandra sarà sempre più bella, io so tutto, portami via, sono solo parole

gaia: cuore amaro, nuvole di zanzare, il rosso delle rose, chega (okay this song is not in italian at all but she's italian-brasilian and i really like it 😭)

elodie: proiettili (ti mangio il cuore), ok. respira, bagno a mezzanotte, a fari spenti

liberato: niente, nove maggio, nunneover, anna, vien' ccà (part II), 'a 'mbasciata (he mostly sings in neapolitan! and also his music is often like... electronic/dance?)

modern pop bands

pinguini tattici nucleari: lake washington boulevard, cancelleria, pastello bianco, irene

eugenio in via di gioia: perfetto uniformato, non vedo l'ora di abbracciarti, altrove, sette camicie, argh!

zero assoluto: sei parte di me, per dimenticare, all'improvviso, svegliarsi la mattina

la fame di camilla: buio e luce, niente che ti assomigli, rivoluzione, non amarmi così

older & not-pop bands

cccp - fedeli alla linea: annarella, amandoti, io sto bene, svegliami, guerra e pace (punk rock would be a good genre description i think. they actually came back in 2023, but they were mostly active in the 80s and i don't think they made new songs since coming back..?)

premiata forneria marconi: peninsula, l'isola di niente, appena un po', la carrozza di hans, amico fragile (fabrizio de andré cover) (prog rock, they're actually still active but their older music is better imo lmao they still rock live tho, i hear)

older pop singers/singer-songwriters (some of these are still active but they're mostly well known for their work in the 60s/70s/80s etc.)

raffaella carrà: rumore, a far l'amore comincia tu, tanti auguri (lgbt+ icon we miss youuu)

fabrizio de andré: khorakhané, amore che vieni amore che vai, don raffaè, amico fragile, verranno a chiederti del nostro amore

mina: mi sei scoppiato dentro il cuore, insieme, nessuno, città vuota, parole parole

mia martini: dove il cielo va a finire, sentimento, scenne l'argiento, gli uomini non cambiano, almeno tu nell'universo

francesco de gregori: la donna cannona, rimmel, san lorenzo, niente da capire

lucio battisti: e penso a te, insieme a te sto bene, mi ritorni in mente, ancora tu

lucio dalla: tu non mi basti mai, caruso, come è profondo il mare, l'auto targata "to", ayrton, telefonami tra vent'anni

ivan graziani: il chitarrista, monna lisa, firenze (canzone triste), la rabbia

rino gaetano: mio fratello è figlio unico, nuntereggae più, sandro trasportando, a mano a mano

rap/trap

ghali: ninna nanna, cara italia, cuore a destra, bayna, sto, niente panico

caparezza: torna catalessi, eroe (storia di luigi delle bicocche), vieni a ballare in puglia, vengo dalla luna, ti sorrido mentre affogo

j lord: sixteen, tanti auguri a me, be mine, the prayer, my g (he mostly raps in neapolitan)

that's all, hope you find something you like and that i didn't like scare you away with the amount of stuff i recced 😭😭

[ilovechuuy4]

Hi! Im kinda new to tumblr, sorry if I'm doing this wrong. Could you write nikolai helping a reader overcome a fear of heights? Any scenario is fine (amusement park, sky diving, bungee jumping, tightropes, etc), I just think helpful Kolya would be cute lol

A/N; really cute request:( I'm not sure how long this was sitting so I'm very sorry! I've been having no ideas along with having to go to the doctors a lot so it's being a but slow! I'm vry vry sorry!! But I really hope you like this

"It's okay my sweet, it's not scary.."

Nikolai Gogol x GN! Reader❦

It was a cool autumn evening and Nikolai, your boyfriend, had recommended going to a theme park for a date, but mainly he wanted to help you over come your fear. You fear of heights, this has just been a long fear of yours that nobody, not even family members, could help you face but that was Nikolai's goal today.

It took only a few minutes to get to the amusement park, y'all had payed the way in and started looking around, there were big roller coasters, fairs wheels, small kiddy rides, food booths etc. "Hey, sugar~ what do you want to do first, because I have a few things in mind?" Nikolai asked you with an excited smile. How excited the white haired clown was had made you smile, you had ways enjoyed being around him.

"Maybe let's go get some food? And then you could decide from there?" You recommendation brought a wider smile to Nikolais face as he takes your hand and drags you along to a food booth. "Alright, let's go let's go!" He said excitedly, he looked like a little kid at a candy store. While y'all ordered food, Nikolai was pondering on how to figure out how he was going to help you get over your fears.

Go on a roller coaster? No, that's way to intense, he didn't want to traumatize you. He glances around looking at the rides but all of them were horriblely fast roller coasters which brought an upsetting frown on his face. "Nikolai, dear, are you alright?" You ask, cocking an eyebrow.

Nikolai looks at you slightly caught off guard but then just nods. "Yea, I'm alright sorry if I worried you." He said this with a soft smile, reaching out, his fingers intertwined with yours. He looked down noticing the food had already arrived and you was eating, was he seriously that distracted? Wow. He glances around one last time and then spots the big, round glowing circle in the middle of the fair. His eyes practically sparkling.

He decided to eat before saying anything, so he picked up his fork and starting eating. After y'all had finished, he looked at you, yall's eyes locking. "My sweet, can I ask you a very important question?" He asked, his eyes full of love and affection. "Of course, yes darling?" You say with a smile. "I know you're a friar if height and I know this is asking for a lot but could we go on the faris wheel? I want to help you with your fear." He said this slowly, his voice laced with worry that youd get mad.

You thought about it for a minute before letting out an unsteady breath, then you spoke. "Alright, we can. But you're holding my hand!" You explain, your answer made Nikolai light up once more. "Oh! My sweet! I'm so happy! I promise I'll protect youu!~" He says this with a gleaming smile. He stands excitedly from the seat he was in and took your food trash, throwing it away.

"Alright let's go my dear!" He spoke excitedly, basically jumping up and down as he took your hand and gently pulled you to the faris wheel. You had a knot in your stomach as y'all got in line. You were scared, but as long as Nikolai was there, it would be okay. Slowly, but surely, y'all board the fairs wheel, you were sitting there trembling as it slowly rocked up.

Nikolai had worried eyes as he held both your hands tightly, his forehead pressed on yours as he looks into your eyes. "My sweet Y/N, it's alright don't worry I'm here." He spoke slowly and reassuringly, he was only worried for you nothing more nothing less. His thumb was gently rubbing your hand as the faris wheel went up and up. You slowly started panicking.

Nikolai quickly cups your face, rubbing your cheek slowly. "Honey, don't focus on anything but me, okay? You're safe with me I promise. I won't let anything bad happen to you." He was serious, he loved you dearly he wouldn't let anything or anyone hurt you, ever. Soft tears of fear but along with love filled your soft (e/c) eyes, your body still trembling. "I'm safe, okay. If you say I'm safe, I'm safe." You managed to stutter out, fumbling your words.

Nikolai pressed a soft kiss on your lip, rubbing off the tears that slowly seep down your cheeks. "Shh, it's okay my sweet, it's okay." He only lulled, pressing soft kisses on your cheeks and lips. You slowly calmed down but still scared, yet. Usually when people try getting you on things like this you don't say yes. This was different.

You felt so safe around Nikolai. He was your safe space, be always had a way to calm you down. Your head was in his chest down, his hand gently stoking your hair. "Shh, it's okay my sweet, it's not scary." He spoke slowly, pressing on last kiss on your hair.

[lemonthepotato]

Cringe warning: very bad Esperanto.

Mi povas mergi min en Esperanto čar mi ne faris multe da progreso ekde 2019. Mi kredas mi komencis lerni en 2019, sed mi rezignis dum (por?) unua jaro. Mi rezignis la hispana, la franca, la japana kaj la irlandano čar… nu, estas evidente kial. Tro da lingvoj lerni (por lerni? Lerni sentas malgxuste.)

Sed, mi restis kun la Esperanto(n?) čar gxi estas facila. Mi volas lerni lingvon por la sakeo (that’s… is that seriously the word? Sakeo? I joked once that Esperanto is 80% English words with -o and the end and 15% other languages with o- at the end, but I digress) de lerni lingvon. Homoj diras ke tio estas malbono kialo, sed, kial? Estas amuza… ne estas krimo amuziĝi.

Honeste, mi estis (estis for ‘have been?’ doesn’t feel right…) uzi Google Translate por helpi min, sed ne por lambastono. nur por kontroli se mia gramatiko estas bona. Ne estas, evidente, sed… mi estas nesekura pri gramatiko. Mi scias ke gxi ne estas bona, sed gxi estas probable pli bona ol mi sed mi ne uzis gxin.

Cxiuokaze… mi havas punkton kun ĉi tio; estas malfacila mergi en konlang! Jes, mi povus aligxi servilo de Discord, sed… la embaraso. Mi estus kiel, “Bonvolu… mi estas…” kaj havas furzo de cerba! Cerba furzo? (Googling how to stutter in Esperanto. Great.) (also I’m realising I said bonvolu instead of… oh my god? Am I seriously forgetting hello? Oh, Saluton!)

Cxu mi probable lernu la lingvon de miaj lando, la irlandano? Probable, sed honeste? Neniu parolas la irlandano en la nordo. Ili apenaŭ en la sudo. (Ne estas sude, mi ne zorgas se Google translate diras alie… ne sentas gxusta.)

Cxu mi havas punkto kun cxi tio? Ne. Sed, hej, diras al mi kiel CLAPPED mia Esperanto estas. Kaj, jes, mi eĉ ne provis traduki clapped cxar gxi estas pli amuza al ne.

Mi estas tiel malbona pri Esperanto. Mi devas fidi al tradukistoj por helpo. Mi uzas Google Translate por helpi kun tempoj kaj gramatikoj, sed la vortoj estas plejparte el mia cerbo, se tio havas sencon.

Mi ne havas kialon pri ĉi tio. Mi supozas, ke ĉi tio estas testo de miaj kapabloj. La rezultoj? Tre malbona, sed, hej, mi afiŝos ĉi tio, ĉiuokaze.

Edit: after writing this post, I got an easy, actually video about languages recommended… lol

[coldalbion]

Like Covid, climate change will force more artists away from traditional opportunities for community and inspiration. The pandemic turned drag Twitch streamer DEERE into a full-timer; as a makeup artist, her gigs vanished. So she focused on her passions: drag, horror games, and streaming. Early in the pandemic, comedian Jenny Yang created and hosted Comedy Crossing, a twice-monthly standup show streamed over Zoom from inside the game Animal Crossing. Throughout 2020, it raised more than $40,000 for Black Lives Matter. “I’m in this industry and have dedicated my life to it because I want to be part of a conversation,” she says. “To me the collective conversation is what makes life meaningful.” BOARLORD is an indie game developer who “pivoted to porn” (and Patreon) during the pandemic after working in tech, where she discovered “the naked hatred they all have for cultural production.” It was there she found her place. “I am not trying to capture the largest audience. I’m being hyper-specific, sometimes to my detriment," she says of her work. Or, to put it another way, DEERE, Yang, and BOARLORD all found their own ways of seizing the means of production, of audience-building. It's the same thing Black Girl Nerds CEO Jamie Broadnax discovered live-tweeting Scandal years earlier. “I didn’t know I was building a community,” Broadnax says. “I was tired of waiting for a seat at the table, so I built my own table.” The appeal of becoming one’s own studio head is obvious. “Take TikTok,” says Clifton. “You have teens with a more polished presence online than most companies, who have become TikTok experts seemingly overnight, and their work just keeps getting more and more professional-grade.” But in a world where everyone is a brand, no one can be a star. And influencers have discovered what porn performers already knew: Platforms are fickle. Content guidelines, corporate ownership, and payment structures can change overnight, without explanation. Much like humans have permanently altered and unsettled the natural world, online ecosystems for fans and creators have experienced rolling shocks in response to technology. Just as users find another den, it’s burned down. The story of the internet is the story of America itself: a seemingly limitless landscape transformed into a shopping mall populated by the same handful of brands, products, and voices. MacDonald tells me that what’s important about pornography isn’t what it can tell us about entertainment but what it can tell us about how platforms will treat people in the future. “Porn workers are the canaries in the coal mine. They are the first ones to be censored, demonetized, deprioritized in recommender systems, shadow-banned,” MacDonald says. And their vulnerability will soon be everyone’s. “Porn workers are at the bleeding edge of showing that if we don’t address this unilaterally and quickly, next it will be queer video gamers, and after that it will be certain political opinions, and that is alarming. That should concern everyone.” To understand how the American media landscape fractured, one must first understand the brands that forged it. According to Faris Yakob, cofounder of creative consultancy Genius Steals and author of Paid Attention, advertisers created the neutral “view from nowhere” voice in media. In the 19th and 20th centuries, national brands looking to grow customers wouldn’t partner with biased publications. But everything changed when ad tech arrived. “People started tagging their digital media buys so it wouldn’t appear next to topics like homosexuality, or Covid, to avoid getting into clusters,” Yakob says. “But that means that the news isn’t being funded. If you can pick and choose what topics to fund in news, you can distort what is being reported on, to some degree.”

This a fantastic article that touches on so much

[muhtesemz]

Which islamic books besides the holy quran can you recommend?

The Sealed Nectar

Don’t be sad by Dr. Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni

The road to Mecca by Muhammad Asad

The Productive Muslim by Mohammed Faris

Lost Islamic History by Firas Alkhateeb

Does anyone want to add some more?