#Hammy and olivia

[howlingday]

Jaune: This is Adrian.

Adrian: I'm a potato~!

Jaune: Ever since he lost his legs, he believes he's a potato. And he doesn't like hearing he's not.

Adrian: I said I'm a potato.

Jaune: He has legs. He just chooses not to use them, and now my nephew is a potato. But I'm okay with that, because I'm proud of my potato nephew.

[nymoonunicat033]

Rip Olivia

From Hammy and Olivia

[itsreaditandwow2]

YOUTUBERS AS NICKELODEON CHARACTERS

Christopher Equale as Tintin from The Adventures of Tintin

[riewiggles]

My Heart...

I just learned that Olivia the corgi passed away.

My heart hurts.

[starburst0822]

My art summary of 2023

[nicolepadulasblog]

rest in peace Olivia we will miss you very much may heaven will have you you had a very good life you are a good dog and a good sister to hammy and a good pet to Chris

[lemonhemlock]

I think a thing that bothers me the most is how fragmented TG (the fandom) is now. After season one, many of us had issues with character writing, but it still felt like we were largely on the same page. Now, some people can accept Aegon got bad writing but not Aemond, Alicent, or Helaena. They are all “good” or “bad”characters depending on how much they hurt Aegon this season. I’m so glad he got the time to be well rounded, and that TGC delivered on all his scenes, but I think people forget Aegon has received some poor writing as well even this season. His whole outburst about Jaehaerys’s death is not about his son, but the impact on his legacy- I thought this very odd at the time, but realize it’s because they can’t have him mourn Jaehaerys for a long time either. Nobody on TG is allowed to focus on this dead child, least of all his mother! Aegon goes out drinking with his friends next episode 😭 seemingly unconcerned. But somehow only Alicent and Aemond are called out for this, when it is a clear problem that Daemon is more affected by this loss than the greens. It feels like such an uphill battle to even discuss the faction and family anymore.

This is such a good point!

I know I am so contrarian about this rn, but I have had some issues in connecting with Aegon's grief scenes over Jaehaerys this season. And it's such an opinion I DON'T want to have, bc I'm fully on the Aegon/TGC bandwagon and I do think TGC is a competent actor.

But it's something about the general clownery of the framing, how everything is gloomy and dark but at the same time no one gives that much of a shit over Jaehaerys? It's very weird to describe. I know Olivia also shows Alicent crying and swallowing sobs and trying to conceal her grief, but, if you think about it, Alicent is just Kind Of Like That in a lot of her scenes anyway. Big doe wet eyes, filled with regret and unspoken emotions etc so that her acting similarly after B&C kind of doesn't hit as much?

And, in that context, having Aegon rage over this event is rendered kind of.....hammy and, honestly, comical. I'm reminded of the scene of the small council where everyone is somber and quiet and he kind of looks like he's pretending to cry. In other moments it's fine but there are frames where I can't take it seriously and it registers in my brain like a parody.

I realise how I sound right now, like I'm not satisfied with the subdued performances, but I'm not satisfied with the expansive ones either. IDK. I have a huge problem with the framing and direction this season, I think it's a huge impediment in making me enjoy the supposedly emotional scenes.

All of this to say that I agree, Aegon has also received some bad writing this season, especially him ALSO being kind of over Jaehaerys the next episode. But people tend to overlook it, because when you draw the line, the writing for him is still so much better than what he got in S1.

And, yes, this is why I can't really join the choir in blaming Alicent and Aemond for how they act with him, because it's not a naturalistic and organic progression, it's shoehorned in with little buildup or motivation and not even drawn to its natural conclusion. For example, Aemond should have been toast the minute Aegon woke up, because Prince Regent or not, Aegon is still the King and has the power to remove Aemond if he fears him. He doesn't have to justify himself in front of anyone, just give the order to arrest his brother and name someone else as regent, then just go back to sleep.

[newblogforjackson]

Jackson and Hammy from Hammy & Olivia

[portlandwithyou]

My Favorite Releases of the Year

I've been thinking a lot about my favorite albums of the year. This is a collection of the releases that infected my brain this year. Now, there are very good, even great, albums that didn't make the list, but I wanted to bring only what truly touched me this year.

Without further ado, the list in no particular order:

GUTS- Olivia Rodrigo: In a year of many good pop albums, this one stands above the rest. The edgy lyrics manage to embody so much of what it means to be a woman in an honest way that feels authentic. It doesn't hurt that the music is catchy as hell. On "bad idea right?" the guitar, in particular, gets a moment to shine in a solo reminiscent of the Guess Who. Another track, the stripped-down "Lacy", allows a simple acoustic guitar to accompany the harmony-soaked track. Sophomore albums are never easy, but this one exceeds all expectations, and Rodrigo has carved a special place for herself.

Check Out Track: Lacy

10,000 gecs- 100 gecs: Another sophomore album that shows the band's talent was not a fluke. When the album was announced, we were treated with the song titles-- "Frog on the Floor"? "Doritos & Fritos"? What could these things possibly be? And when the album arrived, it did not disappoint with the answers to our questions. The songs range from nu-metal-inspired ("Dumbest Girl Alive") to ska-influenced ("Frog on the Floor") and beyond while continuing to push the pop boundaries with every track. Their growth is immense, and their pop sensibilities have only increased in the intervening years since their last album. At a scant 27 minutes, though, the album does leave you wanting more.

Check Out Track: Doritos & Fritos

So Much (For) Stardust- Fall Out Boy: If you've been following me for any appreciable amount of time, you'll know I have Fall Out Boy brain rot of the highest degree. But I am happy to tell you that this album is good even without the rose-tinted glasses. Stepping back into a more guitar-focused sound, the band returns to what they do best. The rocking opening track "Love From the Other Side" sets the tone for the album, with driving drums that constantly push the song forward and a taste of the grand orchestral sound they were so famous for in their first post-hiatus album, Save Rock & Roll. "The Pink Seashell", which features an Ethan Hawke speech from Reality Bites, serves as a thesis statement for the album, preaching the beauty of the everyday. This album was well worth the years-long wait, and their obvious joy when I saw them perform some of the album live this year filled me with the same jubilation.

Check Out Track: What a Time to be Alive

Freak of Nature- Heart Attack Man: This is the album on the list I have the most mixed feelings about. Initially, I must say I was disappointed in the shift into solidly pop-punk territory. I was a huge fan of their sound on Fake Blood which, while pop-punk at times, did show more of their emo influence. But Freak of Nature retains so much of what makes Hammy special- the unabashed anger of the human soul, laid bare for all to see. It took time for me to warm up to it, but songs like "C4" and "Like a Kennedy" have wormed their way into my brain. Having seen them live several times now, I can say they are refining themselves with every release and growing into a confidence that I'm sure will continue.

Check Out Track: C4

always cloudy- saturdays at your place: This EP was one of my highly anticipated releases of the year, and it lived up to all of the hype. The opening track, "Future", draws in the listener with a rough voice accompanied by strong harmonies before the song drops all vocals in favor of showing their ability to produce an amazing groove. The well-med "Tarot Cards" is a highlight, an emo track easily rivaling the greats of Modern Baseball. Every track is killer, showing the full potential of the band while furthering their sound. I do not think I am out of line saying I believe this will easily go down as a classic. You cannot look me in the eye and say that "Hospital Bed" is anything other than a classic of the genre. The band is finally heading out west early next year, and I am eager to see the EP live.

Check Out Track: future

Frame & Canvas (25th Anniversary Edition)- Braid: Is it cheating to include an album that is already a classic? Perhaps. But few remasters manage to do what the Frame & Canvas 25th Anniversary Edition has done. By now, the story of how this album came to be is well-worn, so I will not spill ink to repeat it, only to comment that we are all the better for it. This version of the album allows more space to breathe; no longer is everything muddled together in a jumble of sound. I want to highlight how well you are now able to enjoy the individual parts, such as the drums. If you haven't revisited this emo classic in a minute, this release is a sign to delve back into Braid and appreciate their sound.

Check Out Track: First Day Back

Medium Gnarly- Swiss Army Wife: Coming out just a few days into the year, this album set the tone for all emo coming out this year. The guitar work is phenomenal, the lyrics come hard and fast, and the two together simply demand your attention. Like others in this wave, the band deploys the use of screaming throughout the album to great effect, elevating the emotional level at select moments. Throughout the album, I was impressed by the restraint in the twinkle. You and I both know how vital The Twinkle is for emo music, but Swiss Army Wife earns every riff. I was recommended this album by @t---w, who shared a music video of their track "Halloween" and I was instantly taken. They're a delight who I expect to see end up on many year-end lists.

Check Out Track: CBS at 7:00

Southeast of Somewhere- Kerosene Heights: This is the most recent addition to my list. In the heat of FOMO, I decided to try Spotify in December despite my better judgment. The AI DJ dished up their track "Kathryn" for me, and instantly I was in love. When I listen to the album, I can't help but bob my head along as I yearn to hear the songs live. The songs demand to be heard loud in a sweaty bar as everyone screams along to the lyrics.

Check Out Track: Kathryn

Why Would I Watch- Hot Mulligan: Any follow-up to the much beloved you'll be fine was going to find itself under a spotlight, but the band managed to deliver another album of heartbreaking bangers. Much as before, their guitar work is sublime, and the lyrics demand to be memorized and poured over again and again. I had the pleasure of seeing the full album performed live, and I can confidently say they've grown so much from even when I saw them last year. Why Would I Watch is proof they were not a flash in the pan and easily cements the band as a leader in the much discussed fifth wave scene. I do wonder what comes next for the band. Is this the set sound? Will they branch out on the next release? Only time will tell, and I will be first in line to hear what they have in store.

Check Out Track: Gans Media Retro Games

Miracle- Equipment: Now, why am I putting an EP on this list when the same band released a full-length LP this year? Great question. To begin with, this EP is perfect to me. Not a single note or lyric was misplaced. Four perfect tunes that I listened to on repeat for months. I think I might actually have the opening of "Talk to Strangers" tattooed on my brain by this point. Meanwhile, I am still digesting the album, carefully picking it apart. I guess this makes it over its younger brother simply because it's tight. Not that the album is bad, but the EP is just that good.

Check Out Track: Talk to Strangers

[manysmallhands]

FearOfMu21c #48 Olivia Rodrigo - Vampire

Released - June 30, 2023

Highest chart position - #1

Spotify streams to date - 546,650,197

As anyone who’s familiar with my bluesky account will know, I’ve started listening to the charts this year for the first time in an age. Vampire hit #1 in the week that I came back and, quite apart from it just being a cracking song, that event in itself opened up a sentimental vein in me which it’s been feeding off of ever since (does that make me a vampire too? I guess it probably does). It’s a bit of an anomaly on Olivia’s excellent Guts LP., a strange but compelling hybrid between a melodramatic ballad and a full-on pop banger. The earlier chart topper it reminds me of most is by another Olivia - Olivia Newton-John's Xanadu - with its wailed vocals and pulsing electronic unreality seating it comfortably within the traditions of early 80s disco drama. 

The lyric is one of ultimate betrayal - the story of an older lover who was only interested in what her fame could do for him - but the key to Vampire is that yr never not having fun. Olivia squares these competing elements remarkably well, with every drop of performative emotion wrung out in such a way that surely only a former High School Musical star could ever truly nail. Her vocal is full of wonderfully hammy gestures (the groaned “oooooh” in the middle of the second verse, the remarkable hollering step into the final “the way you sold me for parts!”) which feel almost pantomime-like in the way they play to the crowd but which never once compromise the powerful hurt at the song’s centre.

Vampire takes its place here as my favourite single of the year, but it’s also a bit of a stand-in for everything else I’ve loved on the chart. As well as the similarly theatrical pop grunge of Get Him Back (Olivia’s other inescapable hit), I’m thinking of Kenya Grace’s brittle Strangers, the holiday sunset vibes of Water by Tyla, the icy thump of Cassö, Raye + D Block Europe’s Prada, and a dozen or more others that have floored me repeatedly over the past few months. With regard to this challenge, I think the thing that I’ve learned most clearly in 2023 is that the modern single is still in remarkably good shape. Anyone who thinks otherwise would do well to tune in on Friday afternoons.

[dinofelissnow1985]

Dog Loses His Legs! #shorts #corgi

Legless Hammy Shenanigans. Don't forget to water your pet potato.

[draco-the-voiddragon]

I wonder how Hammy and Theo are reacting...

Olivia, the diva corgi, has passed from this world.

[talesimagination]

I was curious, you got any comfort YouTubes? Mine are Hermitcraft and Chuggaaconroy

Amie and Penny, Claireluvcat/Kittisaurus, Theo And Nori, Hammy and Olivia, the baking twink, and Thejonathon

[starburst0822]

Sketch of Olivia I made

Hammy and Olivia gave me so much smiles since I first found them last year. My heart goes out to Chris about Olivia's passing

[7central]

it's really disturbing the way that people talk about Olivia Hussey in Zefirelli's R&J for obvious reasons but in addition to that, it really takes time away from appreciating how stunning her performance was. It's partially Zefirelli's directing style (which is a bit hammy imo) but Hussey was really the only on-screen Juliet that turns her emotions on a dime and actually resembles a young teenager. so often this is only granted to Romeo, and Juliet's outbursts are tempered by performers to make her seem more mature & older, which is often a....problematic choice, to say the least, and not true to the text of the play