#I’m in my pink era folks

[o-wise-corvid]

Dathomir Daily

Yēnjā (pr: yeen-jay): fish

Tag list: @alexeithegoat @thesitharts @crc-jedi-knight-serushna @hotshot9 @smoooothbrain @gran-maul-seizure @foreverchangingfandomsao3 @herbalinz-of-yesteryear @justalittletomato @stardustbee @storm89 @by-the-primes @ohboi @and-claudia @eloquentmoon

[physalian]

List of “I need to calm the fuck down” music

(please reblog your own)

Most Trance Music if this list is intimidating- Usually not something you dance to, doesn’t have a lot of percussion and erratic noise. It’s supposed to entrance you.

This list spans the following genres: Pop, folk, grunge, cinematic, and rock.

Maybe I’ll make a Spotify playlist or something with all of them, idk. These are not in alphabetical order but I tried to keep multiple artist entries grouped.

I had the whole thing color-coded but Tumblr didn't like that so here's it in boring text (I still have the colored one if anyone wants it)

WITH LYRICS

Good for Me - Above & Beyond

On a Good Day - Above & Beyond

Blue Sky Action - Above & Beyond

The Hollywood Bowl Show - Above & Beyond

I Love You Always Forever - Donna Lewis

I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie

Through the Eyes of a Child - AURORA

Retrograde - Pearl Jam

Run Boy Run - Woodkid

The Night We Met - Lord Huron

Would That I - Hozier

After All These Years- Journey

Let it All Go - Birdy

Holocene - Bon Iver

Home I/II - Dotan

Outro - M83

Flares - The Script

O - Coldplay

Fly On - Coldplay

Strawberry Swing - Coldplay

Midnight - Coldplay

Lovers in Japan (Acoustic) - Coldplay

Clocks - Coldplay

Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay

Up & Up - Coldplay

Fix You - Coldplay

Oceans - Seafret

Dice - Finley Quaye

Medicine - Daughter

Wash Away - Joe Purdy

Upside Down - Jack Johnson

Heartbeats - Jose Gonzales

Teardrop - Massive Attack

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - U2

Where the Streets Have No Name - U2

Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin

Life is a Highway - Rascal Flatts

Something I Need - OneRepublic

Dead in the Water - Ellie Goulding

Mr. Brightside - The Killers

Morning Elvis - Florence + The Machine

End of Love - Florence + The Machine

What the Water Gave Me - Florence + The Machine

Sky Full of Song - Florence + The Machine

Free - Florence + The Machine

Choreomania - Florence + The Machine

Walls - Kings of Leon

While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Tom Petty/Prince

Silver Spring - Fleetwood Mac

Big Love - Fleetwood Mac

Landslide - Fleetwood Mac

Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

Don’t Look Back in Anger - Oasis

The Albatross - Taylor Swift

The Archer - Taylor Swift

You’re On Your Own Kid - Taylor Swift

Clean - Taylor Swift

On My Way - Phil Collins

Hoppipolla - Sigur Ros

I Shall Not Walk Alone - The Blind Boys of Alabama

Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root

Manic - Cloves

Dorian - Agnes Obel

Down to Earth - Peter Gabriel

Shine On You Crazy Diamond I-IV - Pink Floyd

On the Turning Away - Pink Floyd

High Hopes - Pink Floyd

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd

Take it Back - Pink Floyd

November Rain - Guns n’ Roses

Breathe Me - Sia

They’ll Soon Discover - The Shins

Just a Kid - Wilco

Evenstar - Howard Shore

Just Like Heaven - The Cure

Angela - The Lumineers

Scotland - The Lumineers

Nobody Knows - The Lumineers

Sleep on the Floor - The Lumineers

The Ink from Books - Sleeping at Last

Lightning Crashes - Live

Disarm - The Smashing Pumpkins

Glitter in the Air - P!nk

Silhouette - Aquilo

Water Under the Bridge - Adele

Golden Hour Album - Kygo

Stole the Show - Kygo

Wake Me Up - Avicii

Heaven - Avicii

Hope There’s Someone - Avicii

Fade Into You - Mazzy Star

WITHOUT LYRICS

Flow State (Continuous Mix) - Above & Beyond

Memory Gospel - Moby

Immanuel - Tony Anderson

Define Dancing - Thomas Newman

Haiku/Nemo Egg - Thomas Newman

American Beauty - Thomas Newman

Chasing Ice - J. Ralph

One Day - Hans Zimmer

Thunderbird/The Decision - Hans Zimmer

1917 - Thomas Newman

The Mighty Rio Grande - This Will Destroy You

The Minecraft OST - C418

The World of Goo OST - Kyle Gabler

Tessa - Imagine Dragons

Forbidden Friendship - John Powell

Experience - Ludovico Einaudi

The Aviators - Helen Jane Long

Once There Was A Hush Puppy - Benh Zeitlin

On the Nature of Daylight - Max Richter

The Beginning - Factor 8

End of An Era - Zach Hemsey

I Walk With Ghosts - Scott Buckley

The Chasing Coral OST - Dan Romer

The Luca OST - Dan Romer

Arrival to Earth - Steve Jablonsky

Tower of Joy - Ramin Djawadi

Light of the Seven - Ramin Djawadi

Into a Nighttime Sky - Jeremy Zuckerman

Greatest Change - Jeremy Zuckerman

Your Hand in Mine/Home - Explosions in the Sky

Ori, Lost in the Storm - Gareth Coker

Arrival of the Birds - Cinematic Orchestra

Fireflies - Mychael & Jeff Danna

Across the Stars - John Williams

The Soul OST - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

The Queen’s Gambit OST - Carlos Rafael Rivera

[alwaysonthemend]

The Nightcap | JMK

Author’s Note: This is the first fic I’ve written since my BBC Sherlock era so please bear with me. I’m a little nervous posting my writing after so much time but I also really want to get back into it because it’s so much fun! This is unbeta’d so all mistakes are my own. 

Summary: After leaving a party early, you and Josh head back to your place for a nightcap and a movie. Little do either of you know, things are about to heat up between the two of you. 

Content Warnings: Fem!reader, oral (f. receiving) hand jobs, p. in v. sex, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it, folks!), swearing, minor sub Josh. 18+ MINORS DNI 

Word Count: 3499

Preview: 

He sat up from between your legs and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand – no doubt the most obscenely attractive thing you’d ever seen in your life.

“Holy fuck.” you breathed out, and Josh chuckled smugly at your blissed-out expression.

“Everyone always talks about a guitarist’s fingers…” He said with a wicked grin, “But no one ever talks about a vocalist’s tongue.”

“Cocky bastard.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

These parties always made you feel nervous. No matter how many of them you went to, you always felt slightly out of place and awkward. You barely know anyone here. You know the boys of course, having practically grown up alongside them, but it still felt too awkward to ask one of them to stay with you the whole time. You hadn’t even wanted to show up tonight, but Josh had seemed so disappointed when you said you might sit it out and so you’d relented and told him you’d at least come for a little while. Parties were his favorite after all.

The boys were abuzz with energy as you all made your way to the club downtown. They’d booked the whole place out and had invited practically all of their friends who lived nearby, along with a bunch of other people whom you had no idea who they even were. You’d made your rounds as you’d first arrived, saying hello to the few people you did know before making your way over to the bar to have a drink.

From your place at the bar, you could see just about everyone – it was far more packed than you had been expecting and definitely far louder than you were in the mood for. At this point, you were debating with yourself whether or not you should just get an Uber back to your house and call it a night. The day had been long, and this party wasn’t helping the headache mounting behind your eyes.

You rose from your seat, pulling out your phone to call an Uber when Josh slid up next to you, drink in hand.

“Hey y/n! What’s up?” His eyes were sparkling in the dim lighting of the club and his cheeks were pink from the excitement. He looked divine.

“Hey, Josh.” You smiled lightly, “I was just about to call an Uber actually. I’m a little tired and I just want to go to bed.”

His face fell slightly before his eyes furrowed in confusion.

“Why are you calling an Uber? Your place isn’t far, and I could drive you. An Uber would just be a waste of money.”

“That’s sweet of you to offer but I don’t mind paying for an Uber.” You gestured to the party going on around you. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to take you away from all this. You love parties!”

He gave you a toothy grin. He was wearing a low-cut V-neck shirt, and you could see the sweat on his chest glisten under the blue light of the club. He looked ethereal.

“Well yeah, I do. But I also would love to drive you back to your house. I wouldn’t mind. I promise.” He placed his glass on the bar and looked at you through his lashes. He looked sincere and you felt yourself caving.  

“Fine,” you conceded, “So long as you promise that you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all, mama. Come on!” You felt yourself blush at the nickname as you followed him out of the club and into the night air outside. The cold wind was a stark contrast to the stuffiness of the club, and you took a moment to breathe and feel the coolness on your cheeks. You and Josh made your way to his car, and he opened your door for you before getting in himself.

“Thank you again, Josh. You really didn’t have to take me home.” You said after a few moments of relaxed silence. Josh glanced at you for a moment, a soft look on his face, before turning his eyes back to the road.  

“It’s really no problem, y/n. I don’t mind.”

The two of you sat in comfortable silence, interrupted only by the soft sounds of Fleet Foxes floating out from the car’s speakers. This was why you liked Josh. As much as he always seemed to like to talk, he didn’t ever make you feel like you had to entertain or keep up a conversation for things to not be awkward. He was perfectly content to just sit in silence and enjoy another person’s company. You felt lucky that you got to see this side of him.

“I don’t know how you do it, Josh – go to all these parties all the time. I don’t understand how you find the energy to do it and never get tired.” You laughed, watching the lights of the city blur past your window. He chuckled.  

“I do get tired of it sometimes, I’m just a little better at hiding it.” He glanced at you again before continuing in a softer voice. “I didn’t really want to go tonight, actually. I was only going to go if you agreed to go, too.”

You looked at him, startled.

“Why? I’m not exactly the most fun person to be around at parties.”

“You’re very fun to be around, y/n. I love getting to spend extra time with you. I miss you when we’re on tour.” His honesty made your cheeks warm with embarrassment and you were having a hard time coming up with something to say in response.

“Well,” you said after a moment, “I love getting to spend time with you, too. I only showed up tonight because you asked.”

“I’m honored.” He laughed, his own cheeks tinged a little pink.

The rest of the drive passed in comfortable silence, and soon Josh was pulling into your driveway.

“M’lady.” He said with a dramatic flourish as he opened the car door for you again.

You giggled, taking the hand that he offered you as you stepped out of the car.

“Why thank you, my good sir.” You laughed. “Do you want to come in for a nightcap? I’ve got a bottle of wine calling my name right now if you’d like to join.”

He gave you a dazzling smile.

“That sounds amazing. Lead the way!”

The two of you made your way inside and Josh hooked his keys on the little hook on the wall before plopping down onto your sofa. You entered the kitchen, pulled two wine glasses from your cabinet, and placed them on the table. You grabbed the bottle of wine from your pantry, brought it over, and poured yourself and Josh a generous amount. He chuckled as he watched you fill the glasses. You put the bottle away before bringing them over to the sofa where Josh was sitting.

“Thanks for inviting me in, y/n. I really didn’t want to go back there. Far too loud for tonight.” He took a sip from his glass as you took a seat next to him.

“Consider it repayment for driving me home.” You took a sip from your own glass, reveling in the bitter taste on your tongue.

“Or maybe you’re just trying to spend more time with me.” He said with a sly grin.

“Hmm. Maybe. But you did accept my invitation so maybe you just wanted to spend extra time with me.”

He laughed softly. “Maybe so, y/n. Maybe so.”

Your heart rate picked up as he said the words and you brought your glass to your lips and took a large gulp to try and soothe the nerves away. Being alone with him like this, especially in your own house, was making your brain conjure up dangerous thoughts – thoughts that you usually tried to keep buried.

“Do you wanna watch a movie?” You asked in a desperate attempt to break the tension. Josh probably knew exactly what you were doing but went along with it.

“Sure! Did you have a certain one in mind?”

“You’re the film guy. You choose.”

He chuckled, placing his drink on the coffee table, and got up to turn off the lamp. He walked back, grabbing the remote as he sat back down. You placed your own drink down next to his and you settled back into the couch, pulling a blanket off the back and covering your lap and Josh’s as he chose one. You weren’t sure what he chose, but your mind became otherwise occupied as he leaned back, and his thigh and shoulder pressed into yours. The heat from him spread through you like the wine had, leaving you warm and relaxed. His scent flooding your nose coupled with the alcohol left you feeling far more at ease than you had been before.

The movie started and you really did try to pay attention – but all your mind could focus on was the feeling of him pressed against you. You stole occasional glances at him, trying to memorize how the soft glow from the TV accentuated his jawline and how his eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks. At some point, he brought his hand to rest on your knee, absent-mindedly tracing patterns there with his fingertips.

You did your best to keep your eyes focused on the screen and eventually, you found yourself being drawn into the story. At least, you had been for a little while until you felt Josh’s fingertips slowly ghost their way up higher on the inside of your thigh, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. You glanced at Josh, but his eyes were still glued to the screen. He probably hadn’t even realized that he’d done it.

You turned your attention back to the movie, but it wasn’t long before Josh’s touch went even higher ��� high enough that it couldn’t have been an accident.

“Josh?” You whispered, scared to break the silence; scared to acknowledge what was happening. 

He turned to look at you, eyes dark and glistening in the light of the TV. 

“Y/n,” he whispered, swiping his bottom lip with his tongue. Your eyes tracked the movement before sweeping back up to his eyes. “Please tell me I’m not reading into this wrong. Tell me you want this too.” He looked so nervous – a look you’d never really seen on him before. He was always so confident, so sure of himself; seeing him look at you that way made you ache to reach out and soothe him. This was like a damn dream come true. You’d dreamed about being with him like this. You’d just never thought he would ever be interested in someone like you. There were thousands upon thousands of women who would kill someone to be where you were now, and Josh could have any one of them if he wanted. But somehow it was you that he wanted. It was you that got to see him like this – so vulnerable, his desire reflected clearly in his eyes. 

You must have taken too long to answer though, as he pulled his hand quickly from your thigh and stood awkwardly from the sofa. 

“Y/n, I’m so sorry. I never should have assumed that-” 

You grabbed his wrist quickly, wrapping your fingers around him tightly. 

“Relax, Josh. You just surprised me, that’s all.”

He stared at you for a moment, his cheeks a bright red that you could see even in the dim light. 

“I’m so sorry, y/n. That was so rude of me.  I can leave. I won't ever bring this up again.” He made to pull his wrist from your hand, but you tighten your grip on him. 

“Josh,” you whispered, “I want this. I want you.” 

He stared at you, turning your words over in his mind. He looked divine, bathed in the light from the screen, his chest heaving with excitement. 

“You promise?” 

“I promise.” You say as you pull him back down onto the sofa. You scoot backwards, bringing your back flush to the armrest and spread your legs. “Come here, Josh. I want this.” 

He crawls his way over to you, sitting on his knees between your thighs. His eyes are even darker than before, and the redness of his cheeks was now painted down his chest as well. You stare at him, waiting. Your heart is pounding, heat flooding between your legs as you stare at him. 

“Can I kiss you?” He says, as he brings his palms to your thighs and leans over you, your chests flush against each other. You ghost your lips over his, feeling their softness. 

“Please do.” 

He brings his lips to yours in a searing kiss, immediately plunging his tongue between your lips in a greedy display of lust. You whine quietly as he licks his way into your mouth, and you bring your hands up to his face, cupping his cheeks between them. He presses his hips to yours and you can feel his cock straining through the fabric of his pants, and you can feel your own wetness soaking through your panties. You don’t remember the last time you were this turned on. You feel dizzy – drunk on lust and desire for the man on top of you. 

His lips leave yours and you chase them, but he brings them to your neck instead, pressing searing hot kisses down your throat. He pulls away briefly to pull your shirt over your head before returning his mouth to the hollow of your throat. Your hands move upwards, ghosting over the shaved sides of his head before tangling in his unruly curls. You give them a tug and he groans, nipping at the sensitive skin of your neck. 

“Do you like that, Josh? Like it when I pull your hair?” You ask breathlessly, tugging again at his hair. 

He moans again and you feel his cock twitch as he ruts himself against your clothed pussy. 

“Fuck, mama…” he breathes, tongue licking over the valley between your breasts as he brings his right hand to the waistband of your pants. He brings his mouth away from you as he pulls them off, groaning at the sight of your lace thong. You mentally high-five yourself for choosing to put them on that morning. 

“Can I taste you, y/n?” He looks up at you from underneath his lashes and you swear you’ve never seen something more sinful. His lips are red and swollen and his chest glistens with sweat. He looks absolutely ravished already. 

“Whatever you want, Joshy.” 

He gives you a wicked grin before lifting your hips to slide your panties down your thighs. He brings them to his nose and inhales, moaning at the scent before tossing them somewhere in the room. That action alone makes your pussy ache with need for him, and you can feel yourself practically vibrating with excitement and desire. 

He lowers his head between your thighs and swipes his tongue through your folds, lapping at the wetness collected there. You breathe out a stuttered breath and throw your head back, eyes closed tight. He repeats the action, this time swirling the tip of his tongue around your swollen clit. 

“Oh God!” you whine, completely lost in the sensations of his tongue.  

He chuckles, and the vibration leaves you feeling completely drunk on arousal. He continues his ministrations, and it isn't long before you feel that familiar coil tightening in your belly. He brings one hand to cup your chin, thrusting his middle and pointer fingers into your mouth. You suck on them obediently before he pulls them out and sinks them into you, never once stopping with his talented tongue. He curls his fingers inside you, brushing against the spot that few men had ever been able to find as he suckled on your clit and your orgasm tore through you like a tidal wave. Your vision whited out as your entire body shook and you let out a wail of Josh’s name. 

He sat up from between your legs and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand – no doubt the most obscenely attractive thing you’d ever seen in your life. 

“Holy fuck.” you breathed out, and Josh chuckled smugly at your blissed-out expression. 

“Everyone always talks about a guitarist’s fingers…” He said with a wicked grin. “But no one ever talks about a vocalist’s tongue.” 

“Cocky bastard.” You laugh, sitting up and reaching for his pants. You pull them off him, leaving him in nothing but his boxers. He tears his own shirt off his head and you take a moment to just look at him. You can see his cock still straining through his boxers and his chest is red and heaving. His chin is covered in your wetness. 

“You look divine.” You say, pushing him back into a sitting position. 

“Speak for yourself, darling.” He slides the straps of your bra down your shoulders and reaches behind you to unclip it with one hand. He uses his other hand to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. You’re completely naked now, and Josh is staring at you like you’re the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. You throw one leg over him, straddling his waist and grinding your pussy down on his cock. His hardness coupled with the roughness of the fabric of his boxers gives you the most delicious friction. He lets out a whine that’s like music to your ears. 

“I don’t have any condoms…” He mutters breathlessly, hands gripping your hips so hard they’ll probably leave bruises. 

“I’m clean. And I’m on birth control.” You say as you lean down to kiss him again. He moans as you bite his lower lip. 

“You sure?” He says, breaking the kiss to look up at you through hooded eyes. 

“Yes. Wanna feel you all the way.” You say as you pull his boxers down. He kicks them off and you take a moment to admire him. His head is an angry red and pearly droplets of precum leak from it. You scoot down lower on his thighs and spit into your hand before wrapping your fingers around his cock. He whines again and lets his head fall back onto the back of the couch. You pump up and down a few times, increasing your speed as you go. He lets out a breathy moan that sends shocks of arousal down into your pussy. You want nothing more than to sink down on him already, but you continue to jack him off with your hand. You want to see how far you can push him. 

“Fuck, I’m gonna cum if you don’t stop.” He whines, lifting his head to stare at you. You chuckle and speed up your hand while you start to massage his balls with the other. 

“Mama…” he moans again, and you can feel his balls tighten. He’s about to cum so you squeeze your hand tightly around the base of his dick. He yelps and groans, hips pushing up to try and chase his release. 

“Not yet, baby. Want you to come inside me.” You let go of his cock and bring your own hand to your clit, flicking it a few times before sinking down on him. 

You both moan loudly as you bottom out and you feel like you could cum from the feeling of him stretching you alone. You sit still for a moment, adjusting to his size before you slowly start to rock your hips. He moans and slides his hands down to grip your ass, squeezing as you bounce up and down on him. 

“Fuck, y/n, you feel so good. So tight.” 

“You’re doing so good, Josh. Such a good boy for me.” You moan, picking up your pace. He groans and bucks his hips at the nickname. 

“You like when I call you a good boy?” 

“So much, mama. Wanna be your good boy.” He ruts his hips into yours, meeting you in the middle as you ride him. You can feel yourself right on the edge, but you want to see him cum first. 

“You are my good boy, Josh. You’re so fucking perfect. So needy. So good for me.” And with one final thrust into you, you feel him explode in you, painting your walls with his release. 

“Oh fuck, fuck, fuck. Holy shit.” He whines, and the sound of his needy moans coupled with the pleasure painted over his face brings you to your own release as well. The coil in your belly snaps for a second time and you moan his name as you ride out your orgasm. 

You rise off him, collapsing onto the sofa next to him. 

“Holy shit.” He laughs breathlessly. “You are something else, mama.” 

You laugh, turning over to kiss him softly. 

“So are you, baby. You were so good for me.” He smiles lazily at you, eyes now shining with something more than just lust. 

“I’m glad you invited me in.” 

You laughed loudly. 

“Me too.’’ You could feel the tendrils of sleep beginning to cloud your mind and you rose slowly from the couch. Josh looked up at you, his messy curls falling onto his forehead. You extended your hand toward him 

“Stay with me tonight?” 

He smiled softly at you and took your hand. 

“I’ll stay as long as you want me to.”

[swiftlark]

･｡.｡༅:*ﾟ:*:✼✿ get to know me! ✿✼:*ﾟ:༅｡.｡༅:*

❥ about me!

my name is elizabeth, eliza, or el. i am in my 20s and currently enrolled in an undergraduate program. i am anishinaabe (ojibwe/chippewa) and white. i am a gemini! i’m a lesbian. i study theater performance & creative writing. i hope to go to grad school to get a MFA in playwriting. i have a cat named willow. my favorite color is pink. my favorite album of all time is 1989 by taylor swift. currently, i am a server and i often complain about my job.

❥ music and musicians!

taylor swift and all the subsequent niches in that fandom such as the eras tour, fashion, etc. with a particular passion in lyric analysis. stevie nicks and fleetwood mac have a chokehold on me. female pop stars have recently taken over my life, such as sabrina carpenter, chappell roan, lana del rey, olivia rodrigo, and maisie peters. artists like phoebe bridgers, mitski, and ethel cain have been on repeat recently. i’m not big into male artists but i do love hozier and harry styles. i’m still not over one direction either. as i’ve stated, i am into theater which means that i love musicals. my favorites are moulin rouge, anastasia, wicked, six, hamilton, phantom of the opera, rent, little shop of horrors, hadestown, and the last five years.

❥ on-screen media!

i’ve been very into the dceu, specifically teen titans 2003 + all media involving dick grayson and koriand’r together. once upon a time i was really into the mcu, specifically spider-man. and even more specifically, spidermj & spidergwen. i have a deep love for movies and their aesthetics. i have so much love for the star wars franchise. tv shows take up a good portion of my brain. as for sitcoms the good place, derry girls, it’s always sunny in philadelphia, friends, the office, parks and rec, and new girl come to mind. other shows include yellowjackets, bridgerton, anne with an e, stranger things, gilmore girls, gossip girl, heartstopper, and the summer i turned pretty. unfortunately, i love miraculous ladybug.

❥ books!

i love reading (i say as i’ve read like five books this last year). whenever i read something i immediately get obsessed which was completely the case when i read the girshaverse (six of crows and shadow & bone). kanej, genyalina, helnik, and wesper have my heart. the folk of air books have a special place in my heart. the hunger games was one of first obsessions ever and still is, everlark raised me. unfortunately, i love the harry potter universe but don’t interact with it much because of jkr. and even though i love anne with an e, i love the anne of green gables books even more.

❥ writing!

i currently write on archive of our own! i have fics about the dceu, miraculous ladybug, anne with an e, six of crows, folk of air, and the hunger games. you can find my account here!

that’s all! thanks for listening <3

[thisaintascenereviews]

Zach Bryan - The Great American Bar Scene

There’s no artist like Zach Bryan, especially with his meteoric rise to fame within the last couple of years. I remember hearing his name back in 2021, but he was an underground artist. Now that everyone knows about him, what happens next? Since Zach Bryan is arguably one of the biggest artists in the world, he can do whatever he wants at this point. His self-titled album from last year was his stepping stone, and it was the album that catapulted him to the stratosphere of country music. Hell, he dropped an EP just a few months later, which boasted features from Bon Iver and Noah Kahan.

He’s been teasing The Great American Bar Scene for awhile now, but we finally got it a week ago (as of writing this, anyway). I loved the self-titled, as it was in my top three albums of the year for 2023, so expectations were high. Fortunately, I’d say this record is quite good, and it’s still one of the best of the year, but it doesn’t top the self-titled. If anything, The Great American Bar Scene is starting to show the cracks of Bryan’s formula that originally worked quite well (and still does, frankly, at least to a degree, anyway), and I don’t know how much longer his formula can hold up without people finally getting sick of it or realizing what it is.

Zach Bryan’s formula is pretty simple: he’s a singer-songwriter that blurs the lines between folk and country, his lyrics are usually very honest, and he has a very “authentic” persona that a lot of people find interesting. That’s why he got big in the first place, because people have been vying for an authentic country artist that goes against the mainstream, especially the bro-country and pop-country eras within the last decade. Bryan’s biggest problem is that a lot of his music is the same. Even as a huge fan, I can’t deny it. I’ve gone on record many times saying that I’m mixed when it comes to artists who keep their sound stagnant, because it depends on the artist and what their sound is. If a sound works for me, it works, but I’m picky about it.

Bryan’s sound has worked for me for a long time, whether it’s for his voice being good, his lyrics being well-written, and knowing how to write some catchy songs, but he doesn’t know when to cut himself off at times. His albums end up becoming self-indulgent and running way too long, and that might be why my favorite project of his will always be 2022’s Summertime Blues. It’s a brisk half hour and has some of his best material, but his albums are always overstuffed, even if they’re not necessarily bland or bad. Hell, 2022’s American Heartbreak is two and a half hours, and it didn’t need to be that long, The self-titled wasn’t too bad, but The Great American Bar Scene is a little over an hour with 19 songs. If that isn’t self-indulgent, I don’t know what is, but I still quite enjoy it.

The Great American Bar Scene is very much in line with Zach Bryan’s sound, but that’s also its biggest issue — it’s just a typical Zach Bryan album, which is great for diehard fans, but for those that want some variety or something new, you won’t get it. I love his “typical” sound, so I’ll eat this album right up, but I can also acknowledge it’s got some problems. I don’t know if we’re getting a diminishing return here, because this record has some of his best songs. The price of admission alone is worth it for “Purple Gas,” “Pink Skies,” and with what I think is the most important moment of the album, “Sandpaper” that features The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen.

To some, that feature may not make sense, but this album is Bryan’s Nebraska (which is Springsteen’s 1982 acoustic solo album that’s the outlier of his work, as well as his darkest, lyrically speaking). This album doesn’t have anything as dark as that album, but it’s a basic singer-songwriter album in the same vein, and he uses the album as a way to tell stories about various people, whether it’s himself or another character. Having The Boss himself is a big moment for any younger artist; The Gaslight Anthem had him on their comeback album from last year, although I felt The Boss was a little phoned in on that album. He sounds a lot livelier on this record, thankfully.

Aside from that, though, this record is standard Zach Bryan, but there is a lot to really appreciate, which are the still the trademarks of a typical Zach Bryan album, so it’s kind of two-fold. This is a great ZB album, and diehard fans are sure to love this to the moon and back, but I can see fans and the mainstream being more apprehensive towards this, minus a few big singles. Bryan’s voice sounds fantastic, the storytelling and the lyricism is rich and beautiful, and even the songs themselves are written well, despite becoming meandering or derivative after a certain point. I love this record, warts and all, and you’ll certainly see it somewhere on my yearend list.

[fictionkinfessions]

Canon tunes? Ohohoho. Ehehehe. Ahahaha. I am THE music autist whose kins are like the most MUSICAL motherfuckers ever.

ONE. Fall Out Boy’s Infinity on High era sounded exactly like the Gavinners, and something about GINASFS or Thnks Fr Th Mmrs is very ‘Golden Era’ Gavinners coded. In general I think I as Klav had very similar music regardless.

As Boombox I am not sure! I loved all types of music but I loved EDM and whatever EDM existed on Inpherno was like vaguely different from ours. Phighting! just has that certain style I am not sure what it is. but ! regardless i find myself listening in this life to a lot of femtanyl and general music such as that (along with Phighting! OSTs ofc) when im in a boombox shift. stuff makes me feel hyped

For like Pearl and Shiver you get the drill except as Pearl our producer for Off The Hook did a little better (I am not a fan of our music in-game) and it had a lot more rap or hip-hop influence sometimes with EDM it just depended on like the album i guess. However

For Beika another splatoon kin my voice was a very rocker-like voice that could have a growl if i wanted. I usually sounded fucking annoying otherwise but my singing voice was TOOOTES different.

and folks the music doesn’t stop there!! As Rockstar Cookie I was very heavy heavy with guitar… sort of had an 80s rockish sound to it if that makes sense!!

Boyfriend Friday Night Funkin’. thats all i’ll say about that

Idk what to say other than I kinda served as Mettaton. What do you call that sort of music that sounds like hot pink glitter and homosexuality? that was my music

i like could keep going on my kinlist is full of music and honestly I’m considering conceptkin and just being music in some way itself like. This ask game was MAAAADE for me /vpos

-#🕹️👾🎸

x

[according2thelore]

tag game!

thank you for the tag, @pookeenpie!

charlotte:

Do you make your bed? absolutely not—I always run out of time in the morning 💔

What's your favorite number? 8! it’s very round and symmetrical so it’s a vibe

What is your job? I’m in sales ✊

If you could go back to school, would you? no—I’m finally free 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Can you parallel park? nope! I learned how but promptly forgot that wizardry—idk how lizzy does it 😭

A job you had that would surprise people? I worked at a luxury spa for a hot second 🧎‍♀️

Do you think aliens are real? yes, but not in a flying saucer way—maybe microorganisms?

Can you drive a manual car? no (dean would be ashamed)

What's your guilty pleasure? I love the apple snail egg crushing tiktoks….too niche?

Tattoos? only one really fresh one—I got it with lizzy a few weeks ago!

Favorite color? pink!

Favorite type of music? gay girl pop 🤩

Do you like puzzles? after wresting with a 1000+ piece one this week…no 💅 (yes)

Any phobias? any of the creepy crawlies, being in the middle of nowhere, sleep paralysis, home invasion, carbon monoxide poisoning…I could go on lol, I’m an anxious gal

Favorite childhood sport? gymnastics (I was awful at tumbling but loved burrowing into the foam pit)

Do you talk to yourself? yes, but only if I’m upset ☹️

What movies do you adore? the eras tour movie is on at all times now that I don’t share a living space with lizzy 🤭

Coffee or tea? coffee runs through my veins 🧎‍♀️

First thing you wanted to be when you grew up? a fairy or a mermaid 🧜‍♀️

lizzy:

Do you make your bed? yes! i try to everyday.

What's your favorite number? 18 or 54. long story.

What is your job? pestering charlotte

If you could go back to school, would you? i am in school now! i'm getting a degree that rhymes with schecoming a schmocter

Can you parallel park? yes! charlotte has been in the car with me while parallel parking, so she can attest to my deftness and skill. my old car was pretty damn long and i had to park that puppy everywhere.

A job you had that would surprise people? hmm...TA? my students said i was pretty great!

Do you think aliens are real? yes but mostly just like amoebas and things...if we got something bigger then it's not in this solar system.

Can you drive a manual car? ...naur... :(

What's your guilty pleasure? none of my pleasures are guilty? i don't think? i play the ukulele and that has a lot of Cringe Culture pointed at it right now so maybe that?

Tattoos? i got my first one with charlotte like two weeks ago! :) no, they're not matching ones.

Favorite color? red or yellow! they are happy colours :)

Favorite type of music? i gotta go indie or folk? but i can pretty much listen to anything and like it except extreme metal, jazz, or most post-2001 country

Do you like puzzles? yes!!!!! i LOVE puzzles!!! i listen to audiobooks and use a puzzle app on my phone. but my favourite types of puzzles are word puzzles--i tear up a crossword.

Any phobias? spiders and the unknown void of death. wahoo!

Favorite childhood sport? i only ever hated the sports i played as a youth. so i'm going with dodgeball? or volleyball?

Do you talk to yourself? yeah sometimes i'm writing a scene in my head and i say dialogue out loud on accident. but if i'm alone sometimes i'll narrate what i'm doing.

What movies do you adore? It's A Wonderful Life (1946), The Road to El Dorado (2000), Your Name (2016), Pride and Prejudice (2005) [i know i just alienated some people there], Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013) [but really all of AOS], and Notting Hill (1999) [i could go on forever i love movies]

Coffee or tea? tea! mostly black tea--green tea makes my tummy hort

First thing you wanted to be when you grew up? probably a princess or astronaut? or pop star? the classics.

tagging: @animangalover15 @pregnancykink @majordemonblockparty @samisadeangirl @incesthemes

as always, this is completely optional! <3 just for fun!

[thecircularlibrary]

a little intro post <33

about me: my name is isabella and i don’t really have any nicknames. i’m studying media studies and poli sci!! i plan to go to law school one day!

favorite color: pink obv

default google font: times new roman or cormant garamond, i love how clean they look

mario kart character: princess daisy

favorite hawthorne: nash, easily

series: a good girl’s guide to murder, the inheritance games saga, riordanverse, classics, the folk of the air, lynn painter books, the selection, grishaverse

favorite books of all time: the great gatsby, the hate u give, the beauty that remains, the outsiders, the final gambit

favorite movies of all time: dead poets society, west side story, how to lose a guy in ten days, crazy rich asians, little women, do revenge

music: gracie abrams, role model, tate mcrae, taylor swift, harry styles, olivia rodrigo, sabrina carpenter, shawn mendes, nostalgic music from the 2000s-2010s era, billie eilish

hobbies: writing, reading, watching movies, dancing, listening to music, and i actually really like school, especially taking notes; it’s therapeutic for me

book bfs: wes bennet, nick stark, ravi singh, jameson hawthorne, percy jackson, cardan greenbriar

hope this has been informative!!! <33

masterlist

fics

location services - lyrason

oh darling, don't you ever grow up - lyrason

loss of my life - nash and alisa

is that legal? - hawthorne game night

money talks - alisa x finance bro that i made up

hcs

alisa headcanons

[lordisitmine]

TTNBD BLOG PART FOUR

Covers chapters 4 and 4.5 of the story.

This is the chapter that gave me the idea to do these commentary blogs in the first place! This is also the longest chapter so far (*distant laughter from the future*)- I originally intended to try and keep each chapter of this story around seven thousand words, so they would all be nice and even, but alas, I’m just too verbose for such consistency. The story has to split the right way, and so that inevitably means that some updates will be longer than others. One of the later chapters I have planned might very well end up being twice as long as this one (*laughs again*), so I’ll really have no place to hide at that point. So, without further adieu, let’s get to it!

CHAPTER FOUR: AT THE TURNING OF THE YEAR

The title of this chapter isn’t directly inspired by anything- there is a folk song with that name, but I hadn’t heard of it until way after I already came up with the title for this chapter. It’s kind of a neat song though, so I’ll link it here- it’s about the changing of the seasons and the nature of mortality, and the kinds of things people think about and sing about at new year’s.

This chapter starts with one of my favourite scenes that I’ve written for this story so far. I think it’s probably my own personality showing through again, but the idea of having a woman dress up for me is like O_o and picking out her clothes for her!? Please. Anyway, Sybil is not being subtle… Lizzy is just really oblivious, though maybe not so shy anymore, based on the way the chapter ends. Don’t worry, don’t worry, we’ll get there.

I know Lizzy’s colour is pink; her outfits in the anime are all based on Lolita fashion, and they’re all in very typical feminine colours. Since she’s grown up now, I wanted her style to reflect that, as well as the changing of the times. And I just think blondes look so good in green. It’s my favourite colour, and it’s the colour of her eyes, so it would make them pop. I have at least one more party scene in this story, though, and she’ll be back in pink and frills for that one. I just wanted to give her a simpler, more classic silhouette for this one, which is what I think Sybil would have picked for her, with the ridiculously large sleeves that were so emblematic of the time.

And a Gibson girl hairstyle! This was a popular hairstyle of the time, albeit a little later, more into the 1910s (Edwardian rather than Victorian). But like I’ve said, I can and will fudge the numbers a little when it comes to historical accuracy, if I think I can get away with it and if I really want to be self-indulgent. This is fanfiction, after all. The hairstyle I described was not the one I ended up drawing. There are some variations when it comes to what constitutes a Gibson girl hairstyle, and of course, it would depend on a given woman’s hair length/texture etc. What I described was simpler, more like the picture on the left, but what I ended up drawing was more like the one on the right, which is so beautiful, and I’m obsessed with how the drawing turned out.

As for Sybil, who I imagine to be more on the masculine end of the fashion spectrum- I wanted her to have a Marlene Dietrich moment (for those unaware, Marlene Dietrich was a singer/actress who was very popular in the WWII era and was known for her bending of gender roles and her queerness). Once again, I’m being anachronistic- Marlene Dietrich and her iconic menswear wouldn’t be a thing until decades later, but I can pretty much guarantee that lesbians have been wearing tuxedos for as long as tuxedos have existed.

Madame LaChance’s shop is called Chanceux en Amour. That’s French for ‘lucky in love’ and since Madame’s name is literally ‘lady luck’, I thought it fit. Women have been seamstresses, both domestically and commercially, for centuries, but for a long time, they did all the labour and reaped none of the benefits. So yeah, this is a women-owned business, baby! We love to see it.

As we know by now, Madame is not only a friend of Sybil and Simeon’s but is connected to Ciel and Sebastian as well. I like to think she treats those boys a little like dolls, like if she comes up with some insane design she wants to try, she’ll test it on them. I swear to God I must have been a fashion/costume designer in another life because I’m obsessed with describing/drawing outfits for my characters in everything always.

I am so incredibly proud of these ones. Ciel and Sebastian are known by their employees and patrons only as the Raven and the Phoenix (I referred in TTEOE to Ciel being like a phoenix and it stuck oops) and I wanted them to have stupid, extravagant outfits to reflect that.

Anyway, yes, Sebastian is wearing thigh-high boots, and yes, you bet they’re the stiletto heels he wears whenever he’s in his true form and we only see his feet! Ciel is in heels too, lol, he would have to be to keep up with Sebastian at all.

I am in love with the idea of the two of them creating this whole mysterious persona around themselves, and I’m a sucker for a masquerade. Ciel’s outfit (the sleeves in particular) was inspired by Shakespearean costumes- I’m a big fan of theatre and Shakespeare and I love when characters in stories have an element of mystery and performance to them. Ciel is nobility, so he’s used to garnering a certain level of attention and respect from the people around him, and I don’t think that would change now that he’s a demon but I also think he would like the element of anonymity that a mask gives him.

I’m a BIG fan of the 2004 Joel Schumacher Phantom of the Opera film (if you couldn’t tell by the way I described the theatre in this chapter, or the outfits I have everyone in). If you’re trying to imagine anything in this chapter, it’s all pretty much lifted directly from the aesthetic of that movie. And I was also listening to the 2013 Baz Luhrman Great Gatsby movie soundtrack when I was writing it too. Yeah yeah, it’s the 1900s not the 1920s but I have to get in the old-timey party mood somehow, and that soundtrack was hugely popular/ I had it on my iPod when I was a teenager and at the height of my Black Butler obsession so. They’re somehow kind of linked in my mind.

Le Cour de Corbeau literally translates to ‘the raven’s heart’ and what is Ciel if not Sebastian’s heart? I’m thinking of writing a one-shot spin-off once TTNBD is done that goes back and explores exactly how Sebastian and Ciel met Madame and ended up owning an entire nightclub. I don’t have the exact timeline of events planned out but I imagine it involved some sort of demonic shenanigans so it should be fun to come up with something.

The club is located in the Montmartre area of Paris, which was one of the main gathering areas of the queer community in Paris in the early twentieth century. Paris in general has been home to many underground gay clubs, salons, cafés and cabarets throughout history. Even to this day, it’s considered one of the queer capitals of the world. I knew I had to pay homage to the queer community in my fic, knowing Ciel and Sebastian were going to be living in Paris.

In chapter nine of To the End of Everything, I wrote a scene where the two of them snuck off from a ball to be together, and they danced in a quiet, dark room, and Ciel had a thought of some day being able to do it in the open. I was thinking of that when I decided to set a chapter in this club.

The scene with Lizzy and Sybil in the carriage on the way to the club was really tricky to write- it’s difficult to write a sort of coming out scene without being able to use any of the modern terminology we use now. I’m of the opinion that homosexuality was talked about in common society a lot more than the history books would have us believe. Humans have been having sex longer than we’ve been doing pretty much anything else, and that must count for something.

Lizzy and Sybil get to dance in this chapter! I spent a long time trying to find the right song for them, and I settled on Serenade for strings in C major my Pyotor Illyich Tchaikovsky. Tchaikozvky’s waltzes have this grandness to them, and they always make me feel like I’m being floated around on a cloud of air, which is how I wanted Lizzy to feel during this scene. I believe I’ve said this before, but music is very important to me and it inspires me greatly, and so I’m always finding ways to subtly work it into my writing.

Speaking of music- let’s talk about the scene with Madame’s performance- one of my favourite Sebaciel tropes is them having sex in semi-public places, during parties or in Ciel’s office or anywhere they might be discovered at any second so Ciel has to try to be quiet while Sebastian will try to make him get loud on purpose. There’s just something so utterly them about it. Also Sebastian leaving his gloves on. Enough said.

The song Madame is singing during this scene is from Mozart’s famous opera Don Giovanni, called Vedrai, Carino- specifically the aria from that scene. In that scene, one of the characters, Masetto, has been beaten up, and his fiancée, Zerlina, finds him and promises she can cure his wounds… with sex. It’s all cheeky double entendre and it’s very romantic and cute.

Here are the lyrics:

Come, come; if that's the worst, there's no great harm done.

Come with me home to supper,

And give your faithful promise, you'll nevermore be jealous;

Those bruises can be cured, where love is zealous.

Come, shall I tell thee,

How what befell thee,

Soon can be cured

By my potent charm?

No garden grows it,

Though it aboundeth,

Like furnace glows it,

Yet none 'twill harm,

All guard and cherish it:

Gold cannot buy it,

Say, wilt thou try it

Soft 'tis, and warm.

Has thy wit flown,

Hear, how it throbs within,

lays his hand on her heart

'Tis all thine own,

Ah, 'tis thine only

The melody is cheerful but lilting, and it builds and builds with a sort of heartbeat rhythm toward the end… I just thought it was perfect for this scene.

Sybil and Madame’s conversation was interesting to write. I realised part way through that I was writing an exchange with only original characters in it. I wasn’t sure how many people would really want to read a story with so much original character content, but the response to this story and especially the characters I’ve created has been wonderful and really touching. Being a writer is the most important thing in the world to me- someday I hope to have my own novels out in the world, so even a little bit of positive attention for the more original aspects of my fanfiction is a big encouragement.

Anyway, onto the next section of commentary, which is the scene between Alois and Claude.

I want to be clear- being a victim of sexual assault or child sexual abuse does not automatically turn you into the kind of person Alois is. It is completely possible for CSA victims to have normal, healthy relationships as adults. Alois, of course, was never in a safe enough space or had the necessary support system to heal from the trauma he endured. Instead, he ended up internalizing the abuse he experienced and convinced himself he was in control of it, that he was the one manipulating and using the old man, and that has led to him having a skewed perception of himself and his own sexuality, as well as an unhealthy relationship with sex in general.

The human mind will convince itself of all sorts of things in the pursuit of survival. People will cope however they can. There is no wrong way to survive. In Alois’s case, he sold his soul to a demon. Clearly, he has much different motivations and boundaries than a regular real-life person- and often in fiction, an unhealthy mind is much more interesting to write and read about, especially when there’s things like demons involved.

From the beginning of planning this story, I wanted Claude and Alois to have a super messy dynamic. I see Alois and Claude as a narrative foil to Ciel and Sebastian- the same dynamic, a young aristocrat and his demon butler, but taken to the opposite extreme conclusion. The same devotion, obsession, even attraction, but inverted- reluctant, resentful, but no less intense and inescapable. Where Sebastian is loyal, Claude is treacherous, but he is no less drawn to Alois, if only because of the contract between them.

Alois and Claude’s dynamic as I write it is this: Alois may be the master, and he may think he is in control, but he will always get more than he bargains for when it comes to Claude. Of course, I’m writing this commentary months after this chapter came out, and I’ve pushed that dynamic even further in subsequent chapters.

As to how it will end between them- well, you’ll have to wait and see.

On to the climatic title moment of the chapter, the countdown to the new year and the new century: I was just a little kid in 1999, so my memories are vague. I remember some stuff about the Y2K scare (for those of you younger than I am who don’t know what I’m talking about, you can google it, I’m not going off on a tangent here ���. Anyway, I imagine the coming of a new century must be really exciting, more so than any other new year celebration, because it’s far rarer.

And of course, what better moment to kiss a girl you like for the first time than at such a classic, traditional moment? There’s something so gripping about the turning of the year, that moment when it feels like everything is about to change even though it really isn’t. It gives that same sort of exhilarating feeling as kissing someone for the first time. Kissing someone for the first time is terrifying too, but it’s also amazing.

Of course, things are about to go sideways for Lizzy, so she’s not going to get to experience any of what normally comes after such a thing, at least not for a while.

I like to imagine Ciel and Sebastian standing up on that balcony, looking down into the street over the crowds and the fireworks, and Ciel’s jaw just dropping when he sees Lizzy kissing Sybil. Lizzy?? Kissing a girl?? He’s not jealous or anything, obviously, but it must have been quite a shock for him, it’s no wonder he was staring.

CHAPTER FOUR-POINT-FIVE: INTERLUDE; AULD LANG SYNE

There are going to be a few interludes throughout this fic- they’re really just chapters on they’re own, but they’re shorter parts that feel like they need to stand on their own. Also, I like the word ‘interlude’ and wanted an excuse to feel fancy.

Auld Lang Syne is of course a quite well-known (at least in my neck of the woods) Scottish folk song that people typically sing at New Year’s. it was originally a poem written in the Scots dialect by poet Robert Burns, written in 1788, but he said himself that he had “taken it down from an old man”. The first verse and chorus can be directly attributed to a 1711 folk song by James Watson, the rest being attributed to Burns himself. Watson’s original stanza and refrain are the most memorable of the song’s lyrics:

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,

and never thought upon;

The flames of Love extinguished,

and fully past and gone:

Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,

that loving Breast of thine;

That thou canst never once reflect

On old long syne.

Chorus:

On old long syne my Jo,

On old long syne,

That thou canst never once reflect,

On old long syne.

The phrase “auld lang syne” can be translated to mean “old long since”, but in a more general sense just means “times long past”. The phrase “for auld lang syne” can me taken to mean “for the sake of old times”. The song, while generally sung at the stroke of midnight at the new year, can also be used as a general farewell- it’s about remembering the past while moving toward the future. It’s been sung at graduations, funerals, and other such events for this reason.

Thematically, it’s perfect for where we’re at in the story. “Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never thought upon” is sort of an inverse of what’s happening- Lizzy still thinks of Ciel often, and Ciel has just had his past brought back to him despite having moved on from it. “Is thy sweet love now grown so cold, that loving Breast of thine; that thou canst never once reflect on old lang syne?” Has Ciel really lost all attachment to his past- does he really care so little what happens to the people he once cared about that he can’t even be bothered to look back, or to literally go back to his old life in some sense?

Alois is hungover and yet somehow still a little horny- there’s not too much to say about it other than OOF. I always have more fun writing Claude’s inner monologue anyway (I hate him so much but it’s so fun to write him), so the scene at the breakfast table where he makes the comment about Ciel not having the butler Alois does really tickle me. I love when characters throw shade at each other without realising what they’re saying. And the fact that Alois has to go around solving crimes and blames Ciel for it despite never having met him? Delightful. What a whiny bitch he is.

Abberline is the boss man now, and he’s doing his whole strong man though guy in charge routine, but he can’t fool me. He’s just a little guy. Still, though, it’s not great that someone leaked stuff to the press- it’s almost like whoever did it wants to cause a panic and make sure that the message gets sent to someone… I wonder what it could mean?

I don’t actually know if the London news would be published in Paris so quickly. I’m probably stretching historical accuracy to its breaking point haha, but like I always remind myself, I’m the only one who cares about stuff like that, and it’s my story anyway so ultimately, I can do whatever I want!

Ciel and Sebastian would be walking down the street holding hands if it was allowed. They’re so gross and domestic in this story and I’m not even sorry. Thinking about them going to a café in the morning and sitting looking at the paper and people-watching while Ciel eats a mountain of sugary treats and Sebastian drinks his coffee- I am often inclined to think about little else. I promise that when all of this is over, they will go back to doing that. But the main plot of the story has finally caught up with them.

“Would you hate me terribly if I said I wanted to go back to London?”

“I would hate you terribly if you pretended you did not.”

One of the things Sebastian loves most about Ciel is how unapologetic he is about the things he wants. Ciel’s motives as a human were never about being good- only about serving his family’s name, which was an obligation as well as a desire, but also about revenge, about going to any extent to achieve his goals. People so often sacrifice their dreams or wants for the sake of others, or for the sake of politeness, or decency- but Ciel was never like that. In a lot of ways, Ciel is a selfish person, self-indulgent and stubborn and a lot of other things people normally don’t like. So how could a demon like Sebastian not love him?

For the record, I love Ciel also. I call him selfish and stubborn and indulgent and all of these somewhat negative things, but I mean it affectionately. He’s a pretty little bastard and I love him so much. I think he should get everything he asks for and be allowed to do whatever he wants forever. (Me 🤝 Sebastian).

Okay so. I had to kill someone. There had to be a murder to bring Ciel and Sebastian back to London. It wasn’t going to be Lizzy that dies, obviously, but who else could it have been that would have made Ciel even remotely interested? I didn’t want to kill one of Lizzy’s parents, they’re useful characters to have around. Not Abberline- he’s even more important. So, Edward was the natural choice. I don’t think Ciel liked Edward at all- Edward certainly didn’t like him- but neither do I. Or rather, I don’t really have any feelings for Edward as a character whatsoever- he’s so minor. So murdered it is. The more important part is HOW he was murdered, obviously, but the fact that the victim is someone connected to Ciel’s past is also important.

RIP Edward Midford, thanks for your sacrifice to the plot. You will not be forgotten.

I think Lizzy and Sybil would have probably gotten together that day if Edward hadn’t have died and sent Lizzy on a whole new emotional arc. So maybe actually Edward, fuck you for getting murdered and keeping your sister from getting some. And fuck me for writing it that way I guess 😅

Anyway, that’s all for now! I’m on hiatus right now, and I’m working on the outline for the final arc of the story, and also trying to catch up on these. I’m probably going to start grouping chapters together in posts. There ended up being so many more chapters in this story than I originally planned. See you again soon!

[nebulanewts]

And just because I wanted to,here’s my personal choices as of right now and why I picked them just for funsies :]

*this post will be long I’m SO SORRY dhdhdj*

Ayumu - Mystery Brown (DETECTIVE AYUMU LIVES!!! Like that one art in LL Days,,also it’s just pretty and would look nice on her like just picture Agupon with a lil Sherlock-y cap walking around the stage with a magnifying glass looking for “clues” idk that would just be cute and silly - but my second pick would probably be Spring Colored Blazer,it’s very Ayumu and I like that)

Kasumi - Black Jewelry (Like I said,these options tell me nothing about what her song will sound like but this one is pretty and elegant but in a Kasumi way,it kind of reminds me of a ballerina outfit which is cute - my second pick would be White Elegance bc it’s pretty)

Shizuku - Pink Frill Dress (Finally,Shizuku outfit options that aren’t all blue but this one is my favorite bc it’s very soft and princess-y not much else to say but I like this one a lot - my second pick would probably be Cherry Cherry it’s very retro and cute)

Karin - Amethyst Dress (All of her options are amazing so I’m okay with ANY of these winning,but something about this one is calling to me it makes me hope that her song will be jazzy like please. Please Lantis / Bushiroad I don’t ask for much give Karin a jazz song but Blue Moon Night is also SUPER pretty)

Ai - Coral One-Piece (From what I can gather from these outfits,her song might show us a softer girlier side to Ai’s usual bright colorful happy in-your-face sound /minus Diabolic muiler of course/ which I think is very nice and this one to me fits that image the most,it’s very soft and pretty but still very her + Lavender Lace is also v cute)

Kanata - Black Ribbon (They really looked up “jirai kei” and picked the first outfit they saw huh dhdjdj,,but it’s very cute and maybe tells us this will be a different sound for her which is fun but my other pick would be Purple Fairy it’s kinda plain and looks like any other Kanata outfit BUT it’s cute and could be accessorized w/ fairy wings or something,I wouldn’t mind it winning but like cmon. Black Ribbon is SO CUTE)

Setsuna - Punk Border (Ok,so this wasn’t my first pick initially but after some thought…it’s REALLY grown on me solely for the idea that she could have a pop punk type solo and that’s smth Setsuna’s never done,which this outfit fits that the best - it’s still a rock-ish style costume so it still suits her,but again it’s new for her + maybe School Rock could fit that too?? That was my initial choice bc it also looks SUPER cool)

Emma - Colorful Stage (Ngl,they never give Emma great options like these aren’t BAD they’re better than her L!L!L! choices but idk I only chose this one bc it’s cute and more “modern” looking which isn’t common for her but maybe my second pick is Denim Stitch it makes me think she could have like…a folk-y country style song like cowgirl Emma anyone?)

Rina - Neon Cat (This is another one that’s just undeniably the best choice imo,like it’s so bright and so Rina-y it’s just perfect for her but if I had to choose another one it would be Motion Girl it’s pretty cute)

Shioriko - Undead Celeb (Once again…what is her song going to sound like??? Is Shio finally in her goth / chuuni era? Idk but I love it,this one is pretty and kind of makes me think of a period piece - my second pick would most likely be Royal Skeleton solely for the name and the collar)

Mia - Fresh Navy (Signeul bonae signal b- sorry anyways man…I wanna know which Love Live staff member just HATES Mia bc all of these are so blah and plain compared to the others,to me this one is the only cute one besides maybe Argyle POP but what is her song gonna be about?? Finding love at the tennis court / golf course???? Cmon)

Lanzhu - Pinky Gal (If you distilled Zhong Lanzhu into an outfit,this would be the result it’s so flashy and pink and diva-y it’s my favorite out of her options like…it has her NAME on the jacket you can’t get more Lanzhu than that - maybe Vivid Fur comes close but not quite imo)

[hammill-goes-fogwalking]

hmmmmmmmm okay okay top 5 bands. well my absolute favorite top #1 is going to be a dead giveaway as to who i am if you follow me which i think you do and if you pay attention but i don't post about them all too much because nobody else cares so maybe i can preserve my anonymity and still answer this question. i don't know if i even put them on the list of bands on the secret santa signup form actually but

THE ROCHES. they were my first band obsession definitely i have liked them since i was a small child. they're a folk trio, three sisters maggie terre and suzzy roche. they have interesting harmonies and kinda sassy funny lyrics.

i don't know about any kind of order for the other four why don't i go with: syd barrett. genesis (but only pg era). king crimson. pink floyd....can i put them with syd so i can also put....augh either rush or yes...i can't pick five i'm so sorry ahahahhaha

(took two days to post because whenever I dont study I have that terrible laziness 🫥)

okay so it’s the first time I hear of the Roches, and now I’m listening to them… really something completely different from everything else that ive ever been familiar with!? They’re so different, its not easy to listen to more than three songs in a row XD like from a different world

later, now I watched some videos of them, listened to the first half of the debut album (because it’s at night here) and one thing that kinda bothers me: why is there no English Wikipedia side for the members but in German Wikipedia there is 🤣

with your other favourites I agree -except Rush 🗿- but hey, with so many bands I don't dare to say 'all' I always have a negative sight on them before I turn a fan, algorithm

[yunnathearcher]

Sound head, honest heart, earnest spirit

Back to work, still spiritually on vacation

Throat chakra sound bowl ding like it knows

Sometimes it be seeming like God don’t want they child to work. Idk

Let me behave

We reroute each other when we’re off course. That’s love.

New mutuals welcome 🙏🏾

Taurus said Scorpio Moon that’s why she don’t talk. I was like mmhmm

Venus is simple, honor Venus (values, love, relationships) and Venus honors you. Trouble comes in when Moon (emotions, subconscious) interferes with showing forth honor

Honoring the real comes with sacrifice

Sacrifice of distractions, sacrifice of indifference

Preferences are not impartial

In a few dimensions, forgive me if you have to reiterate

Venus is forever gender neutral

There is feminine & masculine expression, but it is not about gender

Carrying this ℞ Mars/Venus opposition into 2025 is a bit excessive but whatever

“Pink cake auntie left me” aye

Cake was limited edition too. Lil homie know

I don’t stand in my own way, not gon stand in yours. Believe that

If you feel a lover decreases in value after you’ve loved them then what does that say about your love?

Just because our time is ended life is off for you? Nah, I’m leaving you and me ON for the next one.

Next love, next lifetime.

Relay, baton.

Libra Risings & Placements PSA: We gon keep having a good time & fw opps (for refinement purposes) but we gon stop falling in love with them going into this next era. Fr.

At the end of the day and at the top of it, it’s love.

Choose love, stop with all the falling my G.

Some don’t want love. Some want attention. Know and acknowledge the difference then move decisively.

Everybody need love but- Some. Don’t. Want. Love. Understand this.

Nothing wrong with wanting or giving attention. It just comes at a high price- time.

Love is priceless & expands reality, encourages quantum leaps. Also comes with responsibility, boundaries, tradeoffs

Boundaries ≠ Deprivation

Purposeful

Why be a opp when you could be a mercenary? Why be a hater when you could be a lover? Dream big.

Not the first to walk this path, just walked a lot of paths before I got to this point

Feminine energy is submissive and primarily unconscious, why attempt to make sense of the irrational? The void? Vibe.

Trying to figure me out? Good luck. Please report back with findings. Abeg.

Let me relax. Here comes sunset.

Aye say now, I like that name.

Out here restoring the balance, it ain’t always a glamorous life but it’s a real one.

It’s not Friday? That’s bogus.

Never been married but got opinions on marriage, never been in my shoes but got opinions on how I stride.

Are you there God? It’s me Yunna.

Love who you love, in all the ways you know how. And those you do not love or do not know how to love, leave them alone. It’s simple fr.

And I like you because you’re super efficient. Does it for me.

Forever love.

That deep shit. Need it.

Whole gang intuitive. Silent af & still loud

That 1 path folks love to focus on was for a couple summers, over 10 years back. Keep up

Those that are afraid of change or that refuse to change find it hard to believe in change.

Do. Not. Let. That. Stop. You.

Life is for living and full life living is forever the mission.

When it comes to judgment, I leave that to God. Everybody else can miss me with it.

Lighting a candle for the souls of all real 1s.

Also, love you. Thankyouthankyouthankyou

[daimonclub]

Best music and songs of the 1960s

Best music and song of the 1960s Best music and songs of the 1960s, a selection of the most famous hits of this legendary period with author, title, release year and original videos on Youtube. Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. Berthold Auerbach One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. Bob Marley Music - it's motivational and just makes you relax. Taika Waititi The 1960s were a transformative decade in music, producing some of the most iconic songs and artists in history. It was a time of social upheaval, cultural change, and musical experimentation, giving rise to rock, pop, soul, and folk genres that continue to influence musicians today. Here are some highlights: 1. The Rise of Rock 'n' Roll The Beatles: No discussion of the '60s is complete without mentioning The Beatles. With albums like Revolver, Rubber Soul, and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, they reshaped rock, pushing the boundaries of what pop music could be. The Rolling Stones: Known for their bluesy, rebellious sound, The Rolling Stones helped popularize rock’s edgier side with hits like "Paint It Black," "Satisfaction," and "Sympathy for the Devil." The Doors and Jimi Hendrix: Both acts contributed a darker, psychedelic edge to rock, exemplified by songs like "Light My Fire" and "Purple Haze." 2. Folk and Protest Music Bob Dylan: With songs like "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'," Dylan became a voice for social change, blending folk traditions with politically charged lyrics. Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary: These artists also contributed to the folk scene, bringing attention to issues of civil rights and anti-war sentiments. 3. The Motown Sound and Soul Music Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding: Their powerful voices brought emotion and gospel influences into pop, and Franklin's "Respect" became an anthem for both civil rights and women's rights. Motown Records: Founded by Berry Gordy, Motown brought black music into mainstream America. The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and The Temptations were just a few of the artists who topped charts with songs that mixed soul, pop, and R&B. 4. Psychedelia and Experimental Sounds The late '60s saw the rise of psychedelic rock, with artists experimenting with unusual sounds, lyrical themes, and new recording techniques. Bands like Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, and The Grateful Dead exemplified this genre, creating music that often mirrored the countercultural movements of the time. Albums like The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper showed how music production was becoming an art form, influencing bands for decades. 5. Pop and Iconic Singles The Supremes, The Beach Boys, and The Monkees: Songs like "Good Vibrations" and "I'm a Believer" showcased the fun, accessible side of '60s music, providing catchy, upbeat tunes that captured the lighter side of the decade. The music of the 1960s was revolutionary because it not only reflected the era's social changes but also shaped them, making the decade unforgettable in music history. Each genre pushed creative and lyrical boundaries, paving the way for modern music across the board. Best music and songs of the 1960s The Platters - Only You, And You Alone - 1955 Peggy Lee - Fever - 1956 Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven - 1956 Paul Anka - Diana - 1957 Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock - 1957 Domenico Modugno - Volare - 1958 Everly Brothers - Cathy's Clown - 1960 Tony Renis - Quando quando quando - 1962 Gianni Morandi - Fatti mandare dalla mamma - 1962 Gianni Morandi - Andavo a cento all'ora - 1962 Chris Montez - Let's Dance - 1962 Gino Paoli - Sapore di sale - 1963 Edoardo Vianello - Abbronzatissima - 1963 The Ronettes - Be My Baby - 1963 Peppino di Capri - St. Tropez Twist - 1962 Edoardo Vianello - Guarda Come Dondolo - 1962 Let's Dance - Chris Montez - 1962 Mina - Tintarella di Luna - 1959 Bob Dylan - Blowin' in the Wind - 1962 Françoise Hardy - Tous les garçons et les filles - 1962 Piero Focaccia - Stessa spiaggia, stesso mare - 1963 Nossa - Mas Que Nada - 1963 Bobby Vinton -Blue Velvet - 1963 Los Marcellos Ferial - Sei diventata nera - 1964 The Animals - House Of The Rising Sun - 1964 Simon & Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence - 1964 I bisonti - La casa del sole - 1965 Bobby Solo - Una lacrima sul viso - 1964 Solomon Burke - Everybody Needs Somebody To Love - 1964 Nico Fidenco - Legata a un granello di sabbia - 1961 Rocco Granata - Marina - 1959 Adamo - La notte - 1965 Pino Donaggio - Io che non vivo più di un'ora senza te - 1965 Jimmy Fontana - Il Mondo - 1965 Michelle Phillips - California Dreamin’ - 1965 The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - 1965 Gianni Pettenati - Bandiera gialla - 1966 Los Bravos - Black Is Black - 1966 Frank Sinatra - Strangers In The Night - 1966 Gianni Morandi - Notte di Ferragosto - 1966 Gianni Morandi - C'era Un Ragazzo Che Come Me - 1966 Aphrodite's Child - It's a Man's Man's Man's World - 1966 Albano - Nel sole - 1967 Adriano Celentano - Azzurro - 1968 Jimmy Fontana - La nostra favola - 1968 Adamo - Affida Una Lacrima Al Vento - 1968 Osibisa - Sunshine Day - 1968 Riccardo Del Turco - Luglio - 1969 Mario Tessuto - Lisa dagli occhi blu - 1969 Beatles - Yellow Submarine - 1969 Louiselle - Andiamo a mietere il grano - 1965 Marvin Gaye - Sunny - 1966 Rocky Roberts - Stasera mi butto - 1967 Luigi Tenco - Ciao amore, ciao - 1967 The Beach Boys - Surfin' USA - 1963 The Beach Boys - California Girls - 1965 Scott McKenzie - San Francisco - 1967 Summer in the City - The Lovin' Spoonful - 1966 Giuliano e i notturni - Il ballo di Simone - 1968 Tom Jones - Delilah - 1968 Harry Nilsson - Everybody's Talking - 1968 Under the Boardwalk - The Drifters - 1964 Frank Sinatra - My Way - 1969 B.J. Thomas - Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head - 1969 Aphrodite's Child - It's 5 O Clock - 1969 The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDWPNgRNdHI If you love music and songs you can also visit: Best music and songs of the 1960s Best music and songs of the 1970s Best music and songs of the 1980s Best music and songs of the 1990s Best music and songs of the 2000s Best music and songs from 2010s onwards Best songs from the 1960s up to now Entertainment and music Music and Dancing A short history of pop music Identify Songs Online Free Internet radios Drive & Listen Top songs radio Best Christmas Songs Christmas Songs Read the full article

[my-weird-news]

🔥 Unbelievable: Dinner and Hot Girl Walks Exposed! 😱

The Confusing Circus of Trendy "Girl" Labels You won't believe what my TikTok algorithm had the audacity to ask me the other day: "What kind of insufferable girl are you?" I mean, seriously, it's like the algorithm's become a judgmental aunt at a family gathering. The options it presented were a wild trio: "femcel," as in a radical feminist who's allegedly pathologically unlovable; "coquette," for those who adore bows and bop to Lana Del Rey; or "blogger," which, of course, means me. The original video might've been ditched into the digital abyss (too much insufferableness, perhaps), but I'm telling you, it's stuck in my head like gum on a shoe, not because it was an intellectual masterpiece but because it introduced me to another internet "girl" to add to my collection. Just what I needed, right? Welcome to the era of "girl" obsessions, where the internet's gone gaga over half-baked microtrends involving the word "girl." People are blabbering about their "girl dinners," which, let's be honest, are just glorified fridge clean-outs. Oh, and those "hot girl walks" we're all taking? Yeah, they're just regular strolls with extra flair. And don't forget the "feral girl summers" that somehow make us all feel like wilderness warriors. The internet has spiraled into a rabbit hole of absurdities, trying to decide whether they're "strawberry girls," "cherry girls," or even "tomato girls." I swear, it's like we're building a fruit salad cult. We're deep in "girlboss" territory, doing complex equations with our fabulously fabulous friends during the sizzling "hot girl summer." We're gulping down pink goo and green powders, hoping to transform into "clean girls" or "That Girls." But when those plans flop, what are we left with? Apparently, the crown of "insufferable girls." Eating my girl dinner, strolling my hot girl walk, binging on sad girl music, reading feral girl books, dancing with my girlianas, sipping with my girlipops—every day, a snail's pace towards... well, womanhood. — @EmmaKupor, July 10, 2023 Seriously, if you read these trend labels in sequence, you might wonder if we've all lost our marbles. And who's surprised? A good chunk of the folks riding this "girl" wave are women, and it's a smidge demeaning to treat grown women like toddlers playing dress-up. Are 30-year-olds really supposed to care about being a "strawberry girl" or a "cherry girl"? Shouldn't we have cracked the code of our own personalities by now? We could argue that boxing women into these labels reeks of gender stereotyping, or that stamping ordinary behavior as "girl-coded" merely widens the gender gap. But let's not kid ourselves—these aren't trends, they're just slick marketing ploys. Remember that Saturday Night Live skit where they cooked up a fake teen trend called "souping" to scare parents? Like, teenagers were supposedly getting high on expired soup cans? Classic. It's like today's trend journalism has taken a masterclass from SNL. One video goes viral, chats spark, media jumps in, and before you know it, you're watching the 6 o'clock news, where seniors gasp at how bizarre youngsters have become. And guess who gets the most bewildered mentions? Yep, our girls—because, naturally, they're the ones who must've lost their minds. But here's the kicker: half the time, the original video was a playful jest, meant for an audience who already knew it was bonkers. Take "girl dinner," for instance. It caused an uproar that'd make a volcano jealous, all because it blended womanhood with eating. Olivia Maher, a showrunner's assistant, labeled her medieval-peasant-inspired feast of bread, cheese, pickles, and vino as a "girl dinner." Why? Because she could do whatever the heck she wanted when her boyfriend wasn't around. But oh boy, did that get twisted in the news. Suddenly, this cute oddity turned into an epidemic—like leftover meals were a crisis worthy of international attention. But guess what? The "girl dinner" gig is so last month. I mean, I'm discussing it in August—talk about being fashionably late to the party. But no worries, the internet's churning out new "girl" stuff faster than rabbits procreate. And that's because "girls" sell like hotcakes. Casting our minds back to 2015, we had another "girl" frenzy gripping the bookstores. Remember the time when books like "Gone Girl" and "The Girl on the Train" took over the bestseller lists? Suddenly, every book had to have "girl" slapped somewhere on the cover. But the "girl" craze wasn't just literary—it infiltrated TV shows, movies, and even office lingo. "Girlboss" became a thing, and shows with names like "Good Girls Revolt" and "2 Broke Girls" dominated the airwaves. Seriously, we couldn't escape the "girl" invasion. Now, if you dive into the rabbit hole of analysis, it's not about the age of these "girls" but the themes of their stories. It's all about the transition from girlhood to womanhood, from being someone to being someone's wife or mother, whether that narrative path suits them or not. The protagonist of "The Girl on the Train" exemplifies this—she's like an erased wife, faded into nothingness once the marriage ink dried. This whole "girl" shebang is like a journey back to girlhood, where possibilities are endless. So, these TikTok women aren't merely following trends; they're strategists, plotting their moves like marketing geniuses. They've seen VSCO girls and e-girls break the internet, so they're riding the "girl" wave, because they know it sells. Heck, even this year's blockbuster movie and the record-breaking musical tour revolve around women in their 30s navigating their unique versions of girlhood. People will always be intrigued by girls—partly because they're not quite women, which makes them less of a target for scorn. Girls are like trending snacks, readily consumed, and they've got more avenues than ever. In the end, these online ladies aren't just trend-followers; they're marketing moguls in the making, crafting click-worthy labels that break the internet. We've all turned into mini-publishers, hoping to milk the anticipation of girls blossoming into full-fledged women. And in the process, we might end up a bit insufferable, but hey, at least we're stylishly insufferable. This zany column first hit the world through the Vox Culture newsletter. And hey, if you're up for supporting journalistic clownery like mine, why not throw a few coins Vox's way? They're not just banking on ads and subscriptions—they're all about bringing quality info to the masses. Will you support Vox's explanatory tomfoolery? *Most news outlets juggle cash from ads and# The Confusing Circus of Trendy "Girl" Labels You won't believe what my TikTok algorithm had the audacity to ask me the other day: "What kind of insufferable girl are you?" I mean, seriously, it's like the algorithm's become a judgmental aunt at a family gathering. The options it presented were a wild trio: "femcel," as in a radical feminist who's allegedly pathologically unlovable; "coquette," for those who adore bows and bop to Lana Del Rey; or "blogger," which, of course, means me. The original video might've been ditched into the digital abyss (too much insufferableness, perhaps), but I'm telling you, it's stuck in my head like gum on a shoe, not because it was an intellectual masterpiece but because it introduced me to another internet "girl" to add to my collection. Just what I needed, right? Welcome to the era of "girl" obsessions, where the internet's gone gaga over half-baked microtrends involving the word "girl." People are blabbering about their "girl dinners," which, let's be honest, are just glorified fridge clean-outs. Oh, and those "hot girl walks" we're all taking? Yeah, they're just regular strolls with extra flair. And don't forget the "feral girl summers" that somehow make us all feel like wilderness warriors. The internet has spiraled into a rabbit hole of absurdities, trying to decide whether they're "strawberry girls," "cherry girls," or even "tomato girls." I swear, it's like we're building a fruit salad cult. We're deep in "girlboss" territory, doing complex equations with our fabulously fabulous friends during the sizzling "hot girl summer." We're gulping down pink goo and green powders, hoping to transform into "clean girls" or "That Girls." But when those plans flop, what are we left with? Apparently, the crown of "insufferable girls." Eating my girl dinner, strolling my hot girl walk, binging on sad girl music, reading feral girl books, dancing with my girlianas, sipping with my girlipops—every day, a snail's pace towards... well, womanhood. — @EmmaKupor, July 10, 2023 Seriously, if you read these trend labels in sequence, you might wonder if we've all lost our marbles. And who's surprised? A good chunk of the folks riding this "girl" wave are women, and it's a smidge demeaning to treat grown women like toddlers playing dress-up. Are 30-year-olds really supposed to care about being a "strawberry girl" or a "cherry girl"? Shouldn't we have cracked the code of our own personalities by now? We could argue that boxing women into these labels reeks of gender stereotyping, or that stamping ordinary behavior as "girl-coded" merely widens the gender gap. But let's not kid ourselves—these aren't trends, they're just slick marketing ploys. Remember that Saturday Night Live skit where they cooked up a fake teen trend called "souping" to scare parents? Like, teenagers were supposedly getting high on expired soup cans? Classic. It's like today's trend journalism has taken a masterclass from SNL. One video goes viral, chats spark, media jumps in, and before you know it, you're watching the 6 o'clock news, where seniors gasp at how bizarre youngsters have become. And guess who gets the most bewildered mentions? Yep, our girls—because, naturally, they're the ones who must've lost their minds. But here's the kicker: half the time, the original video was a playful jest, meant for an audience who already knew it was bonkers. Take "girl dinner," for instance. It caused an uproar that'd make a volcano jealous, all because it blended womanhood with eating. Olivia Maher, a showrunner's assistant, labeled her medieval-peasant-inspired feast of bread, cheese, pickles, and vino as a "girl dinner." Why? Because she could do whatever the heck she wanted when her boyfriend wasn't around. But oh boy, did that get twisted in the news. Suddenly, this cute oddity turned into an epidemic—like leftover meals were a crisis worthy of international attention. But guess what? The "girl dinner" gig is so last month. I mean, I'm discussing it in August—talk about being fashionably late to the party. But no worries, the internet's churning out new "girl" stuff faster than rabbits procreate. And that's because "girls" sell like hotcakes. Casting our minds back to 2015, we had another "girl" frenzy gripping the bookstores. Remember the time when books like "Gone Girl" and "The Girl on the Train" took over the bestseller lists? Suddenly, every book had to have "girl" slapped somewhere on the cover. But the "girl" craze wasn't just literary—it infiltrated TV shows, movies, and even office lingo. "Girlboss" became a thing, and shows with names like "Good Girls Revolt" and "2 Broke Girls" dominated the airwaves. Seriously, we couldn't escape the "girl" invasion. Now, if you dive into the rabbit hole of analysis, it's not about the age of these "girls" but the themes of their stories. It's all about the transition from girlhood to womanhood, from being someone to being someone's wife or mother, whether that narrative path suits them or not. The protagonist of "The Girl on the Train" exemplifies this—she's like an erased wife, faded into nothingness once the marriage ink dried. This whole "girl" shebang is like a journey back to girlhood, where possibilities are endless. So, these TikTok women aren't merely following trends; they're strategists, plotting their moves like marketing geniuses. They've seen VSCO girls and e-girls break the internet, so they're riding the "girl" wave, because they know it sells. Heck, even this year's blockbuster movie and the record-breaking musical tour revolve around women in their 30s navigating their unique versions of girlhood. People will always be intrigued by girls—partly because they're not quite women, which makes them less of a target for scorn. Girls are like trending snacks, readily consumed, and they've got more avenues than ever. In the end, these online ladies aren't just trend-followers; they're marketing moguls in the making, crafting click-worthy labels that break the internet. We've all turned into mini-publishers, hoping to milk the anticipation of girls blossoming into full-fledged women. And in the process, we might end up a bit insufferable, but hey, at least we're stylishly insufferable. This zany column first hit the world through the Vox Culture newsletter. And hey, if you're up for supporting journalistic clownery like mine, why not throw a few coins Vox's way? They're not just banking on ads and subscriptions—they're all about bringing quality info to the masses. Will you support Vox's explanatory tomfoolery? *Most news outlets juggle cash from ads and Read the full article

[phillipcole]

The Morning Show with Eric Kaelin part 2

Kaelin: So that was Phillip’s theme song I suppose: The Northeast livin’ bland vanilla blues.  Now, Phil, you are just one man, and you’ve said that these characters represent portions of your personality.

PBC: Yes.

Kaelin: So with this song, which of those things are true about you?  Have you never been drunk?

PBC: No, I was drunk...on March 30,...1966.

Kaelin: Ha ha ha.

PBC: Some pink wine in 1973, especially one night the Red Sox were on the road, took a big lead early then almost lost.

Kaelin: Ha ha.

PBC: A little Irish whiskey on St. Patrick’s Day 1981.

Kaelin: Anything in the modern era?

I had one beer on a blind date about...1989 or 90.  That’s about it.

Kaelin: And you never cheated.

PBC: Phillip is a bachelor.  I never cheated.

Brad: I cheated sometimes.

PBC: No one’s asking you Cole.

Brad: I’m Brad, and I been drunk a lot, twice in the past week I reckon.

Cole: It woulda helped a lot if you gave us diff’rent voices.

PBC: Sorry Brad.  I never thought you’d get so busy.

Cole: I’m Cole.

Kaelin: You have your whole team here this morning?

PBC: Well, the ranting 108 Year old Man retired.

Kaelin: Why is that?

PBC: Because old people should retire.

Kaelin: Setting an example for President Biden, or maybe Diane Feinstein.

PBC: Yes, people should also stop voting for old candidates.  The oldest candidate I ever voted for was Ronald Reagan for his second term, and he promised to retire if he started going senile.

Kaelin: He didn’t though, did he?

PBC: He didn’t notice, but things were good then.  This is no time to gamble about our country’s future.

Kaelin: Amen, now how about the rest of the team introduce themselves.

Cole: I’m Cole, the rapper from Nashville.

Brad: I’m his cousin Brad.  We both cheat and drink a lot.

Ford: I’m Ford, Brad’s older brother, a retired judge in Tennessee.  That means I passed the bar...exam, and a lot of other bars.  Unlike some people I appreciate the value of restraint.

Norbert: I’m Norbert Adams heh heh heh the unluckiest man in the world heh heh.

Kaelin: Norbert, do you drink and cheat?

Norbert: I’m single heh heh, but I did have 2 women in my bed the same night once.

Kaelin: Uhh.

Norbert: Identical twins, playing a joke heh heh.  I couldn’t tell if they were laughing because they fooled me or what they were looking at.

Kaelin: Well...and is Phillip here?

Phillip: Yes, thank you for playing my song.  I’m not strong enough to do any singing yet.

Kaelin: Are you performing now, Phillip?

Phillip: Yes, last week I did a stand up routine twice, on crutches.

Kaelin: Did you injure your legs?

Phillip: No, I’m just too weak to stand up for 10 consecutive minutes.

Kaelin: I know it’s asking a lot Phillip, but could you give us a little of your latest routine now?

Phillip: Yes.

Kaelin: Great; we have to take a station break.  After that you can give us a routine with some new material, ok.

Phillip: Yes, sir.

Kaelin: Stay tuned, folks.  We have a fresh comedy routine after the break.

[saintastaeroth]

Okay so without going into TONES OF LORE AND COMPLICATED DEVELOPMENT, I’ll copy over some details I did in the style of the 5e VRGTR biography. It will give a little bit of an idea what I was doing for, without going too far into the details FOR NOW!

For context: This follows the idea of the inhabitancy being the Dusk Elves that remained, and the Barovian desentants of King Barov’s Era, when Strahd was warring and conquering lands like the Dusk Elves in his name. The Darklord, Prince, and names are all my own concepts and ideas, based on very little we are given to the goings on of Rahadin and the situation that occurred, and this is my own work which I’m quite protective of, so feel free to feel inspired, just change it enough from mine to make it your own fun for your own campaigns!

You all asked, you shall receive! @gay-nidoking @hikarinokusari @cramenjoyer @astral-dragons

Duskan

Domain of Superstitious Regret and Imperial Delusion

Duskan Themes: Mediterranean Gothic, Gaslamp Fantasy, Steampunk, Highlands, Imperialism, Amber Temple, Amber Magic

Darklords: General Lord Protector Ormand von Twilight III [Necrichor] and the hidden, well-preserved, corpse of Prince-Infante Yesper Phosphor [Dusk Elf]

Genres: Gothic Horror, Ghost Stories (Spiritualism), and Disaster Horror (Genocide, Rebirth, War)

Hallmarks: Political Intrigue, Magic Haunted Ruins, Loss of Knowledge, Fractured Realm, Societal Collapse, Port Cities, Lost Culture

Mist Talismans: Amber Jewellery, Murk-Orange Bitter Marmalade, Ivory Pomegranate, Tattered Invasion Flag, Miniature Painting of the Former Duskan Principality

Primary Inhabitants: Dusk Elves, Dusk Fae, Undead, Humanoids

An Introduction to the Coastal Valley of Duskan

In the lower Region of Ravenloft, lying on the grey stone splintering between the amber coastlines is a valley of vibrant autumn hues and green, ash, and pink-coloured dales. Duskan is a beautiful and prideful domain with much to offer in wealth and knowledge, built on destruction, invasion and conflict past its seemingly tranquil and well-managed human majority Republic with more Barovian ancestry compared to it’s elven counterpart.

The ghosts of Duskan’s past haunt in hordes, many lands once considered sacred were destroyed for farming, shrines of worship torn up for military posts, and amber sarcophagi hidden by town squares. Human Nobles owe the success of their new Republic to the elite knowledge left behind by the Dusk Elf annexation, but many take pleasure in ridiculing the fae under the superior might of their military. They view themselves as civilised and virtuous compared to the repressed Elf, and while the Republic creates many social schemes to teach locals to read, write, and craft, the divide between common folk and bejewelled elite is still few and far between. Lingering spirits of the Dusk Elves haunt the town squares, possess the scarecrows, ride the lone paths on ghostly horses, and line the coast edge like a haunted body count, a bloody stain for the residents to never forget what they stole to build their lands.

The Dusk Elves faced genocide, they’re Prince betrayed, and their suffering never leaving an elf’s modern memory. They ruled by representation, and the Prince would enact what the Dusk Elves considered, without a member of the bloodline left alive, they cannot govern, and they cannot do anything without worrying about the question of their god’s motives.

One person who cannot escape his murderous slaughter is the tormented and obsessive perfectionist Domain Darklord, who is obsessed with the eventual resurrection of the Prince’s bloodline, he views his domain superior to their sister domain Barovia, and fears ancient magic in favour of technology and well-armed military and artillerists. In public, he blood puppeteers as his descendants, but in reality his nervous system latches onto the cloned bodies of his original host, in fear of being assassinated. 

I made the Dusk Elves a whole ass Domain of Dread send help I love them so much–