#LIVE JOURNAL???? IN THE YEAR OF 2024????

[mollyrolls]

this is so niche i’m going to actually age myself with this but

[hella1975]

episode 2 time!

[mattnben-bennmatt]

Casey Affleck in New York in May. Photo: Alexia Barroso.

Casey Affleck interview w/ The Wall Street Journal (30 July 2024)

Casey Affleck on Living With Matt Damon and Ben Affleck—and Feeling Like an Outsider

Co-star of ‘The Instigators’ talks about his alcoholic father, what kids’ AA meetings taught him about role-playing and his ‘Price Is Right’ hot tub.

By Marc Myers

-

Casey Affleck, 48, is an Oscar-winning actor best known for his roles in “Manchester by the Sea,” “Gone Baby Gone” and “Oppenheimer.” He co-wrote and co-stars in the heist film “The Instigators,” which will stream on Apple TV+ starting Aug. 9. He spoke with Marc Myers.

Early home life was a wild and unmonitored experience. I grew up in the late ’70s and ’80s on a slightly rundown street in a sweet neighborhood in Cambridge, Mass. Our area off Central Square was ethnically diverse and blue collar.

My father was many wonderful things, but his alcoholism took him from us for many years. As a result, my mother was a single mom for much of my childhood.

Affleck with his mother, Chris, in Westwood, Calif., in 2000. Photo: Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

My family lived in a two-story clapboard house. My mother rented out the space above us. Many houses had three generations living at home, and families survived from paycheck to paycheck. Everyone was in the same situation.

My mom was an elementary school teacher. She worked long hours, so my older brother, Ben, and I saw her mostly before and after dinner, when she’d grade papers and we’d do homework. My dad was a janitor, a mechanic and a bartender. Before I was born, he was a stage manager at the Theater Company of Boston. 

In my early years, I attended AA meetings for kids who had a parent who was an addict. The goal was to help me understand what was happening and to cope. We’d re-enact at-home scenarios—behaving like your addicted parent to better grasp the problem and express your feelings. This role-playing was my first unintended exposure to acting.

Eventually, my dad’s drinking and erratic behavior led to my parents’ divorce when I was 9. Mom, Ben and I remained in our house while my dad moved to various places.

My mother placed an emphasis on education, so Ben and I had to maintain some level of academic standards. As a kid, I was a class-clown extrovert and got into lots of trouble because of it. 

When I was 10, my mom was a tutor for child actors on PBS educational programs. We went to Mexico for nearly a year and traveled throughout the country and the Yucatán Peninsula with a PBS TV series. My horizons broadened.

After we returned to Cambridge, my mom’s best friend, Patty Collinge, took an interest in me. She was a casting director with two daughters my age who became two of my best friends. Patty would take us to film sets to be extras so she could keep an eye on us. 

Affleck, left, at age 11, and at age 4. Casey Affleck (Family Photo)

I never had plans to become an actor, but in high school, I had a great drama teacher, Gerry Speca. He gave me most of the tools I use now.

He’d arrive at 7:30 a.m. and stayed most nights until 8 or 9. He was brilliant, selfless and could be hard on us. I think he initially saw me as a mediocre performer who was a bit of a wiseass. I didn’t get good parts until I was a senior. 

Gerry also encouraged us to write our own plays. We did months of skits and improv scenes. Then he put all that stuff together, and we competed in the New England Drama Festival. Everything I’ve been able to do I can attribute to the process that Gerry taught me.

Acting just happened. As soon as I graduated from high school, my best friend and I drove to California and saw everything in between. In L.A., we lived with a bunch of people from Cambridge, including Ben and Matt Damon, but I still felt like an outsider.

From left, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Casey Affleck at Damon’s birthday party in the late 1980s. Photo: Casey Affleck (Family Photo)

I spent 1994 in L.A. auditioning for roles that I didn’t get and working as a busboy in a brewery. I decided to go to college. I did two years, total, at Columbia University. I also auditioned for acting jobs to earn enough to pay the next semester’s tuition. But as acting work picked up, I faded on college. Now I wish I hadn’t. 

The turning point in my acting career was the 2007 film “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” in which I played Ford. I began that role by trying to understand the person who had killed James. To do so, I had to understand the darkness in myself.

Clockwise from top left: Casey Affleck in ‘The Assassination of Jesse James’ (2007); in ‘Gone Baby Gone’ (2007); in ‘The Instigators’ (2024), right, with Matt Damon; and in his Oscar-winning role in ‘Manchester by the Sea’ (2016), leaning on Kyle Chandler’s shoulder. Everett Collection (3); Apple

Today, I live in the same four-bedroom French Norman house in East L.A. that I bought in 2005.

My dad eventually went into rehab and became sober. Over the years I’ve come to appreciate and love him more and more. He is incredibly strong, of great character, extremely funny and very smart. I owe him and my mom a lot.

Their chief concern is whether I’m happy. On the acting side, the answer is never easy for me. As for my family, I love being a parent more than anything. 

Casey’s Hot Tub

“The Instigators”? I play Cobby, who, with a group of Boston thieves, attempts to pull off an election-night heist as a therapist tags along.

Downtime? I love being on my two kids’ schedules when they stay over.

Meaning? I make them lunch, take them to school, pick them up, do stuff after school, make dinner and hear about their day.

Pastime? I play on a baseball team and write a lot.  

Splurge? I bought a hot tub from a “Price Is Right” contestant who didn’t want it. It’s big and ugly, but I am kind of star struck by it. I even added a cold plunge.

Appeared in the August 2, 2024, print edition as 'From a Boston Pack To an L.A. Outsider'.

[dockaspbrak]

you know whats soooo fucked up, i never thought about how photos would someday be the only thing i had left? like I knew it about everything else but not him yakno. cherish your pets guys just cherish them every day

[yellowsubiesdance]

24 hours ago i was getting ready for what i didn’t realize would be the experience to define the rest of my year, and maybe life. how am i supposed to feel real after that???

[ladyofthelake]

Daegal: Did I do something good?

[jugsjules]

Anxiety might have me by the throat but i got two hands to grab it back, bitch.

[reasonsforhope]

"People living with diabetes might have a new hope. Scientists have tested a new drug therapy in diabetic mice, and found that it boosted insulin-producing cells by 700% over three months, effectively reversing their disease.

Beta cells in the pancreas have the important job of producing insulin in response to blood sugar levels, but a hallmark of diabetes is that these cells are either destroyed or can’t produce enough insulin. The most common treatment is regular injections of insulin to manage blood sugar levels.

But a recent avenue of research has involved restoring the function of these beta cells. In some cases that’s started with stem cells being coaxed into new beta cells, which are then transplanted into patients with diabetes. Researchers behind this kind of work have described it as a “functional diabetes cure.”

Now, scientists at Mount Sinai and City of Hope have demonstrated a new breakthrough. Previous studies have mostly involved growing new beta cells in a lab dish, then transplanting them into mice or a small device in humans. But this new study has been able to grow the insulin-producing cells right there in the body, in a matter of months.

The therapy involved a combination of two drugs: one is harmine, a natural molecule found in certain plants, which works to inhibit an enzyme called DYRK1A found in beta cells. The second is a GLP1 receptor agonist. The latter is a class of diabetes drug that includes Ozempic, which is gaining attention lately for its side effect of weight loss.

The researchers tested the therapy in mouse models of type 1 and 2 diabetes. First they implanted a small amount of human beta cells into the mice, then treated them with harmine and GLP1 receptor agonists. Sure enough, the beta cells increased in number by 700% within three months of the treatment. The signs of the disease quickly reversed, and stayed that way even a month after stopping the treatment.

“This is the first time scientists have developed a drug treatment that is proven to increase adult human beta cell numbers in vivo,” said Dr. Adolfo Garcia-Ocaña, corresponding author of the study. “This research brings hope for the use of future regenerative therapies to potentially treat the hundreds of millions of people with diabetes.”

The results are intriguing, but of course being an animal study means there’s still much more work to be done before it could find clinical use. So far, harmine alone has recently undergone a phase 1 clinical trial in humans to test its safety and tolerability, while other DYRK1A inhibitors are planned for trials in humans next year.

Perhaps most importantly, the team will soon experiment with combining beta-cell-regenerating drugs with others that modulate the immune system. Ideally this should help overcome a major hurdle: the immune system will continue attacking new beta cells as they’re produced.

The research was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine."

-via New Atlas, July 14, 2024

[ybklix]

𝐬𝐞𝐱 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲

dear lord, when i get to heaven, please let me bring my man (ෆ˙ᵕ˙ෆ)♡ fr omg

★ pairing: idol!lee felix x fem!reader

✦summary: You got your dream job on one of the most important day for fashion industry, everything seems like a fairy tale, until you meet one of the people you are working for, which complicates your thoughts, a guy with an angelic face, however he is for you the devil wearing custom couture Tommy Hilfiger.

✭ content - tags - warnings: smut / one night stand / use of “y/n”/ handjob / oral sex / soft degrading / dom felix / semi public sex / unprotected sex / etc lol

word count: 5.1k

(masterlist)

♡ notes: 2024 felix at the met gala ♡

a/n: had to write smth ab my man looking this good on a big day, oopsies / all fiction, don't really know how's behind scenes lol / i'm watching the series so i'm romanticizing the carrie type of writing, enjoy!

There’s an old saying… “what happens in Vegas, stay in Vegas”, and for the New Yorkers with enough amount of luck, the equivalent of that would be: “what happens in the Met Gala, stays in the Met gala.”

You either had to be a celebrity with high status, or a very wealthy person… or sometimes, just part of the staff; yes you were in last link, but you were still happy.

There you were, on the first Monday of May, standing outside of the iconic decorated stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, on the also iconic, 5th avenue of East side of Manhattan. Living your dream, because this year, you were inside, and not anymore as a viewer.

Life was going great for you, you’ll graduate from college exactly in nine days, and you were booked as a tour guide in the Met Gala a month ago. It was your dream job, even though you majored in journalism, working for Vogue was always your dream to be, you’ve been applying for the Met ever since you turned eighteen, and finally there you were wearing a vintage YSL black dress, from a vintage store in Soho, whose rent costs more than you apartment’s, with some Manolo shoes, living your little Carrie Bradshaw fantasy. But that didn’t matter, yeah, she was a woman with a steady job and you only a freshly graduated who expected to get hired as soon as you get your diploma.

They prepared you the whole past month, and you picked up your ID last week; this was going to look wonderful in your resume. You loved fashion, arts, writing, you didn’t care there was another 500 people doing exactly the same as you, you were there, living inside your bubble of the gossip girl and devil wears Prada vibes.

A lot of people hated New York; but you never could, you had a nice apartment on west side of Manhattan and an incredible fashion taste. You had to work as a staff for one the most emerging kpop groups, Stray Kids, or at least that’s what you read about online, you did your research: eight male members, only two of them fluent in English and the rest of them just shy to speak it out loud… you weren’t that unfamiliar at all, you recognized kpop is one of the greatest genres these days, but you were twenty one and going through your finals as the provided you that information, so you followed their social medias, caught up a little in their updates, learned their names and faces —which was very important—, but couldn’t fully concentrate in how handsome they were or at least get yourself a little of fangirlism. Once again, you were sinking in the lasts and very important moments of college.

So the thing was simple, they usually bring their own people around but for this event was the exception, once they stepped on the radar of these popular stairs, they were under the Met Gala staff, that’s when you get in.

You were waiting for them standing among the group of people who would be working the same as you, all with their dress code in black-only etiquette, to go unnoticed. It was your first Met Gala, although you didn't want to flatter yourself either in such a big way, but you had chosen a sexy dress with your back uncovered, you wanted simplicity, but not too much. The heels were starting to bother you a bit until, as fate would have it, a stout black man in charge of monitoring, with headphones on his bald head and clipboard in his hand shouted in a strong New York accent to the group of people you were in.

“The following celebrities are Stray Kids, I repeat so you can listen in the back, Stray Kids is coming! Their team step up to lead them in.”

Nerves got the better of you, it was your turn; you had seen your other ‘colleagues’ guide their respective assigned celebrities, so now it was your time. You hurried to the entrance, along with another girl and two other men. The large black van pulled up to sidewalk and finally, just as you had researched, eight pretty East Asian looking men exited one by one.

You tried to identify the one you had previously studied as their leader and one of the English speakers, until he finally emerged just to one side of you.

“It's this way, boys” your coworker, who was a little ahead of you, led the way.

The eight of them walked a bit and met their designer, the legitimate Tommy Hilfiger, while among the chaos of noise and nerves you tried to identify each one you were working for; they were all wearing long coats but you could distinguish that it was just to hide their real attire.

But apparently you were not the only one nervous, it was also their first Met Gala, an incredibly big event, a bit out of what they knew, in one of the countries where the music market was of utmost importance to consider and succeed, each one of them recognized that this was an important day and simply one more step in their artistic career. They were all nervous and excited; but even so you noticed a somewhat monotonous expression on each of them, you thought it was just nerves. You got a good look at them all as they talked to their designer in charge and noticed how each one had their own charm, they were attractive and smelled quite nice. You thought about how much fun this job is for you, being around celebrities.

“And y/n, right?” he came up to you, the man who had previously been giving directions to your boys.

You nodded, confused, he went on to say:

“I’m informed that you will be going into the museum with them, you can take the lead” he said in a strangely kind tone.

You smiled at him, you had forgotten the last time you met a nice New Yorker. It was when you realized it was time, you took a breath with your cheeks and released them, once you saw they finished their little talk, you took a step so everyone could see you and introduced yourself; it was part of your job and you had been trained for it. You started with a “hi, guys”, told them your name and added that you would accompany them to the exhibit. You looked forward to going in there.

You got the attention of all eight of them, after all they were still men, foreign men excited for a new experience. Once you turned around as you led the way you questioned if wearing that open back dress was the best choice, you hadn't really intended it that way; you also didn't expect them all to be 100 times more attractive in person, the pictures you saw on the internet didn't do them justice.

All the members of Stray Kids were with their respective emotions on edge, but especially one of them didn't know how to control himself. Felix, who at all times kept a serious countenance was more than excited and his body was reacting to it, betraying him, he was aroused. He wasn't exactly in the mood for sex, but somehow he felt uncomfortably hard. He was simply an excited little Asian boy with a not-so-little problem. An erection in his pants.

Felix had the experience at these kinds of fashion events, but simply something about this city drove him incredibly crazy. Somehow he was thirsty for sex… but he didn't feel like he was at this very moment. He had to put on his best show and control his body, he slyly checked his pants and it was a relief that the design was perfectly loose so it couldn't be noticed. But it all got worse when he saw his pretty young guide and staff for tonight, with her pretty makeup and perfect hair done, with her back uncovered.

Felix read her name on her ID hanging on her body and checked slyly if anyone else of his friends and colleagues thought the same as him… he could notice it in the look of his friend Bang Chan, however Felix noticed the little importance that Chan himself gave her and continued treating her with kindness and courtesy, who from time to time gave her a certain look was his other friend Seungmin, who was the master of disguise, but not for Felix, not after knowing him so long and living with him.

But that was just the thrill of the moment, as Felix took full control of his body as he approached his final stretch, an interview and then the longed-for Met Gala stairs. Like a pro idol, he knew how to handle it, and everyone had a spectacular and memorable entrance.

You saw them from afar, Bang Chan had introduced you to each one of them and thanked you for accompanying them even though you hadn’t start yet, you thought he was an unreal man, in fact all eight of them were, their perfectly manicured faces and the subtlety of their make-up were to you so…. You were speechless; but if you had to choose one, putting yourself in the shoes of millions of girls around the world even of your age discovering an attractive boy band, maybe among them all… it would be the only blond guy with long hair. You thought between sighs how cute he was, you were down bad when it came to cute boys, also the long-haired ones.

You remembered his name, Felix; a little strange, it sounded like an old name but somehow it fit him so well, you thought; now you were not only fulfilling your dream job, you would be together with eight handsome men, you almost wanted to let out a little giggle, but it was time to monitor how well they took the pictures of your “bosses” as they posed on the carpet.

You waited a moment more before finally entering, it seemed like hours, until finally the doors opened for you and there suddenly you felt your heart burst, not even Felix's pretty face could have impacted you so much, the exhibition of unique pieces in the haute couture of fashion history.

“You can start to separate and see freely” you mentioned to them.

You saw them, they looked totally lost.

“Mm, I don't think so, we like to stay together” Chan answered with a nervous smile.

“Well, if you like, we can start here…” you spoke.

You didn't want to keep them tied up nor did you want to feel like a big deal, you were only going to accompany them and follow their instructions, however they seemed to follow yours; you gave yourself the task of showing them every corner and giving them a little summary of what each exhibit meant, however you couldn't help hiding your excitement, your eyes shone with care and all eight noticed your adorable expression, even those who couldn't fully understand you because of the language barrier, your expressions spoke for themselves. And Felix couldn't take his eyes off you the whole tour.

Felix didn't understand what was wrong with him, whether it was the excitement of the foreigner, the significant change of time zone, his pretty part of the assigned staff, or the incredible urge to have sex. He wasn't normally like that… well, at least not in places like these. He left the dirty thoughts for later when he was in the quiet of solitude. But just now he had those thoughts of how hot it must be to be fucking someone while wearing that perfectly tailored suit, making a mess among all the tidiness that went with it all.

He wasn't like that… but the more he thought about it, the more he was tempted, he thought it would be the only time he would see you, that you had to be professional and not at all indiscreet, that it would only be one night. He was becoming more and more convinced, what was wrong with him? He was handsome, young, successful and very well endowed, he only needed to show his gifts to someone. Felix thought if that someone could be you; this was not Felix who thinks dating and love were important, suddenly something came over him, like a haughty alter ego blinded by his dazzling fame, ready to just have sex.

The main event started, the dinner and the show, you had gotten a table, only confirmed by the exclusively selected staff in perhaps, one of the worst areas, still you were in, from going to see the Met outside on the street, to being seated next to a bunch of celebrities in the same room; you were so happy you could die the next day thinking you made it.

But once the show was over, little by little so was your spark, it was time to go back to your reality and take a cab home; the folks at that table were mentioning something about an after party, among them and a bunch more… but you didn't want the smell of celebrities and fame to leave your pores and get lost in some stranger's apartment.

You were about to check out when a short woman rushes up to you asking if there was any Stray Kids staff at the table.

“Here, me!” you showed her your ID quizzically. “What's going on?”

“What are you doing here? They're escorting you to the after party.”

Puzzled, you mumbled a “what?” and followed her hurried pace as she was leaving.

“After party, with who?”

The woman stopped in her tracks and turned to look at you.

“Well, who are you working for.”

Impossible, you thought. You were supposed to check out and you weren't allowed to go outside the museum, they couldn't just invite you like that, could they? Why would they? Besides you were working for the museum, not for them. Sadly, you had to make it clear to them.

You walked towards them who were already at the main exit leaving with other celebrities, you got up the courage and approached them.

“Nice to meet you guys, but I think it was a misunderstanding, I can't accompany you, I work for the museum… they didn't give me directions to follow you.”

“And what time do you leave?” Chan asked you with a hoarse voice and eyes fixed on you.

“Just now…” you added awkwardly, not knowing what to say as the eight men stared at you.

“Perfect” Chan said in a thick accent with a smile.

“Now you work for us, let's go to the after party” spoke in a cold, distant and arrogant tone the pretty blond boy who had caught your attention.

You had not heard him speak, not until now. You were too surprised by the contrast of his angelic face and his incredibly thick voice.

You were able to register your exit and hurriedly kept up with the boys.

“We liked the way you explained the exhibition, we will have you as translator now” Chan told you as he quickened his pace leaving you behind.

It didn't make the slightest sense what he just said. You don't even speak Korean.

You sighed and could not deny the excitement of living another adventure, it was not like they were forcing you, you were now going to go to the legendary Met Gala after party.

You got into a dark van along with more of their staff and in the minutes of traffic you were finally there. You couldn't believe it, for a moment you stopped thinking that things made sense.

Luckily you were not alone, but accompanied by another girl in the staff, all looked great but it was evident that no one wanted to socialize with you and it was difficult for you to do so; so you felt uncomfortable and out of place, questioning if you should really be there.

After a few minutes you noticed that Felix stood up from his seat, taking the button of his suit and slyly approached you.

“Can you come with me?” he whispered in your ear with his deep voice.

You froze, and followed him without thinking too much, something wasn't right when it came to him…. besides, you thought you had to follow his instructions.

Felix went to a private bathroom, you wanted to think that maybe he wanted you to take care of his coat… if not, why else would he ask you to accompany him; he entered quickly, in a suspicious way and then came out quickly looking around frantically, until he pulled you by the arm and took you with him to that small elegant bathroom, locking the door. You couldn't process the speed of the actions and suddenly, you saw his piercing gaze in front of yours.

What was going on?

Felix had enough, watching you flirtatiously talking to Chan, sweet talking all his friends, there was nothing else to explain but that he was horny and wanted to have you right now. You weren't stupid, you noticed his looks but wanted to ignore them, but it turns out that wasn't what he wanted.

So there you were, inwardly struggling whether to play along with whatever he intended to do or put your ethics above… you analyzed him, he looked so good with his long hair and white suit, you'd probably never see him again, you wanted to bite your lip just thinking about how dangerous and fast-paced some kind of sex like that would be, on the sly. But you couldn't make up your mind, this was about Conde Nast, your dream, not easy access to fuck.

Felix noticed too the early darkness in your gaze, reflecting lust, he was already hard from just thinking about your ass slapping his pelvis as he thrust his cock in and out your pussy mercilessly. You so wet, making a mess, the two of you indulging in passion while a bunch of people decide to party outside.

“I don't normally do this but… I may only see you once in my life…”

Felix said in a voice thicker than what you had heard and came dangerously close to you, who were glued to the door, perplexed.

“Felix…” you wanted to think clearly but his full lips in a perfect heart shape were distracting you.

“If you want to fuck me… you have to promise me to never tell anyone.”

Felix whispered plaintiff in your left ear, losing himself in the scent of you hair. You couldn't take it anymore, if he kept talking, you might cum at any moment.

You understood the situation of things and the importance of his comment, after all he was still a global superstar. But not telling would not only be a beautiful secret to take to your grave and something fun to remember, but it would also be beneficial for you, because under no circumstances should a female employee have sex with her assigned celebrity. You would be banned from all of Manhattan or the city if possible, public enemy number one.

He moved closer to your ear, thinly brushing his lips on it and making you lose control little by little by his approach. You closed your eyes, completely lost, fuck it, you would fuck him and never see him again, at least not this intimacy.

“Why would I fuck and tell...?” you whispered completely lost in desire.

He chuckled, and finally grabbed you by the waist. Felix sought your lips and you kissed slowly, deeply and passionately, the kiss was so strong that you felt the pressure of his upturned nose on your face. You knew it was so wrong at any angle analyzed… but it felt so right, his lips were soft and he moved them with agility, your hands were still glued to the wall in surprise, but gradually you relaxed and managed to hold on to the ends of his jacket.

Felix also relaxed and his right hand moved down to your naked back and slowly and nimbly he moved his hand in until he squeezed and caressed your ass, his actions surprised you that you almost moaned at the touch, separating you a little from the kiss.

He pulled a few inches away from your lips and, as he ran his hand all around your ass, he looked you over with a look of superiority.

“You're such a slut, only wearing a fucking thong, almost like you were ready for me” he said with a husky voice.

This time you felt his noticeable bulge brush against your belly and his soft touch made you wetter and wetter.

“Get on your knees, beautiful.”

He ordered and you obeyed. Felix was sick of feeling horny, he wanted a quick fix, to strip the tight garments off his cock and be attended to urgently, once he had enough of his own, he was going to take over pleasuring you fully.

Your breath was getting shorter and shorter and you felt his member on the fabric, you thought about how good he looked from below and in all possible angles, then you pulled down his pants, ready to give him the best blowjob ever —or at least you hoped so—, you couldn't resist, you simply pulled down his underwear too, finding his throbbing and delicious cock so needy, its tip was bright pink and poor Felix was already showing signs of small droplets of pre-seminal fluid, and to think he had a fine and angelic face…. You had never felt so hungry and desirous, you were totally possessed; you wanted it in your hands, in your mouth, pounding your face, pounding your cervix… so you felt it, that firm hard manly hunk, at the mercy of your hands, feeling every texture of his skin.

Felix gasped, lifting his buttoned shirt a little, revealing a bit of his smooth but working abdomen. You took some of his fluid and spread it all over his length, lubricating it, it felt so good, but you were also so needy and desperate, and the thin fabric covering your intimate area didn't help at all, you felt the garment getting smaller and smaller, you felt your wet pussy growing and throbbing causing a delicious friction; but you thought you had to be more careful, your whole outfit was black, one stain of semen or fluids and you had to pay for the dress.

You moved a little away from him, hoping that no droplets of him fell on your attire, still you held his erection tightly with your left hand, making frantic movements, back and forth.

He was ecstatic, it was all he needed, to be sexually attended to; the New York air suited Felix Lee wonderfully, and the New York girl… he thought… she was out of this world, her hands felt fantastic on his hard manhood. He wanted to cum roughly, but he wanted to do it dirty in his employee's mouth and pretty face… he would never act like the beastly thing he was doing in Seoul, but new place, try new things.

So between sighs and gasps, he lowered his gaze and tried to communicate with her.

“Use your pretty mouth.”

You never thought he was going to ask, you didn't hesitate for a second, and the grotesque sound of your saliva dripping on his cock were heavenly; his sex was hot and smooth, the texture felt so good inside your cheeks but once again, you are desperate for him to take you and start moving your guts.

Within minutes, Felix cum in your mouth amid moans and groans, and the softest but most effective hair pulls, to make you go exquisitely deeper. You never thought he was so vocal, with a voice like that, you were in heaven; and it took you only a few seconds to drink his cum, as a reward.

“I think we need to get rid of that dress” he said trying to catch his breath. “I'll buy you 3 more, no worries.”

He took you by the chin, inviting you to stand up and helped you take off the dress, you were so excited that your vision was blurred and you couldn't think clearly… what was his next move….

You were amazed at how incredibly hard and standing still he was even after he had just cum, you thought, after all kpop idols did have it all, great stage presence, big penis, music talent, and for sex too.

He sat you on the small counter, him facing the mirror, the stone was cold and you were finally, almost, completely naked in front of him, wearing only your thin thong. Felix wasted no time and positioned himself between your legs, kissing you deeply and desperately as you carefully felt the tip of his penis brush your wet center each time they came closer, he moved his kisses down, to your neck, massaged your breasts and kissed and sucked them mercilessly, you wanted to scream with excitement but you were acutely aware that there were people outside, never mind the noise of the party. Once on your chest, he turned his angelic face up, with a dark mischievous look and that's when you felt his thumb caress your clit.

You moaned in relief, finally your exhausted pussy was going to be given attention. His movements were slow until each time he increased the acceleration, you couldn't help but writhe in pleasure and when your body contracted ready to climax, Felix introduced his fingers inside you, he felt the softness of your insides so lubricated and ready to feel his erection beating you frantically.

“Look at me” he asked once he saw that your attention was focused for a few seconds on his right hand playing with your pussy.

“Uh-mm” you murmured, nodding softly, almost in moans.

You weren't thinking clearly but decided to hold back the urge to cum just to feel his fingers inside you for a few more moments. You looked into his big dark eyes; you felt that he looked more calm and serious with that gaze locked on you and his innocent freckled look, unlike you that your eyes was totally submissive and you were almost about to cry with pleasure, oh and Felix loved that, all that mess because of him.

“I'm going to cum, Fe…” you moaned.

But you couldn't even speak, he accelerated his movements and your belly contracted so pleasantly bringing you to your first orgasm.

“I'm not done yet; let me clean up that mess you made.”

And without warning, Felix leaned down, gripping your thighs tightly, two of his fingers still freshly wet from my fluids, marked on your thigh; Felix ran his hot tongue across your cunt, licking all your cum.

He began to eat your pussy carefully, almost accomplishing step by step and you loved the delicacy of what he was doing, you were seeing stars, you didn't want this to ever end, you wanted him on you all the time. You took advantage and also took hold of his tightly tied hair. He did it so well that you had to cum a second time.

And finally, the act you both had been waiting for since he locked the door; Felix had saved the urge and was once again swollen and throbbing, screaming for attention and action. He cleaned the edges of his mouth in a attractive manner.

“Shit, I don't have a condom” he said in annoyance.

“It's okay, I'd never have your baby anyway.”

Felix smiled and you watched his erection in front of your pussy, until he gently pushed it in, until you closed your eyes once again in pleasure.

“I'm going to cum inside you and make sure your pussy misses every part of me.”

Felix whispered hotly in your right ear as you pressed your bodies closer and closer together, until you ended up with your legs wrapped around his waist, crushing bit of his outfit, and your hands on his shoulders. And then, he rammed you fast and as delicious as no one else had ever done, you moaned softly to avoid any strange noises from outside. It was incredible, you thought, his rhythm was strong and constant and when you began to lubricate his penis more indicating your soon orgasm, Felix separated from you and in quick movements he changed your position, lowered you from the counter, turned your body and introduced his penis making you stand still and making you both see yourselves in the mirror.

You couldn't be happier, you loved the fiction of his shirts stuck to your body of the clothes he still had on, and he began to pound more frantically and wildly, giving way to the sound of your skins colliding and your fluids combining. Felix held you tightly by the waist as he pulled your body away and closer, controlling it in his own way, you wanted to help him, moving your ass a little but his grip was too strong. You were with your back arched, holding tightly to the sink, giving choked moans as you felt his strong thrusts. Watching him fuck you in the mirror was fucking hot, he looked so attractive with his half-open mouth letting out soft moans and his concentrated countenance, frowning and his eyes locked on your ass, then on you.

Felix grabbed your hair in his fist and pulled it to pull you closer to him and glued you to his body, just when you thought it couldn't get any better, his thrusts were deeper that way and you were touching the edge.

“Do you like the way I fuck you, little slut, huh?”

You tried to nod between gripping your hair.

“Say it.”

“Yes-yes, Felix, ahh it feels good.”

“You feel good too, sweetheart, you're doing a great job.”

His dirty talk close to your ear were just more elements to make you cum faster and faster and each time you were more and more surprised, as his pace increased, finally making you climax, for the third time.

Felix smiled in victory as he felt your pussy muscles first tighten and then relax releasing more of your luscious fluids, wetting and hugging his hard cock, Felix continued another small moment, until he cum gloriously inside you and a little more above your ass.

You were perplexed. The sexual connection had been real. You both tried to catch your breath, he helped you put your dress back on and as you changed, Felix felt a little bad about just using you for his carnal desires, for you honestly it had been just a good fuck and you had your feet on the ground being aware that someone like him and you could never be together.

“So… Are you officially working on something related for Vogue?”

You smiled, as you tried to touch up your makeup, it was a bit badly retouched.

“No, it's my dream, they just hired me as a one-off for this year.”

“Maybe you should learn Korean and move there, Vogue Korea is still Vogue, isn't it?” he mentioned flirtatiously.

You chuckled again, that implied many things and at the same time none for you.

���Go out first, y/n, then I'll go out. I'll transfer you for the dresses outside, I don't even have my phone here” he said, finally in his deep voice calmer, almost looking tender, in his thick accent.

You smiled and looked at him one last time, before finally leaving for the party. Leaving you wanting more, but also with nothing more than just sex in the city.

[fairuzfan]

Id:

I wouldn't have won The International Women's Media Foundation (@IWMF)'s Courage in Journalism Award 2024 this June if I hadn’t been on the ground reporting events and exposing Israeli flagrant violations under perilous conditions, all while being systematically attacked by supporters of the perpetrators.

Winning a prize for “courage” means being subjected to attacks and choosing to continue your work regardless. However, I regret to say that the very organization that recognized these perilous conditions and awarded me the prize succumbed to pressure and chose to act contrary to courage; they rescinded the award in a decision that would put my life at risk.

In fact, I’m very glad that both my winning the award and its withdrawal have starkly demonstrated the systematic physical and moral attacks Palestinian journalists endure throughout their careers. These threats and character assassinations aim only to silence us and perpetuate the longstanding bias in global media. I have never worked to receive awards, nor have I ever submitted an application to nominate myself. I didn't choose journalism as a profession; I became a journalist after recognizing the extent to which the world overlooks Palestinians’ suffering and opts to conform to Israeli pressures.

Every year, Palestinian journalists are recognized with international awards for their brave reporting under the Israeli occupation and relentless attacks. These accolades honor their courage and dedication to uncovering the truth.

However, each announcement of an award to a Palestinian journalist is systematically followed by extensive smearing campaigns and intense pressure on the awarding organizations from supporters of the Israeli occupation and the Zionist lobby. While some organizations uphold their principles and maintain their decision to honor these journalists, others, regrettably, cave to the pressure and withdraw the prizes.

Instead of recognizing the threats they face and contributing to their protection, a decision to withdraw a prize from a Palestinian journalist in Gaza—where over 150 journalists have been killed by the ongoing Israeli genocide—can further endanger them and increase their risk of targeting.

I have no regrets about any posts or reasons that led to the rescinding of this award, and I will not stop expressing my views. Before being a journalist, I am a Palestinian living under military occupation, a strangling blockade, and genocide in Gaza.

My grandparents were expelled from Jerusalem upon the creation of the state of Israel, and I have been expelled from my home in Gaza during this genocide.

If winning a prize entails enduring and witnessing war crimes while remaining silent, I am not honored to receive any prizes. I will always be objective in my reporting, but I can never be neutral; I will always point out the perpetrators and stand in solidarity with the victims. This is what journalism is truly about.

[alphynix]

First discovered in the 1850s, Compsognathus longipes was the first theropod dinosaur known from a fairly complete skeleton, and also the smallest known non-avian dinosaur for over 130 years.

(A second specimen was also, briefly, the "first" aquatic non-avian dinosaur, but that's another story.)

Living in what is now Europe during the late Jurassic, about 150 million years ago, it was a lightly built animal with long legs and a long tail, growing to around 1.2m long (~4'). Its hands seem to have had only two functional fingers, with the third being vestigial and possibly not even having a claw.

Skin impressions from about a third of the way along its tail show small bumpy scales – but since other compsognathids like Sinosauropteryx are known to have been covered in fur-like feathers, this likely means that just that particular region of Compsognathus' body wasn't fluffy.

Some of Compsognathus' diet is known for certain, since preserved gut contents show it fed on smaller vertebrates like lizards and rhynchocephalians. The remains of a lizard in the stomach of one specimen were even identified as belonging to a previously-unknown species, Schoenesmahl dyspepsia, with the dismembered nature of the skeleton suggesting Compsognathus tore its prey into bite-sized chunks in a similar manner to modern predatory birds.

———

NixIllustration.com | Tumblr | Patreon

References:

Conrad, Jack L. "A new lizard (Squamata) was the last meal of Compsognathus (Theropoda: Dinosauria) and is a holotype in a holotype." Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 183.3 (2018): 584-634. https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx055

Gishlick, Alan D., and Jacques A. Gauthier. "On the manual morphology of Compsognathus longipes and its bearing on the diagnosis of Compsognathidae." Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 149.4 (2007): 569-581. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2007.00269.x

Peyer, Karin. "A reconsideration of Compsognathus from the Upper Tithonian of Canjuers, southeastern France." Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26.4 (2006): 879-896. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4524640

Wikipedia contributors. “Compsognathus.” Wikipedia, 17 Jun. 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compsognathus

[remembertheplunge]

My name is Lew Wentz.

I am a 69 year old gay criminal defense lawyer. I have been keeping journals for 47 years as of September 14, 2024.. I am writing a book based on the journals.

I came out as a gay man in 1984. I was married to a woman then. I left the marriage after telling her I was gay.

My younger sister, Zoe, who I was very close to, died rather suddenly of pancreatic cancer in May of 2023. She gave me permission to blog the last two weeks of her life. Those blogs run from May 1 to May 14, 2023.

I journaled my journey through the turbulent 1980's and 1990's. During that time, I was pretty vocal about being gay. I volunteered to help people with aids through their illness and death. And, I believe because of this, I was fired from my job as a deputy Public Defender in Modesto California. I also documented the 12 year relationship I had with my partner, Jim, who died in 2009.

I wrote pretty much daily about these events and many others. I never intended for the entries to be made public. But, I now think they should be, as they weave what I believe to be our common story of what it's been like to be out, human and gay in the past four decades.

And, as I journaled, I developed ideas and ways to journal and wrote about them in the journals. I discuss the impact journaling has had on me. And, the amazing revelation reviewing journal entries for the blog and book of just how incredible our lives have been. Memory fades. The journal details do not.

My hope is that , after reading the blogs, and maybe some day the book, you too will become addicted to journaling. Your life on paper will amaze you down the line.

My blog became one and one half years old on August 5, 2024.

[misspygmypie]

The Golden Box

Pairing: Lando Norris x reader Warning: None; sad-ish maybe? Summary: In 2072 Y/N is reminiscing about her life with Lando. Words: 5.3k

Please do not repost, thank you, and leave some feedback :)

September 2072, Bristol, England

Y/n's fingers traced the familiar texture of the items inside the golden box. Each piece held its own story, a fragment of her life with Lando. There was the delicate locket with a photograph of their wedding day, a memory of vows and dreams shared under the soft glow of twilight. She remembered how Lando had smiled when he first saw her in her wedding dress, how he had whispered promises of forever...

Next, she found the small, leather-bound journal that she had written throughout their early years. Flipping through its pages, she saw her neat handwriting documenting their adventures, the everyday moments that had seemed insignificant at the time but now felt like treasures. There were entries about their first home, their first dog, and the day they found out they were expecting.

Her hand brushed over a faded photograph, yellowing at the edges. It was of the entire family - y/n, Lando, and their three children - standing together in front of their house. They were all smiling, the joy and warmth of the moment captured forever. She could almost hear the laughter and the playful banter that had surrounded that day.

The chest had been filled with mementos from their travels: seashells from a holiday, tickets from a show they had attended, and a handwritten note from Lando, declaring his undying love.

Finally, her hand touched something soft; a handkerchief embroidered with their initials. It was a gift from Lando on their tenth wedding anniversary, one she had kept close through the years. As she held it to her face, the scent of his cologne, faint but still present, brought back a rush of emotion.

Tears finally spilled down her cheeks, not from sadness but from a sense of gratitude. Each item in the box was a testament to the life they had lived together; a life filled with love, joy, and the occasional heartache, but always shared with someone who made every moment worthwhile.

The sunlight bathed the room in a gentle glow as y/n sat in the rocking chair, while the past played out before her in the contents of the golden box. She closed the lid, wiped away her tears, and took a deep breath. Life had been a journey, and she was grateful for every step of it, for every memory, and for the love that had filled their years together.

July 2024, Monaco, French Riviera

Lando glanced at y/n, a slight smirk playing at his lips as he saw her nervousness. It was clear that the evening was as significant to her as it was to him. He adjusted his shirt and then looked down the street, where his sleek car was parked.

"Well," Lando began, his voice smooth and reassuring, "I thought we might start with a little surprise."

He extended his arm towards her, a gesture that seemed both casual and intimate. Y/n hesitated for a moment but then took his arm, allowing herself to be led towards the car. As they approached, Lando opened the door for her like a true gentleman.

Once inside the atmosphere changed from the bustling street outside to the quiet, comfortable interior. Soft music played in the background, and the scent of Lando's cologne filled the space. Y/n noticed the thoughtful details, like a small bouquet of her favorite flowers sitting in a vase on the seat next to her.

As the car began to move, Lando stole a glance at her, his eyes softening with a mixture of admiration and anticipation. "I hope you're ready for a bit of an adventure tonight," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Y/n's nerves calmed down as she looked at Lando, realizing that he was genuinely invested in making this evening special. "I’m ready," she replied, her voice gaining confidence. "Where are we going?"

Lando smiled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You’ll see. It’s a place that’s been very special to me. I think you’ll love it."

The car drove smoothly through the city, and as they passed familiar landmarks, y/n's curiosity grew. Finally, Lando pulled aside and parked before helping her out of the vehicle.

“Can you close your eyes for me now? I want this to be a surprise.”

Y/n nodded, imitating the smile she saw on the young man’s face in front of her. She could feel the cool evening air against her skin and the gentle rustle of leaves from the nearby trees. Lando's hand, warm and reassuring, held hers firmly as they walked.

"Just a few more steps," Lando said, his tone filled with both warmth and mystery. 

Y/n's heart raced as she followed his lead. The anticipation was almost unbearable, but it was also intoxicating. She could hear the distant sounds of the city, but her focus was entirely on Lando and the thrill of the moment.

Finally Lando stopped. "Okay, we're here. You can open your eyes."

With a mix of eagerness and nervousness, y/n slowly lifted her lids. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she found herself standing in a beautifully decorated spot in the mountains atop Monaco overlooking the city.

A picnic blanket was spread out on the grass, adorned with candles and a small basket filled with an assortment of delicious treats. String lights hung from the nearby trees, casting a soft, magical glow over the area. In the center of it all was a small table with two chairs, set for a romantic dinner.

The sight took y/n’s breath away. She looked at Lando, her eyes wide with admiration and happiness. "This is... amazing," she said softly, her voice filled with emotion.

Lando smiled, his eyes reflecting the soft light. "I’m glad you like it. I wanted to do something special."

Y/n walked over to the picnic setup, her heart swelling. She sank into one of the chairs and looked up at Lando, who was now arranging the dishes and pouring them both a glass of champagne.

“This is perfect,” she said, reaching out to him with a look of gratitude. “Thank you for making this evening so memorable.”

Lando joined her, his eyes locked with hers. “You’re worth every bit of effort. I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time.”

They spent the next few hours enjoying each other's company, savoring the delicious food and sharing stories and laughter under the twinkling lights. The world outside their tiny bubble seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in their own little paradise.

As the stars began to appear in the night sky, Lando took y/n’s hand in his once again. 

“This night,” the Brit said softly, “is just the beginning. I want many more moments like this with you.”

Y/n’s heart swelled with emotion. “I’d love that,” she replied, her voice a whisper as she leaned in closer. “More than anything.”

As y/n sat there, overwhelmed by the beauty and thoughtfulness of the moment, Lando’s arm around her waist felt like a comforting embrace that grounded her in the present.

She turned her head slightly, feeling the warmth of his breath against her neck, and the familiar, comforting scent of his aftershave enveloped her senses. It was as if the world had narrowed to just the two of them.

When Lando’s lips finally met hers, it was gentle and tender - a kiss that spoke volumes more than words ever could. It was as if he was pouring all of his affection, his joy, and his admiration for her into that single, sweet moment. The world seemed to pause, holding its breath along with y/n, as she savored the closeness and the intensity of it all.

Lando’s touch was both passionate and respectful, reminding y/n of the depth of their bond and the shared history that had brought them to this perfect evening.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads gently touching, both of them breathed in deeply, savoring the shared intimacy. 

“I wanted tonight to be perfect,” he said softly. “I wanted you to know how much you mean to me.”

Y/n smiled, her eyes still glistening. “It’s more than perfect. It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”

Lando’s smile widened as he gently brushed a stray tear from her cheek. “Then let’s enjoy it together.”

September 2072, Bristol, England

The paper was worn and delicate, but the words written on it held a timeless significance. As y/n read through the letter, she could recall the emotions and the moments that had shaped their lives together.

---

August 2023

My dear y/n,

I remember the first time I saw you. It was as if the world had shifted just a little, making space for something extraordinary. Our journey together has been nothing short of magical, filled with laughter, dreams, and love that grows deeper with each passing day.

Today, I want to share something with you. These lines are not just words; they are the promises I hold in my heart. I remember the day we shared our first kiss - how your lips felt against mine, how your touch made me feel alive in a way I had never experienced before. It was the beginning of something beautiful.

And now, as I sit here with you, I am reminded of how far we’ve come. I am grateful for every moment, every memory we’ve created together. From the surprise picnic in the mountains of Monaco to the quiet evenings just like this one, each moment with you has been a gift.

I want you to know how deeply I admire you, not just for the extraordinary things you do but for who you are. You are my love and my best friend. I promise to always stand by your side, to support you in every dream, and to love you more with each passing day.

With all my heart,

Lando

---

As y/n finished reading, a tear slipped down her cheek, a bittersweet reminder of the depth of their love and the journey they had shared. She carefully folded the letter and placed it back in the box, her heart full of memories and emotions.

She looked around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings that had been a backdrop to their shared life. Each corner of the house held a story, a piece of their history together. The letter was just one of many treasures, a testament to their enduring bond.

With a sigh y/n closed the golden box and placed it gently back in its spot to keep protecting the memories of the love they shared. The love that had started with a kiss in July of 2024 had blossomed into a lifetime of shared experiences, laughter, and deep affection. And as y/n sat there, reflecting on their journey, she knew that every step they had taken together had been worth it.

Her heart swelled with gratitude for the life they had built, and she felt ready to embrace whatever the future held, knowing that they had shared something truly special.

December 24, 2024, London, England

The kitchen was filled with the delicious scents of Christmas cooking—herbs, spices, and the faint aroma of roasting meat. Despite Lando’s somewhat chaotic approach, there was something endearing about watching him tackle the task with such determination. His concentration was evident as he fumbled with various pots and utensils, the occasional splash of sauce or clattering of a pan adding to the festive atmosphere.

Y/n took a moment to admire the scene before retreating to the bathroom. The anticipation of the evening ahead had her buzzing with excitement.

After her shower, y/n emerged feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy the evening. The house was decorated festively; twinkling lights, ornaments, and the soft glow of candles added to the coziness. The aroma of Lando’s cooking grew stronger as she approached the kitchen again.

Lando was still busy at the stove, now humming along to a Christmas tune playing softly in the background. He looked up as y/n entered, a hint of flour on his cheek and a warm, satisfied smile on his face.

“Looking forward to trying my culinary masterpiece?” he teased, trying to balance a spoon in one hand while stirring a pot with the other.

“Absolutely,” y/n replied, her eyes sparkling with affection. “I’m sure it’ll be delicious and you learned quite a bit since you burnt your burger buns to literal charcoal a few years ago.”

Lando rolled his eyes playfully. “There was no need to bring that up. And just so you know, I’ve put my heart into this.”

The kitchen clock ticked on, and soon enough, Lando began plating the food. The Christmas dinner admittedly was a beautiful sight - roasted vegetables, a perfectly cooked turkey, and all the traditional sides. The table was set complete with candles and a festive centerpiece.

As they sat down to eat, y/n couldn’t help but admire Lando’s effort. The food was, indeed, surprisingly good - proof of his dedication and perhaps a sign he had practiced this with his mother. 

“This is amazing,” y/n said, genuinely impressed. “You’ve outdone yourself.”

Lando grinned, his eyes twinkling. “Well, I’m glad you think so. I wanted tonight to be special for us.”

As they ate, Lando watched y/n with a sense of contentment. Her appreciation was clear, and he was relieved and delighted to see that his hard work had paid off. The joy on her face was worth every minute he had spent preparing the meal.

The evening continued with laughter, shared stories, and the warmth of their love. As they finished their meal and moved to the living room, where a cozy fire crackled in the fireplace. Wrapped in the glow of the Christmas lights and the crackling fire, y/n and Lando enjoyed the simple pleasure of each other’s company. The night was filled with joy, love, and the magic of the holiday season.

In that perfect, quiet moment, with the world outside frosted with winter’s chill, y/n realized that this was exactly what she had always wanted: Time spent with the person she loved most, creating new memories and cherishing the old ones. 

“Thank you, Lando,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “This has been one of the most wonderful Christmas Eves I’ve ever had. Everything is perfect.”

Lando squeezed her hand gently, his eyes soft with affection. “I’m so glad you think so. You mean the world to me, and I wanted to make sure tonight was special for you.”

They shared a quiet moment, simply enjoying each other’s company. The Christmas spirit was all around them, but it was the warmth of their love that made the evening truly magical.

Lando took a deep breath, trying to steady himself as he prepared for what he had planned. The small box in his pocket felt heavier than he had anticipated, but he knew he needed to push through the nervousness. He turned to y/n, his heart pounding.

“Y/n,” he began, his voice slightly wavering but filled with sincere emotion, “there’s something I need to tell you.”

Y/n looked at him with curiosity and a hint of concern. “What’s wrong, Lan? You’re making me nervous.”

Lando took out the small box from his pocket and held it in front of him, his hands trembling slightly.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about us lately,” he said, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of love and determination. “About our future, and how much you mean to me.”

He carefully opened the box to reveal a delicate ring nestled inside. The diamond sparkled softly in the candlelight, its brilliance a perfect reflection of his feelings for her.

Y/n’s eyes widened in surprise, and her hand flew to her mouth

“Lando, is this...?” she started, her voice trailing off as the realization sank in.

Lando nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. “I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, y/n. Will you marry me?”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she reached out to touch the ring gently. “Yes, Lando. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

Relief and joy flooded through Lando, and he slipped the ring onto her finger, his hands trembling with happiness. He pulled y/n into a tender embrace, their hearts beating as one.

“I’ve never been more certain of anything,” Lando whispered into her ear. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, and I can’t wait to build our future together.”

Y/n’s laughter was filled with joy as she clung to him, her own tears of happiness mixing with his. “I feel the same way, Lan. This is the best Christmas gift I could ever have imagined.”

As they held each other, the world outside faded away, leaving only the warmth of their love and the soft glow of the candles. The night was filled with the promise of a beautiful future, and the joy of knowing that they would face it together, side by side.

The evening continued with a newfound sense of excitement and anticipation. The ring on y/n’s finger seemed to capture the essence of their love, a symbol of their commitment and the many adventures that lay ahead.

In that perfect moment, surrounded by the love they had built and the dreams they were about to fulfill, Lando and y/n knew that their Christmas Eve had become something truly unforgettable; a celebration of their past, their present, and their future together.

The intensity of the moment was electric, a blend of emotion and excitement that was palpable. As Lando carried y/n upstairs, their laughter and joyful whispers filled the house, echoing the elation they both felt.

The bedroom door swung open, and Lando gently set y/n down on their bed, his eyes never leaving hers. The room was softly illuminated by the warm glow of the lamps, casting a romantic light over the space. Y/n gazed up at Lando, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and love. She reached out to touch his face, tracing his features gently.

“You’ve made this night so unforgettable,” she murmured, her voice filled with deep emotion. “I never imagined it would be like this, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Lando smiled, his eyes shining with happiness. “I wanted it to be perfect for you. You deserve nothing less.”

They moved closer together, the energy between them almost tangible. Lando’s hands found their way to y/n’s waist, pulling her in for another kiss. It was gentle at first, a slow melding of their lips that quickly grew more passionate. Every touch and kiss seemed to speak volumes, conveying the depth of their feelings and the excitement for their future together.

As they parted slightly, their breaths mingling, Lando’s fingers gently traced the outline of the engagement ring on y/n’s finger. “You look incredible,” he said softly, his voice filled with admiration.

“So do you,” y/n replied, her smile widening. “I’ve never been happier.”

Eventually, as the night wore on, they drifted into a peaceful embrace, the warmth of the bed and the comfort of each other’s presence creating a perfect end to their special evening. The future was bright, and they knew that whatever came next, they would face it together as partners in love and life.

September 2072, Bristol, England

The small piece of paper felt delicate and precious as y/n unfolded it. The handwriting was unmistakable, her own neat script from a time when every word had been carefully considered and every memory meticulously recorded. As she began to read, the words pulled her back into another cherished moment, vividly alive despite the passage of time.

---

April 03, 2025

Today was our first day living in our new home. I remember the excitement in Lando’s eyes when we drove up the driveway, and the way he held my hand as we walked through each room, imagining all the memories we would make here. It felt like we were starting a new adventure together, building our life from the ground up.

Lando had insisted on unpacking the kitchen first, determined to make it functional so that we could cook a proper meal together. I had to laugh when he nearly toppled over a stack of boxes in his enthusiasm. The kitchen became our little haven, filled with laughter and the smell of our first home-cooked meal. Although I do have to mention that I did most of the cooking.

The first night in the house was magical. We set up the bed and Lando insisted on taking a picture of us in front of the fireplace. It was a silly picture, but it perfectly captured the joy and the sense of accomplishment we felt.

---

Tears streamed down y/n’s cheeks as she read the entry, overwhelmed by the flood of memories from that early chapter in their lives. She could almost feel the warmth of the fireplace, hear Lando’s laughter, and see the joy in his eyes as they settled into their new home.

She looked out the window again, her gaze drifting over the landscape that had witnessed so many of their moments together. 

With a deep breath, y/n carefully folded the piece of paper and placed it back into the golden box, her fingers lingering on the surface as if to draw strength from the memories it held. 

She had always been a keeper of moments, capturing the essence of their love and life together. Even if Lando had teased her about it, he had always respected her desire to hold onto these memories. And now, as she looked back on the collection of papers and mementos, she was grateful for the opportunity to relive those moments and remember the journey they had traveled together.

December 25, 2025, Bristol, England

The church was filled with a soft glow as the vows were exchanged, casting a warm light over the small gathering of family and friends. Y/n's heart fluttered with each word spoken, and she could feel the significance of the moment settling deep within her.

Lando's words, though wrapped in his characteristic humor and honesty, were heartfelt and sincere. His eyes were locked on hers and his captivating laughter and smile filled the space.

When Lando spoke of his initial impressions and how that smile had changed everything, y/n couldn’t help but recall the moment he described. It was a turning point for both of them, a shift from animosity to an understanding that would blossom into love. 

The tears she had been holding back finally slipped down her cheeks, but they were tears of joy. She was overwhelmed by the enormity of what was happening. Her dreams were coming true, and the man she had loved for so long was now pledging his life to hers. The vows they had exchanged were not just words; they were a promise of a future together.

The priest’s voice brought everyone back to the present, guiding them through the final steps of the ceremony. Y/n and Lando exchanged rings, each one a symbol of their unbreakable commitment to each other.

With the final words of the ceremony, the priest pronounced them husband and wife. The moment Lando kissed y/n, sealing their vows with a kiss, was met with a wave of applause and cheers from their loved ones. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered happiness.

As they walked back down the aisle, hand in hand, y/n could hardly believe how perfect the day had been. Every detail, every moment, had come together beautifully.

They shared their first dance as a married couple, swaying together to a song that held special meaning for them. The world around them seemed to fade as they focused solely on each other, lost in the bliss of their new life as husband and wife.

As the evening drew to a close, y/n and Lando stole a quiet moment together, stepping outside to gaze at the stars. The night air was cool and crisp, a perfect end to a perfect day. They stood in silence, simply enjoying each other’s presence.

“We did it,” Lando said softly, his arm around y/n’s waist.

“Yes, we did,” y/n replied, leaning into him.

Lando kissed the top of her head, something he would do so often. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“Neither can I,” y/n whispered, her heart full of love and excitement for the future.

As they stood together, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, they knew that their journey was just beginning. The love they shared was the foundation of their new life, and they were ready to embrace whatever came next, hand in hand, forever.

September 2072, Bristol, England

Y/n's fingers trembled slightly as she reached for another piece of paper. She carefully unfolded the piece, her breath hitching as she recognized her own handwriting. The paper was slightly creased, a sign of its frequent handling. As she began to read, the room seemed to fade away, leaving her alone with the words and the emotions they stirred.

---

April 03, 2026

Today was our first anniversary in this house. We decided to celebrate it with a picnic in the garden. The sun was shining, and there was a gentle breeze; perfect weather for a day outside. Lando surprised me with a homemade cake, which he had decorated all by himself. It was an absolute disaster, but he was so proud of it that I couldn’t help but fall in love with him all over again.

We spent the afternoon lounging on a blanket, reminiscing about the past year and talking about our dreams for the future. I remember the way his eyes sparkled when he spoke about the life we were building together. It was one of those moments when you realize just how lucky you are to have found someone who makes every day brighter.

Later, as the sun began to set, we danced under the stars. Lando played our song on his phone, and I remember feeling so happy, so content, that I thought my heart might burst.

---

As y/n read the entry, the tears that had been flowing now turned into a steady stream. She set the paper aside and took a deep, shaky breath, trying to compose herself. The past had a way of reaching out and touching her heart, especially on days when the pain of missing Lando felt almost unbearable. But it was in these moments of reflection that she found strength, drawing comfort from the memories that defined their life together.

With a trembling hand, she closed the box, the weight of its contents both comforting and heavy. She stood up and walked over to the window, looking out at the familiar landscape. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden light across the land.

As she gazed out at the horizon, she whispered softly to the wind, “Thank you, Lando, for everything.” The words were a way to honor the life they had built and the love that would forever remain in her heart.

October 29, 2028, London, England

In the quiet of the delivery room y/n’s exhaustion was palpable, her face flushed and damp with sweat, but the sight of her newborn son filled her with an indescribable joy.

Lando’s grip on y/n’s hand had loosened, but his eyes were filled with tears of relief and wonder. He could hardly believe how quickly the pain had transformed into this beautiful, tiny miracle.

“Look at him,” Lando said softly, his voice choked with emotion. He took a step closer to the bed, his eyes never leaving the baby’s face. “He’s perfect.”

Y/n nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked at the baby. The exhaustion she felt was overwhelming, but the sight of him made every second of pain worth it. She gently stroked the baby’s tiny fingers, marveling at how small and delicate he was.

The midwife smiled warmly at them and began to clean and wrap the baby. “You did wonderfully, y/n. You both should be very proud.”

The moments that followed were filled with a peaceful silence, broken only by the soft coos and murmurs of the baby as he settled into his mother’s embrace. Y/n and Lando exchanged glances that spoke of their shared joy and wonder.

“I can’t believe he’s finally here,” Lando said, his voice a mere whisper.

“Me neither,” y/n agreed, her eyes locked on their son. “It feels like a dream.”

“I love you,” Lando said, leaning down to press a tender kiss to y/n’s forehead.

“I love you too,” y/n replied, her voice full of emotion. “And I love him so much.”

They looked down at their son, their hearts full. The road ahead would be filled with challenges and sleepless nights, but in this moment, everything was perfect. Their little family was complete, and their journey together was just beginning.

As the first rays of dawn began to filter into the room, y/n held her little baby close, feeling a deep sense of peace and fulfillment. Lando’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, a silent promise of support and love. Together, they began the new chapter of their lives, cherishing the miracle they had brought into the world.

September 2072, Bristol, England

The warmth of the September sun was a gentle balm against y/n's skin as she approached the figure of her husband, peacefully resting beneath the tree. The years had etched lines of wisdom and experience on his face, but he retained the same quiet strength that had first drawn her to him.

Y/n’s heart swelled with a deep sense of gratitude as she watched him. Their journey together had been nothing short of extraordinary. From the early days of their relationship to the challenges of raising three energetic sons, their bond had weathered it all. 

She tiptoed closer, not wanting to disturb him, and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. The sun’s rays danced across his face, highlighting the silver in his hair and the lines that spoke of years filled with laughter, love, and the occasional struggle.

Kneeling beside him, y/n allowed herself a moment of quiet reflection. The path they had walked together was marked by both joyous milestones and challenging times, but through it all, they had remained each other’s anchor. The sight of Lando sleeping so peacefully was a reminder of the simple yet profound comfort of being together.

Lando stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open. When he saw y/n beside him, a smile spread across his face, a smile that held years of shared happiness and unspoken understanding.

"Hey," he murmured, his voice still groggy with sleep. "What are you doing down there?"

y/n chuckled softly, her eyes misting with emotion. "Just wanted to be close to you, and thought I’d wake you."

Lando stretched, sitting up and looking at her tenderly

"After all these years, you still manage to make me fall in love with you all over again," y/n said, leaning in to kiss him softly.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and savoring the warmth of her embrace. "I’ve had the best life with you," he said quietly. "Every moment has been worth it."

They sat together in comfortable silence, the warmth of the sun enveloping them in the moment. The world continued, but in that peaceful corner of their garden, time seemed to slow, allowing them to enjoy the simple joy of being together.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive

"No big deal." "Just a cold." "Back to normal."

The proportion of babies born with a congenital heart abnormality increased by 16 per cent after the first year of the pandemic, according to research at City St George's, University of London and published today in Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Heart defects are the most common type of anomaly that develop before a baby is born, with around 13 babies diagnosed with a congenital heart condition every day in the UK and impacting one in 110 births globally . These include defects to the baby's heart valves, the major blood vessels in and around the heart, and the development of holes in the heart.

In over 18 million births, researchers analysed data from US birth certificates from the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between December 2016 and November 2022 to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on the number of babies born with a congenital heart defect.

They compared the number of babies born with a congenital heart condition every month before the Covid-19 pandemic (1st December 2016 to 30th November 2019) with those during the pandemic (1st December 2020 to 30th November 2022).

This data was then compared to the number of babies born with Down's Syndrome - a genetic condition not affected by the virus. This was to help ascertain if any differences observed might have been due to Covid-19, or if they were a result of other factors including limited access to antenatal services during the pandemic.

A total of 11,010,764 births before and 7,060,626 births during the pandemic were analysed. Data was adjusted to account for mother's BMI, diabetes and blood pressure before pregnancy, age, number of times they had given birth and the season in which prenatal care started.

The number of births with a congenital heart condition increased by 16% after the first year of the pandemic, with 65.4 cases per 100,000 live births compared to 56.5 per 100,000 births in the period studied before the pandemic.

The number of babies born with Down Syndrome did not change for the duration of the study, suggesting that the increase in fetal heart defects were not due to a disruption of health services.

Studying this large US dataset has revealed an unexpected picture for how the pandemic has affected the hearts of unborn babies, but we need to untangle the reasons for this link. We need to determine if the SARS-CoV-2 virus directly causes the development of fetal heart problems during pregnancy, and if so, how the virus makes these changes in the heart.

We don't have this type of data set available in the UK, but it's important to see if this pattern is seen in other parts of the world.

Covid-19 is still circulating and is easier to catch in the winter months. These results act as an important reminder for pregnant women to get their Covid-19 vaccinations to help protect themselves and their baby."

Professor Asma Khalil, lead author and Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine at City St George's, University of London

Source: City St George's, University of London

Journal reference: Khalil, A., et al. (2024). Congenital heart defects during COVID‐19 pandemic. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology. doi.org/10.1002/uog.29126. obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/uog.29126

[librarycards]

Submissions open through June 30, 2024 - Mad Dykes, Queer Worlds

Hello all! I'm editing a special issue of the literary magazine Sinister Wisdom titled Mad Dykes, Queer Worlds. If you're Mad –– regardless of personal label or diagnostic status –– and identify with some aspect of dyke experience (in all its multiplicities!), I want to consider your work for publication.

The title links to Submittable, the platform Sinister Wisdom (and most other magazines) use to process submissions. It's free to use, but can be inaccessible for visually disabled people. If that's you, email Sinister Wisdom for alternative submission options.

I am particularly interested in reading work by young/new/emerging creatives, survivors of psychiatric/medical incarceration, and/or those living outside the Global North/West. Visual art and written work are all welcome!

Note: Sinister Wisdom can't pay $; they compensate in a year-long print subscription and complementary copies of the journal. If you only submit to magazines that pay, consider checking out mine, manywor(l)ds.place; we reopen for general submissions June 1.

Feel free to email me with any further questions. Don't self-reject. ID for the image both in the alt text and below the cut.

Mad Dykes, Queer Worlds

What is Madness, and how do we, as lesbian/queer creatives, wield it? Amid much feminist discourse around the figure of the “madwoman,” mostly as an archetype to be avoided or, in some instances, appropriated, in reaction to rational distress under violently cisheteropatriarchal conditions, comparatively little discussion has focused on the lived experience of psychiatric survivorship, iatrogenic harm, and abuse under the sign of “mental illness” or psychiatric disability. Behind and beyond the figure of the madwoman, or the specter of “hysteria,” are the lived (sur)realities of Madpeople of all marginalized genders.

This issue of Sinister Wisdom seeks contributions by lesbian, queer, and/or trans people self-identified as Mad, mentally disabled, and/or psychiatric survivors. Following the portmanteaue coinages “transMad” (Cavar), “neuroqueer” (Walker, Yergeau, and Michaels-Dillon), and “neurotrans” (Smilges), Madness and (gender)queerness are deeply entangled and often inextricable from each other, both as they manifest “inside” us and in our ways of relating to our words, world(s), lovers, and friends.

What, who, and where are Mad dykes, and how do we find each other in a world increasingly oriented toward cisheteronormative, whitewashed wellness? What are the legacies and ongoing violences of queer/trans pathologization in our communities and beyond? How do we live as transMad people amid cissexist, saneist attacks from the reactionary Right? And how do we share, negotiate, or conceal our experiences of trauma, altered realities, and unfamiliar access needs while also building community?

Please submit works of any, all, or no genres, including reviews and interviews, up to 5,000 words, and a short contributor biography between 25 and 125 words. We are also seeking illustrations and photographs (.jpg or .tif files only, print resolution size at least 300 ppi). Please do not send previously published work.

Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2024

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[tagging for spread hopefully! @closet-keys, @rebirthgarments, @fluoresensitive, @heavenlyyshecomes, @trans-axolotl, @fatehbaz @sawasawako @felgueirosa @bioethicists @campgender @candiedsmokedsalmon @sadhoc @osmanthusoolong @boykeats ]

[f1fnatic]

100 WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU ⤿ l. norris 4

→ ( in which. . . ) it is your and lando's 4 year anniversary and as a gift, you give him a journal of 100 entries of moments during your relationship, here are some of lando's favorite moments.

→ ( type of fanfic. . . ) written

→ ( pairing. . . ) lando norris x sainz!reader (gender not specified

→ ( content warnings/disclaimers. . . ) this is coming from lando's pov, jumps from 2022-2024 at the end

→ ( author's note. . . ) this is my first time with a short summary type of fic, i hope you enjoy! see the end for more

→ ( masterlist )

→ 12/5/2019, the day we first met

it was my first time in the f1 paddock and carlos had invited me to the spanish gp. you accidentally bumped into me, which caused my piping hot, freshly brewed espresso to spill all over the front of my blouse. you apologized briefly before running off to do whatever media duty you had for that day. later, after the grand prix was over, carlos made you apologize the right way and made you buy me a new shirt. p.s that shirt is one of my favorites :)

→ 24/10/2019, the day we hung out 1 on 1 for the first time

we went to lunch and then found this quaint drive-in movie on the outskirts of monaco. they were playing my favorite summer-time movie, grease. i got to see a different side of you that day. you didn't have carlos to bounce off of, it was sweet to see you for you. your presence was so comforting to me. you were so relaxed and laid back. you fell asleep in my lap and that was when your worries truly melted away. i was very giddy after you left, it just so happened to be the first time my heart fluttered at the thought of you. p.s.s sorry for quating grease so much

→ 31/12/2020, new years eve

the day you kissed me for the first time. at first, i was surprised and thought the alcohol was making you act brash and forward. but after you didn't move away, i knew it was on purpose. i do not know what i could have done if you didn't kiss me. carlos got this picture of us and it has become one of my favorites. it marks such an important milestone in our relationship.

→ 23/3/2020, lockdown

when the uk officially shut down their borders and went into lockdown. monaco had shut theirs down a month prior, so i came to live with you until i couldn't anymore. it was hard, i didn't want to leave you and go back to monaco. we were still figuring out if we wanted to be in a relationship and i knew that the time apart would be difficult to navigate. so much uncertainty and change. it helped us grow into the people we are now <3

→ 31/8/2020, the day you asked me to be your partner

it also just so happened to be my birthday. we had been facetiming almost every day/night. i was watching every single grand prix to show my undying support for you. your unofficial home grand prix the day before had gone well, and i remember being so proud of you. you woke me up by surprising me at my apartment door in monaco with a bouquet of my favorite flowers, as well as my favorite snacks. i couldn't help but cry, but then you asked one of the most important questions ever, and obviously i said yes!

→ 8/31/2021, our 1 year anniversary

wow, i could not believe that we had been together for 365 days. one full orbit of the earth around the sun. you yourself are my sun, lando. the light of my life. that night you surprised me with a high-end massage since we were still in lockdown. you do not know how much i appreciated that, work had made me so stressed. it was wonderful to relax. i remember you being upset because we couldn't spend it together and promised that we would never spend another anniversary apart, and so far, you have.

→ 4/1/2022, when i asked you to move in with me

everything leading up to the moment i asked you was so nerve-wracking that i was trying not to have an anxiety attack. i was so scared that you weren't going to say yes, but, obviously you did. once you moved in, my apartment finally felt like a home. it felt so full with you. the happiness that would run through my veins when i saw that your things were next to mine. your clothes next to mine in the closet, our coffee mugs side by side on the countertop, and our shoes piled next to the door, waiting for us to go out together. that was and still is one of my happiest memories <3

→ 14/2/2022, valentines day

our first valentines together in person as a couple! we had such a beautiful ocean view breakfast that you surpirsed me with (it was delicious btw) and then later that night, you took me to dinner and had max decorate our bedroom while we were out. have it on record that that was my favorite night ever ;)

→ 1/7/2022, our first grand prix as a couple

this just so happened to be the day that we confirmed we were dating!! it was such a weight lifted off of my shoulders to finally be able to call you mine in public. the fans were so supportive. i felt so much pride to be able to wear a jersey with your name on it. that whole weekend was bliss.

→ 31/8/2024 our 4 year anniversary

today. that's all i have to say. today has been the best day and everything i could ask for. today you surprised me with the biggest question of my life. today you asked me to marry you. and, without any hesitation, i said yes. of course, i would say yes. lando, you are the best thing to have ever happen to me. you are my world, my everything, my star in a field of black. you have brought such happiness into my life that i can't even BEGIN to describe. i am so unbelievably happy that you bumped into me that fateful day in the mclaren paddock. if you hadn't, who knows where we would be. i love you so much lan, here is to 4 years and so many more.

woww two posts in the span of a week what is happening... i was deciding to add pictures but i could not find any good ones that made sense for the entries. anyways, requests and feedback are welcome! make sure to leave a comment and kudos as well (only if you want :P)