#My Royal Showmance

[sandythereadingcafe]

REVIEW TOUR:

MY ROYAL SHOWMANCE (Park Avenue Promise 2) by Lexi Blake at The Reading Cafe:

'The premise is captivating and entertaining'

[dargeereads]

A Cinderella story set in the dramatic world of reality TV dating shows.

My Royal Showmance, an all-new swoon-filled romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake & Blue Box Press is now live!

Anika Fox knows exactly where she wants to be, and it’s not on the set of a reality TV dating show. She’s working her way up at the production company she works for and she’s close to achieving some of her dreams. The big boss just wants one thing from her. She’s got a potential problem with the director of The King Takes a Bride and she wants Anika to pose as a production assistant and report back.

As the king of a tiny European country, Luca St. Marten knows the world views him as one of the pampered royalty of the world. It couldn’t be further from the truth. His country is hurting and he’s right there on the front lines with his citizens. When he’s asked to do a dating show, his counselors point out that it could bring tourism back to Ralavia. It goes against his every desire, but he agrees.

When one of the contestants drops out at the last minute, Anika finds herself replacing the potential princess. She’s sure she’ll be asked to leave the first night, but Luca keeps picking her again and again. Suddenly she finds herself in the middle of a made-for-TV fantasy, and she’s unsure what’s real and what’s simply reality TV.

Dive into the second standalone novel in the Park Avenue Promise Series today→ https://bit.ly/3QLxwKE

Add My Royal Showmance to Goodreads→ https://bit.ly/3TjGLlx

Start the series of standalones with Start Us Up→ https://bit.ly/44X8zk2

Keep reading for a look inside My Royal Showmance!

“Ani, you’re my best producer. Do this for me and I’ll green-light your movie. The silly one about… What was it about?” “It’s the story of one of New York’s first woman firefighters. Her life and struggles.” It is my dream project, and it certainly isn’t silly. It’s about empowerment and the fight against discrimination in the workplace. Jess’s surgically perfected nose wrinkles slightly. “Could she be fighting aliens?” I growl. It’s an alpha sound I’ve worked on over the years since no one takes a small blonde woman seriously in my business until they catch sight of our three rows of teeth. Not that I’m like that in my normal life. I’m a regular young woman. I try to be nice and kind to everyone around me, and if they cross me, I will bury them and no cop will look in my anime eyes and think me capable of murder. Sometimes the patriarchy works in my favor. Not that I want to give up bodily autonomy and equal pay just so I can murder someone a little more easily. But for now I’ll take what I can get. “Fine.” Jess has her hard negotiator expression on. “What’s the budget?” I can do it for ten million, but she’s sentencing me to six weeks of dealing with women who think they are going to end up being queen. It will be spray tans and claws, and I will hear the words “the right reasons” so many times. “Fifteen.” Her eyes narrow like she knows exactly what I’m doing. I sit and wait. Like she taught me. Don’t show a minute of your emotions, Ani. “Fifteen,” she agrees. “And you’ll be fast-tracked. If you get this done, I might even be persuaded to tell publicity they have a slightly larger budget.” She really wants this. I wish I could talk to my friends, but I know what’s at the end of this conversation. I won’t be able to explain why I’m taking a crappy assignment. Ivy has her own issues and won’t question it. She’ll be all “rah-rah, girl power,” but Harper likes a mystery, and, even more, she loves to point out when things are going wrong. Still, I’d like their advice, but I’m not going to get it. I’m on my own. “I’ll do it.” Jess smiles like she would have gone to twenty. She wouldn’t have, but I give her a frown because it’s always good to let the boss think they’re still in control. “One more thing, dear,” she says, sliding a stack of papers my way. Yep. There’s the very long and binding nondisclosure agreement. My mouth is going to have to stay closed. But my eyes will be wide open.

For more information about Lexi Blake, visit her website: https://www.lexiblake.net/

For more information about Blue Box Press, visit: Website: https://theblueboxpress.com/ Facebook: https://bit.ly/3ONzTtZ Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rTZdo3 TikTok: https://bit.ly/3G98oYh

[thereadingcafe]

[brionbroadway]

9 people you would like to get to know better

Thanks @poppunkbibliophile for the tag!

1) 3 ships: Evak, Gerard/Elody but as platonic besties or people who mature apart and come back together, Cory/America for the only Big Brother showmance I like

2) First ever ship: Oh, it was definitely an American Idol ship. Carrie Underwood and Anthony Fedorov? That's a throwback.

3) Last Song: Cornelia Street by Taylor Swift

4) Last Movie: Half of Red White and Royal Blue?

5) Currently Reading: Just Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane and Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon, my two favourite romance authors

6) Currently Watching: If I'm not watching Big Brother, I'm watching a Big Brother recap podcast

7) Currently Consuming: Coffee and water

8) Currently Craving: It to be 1:30PM EST so the D20 trailer drops and I stop repeating "circle tree lightning" to myself

tagging @dacergirl369 @operationslipperypuppet @whatkindofnameisella @violetsandmagpies @talesandfluff @flashandthunder @re-reclass @feminist-sassy-nach @brennanleemulligans

[mrssweethomealabamareads]

From New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake, discover The Park Avenue Promise Series...

My Royal Showmance by @authorlexiblake is now LIVE!

My Review Who doesn’t want their Prince Charming? Well, this one gives us the King. I loved this one. Anika was forging her own path. Her boss asks for favor. Meeting Luca was never on her radar, but it was great timing. I loved Luca. He was down to earth, and committed to his country. This was a grown up fairytale. It was snarky & funny. Can I get one of those danishes?


Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo! 

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3QrhFzO

Apple Books: https://bit.ly/49mIa23

Nook: https://bit.ly/46Xi04s

Kobo: https://bit.ly/46SgMay

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3tXJaJQ

Audible: https://bit.ly/3suyiTu

Narrated by: Kitty Bang

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3QHfGZE

#lexiblake #parkavenuepromise #RomanticComedy #CinderellaStory #CloseProximity #valentineprlm @valentine_pr_

[booklovingpixies]

NEW RELEASE - My Royal Showmance by Lexi Blake

My Royal Showmance by Lexi Blake is now live!  From New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake, discover The Park Avenue Promise Series… Three young women make a pact in high school— to always be friends and to one day make it big in Manhattan. My Royal Showmance Anika Fox knows exactly where she wants to be, and it’s not on the set of a reality TV dating show. She’s working her way up at…

[womenwhostareatbooks]

Now Live!!

A Cinderella story set in the dramatic world of reality TV dating shows. My Royal Showmance, an all-new swoon-filled romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake & Blue Box Press is now live! Anika Fox knows exactly where she wants to be, and it’s not on the set of a reality TV dating show. She’s working her way up at the production company she works for and she’s close to…

[oliviastclair]

Catching up on the late night feeds (good LORD these houseguests be playing into the early morning; kinda wish I was back in high school when four hours of sleep was enough fuel for me to live on. Now I’m old as fuck and need my 7 hours of beauty sleep).

After the Royal Flush had their game talk, the Queens and DX went into Have Not to discuss whether it was a good idea to throw the comp to Alyssa. They then get to talking about SB and how she was throwing out Hannah’s name in the meeting. And at one point DX goes “SB was making points I really didn’t want her to be making. ‘Why does Hannah feel comfortable?’ Damn SB, good point, shut the fuck up!!!”

DX is really out here trying to keep Hannah safe. Those two kids need to solidify their final two quick. DX is sticking his neck out there for Hannah and she needs to know her name is in ppl’s mouths. Forget the showmance, figure that ish out afterwards if you want (altho, it would be nice to see it happen on the feeds). That boy is ride or die and Hannah needs to know!!!

[thetimemachinejellyfish]

Gomens AU Fic Recs!

I’ve been reading so MANY beautiful fics lately that I wanted to compile a list for myself and for others. One of my jams is AUs, so that’s what this is all about. These fics are in no particular order as they are all perfect: 

Angel!Aziraphale and Demon!Crowley in History: 

Like Sleep to the Freezing by WaitingtoBeBroken

Note: 18th century, Discreet Gentleman’s Club, Lots of surprises that I don’t want to spoil for you but it’s SO WONDERFUL. A healthy helping of angst, of course, and if you haven’t read WaitingtoBeBroken’s other fics, you’re in for a treat. They have written a lot of wonderful Good Omens fic. 

Once More, with Pharaohs by Duinemerwen. 

Note: Ancient Egypt, my friends. WITH A TIME LOOP. This fic certainly has intrigue and angst in spades, coupled with soft moments and great insight into what Crowley and Aziraphale’s relationship might have been like in the very early years. The atmosphere and attention to detail is *chef’s kiss*.

Human!Ineffable Husbands in Present-Day: 

Petrichor and Parchment by @katnoggin

Note: The attention to detail this story has re: Aziraphale and book restoration is SUCH a treat. It feels like eating a Lindor truffle with my eyes =D And happily, the story is already written so if you’re nervous about WIPs, never fear! This story’s weekly updates are guaranteed. 

The Best Laid Plans by @hopeinthedark1901

Note: I regularly re-read the many complete stories of this lovely author, who is currently working on the fic Ab Astris (Alternate Canon, Angel!Aziraphale and Demon!Crowley) that I rec if you’re looking for creative approaches to the Angel/Demon universe we’ve been given by Good Omens. 

Ink Blots and Forget-Me-Nots by gutsandglitter.

Note: This is a beautiful ‘getting back together’ story that unfolds in a perfect way. And if you’re worried about angst, 11/12 chapters have already been posted and a happy ending is assured in the tags =D

Golden Handcuffs by @bestoftheseekwill

Note: I will live and die for academia!AUs, and this is one of my FAVORITES. The details are impeccable, the tension and slowburn of the relationship between Crowley and Aziraphale is enough to make you want to shout from the rooftops. There are also waterfalls. And castles. So think about the ambiance, friends! Happily, this author has another finished priest!Aziraphale, in-deep-with-shady-folks!Crowley story - Acts of Service - that I can recommend whole-heartedly, alongside the rest of their works. 

Let’s Not by Rokikurama

Note: Speaking of academia!AUs that I would die for, this is another one. It is also one of the first AUs I read in the Good Omens fandom, so it has a special place in my heart. :) The infuriating hierarchy of academia creates such an excellent backdrop for the development of Crowley and Aziraphale’s relationship, and you can feel the very human stakes of it which I love.

Rules and Exceptions by @smartgirlsaremean

Note: This amazing AU! has teacher!Aziraphale and guardian!Crowley navigating the exciting world of parent-teacher dynamics. There is so much chemistry and tension and loveliness between these characters, with an added bonus of charming Adam and Warlock :D 

Getting Sacked by @vgersix

Note: What can I say about this fic that doesn’t devolve into keysmashing. It is probably the most thoughtful, beautiful, and careful BDSM stories I have ever read, which makes it such a pleasure to read. Beyond this, the characters feel so incredibly real and the author seamlessly weaves in corporate espionage and their developing relationship in a way that is so charming and engaging. 

Slow Show by @mia-ugly

Note: No list of best Good Omens fics would be complete without this gift of a fic. If for some reason you haven’t read it yet, showmance!AU. Out of this world. My descriptions would not give it justice so instead I set you loose with a link to the fic itself on AO3!

Leave the Light On by @enbyziraphale and @artist-formerly-known-as-crawley

Note: It is the FAMOUS phone sex operator!Crowley and Aziraphale AU that is rightfully getting all kinds of recognition on my dash :D This fic is a FREAKING DELIGHT, not least because it is riffing on one of my FAVORITE ROMCOMS OF ALL TIME, You’ve Got Mail. These authors are fantastic, and each chapter will get you even more excited for the eventual, inevitable collide/realization of phone!sex world and “real”!world. 

The Only One I Still Know How to See by  Furuba_Fangirl

Note: Thespian!Crowley and adoring audience member!Aziraphale here. I love that the play Crowley acts in is fully realized alongside the world outside of the stage - this commitment to detail makes the story so immersive. I adore it. 

If Not Now, When by @ineffablefool

Note: This fic is all about the soft zone, and what I love most about it is how Crowley and Aziraphale are on journeys of loving each other and loving themselves, and the author does such a wonderful job of conveying this. I always leave this story feeling like I’ve had the best hot cocoa in the world =D

Human!Ineffable Husbands In Other Exciting Historical/World Contexts: 

The Sometimes Wife by @marveliciousfanace

Note: A regency AU that is anything you could want from a regency AU, that lovingly gives us genderfluid!Crowley in regency style which is honestly everything my heart desires. Also! There is a BALL. I love a good ball scene.

sweetest words remain by @weatheredlaw

Note: A royal! AND consort!AU set in an alternate world - the kingdoms are vividly described, and this is actually the SEQUEL to another story which I recommend reading first: with all your delights. It has all the elements I love in royal intrigue stories - the tension between the king’s public and private selves, advisers being the bane of everybody’s existence, and falling in love (naturally). There are love letters exchanged. They are beautiful. 

On Espionage and Prophecy by RockSaltandRoll

Note: Honestly, this fic is a damn delight. 1940s Aziraphale and Crowley, getting into the double crossing and the spies, reimagining that AMAZING scene from Episode 3 from a human perspective. The author’s historical knowledge and style is immersive, as is the developing relationship between our heroes! 

Human!Crowley and Angel!Aziraphale:

A Machine For Living In (+ 2 continuations!) by pineapplesquid. 

Notes: Architect!Crowley is a blessing. I learned so much about brutalism (and Aziraphale’s attitudes towards brutalism are *chef’s kiss* as you might expect). This series of fics is fantastic. 

Pray for Us, Icarus by @seaskystone

Notes: If you follow Human AU adjacent fics, you’ve probably already seen this gorgeous collection of moments - buckets of tears. Beautiful. And Atalan has a canon-compliant sequel to Good Omens, Instructions Not Included that I totally recommend for anyone who hasn’t yet read it - it’s spectacular! 

[hpswl-cumbercookie]

Ballet!Lock Rec List

And we’re back! This week I would like to offer for your perusal, an amazing selection of ballet!lock fics! Ballet!Lock in my opinion is a vastly underappreciated trope that I happen to adore. If you’ve never read it, I urge you to give it a shot, because it is so much fun. If you have read Ballet!Lock before, I hope these recs help you find more amazing stories to read. Feel free to squee over these with me at any time, I will happily accept fanbuddies. Anyways, here are my searches that I used, although some of these recs did come off of my bookmark list. Search 1 Speaking of my bookmarks list, if for some reason, you cannot find a rec list of mine on my blog, every fic that I rec can also be found in my ao3 bookmarks list under the title of the list.

Brooklyn Heat, Summer Jazz by Zigster aka @zigster-ao3

Words: 42k Chapters: 10 Rating: Explicit

"There was, however, one thing that made it easier to stay on his piano bench every day. One thing that kept John Watson showing up to class on time, every morning at ten with a large thermos of honeyed tea and a conviction to see a job well done. His name was Sherlock Holmes and he was the most confounding and extraordinary thing John had ever come across - the most exotic of birds and the most unattainable of men."

A ballet and jazz-centric AU

Blond Barista Seeks Dashing Ballet Dancer: Inquire Within by prettysailorsoldier

Words: 44k Chapters: 1 Rating: Explicit

Between classes, his job at a local cafe, and being captain of the rugby team, John Watson's life is plenty stressful enough without the addition of a mysterious ballet dancer he can see through the windows of the dance studio across the street, but, somehow, he can't bring himself to mind.

For Dreaming and for Dancing by ReaderWriterPoet

Words: 1.9k Rating: Mature

Sherlock is retiring from the stage and only one thing is absent- his boyfriend of seven years, Captain John Watson.

ILYSB by Coldersongs

Words: 6.5k Rating: Mature

John's worked his entire life for his opportunity to become his full rugby-playing potential.

Sherlock's the graceful dancer that he falls in love with.

(Just another rugby playing John and dancer Sherlock fic)

Coming To See The Show by meandmybrokenfeels

Words: 719 Rating: Gen

Sherlock invites John to see one of his solo performances.

Sign Please by green_violin_bow

Words: 3.5k Rating: Teen

Sherlock lived in John's room on campus last year, and now John keeps having to sign for weird parcels from one Mycroft Holmes. One day, enough's enough, and he goes to find the intended recipient of two (separately-delivered) smelly old boots, a fake passport and visa, a highly professional-looking set of lockpicks, and a fresh human brain...

From a Tumblr prompt by @alexxphoenix42 - thank you so much, hope you enjoy!

Take Me To Church by Daziechane 

Words: 6.5k Rating: Mature

John’s days blurred. It didn’t even bother him anymore, that he wasn’t onstage. At least, that’s what he told himself every time he clocked in for another shift.

Sherlock’s days blurred. It didn’t even bother him anymore, that he wasn’t onstage. At least, that’s what he told himself every time he stepped into 221B.

Entree Adagio Variation Coda by tiger_in_the_flightdeck

Words: 10k Rating: Teen

Sherlock is injured on a case, and John blames himself. It's his job to keep him safe, and he failed. Determined not to allow himself to fall behind again, John takes up training.

Meanwhile, Sherlock follows suit and goes back to dance. The perfect way to communicate for two men who can't bring themselves to say the words they've been thinking for so long.

Props by LadyKailitha

Words: 16k Chapters: 8 Rating: Mature

When ballet virtuoso, Sherlock Holmes gets a table at the fanciest restaurant in town for his mother's birthday, he didn't expect the maitre d' to give his table away to rugby champion, John Watson. John, gracious as he is good-looking, offers to share the table.

Sparks fly.

Atelophobia and Arabesques by dreadpiratewatson

Words: 4.5k Rating: Teen

Sherlock Holmes takes ballet very seriously. He has an audition lined up with the Royal Academy of Dance, and he's willing to do anything to get the position, and be absolutely perfect, even run himself into the ground.

John Watson has something to say about that.

The Dancer and the Captain by Mssmithlove

Words: 17k Rating: Explicit

Ballet has always been Sherlock's first love, but when a certain rugby captain starts hanging around, well, that may just change.

Waldosia by milou407

Words: 2.5k Rating: Gen

(n) A condition characterized by scanning faces in a crowd looking for a specific person who would have no reason to be there.

Waiting for you outside - JW

Sherlock felt as though a weight had been lifted off his chest, and he felt an enormous smile break across his face.

Overture by dreadpiratewatson

Words: 29k Chapters:14 Rating: Mature

Sherlock Holmes, a shy, aloof ballet dancer, loves ballet, and ballet only. He tried it once, being in love, but after humiliation and heartbreak, he swore it off forever. Then, John Watson comes along, and turns his world upside down The kindhearted rugby captain sits on the studio floor just inches from him, laughs at his dry sense of humor, waits for him after dance, and drives him home afterwards. Sherlock wants him, but how can someone so undeserving and incapable of love think that someone as wonderful as John Watson would ever love him back?

Many Things by imaqualady

Words: 499 Rating: Gen

Watson's bringing his girl to practice, or, at least, that's what the boys think.

His First Bow by RoseGoldAmpersand

Words: 1.5k Rating: Explicit

Sherlock's just finished his first professional performance, but his high is sobered by his suspiciously absent boyfriend.

Relief in Breathing by Brokenpitchpipe

Words: 5k Rating: Teen

He can’t believe this- this is Sherlock Holmes, for god’s sake. The boy who can be found smoking the last of the day’s pack of cigarettes at lunch hour. The boy who rides a bloody motorcycle to school and back. For fuck’s sake, he’s pretty sure that Sherlock Holmes is in one of his classes, but hell if John’s ever actually seen him there.

And he does ballet?

Out of Step by prettysailorsoldier

Words: 13.5k Rating: Explicit

Prompt: Balletlock, with Sherlock dancing in The Nutcracker as the Nutcracker, and John is a stage guy, and they start a showmance or something - bestcoastisthewestcoast

Prompt: Nutcrackerlock! - anon

John is surprisingly at peace with the recent changes in his life, taking a job as the rugby coach at a secondary school after being discharged from the army, but, when he finds out being part of the school community also means helping out with the annual Christmas production, he's slightly less keen on the whole affair. That is, until an old pupil of the dance teacher shows up, a man by the name of Sherlock Holmes, but will their backstage romance be a box office hit, or a grade A blunder?

[dargeereads]

My Royal Showmance by Lexi Blake

5 stars

This story had me lol’ing at the most unexpected times! Anika was just perfect for finding herself in unexpected situations and struggling to get out of them. I just loved her so much, and when you add in Harper and Ivy, and then her mom and Tonya, and the other ladies in the cast, there were some guffawing moments for sure. Luca was everything you could expect or want from a Royal, and the chemistry between him and Anika was wild. It wasn’t all laughs and giggles, there were some important and heartbreaking moments, but our characters handle them with the grace and conviction of their morales. This was a fast-paced, completely engrossing, don’t blink or you’ll miss it, story, and I loved every second of it (even the icky parts) p.s.I absolutely need more of bodyguard Hans 😉

[anonymoushouseplantfan]

Could you tell an uninformed person such as myself how PR works please... If her PR want a glowing piece in a newspaper for e.g, does the paper get paid for putting the story out or do they rely on any increased revenue generated from people clicking on the story ?

I’m not a pr person, so I can only give you my opinion of how it works. This is, mind you, mostly based on government, political, and corporate pr.

A publicist is hired on retainer ($Xk dollars a month) and given a set of goals (improve visibility, develop a brand image, crisis management, or whatever). They were hopefully hired because they did for someone else and you liked their work. In Meghan’s case, she rehired Sunshine Sachs because she liked the work they did for her before. 

They come up with a strategy that hopefully has a measurable goals (improve name recognition by X amount, improvement in poll numbers in A, B and C regions by X percentage points, X views of a video or article regarding a project). I say “hopefully” because sometimes the engagement doesn’t have measurable goals and you have no idea what you paid for at the end of it. The 2016 Sunshine Sachs engagement had a definite goal (Increase name recognition for Meghan as a humanitarian and fashion icon, set her up as the perfect royal girlfriend and a good potential royal, and promote the showmance). This engagement does not seem to have that kind of definite goal. It seems to be aimed at just generating some positive press.

The publicist edits videos, curates photographs, and drafts sample articles regarding the project and creates a pr package. Then they send emails with the sample article, videos and photographs to several outlets. In 2017, for example, they edited a chat Meghan did for the Create and Something conference to highlight her used car troubles while auditioning and sent that out with some draft article language that made her look like the girl next door. That video was then all over the tabloids and mags. They did something similar now with the “crown filter” IG article. That’s why those IG pics all looked the same no matter who published the article and why the “so pure” language also looked the same. That was all in the email from the publicist. The “reporters” just have to cut and paste. 

So that’s the main step, just creating a consistent package that then gets broadcast across the board. The tricky part is getting people to post it and print and that's where most of the pr money goes. If you have good pr that creates catchy content, their stuff is more likely to get picked up. If you have a high-profile pr with tons of industry contacts, the mags will also want to print your stuff. If you have a no-name pr with no catchy content and no contacts, the email will go straight into trash. 

Likewise, for the publicist, if they have a client who generates a lot of interest, then their emails will be more likely to get into print. If there is no interest, the emails go into trash. 

I think there are other facts like if the client is wearing a brand that is paying for coverage. Those pics are more likely to be run (I think the brand pays for the publicity in those cases), but I’m not sure what the likelihood is. Maybe a pr anon can help explain those.

Like I said, my experience is mostly in government and politics, and that’s very different from celebrity pr. That being said, it’s amazing what good pr can do. I’ve seen images turned around with a dozen emails. A big example of this was WIll’s “dad dancing” video from Switzerland. That publicist dramatically changed coverage with a single email. A campaign one my friends was working on got a huge boost when the hideously expensive hired-gun publicist sent out an email with pics of the candidate holding red Solo cups at various local fairs. That one email turned the arrogant college professor candidate into a guy you would want to have a beer with and likely won him the election.

[offtoljubljana]

45. Wut

19/03/2020

Het is 21:00. Nog drie uur t/m ik Animal Crossing kan spelen. Even geen muziek, want ik zit op mijn laptop in de keuken en ik heb mijn koptelefoon niet mee, anders had ik waarschijnlijk weer naar The Last Five Years geluisterd.

Ten eerste: Corona updates! ... yay.

(Aangezien volwassen niet vaak de linguistic internet rules of punctuation and emotion begrijpen, de “... yay” is sarcasme.)

Zowat meteen na de publicatie van blogpost 44 kreeg ik een bericht van Ljubljana. De universiteit blijft nu zeker dicht t/m 13 april. Eerst was het 23 maart. Dit zorgt er allemaal voor dat Sanne nog meer redenen heeft om weg te gaan.

Ik heb gisteren best veel in de knoei gezeten met alle nieuwe veranderingen. Danila van Ljubljana IO vroeg naar de stand van zaken en ik heb haar alles uitgelegd. Ze is het met me eens dat het verwarrend is en ze wilt me helpen als ik wil gaan, maar ze verwelkomt me ook om te blijven. Ik ben niet de enige die blijft. Ze gaf me geen definitief antwoord, maar ik had al geschreven dat ik geen definitief antwoord verwachtte. Alleen ik kan dat geven. Ik heb het ook nog met pa en ma besproken en... ik zie wel. Ik weet echt niet wat ik nu anders kan doen.

Morgen is er om 11:00 een livestream op Zoom met Danila en mijn tutoren Ana, Tadeja en “Wiet” om vragen te stellen. Damn it, ik moet dus “vroeg” opstaan en ik ben al van plan om op middernacht te beginnen met Animal Crossing. Ik heb wel echt het gevoel dat zowel UL (de afkorting voor University of Ljubljana die ik vanaf nu ga gebruiken) en RU veel om ons geven en echt om ons zorgen. Ik weet van anderen, waaronder Lulu, dat hun instituten niet altijd zo’n gevoel afgeven. Ook toen ik Mariska belde bleef ze me ook verzekeren dat ik altijd kon bellen, zelf in de avonden en weekenden. Ze wordt op de RU ook “ons Maris” met een reden genoemd.

Vandaag hebben mensen van de UvA (oftewel Amsterdam) en UU (oftewel Utrecht) ook het bericht gekregen om terug te komen. Well, thanks for nothing. Ook heeft een andere RU studente weer contact opgenomen met Centrale IO en die geven aan dat er niets te doen is. Ze hebben haar wel wat tips doorgestuurd.

Ah man, Corona. Fuck die shit. Toen ik besloot om de reblog functie te gebruiken voor dit blog, had ik niet verwacht dat ik het bijna alleen maar zou gebruiken voor positief nieuws over Corona. Positief als in mensen die elkaar helpen. Wat anders is positief?

***

Weer een kleine intermissie. Ik had namelijk Hein een bericht gestuurd over Office Project. 

Maar ja, ik was bij de reblogs en de “positieve” Corona kant. Kath en ik krijgen mogelijk een nieuwe kamergenoot. Kath heeft een vriendin van UL die helemaal alleen is.

Het is 21:47. We hebben net het nieuws gekregen dat Slovenië nog verder op lockdown gaat. Niemand mag de straat meer op. Natuurlijk mag je wel nog naar de open openbare plaatsen, zoals supermarkten en postkantoren. Misschien had ik vandaag toch maar even een kleine wandeling moeten maken. Als ik het goed heb begrepen, mag ik wel nog wandelen in het park, maar dus niet meer zomaar over straat in woonwijken. 

Om middernacht gaat de nieuwe regel in. Je kan de hele regel hier zien.

Ach, dus er verandert niet veel voor mij. Ik zag ook allemaal tweets over “wow my lifestyle hasn’t been changed at all that says a lot”. Ik heb er dus één in de reblog tag gegooid. Maar ja, dit gaat anderen raken.

Oké ik ben dus weer op mijn kamer. Ik zit geen muziek te luisteren, maar ik kijk de AmazingPhil stream terug. Hij heeft het nu over zijn nieuwe nagellak die hij van Cristine simplynailogical heeft gekregen. #spon?

Oh hey, Phil heeft het nu ook over het feit dat alle overheden andere maatregelen hebben. Yup, het is raar. En nu doet hij een hand sanitizior haul.

Gisteren kreeg ik ook een bericht op de Erasmus Facebook groep van iemand wiens vriend vast zat in Maribor en die vriend is toen gaan lopen vanuit Maribor naar Ljubljana. Dat is 100 km! Holy shit. Wacht, hier is de post:

Ja, wtf.

Oh. Hé. Mariska heeft een WhatsApp gestuurd. Dit bedoel ik dus met het gevoel dat ze om ons geven.

Maar dat is genoeg Corona bullshit voor nu. VOOR NU. Ik weet dat het nieuws constant verandert, maar nu kap ik er mee voor de dag. Ik ga ook gewoon wat Red, White and Royal Blue posts rebloggen (ik reblog, jij reblogt, wij rebloggen... wat doen we met het toenemende anglicisme van het Nederlandse vocabulaire), want ik wil nu eigenlijk in de rwrb timeline leven. Het verhaal neemt plaats in december 2019 - november 2020 en in die realiteit is het nu een feestmaand, want beide hoofdpersonages zijn in maart jarig.

Ah, was rwrb maar de waarheid. Trump bestaat niet in dat boek. Dat is de reden dat dit boek is geschreven. In deze versie is er tenminste een vrouwelijke president. Stem voor Ellen Claremont 2020! Of Shane Anderson 2020!

Wow, dit is een lange introductie, want mijn verhaal over mijn “geweldige” ervaringen in Slovenië begint nu. Gisteren heb ik niet al te veel gedaan, want ik was de hele dag in een shitty mood wegens al deze Corona stress. 

In de avond hadden Kath en Anouk zin om spelletjes te spelen, dus ik had ook wel zin in iets leuks. Kath, Anouk en de Finish dudes hebben zitten bakken en... uh... ja. Laten we maar zeggen dat ze een interessante cake hebben gebakken. De Finish dudes hadden een filmavond, Aga had een opdracht die ze af moest maken en Tereza was weer eens MIA, dus we waren met z’n 4en in appartement 3.

Ze hebben het blijkbaar gezellig daar:

We speelden DiXit. Ik heb nu niet een mega lang verhaal over het spel, want ik kende het niet. Ik herkende het, want de standaard lunch groep van Dito speelde dat spel eens. 

Daarna speelden we Uno. Aga kwam na een rondje er eventjes bij om ook te spelen. Helaas heeft iedereen dus andere regels voor spelletjes zoals Uno en pesten, dus ik vond het eerder frustrerend dan leuk, maar ja.

Natuurlijk stond de COVID-19 Quarantine Party playlist weer op. 

Vandaag heb ik weer veel voor Sociologie gedaan, dus ja, dat is het meeste nieuws van vandaag. De leraar van B&T heeft eindelijk e-learning gestuurd, dus yay, studie! 

Zucht.

Man, ik bespaar jullie de frustratie over sociologische teksten maar weer. Het is juist moeilijker zonder uitleg dus ik ben alle informatie aan het verzamelen om morgen een lange mail te sturen naar de lerares. Ik voel me nu al schuldig. 

Ik nam wel even een pauze om te chillen op het balkon. Ik had het balkon toch al besproken? Appartement 3 heeft nu eenmaal een fijn balkon.

Je krijgt er wel echt een vakantiegevoel van. Ze zitten lekker te chillen in de zon. Alsnog: jaloers.

Alhoewel, het werd snel heet in de brandende zon.

En ja. Dat was het. De dag van vandaag bestond uit sociologische teksten en MS Office Project. Ik heb wel de laatste aflevering van ANNE+ gezien en ik heb de nieuwste Showmance geluisterd (met Romy Rosemont!), dus ik heb ook leuke dingen gedaan.

En nog anderhalf uur tot en met Animal Crossing!

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[annashipper]

The last anon about starting school is complete nonsense. I live in the UK and apart from Royals I can't remember the last time the child of a celebrity starting school got any press coverage. Both David Tennant and Tom Hardy live near me and both send their kids to local schools and pre-schools, and not once has a single word about their children been in the press. Plus the UK has strict rules governing press coverage of children. No way would an actor's kid starting school be in the papers.

I actually agree with you on the point about Pilo starting school and not getting any press coverage Nonny.

My reply to the other Nonny about hoping Ben has made arrangements was with regards to the lack of realism surrounding this showmance; especially considering Ben’s silly quotes about taking the pillows and Weirdo with him everywhere he goes.

[jilyarchive]

Hi! Do you have some recent AUs that you haven’t recommended? Thanks!

Sure!  Also always check out @jilychallenge because there are new fics there monthly!

Title: I’m a Celebrity, Kiss me already.Author: professionalpenthief Rating: UnratedGenre(s): Romance, HumourChapters: 1Word Count: ~Summary: Prompt: We became besties during the hours spent trying to survive bushtucker trials, saving each other from creepy crawlies and wasting time at the camp - the audience loved us and our managers want us to have a showmance after leaving the jungle but I don’t know how to tell you I want to date you for real.

Title: Love Walks InAuthor: inakindofdaydream Rating: UnratedGenre(s): Romance, Social Media AUChapters: 1Word Count: 1,994Summary: Prompt: Phoebe/Mike Friends AU -  i’m on a romantic break with my friends and new boyfriend after you broke my heart but wait “why are you here? wait why are you getting down on one knee? oh my gOD”

Title: (not so) perfect places.Author: lilevanns  Rating: UnratedGenre(s): Romance, HumourChapters: 1Word Count: ~Summary: TV SHOW AU (im a celebrity get me out of here) + “No don’t take your top off I’ve spent too long in this junglewithout food or romantic contact with the opposite sex it will brEAk me”

Title: the strings that were connectedAuthor: sweetcrxvings Rating: UnratedGenre(s): RomanceChapters: 1Word Count: ~Summary: “i dont like being sold in an arranged marriage to a khal but if you keep calling me the moon of your life i might just be your khaleesi” daenerys and drogo game of thrones au

Title: washing your hands in blood won’t take away the stain.Author: tadasgay Rating: UnratedGenre(s): Romance, DramaChapters: 1Word Count: ~Summary: “so yeah i may have tricked you and worked with hades to bring you down but really i just have commitment issues and a massive crush on you, rlly sorry” hercules au

Title: I’ll just slip into the moonlight (and catch a trail of stardust in your eyes)Author: prongsno Rating: TGenre(s): Fantasy, RomanceChapters: 1Word Count: 8,588Summary: disney + “but i would be so much happier with just you, i dont need the title or your money - though the elephant is pretty cool i must say” aladdin au

Title: Her Royal PainAuthor: chierafied Rating: UnratedGenre(s): Romance, HumourChapters: 1Word Count: ~Summary: divorce lawyer james findslily in the middle of new york scaling a billboard and helps her out but“you made a dress out of my curtAINS?? why does everyone know the words tothese songs when i’ve never heard them before?? and i know step parents can bea nightmare but calling her an evil witch isn’t exactly the best way to get onher good side” enchanted au

Title: I Won’t Say I’m in LoveAuthor: mollyraesly Rating: UnratedGenre(s): Romance, AdventureChapters: 1Word Count: ~Summary: Prompt: “yes, i’m a damsel, i’m in distress…but thank you, i can handle this monster’s temper tantrum. now go on, have a nice day” hercules au

Title: The Princess and the FrogAuthor: petalstofish Rating: K+Genre(s): Romance, FantasyChapters: 1Word Count: 3,423Summary: Lily’s heart almost lept into her throat as she stared at the frog in horror. She’d felt his hands, soft in her own. She’d admired his eyes, dark and inviting when he’d asked her to dance. She’d memorized the sharp curve of his jaw. Prince James was most definitely not a frog. And yet…

Title: moppetAuthor: gryffindormischief Rating: TGenre(s): Humour, Romance, Single Parent AUChapters: 1Word Count: 3,410Summary: Sometimes it’s the unexpected things you love the most.

Title: The Vegan CupcakeAuthor: petals-to-fish Rating: MGenre(s): Romance, HumourChapters: 3Word Count: 23,828Summary: Lily Evans can’t take her eyes off James Potter when he waltzes into the Gryffindor room with a confident air and a tray full of cupcakes. He’s the cocky Hufflepuff chaser that helped slaughter Gryffindor’s team on the quidditch pitch. Naturally, she ought to hate James like the rest of her friends but Lily doesn’t hate him, not even a little bit. (Jily Hogwarts AU).