#Sloth - Angels Advocate

[animanytotsllyinsany]

here are the deity designs for 1-6

[westeroslive]

what are some personalities or character archetypes the admins and/or members would like to see around?

absolutely love  this question, angel. i'm obsessed with it, actually.

following our latest plot drop, there are some mysteries swirling around westeros. i'd love to see some investigatory  muses. give us some muses who firmly believe the isles are behind the attack and are determined to find proof - bonus points if said muse is our remaining lannister or tully since those families / the regions they rule were hit particularly hard.

muses who want to uncover who tried eliminating two small council members; perhaps in hopes that finding the culprit will benefit them.

someone who was formerly on the top but now finds everything they built slipping through their fingers. what will they do to ensure they hold onto the status they had?

greedy muses - whether they're greedy for power, wealth, glory, you name it ! they'd be right at home in houses westerling and grafton, and subplots e, h, and r.

muses inspired by the seven deadly sins or virtues in general! for example, a sloth inspired muse who only cares about their own happiness and thus is neglecting their duties.

for chaos, muses who are willing to commit treason or other crimes - be it against the crown or on a smaller scale. we admins love creating drama.

also give us some good, old fashioned schemers who want to cause trouble simply for the sake of causing trouble. some scheming spies would be fantastic!

in contrast, an unfortunate soul who's in over their head for one reason or another. maybe they're hiding that their house is struggling, pretending to be more diabolical than they are, or are being blackmailed by someone.

muses who want to use the essosi houses in some way. maybe they want an alliance. maybe they see them as an ideal scapegoat for their schemes.

a muse who's a pawn but sees it as a benefit rather than a disadvantage. after all, being a pawn doesn't mean being passive.

maybe a muse who wants to get close to the targaryens for one reason or another - so many royals are still unmarried after all . . .

challenge the canon norm and give us some northerners who don't mind the crown ! this can mean that they're pro targaryen or simply neutral so long as the southerners leave them be - which our dear queen has mostly done. it'd be interesting if this view of theirs went against their family's i.e. a mormont or hornwood

bring us some older muses ! your classic mentor archetype, or a once great warrior searching for one final shot at glory, or a muse who wanted to avoid politics but is now tangled up in it again.

we admins always advocate for muses with strong opinions  about  the  current  region  or house plots: iron islanders who have strong beliefs about the heir's choices, particularly now that their region in under harsh scrutiny; dornish who are firmly behind one potential heir; a tarth who loathes the baratheons; etc.

[biglisbonnews]

The Sauce That Survived Italy's War on Pasta In 1932, Italian culinary magazine La Cucina Italiana awarded their Best Pasta Sauce prize to one chef’s Sugo Marinetti, or Marinetti sauce. Said sauce stood out not only for its unique combination of chopped pistachios and artichokes sauteed in butter, but also for its ironic title: the firebrand poet Filoppo Marinetti, for whom the pasta sauce was named, was at that very moment fighting to banish pasta from Italy. La Cucina Italiana, a magazine founded by wealthy, fascist editor Umberto Notari and his wife Delia Pavoni Notari, had helped launch Marinetti’s war on pasta just over a year earlier. In their December 1930 issue, Marinetti published the Manifesto of Futurist Cooking, where he declared pasta to be “an absurd Italian gastronomic religion” and called for its abolition. The essay was one of many fascist-leaning Futurist manifestos published in the early 20th century that called for the destruction of the old in favor of the new in fields such as poetry, painting, and cinema. Along with his proponents, Marinetti, who founded the Futurist movement in 1909, blamed tradition for Italy’s declining world stature. Futurists embraced technology, war, and masculinity, while decrying museums, libraries, and many other long-held Italian treasures—pasta among them. In the Manifesto of Futurist Cooking and the 1932 Futurist Cookbook, Marinetti imagined a world in which Italians absorbed nutrients through pills, freeing mealtime to become a form of performance art enhanced by technology, perfumes, and music. He advocated for experimental, oftentimes absurd dishes—salami cooked in coffee and cologne, for example—and the abolition of the fork and knife. And, most significantly, Marinetti cast pasta as a prime cause of Italy’s backwardness. “Pasta is not good for Italians,” he wrote, citing a “very intelligent Neapolitan professor” who said that pasta caused disorders in the pancreas and liver, leading to “laziness, pessimism, nostalgic inactivity, and neutralism.” Many artists and intellectuals rushed to Marinetti’s side. “Pasta is like our rhetoric,” chimed in the fascist theater critic Marco Ramperti. “Only good for filling up our mouths.” The French poet Gabriel Audisio called pasta a “dictatorship of the stomach” that necessitated an “insidious, slow process of rumination … the unctuous conciliatory rhythm of the sloth.” In Genoa, an anti-pasta advocacy group formed under the acronym PIPA, or “International Association Against Pasta,” in English. As one might imagine, many Italians did not take well to Marinetti’s anti-pasta crusade. In the city of Aquila, women joined together to sign a letter of protest defending pasta’s honor. The mayor of Naples spoke up in favor of his city’s beloved starch, saying, “the angels in paradise eat nothing but vermicelli al pomodoro.” Marinetti, a fierce critic of Catholicism, retorted that the mayor’s claim “consecrates the unappetizing monotony of paradise and the life of the angels." The periodical La settimana modenese called Marinetti and his Futurist allies “past their proper cooking-time.” This furor meant that Marinetti’s manifesto garnered attention in newspapers from London to Chicago, under headlines such as “Italy May Down Spaghetti.” Marinetti’s anti-pasta campaign may have had another inspiration: Prime minister and fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, who was busy attempting to convince Italians to abandon pasta in favor of rice. He wanted to wean Italy off of foreign wheat imports, which were becoming increasingly difficult to acquire amidst international sanctions and a suffering domestic economy. Rice grew well in Northern Italy, so Mussolini sent free rice samples throughout the country and bombarded Italians with pro-rice propaganda. In 1931, La Cucina Italiana waded into the middle of this controversy when it hosted a contest, sponsored by the Italian pasta company Puritas, to determine who could make the best sauce to serve with one kilogram of Puritas maccheroni. La Cucina Italiana’s Notari “was a capable enough entrepreneur … to understand that the controversy would certainly have attracted readers,” writes Samantha Cornaviera, an expert in early 20th-century Italian culinary history, over email. Adding to the drama was the fact that the panel of judges, a who’s-who of Italy’s cultural elite, included the Notaris’ friend and the anti-pasta crusader himself, Marinetti. As Cornaviera recounts on her website, when it came time to judge the myriad sauces, Marinetti, in typical firebrand fashion, arrived late to the panel only to immediately demand to taste the sauces over rice or soup rather than his reviled pasta. Though the competition attracted thousands of entrants, Marinetti and the other judges picked a predictable winner: Amedeo Pettini, former royal chef, leading food critic, and an editor of La Cucina. Pettini presented a sauce of tomato, anchovies, sauteed artichokes, ham, and chopped pistachios. He named it, somewhat surprisingly, “Marinetti sauce.” The ironic title “was neither an insult nor a joke,” Cornaviera writes, “but a real tribute.” Pettini was a shrewd marketer, and in 1930s Italy, “it was fashionable to name recipes after national characters and heroes.” Marinetti’s name added a sarcastic cultural cache to the sauce, although it is safe to say that Marinetti did not enjoy his namesake dish over Puritas pasta—not in public, at least. With time, Marinetti sauce faded from public consciousness, Cornaviera writes, as did Marinetti’s fight against pasta. Both Musollini and Marinetti died in the 1940s, and during Italy’s postwar economic boom, pasta became even more popular than ever before. Today, Cornaviera recommends that people try Sugo Marinetti, first and foremost, because it’s delicious. “That buttery and tasty sauce, the crunchiness of pistachios and the crunch of fried artichokes,” she writes, and adds, “It is also full of stories to tell.” And though it might make Marinetti roll over in his grave, Cornaviera maintains that the sauce tastes great over spaghetti. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/italian-futurist-pasta

[thedarkplume]

Hey, everyone!!!

So, today is my birthday!!! I used to want to travel and do all sorts of things for my birthday when I was in my twenties. Now, I'm more concerned with mellow activities. This birthday is all about enjoying the things that bring me the most comfort.

My main source for comfort activities come from reading, eating, watching movies and TV shows, and listening to music.

My Top 5 Comfort Foods

My Top 5 Comfort Shows

My Top 5 Comfort Movies

My Top 5 Comfort Albums

My Top 5 Comfort Books

And now for what most of you have been waiting for, my favorite comfort fics:

@chrisevansgoodgirl ~ i was an angel, looking to get f*cked hard. like a groupie incognito posing as a real singer ~ 8 C. Evans characters

You're in an established relationship with Steve Rogers, but thanks to Wanda's powers, you get one night with 8 Chris Evans characters.

@fineanddandy ~ Hol'it Down ~ Chris Evans RPF

As I've said before, I don't actively seek RPF, but this one featuring C. Evans and his girl taking a baecation post quarantine is it for me.

@autumnrose40 ~ Among The Waves, My Heart Belongs ~ Merman!Steve Rogers / Merman!Bucky Barnes

Monster fics have become a permanent fixture in my life now, but before I delved as deeply as I am now, Among The Waves was my first foray into exophilia, and I still reread it where I need some comfort.

@gotnofucks ~ Murder at the Whorehouse ~ Bucky Barnes / Steve Rogers

Not only does this story examine sexworkers and a has a murder mystery as the backdrop, but also the relationship between our fiesty detective!reader and Steve and Bucky makes me want to cuddle up with my blanket and hot tea, and my little vibrating friend.

@stargazingfangirl18 ~ Necessary Arrangements (Mob) series & Devil's Advocates (Biker) series

Both series are so much fun to read. I don't normally play favorites (I'm lying, Jake Jensen is always my favorite) but in these two series I love NA!Ari & DA!Curtis. I almost chose DA!Andy, but Curtis has been on my mind lately in the naughtiest way.

@slothspaghettiwrites ~ Into The Woods series ~ Orc!Lee Bodecker

I've always loved stories centered around Lee Bodecker. I think @gotnofucks had the first set of Lee Bodecker stories I read. Sloth giving us Orc!Lee is the ultimate comfort for me.

@littlefreya ~ Let Me In & Set Me Free ~ Captain Syverson

This was one of the first sets of stories I came across when I found @littlefreya 's page. Captain Syverson is such a coxky little shit in Let Me In, but it's clear how much he loves the reader even before Set Me Free comes along.

@cherienymphe ~ Twice Bitten series ~ Steve Rogers / James Barnes

There is no greater comfort than reading about the kings of monsters. The vampires! The push and pull between Bucky, Steve, and the reader is like reading a novel (Interview with the Vampire) mixed up with one of my favorite Soap Operas (Port Charles). This series takes me through all of the feels: happiness, anger, sadness, shock, lust, and even hope.

@angrythingstarlight ~ Belong Here series ~ Steve Rogers

Nothing comforts me more than finding a multi-chapter to read. The Belong Here series is one of those rarer stories where you're actually rooting for the antagonist, in this case, our not so golden Steve Rogers. Even better, Steve has most of the Avengers on his side in his single-minded quest to find his perfect woman.

@xxindiglow ~ Live On Air ~ Bucky Barnes

Nothing brings me more comfort and joy than being able to experience even a little bit of nostalgia. That's what Live On Air does for me. In my hometown, our major radio station was 102.3 and later became x102.3. They played R&B songs and even had a segment called Heartbeats where you could dedicate a song to someone you care for. Live On Air helps me relive these happy memories from so long ago.

@wiypt-writes ~ Rock 'n' Roll People In A Disco World series ~ Paul Diskant

Admittedly, Paul Diskant is a character I only know of in passing. Honestly, @georgiapeach305132 is to blame for me finding this story. Her Mr. Freezy Pops is such a good story, but her Paul pissed me off so much, I had to find another version of him to ease some of that anger lol. Rock 'n' Roll People came from this fruitful search. The relationship between Paul and his fiancée makes me happy. Even the ups and downs they have after he's shot gave me hope in love. For a little while.

@georgiapeach30513 @georgiapeach305132 ~ Mr. Freezy Pops ~ Mr. Freezy / Paul Diskant / Destroyer!Chris aka Cherry Pop

You think you know how this story is going to go. You're wrong. There are twistd and turns from the very first chapter so skillfully written, you would think she studied at the feet of the writers of Wild Things (1998).

@avintagekiss24 ~ The Forest ~ Bucky Barnes

I could write a thesis on my respect and adoration for the eloquence and realistic thoughts, actions, and behaviors @avintagekiss24 lets her characters express in her stories. The Forest is one of my absolute favorite go to stories to male me smile and imagine a world beyond our traditional realities.

@nellblazer ~ Winter Is The New Summer (series) ~ Bucky Barnes

@nellblazer has so many series that I enjoy reading again and again, but Winter Is The New Summer is my most constant reread. And Bucky is especially nasty in this one at times. I blame my mom for letting me watch Oz when it first came out.

@afriendlyblackhottie ~ Artwork ~ Steve Rogers

I'm convinced @afriendlyblackhottie writing Artwork is at least 60% of the reason that I have a growing attraction to people with tattoos. Beyond the physical aspects, I find these artistic representations so fascinating, I can spend hours looking at and comparing different types.

@navybrat817 ~ Overtime ~ Jake Jensen / Bucky Barnes

I can't think of a more comforting character than Jake Jensen. His adorable rambling awkwardness and scary intelligence makes me laugh and sigh with want. Pairinf him with tattooed and pierced Hacker!Bucky only doubles the want.

First, let me say that EVERYTHING @the-iceni-bitch writes is a comfort with me. From Freezy and his equally murderous lover to Ransom and his no bullshit girlfriend, it's nearly impossible to pick just one. But I guess I have to try. @the-iceni-bitch 's ultimate comfort story for me is Every Little Thing with Colin Shea (and every subsequent addition to this growing series).

@giorno-plays-piano ~ The Spider's Bride ~ Spider!Bucky

@giorno-plays-piano has some of the most out of this world stories I've ever read. The first time I read The Spider's Bride, I felt so bad for the reader, because Bucky or not, spiders, you know? I suppose I wasn't ready then. I've since reread it and love it. Fanfiction is about escaping from the worlds others have crafted that are still somehow, somewhat lacking. The Spider's Bride goes even beyond that and successfully demonstrates why the humans are the real monsters.

@donutloverxo ~ Royalty Au (First Night / Some Help / His Queen)

If history has taught us anything, you never know what you're going to get when you're dabbling with royal marriages. But @donutloverxo 's ability to fashion soft readers and their men tailored specifically for their wants and needs allowed me to jump in this story headfirst. Her stories always leave me feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

@river-soul ~ A Different Kind of Love series ~ Jake Jensen / Andy Barber

This was an almost immediate choice. A/B/O stories are always a little touch and go. You almost never know what you're going to get. But @river-soul 's A Different Kind of Love is such a comfort to me, and yes, I realize I chose this for my C. Evans Birthday post, but that's how good I feel when I read this story!

@jobean12-blog ~ Boys in Bed With Books series ~ Andy Barber / Bucky Barnes / Charles Blackwood / Steve Rogers / Chris Beck / Jefferson / Rockstar!Bucky Barnes

This entire blog is comfort food for me. Boys in Bed With Books is my go to, however, because as I've said, nothing is better than a man reading in bed!

@lotusss-flowerbomb ~ Ghost ~ Bucky Barnes

I can't stop reading this story when I visit @lotusss-flowerbomb 's page. I love all her writing really, but this one especially keeps drawing me in.

@foxgloveprincess ~ It's A Game of Give and Take ~ Naga!Bucky / Minotaur!Steve

It's a little funny. At this point in my life, the monsters are becoming my biggest sources of comfort. I've reread this story so many times and I keep an open tab of it on AO3.

@honeyloverogers ~ Babies!Assemble ~ the Avengers

I'm normally not a kid person, but seeing the Avengers transformed into toddlers makes me ridiculously happy! Especially Toddler!Steve and Toddler!Bucky!!

@plaid-shirtsandvibranium-arms ~ The Right Choices ~ Ari Levinson

I only read this story for the first time this week, but I'm already in love with it. This story is a part of a Story Book Collection reimagining classic fairy tales. I'm already anxious to read it again.

@drabblewithfrannybarnes ~ The Pancake Bet ~ Steve Rogers

I can't count how many times I've re-read this story. I don't think there's much that could make me happier than Captain America secretly tatted!

@syntheticavenger ~ Good Girl ~ Steve Rogers

Synth has some of the best stories I have seen. Her chaptered series never fail to leave me desperate for more! Her story Good Girl is a trucker au that's used in an ingenious approach.

@sweetlyscared ~ A Simple Solution ~ Andy Barber / Ari Levinson

And lastly, what can be more comforting than being loved by two great men at once? @sweetlyscared has some of thr best stories I've read on this site. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Thus, concludes my list of go-to comfort fics that I will keep re-reading and reblogging, and hey, feel free to send me some suggestions. I'm always ready to branch out beyond my favorite authors to new ones!

But wait. I could not post this in good conscience without showing some love to @nix-akimbo an amazing artist who has inspired so many stories on this site.

[maxwell-grant]

You have done an (excelent) post on how to reinvent Batman as a Pulp Hero. Do you think you could do one to Superman as well? Or do you think it is impossible to do this with the progenitor of the Super Hero genre without transforming him in a totaly diferent character?

Well, you saying it as impossible only makes it seem ever more tempting of a challenge, but yes, it is a bit harder. I'm gonna link my Batman post here as a reference point.

Partially because Batman's a franchise I've thought extensively about for a long time in regards to what I like about it or how I'd like to approach if given the opportunity, which is not something I can really say for Superman until more recently the Big Blue to start orbiting my brain. I don't have years worth of redesigns or fan concepts saved on my galleries and files to comb through to pick and choose here, and my experience with Superman as a character is considerably different, in some aspects more deeply personal, and not really something I'd like to go into in this blog, at least not now.

Part of the reason why it's harder is also because Batman and Superman have very different relationships with their pulp inspirations. Batman was, ostensibly, a pulp character adapted to comics, a dime-a-dozen Shadow knock-off who picked up and played up diverging traits from other characters and gradually ran with them to gradually forge a unique identity. Superman right from the start was rooted in a much stronger conceptual underpinning: the Sci-Fi Superman and Alien Menace who, instead of being a tragic monster or a tyrannical villain, becomes a costumed adventurer and social crusader. Even the name Super-Man was taken from an early story of Siegel and Shuster about a telepathic villain who ends the story lamenting that he should have used his powers for the good of mankind instead of selfishness. I hesitate to call what Siegel and Shuster were doing “subversive” because that term's picked up a real negative connotation, and it's not like Siegel and Shuster were out to upend their influences (they were pulp aficionados themselves), but rather putting a more positive, new spin on them.

Which is why it also becomes a bit harder to do what I did with Batman and align Superman with some of his pulp-esque inspirations, like John Carter, Flash Gordon or Hugo Danner, without just making it "Superman but he's John Carter", "Superman but it's Flash Gordon", and "Iron Munro / Superman but everything sucks" respectively. It's harder to create a character that wouldn't feel reduntant and derivative at best, and actively contradictory to Superman at worst.

I guess if I had to come up with a "Pulp Hero Superman" take I liked, well first of all I'd have to take steps to distance it from the likes of Tom Strong or Al Ewing's Doc Thunder, those two are as good as it gets in regards to Pulp Supermen. I stipulated for Batman a "No Guns, No Murder, No Service" policy partially to distance my takes on Batman from all the "Pulp Batmen" that just add guns and murder and take Batman back to the barest of basics. Likewise, I'm adding a "No Depowered Science Hero" rule here, which means it's a take that's likely going to veer off a lot more into fantasy and probably enough tampering with Clark's character that it does risk becoming a different character.

Frankly I don't think I'm gonna succeed at doing these without just making it a new character entirely, because with Batman you can get away with just upending the character's aesthetic and setting and even origin and still keep it recognizably Bruce Wayne (in fact Batman does that all the time), which isn't really the case with Superman, who needs those to remain recognizably Superman as he goes through internal changes and character shifts. I guess what I'm gonna do here is more taking the building blocks of Superman/Clark Kent and see a couple new ways I can rearrange them to create a Pulp Superman

Perhaps something we can do is to scale back or recontextualize the "superhero" parts without diminishing Superman's role as a superpowered fantasy character.

One way we can start is by picking on that connection between Superman and the sci-fi supermen/alien monsters of pulps I mentioned earlier and play it up further, to create a Superman who's deeply, deeply alien in a way that no mild-mannered disguise or colorful outfit can really disguise, something so dramatically powerful and alien, that instead you could get tales about the kinds of ensuing changes and ripple effects this has on the world upon the The Super-Man's arrival. And for that I'm gonna have to quote @davidmann95's concept for Joshua Viers' absolutely stunning Superman redesign on the left side of the image above

The red, the goldish-orange and white, the alienness, the angelic, sculpted feeling, the halo, that innocently curious expression: it’s genuinely beautiful. Superman as a redeeming science-angel from beyond our understanding, as much past the uncanny valley of limited human comprehension as a Lovecraftian monster but tuned to the opposite key - you could spend an endless procession of human lifetimes trying and failing to understand this being, but all you’ll ever know for sure is that it is beyond you, and it knows you, and it loves you.

Superdoomsday from Earth 45, healed and transformed into the savior it was originally envisioned as? Some descendant of his, or a future of the man himself? An alien who picked up on a broadcast of Superman from Earth, and so inspired reshaped itself in his image to spread his ‘gospel’ to the stars?

Alternatively, to come back to Earth a little, many, many pulp characters and series were built off the antics and personalities of real people, celebrities getting their own magazines or serials or fictionalized takes on them, so perhaps one way to make a "pulp" take on Superman would be to emphasize a bit more of Superman's real-world roots, trends that inspired his creation directly or indirectly at the time. The Jewish strongman Sigmund Breibart and Shuster's interest in fitness culture, Harold Lloyd's comic persona, the rising "strongman" film genre in the early 20th century, actors Clark Gable and Kent Taylor that supposedly named his secret identity, Clark Kent being a socially-awkward journalist based of Siegel's own school experiences.

Maybe one start to an authentic Pulp Superman, who would still be Superman, would be to just ask the question "What if Superman was a real person and/or a celebrity, and they started making pulp magazines and serials dedicated to him? What would those look like?". You wouldn't even have to restrict it to just a story set in the 1930s, in fact you could even play around with the rise of new mediums over the decades.

This third one is a little closer to some plans I have for my own take on a Superman character, not necessarily what I would do with Superman proper but one of my ideas for a Superman analogue. Superman's a character I'll always associate strongly with childhood and childhood fantasy, and to tap into that I would emphasize the other end of the fiction that influenced Siegel and Shuster: comic strips, in their case specifically Little Nemo and Popeye.

In my case I would bring additional influences from some of the comic strips I personally grew up reading like Monica's Gang and Calvin and Hobbes, and I already talked a bit about Captain Fray in terms of how he’s a Superman character despite being a villain. I guess you could call this one "What if Superman was a public domain comic strip character, stripped of the importance of being the founding figure of a super popular genre or extended universe, and also was kind of ugly?".

He's not "Sloth from the Goonies" ugly, I swear I didn't actually have Sloth in mind when typing out this idea, I've never watched that film nor did I know until now that he actually spends the film in a Superman shirt. That's not really what I'm going for. Visually I was thinking of modeling my take on Superman heavily after Hugo from Street Fighter and his inspiration Andre the Giant, to really emphasize the “circus strongman / freak wrestler” aspect of Superman’s inspiration, particularly in regards to how Hugo’s SFIII version strikes a really great balance in making Hugo ugly and both comedic and fearsome in battle, as well as lovable and even a little dopey (without being outright stupid, like his IV self) in his victory animations and endings.

He's still Superman, he still goes on fantastical adventures to help people, he's still a deeply loving and compassionate soul whose face beams with joy and affection and who's got wonderful eyes and a great smile. It's just that this smile has a couple of mismatched stick-out teeth or some missing ones, and he's got a crooked smile some people take as smug or malicious, he’s got a strongman’s gut instead of a bodybuilder’s abs, his nose is a little busted (maybe he’s had too many crash landings), and his hair is a little wild or greasy, and he doesn't exactly have very good people skills because of how others usually react to him and, y'know, he doesn't get the kind of publicity Superman would get despite doing ostensibly the same things. He’s not deformed, he’s incredibly intelligent and capable, but in comparison to how superheroes are usually allowed to look, he might as well be Bizarro in the public eye.

It becomes a running gag that people tend to assume some nearby fireman or cop was the one who rescued the hundred orphans out of a burning building single-handedly, meanwhile he's getting accosted off-panel by police officers who think he set the building on fire, or think they can bully this weird man dressed funny. He goes to rescue old people in peril and occasionally they yell at him that they don't have any money. He doesn't get asked to lead superhero meetings or teams even though many in the community advocate for just how much he does for the world, he gets censored out of tv broadcasts or group shots (even his face is sometimes pixelated when they do show him), people invite him on talk shows and don't really let him talk or assume they got the wrong guy. He goes to rescue a woman dangling off a building, and then he gets attacked by like three different superhero teams who assume he must have kidnapped the poor damsel. He was the first superhero, he is the strongest of them all still, but he never really gets credit for it, it nor does he even want to. None of this at all stops him or deters him, except for some occasionally funny reactions.

This never really changes for him, he doesn't really earn people's approval nor does he have to, instead the stories, outside of the gags and adventures you’d expect from a comic strip, veer more towards others learning to be less judgmental and him learning ways to better approach people. He isn't any lesser than Superman just because he doesn't look like most people would want him to look and he doesn't have to look like Superman. Really I think we could use more superheroes that don’t look all so uniformly pretty.

Again, probably not a take that would work for Clark proper, but it’s one way I would take a shot at doing Superman with my own

I have other stuff in the works for this character but I'd like to keep them to better work on them for now, but yeah, these are three of my shots at developing a Pulp Superman.

Alternatively here's a fourth idea that's more pulp than all of these: Join up Nicholas Cage with Panos Cosmatos again, or whatever weird indie director he decides to pair up with next, and let them do whatever the hell they want with Superman. Give us Mandy Superman. Superman vs The Color Out of Space. Superman vs Five Nights at Freddy's. Superman’s quest to find THE LAST PIG OF KRYPTON. Anything goes.

[babyborderlinesworld]

about me✨🌈

hi!! you can call me lily. they/them. i have autism, adhd & bpd. im an advocate for positivity & good mental health. i’m also an age regressor. content will be sfw always. i will follow back any/all accounts who also regress or post positivity. my messages will always be open for new friends!

why im here 🎀

i rly want to make new friends that understand how i feel, what i experience. no irl would ever understand. also to find inspiration and ideas and look at posts to self-soothe. mostly to have a safe, comfortable place where i don’t have to be ashamed of my regressing.

little stuff 🍼🍪

little age: between 5 & 10. it fluctuates. she/her. favourite drink: strawberry milkshake🥛! favourite food(s): strawberry bon bons, chocolate (my fav are white buenos) i love desserts, pastries, poptarts, any & all things sweet 🍭 loves: naps! disney, animated films & cartoons, playing games, music & harry potter, all of my teddies but my favourite is my sloth! pet names: sweetie/sweetheart, baby, angel, lovely/love, bean. currently no caregiver but: special praise names/terms with context examples: (goodnight) princess/baby, good girl (eg for sipping water even though i REALLY dont wanna) good job little one (completing task) thinks that make me feel safe: being treated small as i feel, eg guided places, holding my hand while out, making sure traffic isn’t near to me, that i’m safe in public, letting me pick stuff out i like but not properly shopping or paying & doing other grown up stuff. forehead kisses and stroking my hair. platonic cuddles where im just held. dislikes: being told what to do, even if its whats best for me, may result in slight tantrum. vegetables that arent potatoes. deaths of fictional characters deeply upset me. change.

do not interact if:

fetishists/kink- this is a safe healthy way for me to process my trauma, not for you to get off on. also bigots of any kind. (homophobes, racist, terfs ect)

[beelsbreakfast]

headcanons of the obey me! brothers as angels

Lucifer

Lucifer was the most beautiful and powerful Seraphim in the Celestial Realm, second in command and his Father’s favourite.

Seraphims are described as having six wings: two covering their faces, two covering their feet, and the remaining pair is used for flying.

Everyone marvelled at his graciousness and beauty and when he spoke, they always listened and cherished his sacred word.

His affairs usually pertained solely to the Celestial Realm. An angel of his rank was rarely to be walking among humans. He served as the caretaker of God’s throne.

Yet as beautiful and bright as he was, he was equally prideful. His pride led him to fall out of grace, and this weakness of his became his primordial sin.

The fall caused him to lose the pair of wings that covered his face.

Mammon

Second oldest and in power to his brother, Mammon was a Throne (or Ophanim) dutied, along Cherubims, to guard God’s throne.

Ophanims are living symbols of God’s justice and authority, and have as one of their symbols the throne. They are often represented as fiery wheels. However, they were also described as having four wings and four faces (man, ox, lion, eagle), sparkling like the color of burnished brass.

Mammon was an advocate of justice, harshly punishing anyone who dared to show greed in the kingdom of God. Ironically enough, however, he showed a certain affinity for shiny objects, which he enjoyed collecting.

When he fell from grace, his virtue turned into sin, making him become the very thing he swore to destroy.

Additionally, he lost a pair of wings.

Leviathan

Leviathan was a Dominion. His main job was to regulate the duties of other Angels and ensure that God’s wishes were carried out.

This particular Order of Guardian Angels also decides the success or failure of nations. However, it is only with extreme rarity that these angelic lords make themselves physically known to humans.

The Dominions are believed to look like divinely beautiful humans with a pair of feathered wings, much like the common representation of angels, but they may be distinguished from other groups by wielding orbs of light fastened to the heads of their scepters or on the pommel of their swords.

Leviathan felt oftentimes neglected or ignored by his Father and brothers. He believed he was inferior even to his lower-ranked brothers and often showcased internalized envy of Mammon’s position, of whom he thought was not worthy.

The fall turned his biggest complex into his primordial sin. He also lost his wings.

Asmodeus

Asmodeus was a Virtue, an Angel of Grace who brought God’s blessings to Earth, usually in the form of miracles.

Known as the “brilliant” or “shining'” ones, this kind of angels are associated with acts of heroism and bring courage when needed.

Asmodeus ended wars with the power of love, tapping into humans’ deepest feelings and thoughts.

He adored the way humans worshipped him and marvelled at his miracles and exquisite beauty.

When he fell, his narcisisstic tendencies became prevalent in his personality, and lust became his sin.

Beelzebub

Beelzebub was a Power (or Authority), his general duty being to oversee the distribution of power among mankind. He was a warrior angel, often opposing evil spirits and casting them to detention places.

He also helped humans in their spiritual battles, predominantly the poor and the famished.

These angels are usually represented as soldiers wearing full armor and helmet, and also having defensive and offensive weapons such as shields, spears or chains.

His empathic nature survived the Fall, but he became gluttonous, the opressor of the people he used to help.

Belphegor

Belphegor was a Ruler (Principality), a Guardian Angel of cities, nations and rulers, guarding against the invasion of evil angels.

These angels are shown wearing a crown and carrying a scepter and are usually given more freedom to act than the angels below them.

Belphegor adored humans. Much like his kind, he oftentimes roamed the Earth to guide them in means of art and science, indirectly contributing to some of the most important inventions and discoveries that the humankind has made. His preferred way of communication, however, was through dreams.

Along with his fall from grace, he came to despise humans and so became the Avatar of Sloth, tempting through laziness and seducing people to evil (encouraging them to make ingenious, yet distructive inventions) through the apportionment of wealth.

[iohourtime]

Hey!Say!JUMP 2019-2020 Calendar 100 Q&A: Yamada Ryosuke

I already posted these on twitter, but posting them here so they are all in one place.  Still haven’t proofread the document. Hopefully there aren’t too many errors.

Recent hobby? - To steep myself in games. I've been playing RPG games.

Top 3 favorite foods? - 1: eggplant, 2: yakiniku (grilled meat), 3: yakitori (grilled chicken). For eggplants, my no. 1 favorite is fried eggplant. I make it myself sometimes.

Top 3 favorite animals? - 1: dog, 2: sloth, 3: monkey. There are 2 dogs at my parents’ place. Sloths I've liked for a while. Although I'd like to keep one, it's impossible to have a tropical animal (lol). Maybe I like these types of “relaxed” animals.

Shower guy? Bath guy? - Shower.

Source of energy? - Food!

Describe a moment when your excitement level is high? - During live concerts, the moment when I see the audience from the stage. “It's so great that I'm working in this job” will pop into my head, it's the happiest moment in my life.

Describe a moment when your excitement level is low? - When I'm playing games at home. I'm just quietly playing, and I don't want anyone to see how I look at that time.

What do people say [to / about you] that will make you happy? - “Gakkoi”

Favorite color? - White. I have a lot of white t shirts.

Where do you want to go? - Salar de Uyuni (Salt Flats) in Bolivia.

Frequent dreams? - Dream of teeth being pulled out.

Best number of hours of sleep? - About 7 hours.

Dog guy? Cat guy? - Dogs.

Do you believe in ghosts? - I believe in them. But I do not like them.

Do you believe in fortune telling? - Basically no.

Do you think there are aliens? - There aren't any, right? But I don't think I want to meet them. Because I don't know what they'll do to me, it's scary (lol).

What do you like most about your looks? - Nose. Although I used to have a complex about it, everyone kept telling me “you have a great nose”, so I started thinking “it's a great nose!” and start liking it.

What do you like most about your qualities? - Stubbornness. I think being able to advocate for my beliefs without bending my will is quite useful in this job.

What is one thing you can change about your appearance? - My height. I want an extra 10 cm.

What’s one personality trait you’d like to fix? - My sharp tongue (lol).

What other job would you pick? Nursery school teacher. I love kids.

What is the last meal you want to eat in your life? - My mother’s meat & potato stew. The potatoes are soft and flaky and so delicious.

What kind of attitude do you bring to work? - I’ll be my natural self.

What do you think fans “got it all wrong!”? - How do the fans think of me? Since I don’t know, I can’t answer!

What are the types of people you admire? - Someone who has personal magnetism and is able to have an unyielding heart in whatever situation.

The type of girl you like? - Family minded. It’ll be nice if she can cook and also likes kids.

When you are in a relationship, do you want to spoil her? Or do you want to be spoiled? - I do not want to be spoiled. If we are talking about [my girlfriend] wanting me to spoil her, I don’t like acting all lovey-dovey in front of everybody.  [So I guess the implication is that he’ll spoil his girlfriend, but only in private.]

Soba guy? Udon guy? - Soba. I don’t eat a lot of udon.

Favourite drink? - Cola.

Will you believe in love at first sight? - Yes!

Which piece of furniture in your room are you fond of? - Sofa. It’s custom made, so I fussed about the size, material, firmness, and width quite a bit.

What are you like in a relaxed state? - At home lying on the sofa.

Within Johnny’s, who are you friends with outside of the members? - Ninomiya-kun and Yamashita-kun. I always go bother Ninomiya-kun at his home.  As for Yamashita-kun, I have gone to Disneyland with him and another guy.

What is your dream / vision for the group’s future? - Thanks to everyone’s support up to now, Hey!Say!JUMP is able to continue on as a group. After this, I want to see each member holding their own solo concert.

What’s your personal dream / vision? - I want to always work steadily as an actor.

What motto do you live by? - “Even if there is just 1% chance, I will never give up.”

What is your schedule like for when you have a day off? - Basically I stay at home, then when night falls, I tend to go out to eat.  At home, I’ll play games then sleep (lol).

When you don’t feel like you’re in good spirits, what do you do to encourage yourself? - Take a stroll.

With which member will you go to the themed park together? - Actually, I hate themed parks. I am really bad with rollercoasters, so knowing that I can’t go on any rides, I don’t really want to go with anybody (lol).

With which member will you go to the public bath house together? - Yuya and Inoo-chan. I had gone with other members before, but I have never gone with those two. It should be pretty leisurely to spend time with them.

With which member will you go to karaoke? - Chinen. We go together all the time.

With which member will you go to hanami (flower viewing)? - I am allergic to pollen and there are lots of bugs, so I don’t go to hanami.

With which member will you go to the pool?  - I won’t go to the pool. I cannot swim.

With which member do you want to spend Halloween? - Dai-chan. He’ll entertain me.

With which member do you want to go to have nabe (hot pot cuisine)? - Since we’ll eat delicious rice, Inoo-chan. He’ll probably say “yummy, yummy” when he eat, you know.

What place do you feel most relieved / relaxed? - My parents’ place.

What do you do to keep yourself healthy? - I will drink supplements.

Are you someone who arrange your bills in one direction? Or not? - I will arrange the bills with the face at the bottom.

What’s the best trip you had so far? - I was able to go to Paris and Los Angeles for work. I thought that was such a treat (lol). I was able to take in the nature in Los Angeles, and in Paris, I saw the buildings on the streets and had fun eating and getting on stage.

Top 3 favourite movies? - 1: “The Great Gatsby”, 2: “About Time”, 3: “(Leon) The Professional”.

Do you have a favourite book? - Not really. While I read manga, I don’t read a lot of books.

How about [your favourite] home cooked dish (mom’s cooking)? - Meat and potato stew.

When you wake up, what’s the first thing you do? - First I turn on the vacuum, then I go brush my teeth. [Does he have a robot vacuum?]

At night, what do you do before going to bed? - Brush my teeth (lol). I brush my teeth then get in bed, I’ll fiddle with my phone for a bit before going to bed.

What do you wear when you go to sleep? - Basically, I wear a pair of underwear! I definitely don’t wear a t-shirt.  Even in winter, I do not wear pants. Instead, I wear a fluffy parka like thing. [So like a fleece sleep dress? :) ]

What do you treasure? - The trophies I get due to my acting jobs. They are displayed at my parents’ place.

How do you de-stress? - I go drinking with my friends.

Favourite scent? - Lemongrass.  When I see it on my travels, I’ll definitely buy some.

What is the thing you most want right now? - Items in the game that lets me teleport! I don’t really have any material needs.

What must you have in your bag? - Toothbrush and cologne.

If you can only eat 1 thing for an entire month, what will it be? - Chicken breast strip. Although it is mild tasting, it is not harmful to the body.

Favourite number? - 4. That is my lucky number.

In terms of meat, what is your favourite? - Beef. But I like grilled meat more than steak.

When you enter into a relationship with your lover, what special favours will you do for her? - I’ll clean her room! For girls who are not good at housecleaning, this is a pretty good favour.

What is the 1 thing you’ll bring to a deserted island? - Lighter.

Tell us 1 secret! - Right now, I’m at the heaviest weight in my life. It’s not muscle but fat… (lol). [Em - we saw the calendar. Didn’t you have a 6 pack?]

If you have a chance for a redo in life, what age will you go back to? - 10 years old. The year I joined Johnny’s & Associates. That said, I don’t want a redo.

If you have to give a title to [your life story], what will it be? - “There are peaks and valleys”.

What will you do if you have to spend 1 million yen in 1 day? - I will take all the staff who is working on my project out for dinner.

What you will say to your 100 year old self! - “You don’t have to try so hard already!” (lol).

What will you do if the world will end in 3 days? - Even though it’s impossible, I want to have 1 live concert.

What is a small problem that’s bugging you right now? - I can’t beat the boss in the game. I tried more than 15 times but I couldn’t do it at all.

If you can use magic? - I’ll go see the world heritage sites. I’ll immediately fly to the ones that people said will be destroyed imminently.

If 100 points is the perfect score, how many points are you? - Around 50 points. When I need to get to 100%, I will go at it with all my might, but when I’m unwinding, I will use close to 0% of energy to unwind.

What are you addicted to? - Cleaning. Although I love cleanliness, when people come over for dinner and spilled stuff, I also don’t care. That’s because I love to put away the mess. However, I hate having dirty stuff lying around, so when everyone’s relaxing, I’ll start vacuuming. Perhaps I’m an annoying host (lol).

Do you have a collection of things? - No.

In 2019, what wish do you want to come true? - I want to have a live tour. I think I definitely want to have 1 tour each year. Privately, I want to go overseas for vacation.

What do you think you'll be like in 10 years? - I think I'll have a beard. I’ll probably appear in the “mature male roles” in dramas, won’t I? I can’t keep going on as the present “Yamada Ryosuke” without changing, you know.

What is Hey!Say!JUMP missing (not have enough of) right now? - Composure.

What’s your go to song at karaoke? - JUJU-san’s “Kiseki wo Nozomu Nara…” (If you want a miracle…”

A memory of karaoke-ing with a member? - There was a time when I went to karaoke with Chinen or someone almost every day and we will compete for the most points. I was very happy when I got my highest point of 96.8.

What is your role in the group? - No matter when, I am usually the first one to speak.  Since the members also wait for me to speak, and the staff-san will ask me questions first, I ended up with this role.

What advice will you give to yourself at debut? - “Your face is going to change, you know! It’ll become a little thinner.”

What is the most memorable thing during the “Heisei” era? - Being part of a group called Hey!Say!JUMP.

What moment did you feel that you have become an adult? - When I stopped being angry [easily].

Tell me Chinen’s weakness! - Knit.

Tell me Nakajima’s weakness! - Dirty things. (Literal meaning.)

Tell me Arioka’s weakness! - Belly button. He hates it when people touch it.

Tell me Takaki’s weakness! - He can’t handle high calorie foods.

Tell me Inoo’s weakness! - Exercise.

Tell me Yaotome’s weakness! - He can’t remember anything.

Tell me Yabu’s weakness! - Tomato.

Tell me Chinen’s allure! - There are so many. He’s a genius. He face the world as a guy who can do do anything and has a very good understanding of himself, which is very good.

Tell me Nakajima’s allure! - He can do anything. He is high-spec (top notch), but he is also hardworking.

Tell me Arioka’s allure! - He’s a positive, bright person. You’ll feel happy just being together with him.

Tell me Takaki’s allure! - Very gentle. Comparing to before, he has a great love for JUMP, he kept talking about “JUMP, JUMP” wherever he goes.

Tell me Inoo’s allure! - Talk power. He honed those skills through “Mezamashi TV”. It feels very comforting to go on location shoots with him in the variety programs.   

Tell me Yaotome’s allure! - His “ojisan-like” personality. He can take a nap wherever he goes. There are moments when that side of him will shine spectacularly as an item (special feature?) of JUMP, so in that sense, he is very reliable.

Tell me Yabu’s allure! - Although he is the oldest, he doesn’t act like “I need to get a hold of myself” a lot. Because of that, the people who are younger than him can feel at ease.  Because we have Yabu-chan, we are able to things confidently, he is truly a reliable bigger brother.

Send a message to Okamoto Keito! - Keito, when are you coming back? How is winter in New York? It’s probably very cold, right? I want to tell you about the live tour, and I also want to hear about your New York life!

[swedeandsour]

Oh Land on Love, Tragedy and the Wonders of the Natural World

Tragedy can hold an underlying beautiful meaning or cause. It's tragic when you lose someone you love. But it's only tragic because you love. And love is beautiful. In that sense, all emotions are connected.

Photo: Lasse Bech Martinussen Words: Peter Quincy Ng Perhaps Nanna Øland Fabricius' most ambitious record to date, Oh Land's fifth and latest record "Family Tree" is a surprising effort. Eschewing the limiting architecture of traditional pop structure in favor of more a instrumental sound, Oh Land's subtle hacking of classical music yields vivid textures and the lush poetic of her storytelling lyrics. Written in a time beset by personal tragedy, "Family Tree" anchors itself in both heritage and through her connection to the natural world. A meaning bound in metaphor and in animistic reverence, Oh Land's allusion to the centuries-old tree has become a symbol of both resilience and totem of honor in her family lineage of musicians and explorers. Speaking to us how the record came to be, and how resilience has become her second nature, Oh Land wrote to us ahead of her upcoming tour in support of her stunning record "Family Tree".

Putting together a new sound is always a bit difficult. As an artist being "just being yourself" or doing what you are used to is an impossibility and an unsustainable thing because you are always trying to challenge yourself creatively. Rather it amounts to having a vision and sticking to it. You are now on your fifth record, how did that having a creative vision and sticking to it amount to what it is?

I think the answer to that is that "yourself" is an evolving ever-changing thing. So unless you stay the same it's hard to keep doing the same thing. For me, in particular, the past couple years have changed me in many ways, and to just keep doing what I've always done didn't feel like an option. How can you go through massive change without it soaking into the art you're doing? 

For me, that was a question I asked myself. And I guess, seeing how my life has changed in the past, I give myself the freedom to change again in the future. That doesn't mean that I'm a different type of animal now. I'm the same species, but having learned what I've learned, I have a different perspective now (-:

Oh Land’s Live Video of “Brief Moment”

Your international debut was released on a major label but you've since been releasing music independently. What is it about having your own creative vision and also the difficulties of releasing music independently? I know your previous “Earth Sick” was done through crowdfunding. What's it like to know that you have a record that is entirely funded by your backers? That was a very cool project, but also hard work. I think every project that is done independently is a lot of work, but rewarding when you succeed with your goal. I'm thankful for every opportunity I've had of releasing music, both on major, through crowdfunding and on my own indie label. And mostly, thankful to have listeners who care! 

It's a bit surprising to see how you've moved on from your electronic pop roots to something more classical. I remember you saying how you once hated classical music because of its rigidity; the fact it was bound by definition. Why did you end up creating something that was more classical in nature and how did you turn the rigid structure of classical music into something that was yours. I guess my perspective has turned, perhaps, or I've found a way to "hack" classical music now. Cause I actually see the liberty more than the restrictions. There are no compositional rules of A, B, A, B like in a pop song. It doesn't have to be 3 minutes and it can be more abstract and textural. I think the short answer is that I love music - all music! And I like to expand my musical language

Oh Land’s Video of “Family Tree”

The title of your album is called "Family Tree". I suppose that having a more classical album is a way of honoring your roots in the family tree. You come from a creative family of musicians and explorers. You grew up as a ballet dancer and now a musician, was a creative career path in your blood would you say?

I've never imagined doing anything that wasn't creative. I just haven't seen it as an option. Only because I've always felt that I've seen things from an odd angle, which has given me problems sometimes-- learning things and understanding the world in a more structured and traditional way. Music and art have been something I've understood. A natural language to me. There were no other options. 

A lot of the album has been written about what has happened in the last few years, but first the return to Denmark. On your album "Earth Sick", your track "Sleepy Town" talks about the move from small-town Denmark and dreams of city lights. How has that changed moving back? Denmark is a very safe and very privileged part of the world to live in. People don't struggle the same way they do in many other parts of the world. It's easy to become a little too content. It's very important for me to travel the world and never get stuck. Cabin fever can be a thing in Denmark.

The record touches on many deeply personal and tragic events in your personal life. Has it been a cathartic feeling to sing about such difficult moments?  

I have no choice. My inability to "talk it out" when I'm troubled leaves this huge desire to express my feelings otherwise and that has, for me, become music. 

A lot of your artistic career has been being no longer being afraid to step out into the light, this speaking post-injury. What is it about being persistent, not being afraid of failure and having a particular honesty and openness that has been crucial to the vision of Oh Land? I think the experience of failure I have experienced on many levels. Being an injured "retired" ballerina at the age of 19, then redefining a goal. Going through a divorce. All of those things - you survive; surviving "failures" improves stamina. builds emotional muscle. I'm unafraid.

Oh Land’s video for “Human Error”

Your music has always been bright and cheery, but with dark undertones. In a way, it's a contrast between the light and the dark which you have previously mentioned. Is it strange how beauty and tragedy intertwine so readily?    Tragedy can hold an underlying beautiful meaning or cause. It's tragic when you lose someone you love. But it's only tragic because you love. And love is beautiful. In that sense, all emotions are connected, Besides music, you've spent time advocating for the environment. Tell us about your work with Greenpeace and World Wildlife Fund, you grew up being fascinated by animals and you've even had your wedding at a zoo. Also as a person with a platform, why should we advocate for the environment and what do you think we can do to help? I wish I could do more is my initial thought reading this. I try to follow people like Greta Thunberg who inspires young people around the planet to act for the climate. But really, the best thing you can do is be very considerate where you put your vote. Vote green!

I know there's been a lot of heavier questions and we know you call your beloved fans narwhals, but what can you tell them about your animal friends, your rabbit in particular and the majesty of the Gobi desert, slow loris and the infamous sloth?

Haha, I'm currently sneezing cause I have rabbit fur all over. I love animals, they never need me to explain. they just live and let live.

Oh Land will be joined on tour by Arthur Moon who recently remixed her track for “Salt”. Arthur Moon will appear alongside Oh Land for all dates except Toronto*. You can check out the remix below alongside their tourdates:

SEP 23 Great Hall Toronto, ON* SEP 24 The Bell House Brooklyn, NY SEP 25 World Cafe Live Philadelphia, PA SEP 26 Miracle Cafe Washington, DC SEP 27 SPACE Chicago, IL OCT 20 Columbia City Theater Seattle, WA OCT 21 The Old Church Portland, OR OCT 23 The Independent San Francisco, CA OCT 24 Bootleg Theater Los Angeles, CA 

[hotteetrend]

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[renegaderoots]

BASIC INFORMATION

♚┋FULL NAME: Theodor De Vries ♚┋PRONUNCIATION: Theo-dor (German pronunciation) ♚┋NICKNAME(S): Teddy, Theo ♚┋TITLE: The Gargoyle  ♚┋OCCUPATION: shop owner / contract killer  ♚┋~AGE: 36 ♚┋DATE OF BIRTH: 15 August ♚┋GENDER: Cisgender ♚┋PRONOUNS: He/Him/his ♚┋ORIENTATION: Homoromantic Demisexual  ♚┋NATIONALITY: German  ♚┋RELIGION: the best to describe it would be...a religious atheist?  ♚┋SPECIES: Human ♚┋AFFILIATION: technically, his son. Realistically, the Morrison family. ♚┋GENERATION: third  ♚┋THREAT LEVEL: for somebody born to be a vicious killer willing to fight dirty, Espen’s threat level is low. He isn’t aggressive or malicious, nor does he take any pleasure in violence. 

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

♚┋FACE CLAIM: André Hamann / Chris Hemsworth  ♚┋EYE COLOUR: Green ♚┋HAIR COLOUR: dark blonde  ♚┋DOMINANT HAND: ambidextrous  ♚┋HEIGHT: 184 centimeters or 6′0 ♚┋WEIGHT: 158 lbs ♚┋TATTOOS: Just...too many to possibly list. Think up every imaginable gothic cliché in existence and you’ll probably find it somewhere on his body - along with a cupcake on his left butt cheek because he’s an idiot.  ♚┋SCARS: predominantly burn scars. ♚┋PIERCINGS: snakebites  ♚┋GLASSES: in theory, yes, but the lazy bastard doesn’t even know how to put on two matching socks so, like, what do you expect here?

PSYCHOLOGY INFORMATION

♚┋JUNG TYPE: ISTP ♚┋SUBTYPE: Logical ♚┋ENNEATYPE: 7w8 ♚┋MORAL ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Neutral ♚┋TEMPERAMENT: Sanguine/Choleric ♚┋SCHEMA: VH, SI, NP ♚┋INTELLIGENCE TYPE: Visual-Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Logical-mathematical  ♚┋~IQ: 132 ♚┋NEUROTYPE:  Unsure as of yet.  ♚┋AT RISK? Well, I mean, solely based on environmental factors, there’d be ample reason to believe he may be at risk. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

♚┋HOMETOWN: Cologne, Germany ♚┋CURRENT: Dublin, Ireland ♚┋LANGUAGE(S): German (mother tongue), Dutch (native speaker level), Irish (lower-intermediate level) ♚┋SOCIAL CLASS: upper middle class ♚┋DEGREE: Master’s degree ♚┋SUBJECT(S): Forensic nursing  ♚┋PARENT #1: Gerrit De Vries, deceased ♚┋PARENT #2: Beatrice De Vries neé Hoffmann, deceased ♚┋SIBLING(S): Lena De Vries, deceased, Alexander De Vries, deceased ♚┋MAIN SHIP: Espen/Sam (bromance) ♚┋RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single ♚┋CHILDREN: Oliver De Vries, alive, three years  ♚┋PET(S): none ♚┋ADOPTED? Yes. After his parents’ death, Espen was adopted by his paternal grandfather.  ♚┋RAP SHEET? Nothing yet. ♚┋PRISON TIME? Not yet. 

VICES / HABITS

♚┋SMOKES? like a chimney.  ♚┋DRINKS?  Yes. ♚┋DOES DRUGS?  Used to, yes. Stimulants (i.e. ecstasy) and hallucinogens like LSD ♚┋IS VIOLENT? Not at all, ironically enough. This is so hard to believe because Espen’s family consisted primarily of criminals, including former intelligence agents, one might be quick to falsely assume that their natures - violent, predominantly - are irrevocably ingrained in his being; but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If at all necessary, Espen will only react defensively, thus defending himself physically, when there’s no other way.  ♚┋HAS AN ADDICTION? Not anymore.  ♚┋IS SELF-DESTRUCTIVE? Yes. ♚┋HABITS: perpetually confused about what clothes are - likes to walk around his flat completely nude. Unsurprisingly, he also sleeps without any clothes on. Cannot sit on chairs like normal people. Hello bad blood circulation.  ♚┋HOBBIES: sewing, alternative fashion, taxidermy, reading (mostly Gothic literature because he’s extra like that), taking care of baby bats, vblogging, weaponry, medieval history, travelling around the world to visit castles, tarot card reading, make up (both theater and alternative), book reviews on youtube, gaming ♚┋TICS: grunting (especially when stressed or extremely anxious. It’s happened before that that’s all he does while he completely shuts down normal communication.)  ♚┋OBSESSION(S): none ♚┋COMPULSION(S): has to arrange food a certain way on his plate lest he won’t eat it 

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

♚┋HOUSE: Gryffindor  ♚┋VICE: Wrath ♚┋VIRTUE: Temperance ♚┋ELEMENT: Fire ♚┋ANGEL: Uriel  ♚┋MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE: Vampire ♚┋ANIMAL: black cat  ♚┋MUTATION: time manipulation  ♚┋WOULD SURVIVE POST-APOC? No. Sadly, he has morals. 

STATUS INFORMATION

♚┋DEVELOPMENT: Semi-developed ♚┋SHIPPING: Shiplocked. Not to a particular ship, mind you, but because of Espen’s background and personality, it would be ooc for him to commit to multiple ships (even if they’re regarded separately).  ♚┋VERSE: Multiverse ♚┋VERSE TYPE: crime, slice of life ♚┋CANON: crime ♚┋PLOTTING: open  ♚┋CREATION DATE: August 2017

CHARACTER SUMMARY

After five minutes, you’ll have no better descriptor for Espen other than fucking weird – and rightfully so. Everything from his demeanor down to his most perfunctory mannerisms, the man defies social conventions without even trying all that hard. Raised to patch up his mother’s career as a discharged intelligence agent, Espen grew up isolated from his peers, trained and groomed mostly and certainly not treated like a son. Eventually, their renegade ways caught up with them; the result being murder in the first degree. Following these events, he was adopted by his paternal grandfather and Theo became Espen. All tragedies aside, his golden heart and warm eyes give away his personality at first glance. There’s compassion in his actions that shouldn’t be feasible given that his body count is heavy. Now that there’s another life in the picture, namely his kid, Espen is determined to find the exeunt to his tragedy. Good morals and good character, unfortunately, don’t mean shit when you’re indebted to a crime cartel.

APPEARANCE DESCRIPTION

Physically, the guy is average and contrary to what one might believe, he doesn’t really stick out from the crowd save for his colorful sleeve tattoos. Standing 6’0 tall, Espen isn’t exactly a frightening, towering figure either. How he manages to stay fit with the serious sweet tooth that he has is a mystery, but his build is, without doubt, rather muscular. His accent is quite a minuscular detail yet, still, a faint German accent can be heard. What will certainly turn some heads, however, is his clothing. True to his decade-old fondness for the Goth subculture, you won’t ever see him wearing anything that isn’t various shades of black. When he can be bothered to dress up, Espen likes to wear a combination of Edwardian and Trad Goth attire, though the classic ’90 aesthetic of the vampire is also something he wears daily. Due to his appearance, his demeanor is key and he knows this. You can’t just be withdrawn or aloof looking like him, so he goes out of his way to be kind and courteous – especially towards elder people.  Since his wardrobe is black and then black, his light brown hair and green eyes are accentuated even moreso, his look always attentive. And when you’re close enough to him, you will smell a few drops of a vintage perfume for women, namely Guerlain Shalimar; a coveted assortment of vanilla, tonka beans and castoreum musk.  

PERSONALITY DESCRIPTION

Espen is the pinnacle of wasted brilliance and proof, as he says, that one’s IQ is relative if there’s not a grain of ambition in your body. That’s pretty much his lot in life; a double-edged sword, if you will, with which he has accidentally stabbed himself more than once. His intelligence is only outmatched by how much of a fucking sloth he is. He’s Snorlax personified, essentially, and if nobody actively pestered him to be productive, the guy would probably just suffocate in his own filth. As the common genius stereotype would suggest, Espen is emotionally inhibited and socially inept, unable to function in social settings. This, while somewhat true, isn’t entirely accurate either. Sure, his tact is less than ready to tango and he often comes across as remorselessly crude because he has only a rudimentary grasp on what is socially acceptable. Simultaneously, however, he is not content to just build a wall of silence around him. No, Espen tries his best to tune in to what others are partial towards, reacting accordingly. There’s also always a kernel of humor in his interactions, one that might imply he doesn’t take anything seriously. Because if he does, it matters. Be that as it may, a cold, malicious asshole he is not. He could be; would have enough reason to be – yet he is not if his numerous flaws can be reined in. Even his humoristic take on pessimism is charming. He’s the type of person who knows his odds, yet still does the thing to crack others up. In contrast to this, though, Espen isn’t idealistic – he knows the world is a shithole. Often a devil’s advocate and a complete shut-in when stress hits him, emotions still make him feel insecure and incompetent – every emotional response might be the wrong one, after all.

SKILLS / COMPETENCES

Espen doesn’t really care for languages, yet can communicate on native speaker level in three languages – English, Dutch, German. Where he really shines is his creativity and fashion sense. He loves giving baby bats fashion advice, quickly one to offer help when things are tough at home, too. Of course, he shouldn’t be underestimated either. Though not proud of this skillset, per se, he is nonetheless adept at social engineering, sociology, basic psychology, martial arts, vehicle and foot surveillance, marksmanship, and, naturally, hand-to-hand combat. As mentioned above, giving in to his benevolent and amiable side, Espen pursued a master’s degree in forensic nursing. Beyond that, he is also excellent at forgetting important dates, being late, being tired and eating everyone’s food. Oh, yes, and an obscure knowledge of medieval and Celtic history to boot, he’s really into medieval markets/costumes.

INTERPERSONAL MANNER

In a word, odd. Just plain fucking odd. Here he is not even able to survive without somebody constantly kicking his ass to get his shit together; here he is with barely an idea what decorum is and he still tries to be kind, even though it’s technically not in his nature to be any of that. Although Espen may come across as secretive, private and somewhat shy at first, any worries are forgotten as soon as mischief, fun, or sweets are involved. Now, ever since his family died, Espen has been somewhat clingy with the few people he has in his life, much like a cat demanding instant and constant attention. He doesn’t take well to being ignored, and won’t stop until he has your undivided attention. As for romance, Espen isn’t really made for that; not in the conventional sense. A very solitary creature by default, it is very hard for even him to tell whether what he feels are genuinely deep emotions or just what he feels compelled to feel. Either way, if you express interest, Espen will go to great lengths to ensure you feel nothing but wanted and validated.

INSPIRED BY: the guy on Lie to Me, Edmund (King Lear), Deadpool tbh 

[herbivorebeauty]

I can’t pinpoint an exact time where I realized that traveling was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It could have been my first airplane ride when I was 5, visiting family in Trinidad & Tobago, cruising through the exhilarating streets, bursting with colour during carnival. Or, possibly the paradise that is Jamaica; when I was 8, exploring my dad’s old stomping grounds, and realizing that not every country has to deal with stifling cold for half the year. Perhaps it could have even been very early adulthood, seeing how un-nervewracking solo travel actually was, while taking on new adventures of my own. Or maybe it was that every single time I found myself getting too comfortable, in a city, I’d begin to notice something wasn’t right. I wasn’t growing, expanding my horizons, seeing what I aught to be seeing. There was more to the world, I just wasn’t exposing myself to the beauty she offered.

I am so excited to share this new project that I’ve been working on with you all. If any of you have been following me through my YouTube Channel, you may know that I left college in order to travel the world, give me a different perspective which strayed away from my public school teachings; learning more first-hand knowledge of different cultures, and to also establish my own business, is what I needed to do for myself. From the moment I completed my first year of college, I decided to leave for California.

Before I really started traveling, it was just the routine, visiting family in the Caribbean (which I do absolutely love, and am grateful for every second of), but we never really used to expand too much away from just that. I knew there was more to traveling, but it was a matter of getting someone to go with me, to venture out into the beyond that I struggled with.

Eventually, I just said, screw it. This is my time, and my money, let’s make the most of it and go where I want. And thus began my solo traveling.

I love solo travel. And, to be quite honest, I want to spend as many years as I can, taking on the challenges the world of exploring throws at me. But, I want to see more of us taking on the world together, too. When nobody in your life travels the way you want to, it’s hard to picture yourself doing it, but at the same time, it gives me such a strong push to change the narrative.

La Jolla Coves, San Diego, CA

To see a few of my Travel Vlogs, check out my YouTube Channel Herbivore Beauty, here.

The first time I ever travelled out of the country on my own was to San Diego, California. I later took the bus to Los Angeles to check out Vegfest LA and meet up with my internet friends… We’ll discuss this later.

The feeling of solo traveling, not just as a woman, but a melanin person is so liberating– freeing to know that there is an entire planet out here for discovery, and I’ve been wasting most of it going to the same places, consistently. I feel like I have done more to embrace my independence in this past year, than I have in my entire life.

Being able to go anywhere you want, when you want, is definitely exciting, but you’re also able to think and also attract things on another level. When you approach the journey as another exciting adventure to take on, it’s mind-blowing how many incredible situations you’re able to manifest for yourself. For example, what are the odds that my AirBnb hosts in San Diego are not only the most lovely people I have ever met, but also vegans, and super health conscious and flowing with beautiful energy? Okay, maybe it’s a given that most hosts should probably be half-decent people, but for them to be my age, and this well-rounded? I guess it could have been a coincidence, but I like to think that it was because I was on the right path.

To see a few of my Travel Vlogs, check out my YouTube Channel Herbivore Beauty, here.

  My second solo trip was to Costa Rica. I escaped the Canadian winters of -40C (yes, you read that correctly), in order to embark on this new and exciting journey of further self discovery, and engulfing myself into this brand new culture. Although I spent the majority of my trip in Puerto Viejo, which has a very steady population of Jamaican descents (we’re everywhere apparently), the small beach town is a mix of predominantly English &/or Patois and Spanish speakers. I lived in the middle of the jungle. No, seriously.

Being immersed in unspoiled nature, seeing the lush, green, never-ending rainforests, and waking up to the peaceful sounds of exotic birds, monkeys, and sloths (which can surprisingly be quite noisy), was such a surreal experience. Being able to feel the suns warmth on my skin, or spend all day lounging on the beach, encompassed by the sea and a good book, with no other commitments, and a backpack full of fresh fruit— this is a feeling I want everyone to have at least once in their life.

Manzanillo National Park, Costa Rica

So, anyway. What’s this big, exciting project I’ve been working on? A Vegan Travel Club. Similar to a meet-up, but this will take place internationally! This is definitely not the first time I’ve gotten together with friends I’ve connected with on the internet to meet-up in another country (hence my meet-up with my vegan friends in LA), and it certainly will not be the last! Since I will be heading to Thailand for a month this summer, I thought about how much fun it would be to experience the trip with people I’m able to relate to on a similar level; provide a way to connect, which is not always available to many of us- at least where we live. To feel even more empowered, knowing that we’re not alone in this lack of representation, by our beautiful, travel-hungry, melanin, vegan community.

But, why a melanated vegans travel group? Empowerment, representation,  inspiration, a sense of belonging. Growing up in an area where I could count the number of people I personally knew, with melanin skin, on one hand, often times I felt so out of place. After going on my second full-fledged adventure, I was in the Air Canada line, returning home from my travels. As I looked around to the sea of people waiting in that same line– hundreds of vacationers, there was only one person with brown skin. Me. It was just an odd feeling, not seeing others who looked like me, especially since I had just returned from traveling, feeling so at home with the diversity that surrounded me.

But the thing is, it’s not that we aren’t traveling at all. I know we are. If I search hard enough, I know we’re there. I know we’re growing, too. What doesn’t help, is that there is not much of the media even documenting that we are here to stay, and will continue to rapidly grow as travellers, every single year. It’s time to break the stigma that we don’t, can’t or won’t travel.

At the Cuban Vegan, Los Angeles, CA with my vegan friends

So, I decided that I wanted to do something about it– another “trial” run if you will, seeing how many of us would actually be able to come together on this adventure.

I have created a Facebook Group which will help us all communicate with each other in the months leading up to the kick-off for these meet-ups beginning in Thailand, and continuing on through Brooklyn, NY for Afro Punk Fest for another veggie meet-up! This  will give so many, an opportunity to network with each other, build strong connections and relationships with people, which may not have otherwise been possible under different circumstances. Create a safe space for Melanin Vegans everywhere!

Too often, I have my fellow vegans message me on social media, saying that they feel so out of place, or lonely in a world which doesn’t always display much of who they are, and if it does, it’s certainly not always in the most positive light. People constantly want to push the same narrative over and over, that the plant-based community lacks diversity (which it doesn’t), and that it’s only built to suit one group of people- which it’s not.

Day after day hearing, that it’s disrespectful to promote veganism because,

“blacks can’t afford to go vegan..”

Huh?

Or the, “isn’t that a rich, white people thing?”

What is? Our health, or having compassion for animals?

Or, one of my favourites, “you can’t be (Caribbean, African, etc.) and be vegan, it’s erasing your culture”.

All of this nonsense for simply changing our perspective on what we think about the world and animal exploitation. Then, there is the very recognizable discrediting of anything successful just based off of the colour of our skin. And finally, we have the lack of representation of us traveling, which automatically deems any exploration of any kind, outside of our own bubble, inaccessible to our communities.

The thing about veganism and culture, is that the delicious, plant-based, cultural food was actually one of the major motivators contributing to my vegan travel journey. To think that being compassionate towards animals, can in some way erase our ethnicity or our culture, is as crazy an idea as it sounds.

As you’ll see on my YouTube Channel, vegan cuisine from around the world is an absolute GAME CHANGER. So many unique flavours and dishes, and variety of high quality exotic fruit that I would never be able to find in Canada– summer or not! Had to show y’all two pics of the same dish because DAMN, is Ital ever delicious.

This is from a Soda (little local restaurant) in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica called “Ghetto Girl”

It’s amazing how far seeing people who look like us, doing what we want to do, can go in terms of inspiration for travel. With the lack of diversity being portrayed in the media, I think it’s safe to say that when there is less representation, there’s little interest in going out to the unknown, especially alone/ with people you are unable to resonate with.

So, I created this group, not for the purpose of discriminating or excluding other members of the vegan community, but to uplift the people that often are erased, and to advocate for the diversity within our circle of youth passionate about veganism and travel.

To keep up with us and our project, make sure to stay connected through my website, Twitter, Instagram, and the Facebook Group: Melanin Vegans Who Travel!

      Melanin Vegans Who Travel I can't pinpoint an exact time where I realized that traveling was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.