#Spirit Tracks deserves more recognition

[gutiuniverse]

Spirit: Ugh, my lips hurt. Phantom: *kisses Spirit's chapped lips* There, I made it better! Spirit: *unable to form coherent sentences* Wind: *see's how sweet Phantom and Spirit are being* Tetra, my lips hurt. Tetra: *steps on Wind's foot* Wind: Auch! Tetra: Well, now you're not thinking about your hurting lips.

[ashirisu]

I think it depends on whether you’re looking at it from a meta or in-universe perspective, because I think you’re absolutely right about her not being a damsel in the story sense. She’s an active contributor to the plot and mechanics, she’s just doing it from the past instead of the present timeline.

She’s definitely a damsel in the meta sense, though—the plot places her in a position where we as the player need to rescue her because she’s physically incapable of rescuing herself. I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all, though! Sometimes I like to be a hero and rescue a pretty princess, and it only gets more appealing when that princess is smart, strategic, competent, and powerful.

when u think about it tho zelda's choice to become the dragon is so interesting bc it's essentially a big mirror of her 'choice' to seal ganon for a hundred years, illustrating that she hasn't grown. like yes it's a choice of bravery and love but also just like before, her powers do something out of her control and she follows the lead, letting her powers bamf out while she . . . waits. at least in botw it's depicted as an active battle she's conscious for. zelda is meant to be a young woman torn between science and magic, but we never see her actually in control of either of these, despite being the single most powerful entity shown in the series thus far. this is because of sexism. but if it wasn't! it would mean interesting things about where she is, what she's internalized from her childhood, that she views herself more as a vessel for ancestral power than a person who can solve her own problems. therefore the natural next step for her is to spend time training her magic or solve a problem scientifically. this sounds like gameplay. almost as if she would make a strong playable character. in this essay i will -

[beargyufairy]

Just My Thoughts Pt. 6

Aquarius

Did Lucy ever tell anyone (even Natsu) about sacrificing Aquarius?! Aquarius, who was one of Lucy’s very first keys given by her mother who passed away when she was still young and left alone with her father who completely disregarded her?! Aquarius, who was Lucy’s first friend since there was no one her age around her? Aquarius, who despite being rude towards Lucy, loves her with all her heart?! Aquarius, who knows how important Fairy Tail is to Lucy that she is willing to have her key be broken in order to summon the Celestial Spirit King?!

I don’t think her sacrifice is given the attention it deserves because Lucy had to choose between her guild and her spirit. It was not the easiest choice to make. In addition to this, the guild disbanded and left her alone soon after the battle with Tartarus ended. Natsu left (and yes I understand he was also grieving the loss of Igneel who he was searching for years before he even met Lucy) with Happy and Lucy was all alone. She kept track of everyone as best as she could but no one cared to do the same with her. Fairy Tail was supposed to her safe place after escaping from her dad and former life. She gave so much to Fairy Tail in the short time since she joined.

I feel like while Natsu did his best by getting the guild back together after he returned, Lucy didn’t get a proper apology or recognition. I don’t think anyone even knew about Aquarius after being reunited. While Natsu did mention that he felt like Lucy was the one who saved them in Tartarus, it was never mentioned if she explained how and what she had to do in order to save everyone. The topic was just brushed off and never brought up again.

Speaking of the guild reunion, Lucy is a better person than I will ever be because I would’ve been so mad at Natsu. He left with just a letter without considering how Lucy would’ve left. Lucy, who he took to the guild in the first place. Lucy, who he made a team with (and I would like to note that before Lucy joined FT, Natsu didn’t seem to be close with anyone in the guild, but after she joined, he became friends with most of them). Lucy, his best friend. She didn’t even mention her own grief and loss when they met again after a whole year. She forgave him so fast. I’m so upset about that!!!!

The 100 year quest just makes me made when I see Aquarius. I really do appreciate her being included since she is very special to Lucy. Don’t get me wrong, I love how Aquarius is more willing to show her tender feelings toward Lucy and it just makes their bond more precious. I just don’t like how the sacrifice was brushed off. No one comments on how she’s just appearing without Lucy summoning her.

Do they even know Aquarius has a broken key?! Not to mention, it’s a golden zodiac key. It’s rare and one of a kind. Do they know that Lucy is looking for the key?! Are they gonna help her?!

I feel like it was just ignored and I don’t like it one bit. Lucy needs everyone to apologize and thank her properly for saving them. Or at least acknowledging her hard work and dedication to the guild, especially since the her sacrifice was years and years of memories and a special bond with her zodiac spirit.

Thank you for listening to my rant 😤

[gaybananabread]

Oh my gosh congratulations on the milestone!! 🥳💖 I would love something for ROTTMNT! Maybe lee Mikey and ler Leo or lers Raph, Leo and Donnie. I’d love Dragon Fruit, Oranges & Grapes! Take all the time you need and I hope you’re doing well! 💖

Fruit(s): Dragon Fruit, Oranges, Grapes

AAAAAHG THANK YOU! You're so nice all the time, just make my brain go (>w<)✨! Been a hot second since I've done something for Rise, these boys need some more love from me. (Got carried away but we don't talk about that shhhhhshsh) Again, thank you sosososo much, and I hope you Enjoy!

Lee: Mikey

Lers: Raph, Leo, Donnie

Summary: Mikey tries making a treat for his bros, but things don't go as planned, bumming him out. The boys quickly notice and, after a quick wrestling match and some questions, manage to get their baby bro back into his high spirits.

Warnings: none! This is a fic, so if you don't like that, scroll away!!

“No no nononONONO!”

Feeling his heart sink, Mikey pulled his fruity Danish pastries from the oven. The charred surfaces and burning smell of the treats brought tears to his eyes. Three hours of work down the drain…

The teen had been trying to make desserts for his brothers; they’d been really supportive during his recovery from the Kraang invasion, encouraging him and helping him wrap his arms. Even Donnie had put aside some extra time to shop for arm braces. They deserved it.

His arm had a flare-up during the baking, making him take a break to put a brace on. The timer had gone off without him in the room, his poor confections roasted beyond recognition. He sniffed, dumping the marred fruits of his labor into the trash. Maybe some music and drawing would help…

-

“Okay, family meeting.” Raph sat down with his two of his brothers, Donnie quickly correcting him. “Teeechnically, it's a partial family meeting. If we count the main seven family members and round the percentage, it's only about 42%-” He got a hand clamped over his mouth, the blue-themed turtle interjecting. “HUSH the nerd stuff! We know what we're here for, right?”

Donnie scoffed, but stopped spouting math. All three brothers knew what the problem was. Raph took charge again, attempting some order. “Mikey's been really down all day. Raph's worried about him.”

The purple clad turtle tapped his wristlet, frowning. He had been keeping track of Mikey's expressions from the past few days.“He seemed fine yesterday. Angelo’s face only drops around two today. I hadn't seen him for a few hours, my data’s a bit incomplete. I think he was in the kitchen.”

Leo blinked, seeming shocked. “Wow. Your number craziness finally paid off.” A claw extended from Donnie’s battle shell, whacking the snarky teen upside the head. Raph stepped between them before any more chaos could ensue.

“HEY! Donnie, do ya know what he was doin’ in there?” He huffed before answering, looking down. “I…do not. Dr. Delicate Touch made me promise not to install cameras; even I won't defy him.”

That was fair; none of them wanted to go against Dr. DT… Leo sighed, twirling his mask tails as he spoke. “I've tried asking, but no dice. The dude's clearly not okay, but he won't talk about it. Little hypocrite…” 

The techy teen offered an idea. “We could try to interrogate him.” Leo snorted, snapping out of his little trance. “Interrogate? What is this, one of dad's movies? Besides, it'd probably only make him more upset.”

Raph bit his finger as he thought; one bad habit he'd tried and failed to drop. He got an idea, snapping his fingers and smiling. Bingo. “I got it! Listen up boys, here’s the plan…”

-

Mikey was sitting on his bed, moping and dragging a pencil across some cardboard. He wasn’t making anything; it was just a nice way to destress. Things weren’t working as well as they usually did, though… A knock at his train car door startled him, making the typically upbeat boy flinch and drop the pencil. “C-coming…”

The metal slid open, an obviously forced smile on his face. All three of them wanted to wrap him in a hug, but they had to follow the plan. “Hey guys…what is it?” 

Leo stepped forward, looking his brother over. He took special notice of the arm braces. “Alright hermano, the jig is up. What’s wrong?”

The boy’s fake smile faltered a bit, though he tried to keep the act going. “J-jig? I dunno what you’re talking about, Leo. I’m good!” His artificial confidence got a bit stronger at the end. It was clear he wasn’t telling them without a fight. 

Raph was next to get closer, trying to sneakily box the boy in. This time, however, a small smile was paired with the chasm. 

A small squeak escaped the youngest as he backed up, recognizing the look on his brothers’ faces. They wouldn’t…would they? “C’mon Mike, this can go quickly if ya just hold still.” Oh. They would.

Feeling a slight giddiness rise in his chest, Mikey ran farther into his train car, diving for his escape hatch. Raph stopped him in his tracks, using his mystic tonfā power to catch him in a giant fist. Leo ran over, being careful of his brother’s arms as he tossed him into his hammock.

“GUys- guys wahait! Mikey squirmed and kicked, the hammock swinging as he thrashed. Leo flipped his sword, opening two portals to hold his brother’s arms safely. Didn’t want him getting hurt after all that recovery time.

“Nah, there’s no fun in waitin’. Raph’s out for giggles and the truth.” Wasting no time, Raph started poking at his brother’s armpits. A genuine smile formed on the younger’s face, giggles spilling from his lips. “Rahaphie! Nohohot thihis!” 

“But this is the best! You get to giggle, and we get to hear it.” Leo smirked, not wanting to miss out on the fun. “Big man’s right, Miguel. The truth will set you free~!” He moved his hands to Mikey’s plastron, scratching and scribbling on the area where his stomach would be. “LeheheHEEOOOOO! C-chohOHOME OHOHOhohon!” 

“Just tell the truth, Micheal. You know there’s no simple way out of this predicament.” Donnie took in the sight of them; his co-conspirators smirking, enjoying the sound of their brother’s laughter, and Mikey, laughing and sounding happier than he had all day. He supposed it was worth breaking a few of his rules for the occasion. He pressed a button on his bo, the feather he used against Shredder popping out. 

“D-dehehee? Whahat ahare youHU- NYAAAHAHAHO!” Mikey squealed as he felt the soft fibers of the feather run behind his knees. Curse him for taking off the knee pads… The armpit pokes, the tummy scritches, the feather on his knees; it was all too tickly. It was nice to be able to laugh with his brothers, though he didn’t know how much longer he could take all of them at once.

Raph chuckled, smiling warmly as his brother laughed. Those goofs were gonna be the death of him…but he loved them more than he could ever express. If it takes some playful tickles to get one of his bros to open up, then so be it. “All ya gotta do is fess up, Mikey. What’s been goin’ on today?”

He still didn’t seem like he was giving up, though it was clear he was reaching a breaking point. Donnie, ever the over-achiever, wanted to speed things up. He sent a claw from his battle shell to his brother’s knees, having it squeeze and scribble along the underside. That did him in. 

“K-GAHAHAHA! DOHOHONIEHEHE! *snrk* NAHAHAH!” Raph gave the purple-clad turtle a look, sighing. “The goal is to get the truth, Donnie, not kill him.” Dee just chuckled, continuing the metallic tickles. 

Kicking and thrashing like crazy, the teen finally reached his limit. “OHOHOKAHAHAY! IHI- *snrk* IHI’ll TEHEHELL!” 

And just like that, it all stopped.

Donnie begrudgingly retracted his tools, a small smile still on his face as he watched his little bro giggle. Leo followed suit, though Raph’s hand moved to the underside of the boy’s chin. He gently wiggled his fingers into the soft skin, chuckling as his little bro melted into the touch. His loud and bubbly laughter died down to soft, breathy giggles.

“Spill it, little man~” Raph practically purred as he said it, his tone softening with the next phrase. “We promise not to judge.” 

Mikey whined through his giggles, but didn’t squirm. Leo had long since released his arms; he just hadn’t noticed. “Uh-uhuhum…I wahanted to make youhuhu guhuys some d-dahanishehes for helpihing me throuhugh recovery.” He looked down, still not pulling away from the loving tickles. He’d never say it out loud, but he loved them.

“Ihi uhm… Ihihi kinda buhuhurned them. H-hahad a flare-up whehen they went ihin the ohohoven…” All three brothers’ expressions softened, even Donnie’s. The thought was incredibly sweet, and it wasn’t his fault his arms still hurt sometimes.

“Mikey…listen. We love ya. Even if you weren’t an awesome baker, we’d still take care of ya.” He continued to gently scritch under his chin, though the big guy limited it to one finger. Donnie jumped in, not making eye contact. “It’s not your fault you still get pains. Based on typical recovery times, you’re actually making exponential progress. Occasional aches are to be expected.”

“If you ever need anything, we’re all here for you. I could help with the baking and stuff, if you want.” Leo’s offer made his heart soar, as well as his other brothers’ kind words. Heartfelt moments like those would forever be cherished, especially that one.

He felt a few tears spring to his eyes, arms reaching for his bros’ hands. “Youhu guys are the behehest…” Raph stopped tickling, enveloping them all in a hug. Donnie whined, but he relaxed into the embrace. Mikey sighed, his heart full and the sadness from earlier in the day completely gone. He loved his brothers so freaking much…

[buckbuckbarnesstuff]

Ongoing/Unfinished series

Get yourself a snack, enjoy these wonderful series and leave some love for the creative writers :)

♤ - includes sexual themes

Also, his hair is so perfect

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Time after time [60.6k+] @intrepidacious

Bucky x time witch!Reader

Summary: After what starts out as a fairly normal mission, you find yourself stuck in a time loop. Which would already be bad enough in itself if it didn’t also mean having to watch Bucky die over and over again.

{personal comment: Everything about this is perfect. From the characters, to the tiniest details. I'm in love}

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Reflections @breadqueen95

Bucky x Hydra experiment!Reader

Summary: Steve and Natasha lead the fight against Hydra in 2014, they had no way of knowing just how many secrets there were left to uncover. They suddenly have one more person to add to their list as they search for Bucky Barnes.

Fast forward to 2018. Bucky Barnes is living with the team at the Avengers Compound, trying to settle into life as an Avenger and as a free man. Steve and Natasha, with the help of the third part of their leadership trio Tony Stark, have finally managed to track down the human subject that escaped four years ago.

And you...you've been on the run for four years. Desperately avoiding any detection by hiding your identity, resisting your memories, and suppressing any flicker of power raging to get out. What happens when an unexpected arrival forces you to face everything you've been running from?

{personal comment: This is the first series I've read on this app and it's still stuck in my head. It’s that good}

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Smog & Spirits @artficlly ♤

Gangsterboss!Bucky x Witch!Reader (fantasy 1920s Gang au)

Summary: Barnes, the leader of Sootstone's Smog Boys, needs a favour. A nasty curse has been cast on him, and he needs a witch to help him break it.

{personal comment: I'm so excited about this. I love the reader's powers and the storyline is so interesting. I'll be patiently waiting for more of this delicious piece}

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Friendship is Mandatory @sarahwroteathing

Bucky x reader

Summary: With the help of a new therapist and a recklessly kind and unapologetically damaged new roommate, Bucky learns how to start living instead of just surviving.

{personal comment: I enjoyed the insights in Bucky's therapy session and how they grew a friendship. Also I love the reader's sarcasm. Would certainly love to read more of this}

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Moth to a Flame @tmpestuous

College!Bucky x College!Reader

Summary: Bucky Barnes was the love of your life, and you were his. There was no denying it. But after two years of dating, you found yourselves on different paths and decided it was best to go your separate ways. The only problem was how drawn you’d always be to him even after moving on.

{personal comment: I was so anxious when I started this and it gave me so many feelings. I truly appreciate and love how soft and sweet Bucky stays even after the breakup and the way they still interact and communicate with each other. It’s beautiful and I'm so excited to read more}

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All We've Got is Time @hispeculiartreasure

40s!Window Washer!Bucky x Typist!Reader

Summary: In a world where Bucky never falls off a train and Steve lives after crashing the plane, Bucky is trying to adjust to a new peace-time normal. Spring 1946, Reader starts a brand new typist position in one of the many New York office buildings after being displaced from her factory job once the war ended. An unconventional friendship starts which leads to all the romance and fluff.

{personal comment: This is such a wonderful series, so deeply touching and meaningful. I love all these characters and interactions and even if this won't ever be continued, I'll keep it in my heart and hope people will stumble upon it, it deserves more recognition}

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Ashes to Embers @redwing4life ♤

Firefighter!Neighbor!Bucky x reader

Summary: When an unfortunate event forces you to confront the crush you’ve had on your neighbour since you moved in, you learn that Bucky knows you better than you know yourself. As the two of you grow closer, how does he deal with his past without pushing you away?

{personal comment: Loved Bucky being vulnerable and letting her be there for him. I also enjoyed the teasing and the way it got so heated, damn}

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The Day after Yesterday @bombsonboard

40s!Bucky x reader

Summary: Time travel is volatile, dangerous, playing god. And then sometimes  it drops you in just the right place at the perfect time. It’s a matter of perspective. You decide.

{personal comment: This made me realize just how much I love 40s!Bucky! He's so charming and the storyline is really interesting and I'm dying to read more of it}

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The Bet @bucky-at-bedtime

College!Bucky x College!Reader

Summary: You’ve been at college for a year and have managed to avoid the party lifestyle. That is until you meet Bucky Barnes and he decides to educate you on the benefits of being social.

{personal comment: I love oblivious idiots in love! This is wholesome. Bucky is lovely and I enjoyed the many friendships with the others}

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Point of Ignition @sunriserose1023 ♤

College!Fighter!Bucky x College!Reader

Summary: A fresh start.

That’s what you’re focusing on. You’re leaving your past behind you and starting fresh, joining your best friend at college. You’re focused on your studies and nothing is going to get in the way of you being “normal,” for once.

Enter Bucky Barnes.

The campus bad boy has his sights set on you, but you are determined not to become just another notch in his bedpost. When his best friend falls for your best friend, the two of you are stuck in close proximity, and you are set on staying strictly in the friend zone.

However, the more time you spend with him, the more you like him, and the more time he spends with you, the less he feels like hanging around anyone else. You’re set on being just friends, but Bucky has other ideas on that, and he’s determined to convince you to follow his lead.

{personal comment: So glad I stumbled upon this, I'm obsessed. I love this dynamic between her and Bucky and I can’t wait to read more}

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[felyas-stuff]

Recently, I have watched a series called "Cyberfarm"(Кибердеревня) and, honestly, I really liked it! Probably my new favourite Russian series and one of the favourite series in general…sure, it has it’s flaws (then again, what series doesn’t?), but I’ll talk about them later. Because I think everyone should start their reviews with a list of things they liked about the series and what said series is even about

Cyberfarm is a series about two ex business partners - Konstantin Baragosin, who continued their corporate business, and Nikolai Kulibin, who made a small village on Mars, became a farmer, and lives a peaceful life there…a life that starts crumbling down after years later old friends meet again, to share out a piece of land they both need. Of course it doesn’t lead to anything good, and in mere seconds Kolya loses his home while Kostya loses…everything. Now, these two have no choice, but to forget their old grudges and help each other out, making friends and foes along their way.

Initially, Cyberfarm started as a short series on a YouTube channel called Birchpunk. That channel’s viewers were always talking about how good the VFX look and how much they would love to see this as a movie or a full-length series…which, eventually did happen, because people who worked on Birchpunk were sponsored by Место Силы and Studio Plus so that they can create Cyberfarm

YouTube indie projects getting picked up for a full-length series isn’t that unusual. We’ve seen the same thing happening to "Don’t hug me, I’m scared" or "Hazbin Hotel", as well as, since we’re talking about a Russian YouTube series here, "My student spirit" and "Обьяснялкины". However - I think we should take into account that Cyberfarm was the first one out of these three to get picked. And, at least for this reason alone, I think this series deserves more recognition, because it truly was a big step for Russian cinematography!

And not just indie Russian cinematography - there’s not much sci-fi Russian movies, and most of the ones there are are so bad they’ve been the butt of the joke for years (*cough* Cosmoball *cough*). So, yeah, Cyberfarm being a good Russian sci-fi is rather impressive…but, let me get back on track and talk more about the series itself

• It’s really funny, actually I know that "comedy is subjective" and all, BUT I (and, from what it looks like from many YouTube reviews, lots of other people as well) consider Russian comedy shows painfully unfunny. Which is why, when I found myself laughing while watching Cyberfarm, I was pleasantly surprised…of course there are some bad jokes here and there, but I just ignored them (as you should)

�� AMAZING VFX Good 3D graphics and practical effects? In my Russian series??? It’s more likely than you think! Cyberfarm looks really good, half of the shots are pure eye candy and it really immerses you into the world the characters live in. Speaking of characters - all of the the robot ones look especially good, so good in fact that it took me embarrassingly long to realise that they made an actual animatronic only for Robogosin, I thought all robots were made with partiall use of practical effects 😳

• Russia in year 2100 seems very interesting Everyone I watched this series with liked it’s atmosphere & universe…and so did I! The show is full of unique locations, starting with the cybervillage itself and cosmotrain and ending with various planets the characters visit, the most unforgettable of which being Ceres (which, in this series’s universe, is similar to both Russia and Northern Korea). There’s also a lot of interesting concepts, such as conciousness transferring almost every sci-fi has and a hologram family subscription…so, yeah, season one does a pretty good job at exploring the lives of hypothetical people of future

WARNING! THIS IS WHEN THE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW START!!!

One of my favourite moments in the entire series is when Robogosin’s memory card storage is getting full and his robot body starts automatically deleting some of his memories. Explanation for those who (unlike me) are NOT "human/humanoid loses their body" trope enjoyers: usually, the writers don’t bother about such things; so you can either accept the fact that yes, for whatever reason a robot’s memory card is capable of storing an entire human consciousness OR make some insane headcanons about how much terabytes of free storage the robot in question originally had and what for does it need so much storage in the first place…then again, you still have to accept things as they are in this series because Cyberfarm is another case of, what I like to call, "yes, this basic assistant robot has a voicebank. no, don’t even ask why it has a voicebank". And it’s even weirder in Cyberfarm than it is in other series because in CF’s universe Vanya/Robogosin is the only robot with a voice module

• Konstantin Baragosin is CF’s the best character We’re finally getting to the main reason why I enjoyed this series as much as I did. And not just because (as I already mentioned and as many of you already know) I’m a sucker for "human/humanoid loses their body or/and ends up in a body of a robot" trope - Baragosin’s just a really interesting character…so much so that I might as well write&post a whole character analysis of him, but in this review I’ll try to explain why I like him in short. I really like the way he goes from JustAGuyTM to a rich businessman stuck in a cleaner robot’s body and how this path was portrayed in the series. I know for sure that some people may not like it, but, personally - love how he doesn’t change his entire personality in the span of a week and only becomes slightly better as a person (more so not "becomes", but "reveals" that deep down inside he’s a good guy). Also - I really like how, instead of being sad or going "I can get used to this" (like the characters in that kinda plot lines usually do) - Baragosin’s just really pissed off about this entire situation…no amounts of words can explain how entertaining he is tbh, it’s very much a "you should see for yourself" situation

also i like him because he’s just like me fr, love his little stimming (there should’ve been gifs, but tumblr said they’re too big to be included in this post)

• Ok, that’s enough about Bara(Robo)gosin - other characters are also pretty good Of course my second favourite is Kolya, but I also really like Anya, Ilyusha, Galya, Lyudka…yeah, I liked a lot of CF’s characters

I don’t know what else I can say here unfortunately so moving on to…

• ADs and product-placement look, I get it, I really get it and why people do that, but everytime Yandex Plus or СБП appeared on screen it felt like I was fully immersed into the story and someone forcefully pulled me out of it

• The way this series shows everyone’s hatred towards Baragosin is cheesily absurd at times, sometimes he’s portrayed as a total asshole and some other character still says something among the lines of "you’re an asshole and you deserve this" well, no shit, then again this show’s PG-13, obviously the viewers are too young to understand what’s shown on screen unless you spell it out for them. This series finale was even more insane - everyone Baragosin knows, even his best friend (!) were actually considering on doing what the main villain (!) was tempting them to do…just like Baragosin said in this very same episode - what the hell 😭

Also even though I said that I like the way Baragosin is written - I hate how he’s canonically somewhat smart but the writers actively portray him as a total dumbass. There ARE moments that clearly show that he’s NOT dumb…I just wish there were more moments like that in the series 😭😭😭

• Speaking of season one’s finale - yeah, it was really disappointing First of all - why is it two episodes instead of one. Like, in episode 10 (and occasionally in episode 9), half the time the characters were doing stupid ass shit, obviously to fill up the episode’s whole run time. So like…why didn’t they just make the finale one 35 or so minute episode instead of two 25 minute episodes??? The only interesting moments in these two are the ones with Galya and/or Robogosin, and the inclusion of some other characters really hinders the story with uninteresting plotpoints and plot twists. And, while I’m at it - the cliffhanger in which the villain reigns supreme while our two main characters suffer is…not what I’d like to see after witnessing their misadventures for eight episodes straight. I get what the writers were trying to do, but then again - that’s another reason why the finale should’ve been shorter, because at least if it was shorter it wouldn’t have left you with that terrible "man I can’t believe I’ve watched almost an hour of this just for Robogosin to end up at the dumpster" feeling…

• I like Pasha but I dislike Pasha I wanted to include him in my "favourite characters list" but I didn’t. Like, he has a potential to be a great character, but it feels like the writers wasted all the potential he had. And, once you realise it (I realised at the middle of season one) - he becomes really boring to look at it. His actions are predictable and you know he’s not going to take any risks - because he’s a doormat, always have been. Even when he tries to be the hero, specifically in the last three episodes of S1 - he fails miserably. And, if he’s one of those characters who are not that deep and the viewers are simply supposed to root for him because he’s a NiceGuyTM…why exactly should we root for him? It was only vaguely mentioned why he deserves to get promoted at work and those vague mentions are pretty much just "he deserves it. source: trust me bro". "But he’s such a nice guy!" someone would say…ok, and??? Kolya’s also Mr Nice Guy and he still got fired from the same job Pasha currently has. I just…hope he’ll get more character development in season two, but until then - he’s only interesting to look at when it’s Pasha&Galya duo

7’6/10, bonus points simply because I enjoyed it a lot, would recommend. Watched it twice and will watch it again, can’t wait for the upcoming season two. Also you can expect to see more fanarts for this series from me because there WILL be more

[autumntouched]

Day 7 of Ode to Phoenix

Whoa, I can't believe we're already a week into celebrating this glorious, gorgeous woman. Talk to Me Ch. 15 is on track for a late night/early morning finish so I didn't want to miss a day of recognizing our girl.

As promised, this one will be shorter. It's a Phoenix headcanon. As you can probably tell, I've personality typed the heck out of these characters and that includes their Enneagrams. And what better day of Ode to Phoenix than Day 7 to celebrate her being an Enneagram Type 7!

I was talking to @melodiousoblivionao3 about this, and I think there is definitely a strong case for Phoenix to be a Type 3. I'll lay out how I type, and we can all discuss! If you're not familiar with the Enneagram, you can read more here, here, and here. I also highly recommend The Road Back to You if you're interested in learning more!

It can be easy to mistype based on characteristics, so I tend to prefer starting with the triads: Gut (anger), Heart (shame), and Head (fear). In very simple terms, the triad determines what drives or motivates you. 8s, 9s, and 1s are driven by gut; 2s, 3s, 4s, by heart; and 5s, 6s, and 7s by head.

Of these, I feel that Phoenix is most driven by head (fear). And, specifically as a 7, the desire to avoid/distract from her inner world. The movie doesn't give us a lot to go off of in terms of what drives most of the younger pilots, but Phoenix is always the first to jump into something whether it's a game of pool, song at the piano, or football competition. One of the things that sets her apart from the other pilots is that although she is determined to go on the mission, she doesn't crave recognition (maybe why she doesn't get as much love as she deserves?). Natasha is the only one to own her mistakes during the debriefs with Maverick and notably never tries to impress him during the hops beyond flying capably within the parameters.

What clinches her being a 7 for me is that she operates through knowledge (also head.) I think it was @coraphoenix who pointed out that she is the only one who doesn't underestimate Maverick. She is also the only one who doesn't underestimate Bob. Instead, she sizes him up through a game of pool and waits until she's had a chance to fly with Maverick to make any judgments. She and Hangman also seem to be the fastest at processing information and determining outcomes, which keeps them a step ahead of everyone.

As a 7, Phoenix's key traits are according to Truity:

Always on the go

Wide range of interests

Childlike enthusiasm and energy

Curious, sparkling eyes

Many ongoing professional and creative projects

Upbeat and optimistic; glass-half-full outlook

Well-liked and popular among peers

More detail from the Enneagram Institute:

Phoenix is playful, high-spirited, and practical. She constantly seeks new and exciting experiences, which makes being a Naval aviator such a good fit for her. She can misapply her many talents, becoming over-extended, scattered, and undisciplined, but this is where the Navy's structure and protocols help her excel. Occasionally, Phoenix shows glimpses of impatience (dealing with Hangman lol, but also not properly anticipating a turn) and impulsiveness (interrupting Maverick to defend Rooster for going over the time limit.) But since she seems to be at her best, she's able to focus her talents on worthwhile goals, and be appreciative, joyous, and satisfied. We never see Phoenix down or discouraged for too long.

Given that she has no trouble navigating the Navy's male dominated environment, asserting herself, or adopting what could be perceived as more masculine posturing (ugh, I will go on a rant about female Type 8s on another day), she's likely a 7 wing 8. Which means, she shares many of the same qualities as the Type 8. The 7w8 typically appears tougher and more career-driven than other Sevens. The 7w8 is confident, assertive, and encouraging. They harness the 8’s bravado, becoming persuasive, assertive, and competitive. Often starting things they don’t finish, they still value having a good time over gaining power. Hangman is a Type 8, imo, so this last part explains why the two of them actually work really well together.

I'd love to know your thoughts!

[incorrect-sonic-the-hedgehog]

Team Exeller

Alright, there's another quick plot point I need to explain.

I'm sure many of you are familiar with Sonic.exe. If you are not, then you're too young to be on this blog.

Anyway, in the Sonic.exe: The Spirits of Hell, he's referred to as Exeller. His origins vary based on the writers, but I've come up with some of my own:

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

We all remember the scene from Sonic X where Maria saved Shadow. But there were supposedly three pods that escaped from the ARK. One of those pods contained Shadow.

With all the trials and tribulations that came with Project Shadow, it led me to wonder whether or not Shadow himself was the only prototype for such an experiment. Were there more 'Shadows'? Were they what was contained in the other two escape pods? And if so, where are they now?

That's where Exeller comes in.

Exeller was the first prototype for Project Shadow. However, he found a way to tap into a power even stronger than the Chaos Emeralds. A power that could warp time and space beyond recognition. Gerald Robotnik had no idea he'd need the inhibitors that our Shadow wears, so he sealed Exeller away until he can find a way to contain his power.

The second prototype was less threatening, but he still had a lust for trouble. He would often pull pranks on the staff and Maria that would go too far, like smashing beakers containing important substances or throwing staining ink on all of Maria's clothes. Gerald grew sick of it, so he sealed that one away as well. He became known as Luster.

Finally, then came Shadow. He was much more disciplined than Luster, and Gerald had finally completed the inhibitors he started working on for Exeller. But then GUN raided the ARK. Maria was killed, she saved Shadow, and the rest is history, right?

Wrong.

Like I said, Maria pulled the lever to eject three pods, and only one contained Shadow. So what was in the other two?

Why, Luster and Exeller, of course.

Why did Maria save the 'defective' prototypes?

Well, it was because she thought they deserved a chance of redemption and also because if GUN got their hands on them, it would be bad.

Anyway, Luster and Exeller awoke long before Shadow did. They were both confused as to why there were two of them. Soon enough, they managed to put the pieces together and were furious with Gerald and Maria. However, the two were already dead, so they couldn't take their anger out on them. So everything was fine, right?

Wrong.

Because, whoopsie, they found out about Shadow.

And double whoopsie, Exeller had no inhibitors, so he was far too powerful to be let loose on Mobius, but he was anyway.

And whoopsie number threesie, neither he nor Luster were big fans of Shadow after learning that he was the Robotnik's 'favorite'.

So the two decide to split up and get revenge on this 'perfect' Shadow. Exeller's powers include - but are not limited to - traversing the different multiverses. He also has the ability to create artificial life forms of his own, made of nothing but pure malice and lust for carnage. So that's exactly what he did. He created his own minions: Stitch and Rosy (who are parodies of Tails Doll and Rosy Rascal). With his powers and lackeys by his side, Exeller became known as the Lord of the Multiverse.

Over time, he came to learn that he needed to find a way to get closer to Shadow with minimal effort.

Enter Opal.

Exeller also has the ability to possess a host and drive them into madness. So he took advantage of Gadget's disappearance to push Opal over the edge. Ever since, she's been doing his bidding to find her brother and bring him home. Only recently has she broken free of his control.

Whatever could that mean, I wonder?

It's unclear what Luster was doing during that time, but he was most likely tracking down Shadow. When he met back up with his 'brother', they became known as Team Exeller. And now, if they find Shadow, they're probably not gonna allow him to live.

And another thing: over time, Exeller has developed something he calls 'Dusk Rings'. The full name of the golden Rings Sonic has is 'Dawn Rings'. The Dawn Rings allow one to traverse space. The Dusk Rings allow one to traverse time. If the two are combined, they become 'Eclipse Rings', which allow one to traverse anywhere in time and space.

Okay, that's all.

[oceansgaywaves]

Casting Call (Team Guard Epilogue)

“Forgive… me… Keranes…”

The sun is rising. Light spills over the hills, trees, buildings, until it meets the dark in a crashing golden wave. The two, reunited at last, form an indescribable color that overwhelms the world in a flash of pure emotion.

As quickly as it blinded her, Azura soon rubs the blindness out of her eyes. The world had changed, revealing its true colors like a painting cleaned after a century of dust and dirt. Buildings lie in weathered ruins. What once was a field is now forest and brush. A long-abandoned metal contraption, warped and rusted beyond recognition, lies half submerged in dirt and grass.

Pain rushes to her temples and she falls to her knees, adding one more dirt stain to her student's uniform. Her head hangs forward. All of the energy drops out of her like water flowing through the bottom of a flask. My mouth tastes horrible. I love it. She smiles, and overwhelmed tears rain to the ground.

The singing, the birds, just a moment longer and I would have... She silently thanks every friend she had made in the last few days, and all of the gods she can think of, glad that her injuries were both not quite fatal, and in the end, nonexistent. Had she known she would have faced this kind of peril, she isn't entirely sure she would have agreed to this mission so many weeks ago. Or was it days? She can't remember and doesn't care. Now that it's over, she's glad.

Those birds... Corrin!

Bolting up, Azura whips her head around, matted blue hair flinging bits of grass into the still air. The images of Corrin's last moments flash through her mind. The viciousness, the fury, the wings and beaks beating down on her as she fell to the ground, let out a piercing cry, and fell silent. Where is she?!

Leaning against a wall, Corrin seems to be going through her own cycle of anguish, but that would have to wait. Before she can stop herself with thoughts of awkwardness, of uncomfortable discussions that led nowhere, she sprints and launches herself directly into the body of the now-startled girl, arms outstretched.

Despite Azura's paltry weight, the two of them topple to the ground in a dirty, stained heap. Her tears resume, and she can't help but leave little spotted tracks along Corrin's knight uniform, gasps and sobs traveling with them. She isn't Her Corrin. She never will be. She's faced her own challenges, lived her own life, met her own Azura. But, just for a moment, Azura holds her friend tight.

~🎵~

Eventually, each and every knight, student, professor, and otherwise ally woke up, each with a tale to tell about their wild dreams. Cheers were heard, tears were shed, and dramatic scenes of action and heroism were acted out to those who missed them. Once the fervor of reunion and triumph died down, those with the authority to organize the crowd ordered a triumphant, though tired, hungry, and distressed march back to Garreg Mach Monastery. The "incident" had been thoroughly investigated.

Now, Azura walks alongside the horse she had ridden into the village on. It only wandered a couple of miles along the road back home, and now bears as many bags, weapons, and other items as it can carry. Interestingly, her own bags remained attached, the only thing it appears she took into the village was her lance. And now that she thinks of it, she could have sworn said lance was a lot heftier in the dream...

What did we even eat, I wonder...? The exact memories of the adventure she went on with the rest of her team are beginning to fray around the edges, but Azura knows that she will always treasure the bonds that she made with each and every one of them.

Leif, the firm, gruff, and yet caring man that welcomed her into the group while providing for and protecting them all.

Roy, the kindred spirit whose heart burned bright with determination and hope, despite the daunting odds.

Andrei, the pained man who deserved a lot more kindness than he was given.

Ashe, the model of knightly duty, and always a trusty shot with a bow.

Byleth, the dependable professor whose solemn determination was as great a weapon as their sword and fists.

Eir, the melancholy princess who delivered both life and death to the battlefield, and gave her wisdom to the fiercest of discussions.

Python, the idle archer with a secret heart of fire and a quiver full of retribution.

Caeda, the bright face of confidence and courage who forged a path for the group with equal measures conviction and love.

Patty, the thief who stole luck to their side, and wore her heart on her sleeve.

Elice, the woman of endless kindness, who kept everyone smiling through the worst of it.

Artur, the respectful gentleman with a talent for both magic and conversation.

Est, the sweet girl with a bit of pain behind her smile who flew above the battlefield like an angel.

And finally, Corrin, walking alongside Leo, their hands intertwined. Azura smiles. She's safe and happy.

The road stretches on ahead. It will be a lengthy trip back, but at the end is a comfortable bed and warm food. In the meantime, there's not much to do besides remember and sing.

You of light, burning bright,

A dream lost within a dream,

Face the dark, burdened heart,

All fades in the morning's gleam.

Day by day,

You show your love,

In the fray,

Your strength is one.

I'll love you,

Till we are,

Undone.

A single bubble, like the relieved sigh at the end of a concert, forms on the edge of Azura's pendant, catches a gust of wind, and flies up into the bright sky.

~The End~

[phokishiphopblogspot]

| 🔥🎤 Phokis Hip Hop Blogspot: Celebrating the Culture! 🎧👟 Hey hip hop heads and culture enthusiasts! 🙌🏽 We're excited to introduce you to Phokis Hip Hop Blogspot, your ultimate destination for all things hip hop! 🎉🔥 At Phokis, we live and breathe hip hop. 🎵 From the beats that make your head nod to the rhymes that touch your soul, we're here to honor and explore the essence of this incredible culture. 💯 🎶 MUSIC: Get ready for exclusive artist features, album reviews, and the latest tracks that will keep you in the loop. From old school classics to fresh bangers, we've got your playlist covered! 🎶🔊 👕 FASHION: Hip hop style is more than just clothes; it's an expression of individuality. Discover the hottest trends, iconic streetwear brands, and fashion tips that will have you looking fly from head to toe. 💥👟 🎨 ART: Dive into the vibrant world of hip hop-inspired art. From graffiti to illustrations, we'll showcase talented artists who use their creativity to pay homage to the culture that moves us. 🎨✨ 🎬 FILM: Lights, camera, action! Explore the intersection of hip hop and cinema as we bring you movie reviews, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the visual storytelling that captivates us all. 🎥🍿 But that's not all! 💥 We're passionate about shining a spotlight on emerging talent and giving them the recognition they deserve. So get ready to discover fresh voices and witness the future stars of hip hop as we support and promote them along the way. 🌟 Phokis Hip Hop Blogspot is a space where fans and creators alike can connect, engage, and share their love for this ever-evolving culture. 🌍❤️ So hit that follow button, spread the word, and join us on this incredible journey through the beats, the rhymes, and the spirit of hip hop! 🙌🎶 #PhokisHipHopBlogspot #HipHopCulture #MusicFashionArtFilm #EmergingTalent #CommunityLove #ffam #connectingtheworldthroughhiphop http://mvnt.us/m1419024 

[my-music-1460]

From T-Series to Stardom: Tulsi Kumar’s Life Beyond Music

Tulsi Kumar, a name synonymous with melody and versatility, is much more than a celebrated Bollywood playback singer. Born into the illustrious family behind T-Series, the world’s largest music label and film production company, Tulsi Kumar has effortlessly balanced her family legacy with a thriving musical career. While her soulful voice continues to dominate playlists, her life outside the studio is equally inspiring. From her deep-rooted connection to her family’s business to her philanthropic initiatives and personal milestones, Tulsi Kumar’s journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and purpose.

This article explores Tulsi Kumar’s multi-faceted life beyond music, showcasing how she carries forward a legacy while carving her own distinct identity in the entertainment world.

The T-Series Legacy: A Family Affair

Tulsi Kumar grew up immersed in music and entrepreneurship, thanks to her father, the late Gulshan Kumar, who founded T-Series. This early exposure to the music industry laid the foundation for her artistic journey. Despite the immense expectations that came with being part of the T-Series family, Tulsi carved her own path with hard work and talent, earning recognition purely on merit.

Beyond being a playback singer, Tulsi remains involved with the family business, contributing to its creative and strategic endeavors. Her brother, Bhushan Kumar, currently spearheads T-Series, and Tulsi frequently collaborates with the label to produce chart-topping tracks and music videos. This synergy between her artistic talent and the family’s entrepreneurial spirit has made her a unique force in the industry.

Balancing Stardom and Personal Life

In addition to her professional achievements, Tulsi Kumar exemplifies the art of balancing work with personal commitments. She is a devoted mother, often sharing glimpses of her family life on social media. Her ability to juggle a demanding career with motherhood reflects her strength and determination.

Marriage to Hitesh Ralhan, a businessman, marked a new chapter in Tulsi’s life. Despite their different professional backgrounds, the couple shares a deep understanding and mutual support for each other’s goals. Tulsi has often credited her family for being her anchor and source of motivation.

Tulsi Kumar’s Role as a Philanthropist

Carrying forward her father’s legacy of giving back to society, Tulsi Kumar is actively involved in various charitable initiatives. She often uses her platform to raise awareness about social issues and contribute to humanitarian causes.

Her support for education, healthcare, and underprivileged communities reflects her deep sense of responsibility. For example, she has participated in numerous fundraisers and charity events to help those in need. Tulsi Kumar’s philanthropic efforts show that her influence goes far beyond the world of music, making a positive impact on countless lives.

Inspiring the Next Generation

One of Tulsi Kumar’s most commendable contributions is her mentorship of aspiring singers. Through her interactions with budding artists, she shares insights about the industry, the importance of staying true to one’s passion, and the need for relentless hard work. Tulsi’s journey, marked by perseverance and resilience, serves as a blueprint for the next generation of talent.

Her openness about facing challenges—whether overcoming self-doubt or navigating the highly competitive Bollywood music scene—has endeared her to fans and fellow musicians alike. By embracing both her strengths and vulnerabilities, Tulsi Kumar inspires young artists to pursue their dreams with confidence.

The Businesswoman Behind the Artist

While Tulsi Kumar’s voice dominates the music charts, her keen business acumen deserves equal attention. As a prominent figure in the T-Series ecosystem, she plays a crucial role in shaping the label’s creative direction. From curating song selections to conceptualizing music videos, Tulsi’s input helps maintain T-Series’ position as an industry leader.

Her independent music ventures also demonstrate her entrepreneurial flair. Tulsi Kumar’s singles, such as "Tanhaai" and "Main Jis Din Bhulaa Du," are testaments to her ability to adapt to changing musical trends while staying true to her artistic identity. These projects not only expand her creative horizons but also contribute to T-Series’ global appeal.

A Role Model for Women in the Entertainment Industry

Tulsi Kumar’s success story is a powerful example of female empowerment in the entertainment world. By breaking stereotypes and excelling in a male-dominated industry, she has paved the way for other women to thrive. Her achievements reflect a balance of grit, talent, and humility, proving that women can excel both professionally and personally.

Whether it’s championing the role of women in Bollywood music or encouraging a supportive environment for female artists, Tulsi Kumar’s journey stands as a shining beacon of hope and inspiration.

Conclusion

Tulsi Kumar’s life is a harmonious blend of music, family, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship. As a singer, she has gifted audiences with unforgettable melodies, while as a philanthropist and role model, she has inspired countless individuals to pursue their dreams. From her roots in the T-Series legacy to her independent ventures, Tulsi Kumar’s journey reflects an unwavering commitment to excellence and an ability to transcend boundaries.

Her story is not just about her songs or awards but also about the values she embodies: dedication, resilience, and the desire to make a difference. Tulsi Kumar is much more than a singer; she is a symbol of perseverance and purpose, leaving an indelible mark on the world.

[rubinlawpc]

Website: https://www.rubinlawpc.com/

Address: 3731 Wilshire Blvd Suite 514B Los Angeles, CA 90010

Phone:+1 (213) 723-2337

Rubin Law, P.C. 213-723-2237 rubinlawpc.com 3731 Wilshire Blvd Suite 514B Los Angeles, CA 90010

Rubin Law, P.C.: Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney In the heart of Los Angeles, California, Daniel Rubin stands out as a beacon of hope for those facing criminal charges. As a top-tier Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, Rubin's reputation is underscored by his selection to Rising Stars from 2019 to 2023—a testament to his exemplary legal prowess and unwavering commitment.

Journey to Becoming a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer After completing his undergraduate studies, Daniel Rubin's passion for justice led him to the renowned Whittier Law School. In 2013, he graduated with distinction and swiftly passed the bar exam, officially beginning his practice in 2014. Today, as one of Los Angeles's experienced criminal defense attorneys, Rubin embodies the spirit of the city, fiercely representing its residents and ensuring they receive a fair trial.

Specializations at Rubin Law, P.C.

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The Rubin Law PC Difference Selected as Rising Stars from 2019 to 2023, Daniel Rubin's distinction is no small feat. This accolade, based on 12 key indicators, including peer recognition and professional achievement, is given to only a select few attorneys in each state. Rubin's commitment to criminal defense in Los Angeles California is evident in every case he takes on.

An Expert on Both Sides of the Aisle Having insights into the strategies of district attorneys, understanding the nuances of penal codes, and familiarity with the tactics employed by the attorneys' office, Rubin offers an edge to his clients. His depth of experience extends to juvenile crimes, probation violations, and even post-conviction appeals. Client-Centric Approach Rubin Law PC isn't just any law group criminal defense establishment—it's a beacon of hope on Wilshire Blvd for those facing criminal charges. From preliminary hearings to jury trials, every step is taken with the client's best interests at heart. With a firm belief that everyone deserves a robust defense, Rubin strives to ensure that the scales of justice are balanced. Conclusion & Reach Out Facing criminal charges in Southern California's courts can be daunting. But with Daniel Rubin—a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney of repute—by your side, you're not alone. Rubin Law PC invites you to reach out and experience the dedication, expertise, and commitment that has made Daniel Rubin one of Los Angeles's most sought-after defense attorneys.

[theseeingsage]

“what does that look like?”

new moon in gemini ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

capricorn • sun moon rising venus

this new moon is asking that you take the time needed to recharge your energy & get back on track. there are a few more challenges ahead that will require you to have faith in order to achieve your breakthrough. you are moving into a period of renewal & it is time to pursue things that bring you real passion. stop wasting time in dead end situations & focus only on things that awaken your soul. it’s fine to experiment yet do not settle for less than you know you truly deserve. you will discover your own genius by breaking away from the grind & following your own inspirations & dreams. use your ideas to display your brillance & bring recognition to your life. you are having a little bit of a hard time moving on from the past & you may still need a little time to process everything that has occurred over the years. yet on the other side of this emotional time is financial balance & wealth. your ancestors are present & actively working to align you with a life that allows you to sit back & bask in the accomplishments of your journey. you will notice your bounty starting to overflow & you will be in a position to elevate past & future bloodlines. there is emotional fulfillment & harmony coming towards you & you will be much more in tune with your spirit guides & intuition. for some, there is an energy of marriage & children here. overall, you have reached the conclusion of an emotional cycle & you will be experiencing a lot more happiness soon. take as much time as needed, your blessings will still be patiently waiting for you when you’re ready.

[morningrainmusic]

Peak Indie Rock: 2005

I’m Wide Wake, It’s Morning by Bright Eyes January 25, 2005 / Saddle Creek If you’ve never listened to Bright Eyes, this is probably the best place to start. Pardon the cliche, but it basically serves as a greatest hits album of Conor Oberst’s output. In 2003 Oberst had moved from Nebraska to New York City and found himself stepping into a larger world of culture and political demonstration that inspired these songs of romance, pain, confusion, anger, and doubt. He even widened his circle of outside-the-main-band collaborators to include backing vocals from Emmylou Harris. I’m not a huge Bright Eyes fan, but I love this record and consider it the finest emo folk album ever made. Here’s hoping Oberst is doing alright and able to finish shows in 2024. Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs by Andrew Bird February 8, 2005 / Righteous Babe You may be thinking to yourself, “Bright Eyes, Andrew Bird…are we really calling these indie rock albums?” A good question, because these records (and a few more to be covered) probably veer closer to the overarching “indie” categorization we know today than “indie rock” or “rock” of any variety. Andrew Bird is a violinist by trade and his third solo album is his first to include him playing guitar. His perspective on the world, as conveyed through these songs, is alien and fantastical and apocalyptic. It’s a mysterious album, appropriately, difficult to pin down lyrically. Musically, to answer the original question, this record is indie rock albeit by way of chamber pop. If you’re not convinced, drill a tiny hole into your head and put on album standout “Fake Palindromes.” Countless rocks songs have been written about the loss of innocence but none quite like this.

Gimme Fiction by Spoon May 10, 2005 / Merge

I got a feeling it don't come cheap I got a feeling oh and then it got to me It took its time a-working into my soul I got to believe it come from rock and roll

These lyrics, from Gimme Fiction’s opening track “The Beast and Dragon Adored,” could serve as Spoon’s abbreviated mission statement. In fact I’d go even further and argue that no other four line grouping from the past 25 years better encapsulates the spirit and power of great rock music. The song is the perfect tone-setter for Gimme Fiction, an introduction to the proceedings to come with lyrical references to “I Summon You,” “The Two Sides of Monsieur Valentine,” and “They Never Got You.” It’s an audacious way to start an album, and the ten tracks that follow live up to its promise. Spoon has always been discreetly exceptional, to the point where writing about it now is something of a cliche. What they have been increasingly known for, is their consistency. From 2001’s Girls Can Tell on, they have not put out a bad album. Ask ten Spoon fans what their favorite Spoon record is, and it’s likely you will get six to eight different answers. The mainstream critical consensus seems to be that Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007) is their strongest work, but Gimme Fiction remains my personal favorite. It’s got their best love song in "I Summon You,” some of their coolest grooves (“My Mathematical Mind" comes to mind), and the Prince-inspired all-timer "I Turn My Camera On” which Daniel wrote after hearing “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand (see 2004). There are no gimmicks here. No mythic backstory to the album’s creation. Spoon never captured the indie zeitgeist like Arcade Fire or The Strokes. Gimme Fiction is simply an album full of direct, irresistible indie rock songs. Nearly 20 years later, it seems to be gradually receiving the recognition it deserves as a modern day classic.

The Woods by Sleater-Kinney May 24, 2005 / Sub Pop It’s loud, it’s raw, it’s arena-ready. The then-final album from Olympia, Washignton’s Sleater-Kinney rips harder than anything else that came out in 2005. And it’s relentless in its attack. “Modern Girl” breaks things up at the midpoint, the record’s only true pop song and one important enough for Carrie Brownstein to title her memoir after. Sleater-Kinney convey more ideas about American consumerism and societal expectations of women into this three minute song than most bands do across entire albums. It’s a welcome breath of sardonic prettiness wedged between tracks about people who commit suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge (“Jumpers”) and derivative, empty retro-rock (“Entertain”). Somewhat ironically, The Woods is the closest Sleater-Kinney ever got to a classic rock sound, thanks in part to producer Dave Fridmann (more on him in 2007). Led Zeppelin II would compliment The Woods nicely, which is a weird thing to say about a record by the most essential riot grrrl band ever. But Kinney cofounders Brownstein and Corin Tucker bring their unique flavor of distortion-heavy noise rock to the mix, sounding as aggressive and in-your-face as ever. Like it, love it, hate it, but you certainly can’t ignore it. This is a crucial part of Sleater-Kinney’s ethos and the movement they were born out of; the idea that rock music should be entertaining, sure, but if that’s all it is, if artists aren’t confrontational, aren’t actively pushing back against something, aren’t doing anything risky, then what’s the point? Illinois by Sufjan Stevens July 4, 2005 / Asthmatic Kitty

There are states with strong state identities. Texas. California. Wisconsin. Florida? Probably Florida. Illinois is not one of them. I’ve lived most of my life in or around Chicago, and have a strong emotional connection to this area. Illinois though? It’s fine. I don’t want to sound like some kind of big city snob, I just don’t have an abundance of allegiance to or fondness for the rest of my home state, and I think this is pretty common among Chicagoans. And then there’s this Sufjan Steves album, a 74-minute tribute to the 21st state in the union, with songs about Decatur, Jacksonville, Metropolis, a UFO sighting near Highland, Mary Todd Lincoln, John Wayne Gacy, and various ghost towns (to name a few). There are also, of course, some songs about Chicago; the one bearing its name is the centerpiece of Illinois and one of the best ever written about the Windy City. A sprawling orchestral tapestry that runs the gamut from indie pop to show tunes to classical, Illinois finds Stevens reflecting on such topics as Christianity, the Civil War, Superman, and Casimir Pulaski. His intent was to “give an overarching survey of the history of civilization in that particular region, from the Cahokia Mounds to Native Americans to European immigration to the Industrial Revolution.” All that is to say, it’s a wildly ambitious and sprawling project. But it’s important to point out just how weird it is too. Illinois is a deeply thoughtful, sensitive record. But it also contains song titles like "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhh!" Stevens, a Detroit native, researched Illinois state history, read works by Carl Sandburg and Saul Bellow, and studied immigrant records in preparation of recording. When touring the album, Stevens and his band wore University of Illinois cheerleader outfits. This odd, obsessive, mad scientist-like quality is worth harping on because it’s part of what makes Illinois not just strangely exceptional but exceptionally strange. That it was the best-reviewed album of 2005 and is still largely considered Stevens’ masterpiece is the kind of heartening reminder that artists can take bold chances, make weird records brimming with passion, and that not always, but sometimes it will pay off. It's even headed to Broadway this year. Abraham Lincoln and the prairie style of Frank Lloyd Wright may rank higher, but I count Sufjan Stevens’ fifth album among the reasons I’m gradually beginning to call myself a proud Illinoisan. Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers August 23, 2005 / Matador

Canadian “supergroup” delivers bright (but not too bright) power pop that is basically impossible to dislike. Go listen to “The Bleeding Hearts Show” and just let the slow build wash over you. Yeah, it’s a bit cheesy, but again, it’s not too cheesy. It’s fun, it’s light, it makes you feel good. Apologies to the Queen Mary by Wolf Parade September 27, 2005 / Sub Pop More Canadians! Apologies to the Queen Mary is one of the most acclaimed and influential indie rock albums of the 2000s but I’ve never heard anyone I know talk about it. I myself loved “I’ll Believe in Anything” in the late aughts, and much later “Shine a Light,” but it wasn’t until I began this five year deep dive that I actually listened to the whole album. Upon doing so, I can see why this record received the hype that it did and remains near and dear to so many millennials and young Gen Xers today. The first thing to address is the way chief songwriters Spencer Krug and Dan Boekner sing, in an enthusiastic raspy yelp that’s not worlds away from Modest Mouse (Isaac Brock produced) or Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, another band that debuted in 2005 to rave reviews and astronomical buzz…decent album but, in my opinion, wildly overrated. Their high register squawk-like deliveries may be the main reason Apologies didn’t blow up in the same way an album like Funeral by fellow Montreal rockers Arcade Fire did. It fits the record. The energy rarely lets up on this thing; it’s twelve tracks of scrappy, blustery intensity, much of it fixated on ghosts, family, and loss. Krug and Hadji Baker’s keyboards really shine too. Wolf Parade couldn’t rightly be classified as a “synth rock” band but man, the synth parts here are terrific.

[kokodalegacy]

Preserving the Kokoda Legacy: Kokoda Legacy in Nerang

The Kokoda Track, a name synonymous with heroism, courage, and sacrifice, holds a special place in the hearts of many Australians. It's where a small group of brave men and women faced incredible odds during World War II, defending our nation and embodying the spirit of mateship and resilience. In Nerang, a community-driven organization known as Kokoda Legacy is on a mission to ensure that the legacy of the Kokoda Track is preserved for generations to come. In this blog post, we'll delve deeper into the incredible work that Kokoda Legacy is doing in Nerang.

A Brief Journey into History

Before we explore the invaluable contributions of Kokoda Legacy, it's essential to understand the historical significance of the Kokoda Track. In 1942, Australian troops found themselves engaged in a fierce battle against the Japanese Imperial Army along this challenging terrain. The soldiers who fought on the Kokoda Track displayed unwavering determination and courage in the face of adversity. Their sacrifices are a testament to the enduring values of resilience, mateship, and sacrifice.

Kokoda Legacy in Nerang

Kokoda Legacy is not just an organization; it's a passionate community of individuals dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of the Kokoda Track. Based in Nerang, this group of like-minded people is committed to ensuring that the stories and sacrifices of those who served on the Kokoda Track are never forgotten.

What Kokoda Legacy Does

Kokoda Legacy offers a range of services and initiatives to fulfill its mission:

Educational Programs: Kokoda Legacy provides informative presentations and workshops for schools, community groups, and individuals eager to learn about the historical significance of the Kokoda Campaign. These programs help keep the history alive and relevant.

Support for Veterans and Their Families: One of the organization's core missions is to provide support to veterans and their families. Kokoda Legacy ensures that these heroes receive the recognition and assistance they rightfully deserve.

Kokoda Trekking Adventures: For those seeking a truly immersive experience, Kokoda Legacy offers guided treks along the Kokoda Track. These treks allow participants to walk in the footsteps of heroes, gaining a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced during the campaign.

Community Engagement: Kokoda Legacy actively engages with the Nerang community through events, fundraisers, and initiatives that promote the values of the Kokoda Spirit, such as resilience, mateship, and sacrifice. These events help foster a sense of community and shared purpose.

How You Can Get Involved

Preserving the Kokoda legacy is a collective effort, and Kokoda Legacy invites you to be a part of this important mission:

Become a Member: Join Kokoda Legacy and become an active participant in their programs and events. Your involvement can make a significant difference.

Donate: Your contributions help sustain the educational and support initiatives of Kokoda Legacy.

Volunteer: Share your time and skills to make a positive impact on the lives of veterans and the community.

Attend Events: Stay connected by attending upcoming events to learn more about the Kokoda Campaign and the heroes who walked its path.

Conclusion

Kokoda Legacy in Nerang is more than just an organization; it's a guardian of our nation's history and a torchbearer of the Kokoda Spirit. Through their unwavering dedication, they ensure that the stories of valor and resilience that define the Kokoda Campaign continue to inspire and shape our community for generations to come.

The Kokoda legacy is not confined to the pages of history; it lives on through the work of Kokoda Legacy in Nerang. Join them on this remarkable journey of remembrance, inspiration, and community. By doing so, you honor the indomitable human spirit that emerged from the jungles of Papua New Guinea during a time of great adversity.

[freaxs-blog]

Today, I want to shine a spotlight on one of my all-time favorite bands: James! 🙌🎸 Get ready to dive into their captivating story and incredible music.

The band was initially formed in Manchester, UK, back in the early 1980s. Legend has it that they took inspiration from a poster on their rehearsal room wall featuring a picture of James Joyce, the renowned Irish writer. They found the name intriguing, and it stuck, perfectly reflecting their creative spirit and artistic ambitions.

When it comes to their musical style, James effortlessly weaves together elements of alternative rock, indie pop, and even touches of folk and dance. Their distinctive sound is characterized by lush melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and the soaring vocals of their charismatic frontman, Tim Booth. Their ability to craft catchy hooks while maintaining an introspective depth is truly remarkable.

Over the years, James has achieved significant success both critically and commercially. Their breakthrough came with the album "Gold Mother" in 1990, which spawned their hit single "Sit Down" – an anthem that still ignites the crowd whenever it's performed. 🎶

Now, let's talk about one of their mesmerizing tracks, "Nothing But Love." This song captures the essence of James' uplifting and hopeful spirit. With its infectious rhythm, soaring harmonies, and insightful lyrics, it speaks of the power of love and unity, reminding us to cherish our connections with one another. It's impossible to resist the urge to sing along and let the positive vibes take over!

If you haven't explored their discography yet, I highly recommend diving into their album "Laid" released in 1993. It's a true masterpiece that showcases their versatility and lyrical brilliance. From the sultry and sensual title track to the introspective and haunting "Say Something," this album will take you on an emotional journey you won't soon forget.

Did you know that during their early days, James actually disbanded for a brief period? However, they reunited soon after and came back stronger than ever, proving that their music was destined to be shared with the world. 🌟

In my opinion, James deserves more recognition and appreciation for their incredible body of work. Their songs have been the soundtrack to many memorable moments in my life, and I believe they have the power to touch the hearts of many others. Let's spread the love and celebrate this extraordinary band together! 🎉❤️