#THIS WAS ONE OF THE COOLEST THINGS I HAVE SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE WTF

[andoutofharm]

happy eclipse day and happy mania monday! the sun and the moon have come together to tell you to stream mania by american rock band fall out boy

[lv-iceprince]

🐯🐾...overall ship...🐯🐾

@quruxbadan

okay here's the tea, i was so excited to do this ship for you! i just love doing your requests, you're such an angel and it such an honour to ship you with the coolest idols ever.

i'm just biased with this ship, so sorry if you don't agree with me but this is where it's at.

know that i'm always here for your requests and just to talk and yeah! love you heaps mate xo

~seventeen~ hoshi 🐯🐾

This was the quickest choice I have ever made for a ship,  there is something about you that is so precious, your cloud photos, your face, your personality IT IS ALL SO PRECIOUS WTF????!!!! So, I had to do Hoshi a favour and ship you with him.

I think you would be doing him a favour by dating him, okay that sounds harsh, but  I mean it was all the love and respect I have for him. Hoshi is such a genuine, quirky, adorable, sexy  guy and he really does need someone who would make his days infinitely better and that is you.

At first Hoshi would just think you were a nice person, that you just wanted to have a mutual friendship and in some ways you did. However, you could not get over him, he lived in your mind rent free 24/7, he was your go to when you were sad, when you were excited or when you wanted to relax. He was your person.

Even though Hoshi is somewhat unaware of your feelings it took him .5 seconds to say yes to going on a date with you, he has a literal skip in his step and a sparkle in his heart whenever he is around you so he always knew he would date you one day, if you liked him that is.

I will try not to swoon over your appearance, but you are literally the cutest human being on this planet, I think I’ve said this before but you’re the only person I’ve seen who has Nayeon visuals, I still stand by this statement! I just can’t get over the resemblance, you literally have the same sweet smile and the most adorable look in your eyes.

There is also this sense of elegance that I honestly can’t get over, you just seem like such a good person. Besides that, imagining you in the same room as Hoshi is an overload, you are just so complimentary to each other and it’s actually insane.

Even though it’s so tempting to force the two of you together based on the overall, cuteness factor I have to say, Hoshi has something more striking in his visuals. It’s almost iconic, someone so sweet has such powerful visuals, he is the tiger.

For this reason, it’s just so complimentary, the contrast I mean. Visually speaking you’re quite distinct from one another but again that’s what makes this such a beautiful pairing. I know I’m gushing but you’re literally his best visual match.

Now onto my  favourite part (especially because it’s you we’re talking about), personality. I hinted at it earlier, but you are literally such an angel and I want to discuss this more. Since you have such a rich personality the only way, I can describe it like you are this beautiful cottage core fairy who enlightens everybody around you.

This is also the main reason as to why Hoshi loves you so much, you bring optimism, and you remind him of the sweeter more simpler aspects of life.

Though he tends to be very active and hyper most of the time, he would love nothing more than relaxing and indulging in your parfums, accessory making or any other artistic endeavours, he may act like he is clueless as hell but watch him make you the most beautiful things in the whole entire universe.

He also loves wearing anything you make.  Your quiet nature is something that also brings him in, he just feels so proud that he is cool enough to have someone who is equally as cool, just for him to love and to hold.  

[solradguy]

dude tell us about your metal gear oc

Lmfao.... Ok so it's kind of embarrassing now that I'm flipping through this sketchbook again, but I was for real actually 12 years old when I came up with this stuff and was just a kid having fun so I can't be THAT embarrassed by it haha

So, I somehow ended up with MGS2 for the PS2 back in circa 2005. Metal Gear Ray was the COOLEST goddamn thing I had ever seen in my LIFE (it's still cool tbf) so I had to incorporate it into my stick figure comicbook ASAP. I drew it from memory and got its head all wrong but, like I said, I was literally 12 and only had my memory of the short cutscene to go off of lmfao

This sketchbook is falling apart but here's his reference box:

Name: Fazre Powers: Razers, N/A Weakness: Rafiyan (this was an actual dragon character not based on MGS) Symbol: All my characters in this comic had their own glyph for whatever reason. Fazre's is like a horizontal line that starts off spiky and ends in a loose spiral. There are 3 dots around the spike at the start. Hobbies: N/A Weapons: Lazers [sic], N/A Character description: Robotic, amphibious, very big

The first few pages of this sketchbook fell out and I had to staple them back in, but here's the first comic where Fazre does stuff. I'll try to explain wtf is happening after each page lol

I hope these post right because they look cropped in the post preview?? EDIT: Oh cool they did

This was the 5th of the comics I made in this sketchbook. It's titled The Bob Stories #5 and has the symbol for my character in it. The main character, Bob, is drawn in indigo; my persona [Deadname] is drawn in purple, Toby (who didn't scan well at all!!) is in neon orange, Joe in turquoise, and Kyoto in black. Bob's whole thing was fire magic and his special ability was picking up rocks and turning them into fireballs. Him and Joe were mortal enemies. Bob wears a black and orange bandanna worn bandit-style, covering the entire top of his head, and Joe wears sunglasses. Joe teleports into the first panel Terminator-style. Bob points at him, saying "YOU!". The rift in space-time from Joe's teleporting caused two Kyotos to appear. Bob and Joe start fighting while [Deadname] and Toby get bored and leave. In the last panel, one of the Kyotos turns into a character drawn in orange, Irifinagon. Bob and Joe stop fighting to fight this new guy. Kyoto was actually a friend's OC that I kind of adopted into my comics. I didn't design or name him.

Bob does a powerup and removes his bandanna, revealing a powerful mullet. Irifinagon gets crushed by Fazre, who teleports on top of him with a crackle of static. He charges up a big laser attack while Joe and Kyoto chop at him with swords and shuriken and Bob charges a big fire blast. Bob and Fazre's energy attacks collide but Fazre's is stronger and incapacitates Bob while Joe does a sick flip over their colliding lasers. Joe then throws his sword into Fazre's mouth before he charges another attack.

Bob steams on the ground while Joe tries a lightning attack on Fazre. It does nothing and then Fazre bites his head off. Kyoto chops off Fazre's tail while Bob gets back on his feet and charges a double fireball. Fazre turns into Irifinagon for some reason and says that he will be back while the ghost possessing Joe, and the source of his powers, Kyle, floats out of the decapitated corpse of Joe.

Kyle heals Joe and then possesses him again. Joe is not pleased and says "Stupid spirit..." while Bob and Kyoto spectate.

The End

--

I drew these comics in class instead of paying attention. There are like 30 of them lmfao

Bob is probably my oldest OC that I actually wrote down any story or anything for. I never brought him back because I only ever drew him as a stick figure and didn't consider what he would look like in a 3D form lol

[cuddlingwithmydemons]

SPOILERS AHEAD BE WARY!

Okay quick rant about percy jackson/heroes of olympus because I'm rereading them and something caught my eye.

Frank Zhang, is badass. He is the coolest character in the entire series and I haven't seen anyone mention it.

First of all, this dude is greek AND roman. He comes from long, long line of greek shapeshifters who just so happen to be descendants of one of the most destructive gods(earthshaker anyone?). And he is also the son of the war god. But not just any war god. Mars, the roman war god. The romans being a military based society, this god had a lot of power and influence. (Anyone else remember everyone at Camp Jupiter being in disbelief because "how could this weird canadian kid be the child of one of our favorite gods?")

Second, this boys LIFE, his whole ass EXISTENCE, is tied to FIREWOOD. And not like a log or anything no, a fucking STICK. And still this boy travels across the ocean with someone who can make fire appear at will and risks his life in every situation and even WILLINGLY SETS IT ON FIRE all for the greater good. Like...imagine being that selfless and badass.

And then there's the scene that started this rant, in House of Hades when Nico is corn and Hazel is dying, Frank is left on his own to get a snake for a god. And you know what this boy does? He gets a goddamn snake. How? Well, he asks his dad and his dad says "kill all the monsters in this city". And you know what this boy DOES???

HE KILLS ALL OF THE MONSTERS IN THE CITY

He straight up runs around the entirety of Venice being followed by poisonous cow things, leads them to a bridge, then calls on the Blessing of Ares(Mars whatever) and kills ALL OF THEM.

(Clarisse in The Last Olympium anyone?)

Allow me to just

"He sliced through monsters until he was ankle-deep in yellow dust(...)His shape-shifting became so fluid, he could start an attack in human form with his sword and finish as a lion, raking his claws across a katobleps’s snout."(House of Hades 150)

Like...wtf. That is honestly and truly the coolest thing I have ever read in my entire life. Like...imagine that as a show. An animated show. Made by some big company. Not naming any names.

And THEN. He goes back to Hazel(and instantly rushes over to her which is super cute) and the god says he might not save her and this boy I-

"Frank was faster. He lunged at Trip and slammed him into the wall, his fingers locked around the god’s throat. “Think about your next words,” Frank warned, deadly calm. “Or instead of beating my sword into a plowshare, I will beat it into your head.”'(House of Hades 153).

Honestly man I'm done with this dude. 3 cool 5 me. Oh and also he becomes big and beefy boi which is sick.

Anyway that's as far as I've reread and I love Frank Zhang with my whole heart and that's all bye!

[mtvswatches]

Wynonna Earp 2x12 I Hope You Dance

Click here for previous recaps!

Stray thoughts

1) Waverly confronts Bobo and the widows, certain that Bobo won’t hurt her. He admits he might not, but he won’t help her either. In an uncharacteristically honest moment, he admits that caring about her has only brought him pain. Waverly quips that no one said parenthood was easy. And I’M FREAKING OUT? IS THIS HER WAY OF CONFIRMING BOBO IS HER FATHER?!

2) Thankfully, Wynonna arrives on time, but Peacemaker is completely useless now that the seal is broken and this MOFO is waking up…

Shit is about to go down and I’M NOT READY. I’m really curious to see what Clootie looks like, though, I feel he’ll look something like the Master.

3) The sisters take a breather before all hell breaks loose, and I appreciate it…

You know what else I appreciate? Wynonna’s top priority – making sure Doc is not dead.

4) Well, Dolls is not dead, which is good, but not the answer I was expecting.

5) I truly appreciate the brief moment of levity…

6) So, this is what she had figured out before she went poof…

7) Wynonna is terrified that Doc might be dead now that the ring is broken. I’m Jeremy, btw.

8) I’m sorry, but is there anything more badass than trying to save the world while you’re about to give FUCKING BIRTH?!

9) WTF! Clootie is going to have Wynonna’s baby for dessert???!!

10) Oooh, I kind of saw this coming but I didn’t want to get my hopes up!

MERCEDES: Actually, I want a separation.

MERCEDES: Chopped my way into the 21st century. The world has changed. Hell, look at Wynonna Earp. She is 10 times the gunslinger Wyatt ever was and he put Bulshar in the ground! I want that ring!

I’m really into this new form of empowerment? Evil ladies also need to break free from the misogynistic ties to their evil lords. You go, Glenn Coco! Or Elsa, I guess…

She just took off and buried Bobo, Clootie and her sister. Does this mean that the season’s Big Bad was Mercedes all along? And not Clootie! Damn, I really love that plot twist!

11) The Iron Witch says the plate only works as a shield, and these two badass motherfuckers are not having it…

Can they look any more badass?! And I really wish they had allowed Wynonna to say fucking!

12) Dolls finds Doc at his home…

He’s having an existential crisis over being mortal and he’s basically contemplating suicide. And I almost believed he couldn’t take not being ageless anymore, but it was the possibility of living a mortal life in a Wynonna-less world that was pushing him over the edge because the second he heard she was still alive…

It’s like his soul returned to his body… and now he’s willing to die but for an entirely different reason, and I swear to God, I choked up during this whole scene. Does that make sense? Am I an idiot?

13) I guess there’s no better time for confessions than when facing the possibility of absolute and total obliteration. In a few seconds, Waverly breaks the news to Wynonna that Nicole is married and that she’s not Wynonna’s sister. Wynonna’s reply is quick and certain…

A lot of emphasis is placed on the bloodline in this show, considering the whole hereditary curse. But nothing as volatile as blood would ever get in the way of Waverly and Wynonna. They are sisters if ever sisters there were.

I truly love how there was no hesitation. At the same time, I wonder if the lack of hesitation means Wynonna had considered this possibility before?

14) Okay, Wynonna literally has one shot to kill Clootie, get rid of the Widows, and break the curse. Cool. Cool cool cool cool.

15) Jeremy and Nicole are having this super sweet moment…

JEREMY: And, uh, I stay because I don't fit in here. But none of you ask me to. I'm allowed to be me. NICOLE: You're part of the family. And being part of the family means...

AND THEN THIS FUCKING ELSA FROM HELL BURST INTO THE ROOM AND NEARLY GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK…

And please don’t tell me that we’re using the “put Nicole in peril” schtick again! And we’re adding Jeremy into the mix! Just great!

16) THE BABY IS FUCKING COMING AMIDST ALL THIS DEBACLE!

17) I’M FUCKING DEAD.

She’s my queen, I love her, I’d sell my soul for Wynonna Earp, I’ve said it.

18) Oh, the other McBitch just arrived and is threatening Waverly while Elsa says Wynonna is the weapon she’s been looking for, and what the fuck is going on?

19) Wynonna’s sigh of relief and barely noticeable smile when she sees Doc is alive, though…

I leave for these moments.

20) NOT THESE FUCKING MOMENTS, THOUGH! WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING?!

21) UGH THESE TWO MOTHERFUCKERS ALMOST GOT ME!

Two birds, one stone. These two! They could convey their plan using a code they could only understand! Why aren’t they together?!

But there’s still Clootie and Bobo, right…

And the baby is coming…

22) Ugh the fire-assholes have shown up, they offed Wynonna’s doctor and they’re coming after the baby!

23) WHAT’S THE FUCKING PLAN? WHAT WILL THEY DO WITH THE BABY? IS NICOLE GOING TO TAKE THE BABY AWAY? They’re talking about crossing the triangle…

24) WTF ROSITA!!!!!!!

THIS FUCKING EPISODE DOESN’T LET UP!

25) Bobo has gone Spike…

So Clootie or Bulshar or whoever sucked something out of Bobo and Bobo offered up Waverly as the Big Bad’s new bride WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!

26) Great. JUST FUCKING GREAT.

27) Oh, thank god, something worked out!

Wynonna basically willed Peacemaker into accepting Waverly as an Earp!

28) Brendan Fehr is saying that Wynonna is going to corrupt the baby and screw it up and I’m like… Brendan Fehr, I was rooting for you!

29) Damn, Dolls!

At least they died in their element. Get it?

30) When you try to come up with a good comeback and you just…

31) I guess I’ll just have to get used to Bobo never being back for more than two episodes…

32) I’m not crying, you are…

I'm the Earp heir. They're always coming for me and everything I love. I don't want to. I didn't realise how much I wouldn't want to. You're the coolest thing I ever did. You're going to have it much better than me. I promise.

And Waverly is taking the baby away and Wynonna is asking her to make sure that Doc gets a moment with him and I’m here, dying.

33) Waverly and the baby just crossed over the border and neither of them burnt, which means that the baby is Doc’s and the revenants don’t have any claim over it. But what does this mean for Waverly? Whose daughter is she, then?

34) Wynonna just offed the whole gang of revenants, but it doesn’t really feel satisfying at all when her baby is being sent away minutes after being born…

35) Did Jeremy just used Waverly and Nicole’s ship name?! HE FUCKING DID!

36) Perry is taking the baby as a way to thank Wynonna for saving his life. Cool dude.

37) And now Doc is meeting the baby and I WON’T SURVIVE THIS SHIT!

I CAN’T BREATHE. EVERYTHING HURTS.

38) Bobo just got a holiday for one in the well, and he admits that he never said Waverly was his daughter, just kin. I repeat, what does this mean for Waverly? Who is her father? Doc confesses that when Dolls shot him, he was sent to hell. It remains to be seen how long he was there - if it was a few hours or a few centuries, and what impact this will have on him…

39) Wynonna named the baby after both of their mothers and I’m a mess…

This is not the happy ending I wanted for these two.

40) There’s so much I don’t understand…

The woman narrating is Wynonna’s mother? And she’s ALIVE? Has she been alive this whole time? What about the secretive look between Dolls and Nicole? Is she having second thoughts about her divorce? And what about the folder she was holding with info about Bulshar? Is she working with Dolls behind Waverly’s back? And how can Jeremy and Waverly be acting so carefree when everything is a mess?

If Wynonna’s mom is alive, there’d better be an explanation as to why this was never brought up before. It doesn’t make any sense!

I need Alice in Wynonna and Doc’s life, okay? This can’t be the end of that storyline, I just won’t accept it.

41) Amazing season finale, full of plot twists and emotional moments. I’ll admit I shed more than one tear. I truly can’t believe how the show continues to be so fast-paced and engaging. There never is one minute, one line, one scene wasted – everything has meaning and is relevant to the plot, and it never lets up and I’m so excited to see what they have to offer in season 3, and hopefully, I’ll catch up before season 4 premieres!

This show is quickly climbing up the ladder of my very short and exclusive list of favorite shows, I swear. I’m already looking forward to rewatching it and discovering things I’d missed the first time around.

42) Hope you enjoyed my recap, and, as usual, if you’ve got this far, thank you for reading! If you enjoy my recaps and my blog, please consider supporting it on ko-fi.Thanks!

[adventuresaroundasia]

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info. 

After five years of living in China, and two years of This Beijing Life, things have changed. I left my job as a college counselor in China, and now I’m living a life on my terms. I’m my own boss, I travel when I want, and live where I want. I’m FINALLY living my dream of location independence.

I hope you’ll all follow me along on my new journey: The Freedom Life.

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What I Was Up to in March

This March was a BUSY month full of USA travel. From my bachelorette party in Denver to a Southwest US road trip (including California, Vegas, and the Grand Canyon), to a few weekend trips from Palm Desert, I barely had any time to get work done! That said, this month was awesome, and I had a ton of fun moments and memories.

Where I Was This Month

Palm Desert, California

Denver, Colorado

Slab City, California

Idyllwild, California

Los Angeles, California

San Diego, California

Las Vegas, Nevada

Flagstaff, Arizona

The Grand Canyon!

Joshua Tree, California

Palm Springs, California

All the girls at brunch!

Highlights

Overall, this month was pretty awesome! Here are some of my favorite moments.

My Denver Bachelorette Party!

Right at the start of March, I headed over to Denver for my (very early) Bachelorette Party!!

While some people may think Denver is weird for a bachelorette destination, I thought it was perfect. Firstly, Denver is a really awesome and affordable city, making it a great place to have a party without breaking the bank. Secondly, my friends are ALL OVER the US, and Denver is a hub for multiple airlines, making it super easy and affordable for all my friends to meet in one place.

While I knew my bachelorette party would be fun (just based on all the awesome people attending), it ended up really exceeding my expectations. The girls, lead by my Maid of Honor Sarah, really planned such an epic weekend. They found a super cute Airbnb with room for all six of us and planned an epic day of celebrating.

First, we had brunch with unlimited mimosas and bloody mary’s (my favorite!). Next, we did a brewery tour in a tuk-tuk! (Which is awesome because I used to lead tuk tuk brewery tours in Beijing). The girls actually created a hilarious scavenger hunt, which had me getting proposed to (multiple times), rubbing the heads of bald strangers, getting carried around in a bar, and plenty more. The best part was that people in Denver are SO NICE. Seriously, everyone we met wanted to make sure I had a fantastic bachelorette, and people were so eager to check off items on my scavenger hunt.

It was honestly the perfect bachelorette and I could’ve asked for more!

Bronte, Annisa and I in San Diego!

Southwest US Road Trip

If you didn’t already know, I went on an epic 2-week Southwest road trip this March! Two of Chris’ brothers and their girlfriends flew over to the US, and the six of us rented the world’s best ultimate soccer mom mini van for our trip, which we fondly named Bessie Lou.

This van took us from LA to San Diego, Vegas, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs and back to LA! She was brand new with 45 miles on her when we left, and by the time we brought her back she had almost 2,000 miles on her…

This two-week road trip was tons of fun, especially since the two couples that joined us had never been to the US before. I was also able to go to a ton of places I’d never seen, like Joshua Tree and the Grand Canyon! None of us were ready to leave when the trip was over. We had such a great time, and I can’t wait to plan another trip with them again.

Waiting for the Thunder From Down Under

Girls Night in Vegas

While Chris had his Bachelor Party in Vegas, the girls all went out to celebrate my friend (and Chris’ brother’s girlfriend) Bronte’s birthday. Rather than sitting at home wondering what all our men were up to, we planned a day that was just as wild as theirs.

After a little discount shopping at Ross and a solid hour of getting lost trying to find a Starbucks, the girls all met up on the Strip for dinner and drinks. We all bought VIP tickets to Thunder Down Under, which was definitely a crazy show! I was even called up onstage (I almost had a heart attack), but thankfully it was just to win a free calendar. Whew!

Overall, it was a pretty fun bonding experience with all the girls, and we didn’t end up going to bed until almost 4 am. Granted, we paid for it the next day, with hangovers, blistered feet, and a 10 am checkout.

Hello Grand Canyon!

Hiking The Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree

I can finally say I’ve seen the Grand Canyon! I absolutely loved the Flagstaff and Joshua Tree portions of our trip. We got to unpack and stay at some super cute Airbnb properties where we could actually cook healthy-ish meals.

The best place we stayed was definitely a cute little forest cabin in Mountainare (near Flagstaff). In the evenings we’d cook dinner, have a few drinks, and play the world’s hardest game of charades called “God Hates Charades“. I actually had to act out Nicholas Cage taking out a life insurance policy on Wolverine.

The National Parks themselves were also amazing. The Grand Canyon is stunning, and I definitely want to go back and do some longer hikes around there another time. Joshua Tree was also beautiful, and we did the 29 Palms hike to a desert Oasis. Since California has been a bit rainy this year, the entire mountain was covered in beautiful wildflowers!

Some art from Slab City

Day Trips to Slab City and Idyllwild

This March, my parents wanted to show us some of the cute towns and interesting places around Palm Desert. Our first trip was to Salvation Mountain and Slab City, which is basically Burning Man all year long. Salvation Mountain is a giant hill in the desert that’s been painted and decorated like it’s straight out of Dr. Seuss with a ton of religious quotes. I honestly could’ve stayed here for hours taking pictures.

Meanwhile, Slab City has a ton of people living off the grid and a bunch of artists creating the coolest sculptures out of trash and recycling. We even had a super interesting conversation with a guy who had glued mutilated Barbie’s all over his car as a statement about body image. He explained that his sister was born with a physical disability, and would ask how many surgeries it would take her to look like Barbie. Since then, he’s had a major issue with Barbie and its representation of stereotypical standards of beauty.

Finally, my family, Chris and I took a day trip to Idyllwild, which is a very cute mountain town. We had great Mexican food, partook in a coffee tasting, and wandered around all the little shops. I even purchased a pair of socks that say “my cat is f-ing cool” with an old school picture of a little girl petting a cat.

This sign is much smaller than I thought it would be

Losing Inches (But Not Pounds)

As many of you know, I’ve been putting in a lot of effort to exercise, eat healthy, and get to a weight that’s appropriate for me and my body. I’ve been putting in a TON of work, but not really seeing much of a difference on the scale. I know I’m probably transitioning muscle into fat, but still… my weight is far too high for someone who’s only 5’4″.

That said, I’ve been using tape measurements weekly, and I’ve seen a huge difference there! I’ve lost an inch off my chest, another inch off each of my arms, 2 inches off each of my thighs, another two inches off my hips, and THREE inches off my waist! However, despite all of these changes, I’ve only actually lost 5 lbs. WTF?

In addition to measuring myself, I also decided to try on my wedding dress (which I bought off the rack) to see how it fit. I definitely noticed my dress was easier to zip up and fit much better, but it wasn’t until my mom took a few pictures that I realized how much my work has paid off.

It seriously looks like I’ve lost 15 pounds. I’m not joking.

Everyone: my parents, my friends, my nutritionist, all FREAKED OUT when they saw the photos. My nutritionist even showed the photos to everyone in her office. I seriously wish I could show you guys the before and after photos because they’re crazy (unfortunately it’s my wedding dress so I have to hold off for now).

If you’re trying to lose weight and you don’t see the numbers on the scale changing, try using a measuring tape and taking photos. I don’t notice a big difference in my week to week photos, but the before and after of my wedding dress is CRAZY.

While it is frustrating that I can’t seem to get the scale to move, the pictures and measuring tape speaks for itself. At least something is working.

Getting proposed to by a bartender with a lemon ring

Meeting another bachelorette!

Challenges

Not everything this month was perfect. Here were some of my rougher moments.

I Forgot My Phone in California for my Bachelorette in Denver…

After getting dropped off at the airport I realized I was forgetting something. My phone! Unfortunately, even if I was able to get in touch with anyone, there would be no time for my mom to drive all the way back home, grab my phone, and make it back to the airport in time, so I was just out of luck.

Thankfully I brought my computer so I was able to get in touch with someone to come pick me up from the train station, but not having a phone was definitely a bit stressful.

Being phoneless definitely made for a very fiance-free bachelorette weekend. I couldn’t text him even if I wanted to!

Unfortunately for me, I had to be really reliant on other people to take photos, which ended up working out in the long run. In the end, it wasn’t ideal, but if I’m going to forget a phone on a trip, at least it was a short one!

At least it looked pretty?

So Much Snow in Denver

Usually, March in Denver isn’t too cold, but this year the snow was CRAZY! The day of my bachelorette it really started coming down, and our brewery tour leader had to switch to his car to get us back home! Thankfully, no one’s flights were delayed for more than a few hours, and Denver definitely does not shut down in the snow.

If this were Seattle, all of the breweries would’ve been empty once it started snowing. But Denver is completely flat and people are used to it, so despite the multiple inches of snow on the road, people kept partying all evening!

Unfortunately, one of the girls didn’t bring boots and her ballet flats were NOT doing the job. I’m honestly surprised her feet didn’t just fall off. When I went to the airport on Sunday evening, the temperature was -1 Fahrenheit and my coat was NOT good enough for that kind of weather. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a place that cold before!

I hate packing almost as much as this guy hates dolphins

Packing All My Stuff… AGAIN.

If there’s one thing I hate about my lifestyle, it’s packing everything up and moving every few months. Why do I have so much stuff? Where does it all come from??

Chris and I have managed to easily get our bags down to 23 kilos (50 lbs), especially if we can check two bags. However, we discovered our flight from Beijing to Vietnam at the beginning of April, only allows ONE 20 kilo bag!! We tried to add weight to our one bag, or buy a second checked bag, but neither were options for “such a short flight”. The only option was to pay $15 USD per extra kilo at the airport. WTF CHINA EASTERN??

We even spent an hour on hold with the China Eastern US office only to get a girl that literally had no idea and couldn’t help us at all. Her only advice was to call the Beijing airport and ask them. Why?? What???

Usually this wouldn’t be such a big deal, but A) I’m traveling with a wedding dress that takes up half my small carry-on suitcase so I can’t just put all my heavy stuff in there, and B) it’s really hard for me to find CGM (curly girl method) approved products in Vietnam, so I wanted to stock up and bring them over. Unfortunately for me, I had to make some tough choices…

In the end, our suitcases were both 22 kilos, but thankfully the check-in staff said NOTHING. They also didn’t mind that Chris had 2 personal items in addition to his carry on and that our carryons were all way over the weight limit. Ummm thanks, China Eastern? We totally would’ve just bought a second bag if you’d offered it for less than the price of a new organ.

California sea lion!

Getting Super Sick on the Road Trip

During the road trip, most of us got some weird variant of the flu. It honestly sounded like the plague in our minivan. After one day in Vegas trying not to die, and a full day of driving to Flagstaff, I was happy to skip out on Sonoma and spend the entire day sleeping and watching movies in our little cottage. It was definitely necessary.

So many temptations

Eating Out For Every Meal

After making tons of progress getting fit and eating healthy, it was really hard to keep the momentum going on a road trip. Why is eating out in the US so unhealthy? I tried to make good choices for every meal, but finding good healthy food while traveling is easier said than done.

You’ve got some mean drivers San Diego…

Stressful Driving in San Diego

While I’m comfortable driving, I’ve actually never driven a car as big as Bessie Lou before. This 7-seater minivan was GIANT (seriously, I don’t know how they can call it a mini van). While I eventually got used to her extreme size, navigating the highways and roads in LA, San Diego, and Vegas was a nightmare. Firstly, California drivers are MEAN. WHY ARE YOU ALL SO MEAN???

Do you want to change lanes? These people will legit speed up. People complain about LA, but driving in San Diego was worse. To get anywhere I had to get on and off multiple highways, which were all extremely confusing. Every time I needed to get into town, I had to go on a highway, immediately get off at the first exit onto another highway, change over five lanes and then immediately get off at the next exit. This meant I had approximately 2 minutes to change over five lanes on a super busy highway where no one will let you over.

No wonder everyone from Washington hates California drivers. You guys are all a-holes. Don’t even pretend like this fact surprises you.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas… including my kindle.

Leaving my Kindle in Vegas

Guess who forgot her kindle at the pool in Vegas and didn’t notice until she was literally about to leave the US? This girl!

Thankfully the hotel had it and was happy to mail it to me for a fee. Unfortunately for me, I only had 2 days left in the US and there was no way I could get it in time, so I had to run to a Target and buy a new Kindle (I do not want to try and find a Kindle in Vietnam). Maybe I can sell my old one when I get home?

My mom looking fashionable in Idyllwild

What I Wrote in March

March was extremely busy, so I didn’t have much time to write, but I did crank out two posts!

Zhang Mama – The Best Hole in the Wall Restaurant in Beijing

The Freedom Life: February 2019

Best Instagram Shots

I’m excited to move back to Hoi An, and apparently, you’re all excited for me to move back too!

  View this post on Instagram

  Guess what? I’m moving back to Hoi An in April! Between now and then I’ve got a lot of adventures planned though: 2 week US road trip, a week in Beijing (!!) and then I’ll have the next 5 months in Hoi An! Which of these adventures are you most excited for? Let me know in a comment!

A post shared by Richelle (@adventuresaroundasia) on Mar 16, 2019 at 11:25am PDT

I don’t usually do selfies on Instagram, but I made an exception and apparently you all don’t mind! How can I complain about not being able to fit all my hair products without showing off my hair?

  View this post on Instagram

  What’s weighing down your bag when you travel or move abroad? Over the last few days, I’ve had to pack up everything I own (AGAIN). You’d think that after a year and a half of this I’d have it down, but apparently not. I just keep getting worse! Where does all this stuff come from?? 😧😧 I mean, if I was just hopping from one SE Asian country to the next, things might be easier, but with the weather differences and huge long- haul flights, I need entirely different wardrobes. Seriously, I was just in Denver where it was -1 FAHRENHEIT and soon I’ll be in Vietnam at the start of the super duper hot and humid season. But of course, since I’m a girl, I’ve got my guilty pleasures. And you’d be surprised what it is that’s weighing down my suitcase. Nope- it’s not clothes, shoes or makeup. It’s HAIR PRODUCTS. Yep, I discovered the Curly Girl Method and now I have a problem. Half the weight of my suitcase is a bunch of bottles of silicone-free conditioner and curly Girl styling products. Sue me. Oh yeah, and I’ve got a wedding dress that’s coming everywhere with me too, so that’s fun! 😂😭 what weighs down your suitcase? Let me know in a comment!

A post shared by Richelle (@adventuresaroundasia) on Mar 20, 2019 at 4:52pm PDT

Travel Product I Can’t Live Without

I learned this month that I can’t survive without a kindle! While I love a good physical book, packing tons of books while traveling just isn’t practical. Plus, it can be super hard to find good English-language books on the road. I invested in a Kindle when I first moved to China to teach English, and now I’m on Kindle #3!  (I dropped the first one, and left the second one in Vegas… whoops).

Seriously, if you live abroad or travel long-term, you don’t want to be without one of these. It’s super easy to buy books on the Amazon store and download them directly to your Kindle wherever you are.

If you want some good travel book recommendations, check out Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven, Kosher Chinese, Wild, Love with a Chance of Drowning, and What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding.

Megan’s poor feet!!

Favorite Outfit of the Month

This month I rented a gorgeous long-sleeved red dress from Rent the Runway for my Bachelorette and it was perfect! Not only was this dress super flattering, but it was also extremely comfortable. I’m 100% getting a replica of this dress made when I’m in Vietnam.

What I’m Listening To

My interview on the Comes With Baggage Podcast! My fiance Chris and his friend Kaitlyn have just started an epic travel podcast, and I’m the guest for episode 2! If you’re at all interested in learning about our marriage visa problems, how I got started traveling or teaching abroad in China, you’re going to want to check out this episode!

[button url=”https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/comes-with-baggage/id1457250570?mt=2″ label=”Listen to the Podcast!” size=”large” target=”_blank”]

Best Reads of March

Here are my favorite blog posts from the month of March!

My ���Interesting’ Experience at the Kumbh Mela Festival – Vicky Flip Flop Travels

Wow! Vicky’s description of this festival is incredible! As I’m reading it, I can imagine the full-on culture shock of attending the largest Hindu festival in the world. This post both makes me want to go… and not go.

How I Became a Successful Travel Blogger – Adventurous Kate

This post was a bit different than I thought it would be, but I actually really liked it. Rather than a post filled with advice, Kate tells the full story of how she got into travel blogging, and the business and life decisions she made that helped her career. She also talks a lot about her upbringing and how that helped push her along this path.

Top 7 Quirky Things to do in Kaohsiung Taiwan – Journalist on the Run

I was LITERALLY just talking with Chris about doing another Taiwan trip, and he mentioned Kaohsiung. When I said “What is there to do in Kaohsiung? Why don’t we just go to Kenting for the beaches?” he mentioned Kaohsiung was worth visiting. What is there to do in Kaohsiung? Well, now I know!

Shorts and snow in Idyllwild

What’s Next for April 2019?

Well… April is already half over, but I can still keep you in suspense! At the beginning of April, I’m heading to Beijing for 5 days of touristing and meeting up with old friends… oh, and eating ALL THE FOODS. Next, I’m heading to Vietnam where I’ll be staying for 5 months! I’ll be finding a good house, joining a coworking space, and enjoying the tropical weather in my hotel’s pool!

The Freedom Life: March 2019 This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.  After five years of living in China, and two years of 

[foxstens]

actually fuck it. after nearly 75 hours im done with brotherhood.

this game is technically shorter than ac2 and i also like it less so why did i spend so much time on it lmao. i can’t really be assed to put my thoughts into sentences so i’ll just make a list. i’ve already said most of my opinions anyway.

- bad parts

1. lag. laaaaaaaaaaag so much lag. i’ve never seen this much lag in my entire life what the fuck. and technically fewer outright glitches but more bugs with missions n shit

2. feels pointless story-wise even if it has some good parts like the central conflict could have been resolved so easily i didnt need to fix the entirety of rome for it. i guess it was going for the idea that ezio needs the support of the people i guess but the people were already against the borgia and outside of the recruits it’s not like they /do/ much to help him 

3. some challenges whether they be races or parkour rooms or even one specific assassin assignment, they’re just badly designed. pc controls suck which definitely doesn’t help but even apart from that

4. rome is a nightmare to traverse even with fast travel points and i despise it. it’s not built for roof jumping and in the countryside it’s full of hills that you gotta go around to fucking get on, and there’s this huge ass wall all around the city that you just. you just can’t climb it. there’s no way to climb the coolest structure in the game wtf

5. 24 viewpoints. ubisoft why the fuck do you hate me 24 VIEWPOINTS WHAT THE HECK VIEWPOINTS ARE THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS GAME AND NOW THERE MIGHT AS WELL BE NONE OF THEM. I DON’T REMEMBER A SINGLE ONE BECAUSE THERE’S SO FEW AND ROME’S ARCHITECTURE SUCKS

6. 10 feathers. if you put 101 borgia flags in the game, i think you could’ve put like 40 feathers as well. especially since this time there’s a map for them. i guess i should be thankfully since they didn’t force me to explore rome more than necessary but still.

- mixed parts

1. the music. some tracks i do like and they fit the atmosphere but it felt like i heard five tracks the entire game and none are as memorable as the ones from ac2

2. the people. rome has too many people and they’re so freaking annoying but the vigilantes were great and so were the random thieves that dropped nice loot

3. weapons. i tried to pay more attention to the weapons in this game and it worked, the ranged weapons are so great i ended up barely ever using the hidden blade, but i also didn’t make the most of it. i never got the hang of the heavy weapons or the daggers, and i also never used the throwing knives after seeing how bad they are at aiming. 

4. visuals. the cutscenes and the colours look so much better than ac2, idk how since it only came out a year later, but i hate the way rome looks and the overall feel of the city.

5. money. you really have to manage your finances in the beginning which i liked but it doesn’t take long until you have nothing to spend it on and you end up sitting on 600k for the last 20 hours of the game

6. side quests. there’s a lot of them and they can help with getting the sync requirements for the cristina memories for example, but there is /a lot/ of them and i just don’t see the point. same with the guild challenges.

7. the leonardo parts. the leonardo dlc was actually pretty cool if difficult and the warmachine parts were pretty well-designed imo but also long and pointless, i didn’t have the most fun with them and i do not care about the reward.

8. i just didn’t find it that fun a lot of the time? i still had fun and loved the experience, wouldn’t have spent 75 hours on it otherwise, but it rarely made me feel the ‘ahhh i love this game :’)))’ feeling that i crave

9. the pacing is literally up to you so you could have a balanced experience with both slower and faster parts, or you could be dumb like me and spend a million years in one specific sequence just doing every side thing possible, therefore making that sequence too slow and everything else too fast

- good parts

1. borgia towers. i absolutely adored scouting out each area and devising a strategy for dealing with each captain and the guards and finding the easiest way to climb the tower. it was fun it was engaging and it felt like i was making a difference

2. rebuilding rome. i hate rome but being able to rebuild each area after liberating it, and especially repairing the aqueduct that runs through the countryside was great. also felt like i was making a difference when some areas previously overrun with guards were now full of people and buildings

3. the romulus lairs. i had mixed feelings about the assassin tombs in ac2, some i loved and some i literally couldn’t do, but these were a lot better for some reason. i loved all of them

4. the combat. now you get a crossbow and you can chain-kill and each weapon has a special finishing move and you can stun enemies by kicking them and it’s so raaaaaaaaaad i love the combat

5. the cristina memories. the best optional stuff, the only story-related part of this game to make me feel something, the only part that felt like it gave ezio substantial development. amazing 10/10 best ever, i just wish it wasn’t so fucking sad

6. assassin recruits. helping out a citizen in need and then sending them on missions until they become full-fledged assassin is just a really cool concept in general and it’s implemented really well, i just never made use of them outside of the arrow storm due to fear of them dying.

7. some missions are really cool and unique and they really make you think and strategize and use all of your options. i don’t play games to /think/ but since i’m supposed to be an assassin here it’s a good thing.

8. the modern stuff. i do not play these games for the modern stuff and i really disliked it in ac2 but here it was a lot better. you leave the animus when you choose to and in the beginning and end there’s parkouring challenges, and you get to explore modern monteriggioni and later the colosseum, it’s all really cool. i didn’t look for any glyphs tho lmao.

9. minor things like the existence of the aqueduct and the relationship between ezio and claudia being more fleshed out and even the traitor subplot. 

dang that’s a long post. that’s pretty mcuh all my thoughts at the moment but they might change after i go back to ac2 and after i play revelations. but at the moment it’s a pretty mixed game for me. i guess technically ac2 was also mixed since it too has flaws n parts i don’t like but it had so many parts that blew me away, those flaws seem minor in comparison. that’s not really the case here sadly :(

[lawyernovelist]

Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master: A Legend

I'm not dead! Sorry for the long break, and sorry in advance for the fact that this post isn't quite up to my usual wordy standard; I've spent the last several months suffering from massive writer's block on almost every project I have on the go, including a novel, the next chapter of My Tauriel, and several blog posts.

Anyway, to get on with the show, I thought what The Last Jedi did with Luke Skywalker was one of the coolest and gutsiest things in it.

Bring it.

Spoilers for Star Wars through The Last Jedi and Lord of the Rings.

Now, I opened in that unnecessarily confrontational way because I've seen criticism of how this movie handled Luke from all over the place and all directions. And to an extent I get that, like I kind of get a lot of the criticism of this movie. I would, however, just like to get one small thing out of the way, and that's the comment I've seen all over the place that "they made Luke evil to make Kylo Ren good." And... no?

I think where this comes from is a feeling that because we see Luke do - or start to do - something unequivocally morally wrong, namely murder his student and nephew in his sleep, that must mean that the movie is telling us that Luke turned evil after we last saw him in the original trilogy. The main narrative beneficiary of such a change would be Ren, since this means that not only is the person telling us how he went bad unreliable, but he himself pushed Ren over the edge. It's not Ren's fault; his mentor betrayed him and so he fell from grace as a reaction to that. Luke is actually evil - the sort of man who would murder a helpless boy who trusted him - and Ren is his innocent victim.

Well, that only really holds up if you subscribe to the belief that if someone does or thinks one wrong thing they're irredeemably evil and that anyone who's been victimised is automatically good. And to be honest, I shouldn't be surprised this is a thing; it seems to be a really common belief on the internet.

But this was part of why I admired this story beat so much: it goes square against that narrative. What Luke did was wrong. Nobody denies that, even him. Right then in the moment he realised that he should not murder a defenceless boy just because of his own fears of what that boy might grow to do, and he accepts that what happened next was a consequence of his actions. Meanwhile, while Ren was right to be frightened and defend himself in the moment, and it's entirely reasonable that he drew his own lightsaber, force-pulled the roof down on Luke, left him for dead, and fled into the night, you know what wasn't a reasonable thing to do? Burn down the school and massacre the other students.

Luke did a bad thing, acknowledged it as bad, and accepted the personal consequences, including the lasting guilt. That doesn't make him evil, it makes him human. Ren reacted in an entirely understandable way up to the point where he went way too far and continued his trend of, when presented with multiple choices, always taking the evil one.

Ren: Gee, I've captured a teenage scavenger who has information I need. Shall I put her in a secure but comfy cell, apologise for scaring her, and offer her money and a ride home to Jakku in exchange for the information, or shall I tie her up, threaten her and her friends, and mind-rape her?

Also, while I'm defending Luke, you get points for realising that what you're about to do is awful before you do it. They say that the first thought you have is what you've been conditioned to think and the second is what you actually think.

Anyway, that probably would have been a nice segue over from the last post where I talked about the presentation of good and evil in these movies, but I did want to explicitly call out that one piece of criticism because it actually irritates me more than is rational. They did something complex and interesting! Stop discouraging them!

OK, so I mentioned that I can see why people are upset about this, and the next one I'm going to address is one that I actually kind of sympathise with, as well as being the reason I chose this specific quote as the title of this blog post: the presentation of Luke as a disillusioned old man who has failed to live up to his own legend.

I thought long and hard to come up with a hypothetical Tolkien example so I could empathise on this one, because Star Wars wasn't a big part of my childhood or anything, so maybe that's why I find it easy to say "Oh, neat, they're doing a cool new twist on an archetypical character" when everyone else in the cinema is saying "WTF have you done to Luke?" Eventually I came up with the option of "What if some asshole came along and made a sequel to Lord of the Rings in which we see that power corrupts and all the bad aspects of medieval kingship (and there are a lot of those) have started manifesting in Aragorn?" and concluded that yeah, I'd be pissed and that would actually be less upsetting than this must be because at least I'd have the comfort that such a sequel would be terrible fanfic, not actual canon. This is Star Wars canon now.

So yeah, I get why people are upset, but hear me and my outsider's perspective out.

For one thing, this is another difference between that hypothetical Lord of the Rings example and The Last Jedi: the problem isn't with Luke except that he couldn't live up to the legend that had grown up around his name and his position as the last of the Jedi and founder of a new Jedi order. And that's an awesome take.

A couple of things about me: first, I'm actually really interested in the question of what happens after these classic stories end. Now, that doesn't always mean that I want to find out - I don't feel the need to actually see Cinderella struggle to adjust to her new life as a princess in combination with the potential political awkwardness caused by the fact that the heir to the throne clearly suffers from face-blindness, and that's why I cannot believe Disney made two sequels (though I hear Cinderella 3 is way better than it has any right to be) - but it's always an interesting question. That's especially true of bigger and more complicated stories with world-shaking consequences like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings: it is kind of interesting to wonder how, after the happy/bittersweet ending, things fell apart. Because that's what things do.

To continue down this rabbit-hole - I promise I'll surface with a point in a moment - this was something Tolkien really got and which you can only really appreciate if you read all his Middle-Earth work: The Silmarillion, The Hobbit (supplemented by The Unfinished Tales), and The Lord of the Rings, in that order: things fall apart. Every time there's a victory, something is lost and it's only a temporary reprieve because evil always rises again. It may be smaller, but so are the forces of Good. Tolkien actually did start work on a sequel to Lord of the Rings in which we see evil returning during the reign of Aragorn's son Eldarion, not really because Eldarion was a crappy king or anything but just because that's what evil does.

The Last Jedi hits a similar note: Just because the Empire was defeated, evil isn't banished from the galaxy. And just as in that unfinished sequel, it's not because the heroes of the previous stories did anything wrong, it's just that this isn't as simple as it looks and winning one big battle and killing one guy doesn't solve all the problems. Eventually the situation will deteriorate again.

That's even more true where the heroes involved don't necessarily know how to pick up the pieces of the evil empire they destroyed, by the way. The galaxy was pretty lucky to have Leia on hand.

The second relevant thing I find interesting is myth-making: how people tell themselves stories about what's happening around them, and how that affects their behaviour and expectations. This is something that happens all the time, sometimes because someone is deliberately creating a myth around an event, group, or person, sometimes because a story has been heard, mis-remembered, and repeated so many times that it's lost some details and gained others, sometimes because people desperately want to believe in something. And it's honestly pretty fascinating. It's been great fun watching the discussion around Hamilton, for example, and how it seems to have changed views of the founding fathers because it presents a new myth in the form of a history play with awesome music.

Watching modern myth-making in the form of polemic and conspiracy theory is also a little bit terrifying, but that's a whole other topic.

Humans love to tell themselves and each other stories, and you can bet stories spread far and wide about Luke after the Empire fell. Even Rey, having grown up in this crappy backwater town on Jakku, seems to have knowledge and expectations of Luke and the Jedi. Doesn't it make all kinds of sense that those stories became myths and that they grew and changed in the years between the fall of the Empire and Luke taking some students and setting up a Jedi school, painting Luke as a larger-than-life hero who could do anything?

Personal anecdote time: when Obama was elected in 2008, I was at university in the States (now you can all guess my age :P). I watched the results coming in on the TV in our dorm lounge, and when the election was called for Obama the place went wild. We spilled out into the road, I could hear the celebrations from other dorms half a mile away, even I went running down the length of the building screaming and wearing an American flag as a cape. But once I'd calmed down a bit I looked around at the Bacchic levels of celebration and said to one of my friends "He'll be remembered as a failure." Naturally, she looked at me like I'd grown at least five heads, so I elaborated, "Everyone's built him up to be the Second Coming. He can't live up to this. Nobody can." I bring this up because that's what I remember when I look at Luke in The Last Jedi: everyone had such high hopes and expectations of him, a legend had built up around his name, he'd become a figure of myth, but at the end of the day he was just a man. He couldn't live up to that. Nobody could.

That acknowledgment of the effects of myth-making around great people and events isn't something I see very often in film, and it ties into what I was saying about seeing what happens after the words "The End". What stories do the people in the world tell themselves about the hero? How does that affect everyone's view of him? How does it affect his view of himself?

That last is also why I find Luke's characterisation in Last Jedi very believable. It makes total sense to me that after this massive failure, which also cost the lives of his students and might have driven his nephew to the dark side, he has withdrawn and become embittered. Again, I come back to the line I used to title this post; the way Hamill delivers it really sums that up.

By the way, good grief did my estimation for all the actors in this film go up.

Anyway, that also feels like a subversion of tropes, which was something this movie did in spades and I love it. I'm having trouble thinking of another of these epic fantasy stories where the hero tracks down the mentor who will turn them into a great warrior or whatever and finds someone so disillusioned. Rey's not having to persuade Luke she's worthy or anything (side-note: I especially enjoy that he never gets weird about the fact that a girl is so strong with the force. It wouldn't make a lot of sense - I mean, he knows Leia - but it was still nice not to have a a subplot where she has to prove she's worthy despite the ~*~terrible handicap~*~ of a second X chromosome), she's having to persuade him that just coming back into the fight at all is worth doing. She's not having to persuade him to train her but to train anyone, and his refusal actually does make sense. I mean, look what happened last time he got himself a crazy-powerful young student. Clearly he can't do this and it might not even be a good idea for anyone to do this.

Now, again, not very familiar with the original movies, this might actually be the exact route they took with Obi-wan and/or Yoda, but I don't remember ever seeing it before and something that distinctive is something I'm sure I would have noticed seeing for a second time. If I'm way off the mark here, though, I can only apologise.

One more comment, and then I'll close. I also really enjoyed Luke's relationship with Ren. This is kind of bringing me back to where I started, but it was still interesting to see how the break with Ren has affected Luke as well as how it's affected Ren. I like watching the emotional consequences play out, as well as how his previous failures have affected Luke's later relationship with Rey and view of himself. Also, that last fight was amazing. It did a great job of developing Ren's character in how he reacted to the sight of Luke and also the emptiness he seemed to feel when after all that Luke wasn't really there. For me, the way Ren reacted after that fight really did cement my view that this is not about Ren defending himself any more, no matter what his initial reaction might have been when he woke up to find Luke standing over him with a lightsaber; it's now about revenge. It kind of shone a new light on Ren, which was in itself interesting to me.

Anyway, I liked Luke in the original trilogy. I liked his enthusiasm, his intelligence, his determination, and his compassion (why did nobody tell me about him redeeming Darth Vader with the power of love?). However, that just meant that I enjoyed all the more seeing how he's been developed here. That Luke was still there, minus some enthusiasm and plus some world-weary cynicism that makes perfect sense given what's happened in the interim. I liked him as a character, I liked what he added to the story, and overall I think his presentation was one of the gutsiest things in this movie.

In summary: Luke good. Film good. Don't @ me.

If you enjoy my blog, you might also enjoy my novel: Bladedancer's Heirs. You can also find me on Goodreads!

[lgkavanagh]

Death Cure Review *Spoilers*

This is more like me gushing for 25 bullet points with a short paragraph of criticism but here we go!

I’ll start by saying that this movie is fantastic. It was 100% worth the wait, and I couldn’t have asked for a better cast and crew to bring this series to life.

I have dozens of positive things to say, but let me start with the one negative I have: the kiss.

Seriously, I was willing with all my might that they wouldn’t go there. If they had explored their pre-Maze relationship more, maybe it would have made more sense, but as it stands, it felt quite forced. Other than the drugged-up Thomas and Brenda kiss, there was zero indication of romantic feelings between Thomas and Teresa, and I wish their moment on the building had just been them pressing their foreheads together. I think that would have been perfect. I love that this series is focused on friendship and becoming a family and unconditional platonic/familial love, so throwing a kiss into the mix felt a bit weird.

Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s begin the gushing:

1.     I owe Wes Ball my whole ass life.

2.     The opening scene was amazing! I loved how the characters were sort of re-introduced to us, almost like a roll call. It might actually be my favorite scene in the movie.

3.     Aris looks so much older! I was surprised to see him and Sonya in the train, but was happy to hear that they fought back.

4.     I loved the part where Newt and Frypan tell Thomas they’re going with him to get Minho. Reminded me of Ron doing the same to Harry in Deathly Hallows Part 1.

5.     That scene in the tunnel was creepy as hell! That woman who pleaded with them to let her in was one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen.

6.     Oscar worthy performance from James Dashner as one of the investors.

7.     In the back of my mind, I knew Gally was coming back, but that didn’t stop me from being completely surprised and ecstatic when we see him for the first time. Keeping Gally completely out of promo material, and Will Poulter’s silence about the movie was a brilliant move. Anyone unfamiliar with the books will be taken completely by surprise!

8.     Thomas punching Gally and Newt being calm and talking him out of it was A+.

9.     Side note- Thomas still has Chuck’s little carving, right?

10.  Okay, one of the coolest book nods in the entire series was Rose took my nose!  I don’t want to overuse this word, but it was a brilliant idea to have Lawrence be that noseless person, and the roses the first time we meet him? Brilliant, just brilliant. It’s a great nod to book fans.

11.  Everything about how they handled Newt becoming a Crank was perfect. I wish they hadn’t cut the scene where he talks about his suicide attempt, because I think that it’s very important to Newt’s story as a whole and to his determination to save Minho, but him mentioning that he wasn’t immune and was probably a control subject was great. Watching him go downhill, and go downhill fast was heartbreaking and magnificent.

12.  Other than the Page 250 events, the closest I came to crying was watching them torture Minho. He didn’t deserve that, the poor kid. And Teresa watching him was so painful, but in a good way.

13.  Speaking of Teresa, let’s talk about her for a second. First of all, I adore Kaya and think she did a perfect job portraying her. And Teresa is a wonderful character- she sticks to her guns and does what she thinks is right. But I just don’t agree with her at all. How can she stand there and watch them do all they did to Minho, someone who trusted her, without even blinking an eye? I’m not sure she gets the full redemption they were aiming for, but she does come around I suppose.

14.  That scene where Minho throws her on the table and chokes her is the only moment in this entire series that I’m okay with comparing to The Hunger Games- it was very reminiscent of MJ Part 1, but in a good way.

15.  The Minho rescue scene, the whole thing was amazing and tense and I held my breath the whole time but I loved it. The Mighty Gladers group hug was so sweet!!

16.  That awkward elevator ride was another moment that reminded me of Deathly Hallows Part 1 haha.

17.  NEWT SAYING BLOODY INSPIRED 10000/10

18.  THOMAS FLIPPING JANSON OFF AGAIN 10000/10

19.  MINHO AND GALLY REUNITING 10000/10

20.  I haven’t talked about Brenda yet so let me talk about Brenda for a second- I LOVED her. I was never a big fan of hers in the books, but the movie reworked her in such a way that I loved her. She was hard and rebellious and sarcastic and brave, but also had moments of being soft and vulnerable and loving. Awesome, awesome character.

21.  I haven’t talked about Frypan either but I LOVE FRYPAN. Again, what an awesome character. Brave and funny and capable and willing to throw it all on the line for his best friends and brothers. Dexter is amazing and deserves more recognition. MVP of the entire series in my opinion.

22.  The ending was great. They ended up in Paradise and they were a family. The letter from Newt was so touching and a great way to sum up the series. Props to Minho for saving the necklace.

23.  The memorial for the fallen was a great finale. Seeing them carve in all those names (Gally carving Chuck, Minho carving Newt) was a perfect finale (though I wish Brenda had carved George’s name. Maybe she did and I missed it?) (Also Wes’s name was there I SEE YOU WES)

24.  Alright, y’all. Let’s talk Page 250:

a.     Minho running to get serum while Thomas comforts Newt and tries to get him to stay sane

b.     “Please, Tommy. Please?” incorporating the Iconic quote while also giving a nod to the “Kill me” note from the book

c.     The slow transition throughout the entire movie of Newt being sane with blips on insanity to becoming insane with blips of sanity

d.     Newt grabbing the gun only to turn it on himself

e.     The whole fight between him and Thomas

f.      That split second when you don’t know if the knife is in Thomas or Newt

g.     Thomas crying as Newt slips away

h.     MINHO AND FRYPAN ARRIVING AND SEEING NEWT’S BODY AND THEN FALLING TO THEIR KNEES WAS UNECESSARY AND HEARTBREAKING AND PAINFUL AND HORRIBLE AND IT MADE ME CRY WTF WES

i.      Overall…it was perfect and I’m so relieved that it was perfect. Any other actors would not have done this scene this nearly as much justice. 10000000/10

25.  We have the best cast and crew ever, and it was honestly just an incredible movie. Please go see it. And if you’ve seen it…go see it again. I know I will. :)

[were1993]

hey! you're one of my favorite author and i really love your gyuhao fics esp the lost prince!! but I've been meaning to ask for tips to write?? I've always wanted to try but i don't know where to start.. if you could give some advice, it would be nice!!

First off, THANK YOU!!!

Tips for writing? Hm…I’m not sure I have any helpful advice but imma take a shot at it anyways >__

Have a concept I wanna writeSince you mentioned the lost prince, let’s just use that as an example haha.I love ideas of like the lost prince/princess (Anastasia what?) so I really wanted to do a gyuhao lost prince concept and man, wouldn’t hao be the coolest knight ever???

Have a scene I want to writeI wanted Minghao and Mingyu to meet during an altercation and Minghao saves Prince Mingyu’s ass. While running away, they end up rolling down a hill and then Minghao knocks his tooth against Mingyu’s pinky and oops! They are now magically bonded as prince and knight!(Tbh, the first chapter was originally the only chapter I was going to write, but then…well, ahem, 25 chapters later…)

Why did that scene occur?Brief introduction, it doesn’t need to be super detailed, but just basic setting! Since he’s a lost prince, he’s probably…not living in the palace. How about a marketplace? So who’s chasing Mingyu? Hm, ruffians! >:) and I wanna build a little moral uprightness in Mingyu’s character so he was protecting children~

Write it!Probably the hardest part ;;A;;)/ words are difficult! But sometimes outlining it and skipping around might help! Fill out what you can and come back to what you can’t!If you can’t find the words: think of how other people said it! I do a lot of reading both fanfiction and books and just searching for passages with those subjects (as well as searching through thesaurus.com LOL). One time I was trying to think of different ways to describe angel wings so I literally googled “how to describe angel wings” and then kind of formed what I was trying to say that way.NEVER BE AFRAID TO GOOGLE STUFF (Wikipedia, yahoo, bing, whatever) because a lot of times, it’s easier if you have a reference (no plagiarizing tho, that’s not cool)

Optional step: Expand!So I got gyuhao prince/knight bonded pair! I can either 

Slice of Life: leave it at the specific event (short fic w/o much background or conclusion, very popular in domestic sorts of AUs or…uh PWPs :D a slice of very specific aspects of sex life)

One Shot: resolve the current conflict (ex. they go to the palace and realizing yes they are truly bonded and gyu is a prince, look into each others eyes “I guess we’re in this together huh?” someone blushes and thinks, this…this may not be too bad. the end. one-shot gyuhao prince au) or 

Long fic: develop the entire universe and continue writing LOL (What kind of country are they in? Why is Mingyu a “Lost Prince”? Why is Minghao there? Is there a larger conflict? Where do the other SVT members fit???)

I will admit that I probably think about the storyline for much longer before I start writing, BUT I will always start from one particular scene! If there is no such scene and I have an AU idea, I usually just let it sit until I can think of a very specific scene I wanna write.

If it’s not an original idea but rather an AU of a set universe, I do something similar EXCEPT I usually sort people into their roles beforehand.Ex. If I were to write a Hogwarts/Harry Potter AU, I would sort all the members into houses and short explanations of how they are

And usually the story kind of comes to me as I give people roles in the AU.

GENERAL TIPS

Write what you loveLet it be the most self-indulgent thing ever because that will make it easier to write and probably easier to motivate yourself to write.

An invested reader’s input is amazing BUT never let it sway what you want to write.Believe me, if you let what your readers want dictate what you write, you’re going to feel pressured and put off writing it.

ITS OKAY NOT TO KNOW WHERE THE HELL THIS STORY IS GOING!Especially if you’ve just started fic writing! No pressure friend! You’ll get better at story planning as you plan and write more! The more you write, the better you’ll get at planning them! And if you have to abandon a story ‘cause wtf was I doing? It’s A-OK! I can’t tell you HOW many stories I’ve abandoned over the years LOL *sweats nervously*

Do NOT compare yourself to other writers!Some writers have been writing for YEARS (and if you haven’t seen them around, they may have been in other fandoms!), and some writers are language/English MAJORS irl (as in they study words/writing and read A LOT!!!). And of course, there are just some writers who have a way with words and some have these holy shit ideas! Some writers crank out beautiful 30K+ fics and some writers write the most moving But you know what? YOU will be that amazing writer to someone out there. Does it take time? Yes. Does it take work? Yes. May you feel discouraged at first? YES. And that leads back to my first general tip: Write what you love……and people will love what you write

Good luck!!!

Not sure whether that helped ;;A;;)/ and if you want to talk thro some specific stuff, feel free to DM me!

(And lmk if it would help more if I actually worked through an idea in real time? To kind of show you exactly how I do this? You’d have to put up with me talking tho LOL ‘cause I don’t type as fast as I think but I mean, just lmk)

[y-kihyun-archive]

Secretanon5: Hi Chelle thanks 4 asking I'm okay :), How r u? I just graduated with a degree on Chemical engineer this year, what do u study? Right now I'm working as a teacher & applying for a job too :D I hope you're doing great at uni, try to do your best & remember that as long as you're learning, you are not failing ☺️. Abt, black swan MV is beautiful and one of a kind in kpop, Jimin dances like a Swan literally. My favorite bts song ever is IDOL for me is the coolest thing I ever seen 👌😍

hey hey ok i’m finally replying !!! lol!! :)

i’m doing well!! it’s been a productive week, so feeling good! congrats on graduating w/ chem engineering aahh that’s so cool!!!! :O chem is already difficult but engineering on top of it !! that’s v exciting and i wish u the best of luck in ur job search!! :) & i’m an english major!!! :’) so lots of reading & writing to do aaaahhhhhhhh 😔 it’s ok tho i chose this life 😂 ty for the encouragement!! 🤧!!!!!!

YES the black swan mv--ART in so many ways! and yess IDOL is so cool!! :0 the song is so hype and then the mv is like BARF!!!!COLORS and i’m like truuue👁👄👁 !!! :’))

 SHOOT OUT SBS - OK WTF THEY LITERALLY SMASHED THRU GLASS 👁👄👁 !?!??!? 😭 why am i getting emotional asdjflas ok but shoot out is literally the coolest song/performance of all time, i’m- God it’s so meticulous and powerful i’m 😥😥😥💗💗

SHOOT OUT KBS - ASJFKDSJDGL that entire intro i HAVE NO WORDS. asdf crikey. i’m at a loss. THEY ARE SO COOL. shownu / minhyuk / kihyun did THAT and then JOOHEON JUST ,, RISING OUT OF THE FLOOR LOL. IM YELLING.i cannot do this why are they litearlly the coolest ajdksfl screaming

MYSELF COVER - oh my God this is literally one of the first mx videos i watched and it’s my JAM HAHA!!!!! may or may not have a downloaded an mp3 for my mx playlist  😶 what a masterpiece 😭😭

BEAUTIFUL+DRAMARAMA MBC - they rly got a band of small children for the instrumentals i’m 👁👄👁 ??? BUT LIKE VALID HAHA they sound amazing as always ;___; OK BUT THE TRANSITION INTO DRAMARAMA THO HAHA 1) the color blocks on hyungwon - CHEFS KISS and 2) those arm things are 👁👁👌 Very Epic personally i don’t understand how they are so sexy !!!!! but like i am rolling w/ it 😔 ALSO THE JOOHEON PYRAMID AT THE END ASDJ i’m YELLING

ok i’m done :’))) those were amazing !!!!!! how do they do it!!!!! 😭🤧 anyway i have forgotten how to breathe but 🤷🏻‍♀️ worth it 😂😂

!!!!!! if u have bts recs i would LOVE to hear them!!! :o i think i’ve seen most of their dionysus performances bc that was my jam HAHA but w/ everything else (esp their earlier stuff) i’m totally blank haha!!! :D

also awwww ahahhhsdafhadjf thank you you’re so fun to talk to !!!! and i hope after the 14th and i get to know ur identity we can keep talking & hold legit conversations hahah !!! 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

[surveysonfleek]

268.

Do you ever feel guilty after you masturbate? haha no. i’m more paranoid about the idea of getting caught than guilt. Would you ever work at McDonald’s? probably not. If you aren’t already, would you go vegetarian or vegan? i honestly could but it’s not something i could do for the rest of my life. Have you ever done anything sexual with the same sex? nope.

Are you a member of any dating sites? no.

Coolest person you’ve ever met? haha probably cristina. i haven’t clicked with someone that easily in forever. Have you ever gone to a strip club? nope. If not, would you ever go? yeah probably. Do you wear boxers? no. Girls, how old were you when you first learned how to put in a tampon? maybe 16? i had never tried them before but i got free pads/tampons from a magazine once and just tried it out lol. Would you ever attend a gay pride parade or festival? yep. Most ghetto area you’ve been to? redfern. Have you ever used a torrent? yes. Did you see Paranormal Activity 2? probably. Have you ever been so scared of a movie you had to leave the theatre? hahaha no. Have you ever been to Canada? yes, i love it there. One place you want to visit before you die. japan and the bahamas. sorry, picked two lol. Have you ever gotten in a fight with someone in school? not physically. What would you do if an old man grabbed your ass? ask them wtf they’re doing. Know any hipsters? haha yeah but they’d say otherwise. What about gays? yes. Does the song that gets on everybody’s nerves get on your nerves? hmmm not yet. Is daylight savings time kicking your ass? it still won’t kick in until over a month from now. Could you hack into someone’s computer if you tried hard enough? no haha. Have you ever smoked a cigar? yes. gross. What is one thing you want for Christmas this year? honestly nothing in particular. Do you go out on Black Friday? it’s not a thing here. Do you have curtains in your bedroom? yes. Did you like the Spice Girls when you were little? yes, obsessed. Can you sing the entire Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song? yep. Do you get heartburn? no. What internet browser do you use? chrome. Are you scared of elevators? no. Have you ever seen a dead body in person? yeah, during viewings and funerals. Have you ever seen The Goonies? no. Do you bake cookies all the time around Christmas? no. Do you like your hair pulled? haha no. Do you crack your toes? no. What kind of cellphone do you have? iphone 7. Are you in college? finished college. What is the furthest you will go away from home for college? i’ve finished college. but i wouldn’t go to a college if it required me to move out. Are you scared of public restrooms? not scared, just grossed out by them in general. Do you still go trick or treating? nope.

[spichik453]

Because no one likes people who talk through movies, here are (some) of my thoughts about Beauty and the Beast... don’t worry, its a love story.

Since no one likes people to talk through the movies, I thought I’d write down some very serious thoughts I have about the new live action Beauty and the Beast.

First, I must say that the original animated Beauty and the Beast is my all-time favorite movies.  I was 5 when it came out, and I thought I was the coolest girl in the theater because my uncle took me.  I loved it.  Beauty and the Beast got me through every sickness I ever had.  Even as an adult, I would listen to the soundtrack at the dentist, to help take me away from the sound of drills that terrify me so.  I can picture every move with every line.  Despite my deep love for the 1991 version, I do acknowledge its flaws.  I love always laughing at the disappearing bats, and it took many arguments and discussions, with wikipedia searches to convince me that it wasn’t an example of Stockholm syndrome (once I was old enough to know what that was).  My friends and I had a rule: never make sense of the timeline in the movie.  But Belle was my hero and role model.  She was kind, and stood up for herself.  She loved to read, and wanted an adventure.  She didn’t quite fit in with the people she was around, but still showed them humanity.

When I heard that they were making a live action version, I was very nervous.  I had not been pleased with the other live-action remakes in the past couple of years.  The trailer dropped, and I realized that I was going to see a shot-for shot, but with CGI.  I was convinced that I was never going to like this movie, but at least while watching it, the sets looked beautiful.  At the very least, I was going to like the visuals.

I went in with excitement but also with hesitation. I tried to have no expectations.

This is where I have say that I saw the new Beauty and the Beast 5 times in the theater, and since it came out on DVD, I have lost count of how many times I’ve seen it.  I now go to bed listening to little pieces at a time.

Clearly, expectations were exceeded.  

All of my problems with the 1991 version were fixed.  I always connect mostly with characters, and character development.  And as I a grew up, I still loved the Beast, but I didn’t always see the development of Belle and the Beast together.  Don’t get me started at how angry the addition of “Human Again” made me, because it made the beast seem like an idiot.  I never got why he didn’t know how to read!  

I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that they made the Beast read in the live action!  He could quote Shakespeare, and I could see him and Belle having good discussions.  They played up how isolated the town made her feel, and gave the Beast a backstory that actually explained why he was spoiled, selfish and unkind.  Belle showed more independence and spirit.  She was smart, and creative.  She was more like me in the live-action then what is seen in the 1991 version.   And suddenly, I found myself facing an extensional crisis.  I loved the new version more than the one I grew up on.  Does this mean that my all-time favorite movie is different?  Can an all-time favorite movie change?  Isn’t that the point of all-time, that it doesn’t change?

And so with confidence, I can say “Beauty and the Beast is my all-time favorite movie”.  And I’ve put them on the same level.  They serve very different functions in my heart.  

But since no one wants me to talk about all my feelings about every little thing in the movie, I thought I’d write down my thoughts instead.  These are in no order.

Belle’s stomping on the side of the well, as the girls are doing the washing is totally a jerk move!  They had to pick up their clothing!  If they hadn’t, Belle would have stepped all over the clothing.  Come on.  

I am super impressed with Belle’s being able to glance at the music box for just a second, and knowing exactly what her father needs.  A sweet moment, but also one that just makes me go “Damn!  Let that girl be an engineer.”

Why don’t the villagers like the washing machine!  Clearly that is a great invention!  It’s not traditional, but it would save the women of the village so much time.

When Gaston stomps all over the lettuce is a perfect example of his personality.

Chips introduction and Maurice's sprinting from the castle?  Yes, that is how you’re supposed to react when a teacup talks to you.

When Philippe runs away from the Beast’s castle to Belle, he is all muddy.  And Belle says “You must take me to him now” and then when she approaches the castle, she had taken the time to give the horse a bath.  

How did she know to pick up the stick before entering the castle?

I LOVE the exchange between Belle and the Beast about a life sentence for a rose.  I think it really helps create more sympathy for the Beast and explains some of his actions.

Belle attacking Lumiere and Cogsworth is one of the most relatable moments in the entire movie.  Also, shows her fighting spirit.

What the fuck is that tall thing in the corner of Belle’s room?

Why did Belle get her rope out the window, have the conversation with the Beast, then go hide in the corner, only to go back to the rope in the next scene.  She had a plan?  What made her cower for 30 minutes in the corner like that?

During “Be Our Guest” does Cogsworth emerge from the Taj Mahal or the palace in Agraba (Aladdin)?

Can we please talk about about how awesome the new “Gaston” sequence is??  The new lyrics!  The dancing!  And I love how LeFou pays everyone to sing along.  Clearly they practice it, because has to remind Tom, Dick and Stanley the lyrics through miming.  

Was the spelling of Gaston line improvised?  It’s one of my favorites in the entire movie.

Now that I am on a LeFou bit, his development is the best in the entire film.  His hero worship turned to “Wellllllll…” to totally fighting against Gaston and his mob is just amazing.  Shows this great arch.

The Beast’s face when they are in Paris and Belle says “Let’s go home” makes me absolutely melt every time.

All the random magic?  Like “WTF, how did Madame De Garderobe get the gold from the ceiling onto the dress?”  But then again, the enchantress would have to do SOMETHING to help the beast woo a girl.

Anyone low-key ship Agatha and Maurice?  

At the beginning of the song “Beauty and the Beast” the Beast, like a gentleman, offers his arm to Belle.  She takes it, by placing her arm on top of his arm.  It's the polite but distant way of taking his arm.  At the end of the dance, she wraps her arm around his.  A much more intimate gesture.

Sorry Emma Thompson.  I love you.  I love everything you do.  But only Angela Landsbury’s “Beauty and the Beast” can live in my heart.

THEY BUTCHERED THE SCENE WHERE BELLE SEES HER FATHER IN THE MIRROR!  I had no idea how important that scene was until they screwed up every little bit of it.  Ok, not everything, but a couple of major things.  The first mistake that they made was not having Belle say “I’d like to see my father, please.”  Belle leaves off the “Please” in the remake.  Why is this a problem?  Even as a kid, I could appreciate the fact that Belle was polite to this inanimate object.  Earlier in the movie, she asks a hair brush its name.  She acknowledges that everything could have life, so why doesn’t she say please to a magic mirror? I loved that as a kid.  It increases my understanding and love of her kindness.  Then, as Belle leaves in the 1991 version, she reaches up and gently caresses the Beast’s face as he runs his claws through Belle’s hair.  I really need these gestures in the remake.  They are so important to establish Belle’s ultimate return to the castle.  Was it a CGI thing that made this bit impossible?  What?  It is such a perfect moment, and a perfect little bit of intimacy.  Belle’s wrapping her arm around his at the end of the ballroom scene doesn’t just quite cut it.

Belle and her father talking about how dangerous it was to go after the mob?  I love it.  That is so perfect, showing Belle has grown up protected, but that she is now able to fight for herself.

Is it really that easy to take off a ball gown and throw it over your shoulder as you ride a horse?  

She left the village with no coat.  She arrives at the castle with a coat (a cute coat too).  Where does the coat come from.

Belle fighting back Gaston is perfect.  I like that better than seeing her just be a spectator like she is in the 1991 version.

When Madam De Garderobe puts dresses on Tom, Dick and Stanley, it’s for laughs, much as the scene that inspires it in the 1991 version was supposed to.  But this time, you have the one guy who smiles and skips off.  Also designed for laughs, and to establish the man as at least open to cross-dressing, maybe even trans?  But since it is played for laughs, is it making fun of the idea?  I just am a little bothered by that, and I can’t quite figure out how to say it.

Who knew I could cry over a teacup, or a clock.  

The mob song has always been one of my favorites for its lyrics, especially “Screw your courage to your sticking place”.  I love that line so much, I thought about getting it as a tattoo.  But I think that they are missing one of the most important lyrics.  “We don’t like, what we don’t, understand and it scares us, and this monster is mysterious at least.”  (Yes, I know that lyric is on the soundtrack, and in the deleted scenes, but it is needed in the movie).  Even as a child, I could identify that the mob was bad.  And that line, helps show that close-minded people do stupid things.  Keep it!  Keep the new Gaston line!  Don’t touch that line.  (Also love, “Lights ablaze, banners high, we go marching into battle, unafraid although the danger just increased).

When the Beast says “I am not a beast.” would have been the perfect time to introduce his name into cannon!  Please!  Us major Disney fans know he is Prince Adam, but I want the whole world to know.

How did he keep the growl?

The slow dancing as Mrs. Potts sings the “Beauty and the Beast” new lyrics is beautiful.

[sambashua]

11 questions~ (again)

I did this a while back but i think it’s really fun so thank you @yooncheoly​ !! Also I’m answering my sister’s questions @aegyovendingmachine​ too bc I like talking abt myself ok (bye this is so so long rip when will i shut up)

Kelby’s Questions!

1~When did you first get into Kpop?And what was the first MV / Song that got you hooked? Wellllllll I first started listening to BTS in October 2015 probs but I didn’t branch out to more groups until March 2016 ish. But the first MV that got me hooked was Dope on the Fine Bros react channel lol

2~Who are your Bias Wreckers for the groups that you love? AHAHAHHAHA (this is gonna be so long dear lord) okay soooo my bias groups are svt and nct and honestly?? I love them all a ridiculous amount! so in svt I am stupidly loyal to wonwoo bc I am a messssss and i go through phases of loving each of them more~ I never rlly feel threatened that wonu will be debunked as my ult but probably the one who rlly gets me goin the most is hosh:) for nct I used to bias mark then yuta lol but i think the dreamies are my true bias group who even is jung jaehyun tbh so yeah donghyuck is everything to me. for other groups ! ummm in bts I love them all a lottttt a lot too but I think lately jin and jungkook have mostly been wrecking me? I’m p loyal to monnie tho! okay for astro it’s 10/10 jinjin at the moment but sanha and mj snatch me often enough too for sure~ in twice mina has been ruining my life but what’s new tbh. jae for day6 destroys me way too often someone collect him. in shinee it’s probably key! just bc I really like his sense of humor and I relate to him haaa. honestlyyyy in all girl groups i am high key disloyal and swerving all over the place oops. anddd sehun is legit my ult bias wrecker like at this point he might as well be my bias baekhyunnie is dead to me 

3~If you had the chance to go to ONLY 1 concert and go backstage and hang out and meet everyone who would you choose and why? BOIIIIIIIII um probably seventeen let’s be real just bc they are my bias group and although I love a lot of groups I feel like they would make me feel very welcome!!

4~Have you ever met one of your idols?How was it if you have?And if you haven’t, who would you want to meet and why? omg no I wishhhhhhh but I am going to see monsta x in July!! I am very very excited!!!!

5~What’s the coolest thing that you have bought(Merchandise wise)From the groups that you love? Ummmmmm I don’t have a whole lot of merch but I have the Love & Letter album and the Boys Wish DVD and it’s my fave

6~Can you recommend some of your favorite MV’s to watch? UM IDEK HELP ME WOW okay so I’ve kinda gathered through emma (correct me if i’m wrong ah) that you haven’t branched out to a whole lot of groups yet? Is that incorrect ? idk BUT WOW DO I GOT A LIST I’ll just list some of my faves tho! (side note: i’m not a huge mv watcher i’m more of a dance practice gal)

Day6 - I’m Serious : I’m not sure if this is my favorite of their’s bc it’s hard to compare them all but it’s a really cute and summery video:)

ASTRO - Baby : OKAY IT’S REALLY NEW BUT I THINK IT’S MY FAVORITE ONE THEY’VE RELEASED it’s so high budget and pretty wahhh

NCT U - 7th Sense : This one really brings me back to when I didn’t know any of them and cass showed me it in senior year english wow what ride it’s been (a long ass ride)

Nu’est - Love Paint : THIS MV IS SO PRETTY OKAY STAN NU’EST PLZ

SF9 - Easy Love : This is my favorite SF9 mv bc I like the song and they all look so handsome!!

Victon - I’m Fine : my cute cute sons w their cute cute debut

SHINee - Can I Get Your Number & Tell Me What to Do : cigyn was a fave of mine from when I first listened to them and then tmwtd just makes me laugh bc of taemin at this part like why tae omg

Monsta X - Beautiful & Stuck : honestly love all their mvs tho

my sister’s gonna kill me Zico - I Am You, You Are Me : it’s rlly cute okay i like it AND SO DOES WONWOO BYE

Up10tion - White Night : THIS MV STILL BLOWS MY MIND OKAY

Twice - Cheer Up (ofc)

Red Velvet - Dumb Dumb : the aesthetics on all their mvs are so good

Wonder Girls - Why So Lonely : dude this mv is so good I miss them so much

Luna - Free Somebody : THIS SONG/MV/DANCE IS MY LIFE OKAY LIVE FOR THIS STAN LUNA

(okay i’m gonna stop hmu anytime for mv or music recs damn i need to chill)

7~Favorite Video games(If you play them)? no juego los videojuegos ahhhhhhhh sorry idk i never got into them… i used to play the sims… but Just Dance is my shit also Mario Cart

8~Favorite picture of your ultimate bias? DON’T DO THIS TO ME (okay i narrowed it down to 4 that was a trial in itself jesus this post is getting so long free me)

9~What’s your favorite choreo? KELBY YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND I LEGIT WROTE AN ARTICLE ABT THIS AND IT WAS JUST FOR 2017 (jan-march) AND I WAS ALREADY STRUGGLING okay jk i just realized NCT Dream’s My First and Last was a thing that is 100% my favorite choreo for so many reasons !!!! first the choreo is ridiculous like come on all the cool tricks and floor work is amazing. second it never repeats except for one part at the very end of the chorus repeats once, but other than that every single move is different literally how tf. third the formations are so diverse! especially since they’re an even number (jaemin i miss you) formations are always tricky so i was so impressed. lasttttt they are literal children? how? stan talent stan nct dream (oh also shout out to ten’s dream in a dream that was some lit stuff)

10~Favorite era? probablyyyyyy the renaissance hahaaa just kidding ahhhh wow i’m funny. but fr i am not sure???? i literally stan sooo many groups it’s really hard to narrow it down… but my bias group is svt and i think my favorite era is Love & Letter! (i would say nice but ah wonu) bc they all had cute hair and it was their first win and it was the first comeback i was part of the fandom!

11~How do the people in your life react when you tell them that you listen to kpop?Are they supportive or just against it? lol soooo idk I don’t necessarily bring it up these days ? just bc I’m in college now so idk I only bring it up casually I guess… BUTTTTTT when I first told my friends I was so nervous and they judged me so hard and a lot of them still judge me but they now know it’s part of who I am and they kinda accept that! I actually was the first person I knew to get into kpop so I dragged a lot of my friends irl into it too! (shoutout to @aegyovendingmachine @everyonesabiaswrecker @taeismyking @honestlay ) and i’ve made so many friends through it online and in real life! (shoutout to @atshinee i know it wasn’t why we became friends but it definitely helped make us close!)

Sister’s Questions!

1. Who is your favorite person on Produce 101? (if you’re not watching the show or don’t know anything about it then which is your favorite predebut project? i.e Fantagio I-Teen, SM Rookies, K.A.R.D, Pledis Girlz, etc.) YOOOOO DON’T DO THIS TO ME but my top 11 boys are probably Park Woojin (my most precious baby ilh), Samuel Kim, Kim Sanggyun, Kim Jonghyun, Im Youngmin, Noh Taehyun, Jung Sewoon, Kim Donghan, Kim Yongguk, Takada Kenta, Daniel Kang, and Lee Daewhi (ah there’s so many more too rip i’m crying) idk there’s so many in the top that... not saying they don’t deserve it... it’s just that they’re given more screen time by chance and not bc of talent.... also i’m crying for my eliminated babies Hong Eunki (it is such bs he got eliminated fight me he was my fave), Byun Hyunmin (HE WAS SO PURE AND ADORABLE I MISS HIM SM), Woo Jinyoung (he was such a good rapper he didn’t deserve this), Kim Dongbin (listen he wasn’t the best but he really did improve so so much), ALSO CONSIDER THEY HAVE ELIMINATED MOST OF THEIR VOCALISTS THERE’S GONNA BE NONE LEFT AND ALL THEIR SONGS ARE GONNA BE TRASH I HOPE YOU’LL ALL BE HAPPY

2. What’s your favorite idol group friendship? (Mine is probs SVT x Monsta X or Astro x KNK) YO KNKSTRO IS MY SHIT I LOVE MY BOYS well okay also monsta x svt is a fave also ncteen but I mean I’m a ho for svt interacting with any idols so~~

3. What concert would you most like to see? honestly I feel like SHINee puts on the best concerts and SHAWOLS are the cutest and nicest ever!!

4. Which disbanded group would you bring back if you could? (Or, alternatively: which members that have left a group would you bring back?) UM WOW GUESS WHO’S CRYING sistar’s disbandment was so recent this hurts me... but probably Wonder Girls bc they were one of my first favorite girl groups:(((

5. What was the last thing you texted someone? wtf these were all kpop i wasn’t readyyyyy “STOP HE IS LITERALLY THE SOFTEST BOY IN THE WHOLE WORLD I LOVE HIM” I’m so extra

6. When/how did you get into kpop? bye how many times do i have to answer this YOUTUBERS>BTS>HELL

7. Who is your youngest bias? ohh this is interesting... most of my female biases are younger... yehana, yeri, chaeyoung, suhyun are all 99 line! (suhyun being the youngest of them) but I mean the dreamies are ~basically~ my bias group so all of them are younger than them (also does samuel count as a bias? bc he’s 02 line) my youngest “official” boy group bias is moonbin tho!

8. What’s the most extra thing you remember saying in the tags on a post? bitch you know every tag i do is extra how tf am i supposed to find this???? well recently I tagged this post [#svt #boy wyd layin upside down like that ya gonna crack ya damn head open #he makes me so nervous #joshua #al1] is that good enough~ also my entire jaewindo thread bc i’ve reblogged the same post so many times bc it’s my fave! (i just realized i’m most extra when tagging my shua posts gdi)

9. What is your favorite reality show? (not like Real Housewives lmao but like NCT Life or One Fine Day or smth like that!) oh damn idk probablyyyyy NCT Life and then OFD... jsut bc I’ve only seen three seasons of OFD so idk if i’d like it if I wasn’t into the group but every season of NCT Life is golden soooo (plz put markhyuck on the next season i’m begging you sm)

10. What’s your favorite drama? (if you don’t watch dramas you can just use your favorite TV show it’s fine) Probablyyyyyyyyyy Doctors Crush or Legend of the Blue Sea!!

11. Post your favorite selfie of your bias’! you know my man is anti selfie what is this

this was so expected sorry if you thought I would choose any other selfie then unfollow me now this was the selfie that reassured that my man was on the mend!!

here i’ll post ones for namjoon and jaehyun just bc I want to give them more love

bye this was so difficult he has soooo many selfies what the heck~~~ I’m not confident but this one is for sure adorable!!

THIS WAS ALSO DIFFICULT AH bc he honestly looks good all the time so this was unfair

this was the longest post of my life jeezzzzzz well probably no one read this but i’m not gonna tag anyone bc i am so bad at coming up w questions sorry.....

[gaijinginger]

Days 6-7: Enter Kyoto

Yesterday morning I packed up my things and checked out of First Cabin Akihabara. From there I headed over to a nearby restaurant for some noodles, this particular type served cold over sliced beef with an accompanying cup of dipping sauce, also cold. It was a sweltering 80 degree morning, so the change in food temperature was welcome. After breakfast, I video chatted some friends to continue showcasing Akihabara’s unmistakable WTF factor for a bit (see previous post for more details), then boarded my first long-distance Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto. The train, which covered the ~318 miles between Tokyo and Kyoto in about 2.5 hours, was one of the best rides of my entire life. I was lucky enough to score a window seat on the train, and spent the entire 2.5 hour journey with my face pressed up against the viewport like a kid looking into a candy store, gazing wide-eyed at the rice fields and almost futuristic city-sprawl that whipped by. The train’s speed tops out at around 200mph, although inside the train car you don’t feel a thing. I was on the side of the train facing the coast, and got an unrestricted view of some of the coolest looking seaside communities I’ve ever seen (and that’s coming from someone who’s spent his entire life living in some seriously cool seaside communities). The ride was so amazing that I forgot to take pictures, or documentation of any kind. I was completely in the moment. For some reason I listened to a ton of 60s and 70s rock, namely The Beach Boys, for the duration of the ride. Not sure why, but that’s definitely a relevant detail as it provided the bulk of the audio experience of the journey. The juxtaposition of Brian Wilson’s brilliant arrangements and the high-speed buffet of Japanese scenery that is the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Line will be something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I arrived in Kyoto around 2pm, and walked over to my new hotel, Hotel She Kyoto. This is my first (and last) actual hotel room of the trip, and I’ve been relishing being able to go to the shower (my shower, the opposite of the likes of Anshin Oyado Shinjuku) and walk out directly back into a space that’s solely mine. My first real bed of the trip, too. Very exciting. After going to a nearby ramen shop recommended by the hotel staff and sampling some Kyoto-style beef ramen over soy base, I walked around the surrounding area for an hour or two before going back to my room, exhausted. I spent the rest of the evening watching Sumo wrestling on the TV in my room (it’s a real sport here, complete with oh-so-serious TV sports graphics and Sports Center-style post-game commentators). This morning I got up at around 9, and headed over to the Fushimi-Inari Shrine, arguably the biggest and most popular Shinto temple in Kyoto. Built on and around Mount Inari on the eastern side of Kyoto, it’s made up of dozens of independent little shrines and graveyards, interlinked by pathways, bridges and stairs all straddled by literal thousands of traditional Japanese Torii gates, each engraved with dozens of characters. Some of the gates are spaced 10-20 feet apart, while in some ares of the shrine there are hundreds of them in rapid succession, spaced only a few centimeters apart. The effect of walking through the tunnels they form is indescribable. In addition to being a popular (read: STUPIDLY instagrammable) tourist site, the shrine is a real-deal place of Shinto worship; while there I saw dozens of locals paying respects to departed relatives, friends and ancestors at the graveyards around the temple grounds. Ancestor worship makes a lot of sense to me; it’s arguably one of the most tangible forms of worship. Keeping the memory of departed loved ones alive seems like religion at its best. In the process of walking through the grounds of the shrine, I succeeded in climbing to the top of Mount Inari, where I was met with an unrestricted panoramic view of Kyoto that will follow this post. Pretty cool reward for a solid 40 minutes of climbing stairs. In my week in Japan, Inari was the most out-in-nature I’ve felt while here. I loved every minute of it, and felt like a real-deal cliched “namaste” white-guy-backpacking-in-Asia. Really, at times as I climbed the mountain, I was even able to transcend this sort of thinking, which I’m all to often held back by- “oh, I’m totally this kind of person right now”. Funny how often we allow ourselves to be inhibited by how we’re afraid people will perceive us. I think I’ve gotten a lot better at that on this trip, because here I always know exactly where I stand- between my skin, my hair and my lack of knowledge of Japanese, I’m always a gaijin, a constant outsider. Curiously, I’ve found it’s an environment that’s extremely conducive to self-improvement and positive thinking, at least for me. I can see how it might not be for everyone, though. After navigating my way out of Inari, I stopped at a nearby noodle shop for some much-needed cold Udon noodles, sliced fried chicken and rice. After that I headed over to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, which was the residence of the emperors of Japan for over a thousand years and has been home to some of Japan’s most pivotal historical moments. As a huge history nerd, walking through the sprawling grounds and looking into the various stately buildings and aristocratic residences within was about as good as it gets. I milled around the palace grounds for about an hour, then started walking back towards my hotel. On the way, I stopped at an American Embassy (Starbucks) for a Matcha Green Tea Frappucino and an Earl Grey doughnut. To paraphrase Pulp Fiction’s Vincent Vega, it’s the little differences that get me here. Ultimately, this evening I decided to go out of Kyoto for a bit rather than going directly back to my hotel, and spent about a half an hour navigating regional transit to get over to the shores of Lake Biwa, about 5 miles outside the city, to take in the sunset. For the small hassle that getting there proved, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made on this trip. The view was nothing short of spectacular. This country makes me feel a certain type of way. A way that, even in the other places I've had the extreme fortune to visit, I've never felt. Maybe it's the "honeymoon phase" of only having been here about a week talking, but I really really like it here. I’m back at my hotel now, getting ready physically and emotionally for tomorrow, which will no doubt be the heaviest day of my trip. Hiroshima. More to follow in the next few days.

[thegeminisage]

i love my pink horse

More Than Life Itself

just a little more exploring before i Move On i can’t wait for a pleasant horse ride to my next destination tbh

holy shit i killed a bear and it had a fuckton of meat and honey Dang

theres some giant bones over here lol i was afraid they’d get up and chase me like the big stone things but thankfully i remain unscathed

found a shrine next to a river behind some rocks and you do the puzzle by moving big blocks in the air, but you move THEM by moving the gamepad and i cant move the gamepad properly and press the right button lol

note entirely sure im “supposed” to be here yet tbh

oh my god this one has a KEY?? dude theyre gettin fancy they were like crazy easy before

AH i found another horse that kinda looks like epona!! good

the sheikah clothes help me catch them so much better god

anyway finally onto The Next Story Point

a new province a new tower i gotta find i can’t deal w/ no map, dude

i wonder if i shouldn’t like. go ahead and do All The Towers and then roam as i please instead of one meticulously at a time but fuck it this was how i played da:i too, completely cleared and completed the hell out of a zone by doing every possible thing i could before moving on ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

oh shit this one dude said something about legendary horses...good god 

i’ve been attacked by the yiga clan twice in five minutes

i came out to have a good time and i’m honestly...lmao ok nevermind

HOLY SHIT WHEN YOU FIRE MIDAIR YOU DO THIS SICK SLOW-MO POWER SHOT

NICE

i really like the music for hateno village

haha i spent 1000 years trying to pick out the color of my clothes, but really - link belongs in green!

also lol the dye dude has pink hair...a man after mine own heart

wtf theres a SHRINE here? these things are everywhere sldkfjgh

this one was hard and i hated it :| you had to roll a ball into a hole

im crying i accidentally hit whistle and my horse came to find me from all the way across the village what a good horse

also i just found the labs and the view from the cliff is like. yes. pretty, beautiful, breathtaking, etc. also: terrifying. this world is so big. it is so big. 

when i was 8 i thought hyrule field in ocarina of time was the coolest thing i’d ever seen...it was a real field! it was huge! it took ages to walk from end to end! now this tiny village is almost the same size. this is what i mean when i say i grew up with hyrule. i’m so lucky to have been born when i was. i got to get older right alongside the coolest game series ever

i have made it inside the lab but not yet gotten the blue fire i gotta know this chick’s story why is she still a child after 3495867 years where is that diary

BUT FIRST i am taking a break to shower my moms quit date is tomorrow and she just smoked her last one so tomorrow i gotta be bright eyed and bushy tailed to Support her more zelda after that