#Things to know about Sawan

[pharawee]

I don't think that app is available for international people tho.

Oh well.

[baewriites]

Season of love [Nanami x reader]

just a little drabble i am not too glad about.

rimjhim gire sawan was the inspo. i headcanon nanami is a kishore kumar enthusiast.

He loved the monsoon, perhaps added the soothing he craved, from nature herself. The sound of the raindrops filled the empty office as he worked overtime. The light from the screen highlighting his eyebags, the rainfall making it a tiny bit bearable.

He slowly walked towards the bus stop, he had about 15 mins left until his bus arrived. The blue umbrella covering him as he almost fainted from the tiredness. He looked straight at the bus stop to see it empty, probably because it was late. As he entered and sat, he heard footsteps from his right. When he looked there, he felt something different. A girl running towards the stop, totally drenched with a bag over her head which is like contributing nothing to protect her from the rain. Just this small thing made him genuinely smile in weeks, just for a second though.

He saw the unknown woman sit on the bench, totally not trying to look at her. Okay fine, but only a side eye. If anyone saw the scenery, they would think Nanami is quite a judgmental guy.

But in his eyes, he was star struck by the beauty of yours. How could someone look so beautiful just existing? It wasn't love at first sight but there was just something different about her.

He boarded the bus alone, feeling somewhat happy to go back to his home. And as the bus departs, his eyes met hers for the first time.

The overtimes became regular, he was pissed but didn't say anything as that might add to his wallet. One thing that this stress made sure was seeing you every time at that bus stop. At this point, even tho you two haven't interacted at all but not seeing each other at the bus stop, sitting at the two opposite ends of the bench felt weird, sometimes others accompanied you, somedays it was just you two. He always left before you and couldn’t help but feel a weird sense of euphoria everytime you flash him a small smile when the bus leaves.

You sat there, a little worried as your phone died. And you needed to call your mom. Sitting on the bench, your legs tapping the floor anxiously. Suddenly you hear a deep voice from your left. The blonde man you had a little crush on talked to you for the first time. Your heart was beating so damn hard.

"Hey... If you want you could use my phone, you know." he said, sounding a bit tired. Your eyes widened and you thanked him taking his phone.

Just after a few minutes later, his bus came and he boarded it. But he turned around and looked at you. He gulped and said, "You know maybe we could exchange our numbers? If you want?" You almost choked on your saliva, no way such a handsome guy asked for your number. You two exchanged your numbers. Maybe this was the reason poets and artists romanticised monsoon so much.

~Mehfil Mein Kaise Keh De Kisi Se Dil Bandh Raha Hai Kisi Ajnabi Se Haye Kare Ab Kya Jatan Sulag Sulag Jaye Mann Bheege Aaj Is Mausam Mein Lagi Kaisi Ye Agan~

[santmat]

Spiritual Light to Guide You On Your Path - Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast

Hazur Baba Sawan Singh: "In the center behind and above the eyes there is an aperture; on this side of it is the material world, in which we are now living; and on the other side is the astral world." Baba Somanath: "Those who transcend the realm of mind and the senses and enter the regions of pure spirit come to know, as a living reality, that dwelling within all forms of life, human and otherwise, is one pure Light and Love... though encased in so many types of veils due to karmic impressions."

For many, the term "meditation" suggests merely a practice about attaining a more relaxed state and only represents a series of techniques about stress reduction. For the Initiate of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven however, meditation represents a Portal to the Divine, a Door in the Heavens leading to Realms Beyond, is a Bright Star in a Mystic Sky that turns into a Tunnel of Light or River of Divine Light that flows into the Eternal Ocean of God!

Spiritual Light to Guide You On Your Path - Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast

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"A Light of utmost splendor glows on the eyes of my soul. Therein have I seen the inexpressible ordering of all things, and recognized God's unspeakable glory - that incomprehensible wonder - the tender caress between God and the soul... the unmingled joy of union, the Living Love of Eternity as it now is and evermore shall be." (The German Mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg, Flowing Light of the Godhead)

"Now has Divine Light delivered me from captivity, and joined me by gentility to the Divine will of Love" (The French Mystic, Marguerite Porete, The Mirror of Simple Souls)

"This 'Single' or 'Third Eye' provides an ingress into the spiritual worlds - the Kingdom of God - now a lost realm to most of us... Of this inlet or ingress little is known by the people at large." (Sant Kirpal Singh)

Swami SantSevi Ji Maharaj: "What is the glorious destination that we are striving for? When we close our eyes we see darkness within, it is the realm of ignorance. When the light dawns within you, then you see that you reside in noble regions. In darkness resides ignorance and in light resides knowledge.

"When we see darkness with our eyes closed we are in the realm of death and re-birth because we are not aware of our true nature. When we come out of the realm of darkness and enter into the realm of light, we will at the same time escape the web of death. If we remain in darkness it is not possible to be free from the cycle of birth and death. Only when we achieve the inner light—the divine light which represents the glory of the Divine—can we be liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

Baba Somanath: "Seek the refuge of the Satguru, O Dear One, for He will free you from your karmic debt. The entire world is consumed by forgetfulness and confusion. No one appreciates the unique message of the Saints. The unfortunate ones of this world are dominated by Maya [illusion], and they do not attain the Immaculate State. Those upon whom the Grace of the Primal Creator is showered, alone have the desire to drink the Nectar of Immortality."

Baba Ram Singh: "So, the point of telling you is that this Path, which has been sent by God Almighty Himself - the Surat Shabd Yoga [Inner Light and Sound Meditation Practice] - that can be attained only by initiation from a True Master... Therefore, all the Masters, at all times, have always talked and sung the praise of Surat Shabd. And that has been the message of the Masters in various yugas [epochs of time]... Therefore, when we are initiated by our Masters, it is necessary for us to get connected with the Shabd [the inner Light and Sound Current] every day - to do our meditation every day. And, by doing so, we are helping our Master to help us..."

Asks Kabir: "For Millions of Years You Have Slept, This Morning Will You Not Wake?"

In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami,

James Bean

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[aegor-bamfsteel]

Do you think Theon would have gotten along well with his fellow hostage/ward Baelor Blacktyde?

From what we see of Baelor, he blames Balon for his father’s death, cautious about the kingsmoot, knows his history, takes his adopted Faith seriously, mistrusts the older Greyjoys, is somewhat dressier than other ironborn (with that sable cloak and silver star), and chooses to die rather than take Euron as his liege. There’s some things in common with Theon (like the fancier clothes/jewelry, willing to die for a lost cause, although Theon is willing to take an escape until he’s trapped), but I think on the surface that his caution and dislike of Balon/Old Way that Theon naively champions at the start of ACOK means that they’d probably be too different to be friends. However, if Theon did make a claim, I think that he’d support him over the Greyjoy uncles out of pragmatism, while trying to curb his enthusiasm for reaving.

I’m going to assume that this is the same anon who asked how I’d think an AGOT/ACOK Theon would get on with the Harlaws. If I had to guess what ironborn he might get on with, it’s Maron Volmark (naive 16 year old of prestigious lineage eager to keep warring, like a less justified Robb), all of the Botleys less Tris (since their dad Sawane was killed for supporting him, it seems he left an impression. Maybe Tris would try to befriend him for help with Asha, but that’s likely to irritate him), Lucas Codd (until he shows his true cruelty I could see them being superficial friends over women and wealth), Gormond Goodbrother (fond of horseback riding), Dagon the Drunkard Greyjoy (likes wine and fighting), the Sharps (support reaving the Mander, one stayed loyal to Theon at Winterfell), and probably others in addition to those he’s already interacted well with (Adrack Humble). Hope this helps.

[punjabimonthname]

Things to Keep in Mind in the Punjabi Calendar

Things to Keep in Mind in the Punjabi Calendar

The Punjabi calendar is a traditional system of timekeeping widely followed in Punjab, especially in rural areas. It plays a crucial role in guiding agricultural activities, festivals and cultural practices. Understanding this calendar helps you connect with the cultural rhythms of the region.

Below, we’ll break down some important points to consider when following the Punjabi calendar.

1. The Role of Agriculture

The Punjabi calendar is closely linked to agricultural cycles. Each month marks a specific phase of farming, whether it’s the planting season, monsoon, or harvest time. For instance, Vaisakh is known for wheat harvest and is celebrated with the festival of Baisakhi. Understanding the timing of each month helps farmers plan their activities.

2. Solar and Lunar Influence

The Punjabi calendar follows both solar and lunar cycles. This means that months and dates might not perfectly align with the Gregorian calendar. It’s essential to check the calendar for festival dates, as they vary from year to year.

3. Festivals and Cultural Events

Many significant festivals in Punjab are based on the Punjabi calendar. For example, Lohri is celebrated in the month of Poh, marking the end of winter, and Maghi in Magh celebrates the harvest. Keep track of the festivals if you want to participate in or understand local traditions.

4. The Importance of Auspicious Dates

The Punjabi calendar is often consulted to find auspicious dates for weddings, religious ceremonies, and important life events. People believe certain days and months are better for starting new ventures, and they follow these customs closely.

5. Seasonal Changes

Each Punjabi month reflects changes in weather and the natural environment. For instance, Sawan is linked to the monsoon rains, while Poh is the coldest month. Knowing these months helps people prepare for the seasons, especially in agriculture.

Conclusion

The Punjabi calendar is more than just a way to track time. It’s a system deeply connected to the land, the seasons and cultural traditions. By keeping these important points in mind, you can better understand and appreciate the flow of life in Punjab.

Visit to know more about https://punjabimonthname.com/

[travelguide10]

March To Geological Wonder — Savandurga Trek

Conquer the Colossus Where Legends and Landscapes Collide!

The scenic splendour that is nestled amidst Karnataka’s countryside is a monolithic titan called Savandurga Hills Trek. It’s a rugged behemoth that beckons to the adventurous soul in search of an adrenaline-charged odyssey. Welcome to Savandurga, a hallowed ground for trekkers and nature enthusiasts alike. Rising defiantly to an elevation of over 1,200 meters, this colossal rock formation is more than just a geological wonder; it’s an invitation to embark on an extraordinary journey of discovery.

Join us as we venture into the heart of Savandurga, where history, myth, and raw natural beauty converge to create an adventure like no other.

Unveil Marvels of Savandurga Trek

Trekking Savandurga is a favourite sport for adventure enthusiasts and trekkers, offering a thrilling experience for those with an adventurous soul. Let’s know more about Savandurga Trek:

Scenic Beauty Of Savandurga Hills Trek

The Savandurga trek offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. On a clear day, you can see the lush greenery of the Deccan Plateau, the Arkavathi River, and the picturesque Manchinbele Dam. The summit provides a fantastic vantage point to enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

Historical Significance of Sawan Durga

Savandurga has historical and mythological significance. It was a significant fortress during the Hoysala dynasty and later served as a stronghold for the Kempegowda dynasty. It is also believed to be the place where the sage Rishi Savandi meditated, giving the hill its name.

Trek Difficulty

The Savandurga trek is considered moderately challenging, and suitable for both novice and experienced trekkers. The terrain can be steep and rocky in places, so it’s essential to wear appropriate footwear and be prepared for a bit of climbing.

Ideal Time To Visit Shravandurga

The best time to trek Savandurga is during the winter months, from November to February when the weather is pleasant and not too hot. Monsoon season may lead to slippery and dangerous trails. It is suggestable to avoid monsoons.

How Long Will Take…

The duration of the Savandurga trekking can vary depending on your pace, fitness level, and the specific trail you choose. On average, it takes about 2–3 hours to ascend to the summit and approximately 1–2 hours to descend, making it a half-day trek. However, some trekkers may take longer, especially if they take breaks along the way to enjoy the views or if they are new to trekking. In total, including breaks and time spent exploring the summit, many trekkers complete the Savandurga trek in 4 to 5 hours.

Guided Tours

If you are not familiar with the terrain or prefer a guided experience, Universal Adventures offers organized treks to Savandurga. They organise well-planned Savandurga trek booking assisted by experienced guides, which can be especially helpful for first-time trekkers.

Safety

While the trek is generally safe, it’s essential to exercise caution, especially on the steep and rocky sections. Keep an eye on your footing and stay hydrated throughout the trek.

Savandurga Trekking — Final Traces

Savandurga stands as a testament to the allure of adventure and the magnificence of nature. As we conclude our journey through the thrilling trails and captivating vistas of Savandurga, one thing becomes abundantly clear: this trek is not just a physical ascent; it’s an elevation of the spirit. From the awe-inspiring panoramic views to the echoes of history and myth that whisper through its rocky terrain, Savandurga leaves an indelible mark.

Your Queries Answered With Savandurga Trek FAQs

Q1. How do I reach Savandurga from Bangalore?

A great network of state and private buses connects Bangalore with other major cities in India. Marathahalli Bridge, Silkboard Bus Stop, and Banashankari Bus Stop are the pick-up points to reach Savandurga.

Q2. Is prior trekking experience necessary for Savandurga?

No, prior trekking experience is not necessary. Savandurga is suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers.

Q3. Is it safe to trek Savandurga solo?

While many trekkers do Savandurga solo, it’s generally safer to trek with a group or at least one partner

Q4. Are there any wildlife encounters to be aware of during the trek?

Savandurga is part of a forested area, so you might encounter various bird species, butterflies, and small mammals.

Q5. Are there any accommodations available near Savandurga for an overnight stay?

There are limited accommodation options near Savandurga, such as guesthouses and homestays. It’s advisable to book in advance your package.

[ashutentaran]

Things to know about Sawan- The Month of Shravan is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is popularly known as Sawan. It is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar which is also considered to be the Holiest Month of the year. As per Vedic astrology, when the sun enters the Zodiac Leo, Shravan maas is said to set in and as per lunar calendar it is set on full moon day (Purnima).

[telomeke-kinnporsche]

KINNPORSCHE WORLD TOUR – WHAT HAPPENED AT THE SINGAPORE SHOW 8 OCTOBER 2022

Warning: spoilers ahead for those watching other editions of the World Tour. But if you'd like to know what went on during the Singapore show, read on! 😊👍

So the first out-of-Thailand leg of the KinnPorsche World Tour, in Singapore on 8 October 2022, was a giant, steaming hot mess – but in a good way, like a big bowl of multi-ingredient soup full of bold, contrasting flavors that might not be to everyone's taste, but (for those into it) somehow also managed to comfort and energize at the same time.

Basically it was an assemblage of (mostly stand-alone and unrelated) skits and set pieces revolving around songs and music.  These were interspersed with re-enacted scenes from KinnPorsche The Series, that were introduced by (and sometimes intercut with) video excerpts from the original series itself, projected onto the big screens behind and beside the stage.

The show was largely the same as the World Tour concerts staged in Bangkok, but with some minor tweaks (a lot more English spoken, a few songs changed out, fewer backup dancers, and no aerial wirework). The older generation characters were also absent (so it was a no-show for Annita Sarucha, Kob Songsit and Ex Piya, who played Porsche's mom, Kinn's dad and Vegas' dad respectively).

The concert commenced only a little after the scheduled 6.00pm start time (kudos for the punctuality). Prior to the show proper, Slot Machine's music videos of the KinnPorsche theme song Free Fall (both Thai and English versions) were played on the side screens, and the audience gamely sang along (stopping only to shriek at the love scene bits). Amazingly (or perhaps not) even the non-Thais knew the words, especially to the chorus.

This was followed by a moment of silence, announced to commemorate the victims of the nursery school attack in Uthai Sawan, northeast Thailand on 6 October 2022.

And then the 16 cast members strode onto the stage, dressed in colorful suits with sequined jackets, amid screams and applause from the almost-packed auditorium.

Mile kicked things off with a somber re-intoning of his Italian line in KinnPorsche – "Chi mente, merita di morire." After some emphatic words of welcome – in English – from Mile and Apo, the cast members introduced themselves one-by-one (in English as well – most of the banter throughout the night was in English, with bits of Thai and Mandarin every now and again only). Energy levels were high, with lots of clenched fists pumping the air.

The first skit started with a video excerpt from the series, of Kinn kidnapping Porsche from the bar – and then Mile and Apo re-enacted the fight scene on the boat where Kinn was trying to coerce Porsche to be his bodyguard. The skit ended with Porsche running up onto the deck and finally jumping into the river – the last bit was a cutback to the video again, of course.

Then the action moved on to a skit set at the Hum Bar – Pong in character as Tem performed a dance routine with some backup dancers to the song จังหวะหัวใจ (Jungwa Huajai or Rhythm of the Heart) by Bie Sukrit Wisetkaew, watched by Jom (Ping), Tay (Us) and Time (JJ).

Tay was all tired out and sleeping by mid-song. After Tem's dance was over, Time went over to him and they flirted big-time – only to be caught by Tay who'd woken up by then. Tay then slapped Time and stormed off.

The next piece was Tong's middle eastern, Bollywood mash-up dance routine with a few backup dancers – this was colorful and flamboyant as befitting the actor who played Tankhun, with a projected backdrop of eclectically-styled domed architecture to match.

After his dance, Tong stood onstage alone to speak to the audience – his speech was about learning to love himself, and how being in KinnPorsche had helped that journey. There was a lot of support from the audience for Tong (huge roaring applause every time he appeared, as much as – sometimes maybe even more than – for Mile and Apo) and he was visibly moved, close to tears at times. His portrayal in KinnPorsche as the trailblazingly eccentric yet deceptively astute Tankhun definitely touched a chord with fans.

Next came Mile and Apo's re-enactment of the drunken kiss scene between Kinn and Porsche by the riverside.

Not all the dialogue had surtitles unfortunately, and instead of sitting at the edge of the stage (as though on a riverbank) like they did at the Bangkok show, they stood awkwardly centerstage to deliver their lines. This was probably because the edge was blocked by footlights. Anyway, the stage lighting faded to black before they could kiss (they didn't).

Next up was Jeff Satur – possibly the most accomplished singer of the whole team, he performed the ballad from KinnPorsche Why Don't You Stay, hitting the high notes effortlessly.

He then stood centerstage and spoke a few words to the audience about himself, before moving to the keyboard artfully set to one corner at the back. Accompanying himself on the instrument, he then sang (in a nod to Singapore) Singaporean singer JJ Lin's English song Bedroom (soulfully, with enviable technique and looking every inch the popstar with his jewelry and long fringe).

The next segment saw the crew wheeling in a set of metal frames – and Bible fans in the know screamed because that was the set piece for Bible's solo routine (accompanied by four backup dancers). Dressed in a strappy black faux-leather vest with red trousers, this was less a dance piece and more like a whole lotta sexy posing and thrusting choreographed to Rosenfeld's Do It For Me.

Then the dancers brought in Build in his red jumpsuit and BibleBuild re-enacted the scene when Pete was held prisoner by Vegas, leading up to the moment when he broke free from captivity.

Next up was a montage of Big's scenes in KinnPorsche, projected on the video screens, and culminating with his death in the shootout protecting Porsche. At his final words (to Porsche) "Mr. Kinn loves you so much. Please take care of him" a backlit Nodt suddenly appeared upstage, dressed all in white (representing a lovelorn Big in the afterlife maybe).

And then he sang Lipta's อย่าเกลียดกันก็พอ (It's Enough That We Don't Hate Each Other, there's also a Tata Young version) while playing the keyboards. Vocals were slightly shaky pitchwise, but musically very heartfelt. Song over, Nodt then moved downstage and spoke about how portraying Big had inspired him in his life.

Then it was time for Us Nititorn's vocal and dance performance, and he was excellent. Dude can move.

With the projection on the backdrop, it seemed more like a slick dance music video, and he didn't miss a beat. The song he sang (and danced to) was Mirror Mirror, originally by F.HERO and MILLI (featuring Changbin of Stray Kids).

Then Build came on for a dance sequence set to Mommae by Jay Park.

Also a credible dancer, Build's confidence and energy were infectious (as usual, the smile never left his face). And after his piece, he was joined by Us and the two of them showcased (with some backup dancers) some powerhouse choreography set to BigBang's Bang Bang Bang.

Still continuing the trend for dance, Barcode was up next and in contrast to his usual sweetboy persona, he put on – brows consistently furrowed – a big and bold hip-hop number, dancing to iKON's Classy Savage while backed by four female dancers. As with the preceding dance routines, the sound, lighting, moves and backdrop were all music video ready and in-your-face brash, quite startling and unexpected from the youngest member of the troupe (even though the overall look was cuteyfied by the revolving smileys on the backdrop projection).

Dance number done, Barcode went centerstage to say a few words – and then he was back to his usual semi-timid persona, somewhat unsure of himself, with cute boy mannerisms galore (including spinning around in nervousness at being all tiny and alone onstage). But he held the attention nonetheless, encouraged by the supportive screams from the audience, before launching into his sweet song from KinnPorsche เพลงนี้ชื่อว่าเธอ (This Song is Called You).

Then suddenly Jeff stepped back onstage – and they proceeded to re-enact the awkward scene in KinnPorsche where Chay goes to see Kim after being ghosted. Jeff as Kim coldly dismissed a morose Barcode/Chay with an offhand "Later" and walked off to the side – where the keyboard was waiting, and where Jeff then reprised Why Don't You Stay, this time in English, every crying note imbued with regret and longing, giving lie to Kim's indifference just moments before.

Next, the tone shifted abruptly with a video excerpt from KinnPorsche projected onto the screens. Specifically, this was the scene where Kinn and Porsche were lost in the forest after escaping their captors, and Kinn asked Porsche about his dream in life – which Porsche revealed was to open a beachside bar. Mile and Apo then appeared onstage (cue thunderous applause again), and acted out an imagined scene where Kinn had bought Porsche his dream bar by the sea.

The video backdrop was all dreamy sunsets, rolling waves with swaying palms, and – seated on barstools – Mile romantically sang Ronan Keating's When You Say Nothing at All while strumming his guitar, with Apo by his side. And then it was Apo's turn at the mike, accompanied by Mile's guitar – and he proved himself quite an adept crooner, singing the surprise song choice of the night Fly Me to the Moon (the Sinatra version, in common time).

It wasn't flawless, but Apo had surprisingly good tone and it was a pleasure to listen to. Nice shoes too, Apo.

Then – to some dramatic music and more screams – Bible and Ta came on stage for the next sequence, focused on the minor family. (The video backdrop switched to a projection of the minor family's stately home.)

They performed a choreographed routine (once again, more an emphatic pose-off rather than a dance), set to Gary Clark Jr. and Junkie XL's version of Come Together. This then segued into a sequence where Ta showed off his prowess with a nunchaku, and Bible spun some martial arts moves with a pole, wushu-spear style.

The teeny jackets also came off at some point, so a lot of this huffing was shirtless except for some sexy black straps on their torsos.

After Bible and Ta's set, the proceedings took a detour with a sequence that was in keeping with the zany, chaotic, campy tone of the concert, while also being absolutely unrelated to KinnPorsche The Series. Perth came onstage looking a little filled out and blowsy in a full black suit with white gloves and began telling the audience about his childhood dream of being a superhero, and how the World Tour had allowed his dream to come true. Some bad guys (JJ, Ping and Pong) in long black trenchcoats then appeared, and they began to antagonize Perth, who dashed into an English red telephone booth that had magically materialized upstage – whereupon the black suit came off and he transformed into (who else?) Sailor Moon.

And his superhero persona was replete with a yellow wig, campy poses and the ability to knock back the bad guys simply by throwing white-gloved karate air chops. Huge screams from the audience at Perth's enthusiastic cosplaying, in tandem with the Sailor Moon theme song. Good fun. (The backup dancers twirling ribbons didn't include Job and Bas though, unlike in the Bangkok show.)

So then the concert continued its commitment to the wackiness when Apo and Mile in full costume as Zhan Zhao and the Monkey King entered the theater from a side door offstage and proceeded to walk through the audience.

Those seated at the front had the luckiest seats in the house, because Mile and Apo spent quite a bit of time gamely posing for pictures there, all smiles and very engaging (although the burly security flanking them made sure nobody in the audience got too boisterous). In case you were wondering, apparently being in a skit with Zhan Zhao was Mile's lifelong dream. And Apo was more than happy to oblige.

Then the concert went back to song and dance. Build came on to perform a very cabaret-sounding, jaunty Thai song (his mom's favorite, he later told us) – 1997's I Love You More Than Anyone (รักคุณยิ่งกว่าใคร) originally sung by the prince of Thai country music Got Jakrapun (ก๊อท จักรพันธ์).

Fun fact – apparently Build's mom was a fan of Got Jakrapun and named baby Build after him (although Build's formal first name is usually spelt Jakapan instead). Anyway, the song had much in common with the more high-cheese OTT examples of Singapore's getai performances (suggested by the brassy accompaniment and the somewhat chacha-ish beat), also helped by Build's get-up – a cream suit, with sequins, and voluminous feathering at the shoulders. The backdrop screen billed him as Bew Chakraphan though (no idea why).

Then it was time for the bodyguards to have their much-anticipated Magic Mike moment. Only four of them performed – Nodt, Perth, Job and Bas, and there was no posse of backup dancers unlike the Bangkok show. I felt they looked a bit lonely on stage – but the screams from the audience were by far the loudest for this segment.

This was a no-holds barred, full-on steamy session, and the four were in fine shape as they danced their way through proper strip club choreography set to a remix of Ginuwine's Pony, complete with hip thrusts, body rolls and floor humping. Nodt's hip-swiveling was especially good.

To calm things down after the bodyguards' show of hidden talent, the trailer for the upcoming MileApo movie (slated for 2023) was projected onto the video backdrop.

It was as beautiful as ever, even if the shift in tone was a mighty jarring one with all of the traditional Thai music, costume finery and elegantly fluid dancing (courtesy of Apo) coming right after the raunchy male stripping just moments before. But then again I suppose whiplash changes in content and style was one consistent hallmark throughout the entire evening.

With temperatures cooled, all the cast re-assembled on stage in their black KinnPorsche t-shirts and said a few words each about their journey with the series and with the concert.

Their speeches were far too much to transcribe for here, so I'll save that for another post if I can muster up the energy (and time).

All 16 spoke in English for the most part (Tong forgot himself and lapsed into Thai a bit, while Nodt gave his speech in Mandarin, and Jeff started off with a bit of Mandarin too). While it's true that the speeches had a lot of (probably memorized) audience-affirming lines in the vein of It's all thanks to you! Thanks for your support! We love you! but at the same time there was a lot of genuine emotion on display too.

You got the sense that all of them truly enjoyed putting on this show and their participation in KinnPorsche The Series as well, so much so that the (loose) theme of the night, about dreams coming true and how that had played out for each of them, actually seemed to resonate in their words (especially in the light of reports on how badly some other BL actors are treated by their production houses or studios).

Apparently Be On Cloud always treats the performers in its stable with respect, and the working environment on its projects is consistently upbeat and non-abusive – this certainly showed in the joy and sense of fun on stage that night. P'Pond (Be On Cloud bigwig Pond Krisda Witthayakhajorndet) was called out and thanked many, many times even though he did not go into the limelight at any point – the boys were more than happy to shine the spotlight metaphorically on him whenever they could.

So the gang then did one more tip of the hat to the idea of dreams coming true. The band Cumulus (made up of Mile, Ping, Pong, Nodt, Bas and Build living out their rock star dreams) took to the stage for a four-song set.

They kicked off this mini-concert within the concert with Bas on vocals, singing Shawn Mendes' There's Nothing Holding Me Back (supported by Mile, Build and Pong on guitar, Nodt on keyboards and Ping on drums). Then Apo came on to take over as vocalist from Bas, singing Glai (ใก้ล, meaning Close) by Scrubb, from the OST of 2gether the Series. For this second song Bas took over guitar duties from Build, who in turn switched over to his saxophone. Then it was Mile's turn at the mike, and he did a vocal cover of Maroon 5's This Love while Apo took a break as custodian of his guitar. Build got to do a sax solo as well during this song, and Mile then switched back from vocals to the guitar, to riff out his own instrumental solo after Build's as well. The band then closed their set with guest vocalist Jeff, who sang – what else? – Slot Machine's Free Fall (he's probably the only one who can handle the soaring rock falsetto of the bridge, in terms of range if not technique). And the rest of the cast then joined them onstage to rock along, as glittery confetti rained down from above.

But that wasn't the end. True to the theme of living your dreams, the band invited Ta to live out his dream of being a house disc jockey, and Ta then proceeded to get everyone in the audience on their feet with a rousing dance music set from behind the DJ console onstage (that spun out a mostly techno playlist, although I don't know what the Macarena was doing in the mix). Meanwhile all the cast continued to caper around him, adding to the general sense of carousing mayhem, and the whole place descended into one big techno party.

Music, madness, and mayhem. Would you have expected anything less from the cast of KinnPorsche let loose to live their dreams? I think a good time was had by all, and the show ended quite a bit after three hours. Longish for a concert, and testament I think to how much the performers were having the time of their lives (as were the audience too). Long may it last. 💖

[hussyknee]

Hey whats your top 3 favorite meals?

1. A bento box of sushi and nigiri and sashimi and crispy salad and literally anything. I fuckin' love Japanese food. I never thought I'd love a cuisine so devoid of hot spices, but I do. 2. Meat pizza subs, cinnamon iced tea, chocolate crêpes with banana slices and hazelnut syrup (my staple order at my favourite café I used to visit about once a month) 3. Sri Lankan-style Chinese fried rice, hot butter cuttle fish, stir fried water spinach, sweet 'n' sour chicken and devilled prawns + caramel custard cream for dessert. The local version of Chinese food is much less sweeter and a whole lot spicier than anywhere else; I don't even know whether those dishes exist outside this country. Sri Lankans are like, if your mouth isn't on fire we don't want it. 😂😂 Honourable mentions to: 1) Mutton Biryani Sawans +Watalappan (jaggery pudding spiced with nutmeg). Idk if this cuisine is Middle Eastern or Malay, but it comes courtesy of Sri Lanka's Muslim community, which have origins from all over. I'm too culturally Buddhist to eat red meat or pork usually, but mutton biryani with the raita is sooo good. Worth the vague sense of sinning. XD 2) Butter Naan and spicy paneer and alu ghobi and medu vadai and sambol (yes I mixed in North and South Indian dishes there, nobody differentiates here. No wonder most of India can get by without ever eating meat, they can do things with vegetables you can't imagine until they're in your mouth). 3) Waffles with bacon and golden syrup. And whipped cream and strawberries! Gdi I'm hungry now. Thanks for the ask, anon! 💕

[hell-heron]

Babe! I know it's been like....a while since you posted that director's cut meme, but since I'm only now getting to reblogging it, can I ask you to talk about No Love, No Glory, pls? :)

Sigh... I am always happy to unfortunately. Here is the unfortunate piece of writing in question!

So, this was written for you for LBD and the process for picking out the ship was pretty much "can't possibly do Throbb" performance anxiety, but I have to say now I really enjoy Tris/Theon as a ship. This all started with a lot of logistical triangulations and reading the tea leaves to figure out whether Tris could be one of the three unspecified Botley sent to the stony shore with him before deciding that fuck that, canon divergence it is.

I think it works a lot better with him having been sent there by Asha bc now there's this sort of parallel between Theon's relationship with Robb, and the fact he's kinda ambiguous if Asha sent Tris to Winterfell as a loyal reliable guy she trusts to save her brother, or just to get rid of the pining nuisance. But at the same time Tris is not perturbed by the power dynamics and accepts them and that's super infuriating to Theon. They have this dynamic of childhood-friends-but-not-all-that-close to bickering to lovers which is hellish to him because Tris is sort of a reminder of his life on the Islands as a child that it's just been made clear to him he can't go back to. And there's also an element of it being infuriating that he's... kind of a foil to what he remembers and sees of the Islands, since he remembers him as a nice boy and Good Big Brother from a more functional and openminded family (not that most ironborn families aren't, compared to the Greyjoys) and now he's still loyal, nice, and most outrageously he's arguably softer than Theon but doesn't get a comparable shunning because people are used to him. So he's kind of a reminder of how things could have gone differently but also of how he could have done things differently, and on the top of everything he's hot and calls him "prince Theon" without needing to be forced at knifepoint and it's a very intoxicating combination lol.

Regarding the Botley family headcanons I always felt that Sargon and Lucimore were salt sons or it would feel weird to emphasize that they're Sawane's half-brothers when they're all barely mentioned characters. Likely old Maron Botley is as well since neither he nor none of his grown kids have their own ship - this paired with Tris having 5 siblings makes me think the Botleys are just a really horny family, which is definitely helpful here lol. I hate to think people would be assholes to Wex but the fact they didn't bother to teach him to read and write makes it likely, and I like the idea of Tris being very fond of his little bastard cousin. Tris' mom being a Farwynd is functional to the fact I think the existence of Ironborn wargs is cool as hell, I also later considered she might be a mainland bride from Quellon's scheming era given that many of the kids have Riverlands names, but my alternative route of making her a Frey for comedy didn't work out bc the family tree is so well documented so it just wasn't worth it.

The title comes from Happy ending by Mika because I breathe and drink cringe

[bellasharifuddin]

The Day I Became a Mother

It’s been a while since I last post anything here, typing feels awkward as well. But this has always been a thing that I wanted to do since the day I’ve given birth, to document and blog about my pregnancy and my birth journey, so in 4-5 years to come when my memories fade, I can always come back to reminisce every detail that I keep here, like a memory capsule. 

The Day I Found Out I Was Pregnant. 

You know, when people say that when you have a strong intuition about something, trust your gut feeling, because it’s often true. Mirin and I have always talked about having kids, me wanting a baby so much within months after we got married, however, Mirin having second thoughts about it. We were both married for less than a year, sleeping on a toto without a mattress or a bed, living in the deep slum of Wangsa Maju area where the rats are larger than the cats. Hahaha. Naturally, given our circumstances, he’d want to take things slow. 

Fast forward to a couple of months, we went out for some steaks and karaoke on a weekend night. I told mirin to stop by Watsons, for me to buy a pregnancy test kit. Mirin didn’t question much, because occasionally I would randomly buy one, just for fun. But this time, I didnt just get one. I ended up buying three. Why? Because somehow, I had a strong feeling this time. I just felt... weird. It was a feeling that I can’t put it into words. 

We came home at midnight, I went to the bathroom too “pee on the stick”. Then I saw the first line... a few seconds later comes the second one. Oh my god. Okay. I knew Mirin was standing outside the toilet door, waiting. Eventually, I had to break the news to him. When I showed to Mirin, we both ended up hugging and crying. Was I happy? Was I in shock? Was I sad? Yes, a little bit of everything. Its funny that all you’ve wanted was a baby, then when it actually happens, suddenly you’re freaked out. Happy that its a blessing. Sad that it hits you without a warning. 

                                                      Pregnant!

When the morning sickness finally kicked in, I knew we couldn’t live in the current house. Its not the best place to raise a child. And the next-door neighbor was having major renovation that was super loud and noisy. After sleepless nights and searching for a new place, we eventually moved out. Bought our first bed, bought our first dining table, bought our first gas stove. A many of firsts. Soon we finally bought a baby cot from Ikea. We bought it too early. Although it was too early to put it up, but Mirin assembled it anyways. I could tell that he was excited. It was such a fun and exciting moment, for the both of us.

But those were the fun part. Like most pregnancies, the not so fun part about being pregnant was me being diagnosed with Pregnancy Hypertension during my 36th week of pregnancy. My blood pressure spiked up to 140/100 on two consecutive readings, and the next thing I know, that I’m sitting in an ambulance, on my way to Hospital Kuala Lumpur’s emergency building. 

                     At Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Waiting for an available bed

                  Mirin bought me the entire family mart food available xD

I spent 3 nights in their maternity wards, finally discharged after the doctor told me that I was clear to go. While I was in the hospital, it pains me to see new mothers struggling during the COVID19 pandemic. Throughout your stay, no visitations were allowed from anyone including your husband. If your baby cries or if you’re in pain, you’d have figure it out yourself. I remember praying to god while crying that I do not want to be induced there. The ward was stuffy and hot. There were too many people crammed in a room. It was hell. 

The Day That I Give Birth

One week after my discharge, we both went for my monthly checkup with my OBGYN at Pantai. Again, my doctor advised me to be induced tomorrow, since my blood pressure spiked again, and I was almost full term (38 weeks) so it was okay to go. She told me that “It’s best to get the baby out or else you boleh kena sawan” OMG Okay okay. So we packed our bags, ate sushi for dinner, slept soundly for the very last time, and headed to the hospital again at 9 am the next morning. 

                         Induction day. We definitely overpacked haha

       Arrived at the hospital lobby, did a mandatory swab test before entering

Appointment card. Booked and paid for the accommodations prior to checking in

I was told to change into my labor robe (I’m not too sure what it’s called), and waited. When my doctor finally arrived, she then began to insert some sort of a plastic strip deeeeeep into my cervix. Ouch, that hurts. Okay, so that’s how induction works eh? Then I was given antibiotics into my IV drip too, since I was GBS (Group-B Strep) Positive as well. 

                                Toilet selfie! Calm before the storm

After an hour, I felt the contraction. Initially it was uncomfortable, then it hurts like hell. The contractions felt like period pain but like a million times worse. Occasionally, Doctor Haslinda would come and check on my “bukaan”. Hours passed. 1cm... 2cm... 3cm.... when I finally said:

“Omg sakit sangat dah tak tahan, I want an epidural!“

Ok no, that was a lie. I initially didn’t want to take an epidural. I wanted to try and bear with the pain, but Mirin convinced me to take it, so after tossing and turning like a dying fish I finally said okay. 

The anesthesiologist came after what felt like an eternity, and asked me to sign a consent form. I’m not really sure what was written in that. Siapa je ada masa nak baca terms and conditions panjang panjang bila tengah contractions??? 

He told me to sit on the edge of the bed, while hugging a pillow. I remembered him injecting some numbing spray, then I felt the BIG NEEDLE poking through my spine. Then.. that was it. It was so fast. The entire process took only 5 mins. Was it painful as I thought it would be? No. Was it still scary tho? Yep hahaha.

Soon after, Dr Haslinda pecahkan air ketuban when I was 4cm dilated. It didnt hurt because I was on epidural, but I felt so much warm liquid flowing out non-stop. So bizarre. 

Once you’re on epidural, you’re basically bed-ridden. No bathroom trips anymore, my legs feel like jelly. Sometimes the nurse will come to empty my bladder with a catheter. When the epidural kicked in, I could finally sleep. I slept like a baby. I slept for hours. Painless. No more feeling like a dying fish. And so I thought.............

3am. I woke up with INTENSE CONTRACTION PAIN. Why is it so painful? I thought I’m on epidural? I called the nurse straight away. Turned out the epidural drug ran out. It was sooo stressful because the nurse that was on duty that night didn’t know how to topap balik the epidural drug into the machine. She called her colleague, then the colleague also tak tahu. Then both of them spent like forever to troubleshoot how to use the machine, sampai lastly kena call doctor tanya. YA ALLAH, rasa macam nak maki je. 

7am the next day. Bukaan baru 7-8cm. Doctor decided to use another form of induction to speed up the process. It’s called pitocin, and injected through my IV drip. Within MINUTES, I could feel very intense and painful contractions, that the epidural can’t even help. So throughout the remaining 7cm to 10cm, I felt every inch of real labor pain. I clenched Mirin’s hand. So tightly that I think it got bruised. A minute felt like an hour, and an hour felt like years. It was soo bad that my memory was so fuzzy. 

Finally, it was 10cm. Time to go. They put both of my legs up, macam gambar bawah ni haha: 

                                      Picture courtesy from Google

There were two nurses, one small cute Malay nurse, one pregnant Indian nurse, and my OBGYN, Dr Haslinda. I love them all, they were so supportive and nice to me throughout my labor process. My doctor taught me how to push correctly:

“Take a deeeeeeep breath then tahan, clench your fists, chin down and teran macam nak berak sekuat-kuat hati“

I was so determined to get the baby out. I just wanted the contraction pain to end. I did everything they told me to do. I hold on to Mirin’s hand, and PUSHHHHHHHEDDDDDD! I could hear Mirin saying “You’re doing great sayang!” After several pushes, and some sips of water breaks, the baby’s head is almost out. The head was the hardest to push. Besar! I literally felt like my down there was stretching to its limit. Once the head is out, I did another small push, and the rest of the baby’s body macam keluar instantly macam super slimy like that haha. 

Finally the baby is out! 8.26AM! The contractions stopped immediately. I instantly feel like I wasn’t pregnant anymore. The doctor then injected something on my thigh, then my uri just popped right out haha. My body felt so tired, but so so light. Lega, yay no longer pregnant haha. I ended up having second degree perineal tear without an episiotomy, and was stitched. I felt the benang, ngilu. I felt the needle pierced through my muscles too. But it didnt hurt so it wasn’t too bad. 

The baby gets cleaned up. Then soon all of the nurses left the labor room, it was just me, Mirin and our baby. Mirin picked her up, and azankan. Mirin started crying, I cried too. It was magical :’)

We did skin to skin and tried breastfeeding for the first time. As I look at her, hair was so thick. Her cute little fingers. Her beautiful face. She’s perfect. 

                            I slept for 5 hours straight after the labor

Thinking back, I have no idea how I managed to muster such courage to go through all these. Mirin even told me that during the active labor stage, when I was pushing, at one point I pushed so hard that my entire face turned blue. Talk about adrenaline.

Do I want to have another baby? Well, lets keep a rain check on that question for another few more years to come xD

[dangermousie]

Pleasee i need some dramas with cruel but yearning male leads like those in gunesi beklerkin or goodbye my princess where they do actual villainous things to hurt the heroine. Han shuo in trotar was amazing but too nice lol.

OK, hero who yearns for heroine but is also a genuinely bad dude who hurts her is a pretty rare combo for a cdrama/kdrama/twdrama etc. Your best bet is the “kiss and slap” lakorn subgenre like Defendant of Love or Sawan Biang.

This said, while none of these did anything as egregious as GMP dude, how about the Taiwanese and Japanese adaptations of Boys Over Flowers (Korean one is plain bad and Mainland made the main too nice for your requirements.)

Also, Glamorous Imperial Concubine with Ruby Lin, though it more applies to secondary guy (and Ruby’s eventual RL husband) Wallace Huo but Yan Yikuan is also a cold bastard to her while pining for a while.

Legend of Condor Heroes 2008 secondary OTP sort of partially qualifies because Yuan Hong’s character becomes a total psycho but he is never horrible to his OTP tho.

Siege in Fog is by the same author as GMP and hero did do some bad stuff but it’s nowhere near the GMP territory. Lots of yearning though.

Oh, I know - Sealed with a Kiss. I hated that drama with a passion but it might be your bag - Hawick Lau as an angsty tortured businessman who makes this woman be his mistress as revenge against her dead father (don’t ask) but falls in love with her but he haaaaas to be mean to her blah blah blah I wanted to stab him in the face but it certainly qualifies.

Maybe other people may know more, because GMP and GB are both exceptions for me; I don’t tend to like my heroes quite this dark as a rule.

ETA: @kuronekonerochan reminded me of Secret with Ji Sung. And Autumn Concerto but he really doesn’t do anything much after really early on...

[shhhhyoursister]

Hey! Im def taking u up for that offer so how about “Person A and Person B trying to converse while one (or both) of them brushes their teeth” for the prompt thing?

hello yes im home now and im going to write (also sorry i,,, expanded a bit on this sdfsdf) this but i want to say YALL if you don’t follow them,,,, youre doing something wrong,,,,, like yo their art is amazing and im not just saying that cause of the piece they just posted from my camp au like everything they make is amazing so if you arent following them you are not allowed to read this im making that a rule,,, but anyway AHH i hope you like this it was so fun to write!!!!!

When Matteo wakes up, it isn’t to the usual sound of his or David’s alarm, or the muffled noises of Hans cooking breakfast in the kitchen, or any of the usual things he wakes up to. It’s much worse, in fact. 

He first starts shifting around when he feels the vibrations of one of their phones ringing, still mostly asleep and not quite ready to move from his spot curled into David’s side, face shoved into his neck. Which is why it’s so heartbreaking when David moves under him to grab around on the bed for the buzzing phone, and answers it with a groggy, “Hello?”

Matteo whines a little and nuzzles into his neck, trying to silently convince David that whatever the call is can’t be more important than getting a few more precious hours of sleep. David obviously doesn’t pick up on that, as in the next second he’s saying, “Oh, fuck!” into the phone, and worming out from under Matteo, leaping off the bed. 

Matteo blinks one eye open and mumbles a, “David, wha?” but David ignores him and continues talking into his phone, Matteo still too drowsy to process what he’s saying. He just watches as David runs a hand through his hair, his head whipping around the room as he searches for...something. 

“I think we fell asleep before setting an alarm, I was supposed to meet Laura like 10 minutes ago!”

Matteo thinks back and while he remembers a lot from the previous night, none of his memories include either of them setting an alarm. He vaguely remembers that David had mentioned something about meeting with Laura the next morning when he had arrived at Matteo’s flat the night before, but Matteo was too busy kissing down his neck to have fully absorbed the message. 

He watches David grab a pair of pants off the floor, putting them on as he hops over to the pile of clean laundry on Matteo’s chair. He grabs a random shirt off the top (Matteo can’t even tell who it belongs to at this point, their wardrobes are so mixed up), and starts looking for his binder on the floor. 

“Mm, no, baby, don’t go, come back to bbeeeddd....” Matteo whines quietly from the weird position he had been left in when David got up, reaching a hand out and grabbing at the air in David’s direction. He isn’t usually one for petnames, but knows from experience that a well-timed one had the power to persuade David to at least listen to what Matteo was requesting. 

“I can’t, she’s doing me a favor for my film and we need to meet today so she can talk to her friend about maybe getting me more equipment.” He finishes speaking and looks around the room for a moment before walking to the door and exiting, and leaving Matteo there, cold and suddenly comfortable-boyfreindless. Matteo rubs his face into the pillow and groans a little, a pout forming on his mouth, his next persuasive tactic. 

David bursts back through the door, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth as he starts frantically searching through his bag. Matteo turns his face up to look at him, but David isn’t even facing the bed, which means he can’t see the legendary puppy-dog eyes that Matteo is shooting in his direction.

“Do you really have to go?” Matteo asks, still pouting, rolling over into a more comfortable position that also highlights how horribly alone he is in the bed. 

“Yah, I’n sarr buh I ha oo.” David says around the toothbrush in his mouth, grabbing his notebook off of Matteo’s desk.

“Is she free later? I don’t want you to leave.” He sends his best please-come-back-and-cuddle-me face in David’s direction, who still isn’t looking at him as he starts grabbing his stuff that’s strewn around Matteo’s room.

“Nah, she ha oo ga oo a apahmah,” David takes off the shirt he had been sleeping in, pulling his binder on and then slipping the shirt he had grabbed over his head, and when it gets caught on the toothbrush hanging out of his mouth Matteo smiles for a second before frowning again.

“You’re really going to leave me here? Alone?”

“Sawan’s a lil nee-ee.” David smirks at him, and chuckles around the brush when Matteo grumbles out, “I’m not needy. I just...don’t ever want you to not be right next to me.”

David stops with one shoe on, his other foot halfway in a sock so he can turn to Matteo and smile with a soft look in his eyes. He slips the sock on all the way and walks closer to the bed, then stops himself, holds up a finger to Matteo, and leaves the room (only walking a little funny, being unbalanced from only having one shoe on). 

He comes back in the room a few minutes later, sans toothbrush and with his hair a little more under control. He walks over to the bed, putting his hands on Matteo’s cheeks and turning his face up to look at him, and leans down to press a kiss to the pout still on his face.

“I always want to be next to you, babe, but I have to go. I’ll come back after, yeah? You can keep sleeping and I’ll wake you up when I’m back.”

Matteo grumbles again, grabbing the bottom of David’s (his?) shirt and pulling him back in for a longer kiss. David chuckles into his mouth but indulges him, kissing him sweetly for a minute before pulling away with a, “Okay, I need to leave now or Laura’s going to actually kill me. I love you, I’ll see you later, yeah?”

Matteo huffs out a breath, as David starts trying to move away to get his bag. He doesn’t get very far, though, as Matteo’s hands are still clenched in his shirt.

“Baby, I really need to go.”

“Yeah but it doesn’t seem like you really can.”

David glares down at him and checks his phone, rolling his eyes and bringing one of his hands up to wrap around Matteo’s. He tries to pry his fingers off, but Matteo only grips harder, and David gasps when he hears what sounds like a seam ripping.

“Matteo!”

Matteo only smiles up at him sweetly, extremely pleased with himself. David glares at him for another moment before scoffing and cursing, turning to glance at the door. After a second, though, he smiles a little, and before Matteo realizes it he’s crouching down and twisting his body around until he slides out of the shirt, leaving Matteo grasping the fabric with shock on his face.

David grabs another shirt from the pile (and okay, that one was definitely one of Matteo’s), and slips into it quickly, blowing a kiss in Matteo’s direction as he grabs his bag and throws a, “Bye, babe!” over his shoulder as he walks out the door.

Matteo stares at the closed door, and then closes his mouth (his jaw had dropped at David’s almost impressive maneuvering), letting out a defeated, “Fuck.” as he drops his head back on the pillow. Once David is gone, though, and he settles back into the bed, his eyes start drooping again. It’s still pretty early, and he knows he can get at least another hour of sleep in before David comes back. He grabs the pillow that David had used, bringing it up to his face and pressing his nose into it, inhaling slowly until he fades into sleep again.

***

He’s woken up about 2 hours later by somebody slipping into his bed behind him, and an arm wrapping around his waist.

“I see I’ve been replaced?”

Matteo hums, extremely confused for second before he realizes that it’s David behind him, and the thing wrapped tightly in his arms is his pillow. He puts it back where it had originally been before twisting around in David’s arms so he can go back to his original position, his face in David’s neck, but he brings his hand up to grip in David’s hair.

“Ow, what’s that for?”

“Cause you left. And I don’t think you want me to rip your hair out so you won’t try to leave again.”

David smiles into the top of his head, kissing his hair, before saying softly, “There’s no where else I’d rather be.”

[santmat]

Hazur Baba Sawan Singh: "So far as circumstances allow, a devotee must give time to Satsang. Please devote some time daily without fail to Sound-practice and Repetition, as this is the only fruit of our life which we will take with us on leaving this world; whereas, even the kingships of this earth shall have to be abandoned when death overtakes us. Therefore, it is necessary that we should add to our spiritual wealth, which is the only thing to help us at the time of departing. And the only way to increase our spiritual power is by means of Sound-practice and Repetition. The greater our love for Holy Sound, the greater will be our peace of mind and spiritual progress. As far as possible, we should try to make the focus above the eyes, in the brain, our resting place. Just as a man, weary with the day's work, resorts to his home to take rest, so we habituate our soul, on being tired with worldly work, to take rest in the Holy Sound. The attention has to be brought inside, and when it likes to rest there, like the wanderer coming home, it will find peace within." (Spiritual Gems, from letter # 156)

Satsang: "Literally, 'In Association with Truth'; to be in the company of the Truth of a Living Master; typically, outwardly, through hearing the Master's discourses and receiving His Darshan; also, in the inner context, meaning to be absorbed in the inner Sound Current of Truth."

Satsangi: "One, who is attending Satsang, inner or outer; an initiate of Surat Shabd Yoga." (Glossary of Sant Mat Terms, 2023 edition)

Baba Ram Singh: "In Satsang only we come to know about the true purpose of this human life, of why we have been given this human body. And in Satsang only, we are able to increase our love and affection to God Almighty, to our Satguru.

"The words of the Master are pure and they are sublime. And when we listen to those words lovingly, that cuts a lot of our karmas also.

"Swami Ji Maharaj says, 'When you listen to the Satsangs, you get motivated to do your devotion.' And when you do your devotion, you do your Simran Bhajan, that also increases the love and affection that you have for the Master. And you develop those pangs of separation from the Satguru, from God Almighty, which help you go further within.

"Satsang is a great thing. And when we go to Satsangs, we come to know the true purpose of our life, the true purpose of this human body. We come to know about God Almighty and the Path to go towards God Almighty. And we come to know about the reality -- what is the reality, what is falsehood — when we come to Satsang.

"So, when we continue on this path of devotion in the Satsangs, the attachments that we have for all these worldly matters, those attachments gradually start melting away. And the pangs of separation with God Almighty start increasing and our love and devotion for God Almighty increases." (Baba Ram Singh, satsang discourses, volume 15)

Sant Tulsi Sahib says: "O Aspirant! Perform satsang by subduing the mind and taking refuge in saints. Keep in your heart a ceaseless burning desire to be at the feet (tutelage) of saints."

Maharishi Mehi Paramahans Ji says: "Dear Aspirants! Each day strive to do both kinds of satsang: inner and outer. Outer satsang is listening to the teachings of great saints and studying the sacred texts. Inner satsang is the practice of one-pointed meditation."

Yogi Panchanan Bhattacharya Ji says: "By association with a pure soul the mind becomes pure and the darkness of attachment is dispelled."

In attending to these quotes from different saints it becomes clear that satsang is vital and very necessary for any serious spiritual seeker.

[tracingdreams]

Daiya no Ace: The Dramas - Special “They’re Doing an Interview!” Part III

An explanation… To keep my brain from rusting I started a project to translate the drama tracks that came with the character song CDs and other stuff relating to Daiya no Ace (because I love them and they’re all hilarious). My disclaimer - I am not a native speaker of Japanese, but I will do my best!

Daiya no Ace Season II: Drama CD, Track 01: “They’re Doing An Interview!”(Part III of III)

This is a longer drama from a proper Drama CD, and so I have split it into three parts accordingly. The whole drama also has quite a wide cast <3.

Part III - Featuring Nori, Miyuki, Furuya, Sawamura, Kanemaru, Toujou, Haruichi, Zono, Kuramochi.

The story so far… Miyuki has brought some news to various members of the team that they’re going to be interviewed for a magazine. He’s already freaked out Zono, and has since panicked the first years as well. In order to prevent their nerves from taking over, Kanemaru, Tōjō, Furuya, Eijun and Haruichi have decided to run some practice interviews between them, to get a feel for what it will be like. Kanemaru has thus offered to play interviewer…

Kanemaru: Ok, here goes. (he clears his throat). Sawamura-senshu, I’ll ask you this question. (Translator note: senshu is a player or competitor, it’s often used as a polite suffix for sports people in Japan). About the practice game the other day…

Eijun: Practice game? A recent one?

Kanemaru: Yes. You were the starting pitcher, were you not?

(There is a long pause, then)

Eijun:…I’M REALLY MOST TERRIBLY SORRY!

Kanemaru: eh?

Haruichi: eh? Eijun-kun?

Eijun: The other day, because I was so inexperienced and poor, I allowed a four ball walk for the first batter, and then I got the whole team into a pinch and I’m so terribly terribly sorry for creating such a negative trajectory! Right here I will apologise very VERY sincerely!

Kanemaru: Hang on a minute, Sawamura!

Haruichi: That’s not an interview, that’s an apology at a press conference!

Eijun: Huh? Ah. Sorry. I got carried away…

Tōjō: Well, you know, things like that are quite common lately.

Kanemaru: Just answer more normally, okay? Normally.

Eijun: I see.

(there are footsteps, and Nori joins the group)

Nori: Hey, you guys.

Furuya: Kawakami-senpai?

Eijun: Nori-senpai? What’s up? You look kinda down.

Nori: Well…I just heard from Kuramochi that tomorrow we’re being interviewed for a magazine…

Kanemaru: Ah, you’re being interviewed as well, huh, Nori-senpai?

Nori: Yeah. But I have no idea what to talk about.

Tōjō: You feel that way too, Nori-senpai?

Kanemaru: We were just discussing that subject ourselves.

Nori: Well, you know, it’s the first time, after all. Obviously, I’m kinda nervous.

Haruichi: Yeah, of course.

Nori: When I was in the first year, and I saw Miyuki being interviewed, I have to admit that I was a bit envious. I’d have been lying if I’d said that I didn’t want to experience the anxiety of having an article about me written and printed in a magazine. (Translator’s note – this is complemented by weird, alien-spaceish noises, and I am pretty sure these are Nori’s thoughts, rather than his spoken words, judging by the reaction).

Kanemaru: Nori-senpai sometimes goes off in his own world, doesn’t he.

Tōjō: Yeah, no kidding.

Eijun: It’s all gonna be fine, Nori-senpai!

Nori: Sawamura?

Eijun: If I think about Nori-senpai’s key skills, it’s the way that, whenever you take the mound, you do your own style of pitching and you are always so calm and level-headed!

Nori: Mm…

Eijun: And! The control you have pitching the ball from the side is absolutely unrivalled! If we’re in a pinch, we can always rely on Kawakami – that’s what the club Buchou (Ōta) always says and you have his complete trust! That’s the kind of guy you are! If you can make the most of that in your interview tomorrow, it will be no problem at all!

Nori: I suppose so.

Eijun: And also! If you’re asked about your personal profile, you can share your wide-ranging knowledge of J-Pop music, and your favourite foods are rolled up sushi and karaage! If you go with those things, you can’t fail!

Nori: That really helps!

Kanemaru: Sawamura really has a ton of stuff to say about other people…

Haruichi: He does. It’s really a kind of a talent.

Eijun: So! Shall we do a light interview rehearsal, then?

Nori: Rehearsal?

Eijun: In these cases the best thing is to trample down any stupid fears! I’ll be the interviewer, so Nori-senpai, please answer my questions!

Nori: Okay.

Eijun: (interviewer voice): In which case, first of all…regarding the recent practice game…

Nori: Practice game?

Eijun: Yes. In the ninth innings, when Seidou were level on points with the opposition, you were switched in as relief pitcher, Kawakami…but…

(there is a long pause).

Nori: Mm…I AM SO TERRIBLY SORRY! (Translator’s note – with all these loud apologies, I’m starting to feel like the pitchers all spent the weekend before watching Fruits Basket…)

First years: eh?!

Nori: In spite of the fact the team had got the points back to level pegging, with my weak pitching I brought the team into a pinch situation, and I broke the rhythm of the fight back! In that regard I wish to apologise very, VERY sincerely!

Kanemaru: Ah, this guy too…?

(The scene shifts to the next day. Everyone is together now. Well. With one exception).

Eijun’s voice as narration: And so, the next day!

Kuramochi: Hyahaa! Huh? Hey, come on you lot, hurry up! The reporters are already here!

Kanemaru: H…Hang on a minute! Am I okay, dressed like this? (he is in dirty uniform).

Tōjō: We’ve just come from practice, and we haven’t even washed our faces.

Miyuki: It’s fine, so hurry up and come! It’s fine to be wearing uniform, and we’ve just finished practice, so it’s only natural that they’ll be a bit dirty.

Nori: But there’s going to be a photo, right?

Eijun Hey, Furuya? When did you manage to change your uniform?

Furuya: I thought that it would be better without mud on it.

Eijun: That’s not fair! Miyuki-senpai! Can I go get changed as well please?

Miyuki: It’s too late! Come like that!

Eijun: BUT!

Haruichi: Is this everyone? Huh? Where’s Zono-senpai?

Kuramochi: Huh? Now you mention it, he’s not here.

Miyuki: That idiot, he’s a second year and yet…what is he doing, anyway?

Kanemaru: He’s coming.

Miyuki: (raises his voice): Oi, hurry up, and…(he stops dead. He’s seen Zono). Eeeh?

Zono (appears, breathing heavily like he’s run to join them): Sorry I’m late.

Kuramochi: Zono! What the hell are you wearing?!

Zono: This suit? This suit was handed down to me from my Dad. He told me to use it whenever any special occasion happened, and made me bring it to school with me. In order to be ready for today’s interview, I spent ages last night ironing it! What do you think? It makes an impression, right?

Kuramochi: An impression…well…

Miyuki: You know, no matter how you look at it, that’s not how a high school student dresses.

Zono: Really?

Miyuki: Zono, seriously, it’s an old dude’s suit, for heaven’s sake. It’s not something a high school student would wear! (Translator’s note: If Miyuki, aka the king of hoodies, is lecturing Zono on his fashion sense, it must look pretty bad…)

Kanemaru: It’s the kind of suit you often see professional players wearing in the off-season, in magazines and stuff, isn’t it?

Tōjō: More importantly, Shinji, why do you know something like that?

Kanemaru: *stiffens*, uh, well, you know, at home, we get magazines and stuff…I thought they were pretty cool, so I looked at them a few times.

Zono: Is it no good then? I thought it suited me…

Miyuki: Whatever, just go hurry up and get changed!

Miyuki’s voice – narration: And after that, the interview was safely completed. A few weeks later, a copy of the magazine in which our article was to be printed, Baseball Kingdom, arrived.

Zono: Hey, hurry up and show us!

Miyuki: Calm down! There’s plenty about you written in here too, Zono. Let’s see…’Maezono Kenta-kun, a young man who has a rough aura that belies his years, occasionally shows us glimpses of a very charming smile.’ It says.

Kuramochi: (hysterical laughter)

Zono: (insulted): Hey! What’s so funny? Isn’t it the fruit of all my practice?

Miyuki: Ah, a lot has been written about the first years as well.

Kanemaru: Wow, cool!

Tōjō: There’s several pages, too!

Haruichi: If Mum and Dad saw this, they’d be really happy, I think.

Furuya: I wonder if you can buy it in Hokkaidou as well.

Kuramochi: You should be able to?

Eijun: And me? What does it say about me?

Miyuki: Let’s see…huh? It’s just a little bit.

Eijun: Huh?!

Miyuki: Let’s see. ‘And also, in relief, a left-handed pitcher with a form that makes it hard to see the oncoming ball [at the plate], a first year who pitches moving balls – we’d also like to highlight the existence of Sawamura Eijun-kun. His bright and positive character, nicknamed ‘Idiot Southpaw’ (Baka-sawan) by the rest of his teammates, is his charm.’ (He’s sniggering as he reads it).

Eijun: (incensed): IDIOT SOUTHPAW??!!

Kanemaru: Huh? Now who was it who leaked that to the reporter? (Translator’s note: I bet it was Tōjō…)

Eijun: SAYING THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT GOOD! AND DON’T CALL ME AN IDIOT!

Miyuki: Why not? IDIOTS are IDIOTS, right?

Kuramochi: Hyahaha! Because you’re BAKAMURA!

Eijun: STOPPP ITTT!

(The End).

[uncle1milty]

Self Reflection

Sometimes it seems that following the task our Master has set for us is just impossible. We can become disheartened and overwhelmed, particularly if we expect certain visible results from our meditation. These times are opportunities to redirect our emotions into self-reflection, rather than blame others. By channeling this energy toward self-reflection, we can gain important insights that can help us hold on to hope and courage and strengthen our efforts on the spiritual path.

In a letter to one disciple who has had an emotional reaction to her feelings of lack of progress, Maharaj Charan Singh says in Quest for Light:

Please remember that this emotional outburst will not help you in any way. Meditation has never been an easy thing for anyone before reaching the state of perfect concentration. How can we rise to spiritual heights within, just for the asking? It is something we have to earn.

He says we have to earn perfect concentration; and we do that through our sincere effort. Later in the answer, he adds “Instead of blaming the path or the Master, see within yourself where the weakness lies.” He urges us to look honestly at the way we have been following the path. This means not to beat ourselves up for our shortcomings but to look gently at our lives and identify where we might do better.

Then Hazur lists six questions for us to ask ourselves.

Have you given regular time to meditation every day?

The Masters emphasize the importance of this daily discipline of meditation. Meditation is really the answer that they give us to almost every question. At initiation we promise to devote at least ten percent of our time to meditation every single day. Masters assure us that if we do our part they will do the rest. Even a few hours each day of turning to him on the inside adds up to a lot. Then we can look him in the eye and know that at least we have tried. But if we have not been doing our part, if we have not been keeping the promise we made to him, can we really expect results?

      2. Have you been able to keep the attention at the eye centre all the time during meditation?

That should be an easy question to answer. Mostly, we know when our attention slips down and our mind runs wild or we fall asleep. If we are sitting because we want to sit, out of love for our Master, not just because it is a duty, we will keep trying to focus.

      3. Have you vacated the body of all consciousness and brought it to the eye centre?

If we have, we will probably have seen the light and heard the sound and maybe even met the Shabd form of the Master. This demands a high degree of continuous focus.

In Spiritual Gems, Maharaj Sawan Singh says,“It may be said safely that if any earnest student should hold his attention fully upon the given centre for three hours, without wavering, he must go inside.” Three hours of continuous focus is all it takes!

      4. Have you tried to live the Sant Mat way of life, detaching yourself gradually from the world and attaching your thoughts to the Lord within?

Masters know that we cannot do this all at once, so they recommend a slow and steady approach. One disciple asks Hazur, in The Master Answers, “Supposing I work only six hours a day and spend all the other time in meditation or trying to?” Hazur replies:

I personally feel, if we are regular and punctual in our meditation and we are living in Sant Mat and for Sant Mat, that two hours and thirty minutes or three hours daily are sufficient for meditation.

He says that two and one-half hours are enough if we are living in Sant Mat and for Sant Mat. In other words, we need to live the Sant Mat way of life 24/7 and always keep our spiritual goal in mind.

      5. Have you kept the names with you most of the time?

Doing simran during the day is a great help in living the Sant Mat way of life. If we are doing simran, we are not thinking about the world. We are fully in the present; we are remembering the Master. In Quest for Light, Hazur advises:

Try to perfect the simran to such an extent that the holy names remain with you all the time, even when you are not conscious of them. This repetition should become as much a part of your life as breathing. When the simran is perfected, light will appear and the sound will become clearer.

If we do simran all day long in addition to during meditation, it will become automatic and will run ceaselessly in the background. If we perfect our simran in this way, we may be able to make contact with the light and sound within. If we allow our attention to roam worldwide then meditation will be more difficult.

      6. In other words, have you followed the instructions given to you at the time of initiation?

Every question that Hazur has asked in this letter has been about the instructions we were given when our Master initiated us. And they all concern perfecting our meditation practice. Are we doing what we promised to do? Hazur then adds: “If we have not done our part, we cannot complain about the shortcomings of Sant Mat.”

Hazur is not asking these questions to chastize us. He is just saying that if we are not following these instructions, we cannot expect to reach the eye centre and travel within to our true home. We need to do the work that we promised to do. It is very simple, really.

Hazur ends with:

Please remember that all are struggling souls on the path. We all have to strive and do our best and then leave the rest to him. There is no need to feel so disheartened. This is a path of hope and courage. Live within the will of the Lord, do your duty every day and leave the rest to him. He is always with you

quest for light q401