#Valentines Day Photos For Facebook

[featherlyfriends]

Rowan and Poppy on a coffee date ❤️

[randomlythings]

I only celebrate birthdays

My birthday when I turned 6 in 1983 I only celebrate birthdays and Christmas holidays. I don’t care about Valentine’s Day or Friend’s Day, as we call it in Finland. You should celebrate it every day. You don’t need to do it only on this day. I don’t know why you should have a particular day for it. Maybe it’s just a way to rub it on people doesn’t have friends or loved ones. Either way, it’s an…

[slocumjoe]

Companions on social media

Cait; Posts gym thirst traps and videos of her working out or getting into fistfights. Can be found in the comments and DMs of women, gay or otherwise. Lots of activity in sobriety and self-help communities. Doesn’t have a lot of followers, but does fundraiser streams for a week every three months she's sober. The money goes to child abuse prevention foundations. Her most recent charity streams had her trying to get all achievements on Just Dance after someone donated 10k requesting it.

Codsworth; self-help videos for people struggling to take care of themselves. How to tidy up, how to take effective breaks, what needs to be cleaned in a house and what supplies you need...very useful, very popular with college students and teens. Once posted a video of him going at wasps with a chainsaw and gained a million subs overnight.

Curie; children's educational YouTube channel that's, somehow, more popular with young adults. Science experiments gone wrong. Think Jackass and Mythbusters hosted by a tiny French woman who approaches everything with the joy and whimsy of My Little Pony. Her most popular videos are her 100k subscriber specials, a series where she goes ghost and cryptid hunting to disprove them and demonstrate the fraudulence you can find behind such things.

Danse; has a Facebook for work purposes. It has a profile photo only because Haylen insisted. Fears the internet deeply, thinks its the closest humanity can get to staring into the void and seeing something blink. Unbeknownst to him, there's a viral video of him teaching a workout regimen to trainees. The comment sections are pure thirst. All of his coworkers know and made an oath to never speak of it.

Deacon; Is the one who snuck into training and got that video. Posted it to r/NextFuckingLevel with 🥵🥵🥵 for a caption. Owns several large meme accounts, all with distinct personalities and lives. Someone tried to dox him after suspicions, but found all accounts had different IPs and info. He's just that good. His Facebook changes profile photo every. Single. Day. He consumes an absurd amount of audio books. Drops CRAZY money on charity streams to make the host do weird shit, like 100% Just Dance. Probably sells feet pics.

Dogmeat; The internet's darling. Nick Valentine's dog who doesn't help with catching bad guys, but with far more important things; Dogmeat cuddles and plays with victims at the scene or in court. Also trained in search and rescue. Much of Dogmeat's page is just Nick sharing important information (hotlines, self-defense, survival tips, et cetera) while petting or playing with Dogmeat. Kind of a McGruff the Crime Dog vibe.

Gage; Facebook that he uses to cyberbully cop pages and Craigslist to offer his...unconventional services (pretending to be your boyfriend at family gatherings to cause drama). His pet lizard, an Argentine Tegu, has an Instagram with 3k followers. The Tegu often wins pet competitions and Gage posts the awards captioned with 🖕🏻💚🦎💚🖕🏻. Works at an amusement park, posts tell-all confessions on Reddit.

MacCready; Facebook with friends and family, posts a lot of Duncan. His YouTube history is videos for Duncan. Lots of Curie's videos. Mac has a Craigslist and LinkedIn, does odd jobs when he isn't working as a security guard at a shooting range. Activite in communities about comics, shows, and video games. Sometimes he'll post a theory about a show or comic and he's usually right. Really enjoys the meltdowns of fandoms when the media takes a nasty turn, even if he's also betrayed.

Nick; Ellie runs Dogmeat's page, Nick just does the talking. As for Nick himself, has some pages for his work (that Ellie also manages) and a Facebook profile to stay in touch with friends and family. Much like Danse, consumes media offline—except for poetry. Most of his screen time is spent on Poetry.com, one of those people that leave comments. He likes how the internet makes information and art accessible. Very peaceful and wholesome internet time.

Hancock; The void that Danse is scared of. Also does streams, but not only for fundraisers. Streams high. Streams himself trying to find his way back to his apartment late at night. Always end up in a fast food joint, trying to convince the workers to unionize. Twitter shitposter until a politician needs cyberbullying. Organizes protests. Extremely active in Massachusetts' political scene, his fans are a force to be reckoned with. Has fistfought his own fans before. Occasionally cancels himself to prove a point. Makes mock apology videos whenever another celeb/influencer fucks up.

Preston; Park ranger and community organizer. Uses Facebook and TikTok to appeal to all ages. Is unfairly good at TikTok dances. Posts safety tips, upcoming event information, etc. Does a lot of work with Dogmeat and Nick. Posts bodycam footage of him arresting people, like shutting down fire-themed gender reveal parties, or poachers. Not a lot of followers, but the bodycam footage goes viral on subreddits like r/Instant_Karma.

Piper; a journalist and blogger. Posts videos of her political rants and makeup/hair routine. Joins Hancock in politician cyberbullying. Makes commentary essays and videos, sometimes book reviews. Appears on podcasts. Her media presence is decently known, but mild. She tries to keep herself distant from it. Despite this, has a good-sized following who appreciate the lack of parasociality. Her most famous video is her trying to find the best coffee spots in Boston.

X6-88; security guard for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who got stuck running the Twitter when the last guy got arrested on weed charges. Piper keeps DMing for an interview and he keeps blocking her accounts. He has LinkedIn for work. Half of it is redacted and involves NDAs. No other media presence except for one thing; he's an infamous esports cryptid. Across a few different shooter games, a high-rank player called X6-88 (its just his first initial and the numbers on his security badge) fucking curbstomps everyone in the match. He has never died or missed a shot. Never speaks in chat, never in team chat. He's a legend among gamers. For him, he's just relaxing on a Friday night, keeping his senses sharp. Doesn't realize there are compilation videos of streamers raging at him.

[profoundbondfanfic]

My New York Valentine

My New York Valentine by followyourenergy (@followyourenergy) Rating: General Audiences Word Count: 1k

Dean Winchester plans to drown his sorrows in waffles after picking another fight with his best friend since childhood, Cas, on their friendversary... which happens to be Valentine’s Day. His plans are stymied when he’s stopped on the way back to work by a man who wants to take his photo and chat with him. When the man asks about love, he tells him about his secret love for his best friend. Little does Dean know his secret will soon be revealed. This fic is inspired by Humans of New York, a popular Facebook page that tells true stories about everyday people in New York (and elsewhere).

This short but oh so sweet fic has a few of my favorite things. First, I love any idea inspired by cute internet trends or clever videos. Add to that besties Dean and Cas who are also secretly pining for one another? I couldn’t click a link faster. 

My New York Valentine fits the bill perfectly. If you’re online, you might be familiar with the account Humans of New York but if not, it’s as described perfectly in the summary above. The account is special because it touches on humanity, regular everyday people living their little extraordinary lives all around us. In this fic, it’s Dean who is being interviewed, and the way Cas finds out about it is incredibly sweet and fitting, leaving you hopeful for this version of them. Don’t miss it! 

[pedropascalsx]

Sooner. {Frankie Morales x F! Reader.}

Summary: Frankie has been your flight instructor for the past eight months and offers to drive you across state lines to your flying test. The only problem is you get to the hotel and there’s only one bed.

Warnings: Some angst, mutual pining, some flirting, friends to lovers, masturbation, accidentally caught masturbation, strong language, oral (f) receiving, fingering, p in v sex. some fluff.

Word count: 3500 exactly.

Authors note: Happy Valentine’s day to my sweet, LJ! I love you to pieces and I hope you enjoy this fic written for you. @prolix-yuy

“Thank you,” you murmur to Frankie as he effortlessly glides onto the freeway, “I’m so nervous that I’d probably crash trying to get to the damn test.”

His warm chuckle floats in the air as he lightly shrugs his shoulders, “Ava is with her Mom this weekend and I always twiddle my thumbs until she’s back. It’ll be nice to be a little distracted.”

“She’s a lucky girl,” you say with a smile, focusing on the photo of them hanging together hanging from his mirror. She is his double. Curly brown hair and big beautiful brown eyes and that very same dimple that makes an appearance when he smiles or gets a little flustered.

“Trust me I’m the lucky one!” He beamed before lightly squeezing your knee, “And you don’t have to be nervous by the way, you’re an incredible pilot and I’d go as far as saying the best student I’ve ever had. I have nothing but faith that you’ll be incredible. You’ve just got to believe in yourself a little more.”

You giggle quietly at his praise before responding with some of your own, whilst attempting to ignore the way your stomach did somersaults at his touch, “Well, the student is only as good as their master. So thank you.”

He hums back as you fiddle with the stereo of his truck, settling on a station blasting some Whitney Houston and you quietly drum your fingers across the smooth plastic of the dashboard. You sit in a quiet silence for the next hour, enjoying the music and watching the day quietly shift into night and taking in the sights of the sunset playing out in front of you.

“Do you want to find somewhere for dinner before we get to the hotel or order room service? Early start tomorrow. So you need a good meal before bed.”

“It’s up to you.” You insist. “You’re driving so you’re in control, Mr. Morales.”

“There’s a diner about ten minutes ahead.” He says with a large smile spreading across his cheeks. “Prepare yourself for the best pancakes you’ll ever have in your life.” The dimple that makes your heart stutter makes an appearance on his cheek and you chide yourself for the feelings that it stirs up in your chest.

God he’s attractive. Like really attractive. When he first greeted you on your first flying lesson you thought you were going to melt right then and there. And over the past 8 months you’ve found yourself slowly growing attached to him. He quickly became your friend and you started to talk and text outside of lessons but you’d suppressed the deeper feelings that you found yourself having for him out of fear they weren’t returned.

“Pancakes sound great,” you eventually responded as you pulled back from the daydream you’d been sucked into.

You glance back over at him. He’s focusing on the road ahead, his aviators resting on the bridge of his nose, that gorgeous dimple still completely visible and the little grin on his face paired with the gorgeous pink skyline making the perfect background makes your heart flutter. You instinctively reach into your pocket and retrieve your cell phone to take a few pictures and he chuckles loudly in response.

“What are you doing?” he asks with a slight twist of his lips.

“You look… nice,” you reply sheepishly, “And it’s about time you updated your facebook picture. The photo of the fish is getting very old, buddy.”

“You been snooping through my pics?” he asks whilst pulling into a spot in front of diner and you feel your cheeks get hot with embarrassment.

“I-uh..” you start to stammer and he laughs again.

“Relax. I’m just teasing. Plus it’s not like I haven’t had a look through yours.” He admits as he pushes open the driver's door.

You swallow hard at his admission and follow him into the small diner, letting him lead you towards a small booth in the back.

“I caught that fish you know,” he announces as he slides across the leather seat, “A catfish. It’s my tag. Back from my military days. My friends still call me it.”

“Really? Why catfish?” You ask with a smile.

“Whiskery beard,” he says whilst rubbing the adorable patches in his beard, “Never finished puberty.”

“I think the existence of your daughter disputes that.” You giggle back and he laughs with you. “So pancakes?”

“Pancakes.”

You sit back and listen to him share some stories about his days in the military. He briefly talks about an event that happened in South America that made him wake up and really sort out his life. And how the death of one of his friends made him realize that he couldn’t spend the rest of his life skating past all the shit he was drowning in and he checked himself into rehab within 48 hours of being home.

He split amicably with his ex and once he was working full-time again, Ava worked in with him and her mom went back to school to finish up her degree. He was doing better than he ever was and you couldn’t help but feel extremely proud of him.

You insisted on paying the cheque which he reluctantly agreed after you argued it was only fair since he drove here. But he insisted that breakfast would be on him in the morning and you rolled your eyes and tutted loudly as you bounced out towards his truck.

“Hotel is roughly an hour from here,” he announces as he switches on the ignition, “And the flight test centre is maybe fifteen minutes from there. Good location.”

“Let’s go,” you say excitedly as your strap on your seatbelt.

He hums along to the radio as he navigates the roads with ease, you can’t help but steal the occasional glance at him. You think back to those first few weeks and how far you’ve come and how grateful that he was the one to get you here. As difficult as it had been, as distracting as he could be, he was the perfect teacher and you truly hoped he’d stay in contact long after your test was complete.

“You’re very quiet,” he says with an inquisitive tone, “Tired? Or are you nervous about tomorrow?”

“Not tired,” you admit, “But yeah, I'm definitely nervous. Just reflecting and thinking about some things.”

“Easier said than done but try not to overthink. I really mean it when I said you’re an incredible pilot. It’s been a pleasure to teach you, sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Frankie.” Your chest feels all warm and fuzzy at the endearment and you remind yourself that he has never once indicated that he sees you more as a friend. Out the window you see that the pink sky has faded into a dark blue and darkness surrounds you on all sides.

Before you realize you’re there Frankie is pulling into the very full parking lot of the hotel and driving into what looks like the only free space.

“Sold out Lady Gaga concert a few miles from here,” you inform him as he raises an eyebrow at the amount of cars around.

He grabs both bags from the back and tuts at you when you try to wrestle yours from him.

*

“But we booked this room months ago,” you say trying to hide the upset in your voice, “I have the confirmation right now.”

“I know,” the receptionist says without a care in the world, “It was double booked. You booked on our website and they booked it on our partner site before we were able to update.”

“So if we booked it first…why isn’t it our room?” Frankie asks before you have a chance.

“We reviewed the booking. They got the two bed suite as there are four of them and two of you. We were able to move you into a smaller room and we will refund the difference to the card it was booked with.”

“Fine,” you say with a reluctant sign, “If sharing one room is okay with you?” You turn to ask Frankie.

“As long as you don’t snore.” He quips back.

The receptionist checks you in and hands you both a keycard before rattling off the fire exits and the number for reception if anything is needed. You follow Frankie into the elevator and let out a sigh.

“We didn’t need any fancy hotel suite,” he says with a shrug, “Shower and sleep. That’s all we’re here for.”

You nod in agreement and exit the elevator, heading straight towards your assigned room.

You swipe the keycard and take a few steps into the room, peering into the bathroom on your immediate left before making your way into the bedroom and you feel your heart stop .

“Only one bed.” He murmurs from behind you.

“I’ll take the couch,” you reply with a sharp nod of your head.

“Like hell you will,” he spits out from behind you, “You’re not going to get a half decent night's sleep on that shitty thing and you need to be

well rested for tomorrow's test. I’ll take the couch and I'll let you pay for breakfast in the morning. No arguments.”

You turn on your heel and roll your eyes at him, “Fine. I’m so sorry, Frankie.”

“Don’t be sorry, sweetheart,” he says with a fleeting touch of your cheek, “It's just one of those things. We’re adults. We can cope with it. Do you mind if I take the first shower?”

“Go for it,” you say as you take your bag from him, “I’m gonna order a few drinks from room service as room temperature water doesn’t appeal to me and switch on the TV.”

“I wouldn’t say no to a Dr Pepper,” he says before disappearing into the bathroom.

“Got it.”

The sound of the shower being switched on makes you groan. You had chosen a suite because the bedrooms were on opposite ends to each other and no matter how hard you try not to be, you almost find yourself extremely affected after being in close proximity to him. So you figure now is your chance.

Arousal had been pooling in your panties since you first climbed into his truck several hours ago. The guilt you felt at needing release with him just a few feet away being beaten out by the aching in your core.

You comfortably place yourself on the centre of the bed and hike your dress up over your hips, dipping your fingers into your panties and dragging some of your slick up towards your clit before circling it gently.

Your mind drifting to the thought of his hands. His large rough and capable hands. Honestly you couldn’t count the amount of times that you’d lost focus in lessons because you’d been so distracted by watching them and wondering if they’d be as skillful in other ways.

You lifted your hips from the bed and quickly removed your panties before going back to rubbing your clit, letting his name quietly fall from your lips as you did so.

*

Frankie switched on the shower letting it heat up as he tidied up his facial hair, clearly up the loose scraggly hairs in his head and trimming his moustache so it didn’t tickle his top lip so much.

He lifted off his shirt and let it fall to the floor before scanning the room for some towels. “Shit,” he murmured as he realized they must be in the bedroom. He forgoed putting his shirt back on and reached for the door handle and turns it slowly, his cheeks burning red at the unexpected sound of you moaning his name as the door cracked opened.

*

“Frankie,” you mewl as the tips of your fingers rub your bundle of nerves a little quicker, your eyes slamming closed as the pleasure builds until you’re almost at the edge.

“Fuck.” Frankie grunts as he watches your slick fingers disappear into your cunt.

You freeze and groan out loud. An apology lingers at the tip of your tongue and before you can croak it out, you feel the bed dip beneath you as he kneels on the bottom.

“You were thinking about me? I heard you moan my name” he says as you slowly open your eyes with your fingers still buried deep inside your pussy.

“Yeah,” you admit before biting down on your lip, “I’m so sor-.”

“Don’t apologize,” he orders before reaching down and pulling your hand away from your pussy, “Only reason I wanted to shower so quickly is because I’ve been half fucking hard all day because of you. Been needing to jerk off so badly.”

Slowly he pushes one of his thick fingers inside of your needy pussy, “So fucking tight,” he snarls as he starts to pump it in and out. “Jesus. The amount of times I’ve fucked my fist after a lesson because you’ve driven me insane, baby.”

You keen and clench down around him at the new endearment, and he lets out a soft chuckle, “You like that huh, baby?” he asks with a grin on his face. “Fuck, can I taste you?”

“Please,” you squeak out a little too quickly and you squeal as he immediately buries his face in pussy. His finger remains inside of you as he licks at your clit, lapping at you like a man starved. Slowly he resumes pumping his finger as he sucks your clit between his lips, doing something magical with his tongue as you writhe underneath.

“Oh, fuck,” you moan, an endless stream of pleasure filled moans echoing around the room before you lose control, “Wanted you since I first saw -ahhh- you.”

He groans into your pussy, and you’re certain you feel his mouth curl up into a smile before he resumes his delicious assault on your bundle of nerves and sliding in a second finger.

“Thought about your hands,” you admit before moaning his name. His fingers start rubbing up something wonderful inside you. It doesn’t take long until he works you up to that edge, your mouth unable to spill any word that isn’t his name up until you choke out that you’re gonna cum and that’s when he decides to increase his already earth shattering efforts and you clamp around his fingers so hard that you’re certain it must hurt.

“So fucking tight,” he grits out against your pussy, his moustache tickling your overstimulated bundle of merced as he does do. Slowly he withdraws his fingers from inside of you and brings them up to his mouth, watching you watch him with wide eyes as he sinks them into his mouth. Sucking them clear of your slick and groaning in delight as he does so.

“Fuck,” you moan as he pulls them out of his mouth, “I want you to fuck me.”

“Yeah,” he asks as he runs his fingers through your slit, “This pretty little pussy all needy for my cock?”

“Please,” you beg as he presses his thumb against your clit and draws a few lazy circles, “I need it.”

“I think you can ask nicer than that, baby.” He teases with a grin.

“Please, Frankie,” you moan as he works your bundle of nerves, “Please give me your cock.”

“Good girl,” he coos as he pulls his thumb away, “You wanna ride me? Bounce up and down on my dick whilst telling me those thoughts you’ve been having about my hands?”

“Yes,” you gasp as he shifts off the bed and starts to undo his pants. Pulling his boxers off at the same time and chuckling at the gasp you let out at the sight of him.

Even he’d admit that he’s impressive, thick, uncut and long. “Take off your dress and come take a ride,” he orders before sitting himself up against the headboard.

You comply immediately, stepping off the bed and ripping off your sundress and freeing yourself of your bra.

You straddle him slowly and he pulls you into a possessive kiss, the taste of you lingering on his mouth as he tongue battles against yours. One of his hands guides your hips and he positions himself so you can sink down onto him.

“Frankie,” you moan as he stretches you open. Slowly you sink down inch by inch. His rich tone fills your ears as he gives you endless praises as you fill yourself with him. His cock throbs inside of you as he stretches out your walls. He waits patiently for you to get accustomed to the size of him, giving you gentle kisses and more praises. You slowly start to move, making sure not to rush the pace. His hands explore your body as you begin to find your rhythm.

“Tell me,” he orders, “Tell me what you were thinking when you should have been listening?”

“Frankie,” you moan as his hand slaps across your ass, “So many -fuck- so many things. I-I wanted to drop to my knees, suck your cock whilst you were in the pilot seat.”

“Yeah? What else?”

“Thought about you slipping those thick fingers into my panties and making me cum as I recited what every button on the panel is for. Thought about you fucking me in hangar before and after every lesson.”

“You should have said something,” he grunts before bringing his hand down on your ass again and moving it across your hip to make you move faster. “If I knew you wanted me too, I would have fucked you ages ago.”

“Didn’t realize you wanted this too,” you admit as he grinds up against that spot inside of you again. “Gonna cum,” you garble as he starts to fuck up inside of you, taking control and making sure to hit that spot everything. Your whole body stiffens as you clamp down around him, pleasure consuming your every sense as you come hard on his cock.

He wastes no time switching the position when you’re coming down from your high, guiding you down on your back and placing your leg over his shoulder so he can fuck into you even deeper.

“Give me one more and then I'll cum,” he grits out as he thrusts in and out of you, his thumb finding your clit again as he does so. “So fucking pretty,” he spits out as he watches you writhe beneath him. “Feel so fucking perfect.”

His pace is hard and fast and like nothing you’ve experienced before, the thickness of him still makes you gasp as he continues splitting you open. “Rub your clit for me,” he orders as he pulls his thumb away and places that hand on your other hip, your finger snakes down your stomach and you play with your bud of pleasure as directed, “Such a good girl,” he grunts out as your walls flutter around his throbbing cock.

“Gonna cum,” you choke out again as your third orgasm threatens to sweep through you, “Frankie,” you manage to mumble as it washes through you. His pace getting even faster and he fucks you through

your orgasm.

“Where?” he snarls as his pace gets a little sloppy.

“IUD. Fill me up,” you beg from under him.

“Yeah? You want me to fill up this perfect pussy? Maybe I’ll do it again in the morning as well. Have my cum dripping out of you during your test.”

“Come for me,” you plead as he continues to shred up inside of you.

You clench around him hard and he lets go with a grunt of your name, you cunt milks him dry with each thrust. His lips capture yours one more time before he pulls out and rolls over next to you.

“That was… wow,” he says with a chuckle before kissing your shoulder gently.

“So much better than just my fingers,” you reply with a giggle.

“God, if I’d have known sooner,” he says before wiping his forehead, “Couldn’t see a girl like you going for a guy like me.”

“What?” you ask completely bewildered, “Frankie, you’re fucking gorgeous. I’ve wanted to fuck you from day one, I’m serious.”

“Probably best that we waited until I’d finished teaching you,” he says after a few minutes of comfortable silence and before getting up.

“Going to switch off the shower, and get something to clean you up with” he says sensing your confusion, “We can shower in the morning.”

He runs the washcloth under the shower before running the rag across his cock, wets the rag again and switches the shower off. You’re still lying patiently as he rounds the bed and he gently runs the cloth through your folds. “Get into bed, baby,” he orders and he throws the cloth onto the dresser, and climbs in beside you.

He wraps his arms around you and pulls you closer, “Thank fuck for double bookings,” he murmurs into your ear and you giggle in response.

Sleep comes quickly and comfortably. More comfortably than it had in a while.

[pureanonofficial]

hey op where did you get that photo of a blonde freddie in aviators and black and white for your chess valentine’s day cards. i cannot for the life of me figure out what production it’s from. thank you so much have a lovely day.

So I'm going to go into far more detail than you asked for, because this relates to one of my favorite Freddie actors of all time!!!

The photo originates from the San Jose Civic Light Opera/American Musical Theatre of San Jose production in 1992. I pulled it the facebook page SJCLO AMTSJ Alumni. The theater group is sadly no longer around, having declared bankruptcy in the early 2000s, but it's still well-loved due to having passionate former members, particularly one who uploads the theater's proshots on youtube. Including a proshot of this Chess! The shows are generally very good--a shining light in regional theater! You know you'll get a competent show with them.

Below are a couple of links and the photo in question!

The Freddie pictured is Kim Strauss, and he is my very favorite Freddie of all time.

Now, there is a proshot of him in the aforementioned production!

I would not recommend watching him first in the aforementioned production, as it is Kinda Bad. The set design is really wonderful, one of the best in Chesses, and Strauss is very good, but the script makes more baffling choices than usual, and the rest of the cast isn't that great. However! What you should watch him in! Is LONG BEACH CHESS!

This! Is one of the best Chesses of all time! It's one of the most coherent, well-directed, and well-cast versions. If you're not familiar with the Broadway version of Chess, this is an excellent place to start with that plot! And this bootleg is subtitled! Even better! The Florence in this production is Jodi Benson (of The Little Mermaid and Broadway fame) and she is maybe my favorite Florence ever. She's so passionate and intense in the role. She's just my platonic ideal of the character! So hurting, so fierce, so alive and human--I can't describe her Florence any better than the casting description for Broadway Chess does--"She is clever, theatrical, touching, vivacious, volatile." That's her Florence!

To gush a little more about Kim Strauss -- he really is my favorite Freddie. And he did the role at least four times in different productions throughout the 90s, so clearly 90s Chess productions agree with me. XD His Freddie is such a deeply awful person and yet horribly pathetic and sad at the same time. His Freddie is deeply possessive of Florence, controlling both physically and mentally, and yet utterly driven to convince himself he does not need her. Yet he reaches for her hand before the first chess game in a quiet asking for reassurance. Yet he kisses her before Pity the Child in a desperate bet of maybe this will work. Yet he stares at her throughout all of Endgame, winning almost in an act of spite against her, yet it is still abundantly clear that it's all hollow because he does not have her. And he has this really interesting, needy tenor that works so well for the character, as well as the MOST Chicago accent that I cannot imagine Freddie without now. And he's got such a great physicality to him. His Freddie is always antsy, always fidgeting, almost always hunched over or running his hands over his face or something. He's never still. I just love his take on Freddie so so so much. He's a really fucking bad man, like he does not let you get away from the fact that Freddie is a terrible person, and yet he's still interesting to watch!

Also his Pity the Child is my favorite performance of the song ever, and I have linked the bootleg below at that point, because if nothing else, you need to see that!

I'm sorry for all this excessive detail anon, but if you are interested, GO WATCH LONG BEACH CHESS.

[vikingsvices]

PDA in the digital age

With the whole world as a potential audience, oversharing details about your relationship online can lead to unintended consequences and become a source of discomfort. An overemphasis on social media public displays of affection can create pressure to perform happiness, potentially overlooking the authenticity of a relationship. It can also invite external scrutiny and feedback, which may not always be positive.

On the other hand, the public affirmations of romantic satisfaction on platforms such as Facebook have been linked to higher relationship satisfaction among couples, according to researchers at Albright College. It’s imperative that couples assess the impact of their virtual PDA, not just on personal privacy but also on the health and perception of their romantic relationships.

Cultural perspectives on public displays of affection

Couple displays affection through a kiss while standing on a bus.cs

Cultural factors significantly influence how individuals and societies navigate PDA on social media. In liberal societies, sharing kisses, holding hands or other forms of physical affection might be widely prevalent and accepted on digital platforms. Meanwhile, in more traditional or conservative cultures, such public exhibitions might be frowned upon or even lead to social or legal consequences, affecting the nature of content shared online.

Practical tips for PDA on social media

Navigating the complexities of online PDA requires a strategic approach. Here are several practical tips for individuals and couples attempting to maintain respectful levels of PDA on social media:

1. Communicate with your partner about comfort levels regarding online PDA to try and ensure both parties are on the same page.

2. Consider the potential implications and long-term permanence of the content you share—once online, your displays of affection can be difficult to entirely remove.

3. Cultivate an awareness of your audience; remember your social media friends or followers include colleagues, family and even future employers.

4. Employ privacy settings to control who can view the personal moments that you choose to share.

5. Reflect on why you are sharing—if it’s for validation or to invite commentary on your relationship, it may be wise to reconsider.

In a data-driven world where personal information is invaluable, following these tips can help  couples express their affection thoughtfully without compromising personal boundaries or privacy.

The impact of public displays of affection on relationships

Lovers, man taking a picture with his woman on valentines day for social media

PDA on social media can reveal significant insights into the dynamics of a romantic relationship, with research from Albright College illuminating how relationship satisfaction correlates with online behavior. The study discovered individuals more content with their partnerships tend to actively share affectionate posts, including couple photos and loving comments on their partner’s social media timeline. This suggests that for many, the visibility of their relationship’s happiness plays out through their interactions on social networks.

However, this same practice of engaging in PDA online can also be indicative of underlying relational insecurities. The same Albright College survey found individuals with relationship contingent self-esteem (RCSE)—a measure of self-worth based on the status of one’s relationship—are more liable to post details and pictures demonstrating their romantic connections. These findings imply social media can serve as a platform for affirming relationship validity to oneself and others but potentially at the cost of personal or relational well-being.

How couples can navigate discomfort related to oversharing on social platforms

Striking a balance between sharing and privacy remains a tightrope walk for couples engaging in PDA on social platforms. While a moderate level of online affection can be seen as a healthy acknowledgment of a partner, when such actions stem from compulsion rather than choice, they may lead to negative consequences. A study published in the Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking highlights the increased likelihood of relationship conflicts related to frequent Facebook use, with these conflicts relating to adverse outcomes such as infidelity and breakups.

For couples navigating the discomfort of oversharing, experts emphasize the importance of maintaining a balance. While online displays of affection aren’t inherently negative, they should not become substitutes for actual expressions of love and should be accompanied by efforts to bolster self-esteem independent of the relationship’s online representation.

Conclusion

As couples grapple with the complexities of online PDA, it’s imperative to set boundaries and approach digital affection thoughtfully. In a world where the line between public and private is increasingly blurred, managing the visibility of relationships on social media is not only a matter of social decorum but also an expression of respect for personal boundaries and privacy. Digital platforms like Peoplelooker.com could help you take control of how you portray your love in the digital age.

Disclaimer: The above is solely intended for informational purposes and in no way constitutes legal advice or specific recommendations.

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

Teen and Up Rated Fics Masterlist (17)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11 / Part 12 / Part 13 / Part 14 /  Part 15 / Part 16 /

Created: March 14th, 2024

Last Checked:—-

Bean-Shidh-dispatchesfromdistrict7 (ao3) Summary: Historical AU. Gale Hawthorne, a proud Scottish highlander, falls in love with daughter at a local inn, Maighread Undersee. Inspired by Alfred Noyes lyrical poem, The Highwayman. Written for round 3 of the Write-Me-A-Story Hunger Games challenge. Bear Trap-Chele20035 (ao3) Summary: Historical everlark au... Katniss finds Peeta in a bear trap in her woods after Gettysburg at the beginning of winter. Be Mine-HGfanonezillion (ao3) Summary: Fluffy, sweet Valentine's Day Everlark one shot. Blackberry Beginnings-DandelionSunset (ao3) Summary: The first scene between Katniss and Peeta in Sever, in which she comes to sell blackberries to Mr. Mellark and is offered much more than she could have ever expected. Peeta's POV. *One shot* *repost* Blur-Angylinni (ao3) Summary: Everything lately is a blur. breathe in, breathe through, breathe deep, breathe out-Abagail_Snow (ao3) Summary: Over a series of Thanksgiving Breaks, Katniss and Peeta fall apart, then fall back together. Burn-Dispatchesfromdistrict7 (ao3) Summary: Haymitch's perspective on the return of Peeta and Johanna after being rescued from the Capitol. Bury Hope out of Sight-dracoisalooker76 (ao3) Summary: "I shake my head. She hadn’t really figured much of anything out except that she was pregnant and she didn’t want to be, so she ran from it. That’s another thing that she’s really good at – running from her problems." The only person Katniss can't run from is Prim.  but this is getting good now-Abagail_Snow (ao3) Summary: Three weeks. They had dated three weeks at the end of senior year, and he wanted to throw away his first semester of college with late night Skype sessions instead of parties, and stalking facebook photos in search of candidates for jealousy, all to be miserable with her. All for three weeks of dating. Cake Crumbs-Ally147 (ao3) Summary: A collection of all the stories and drabbles I've contributed to Everlark Birthday Gifts on Tumblr.

[levbolton]

HGSN Line game questions and answers

Volume 2 of Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu went out in Japan with a limited edition student card of Yoshiki with a special QR code for a Line bot. Moku said that they wrote almost all the answers, so let’s assume most of the information here is canon. I made a compilation of (I think almost) all answers, thanks to my dear moot Agnes that provided me the screenshots to the conversations (thanks a lot).

1. When is your birthday

Yoshiki: April 20th

Hikaru: March 20th

2. How old are you?

Yoshiki: I am 17, Hikaru … 16

Notice: I am very troubled about this, because why are they the same grade then…?

3. Do you like dogs?

Yoshiki: I used to go to my mother's family in Tokyo every New Year's Eve. The dog on my phone's lock screen is the one they keep there.

4. Do you like drinking?

Hikaru: You're always drinking. That old man...

Notice: I do not understand this one at all…

5. What do you think about Asako?

Yoshiki: I've never won an arm wrestling match... By the way, I think she is secretly popular among the boys.

6. What do you think about Yuuki?

Yoshiki: Yuki and I have been friends since junior high school and have known each other for a long time. The obligation chocolates she gives me for Valentine's Day are to die for.

7. What do you think about Maki?

Hikaru: Maki is really loud, louder than me.

8. Cute. (just this word)

Hikaru: I think so. Yoshiki's cute.

Yoshiki: ... I'm not happy…

9. Are you friends?

Hikaru: I have a lot of friends, but Yoshiki is like half my family.

Yoshiki: Well, ...... I'm sure I did. I did.

10. What do you think about Kaoru?

Hikaru: Kaoru is like a little sister to me too.

11. What do you think about your mother?

Hikaru: My mom and Yoshiki's mother are very close. They often have tea together.

12. Do you like your father?

Yoshiki: I don't talk to my dad... I don't talk to him at all, so...

13. Do you like summer holidays?

Hikaru: Summer is for watermelons!

Yoshiki: All you talk about is food.

14. What are your hobbies?

Yoshiki: Eh... Watching YouTube, reading comic books... I used to make insect specimens.

Hikaru: Read comics or... Eating?

15. What do you think about MasterMaster?

Hikaru: I've read a lot of Master Master. But it's only 120 volumes (unfinished), so…

Notice: MasterMaster is a reference to HxH, but damn 120 volumes, jojo style

16. What is your favourite film?

Hikaru: I like to watch movies for no reason.

17. What are your fondest memories?

Hikaru: The summer festival was memorable~ but the mince cutlet might be the best memory for me

18. Who do you like?

Hikaru: What do you mean by “like”? I don't know, but I think my favourite living thing is Yoshiki.

Yoshiki: I have the right to remain silent.

19. What is the Indo family history?

Hikaru: Come to think of it, it's a strange last name, isn't it? What's the origin?

20. What is the Tsujinaka family?

Yoshiki: My last name, I often forget to write the dots of Tsuji (辻)

If you mention Kohei, Tanaka, Takeda, Matsushima, Mikasa, Hikaru will answer like this: Eh?

21. Stamp

Text: Cheer up today! Roudo Nyan

Notice: Stamps on Line are like the equivalent of Facebook stickers. I assume we have a name for the kitty now…

22. What is your dialect?

Yoshiki: Our dialect seems to be often referred to as a mock Osaka dialect...It's not the same as Osaka dialect.

23. What are your aspirations?

Yoshiki: Leave the village...?

Hikaru: Eh~ to wipe my ass with a 10.000 yen bill

24. Happy birthday!

Yoshiki: Eh? Today is not my birthday.

Hikaru: Thank you! Today is my birthday!

Notice: It is not his birthday.

23. School festival

Hikaru: I'm sure I'll be a relay player, but I won't lose to the track and field guys~

Yoshiki: I'll probably be in charge of photography anyway.

24. School club

Yoshiki: After school, I basically study in the study room. The photo club is kind of a ghost club...

Hikaru: I practice with the football team, and when I'm done, I go home with Yoshiki.

25. Halloween

Hikaru: If I were to dress up for Halloween, I'd be a zombie! Ahahaha!

Yoshiki: It’s not funny…

26. Summer Festival

Hikaru: The summer festival was so much fun! Do you wear a yukata? 

Yoshiki: It's a hassle, I don't wear one.

Hikaru: I'd like to wear one at least once.

27. Sing

Hikaru: Ao~yama nakami ni~sozure tenbansan~♪ 

Yoshiki: I’s a school song 

Notice: Hikaru is singing the same song from chapter 13.2

28. Autumn

Hikaru: What's autumn like? Do the leaves change?

Yoshiki: The leaves turn red. The mountains turn red and silver grass grows.

Hikaru: Huh~ I'm looking forward to it.

Notice: I can’t he’s so... innocent....

29. Winter

Yoshiki: I don't like winter because it's cold. It snows here... 

Hikaru: The first time I saw snow with my own eyes, I was so moved. 

Notice: I CAN’T HE’S SO INNOCENT

30. Ice cream

Hikaru: I think Mr Gachigachi-kun is the best ice-cream maker.

Yoshiki: Yamakyu always only has Papikko, but that's third in my opinion

31. Do you believe in Santa?

Hikaru: Hey, when did you realise that Santa Claus doesn’t exist?

Yoshiki: I've had a faint hunch since I was about 5 years old.

Hikaru: Yoshiki, you were a realistic kid...

32.  Shichi-Go-San

Hikaru: Yoshiki, did you do the shinchi-go-san?

Yoshiki: I did... It doesn't suit you at all.

Hikaru: Hmm. I want to do it too. But come to think of it,  I'm not even three years old yet.

Notice: I can’t he’s so...........

Tbh I think these are useful for… eventual fanfics… (pls someone write a multichap au)

[weneverlearn]

Happy (belated) Labor Day! - Some Quick Words from Sylvia Reed about Lou Reed's History of Wearing Ties

Sylvia and Lou Reed, wedding, Valentine's Day, 1980

My dad used to say "Tie is a 4-letter word." His avoidance of said sartorial detail was shorthand for he didn't want to work a boring desk job. And sure, ties can equal that.

But then as time goes on -- with people wearing pajamas on plane flights, sweatpants to brunch, and in general humanity seeming to have given up on even trying -- a tie can have it's moments of surprising shock.

Punks wearing old ripped ones, pulled down from a 2-button open collar circa 1975-78 was a nice affront to both staid society and cruddy hippie clothes.

Wayne County & the Electric Chairs (via)

The Clash (via Treble)

The power pop bands circa 1978-82 took ties to whole other level, to the point of their very genre being called "skinny tie rock." Since then, ties have entered a phase of going back to, well, some guys just look good in them, others look tethered to their cubicle.

Speaking of which, I posted this great Lou Reed tune/video above (from one of my top 5 Lou solo albums, and I believe the first of his I ever bought -- Legendary Hearts ) to Facebook this past Labor Day, for obvious reason. It was 1983 then, and Lou doing an upbeat works sucks rant while sporting a tie was a kind of double "whoa." And he looked good in it.

A few years ago I interviewed Lou's ex-wife, Sylvia Reed for Please Kill Me online, and the topic was to be focused on the album art and videos she worked on with Lou during her years with him. I was a little trepidatious, but she turned out to be a charming person, we ended up talking for about an hour and a half at a Chinatown diner, and have since become friendly.

So after posting this vid, she popped in my mind, and I asked her a couple things about the "Don't Talk to Me About Work" video.

------------------------------------

I remember the interesting decision to have Lou wear a suit and tie for this video. For me it recalled that great lyric from "Coney Island Baby" -- "And I seen those suit and tie johns buy you one drink, then buy you some more”. Such a great lyric.

And the twist involved in Lou wearing “business clothes." Yet at his most romantic, this is what he wore, in his wedding to Bettye (Kronstad, 1973) he wore a suit with a sort of extravagant fabric. In my wedding he wore a nice understated suit. Later on, in Paul Simon’s 1980 feature film One Trick Pony, Lou was cast as a high powered record producer, and he wore a suit with a leather jacket, if I remember correctly.

------------------------------------

Sylvia swore I could track down some stills from the flick with Lou in a leather jacket and leather tie, but apparently my Googleing is off. Though this is a cool still from that flick I found:

Via The Beatmax Rundown

Oh, and here he is in a bowtie anyway.

Photo by Mick Rock

And here's a goofy article which kind of makes me not want to wear a tie ever again. Make delineated rues about tie-wearing and it becomes a tether again.

[katerynakole]

💖The main holiday in February is right around the corner! Are you looking forward to Saint Valentine's Day?

💖This photo represented the month of December within my 2024 calendar - daily planner “Year in the Dolomites” ➙ https://etsy.me/3ZjD9Tq

🇫🇷La fête principale de février approche à grands pas ! Avez-vous hâte à la Saint-Valentin ?

🇫🇷Cette photo représentait le mois de décembre dans mon calendrier 2024 - agenda quotidien “Année dans les Dolomites” ➙ https://etsy.me/3ZjD9Tq

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Store  ➔ https://katerynakole.etsy.com

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[enter-the-phantom]

Enter Writes A Blog - Oct 4, 2023

In Which I Get A New Job (Sort Of) and Meet the Dance Commander; Nearly Die of Queer Joy

A few life updates bc I’ve just been too tired to post regularly recently! Gonna start doing these since I’ve always admired people who keep little journals. Enjoy.

I got a new seasonal job a few weeks ago at a local theatre and costume shop, which sounds like it would be perfect for me but is…definitely not. The pay is abysmal, it’s $9 an hour with no benefits, and the job itself is so mind-numbingly monotonous that I’m actually depressed. There’s a lot going on and I don’t think I’m going to make it—I need a challenge and I can’t shut my brain off for eight hours a day with nothing to do. Not being able to think creatively and solve puzzles is really messing with my head. Plus the hours are really bad for me, getting up that early and getting home in the evening is really draining for someone with my circadian rhythm. It’s just not for me. As bad as I feel about it (bc I do like my coworkers!), I’m going to quit sometime in the coming weeks and focus on building up my Etsy and working on my art offerings. It won’t make money but it also won’t make me so depressed I can do nothing but sleep on my days off. I just can’t handle traditional work, it’s not good for my brain and my mental health and it’s affecting me physically too. I can’t risk another colitis scare and the stress just isn’t worth it.

On to better news that, if you know me, is gonna have you jumping for me bc everyone I’ve told is freaked.

If you know me you know by now that Electric Six is my soul band and means the world to me. You know what I’ve been through and how happy they make me. Finally got to see them in person on Friday night and it was a spiritual experience. I ended up not only against the stage, but the closest one to The Man himself. Nearly got hit with the mic stand boner multiple times. Eye contact happened. Moments happened. They were magical. He is magical. As I said to @mosshugs, there is truly nothing like the joy an aroace person feels for their squish. It’s the purest form of love there is and my god, do I love that man. Multiply it with the love a performer has for their muse and I’ve been emotional all week.

Every E6 experience I’ve ever had involved lovely strangers who became friends and this was no exception. We just all come together to watch a bunch of goofy guys play goofy songs and do goofy dances together. Met the most lovely family of Crazies with daughters me and my sister’s age, we hung out with them all night, kept an eye on each other and just in general had a great time making new friends! My new local friend is super sweet and we have a lot in common, so that’s really neat! Hoping to talk to her more if I don’t get super nervous about it bc she’s really cool. Also she was providing the strongest moral support when she saw just how close I was to Dick Valentine. Mad props for recognising I was having several moments. When he knelt down on that speaker and started rambling about Lyme Disease she had my back quite literally. Such a real one. Also sent me all her photos and vids bc I was too busy ascending to even remember my phone.

But my god, do I love the Crazies. Herb S Flavorings (who was a treat as always to watch) flicked us a pick, missed, it hit someone else and dropped to the floor. Everyone immediately stepped back and helped find it. Setlist got passed down to me by not one but two other people who saw just how much this concert meant to me and thought I should have it I guess? Also met up with some guys from the Facebook group as I was leaving who wanted to meet “the E6 artist” and demanded to know if I got the prints delivered—I love this dumb little fandom. Also The Flashy Jacket™ was a hit!

And of course the part ya’ll we’re waiting for—I got to meet my hero, Dick Valentine himself. Spotted him coming down from the green room to get his customary post-show amaretto sour and I asked if we could talk when he had a minute (mostly just wanted to deliver the art prints) and he was so immediately friendly and approachable. He had a few people coming up to say hi, and what really struck me was how careful he was to make sure I knew he hadn’t forgotten I wanted to talk to him. I’m sure he had no idea how much that truly meant to me—it’s such a little thing, just to have someone give you a reassuring look that you haven’t been forgotten or ignored and they’re going to make time—but for some people they never get that and it truly means the world. To get it from someone who does not know me, but who has gotten me through so much, was really incredible. I started tearing up and apologising for being emotional and he was so reassuring, reiterating that it had been a long night and it was okay to be emotional and he was glad he and his silly little band had done so much for me. Art was delivered, he loved it—and apparently John (and Da Ve??? I’m in on a secret I guess) are going to be back for the Detroit show or at least there, so he promised to deliver them then. My extra print of his was signed, and so was my setlist! Also I got a hug and some very cute photos. Just truly the sweetest, most down-to-earth gem of a man with the most shockingly calming presence. We all knew he was pretty special, all the guys are, but in person he’s really something else. Thank you again, Dick/Tyler (bc we love the persona but the man himself is just a good guy) and if you ever see this, I promise I’m not crazy and I’m not attempting to clone you in my basement—you just genuinely are my hero. Please don’t push yourself too hard on this tour; we all love you and want you to take care of yourself. ❤️

Anyway. If you read the end of this welcome back to our regularly scheduled nonsense on this blog. I’ll be doing a lot of social media stuff once I quit my job so I can get serious about building up my platforms and working on art and design stuff, so stay on the lookout for that! LOTS of art coming soon. Selfship and fandom friends, I have some amazing new stuff coming out, including some cool commission options you’ve never seen before. Also going to attempt this TikTok thing I guess.

Glad to be back and I missed you all! I hope my mental health will be better once I can focus on working creatively, the way I need to. Love you all! ❤️

[halcyonramblings]

Letters I Can Never Send, No. 5

Dear D,

After our New Years Eve date, I heard from you just about every day. Some days it was a meme, sometimes it was a song, and sometimes it was a deep philosophical question meant to initiate heated banter. Those were always my favorite.

Valentines Day came and went with little fanfare, but it didn’t matter because you spent your evening with me. Granted, it was through texting as opposed to in-person, but still you dubbed me your Valentine and we talked all night, so I went to bed with a contented smile on my lips and - dare I say it? - love swelling in my heart. I had three months until graduation, I had recently been awarded a full scholarship, and I was falling hard for you. I swore to myself that my first night at college, I was going to sleep in your arms.

Two days later, February 16th started as just another mundane day of high school until it all fell apart during 2nd period, AP U.S. history. Mr. Brown’s classroom felt as chilly as the biting air outside, and the fluorescent lights felt too bright as I shivered against the fuzzy fleece of my North Face jacket. Classmates chattered idly all around me while Mr. Brown swore under his breath at the Smart Board, which was refusing to display the Power Point that would guide his lecture.

Covertly, I slipped my iPod Touch out of my pocket, the pink and white giraffe print case cool and smooth in my palm. It had recently become common knowledge that the school’s wi-fi was unsecured, so we could freely use apps just so long as we didn’t get caught. I clicked onto Facebook and began to absently look through my newsfeed, when the sight of your name made me pause my scrolling. You had “liked” a photo.

I had never seen the girl before. Never had I seen a trace of her in the comments of your posts, never a tagged photo, never a wall post, never a mention of her as part of your regular rotation of friends. Already feeling panicked, I clicked through to her profile. Right there, under her recently added, there you were. Brand new Facebook friends. I clicked back to the picture, began to scrutinize her.

As much as I hated to admit it, she was kind of pretty, in a hipster sort of way. She had shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair in flat-ironed layers, thick bangs covering a large portion of her face. A purple bandanna was tied in her hair like a headband and she wore a gray t-shirt bearing the emblem of your university. Her eyes were partially obscured by thick, rectangular glasses and she smirked at herself in the mirror she was using to take her picture.

At this point, my heart had completely fallen out of my chest and landed in stomach acid, where it threatened to come up my throat and splatter like a tomato on the grimy tile floor. I clicked back to her profile, tears bubbling up in my eyes. She was pretty. In one picture, she didn’t wear her glasses and instead flashed huge, ice-blue eyes, black mascara piled on long lashes. In another, she played a guitar in the middle of a convenience store, right in front of the icee machine. There was one where she sat cross-legged on her bedroom floor, trippy posters on the turquoise wall behind her and a Spam can on the bookshelf being used as a pen holder. She had a professional grade camera; photo after photo featured her holding up random objects in front of a fisheye lens.

I couldn’t deny it; she was everything I wanted to be. She was perfect. And she was your type. As the day wore on, I obsessively stalked both your Facebook profiles. You “liked” another of her photos, an older one taken with a webcam; she had obviously recently showered, hair in damp, wild curls framing her face.

That night, though, you texted me as if everything were normal. You made no mention of this mystery girl, instead sending me a song to listen to: “Warning Sign” by Coldplay. In return, I sent you “Bedroom Eyes” by the Dum Dum Girls. We continued like this, back and forth musical tag with some conversation sprinkled in, until you said goodnight around midnight. You promised you would talk to me tomorrow, punctuating your text with a ;-) face. Perhaps I had overreacted, I told myself as I burrowed under the covers.

You didn’t text me the next day, though. In fact, that was the last I heard from you. Days or weeks passed, I’m not sure. It felt like forever.

You certainly had time for your new friend, though. Over the next several days, I endured constant “likes” and even wall posts between the two of you - feigned sarcasm, playful arguing, exchanging songs, just like we did. It almost felt as though you were rubbing it in my face. But the thing that hurt me the most, the twisting of the knife - remember one of the songs you sent her?

Fucking “Warning Sign” by Coldplay, D.

[saleintothe90s]

472. That time "Luann" had a user submitted fashion show (March, 1995)

Originally, this was supposed to be an entry about when Luann's crush for life, Aaron Hill moved away to Hawaii. I swear I remember reading those strips as a teenager. NO. Turns out that happened in 2004 when I was 21 years old. Maybe I was thinking about the scroll, because that definitely happened when I was in 8th grade back in 1997. Luann gave Aaron this scroll of their timeline together for Valentines Day one year, and it totally wasn't creepy at all:

Oh wait what did I want to talk about? The fashion show that I still remember like it was last week:

In January of 1995, Luann broke the fourth wall and asked for designs for the school fashion show. Fans had a month to submit entries.

Way back in 2000, the official Luann site had a section about the fashion show. From creator Greg Evans:

I always liked the idea of involving readers in my strip. In early '95, I took that notion to its extreme: asking readers to send in their own fashion drawings with a chance to see their work reproduced in Luann.

On Jan.14, 1995, after doing a sequence about an upcoming school fashion show, I put a call for entries in the strip. I had no idea how many - or how few - entries I'd get. I wondered if a fashion design contest would leave all my male readers cold. 

About a week later, the drawings started coming in - up to 800 in one day. In the end, about 3,000 people sent drawings - 15,000 drawings in all. 

And they were from age 5 to age 97, male and female. I got everything from crayon scrawls on paper towels to full color computer renderings. I got whole classrooms that sent drawings. I got photos of people wearing fashions they'd created and made. I even got patterns so I could make them myself. I got many drawings that were elegant, some that were bizarre, several that were funny and a few that were, well, unprintable. 

Then, with terrific support from my syndicate, we did something that had never been done before: I produced 4 different versions of the week's worth of reader drawings so they could be "zoned" to where the reader lived. Thus, people in the Northeast saw strips featuring drawings by people in their area. People in the Southwest saw their drawings, etc. By doing this, we were able to show 4 times as many drawings. We also notified the local papers and, in several cases, they did articles on their hometown fashion designer.

I was not aware that they were four separate strips that week! I wanted to do some comparisons from my local paper (Daily Press) and the Luann site, but my newspaper is missing three days. HOW. Who hurt you, microfilm?

I went into my Google Newspapers bookmarks and only a couple carried Luann at the time, and they were the exact strips that are on the Luann website. I wonder now if the zones didn't happen and Greg just misremembered.

Oh LOOK, there's a Susan Smith Funky Winkerbean strip on the first day of the fashion show. Susan (we all remember Susan) wanted some alone time with Mr. Moore. Oh, did y'all know that Funky Winkerbean is ENDING at the end of the year?! I'm heartbroken. What am I supposed to make fun of now.

Can't you totally see Gunther would wearing this to prom?

Dang, Mr. Fogarty looking good!

Ok, Delta's ski outfit might be my favorite.

For a second I thought that Brad was dressed as a baseball player.

Tiffany is sporting that "Sophie B. Hawkins in the "Damn, Wish I Was Your Lover" music video look. Remember, the outfit that kinda looked like a diaper?? And MTV wouldn't run the video apparently?

Okay, so there was always this long running joke that Aaron Hill barely knew Luann existed--but yet they were pretend bride and groom for the fashion show. I know he's a teenage boy, but how could he forget that??

Also, I totally imagine this dress having pink accents.

Another strip moment I vividly remember also happened that week: when Curtis' mother was attacked by a robber and wound up having a miscarriage:

That was upsetting.

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[naina10]

The Secret Language of Flowers: How Advertising Shapes Our Floral Choices

In a world where visual appeal and emotional connection are more critical than ever, the floral industry stands as a testament to the timeless allure of nature's beauty. Flowers have a unique ability to convey messages of love, sympathy, celebration, and friendship. But beyond their natural beauty, a well-crafted advertising campaign can transform a simple bouquet into a powerful symbol of emotion. Flowers advertising plays a pivotal role in how we perceive, choose, and connect with blooms.

The Allure of Flowers: Why We Buy

Flowers have been a staple of human culture for centuries, symbolizing everything from love to mourning. But what drives us to purchase flowers in the modern age? Several factors contribute to the demand for floral arrangements:

Emotional Expression: Flowers can express sentiments that words often cannot. From apologizing to celebrating, flowers help convey emotions effectively.

Aesthetic Appeal: The vibrant colors and fragrant scents of flowers enhance any environment, making them a popular choice for home decor and events.

Cultural Significance: Different cultures attach specific meanings to flowers, and these symbolic meanings often influence purchasing decisions.

Occasions and Events: Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays often call for flowers, boosting their demand year-round.

The Evolution of Flowers Advertising

The art of flowers advertising has evolved significantly, adapting to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements. Here’s how advertising strategies have shifted over the years:

Traditional Advertising

In the past, flowers were primarily advertised through traditional means such as:

Print Media: Newspapers, magazines, and brochures were common platforms for florists to showcase their offerings.

Television and Radio: Commercials on TV and radio helped reach a broad audience, especially during special occasions like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Local Events and Sponsorships: Florists often participated in local events or sponsored community activities to increase brand visibility.

Digital Transformation

The digital revolution has brought about new ways for florists to connect with potential customers. Digital marketing strategies now dominate flowers advertising:

Social Media Marketing

Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest have become essential tools for florists to reach younger, tech-savvy audiences. Social media offers:

Visual Storytelling: Florists can showcase their floral arrangements through stunning photos and videos, creating a narrative that resonates with viewers.

Engagement and Interaction: Social media allows for direct engagement with customers through comments, likes, and messages, building a community around the brand.

Influencer Collaborations: Partnering with influencers who align with the brand’s values can amplify reach and introduce flowers to new audiences.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is crucial for florists to enhance their online presence and attract organic traffic. This involves:

Keyword Optimization: Using relevant keywords like "flower delivery," "bouquet arrangements," and "seasonal flowers" to improve search engine rankings.

Content Creation: Producing blog posts, guides, and videos related to flowers can position florists as industry experts and draw in potential customers.

E-commerce Platforms

Online shopping has made purchasing flowers more convenient than ever. Florists use e-commerce websites to offer a seamless shopping experience:

User-Friendly Websites: Well-designed websites with easy navigation and secure payment options make the buying process hassle-free.

Personalization Options: Customers can customize their orders, adding personal touches to bouquets for special occasions.

Subscription Services: Some florists offer subscription services, allowing customers to receive regular flower deliveries for their homes or offices.

The Power of Storytelling in Flowers Advertising

One of the most effective strategies in flowers advertising is storytelling. By crafting narratives that resonate with consumers, florists can create emotional connections that drive sales. Here are some storytelling techniques used in advertising:

The Love Story

Love stories are timeless and universally appealing. Florists often create campaigns centered around romance, showcasing flowers as the perfect gift for partners and loved ones.

Valentine's Day Campaigns: Highlighting red roses and other romantic blooms during Valentine's Day attracts couples looking for meaningful gifts.

Anniversary Stories: Sharing customer stories about how flowers played a role in their relationships adds authenticity to advertising.

The Celebration Narrative

Celebratory moments call for flowers, and advertising that emphasizes these joyous occasions can boost sales.

Birthday Blooms: Campaigns focusing on birthday bouquets and customized floral gifts cater to those celebrating special milestones.

Graduation and Achievement: Highlighting flowers as a way to celebrate achievements, such as graduations or promotions, taps into the desire to mark significant life events.

The Sympathy and Support Message

Flowers also play a role in offering comfort and support during difficult times. Advertising that handles these emotions with sensitivity can resonate deeply with consumers.

Sympathy Arrangements: Campaigns that emphasize the role of flowers in offering condolences and support during times of loss show the compassionate side of florists.

Supportive Gestures: Highlighting flowers as a way to show support to friends and family during challenging times reinforces their emotional significance.

Successful Flowers Advertising Campaigns

Several floral brands have successfully utilized advertising to enhance their brand presence and connect with consumers. Here are a few notable examples:

FTD's "Flower Exchange"

FTD launched a campaign called "Flower Exchange," where they encouraged customers to share stories of how flowers impacted their lives. This campaign created a sense of community and showcased the power of flowers in various life moments.

User-Generated Content: By encouraging customers to share their stories and photos, FTD created authentic content that resonated with potential buyers.

Emotional Engagement: The campaign focused on the emotional connections people have with flowers, making it relatable and impactful.

Teleflora's "Love Out Loud"

Teleflora's "Love Out Loud" campaign focused on celebrating love and emotions in all their forms. The campaign featured heartwarming stories and encouraged people to express their feelings through flowers.

Storytelling Videos: Teleflora used video content to tell stories of love, friendship, and gratitude, engaging viewers on an emotional level.

Social Media Amplification: The campaign was promoted across social media platforms, reaching a wide audience and encouraging engagement.

The Future of Flowers Advertising

As technology advances and consumer preferences continue to evolve, the future of flowers advertising holds exciting possibilities:

Augmented Reality (AR)

AR technology offers interactive experiences, allowing customers to visualize floral arrangements in their spaces before purchasing. Florists can use AR apps to enhance the shopping experience and provide personalized recommendations.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI-powered personalization can analyze customer preferences and behaviors, offering tailored product recommendations that enhance the shopping experience and increase conversion rates.

Sustainability as a Selling Point

With growing environmental consciousness, florists can leverage sustainability as a key selling point in their advertising campaigns. Highlighting eco-friendly practices and locally sourced flowers appeals to environmentally conscious consumers.

Conclusion

Flowers advertising is more than just showcasing beautiful bouquets; it's about connecting with consumers on an emotional level and telling stories that resonate. Whether through digital marketing, social media engagement, or traditional advertising methods, florists have numerous tools to captivate audiences and drive sales. As the floral industry continues to evolve, innovative advertising strategies will remain at the heart of its growth, ensuring that flowers continue to hold a special place in our lives and celebrations.