#absolutely no disrespect to Taylor she’s amazing too

[veggieharumaki]

it most definitely has been said before but I’ll say it again: ethel cain is my taylor swift

[katebeckets]

#TeamShortPeople (I'm 5'2!)

That honestly really sucks and is so disrespectful of the people who only wanted to talk about themselves; like, clearly they were taking advantage of the Q&A opportunity. I would've been frustrated too! I'm sorry it wasn't enjoyable for you. At least you got some extra free merch though! As for a meet-and-greet, oh my God, girl, if she ever came to my city to do an album (or book?) signing, then I would absolutely seize that opportunity. I will drive how ever many minutes or hours to that city if I have to, lol. I'm surprised she chose my state, first of all, and chose not one but two cities to perform in. And one of them just happened to be mine! 🥹🤧 Honestly, it was just the meet-and-greet part + the extra merchandise that sold me on the Soundcheck Experience Package, but even before I bought a regular ticket (I got a balcony spot and I hope I don't regret that), not only did I decide against it because of the price, but I decided against it because I asked myself if I really needed any of that (the merchandise). Hopefully there will be some more things aside from what's on the website at a booth but I doubt it! Did you buy any merchandise aside from the V.I.P. freebies? The tote bag and sticker are a definite purchase, but I don't know if I want the purple tee or white sweatshirt. It never gets cold where I live... 🥲

Also, you're going again on July 26 as well, right??

Yeah, I appreciate the understanding. Because I’m trying not to be bitchy about it, but framing personal requests as questions for a Q&A is just really inconsiderate.

I don’t think you’ll regret it! The experience is the most important part. I was in the nosebleeds for the Speak Now World Tour (Taylor Swift) and it still was one of the most amazing experiences I got to have.

I did get merch! I love the VIP merch because I genuinely will use it (a tote bag, journal, and autographed photo), but I really like having tour shirts with the dates and locations and stuff. I got the purple shirt and the khaki sweatshirt because I couldn’t decide and was like you know what, it’s my birthday and I’m just going to get both 🤦🏻‍♀️ I honestly have never been a big sweatshirt person, and the shirt is way more practical for California, but I have started getting more outerwear for my favorites (e.g., I NEVER wore zip ups but I got the Waitress one the first time I saw it, and now I wear it all the time).

I think the only additional things I saw were specific to the venue, but you never know!

And yes, I’m so lucky to go one more time on the 26th before I go back to work! Not front row this time so I don’t know what my pictures will be like (again, short), but I’m excited. And sometimes it was hard to see her because she’d sit on the stage or walk further back and because the stage is so high, she was barely visible! I think there were parts of the set I couldn’t see too, so it’ll be fun to experience a new perspective 🥰

PS, I posted some gifs from one of my videos today. I’ll probably do some more gif sets throughout the next week or two 😊

[bisluthq]

Hey! I'm fairly new here and I have a pretty uncommon take on Kaylor. But I just wanna start off by saying I try my best to be as supportive of LGBT people as possible and if they're both bisexual, then I would be 100% okay with that! I'm not trying to "defend their heterosexuality" or anything, I think that's really weird

Okay, so my personal theory is that Kaylor did happen, but that Taylor and Karlie are both straight. I know that might sound contradictory, but I say this based on my own personal experiences based on how I am with my best friend. I think Karlie and Taylor's relationship might have been similar in some ways to ours

Right, so I'm straight and I'm not into women in the gay kind of way (but it's completely cool that some girls are), and I have this roommate who's gorgeous. Really gorgeous, she's like a 10/10 "I would sell my kidney to look like you" kind of girl. She's very attractive, she has like tan skin and long legs and gorgeous brown hair and pretty eyes and nice lips and just like… she's just very good looking. I'm definitely jealous of her body, I won't even pretend I'm not 😪 I lowkey hate her because of it (jk)

We've been living together since not long before COVID started, and we're very good friends. There were three of us before, but our other roommate went back home to stay with her parents until in person classes are back on and we agreed to it and worked something out because she has really bad anxiety so we understood her reasoning for it

Anyway so it's just been us two and because we've been at home a lot during this time instead of out for most of the day like before, we've gotten to know each other a lot better and have become a lot closer. We were already friends from before, but now we're like super close besties, we've been hanging out a lot together and playing board games, watching movies, helping each other with essays, just having long conversations about anything and everything, etc

Like it's been so nice having a best friend that I can be this close to now because I haven't had a best friend since I was a kid

So my friend and I were having like a conversation last year about how hard it's been in quarantine not being able to go on dates and how we miss kissing people, and so we decided to just like, make out for fun you know. I mean, there's not really anything that's inherently romantic or sexual about making out, that's just society that says that. But tbh I think making out with your friends if you want to should be normalized, it's fun and it can even be emotional sometimes. It's not that different from hugging people

After a couple of weeks or so, I think we got bored of just making out with each other and decided to like, fully hook up. It started off because we were modelling lingerie for each other for banter and were pretending we were each other's runway judges and then I think we just decided to hook up with each other as like part of the whole "game". I can't remember who initiated it now, I think it might have been me as a joke lol

Like just in a platonic way for fun, as a kind of substitute until we can go back into society

And tbh I always expected hooking up with a woman to be like mediocre and boring and awkward, but although it was a bit hard to get the hang of at first and there was a learning curve, it's actually very enjoyable. Like I was very surprised actually at how hot it can be, I think I can maybe see why bisexual women and lesbians like doing it

Anyway we both liked it and we just carried on hooking up on the regular and it's been like 8 months now and tbh I just think it's very sweet and heartwarming, like it actually makes me feel a little emotional how we're close enough and care about each other enough that we can even help each other out with the physical intimacy side of things so that we don't get sexually frustrated while we're stuck in lockdown

I just think it's really cool and we even sleep in the same bed most of the time now because tbh what's the point in sleeping alone when you can sleep in the same bed as someone else? It's nicer, like you can cuddle and stuff

Anyway, I think that maybe Kaylor's relationship might have been similar. I think they're both straight but they became really close friends in a short space of time, and that their friendship was so intense that it became physical but in a platonic way

I think lesbians and bisexual women are amazing and I have so much respect for you guys for accepting yourselves in a society that tries to erase you, and I think there definitely needs to be more wlw representation on TV and in movies

But at the same time, I would also like there to be more close female friendships like the one that me and my friend have where you can just talk about everything together and do things that society usually reserves for romantic partners, but in a platonic way. Because female friendship is really important and beautiful, whether that's between straight women like me and my friend who I think is probably straight too, or between queer women because one thing I've learnt during my short time on this blog is how queer women can have very close platonic friendships with other queer women too

I think society just has overly strict ideas of "straight" and "gay". Like for some people, they would hear about two women sleeping together and think "Oh that's gay", but not necessarily because straight women can enjoy sleeping with other women too, like it's normal 🤷‍♀️

I think it's just a result of women being a lot more physically beautiful than men are, like straight women really got the short end of the stick tbh compared to straight men

I also think it's because women are so oversexualized in the media, and obviously straight girls see that too and so we sort of internalize that attraction to women because we're so used to seeing women being presented in a sexual way? Except it's not real attraction with us like how it is for queer girls

Like I'm very much "attracted" to my friend, she's genuinely stunning and just very hot tbh. But I still identify as straight because it's just a case of what I mentioned above, it's a "fake" attraction. And also because men are afraid to compliment other men because it's seen as "gay", but women can be fully confident in their sexuality and still recognize other women's beauty and sex appeal. You see it all the time in instagram comments, and I really love how we're all so supportive of each other like that

Like I can be fully confident in my sexuality and yet still say that some women like my friend are gorgeous as hell and also 100 times better looking than most men I've seen. I'm very much obsessed with some women's appearances but in a platonic way

And I just love the concept of "girl crushes" and I think that from a feminism viewpoint, it's beautiful that we're focusing on other girls and showing love towards other girls too, instead of just to men who, let's be real, don't even fully appreciate it half of the time

I am going to be sad when we all have to return to life as usual and my friend and I won't be able to spend as much time together anymore. I'm dreading it tbh, I don't want it to end yet. And it really sucks that the physical side of our friendship will probably have to stop too once our other roommate comes back because I think she'd definitely misunderstand the situation and think it's something different than it actually is if she ever saw us kissing or something. I really am going to miss it a lot though, I really like how things currently are and it's just really really nice and I don't want it to change :/

Btw I'm sorry if I sounded fetishistic or offensive with any of this, I just get a bit jealous sometimes that you guys get to date girls and we're just stuck with men. Honestly if it wasn't for all of the homophobia and the struggles that you all have to face and the fact that it would feel disrespectful to the LGBT community, I would probably really wish I could change my sexuality to be bisexual or gay instead because I just think women are better. Sometimes I really do wish I was into women in that way because dating girls just sounds so much more appealing to me (in a non fetishizing weird way) but unfortunately I'm stuck with dating men 🤦‍♀️ But I also know I'm lucky and privileged to be straight even though most men are mediocre and kinda gross and I don't mean to be disrespectful because I know you all have to face homophobia and other LGBT difficulties and it really sucks, people are awful. There's nothing wrong with women dating women or men dating men at all, society is just ugly and bigoted

Anyway, does anybody else have a similar sort of take on Kaylor where they think they could have both been straight and just had a very close friendship with a physical side to it? I think it would explain a lot. But like I said, this is just a theory of mine based on my own situation, and I'm also open to the idea that it was an actual relationship and that they're both into women for real, not just fake "into women" like I am.

Also pls feel free to call me out if I accidentally said anything offensive towards LGBT people, I tried my best but if I made a mistake anywhere pls let me know and I'll avoid it next time!

You’re not offensive. Please stop apologizing. And we’re gonna come back to the Kaylor stuff another time because... Honey. You and I need to have a conversation for a bit.

So firstly, I’m not trying to like “diagnose” you and at the end of the day it’s your choice what you want to call yourself but... tbh you might not be straight. Sexuality is fluid not static and exists on a spectrum not in absolutes. It’s not like it’s straight, 50/50 bi, gay and you’re born knowing and there’s no room for anything else. That’s not true. There’s a lot of room in between all of these and labels can change over time. We’re people, not cereal brands, and sometimes we don’t even KNOW the word for what we might be. I’m tagging a tag for you from when we asked people to share their label journeys for you to see. It’s not simple or easy and it’s not just because of external stuff - it’s because figuring this out internally is HARD. If you found yourself having such an intense friendship it became physical, repeatedly, you liked it a lot, you still sleep in the same bed and continue to share all your thoughts and you don’t want any of that to end... I’m not sure you’re Kinsey 0. And I think you might lowkey have a girlfriend dude. 

You can obviously prefer men but like... hun I reaaallly don’t think you’re completely straight.

Also: it’s okay to say “I see myself winding up with a man and this is a situationship for right now!” but that doesn’t make you straight because again, sexuality is a spectrum and you can manifest a particular kind of endgame while experiencing other things along the way.

But here’s where you really got me: “most men are mediocre and kinda gross” and “women being a lot more physically beautiful than men are, like straight women really got the short end of the stick tbh compared to straight men” because that’s the kind of thing I used to say in my Bi 1.0 era before I ID’d as a lesbian for a bit and before Harry Styles (KING 🥺) made me bi for real. Hun, no. Straight women like men. Tbh BI women like men. I genuinely, unironically, find Harry and Timmy and Matt Smith to be sexy beasts and I would do dirty things to the former two but maybe not the latter irl in 2021 but yes also him if I could be on that Spain trip with him and Karen where they got sloshed and which I think of often. These men are genuinely fucking beautiful to me in the same way Taylor is and Di Silvers is (okay she’s prettier than all of them but like same ~vibe) and like Megan Thee Stallion is and Indira Varma in everything but especially GOT and Gillian Anderson and Keira Knightley. Like those women are HOT to me and SO. ARE. THE. MEN. 

Straight women find SO MANY DUDES hot. So many. Starting from objectively pretty options I just cannot personally understand like Chris Evans all the way through to bitches who are outchea simping for wrestlers and Cole Sprouse. Do I understand? No. But like... that’s straight girl culture and ours is not to judge. 

If you’re struggling to find men hot then... you might be gay.

Also, I’m not sure what you mean by “fake attraction”. Like queer women - especially femme women which I assume you very much are - experience the same kinds of feelings straight girls do. We have women we want to be like and look like and find enviable (me and Oenone Forbat) and women we find aesthetically gorgeous (me and Anya Taylor Joy) and we have extremely close female friends who we can spend hours on end spilling our guts to - as you say female friendships are truly special - and without going into personal people that you don’t know, that’s me and Cam and Sim right? I literally talk to them for hours. Like those are not gay feelings. And yes we can chat about those kinds of feelings with straight girls and call them “girl crushes” and not immediately get “caught out” because they experience this exact shit too.

But here’s the thing. They never do and I don’t want in the cases above to fuck these women. It’s not sexual.

The moment I can actually imagine fucking the women in question that’s... gay. 

Like it’s not “fake attraction” it’s literally just gay. That’s how we desire women. We want to fuck them. Not all women. Not always. But sometimes we want to get under or on top of one and just really truly fucking make each other moan with pleasure.

I have no idea if Karlie or Taylor are into women. They could both literally be straight. I have no idea.

But I have a better idea about you.

Hun, you’re fucking your roommate/best friend and don’t want to stop.

You’re not “into women”.

You’re into this woman.

And possibly into women more generally.

So I know it’s weird to have to be the one to tell you this, and if you want to keep chatting via anon or in my DMs or if you want me to try collate resources for you from around the web but...

Like.

Dude.

You’re a whole ass part of the rainbow.

Welcome to the community you thought you weren’t a part of earlier today 🌈 ❤️

It’s nice here, sure there’s homophobia, but at least we get to fuck girls and man is it good.

[randomtheatrethoughts]

Broadway Cast Recording Review: Mean Girls the Musical Act 1

In honor of the now closed Mean Girls the Musical, I will be talking and rating all the songs in the cast recording. Keep in mind, this is all my opinion, and is subject to change. This rating is as of right now, January 14, 2021. I’ll be honest, it will probably change tomorrow. Feel free to comment your own opinions, but don’t disrespect other people’s opinions. Act 2 will be up soon!

A Cautionary Tale: (7/10)

This is a great song, don’t get me wrong. It’s hilarious. The little cut ins by Damian, the the conversations between him and Janis? Amazing. Seeing it live was really great, especially during the “kick! layout! fosse!” part. It’s such a great way to open up such a lively and comical show. However, I feel like it’s a bit too short, so there’s not much to rate. In addition, I wish there was more of a lead in to the first “it’s a cautionary tale.” I understand that there is a dialogue lead in live, but I wish they recorded it. 

It Roars: (10/10)

I LOVE THIS SONG. I love singing it, and it’s just in such a great place for my voice. But enough about that, seeing it live was great. The use of the screens behind the actors added an unique feature to the show. Also Erika Henningsen shooting a dart at Ben Cook the lion? Hilarious. I love how she describes the entire high school experience of being a new kid in one song. It’s just great. 

Where Do You Belong?: (10/10)

This is that stereotypical showtune number, and I LOVE IT. The use of the trays as percussion, the show choir, the dance break, EVERYTHING. The song also does a great job of describing high school cliques and making humor of them. Grey Henson did a great job of it. Barrett’s little solo during the end was also great. The choreography was phenomenal. This song just makes me so happy!

Meet the Plastics: (8/10)

This song is a great introductory song to the plastics. However, the lyrics are kinda...just i don’t know. There’s something about the lyrics each of the plastics sing that make me feel like the song has less of a meaning. However, I absolutely adore the ending where all the parts overlap. The harmonies at the end are phenomenal. 

Stupid with Love: (9/10)

I love how the tour cast changed the ending of the song so the “I learned math so I can learn love” goes up in pitch instead of down. It’s beautiful! I’m not the biggest fan of the beginning of the song, but once she starts getting into it, it’s amazing! I love the subtle ensemble voices in the background. I just love the motivation and energy she gets when she reaches the “I’m outstanded and outplussed” and then forward. It’s amazing!

Apex Predator: (10/10)

This was the first song I heard from the show, and I loved how they used different nature references to describe such an unatural force: Regina George. Barrett really outdid herself with this song. You can hear the hurt in her voice when she sings her solo. Erika did great too, and the choreo with the pushing of benches and stuff? Amazing! The harmonies at the end! AHHHHHHHHHHH--

What’s Wrong With Me: (10/10)

--anyways. This song is amazing. Ashley Park did amazing with the emotion and desperateness in her voice with the lyrics. The lyrics are amazing and show what people in toxic relationships deal with. It’s just beautiful, it’s amazing, and tears me up emotionally. I love to see it. 

Stupid with Love (Reprise): (5/10)

Like with A Cautionary Tale, this song is just too short to really give an in depth rating. I love the parts where Kyle and Erika sing together, and Erika at the end is great. I also don’t really like the message of the song, the idea of playing dumb to get a boy, but I understand that it’s a big part of the show/movie. In addition, there really wasn’t much to see in this song when I saw it live (but again, every show needs those moments of simplicity). Basically, what I’m trying to say, is that this song is pretty average. 

Sexy: (7.5/10)

Uh. This song really gets me pumped, but sometimes it makes me uncomfortable. I love the parts where Gretchen is like “Karen pls stop.” The use of the word sexy is about much, as in she says it a bit too much for me. Sometimes I just don’t feel like listening to such a high energy song that sounds like a party. Maybe it’s because I don’t like parties. That’s my bias. But the humor is great. LET’S GO SEXY CORN! 

Someone Gets Hurt: (10+/10)

THIS SONG. THIS IS THE SONG. Regina’s character really gets a lot of development in this song. The manipulative side, the potentially vulnerable side, and the strong side. I wish Kyle got more of a part in it, but seriously, Taylor went off and I was there for it. The high notes, the riffs, the STRONG BELTS, THE CHOREOGRAPHY?! Yes kweeeennnn!

Revenge Party: (8/10)

Listen, I think I just listened to this song too much. It’s great, but when you hear it too much, it’s too much. Damian’s such a mood though. I also only go to a party to get chips. Also his little “woah woah woahs” in the beginning were hilarious. And I can’t get enough of Gretchen’s “CAWCAWCAWCAWCAW” like how do you even do that?

Fearless: (7.5/10)

I feel like there is a better way to close off Act 1. Like, I don’t know. I’m not the biggest fan of the beginning, but I like the message. The vocals and harmonies are killer, but the transition into Regina’s reprise of Someone Gets Hurt is just funky. When you’re just listening to it and you don’t see the actual dances happening at the dance break, it just sounds weird hearing “fearless! fearless! fearless!” then a random instrumental break, so I guess it’s just transitional issues?

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE ARE JUST MY OPINIONS. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL.

I love you all! 💖

[nony-bear]

sʟᴇᴇᴘᴏᴠᴇʀ! sʟᴇᴇᴘᴏᴠᴇʀ! sʟᴇᴇᴘᴏᴠᴇʀ!

tea or coffee ♡ favorite icecream flavor + toppings ♡ favorite article of clothing ♡ favorite jewelry piece ♡ explain your aesthetic ♡ baked sweets or candy//chocolate ♡ what color are your bedsheets? ♡ do you own any stuffed animals? if so , how many! ♡ what are your favorite smells for shampoo + conditioner, lotion and perfume! ♡ favorite candles ♡ fluffy bathrobes or silk bathrobes? ♡ causal soft slippers or fluffy animals slippers? ♡ dark academia or light academia? ♡ do you think blankets are a good present (on any occasion) ♡ what are your favorite pajamas ♡ favorite lip balm flavor/type ♡ do you have any childhood nicknames? ♡ favorite disney princess ♡ favorite sanrio character ♡ favorite Disney movie ♡ what we’re youre childhood celebrity crushes! ♡ if you could switch your life with one celebrity who would it be? ♡ five favorite songs you’re currently obsessed with ♡ what is your comfort movie ♡ what is your comfort food ♡ what are your special talents? ♡ biggest pet peeves ♡ what are your turn ons and turn offs ♡ if you’re life we’re to be made into a movie what actress do you want to portray you? ♡ what color do you paint on your finger nails and what color on your toes? ♡ what are your favorite 90s - early 2000s rom come? ♡ do you watch horror movies? if so what are your favorites? ♡ what tropes do you love and want to see more in movies? ♡ favorite bands you listened to as a kid that you sometime still listen to now! ♡ if you were a disney princess (wait you already are) what kind of animal would you want to be your little sidekick? ♡ cashmere sweaters or wooly turtlenecks?

Hi Rosie! 🥺💖 Thank you so much!!! This got really long so a put read more on lol 

Join My Sleepover! 🎉🥰🍾

Coffee if I have to choose but I love both!

I love love love the Ben & Jerry’s cannoli ice cream BUT chocolate and vanilla swirl with rainbow sprinkles is my fave 

I love sweatshirts lol my favorite is my one my friend got me that has the scene from the office where Dwight has a pumpkin on his head! 

I’m really bad at remembering to wear jewelry but I never take my nose ring out so it's always there so probably that lol. 

My aesthetic is like post-emo meets dark academia, I don’t know how else to describe it besides a mess really lol

Baked sweets for sure I love cookies!

My bedsheets are light blue

I have many many many stuffies that I’ve kept since I was little and have added to even now lol so like I don’t even know how many at this point!

shampoo and conditioner are definitely like coconut or like tropical smells? I have wavy-curly hair so most of them have coconut oil in them which I think smells super good! But perfume I lean more towards lavender and vanilla type scents!

My favorite candles are ones that smell like lavender or earthy or like men’s cologne lol

Silk! I love smooth fabrics even if I get cold 

I actually don’t like slippers lol I don’t know why I always think I want them but then literally never use them lol

Dark academia all the way :) 

Blankets are amazing presents I love them on any occasion!

My favorite PJs are a pair of purple shorts that have blue bears drinking tea and I usually wear a random baggy t-shirt with them

I love the Burt's bees chia latte holiday flavor chapstick it's my favorite right now! 

My childhood nickname is actually bear lol which is why I picked nony bear lol 

My favorite Disney princesses are Belle and Repunzel! 

Favorite character scenario is definitely anything ddlg related but other than that I’m a sucker for friends to lovers

My favorite Disney movie is Lilo and Stitch closely followed by Big Hero 6, Tangled, Beauty and The Beast, honestly, I’m so indecisive lol

Childhood crushes were Nick Jonas, Zac Efron, Josh Hutcherson, and Niall Horan lol ESPECIALLY Niall 

I honestly don’t know who I’d like to switch lives with! Maybe Zendaya? she’s so successful and talented and pretty and knows like everyone so I’m sure I could find a way to meet Chris lol

Songs I’m currently obsessed with are Death by a thousand cuts by Taylor Swift, Driver’s License, but Olivia Rodrigo, You and Jennifer by bulow, I’m sad by eli, and Drew Barrymore by Bryce Vine!

My current comfort movie is actually a tv show and it's on Netflix and its called maniac lol 

Comfort food is fruit gummies and quesadillas!

I honestly have no special talents lol except I’m kind of good at drawing maybe? I don't know I’m trying to get better 

A huge pet peeve is loud chewers and slow walkers lol 

Turn-ons and offs are a huge list but big turn-ons are big hands, big noses lmao, and funny guys, turn offs are when guys are cocky in the way that they are disrespectful or are overtly sexual about everything. Also, turn off is republicans lol

I would want someone funny to portray me lol I’m not sure who but maybe someone up and coming that my movie can be their breakout role lol

I don’t paint my nails a lot because I’m lazy but if I were to paint them right now I’d probably choose like a dusty pink rose vibe

I love romcoms but one of my absolute favorites is 10 things I hate about you, I cry every time I swear 

I love horror movies (well when I’m not feeling little lol) I specifically love the SAW franchise, Us, and The Shining!

I love the friends to lovers trope in movies and also like good girl bad guy lol and even like a bit of enemies to lovers I like a lot 

I grew up listening to one direction and a lot of emo stuff like twenty-one pilots and panic at the disco and my chemical romance and I still love all of those bands so much honestly especially one direction and twenty-one pilots

My animal sidekick would absolutely be a snail! I love snail so much and I already have a pet snail so yes 100% snail lol

And finally, I’d choose cashmere sweaters because turtlenecks make me too itchy! 

Thank you so much Rosie this was so much fun! If anyone actually reads all my answers you're a real one lol 💖💞💗

[starblazerm31]

Sonata of Whoa

A fic request by @coloursagainstthewall

Modern AU Hector Vasallis x Julian (featuring Azalea and Imalia! OMG I was so happy...)

Hector’s band is performing at the Rowdy Raven.  Julian is not prepared for the performance.

Ko-Fi ☕

Julian sat in the parking lot of the Rowdy Raven for a moment, checking his hair in the rear-view mirror.  His phone lit up.  He picked it up and saw the photo of Azalea giving the raspberry, signalling her text.  He opened up his messages and saw the words "Are you here yet?" followed by "they're doing sound checks, the band is gonna start soon!!!"

She had been really insistent that he be here tonight.  One of her favorite cover bands was playing live, and she had invited her friends to come and enjoy the show with her.  Another text, this one a photo.  In it, he saw four faces.  Azalea, her aqua-coral ombré hair up in pigtails, making a pained face.  Next to her was Imalia, glaring.  In the background, Asra could be seen taking a swig of beer from a bottle, and just beyond him was Lucio making a lewd gesture with his golden fore and middle fingers.  Julian snorted and replied with "On my way in, hold your horses.  Geez."

He climbed out of his car, locked the door, and closed it.  From outside, he could hear random chords on a guitar as it was being tuned and checked.  His boots clicked on the steps as he reached for the door and opened it.  Inside was the sound of many patrons talking and laughing.  He walked inside, and shut the door.  Immediately he was greeted with a loud "JULIAN!!!!"  He barely had time to react before Azalea hurled herself at him, jumping up and landing on him like a koala on a tree.

He hugged her strongly.  "Sorry I'm late," he said, "traffic was a bitch." "It's okay, at least you made it before the first set," she said, climbing off of him.  Her blue and gold eyes flashed.  "You can't miss Sonata of Whoa.  You CAN'T!"

Julian chuckled to himself.  That was a clever band name.

"Nice duds!" Azalea said.  "Very hawt."

Julian looked down at himself.  He'd decided on a black button up shirt (with the buttons only halfway closed) and a pair of fitted grey slacks.  He wore his usual thigh-high boots.

"Thanks," he said.  "Looks like you went with Anime Raver Chick?"

She looked cute in a powder blue Sailor Moon babydoll t-shirt and high-riding pink Daisy Duke shorts.  She sported rainbow leg warmers and purple Chuck Taylor shoes.

"No other way to do it!" Azalea said.  "C'mon, we've got good seats, and the Bitters are free flowing tonight."  She leaned in close.  "Lucio's paying." Azalea grabbed his hand and pulled him through the crowd.  At the table, he saw four chairs.  Imalia and Asra took up two of them, and Lucio sat in the third.  Asra waved them over.

"Ilya!  Sit down, we just got a new pitcher."  Julian did as he was told, and a frosty glass of Salty Bitters was slid to him.  He couldn't help but blush slightly at Asra's outfit.  He was wearing rainbow tye-dyed leggings and a neon pink fishnet shirt that Julian distinctly remembered stripping off of him when they had dated several years ago.  He had on neon blacklight reactive eyeshadow and numerous glow necklaces and bracelets.  He noted that Asra was also wearing a new choker.  Black leather with a ruby-encrusted "I" charm.  A glance to Imalia gave an explanation, since she was wearing an identical choker with an opal "A".  She was sporting a red and black leather corset with tight black pants and leather knee-high boots.  Her brown and burgundy hair was in its typical ponytail.  She fist-bumped Julian as he sat.

Julian noticed that there wasn't enough chairs for everyone.  He was about to offer to swipe another, when Azalea simply sat down in Lucio's lap.  Lucio looked like a mafioso, with an open silk shirt in crimson red and white pants.  And way. Too. Many. Gold. Chains.

Julian took a swig of his drink.  "Lots of people here to see a cover band," he remarked.

Azalea gave him a petulant look.  "Hey, don't knock it," she said.  "Cover bands have some of the absolute best talent that just gets overlooked.  The lead singer tonight...man, he's amazing.  Kicks Mick Jagger's ass, seriously."

"Hey, don't disrespect Mick Jagger," Lucio said.

Azalea smiled mischievously at him.  "Mick Jagger doesn't have a magical voice, if ya get my meaning, babe."

"So...this guy sings with magic?" Julian asked

. "Yes and no," Asra said.  "He's genuinely talented, but he does seem to use a bit of song magic in his shows."

"Voice layering without all the clunky machines, you know," Imalia said.  "Plus, if you can do it, why not?"

The hype man appeared on stage and the crowd erupted with applause. "I hope you all brought towels," he said enthusiastically, "because you're all gonna be jizzing your pants!  I give you the first secret wonder of the music world...SONATA! OF!! WHOA!!!"

Azalea leapt out of Lucio's lap and screamed at the top of her lungs along with everyone else in the bar.  The sounds of synth in a catchy beat seemed to start out of nowhere.  No one was on stage.  Then suddenly there was a blast of smoke as several fog machines spilled their contents at the same time, absolutely covering the stage.  The stage lights came on, covering the mist in several different colors and then with a blast of magical flame, the mist was totally gone and the band were on stage, instruments in hand.  And front and center was the lead singer.  He was around 5'4", clad in a denim hooded vest and leather pants.  His very muscular arms and chest gleamed in the stage light.  Atop his head was a crown of brown curls that fell around his golden eyes in a way that made Julian completely stop mid-sip.

"So hot Out the box Can we pick up the pace? Turn it up, Heat it up I need to be entertained Push the limit Are you with it? Baby, don't be afraid I'm a hurt 'ya real good, baby"

Julian's eyes were glued.  As the singer danced and gyrated on stage, Julian took in everything.  Every movement, every sound.  This guy was entrancing and the song had just started.

"Um...hey, Julian?" Imalia said.

"Let's go It's my show Baby, do what I say Don't trip off the glitz That I'm gonna display I told ya I'm a hold ya down until you're amazed Give it to ya 'til your screaming my name!"

"Julian?"

He didn't respond.  It was like he had frozen in place.

"Dude, you're spilling your drink!!"

Julian blinked and realized that while he had forgotten to drink his Bitters, he apparently hadn't forgotten to tilt the glass.  Now the front of his shirt was completely soaked.  Lucio cackled, holding up his phone.  He'd been recording.

Imalia laughed.  "Now you're back with us.  Here."  She waved her hand, and the beer on his shirt lifted away and flitted through the crowd into a garbage can.  Imalia then took the glass from Julian and set it down on the table.

"Take time to ogle and THEN take a sip," she said, refilling the drink.

Asra had gotten up and danced along with Azalea, the two of them appearing to freeze in time each time the strobe lights in the rafters blinked.  Julian's eyes went back up to the singer and he felt his entire body explode in heat.  The singer was looking dead at him.  Those eyes, like golden coins from a treasure long hidden, pierced Julian straight to the core.  It was like the song had changed at was directed only to him.

"Oh! Don't you know what you got into? Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do? 'Cause it's about to get rough for you I'm here for your entertainment!"

The singer winked and continued the song, every so often looking at Julian.  Julian felt like he needed air...but to leave while that specimen performed would be a travesty.

Each song afterwards took on a whole new meaning to Julian.  "Story Ain't Over" by Avanstasia.  "Runnin'" by Adam Lambert.  And then, the cherry..."Angel" by Aerosmith.  Everyone in the bar swayed to the music; Imalia and Asra and Azalea and Lucio all danced together in time to the beat, both couples gazing into each others' eyes.  Julian desperately wished that beautiful creature on stage were doing the same with him.  But his eyes never left Julian's.  It were almost as if he were dancing with him, dedicating each note and word to him.

The spell was broken when the lights came up.

"Thanks for coming everyone, we will be in the back selling our album!  Stop by the table and visit us!"

Oh. My. God.  He has an accent.  Slightly hard to place, but it had a Cajun lilt to it that made Julian want to seep through the floor in bliss.  He stood up as the band all filed offstage and settled in the large booth in the back, the table littered with albums and merch.  He felt a pang of jealousy as Azalea shot over to the table as soon as the singer was seated.  Julian's face turned red as she spoke to him with animated gestures and he jumped up and gave her a huge hug.

"Don't even think about it, Curly," Julian heard next to him.  He glanced over to see Lucio with his arms folded, a scowl on his face.

"C'mon, she's just talking to the guy," Julian grumbled.  "This whole thing was her idea."

Julian felt a lump form in his chest when he saw the singer lean forward and say something conspiritory to Azalea.  She glanced back at Julian and got a devilish smile.  What was she doing??  She said something else, gesturing to their table, and the singer stood up and followed her.  Julian felt himself panicking.

"Hey, guys, this is Hector!" Azalea proclaimed.  "Thank him for his show, it was bomb!"

"Hell yes, you guys rock!" Imalia said.  "Damn fine!"

"Yes, thank you so much, it was amazing," Asra chimed in.

Lucio didn't speak.  He just puffed up his chest and pulled Azalea against him.

Those eyes fell on Julian and he felt his legs go weak.  Hector leaned forward and reached for Julian's hand.

"Hector Vasallis," he said.  "And you are, cher?"

Julian's mouth suddenly went bone dry.  He opened his mouth to speak, but words completely failed him.

Imalia rolled her eyes.  "That's Julian," she said.  "Sorry, your performance has struck him dumb."

"That's sad, cher," Hector said.  "I really like it when fans shout."

Julian felt heat from his chest to his ears.  Holy shit, this man was fine.  And his hands, strong and calloused, felt warm and gentle wrapped around his own.

"It...it was an amazing show," Julian somehow managed.  Hector smiled.

"Why don't I buy you a drink?  I'd love to get to know you better."

Julian evaporated into a cloud of steam before coming back to his senses. "I'd, uh, really love that."

Julian would have to thank Azalea for this later.

[introvertguide]

Who’s Afraid of  Virginia Woolf (1966); AFI #67

The next film on the AFI 100 is the award winning titan, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966). It is a movie version of the play of the same name. The play was written by Edward Albee and only two lines were changed from the film to the movie (when a couple first enters the house). The play won 5 Tony awards so it was already established as a popular story, so it was not surprising that the film was nominated for every single category at the 1967 Academy Awards. The film and cast took home 5 Oscars from 13 nominations with wins for Best Leading Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Costume Design. This was considered an Oscar-worthy performance on screen for all four actors in the film although neither of the male actors won in their category. The film would have garnered more awards from the Academy, however a fantastic British film, A Man For All Seasons, came out that year and took many of the trophies.  I want to go over the plot before discussing any more aspects of the film so...

SUPER SPOILER WARNING!!!! THERE ARE MANY DRAMATIC TWISTS SO I AM LEGITIMATELY SPOILING THE FILM!!! DON’T READ FURTHER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WATCHING THE FILM FOR THE FIRST TIME! 

This is the story of a middle-aged married couple that have apparently fallen out of love (if they ever were), yet there is something that keeps them together. The wife is Martha (Elizabeth Taylor) and is the daughter of a university president. George (Richard Burton) is the husband and he is an associate professor at that same university. They live on or near campus and have attended a party in which they both got quite drink and Martha has invited a new young biology professor and his wife to come over for drinks despite it being very late already. The guests are Nick (George Segal) , a good looking man in his late 20s, and his younger wife Honey (Sandy Dennis) who is a slim blonde and rather meek. . 

There is extremely awkward conversation in which George and Martha are constantly insulting each other and attempting to pull the young couple towards a side. After many drinks, Honey and Martha go off to the bathroom and, upon their return, Honey reveals that Martha has told her about her and George's son, adding that she understands that the following day (Sunday) will mark his sixteenth birthday. George is visibly angry that Martha has divulged this information but it is not revealed why. This seems to be a sore subject since, when Nick asked George if the couple had any children, George had said, “That is for me to know and you to find out.”

Martha taunts George aggressively and he retaliates with a passive aggression that appears to the normal. Martha tells an embarrassing story about how she humiliated him in front of her father. Martha's taunts continue, and George reacts violently by breaking a bottle. Nick and Honey become increasingly unsettled, and Honey, who has had too much brandy, runs to the bathroom to vomit. A note at this point is that all four people are massively drunk and practically falling over at every step and constantly forgetting what a person said or repeating themselves for no real reason. 

Martha goes to the kitchen to make coffee, and George and Nick go outside and sit on a swing. Nick confesses that he was attracted to Honey more for her family's money than passion. In what was supposed to be a secret, Nick reveals that Honey had an “hysterical pregnancy” and he had married her out of obligation. George describes his own marriage as one of never-ending accommodation and adjustment, then admits he considers Nick a threat. George also tells a story about a boy he grew up with who had accidentally killed his mother and years later, his father, and ended up living out his days in a mental hospital. Nick admits he aims to charm and sleep his way to the top, and jokes that Martha would be a good place to start. 

This statement sees George become more attacking and Nick decides that it is time to leave. George insists on driving them home, despite his inebriated state, and Martha comes with. Honey is completely drunk but decides she wants to dance when they approach a roadhouse. While Honey and George watch, Nick suggestively dances with Martha, who continues to mock and criticize George. George unplugs the jukebox and announces the game is over. In response, Martha alludes to the fact he may have murdered his parents like the protagonist in his unpublished, non-fiction novel, prompting George to attack Martha until Nick pulls him away from her. George tells the group about a second novel he allegedly has written about a young couple from the Midwest, a good-looking teacher and his timid wife, who marry because of her hysterical pregnancy and money, then settle in a small college town. An embarrassed Honey realizes Nick indiscreetly told George about their past and runs from the room. Nick promises revenge on George, and then runs after Honey.

In the parking lot, George tells his wife he cannot stand the way she constantly humiliates him. She tauntingly accuses him of having married her for just that reason. Their rage erupts into a declaration of "total war". Martha drives off, retrieving Nick and Honey, leaving George to make his way back home on foot. When he arrives home, he discovers the car crashed on the drive and Honey half conscious on the back seat and sees Martha and Nick together through the bedroom window. Through Honey's drunken babbling, George begins to suspect that her pregnancy was in fact real, and that she secretly had an abortion. George has been locked out through the chain lock and he has to kick in the door which hits the clock and strikes the bells. This makes him begin to speak of a call that informed George and Martha of the death of their son.

Martha accuses Nick of being sexually inadequate and he blames his lack of performance on all the liquor he has consumed. George then appears holding snapdragons, which he throws at Martha and Nick in another game.  He mentions his and Martha's son, prompting her to reminisce about his birth and childhood and how he was nearly destroyed by his father. George accuses Martha of engaging in destructive and abusive behavior with the boy, who frequently ran away to escape her attention. George then announces he has received a telegram with bad news—their son has been killed in a car accident.

As Martha begs George not to "kill" their son, Nick suddenly realizes the truth: Martha and George had never been able to have children and filled the void with an imaginary son. By declaring their son dead, accordingly, George has "killed" him. George explains that their one mutually rule was to never mention the "existence" of their son to anyone else, and that he "killed" him because Martha broke that rule by mentioning him to Honey.

The young couple departs quietly, and George and Martha are left alone as the day begins to break outside. George starts singing the song "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", and Martha responds, "I am, George, I am."

The cinematography is amazing for a black and white film. The framing of the characters to enhance the interactions as well as the use of close ups to imply that a character is becoming intensely emotional is pretty incredible. The use of camera angles, blocking, and shadows is at the level of Citizen Kane. This is a good looking group of actors and a pretty good job was done to make them look very ugly through their actions. The tension and the desperation is palpable throughout the movie and it really feels like surviving the most horrific invitation for drinks ever.

And here is where I have to be honest and say I cannot stand this particular film. The acting, production, and story are so realistic that I feel that I survived the ordeal each time I watch it. I am very introverted and the idea of going through this kind of social ordeal with awkward fighting, drunken babbling, and loud angry declarations is a nightmare for me. Pausing this film and stepping away many times is essential to my sanity. I was contemplating a Xanax before watching because the movie raises my anxiety level so much. I guess it is a nod to the quality of the film that it elicits such an emotion out of me. I agree with Nick when he says “Do we really have to go through all this?” A New York Times reviewer at the time called it a “highly watchable” drama that sucks in the audience, but I cannot disagree more. It is downright painful. 

The realism comes from the real relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. I watched an interview of the couple in 1970 and there was that same awkwardness of a couple that is pretending to like each other. The only difference is that movie allowed the two to truly yell at each other through the lines of dialogue. It feels like they were really yelling at each other because, on some level, it was an outlet for their own relationship. 

So should this film be on the AFI list? Absolutely. It is a high point of acting with incredible production. It is a high point of drama storytelling from one of the great contemporary American writers. Albee’s story won accolades when presented on the stage and on the screen (it was even voted to win a Pulitzer Prize for Drama but had the award rescinded because of the controversial language and topic). It is obvious that, at the time, Americans were interested in uncovering the secret lives of intellectuals and seeing the dirty fighting and caddy bickering underneath manicured exteriors. Would I recommend the movie? Absolutely not. I hate this film and can’t stand watching it. I think it is an ordeal to go through and may be good for somebody who is interested in seeing a film where people get drunk, do horrible things, and completely disrespect each other. I am not that person, though, so it is definitely not for me. 

[candyheartswift]

I don’t think I’ve ever made a mass post introducing myself and just talking about my love for Taylor so here it goes!

My name is Kayla, I live just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. I’m 21 (I’ll be 22 on December 11- fellow sagittarius, Taylor!) I’m in my last year of college to become a physical therapist assistant and I couldn’t be more excited to begin my journey! I have 2 adorable cats named Pearl & Minnie and I have a best friend named Logan. In the bottom photo collage the top picture is from middle school where we were obsessed with making heart symbols because Taylor Swift did them too, and here we are 10+ years later in the bottom photo.

I have been fortunate enough to go to the Red tour & the 1989 tour! I was never fast enough at getting tickets for Fearless or Speak Now tours but I would have absolutely died to see those shows!

In the photos above I also went through a stage where I had to be just like Taylor, hence the cowboy boots, flowy floral skirt and curled hair. That was a daily thing.

But anyways on to the good stuff...

I first heard Taylor through some friends when I was around the age of 12/13. She was this young blonde country singer with cute style and a great voice, I remember just being in love with her music and personality from the start. The more and more I started filling my Myspace (ugh I sound old) with her songs and photos the more I began looking up to her!

I remember in the 7th grade having to write a timed essay with the prompt: who is the most influential person in your life and why? I chose Taylor. Things I wrote then as a young clueless middle school girl having no idea what life is really about are still true to this day as I am entering the last semesters of college getting ready to go out into the world on my own.

I wrote about her authenticity and how genuine she was with fans and how she appeared in interviews. Never a diva or rude or disrespectful. I wrote about how she shared her music with thousands of fans talking about the hardships of teen years and how to get through life a day at a time. I wrote about no matter what happened she was always true to herself even in her darkest times and never let what others say about her, affect her.

As I’ve grown, I’ve been fortunate enough to have Taylor’s music be apart of my life and help me deal with some struggles of my own with friends, boys, etc. I feel like as I’ve grown I’ve been able to grow with Taylor in a way, listening to her music and learning about her life. Her music has gotten me through so much in the last 8 (ish) years, and many, many, many car rides!

I’ve been a huge fan of Taylor for so long, and so many people know, if they had to name one fact about me it would definitely be my obsession for tswift! I’ve had people make fun of me or think I was crazy for being so in love with her but I didn’t care! She makes amazing music and she seems like the nicest person ever so I never let people get to me in that way.

Anyways.. wrapping things up:

I wish to one day in person be able to thank Taylor for all she’s done. For writing music, and being vulnerable, and putting herself out there. For not taking shit from anyone, for being authentic and herself. For growing up to be proud of who you are and what you accomplish. For not worrying about what others think. For standing tall and proud for your beliefs and your artwork. For writing songs that are relevant to life, love, fairytales, relationships, friendship, family, traveling, and just experiencing life in general. I just want to thank her for being so wonderful and for being such an incredible role model and artist. 

Every 11:11 wish, every birthday candle that’s been blown, even some childhood diary entries have included me wishing and hoping to someday meet Taylor.

If you could tag her or taylornation in this post and reblog I would be forever grateful in hopes that one day my dream could come true!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read a little bit about me and Taylor if you’re reading this, well, I hope to see you soon!

@taylorswift @taylornation

[cyanwings]

Pokémon anime

haven’t seen it | not a fan | indifferent | pretty good | absolutely awesome | one of my favorites

It really depends what Pokemon anime we’re talking here. I’m mostly the Indigo League arc, Orange League arc, Johto League arc, & still finishing Sun & Moon.

I did try to watch the other arcs, especially XY. But, there were just certain things I couldn’t 100% get into. Ash looked epicly cool cause his design made him look older for once. And I tried to like Serena since she kinda cool at first but then I was just losing interest. I got kinda pissed off how they changed Ash’s / Satoshi’s background just so she could be inserted into his life more.

It was so EPIC to see Misty / Kasumi & Brock / Takeshiagain after all these years! I mean, we already saw Brock not too long ago but it was still amazing to see the original gang altogether again. Even their vibe in Sun & Moon was shinning so brightly to show the audience this is the golden trio!

P.s. As much “Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!” moviedid an inaccurate timeline origin of Ash and Pikachu, I was still feeling like a little kid again while watching it. It’s unpopular opinion but maybe I liked it better since it was in the Japanese audio than the new Ash’s VA. No disrespect to her, but I just can’t stand listening to her voice. Veronica Taylor will always be Ash to me!

[5hfanfiction]

Crack A Smile - III

Princess Lauren had been sitting at her throne for the better part of four hours now, listening to countless men and women try to woo her and coax her into laughing. She hated the feeling, honestly. The only thing that kept her sane were the thoughts of the little flower thief that had been visiting her every day.

Lauren was stunned that someone so low on the hierarchical scale could have such an impact on the her. After a few visits, the guards began watching Camila closely due to suspiciousness, but were stopped immediately by Lauren. That evening, after Camila had left, she informed Troye to tell the guards that Camila was allowed full access to the royal gardens without suspicion. Troye smirked at Lauren, saying something about enjoying looking at pretty ladies, before leaving to tell his guards what the princess had ordered.

As much as she would hate to admit it, Troye was right. Camila was a beautiful girl, and she caught Lauren’s eye constantly whenever she was around. Her hair fell down past her shoulders in chocolate waves, her brown eyes sparkled in the light of the sunset and especially when she smiled, and her laughter made Lauren’s stomach flutter with an emotion she hasn’t felt in a very long time. Her jokes were absolutely awful but Lauren appreciated her regardless. She knew it was a dangerous prospect, developing a soft spot for one so common, but she couldn’t help it. Lauren had developed a soft spot for her chef, for Normani and in a vicarious way, for Dinah. Now she was growing one for the flower thief.

A handful of suitors were removed from the list alongside Bradley; a duchess named Taylor from the Swift kingdom was removed for her arrogance, a jester named Zayn was removed for punching a prince (he was probably punished severely for his stupidity), and a duke named Austin was removed for touching the princess both inappropriately and without her permission. Lauren actually ordered Troye to throw him into the dungeons so that he may never disrespect another woman again.

After the incident with the duke, Lauren informed her parents that she was finished with suitor business for the day and quickly retreated to her room before anyone could complain or ask questions.

Bursting through her doors, she slammed them hastily before laying her back against them. Lauren’s breathing became shaky as the tears began to trail down her cheeks, and she slipped down to the floor as she began to cry. She held her face in her hands and she cried, upset that that imbecile thought he could touch her like that, and that she was doomed to be unhappy and alone.

A noise from outside her window made her silence herself quickly, tears still streaming as she listened intently. The noise was faint, too hard to hear from her doorway, so she stood quietly as she moved towards the balcony.

Was she hearing.. Singing?

Peaking out her balcony doors, she saw her little flower thief Camila wandering aimlessly through the gardens, a beautiful tune filling the air as it left her lips. Lauren was absolutely stunned. Never in her life had she heard a voice so beautiful, and Camila looked so effortless doing it. She leaned against her balcony ledge and watched the thief run her hands across the flowers as she sang her song.

When the song came to an end, Camila jumped slightly at the sound of clapping coming from the balcony. Looking up, she saw the beautiful princess clapping for her with an actual smile on her face. Camila gasped loudly, covering her mouth to contain the sound.

“That was amazing, Camila. Never have I heard a voice quite like yours,” Lauren said, still smiling.

“And never have I seen a smile as beautiful as yours, m'lady,” Camila said, still gaping in awe at the princess.

Lauren seemed to realize that she was smiling and blushed furiously, moving to cover her face with her hand.

“Please don’t stop smiling!” Camila yelled somewhat desperately.

“I haven’t smiled like that in a very long time, little thief,” Lauren spoke, her tone somber but honest.

“I thought we agreed that I’m not a thief as long as I tell you terrible jokes!” Camila pouted dramatically.

“You’re lucky I enjoy your company, Camila, or I’d send Troye after you.”

“You mean your personal guard? The one who is most definitely sleeping with your bard?” Camila jested with a smirk.

“I-wha-how could you possibly know that?” The princess spoke flabbergasted.

“I may or may not be very good friends with Shawn,” Camila shrugged.

“A-and you’re not.. appalled?” Lauren asked, curiously and a little bit hopefully.

“Why would I be?” Camila asked. “I believe we all deserve the opportunity to love whomever makes us happy. Who am I to judge if a man lay with another man?”

Lauren smiled, a very small smile but Camila had been watching her long enough to notice it.

“Are you hungry? I can ask my chef to bring something here for us to share?” Lauren asked as she changed the subject, hoping Camila would accept.

“Oh no I couldn’t possibly impose, let alone eat royal food when I am but a lowly commoner,” Camila shook her head quickly.

“Nonsense, you’re more than just a commoner, you’re my friend,” Lauren said with such finality that it made Camila’s heart swell. “Now wait a moment, I will be back shortly.”

As the princess left the balcony to go gather her chef, Camila stood there dumbly looking at where she once stood. The princess thinks that they’re friends? Her, the most beautiful woman in all of the kingdom, enjoyed the company of someone as insignificant as herself? The thought was bewildering but here she was, having conversation with the princess daily and she hasn’t been killed yet, so that had to mean something.

When the princess returned, she returned with a shorter girl with blonde hair and a smile that could rival the sun. The girl had a silver platter of food that Camila couldn’t see from below the balcony, but she bet it was amazing if this was Lauren’s personal chef.

“Camila, do you think you can climb those vines up to the balcony?” Lauren asked, pointing to the large vines growing alongside the castle wall that led up to the princess’s balcony. Camila looked at them and nodded before beginning her ascension. After a few moments, Camila was stood on the outside ledge of the balcony in front of the princess.

“You can come onto the balcony, you know,” Lauren joked.

“I prefer this, honestly. Makes me feel dangerous,” Camila smirked at the princess. Lauren blushed slightly before turning towards her chef.

“Camila, this is Allyson, my personal chef and one of my best friends,” Lauren introduced her, and Allyson extended her hand for Camila to shake with a smile on her face.

“So this is the infamous flower thief I’ve been hearing about these last few weeks,” Allyson smirked. Camila raised an eyebrow as she smiled at Lauren, who blushed once again.

“I’m glad to see someone can make our little grump even a little bit happier, so whatever you’re doing, please do not stop,” Allyson said with a smile, and with that she set the tray of food down and bid Camila and Lauren adieu.

“So,” Camila started as she grabbed a grape, “you talk about me, huh?”

“Only to the people who’s opinions matter to me. Allyson, whom you’ve just met. Troye, my promiscuous personal guard. And Normani, my personal maid.”

Camila choked on the grape she was eating.

“Are you okay?!” Lauren asked frantically. Camila waved her hand at her before swallowing the grape and coughing violently.

“Normani?” Camila asked once she could finally speak.

“Yes, do you know her?” Lauren asked curiously.

“I take your flowers daily to give to her lover to give to her,” Camila laughed at the irony of it all.

“Wait, you’re friends with Dinah?” Lauren asked bewildered.

“I live with her, m'lady,” Camila smiled. “She’s the one that gives me money to feed myself. No wonder she’s been giving me sly looks every day..”

“Damn, I really need to meet Dinah,” Lauren mumbled to herself.

“My my princess, did you just use an inappropriate expletive?” Camila joked with a smirk on her face. Lauren just shook her head, the corners of her lips upturned ever so slightly.

“Your smile, as small as it may be, is even more beautiful up close,” Camila whispered honestly. Lauren just rolled her eyes, but the color in her cheeks gave her away. Grabbing a piece of fruit from the tray, she gracefully fed it to her little thief.

Camila chewed it slowly, her eyes rolling back at the sheer delicacy in her mouth. “What on earth is that?” She asked excitedly.

“A cantaloupe, little thief,” Lauren spoke. When Camila looked at her dumbly, she added, “a melon.” Camila’s mouth opened in an “o” shape as she finally understood.

“Hey Lauren?” Camila asked, a mischievous smirk on her face.

“Hmm?”

“Why can’t melons be wed?”

Lauren groaned, she knew another pun was coming and she would have to endure it. “Why?” Lauren sighed.

“Because they cantaloupe!” Camila yelled, a bright smile on her face.

“You can only speak that joke because I just taught you that word,” Lauren said pointedly.

“Yes, well it makes for a good pun, does it not?” Camila asked, still smiling.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, little thief.”

The two spent the rest of their evening together eating fruit and talking of their past. Camila told Lauren a great many stories of her life, of running from the guards to her family out in another kingdom.

“Why are you here if your family is in a different kingdom?” Lauren asked curiously.

“Why do you never smile or laugh anymore?” Camila asked, her tone challenging.

“Touché,” Lauren spoke as she looked down somewhat ashamed.

“One day, I will tell you my story, when you are ready to tell me yours. Does that sound fair?” Camila asked softly, her hand resting atop the princess’s while her thumb caressed the back of her palm. Lauren would never admit it, but the skin where the thief was touching felt as though it was set ablaze, and Lauren found an odd comfort in the feeling.

“That is quite fair. I hope one day I am ready to tell you,” Lauren spoke honestly.

“And I hope you know that you will never hear any sort of judgement from me, dear princess,” Camila spoke lowly with a comforting smile.

With that, Camila began her descent down the vines. As she went to exit the gardens, she looked back at the balcony to see Lauren watching her go. She gave the princess a smile and a small wave before leaving, hoping the tightness in her chest would dissipate as she left the princess’s presence.

-

(As always, you can find my story on wattpad here)

[jenniferlovesthebeatles]

Tom Chaplin Concert

I saw Tom Chaplin in concert last night, and it was an incredible experience! More details under the cut:

Okay, so I’ve been a Keane fan since freshman year of high school, when I was listening to Jango Radio (I used it because I couldn’t remember my Pandora Radio password, LOL) during my graphic design class and first heard “Everybody’s Changing.” I liked it, but I admit that it didn’t really get me interested in their other music. Then when I heard “Somewhere Only We Know” and “Is It Any Wonder,” I began to get more into them. I heard that people compared them to Coldplay, but I felt like they were both two very different and unique groups (I personally adore both bands, though Coldplay is just a bit more nostalgic for me). 

However, it wasn’t until I listened to their 2012 album Strangeland that Keane was cemented as one of my favorite modern bands. After that, I had to have the rest of their albums, and I fell absolutely in love. Keane is such a special band, having such heartfelt song lyrics and a massively talented singer like Tom Chaplin. I had such a crush on Tom Chaplin (and not just because I loved his perfect nose and his cute boyish face in general), and I personally think he’s one of the greatest vocalists out there. I still think about this one video where he sang “It’s a Hard Life” with Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, it was freaking amazing!

Some of my photos’ titles are even inspired by Keane songs/lyrics, like this one (which is literally just a picture of water in a fountain at the mall but is based off the song “Silenced by the Night”) and this one photo I took (here) that actually went to a statewide art competition! The title is technically the name of an album and not a song, but you get what I mean.

So yeah, I love Keane a freaking lot. And they actually came to my city in 2013, but the concert sold out, and I was unable to go. :( I was so upset, I listened to Keane songs all night and just felt bad about it. 

Currently Keane is kind of…I’m not sure if they consider themselves officially broken up, but they’re on hiatus. But Tom Chaplin has released his own solo album, and it is absolutely wonderful. <3 It still has that sound that drew me into Keane, and it’s definitely going on my list of favorite albums this year. So when Tom announced on Twitter that he was touring, I checked the dates and noticed that he was going to be in Dallas! I was heartbroken about missing him before, so I just had to see him this year. 

If you know my mom, you’ll know that when it comes to going to things like concerts, particularly at night (which is pretty much every concert ever), she is very hesitant. Plus the venue is in our city, but it’s in the downtown area, so it’s still about an hour or so of a drive, which she considers too far away. But one of her friends is very familiar with downtown Dallas and was so kind that she offered to drive us there.

Honestly, I would have liked to go with friends, but…I don’t really have any friends who are into Keane. And my main best friend tends to be busy with work, so I was afraid to ask her. So yeah, I went with my mom. It was at this venue called the Kessler Theater, which I’ve never been to before, but it’s a really nice place! It’s pretty small and intimate, and the staff there are friendly. We had general seating, so basically you just pick whichever seat you want. We got there a couple of hours early, and we were actually able to get seats in the second row! I was really happy about that. 

I mean, technically (I’m trying to put it in words as best as I can since I know you guys can’t see a picture of it) there is a VIP seating section in front of the general seating (which was more expensive and got sold out super fast anyway). So being in the second row of the general seating row area, I was probably still about ten or fifteen feet away from the stage, but it was still a really good spot. Actually, this is probably one of the closest seats I’ve had at a concert before.

I knew I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up, but I brought my autograph book just in case I was able to meet Tom Chaplin. I was absolutely dying to have a picture with him and tell him what a huge impact his music has had on me. But I knew that there would be plenty of people who wanted to meet him. It was a sold out show, and the audience was very enthusiastic (which is a good thing, but you know). They also were selling some autographed posters and T-shirts, but they were $30, and my mom said no. :\

The show started at around 8:00 and lasted until around 10:30, and it was absolutely incredible! Seeing Tom up on stage, I couldn’t believe I was watching him with my very own eyes. He was handsome and bright and energetic, and I was amazed that his live singing sounded EXACTLY like on the studio albums. I was really impressed. Plus he was so warm and friendly and sweet. In between songs, he would talk to us and told us what a great audience we were. And he talked about how he liked Dallas and went to a farmers market earlier and got a picture sitting on one of the tractors, LOL. :’) I thought it was especially cute when one of the people in the crowd asked him if he had any Texas barbecue for lunch, and he said, “No, we had Vietnamese!” :P And I was really touched when he talked about some of the personal aspects of some of his new songs, like about the ones that he wrote for his wife, and the one about how he got out of an awful drug addiction.

I admit that I didn’t know much about the rest of his band (since I was more familiar with Keane), but he introduced them to us, and they were also really cool and talented! They played many songs off Tom’s solo album (like “Still Waiting,” “Hardened Heart,” “Quicksand,” “I Remember You," "The River,” and “Solid Gold”) plus a bunch of Keane songs, like “Bend and Break,” “Bedshaped,” “Sovereign Light Cafe,” “Silenced by the Night,” and (my favorite Keane song) “Crystal Ball”! I was surprised that he didn’t sing anything from Perfect Symmetry. It’s probably my second favorite Keane album (after Under the Iron Sea). But nevertheless, it was still pretty awesome! And Tom was so close, it felt almost like he was singing directly to me. :’0 I was smiling, like, the entire time, LOL. 

Around the end of the concert, I could see my mom texting her friend about picking us up, but I wanted to try to stay afterward to meet Tom…I asked some of the staff if he would be available for autographs, and they said no. But when I walked outside, I could see a whole line of people waiting near his tour bus asking him to come out. I wanted to wait with them. It was cold outside, but I would have had no problem standing out and waiting.

My mom asked one of the people working there how long the wait would possibly be, and he said at least 45 minutes. And my mom said there was no way we could wait that long when her friend was picking us up in about 10 minutes. I wish that I could be stern about what I want. This is a rare opportunity that I don’t know if I’ll ever get again. But I can’t disrespect my mother, so I just stood there in defeat. 

Later my mom’s friend picked us up, and she even offered to stay around longer so that we could wait for Tom to come out, and my mom freaking said NO! I could not believe it! I kind of looked at my mom with a sort of pleading face, but she said she “didn’t want to impose ourselves on her friend.” I was annoyed. It’s not imposing if she offered. >.> 

So yeah, I had to leave, and later I saw people post pictures on Twitter of themselves with Tom. I’m such a loser. Maybe if I had friends that I could go with, maybe if I were more assertive, maybe if I had more self-esteem I could go after the things that I want. But I don’t. 

I’m already starting to feel that post-concert depression hitting me hard. I mean, of course I’m so very glad that I got to go at all! Tom put on a great performance, and I had second row seats! I’m hoping that being so close, he maybe saw me in the crowd, grinning from ear to ear the whole time. I hope he knows how happy he’s made me, and…how much I love him and would love to give him a big, big hug.

[universetardis]

youre gonna hate this, but do all the asks

Oh my god well here I go: 

(Its a really long post and it took so long holy shit)

🐰 what is one secret that you’ve never told anyone? If I said it then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore (But seriously I don’t think I have one)

💗 if you could hug anyone, who would it be? probably Phil because everyone says he gives really good hugs

🐹 what are some of your favourite Pokémon and why? I’m trash and have only played pokemon go and not the actual games, that aside probably eevee

🌠 if you were in charge of the world, what would the world look like? Not like how it is now (A lot less/no hate and suffering)

👀 what was the most recent vivid dream that you had? I don’t remember any

☀️ what do you like the most about your best friend? Everything

😘 talk about your crush or partner I don’t have a partner nor an actual crush but I absolutely love Bex Taylor Klaus (She is my wife AND SHE JUST RETWEETED MY TWEET OKAY IM CRYING)

💁 if someone was rude to you, would you be rude back? It would depend on the situation and who they were- in general no though

🌟 what do you like about yourself? Eyes, intelligence, and humour I guess

🐾 what are you scared of most? how will you overcome it? I’m terrified of spiders and I have no idea how I’ll overcome it

�� what never fails to make you happy? Dan and Phil

💙 what annoys you about some people? When they are generally disrespectful of others and are homophobic, transphobic, racist or sexist

😤 do you get angry easily? Not angry necessarily but I get annoyed easily

🐇 what do you always daydream about? tv shows and being in a relationship

🌻 if you could change 3 things about the world what would you change? End world hunger, no prejudices, and i don’t know

🍓 send me 4 names: kiss, befriend, kill or marry? —

✈️ what is your dream city and why? To travel to probably London but I wouldn’t want to live there. Why I want to go there is because it seems like a nice place

☕️ talk about your ideal day Getting to watch tv/youtube all day without having to worry about school or anything

🌸 are you an introvert, ambivert or extrovert? Introvert

💧 when was the last time you cried? Like 15 minutes ago… DID I MENTION BEX TAYLOR KLAUS RETWEETED MY TWEET

🎵 name 5 songs you love at the moment (In No Order)

That Green Gentleman- Panic! At the Disco

When the day met the night- Panic! At The Disco

America’s Suitehearts- Fall Out Boy

Pretty Girl- Hayley Kiyoko

Gravel To Tempo- Hayley Kiyoko

⚡️ if you had any superpower, what would it be and why? Probably Telekinesis because you literally wouldn’t have to move and could always defend yourself

💛 if you could talk to your younger self, what would you say? Probably something about not caring about what others think of you or some bullshit like that

💚 who are you jealous of and why? Im not really jealous of anyone that I can think of atm

💎 which one would you rather have more of: intelligence, beauty, kindness, wealth or bravery? why? Kindness because whats the point of being any of those other things if you’re not kind

🙊 what are you ashamed of? I dont know

🌺 which languages do you know? which do you want to learn? I can only speak fluent English but I am learning Japanese at school

🍀 if you could be any fictional character’s best friend/lover, which fictional character would you be? I HAVE TOO MANY DON”T ASK ME THINGS WHERE I HAVE TO ONLY PICK ONE

☁️ talk about your dream universe. Um I actually don’t know

💜 which acts of kindness are you going to do today? I don’t know, shit just happens 

🐬 if you could transform into any animal/magical creature, what would you be and why? A cat because they literally do nothing 

🍄 talk about someone/something you really dislike Well I would rant about the people who I dislike but I really couldn’t be bothered but those people are homophobic, transphobic, and racist little dickheads

😣 talk about some things that have been making you depressed/angry/anxious lately honestly going back to school in half a month is stressing me out and making me sad. Like I’m on summer break atm and its so freeing because even though I’m barely allowed to do anything (go out or whatever), I get to just relax and watch tv instead of constant stress but now ill be going back soon im really not looking forward to it. I like learning but with school I put so much pressure on myself to do great and get A’s in pretty much all my subjects and honestly it just makes me feel depressed and stressed

🍪 what did you want to be as a kid, and what do you want to be now? I wanted to be a singer as a kid but now I have no freaking clue

🍰 what are some of your favourite sugary foods? Chocolate, ice cream, pretty much anything with lots of sugar in it

🍑 what are you obsessed with? Literally every tv show I watch (too many to name but if you go into my about page you’ll see most of them), Dan and Phil, bands and musicians (that are also named in my about page), and BEX TAYLOR KLAUS

💘 what happens to you when you’re stressed? Most of the time I cry 

😪 what are you sick of? School, homework, life

🙀 are you an adrenaline seeker? I guess

💥 what are some unpopular opinions that you have?

Maths isn’t actually that hard

Baths aren’t that great

☔️ would you consider yourself a good person? Yeah I guess

😊 what do you like to do as hobbies? I love to dance, watch tv/youtube, eat and sleep

🎤 what’s the last song you hummed or sang by yourself? The Kids Aren’t Alright by Fall Out Boy (I was in the shower)

🐝 what’s your worst trait? how are you planning to improve it? I put too much pressure on myself to excel in school and when I don’t get an A (sometimes B depending on how hard I find the subject) I become annoyed at myself and sad. I have no freaking clue how to stop this other than drop out of school lmao (which i would never do)

🎨 what do you always doodle when you’re bored? Cat whiskers and |-/ . Thats about how far my art skills go

🐻 what’s stopping you from chasing your dreams? I don’t really have dreams other than find a partner who makes me feel better about myself and happy I guess. Whats stopping me from that is only being 16 and literally no one liking me

🌷 what’s your mbti personality and why do you think it suits you? I’m INFJ and I wouldn’t have a clue why it suits me but its literally me

🐶 send me 3 fictional people and I’ll choose my favourite! —

👑 who are your favourite celebrities and why? At the moment its Bex Taylor Klaus if you couldn’t already tell but also dan and phil

🐴 opinion on __? —

🍋 do you consider yourself an emotional person? Yes

📚 share 3 books that you love and your favourite quote from them. (Im lazy and not writing quotes)

The Amazing Book Is Not On Fire

A Series of Unfortunate Events (Not a single book but an amazing series)

Simon vs The Homosapien Agenda

😔 what do you always do when you feel sad? does it help? Cry and watch tv/youtube, it kinda helps

😌 what thoughts keep you going when you’re sad? I don’t know

🌍 which country do you live in? Australia

🐧 describe yourself in 3 words Quiet, smart and tired

🐵 which quotes changed you? I don’t know

💭 do you keep a diary? Nope

💫 who inspires you? Dan Howell, Phil Lester, and Bex Taylor Klaus among many others

👻 do you believe in ghosts and why? Yes because ghosts are cool

🎀 what’s your fashion sense like? I don’t have any fashion sense unless you count jeans/shorts and fandom shirts as “fashion sense” then thats what my fashion sense is like 

🎬 what are some of your favourite films? Again refer to my about page if you want to know them

🍦 what is one treasured childhood memory? Winning dance awards I guess

🐼 if you could meet anyone, who would it be and why? There are too many to count

I hope this satisfies you

[episodes-ff]

22. Too Good

Summer

Putting up my notebooks, I reached up to grab my book when I felt arms around my shoulders. Turning to the side, I saw it was Trey and playfully rolled my eyes as he smiled. “Hello, Mr. Ellis. How may I help you?” “Well, you could let me take you into one of these empty closets and give you the business.” “Oh, absolutely not. This right here is something you have to earn back.” “Come on, so you not gone let me smash?” “Hell no.” “Well then will you let me escort you on a night out on the town accompanied by some meaningful conversation with the man of your dreams?”

Thinking on it, I smirked and nodded as he smiled. “Yes, Trey. You can take me out on a date.” “Yes! By the way, this ain’t a date.” “So what is it then?” “A second chance to make things right with us.” Kissing my hand sweetly, I blushed and giggled as he ran off to his class. “See you tonight, baby!” I swear he is something entirely else…

Trey

Finishing my outfit, I sat down to line up my hair and beard before spraying her favorite scent on my clothes and grabbing my keys. “Aight, y'all, I’m gone for the night.” “Good luck, son.” “You look very handsome, by the way.” “Thank you, mom. I hope Summer likes it.” “She’ll love it, sweetheart.”

Reaching Summer’s house, I knocked on the door and smiled as she opened it up looking absolutely gorgeous. “Hi…” She smiled as I stood with my jaw dropped. “Wow. You look… Damn.” Giggling, she closed and locked the door before walking to the car as I got a good view. Damn, I’m a lucky man.

Walking into the restaurant/lounge, we were seated before looking at menus. “Wow, this place is really cool. Thank you.” “You’re welcome, baby.” Looking up, she smiled. “Wow, you haven’t called me that in a while.” “Listen, Summer, I was a complete asshole with the way I treated you.” “Yea, you were.” She said tearing up as I wanted to slap myself for how I acted. “Sums, don’t cry. I promise I’ll never ever disrespect you like that ever again. Can you forgive me?” Nodding, I smiled before walking over and hugging her close. “How about we go onto the dance floor. They even playing our song, baby.” I said pulling her close as Request by Teyana Taylor played throughout the lounge. Wiping her tears, I kissed her forehead. “Don’t ever let me go, Trey.” “I won’t, baby. On my life.”

Ramir

“Man, who the fuck you setting me up with, Justice?” “Calm down, man. She’s my barber and she really cool folks.” “Aight aight. What she look like?” Whipping out his phone, he showed me a pic and my jaw dropped. Well, damn.

Her name Sabrina and she’ll be here in a little bit, so don’t be saying no dumb shit, aight?“ “Aight, man.” Listening as a car pulled up, I suddenly got clammy. Damn, what am I nervous for?

Candace

Walking around the house, I looked for my red steel pumps and came up short before groaning. Sitting to catch my breath, I called the one person that could truly help me out. “Cordell, come here real quick!” Hearing his little feet, he ran into my room. “Yes, ma'am?” “Can you help Mommy find her red shoes?” Nodding, he ran off and came back a second later with my shoes. Told y'all. Kissing his cheeks, I heard a knock downstairs. “That’s Mommy’s date, ok? Be good for grandma, please.” Nodding, I kissed him and did our handshake before going to answer the door. “Hi Ish- And just what the fuck are you doing here?!”

“Candace, please talk to me, baby! I’m a mess without you… I can’t eat, sleep, think. I haven’t even been able to see Adrianna cause I’m a wreck.” “Dante, I’m sorry you haven’t seen her, but honestly that has nothing to do with me. You fucked up by constantly lying to me when we were supposed to be progressing in our relationship. I trusted you and you broke that trust over and over and over, and yet here you stand thinking I’m just gonna hop back into this with arms wide open? No. I’m done forreal this time, Dante. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date…” Walking past him, I locked my door and walked over to his car before getting in. “You look great.” “Thank you, Ishmael. You look amazing.” “Thanks, bae. Let’s go.” He cheesed like a kid before pulling off.

[taafka-invisible]

BLACK AND BROWN WOMEN CONFLICTED ON THE WOMEN'S MARCH ON WASHINGTON

I just watched Senator Kamala Harris' speech during the Women's March On Washington get cut off mid-sentence in favor of interviewing everyday white female citizens on the street. That irritated me. And it reminded me that more than a few women of color have expressed feeling less than enthusiastic about the Women's March On Washington. It would be easy to assume that black and brown women are just tired of white women claiming to want intersectionality when plans go south (Hillary Clinton losing to The Deranged Cheeto) It would be easy to respond to these black and brown women by saying, "Okay. More important things are at stake now. Let's put aside our differences and move forward." But the thing that's easy to see from where I sit is that a bunch of black women already did that. Black and brown women already put aside some major bullsh** and ignored white supremacy in order to move forward. Somewhere between 93% to 94% of black women voted for Hillary Clinton Black women voted for Hillary Clinton despite "Super Predator" comment, despite Bill Clinton's caving into republican "law and order" chanting in the 90s that put thousands upon thousands of black people in jail forever for damn near nothing -- like marijuana possession that whites go to rehab for instead. Meanwhile, a bunch of white people couldn't put aside the Clinton Team's authentic disrespect for Bernie Sanders during the Democratic Convention; and they probably voted Jill Stein out of revenge which sent Mean Tangerine to his coronation. On social media, I saw some seriously nasty little debates going on among black women. Some may have become so frustrated they didn't vote. 

Too many young black women did not understand that there are differing levels of white supremacy. They also did not understand how much bigger a threat Cheeto Satan is -- and not just based on ethnoracism and misogyny either.

But as little as SOME young black women understand the differing levels of white supremacy, the vast majority of white women have no understanding at all. This is why white racism does not pop up on white female radar as "our collective problem" as opposed to "I feel sorry for black and brown women. We need to listen to THEIR problems." It amazes me that white women wanted to go to March on Washington to speak truth to power instead of speaking truth of lack-of-solidarity to one another. 

57% of white voters voted for Trump.

53% of white women voted for Trump

White people are the only ones in denial that "white voters" represent the white adult population. 

White people created a new definition of "working class" so they could newly mint the "white working class" identity so as to move the conversation away from Trump's successful appeal to white supremacy within white people at all socio-economic levels. (Average income of Trump voter 72K-- that wasn't working class on 11-08-2017, but  it was by 11-09-2017 according to Sarah Palin's so-called "liberal media" 

It would made sense for Black and Brown women to LEAD a March on Washington, inviting all women to follow, including white women. We black women battled, argued, and snarled at one another, pulled ourselves together and mostly voted Hillary Clinton -- 93 to 94%. And it would have made more sense for white women to talk to each other before they opened their mouths at ANY SINGLE BODY ELSE. 

This is probably why the white feminist led March On Washington confused me from the beginning.

While doing some research on the true motivations behind this March, I've come to realize that there are a bunch of people claiming that the majority of women in this country are feminist. Well you know what? I don't agree...very much. I know most of the black women getting anything accomplished in high profile places are feminists. I assume that's true for other demographics too. But I'm pretty sure the vast majority of women who are just average citizens are not -- despite some of the polls. Things are changing too rapidly in pop culture to figure out who is who

In 2010 or so Michelle Obama avoided calling herself a "feminist" when asked, likely in order to protect her husband from vitriol. (Googling "feminist" would get you nothing but nasty memes then) By 2016, things had changed. Barack Obama came right out and said they were feminists, that he was raising his children as a feminist father. 

Furthermore, some of the feminists walking around these days only started calling themselves "feminists" after they found out Beyonce or Taylor Swift decided to identify themselves "feminists."

I explain all this to say that some of these new feminist women haven't even read the shortest pamphlet (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's) or book (bell hooks) on feminism. It's a fad for them. For white women who think other white women voting for Trump is a problem, this means a bunch of white women calling themselves "feminists" are perfectly capable of voting for Donald Trump -- because subtler forms of white supremacy, homophobia, islamophobia mean nothing to some of these new and old white feminists. In other words, a little intersectionality could have saved white women from themselves in the 2016 election. If racism, homophobia, islamophobia were seen by white feminists as attached and intermixed with  issues of sexism and misogyny  then maybe white feminists  would have something to talk about  aside from reproductive rights  when talking to non-feminist white women  about the fact that  Cheeto Satan is indeed one of Satan's minions.

I mean what would it look like if a white feminist could actually say it and mean it when she said to a non-feminist white woman, "I may not agree that abortion is murder, but let's say I agree abortion ends life. Racism and forcing a permanent underclass murders and kills too and probably at a higher rate of speed."  

What would it look like if white women saw sexism as one facet of one diamond named bigotry, where racism, homophobia, islamophobia were the other facets of the same diamond? Wouldn't white feminist know the name of Yvette Smith, who called police about an altercation and wound up being shot by police herself as she opened the door by an ON DUTY white policeman carrying his own AR-15 instead of his service weapon?   

What would it look like if white feminists raised Yvette Smith's story along side black and latina feminist websites?  

Would Smith's story have become high profile enough to get national attention.....high profile enough to put her Yvette's murderer on trial instead of just letting him be set free by same judge involved in the Sandra Bland case?

    White women really don't have any ground to stand on to demand women of color show up in solidarity. But more important than that, to white women, is that showing up for black and brown women is probably the path to saving themselves. It's weird to say it this way, but white feminists have to get out of the white bubble where they assume what is central to white feminists is central to all feminists -- in order to talk to the 53% of white women that voted for Trump. If white feminists can't break free of their own bubble they won't be able to talk to the 53% of white women that voted for Trump who are in a slightly different white bubble. 

That is, white feminists should practice putting race and racism nearer the center of their feminist concerns. Once white feminists do that maybe the practice of looking outside the white-feminist-only bubble can enable them to talk to the 53% (non-feminists or ill informed feminists) about some sort of compromise on religious beliefs and abortion, for example. White feminists have to be able to compromise  and engage white women  who aren't feminists  or  think they aren't feminists  because they believe in the stereotypical definition of feminism rather than an authentic definition of feminism

Example: I know women who are atheists who DO want abortion to stay legal, who absolutely do not believe in abortion as a form of birth control. Some of them may have voted for Trump if they are single issue voters.  

If some feminists, especially white feminists could stop screaming "It's my body... It's my body.... It's my body" maybe they could also stop and listen. Maybe they could look at their own children and realize they would NOT have had baby John or baby Jane later if they'd had an abortion when John or Jane was conceived; John or Jane would not be here if they'd put off having children James or Juliette would be here instead.

Abortion may not be murder (in my opinion) but it does end a life. 

The science of that is not debatable in any way.  

How each woman decides to think about that is debatable and should be respected in conversation. 

Black feminists may snarl at each other over things like abortion, but we still came together to vote our common self-interest.....to keep a racist, misogynist, homophobic, transphobic islamophobe out of office. We live at the intersection. That is the basis of our solidarity despite disagreement.   We, women of color as a group and especially black women, absolutely did not love Hillary. We, as black women, voted against Trump whether feminist or non-feminist, pro-abortion and anti-abortion.   White women need to figure out how to achieve this kind of solidarity before they go speaking truth to power in Washington. Again, I think the key for white women (white feminists) is being able to see things from more than one perspective. Women of color (black, brown, asian) don't always see eye to eye on everything But we are often able to come together and achieve differing levels of solidarity on various issues when white women clearly can't. Frankly, white feminists probably need to look to black feminists for leadership at this time.  Because there are still tons of black women that hate "feminism" thinking it's a white thing. Yet, we still come together to keep Don The Con out of Washington.  Even if white feminists cannot bring themselves to look at black women in order to try to reproduce what black women achieved in the 2018 and 2020 elections, white feminists need to find a way to get non-feminist white women on the right side of history. That needs to be priority number one.

The first mental step that white feminists need to take in that direction is to realize that white women benefit from patriarchal white supremacy (and ignoring the subtler forms) more than any other group except white men themselves. 

Or, white feminists can just keep taking national polls where they ask "Are you a feminist?" see the results come in as "feminist majority" and be surprised when Donald Trump wins again. 

http://thankherforsurviving.blogspot.com/2017/01/black-and-brown-women-conflicted-on.html