#also spotify keeps unliking songs ive liked

[triglycercule]

swapinverse posting again tell me why crash is like. a rebound for error after he totally fucked things up for swap in askerror. why am i writing these guys in vice.ser's lore to have error compare crash to swap ALL THE TIME and say he's lowkeyBETTER than the dumb berry,,,,, bro,,,,,, swap come get your mans the error version of cross is STEALING HIM. oh shit wait you're in the omega timeline living your best life while your ex friend is sulking over his guilt my bad king keep grinding ‼️

even in another multiverse cross remains the most perfect shippable man im afraid. i already got lowkey crink in this what's next crerror??? i havent made the muse twins meet crash yet but if they did it would be cream and crossmare (but better because melpomene's not a total cunt compared to nightmare)

[jeju-tangerine]

my top 10 kpop songs of 2023 :-)

after putting much too much thought and time into it, i have finally sorted out and written a list of my favorite kpop releases of 2023 ^_^ this was such a great year for kpop in my opinion, for full albums especially, and i hope 2024 will live up! in creating this, i decided to only include 1 song per artist, so as not to have the whole list be just one group. the songs often stand as representations of the entire albums, though. now here's my list :-)

a very special honorable mention goes to: "WOULD YOU RUN - Original Version" by TRI.BE, "LEFT RIGHT" by XG, "welcome to MY world" by aespa, and "loving me" by fifty-fifty (released in 2022 but i only got into it in 2023, but it's a masterpiece and deserves a shoutout)

NOW!!

10. super shy - new jeans i'll tell you one simple trick to ensure that you never grow to dislike a song from it being overplayed on tiktok: don't use tiktok. "supershy" is THE song of my summer. it's light, it's breezy, it's fun, and its repetiteveness only lends itself to it being so incredibly catchy. despite their questionable background as a group, newjeans and their team keep delivering music that feels like a breath of fresh air in the k-pop landscape, and i'm glad for it.

9. i want that - g-idle g-idle dominated this year with "queencard", which is not on MY personal list of favorites, but i would never deny its impact. however, though "i want that" was less successful, it hit so much harder for me - probably because of its actually enjoyable and catchy english lyrics (especially the verses), the dark undertones of the song, the dark… well, overtones, of the mv, and the masterful combination of the intense beat and the sweet bridge, nailed by miyeon's lovely vocals.

8. bye my neverland - kiss of life the initial soft, sugary, fairytale atmosphere of the song is soon elevated when a distant sound of a bell leads us through the prechorus right into an explosive chorus - not unlike the clock striking midnight and forcing cinderella to leave the ball. the emotional impact of this entry for me lies not really in its musical qualities, but in them being combined with the lyrics. "bye my neverland" is titled perfectly. it's an ode to making hard choices and to refusing to stay in your comfort zone, even if it seems crazy to throw it away - and at the same time, the song acknowledges that doing this is difficult. there's a sense of deep melancholy in it, but also comfort and hope. i guess that's growing up.

7. bouncy (k-hot chilli peppers) - ateez i am not a noise girlie at all, but i could not escape the siren song of ateez this year. "bouncy" goes so damn hard it's kind of ridiculous. every part is a joy to listen to, the members' deliveries are energetic and full of genuine passion - or sometimes nonchalant, when they should be -, and their live performances impressed me immensely. i might have to look more into their discography after this. "bouncy" doesn't need much description - it speaks for itself.

6. but sometimes - boynextdoor this is FUN music. i mean this more for this song than any other on this list: every single line, every sentence is deeply enjoyable and memorable. you know how some songs are nice and have pretty choruses, but when you try to remember what the verses sound like, you somehow just can't recall much? this is the opposite of that. such an incredibly fun song structure - and it's not even especially unusual. still, it's skillfully written in a way that seems to follow the phases one goes through after a breakup (or at least a teenager would). i also adore the choreography, and i'll be paying a lot of attention to boynextdoor from now on. especially jaehyun and his frankly insane charisma on stage.

5. mine - ive ive was my top artist on spotify this year, and for a good reason. in my humble opinion, they DOMINATED 2023. their first full album was absolutely killer, there is not a song on there that i dislike and "i am" is a masterpiece of a title track. however, because this is a deeply subjective list, i decided to go with "mine" as a representation of ive on here. it's my favorite track on the album, it was my 3rd most listened to song of the year as well and i love it so much. it scratches such a specific itch in my brain with its rhythmical tempo and dreamy soundscape. this song just sounds like what love feels like.

4. menow - fromis9 another perfect album of 2023 was in fact fromis' "unlock my heart". it seems like fromis have a fully realized musical identity now, and it's lovely to experience. there are better songs on the album, namely "attitude" (man that goes crazy), but "#menow" is still the heart of it, in my opinion. it feels genuine, fresh but cozy. there is a deep yearning for living life authentically to the song, and authenticity is one of the very main themes of the full album as well. "attitude" is phenomenal, but it lacks that wonderful casual girl-next-door vibe that fromis' body of work has to it, in my opinion. "#menow" captures it so well - while still being extremely fun! that prechorus? come on. other standouts on the album: "bring it on", "what i want", "eye contact".

3. rising - tripleS now here is my number 1 most listened to song of 2023. tripleS have released some super interesting-sounding stuff. i'm a big fan of "new look", and of "girls' capitalism" too, despite the title, but "rising" dominated. that second verse absolutely kills. i also love the first title-drop in the first verse, for some reason. the song is really catchy and fun, the mv looks kind of silly but gets you in the right mood, and i'm especially enamored with the last 2 lines. some songs have weak or underwhelming endings, but this is the opposite of that - i LOVE the very ending. what more do i need to say about tripleS? they were literally so right when they said la la la la.

2. farewell neverland - txt maybe i'm cheesy for it but i cannot resist a good acoustic guitar, especially when it goes as hard as it does in "farewell neverland". such a beautiful, beautiful song. deeply emotional, deeply mournful, DEEPLY atmospheric. AND it was the culmination of a gorgeous EP, which also featured such bangers as "sugar rush ride", "devil by the window" and "tinnitus". i don't know how to express how much i love this song. it's tragic, it's regretful, it's intense but measured. it sounds stunning and it is aging like a fine wine.

underwater - red velvet it's so difficult to pick just one song off a red velvet album. "chill kill" is perfection, everything i could expect from my favorite group and more. they never disappoint - they just keep surprising me with their music's longevity instead. among flawless bsides, "underwater" managed to slightly stand out. from first listen i felt there was something transcendent about the song, so it is here representing red velvet on my list proudly. there are few tracks that embody the 'velvet' of red velvet as completely as this one does. sensual, ethereal, a tiny bit dangerous. "underwater" gets you simultaneously submerged in the deep end and levitating in the air. i won't stand for ignoring "chill kill" the title track, though - it's perfect as well. the more positive-sounding melodies elevate the uncanny mood and really make it a classic red velvet title. and, okay - let me talk about the mv quickly. killer. literally. so creepy, so disturbing, so hopeful, so artfully made. and the vocals on the entire album are stunning, by the way. one other bside standout for me: "nightmare" - it literally has a musical structure which corresponds to the experience of having a nightmare and freaking out and then waking up and realizing it's all okay and it was just a dream. my GOD!!!! i come back to their music all the time, and the reason is simple: noone else does it like red velvet. they are a one of a kind kpop group and i'm so thankful for them.

thanks to anyone who's read this and have a great rest of 2024 guyz ^___^

[itsstraykids]

hello! hope ur doing well! i love reading ur answers and getting to know more abt u sm! its just amazing how days go by so quickly and busily like u blink and suddenly its 4 of them passed already! apologies! unlike u, im still infant-level fan to kpop (got pulled by skz) and being as hyperfocused on skz as i was, dont know any other kpop groups like i do skz sadly, but i do love music! i love shinee's stuff sm!!! and my best friend really likes xdinary heroes so im getting into them too! and txt just have some of the funnest bsides so their discography gets scoured too lmao. i just dont know any grps members or anything well, but yeah! like u said, lots of good music raining down. i will never understand ppl's bias against non native language songs-esp when they like english stuff and its not their mother tongue!-bcs kpop has such a range. so many interesting sounds, artists and genres!! from past year ive really found myself drawn to soft-ish(?) k-indie/rock a lot! u asked for newer artists (ik so less abt bands. this is a personal failure</3) some of my favorites i think are: lee go do, mingginyu, nerd connection! akmu, heo hoy kyung, se seo neon, etc etc just lots of solo lowkey artists and songs lmao. there's smth abt the lapping continuity of soft sounds and forming of language like that which enthralls me a lot. i really adore loud and wonderful girl group songs as well!! i listen to girl groups a whole lot more than bgs which is surprising bcs i love skz, but their immaculate energy and style! really love aespa, rv, loona! stayc, twice, billie, izone and others! do u listen to lucy the band? their stuff's really fun as well! i rambled sm lmao but yeah. music is so exciting in so many aspects its amazing. i love listening to a lot of languages and genres too! mostly bcs my brain's engagement is a pinball game and i am keeping it amused with fifty different things at the same time. which is why i just have a lot of recs for songs but none for artists bcs i collect and find interesting stuff but get obsessed easily, which makes it difficult to get into every artist particularly. would love to trade playlists or songs once this secret santa is over if ud be comfortable with that! (no pressure genuinely!) thank u for reading and indulging me! its funny how everything is still so busy even tho we here dont celebrate christmas that extensively like the west at all (asian!) holidays are holidays tho i guess lmao. hope u have lots of fun sweets and gifts well wishes and rest and reprieve!! stay safe!!

ps- top 3 artists?? that i found and fell in love with so bad this year?? would be youra! yukika and ahn ye eun! and now i dont know how much any of the artists song would be up your alley but im vibrating to recommend them to everybody so bad but id recommend mimi, raww from youra; neon 1989, soul lady, pit-a-pet (or any! she's amazing) from yukika; and burn like a star, full bloom, night flower, moon during the day or any! (im just. obsessed with her voice and how she likes doing her music smm) from ahn ye eun! u dont even have to listen to these if u dont want to, i just wanted to share lmao. do u have some particular artists whose sound u adore to unseeming degrees? also! fav japanese artists(if any)? ! im always on lookout for new music!! have a good day!!!

hi!! sorry again for answering this so late, like you said, the days go by in a flash lmao. thank you so much for those recommendations, i'm excited to check them out!! once i have the time 😅 i think after christmas i’ll be doing a lot of chilling and art + new music will be perfect. i totally feel you on collecting songs over artists usually, i do the same because i find good songs randomly from cafes, movies, spotify recommended, etc. and just put them all into a playlist, lol. i would LOVE to trade playlists with you. anything you recommend will be much appreciated. i really need more indie recs and good gg songs, i only really know mamamoo but i think they’re great. i’ve heard some singles from the other groups you mentioned that i like a lot too but i don’t know any of their b-sides.

oh wow you’re located in asia? that’s very cool, is it hot there right now or are you more in the north? i’m in california so we don’t get very “wintery” vibes even in december, but it has been raining a bit which is really nice and refreshing. also, today is my birthday! so we had a really great banana cake my family made, and they also made an incredible brunch. we’re going ice skating in a little bit and then having a bonfire on the beach in the evening. hope you’re having a good day as well! merry christmas if you celebrate 🎅🎄✨💝

[idontwanttospoiltheparty]

▶︎▷▶︎▷ idontwanttospoiltheparty's blog intro ◀︎◁◀︎◁

I love talking about Beatles history, their songs, and music in general!

Tags:

❡ my analysis tag; where I give my more nuanced takes on the band in general. ❡ music talk tag; where I just ramble about music for its own sake ❡ music live blogging tag; where you can watch me as I descend into Beatles solo career madness in real time

Also I tag a bunch of other things! Individual people (first name only usually), relationships (first initials; eg. jp for John/Paul), year (last two digits), ref (for general sources), and some other things I'm trying to keep track of. Feel free to explore :)

I also newly have a sideblog for Beatles-related music polls!

Fics:

✥ I'm Looking Through You ✥ Diarchy ✥ Under Both His Thumbs ✥ Thinking Of Speaking My Mind ✥ (Everything Comes Out) Teenage Petulance

Also…

[bluebeetle]

annoying guy at work keeps targetting me and bothering me about my music when i play it while we are working in the same room. he doesnt do this with anyone else and will even be like “but x will play the radio!!” 

e once again asked me to put the radio on instead of my music, even tho i even made a new playlist that was a mix of CURRENT RADIO HITS that i dont hate--like stuff literally on the top 40 AS WE SPEAK!!!!--oldies hits from the 20th century, and some older pop hits like lady gaga and britney spears. 

literally like limited rock (and again only stuff that actually did well) and like one or two indie stuff (which id purposely queue up for when it was just me and harshal in the room lol) and i even told him like ok one.

 the radio im using is fuzzy on most FM stations anyways and the stations i do know are either gonna be playing the EXACT SAME MUSIC or be all alt. stuff that he didnt like before (Since before he asked me to change it to pop hits)

. and he tried to spin it as oh he doesnt really care he likes all music (But also doesnt listen to music, apparently) and its all about the people in packaging..... the people in packaging who. where literally. singing along. to a lot of the songs!!!! and were clearly really enjoying it!! hell one of the Quality Assurance guys came in to do paperwork when Helena by MCR was on and he started singing that!!

Like. this dude is CONSTANTLY lying to my face but hes SO bad at it and its annoying. its clear he is the one with the issue but he doesnt want to be confrontational but also he NEEDS me to change it so badly.

 I told him that if he wants something--even a goddamn genre or a specific radio station--he can tell me, but just "change it to the radio" is really rude bc it reads as "i would rather listen to anything but this" (even tho again. most of it was. stuff. currently. on. the fucking. radio.) and i was using my spotify bc i dont like listening to ads lol  but whenever i ask him “okay what radio station do you want?” he never has an answer bc again its not about actually listening to something he likes its about making me feel bad and causing me issues over goddamn petty shit.

 AND THEN he was also like, as further justification for why the packaging people clearly did not like my music, was that they were talking about classical music at one point.

which ok 1) what fucking radio station is playing mozart?

2) i can tell you exactly WHY they were talking about mozart. it was bc 99 luftballoons and rock me amadeus came on in my playlist (They were both hits in canada/the us and ive heard BOTH on the radio in german here btw). yknow. as in. amadeus mozart? and the connection was mostly bc one of the packaging guys knew a lil german bc he had wanted to learn to play mozarts music. but yknow i actually listen to people when they talk unlike this dude 

and its just *grabs him by the neck* shut the fuck up and listen to my music, boy

[watchmegetobsessed]

VALERIE - Part IV. (Harry Styles)

hello loves!! thank you so much for the feedbacks on the previous part, i love to see your thoughts at reactions so please keep them coming for the upcoming parts as well! i was informed that the posts weren’t showing up under the hashtags bc i had an extrernal link to the spotify playlist, so that won’t be available in the next parts, but you’ll always be able to find it in the masterpost if you’d like to give it a listen! those were the songs i listened to while writing the story! now, i dont want to keep you up any longer, here is part 4, one of my personal favs, and im excitedly waiting for your feedbacks on the post! have a wonderful reading!

word count: 4.5k

SERIES MASTERPOST

masterlist

Valerie is curiously watching her dad work on the portable bed they’ve brought over for the night, her little hands clutching onto Rosa’s shirt as she is telling you all about the list she has made for you. It’s not a long one, but you try to focus on every word she says, making sure you won’t mess anything up.

“I put an X behind the important ones,” she explains pointing at the paper and you nod, eyes roaming down on the few X’s on the list. “The other ones are just suggestions, things I thought you should know.

“Got it,” you nod again, biting into your bottom lip. Bath time, feeding, sleep time, everything is covered in the list and you’re happy she even mentioned the smallest details. Some things might be natural for her as she’s been doing it for months, but it’s your first time completely alone with a baby. You surely don’t want to mess this up, especially because you want her to trust you and let you look after Valerie more often. They deserve a break now and then.

Steven finishes the bed and backs out a few stuffed animals along with two blankets into it, making it look cozy and familiar for Val.

“But most importantly,” Rosa starts and you look her in the eyes. “Call us anytime if you need help or want us to take her home, and I mean it.”

“Not gonna happen,” you shake your head, earning a sigh from your sister.

“Y/N, I’m serious. We are thankful for the help, but it’s not your duty, alright? Just call us anytime, really.”

Nodding your head you flash a smile at her, knowing well nothing on Earth is gonna make you call them tonight. Okay, maybe there are some cases when you would call, but those are quite unlikely to happen.

She hands Valerie over who curiously eyes you before grabbing a handful of your shirt and making herself busy with the fabric.

“It’s gonna be fine. Have a great night, you deserve it,” you smile at them. Steven straightens up and curls an arm around Rosa’s waist as they watch Val in awe, clearly a little worried they are gonna spend an entire night without her, but you can tell they also can’t wait for some alone time.

“Alright, we should get going,” Rosa sighs and stepping closer she kisses Valerie’s head and then your cheek as well. “Have fun with your aunty! We’ll be back for you in the morning, Sweetie.”

She runs her hand over her little head and Valerie smiles at her happily, completely oblivious to what’s really happening. The joys of being just a baby!

Steven says goodbye to her as well and you all head to the door. 

“So, we’ll be here around eight, she is usually up by six. Do you want us to pick her up sooner?” Rosa asks standing at the front door.

“Sooner? I was about to tell you to sleep a little longer, you don’t have to come so early.”

“But we don’t want to take away your whole day, you need to rest too,” Steven explains, worry all over his face.

“Stop worrying about me, I’ll be fine. Just enjoy your night off! Come on, I’m throwing you guys out, time for the sleepover to start,” you tell them, shushing them out the door. 

It takes some time to finally get them to leave, but they eventually do. Then it’s just the two of you, alone for the first time.

“Ready for your first sleepover, Val?” you ask her, standing in the hallway of your apartment. She just stares back at you, saliva drooling from her mouth but even that looks cute on her. “Alright, let’s do this.”

You braced yourself for the worst. Thought about all the possibilities how the evening would go, but you hoped they wouldn't become reality. Unfortunately, baby Valerie had different plans for the two of you.

The first hour goes by fine. You feed her, have a little play time, reading her favorite book to her, but slowly, you notice her losing interest in anything and everything. Soon enough, you see her face distort into a grimace and a few moments later she starts crying and it’s straight downhill from there. 

Nothing can get her to stop. No food, no toy, absolutely nothing. You clown around, trying everything that pops into your mind that would calm her down, but it doesn’t seem like she is about to stop anytime soon. 

You start to panic. Rosa told you how fussy she is because of her teeth coming, but you didn’t think it would be this bad. When she’s been crying for an entire hour straight, for a split second, you think about calling Rosa. 

“No, not gonna do that,” you say, while Val is still screaming in your arms. “Valerie, what do you want? Tell me and I’ll give it to you, I promise! Just please stop crying!” you whine desperately, but, no surprise, no answer comes from the screaming babe in your arms, just more tears, puffy eyes and red cheeks from all the crying she’s been doing.

Trying to rock her into calmness you are moving around in the apartment when you hear your phone ringing. You instantly think it’s gonna be Rosa, wanting to check in on you, but how are you gonna answer the call when Valeries is screaming from the top of her lungs? She’ll come to pick her up straight away, no doubt about that.

Rushing into the kitchen you are relieved to see that it’s just Harry calling you.

“It’s not the best of times, Styles,” you sigh as you answer the call and put him on the speaker, leaving the phone on the countertop, so you have both your hands free for Valerie.

“Hey, I was just-- what the fuck is happening?” he asks hearing the deadly cries of Val through the line. “Is that Valerie?”

“It is! I’m looking after her so Rosa and Steven can celebrate their anniversary, but she just wouldn’t stop crying! I don’t know what to do!” 

You’re absolutely desperate. It’s so bad you can feel your throat closing up, nearing the edge of your patience, tears threatening to roll down your cheeks, but you tell yourself only one of you can cry at a time and Val has taken that spot quite some time ago, not even giving you a moment to let loose.

“Text me your address, I’m leaving now,” he orders and you snap your head towards the phone.

“What? No, Harry--”

“Just text me the damn address, Y/N!” he barks and the line cuts off right away. 

Your desperation pairs with shock now, not knowing what to think about this short, but quite eventful conversation you just had with him. It takes you a few moments to collect your thoughts, but you end up sending him your address. 

Nothing changes in the twenty minutes while you are waiting to hear anything from Harry following your text to him. Valerie keeps crying with three seconds of pauses when she takes a few deep breaths only to start screaming once again. Aside from the headache she is causing you, it’s becoming pretty impressive how long she’s been doing it. You probably would have fainted by now, but it seems like Valerie is running on an endless battery.

“You are really making it hard for me to be a cool aunt, Val,” you mumble, the baby still in your arms as the tears keep rolling down her face. Your light grey shirt is now soaking wet, both from her tears and your sweat from the anxiety she is giving you, mixed with some other things you choose to ignore where they came from.

The doorbell makes you jump, but Valerie doesn’t even bat an eye at the sound, she just keeps going.

“You need to teach me how to have this much energy,” you mumble under your breath as you walk over to the door. 

Opening it you find yourself staring up at Harry who is wearing a brown coat, dark jeans and a black hoodie. If you had to guess what he was doing on this weekend evening you would have said he was out with friends somewhere, picking up girls, but he surely doesn’t look like he was anywhere else than his home, the clothes are hanging messily on his frame, like he just threw them on in a rush.

His green eyes look straight at you at first before moving over to the crying child in your arms. You fully expect him to say something along the lines of “this is the kind of effect you have on others” comment, but it seems like he notices the fear and despair in your eyes and he keeps his mouth shut.

“I honestly have no idea what to do,” you choke out and the tears start flowing from your eyes as well, making Harry have to deal with now two crying human beings.

“Oh my, please don’t cry, I can’t take two crying women at once,” Harry begs as he steps inside and shuts the door behind him. Turning to face you he reaches for Valerie, you hand her over to him, hoping she would magically stop the crying, but she clearly couldn’t care less.

“Why, can you take one?” you ask with a bitter chuckle as you wipe your cheeks.

“Not really,” he admits, making you smile. “So what have you tried?” he asks as he starts swaying and rocking Valerie in hopes of getting her to stop, but not even Harry’s charm stands a chance with her right now. Deep down you’re happy you weren’t the reason she got so fussy and upset, would have been pretty awkward if she stopped the moment Harry took her into his arms. 

“Literally everything,” you huff, shoulders falling forward. “I went over the list Rosa gave me, tried everything, but she wouldn’t stop. She’s teething, but this is… It seems like there might be something else maybe?” you tell him worried that something serious might be behind her behavior. You really don’t want to call and bother Rosa, but you are nearing the point where you’ll give up and ask for help.

“Maybe she needs to be changed?” Harry suggests holding her up, giving her butt a sniff, but you roll your eyes at him.

“You don’t think that was one of the first things I did? She is as clean as she could be. Maybe I should just call Rosa,” you sigh in defeat reaching for your phone but Harry snaps at you.

“No! Don’t, we can figure this out. Steven has been so excited to have a night off, we can’t ruin this for them. Come on, we have to have the slightest parenting skills and solve this without them.”

Nodding you agree with him, but you’ve completely run out of ideas.

“So what do you suggest?”

You can see the gears turning in Harry’s head as he is trying to come up with a plan, but it’s not like either of you have any experience with babies. The idea of calling Rosa is starting to burn in the back of your head, fear of failing this challenge taking over your thoughts.

Then Harry looks at you with a look that screams that he has an idea. You’re just about to ask what came into his mind when all of a sudden he starts to sing.

“Well, sometimes I go out by myself and I look across the water, and I think of all the things what you’re doing and in my head I paint a picture…”

You instantly recognize Amy Whinehouse’s iconic song, the one that’s also behind Valerie’s name, you know that for sure. Rosa was obsessed with the song growing up, she would sing it on the way to school, in the shower or while making dinner. You weren’t surprised she chose this name for her first daughter.

What surprises you that Harry sings like a literal angel. He hits the notes perfectly, nailing the lines like not many can and you listen to him with parted lips, eyebrows raised. This was the last thing you expected from him, but then again, it’s not the first time Harry has surprised you through the years of knowing him.

Valerie stops for a moment, her hiccups shaking through her body as her tear-filled eyes look up to Harry, and you both think this is gonna be the moment when she finally calms down, but he doesn’t even reach the chorus before she starts crying again, a defeated sigh erupting from him.

“Maybe she wants it instrumental,” you suggest and Harry gives you one of those ‘are you fucking kidding me?’ looks as you leave to run down the hallway, right into your bedroom.

“How am I supposed to make it instru-- what the hell, Y/N?!” He gives you a weirded out look when you return with a guitar in your hands. “Since when do you play the guitar?” 

“Since like… eighth grade,” you tell him as you sit on the couch and holding the guitar on your lap you try to find the right accords. “I told you, you know nothing about me.”

Harry nods with a surprised but amazed look on his face as your fingers strum against the chords. It takes a few minutes but you figure it out and glancing up you give a questioning look to Harry.

“From the start?” you ask and he nods his head, continuously bouncing up and down to try to calm Val down.

You start playing the song and soon enough Harry joins you with the singing, the two of you perfectly nailing it even without any practice.

“Stop makin’ a fool out of me, why don’t you come on over, Valerie?”

Maybe it’s the guitar, maybe it’s the singing or maybe the fact that the song has her name in it, but by the time you reach the halfway point in the song Valerie’s crying slowly starts to fade. You instantly share a look with Harry, but don’t stop, fearing that she might start again if the music stops. 

Her tear soaked cheeks smooth out as she is not screaming anymore and you can actually see her irises finally, her long lashes are sticking together from the salty tears and you know it’s gonna take some time for her to regain her normal state, but at least the crying has stopped. 

“‘Cause since I’ve come on home, well, my body’s been a mess. And I’ve missed your ginger hair and the way you like to dress…”

You tear your eyes off Valerie for a second, letting yourself wander over Harry’s features as he sings. He slightly furrows his eyebrows focusing on the lines, so his forehead has a few creases on it. His lips form the words so clearly and elegantly, you wonder how often he sings. Is it something he only does when he is on his own or he likes to perform as well? 

The only time when you heard him sing was at the bar when the two of you slayed the karaoke machine with that Avril Lavigne song. You were smashed by then, you remember that he had a nice voice but it was the last thing you paid attention to. Besides, he was kind of equally drunk as you, it was all for just fun, but now is a completely different situation. 

It’s no surprise Valerie finds his voice soothing, you’d probably stop whatever you were doing if you heard him sing. There are people with a good voice and then there are the ones that not just have a good voice but also that small something, that extra magic in them that makes you melt as their voice caress your ears. Harry is definitely the second case, for a moment you forget where you are or why he is there singing. It’s just his voice and the gentle strumming of your fingers on the chords. 

At the end of the song he starts repeating Valerie as the song slowly fades into nothing and you both stare at the little girl in his arms, clearly afraid she might start crying again. Unfortunately, your reservations become valid when you see the corners of her mouth curls down and you and Harry share a shocked look immediately.

“What else can you play?” he urges as Val whimpers in his arms, letting you know she does not appreciate that the singing has stopped. 

“Shit, shit! Um, something from ABBA?” you propose and Harry nods quickly, not even asking which song you know, so you take it as a sign that he probably knows all of them.

The first song that comes to your mind is Andante, Andante and you don’t hesitate to start playing again, just in time. Valerie was just about to start crying again, but as soon as the melody hit her little ears she calmed down and listened to it with tired looking eyes.

“Take it easy with me, please. Touch me gently like a summer evening breeze…” Harry sings the words and you can’t hold a smile back as he, once again, hits the notes just perfectly without missing a beat.

You’re convinced there’s not one person on Earth who has never heard a single Abba song, most of the population knows them by heart, but somehow you couldn’t really imagine Harry to be a person who knows the lyrics to the songs as well. But he does and sings it without messing it up even just once. It’s hard to imagine a younger version of Harry singing ABBA songs when they come on the radio, but the more you think about it the more the picture paints itself in your mind.

Valerie lays her head to Harry’s chest, stuffing her thumb into her mouth as she listens to the performance. She is probably enjoying the vibrance of his voice shaking through his chest and maybe this is what brings her the peace she’s been looking for all this time. Your heart skips a beat at the sight of them.

Harry glances at you, eyes so soft you melt under his gaze. However nerve wrecking it was to have Valerie scream for hours, she is still the cutest little thing ever as she rests her head on his chest, her long blinks giving it away she has definitely lost most of her energy. 

You don’t dare to stop the singing and playing. When you near the end of a song you quickly think of something else and whisper it over to Harry, who then gives his feedback on it with either a nod or a shake of his head. Most of the time he knows the songs you suggest so the show continues without a stop. 

Half an hour passes by when you see her eyes slowly closing. You still don’t stop though, only when Harry tries to listen to her breathing and he realizes that it was completely slowed down. She is out.

“Holy shit,” you breathe out quietly, your fingers feeling numb from the playing. You haven’t had a guitar in your hands for this long in a while, probably for years. Harry shares your relief, his throat has completely dried out and he is happy to finally breathe evenly, not just sneak a few breaths in between lines. 

“And now what?” he mouths as he is still gently swaying around with the sleeping Valerie in his arms. You put the guitar aside and check if she is for real asleep. Her long lashes are spread out on her puffy cheeks, gently snoozing into Harry’s chest as if she weren’t screaming for dear life just an hour ago. 

“Let’s put her down,” you whisper and nod at him to follow you. 

Reaching your bedroom you only switch your bedside lamp on so the light doesn’t wake her up. Pushing the stuffed animals to the side you grab the blankets and let Harry do the critical job. Leaning down he oh so slowly starts to pull her away from his chest, careful not to move too suddenly, it all feels like in those action movies when they are trying to get through the lasers without triggering the alarm. One bad move and the screaming threatens to start again and that’s the last thing you want, after all you’ve done to calm her down. 

You don’t even realize it but as you watch her little head reach the mattress you hold your breath, almost wincing upon seeing Harry’s hands slide out from under her sleeping frame. As if you wait for something to go wrong, both of you freeze for a moment, expecting her to start moving around and wake up, but she stays still. 

Eyes snapping up to Harry, you exchange a look and then you both head to the door, careful not to make any noise that can possibly shake Valerie up from her dreams.

“This was more tiring than running a marathon,” he huffs, throwing himself to the couch and you do the same next to him. 

“Have you ever run a marathon?”

“No,” he confidently answers and you look over at him with a puzzled look. “But I can imagine how tiring it is.”

You let out a chuckle, letting your eyes close for just a little bit. You haven’t even had the chance to realize how much this whole struggle with Val sucked the energy out of you, but now that you’re half lying on the couch it hits you all at once.

“I should get going,” you hear Harry mumble, clearly just as tired as you are, but he doesn’t move. 

“Mhm,” you hum, feeling yourself drift to sleep.

Neither of you moves and it doesn’t take a whole five minutes for the both of you to completely doze off.

The next time you wake up you feel an arm curled around your waist and someone is definitely pressed up against you while your back is against the back of the couch. It takes you a couple of moments and some blinking to realize it’s Harry you are all snuggled up to and the reason why you woke up is because Valerie is crying again. 

“Shit,” you mumble to yourself, mind still groggy from the sleep as you push yourself up on the couch. Just moments later Harry’s eyes flush open and you’re not sure it’s because of the crying or because you moved next to him. His arm slides off you as he looks around a little confused about his surroundings.

You don’t have the chance to think about how the two of you ended up cuddling on the couch, though it lingers in the back of your mind. Basically crawling over Harry you rush into your bedroom where Valerie is lying in her bed crying. It’s a different kind of cry, not like the one you were stuck with for hours before and you know she must be hungry.

“Ah, come on, little girl. It’s alright,” you coo at her scooping her into your arms. She immediately cuddles to your chest hiccupping against it, her little hands fisting your shirt. You leave to go to the kitchen and feed her, but just as you’re about to step out of the room you bump into Harry.

You bounce back from his chest, but his hand immediately reaches for you and grabs your arm, holding you in case you might fall back.

“Sorry,” you breathe out, thoughts still foggy a little. “She’s… hungry,” you explain, but he is standing so close to you, you can feel his body’s warmth and it instantly ignites the memory of being pressed against his side on the couch just moments ago and you can’t stop yourself from inhaling a shaky breath. 

“Let me help,” he croaks out and the two of you walk into the kitchen. Putting on her bib you hand her over to Harry who sits with her on his lap on a stoop as you get the baby food, warm it a little before joining the two of them and you slowly start feeding her.

“What time is it?” you ask realizing you have no idea how long you two have been asleep on the couch.

“It’s three am,” Harry answers before smiling down at Val. “Good job, Val!” he hums watching her take the spoon into her mouth.

You finish up feeding her, then give a try at burping her even though Rosa said it’s not necessary anymore. She just hums to herself so you head back to the bedroom, her eyes already threatening to close. By the time you put her back to the bed she is out again, so no private show is needed this time.

Walking out of the room you see Harry putting on his shoes and coat. For a split second you feel disappointed that he is leaving, but then your rational side puts you to your place. Of course he is leaving! Val is fine now, there’s no other reason for him to stay, right?

“Harry,” you softly say and he looks at you. “Can you please not tell Rosa and Steven that I needed help with Val?” you quietly ask, though there’s no doubt your eyes are practically begging him.

“No way I’ll ever admit to Steven that I sang ABBA to his child, so don’t worry about it,” he chuckles making you smile as well. 

“Thank you. And for helping me as well. I was really close to giving it up,” you admit folding your arms on your chest as Harry stands at the front door, hand on the door knob as he is looking back at you.

“No problem. Now you owe me one,” he smirks and you can’t hold yourself back from rolling your eyes.

“Sure,” you say with an airy chuckle. “Good night, Harry.”

“Good night, Y/N,” he smiles at you sweetly before opening the door and walking out. 

You take his place at the door and watch him walk down the eerily quiet hallway. He turns back to you one last time waving in your way and you nod back smiling before he disappears around the corner.

Closing the door you lean your back against it, taking a deep breath. Your eyes wander over to the couch where you and Harry were sleeping not so long ago. The feeling of his arm around you is still burned into your mind and you breathe in shakily as a memory snaps into your head of the exact same thing, only years earlier.

You lied almost exactly like that in his hotel room that night. His strong arms wrapped around you as you had your head laid on his chest, listening to his heartbeat that was slightly faster than the normal. Though you were still quite drunk, this feeling imprinted into your memories, because you felt so safe with him. Like nothing could ever hurt you if he was there with you.

Unfortunately, that feeling faded into nothing when you woke up in the morning quite fast. But this time, instead of disappointment and disgust, the only thing you still feel is the emptiness at the lack of his touch. 

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TAGLIST

let me know if you’d like to be added or taken off!

@f-vasquezp​ @perspnhel​ @http-cherries​  @h-arrystyles​ @just-damn-bored​ @millennial-teenybopper​ @sarcasticallywitty15​ @gwenlovesharrystyles​ @perfectywrong​ @do-youseeme​ @burberryharold​  

[ritualmichael]

michael langdon playlist

“It’s like Satan’s Spotify playlist.”

these are just some good songs that remind me of michael!! rb and add some songs if you’d like!! gif by @bills-skarsgards

antichrist - the 1975 

its an essential. “the blood is on your tongue as well as your hands”

sinister kid - the black keys

it was practically written about michael, i swear. “i got a tortured mind / and my blade is sharp / a bad combination / in the dark” “the boy with the broken halo / that's me, that's me / the devil won't let me be”

seven devils - florence + the machine

michael @ the coven but also the coven @ him? so haunting and accurate. if you dont listen to any others, listen to this one at least. “holy water cannot help you now /see I've come to burn your kingdom down” “seven devils all around you / seven devils in your house”

you should see me in a crown - billie eilish

this song just screams michael at the outpost. “wait till the world is mine” “watch me make 'em bow / one by one by one” “blood on a marble wall / i like the way they all / scream”

monster - imagine dragons

he literally calls himself a monster when he’s growing into his uncontrollable powers. “ive turned into a monster / and it keeps getting stronger” “i never said that I want this / this burden came to me / and it's laid its home inside”

oh my dear lord - the unlikely candidates 

just a really badass song about being reckless. i get older michael vibes. bonus for a play on religion. “ive been running wild, had a good time / but i cant stop now” “i was a good guy / but i was the worst type” “over my head in a landslide / can you pull me out?/ oh my dear Lord”

i’m so sorry - imagine dragons

another badass song. just michael trying to figure out the world alone. “you never know the top ‘til you get too low” “you’ll never be loved ‘till you’ve made your own”

horns - bryce fox

uses female pronouns but describes seductive michael x reader PERFECTLY. cannot recommend this song enough. “in her heart there's a hole / there's a black mark on her soul / in her hands is my heart / and she wont let go ‘til it’s scarred” “i sell my soul for the high”

legendary - welshly arms

michael just ending the world and taking it over. that power hunger tho. “what we're doing here ain't just scary / it's about to be legendary” “eventually they're gonna know who's right / to make a stand you got to win the fight”

easy (switch screens) - son lux ft. lorde

this song is just so haunting. “pull out your heart to make the being alone easy”

sick for me - big data ft bear hands

the chorus just gets me every time. phew. “i wanna feel you close to me / i wanna hear you beg and plead / i want to see you sick for me / a new kind of love, no remedy”

twisted - missio

another one that was just wrote for michael. 100%. “everybody in the world knows i’m a little twisted” “my mother, she told me, “don't get in trouble” / my father, he told me he knew I would”

me and the devil - soap&skin

reader x michael. another just haunting and chilling song. “early this morning / when you knocked upon my door / and I say, "Hello Satan, I believe it is time to go"”

river - bishop briggs

i just think this song is badass (and kinda hot?) and i get michael vibes even though the subject isn’t too relatable. “holy hands, will they make me a sinner?” “shut your mouth and run me like a river”

arsonist’s lullabye - hozier

i feel like this just describes how michael feels about all of the darkness inside of him. “when I was a child, I'd sit for hours / staring into open flame / something in it had a power” “dont you ever tame your demons / always keep them on a leash’

tuning out... - bastille

this is the most haunting version of oh holy night ever. makes me think of the finale when michael tells the witches to fall on their knees to him. just endless chills. “fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices”

[your-dietician]

Best 4th of July sales from across the web 2021

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Best 4th of July sales from across the web 2021

Yahoo Life has received compensation to create this article, and receives commission from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

Stand up and salute! The biggest sales of the summer are here — and we’ve gathered all the best deals for you. (Photo: Getty Images)

It’s 4th of July weekend — a time to celebrate freedom. This year, it has a special meaning, as we all emerge to hang with friends and family, exchange hugs and high-fives, and launch a summer of appreciation and joy. 

Before you fire up the grill or head to the beach, take a minute to benefit from the celebratory sales. No need to open a thousand tabs and peruse sites of countless retailers — we did the legwork for you, combing through the options and pulling together one list of can’t-miss opportunities below. 

As for the sales themselves? They’re absolutely massive. You’ll find amazing discounts on tech, small appliances, home goods, and more. There’s no shortage of steals and deals this holiday weekend.

So let’s get to it: Here are the July 4th sales you absolutely can’t afford to miss, from across the web. 

Best TV sales

We have seen the future, and it’s this Sony 4K TV. (Photo: Amazon)

This Sony X80J 65-inch 4K Ultra HD LED Smart Google TV is the latest from a manufacturer that’s long been at the forefront of top-notch home video. No shocker, then, that the display on this set is dazzlingly vivid and detailed. Originally $1,000, this beauty is available for only $898 for the 4th of July.

Sony’s state-of-the-art Processor X1 is the power behind its true-to-life visuals, while HDR (High Dynamic Range) settings make sure colors stay bright and black levels are dark. Get ready: It’s going to feel like you’re sitting in the middle of all the action.

This 4K TV includes Google TV with instant access to hundreds of popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, Peacock and much, much more. It even has built-in Chromecast for slinging videos and music from your phone or tablet to the TV. Also: The remote has a microphone that lets you use Google Assistant for voice search and hands-free navigation. And shoppers just love it too.

Story continues

“In one word: Awesome….,” raved a five-star reviewer of this Sony. “It can be adjusted to give you absolute black even in a dark room; 4K and HDR are amazing…”

Check out more 4th of July TV sales below:

Insignia NS-32DF310NA19 32-inch Smart HD TV — Fire TV, $150 (was $200), amazon.com

Insignia 55-inch NS-55F301NA22 F30 Series LED 4K Ultra HD Smart Fire TV, $400 (was $500), amazon.com

Toshiba 32-inch Smart HD TV — Fire TV Edition, $160 (was $200), amazon.com

Toshiba 43-inch 43C350KU C350 Series LED 4K Ultra HD Smart Fire TV, $320 (was $370), amazon.com

Sony 55-inch Class X80J Series LED 4K Ultra HD Smart Google TV, $750 (was $950), bestbuy.com

Sony 65-inch Class X80J Series LED 4K Ultra HD Smart Google TV, $900 (was $1,150), bestbuy.com

LG 65-inch Class 4K Ultra HD NanoCell Smart TV, $997 (was $1,200), walmart.com

LG 65-inch Class CX Series OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart webOS TV, $1,900 (was $2,200), bestbuy.com

LG C1 65-inch Class 4K Smart OLED TV, $2,100 (was $2,500), qvc.com

Samsung 70-inch Class 7 Series LED 4K Ultra HD Smart Tizen TV, $680 (was $750), bestbuy.com

Best headphone and earbud sales

Save over 40 percent on these Beats beauties. (Photo: Amazon)

On sale for $199 — an incredible $151 off! — the Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (in Matte Black) mix style and performance in one sleek design. These are Beats’ premium noise-canceling headphones that work seamlessly with just about any Apple device, including the iPhone, iPad and MacBook. The way they sync to your Apple products, thanks to Apple’s W1 chip for instant pairing, is magical. And Amazon shoppers are hooked.

“These are the best headphones I’ve ever had,” shared a delighted Amazon shopper. “I travel 99 percent of the time for work and am on planes twice a week. I am exhausted and don’t want to talk to people. These are perfect for when you’re feeling anti-social on the plane, in the airport….hell, anywhere! The 22-hour battery life and noise cancellation are mind-blowing. Definitely worth the money!”

Check out more 4th of July headphone and earbud sales below:

Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones, $145 (was $200), amazon.com

Beats Solo Pro Headphones, $149 (was $300), walmart.com

Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds, $39 (was $50), amazon.com

Bietrun Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds, $26 (was $130), walmart.com

Apple AirPods (wireless charging case), $160 (was $199), amazon.com

Apple AirPods Max, $490 (was $549), amazon.com

Philips Wireless In-Ear Headphones, $30 (was $60), walmart.com

JBL Tune 115TWS True Wireless Headphones, $50 (was $60), kohls.com

Beats Flex All-Day Wireless Earphones, $40 (was $50), target.com

Samsung Galaxy Buds+, $100 (was $150), bestbuy.com

Meidong Bluetooth Noise-Canceling Over-Ear Headphones, $35 (was $70), walmart.com

Best smart-home sales

Start building the smart home of your dreams with this bundle — save nearly 35 percent! (Photo: Lowe’s)

For the 4th of July, Lowe’s is giving you a chance to score the Google Nest Mini (second generation) and GE Smart Plug for just $40 (was $60).

The next-gen Nest Mini packs the Google Assistant into a sleek design with really great sound. Enjoy crisp vocals and balanced bass while you stream songs from Spotify, YouTube Music, SiriusXM, Pandora, Apple Music and more. Want a smart home? Now’s the time! If you have a phone in your pocket and a Wi-Fi network at home, you’re well on your way to building a smart home.

Plus, the bundle includes the GE Smart Plug (a $15 value), which can easily pair with the Google Nest Mini. Simply plug into a wall outlet, then plug in anything like a lamp, a TV or even a coffeemaker.

Then connect the plug to your Wi-Fi network and use your phone to sync to the Google Home app (for Android smartphones and Apple iPhones). That’s it! Now you can control just about anything in your home with your phone or just the sound of your voice via the Google Assistant. Fun!

“I am amazed at how much sound can come out of this little bitty device,” said a five-star Lowe’s reviewer. “The ease of setting it up via Wi-Fi was a breeze…I would recommend this little device for not only sound, but also ease of use. It can make your life simple and up-to-date if you carry a busy workload. Set a reminder and it will remind you even with a little music.”

Check out more 4th of July smart-home sales below:

Kamep Wireless Wi-Fi Video Doorbell Camera, $65 (was $130), amazon.com

TP-Link N300 WiFi Extender (TL-WA855RE), $17 (was $30), amazon.com

Moen 7594BL Arbor One-Handle Pulldown Kitchen Faucet, $289 (was $500), amazon.com

Govee Smart Light Bulbs, $11 with on-page coupon (was $22), amazon.com

Google Nest Mini, $35 (was $49), lowes.com

Google Nest Learning Smart Thermostat, $199 (was $249), lowes.com

Google Nest Hello, $149 (was $229), lowes.com

Google Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera, $130 (was $200), walmart.com

Honeywell RLV4300A1005 5-2 Day Programmable Thermostat (renewed), $10 (was $35), eBay.com

TP-Link Wi-Fi Mini Smart, $10 (was $18), target.com

Beats Pill+ Wireless Bluetooth Speaker, $140 (was $230), kohls.com

Philips Neopix Ultra Projector with Wi-Fi Screen Mirroring, Bluetooth & Built-in Media Player, $380 (was $400), kohls.com

Lenovo Smart Clock Essential, $30 (was $50), lowes.com

eufy Security eufy Wireless Smart, $170 (was $200), lowes.com

Brookstone PhotoShare Digital Picture Frame, $110 (was $130), lowes.com

Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness & Activity Tracker, $100 (was $130), kohls.com

Defender Ultra HD 4K Wired Outdoor Security System (1TB), $260 (was $450), walmart.com

Monoprice Wireless Smart Outdoor Dual Socket, $25 (was $38), target.com

XODO Smart Wi-Fi HD Video Doorbell, $90 (was $150), walmart.com

DHcamera Wired Spotlight Cam HD Security Camera, $150 (was $230), walmart.com

Garmin Vivosport Fitness Tracker (renewed), $70 (was $200), eBay.com

Love Spotify and Pandora, but still want to play your beloved CDs? Bose is here to keep physical media alive. (Photo: HSN)

If you can’t let go of your old CDs and love listening to the radio, the Bose Wave Music System IV is the ticket. And for the 4th of July, HSN has temporarily dropped the price of this gem from $500 to just $300. That’s the lowest price we’ve found on the web right now — a savings of 40 percent.

This Bose speaker system projects crisp sound, and comes equipped with a Bluetooth receiver add-on, so you can wirelessly sync your smartphone or laptop to it. The design is elegant, minimal and slim, making it a seamless addition to your entertainment center or on its own in a bedroom, kitchen or living room. It also comes with a remote. If you enjoy waking up to the sound of music or the radio, you can program the system’s timer to sync up to your preferences too.

“Perfect sound system for the home,” wrote a five-star Bose reviewer. “The sound is simply stunning and fills the entire room. The radio reception is superb and the ability to play Internet radio via TuneIn brings this product firmly in the 2020s!”

New to HSN? Score an additional $20 off with promo code HSN2021 at checkout — and bring the price down to just 460 bucks. And if you’d rather not pay all at once (we get it), HSN lets you opt for five “FlexPays” of just $60, with no interest at all. Plus, free shipping!

Best smartphone and tablet sales

Forget the Apple iPad! This Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 is a better bargain — and it can do more too. (Photo: Amazon)

On sale for $170 (was $230), the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 weighs just over a pound and features 32GB of storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD card). That’s got it all over Apple’s entry level tablet, which isn’t expandable. And unlike the iPad, the Tab A7’s 10.4-inch display has a full HD widescreen for immersive viewing.

Also out-Apple-ing Apple? The A7’s camera set is better than the one that comes with the iPad. It has an eight-megapixel selfie cam with a five-megapixel rear shooter on the front for video calls. “Mostly use for mobile gaming. Tried to play PS4 remote play, and it worked,” reported a satisfied gamer. “Sound is great and build quality is better than iPad. Speed is seamless.”

Check out more 4th of July smartphone and tablet sales below:

Apple iPad (10.2-inch, Wi-Fi, 32GB), $299 (was $329), amazon.com

Apple iPad Air (10.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB), $699 (was $749), amazon.com

Linsay Android 10 Tablet with Marble Case, $98 (was $325), macys.com

Moto G Stylus Smartphone, $180 (was $218), qvc.com

Linsay 10.1-inch New Quad Core 32GB Tablet Android, $100 (was $169), macys.com

Core Innovations 7-inch, $54 (was $70), bhphotovideo.com

onn. 8-inch Tablet Pro, $79 (was $99), walmart.com

Samsung Galaxy A11 (Net10), $99 (was $149), walmart.com

Lenovo Tab M10 Plus, $170 (was $200), bestbuy.com

Visual Land Prestige Elite 10QL 10-Inch 16GB Android Tablet, $90 (was $120), kohls.com

Best gaming sales

Half price: The Last of Us Part II for PlayStation 4. (Photo: Walmart)

On sale for $30 (was $60), The Last of Us Part II for PlayStation 4 is set five years after the first game and follows Ellie and Abby as they continue to survive in a post-apocalyptic United States. This is one of the best games of 2020 and it’s half off at Walmart.

“I have played it three times now,” shared a delighted gamer. “On each play through, I found something new, which I most likely missed because of the insane attention to detail in this game. It all started to make sense after my second play through. I think that The Last of Us Part II is one of the best storytelling masterpieces out there.”

Check out more 4th of July gaming sales below:

BioShock: The Collection, $19 (was $50), amazon.com

NBA 2K21 (Xbox Series X), $20 (was $70), amazon.com

Mafia: Definitive Edition (PS4), $20 (was $40), amazon.com

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (PS4), $15 (was $40), amazon.com

The Sims 4 (Xbox One), $5 (was $50), cdkeys.com

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege (Xbox One), $13 (was $35), cdkeys.com

Minecraft (Xbox One), $10 (was $30), cdkeys.com

Outriders: Day One Edition (PS4), $40 (was $60), walmart.com

Microsoft Xbox Series S 512GB with Xbox Game Pass and Accessories, $636 (was $700), qvc.com

Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition (PS4), $20 (was $60), walmart.com

Madden NFL 21 (Xbox One), $20 (was $60), walmart.com

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Xbox One), $30 (was $60), walmart.com

The Pillars of The Earth (PS4), $29 (was $45), walmart.com

Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled (PS4), $34 (was $40), walmart.com

PlayStation Plus Membership (12 months), $38 (was $60), cdkeys.com

Playstation Plus Membership (three months), $20 (was $25), cdkeys.com

Best vacuum sales

This vacuum sucks…and that’s a very good thing — save nearly 30 percent! (Photo: Walmart)

Do you have hair-shedding pets? Do you want to keep a clean home but are just too busy during your week to make sure it stays neat and tidy? If your answer is yes, then you need the EcoVacs Deebot U2 Robot Vacuum Cleaner. It’s on sale for an impressive $179, a sweet $71 off at Walmart.

The robovac makes it easy to keep your hardwood floors or carpet clean, even if you’re not at home. Just sync the vacuum to your smartphone via the Ecovacs app and let the Deebot do the rest. This vacuum uses “Smart Navi 2.0” technology to map your space, so it can keep your home free from crumbs, debris, pet hair and other icky things.

“Meet my new maid,” chirped a savvy Walmart shopper. “This mop and vac saves me a precious hour each evening I spend with my family after work instead of cleaning my floors. Easy to fill and I hand wash the mop attachment each night and air dry it for the next evening. Attractive design. Thorough cleaning. Can’t beat the price. It holds a charge for at least 110 mins. I’m completely satisfied.”

Check out more 4th of July vacuum sales below:

Dyson V8, $350 (was $450), dyson.com

Lefant M210 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $140 with on-page coupon (was $400), amazon.com

OKP Life K2 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $124 (was $300), amazon.com

roborock E4 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $210 (was $300), amazon.com

Kenmore 31510 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $150 with on-page coupon (was $259), amazon.com

iHome AutoVac Eclipse G 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop, $179 (was $400), walmart.com

Shark RV2001WD AI Robot VacMop Pro, $480 (was $799), macys.com

Shark ION Robot Vacuum RV750, $149 (was $299), walmart.com

Trifo Maxs Robot Vacuum, $400 (was $667), macys.com

iRobot Roomba E6 Vacuum Cleaning Robot E6198, $200 (was $380), eBay.com

Eureka Groove 4-Way Control Robotic Vacuum, $129 (was $200), walmart.com

Simplicity Sport Portable Canister Vacuum Cleaner, $109 (was $277), macys.com

Mighty Rock Robot Vacuum and Mop, $73 (was $130), walmart.com

Best home office sales

Take note of the Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 — and save $164 during 4th of July weekend! (Photo: Amazon)

For the 4th of July, the Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 convertible laptop is on sale for just $386 — that’s 30 percent off for a model so popular, over 800 reviewers gave it five stars.

The sleek, incredibly thin Samsung Chromebook is actually more than just a laptop. It has a brilliant 12.2-inch HD touchscreen display (at 1900×1200 resolution) and flexible 360-degree hinge, so it can rotate to any angle for use as a tablet.

“I wanted both a tablet and a computer. I love that you can download apps and use them for both the computer and the tablet form,” reported a delighted five-star reviewer. “The stylus makes using Lightroom and other creative apps a breeze. Being able to use the cloud is a must because the storage would fill up pretty quickly…The large screen is also a good thing for activities like editing photos, drawing, and taking notes. Start up, web browsing, and apps are quick. The battery life is really great for everyday use…”

Check out more 4th of July home office sales below:

Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine, $240 with on-page coupon (was $340), amazon.com

Renpho Neck Shoulder Massager, $30 with on-page coupon (was $50), amazon.com

Vybe Percussion Massage Gun, $150 with on-page coupon (was $200), amazon.com

DamKee Massage Gun, $69 with on-page coupon for Prime members only (was $110), amazon.com

WorkEZ Rise Aluminum Laptop Stand, $30 (was $33), qvc.com

Samsung 27-inch Smart Monitor, $300 (was $329), qvc.com

HP OfficeJet Pro 8035e All-in-One Printer, $220 (was $249), qvc.com

Asus Chromebook C223, $265 (was $340), hsn.com

Bell & Howell Adjustable Laptop Desk, $32 (was $50), hsn.com

Embassy NanoShred 8-Sheet Paper Shredder, $100 (was $124), hsn.com

OttLite Wireless Charging Desk Lamp, $35 (was $61), hsn.com

Apple MacBook Pro (mid-2020), $1,099 (was $1,299), bhphotovideo.com

Microsoft Surface Pro 5 (renewed), $540 (was $800), eBay.com

Ousgar 47-inch White Desk, $100 (was $266), walmart.com

Hemu Fashion Bamboo Laptop Lap Tray, $38 (was $80), walmart.com

Best kitchen sales

Make smoothies, soups and more. (Photo: Amazon)

When anything Instant Pot goes on sale for over 50 percent off, it’s time to take notice. The Instant Pot blender is a kitchen hero you’ll love at first sight. It easily whips up smoothies and soups, plus it can make delectable chunky dips and salsas, too. Love nut butters? This machine will turn out the creamiest toppings ever. It has over 10 presets, so you’ll find no shortage of uses for this whip-smart blender.

“This is, by far, the nicest blender we’ve ever owned,” one shopper shared. “Motor is powerful and blades have perfectly blended everything we’ve thrown in it. Almond nut butter was creamy and smoothies were the smoothest. Glass pitcher is, as advertised, professional quality. Big fan of the tamper as I have ruined more than my fair share of spoons with other blenders.”

Check out more 4th of July kitchen sales below:

Vitamix 5200 Blender, $390 (was $550), amazon.com

Farberware Millennium Stainless Steel Cookware Pots and Pans Set, $104 (was $260), amazon.com

Staub Pure Grill, 10.5″, $120 (was $243), surlatable.com

PowerXL 5.3 Quart Power Air Fryer, $91 (was $180), wayfair.com

Cuisinart Cordless Rechargeable Mini Chopper, $64 (was $80), bedbathandbeyond.com

Kalorik 26 Quart Digital Air Fryer Oven, Stainless Steel, $200 (was $280), wayfair.com

15 percent off orders over $100, ninjakitchen.com

Lodge Enameled Cast Iron, $57 (was $93), wayfair.com

CRUX Artisan Series 7-Speed Blender, $40 (was $100), bedbathandbeyond.com 

Ninja FD401 Foodi 8-Quart 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker, $150 (was $250), amazon.com

SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker (Rose Gold) Bundle, $88 (was $111), walmart.com

Three-Piece Heart Cake Pan Set, $20 (was $30), walmart.com

The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose 3.2 Quart Baker with Tote, $19 (was $26), walmart.com

Best beauty sales

Reveal your megawatt smile! (Photo: QVC)

Dreaming of white teeth but don’t want to invest hundreds of dollars into getting them professionally whitened? This kit will help. It comes with two toothpastes — one charcoal coconut and one packed with B12 — to eradicate stains and leave your pearly whites…white. 

You’ll get 28 whitening strips (that’s two weeks’ worth of treatments!) for just 50 bucks. Simply leave the strips on for 30 minutes, then remove and brush away the gel. Check out incredible before-and-after photos here.

Check out more 4th of July beauty sales below:

Obagi Medical 360 Retinol Moisturizer Cream, $40 (was $74), amazon.com

Tan-Luxe Hydra Mousse Self-Tan Mousse Duo, $55 (was $98), hsn.com

Up to 50 percent off select items and free shipping on all orders with code FREESHIP, sephora.com

Up to 20 percent off select items and kits, charlottetilbury.com

Calista Perfecter Pro Heated Round Brush with Embellish Spray, $94 (was $131.50), qvc.com

Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey Duo, $20 (was $32.50), qvc.com

Korres Body Firming Serum Spray, $20 (was $36.50), hsn.com

20 percent off NuFace, skinscarerx.com

Items up to 60 percent off, nordstrom.com

Beauty finds starting at just $9.50, marcjacobsbeauty.com

Up to 75 percent off clearance, skincarerx.com

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Lightweight Ionic Hair Dryer, $65 (was $85), walmart.com

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Eau De Toilette, $38 (was $72), walmart.com

Better Not Younger Lift Me Up Hair Thickener, $25 (was $34), hsn.com

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Moisturizer, $43 (was $53), amazon.com

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, $20 (was $24), walmart.com

Best style sales

You’ll never want to take these off. (Photo: Amazon)

Whether your summer plans include traveling, hikes, or strolling around town, comfy shoes are a must. Pick up Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling sneakers while they’re on sale, and you’ll be good to go. Adored by podiatrists and nurses alike, the slip-ons have a chunky, supportive sole and feel absolutely divine on your feet. Choose from 28 colors and sizes 5.5 to 11.

“These shoes are so great for nurses who stand on their feet for long periods of time,” a shopper declared. “Better than my $150 pair of shoes…medical professional healthcare providers, these are worth trying! They are like walking on bubble bouncing cushions.”

Check out more 4th of July style sales below:

Up to 50 percent off sitewide, oldnavy.com

Extra 40 percent off markdowns, gap.com

Up to 50 percent off styles, stuartweitzman.com

60 percent off apparel with code GEARUP60, reebok.com

30 percent off select styles, vionic.com

1/10 Carat Diamond Solitaire Necklace, $28 (was $300), walmart.com

Extra 30 percent off sale items, spanx.com

Extra 15 percent off, coachoutlet.com

Skechers GOwalk Joy Washable Slip-On Sneakers, $52 (was $63.50), qvc.com

Dresses starting at $10, target.com

Tees and tanks, two for $14, target.com

Avia Women’s Summer Romper, $7 (was $14), walmart.com

Athletic Works Women’s Active Racerback Tank, $9 (was $15), walmart.com

10 percent off select styles and free shipping, newbalance.com

Up to 70 percent off sale, jcrew.com

Extra 25 percent off sale with code EXTRA, toryburch.com

HUE Short Sleeve Tee & Modern Classic Skimmer PJ Set, $38 (was $46), hsn.com

OURS Women’s Summer Dress, $22 (was $40), amazon.com

Up to 50 percent off hundreds of styles, adidas.com

Leggings Depot High Waisted Solid Yoga Leggings, $13 (was $20), amazon.com

Up to 50 percent off summer collection, aerosoles.com

Up to 50 percent off select styles plus extra 20 percent off, colehaan.com

Best mattress and bedding sales

If your mattress alone isn’t doing it for you, this topper might help. (Photo: HSN)

If your mattress is feeling a bit blah but you don’t want to invest in a brand new one just yet, try this Concierge Collection topper on for size! The high loft fill is dreamy, and it’s quilted, which keeps it from bunching up — plus a stretchy skirt ensures the topper stays nice and snug. Can it get any better? It can! The moisture-wicking fabric stays cool on even the hottest nights. And it’s treated with an antimicrobial coating, which inhibits the growth of bacteria and other nasties.

Check out more 4th of July mattress and bedding sales below:

Rest Haven 2 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper, $55 (was $80), walmart.com

2 Pack Plixio Shredded Memory Foam Pillow, $40 (was $50), walmart.com

4earth 2-Pack Eco-Friendly Organic Cotton Standard Bed Pillows, $15 (was $25), bedbathandbeyond.com

Farm to Home Organic Cotton Waffle Knit Comfy-let with Shams-Full/Queen, $100 (was $170), qvc.com

Scott Living HygroCotton and Tencel 400TC Sheet Set with FlexiFit, $62 (was $99), qvc.com

Casper Original Mattress, $931 (was $1,095), casper.com

beegod Pillows for Sleeping, $33 (was $58), amazon.com

Casper Sleep Pillow for Sleeping, $55 (was $65), amazon.com

AllerEase Cotton Euro Pillow, $13 (was $19), walmart.com

Extra 25 percent off select home items, nordstromrack.com

25 percent off sitewide plus $250 gift set, bearmattress.com

Best pet sales

Your cat is going to love this scratching tower. (Photo: Walmart)

Tired of pleading with your cat to stop scratching the sides of your couch? This pole just might be the temptation she needs to stay away. It’s covered in thick sisal rope, and has a wide base so it won’t topple over as she digs her claws in. At the very top, a rotating feather (or mouse, or ball — the scratcher comes with plenty of options) ensures she’s fully engaged. You can even adjust the height of the pole, so smaller cats and kittens can get in on the fun.

“Our cats have been obsessed with this thing since I set it up!” a shopper shared. “They immediately went crazy for the toys it came with and are now scratching the post instead of my furniture! Amen!”

Check out more 4th of July pet sales below:

Buy three, get one free — toys, grooming and more, chewy.com

WAG Dental Dog Treats, $10 (was $23), amazon.com

Up to 50 percent off food, treats, furniture and more, petco.com

Animals Favorite New Rectangle Pet Bed, $33 (was $45), amazon.com

EMME Dog Bed for Small Dogs, $35 (was $55), amazon.com

Morpilot Pet Travel Carrier Bag, $31 (was $40), walmart.com

Kadell Professional Quiet Electric Pet Hair Clipper, $27 (was $54), walmart.com

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[masbatepeeps-blog]

OPM IS NOT DEAD

by Annarone G. Ferriol

         We hear and read it everywhere discussions on all kinds of music related topics posted all over Twitter and Facebook, within the comment section of music videos on Youtube or MYX. While some steadfastly disagree, many seem to have been resigned to it# OPM is dead.’ If we talk about the death of OPM; what is OPM in the first place? "Original Pilipino Music": Original music composed (and performed) by Filipinos or someone of Filipino heritage, in short, the source is Filipino." The death of OPM would thus imply if there is no more music written by Filipinos or people of Filipino heritage. 

         Since many of our favorite and established artists such as Parokya ni Edgar, Eraser Heads, Bamboo and other singers had retired from the limelight of music industry, not a few have delivered obituaries over the death of Pinoy music.  Some have lamented over how OPM has become a misnomer, as it has describe from mostly original to revival.          If what they mean by the death of OPM is the disappearance of these artists from the music industry- you have to get away with your comfort zones! The local scene has been making waves in the music industry and it just keeps getting better.  With the emergence break out of indie bands and artist, you might be listening to the wrong artist because OPM sure as hell isnt dead.          The indie music scene has always been active, but has always been struggling particularly in publicity and promotions aspects.  What is dead is the lack on the support of music industry. Major labels decide to stick to regulations which only allows the mainstream media to air safe music. Media and music industries are now filled up with music charts like Kpop, Jpop, novelty songs and remakes. TV stars turned singers are much gaining publicity and sales  than what these artists deserve.          

        Despite of these standing against the backdrop of the music industry, more good artists are coming out  despite the lack of monetary support to properly promote themselves, managing to create and release their music in spite of these hurdles. Social media had also played a major role in attracting listeners and creating their image such as Itunes, Spotify, Instagram and Facebook. But most of them are known from their live gigs and in different music festivals. Unlike the usual rise of ballad and revived love songs, indie bands and soloist fearlessly explore a wide variations of genre which dominated the local airwaves.          

          Local music is not dead; it is flourishing. A new light sheds over the Original Pilipino Music scene as new talented artists of different genres, both mainstream and independent are currently booming and gaining more recognition, especially from the younger generation.

         With the rise of the Philippines newest soundtrack queen Moira dela Torre, everybodys getting the nostalgic and emotional feeling while listening to her soulful voice songs. Moiras songs teach us how to fall in love and, at the same time, break our hearts with her intimate and unique voice. If you havent yet heard her iconic song Tagpuan youre really missing out.          

         Who doesnt know the lyrics to SUDs recent hit Sila? Its impossible not to sing along when this alternative soul band plays that song. Their passionate and soulful music will absolutely make you sing along with Walang sagot sa tanong kung bakit ka mahalaga.

        December Avenues fresh and soothing music will pull us into a world of hugot and will make us relate to their songs. Its heartbreaking but its kinda give us the reality we have to accept. Have you watched their latest music video of Kung Di rin lang Ikaw?

         Who doesnt love the band, IV of Spades? Visually, this band would caught our attention with their strong retro aesthetic. Everyones getting the hype of 70s vibe and also their nostalgia-inducing and romantic song like their hit song Mundo

          Whether you’d prefer some classic banda vibes, hip-hop beats, or new takes on OPM,  certainly, the industry has no shortage of talent. What it lacks is support and attention. OPM is only dead when we ignore it. And this is where it needs us. Local scene is waiting for us to hear its rich and soulful music that we cant find anywhere else. More than anything these sounds are proudly our own. Lets keep on discovering these artists and support them in any way we can.

        OPM is not dead, as long we open our hearts to our own music, it lives on.

[johnpaceylowrie-blog]

"The Man from Oz" Behind The Scenes Blog | The Ocularist, S1E5

*This blog contains some fairly low level fruity language. Those who are easily offended should go watch bake-off*

Howdy.

Thanks for coming.

In case this is your first time here, this is the ‘behind-the-scenes��� blog written by Fraser Lowrie (me), John’s eldest son.

I assume you’re here because you’ve just watched episode 5 of ‘The Ocularist’ right? Well great! Have you seen the previous episodes? If not, you’re missing out. Click here to watch 1 - 5…

So, episode 5 is quite a cool one I’d say. In fact, I’d go as far to say it’s cooler than the cooler cooling down the coolest cool. I guess.

As you know, in this episode we meet the wonderful Dwayne Collins and hear his inspiring story. Well, we hear a good bulk of it. There’s more to come in episode 6. I’m not going to sit here and write a whole blog post on Dwayne’s journey and how incredibly dedicated he is but instead I’ll let you in on some little things that weren’t caught on camera…

Ep.5 “Dwayne”

The fifth instalment of the series was always going to be called “Dwayne”. The idea was that we’d have an entire episode dedicated to his story and his time spent in the UK. The main angle of the episode was going to be his attempt to gallantly make his first ever eye for a real live patient. Clearly, like every other episode in the series, this didn’t go to plan because of a certain company that is hidden in this paragraph. More will be explained in the episode 6.

Luckily, John wanted to take Dwayne to meet Mike in Lytham St Annes and so I hopped in the car and captured what I could. Just like that, the original episode plan was scrapped and two new episodes were created out of the ashes.

The Plane

At the beginning of the episode you can see Dwayne & plane arriving in the UK. This of course was not Dwayne’s plane. In fact, I have no idea who this plane belongs to or where in the world it is landing.

When storyboarding this episode I knew that I wanted to start it off with Dwayne entering the country and making his way to the JPL clinic. Unfortunately Dwayne had been in the country a week before I met him and so getting an authentic shot of this would’ve been impossible.

Now, the only airport that’s close to Nottingham is East Midlands Airport. But who can really be arsed to drive all the way there to get some footage of a plane landing?? So I did what any sane person would do - I found some decent footage of a plane on YouTube and nicked it. Don’t worry, the person who the film belongs to is credited in the description of the YT video. In fact, you can watch the original here.

In that whole opening scene there is a shot at 1.31 - 1.37 of the Nottingham tramlines. I was out for 3 hours getting this 6 second shot…

When Dwayne was in the UK it was summer holiday for the schools. This meant that the tram was always busy and I was never able to get the shot I wanted. So I waited till just a couple of weeks before the video was due for release to film it… but alas, the tram was still annoyingly busy. So with every tram that went by I would pop on to see how engrossed with chavs it was. Finally I was able to get on a relatively empty tram, set up at the back and point my super zoom lens out towards the window. What a day.

Moron

At 5.43 you’ll notice that we nearly had a bit of a car accident… Well. Not really. For dramatic effect I put in the sound of screeching tires and also added extra wobble to the shot. I know. I’m a terrible person. The driver of that van is still a moron though.

(I always find the scene at 6.32 rather funny because as we finally arrive in Lytham St Annes the track on the radio starts to cheer! Bit weird.)

Don’t skip leg day because Bailey won’t

Around the 8 minute mark we are introduced to Bailey, the loveable horny canine. Poor Dwayne. He had one strange day. The humping that you see in the film is not even the worst of it. I didn’t feel comfortable filming in Mike’s home and so I tried to limit the amount I was doing, so you’ll have to take my word that Bailey made Dwayne his, erm...bitch? Sorry Dwayne! :P

That’s not where his odd adventure ended though. Whilst we were eating fish ‘n’ chips Dwayne noticed a rather large wad of seagull shyte land next to his shoe. So, like a normal person he moved backwards in order to get away from the line of fire. However, unlike a normal person he managed to keep his long legs dead centre with the birds ass canon... and, yep you guessed it, Dwayne got shat on. I am GUTTED I didn’t get that on film.

Music

“Stranger Things Have Happened“. The first song you hear is a bit of an homage to the theme tune of the fantastic Netflix original ‘Stranger Things’. This song was the 11th I had written for the series, and with one of the ‘Stranger Things’ main characters being called ‘Eleven’ it felt right to follow the rabbit hole.

“Far Away From Home” is a very mellow and ethereal tune that I put together in record time. I think it took 10 minutes to write, mix and master.

“Waves” follows directly on from the last track and is a strange one if listened to in its full entirety.

Speaking of music - it’s been suggested that we put ‘The Ocularist, Series One’ soundtrack on Spotify. 

What do you guys think? It’d be about 20 instrumental tracks of all different genres… 

The next episode, as always, is out on Monday and in it we’ll see more of Dwayne, more of John, and a lot less humping...

Till next time! - Fraser Lowrie (@lowriemusic - Insta, FB, Twitter, Spotify)

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