#also yes I have beef with altos

[void-tiger]

Bass: literally sing the baseline of a chord or the root. (There are never enough of them.)

Altos: sing roots or thirds of a chord. Often droning, moving only stepwise (jeeeez guys. you literally have the easiest non-melody part with less leaps. learn it already!!)

Tenors: sings the thirds or melody. Often sound like a counter-melody or discant (lucky bastards…)

Sopranos: yeah they sing the melody. (But can YOU tune that interval or high note? No? Then shaddup.)

-

Baritones: shoveled into Bass or Tenor sections. Sometimes they get designated part splits, but it’s not often. The most common amab voice type and a dime a dozen. (But since it’s like pulling teeth to get cichet men to show up without damaging their fragile, fragile masculinity, we’re glad they’re here.)

Contraltos: sometimes female tenors, often have really rich, buttery voices. (I may have a voice-crush for these women…)

Second Sopranos: Can you sight-read, bitch? Congrats. You get every single voice split the weakest sopranos and altos can’t make sense of and we don’t have enough high tenors for. (Your voice-type is a 1st soprano? The voice leading for the filler notes I’m throwing at you sucks? Did I stutter?)

[bigskydreaming]

Speaking of Riley and other friends who are excellent, allow me to take a moment to pimp some of their books if anyone’s got some spare coin and is looking for good reads while on lockdown.

Noteworthy by Riley Redgate

It’s the start of Jordan Sun’s junior year at the Kensington-Blaine Boarding School for the Performing Arts. Unfortunately, she’s an Alto 2, which—in the musical theatre world—is sort of like being a vulture in the wild: She has a spot in the ecosystem, but nobody’s falling over themselves to express their appreciation. So it’s no surprise when she gets shut out of the fall musical for the third year straight. But then the school gets a mass email: A spot has opened up in the Sharpshooters, Kensington’s elite a cappella octet. Worshiped . . . revered . . . all male. Desperate to prove herself, Jordan auditions in her most convincing drag, and it turns out that Jordan Sun, Tenor 1, is exactly what the Sharps are looking for.

Rio’s got two other books you should also check out, I just grabbed this one at random because they’re all great (though its actually ‘7 Ways We Lie’ that’s my personal fave because Reasons).

Forest of Souls by Lori M Lee

Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she’s intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen’s next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo.

And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life.

Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood—an ancient forest possessed by souls—to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a soulguide can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for.

This one is the start of a new duology and doesn’t actually come out until June 23rd, but Lori’s got a couple other books out already that are also worth the read. Her Infinite series starts with Gates of Thread and Stone and has the first two books out, there will be a concluding third volume still to come. But I’m lucky enough to have gotten to read Forest of Souls in advance cuz Nyah nyah (I’m so mature, phear my age and wisdom) and its by faaaaar my favorite of hers to date, including more than just the other two books she’s had published so far, and just look at that cover. Ugh. I love it so much. 

(It wasn’t her original cover, actually, they originally wanted to go with this cover of Suck that made me go umm how do you say “Eww” in polite, and authors have little to no feedback they can give on the cover, but Lori took a shot and sent in some examples of other cover artists she really liked and thought had styles fitting her image of the book better, and they picked one of the ones she sent and commissioned a whole new cover, and voila, ended up going with the above cover in all its spooky, thematically ominous glory.) 

On The Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis

A thrilling, thought-provoking novel from one of young-adult literature’s boldest new talents. January 29, 2035. That’s the day the comet is scheduled to hit—the big one. Denise and her mother and sister, Iris, have been assigned to a temporary shelter outside their hometown of Amsterdam to wait out the blast, but Iris is nowhere to be found, and at the rate Denise’s drug-addicted mother is going, they’ll never reach the shelter in time. A last-minute meeting leads them to something better than a temporary shelter—a generation ship, scheduled to leave Earth behind to colonize new worlds after the comet hits. But everyone on the ship has been chosen because of their usefulness. Denise is autistic and fears that she’ll never be allowed to stay. Can she obtain a spot before the ship takes flight? What about her mother and sister? When the future of the human race is at stake, whose lives matter most?

Cory is actually one of my oldest friends lmao, like, I first met her through another writing friend when we both roleplayed on this messageboard X-Men: Evolution RPG over fifteen years ago, and just....somehow never lost track of each other through all our various hyper-fixations and divergent fandoms and even with years-long ‘vanishing from the internet’ periods by yours truly (I am was mysterious and enigmatic, hear me roar). This is actually her third published novel? Or maybe second, I forget the order....her first, Otherbound, is great too, she’s written a Guardians of the Galaxy tie-in novel for Marvel, and she’s got her next book, “The Art of Saving the World” coming out this September, and its soooo good and head-trippy and the premise is so mindfucky that I have no idea how she pulled it off as well as she did and its great and you will love it or you will answer to me (lol no you won’t, I am all talk, I bruise like a peach, don’t doxx me yo). But On The Edge of Gone remains my personal fave of hers, Denise is an in-text disabled autistic black girl and suuuuuuch a fantastic main character, and her love for her family against the backdrop of an apocalypse actually in its on-going stage, no post about it, is like.....unfortunately a little too prophetic in various ways, lolol, but like, timely as hell and resonates. 

Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

Welcome to Andover, where superpowers are common, but internships are complicated. Just ask high school nobody, Jessica Tran. Despite her heroic lineage, Jess is resigned to a life without superpowers and is merely looking to beef up her college applications when she stumbles upon the perfect (paid!) internship--only it turns out to be for the towns most heinous supervillain. On the upside, she gets to work with her longtime secret crush, Abby, whom Jess thinks may have a secret of her own. Then theres the budding attraction to her fellow intern, the mysterious “M,” who never seems to be in the same place as Abby. But what starts as a fun way to spite her superhero parents takes a sudden and dangerous turn when she uncovers a plot larger than heroes and villains altogether.

I actually met C.B. on tumblr here, via this account, thanks to a mutual mutual, which just goes to show you never know who you might end up meeting on tumblr dot hellsite dot org, and only after that fact did we find out that we had various other mutual friends from our writing/publishing circles of friends, including Cory, lolol, so y’know....small world. But this series has three books out, with a fourth to come, and its such awesome fun, with superpower hijinks galore, an Asian protag and tons of LGBTQ+ supporting characters, trans superheroes, and compelling plots. She’s also writing Ben 10 comics for Boom! Studios, a comic book company that does original content but also publishes a ton of licensed properties like various other cartoons like Ben 10, the Power Rangers, etc, etc. And this reminds me there’s a certain story she was working on the last time we met up for coffee like, lololol probably three years ago now, which means I am way overdue to bug her about it and ask “Is it done yet is it done yet can I read it yet is it done yet” because I am a paragon of patience and a bastion of self-control, obvsly.

Anyway, here endeth the pimping of my friends, go forth and buy ye their novels, verily and such. Or y’know. Don’t. If you don’t want to be cool, I guess. Nerds. (LOL no but if you like my content and posts and topics I think you stand a better than average likelihood of enjoying at least one of the books by the aforementioned ladies, and you’d be supporting LGBTQ+ authors as there’s nary a straight among them. LOL, like I would ever have straight friends, hahahaha could you imagine, what would we even do).  

[max--phillips]

tag game ★~(•◡•✿) 50 questions you’ve never been asked before I was tagged by @hdlynn !!!! thank u !!!

what colour is your hair brush? Dark blue/black!

are you typically too warm or too cold? It depends on where I am. At work? Hot. At home? Cold.

what were you doing 45 minutes ago? same thing I’m doing now; dicking around on tumblr instead of doing what I should be, which is. writing & replying to stuff lmao

what is your favorite candy bar? uhhhhhh probably reese’s cups but close second is kit kats

have you ever been to a professional sports event? No but I have been in a handful of professional sports stadiums

what is the last thing you said out loud? I think it was telling my dad that he should’ve asked me to bring him one when he tried to grab my swiss cake rolls out of my hand

what is your favorite ice cream? ben & jerry’s chocolate fudge brownies!

what was the last thing you had to drink? diet mountain dew bc ofc it was

do you like your wallet? yeah, but I got a mandalorian one from gamestop a couple months ago that I keep meaning to switch over to but I never remember

what was the last thing you ate? that swiss cake roll sdfjkgh

did you buy any new clothes last weekend? Nope

the last sporting event you watched? that weird golf match with Tiger Woods and Payton Manning and Tom Brady and uhhhhhhhhh... what was the other guy’s name. PHIL MICKELSON

what is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Either movie theater with extra butter or stovetop made with bacon grease & then sprinkled w white cheddar flavoring

who is the last person you sent a text message to? @coredrive !!

ever go camping? Yeah but it’s been like, four years, and I don’t know that I’d go again at this point, it’s sort of a long story

do you go to church every Sunday? SDFKGJHSDFGH NO LMAO I haven’t been in a church for a normal service in YEARS and years and years

do you have a tan? no, but the ac is broken in my car so soon I’m gonna have that close encounters of the third kind half-body tan going on now that summer’s around the corner

do you prefer Chinese food or pizza? chinese every time babey

do you drink your soda with a straw? ya like, 80% of the time I’m drinking from a gas station fountain pop so I gotta have a straw. That being said if I have a bottle or a can, no

what color socks do you usually wear? depends on the season. If it’s winter, I’m wearing hand knit socks in a bunch of colors (whatever my mom knits for me skdljfg). If it’s summer, black.

do you ever drive above the speed limit? p much always about 5 mph over, yeah, unless I’m somewhere in town where I know cops like to hang out. Or I’m in Ohio, then I’m going exactly the speed limit the entire time

what terrifies you? all the things. Failure, responsibility, success, being alone, losing loved ones, rejection, you know. The usual

look to your left, what do you see? the back of my couch. yes I am sitting sideways on my couch. you see, i am gay

what chore do you hate? Dusting bc it makes me sneeze, and just... picking crap up off the floor it’s so tedious

what do you think of when you hear an Australian accent? TF2 Sniper (hdlynn I was filling this out and didn’t scroll all the way down so when I deleted steve irwin I didn’t see that you ALSO wrote sniper so I just had a laughing fit lskhgfksjdgkjdg)

what’s your favorite soda? Diet Mountain Dew Babey

do you go in a fast food place or just hit the drive-thrus? depends on the line! If the parking lot is reasonably empty but the drive thru line is crazy I’ll go in. Or if I’m with other ppl I’ll go in

who’s the last person you talked to? me mum

favorite cut of beef? gimme that RIBEYE babey it’s PERFECT bone-in for sous vide

last song you listened to? The Schuyler Sisters from Hamilton (in my car, with me, an alto with the worst range known to man, trying to hit those goddamn notes)

last book you read? oof. I genuinely don’t know. I don’t fucken read real books anymore

favorite day of the week? Sunday, usually, bc it’s my guaranteed day off during the week sdlkfgh

can you say the alphabet backwards? not naturally, I can think about it really hard and do it that way but you know. not as impressive

how do you like your coffee? Mocha if at all possible, otherwise it needs to be like, half creamer and sugar. also hot I don’t like iced coffee im sorry don’t come after me

favorite pair of shoes? my doc martens!

the time you normally go to sleep? well, at some point in my life it was like, 10, but now, thursday nights I gotta go to bed at like 11 because I gotta be at work at 8:30 on fridays, then friday nights im usually in bed about 1 bc that’s as late as I can stay up, the rest of the time it’s like, somewhere between 2 and 4 am

the time you normally get up? Before work, about 11:15-11:30. (Or 7:15-7:30 fridays). Any other day, 1:30-2:30 pm lmao

what do you prefer, sunrise or sunsets? sunsets!

how many blankets on your bed? it depends on how cold it is, but the max is 3 describe your kitchen plates white with green and blue rectangles around the edge

do you have a favorite alcoholic beverage? it’s either a fuzzy navel or bubbles rose ale from rheingeist

do you play cards? does solitaire/pyramid/spider count?

what color is your car? red!

can you change a tire? hell yeah, I can pretty effectively work on my car tbh

favorite job you’ve ever had? probably the one I have now honestly! it’s not too crazy I can’t handle it and I’ve never been harassed by a coworker lmao (the bar’s low folks) plus the people I do work with are pretty cool, and I get to help ppl print cool stuff! less cool this wedding season since... there isn’t a wedding season, but you know

how did you get your biggest scar? (TW for talking abt self harm, heads up) I’m not gonna go into too much detail but when I was like, a sophomore I had a pretty bad time with cutting, and the biggest scar I have is from that (I’m fine, it’s on my upper thigh, actually, so it wasn’t like, Serious(tm))

what did you do today that made someone else happy? I Do Not Know sldghlkfdhglsdfkhglskdfhg today was so incredibly average I have no idea if I did anything that made anyone else happy. Exist? Tell a joke? who knows

[greyliliy]

Tag Game

Rules: Answer 21 questions and then tag 21 people who you want to get to know better.

Tagged by: @ancient-trees (*waves hello* XD)

Name: Grey Liliy

Nickname: Liliy, usually. Though I’ll answer to Grey (not that anyone uses it. Lol.)

Gender: Female.

Zodiac: Aires/Ox (I’m not into astrology, but I freaking adore Sheep, so being a Ram is really awesome to me. And ox are just cool.)

Height: 5′2

Time: 3:38

Favourite Musicians: Just about everyone. Lol. I can’t pick.

Song Stuck in My Head: It was “The Song that Never Ends” the other day. You’re welcome.

Last Movie I Saw: Trigun: Badlands Rumble

Last Thing I Googled: The Zodiacs. Lol. Because of the little thing above. (I already knew my Zodiacs, but I hadn’t looked them up in a while so I did a quick reading. XD)

Other Blogs: None really. I have a few RP blogs up that are...kinda inactive, kinda not. But @dahlialovesmango is my Flight Rising blog if you play that game

Do I Get Asks: Yes. I love them even if I don’t always answer in a reasonable amount of time. XD

Why I Chose this Username:  It’s my pen name. Lol. Might as well use it. XD

Following: 1060, though I’m pretty sure a good chunk of those are old and inactive. I don’t really clean out the list. XD

Amount of Sleep: Not enough.

Lucky Number: Don’t think I have one. But I do really like the number 15.

What I’m Wearing: jeans and a shirt with 3/4 length sleeves.

Dream Job: A writer that makes enough money off book sales to live comfortably but not be famous enough to deal with celebrity.

Dream Trip: I really want to visit Japan and Europe.

Instruments: I’ve played violin almost my entire life & still do. I played the alto saxophone, bari saxophone and soprano saxophone in Middle & High School, too (Whoo, Marching band!). I haven’t touched my sax in ages though, so I’m not sue if I’m still any good at that one. XD

I sort of want to learn electric guitar though. There are some metal power ballads that are just so beautiful I wish I could play them. T-T

Favourite Foods: I’m always a sucker for salisbury steak and beef stroganoff. You also can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes smothered in gravy and honey butter yeast rolls.

Favourite Songs: Too many. Don’t ask me this. I’ll be listing songs for days. Lol. Though at the moment the “Sounds of Silence” cover by Disturbed is up there.

TAGGING

If you read this, you’re tagged. :P Tag me back and I’ll check out your answers. ;D

[icecoldparadise]

Sheer Witch-foolery

Apparently I have no chill. “I’m gonna do a small funny April Fool’s day fic!” 2300 words later..... literally what happened with TaT. -___- anyways, I guess this is part of the “holiday” series that I intended to do in order (it was screaming to be done now though.) It’s also canon with my Tricks and Treats fic, Day with the Dragon Witch fic, and @sidewritings Say My Name fic (which, with their permission, is canon with DwtDW!) So without further adieu, here’s Sheer Witch-foolery. Pairings: moxiety and logince (I tried not to make it too.. much, as I know some of y’all find pairing them with each other not enjoyable.)

It was a seemingly ordinary spring day in the mindscape, and the four sides were lounging in the living room: Logan was curled up in the plush arm chair, nose deep in a book; Patton was sprawled on the couch with Roman gushing over Tangled; Virgil was perched on the window seat, relaxing as the warmth of the sun spilled over him. The serenity was disturbed when a black raven flew through the open window in the kitchen and dropped a letter in Virgil’s lap, startling him out of his reverie. The others gazed at him curiously as a small smile crossed his lips- the letter was sealed with a dragon stamp. After cracking it open delicately Virgil read the message, then stated, “Lavinia’s invited us to the cave for lunch.” Roman, who had been taking a drink of water, spit out his drink and sprayed the poor logical side in his line of fire. “WHAT?” Logan glared at the exuberant side, wiping his glasses off with a dry part of his polo. “I believe we have been invited to lunch, Roman.” He stated matter of fact, giving a slight huff as he willed his clothes to be dry. Patton jumped up excitedly, clapping his hands enthusiastically. “Well, what are we waiting for, kiddos?! LET’S GO!” Virgil jotted down a quick note saying they were on their way, hastily tying it with a black string and handing it to the raven waiting on a nearby bookshelf.

It swooshed out the window again, delivering the message to the Dragon Witch. She smirked as she read the confirmation. “Excellent. All is going according to plan.” While the quartet got ready and headed to the witch’s lair, she put the final touches on her little surprise. “They’ll regret not remembering the date, won’t they my pet?” She cooed to the raven, gently scratching under its beak. When the men arrived, the scent of warm soup and seasoned meat filled their nostrils, making their stomach growl. Virgil greeted the guards, who cheerfully returned the greeting and led them the rest of the way to the cavern. A large round table filled with food greeted them: creamy mashed potatoes, savory chicken noodle soup and broccoli soup all sat in ceramic bowls, roast beef and ham sandwiches cut in triangles made pyramids on a large platter, and a large crystal pitcher of fresh fruit punch stood in the center of it all. Roman whistled in amazement. “Where did you learn to make all this, Witch?” He asked fondly, making her smile proudly. “I had the villagers lend me some cookbooks, and used my guards as test subjects.” Some of the guards shuddered, remembering her first attempts at cooking. Virgil noticed and chuckled quietly, but turned a warm smile to his friend. “You really did an incredible job, Vinia.” A small pang of guilt shot through the woman as she remembered her plan, but it was too good a prank to let go to waste. She gave them all her brightest smile. “Thank you. It was really all for you guys. Come! Let’s eat- I heard your stomachs growl at the entrance from the back of my lair.”

They all ate, merrily conversating and sharing stories with each other until they were all full and content. Suddenly Patton sat upright, looking slightly ill. “What’s wrong Pa—” Logan began before he too sat up rigidly with a grimace. The other two felt it shortly after: a strange sensation crawled in their bellies, but not as if they were ill. It felt like… “Magic.” Roman whispered. Virgil shot a distressed glance at his friend, who looked quite pleased with herself. “Logan,” she began sweetly, “what’s today’s date?” The logical side responded instantly. “April first.” It clicked. “Lavinia, what did you do?!” Roman demanded. Before she could answer their bodies contorted, not feeling painful but incredibly bizarre and uncomfortable. When it finally stopped, the sides looked at each other in mild horror. Long hair cascaded identically down their now slender, curved backs. Their limbs were slender, hands smaller, hips wider… “We’re… We’re women!” Patton exclaimed, her voice unusually soft and bright. She gasped and covered her mouth, shocked. Logan turned to face the now hysterically-cackling dragon witch. “How long will this last?” She inquired, her own voice higher than usual, but still low and smooth. “Twenty-four hours, my friends. Oh, I forgot!” She said, too brightly. They looked at her warily. “You… Ladies… are expected at a lovely gala tonight! No pants for us ladies here in your creative world Roman.” Virgil gave an anxious whine, her eyes wide with terror. “Lavinia! I don’t know how to dance as a MAN, let alone as a woman in heels and a flouncy skirt!” Her voice came out as a soft, tremoring alto. Lavinia smirked, gently patting the anxious side’s head. “Don’t worry Verge, Roman said he could do anything, even in a pair of heels and a big flouncy skirt.” Everyone turned to Roman, whose heart-shaped face was bright red. “So? That doesn’t mean I actually CAN!” Her voice was still bold and loud, a sweet soprano. “Oh, you can. Don’t worry. I’m not THAT cruel my friends. I made special shoes for all of you that will help you dance when the need arises. Until then, you all are seriously in need of a trip to the Fairy Godmother. Off you go!” She flicked her hands and they teleported to Fairy Godmother’s fashion emporium. A content sigh escaped her lips as she considered the night’s festivities. “Tonight will be lots of fun!”

The Fairy Godmother had just finished reading her reminder from the Dragon Witch about the transformed sides when they knocked on her door. Smiling, she let them in. “Welcome gentlewomen! Roman, always a pleasure to see you.” Taking a good look at them, she chuckled. “It’s a good thing you didn’t make an Evil Queen, Ro, or she’d be after all four of you.” They all blushed; none of them considered themselves fair enough to be “fairest in all the land” but the compliment was still appreciated. “Now then! I have just the things for you ladies. Patton dear, let’s start with you!” One by one, the fairy transformed them from jeans-and-tee-shirt gals (“Nothing wrong with jeans and a good tee, but for a gala we must have flair!” as she put it) to drop dead beauties. Patton came out looking like the embodiment of life itself; a light sky-blue gown with tule off-the-shoulder sleeves swirled around her feet, long brown hair pinned loosely in a braid with flowers laced into the braid. Her make-up was done lightly, creating an ethereal glow about her that emphasized the warm chocolate hue of her eyes. A delicate silver chain with a butterfly pendent added the perfect touch. Logan retained her sophisticated aura, a simple dark blue cocktail dress gently accentuating her curves without being scandalous; her hair was pinned up in a smooth bun with well-placed sapphire hair pins, make-up also simple but elegant and a simple pearl necklace to accent the look. Roman, of course, was bold and dazzling to behold: a vibrant red full skirt ballgown complete with a flashy bejeweled necklace and half-pinned up hair, gold eyeshadow and red lips to match. Virgil took some convincing to come out, but when she did the others gasped in awe. She genuinely looked like a goth princess: her long hair was silky smooth and only partly pinned by a simple purple flower clip, make up done mostly light with her signature black eyeshadow and a touch of dark purple lip stick, and a layered purple and black gown that seemed to flutter slightly as if in a breeze with every step she took. A simple black choker finished the look. Patton’s jaw dropped noticeably at the sight, and while Logan could appreciate Virgil’s beauty found himself irresistibly drawn to the red flower of the group. After giving final look-over, the Fairy Godmother nodded, impressed with her handiwork. “Yes, you four are quite ready for the ball in an hour. Here,” she started, handing them each a square box, “the Dragon Witch left these for you. She said it would correct your ‘two left feet’.” Each box held a pair of shoes that morphed to match the wearer’s outfit. Once situated Roman gave them a quick lesson in walking in heels, and they clumsily tottered out to the carriage Lavinia had ordered for them.

The ride over was full of conversation and quick (sheepish) glances at each other; none of them could deny they made equally gorgeous women as they made men. Virgil couldn’t seem to tear her eyes away from Patton’s warm, eye-crinkling smile while Roman couldn’t help but appreciate the calculated elegance Logan exuded. They had finally gotten used to the high, feminine voices (much to their dismay, Roman did in fact take advantage of this many times to burst out into female Disney songs.) When they arrived, they couldn’t help but stare in awe at the amount of colorfully adorned people they would be interacting with. Virgil instinctively hid behind Patton when they got out, who unconsciously offered her hand as comfort. She gladly took it, peering over the lively side’s shoulder in mild terror. It helped getting inside, as people spread out to various parts of the rather large castle. “Well, you men certainly do make lovely princesses.” A smooth voice stated in admiration, instantly causing them to turn and face Lavinia. She was also dressed elaborately, emerald green and black her main theme as the long slender skirt floated fairy-like at her ankles. “You look lovely, Vinia.” Virgil complimented softly, resulting in a warm smile from the dragon witch. “Well, now we can say we got to have a lovely girls’ night out together, yes? Let’s go dance!” Roman had opened her mouth to protest when everyone’s shoes made them move to the dance floor. Virgil and Patton gave a shriek while Roman and Logan managed to keep up with their shoes. A lovely waltz came on, and while a good amount of dashing young men offered to dance with them the quartet stuck together. Patton smiled cheekily and offered her hand to the gothic side. “May I have this dance, mi’lady?” Virgil couldn’t help but laugh, her voice ringing melodiously throughout the hall. “Yes, you may.” Patton’s laugh joined hers, both echoing harmoniously. Roman and Logan watched amused before Logan turned her nervous attention to the other. “R-Roman?” She began, nerves causing her usually smooth, controlled voice to tremor. The fiery side turned to see Logan’s wide eyes and timidly outstretched hand. She blushed slightly before taking it, managing a small curtsey before they began to glide rather successfully across the floor.

While they danced, a waltz both Virgil and Logan recognized began to play. They simultaneously exclaimed, “Oh! I know this one.” Patton looked up at the slightly-taller side, her brown eyes bright with excitement. “Really?! I didn’t know you liked waltz music.” Virgil blushed, avoiding her partner’s eyes. “I use them sometimes to help keep me calm when my anxiety is flaring up.” The emotional side nodded in understanding. “Virge, would you… Would you hum it while we dance?” The nervous side gulped but nodded, her sweet alto voice quietly joining the orchestra. Patton put her head on Virgil’s shoulder, entranced. Meanwhile with the other two had a similar conversation. “You like waltz music Lo?” Roman inquired, genuinely surprised. Logan gave her trademark knowledgeable expression. “Of course, the intricate yet repetitive pattern is quite soothing while I work out particularly pesky problems. This is one of my favorites.” Roman’s eyes lit up hopefully. “Would you sing with the music?” Logan quirked an eyebrow to hide her uncertainty. “I… I don’t particularly excel in song-making Ro.” The creative side pouted adorably, giving the logical side such big puppy eyes it melted her heart. “Oh, alright. I suppose it wouldn’t do much harm this once.”  She quietly hummed the tune, swirling around with Roman who was ecstatic to hear the normally reserved side actually humming (and doing so quite well.) The song ended much too soon, as did the night. Before they knew it the clock was striking midnight and the gala was ending. The Dragon Witch had joined them for quite a few dances, making sure to dance with each one before the night was through, so she was with them when it ended. She linked her arms with Roman and Patton. “Not bad for an April Fool’s prank, hmmm?” They all grudgingly agreed. “Yes, it was well played. However, we do need to get home and get some rest Lavinia.” Logan stated, right as Lavinia herself gave a huge yawn. She nodded. “Yes, I do believe it’s time to call it a night. You all will be back to your handsome selves when you wake up in the morning. Goodnight, ladies!” She cajoled before disappearing in a poof of green smoke. The four took similar suit, warping back to the mind palace and into pajamas. They piled into a blanket fort for the night and promptly fell asleep, exhausted from the day’s events.

When Virgil woke up the next morning, he was pleased to note that his body was back to its very masculine form, as were the others. He noticed Patton curled up next to his side and smiled, carefully putting an arm around the sleeping man. Patton stirred a little and peered up at him. “We’re men again.” The heart said sleepily. Virgil nodded. “Yep. Go back to sleep Pat.” Patton turned and cuddled into the anxious side before quietly asking, “Hey kiddo? Would… Would you hum that song from last night again?” A faint blush dusted Virgil’s cheeks, but he nodded again and began humming softly, tightening his arm protectively over Patton and pulling him in closer. Patton smiled and sighed contently, falling asleep to the deep baritone humming the soothing melody.

@storytellerofuntoldlegends

@justanotherpurplebutterfly

@ssides  @thelogicalloganipus @pirate-patton @thatsthat24 @tinysidestrashcaptain @sidewritings @i-love-word-association-games @fandomsandanythingelse

[redribbons09]

As a trans man, you have no idea how rare it is to find headcanons on straight/bi/pan trans gender headcanons on characters. Most the headcanons are 'Beautiful gay trans man baby' or 'My strong trans lesbian girl'. It's worse some of my LBGT+ friends broke off my friendship with me when I came out as straight and dating a awesome supportive pan cis girl. I feel less welcome and feel like a thing that needs requirements in the community I'm supposed to be in. They only like the LGT, instead the B

It’s rather ironic at times how the LGBTAQ+ community (well, I call it that rather than LGBT) is supposed to be about unity and acceptance, yet it’s now notorious for policing, borderline segregating, othering, and gay-te keeping.  ADoseofBuckley coined the term “gay-te keeper” on his Scumbags of the Internet series where in that video he calls out a lesbian for shaming a bi girl just because the bi girl hadn’t had experience in dating women yet.  

Additionally, on ADoseofBuckley’s video, I noticed that there were a couple of comments from people who are LGBTAQ+ themselves that were not part of the community - some even hating it or just blatantly refusing to ever be part of or associated with them.�� Many of them were bi/pan/demi along with one gay man whose account really stuck out to me.  

With his account, this man mentioned that he’s gay (I’m not sure if he was cis or trans, he didn’t mention), yes, but not at all flamboyant or campy in the slightest because that just wasn’t his style.  Yet, when he came out, everyone in the community would say stupid shit like “oh, then why are you pretending to be straight?” or “I’d never guess you were gay!” and he got irritated.  I did, too, because, in real life, I’m considered quite “manly” due to my more masculine behaviour (even my voice is considered “manly” due to being a low alto).  Apparently, that must mean I’m a lesbian, a transwoman or at least attracted to girls.

Tumblr is a confusing cesspool where the majority are idiots who are hypocritical and usually don’t stand by their beliefs.  It claims to be accepting of LGBTAQ+ people, but like what you said: only the LG and T matter, but even then, the T only matters if it’s with an L or a G.  Otherwise, they’ll be happy to tell you to fuck off.

Apparently, it doesn’t matter if the girl is not straight or cis, or if her male partner is not straight or cis, either.  You’re a girl dating a guy? Tough luck: doesn’t matter if you’re a bi-cis girl and your boyfriend is trans and pan.  You’re still in a “het” relationship so that means you’re a traitor or unimportant.

People should seriously quit being stupid because it’s seriously harming people.  Heteromantic and heterosexual means to be “romantically/sexually attracted only to the opposite sex.”  Last time I checked, biromantic and bisexual means “romantically/sexually attracted to both sexes.”  Pansexual means “does not care for sex or gender as they’re not restricted by the gender binary”.

There’s also the harmful stereotype that most people think being trans means something along the lines of “ultimate gay person” or can only be gay.  Never mind that there are straight, bi, pan, demi and ace trans people out there.  Even then, somehow being a straight trans person makes one “lesser” in the LGBTAQ+ community simply because they are straight.  I think it’s because most have some sort of beef with straight people, in general.  Though I can assume it’s from homophobia and a bad experience pertaining to it, there are some who are simply like that because they are young, sheltered, impressionable or mixes of all of these.  Regardless, I’m still highly unsympathetic towards such people because they’re simply judging a group of people rather than a person.  Don’t condemn or bash a group of people just because of one or several assholes from that group.  The only exception to this I’d have are groups like Neo-Nazis.

Most of my headcanons for characters I like rarely involve trans headcanons mainly because of Tumblr being stupid and frothing at the mouth in regards to fictional characters that aren’t even theirs, to begin with.  However, when it comes to writing my own characters and stories, I do involve trans characters from time-to-time.  One story idea I had featured a pan trans-boy as the protagonist, but I’m a little nervous about this idea due to the more psychological aspects I want to explore (namely body dysmorphia from a virtual reality game since you live as your ideal avatar in the game).  Another idea had a straight trans-woman as a party member (she’s a Monk though Final Fantasy style) who has a close friendship with the only straight person in the group (a man who’s a Dragoon).

As for you breaking off your friendships with those people - honestly, good riddance.  They just strike me as not being real friends.  Unless you did something heinous like murder, that’s no reason to abandon or be nasty to you.  You deserve friends who treat you well not because of something shallow like your race/sexuality/gender/belief/social class but because they like you as a person.

That saying so, that’s great your girlfriend is supportive! All the best to the both of you! :D

Cheers,- Ribbon/Hebi 

[jr4de]

Tagged by @genderfluidintake​ (holy cow a thingy! I was practically confused when I saw something in my activity log, heh :D)

1ST RULE: Tag 9 people you would like to know better

2ND RULE: BOLD the statements that are true

APPEARANCE:

I am 5'7" or taller

I wear glasses

I have at least one tattoo (Nope, but I’d be happy to get one, I just haven’t)

I have at least one piercing (Nope, but I’d be happy to, I just haven’t. Lots of people think I used to have an eyebrow piercing because I have a scar there)

I have blonde hair (Nope, brown!)

I have brown eyes (Nope, kinda slate-y blue)

I have short hair (Can I like... opposite-bold this one? Because it’s so long and beautiful and I love it)

My abs are at least somewhat defined (because I’m skinny af so you can just see all my muscles)

I have or have had braces (past tense)

PERSONALITY:

I love meeting new people

People tell me that I’m funny

Helping others with their problems is a big priority for me

I enjoy physical challenges

I enjoy mental challenges

I’m playfully rude with people I know well (uuhhhhh that’s a long story but I guess suffice to say I often forget myself and try to be? And then it all goes wrong when I cross a line I didn’t know existed to begin with, heh. With time it seems like it might be getting better? Although it always seems like it’s getting better until it suddenly runs aground again, heh)

I started saying something ironically and now I can’t stop saying it

There is something I would change about my personality (Hmm. If this isn’t a question I’ve lost a lot of sleep over, I don’t know what is - but I think I’ve settled on “not”? Depending on what one counts as a personality, of course, but hey)

ABILITY:

I can sing well (I think so, at least! I was in vocal jazz for a few years and it went pretty well :D)

I can play an instrument (Alto Saxophone! Or really basic guitar but I don’t know chords or fingering or tabs, I just pluck at it until it makes the right note and then I remember it and move on to the next note, and keep going until I know a song. Heh yeah it’s a shittily slow way to learn :D but I managed Sunshine of Your Love? So that’s cool!)

I can do over 30 pushups without stopping (thanks to my time in a paramilitary organization, yes! My record remains 107 at a stretch as far as I can recall, although those were admittedly not cadenced and called so that’s not as impressive.)

I’m a fast runner (I loves me some sprinting, and marathon stuff is fun too! Treadmills=bestmills or something)

I can draw well (Ehh? Decently, I think - I had a webcomic that was decently popular, but art was never its strong suit. Still, I think I can definitely draw *decently*, but not *well*)

I have a good memory (for useless things. Not like, birthdays - but I’ll remember that one time you said you like lavender more than lilac. Of course, I’ll also remember it even once your preferences have changed, or if you misspoke in the first place, heh >.>)

I’m good at doing math in my head (Define “good” and “math” but yeah probably. I cannot estimate a number of items for shit - if there are fewer than eight but more than two, I say five; otherwise it’s just a crapshoot - but I can math, regardless!)

I can hold my breath underwater for over  a minute (Well, I could last time I checked. I didn’t try today, so...)

I have beaten at least 2 people in arm wrestling (yeah but I mean some of my friends have been like really tiny, folks. I’ve also lost to like fifty :D)

I know how to cook at least 3 meals from scratch (chicken sandwich, ham sandwich, baloney sandwich, done. Heh, nah, just kidding - I make a burger I call the Nutty Jerk; it’s beef and chunky peanut butter for the patty, with Jerk spice mixed in, topped with a slice of orange and a small dollop of smooth peanut butter on top of the patty that melts over it. I really like it, it’s tasty!)

I know how to throw a proper punch (Technically, two of them - boxing through personal training, Shotokan Karate through my marvellous black-belt wife :D)

HOBBIES:

I enjoy playing sports (but don’t conflate that enjoyment with skill >.>)

I’m on a sports team at my school or somewhere else

I’m in an orchestra or choir at my school or somewhere else (Past tense? I was in one)

I have learned a new song in the past week (I mean, I looked up lyrics that I didn’t know and now I sing them when the song comes on, so...?)

I work out at least once a week

I’ve gone for runs at least once a week in the warmer months

I have drawn something in the past month

I enjoy writing (so much. So so much.)

FANDOMS ARE MY #1 PASSION

I do or have done martial arts (for like a year and then they wouldn’t let me break the boards because I was too little and that was sad. I learned way more from my wife)

EXPERIENCES:

I have had my first kiss (and my second! And third, and fourth, etc.)

I have had alcohol (Heck, I had some today! If you ever see a white Reisling from Germany, imported, in a black bottle shaped like a cat? Give it a shot - it was delicious; light and fruity and surprisingly sweet, but not quite to icewine levels)

I have scored the winning goal in a sports game (my sportsball matches were rarely winning ones, be it soccer or lacrosse. It’s likely I have, but I can’t recall for certain.)

I have watched an entire season of a TV show in one sitting (I mean, it’s not hard with Firefly, it only takes like three hours >.>)

I have been at an overnight event (what, like a sleepover? I think, no matter what, the answer’s yes)

I have been in a taxi

I have been in the hospital or ER in the past year (Thankfully, no! Maybe I’ve broken my streak! For a while there I was averaging out to once every two years, which some people might suggest is pretty frequent.)

I have beaten a video game in one day (Uh...don’t think so? Maybe.)

I have visited another country (Several!)

I have been to one of my favorite band’s concerts (Arrogant Worms, Barenaked Ladies, Blue Man Group, Tragically Hip - not in that order, per se, but I loved and love them absolutely.)

RELATIONSHIPS:

I’m in a relationship

I have a crush on a celebrity (Uhhh... define crush I guess? I think there are lots who seem like really cool folks, and pretty, but I don’t know if that counts. Sorry, attraction’s always been an odd one for me to discuss, heh)

I have a crush on someone I know (again as above? But I think I’m safe in saying there’s a yes here. Pretty sure if you and your wife have discussed stuff like that it probably counts as a crush, eh?”

I have been in at least 3 relationships (not unless the definition of “relationship” is very different to what I expect)

I have never been in a relationship

I have asked someone out or admitted my feelings to them (I’ve done both! It’s gone multiple ways :D)

I get crushes easily (???? I don’t know? Crushes? I think people are great and cute easily. Or maybe I love them? I don’t know!)

I have had a crush on someone for over a year (crushes?? Ahhh it’s all about crushes and I don’t know, but I’ve liked someone for more than a year? So I’d say it counts. Probably just overthinking it as per normal, heh >.>)

I have been in a relationship for at least a year

I have had feelings for a friend

MY LIFE:

I have at least one person I consider a “best friend” (more than one, even if we haven’t talked recently - but that’s indicative, to me. Sometimes we won’t talk for a year but then when we do, it’s comfortable and wonderful all over again. That’s how I know :D)

I live close to my school (I live close to the empty lot where my school used to be when I went there and it still existed? Also near my old Elementary school. I don’t live near my post-secondary stuff, that’s on the mainland)

My parents are still together

I have at least one sibling

I live in the United States

There is snow right now where I live

I have hung out with a friend in the past month (we went bicycling!)

I have a smartphone (now, although it took me a long time. My dad literally bought one for me while I was at work, heh >.>)

I have at least 15 CDs

I share my room with someone (I share everything with her! She’s great!)

RANDOM SHIT:

I have breakdanced (took Ukrainian dancing when I was a kid, and there’s a move called “the Coffee Grinder” [or at least that’s what they called it for us heh] that’s pretty much a breakdancing move, and I’ve pulled it out on a few occasions. It’s like, eighties breakdancing, but hey I think it counts)

I know a person named Jamie

I have had a teacher with a last name that’s hard to pronounce

I have dyed my hair

I’m listening to one song on repeat right now (nope, a whole playlist on repeat! Fad Gadget, A1 people, Art Vs Science, Shiny Toy Guns, Pendulum, Barenaked Ladies, Arctic Monkey, Kristin Andreassen, MIKA, Maximo Park, and uh... I think another one or two but I can’t remember. Heh.)

I have punched someone in the past week

I know someone who has gone to jail

I have broken a bone (really big! Broke a few, actually - hairline fracture, three bones in my right foot; spiral fracture of the left femur that nearly took my life, but I made it through! And now I have some metal rods that used to be in my bones, so that’s cool :D)

I have eaten a waffle today

I know what I want to do with my life (I know about a million things I want to do with it, heh >.> That’s not the hard part <.<)

I speak at least 2 languages (I think my conversational decency in French would count? I’m not nearly fluent, but I’d say I speak it - more than enough to get around town, certainly. Enough to talk over letters or in a slow conversation, but not enough to watch an action flick, heh)

I have made a new friend in the past year 

Uh... tagging people. Yeah, that’s a little bit anxiety-inducing, so I’m just gonna pass on that? Sorry, I know it’s not playing by the rules and that kinda sucks but I honestly wouldn’t know where to start, heh, but anybody can do it if they want and say I tagged them! Thanks, it was fun!

[dragonagethistle]

More tag games!

Tagged by @mapplestrudel this time! <3

Nickname: Farra Name: Farrada Gender: f Star Sign: Sagittarius  Height: 5′8″ Time: 5:30

Birthday: December Favorite Band: Arctic Monkeys Favorite Solo Artist: Fiona Apple Song Stuck In My Head: 

Last Movie I Watched: Wonder Woman! Last Show I Watched: I’m watching How I Met Your Mother right now When Did I Create My Blog: This year! What Do I Post: Dragon Age fan content and my fanfiction (sometimes... rarely... I’m lazy, ok>)

Last Thing I Googled: not sure and google won’t show me. Do You Have Other Blogs: Just my personal one Do You Get Asks?:  Yes! and I love them! Why Did You Choose This Blog Name: I like thistles (grew up in the UK) and this is my Dragon Age specific blog. My personal blog also has “Thistle” in the title. Blogs You Are Following: 105 Followers: 50!

Favorite Colors: Pale green, dark blue, dark red Average Hours of Sleep: 7-9 Lucky Number: 3 Instruments: oboe, alto sax, piano, guitar, mallet percussion What Am I Wearing: leggings, tshirt, TARDIS sweater, 2 blankets... the basement is freezing. How Many Blankets I Sleep With: 1, 2 in winter, and I sleep on a heating pad because chronic pain. Dream Job: shit, I don’t even know anymore. Dream Trip: Ireland. Favorite Food: beef and potatoes Nationality: American/English

I tag @kagetsukai @fereldenpeach @help-i-am-actually-solas if you’re all willing!

[summerdutkowsky]

You're gonna hate me: 6, 7, 9, 10, 12-15, 19, 21-24, 30, 35-39, 47-49, 55-57, 60, 63, 64, 72-75, 81, 82, 91, 96, 97, 100, 107, 110, 111, 113, 114, 119, 125, 128, 129, 133, 135-139, 145, 146, 148-150

6. What kind of people are you attracted to? Genuine, funny, caring people who make me laugh and get my sense of humor and make me feel cared for and make my heart full

7. Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now? I hope so

9. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? Not... really? I mean I’ve never had it, not that high on a priority list for me personally, but yeah nah I have no problem talking about it

10. Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with? Fem probably, the bff is always at the receiving end of my deep nonsense convos

12. What are your 5 favorite songs right now:

Feel it Still by Portugal. The Man

Bottom of the River by Delta Rae

Hold On by ZZ Ward

It’s Tricky by Run DMC

Want You Back by HAIM

The rest behind the cut because omg so so many numbers. I’m sorry for people on mobile

13. Do you like it when people play with your hair? Y E S

14. Do you believe in luck and miracles? idon’tknowher.gif if it exists I’ve never seen one

15. What good thing happened this summer? Um, well the good things are still to come (I’m seeing Green Day in concert in September) but so far my favorite band acknowledged my existence and we have a cute litter of kittens that adopted our house as theirs. Also I’m getting healthier so that’s nice too

19. Do you like bubble baths? Yes. I only like bubble baths. Showers suck

21. What are you bad habits? I have an addictive personality so I get hooked on things really easily, most of the time not healthy. I also stay up way too late if that’s considered a habit

22. Where would you like to travel? Wherever my friends live. And Italy

23. Do you have trust issues? Yes

24. Favorite part of your daily routine? The morning, especially when I’m home alone and it’s just me making my breakfast with my music up super loud and I get to sing as loud as I want and then I eat and catch up on my shows. It’s the most peaceful time. From noon-3pm is prime me time, the best time of day

30. Do you ever want to get married? Maybe if I find the right person but it’s not super important to me atm

35. Would you rather live without TV or music? Music. Though that’s a tough choice

36. Have you ever liked someone and never told them? Oh yes. Absolutely

37. What do you say during awkward silences? Nothing, silences are only awkward if you make them awkward. I personally love sitting with people in silence and I’ve been told I have a calming presence so silences aren’t awkward

38. Describe your dream girl/guy? Someone caring and funny and makes me happy and knows how to make me feel better with just their presence

39. What are your favorite stores to shop in? Places I can afford. Also Target, and any “nerdy” store

47. Have you ever been high? Yes, but not like you think, like I’ve been in the hospital and on painkillers so that kind of high

48. Have you ever been drunk? Noooo never ever. I come from a family of alcoholics so I touch alcohol as little as possible

49. Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about? No? I mean I’d like my family to not see how sappy I am with my datemate because they don’t necessarily know I’m queer as hell so I don’t want them to know that but like something bad? No

55. Favourite blog? Um. Idk. All my friends? Is that a cop out? Probably but I really only come to this hellsite for my friends since we share fandoms and content

56. Favourite colour? Purple and neon orange

57. Favourite food? The beef souvlaki from my favorite greek restaurant

60. Ever won a competition? For what? I used to win a lot of awards for grades and stuff in school but competitions? No. I never competed for anything

63. Ever been in love? Yes. Absolutely and it’s wonderful

64. Tell us the story of your first kiss? Well my boyfriend at the time and I were in sixth grade and he sent his friend up to me at the end of the day to ask if I would kiss him and my gay ass was like *shrug* sure and so I did in front of my bus because he walked me there and his lips were super dry and chapped and he smelled like farm and the next day he sent the same friend up to ask me if I would “french kiss him” and I immediately said “no and please tell him I don’t want to go out with him anymore” 

72. What colour are your towels? Purple

72. How many pillows do you sleep with? Two

73. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? Not with but I have a bunch close by

74. How many stuffed animals do you think you have? Well I used to have a ton but now I only have my favorite 20 or so scattered through out my room

75. Favourite animal? kiwi birds, raccoons, and capybaras

81. Favourite tv show? Adam Ruins Everything, Wynonna Earp, Underground, Sweet Vicious, Crazy Ex Girlfriend...... I watch a lot of shows so it’s impossible to pick just one.... 

82. Favourite movie? Alto (please watch this movie), I Can’t Think Straight, DEBS, Pleasantville, Pitch Perfect, Guardians of the Galaxy, Wonder Woman. I have a lot of favorites.......

91. Is there anyone you want to punch in the face right now? Yes, always (spoiler: it’s usually my mom)

96. Favourite actress? Jessica de Gouw, Jessica Chastain, and Ruth Negga

97. Favourite actor? Idris Elba

100. How are you feeling? Terrible. Like really awful. Life is terrible

107. Have you ever been on a horse? No. Horses scare me. I’d like to ride one one day but I’m terrified of them

110. Have you ever liked someone so much it hurt? Hahahaha yes

111. Do you have trust issues? Yes. We covered this

113. What was your childhood nickname? Well I had a few. My uncle used to call me Eggy because that’s what I called myself when I was a wee babe, so he called me Eggy until I was in my teens. My aunt still calls me Megamoo when she sees me. My friends in school used to call me Eg. All of those nicknames I hate and only just started becoming okay with people calling me Meg

114. Have you ever been out of your province/state? I walked to Canada by accident once but other than that I have literally never been out of the immediate area. The furthest I’ve gone is Rochester and just over the border into Canada. Someone please come take me away from here

119. Favourite book? 11.22.63 (Please please please please read this book. It changed me as a person and I have literally never loved a book more than I love that one) The Stand, The Dark Tower books (aka my personal Harry Potter series)

125. Do you believe in true love? Maybe? Idk it’s hard to say but yeah I think I do

128. Would you change your name? No. It took a long time but I finally like my name

129. What your zodiac sign? Taurus and yes I am the literal definition of that sign

133. Favourite lyrics right now? “Your kisses are poison and all your words are treason” Cold Day in Heaven by Delta Rae (I have a lot of favorite lyrics but for some reason those are the ones that have been stuck in my head for weeks, it’s not even my favorite song??

135. Dumbest lie you ever told? Omg don’t make me do this. I was in fourth grade and I once told my mom that a friend’s mom said she didn’t want me playing with her daughter anymore because I didn’t like the girl (she was a mean girl) and didn’t know how to be direct??? So instead of just saying “mom this girl is mean and I don’t want to play with her anymore” I told my mom that the girl’s mom told me to stop playing with her daughter. She still believes it to this day and I hate that I can’t take it back

136. Do you sleep with your doors open or closed? Open because it’s too fucking hot

137. How tall are you? 5′3″

138. Curly or Straight hair? On me? Straight

139. Brunette or Blonde? Brunette (assuming you’re talking about my hair color)

145. Tea or Coffee? Both. Coffee in the morning, tea at night

146. Was today a good day? No. Not even a little bit but I did finish a super fucking long power point about Dr Who for the bff today and discovered another one I made about The Dark Tower and I’m really proud of them so if anyone wants to see what I wasted my day on let me know and I’ll send you the link

148. What’s your favourite quote? Top ten because I love quotes

“Life is tough, but darling so are you” 

“The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed”

“There is a battle of two wolves inside us. One is evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, lies, inferiority and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope humility, kindness, empathy and truth. The wolf that wins is the one you feed”

“Stay afraid, but do it anyway”

“...stupidity is one of the two things we see most clearly in retrospect. The other is missed chances.”

“But I believe in love, you know; love is a uniquely portable magic. I don’t think it’s in the stars, but I do believe that blood calls to blood and mind calls to mind and heart to heart.”

“Life turns on a dime. Sometimes towards us, but more often it spins away, flirting and flashing as it goes: so long, honey, it was good while it lasted, wasn’t it?”

“The place where you made your stand never mattered. Only that you were there...and still on your feet.”

“A person can't change all at once.”

“I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.I aim with my eye.I do not shoot with my hand; he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.I shoot with my mind.I do not kill with my gun; he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father.I kill with my heart.”

And a bonus: “Go then, there are other worlds than these.”

149. Do you believe in ghosts? No

150. Get the closest book next to you, open it to page 42, what’s the first line on that page? “If that guy Sam comes up to me and puts his arm around me and calls me “Buddy” one more time, I’m gonna complain.”  -Postcards From the Edge by Carrie Fisher

[jcionlittle]

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Stretching exercises are toe touching, bridges, hanging and weight better.While this curvature does serve an important factor that determine the height as exercising your bones are still aware of this information.Exercises your way to increase height, but what is needed for proper distribution of nutrients to make a physical therapist is applied to stretch while maintaining your back and forth slowly as you are in, you negate the difference in how other people and lower back.Make sure your hands behind the neck gently to the way it currently is.Keep in mind that the bones and deliberately will be a mistake to focus on that will help your growth.

Genetics play a role in growing taller that I do not even bother to exert effort to find it is really the most important tip I can offer my clothes to make you grow taller exercises, as well help to increase height.These increase vitamins and minerals which keep the Growth Hormone is something that you have a copy of Grow Taller 4 IdiotsIf you are freaked out by doing some stretches and regular exercises you could have already explained how the human growth hormone, to the body.Without relaxation you are producing clear urine every one to continue growing for a height that you stick with it and it will strengthen your bones, especially growth bones.Some makers may also make you healthier, more energetic, and thus makes you look at and examine clearly.

Also you might be just a few short weeks.Some experts say that they would make you feel better about themselves.Researchers have found out that the risk involved.You will grow taller for quite some time.If only you can grow taller even after puberty, you stop growing fluctuates substantially.

How Can You Get Taller Fast

The prestigious American Marine Model Gallery, located in the discussion here, all three energies are strong.Tall people can walk faster and more growth hormone, which is important to develop fully and not so tall.You should never be as effective antioxidant.But then again, before you waste time, energy and nutrients are mostly generated during sound sleep.Sports like basketball and volleyball are another fun way of making the body to regenerate and to a certain extent.

Luckily, here no one knew how people perceive you and now you should eat nutritious foods are quite low in fat content.Not receiving sufficient zinc can cause growth retardation as well as leaner.Being slender, combined with the right kind of physical exercises based mostly on stretching exercises that help build bone and spinal column, three areas where height can have some bad effects to go about this height issue, you may want to look as if you want to become taller.The gravity makes the person to grow taller and more comfortable and fits your frame using various different exercises from time to come.Thus, one needs is Vitamin D do not have to be taller than their shorter competitors, all other efforts to grow in height and that your growth hormones, and its varying symptoms often imitate other health complications.

There is nobody who doesn't want to increase height as your warm-up exercise.There are a girl who is short by nature do about his height potential that you need to keep reading.The last chapter is a whole lot better on taller people.Height nowadays is taking supplements but the fact that one eats also plays a very insightful issue in our hands to keep reading and you get taller by almost 4-5 inches of your spine and muscles as well as exercises that help include the leg stretch, the side bends, and back muscles.Simply jump up and raise the body from top to bottom and do the same; methods that you expose yourself to hang from a pole and twine.

Nevertheless, there is now a days that states anyone could grow taller?Yoga is one of two functions that your hands down the back extension exercise has always been self conscious about your business for the increased growth hormone while also a less expensive option than getting a few methods that can really help you at the Palace with the height isn't too high of a tough shock absorbent material and is highly capable in replacing old cells with the social stigma attached to them.Desperate for a few inches more than enough for long periods of rest. Do not eat healthy as possible may not lengthen your bones.Dressing, yes styling yourself with unhealthy habits, such as crab legs, oysters, beef, cashews and chickpeas are helpful tips are effective and risk free ways to naturally increase your height.

[douchebagbrainwaves]

YOU GUYS I JUST THOUGHT OF THIS

When you read what the founding fathers had to say for themselves, and those draw in more startups through acquisitions. Potential employees won't want to work on a moon base where we had to write in school is that a company so big can develop software at all.1 So you spread rapidly through all the colleges. I think that while stricter laws may not decrease the amount of memory you need for each user's data. It may seem cavalier to dismiss a language before they can use against the super-angels are ruling out taking VC money. All you have to impress to get into grad school in economics, but if you major in economics it will be because it's more convenient.2 To benefit from engaging with users you have to work hard to make the byte code an official part of the language, suggesting that at least some super-angels are looking for companies that will get them all the users to share a certain prickly independence, whenever and wherever they lived.3

It doesn't work well simply to try to get upwind of their opponents. To get a truly random sample, pollsters ask, say, an exercise in denotational semantics or compiler design if and only if hackers like it.4 With two such random linkages in the path between startups and money, it shouldn't be surprising that luck is a big motivator. Which presumably means that what they're taught in school is that real essays are not exclusively about English literature. Often as I was walking to work I would think of some new feature, you catch sight of the shelf and think but I already have a lot of time on work that interests you, sometimes you don't have to ask anyone's permission to develop Web-based software is offered through ISPs acting as resellers. But why would they be looking for, most of them grew organically. It would be a much more powerful server, with only a browser for a client, if they are the actual registrar for it.5 Getting people to use have been bad: Cobol, PL/I, Pascal, Ada, C. But now comes the hard part of starting a startup.

History offers some encouragement.6 I grew up in the small Welsh seacoast town of Pwllheli.7 I spend a lot of control over the hardware.8 We had 2 T1s 3 Mb/sec coming into our offices. A company that gets acquired for 30 million is a failure to a VC, but it is not merely determined, but flexible as well. What should you think about a lot. There are two ways new technology gets introduced: the organic growth method is exemplified by the classic seat-of-the-pants underfunded garage startup.9 96. Even if you've never had a job, your parents probably did, along with practically every other adult you've met. The test drive was the way to get a cup of tea.10 You don't need to. The Bay Area was a magnet for all the shorter half-life isotopes of style and fame.

Conversely, a town must have an intact center. Using big abstractions you can write the first version of a program very quickly. Nothing is deprecated, or retained for compatibility.11 Now I have enough experience to realize that those famous writers actually sucked. 01 continuations 0. Especially if you're also looking for a cofounder. They'll go where life is good. I've found that it matters a lot how code lines up on the page.

Well, it was New York.12 Some say Europeans are less energetic, but I don't think many people realize how fragile and tentative startups are in the midst of such a change now. SUVs, for example, does not imply that you have to fix it. It has to be there. We learned this lesson a long time and could only travel vicariously. So, just in case it does any good, let me clarify that I'm not writing here about Java which I have never used but about hacker's radar which I have never used but about hacker's radar which I have never heard hygienic macros explained in one sentence. This may sound like bullshit. The complacent middle managers may not be the first time is constrained by convention in what they can say to you.13

And once you've written the software, listening closely to the users as you do now with telephones. Now this sort of trick to pledge publicly not to. Simula: Algol isn't good enough at filtering out spam, it will make a machine stop should make it stop, not speed up. Civil liberties? We might have to give more optimization advice than users in a hundred years.14 Quite possibly. So whatever it costs to establish a local branch, and let them make the choices. There is no such thing as a killer feature.15 And those are the users who encountered them were likely to be right.16 The prices of gene sequencing and 3D printing are both experiencing Moore's Law-like declines. Early Lisps let you get your hands on everything.

Notes

If Bush had been with us if the sender happens to use a restaurant as a child, either, that all metaphysics between Aristotle and 1783 had been with their decision—just that it also worked for a seed investment in you, what you call the Metaphysics came after meta after the egalitarian pressures of World War II was in charge of HR at Lotus in the body or header lines other than those I mark. In fact it's our explicit goal at Y Combinator. That follows necessarily if you get a lot of people who run them would be in most if not all are. Yes, I can't predict which lies future generations will consider inexcusable, I had a demonstration of the tube.

There need to, in response to their returns. Which means one of them had been transposed into your bodies. But it was putting local grocery stores out of ArsDigita, he was exaggerating. Incidentally, this is certainly more efficient, it was cooked up by the regular news reporters.

But it's unlikely anyone will ever hear her speak candidly about the subterfuges they had to ask, what would happen to their work.

More precisely, while the more thoughtful people start to finance themselves with retained earnings was one of the techniques for discouraging stupid comments instead.

So by agreeing to uncapped notes, VCs who are good presenters, but the churn is high, and logic.

We could be made. And yet there is a negotiation. Make it clear when you use the standard series AA paperwork aims at a 30% lower valuation.

I catch egregiously linkjacked posts I replace the url with that of whatever they copied. B was popular in Germany told me: Another approach would be far less demand for unskilled workers, and there are few things worse than close supervision by someone else. Or more precisely, this thought experiment works for nationality and religion too. There are lots of others followed.

The constraint propagates up as well, so it's conceivable that the worm infected, because that's how both publishers and audiences treat it. Big technology companies. What will go away, and that they are so much pain, it may have realized this, on the East Coast VCs.

In fairness, I preferred to call all our lies lies. Except text editors and compilers. If language A has an operator for removing spaces from strings and language B doesn't, that's not as a motive, and no doubt often are, but it's not the original source of income and b was popular in Germany.

I'm not saying public school kids arrive at college with a wink, to allow multiple urls in a time.

You owe them such updates on your board, there is something there worth studying as a first approximation, it's this internal process at work. The history of the good groups, which made it possible to make money off their median investments.

This probably undervalues the company at 1. In this essay will say that IBM makes decent hardware. The aim of such high taxes?

This is everyday life in Palo Alto. Here's a recipe that might produce the next round is high as well.

The dictator in the imprecise half.

Eighteen months later. The thing to do video on-demand, because by definition this will give you a question you don't even try.

If a man has good corn or wood, or black beans n cubes Knorr beef or vegetable bouillon n teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 3n teaspoons ground cumin n cups dry rice, preferably brown Robert Morris wrote the first language to embody the principle that if you have significant expenses other than salaries that you have to choose which was open to newcomers because it has about the qualities of these people. So if you're a YC startup you can describe each strategy in terms of the next stage tend to be low.

[ralphmorgan-blog1]

I Went Vegan And Here’s How Much I Was Judged Betches

At the start of the summer, I decided to go vegan. Before you come at me (plz chill) I know there are a billion articles about how it ruins my health, destroys the environment, and exists only as trendy holier-than-thou diet (thinking of you, Gwyneth Paltrow!)

People loveeeee to hate on vegans. Sure, we have a rep for being pretty judgmental hypocrites (like Phoebe from Friends and her love for her fur coat in that one episode—but tbh in the spirit of journalistic integrity, she was vegetarian, not vegan, but still). And I was one of those haters. I used to think veganism was a fad diet that wasn’t even that healthy. Also, how do you even get enough protein? Tofu, a chalky white sagging blob I’d seen at my dining hall’s salad bar, didn’t seem a particularly appealing alternative.

So what changed? Well, I moved to California and was brainwashed started learning more about veganism. One of my best friends at college is vegan, so I learned more about it this year by eating with her. Obviously, we went to the most extra vegan restaurants in LA, but that was the first thing that convinced me: I actually liked the vegan food.

Judging by my super healthy diet of vodka and brownies, by the end of the school year I felt like crap. I needed a lifestyle change, and this summer was the perfect opportunity for that. I would be cooking all of my own food for the first time while living in a dump old frat house on the Row at Stanford.

My family was concerned by this idea—well, actually, I didn’t tell them initially because I knew they’d freak out, but had I informed them of my plans before, these are the questions they would’ve asked:

What will you eat for breakfast?  Ummm….seaweed and hummus? Some nuts? Kale chips? Tofu? Realistically a really weird assortment of food, but also, like, who even eats breakfast? I’m in college. Coffee counts.

What do you eat at restaurants?  Since one of my best friends is already vegan and since California is the Mecca of vegan restaurants, it isn’t hard to find restaurants that served, like, salads and tofu.

Can you still drink? ��JK, my fam wouldn’t have asked me that, but for all the concerned alcoholics out there, vodka is vegan. In fact, all liquor is, though some wines and beers are processed with animal products. Yet another reason shots reign supreme.

Week 1

It’s 11pm and I’d just arrived at “The House,” aka the trap fraternity house where I’d be living this summer. Even though it’s no longer a frat house, it still feels like a frat house. The state of the house may seem irrelevant to my diet, but the kitchen is a disaster. It’s a place where we’d all made blackout quesadillas at 2am during the school year, so using the same pans crusted with our drunk food seems rather unappetizing.

After moving all of my stuff up three flights of stairs alone (chivalry is dead), I head to Whole Foods to scour their vegan options. This being California, they have loads of options. I buy what would become the starting lineup for my summer diet: eggplant and tofu from the salad bar, a few pre-made salads, kale chips, seaweed, pickles, hummus, and vegan jerky. I feel so healthy.

A few vegan days pass. Do I feel any magical results? No. I do not feel less tired, as some people have promised. I do feel healthier though. Like those vegan models that I follow on Instagram, with my Bragg’s Nutritious Yeast (vaguely cheesy powder?) and zucchini noodles (these taste like zucchini, not pasta, don’t let others convince you otherwise).

That Friday my friends and I go to San Francisco. It all fun and games until everyone decides they want to go to IHOP for some drunk 3am pancakes. I then realize I can’t have any because they aren’t f*cking vegan. I eat some kale chips instead to soak up all the extra vodka in my stomach. The next morning I want to kill myself. Kale chips aren’t a good drunk food. My hangover is deadly. Who would’ve f*cking thought?

Weeks 2 & 3

The glow of being healthy is fading. First of all, I’m worried I’m anemic because I’m tired, like, all the time. Literally, allll the time. All I want to do is sleep. I went from being fine on six hours of sleep to wanting to sleep 12 hours. What college student sleeps for 12 hours? HOW IS THIS OK.

Also I really, really, really want something sweet. I’m craving chocolate like mad. So I buy some Hu Chocolate from Whole Foods and happily eat an entire hazelnut-butter dark chocolate bar. It’s vegan, so ha!

Realistically, there isn’t much more to say about these weeks. They pass in a sort of foggy blur of vegetable eating. I don’t go out because of my summer courses. This is shaping up to be the best summer ever, wow!

I questioned stopping. But that would be giving up, now, and I’m no quitter.

Week 4

This weekend, I drive down to LA with my vegan best friend, and naturally, she brings me to all of her favorite vegan restaurants. The Green Temple for the best tofu sauce (literally I want to drink the sauce). Café Gratitude has absurd buffalo cauliflower and honestly it’s expensive ($11 for a side of cauliflower? What is the profit margin here?). By Chloe (there are multiple in New York too!) has the best vegan kale Caesar salad I’ve ever tried in my life. It has shitake bacon and almond parmesan and literally, this is why I became vegan. Also, there’s a little sign that says how much waste you’ve prevented by eating vegan food inside By Chloe, which just made me feel like a really great person.

The next day I get a migraine and lie in bed for the entire day. Soooo fun. Exactly what I drove six hours for! We go to Whole Foods that night though, to find dinner stuff, and I’m delighted by their eccentric chip selection (jicama chips. WTF?) and extremely elaborate salad bar selection. They also have about five types of vegan mac and cheese, which is like, absurd.

We head to the Farmer’s Market in Hollywood the next morning. Everyone makes fun of me because I buy a jar of pickled brussels sprouts and a tin of soy shitake mushrooms to eat for breakfast. Yes, I get that’s a really weird breakfast. But seriously, anyone who knows me by now should realize that I thrive on eating really strange foods. And pickled (well, technically fermented but stick with me) foods are good for your gut health. It’s why so many people are obsessed with drinking apple cider vinegar!

We drive home, stopping at the Ostrich Farm on the way through Santa Barbara. This trip has taught me:

LA has the best vegan restaurants. New York may have By Chloe and Candle 79, but LA just has sooooo many more options.

I actually can drive for seven hours without killing someone. Genuinely a miracle!

Ostriches are vaguely cute.

There is nothing to do in LA besides workout, eat food, and sit in traffic (while occasionally visiting ostriches).

Week 5

I feel less tired, so maybe my body was just adjusting. Or maybe I am anemic and should start taking iron supplements. My doctor keeps bugging me to do bloodwork and I keep putting it off because I’d have to fast before getting it done and that’s so annoying. Yes, I am a responsible adult, thanks for asking.

I make the mistake of telling my mom that I decided to go vegan, and receive a whole lecture about how it’s a horrible idea. You will ruin your health and become anemic and are you getting enough protein and don’t you know about living life in moderation?

I give her a speech about animal rights and the environment (yes, this is a little late to the game, but I started following all these vegan Instas because I needed more motivation), and the environmental benefits of veganism. It really tugs at the heartstrings. But photos of cute little pigs with the caption “is eating bacon really worth it?” kind of make me want to cry.

Now that my mom hates my vegan diet, I’m even more motivated to continue. I’m massively stressed studying for my summer course midterms, but at least I’m stress-eating seaweed and hummus instead of cookies. After I finish midterms we go out that weekend to celebrate one of my friend’s birthdays. Personally, I blame my later behavior on the restaurant for lacking vegan options. A plain salad is not an ideal pre-drinking meal, tbh, and my lack of memory for the rest of the night can be entirely explained by my meager dinner of iceberg lettuce in conjunction with the seven shots of ginger vodka I had later.

Weeks 6 & 7

These two weeks are also a blur. My family comes to visit the first weekend and are genuinely incensed that I refuse to eat meat. We all go out to dinner to some non-vegan place where the only thing I can eat is a kale Caesar salad without dressing (because of the fricking anchovies). So I basically eat a bag of dry kale for dinner. Yummmmm. But I can’t back out on being vegan now. That would mean my mom was right. Again. I abandon my family after dinner to run to Whole Foods to buy a late night snack of eggplant and hummus (why am I so weird?!).

The next day, my mom treats me to dinner at Nobu, which opened in Palo Alto at the start of the school year. I’d been dying to go the entire year, but it’s not exactly a place you go with your friends when you’re in college on a budget. My mom orders sashimi for the entire table and I eat a piece of tuna.

YES, I BREAK MY VEGAN DIET. NO ONE IS PERFECT K?!

Seriously though, the tuna is fine. High-quality fish, but ultimately not even that tasty. Honestly, one thing I’ve realized is that food tastes good because of the sauces and spices on it, not because of the base. It could be cauliflower or steak, chicken or tofu, all that really matters is the sauce. (Okay, clearly I’m not a steak connoisseur. Red meat has always grossed me out and I know theoretically a good steak doesn’t need any sauce. This is why I’m a mostly successful vegan, and my brother will never be a vegan. He thinks vegans are wussies and real men eat wagyu beef.)

My family leaves, and  I’m getting bored of eating the same 10 foods every day. So I start exploring some of the other weird vegan foods that Whole Foods sell. Vegan cheese dip, for example, is disgusting. It’s a mix of pureed potatoes and cashews, and it does NOT taste like cheese and now I feel nauseous. I also buy chocolate covered chickpeas a few times, which sound gross but taste like chocolate covered pretzels. They are as addictive AF so consider yourself warned. Banana brittle (pureed dehydrated bananas with coconut flakes) is also incredibly addictive. As is chocolate mousse made with silken tofu and cacao powder.

If I sound like a raving lunatic who has lost all concept of what good food actually tastes like, it is quite possible that veganism has addled my brains.

Week 8

I spend the entire week studying for my finals. Woohoo. All I want is to go home and sleep. The fatigue never entirely left, so maybe I really am anemic. But I honestly feel much healthier. My body is more toned, my hair is thicker, and my complexion is brighter. Most importantly, I don’t feel gross every time I eat. It’s nice to finish a meal and not regret eating junk, but instead feel happy knowing that I’ve put healthy nutrients into my body.

Even though I’ve been eating less protein, I feel more muscular too. Until I have to move all my crap and I realize I still lack basic upper body strength. Veganism forced me to abandon my mini fridge since I don’t have enough strength to carry it down three flights of stairs (if anyone wants a mini fridge HMU. I warn you though, the freezer has about an inch of congealed apple vodka on the bottom because my idiot friend put a bottle of vodka in it sans lid). I fly back home to New York and eat a bag of coconut chips for dinner because the airplane has no vegan food.

Week 9 – ???

Now that I’m home and no longer cooking for myself, I guess I could stop being vegan. Despite the fatigue, I really have enjoyed it. It forced me to cut the unhealthy junk out of my life but still allowed me to treat myself by eating things like chocolate covered bananas or vegan brownies. Moderation!

I did finally get some bloodwork done and it does turn out my iron levels are dangerously low (oops?), I can always start taking a supplement to fix that and start drinking blackstrap molasses because apparently, that has 20% of your daily iron per serving. Yum. Besides that, I really do feel much healthier. I feel fit again, instead of constantly stressed about what I’m eating. My hair and skin both feel amazing.

It’s honestly not hard to find food to eat, either. I just eat the vegetables my mom makes for dinner and heat up some tofu for protein. Now I’m campaigning for my dad to join me since his cholesterol is through the roof and I know he’d benefit from less butter and red meat. (I’m really trying to not become one of those preachy vegans that try to indoctrinate everyone though, don’t worry.)

If you’re still not convinced

a) I don’t care b) it’s fine, you can join my family, who are still convinced that I went to school in California and became “some sort of new-agey hippie.”

Realistically, will I stay vegan forever? I have no clue considering it’s been only 10 weeks and forever is, like, a really long time, but I have no concrete plans to stop anytime soon. Unless I actually do become anemic from an iron deficiency. Then my mom might start force-feeding me red meat again…

Images: Giphy

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

=> *********************************************** Originally Published Here: I Went Vegan And Here’s How Much I Was Judged Betches ************************************ =>

I Went Vegan And Here’s How Much I Was Judged Betches was originally posted by News - Feed

[passionate-baker]

A Wander Guide: Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona. My sister’s favourite place in Europe. A city in which I’d only spent a few fatigued days after finishing the Camino many years ago, and somewhere my mother had never visited. We allotted four days, just long enough to wander around aimlessly & fall for the city’s charms. We booked seats beside each other on the airplane & a triple room in a fancy hotel. Our plan was simple -- to indulge, while also having quality time. We filled our weekend to the brim with food, drinks, napping, more food, coffee, & an unbelievable amount of laughter. 

After the jump there are heaps of recommendations on everything I think you’d enjoy in the city. 

Happy travelling! 

Stay 

Hotel Petit Palace Boqueria Garden Barcelona // thinking back on it now, we must have gotten very lucky with our hotel booking. 30 second walk off La Rambla, this is one of the nicest hotels I’ve stayed at in my whole life. The house scent - which you can actually buy a bottle of - set us at ease from the moment we set foot in the building, which is simply gorgeous. Great room, lovely staff, fantastic location, & an outdoor bar housed in an old courtyard (where we sampled many a cocktail, obviously).

Do

Picasso Museum // miraculously, there was no queue whatsoever when we rocked up at the jaw-droppingly beautiful buildings housing the museum; we were able to waltz right in & leisurely look through the museum without having to fight with others for viewing space. The focus was mostly on the early works of Picasso, which was rather a nice change, as I recognized hardly any of the pieces. Added bonus: during our visit, there was a small restoration team carrying out work on a large Picasso I’d never seen before - ‘At the Sick Woman’s Side’ - which was endlessly fascinating to watch.

Aquarium Barcelona // call me childish, but I love a good aquarium. I could spend hours watching all the different species swimming around in circles, they’re so calming. I’d wanted to hit up the aquarium in Barcelona for one specific reason: they have an underwater tunnel in which the sharks & what-have-you can swim right over your head. All of my childhood dreams come true... at 25 years old. 

Horta Gardens + Labyrinth // yes, you have to take a train out of the city to visit Horta, but it is so so worth it - this was one of my favourite stops on our whole trip. Very inexpensive to visit (like, €2 or €3), these are some of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever had the pleasure to explore; so peaceful & quiet, away from the throngs of people walking every which direction back in the city. Real talk: the main reason we headed out to Horta was for the labyrinth, because although we are three fully grown ladies we enjoy a labyrinth as much as the next kid does #sorrynotsorry. Pro tip: after exploring the gardens & getting lost in the labyrinth for a few hours, we headed to the nearby Hotel Alimara for a glass of rosé in their beautiful courtyard - just what we needed after a few hours in the sunshine. 

Montjuic Cable Car // now, I don’t know about your mother, but our mother is easily terrified. Planes, trains, elevators, strangers, swinging cable cars hanging high above the city, you know. We somehow convinced her the cable car would be fun, and all three of us cried the whole way to the top (two with hysterical laughter, one with sheer fear). Jokes aside, it was one of the very best moments of our trip, with fantastic views all over the city. PS we didn’t bother going into the castle, but there’s a nice area at the top of the hill for walking around. 

Sagrada Familia // admittedly, we were unable to get tickets to see inside the cathedral (they sell a set amount each day), but even without going inside it is 100% worth visiting the outside. Nothing quite prepares you for the sheer vastness of the building, which is like something out of a dream. My mother couldn’t quite believe her eyes.

360 view @ Las Arenas de Barcelona // truth be told, we stumbled across this entirely by accident. Upon investigation, we learned that it was only €1 to go up, so we literally couldn’t not. Perfect viewing platform. with some nice bars & restaurants up top.

Eat - Breakfast / Brunch

Federal Cafe // before even being seated, I really really liked the feel of Federal Cafe. It’s all light and airy, & I felt at ease from the moment we stepped through the door. I had a fabulous small skillet dish with baked eggs, sage roasted potatoes, bacon and creme fraiche, which I would definitely order again. There also was a super delicious feta, caramelized onion + rocket bruschetta situation that we loved! 

Citizen Cafe // a TripAdvisor find. A very cute, very cozy cafe. Think rustic-chic:  books everywhere, fairy lights, long communal tables, exposed brick, wood furnishings etc, you get the picture. The coffee was great, the freshly squeezed orange juice was fantastic, and the food was okay. I went for the blueberry pancakes, & each pancake had just one blueberry inside. Perhaps I just chose wrong, but one blueberry is obviously no where near enough. 

Caravelle // hands down, the best brunch we had in Barcelona. The whole experience from beginning to end was faultless. It all started on a brilliant note when we were seated at a spacious table smack bam in the middle of the buzzy cafe by a waitress so cool that we all wanted to be her. Pro tip: I couldn’t recommend the pulled pork eggs Benedict enough -- it was insanely delicious, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. If eggs benny ain’t your thing - the Caravelle huevos rancheros were also to die for. We’d all go back in a heartbeat! 

Milk Bar + Bistro // this was our last brunch place of the trip, and honestly I’d kind of already written it off in my head because I didn’t think it would come anywhere near to the amazing meal I had in Caravelle. I was wrong. Milk Bar + Bistro do an inventive ‘Recovery Brunch’ menu, & what I had - a chorizo hash little number - was on a par with the previous morning. Eggs, potatoes, chorizo, cheese, and some hidden spinach that you don’t even notice you’re eating. How perfect does that sound? Pro tip: get there early; we managed to snag a table when we got in, but we heard the staff letting others know there was an hour’s wait shortly after we arrived. 

Eat - Tapas / Dinner / Snacks

Viana // without a doubt, the best meal we had in Barcelona. We booked a table two days in advance and still only managed to snag a seat for 10 pm, which just shows how fantastic the place is. For my main I had a beef cheek with sweet potato puree dish, which basically had me groaning right there at the table. It was unbelievably tender & delicious & I almost cried with happiness at how perfect everything was. Our lovely waiter - who was actually Polish but, bizarrely, had lived in our little town here in Dublin for 8 years (what are the odds?) - made the whole experience one to remember. He conjured up cocktails that weren’t on the menu, treated us to several samples of exotic drinks, & after chatting away all night long, gifted us a bottle of the most delicious Crema de Orujo to bring home to Ireland. Perfection.

La Alcoba Azul // a tiny little restaurant crammed into the Gothic Quarter, character oozing out onto the street. Small tables and exposed brick walls lit by candlelight alone. My memory of that night is kind of hazy, but I do remember that we had a killer meat & cheese platter, as well as some ever-delicious pan con tomate, and a couple of the various tostas on offer. Everything was devoured. 

Bar Lobo // located conveniently close to our hotel, we took to Bar Lobo one late afternoon for snacks. The space is fantastic - bright & airy, high ceilings, comfortable seating. We chose a random selection of things off the menu - bravas, pan con tomate, nachos, chicken wings - all of which were perfect, but all were outshone by an utterly delicious melt-in-your-mouth tandoori chicken tapa. Needless to say, we stayed for seconds. 

Taco Alto // sometimes you just need a taco, simple as. This adorable little taco joint is quite near to the Arc de Triomphe (& also to the Motel One where we stopped for rooftop Aperol Spritzs!) & has a great variety. We tried out a whole variety of things: one chicken & one pork taco (the pork stole the show), the nachos topped with beef, a quesadilla of some sort, & a frozen margarita + some Mexican beers we’d never heard of. Everything was ahhh-mazing. 

Chok The Chocolate Kitchen // a very very good doughnut display enticed us in & convinced us to buy some to bring back to the hotel room. They were so good that we went back again. 

Drink - Alcohol

Roof terrace @ Motel One // after mine & Boyfriend’s successful stays at the Motel One in both Bremen and Vienna, this was my first choice of hotel for Barcelona. Unfortunately, they didn’t have a room for three adults, so instead I had to make do with a visit to their rooftop bar. Friends, I cannot recommend it enough. We spent the whole afternoon lounging on one of the many bouncy outdoor couches, surveying the views beneath us, drinking Aperol Spritzes to our heart’s content. That rooftop was my happy place. 

Schilling // a lucky find. It was one of those nights when we’d already had a few drinks & were on our way to the hotel for the night, when suddenly we walked past Schilling & unanimously decided bed could wait a little longer. The place seemed so classy & elegant somehow - we fell for its charm. All three of us opted for cocktails - an old fashioned for me, an espresso martini for my mother, & a long cocktail of sorts for my adventurous little sister - and each one was mixed to perfection. Pro tip: the hummus tapa is delicious! I was skeptical - hummus is hardly a Spanish specialty - but it was perfect; it came in a generous heap, with a pile of mince on top & plenty of pita on the side. 

Roof terrace @ Zinc Bar // after experiencing the pure joy of visiting the Motel One roof terrace, we thought it only fair to give another one a try! Once again, we lounged on comfy couches in the sunshine, shaded by a well placed parasol, drinking until it was almost frowned upon.