#and im thinking forward to the holidays and all the gifts i wanna get people now

[bigothteddies]

I don’t even wanna look at my credit card balance right now

[fictionkinfessions]

ok. ok i do feel a little bad about this on the off chance that my guy is reading this and wondering why tf im putting him on blast. but also. i gotta get this off my chest holy f-

ok chat AITA? i (55 m) met my best friend (52 m) when we were both still in college. we really hit it off and were a crazy crime solving duo. i wouldn't have turned out a hero if it wasn't for him, and i definitely wouldn't have been able to do all the crazy awesome shit he helped me do. he pulled a kind of mad scientist trope, but made it classy and ethical. dude was kind of a full stop genius, and not only was he an engineer, he also was a groundbreaking dna scientist and a medical doctor. we got close, like, really close, but he was tragically straight. like, really straight. world's most heterosexualest man. i tried to take it gracefully, not pushing things, altho we had a few incidents that i can only really describe by saying, "eh it was college." 🥴

so, he's straight.

fast forward a bit and basically we both have crazy successful careers and he wins a nobel peace prize and is recognized for his genius and we both get super rich and mad famous. we're living fabulously, right? regular meetups, long letters, gifts in the mail, the whole nine.

he calls me up one day and is like, "hey, come visit, i have a daughter."

im like "YO" and i get my ass on a plane, and i meet my best friend's beautiful bouncing baby girl. my foot in mouth self asks about the kid's mom, and he seems really sad, and gives an evasive, nonspecific answer. i let it lie and kind of assume that the kid's mom died horribly, that it's too painful to speak of. in my line of work, tragic shit like that happened to people all the time. so i started visiting way more often, especially when the baby started crawling. now here's where it gets. confusing.

the kid popped out quirkless, which is really rare. it's a recessive trait, and something something the environment, it's like ridiculously rare for a quirkless kid to be born, ESPECIALLY if even one parent has a quirk. i talk to the kid about her lack of quirk status as she grows, she's chilling, has great resources and good self esteem. sometimes she asks about her mom, says she doesn't know her mom's quirk. i can only tell this kid that i never met her mom, never saw a picture of her, david has a wedding ring on but i never heard of no wedding. again, not the most uncommon, but it gets to be weird that there's no pictures. when i accidentally asked again, best friend shows me a bunch of childhood pictures of the kid, no mom, no wedding. best friend's parents are pictured, grandparenting this kid's situation up, but there's no inlaws or extended family of the mom. and this kid is bright, she asks some serious questions. so chat here's the real kicker.

the kid kinda looks like me.

like, not a ton, i guess, but she's got my hair color and kinda has my eyes. but it's subtle, and i assume im a conspiracy theorist for years. like, how and why, right?

so, fast forward again, im functioning as this kid's uncle, hauling a ton of gifts out for her every time i saw her for birthdays or holidays, and she gets old enough to start making jokes and Suspicious Comments. im like lollerskates wut. wut do u mean. but she never clarifies, she just keeps up the running gag that like, her dad is closeted crushing on me, and that she's potentially a test tube baby cloned from my dna. which would explain the quirkless thing btw. but i assume it's not serious like that, you know how being fifteen can feel, sometimes it really seems one way and then it's another. i don't take the jokes seriously, and i kinda don't wanna Start Something or Be Really Weird. i tell the kid she can think of me as a parent and that i think of her as my own, with quite a bit of guilt because despite not having parents i was with it enough to know that being in another country the majority of the time is kind of a poor way to show up for a kid you're claiming as yours. but if she wants me and feels the connection im definitely not about to just rip that away from her either!!! who am i to say who's parent i am or am not? that's a matter of the heart. anyways i tried my best to be available and present and a good role model. but chat. chat if she was thinking it too then what the fuck does that mean.

chat AITA for having a situationship that situationed so hard a kid was birthed. should i have asked for a paternity test like IM LAUGHING MY ASS OFF but also wtfffffff. im sure there's a timeline where im just being insanely self centered and making things about myself that had nothing to do with me. BUT ALSO WTF THE FUCK. did i asexually spawn a kid by sheer force of fanboy? is it weird this isn't the only time this happens in mha canon??? does bruno mars is gay???????

#✴️💙🦸‍♂️

[merrrrrrrrry]

hiiii ✨🫶🏻

being away from family is the worst 😭😔 do you not get to see them often throughout the semester? i assume since you live closer to school during the semester that it’s far enough away from home that it’s not easy to travel back and forth 😔 i hope the semester passes quickly so you’re able to be with your family again 💗🫶🏻

listen i have no idea. idk if the cookie scoop was just cheaply made or if it like the thing got stuck? on a chocolate chip and that’s what broke it but it was sad 💔 (i have no idea if u know what kind of cookie scoop i’m talking about but if you don’t i will send you a picture as soon as i can)

i love that for you djshs there’s a few shows etc i read fic of on ao3 that i either haven’t ever watched but saw a lot of on tumblr or only watched a season of before stopping. it’s always fun when there’s one of those like super common things that a lot of people put in their fics and then you actually watch the show/movie and it’s not canon at all dkshsjs

ahhh yes!!!!! im glad your christmas lunch etc went well!! im not sure if you told me before (sorry if you have) but what kind of cake did you make?

this will likely be my last ask before reveal day (im screaming inside im so excited) so i just wanted to wish you a very happy new year and an excellent start to your semester 💗�� it has been such an enjoyable month getting to know you through these asks and i hope we stay in contact afterwards ✨🫶🏻 manifesting your whole year is everything you want and deserve 💗💗💗🫶🏻🫶🏻✨✨✨🥹

-✨holiday pal✨

Helllllo

Yeah i live on campus. There are 'girls' and 'boys' hostel on campus. It's a pretty big campus actually. I'll tell you the name personally when I get to know you. And yeah, it's in a different state from my home so it's difficult to travel back and forth

I will be looking forward to examining the deceased cookie scoop 🫡

Akdnjakaan yeah, Yuri on ice isn't the only one either. I read sterek fics from time to time and I have zero intentions of ever watching that show wkshsjksak. Actually with watching Yuri on ice, the exact opposite happened to me. I absolutely was expecting that a lot of stuff that I read wouldn't be canon because to me it felt like they were just too perfectly crafted. I thought the show would just be like 'okay so queerbait' qksnakaka. But i was pleasantly surprised. I won't spoil it for you if you ever plan to watch it but it's fun. And yeah, they're not very explicit but i didn't expect them to and it's actually pretty sweet

I hadn't told you before and please don't say sorry even if you do ask me multiple times. I made a semolina cake for the first time. Also i made my first egg cake. I usually make eggless because then my parents can have it without needing to think about 'oh today's Saturday, can't have non-veg'. I made it chocolate flavoured and someone gifted us dried cranberries for diwali so i just did a simple syrup thing, added the chopped up cranberries to that and covered the cake with it.

I wanna get to know you so bad!!!! I'm so excited 💕💕💕

Thank you for making this month so special for me and being the best

May this year bring you joy and contentment and bliss. Have the bestest day💕💕

[dracwife]

oooh oooooooohhh u wanna write 5 or 6 for ncis man so bad ooooooh (this ask was sponsored by mcgee) (ALSO ZERO PRESSURE ILY /P)

i do i really do i so do 😔 (ILY2!!!! ty for the ask im kissing u on the mouth nohomo)

5. by the fireplace. & 6. a kiss at midnight.

"This would all go much faster if you helped, you know."

"Papercuts are not my friend. Besides, last time I tried you banned me from doing anything except holding the tape, remember?"

Mickey sits legs crossed on the ground, Tim laying next to him propped up on one hand, the other scratching just behind Dina's ear, who took her spot cuddled next to him on the den's floor.

And while Tim was distracting their dog, Mickey was wrapping gifts. His phone buzzed a few feet away.

"Check that for me?" Mickey leaned down; He didn't particularly care for the holidays, but wrapping was one of the few areas he took great pride in participating in; Every gift was wrapped with precision, every crease narrow and every corner perfect. It was that inner scientist that made him, he thinks.

"It's Abby," Tim's voice was low, on account of him doing his best to not wake the oversized puppy next to him, "She says she'll be over an hour early the day of to help finish setting up."

"Perfect. Tell her she's a lifesaver."

"...Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, it's a lot to put on a dinner for so many people. It could be just us, if you want, and --"

"Timmy, is that jealously I hear?"

"No -- No! Not...It's just, I know you don't care much for Christmas anyways," his voice trails off, he can feel his face burning with embarrassment, and he suddenly becomes very interested in the dark spots of fur on Dina's ears.

"You sure you don't want me all to yourself on Christmas morning?"

"I do, I just," Tim pauses, stutters, he realizes how what he's just said sounds, and swears if the light from that electric fireplace heater in Mickey's living room hadn't already casted a reddish glow across the room he fears what his boyfriend might have thought -- at the same time, he can hear Mickey's voice now, 'You're too cute when you blush,' in an all too familiar tone, considering the amount of times he's heard just that phrase alone before...

"Christmas is supposed to be spent with your family. And the team is my family."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound like that."

"I know," Mickey slides the now wrapped gift towards the growing pile under the tree they've set up a few feet away. Something about it makes his heart beat a little faster, and a smile to grow across his face. He never had a Christmas like this to look forward to, one with the people he cared about, with the person he loved the most. He couldn't help but get excited, to go all out despite his many admittances in the previous years that he hated nothing more than the whole winter festivity season, "But it's our first Christmas together. Like, together together."

"I hope it's everything you want it to be."

Mickey looks over. He looks over at the way Tim's laid so comfortably next to him, even on the hardwood floor. The way he's so distracted by Dina, who's awake now and trying so desperately to catch Tim's hand as he ruffles her fur and grins. The way he still wears that blush that Mickey knows had his shoulders and chest as red as that poinsettia on the coffee table, and chuckles. Everything seemed to fall in place this year for him, for once he felt as if everything would be okay. Like it was worth the effort.

He moves a little closer, leans down and kisses Tim; He smiles into it for a second and breaks away only after he finds the words to say.

"I know it will be."

[this-is-my-procrastination]

confessing on valentine’s day to leviathan, lucifer, and simeon

a/n: more last-minute valentine’s hcs for any simps out there (shh bc im one of you lol)

Leviathan:

He pretends he’s not curious about what you do for valentine’s day by claiming he has lots of valentine’s day game events to participate in

But when you ask if he’ll be busy on the day of, he immediately yelps out “uh- nope, nothing at all! w-why, did you wanna do something together??”

Levi isn’t actually expecting you to say yes

Poor bby had already resigned himself to another year of binging anime and being forever alone

He’s so hype now, and he’s already blushing as he imagines all the romantic tropes that could happen with you (making a stuffed bear together? exchanging heartfelt gifts?? a kiss at the end of the day??? levi can no longer compute)

Whether you two end up watching a movie together or just spend the day playing valentine’s themed games, the only thoughts running through Levi’s mind are on how to make a move

Should he put his arm over you now or after this scene ends? Is he supposed to say something right now? Gah, what if you think he’s a no-good, deadbeat, awkward, internet-obsessed loser after this?!

But all of his worries are yeeted away when you casually lean your head against his shoulder

His face explodes in red and he’s not sure what to say, but as you begin talking about how you really love hanging out and being with him, he feels like he’s about to pass out

“N-no way... you’re serious right now? I mean, I like you too, of course! S-so that means you have to spend even more of your time with me from now on, ok?”

He’s a blushing mess as he says that, but his heart nearly explodes out of his chest when you enthusiastically nod and smile

The next day, he gloats to his brothers and makes sure to set your next plans in stone as soon as possible

“Yesss! Best valentine’s day reward ever!!”

Lucifer:

Also tries to act unconcerned over you and this human holiday

Except he secretly enjoys watching you have fun, so he gets you any chocolate-making supplies you need even if he scoffs at first

Fully expects himself to be the first to receive chocolate

But as he watches, one by one, all of his brothers receive chocolates from you before him, he’s less than pleased

He becomes grumpier as the day goes on, especially after Mammon rubs it in his face (”Woo, look what they got for me! As expected for The Great Mammon! Don’t feel too bad that they didn’t give anthing to you hehe”)

Lucifer just hovers in your vicinity the whole day, making it pretty obvious that he’s almost desperately waiting for something from you

Is about ready to give up and decide human traditions really don’t mean anything when you shyly pull him aside

You hand him the special chocolates with a poison apple filling that you’d made for him, and he almost wants to laugh at how ridiculous he feels now

“You have some nerve to make me wait. Now, how will you make it up to me?”

Even more stupefied when you respond with a love confession

A blush dusting your cheeks, eyes demurely glancing away from his then back, the nervous smile playing on your lips... Lucifer’s heart is taken right then and there

He lets out a chuckle and teases you for your shy moment, but he’s the one who takes a tentative step forward

Tentativeness quickly turns to confidence, though, as he gives you a chaste kiss on your forehead

“Well, well, I can’t say I’m displeased to hear that from you. It should go without saying that I return your feelings, so you had better never make me wait like that again... unless you want to receive the punishment.”

Simeon:

Unlike the other two, Simeon is openly interested in what Valentine’s Day has to offer

Asks you a lot of inquisitive questions about the holiday in the days prior

You wonder why he doesn’t just ask Solomon, but then again Solomon probably treats it more as an opportunity for messing with people than a day of love

He learns about the gifting tradition and also how love confessions are often told on the day of

So Simeon sees it as a perfect opportunity for him to pamper you a little

He already makes a cake specially for you, so when you present him with chocolates before he can give it to you, he’s pleasantly surprised

Athough, considering your not-angel-level cooking skills, the chocolates might not have turned out the best

“These look.. a little misshapen. Oh, I know! Why don’t I help you make some tomorrow? I always love spending time with you, sweetheart~”

You accept bashfully, but you still need to confess to him!

Especially after he hands you the cake with a sweet smile, you force yourself to speak up

“Princess, I... Ahh, that’s so sweet of you! Thank you, I’m touched.”

You feel heartbroken because it’s like he brushed off your feelings, but when you tell him that he just looks at you confused

“Oh? I’m surprised you didn’t already know how I feel about you... Of course I return your feelings!”

[cherryblossomstars]

II. Navy (W. Ushijima)

Taken from my AO3 series of one-shots & reposted here

Pairing: Ushijima x F!Reader

Word count: 1,446

Genre: Fluff, birthday fic

Summary: Aoba Johsai's volleyball team has never been able to defeat the Great Ushiwaka of Shiratorizawa. Their manager, however? She can bring him to his knees in mere seconds.

Or, Ushijima Wakatoshi is helplessly in love with Seijoh's Ace's twin sister, and the Aoba Johsai VBC is not appreciative of it.

Previous | Next

It's no secret that Ushijima Wakatoshi is a baby when it comes to matters of love or any emotion that comes with showing affection. His movements on the court are lithe, careful, and precise. Mistakes rarely happen when he's playing his beloved sport, and errors will almost certainly never happen if he's at his peak concentration- then he's at a completely different and untouchable level. He has a degree of grace and beauty on the court that a professional figure skater would be jealous of (not to mention his incredible stamina).

And yet, when it comes to you, he may as well be an infant struggling to walk. It's messy, he's not sure what he's doing, and sometimes he gets hurt trying to figure it out. He knows you, that much he's sure about. You've both known each other for years now. So why, why is it so hard to figure out something to do for you on your birthday?

Around the holidays and on his birthday, he would always tell you not to get him something. He's not a big fan of presents. If he needed something, he'd simply ask his family and then in 1-2 business days, bam. The item in question would be at his front door. And yet, every time, you've still found a way to give him something meaningful.

In the three years he's known you, you've given him a scrapbook, a jar of reasons you love him, and, his most favorite gift of all, a volleyball with everyone's signatures on it. Not just his team's, but other teams as well. People from the Fukurodani, Johzenji, Nekoma, Itachiyama, hell, even Karasuno and Aoba Johsai. You'd somehow managed to coerce Oikawa into signing it. When he'd asked about Oikawa, you'd simply shrug and say "he owed me one". He decided not to press any further. While some people opted to simply write their name on the ball, others wrote little messages too. Iwaizumi Hajime had written a simple happy birthday, while Tendou had to be stopped by you from practically taking up the entire damn ball, a story told to him by his teammates later on. He even cracked a small chuckle imagining your small figure trying to restrain Tendou Satori of all people. He also learned that Oikawa likes to sign his name with a star next to his signature. Ushijima thought it was tacky, but it fit his personality well. Every year you didn't have a physical present for him, you'd take him out on a date or give him one of your homemade bentos.

He was not a fan of presents, but he's certainly grown to look forward to receiving yours.

Yet, every year, he struggles to figure out what to get you. In the past years, he'd given you something simple, but nice or something you just happened to need at the time. One year it was a phone, since Oikawa had accidentally broken yours that year. Ushijima had to visit Oikawa himself and convince him not to buy you a new phone, since Ushijima would be the one handling it. After some debate, Oikawa finally gave in. Another year he'd gotten you a simple silver band, one that you keep on your index finger. He rarely sees you go out without it on, something he's found very pleasing. It brings a sense of satisfaction to his mind when he sees it on you.

Perhaps it was the weather, he rationalized, that was getting in the way of his ideas. Or maybe it was the fact that he had another practice match coming up soon, so he was also coming up with game plans in the back of his mind. He needed to focus. Ushijima was normally ahead of things when it came to plans with you, but he's been so busy with volleyball these past few weeks that he hasn't been able to buy you your gift yet. And now it was six in the evening on a Friday, and he still wasn't sure what to get you for your birthday tomorrow.

He grumbled under his breath, he'd just have to swallow his pride and ask for help. He took out his phone and called the first person he could think of- Tendou. You two were good friends, after all.

"Helloooo? What's up Wakatoshi?" Tendou sang.

"[Name]." He said.

"You're gonna have to give me more context than that." His friend pointed out.

"We're celebrating her birthday tomorrow and I'm unsure of what to get her."

"Something sweet. She's got a pretty awful sweet tooth after all."

"I want something she can keep. Something that will last."

"Oh wow. What a doting boyfriend. Hmm... Well I don't think she needs anything right now... Oh! Why don't you just give that ace from Seijoh a call?"

"...I do not have his number."

"I'll text it to you. Later." And with that, the line went dead.

Damn. He had to ignore his pride just to call Tendou, but Iwaizumi? That was a different level. He'd do it, though, because it's for you.

Ding!

Tendou: It's +81-XXX-XXXX-XXX

Tendou: good luck~ (*´ I `)ﾉﾟ(ﾉД｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡

Ushijima: Thank you.

Should he call or text? Maybe texting would be the better option. You never answered any unknown numbers, who's to say your twin wasn't the same way? He gave your brother a contact before sending a text.

Ushijima: Hello, Iwaizumi. It's Ushijima. Do you have any good gift ideas for [Name]?

Iwaizumi: dude how'd you get my number?

Ushijima: Tendou had it.

Iwaizumi: cool. follow up question: why does he have it?

Iwaizumi: nevermind. not sure I wanna know.

Ushijima couldn't help but think about how you and your brother text the same way.

Iwaizumi: dunno. she likes meaningful gifts i guess. maybe an album? or a scr:"//ad39E

He furrowed his brows in confusion. A what?

Iwaizumi: sorry. oikawa made a grab for my phone. i was gonna say maybe a scrapbook.

Ushijima: I don't know how to make those.

Iwaizumi: painting?

Ushijima: I am bad at art. What are other people getting her?

Iwaizumi: im getting her a new video game for her switch. oikawa's getting her concert tickets to that band she likes so much. yahaba and kyoutani pooled their money together and got her a bunch of new clothes. kunimi's giving her $20. the rest of team pooled their money together and got her a new tablet. i know the players from fukurodani, karasuno, johzenji, nekoma, itachiyama, and inarizaki got her stuff but i dont know what.

Iwaizumi: wait actually those twins from inarizaki got her a stuffed animal and a box of cookies from a bakery she likes

Yahaba and Kyoutani got her clothes... A lightbulb lights up in his mind.

Ushijima: Thank you. I know what to give her.

Iwaizumi: yea no problem

Ushijima went to the shopping district for no reason, then. He went back to his dorm, stepping inside and immediately opening his closet.

"Figured something out?" Tendou greeted from his bunk.

"Yes." He responded, taking one of his sweaters off from a hanger and holding it out in front of him.

Tendou raises his eyebrows in shock, "she's gonna be swimming in that."

"Yes, but she likes to take my volleyball jacket all the time. She says it smells like me, so I may as well give her this one since she can't keep the volleyball jacket." Ushijima holds in front of him a large maroon sweater with the word Shiratorizawa printed in white on it. It was bought to fit him and all his 189 centimeter glory.

"She'll love it."

"Why are you giving this back to me? I gave it to you." Ushijima tilts his head slightly.

You stood in front of him holding out the sweater he had given you for your birthday a few weeks ago, neatly folded in your hands. You felt your face grow hot in embarrassment. "It... Doesn't smell like you anymore. There's no point if it doesn't feel like I'm close to you."

He's quiet for a moment before taking the sweater from your hands. "So you are returning it?"

You can't look at him in the eye, "for now. I want it back, of course. Just... wash it or something with whatever laundry soap you use and give it back so it smells like you."

He smiles softly at you and presses a light kiss to your forehead. He doesn't look like someone who could be soft. His sheer strength on the court and his powerful spikes on the court can attest to that, but he can't help it when it came to you.

"I love you."

Fin.

[hopelikethemoon]

Reunion Part 2 (Javier x Reader) {MTMF}

Title: Reunion (Part 2) Rating: PG-13 Length: 1400 Warnings: None Notes: You can find everything about Maybe Today, Maybe Forever here. Set December 24th 1998. Part 2 of yesterday’s update. And a shorty, because I was working on my room all day. Unbeta’d because we ride like warriors.  Summary: Mitch and co. enjoy dinner with Reader and her family

@grapemama @seawhisperer @huliabitch @pedropascalito @rogrsnbarnes@thewallpapergoesorido @twomoonstwosuns @gooddaykate @livasaurasrex @ham4arrow@plexflexico @readsalot73 @hdlynn @lokiaddicted @randomness501 @fioccodineveautunnale  @roxypeanut @snivellusim @lukesrighthand @historynerd04 @mrsparknuts@synystersilenceinblacknwhite @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead @exrebelshocktrooper@awesomefandomsunited @ah-callie @swhiskeys @lady-tano @u-wakatoshii @space-floozy @cable-kenobi @cool-ultra-nerd @himbopoes @findhimfives @pedrosdoll @frietiemeloen@arrowswithwifi @random066 @uncomicalhumour @heather-lynn @domino-oh-damn @cyarikaaa @ahopelessromanticwritersworld @im-still-a-pieceofgarbage @ksgeekgirl​  @yabby-girl​ @xqueenofthecraziesx @punkass-potato @coredrive​ @pascalesque​@theduchessofkirkcaldy @queenquazar @sabinemorans​ @buckstaposition​ @holkaskrosnou​@yespolkadotkitty​ @fleetwoodmactshirt​ @seeking-a-great–perhaps @kochamcie​ @jaime1110​

The afternoon had gone smoothly. Catching up with Mitch had proven easier than you had expected it to go. He was an easy going guy, but you had still been nervous about revisiting those parts of your past. 

You and Connie helped Chucho with dinner, which proved to be a bit of a smorgasbord of different side dishes and choices. Proof of the blended nature of your families. 

“What is it that you do, Monica?” Darla questioned as she primly forked up a bite of the brussel sprouts that Connie had brought. 

“Well, I’m a student right now.” Monica answered, wiping at her mouth. “I graduate in May.”

“Oh, that’s right.” She nodded. “Have you decided what you plan on pursuing after graduation?”

“I’m considering law school.”

“She’s incredibly smart,” You boasted. “She’s got the drive, passion, and intellect to really go places.”

Javier was quick to add on after you, “She’s top of the class. She puts a hundred and twenty into every project.”

Monica rubbed at her cheeks, “Guys, come on. You’re going to make me turn into a puddle.”

Nadia nudged her, “She’s brilliant and humble. A winning combination.”

“And what are you studying?” Mitch questioned. 

“Already graduated.” Nadia explained, “I’m working at NASA. My internship transitioned into a full time job.”

“NASA?” Mitch pursed his lips approvingly. “That’s pretty impressive.”

“I’m gonna go to space!” Josie announced, shoving a piece of bread into her mouth. 

“Please don’t choke.” You chastised her gently, “I thought you were going to wrangle dinosaurs.”

“In space.” She said as she chewed.

“Mouth closed.” Javier tapped her arm to get her attention before giving her a stern look. “Manners.”

She stuck her tongue out.

Mitch laughed, “Someone’s a spitfire.”

“We have our hands full,” You shook your head, taking a swig of your beer. “And someone is going to go to bed without dessert.” You warned Josie.

“So, Tate,” Javier cleared his throat and took a swig of beer. “Still in college or thrust into the job field?”

“Fortunately, I’m done with college.” Tate offered. “I recently got hired at a big architectural firm in the city. Mostly working as a consultant on a few rehabs downtown.”

Javier nodded with interest, “I had a friend in college who went on to become a pretty successful architect. Designed a bunch of the Holiday Inns in Texas.”

“That’s a sweet gig if you can land it,” Tate agreed. “Architecture sort of fell into my lap.”

Darla coughed politely, “Tate had initially attended Syracuse.”

“That’s a big party school, isn’t it?” Nadia questioned and the face Tate made in response was answer enough. 

“We got him transferred back home sophomore year. Temple.” Darla shrugged. “The head of the architecture program’s wife is a dear friend of mine. We serve on the DAR board together. She put in a good word for Tate.”

“Fortunately,” Tate shifted in his seat nervously. “I enjoy it. I always loved building tracks and Lego models.” He shrugged. “So, uh… what do you both teach?”

“I’m not teaching yet,” You answered, as you watched Mitch converse with Chucho to his left. “But it’ll be an elective in the criminology course at UM.”

“They’ve got me teaching a handful of courses,” Javier explained. “The thing people fail to recognize is just how much government overreach and bureaucratic bull you have to put up with if you wanna go into a field like the DEA.”

Steve leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “It’s not for the faint of heart. I just got out myself. Starting up my own consulting business.” He shrugged. “The government doesn’t care about the people affected by the narcos. Just look at what the US did to Mexico.”

You watched Javier then, searching his expression for any signs of discomfort. You knew he despised bringing up Colombia — but these last few months had made it impossible. 

“Is Santa in Mexico?” Josie questioned.

Chucho clicked his tongue against his teeth, “I bet he is. You gonna be good the rest of the night so I don’t have to tell him to fly by?”

“I’m a good girl.”

“I know you are.” Chucho winked at her. “But you’ve gotta be good right up until the moment he shows up… and then for a whole year after he’s gone!”

“Is Sofía going to be on the good list?” She looked at her sister then. “Sissy cries a lot.”

Javier leaned over and kissed the top of her head, “I have it on good authority that both of you are on the good list. Right alongside Emily and Olivia.”

Monica dropped her voice, “I heard that even Nadia was on the good list.”

“Speaking of the good list,” Nadia gave Monica a look, “My momma’s going to be expecting us soon.”

“Oh? Are you still going?”

“Yeah,” Nadia shrugged. “She’s still a little iffy with the whole girlfriend thing, but I think she’s coming around.”

“I’m glad. Still coming over tomorrow afternoon?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Monica beamed, clearing off their dishes. “Mitch, Darla, Tate — I’ll see you tomorrow. It was a pleasure to meet you.” She looked to Chucho then. “Still need a ride to the hotel?”

“Stephen here offered to give me a ride.”

“Drive safe and have fun.” You called out as they got ready to leave. “See you in the morning.”

“You two have been awfully chatty down there,” Javier pointed out as he gestured between Chucho and Mitch. “Should I be afraid?”

You chuckled, “I wasn’t going to say anything, but… What horror stories are you telling?”

Mitch gave a good natured laugh, “We’re just commiserating on how good it is to see you both happy.”

You smiled warmly, “It’s hard to believe we’ve spent seven Christmases together.”

“More if you count the years prior,” Steve pointed out. 

“Yeah, but you were always trying to pair me off with someone.” You made a face. “Mitch, can you believe these two tried to pair me off with doctors.”

Mitch laughed, “She hated the hospital.”

“I got chickenpox.” You grimaced. “No sixteen year old should have the chickenpox.”

“Well, how was I supposed to know you were in love with Javier?”

You shrugged, “It all worked out in the end.” You reached around Josie to rest your hand on Javier’s shoulder. “Can you get dessert ready, while I get Sofía down?”

“Of course, baby.” Javier nodded, scooting his chair back. 

“I’ll help,” Mitch offered. 

“He’s not bad around the kitchen.” Darla assured you. 

You scooted your chair back and grabbed Sofía out of her high chair, hauling her back to the nursery. 

Sofía was quick to fall asleep, clearly worn out after an afternoon of entertaining everyone. Josie would be quick behind her — you doubted she’d make it past dessert. 

And the sooner they both went to sleep, the sooner you and Javier could put out the gifts from Santa; and drink down the milk and eat the cookies she would leave out for him too. 

Christmas was fun as a parent. 

 ——

 “The bells have been put on Josie’s door, we’ll know if she tries to escape.” Javier told you as he quietly shut the bedroom door behind him and moved to join you in bed.

You rolled over to face him, reaching out to run your hand down his arm. “Do you think she’ll like the bike?”

“She’s been dying for one.” Javier smiled, “Santa did good.” He shifted closer to you, until his lips were mere inches from yours. “What did you get me for Christmas?”

You brushed your nose against his, “You’ll have to be a good boy and wait until the morning,” You teased as you traced your fingers over his cheek. 

“I don’t know if I’ve been good.” He retorted with a smirk as he curled his hand around your hip. 

You cupped his cheek and kissed him. “You were great today. It went so well.”

“That was all you, baby.”

“It was everyone.” You kissed him softly again. “What did you think of Mitch?”

“He’s a hell of a guy. Down to earth despite…” He made a face. “Darla’s loaded, isn’t she?”

You nodded. “Yeah. I mean, our dad was middle class. But Darla is a whole different league.”

“Did you enjoy today!”

“It was so weird to see them again,” You chewed on your bottom lip. “I think I’m going to keep in contact with them.”

“They seem like good people.”

“And I want the girls to know their aunt and uncle. Aside from Steve and Connie. I want them to have a family… a big happy family.”

“I could get used to spending Christmas like this. A full house… a full belly.”

You poked him in the gut, “That's all your pops. He cooks the best holiday dinners.”

“Yeah, he was always good about making the holidays special. You know, we always had these big extended family get togethers around the holidays.” He shrugged. 

“They’re overwhelming, but they’re fun.” You stretched your legs, reaching one over to slot in between his. “Thank you.”

“What for?”

“Being mine.”

Javier missed your forehead. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

You smiled to yourself, remembering the first time he said that to you. 

That photo album had long been filled with photos of the two of you and the family you’d made together. 

[kumoriyami-xiuzhen]

Hakuoki SSL Valentine’s Day Special

*sigh* I finished psychedelica of the black butterfly recently.... and geez I thought it was more tragic than ashen hawk (I really liked hikage’s and kagiha’s routes.... though i feel that by playing ashen hawk beforehand i knew that something was off at the start from the intro, and with kagiha given what happens). i’m probably going to translate the 2015 otomate party drama for it in the future since I have it in Chinese (provided no one else is planning on doing so)... unfortunately it’s like the Hakuoki drama that i just finished in that I don’t have text and will involve snipping the subtitles off a video....one day though.

Anyway. This translation is from the Dengeki Girl’s Style Magazine in the 2014 March issue. Felt stupidly long to do.

Translator notes will be located at the end for this.

also, i just wanna say it feels like Section 31 was involved in the Mars incident in Star Trek: Picard. 

enjoy~

Hakuoki SSL Dengegki GS Valentine’s Day Special March 2014

Translation from KumoriYami

Principal Kondou Isami: Speaking of February, Valentine's Day comes to mind/you'll immediately think of Valentine's Day!! This has nothing to do with being a warrior?......Everyone doesn't have to be so brave? This month, we interviewed 10 very popular men from our school about Valentine's day. People who want to receive chocolate from girls must read this carefully!

Questions

What type of chocolate would you like to receive, if you received chocolate on Valentine's Day?

What are you going to do on White Day?

Recently there have been many names of the types of chocolate that people have been giving to others, for example, friends chocolate, giri chocolate, boys/men to girl/women chocolates, and so on, what do you think of this trend?

Vice-principal/ Classical Literature teacher / 2nd Year Class 1 Homeroom teacher/ Disciplinary Committee Supervisor Hijikata Toshizou

If someone wants to give me chocolate, ordinary chocolate is fine. But, nothing too sweet.

......Is this really necessary? Since it's a return gift for chocolate, then getting the other person something to eat is fine.

I feel that these people are following a trend. If you really want to have it made, getting honmei chocolate is enough.

2nd Year Class 1/ Kendo Club Okita Souji

Bite-sized milk chocolate is good. It has the right sweetness that I like.

Ah~ White Day. Are you looking forward to this holiday/celebration/ festival?

Isn't it nice to receive/good enough to get a bunch of chocolates? Though that has nothing to do with me.

2nd Year Class 2/ Kendo Club/ Disciplinary Committee Saito Hajime

Since this is considered an important matter for someone to give...... regardless if it is bitter or sweet it must be received.

 It's best to go with hand-made chocolate. Starting with the ingredients..... No, first learn how to practise making it. 

Although this deviates from the original purpose, as it can disrupt discipline. If needing to send something, one is enough.

2nd Year Class 1/ Kendo Club Toudou Heisuke

Well...... I'd like to get biscuits and chocolates or something.

If it's for a normal return gift, I might give candy also gummies [says soft candy] or something.

Eh......How many types are there? But, it doesn't matter as long as you get to eat chocolate.

Health and physical education teacher/ Year 1 Class 1 Homeroom teacher Harada Sanosuke

If it's a gift from the heart, a hand-made cake made for dessert would be nice.

That...... perhaps I might give her a special lecture. [pfft.....LOLLLLLLL]

 Although there are many ways to express one's feelings...... it is best to cherish your relationships.

Year 3 Class 3/ Student Council President Kazama Chikage

Of course hand-made chocolate is proof of my wife's vow of love for me.

I intend to prepare gold powdered candies for my wife to eat for a lifetime.

This trend is wrong. Anything used to convey one's feelings should be returned in the same way [???]. 

School doctor/ accountant [when was Sanan an accountant?] Sanan Keisuke

Although I won't eat it, chocolate mixed with a red liquid should be pretty good.

Due to the meaning/significance of that day, I'd like to give the other person something memorable/unforgettable as a gift. 

Expressing love isn't limited to only one method, [though] doing that really isn't bad.

Math teacher/ 2nd Year Class 2 Homeroom teacher Nagakura Shinpachi

As long I can receive something, it doesn't matter! Just bring it!

Yes, after receiving a gift one must give something in return...... Excuse me/sorry, is it alright/possible to give something a bit smaller?

It's just a trend...... I don't want to cater to this trend at all.

1st Year Class 2/ Disciplinary Committee Nagumo Kaoru

Chocolate? To be honest, I don't care for Valentine's Day.

If it's necessary to send a return gift...... how is that possible!

Che, this trend is indeed sad. If you want some you aren't allowed to go buying it.

2nd Year Class 2/ Health Committee Yamazaki Susumu

If I receive chocolate, I hope to receive the type that is easy is convenient and easy to carry anywhere to replenish energy. 

Something healthy/Something good for your health. If possible it would be best to give the receiving party food with low amounts of calories.

I always think that there is something wrong when trends deviate from their original intentions....... In short, remember to brush your teeth after you finish eating.

Principal Kondou Isami: How about it? Can this be used as a good reference? I'm very curious about how much chocolate everyone will receive!

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

TN since I’m not really familiar with Japanese chocolate names (probably cuz the manga I read isn’t really school life oriented): 

friend chocolate translation says "友人巧克力" literally "friend chocolate". so that might mean tomo chocolate

Giri chocolate is chocolate given by women/girls to men/boys who are usually just friends. kinda in the 'thanks for taking care of me' sense

the boys/men to girls/women chocolate might refer to gyaku chocolate

honmei chocolate is chocolate given from women to their significant other usually

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

i had to go and look up way more info on Japanese chocolate terms than I’d like for this translation.... also i find harada’s response to Q2 very interesting :3 lol.

pic at the start is from the 10th anniversary book. be content and suffer like i have from beating black butterfly as i refrain from posting the rest of that image! also im taking out my anger from doing that stupid defeating 1000 enemies quest in fire emblem heroes by grinding rival domains on you all! so suffer! suffer as i have! mwhahahahahaaaa!

lol.

i’d say jk but im really not posting that image til way later since still have yet to crop everything from that page (im procrastinating plus my queue is full for images til the end of march xD) plus i tend to want to post my scans as grouped by original release origin, the pages they’re scanned from (only reason y that ssl pic was with the others in the last batch), or by book (or by whatever i feel like lol). will still be posting more scans later today.... and with my other translations for the foreseeable future til i run out of images that i have saved on my comp.... Also I’m really annoyed right now since my scanner isnt connecting to my laptop for some stupid reason.

[lunawritesaa]

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! I got a drawing tablet and some clothes :D from my family since they still celebrate christmas!! Now brain go brr and thinking of Raymond and what we would get each other dang i love raymond -Ray anon

AWWWW YAY IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! that sounds really nice!! i know drawing tablets are SUPER nice for artists who wanna do digital art so !! i look forward to seeing what you make, if you’d like to share! regardless i know it’ll be good :)

raymond would be hands down one of the best people at buying gifts. he goes all out, getting you as much stuff as he possibly can bc you deserve it!! seeing the look on your face when you open all of the presents he got for you makes it all worth it!

[rossmccallsqueen]

Smile (Joe Mazzello Imagine)

Pairing: Joe Mazzello x Reader

Summary: You, Joe, and the gang have a weekend away with a few surprises in store.

Word count: 1.4K

Warnings: None! JUST LOTS OF FLUFF

A/N: This is dedicated to @sohoneyspreadyourwings ! HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MY GIRL! You are one of the most special people I know, thank you for being in my life. I hope you enjoy this! Love you!

Also it goes with this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klNkjnJtFig just for reference!

--------

A cozy winter weekend, that's what you were looking forward to the most. As someone from Southern California, you never thought you’d find yourself saying that but here you were. Your boyfriend Joe suggested a weekend away with your friends in a cabin in the mountains, and it sounded perfect.  All of you were stressed thanks to work recently, and a weekend away was just what you guys needed.

Your hand was intertwined with Joe’s the whole time, which already made things feel a lot better. There wasn’t much talking though, as you were looking out the window at the mountains. You hadn’t seen snow since you were little when your family used to get a cabin for the holidays. This trip already made you smile, it reminded you of your family.

Every so often you would look over and see Joe looking at you with a smile. You’d catch him out of the corner of your eye too, and you would have to remind him to look at the road again, but his focus seemed to be on you.

I just want to make you smile

I just want to make it last

I'll go the extra mile

Just so I can make you laugh

“Something wrong babe?” You asked when you caught him smiling at you for the millionth time.

“Yeah, you’re just beautiful is all.” He squeezed your hand in response.

“That's all huh?” You asked and he nodded and making a kissy face at you since he couldn’t kiss you while driving.

Ben and Gwil were cuddled up in the backseat, and Rami and Lucy were in the car behind you. When you looked back, the two of them were asleep on each other, and you wished you had your phone out to take a picture. You thought it could be their Christmas card.

“Could you guys keep it down? We’re trying to sleep back here.” You heard Ben mumble.

“We’ll do our best loverboy.” You told him, and you saw him cuddle into Gwil in the rearview mirror. Those two were definitely something else for sure.

“Almost there babe, don’t worry,” Joe told you, and soon you were pulling up to the cabin. It was absolutely beautiful. It was one of those picturesque places like you’d pulled the scene in front of you right out of a movie.

You and Lucy tried to help the guys take the luggage inside, but they wouldn’t let you. So you just went inside and got comfortable. You watched as Joe carried the giant pile of board games he insisted on bringing with you inside. He was determined to make sure you all had a good weekend away, and apparently, board games were the solution to that. He always knew how to make you smile.

“Whats that look?” Lucy asked you when she sat down, she caught you staring at Joe.

“I just love him so much ya know? He's right over there and I miss him! How sad is that?” You laughed a little.

“It’s not sad Y/N, its cute.” You knew she was your best friend for a reason, she always knew what to say.

Once all the luggage was brought inside (and the very important board games), Gwil started a fire in the gorgeous fireplace. Ben started making dinner, while Joe and Rami started setting up Monopoly.

“Joe, don’t you know Monopoly has the power to end friendships?” Lucy asked.

“And relationships!” You chimed in. Joe stopped in his tracks and looked at you, concerned.

“Babe that's not funny! Don’t joke!” He said You laughed and gave him a kiss to remind him that you loved him. Sometimes he just knew how to be extra cute, and right now was one of those times.

We're all around the fire

Feels like the holidays

You know my style

I'll do anything

To make you smile

You decided to play in couples, with Ben and Gwil playing together. It would have taken forever if each of you played individually (plus you didn’t want Joe to get worried again). It was going well so far, except Joe felt the need to buy everything you guys landed on. You tried to tell him you needed a strategy, but he was very insistent.

“Come on Y/N, I really like this one!” He gave you his famous puppy dog pout.

“Joe honey, you love every property! We don’t need this one!” You kissed his cheek, letting him know he wasn’t going to win this one.

“She has a point.” Ben commented.

“SHUT UP BEN OR ILL GET CARDY B FROM THE CAR.”

“YOU WOULDN’T!” You didn't know what was making you laugh harder: the fact that Joe had managed to hide Cardy B somewhere in the car, that he had brought Cardy B all the way up to the cabin with you, or Ben’s response.

After the whole Cardy B fiasco, you all needed a break. Gwil tended to the fire with Rami, and you watched as Lucy and Joe went into the kitchen. When they didn’t come back a few minutes later, you got up to investigate. You saw the two of them together, looking thick as thieves. You knew they had to be up to something.

“Whatcha up to guys?” You asked stepping into the room.

“Nothing!” They said in unison. Yeah, they were definitely up to something. Lucy smiled at you and walked back into the living room.

“You two worry me sometimes.” You walked over to him and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around you and smelled your hair. He began rubbing small circles on your back with one of his hands, and you relaxed into him. This was absolutely perfect like you almost wanted time to stand still right at that moment. You even looked out the window to see it was snowing.

Catch me smiling ear to ear

Everything I need and want is all right here, yeah

That's the greatest gift of all time

Joe released you from the hug and looked down at you, smiling at you like he had been all day. What you hadn’t noticed was that the rest of your friends were standing in the entryway to the kitchen, watching the two of you. But your eyes were locked on Joe’s and you never wanted to look away.

“You know I love you right? And your happiness is the most important thing to me?” Joe asked you.

“Of course babe, why?” Now you were the worried one.

“Your happiness will always be my number one priority. You will always be my number one priority. I want weekends like this one all the time, for the rest of our lives.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Far from it. What I’m trying to say Y/N, is that I love you. I can’t imagine you not being in my life. You have the most beautiful smile and heart, you always know how to make me feel better, and you’re quite literally my other half.” He stopped talking and got down on one knee, pulling out a ring from his back pocket. “Will you marry me?”

Your mouth dropped to the floor, and then you realized it was Lucy’s ring.

“Joe isn’t that Lucy’s ring?”

“Y/N! Focus and answer him!” You heard Lucy say from the entryway. You looked back down at Joe, who was still offering you the ring.

“Of course I’ll marry you Joseph Mazzello.” He placed the ring on your finger, and stood up to kiss you. All of a sudden your friends engulfed you in a huge hug, and it became a celebration. Rami popped a bottle of champagne as if from nowhere, and you started to think this was planned.

“Is that what you two were talking about in here?” You asked after Ben had given a toast that had made you all almost cry.

“Yeah, he forgot the ring at home so he asked to borrow mine. I couldn’t say no! I wanted to see my best friends get engaged!” You gave her a hug, and there seemed to be a lot of those going around.

“I promise I’ll go get it tomorrow!” Joe insisted.

“Joe you don’t have to! Besides, look at this snow.” You told him.

“I’ll drive carefully I promise!”

“Since when do you drive carefully?” You asked, raising an eyebrow. Everyone was looking at him because they wanted to know the answer to your question.

“Since I know I have a future with you.” And that was it. You knew you would never stop smiling.

I just want to make you smile

I just want to make it last

I'll go the extra mile

Just so I can make you laugh

-------

IF YOU WANNA BE ADDED TO MY TAGLIST LET ME KNOW!

Taglist: @jiswoogannon @borhap-socials @aussienerdgirl @im-justatrashcan @one-thousandlies @fatbottomedcurls @imamazzellhoe @tichtaylor @goodoldfashionrogerboy @sohoneyspreadyourwings @rogerina-deacon @punkgeekchic

[merrrrrrrrry]

hello 🫶🏻

sorry i’m so late replying everything has been insane 🙃 but anyways!!! i am literally so excited for reveal day so i can show you craft pictures!! especially the taylor tickets bc im still so happy with how they turned out 🥹 i saw the friend i made them for last night so we could exchange gifts and they loved the tickets and everything else i made for them so much and it made me so so happy 😭🥹 they made me stuff too and i wanna show you that stuff as well bc im literally obsessed and just wanna show everyone 🥺

it sucks you weren’t able to see much of the store bc it was so crowded 😔 hopefully there’s less people when you go back after your second semester 🫶🏻 on the topic of your second semester though i hope it goes super well for you!!! manifesting a chill start to the semester and minimal stress throughout (and if there is any stress i’ll still be here to listen to rants if you want 💗)

the cookie scoop sadly died a tragic death 20 minutes after i first started using it djshsj im glad you’re enjoying yuri on ice!! i have so many anime recs from my friends and i’ve just never gotten around to watching any of them 😬

i hope the past few days have been treating you well 🫶🏻💗

-✨holiday pal✨

ps- hugs and smooches are both accepted ✨

I am so sorry for replying so so late to you

Things have been a bit intense and insane on my end as well. Something's up that I'll tell you about in a few days because of which stuff has been a bit frantic at home

I'm looking forward to seeing EVERYTHING!!!! it must have felt so good to see your friend happy ❣️💕

I'll be sure to remember your offer to listen to rants🤣🤣 because I think there will be a few at least. One of our professors has mailed us the course outline for their subject today so that has been a knock on the door for me. I've been having a chill time with family but now I'll have to go back and stay so far away from them again. I don't mind staying in the hostel and being responsible for myself and washing my clothes by hand myself and all that stuff but i wish i could get to hug my parents and forcibly cuddle up to my brother whenever I want the way i do at home.

Oh my god, why did that happen? Was the cookie scoop very weak?

I finished Yuri on ice and i loved it. It was really fun. I don't know if I told you this but i randomly read fanfic on ao3 of the show ages before i ever watched it so now it'll be fun to go read fic after finally having watched it

The past few days have been okay. The Christmas lunch was a success. The dinner went a bit wonky, my pasta was perfectly well rolled out and cut but i undercooked them slightly🥲😔 but they loved the hummus and okonomiyaki at lunch and the pasta sauce at night as well as the cake so I'm at least a little bit consoled about that. I'll do better next time💕

More and more hugs and smooches for you

[dccrossmusic-blog]

Well that'a a wrap- the D.C Cross Ecstatic Racquet album tour is complete! Thank you so much to all my new fans and old fans for the support! It was a lot of fun. I probably drove more than 10000 kms for the 9 shows- which is mental..it was all good until the car broke down in Albury on the weekend- keep reading and you can hear about the drama of the last 48 hours in point form!

Thanks to all the nice people, other musicians and venues and sound people and bar people at the places i played at. All thank you for the free beers, dinners and when people let me stay at the venue or their homes for free. Super mega thank you to Dusty Attic Music Lounge , Howl & Moan Records, Petersham Bowling Club, Plantbased Wholefoods, The Merri Creek Tavern , Franks Wild Years, Mounties and the Bridge Hotel Castlemaine (which is impossible to tag on Facebook).

So everyone is always crapping on about stuff that happens to them on social media but the last 48hours of my tour was quite eventful and i think entertaining for others. Here in point form i will mention the unfolding of the events.

Saturday 3pm Show in Thirroul - Sunday 3pm Show in Castlemaine, Victoria - a bit of driving (about 1700 kms there and back to Sydney) but pretty straight forward- right..what could possibility go right :/

•drive from Marrickville to Thirroul - so far so good

• play a cosy show to some nice people at Franks' Wild Years- very impressed german guy says that i am a beautiful musician and play the guitar like John Frusciante from the Chill Peppers - Brad other founding original member of Gerling comes to the show-a wonderful gesture of support

•Finish show in Thirroul and with a broken GPS head on the drive to Castlemaine, Victoria (about 845km's).

•Get tailgated on the Bulli Pass by some tradie fuckhead- a bit of an anxious 10 minutes but make it okay - our faithful 2004 Holden still seems to be okay.

•Drive for 5 hours on route to Albury as its more than halfway.

•100 kms out of Albury car starts shaking uncontrollably - i thought it was just the Hume Highway - so just cranked AC/DC and LANKUM new album on the distorted car stereo.

•60 km's nearer Albury situation with car gets worse- now know it was a busted CV crankshaft (no idea) and apparently quite dangerous

•Navigate car into Albury and call road side assistance. Sounds like i get a drunk Andrew Jackson Calvert type guy on the phone who relishes in the fact he can say that they can't help me and can tow the vehcile to a mechanic on Monday morning. It's 9.30 Pm Saturday night

•Find the cheapest accom in Albury -$66 a night and stay above a 2 floored techno beer barn full of teenagers on MDMA and very loud party remix / techno music going on. The room looks like was last renovated in the 1950's.

•Call the only guy i know in Albury and hit the RSL after Ross Wilson had just played. Didn't see Ross and damn glad i didn't hear 'Come said the Boy' the second most dodgy song in Australian Music History.

•Stash broken down car in Coles car park. Got to bed in backpackers with Digitalism's - Zdarlight blasting through the building.

•Awake sunday morning and hire car and drive to Castlemaine.

•An hour out of Albury a crazed fucktard - Chopper Reid vibe guy - cruising along in a shitbox Commodore with two kids bikes strapped to the back - a blue bike and little pink bike gets upset that i overtake him on the freeway. As im overtaking he speeds up- i was wasnt really checking my rear view mirror as as i was looking straight ahead to overtake- pretty legit an safe driving from me- anyway, Chopper Reid speeds up and whist i'm overtaking and gets really really mad..i do the thumbs up mate sign and makes him even more angrier..he follows my agrresively for the next 200 kilometres.. very intimidating - the most alarming thought of this was if he is driving so recklessly with two small kids in the car (nee the bikes) imagine what he would do if he caught up to me after 2 hours of full on road rage anger. Yep just what i need right now- anyway decide to James Bond him and speed up so he cant see me, speed into a truck parking side station behind a bunch of bushes- wait till i see him fly pass - teeth grinding trying to find me. Wait 5 minutes and commence my ongoing, fun-filled journey

•Castlemaine Bridge Hotel is a lot further than i calculated. And a path i have never journeyed before- no GPS is making trickier.

•3 hours later -- I ARRIVE! PHEW.

•The Bridge Hotel Castlemaine is a safe haven of coolness in all the chaos.

•Meet old friend Casey Rice at the Bridge Hotel and play two sets of my music to people actually listening to my songs- made the ordeal worthwhile and Skyscrapper Stan aka Stan Woodhouse - the kiwi songsmith works there as the barman- equally parts good and evil - that guy is a crackup..easing into the afternoon with a free pint of something, some comedy gold from Stan and a half price healthy dinner with green stuff in it (maybe vegetables- not on a burger bun so im a bit confused how to eat it ).

•Stay the night above the venue and get up at 4am to drive car back to hire car place. Venues alarm system goes off when i'm having a shower…find the exit and leave gracefully

•On the drive back to Albury - around 4.35am my phone GPS stops working and end up on some lonesome unused highway in a State Forrest in the middle of nowhere - using just my instinct to try and navigate back to Albury

•See a giant Pink moon setting over the trees in state forrest - i think heading towards Canberra (no idea) and makes the trip worthwhile

• Two massive kangaroos leap across the road just seconds away from me, right in front of the car- it's still pitch black - i narrowly avoiding hitting them (a split second before this happened a voice in my head said slow down, be careful, i dont wanna kill no kangaroos) - maybe it was the kangaroos mystical vibe -im not sure but seemed like divine intervention for the next 3 hours that we all survived.

•Some how make it to Heathcote, Victoria and get directions to the Hume Highway by a lady working at a servo with a magical hair braid getting hit on by the local milkman (why do all milkman look the same??) . I've never been happier to see the Hume Highway in my life. Listen to Highway to Hell - AC/DC on cd - my close friends mum gave my as a birthday gift she got from her work - a catholic girls schools - the library was throwing the cd out. Also LANKUM new song 'Wild Rover' that sounds equal parts Irish Rebel folk heroes/ Dirty Three and Tool - I'm having a moment.

•Eventually get back to Albury, put all my guitars and merch and amp back in broken car and return the hire car which was three times the amount i thought it would be cause i had driven extra kilometres.

•Get back in my barely drivable broken down car - Monday morning trying to find a mechanic in Albury to repair car. •Seems all mechanic in Albury are too busy- we can fix the car in 5 days time or are on holidays… Stranded far from home….

•Finally find a mechanic on the outskirts of town who can fix the car- drive barley drivable car around Albury trying to find the mechanic- stressing out front wheels will fall off - takes about 20 minutes without gps and hats off the bloke who gave me the best directions of my life to find mechanic.

•Mechanic looks at car and says its my lucky day - they have the spare part in Albury -which is very rare … a new crank shaft (no idea) - and he can fix it straight away ($500 seems reasonable ).

•Wait 5 hours in the belting Albury sun. Eat the biggest and best potato scallops ive ever had (from North Albury) and presto- hand over credit card and Car is fixed. Drink 2 litres of hot Mountain Dew and drive 6 hours and arrive home safely.

• Triumph scene from Rocky -Bill Contis 'Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky) plays out in my head as i drink a beer and lie on the couch. Maybe next time i will fly.

• And thats what it takes to play two shows as an underground cult folk musician in Australia.

• Get Ecstatic

• And please buy my album on bandcamp to help pay mechanic - maybe a Xmas gift, coming of age …. en vogue vinyl experience

•Remember kids, "It's a JUNGLE out there!".

[joplayingjaks]

life update

cody’s car is back in the shop again (this time with a specific problem that we can fix and its in a WAY better shop so we know it will get done soon). but a couple people at work quit recently and also had a no-call-no-show today so cody (thinking he would have a few days off to not worry about his car in the shop) had to come in with me and use my car again. but also the check engine light came on yesterday in my car and we’re going to wisconsin next week on thanksgiving over the weekend lol, so monday is the only day before our trip that we both have off, so hopefully we can bring it in monday and get it all checked over and everything. (cody or i will call the shop tomorrow and hopefully be able to schedule something for monday. perhaps tomorrow while im at work cody can bring it to the shop and they can run a diagnostic?)

during the trip i have a doc appointment and im trying to make a list of everything that i need to talk to her about, physically and mentally. im finally determined to get my shit together. it seems like every time i go to the doc, it happens to be during an upswing or i feel like its a burden, so i dont mention bad symptoms im experiencing, but i just want to move forward in my life and fix shit. so hopefully i will: 1) be able to start on the road to finding out what all my pain and stuff is caused by whether it be lupus or arthritis or a connective tissue disorder or something, 2) tmi be able to figure out my painful/heavy periods and whats going on with that, and 3) find out ways to deal with all the various mental health issues i have and discuss meds and therapists and stuff like that. im making sure to write out an actual paper list that i can bring with me and just go through bullet-to-bullet with her. the only discouraging thing is i know everything is going to be extremely costly. im still a little behind on funds rn, and my insurance is still through parents for a few more years, but i still have to pay the actual bills themselves. but i guess we’ll see. i can figure out money and stuff later, i just need to get myself back on my feet and feeling human again

but anywho, im kinda excited for the visit to see my bro and parents and other family maybe and have good food. maybe mom will have time to touch-up my haircolor and give me a little trim. and she is gonna be giving us a bunch of stuff i think, random stuff that she’s trying to get rid of probably lol, clothes and towels and christmas decorations. and she got me a bday present :,) and i think she also made a mini lettuce garden for salem, so sweet

in other news, our couches are comfy, a little dirty but easily cleanable. we need to buy a vacuum asap. the one we got secondhand is d e a d and there are little bunny poops in the carpet and the inside of the couches need to be vacuumed too. also idk if i mentioned that cody is a SUPER THOUGHTFUL SWEETHEART. he got me a sewing/embroidery machine for my bday!! ill be able to make clothes and stuff and do alterations and make patches and embroider designs and so much more!! gotta get thread and everything tho, and i’ll need an iron/board and some other stuff before i can really start delving in, but im just really thankful for cody and for the extremely fitting gift

the next thing we’re looking towards after wi is a little christmas/holiday get-together with friends. we have the tree out of storage sitting in the box waiting to be put together after the visit. i wanna make ornaments and stuff and get tons of lights (we already have some lights up in the apartment cause we’re Mid-2000s Hipster Teens™) and just be cute and cozy and crafty. im excited

[hitmanalvaro91]

Consistency....alriiiight

Well, well, well, for the first time since I've created this account I have kept my promise of being more active and consistent on this forum. Also, this is the first time that I actually type anything onto this here forum with a computer/laptop. It’s a good day for a lot of firsts. Well, I suppose I’ll get started on this endeavor. The last time that I wrote anything on this blog I had proclaimed that I had a girlfriend that I had a good feeling about. Well as it turns out I was wrong. Not that there was anything wrong with her but we ended up breaking up a month later. The reason for the break up was all me. I wasn't ready to be in a relationship. And the craziest part of all was that my gut was telling me that I needed to end it. It was days after we got together that I got this seemingly anxiety attack or hell maybe it was my gut in overkill fashion letting me know that I needed to rectify the situation that we had just got ourselves in. And I was trying my very best to suppress that truth but to no avail. What I didn't want was to break her heart. Well, quite the prick I am because that's just exactly what I did. And it sucks. I don't understand the fascination that some people have about being heartbreakers. I feel terrible. Could it be that I’m a very empathetic person because that's just how I am by nature (or is that something that's nurtured?), or is it the fact that I lack masculinity? In modern society it seems as though to be considered a real man you have to be this sadistic, heartless, asshole to everyone whilst displaying some level of coolness and what not. I definitely don't fit the mold. Although I do fit the cool factor, I don't fit the asshole part. I’m funny and can clown on people that I get along with, but to be malicious with words, I don't think im capable. So I broke her heart and we didn't speak to each other afterwards. Her and I used to work together in the same company. I say used to because I no longer work there. I now work somewhere else and so far am loving every minute of it. 

Now that I got that out of the way, Thanksgiving has came and went. Christmas is like 3 weeks away and I need to buy my secret Santa elect a goddamn gift because “experts” are predicting a mass shortage of goods this holiday season because of the supply chain crisis looming over us along with covid and a bunch of other bullshit. It’s times like these where I become reminiscent about the past. I know its not good to stay stuck there but today in specific, not sure if its because of this blog or what, but I’m stuck in the year 2013 when I lived in my Montebello apartment. I was scared because we were drowning in debt. I was anxious as hell and then to top it off my ex was pregnant with my first son. Inevitably we ended up losing the apartment that we lived in at the time but I scored on a good job that allowed me to get my CDL and drive trucks and make a very good living. A good living but with some of the worst hours possible, Hours and sacrifice that make wonder if I somehow sacrificed my family for the sake of work. I don't live with my kiddos and I miss the dearly. Fortunately I get them tomorrow and they come and sleep over. I’m excited, I get to have something to look forward to. Well I’m tired I think im gonna stop here. I gotta rest to go to work in a few hours. I wanna buy house or condo so therefore I gotta grind hard to achieve my goals. 

[flavorfullfluff-blog]

Important: I Need Some Time

Short version: Everything’s gone to shit, im gonna be inactive for some indeterminate amount of time, feel free to send messages tho. I’m almost on Ao3 but idk how long that’ll last with the whole internet going crazy. I hope you all have a great holiday season. Would it be okay to do a Haul post after i get for myself whatever gifts i can get with my Christmas money? Or would that be weird? i just wanna geek out with you guys.

Longer version under cut:

Hey guys, uh, shit hit the fans the last couple days, i don’t want to go into too much detail. A lot of people are sick in my family and my heart has been broken once again, faster than i could realize it was happening. I need to take some health time, like, legitimately, because i don’t really have the writing spirit in me. I’m all kinds of messed up mentally/emotionally from all that’s happened and whats still going on so, i don’t know when i’ll be back?

I’m still around obviously, if anybody wants to chat, but i’m probably going to be pretty inactive post wise until i reach some semblance of normalcy again. If i do write it’ll be small things, mostly for my own enjoyment, but if i make anything good i promise to share. Oh and i’m in the process of signing up for Ao3, although with the whole crazyness happening idk how long my time on there will be before we lose it, but who knows, maybe things will turn around.

I hope all your holiday activities go well my friends, mine are....not going to be existent really. So i sincerely hope all your festivities go well. Personally i’m not much invested in this holiday so i don’t particularly care, but i was looking forward to seeing family and maybe having a little happy together time. Seems like that won’t be happening though. I’m happy to be receiving money though from those who said they would give that instead of gifts, that way i can spend my time purchasing all the nerdy shit i want.

I’m gonna buy the G1 cartoon and binge watch the fuck out of it, its gonna be great, maybe once i’ve purchased all my stuff and it arrives i can do like, a haul thing for my holiday season? I don’t know does that feel like bragging to you? i just want to nerd out about all the stuff i’m getting because.....i am a total dork and geeking out is fun, especially when there’s people to geek out with. Feel free to let me know what you think about that, if nobody says anything i probably wont do a haul post but you cant stop me from gushing about whatever it is i’m enjoying because that’s what i do lol

[waywardcosplays-blog]

OFF TOPIC: Life and Such (EDITED)

If you don’t know me you might think of this as a strange thing to do. So, you might just wanna save that time for something nicer. I would probably do that too. I don’t even know why I am doing this. Or maybe I do. I always have been very focused on people’s reaction. If they liked what I do and who I am. I cannot remember how or why or when I got so obsessed with it. I never truly got bullied. Sure, there was this guy who occasionally called me ugly and fat because I was the only one getting off my bus station and thus, cost everyone about twenty seconds of their lunch break. Or boys in my class who’d whisper behind my back because I had bought a new scarf and thought it looked pretty on me. Well, it apparently didn’t. Silly me.

   I actually can think of a few things like that right now, but that’s not what I want to write about. Because after all, it’s not what made me the person I am but merely added to it when everything was going down anyway. I think I used to be a very sympathetic person, kind and honest and... nice. I was that girl that everyone at least sort of liked or accepted around. I could talk with everybody but rarely did. I was terribly shy and when I opened up I usually felt silly afterwards. I just couldn’t bear the thought of me potentially putting people I saw everyday off by telling them about my feelings. Therefore, I resorted to writing on a safe space about it. Some people don’t get why writing is so much easier than talking but I think it’s plain simple: you can contemplate every word before you make it public. Talking always seemed much too spontaneous and risky.

   After a failed approach to twitter when I was about twelve (how the hell could I know that I needed to follow people not to have an forever empty timeline?) I grew into it a few years later. And I fell in love for the first time in my life. He was a sweet Scottish boy my age. It all started when I was looking for a name I could give my e-bass (so edgy) and he suggested his’. I agreed; and we continued chatting. What I cannot remember is whether I went on a holiday to Scotland “due” to him or if we booked it before I developed any feelings for him. I sure wanted to go there anyway but yeah. It probably doesn’t matter anyway. Either way, I was so looking forward to it. I told all my friends about it and I remember at least one of them telling me that I looked so happy and nice. I really was happy. There was this cute boy out there who told me things I never heard before. That he liked all the things I hated about me Right now, I feel so terribly dumb for I am sure everybody knew how much of I fool I was -- except for myself. This relationship was destined to fail and SPOILER: it did. I travelled through Scotland with my mum for almost two weeks that summer before meeting this boy in Edinburgh. I was so anxious that I couldn’t eat and sleep and the people on our travelling group would ask me at dinner if I was ill. I at least was sick. Love sick.

   We met at Scott’s Monument. I told my mum to let me wait on one of the benches on my own (she agreed but hid behind the monument to make sure that guy was the one I was supposed to meet (and take sneaky photos)). I pretended to be reading but I couldn’t get past the first line. But it didn’t really matter since there he was. Green-white striped shirt, blue jeans and a white bag. I can see it so clearly in my mind. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I went up to him, probably red faced, and awkwardly waited until he noticed me. And he did.

   I don’t think we talked much. We were both so nervous and even though I am good at English having only gotten to know the Scottish accent in those ~11 days before didn’t make things any easier. But it didn’t really matter anyway. We went to the square in front of Edinburgh castle where they were testing the tattoo’s new seating constructions. We sat on the bottom watching all the tourists walk by. I had my hair dyed a ginger red back then and an Asian woman came up to us and took a photo. No joke. We looked at each other and decided to leave.

   Our next stop was the National Museum of Scotland. We played some kids’ game on the top floor, did the sports quiz (where I absolutely knew nothing, I am Jon Snow) and went to the roof where you have a lovely view on the whole city. I also remember him comparing me to the bust of a hairy man and me trying not to be upset about it. I was, though. Because I wanted him to think I was beautiful and exciting. I had brought along a gift for him since he was a Hibs fan and passionate drinker. It was green sickly sweet vodka and I gave it to him in the museum’s staircase. We both had a few sips right there. I had taken quite a few photographs throughout the day and took one there as well. The ones I took on our walk were blurry and shaky because we were moving. And even the one I took while blocking the stairs was awful because as mentioned before I wasn’t eating well and was a little drunk. He covered his face when I took it. People tend to interpret too much into past events but in an upsetting coincidence those unclear pictures perfectly sum up my relationship with that reckless boy. I never was the one he meant to clearly see him.

   I reckon we walked around for a little longer and then parted. In the evening, we once again chatted online. And I think I was the one being bold/pessimistic, telling him I was sorry for being weird and that I loved that day even though I was incapable of showing it and that I should have kissed him. He quickly answered that he felt the same way. I probably jumped around. He actually seemed to like me! And he still thought I was pretty after seeing me in real life. I was the luckiest girl alive. And the saddest for I was leaving the next day. I would have to wait so long to see my one and true love again.

   I actually never met my love again. I mean I met him, but with a completely different feeling. Within a few months, a girl texted me. She told me the truth about him. How he was telling like three girls at the same that he liked them and I felt like dying. I am not sure if I or she confronted him or he was forced to tell me. I told him it was okay. And I maybe really always felt that I wasn’t a girl that was enough. Sure thing is, we kept talking. And I texted a lot with that girl. We don’t talk anymore but I do cherish the memories I share with her because she is an amazing person and deserves all the luck in the world. Anyway, more than a year passed before I saw him again. And her. All three of us met and spent a day together. I wanted to cry through it. It was one of the most painful experiences I have ever made and I should have just put an end to it months before that. But I wanted to be special so badly.

   When we went to the bus station I channelled all my courage and asked him to go to a side street with me. I gave him a necklace very dear to me and it was the stupidest thing I have ever done. Like seriously. This guy had treated me like shit and I put an expensive necklace around his neck. I struggled whether to give him a peck, or hug, or just go when our friend showed up. And so we parted silently. However, I started to cry when I walked back to Princes Street with her. Again, she was so sweet telling me not to be sad and that I should stop saying that I was stupid. And I tried. Trying still didn’t stop me from stumbling down Princes Street with stinging eyes.

      Throughout the years, I didn’t really get better with people. There was one in Manchester. A beautiful singer and precious yet troubled soul. We went to see a Wolverine movie at the cinema and both fell asleep. When I was shivering at the tram station he put his arms around me and I felt so safe. When I wanted to make a donation for his bandcamp page it ended in a huge argument and after that we never really spoke again. It felt weird being so ignored so easily after spending so mucnt ime with him.

   My Gymnasium (=college) years were the loneliest ones in my life. I had no friends and I wanted none. The only person I knew was a girl from my former school and she just stood with me out of pity I guessed. I felt so lucky when I found my best friend. Of course, he lived in the UK as well. But he understood me. We chatted all day when I was in class or had breaks, on my way home and when I curled up in my bed. We sent pictures of blur to each other, made bad puns, he was my Pete Doherty and I was his Carl Barât. And then he didn’t show up on our first date. He eventually did on our second, half a year later, three hours too late and I could only bear to throw his present at him and then leave. I slowly got worse. Because I slowly figured that all those things happened because I am me. All the tricking myself into believeing that I was someone didn’t work after all.

   Our third attempt would be during my short summer at a school in London. I think I sensed something would go wrong because my ED got more and more obvious to a point where I had to drop sports. But he bought tickets for Graham Coxon at the Rounhouse and I was really looking forward to it. And 2nd August came. I skipped my afternoon classes and patiently waited for him to tell me when and where to meet. No answer. So I asked him. Still no answer. I told him I would wait for him at Camden Market. And I did for three hours. I only left when the gig had already started and the market was being closed. I was too ashamed to arrive early at my host parents house after telling them I was going out with a friend until late, so I walked around for two hours. I still arrived way before midnight but managed to sneak into my room. Defeated by my own stupidity that anyone would spend their limited time with me. And I thought make-up and getting skinny would change things. It obviously didn’t.

   So I gave up on that. I guess, I gave up on a lot of things after a certain thing happened. Or actually, I haven’t. I just went from controlling and restricting myself to do that with others. Because even I sometime am in charge of things. I won’t lie and say it doesn’t feel good but I truly came to realise what I have done and it hurts. Because I know how much the people that have endured me now must hurt. Because it’s the cruelest thing to be untrue to people that give you all they have. Stabbing them right where they’re most vulnerable. I have become all those people that made me hate and mutiliate myself. I would use the excuse of them “teaching” me and that I do not know better but maybe, just maybe I am a bad person. Because sometimes I think I get those guys. How they might just been in love with different people for different reasons. How erasing someone you like from your life is easier than awkward future interactions. How they were so scared of messing up that they did it straight away. For the greater good of all parties involved.

   The thing I know for sure however is that I still feel sorry about it everyday and they might don’t. They probably don’t. They live their lives in sunny California or the UK, playing football being in a great shape, sharing a home with their beautiful girlfriends. And I cannot blame them for not knowing my name anymore. But I hope I never forget anymore for I did hide it in a corner in the back of my mind too long. Forgetting what lies and arrogance do to people. Still, I feel like I must move on to get better and be able to be affected by men and women again.

   I, and especially people that used to really care about me, have paid a price far too high for my inability to feel anything but burning wrath or dull apathy. And I am sorry. I truly am. I loved and still love every single one of you and I hope you’ll find someone who treats you the way you deserve. Well, I know one of you already kinda has. And hearing about that was one of the rare things that made me smile that past year.

.

   I don’t really know what the purpose of this post is. Whether I wanna pity myself, understand my feelings a little better, if it’s a sad and pointless sorry, or if I just want to feel a bit less alone... I really don’t. But I hope I will find out someday.