#and read a book outside

[whentherewerebicycles]

ok done with work it’s the weekend

[sowlmates]

gotta give it to the percy jackson fans, you really do love your main character. for other franchises, fans usually place the #1 blorbo title on a specific side character. but in percy jackson you really love your percy jackson

[sweatermuppet]

*reasonable restrictions are ones you consider fair for your own safety or wellbeing, especially for things like graphic depictions of violence in relation to your age at the time (i.e. "you can read this when you're older")

not sure if books you read were banned? here is a archive of the top 10 most banned/challenged books from 2001-2022, hosted by the American Library Association

as well as the Wikipedia page for the Most Commonly Challenged Books in the United States

Wikipedia page for Books Banned by the Government, organized by region/country

[vanalex]

[bubblegumflavor]

A major point of the Outsiders is that Ponyboy and Johnny aren't violent boys. They don't enjoy violence. They want to be far away from pain and fights and being judged only by their appearence or based on where they live. I recently stumbled over a post where someone was angry people write Johnny soft. Excuse me but what book have you read? Johnny is soft in every breath he takes! And I don't mean as in 'weak'. He is the strongest of them all with the highest pain tolerance. Until he breaks and thinks about killing himself because he can't take it anymore.

He is said to be good in rumbles but he is also described as 'never hurt a Soc' and 'couldn't hurt a bug.' He is soft-spoken, no one ever fights with him. That is the entire horror of him killing Bob. Because he was so scared for his life and the life of his best friend, that he snapped. That is what the Socs caused him to do. This sweet boy who couldn't hurt a bug was pushed so far that he killed another kid and it destroys him that he did that.

And Ponyboy. He feels forced to participate in Greaser activity because he is a grease and it is what it is. He'd rather read or draw or talk about sunsets. That is the point of the Outsiders. That these kids people judge and fear are soft and sweet and want out. And one makes it, the other doesn't. That is the tragedy of the Outsiders.

Just saw a post where someone said Pony and Johnny would fight all the time as in physical. Why would Johnny and Ponyboy be violent to each other for no reasons? They are aching to escape the violence. That is why they're best friends. Because together they can just be, they don't even have to talk. They're each other's comfort.

[despite-everything]

i think that if you're feeling overwhelmed by life you should maybe try slowing down and doing things "the old way" sometimes

look, i love efficiency, but everything nowadays seems designed to be quick and busy and eye-catching (thinking about how even the average shot length in films has decreased significantly over the years), and it can get overwhelming.

but this past year i've been trying to slow things down. i use my ipod for music, and take the time to create new playlists and upload them, but i can't quickly search for shit the way i could on streaming services, which makes me slow down and be more deliberate with my music. i also collect CDs and vinyl, and listening to albums in their entirety helps too.

I also write letters - i don't have many people i write to, but i find it easier to maintain long-distance friendships in a meaningful way when i sit down once every few weeks to write a letter and take photos to send along. i also have a monthly mailing list where i send CD copies of playlists i want to share (that don't fit my radio show) along with a short note talking about a song or two. and honestly? yeah it can be a bit inconvenient when compared to texting someone a playlist link. but its so much more intentional and genuinely feels good for my brain

i record myself reading a book out loud and send CDs containing a chapter or two to my friend rather than calling her on the phone and reading out loud. while it would be nice to talk, its so fucking hard with our lifestyles that its actually better for both of us this way. when i get tattooed, i don't go on my phone or read or anything. i lay down and chat with my artist, then a couple hours in when i'm hurting and don't feel like talking, i lay in silence and meditate. i cook and clean while listening to music, not watching anything.

and look - i KNOW these are all specific to me and my interests. and i know they wouldn't work for everyone. but so much of urban (and sub-urban) life nowadays is so rushed and streamlined and digital and productive and go go go go go go go that it feels good to slow down and take time.

[uncanny-tranny]

I love love love when trans women* give advice to trans men* about """manly""" things and when trans men* return that kindness with advice about """womanly""" things. I love the intracommunity commitment to supporting each other <<3

[vanessavixenx2]

A book a day keeps reality away! 📖🤓 Vv xo

[brat-pack-it-up-boys]

If your ever having a bad day just remember your not Darrel Curtis having to read his younger brothers theme where he’s called heartless and a bitch a hundred times per page while his other brother is being called hot and perfect every time he’s mentioned

[this-hopeless-war]

i have not seen anyone talk about this but I think about it every day/srs

The first thing Ponyboy says in (book) Two-Bit's character description is "Two-Bit Mathews was the oldest of the gang" and later specifies that he's 18 and a half. Darryl is 20. Ponyboy does not consider Darry part of the gang at the beginning and it absolutely tears me apart.

I also like how out of all of them Darry's character description is first (other than Ponyboy) Because to get the deeper meaning of this book you really need to see their dynamic and understand it, I really appreciate that we learn how Pony feels about him really before anyone else.

[chippedshake]

Ponyboy, eight years old, meeting Sodapop's new friend Johnny from school, who has bright, black eyes and a bruise on his cheek, and has just as much trouble reading as Sodapop.

Ponyboy, eight years old, going to the movies with his parents, his brothers, and Johnny, who his parents insist on inviting everywhere, and talking everyone’s ear off about what he liked about it. Johnny, just shy of ten years old, being the only one to respond as excitedly.

Ponyboy, eight years old, walking home with Darry, Steve, Soda, and Johnny, making quiet conversation with him about the kids at school and trying to convince Johnny that Darry isn't as scary as he seems, just older and trying to be intimidating.

Ponyboy, nine years old, glued at the hip to Johnny, hardly spending a minute without him despite the age difference.

Ponyboy, nine years old, waking up to a knock on the door in the middle of the night and finding Johnny, barely able to hold himself up, face swelling, blood pouring out of his nose. Mrs Curtis coming out and patching Johnny up and telling Ponyboy to go back to sleep, but Ponyboy refusing because Johnny's his friend, so he stays with him for hours, whispering assurances, telling him he's going to be fine as he tries to ignore his shaking hands and the tremble in his voice. Rage sweltering in his chest and realising that at that moment he could kill someone.

Ponyboy, nine years old, falling asleep at Johnny's side, curled up against him in his room, Johnny's arms wrapped around him, tissues and gauze and medicine bottles littered around them.

Ponyboy, ten years old, reading the books Johnny's been assigned at school out loud because "they seem interesting, Johnny, it has nothing to do with you". Johnny pretending like he believes him when Ponyboy says he's just in the mood to read the chapters Johnny has for homework.

Ponyboy, almost eleven, telling Johnny over and over that he isn't stupid, school just isn't made for him and it doesn't matter that he's being held back, but knowing that none of it is getting through to Johnny.

Ponyboy, eleven years old, spending hours upon hours alone with Johnny in silence, doing their homework or drawing or reading or just thinking, living in a bubble where words aren't necessary to talk. Walking away with a greater understanding of each other than anyone else has.

Ponyboy, eleven years old, showing Johnny his drawings of the gang, trying to ignore how Johnny's face is appearing twice as often as everyone else's, and Johnny stopping on one drawing in particular, his breath caught in his throat. The drawing being one that had taken Ponyboy days to finish, Johnny's face as he watched the sunset, calm and awed by the beauty. The drawing matching Johnny's face at that moment exactly. Johnny asking to keep that one and Ponyboy not doubting it for a minute and ripping the page out.

Ponyboy, twelve years old, going to his first official fight against the Shepard gang and teaming up with Johnny against a medium-sized guy, working together seamlessly and practically reading each other's minds

Ponyboy, thirteen years old, finding out his parents are dead and going numb, unfeeling, not knowing what's happening. Not coming out of it until late at night, when he wanders downstairs and finds Johnny patching himself up and wonders why his mom isn't there, helping him. Holding back tears – for himself, his parents, his brothers, for Johnny – as he cleans Johnny's wounds and promises everything will get better.

Ponyboy, thirteen years old, falling asleep in Johnny's arms again, but they've done it so many times it's second nature to readjust themselves so they both feel protected.

Ponyboy, thirteen years old, finding Johnny in the lot with the rest of the gang and being beyond horrified, frozen with shock, unable to do anything but stare as Soda holds Johnny and they get him back to their house. Johnny asking him, in a croaky voice just before they fall asleep, to go get his jeans jacket. Ponyboy finding his drawing of Johnny, folded into neat quarters in the pocket and Johnny smiling softly when he sees it and whispering "thank you" and both of them knowing it's for so much more than bringing him the drawing.

Ponyboy, fourteen years old, blond and quietly crying himself to sleep in a church far away from home. Johnny waking up and comforting him like Pony's done for him so many times. Both of them pretending it's too cold so they have to sleep huddled up, acting like it has nothing to do with comfort

Ponyboy, fourteen years old, screaming, pleading for Johnny to come out because all the kids are out already, come out, please, Johnny, it's not safe

Ponyboy, fourteen years old, visiting Johnny in the hospital and knowing he won't make it, but shoving it down because he can't imagine a world without him.

Ponyboy, fourteen years old, sending Two-Bit to go get a book so he can have alone time with Johnny, and not needing to say anything for both of them to know this is probably the last time they'll be together.

Ponyboy, fourteen years old, pouring all his frustration and rage into the rumble.

Ponyboy, fourteen years old, not being able to break down next to the hospital bed because if he doesn't go get his brothers, Dally might do something stupid.

(It doesn’t make a difference.)

Ponyboy, fourteen years old, sick with grief and not knowing how to tell people that Johnny wasn't just his buddy, they had something different.

Ponyboy, fourteen years old, opening a letter and finding another sheet of paper that falls out. Knowing what it is before he opens it. Tear drops staining the drawing, making Johnny cry as he watches the sunset at twelve years old.

Ponyboy, fifteen years old, forced to pretend like nothing happened and dating a girl – Cathy – even though he knows he doesn't feel the way he should towards her.

Ponyboy, seventeen years old, realising he was now older than Johnny would ever be.

Ponyboy, eighteen years old, getting married to a girl he definitely doesn't feel the way he should towards.

Ponyboy, twenty years old, running to the hospital because Soda was in the wrong place at the wrong time in a rally in New York of all places and now they don't know if he’s going to make it and oh god, not another one.

Ponyboy, twenty years old, holding his breath until his brother answers him and tells him to stop worrying with a forced smile.

Ponyboy, twenty-two years old and realising that he's never loved anyone the way Sodapop loves Steve and loved Sandy, not Johnny, not Cathy, not anyone else, realising he's broken.

Ponyboy, twenty-five, having his second child but first son and not doubting for a moment as he calls him Johnny despite the fact that he can't remember his voice and needs the drawing to remember his face.

Ponyboy, thirty years old, sitting his wife down because this isn't fair to her, telling her he doesn't love her like that, but he does love her. He loves her but the same way he loves his brothers and Steve and Two-Bit and–... and all of them. Her, breaking in front of him, but putting up a strong front and telling him they'll stay together for Johnny and Kristen.

Ponyboy, forty-two years old, finally getting a divorce now that their kids don't live with them anymore.

Ponyboy, fifty years old, happier than he's ever been, living with a group of friends and calling his children regularly.

Ponyboy, sixty-five years old, watching his brother legally marry Steve and shoving down the familiar twinge of not being able to feel any of that.

Ponyboy, seventy-three years old, with a grandchild coming out to him with these words he's never heard before and his mind is swimming with aromantic and asexual and queer-platonic.

Ponyboy, seventy-three years old, talking to his grandchild about something that isn't platonic and isn't romantic, but something different, not less, not more, but different. A bond that runs deep and doesn't fall into these easy categories and Ponyboy holding back tears as he remembers painstakingly drawn pictures and night spent wrapped around each other.

Ponyboy, seventy-three years old and breaking down in his room because he finally found the words to say what he felt and Johnny wasn't here to find them with him, and he would never know that was what it was.

Ponyboy, seventy-three years old, being found by his brothers as he sobs with the drawing in his hands. Soda and Darry sitting down on either side of him and wrapping their arms around him and Steve rubbing circles on the back of his hand and Two-Bit telling him stories about Johnny because even if he didn’t say why he was crying they all knew.

Ponyboy, seventy-five years old, meeting his grandchild's partner and damn near crying but holding back the tears and wishing the two of them the best before pretending to need to take his heart medicine.

Ponyboy, eighty-three years old, going in his sleep, dreaming of tending to wounds and carefully drawing soft faces.

I'll see you soon, Johnny

[sevenines]

i saw this tweet and found it interesting for two reasons. one is that some people base how good cartoon network would be to toh by how it treated su, and despite the fact that su’s treatment by the network was considered poor at the time, now its thought to be exceptionally good in comparison to modern shows.

two is how exactly su got impacted by a limited budget. a common criticism is how characters like connie, peridot, and lapis are left out of missions. but balancing a lot of characters is not only hard but also costly (extra animation, extra voices—it’s been revealed that the show is limited to a set number of characters per episode otherwise they’re over budget). animation mistakes are not uncommon since retakes cost extra. the entire reason the original show got cut short was due to loss of funding!

[the-hearth-and-the-wild]

Nature reading in nature…

[dallasgallant]

Love how Ponyboy is just…

“Dally is stinky nasty ugly man. He’s mean and he like kicked a baby or something Boo dally”

And then describing Tim is like

“He’s so hot. He’s like straight from a JD movie.”

Is so so fucking funny to me. Because the whole Greaser/hood distinction is nonexistent for both of them and yet… same with Steve getting one line of description at all! (Stay hating, Ponyboy. Stay hating.)

Now mind you Pony does come around to being nice about Dallas, calling him a friend etc but

[godzilla-reads]

There is an ancient conversation going on between mosses and rocks, poetry to be sure. About light and shadow and the drift of continents. This is what has been called the "dialect of moss on stone - an interface of immensity and minute ness, of past and present, softness and hardness, stillness and vibrancy, yin and yan.

—Robin Wall Kimmerer, Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses

[bugsnbites]

Growing up means understanding Darry Curtis