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reviewdiaries · 1 year ago

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Nancy x Ace and the soulmate we choose ourselves in 4x13

And so, dear reader, our story is over. And what an ending we’ve reached. The writers once again bringing the pieces back together after pulling them apart. A beautiful swan song to a truly stunning piece of storytelling we’ve been gifted over the last four years.

This episode is filled with symmetry and things coming full circle. Everything is connected - we come back to the bluffs, we come back to the choices we make and the way those can ripple through everything. And we come back to love. It’s always about love.

Ace always thought he’d have more time. Time to understand his feelings for Nancy, time to choose to act on them, or not. Time to find out exactly what they mean to each other and whether it can stand the test of time. And he’s been robbed of it. Over and over and over again he’s been robbed of the time he thought he’d have. Robbed by Temperance, by Nancy, by fear and his own feelings of inadequacy. He tried so hard at the start of the season to push through it, to own his feelings, to be brave, but at the first sign of pain, of fear, of loss, he couldn’t do it. And he’s been beating himself up ever since.

Sure he’s had chance to grow, to find himself a little more, to come back to Nancy on a more equal footing. But the undercurrent to that is one of fear, of self loathing, of not knowing how to stop being afraid and take that step. Because that was the best kiss of his life, that was a kiss that confirmed everything he was too afraid to admit to himself. That Nancy is it for him, there’s no coming back from her, everyone else would pale in comparison to the bright technicolour world she’s exploded for him. He can try and tell himself it wouldn’t work, it’s not worth it, he’ll find another great love as much as he wanted, but it wasn’t ever going to ring true.

So he’s latched on to his ghost, to the shreds of memory woven into something else where his feelings for Nancy were muted into something closer to friendship. Latched onto the fear and the anger and the unforgivable. Always with the idea that he’d have time to unpick that, time to work his way through it. Time to maybe work himself out and start to think about breaking the curse again. Because no matter how much he told himself he could live with this half life, the grey of a life without Nancy in it, he can’t.

I’ve talked so much about how Nancy can’t keep her heart out of her eyes, and she can’t, even now. But this episode we start to see Ace return that again. He can’t keep his eyes from her. Can’t stop the bitter taste that rises in his throat everytime someone says the word “soulmates”. Because he was meant to have time. Time to forgive, time to process. And it’s barely been a day and already he can see Nancy slipping away, tied to another person and where does that leave him? He can’t compete with soulmates - he only speaks three languages, how could he possibly live up to an epic love like that?

GIF Credit @whitefluffyyeti

But slowly the cracks are beginning to form, he can’t deny it any more, the feelings he’s been burying so deep ever since their kiss and having to walk away from her. The conversation with Nick about forgiveness, the way Nancy looks to him every time someone says soulmate - every time Tristan reaches for her. He can’t help himself, can’t help the way his eyes drag to hers every time. He can’t hold onto the anger, not like that. Not in the all encompassing I won’t ever talk to you again or love you like that way he’d been trying to. No this is quieter. This is an understanding that she did something desperate in a moment of terror because of how great her love is. And that doesn’t excuse it, but it provides context for it. He doesn’t have the time to hold onto that anger, because he’s losing her with every moment of soulmate talk and he just wants to be there for her one last time, help her one last time. Be exasperated and in love with her epic Nancy-ness one last time.

And Nancy is fully owning her past selves, the wrongs her soul has committed. She has never been one to shy away from mistakes, always works so hard to try and rectify them as soon as she realises she was wrong, and this is no exception. The town needs saving, so their souls have to be separated, but more than that she doesn’t want another supernatural thing tying her down and dictating to her what she can be. She is her own person, mistakes and all, and she has spent so long over these four seasons coming to terms with that, with the duality of herself, with the pain and the heartbreak and the wrongs and all that she does to try and shine a light in the world. To be able to hold the pain and the joy at the same time and know that they’re both valid. So there’s no question that she’ll damage herself to fix this, she’s always thrown herself headlong into danger. Crumpled on the ground in agony, ripping her soul to pieces in the place that she was born, where her past self is buried, the duality of herself and the cyclical nature of it all coming home at last.

Only it’s not one last time. It’s not romantic soulmates. And he knows her better than anyone - could find her with his eyes closed, never mind the death curse bonding them together in the weave. And the relief of it, the beauty of that moment of Nancy talking to him.

Think back to the first season when Nancy locked it all inside, poured her thoughts out in narration to her diary, to the audience, but never to her friends, never to the people that cared about her the most. And Ace cared, even then he cared. And he’s always been the one to be there to listen when she finds the words. On their break sat outside the back of The Claw telling him about her mum and failing to get into college. About college, about staying in Horseshoe Bay. About Lucy and Ryan and Carson and her own feelings for Ace. Even when she couldn’t talk to anyone else she’s been able to talk to Ace. Until these last few episodes where they’ve been so off kilter, so at odds, so unable to find their way back to each other. And now finally they can talk about Nancy’s fears, about Ace’s forgiveness. Another step on the path back to each other after so long lost without a compass.

Ace isn’t afraid anymore. He’s been stepping into owning his feelings all episode, coming to terms with forgiveness, with the forever nature of his feelings about Nancy, about his place in the world. And so now, in this moment, with the love of his life in agony, putting herself through it once again to save Horseshoe Bay, he makes a stand. A selfless, beautiful, stand. He’s watched her stand up and tell the world about Lucy Sable even when it hurt. He’s watched her do the ritual to try and save them from the Aglaeca even when it meant admitting who her parents were and not allowing herself time to process it. He’s watched her sacrifice herself as bait to the wraith to save them all. He’s watched her over and over and over again put others before herself. And so many times he’s either been powerless or paralysed by fear and unable to do a damn thing to stop it. So he doesn’t even think about it. No, he does, he thinks and he does it anyway. He steps into that circle because he loves her, selflessly, selfishly, unconditionally. And there is no way he’s leaving her behind. Ever. No matter the cost. He’ll gladly pay it, bear it, sacrifice himself to help her. Love isn’t dying for each other, but he was wrong. It is looking at the flames and standing firm and protecting the ones you love anyway.

GIF Credit @whitefluffyyeti

And once they’re out he can’t keep away from her. A hand on her arm, her back, sheltering her, protecting her, reassuring himself that she’s there she’s there she’s there. The gravitational pull undeniable. And he’s done denying, done lying to himself, done telling himself that he’s not worth it, that he can live without her, that he just has to move on and let her go. Because he is and she is and he can’t. And why should he? Love isn’t dying for each other but he was willing to go into the flames, to sacrifice himself, his soul, for her. He’s not afraid anymore. He’s got this one wild and precious life and he’s finally realising that it’s exactly that, and he wants to spend it with her.

So he takes some time, because now, finally, it feels like he has a moment to breathe, to process, to snatch a handful of moments for himself to straighten it all out in his head. To put Alice to rest - Alice who got caught in the crossfire of the supernatural and he has been weighed down with a guilt that may never truly leave, but at least now he has the time to process that grief and learn how it sits within his body.

And then he goes back. Once he’s sure. Well, fifty fifty. Only Ace would never stake Nancy on a fifty fifty chance. This is more than that, a certainty deep in his bones that it’s broken, and if it isn’t, then at least he’s not letting fear dictate his life. At least he is living it again.

And the circle comes back again. Back to 4x01. Only he’s not run, not out of breath this time, not filled with a panic and a need to know. He knows. He knows how he feels, he knows how Nancy feels. He doesn’t press her for answers the moment he walks in, he takes a beat just to look at her, drink in the sight of her after time away.

But he’s certain still, in his walk, in the confident way he moves towards her, head held high. Takes his time, pauses, lets her come to him a little, talks to her, communicates at last. Tells her what he wants from life, what he’s going to do with his life, his last life. This is Ace, who has been so lost and adrift, so uncertain. We met him when he was washing dishes at The Claw, directionless, unsure. And he’s talked about finding a place with Nancy, with all of them, about feeling like he’s doing something with his life. And now finally, finally he’s getting to take that forward, secure in the knowledge that he still has them, all of them, his family, supporting and loving him in whatever he chooses to do. It’s only with that support and unconditional love that he’s been able to find his next steps, something that was missing from his parents, from his life pre-Drew Crew.

That’s what love does, it compromises our judgement, it also gives you a reason to forgive each other again and again.

Finally he’s learning, love isn’t just life and death and the be all and end all. It’s everything in between, it’s so many shades of grey. It’s the way Nancy and Ace are so entwined and couldn’t ever just be friends, stumbling over the same things again and again and again because they hadn’t yet worked out that love is more than just the two extremes. It’s a symphony of emotion, of compromise, and bad choices and forgiveness and trying, trying, trying.

Their conversation in 4x01 was hurried, shrouded in darkness and cloaked feelings, desperate and uncertain and marred by a lack of communication. And here they are talking. He’s taken his time to be sure, to make sure he’s coming to her with all the facts, laying them out one by one at her feet. Coming to her cautiously but sure of himself, leaving her to make the choice. He knows himself better now, knows her too. And it always had to be him coming back, him to follow up on the curse. Because when he walked out and walked away he broke Nancy’s heart so thoroughly she was never going to go against him and keep looking. Was never going to throw herself over and over at him for fear of the rejection she thought would be waiting for her. Ace had to be the one to come back, to say I want this, I want you. And he is, finally. Eye contact and slowly stepping into her space giving her so many options to say no, to refuse him, offering himself and this choice to her, and whilst it’s not an apology it’s a clear promise to not be led by fear again. He’s let himself be led by fear all season, shying away from any possibility of happiness, at life because he or those around him might get hurt. But he’s finally seen that life isn’t guaranteed, the promise of happiness might get snatched at any moment, and this is his one last life and by god he wants to spend it living it to its fullest.

We’ve never seen Ace this centred, this sure of himself and his choices, and it is the culmination of everything he’s been through this season. He knows his fears, and he knows Nancy’s - her fear of abandonment, of losing the ones she loves. Bess has spoken openly about her fear of abandonment, but Nancy’s fear is just as strong, and Ace knows that. And he knows what to say, how to soothe her.

GIF Credit @userneos

The mystery of who you are will never end, and I know that the next clues will have to take you on the road, but so do mine. But will you solve this part of the mystery with me?

This isn’t the end, not if they don’t want it to be. They are tied by more than just a death curse, and he is in it for the long haul. His language coded precisely for her, a love letter, a promise, a declaration of intent.

GIF Credit @thatonekimgirl

He offers her his hand, and everything about this is so counter to all we saw at the start of the episode with Tristan who pushed his way into Nancy’s space and presumed intimacies she wasn’t comfortable with. Everything with Ace is a choice. He always asks how she’s feeling, offers her space to talk, to explore her feelings, offers his hand, offers his strength. There is always space to say no, never an expectation that she will be there. And she chooses him, of course she does, it’s always Ace, she always chooses him, even when she goes about it in the wrong way, even when it doesn’t translate.

GIF Credit @thatonekimgirl

The expectation would be that they would kiss. But this is about reforging the intimacy, the bonds between them, and they have denied themselves physical touch so much of this season for fear of triggering something, for fear of repercussions, for fear of not being able to hold themselves back, tripping over some unknown line. Fear, always fear. And the simple relief of just being able to hold each other close again, tip herself up on her toes so that she slots into place against him in the space that fits her body as though it were made for it.

GIF Credit @thatonekimgirl

She’s learned from him though, to ask, to check in, to communicate. Finally. To ask him if he’s scared, to hear him speak, to hear what he’s thinking, run her fingers through his hair and against the curve of his cheek and step in close. Because she knows that if he’s come to her with this he’s more than fifty fifty sure, and they’re neither of them letting fear stop them now. Certain in the knowledge of how the other feels and that this is it, they’re free. Free to look the other in the eye with love and conviction. Free to step in close, and know the other won’t step away. Free to say kiss me and pull Ace in with both hands.

GIF Credit @thatonekimgirl

Ace led everything about their first kiss, and Nancy leads their second. Hands in his air, filled with joy and a deep rooted knowledge that this is right, he is her person, and this is exactly where she belongs. There’s so much joy in this kiss. Their first was epic, sure, cinematic and beautiful. But this is two souls who have finally found their way back to each other, unfettered by tragedy and heartache, allowed to find joy in this moment.

GIF Credit @thatonekimgirl

In the lightness of Ace teasing her that he feels fine, in barely being able to kiss around the smile breaking across Nancy’s face. In the assuredness in his fingers as they reach to map her jaw, find the pulse point at her throat, tangle in her hair. Paths he’s followed a thousand times in his dreams - since their first kiss, their first touch, their first moment of connection, a reference point to find each other by. The exhilaration of holding each other close and nothing shattering, the light of her torch remaining unbroken.

GIF Credit @thatonekimgirl

The ease with which they slip into being them again. They were so close to it before, so tangled in a way that was impossible to break - that made them miserable even trying.

GIF Credit @yellenabelova

Caught in each other’s orbit, always caught in their space, so it’s nothing to reach down and twine their fingers, lean their weight a little harder, curve fingers around bicep, waist, the curve of a neck as they capture lips in a kiss. To choose each other as soulmates over and over and over again.

GIF Credit @nancydrewcentral

#nancy drew #nancy drew cw #nancy x ace #ace [redacted]#cw nancy drew #nace #nancy drew spoilers #nancy drew analysis #nancy drew meta #naceedit #nancy drew 4x13 #nancy drew 4.13 #The Light Between Lives #My babies #I love them your honour #the drew crew

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life-of-a-dinosaur · 2 years ago

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Current On Rotation: 06/23/23

"Euclid" by Sleep Token

It's taken me a long time to digest the album, honestly I'm still unpacking the masterpiece and the huge swings that Take Me Back To Eden took. It's unlike anything I've heard in this alternative/metal music space. But I'm also new to the metal genre.

The song that has stuck with me the most by far is the closer, "Euclid," and the track feels even more epic as it's a closer not just for this album, but for all three: Sundowning, This Place Will Become Your Tomb, and Take Me Back to Eden.

And what an epilogue this song is, from start to finish. It's almost overwhelming for me to decipher and type out as I relate so much to the song and one's personal journey overcoming an abusive relationship. Hearing Vessel finally releasing Sleep and choosing himself instead was equal parts overwhelming vulnerable and incredibly healing. I cannot imagine how he felt as a human and musician creating this song and the final chapter of this three album long story.

I honestly could write an essay for each verse of the song, but I will try and just pick my favorites.

Beginning with the second verse and the complexity of feelings after overcoming an abusive relationship. It is layered in so beautifully and to me, very meticulously. From wanting that person far from you, but also still caring for them so much that you'd bring HEAVEN to them if they couldn't find it themselves. You'd still put them first after all the hell they put you through.

"But hope to God you don't know this feeling Yet in reverse, you are all my symmetry A parallel I would lay my life on So if your wings won't find you Heaven I will bring it down like an ancient bygone"

DAMN, he'd bring salvation to them, he cares so much for them that he would literally cause the skies to fall for them. I love the use of the word "bygone," as their relationship is now a relic of the past, but also that he would gather the forces, and the power, of the past and beyond for them to see peace.

It's so powerful and confessional that he notes how similar they were, that they were on parallel paths, so of course he loved them and cannot easily let them go. There was a reason that he fell in love with them in the first place.

Then the reminiscence in the following verse and the wondering if they still think of them as the rain falls, then him admitting that he cannot see the fall leaves without remembering them. What a vulnerable admission.

"Do you remember me When the rain gathers? And do you still believe That nothing else matters?

For me It's still the autumn leaves These ancient canopies That we used to lay beneath"

You're almost like, will he go back? Does he have the rose colored glasses on? Is he lost in the nostalgia of how it was in the beginning?

But then the lyrics that were like a tidal wave of relief came through.

"The night belongs to you This bough has broken through I must be someone new

No, for me."

Jesus. I burst into tears when this part hit on my long drive in the winding canyon roads. Then I played it over and over again listening as Vessel took his power back. And I thought about all the years of work that I've done to get back to myself and I cried even more.

Then the intertwining with the repetition of the first and second verses, a copy of a copy, which is what Euclid means, as the song continues, but it's so masterful that it's not a cacophony of sound, but an unwinding of pain and love. Instead he has moved on. Instead he has chosen himself. Not the seemingly all powerful God Sleep, but himself.

The ending lines that are a callback to the opening track of Sundowning, "The Night Does Not Belong To God" with the repletion of lyrics as the song fades out was a beautiful touch and felt like a true ending of the book that was this complicated and brutal relationship.

"The whites of your eyes Turn black in the low light In turning divine And we tangle endlessly Like lovers entwined I know for the last time You will not be mine So give me the night, the night, the night."

And Now, the Night belongs again to Vessel, but it will always hold the memory of their love.

Wow. I'm crying now even as I type this out as the song plays on repeat from my laptop speakers.

I hope that if you need this song, these albums, and this band that it finds you. I hope that it brings as much healing to you as it has done for me and from what I can interpret, for Vessel as well.

Happy Spinz Everyone. <3 <3 <3

#sleep token #euclid #take me back to eden #Spotify #current on rotation #song of the day

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nnmarudkar · 2 years ago

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Reading Heeramandi Poster

Look at this beauty. Just look at it. How could someone do this? I am in complete aww of this picture since it was dropped by the makers. Such a masterpiece. Well SLB always comes with a masterpiece having his gloomy yet shiny lighting, look and feel and who can not notice the stars and their poses. But this particular project could attract a bigger cast to mingle their star value and his ambitious venture. Though Sonakshi, Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari and Richa Chaddha are still mainstream stars in their own way but read that purpose to add elegance than star value. WOW! I am glad for such a huge show but a subtle starcast and extravagant poster. Forget everything but this poster.

The makers released two of them but I fell for the black piece rather than yellow. I feel the yellow just burns in the eye. It’s too blown with that effect. But the black one is a complete art with I am sure innumerable heads and eyes. I can’t just get my eyes away. I stare at it at least for 10 seconds to find every detail of it each time it comes while scrolling. It's a very thought through poster.

The colour palette for both the posters is strictly inclusive of only 4 dominant colours.

YELLOW, Red, Gold, Brown

BLACK, Silver, Red, Gold

Do not believe me? Look at this.

You can’t even make out that green curtain and green in Manisha’s ghaghra because there is so much of black. I did because I zoomed in too much in love. I am obsessed with it. Who thinks of putting black and grey in a somewhat dark room? But yet this poster wins and every small detail stands out.

Now lets talk about the marvelous symmetry. Oh My God! If you draw lines on this poster, they are all going to end linearly. I did it. Look at this.

They maintain the rule of thirds exactly how it is explained. No Faces outside the grid. Gosh! I am overwhelmed because there are 6 people, not 2 or 3.

If you just look at the poster softly with a casual approach you see some sharp yet invisible lines. These lines put the faces just one below or above each other creating a shape of an object. This does not happen by coincidence just randomly. It is created to be like that. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, you can’t guess wrong here. But who is the DOP?

A common element in both the posters is the clear reflection that falls on the floor. While unique elements of the posters are the background. While one stands against the curtain, the other against wood and glass door structure.

However candles are beautifully placed, common and illuminating objects behind the subjects in both the pictures. Black poster gets more aesthetic value with the gold and yellow candle flame and white crystal accessorized stand.

Now let's get to their faces. See those consistent expressions on each lady’s face. GRACE, you call it. A free and confident body. Sense of Pride in their posture of owning that body reflects in their subtle smiles and eyes. It’s gorgeous art one can frame and put on a wall. The women really look like queens.

You know I can go on and on if I sit with equally cinema obsessed nerd. The last time I saw a similar poster was of Kalank. But this is something magnificent. I wished I saw Huma Qureshi on this. I don’t know why I feel like it but I am used to seeing Huma in such a look with maang tika, jhoomar tika, chand bali, garara etc.

But I must say that there is some magic in it and you hardly fall in love with a poster like this one.

#heeramandi #slb #sanjay leela bhansali #sonakshisinha #aditi rao hydari #richa chadha #manisha koirala #sanjeedasheikh #bollywood #hindi #netflix series #netflix

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shanikhome · 23 days ago

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Beautiful Fruit Charcuterie Board Ideas to Impress Your Guests

When it comes to hosting a party or gathering, presentation can make all the difference. A fruit charcuterie board is an excellent choice to showcase vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and delightful textures. Not only does it serve as a treat for the taste buds, but it also captivates the eyes with its artistic layout.

Whether you're throwing a casual brunch, a formal dinner, or a summer picnic, a well-crafted fruit charcuterie board can be the centerpiece of your table. Let's dive into some creative and unique charcuterie board ideas to elevate your hosting game.

Why Choose a Fruit Charcuterie Board?

Fruit charcuterie boards are versatile, healthy, and suitable for almost any occasion. They cater to diverse dietary preferences, making them a hit among guests. You can also pair fruits with complementary items like cheese, nuts, dips, or even chocolates to create fruit and cheese platter ideas that add layers of flavor.

Here’s why they’re a fantastic choice:

1. Appealing Presentation

The vibrant colors of fruits like red strawberries, orange slices, and green kiwis naturally create a visual masterpiece. These hues draw attention and excite guests, making the board an enticing centerpiece. A beautifully arranged fruit charcuterie board not only looks impressive but also sets a cheerful and welcoming tone for any gathering.

2. Healthy Options

Packed with essential nutrients, fruits are a guilt-free indulgence for health-conscious guests. Their vitamins boost immunity, antioxidants fight free radicals, and fiber supports digestion. This makes fruit charcuterie boards a wholesome alternative to calorie-heavy snacks, offering both nourishment and enjoyment without compromising on taste or presentation.

3. Endless Customization

Fruit boards can be tailored to any occasion by incorporating seasonal produce or exotic fruits like dragon fruit and passion fruit. You can also align the board with specific themes, such as tropical vibes or holiday festivities, making each creation unique. This adaptability ensures it suits every guest's preferences and event style.

Essential Tips for Crafting a Fruit Charcuterie Board

To create a standout fruit charcuterie board, you need a thoughtful approach. Follow these tips for a show-stopping display:

1. Choose a Base

The foundation of your fruit charcuterie board plays a crucial role in its presentation. A wooden board is a timeless choice that exudes warmth and rustic charm, perfect for casual or outdoor gatherings. Marble slabs, on the other hand, provide a sleek and modern touch, elevating the board for elegant events.

For a creative twist, opt for a round charcuterie board that adds symmetry and visual appeal to the arrangement. The size of the board is equally important; it should be large enough to accommodate all elements without looking cluttered.

If hosting a smaller group, a compact board ensures an intimate yet aesthetically pleasing display. Regardless of the material or shape, make sure the base is clean, sturdy, and complements the event’s theme. A thoughtfully chosen base sets the tone for the overall aesthetic, drawing your guests' attention and creating a memorable first impression.

2. Select Fruits Thoughtfully

The selection of fruits can make or break your fruit charcuterie board. To create an impressive spread, aim for variety in taste, color, and texture. Sweet options like strawberries, bananas, and grapes cater to universally loved flavors, while tangy choices like oranges and kiwis provide a zesty kick.

Including exotic fruits like dragon fruit, figs, or passion fruit can elevate the board, surprising guests with unique options. Seasonal fruits are a practical choice, offering peak flavor and freshness while keeping costs reasonable. Balance is key—pair juicy fruits like watermelon with crunchier options like apples or pears to offer a range of textures.

Remember to consider dietary needs; for example, include seedless grapes for children or allergen-free options for those with sensitivities. By thoughtfully curating a mix of fruits, you can create a stunning and delectable board that appeals to a wide audience.

3. Add Complementary Pairings

While fruits are the stars of the show, adding complementary items enhances the overall experience. Cheese is a classic pairing; creamy brie, sharp cheddar, or tangy goat cheese work beautifully alongside fruits, creating a balance of sweet and savory.

Nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pistachios introduce a delightful crunch and earthy flavors. Include dips or spreads, such as honey, chocolate ganache, or yogurt, to elevate the taste and provide variety. Crackers or breadsticks can add texture and serve as a neutral base for combined flavors.

For a fruit and cheese platter idea, select pairings that match the fruits’ profiles—soft brie with figs or sharp cheddar with apple slices. These elements not only diversify the flavor palette but also add depth to the presentation. Incorporating pairings allows you to transform your board from a simple snack tray to a sophisticated culinary experience.

4. Arrange Creatively

The arrangement of your fruit charcuterie board can significantly impact its appeal. Begin by placing larger items like bowls for dips or blocks of cheese to anchor the design. Use vibrant fruits as focal points, and arrange them in patterns such as spirals, concentric circles, or clusters to create visual interest.

Contrast is key—place fruits of complementary colors next to each other, like red strawberries beside green kiwis, for a vibrant look. Fill in gaps with smaller fruits like blueberries or nuts for a polished finish. Add garnishes such as edible flowers or mint leaves for an artistic touch.

For a unique twist, think about the board’s shape; a round charcuterie board arranged symmetrically creates a harmonious and balanced look. Just as you’d organize your kitchen essentials in a coffee drawer organizer, arranging your board thoughtfully ensures it’s both functional and visually delightful, becoming an irresistible centerpiece.

Stunning Fruit Charcuterie Board Ideas

1. Tropical Paradise Board

For a summer vibe, create a tropical-themed fruit charcuterie board. Include: Mango slices Pineapple chunks Watermelon triangles Papaya slices Coconut chunks Star fruit for decoration Add a creamy coconut dip and sprinkle shredded coconut on the board for a cohesive tropical look. This is one of the most refreshing charcuterie board ideas for a sunny day!

2. Classic Fruit and Cheese Board

Cheese and fruit pairings never fail to impress. Choose: Brie, Gouda, and aged cheddar cheeses Strawberries, grapes, and apple slices Crackers and a drizzle of honey This setup combines sweet and savory flavors, making it perfect for an elegant gathering. Fruit and cheese platter ideas like this work well for wine-tasting parties.

3. Seasonal Harvest Board

Celebrate the flavors of the season with a themed board. For autumn, use: Pears, figs, and pomegranates Dried fruits like apricots and cranberries Walnuts and pecans Cinnamon-spiced cream cheese dip The warm hues and rich flavors make this a standout among unique charcuterie board ideas.

4. Minimalist Round Board

Sometimes, less is more. A round charcuterie board with just a few carefully chosen items can be striking. Include: Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries Brie or camembert cheese Small clusters of green grapes Honeycomb for a touch of luxury This simple yet elegant option is perfect for intimate gatherings.

Elevating Your Charcuterie Game with Unique Additions

While fruits are the star of the show, incorporating unique elements can make your board unforgettable. Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Dips and Spreads

Incorporating dips and spreads takes your fruit charcuterie bowls and utensils to the next level by adding layers of flavor and interactivity. Options like creamy yogurt with honey, rich chocolate ganache, or smooth almond butter offer diverse taste experiences.

Guests can mix and match these dips with different fruits, enhancing both sweet and tangy flavors. For a luxurious touch, consider adding mascarpone or a fruit-infused cream cheese spread.

Small bowls or ramekins keep dips organized and visually appealing. By including a variety of dips, you cater to different preferences while elevating your board’s sophistication and indulgence.

2. Edible Garnishes

Edible garnishes are a creative way to enhance both the flavor and presentation of your charcuterie board. Fresh mint leaves add a refreshing aroma, while edible flowers such as pansies or marigolds lend a vibrant pop of color.

For added texture and sweetness, sprinkle shredded coconut or drizzle honey over the fruits. Incorporate zests of lemon or orange for a subtle citrusy touch that complements tangy fruits.

These garnishes not only beautify the arrangement but also invite guests to explore the board with their senses. Thoughtful garnishes showcase your attention to detail and make the board truly memorable.

3. Sweet Treats

Balancing the natural healthiness of fruits with indulgent sweet treats adds excitement and variety to your fruit charcuterie board. Dark chocolate squares, caramel popcorn, or yogurt-covered pretzels pair wonderfully with fruits like strawberries and bananas.

Adding mini meringues, macarons, or candied nuts provides a playful, dessert-like touch. These items elevate the board’s appeal, especially for guests with a sweet tooth.

The contrast between fresh fruits and decadent treats creates a dynamic flavor experience, ensuring your board caters to diverse palates. Including these treats also transforms the board into a versatile dessert option suitable for any festive occasion.

Assembling Your Masterpiece: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a beautiful fruit charcuterie board is easier than you think. Follow these steps for a flawless presentation:

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Preparation is key to creating a stunning fruit charcuterie board. Start by washing and thoroughly drying all fruits to remove dirt and moisture. Peel and cut larger fruits into bite-sized or visually appealing shapes, such as wedges, cubes, or circles. Use tools like melon ballers or cookie cutters for creative designs.

Keep fruits like apples or bananas in lemon water to prevent browning. Organize complementary items like cheeses, nuts, and dips in small bowls. Having everything prepped ensures a smooth assembly process, saving time and allowing you to focus on crafting a visually striking presentation.

Step 2: Start with Larger Items

Begin your board layout by placing the largest items first to establish a foundation. Position bowls for dips, spreads, or small fruits in strategic spots around the board. Arrange larger fruits, like pineapple chunks or watermelon wedges, in focal areas to anchor the design.

Consider symmetry and spacing, leaving room for smaller items. For a round charcuterie board, align larger pieces in a circular pattern to enhance the board’s shape. This step ensures structure, making it easier to add smaller elements later while maintaining balance and flow. Starting with the largest items sets the stage for a well-organized arrangement.

Step 3: Fill in the Gaps

Once the large items are placed, use smaller fruits like berries, grapes, or sliced kiwis to fill the gaps. Cluster them strategically to create pops of color and texture throughout the board. Arrange contrasting colors next to each other, such as blueberries beside orange slices, to make the display visually dynamic.

Add complementary items like nuts or chocolates in smaller gaps to enhance the board’s appeal. Ensure every corner is covered but avoid overcrowding to maintain an organized look. This step brings harmony and completeness to your fruit charcuterie board, transforming it into a visually pleasing centerpiece.

Step 4: Add Final Touches

The final touches take your board from simple to stunning. Enhance the presentation by scattering edible flowers, fresh mint leaves, or sprigs of herbs for a touch of elegance. Drizzle honey over select fruits or incorporate honeycombs for a natural sweetness. Dust powdered sugar on berries to add a refined touch, and include a few pieces of dark chocolate or caramel popcorn for flavor contrast.

To achieve a cohesive look, ensure all elements are thoughtfully arranged and balanced. These details not only elevate the visual appeal but also create a sensory delight, much like a personalized watch box enhances its contents, making your fruit charcuterie board a memorable centerpiece for your guests.

Conclusion

A fruit charcuterie board is more than just food; it's an experience. With thoughtful planning and a touch of creativity, you can create a masterpiece that your guests will remember.

Whether you’re exploring simple charcuterie board ideas or crafting elaborate displays, the possibilities are endless. From fruit and cheese platter ideas to themed boards, these charcuterie ideas will make your event unforgettable.

Let your creativity shine and experiment with different combinations. Your stunning fruit charcuterie board will not only impress your guests but also add a splash of joy to the occasion.

Source: Fruit Charcuterie Board Ideas

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inckx · 3 months ago

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Exploring the Role of a Real Estate Photographer in Phoenix and Commercial Architecture Photography

In the bustling city of Phoenix, where the real estate market is as hot as the desert sun, the role of a real estate photographer has never been more essential. Whether you're a real estate agent looking to sell a beautiful home or a business owner showcasing your commercial space, high-quality photographs can make all the difference. As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words," when it comes to real estate and commercial architecture, those words translate into value, interest, and, most importantly, sales.

Real Estate Photography in Phoenix: Capturing the Essence of Home

Real estate photography is about capturing a property in its best light—literally and figuratively. Phoenix, known for its unique blend of modern urban living and desert charm, offers photographers a stunning backdrop to work with. From cozy family homes to luxurious estates, real estate photographers in Phoenix must bring out the personality of each property.

The key to compelling real estate photography lies in attention to detail. It's not just about taking a picture of a room; it's about making it look inviting, spacious, and full of potential. Natural light plays a huge role, especially in a city like Phoenix, where the sun shines almost year-round. Photographers must time their shoots carefully, ensuring the lighting enhances the space rather than overwhelming it.

Interior shots, for instance, require precision. Clean lines, decluttered spaces, and a balanced composition are essential. Every photo should make a potential buyer imagine themselves living in the home. Exterior shots are equally important, especially in Phoenix, where outdoor living spaces are a significant selling point. Capturing a well-maintained garden, a sparkling pool, or a stylish patio can make a difference in attracting the right buyers.

The Art of Commercial Architecture Photography

Commercial architecture photography is on the other side of the spectrum, which requires a different skill set but is equally vital. Whether it's an office building, a retail space, or a stunning piece of modern architecture, commercial spaces need to be showcased to highlight both form and function. In Phoenix, where commercial real estate is thriving, a professional photographer can be the key to standing out in a competitive market.

Commercial architecture photography is about capturing the aesthetic beauty of a building while also conveying its purpose. The photographer must understand the design elements that make the structure unique. Symmetry, angles, and the use of natural light all come into play here, as does the surrounding environment. A skilled photographer will know how to frame a shot to show off the building's relationship with its surroundings—whether in the heart of downtown or standing out in the sprawling Phoenix skyline.

Moreover, commercial photography often involves more than just the exterior. Interior shots of lobbies, conference rooms, or retail spaces must evoke a sense of professionalism and appeal. Businesses want their spaces to look inviting and practical, and it's up to the photographer to strike that balance.

Why Professional Photography Matters in Real Estate and Architecture

Whether you're dealing with residential properties or commercial architecture, professional photography is an investment worth making. In today's digital world, the first impression a potential buyer or tenant gets is almost always online. High-quality images attract interest, while poorly taken photos can turn people away before entering the property.

For real estate agents in Phoenix, having a go-to photographer can speed up the sales process, making listings stand out from the competition. For commercial real estate, a well-shot portfolio can make a property more appealing to potential tenants or investors. In both cases, professional photography helps convey the value of the space.

In conclusion, professional photography is essential to sell a cozy home in the suburbs or showcase an impressive commercial building in downtown Phoenix. A skilled real estate or commercial architecture photographer knows how to highlight the strengths of any property, making it easier for buyers or tenants to picture themselves in the space. The right photo can make all the difference in a thriving market like Phoenix, where competition is fierce.

#real estate photographer phoenix #commercial architecture photographer #luxury hotel photographer phoenix #landscape architecture photographer

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katiewalker03 · 4 months ago

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Virtual Sketch Book 2

Unity and Variety- Unity is the visual appearance of a singular object where variety is more abstract and “busy” appearance of an object. They both are the complete opposite of each other .

This pictures shows Unity through the straight lines whereas the variety is shown by the different colors .

Balance - is an equal object or thing . Meaning it is an equilibrium. Something in my every day life can be balancing school , work, and hobbies . When balancing these it makes me life at peace because i make it a perfect balance .

Balance is shown in this picture by the evenness of the lines . They are all parallel and make the star look balanced .

Emphasis and Subordination- emphasis is the main view point of the painting. Where subordination is the objects that aren’t as defined in the painting

This painting shows emphasis on the woman leaning on the tree . The subordination is the trees behind her because they are not as clear.

Directional forces- Using objects in a painting or strokes to guide the eye of the viewer.

Directional force is shown because you can see the movement of the beetles which makes your eyes as the viewer follow where they are going.

Repetition and rhythm- repeating a system to show movement in a piece of art .

This picture shows repetition by the hay piles aligned . this shows symmetry and movement .

Scale and Portion- using different sizes to vary the composition of the painting.

This art work shows portion because the rats are much larger than the woman standing next to the artwork.

Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun Pg 5.1

This painting is two demential. It uses more light colors to show more elegance in Elisabeth. It also shows volume and light with it being a flat surface . All of these show expression in a unique way by choosing the portion and scale of the painting.

In my life i can see my job as very stressful . I’m very busy and am there most of the time. The restaurant has all black walls including black tables and grey countertops . This can be seen as very dark and unsettling . When I go home i have many bright colors . My room is blue and my kitchen is yellow . This brightens and soothes my mood after a long day . This shows my serenity by being able to relax . The value of this is to show the difference of how color can make you view things with different emotions . Another happy place i have is the barn. i love love loveeeeee the barn. it’s my safe place whenever something goes wrong in my life. the saturation in the sunset provides warmth for not only me, but my horses as well. the value it holds in my heart is undeniably beautiful. the intensity that occurs when i have my horse courses is insane because i feel an incredible adrenaline rush and it’s the most beautiful thing.

This painting means a lot to me because i love my cat as well as i love the brand Yeti. I would love to be a yeti ambassador one day . I own a lot of Yeti products and could not suggest them enough . Another thing i used in my painting is the color pallet . I use cool tones of color because green and blue are my favorite colors .

Photo Journalism

The event being depicted in this photo is people turning to god in their rough times . It also is depicted as a community coming together to bring someone to god who is going through tough times . This photograph visually represents the power of religion. It shows the story of the community a religion creates and does for the people within the community.

The event depicted for this photo is about poverty. Seeing different parts of the world of women and their children malnourished. This photo shows the story about what’s going on in our world today . Poverty can be seen in this photo and express how we need to fix our society.

6373B87F-CC6A-43CE-A2B9-B6E5669FB870.jpeg

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jonathankatwhatever · 7 months ago

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It’s 20 June 2024 and there’s something I don’t get about Lie groups. I’m annoyed because I found the Attachment some months ago and lost it. Silly me.

I think the issue I’m having is the lack of clarity about dimensions. And that’s because I don’t think of matrices as representing dimensions though they do. So I heard in my head a dry recitation that these are the matrices which reduce into D3-4, if reduce is the correct idea. I mean that octonions and the like reduce into D3-4 through the Jacobi identity.

Let’s look at it because something’s not clicking despite the clarity. We have a, b and c and we take every associative possibility and add them up, so a times, b times, c times, and that makes 0.

——————-

Still haven’t found the mislaid kernel idea, but the general conceptions are becoming clearer almost by the minute. Example is that I finally accepted that a Cartan matrix is literally set to 2 because that embodies 2:1. And this also means 2:1 explains the concept of a field of characteristic 2, like why 1 can equal -1 and 1 + 1 can equal 0. This fits to the concept of skew symmetry.

Not sure where this goes. Maybe just keep typing to see what happens. Stop stalling. Okay, a field of characteristic 2 means we enable overlapping Irreducibles in the 1-0-1//0-1-0 form, meaning we can relate 1 to 1 over 0 or 1 to 1 as 1 to 0. What does that translate as? I mean that 1 to 0 means 1+1 equals 0 because we can read the 0 as the other 1 in the process. Same then with 1 equals -1; the bidirectional nature of gsProcess generates this result.

Not sure this is rigorous enough. The idea is that the notation includes these processes, and you can identify how and where the labels fit in the layers of counting.

That’s one way to look at Planck scale, btw. It’s where the layers of counting become visible. In other words, while the quanta appear within [D3-4], they aren’t tiny bits of counting but are whatever has resolved or otherwise collected into existence.

Imagine how much quicker this would go if you were doing this. Of course, then I would be of not much use and you would be of not much use either, but still maximizing that pairing potential can be annoying. The plasticity required is phenomenal. If I hadn’t shifted sides, could I have done this? Don’t think so. Which is also annoying because that was extremely difficult in every sense. Shifted sides to learn what the other side is like, how it looks from that perspective, and that builds a stronger mediating 1 which fits to the IC arrangement of CM16 in which we see the 2 scale over the diagonal.

That became something, didn’t it? That is where the 2 scale comes from: CM16 into the Cartan matrix. You see in that the necessary compression and expansion of the IC scale. In fact, we can see all sorts of cool things, like how we can divide permutations by saying this Halving leads this way, and this the other, like maybe these are abelian and these aren’t, like these have integer solutions and these don’t, etc. because that applies the concept of Halving, which is a specific gsProcess term which treats 2:1 as a function which inverts in and out of 2, not in and out of the 1 of CM1. That’s like saying it inverts in and out of the Ends in CM16.

This is really beautiful material. Not just silk, but knotted raw silk, like the textured smoothness of the peasant dress Julie Andrews wore in Sound of Music, glowing in the light.

Willie Mays was one of my heroes. And Jordan and Skander named one of their kittens after Willie. The other is Sandy Koufax. I saw Willie steal home when he was over 40, in the era when players were washed up in their early to mid-30’s. With modern training, he could have played until he was 50. You know The Catch was followed by The Throw. The story is that when he went to minor league ball, the other fielders were told that if a ball was hit to center to go to a base because the ball was going to be there and they needed to be ready. He had that extremely rare combination of extreme physical and mental ability for the game.

BTW, if you want to see why Brady was so good, look up him talking about playing QB on TikTok. Same thing. Couldn’t run, but he grew up in an era when running was a negative. He learned late.

So, the Cartan matrix is CM16, and that is also 2:1. Does that mean 8 appears here? And thus CM64 feeds into that directly as the root becoming or fitting to the solution? (Uh, yes. Duh.) Oh my goodness, that translates into 0Space, meaning [D3-4]. Think CM100, 50:50, and how fit occurs.

This is, btw, part of the essential discussion about choice, that it exists within layers because the permutations are available within the potential, whether that’s in 0Space or in the enclosing dimensional structure which relates to 0Space and what we think of as actual stuff.

My mind wandered. Where were we? I started to think about how this constructs all the [D4-3], which means the gsProcess and the D4-3 existences, meaning those which relate to but do not resolve to D3-4 existences. That places a Boundary between [D3-4] and [D4-3]. This Boundary is obviously for Things, meaning iObjects, meaning the operations of resolution which manifests as attraction within [D3-4]. This means field effects as those extend out in [D3-4] and in [D4-3]. This constructs across the infinities of 1’s and of course across the CM16. This explains a lot into the concept of multiverses.

I’m thinking we’re really getting Attached. I mean the work is coming together, that the 1Space is Attaching to the 0Space. I’m not sure if there’s a missing piece in this or not. The transition is the relation over pairing inherent in the 1-0Segment, so 0Space emerges naturally within 1Space. That is extraordinary, and obviously correct because 0Space must in fact emerge out of the relativity, out of the gsProcess, which means the associative in all its potential and through all the functions which generate across and into that potential, into that gsSpace. We covered this recently when we described how the relative workings of the Informational Limit as that translates into 0Space provides the motivation for existence and for animation, for life, both within and across existences.

The Triangular of quarks would be a nice title.

Another meaning of Attached is like being hitched, like a marriage, like a couple of draft horses pulling a wagon, back to back or one behind the other or side by side, in series or parallel, over an Extent, over a gsParallel. That occurs within 0Space as a manifestation of the Eternal. Oh, that’s why the idea that marriage is forever came up: the concept literalizes the Eternal, meaning the infinite process as it occurs within the finite fields of constructed 0Space existence. So the idea becomes to imitate this, which then tends to become an order or imposition rather than what develops in depth. But that also means people joined together in hate are joined together in hate, which then is true for each of them because the Registry records that as an Actuality because Actualities are counted on the szK.

The power of that idea is almost absurd. It truly does mean that people condemn themselves. It also means there are Pathways which go in the proper direction, but the process is difficult because the Jacobi identity generates 0’s and thus the accompanying 1’s for a CM16 which tips and which develops channels which pressure conformity within those contexts. This is really good if I can translate that better.

The word isn’t generates so much as reads as 0 because there are apparent solutions. Why are there apparent solutions? That’s a consequence of the context structure generated by and within any CM1. That’s permutation structures. That’s Attachment because within the +1 are all the Pathways which connect to the resolutions which are possible. That can mean a narrow range of reactions, even if the understanding underneath is complicated.

I need to go for a walk. Having a big dinner tonight, celebrating the end of our time in Boston. I hope you are loving this as much as I am. Or more.

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luxurybeautyreviews · 9 months ago

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#Diamond #Gemstone #Identification #Quality

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diamondhedge1 · 1 year ago

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Unveil the Brilliance: Explore Diamond Carat & the 4C’s on Diamond Hedge

In the amazing world of diamonds, understanding the complexities of the 4Cs diamonds Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat, opens the door to a world of brilliance and beauty. Today, let's focus on the often-misunderstood term: Diamond Carat. Join me on a journey through the variations of carat weight and the significance it holds in the realm of diamonds, as we explore the offerings on Diamond Hedge.

Identifications of Diamonds

Carat

Carat denotes the weight of a diamond, not the size. Two diamonds that have the same carat weight may actually have very different sizes in millimetres.

A Diamond’s Weight is measured in Carats. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. The weight of smaller diamonds is often expressed as points instead of carats -- there are 100 points in a Carat. Another way to look at it is to say that each point equals 0.01, or One-Hundred, of a Carat. For example, 0.08 means eight One-Hundred, so a 0.08 Carat Diamond equals eight points.

Clarity

Clarity is one of the most important characteristics of a diamond. It is the quality of diamonds relating to the existence and visual appearance of internal characteristics of a diamond called inclusions, and surface defects called blemishes.

Diamond clarity is the assessment of small imperfections on the surface and within the stone. The highest grades are FL-IF, which means Flawless/Internally Flawless. The grading scale determines how many inclusions and blemishes a diamond contains.

Color

Diamonds found in most jewellery run from colorless to near-colorless, with slight hints of yellow or brown. Most people find it very difficult (or impossible) to tell the difference between one color grade to another. The one difference people can see is in the price, which can be significant. GIA’s color-grading scale for diamonds is the industry standard.

Cut

Diamond cut means how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. The Cut gives a diamond its sparkle and its ability to reflect light and shine. Diamond Hedge Ideal represents roughly the top 1% of diamond quality based on cut.

Cut does not refer to shape but the symmetry, proportioning and polish of a diamond. The cut of a diamond greatly impacts a diamond's shine or brilliance. This means if it is cut poorly, it will be less luminous.

In Conclusion, Diamond Hedge transcends the conventional diamond buying experience. It's not just a marketplace; it's a journey of discovery, where Diamond Carat is just one chapter in the story of your perfect diamond. With the 4Cs diamonds guide, you can confidently navigate the vast selection, knowing that each diamond on the platform is a masterpiece waiting to be uncovered.

#diamondcarat #4csdiamonds #diamond #diamondhedge #diamondcollection #usa #diamondrings

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jakobmcm · 1 year ago

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Virtual Sketchbook 2

Journaling:

Unity: Making things look like they belong together.

Variety: Adding different things to make a design interesting.

Line: A mark that makes a shape.

Shape: An area enclosed by lines.

Pattern: Repeating a design element.

Balance: Making things feel equally important.

Symmetry: Making one side match the other.

Asymmetry: Making both sides different, definition of lobe-sided.

Emphasis: Making something stand out.

Focal Point: The main thing you look at.

Rhythm: Making a pattern with movement.

Scale: Making things big or small compared to each other.

Proportion: Making sure things are the right size in relation to each other.

Directional Forces: Lines or shapes that guide your eyes.

Subordination: Making some things less important.

Format: How a design is arranged and sized.

Writing and Looking: Raphael- Assumed Portrait of Francesco Maria Della Rover, detail from The School of Athens 1510-12 Fresco P. 118; 7.4

This portrait of Francesco Maria Della Rover, uses great emphasis and focal point as the point of the portrait is that of the person at the center of the piece. Connecting Art to Your World: One way color has affected me is through the outdoors and how I take pleasure in admiring it through seeing or watching it, or through art. One personal experience I had was with the sky during one day, as the sun was setting the sky took an unnatural yet beautiful botanical violet, purple, and orange as dusk began the the sun started to set, it was really awe inspiring and left me in a good mood for a pretty long while.

Artist's choice: Here is an art piece I had just recently completed. It fits in with my last paragraph. It is one of my personal favorite drawings.

Photo/Design:

Group 2:

Example 1: Good Example

The first example shown below is of a brochure, which I reason to be a good layout design. If you look at it you can clearly understand the topic and what it is discussed in the brochure, that being how The NCO protects and conserves land. Each page on the brochure has a title of which describes what the small paragraphs of information below will be talking about. It also has a very good color scheme which does not distract the reader with obnoxious colors while also complimenting the subject of the brochure itself.

Example 2: Bad Example

This example shown below, unlike the first one is not a very compelling or an overall good design when clearly conveying a message. Unlike the first example this poster does not clearly communicate the subject that it wishes to tell. There is a change in fonts and font sizes for every line of text on this poster. Colors are randomly used all throughout the text and background alongside badly used effects on certain strips of text making it distracting and hard to read and which does not help the reader to understand what this piece is even trying to tell you. The layout and information is everywhere, with contact information being at the center and random dates and times strewn throughout the whole poster. Genuinely this piece does not contain a good layout and is not a good looking poster.

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isaaclewis · 2 years ago

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Reply to a Facebook post

(Context: the original post was a discussion of a quote by Henry Poincare. "The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful." The OP held that this quote represented a "Platonist mindset", i.e., the idea that we pursue knowledge as an end-in-itself and not for any practical purpose. [If you read this as pursuing knowledge solely as an end-itself, and deliberately eschewing all practical purposes, then this is a bad idea for those who value the advance of industrial civilisation.] Someone else agreed and added "nature is not beautiful, it is messy". The below was my reply.)

Nature contains order, symmetry, organisation, patterns, structure. It follows laws and the laws create regularities. Grasping the recurring patterns in the world is pleasing to the mind, for a similar reason that grasping the patterns in a piece of music, or the shape of a beautiful building or car, is pleasing.

= = = = =

This post bugged me a lot; I thought about it a bit and I think I know why.

Anyone who is deeply immersed in their work (truly valuable work that they aim to do with a superlative degree of quality), at the times when they are immersed in their work, feels like *they are doing the work for its own sake*, and not for the benefit of others. The true craftsman wants to deeply understand his ideal user, but that is because his craft has to be closely fit to the needs of the (ideal) user, and not because he is doing the work for the sake of others.

People who are deeply immersed in truth-seeking work (like science) do so for the joy of discovery. E O Wilson (who, incidentally, Harry Binswanger knocked for his work on "sociobiology") described the "Ionian Enchantment" -- the discovery that the disparate phenomena in the world can be explained as the product of a small number of fundamental factors interacting. When Peikoff talks about cognitive "integration", he's clearly talking about something very similar. Maslow describes "intellectual peak experiences" encountered by those who make fundamental discoveries, and many others who do original work describe, in different forms, the experience of mentally rearranging elements into harmonious wholes, of identifying patterns, of successfully forming *gestalts*. All of this indicates a deep link between truth-seeking and aesthetic experiences.

This is equally true for people (like me) who work in more tangible fields. The joy of building something new is more closely tied to the excitement of anticipating the effects the new creation will have in reality, but it also stems from the mental activity of invention and creativity: of taking a high-level objective, breaking it down into lower-level pieces, rearranging the pieces, understanding sub-problems and solving them, repeating the process at lower and higher levels, etc.

People gain many different values from their work. It's difficult to tell a priori whether or not a given person is doing their work for the "right" reasons, or if they're just struggling to express overpowering emotions. Anyway, this is why I tend to avoid certain philosophical groups these days, and just try to explore reality directly, myself, without intermediating commentary. The fundamental ideas (reason, reality, etc) are rock-solid; the debates around those ideas caused me endless confusion for years, until I checked out and went my own way.

#facebook #nature #maslow #gestalts #order #integration

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thorntonkrell-blog-blog · 2 years ago

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His family had money and he had his face all of which made him feel like a fraud for most of his life.

First the face rugged, striking, athletic and chiseled.

If you know about the golden ratio, he's pretty close. His face is pleasing to the human eye with the harmonious symmetry that mysteriously defines beauty.

His eyes are perfectly spaced apart. If he had a third eye, it would fit perfectly between the other two. The length of his nose is in perfect proportion to the rest of his face as golden symmetry might suggest. The length of his nose being equal to the distance between his eyebrows.

How bout his jawline?

Once again, perfect. Its width being equal to the distance between the pupils of his eyes.

And the eyes.well we all know about his eyes.

Perfectly placed and shaped, the eyes were a striking shade of blue which could be piercing, sharp, intense and captivating at all times.

Cheekbones, high of course.

Dimpled chin?

Slightly cleft.

That's his face.

His body equally golden. Not all nor short. Not muscle bound but muscular. Not skinny but thin.

For most of his lie, he felt like a fraud.

A face walking around on a body.

Nothing else great going on.

Self-conscious.

Inadequate physically.

A character actor in a leading man's body.

A poseur.

An alcoholic

An adulterer

A need for speed

What else did we expect from being cursed with such wonderful looks which he eventually came to grips with after succeeding in almost everything he tried?

Do I have to tell you his name?

Believe me you know his face.

You probably like it and are not quite sure why.

Let me tell you why.

Paul Newman's face suggests that his features are not only pleasing but also conform to a mathematical principle that has been associated with beauty for centuries.

Who are we to resist?

Paul Newman was a highly acclaimed actor and film icon known for his rugged good looks and striking features. He was known for his piercing blue eyes, chiseled jawline, and athletic physique.

Newman's face was characterized by high cheekbones, a straight nose, and a strong, square jawline. His eyes were a striking shade of blue, with a sharp, intense gaze that was both piercing and captivating. He had a prominent brow line and a slightly cleft chin, which added to his rugged and masculine appearance.

In terms of his body, Newman was known for his athleticism and physical fitness. He was an accomplished race car driver and often performed his own stunts in his films. He was tall and lean, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. He had a well-defined chest and abdominal muscles, which were often showcased in his films.

Overall, Paul Newman's face and body were iconic in their own right, and helped to establish him as one of Hollywood's most celebrated actors and sex symbols.

how does the golden ratio apply to the face of Paul Newman

The golden ratio, also known as the divine proportion or phi (φ), is a mathematical ratio that is often associated with beauty and aesthetics. It is found in many natural and man-made objects, including human faces.

When it comes to Paul Newman's face, some experts have analyzed his features using the golden ratio and found that they conform closely to its proportions. For example, his face is said to have a ratio of approximately 1.618:1, which is very close to the golden ratio of 1.61803398875:1. This means that his face has a pleasing and harmonious symmetry that is often associated with beauty.

Specifically, his eyes are said to be spaced perfectly apart, with the distance between them being equal to the width of one eye. His nose is also said to be in perfect proportion to the rest of his face, with its length being equal to the distance between his eyebrows. His jawline is also said to conform to the golden ratio, with its width being equal to the distance between the pupils of his eyes.

Overall, the application of the golden ratio to Paul Newman's face suggests that his features are not only aesthetically pleasing but also conform to a mathematical principle that has been associated with beauty for centuries.

did newman struggle with his looks

Despite being considered one of the most handsome actors of his time, Paul Newman was reportedly self-conscious about his looks early in his career. In his memoir, he wrote that he felt "inadequate physically" compared to some of his Hollywood peers. He also once said in an interview that he felt like a "character actor trapped in a leading man's body" and that he never considered himself to be a "classic" leading man.

However, as he became more successful in his career, he seemed to become more comfortable with his looks. He once said in an interview, "I think I've aged well. I feel pretty good about the way I look." He also joked that his famous blue eyes were "God-given" and that he had nothing to do with them.

Overall, while Paul Newman may have had some early struggles with his looks, he ultimately became known as a handsome and iconic actor, and seemed to embrace his appearance later in life.

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ohnoitstbskyen · 2 years ago

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The beauty of Arcana Tahm Kench's splash art (art by West Studio, individual artist unknown)

The Arcana skins all have gorgeous splash arts - they all have that sumptuous gold-and-red decorativism, the opulence of fashion, the heavy use of geometry and symmetry, but… this is the best one.

Beauty here is in part in the colors - red and gold is a classic for a reason - but much more so in the use and breaking of symmetry. The image as a whole is essentially perfectly symmetrical - Tahm Kench is centered, his features are equal between both sides, the decorations and ornamentation is mirrored side to side, even the banners and pillars in the deep background are symmetrical.

But then, the first thing you’re likely to notice breaking the symmetry is that trail snaking its way out of his mouth. Even that, though, isn’t breaking it as much as you think - look at the two major curving swirls of it on each side - symmetrical in height and similar in curve. But that trail is also striking in another way - inside it you can glimpse this entirely other world, and the trail is rendered almost completely flat, two dimensionally, like glass or the surface of a liquid, like a window to somewhere else.

Kench here is designed more like a classic demon than he ever has been, so between his rich gold adornments, that welcoming arms-out pose and world spilling out of his mouth, the trail does storytelling. You can see him telling sweet little lies, you can see him putting out that temptation, and with its curling, curving shape, it also looks like a path, that leads you directly into his open mouth.

Symmetry is broken in other places too - his hands and arms aren’t quite symmetrical in their gesture, there’s a crown in the upper right corner that isn’t on the left, the coat is torn in different places, even down to the tiny details like the metal teeth being symmetrical but the fleshy ones are not, a bump on his jowl on one side and not the other… and it’s that variation that prevents the image from feeling stale or flat.

Let me demonstrate - here’s a version of the image copied perfectly left to right.

It still works, but it also… lacks a bit of dynamism, it looks more static, less alive, and a little bit uncanny, not in a good way. It looks fake, somehow. It is, ironically, the asymmetries that makes the symmetry striking. And the imagery in this splash art is just spectacular - it’s a cool demonic detail that Kench here has a burning crown that hovers over the open pit of his skill, but look how the inside of it is rendered - there is almost a cosmos in there, and between that and the golden furnace in his mouth you get the sense that you’re looking at something which is only wearing a physical form.

And the split between the biological and the constructed is also interesting here. Compare the treated leather surface of the headpiece to the fleshy bulbousness of the jaw and belly, compare the knobbly surface of the horns to the smooth and carefully carved metal of the golden ornamentation. This contrast is achieved with careful rendering and a real and deep understanding of how each surface reflects and interacts with light, and that understanding is on display again in the fingers, which glow in the way that flesh does when you press a powerful light against it. So if you look close you can see the thickness of the nail absorbing the light, bending it around its outside edges, you can see the ridges of a fingerprint on his thumb backlit from the inside.

There is a lot of absolutely gorgeous art in League of Legends, but I can honestly say that no piece of art in the game has made stop in my tracks, has surprised me, and rewarded me for paying attention to its smaller details, quite like Arcana Tahm Kench. The intentional manipulation of symmetry and asymmetry, the careful use of texture and reflection, the command of light and the sense of volume and construction… it’s gorgeous. I won’t argue that Tahm Kench is prettier than Coven Evelynn, but my experience with this piece of art… that’s where I see the beauty.

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If you liked this, I have a full video essay on beauty in League of Legends splash art HERE.

#tbskyen #tb essay #tahm kench #arcana tahm kench #league of legends #art analysis #arcana league of legends

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bitsandbobsandstuff · 4 years ago

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The Midnight Coconuts

Summary: Bucky and his girl take a trip to the grocery store. Several things are involved, including coconuts, a 25cent gum-ball machine, Avengers branded Jell-O, chocolate milk straight from the jug, and tampons. Characters: Bucky x Reader Words: 3k Warnings: Some swearing. Insane levels of fluff. Dangerously adorable Bucky. One (1) random reference to Not Another Teen Movie.

A/N: Listen, I will never be over silly domestic Bucky! I originally started this story before TFATWS came out and when I imagined Sam had a niece, so just go with it. Part of me wrote this, because I needed to convince myself that I love grocery shopping (one can only eat takeaway and Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken for so long) and the other part wrote this because I firmly believe domestic routines can be the most romantic adventures out there.

When the doors to the grocery store whoosh open with a gust of stale manufactured air, Bucky skids to an abrupt and dramatic stop.

“WAIT!”

Behind him, you stumble in panic, fumbling with an armful of reusable grocery bags. Instantly you’re imagining spilled blood and stab wounds and clean ups on aisle three and god dammit, how can there be a problem? This is a grocery store at midnight on a Wednesday. Shouldn’t the forces of evil be sleeping? Why is it so impossible to get a day off work? Don’t they know you need rest? And peanut butter? And that you’re dangerously low on toilet paper?

The forces of evil are the worst.

Raising weary fists, you huff.

“What? Where is it?”

Bucky sidesteps toward a row of small red and green machines beside the entrance, falling to his knees and smushing his nose eagerly against the glass. Reaching a hand behind him, there are several impatient grabby motions, before he glances back.

“Babe, can you give me a quarter? I need a gum-ball.”

Planting a sneaker clad foot on his ass, you shove. Hard.

“Bucky, we talked about this. Remember how you agreed to lower the drama and keep things in perspective? I thought we were under attack.”

“If I don’t get a green gum-ball,” he declares dramatically, “there will be an attack.”

Throwing the cloth bags at his face, you stomp off to retrieve a shopping cart, plunking your purse in the front and hunching over the handlebars.

“I thought you said you were a millionaire now. Buy your own gum-ball.”

Bucky rolls his eyes.

“Like I carry loose change,” he scoffs. “C’mon, just one quarter. Please?”

This time, he gives you the Look. That patented Bucky Barnes stare, with the wide eyes and full pouty lips and faux innocent expression, and if this man wasn’t the love of your life you’d quite happily stab him in the heart.

Instead, you open your purse and fish out a quarter, flinging it at his frustratingly pretty face. It bounces off his forehead and he scoops it up with a grin.

“So just to clarify. You came to the grocery store covered in knives, but you forgot to bring money?”

Giving you an indulgent smile, he jams the quarter into the slot. With a twist and shake, a gum-ball rattles free, and Bucky crows with delight when he sees the green candy. He pops it in his mouth.

“I didn’t forget. I made a conscious decision to remove the temptation. If I bring cash, I’ll spend it. You know I ain’t great with that whole self control thing.”

“How encouraging to hear, from the man with knives pouring out his ass.”

Jumping to his feet, he throws an arm around your shoulders.

“Ass knives sound painful.”

“Depends on how sharp they are,” you mumble, pulling a carefully folded sheet of paper from your jacket.

“Excuse you? My knives are always perfectly sharpened, thank you very much. What kind of expert assassin runs around with dull knives? Damn baby, it’s like you don’t even know me.”

Ignoring him, you flatten out the paper and smooth the edges, sighing happily at the block letters and structured diagrams drawn in deep blue ink.

Here it is, your masterpiece. A monument to productivity. The gold standard by which all optimization models should be benchmarked. This isn’t just any list, this is The List.

Everything is grouped, first by aisle, then by product location within the aisle, and then from top to bottom shelf order, to maximize efficiency. This is the dream list. The kind that inspires jealousy. The kind people hold up at TED talks when they talk about time management techniques. Marie Kondo wishes she had this list.

Bucky snorts when he sees the carefully printed boxes.

“God, you’re such a square,” he says adoringly. He plants a sugary wet kiss on your temple and you grind an elbow into his ribs.

“We discussed this, Bucky. Don’t mock my lists.”

“Sorry babe, I ain’t mocking. Your lists are beautiful, they always get me all hot and bothered,” he agrees, dipping lower to lick behind your ear. “And I really love that list you keep with all those dirty, filthy, sex things you wanna do to me.”

“I don’t have a list like that.”

“Yeah, I know,” Bucky sighs, “and I don’t know how many more hints I can drop here.”

Reaching under his shirt, you rub his belly consolingly. “Okay then. This weekend I’ll sit down and make you a special list. One so disgusting and dirty and depraved, it would make Wade Wilson cry.”

Bucky laughs and squeezes you tighter.

“About damn time honey. I’m equally parts terrified and horny. So where’re we headed first?”

“Produce,” you answer promptly, plowing forward, Bucky still chuckling beside you.

The whole scenario was ironic, actually. There was no need to grocery shop - automatic ordering mechanisms across the Avengers tower rendered the task meaningless - but sometimes it was a welcome relief to partake in such an ordinary thing. Unable to sleep after one particularly terrible mission, you found yourself wandering the aisles of your 24-hour supermarket, dressed in pineapple adorned pajama pants and one of Bucky’s rattier sweatshirts, searching for ice cream. The unexpected symmetry of products arranged along the shelves, the rainbow hued produce, the hint of baking bread wafting from the ovens, all those everyday trappings of normality, they washed over like a soothing balm. Soon enough, the boiling bad thoughts simmered to nothing more than a cache of blurry memories.

When you got home, sleep came fast, deep and dreamless.

One month later, the idea struck again.

After 36 hours of Bucky tossing and turning, dark shadows bruising beneath weary blue eyes, you took his hand and led him down the dark street for a midnight adventure. He was skeptical, disbelieving that something so simple could chase away the insomnia. But he dutifully followed you, strolling aimlessly through the aisles, throwing odds and ends into the cart.

The tension gradually eased, he began to relax, and suddenly?

He was hooked.

An hour later, after arguing the health benefits of frosted Cheerios over oatmeal, poking each hunk of cheese in the display, and loading the cart with every single flavor of spaghetti sauce on the shelf, the heavy weight of remembering began to ease. When he collapsed into bed, he slept for eight hours straight.

I don’t know what that was, he swore the next morning, munching through his third bowl of frosted Cheerios, but it was magic.

And with that, a midnight ritual was born. Sometimes you make the trek alone, sometimes Bucky does the same, but whenever life permits you go together. This small slice of domesticity brings a warm comfort to this strange life.

There is no doubt, this is your favorite area of the entire store.

Barrels filled with tart oranges and smooth red apples. Tables piled high with bananas, some just shy of yellow, others sunshine perfect, and a few with speckles of black (which are the best). Shelves lining the walls, overflowing with bundles of herbs and lettuce, all coated in a fine layer of mist.

Bliss.

Heading straight for the apples, you plunge into the Gala pile, rummaging until you come up with ten perfect ones. Peaches follow, fingers rubbing along the delicate pinky-orange fuzz. Squeeze, smell, squeeze, smell. Five are chosen for a pie (Sam pleaded shamelessly until you agreed to make him one), and in the cart they go. Heading toward the wall of herbs, you’re reaching for the basil when a metallic bang makes you jump. Spinning around, you find Bucky lobbing coconuts into the cart.

“We need these.”

“We really don’t, Buck. I hate coconut, it tastes like suntan lotion.”

“They’re not for eating,” he grabs an apple, wipes it on his shirt, and takes a juicy bite. “They’re for security.”

Sticky juice drips from his lip, catching in his beard. When you reach over to swipe it away, he nips your finger with a grin.

“Explain please.”

“See it’s like this. We’re just here shopping, doin’ our thang -”

“Don’t say thang.”

“- when someone attacks. What happens? BAM. One of these furry beauties breaks their face. Problem solved.”

Giving him a slow perusal, you raise an eyebrow.

“Were the 47 knives you’re carrying not enough to deflect this attack?”

Finishing off the apple in three sloppy bites, he carefully tucks the price sticker in his pocket so he can scan it before leaving and sets the mangled core beside your purse.

“Babe, these are my back-up plan. A good soldier always has a back-up plan.”

While you grab a bottle of extra-pulpy orange juice, Bucky picks two jugs of chocolate milk, snaps one open and takes a swing. Ever the thrifty shopper, he pulls a familiar bag from his back pocket, fishes out a crumpled piece of newspaper, and dangles it before you.

“Found a coupon for this,” he says gleefully. “Buy one, get one free. It’s called a BOGO. A BOGO. Hilarious, right? Fuck me, I love the future.”

Still laughing, he takes another long drink of chocolate milk and smacks his lips.

It was a lazy Sunday morning when you discovered this particular habit. Walking into the living room, you found Bucky buried in a sea of Sunday newspaper, tongue between his teeth and scissors in hand while he clipped coupons. He wasn’t picky, if it was remotely interesting, it went into the YES pile. It was one of those random things that brought him inordinate levels of joy, so of course you encouraged it. On his last birthday, you gifted him with a green zippered bag decorated with angry looking owls and official looking letters stitched across the front:

Bucky’s Coupon Bag Thriftn’ Machine Since 1917

He laughed for five straight minutes and then stuffed it full. The bag accompanies you on every trip and the sight of Bucky excitedly rifling through his wad of coupons still makes your heart swell.

Setting aside his BOGO, Bucky continues down the aisle, leaving you to pause in front of the yogurt. While you contemplate the merits of blackberry vs strawberry, Bucky slides over holding three cans of Reddi-Whip.

“Are you actually planning to eat that? I thought you said whipped air is for, and I quote, ‘spineless, tasteless trash heathens’?”

Bucky shakes the can of spray whipped cream and wiggles his eyebrows, leveling you with a sultry stare.

“Hell no I’m not eating it. This is for the bedroom. Last week I watched this god-awful movie where some blond guy - who looked exactly like Steve, by the way - made himself a whipped cream bikini for his girl. Decided I’m gonna do that for you. You’re welcome.”

“That sounds gross and unsanitary.”

“If by gross and unsanitary you mean spicy and sexy, then yes. Yes it does.”

Whistling what sounds like the theme music from a bad porn, he adds two tubs of honey swirled Greek yogurt, pats your butt, and strolls ahead, throwing a roughish wink over his shoulder. Imagining the melted whipped cream soaking into your bedsheets, you mentally add more laundry detergent to the list.

“Hang on, turn here.”

Tugging the cart behind him, Bucky stalks toward the feminine hygiene display. It takes him a minute to scan the products before squatting down to the bottom shelf. Grabbing two jumbo boxes of tampons, oddly enough the brand you prefer, he pops back to his feet.

“Dare I ask why you need these?”

A faint pink flush crawls up his neck.

“Well, you know, two reasons. They’re really great for stopping bloody noses, you know? Just poke ‘em up there and they soak it all up.”

He mimes the execution and adds a thumbs up.

“And the second reason?”

Squinting at his boots, he shuffles his feet a bit. The pink flush deepens.

“Um, you know - I know you’re out, since I stuck the last one up Steve’s nose last week, and yeah. Anyway. It’s about that time. Of the month. For you.”

Clearing his throat, he reaches for his chocolate milk, but you grab his wrist.

“You know when my period’s going to start?”

He shrugs self-consciously and fiddles with a loose thread on his shirt.

“Well yeah. You think it’s just a coincidence when all your favorite candy shows up every month?” Looking up, he shoots you a crooked smile and leans over the cart to kiss your forehead. Grabbing a fistful of his shirt, you haul him in for a real kiss instead and his startled laughter tickles your lips. When you break away, those bright blue eyes are shining.

“Thank you, Bucky,” you murmur.

“Anytime, sweetheart,” he whispers.

This is the aisle where the cart officially explodes.

Lasagna noodles.

Egg noodles.

Spaghetti noodles.

Penne.

Linguine.

Fettuccine.

Literally one of every noodle is selected, because Bucky Barnes is a self-proclaimed noodle slut.

As you organize the boxes and search for orzo, you see him furtively add an extra bag of elbow macaroni. A quiet cough hides your laughter.

The last time Sam’s four-year-old niece came to the tower, she and Bucky spent hours making glittery elbow macaroni necklaces, which they ceremoniously gifted to everyone. When Sam casually mentioned her enthusiastically telling everyone at pre-school about her friend Bucky and how much fun she had visiting him, Bucky ran to a craft store and bulk bought supplies of glue, string, paint, and glitter, just in case she comes over again.

Months later and the entire team are still finding puddles of glitter all over the tower, but the delight on Bucky’s face anytime someone mentions that arts and crafts afternoon?

It’s worth the mess.

Gathering up brown sugar, instant oats, and chocolate chips, you turn to drop them in the cart when Bucky makes a strangled noise. Glancing over, you find him bouncing on his toes, vibrating with excitement.

“Babe. Babe. Are you making monster cookies?”

Adding a can of raisins, you search for the good vanilla. The kind that actually tastes like vanilla, not a cheap car wash air freshener.

“I promised I would,” you remind him. Bucky plasters himself against your back, wrapping you in an enthusiastic hug and nuzzling his face against your neck.

“I love those fucking cookies,” he declares. “They’re my favorite thing ever. Next to you I mean.”

Finding the vanilla, you spin in his arms and return the squeeze.

“I know you do. But you have to share them this time, okay? You can’t just eat them all yourself like the last two times. Agree?”

“Agree…to disagree. They’re wasted on other people, no one else loves as much. It’s for the best when I eat them all, it’s proof how much I love you. I’m doing it for you. I’m supporting you. Because I love you.”

“You’re completely full of shit,” you reply.

“I swear I’m not! Just listen!”

The excuses grow longer and wilder as Bucky outlines his rationale against sharing, walking backward and dragging the cart with him as he pleads his case. He’s diving into the science of super soldier metabolism levels and caloric requirements and the fact that his sister never shared anything with him, when he bumps into a tall display.

He pulls up short, eyes narrowing. Plunking his fists on his hips, he growls a disgruntled sigh and glares at the rows of packaging.

“You’ve gotta be shitting me.”

Lined up in neat rows, you see boxes of Jell-O organized by color and flavor. On the cover of each are an assortment of familiar images.

“Are these Avengers themed Jell-O?” you ask, picking up a box with Sam’s image and the words Wild Berry Wilson. The rows extend further, filled with Lime Green Hulk and Blue Raspberry Rogers and Black Cherry Widow and Strawberry Lemon Stark. Exasperated, Bucky grabs the Sparkling Orange Spider flavor.

“Is this for real? The kid gets one and I didn’t? Someone in PR is getting fired.”

“Well there’re only so many flavors, Buck,” you point out practically, but Bucky’s not in the mood for logic. Instead, he swipes an entire shelf of Jell-O flavors into the cart.

“I swear to god, I have to do everything around here. Fine then. I’ll make my own flavor, Blackberry Kiwi Soldier or Winter Watermelon Rainbow, or something.” He pauses thoughtfully. “Anyway, I’ll work on the name. But I’m bringing it to dinner tomorrow night and everyone is gonna eat it.”

He dumps in a bag of mini-marshmallows and grabs sprinkles for topping, before marching down the aisle. Cringing at the volume of sugar in the cart, you make another mental note to schedule a dentist appointment.

“Go do your manly duty and find the meat. We need two 5lb rump roasts.”

“I like your rump roast,” he instantly responds and reaches over to smack your butt again. Anticipating the move, you catch his arm and twist it behind his back. He barks out a breathless laugh and you slap his ass in return.

“Your innuendos are tragic.”

Releasing him with a gentle shove, Bucky snatches up his three coconuts and ambles away, laughing while he juggles them. When he returns, he has the requested rump roasts, several packages of bacon, and a bundle of cocktail shrimp.

“If my innuendos get better, then can I touch your butt?”

“Maybe. But they better be real good.”

An added benefit to shopping at midnight? Not a soul in line.

Loading everything onto the conveyer belt, you automatically organize for bagging. Boxes together, produce together, meat together. Bucky adds a pack of batteries, a tin of mints, and some trashy magazines.

The last three items in the cart are his coconuts. They rattle around until you toss them at him, motioning back to the produce department.

“We made it out alive. Go put them back.”

Still chomping his tasteless green gum-ball, he shakes his head and plops them down.

“Nah, I have another idea for them. Got all those craft supplies at home, I’m gonna make you something.”

“Should I even ask?”

Bucky blows a huge, wet bubble and looks you up and down.

“Have you every worn one of those coconut bras? Like on TV, with the ladies in grass skirts? I’m gonna make you one. I already have string and glue. And glitter.”

“I think you may be overestimating your crafting abilities.” Digging out your credit card, you wait for the final tally.

“Well, if it’s terrible then you’ll just be naked. Either way, I win.”

Shaking out your grocery sacks, he packs everything with Tetris-like efficiency and slides all of them up the vibranium arm.

“How about I make you a deal. I’ll wear a coconut bra, if you’ll make yourself something to wear as well.”

Bucky blows another sugary bubble, pondering the idea.

“Like a coconut man thong?”

“Exactly like a coconut man thong.”

“Deal. Add it to that special dirty list you’re making me honey. We got loads to do.”

Outside, the night air smells sweet and cool, the barest hint of a spring rain and fresh grass lingering on the breeze. Already, your eyes are feeling heavy, tonight’s quiet adventure ushering in that sought after peace.

In your right hand, the three coconuts swing gently in their plastic sack. Humming under his breath, Bucky yawns, reaching for your other hand. His warm, calloused palm squeezes tight, his thumb stroking lightly over your skin.

He turns to you with a sleepy, lopsided smile.

Midnight and coconuts.

It always does the trick.

***

#bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes #bucky fic #bucky imagine #bucky barnes imagine

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