#but I’m still sports entertained I’m not mad about it

[fantasticalleigh]

Way too many interferences in matches lately.

When the audience starts to expect an interference at every match there’s a problem.

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - Scandals, Face Offs & Disappointments, Oh my!

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

Oct 2024 Week 3

Ongoing Series - Thai

Jack & Joker (Thai Mon IQIYI) ep 6 of 12 - 3 tiny girls ragging on Jack was possibly the greatest opening sequence ever. Poor Jack. He is so not single anymore - so far as everyone around him is concerned. 

Love Sick 2024 (Thai Sun iQIYI) ep 5 of 15 - Sports day continues. We get a little backstory on the respective crushes on Noh. The jealousy between Phun & Earn is way more extreme in this version. I'm not mad about it. I love a claiming. Although it is so unfair of Phun to claim Noh when they agreed not to go there, AND he’s dating someone else. The byplay with Pete’s ex was fun. I wonder if we’re supposed to suss that Noh knows he’s gay in this version? 

I'm doing a face-off style watch along of this new version versus the original 2014-2015 version. Where I decide with each new ep which one wins. I will render a final judgement at the end. Frankly, I'm warming to this show way more than I thought I would give my extreme affection for the original.

Kidnap (Fri YT) ep 7 of 12 - Oh it’s so cute that he just wants to officially move in. And the necklace claiming thing was darling. Mini boyfriend era. Min being a kept baby girl was kinda fun. The family thing was too sweet. Oh noes my man has been strangled! Oh good he’s okay. Stupid breakup “for the plot” moment, they could have easily been separated by baddies, we didn’t need to go through this. 

Fourever You (Thai Thurs YT) ep 3 of 16 - I don’t care how cute he is or how longing those beautiful eyes, ghosting is a pretty big offense. Especially high school first love. I’m glad Ter is being difficult about it. Still the backstory is getting frustratingly confusing. It seems increasingly convoluted (full of girls) and I’m not sure what happened. So I’m not sure if I should be on Hill’s side or Ter’s. I’m beginning to feel manipulated and I don’t like it. I still like the show, but not as much as I did last week. I’m on a roller coaster here. 

Battle of the Writers (Sun YT) ep 11 of 12 - It remains odd, disjointed, but still modestly entertaining. Ozone using a well placed Phi for manipulation purposes made me happy. Random het wedding is random. 2 drunk horny sunshine babygurls was cute tho. 

Every You Every Me (Thai Mon Gaga) ep 2 of 10 - AKA Just one meet cute after another. Nice queer rep this time. It’s lovely, just not my style BL. 

Addicted Heroin (Thai Tues WeTV) ep 10 fin - Okay so last week half the ep was eng subbed and this week only 3/4. Whatever. Please note my extreme annoyance with everything about this show will color my rating. As it should. Ready for a mini rant?

Conclusion

What to say about this damn show? It wasn’t what I wanted and I didn’t like it. I’m disappointed in myself for having expectations and in it for not living up to them. It starred August for fucks sake! How could they fuck it up so bad? I wanted it to be a Thai reinterpretation of the brilliance that was Addicted giving us the ending that we never got to have but the narrative deserved. I got a resounding nope. The side couple was messed with, rearranged, and then entirely dropped and forgotten. The main romance was weirdly obsessive without any physical payout or emotional resolution, as if this remake were the censored Chinese version. All characters acted irrationally most of the time, and from what I could tell there was no logic to the ending, which seemed to be to minors escaping to a beach, abandoning their schooling, families, and respective futures. It was a hot mess. Without being hot. 4/10 fatally flawed, do not bother

Bad Guy My Boss (Thai Sun Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - it's bad. I don't like it.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo (Korea Thurs Gaga) eps 1-2 of 8 - High school student Do Hoe lives with his violent and brutal father who runs a Taekwondo gym in a rural area. Then cheerful Ju Young arrives who dreams of going to college for Taekwondo. Joy begins to fill Do Hoe's dark life. An unexpected incident forces them apart, they reunite over a decade years later.

Make no mistake this one is dark. And Korea can go many directions when it leans dark. So I’m not entirely sure what to expect. All the triggers: child abuse, corporal punishment, alcoholism, gambling, and a few other things. But also a fantastically awkward kiss. Oh this is VERY good. I’m enjoying it. Tumblr is officially losing its tiny mind about it. What can I say? This hellhole loves it some gritty dark angst with high romance and deep meaning. All hail the return of Queen Hwang Da Seul. 

My Damn Business (Korea Sat YT) eps 3 of 7 - He kinda is the worst boss ever. Now he’s turned into a drinking buddy whether baby likes it or not. I really feel for this kid. I do want more backstory on both of them. Why are they the way they are? All that said….. phenomenal kiss. Thanks boys. 

Teenager Judge (Vietnam Sat YT) ep 4 of ? - I do like the brothers relationship. Even though we know it’s gonna become romantic, it’s nice to see them all teasing and friendly. Meanwhile I’m getting a little exhausted by the bullying and I’m very much ready for the revenge narrative to continue.

Although I understand we have more of a spiral first, could we get on to some actual kissing soon? 

I'm shallow I just wanna see BV kiss the next boy. It's the BL world's version of Pokemon.

Our Golden Times (Hong Kong YT) 6 fin - Okay so this was the last ep! 

Summary

This was an odd disjointed little piece, but the most BL BL we’ve ever seen out of Hong Kong. The optics are good and it’s enjoyable for what it is, which is a circumspect, badly subbed, and slightly odd yet earnest reunion romance. I liked it more for what it could be, and for what it represented, than for what it actually was, but I still liked it.

7/10 recommended with reservations

I would like to nominate Our Golden Times @bengiyo as a candidate for the next "Girl you tried." Because it really did try hard to be the best little BL it could be under the circumstances.

First Note Of Love (Taiwan Mon Gaga) ep 11 of 12 - I do like all the couples, and in classic Taiwan style we’re ending ultra sappy (when they don’t fuck it up, and I don’t think this one will). Mei is the secret power behind the throne - as we all knew - love this for her, and us. 

Love is Like a Poison AKA Doku Koi: Doku mo Sugireba Koi to Naru (Japan Tues Netflix?) 5 of 10 eps - I'm falling beind because my subber is, but sort-of trying to keep up. I don’t know. Just Japan messing with us, I guess.

Eccentric Romance (Korea Weds Viki) eps 3-4 of 12 - It’s oddly erotic with all the gym stuff but also awkward and weird with the jelly plus suspicion. (Hi GeonU, another Thai/Korea BL for you? Is it a thing for you now? Could you recruit Jimin to the cause? I mean you go him into a reality competition. BL is right there. Waiting. Pretty please with a shirtless hottie on top?) Anygay, I keep thinking that this show would actually be better if the Thai character were just a Korean character and this was just a regular KBL. Although, it probably still wouldn’t be very good.

It's airing but...

The Hidden Moon (Sat WeTV) 10 eps - This is a supernatural romance (my ghost boyfriend trope) by Violet Rain (I Feel You Linger). A man is hired to write an article about an old mansion in Chiang Mai being converted into a café. He sees the ghosts of people who died at the mansion, falls in love with one of them. Was substantially recast. I loved IFYLITA except the ending so I think I'll let this one run it's course you can tell me if it's work tracking down... if they managed to land it. I have my doubts.

Next Week Looks Like This:

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

Still Coming:

10/21 Love in the Big City (Korea Mon Viki) ep 1 of - Okay, this is both a movie (already out) and a series. Neither one is likely BL and I can't imagine it will end happily. Here's your synopsis:

Cynical fun loving student Young pinballs from home, to class, to on night stands. He and Jaehee, his female besie and roommate, frequent nearby bars where they push away their worries about life, love, and money with soju and hookups.

Apparently this is causing a homophobic ruckus in SK right now. As is wont to happen when one puts a really big name in the gay lead and your country is, well, pretty damn homophobic. Brokeback mukbang anyone? (Oh yes I am aware I'm a turd, but I'm too old for this crap. I guess that makes me a coprolite.)

10/23 See Your Love (Taiwan Weds Gaga Viki et al) 10 eps? - Zi Xiong, a third-generation heir, attempting to flee from taking over their family business, meets and falls in love with Shao Peng, who works as a hearing-impaired nurse. From the same production house as Kiseki Dear To Me in partnership with Shinehouse Theatre, funded by Taiwan’s BIGART + Japan's Rakuten (Viki). Show includes Lin Chia Yo (Be Loved in House: I Do). Director Chiang Ping Chen’s childhood experiences with his deaf uncle have inspired the drama.

10/27 Perfect 10 Liners (Thai Sun YouTube?) 24 eps! - New directing yet another university BL with engineers + their mentees. Based on a Jittirain novel. with a massive cast and massive run time. We will be watching this until APRIL of 2025!

ForceBook playing the same old characters = enemies to lovers tsunder/sunshine jock/nerd thing.

PerthChimonSanta are doing the cohabitation cool guy/dork trope.

JuniorMark are doing popular sunshine meets lonely sad boy (the only interesting pair IMHO).

Not sure if these will be interwoven (We Are style) or shorter stand alone runs-within-the-run of 8 eps each (Y-Destiny style).

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

You just kissed his brains out, what do you think? (Eh, we all know the aniyo is coming. This uke is made of tsudere and 아니요 ) (Damn Business)

I know, it's not a good show, but just LOOK at his face.

And the uke drunken shenanigans was brilliant. Loved it. (Battle Writers)

I did LOVE the twist on Golf. (Love Sick 2024)

Joke coming for our hearts just like...... it's TOO MUCH. War is SO DAMN GOOD. (J&J)

Calling out the trope HDS?

Gah. So awkward.

(Both from LFTCOT)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs

Sigh, Tumblr in its infinite wisdom doesn't like too many at-ings.

[hunnysnoops]

ミ★ 𝒟𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒦𝓎𝓁𝑒 𝐵𝓇𝑜𝒻𝓁𝑜𝓋𝓈𝓀𝒾 𝐻𝒞𝓈 ★彡

(+some general)

MASTERLIST

Doesn’t crush often but when he does, he crushes hard

Hot take- we would not choose a study date as a first date

^ I see him as the kinda guy who dates with a long term goal in mind and would want to get to know someone well off the bat

^ Bro is not messing around- he would want a first date where the two of you talk a lot and he can get to know you before committing

^I think his ideal first date would be a movie then a cafe/restaurant. Movie first so there’s a couple hours to ease the awkward first date tension and then coffee/food to talk about the movie and eventually branch the conversation out

He sends those cryptic texts like “be alert…” when there was mugging in town or something

Tags you in every post he sees. You’ll wake up and check social media to thirty messages in your inbox and they’re all from Kyle

The kinda guy to be like “Did you look at the post I sent you about the guy at the bus stop?”

Got his account banned on Twitter and went absolutely ballistic while you tried to calm him down

Runs Hay Day like it’s the navy

Definitely the type to be hooked on his phone until it dies and then complain that you’re on yours “Bro, let’s just talk about the political and economic state of the world right now…”

This might be another hot take but I don’t think he would want a childish partner, he want to be your boyfriend not your dad

^Having to zip up your coat, tie your shoelaces, or cut your food- I don’t think he would mind doing it a couple times but repeating offences would irritate him

Not big on pet names

^ I think he would be one to call you ‘bro’ ‘man’ and ‘dude’ a lot just out of habit but would probably just call you an abbreviation of your name if anything

^ perhaps babe on very rare occasion

HATES PDA

^ I fear I may have many hot takes in this post

^He would be pretty touchy in private but in public? Hell no

^ talks shit about couples who can’t keep their hands off each other in public and absentmindedly wrinkles his nose in disgust

^ the only PDA he would accept is hand holding or a quick hug

Calls and FaceTimes you out of the blue but will immediately hang up if you’re busy or with other people and call back later

He is either the most sound sleeper ever or he wakes up at the drop a pin- either way, he always ends up slinging his lanky arms around you

He’s weirdly good with hair and would have no problem braiding yours or styling it

Super supportive aspiration wise

^ sports games? He’s the loudest in the crowd. Theatre? He’s on the edge of his seat watching. Art? He’s looking at your creations like they’re in a museum.

If you have bad habits (smoking, drinking, etc.) he would try to ease you out of them but if that fails it would definitely cause conflict in the relationship

Has his moments where he snaps at you

Fights wouldn’t be often but they would be big

He would enjoy playful banter and someone who challenges him to improve

I think he would enjoy a lot of the lower beats of the relationship like staying in to watch movies, cooking together, walking and talking, silently enjoying each others company, etc.

He posts Instagram carrousels and every single one has a picture of you in it

Doesn’t even entertain people who try to flirt with him “No, thanks.” “I’m dating someone.” “I’m good.”

Shows you Reddit posts and complains about how obviously fake they are

Gets irritated by bad acting in movies “He called her Courtney Dove, fucking idiot.” “Why does she chew like that?” “Her accent sounds fake.”

Has a secret TikTok account and doesn’t know that you watch his videos on a fake account

He is well aware of rage bait but it still makes him mad because so many people fall for it so he’ll end up commenting anyways

Easily jealous

^ if he sees you talking to another guy he doesn’t trust he’ll insert himself into the conversation and pretend he knows what’s going on

Checks up on you a lot

^ He just has to know that you're okay, he has to be sure that you're safe and that if something were to happen, you would call him without thinking twice.

He wants to communicate but he’s lowkey really bad at it and can’t get in an argument with you without yelling

I imagine him as a runner

^ he’ll probably run to your house at ungodly hours, drink some water, give you a kiss, and keep running

^also lovvvves to show you his stats

He’s really good at cooking and always takes control when you two are cooking/baking together

Didn’t want to dress up on Halloween but you ultimately coerced him into doing a corny couples costume

Has a longer skincare routine than you do

He’s one of those guys to pretend to hate the reality shows and soap operas that you watch- he’ll peak from his phone, then stand from behind the couch and then he’s fully invested in the plot

[sublimetragedychopshop]

TW: self-deprecating??, harrassment, stalker, yandere struggles, (I think that’s it?)

I can’t imagine the hell that it would be of having a yandere that is 100x out of your league. Like just imagine being a normal ass joe, nothing going on in life, no big group of friends, no exciting qualities, nothing to offer ANYONE. And here comes this god like figure- waltzing or barging into your shameful life and going “I am entranced by you, so deeply and utterly enraptured that you haunt every aspect of my existence. I have killed and maimed for you… allowing me to be yours is the only thing I wish for. The only thing I desire. Please, please just allow me to bask in your presence for the rest of my life..”

I’m getting mad just thinking about it, like how would someone even respond to that!? They let themselves into your shitty apartment (with a spare key they finessed from your landlord) they have the GALL to sit on your bed after being caught shamelessly snuggling under the covers, all model like?? Telling them that you’ll call the cops so that they leave but knowing in your heart that the police would arrest YOU before they accuse someone as godly as THEM! of course this doesn’t faze them. Though the sadness on their face is evident. Somehow you get them to leave and think that will be it for forever…

Until now you can see them clearly, everywhere you go. If you go to a coffee shop they’ll arrive 2 minutes after you and just sit across from you as long as your there. Your best bet is ignoring them because if you tell a worker of this person “harassing” you then you’ll just get a “really bitch??” Look and told to not disturb THEM! They even walk right next to you on the sidewalk, other people simply stopping to stare at their beauty and aura while you just grit your teeth and try to walk faster. Some brave ones stop them to ask for their number or if their single, only for them to wrap an arm around your own and tell them that their dating you. They are OBVIOUSLY with YOU. So why the FUCK is this trash asking dumb questions?? It gives you second hand embarrassment and your self esteem goes in the shitter when others just give that disbelief look and reluctantly leave it at that. If you try and buy anything they will just whip out their black card and pay for it instead nor matter your protests. If you say something like “hey don’t spend money! I can buy my own things!” They look you straight in the face with zero hesitation and just go “I know you can, but I want to spend money on you. All my money is YOURS. You are still using YOUR money.” Bro at this point I’ll make them take me to the Gucci store or sum.

Someone that is the EPITOME of peak human desire. An irresistible face and body, black cards in their pockets, mansions, sports cars, high paying job and famous people for “friends”. They are what hustle culture people DREAM to be, so why would they be interested in you? Why do they act like you’re the one doing THEM a favor by just existing? Why do they look at you so lovingly when masses stare at them with the same look? Why get so jealous and overprotective when you show basic human decency to others? As if you were some Hot shot movie star!

And the worst part is, when they do creepy gross stalker shit it doesn’t even seem like they are the one being weird. If you bother entertaining them at a cafe and leave for the bathroom, you’ll most likely come back to them with your used spoon in they mouth.

———————————————————

Btw no one is how I portray reader in this lil scenario. EVERYONE is exceptional and wonderful and beautiful In their own way! Just cuz u can’t see doesn’t mean others don’t either. This was more of something I wrote when I was going through it.

[b4mpyre-k1zz3s]

The Jackass Guys Working in Fast Food HC’s!

Warnings: Suggestive content, crude language, drug use, tampering with food (and general bad food service practices)

An: This fic was largely inspired by this spot the guys did for the Arby’s Action Sports Awards, a concept which still eludes me to this day…

The awards show that invited the jackass guys to host had this sponsorship deal with some fast food company,

And, as written in tiny print on the contract, the guys ended up getting roped into something they’d never thought they’d have to deal with:

Working in food service.

Johnny

Given his position as the leader of the group, Johnny is kinda the manager by default

Partially because he’s so charismatic and partially because he just has pretty privilege so customers can’t get too mad at him

So when the drive through window gets stuck, guess who’s running orders outside?

He was the most responsible one and often takes up the job of cleaning up the dining area,

Even though he did have a tendency to clean off tables while people were eating or sweep a little too close to the patrons,

“Uh, scuse’ me, ma’am…Feet up, please.” And they never seemed to mind!

In fact, anytime someone got their order messed up, guess who they send in?

“I really am sorry for the inconvenience, sir,” Knoxville shoveled about twenty apple pies into a bag as turned to speak over his shoulder to the pissed off customer

“But I just wanted the order I paid for-”

“Shh…Just between you and me.” Johnny nudged the bag closer to him with a wink, “Go ahead- take it! I gotcha.”

And he actually took it.

Bam

“What’re you- some kinda wussy?” Bam had a tendency to shit talk customer’s orders, often pressuring them to size up,

“C’mon, be a man! You know what, dude? I’m just gonna put you down for a large combo…”

God forbid a customer is rude to him because holy shit. Bam is a master the guerrilla food terrorisim!

He has 100% spit in a guys onion rings because he yelled at him over the drive thru

And you bet he served them with a smile

Even though Bam has that whole line cook look, he’s maybe the worst person you want to have working at your restaurant.

It’s pretty rare that he gets sent out to register duty (due to the fact it takes him forever to make change)

But when he does, he just looks so disheveled from working in the kitchen

I’m talking condiments on his apron, pieces of meat just…hanging off of him, which obviously raised a couple eyebrows

“I mean- I was in the kitchen. I was workin’ hard back there! Can’t you tell?”

Steve-O

Steve couldn’t help but grin to himself when the angry customer over the drive through sarcastically asked him if he was ‘on something’

“Yes, sir- I am.”

Completely opposite to Bam, Steve is the closest thing they have to a model employee due to his experience working shitty jobs

If you order a four piece nugget, and he’s making it, count on getting a fifth one every time because he knows he would be pumped if he got one.

Point is, Steve is the fast food employee everyone loves, and that extends to his work at the counter

When all the guys are hustling to get orders out on time during a rush, guess who’s out there doing clown tricks to keep customers entertained?

Doing backflips off of the counter and juggling condiment packages to keep people happy people while whistling that one circus theme

“If you like the condiment stuff, wait till you see what I do with the drinks!”

Chris

“Welcome to Arby’s! Can I tempt you with my- I mean, our meat?”

Him and Steve have competitions as to who can say the most out of pocket thing over the drive thru speaker. He’s in the lead (for obvious reasons).

One of the best ones he came up with was when he was told to advertise the new dessert offerings,

“Are you sure you don’t wanna try one of our pies? The cream is delicious.”

Him and Steve are inseparable, usually spending more time fucking around in the kitchen than actually preparing food

So when, in the middle of a rush, the mayo gun Steve was using gets jammed and (despite his very skillful efforts to fix it) explodes all over him, Chris has a lot to say,

“Oh my god-” He turned to where his buddy was standing there, stunned, “Steve. Is this your man-aise?”

The customers could hear their laughter from the kitchen.

And speaking of Steve, Chris came up with a few tricks of his own to pull when he’s on register duty

Like walking out with two burgers stuffed in the top of his apron like boobs,

“Can I take anybody’s order?” He looked around the restaurant like nothing was amiss as he adjusted the twins.

Ryan

“Welcome to Arby’s, where the world’s a better place…” Ryan sighed, reading off the drive thru script for the fiftieth time that day,

“Whaddya want?”

Ryan hates dealing with customers and, in the middle of a rush, went out for a “smoke break”, which really meant he was going to hide in the freezer until his shift was nearly over

“Really, Ry?” Bam raised an eyebrow at the ice crystals in his beard, which only tipped him off that something was amiss because it was June.

Kinda similar to how Steve and Chris have their drive thru routine, him and Bam tag team on food sabotage, only Ryan’s arguably less gross

Like the worst he’s ever done was take a sip out of a guy’s milkshake before he gave it to him.

It isn’t that hard to believe given the fact he introduced the guys to using “God’s Tongs”

(if you don’t know, is a nice way to say picking up food with your hands)

In fact, everyone remembers that one day a customer was complaining to him that their burger arrived without a bun, holding out the bare patty to show him,

“Alright- I gotcha.” Ryan took a few steps back, grabbing a top bun from the back, and he just chucked the thing at the guy!

That top bun landed perfectly on top of that burger.

[hp-hcs]

Hello.

I really like the way you wrote gay Mattheo. Could I request another fic from this "series"? Thanks in advance 😘

(Fine, I’ll do it my damn self: part 7 of my silly lil mlm stories <3)

ENGLISH AIN’T ALWAYS ENGLISH (Chapter Three of Gay Awakening) — british! mattheo riddle x male! american! reader

basically the pair realize their cultural differences

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Here,” you grin, plonking down on the couch next to Mattheo and holding out a cut-out paper turkey shaped like a handprint. “I’m thankful for you this year.”

He took the paper with a baffled expression on his face. “…what?”

“I’m thankful for y- oh. Right. England. Sorry, American holiday, I forgot.”

Mattheo blinked. “You have a holiday where you give each other paper fowl?”

“No. Well, yes, but- y’know, it’s complicated.”

“I see,” he said slowly, in a way that suggested that he did not, in fact, see. “Is it like your… Freedom Day? America Day? Er… what’s it called again?”

“Independence Day. And not really. Sort of. It’s complicated.”

“Well, then what does this holiday celebrate?” Mattheo asked, somewhat amused as he shook the paper turkey to emphasize his point.

You hesitate. “Well…”

“It’s not good, is it?”

“Nope.”

“Ah. Why the turkey?”

“Americans make abhorrent amounts of food for Thanksgiving. Turkey is the main dish, usually.”

“Thanksgi- oh, is that why you said you’re thankful for me?” He looked quite pleased with himself for deducing that.

“Yeah,” you laugh. “It’s a pretty odd cultural event, I guess. We eat a shit ton, watch football, have to see our homophobic relatives; it really is a wonderful holiday.”

“Football? Like the… muggle sport? Where you can’t use your hands at all?”

“Oh, no. I’m talking American football; where they only use their hands. And like, tackle each other and shit.”

“…right. Anyways, back to the turkey day. When is it? Is it today?”

“Nah, it’s in a couple weeks. It’s the fourth Thursday of every November.”

“You’ve got to be shitting me.”

~~~

“Y/N, could you hand me a rubber?”

Mattheo looked up at you after he didn’t hear a response. You were sitting there, dumbfounded, mouth hanging open slightly.

“…Y/N?”

“Jesus Christ, ‘theo, that’s one way to be forward.”

“…what?”

Your face was burning in embarrassment as you fumbled for words. “Please tell me that means something else in snobby Brit.”

“What, rubber?”

“Yes!”

“A… a rubber. You know, to remove errors?” He gave you a baffled look.

You paused. “…I mean you’re not wrong.”

“No, I’m not…?” He trailed off before shaking his head and laughing. “Oh, Salazar. Tell me what it means in American.”

“A rubber is a condom.”

“Oh!”

Mattheo looked startled, a pink flush rising in his cheeks. “A rubber- it erases, Y/N. Pencil lead.”

“Then why wouldn’t you just call it an eraser?!”

You’re both silent for a moment, with matching blushes, before you both crack up.

“Oh, god, you don’t wanna mix those up, huh?” You get out between laughs.

~~~

“Hey, ‘theo, you oughta read this A&E article. It’s hilarious.”

“Hilarious feels like an odd term to use, Y/N,” he says, looking puzzled.

“American,” you say reflexively, after months of these vernacular conflicts. “Stands for Arts & Entertainment.”

“Ah,” Mattheo nods, used to your immediate explanation. “Accident & Emergency.”

You both snicker.

~~~

“Oh, man. Looks like Enz and Nott went on a bender,” you snicker.

Mattheo raises an eyebrow wordlessly.

“Got absolutely shitcanned.”

“Gotcha.”

~~~

“What the hell is an aubergine?”

“A vegetable. Purple?”

“An eggplant?”

“Americans really suck at naming things.”

“Like you’re one to talk, Mr. Pants-Aren’t-Actually-Pants-In-British.”

“You’re still mad about that? Well, I’m still disappointed from when you made me ‘biscuits’.”

“Oh, shush.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

had a very awkward conversation today with a british friend and we had that eraser/rubber mixup ourselves 💀

thank you for requesting, you a real one homie <3

[lizard-on-a-window-pane]

can i request Remus and reader being good friends and seeing each other during the summer at a party, confess their feelings. if you could make it a bit angsty would be great

hope you like it!! thanks for requesting

pairing: Remus x reader

word count: 1.7k

tags: friends to lovers, fluff, angst? (I wanted to try a new angle for “angst” other than the usual jealousy or insecurity, hence the premise)

“I can’t go. I just can’t. Are you mad?? I can’t go anywhere looking like this! What the hell was I thinking? Why did you let me go through with this?” you rave at Lily from your spot in front of your shared bathroom mirror. “Y/N, Y/N, calm down, okay?” Lily grabs you by the shoulders and breathes exaggeratedly, so you can breathe with her. She gives you a funny look and says, “It’s not that bad.” She winces a little. 

“Not that bad? Bloody hell, Lils, you might as well just come right out and say it! I look like I’m cosplaying Ziggy Stardust!” She laughs heartily; you glare at her. “You don’t; you don’t,” she says hurriedly, holding her hands up in surrender. “Sorry,” she adds, a cheeky grin still plastered on her face.

You’d felt bold that morning — too bold — and decided to get a haircut before James’s big summer party tonight. You’d gone way shorter than you ever had before, and the result was… well, not your look. 

You cover your face with your hands and groan into them. 

“You’re going to have to go without me,” you tell her. 

“No way! We’ve been talking about this for weeks! And I haven’t seen James for weeks. I need you there. For emotional support and all that.” You give her a compassionate look through the mirror. “You’ll be great. You always are. And besides, he’s so in love with you, it doesn’t matter what you do, he’ll be thrilled to see you.” She can’t help but smile a bit, but she catches herself and puts on her angry face again. You laugh at that. “I can’t go like this. What if…” You stop yourself, shaking your head, running your hands through your awful haircut. Lily gives you a knowing look. “It doesn’t matter what you look like, he’ll be thrilled to see you,” she adjusts. You just glare at her. “Not funny.” “I’m not being funny! It’s true. When are you and Remus just going to tell each other how you feel? It’s so bloody obvious to everyone else.” “We’re just friends. Good friends,” you retort for the millionth time. “Yeah, and you always will be unless you finally do something about it, babe.” This hits you harder than you’d expect. 

It takes some — a lot — more convincing from Lily, but you finally decide to go to the party. It’s the middle of the bloody summer, so you can’t put on any of your beanies, and you don’t have much of a hat collection beyond that. Your only baseball cap somehow brings out a boyishness in a less rather than more flattering way, so you opt to accept your fate and sport your terrible haircut to the party. You dress up more than you usually do in a weak effort to divert attention away from your head. 

The party is in full force by the time you show up. Music is playing, drinks are following, and people seem to be having a brilliant time. Your hand keeps nervously going to your hair, and when you do this for the tenth time since you’d arrived, Lily impatiently grabs your hand and holds it while you walk through the crowded rooms. 

Feeling her squeeze your hand, you follow her gaze to where James is enthusiastically telling a story, a whole crowd of entertained guests hanging on his every word. Until he spots her. His smile is blinding, and he seemingly stops mid-sentence, patting a few people on the back as he makes his way over to you two. 

“Hi,” she says. “Hi yourself, gorgeous,” he responds. “You look beautiful,” he adds, sounding a bit embarrassed. Then, finally spotting you next to Lily, he says, “Hey Y/N!” in a cheerful tone, which turns awkward as he continues, “You also look… uhh…” His eyes go to your head. “Nice,” he finishes lamely, cringing at his faux pas. “For fuck’s sake, Potter,” you say, covering your head with both hands. “I know, okay? You could be a little more discreet about it.” He can’t help but laugh a bit.

“Sorry, Y/L/N.” He’s grinning. “But what happened to your head?” He’s slightly mocking, but you’re good enough friends with him and familiar enough with his sense of humour not to take it too badly. “A travesty,” you respond. He laughs even louder. “It’s not that bad,” Lily says for the second time that night. You and James both look at her, you glaring, James grinning. 

“Thanks, babe,” you say eventually, giving her a quick peck on the cheek as you go to give them some privacy. “Have fun you two. I’ll be around,” you add, giving her a comforting look.  

You work your way around the party, smiling at a few people you know, heading toward a calmer spot. 

“Wow. That’s a look,” you hear from behind you. A familiar teasing voice approaching you. 

Wincing slightly, you turn and say, “Hii, Sirius.” “Hello,” he says in a funny voice. “You’re looking… dazzling.” “Thanks,” you shoot sarcastically.

“Did you at least get a fun story out of whatever happened… here?” he asks, gesturing at your head. 

“Hm, let’s see. Does feeling bold and accidentally picking the worst stylist in the city sound like a fun story?” “No, not really,” he laughs. 

“Too bad then I guess,” you shrug. 

“Nothing wrong with trying something new,” you hear from behind you. You heart skips multiple beats. You turn to find Remus looking you over, a kind smile on his gorgeous face. You give him an awkward smile. You’re equal parts thrilled to see him and mortified to be seen by him. 

“Hey.” You’d missed his warm voice. “Hi,” you respond, an uncharacteristic shyness seeping into your voice. “And that’s my cue,” Sirius snarks with a smile as he makes his way into the next room.  Remus rolls his eyes at him but then brings them right back to you. 

“How’s your summer been?” he asks you, walking to a slightly quieter corner with you and leaning against the wall with more allure than he probably ever realizes. 

“Pretty good,” you start. “Well, until today,” you chuckle nervously. He furrows his eyebrows at you in confusion. You point at your hair then run your hand through it. His eyes linger on your hair, and you take the opportunity to really look at his face for the first time in weeks. You sound dramatic even to yourself, but you think the distance of mere weeks has made how attractive he is all the more noticeable tonight. He grins, and you wish you could read his thoughts. 

“What inspired it?” he asks in a friendly tone. 

Hoping to get your attention tonight, you think. “Just wanted to try something new,” you tell him. 

He nods at you and gives a little shrug as he says, “I like it.” 

“You don’t have to say that,” you say, your eyes gluing themselves to the floor, your cheeks warming up. You owned a mirror; he had to be lying.

“I do,” he says a bit more emphatically. 

“Remus,” you whine. “I know it’s awful,” you cringe with a self-deprecating giggle. He doesn’t laugh but stares at you with a seriousness that makes you squirm slightly. 

“Well, I like it,” he repeats again. Then, with a cheeky smile, he adds, “A lot.”

You roll your eyes at him and joke, “I’m sure you’d say that even if I shaved my head.”

“I would,” he replies without missing a beat. “Remus —,” you start, but he cuts you off.

“No, I would. Really.” He’s smiling. “Wanna know why?” You squint at him; his smile broadens. “For the same reason I like this bad haircut so much.” You point at him accusatorially and open your mouth to say something along the lines of “so you admit it’s horrible,” but he doesn’t let you. Laughing loudly, he grabs hold of the hand you’ve brought up to point at him, and he’s holding on to it as he says, “I like it…” His voice is lower, and he takes a step toward you and brings your hand to his chest and holds it there, his thumb stroking the back of your hand. “…because it shows off so much of what I like about you.”

Your heart is beating loudly in your ears at his proximity, but you muster some sass as you respond, “And what’s that? My neck? My ears?” You bring your other hand to your now bare neck, your hair too short to cover it. His laugh is warm and full as he shakes his head and looks into your eyes. “No, smart-arse. Though you do have a nice neck,” he jokes, bringing his other hand to it and using his thumb to caress it. You worry he’ll feel the concerning pounding of your pulse point. “I like how fearless you are.” His smile is adoring. “You wanted to try something, and you just went for it… That’s so hot.” Your face is probably on fire. “You’re always so…” It’s like he’s looking for the word somewhere on your face; he’s scanning your features with an intimate intensity. “…yourself.”

“And who else should I be?” you chuckle nervously. “Nobody. Please,” he pleads. He brings his hand on your neck up to cup your face, stroking your cheek. “You’re pretty perfect like this.” For the first time, he looks nervous, and he looks away from you with a shy smile. When he looks back he whispers, “I’ve missed you.” He steps even closer to you. “The last few weeks… I… I realized how much I missed you, and how much… how much I was missing out on by not being honest with you when we are together.” You swallow thickly. 

“We’re together now…” you whisper back, and he smiles so widely it crinkles his cheeks.

“We are…” His forehead rests on yours. “If you can take a risk,” he teases, running his hand through your hair, “maybe I can too…” His voice is syrupy as he brings his face to yours. You can taste the sweetness of it when your lips meet his. 

[pvvryq]

can i request yan! chishiya with a s/o who becomes uncomfortable/scared around him after watching him sacrifice someone in a game? like he notices how distant their being and he decided to confront them about it but he’s MAD

Feat. Yandere Shuntaro Chishiya X Reader who becomes uncomfortable after witnessing his eagerness to sacrifice another in a game.

Y/n Met Chishiya At Their first Game — His second. They admired His Intelligence and He admired Their Willingness, So he decided to keep Them around Until he Got bored, Which He though initially would be A Week At most yet A Week turned into Two weeks And Now here they were sitting together By the pool in the resort called ‘The beach’. The beach was meant to be a haven of safety and Excitement Yet Even if Chishiya was Selected as an executive member, he couldn’t fight the uncomfortableness that came with Men and women alike Taking a Liking to Y/n, His Y/n.

“Jesus, Chishiya. It isn’t like you own me..!” Y/n Argued, they were both in a Hearts Game together in a Group of 12 ,Though he didn’t care about the other four people, You were the only person he had his eye On and truly cared for in this Sick and twisted ‘World’ — if you could call the borderlands that. “I’m just looking out for you.” He said Nonchalantly, pretending to not care yet they had never Rejected his help before so why Now? The Games rules were simple really, You were Split into 3 teams of 4 — Among The six There would be 4 Innocent Members of the group, 4 Members of the group who were murderers and 4 members of the group Who would need to Manipulate the innocent into voting to kill the murderers, yet nobody knew each others roles and had to trust The Word of those around them.

Chishiya had Confided in Y/n about being the Latter option, whereas They were An innocent player. They found confidence in the fact that both Them and Chishiya were able to walk out of the game together, but it hurt them when they realised They would be accountable for a players death. “I Know who the murderers are, its part of my role.” He Claimed, though Y/n knew that those were indeed the rules, they still felt weary about his honesty. “Look, the rest of the group is there, They’re discussing so there bound to be a vote — you either trust me or don’t, Y/n. Just know what’s good for you.” They looked up at him as he spoke, They sat down together Near the rest of the group yet were still a moderate distance away from them. “Him.” Chishiya spoke, You hummed in confusion as your reply, paying complete attention to him as he spoke once more. “The Man in the blue shirt, Hajime I Think his name is. He’s a Murderer.”

Y/n was too tired to argue with Chishiya anymore, so they just muted out an almost silent, “Okay..” As their answer. It took not even Another 10 Minutes for A Woman in the group to announce the first vote. Y/n Walked up to the metallic box After a few people had went, The screen on the top of the black metal was cold to the touch — with shaky hands Y/n selected their answer before returning back to Chishiya’s side. As the votes were cast in, A Monotone voice played: ‘The player with the most votes Is Hajime Yamamoto, with 3 votes.” Y/n’s throat went dry, yes He was one of four correct options for being the murderer but Would there not be a few More votes? From the panicked look across the whole room’s faces, y/n knew they had messed up, even before the Voice spoke again. “This elimination has been deemed incorrect, Hajime is not a Murderer.” Y/n Found Themself inching away from Chishiya feeling betrayed that he would use Them like that, and for what? Sport? Entertainment? What was the point of Sacrificing another?

“He Was speaking ill of you, trying to get others to vote for us.” Chishiya claimed as he noticed Their expression. “Don’t get upset over something like this — that’s just pathetic.”

It was now 3 days since the incident and both Y/n and Chishiya survived the game alongside another whom They didn’t care to remember. They found themself avoiding Chishiya completely and although He accepted it at first — thinking it was just a phase, he quickly got impatience at their new lack of compliance. He saw them sitting alone at the bar, watching Other players swim and dance by the pool. He realised that other than him, they truly had No friends and it was completely his fault — though, god forbid they realised that. “Y/n.” He Spoke coldly as he approached them. They tried to Walk away Yet found their wrist in a sharp hold By Chishiya, Him staring Daggers Into her. “Leave me Alone, Chishiya…” They Pleaded, He almost audibly laughed at Their suggestion. “I’m being serious, I Thought you were better than everybody else — but you’re just like them, you’d kill anybody to save your own skin! How do i Know it won’t be me Next time..?”

He pulled them close to him, “You don’t get to leave me like this. You fucking Need me — without Me You’d be Dead.” It all got too much for Y/n, tears flooded their eyes as Chishiya’s cruel grip on their wrist still failed to leave. “Now you’re crying? You don’t deserve to Cry When I’ve done nothing wrong.” He scoffed. “You truly are pathetic.” Y/n muttered an apology through tears, Their cheeks burning out of pure embarrassment and eyes stinging from letting Salty tears fall. “Clean yourself up, your visa expires soon — let me show you how much You really do need me.”

[🩹 CHISHIYA]

[acknowledgetheabsurd]

The most serious thing remains to be said and it is not yet today that you will find me "in love, open, melting"; it is not yet tonight that I will write to you with "joy, brightness, glory", in spite of all the forests of "olive trees of kisses" that you want to put on my face and all the mastic trees in the world! I leave for tomorrow the care to explain clearly that you did not understand anything in my last letter, to tell you that it "often" happened to me to "think coldly" to try to make you understand my "real and lucid desires" and "what is lucid" and "what is constant and true under my changes". 

This is a difficult task to carry out at a distance and quite dangerous when one thinks of the state in which you are reduced. For, my dear love, with your strength and health, with your "fatal and vigorous air", I see with pleasure that you are also recovering your good, solid, Algerian stupidity. Oh! I understand! I understand so many things, and you are constantly emptying yourself, my poor darling! I know! You work! Your essay must exhaust a great deal of your intellectual strength! And then, the rest, isn't it, it's tiring! But don't worry, go on! The little glimmer will come back to shine in the depths of your thoughts and one day - oh miracle! - I will speak to you in half a word... and... you will understand! I am changeable! O rock! 

Since you left, you have spent your time asking me for some reason not to write to you if it would tire or annoy me or torture me or... I don't know what. When, by chance, one day, you don't receive any news, it's a debacle, doubts, dark ideas of the future, more doubts, madness! And you find my letters mean, when, having received from you, for a week, only two small ones every other day I complain at last that the mail is not working well! Since you left, you have been telling me to live as much as I can, to go out, to entertain myself, etc. Now, because I'm going to spend two miserable hours in Iberia, dragged along in spite of myself by some nice friends, and I drink a whiskey and dance a rumba you dare to write to me: "Poor me!" That's all that you found to say to encourage me to start again and as you feel that, I have to spend my energies somewhere and not completely wither. You now advise me to take up SPORT! And the SWIMMING POOL! I hate it! No! But... Do you want to make me die! Do you want to make me catch double pneumonia? The pool! In this cold! And where to find time to go to the pool! But what is the matter with you! 

I can see your face if one day I follow your advice word for word and you receive a letter in which I praise you with warmth (as far as possible!), the joys of swimming, of naked and wet bodies, of water on the skin, wet hair and glances lost on a pair of beautiful legs! Ah, well, if I didn't have other things to worry about, I'd make the effort of swallowing a few sips of chlorine, just for the result! It would be pretty! Notice that while you're feeling sorry for yourself and [complaining] about yourself, you are tasting whiskey, wandering through dances and noticing American women who want to do you good! It is perfect!!! But that's still nothing! Not only are you stupid as a sink, unfair, a pain in the ass (I hope you understand the meaning of this word, which I can't write in full) but, to make matters worse, you are naughty! - I am copying exactly one of your sentences: "You would do the worst things, and against our very love, despite a suffering that I am physically afraid of because I know it so well, I would still love you and stay close to you."

I thank you, my darling, for the general meaning of the sentence, but since I think you love me, I never doubted that it was so. It seems to me obvious that at the point we have reached, errors or blindness of a certain kind can no longer do anything more against our union than to cause excruciating suffering. I am less grateful to you for the little parenthesis "so much I know her". It seems to me that you exaggerate or distort. But all these little impressions disappear before the enormity that follows: "These are reckless words (in all respects) and before pronouncing them I thought a lot about them." How about that! The very fact of speaking of imprudence in a love like ours amazes me, but the parenthesis (again!) that allows me to believe that I could use your words to consider myself free to do things against our love, that is beyond anything else! That is beyond the worst that one can imagine! 

But no! I must not get angry! I must not! It is always the rest, your fatal and vigorous air, your trial, that are the cause of everything! You are stupid, my poor darling! And you have to wait for it to pass! That is all. Ah! I am beginning to feel lighter. As I told you, I leave the serious things for tomorrow, because tonight it is already 2 o'clock and my day has been hard. All this is exhausting and I am tired. 

Good evening, Algerian! Good evening, my love, my beautiful love beast. Good evening, my darling. Curled up in you, your legs mixed with mine (alas if it could be true!) I will fall asleep and try to dream of a pool where you would be lying, fresh and wet, against me. I love you. I love you. I would also like to hold you in my arms and watch you sleep. You see how chaste I am! Unfortunately I believe that I would wake you up slowly, but quickly! See you tomorrow, my darling.

Maria Casarès to Albert Camus, Correspondance, February 14, 1950 [#193]

[slythereen]

apologies if you’ve answered this before or if there’s not really a specific gathered resource, but you seem knowledgeable about such things!— i am interested in learning more about f1 racing, do you have any recommendation for where to find a beginners guide/‘f1 for dummies’/place to begin learning more?

hello!!! i am also rather new to the sport and had to consume massive amounts of content from all over the place and frankly am still learning a lot all the time, so i'm not exactly an expert. what i can share are resources i relied on in my own ✨ descent into madness ✨ though !

so, my incomplete and questionable guide to selling your soul to f1:

it's all about how you like to learn and consume media tbh. i tried to watch a race initially, was confused, regrouped and started exploring. personally i watched all of dts up to the current season and then watched the first few races that i had missed while obsessively trawling twitter to learn more and waiting for my first live race (aka australia this year — massive rip). but it's up to you how you dive in!!

drive to survive

don’t get me wrong, dts has its issues — they invent drama, have some misleading portrayals, like to splice together clips from different race weekends together. it’s definitely more of a creative project than a straight up documentary. 

that being said, it also explains a lot of the lore and history behind the sport, teams, and drivers in an entertaining fashion. it’s newcomer friendly so it explains the rules. yes, will buxton gets a lot of heat for stating the obvious, but some of those obvious explanations are helpful for the clueless. 

there are also a lot of very cool shots and some good exclusive interviews that they get. sure, you can probably find them clipped on youtube, but may as well just watch dts. the first season is a little slow if you’re like me and want to see charles immediately (worth noting not all teams had agreed to participate s1), but that’s just me. 

(plus: it’s entertaining. i live for drama. just take said drama with a grain of salt and assume it’s probably invented or blown out of proportion.) 

the tiktok girlies 

again: tiktok can be a bit hit or miss. you’ll see a lot of bad takes and pure cringe if you linger too long on f1 tiktok. but i started watching content from a few f1 girlies who seems reliable and had friendly introductory content. they’re generally very nice and happy to answer questions. 

after a while i stopped watching them just because i no longer needed the intro information or explanations, but they did help fill in gaps and point out some of the inaccuracies of dts. 

some who helped me learn more:

@/lissiemackintosh (okay she's an f1 presenter but she's cool as shit i love her queen of the paddock etc etc)

@casxf1 (intro content is sort of her Thing)

@formula_dev (she was my go-to girlie for learning)

@f1toni

f1tv content 

i am pretty sure f1tv isn’t available in all countries, but i have always watched races through f1tv. there are a lot of ways to watch races live illicitly if that’s what you prefer, and other countries have sky or other channels they can watch on (USA also has espn), but i prefer f1tv because i’m too lazy to find streams and don’t want to worry about stream issues mid race. 

plus: f1tv comes with a whole archive of past seasons and a host of other media content during race weekends (ie, the fia press conferences on thursday, post-quali and post-race). they have a tech talk series that explains some of the technical aspects, do weekend warm-ups each race weekend that gives an update/context, and have been adding more intro content on the platform. there’s an app, which is convenient. 

the f1tv stream also allows you to use the channel switcher to choose between your commentary options (f1tv or sky’s commentators), or to see the live timing data, or to see any of the driver onboards. it’s quick and you can switch back and forth easily. (if your computer can handle it — my mac often can’t — you can use multiviewer with your f1tv subscription to set up a bunch of different screens and panels to watch, for example, the main stream and a driver’s onboard. or multiple onboards. or whatever you want basically. personally i usually put the race on my ipad and the onboard on my phone, because that streams perfectly and multiviewer likes to kill my laptop.) 

the downfall of f1tv is that they don’t have a smart tv app yet. idk why. it’s very irritating. it also might be a bit expensive to some, but i think it’s worth it. 

f1 twitter (hell)

it’s a minefield out there. truly. BUT my next big question, after starting to get into watching races live and watching some old seasons and learning how it works, is how people seemed to always be in the know about paddock gossip. i wanted to know about it as it was happening and see the ~drama~ unfold live and feel like i was part of the season actually occurring. 

so: twitter. follow your teams, follow your drivers, the for you tab is actually your friend here because it’ll bring new journalists and f1 commentators into your orbit as you learn who is who. some of the big driver fan pages operate as sources of information and updates with relative stealth if not immediate updating. 

at this point i follow enough people (and have infected my algorithm enough) that i tend to see gossip and updates across most of the teams. big news tends to get shared by everyone anyway. 

if you prefer tumblr, you can still get A Lot of updates on drama and gossip pretty quickly. there is a bit of a delay between information hitting twitter and information hitting tumblr (partially because none of the official teams or drivers have accounts on tumblr; partially because of the amount of people on f1twt versus f1blr). BUT, a lot of us tumblr girlies liveblog during the races and sessions and bring any crucial content over from twitter to share here, so the info will probably be here eventually/soonish. (following the race tags each weekend will prob give you a lot of the quick updates live.) 

some great charles specific update accounts

@leclercsletters

@leclercdata

@/charlsleclerc

@cleclercfansuk

others i follow for the 🍵 (not necessarily CL fans/i follow some ppl i disagree with for the intel) 

@fiadocsbot (😭) / @f1 / other official accounts press etc. 

@_allthatglitz

@maranellosaint

@scuderiafemboy (actually also has tumblr)

@fm1_3316

@/lecstappens

@candeleclerc16

@/elpredestinato

@formuleo_

@pikaclerc

@leclerqz

@fottitiferrari

@/f1tami

@/htrs4piastri

@estestroll

@fanaticsferrari

there are certainly more i see on my timeline all the time !!! this is just skimming through my following on the train 😭

tbh if i started trying to list tumblrs with hot takes that i follow we might be here all day. note to self: make my following list public lmfao

introductory posts & masterlists & others

full disclosure: these are resources i went hunting for out of curiosity and never actually used myself, but they looked fun and funky so yaknow. if there are iconic masterlists that i am missing, rip, someone please feel free to add or correct me. some of these are definitely seasons of old (aka like last year) but you get the point.

f1chronicle has this guide!

f1 put out their own beginner's guide to f1 video but it's like......5 minutes (and here is their longer intro video for 2023)

this much longer intro to the rules video by school of sports looks promising

apparent f1 also has a whole category of articles in their beginner's guide series

@babssionate's ppt guide to f1 and drivers intro

@shuntedmate's (sister's) ppt beginner's guide to f1

pitwall's beginner guide to f1 ppt

@race-week's guide to getting into the technical side of f1 (and whole blog appears to be some cool info on drivers and histories etc)

here is @lestappenforever's glorious guide to charles' driving style that i re-found while trying to figure out if i have a reference list tag (i dont)

[yuttikkele]

I did make a joke earlier about how “i can’t believe I related to a depression arc especially reki’s” but fr 13 year old me beat myself UP over tennis bro. TENNIS of all things, I know!! I got over it eventually (though I still get mad about it when I play it for too long, I need breaks), and I will try not to dump all the deets (but I probably will), but, basically, like reki, I dragged my friend in to play tennis and they surpassed me within a month or two.

My thing wasn’t so much of an “I’m upset this one time” but more like a recurring thing that lasted multiple years before my best friend surpassed me. Everyone would move above me in the ranks, and of course I didn’t understand it since I had played tennis since I could walk (quite literally). But like, the truth is some people are just built differently. They’re just born with natural athleticism. There’s absolutely nothing you can do about it, and that’s ok. It took me so long to realize that that’s just ok. And you can just have fun playing a sport and not worry about how you compare to others or if you even win! Because ultimately you do it for entertainment and fun!!!

During this time I also realized that competition really turns me off. Like once I know that I’m competing, all my enthusiasm runs dry. I have no more want to win, I have no more want to play, I have no more want to participate. It drained the fun out of tennis. And while I kept trying to accept that tennis can just be fun, that I don’t have to worry about winning, my dear father the coach kept telling me you have to want to compete in order to actually be on the team. Yeah yeah, state championships whatever, but the coach, especially since he’s my DAD, should know that not everyone performs their best under the same circumstances!! And he should know since I told him I don’t like competing, that I’ll probably play better if I don’t force myself to compete!!!

I know competition is natural in sports, but it’s just not for me. I’ve tried BELIEVE ME I’ve tried. Sk8 was pretty cool in that I got to see basically the same thing I went through (it’s always cool when you get to see that). ngl tho, Reki looked like he came out stronger than I did. So, I’m gonna have a blast this next tennis season, since I know I’m not an athlete and I can’t compare myself to others, I can still work to be the best that I can possibly be and have fun with it >:D

[snugglebug-92]

The One Where She Like's a Boy

When you got back to Minnesota everything slowed down. You were always on edge, and you didn’t leave your apartment unless you had to go to class. Since your schedule was different it was easier to avoid Brock and Knies. You stuck to that schedule until one night Brock showed up with pizza after a whole month of not seeing you. You were about to pretend you weren’t there but then you remembered Brock had a spare key, so it was no use. As you slowly opened the door, he embraced you before stepping inside.

“I missed you,” Brock says as he sets down the pizza.

“I’m sorry I’ve been gone so much. When I was in Boston, I saw him and things didn’t go well,” you whisper. Both boys look at you and now understand everything but also feel horrible. They haven’t seen you since before you left for break and now knowing the reason was you feared for your own safety. 

“No, I'm sorry. I thought you were mad at me and so I let you have some space thinking you would get over it. I should have checked on you sooner especially knowing you were going home,” Brock says as he brings you into a hug. The two of you sit and watch a movie and soon things are back to normal. You started going out a little more and would once again go to the hockey games.

Eventually it came time for the boys to go to playoffs and you went with them. You watched as they lost to Michigan in the big ten tournament. It was a tough loss, but the boys still have the frozen four to look forward to. They beat their first and second opponents earning themselves a trip to Boston. As much as you wanted to support the boys it was Boston, the one place you hated more than anything. As you though to yourself Bryan wouldn’t no couldn’t know you were there. He had no way of knowing you went to the U and this time you wouldn’t leave your seat alone. The boys lost their first game and they went home.

The rest of the school year flew by and soon it was summer. The three of you went to a small cabin for a weekend before all heading your separate ways. Your summer goes by fast. You take some summer classes to keep yourself busy and you head back to Minnesota before you know it. While you weren’t back home the whole break it still felt like summer was almost over. You and Brock hangout almost every day during the rest of the summer. You two act like kids again and everything was amazing. You felt so free. 

But then school started, and boy was junior year crazy. Hockey practices started early in the school year and with Brock being captain you two started hanging out less and less. Thankfully Knies was there to entertain you. The two of you would do all the things you and Brock would do. You would still of course hang out with Brock when the time permitted but most of the time it was just you and Matthew. During one of the times, you were waiting for practice to end you watched the boys skate on the ice. You were always mesmerized by the sport, but you never could quite grasp the whole shooting a puck thing. Your body couldn’t do it so your dream of playing hockey with your brothers stopped right then and there. You were content watching. So that’s what you would do. As soon as practice ended you made your way to the locker room and waited for Matthew and Brock. The three of you were going to go watch a movie at your place tonight. As the two boys walk out you catch a glance at one of the freshmen who walks out in front of them. You were still trying to put names to faces but you knew he was either Logan or Jimmy because he was on the same line as Knies. You smile at him and try not to giggle as his face turns a slight shade of red. Brock leaves as soon as the movie finishes leaving you and Matthew alone.

“So, are they any cute freshmen?” Knies questions. You thank Matt for making sure you had a great poker face before answering Matthews' question.

“No. But why are the freshmen they’re too young?” you know they aren’t too young and there are definitely freshmen on the team who are older than you. But you still push the question.

“Well, it’s not like there are any transfers so I’m just wondering,” he shrugs.

“Well nope. No boys,” you respond.

“Any girls?” he questions, not quite understanding the complete lack of interest in men you have.

“No, it’s not that. I just don’t want to date anyone right now,” you shrug and with that the topic gets dropped for now. 

It doesn’t take you long to figure out the boy you smiled at is Jimmy. He’s from Minnesota and drafted by the St. Louis Blues. Your gaze tends to linger on him at practice and it doesn’t take long for Matthew to notice. What you don’t notice is Jimmy looking at you like you hung the moon. He looks at you like you hung the moon and that's when he puts his plan in motion. He knows that the two of you are going to hang out after practice. He also knows he can definitely get the information that she likes Jimmy wiggled out of her one way or another. You wait for Knies at the locker room door and smile at Jimmy when he walks out. Your attention turns to Matthew which is good because poor Jimmy is so distracted by you. So distracted in fact that he runs into a door on the way out. Matthew, who watches the whole thing go down, bites back a laugh at the boy's misfortune before the two of you walk to get coffee. Once you both have your beverages Knies starts his plan to get you to admit you like Jimmy.

“So, I heard a few of the freshmen have a crush on you,” he says.

“Oh, and where did you hear this?” you laugh.

“Well, a few of them asked me to set you up with them. There's one of them is too shy to even say hi to you but he definitely likes you a lot,” Knies shrugs.

“Well, if they want a date so bad, they should ask. It would be fun to knock a few of their egos down a few pegs when I say no,” you respond sipping on your drink.

“You wouldn’t say yes to anyone. Not even Jimmy,” Matthew knows he has you on a dangerous line right there. He watches as your eyes scan his face before you set your drink down.

“Fine there is a small chance I would say yes to Jimmy but not right now,” you say finally.

“So, I can give him your number then,” Matthew asks.

“No, I didn’t say that-”

“Why not? He likes you and he’s a good kid.”

“There’s more to it Matthew. Things you don’t know.”

“What don’t I know then. Enlighten me,” he leans back looking at you.

“It's hard, okay. drop the Jimmy thing please,” you beg.

“Yeah, sure we can talk about something else,” Matthew says finishing his coffee.

[drewoclock]

Screen Life

Originally published June 25th, 2013

"Can’t you just step away from your screen and do something?  Read a book!  Go outside!  Live your life!"

I’ve been the victim of a diatribe similar to this and I’m sure I’m not alone.  I spend many hours a day in front of a screen.  I live in this time where technology is spreading like butter in a wildfire and one screen can provide you with access to all sorts of things.  And I sometimes feel bad about it.  I feel that stepping away from the screen would be doing the right thing.

But is it really the right thing?  Why are people so inclined to be upset about other people being in front of screens in the first place?  Is it because they think I’m curtailing the amount of experiences I can have in my life?  I can understand why they’d think that.  Sitting in front of one screen in one spot gives the illusion that I’m not doing all that much.  But in reality, there’s so much that I could be doing in front of that screen.  Watching movies, reading the news, doing research, communicating with people, arranging events, journaling, etc.  There’s certainly things to do outside of a screen, but there’s an awful broad amount of fulfilment in front of one.  

Not to mention, a lot of my life is away from the screen.  I exercise regularly and I actually do very much enjoy sports.  There are many activities I enjoy that I can only do with human interaction, including just being around people.  And you know what?  The outdoors can be a pretty neato environment to do things in.

And I do explore these screenless things.  I want my life to be as chromatic as possible.  It just happens that a lot of the ways I make my life dynamic involve being in front of a screen.  Isn’t that kind of like being in front of a book?  I mean, books are awesome.  They’re a good medium for storytelling and great for research.  But don’t they also involve being in one spot staring at one thing?

And yet, I still think more of seeing somebody reading a novel than someone sitting in front of a phone or a laptop.  I think I know why.  Nowadays if you ride a train, which are you more likely to see: Somebody in front of a screen or somebody reading a book?  Definitely the former.  But which is more interesting to watch?  The latter.  It’s the more compelling thing to see because it happens to be more unique.  In fact, maybe it’s our desire to be entertained by humanity that makes us so inclined to be angry at people in front of a screen.  We’re only mad because they aren’t as fun to look at.

What an awkward position to be in.  Technology has condensed things so that we can have it all in one place, yet it has given us all a resentment for the people that utilize it because they become more boring to observe as a result.  But that’s just human nature; we’re more entertained by the more unique.  If for some reason it was the norm for everybody to be playing outside and throwing a picnic, I imagine I’d want to scream at them to “live life” and sit in front of a screen.  Well, not scream it.  I’d probably blog about it.

[k-pepp]

The other day @themarsbar and @sillylittleflower and I were talking about reaction videos and our love of certain reactors. I’ve gone down the reaction rabbit hole and watched pretty much every reactor I could find. Because there are so many, I ended up making a list of who I liked and who I didn’t so I’d remember by the time S3 came out. I’m gonna put out some of my favorites in case anyone hasn’t seen some of them, or has recommendations not on the list, or just wants to scream in the notes section with me about certain videos.

Note: I’m only going to list some my favorite ones and not get into who I didn’t like as much because I’m not super comfy putting that stuff on main… Feel free to slide into my DMs though 😅

Brad Evans - Anyone who already watches reactions has probably already seen Brad. But if you haven’t, I highly recommend. Once you start watching different reaction videos you realize a lot of them don’t pull you in as much because half the time you’re just watching someone watch tv. But Brad’s are always entertaining. He puts in a lot of meme edits and adds his own funny commentary. He also likes the show. Which seems basic, but you’d be surprised. You can tell some reactors just watch YR for the content and some reactors are actually into it. I just remember Brad crying at the end of S1 (weren’t we all) and during the the last 10 minutes of S2 he had to get up and stand behind his couch because he was freaking out (weren’t we all).

Brad freaking out behind his couch

Harry Allen - Love Harry. He doesn’t do editing or silly jokes, but he is very, very thoughtful. At least a handful of times each episode he’ll stop to do an analysis of the character / plot or to go on a rant about something. He always apologizes for stopping the episode to talk and its like “never apologize, Harry! This is what make your videos the best!” His thoughts are very articulate and very fair. Even if he doesn’t like what the character is doing, he still tries to understand from their point of view. You can tell he’s actually invested. Top recommendation, honestly.

A Story Worth Telling - Josh and Alex are the best. They also don’t do any crazy edits, but they’re both very witty. They play off of each other well and it makes you feel like your watching the show with friends. It’s nice to watch them have conversations about what’s going on instead of just one person’s random comments every few minutes. I also appreciate that they play devil’s advocate for each other. Sometimes one of them will have a take I don’t necessarily agree with, but then the other person is quick to say “ok, but maybe it’s also…” So it feels like their thoughts on shows are well rounded. And just like with my other top reactors, you can tell they actually care about the show. They’re just very fun and lovely to watch.

Them in their crowns watching the finale

EverybodyLovesRae- Rachel only had S2 reactions on her channel, but I still recommend her videos. She does the same type of meme edits as Brad and gets super passionate about the show (especially Wilmon). She doesn’t do too much analysis, but the commentary she gives feels just like the commentary you’d see in the Tumblr tags. It feels like a friend sitting on the couch with you getting excited or mad or anxious watching each scene. Very genuine and sweet.

Rachel freaking out at the finale

Jay Per View - When I first went down the rabbit hole, I saw quite a few people recommend him. And I’ll be honest, when I first started his videos, it took me a minute. He can give off “bro” vibes and he reacts to Young Royals exactly the same way someone reacts to watching a sports game. You’ll get something like “oh he’s doing it! Alright!!” *loud clapping* “LET’S GOOO!!” But it becomes endearing. He’s just super passionate about what he watches and his enthusiasm becomes kind of infectious. Plus he’s low key funny. Out of no where he’ll pull out some random one-liner that has me cackling.

Jay cheering on the ending lol

Ricky Reviews - Ricky is very, very sweet. Like a lovely friend you’re watching the show with. He gets super excited during scenes and even cried during both season finales (didn’t we all). You can tell the general theme of my “favorites” list is a reactor who seems like an actual fan of the show. Definitely Ricky.

Ricky living his best life during the finale

Abnormally Adam - Another reactor that took me a minute to get used to. He can be a bit over the top and talks a mile a minute, but you can tell he is genuinely invested and passionate about the show, especially Wilmon. I appreciate that he replayed the “I love you” scene multiple times and just kept reacting to it lol

ChachiSays (previously Joshing Joshua) - He doesn’t do edits or heavy analysis, but I still enjoyed his reviews. He was passionate during each episode and, just like with Ricky Reviews, teared up during both finales (didn’t we all). Very sweet.

The Cornerverse - Georgia is a lot more reserved and soft spoken than most of the other reactors on my list, but she’s very sweet and has some good thoughtful commentary. I just remember during Wille’s speech she had to stop the video to process what he said because she was freaking out so much (weren’t we all). She’s very lovely.

Jackie-Ross Lavender - Jackie is a lovely man. He can be a little intense and dramatic (as shown by his thumbnails in which every single one is a picture of his head in his hands lol), but he genuinely loves the show and loves Wilmon. I joined his Patreon and he has reactions to Edvin and Omar interviews as well.

Jackie being very intense and dramatic lol

Alex Chris - up front I’m gonna warn that he only puts the first episodes of S1 and S2 on YouTube and everything else is on his Patreon. I wish he didn’t do that because I really enjoy his reactions and this cuts it off from people who don’t want to pay. But if you do want to check out his stuff, he has thoughtful commentary (kind of reminds me of Harry Allen) and he’s funny. Not in a jokey way, but he’s kind of goofy and his goofiness makes him endearing.

FictionalDarling - she does each season’s reaction as one hour long video (2 videos total). So the upside is that they’re very easy to binge, but the downside is a lot of the scenes get reduced or skipped to have 6 episodes fit into one video. I would still recommend them though. She adorable and has funny comments and overall entertaining commentary.

Niall No Chill - he reminds me a bit of Brad. He does similar meme edits and also has enthusiastic funny commentary. He’s entertaining to watch along with. He also makes some very good guesses. He figured out how Felice was going to be able to catch August in S1. I was impressed.

David vs Film - the most recent reactor that I’ve watched. I enjoyed him. He doesn’t do any edits or heavy analysis, but he’s genuinely invested and he was also entertaining to watch. He also had some funny little one liners. He kept calling the music teacher Older Anne Hathaway and now I can’t unsee it 😂

[voxomniaetnihil]

A Little More About Me...

Why should you read my blog? Glad you asked! As a Black Man, it’ll be a POV you may not be used to, giving you something to ponder. Agreeing or disagreeing is fine, but as the saying goes: “you’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts”. My opinions & facts are as strong as Death Wish coffee, and I’m not afraid to engage them. Are you?

What will you get from my blog? Honesty, information and some laughs. Reviews, like politics, has become a dirty business and I like getting my hands dirty.  Just ask Anne Rice or Amos Lassen.

What will I be posting about? Books, movies, music, movie scores- I love me some movie scores!- politics and life in these United States. Something new I’m excited to try out is episodic reviews of tv & anime series- not so much current ones but old faves like Highlander, Slayers, Babylon 5, Hellsing, etc. And no, I will NOT be doing Smallville... 

What’s my cred? I’m a former Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer and a former- and current again- Amazon Vine Voice. I’ve been interviewed by prominent bloggers and correspond frequently with authors. I’ve reviewed for such book tour agencies as Bewitching Book Tours, Month9Books, Xpresso, YA Bound, Enchanted, Goddess Fish, as well as the occasional self-published author. I’m also a regular attendee at the BEA every year, so you’ll be able to get a heads up on what’ll be coming out.

How’d I get started? Welp, in 2009 the company I worked for- Virgin Megastores- closed down and I took advantage of my abundant free time by catching up on some reading. Ok, a lot of reading. Virgin shared the same building as Random House and about twice a month RH dumped their shelves out. And I’m not ashamed to say I was a dumpster diving mofo- it’s how I discovered the Anita Blake series. (true story)

I started referencing Amazon reviews about the books I was reading and came to respect and rely upon the information I received and the people who provided it. After a few months I figured I could do the same- I’m that one friend you'd always ask their opinion about movies, etc. I started moving up the ranks and boom!- Top 1000. This was before all the madness and mishegoss. Ah, the good old days…

I wasn’t in it for a side gig; it was always fun & interesting to me. Trying to hustle to keep my rank up combined with the tsunami of fake reviews and bullshitters angling for free stuff made me lose my taste for the game, so I slacked off for a good while. Then Wordpress suspended my blog claiming I was spamming for posting book tour promos, so I just said screw it. See ya when I see ya.

Now it’s a new decade with new ideas & challenges to tackle, so why the hell not? 

A few things about me personally: Proud Black Man. Former US Marine. Born, raised, still living in Brooklyn. 50+ years old.  6’5’’, about 260. One of the handsomest men you’ll ever meet. Big sports fan- Baseball (Mets), Football (Cowboys), Hockey (Devils), Basketball (Lakers). Works in Sports/Entertainment Security. Still working on my own fantasy novel & occasional dabbler in fanfic. Used to never drink coffee... used to. Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy. Wine tastes flat to me.

Thanks for stopping by. If you’re of a mind, hit the links and stalk… er, follow me around the internetz.

[future-oscarwinner]

I just finished my exam! I’m feeling confident about it, but that usually isn’t a good sign 😅

Oof I can’t stand Max which is quite ironic as a Dutch person. Yea you’re right we don’t really know the man but it’s still strange to see him gone, I can’t really remember f1 without Seb in it. Now I’m a bit lost with who I want to pick for next year, it would have been Mick but we all know what happened to him.

Pierre definitely didn’t have the smoothest or easiest career no and the win was just so beautiful and very much deserved <3

Awesome! Let's hope it's the other way around this time, fingers crossed 🤞

My feelings about Max are quite... mixed, to say the least. I try to keep it lowkey and respectful because of her (unlike her who got SO pissed at me when I said I like Hamilton after all the crap she told me about him, like girl let me form my own opinion) but sometimes I just wanna smack him.

Oh I didn't mean it like that, I meant that I'm only 2 months into f1 why am I getting emotional over that 😅 but they all got under my skin suuuper fast now I can't imagine my life without them. If someone was to tell me I can no longer be into f1 I think I'd breakdown and cry. I can't even remember my life before it anymore, it just consumed me in omg I could write an essay about it rn

But Seb is a true legend of the sport no doubt, I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner, I wish I had more time with him ❤️‍🩹 But maybe someday he returns, what are your thoughts about that?

And Mick oh my god poor baby 🥺 I am so mad at Haas and dts only brought more hate on them from me even though Gunther is entertaining silly little man to watch I still wanna throw hands 😤 Undeserving, to say the least. I hope he comes back in 2024 ❤️‍🩹

Very much deserved, yes <3 I hope I get to see him win more often now that he has moved to Alpine <3