#but i think it was worth it for the dreamy atmosphere

[cupboardgods]

Apricot chewing gum scented memory

[yeosanitycheck]

can you please write a first date with ateez members😽🥺

ofc!! i hope you like this. i tried to include a good amt of detail for each member w/o being too wordy :)

first date with ateez!

*pairing: ateez x reader

*warnings!: none, this is pure fluff

*a/n: i love doing requests sm!! im open to anything :)

Hongjoong 🌶️

art gallery and vinyl store:

Hongjoong gives off that art gallery and vinyl store vibe. He takes you to a cozy, intimate art gallery, where he’s genuinely curious about what each piece means to you. As you wander through, he leads you to an abstract painting with deep blues and warm golds, and his gaze lingers on it for a moment. Finally, he looks over at you with a curious smile, eyes sparkling with thought.

“It’s strange…” he begins, studying the piece. “This one makes me think of a dream I had—but it’s hard to put into words. It’s like the artist left us a clue.” For a moment, he’s lost in the painting and the quiet of the gallery. The evening feels weighty in the best way, and you sense he’s simply happy to share this space with you. He gestures around thoughtfully. “We should come to more galleries, you know. I think we’d get along well with the art,” he muses, voice soft but earnest.

After the gallery, he takes you to his favorite vinyl store, his face lighting up as he flips through stacks of records, each album cover like a piece of art in itself. He’s in his element. “I have to play you this one!” he says, pulling out an album with a cover of swirling colors. “It’s got this dreamy guitar that just…feels like a night drive.” He slides a record into the listening station, placing one headphone on his ear and offering you the other. “Close your eyes,” he whispers.

As the music begins, you’re immersed in a warm, dreamy atmosphere. Hongjoong sits quietly beside you, letting the sound wrap around both of you, and when the song ends, he smiles, more to himself than to anyone else. “It’s timeless,” he says, voice almost a whisper. Leaving the store, he glances at you, brushing his hand through his hair, looking thoughtful. “Next time, I’ll make you a mix of songs like that. For drives, late nights…for whatever moments we want to make ours.”

---

Seonghwa 🧚

the picnic type (outside of legos ofc):

Seonghwa strikes you as the type who appreciates quiet beauty. He takes you to a peaceful hill just outside the city, where he’s prepared a stargazing setup with cozy blankets, soft pillows, and a thermos of hot cocoa for warmth. The sun is just beginning to set as you both settle in, and he starts pointing out constellations, his voice calm under the deepening twilight.

“I wanted to find a spot where we could see the stars clearly, and where it would just be us,” he says, a subtle smile playing on his lips. He pulls out a small telescope and carefully adjusts it, pointing to a bright star. “See that? That’s Vega—one of the brightest stars,” he explains, eyes lighting up. “They say it symbolizes harmony and balance. So pretty.”

He shifts his gaze to meet yours, the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “If we could be like those stars, maybe our story would be worth telling too,” he murmurs, his eyes reflecting a bit of the starlight. Moving closer, he tucks a strand of hair behind your ear, his gaze so intense you can feel the warmth radiating from him. “You’re the personification of Vega, bringing balance and light…something I didn’t realize I needed,” he admits. The silence that follows is comfortable, and as he gazes at you, his voice softens, almost reverent. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this view.”

---

Yunho ☂️

fun, amusement park kind of man!:

Yunho radiates fun and adventure, which is why he chooses the amusement park for your first date. From the moment you arrive, his excitement is infectious. His eyes gleam as he takes in the lights, rides, and sounds of laughter, and without hesitation, he grabs your hand. “Let’s do everything! The roller coaster first. Trust me, we’re about to have the best time.”

On the roller coaster, Yunho’s excitement morphs into thrill as he laughs and screams, his eyes wide with exhilaration. When you finally get off, he leans against the railing, catching his breath with a grin. “Next time, I’ll keep it cool and calm, I swear. But first…” he says, eyeing a booth with stuffed animals. “I’m winning you the biggest one here!”

Determined, he attempts the game multiple times before finally winning a massive plush dog. With a triumphant grin, he holds it up to you like a trophy. “Told you I’d get it,” he laughs, handing it over with a playful wink. As the day goes on, you ride more rides and play more games, and as the sun begins to set, he stops to take in the vibrant lights illuminating the park, a content look on his face.

“I want to remember today like this. Just us, being silly and enjoying each moment,” he says softly. After a moment, he grins, nudging you playfully. “Next time, maybe we’ll try something even more thrilling. How does skydiving sound?”

---

Yeosang🪽  

the garden boy:

As you step into the botanical garden, the colors and scents of flowers envelop you both, transforming the air into a fragrant embrace. Yeosang seems to come alive in this vibrant setting, walking slowly and soaking in every detail with a childlike wonder. He stops frequently, admiring a particular flower, his fingers brushing gently against the delicate petals as if to connect with their beauty. 

“Look at this one; it’s so vibrant. I’ve never seen such a shade of red before,” he exclaims, pulling out his phone to capture the moment with an artistic eye. He snaps photos, each shot a testament to his creativity, and then turns to you, his expression soft and thoughtful. 

“Sometimes I feel like nature can express feelings we can’t put into words. Gardens are so peaceful to me,” he muses, leaning against a nearby tree to admire you with a gentle smile. In this moment, he’s not just appreciating nature; he’s savoring your presence as if you were the most beautiful flower in the garden.

“If I could, I’d spend every day here, just us and the beauty around us… creating our own little world,” he says, the sincerity in his voice making your heart flutter. He carefully plucks a delicate flower, twirling it between his fingers before holding it out to you with a shy grin. 

“Here, something to remember today by,” he offers, his shy demeanor revealing his affection. As you walk together, the tranquility of the garden reflects in his eyes. He feels incredibly lucky to share this serene moment with you, and his admiration shines through. “This day… it feels special. The perfect moment captured in time with you,” he whispers, his love language evident in his words of affirmation and the little gestures that express his affection.

---

San🗻

Pet cafe seemed the most appropriate for him:

The moment you step into the pet cafe, San’s excitement is palpable, radiating joy as he practically skips towards the kittens and puppies. His laughter fills the air as a fluffy puppy bounds over, tail wagging furiously. He kneels down, scooping it into his arms, his face lighting up with sheer delight. 

“He’s the cutest puppy!” he exclaims, stroking the puppy’s soft fur while it licks his cheek, making you smile at the warmth in his heart. As you watch him interact with the animals, you notice how effortlessly his joy spreads to everyone around.

“You know, I’ve always believed that animals can sense good hearts. They seem to like you a lot… just like I do,” he says, glancing at you with genuine warmth. It’s a sweet reminder of the connection you both share, and his words are laced with sincerity, affirming your place somewhere in his mind and heart. 

As you both move to a corner filled with treats, he holds a tiny biscuit out for a waiting puppy. “Woo, this is your moment to shine!” he laughs as the puppy eagerly takes the treat from his hand. Watching him share his joy with the animals, you can’t help but admire how he brings out the best in everyone.

“I could spend all day here with you and these little animals. You guys just make the day more worth it,” he says, wrapping an arm around your shoulder as you both settle on the floor, surrounded by playful furballs. 

---

Mingi🩰

Nighttime vibes—def an outdoor movie type:

Mingi leads you to a local park where an outdoor movie is screening classic films. He sets up a cozy spot on the grass with blankets and snacks, the anticipation buzzing in the air as you settle in together. Leaning back on his hands, he intertwines his fingers with yours, his playful eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Alright! Let’s see how bad this movie really is. Couldn’t do a scary one for obvious reasons,” he quips, the sound of his laughter blending with the chirping of crickets. As the film begins, he leans closer, whispering witty commentary and shaking his head dramatically whenever a character makes a ridiculous decision.

“Did they really think that was a good idea? Who jumps into a dark alley like that? I mean, I would definitely jump in if you were there, but that’s beside the point,” he jokes, his words laced with affection as he playfully nudges you. Each laugh shared draws you closer, creating a tapestry of moments that feels magical.

When the film ends, he pulls you into a quieter area of the park, where the rustling leaves and distant laughter create a serene backdrop. The moonlight casts a gentle glow on his face as he glances at you, longing evident in his eyes. “You know, I really like this. Just sharing our thoughts and debating silly stuff… it’s perfect to me,” he admits, his vulnerability showing as he leans in closer, his forehead resting against yours.

This moment feels timeless, and as he pulls you in for a soft kiss under the stars, you know this is just the beginning of something beautiful.

---

Wooyoung👹 

Man loves to cook—cooking class!:

You and Wooyoung arrive at a bustling cooking studio, the delicious aroma of fresh herbs and sizzling garlic enveloping you both. He rolls up his sleeves with enthusiasm, helping you tie your apron while shooting you a cheeky grin. 

“I’m winning over your taste buds tonight,” he declares, confidence radiating from him as he dives into the cooking process. As the instructor guides you through each step, Wooyoung can’t resist adding his own flair, chopping ingredients with exaggerated precision, and shooting playful winks whenever he catches your eye.

When he accidentally adds a bit too much chili to the sauce, he winces but laughs it off. “I hope you like a little heat. You’ll just have to handle the spice,” he teases, the playful banter making your heart race. As you taste your creations, he leans in, watching your reaction with eager anticipation.

“Good, right?! I’m thinking about starting my own restaurant. You could be my official taste tester,” he grins, and you can’t help but smile at the thought. His passion for cooking and your presence fuels his excitement, creating a bond that feels warm and genuine.

As the class winds down, he wraps his arm around your shoulders, a satisfied smile on his face. “Tonight was perfect, and next time, I’m making you my special dessert. No recipe needed!” His words echo with promise.

---

Jongho🧸  

He’s built, likes activity—rock climbing: 

Jongho takes you to an indoor rock climbing gym, where excitement dances in the air. As he gears up, his eyes sparkle with enthusiasm. He hands you a harness, carefully helping with the buckles and straps, his warm touch sending a delightful shiver down your spine. “Think you’re ready for this? I’ll go easy on you… maybe,” he teases, a playful smile gracing his lips.

As he starts climbing with natural ease, he glances back to offer advice, his calm confidence a reassuring presence. When you hesitate on a difficult spot, he looks down at you, his smile unwavering. “Just take your time. Find your balance… trust yourself,” he encourages, his voice steady and filled with belief in your abilities.

When you finally reach the top, his approving smile lights up the room, and he gives you a soft high five, pride shining in his gaze. “Feels good to push the limits with you! It’s freeing,” he says, sitting beside you as you both take in the breathtaking view. The city lights twinkle below, mirroring the spark in his eyes.

As you catch your breath, he watches you with admiration. “You did great. Next time, let’s try the real thing. There’s a spot outside the city I think you’d love,” he suggests, his eagerness palpable. The promise of future adventures together makes your heart flutter, knowing that every challenge you face will only bring you closer.

--- 

[ash-and-starlight]

BOOKS OF 2024

the list nobody asked for. again <3 i think this time around i read less books than the previous year?? but still 😤 we did it boys we read some fine books. reviews under the cut since i love yapping and i cant be fucked to make a goodreads account

Cromorama - Riccardo Falcinelli this book was sooo cool so engaging so interesting, its a look into the history and science of colors but its also so much more rlly one of my favorite nonfictions of all time

The Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells disclaimer I only read this series up to Rogue Protocol, but I enjoyed it, I rlly liked the characters and the worldbuilding and the short novel format and most of all murderbooottt my best friend murderbot. when im in the mood for scifi again ill read the rest asw I prommyy

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous - Ocean Vuong this is one of those books that as u read it you can already tell it will stay with you forever, dont be fooled by the shortness every single line will Kill You. it will kill you dead.

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida - Shehan Karunatilaka probably my fav book of the year, it's beautiful it's gripping it's deep it's scathing it's irreverent it has a careful and deeply cultural magical surrealism it has sociopolitical satire it won the booker prize of 2022 and deserved it so much

Fuori le Palle! Privilegi e Trappole della Mascolinità - Victoire Tuaillon ill be hoooneestt I didn't find this uhh as groundbreaking as I was kinda expecting it to be?? but still it was a nice read and the "flipped" perspective to center the myth of """masculinity""" in a feminist text was interesting. also rlly pretty cover

Lavinia - Ursula K. Le Guin Ursula girl u did it again! constantly rising the bar for all of us!! another stunning book that sadly fell victim to the #girlboss tiktokification but DONT LET THAT STOP YOUUU its sooo good. bitches Love pre-hellenistic latin society <333 bitches love even more when the boundaries between story and characters and reality and fiction blur in such a masterful way that Lavinia can have a conversation with Vergil and it doesn't feel not even the littlest bit forced or out of place <333

Exordia - Seth Dickinson Went in for the giant snake alien/human toxic yuri stayed for the weird mystery body horror stuff almost left for the overabundance of USA military stuff that I just can't be bothered to care about. I liked it way less than the masquerade but it Does have all the classical elements that make it a Seth Dickinson book aka fucked up women. Imperialism Critique. the horrors. the trolley problem. being Very Long. etc

Iron Widow - Xiran Jay Zhao wow guys. this book fucking sucked. like I'm speechless. you'd think that with the crazy popular rep it has it would have smth worth salvaging but uhhh- anyway go stream cocoon by corrupter which is iron widow if it was actually good

Fire from Heaven - Mary Renault nothing more special than a cultured fujo and her special golden shiny perfumed blorbo that everyone wants to fuck so bad <333 finally a book that healed my tsoa related trauma, the only thing that could've made it better is if hephaestion discovered brat taming

The Spear Cuts Through Water - Simon Jimenez beautiful and with such a dreamy magical atmosphere once again I LOVEEE interwoven stories, and I feel like some of the writing's style Choices are so original. it starts a bit slow tbh but I found it impossible to put down from the second half of the book til the end

Voyage of the Damned - Frances White well. it was a cherished super pretty shiny gift from a beloved friend so that's why I finished it but uh. uhhMMMMM uhghhh whhhhfhhmmm uhhhhh hmmmmm uhhhhh. yeah. I'm iconic 💅

Bad Gays: a Homosexual History - Ben Miller, Huw Lemmey ill be honest I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did but its really nice!! its a critique and analysis of white male gayness told through the lives of some Notable Controversial Homos, and I liked how it rlly paints a full picture not only of their lives but also of the socio-political landscape that shaped them and the concept of queernes of the time. only lil gripe tho is why there was only One woman and One Japanese guy then-

[ajaxbell]

Hard to Find was a teen dream come true for me though not in the usual way.

Though I very much enjoyed this I'm not sure if I can wholeheartedly recommend it. It's not going to be for some people. But for the ones who get it it will be perfect. For me this was the cdrama of my teen goth dreams (if I'd known what cdramas were way back then). And it did everything I needed it to do in that regard. But objectively I had issues with big chunks of the story, with great setups that were never used, and pieces that never quite came together in the end.

Right upfront I'll say story-wise and casting-wise this was really uneven. I don't think the female lead was quite on par with the male lead. He really carries most of this on the strength of his impeccable jawline. And I've seen him do scorching love scenes in other shows, but the female lead here can't quite meet the heat he brings. And initially I was a little concerned about every other cast member looking like they were 14 years old. But the core cast ended up doing a good job with what they were given and some of the characters turned out to be truly quite excellent.

The villain could have been stronger in the beginning (though his over the top scenery chewing really worked in the end). The romance was really quite sweet and decently done. There was a run of misunderstandings  as the basis for plot conflict which isn't my fave but ultimately I think it was handled well here. And a love triangle that I actually truly enjoyed how it ended up being handled.

I generally prefer cohesive plots and well developed characters with true arcs in my stories. I'm not much for just vibes being enough, but in this case, the vibes alone are worth it. I was a goth teen way back in youth and if this had existed then I would have been insufferable about it. People would have shunned me because I wouldn't have talked about anything else. I'd have gone to dance clubs in Helian Xi cosplay, swanning around in goth robes and playing at brooding in the snow. The first part of this really has the vibes of The Crow (1994). Zhao Yiqin is absolutely perfect as the gloomy goth prince, Helian Xi. He broods like a champ and his jawline is sharp enough to cut through any plot issues. The first part of this really has the vibes of The Crow mostly because Helian Xi really being his best ancient Chinese Eric Draven. A lot of gloomy fairy prince vibes here too. And the choices for the sets make this atmospheric in a very fairy tale way.

As I said, this is not without flaws and not as good as other stuff I've seen from this team. But it's so beautifully shot, it's worth watching for the visuals alone. It is decently acted despite all the teens. The sound track is excellent. The costumes are just gorgeous. Though I do not love the hairstyling on the female lead. It's truly distracting in an otherwise dazzling show. And the eps are all like 18 minutes long, so it's nearly impossible not to just race through it, entranced by how beautiful it is. It goes so fast you might not even notice the shaky story issues. Alas the ending does go in for choosing to further the plot at the expense of being true to the characters they developed, which is too bad, but it does not ruin the overall dreamy brooding goth mood of the show. So yeah, I recommend it only if you want the full on melodramatic teen goth feeling of overwhelming love in a fantasy kingdom of brooding princes and can look past the plot hitches. Really it's so visually stunning I would watch it again just for that.

[mifhortunach]

Horror Short Films You Can Watch For Free - Right Now!

Just a 'small' post collecting some less well known horror short films that you can find mostly on youtube & vimeo! All worth a look!

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

SUNGAZER 9min, 2020 (You'll have to log in to vimeo to watch this one!) "A short, wordless horror film about the terrors lurking just beyond the veil of reality." - Or, a man waits, and performs a ritual. Wicked atmospheric, manages to really paint a world despite the run-time. Looks great as well. [TW: flashing lights, body horror, harsh noise]

The Color Out of Space 5min, 2017 "A meteorite, strange vegetation, a colour: an experimental take on H.P. Lovecraft's spiral into madness, shot with a vintage camera on truly unique LomoChrome 16mm film." <- All accurate! Eerie little film.

My House Walk-through: 12min, 2016

Short, sweet, and unnerving!! The person who made this has done a tonne of other (more classical) 'internet horror' shorts, but this is a really wonderful & understated piece. Visually it feels very PT inspired, but its even more about atmosphere and repetition. Worth checking out the making of as well, pretty much the whole thing was done practically!! [TW: unsanitary conditions, blood]

Possibly in Michigan 12min, 1983

Cecilia Condit mostly does weird, dreamy short films. They have a kind of cake with a worm inside feeling, if you get me; things are rotting inside. This one is a cannibal musical! [TW: cannibalism, unreality, insects, murder, animal death]

The Black Tower 23min, 1987

More unsettling than scary. A man finds himself followed by a mysterious building. I really love how this one gets built up visually. The most like a tma episode out of all of these, or something out of Blue Jam. You can read more stuff about it here! [TW: unreality, talk of mental institutions, disordered eating]

Heck 29min, 2020 If you've seen any of these, I think it'll probably be this one. Its the short that originally inspired Skinamarink. I personally kind of prefer this. Digitally gritty and mean. [TW: Same warnings as skinamarink for the most part, there's a kid in danger, a little body horror].

Juliet in Paris 18min, 1967

Juliet moves to Paris for college, is lonely, and keeps losing blood. Kind of a vampire thing? But also not a vampire thing. Vibes and vignette heavy.

[TW: blood, animal death, self harm]

Dawn of an Evil Millennium 20min, 1988 (in 3 parts!)

A palette cleanser! Getting a honourary nomination through me hearing about it on a found footage podcast (lol). A trailer for an 18hr movie that doesn't exist; staring demons, 'olds mobiles', space-travel and cops. Deeply 80s, kind of ooey-gooey, pretty fun! [TW: some vomiting, a lot of fake blood gets splashed about]

Thanks for reading!

[f1bordeaux]

Landslide | cs55

"Even children get older, And I'm getting older too" Life moves on, pretty quickly at that. Your last night with Carlos is one that you'll both remember forever. Even years later when he fulfills his biggest wishes. Warnings: Suggestive content, heated make out sesh lol, sadness, happy/unhappy ending? Mostly unhappy Pairings: Carlos Sainz x Reader(y/n) Word Count: 4.2k Poetry style | Story style A/n: I LOVEEEEEE Landslide by fleetwood mac and the way this song hits you when you're about to move out-UGGHHHHHH I wrote the first half of this then went out, got drunk as fuck, woke up and wrote the rest of it with a hangover, so forgive me if there are any errors. Anyways, enjoy this internal dread i'm feeling turned into a FanFic. Growing up is so weird, isn't it?

I took my love, I took it down I climbed a mountain and I turned around And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills 'Til the landslide brought me down

2012.

“¡Sainz joder!” He turned around to look, a smile splitting his lips. Antonio had a frying pan in his hand as the two of you ran through his kitchen. Carlos’ hand squeezed yours with so much force that you wondered if it would bruise. It didn’t hurt, though. In that moment, nothing mattered but that damn smile that Carlos carried. “¡Anda, anda!”

Finally, you reached the back door of the kitchen. Carlos used his whole body to push it open, hoping that nobody would be on the other side. Luckily, the alleyway was empty, save for an employee sitting on a bucket smoking a cigarette. Carlos kept running and you had no choice but to keep up-your hands were still intertwined after all.

Antonio ran out the door, stopping as he watched you two make your grand get away. “Bastard! I ought to tell your father! And your father too, young lady!”

It was the same threat he used every time you and Carlos cut through his kitchen. I’m going to tell your fathers that you two are devious children! He’d say. He never did, though. Antonio was a friend to both yours and Carlos’ parents. He could if he wanted to, but he didn’t. For over ten years, you and Carlos would walk into his restaurant-situated on a busy Madrid street-and slowly sneak your way into the kitchen. Sometimes, when he wasn’t there, the waiters and cooks would just let you freely pass. But, more often than not, he was there and it suddenly became an obstacle course of running past cooks, dodging frying pans and slipping between shelves. It was worth it, however. A small, secret alleyway that was blocked off by a fence from the main road laid on the other side of the restaurant.

On the left-the building that Antonio’s restaurant was in-was a fire escape. It spanned up ten stories to an abandoned rooftop bar. Over the years, Carlos would bring small objects up there. Pillows, blankets, a small folding table, a few boxes to keep the stuff safe. He had the place designed to his liking-like it was his house or something. He’d put string lights up there too, giving the space a dreamy, photogenic atmosphere. So many nights were spent underneath the abandoned bar. You’d slept there a handful of times. You’d gotten drunk for the first time there, too. That space was yours and his. It was Carlos and y/n’s spot; everyone knew it.

So, as you and Carlos climbed the fire escape, it was hard to believe this was the last time the two of you would be spending the night up there together. It made you nauseous to think about.

“Try not to look so down.” Carlos chuckled as the two of you kept climbing the stairs. He could read you like a book, obviously he saw how upset you were. “Let's enjoy tonight.”

“Easier said than done, Carlos.” He stopped suddenly, your chest running into his backpack. His hands grabbed your shoulders and he-shook you? “Carlos stop it!”

“Sorry I was just trying to get the idea that I’m leaving you out of your brain.” He said, dropping his hands.

“But you are.” You said, evoking a sigh from him. Before he could apologize-which you knew he was about to do-you shook your head. “Listen, I’m so excited for you, Carlos, but-I don’t know. Life is going to be so different without you in it.”

“I’ll still be in it, mi novia. It’s not like I’m dying.”

“But Carlos, you’d always come home to Madrid after a race. You’d always be back to see me. We would work on school work together. I’d come to your races sometimes.” You sighed, looking at the metal ground beneath you. “But I’ll be in college and you’ll be in the British Formula 3 now. That's a massive step up. And when you do come back to Madrid, I won't be here.”

He didn’t speak, not for a while. The two of you just stood there, in the Spanish heat, looking at the ground. Life would never be the same. He couldn’t say anything to deny that. Tomorrow night, he would be catching a flight to London, and at the same time, you would be catching a flight to the United States. You’d both leave behind Madrid and only ever return as guests to your hometown. Maybe your rooftop hideaway would go untouched. Maybe some new children would find it and claim it as their own. They’d find the boxes that said, Carlito&Muneca, in sharpie and wonder what those names meant. Maybe they’d sort through your things, maybe they’d turn on the string lights and gasp at how beautiful the place looked.

Being eighteen was weird. You didn’t like it too much.

“Let's go, y/n.” Carlos grabbed your hand once again, pulling you up the fire escape. Three more flights awaited you. The sunset had just begun, but the primary color in the sky was still blue. You could still hear car horns from nearby streets. The air was still warm. The two of you were still young. At least for tonight you were.

Once you reached the top Carlos stepped aside, allowing you to take in the scene.

Oh, mirror in the sky What is love?

The spot on the stage where Carlos and you normally sang and danced to his iPod Nano was now completely redecorated. There was a plush blanket, pillows, a pizza box, and those damn string lights you loved were hanging from the roof. A small card was on one of the pillows. It was, of course, addressed to you in Carlos’ fanciest writing.

Anyone would think that this was a romantic gesture. But you two were best friends. Since birth, really. Not a day went by without conversation between the two of you. Carlos was your soulmate. Of course you had crushes on him here and there-he was hot, funny, caring, charming; you could go on and on. But you never acted on it. Keeping him around was better than losing him.

“Carlos,” You cupped your mouth with your hands. It was beautiful. “When did you-Is that pizza from Antonio’s?”

Carlos laughed, amused that the first thing you pointed out was the food. “Yeah,” He said. “He’s pretty sad that he won't see us around town anymore, either.”

Your heart sank. Right. That's why this was all set up-as a final goodbye. In the few moments of excitement and shock that filled your body upon seeing all this, you had forgotten that tonight was it. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Vamos, let's eat.”

That you did. Carlos and you sat at the bar and ate, watching as the sun sank lower and lower over the city skyline. Somewhere along the way, he pulled some liquor out of his backpack. You two drank and talked, reminiscing over everything the last eighteen years had brought. That one time you spent the night at his house and started a small fire in the kitchen-from then on sleepovers were at your house. That one time you two took a day trip to the beach and Carlos’ foot brushed a stingray's back. That one time you were at one of his races and a driver started hitting on you, so Carlos punched him in the jaw and got suspended for three races. That one time a wild hare was in your guest bathroom and your parents weren’t home so you called him over to help and you trapped it in your mother’s favorite cooking pot. That one time he lost a bet and went streaking through his neighborhood in the middle of winter.

The two of you were hunched over in laughter, your abdomens cramping from how hard you were laughing. Carlos wiped a tear away from his eye. “And remember Mrs. Nunez? She saw me that night and sprayed me with her garden hose!”

You sniffled. “Like why was she awake at five am? And why was she gardening?”

“Literally! I was fucking freezing. The scream that came from my mouth after that-”

You both mocked his scream at the same time, laughing even harder as you remembered the old lady’s shocked face from that night. Slowly, you both started calming down, giggling as you remembered the streaking ordeal. Carlos took a sip from his beer. You drank from your rum and Coke. It was darker now, still not pitch black, but darker. You looked up into the sky, watching as clouds rolled by.

“What am I going to do without you?” Carlos asked. You looked back down. He was staring right at you, bringing the beer bottle back up to his plush lips. “Can’t you just quit college and travel with me?”

You scoffed. “And be what? Your trophy bestfriend?”

“Trophy wife?”

You swore that your heart stopped beating. Wife? As in marriage? Obviously he wasn’t being serious, right? Carlos was a playboy. He’d had plenty of girlfriends in his lifetime. From your past observations, you weren’t his type at all. He preferred dolled up girls, ones with fake blonde hair and exquisite makeup. He preferred high heels and short, skin tight dresses. He preferred long nails and longer lashes. Synthetic beauty. You were far from that. When you put on makeup, it was simple. You dolled yourself up, yes, but everything about you was natural. From your hair color to your nail length. You were a natural beauty-something Carlos had never indulged in.

“Very funny,” You smiled as you took another drink.

“What?”

You blinked very slowly at him. “Us getting married? Sure.”

He shrugged. “Why not? You don’t love me?”

“Of course I love you, Carlito.” You tried using his nickname to deescalate the situation. “But you would never marry me.”

“Bold assumption.”

Was he drunk? Or, was he shooting his shot because tonight was it? This was quite possibly his last chance, was he taking it? Was he working you up so you’d miss him more? God, this was confusing. “Carlos-”

Before you could even say another word, he was leaning forward to kiss you. His lips were warm on yours, a side effect of the alcohol you were sure. His lips were so soft, so large, so perfect. They pulled yours in with such ease, such delicacy-almost like you were fine China. His free hand came to your jaw, thumb resting on your cheek.

He pulled away first, much to your surprise. There was about half a beer left in his bottle. He downed it before speaking again. “I’m sorry, y/n. I don’t know why I thought that was ok.”

Your teeth pulled your bottom lip in. You’d just kissed Carlos, something you only ever dreamed about.

Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides?

You reached out, both palms resting on his cheeks this time, pulling him in for another kiss. Fuck it, you thought. This was a new dynamic between the two of you, but it was one that younger you would be ecstatic about.

This time, there was more hunger behind the kiss. Carlos understood this was something you wanted, and you now understood this was something he wanted. His tongue slipped between your lips, finding a home in your mouth. His hands wrapped around your neck, not applying any pressure, just applying warmth. You felt so warm, so satisfied. This was finally happening. Why couldn’t it have happened two years ago?

Carlos pulled away again, gasping for air while resting his forehead on yours. “Come here, hermosa.”

You got off your barstool and sat on his lap, your chest flush to his. The two of you resumed your makeout session, his hands roaming your back, your hands draped around his neck. You moaned into the kiss once his large fingers snuck beneath the fabric of your shirt and touched your hot skin. It was electrifying, it was new, it was so good.

You could feel the bulge in his lap pressed against your thigh. His kisses turned sloppy, his hands moved quicker, his breath grew shorter. It was obvious he was growing impatient with you sitting right there. He was hungry for you. He only wanted you.

His lips attacked your collarbone, leaving little bitemarks and wet spots across your skin. You ran your hands across his broad shoulders, leaning your head back as he created a constellation across your chest. The night air was cold, the sky was now completely dark. The string lights were off, but the glow from the city provided enough light for you to see Carlos at work. He looked so good, so handsome, so perfect.

He chuckled into your skin, the vibrations causing you to shiver. He involuntarily thrusted his hips up, grunting as he did so. You hung your head on his shoulder as he composed himself. “Wrap your legs around me when I stand up, ok?”

You could only nod, feeling gravity shift as he rose to his feet. You did as you were instructed, his arm coming to your lower back for support. Your chest was pressed so deep into his that you wondered if two humans could possibly get closer than this. You really wished your shirts were off so you could feel his skin on yours.

Softly, Carlos laid you down on the makeshift bed. It was more comfortable than you imagined it would be, but maybe your mind was too clouded with lust to be rational. You were focused on Carlos and only Carlos.

A gasp pushed past your lips, not because of anything Carlos did, but because of a loud and sudden explosion. The sky lights up in colors of reds and yellows, blues and purples, greens and oranges. Sparks quite literally fly as fireworks rip through the once still air. Carlos is beside you now, watching the sky with such intensity you wonder if he has ever seen a firework before.

“It’s Saint James Day.” He says to himself.

You’re pulling the covers up to your chest as you catch the small, toothy smile that he holds. He pulls his knees up and rests his elbows on them. You’re amazed at how quickly his attention changed from you to the fireworks.

“You had no idea?” You ask. “I knew there would be fireworks but I didn’t know they’d be close enough for us to see.”

Carlos shook his head. “I didn’t know, no.” He looked back over to you, that smile still on his lips. “What a way to spend our last night in Spain.”

Your heart stops beating. It’s like he was hellbent on reminding you that this was it.

Slowly, he reached for your jaw once again, bringing you in for a kiss. It was soft, it was gentle. It was reminiscent of the first kiss the two of you shared only a few minutes ago. Never, you thought, do I want this to end. It did, however. Everything has a beginning and an end. The circle begins when you place your pen on the page and it stops when you’ve finished drawing it. The story begins at birth and appears like it ends on a rooftop in Madrid-semi naked with fireworks in the background.

The fireworks carry on for a few more minutes. They seem to illustrate photos in the sky. Carlos sees it, too. He pulls out his phone to snap a quick photo before turning it to you. This goes unnoticed, you’re too preoccupied in watching the show before you. He snaps a candid photo of your side profile. It was one he would cherish for the rest of his life, even if it was low quality and dark.

When the sky falls dark once more, the sound of cars below once again filling your ears, Carlos turns his whole body to you. “I love you, y/n.”

Can I handle the seasons of my life? Well, I've been afraid of changin' 'Cause I've built my life around you But time makes you bolder Even children get older

And this time, it feels different. It feels like there is a non-platonic meaning to the sentence he says everyday. Carlos has been telling you he loved you since the two of you could speak. Everytime you two say goodbye his last words are, “I love you.” Every time he’s overjoyed with you he says, “I love you.” Every gift you’ve ever given him has been opened as he says, “I love you.” Every time you run into his garage after a good or bad race he greets you with, “I love you.” You begin to wonder if you’ve missed some signs along the way-if you were too immersed in the thought that, he would never date you, to realize he’s been fighting for you all along.

He answers your question when he speaks again. “All I've ever wanted in life was you. I knew that at the end of the day, I’d be alright as long as you were there, y/n. After a bad race, you were standing there waiting for me and I realized that it isn’t the end of the world. After a bad breakup, you were there to tell me that I’m not a douchebag and I’m actually a good person. After people told me I could never make it big in racing, you stood proud as my number one fan and forced me to carry on with my head held high.”

Your throat begins to burn. This was goodbye. This was Carlos’ confession.

“I have loved you for such a long time, y/n. It’s always been you. I have always wanted you.” No. “I have never clicked so well with someone. I have never thought someone was so beautiful as you. You don’t even have to try, either! You’re just so,”

He trails off, looking straight ahead at the city. His eyes glisten. You wonder if he’s about to cry. You know you’re one more word away from crying.

“I don’t know how I'm supposed to be ok after a bad day without you there to hold me.”

That does it. You hold a hand over your mouth as tears pour down your cheeks. They’re hot, but they aren't the same warmth that Carlos radiates. They’re painfully hot, his touch was pleasantly hot. You’ll have to learn to live with one and not the other, however.

“Carlos,” You choke out. He doesn’t turn to look at you, just staring straight ahead as tears of his own trickle down his cheeks. “Oh, Carlos.”

“This sucks.” He says.

“This sucks.” You repeat.

It sucks. Saying goodbye sucks. Leaving your hometown that you love so dearly sucks. Leaving your best friend sucks. What will become of the two of you? Will Carlos still love you? Will he return to Madrid and visit with your parents? Will he be saddened to see your empty room? Will he turn to look at every girl who resembles you and hope that somehow, someway, you found him? Will you do that to every man who looks like Carlos?

He leans back, laying flat on the bed. You rest your head on his chest, his fingers coming to play with your hair. “I believe with every bone in my body that you will do amazing things, Carlos. You’ll be a world champion one day. And guess what? You’re going to do it because you are strong. It’s not going to be because I’m holding your hand, it’s going to be because of your dedication, your talent, your strength, your skill. You’ve worked for this, Carlos. And you are going to do it.”

He sniffles, placing a kiss to the top of your head. “I love you, Carlos.” You say. And maybe things will be ok, maybe they won't. But you know that Carlos will go on to do great things. You know that he's the type of boy-no-he's the type of man to accomplish whatever he puts his mind to. He’ll fight for his life in that damn race car and then step out of it and make the whole room laugh and smile. He’ll make amazing friends, ones that will occupy the space you have always resided in. He’ll be happy and feel whole. He’ll think of you from time to time. Maybe you’ll visit one another when you both are in Madrid at the same time.

“I love you, y/n.”

And I'm getting older too

2026

You haven't run this fast since high school. Somewhere in the crowd, you’ve lost your husband, but you don't care. You have a mission to accomplish, a friend to see.

“Carlos!” You shout, waving your hands like a maniac. “¡Mi hijo! Carlos!”

A hand grabs you by the bicep. “You can’t be in here!” The strange man shouts. Did you run past some barriers? Yes. Did you push some young fans? Yes. Is security worried about your intentions? Yes. But there, only a few feet away, if the new World Champion.

“Let me go! I know Carlos!” You fight the man causing another to join in on the situation. Both of your arms are restrained and they’re practically carrying you out.

“Everyone says that.” One of them says.

“Please!” You beg. It’s been over three years since Carlos and you have seen each other in person. Life dragged you two apart. You thrived in college, becoming the girl that everyone loved. You made friends quickly and made memories even quicker. Carlos thrived in racing, too. He moved his way up pretty quickly, his Formula One debut coming just three years after he left. You’d seen the Youtube videos of him and his friends, you’d heard the inside jokes, read about Carlando-you knew he was happy. But, you two weren’t as close anymore. You’d text frequently, reaching out before a big race or after a difficult one. You’d facetime, too. You both had one another on social media, and sometimes he would comment on your post or respond to a story you had up. Life was different now, however. You and him were married. He couldn’t come to your wedding, it fell on a race weekend. You couldn’t go to his. You said you had work but watching him marry another girl would stir up some pain, even if you were in a happy relationship. You didn’t frequent Madrid all too much, choosing to vacation elsewhere when the time arises. But, vacations were rare now that you were a mother. This was the first time you’d been out of town since giving birth three years ago. It was worth it.

“Carlos!” You cried out once more. He knew you were at the race-he was the one that bought you the tickets-but you wanted to see him now, not later.

The commotion caught his attention. He stared for a second, trying to understand why two men were carrying out a girl, but then he saw who it was. “Y/n!”

He dropped the conversation he was having to run over to you. The hands of strange men were replaced by those of a familiar friend. You felt warm again. You felt whole.

He swept you up in a hug, spinning you around as you squealed. “You did it! You fucking did it Carlos!”

“I know! You were right muñeca! You were right!” The nickname alone was enough to make you cry. You hadn’t been called that in years. Since the two of you were in your teens.

He dropped you, hands sliding onto your cheeks. For a brief moment, you thought he would try to kiss you. He didn’t. But your mind wandered.

“I’m so happy you’re here.” He smiled softly. “None of this would have happened without you.”

“Me?”

Carlos nodded. “I carried your words with me every day. Nobody has ever believed in me as much as you have.”

“Carlos-”

“I love you, y/n.”

The tears were back, and they fell hard. “I love you, Carlos.”

He was pulled away to go do his podium celebration. The Championship had come down to the last race of the season. Carlos beat out his competitors, however, winning not only the race, but the World Championship. And as he stood on that podium, champagne spraying through the air, fireworks began to pop in the sky. It lights up in colors of reds and yellows, blues and purples, greens and oranges.

He looks down at you, a smile splitting his lips.

It seems like the highest award to achieve, but he hopes that in another life, one hopefully close by, that he can get the one thing he desires most.

You.

Maybe in another life, you followed him. Maybe in another life you two got married. Maybe in another life you reached out more. But in this life, Carlos is a World Champion. You wouldn’t trade his excitement, his pride and his joy for anything.

[kaylas-words]

A cool story-brainstorming strategy using juxtaposition

Background: I like to brainstorm new stories by feeling. Atmosphere, tone, mood.... I make a lot of moodboards and as I get going I find myself making playlists for my characters and my themes. A relatable activity for a lot of writers I know. Above all, though, I consider conflict in all its forms, which is the heart of a story and the basis for depth and dynamic characters.

“The only thing worth writing about is the human heart in conflict with itself” ― William Faulkner

― George R. R. Martin When I brainstorm, I want this inherent conflict, this juxtaposition, and surprise. In the past, I've turned to random noun generators and endless Pinterest scrolling. But what works best for me (and which I find enjoyable, too) is... The Strategy: Juxtaposing an image and music.

A bloody fight scene, the dragon is bearing down on the hero, and... Mr. Blue Sky by ELO. This is a normal, happy occurrence for the hero. Or maybe he's a bit unhinged.

A girl framed in deep red and black, her glowing eyes suggesting something supernatural or evil, and... a melodic, dreamy song that asks, "Who is she? A misty memory..." It implies a past. Maybe a gothic, childhood infatuation, and you wonder if she's been this way all along.

A girl running her hands through a field of flowers, her back turned to the viewer, and... a harsh, dark song lamenting: "I'm haunted by shadows of the past." You take her shoulder and turn her around, and her dark eyes tell you there's more to her story. But after all she's been though, she's still innocently running through a field of flowers.

Oh, that's different, I think. I want to learn more. I want to know Why, and Who. Where have they been, and where are they going? I enjoy this activity because there's the possibility for so many different interpretations, and I often find myself picking out aspects of artworks I hadn't really noticed before—Could that smile be a little evil? Is our hero actually that dark figure in the background? I'd like to know what others think or if you've done something similar. I'm always open to new processes, no matter how wacky or abstract! Pairings referenced: (1)

ArtStation: "Warriors of Krynn" - Dominik Mayer (2)

ArtStation: "Dark Guardian" - Artem Chebokha (3)

"Amongst The Wildflowers" - Tina LeCour

[wgc-productions]

Also, this is a new thing I want to try. About 2 years ago I did this thing called "podofthemorning" where I reviewed a new podcast everyday on Twitter. I met some pretty cool people that way and it also allowed me to hear a lot more shows than I would have other wise. I want to do that here more often cause it was a fun time. And I think I'm going to start that back up with the first episode of Finding Pattersby.

I have been waiting for @patterspod to hit my feed for the longest of times so now that it is finally here I am more than ready!

(Click Keep Reading For The Reactions. I don't want to spoil)

00:00- I do love a screwball comedy. Not to mention blue humor!

00:15- Here's the website he mentioned https://www.patterspod.com/

00:39- Sandra Bullock is worth going to jail for. I will stand on that 212%

01:39- Don't worry, Doc. Academia could break the best of us.

01:53- Covered head to toe in paper cuts sounds like one of the most horrific and childish tortures one could imagine.

03:00- I enjoy the way the show is trailing between the different scenes/scenarios. It's very liquid and airy and I appreciate that it is more suggestive than strongly structured.

04:24- I don't know what it says about his character, but Ryan's apparent fascination and appreciation of late 90s and early 20s Hollywood actresses (Bullock, Zellweger) is charming to me because it's quirky in the way that real people are odd.

06:08- I hope they wave back to you, buddy. I hope they wave back.

06:51- Okay, so I'm getting a very John Grisham kind of vibe from Luke Pattersby. (If you haven't read any Grisham I'd recommend The Firm or The Pelican Brief which are Grisham at his best.)

08:10- Again on these scene transitions, I think it's the underscoring that's really doing the work here. It provides an atmosphere and thus when it changes the atmosphere changes. It's functioning more on the audience's general impressions rather than establishing a more concrete space. I think it's a great tool/form to use for some shows.

08:11- Big "Miles Braun in Knives Out 2: The Glass Onion" energy.

08:43- This is random but I would like to know, do you call it sublock or sunscreen? Do you call it something else? I'm a "sunscreen" girl, myself.

10:40- The dissonance in the underscoring juxtaposed with the light and airy synths is interesting. It's both dreamy and very uncomfortable. Definitely helps with the tense atmosphere of the scene.

12:28- Say it, Ryan! Don't let the bastards get you down!

15:06- It's a conspiracy! And anti-Ryan conspiracy! Justice for the ghost!

16:32- YES RYAN! IT'S CALLED THEFT AND FRAUD!

17:20- Luke Pattersby will pay for his crimes against Ryan (a man who is innocent of everything accept being a dolphin lover and an appreciate of 50 year old actresses.)

18:11- And actually that state had an even deeper state and inside that state was a box and inside that box was a flea but, what's that? That flea has its own box, inside of which is a string! And if you pull that string you see?! DUN DUN DUN a picture of Spongebob at the Christmas party. Diabolical.

20:24- Now why are the Irish in it? They've done nothing but have a good time and fight for their freedom.

21:00- These are some great stakes. They are well set up and very clear. Just some clean writing for which I have a professional admiration.

And that was Chapter 1 Part 1. I am going to do a separate post for Chapter 1 Part 2 and I will likely continue to do these for the rest of the series.

[kristinart18officialpage]

This is absolutely fantastic idea :D

Thanks to @pixie-skull for tagged me ^^

Okay, let see...

1. The first time I ever went ice skating was when I was in high school. I was 16 years old. In gym class, the teacher suggested that we either play basketball or go skating. What do you think we chose :D

And that was just one time. I never skated again. It just happened. Not because I didn't like it. On the contrary! I loved it, even though I fell 😅

2. I've been trying new flavors in food lately, but it's not so easy for me to do it. I'm a bit of a conservative eater, and buying something new can be a bit nerve-wracking. You always wonder if you'll like it or not, and if it'll be a waste of money or worth it. 😅

I'm totally hooked on Asian food! I just love the combination of Korean dumplings and chukka! It's so delicious for me! 😍😋

3. One day, when I was in the city, I was strolling through a park and I saw the most gorgeous young man. He had the most beautiful brown eyes. He sang so beautifully that his voice fell into my heart forever. I watched this picture for what seemed like an eternity. Even though there were many people gathered, I didn't notice anything else but him. But when he noticed me and came closer, the guy wanted me to sing with him.

I was so embarrassed and in a daze that I was stunned for about 10 seconds. He smiled softly, took my hand gently, and reassured me, telling me not to worry.

I gathered my thoughts and continued the female part of the song.

The atmosphere around me became really dreamy, especially when we started singing together. Everything around us felt so warm and cozy. And after the song was over, everyone around us started clapping and rejoicing, which was so lovely to see.

We looked at each other and realized that this meeting would forever be one of the warmest memories. It was as if we were meant to meet! I wonder if we will ever see each other again....

No pressure tag: @themilantooner @mermaidchan05 @ace-mimikyuu-trainer567 @sango152 aaaaand for everyone who want to join in :D

Two truths and one lie! Tag someone else to play!

1. I have a fake eye

2. I have a calico cat

3. I have killed 47 people!

@yippe3allthedamnnamesrtaken @number-2-hero-hawks

[just-jae]

Random art block tip mabey?

Uh, so. If you ever feel like you can't come up with anything worth making (Like, the idea itself lacks substance or intrigue) try finding an artist you really like, or even aspire to be like, and write a detailed explanation of what you want them to make.

Dont actually send them this, keep it for yourself.

But I've on multiple occasion found that I feel too unskilled or visionless, and end up considering commissioning someone to make something for me. In the process of typing out what I want, or just thinking about what I want, I suddenly find myself wanting to make it myself :'D

It doesn't have to be pretending to commission someone, but sometimes artblock is just a visualization issue. It's not that you're not motivated, but that ideas that interest you aren't clear enough to act on.

Describing it like its for someone else, especially without feeling you must stick to a pattern ("well i usually make comics, draw dogs," etc) or be limited by what you've pulled off before, can open doors on what you even consider an option and give your hands a mission to fulfill.

For example: "I'd like a drawing of these two characters observing eachother. It's a tall canvas with a somber atmosphere, Soft edges to the characters I'd like something dreamy feeling, like a fuzzy, whispy look with dark blues and violets."

You've just opened up a clear path for your art to take and allowed yourself to indulge in details you're interested in, not just what you've done before.

[dojae-huh]

"Youth": Spring ver.

A review.

It's a small A5 album, but the "pocket size" kind of adds to the "memory (of youth)" theme. Like a diary from the past.

The photographer has talent at capturing nature, seeing "pictures" in landscape (close ups of plants, rocks, waves). The album is filled with inserts of images of nature, and they are all very nice. Worthy of an exhibition.

The album follows the usual k-pop album scheme of big idol picture/insert/white space/smaller idol picture, however, the layout of the pages was done with care.

I complained about some photographs that were posted on NCT's X as promotional material. Luckly to me, they were absent from this album. There are a few pictures on the weaker side, but it's a k-pop album shot in a day, not an entry to photography competition, I should be reasonable with my demands, lol.

It's kind of amazing that I picked Do as my bias almost at random, then we matched BDs, then he did a solo album in the aesthetic I wanted for him, heh.

The photographs have added effects of film photography (muted colours, blurry edges, foginess, overexposure), which makes them both atmospheric (you can feel the salt air, the warmth on skin from the setting sun, the cold) and nostalgic (again, the illusion of a memory).

The artistic approach (versus fashion model) makes each photograph capture attention for long. What is he thinking? What it he feeling? When was I in a similar setting (by the see, on a rainy day, laying on a grass), what did I feel back then?

There are a few pictures with deliberate demonstartion of underwear, which cracks me up a bit, but it fits "teenage spirit" theme. A young man figuring out the world. Whether it was intentional or not, but the clothes kind of reflect different age, maturing and wisening up (jeans/underwear (lost)->light dreamy clothes (exploring)->trenchcoat(remembering the past, reflexing on it)->jeans jackets+white shirt+tie=teen spirit atop of adult core (the confident singer)).

There are pictures of feet in the water... I mean, they make sense (exploring the world barefoot, getting in contact with nature, stepping bravely into the cold water, the roaring sea), however, it's impossible not to be reminded of Jaehyun, haha. I blame the fandom.

In conclusion: the album is definitely worth purchasing. It's an experience as a photobook should be.

A little bit more about the information from the credits.

-Doyoung didn't sing all the backvocals. He has several people on the tracks. I wonder if it was done due to time restraints (Doyoung was on tour with 127) or because a different tone of voice was needed for the job (to give layers to Do's voice).

-Musical instuments were recorded live. Even the harpsichord for "Lost in California" and organ for "Serenade"! That's big. I've heard many times musicians complaining how nowadays strings, guitars, drums come from the synth, and that the live instruments give a more rich and full sound. Hate SM all you want, but what company would go to such lengths for a debuting soloist? SM has a whole Classical music department.

-Kenzie played all the instruments except for guitars for "Dallas love field".

-A lot of tracks were mixed at SM Blue Ocean studio. (They also have Yellow tail, Droplet, Wavelet, Starlight, Big Shot studios - cute names).

[sweetmusingss]

Charles swallowed hard, immediately hating the feeling of not having you pressed up against him anymore. He was flustered for what was probably the first time in his life. He straightened up, trying to play it off but even his cheeks were flushed. “Yeah, of course..,” he said, his voice more tender and soft too. It felt way too good to have you pressed up against him, knowing that was going to be an image he could not get out of his head for a long while. He finally unlocked the door, keeping his distance from you a bit. He was afraid that if he got too close, he was going to push you up against the nearest wall and kiss the hell out of you. He wasn’t thinking straight and he could barely focus, checking you out as he walked in the door behind you.

I could feel the atmosphere between us switch, the fight seemingly have left both of us. God, Katie’s romance books might be onto something. I refuse to believe that this summer spent with Charles would turn into one of Katie’s sappy books... but it was definitely feeling that way. I thank him quietly as he opens the door, stepping into the house, walking towards the staircase and turning to face him. “Thanks for driving.” I meet his eyes, my stomach flipping when I saw how he was looking at me, like I was his favorite meal... Katie really did a number on me tonight. I was affecting him and he was affecting me but I didn’t want to focus on why. “I am gonna go change...” I motion to the stairs but my feet refuse to move, planting me firmly in place, the two of us just standing in his front hall staring at one another. We could kiss right now and no one would know, it would be our little secret...  

__

I giggle softly before nodding at you. “Yeah, of course, baby. Although, knowing Chris, he probably has an hour and a half worth of stories to tell you,” I smile softly before pecking your lips gently. I hand you your shirt, kissing you sweetly again after you were dressed. “Try not to miss me too much, Daddy,” I say, heading towards the door with you, my hand in yours. I pout playfully at you, staring at you with a dreamy gaze. I was excited to catch up with Renee but I was so obsessed with you that I did miss you even if we would only be apart for an hour or so.

“I miss you already, angel.” He smiles down at you as you pout at him, leaning down and pecking your lips a few times before kissing your head. “I’ll see you soon, babygirl.” The new pet name just slipped out, not even thinking about it, usually only calling you the basic pet names or ‘angel’, which was his personal favorite. He waves at you from across the hall as he enters his own apartment, winking at you before closing the door and letting out a sigh as he walked to his room to start getting himself ready and waiting for Chris to get home. 

[theharpermovieblog]

#HARPERSMOVIECOLLECTION

2023

www.tumblr.com/theharpermovieblog

I re-watched Dune (1984)

At the end of the day, I pretty much love every David Lynch movie.

Two rival family houses are pitted against each other on a desert planet known as Dune.

Director David Lynch's adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel Dune, is no doubt flawed. Those flaws come heavily from the book being difficult to adapt into one film, the smaller than needed budget and lots of studio interference, which Lynch felt hampered his creative freedom.

It's definitely sad that we didn't get Lynch's full creative vision, because what shines in this adaptation is the droning and eerie lynchian vibes that permeate the film.

Lynch's atmosphere creates a movie that often feels otherworldly and disconnected from those of us who were living in the 20th century and who are now living in the 21st century. Yes, I love the new Dune adaptation for what it is, but it never has much of a feeling of strangeness or otherworldliness, because it's a much more straightforward futuristic piece more akin to star wars than to what Lynch made in the early 1980's.

Of course, as I said, this movie isn't perfect. It stumbles over itself at times and seems to constantly be trying to regain its footing. Dune doesn't feel like a full experience, but more like a broken up experience that's been tampered with, which is certainly the case. When you hear a director had to throw up his hands and compromise with a studio on a theatrical version, it's never a good sign.

Personally, I think David Lynch's Dune does rise above all it's flaws to be a great sci-fi epic, but I totally understand those who can't see past the film's issues. For me, I can see what Lynch was going for and therefore that makes it worth the watch.

It's a beautiful film with a good cast and extremely memorable moments, which manages to tell a complicated story despite it's restrictions. All while giving off that David Lynch quality of dreaminess.

(There's a documentary called

Jodorowsky's Dune, which showcases the scrapped plans of a Dune film from legendary director Alejandro Jodorowsky, which I highly recommend. His ideas do seem great and I would most likely have loved his version as well.

There is a YouTube fan edit of dune, called the Spice Diver, that is supposedly closer to Lynch's original concept, but I've yet to watch it. I will.)

[existentialmagazine]

Review: Elkvilla’s new indie-folk journey ‘Better To You’ hums through a softly textured sound and a poignant story

Created by the Australian singer-songwriter and producer Adam Dudek, the solo project Elkvilla sees him burrowed away recording intimate fragile vocals and instruments in his Berlin Studio before carefully mixing them by night. With indie-folk melodies mixed with personal lyrics to tell, Elkvilla seeks to enchant lives across the globe with his hard-hitting tunes. His latest offering ‘Better To You’ marks the second single from his upcoming EP, a gorgeous snippet of the entire project to come.

As you let yourself get whisked up into the dreamy soundscape of ‘Better To You’, Elkvilla leaves you embraced by a sound that’s like a warm hug around your heart, healing parts of yourself you never knew were broken. Resonant acoustic guitar strums soar through the gentle soundscape completely alone, an intimate beginning that sets the tone as one of tenderness right away, opening up a safe space to spill everything kept within. Elkvilla’s soft vocals soon glide beside them, a lower-toned delivery of heartfelt words, intermittently floating into higher nods. Piano keys enrich the pre-chorus with a bright edge, adding a careful depth to the sound while still maintaining a subtlety that flows with ease. The chorus intertwines everything into a patchwork of layered depth, painting an audio that likens to the feel of Monet’s colourful landscapes, transporting you someplace else where serenity is a guarantee. From glowing piano chimes to the guitar’s continued soothing serenade, ‘Better To You’ entangles you within its blanketing of ethereality. Elkvilla’s vocals hauntingly rise into a slightly higher range too, while gentle backing vocals add a heavenly lingering to every word. As things push forward with a lightly built-up sound, ‘Better To You’ only further continues to evolve the longer you listen, never stirring from its picturesque scene but transforming from a singular flower to an entire garden. With an atmosphere that encourages you get lost within it, ‘Better To You’ is a track sure to have a hold on you as soon as you press play, snugly comforting your ears within its grasp.

Lyrically, ‘Better To You’ is a little heart-wrenching at its core, wandering through the unknown abyss of a relationship that’s crumbling to pieces. Yet ‘Better To You’ is not about heartbreak, it’s about perseverance through the pain and finding light once again, continuing to commit to this person regardless of the tumultuous turns things may have taken. As Elkvilla sings ‘through the cracks of this house’ , the song right away establishes the instability within their shared home, the place that should be a comfort for the pair turning into a hazard inevitably doomed to collapse. Continuing ‘that slowly fades away like our love’, there’s a sense of hopelessness intertwined, close to giving up as their spark seems to diminish. Even the chorus hook stings with pain, reeling in the admission that ‘I am the salt in your wound’ , feeling like you cannot be there for your partner without causing more agony. But through all the dark ‘Better To You’ turns things around, singing ‘what we once had could still be possible’ , a determination to push through for a relationship worth saving. Through self-empowerment and companionship, the love within ‘Better To You’ is not lost, a flame kept alight only because the pair never turned their backs. Melancholic but hopeful, ‘Better To You’ is a song that’ll leave you thinking deeper, reminded that nothing in life is black and white.

Check out ‘Better to you’ here to appreciate the soothing tones of Elkvilla’s sound, amidst a narrative of poignant confessions.

Written by: Tatiana Whybrow

Photo Credits: Unknown

// This coverage was created via Musosoup, #SustainableCurator.

[spfl-sound-territories]

Pierre Dutour: Top Fiction. Be With Records (bewith147lp)

"Pierre Dutour's infamous Top Fiction is the epitome of a 5-tracker. Coming to light in 1979 on Tele Music, its collection of environmental themes are all astounding. We're talking all-time heavy hitters, here. They come recommended as tracks you'd choose to elegantly elevate deep selector sets or mixes.

Skip the irritating whistle-laced marching-band funk of "Captain Parade" and head straight to the glistening synths and proud horns of beatless ambient wonder "Mountain Echoes". Arguably worth the price of admission alone. It's that good. The sci-fi atmospherics of "Space Fiction" are definitely sampleable whilst the proud horns of "Mountain Trumpet" definitely contain blasts that could be of creative use. "Tambours Parade" is more marching-band funk, only this time the drums go hard and there's a lot to like about this one.

Truly, it's all about the B-Side. A real B-Side for the ages, in fairness. It opens with the gorgeous "Deer Forest". It's one of the most beautiful songs you'll ever hear. Like something off Brian Bennett's Voyage, it rides dreamily melodic synths, and comes on, as one fan claimed "like something Angelo Badalamenti would have co-written with Final Fantasy composer, ???? [Nobuo Uematsu]". It's jaw-dropping. Be instantly beguiled by the deep eerie nostalgia and pretty delicate piano of "Magic Lake I" and the whistling-synth-augmented "Magic Lake II". The almost-title-track "Pop Fiction" is another hidden gem, containing dreamy, glistening arpeggios that are just begging to be sampled with a heavy knocking beat behind it. The set closes with "Damnation Space", 2 minutes of spooky Musique concrète.

So, 5 absolutely incredible tracks and 2-3 good ones. An excellent ratio for a library album, I think we can all agree. Trust us when we say that the heavy hitters are just absolute gold, rendering this one an essential, buy-on-sight purchase. Go listen and discover for yourselves…

The audio for Top Fiction has been remastered by Be With regular Simon Francis, ensuring this divisive release sounds better than ever. Cicely Balston's expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the original space-age sleeve has been restored here at Be With HQ as the finishing touch to this long overdue re-issue."

(Source: https://kompakt.fm)

[rgvrollo]

Clearly, #spacex feels their launch was a success!

I would agree to a certain extent, but it's failures alarm me! Here's why:

When NASA, was been placed on the back burner for deep space enthusiasm, Elon has gone somewhat rogue. This can lead to serious consequences for People, Environment, and Sea Life.

NASA spent billions of Tax-payer dollars that funded the research of its launch facilities to accommodate the Saturn 5 Rockets, and The Space Shuttle. Although the fuels, and oxidizers may be different, the concept remains. Very high heat at launch, and lots of down force blast at take-off. NASA has it down. Elon chose Boca Chica, built his own dreamy launch system, and his incredible Merlin engines. Clearly, He didn't account for, or neglected the math. Not only did his launch facility fail at its most Basic design, but destroyed his craft. There was tons of fine silica particles from sand, and concrete blasted even smaller into the Atmosphere in the huge dust cloud after take-off. The prevailing winds carried the Dust Cloud up towards South Padre Island, and West, NW of the Launch site. This would encompass The Entire Rio Grande Valley, and up to Central Texas(San Antonio). This alarms me more than a launch failure. Elon, who has Tesla, a green car company, isn't concerned about Air Quality?

Something to consider, is the fact that Mexico deliberately burns their trash dumps during these predictable winds from the Gulf Coast, that blows carcinogens, and toxic metals, directly into the above mentioned regions. We cannot control Mexico, aside from an invasion, which I will mention in upcoming posts. What we can control, is What We Are Doing Here!

Also, The Ripley Sea Turtles, which many scientists still believe to be highly endangered, nests right on the Beach next to SpaceX launch facility. Often consumed in Mexico for it's eggs, meat, and prized oil for cosmetics; This turtle continues to be challenged for survival! We can't control Mexico, but we can control Our coast! Not Elon! He has tunnel vision!

Why then, would a billionaire, build a launch facility, not up to NASAs well researched standards, and in the Center for breeding of a protected species, like the Ripley Sea Turtle? Good question! Its clear, that something made it easy for him!

The Rio Grande Valley is a predominantly impoverished region of either Extreme Wealth, or Extreme poverty. The same as in Mexico! Very little is gained via legal routes to success. Basically, if you got money; Anyone in politics here, can be bought! Look up RICO arrests in Hidalgo, Willacy, and Cameron counties for the last 50 years..Much higher than anywhere else in the country! Why? Greed! The levels of success are envisioned by The car you drive(important), and the boat you have! Notice I didn't mention the home? That doesn't matter here! Success is what people see outside of the home! A shanty area will have homes worth >30 grand, with a 80 thousand dollar truck parked in front. Those may be street level thugs(Drugs, human smuggling). My fear is that under this highly volatile mixture of greed, and corrupt politics; Elon got his launch pad...No oversight, no further discussions! A Carte Blanche to thrill the world with explosions, and failed attempts to launch! Why, when Elon, and his Money could go to NASA, and SHARE their Well-built, and Launch proven facilities? It's called negotiations! Sadly, in the RGV, pay under the table, and now we're friends, is Daily business! Elon knew he could go to The RGV, and Brownsville to accept his offer. I'm sure he thinks we are just dumb Mexicans here! Yes, we have about a 50% or greater illegal population than anywhere else, and the border is highly porous; yet vastly militarized, in presence...Nothing makes sense here!

Folks, I am NOT against Elon Musk, and his Ventures! I actually support him immensely! My issue is the Environment after this last failure, and detonation of hundreds of thousands of tons of contaminated sand blown into our Air! The long-term effects on an arguably near-extinct Sea Turtle, and most importantly; The shoddy construction, and design of its launch pad facilities. Who was the code-enforcer on this one?

Mexicans build this countries roads, homes, and buildings. They later cut the grass, and clean those homes, and buildings! We feed the Country by picking their fruits n veggies, and working their farms. They process the meats you eat! When no one will, and no one can? Ask a Mex-I CAN! They will try. One thing for sure, and after watching the work crews at SpaceX; They don't know Rockets, or understand why NASA had sterile environments... Hence, it will never succeed there!

NASA needs to allow a merge of facilities to SpaceX for launch purposes! We know this Rocket can go up, yet no one considered the downward thrust, and high temperatures of its 33 Merlin Engines. Unprecedented! So testing continues till success? At what cost to the poor, and uneducated? They don't understand the extent of damages it actually costs. All this to line the pockets of a very few...

In closing, I urge you to voice your thoughts! Good or Bad; It's time to go beyond a shoddy Environment Impact Study by the FAA..Dig deeper; it smells worse than methane!

We now need to #investinelon, and provide a BETTER launch facility; One that may have already seen a Moon trip... Hence, NASA! It's already built, it's elsewhere, and it's proven!

Win/Win!

Good day!