#cate creations

[francesderwent]

I have a question. Answer it and it’s back to fireworks and rockets’ red glare.  Answer it right, and – I’ll forget the last hundred and forty-five years I’ve spent missing you.  I’ll forget how much I loved you, I’ll forget everything and we can start over.  This can be our defining moment, because we have the time, that’s the beauty of eternity.  I just need the truth, just once. Stop. I already know your question, and its answer. The truth is, I’ve never loved you. It was always Stefan.

[jakeperalta]

★ countdown to christmas (take two) ★ day 16 of 24: carol (2015) [insp]

[billy-crudup]

You’re gonna take a little jog over to Dick’s Sporting Goods. Buy yourself a nice Louisville Slugger. Bring it right back to the quad and swing that bat as hard as you can into your nuts. Every hour, on the hour. And every time you swing, yell "Jumanji." Sound good? MADDIE PHILLIPS as CATE DUNLAPin GEN V S1 (2023)

[plungol]

cate blanchett in inZOI

[pubbamoon]

02. BHARANI NAKSHATRA (13°20' ARIES - 26°40' ARIES)

Bharani nakshatra is the second nakshatra in Vedic astrology. It is completely located in the sign of Aries, representing creation and beginnings. Bharani nakshatra is being ruled by the planet Venus, which represents fertility, creativity and giving birth to new idea. The combination of Venus and Mars here makes this nakshatra about letting go of the past and starting something new. If you have Sun, Moon, Ascendant, chart ruler or Atmakaraka in this nakshatra, then we can say you have prominent Bharani nakshatra in your chart.

Bharani means She who bears and the main symbol of this nakshatra is a female organ vulva, representing pains, menstruation, giving the childbirth etc. This nakshatra relates to suffering, depression and struggling. Giving birth to new ideas is associated with Bharani nakshatra because giving the childbirth involves a lot of pain. There is also a sense of creativity and sexual energy here. This nakshatra is the Star of Restraint and the restraint is basically the synonym of limitations, control, moderation, formality etc. People with prominent Bharani nakshatra in their natal chart usually struggle in life, work very hard and they don't do any short cuts. Otherwise, they'll be punished. And here we are at the point of punishment!

The deity of Bharani nakshatra is Yama, the Hindu god of death, punishment and law. He values justice and social morality, judges the departed people/souls and takes them into the underworld. The another symbol of this nakshatra is a boat, representing the transition or transportation between life and death or even between past and future. Bharani nakshatra is related to endings, letting go of something it doesn't serve us anymore and moving into calmer waters, easier life. At the 20° of Aries in this nakshatra, there's a debilitation point of Saturn. Bharani nakshatra is about death, endings, but also about starting a new life, while Saturn relates only to death, darkness and endings. People who have prominent Bharani nakshatra work successfully as psychologists, doctors and lawyers since Yama, the deity of this nakshatra, is a god of law.

The yoni/animal of Bharani nakshatra is a male elephant, representing sexual energy, longevity and ancestral memory. Bharani nakshatra is about the ancestors too. The planet Sun is exalted in Aries and the Sun represents lineage. A lot of kids with this nakshatra in their chart usually follow the steps of their own ancestors, especially of their own father's steps. For example, you have the Sun in Bharani nakshatra, your father is a soccer player and you also become the soccer player in near future. The power of this nakshatra is the Power to renew, associating with starting over a new life.

Padas of Bharani nakshatra:

Pada 1 (13°20' - 16°40' Aries) - Leo

Pada 2 (16°40' - 20°00' Aries) - Virgo

Pada 3 (20°00' - 23°20' Aries) - Libra

Pada 4 (23°20' - 26°40' Aries) - Scorpio

For example, if you have the Moon in the 2nd pada of Bharani nakshatra in your birth chart (D1), you have the Moon in Virgo in your Navamsa (D9) chart. If you have Mars in the 3rd pada of Bharani nakshatra in your birth chart (D1), you have Mars in Libra in your Navamsa (D9) chart etc.

Celebrities with a prominent Bharani nakshatra in their chart:

Carl Jung - Bharani Moon

Cate Blanchett - Bharani Ascendant

Julia Fox - Bharani Moon

Lana Del Rey - Bharani chart ruler

Martin Luther King Jr. - Bharani Ascendant

Robert Pattinson - Bharani Ascendant

Mariah Carey - Bharani Ascendant

Katherine Hepburn - Bharani Sun

Megan Thee Stallion - Bharani Ascendant

Camila Cabello - Bharani Ascendant

George Clooney - Bharani Sun

David Beckham - Bharani Sun

Adele - Bharani Sun

Christina Aguilera - Bharani Moon

Jim Morrison - Bharani Moon

Best regards,

Paky McGee

[wiishopwednesday]

sorry to be autistic but ive gotta tlak about csh for a minute because it really blows me away by how meta twin fantasy is ,like will created ftf as a reflection on the relationship he was in and the emotions he was feeling during the creation of mtm..also like the names of the respective versions ,"mirror to mirror" signifying how both of the people in the relationship only really loved the reflection of themselves they saw in the other [he also references this in strangers, where he says "i sleep lying next to a mirror" which is also a metaphor for being a homosexual] and face to face being the new version, signifying that he has finally come to terms,has finally had proverbial "conversation" face to face about the past feelings he felt while writing twin fantasy and has fully acknowledged what he felt and has moved on. this is also apparent in his past-tense use of words instead of present-tense like the usage of words in mtm [ftf those boys says "they were connected/at the back of the head/they *had* a conduit/their minds *were* the same" meanwhile mtm those boys says "they were connected/at the back of the head/they *got* a conduit/their minds *are* the same". he realizes the relationship has ended and its over now. a piece of fiction, if you will.]

also in mtm will states that "he has only lyrics now," that he is in despair over the loss of the relationship and the fact that the relationship is now a work of fiction that only exists in his mind-a fantasy. however in ftf he recognizes this and comes to terms with it- it is just a song. it is just lyrics. he even changes "he has only lyrics now" to "these are only lyrics now". he has changed, he has reflected and moved on. this is just a piece of fiction to him now, anything can happen from here. i also really like the change in famous prophets to where he no longer name drops himself and cate wurtz. like he says, "the contract is up, the names have been changed". this is no longer a breakup album made about wurtz but instead a piece of fiction documenting the feelings he experienced during a part of his life

i also really like these lyrics, taken from a bible verse about the 3 wise men i believe ? but the end was edited to say "now these Two remain" to reference the two people in the relationship

its just so interesting. you break up with someone, one of you writes a breakup album in a fit of feeling, 7 years pass and youre both left to deal with the fallout. anything can happen from here. now these two remain and they must see face to face to put their past behind them.

the allusion to "the lady" by hojin stella jung at the end of ftf high to death is also incredibly powerful. the way he uses the words hojin uses to talk about their feelings while painting the portfolio of the lady to refer to his own feelings of making the original twin fantasy is so good and so compelling. the way they say "it was intense, it was an intense process, and it was how i was trying to, very hard, personify that intensity/but its hard to talk about her now, because i think she wasnt me/at least thats how i feel and im trying to figure out what to do now......but i did believe in her, 'the lady', and maybe/there is a different form now that the intensity takes" is an incredible parallel to will's feelings about writing the original twin fantasy and its a really powerful end to a song i think

[itssimplycoya]

Thank you for 4K on YouTube!

Download Link Below

I wanted to create a sim dump of some sims I recently made for you to enjoy in your game as a thank you for supporting my content and creations. I had so much fun making them and I really hope you enjoy! They are so cute 😍😍

I did include some of the cc files in these downloads since there are 100s of presets in my game I have no idea which ones I used for which sim 😋

While I don’t take credit for any of the cc featured, these sims are my original creations. Huge thanks to all the amazing CC creators! Please don’t repost or reupload as your own, but feel free to tag me if you use them! 😊🤍

CC CREDITS: ARETHABEE, CHRISTOPHER067, 333, PRALINESIMS, SIMPLICATY, BABYTEARS, JIUS, DAYLIFESIMS, KORKASSIMS, MALDEN, PLAZASIMS, SHAKE PRODUCTIONS, SUNBERRY, SAVAGE SIMS, BADDIESIMS, COSMETIC, GOPPOLSME, SISSYCK, NORTHERN SIBERA WINDS, PYXIS, SIMS3MELANCHOLIC, TWISTED CAT, CATE MCPHEES, TERESAFT, OBSCURUS, VIBRANT PIXELS, LUUMIA, EVOXYR, MAGICBOT, MIIKO, SIMBIENCE, MERCI, RHEALLSIM, VIBRANT PIXELS, NESURII, OKUREE, POYOPOYO, SCLUB, SIMTORGRAPHIES, CAMUFLAJE, SEOULSOUL, AHARRIS00BRITNEY, DREAMGIRL, PEACHYFAERIE, MAXIMOONS, MYOBI, POX, ICCHI, THATSIMS4HORE, SAYASIMS, PINKISHWRLD, GEGE SIMS

Download: https://www.patreon.com/posts/4k-subscribers-113125687

[xomoosexo]

i mean if cate was normal she wouldn’t be in the content creation sphere…it’s a requirement to be insane in some way or the other

this is giving me the urge to make a cc insanities chart

[destinyc1020]

If i were making 1-2 million like Joey was for TKB, yes i wuld b putting my ALL while making out with my ex too lol plus girl was smart and got producer credits (so more money), if her ex was smart he shuldv done that too 👀 bt he dnt even know how how to b professionial soo...

I wuld hope channing n zoe r professional enough to do their job. Their whole relationship timeline was based on the Blink Twice movie so mayb it just didnt really work outside for a long term. Least they decided to end it before a wedding otherwise it wuldv been both of their 2nd divorces ☠️

Hahaha giiiiirrrrrl..... for that amount of money I'd be humping my ex bf rofl 🤣 😂 "Whatever you need me to do director!" Rofl 🤣

Re: Channing & Zoe...

Yea, I'm sure they'll be fine if they both stay on the project. They've both been acting for years. Plus, it's Cate Blanchett! I'm sorry, but I'm not turning down an opportunity to work with THEE Cate Blanchett just because my ex is also on the project with me lol.

Plus, like you mentioned, it kinda seems like Channing and Zoe came together as a result of the "Blink Twice" movie creation/idea (Channing didn't even know Zoe before she sent the script for the movie to him), so yea, maybe things just didn't really pan out for them outside of the movie. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Sometimes, exes also get back together (especially if it got to the point of engagement), so... maybe the book isn't finished being written on them yet.

I guess we'll have to W.A.S. if any tea gets spilled on those two.

Funny how nobody saw this coming though lol. 😅

[kiscon]

K/S Gazette (Jan and Feb!)

First, a reminder: Early Bird Registration for KiScon is still open through Valentine's Day!

If you have not yet registered for KiScon and want that sweet sweet Early Bird Registration rate of $150, make sure you sign up within this window!

The price of in-person attending registration will go up on February 15th to $165. Registration will remain available at that price through the 31st of July. On August 1st the price will go up again to $180. All registration for the convention, both online and in person, takes place through Conline! Register here: https://kiscon.conline.club/ We have also produced a helpful Conline How-To pdf: https://kiscon.org/resources/Conline-How-To-2024.pdf

More information regarding registration, membership tiers, as well as scholarships, can be found in the previous issue of our newsletter, archived here. 2. Submissions for the 2024 KiScon Zine are open! Submissions for the 2024 KiScon Zine are open now through August 1st!

Our editor, @1lostone, is looking forward to working with you.

We are looking for new and never before seen art and writing (both fic and meta!) focusing on the relationship between Kirk and Spock.

For a full rundown of the submission guidelines and access to the submission form, please see the zine page on our website: https://kiscon.org/zine.html

The hard deadline for zine submissions is August 1st, 2024. 3. K/S Spring Fever is in full swing!

February finds you feeling frigid? Not to fret! K/S Spring Fever, our delightful springtime Kirk and Spock prompt fill fest will have you thoroughly warmed up in no time! The prompting phase of the fest has generated 120 glorious prompts, which now beckon to be filled.

You can view said prompts and find out more information about the event on the 2024 Collection Page on AO3. 4. K/S Bingo is also in full swing, and will be for the rest of the year!

If you are active in our KiScord Server you may already be aware, but 1lostone has put together a splendid, low-pressure K/S fannish creation event in the form of a bingo challenge!

The way it works is like this: 1. You fill out this Google form. 2. 1lostone, powerful Wrangler of the Bingo, will then generate for you a custom bingo card, and send it to you either via Direct Message on Discord or via e-mail. 3. You have until the end of the year to obtain the state known as bingo (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, blackout, Texas T – any way you like) by creating fanworks to fill the prompts upon thy bingo card. Don't forget to add your work to the AO3 collection: KiScon Bingo Challenge. 5. Curious what else is going on in online K/S fandom?

The lovely Thia has put together a handy dandy calendar of K/S and K/S adjacent fandom events, anniversaries, and deadlines for the year 2024! It lists the events in chronological order and has links to websites where you can find out more information on many of them listed at the bottom of the page. Neat!

You can view the calendar on Thia's website here.  6. Not enough K/S in your social media feed?

KiScon is now on both Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kisconnews/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@kisconnews/).

Our lovely social media wranglers @cate-adams and @purpleenma are currently conducting and posting a fascinating fannish interview series, as well as KiScon and K/S fandom related news and updates in delightful bite-sized social media format. If you are active on either of these platforms, please consider giving us a follow!

And that's the news! Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this.

We've said this before but we'll say it again: we love to hear from y'all! If you have a question or comment about anything discussed in the newsletter or maybe a piece of K/S news we've missed, such as a new zine coming out or an online fanwork creation fest or anything else you think might be worthy of note, please let us know! You can get in touch by replying directly to this e-mail. :-) Yours in K/S,

T’Lara & StarshipLillian

[francesderwent]

Eden Robinson, Writing Prompts for the Brokenhearted / Daniel Gerhartz / Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Flooded" / Clare Elsaesser, "Capsized" / Taylor Swift, "Call It What You Want" / Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, "Le Lit" / Taylor Swift, "It's Nice to Have a Friend" / Psalm 32:7 RSVCE / Maisie Peters, "Glowing Review" / Stanley Greene / Dorothy Day, The Long Loneliness / Joseph Lorusso, "Love's Embrace" / Ed Sheeran, "Kiss Me" / Dorothy Sayers, Busman's Honeymoon

[marveldcnerdys]

King in Black: A Marvel Epic of Darkness and Redemption

Marvel’s King in Black event, crafted by writer Donny Cates and artist Ryan Stegman, is more than a cosmic clash—it’s a layered story about fear, hope, and the redemptive journey of Eddie Brock, also known as Venom. The saga follows the invasion of Earth by Knull, the God of the Void and creator of the symbiotes, as he unleashes a reign of darkness that tests Earth’s heroes to their limits. But at its heart, King in Black is a story of sacrifice, legacy, and the ultimate struggle between light and darkness.

Knull’s Origins: A God of Primordial Darkness

The series begins with an exploration of Knull’s origins, positioning him as one of the Marvel Universe’s oldest entities. Before the universe even took shape, Knull existed in a vast nothingness. When the Celestials created the first stars, introducing light into the void, Knull was cast out. Enraged, he forged the All-Black Necrosword, a dark weapon that would become one of the most feared artifacts in Marvel. Knull’s subsequent conquest against creation is not just motivated by revenge but by a profound hatred for life and light.

To expand his influence, Knull created an army of symbiotes, sentient beings who could bond with hosts and enact his will across the cosmos. Over time, however, these symbiotes rebelled, breaking free from his control and imprisoning him on their homeworld. This loss marks Knull as a figure of resentment, eager to reclaim his “children” and extinguish all light once and for all. This cosmic vendetta sets the stage for Knull’s descent upon Earth, which he views not only as a battleground but as the final frontier in his crusade.

A Dark Invasion: Knull’s Arrival on Earth

Knull’s arrival on Earth isn’t just an invasion—it’s a force of nature. Marvel sets the stakes early by showing just how easily Knull can manipulate symbiotes to overpower Earth’s strongest defenders. The sheer power of Knull’s forces, including his terrifying symbiote dragons, plunges the world into darkness, creating an apocalyptic atmosphere rarely seen in Marvel’s crossovers.

In a devastating display of his strength, Knull quickly dismantles Earth’s primary defense lines. He dispatches major heroes with ease, including Thor, Iron Man, and the Avengers, and in one of the event’s most shocking moments, he confronts the Sentry, a character known for near-godlike strength. Knull’s brutal victory over the Sentry, mirroring the Sentry’s own past takedown of Carnage, is a moment of horror for readers and heroes alike. By tearing apart one of Marvel’s most powerful heroes, Knull’s power and cruelty are established, sending a clear message: this is a villain like no other.

Eddie Brock’s Journey: The Redemption of Venom

One of the series’ core narratives is Eddie Brock’s journey from an embattled anti-hero to a figure of cosmic significance. Throughout King in Black, Eddie faces Knull not only as a hero fighting for Earth but as a man contending with his past. Eddie’s relationship with his symbiote, once defined by anger and vengeance, has transformed over the years, evolving into a powerful partnership. But Knull’s arrival forces Eddie to confront his lingering insecurities and fears—especially when the Venom symbiote is forcibly ripped from him, leaving him vulnerable.

As Eddie grapples with his role, he also worries about protecting his son, Dylan. In earlier arcs, Dylan was revealed to have unique abilities that allow him to resist Knull’s control. This power places immense pressure on Dylan, who is thrust into a critical role in the fight against Knull. His father’s encouragement, combined with his own resilience, makes Dylan a symbol of hope amid the darkness. But Eddie’s mortal injury adds a layer of tragedy and urgency to the story, pushing Dylan to step up in ways he never expected.

A Cosmic Rebirth: Eddie as the New King in Black

Eddie’s death is a defining moment in King in Black. In a final act of heroism, he attempts to sever Knull’s connection to the symbiote hive but is left mortally wounded, seemingly sacrificing himself. Yet Eddie’s journey doesn’t end with his death; instead, it opens up a new path. Through the Hive, Eddie discovers he can still access the symbiotes’ collective consciousness. This metaphysical journey brings Eddie face-to-face with the powers Knull once held, transforming him into the new King in Black.

Eddie’s resurrection as the King in Black is more than a power upgrade—it’s a fundamental shift in his character. Now, Eddie wields the powers Knull once controlled, including dominion over the symbiotes. This transformation grants him a position of cosmic importance and challenges him to wield his powers responsibly. Eddie’s ascension symbolizes not only his personal redemption but also the redemption of the symbiote race, which he now commands as a force for good.

The Final Battle: Light Versus Darkness

The climactic battle between Eddie and Knull is as much a thematic showdown as it is a physical fight. To counter Knull’s void-born darkness, Eddie taps into the Enigma Force, also known as the “God of Light,” which has been seeking a host capable of wielding its powers. This force, the ultimate antithesis to Knull, allows Eddie to stand as a beacon of hope. In this moment, Eddie’s journey from darkness to light reaches its peak, as he channels the Enigma Force to deliver a final blow to Knull, ending his reign and freeing Earth from his shadow.

Eddie’s victory not only liberates humanity but redefines the legacy of symbiotes. No longer bound to Knull’s dark influence, they are free to explore their own identities, and Eddie, as their new king, embodies a protective rather than oppressive leadership. The battle between Eddie and Knull thus stands as a powerful allegory of self-determination, highlighting that even those born in darkness can choose a path of light.

The Tie-Ins: Expanded Narratives and Unseen Heroes

Marvel’s King in Black event extends into numerous tie-ins, each providing unique perspectives on Knull’s invasion and exploring how various heroes respond to this unprecedented threat. Some of the most significant tie-ins include:

1. Spider-Man and Venom: The King in Black: Spider-Man and Venom issues delve into Peter Parker’s support for Dylan and the wider Marvel community. Peter, already familiar with the impact of symbiotes, becomes a mentor for Dylan and provides moral guidance, emphasizing the shared legacy of hope between Spider-Man and Venom.

2. X-Men and Krakoa: The King in Black: X-Men tie-ins explore how mutants defend their new homeland, Krakoa, from symbiote forces. Characters like Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Magik engage in battles that test their abilities and fortitude, reinforcing the themes of resilience and unity under siege. The X-Men’s commitment to protecting both mutantkind and humanity underscores their evolving role as global defenders.

3. Doctor Doom and Iron Man: In King in Black: Iron Man/Doctor Doom, these two genius rivals put aside their differences to fend off Knull’s forces. Their interactions highlight both their intellectual rivalry and the necessity of cooperation in the face of cosmic threats, showing that even vastly different minds can find common ground when faced with shared dangers.

4. Black Knight and Mystical Forces: King in Black: Black Knight delves into the mystical side of the Marvel Universe, as the Black Knight’s Ebony Blade resonates with Knull’s dark power. The storyline explores the duality of the blade and the nature of dark power wielded for good, emphasizing that even the darkest tools can serve a noble cause.

5. Silver Surfer and Cosmic Power: The Silver Surfer’s return in King in Black reminds readers of Marvel’s cosmic depth. As one of the few beings with experience in cosmic-level battles, the Silver Surfer uses his Power Cosmic to resist Knull, bridging the gap between Earth-bound heroes and the universe’s larger cosmic forces.

Lasting Impact on Marvel’s Universe

The King in Black storyline creates a ripple effect across the Marvel Universe, impacting both characters and lore in profound ways:

1. Eddie Brock as the New King in Black: Eddie’s transformation into the King in Black redefines his role, positioning him as a protector with far-reaching influence over all symbiotes. This evolution makes Eddie a cosmic figure and hints at potential storylines exploring his responsibilities and the ethical challenges of wielding such vast power.

2. Dylan Brock’s Emergence as a New Hero: Dylan’s unique powers, coupled with his courage, suggest he may play an essential role in future Marvel stories. His journey reflects the importance of family, legacy, and self-discovery, marking him as a potential new hero with a special connection to symbiotes.

3. Redemption of the Symbiotes: With Knull’s defeat, symbiotes are no longer tainted by his malevolence. This shift allows Marvel to portray symbiotes in new ways, presenting them as entities capable of both good and evil, free to choose their own paths.

4. Exploration of Cosmic Balance: The story’s introduction of the Enigma Force as the opposite of Knull highlights the Marvel Universe’s theme of cosmic balance. With light and darkness personified, King in Black enriches the Marvel mythos, adding layers to the concept of cosmic duality and the perpetual struggle between creation and destruction.

Art and Symbolism

Ryan Stegman’s artwork in King in Black captures the grandeur of this dark epic. His portrayal of Knull as a towering, malevolent figure embodies cosmic horror, while his scenes of Earth’s heroes falling against Knull’s forces emphasize the overwhelming odds. Stegman’s visual storytelling reaches new heights in Eddie’s transformation, using light to symbolize redemption and framing Eddie’s final battle with Knull as an almost mythic confrontation between good and evil.

Conclusion: King in Black as a Marvel Milestone

King in Black transcends a typical Marvel crossover with its cosmic scale, emotional depth, and masterful storytelling. At its heart, the series explores universal themes of hope, resilience, and redemption, offering readers a story that resonates beyond superhero battles. Eddie Brock’s journey from anti-hero to cosmic guardian exemplifies the power of legacy and transformation, while his son, Dylan, embodies the next generation of heroes shaped by love, courage, and sacrifice.

Through a narrative of darkness and light, King in Black serves as a powerful reminder that heroes are defined not by their origins but by their choices, and that even in the face of overwhelming darkness, hope can—and will—prevail.

[yameoto]

you might've said something abt this but if u did, I didn't notice. where did sorority!cate go?🙁 she's not showing up for me

— ☀️

i have! it was softshadowbanned unfortunately. all my shadowbanned bots i title with ZZZ and unlist them. as cai has already technically 'unlisted' them, though hardshadowbanned bots are technically 'privated'. please read my faq!

WHAT HAPPENED TO XYZ BOT? / YOUR BOT HAS BEEN SHADOWBANNED. if a pre-existent bot has disappeared from my profile, this means character.ai has updated; thus updating their shadowbannable phrases list, and the bot has been shadowbanned post-creation according to their new rules. i can’t stress enough that i am always aware of my bots being shadowbanned.

ex!santana roommate bot has also been shadowbanned. i am working on uploading duplicates but post the recent update, creating bots has become much stricter, unfortunately.

[living-in-a-fantasia]

Giant Reef-Mermaid

(Mer polychroma)

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

-> This is the most common species of Mermaid found in Fantasia! Not to be confused with Sirens.

- The species is formed by females for the most part – the biggest ones tend to transition into males for a couple of months during the mating season (usually during colder months). During such time, they tend to lose the vibrancy of their scales andbtheir colors turn into more of a pastel.

- Pups are all born male, too! As they gain their adult coloration, they turn into females (3-4 years after birth).

- The scales of Merfolk are coated with a very small amount of magic that makes them look like your greatest desire when looked at out of the water - that's how they lure sailors to their deaths (unlike Sirens, they can't use voices due to a lack of vocal chords).

- They're territorial and live in large groups (unlike their fresh water relatives), so its very rare to find one alone out in the open, where they're too exposed to the dangers of the ocean. When they feel the need to migrate, they swim very close to each other.

- Their bite can cause the prey to be paralyzed for a couple of minutes so they can easily drown and eat without much of a fight.

- Pups look like sand/rocks so they can easily hide! They're born very small and as a group oriented species, all of the members take cate of pups - though is easier for them to hide so other predators can't have an easy snack. Pup's venom is stringer than adults! It's their only way of defense for their first or so year, until their teeth and claws grow stronger.

- Don't lay eggs, their birth are live ones. Also, they usually birth one or two pups at a time - and by "at a time" I mean, a female can have babies every 4 years or so, when her prior one is already grown enough.

- Unlike Sirens, Mermaids are actually a thing. While both are Constance's creation, Sirens are people that are turned into sea monsters, while all kinds of Mermaids are simply born like this and have been for milions of years.

[shireenseno]

The Last Frame of the Day (Dream Telegram) An exhibition of works to be viewed before falling asleep. Curated by James Clar One of the eight exhibitions of the first Ctrl+P Biennale

Hypnagogic hyp·na·go·gic ˌ hip-nə-ˈgä-jik-ˈgō-: of, relating to, or occurring in the period of drowsiness immediately preceding sleep “The hypnagogic state is that heady lull between wakefulness and sleep when thoughts and images flutter, melt, and transform into wild things.” – Cate McQuaid (Boston Globe, October 1, 1998)

As a light and media artist focusing on new technological production processes and their application to artistic narrative forms, I was inspired by Gregor Janson in his essay “Nothing New Under the Sun” [1] where he describes cinema as a dream-factory, which takes us prisoner in darkness. Essential for the cinema’s spell and fascination is precisely this darkness, which provokes immersion in a sort of cave of the subconscious, within which the images (of artificial light) develop their suggestive power. This combined with concepts of Dream Telepathy, [2] where communication can be done to someone while in a subconscious state were of interest in this project. Artworks generally require an active, focused state, but these works require the viewer to lose focus. The hope, of course, is for the works to become entry points into the viewers’ dream-space.

The artists were asked “If you could control what the last thing an audience sees before going to sleep, what would it be? What would be your wish as the last frame of their waking moment and the first frame of their dream state.” With cultural diversity and mythic undertones, their creations become a contemporary reflection on “Charon’s Obol.” [3] the coin placed in or on the mouth of a dead person before burial. The myth resonates metaphorically as a token passage into the realm of dreams.

Thus, the artists in this exhibition were invited to create works that would be the last thing a viewer sees/experiences before falling asleep. Considering the ubiquity of mobile phones used at bedtime, it is only fitting that the works were produced specifically for viewing on phones during the viewer’s transition from wakefulness to sleep. They are best experienced one work at a time as bridge from the conscious to the subconscious. There are 17 works altogether. A viewer should experience the whole exhibition one work every night within 17 days.

Click to view exhibition (on your phone)

[astoundingbeyondbelief]

Kaiju Weeks in Review (August 6-26, 2023)

Godzilla: War for Humanity's first issue has already grabbed my interest, juggling a huge monster cast and an eccentric defense team. The new monster, Zoospora, is an impressive creation, and I think the Godzilla Island formula of "a new threat starts attacking Earth's monsters one by one" will work well here. Also, it's got the long-overdue IDW debut of Minilla! Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons #2 doesn't give me much to talk about in comparison, apart from my delight at the Moby Dick cameo. Right, Godzilla destroying the Spanish Armada, we've all seen it.

Apple TV+ has finally revved up the marketing machine for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, releasing a few stills of the cast (Godzilla included) and offering a Fall 2023 premiere date. Some longstanding rumors have been confirmed as well. Bill Randa, John Goodman's character in Kong: Skull Island, will appear in flashbacks to the 1950s, played by Anders Holm. Anna Sawai plays Cate Randa (probably his granddaughter). Kurt Russell and his son Wyatt play Lee Shaw, Shaw being the name of a founding Monarch member in the first Monsterverse graphic novel, Godzilla: Awakening. Few plot details are available yet, but here's the logline:

Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” tracks two siblings following in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch. Clues lead them into the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army officer Lee Shaw (played by Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows. The dramatic saga — spanning three generations — reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.

The other Monsterverse news from the past three weeks is that Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has been pushed back slightly to April 12. Dune: Part 2 occupies its old slot on the calendar; Warner Bros. would rather starve theaters again than pay the actors it needs to promote the film what they're worth, I guess.

Add Kaiju Brooklyn to the list of North American kaiju conventions. Right now details are largely limited to what's on this poster; they also recently announced that Dope Pope will be among the artists. Wish I could spare the funds to go, but I think it's coming up too soon.

GAMERA -Rebirth- is almost out, and as part of its final marketing push, Kadokawa is releasing short behind-the-scenes videos on each of the monsters. So far we've gotten Gamera (above), Gyaos, and Jiger. Wish they were translated, but I'll take what I can get from a streaming show.