#charlie is scottish in my heart

[libertatias]

remembering graham mctavish voiced charlie cutter and furious we didn't get scottish charlie

[aurynsia]

Unrequited, Terrifying Chapter 1

James Potter x Reader

Summary: You had always been the sort to keep to yourself, never expecting any attention. That is until a mysterious letter is slipped under your door…

Warnings: Extremely fluffy, nervous!james x shy!reader, some subtle wolfstar action in the background, reader plays hard to get without intending to, idiots in love, oc!friends, lovesick!james x salty!reader, reader low key hates James at the beginning but it’s for the plot I swear! No use of Y/N, reader is in the girls’ dorms but gender is rarely specified, NOT EDITED!

Word count: 1.4K

Series Masterlist

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

——————— ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ ———————

Summer shifted with a gust of wind, dragging with it the soft chill of the Scottish coast. The leaves turned from emerald to amber, marking the start of your final year at Hogwarts.

Gryffindor had instilled a sense of courage in you, one that you often left at home when returning to the brooding towers that form your school. So, with the brewing feeling of newfound bravery in your heart, you approached the Gryffindor common room with the mentality that this will be your year.

The crowded floor of the comforting common room was painted with school shoes and flashes of red as your fellow house members danced in a flurry of reunions and affections. Yeah…this will be your year. Once you figure out how to socialise without cringing from embarrassment.

You shifted past the cliques and gangs, attempting to find your more resolved group of companions. Standing on the stairs by the girls’ dorms was the sight you were hoping for.

“Charlie! Hope!” You called, striding over to your much loved roommates.

“I’m surprised you survived the stampede down there, come to safety!” Charlie joked with open arms, guiding you into a warm embrace.

“Seems like the summer didn’t do much for the maturity in this house…” Hope muttered into your shoulder as she joined the reunion, glancing at the chaos ensuing behind you.

Charlie and Hope were your personal lifelines, a combination of wits and humility that allowed you to embrace the more tentative side of yourself. You first bonded over your shock discoveries as Gryffindors, as opposed to your predicted places in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. While none of you were sure of why or how you found yourselves in the house of courage and bravery - or as you often called it, the pit of egos and self-righteousness - you certainly found a home between the pair, never stepping outside the social boundaries of your timid trio.

You marched towards the comfort of your dorm, arms linked with your companions and back turned to a pair of unacknowledged, watchful eyes, shaded by rounded glasses.

——————— ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ ———————

James often found hellos to be even harder than goodbyes, a swelling of tears and joy erupting from the boy’s face the second he laid his golden eyes on his mischievous friends. Sirius, Remus and Peter lined the couch territorially, leaving space in the middle for one James Potter to jump into in excited greeting.

“Prongs! We thought you’d never show!” Exclaimed Sirius in a lighthearted tone, smirking at the boy’s glowing grin. “Glad to see us, then?”

“Oh Pads, you know I’d never miss a single day with you by my side if I had the choice!” James met his friend’s playful tone, though his genuine affection shone through the string of words he praised. He found comfort against the back of the couch, bursting into a ramble of “how are you?”, “I missed you” and “what did you do over the summer?” which the other Marauders dutifully answered with similar excitement.

James was busy engaging with Sirius’ vengeful tale of redeeming himself through a series of pranks planned for the coming school year when he found himself glancing towards a familiar figure above the crowd. Your hair reflected the light of the room, almost as if an angel’s halo surrounded your head. Your face, lit up with familiarity at your friends’ embrace, caused a physical reaction from the boy as his lips parted. Had you gotten even more hauntingly beautiful since the last year? James didn’t think it was possib-

“Pro-ongs, I think it’s about time you made a move on that lovely little bird, don’t you?” Sirius sang, inching closer to the captivated face of his friend. A light dusting of peachy blush turned dark on his cheeks under the sudden attention. “I- what? W-who?” James laughed, though he knew full well that his friends had caught onto his not-so-little crush years ago.

“I mean, if she’s so distracting that you can’t even focus on one of the most engaging plots for revenge ever crafted by the master of mischief,” Sirius gestured to himself, “then I don’t see why you shouldn’t try for an actual conversation with her. Moony here was just agreeing with me before you arrived, weren’t you, sweet stuff?”

Sirius turned to the boy sitting on the other side of the young Potter as Remus nodded in reserved agreement. “I know you think she’d never go for a boy like you, James, but Sirius has a point.” Remus advised. James considered his friends’ logical conclusions, realising he should probably come to the same.

There’s not long left, Potter, he told himself. We’ll graduate and the only person you’ve ever really felt something for will be out of your grasp forever. It’s now or never. “Ok…ok, I’ll do it. This will be the year. This will be my year.” James responded, eyes still lingering on you as you walked towards your dorm, slowly shrinking in his line of sight. His friends cheered in satisfied agreement. This will be his year. The year he shares with you.

——————— ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ ———————

Unpacked trunks and flittering gossip filled your dorm room walls as you giggled with your loyal friends. “So…any chance one of you might pursue a love life for once?” Hope teased, despite her own lack of romantic involvement. Charlie let out a scoff, grinning her lopsided grin at Hope’s curiosity. “Certainly not in this house, but there might be a few lucky souls in the others who could try to keep up with me.” She laughed with you and Hope, basking in the joy that only you three could harvest from one another.

“Any boys catch your eye? Oh! Maybe any girls?” Hope turned the question to you as you hid a laugh behind your hand. “Some of these kids might as well just date themselves at this point! I mean, how can you love yourself that much and leave any room to love someone else?” You cried, exasperation shaping your tone. “Are we talking about who I think we’re talking ab-“ “OH you mean the Marauders!?” Charlie exclaimed, interrupting Hope’s more subtle approach to the subject.

“Of course I’m talking about those good for nothing clowns,” You responded, “They’re too preoccupied with themselves to even notice anyone else! On the last week of the last year, Sirius managed to shove me into a wall in the hallway without blinking an eye. He was too caught up in his own reflection in the polished floor to notice! Remus and Peter turn a blind eye to all the mischief their friends cause, and only if they themselves aren’t involved. And that boy, James Potter…” You continue your ranting, “it’s like there’s no thoughts behind that smug face of his! He bumped into me as we both attempted to exit through a classroom door at the same time, pushing my books out of my arms and onto the floor. I looked at him expectedly for some sort of sign to show he was apologetic, but he just stood and stared at me wide-eyed! That is, before he scurried away as if he was suddenly half his own size, looking like a rodent in an athlete’s body!”

Charlie and Hope shared a knowing look when you commented on the last Marauder’s appearance, communicating a silent assumption that you weren’t quite as annoyed with the head boy as you were confused. “I digress…” you concluded with a flushed expression. “If any boy in this house even attempts to approach me I should hope for his sake that he’s matured at a rate faster than the speed of light over the summer, otherwise he doesn’t stand a-“

Pshhh.

All eyes in the room turn towards the door. A light blue envelope with dark ink scribbled on the front sat patiently at the base of the door, having just been pushed below from a mysterious source on the other side.

“…chance.” You finished, curiosity propelling your trio towards the unfamiliar object. Labeled on the front, communicating with newfound clarity now that you had closed the distance between yourself and the letter, was a boyish, unpolished mark of your name. Quiet settled on the three of you for a moment. “OH. MY. GOD!” Charlie exclaimed, snatching the paper from the floor and sprinting towards your bed. “Hey, wait for me! I want to read it too!” Hope pursued your friend. Lastly, you rose from your position on the floor and slowly approached the bed as your friends eagerly ripped open the letter.

——————— ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ ———————

A/N: Thank you for reading! I intend on expanding this into a pretty fluffy series with James trying to win reader over ;) sorry for the slow chapter, it will get more eventful in future updates now that the context is established. Part 2 is up! Comment to be added to the taglist <3

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday Sam Roland Heughan, born 30th April 1980 in Balmaclellan, Dumfries and Galloway.

Sam got his name from the Lord of the Rings character Samwise Gamgee. his parents were big fans of the Tolkien books. He attended Kells Primary School in New Galloway before the family moved to Edinburgh when he was 12, he went to James Gillespie’s on the edge of the meadows before finishing his school education at the prestigious Rudolph Steiner School.

After leaving School at 18 Sam worked and travelled before returning to Scotland and enrolling in the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, graduating in 2003.

Sam built a solid career in theatre in both Scotland and England starring in productions of Plague Over England, Macbeth, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Amphibians, and King John. He has also been featured in notable indie films, Emulsion, and Heart Of Lightness but of course it is one particular role that has catapulted him into worldwide stardom, that of Jamie Fraser in Outlander.

For those who don’t know Outlander it follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who finds herself hurled back in time to the 1740’s in and around the time when The Jacobites and Bonnie Prince Charlie made the final ill fated attempt to put the Stuarts back on the throne. Sam plays Claire’s “love interest” she is forced to marry. Further series are set in the US in the 1770’s, their remains a strong Scottish presence in the cast, and the show is filmed in studios in Cumbernauld. Sam has won a number of awards for the series.

In the movie To Olivia he played Hollywood star Paul Newman and in the adaptation of the Andy McNab book, SAS: Red Notice, he played SAS soldier Tom Buckingham. Oor birthdat boy also teamed up with fellow Outlander star Graham McTavish Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham. The series follows the pair as they explore their homeland delving into the culture and history of Scotland, in a light-hearted way. The second series of the show aired last year, the reviews were mainly positive. The duo are already looking at a third journey, this time to North America but that will likely involve indulging Heughan's thrill-seeking side - much to his friend's dismay

Sam also appeared in the psychological series The Couple Next Door last year, I am yet to catch this, it has average reviews on IMDB of 5.6 out of ten. Born to be Great the story of Alexander The Great's early life has been completed but is yet to recieve a release date.

According to reports Sam celebrated his birthday in Edinburgh at the weekend while also running his My Peak Challenge which included workouts, outdoor activities and a gala night with dinner and dancing. He posted on Instagram describing the event as a 'unique blend of wellness, camaraderie, celebration and more'. The peakers, as they are known has raised millions for charities including Marie Curie.

[osatokun]

New Orleans chronicle [long post]

Post for the people who comes in my blog and wondering who are the characters I constantly draw (and will go on drawing).

All of them - PC and NPCS from the Vampire the Masquerade games I play. Most of them from the longest game I had with friends, with its ups and downs the game lasted almost 2 years. here is the main player crew:

Charles Arthur Drinkwater (real name Benjamin Thomas Fox) -242 years old Scottish Malkavian, personal little mew mew of the local Harpy, surgeon since he was 20, and consultant in the weirdest occult questions. I played him, he was my first serious male character and it was very interesting experience. Dakota Salmon (real name Numpai) - 200 something something (230? 240?) years old Gangrel. She was primogen of the local Gangrels until the entire clan was exiled from the city. Highly respected by the clan, strong woman with cold logic and warm heart. She came back to the New Orleans in hopes to return gangrels their place in the city. She was played by @fj0rge Veronica Sugar (real name Veronica ) - a 100 something something years old Toreador, part of the coterie Charlie is in. A singer and vampire with the most high rating of humanity in the city. Crazy enough to get into Charlie's adventures and support him. She was played by @maria-ruta

Some of the names were taken form the New Orleans by Night book, but the characters are totally different. Plus our DM added just about every splat in the game. The game was set in 2022. From the foundation of the New Orleans it was ruled by Etienne Doran, Ventrue who always dreamed of making New Orleans the new Carthage. He drove the mages away from the city, united with local werewolves and in generally kept piece New Orleans (most of the time). However he was murdered in 1997 by unknown Gangrel, the entire clan was exiled, but no one ever found the assassin. Some of the names were taken form the New Orleans by Night book, but the characters are totally different. The game was set in 2022. From the foundation of the New Orleans it was ruled by Etienne Doran, Ventrue who always dreamed of making New Orleans the new Carthage. He drove the mages away from the city, united with local werewolves and in generally kept piece New Orleans (most of the time). However he was murdered in 1997 by unknown Gangrel, the entire clan was exiled, but no one ever found the assassin.

(here is Etienne and his sheriff and Brujah primogen Simon)

Since then New Orleans was ruled by princess Marceline, supported by local harpy, adopted Etienne's childe, Rene. Rene is also one of the reason Charlie traveled to the New Orleans. They did their best, but no one had the charm of Etienne, who could stop the war with a single smile

Now, to the main plot of the game (oh I'll try to be short) The main conflict is set around the prophecies of the future where masquerade will fall and the vampires (and werewolves) become part of the human society. Think True Blood style. Technocratic union mages,led by Eureka Jones returns in the city. As we learned much later,her department is trying to bring the project of integrating vampires into society to life. If her project fails, the future of vampires going to be..very sad. Charlie knew about this possible future from the very start which scared him a ton, but he could not ignore how much technocrats made to the people. And Rene, a true son of his sire, collaborated with mages for the future that he(and Etienne) always wanted. Eureka is magnificent but I have to finish her still..

In the same time, the Sabbat pack lead by Sascha Vykos, comes to the New Orleans. He knows about the future of vampires, but wants to play the main role himself. To ruin Technocrats he aims to find Traitor, the mysterious figure who collaborate with mages in their experiments. Dakota returns to the city to help fight with Sabbat (and possibly return Gangrels their place in the city) AND (like Sabbat war is not enough) the mysterious Gangrel courier named Mohammed arrives to the city, carrying a small suitcase. With the ancient vampire head in it. Living head. As we learned later, the head is imprisoned by the angel Gangrel named Enkidu, the angel constantly chops Gangrel's head somewhere in umbra, not letting him to heal. Both Enkidu and Angel leads courier to the unknown destination, when one courier dies, the other is chosen to continue his journey. The existence of the head was kept in secret until the end of the game (not surprising Charlie knew this secret tho..),but Sascha knew about it and wanted to get the head to help him find the Traitor.(and, well, diablerise later as a treat) Mohammed and Dakota (he quickly grew on her and they kept their loving relationships even after the game ended)

Long story short-the Traitor was Ada, Gangrel who killed and diablerised Etienne. Their souls willingly united and the developed a plan to bring new future to the vampires. In the end, Vykos pack was slain by Dakota, Ada, werewolf leader(poor lad died), Gangrels and one particularly charming Nosferatu. Gangrels was allowed to get back in the city, however Dakota and Mohammed (and Yaropolk) left to Russia, as they were sick of Camarilia and mages. However no one can deny that Gangrels led by Dakota played the biggest part in saving the city. What's Charlie's role you might ask? And where is his charming wife? Well, from the very beginning DM hooked me with a dream. Charlie saw a changeling in his nightmares, who asked him for help. And so, his personal storyline began. Of course he assisted other characters when he could, but his mine line is based around saving changeling. No one cares about them. They have no place in Technocrat's future, but now they are his family. He tried to find and then heal the changeling from his dream, who turned out to be young Balor princess, Monica. Her soul was stolen by the Settite leader(one of the two),mysterious Imhotep, who rumored to be Giovanni. Later Charlie learned that he's an actual mummy, which didn't stop him to awkwardly mess with the ancient creature. And poor Monica was in coma for the last 3 years, but thanks to her ability to travel through dreams she could try to seek help

While looking for changelings to find the one who called him, he met Glinda, the cursed Balor ex queen, imprisoned by other changeling house, Beaumayn in 1999th. Her changeling self fell asleep and she was guarded by a chimerical Dragon (who could take human form ),who acted like her abusive husband. While trying to learn who Glinda is, Charlie looked into her soul and immediately fell in love for the rest of his life. During the game they even ended up getting True Love merit Q_Q

A little backstory: as a teenage changeling queen Glinda saw the prophetic dreams about the end of the changelings. When she looked for the way to save her people, he was talked by Pentex and Nephandi into bringing a little apocalypse. Using the energy of the Red Star they'd bring a strong old spirit into the world, put it into Glinda's body and let her give birth to a new changeling-spirit creature, that will destroy the half of human population. Since Changelings get their powers from the dreams and fantasy, they will become stronger, because people will start dreaming more, hoping more, believing in magic and stuff. In fact a naive teen was talked into rape. The other house, Beumayn, freed Glinda's chimera, the Dragon, and burnt her in the chimerical flame, trying to kill her changeling soul and the spirit inside her. However, the spirit escaped to the Umbra and the connection with him helped Glinda survive. He forgot who she was, and the Dragon became her jailer, acting like her over controlling husband. However, the spirit creature lived and gained power with time, wanting to fulfill it's purpose and destroy the world.

During the game, Charlie found Monica, traveled into Umbra to the gates of Arcadia to get the healing for changelings and another Imhotep's victim. Healed them all, fought the Dragon on the Changeling court and freed a demon named Folly. With the help of the demon he turned Dragon into a simple human and won, freeing Glinda. The demon escaped in Europe and was out of the scene most of the time, but kept reminding Charlie about himself in many ways. Charlie learned that Monica's father was killed by her own mother, Imhotep's cultist, and adopted young Changeling. He also introduced her to a werewolf of the same age, Joshua, wanting her to have day-walking loyal friends wo she won't be alone. Later on they started dating, and in return Monica tried her best to represent Charlie to Gilnda in the best way possible. Glinda, Charlie and Monica quickly started to live together, Charlie tried to keep peaceful relationships between changelings and vampires/mages (or better say not making it worse).In the end, mages, vampires and Glinda united to destroy the old spirit without harming changeling. And Charlie, Glinda and their newly created chimera Jeff (who they consider to be their son) located Imhotep. Stole his power jars (I'm too tired to phrase it not in a silly way, but think of Baldur's Gate 3 quest with a mummy), destroyed most of them and watched Imhotep's army of ghosts destroying his body. Charlie offered the fame for killing Imhotep to another Settite leader, Manon, and in return she joined the ritual of the spirit's killing. Charlie knew that mummies are immortal, sooner or later he will come back, so he and Glinda dedicated their lives to the searching of the way to permanently trap Imhotep's soul and prevent him from stealing lives again. They lived +/- 6 more years in New Orleans (but traveled a lot), and then left to Egypt. Glinda stopped aging, gaining a lot of energy from their constant adventures and, possibly, connection with her true love. Monica, however, lived normal human life, forgetting she was a changeling once. She married Joshua and became a writer under the nickname Little Spider. Charlie made sure to collect savings for her, got her home, and the old Monica's home became a freehold for the new Balors. Ofcourse A LOT things happened in the game. And Charlie's story goes beyond one game, he have a lot of adventures in my imagination. But I hope that's enough..for the start! Some of the characters I managed to draw. I was so charmed by Glinda I just draw her most of the time haha

Dragon (Gregory Dequir) and Imhotep

Jeffrey

More finished arts for this game -> here Gangrel line up by @fj0rge -> here Nosferatu line up by @fj0rge -> here Veronica's references by @maria-ruta -> here and here and more Veronica here

More characters drawing by Ruta -> Jake(brujah) Jack(Gangrel) (Veronica has a J boyfriend collection) and silly guys Sad Charlie and Veronica comics by Ruta -> here

Thank you for reading!

[princepsfianna]

Obsession over a random art project.

So I recently saw this video and am quite literally obsessed with it. I've re watched it like twenty times and can't get the ideas it's planted out my head. It's just such a fantastic work of art! I love the French revolution and Robespierre more specifically. The French Revolution and it's consequences, really it's just too early to say but they are positive! I'd encourage everyone to watch this because God damn it is just so good. It does kinda contain existential themes and quite a bit of depressive thoughts as themes throughout though so be warned. As I oft do I wrote a not great poem based on revering Robespierre because I've nothing better to do at this ungodly hour.

"Oh, Robespierre, surely it's a lie! Surely, it is a lie that you can die? Robespierre, what glory is your name? And how high is it along your fame?

Alas, it's been some two thirty years, Since I saw the brave, Robespierre! (idk if they rhyme lol) His bold eyes with hope was gleaming, Yet now all we see are tears streaming.

His life on this land, alas it's over But not yet is done the carryover What glory and what sorrow, Is his name, sung till morrow

And though they tell us, That they brought nought but guts, That their cause was a failure! We know that he was but a saviour!

Glory, Glory! Robespierre, Glory, Glory! Robespierre! Death, Death! To traitors, And a curse upon the invaders.

--

Our forefathers who drowned, In their own blood against the hound. Now we, their sons, shall do as them! Till from Esk till Tay, we fufill their dream!

We, the children of Scota and Brighid, Strong shall we be, never more pitied. Faithful to revolution, armed agianst the hun So we might deserve the Saltire when it's done!

So long as we have boyhoods flame, Then we shall never forget our name, Scottish lads, long broken are they Shall arise, true and tall from the fray!

So that from Éire till Cathay, We yet might see on that day. Shining, republics of virtue Gleaming from here and far too!" The little "--" shows the exact moment I switched from praising Robespierre to focusing on the scottish context and lads like Thomas Muir and the United Scotsmen. Muir, I love Thomas Miur like one would not believe. he was in my opinion the first man to revive the Scottish nation after it's usurpation with the acts of union as a truly national and not religious or royalist motivation. Glory, Thomas Muir for his land lives and shall be a republic from as I said Esk till Tay.

We have achieved a great duty in these critical times. After the destruction of so many years, we have been the first to revive the spirit of our country and give it a National Existence.

Thomas muir, 1798/99

Follow thee, follow thee, wha wadna follow thee? Charlie, Charlie! Wha wadna follow thee? Long have ye lov'd us, an' trusted us fairly! King O' the Hi'land hearts, Bonnie Prince Charlie! 1820s/30s-ish.

[timelessxmemories]

OCs dedicated to Very Close Friends I consider family & My Beloved Partners <3

【 Please excuse my terrible OC skills. I tried to be as original & creative as I possibly could. 】

【 TRIGGER WARNING: MENTIONS OF CHILD ABDUCTION , DEATH , TRAUMA , THREATENED MURDER 】

Significant Character Mentioned: The Entity

Side Note: Started this at 10:00pm, ended at 5:57am. Managed to keep motivation throughout.

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

1.) @cupid-beatricereden — Sylvia

Likes: Music (Classical & Jazz) , Reading graphic novels (Anything based around love) , Mystery & Thriller series (Books or TV shows) , The colour pink , Anything with hearts , Cheesy romance movies, DnD

Dislikes: Overly bright colours , Flashing lights (Epileptic) , Heavy Metal Music (Sorry heavy metal fans) , Dark Chocolate

Personality: Sylvia is incredibly sweet and gentle, she'd do anything to help anyone in need, she does get a little protective at times but she always means well. She's a little insecure, and needs a lot of validation, but would rather give the validation instead of receiving it. She's touch starved, someone please hug this poor girl.

Career: Violinist / Composer

Side Job(s): Volunteers at a homeless shelter on holidays such as Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, ETC. + Volunteers at a Children's Hospital for 3 hours every day. (EX; plays board games, teaching them how to play instruments, colouring with them, drawing little pictures, playing DnD with the older kids & some younger ones who want to learn how to play, playing the kids songs with her violin, ETC.)

Nationality: Dutch

Place of Living: The Netherlands

Aesthetic Attached To: Lovecore

Songs Associated With:

Can't Help Falling in Love ★ Elvis Presley

Fly Me To The Moon ★ Frank Sinatra

SMALL BIO SUMMARY:

Sylvia was born to two young women, one of which was a rather popular artist while the other was a popular jazz singer. For the majority of her life she grew up in a loving home until the day she tirned 6 and went to the park and never saw her parents ever again. A man led her away and ultimately ended up abducting her. This led to being touch starved and always helping others out. She doesn't want the same thing to happen to anyone else as it did with her. Oh, yes, she did eventually end up being found when she was 17 (about a year ago) and was safely returned to her moms who were overjoyed that their little girl was finally home after 11 years of being missing.

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

@gmilfwhore — Dizzy

Likes: Upbeat music (Hyperpop & such) , Neon Colours , Clubbing , Horror Movies , Graphic Novels , Gaming , Sanrio , Jazz Music

Dislikes: Dull Colours , Classical music , White Chocolate , Overly strong perfumes & Colognes

Personality: Dizzy is very upbeat and insanely happy (They give heavy golden retriever vibes), Dizzy also tends to be rather optimistic and super positive despite their usual panic attacks. They wouldn't leave a person in need, they tend to have a bad habit of caring more for others rather than themself.

Career: A Cafe Barista

Side Job(s): Does being a college student count?

Nationality: Scottish

Place Of Living: Dublin, Ireland

Aesthetic Attached To: Hyperpop

Songs Associated With:

Roll With Me ★ Charli XCX

iLike ★ hidingthehurt

SMALL BIO SUMMARY:

Dizzy was born to a young woman who unfortunately died during labour, resulting in Dizzy being raised by their father who was now a single father. Their father never remarried. Their father was incredibly supportive of Dozzy and their decisions. When Dizzy cane out to their dad, their dad did everything he could to learn more. To this day their father is still very supportive.

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

@dontopentheinside — Gabriel

Likes: Dark Colours , Horror novels , Gardening , Baking , Drowning in his own self pity/J , Heavy Metal Music , Hunting

Dislikes: His job (He's only doing it for the money) , Overly strong scents , chocolate , overly sweet things

Personality: Gabriel is a very manipulative and cold young man who takes his job VERY seriously. He won't hesitate to get into fights in order to protect a colleague or a friend, he also has incredibly low self-esteem and tends to have major panic attacks due to all the blood that's on his hands. Poor guy just needs a kiss on the forehead and a long hug :").

Career: Hitman

Side Job(s): N/A

Nationality: British

Place Of Living: London, England

Aesthetic Attached To: Grunge

Songs Associated With:

GOSSIP ★ Måneskin

The Other Side Of Paradise ★ Glass Animals

SMALL BIO SUMMARY:

Gabriel was in foster care throughout his whole life, constantly being placed back and forth one after another. He never truly had a home, which ended up in him running away at 17 years of age. He met a group of people who ended up offering him a jib as a hitman, when Gabriel tried to refuse they threatened his life, resulting in Gabriel accepting the job.

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

@ghostlyplacetobe — Naomi

Note: She is Bisexual Aromantic. Meaning she can feel attraction to people, yes, but it's incredibly rare for her, it's only happened a few times.

Likes: Soft colours , Insects of all kinds , Reading , History , Jazz Music , Romance Novels + Movies , Building Lego , Collecting Ribbons , Tea , Cats

Dislikes: Yelling + Loud Noises , Horror Movies + Novels , Coffee , Anything to do with flames (Extreme pyrophobia)

Personality: Naomi is very timid and incredibly kind, she's also super oblivious when it comes to seeing the obvious right in front of them. He's strong willed and loves debating with people over particular topics as long as it isn't politics.

Career: Librarian

Side Job(s): Volunteers at the local animal shelter.

Nationality: French Canadian

Place Of Living: Quebec, Canada

Aesthetic Attached To: Dark Academia

Songs Associated With:

I'm Still Standing ★ Elton John

Yellow Brick Road ★ Elton John

SMALL BIO SUMMARY:

Naomi was born in Quebec, Canada to a set of parents who were pretty young at the time so she was raised mostly by their grandmother who cared deeply for her. Around the age of 6 there was a huge fire which resulted in his home burning down with her grandmother still inside. His grandmother died that day. This resulted in Naomi gaining an extreme fear of fire.

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

@unidentifiable-body — Zeus

Likes: Making fancy drinks , Listening to music , 80s Music , Any kinds of chocolate , Gardening , Drawing , Rock Music , Heavy Metal Music

Dislikes: Soft Music (puts him to sleep) , Spiders (genuinely terrified of them) , Hunting , Romance Novels + Movies , Gaming (He doesn't understand them lmfao)

Personality: Zeus is very cold and distant due to his past trauma, he tends to have major trust issues and is suspicious of literally everyone he meets. However, if you do ever manage to Crack that shell of his, you'll find out that Zeus is actually a really sweet and soft guy!

Career: Bartender

Side Job(s): Secretly volunteers at a nearby Orphanage, but you didn't hear that from me.

Nationality: Greek

Place Of Living: California

Aesthetic Attached To: Punk-Rock

Songs Associated With:

Dead But Pretty ★ IC3PEAK

We Don't Have To Dance ★ Andy Black

SMALL BIO SUMMARY:

Zeus was born into a very wealthy family, however, his parents were never around much, neglecting him and what not, he was never properly taught to socialize as most of his life he was isolated. At some point his parents were killed in a robbery, leading into Zeus being sent into foster care, from there he gained severe trust issues.

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

@otherworldlyoddities — Galaeth

Likes: Rock Music , Violin , Walking amongst the stars , Rebelling , Baking , Studying Humans , Studying Body Language

Dislikes: Soft Music , Large animals (They think they're scary) , Chocolate (Doesn't understand it) , Fans. Why. , Cieling Lights. Again. Why.

Personality: Galaeth is very easily confused by anything human as well as very unsure of anything human. It's new to her, give her a break, she's trying. She's also extremely cautious around humans and doesn't tend to trust them easlly. She also tends to rebel against her orders due to her not wanting to become a Guardian.

Career: Guardian in Training (Guardians are a type of star which is assigned a particular human and ordered to protect them.)

Side Job(s): N/A

Nationality: Xeo (A type of a higher being in the star universe)

Place Of Living: Star of The Sea

Aesthetic Attached To: Cosmic core

Songs Associated With:

Sorry About Your Parents ★ Icon For Hire

Circles ★ KIRA, GUMI

SMALL BIO SUMMARY:

Galaeth wasn't exactly born, they were more or less made from moondust by The Entity (yes, he's making a come-back, you're welcome), The Entity being the creator of sorts cared for them just like how a father was supposed to. However, due to Galaeth being a Xeo, they are destined to become a Guardian rather than staying as a regular Moonlit (A regular being made from Stardust). Galaeth however wishes not to become a Guardian, so they gained a habi of constantly Rebelling and doing the complete opposite of what The Entity told them to do. This doesn't frustrate The Entity, he actually gets a chuckle out of it as it reminds him of when he was a young Xeo.

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

@the-arcade-doctor — Juniper

Likes: Ruling over her subjects , Practicing with her dark magic , Being alone , Using her skills of manipulation to her advantage

Dislikes: Anyone who disobeys her , The Lord of the Over Realm , Xeos + The Entity , Macha Tea , Avacados , Talks of Destiny , Her past being mentioned.

Personality: Juniper is very cynical and irritable. She really only cares for herself and only thinks about her own needs instead of her subjects. (Huh, reminds of something.) She tends to get angry quick and fast, and when she does it usually ends up in a burning of whomever drove her over the edge. She doesn't have a soft spot in her bones whatsoever.

Career: Lord of The Under Realm.

Side Job(s): N/A

Nationality: Demona (A type of demon in the Under Realm.)

Place Of Living: Under Realm

Aesthetic Attached To: Cryptidcore

Songs Associated With:

Rät ★ Penelope Scott

iNSaNiTY ★ CircusP

SHORT BIO SUMMARY:

Juniper was created by The Entity in the Star Realm, however, after realizing that The Entity created a different being of a different kind, he became fascinated and favored Juniper, until Jbniper turned her back on him one day and went on her own dark path. She ended up coming across The Under Realm who was being controlled by a different ruler at the time, Juniper gained everyone's trust eventually and once the ruler passed, she became the ruler.

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

[haveyoureadthisqueerbook]

Hello! First of all: love this blog! Second: I read a lot of queer books and as it turns out a lot of them weren’t already on your spreadsheet so uh. Sorry in advance for what I’m about to do to your inbox/queue 😅

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders

The Time Slip Girl by Elizabeth Andre

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

The Queen of Cups by Ren Basel

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron

Werecockroach by Polenth Blake

In the Vanishers’ Palace by Aliette de Bodard

Wain: LGBT Reimaginings of Scottish Folktales by Helene Boppert and Rachel Plummer

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown

Tremontaine: The Complete Season One by Patty Bryant, Malinda Lo, Racheline Maltese, Joel Derfner, Ellen Kushner, Paul Witcover, and Alaya Dawn Johnson

This Other World by AC Buchanan

In Memoriam by Nathan Burgoine

The Dark Beneath the Ice by Amelinda Bérubé

Felix Ever After by Karen Callender

Last Bus to Everland by Sophie Cameron

Out of the Blue by Sophie Cameron

Once & Future by AR Capetta and Cory McCarthy

The Brilliant Death by AR Capetta

XX by Angela Chadwick

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

The Vela by Becky Chambers, Rivers Solomon, Yoon Ha Lee, and SL Huang

Black Water Sister by Zen Cho

The True Queen by Zen Cho

The Terracotta Bride by Zen Cho

The Water that Falls on You From Nowhere by John Chu

The Shape of My Name by Nino Cipri

A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djèlí Clark

Girlhood by Cat Clarke

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

Dreadnought by April Daniels

Sovereign by April Daniels

Thornfruit by Felicia Davin

Nightvine by Felicia Davin

Shadebloom by Felicia Davin

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

Stay Another Day by Juno Dawson

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

The Drowning Eyes by Emily Foster

Bingo Love by Tee Franklin

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey

Knit One, Girl Two by Shira Glassman

The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez

We Go Around in the Night and Are Consumed by Fire by Jules Grant

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

The One Hundred Nights of Hero by Isabel Greenberg

Keeper of the Dawn by Dianna Gunn

The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall

The Outside by Ada Hoffman

The Fallen by Ada Hoffman

The Infinite by Ada Hoffman

Mindtouch by MCA Hogarth

Sing the Four Quarters by Tanya Huff

The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza by Shaun David Hutchinson

The City of Woven Streets by Emmi Itäranta

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

The Beast of Callaire by Saruuh Kelsey

The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion by Margaret Killjoy

An Excess Male by Maggie Shen King

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

Crimson by Niviaq Korneliussen

Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff

Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

The Faerie Godmother’s Apprentice Wore Green by Nicky Kyle

Avi Cantor Has Six Months to Live by Sacha Lamb

When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb

Goldie Vance Vol. 1 by Hope Larson

Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie

Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie

The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie

Not Your Sidekick by CB Lee

Not Your Villain by CB Lee

Not Your Backup by CB Lee

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

The Fever King by Victoria Lee

The Fox’s Tower and Other Tales by Yoon Ha Lee

Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

Adaptation by Malinda Lo

Inheritance by Malinda Lo

Natural Selection by Malinda Lo

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

The Hand, the Eye, and the Heart by Zoë Marriott

Luna: New Moon by Ian McDonald

Luna: Wolf Moon by Ian McDonald

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire

Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire

Forbid the Sea by Seanan McGuire

In Sea-Salt Tears by Seanan McGuire

The Unbinding of Mary Reade by Miriam McNamara

An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows

A Tyranny of Queens by Foz Meadows

All Out: The No-Longer Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages ed. Saundra Mitchell

Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott

Princess Princess Ever After by K. O’Neill

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill

The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O’Neill

The Tea Dragon Tapestry by K. O’Neill

Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Loveless by Alice Oseman

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

Stormsong by CL Polk

Soulstar by CL Polk

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Tiger’s Daughter by K Arsenault Rivera

The Phoenix Empress by K Arsenault Rivera

The Warrior Moon by K Arsenault Rivera

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

Birthday by Meredith Russo

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski

A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon

Dying for a Living by Kory M. Shrum

Two Dark Moons by Avi Silver

History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie

The Edge of the Abyss by Emily Skrutskie

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding

The Traitor’s Tunnel by CM Spivey

Nimona by ND Stevenson

Chameleon Moon by RoAnna Sylver

Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time by KM Szpara

As I Descended by Robin Talley

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh

Drowned Country by Emily Tesh

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull

Crier’s War by Nina Varela

Iron Heart by Nina Varela

The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo

Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

System Collapse by Martha Wells

A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe by Alex White

The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang

The Red Threads of Fortune by Neon Yang

The Descent of Monsters by Neon Yang

The Ascent to Godhood by Neon Yang

Waiting on a Bright Moon by Neon Yang

Taproot by Keezy Young

Phew! Finally got all of these queued! Thank you so much for the list, and for arranging them so neatly, which definitely made it easier to transfer over to a spreadsheet!

[theultimatefan]

Four Hobbits Wood, Astin, Boyd, Monaghan In Rare ‘LOTR’ Reunion At FAN EXPO New Orleans in January

It has been more than 20 years since Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan first took the film world by storm as the “four hobbits” in the original The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001. Now the four get together at FAN EXPO New Orleans, set for January 5-7, 2024, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, to greet fans, pose for photo ops and sign autographs in a rare full reunion of the actors who portrayed “Frodo Baggins,” “Samwise Gamgee,” “Pippin Took” and “Merry Brandybuck,” respectively, in the popular trilogy. Additionally, FAN EXPO New Orleans announced today that popular guest Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) will also attend the show.

Wood, Astin, Boyd and Monaghan will also participate in “The Four Hobbits: An Unexpected Reunion,” a special premium live show on Saturday, January 6 at 7:30 p.m., during which fans will have the opportunity for further interaction with the stars at this exclusive evening of stories, questions, discussions, hilarity and more. The once-in-a-lifetime Backstage Pass package includes an in-person Autograph and Photo Op with all four Hobbits plus a Gold Ticket to the reunion event.

Tickets for FAN EXPO New Orleans and the “Four Hobbits” reunion event are available at https://fanexpohq.com/fanexponeworleans/four-hobbits-unexpected-reunion, with a variety of individual single day, 3-day and Ultimate Fan Packages to choose from.

Following the LOTR trilogy, Wood has gone on to success in many areas of the entertainment industry. His record label, Simian Records and film production company SpectreVision/Company X have spearheaded numerous critically acclaimed projects, and his more than 120 film and television credits attest to his passion for his craft and enthusiasm to express his creativity.

In addition to the “Samwise” portrayal, Astin has demonstrated his innate ability to share his heart with the world through such iconic roles as “Mikey Walsh” in The Goonies, the title character of Rudy, and “Bob Newby” in "Stranger Things 2," roles that epitomize hope, determination and loyalty. Sean's recent feature films include the award-winning thriller Adverse (2020); the family comedy Hero Mode (2021); Charming the Hearts of Men (2021); and the 2022 comedy iMordecai.

The Scottish-born Boyd also had roles in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, On a Clear Day and The Flying Scotsman. He has appeared in popular television series like “Outlander,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “NCIS: Hawaii,” “Snowfall” and others, and in many iterations of the LOTR franchise, including video games. He has done voice work on numerous productions as well.

Monaghan has appeared in more than 50 productions and is known to many as “Charlie Pace” in the hit NBC series “Lost,” on which he appeared in 77 episodes. Some of his other featured roles have included spots on X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009 and ABC’s “Flash Forward” that year. He was recently the lead in the AMC+ series “Paul Sarno.”

Campbell first gained notice for his portrayal of “Ash Williams” in Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead franchise, appearing as the character in numerous films and series including the original 1981 movie, time-bending Army of Darkness in 1992, last decade’s “Ash vs. Evil Dead” series and others. He is also well-known for a long run in the hit USA Network series “Burn Notice” and last holiday season starred in the Hallmark Channel movie My Southern Family Christmas.

The LOTR cast and Campbell join an already impressive autograph area that includes Danny Trejo (Machete, The Book of Boba Fett), the "Daredevil" tandem of Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio, Katee Sackhoff (Star Wars’ “The Mandalorian”), Jon Bernthal (“The Punisher,” “The Walking Dead”), Sean Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, “Avengers: Infinity War”), the “Charmed” duo of Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan, Peter Cullen (Transformers), Jason Lee (Vanilla Sky, Almost Famous); Linda Hamilton (The Terminator franchise, Dante’s Peak), Jeff Ward (“One Piece,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Peter Weller (RoboCop, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension), Felicia Day (“The Guild,” “Supernatural”) and many others. Fans can see the full list of celebrities at fanexpohq.com/fanexponeworleans/celebrities.

FAN EXPO New Orleans features the biggest and best in pop culture: movies, TV, music, artists, writers, exhibitors, cosplay, with three full days of themed programming to satisfy every fandom. More guest news will be released in the following weeks, including line-up reveals for comic creator guests, voice actors, and cosplayers.

FAN EXPO New Orleans runs January 5-7 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Show hours are Friday 3 - 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets start at $28 during the advanced prices window until December 21, and begin at $38 from December 22 through the end of the show; 3-day passes and VIP packages also available at fanexpohq.com/fanexponeworleans/buy-tickets. More information and updates can be found at fanexpohq.com/fanexponeworleans.

New Orleans is the first event on the 2024 FAN EXPO HQ calendar; the full schedule is available at fanexpohq.com/home/events/.

[mbilmey]

Posted this elsewhere and realized it would be neglectful to not post it here. Sir Walter Scott needs to be appreciated.

Quick enlightenment on the works of Sir Walter Scott that I’ve read. He's a historian and is hilarious and writes great adventures. In order of recommendation: Ivanhoe-Has a great medieval joust. Go-to source for most Robin Hood and King Richard stuff. Quality female characters, especially with Rebecca calling out sexism. The one most people have heard of and has both Robert Taylor and Anthony Andrews movies. Started shipping wars since 1819. Rob Roy-My personal favorite because of the relatable 1st person voice of Frank, an idealist Englishman caught up in a vivid highland adventure in 1715. Diana Vernon is great. Robert Louis Stevenson said, “When I think of Rob Roy, I am impatient with all other novels," and I agree. From Bannockburn to Flodden -Best history book you will ever read, covering the origins of Scotland to James V. The easiest Scott book bc it was written for a child. Do you want to know the history of Scotland with all the juicy side tales and legends told by a great writer? I am obsessed. Fortunes of Nigel-Renaissance Courtier Drama! Dude is trying to get his land back with help of the King when the court is against him/manipulating him. Some mystery is involved. Also Margaret is great. Old Mortality-Sometime after the English Civil War. I mostly liked its interesting takes on religion and ends justifying means. There’s also major battle scenes, which are fun. Waverly-A british soldier deserts to the Scottish side leading up to the 1745 battle of Culloden. Love all the side Scottish characters. Red Gauntlet-One of my friend’s favorites bc it’s hilarious. Bonnie Prince Charlie is trying to rise after Culloden, while the MC, Scottish boy raised in England, makes some very foolish decisions that wraps him up in all of it. If I evert geek out about Nanty Ewert, he is in this book. *I’m working on reading “Heart of Midlothian” and “The Pirate”. Queen Victoria’s favorite was "Bride of Lammermoor" but it sounds depressing

[jailesbleu]

My TV show favourites of all time

Life on Mars & Ashes to Ashes - they cannot be bested. Goated shows.

Doctor Who - RTD era only. Nostalgia n that.

Black Mirror - UK series’ only. I first watched it when I was 13 and it was …memorable to say the least.

Bob & Rose - a wonderful creation by RTD. Despite its simplicity, this is really something special. Very funny and excellent dialogue.

Queer as Folk - Groundbreaking. Fun. Camp.

Cucumber - I think of this as as a sequel/modern day equivalent to Queer as Folk.

Line of Duty - Series 1-3 only. Intense.

Bodies - Jed Mercurio’s show. Rather underrated and unknown by most. Highly recommended, especially if you like dark humour

Frasier - The most British American sitcom ever. I enjoyed up until Daphne and Niles got together.

Waterloo Road - Series 1-8 were so much fun to watch whilst at school.

Misfits - A really funny show that also happens to have some great sci fi elements. I didn’t expect to enjoy this one so much. It’s like “Skins” but far superior.

Breaking Bad - a classic. Despite being slow at times, those last episodes at the end of series 5 more than made up for it.

The Sopranos - I once saw a great fanfic writer explain the show perfectly: “the sopranos is to television what Dante’s inferno is to literature”. There’s a good reason this one is always put at the top of those “greatest tv shows of all time” lists. Watch it and find out. My mistake was watching this show too young - many jokes went over my head. Definitely due a rewatch :)

Game of Thrones - Series 1-4 are excellent, and do (fairly) well to stay true to the books. Series 5 onwards isn’t worth your time. Highly recommended to read the books first before watching the show!

This is going to hurt - I enjoyed this much more than I expected. The guy who plays the main character of the show does it really quite well.

Peep show - As i age, this show only becomes more relatable. British humour at its best

Brass Eye - Chris Morris is the GOAT! The original Ali G.

Jam - Another Chris Morris show. Everything he’s made is of the highest quality. Jam just happens to be one of the darkest shows I’ve ever watched. It’s pure genius but not for the faint of hearts. Lovely ambient soundtrack as well.

The thick of it - Malcolm Tucker is an icon. An awful but hilarious, raging mad Scottish legend. The political satire is off the charts good.

Green wing - Very silly, but very funny. There’s a twist in the end of series 1 that is genuinely unexpected. One of the most unique sitcoms you’ll watch.

Nathan Barley - Chris Morris and Charlie Brooke, two geniuses, get together to create a TV show. Of course it was going to be fantastic. This one took me a while to get into, but once I did, it made me laugh a lot.

The book group - I have a weird fondness for this. Highly recommended if you’re a book nerd.

The simpsons - the golden years made it one of the best shows ever. And it will never not be weird how the Simpson’s managed to be spot on with its predictions.

It’s a sin - Made me cry. A lot. Educated me as well. It’s a RTD show, of course I was going to love it.

End of the fucking world - a show I watched ages ago, but I remember liking a lot. Can’t remember too much of what happened, but I had a lot of affection for the characters.

Sex House - online series that can be watched on YouTube from the onion account. Despite the raunchy title, it’s anything but that. It’s a lot smarter than you would think it to be. Watch it. But don’t expect much sex.

Last tango in Halifax - not the type of show I usually enjoy. But the sally wainwrights writing make the characters endearing, and what might seem like a slow boring show spring into something funny and special.

Happy Valley - Sarah Lancashire…Christ on a bike, that woman can act.

Clocking Off - Series 1-2 are surprisingly great. I was mostly invested in Mac’s character, but the writing for most of the episodes is quality.

Humans - Series 1 was really enjoyable. Don’t remember the other series that well.

The Wire - Tragically I have only watched the first series, but it was really super. One of those shows that’s tricky to get into at first, but we’ll worth pursuing.

Death Note - Can i include anime here? Of course. I usually turn my nose up at anime actually, but this one is different to most. There is a cat and mouse dynamic between the two main characters L and Light. This drives the plot. It’s a remarkable show, one I like to rewatch every now and then.

Killing Eve - My oh my, this show went downhill fast. I include it as a favourite merely because series 1 alone was utter perfection.

Goodness gracious me - Asians are funny. Also cuts deep into racism in the uk at the time.

Sugar Rush - I really enjoyed watching this when I was a teen.

Luther - like killing eve and death note, there is a cat and mouse dynamic between Luther and Alice (a psychopath) in this show which is what makes it something special

The traitors - a reality show like no other. The game theory, particularly in the early episodes make this really fun to watch.

Years and Years - Yet more RTD. This one made me cry as well, inevitably, but it was also warm and fuzzy in places too.

[scotianostra]

June 10th is White Rose Day, when Jacobites celebrate their cause, it is the date in1688 that James Edward Stuart, “the Old Pretender”, Anglo-Scottish prince, was born,

It’s not easy with these posts at times. For a start does he deserve to take his place in history of the Scots?

Well I’ve included many others that were not born here in my posts, and the Stewart/Stuart name will always be synonymous with our Nation.James Stuart and his laddie Charlie, The Old and Young Pretenders,as they are often referred to, get more than their fair share of the limelight in my posts, so let's look at the symbolism behind the White Rose itself. The White Rose itself.

The White Rose/Rosa x alba grows all over Scotland. It is a bushy, shrub like rose with dark, grey green foliage and a small five petalled flower, similar to a dog rose, which can be white or pale pink. They only flower in spring, and have a beautiful scent with notes of citrus. The plants are hardy, thrive in poor soil, can tolerate shade and drought and are for the most part resistant to disease.

The white rose became a symbol of the Jacobite cause, a political movement in the 17th & 18th centuries whose aim was to restore the exiled King James II and his descendants to the throne of Scotland, England and Ireland. The roots of the rose as a symbol are somewhat lost in myth and legend. It is said that one of the earliest references refers to the birth of James Francis Edward Stuart, son of the deposed King James II, who was born on this day in 1688, said to be “the longest day of the year in which the white rose flowers”.

In the years leading up to the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, Jacobites were forced to meet and plot in secret, and the white rose or white cockade (a flower made from ribbon, often worn on a hat) was a way of identifying those who supported the cause. The Jacobites had many other secret symbols, including the sunflower (to symbolise loyalty, as a sunflower always follows the sun) and moths or butterflies (their emergence from a chrysalis symbolised the hope for the return to power of the Stuart family). Another legend tells how Bonnie Prince Charlie plucked a white rose from the roadside and stuck it in his hat as he made his way south from Glenfinnan to start the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.

The flower has been used in song and poems, The Corries sang the song The White Cockade, a song Robert Burns adapted and made famous:

The White Cockade

My love was born in Aberdeen

The bonniest lad that e'er was seen;

But now he makes our hearts fu' sad,

He's taen the field wi' his white cockade.

O he's a rantin, rovin blade, He's a brisk and a bonny lad, Betide what may, my heart is glad, To see my lad wi his white cockade.

Oh leeze me on the philabeg

The hairy hough and garten'd leg;

But aye the thing that blinds my ee,

The white cockade aboun the bree.I'll sell my rock, I'll sell my reel,

My rippling-kame and spinning wheel,

To buy my lad a tartan plaid,

A braidsword, dirk, and white cockade.I'll sell my rokelay and my tow,

My good grey mare and hawkit cow,

that every loyal Buchan lad

May tak the field wi the white cockade

And of course there is the joyfully short poem by Hugh MacDiarmid;

The Little White Rose

The rose of all the world is not for me

I want for my part

Only the little white rose of Scotland

That smells sharp and sweet – and breaks the heart

[beatriceaware]

Review: Waverley (1814)

"Hospitality to the exile, and broken bones to the tyrant."

Synopsis: Waverley is set during the Jacobite Rising of 1745, which sought to restore the Stuart dynasty in the person of Charles Edward Stuart (or 'Bonnie Prince Charlie'). It relates the story of a young dreamer and English soldier, Edward Waverley, who was sent to Scotland in 1745. He journeys North from his aristocratic family home, Waverley-Honour, in the south of England (alleged in an English Heritage notice to refer to Waverley Abbey in Surrey) first to the Scottish Lowlands and the home of family friend Baron Bradwardine, then into the Highlands and the heart of the 1745 Jacobite uprising and aftermath. (from Goodreads)

I can't lie that out of all of my Georgian/Regency reading, this one has by far taken me the longest to get through. However, one can't really seriously foray into Regency novels without spending time on Sir Walter Scott, and his first novel seemed a good place to start. (I did read Ivanhoe once, years ago, but do not really remember enough to comment on it)

I admit that, for me, this one was a bit hard because of how political it was. As someone not naturally drawn to politics and who tends to find them confusing even in her own time, that didn't bode well for me here. That being said, I did enjoy the moments Scott's humor bled through the narration. One early chapter in particular is an absolute slog of political background, and just as I was about to lose my mind, he ended the chapter with an apology because he knew it was boring but the context was needed to understand the conflict of the rest of the book. So at least...he was self aware? 😅

But some bits in particular really did make me laugh, like the opening of chapter 24:

Shall this be a long or a short chapter?- This is a question in which you, gentle reader, have no vote, however much you may be interested in the consequences; just as you may (like myself) probably have nothing to do with imposing a new tax, excepting the trifling circumstance of being obliged to pay it.

Edward Waverley himself is a bit bland and dull; something of an everyman tossed through the story to showcase (quite frankly) more interesting characters, though this bit about him did remind me of Mr. Darcy:

Where we are not at ease, we cannot be happy; and therefore it should not be surprising that Edward Waverley supposed that he disliked and was unfitted for society, merely because he had not yet acquired the habit of living in it with ease and comfort, and of reciprocating and receiving pleasure.

My favorite part of the novel was actually just the name choices....like Cosmo Comyne Bradwardine, Donald Bean Lean, Ebenezer Cruickshanks, John Mucklewrath, Mrs. Nosebag...Sir Walter Scott walked so Charles Dickens could run.

I think the trouble with this book is that it is set up ripe for adventure, and yet one never really feels the action, at least not as we are used to today. Still, I can see why it was popular, and I would argue that it is well-written, too, but that Scott's style of writing is not shown off to its best advantage here. I'm interested in reading more of his works to see if I enjoy them more than this one.

[musicarenagh]

Natalie Clark - "A Place Called Home": A Sonic Journey of Belonging There are those moments in everyone's life when one sees a kite caught in the wind just before it dips and soars again—Natalie Clark's "A Place Called Home" evokes that exact feeling. This Scottish former school teacher, thrust into stardom by none other than Sir Richard Branson himself, like a fairy tale set in the highlands, carves out her niche with this single. https://open.spotify.com/track/1FYXFqtQ6Q7eG8gKuWihht?si=00fbcb3768754fd2 Clark's voice? Think of velvet and grit having a baby. It holds and unsettles all at once. The pop vibes are the sticky notes on your heart: they cling but somehow manage not to smother—sort of like finding confetti after the party. Her lyrics wind through the meaning of "home," diving deep but surfacing often enough to catch one's breath. "A Place Called Home" is less about bricks or mortar and more about the sanctuaries we carry within us. It's akin to a painted canvas, where every stroke sings its song but synchronizes—like a Charlie Chaplin film mixing laughter with silent screams for the touch of humanity. [caption id="attachment_56468" align="alignnone" width="768"] Natalie Clark - "A Place Called Home": A Sonic Journey of Belonging[/caption] The mix is great here: melodies waltzing around themes that have a nostalgic ring, evoking peaks of joy and chasms of sorrow—in a word, flirting with the boldness of avant-garde, much like Van Gogh's dabbling his starry nights over Beethoven symphonies. Natalie's skillful storytelling dances deftly between prosaic realities and dreamy introspections. With the backing of DVG Records for her debut album that will drop next, be prepared for sonic adventures tinged with raw nerves that uncover personal memories. But here's my caveat: as brilliant as Natalie shines—is there too much glitter masking potential flaws? Ultimately, though—consider this: Does anyone ever really come home, or do we forever hunt down echoes that were tossed across hallways of time? "A Place Called Home" calls on these ponderous journeys while humming lullabies that only our hearts could fathom completely…or maybe it leaves us yearning contemplations unanswered. Follow Natalie Clark on Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

[celticbarb]

Book:For a Scot’s Heart Only

Author:Gina Conkle

Series:Scottish Treasures, Book #3

Publisher:Avon and Harper Voyager

Release Date:April 25, 2023

Overall Rating:5 Gold Stars

Blog Rating:5 Saltire Flags

England 1753

The Scottish Treasure saga continues in the third and final book of this epic series. Therefore they continue looking for the last part of the lost Treasure of Arkaig, also known as the missing Jacobite gold.

In this book it centers around Jacobite Mary Fletcher, who cares for her younger sister Margaret, although their age difference is very great, so she is more a mother than a sister in many ways. Mary is now a corsetière who is a proprietress and owns “Fletcher’s House of Corsets and Stays” where her dying mama taught her to be an independent woman and never rely on a man ever! Mary lives a life of commitment and allegiance to her sibling, The Scottish league she belongs to, plus the Highland clan that took her and her sister in long ago. Mary pursues the service of previous league members, where they search for the gold that was stolen by Cumberland’s soldier’s during the uprising after the battle of Culloden.

Therefore these women aid the Scottish people who are living in England against their will. The league helps them by getting them any of the needed supplies like clothing, food and medical supplies which helps these suffering Scottish men, women and children. The treasure of Arkaig, gold was originally sent by the French to support Bonnie Prince Charlie’s rebels. Mary and her friend Cecelia’s search a brothel looking for clues for the missing Jacobite gold. While searching, she reunites with whaler Thomas West, who saves Mary from being accosted by a drunken sea captain.

Thomas West, also known as the Sea Wolf-Whaler originally we met in “The Scot Who Loved Me.” It was obvious that previously Thomas and Mary had an immediate attraction to each other. Now Thomas has troubles of his own with his family’s inheritance being in serious jeopardy! Therefore Thomas is thrilled when he is reunited once again with the bonnie lass-Mary Fletcher, plus it is the one person who owes him a wee favor as it couldn’t happen at a more convenient time! However Thomas soon gets involved in Mary’s dangerous escapades which were no easy tasks with even sneaking illegally into a lord’s home! However their attraction soon becomes something much more. Furthermore the black hearted Lady Denton reappears where her cruelty and deception knows no bounds!

Who will win this game of cat and mouse with danger at every corner? Will these Scottish female treasure hunters seek the missing treasure they desire? Is Mary and Thomas’s love a fleeting thing or a love that lasts forever? Read and find out the conclusion of this spectacular series finale!

Readers won’t be disappointed with this riveting action packed, page turning romantic mystery! It kept me glued to my seat. A book I absolutely loved! This is my third consecutive book in this magnificent series and another I absolutely loved. It has all the elements readers love. Furthermore it blends true historical facts with a fictional romantic adventure that will touch readers hearts.

The Complete Scottish Treasures Book Series

1. The Scot Who Loved Me

2. A Scot Is Not Enough

3. For a Scot’s Heart Only

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Avon and HarperCollins Publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through Netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

[calummss]

Pink | Thomas Shelby

masterlist

summary: you’re caught in a crossfire and make the ultimate decision to sacrifice yourself for thomas shelby; the man you can’t live without

pairing: thomas shelby x fem! reader

words: 1.5k

a/n: heavily inspired by my fav book couple (hence why i put a scene in. all credit goes to danielle lori), mila and ronan. the bitches that get it, get it, the bitches that don’t, don’t

‘Ada, wake up.’ Tommy burst through the door. ‘You and the baby get into the Bull Ring, where there's lots of people.’

‘What's going on?’ Ada’s heart sank when she saw Tommy’s expression, knowing something serious had happened.

‘We've been fucking betrayed. Someone let slip. Kimber's men are on their way here.’ His hand glided over the temple, pushing back the nervous sweat pearls that were about to be released. ‘All the Lees are on their way to Worcester. We're outnumbered.’

If there’s one thing Thomas Shelby hated it was disloyalty, not having the upper hand, and Scottish whisky. Only a few men remained in Birmingham whilst the rest of the Peaky boys and the Lees made their way to Worcester. Tommy was outnumbered. And as Billy and his pack of men grew closer, Tommy’s nerves almost collapsed.

Tommy gathered the only men in town which were himself, Arthur, John, Freddie, Charlie, Curly, Lovelock, Scutboat, Danny, and Jeremiah.

They were more than outnumbered, but Tommy made sure that Billy would be out-gunned.

Both parties approached each other. Guns held high in the air to make their enemy quake in fear; heavy, coordinated footsteps to feel the power pump through their legs; their families on their mind in case they didn’t get home in time for supper.

‘You were saying something about being out-gunned.’ Tommy threw his arms to his side, the rest taking the order to draw up their guns as multiple clicks echoed through the empty street.

Billy’s men responded by mirroring their actions. Heavy grips on their weapons, their fingers concealing the trigger, waiting for an order.

This whole event was unexpected, but was even more out of place was when your small, soft yet frightened voice erupted from behind the Small Heath men.

‘Tommy, what is happening?’ You carefully walked through the muddy ground.

Tommy felt like the plug that powered him, his mind, body, and soul, was being pulled out with a hefty tug. His head whipped back to see you and your pink dress he loved so much, walking towards him. His knees could’ve given in right then and there. The woman he loved so much, the very thing he would do anything for, the woman who was not supposed to be anywhere near his business and violence was walking into a deadly zone.

Anything pink reminded Thomas Shelby of you. Your innocence to his business he did everything to not get you involved in. The pink dress he slipped off your body to worship the skin underneath. The pink flower that sat upon your hair the day he arrived back in Small Heath after everything was destroyed, and the King sent him to his deathbed, but there you stood. A ray of sunshine that immediately warmed his cold, hardened heart, and made it a tiny bit more bearable. It was pink that grounded Tommy. Pink that kept an ever blooming flower in his heart. Pink, that was so much more than just a colour.

‘Everyone is gone.’ You continued towards him, not knowing the real reason. ‘It’s like one of those western movies and holy shit.’ Your voice grew quieter as your eyes fell upon the dozens of men that stood across from Tommy's eight.

Tommy pulled you behind him with a force that barely let you stand on your feet when you collided with his tensed back. His eyes filled with nothing but pure darkness stared into your face but got pulled away when another feminine voice appeared behind him.

Ada walked past Kimber’s men with Karl in his buggy. Black lace covering her face.

‘Have you lost your mind?’ Freddie’s face fell.

‘Shut up! Now, most of you were in France. So you all know what happens next. I've got brothers and a husband here but you've all got somebody waiting for you. Now, I'm wearing black in preparation. I want you to look at me. I want you all to look at me. Who'll be wearing black for you? Think about them. Think about them right now. And fight if you want to, but that baby ain't moving anywhere. And neither am I.’

Your grip tightened on Tommy’s coat, pulling yourself closer to him. This was real… Men were pointing guns at each other with the intent to kill and out of every possible event that could’ve rolled to your feet it had to be this one.

‘She's right, you know.’ Kimber’s annoying voice stung like piercing needles. ‘Why should all you men die? It should just be them who's caused it.’ And within a second he pointed the gun at Tommy.

Tommy grabbed you and cradled your head into his white shirt, his heart beating against your temple.

‘NO!’ You yelled.

You couldn’t lose Tommy. Tommy could continue his life without you. No more tiptoeing around you with his business and deals, no more chills running down his spine just at the thought of losing you. But you couldn’t live without him, as romantic as the cliché goes, but if Tommy died a part of your heart would break off and tip you over the edge of a cliff.

You shoved him away from your body just as the bang sounded.

Then everything went silent. It was cold, wet, quiet, and so very dark.

‘Y/n, wake up. Fuck.’

Tommy had nothing but commands aimed at you like arrows ever since you decided to pursue something more with him. But this request wasn’t a demand. It was a need. You had to wake up.

Thomas Shelby was a strong-willed man with an even stronger mind. He never showed emotions unless they were needed, or for you. No one outside of the Peaky Blinders knew of your existence and the connection you had to Thomas—because you were his weakness. The one thing he would end an entire war over. If you got as much as a single scratch on your porcelain-like-skin, nothing, not even his honour could save the person that made it happen.

‘Why the fuck would you do that, Y/n?’ He growled with a deep rasp. ’WHY?’

You could feel the shakiness of the car as you saw the scenery pass your eyes.

‘You’re not a god,’ you whispered, your throat tight as you struggled to get words past your adam’s apple. ‘I didn’t want you to take that bullet just so you could protect me again.’

He stared at you with a mixture of disbelief, anger, and something else you couldn’t quite make out. If you could roll your eyes at that present moment you would’ve.

‘You don’t get to sacrifice yourself for me.’ He clenched his teeth. ‘You don’t get to die for me.’ His nose flared in anger. ‘If anyone dies between us, it will be ME. Do you understand?’

You didn’t understand why you couldn’t, so you shook your head. Why was Tommy allowed to let you live but not him? Tommy had a purpose in this world and it just got started. Why on earth were you not allowed to die?

‘Then let me make it clear for you,’ he said, the darkness in his eyes fuming. ‘You would survive without me. You would move on.’ His tone roughened. ‘I can’t imagine a world where you and all your fucking pink doesn’t exist. So if you die, you’ll take me with you. Your sacrifice would mean nothing!’

Your chest tightened as a tear escaped your eye. It was still so cold, you could feel the trembles that had taken over your body.

‘I’m so cold, Tommy…’ Your eyes felt like they weighed a ton each, so you closed them, an instant wave of relief washing over your barely conscious mind.

‘No,’ Tommy growled, grabbing your face with both of his hands. ’Don’t fucking close your eyes.’

When the car came to a stop, Tommy along with someone else rushed you inside. A nurse came running towards you as Tommy lay you on a bed.

A surgeon came running down the hall, his face painted with exhaustion and a tint of fear as he stopped in front of Tommy and you. This man was definitely forced to run faster than a cheetah or otherwise they probably threatened to blow his brains out.

In the distance you could hear the familiar sound of Arthur. Stating people to make way.

When the surgeon tried to stop Tommy from entering the OR room, he pulled out his gun from beneath his coat and pointed it at the surgeon’s head and any staff that stood around you.

‘If she dies, you die too.’ He grit his teeth as the surgeon swallowed uncomfortably and signalled Tommy to stand outside in the waiting area. ‘If she as so much has a lowered heartbeat by one, I will make sure everyone in this fucking building burns to the ground.’

[snowwhitelass]

Twitter link

Brooke Shields spends all year looking forward to holiday movies. “Every year, we add new ones to the list of traditional things we watch, like A Charlie Brown Christmas or Holiday or Home Alone,” she says, “and they always bring me back to childhood.”

This year, Shields adds her own offering to the holiday-flick pantheon. A Castle for Christmas, streaming now on Netflix, follows Shields’s Sophie, an American novelist who flees to Scotland to escape a brouhaha over her most recent book and decides to stay and buy the castle she’s visiting from the cranky duke in residence. While the two initially find themselves at loggerheads, there’s a sense—especially if you’ve seen a romantic comedy before—that there might be something more brewing. Filming the story over two and a half months on location in South Queensferry, Scotland, didn’t diminish from Shields’s love of the genre: “Holiday movies don’t lose any of their allure,” she says, “when you’re in front of the camera.”

Visiting Scotland was more than just work, however. “I came home with every possible Scottish thing I could get my hands on,” Shields says. “From walking sticks to woolen blankets, fishermen’s sweaters, and whisky—I was in heaven.”

Here, she shares her necessary luxuries from the set of A Castle for Christmas.

SHOP AT RESERVE BAR

"I didn’t watch Outlander until I got to Scotland, and in two and a half months I watched five seasons—now I can't wait for the next one. There are things it gets into that are so unbelievable, and scenes that are so heart-rending; I became a complete addict. A lot of our crew also works on Outlander, so I was pumping them all for information or trying to get them to bring Tobias Menzies to come visit our set. This whisky wasn’t in existence when I was in Scotland—the name is a word that refers to someone not from Scotland—but when Outlander star Sam Heughan released it, I couldn’t wait to try it, and it’s really smooth and wonderful and I love the fact that it’s his. It’s a total fan move on my part."

🔗 https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/g38375175/brooke-shields-castle-for-christmas-on-set-favorites/?utm_campaign=socialflowTWTCO&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social-media&src=socialflowTW