#china milling parts

[ippnoida]

Valmet's papermaking line for Asia-Pacific customer

Valmet will supply a complete papermaking line from stock preparation to reel and winders with services and a comprehensive automation solution package to one of its major customers in Asia-Pacific. The papermaking line will produce uncoated woodfree grades. The start-up is scheduled for 2026.

The order is included in Valmet's orders received in the fourth quarter 2024. The value of the order will not be disclosed, but such a papermaking line is typically worth between 90 million Euros and 120 million Euros.

This order follows the customer’s previous papermaking line order to the same site, announced in June 2024. “This other fine papermaking line order is strengthening Valmet's position as a supplier for high-speed fine paper machine lines and continues our good co-operation and long-term partnership with the customer,” says Markus Veikkola, Sales Director, China and Asia Pacific, Board and Paper Mills, Paper business line, Valmet.

Delivery’s technical information

Valmet’s delivery will include stock preparation and a high-speed papermaking line from headbox to winders. The delivery also includes a wide range of automation solutions, flow control solutions, Valmet Industrial Internet solutions, paper machine clothing, spare parts, and consumables packages.

[klarmmachining]

An Overview of CNC Milling: Precision Engineering in the Modern Era

New Post has been published on https://www.cncmachinings.com/blog/an-overview-of-cnc-milling-precision-engineering-in-the-modern-era/

An Overview of CNC Milling: Precision Engineering in the Modern Era

CNC milling stands as a cornerstone in the field of precision engineering, revolutionizing the way components are manufactured across industries. CNC, or Computer Numerical Control, milling utilizes computerized controls to operate and manipulate machine tools, enabling the production of complex parts with high precision and efficiency. This article delves into the intricacies of CNC milling, exploring its mechanisms, applications, and advantages.

Understanding CNC Milling

At its core, CNC milling involves the removal of material from a workpiece using rotary cutters. Unlike traditional milling, where the operation is manually controlled, CNC milling automates the process through computer programming. The design specifications are input into the CNC machine via CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, which then translates the design into a set of precise instructions for the machine.

The CNC milling machine comprises several key components:

Spindle: The part of the machine that holds and rotates the cutting tool. Table: The platform where the workpiece is secured. Cutting Tools: Various types of milling cutters, each designed for specific types of cuts and materials. Control Panel: The interface through which the operator inputs commands and controls the machine.

The CNC Milling Process

Design Creation: The process begins with the creation of a detailed 3D model using CAD software. Conversion to CNC Code: The CAD model is converted into CNC code (G-code) using CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software. This code dictates the movements and operations of the machine. Machine Setup: The workpiece is fixed on the machine’s table, and the appropriate cutting tool is installed in the spindle. Execution: The CNC machine follows the G-code instructions, executing precise movements to mill the workpiece into the desired shape.

Applications of CNC Milling

CNC milling is employed across various industries due to its versatility and precision. Some notable applications include:

Aerospace: Manufacturing of intricate components for aircraft engines and structural parts. Automotive: Production of engine components, transmission parts, and custom automotive parts. Medical Devices: Fabrication of surgical instruments, implants, and prosthetic devices. Electronics: Creation of enclosures, heat sinks, and other electronic components.

Advantages of CNC Milling

The adoption of CNC milling offers numerous benefits:

Precision and Accuracy: CNC milling can produce components with extremely tight tolerances, essential for high-precision industries. Repeatability: Once a design is programmed, the machine can produce identical parts consistently, minimizing human error. Efficiency: CNC machines can operate continuously, significantly increasing production rates and reducing lead times. Complexity: The technology allows for the creation of complex geometries that would be challenging or impossible to achieve with manual milling. Material Versatility: CNC milling can work with a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and composites.

Challenges and Considerations

While CNC milling offers numerous advantages, it is not without challenges. The initial setup and programming require skilled technicians and can be time-consuming. Additionally, the cost of high-end CNC machines can be substantial, posing an investment barrier for smaller manufacturers. Maintenance and calibration are also critical to ensure the machines operate at peak performance and maintain accuracy over time.

Future Trends in CNC Milling

As technology advances, CNC milling continues to evolve. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is poised to enhance the capabilities of CNC machines, enabling predictive maintenance, real-time quality control, and more efficient programming. Additionally, advancements in materials science may open new possibilities for milling harder and more durable materials.

In conclusion, CNC milling represents a pivotal advancement in manufacturing technology, offering unparalleled precision, efficiency, and versatility. As industries continue to demand high-quality, complex components, CNC milling will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of modern manufacturing processes.

[gd-prototyping]

GD prototyping CNC milling and turning are the mostly common used processing technique that can manufacture complex and multi-structure plastic and metal parts.

[baekhyunsbestie]

♡⸝⸝ sparks and vows (bbh series!) ⊹。°˖➴

♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧♡₊˚ pic credit ♡ song・₊✧♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧🥂

𓈒ㅤׂ 𝜗𝜚 pairing: soloist!baekhyun x unnamed female o/c (y/n) 𓈒ㅤׂ 𝜗𝜚 content: 18+/MDNI. smut, romance, wedding!au, angst, fluff, exos and o/c's, pussy whipped baek, ex-playboy baek, ceo nepo baby reader, smut (tbh probs every chapter), language, scenes with alcohol +/or smoking throughout story, pretty tame tho tbh!!! 𓈒ㅤׂ 𝜗𝜚 summary: at his best friend's lavish engagement party, world-famous idol baekhyun, notorious for his flirtatious nature and carefree approach to relationships, finds himself unexpectedly intrigued by (y/n), an heiress to a prominent hotel empire. who is also newly single after calling off her own engagement due to infidelity. when baekhyun and (y/n) meet, sparks fly instantly. in a whirlwind of emotions and social expectations, baekhyun and (y/n) explore the depths of their connection, challenging their perceptions of love and commitment. 𓈒ㅤׂ 𝜗𝜚 wc: 5,700+ 𓈒ㅤׂ 𝜗𝜚 a/n: idk if this is lame but every chapter is gonna be named after a song that kinda captures the essence/inspo of it :') i'll be linking the song next to the pic credits just like how it's formatted above!! also idk how many parts this fic is gonna be??? maybe 3? maybe 5? who knows. who cares. this is all just for fun anyway! but anyways, enjoyyyyyy hope you like it <3 if u hate it don't tell me pls i will cry

s&v | mlist | ★ ch.1: locked out of heaven ★ | next | ch 3

in a sprawling, modern home, its floor-to-ceiling windows allow soft, natural light to fill the space and beautifully capture the colors of the setting sun. the open floor plan seamlessly connects the living room, dining area, and kitchen together. the large floor-to-ceiling sliding doors cast open to where the party spills out into the spacious backyard, where additional floral arrangements and twinkling string lights create a magical atmosphere.

everywhere you look inside and out, there are stunning floral displays, with elegant bouquets of roses, peonies, and lilies in tall vases, and smaller arrangements of wildflowers and greenery scattered across tables. servers move gracefully through the crowd, offering trays of delicate appetizers.

the atmosphere is lively, with guests chatting animatedly as they mill about, glasses of sparkling wine in hand. laughter and conversation echo throughout the space, creating a warm, festive ambiance. the guests, a mix of family and close friends are clearly excited, stealing glances toward the grand staircase at the far end of the room. they’re all waiting for the moment when the true guests of honor, the newly engaged couple, make their entrance.

baekhyun stands near the corner of the bustling room, a glass of something fizzy and forgettable clutched in his right hand, the left in the pocket of his sleek black slacks purposely bought for this occassion. the ring on his middle finger clashes lightly against the glass as he brings it to his lips, the sound barely audible over the hum of conversation buzzing all around him. the two equally well-dressed men in front of him have shifted their discussion to recent global news, one of them gesturing animatedly as he shares the latest headlines. baekhyun nods occasionally, but his attention is elsewhere. the guests of honor were supposed to arrive 30 minutes ago, and the delay is starting to test his patience.

he tunes in just long enough to catch a snippet about how apparently all the giant pandas around the world, including the ones in zoos, technically belong to China. he can’t help but smirk at the randomness of it, but his interest fades quickly. his mind is preoccupied, his eyes flicking occasionally toward the grand staircase at the far end of the room, where the newly engaged couple is expected to make their entrance.

as he listens with half an ear, the impatience gnawing at him, the murmur in the room suddenly quiets. the couple has finally arrived. baekhyun straightens up, his expression softening into a proud smile as he watches his best friend and his new fiancée step into the room, looking radiant and happy.

as the couple receives a warm and lively welcome from the crowd, baekhyun's attention shifts to a captivating woman who enters just behind them. his smile falters, replaced by a flicker of curiosity. who is she? his gaze lingers, captivated and intrigued. the party may be just beginning, but for baekhyun, the night has already taken an unexpected turn.

the crown jewel of the lee family’s hotel empire. (y/n), the heiress to the vast fortune, moved with effortless grace. her presence commanded attention, not just because of her family's status but because of the aura of confidence and allure she exuded. behind the poised facade, there was an air of detachment, as if the world around her was just a beautifully constructed stage.

the instant baekhyun lays his eyes on her walking down the stairs, he is captivated. her figure embodying a perfect balance, each curve and line harmonizing effortlessly. she moved with such natural grace that he couldn't help but be irresistibly drawn to her. the gentle slope of her shoulders, the elegant taper of her waist—every part of her silhouette was a living masterpiece. he found himself utterly smitten, unable to look away, completely entranced by the quiet confidence and natural beauty she exuded with every step.

her smile was effortless, and magnetic, drawing people to her like moths to a flame. baekhyun watches as she glides making her rounds in the crowd, exchanging warm greetings and laughs that seem to resonate long after she's moved on. it’s clear to him that she's well-liked, the kind of person who doesn’t just walk into a room but lights it up. his heart began to beat faster, not with anxiety, but excitement—a thrill akin to a lion hunting its prey. he couldn’t help but plot in his mind the different ways he could draw her closer, the tantalizing thought of getting her into his bed tonight pulsing in the back of his mind.

baekhyun's thoughts and predatory-like gaze were interrupted when the taller man beside nudged his arm and spoke, "geez, baek. if you keep your mouth open any longer, you'll catch a fly."

baekhyun's friends scan the crowd and spot who he has his eyes set on and it doesn't take them long to put two and two together.

the short one makes his realization audible before he goes, "it seems baekhyun's got his eye on dinner already," his tone playful.

this isn't out of character for him. with more than a decade of friendship, the two men beside baekhyun know him more than they know themselves. they know that he is well-known and charismatic with women, using his flirtatious and vibrant personality to get what he wants from them.

sex.

baekhyun’s had his fair share of relationships—though calling them that might be a stretch. they typically fizzled out within a few months, more like passionate flings or fleeting encounters than genuine connections, and often ended badly. the common thread was his tendency to put in minimal effort outside the bedroom.

he just didn't have the time and energy to be in a fully committed relationship. with the demanding schedule of being a best-selling solo artist—tours, press, interviews, photoshoots— where would he have time to settle down?

they say heavy is the head that wears the crown, and lately, baekhyun’s crown feels like it's too much for his shoulders to bear.

as much as he enjoyed sex, his career, money, and—most importantly—his independence always came first. he liked things just the way they were: simple, uncomplicated, and with no strings attached. in other words, his love life was exactly how he wanted it—non-existent.

a smile tugs at baekhyun's lips as he realizes he's been caught. "i have no idea what you’re talking about, jongdae," he lies smoothly, before downing the rest of his glass. the now lukewarm champagne burns slightly as it slides down his throat.

"you know (y/n) is hana's best friend, right?" the tall man asks baekhyun, “sorry to burst your balls but i'm pretty sure she's off limits."

he stays quiet as he takes a mental note of the mystery woman's name.

"hate to admit it, but chanyeol’s got a point," jongdae says, fiddling with the opulent watch on his left wrist. "you know kyungsoo, not to mention hana, will absolutely have your head if you even think about messing with her best friend."

well fuck, he thinks to himself resigning before the game even began. just then, a server with a silver platter of champagne weaves through the crowd toward him. he casually places his empty glass on the tray and swaps it for a fresh one.

"what’s got baekhyun pouting like that?" a voice asks from behind. baekhyun glances at the two men with a look that clearly says, "don’t say shit."

the three of them turn to see the couple of the hour—kyungsoo, hand in hand with his fiancée, hana. "thank you so much for being here," hana gushes, embracing each of them warmly. "i still can’t believe you three managed to keep this party—let alone kyungsoo’s proposal—a secret!" she adds, her smile bright and infectious.

baekhyun takes in how beautiful and happy the couple in front of him looks, their love almost palpable in the air. they complemented each other well. for a moment, a pang of jealousy hits him—jealous of the connection they share, jealous because he’s never come close to feeling that way. but more than jealousy, he feels overwhelming happiness and pride for his best friend in finding his very own person.

"hey! we can be trustworthy," chanyeol whines, clutching his hand over his heart as if her words were an arrow struck through his chest.

"oh, chanyeol, always the drama queen. give it a rest, will you?" hana rolls her eyes. "i never said you guys weren’t trustworthy, just that you can’t keep your mouths shut. it’s hard to believe you didn’t let it slip around me—especially you, chanyeol," she says his name through gritted teeth, landing a playful punch on his shoulder. "how could my own big brother keep such a secret from me?!"

her fiancé and his friends laugh at their usual sibling banter. chanyeol rubs his arm, trying to soothe the sting. "whatever! what about (y/n)? she knew this whole time too—how come you're not giving her a hard time?!"

hana rolls her eyes with a smile before saying, "don't worry. i gave her an earful on the car ride here."

"did i hear my name?" a smooth, honeyed voice seemed to stir baekhyun's entire world.

there she was. baekhyun’s eyes were drawn to the most stunning woman in the room—perhaps the most beautiful he had ever seen.

"i was wondering why my ears feel like they've been on fire since walking in."

her joking remark sent a jolt of paranoia through baekhyun, causing him to choke on his drink. his ears and neck flushed red with embarrassment. "shit, excuse me," he muttered, clearing his throat and awkwardly patting his lips with the back of his hand.

his friends exchanged puzzled glances, clearly bemused by baekhyun's sudden and uncharacteristic behavior, while (y/n) appeared unfazed, her attention drifting around the party. desperate to recover, baekhyun cleared his throat and blurted out, "i don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of meeting." he extended his hand with an attempt at casual charm. "i’m baekhyun."

jolted from her seemingly indifferent survey of the room, (y/n) turned her attention back to him, her smile lighting up her face with charming dimples on each cheek. holy shit, she was stunning. “oh, hi! i know you—you're an idol, right? i’m (y/n).”

his stomach did a flip when he realized how perfectly her soft, warm hand fit into his. trying to steady himself, he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles. while most girls might have blushed and swooned at the gesture, she simply looked at him with a matter-of-fact expression and asked, “wow, dude. why is your hand shaking?”

the swell of pride he felt from her recognition deflated instantly at her candid response.

the group of friends erupted in laughter at her question, and baekhyun’s face turned crimson. he knew he would never hear the end of it later.

baekhyun chuckled softly before leaning in, his voice dropping to a playful whisper in one last attempt to save this undeniably awkward first encounter. “well, forgive me, it’s not every day you meet a billionaire heiress. especially one as breathtakingly stunning as you.”

the others erupted in playful whoops and whistles, teasing them about their flirtatious exchange. (y/n) rolled her eyes, a smirk dancing on her lips. her gaze remained inscrutable, as though she was still contemplating baekhyun’s intentions. she was the first to break eye contact, glancing at the rest of the group before declaring, “well then, let’s get drunk and celebrate the happy couple, shall we?”

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩

baekhyun and (y/n) found themselves naturally gravitating toward each other throughout the night, their laughter echoing louder with each shared joke. It wasn’t long before they realized how much they had in common—their sense of humor was almost identical, both loving the same quirky, offbeat memes and inside jokes that left others in the dark.

the party buzzed with energy, everyone around them having a great time, but even in the midst of all the fun, their friends couldn’t help but notice how well Baekhyun and (y/n) clicked. there were curious glances and whispered comments about how it was surprising they hadn’t been introduced sooner. it was like they were made to be in each other’s orbit.

their likes and dislikes synced up too, from their mutual love for late-night snacks to their shared disdain for overly serious conversations at parties. every time their eyes met, it was as if they were sharing a secret that only they understood.

as the night wore on, the magnetic pull between them became impossible to ignore. there was a spark, an undeniable attraction that seemed to draw them closer with every shared laugh and knowing glance. it wasn’t just the fun they were having—it was the way they seemed to fit together so effortlessly, like two pieces of a puzzle that had finally clicked into place.

the connection was electric, and their friends noticed it too, exchanging knowing looks and silently wondering if something more might be brewing between the two. for baekhyun and (y/n), the attraction grew stronger with every moment, leaving them both questioning if this was just a fleeting connection or the start of something much bigger.

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩

“(y/n)!” hana calls out to her best friend, relieved to finally find her without a tipsy baekhyun hanging on. “how’s it going?” she asks in a playful, sing-song voice. "you and baekhyun are actually kinda hot together.”

(y/n) grins, a little unsteady on her feet. “he’s adorable, right? tell me what you know about him.”

“well…” hana drags out the word, thinking. “he’s not really the serious type. but he’s been tight with kyungsoo for, like, forever. from what i’ve seen, baekhyun’s a good guy—just not into commitment. definitely a charmer, though, especially with the ladies.”

(y/n) silently processes hana’s words, her drunken smile fading just a bit.

“look,” hana continues, her tone softening. “i know you’re having fun, and you deserve it—you never let loose like this. but just… be careful. i don’t want you to get hurt again.”

(y/n) kisses hana on the cheek before wrapping her in a warm hug. “thanks for watching out for me. i love you.”

“i love you too, dummy,” hana replies with a warm smile, her eyes filled with protectiveness and worry. “just remember, (y/n), you’ve got to put yourself and your happiness first.”

(y/n) nods at her best friend, sweetly promising, “i know, i will.”

hana wipes the cheek (y/n) kissed with the back of her hand, playfully grimacing. “ugh, you always try to make out with me when you’re drunk.”

“how could i resist? you’re just so kissable,” (y/n) teases, puckering her lips at hana.

as kyungsoo and baekhyun, now within earshot, glance over with raised eyebrows, (y/n) catches sight of them and playfully narrows her eyes.

“you perverts would listen in during that specific part of the conversation,” she teases, her tone dripping with mock accusation.

kyungsoo feigns innocence, holding up his hands. “hey, we just happened to walk by at the right—or maybe wrong—time.”

baekhyun grins mischievously. “not our fault you’re talking about things that sound way more interesting than whatever the guys were chatting about.”

hana smirks at the two men. “you’re just jealous you weren’t invited to the ‘girls' night’ makeout sessions.”

the four of them burst into laughter at her remark.

the thought of the two women kissing flashes through baekhyun’s mind, stirring him up. shaking off the distraction, he grins and says, “oh, definitely jealous. if you ever feel like extending an invite for next time, that’d be greatly appreciated.” he gives (y/n) a playful wink.

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩

the party was still going strong, and (y/n) and baekhyun were lingering near the snack table, where baekhyun was helping her fix a small plate of hors d'oeuvres.

“here, try this one,” baekhyun said, handing her a delicate canapé. “it’s amazing.”

(y/n) took a bite, her eyes lighting up with delight. “wow, this is incredible! thank you.”

baekhyun chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “you know, you owe me now.”

(y/n) shot him a confused look, one eyebrow arched. “owe you? for what exactly?”

(y/n) chuckled softly, shaking her head. “a proper date for some appetizers i probably would’ve eaten anyway? are you really trying to cash in on this?”

“absolutely,” baekhyun replied with a playful grin. if you compared a photo of him at that moment to one of a puppy, you might struggle to tell them apart. “i think it’s only fair. you get to enjoy the best snacks at a party, and i get to enjoy your company on a date.”

(y/n) considered his proposition, her smile softening. “that’s quite a deal you’re offering."

baekhyun’s smile widened. “it is, isn’t it? so, what do you say? are you up for it?”

(y/n) took a moment, her gaze meeting his. the playful glint in his eyes and the genuine warmth in his voice made it hard to resist.

she thought for a moment. really thought about it. would it be too soon for her?

it had been a few months since (y/n) and daniel called off their engagement, but it felt like no time at all compared to the years they had spent together. they had been promised to each other for as long as they could remember. as heirs to two wealthy and powerful families, their betrothal seemed only natural. their families often joked that (y/n) had been promised to daniel since she was still in her mother’s womb, while daniel was just learning to walk.

daniel had been her safe haven, her first kiss, and her first love. despite everything looking perfect on paper, their teenage romance had evolved into something dull and monotonous. they realized they didn’t have much in common, and the spark in their relationship had faded, which eventually led to his infidelity.

initially, the betrayal felt like an insurmountable obstacle, leaving her wondering if she’d ever truly move on. but through countless tears, deep self-reflection, and the unwavering support of her family—and most importantly, her best friend hana—she began to see that she didn't really blame him. they had both been caught up in meeting their families' expectations, often at the expense of their own desires.

fortunately, the pain has lessened considerably for her. now, when she reflects on it, she's more overwhelmed by the disgust and regret over having wasted her youth on someone she didn't truly love. she despises half-hearted efforts in life and has come to realize that the person and relationship she once deemed most important were ultimately superficial.

before she could politely decline his offer, hana's voice echoed through her mind: just remember, (y/n), you’ve got to put yourself and your happiness first.

“alright,” she said at last, her voice warm and genuine. “you’ve got yourself a date,” she replied with a smile.

baekhyun’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and a relieved sigh escaped his lips as his shoulders relaxed. “perfect. i’ll make sure it’s worth every bite of that canapé.”

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩

after countless rounds of shots and a few too many drinking games, the party was finally winding down. baekhyun and (y/n) ended up in one of the lounge areas in kyungsoo’s backyard, nursing bottles of water in an effort to sober up. the market lights twinkled softly overhead, their warm glow mixing with the stars above to create a gentle, romantic ambiance around them.

i have to admit," baekhyun murmured, his voice soft as he leaned in closer, a blush spreading across his cheeks from the alcohol. (y/n)'s gaze traced the pink hue creeping down his ears and neck, her thoughts drifting to how enticing he looked in the dim light. she imagined her lips lightly brushing against his neck, the smell of his cologne and sweat from the summer heat making her heart thump.

at the same time, baekhyun's eyes locked onto (y/n)'s, his heart racing as he took in her breathtaking proximity. he was caught off guard, his mind betraying him with a flood of desire. he didn’t want her to feel like just another conquest, but resisting the urge was becoming increasingly difficult. "i never thought I’d meet someone who could make me feel both nervous and tipsy at the same time."

(y/n) arched an eyebrow, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips. "is that your way of saying you're not usually this charming?"

baekhyun laughed loudly, his eyes dancing with mischief. “oh, (y/n), i’m always this charming. it’s just tonight I'm competing with an open bar.”

she laughs, lifting her water to her lips. "hana was right about you."

"was she now?" he replies, intrigued. "and what did our dear hana have to say?"

"that you make all the girls swoon," (y/n) teased rolling her eyes with a smile.

he leans in, a mischievous glint in his eye. "and am i? making you swoon?"

"what would you do if i said you were?"

his face inches closer to hers, their breaths mingling. "then i’d ask if you wanted to get out of here."

her mind spins, heart hammering in her chest as a whirlwind of thoughts crash over her—one voice warns her to keep her distance, to not fall for his charm, while another urges her to take the risk, to seize the moment. she’s only ever known the safety of her ex-fiancé, but a part of her always believed there was more to her. hidden beneath the reliable, conservative exterior was someone different—someone who yearned for excitement, for the thrill of the unknown.

which voice would she listen to?

the silence lingers, and baekhyun stiffens, the tension between them thickening with each passing second. she notices the flicker of insecurity in his eyes and, before she can second-guess herself, makes her choice.

"then ask me," she finally whispers, her voice steady despite her racing heart. "ask me to get out of here."

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩

they ended up at baekhyun’s nearby apartment, a spacious yet cozy and stylish retreat that perfectly mirrored his warm personality. the atmosphere was intimate, bathed in soft lighting and a soothing, gentle ambiance. as the door closed behind them, the tension in the air was palpable, almost tangible.

baekhyun intertwined his fingers with (y/n)’s, guiding her gently back against the wall. they shared a lingering, passionate kiss that spoke volumes without words. “i’ve been wanting to do that all night,” baekhyun murmured, his breath warm against (y/n)’s lips, his hand cradling her chin.

“you took your sweet time,” she teased, her playful smile making baekhyun’s eyes light up with admiration.

baekhyun guided (y/n) further into his apartment, leading her towards the kitchen. with a grin, he uncorked a fresh bottle of wine and poured it into two elegant glasses as she settled onto a stool at the sleek marble island directly across from him.

“just so you know,” he said, handing her a glass, “this isn’t quite the ‘proper date’ i had in mind earlier.”

(y/n) raised an eyebrow, her curiosity growing. “oh, really? what’s your idea of a ‘proper date’?”

baekhyun’s smile widened as he moved to sit on the empty stool right next to her, his touch warm and reassuring as he gently caressed her arm. “let’s just say it involves more than just good wine and a cozy setting. i’m talking about something a bit more adventurous, maybe a little unexpected.”

as he spoke, he leaned in and pressed a light, teasing kiss to her cheek. (y/n) giggles at the gesture, her cheeks flushing with warmth. “well, if this is just a preview, you’ve definitely piqued my curiosity.”

with a playful grin, baekhyun took her hand, his thumb brushing softly against her skin. “you know, i’ve always believed that the best dates are the ones that keep you guessing.”

their eyes locked, and in a moment of shared flirtation, baekhyun leaned in for a quick, unexpected kiss on her lips before she had a chance to respond. (y/n) blinked in surprise but couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.

they continued talking, but each pause in the conversation was filled with light touches and lingering glances. baekhyun would occasionally brush his fingers through her hair or lightly graze her shoulder, sending sparks of electricity through both of them. (y/n) would respond with teasing remarks and playful nudges, her fingers occasionally finding their way to his arm or chest.

the night continued with their flirtatious banter and affectionate touches, each kiss and gentle caress adding to the undeniable chemistry between them. as they talked and laughed, it was clear that the connection they were building was both magnetic and incredibly promising. the warmth and chemistry between them grew stronger with each passing minute. they talked about their favorite things, shared personal stories, and discovered even more common interests.

baekhyun and (y/n) eventually move onto the living room sofa, nestled closely, their bodies pressed close together. the playful teasing from earlier had transformed into more meaningful touches and lingering glances. the connection they shared felt electric, and every brush of their skin sent shivers of anticipation through both of them.

their conversation had softened into hushed tones, filled with flirtatious whispers and soft laughter. the wine bottle had long been emptied, and the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly intimate. their earlier inhibitions had melted away, replaced by a palpable desire that simmered between them.

baekhyun’s hand wandered to (y/n)’s waist, his fingers tracing gentle patterns against her skin. he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. “what are you thinking about?” he asked softly, his voice laced with a hint of anticipation.

(y/n) turned her head slightly, her lips brushing against baekhyun’s ear as she whispered, “i’m thinking about how amazing tonight has been… and how much i want to be closer to you.”

his breath caught at her words, and he looked into her eyes, seeing the same desire reflected back at him. slowly, he closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. the kiss was slow at first, exploratory, but quickly grew more urgent as their desire for each other became undeniable.

baekhyun’s hands roamed over (y/n)’s back, pulling her closer until they were pressed together, their bodies fitting seamlessly. he gently guided her to straddle his lap, his hands sliding up her sides, pulling her shirt slightly out of place. the feeling of her skin against his sent waves of pleasure through both of them.

(y/n) responded eagerly, her hands slipping under baekhyun’s shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin. she kissed him deeply, her lips moving against his with increasing fervor. the room seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them wrapped in a cocoon of desire.

as their kisses became more heated, baekhyun’s hands slid down to the hem of her shirt, lifting it slowly. he pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his expression filled with longing and affection. “are you sure you want this?” he asked, his voice husky with emotion.

(y/n) nodded, her eyes filled with desire. “yes, i want you. i want this.”

baekhyun wasted no time guiding (y/n) to his bedroom. the soft glow of the bedside lamps created a romantic ambiance, casting a warm, inviting light over the room. baekhyun’s gaze was filled with affection and longing as he slowly closed the door behind them, his hands lingering on (y/n)’s hips.

they took their time, their actions a blend of curiosity and tenderness. baekhyun’s fingers traced delicate patterns along (y/n)’s arms, while her hands explored the contours of his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips. each touch, each caress, was both an exploration and an expression of their growing intimacy.

baekhyun led (y/n) to the bed with a gentle but insistent pull. he kissed her deeply, their mouths moving together in a slow, passionate dance. as he began to undress her, he took great care, his fingers brushing over her skin with reverent touches. his kisses traveled from her lips to her neck, his breath hot and eager as he peppered her skin with soft, teasing kisses.

(y/n) responded with equal passion, her hands working to remove his clothing, her touches becoming bolder as she felt the heat of his body against hers. she guided him gently, exploring the contours of his muscles and the warmth of his skin with both hands and lips.

with a nod of understanding, baekhyun’s lips curved into a soft, reassuring smile. he positioned himself carefully, his touch tender as he guided himself to her entrance. the anticipation in the room was almost tangible, the air thick with their shared longing.

as he entered her, the sensation was electric, a feeling so intense and profound that it was as if a whole new world had been born. the connection between them was immediate and overwhelming, each movement bringing a rush of pleasure that seemed to transcend the physical.

baekhyun’s eyes closed in pure ecstasy as he felt the warmth and tightness of (y/n) enveloping him. the sensation was so overwhelming that his first thought was a mix of fear and embarrassment at the possibility of reaching his climax too soon.

he moved slowly at first, savoring the sensation and the incredible closeness they now shared. (y/n) gasped, her body arching slightly as she felt him inside her, the sensation almost too intense to put into words.

everything outside faded away, leaving just the two of them in this moment of pure connection. every touch, every thrust felt like a discovery, with each new sensation deepening their bond. their movements turned into a passionate dance, each glance and touch strengthening their connection even more.

the bedroom was filled with the soft sounds of their shared breaths and whispered words, each movement between them a careful balance of passion and tenderness. they took their time, savoring every moment, every kiss, every touch, as they were discovering each other for the first time.

for (y/n), this was her first time since her recent breakup with her ex-fiancée. the memory of her past relationship lingered like a shadow, but as baekhyun’s hands roamed over her body and his lips met hers, she found herself lost in a different kind of connection. she had thought she knew what good sex was, but what she experienced with baekhyun was otherworldly.

their bodies moved together with a natural rhythm, each touch sending waves of pleasure that were both intense and unfamiliar. the connection they shared was electric, and the intimacy they felt transcended anything she had experienced before. baekhyun’s touch was gentle yet passionate, each kiss and caress amplifying the pleasure they gave each other.

the bed seemed to dissolve into a world of its own, the outside world fading away as they became enveloped in their shared passion. as their bodies rocked together, the intensity of their movements and the depth of their connection created a sensation that was nothing short of incredible.

(y/n) felt an overwhelming sense of amazement, her previous experiences dwarfed by the sheer bliss she was now experiencing with baekhyun. each moment was filled with the kind of pleasure that seemed to transcend physical sensation, merging with an emotional intimacy that left her breathless and wanting more.

as the intensity between them built, their movements became more urgent and synchronized. baekhyun’s breaths grew heavier, matching the quickening pace of their bodies moving together. the pleasure was palpable, a crescendo of sensations that was drawing them closer to the edge.

(y/n) felt every touch, every thrust with an intensity that left her breathless. her hands gripped baekhyun’s shoulders, her nails digging in slightly as waves of pleasure washed over her. each deep, penetrating movement brought her closer to the peak of ecstasy, her moans mingling with his in a symphony of passion.

baekhyun’s eyes were locked onto hers, the look of raw, unfiltered desire evident as he lost himself in the moment. his grip on her hips tightened, pulling her closer with every thrust. the intensity of their connection was overwhelming, each movement amplifying the sensations coursing through their bodies.

as they neared their climax, their breathing became ragged, the room filled with the sounds of their shared pleasure. baekhyun’s thrusts grew more urgent, his body moving with a rhythm that matched the rising tide of (y/n)’s pleasure. she arched her back, her eyes closing as the waves of ecstasy began to crest.

then, with a final, powerful thrust, they both reached the peak of their desire. the sensation was electrifying, a surge of pleasure that seemed to pulse through every nerve ending. (y/n)’s body tensed, her cries of pleasure mixing with baekhyun’s groans as they climaxed together, the intensity of their shared experience creating a moment of pure, blissful unity.

as the waves of their climax subsided, they clung to each other, their breaths coming in heavy, satisfied gasps. baekhyun’s arms wrapped around (y/n), pulling her close as they both reveled in the afterglow of their intense connection.

they lay together, their bodies still intertwined, each touch and caress a testament to the profound bond they had forged. the night had brought them to a new level of closeness, their shared climax a powerful affirmation of their connection and desire for each other.

baekhyun’s fingers traced gentle patterns on (y/n)’s skin. “so, are you still convinced i’m just charming because of the drinks?”

(y/n) smiled, her eyes heavy with contentment. “maybe it’s the charm mixed with a genuine connection. either way, i’m glad we took the chance.”

despite the warmth of the moment, baekhyun couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that something deeper was stirring within him. this unfamiliar and somewhat frightening sensation was new to him. even in past relationships where he’d had plenty of time to understand someone, he had never felt such intense longing. (y/n) had entered his life and challenged his perceptions of relationships, making him question everything he thought he knew. this profound feeling left him both excited and apprehensive about what the future might hold.

as he grappled with these overwhelming thoughts and emotions, he realized that (y/n) had drifted off to sleep, her face illuminated by a peaceful, contented smile. he admired her serene expression, marveling at how swiftly she had fallen into slumber. with a tender smile of his own, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. his voice was soft and sincere as he whispered, “me too.”

s&v | mlist | ★ ch.1: locked out of heaven ★ | next | ch. 3

[niteshade925]

April 14, Xi'an, China, Shaanxi History Museum, Qin and Han Dynasties Branch (Part 2 - Daily Life, Societal Structure, and Culture):

This is one of the undisputed stars of the museum, the “Strange Golden Creature” (no joke, that's literally what's on the plaque), unearthed in Shaanxi Province in 1957. The reason for this name is probably because archaeologists haven't figured out what mythical creature this is supposed to be. It does seem to be from the ancient Xiongnu culture and appears to be a "chimera" of sorts, in the sense that it combines the general body of a deer, multiple birds (17 total; most are part of the antlers), and the branches of a tree. This artifact is one of my favorites, and showcases the advanced gold-working techniques of the ancient Xiongnu people. I can already imagine this mythical creature in a painting (although I suck at painting lol).

A yubi/玉璧, or jade disk, decorated with gu pattern/谷纹 (谷 means "grains"), this is because these patterns resemble sprouting rice kernels.

Han dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD) era jade cicada amulets (玉蝉). Cicadas symbolize "rebirth" into a new form (specifically becoming a xian/仙 immortal) in Chinese mythology, since they burrow beneath the ground as nymphs and re-emerge before moulting into their adult forms. There's a sentence in the biography of Qu Yuan/屈原 (the guy whose death was said to be the reason why Duanwu Festival/端午节 and zongzi/粽子 exist) from Records of the Grand Historian/《史记》 that gives an idea on what cicadas represent:

"Standing in muck yet can cleanse himself (referring to Qu Yuan) of it, like a cicada emerging from muddy filth, able to fly above and remain unsullied by worldly dust, persisting in its innocence despite it all." (濯淖汙泥之中，蟬蛻於濁穢，以浮游塵埃之外，���獲世之滋垢，皭然泥而不滓者也。)

There are two types of cicada amulets, the ones with holes are meant to be worn as jewelry, and ones without holes are meant to be placed in the mouth of the deceased before burial, so that the deceased can become a xian immortal after death.

Left: jade decor piece, not sure what it was a part of. Right: the decorated jade pommel of a sword.

A Han-era painted clay statue of a sitting woman. As mentioned in an earlier post, this sitting position is called jizuo/跽坐. Sitting like this on cushions or on specialized T-shaped stools called zhizhong/支踵 (designed in such a way that one is basically sitting on the stool and not on one's legs) was the proper formal sitting posture, until chairs were popularized post-Tang dynasty (618 - 907 AD). Before then people used beds as chairs.

Han-era painted pottery figurines of entertainers

An arrangement of pottery models and figurines that shows life in the courtyard of a residence in Han dynasty:

Pottery figurine of a chef/butcher (this type of figurines is called paochuyong/庖厨俑). I think that thing on the table is a......fish?

Left: pottery model of a stove. Right: pottery model of a mill

Painted pottery models of areas on farms and painted pottery figurines of domestic animals. Don't know what those long-necked animals in the pen are supposed to be though......

A life size gilded bronze silkworm. It goes without saying that silkworms were an important part of life in ancient China:

Left: Warring States period (476 - 221 BC) silver sitting deer. Right: a small figurine of a waterfowl eating fish

Diagram of the cattle-drawn ploughs used during Qin and Han dynasties. The 4 line drawings of different ploughs are taken from unearthed stone reliefs depicting daily life:

Eastern Han era (25 - 220 AD) "country estate" (田庄; not sure if "country estate" is the correct translation, but in any case many Chinese terms do not have exact equivalents in English, so even if this is "correct", it's probably the "close enough" translation) structure. This base-level societal structure remains without too much variation throughout the dynasties, and is the reason why people have defined imperial China's social structure as "feudal"--again, not the exact same as feudalism in Europe, since on a general overall political level imperial China (Qin dynasty to Qing dynasty) governs by centralization of power (中央集权制 in Chinese), but imperial China is "feudal" in many ways at the base levels of society, especially in terms of farmers and their relationship with land (their means of production; farmers may not always own their own land and may be forced to work for landlords). Side note: this is why people have proposed the statement "皇权不下县" ("the emperor's powers cannot reach below county level"), why farmers were the main force in many rebellions, and why tax reforms throughout Chinese history also had to do with land ownership (ex: Song dynasty Wang Anshi's Equal Tax Law/方田均税法 and Ming dynasty Zhang Juzheng's Single Whip Reform/一条鞭法; I will be touching on the latter in my future posts on the show Under the Microscope).

Peacock lamp, from the tomb of the famous Eastern Han dynasty official Yang Zhen/杨震:

Map showing the spread of Buddhism and Christianity to different parts of the world by 600 AD:

And lastly, this small part of a wall relief does a great job capturing my mental state after pulling an all-nighter:

[oodlenoodleroodle]

In 1757 the [East India Company] took part in the Battle of Plassey and gained control of Bengal. At first this led to the simple looting of the province, as the EIC extracted “gifts” and “tribute” from local elites. But as the Industrial Revolution got underway, English capitalists developed their textile industry. So, the EIC systematically destroyed the Indian cotton economy, drove farmers out of cotton production, and shut down spinning and weaving operations. British industry bought cotton grown on slave plantations in the southern United States. As India was eliminated as a competitor, the mills of the English Midlands flourished.

- Ken Hammond, Chapter 1 of "China's Revolution and the Quest for a Socialist Future"

[bimboficationblues]

I do have a general question about the liberalism-security thesis - the thing is, the actual mechanisms that seem to characterize liberalism for you (money, markets, positive law and related enforcement mechanisms, and specific mechanisms to reform said law) are also mechanisms you find in historical antecedents to modern states, the prime example being Rome during both the Republic and Empire periods (and China from the Qin dynasty forward, to some extent) that I think would be a stretch to characterize as "liberal," although certainly a lot of liberals took inspiration from idealized versions of them. And, of course, due to their flexible foundations these concepts have been successfully implemented by classically "illiberal" states of varying types.

So my question is - to what degree does it make sense to characterize these features as liberalism-in-practice, as opposed to just features of bureaucratic states in general? I know to some extent liberal thought dominates the ideological basis for what a modern state is supposed to be, but since (as you put it) these systems are basically agnostic in most cases towards different concepts of the social good, and they in several cases pre-date the development of what I'd consider capitalism per se, I'm not sure how much we can actually pin the blame on Locke, Mill and successors, as tempting as that is.

More to the point (and this is my own 'having a plan' bias showing), I'm skeptical as to whether this framing points toward said bureaucratic structures not being adaptable to a classless social order. If anything, to me this framing seems to point to modern state systems being much more ideologically and practically amenable to a classless society than my (and from what I can tell, your) gut instinct and experience would suggest.

Whether communism is actually doable and worth-it is of course a big question beyond the scope of what you're writing. But it seems like you are trying to say that the tendency of law to enforce predictable outcomes, or attempt to do so, is inevitably and inescapably tied to class society, and I think the hows and whys of that are not super clear to me, or at least not obvious inferences from what you've said so far.

Also, as you said, it's not totally unreasonable to want "security," or at least a relatively consistent social framework for some types of social problems - so to me, that leaves the onus on you to show why supporting this organizational ethic is either impossible or undesirable, which does seem like a tall order.

okay so one at a time

These things predate liberalism so what's up with that?: super helpful question - I think that there is a qualitative difference in kind between these things as they manifested in pre-capitalist societies and in capitalist society (particularly the combinations thereof). as to what that qualitative difference is I could just gesture at the early chapters of Capital and go "something like that" but I think that's part of the investigation to be undertaken to avoid resting on Marx's laurels and agreeing to his limits. and yes, to be clear, I do not think that Locke & co. are necessarily the dispositive force here - I think the history of political thought (HPT) is useful as a framing, as reflective of a time, but obviously being able to point to writers doesn't reveal anything about how people behave. what it does illustrate is how these kinds of considerations were at the forefronts of people's minds during these historical developments.

Is this something unique to liberalism or just a feature of bureaucratic statecraft?: this is one thing I was chewing on as I was writing that response - it's possible that "liberalism" is too load-bearing in my argument, or alternatively that I may be trying to synthesize too many separate arguments (i.e. my reading of liberalism in the HPT as a post-aristocratic and legalistic mode of thought, plus an in-progress theory regarding the modern state as embodiment of "security" in capitalism). it might be worth trying to strain out the different threads (and I think there's probably more than just those two) to see if/where they actually link. the risks of trying to answer a Tumblr ask and suddenly you're outlining a book project.

Wouldn't your analysis suggest that bureaucratic states could transition to a non-class society?: I'm not totally following the connection you're drawing, if you could clarify I'd appreciate it!

What are the mechanisms that link contemporary law to class society?: Right - this is I think going to be the major point of investigation and analysis so difficult to sum up here, rather than to take this question as a guiding one. But Foucault has an interesting discussion of what I'm gesturing at in D&P in the context of France; I want to tease that out more, or in a different/intersecting direction:

Furthermore, although a large part of the bourgeoisie had accepted, without too much trouble, the illegality of rights, it found it difficult to support illegality when it was a question of its own property rights. Nothing could be more typical of this than the problem of peasant delinquency at the end of the eighteenth century and especially after the Revolution. The transition to an intensive agriculture exercised, over the rights to use common lands, over various tolerated practices, over small accepted illegalities, a more and more restrictive pressure. Furthermore, as it was acquired in part by the bourgeoisie, now free of the feudal burdens that once weighed upon it, landed property became absolute property: all the tolerated 'rights' that the peasantry had acquired or preserved (the abandonment of old obligations or the consolidation of irregular practices: the right of free pasture, wood-collecting, etc.) were now rejected by the new owners who regarded them quite simply as theft (thus leading, among the people, to a series of chain reactions of an increasingly illegal, or, if one prefers the term, criminal kind: breaches of close, the theft or killing of cattle, fires, assaults, murders. The illegality of rights, which often meant the survival of the most deprived, tended, with the new status of property, to become an illegality of property. It then had to be punished.

5. What's wrong with security, anyway?: Well, I think the normative issue that I'm hinting at is the inescapability of poverty and deprivation under this kind of society, and thus (common theme of us critical Marx-influenced types), this fixation on the creation and maintenance of security becomes its opposite: the constant generation of insecurity. not to necessarily say we need a "true" security but that, if indeed this is a value we might hold (and on some level it is), this mode of thought and organization does not achieve it. and the "security" in question pursued by the modern state is not just like, general security - obviously there are lots and lots of people who do not live in a sate of "security" even under these conditions - but rather securing the rule of capital and the sanctity of private property, ideologically manifesting as the perpetuation of "civilization."

I hope I accurately and fairly represented your questions.

[mariacallous]

Billions of people are voting in elections around the world this year, and it feels like political disinformation is on the rise and buoyed by the rapid emergence of multiple AI technologies. So I’m spending my time looking for experts who can explain what’s happening.

As research manager of the Stanford Internet Observatory (SIO), Renée DiResta has helped unmask Russia’s online support for Trump in 2016, China’s use of Clubhouse for spying, and Instagram becoming a hive of child abuse material. But in the face of unrelenting—and baseless—allegations of anti-conservative bias from right-wing lawmakers like Jim Jordan, Stanford didn’t renew her contract last month.

Luckily for us, DiResta just published a new book, Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality, which outlines how unseen people and technologies shape our realities today, and how it's all being leveraged to win elections. I spoke with Renée about the book—check out our conversation here!

David: Hi Renée, thanks for chatting with us. In your book, you speak about “bespoke realities.” Is everyone effectively now living in their own reality?

Renée: There's a lot of movement into factions, where people are really deeply entrenched in a highly-specific niche political identity. One of the things you start to see is that faction A and faction B are often not even seeing the same kinds of content. You have communities that are absolutely outraged about something that has happened on the internet and the other community has absolutely no idea that this is even happening.

David: Key to these factions are influencers. How have they become so powerful?

Renée: They have the followers. Even conspiracy theorist influencers have followings in the millions at this point. Mainstream media doesn't necessarily get that kind of readership on a given article or viewers on a given piece of content. But the influencer is algorithmically pushed into your feed and they have that ability to speak back, to engage in a way that media brands often don't.

David: How important are algorithms in helping these influencers get their message out?

Renée: The influencer needs to be seen by their audience, and having that relationship with your audience is key, but that's always mediated through what the algorithm is going to push to people, particularly as more and more of that in-feed real estate is determined not by who you follow at all, but by what it thinks you want to see.

David: In your book you write about Ali Alexander, an influencer who helped organize the Stop the Steal movement in 2020. How have people like Alexander become so influential?

Renée: People who are not Trump supporters might see him as clownish, but among the group that he's speaking to, they trust him, they believe him, and he compels them to take action. It's really important to realize the effect that influencer relationships have in shaping reality or driving people to act in a way. They really come up from the crowd and they're given their power because the crowd continues to engage with them and support them and drive them.

David: Is this what Trump is doing?

Renée: What you see with Trump over and over again is what we call this bottom-up rumor mill, where people are chattering about things, they say it, they post it, they tag him, he retweets them, then they have the benefit of that additional clout within the community. They've done their part, they're fighting for the cause. You see him very deftly working this system on Truth Social [where] he's constantly amplifying fans and followers and engaging very much among the online supporter base.

David: What are we missing about our current information environment?

Renée: What I find most alarming is that people have the ability to just create reality by making something trend, to reinforce over and over and over again these conspiracy theories. You do have this increasingly divergent set of realities where there's a deep conviction built up over many, many years of reinforcing the same tropes and stories. You can't just correct that with a fact check.

David: And following the demise of the Stanford Internet Observatory, there are even less people fact-checking this stuff. Who or what was to blame for your departure from Stanford?

Renée: The chilling effect of congressional inquiries and associated lawfare, and the politicization of research, is real. Institutions need to see the writing on the wall. We have seen these tactics in the past, such as during attacks on climate scientists a decade ago, yet the playbook continues to work. If spurious investigations into politically inconvenient findings succeed in cowing institutions, there will only be more spurious investigations.

[scotianostra]

August 4th 1870 saw the birth of the entertainer Harry Lauder in Portobello.

Harry was the eldest of seven children, Harry’s parents were John Lauder, a master potter, Porty was famous for it’s pottery works back in the day, the family moved to Derbyshire in 1882 where John Lauder was going to design china. However, he died on 20th April and they had to move to Isabella’s parents’ home in Arbroath.

When Harry left school aged about 12 he went to work in a flax mill. The family then moved to Hamilton where Harry worked in a coal mine. In 1891 he married Ann Vallance, daughter of the manager of the mine.

Harry’s fellow-workers, who whom he often sang, encouraged him to sing in local music halls. He joined a concert party and began touring, which enabled him to give up his job at the coal mine. By 1894 Harry had turned professional and was singing in London venues..

Though a few other songs contend for a place among his best, Roamin’ In The Gloamin’ seems to be the one most often remembered. and even nowadays must be one of the best known songs written in and about Scotland, come on everyone knows it;

Roamin’ in the gloamin’ on the bonnie banks o’ Clyde.

Roamin’ in the gloamin’ wae my lassie by my side.

When the sun has gone to rest,

That’s the time we love the best.

O, it’s lovely roamin’ in the gloamin.

On 28th December 1916, Harry’s only son John Lauder who was a Captain in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was killed at Pozières. Harry wrote the song “Keep Right on till the end of the Road” in memory of him. Captain Lauder was buried at Ovillers, France and his father had a memorial placed in his son’s memory in Glenbranter, the Lauder family home in Scotland.

For his many services to the war effort, Harry was knighted in 1919. Lady Lauder died in July 1927 and Harry continued to tour, sing and write songs. He retired in 1935. Apart from his songs, Harry also wrote several books and appeared in several films. He came out of retrieved in the Second World War, entertained troops in Britain and also took part in radio broadcasts.

Sir Harry Lauder died on 26th February 1950, age79.

[transparentgentlemenmarker]

75 years ago, the NATO "Defensive" alliance was created to counter a perceived fear of communist expansion into Europe. Regardless of the fact that there was no plausible evidence that the Soviets ever planned to invade "Europe," When the Soviet Union ceased to exist, so did NATO's marginal rationale for existence. However, the "defensive" alliance kept expanding against the advice of many western voices and those of the Russians. These protests and warnings were, of course, ignored as the Alliance continued to peddle a North American world view to Europe and its expanding Eastern European membership. NATO today has proved itself to be a fractious weapons sales scam and political platform, not a military alliance. It has energetically participated in numerous illegal and brutal unilateral military actions serving the political rationale of the Washington, London, and Brussels elite. From Belgrade to Tripoli, NATO has delivered its brand of "freedom" by bombing civilians, their homes, and societies. The coming collapse of the Ukrainian misadventure represents such an existential threat to the viability of this paper tiger that it will contemplate almost any avenue other than acceptance of failure. Rather than defending Europe from War, NATO looks destined to become part of a self designed self-fulfilling prophecy of War and destruction. Rember, nothing of the Machine ever works against the machine, and NATO is, despite what we are told, a giant profit Mill and ponzi scheme, peddling fear to sell weapons while the citizens of Europe face poverty and societal discontent. Russia and the Russians have no designs or desire for a War with NATO, no serious academic or political analysts outside of the echo chamber of Atlantasist fantasy believes that. Remember, if there's a people on earth that understand the devastation of war, it's the Russians. If you actually want to examine the engine of the Ukraine war (and all other post WW2 conflicts) and any conflict thay flows from it, lift the bonnet on the Washington and London elites and their greasy association with the corporations profiting from the War. Neither they nor their bureaucratic appointees will see their children, brothers, or fathers doe in a War with Russia or indeed wIth China. That is an honour they will bestow on the ordinary taxpayers of the EU and US, and while they're at it, they'll also convince you to pay for it all too.

Il y a 75 ans l’OTAN était créée pour contrer la peur perçue d’une expansion communiste en Europe. Indépendamment du fait qu’il n’existait aucune preuve plausible que les Soviétiques envisageaient d’envahir « l’Europe », lorsque l’Union soviétique a cessé d’exister, la justification marginale de l’existence de l’OTAN a également disparu. Cependant, l’alliance « défensive » a continué à s’étendre contre l’avis de nombreuses voix occidentales et contre l’avis des Russes. Ces protestations et avertissements ont bien sûr été ignorés alors que l’Alliance a continué à colporter une vision nord-américaine du monde à l’Europe et à son adhésion croissante à l’Europe de l’Est. Aujourd’hui, l’OTAN s’est révélée être une escroquerie de vente d’armes et une plate-forme politique, et non une alliance militaire. Il a participé énergiquement à de nombreuses actions militaires unilatérales illégales et brutales servant la logique politique des élites de Washington, de Londres et de Bruxelles. De Belgrade à Tripoli, l’OTAN a défendu sa « liberté » en bombardant les civils, leurs maisons et leurs sociétés. L’effondrement prochain de la mésaventure ukrainienne représente une telle menace existentielle pour la viabilité de ce tigre de papier qu’il envisagera presque toutes les voies autres que l’acceptation de l’échec. Plutôt que de défendre l’Europe contre la guerre, l’OTAN semble destinée à faire partie d’une prophétie auto-réalisatrice de guerre et de destruction. N’oubliez pas que rien de la Machine ne fonctionne jamais contre la machine, et que l’OTAN est, malgré ce qu’on nous dit, une gigantesque usine à profit et une chaîne de Ponzi, colportant la peur pour vendre des armes alors que les citoyens européens sont confrontés à la pauvreté et au mécontentement sociétal. La Russie et les Russes n’ont ni l’intention ni le désir d’une guerre avec l’OTAN, aucun analyste universitaire ou politique sérieux en dehors de la chambre d’écho du fantasme atlantasiste ne le croit. N’oubliez pas que s’il y a un peuple sur terre qui comprend les ravages de la guerre, c’est bien les Russes. Si vous voulez réellement examiner le moteur de la guerre en Ukraine (et tous les autres conflits de l’après-Seconde Guerre mondiale) et tout conflit qui en découle, levez le chapeau sur les élites de Washington et de Londres et leur association graisseuse avec les entreprises qui profitent de la guerre. Ni eux ni leurs représentants bureaucratiques ne verront leurs enfants, leurs frères ou leurs pères participer à une guerre avec la Russie ou même avec la Chine. C’est un honneur qu’ils accorderont aux contribuables ordinaires de l’UE et des États-Unis, et pendant qu’ils y seront, ils vous convaincront également de payer pour tout cela également.

Otan = Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord

Nato = National Association of Theatre Owners

[gay-disabled-characters-showdown]

LGBTQ+ Disabled Characters Showdown Round 1, Wave 5, Poll 5

A character being totally canon LGBTQ+ and disabled was not required to be in this competition. Please check qualifications and propaganda before asking why a character is included.

Check out the other polls in this wave and prior here.

Mille Roper-The Arcadia Project

Qualifications:

She has BPD, which is a rarely represented disorder as it is, and is also a quadruple amputee, and she's one of the best characters with BPD I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. She is also canonically bisexual!

Propaganda:

GODDDDDD Millie she is one of my favorite bisexual, borderline, and amputee characters ever and when it comes to bi and BPD rep, she reminds me frankly of myself....I love her so much I need to reread borderline

Wen Kexing-Faraway Wanderers / Tian Ya Ke

Qualifications:

1. The LGBTQ+ part: he is canonically a gay man. (Though he does not identify by this specific word due to being from, yknow, fantasy ancient China, he is very vocal about only having interest in men / not having interest in women.) He is also one half of the main (canon, mlm) couple in the book. 2. Disability part: he has complex PTSD, with dissociative symptoms being most prominent. It's not articulated as clearly as the gay part, but there's a lot of textual evidence. For example, for his bouts of dissociation, he has a clear trigger - thinking or talking about personal loss (mostly his initial traumatic event, brutal murder of his parents when he was a child, but at least once it was fear of losing his partner), - and there's a very distinctive way the author describes it: "far-off gaze", "blank" expression or eyes, being "in a daze"/"dazed" were all words used more than once in those situations. He also exhibits symptoms of depersonalization, especially in contexts of violence. The one that made it click for me was a moment when someone was striking to kill him while he couldn't defend himself, and he was described as being calm "as if the one about to die was not himself", but there are also smaller hints, like several times he is described as 'fighting as if he doesn't notice pain and exhaustion' - which I would not take as evidence on its own, but tied in to other dissociative moments of his... yeah. 3. Last thing, in case you aren't sure PTSD/dissociative disorder should count as a disability, I want to make my argument that it should, as it noticeably impacts the character's quality of life. Both continuously (he mentions, for example, sleep problems/insomnia - that clearly stem from his traumatic experiences) and at specific moments (like that time he started dissociating in the middle of the battlefield, nearly resulting in him getting killed........)

Propaganda:

Okay, imagine a classical Chinese martial arts story. Young orphan meets a mysterious master, who imparts all his knowledge upon him; the boy trains hard and challenges various villains, until making it all the way to the final boss who was behind everything. Now, imagine if, in the very beginning of this story, the final boss accidentally ran into that mysterious master. And became suspicious of him. And began following him under pretense of falling in love with him at first sight. And then fell for him for real. And then they had adventures and also started co-parenting that young orphan.

THAT is the plot of Tian Ya Ke. And the final boss in question? Well, that's Wen Kexing I'm submitting! And yes, Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu - the aforementioned mysterious master and the main character of TYK - are a canon couple. Wen Kexing in particular is very, ah, out and loud gay. Gay and making it everyone else's problem even. So that's the LGBTQ+ part. (Also they are SUCH a couple. They're so funny! The whole circus! And then they do something and you are like oh yeah right. each of them is a villain of a different story. Good thing they decided to play house instead.) On the disability front, Wen Kexing has mental health stuff - to be specific, complex PTSD with signs of dissociative disorder. I'm not gonna describe his wide array of traumatic experiences on the form because it needs SO many trigger warnings, but the important part is how those impacted him. For example, he mentions having sleep problems/insomnia due to fear. (Which made the fandom lose our shit once we connected it to the earlier moment where he, in a vulnerable state, drags himself to Zhou Zishu's side and falls asleep on his lap. The! Trust! That! Shows!) He also dissociates frequently when thinking/talking about his initial traumatic event. Which is my favorite part of the portrayal of his PTSD because... you know how there's this trend in media with superpowers/magic when the character's trauma response is portrayed through their powers, like their powers going out of control? And TYK went 'yeah, no, when /our/ OP final boss has a ptsd flare up, he just dissociates like a normal person'. (and I, a normal person who also copes by dissociating, was like 'i owe u my life'.) Also, I think it's great that not all of his episodes are plot relevant. Like, in four out of five cases it's just something that happens (the narration / pov character makes note of it), and then the scene moves on - so it feels like a feature of his character, as opposed to a plot devise for creating situations. And the one case where it does happen in an action moment - when Wen Kexing gets revenge on the person responsible for his initial trauma and promptly starts dissociating in the middle of the battlefield, and someone else has to step in to prevent him from getting killed by other enemies - kinda highlights the disability aspect, imo. Like, it shows that PTSD creates barriers for him where a person without it wouldn't have any.

Anything Else?:

1. It's a Chinese novel, so character names are written down with surname first. So Wen Kexing = surname Wen + given name Kexing. 2. There's a live action adaptation of this novel, called Shan He Ling / Word of Honor, but it's uh. well. The portrayal of Wen Kexing's trauma and PTSD in it is. Bad. 'Completely butchered everything I thought was refreshing about it in the novel' bad. (please understand i hate everything about the adaptation and am barely refraining from infodumping about how much I deplore it here) So if WKX makes it into the tournament and none of the images I sent work for u, pls at least don't use the live-action version? He is practically a different character there!

[euphoricfilter]

Star girl || JJK ~ teaser

Pairing: Jungkook x F. Reader ~ ‘Stardust’ couple

Genre: Fluff || Angst || Smut || Established Relationship || Non-idol au

Summary: Sometimes life just feels like too much, where the solace of the night no longer feels as healing as it once was. Luckily Jungkook is there when everything feels like too much.

Tags/ warnings: fluff, angst, unhealthy habits, boyfriend kook is there to make everything feel better, smut in the forms of: unprotected sex (don’t be stupid, this is fiction), holding hands during sex :(, it’s all just very soft and healing, creampie

Notes: this is part of the ‘Stardust’ universe, however it can be read as a standalone.

✯ ✯ ✯

You’d always believed the night to be cathartic, something almost healing about simply living while people slept. Expectations washed away of an evening with a shower, dampened mood sated with soft sheets and far fetched dreams.

Where the moon was your only friend, no words needed between the two of you, as you simply lived among the stars. Street lamps bleeding muted orange light into your room, curtains pushed open so you could watch the world and wonder what it be like to explore the milky way.

It’s daunting how catharsis can mutate into something a little more wretched. How loneliness can creep up on you, how it lurks in the shadows during the day— following you with silent footsteps. How it slowly consumes a little more of you with each passing night. How you don’t seem to notice the clouds that take over the sky, how the stars in your universe don’t seem to shine as bright as they once were.

You don’t miss the jingle of keys outside your door, nor do you make any move to sit up when you hear your boyfriend milling through your apartment in search for you. You’d have felt an ounce of shame if Jungkook hadn’t seen what can happen when you get into a bit of a tizz, locking yourself away so you didn’t have to be a functioning member of society.

“Oh, pretty thing” Jungkook coos, bed dipping under his weight as he sits by your feet. Gentle not to startle you.

You pull the duvet down under your chin, “Kook?” you murmur, watching his lips tug up into a soft smile; a look of understanding washing over his features.

“Hey, baby. You doing okay?” a silly question on his part, but at least he knew you were alive.

You nod, albeit hesitant. “Why are you here?” you murmur, eyebrows creasing.

“You haven’t answered any of my calls, I was worried” his hands finds their way to your thigh, touch ever so soft.

Your gaze flickers over to your phone, pulling your arm from under the cocoon of your blanket you tap on the screen, “It must have died, I didn’t notice. Sorry” you turn your attention back to your boyfriend.

“How about we get you washed, and then I’ll cook us something yummy?” he offers.

You throw the blanket back over your head at the sound of running water. Jungkook’s voice echoing throughout your bathroom as he hums a song he’d probably been listening to on his way over to your place.

“Come on” Jungkook tugs the blanket from your body, and goosebumps raise up the skin of your arms.

“Why are you shirtless?” you frown, fingers skimming the edge of your blanket.

“We’re taking a bath together. I put extra bubbles, just for you”

Release date: Sunday 29th January @ 11pm China standard time

Star girl can be read here

[quitealotofsodapop]

Just realised that in developing my "Luier is revived part-monkey" idea for Monkey King: Hero is Back, most demons/figures wouldn't understand that Liuer isn't Dasheng's kid. Or even Silly Girl for that matter if he has to take care of her for a while.

A little dude chattering away about tales of the past while holding onto Dasheng's hand. Plus a baby girl strapped to either of their backs giggling away. And Dasheng just handling both like he would an infant monkey back home.

I can imagine certain scenarios like this occurring whenever Dasheng tries to "act human" around Chang'an;

Merchant: "Oh! He's adorable! But why is his head shaved?"* Dasheng: "Huh? Oh, he wants to be a monk. It looks a bit uneven at the moment cus of the fuzz. Might take him to the barber to get it fixed up." Merchant: "So open minded! You must so proud of him for following the sutras!" Dasheng: "I am." *takes groceries* "Thanks." Merchant: "And here's a piece of fruit for the monk-in-training!" Liuer: "Thank you ma'am!" (As Dasheng and the kiddos move on, the monkey king overhears some gossip...) Merchant 1#: "Such a good father!" Merchant 2#: "I wonder if he's a widower? I haven't seen a wife around." Customer: "Even with the unruly hair, he's raising his son to be so polite to his elders." Merchant 1#: "And he's so attentive to his little girl! What I wouldn't give for a husband like that!" Dasheng, realising his dad-energy: "HUH?!"

(*it was considered impolite to shave your head in ancient china cus your hair/body was considered a gift from your parents. Unless you were a monk.)

He runs to Fa Ming afterwards asking for advice and Why. Fa Ming just laughs, as he's always been seen as Liuer's sifu/"grandfather", so the sudden appearance of a "handsome tall man" taking such interest in the boy's future = townsfolk thinking Dasheng is Liuer's dad. Even if he explains that Silly Girl is only with them temporarily, this just makes people think she's his niece. Doesn't happen to Pigsy/Zhu Bajie as often. That pig-man exudes "uncle energy".

Soon you have demons specifically trying to abduct Liuer since he's "The Monkey King's kid" - the human rumor mill reaching the demon world.

And of course when Dasheng makes it home to Flower Fruit Mountain, he's annoyed (secretly proud) to hear his subjects refer to Liuer as their prince, no matter how un-monkey like he is.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Mark Sumner at Daily Kos:

Republicans have wasted so much: It’s not just the carloads of “Let’s Go Brandon!” merch now on its way to landfills, it’s a huge amount of time and money that is owed directly to Americans. As soon as they gained a small majority—and once they were past the first round of follies in naming a speaker—Republicans got right on their No. 1 priority.

That priority wasn’t passing legislation to help people. They've been one of the least effective Congress in history. Instead, they jumped right into the most important task of all modern Republicans: Showing their loyalty to Donald Trump by launching unfounded attacks on his opponents.  In the House, that meant not one, not two, but three simultaneous investigations into everything Biden. A car loan, his son's private parts, anything was fodder for a mill meant to crank out a never-ending stream of Biden "scandal." All of this is completely worthless to the country. Now it’s not even useful to Trump.

The Republican grovel fest, headed up by Reps. James Comer and Jim Jordan, was ridiculous from the outset.  There was the fake FBI document produced by a Russian mole whose repeated claims were originally pushed in 2019 by Rudy Giuliani and were debunked almost as soon as they appeared. That hasn’t stopped Jordan from repeating these easily disproved lies and pretending to seriously investigate Biden’s actions in helping to get rid of a corrupt official.  Meanwhile, Comer was busy trying to prove that Biden was the recipient of money from China, talking up a witness who could prove everything if Republicans could find him. Comer went after Hunter Biden for paying back a small loan when Biden wasn’t even in office. Then there was a small personal loan to his brother, also while Biden wasn’t in office. In the end, they turned on Attorney General Merrick Garland when they could find no reason to impeach Biden.  That was the biggest problem for these Republicans: Biden hadn't done anything wrong. But that didn't stop them from crowing over every false claim as if it were proof that Biden was the godfather of the "Biden crime family." A crime family that is somehow so huge and corrupt and has netted Biden a beach home that isn’t even on the beach rather than towers full of golden targets. 

The House Republicans wasted a bunch of money and time on conducting bogus partisan witch hunts against President Joe Biden to try to find something on him. They came up with bupkis.

[alittlextrathatway]

Line: "I never would've known from that look on your face." Location: incident scene

So for this one I’ve decided to do a continuation of the slight AU universe where Sylvie works at 40. You can find part 1 here.

Okay here we go.

Btw, this AU branched off from the S2/S3 apartment fire. Neither Shay nor Gabby died. Gabby went to 105 to be their candidate and then bounced around different houses as a firefighter, never coming back to 51. Eventually, she and Matt flamed out before ever walking down the aisle. Shay became PIC on 61 and Mills became her partner in S3 and the partner rotation since has been the same. Just with Shay instead of Sylvie.

***

Matt Casey is not a texter. Anyone at 51 could attest to that. He never responds to anything in the group chat unless someone, probably Kidd or Mikami, tags him a million times. But for Sylvie Brett, he’ll text.

Texting back and forth with her has been the highlight of his day for the last week. They haven’t been able to schedule a drink yet. His construction jobs have gotten in the way and she’s had to pull back to back doubles since the PIC on first watch is out sick. It sucks but he gets it. He’s been there too. Her firehouse needs her, so she shows up. He respects that.

The lack of a date in his schedule hasn’t dampened his spirits though and everyone at 51 has noticed.

“Man, the smiling has got to stop,” Severide tells him as they’re leaving Boden’s office. “You’re freaking me out.”

He intends to defend himself but his phone buzzes in his jacket pocket, distracting him. Checking his texts immediately, he chuckles at a goofy meme Sylvie sent him.

“Jesus, you’re whipped.”

His head snaps up at the sound of the smirk in his best friend’s voice. “What, like you’re not? Remind me, what show do you happily binge with Kidd until her heart’s content now?”

“The Bachelor is actually freaking hilarious.”

“Uh huh, sure.”

“So, when are you actually going to go on a date with this girl?”

“Whenever the medic she’s covering for comes back, I guess. Or whenever I finish this bathroom I’m remodeling. Whichever comes first.” There was an instant connection between him and Sylvie which makes being unable to move forward that much more frustrating. He knows it shows in his voice.

“You know, if your girl needs help handling some of those doubles I’m sure Shay could use the overtime,” Severide suggests, referring to their PIC on 61.

It’s an interesting idea. One he might propose to Sylvie if they can’t work out a date by the end of next week. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

They’re making their way to the apparatus floor, intending to climb up on the roof and enjoy a couple of cigars, but the bells go off first. It’s an all respond to an apartment fire at a building not far from them. Casey thinks nothing of it as the rigs set off for the scene. He doesn’t get nervous until he pulls up and sees Ambo 36 parked along the sidewalk, no medics in sight.

Dispatch didn’t mention anyone else on scene. He radios it in and the response comes back that 36 was there for a non-emergency wellness check when they noticed the flames and called it in.

“36, this is Captain Casey from Truck 81, do you copy?” As the silence lingers his anxiety increases. This can’t be good. “36, do you copy?”

“Copy!” He swears a medics voice has never been more beautiful in that moment than Sylvie’s. “But we’ve got a man trapped under a toppled china cabinet. We’re gonna need an assist.”

Currently Matt can see the flames through a window on the bottom right, most likely it started in the basement and spread to the first floor. They have some time. Not much, but some. “Alright, we’re coming to you. Location?”

She gives him the floor and the apartment number and then Matt begins directing the scene. Engine’s assigned to knocking down the flames with the hoses while Truck evacuates everyone else and Squad follows him to assist 36.

When they arrive at the second floor corner apartment they find Sylvie and her partner, kneeling next to the man. Well, kneeling isn’t the right word. Kneeling implies Sylvie took a knee. But really, she’s laying down on her stomach next to the victim, speaking softly and keeping him calm — broken dishes and glass all around her.

“Would you look at that? I told you help would be here in plenty of time, didn’t I? Just stay calm for me for a few more moments, okay?”

She looks as if she’s perfectly at home in the moment. Her face is as serene as ever. It’s reassuring. To the point that he almost forgets they’re there to fight a rapidly growing fire.

“Brett, what do we got?” He asks.

“Mr. Albie tried to move his antique china cabinet all by himself and had a bit of a misstep,” she explains, lowering her voice as she continues to keep the patient from hearing. “He’s managed to keep it from pressing on his chest by pushing against it with his hands but if he gets tired or this building shifts at all then—“

“We’re looking at potential suffocation,” Casey finishes for her, nodding crisply. “Got it. We’ll take it from here, 36 can go.”

“I’ll send Mackey out, but I’m staying. I’ve managed to keep him motivated and calm so far and not that I don’t believe in your bedside manner skills, Captain,” she says, flashing him a brief flirtatious smile. “But he trusts me. I can keep him from panicking.”

“Brett, there’s a fire headed this way. I can’t have anyone in the building without the proper gear—“

“Sylvie?” Mr. Albie calls out nervous, cabinet shaking precariously. Severide winces at the wobble. “Everything alright?”

“Everything’s just fine. These guys are gonna have you out in no time,” she promises. The shaking stops.

Of course it stops. He huffs in frustration and then nods at Sylvie. Severide shrugs as if to say he’s fine with it if Brett is and then gets to work.

“Mackey,” Sylvie orders. “Go to the rig, get the stretcher and c-collar ready, but stay with the ambo. Got it?”

“Got it,” Mackey replies, hesitantly letting Tony show her out.

Sylvie rushes back to her spot on the floor as soon as Mackey’a gone. Matt tenses as she crawls through shards of glass and porcelain. “Be careful, Brett.”

He has no idea if she hears him. She just plows on through. Squad works around her to leverage the cabinet up enough to drag him out. Tony comes back without Mackey, but with a backboard. They all work together to secure Mr. Albie on the board and squad carries him out.

Just as Matt’s about to reach for Sylvie’s arm and drag her out of the building, the floor begins to creak underneath their feet. He knows exactly what that means and how little time they have. He grabs Sylvie around the waist and yanks her forward, propelling them both toward the door in a literal leap of faith.

He lands on his back in the hallway, with Sylvie pressed protectively to his chest, mere seconds before the floorboards give way and collapse into the inferno on the level below them.

“Oh my god,” Sylvie says, glancing back at the gaping hole that nearly swallowed them up.

“Come on,” Matt says shifting her off of him and helping her to her feet. “We gotta get you out of here.”

They sprint down the fire exit stairs and out the front door, with his arm around her and her face tucked into his neck to shield her from potential smoke inhalation. Finally, they reach 36, looking sooty and singed from their treacherous run, but alive.

Without missing a beat, Sylvie slips back into her PIC role. She directs Mackey in what they need and what to do and then he and Severide help them load the stretcher into the back of the ambo. The back doors close while Mackey hurries to the driver’s seat. He pats the back twice, letting Mackey know it’s safe and then Sylvie’s gone again — as if it’s any old call and they didn’t narrowly escape death minutes ago.

This is his first time really seeing Sylvie Brett in action. He asked around about her immediately after they exchanged numbers. Back then he wasn’t sure about Shay’s description of her as a “stone cold slayer” but now he understands. And it’s impressive as hell.

He texts her when they finish overhaul and get back to the firehouse. “We’re setting a definite day for our date, sooner rather than later. Today was too close a call to let the what-if hang out there any longer. By the way, you terrified and amazed me on that call today. We should work together more often.”

Her reply comes almost instantly. “I swear sometimes it’s like you’re reading my mind. Shay reached out to cover the next first shift for me. How’s tomorrow night? Does that work for you?” The three dots undulate for another few seconds before a second text bubble comes through. “And thank you. I don’t know about being amazing. I was definitely terrified. Thank goodness we seem to make a pretty good team because you saved my butt out there today! You were unbelievably heroic.”

If she was terrified, she never once showed it. He’s fascinated by her ability to stay cool and think on her feet. They have so much to talk about on their date. He sends back a yes and a thank you. “If we make a good team now, imagine how much more in sync we’ll be after we know each other better.”

“I’m not sure the world is ready for that,” she replies with an accompanying winking emoji.

Maybe the world isn’t, be he definitely is.

[shewholovestoread]

GYEONGSEONG CREATURE PART 1 - THE OVERVIEW (PART 1 OF 2)

Good news: I finished Gyeongseong Creature Part 1 last night, in one sitting.

Bad news: Now I have to wait till the 5th of January for the remaining episodes.

Plot: Based in Korea in the 1940s while it struggles under the Japanese occupation, a group of people enter a hospital to look for someone only to discover that a missing person is the least of their concerns with a literal monster on the rampage.

Cast: Park Seo-joon, Han So-hee, Wi Ha-joon, Kim Soo-hyun (Claudia Kim), Jo Han-chul, Kim Hae-sook, Ji Woo, Im Chul-soo, Choi Young-joon

The Overview

I went into this show pretty blind outside of the basic gist of the plot, I expected a run-of-the-mill creature feature and the show definitely delivers in that respect but it also gives us characters worth rooting for even if they don't always agree with each other and strong and complex women across the spectrum.

I know there are some who are a little annoyed about the shorter season (10 episodes instead of the usual 16-episode season) and while I understand the frustration, I think the shorter season was the only way to handle a story like this.

Another thing that is a little frustrating is the decision to split the season into 2 parts, so part 1 dropped with 7 episodes and the remaining 3 episodes will drop on the 5th of January. I knew about the split going into part 1 and.... I don't hate it. The way part 1 ends makes it bearable. It's not quite a cliffhanger (on the cliffhanger scale, this was positively kind) And that way I can do a full rewatch and then watch part 2, making it a more complete experience.

There is no respite in this show, once the story gets going and it gets going pretty quickly, there is no break in the tension. There are no filler episodes. The pace is also consistent throughout all 7 episodes, so it feels more like a very long, stressful film instead of a 7-episode show and I think that works in its favour.

The narrative is also very streamlined, we have very clear narrative arcs that we're following. The first episode opening voice over can be a little tedious but this is an original show (as in not based on a webcomic), so I could deal with that. The writer has done a great job balancing the time they spend with the people inside the hospital and those outside, coupled with competing motives even when people are seemingly on the same side. And the fact that all of this easy to follow is no small feat. This is one of the tightest, most cohesive shows I've seen in a while.

Gyeongseong Creature has one of the most visually striking opening credits and it's worth paying attention to. Outside of the visual appeal, there are a lot of clues/foreshadowing to be found there. The credits also add to the unsettling atmosphere of the show. 10/10.

The show takes place in Korea under the brutal Japanese occupation. I suggest paying attention to the language the characters use (Korean vs Japanese) because it can really give you insight about the character or the context of the conversation. When you're watching the show, there are conversations, where if you're not paying attention, you won't understand why the atmosphere is so charged. To live in a place, where the mere act of speaking in your own language could mean getting brutally beaten became an act of rebellion. It adds a whole other level of nuance and I loved that.

The show also doesn't shy away from the cruelty of the Japanese occupation, the sheer callous way that the local population was treated. It also brings in the medical experiments that the Japanese scientists conducted on the local people (both in China and Korea) Their attitude is perhaps the most chilling (I was cheering when the monster got loose)

It also makes you question who the monster actually is, the literal monster (the person who was turned without their consent) or the people facilitating this, the ones conducting these 'experiments'. Everyone from children to old people were fair game in their twisted quest for progress.

More in Part 2.