#definitely not ALL artists. but how many artists since hmm 2013 do you think this applies to?

[yatiso]

Hey I was just peaking at the reblogs for my addition bc I did not expect it to pick up any kind of traction but then it did dhjsks anyways I want to clarify that when i said its not the artists fault what I meant (and didnt say bc I felt it was a whole other discussion oops thats on me) is that its the labels fault. Recording labels are notoriously nefarious in how they exploit artists and i didnt wanna blame all artists for that (tho some are def part of the problem as a whole they are not imo). I hope that clears things up and I enjoyed reading ur thoughts!!!

omg when i was typin up those tags i was literally hoping op wouldnt read bc it came off so cunty >~< im not upset at you im just really passionate! record labels ARE notoriously horrible but i rlly feel like if an artist has a backbone they can figure out SOMETHING ya know! is a painter a painter if they only paint what and how and when theyre told to? is an ai algorithm that produces something that makes u think of a painting based on what you feed it a painter? no! it might be interesting, might be cool— but theres no substance to it, intrinsically— the art aspect would come from the person putting in the keywords or the viewer (art is in the eye of the beholder, but art isnt art without some sort of soul.) would u want to only see ai paintings forever? would you get bored with meaning strictly coming from how you perceive it and knowing that thats the case? or would you start to crave something created by a real person? record labels are horrible and theyre seemingly doing just that with music! but i feel like if its not common knowledge that record labels are rancid rotten… then im not sure what is! i think with such an in flux of Artists that are more Face than talent, and with Influencer becoming a dream job for every one their kids and their mom, if someone that is Not an artist decides to try make it big as a musician for fame (or sells out for the maintenance/continual acquisition of fame) then i think theyre also to blame and theyre gonna get (and according to the streams, are getting) whats coming to them ya kno. (note that im not saying Bad Artists, music is subjective but i think its very easy for ppl to recognize on some bare minimum level when someone famous/trendy that puts music out that doesnt have a musical bone in their body, or a vision/idea to express truly) like its late and ive been up since 6 am so im passionate but the adderall is wearing off so im not sure how much sense this makes, but an artist, i feel regardless of most situations, is responsible for what they put out, especially with how easy it is to do the work of a record label pretty much on your own now.

[ineffablefool]

Some meditations on being a fat human being, in the era of Good Omens series fandom.  Not n//sf/w, really (hi my name is Jack I’m ace and supremely uninterested in sexytimes), but really personal and also long, so I’ll stick it behind a readmore.  I suppose if another fat human being had thoughts they wanted to tack on, they could reblog to do so, but I don’t expect this to be a particularly rebloggable thing.  Just thinkin’ out loud (via clickety fingies).

I have been... okay, more or less, with how my body looks, for a while.  (Minus all the things about it that make me get “she” and “her” and “ma’am” everywhere I go, with exactly three glorious exceptions in the ~4 years since I realized that those weren’t right.  That is a whole ‘nother bucket of bears.)  I’ve been on Tumblr over on my main account since 2013, and the entire time I’ve been immersing myself in fat positivity and in fat activism by wonderful accounts like ok2befat and bigfatscience and thisisthinprivilege.  So I’ve been basically okay. 

It sucks how hard it is to find clothing that I like which doesn’t completely exclude my particular set of proportions.  It sucks that my saint of a boss had to literally fight our HR department to change the company policy on flights for business, because the previous policy would have forced me to fly 18 hours in an economy-class seat much smaller than I am when I visit India in a couple months.  It sucks that my body is still the “oh, is this disgusting thing a dealbreaker for you” question on dating websites, and that it’s still the butt of every third Trump joke.  It sucks.  But I’ve gotten better over the years at the skill of seeing my body as not the problem, but an innocent bystander in everyone else’s bullshit.  Clothing and plane seats and humor don’t spring from the earth to be harvested and consumed raw.  People decide how to make them.  People can decide differently.

Anyway.  I’ve been pretty much okay with Body.  Body’s fine.  It’s a good pal.  It gets me where I need to be, and it lets me run around in little circles pretending to be an airplane when I’m bored.  I spend some time with it in partial states of undress now and then (I’m too much of a germaphobe to ever be a naturist, let’s put it that way), just so I can keep myself familiar with what it really looks like.  Y’know how the horror movie monster is really scary up until they actually show it?  Same thing, except fewer blood squibs.

But here’s all this Good Omens stuff.

A lot of the fandom has embraced the slight pudginess of Michael Sheen’s Aziraphale, and a lot of artists are putting that into their work.  And a blessed wonderful few aren’t stopping there.  They’re drawing Aziraphales that are more than just a tiny bit pudgy, sometimes that are just plain fat, unquestionably, not just “a little larger than the very thin rendition of Crowley” or “wearing a lot of layers” or “the clothes are just cut that way”.  Really, really adorable renditions of fat angels who are clearly loveable and clearly loved because look, the artist drew them together, Crowley is right there and he doesn’t have that look on his face by accident.

(There are book renditions floating around too where people have headcanoned a fatter Aziraphale, but I’m still talking miniseries right now.  Also, there are plenty of sort of... cartoony/stylized/silly renditions out there with fatter Aziraphales, but I’m not really talking about those either.  There’s a sort of area of artwork where the style or the scene being depicted is such that my brain is surprised when any of the characters is fat, because this is a pretty drawing of two people kissing or whatever and therefore obviously they have to both be thin.  Obviously.  Internalized fatphobia nonsense.  But that’s the kind of artwork I’m thinking when I type all these zillions of words.)

And that’s a choice, to say “I’m an artist and I’m going to draw this character who is worth being the recipient of a 6000-year-long love, and that character is fat, and that’s just how it is”.  And to keep doing it in one piece of art after the other.

speremint was the first artist I noticed doing this, drawing an Aziraphale who is loved by Crowley (the sacred apple tree art still cracks me up, poor Crowley) and who is definitely fat and who is adorable, and if you’ve read the notes on any of my fics you know that she singlehandedly changed how I picture my headcanon’d Aziraphale.  Then I discovered that dotstronaut and lonicera-caprifolium and toastedbuckwheat are out there too, giving me lovely art to shove into my eyeballs and extend my lifespan potentially indefinitely.  I bet there’s more I haven’t noticed yet.  I want there to be like a hundred more I haven’t noticed yet.

And this all ticks over into the second half of what’s apparently a manifesto at this point, boy it’s a good thing I’m a fast typist, which is the fact that in addition to being a fat human, I am also romantically and aesthetically attracted to fat humans.  It’s something I’ve pretty much literally had no opportunity to ever express, because in my Real Life I don’t really admit to having feelings per se and also I am... not the type of human who is the recipient of romantic thoughts from others.  Or who would ever act on my own unless the other party said something first.  (Which nobody ever has since 2006, you guys.  Supremely not the recipient of romance over here.)

So there’s this fandom environment where a fat character is being celebrated and loved, and I started writing fanfiction for the first time this century, and all of a sudden there’s a place for me to express feelings that I’ve been sitting on since I finally realized in about 2001 what it was about that one guy in high school that made me want to hug him, even though I also couldn’t stand his attitude.

Going through my fics from oldest to most recent, it is clear that I am getting more and more comfortable with that expression.  It’s getting ridiculous.  At this rate, in three weeks’ time I’m just going to be writing “Aziraphale is fat and beautiful and I just want to cuddle his belly forever” over and over again for five thousand words at a stretch.

But that means Brain is thinking a lot about how Aziraphale is fat, and beautiful, and perfect exactly how he is.  And then Brain looks down at Body and is like “hmm.  Same hat.  ineffablefool is fat too.  Therefore, [insert math lady meme here]”.  And I will be, like, “okay, so if Crowley were to put his hand on Aziraphale’s belly, what would that feel or look like?  How would his internal narration describe it?  Well, there’s a belly right here, let’s do some science.”  And then the thoughts that I start associating with the experience of my own body are completely good thoughts, all of them, because they’re going to be going in Crowley’s head.  And my written Crowley is never going to be anything other than madly in asexual romantic love with my written Aziraphale, and is never going to see him as anything other than perfect, physically, no matter what he looks like.

And it’s just being a really good positive feedback mechanism, I guess is the tl;dr version.  External validation (via art, via others’ fics, via comments on my own fics, btw if you’ve left any of those then you are also helping extend my lifespan, especially the people who come back to comment on each new story, yes I recognize you and I do a little happy dance every time a familiar name pops up, please rejoin me on Monday I’m going to post my dickwheelie letters fic) is all well and good.  But the mental loop of “own body can be used for realistic descriptions of a fat body -> descriptions based on own body are all lovingly positive -> own body is therefore described by self as lovingly positive” is... it’s nice, is what I’m saying.  It’s very nice.  Last week I expressed, out loud in a group of coworkers, my desire that something be more size-inclusive.  Do you even know how many deaths I would once have suffered rather than say something like that in mixed company.  But why shouldn’t I say it!  There’s nothing wrong with my being fat!  In fact, it’s within the realm of possibility to see it as a positive thing, so let’s just all admit that we have eyes and then move on!  Geez!

So those are some of my thoughts on being a fat human being, in the era of Good Omens series fandom.

now if I can just score a hot fat ace Ineffable Significant Other out of this fandom, I’ll be set

[crazynconfused]

50 question tag

50 question tag

I was tagged by @naturalbornlosr thanks bb!

1. What takes up too much of your time?

Sleeping and my phone/computer

2. What makes your day better?

Sleeping enough, good food, seeing my friends

3. What’s the best thing to happen to you today?

I finally used the outdoor pool at my apartment with my friend

4. What fictional place would you go to?

That’s hella hard, okay def hogwarts

5. Are you good at giving advice?

I’d like to think so, but who knows

6. Do you have a mental illness?

Yeah, some

7. Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis?

Nope.

8. What musician inspired you the most?

Honestly that’s hella hard, there are a lot that inspired me in different ways

9. Have you ever fallen in love?

Yes.

10. What’s your dream date?

Honestly something exciting and an experience, like an amusement park or something

11. What do others notice about you?

Umm good question. Yo friend hit me up with answers.

12. What’s an annoying habit you have?

Bro who knows, maybe when I do what I wanted to begin with instead of following advice cause I’m hella stubborn

13. Do you still talk to your first love?

lol no boy can stay the hella away

14. How many exes do you have?

Okay I think like 11 but honestly took me sometime to count that

15. How many songs are in your playlist?

Okay my current April playlist have 30

16. What instruments can you play?

Ummm the flute... lol

17. What do you have the most pictures off?

Probably fashion, or things for mood boards 😂

18. Where you like to go before you die?

I definitely want to go to every continent, but right now the Thailand, the UK, Korea are my #1 places

19. What’s your zodiac sign?

Taurus Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Capricorn Rising

20. Do you relate to it?

Yup, I think so

21. What is happiness to you?

Having people you love who love you back, while also being being happy with who you are and what you’ve accomplished as well as being able to travel and experience the world.

22. Are you going through anything right now?

I always am, no but seriously hella stressed with college and everything else so yeah

23. What’s the worse decision you’ve ever made?

Honestly this is impossible to answer cause there’s too many

24. What’s your favorite store?

Ummm Sephora??? I’m a skincare/makeup slut

25. What’s your opinion about aboration?

That I should be the only one to have an opinion on what to do with my body... so pro choice

26. Do you have a bucket list?

Yes, the real question is do I ever follow through with any of the things on them

27. Do you have a favorite album?

Honestly I can’t pick one, I like so many different albums and artists

28. What do you want for your birthday?

To be able to see my friends and family... and a full night of sleep and good food

29. What are most people’s first impression of you?

Honestly all of my friends told me they were intimidated when they first met me, except @naturalbornlosr who thinks I’m a baby

30. What age do you seem according to most people?

Since I was like 12 everyone has thought I was like 21 and still do

31. Where do you keep your phone when you’re sleeping?

On my nightstand next to my bed.

32. What word do you say the most?

Bitch, honestly, and probably something else but I don’t remember

33. What’s the oldest age you would date?

Maybe like 29

34. What’s the youngest age you would date?

18

35. What job/career do most people say would suit you?

Ummm I have no clue, my friends said fashion designer, and I’ve heard lawyer but I think that’s it

36. What’s your favorite music genre?

I don’t really have one, I listen to any music. But I do love some hype shit

37. If you could live in any country in the world, where would it be?

Hmm probably Korea or Britain or France.

38. What is your current favorite song?

Currently feeling Pallette by IU and Dally by Hyolyn. And honestly can’t think of an all time fav.

39. How long have you had this blog for?

Since like 2013 or 2014??

40. What are you excited for?

To be able to go back home from college

41. Are you a better talker or listener?

I think I’m good at both, however my add suddenly full on kicks in when listen and suddenly I don’t here half of it. But I will talk my ass off

42. What is the last productive thing you did?

Studied for the exam I had today

43. What do you want for Christmas?

For there actually to be snow

44. What class do you get the best grade in?

Like history kinda stuff, or my criminal justices classes for my major

45. On a scale of 1-10, how are you feeling right now?

Like 5 because I swear I won’t live till the end of the semester and I need sleep man

46. What can you see yourself doing in ten years?

Hopefully an actual lawyer and living in a forge in country and finically stable and maybe a serious relationship

47. When do you experience your first heartbreak?

Like 8th grade??

48. What age do you want to get married?

No earlier than 30, I think. I’m a hella commitment phob

49. What career did you want to have as a child?

My serious career dream was a pediatrician and my secret dream career was being a singer/actor

50. What do you crave right now?

Sleep & home

I’m gonna tag @cozy-hobi @moonwa1k3r @pietgoldau-blog and anyone who wants to do it

[nitaescence]

The Return of Superman - SJ

BTS members as fathers in The Return of Superman show

Jin x Reader Genre : Fluff Word Count : 2377

Author’s Note -

It includes interviews and shootings.

*…* : sentences edited on the final images.

Bold : cameras’ position in the house or outside.

Italics : dialogues.

/…/ : Time.

(…) : Sound effects.

[…] : camera movements

You Can Do It

Building

*Sun is rising in Seoul*

Kitchen/Living-room

*It seems like there isn’t a speck of dust. The residents are great at keeping a house.*

[Tilt - Dishes/ Furnitures] *All those pink things, is it a daughter? This place is very cute. Who is the family that lives is the lovely house?*

[Hourglass] *Even this is pink.*(laughs)

/8:57 AM/

Kitchen

*Someone is cooking alone*

[zoom] *Vocal singer, Kim Seok Jin*(amazement)

Seok Jin - Hello! I’m a father of two little girls and husband of Y/N. I’m singer Jin. Please look favorably on me. He bows

*He debuted as vocal member in the K-Pop group BTS in 2013. He was loved as the one who took good care of his members. He became an actor in 2021 and is currently in a drama that gets 57% of viewer ratings. [footage of him acting] He won several awards [footage of him receiving prizes]*

Seok Jin cuts some onions as he closes his eyes. [zoom] *It stings* He prepares several dishes in record time and sets the table.(amazement) *what a lovely husband* Once he is done, he goes out of the kitchen.

Hallway

Seok Jin opens very gently one of the doors and takes a look inside.

Children’s room

*His daughters are still asleep*(aww)

He closes the door without a sound and moves to the next one.

Parents’ room

He goes inside and sits gently next to the person lying down. *He wakes gently his wife.* He strokes her back and leans his head down next to her ear.

Y/N… You need to wake up if you don’t want to get late.

Y/N gently wiggles out and suddenly turns on her back, sending her arm across her husband’s face. *That must have hurt* (laughs)

Oh! You want to fight this early in the morning? He asks her holding his hand to his cheek faking being hurt. They both laugh and he stands up.

Don’t fall back to sleep.

She whines and reluctantly sits up still dazed. (laughs)

Kitchen

Seok Jin decides to wash the dishes, waiting for as you get get ready. 

/9:26 AM/

Y/N appears walking to the kitchen. [slow motion] *She looks so gorgeous* You sit down facing your husband who smiles at you from the kitchen. He dries the last plate and joins you.

Y/N - Hello. My name is Y/N and I’m Kim Seok Jin’s wife. We are the parents of Jin Ae and Sun Hee. 

*[footage of your wedding/family pictures] Seok Jin and Y/N got married in 2022 and had Jin Ae, their first daughter, few months later. Their second daughter, Sun Hee, was born two years later.*(amazement)

Y/N - Jin Ae was born prematurely and only weighed 2.45 kg but when she was around hundred days… [zoom] she’s been in top tenth percentile in weight. (laughs)

Seok Jin - I can definitely say that she inherited this from me. 

[Footage of six month-old Jin Ae] Seok Jin’s voice-over : Jin Ae-ah! You just ate. That’s enough. [second footage] Y/N’s voice-over : You’ll eat this when you’re a bit older. Jin Ae whines and makes a cute sad face. (aww)

Seok Jin - I feel like Sun Hee has more of an artistic side to her as she really enjoys any types of music. [footage of Sun Hee dancing very enthusiastically] She also loves to mimics Jin Ae. 

[Footage of four year-old Jin Ae and two year-old Sun Hee] Jin Ae is running and jumping in their living-room and Sun Hee follows her, trying to do the same things her sister does. *They seem very close.*

Seok Jin - I’ve always imagined having boys at first but I’m glad I got two really beautiful little girls.

[zoom on Seok Jin face] He looks past the cameras.

Y/N in the distance - Don’t forget about me! (laughs)

Seok Jin - Aigo, how could I forget about my gorgeous wife. (laughs)

Kitchen

The couple is eating.

Hmm! This is so good! She says, shoving big spoons in her mouth.

Of course it is. What did you expect from your handsome husband? He reckoned taking his own chopsticks.

Y/N sends him a little glare making him smile.

Don’t over do it. (laughs)

Since I woke up, all I kept thinking about was the appointment.

I’m sure it’ll be okay. We talked a really long time and explained it to her thoroughly. You even played doctor with her and she promised to be brave.

You really think she won’t make a fuss once we’ll be there.

… No. (laughs)

/10:00 AM/

Y/N leaves the house after she bid him good bye. Seok Jin goes back in the kitchen to proceed on washing the dishes as he heats his daughters’ breakfast.

Children room

A small body wiggles itself out of the warm blankets and goes straight to pull the curtains. [zoom] *four year-old Sun Hee is up before her sister* *Cute bed head* She goes back to her bed to fetch her soft toy. *They both seem inseparable.* (laughs) The vivid sunlights now bathing the girls’ room cause Jin Ae to stir in her bed, trying to avoid them. Sun Hee goes to crouch next to her sister’s bed.

Jin Ae-ah! Wake up! There’s the sun!

Jin Ae turns her head around to face Sun Hee who smiles at her. Jin Ae sits up as her sister comes next to her on the bed. [zoom on Jin Ae’s face] *That reminds us of someone else. [Edited images of Y/N next to Jin Ae] They look the same*(laughs)

Sun Hee starts to jump and soon her sister joins her, both of them laughing and squealing with delight.They notice the small cameras in their rooms and politely bows before them. *Hello cute girls* They also make funny faces and laugh at each other. *Their cry of joy echo in the whole house.*

Kitchen

Seok Jin finishes to set the table and walks to the girls’ room.

Children room

Seok Jin opens the door and sees the girls still jumping in the air. When they notice their father, they smile sheepishly at him and Sun Hee springs out of the bed to greet him. She bumps into his legs, squeezing them in her small arms as she looks at him from below.

You slept well? Make your beds and go wash your face, your breakfast is ready.

He lets the door open and they quickly follows his order. They help each other and once they’re done, they race to the bathroom.

Bathroom

The girls take their small steps and place them in front of the washbasin to clean themselves. Jin Ae playfully throws her sister small droplets of water making her laugh.

Girls, if you’re done, come eat!

They stop playing and leaves the bathroom running. *They’re as fast as light*

Kitchen  

The girls appear when Seok Jin puts the last dish on the table.They bow before the two cameramen in the living-room making their father smile. Jin Ae goes to sit on her respective chair and Seok Jin carries Sun Hee to make her sit next to him.

No! She cries suddenly Sun Hee. 

What is it? He asks startled, still holding her in the air.

I don’t want to sit here.

Where, then?

Next to Jin Ae! *Sun Hee cannot eat if she’s not next to her sister*

Seok Jin puts her down and she goes to sit next to his elder. Sun Hee smiles as she pulls the chair. *Sorry Dad but I prefer my sister more* (laughs)

Seok Jin watches them as they dig in their plates and finds himself to dip into the plates he’s prepared for his daughters. *But Dad you already ate with mom.*(laughs)

Seok Jin is now gazing at Jin Ae. *Dad is deep in thought*

Jin Ae-ah?

Hm. *too focused on the food*

You remember where we’re going later?

Sun Hee looks back and forth between her sister and her father, listening carefully. Jin Ae leans back in her chair, sighing.

Hm?

We’re going to the doctor. She answers, loosing her appetite as she plays with her food.

Seok Jin - It’s been three days since my wife and I noticed that Jin Ae has been having some red spots over her body so we booked an appointment with a doctor.

Seok Jin - I made some research and found out that it might be due to poor blood flow, a bacterial infection or an allergic reaction. I was told that she’ll need a blood test.

/11:59 AM/

Medical practice

*They arrive at the medical practice for Jin Ae’s appointment*

Hello. We have an appointment at 12:00.

Let me check it. What’s the name? asks the receptionist

Kim Jin Ae. replies Seok Jin

The receptionist checks in her computer and shows them the way to the waiting room. The whole time, Jin Ae’s hand never leaves her father’s. *She is anxious* Two minutes later a nurse shows up and asks the family to follow her in his medical practice. She opens the door for them to enter.

Hello, greets the doctor

Hello, says Jin Ae

Sun Hee, say hello, asks her father

Hello. 

Who am I treating today?

Me, says Jin Ae in a small voice as she puts up her hand.

Jin Ae. He gently pushes her daughter to stand next to the doctor.

Jin Ae. Come sit here. The doctor says, patting the big black chair in front of him.

Seok Jin sits down on a chair in front of the doctor’s desk and pulls Sun Hee in-between his legs.

A few days ago, I noticed some red spots on the back of her knees, shoulders and inside her elbows. I’m wondering if it’s some sort of allergic reaction or a disease.

There are many possible causes. Let me check her skin first.

Jin Ae pulls her sleeves up and the doctor examines her different body parts. *The doctor checks her skin*

I can see that her skin is very dry. Dry skin is often the factor of eczema. (amazement)

Eczema?

Yes, the red spots on her body are round and rough, these are often seen as eczema symptoms. Most of the time, it is caused when the air is dry or because of environmental irritant such as soaps. I need a blood test to identify the real causes.

I see. Jin Ae, you heard the doctor. He’ll need a bit of your blood.

He strokes her hair as she looks around, stressed. Sun Hee is busy, playing with the toys present on the doctor’s desk. *She can’t relate to her sister*

Doctor: I won’t be long, I promise.

Jin Ae presses her lips in a thin line, nervously looking at the doctor gestures as he prepares the syringe the nurse’s just gave him.

You can hold your father’s hand, if you want.

I want to do it! Suddenly shouts Sun Hee turning around and dropping the toy cars.

There’s no need to be afraid. It’s no big deal. Sun Hee is here to support you, fosters Seok jin

Jin Ae tightens her grip on her sister hand and Seok Jin wraps both of their hands in his as the doctor ties a knot around Jin Ae’s upper-arm to get her ready for the venipuncture.

You can do it! *Sun Hee reassures Jin Ae* (aww)

Dad. It will hurt. She tempts looking at her arm with a frown on her face.

No,no, inquires Sun Hee

Jin Ae-ah, look at me.Look at me.

Maybe it’ll be better if you turned your head. Look at your dad, adds the doctor

Jin Ae catches a glimpse at the syringe before nuzzling her head against Seok Jin’s arm. She starts to whimper as the needle pierces her skin. Small cries leave her mouth and she shuts her eyes while Seok Jin strokes her face. Sun Hee looks worriedly at her sister, oblivious to Jin Ae’s pain.

Jin Ae-ah, you’re so brave. Right, Sun Hee?

The little girl slowly nods her head, her eyes glued on the doctor’s hand. 

It’s almost done, comments the doctor

Sun Hee, hold her hand tight.

You’ll be fine. asserts Sun Hee

That’s it. adds Seok Jin

Jin Ae’s cries are loud now as she burst into tears.

Just a little bit more.

Don’t cry. The doctor says it’s almost done, informs Sun Hee

Cheer her up Sun Hee. says the doctor

You made it! It’s over! Let’s give her a big hand, suggest her father

Sun Hee claps vigorously and Jin Ae is given a treat by the doctor.

Good job, Jin Ae. I’m proud of you.

Sun Hee watches closely as her sister takes the candy. *Suddenly, she forgot about her sister * (laughs)

You can have some too if you want, smiles the doctor

Sun Hee promptly takes four small candies in her small hand, making her father and the doctor laugh.

Waiting room

It was noting right? Jin Ae-ah! You should never back up in front of hardships. You should face them bravely. remarks Seok Jin as Jin Ae nodds

[zoom on Jin Ae’s relived face]* Jin Ae has been very brave and patient today*

/12:27 PM/

On the street

Seok Jin and the girls are walking holding hands after their visit to the doctor. *The street if full of delicious restaurants*

Because Jin Ae has been very brave, I’ll let you guys eat your favorite meal.

The two girls squeals in delight when they hear their father’s announcement and jumps in the air, grinning from ear to ear. Seok Jin opens the door and they settle down. A waiter soon comes to bring them the restaurant’s menu.

Girls treat yourselves.Today’s your day.

They tell the waiter their final choice and waits for the food.

Please make it tasty! shouts Sun Hee looking at the cooks (laughs)

The table is full of delicious dishes for them to taste. (amazement)  

*[slow motion on Jin Ae’s face] She enjoys her well-deserved meal after overcoming the day’s trial.*

                                                                                                          End of Day 1.

[piamii]

Maybe I, I can never fly 저기 저 꽃잎들처럼 날갤 단 것처럼은 안 돼 Maybe I, I can’t touch the sky 그래도 손 뻗고 싶어 달려보고 싶어 조금 더이 어둠 속을 그냥 걷고 또 걷고 있어 행복했던 시간들이 내게 물었어 너 넌 정말 괜찮은 거냐고 Oh no 난 대답했어 아니 나는 너무 무서워 그래도 여섯 송이 꽃을 손에 꼭 쥐고 나 난 걷고 있을 뿐이라고 Oh no But it’s my fate It’s my fate 그래도 발버둥치고 싶어

Maybe I, I can never fly I can’t fly like the flower petals over there Or as though I have wings Maybe I, I can’t touch the sky Still, I want to stretch my hand out I want to run, just a bit more

I’m just walking and walking, among this darkness My happy times asked me this question You, are you really okay, it asked me Oh no I replied, no, I’m so afraid Still, I hold the 6 flowers tightly in my hands I, I’m just walking, I said Oh no

But it’s my fate It’s my fate Still, I want to struggle and fight

this song has made me cry many times... i’m still astounded that jin was able to tell part of his story through this song.. the fact that he was able to give voice to his struggle is amazing and it inspires me every day these thoughts about jin have been a few weeks in the making and i think i need to process this in order to move forward into postdoc properly. because i feel like jin is no longer who he was when Awake came out, even though his feelings were very real and will always be a part of his story. i will always cherish Awake in a special way even though i really like all the members and all the different eras of BTS. in the same way, the feelings that plague me now about this new year will not be around forever, they will eventually fade as i continue to choose to struggle and conquer each coming day, and be a beautiful part of the narrative that fell upon me as postdoc in my overall arc of growth and becoming an adult

because im a new bts fan, ive been trying to catch up with all the content from 6 years and trying as best i can to go in order so i can understand the progression, i’m still in 2013 hip hop era when jimin was the cutest mushroom alive and jin was pretty much in the background of everything. like in AHL he didn’t really get much chance to improve his singing or dancing other than in Jenny Kita’s challenge when hoseok taught him. im a much more sensitive person than most but i think anyone would be bothered being highlighted as the worst dancer over and over again anyways, before i listened to awake, i was like: who is this jin guy? why does he keep calling himself handsome? does he even do anything?

after i heard this song, i got mad because i started listening to all the bts songs i knew and rewatching the MV’s and realized that jin had very little lines. i found myself asking myself - hmm, why does jungkook/jimin always get the opening/catchiest parts of the song? (i understand, they are the best at singing+dancing simultaneously, etc). taehyung as well but less so. i started listening to jin’s lines a lot and trying to analyze whether he had a good voice, etc etc.  i can undrstand in 2013 when bts had a much more harsh, hip hop vibe, jin’s voice didn’t suit their sound at all... plus he honestly did not know how to dance. JK+JM+V could all belt to suit the BTS sound at the time. i haven’t gotten too much farther than 2013 era yet so i dont know how their sound evolved to the way it is now. i’ve listened to a good portion of the bts world soundtrack and it’s kinda crazy that they’ve gotten to this point soundwise it definitely seems like jin has gotten much more recognition lately, i don’t follow the fandom closely so i don’t really know if it’s equivalent to the other members now HOWEVER i think if we zero in on the period of time in which awake came out, we find jin in this very painful section of his life. it’s clear that he loves being around his groupmates very much and yet he is constantly struggling In many of the earlier vids, jin is definitely silly whenever he gets a chance and continues to take care of everyone (e.g., cooking, etc), but he doesn’t seem carefree or happy like some of the others. it’s interesting to watch 2013 stuff because even suga/jimin/v all seem much more hyper and giggly and cute than the few things i’ve seen from more recent. mostly the recognition he gets on the earlier shows and such is getting called out for being a bad dancer. [which is why i was happy that Jenny Kita praised him for improving so much in the dance challenge] i think the reason why i love jin so much is because, first, i really like all the members of bangtan. namjoon and suga, lyrical geniuses with very cute and quirky personalities, i could continue but this rant is about jin. jimin, my gateway drug into BTS, just amazing in every sense of being an artist. jungkook, excelling at every part of what he does since day 1 of BTS, all while being simultaneously innocent, unassuming, and confident at the same time. V, sultry voice impulsive cute boy who is incredibly silly, bright, and talented. and hoseok, the light of the group, well-rounded as hell, bringing the energy and the smiles and just an incredible dancer. i like jin because it was really hard to tell what jin was about from the beginning. i have yet to unravel the narrative that bts’ journey has painted about jin since i’m taking my time getting through the content, but listening to jin’s live solo performances & some of their more recent performances with substantial jin parts like dimple, i can see how much he’s IMPROVED. on youtube comments for jin’s live performances, people have said that jin has the most stable voice out of the vocal line. and i absolutely agree at this point. i’m remembering his voice during the Rookie King karaoke room; his voice was incredibly sweet and had so much potential back then, and it seemed like noone really saw it, because his voice was very unpolished and quiet. also, i think that, jin being the oldest in BTS didn’t quite match with the image his vocals projected of being sweet and pure as compared to JK + V’s deeper and more soulful vocals. however, it was that sweet and bright quality that Awake and his cover I Love You make me instantly cry, combined with his increased strength and precision with his voice that he’s gained over time. JK+JM+V have incredibly strong vocals but i feel that they’re not quite as precise as jin’s vocals are now. like when JK does his cover of Charlie Puth’s song, i was a little disappointed because he doesn’t execute the same level of precision as Charlie Puth. JK is an INCREDIBLE vocalist and his live vocals knock me out dead, but i think he, too, has his strengths and weaknesses. i actually think that Jin’s voice suits a song like We Don’t Talk Anymore much better than JK’s. also, like i said, jimin was the member who originally got me into BTS. i think songs like serendipity just show how masterful he is as an artist and how much he’s grown as well, from little mushroom boy to seductive dance master. at face value i think jimin is much more immediately likeable than jin when you factor in vocals, dance, and stage presence.

BUT ... i love jin because of his growth as an artist. I haven’t gotten to learn much about his personality/character development yet, but as far as i can see, he has improved immensely as an artist. like M tells me sometimes, he thinks that although i’m smol in a lot of ways, he thinks that my ceiling of growth as a person is very high. i guess, because i can see aspects of myself in jin, his story is inspiring to me. because he struggled endlessly with things that he had no experience in, he can now look back and see how far he has come, and his fanbase also sees that as well. he’s not just a handsome face. i know his growth as a singer and dancer is just one piece of him, but it is a piece that speaks to me, and it is a piece that is undoubtedly very important to his story as a person. i think this growth is encompassed in the story of Awake and Epiphany. 6 YEARS IN THE MAKING SO FAR. even more so when you think about their time as trainees and such. and he is undoubtedly a different person than he was back then, a different person even when BTS came out with Wings. as i am starting postdoc and actually terrified out of my mind, i keep thinking back to who i was when i started grad school, which is incidentally right around the period of time in which i’m currently watching BTS content. it’s kind of a nice parallel to observe jin (and others) in their previous dynamic, almost exactly 5 years ago, when i started grad school. when i started graduate school, i was 100% a smol bean. terrified by any social situation but too prideful and unaware to admit it, terrified by the prospect of doing clinical work, not really even sure if i wanted to be in grad school but it seemed like the natural step. when i think about the recurring theme of dreams that comes up in BTS songs, i don’t think i’ve ever had a dream. maybe singing or art at one point, but I think i always knew my personality would be a hindrance to doing anything seriously in those realms.  when i think about who i was in 2014 compared to now, i’ve grown into a titan. i look at the 2014 me and think a lot of negative thoughts about who i was back then, undoubtedly like probably anyone would when they look at themselves from 5-6 years ago. like how could you have been that scared and inexperienced? how could you have been so behind compared to others? why didn’t you put yourself out there more? all the while on the outside, wow, i’m in grad school, i made it, i’m doing good! i like to think that based on the narrative that bts has painted that they would maybe look back at themselves from 5-6 years ago and maybe think somewhat of the same. i feel kind of lame thinking that because 3 of them are so much younger than me, but i know it’s definitely not out of the realm of possibility. i dont know if jin ever had any thoughts like this, but i feel like i would have been comparing myself to the maknaes, thinking, why am i like this when i’m so much older than them. i don’t know how he kept working hard after all this time and became the amazing singer he is now. his effort is obvious now when you hear him sing. he’s not just my favorite BTS member because he works hard. all of them work hard. he’s my favorite because he worked hard and he finally succeeded, even when he started from somewhere behind the starting line compared to the other members. i think of myself in this way somewhat too, being introverted and socially anxious and HSP, i fight myself through every day to keep going, wondering why i am trying so hard for something i’m not naturally good at.  I think the reason why i love jin is because, of all the members, he makes me think, “if he can do it, i can do it, too.” 

[ragsandmuffins]

Musical Theatre Themed Ask

Okay, I’m gonna answer... all of these! (Because I have a paper to write and zero motivation. And also: musicals.)

Oh, and by the way, I’m going to assume that every “Broadway” is a “Broadway/West End” because Tumblr is a free platform.

1. What was the first musical you saw?

Mary Poppins, West End, 2006 (not 100% sure about the year)

2. What musical got you really  into theatre?

Les Misérables - saw the film, started stalking the actors, you know how it goes.

3. Who was your first Broadway crush?

Aaron Tveit (he’s the main one) and Samantha Barks - like I said, stalking the Les Mis actors...

4. Name three of your current Broadway crushes.

Um... still Aaron Tveit? Plus Rob Houchen (Les Mis London) and Cleve September (In the Heights London and soon Hamilton London) - Also, I get “talent crushes” not physical attraction crushes.

5. Name four of your dream roles.

Only 4? Natalie Goodman, Enjolras, Maureen Johnson, and HERCULES MULLIGAN!!

(I can’t sing, act, or dance, nor am I a man, so...)

6. Favourite off-broadway show:

Heathers and The Last Five Years

7. Favourite cast recording.

Gotta be Hamilton, it’s just such a well-produced album. Bonus points for including nearly the entire show.

8. 2013 Tony opening number or 2016 Tony opening number?

2012? The Book of Mormon thing is just pure gold!

9. Favourite show currently on Broadway.

Broadway: I guess Hamilton - There are way too few that I actually know.

West End: Les Misérables forever!

10. A musical that closed and you’re still bitter about. Rant a bit.

In the Heights London! Though I can’t really complain, they extended their initially run several times and now they’ve cast my amazing Sonny as Laurens/Philip, so... But it was just so good!!

11. Best stage to screen adaptation?

Les Misérables. Controversial, I know, but I usually kind of hate movie musicals. With this one they did something new and different and I think it works. The Last Five Years is pretty good too, though it lost a lot in the adaptation (couldn’t be avoided).

12. Worst  stage to screen adaptation?

Rent. I’m sorry, I love the show, I love the cast, but it all feels so staged and wrong and meh. Also, they cut Goodbye Love and left in fucking Santa Fé which adds exactly nothing to the plot!!

13. Favourite #ham4ham?

Gotta be the Schuyler Georges, but there have been so many great ones...

14. A musical you would love to see produced by Deaf West?

Oh, tricky... Maybe Next to Normal? That has a lot to do with people holding things in and failing to see each others’ struggles.

15. If you could revive any musical, which one would it be and who would you cast in it?

Not exactly a revival, but bring Next to Normal to the West End already! That show’s got a sodding Pulitzer. And London’s only a 2 hour flight away from where I live, not a transatlantic one, so I might actually be able to go see it.

Oh, and give Spring Awakening another chance, West End. Maybe adapt some American Sign Language into British Sign Language and...?

Also, maybe revive Rent, Broadway? (And cast Aaron Tveit as Roger... please?)

16. If you could go to a concert at the 54 below, who’s would it be?

That list would be waaaaaayyy too long...

17. Do you watch broadway.com vlogs? Which one is your favourite?

I’ve seen a few, but I don’t really watch them on a regular basis, so no favourites...

18. Make a Broadway related confession.

I really, really hate South Pacific. It was part of our American drama syllabus, as an example of a musical. Quite apart from the fact that I think it’s a godawful, sort of racist and sexist show (it’s from the 40s, go figure), it displays LITERALLY EVERY cliché about musicals!

19. What do musicals mean to you?

Hard to say... Apart from hours and hours of ALL the emotions, some awesome internet buddies (looking at you, @frei-und-schwerelos), I’ve got generally more interested in and knowledgable about theatre, which is a great asset when you study English. Musicals have also introduced me to a wide range of music I wouldn’t normally listen to and so many talented people I wouldn’t have known about otherwise...

20. Express some love for understudies and swings!

Okay here goes: I went to see the West End production of Memphis because of Killian Donnelly and then he unexpectedly wasn’t on that night - bummer. But then Jon Robyns just knocked it out of the part (and I only ever listened to Avenue Q and Spamalot because I watched clips of him when he was in those shows).

My first Thénardier was Adam Pearce and his version of “It was me wot told you so...” is the funniest one I’ve ever heard (he kind of went “No? Sorry, fair enough.”).

The second time I saw the show Adam Bayjou was Valjean and his Bring Him Home was one of the best I’ve ever heard (effortless high notes).

Also, Charlotte Kennedy was Cosette that time (she’s principal Cosette now) and her performance was so incredibly sweet! (She also brought some brunette power into the sea of blond that were Marius and Éponine.)

And Jordan Lee Davies was Bamatabois both times and he was great!

Oh, and my Christine from Phantom was the wonderful Lisa-Anne Wood.

21. Best Disney musical:

Mary Poppins - My first ever musical, fond memories, I still wear the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious shirt my dad bought me (11 years ago... didn’t fit then, fits now).

22. Which Disney movie should be made into a musical?

Uh, I don’t know. Tangled’s funny...

23. Which musical fandom has the funniest memes?

Hamilton and Les Mis. I mean, the Les Mis/Mean Girls crossovers alone...

24. Name a character from a musical you would sort into your Hogwarts house.

Well, the test sorted me into Hufflepuff (great house), but I know that I am a Ravenclaw (and, as we know, the hat listens to you). Okay, Ravenclaw... maybe Melchior from Spring Awakening?

25. Name a Broadway star you would sort into your Hogwarts house.

Ugh, that’s even harder! Sorry, no clue.

26. Best on stage chemistry?

Hmm from what I’ve seen live, Rob Houchen and Carrie Hope Fletcher were pretty darn amazing together.

From what I haven’t seen live, Jennifer Damiano and Adam Chanler-Berat, and Justin Johnston and Michael McElroy seemed fantastic.

27. A Broadway duo you love.

I’m gonna say Jonathan Groff and Lin-Manuel Miranda, but I’m not sure I understand the question...

28. What book, tv show, movie, biography, video game, etc. should be turned into a musical?

Umm... I don’t know. Supernatural sort of is a musical... A Lord of the Rings musical in the style of A Very Potter Musical might be fun. The Fellowship of the Sing? I’ll show myself out.

29. If you could make a jukebox musical, what artist or genre would you pick?

I doubt many people know her but: Vienna Teng. For three reasons (aside from me liking her songs): 1. Her songs tell stories. 2. She often writes from the perspective of “characters.” 3. Her songs are actual poetry!

30. Favourite role played by _________________?

I don’t get it. What am I supposed to put here?

31. What musical has made you cry the most?

I don’t actually cry often at musicals (internally I do), but It’s Quiet Uptown from Hamilton got me bad the first time. And I once listened to Next to Normal when I was already feeling like shit - bad idea! (Don’t listen to There’s a World when you kind of want there to not be a world, kids...)

32. What musical has made you laugh the most?

Probably Avenue Q and Something Rotten

33. Current showtune stuck in you head:

Well, you just put Hard to Be the Bard in my head!

34. A musical that has left you thinking about life for a long time or deeply inspired you.

Les Misérables... I haven’t spent a single week without thinking about that show (or, indeed, the book) since early 2013.

Next to Normal also gave me a lot to think about.

I keep discovering new little bits of genius in Hamilton lyrics. Also, I’m writing a paper on the early US for the second time in under a year and characters from Hamilton (otherwise know as historical figures) keep popping up. Seriously, I’m writing about the Whiskey Rebellion and every time I read Hamilton’s name my brain goes PAY YOUR FUCKING TAXES!

I’ve also thought quite a bit about Heathers and The Last Five Years, because both of them have had productions where they genderbended (genderbent?) a main character, which made me think about how it changes the story and why.

35. If you could perform any ensemble number , which one would you pick?

“If you could...” Are you implying that I don’t?! Come on, any theatre geek who claims never to have done a solo rendition of One Day More is definitely lying! Oh, and I rapped myself all the way through One Shot the other day and made only one mistake - one that Lin’s made before, so I’m proud!

36. Name a musical you didn’t like at first but ended up loving.

I don’t think that’s really happened... There have been shows where I thought “What in the holy hell is this?!” and ended up loving it. I mean, what in the holy hell is Avenue Q?!

37. What are some costumes you’d love to try on?

Give me that red vest! Also, let me play Enjolras! Yes, I know I’m a woman and can only hit that low “foooorm” when I’ve got a really bad cold, but fuck all that!

I’d also really like to try on Elphaba’s Act II dress, because it’s epic!

38. Favourite dance break.

Hmmm... I don’t really have one? The one in Cool and the ballet in Somewhere where they sort of replay what’s happened are pretty amazing (both West Side Story).

39. Favourite Starkid musical:

A Very Potter Musical is the only one I know... Sorry...

40. What’s a musical more people should know about?

Well, where I live, most people have heard of Cats, Phantom, and Mamma Mia and that’s about it.

But in general, I’ve never met anyone who’s even heard of Assassins (although many people who have met me have now heard everything about Assassins - I’m that kind of person).

41. What are some lines from musicals you really like?

Okay, this is gonna take a while...

"Can you remind me of what it was like at the top of the world?” (In the Heights)

“Oh, my friends, my friends, don’t ask me what your sacrifice was for.” (Les Misérables - internal Niagara Falls!)

“Here, put some hail into the chief.” (Assassins)

“But the sky’s gonna hurt when it falls. So you’d better start building some walls.” (Heathers)

“I’m not mad that you got mad when I got mad when you said I should go drop dead!” (Tick, Tick... Boom!)

“My God, in God we trust, but we never really know what God discussed.” (Hamilton)

“What doesn’t kill me doesn’t kill me.” (Next to Normal)

And just for fun: “Honest living, honest living, honest living, honest living,...” (Rent)

42. Name a Tony performance you rewatch and rewatch.

In the Heights, Next to Normal, Hamilton, and Spring Awakening (both versions).

[davidcarterr]

Auteurs: Jacob Harris

Jacob Harris and Max Palmer. Photo by Alex Pires

The subject for the second in this Auteurs series was a no-brainer.

There are few filmmakers in skateboarding, (let alone UK-based ones) whose output has reached a similar sized audience whilst simultaneously receiving almost universal praise from all quarters than that of Jacob ‘Jake’ Harris.

From his early days as a very driven kid making videos with a group of his friends; through to his forays into the early era of Internet content with Blueprint; to his more recent position as the man behind the lens on classics like ‘Eleventh Hour’, Isle skateboard’s ‘Vase’ and most recently, the ‘Atlantic Drift’ series for Thrasher – Jake’s output has stayed true to the vision laid out in his first full-length, mixing a sense of place and atmosphere with banging and dynamically captured skateboarding.

Ask any skate filmer of note about their influences and chances are Jake’s name will come up at some point. Pointing a camera at people doing kickflips is one thing, creating a body of work that surrounds that simple feat with a sense of context that adds depth and character to the basic act of skateboarding is an entirely different level of achievement.

The fact that you can watch 20 seconds of any video that Jake has produced and know immediately that it’s him behind the lens says everything really. As ineffable as it may be, he has an instantly recognizable eye for spots, for angles and perhaps most uniquely, for the visual ephemera that surrounds the act of skateboarding and it is that perspective, (along with a crazy work ethic) that makes his output some of the most memorable in today’s over saturated skate video landscape.

So, without further ado, here’s the man himself breaking down some of his own back-story and giving a little insight into the process involved in doing what he does. Thanks for your time Jake!

Your route to where you are today is quite a traditional one in so far as you began by making full-length videos based around your friends that followed the convention of individual sections and were released in a physical format that predates the current distribution option offered by the Internet. Was ‘Square One’ your first project?

Strictly speaking no, as I’d been making videos that I put on like video CDs since I was like 12 on Handycams. I suppose Square One was the first project that was sold – if that’s an appropriate marker?

That came out on DVD in 2009, at a point when the cultural landscape of skateboarding was very different, and also presumably whilst you were still at school – where did the impetus to make that video come from?

(Laughing), yeah I remember you interviewed me about it for Sidewalk at the time: I’m not entirely sure anymore what the initial impetus was to be honest.

I was so focused and serious about making things, anything, from a really young age and I think being completely obsessed with skateboarding, it was something I was always going to do.

Videos very much were the culture for me, and I really wanted to participate in that culture because I loved it and this was what excited me. Besides that, my friends were a group of very driven kids, whether that was to be sponsored or just to skate like people did in videos I don’t know, but as a group of kids we were very driven by wanting to do hard things and be recognised. I’m not sure where that comes from really.

Videos very much were the culture for me, and I really wanted to participate in that culture because I loved it and this was what excited me

That’s like Dan Clarke, Tom Knox and whoever else was in that video – from all different sides of London – very little in common but very much united at the time by wanting to make skate videos. But kids did just make full-length videos then, (they still do now I know but it was a normal thing back then): there were loads of crews around doing it.

I bought my first proper camera from Morph and definitely looked up to him and his crew when we were younger – they were a bit older and tougher and had all had sex when they were like 14 and smoked loads of weed and we were just a lot less cool basically.

You’ve said in interviews before that it was Blueprint’s ‘Lost and Found’ that first gave you an insight into what a skate video could (and by extension maybe ‘should’) be. What was it about that video that inspired you?

I think basically just seeing that a skateboard video could have a real artistic vision was a bit of a revelation to me. It seemed to connect skateboarding much more to life and moods that existed around it, rather than just keeping skating suspended in its own space.

I think that adage of ‘the best way of talking about skating is to not talk about skating’ applies pretty well in this context – like the best way of celebrating skating in a video is by showing things that aren’t skating and LAF was the first place I saw that.

The experience of skateboarding in a city is so varied and complex, in the situations and feelings that it invites, that it’s able to support and nourish so much imagery etc that may seem incidental, but is, to a lot of people, central to the act. LAF was the first place that I saw evidence of this.

Dan Magee really helped to step up the game as far as UK skate videos went – he was one of the first people to invest in ‘proper’ equipment (at a time when the industry-standard VX1000 was still very expensive), worked with production values similar to those of US-based vids and very deliberately created a sense of place and atmosphere that resonated with British skateboarding. Would you say he’s one of the most important skate video makers in terms of both your own outlook and British skate culture more generally?

For my approach he is definitely the most important. Lev (Tanju) did something probably equally as important with Palace, but it was maybe subverting something that Magee established, so without the one it’s hard to know what would have happened.

But more widely speaking, I have no idea what even is British skate culture?

Palace has definitely had a bigger cultural impact than anything else British skateboarding has ever produced – there’s no way of measuring that I know, but I’m pretty certain that it’s a fact. Strictly within skateboarding though, I have no idea how to think about it really, but they definitely did smash a lot of orthodoxies, thank god they did and they did it so well and haven’t lost their edge.

Which other UK filmers and editors informed your own approach as you developed and why?

I would say Chris Massey, just because Portraits is so good. Definitely nicked some ideas from Holdtight when I was younger too, he was such a force back then.

What about globally? I know you are a big fan of Josh Stewart’s output – what is it about his videos that you like? Anyone else?

I think a similar thing to Magee’s videos with Josh’s stuff really. Was well into Pontus Alv’s earlier stuff when I was a kid. These days the things I like would probably be pretty unsurprising.

So after making Square One, you did some work for Blueprint around the early days of the development of Internet-content. You filmed both the Tom Knox Welcome to Blueprint clip and the Smithy gets his pro board back one – how did that work? You were out collecting the footage and then you’d give it to Dan who would edit it into the finished project?

It was sort of like that. I did a lot of the editing myself and then Dan would just stick a wack ramp slow-mo on and credit himself, (laughs).

Nah not quite actually, he did the graphics too.

I remember he paid me something like £200 at one point and I felt so grateful, I was like 19 maybe. Now I see how exploitative it was!

I suppose it got me somewhere or something, though…skateboarding is so weird like that. At the time it would have been like doing a free internship for something that I could never really have gotten paid for, obviously it’s different now.

It was kind of inevitable even at that point that the simplicity of the Internet distribution model would eventually take over – did you feel any differently about what you were making because you knew they were destined for the Internet, than when you knew you were creating something that would physically exist?

No I didn’t really care to be honest. I think I always just wanted to do things well and didn’t pay much thought to the destination.

Following this era, you began work on what would ultimately become ‘Eleventh Hour’ which was released to global acclaim in 2013. You publically said at the time that it was going to be the last full-length video that you’d make but you then went onto make Vase only two years later – what happened?

Hmm I don’t know really. I was always saying this and I still do every so often.

I think I always felt pressure to do something ‘proper’ for work, you know – something socially justifiable or if not at least financially rewarding.

I definitely have some complexes about this that I need to get over still.

During the period of making Eleventh Hour and Vase there weren’t really many perks to my life, I had no money and was mostly stuck in London.

These days I’m constantly travelling and I’m paid better and that makes it a lot easier to appreciate, but I didn’t foresee that. In Britain it’s tough too, it’s such a judgmental place and the class system is so pernicious in its reverberations, it’s hard not to feel heat from that. In the States it’s the simplest equation for peoples’ brains – “you do what you like that’s great” – but here I have to always reassure myself by feeding myself little sentences like, ‘I travel almost exclusively with my friends and barely ever have anybody to answer to and I like doing what I do’.

I travel almost exclusively with my friends and barely ever have anybody to answer to and I like doing what I do

Eleventh Hour was received really well – the skaters in it definitely benefitted as much as your own reputation as a video-maker did – and it came out shortly after the sad dissolution of the UK institution that was Blueprint. Did it feel in any way like a passing of the baton from Magee to you – or is that purely hindsight speaking?

I mean Magee always supported me and helped me out, very specifically with getting that DVD (Eleventh Hour) made and distributed. I think he saw it that way a bit, and it does make sense when said that way. But he hasn’t bowed out so I think it’s a bit soon to talk about passing any batons!

That video certainly cemented your aesthetic – lots of rough, brick spots dotted throughout the estates of London which, at the time at least, were not really seen in other UK videos, an emphasis on follow filming and a cast of your friends who still regularly appear in your output to this day. Was there an overarching plan to the feel and atmosphere of Eleventh Hour?

I have no idea really. I remember in my head the video was really about Luka Pinto and Tom Knox so I wanted to have them bookend it. Beyond that, I don’t think there was really a plan besides – ‘use some 16mm’.

Actually no I remember: I actually had a bit of a crisis when it came to editing it because I hadn’t developed much of a vision. I think I actually got Toddy to come round to my house and watch some stuff and he was really supportive, which was cool. I had no confidence. I’d forgotten about that, thanks Toddy!

I’m actually having trouble remembering whether that did happen or not, but I think it did. I was such a pile at that point in time it’s hard to know. I’ll ask him.

Your more recent work, (particularly Atlantic Drift which we’ll come to later) seems, at least to me, to really focus on atmosphere and a sense of place – does that kind of the ‘location is the narrative’ aspect find its genesis in your earlier videos like Eleventh Hour, do you think?

My memory is so poor but I feel like my thought process is very different now. I’m sure it all contributed. I thought a lot about how spots looked in that video but I care a lot less about that now.

Following that video and its award-winning reception, you got involved in making Vase, the first Isle Skateboards video and a project really central to the success of that brand. Was that your first foray into film making with a brand-led objective, (aside from the Blueprint clips we mentioned)?

I did a Big Push for Nike SB before that but I really blew it on that one. Aside from that, yeah pretty much. Maybe a Blueprint Kingpin thing too.

Was there any extra pressure on you because you knew the expectations for the brand, the connection with Blueprint’s legacy and the fairly quick turn around required? A first video, particularly for a new brand like Isle, can really be a make or break situation I guess…

Actually didn’t feel much pressure because I wanted to be thorough for myself anyway. Besides, I had a bit of a process going and had gained some confidence from Eleventh Hour. Nick (Jensen) and I worked pretty closely playing with ideas on that video so that probably took a lot of pressure off and made it quite fun.

Presumably, the fact that most of the team were close friends who you’d worked alongside before made it less stressful though, right?

Yeah that video wasn’t stressful at all. I was really happy to be doing it.

What about in terms of aesthetics or sense of place – context-wise Vase featured a lot of places that are closely tied into your own film making practice, rather than relying on trips abroad to gather footage. Do you prefer that method?

That was mainly because trips cost money and the budget was tiny. These days I much prefer doing things on trips away. London doesn’t give me much these days – I’ve been making videos here for like 10 years and I just haven’t got any fresh takes for it. I like being in less familiar places because all the absurdities and strangeness of the places reveal themselves so much more easily because I’m looking more, and places just are different so there’s much more to play with.

So after Vase was released – how long was it before you were approached to make content for Thrasher?

It was a few months. I got Tom’s part put on the Thrasher site and the response was so large and Tony was so into it that he just messaged me. I had a chat with him on the phone and that was that really.

At this point you’d already said publicly a couple of times that you wanted to move away from traditional skate video making and work on shooting narrative fiction – what made you decide to embark on a serialized project like Atlantic Drift which potentially could go on forever?

I realised I’d found myself in a position to actually enjoy some of the fruits of my effort. Going out and filming skateboarding in London every day is not a job I want or ever have wanted, but being able to be away all the time makes the whole thing make sense.

What kind of brief was there for the project? Did you come to Thrasher with a fully formed idea?

Tony (Vitello) was super patient with it. He wanted it to be based around Tom and I, like making a part and putting out things regularly with a crew. Then I just did some thinking and, partly from a trip I did with Henry Kingsford to Nicaragua where I got to be quite playful, I got some ideas – we were just going to start with 6 episodes in a year and see if it worked out.

Atlantic Drift is episodic and has a sense of narrative continuity both in terms of the sense of place forming part of the story so to speak, along with the repeated appearance of a core crew of your friends exploring various different places and certain thematic consistencies – do you approach each one as a continuation of that established idea? Or does each one feel like a separate endeavour?

It’s definitely a continuation. It’s evolving as it goes though I hope. To tell the truth, on these trips I have a lot to do – I book everything and plan the day and film everything so I don’t have too much time to think, so it has to be quite instinctive. A feeling tends to emanate from the vibe of the trip for me – peoples’ interactions and just what a specific place does to your brain. The editing is where I have the most place to play I think.

On the subject on continuity, the music and the non-skate visuals are part of the narrative too I guess – something that a series needs, to stop it feeling like a vaguely connected selection of clips. What’s the back-story on the jellyfish footage? Where did you film it originally?

I don’t really know – I just had an image in my head of jellyfish swimming slowly and some feeling that we’d been drifting through our 20’s quite heavily. My girlfriend at the time made ambient music and I was hearing a lot of it and I guess it came from that. I shot the jellyfish in the Horniman museum aquarium in South London that I took my kid brother and sister to one day.

That visual marker worked out well in another way too in the sense of giving an identity to the range of clothing that dropped a little later – again continuity seems to be key here in order to rise above the median level of Internet content.

I think that that’s probably true. I think people like a strong aesthetic really.

Music and sound (or the lack of) are central to all your work but with Atlantic Drift you seem to have really taken this in a new direction – there are a lots of cuts between music, cuts to silence, switches to ambient sound – is this an area that you’ve enjoyed experimenting with? It certainly adds a sense of atmosphere often missing from the more traditional ‘timeline with tricks in ascending order of difficulty set to music’ approach.

Yeah I enjoy it so much. It’s funny because it’s really the basics of making any other sort of video but was largely absent from skate videos. I’m not sure why it was, but it’s still such a young culture I guess.

Another aspect of the aesthetic continuity you manage to create with these is tied into your repeated use of two different camera formats: the VX1 and 16mm. Is this a conscious decision based on achieving a specific feel with colour and tones etc? Or do you just enjoy using those 2 types of camera?

Well I find it’s fun to play with the documentary/cinematic opposition.

The VX1 is a sort of documentary camera and lends a certain sort of reality or veracity to footage, which is perfect. Then to use 16mm is so dramatic, so putting them next to each other creates this space between reporting and dramatising that I find fun because skate videos really are somewhere between that.

I think it can look pretty funny. In skateboarding we’re spending a lot of time mythologising what is actually probably the most trivial part of the act of skateboarding – the tricks, but also Tom eating tagliatelle in a restaurant in France is extremely trivial – it’s somewhere between these things that the actual thing that’s interesting is happening, though I don’t know what it is. Neither could exist alone and be very interesting, but somewhere in between is the appeal of skating.

VX fetishism aside – can you see a point where you’ll have to switch to a different camera format for the skating, purely because of the age and reliability issues of using that 20+ year old piece of Sony tech?

I guess so yeah, although I just bought a new one from you! Boredom will change it first, I’m sick of looking at this kind of image now

The first 2 Atlantic Drifts were filmed on familiar territory in London – was this always the plan in tune with the concept: to kind of start off at ‘home’ and then travel with the same crew/agenda and transplant that into a different context?

I think we needed to establish our roots in the context of the series before it made sense for us to be off to other places, so yeah I think that was the plan.

The St Paul’s episode really spoke to people I think – particularly as you deliberately juxtaposed the static use of that space by tourists etc, against the dynamic use of it by the crew. How long did you actually spend filming that one and were you surprised by the reception it received, given that it was all filmed in one space?

That one was Tom’s idea. It wasn’t that long, maybe a couple of months of going there a lot, but I can tell you it was no fun. That place sucks. We’d see the same people eating lunch there day in day out and they hated us. We were ruining their quiet. Halfway through I was regretting it so badly, I felt so guilty making people come there repeatedly.

I have no real way of measuring the reception so I have nothing of any value to say about that I don’t think, but people seem to like plaza edits as a thing so it doesn’t seem so surprising if that’s true.

Moving forwards after the first two – Atlantic Drift slowly made its way through France and to the States, stopping in New York, SF, and Vegas before ending up in Hawaii, which is about as far removed from the crusty estates and back streets of London as possible. Despite this, the aesthetic and atmosphere of each one remained continuous – how do you go about approaching this? I guess the repeated cuts to street scenes, familiar shots of cafes, shops etc create a narrative thread regardless of where you are really, right?

Just trying to shoot 16mm in a candid way always has a strange effect I think, if people look into the lens when they weren’t expecting to, you get something very odd from them, and to make this look dramatic makes me laugh a lot.

I think it comes down to that. I just try to find something off-key wherever I am. I’m a fairly happy person but I feel that most human places have a baseline of sadness and absurdity humming away – sometimes it’s very immediate and sometimes it’s more hidden but it’s there always, and everybody knows it’s there. We do such a positive and fun thing over the top of it and I like this a lot.

Mike Arnold and Jacob. Photo by Casper Brooker

From your own perspective as a filmmaker who has to some extent been defined by the context that you film within, (namely London), was there any conflict with going to somewhere like Las Vegas that’s so different architecturally?

Places are all very different but also the same, right? A lot of it is what you carry around in your head. If you’re happy in London it feels very much the same as being happy in Las Vegas, or at least to me. I feel the same goes for making a video. There’s a lot you can control, and if an aspect of a place doesn’t seem immediately complementary to an aesthetic then even better, it works in counterpoint or undercuts a vibe in a potentially interesting way if the viewer can feel some intentionality there.

Where do you source the music? Are the musicians friends of yours?

I’ve had some music made by friends but mostly not. My ex-girlfriend and I made the intro song. I’ve just updated it though to purge my soul, (laughing).

I had a quick view count on Thrasher’s YouTube and just on there, all 8 episodes are up in the range of over a million views easily. If you factor Thrasher’s own player in too then we must be talking multiples of millions in terms of views – what’s your take on that?

I think when it gets over a certain number it becomes too hard to understand so I’ve never really thought about it other than as a number. You saying that now though does make me feel quite good about it!

I don’t know if it should though because obviously the view count is largely due to the platform – and doing something popular doesn’t mean you’re doing something good, but it’s definitely more gratifying! The more gratifying thing is finding out somebody that you respect is into it, that’s really cool.

It must have really helped the skaters out too – in terms of their profile and their positions as regards their value to sponsors – have you seen your friends benefit from this aspect of it?

Yeah definitely, Tom supports a family with 2 daughters, Mike, Casper and Ky are on big projects and everybody is doing alright. This feels great because we all benefit together and it energises everyone and we’re all so close.

Your most recent release through Thrasher was the first Atlantic Drift Catfish clip, which takes you back to London and back to your best friend Tom Knox in his home terrain. Are we to assume that the Atlantic Drift model that preceded this has come to an end?

Ah no, basically Catfish is a way of just putting stuff out there when we want. Just another outlet and a bit of a different format…

You’re a really good skater yourself Jake and it’s no secret that filming is basically Kryptonite to personal skateboarding. Has filming so much had a negative effect on your own skateboarding?

I had knee problems for a bit but they seem to have gone mostly. Actually drinking has had the largest effect, if I don’t drink for a few days I can have so much fun skating, but it doesn’t happen as often as I’d like it to.

Who else is making skate video content at the moment that you like/enjoy? What is it about what they make that you like?

It’s such a cliché but I don’t watch that much stuff, but I like a lot of the stuff that’s generally well liked – I do like Strobeck’s stuff, I like Johnnie Wilson’s stuff and the Hockey videos. 917 things are great too. Backing Yardsale very hard too, those boys make me stoked. These things just have an energy to them and do something different without fawning to established formats, and make skateboarding look really good.

Is there anything else that you’d like to say?

To anybody that made it this far – well done but you really should have used your time way better.

Interview by Ben Powell

The post Auteurs: Jacob Harris appeared first on Slam City Skates Blog.

Auteurs: Jacob Harris published first on https://medium.com/@LaderaSkateboar

[edmtranslations]

Electro Book 2013 - Justice Interview [Text Version]

(This is a text version of the full PDF-based translation that I have done, for mobile readers and non-PDF suited environments. Please enjoy!)

This interview was completed around the time when † [Cross], the magnificent clincher of the EDM world, was first released. The band disliked the thought of representing any one particular scene (for they knew how dangerous that could be) and would often dodge around the details when inquired. Though he declined to speak out on matters other than the effects of film soundtracks, or ideas regarding the musical objectives of 'D.A.N.C.E.', Xavier de Rosnay graciously assented to giving this interview at the time.

— A year since 'Waters of Nazareth' took the world's dancefloors by storm, you've finally released your first album! Is there a particular theme running through this album? Xavier: For [Cross] there was no deep-seated concept. We just wanted to make a sort of 'disco opera' album in 2007, where all the songs merge together to create a single work. That's the main concept we worked with.

— From ‘Genesis’, ’[Waters of] Nazareth’, to the album title [Cross] there appears to be a religious motif, but did you intend to convey a particular message in that? Xavier: Ain’t no such thing. We don’t put messages in our music.

— Then why the religious terminology? Xavier: Mm... They just... fit the nature of those songs, that's all. As well as the feel and mood of it. 'Genesis' indicates the first song of the first album, for instance, and the motif fits well to the rest of the songs purely in terms of image. There's nothing deeper to that. Religious messages have nothing to do with it.  

- Behind the Scenes of 'D.A.N.C.E.' -

— Your single, 'D.A.N.C.E.', is a piece featuring a London boy choir pitched to give a Jackson Five-like feel. How did the idea of putting in that chorus come about? Xavier: This song was the first that we made for the purpose of putting in this album... see, we've always wanted to make a song with children's voices in it. There was a band in France that made use of a choir like that, in the seventies, too.

— A band that made use of a choir? Xavier: Yeah, a band... well, no, I guess a group who worked with a children's choir. They didn't specialize in dance or electronica, it was just ordinary pop music. But we didn't know of anyone who'd done that with electronic music before, so we figured we might as well go for it. Like, Larry Levan - he's an American artist from NY, he made a disco track in the seventies with a children's choir in it and it sounded really good. We wanted to do something like that, and so ‘D.A.N.C.E.’ came about.

— With songs like this, you began Justice in 2004, and have since assumed an existence as representatives of this time period - what do you feel about this? Xavier: Hmm... I don't know. As for ourselves, we don't feel very much like the representatives of anything. It doesn't feel real to us.

— Is that so? Xavier: Mm... At least, I don't think we feel that way. What we actually feel is the act of making music for ourselves, and the realization that we are truly doing what we like to do.

— What did you usually listen to as a whole? What would you say are your musical influences? Xavier: Well, we listened to what everyone else did. The kind of pop music teenagers listen to, usually. Dance pop, in the nineties; the hits they played on the radio, on MTV, that kind of stuff.

— What about seventies-era disco and punk? Xavier: To listen to music from the nineties is to unknowingly come into contact with seventies music. That's what I think, anyway. Music from the late nineties can be said to be a revival of the seventies, after all. Seventies disco, sixties and eighties disco - I'm all for them.

— Justice's music fundamentally has a punky undertone, an elegant structure, and is romantic and unique at the same time. Do you also feel that these terms define Justice's characteristics? Xavier: We do! We always try to inject a bit of romance into it whenever we make a song. Hot and happy, elegant and romantic, we make it so that those two sides can co-exist... that is, the side that comes across as immensely powerful, and the one that is more romantic. For example... I guess [our music] has that in common with classical music. Kind of how like in classical music, there is a vivid contrast between the sudden build-ups and the parts where that doesn't happen.

— It does seem like there are a lot of classical influences, such as the presence of strings and piano - were you involved in that area of music before? Xavier: No, not at all. I play a little bass and guitar and Gaspard can play a little piano, as well as the drums. Whenever we're recording, you can attribute most of that to the computer. (Laughter) We had to call in professionals to perform the string sections on this album, you know.

— 'Valentine' almost sounds like religious music. There's a sort of dignity to it - a different side compared to the kind of dance music closer to the youth culture. Xavier: That one isn't so much intended to be so-called dance floor music as it was made with the feel of eighties French comedy film soundtracks in mind. You know, kind of films that French teenagers in the eighties liked. When Sophie Marceau was twelve or thirteen she was in a film called La Boum, and I think the music in there was an influence.

- The Music of Justice and the 'Present' -

— You mix a great many musical factors from various points in the past together, but Justice's music never looks backward - and in fact, depicts the modern era in the most faithful terms. What do you think constitutes the 'modern' element that symbolizes your music? Xavier: I think it's very important that you want to make a certain kind of music, or have a certain idea. But I think that having the right tools for the job is important as well, in a different way - that is, putting serious thought into the equipment, such as computers, that will allow you to express those ideas. In the end, what equipment you use might be more important than the idea itself; your sound depends on the kind of gear that you have. It's hardly reasonable to expect your idea to take shape without having the tools for the job, especially nowadays. I think accepting this is what makes our music particularly modern.

— Also, it seems to be the case that you place much importance in visuals. Xavier: Visuals definitely have a larger meaning to us than simply a tool to support the music. For example, even if the sound is complete, if there are no set visual elements to correspond to it, it doesn't seem like a complete work to us. And I do mean: visuals that express the music itself. That's why thinking about a message appropriate to the music or ideas for a music video, followed by actually crafting it, is so important to us. I mean, it's just not that interesting if you only have the music, right? ... I suppose having just the sound on its own is fine, but I personally prefer that there is a visual element accompanying it. Think about films from the seventies, with fantastic hook songs that merely got delegated to the soundtracks... but there's something to that... those songs all added something impeccable to the images. It's that kind of music that we're enamoured with.

The wording of the translation is © 2017 luminatranslations. First posted 18 March 2017. The full PDF version and documentation are available.

Disclaimer: The original text of this interview, given by Justice and printed in Crossbeat Presents Electro Book 2013, is not copyrighted by this blog nor by the author of this post. Therefore, the original Japanese text will not be distributed here. The author claims ownership of the wording of this translation, which does not deny nor seek to possess the existence of other translations. This translation may be subject to changes in the future.

[atanei]

30 Questions Tag

Thanks @finnishfun for tagging me :)

Rules: Answer 30 questions and tag 20 blogs you would like to get to know better.

Nicknames: Nei (short form of Atanei - a nickname from high school when I was in a fantasy club. No connections with Norwegian “nei” or Swedish “nej”)

Gender: Female

Star sign: Cancer

Height: 170cm

Time: 21:50

Birthday: 13th of July

Favourite bands: Too many…! So generally if someone were to check my music list, it’d look weird because I have almost every type. From some Swedish folk rock like Garmarna to something like symphonic metal. And let’s not forget about movie and game soundtracks!

Favourite solo artists: Hmm, checking my youtube: Lindsey Stirling (I love the violin!), Chisu and Suvi Teräsniska (the last two are from Finland)

Song stuck in my head: Too many to write, let’s say Lindsey Stirling’s Carol of the Bells, Roundtable Rival and Shatter Me ;)

Last movie watched: The newest Murder on the Orient Express

Last show watched: Lucifer s03e10

When did I create my blog: That’s actually a good question. It was… April 2013 (I had to check it, haha. All I remembered was that it was some time when I was studying at the university)

What do I post: Anything related to Nordic countries and their languages. And generally stuff I like (LoTR, Assassin’s Creed games, HP and so on). I created tumblr when I was finishing my paper about Sweden’s Prime Minister Olof Palme at the third year at the uni so you can also find some posts about him…

Last thing I googled: some Christmas recipes

Do you have other blogs: Nope.

Do you get asks: I’m not so active anymore, so the answer is no.

Why did you choose your url: Because I was sure no one else had it. And it’s my tumblr account so I used my nickname ;)

Following blogs: 95

Followers: 31

Favorite colors: Hmm, blue and dark green? Mostly because they suit me (red hair, quite pale skin - not every colour looks good on me :/).

Average hours of sleep: Usually around 7 hours.

Lucky number:  … Don’t know ;)

Instruments: I used to play the flute (self-taught). I’d seriously like to play violin and piano.

What am I wearing: Nothing special - a T-shirt and jeans :)

How many blankets I sleep with: I usually use a quilt. But since I really like to be warm, it happened that I slept with a winter quilt and a blanket.

Dream job: Hard to say. Definitely a job where I could use my Swedish (and hopefully Finnish if I ever get at least half as fluent as in Swedish). My current job is very good, I have to say (surprisingly, because I was in doubt when I started it because I had to learn many technical data which I had known nothing of. But it turned out I’m quite good at it). So I can't say that my current job isn't my dream job since it certainly isn't boring, I can meet a lot of interesting people, I can use English and Swedish (and for fun a bit of Finnish) and I get to visit different places abroad.

Dream trip: everything that I can visit in: Finland, Norway, Sweden (especially northern parts), Iceland… oh, let’s not forget about Italy, too.

Favorite food: As usual, I think. And I do love Swedish pepparkakor (and I bake them myself) and kanelbullar.

Nationality: Polish

Favorite song now: As described above. But Christmas is coming, so Celtic Woman’s Christmas concerts have a special place, too :)

No tagging. If anyone would like to do it, feel free :)

[germanottaisgodxo]

1-100

Get to know me

1. NameRachael

2. Age22

3. City that you live inFalkirk

4. What do most people not know about you?Can’t tell you that

5. What do most people know you for?My love for Lady Gaga

6. HobbiesVolunteering, reading, listening to music

7. What are your passions?See above 😛 also eating a 6pack of Walkers in like 10 minutes

8. What do you search for in a significant other?Not currently looking for a significant other tbh

7. What are you most proud of?How far I’ve came this year in terms of my mental health

8. When was the last time you had a significant conversation with someone you love?A while ago

9. Have you ever collected anything? What was it?Pokemon & Yugioh cards when I was a kid

10. List 10 things off of your bucket list.Go to FranceDye my hair a weird colour (like green or pink) Own a catGo bungee jumpingSkydiveGo to AustraliaMeet Lady GagaSee Jon Richardson & Russell Howard liveMeet some of my internet friendsGo to Japan

11. What was the last thing you learned?What gift aid means when you’re selling stuff in a charity shop

12. How many relationships have you been in?0

13. Turn onsIdk

14. Turn offs^^

15. Favorite foodPickled onion crisps

16. Favorite drinkIrn Bru

17. What is the best birthday gift you have ever received?Ipod

18. Are you optimistic or pessimistic?I’m really trying to be more optimistic

19. Do you sleep during class?Wish I could 😂

20. What is the most expensive thing you own?Probably my couch, it was somewhere between £800 & £900

21. What is the cheapest yet most useful thing you own?My phone

22. How many times a day on average do you check your phone?Just the one seeing as I never put it down 😂😂

23. Text or call?Text

24. Opinion on long distance?If you love the person then the distance is worth it

25. What is your definition of success?Doing well at something

26. Favorite song?Currently? Taylor Swift’s gorgeousDavid Guetta/Charlie XCX’s dirty sexy moneyLittle Mix’s powerDua Lipa’s new rules

27. Favorite artist?Lady Gaga

28. Celebrity crush/crushes?Stefani Germanotta 😉

29. When was the last time you read for fun?I just finished a book half an hour ago, though it was that much of a pain to read it took me like 2 weeks to get through it

30. Favorite flower?Thistle

31. What is the best gift you could receive right now?For my internet provider to put my damn services back on cause I DID just pay them 😑

32. Any guilty pleasures?Food hahahaha

33. What is one thing you would like to change about yourself?The way I see myself cause I automatically think to answer “everything” when I’m asked this question & I shouldn’t think like that

34. What do you search for in a friend?Same sense of humour, can wind each other up but doesn’t cross the line, understanding, looks out for me, teaches me stuff but isn’t patronising about it, kind, patient, can talk about really weird/personal stuff

35. How many times have you said “I love you” in the past month?None

36. Where did you last go other than your room/home?To my volunteering for a meeting

37. Why do bad things happen to good people?No idea

38. In your opinion, what hurts more? Being left out or being stabbed in the eye?Shouldn’t that say be stabbed in the back ? But both can hurt a huge amount, it depends on the situation

39. How many green shirts do you own?2

40. Do you like anime?I did when I was a teenager

41. What do you invest the most time in?Volunteering/work experience & trying to better my mental health

42. What was the name of the last book you read?Mother, mother

43. What’s the difference between loving and liking someone?Liking someone is thinking that person is perfect/has no flaws but loving someone is knowing that they do actually have flaws/aren’t perfect but still loving them anyway

44. Where are you most productive?Volunteering (when I’m not on the verge of a panic attack 😂😂)

45. List 3 things you enjoy doing with friends.Gossiping/complainingJust generally hanging out & talking about a load of shite

46. List 3 things you enjoy doing alone.EatingSleeping Scrolling social media

47. Do you believe world peace will ever exist?As nice as it would be, it’s not likely cause there will always be something or someone disrupting the peace

48. Do you have any allergies?Nah

49. When was the last time you cussed at someone?Today at my volunteers meeting cause I wasn’t allowed to eat the sausage rolls 😂

50. What was the last promise you made?Oooh, I can’t remember

51. What was your last dream about?Don’t think you want to know hahaha

52. If you won a trip to Hawaii and you could take 5 people with you, who would those 5 people be?Think I’d just give the tickets to my friend & her boyfriend and their babies so they could go a family holiday, they could go to Florida too cause she likes it there ☺

53. How many countries have you visited?(Including the other 3 of Britain) 8/9

54. What is your favorite medium of art? (Music, dance, painting, etc.)Music

56. When was the last time somebody complimented you?Yesterday

56. If you switched bodies with someone, how would you recognize yourself?The way I act

57. Do you consider yourself mature?No 😎

58. How many days in your life do you think you have wasted on tumblr?I’ve wasted every damn day on here for the past 6 years

59. What is your favorite quote?“Life’s too short to spend it at war with yourself”

60. If you started a new religion and you had to create 3 rules or commandments for your new followers to live by, what would those 3 rules be?Don’t think I would tbh

61. What is your greatest accomplishment?Fighting back against my depression

62. Do you believe in the death penalty?Nah

63. What are your goals for life?Be less self hatingSelf forgivenessBe financially secureMove back to the town where my family stayGet a job that I like Finally get in a relationship Have a cat (or 10)

64. What do you think your soulmate is doing right now?I dunno, probs pooping

65. If you could live anywhere, where would you live? The place can be in an imaginary, fantasy, or the real world.France

66. What were you like in 2013?Too far up my own arse 😐

67. Do you have a job?Other than voluntary stuff, nah

68. Tell us a story about your childhood best friend.I can’t think of a “story” to tell

69. If you could change one thing about society, what would it be?Judgement/close-mindedness

70. How many all-nighters have you pulled before?Quite a few

71. Is tumblr your favorite website? If not, then what is your favorite website?Snapchat

72. What is the craziest thing you would do for a million dollars?Taking the money & running away with it

73. Does money equal happiness?Nope, you could be the richest person in the world & still be violently depressed; as nice as it would be to be financially secure you could just as easily be totally alone & a mess

74. How many times have you experienced true happiness in your lifetime?Don’t think I have tbh

75. How many times have you experienced true sadness in your lifetime?It’s been ongoing since birth

76. What is the funniest joke you have ever been told?My life

77. When was the last time you looked at the news?Never, it doesn’t interest me

78. If you could say one thing to the world, what would you say?Buy me a McDonald’s

79. What is your favorite animal?Cat!!!!!!!

80. If you could earn a million dollars by pretending to be dead for 3 years, would you do it?Nah cause it wouldn’t be worth the jail sentence/trying to explain why I did it etc

81. What is one thing that everyone is bad at?Hmm, I can’t think

82. What time do you normally sleep? How many hours of sleep do you usually get?Whenever I feel like it & it can vary from a couple of hours to over 16 hours

83. Does age necessarily equal maturity?Nope, I know people in their mid 30’s who honestly act like nursery aged kids

84. What is your favorite clothing store?Primark

85. In the winter- beanies or gloves?Gloves, I don’t like hats

86. Would you rather have wings or a fish tail?Wings for flying purposes

87. If you had the power to erase one person from the world so that nobody remembered him or her except you, would you do it?Depends on the person

88. What do you fear the most?Dogs, lifts, the dark

89. How many digits of pi can you recite?Just the standard 3.14 😂

90. If you could travel back to one year and relive it again, which year would it be?None of them

91. Describe yourself in one word.Freezing

92. Describe your last victory.Winning at bingo hahaha

93. What is the weirdest thing you have ever seen?People at one of my volunteering who put everything on their baked potatoes 😐 (cheese, tuna, coleslaw, beans & onion)

94. What is something you will never forget?The people I’ve met

95. Would you rather forget all of the past or remember everything in vivid detail?Forget it!!

96. Have you ever broken a bone before?Nope

97. Is it harder to love or to hate somebody?Hate

98. Coffee or tea?Neither 😷

99. What are some little things that you do that have changed your life in a positive way?Just really trying to change the way I view myself & the world tbh

100. How many hours have you spend on tumblr today?Just the one

[itsiotrecords-blog]

http://ift.tt/2r36x1M

Talk about a one-eighty! 2012 Summer Olympic gold medalist McKayla Maroney (famous for her “not impressed” photo, taken after she won a silver medal) has done an about-face from the balance beam to her Instagram account where she promotes her new up and coming music career. In fact, her Instagram bio sums it up pretty well: “Olympic gold and silver medalist. Music on the way.” She currently has 1.3 million followers but not all are fans of the big change for the 21-year-old retired gymnast. Many of her loyal fans who have been following her since she earned her fame at the Olympics think that the brand new image is a sellout and call her new and very different look the “trout pout.” They also point out the similarities to Kylie Jenner, both in adjusted lip size and attitude. McKayla announced her retirement from the world of competition sports in 2016 due to multiple injuries she sustained during her competing years. Perhaps the need for a career change is one of the reasons she is determined to strike out as a singer. It’s clear that she has worked hard to change her image from the “not impressed” scrunched smirk that landed her in the meme hall of fame (or shame?) and these fifteen pics will prove that.

#1 Party Girl At an increasingly rapid rate, McKayla’s Instagram account is showing her with less and less clothing and in more party girl situations than ever before. This photo actually shows her wearing more clothing than in most of her risqué photos. With plenty of eye makeup on, she shoots a seductive smile to the camera, wearing a black cut-out swimsuit tucked into two-tone denim cutoffs and a pink and white wrap draped across her shoulders. McKayla is showing that after all of her hard work, she is ready to let her hair down and have a little fun. As for the gaggle of guys in the background, the jury is still out on if they are cheering on McKayla’s new party personality or just enjoying the night’s events for themselves. Party on, McKayla!

#2 White Bodysuit For The Instafame This little white number is definitely not a leftover from her days as a member of the Fierce Five as it shows more than the strict Olympic lawmakers would approve of. However since McKayla is quite used to wearing tight-fitting lycra/spandex combos, she seems right at home in this long-sleeved white bodysuit that she appears to be trying on in a dressing room… unless she has a room with a short door in her house. Many people have commented that McKayla is trying to earn likes and plenty of attention on Instagram by posting photos that her fans have called Kardashian-ish. Do you think McKayla was inspired by the Kardashian/Jenner girls to get the idea for this look or was this a purely organic idea?

#3 (Mc) Kayla Kardashian? It’s a whole new McKayla! Would you be able to tell this is the same girl from back in 2012? Neither would we! Now if she hasn’t had any work done as she claims then she is missing her natural calling as an Olympic star-level make-up artist. Those eyes, nose, lips and chin look mighty different than what we remember from the girl dancing across the mat. But maybe she invested in some top of the line products and knows how to work her countours. Maybe not? Hmm. But her hips certainly look different as well. A trick of the camera? Or is McKayla Maroney, as so many have said, getting plastic enhancements a la the Kardashian girls?

#4 An Old School Look On A New Face McKayla showed off this interesting pic to Instagram. She took her new-looking face and wrapped up the rest of her in an 80’s style ensemble with a vintage-looking pale pink Adidas jacket paired with super tight light jeans while giving a tiny hint of a coy smile. It looks like McKayla, who has had ties with Adidas in the past, is experimenting with her new image… from sleek and sexy aspiring recording artist to old skool chic. Which look do you think best represents the new girl McKayla is trying to show to the world? When too many looks are shown at once, things can get pretty confusing. It almost seems as if McKayla is working her way through a Pinterest board.

#5 Recording Artist In Training Ever since she wrapped up her acting career, McKayla has been hard at work on keeping her singing voice, that we are all supposed to be dazzled with, top secret while simultaneously making sure that we are all waiting on the edge of our seat to hear it. Or at least that’s what it seems like with all of the interviews she’s done about her new single “Ghost.” McKayla has sort of done herself an injustice in that she has hyped her super secret voice and amazing single so much that if we’re not blown away by this other talent, it could be a pretty big let-down. But at least she looks the part. She looks more like an recording artist here than a former gymnast. However, this photo was taken at an interview she did to generate interest in her singing career and part way through the interview, she stopped to walk on her hands. You can take  girl out of the gymnasium but you can’t take the gymnasium out of the girl.

#6 Pop Star Lips? In a 2016 interview with ET, McKayla addressed the rumors about her plastic surgery, specifically her lips by saying that her recent change in plumpness is attributed to a mere make-up trick. “Basically, I’m wearing lip liner,” she said. Her fans and non-fans alike disagree. In the interview, she also claimed, “I have not had anything done to my face” and shut down further commenting by saying that she will not be responding to any questions about plastic surgery or lip filler injections. To many people, refusing to respond further to so many accusations seems like a pretty convenient thing to do if you’ve got something to hide. Her new look is often compared to that of Kylie Jenner who also found herself with a rare case of extreme overnight lip growth. Maybe McKayla will start a line of lip kits if her music career doesn’t work out?

#7 The Joke’s On Us What’s so funny? Perhaps it’s just the lighting in this club but McKayla’s cheeks sure look different here than they do in some of the other photos. Instead of a smirk, she gives a wink and a smile to the camera with a look that says, “I don’t know what this guy next to me is talking about and I really don’t care but I’m a nice girl so I’ll sign something for him.” Gee, McKayla is really taking to the glitzy life of a celeb like fish to water, isn’t she? We’re sure she really appreciates gifs like these a lot more than the memes that once littered the internet and helped spark her to fame… in the awkwardest of ways.

#8 Dare To Bare After announcing her retirement from professional gymnastics, McKayla posted a video of herself to her Instagram account. Wearing nothing but a red tank top and G-string bottoms, she dances around, spins in a circle, giving viewers a shot of her full moon and posed with her hair tossed over the side of her face, giving her best bedroom eyes impression into the camera. These are just a small sample of the multitude of racy videos and pics that she loves to post online. It seems that she is doing all she can to put a wedge in between Not Impressed Face McKayla and the New McKayla, whomever that might be. These photos were taken pre-plastic surgery rumors so she has upped her game plenty since this.

#9 Pitch Perfect In 2014, McKayla traded in her leotard and funny face for a jersey tied to her midriff, skinny jeans, white Adidas sneakers and a casual low ponytail as she wound up for a fake-out pitch to entertain the crowd before performing a couple flips and prancing before finally tossing the baseball to the White Sox catcher and posing for a photo. Performing at events like this with a sweet, carefree and fun-loving attitude went a long way in helping to draw attention to her new image. McKayla’s playfulness and easygoing nature mixed with a bit of sensuality is exactly the kind of new branding she’s hoping to lay the groundwork with for her new career as a singer.

#10 Trout Pout In Full Effect Dressed up (or down) in a throwback acid washed denim mini skirt and a rolled up Lakers tank top, McKayla is performing a perfect example of what her former fans refer to as the “trout pout.” It’s kind of like McKayla’s very own custom-tailored version of the duck face. To do the trout pout, you’ll need a set of recently (allegedly) chemically enhanced lips or according to McKayla, just some lipliner and a little bit of attitude with a side of saucy sass. Then you curve the corner of your lips upwards and open your mouth just a bit. Now look in the mirror to see if you have successfully pulled off the Maroney trout pout for yourself. But never in public, please!

#11 Putting All Of Her “Hart” Into Acting In 2012, McKayla appeared on the CW show Hart of Dixie starring Rachel Bilson. She played a teenage bratty character named Tonya who backed up a regular character named Rose and threw out snarky barbs at Bilson’s character. Her spot on the show was supposed to be a one-time thing but the show had her back for a recurring role and she did a total of six episodes from 2012 to 2015. This wasn’t her only acting gig. In 2013, she appeared as Ellie in an episode of Bones and in 2016, she played a version of herself in Superstore. In a 2012 interview, she stated that she worked hard all of her life to get to the Olympics and that acting was the next phase in her life. Much has changed then of course as McKayla is hoping to dazzle the nation with her singing abilities instead of acting, just as she did with gymnastics.

#12 Adidas Star Here McKayla poses in orange active pants and a geometric patterned sports bra to show off (and hopefully, sell) a classic pair of black and white Adidas for a photoshoot. In her day, McKayla signed to sponsor many products but with Adidas, she launched her own line of specially designed leotards for aspiring gymnasts. It looks like fashion designer was just one more feather she was looking to add to her ever-shrinking hat. Post-Olympics, McKayla emerged as the most marketable of the Fab Five/Fierce Five with much of the thanks being owed to her famous not impressed smirk photo taken at the London Olympics. She cleverly followed up the meme seen ’round the world with a series of talk show spots filled with quippy, witty remarks and big toothy smiles which paid off big time when the advertisers came a-knocking.

#13 No Smirk Here Post-Olympic McKayla found a lot to smile about with endorsements pouring in and her phone no doubt ringing off of the hook with offers and deals. And here as she models an LBD and black high heels, you won’t find a smirk on her face because McKayla has been actively fighting to change her image from the girl in the leotard with her hair severely pulled back from her face in a tight ponytail to a serious actress, leotard designer, Instagram model and singer. Many people say that it’s wrong for McKayla to dress a certain way since she has so many children as fans who look up to her. She’s not letting any of their words hurt her and maybe being an accused Kardashian-lookalike is exactly what she’s aiming for.

#14 Loving The Spotlight All smiles and with stars in her eyes, McKayla does not disappoint during this interview judging by the look on the interviewer’s face. She also probably did not miss a chance to plug her hopeful singing career, too. And why shouldn’t she? If McKayla really can sing, she should go for the gold. Why not? Michael Jordan had a very successful acting career post-NBA retirement. Maybe not highly successful but Space Jam had its day in the sun… kind of. We wish McKayla nothing but bright days ahead on her journey of near nudie Instagram posting and singing dreams. And if all of that doesn’t work out, we sense a Dancing With The Stars opportunity in her near and immediate future.

#1 Booty Authenticity Debate Just like her face, other body parts have come into question. This photo in particular, is what her fans, former fans and people who enjoy accusing others like to use to refer to her alleged body enhancements. In her defense, these could just be a pair of very strange shorts made from some sort of awkward material but something does look off… maybe even pointy. Whatever really is going on, it’s clear that McKayla was not worried one bit. Notice how her top is pulled up to further show off her allegedly enhanced behind. As she poses to take a photo with a fan, she lifts up the heel of one foot. Whether she did this to get a better angle for the photo or because her other foot was sore, it made for speculation opportunity that people are still talking about. Hey, as long as they’re talking, right McKayla?

Source: TheRichest

[iorvaia]

25 Q/A Personality Tag

I was tagged by @ferelden-doglord​ thank you <33

1. Are you introverted or extroverted? introverted, definitely.

2. Are you ruled by emotions or logic? Hmm, hard to tell... logic I think, although it’s more like an equal influence ^^°

3. What is your happiest memory? When I was still living in a little village at the edge of “town“ and I went out with my dog on a sunny day and we ran until there were no houses left to see anywhere and I was in the middle of the field, the forest next to me and Jette was just jumping around... tbh it’s only one of many days which went like that, but I think it still counts :)

4. What is your saddest memory? Hmmm... probably when my grandpa died ?

5. In what kind of world would you rather live in? One with more harmony and respect for nature, with magical forests and without big, stinking cities which cover miles and miles with concrete, a world with magic in it of some sort and with a diversity of creatures

6. What is your favorite video game?  Dragon Age and Witcher o.ö don’t force me to choose between them xD

7. What is your biggest fear for yourself? that I’ll be unable to use my hands anymore for some reason... be it illness or some accident. Or loosing my eyesight. both would stop me from doing what I like best: drawing, reading, writing and playing video games :’)

8. What is your biggest wish for yourself? a bit cheesy, but... to find someone who loves me thoroughly with all my flaws and who I can trust and share everything with

9. What fictional character do you relate to the most? Hm, the first one coming to mind is Cedric. Despite the drinking issue I can relate to him, he’s this kind and caring character with respect for others... hope I don’t sound arrogant here xD just to clarify, I don’t think I’m perfect :’D for me it’s not drinking, but probably something else

10. If you could become anything, without any education or demands, what would you choose as your profession? Artist, preferably comic artist. Or author.

11. Do you have any siblings? jup. Little sister.

12. Have you ever wanted to injure someone? When I was really angry maybe. But still not REALLY.

13. Have you ever wanted to help someone, but didn’t? Yes, when I was too shy or otherwise unsure and thought I might just be annoying or weird... I’m talking about strangers here, that’s to say. For my friends there are different rules xD

14. What makes you angry? Arrogant or disrespectful people, or people taking advantage of their positions to take others down, or abusive people  in general

15. What makes you happy? books, drawing, animals, video games, friends at times, being alone at others...

16. Would you rather beat up a small child once - or get beaten up by an angry man every single day for the rest of your life? I really don’t like this question.... neither? getting beaten up every day wouldn’t only suck, but everything would hurt all the time, you would live in fear of the next day constantly and eventually it’d probably break you. Then again I couldn’t beat up anybody, especially not a child.

17. What places would you visit today if you could? Iceland, London, maybe Venice, and the Carpathians.

18. Do you want children? Why? If not, why not? Definitely, if I could influence it I would first have a boy and then a girl when I’m like at the end of my twenties. I love children, they are like little suns (even tho they can be really annoying sometimes ) and I believe that I’ll be a good mum. I think it will be great to raise a child and guide a person, accompany them and walk beside them for a while (metaphorically spoken)

19. Did you have a happy childhood? I guess I had... no, i definitely had a good childhood. My parents are great, and even tho it wasn’t exactly easy, it was still happy. As far as I remember, that is.

20. Have you ever done drugs? If you have, would you do it again? Well I guess alcohol counts (technicely) and I did do that and will do it again, and if it’s only drinking whine at dinner. Cigarettes too, I smoked at partys or with friends. further than that, nothing.

21. Would you rather become a child again, possessing all the knowledge you have today, or become middle-aged, with 45 000 000 € on your bank account? I wouldn’t want to do everything again and I wouldn’t be happy either, so the other option. It would still suck to loose all the time, but it would be acceptable.

22. If you could become any existing famous person in the world - who would you be and why? I wouldn’t really enjoy being famous probably, but I’d choose Emma Watson. She seems to be a nice person in the right age, so..... yeah.

23. Are your parents married or divorced? married since may 2013

24. Where do you see yourself in the future? How far in the future?  In general with a family, in a house on the countryside, with a dog and a yard, working as a teacher, but still doing art as a hobby.

25. If you’d like, a question of your own here. Mine is directed to my fellow Witcher lovers; Who and Why?

For friendly purposes, Regis or Cirilla? I think Regis, just for symathy reasons.. I think we’d have better dicussions.

For romantic purposes, Dettlaff or Avallac’h? Avallac’h. No explanation needed

As your co-worker, Caranthir or Geralt? Geralt

As your boss, Eredin or Ge’els? Eredin. I don’t really have a reason.

As your best friend, Yennefer or Shani? Yennefer, because Shani doesn’t fascinate me, also she’s just so.....bright :’D

As your ally, Vernon Roche or Anna Henrietta? hm, Roche probably. He’s loyal for his part, so...

As your worst enemy, Triss or Dandelion? I mean, Dandelion would make sense because what’s he going to do to his enemys? It wouldn’t scare me really I suppose. Then again I think I would go along with him better than with triss, so it’s gotta be her xD