#did you know if you get bad grades in an american school they literally are like

[iunctura-arch]

"I failed out of French." And lost her club privileges.

[teapartyprincess4two]

Weakness- M. Sturniolo

pairing: fem!reader x FWB!Matt

classification: slight angst, smut

inspiration: submission for @annamcdonalds67 ‘s writer’s challenge, American Jesus by Nessa Barrett

warnings: 18+, MDNI, literal sex, slight cursing, no use of Y/n, mention of smoking

summary: You fight your inner desires, but ultimately let your weakness consume you.

—

You pull your skirt up quickly, jumping to get the fabric past your thighs. Matt watches from his bed, his body slumped against the headboard as he lazily pulls a cigarette to his lips. His lips form a smirk as you fumble to get yourself together, his eyes trained on the way your ass jiggles against the fabric of your pleated uniform. Even though you two clearly just finished, an erection grows in his boxers at the mere sight in front of him. His hands flick a lighter over the cigarette, inhaling once it’s lit.

Everything about what you just did —what you've been doing— with Matt is wrong. He’s your best friend's brother; the second you admitted that you had a crush on him you should’ve distanced yourself. Instead, you let yourself cross an unforgivable boundary with him time and time again.

There are so many reasons why this relationship is wrong. First, you’re the cheer captain who’s never been caught with so much as a wrinkle on your uniform. Second, you’re at the top of your class and have never brought home a grade lower than an A. Third, you’re popular and if anyone were to find you with a bad boy like Matt, even if it was just your best friend Nick, your perfect reputation would surely be tainted forever.

“See you next week, sweetheart,” he murmurs, each word being followed by a puff of smoke. He catches your attention through the mirror, throwing a playful wink your way that has you rolling your eyes.

“No, you will not see me next week. This was the last time, Matt,” you retorted, trying to sound confident, but even you struggle to believe your own words. You tug your shirt over your head, fluffing your hair over your shoulders as you examine yourself in the mirror. The school’s logo stairs back at you, reminding you of the reality of your situation, of everything that was at stake.

He’s got lips like cherry wine and cigarette smoke on his breath. He’s got pretty long brown hair, blue eyes that look like sex.

You’re a mess.

Your lipstick is painted across your cheek, your hair remains tangled no matter how many times you run your fingers through it, mascara forms dark circles under your eyes, and hickeys litter every inch of your neck.

Not that he looks any better. His lips are equally as stained as yours and his long, brown hair falls past his eyes.

“You said that last week,” he smirks, the sultry undertone in his voice causing your knees to buckle. He knows that he has you, but he wants you to pledge your allegiance to him one last time before you go.

“I mean it this time,” you say, but your voice trembles; a clear sign of your resolve breaking, and this was no time to give in. There was still time for you to walk out with even a little bit of your dignity. All you had to do was walk out, get in your car, and leave. But some things are easier said than done.

Instead, you go on a nervous ramble. “You probably don’t care, but if anyone were to find out about this– If Nick were to find out about this, I’d be the worst friend ever. And I have so many cheer scholarships lined up too, Matt. I can’t let my grades slip, if I get anything below an A they could take those away. Do you know what my parents would do to me if I lost those scholarships? What they’d do to me if it was all over a boy?” your words are coming out a mile a minute, each insecurity and doubt going in one of Matt’s ears and coming out the other.

“Do you even care?”

It’s not that he didn’t care, he just preferred it when your mouth was occupied with other things instead. Matt takes a long drag from his cigarette, exhaling the smoke in your direction. It curls around your figure, lassoing you towards him slowly. He wasn’t good with words, so he’s glad that your body gravitates towards him like second nature.

“This is the last time….” your voice trails off as you fall into Matt’s trance.

Before you know it, you’re crawling over to him and your body has managed to fit perfectly against his. Eager hands fall onto his chest, earning a satisfied hum from him because he knows he won.

Matt takes one last drag of the cigarette, holding the smoke in his lungs as he dabs the bud onto the ashtray that sits on his nightstand. His hands instinctively pull your face in by the back of your neck, latching his lips onto yours and allowing the smoke to dissolve into the kiss. You used to hate the smell of cigarettes, but now even the taste is addicting.

“If you want me to stop, just say the word,” Matt instructs, his piercing blue eyes clouded with lust as he watches you intently. Your mind is telling you to stop, to grab your things and leave before anyone can notice you, but the aching feeling that grows under your skirt keeps you planted.

“That’s what I thought,” he chuckles, watching you internally battle with yourself. The comment makes you feel weak and small, but you’re chasing a euphoric feeling that helps you see past that.

Matt’s lips trail down your jawline, finding the sensitive spots on your neck that are already lined with bruises and bite marks. He sucks on a spot that always makes you whimper, simultaneously bunching your skirt up against your waist.

He delivers a swift slap to your ass cheek, painting your skin a bright shade of red. “Matt,” your voice is strained against the kiss, but he knows exactly what you want. Your hands travel from his chest down to his boxers, teasing fingers tracing the outline of his erection. He kisses his teeth at the sensation, pulling away from your neck briefly to watch your perfectly manicured hand cup his clothed penis.

It would be easy for Matt to submit to you, but where was the fun in that?

Knees down at your altar. Please don’t fail me now.

“On your knees, Princess.”

It’s a command that you’re used to, one that you follow without complaint. You wiggle into the carpet, your knees accustomed to the rough feeling that meets them. “Beautiful,” he hums. His body towers over yours, ready to watch you worship and praise the entirety of his shaft.

You look up at him through hooded eyes, asking for permission to proceed. He grants it to you with a lick of his lips, his fingers caressing your face as you pull his boxers down.

Matt’s penis springs out of its constraints. “You know how I like it,” he comments, watching you take his shaft into your hands. You pump it slowly, taking your time with it and making sure to properly service him.

You place a neat kiss on the tip, letting your lips travel down towards the base. From there you lick a stripe back towards the top that has Matt hissing because you wrap your lips around it, almost like you were drawing an exclamation mark on it.

Your tongue swirls around the tip teasingly, lips still hugging around him. Matt’s eyes stare down at you, eager for your every move.

A careful hand pulls your hair into a makeshift ponytail, pushing your head down slowly on the rest of his length. You gag when the tip hits the back of your throat, your hands moving from his member to his waist. That doesn’t stop him though, instead he bucks into you one more time just to hear you choke around his cock.

You got me red, white, and blue. Pledging my allegiance to you.

“You like that, don’t you?” His question is met with your bloodshot, tear brimmed eyes and a chin dribbling with saliva. Your blue hickeys and red eyes were about to pair perfectly with the white strings of cum he was going to paint your face with.

Ooh, seeing stars in your eyes. No, I’ve never felt so alive.

Matt’s fucking your face at a feverish pace, grunting every time your cheeks hollow around him or his dick presses against the back of your throat. He’s so unbelievably close that he has to shut his eyes because the way your saliva coats his penis and bubbles at your mouth has him seeing stars.

Momentarily, he pulls out of your mouth, giving you enough time to catch your breath before he’s tapping the tip on your lips. “Open,” he grits, shoving himself back into your dazed face. Three more pumps and the submissive sight in front of him is all it takes to push him over the edge.

Spurts of cum land on your tongue, some of it managing to hit your cheek. He collects it on the thumb that brushes your cheek, popping it in your mouth and groaning at how eagerly you lick it clean.

Won’t you take me to heaven tonight?

“Now let me make you feel good, yeah? To remind you how much you mean to me,” Matt whispers, pulling you up and guiding you to the edge of the bed. Now it’s his turn to kneel in front of you, his lips latching onto the skin of your ankles and slowly kissing their way up to your inner thighs.

He nips and sucks on your skin until he’s face to face with your crotch, your arousal evident through your soaked panties. Matt places a gentle kiss on your clothed bundle of nerves, relishing in the satisfied shudder than runs through your spine.

Strong arms wrap around your thighs, pulling you closer to the edge of the bed and forcing you to lay back against the mattress. “Ready?” he asks, but he knows the answer, it’s literally glistening in front of him.

“Yes, fuck yes,” you respond. Weren’t you just claiming to be done with him? And now he has you exasperated at his touch.

Matt uses his teeth to pull your panties down, letting them fall onto the floor before returning his attention to your throbbing core.

He starts off slow, licking your clit just to get a taste of you. Your squirming informs him that this isn’t enough, so he uses his fingers to part your folds. His tongue is flat against you, applying pressure where you need it most.

His right hand presses one leg against the bed while the left clasps under your knees to push your leg in the air, providing him with the perfect position to ravish you. He begins sucking on your nub, burying his face in your juices.

You know all my secrets.

Your hands find his hair, whimpering as you tug at the strands. You’re squirming under him, attempting to pull away at the overstimulation, but his grip on you is so firm that you can’t move.

His left arm slithers from under your knee to over your thigh, wrapping around you tightly enough to tug you even further past the edge of the bed. At this point, your ass is in the air as you chase his face, grinding against him for even more friction.

“Matt— fuck! I’m so close,” you exclaim, propping yourself up on one of your elbows to watch him work. His hair fell past his eyes and his arms were securely wrapped around you; he looked so beautiful.

Your pussy flutters around him, signifying your pending release. So, as to push you closer towards your climax, his right hand leaves your thigh to plunge two long fingers inside of you. The euphoric sensation causes you to throw your head back in pleasure, your elbows giving out until your entire body falls back onto the mattress.

“C’mon baby,” he murmurs, “cum for me.”

That’s all it takes for you to come undone, your body trembling as your orgasm completely washes over you. Matt watches in awe as your jaw falls slack, small moans rolling off your tongue and floating towards him like a melodic tune.

You’re still catching your breath when Matt places one last kiss on your pussy, crawling over you to capture your lips in a kiss.

“How about we make the last time count?” he taunts, dragging the tip of his cock against your still sensitive folds.

You know you’re my weakness.

You nod your head feverishly, wanting nothing more than to feel him inside of you. You’re desperate for his touch, your walls crashing down like an addict overcome with their weakness.

That doesn’t seem to satisfy him. “Words. I need to hear you say it,” he grunts, becoming desperate himself.

Tell me you believe in me too. I do.

“I need you, Matt. I’ll always need you,” there’s a pathetic desperation in your voice that makes his dick twitch, and it’s all he needs to hear before he’s plunging deep inside of you.

He sets a steady pace, rocking his body back and forth against yours like it’s the first and last time. His pelvis brushes against your clit with each stroke, causing your hips to lift off the mattress and meet him midway.

Matt pushes your hips back down, knowing that if you keep that up he won’t last. “Patience, baby. Patience.”

He’s got a cross around his neck.

You can’t be patient though, he’s already so deep inside of you and he still doesn’t feel close enough. Your fingers loop around the cross necklace that dangles from his neck, pulling him impossibly closer to you. Your lips find his in a hungry frenzy, both your mouths moulding into a needy kiss.

Moans and whimpers are exchanged, along with the breathy sound that follows when you look down to see where you two are joined. His cock is covered in your slick, your walls hugging him perfectly with each stroke.

Your hand moves from the necklace to the nape of his neck, caressing and massaging the skin there as he continues to thrust deep inside of you. His necklace sways back and forth, serving as a reminder of how sinful this is. Yet, you never want it to stop.

Matt can tell you’re becoming pensive, so he pushes your hips into the mattress, providing him with a new angle that allows his tip to kiss your cervix. “Matt!” you gasp, the new, delicious angle setting you closer towards the edge.

His animalistic grunts fill the room, he loves when you say his name. “Say it again,” he commands, pulling out of you completely only to snap his hips back in at an ungodly rate.

“Matt!” you exclaim, chanting his name like a prayer.

You’re the greatest love of my life.

“That’s it baby, let go for me,” his words help you reach your climax, your pussy fluttering around him as you come undone. He follows suit shortly after, his head falling into the space where your neck meets your shoulder.

He groans as he releases inside of you, hot breath fanning against your neck. His hips rolls lazily against you, and for a second he lets himself be taken by the immense pleasure that washes over him.

“Fuck, I love you,” he moans, placing sloppy kisses all over your body. He doesn’t realize that he said until he feels your body stiffen beneath him, and honestly he’s not sure what possessed him to admit it out loud.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that,” he stutters, pulling out of you completely. He’s quick to find his boxers and throw them on, leaving you dazed on the bed.

“See you next week?” you ask, a hopeful tone in your voice. Quickly you find your panties on the floor and adjust your skirt. He coughs awkwardly, mostly because he doesn’t know where to go from here.

“This was the last time,” he replies, quoting your words from earlier, but there’s something almost venomous in the way he says it. The sentence breaks your heart and you’re almost tempted to get down on your knees again so he’ll take it back. But you don’t, instead you gather your things and take a fleeting look at yourself in the mirror.

“That’s what you wanted, right? Wouldn’t want your best friend to find out about us anyways.”

You nod your head slowly, a tight lipped smile forming on your face. “Right.”

You were red, white and blue and he never gave you the chance to admit that you loved him too.

—

a/n: 🇺🇸😵 so excited to read everyone’s stories for this challenge!! - L.A.M.B👼🏻💗

—

MASTERLIST

taglist: @nicksmainbitch @sturniololovers @raysmayhem-72 @worldlxvlys @gnxosblog @meg-sturniolo @creamoncreamoncream2 @mattnchrisworld @sanyi5 @lustfulslxt @whicked-hazlatwhore @tworosesblackthorn @mxqdii @fawned01 @junnniiieee07 @sturniolololover @missriddle03 @k-l-a-w-s @maryx2xx @biggesthat3r @herxyzblog @getosuckers @sturnioloarchive @tillies33ssss @fratbrochrisgf @aurizp @riasturns @sturnikitty @sturnrc @sturtriple16 @sillyfreakfanparty @imwetforyourmom @mattslovelygf @stingerayyy2

note: if you want to be tagged in my fanfic related posts, you can access my TAGLIST and comment 💐 if your user is striked through, I wasn’t able to tag you :(

[weywookitswestwood]

HEYYO I FINISHED MY VIV CHARACTER ANALYSIS/BIO/HCS!! +18

(UPDATE: I added a few more hcs cuz I forgot to add them. I might remember more so expect the list to get a little longer)

Just putting a few content warnings out there before you go on scrollin’, there are some nsfw hcs down below so if you’re under 18, you’re in the wrong place. Also there is some mentions of family em*tional *buse and trauma so please skip if you don’t wanna read. Anyways, please enjoy~

Full name: Viviano Westwood (wasn’t born with a middle name)

Nicknames: Westwood, V, Viv, Vivi(don’t ever call him this, he’ll get mad), Vivikins(Or this), Big Guy/Fella/Lug, Vivano, Vibiano, Fabiano, Steve, Eastwood, Winwood, Jarhead(on second thought, only refer to him as either Westwood, V, or Viv)

Stand: Planet Waves (DISC)

Birthday: July 31st, 1983

Zodiac: Boar

Age: 28

Height: 6’1 (186 cm)

Nationality: American (Mostly of English and a bit of Italian descent)

Occupation: G. D. St. Prison guard

Personality: Large and in charge… sort of. Values brawn over brains. Not meaning he’s stupid, he’s just a simple man. Lacks in direction, both figuratively and literally. Because of his physical strength and his simple nature, he gets treated like an ox, whether it be from his parents or his job. Due to his upbringing, he has difficulty opening up or being sentimental. Instead, he copes through anger such as punching walls or snapping at people. He sees crying or being vulnerable as signs of weakness, another result from his upbringing. Likes to antagonize weak targets or criminals to make himself feel better. He claims he turned to the justice system because he wanted to keep evil people locked up for good from the public. That could be true, BUT others around him know there’s more to it than the reason he gives. Behind this mask, he’s an insecure and lonely man. Doesn’t have a spouse or kids or pets. He can be sociable, but doesn’t have any close friends. His love life is zero to none. He relishes in the heat of the moment, but once the discussion of marriage or starting a family is brought up, he’s out the door. Despite his flaws, he’s strong, resilient and yearns for excitement in his life. Perhaps being with the right people, he can find himself underneath that cold exterior and be a nicer, happier guy.

Favorite musician: Earth, Wind, & Fire, The Marshall Tucker Band(he’s a closeted country fan), and not a fan of the singer but he likes Fantasy by Mariah Carey

Favorite book: Playboy magazine

Favorite food: Anything SPICY

Background: Viviano was born in 1983 in Texas to a military veteran father and a hairdresser mother. From the time he was in diapers to 12 years of age, he lived a strict military lifestyle. No, his father wasn’t physical towards Viviano, but their relationship was better described as a “drill sergeant and cadet” dynamic than a “father and son” one. Basically this meant raising Viv how to be a “man” like teaching him how to use a gun at 4 years old and berating him if he began to cry. If there was one thing Viviano feared the most… it was his father. He had a close relationship to his mother, even being labeled a “momma’s boy” by his dad.

By 12, his parents divorced and he chose to go with his mother to Florida, not before his father called him a “disappointment”. For seven years, Viviano lived with his mom in Port Orange, Florida, being enrolled in junior high. While not as bad as his father and at times would be overly affectionate, his mom did boss him around. He was a growing boy after all, he was able to reach and physically do things that she couldn’t. At school, teachers looked down at him as a strong, yet intellectually incompetent boy, who could care less about his grades. Not only that, he needed to boss someone like how his parents bossed him, so he made a name for himself as a bully. He would continue to pick on classmates all through high school until his grades were so abysmal he had to be held back in his senior year and didn’t graduate until the year 2002 when he was about 19. Both of his parents were ashamed of this news.

After graduating high school, he tried to join the military but after three months of boot camp, he left. His father called him a “lost cause”. It was the most humiliating moment of his life. He got a job at a Miami customs house and was there for years until he was let go. He wouldn’t tell anyone why but supposedly it was due to his temper. At 25, he got a job as a prison guard at the Green Dolphin State Prison.

Random headcanons: (Warning: some are sfw/nsfw)

SFW:

-Has a bit of a gambling addiction

-Only child

-Not the best driver, gets worked up if he misses his turn

-Mf doesn’t wear socks (I know I bring this up constantly as a joke but this is canon)

-His mom cuts his hair

-Overheats easily, he’s always warm to the touch not even an ice bath will cool him down

-Big sports fan, especially football and baseball, his favorite teams are the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Marlins, respectively

-Has a really bad habit of cracking his knuckles

-Has naturally long eyelashes

-Doesn’t really have any talents besides bench pressing and being strong

-He can be self conscious about trivial things like being insecure about the size of his hands (he’s afraid of having small hands)

-Accidentally punched his grandma in the chest after tickling him too hard (she was okay just had to go to the hospital for a small fracture in her ribcage)

-Misses living in Texas

-He had a bit of a Texan accent growing up, it’s mostly gone but it’ll randomly come up when his voice cracks

-Sucks at flirting

-Doesn’t have a filter

NSFW:

-Not a virgin

-If you ask him who he’s into, he would say women but secretly, he’s a bit curious if ya catch my drift

-Doesn’t really have a type as long as the woman is of age, consenting, and isn’t a bitchy hag

-Likes being the dominant one when it comes to… ahem, the bed

-He likes to make anything into a “battle”; sex, play wrestling, tickle fights, etc. he’ll do whatever it takes to make his partner submit (psst hey you, yeah you, there’s a way to beat him, he’s super ticklish on his belly, ribs, and feet, get him in one of his death spots, he’ll be sobbing for mercy)

-Frequently gets hard ons, even in the most inconvenient of times (at work)

-Likes to be on top, but is nice enough to be a service top too

-Loves a partner who’s either a switch or just as domineering as he is

-One of his kinks is bondage, loves the idea of cuffing up his partner and letting his hands roam all over their body

-Can see him being a foot guy (dunno why, just cuz I guess); prefers to give than to receive because he’s ticklish but will be okay receiving it if his partner really wants to; but he loves foot jobs

-His favorite thing (I’m sorry everyone)… is CBT; any chance his partner is grabbing or crushing him down there, he’s on cloud nine (this part was honestly painful to write)

-Loves oral, receiving that is (but he likes to give as well)

[boxwinebaddie]

hi nina! do you have any other songs that you think cd would cover? i just really liked new perspective and i think ur music taste is rlly cool :3

d'awww!!! hi there, sweet pea! <3

tysm for your ask but, before you start reading ( because this message got VERY long ), i just want to let everyone know that i used this ask to explain some Very Complex Ravenstan/Callgirl Fake Dating Lore...so if you are interested in that, it starts towards the middle of this ask...it's a lil chaotic, but i tried to make it as interesting and clear as i could! no obligation to read, ofc, as always, but i did want to preface this ask with that info, so you know this one is

*Secretly An Important RM Lore Ask.*

but back to what i was doing ( screaming ):

— because aAAAAAAAAAA!!!! c': <333

i am not even joking, you guys, despite the fact that my fic is based almost entirely around Music, i avoided answering music-related asks for so LONG bc i was legitimately so nervous about it being negatively perceived or read for filth on here, which, i Know, is silly because it's my fanfic and what i say goes, i can't change my music taste anymore than i can change the way my dna loops, but...idk.

like, i feel like A Lot of people are self conscious abt their music taste, but my social anxiety/inferiority complex can get so gnarly that i actually get Nervous when people ask me about what kind of music i like and i never EVER sit shot gun in cars bc i am...scared to aux. :/

iiiiiit's...That Bad. ( nina, please get therapy. )

i also feel like people in this fandom can get Very Intense about what kind of music they associate with the boys/what music the boys listen to and are FRIGHTENINGLY QUICK to rip people to shreds over opinions that don't align with theirs or aren't obscure or 'cool' enough.

bc of that, i try to be Very Lowkey on this blog because the larger part of this fandom and the criminally insane level at which they escalate petty fights over canon/fanon, like to the point that they are frothing at the mouth and start doxing people...gives me Extreme Stress. which, in my line of work, i actually CANNOT have happen.

tldr; i want absolutely NO part of it and like my lil corner.

thank you for keeping it Safe. <3

AND THANK YOU FOR ENJOYING MY MUSIC TASTE!!! EEEE c: <3 THAT IS SO REASURRING AND HEALING FOR ME TO HEAR!!!! MUSIC TO MY EARS, BABY! LITERALLY! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THAAAANK YOU! *holds you* *squishes you* *kisses ur head*

istg, if nothing else the fact that i have a bunch of you rocking out to New Perspective and positively associating it with my fanfic means that i have done my job and that's a legacy i'm willing to die with.

i'm being so serious, i feel like if rm was a tv show, it would play as the outro to every episode...but like a nice, soft, raw version w/ ravenstan on acoustic guitar to contrast the hard ass cd cover of style by tswizz that i think would open every episode...smh, nina, please, pleease stop imagining your unfinished, crack-fanfic as a netflix og series. >.>

BUT!!! okay!!!! in vein of trying not to worry about the perception of my music taste or what other people want from me...tHIS IS A KIND OF CONTREVERSIAL TAKE BUT I TIED IT TO THE PLOT, OKAY?

so, as a little nina lore and for context, when i was in elementary school around like 4th/5th grade, i was listening to like a lot of early y2k bangers, ig. dirty little secret by all american rejects, hey there delilah by the plain white tees, girlfriend by avril lavigne core, etc.

( just to make you giggle, i also had a ps2 and there was a series of video games called singstar that were some off shoot of rockband/gh that had mics you plugged directly into the system...pls note my high score on sk8r boi really should be put in the guinness world records, like if you held a gun to my head and told me to sing that song, i not only would i fuck it up but i would LIVE, baby! better luck next time! )

...it was also around early disney channel times ( the disney channel games with the team colors...that was my OLYMPICS, bitch! ) and i had this Disney Pop Hits Vol...1? i think? cd i used to play on the prehistoric radio thing in my room and my favorite song on it was...

pop princess by the click five.

AND I KNOW!!! I KNOOOOOW!!!! controversial take, but i am sorry, THAT SONG FUCKS!!!! THAT SONG IS SOOOO AWESOME!!!!!

and i feel like when ravenstan was fake dating call girl during the great hate south park embark, cd covered it: i am picturing a less finger-bang, btr, disney channel esqe sound and more of a pop-punk, pedal to the metal, electric guitar type, edgy rockstar boy typa beat.

but Yes, i think ravenstan covered it or idk i really think that it was made FOR call girl. and it was BAD ASF. i also think bc tcf wrote that song about hannah montana ( iconic ), and bc call girl is basically the whole internet's e-girl bubblegum pop princess in my fanfic, it just...

makes...Sense.

am i making sense? do we see the vision? aka rs in his lil pants w/ the ripped red and black flannel tied around his waist, fallin to his knees, singing his heart out, pointing at her, winking? PPL DIIIIIIIIIED.

and by people, i do mean jerseykyle n bebe who were MAD AS HELL,

-- but also tapping their toe...smh.

it was both very cool and very annoying. RIP.

( ...do i have jersey and bebe make out during the pop princess call girl tribute as mlm/wlw solidarity? HEEEELP ICOOONIC *jk vibrating with stress and anger vc* barbara, i need you to do somethin for me don't ask questions, i'll explain later, It's Important sdks MESSY! )

BUT OKAY!!!! SPEAAAAKING OF THEM AND THAT AND CALLGIRL AND RAVEN OF CRIMSON DAWN DATING!!!! i wanted to give you some lore and some spoilery plot about that/them bc it is burning a Hole in my brain...i must discuss r.s. and call girl becaaaause

~Its....Complicated.~

ANYWAYS!!!! IMPORTANT PLOT TIME!!!!

so, for more context: i am currently working on another ask abt how ike found out that jerseykyle/ravenstan used to be dating and during that conversation in kyle's room about three days into the sp trip, CONCURRENTLY somewhere Else, ravenstan and call girl are getting ready to do some flashy PR thing like go on a date/get din, idk.

BUT RIGHT BEFORE IT: ravenstan and call girl are alone together, and ravenstan, who, i am not even kidding you, is sooo fucking Pissed that this is EVEN HAPPENING because kyle is super mad at him, was like you are Actually Dead to me, WILL NOT TALK TO HIM...

( which without spoiling too much -- is actually why ike can tell that somethin Fucked Up is happening because j.k. is super aggressive and loud and is not afraid to Fuck Your Shit Up...but has not laid a FINGER on raven of crimson dawn...and actually, seems to not even want to be Near him, barely acknowledges his existence, leaves rooms that he is in and is Radio Silent around him...WHICH IS TWICE AS SCARY AS J.K. YELLING AND TRYING TO KILL YOU. so, uhh, Not fucking...Good, you guys. ike was like...this is...not fucking normal. )

but again, he cannot tell kyle what is going on bc he might actuuuuallly get MURDERED??? uh???

anyways, in whatever secure, secluded space rae/cg are in ( its somewhere private, i pictured a dressing room of sorts, like a makeup trailer, somewhere they have to take pics ) stan is Extremely Straight Up with her and says something to the effect of:

"i have no idea what you think this is or what you want this to be or what they told you, but we are not dating and this...is NOT. Real."

and call girl ( aka wendy whose identity is a secret to EVERYONE, No One has seen the bottom half of call girl's face...Ever. she changes her wigs everyday, they are Very Elaborate and is always in a very high tech face mask that covers her face from the nose down and uses a voice modulator to mask her speaking voice...a mysterious queen ) oddly enough seems completely relieved by this statement and is like

*squints*

"don't worry, Emo Boy. feeling is mutual. like, no offense, but you are seriously...not my type. Ew. trust me, i don’t want to do this either but,

— I Have To."

wHICHSHDLSKDHLSD SHE GUTTED HIM HELP. he was *gigantic stan slow eye blinks in shock* like "right, okay, Ow. that was...Mean." kshdlksdls but then was "--but i am glad we...agree. i Also HAVE To. not because of publicity, it's...Deeper than that...i can't really ta--"

to which call girl, locking eyes with him, dead seriously, lowering her modulated voice is like...

"it's tenorman, right?

He Threatened You."

and r.s, gagged! Again!!! is like

"holy shit, he THREATENED /YOU/ TOO?!?!"

and call girl nods very slowly and starts to say

"he told me if i didn't do it he would..."

and rs with the same kind of mounting horror whispers

" — Kill Everyone You Love And Care About?"

which, at this point, folks, they are both like...

...WOAH.

bc they realize they are both stuck in the same torture chamber together, they Both got cornered into this really elaborate ruse and have to keep it up in order to keep the people that they love Safe and it's...A Lot. it...really is. but it's also sort of freeing and cathartic to knowing you are not alone going through what is pretty much the worst thing that has ever happened to you in your entire life.

i also feel like...there is this natural bond. this Energy between them. like they understand/see each other and feel...safe with one another.

and call girl, guard still up, dips a toe in uncharted water, and goes:

"well...since were partners in crime now and have to live a lie in public...i think we at least owe it to each other in private...

...to be Real."

she offers this bc they have reached an understanding, an impasse, a standstill, a draw of sorts. and there is a thick tension...as well as this crescendoing vulnerability that hangs the air with her ultimatum as they stare warily at each other, strangers, both wearing still wearing their masks, call girl physically in hers and stan in his metaphorical one doing the dark, raspy smoke and mirrors raven voice bc he is...not sure about her in the same way that she is...

...still not sure abt him.

( they are basically that one spiderman meme where both the spidermans are holding each other at gun point. ) and it's a huge Risk to indulge her request, but again...they both have everything to lose.

and no one...but Eachother.

so he indulges her very tentatively and counters:

"alright...then, tell me something Real, call girl."

to which she nods, closes her eyes and goes. "fine. my real name..."

call girl trails off, reaches up to tap the voice modulator on her mask, turns it off, reaches out her rhine-stoned, sequined, hot pink faux leather gloved hand out to shake his and in her real voice, says,

" — Is Wendy."

and this...is a Very BIG Deal.

again, no one has ever heard call girl's voice before. no one knows what her name is or Anything about her. she doesn't even preform live, she does virtual concerts and is basically this sort of mysterious, ai, vocaloid/miku internet personality that is very Carefully and elaborately Coded and ENCRYPTED to keep her identity Safe.

so her turning off her voice mod and speaking to stan, not as a fictional, larger than life computer-generated celebrity, but as a human being...is massive.

it's also very...Comforting to ravenstan.

who has not been himself...for a very long time. and it's not smart, it's not a good idea, but he decides to trust her and in turn,

in his real voice, says,

"stan. my name...is Stan.

It's Nice To Meet You, Wendy."

he shakes her hand and she shakes his.

she says, "it's nice to meet you too, stan." :)

and it feels...Nice. it should feel wrong, what they're doing, but it feels right, it feels fucking amazing to stop Preforming. she knows his name, she's seen his face...but realizes he still has not seen Hers and running on adrenaline, bolstered by a rare surge of bravery, chinks at her armor, or mask rather, and makes a motion.

literally.

bc he reaches up towards her face and goes, "oof. it's nice to hear your human voice; the dystopian robot voice was lowkey espantoso."

he laughs, it's genuine and super ugly, god bless him. so you Know he's being really real when he asks "but...if it's all the same to you. if were going to speak freely; i'd like to...see Who i am speaking to.

so can i, please, uh...see your Face? your whole face.

your...Real face."

and oof. this...is a little nerve-wracking for wendalends.

she's neeeever taken the mask off. ever. Ever. EVER.

For A-n-y-o-n-e.

but...she might never have the chance again and it is...really stuffy under there. so she Agrees and lets stan remove her face apparatus.

ravenstan does say "Wowza." HDLKSHDSl amazing.

he's also my boyfail king and says something very fucking stupid like

"sorry, you're REALLY Pretty. i was worried might look like deadpool under there." she smiles, it's beautiful. no one has seen her real smile before as call girl and thanks him. she goes on to apologize and is like

"thank you, stan. you're really sweet and i...am sorry i said 'ew'. it's not because you're ugly, you're kind of...Cute for a guy, actually? you have really nice bone structure and very kind eyes. it's just, when i said you weren't my type i meant Boys. in...general."

her voice shakes a little, she's never admitted this out loud before, not even to her girlfriend. but she trusts stan with the nice bone structure and dumb ugly laugh and very kind eyes, so she says

"i'm a...Lesbian.

i'm also Seeing Someone at the moment.

It's Complicated."

and stan is like, skhdlsd way too excited to talk about kyle, and is like

"okay, whew! i'm ALSO seeing someone! or well..." then remembers and is like oooof "well...i Was...seeing someone i guess. it's..."

my man is Depressed and is trying to change the subject because he realizes he actually can't talk about kyle because not only is cartman going to kill him if he does...he is also gonna freakin K!ll Himself because he's actually so sad that kyle currently hates his GUTS.

so he sighs, echoing her and admits "It's...Complicated." :/

he wants to hear something nice though, something real...and nice. because he is a romantico king. who believes more than anything...

in Love.

so he asks her what her girlfriend's name is. <3 :')

annnd i think she is About to say bebe's name...but realizes if she does, it will completely blow her cover.

like her ACTUAL Cover.

because stan knowing her first name and her what she looks like under the mask is one thing...but the second she says bebe's name, it's going to reveal that she is kyle's bebe's wen/wendyl which...is

Meeeeessy.

but she reasons ( as an intelligent, rational queen ) that regardless of how messy things get, her and stan are in this mess together and that the best time to make a mess...is when you are Coming Clean.

still...this is...very sensitive information. she’s not sure how he's gonna take it and needs some sort of collateral.

so she states her terms.

and call girl, who stan now knows is wendy, but not bebe's current girlfriend ( yet ) says "okay. i am going to tell you something, but in order to do it. i have to tell you...Everything. in exchange, i need YOU to tell me Everything. i am going to give you One Chance to do so willingly. if not...i do not care how untraceable you Think you are, i am very familiar with the dark web and i will find out everything i Need to know about you. and do with that information...What. I. Please.

...so /please./ promise me you won't tell anyone about what i am about to tell you...and then, tell me...stan...Something Real."

stan agrees and wendy goes into everything. comes out as trans to him and explains her origin story. ( i started to write everything in this ask but it got too long, i'll tell you all about call girl/wendy in another ask i have a couple in the box i can use, haha. ) she tells him pretty much everything ( it's a big therapy session in there ) up until this point, gaydhd ravenstan...manages to understand

Everything.

and when she finishes, true to the deal, she gently volleys the ball into his court, ( they are friends now, aw <3 ) and softly goes:

"okay...Your Turn."

and so ravenstan...who is Deeply Inspired by wendy...Wowza. he seriously thinks she is so fucking cool and ALSO A TRANS ICON??? HELLO? he feels v seen and heard and safe, so uh...jesus christ, he grabs wendy's hands, takes a veeeeeery deep breath and goes,

"so, i...

— Am DEAD."

LKHDSHSDLKDS HEEELP KSHLKDS

annnnnnd proceeds to tell her everything.

and i do mean...Everything.

they talk for the rest of the night basically, having this heart to heart, at the same time that, unbeknownst to ravenstan, jerseykyle and ike are also having a heart to heart....wendy and stan are platonic besties, they agree to keep each other's secrets as t4t legends stuck in cartman's fucked up marionette hell together, they agree to keep their crazy charade up while they try and find a way out/back to bebe and kyle, take some v convincing publicity pictures together ( i do think jk and bebe see them and want to die So Bad, it's not funny...bebe/jk or wendy/rs...choose your doomed broship. Fml. )

and that's...

Your Crazy Uncle Nina RM Lore Drop For The Night!

i hope you enjoyed it, haha. <3 please feel free to drop me a line in the ole ask box about it and ofc, as always, to ask me anything you would like! if you're still with me...after all this time. thank you so much for supporting me and enjoying my content.

it means...Everything to me.

and in writing something fake...

thank you all:

for being my Something Real. <3 c':

-uncle nina, callgirl/raven superfan

[cyncerity]

I feel your disbelief at being done with highschool……

except for I’m just starting highschool in a couple months.

(i meant to answer this earlier i’m so sorry)

but anyway dude take it in it’ll go so much faster than you realize

also, speaking from my experiences and all of my friend’s experiences (we’re american so this may be different in some places), high school is such a load off. ITS SO MUCH EASIER.

honest to god middle school (7-8th grade) was the worst time of my life. too much homework, everyone was mean, i was having my own crises trying to figure myself out (spoiler alert im gay) without knowing everyone else was going through the same crises, and i met the most toxic and awful people in my life.

high school is so much better cause everyone stops caring so much about every little thing. teachers stop caring in high school. everyone chills out. pda is only bad for like the first year then it dies down. people mind there own business and teachers are easier to talk to. if anyone has ever said “oh just you wait till you get to highschool. they expect all your work on time and make you do six essays a week and blah blah blah” they were lying to you. highschool is chill. as long as youre nice to your teachers and don’t skip classes and whatnot they’ll let you do whatever. i was nice to my english teacher and he let me turn in like three tests literal months late. from home. cause he trusted me not to cheat.

so yeah it’s cool. join clubs and make friends. don’t take any actual classes (i only did art and music like all day so i have no mathematical or historical knowledge). have fun 👍

[twilightfansofcolor]

CH. 3

Late February, 2005

“Isn’t it a little too cold to go to the beach? I thought American beaches were supposed to be hot.” It was Friday night and you were sleeping over at Melina’s house with Chandler (Alexa was grounded due to her poor grades on a recent progress report) and Melina had one of your hands in hers, painting it a neon green. “We do other things too. The kids in La Push also make bonfires and there’s whale watching too. Just be sure to bundle up.” Now with the whole world knowing where you live, your parents have been getting anxious about you going to places other than school and your friends’ house and they had to find bodyguards. Now, wherever you went they went with you.

“I’ll ask my parents about it tomorrow.” Melina applied a top coat to your neon green nails and when she was done, you expected them. They were far better than they would’ve been if you’d attempted to do it yourself, Melina had a steady hand. After your nails were dry, the three of you ate pizza bites while watching The Princess Diaries which you felt was a little ironic. It was the part of the movie where Mia was receiving her princess lessons when Chandler and Melina turned to you. 

“Is it really like that? Do you really have to sit a certain way?” You chewed on a pizza bite and nodded. “That part’s surprisingly accurate. You have to sit or stand up straight and look interested during formal events at all times because a camera is always on you,” you replied, taking a sip of Sprite. “Is that why you never slouch in your seat?” asked Melina, who pulled her hair into a ponytail. “Yeah. Come to think about it, I’ve never seen you slouch at all.” 

“Even if I wanted to, I couldn't do it. Like, I physically can’t bring myself to do it.” Even now, you’re sitting up straight on a blanket in Melina’s living room; old habits die hard. “Do you miss it?” Chandler asked quietly. “Only certain parts. The ones where we actually acted like a family.” You missed Olivia, even though the two of you hadn’t spoken in months and you felt guilty. The stress of keeping the secret of her parents’ crumbling marriage was causing her pain and you were the only one she could talk to; the two of you were born in the same year and the British press loved seeing the two of you together at royal events.

The two of you constantly borrowed from one another’s closets, spent holidays together, sleepovers; now that you’re in America, you wondered how she was coping by herself. The three of you spent the next couple of hours eating more junk food and watching more movies until Chandler fell asleep; she was curled up on the sectional and covered with a lavender blanket, soft snores coming from her corner of the living room. Now it was you and Melina up, and the two of you shared a two liter bottle of soda as the end credits rolled and Melina took the disc out of the DVD player. “No offense or anything but… your family just sucks.” All you could do was just laugh, because it was true.

They do, in fact, suck. For months, they let you and your mother become subjects of horrific abuse in the media, not once coming to your defense. “Believe me, I know. No offense taken, but sometimes it wasn’t all that bad because I had Olivia with me. I thought that whatever we were going through, we’d get through it together. But it looks like I was wrong.” That was the part that hurt the most. A person you considered to be your sister was nowhere to be found when you were going through a PR disaster.

In the thick of it, instead of comforting you, she avoided making eye contact with you at events, and stopped coming by to watch your favorite shows together. Melina wrapped an arm around you and pulled you to her side. “Well, now you don’t need them. You have us now. We’re always gonna be there for you.” You laid your head on her shoulder and smiled, believing her. Things would be better for you and your family; your new friends did more to defend you in the short time you’ve known them than your so-called family who you’ve known for fifteen years.

They made you feel safe. Melina then put on Pretty Woman but the both of you had fallen asleep within the first thirty minutes. Not for the first time since being in Forks, you felt safe, even with all the intrusions from the UK media. You snuggled deeper into your sleeping bag feeling grateful for your new (best) friends.

[fuckyeah-dragrace]

I am fuming. I am disgusted. I am horrified and absolutely ashamed to call myself an American.

This is going to be different from my normal content and stuff that I post here but I have to say something or it will literally suffocate me so please, take the time and read this.

I am a student in the United States, meaning I have had extensive training on active shooter and lockdown drills and with the absolute tragedy that occurred in Nashville this week, it brought back a memory I had forgotten about until now.

I was 6 years old.

We had a bring your favorite stuffed animal to school day since we were learning about animals. Some had voice boxes and some lit up. It was so much fun. What we didn’t know was that we were going to have an active shooter drill.

We were having a read loud and then my teacher rushed all of us into the corner, turned off the lights and told us to be quiet. I’m not sure if she knew if it was real but I remember seeing how scared she was.

We were huddled between her desk and the wall, hidden from view from the door and my friend Maddy had her stuffed dog close to her chest. Then the voice box went off inside the toy and there was barking. I have never seen my teacher so terrified in her life.

She started to cry silently as my teacher tried to get the toy to quiet down or turn off and i remember seeing how petrified she was. My classmates were all watching with horror and darting between my teacher and the door, checking to see if that was the sound of the door knob jiggling or Maddy struggling to keep her sobs in.

I held onto my own stuffed toy, my favorite stuffed tiger, and begged for it to protect me, they always did when I had nightmares. I thought this was just some bad dream and that it would end. I thought I was going to die.

Let me repeat that. I at SIX FUCKING YEARS OLD thought I was going to die.

Thankfully it was a drill and no one was hurt but that day has set all of my behaviors when I’m in school.

I stopped begging for light up shoes for my upcoming birthday.

I memorized the layout of my school so I knew which way was fastest so I could get to my brother and sister who went to the same school as me if I didn’t see them when we were escorted out of the building.

I gave a hug and a kiss every morning and told them I love them every day.

I didn’t follow the rules of my school and kept my phone on me so I could text my parents I loved them if there would be a last time.

I stopped saying it will never happen to me. I say it hasn’t happened yet.

Yet.

The most tragic word in United States history is again. When I turned on the news Monday and saw a shooting I said “again?”

How many times will we have to say again before change is made? How many more graves will have to be made for people to start protecting these kids?

Conservatives want to protect children but they are single-handedly the biggest killer to children.

GUNS KILL MORE THAN CARS.

I am a kind and understanding person but if you think that your right to a weapon of destruction is more important than a child coming home to their parents then fucking block me.

If you think those lawmakers, who wear AR-15 pins on their lapels are in the right, block me.

If you think it’s okay for a SIX YEAR OLD to be terrified of bringing their stuffed animal that talks to school, block me.

No child should be terrified to go to school and not come home to their parents. They shouldn’t be thinking about if they remembered to tell their siblings “I love you” when they’re sitting in a lockdown. I

Guns need to be regulated or the number of shootings will only increase. I am tired and you should be too. So please please please I am begging you, go out and make change in your community and protect children.

Stand up and say NEVER AGAIN.

No six year old should be thinking they’re going to die while in school and until there is gun reform made in this country, I will still be thinking about myself in first grade begging my stuffed tiger to keep me safe.

Thank you for reading this if you did and I hope you all have a safe evening.

[funtomb]

vanny notes.

first gen american ( greek ), first gen weeb ( early 2000s ).

early / mid-20s during hw / sb.

american mc/gee's alice coded.

religious, greek orthodox, has been talking about the rabbit with her priest.

personality: low self-esteem hidden behind braggadocio and needless aggression. compulsive liar. will turn anything into a fight and will start from the outside in. like you could be like 'vanny your hair looks meh' and she's immediately hit back with 'YOU'VE NEVER HAD A GOOD HAIR DAY IN YOUR LIFE AND YOUR PARENTS HATE YOU' and then scuttle into the girl's bathroom to scream. did warrior cats roleplay on early message boards and got into insane drama. so afraid of being bullied for her weeb tendencies that she just became a bully herself. improvise adapt post about a classmate on yikyak.

not a true crime girlie, not into murder. lisa frank enjoyer. watches pastel doll customisation videos. she is a gamer, though! she likes jrpgs and took the job as a video game tester to make some extra money, and because she thought it might get her foot in the door in the industry, hopefully as a graphic designer ( her qualifications are really, really bad anime art from 'how to draw anime', but she's thriving ). her 100% completionist tendencies got her into this mess. she thought the rabbit was an. easter egg.

was a wolf girl in middle school. roxy would have been her favorite and it's a crime that she was forced to get into that rabbit suit. woke up one day and the program was like hiiiii <3 i went into your paypal and then opened your joann fabrics app and ordered you eeeeverything you need for your new suit! i hope you like youtube tutorials because if it comes out bad i will feed one of your loved ones to a shark. sent it to your workplace btw so now the entire office will know you're a furry.

he thinks this is a bonnie and clyde situation while vanny is slamming her head into the wall. she doesn't want to get a job she's not qualified for as a security guard she wants to go to comiccon. william is so up his own ass he can't 'give her the spotlight', but a sidekick would make him look so cool and official wouldn't it? lazytown logic.

meanwhile she is fucking terrified of gt and leaning into the sidekick schtick in order to hopefully get a good grade in murder and survive without getting killed herself. she stares at herself in the mirror and tells her reflection that it's okay. she's doing what she needs to do to get out of this. she's putting herself first because she's a survivor and a winner. she is justified. those kids needed to die so that she could win. this was one of god's tests to see how bad she wanted to grow old. she is justified.

lying out the ass to her family. she's telling them she got into college. harvard, in fact. for marine biology! she's going to be a fish vet! at an aquarium! it will be so cool! see how she's thriving? and she's always been a compulsive liar, it's just part of who she is, but it kicks into high gear when she actually has something to hide.

does literally swap places with william from time to time, hence princess quest; when he's in her, she's in the arcade machine. however, william is not solely responsible for all the crimes she commits.

he is however responsible for coercing her into them with threat of torture / death. i.e. responding to her googling 'how to include self-compliance' and 'help' to trigger a red flag by forcing her to look up gory information -- 'how far can a human being be cut in half before losing consciousness'. he also orders things for her as threats -- 'ordering thumbscrews and having them delivered to the office' 'flowers for your grave' etc.

post-sb like i refuse to go back to therapy i'm too smart for it. i therapise myself constantly. i know the answers but i refuse to apply them. i know exactly what i have to do but i won't do it.

[occasionalincorrectquotes]

You know American school systems fucking suck because of this. I live in Malaysia (more British style school system) and I gotta say, this is insane.

Missing a day or skipping extracurriculars(clubs, uniformed units ect) don't do anything but put a bad number on your exam result slip. It's literally just "Attendance 189/191." Nothing is based off attendance, and you can even miss 4/5 days of the school week and still not be failed. If you don't have a doctor's note, your teacher will list you as "without reason" for missing school, but that's just on your track record, once you pass your exams with a 40% you'll pass your subject.

For the exam, you can get redos even without a doctor's note. Miss school because of some family event? Get your parent to write a note and sign it, that's it. Even without a note, teachers will provide you a redo within a week of the exam. Even if you don't get to do your redo, nothing happens, you don't get pulled back a grade (unless you're standard 6 going to form 1) or anything. Maybe you'll be put in the less achieving classes, but that's so you'll be put next to people on the same level as you so teachers can work better with a clearer understanding of where you're at in terms of that subject in particular.

I had a classmate who missed about half the year of school because of respiratory complications, the school offered financial help (well, they asked the students to donate money, but at least in good intention) and did not punish him whatsoever (because that's fucking insane)

By the time he returned, we were already nearing our syllabus' end, but he pulled through with good results because the scoring isn't based off attendance, it's based off 1 exam you do.

When I say “school should be disability accessible”, I don’t just mean we need handicap rails and EAs. Kids should be able to miss a day without failing out of school. You shouldn’t be dismissed from clubs because your attendance record is “spotty” (true story). I once missed an entire week of school because of a terrible, unending migraine. I was expected to keep up with my studies despite the blinding pain that came with working on my computer. When I heard my teachers say that you couldn’t miss exams, I asked what I would have to do to be excused from them. Their response? “Either get a doctor’s note an hour before the exam or death of an immediate family member.”

I cannot express how rigid this expectation was. First of all, with my condition, I wouldn’t have enough warning about my sickness to go to the doctor and request a note. For many people, this is exceptionally difficult, especially with the current shortage of medical professionals. Next, it ignores the fact that my schedule may not line with theirs because of my medical needs. Once, I had to visit a hospital a province away (which I was on the waiting list of for over a year) on the same day as an exam. I begged my mother not to take me because I was so nervous that I would be marked as an automatic fail. I was lucky enough to make it work, but that’s only because of my spectacular support system consisting of family members and wonderful doctors.

Disabilities aren’t always about needing a bus that can accommodate wheelchairs. It’s already difficult enough for many of us to maintain school attendance without the harsh punishments involved for skipping a day. We need to be able to miss school without being punished. Only than can you claim that the school is “accessible”

[dankusner]

Lambert talks about new album, North Texas roots and living out her dreams on a horse

MUSIC ‘Postcards’ from where it all started

When Miranda Lambert played American Airlines Center in 2020, she stopped the show and let loose a confession.

“I didn’t make cheerleader in high school. And I couldn’t play sports for s---.”

In a strange way, those failures paid off.

They prompted Lambert to ask the school board at Lindale High School in East Texas to form a choir — singing was the one thing she was good at. When they agreed, 60 kids promptly signed up. Suddenly, Lambert had found her tribe.

“In Texas, it’s ‘football or die.’ So for me, getting in the choir was awesome,” she says now.

“As a singer, I probably didn’t need to be screaming cheers all night in cold weather anyway. The choir was a lot better path for my life trajectory.”

Talk about an understatement.

At the age of 40, Lambert has become the most-lauded country singer-songwriter to come out of Texas in decades.

She’s taken home 39 trophies from the Academy of Country Music Awards — a record.

Later this month, she’ll receive the Country Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards.

Not bad for a self-described teen fashion dork who used to hang out at Adair’s Saloon in Deep Ellum with her mom, dreaming of the big time.

Lambert is likely to take home another armload of trophies for her 10th studio album, Postcards From Texas , due out Friday.

She co-produced the album with Jon Randall, the Dallas-raised singer-songwriter who recorded 2021’s The Marfa Tapes with Lambert and another former Dallasite, singer Jack Ingram.

The title of Postcards From Texas refers to the album’s recording location — the famed Arlyn Studios in Austin — as well as Lambert’s deep roots in Texas.

She lived in Van Alstyne, north of Dallas, until first grade, when her family moved to Lindale.

I spoke with Lambert by phone from her home in Nashville.

Our conversation has been edited for clarity.

Your dad is a former Dallas police homicide and narcotics officer, and he and your mom later became private investigators. Did their PI careers influence your new song “Alimony”?

One hundred percent. All the references in “Alimony” were definitely bringing back some of those old PI stories I heard as a kid. When I tell people about my parents, about being taken out on stakeouts when I was 12, they’re like, “You know that’s not normal, right?” But it was normal to us. And it’s definitely helped my songwriting. I started writing at 17, and I hadn’t really lived a lot of life at that point, obviously. So I used a lot of the stories about the cases my parents would talk about at the dinner table. And a lot of those cases were worked in Dallas. I kind of took snippets of that and used it for my creative muse.

“No Man’s Land” is about a woman who doesn’t care about society’s rules and a man who struggles with her strong personality. What can you tell me about that song?

It’s really one of my favorite songs on the record. The whole vibe of that song is love her, but leave her wild. Don’t try to tame her. I need to be me, and come with me on this adventure. It’s an invitation. You seem like a free spirit yourself.

Definitely, I am. Growing up literally in the country in East Texas, running around barefoot outside all day, where your mom said, “Come back when it’s dark,” you know what I mean? It just kind of taught me to go find myself, wherever that is. And I’m definitely an outdoors girl, big time, but also strong-willed at the same time. So when those two meet, it’s a big personality. And I think that’s what makes [the song] beautiful. It’s somebody just willing to be authentically themself.

You co-wrote another new song, “Dammit Randy,” with your husband, Brendan McLoughlin. What was that process like?

Brendan is a retired NYPD officer, so songwriting is not his thing. It’s mine. But for fun, during the COVID lockdown, we would write some songs, and I realized he’s pretty good. I mean, he was a cop. He’s seen a lot of life, too.

Jon Randall and I were just sitting at the house, having some tequila, talking about the album’s direction, and Brendan kept kind of popping in, so we all three started writing it. Jon Randall and I were laughing, like “This is crazy! … we’ve made songwriting our whole life, and Brendan just kind of walks in and does it.”

He’s an outside observer who has an inside look. Brendan has been in my life for six years. He’s been there for a lot of the journey now, and he has a lot of insight. I’m really proud of him.

You started playing bars in Longview at age 16. After that , you also played around Dallas-Fort Worth a lot and recorded your self-financed debut album in Dallas when you were 18. What do you remember about those days?

I don’t know if you’ve ever seen Coal Miner’s Daughter . But that’s exactly how it was. Me and my mom in her Expedition, with bologna sandwiches, riding around with my guitar, going to radio stations or gigs.

We didn’t have a lot of venues [in Lindale], so I played Rudy’s Barbecue in Tyler, just sitting in the corner with my guitar, every Tuesday, for a long time.

I played Love & War in Texas [in Plano] a ton .

They were really good to me when I was just getting started.

I didn’t know what I was doing, but they let me get up there anyway, you know?

And I loved Adair’s.

There’s nothing better than a dive bar for country music.

I remember seeing so many Jack Ingram shows at Adair’s.

He was such a hero of mine back then. Still is.

As you know, Ingram launched his career in Dallas as an SMU student in the early ’90s. What was it about him or his music that you connected with?

I followed him around all these places and watched his shows, and he had this electricity, this stage presence that was so commanding and so rock ’n’ roll.

But he also had these well-crafted songs.

So he had it all, and that’s kind of what I wanted to chase.

He was just such an early influence for me, and he took me under his wing.

He was just so sweet and encouraging.

So it’s really, really cool to me that we get to make music together and put out something like The Marfa Tapes and be such close friends. It’s really full circle for both of us.

You, Ingram and Randall co-wrote “Tin Man” after your divorce from Blake Shelton. Twice I’ve seen you sing that in concert, and both times I noticed fans with tears running down their cheeks.

Yeah. I mean, “Tin Man” is a tearjerker. It’s a special song. You get a few like that in your life, and I’m so thankful to be a writer on that. It kind of came out of the air, but it also came out of a real-life experience, you know? There’s nothing like living the heartbreak you write about, and sometimes that’s necessary.

But that’s what country music is. I have that one, and “The House That Built Me,” in my shows. Those are the ones that really get people emotional. And that’s how I know I did my job right.

Two of your fellow Texans have put out country crossover albums this year: Beyoncé and Post Malone. Any thoughts on either of those albums?

Whatever’s happening with country music … like, I don’t care how people get there. I’m just glad they’re here. It brings different audiences. I’ve been around for a while, so having new fans of country music is always welcomed. It’s always a blessing in my book.

You turned 40 late last year.

Some people have no problem with milestone birthdays like that. Others have a midlife crisis or try to ignore it. What’s it been like for you?

I think I’ve done all those stages of grief [laughs]. No, it was fine. You know what? I feel so lucky that I’ve got to live out my dream and almost all the goals I had set before I was even 40. That is such a crazy place to be. But I’ve learned so much more about balance in my life. It used to be, “Just grind it out,” and work toward a goal forever.

And now I just feel like I’m lucky because I get to breathe. I still work really hard, and I have a lot of projects and brands and charities and all that stuff. But it’s now opened up. Now I have this whole next phase of my life to actually do a work/life balance where, the previous 40 years, I did not do well with that.

What do you think you could have done better? I just worked nonstop. As my manager says, I didn’t “sit in my life.” Like, I was just kind of running. Now I feel like I’m doing a lot better at really being present and making time for travel, for fun, not just constant work. I ride horses. I didn’t start riding till I was 30, but now it’s one of my greatest joys. And recently, I started mounted shooting [competition], which is awesome. And I show my horses once a year. It’s a time that I’m just a hundred percent me. I’m not Miranda Lambert those days. I’m just a horse girl, you know? And it’s very calming and relaxing. But I am still goal-oriented. It’s still something I can work toward getting better at.

[area51-escapee]

Actually really sick of people going “okay but the south really IS that uneducated though” like I’m sorry you do not get to speak for all of us. For grades 6-12 I went to school in a small suburban town bordering on farmland in Texas. Would look outside of my history class and just see damn cornfields for miles. Got to drive past cows and goats while on the school bus. We still learned about slavery and we still learned about the civil rights movement. We learned about the Harlem Renaissance and we read novels and poetry and autobiographies by authors of color. World History was a mandatory class. We learned about the Rwandan Genocide, and the Rape of Nanking. We learned about the fact that the US chose to not punish nazi doctors and scientists and instead bring them to the states. We learned about other religions, we learned about colonialism, about the trail of tears. You don’t get to say our education was universally bad just like I don’t get to say it’s universally good.

We didn’t learn about things like, say, the Titanic sinking, or the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, or the Jonestown Massacre in school. Just aren’t things the US education system teaches about. But they are things I know A LOT about, because I opened books, I researched things on my own, I was allowed to give a presentation on the Chernobyl disaster to my geography class and teach them about it as well just because my teacher approved the topic for a project. Even with the classes I had, there was still a lot I didn’t learn, but I have since learned just. By using the internet. Did you know history podcasts are a thing? I fucking LOVE them. If you have time to be on tumblr talking about how you didn’t know Mexico had literal cities, then you have time to browse some search engines or YouTube channels or literally anything to learn more. I’ve been trying to change the way I look at things and stop saying “I didn’t know”/“I never learned about that” and instead say “I haven’t learned about that yet” because I really do want to learn more! I don’t want to be ignorant forever!

I really hate the way people treat all Americans like we’re just stupid and ignorant, that’s not me and I don’t want to be perceived that way, but it seems like so many people have decided to use it as an excuse to never make an effort to learn more about other places and people, rather than treat it as something that should be disproven. You’d rather hide behind it as a shield so you don’t have to do any real work and try and gain sympathy points for it even though there is a plethora of resources at your fingertips. Maybe school didn’t teach you everything, maybe it didn’t teach you anything, but if the internet can teach you about fanfiction and shipping then I think you can also figure out how to use it to learn more about the world.

[mo0dy-succubus]

I'm still working on request so please bare with me, the fact that I have been getting alot of requests while working on other stories is wild I'm getting there pls I just need to focus before people send to much

Anyway to save my mental health from shattering from request and burning myself out I want to do something

Things abt me that literally Noone asked for:

1. I am short for my height like really really REALLY short(guess me height and you will get something from me idk I refuse to pay tho)

2. Eating gluten makes my stomach hurt I don't have celiac disease or wheat allergy, just gluten sensitive which is sad bc I love intalian food

3. I have 3 sisters and no brothers

4. One of them (besides me) likes kpop too

5. I won a math trophy, despite sucking ass at math,like VERY BADLY

6. I like cats

7. I have some very unpopular opinions on kpop that might get me canceled (anyone interested in hearing them???? 👀)

8. I like anime!

9. I cosplay and I have always been interested in the hobby (AAHHHH MY COSPLAY IS BAD AFFFF)(guess who I cosplay if you can ill drop hints if you want)

10. I'm a big flirt

11. Despite being one I catch feelings to fast

12. I also lose feelings too fast it's not you I swear it's me

13. Apparently I must have been so fruity that my mom and sister knew I was gay even before I came out (I came out as gay in 4th grade ik ik very young) look idk what gay ass things I did in my childhood for her to expect that 😭😭😭

14. I love stuffed animals.

15. I own 2 squishmallows but I want more.

16.❤🌌 I LOVE SPACE AND LEARNING ABT IT🌌❤

17. I watch educational videos for fun and entertainment

18. I also go to sleep with educational videos on(Ted ed, minuteearth,kurzgesagt etc)

19. I'm interested abt black holes

20. TMI, TMI,TMIIIII, when I was in middle school I was jealous of my sister who got her period before me (I'm the 2nd oldest)

21. I jinxed myself and got my first ever period when I was in 7th grade (funny story)

22. when I start my period the first day of it is utter HELL the cramps awesome shitty, but the 2nd day till I end I have nothing at all, I was blessed to not have period cramps😌😌😌

(Ok enough tmi...)

23. Did gymnastics

24. Since I did gymnastics I have very muscular arms and legs.

25. I'm losing it tho in my arms haha but my legs are thick compared to how I look and I feel like it looks weird

26. I'm a Capricorn I'm not into astrology bc idk much abt it lolllll

27. I had long hair before I cut it to my shoulders (my mom thinks I have long hair do to native Americans genes)

28. I love video games

29. I love legend of Zelda and animal crossing<3

30. I'm a little kid at heart if you can't tell

31. I like dancing!

32. Am I good at it? No absolutely not.

33. Dream pet is a hedgehog

34. Nobody knows how to say my middle name

35. For the longest time I never knew how to spell my middle name

36. I suck at holding pencils, my hand writing is crappy now bc my mom gave up on trying to teach me bc I apparently was THAT BAD

37. im single 🥲🥲🥲

28. SOME MEN, NOT ALL, scare me to death

39. I like to tell ppl my cousin is famous

40. (Last one for tonight!!!) I like graphic novels

This was fun I was wondering if I should do another soon 🤔🤔🤔

Well in the mean time I'm gonna try to finish these requests all at once wish me luck and pray I don't die 🤚😔

[dolugecat]

On some Japanese social issues I had learned about at uni and abroad):

(Rb ok!)

Legit had an epiphany about the true hidden meaning of the last arc of Mob Psycho 100. It’s hella projection but for real there is nothing neurotypical about Mob or Mob Psycho. I do not wish to enforce my interpretation on others (ironic bc I do that all the time but this is a serious social theory). There are some interesting and very sad social issues in Japan that the west really doesn’t understand but would I think help people understand a lot of context behind not only Mob Psycho, but also a lot of other anime. I learned this at my shitty university (prestigious but horrific) and while studying abroad in Japan and talking with Japanese peers. Get ready here we go (and tw for bullying and darker things):

Unfortunately in East Asian education systems, bullying can be extremely intense. Growing up I assumed it was over exaggerated extremely in anime for drama but it really can be so horrific. From what I’ve heard, there is often a single kid or so who is just shit on by everyone else, even the teacher. Mogami land *is* the reality of some Japanese kids. I’ve read that in Korea, this social punching bag sometimes is just the darkest skinned person (yayyy colorism /angry) and or someone who does not fit in. I mean, we have that in America too, but maybe not as common for the bullying to be as focused on one misfit rather than several. These kids just can’t escape the stigma too, kids from other schools find out they were a major victim at their old school and it starts anew. Thus there is so much stigma and incentive to join in on bullying so you aren’t the one. Sadly, this also ofc leads to higher suicide rates. That’s where the “shoe on building roof” anime trope comes in, bc somehow taking off shoes is relayed to death (I forgot why sorry)

There is a difference in how intense in general high school vs college is too. In the West, commonly college is the more intense curriculum and is harder than high school, but in Japan it’s usually the opposite. Grind suuuupppeeerrrr hard for entrance exams (huge standardized tests that determines what college you can qualify to) bc unlike the ACT or SAT here, that test is by far the most important factor for college admission. Then chill and relax a bit in college. Can’t relate. Name and prestige is very critical for job application, more important than here. That’s why planning out your future is sooo much more intense for Japanese high schoolers than in America, and why there is sooo much more pressure to excel in high school than here. Japanese school years and holidays are done different than ours, I’d suggest looking it up.

Social prestige of going to an American high school or college is nuts. Like whyyy do you value our shitty education, Japan’s is much higher quality (it’s bc we neo colonized them). Being able to speak English is very, very highly valued and any association with Americans make you cooler. From my experience, some Japanese students got very excited to practice speaking English with us, and their biggest issues with learning it is pronunciation, lmao. Wasai english is unique slang that is indeed English words but it’s kinda different and it’s kinda jarring to remember lol. So, Teru having parents that are working overseas isn’t too uncommon, idk about leaving him absolutely alone, but I did have a ex-friend who just came from Japan in middle school who’s situation probably wasn’t too far off from that. Empty wealth with no love, it’s no wonder those kind of people can end up being huge bullies (minori?)

I did a presentation on 引きこもり(hikikomori) for which means “shut in”, (like Serizawa) and it’s fucked up. It’s a social phenomena where according to some Japanese researchers a mix of undisciplined parenting, guilt/not living up to expectations, and hopelessness makes an alarming amount of youth/ young adults literally never go out side their house/room. Often a parent is “enabling” the behavior by supporting them, but idk the articles seemed a bit victim-blaming to me when I read it, but I don’t think I should make a judgement too hard, not my place. I will say I do suspect and believe I read something to support that ASD might play a role in hikikomoris (there is pitiful resources for autistic people in Asia, much much less support than even here, to the point I don’t think most know it exists). Like come on, with the other points I laid out my personal opinion as an Asian American with autism is that it really seems it’s unknowing ableism against autistic classmates, but I didn’t grow up in Asia so I don’t want to say.

Mental health in general is tragically quite abysmal in Japan, and with it being so hyper competitive and brutal work culture, it’s no surprise birth rate in Japan is so low; some Japanese young adults say it seems unethical to bring a life to such hostile world. Suicide rate is of the highest in the world. It’s fucked, I’ve interacted with some of the locals in Tokyo and they were so nice, but the business men just looked dead inside, it’s so sad.

Relationships between child and parent is also strained bc of this intense work and school culture. Quality time is too scarce when you gotta work so much. And the pressure from parents to do well in education or else you might end up socially stigmatized is rough. Bc your job is who you are, it’s hyper capitalism (thanks us for making them do this)

With autism being so unknown, support for parents in raising autistic kids is almost nonexistent. What happens if the “darker” side of ASD shows up in kids? I used to be a menace when I had meltdowns, I felt so bad but really just became so indiscriminately violent. See where this is going? Legit, I think ESP is a sort of metaphor for neurodivergance to ONE. There is so much stigma around it, and even less way for kids to understand why they are different than the others. My Korean family can’t admit we all got ASD, too much fear and internalized shame.

I got finally diagnosed with ASD as an adult and I’ll tell ya, I relate too much to Mob hurting Ritsu. I felt so bad, but also not in control, I knew what I was doing but not how to stop. Luckily, is was blessed in that my hyperfixations involved science and logic, so I did well at school. Sadly, our boy Mob just don’t got the passion or ability to do well at school. His kanji is very bad, even to point of not being confident he wrote a kanji (世) they learn when they are 9, in elementary school (thanks @katyatalks). Him being a bit berated by his parents for having bad grades and bending spoons seems harsh to Westerners I think, but IMO it’s pretty tame from what I’ve seen of some Asian parents (I get to say that lmao). Ofc, however the shaming is very real and Mob just agreeing with them about how weird and stupid he thinks he is so sad. There is even more pressure for the eldest to be better than here, I feel from some interactions. Nonetheless, it’s implied Mob is quite emotionally detached from his parents, even though he loves them, which also adds to his emotional complex. Combined with originally fragile self esteem and feelings of worthlessness, we got one emotionally stunted boy. However, contrary to common belief people with ASD are sometimes hyper empathic and experience emotions very intensely. We are prone to having “meltdowns” which if not assisted with can be quite violent if very intense. For me, my worse meltdowns as a kid came from when I didn’t understand why I wasn’t getting what I wanted, it seemed selfish and cruel of me but I couldn’t control it. I wanted to be a good kid, so why did hit my moms leg at target when she refused to buy me Pokémon toys? I couldn’t come up with a good reason for why my mind just commanded my body to do bad things, just a single thought was controlling me, I want I want I want I want I want ____. Which I argue could be what ???% represents… bc well…. Yeah….. hmm….. not in control of self (mob unconscious), selfish (not actually, I’ve forgave myself but my “normal” kid self was so ashamed), destructive, hurt family, wanting to stop but can’t, that’s kind of…. Too relatable.

But legit, since realizing my new HC, I’ve started to think of the last chapter of mp100 when I “explode” and it helps me feel better and I do gain “control” a bit easier. I don’t feel so bad anymore either, Mob!

[arguablysomaya]

not to bother you but do you by any chance have any more batfam fic recs? i read all the ones you recommended already and now im starved for content lmao

np lmao i have prepared for this

Just a friendly kidnapping by @Ceciliedr 

Jason decides drastic measures are in order, when his workaholic little brother refuses to take a day off. Tim is going on vacation whether he wants to or not.

As always the bat’s antics confuse the hell out of the team. Especially since Red Hood is officially a highly dangerous wanted criminal.

cryptid bats are such a good trope 

And the Scene Slips Away (To the Evenness I Fake) by @ Kirazalea

One mistake is all it took to force Jason back into the wonderful world of the Wayne family. Now publicly and legally alive once more, he's forced to spend the next two weeks of his life stuck in the Manor with the whole family. This leads to several strengthened relationships and the realization that maybe he's missed a few things over the years. Things that he's now determined to get to the bottom of.

Also known as the "Tim comes out to his family, the public finds out Jason Todd is actually alive, Jason finds out about Mirage and Tarantula, and they all are confronted with the fact that dealing with public relations as millionaire superheroes is actually The Worst (though not necessarily in that order)" Frankenstein of a fic that nobody asked for but I'm giving you anyways

*insert crying noises* this bad boy can fit so much emotion in it

American Ninja Worrier by @DangerBeckett

It's just like Tim to give a poor college student a start in the business world. Kid's a bleeding heart, and usually, that's the sort of thing Jason avoids at all costs. He prefers his bleeding hearts on the literal side, and despite Bruce's best efforts, he's never had a head for business.

Unfortunately, though, this time the business is ninjas, and that's the sort of thing that makes Jason take notice. Because Bruce is useless, and someone's gotta make sure Tim's new internship program doesn't take down all of Gotham.

That's Jason's job, after all.

most accurate tim drake i’ve ever read, added bonus of being fucking hilarious

the art of turning a bed into a home by @ anaksemuabangsa 

“We’ll feel better if we sleep in the same place,” Dick reasons, shifting the blankets and piling them on top of a stiff Tim. “When I was smaller, every time Bruce caught me having a nightmare, he used to stay with me until I fell asleep again,” he continues.

In which Bruce's kids develop a habit fit for princes and princesses.

(Somebody get them to sleep, please.)

the whole good habits series is pog asf but this one is my personal favorite. it’s so fluffy ;-;

“Get out of my room.” by @damthosefandoms

Dick likes to mess with his little brother. Jason enjoys being a little shit to his older brother. Everyone always says they’ll get along when they get older. They’re not so sure about that.

hands down the most realistic sibling relationship i’ve ever seen. fulfills my headcanon that dick and jason are just like me and my little brother. Also check out Older SIblings: A Plague on Our Society by the same author bc LMAO

Young Justice Visit the Suez Canal by @charleswaterloo 

There is an enormous container ship called the Ever Given stuck in the Suez Canal. Young Justice is on the case. During their short adventure, they also: make a massive sand sculpture, enjoy some fanfiction and unblock the Suez Canal. Not in that order. * ‘I am thinking,’ Tim said, with extreme calm, ‘That you have made something that looks like a very large penis when viewed from above.’

‘It’s a dick and balls, yeah.’ Bart said without embarrassment. ‘It’s poetic! I’m ending the journey like it started.’ * ‘Did you -’ Dick began, laughing so hard he couldn’t breathe. ‘Did you really tell him to at least “make the shaft bigger”? Bart told Wally and he told me but I have to know if it’s true, Tim. My life depends on it.’

you remember that boat that ended capitalism for like a week? yeah.

contagious by @Valkirin 

In a happier Gotham where Robin insisted on bringing his new brother Jason home from patrol, the second Robin is dosed with Poison Ivy's cuddle pollen and finds their personal photographer.

an alternate take on tim joining the family that is much more happy

Whatever it is that brothers do by @ididloveyou_once

Jason’s fairly certain his evening plans hadn’t included playing nursemaid for a reckless, self-sacrificing and frustratingly stubborn vigilante. Not to mention that said vigilante was his dumb fucking brother.

Or: Nightwing is badly injured and Hood’s the only one around to help.

*melty noises* they care about each other...........

Way Down, Hadestown

In which Damian's dead and Tim has lost one too many people to accept that.

Platonic Orpheus-Eurydice not-AU set after Damian's canonical death (that I am still deeply bitter about). Likely throws Wonder Woman canon right out of the window.

*melty noises intensity* THEY CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER TO THE FUCKING GRAVE also the lore is cool as hell in this one

the entire Grade School series by KagSesshlove

Imagine that Damian goes to a regular school full time. And has to do things that normal grade-schoolers have to do. This is his life now: pretending to be a normal 10 year old at school all for the sake of the public. But, honestly, the public would rather he not.

fucking hilarious series, i especially like My Family by Damian Wayne

i have so many more LMAO 

[cherry-pop-soda]

okay, i basically never make addons to posts but i have Thoughts about this subject, so.

im gonna add that the requirements to be a teacher are often very low and teachers also get paid like shit so you get a lot of teachers who aren’t prepared to do their job. and you also get a lot of shitty fucking people becoming teachers. for example. i learned nothing in the entire year of my seventh grade english class because my teacher spent the whole time being creepy to girls in the class rather than teaching. i learned nothing in math that year because my teacher played favorites, gave us nothing but busywork meant for kids several years younger, and rarely actually gave lessons. this was because she had a lot of health issues that made it hard for her to show up and be energized to teach, but the school probably couldn’t easily find anyone else. neither of these two teachers was fired even though every student knew they both sucked because administration did not care. even worse, in like 5th grade there was a teacher who supposedly got so mad he CHOKED a student (different stories flew around about what he did, but it was something violent in every single one) and was not fired.

and if you’re visibly neurodivergent? teachers will probably just decide you’re a lost cause and give up trying to work with you. i mean, my behavior throughout my early years of school was visibly indicative of abuse and instead of anyone ever wondering if anything was going on at home my teacher just hated me and had no patience for me. and by third grade i got thrown in a separate class once a week where they basically told us euphemistically that it was for “troubled” kids, the ones who were “different” or something like that. all it probably did was isolate me further from other kids my age.

the shitty staff also causes the quality of the teaching itself to be bad. throughout elementary school i don’t think i learned almost anything useful in any subject aside from math. in english i never learned grammar until grade 8. i NEVER. NEVER ONCE remember learning world geography in all of my school years. i taught it to myself, on my own time, with a mobile game. i learned very little about science until high school and what i did learn before high school was taught in such a disorganized way that none of it would stick. i even knew a kid in grade five who im fairly sure literally couldn’t read. and instead of anyone helping him learn my teacher just continued to pressure him to read aloud and sound it out in front of the whole class.

they teach you very biased information in history classes sometimes too. they tried to tell me the vietnam war was a tie when i was in grade 8. and although i cant remember if mine did, many states also try to teach that the american civil war was about states rights when any american in their right mind knows it was about slavery. they also cram world history into one year while also teaching you the same shit about american history over and over again, so i ended up going over the american revolution more times than i can remember well enough to count but because of how much was crammed into the singular year of world history, i spent ONE DAY on something like the russian revolution, an event extraordinarily significant to world history.

so yeah. the american education system is an absolute failure. and this isn’t even covering the racism and classism involved in the system, or the bullshit legislation, the book banning, or the censorship on what can be taught. often it seems like the people who make decisions about education aren’t even well educated themselves and they don’t even care about kids either.

and the kicker is that i went to elementary and middle school at a school in a neighborhood full of three story houses with fountains in the front yards, and the place was still grossly underfunded, and these stories are still what happened. if that’s what it’s like for middle and upper class people, then imagine what it’s like for people in poverty, and what it’s like in states even more conservative than mine. it’s insane.

i don’t mean to be preachy or anything and i apologize for writing so much, especially because making addons to posts freaks me out, but this subject really gets me going. this system fails not only students but teachers too, and it creates ignorant, biased, or even traumatized adults. and instead of trying to make it better, politicians do whatever they can to make it worse.

for non-usamericans who wonder why we're so stupid: our education system sucks in many ways. Two fundamental ones are funding education exclusively with local property tax (absolutely crucifying impact in many ways that closely track racial and economic discrimination) and two of the largest states having textbook market-makers (long captured by right-wing christian extremists, like "fluoride in the water is the antichrist" "qanon doesn't go far enough" extremists) who will have textbooks shitcanned for mentioning abortion or HIV or evolution or whatever in anything but exactly the right way

[soupthatistohot]

Sk8 headcannons because brainrot

- Langa doesn't know how to swim except the doggy paddle

- Reki wanted a dog as s kid so badly that he made an entire presentation about it for his parents and got his sister involved, too. They had to tell him no, because they couldn't afford it and because dogs require a lot of attention. Reki wouldn't speak to his mother for two days.

- Reki has definitely tried to skateboard in high heels before and he definitely failed

- Miya's YouTube recommended page consists solely of playthroughs and theories for his favorite RPGs

- Kojiro was a pokemon kid

- Langa had braces in middle school but hardly anyone noticed because of how quiet he was. His mouth was almost always closed, and he smiled with his mouth closed for photos, so there is no photo documentation that he ever even had braces

- Langa doesn't take a lot of photos, not at all. If he does, it's of nature or whatever. He has, like, one photo of him and Reki in his phone.

- Reki takes more videos than photos. If vine was around when he was a teen, he definitely would've made a viral video

- Kaoru got the first piercing because Kojiro dared him to, thinking he wouldn't actually do it. After that he just kept getting them because he thought they looked cool. (Though he definitely did that first piercing himself and it got infected. He went to tattoo parlors after that)

- the only person in the past five years who has seen Kaoru in anything but a yukata (or similar traditional clothing) is Kojiro. Apparently Kaoru wears shorts in his own home occasionally.

- Reki has long eyelashes

- Reki always has to remind Langa to wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. Langa did NOT inherit any genes from his mother that would allow him to tan, and thus was constantly either a) white as a sheet or b) red as a tomato

- as soon as Koyomi learned what "gay" was, she looked at Reki and Langa and decided that they were secretly dating (they were not, but she wasn't that far off, it was just mutal pining!)

- Reki knows that airpods are useful and convenient and he can definitely afford them but refuses to ever buy them

- Reki likes grape flavored popsicles and Langa and Miya agree that this is a crime against humanity

- Miya loves sour candy and once made Reki and Langa eat seven warheads at once with him. He was majorly unaffected, but the other two actually physically damaged their tastebuds

- Miya eats lemons in restaurants (including Sia La Luce, and it drives Kojiro crazy)

- Miya doesn't like lemonade, though. It's too sugary.

- Before "S", Hiromi's persona of Shadow lived online as an internet troll

- Langa gets weirdly invested in internet drama even though he doesn't know the first thing about the people they're about (he could tell you the whole timeline of the Tati and James Charles drama tho)

- Reki's English writing is just as bad as Langa's Kanji, and they try to help each other with it but get a little frustrated

- While Miya has great grades in school, it's not because it comes easily to him (like skating). He actually works really hard, and he struggles the most with reading and writing. His favorite class is art.

- Kojiro is a truth serum drunk

- Reki really likes sunflowers, and just flowers in general. He'd probably never say it out loud to anyone but Hiromi or maybe Langa, but he just thinks they're pretty and appreciates their beauty.

- Langa is not a picky eater, but he will, under NO circumstances, eat anything with mustard on it.

- Kojiro taught himself how to braid hair in middle school using Kaoru's hair (he very reluctantly let Kojiro do this)

- Langa used to have a lisp as a child, but he eventually grew out of it

- Reki has glasses with a fairly weak prescription that he just doesn't use (they're supposed to be "just for school" but he really cannot be bothered. plus, he heard that if you don't wear glasses when you need them that your vision won't worsen and might even improve)

- Kojiro not only speaks fluent Italian, but also is proficient in French and even speaks English well enough to get his point across

- Reki loved reading American comic books as a kid. It was just too bad that he had no clue what the dialogue was. He'd try to come up with the dialogue himself, though, and his mom would always find him muttering to himself in various voices when reading

- Reki's headband was a gift from Oka

- Almost anyone in Reki's school could call him their friend, but he never really hung out with anyone (but his other friend who used to skate) until Langa came along

- Langa is a good dancer, Reki... is not (but he has fun!)

- Kaoru can break dance, but no one but Kojiro knows this (for now)

- Miya never has a huge growth spurt like everyone expects him to, he remains below average in height

- Reki doesn't watch a lot of shows, but he LOVES Avatar: the Last Airbender (I assume that show has been translated into Japanese??)

- Langa straightened Reki's hair once with his mother's iron. He burned both his ears multiple times

- Miya actually has a convoluted haircare routine

- Kojiro got Kaoru into the habit of always carrying around lip balm with him (whenever Kaoru would ask to borrow his, he would make an indirect kissing joke. eventually Kaoru just got his own)

- Reki definitely had a crush on the friend that taught him to skate and just did not realize it at the time because he thought he only liked girls

- Reki sleeps under his sheets and blanket all year round

- Langa had terrible acne in his early teen years and he was an early bloomer

- Reki had a tooth gap before he got braces

- Miya wears Invisalign, Reki and Langa insist that he’ll never know the torture that was having braces and remark how “kids these days” have it so easy

- Langa is good at history, mostly because he has a decent memory

- Kojiro got homesick very often when he was in culinary school in Italy, and he called his parents every Sunday

- Langa had a kindergarten girlfriend who was absolutely heartbroken when Langa told her that he just wasn’t that interested. She threw a temper tantrum and punched Langa in the face.

- Hiromi was in a long-term relationship with a girl in high school, but they broke up when she left for college. It took him a while to recover.

- Hiromi is better at mariokart than Miya and it pisses him off

- no one wants to be in the room when Kaoru and Kojiro play mariokart against each other

- Reki got sick a lot as a kid, usually just the common cold (which was kind of ironic given the climate he grew up in)

- Langa never really held anyone’s hand (not since he was a literal child, anyway) until he met Reki. He then discovered that he liked having his hand held

- Kaoru wears eyeliner to “S”

- it takes Langa a few months to really start to unpack his boxes and decorate his room when he moves to Okinawa