#do what you need to to make that content accessible monarchs
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shitpostingfromthebarricade ¡ 2 years ago
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@candescent-candles The way I actually gasped.
I love how so many people trying to read Les Mis give up at the Waterloo digression—.Waterloo defeated them just like it defeated Emperor Napoleon 😔
When the Waterloo comes you really gotta ask yourself, are you a Napoleon or a Wellington?
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northern-passage ¡ 4 years ago
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I don't want to rehash old news, but I need to say this and others need to hear it. I am so tired of people demanding IFs to be more of the same! This and that choices, this and that characters. It is INTERACTIVE FICTION. nowhere does it say that every game is a self-insert (which is an issue on its own). if you're playing a predetermined person who you can guide... It is STILL interactive fiction!! Driving me crazy. and to end it nicely; One of the best IFs ever! Love love love
yeahhh no i totally agree. no shade towards cog here but they have a very basic formula pretty much every one of their very popular games follow and bc cog sort of has this...iron grip on the IF genre due to being so mainstream, like on the app store and on steam, people think this is like.... the end all be all of interactive fiction and people compare Everything to the same three games over and over again.
and it’s not the end all be all at ALL there is SO much more interactive fiction out there. i actually got into IF on itch.io, and in the beginning i only read visual novels because i’m a child and love looking at pretty pictures. i do think the fact that i found IF this way and not through cog has been what’s influenced my style and the way i approach IF. i didn’t start reading cog until last summer, and honestly i prefer most of the wips i’ve read over actual published content. that’s what pushed me to write my own. and it sucks that cog won’t share choicescript bc it’s SUCH a good starting coding language, it’s so accessible and easy to learn. 
and i’ve said before i’m just not interested in writing a flat, blank slate character. that’s SO boring for me as a writer and i also don’t like it as a reader.
i think seeing how your decisions change a character is so much more interesting than just having a generic, over-powered, essentially faceless character. now, i DO know why people enjoy that - we all love a good self-insert from time to time - but i really wish readers would break out of this mold cog has made.
itch.io can be a little overwhelming at first, but honestly it has a really nice tag and filter system (which is critical bc itch.io DOES have a lot of nsfw, though i’ve never had any issue w the safe filter on) to find stuff you like. also, if there’s an author you follow who has work on itch.io chances are they have favorites themselves listed on their profile, or will give out recs if you ask. in fact, i’ll list some of my recs right now:
we know the devil - one of the first VNs i bought and read. if you enjoy this one, def check out pillowfight’s other work
lookouts - one of my favorite short pieces.
lake of voices - a lot of people are familiar with Our Life, by GBpatch, but i absolutely love lake of voices. voiced characters, a little bit of angsty romance, death, and horror...mwah
love is strange - a CLASSIC. i played this before i even played life is strange. so imo you don’t even need to be that familiar with the original game it’s based on.
ebon light - i watched this game come to life while i followed the author’s process and saw how much love and time was put into it and i just can’t not recommend it. a dark fantasy game w romance and politics
a mortician’s tale - very different. a game about death. i’m a big fan of the order of the good death, and i actually got this game for free at some point, but it made me feel. emotions.
contrition - this one is so good. put on head phones, turn out the lights. great use of sound and music and just really good atmosphere.
cowgirl boots - love love love this one. more of a narrative than IF but it’s short and you should read it anyways. makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
is it that deep, bro? - another one that stuck with me for a while.
what girls do in the dark - this one takes me back to the old school text adventure games, but with a twist. found this one through john wolfe’s HQ residential house game jam and really enjoyed it.
the shadows that run alongside our car - another short conversational story. stuck with me for a while after i played it.
a tale of crowns - a chapter by chapter tale where you are the long awaited crown. really enjoy this one, very refreshing to read fantasy written like this. love the setting and the characters
crosshollow - multiple games, sort of like an anthology, all sharing the same setting. surreal and emotional
heartforge - some of you may already be familiar with heartforge, having started in choicescript then moved to twine. multiple games, all very different, all very good
the eight years revolution - full transparency, i’m friends with this author and we talk frequently. set over a span of eight years, you are starting out as a sheltered and naive royal, a young monarch running from a rebellion...
wayfarer - a fantasy game where you play as a wayfarer, with lots of customization options and a very interesting story
love & friendship - another author i am friends with and talk with often. love the humor in this game and the take on the regency genre.
scout - one of my all time favorites. set in an apocalyptic future, you are a scout from a small community, frequently running missions for supplies and information..
there’s this girl - whew. a short one, but emotional. this creator has quite a few works on itch.io, though some of them tend to lean towards the heavy, emotional side. recommend though if that’s something you’re looking for.
emily is away - again, one of the first IF games i played. it’s been years but it’s one that stuck with me. i think it’s worth mentioning simply to show what IF games can be like
birdland - genuinely think this is the first IF game i ever played. i have a soft spot for it because of that, as well as the story itself, which meant a lot to me when i first read it.
whew! i am certain i am forgetting some games and will curse myself later, but this is getting to be a bit long. i really encourage yall to just click around on itch.io in the interactive fiction/visual novel tag and see if you can find something you like. there is SO much out there...
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keytomythoughts ¡ 4 years ago
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Eleutheromania | Chapter 02
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Chapter Index
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Neo City isn’t a city like many others. It’s alive, bustling, and thriving in aspects even far beyond the norm. Equipped with advancements that power high-speed facilities and holographic checkpoints that regulate who comes and goes. Towers upon skyscrapers littered the city, the highways and streets illuminated by various color schemes to attract any bystander. The city’s maroon emblem hangs high in all areas, the symbol of the royal family—a circle encasing four parallel lines nearly intersecting in the middle with four layered triangles embedded at its spherical sides, dark arrows within each of the center triangles—interwoven in nearly everything Neo City has to offer. All parts of the city are bathed with the stench of luxury, wealth dripping from the richest of communities to the busiest of suburbs. It’s no wonder why the citizens take such pride and glory in calling this their home. 
The city is broken up into multiple sectors, each encompassing individuals of a different social status. At birth, everyone has a symbol etched into their right wrist. When accessing certain points of the city, this tattoo-like print enables the system to identify the person, similar to the scanning of a barcode. Four symbols are predominant in this society, controlling every aspect of our lives.
The Diamond. Taking on its shiny jewel form, this symbol is only attained by those of royal blood. Those possessing this symbol have access to nearly everything Neo City has to offer, seeing as they rule this city as they please anyway. The sector is only limited to the perimeter around the Capitol, the residing place of the King and Queen, as well as their only son, Prince Lee Taemin. While their borders are heavily guarded, it isn’t uncommon for government officials to be seen going in and out of the kingdom. The walls obscure most of the contents within that’s hidden from public viewing. Ever since the establishment of Neo City, the Sabres have been guarding that perimeter at all times, taking their job very seriously. The monarch’s personal elite force of police, one could say. They soon became an even stronger force throughout the city, with troops patrolling sectors at their own leisure by the full authority and command of the royal family. 
The Rose. Second to the Diamond, this symbol is appointed to individuals who serve in the government and any of its supporting agencies. Even the children of these government officials retain that symbol that’s passed on from their parents. Sectored in the heart of this city is the military site where thousands upon thousands of soldiers stayed to serve. As such, the entrance to the compound has guards stationed there, letting only those who had to be there in and out. Meaning, civilians that had no business there would be sent away. Their sector is in close proximity to the Capitol, but the Sabres have been stationed at the border as in means of protecting the royalty. They also hold the most power—after the monarch, of course. Their involvement in the military is also through the permission granted by the King and Queen. When broadcasting media, they carefully filter what they need to while selectively choosing what to display, letting the words displayed on their screens trickle through every sector. This was by far one of their more important duties, one that they can be severely reprimanded for if not executed properly.
The Star. This symbol is mostly found in the sector neighboring the Rose where individuals who worked white-collar jobs lived. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, you name it. Here started the “ordinary” of Neo City. No royal blood, no connections to the military, no direct involvement with governmental affairs. These were your average, down-to-earth individuals who worked hard to make a living for themselves and others. This sector, along with the Cross sector, has a higher, denser population than those above them. Young men from this area were also forced to serve when called for post their mandatory drafting. No exceptions to this rule were made. 
The Cross. These individuals worked primarily blue-collar jobs, making end’s meet. This sector outlied the other three, the distance between them and the Capitol largely vast. Unfortunately, despite the massive technological advancements and wealth present in this city, this sector experienced high crime rates as well as those living in the slums. The Capitol's very own “dumping zone”. However, in the past, rebellion groups have risen from this sector the most, some individuals trickling in from the Star sector as well. Hence, the checkpoints from here to the Capitol were heavily guarded, heavily restricted, and heavily facilitated. Similar to its neighboring sector, the men here had to serve. The same sector Lucas and I are from, the system forcefully splitting us apart because of its unjust setup. It isn’t just us, though. The royals exploit the labor from this area the most, using them in whatever way possible. “Expendables'', as they would like to call us.
Connecting all the sectors together is a train line that runs from any of the checkpoints in the city. The Neo Express, a sleek, high-speed train bathed in a warm, burgundy tint that appeared to be a crimson streak when it sped across the railway. While surrounded with this profound glory instituted by the monarch who had it built years ago, it’s not able to be accessed by every single person. The symbols come heavily into play here, the holographic checkpoints having built-in chips that scan the wrist to confirm a person’s identity as well as their demographics. All their records were visible to the Sabres, ultimately providing no privacy to the lower sectors. They determine eligibility of boarding the train with the intensity of their marking. If the color is brighter in complexion, they’re allowed to access this mode of transportation. When pulling up their records, the color matches with their way of life. If, say, a person had been caught by the Sabres for stealing, their symbol would slightly lose its luster. As the number of their crimes increase, whether they be minor or major, the symbol grows darker and darker until there’s a point where the shade permanently stays black. Once that occurs, it’s almost impossible to reverse that. Retaining the lightest shade is also very rare, especially when living in the two lowest sectors that are given the least amount of freedom and highest number of restrictions. 
To distinguish royalty, their symbol’s color glows with bright, radiant gold. This is reserved only for them. There has never been an instance where a person harboring a low-status symbol also had a golden tint to their marking. It just never happened.
Though miniscule, these symbols determine everything. Our way of life, our lineage, and our future. 
Because of this, the price of such living is a very expensive one. One that costs the livelihood of many.
Years before my parents passed, a new law had been issued. This very law is the reason Lucas got drafted much too early for his, or my, liking. 
It has two parts.
At the age of twenty, it was required that all men would be registered in public records for drafting, but those only from the Star and Cross sectors. Their active duty life starts from the moment they are drafted up to ten years. Whether they are picked when they’re twenty-one or twenty-nine, they must serve. For Lucas, it seemed that he got the short end of the stick. Considering he has a cross imprint on his wrist, I’m not surprised. From the time they’re picked, they must serve ten years following that, no matter what. After, they no longer have to serve in the military regiment as active-duty soldiers. Some may be released early, but those cases rarely occur, if they do at all still. Naturally, there are exceptions to this rule, the obvious one being those who are mentally sick and incapable of serving. This branches out to government officials and their children. Royal blood and those of the monarchy in any relation are also exempted from this duty. Those in the Diamond and Rose sectors aren’t obliged to serve unless they voluntarily agree to do so. 
This part of the law didn’t seem so bad, seeing as how some people performed military service at their own leisure anyways. Yet, there was massive upheaval from those in the lower sectors, which is understandable. It was the second part that really changed everything.
Once they have submitted their forms, they’re not allowed to keep any other relationships outside of familial ones. Even then, cross-checks are made to ensure no soldier or future soldier is caught with a partner or potential partner. No dating, no marriages.
And especially, no children.
This, of course, didn’t settle nicely with the people, seeing as it was unfair of them to be forced to complete military work at random and not keep intimate relations with those they love. The King and Queen of Neo City didn’t stand by their protests, so they came up with consequences that would be highly enforced if the laws weren’t obeyed.
If they didn’t serve when called for, the penalty was ten years incarceration.
If they were found to have relations during their active duty status, it would mean death for both the man and the significant other. However, if the two did have a child, or children, the penalty would not be carried out to them. Instead, the officials take in the child and relocate them to an orphanage, not knowing why they were taken in the first place. To be reminded of the punishment for failing to abide by the rules set in place.
I should know, considering my parents were killed by the very same system that also spared my life. I was only four at that time, but I can still smell the coppery scent of their blood splattered against the tiled floor. Even when I wasn’t supposed to have remembered any of it. The rough hands that grabbed me and ushered me along to a new place I would have to call “home”. 
That very same orphanage where I met Lucas.
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Lucas and I were inseparable at the time. Wherever he went, so did I. Even with our one year age difference, he never made me feel inferior, nor did he exert any superiority. We were understanding of one another and grew really close over time. As we got older, our feelings developed for each other as well. The late-night adventures of stealing food from the pantry became sneaking out to watch a movie or two. The silly sleepovers we had in our rooms from time to time turned into sharing our personal space for nights upon nights. Laying down and talking about our past under the stars blossomed into cuddle sessions that lasted till the morning. The secrets we whispered to each other became shoulders to lean and cry on when we were at our worst. Hand holding became fingers intertwining. Affectionate pecks on the cheek evolved into passionate kisses on the lips. 
And finally, when I turned eighteen, he asked me out. The entire experience was wonderful, nothing short of perfect. And a year later, we bought an apartment that overlooked the entire city and lived there together, sunset-watching soon becoming our favorite pastime.  
The very year Lucas signed up for one of the biggest tasks of his life. And one where I, too, would have to pay the cost.
The only reason Lucas hadn’t been punished for having me as his girlfriend when he served was due to the orphanage submitting our records as those having a familial relation. Considering my unfortunate background, they let it pass. I honestly consider it mercy.
I remember the moment he got the letter. The weather was freezing cold out, so instead of going out for hot cocoa, we decided to stay home. There we were, sitting on the couch, my body enveloped by Lucas’ built frame as we watched our favorite movie. I remember him frequently pulling me closer to him, his hand not leaving mine for the entire three hours. And that he was strangely quiet. The Lucas I know is never quiet, but that day, he didn’t utter a single word as we watched in silence. That’s when I knew something was up, but I didn’t feel right asking him. When the credits rolled, that’s when he pulled out the letter from beside him, the emblem of Neo City’s military regiment stamped right onto the parchment. 
My instinct was correct.
I recall picking up the paper with shaky fingers, hoping, praying, it was just a figment of my imagination. That this wasn’t real. That Lucas would continue to stay with me until death does us part. 
I guess fate hadn’t had that planned for us. 
I remember how much I cried that day. And the next. And the days after until he had to leave. Lucas tried whatever he could to console me, but when I looked into his eyes, I felt that his sadness was the same as mine, if not more. I knew he didn’t want this any more than I did, yet we were helpless in the situation. He had to leave, and I couldn’t do anything to stop that from happening. 
The night before he was scheduled to depart in the morning was the first time we made love. Our slow, soft kisses escalated into a fiery competition that carried on far into the night. There was pleasure, there was pain. A battle of dominance, the desperation to fill the need our bodies felt. The hunger buried within our eyes, and our passion to see it through. To leave the love marks on each other’s skin as a result of us indulging in one another. Satisfying our burning desires before we would have no choice but to leave them unsatisfied. To be one, when I knew we would soon part.  
And even though I watched him board the Neo Express, I knew that a part of him was always with me. 
Since he left, I’ve always felt the longing, but I knew that waiting for him to come home was the only thing I could do. Visiting the training regiment wasn’t allowed, if that were not enough to draw suspicion for a woman to visit the male’s training facility. Despite the harsh rules that didn’t allow for the soldiers to keep contact outside of their regiment, Lucas always found some sort of way–and time–to contact me. Whether it be a few minutes of us texting one another or a brief video call, he always put in the effort. There would be times where I wouldn’t get anything, and my mind would be sent in a blaze of worry, praying he wasn’t in any danger. But then when I get a picture of him with his radiant smile and vibrant eyes, my fears cripple away, and the longing returns. 
Even before leaving, I had once suggested that it would be better, and easier, if we were to end our relationship. Those words hadn’t completely left my mouth before Lucas grabbed my hands in his tightly, his eyes widening at the notion I suggested. My heart hadn’t completely meant it, but if it meant that Lucas would be alright, I would take that chance over anything. Even if it meant leaving the man I love.
Despite my intentions being in the right place, Lucas instantly refused. The way he looked into my eyes, the soft and pleading gaze of his, told me all that I needed to know. All that I needed to hear. I remember him closing the gap between us in a warm, loving embrace that conveyed more than mere words ever could. The way his slender fingers combed through my hair, my eyes tearing up at the same time. His other arm pulled tight against my frame, my fingers urgently holding onto his shirt in a meager attempt to just have him close. My body against his, fitting together like a puzzle piece. Complete, whole. Knowing that right then, this man would never leave me, nor could I ever bear to leave him. Even without him saying anything, I knew what his touch meant, what his eyes held. The silent promise that no matter what life threw at him, he vowed to do whatever it took to make sure we never part. To love and take care of each other, just as we always had. And always will. 
And I believed him. With all my heart, I truly did. So when I lifted my head upwards to face him, I smiled. The tears continued to streak down my face, but my smile remained. He offered a similar expression, his thumb carefully wiping the residue of my pain and sadness away from my face. His touch, always so warm and gentle. It lured me into thinking that with him, anything was possible. That we would get through this, no matter the pain, no matter the circumstance. We would overcome it all. Just so that we can continue to watch the beautiful sunsets together while locked in each other’s embrace. 
I remember that kiss in particular. It wasn’t one of lust, nor was it fiery. Rather, it was delicate, soft. The way our lips molded against each other in a fit of passion and longing to replicate the feelings wrenched in our hearts. To portray the sadness we felt, but the love we always held for each other. Desperation and desire, the two mixed in the haze of securing a moment fleeting from our grasp. And when we parted, that despair no longer filled the air around us, nor our hearts with the foreboding treachery that lay ahead. Instead, our desire of holding each other close was etched into our beings. Both physically and emotionally. We wouldn’t let each other go. We wouldn’t. 
That was assured.
Chapter 01 | Chapter 02 | Chapter 03 | 
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llazyneiph ¡ 5 years ago
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its been a busy fuckin week for this mod my ladz!!! i thought i would just give an end of week run down how everything is going, everything added so far and my to do list! also discord!!! and patreon!!! but i’ll talk abt that after this!! a general run down if u dnt know what this wip mod is:
The Royalty Mod gives your sims the opportunity to being the reigning Monarch of your game. They have the chance to become a Beloved Ruler or a Despised Tyrant (and will be treated as such!) They will be completely in control of a custom tax system, will the be benevolent and keep the taxes low or be greedy and fill their coffers with their subject’s simoleans? Be careful though, your actions will affect your citizens and their views of you! Your Monarch will be the most important piece of the puzzle, as they will be able to give titles to family and friends... or even a random street vendor. Having your Monarch bestow titles such as Crown Royals, Royal Partners, Servants, Court Wizards and more, keeps you out of CAS and IN your game! No more stopping and starting your gameplay!
A general overview of everything included so far:
Monarch: - A custom Heir system: Your Monarch can choose anyone bestowed with the title of Crown Royal or Royal Partner to become the next in line to the throne! And if they decide they made a mistake, the Heir can be disowned :((( sad lyfe As soon as the Monarch passes away, the Heir will automatically claim the throne! - If your Monarch dies before they get a chance to name an heir, then any Crown Royal or Royal Partner can vie for the throne. Whoever the people choose (gets to reputation level 6 - very good) first, will become the next Monarch! - Teens and up can become the Monarch, (lookin at u edward the 6th) - Custom tax system! Raise taxes to get more money instantly and in your weekly tax collection, but incur the ire of your subjects! Lower taxes and you will lose money and earn less each week but your subjects will love you! - Your Monarch will draw a crowd wherever they go! Even with no fame points they’ll attract a mass of adoring onlookers. (But no paparazzi for my historical players) - Make world-wide decrees - Listen to your subjects pressing concerns by telling your Trusted Advisor that you will hold a hearing, get that gud gud karma!! - Make anyone a Crown Royal! - Make the land celebrate your own birthday with a new Monarch’s Birthday tradition, with custom goals to be met! - Don’t walk like the rest of these peasants, make sure to enable your royal stride to royally stand out from the crowd. Not enough? Enable your regal glow to really drive home that you’re better than everyone else! - Royal greetings! - Allow your subjects to commence Sunday trading on a lot with the Market lot trait! Townies will come and man the stalls every sunday 9-3 and the royal family can peruse and purchase to their hearts content! -probably more that im forgetting!!!
Heirs, Crown Royals & Royal Partners: - Titles are bestowed by the monarch, crown royals & heirs can be titled at birth and Royal Partners can be titled after marriage! - Both can be named as Heir, and both can vie for the throne if the Monarch dies unexpectedly! - Your Monarch can make anyone a Crown Royal, so if you gameplayed that your Monarch adopted a poor orphan kid, then they can have a shot at the throne too! - All have multiple different social and skill modifiers, so they can make new friends fast and be better at everything than them! - Also all have their own socials - ALSO all can be completely banished from the royal family - u can defo marry into the royal family if u wanted, and make ur peasant family the next gen of royals ;))) - loads more but im so tired
Trusted Advisor: - Your Monarch will choose their trusted advisor! they advice! u on stuff! so choose wisely! - everything about taxes, beginning situations, domestic affair (and planning to add LOADS more) goes thru ur advisor, just like it does in real life and by real life i mean i think i just made that up - way more 2 come bros
- brand spankin new custom animations!!!!!!!!!!
Planned to Add (p much the same as last post): - unlockable interactions based on skills such as charisma - bad monarch reputation and tyrant trait to have the possibility of triggering a revolt??? - Custom situations to trigger weekly events such as royal hearings, banquets ect. - custom situations to trigger a bunch of npc servants (big maybe) - Mass Excitement over royal babies - Mass Mourning over passed over Monarchs - Mass Excitement over new Monarch - Options for crown royals to steal the throne - Sentence to death - Way more custom socials - looking into craftables - Perhaps more of a focus on the working class - more magicky type interactions for court wizards - just like. so much more. but its 1:30am and my brain has stopped working
ok now i wrote this out it rlly doesn’t look like a lot but i have so many gatdamn plans for shit i still gotta add. plus i will probably end up making hair and a few clothes and objects too. also omg guys im totally gonna make one of those fancy fuckin trailers for youtube :))))))))))) also was i on fiverr lookin at voice actors to narrate it...? maybe bitch
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anyway i said i would talk abt patreon so here it is!!!
first things first, let me just say that no, i absolutely do not think i am entitled to a single cent of anyone’s money!!! I would/will still put 110% into this mod and my future mods because I absolutely love doing this. At the moment I’m currently working on this mod about 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week (animations bruh), which is kinda insane. but I want this to be everything everyone’s wanted from EA for years.
I made a Patreon for those who would like to support me. If you do decide to become a Patron I am endlessly thankful for that, not just the monetary value of it but the fact that you believe in me enough to do that.
Every cent of any pledge goes towards my saving fund for my course next year, which for those of who don’t know, I’m currently a first year Game Design student!!! In complete clarity, I’m looking at a $15,000 loan atm, so literally anything helps if u do decide to pledge!
Tiers start at $1 and all tiers have access to a private patrons channel in my discord! u can go read what u get with the tiers over on my page! I’ve offered as much as I can, but since im super not down with exclusives, pls let me know if u think there’s anythin more i can offer u guys!!!
Tier 2 does include a one week early access to my content. I feel like this is the most I’m comfortable offering, and I will always stick to or under EA’s rules when it comes to Patreon.
Tier 2 also offers first picks for Beta Testing, but depending on how many (if any) tier 2 patrons I get, it may work on a rotational system as I still want to include people from tumblr in the beta testing. I don’t want anyone who can’t afford patreon to feel left out, so I would still offer some beta testing spots here and it’ll be first come first served like normal! i don’t want it to feel like i’m gatekeeping my cc. i hope this is okay with you guys! For those who aren’t in a place where they can become a patron, but still want to stay included in everything related to this mod, I now have a Discord Server that anyone can join! speaking of >>>>
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we have a discord ladzzzz!!!!!!!!!
If u wanna stay up to date on everything I’m doing regarding the mod, or u have a question or suggestion, or there's something wrong with one of my mods that u need fixed, or tbh if u just wanna hang out with some cool dudeeees n chill n chat n have a jolly time then com join the discord!!!!!!!!
i’m going to be posting updates and screenshots of the mod process much more frequently there (probs like a few times a day tbh lmao) and it’s much easier to get a hold of me there if u have any suggestions.
and tbh we just gonna have a chill time and i want a metric fuckton of memes and gifs. if that doesn’t sway u, we have a whole channel dedicated to only pics of guy fieri. u will be banned if u post anything else there. u were warned.
ok god im so sorry this is literally 10 years long but i just had a lOT to say but like, mods goin good lads. i just want to make something that gives the game more play ability and keeps u in game and out of CAS. its excitin stuff. thanks for listenin.
                              PATREON | DISCORD SEVER
                    see all royalty mod updates on my tumblr here
also im v sorry if u join the discord like right after this is posted bc i am most definately fuckin asleeeeeeep
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bobasheebaby ¡ 5 years ago
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Malneirophrenia- Monsters chapter 7
Pairing: Olivia x MC; Liam x Olivia
Word count: 2,984
Warnings: evil Liam, evil Olivia, eating disorder, child abuse/neglect
Summary: Emma meets her sponsors and gets a crash course in everything she will need for the social season.
A/N: And we’re in Cordonia, and we are meeting the Beaumont’s ... finally. @sirbeepsalot and I still have another chapter planned before the social season, but soon I promise. 
Series warnings: Evil Liam, Evil Olivia, child abuse, character death, abuse, knife violence, blood, unhealthy sexual situations, NSFW content to come. By asking to be tagged you acknowledge you are at least 18 years of age.
Let one of us know if you want on or off the taglist.
Disclaimer: We only own our OC’s, the rest we are just borrowing from PB.
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Malneirophrenia: the feeling of unease or unhappiness that comes from waking up from a nightmare.
Emma gazed out the window as they traveled the winding roads of the lush Cordonian countryside. Everything here was so different. She grew up in the dense, harsh city; here, everything was lush and open. It was as if dilapidated buildings didn’t exist in Cordonia; instead, quaint country villages spotted with cute, vintage homes transitioned into impressive manors surrounded by sprawling vineyards. Will I ever fit in here?
Her clover green eyes went wide as their car stopped in front of an impressive stone and wood mansion, with lush lawns and gardens that appeared to stretch on forever. “Is this the palace?”
Liam chuckled. “We’re in Duchy Ramsford at the Beaumont estate. You will be staying here until the start of the social season.”
Emma’s heart hammered in her chest. Did they already change their minds about me?
“Li, you’re scaring the poor girl.” Olivia lightly touched Emma’s arm. “Emma, Liam needs to go back to the palace and it wouldn’t be proper for a suitor to arrive so early. The Beaumont brothers have graciously offered to sponsor you.”
“Wait, suitor? You told me you brought me to Cordonia to be Liam’s queen.” Her heart pounded in her chest. See, you’re too trusting. They lied to you.
“You are,” Olivia said softly.
“Why do I need a sponsor then?” Emma asked as she looked between Liam and Olivia.
Liam glanced at Olivia before clearing his throat. “Emma, I understand this doesn’t make sense, but it is customary for noblemen and women to go through a social season to find spouses. I will choose you. We want to build a life with you.”
Emma’s eyes widened in surprise, she thought all of this was already set. She didn’t realize she had to pretend to compete for him while other members of royalty silently judged her every move. He said he’d choose her, but what if she fumbled and everyone hated her? Could she handle another failure to her name?
Emma stepped out of the vehicle. She felt slightly more comfortable but was still nervous. She didn’t know these people and she was expected to live with them. Could she trust two men whom she had never met?
“Olivia will be staying to make sure they take good care of you and help you settle,” Liam said stepping beside her. “Duke Bertrand will also help prepare you for your role by teaching you what you need to know about life at court.”
Emma smiled slightly at the thought that she wouldn’t be alone. Olivia was tough but she was kind. Emma was relieved that she was staying with her. She smiled at Liam, nodding her understanding as shouts filled the air around her.
“You’re here! Bertrand, they’re here!” A tall, thin man with bright blue eyes and dark brown hair shouted his greetings as he bounded down the front stairs to greet them.
“I can see that, Maxwell.” A shorter, more serious man Emma took to be Bertrand said walking down the stairs at a much slower pace. “You may have grown up with His Majesty, but can you please keep up some courtly protocol?”
Maxwell deflated. “Sorry, Bertrand.”
“Yes, well do better,” Bertrand said as he smoothed down the front of his brown sweater vest.
Emma appraised the pair. Maxwell was loud, effervescent, and exuded energy. Bertrand was more stern with a face that seemed permanently etched with a scowl. She wondered how the two could actually be brothers. She straightened as she felt Bertrand’s eyes fall on her, his lips pulled into a thin line as he scrutinized her.
“Your Majesty,” Bertrand dipped into a smooth bow before turning to Olivia. “Duchess Olivia, I do hope your journey was alright. I would like to once again extend you both my sympathies about the king father, such a tragic loss.”
Liam nodded, his stoic façade in place. “Thank you, Duke Bertrand. I’d like to thank you for offering to sponsor Lady Emma.” His onyx stare reminding him of their deal; help Emma, parade her as their own, keep Liam's secret, and receive everything needed to regain his house’s status.
“It's an honor, sir.” He turned to Emma giving her a stiff nod. “You must be Lady Emma. I am Bertrand Beaumont, Duke of Ramsford.”
Emma racked her brain trying to remember the crash course in etiquette that she received on the plane from New York. “Yes, your Grace. It’s lovely to make your acquaintance,” she replied as she dipped into an awkward curtsy.
“Hmm.” Bertrand momentarily questioned why the new reigning monarch wanted him to sponsor this woman and claim her as his own. He nearly backed out of their deal, but the promise of wealth and keeping their status untarnished won out. The king had offered a lot of money, money House Beaumont desperately needed to return to its former glory. It also helped that Liam said this woman would be his queen. “It’s going to take a lot of hard work but I will have her presentable in time for the start of the social season.”
--
“And this is your room,” Maxwell said with a flourish of his arms.
“Thank you,” Emma said giving him a shy smile. He seemed nice but she found his personality a bit overwhelming.
She stepped into the spacious room, her eyes going wide as she took in the space. I could fit my first studio apartment in here twice. She set her Daemarrel bag on the bed before the sudden realization that she had moved across an ocean with nothing but a new purse and a few items to her name hitting her full force.
She swallowed, thinking of all she needed to replace. Did I grab my wallet? Can I even access my account or will the police use it to find me? She gave a soft sigh. This would be any girl’s dream come true, but she was starting to wonder if this was just her being beholden to another man.
Her thoughts drifted to the crimson goddess as she sank into the soft bedding. Thoughts of her stirred butterflies in her stomach and she wondered if Olivia had similar feelings. She rolled to her side and sighed. Her new life would be so much easier if she didn’t have to vie for the hand of a king. She wished the three of them could simply start building their new life together. Liam and Olivia were sweet and kind -- all three of them had survived personal hells. The thought of belonging, of being safe with them, made her happy.
But she knew this was how it had to be for now. Tomorrow, she remembered Bertrand telling her, she would start to learn the skills needed to be queen.
---
Emma sat at a grand oak table in a hard, uncomfortable chair. She stared wide-eyed at the place setting before her, her hands neatly folded in her lap as Bertrand had instructed. Her eyes scanned over the multiple forks as she tried desperately to remember the basic etiquette course she’d had in her home economics class. She gave a soft, hesitant smile as she lifted her left hand, fingers delicately wrapping around the fork closest to the plate. Her head snapped to the side as Olivia gently cleared her throat before picking up the correct fork.
Emma flashed Olivia a grateful smile as she tried to ignore the way her heart raced in her presence. She lifted the correct fork and tucked into her salad. She never realized there were so many different utensils that each served a distinct purpose during the meal. She wondered if Bertrand got a perverse joy watching her fail time and time again. Each new rule seemed to be spoken in a language only the elite could ever understand. Will I ever get this down? Will I ever make them believe I belong?
Always taste your food before seasoning it was one rule she found easy to follow. Growing up, her mother would smack her hand, calling her an ungrateful brat if she even thought of modifying the dish she had been served. It led her to accept what she was served.
Emma casually glanced at Olivia, she watched as Olivia pushed the salad around her plate. Is there something wrong with the food? She cautiously pierced a few delicate leaves with her fork, bringing the lightly dressed greens to her mouth. It seems fine to me.
She tried to conceal her surprise when her salad plate was whisked away and replaced by a new dish. Her eyes swept over her main course: a small, whole bird served with rice pilaf and asparagus. She looked at her utensils. At least there is only one fork left.
“Lady Emma, could you please pass me the salt?” Bertrand requested, his watchful gaze burning into her.
“Of course,” she replied with a tentative smile. His previous words pinged in her head; pass the salt and pepper together. That rule felt dumb. She couldn’t understand why you would pass both if they had only requested one, but maybe there was something she would eventually understand about always keeping them together.
She carefully picked up the salt and pepper, what did he say about passing items? She ran through the rules in her head: set passed items directly on the table instead of passing hand to hand. She set the shakers to the right of Bertrand’s plate before flashing him a soft, proud smile.
“Thank you, Lady Emma,” Bertrand said.
His words felt cold and hard, like the false praise you’d give to a scolded child or a misbehaving dog. She nodded her head in his direction, worry her voice may crack if she were to speak aloud.
Her palms felt sweaty as she watched the others carefully cut off bite-sized portions of the bird. How do I even begin to cut it? It’s basically whole, all it’s missing is it’s head, feet, and feathers.
She surreptitiously slid her hands to her lap, thankful to have the linen napkin to dry her sweaty palms. One rule is a win; the napkin rests on your lap until the end of the meal. Emma flashed an uneasy smile as she lifted her knife and fork, carefully cutting a small piece of breast meat from the bone. Here’s to new things, she thought as she brought the meat to her lips.
Her eyes fell on Olivia’s plate as she chewed. She noticed that, despite the appearance Olivia gave, she’d hardly touched her meal. Why isn’t she eating? She suddenly realized that she had hardly seen Olivia eat since they met.
- -
Olivia tilted her head down, her eyes trained on her plate as she pushed the food around. Her stomach gave a soft rumble, but she refused to take a bite; she knew the food on her plate wouldn’t be nearly as edible as it appeared. Regina simply kept up the appearance of keeping her well cared for.
She speared a lima bean with her fork, summoning the courage to eat it no matter how vile it might taste. Regina enjoyed using food to punish her and would tamper with her meals to make them inedible: vinegar in her soup, extra salt on her vegetables, overcooked and burnt meat. She did her best to stomach it since mealtime was the only time she was able to eat. She’d once tried to sneak into the kitchen late at night, only to find that Regina kept the food locked tight.
If you wanted to eat you ate with the ‘family’ or you could starve. Maybe starving isn’t so bad.
- -
Unknown to Emma, Olivia had requested that Bertrand schedule time for her to teach Emma about more feminine matters. Bertrand didn’t question her; he asked how long she needed and to let him know if he could assist in any way with the lesson.
Olivia spent the afternoon in Emma’s room reviewing the items her stylist had sent over for Emma. She smiled as she ran her fingers down the sleeve of a kelly green cashmere sweater. There was a reason she kept Sasha around; she was a wizard with building wardrobes. She had even included a few ties and items for Liam that coordinated in a subtle way with several of Emma’s outfits. She nodded before sitting on the bed, lifting her legs and admiring the new deep red leather booties Sasha found for her. She loved that, even when shopping for Emma, she still kept her in mind. It felt nice to have someone care.
At 14.00, she walked downstairs and down the center hall of the Beaumont Estate. Their manor was one of the homes she enjoyed visiting. The brothers had kept with their family traditions but it had a light, airy feel to it that other estates and keeps didn’t have.
She arrived at the den and softly knocked before cracking the door open. She peeked inside and saw Emma sitting across from Bertrand. He had been teaching her Cordonian history and Olivia sensed the lesson went well based on the smile on her face.
“Lady Olivia,” Bertrand greeted as he stood. “Please, come in. We were just finishing up.”
Emma stood and turned, meeting Olivia’s eyes as she dipped into a passable curtsy.
“Emma, you don’t need to curtsy,” Olivia noted before looking to Bertrand.
“I thought it prudent that she practices each time she meets someone. Practice makes perfect.”
Emma kept her face passive as she stood. “Duke Bertrand was helping me with my form, but perhaps you can help me refine my skills.” She smiled as she looked at Bertrand. “As lovely as his curtsies are, I think they lack a woman’s touch.”
Bertrand nodded. “I’m sure Lady Olivia can help. She had one of the most rigorous teachers -- you’d be lucky to learn from her. She has perfected the art of court.”
Olivia nodded towards Bertrand. “Thank you. I like to think I have some talents. However, I have a lesson prepared for Emma. We will be down for dinner.”
The two women departed the lounge and headed towards Emma’s suite.
“How were your lessons?” Olivia asked.
Emma sighed. “They went well -- the duke is very nice if you get past the grumpy part of his personality. We talked about values and traditions … he also gave me curtsying lessons.”
Olivia chuckled. “I got the impression.”
“Sadly, he does curtsy better than me,” Emma said before glancing at Olivia. Their eyes met and they both laughed.
“You’ll get there. Keep in mind that you are learning the things we have had beaten into us since we were born.” Olivia took her hand as they reached Emma’s room. “I think you will enjoy your next lesson.”
“I’m trying to imagine what sort of lesson would be in my bedroom.”
“Dressing and appearance. Come with me,” Olivia said as she opened the door and gestured for Emma to enter.
Emma paused when she caught sight of the two wardrobe racks filled with clothes. Several pairs of shoes were neatly arranged along the floor and display trays and stands held a variety of jewelry and other accessories.
“Olivia, what … what is all this?” Emma glanced at Olivia before swallowing. She couldn’t even think about how much this cost; the rack of silken, glittery ball gowns must have cost a fortune.
Olivia walked to the rack that held the more casual items. She ran her hand over the soft sweaters before turning to look at Emma. “I told you my stylist was going to pull items for you.”
Emma shook her head. “But I can’t … I can’t afford this. It’s too much.”
Oliva walked up to Emma and took her hands. Emma looked down, refusing to look at Olivia as tears started to prick at her eyes. “Emma, look at me.”
Emma lifted her face, blinking her eyes in a vain attempt to hide her tears. “I’m sorry.”
“We are family now. This -- everything -- it is simply how your life is now. It isn’t a gift, you do not owe us anything. What you need, we will provide. What we need, you will provide. You, me, Liam … it’s going to be the three of us and that means we support each other. Right now, you need clothes. Here,” Olivia shifted so she stood next to Emma and gently turned her to face the clothes, “are your clothes. We will shop more before we leave for the capital, and you don’t have to keep anything you don’t like. Now let’s have fun trying on outfits and having girl time.”
Emma let out a little laugh. “I know, I’m sorry, I just --”
“Emma, don’t apologize for how you feel. You can be apprehensive, or unsure … but I’m here for you and anything you need or want …” Olivia blushed a bit before taking Emma’s hand and stepping up to one of the clothing racks. “I am able to offer insight and lessons that Bertrand is unable to … help you in ways the men can’t.”
Emma squeezed Olivia’s hand as her fingers reached up and brushed the sleeve of the kelly green cashmere sweater. “You’re right, Olivia, and you have already been more of a friend than I would have ever expected.” She lifted the sweater off the rack and held it to her chest, her eyes looking down at the soft fabric floating over her blouse.
“It’s a beautiful color on you,” Olivia noted. “I sent Sasha some photos so she could match your coloring. I think she did a wonderful job.”
Emma bit her lip as she turned to face Olivia. “Everything here is so beautiful. Tell me what I need to do to be a part of your world.”
Feedback fuels us, please like, comment or reblog to let us know how much you like it. We can handle the screams, so scream away.
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tswiftdaily ¡ 6 years ago
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New Reputation: Taylor Swift shares intel on TS7, fan theories, and her next era
Snakes begone. The 29-year-old superstar is back with a new album and a new outlook on life. We go inside the pop monarch's latest chapter.
THE PALM TREES ARRIVED IN FEBRUARY, seven in all, set against a pastel blue backdrop with superimposed stars. It appeared that a new Taylor Swift era was upon us — that the old happy-go-lucky Taylor was not, in fact, dead. Or did it? It wasonly an Instagram photo, just one more picture in an infinite content scroll. But it also came from a pop star known for prodigious hint-dropping, whose fans turn every piece of info into an online archaeological dig.
As expected, the summery post sent Swifties sifting through each detail with a fine-tooth comb. What did the trees symbolize? An overdue vacation? A recently purchased beach house? A secret palm-frond collection? Or maybe, as many surmised, it was new music. One Twitter user predicted that the number of stars in the background of the photo hinted at a single drop: “There’s about 60/61 [stars]️. There’s 61 days until April 26, FRIDAY, a SINGLE RELEASE day!” Another said it was the unofficial announcement of her next LP: “Okay so in this picture there are 4 palm trees on the left (4 country albums). There are two palm trees on the right (2 pop albums). There is one large palm tree in the middle. This represents her new album.” These may sound like ludicrous conspiracy theories — for the record, they were mostly correct — but they fit firmly within the Taylor Swift Musical Universe (it’s like the Marvel Cinematic Universe but with more guitars and fewer Stan Lee cameos).
“I posted that the day that I finished the seventh album,” says Swift about the photo. “I couldn’t expect [my fans] to know that. I figured they’d figure it out later, but a lot of their theories were actually correct. Those Easter eggs were just trying to establish that tone, which I foreshadowed ages ago in a Spotify vertical video for ‘Delicate’ by painting my nails those [pastel] colors.”
It’s now April, and the 29-year-old pop star is in a Los Angeles photo studio, giving her first sit-down magazine interview in three years. She wants to discuss the art of placing hints inside her work, as well as the upcoming record, which she recorded as soon as she finished the Reputation Tour. She’s also keen on detailing her own obsessions, talking up the TV shows, books, and songs that help shape her outlook on life.
Over the past 13 years, Swift has perfected the pop culture feedback loop: She shares updates about her life and drops hints about new music, which fans then gobble up and re-promote with their own theories, which Swift then re-shares on her Tumblr or incorporates into future clues. It’s like a T-Swift-built Escher staircase of personal memories and moments that tease what’s next. “I’ve trained them to be that way,” she says of her fans’ astute detective work. Swift is a pop culture fanatic herself (see: the jean jacket she’s wearing on the EW cover) and has an innate understanding of the lengths her audience will go to be a part of the original creation. “I love that they like the cryptic hint-dropping. Because as long as they like it, I’ll keep doing it. It’s fun. It feels mischievous and playful.”
Through this approach, Swift has designed the ultimate artistic scavenger hunt — and it’s easy to get swept up in its drama, even if you don’t listen to her music. Her moments aren’t always hidden, either. Sometimes Swift highlights aspects of her world just so fans feel like they’re on the journey with her. Like the time in March 2018 when pop singer Hayley Kiyoko was accused of shading Swift after mentioning her name during an interview. On Tumblr, Swift re-shared a fan’s post, adding commentary that defended Kiyoko, which immediately dispelled any conflicts between the two artists; Swift’s post subsequently received more than 29,000 notes. Four months later, she invited Kiyoko on stage during the Reputation Tour to sing her hit “Curious.” Kiyoko returned the favor when she had Swift join her that December at a benefit on behalf of the LGBTQ organization the Ally Coalition to perform “Delicate.” Fans of both artists were elated by the mutual support.
The feedback loop also extends outside of music. In October 2018, Swift broke her silence about politics by publicly endorsing two candidates for office in her adopted state of Tennessee, while encouraging her followers to register to vote. She kept up the civic momentum through Election Day when she asked fans to post selfies after voting; Swift then eagerly re-promoted her favorites on Instagram stories.
This practice of sharing and re-sharing and sharing again is why listeners consider Swift one of the world’s most accessible pop stars, someone willing to not only interact with her audience but invite them to secret listening sessions, or make the occasional surprise visit to their wedding or prom. It’s a symbiotic relationship, one that, as Swift tells EW, helped her dig out of the darker era of reputation. “It’s definitely the fans that made that tonal shift in the way I was feeling,” she says. “Songwriters need to communicate, and part of communicating correctly is when you put out a message that is understood the way you meant it. reputation was interesting because I’d never before had an album that wasn’t fully understood until it was seen live. When it first came out everyone thought it was just going to be angry; upon listening to the whole thing they realized it’s actually about love and friendship, and finding out what your priorities are.”
Then, during the Reputation Tour, she had an epiphany: that despite the caricature that she thought had been created of her, there were many people who saw what others had simply refused to. “I would look out into the audience and I’d see these amazing, thoughtful, caring, wonderful, empathetic people,” she says. “So often with our takedown culture, talking s— about a celebrity is basically the same as talking s— about the new iPhone. So when I go and I meet fans, I see that they actually see me as a flesh-and-blood human being. That — as contrived as it may sound — changed [me] completely, assigning humanity to my life.”
At tour’s end, she channeled that positive energy into the studio, recording the new album in just under three months. But the fast pace won’t mean a short LP. Swift confirmed that her seventh record (she hasn’t announced a title yet; the working nickname among fans is TS7) will include more songs than any of her previous releases. “I try not to go into making an album with any expectation,” she says. “I started to write so much that I knew immediately it would probably be bigger.”
The project will also feature a mix of old and new collaborators (on the candy-coated lead single “ME!” Swift brought in Panic! At the Disco frontman Brendon Urie and coproducer Joel Little, both of whom she had never worked with), but she is unsurprisingly coy about doling out much more information, as if doing so would break the carefully honed T-Swiftian feedback loop. “There’s a lot of a lot on this album,” she says. “I’m trying to convey an emotional spectrum. I definitely don’t wanna have too much of one thing…. You get some joyful songs and you get the bops, as they say.” There’s also, she adds, some “really, really, really, really sad songs,” but “not enough to where you need to worry about me.”
She gives us one more clue: The true distinction between TS7 and reputation is in the delivery. “This time around I feel more comfortable being brave enough to be vulnerable, because my fans are brave enough to be vulnerable with me. Once people delve into the album, it’ll become pretty clear that that’s more of the fingerprint of this — that it’s much more of a singer-songwriter, personal journey than the last one.”
The past month has seen a deluge of Swift activity, from the release of the new single to dropping more hints in interviews about the record and its title, which is apparently hidden somewhere inside the “ME!” music video (current fan guesses include Kaleidoscope and Daisy). But if the Easter eggs from the pop star seem like a business-as-usual routine, she says this album does indeed mark a new era of her life, where she’s been better able to prioritize what’s important to her.
“Our priorities can get messed up existing in a society that puts a currency on curating the way people see your life,” she says. “Social media has given people a way to express their art. I use it to connect with fans. But on the downside you feel like there are 3 trillion new invisible hoops that you have to jump through, and you feel like you’ll never be able to jump through them all correctly. I — along with a lot of my friends and fans — am trying to figure out how to navigate living my life and not just curating what I want people to think living my life is. I’m not always able to maintain a balance, and I think that’s important for everyone to know about. We’re always learning, and that’s something that I also had to learn — that I’ve got to be brave enough to learn. Learning in public is so humiliating sometimes…. Do I feel more balanced in my life than I ever have before? Um, probably yeah. But is that permanent? No. And I think being okay with that has put me in a bit of a better position.” Strong words to live by, to quote, to re-share, to tweet back to her, and see if she’ll respond.
(x)
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florence839 ¡ 4 years ago
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Are you searching for a valid reason for buying the package of Divi theme for WordPress? You have made the right decision and are in the right place to know more.
Introduction
Table of Contents [hide]
1 Introduction
2 Packages
3 Special features (Web designs and layout)
4 Graphic Design Tools
5 Ratings:
6 Conclusion
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Special features (Web designs and layout)
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By applying, it makes the website look to make it more interactive and look the best. One of the most important projects which are used to make a website more interactive is the animation. Divi provides not only animating the part of the website but also makes it easy to animate every part of the website, even the text which comes on the website. And hence
Ratings:
Divi is rated 5 stars by a maximum of its users. Divi is the divine power to make a website and is now leading the world of website development. It has far much better tools than Elementor and also Elementor pro. Now as the world requires more website developers and the website development industry is in demand as everyone wants to make a website and do some business may it be big or small, it’s a great opportunity to use this tool and take advantage of this time.
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path-of-my-childhood ¡ 6 years ago
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New Reputation: Taylor Swift shares intel on TS7, fan theories, and her next era
By: Alex Suskind for Entertainment Weekly Date: May 9th 2019
Snakes begone. The 29-year-old superstar is back with a new album and a new outlook on life. We go inside the pop monarch's latest chapter.
THE PALM TREES ARRIVED IN FEBRUARY, seven in all, set against a pastel blue backdrop with superimposed stars. It appeared that a new Taylor Swift era was upon us — that the old happy-go-lucky Taylor was not, in fact, dead. Or did it? It was only an Instagram photo, just one more picture in an infinite content scroll. But it also came from a pop star known for prodigious hint-dropping, whose fans turn every piece of info into an online archaeological dig.
As expected, the summery post sent Swifties sifting through each detail with a fine-tooth comb. What did the trees symbolize? An overdue vacation? A recently purchased beach house? A secret palm-frond collection? Or maybe, as many surmised, it was new music. One Twitter user predicted that the number of stars in the background of the photo hinted at a single drop: “There’s about 60/61 [stars]️. There’s 61 days until April 26, FRIDAY, a SINGLE RELEASE day!” Another said it was the unofficial announcement of her next LP: “Okay so in this picture there are 4 palm trees on the left (4 country albums). There are two palm trees on the right (2 pop albums). There is one large palm tree in the middle. This represents her new album.” These may sound like ludicrous conspiracy theories — for the record, they were mostly correct — but they fit firmly within the Taylor Swift Musical Universe (it’s like the Marvel Cinematic Universe but with more guitars and fewer Stan Lee cameos).
“I posted that the day that I finished the seventh album,” says Swift about the photo. “I couldn’t expect [my fans] to know that. I figured they’d figure it out later, but a lot of their theories were actually correct. Those Easter eggs were just trying to establish that tone, which I foreshadowed ages ago in a Spotify vertical video for ‘Delicate’ by painting my nails those [pastel] colors.”
It’s now April, and the 29-year-old pop star is in a Los Angeles photo studio, giving her first sit-down magazine interview in three years. She wants to discuss the art of placing hints inside her work, as well as the upcoming record, which she recorded as soon as she finished the Reputation Tour. She’s also keen on detailing her own obsessions, talking up the TV shows, books, and songs that help shape her outlook on life.
Over the past 13 years, Swift has perfected the pop culture feedback loop: She shares updates about her life and drops hints about new music, which fans then gobble up and re-promote with their own theories, which Swift then re-shares on her Tumblr or incorporates into future clues. It’s like a T-Swift-built Escher staircase of personal memories and moments that tease what’s next. “I’ve trained them to be that way,” she says of her fans’ astute detective work. Swift is a pop culture fanatic herself (see: the jean jacket she’s wearing on the EW cover) and has an innate understanding of the lengths her audience will go to be a part of the original creation. “I love that they like the cryptic hint-dropping. Because as long as they like it, I’ll keep doing it. It’s fun. It feels mischievous and playful.”
Through this approach, Swift has designed the ultimate artistic scavenger hunt — and it’s easy to get swept up in its drama, even if you don’t listen to her music. Her moments aren’t always hidden, either. Sometimes Swift highlights aspects of her world just so fans feel like they’re on the journey with her. Like the time in March 2018 when pop singer Hayley Kiyoko was accused of shading Swift after mentioning her name during an interview. On Tumblr, Swift re-shared a fan’s post, adding commentary that defended Kiyoko, which immediately dispelled any conflicts between the two artists; Swift’s post subsequently received more than 29,000 notes. Four months later, she invited Kiyoko on stage during the Reputation Tour to sing her hit “Curious.” Kiyoko returned the favor when she had Swift join her that December at a benefit on behalf of the LGBTQ organization the Ally Coalition to perform “Delicate.” Fans of both artists were elated by the mutual support.
The feedback loop also extends outside of music. In October 2018, Swift broke her silence about politics by publicly endorsing two candidates for office in her adopted state of Tennessee, while encouraging her followers to register to vote. She kept up the civic momentum through Election Day when she asked fans to post selfies after voting; Swift then eagerly re-promoted her favorites on Instagram stories.
This practice of sharing and re-sharing and sharing again is why listeners consider Swift one of the world’s most accessible pop stars, someone willing to not only interact with her audience but invite them to secret listening sessions, or make the occasional surprise visit to their wedding or prom. It’s a symbiotic relationship, one that, as Swift tells EW, helped her dig out of the darker era of reputation. “It’s definitely the fans that made that tonal shift in the way I was feeling,” she says. “Songwriters need to communicate, and part of communicating correctly is when you put out a message that is understood the way you meant it. reputation was interesting because I’d never before had an album that wasn’t fully understood until it was seen live. When it first came out everyone thought it was just going to be angry; upon listening to the whole thing they realized it’s actually about love and friendship, and finding out what your priorities are.”
Then, during the Reputation Tour, she had an epiphany: that despite the caricature that she thought had been created of her, there were many people who saw what others had simply refused to. “I would look out into the audience and I’d see these amazing, thoughtful, caring, wonderful, empathetic people,” she says. “So often with our takedown culture, talking s— about a celebrity is basically the same as talking s— about the new iPhone. So when I go and I meet fans, I see that they actually see me as a flesh-and-blood human being. That — as contrived as it may sound — changed [me] completely, assigning humanity to my life.”
At tour’s end, she channeled that positive energy into the studio, recording the new album in just under three months. But the fast pace won’t mean a short LP. Swift confirmed that her seventh record (she hasn’t announced a title yet; the working nickname among fans is TS7) will include more songs than any of her previous releases. “I try not to go into making an album with any expectation,” she says. “I started to write so much that I knew immediately it would probably be bigger.”
The project will also feature a mix of old and new collaborators (on the candy-coated lead single “ME!” Swift brought in Panic! At the Disco frontman Brendon Urie and coproducer Joel Little, both of whom she had never worked with), but she is unsurprisingly coy about doling out much more information, as if doing so would break the carefully honed T-Swiftian feedback loop. “There’s a lot of a lot on this album,” she says. “I’m trying to convey an emotional spectrum. I definitely don’t wanna have too much of one thing…. You get some joyful songs and you get the bops, as they say.” There’s also, she adds, some “really, really, really, really sad songs,” but “not enough to where you need to worry about me.”
She gives us one more clue: The true distinction between TS7 and reputation is in the delivery. “This time around I feel more comfortable being brave enough to be vulnerable, because my fans are brave enough to be vulnerable with me. Once people delve into the album, it’ll become pretty clear that that’s more of the fingerprint of this — that it’s much more of a singer-songwriter, personal journey than the last one.”
The past month has seen a deluge of Swift activity, from the release of the new single to dropping more hints in interviews about the record and its title, which is apparently hidden somewhere inside the “ME!” music video (current fan guesses include Kaleidoscope and Daisy). But if the Easter eggs from the pop star seem like a business-as-usual routine, she says this album does indeed mark a new era of her life, where she’s been better able to prioritize what’s important to her.
“Our priorities can get messed up existing in a society that puts a currency on curating the way people see your life,” she says. “Social media has given people a way to express their art. I use it to connect with fans. But on the downside you feel like there are 3 trillion new invisible hoops that you have to jump through, and you feel like you’ll never be able to jump through them all correctly. I — along with a lot of my friends and fans — am trying to figure out how to navigate living my life and not just curating what I want people to think living my life is. I’m not always able to maintain a balance, and I think that’s important for everyone to know about. We’re always learning, and that’s something that I also had to learn — that I’ve got to be brave enough to learn. Learning in public is so humiliating sometimes… Do I feel more balanced in my life than I ever have before? Um, probably yeah. But is that permanent? No. And I think being okay with that has put me in a bit of a better position.” Strong words to live by, to quote, to re-share, to tweet back to her, and see if she’ll respond.
You can read the original article HERE.
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umccall71 ¡ 5 years ago
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Chapter 17
Characters: Prince Liam and MC Lady Sexy
Rating:Mature content includes profanity, sexual content,talks about depression.
Word Count:4460
Disclaimer:All characters are property of Pixelberry except my OC Lady Saige. The use of these characters are for entertainment only and i am only borrowing them.
Summary:After a summer of a lifetime,Prince Liam thought he could have it all.He was carefree, free, and sharing time with the woman of his dreams.When life was easy, a balancing act between love and duty, he realizes his truths are lies, wrong is right, and decisions do have consequences. Lady Saige never imagined she would be one of his consequences.When an utter act horror throws her world into a tailspin.
Warning: This series contains subject matter of depression,pregnancy, violence, and sensitive sexual content.The story may trigger certain individuals. Please be advised. If you are reading this series you are acknowledging you are 18+.
A/N:Sorry for the long delay.Things have been hectic in my life for a bit.I had to take some time to focus on my health. Thanks for your understanding and support.
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@eadanga a @ao719 @lodberg @silviasutton1989 @rainbowsinthestorm @silverofdreams @ownworldresident @the-soot-sprite @jared2612 @sashatrr @jovialyouthmusic @smalltalk88 @syphax @custaroonie @kuladekiwi @whenyourheartskipsabeat @marietrinmimi @furiousherringoperatortoad @gibbles82 @choices97 @fantasy-of-fiction @romanticatheart-posts @drakesensworld
@simsvetements ts @blackcoffee85 @3pawandme @indiacater @hopefulmoonobject @elles-choices @lauradowning29 @carabethpow
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It had been a week since the coronation and Liam and Saige were settling into life in the gilded cage of the palace.There was no room off limits with the exception of the bedroom, Liam was adamant that the space belong to he and his queen. The afternoon was dedicated to preparing King Liam for his trip .
“Love, you could always come with me to Italy. Francesco would love to spend time getting to know you better.`` Liam smiled.
Liam bent down to nuzzle Saige’s neck, she moaned, “At this rate, we will never finish getting you packed my king.”
Liam felt a shiver hearing his wife address him in that sensual tone, “what’s the point of being a monarch if you cannot dictate their schedule… I will always make time to take care of my queen.”
Saige playfully rolled her piercing blue eyes, “Liam… I have my doctors appointment in two days… we wouldn’t be back in time. I have to think of our little baby… including being a prompt mommy to them caring for their health… and mine.”, she gently kissed him on the cheek. “Next time? I promise I will be beside you.”she craned her neck up to stare into his eyes thoughtfully.
Liam leaned his forehead against Saige’s and closed his eyes, inhaling her scent.
“ As much as I want to have you there with me… I can’t argue with you thinking about our baby first. I love you for that… always being so considerate.”, he squeezed her tightly to his chest. Liam has taken the day to spend with his wife , preparing for his trip.
“Saige, I am going to call you every night before bed and we can share the events of our days.”he smirked, “then We can can make up for lost time as I repeatedly will make you mine … driving your pleasure over and over… hearing you moan and groan my name”, his eyes darkened with lust.
“Hey… down boy… we have to get you ready for work tomorrow and make sure you are punctual, present monarch. We would not like the Italians to believe that you are off your game.`` she laughed as she swatted his chest through his T-shirt.
“Love … we can ask Olivia to stay with you until I get home. Home to you and our baby… that’s where my mind will be”,he softly cupped her belly.
“Liam, Olivia has a life of her own… a home of her own… she has spent too much time babysitting me. We will be here surrounded by palace staff attending to our needs.I'm pretty sure I can manage a few days away from you.”, she wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head against his chest. “ I will miss you, but this is the life we signed up for… together. I knew that I would have some nights away from you,she ghosted her fingers across his face.
“You are my downfall my queen… I’m not sure how I can spend a night away from ….you. I will be expecting a full report upon my return.`` he laughed. “I’m sure our baby will have exemplary marks from the doctor.The couple spent the remainder of the day sharing stories about expectations for the pregnancy, sharing dinner , and packing Liam’s bags.
Evening rolled into night… and the wee hours of the morning when a thunderstorm rolled in suddenly.Saige grasped at Liam as they laid in bed together… feeling a sense of uneasiness.Saige felt a little sweaty and stood from the bed , walking to the French doors of their bedroom overlooking the gardens down below. She opened the doors, inhaling the fragrances of roses, lilies,hydrangeas,orchids, and daisies floating through the air. She closed her eyes slowing the misty breeze to dance across her skin. She stood out on the balcony in a tank top and boy short pajamas.. barefoot feeling the cool concrete beneath her feet.
Liam crept up behind her wearing only a cotton pair of pajama bottoms. He ran his fingers through his bed head hair trying to tame it. His blonde hair refused to conform to his request. Saige leaned into him as she felt his arms wrap around her and his lips graze her ear lobe. Her hair began sticking to his bare chest from the dampness brought upon by the rain.
“Umm hmm… this feels amazing… it’s cool , but not cold, she whispered into the air.Liam turned he body to nestle her directly against his chest, when he reached down and led the edge of her tank top up over her head, smirking that sly smile as he tossed it on the floor of the balcony. He began kissing her lips as if his life depended on it. He licked and sucked her exposed skin around her ear and leading down her chest. “Now this… this feels amazing love,'' he growled as his lips took her erect pink bud into his warm mouth, flicking back and forth.
“Liam… god what are you doing to me?”she questioned looking up at him through hungry, lust blown eyes.
He grinned and leaned down, “if you have ask… I’m not doing it right.`` he chuckled as his wet fingertips made a path down her belly ..rubbing against her shorts, guiding them down her weakened thighs. He gripped her around the waist,tugging her thong apart at the seams.. growing impatient.He lifted her legs to to wrap around his waist. He ran his fingers through her wet folds… toying with her clit .
Saige’s head fell back from the overwhelming sensation overtaking her body. “Liam...oh god…”Her breathing became uneven and haunting as she started grinding against his waist … her body had a mind of it's own now… he was her compass leading the way . Liam growing erection pressed against her center through his bottoms… he too needed to spring free of his confines. “My queen… my Saige… oh how I need you….”, his lips found hers again , struggling to maintain composure.
She pulled at his pants.. desperately trying to feel his throbbing manhood … she pushed his bottoms down, but not enough to allow open access to … him .
“Your wish is command my queen “, his chest rose , fighting to contain his breath… wanting to take her… that very moment. “What do you want of me love?”, his darkened blue eyes found hers smoldering eyes… hoping for her to say what he feels in the intense moment.
She nipped at his neck as she held on… “I want all of you.. I need all of you my king”, her sensuality dripping off her lips. She was now soaked from the storm and from her desire to feel him.Liam held her up against him as he fought to get his pajama bottoms down and off . He was leading her inside to their marital bed, but she stopped him.
She shot him a look...shook her head...she gently sucked his lips… “no my king… I need you here and now. I want to feel in the storm as you have your way with me, she moaned as she felt two fingers inside her as his thumb pressed gently against her clit. He increased his pace as his fingers curled to play against her spot deep within, while continuing his pleasingly teasing of her clit. Saige lifted and lowered her hips on his hand, riding his hand as she felt a deep burning in her belly. She tingles all over, legs started to shake as she felt her climax was moments away.
Saige bucked her hips against his hand… pleading to feel him. Saige felt her center tightening like a dam about to break. “Liam watched the intensity grow in her eyes and across her face, “ baby, cum for me… I know you want to come undone for me.” Like an obedient woman.. she burst from ecstasy, her nectar ran down his hand… coating his fingers. “Liam… oh god Liam … I’m coming baby!”, she rode a boisterous groan from the sensation of his hand tugging at her spots.
Liam pulled back … looking on with lust blown eyes locked on her body as she felt her release. He stuttered, “yes?... do you?”, he trailed off kissing her fiercely.
Saige swallowed his words, agreeing with unspoken words… working through actions. Her slender fingers gripped his massive member growing stiffer under her touch. He quickly thrust inside her already slick folds ...she was still wet from her last release just moments ago.Liam groaned loudly as he felt her loving encasing his enormous prowess tightly. He allowed her time to adjust before he slowly slid deep into her wanting sex. Liam ground his hips against her as she lifted her hips to come down on his member. Saige rode the pleasure coursing through muscles and limbs. She knew how this beautiful man made her feel on so many levels.
“Fuck Saige… your so damn tight baby… fuck you know what I want.”, his words became choppy as he started to buck wildly, gripping her ass as he drove in and out of her moments away from his release,she suddenly collapsed against him as she burst again… this time coating his massive member that was throbbing inside as she fluttered around him. “Liam!....”,she shook as he held her guiding her up and down his shaft … his teeth tugged her buds as he too met his own release. “Awwww Saige… damn I love you.”he tended as he held her … both allowing their pulse to slow down from the acrobatics.
Liam brushes the loose hair away from her eyes. He carried her inside running them both a shower to warm up cans clean up after their love making in the rain. They stared at each other silently as he gently kissed and washed away the traces of his manhood. “ Liam, I love you so much.”she sighed. He pulled her close with no space left between their bodies. He finished up cleaning them both before wrapping her in an oversized towel carrying her to bed. Liam slid a loose cotton gown over her small frame. He pulled her close and wrapped her up in his loving arms as they slept into the morning.
Liam and Saige watched as the hours flew by before it was now time to leave. “Liam, be safe… I will miss you.” He kissed the center of her forehead as they walked with their intertwined fingers toward the door to the royal quarters. Bastien met them at the front entrance to the palace taking Liam’s bags and laptop.
“We are ready when you are your majesty… we’ll be in the car.” Liam pulled Saige to him kissing her lips gently and leaned down to whisper, “I’ll be home with you before you know it love.” She nodded her head , trying to keep it together. Saige knew this would be one of many times she would separated from her king. She squared her shoulders, smiled widely, and waved as the SUV made its way down the driveway and outside the golden gates. The palace quickly disappeared in the distance as they neared the private airfield. Liam buckled himself in tight, pulled out his phone and sent a message to his wife, “The sun rises and sets, but my love for you will never descend.”
*
It had been twenty-four hours since Liam had arrived in Italy. The day flew by.. it was now time for his nightly chat with Saige. This was a promise that he would keep … faithfully. Saige laid beneath the sheets with the door to the suite cracked allowing a gentle breeze to enter the room. She found comfort in wearing Liam’s shirt and a pair of pajama shorts. She lifted his shirt to her nose inhaling the soothing scent of his cologne. The blend of sandalwood and outdoors were relaxing to her in his absence.
The screen of the iPad lit up as she grinned seeing a picture of Liam with the incoming FaceTime call. “Hey you… how was your day?”, Saige smiled widely at seeing his face… his grin.
“My day just got a lot better now that I get to see your beautiful face love. God baby I miss you… I miss you both.`` he sighed as his eyes glossed over thinking about spending another night alone. “Two more days and I will be there to tuck you into our bed.” he whispered softly. “Saige… what did I do to get so damn lucky to have you?”
Saige smiled and shrugged playfully, “hmmm… what did you do? That’s right, you stole my heart Liam.”
The couple chatted and laughter filled the room as she shared how Olivia insisted upon meeting her at the doctors appointment. “Good luck getting that one to take no for an answer,'' she giggled.
“I ate all my dinner… the kitchen staff made me an early dinner. I was tired .. so I turned in early.”
“Good Girl”, he smirked pleased by her quiet night.
“Where’s Bastien… I thought he was always around when you sent these things?`` she laughed.
“He’s in his room in the suite we are sharing. It was a productive day, but I’m missing my best girl something fierce.`` he smiled biting his lower lip. “You look exhausted, I see you fighting to hide your yawn,'' he chuckled.
“Saige… I will call you in the morning to start my day right.”he smirked and wiggles his brows.
“How about I call you after the appointment? I’m sure as much as you love… your mind will be on this little one.”, she propped herself up on her fist while her eyes started to flutter.
“Your adorable when your tired,'' he smiled. “Good my love, sleep well. I love you… both of you with all my heart.”
Saige laid her head back on the soft pillows, “I love you too my king.Think of me tonight as you rest. We need you bright eyed for tomorrow… you are definitely making an impression on Italy and the statesman. Good night love.”
She blew a silent kiss just before ending the call. “Your daddy is the best little baby. He certainly knows how to make a girl feel special.” She pulled the sheets up around her chin when she heard a slight noise in the living area. She slowly padded down the darkened hallway toward the kitchen to check while obtaining a snack. Saige quietly giggled while patting her belly, “I might as well get a snack while we check on things.”
She rounded the corner and tried to adjust her eyes to the darkness when she suddenly felt a pain as a large hand gripped her throat, “shut your damn mouth you little bitch.”
Saige panicked as she couldn’t breathe, her hand instinctively went to protect her belly. Tears began welling up in her eyes. She felt a sweaty palm cover her mouth as the stench of foul cigar smoke and scotch laced together causing her stomach to lurch as the smell overtook her senses.
Suddenly as she tried to fight back, she felt another set of hands grabbed her by the arms holding her in place as the large figure invaded her personal space. Saige cried out through a muffled scream when she felt an iron fist crashing down upon her face.Her voice was captured in her throat strangled down by a limp and pressure upon her neck. She felt dizzy as she heard the familiar voice barking orders, “drag the little tramp over to floor, where her kind is used to be handled,'' he retorted.
Saige felt her warm tears escaping as she felt the sting from the punch to her face. She listened as another set of footsteps approached, both the minions grabbed her, she felt her scalp on fire as the large man yanked hands full of her auburn locks. She felt beads of sweat starting to gather on her forehead and chest. Saige felt a tightening in her chest as she hyperventilated beneath… “Constantine”, she strangled our against his hand. She felt his fist come down again this time landing right beneath her eye. She couldn’t fight back… her body was restrained by both of his henchmen. One at either side of her as she wriggled trying to protect herself to no avail.
“ I see your getting warmed up for a real man, instead of a son. I know you love to feel it rough.. being dominated by every inch leaving the remnants in it's way. You will remember I was here… not like last time you tramp… turning my son against me.” He forced his vile tongue into her mouth, she bit him. His hand came up and back slapped her across the cheek, “bitch!”
He grabbed at her breast under the shirt that bared the scent of her beloved…. “Liam”, she silently pleaded.Saige struggled to see as the area under her eye began to swell from his ring making impact against her face. “Get this shit out of my way so she can enjoy every bit .of.me”, he released a sinister laugh.
The guard to her left tore the shirt from her chest… exposing her breast and belly. Saige tried to clench her knees together, blocking what she was dreading to be her fate. She felt Constantine violently grab her shorts and underwear together and tear them from her body.She screamed under his hand as he grazed her private spot. Her arms and legs held down and opened wide by his willing participants. Saige shook as his hand intruded her body touching her in ways Liam never would… she knew Liam would never allow his lust to hurt her, to cause her pain. She turned her face away from him, trying desperately to block out this crime against her,against her baby. Saige squeezed her eyes tightly as she felt him jam himself inside of her without a care in the world for her or her child’s well being.
“Ummmm!”he cried out from feeling her tight around his member. Her eyes stretched ash she felt a mixture of agony and sickness at this violent act against her. She silently him to stop , to go away, to get off of her. All she could feel was his hips rocking , thrusting , thrashing about on top of her. “Noooooooo!”she cried out under his hand. She turned her eyes to look to her right at one of the men trying to avoid her gaze… avoid her cries… “Travis”, the man that was tapped to protect her was taking part in hurting her.
Constantine forced himself harder and faster inside of her hips as he neared his release… he pulled out and released himself all over her belly. He coughed as he caught his breath, “ Now I see why son is losing his damn mind… you are a fine piece of ass”, he chuckled as he stood to adjust himself back into his trousers. He finally had his way… to hell with what she wanted or didn’t want from him. “Good night gutter queen… now go clean yourself up.” Saige laid on the floor , paralyzed with fear, pain,hurt, shock… unable to process how such a heinous crime was committed against her and .. the baby.
Saige heard the door close as the men left her, her perpetrators left her in a pool of blood and refuge from him… expelling his contents on her without a thought. She balled up in a fetal position clutching her stomach and Liam’s shirt , racked with agonizing pain. She knew at a time like this , the royal guards should have been called to help her… but they too hurt her in unspeakable ways. Saige could barely move her body when she finally passed out … her minds way of shutting down. All she thought about was Liam … nowhere near to help her or … their baby.
*
The next morning Saige’s phone was ringing incessantly..it was Olivia that had already arrived at her doctor's appointment. She left a message… hell she left ten messages worried about her friend. The appointment was at ten o’clock, but it was now past eleven . Olivia frantically called Liam wondering had he heard from Saige… he excused himself from the room to take the call. “Liv… are you two through at the doctors already? Saige told last night that she would call when she done with the check up.”
Liam could hear the normally stoic Olivia , worry lacing her words as she asked, “Liam have talked to Saige today?”she tried to hold her tone , to keep him from freaking out. He swallowed hard, nerves bubbling up to the surface, “Liv, she’s supposed to be meeting you this morning… what happened? Did you get your wires crossed?”, he couldn’t get his air out of his lungs. “Let me contact her guard that was on duty last night.”
Before Liam could say any more he heard the door to the doctor’s office slam closed, Olivia races out of the building into her car… heading to the palace. While Liam kept trying to get ahold of the guard , unsuccessfully, Olivia made it there and jutted up the stairs. She sprinted down the hallway toward the royal quarters… “no guard”, she panicked dialing Liam . As she slowly opened the door, Liam listening as she made her way inside… he fought back the feeling of dread.
Olivia moved quietly through the entrance to the royal living area when she bumped into a figure in the floor. She let out a blood curdling scream as she saw her best friend lying unconscious on the floor, naked in a pool of blood. Saige… oh god noooooo!”
Liam dropped the phone and clasping his mouth trying to conceal his lips from quivering. Bastien noticed that his king was in distress, he quickly moved into position to get him out of there . He was on the phone trying to reach the guard that was on duty, assigned to the queen. “No answer”, he rushed Liam to the car heading back to the hotel that was nearby to gather his belongings and make it to the airport.
Bastien called Olivia asking her was she with the queen , Olivia broke down as she explained in horror the state of Saige. She told Bastien that she was going to get her to the hospital and would be waiting for them to arrive.Olivia called drake to help her, not knowing who she could trust. “Drake… Liam will not recognize her… oh dear god.”, she cried for her friends. They collected her wrapping her in a blanket, making way to Drake’s truck as he sped off away from the palace … his eyes glazing over with a sense of sadness for the hell they had ahead of them.
The truck pulled up to the private entrance as Olivia had called ahead to the doctor, making sure to protect their privacy from the press and prying eyes.The limited members of the medical staff were rushing around the queen in a frenzy. The doctor set Olivia and Drake up in a private waiting room across from the Queen. Drake held Olivia in his arms as she gave him a glimpse into something very few had a front rower seat to see.. her tears. She couldn’t shake the image of seeing Saige naked and bloody , passed out… “what happened to her ? .. who would do this to her… in her home?!”, she leaned her head against Drake as they waited for hours to see the state of the queen.
After countless hours waiting the room door opened… Liam and Bastien walked inside.. the silence was deafening. “Have they told anything?”his voice was low . “Liv… what happened? Why is she here?”, Liam fought to make sense of the events of the last twenty-four hours. Before anyone could respond, the waiting room door opened again, the doctor meeting Liam’s gaze with a sadness . “Your majesty… may I have a word with you… privately?”, his eyes darted around the room.
Liam asked the group for a moment alone… they obliged. Liam’s blue eyes clouded by tears threatening to spill were on the brink. “Sir… when your wife was brought in to us… she was unconscious. We have ran test and thoroughly examined her…``he trailed off momentarily.
“Will she be okay? What happened to her? Is the baby going to be okay?”, Liam balled his fist trying to keep himself up. The next few minutes , everything slowed to blur for him. He felt his legs get weak, “sir, she was ….”
Liam could no longer comprehend any words that followed what he had just been told.The doctor slowly walked him across the hall to her room where the love of his life laid battered, bruised, beaten, and unconscious. He didn’t know which was worse… being unconscious and unaware of what has transpired or walking around ... painfully aware of all that lost. Liam Laid his head on her bed beside her as his tears escaped his eyes as he looked on at his vibrant wife, unrecognizable from just twenty-four hours ago. His eyes were bloodshot red as he continued to cry for Saige and for … their baby.
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kaleid-tay-scope ¡ 6 years ago
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New Reputation: Taylor Swift shares intel on TS7, fan theories, and her next era
Snakes begone. The 29-year-old superstar is back with a new album and a new outlook on life. We go inside the pop monarch's latest chapter.
Alex Suskind
May 09, 2019 at 12:00 PM EDT
Peggy Sirota for EW
THE PALM TREES ARRIVED IN FEBRUARY, seven in all, set against a pastel blue backdrop with superimposed stars. It appeared that a new Taylor Swift era was upon us — that the old happy-go-lucky Taylor was not, in fact, dead. Or did it? It was only an Instagram photo, just one more picture in an infinite content scroll. But it also came from a pop star known for prodigious hint-dropping, whose fans turn every piece of info into an online archaeological dig.
As expected, the summery post sent Swifties sifting through each detail with a fine-tooth comb. What did the trees symbolize? An overdue vacation? A recently purchased beach house? A secret palm-frond collection? Or maybe, as many surmised, it was new music. One Twitter user predicted that the number of stars in the background of the photo hinted at a single drop: “There’s about 60/61 [stars]️. There’s 61 days until April 26, FRIDAY, a SINGLE RELEASE day!” Another said it was the unofficial announcement of her next LP: “Okay so in this picture there are 4 palm trees on the left (4 country albums). There are two palm trees on the right (2 pop albums). There is one large palm tree in the middle. This represents her new album.” These may sound like ludicrous conspiracy theories — for the record, they were mostly correct — but they fit firmly within the Taylor Swift Musical Universe (it’s like the Marvel Cinematic Universe but with more guitars and fewer Stan Lee cameos).
“I posted that the day that I finished the seventh album,” says Swift about the photo. “I couldn’t expect [my fans] to know that. I figured they’d figure it out later, but a lot of their theories were actually correct. Those Easter eggs were just trying to establish that tone, which I foreshadowed ages ago in a Spotify vertical video for ‘Delicate’ by painting my nails those [pastel] colors.”
It’s now April, and the 29-year-old pop star is in a Los Angeles photo studio, giving her first sit-down magazine interview in three years. She wants to discuss the art of placing hints inside her work, as well as the upcoming record, which she recorded as soon as she finished the Reputation Tour. She’s also keen on detailing her own obsessions, talking up the TV shows, books, and songs that help shape her outlook on life.
Over the past 13 years, Swift has perfected the pop culture feedback loop: She shares updates about her life and drops hints about new music, which fans then gobble up and re-promote with their own theories, which Swift then re-shares on her Tumblr or incorporates into future clues. It’s like a T-Swift-built Escher staircase of personal memories and moments that tease what’s next. “I’ve trained them to be that way,” she says of her fans’ astute detective work. Swift is a pop culture fanatic herself (see: the jean jacket she’s wearing on the EW cover) and has an innate understanding of the lengths her audience will go to be a part of the original creation. “I love that they like the cryptic hint-dropping. Because as long as they like it, I’ll keep doing it. It’s fun. It feels mischievous and playful.”
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Through this approach, Swift has designed the ultimate artistic scavenger hunt — and it’s easy to get swept up in its drama, even if you don’t listen to her music. Her moments aren’t always hidden, either. Sometimes Swift highlights aspects of her world just so fans feel like they’re on the journey with her. Like the time in March 2018 when pop singer Hayley Kiyoko was accused of shading Swift after mentioning her name during an interview. On Tumblr, Swift re-shared a fan’s post, adding commentary that defended Kiyoko, which immediately dispelled any conflicts between the two artists; Swift’s post subsequently received more than 29,000 notes. Four months later, she invited Kiyoko on stage during the Reputation Tour to sing her hit “Curious.” Kiyoko returned the favor when she had Swift join her that December at a benefit on behalf of the LGBTQ organization the Ally Coalition to perform “Delicate.” Fans of both artists were elated by the mutual support.
The feedback loop also extends outside of music. In October 2018, Swift broke her silence about politics by publicly endorsing two candidates for office in her adopted state of Tennessee, while encouraging her followers to register to vote. She kept up the civic momentum through Election Day when she asked fans to post selfies after voting; Swift then eagerly re-promoted her favorites on Instagram stories.
This practice of sharing and re-sharing and sharing again is why listeners consider Swift one of the world’s most accessible pop stars, someone willing to not only interact with her audience but invite them to secret listening sessions, or make the occasional surprise visit to their wedding or prom. It’s a symbiotic relationship, one that, as Swift tells EW, helped her dig out of the darker era of reputation. “It’s definitely the fans that made that tonal shift in the way I was feeling,” she says. “Songwriters need to communicate, and part of communicating correctly is when you put out a message that is understood the way you meant it. reputation was interesting because I’d never before had an album that wasn’t fully understood until it was seen live. When it first came out everyone thought it was just going to be angry; upon listening to the whole thing they realized it’s actually about love and friendship, and finding out what your priorities are.”
Then, during the Reputation Tour, she had an epiphany: that despite the caricature that she thought had been created of her, there were many people who saw what others had simply refused to. “I would look out into the audience and I’d see these amazing, thoughtful, caring, wonderful, empathetic people,” she says. “So often with our takedown culture, talking s— about a celebrity is basically the same as talking s— about the new iPhone. So when I go and I meet fans, I see that they actually see me as a flesh-and-blood human being. That — as contrived as it may sound — changed [me] completely, assigning humanity to my life.”
At tour’s end, she channeled that positive energy into the studio, recording the new album in just under three months. But the fast pace won’t mean a short LP. Swift confirmed that her seventh record (she hasn’t announced a title yet; the working nickname among fans is TS7) will include more songs than any of her previous releases. “I try not to go into making an album with any expectation,” she says. “I started to write so much that I knew immediately it would probably be bigger.”
The project will also feature a mix of old and new collaborators (on the candy-coated lead single “ME!” Swift brought in Panic! At the Disco frontman Brendon Urie and coproducer Joel Little, both of whom she had never worked with), but she is unsurprisingly coy about doling out much more information, as if doing so would break the carefully honed T-Swiftian feedback loop. “There’s a lot of a lot on this album,” she says. “I’m trying to convey an emotional spectrum. I definitely don’t wanna have too much of one thing…. You get some joyful songs and you get the bops, as they say.” There’s also, she adds, some “really, really, really, really sad songs,” but “not enough to where you need to worry about me.”
She gives us one more clue: The true distinction between TS7 and reputation is in the delivery. “This time around I feel more comfortable being brave enough to be vulnerable, because my fans are brave enough to be vulnerable with me. Once people delve into the album, it’ll become pretty clear that that’s more of the fingerprint of this — that it’s much more of a singer-songwriter, personal journey than the last one.”
The past month has seen a deluge of Swift activity, from the release of the new single to dropping more hints in interviews about the record and its title, which is apparently hidden somewhere inside the “ME!” music video (current fan guesses include Kaleidoscope and Daisy). But if the Easter eggs from the pop star seem like a business-as-usual routine, she says this album does indeed mark a new era of her life, where she’s been better able to prioritize what’s important to her.
“Our priorities can get messed up existing in a society that puts a currency on curating the way people see your life,” she says. “Social media has given people a way to express their art. I use it to connect with fans. But on the downside you feel like there are 3 trillion new invisible hoops that you have to jump through, and you feel like you’ll never be able to jump through them all correctly. I — along with a lot of my friends and fans — am trying to figure out how to navigate living my life and not just curating what I want people to think living my life is. I’m not always able to maintain a balance, and I think that’s important for everyone to know about. We’re always learning, and that’s something that I also had to learn — that I’ve got to be brave enough to learn. Learning in public is so humiliating sometimes…. Do I feel more balanced in my life than I ever have before? Um, probably yeah. But is that permanent? No. And I think being okay with that has put me in a bit of a better position.” Strong words to live by, to quote, to re-share, to tweet back to her, and see if she’ll respond.
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allthefilmsiveseenforfree ¡ 5 years ago
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Godzilla: King of the Monsters
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Is there anything more idealistic than a monster movie? The human race coming together in the face of a force bigger than themselves. In the face of a government that is actively ignoring every single iota of scientific fact surrounding climate change, human rights, and sustainability, a monster movie is the exact kind of wish fulfillment fantasy that feels like the perfect escapism in these dark times. And, as the title indicates, Godzilla is the King of the Monsters. Is he worthy of the title in this follow up to 2014′s Godzilla? Well…
I mean. Yeah. He’s fucking Godzilla. 
So not that you really need a plot summary, because if you want to see a Godzilla movie does it even matter what happens in it? I think not. But anyway, the basic story here is that Godzilla hasn’t been seen in 5 years since the events of 2014′s film. Dr. Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga), working for the monster-studying organization Monarch, has invented a technology that can allow humans to talk to and somewhat control the giant monsters that have been chilling inside the earth this whole time, like Mothra and Godzilla and whatnot. But she and her daughter Madison (Millie Bobby Brown) get kidnapped by a mysterious bad guy (Charles Dance, aka Tywin Lannister and you know if he shows up he’s gonna be a mysterious bad guy) and it’s up to Emma’s estranged husband Mark (Kyle Chandler, who is at peak Dad Capacity here) to get them back. Oh and also there’s the eensy, tiny complication of all the giant monsters waking up and just fucking. shit. up. all over the world. 
Some thoughts:
It’s refreshing to know that secretive government monster-hunting organizations allow “take your daughter to work day,” because that’s a real good opportunity for women in STEM, you know?
There is a group of Very Good wolves who are just doing their best. Shout out to the wolves.
So I’m about 5 years late to this party, but I just started watching Silicon Valley on HBO and I am currently deep, deep in the depths of a very severe Thomas Middleditch Situation. SO apart from giant kaiju beating the shit out of each other, I was mainly showing up for him playing Sam Coleman, the Monarch director of technology, and he did not disappoint. He’s mainly used for comic relief, but he still gets to be smart and brave and there’s a really excellent beard happening and he’s wearing a lot of suits and sometimes running in the rain, and it’s all just really good. Good shit, good shit. 
Kyle Chandler plays essentially the same character in everything he’s ever done, and Mark here is no exception. He is 1) The Most Dad and 2) he hates Titans. Whatever you’re imagining that looks like, that’s exactly what it looks like, and you know what? It works! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. 
I could honestly go on and on about every member of the cast. This movie is big and this cast is bigger - diverse, interesting, amazing. 
Special shout out to Millie Bobby Brown, who gets to be the young brave plucky scientist teen that in years past would have been played by a boy. While no role in the movie is really revolutionary, she’s giving it her all and she’s a world-class crier, so I was very proud of her.
Like most giant CGI action-fests, the color saturation is through the roof here. It can get to be a little eye-searing at certain moments, but the overall spectacle is exactly as it’s meant to be - spectacle.
I call bullshit on literally everything that happens in Antarctica though. Everyone’s hanging out with no hats on, their faces exposed - you would all have frostbite in minutes. This should honestly have become a sequel to Face/Off real damn quick.
During Vera Farmiga’s big speech, did she like…put together a montage? Did she have access to PowerPoint while she was kidnapped? Where did she find the time? She’s got the embedded videos and dissolving screenwipes and everything, that shit takes a minute to put together. 
Lazy screenwriting note: whenever a character says “I couldn’t be more sane,” it pretty much always means they’re not. Maybe find another way to tell us this.
Another entry in the somewhat-related-to-climate-change pantheon where the villain isn’t wrong, but like…it’s still murder.
How the fuck is your plan to defeat Rodan - who literally has skin made of magma - to shoot him with fire? This monster organization is really pretty fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants and kind of terrible at their jobs. Oh you’re gonna leave your one of a kind world changing monster Doppler radar unattended? Of course, who could possibly forsee any consequences there. I mean, get your shit together.
One really cool sequence that I appreciated was the specific calling out of the difference between Eastern/Western conceptions of dragons and monsters and how that affects our larger cultural responses to Godzilla et al. For an increasingly globalistic film market, I thought this was an interesting conversation and I would love to see more content like this in future global blockbusters!
Can we talk about Godzilla and his character design? I just love him. I love crotchety old grumpy Godzilla. I love that his face looks like my pit bull’s face when he’s smiling. I love how sassy he is, all “I was taking a nap, minding my own damn business when y’all motherfuckers come wake me up, make me do your dirty work and clean up YOUR MESS.” Sassy Godzilla for president.
Did I Cry? A little bit during Ken Watanabe’s big showstopping scene. 
The credits for this movie are some of my favorite I’ve seen all year. They do a good job of setting up next year’s Kong vs. Godzilla, and also list credits like “Godzilla - Himself” and “Mothra - Herself” which I fucking love. Plus there IS a post-credits scene, so make sure to stick around for that!
I enjoy big-budget action movies, especially monster movies. The action sequences here really are something to behold, and there are fewer things I love more than a cold theater on a hot day with a big, loud, fun spectacle unfolding before me. That’s exactly what you get here.
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nadziejastar ¡ 6 years ago
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Introducing Skuld into the castle experiments story didn't even have to come at the expense of Kairi, Isa, and Lea. There were supposed to many victims, adding one more wouldn't be too much of a stretch. But I guess they wanted to make Subject X unique, so the stories of others were harmed so she would stand out more.
Yes, I have thought the exact same thing. It would have made 100 times more sense if they were ALL test subjects. Then it would actually feel believable that they’d feel a close bond with this girl. There was no need to make them apprentices of all things. 
But I’ve also wondered if there was a different reason Lea and Isa’s story was altered. Was it because the original experiments into the “darkness of the heart" were deemed too dark and had to be censored? Unfortunately, I find this very possible.
Were The Experiments Into The “Darkness of the Heart” Censored By Disney?
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Alter- Our usage is trying to follow the programmers usage of this word. A dissociated part of the mind which has a separate identity and is given cue codes by the mind-control programmers, to trigger that dissociated part of the mind to come to the front of the mind. The alter’s identity may be a gem, rock, a tape recorder, a poodle, a white kitten, a dove, a horse, or even think of itself as a person or a demon. It all depends on its programming.
Alter Fragment- An alter is different from an alter fragment in that the alter fragment is a dissociated part of the mind which serves only a single purpose. The programmers will give an alter a history, and insure that shadow alters will provide a full range of accessible emotions. Sometimes the distinctions between alters and alter fragments is vague, but examples from the two ends of the spectrum are easy to tell apart.
Switching–This is when one part (fragment) of the mind takes over from another, or in simple terms, this is when one alter personality (or alter fragment) takes the body from the alter which is holding the body. Switching can occur via the Programmers’ codes for calling up alters, or by external or internal stimuli that trigger an alter to come out. Switching will usually cause at least a flicker of the eyes, and for outside observers, who know the different personalities, they will observe another personality take the body.
It’s possible this MK Ultra-inspired subplot would have been seen as inappropriate for a franchise that needed to reach as wide of an audience as possible. Maybe it was fine in the past when the series was more obscure and flew under Disney’s radar. But once the series got so big, Disney took notice and put the brakes on it? The cancelled game was called A Fragmentary Passage. And maybe the memory experiments with Skuld were created to take the attention away from the previously mentioned experiments on darkness.
There’s a lot of rumors about Disney being linked to various mind control programs. I think most people have seen stuff like that on Youtube. Many celebrities, including former Disney channel actors and actresses are believed to be victims of mind control. When Britney Spears had her famous mental breakdown, the subject was talked about a lot. And some say that Disney movies were also used for mind control programming. Like Alice in Wonderland or Peter Pan. Here’s an example:
TINKERBELLE PROGRAMMING (never grow up/alien)
Capt’n or Cap’n (captain) represents the programmer in Peter Pan programming. Tinkerbelle is a young alter created under Peter Pan programming. ‘TRANCE DIMENSIONAL TRAVEL RIGHT FROM YOUR OWN BACKYARD. THE DIMENSIONS OF YOUR PYRAMID ARE TO BE 9 BYE 9 BYE 9 BYE.”
Alien programming (also involves Peter Pan programming)
“RIDE THE LIGHT” - Peter Pan programming meaning to go into hypnotic induction attached to a light that is seen when given a high voltage shock. This is given to make experiences seem like they occur in another dimension.
Creeeepy. Maybe Disney didn’t want that type of content associated with a game under their brand, thinking it would fuel more Illuminati conspiracies?
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Wizard of Oz Programming
Over the rainbow in Oz is for the Monarch slave to be in a trance, and into a certain area of the programming. To be fluctuating at both ends as an observer and not a participant or to go to the other extreme and become a participant. The theme song of the movie goes, “Somewhere over the Rainbow…there’s a land where the dreams that you dare to dream really come true.” These lyrics are a method to hypnotically confuse the brain to perceive that the “over the Rainbow experience” (which is usually horrible abuse) is a “dream”.
The dissociative mind is only too happy to call the trauma a dream, which is lived as a reality for a moment, but is nevertheless recorded by the mind as a fantasy. The term for this is cryptoamnesia, which means the process where the proper functioning of memory is hypnotically messed up. The slave’s internal world becomes “reality” and the external real world becomes the Land of Oz which is perceived as make-believe.
I have always found the subject of government mind control very interesting, and have read many books about it over the years. It’s a big reason I found Lea and Isa’s story so utterly fascinating and overflowing with potential. And it’s why I am so mad at how terribly it was handled.
Tin Man Programming
The Tin Man programming is all purpose versatile program for what ever the master needs done, it means that the slave is a well oiled machine. Sometimes the slave is reluctant to do a job but he is being told that he is a well oiled machine. The exact words may vary with the mission, but the following are exact words, “LEAVE YOUR SHELL. ACTIVATE: MACHINE. COUNT DOWN ONE TO TIN….” “SOON WE’LL HAVE YOU PURRING LIKE A WELL OILED MACHINE. ALL OF YOUR MOVING PARTS ARE PIVOTAL AND GLIDING WITH EASE. MELT INTO MY HANDS. TAKE MY COMMANDS. I’LL HOLD YOUR JAW TO KEEP IT FROM SLIPPING WHILE YOU SLIP THROUGH A WINDOW IN TIME.”
There’s something called the Tin Man programming.
The programming that is related to the Tin Man produces a monarch slave which is described as “A WELL OILED MACHINE” by the handlers. U.S. Sen. Allen Simpson, one of the perpetrators of the Monarch Program, referred to the Tin Man programming when he told a slave “THESE ARE BUT EMPTY SHELLS OF THE LIFE THEY WERE ONCE POSSESSED. LIKE YOU ARE–EMPTY AND VOID OF LIFE.”
Book 3 Ozma of Oz: “I am only a ma-chine, and can-not feel sor-row or joy, no mat-ter what hap-pens.” This is teaching mechanical dissociation, and coincides with Tin Man programming.
I think THIS is the true reason why SaĂŻx hated Xion so much.
Day 150: Dealing with Xion
As expected, the Duplicate is starting to show its limits. The Program showed promise, but a puppet is just a puppet: something to be toyed with until it breaks. I am utterly at a loss as to what Roxas and Axel see in that thing. How best to dispose of it merits my consideration going forward.
She’s a machine. He can’t see her as anything else. And he went through Tin Man programming, so he subconsciously remembers being called a “well-oiled machine”. And to make matters worse, she has a HEART. It’s only natural he’d despise her. I can’t even blame him, honestly.Stuff like this is why I found him so utterly fascinating. And why I thought his characterization in KH3 was a total JOKE. 
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“SILENCE!” is both in the movie and a command of the Oz Programming. This word SILENCE stands for a code of “no talk” which runs deep in the mind of the slave. As in the movie, certain slave alters will talk to their masters as Dorothy did, “If you please, Sir…” The keys (and triggers) to control the switching of personalities and to give orders are frequently based on Wizard of Oz material.
There’s also silence programming. Having one’s mouth covered is thought to be a sign of someone who has been mind-controlled.
“Very well.” Finally, Xemnas stifled his laughter, though he still sounded intensely amused. “You’re reinstated into the organization.”
“But—!” Saïx jumped to his feet again. At that, Xemnas’s smile disappeared.
“Silence,” he growled, returning his attention to Axel. “Where are Naminé and the boy?”
Look how he growled at Saïx when he said “silence”. Sheesh.
In the Round Room, Saïx looked up at Xemnas high above. “Are you sure we’re dealing with Xion and Roxas the right way?”
His tone was markedly different from usual, as if he spoke to an old friend rather than a superior.
SaĂŻx grows more and more obedient as Days goes on. He becomes more and more one with Xehanort, his mind control handler/programmer.
“Is the device functioning properly?” Xemnas inquired. He and Saïx were the only ones in the Round Room.
“Yes, sir. Luxord and Demyx have been placing them in various worlds before Roxas visits.” Saïx couldn’t fathom what Xemnas’s true objective might be.
“Sora or Xion—it matters not. But we need one of them under our control. Bear that in mind.”
Saïx nodded, and a serene smile came to Xemnas’s face. If that smile meant anything, it was beyond him.
When Saïx nods at Xemnas obediently, he smiles serenely. Veeery creepy. 
The codes for slaves follow patterns. There are standard and unique codes. The internal programming alters have the power to change codes if they need to protect the programming.
They will have to hypnotically work with alters when they trance out at night. In other words, most of their programming of front alters will be done when a System lies down for “sleep”–more accurately described as “for trance.”
Fits the “sleep” theme KHBBS and KH3D had.
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Scarecrow Programming
Monarch slaves are threatened with fire, like the Scarecrow. They also see people dismembered like the Scarecrow was dismembered. For them it is not an idle threat. The front alters also have hearts full of pain like Scarecrow. Certain alters are not given courage and most have their hearts taken from them.
The alters who are programmed not to have hearts are hypnotically told the same thing the Tin Man says, “I could be human if I only had a heart.” Some alters are taught they are stupid and have no brain. Scarecrow is asked the question, “How can you talk without a brain?” Scarecrow answers, “Some people without a brain can do a lot of talking.”
There’s also programming involving fire, and brainwashing the person by telling them they have no heart. Sounds kinda familiar.
Vexen: Unnngh… Axel, wh…why…?
Axel: You sure love to talk. It’s about time you shut up — forever.
Vexen: No… Don’t do it…!
Axel: We’re nobodies, Vexen. We’ve got no one to be — but we still “are.” So look on the bright side. You’re off the hook. Now you can be nothing instead of just being nobody.
Vexen: M-Mercy, Axel! I don’t want to…go yet…
Axel: NOW you can tell me I don’t respect my elders.
Can’t blame Axel for killing him.
Delta–This is a Greek letter shaped like a triangle which symbolizes change in calculus. It has become a favorite word to use in naming things for the occult elite. Delta teams are 4 person assassination teams which usually are secret teams. Delta Forces is an elite unit that operates under the Joint chiefs of staff that is made up of highly trained total mind-controlled slaves. Delta models are slaves whose sole purpose is assassination. Delta alters are alters within an Illuminati alter system which are programmed to be assassins. These alters are often some of the deepest in a system and in a Genie bottle or with Umbrella programming.
Delta is shaped like a triangle, which is also the alchemical symbol for Fire.
Porcelain Face Programming
Fire/burning torture is used in the porcelain face programming. The charismatic branch of the satanic Network (such as the Assembly of God churches) uses porcelain face programming. This is done by using wax masks upon the victim, and giving them fire torture. The person actually thinks that their face has melted. At that point, the programmer pretends to be a god & a hero, and tells the person he will give them a new face, a porcelain mask.
These new faces by the way, look like the ones sold in so many stores. The memories of abuse are then hypnotically hid behind the masks. To take off the masks is to abreact & burn again. If anyone touches the faces of alters with porcelain face programming, the alters will feel a burning sensation because their masks are not to be tampered with. This means that these alters have via torture & hypnosis lost their own faces! As long as these alters stay in denial of what has happened to them, they do not have to face the burn torture memories.
Is this the true backstory of Axel? It would make a lot of sense. Um. Yikes.No wonder Axel never wanted to leave the Organization, regardless of how fucked up SaĂŻx was. He could never abandon Isa and leave him in a group like this. Never.
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Keys to the Kingdom Programming
The Catholic Church has long said, “Give me a child by the age of 5 and they will be Catholic”. The Catholic Church is one of the largest parts of the network that carries out Monarch Mind Control. It is a fact, that if the Jesuits can place in their programming–what they call the “Keys to the Kingdom” Monarch Mind Control within a child, they will control his destiny. 
One Jesuit priest is on record as stating that there is nothing he can’t make anyone do with torture. The Jesuits developed torture to a fine art in the Inquisition. Imagine the expertise they have brought to the Monarch Program which begins torturing children at 18 months onward with every sophisticated torture device invented. If the Jesuits brag that they can convince adults to do anything via torture, what about baby children?
Is this what Ventus was?
It was true that Ventus’s heart had been damaged. Master Xehanort had originally raised Ventus to become his vessel, but Ventus had proven to be too kind. Thus, Master Xehanort had split his heart into light and darkness so that he could make use of him in another way.
While he had succeeded in birthing Vanitas, Ventus had remained unconscious, broken after the removal of his heart. Though Master Xehanort had initially tried to discard Ventus after he failed to awaken, for some reason the boy had come to his senses.
In the novel, it was stated that Master Xehanort raised Ventus. Maybe he was originally just an orphan Xehanort found. Or maybe he kidnapped Ven?
Xion: But I thought we were friends.
Axel: Hey, I’m not about to tell you ALL my dark secrets. Got it memorized? I bet you keep a thing or two from me.
Roxas: I don’t have any dark secrets.
Axel: Ha ha, relax, would ya? I’m kidding.
This is another reason why I would have preferred Ventus and Roxas to be the same character. Roxas and Axel become very close. But Roxas has no memories of his past. Axel keeps his past a secret. But if Ven regained his memories, they would find out they had a very similar past. Roxas does have dark secrets. And so does Xion, which would be Kairi’s past as a test subject.
If the Programmers want, they can shatter a front alter and create a new alter to replace the original front. The abuse can be done by the victim themselves to themselves, because programming alters are given the ability to pull up horrific memories via codes. Those traumatic memories, which shattered the mind the first time, are still capable of doing it again when they are abreacted (that is relived by the body & mind).
When Ven meets Master Xehanort at the Keyblade Graveyard before he tells him about Eraqus, is this what happened? Yikes.
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In review, the elements that make up a single whole personality–family history, personal history and memories of abilities, talents and one’s self image have all been stripped from the child when the mind divides itself up into sections walled off by amnesia walls. When the programmers work with each memory part, they have the option to give it all the elements of whatever personality they want it to have. They can even make it into an animal or an inanimate object, because that little fragment has has no chance to contradict what it is being programmed to believe.  Although the memory part of the brain (which provides a person’s personality) is divided, other parts of the brain function intact.
Is this what inspired Isa’s story? MK Ultra is intimately connected to Satanic Ritual Abuse, according to the testimony of many survivors. Mind control experiments were alleged to be performed on children in connection with Satanism (and other churches). For example Michael Aquino, the founder of the Temple of Set, has a very dark history filled with ritual child sex abuse allegations, going back to the 1970′s.
The Moonchild rituals are the rituals to demonize a fetus. However, the demons that are invoked are not the small ones, but very powerful ones. In working with victims of this programming, it is clear that high level demons were placed within these people at very early ages. It is believed many of them were demonized before they were born by rituals like the Moonchild rituals.
Blood sacrifices and human sacrifices are always required for this level of magic. Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was a Satanist who was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Freemason. He also was a leader in a number of other Masonic rites as well as an OTO leader, a chief in Stella Matutina, and a MI-6 (Br. overseas intelligence) agent. His writings have been important within 20th century Satanism and with black magicians. He wrote Moonchild, first published in 1917.
If Isa was Subject X, what does that say about him? He was kidnapped as a young teen. He has an X symbolizing death on his forehead. He gets a heart fragment of a cult leader implanted inside of him. He develops amnesia afterwards. Isa is the fictional equivalent of a kidnapped and demonically-possessed child victim of Satanic Ritual Abuse.
The goal was to produce the “Moonchild” – a being who embodies physically a spirit deity, but not inhabited by a human soul. This being is also referred to as a “Magical Child” (essentially designed to manifest an individual incarnation of the archetypal divine feminine called Babalon). The process draws heavily from rituals and magick that Crowley derived from The Babylonian Ishtar and the “Great Whore” from the biblical “Book of Revelation.”
The idea of the Moonchild is that by use of black magic, a perfect soul can be captured. The belief in reincarnation, which is prevalent among the Illuminati and Satanic groups, lends itself to the belief that souls compete for a particular embryo. On page 107- 108 of Moonchild, the idea is expressed, “To produce a man who should not be bound up in his heredity, and should have the environment which they desired for him.”
And Isa was seen as special. He was dubbed “X” for a reason.
This perfect soul in a proper person is called Homunculus. The actual rituals carried out to create a Moonchild are described in detail in three of Crowley’s writings. A vague description of the rituals can be seen by reading the book Moonchild. The ritual took place at a villa nicknamed The Butterfly Net. The villa was really an occult temple laid out in sacred geometrics. It had figures of satyrs, fauns, and nymphs. It had statues of Artemis. Lots of silver objects and crescents and 9-pointed stars were at the villa, because these objects all relate to the Moon in magic. The moon’s influence was repeatedly invoked. A small triangular silver altar to Artemis was used. Prayers were made to Artemis, and there was the reenactment of the capture of Diana by Pan.
And he does have a weapon named “Artemis”. Yikes.
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Another better way of looking at what happens is to understand that the part of the brain that records personal memory–that is the personal history memory section, is divided up into little pieces by amnesia walls built to protect itself from the repeated traumas. Each section is walled off from another section by amnesia. Each trauma has an amnesia wall built around it. Each trauma memory is sectioned off. That walled off section is a piece of memory that will be identified, and a hypnotic cue attached by the programmers that will pull it up to the conscious mind. And further, if the programmers so desire, it can be given a history, a name, a job, and developed into a full-blown personality.
The programming is not designed to damage these areas, only to control what emotions they contain are linked in memory to the various memory fragments that will be made into personalities. The reticular formation is the location of the brain’s mechanism which determines the state of consciousness all the way from alert, to hypnotic trance, to sleep, to coma. It interacts with the frontal lobes and the rest of the brain. Each memory is a function of several parts of the brain working together.
This all fits into the “bits and pieces of something whole” theme of A Fragmentary Passage was supposed to revolve around.
“Well, it’s a break, in a sense… Xemnas also went out, you see.”
“Hmm… it’s rare for him to go out,” Luxord said, quietly, tidying the cards.
“No, he goes here and there fairly often. Because now is a very important time for the organisation.”
“What’s very important?” Axel asked, peering into Xigbar’s face.
“The world is moving. We’ve gotta be worried about own fragment’s movement, right?”
“Fragment?” Luxord leaned his head to one side.
“The rest is a secret,” said Xigbar, teasingly, getting off the table and starting to walk. “Be really careful not to let them use you.”
At Xigbar’s words, Axel and Luxord looked at each other.
This is a really interesting part of the Short Stories novel. Xigbar is privy to something going on, while Axel and Luxord are not. And it involves a “fragment”. This was no doubt supposed to foreshadow A Fragmentary Passage. They had ideas for that story planned all the way back when the KH2 Novels were written. It sucks that we’ll never know what it’s all about.
When a Monarch slave sees an hour glass they may switch, but basically it is a reminder that the slave masters have the power to run a person’s time out. One slave was told, “The sand that sifts through the hourglass is a measure of your worthiness to live or die.” The hour glass shape is basically two triangles which touch at their peaks, or an X configuration with the tops of the X having lines.
Young Xehanort’s Keyblade has an hourglass keychain. Master Xehanort switched to Isa to attack Lea at the end of KH3D.
We can practice unconditional love, peace and Harmlessness. This helps to integrate and heal our Fragments to unify, as well as neutralize any Negative Emotional Energy in the environment. When we stop feeding the energy reversals, they are gradually taken offline. When we can hold compassionate witnessing and refuse to be triggered into negative emotional states, we are refusing to be manipulated and siphoned by the negative entities. Additionally, truly empathic and unconditionally loving humans may also gain the spiritual power to recollect and transit the consciousness Fragments of sacrificed children and traumatized people that are trapped in the earth realms, and this is an important service we can do to help heal the earth.
Furthermore, the concept of soul fragmentation and soul retrieval is big in various esoteric and New Age circles. They believe they can help child victims of Satanic Ritual Abuse and mind control, who are trapped in the earth’s astral realms. Isa’s character seems largely inspired by this concept. Which I must say, is incredibly unique. I’ve never seen another character with a story like that. It’s very cool and extremely fascinating and I have to give Nomura and the writers credit.
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Ceremonies
Beltaine with hunts of slaves, fire festivals, and blood rituals
Bride of Satan Ceremony
Demon revels
Drawing down the moon
Druid Feast Day on Jan. 1
Duels to the death like gladiators where the heart is cut out and eaten
Grail Mass, the Grand Climax human sacrifice & sex rituals
Invocation of Hecate as Crone
Lammas sabbat where a female is sacrificed
Pathworking (done before 16 with Cabalistic Tree of Life pathways.)
Rite of Deification Rod of Light ceremony (consists of text from Cabala, black candles, ram’s horn blown, and victim’s mother’s name sounded)
Sealing ceremony at 19 yrs. for Mothers of Darkness level
Secret ceremony where people paint their faces half black and half white.
Sister of Light rebirthing water ceremony (victim is bound and then pulled from water and wrapped up in linen, and a green branch is place on the chest)
St. Agnes Eve St. Bartholomew’s Day
St. Walpurgis
Summer Soltstice Orgy
A list of occult ceremonies.
Note the ceremony called “drawing down the moon”.
For those who are not familiar with occult terms the following are ritual items: Paten (the holy dish), Athame or Glaive (the knife used to sacrifice with), the wand or sceptre (an ornamental staff which represents authority & usually has an electric shock), and the censer (to distribute burning fragrance)
Xemnas’ Ethereal Blades fit the bill here. The Recusant’s Sigil is also a symbol of authority.
In upper level Illuminati slaves, Dorothy in the Oz story will represent the Mother of Darkness alters, Ozma will represent the Ruler of the Castle, and Glinda will have the Great Book of Records. The ring of Glinda gives protection.
Xemnas is the master of the castle.
‘‘I’ve come a long long way to see you” -Words to say by System to John or to person to be met. There is an endless variety of contact phrases to indicate that the right person has met the right person.
“I’ve been to see him. He looks a lot like you.”
End-time Activation Codes
Most slaves have end-time programming. When a slave is called in with end-time programming they have pages upon pages of coded messages. A number of Monarch slaves have been de-programmed enough that they began accessing and spewing out pages and pages of these activation codes. Part of a sample of one of these is as follows:
ISRAEL IS RISING
900 BLUE BIRD PILOTS RISE
NATIONS IN PLACE
RED CHINA CALL BACK
COUNT DOWN, ACTIVATE ALEX
CIRCLE FARMS AROUND THE SQUARE
BRITISH SOLDIERS RISE
MOUNTAIN GOAT COME
EASTSIDE OF PEAK
1.7 ACTIVATE THE HOUR COMES, A. C. SON ACTIVATE
AFRICA ARISE IN NUMBERS OF 90…
A team leader will have a down line of around 4 people–which are coded red ray, yellow ray, green ray, blue ray. When the activation code hits a slave team leader during the end times, they will in turn activate their people, who in turn will have people who are team leaders and have a down line. At least two false callback alarms will be sounded (tested) before the real one.
There’s something called end-times programming. Now look at these passages from the Short Stories novel. It’s from the same story that mentioned the “fragment”.
“Won’t you keep it in moderation? It’s loud, I can’t sleep.”
“Not being able to sleep cause of the noise is kinda, well, human-like, isn’t it?” Demyx said, smiling. His hand kept moving over the strings.
“Fool. Nobodies need rest too. A terrible force is moving this world. We gotta rest to store up power.”
“The world? I dunno nothing about that. I dunno anything you members from the old days are thinking,” Demyx spat in a loud voice, continuing to play the sitar. Xaldin frowned in displeasure, and disappeared.
Demyx’s sitar continued to play.
Xaldin was privy to the same thing Xigbar was. Demyx was clearly not. Yeah, I always thought Xaldin was important in some way.
Who the hell made the neon lights in this city?
Axel looked up at the pitch dark sky.The sky of this world is completely black, with no moon or stars, like it’s pressing down.
“Where do you intend on going?”The person who calls out like they’ve been watching me all along, in a place like this. It never fails to be him.Saïx.
“Anywhere’s good, right?” Axel said, without turning around, pulling his hood over his face.
“Don’t leave this world without a mission.”
“This place is suffocating,” Axel said, as he started walking.
“…Can’t you hear the world’s screams?”
“Screams?”
Axel finally turned around, and looked up at SaĂŻx standing on a stairway.
“The time when we should move will come soon.”
“I dunno, whatever.” Axel turned his back on Saïx, and opened a dark portal in front of him.
Saïx was privy, too. But he might just be reciting programmed code. Axel was definitely creeped out, though. Weeeeird. I can’t imagine how he felt after watching his friend get turned into a mind-controlled zombie robot. Poor Axel.
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CHI (return to cult)
Chi programming uses a lot of idiosyncratic phrases, and little ditties. Some of the nursery rhymes listed in the song section will be Chi programming. Some of the Chi programming has been listed in the Alpha programming section.
This is why Xehanort is always able to find them with the X. It’s why he retrieved Isa. He had to return to the cult.
OMEGA (Internal Computers)
The Omega programming works along with an Executive Control Board (or Grand Druid Council) and Internal programmers. The Executive Control Board is associated with both numbers of the clock, and precious gems and metals such as “9 O’CLOCK GOLD”. The Beast computer can be accessed with Scripture triggers associated with the Vision of Daniel of the Beast, and its ten toes. The Ten Toes are important part of the code in some models. Program numbers on some slaves are put in by touching the third eye with the index finger and speaking the number.
Saïx was given the scar on his third eye, a new name with an X in it, and a number in the Organization. “As you flesh bears the sigil, so shall your name be known as that of a Recusant”.
The Traumatization and Torture of The Victim
The basis for the success of the Monarch mind-control programming is that different personalities or personality parts called alters can be created who do not know each other, but who can take the body at different times. The amnesia walls that are built by traumas, form a protective shield of secrecy that protects the abusers from being found out, and prevents the front personalities who hold the body much of the time to know how their System of alters is being used.
This is no doubt what Xehanort wanted to do to Isa. Leave him completely blank for programming purposes. But Ansem intervened and restored his memories.
As a child begins its programming, it is monitored in a fashion similar to hospitals where charts are filled and then these charts are filed. Tests and evaluations are done regularly. Goals are set which are six month programming goals. These will say in effect, we need to accomplish this by doing a, b, c, d in the next six months.
This was probably Kairi, Lea, and Isa’s situation. Think about the notes on Subject X.
A male Monarch victim remembers a large hanger building at China Lake with a concrete floor and row after row of cages suspended from the ceiling filling the large building. One of the Programmers was dressed similar to a Catholic Priest. The electric current that ran to the cages made a hum, like an electric fence. There was a marble slab that served as an altar where black-hooded robed people would take a bone handled knife and sacrifice little children in front of the other children in the cages.
Would explain the cages. Organization XIII is actually really disturbing and horrifying if you think about it. It’s basically a Satanic Cult.
Along with the suicide programs that can be triggered are programs that jerk the victim’s mind every which way, which include: Bee Stinging Program (put in by placing the drugged victim being near large swarms of bees humming & then letting a bee(s) sting the victim). Cutting programs are often hidden behind the Bee Swarming program.
One of Xigbar’s weapons is named “Killer Bee”. Did he give Isa the scar? Would NOT surprise me one bit.
The primary important factor for the trauma-based mind-control is the ability to disassociate. It was discovered that this ability is passed genetically from generation to generation.
A sense of time & a sense of self are attached to autobiographical memories–these things are stripped of an alter as it functions within the programming. Memory storage is also linked to the brain’s state of mind at the time. Hormones released at the time of an experience will modulate the strength of the memory of that experience. The limbichypothalamic system of the brain (which consists of the amygdala, hippocampus, cingulate gyrus, fornix, septum, certain nuclei of the thalamus, and the Papez circuit) has a central modulating part which interacts with peripheral hormones. Peripheral epinephrine will be released if the amygdala is electrically stimulated. The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine that is vital for memory storage. In other words, there are hormones which help the brain remember or not.
The experiments were all about getting a subject to renounce their sense of self.
The mind of the victim is not only divided from itself, but the very process of torture, makes the victim distrustful of humans in general. On top of this distrust, the programmers will layer in programming to isolate the person from healthy relationships, which in turn increases the victim’s feeling of helplessness. They are divided from their own parts (their own self) and the world in general.
Yeah, Isa needed the power of waking. Badly. This is why the story left such a bad taste in my mouth, and why I complain so much about it. Isa was kidnapped and forcefully inducted into a Satanic cult as child, through use of mind control techniques. It just infuriates me that poor Isa was not rescued from this disgusting shit! I could never consider that a good ending. Fuck no.
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makistar2018 ¡ 6 years ago
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Peggy Sirota for EW
New Reputation: Taylor Swift shares intel on TS7, fan theories, and her next era
Snakes begone. The 29-year-old superstar is back with a new album and a new outlook on life. We go inside the pop monarch's latest chapter.
By Alex Suskind May 09, 2019
THE PALM TREES ARRIVED IN FEBRUARY, seven in all, set against a pastel blue backdrop with superimposed stars. It appeared that a new Taylor Swift era was upon us — that the old happy-go-lucky Taylor was not, in fact, dead. Or did it? It wasonly an Instagram photo, just one more picture in an infinite content scroll. But it also came from a pop star known for prodigious hint-dropping, whose fans turn every piece of info into an online archaeological dig.
As expected, the summery post sent Swifties sifting through each detail with a fine-tooth comb. What did the trees symbolize? An overdue vacation? A recently purchased beach house? A secret palm-frond collection? Or maybe, as many surmised, it was new music. One Twitter user predicted that the number of stars in the background of the photo hinted at a single drop: “There’s about 60/61 [stars]️. There’s 61 days until April 26, FRIDAY, a SINGLE RELEASE day!” Another said it was the unofficial announcement of her next LP: “Okay so in this picture there are 4 palm trees on the left (4 country albums). There are two palm trees on the right (2 pop albums). There is one large palm tree in the middle. This represents her new album.” These may sound like ludicrous conspiracy theories — for the record, they were mostly correct — but they fit firmly within the Taylor Swift Musical Universe (it’s like the Marvel Cinematic Universe but with more guitars and fewer Stan Lee cameos).
“I posted that the day that I finished the seventh album,” says Swift about the photo. “I couldn’t expect [my fans] to know that. I figured they’d figure it out later, but a lot of their theories were actually correct. Those Easter eggs were just trying to establish that tone, which I foreshadowed ages ago in a Spotify vertical video for ‘Delicate’ by painting my nails those [pastel] colors.”
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It’s now April, and the 29-year-old pop star is in a Los Angeles photo studio, giving her first sit-down magazine interview in three years. She wants to discuss the art of placing hints inside her work, as well as the upcoming record, which she recorded as soon as she finished the Reputation Tour. She’s also keen on detailing her own obsessions, talking up the TV shows, books, and songs that help shape her outlook on life.
Over the past 13 years, Swift has perfected the pop culture feedback loop: She shares updates about her life and drops hints about new music, which fans then gobble up and re-promote with their own theories, which Swift then re-shares on her Tumblr or incorporates into future clues. It’s like a T-Swift-built Escher staircase of personal memories and moments that tease what’s next. “I’ve trained them to be that way,” she says of her fans’ astute detective work. Swift is a pop culture fanatic herself (see: the jean jacket she’s wearing on the EW cover) and has an innate understanding of the lengths her audience will go to be a part of the original creation. “I love that they like the cryptic hint-dropping. Because as long as they like it, I’ll keep doing it. It’s fun. It feels mischievous and playful.”
Through this approach, Swift has designed the ultimate artistic scavenger hunt — and it’s easy to get swept up in its drama, even if you don’t listen to her music. Her moments aren’t always hidden, either. Sometimes Swift highlights aspects of her world just so fans feel like they’re on the journey with her. Like the time in March 2018 when pop singer Hayley Kiyoko was accused of shading Swift after mentioning her name during an interview. On Tumblr, Swift re-shared a fan’s post, adding commentary that defended Kiyoko, which immediately dispelled any conflicts between the two artists; Swift’s post subsequently received more than 29,000 notes. Four months later, she invited Kiyoko on stage during the Reputation Tour to sing her hit “Curious.” Kiyoko returned the favor when she had Swift join her that December at a benefit on behalf of the LGBTQ organization the Ally Coalition to perform “Delicate.” Fans of both artists were elated by the mutual support.
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The feedback loop also extends outside of music. In October 2018, Swift broke her silence about politics by publicly endorsing two candidates for office in her adopted state of Tennessee, while encouraging her followers to register to vote. She kept up the civic momentum through Election Day when she asked fans to post selfies after voting; Swift then eagerly re-promoted her favorites on Instagram stories.
This practice of sharing and re-sharing and sharing again is why listeners consider Swift one of the world’s most accessible pop stars, someone willing to not only interact with her audience but invite them to secret listening sessions, or make the occasional surprise visit to their wedding or prom. It’s a symbiotic relationship, one that, as Swift tells EW, helped her dig out of the darker era of reputation. “It’s definitely the fans that made that tonal shift in the way I was feeling,” she says. “Songwriters need to communicate, and part of communicating correctly is when you put out a message that is understood the way you meant it. reputation was interesting because I’d never before had an album that wasn’t fully understood until it was seen live. When it first came out everyone thought it was just going to be angry; upon listening to the whole thing they realized it’s actually about love and friendship, and finding out what your priorities are.”
Then, during the Reputation Tour, she had an epiphany: that despite the caricature that she thought had been created of her, there were many people who saw what others had simply refused to. “I would look out into the audience and I’d see these amazing, thoughtful, caring, wonderful, empathetic people,” she says. “So often with our takedown culture, talking s— about a celebrity is basically the same as talking s— about the new iPhone. So when I go and I meet fans, I see that they actually see me as a flesh-and-blood human being. That — as contrived as it may sound — changed [me] completely, assigning humanity to my life.”
At tour’s end, she channeled that positive energy into the studio, recording the new album in just under three months. But the fast pace won’t mean a short LP. Swift confirmed that her seventh record (she hasn’t announced a title yet; the working nickname among fans is TS7) will include more songs than any of her previous releases. “I try not to go into making an album with any expectation,” she says. “I started to write so much that I knew immediately it would probably be bigger.”
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The project will also feature a mix of old and new collaborators (on the candy-coated lead single “ME!” Swift brought in Panic! At the Disco frontman Brendon Urie and coproducer Joel Little, both of whom she had never worked with), but she is unsurprisingly coy about doling out much more information, as if doing so would break the carefully honed T-Swiftian feedback loop. “There’s a lot of a lot on this album,” she says. “I’m trying to convey an emotional spectrum. I definitely don’t wanna have too much of one thing…. You get some joyful songs and you get the bops, as they say.” There’s also, she adds, some “really, really, really, really sad songs,” but “not enough to where you need to worry about me.”
She gives us one more clue: The true distinction between TS7 and reputation is in the delivery. “This time around I feel more comfortable being brave enough to be vulnerable, because my fans are brave enough to be vulnerable with me. Once people delve into the album, it’ll become pretty clear that that’s more of the fingerprint of this — that it’s much more of a singer-songwriter, personal journey than the last one.”
The past month has seen a deluge of Swift activity, from the release of the new single to dropping more hints in interviews about the record and its title, which is apparently hidden somewhere inside the “ME!” music video (current fan guesses include Kaleidoscope and Daisy). But if the Easter eggs from the pop star seem like a business-as-usual routine, she says this album does indeed mark a new era of her life, where she’s been better able to prioritize what’s important to her.
“Our priorities can get messed up existing in a society that puts a currency on curating the way people see your life,” she says. “Social media has given people a way to express their art. I use it to connect with fans. But on the downside you feel like there are 3 trillion new invisible hoops that you have to jump through, and you feel like you’ll never be able to jump through them all correctly. I — along with a lot of my friends and fans — am trying to figure out how to navigate living my life and not just curating what I want people to think living my life is. I’m not always able to maintain a balance, and I think that’s important for everyone to know about. We’re always learning, and that’s something that I also had to learn — that I’ve got to be brave enough to learn. Learning in public is so humiliating sometimes…. Do I feel more balanced in my life than I ever have before? Um, probably yeah. But is that permanent? No. And I think being okay with that has put me in a bit of a better position.” Strong words to live by, to quote, to re-share, to tweet back to her, and see if she’ll respond.
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Entertainment Weekly
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nntheblog ¡ 2 years ago
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Black Clover Season 5 Release Date : Everything You Need To Know
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We have both good and bad news for Black Clover lovers. The movie will be released in 2022. There are no details about Black Clover season 5. The anime has been canceled, but there are rumors that the fifth season will be released in 2022. We bring you Black Clover season 5, and answer all your questions about plot, trailer, and release dates. When is Black Clover Season 5 Release Date ? Black Clover first aired in October 2017, and has been gaining popularity ever since. The fourth season of Black Clover aired on December 8, 2020. It has now aired 16 episodes. The show ended on March 30, 2021. The season finale was revealed in February 2021. It featured the March 30th episode. Black Clover episode 171's release date and time have not been announced. We can speculate that Black Clover season 5 might be released in late-2022 or later. The program premiered on TV in 2017. Many of the characters in our favorite anime have extraordinary abilities or magical powers. But, as many fans will see, "Black Clover", is different. Asta, the protagonist is born in a world where magic is natural and witchcraft and wizardry is common. He battles with Yuno, his boyhood friend and strong wind magician to make it through the show's magical universe to become the Wizard King. The series' compelling story of an underdog earned it a place on Crunychroll’s list of the 100 best anime of 2010. Although these laudits are encouraging for the future of the series, no official confirmation has been made about a fifth season. More "Black Clover" content is coming, but in a different way. We'll be discussing that soon. Here's what we know so far. May Also Read : ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime’ Season 3 : Everything You Need To Know What's Black Clover Season 5 Plot ? Black Clover, a fantasy anime series, is based on Yuki Tabata’s manga series. The fourth season of the show was completed recently. Here are the release date, time and everything you need to know about Black Clover season 5. Asta is a young boy born without any magical powers. He is not aware of this because everyone seems to possess some kind of magical ability. Asta and his fellow Black Bulls magicians aspire to become the next Wizard King. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine since February 2015. Chapters have been collected in 29 volumes by July 2021. Asta is a young orphan who was left to be cared for in an orphanage with Yuno. Everyone is born with the ability to use Mana in the form Magical Power Asta. Yuno, however, lacks this magic and instead focuses on his physical strength. Yuno was a genius born with extraordinary magical strength and the ability manipulate wind magic. They formed a friendly rivalry over their ambition to be the next Wizard Monarch, a figure of authority second only to the Clover Kingdom king. Yuno receives the four-leaf grimoire, once owned by the kingdom’s first Wizard King. The four-leaf Grimoire is an exclusive grimoire that only the most powerful magicians can access. Asta, despite his inability to use magic, was able get a five-leaf mystery grimoire that contained mysterious elven weapons as well as a bodyless member of the Devil Race who uses anti-magic. As the first step to realizing their dreams, Yuno and he join a Magic Knight team. May Also Like : The Idaten Deities Season 2 : Everything You Need To Know Black Clover Season 5 Characters/Cast Gakuto Shimazaki and Nobunaga Shimazaki have faithfully portrayed our heroes Asta and Yuno throughout "Black Clover", so we would guess that they will continue to do so for the fifth season. Kana Yki's Noelle Silva, who has deep feelings for Asta, is likely to be back as a potential love interest. We're confident that we will see Asta's friend Leibe more often in future episodes. This means more screen time for Nobuhiko Okamoto and Kenichiro Matsuda as the characters' voice actors. The plethora characters "Black Clover" offers will be familiar to fans of the manga and series. Combining their online stories arcs, the possibilities for who and how they will be cast are almost limitless. Studio Pierro produces the show. Ayataka Tannemura succeeded Tatsuya Yoshihara as director in the fourth series. The screenplay for Kazuyuki fudeyasu was written by Kanichi Kanou. It's clear that "Black Clover," Season 5, and the film that will follow it, will have a huge manga series supporting it. Yki Tabata's original manga story is still being created, which allows for further development or divergence. By Nakoyeh It has been noted that there is still much to be done on Asta's discovery of her biological mother. The mystery of Asta's biological mother was not the only one in Season 4. Asta and Yumi's allies Princess Loropechika are still being held hostage and need to be rescued. The heroes are also on the brink of war with The Spade Kingdom. Republic World points out that the greatest war may come between the demons, and the living world. This seemed to be inevitable when Asta opened the barrier at season 4. One thing is certain, the quest of the heroes to achieve their mutual goal of becoming Wizard Kings will continue. The Clover Kingdom must continue to be protected using a variety mystical means. Asta, our main character is energetic and upbeat. He is a loud speaker who shouts to express his opinions and goals, often to the dismay of those around him and sometimes in defiance to other people's opinions. He was a young man who expressed his desire to become Magic Emperor at the Magic Knights entrance exam and encouraged those mocking him to keep silent. Asta has a strong sense for justice. This is evident in his fight against Heath Grice. He believes that everyone should be protected. Asta is energetic and upbeat. He is energetic and upbeat. He was a young man who expressed his desire to be a Magic Emperor at the Magic Knights entrance exam and encouraged those mocking him to remain silent. Asta has a strong sense for justice. This is evident in his fight against Heath Grice. He believes that everyone should be protected. Yuno is so infatuated with Asta that he will do anything to stop him from doing it. Also, Yuno will go to any lengths to make Asta look good, even if that means attacking Asta with his most powerful magic, knowing Asta would stop it. Yuno is well-known for his outspokenness and willingness to share his views. Yuno is stronger in Magic, while Asta is significantly more powerful in terms of physical power. Asta's Anti-Magic ability, however, makes matters more complicated. Anti-Magic will allow Asta to defeat Yuno. This fun rivalry will continue, fans can hope! Check Out : Hunter x Hunter Hiatus : The Mangas Reaches 4 Years Black Clover Season 5 Trailer https://youtu.be/uaDeobqouGQ Season 5 has yet to be released. If you're new to anime, the 2017 trailer can be viewed below. Black Clover Season 5: Where can you watch it? Crunchyroll and Hulu are the best places to find Black Clover. There will be Season 5 once it's out. Crunchyroll, an anime streaming site with more than 1,000 titles and over 30,000 episodes is all you need to know. Crunchyroll can be accessed for free without advertisements. However, users have the option to upgrade to a premium subscription service that includes one of three ad free membership tiers. Hulu, a subscription video-on demand over-the-top streaming service for the United States, is managed and owned by Comcast and The Walt Disney Company. Hulu was created as a joint venture between News Corporation, NBC Universal, Providence Equity Partners and finally The Walt Disney Company in order to combine current episodes from television programs from their respective networks. Adult Swim is an American adult-oriented block of programming on Cartoon Network's basic cable network Cartoon Network. It was produced in-house at Williams Street. Adult Swim is an independent network that can be rated. It airs every week from 8 p.m. ET/PT. May Also Like : Hunter X Hunter Season 7 : Everything You Need To Know Read the full article
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beyondlimitsonfoot ¡ 6 years ago
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For about 10 years now, we have been going to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks for Memorial Day and random weekend trips. Sometimes I forget that on the other side of the Eastern Sierras there is the Western Side which is just as beautiful. In this blog post I will share some of the things to do that we experienced.
Check them out and comment below if you want to share any of your experiences or let us know which of the 15 is your favorite.
— Background —
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks lies in the Sierra Nevada; the Sierras are home to 3 national parks Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Yosemite. You could potentially do all 3 national parks in one trip if you have time. If you like to read take a look at some of these links below before you head out; history goes a long way. “There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know” – Harry S. Truman.
National Park Service: Learn About the Park Explore Sequoia & Kings Canyon
— Map —
Something I always do before I head out on a trip or on a trip is buy a map and a guide from Amazon, Information or Visitor Center.
— Start Planning Your Adventure —
I’m going to write them not in order of favorites, but imagine instead that you will be driving from South to North. There are two highways that you will be taking this tour on: Highways 198, Generals Highway and Highway 180, Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. Check out this quick write-up about the history of the Generals Highway: When Two Parks Meet: The History of the Generals Highway.
Fees: To enter the park it costs $35 for one vehicle (one entry 1-7 days), $60 for Sequoia & Kings Canyon Annual Pass or if you know you will be going to many national parks go ahead and purchase the America the Beautiful Parks Pass for $80. https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Just so you know ahead of time, we didn’t do this all in one trip, over the years we’ve slowly visited all these places. Hope you enjoy the virtual tour.
Drive to Mineral King and Hike Monarch Lakes
Not the easiest drive to get there, but so worth it once you hike into the lakes. Monarch Lakes sit just under Sawtooth Peak, 9.4 miles round-trip you can make this a day trip or an overnight hike. We did Monarch Lakes as an overnight hike and went all the way up to the second lake to take a dip; I have some video footage if you check out the trip report of it. Brrrrrr…
Stop and Take a Look at General Hwy Lookout
On your drive into the park there are few place you will pass along the way that are easily accessible. Not mapped on this tour is Tunnel Log, definitely would recommend going there too; it’s a quick stop. On your way up the windy road there are not many easy spots to stop in turnouts for lookouts. I definitely would recommend to check out this spot.
Address: Sequoia National Park, 12 Generals Hwy, Sequoia National Park, CA 93262
Climb 350 Steps to the Top of Moro Rock
Moro Rock is located just before turning onto Crescent Meadow Road. If you are interested in museums and a little history, I would first stop at the Giant Forest Museum. Moro Rock is a short hike, it’s perfect for the family to take a break from the drive. Take 350 steps to check out the awesome views of the foothills. In the winter Crescent Meadow Rd. is closed; there are ski trails that lead to the parking area of Moro Rock, but you cannot go onto the stairway in the winter.
Drive Under Tunnel Log
After Moro rock if you keep going East on Crescent Meadow Rd. you will hit Tunnel Log. It is exactly what it sounds like a tunnel in a log, a big sequoia tree. This is the only sequoia tree that you can drive though in the national park. Now, something to note though if you have a Sprinter Van or anything over 8 feet your vehicle will not make it through. Interest in a myth? Check out The Myth of the Tree You Can Drive Through on the National Park Service Website.
Hike the High Sierra Trail
If you’re an avid backpacker this is one trail you want to do in your life. We did a 2 day trip earlier this year: High Sierra Trail: Crescent Meadow to 9 Mile Creek where we actually had to hike an extra 6 miles from Giant Forest Museum (3 miles each way) because it was winter and the road was closed. The High Sierra Trail is 72.2 miles and goes from Crescent Meadow to Mt. Whitney (tallest mountain of the lower 48). My ex-coworker did the trail a couple of years ago; check out his Plan & Go | High Sierra Trail book. 
Some other good reads – National Park Service: High Sierra Trail, SoCal Hiker: Hiking the High Sierra Trail – An Overview, backcountrycow: Backpacking The High Sierra Trail In 6 Day and The High Sierra Trail – Crescent Meadow to Mt. Whitney.
Feel Small Next to the Tree Called General Sherman
General Sherman Tree is the largest known living tree on Earth; why wouldn’t you want to go see it. An interesting fact is that even though it has been named the largest tree in the world, it is not the tallest, it is not the widest. More interestingly it is not the largest tree historically, it is however the largest living tree known. Follow this link if you’d like to find more information on The General Sherman Tree: https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/sherman.htm.
The trail to General Sherman is perfect for the family; it is no longer than half a mile one way. Parking is very scarce at the trail head so you may want to opt in by taking shuttles during the summer especially. You may even have no choice but to take the shuttle depending on how busy it is and how far you may have to park.
Snowshoe to Pear Lake Winter Hut
Pear Lake is at the end of a trail called the “Lakes Trail”. During the summer this is a perfect day hike. During the winter, there is a small ski hut nestled 6 miles deep off the highway. Depending on weather (snow) and trail conditions, the hut opens its doors usually between December and April. The cabin is available to the public, but registration is required (lottery). A couple of years ago we made the expedition: Beyond Limits on Foot – Pear Lake Ski Hut Trip. I have since wanted to go back.
During the summer the hut is closed, but the Lakes Trail offers vast views and perfect lakes to eat lunch at and take a dip in. We’ve gone as far as Heather Lake one year in the late spring.
More information here: https://www.sequoiaparksconservancy.org/pearlakewinterhut.html.
Take a Stroll to Tokopah Falls
Tokopah Falls is a short easy 4.1 miles round-trip; the falls itself is 1,200 feet high and probably best to go see during the early summer. Please be careful around the water, the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River can be dangerous especially early summer when the snow is melting.
Find the trailhead just beyond the Marble Fork Bridge in the Lodgepole Campground; very easy to find. More information here: http://www.redwoodhikes.com/SequoiaNP/Tokopah.html.
Take a Nap on Little Baldy
Little Baldy sits at 8044′ and offers 300 degree view of the surrounding area. The trail is 3.5 miles round-trip and only climbs about 650 feet to its summit. Take some sandwiches or stuff for a picnic, the rock is very comfortable to hang out on and even take a nap. The trailhead is 11 miles north of the Giant Forest Village.
Check Out the Views on Big Baldy
If you hike Little Baldy, you should definitely make your way over the Big Baldy. Big Baldy (8,209 feet) is a little longer hike 4.8 miles round-trip and almost the same elevation gain (600 feet) as Little Baldy. To get to Big Baldy from the Giant Forest Village it is about 22 miles. This is also a perfect hike for families that want to take their kids out for a little and have a picnic with a view.
Say Hi to the Volunteers on Buck Rock Lookout
Buck Rock Lookout is actually located in Sequoia National Forest. I still put it on the list because it is very close to the National Parks. The Lookout sits on top of a granite dome and to reach the lookout you have to climb 172 steps. Named after the first fire watcher Buck McGee. It is staffed 7 days a week by volunteers.
More information here: Sequoia National Forest: Buck Rock Lookout.
Pick Up a Gift in Grant Grove Village
Grant Grove Village is a good place to take a break and look around. Head to the Kings Canyon Visitor Center where you can pick up books, maps or gifts. Accommodations are also available: John Muir Lodge and Grant Grove Cabins. If you are hungry for a bite to eat, Grant Grove Restaurant makes pretty good food. If you need supplies head to the Grant Grove Market, if you need cash there is an ATM and if you wanted to send a postcard there is a post office.
Find the Top of General Grant Tree
The General Grant Tree is the third largest tree in the world and is known as “the Nation’s Christmas tree”. The tree resides in Grant Grove where a loop trail offers a perfect place for families to take a quick walk around and check out all the amazing sequoia trees situated in the half a mile. Make sure to get there early in the day or later as parking is scarce and you may have to park 1 mile away even. More information here: https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/grant.htm.
Paddle Board on Hume Lake
Hume Lake is a reservoir located in Sequoia National Forest, not in the national parks, but since it’s only about a 3 mile drive off Highway 180, I had to put it on my list. I consider this a great place for a stop. They have a Christian Camp that offers camps and retreats for all ages during the summer months especially. It is much quieter during off-season. There are several campgrounds around the lake and nearby, cabins are available for rent (private), you can boat, fish, hike and swim (rentals available for paddle boards, rowboats and kayaks). There is a small shop if you need some items like snacks and drinks, a gas station (expensive, fill up before you get into the park) and a small cafe and gift shop.
Climb on a Stump in Stump Meadow
On your drive to #16 Boole Tree Loop you will pass a very picturesque meadow full of sequoia stumps, hence its name Stump Meadow. The meadow is absolutely green and it was saddening to see the blackened stumps that catch your eye; but why is there so many stumps? For about 20 years from 1887-1908, Converse Basin was stripped of its giant sequoia trees. After checking it out, head over to Boole Tree Trail for a quick hike.
Hike the Boole Tree Loop
Boole Tree Trail is a short 2.5 mile loop and to get there I would recommend a AWD car because after Stump Meadow the road is dirt and very bumpy. This is another one that doesn’t lie in the National Parks but in Sequoia National Forest. Boole Tree lies in the Converse Basin (as does Stump Meadow), which as I mentioned before was logged. An interesting fact is that the tree was named after Franklin A. Boole, the supervisor for the logging operation. It’s named after the very man who stripped Stump Meadow, but he decided to spare the tree’s life due to its size. Boole tree is 6th largest tree in the world.
Picnic at Grizzly Falls
Grizzly Falls Picnic Area is located on the beautiful Kings Canyon Highway 180 just outside the border of the national park. On your way to Roads End you can stop and have a nice picnic right next to Grizzly Falls, one of the more attractive waterfalls hidden behind the trees. The Falls are 80 feet high and the area has picnic tables, bathrooms and very little parking. Some information on picnic areas: https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/picnic.htm.
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Have Coffee at Roaring River Falls
Another great waterfall to visit that won’t take longer than 15-30 minutes (.5 miles) is Roaring River Falls (15 feet). When we went, I took out my Jetboil and made a coffee that we put in our Snowpeak mugs and sipped along the way. We also got lucky with all the water as we went on Memorial Day Weekend. The river was roaring, but not too much; we had read that some years it gushes so much from the snow melt that it makes it look more like a mess.
Jump in a Random Pool on the Copper Creek Trail
Copper Creek Trail is a more difficult trail and if you are an avid backpacker you will love it. The elevation gain to get to Granite Basin is over 5,000 feet in 10 miles. I’d say if you want a really good training hike, definitely try this one; plus you get to jump in alpine water after the hard hike. Check out both Grizzly Falls and Roaring River Falls on your way out before you head home.
Feel the Mist from Mist Falls
Mist Falls (100 feet high) is also a great hiking destination that is 4.6 miles one-way. Not an easy hike with the elevation again, so make sure you take food and water; it is perfect place to have a picnic while feeling the mist from the falls. Mist Falls is located at the end of Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Hwy 180) at Road’s End. Do not enter the Kings River, the water is very forceful.
— What to Take on Your Trips —
Whether you are just doing a road trip or you’re going to hike, here are some items I would recommend taking on your trips. Obviously you would take more than just these recommended items, but take a look at the list; some of these are for your enjoyment and comfort as well.
Gear
GoPro HERO6 – I take my GoPro almost everywhere I go whether it just be for travelling, backpacking/hiking or even to the beach. I love how easy it is to pack and the photo quality is awesome!
Snow Peak Titanium Double Wall Cup – Ever since I bought this, I have used it to drink out of and even eat out of (make a soup in it). You can even use this to just drink water, have a coffee in the morning or make your favorite refreshing drink. Perfect lightweight travel mug. 100% part of my backpacking/hiking gear. If you’re a coffee lover, get the lid for the cup.
Jetboil Flash Cooking System – I have the older version of this one, but again another item I take because I love my morning coffee on trips and my soup while hiking. Boils water so fast.
Anker PowerCore 20100 – Ultra High Capacity Power Bank – Always take a power bank with you to charge your electronics especially if you won’t be near electricity or your car for while; better to use the power back anyway instead of your car. I take a similar one made by goal zero for hiking that has a solar panel for it.
Osprey Packs Daylite Plus Daypack – Always need a daypack with you on road trips. Pick one of the Osprey packs, they’re a great brand.
Maps and Books
National Geographic – Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Map – Great map to find where you want to go: has campgrounds, points of interest, scenic overlooks, trailheads, etc.
Lonely Planet Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (Travel Guide) – Always good to have a guide/travel book with you.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Your Complete Hiking Guide – There are all types of trails in this hiking guide from 1/2 mile to 20 miles+. Great for the outdoor adventurer or the avid backpacker/hiker.
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20 Things to Do in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: whether it be hiking, jumping into a lake or having a coffee next to a waterfall! For about 10 years now, we have been going to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks for Memorial Day and random weekend trips.
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monarchweb1 ¡ 3 years ago
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