#doing my like twice yearly rewatch of it

[evilwickedme]

Your elementary posts are inspiring me to rewatch elementary! Which is good bc i love elementary and bad bc i have so much programming homework to be doing.

Anyway, so on the topic of sherlock holmes:

Which screen (movie and tv) adaptation of sherlock holmes have you seen, and which ones do you think are best (true to original holmes) and best (most personally enjoyable to you)?

(I love your meta on fandom stuff in general - no pressure to answer tho! I just feel like you’d give an interesting reply on this)

Elementary is so good, I'm glad I inspired you to rewatch (but also, good luck with your homework lmao)

Now, to answer your question

It's worth noting that I... Did not read the original stories. Or well, I tried, but I didn't vibe with them originally (I tried to read them in high school after receiving a complete copy for my birthday from my sister), didn't get around to giving them a second chance, and eventually just exchanged my copy for some of my friend's books. So I can't really speak to how accurate any of these are to the originals, but I'll guess anyway lmao

So! Adaptations of Sherlock Holmes I've seen, in no particular order

Sherlock (BBC, 2010-2017) - first two seasons and an episode and a half of season 3

My experience of Sherlock BBC was heavily colored by superwholock and the reichenbach pause, which were the reason I watched the show in the first place, as I had not heard of the show previously. 2012-2013 Tumblr was truly another time. I believe around the same time I also binge watched the first two seasons of Game of Thrones, and I had very similar experiences with both of them: investment because they were pop culture phenomenon, and uncritical and quick consumption that left no room for my own feelings to develop. And in both cases when the third season premiered I discovered, much to my surprise, that I didn't actually like the show. I in fact had extremely pointed criticisms of the show, didn't enjoy the characters, and found the viewing experience to be tedious hard work. So... I do not like Sherlock (BBC), and never really did, although I continued to participate in superwholock as a fandom until its decline. The release of Sherlock is Garbage and Here's Why (dir. Hbomberguy, 2017) was an incredibly satisfactory experience, as it experienced my criticisms extremely well, and put to words my feelings that I hadn't even managed to turn into criticisms, plus pointing out flaws I hadn't even noticed. SiGaHW is one of my favorite films, a twice-yearly watch. Highly recommended. That said, Sherlock itself sucks and is both a bad show and has uncompelling "mysteries". Bad as an adaptation of the original stories and bad as in just bad. Bad.

Elementary (CBS, 2012-2019) - all seven seasons

I enjoy Elementary a great deal. I think it's sort of a model modern procedural, with the cases of the week nearly always being compelling to watch and the emphasis on the developing character dynamics being one of my favorite aspects. There are seasons I enjoy more or less but that's nearly always because of the ongoing subplots (Morland and Moriarty were significantly more compelling than Shinwell, for example) than the actual cases of the week, which again, are pretty much always extremely solid. I've rewatched this show several times, and I think it's extremely enjoyable. It's not perfect, but it gets points for, for example, having Mrs. Hudson be a trans woman all the way back in the early 2010s, and having an autistic woman as a love interest who felt like a genuine well rounded woman. It's also occasionally a little critical of the police in a way that stands out for a crime procedural, which is cool, but only a little. All in all, I like the show a lot, although it's not my favorite on this list. That said, the crime procedural is pretty much the most natural way to adapt the spirit of the original Holmes stories into modern day media, and it uses pretty much every notable character from the stories eventually including some of the mysteries (I really like the hounds storyline adaptation in particular!), so I think this wins best adaptation.

Sherlock Holmes (dir. Guy Ritchie, 2009) - just the first one

I'll be real with you I don't remember anything about this movie except that I watched it and had a fine time.

House (Fox, 2004-2012) - all eight seasons

Y'all know I'm currently in House brainrot, so obviously this ends up on the list. Excellent television, especially for people like me who live for a good procedural and were looking for something that wasn't a cop show. House is Holmes, Wilson is Watson, and the occasional Sherlock Holmes canon reference shows up, such as the guy who shot House being named Moriarty in the credits, or Wilson bullshitting the second gen ducklings about a woman named Irene Adler who was The Woman for House. It's a very good show - although not currently my favorite on the list - and any mystery of the week format is going to be at least a little inspired by the o.g., but it doesn't win over Elementary, which has actual murder and crime mysteries.

The Irregulars (Netflix, 2021) - like two episodes

Based on the concept of Sherlock's canon irregulars but it's a fantasy show! I heard great things but did not end up clicking with it. Obviously by virtue of it being a supernatural show it's not very based on the original, but at least there's mysteries that must be solved?

Sanctuary (Syfy, 2008-2011)

This show is the kind of thing I'd watch when it was on, back in the days where I would watch my parents' satellite television instead of downloading whole seasons of shows on my laptop (as I didn't have a laptop yet lmao). I remember it having dense plots, and vaguely remembered that one of the characters was Sherlock Holmes, and I googled it - it's actually Watson. But hey, that counts, so I included it. I remember enjoying the show but I could not tell you if it was actually good because my taste in 2010 was a bit of a mixed bag on account of me being 12. Anyway I would say it's probably a terrible adaptation and they most likely didn't even try considering the kind of show it was, and I wouldn't call it my favorite.

Psych (USA, 2006-2014; movies 2017, 2020, 2021) - eight seasons, 3 movies

Finally we reach my favorite of these shows. Is it the best one? Idk that's probably a competition between Elementary and House, really, because Psych gets quite silly in the later seasons. But I really do love this show and these characters so much. Like House, it is only a little inspired, but even more loosely so, with really only the idea of a guy who's really smart and eccentric and his best friend who seems normal but really is a bit of a freak (in Gus' case, actually way weirder than Shawn) sticking around. Shawn has eidetic memory and is wicked smart, and actually makes for some really good ADHD rep in my opinion. The comedy usually lands and the romance plot is one of my favorite slow burns and the serial killer episodes are high quality as shit and I love that there's a pineapple hidden in every single episode and I just. I love this show I love it so much

Anyway these are all the adaptations I've seen that I could think of. It's possible I missed something but only the kind of thing that doesn't say Holmes on it; I haven't seen Enola Homes, for example.

Thank you so much for asking I really appreciated this thought exercise of trying to remember every single bullshit TV show I've ever seen because, um, I've seen a lot of TV if I'm going to be honest.

Sorry for taking two weeks this was surprisingly hard and I have. A job

[kakusu-shipping]

1, 2, 4, 11, and 18 for the end of year asks? :0

Aaah thankyou Echo!!! This post might be long, please forgive me!

1. Did you add any F/Os to your list this year? Were they from new media or just a newly discovered love?

Here's every romantic F/O added to the list this year, or at least that I can remember adding this year. Years are long and my sense of time is very warped so it may not be fully accurate.

Most are from new media, or just new parts of media, like the end of the Owl House and the New Pokemon Games. The ones that are new loves from re-visits are Heracross, Smeargle, and Keckleon from Monster Mind, Mario and Luigi from Super Mario, Makarov from Fairy Tail, and Jill from The Wayward Children series.

Though Mario and Luigi are also what I consider my first F/Os, they weren't officially on the list until the movie came out, so I'm counting them in the 2023 yearly wrap.

2. Did you reconsume any of your F/Os’ source media this year? How did you feel about the rewatch/listen/read/etc?

I rewatch Assassination Classroom every year in March and it makes me cry every time. I also replay Hatoful Boyfriend and Holiday Star every December for Kazuaki and Hitori, watch Baka and Test sometime around late Summer most years to ease my seasonal depression, and rewatch Mushishi at least once a year.

Other than that, nothing super meaningful. I rewatched a few LPs of Mario games, replayed through Paper Mario myself, watched Romantic Killer again, Reread Manly Appetites every other month or so, watched The Cat Returns once or twice, played more Pokemon, Restarted Monster Mind (still haven't finished it), and skimmed the Ouran Manga at the library while waiting for them to replace the volume they're missing.

HOWever, this latest reread of Down Among the Sticks and Bones is what got me to finally put Jill on the F/O list, so that feels worth mentioning. I love that book <3

4. Was there anything on your blog that you were particularly proud of this year?

No, not really. My drawings were all very incomplete and sketchy this year with long gaps between them, and my writing really flaked off suddenly, I haven't written more than a paragraph at all this year.

I wouldn't say I'm particularly proud of them, but I did really enjoy making moodboards last month and am kind of waiting for my health to settle so I can get back to them. Making stuff for other self shippers is a lot more fun than writing/drawing for myself atm.

11. Was there new media for any of your F/Os this year? If so, what was your opinion on it?

Yes FNaF Help Wanted 2 came out and gave us New Sun Content and I LOVED IT!!!!! He's such a bitch!!!! A shit!!! A snobby theater kid!!! He's so controlling and harsh I LOVE him <3 So happy to know more about him honestly and that he's not all UwU Caregiver that the fandom made him. I like soft characters, but he's a HORROR character he needs to be a little fucked up!!

18. Did you have a favorite trend in the selfship community from the past year?

I'll be honest, I don't pay much attention to what other people in the selfship community are doing. I follow the tags but if there's like a popular trend thing going around, I miss it every time.

My LEAST favorite right now though is the whole "Stolen from an Anti" thing. I have no qualms about stealing posts it's whatever, but I hate when it's says that in text at the bottom of the post. Just tag it as such so I can filter it please

[hadesisqueer]

I get that. I love Zuko, too, eversince I was little, and I was maybe... 6 years old when I first watched ATLA? I don't remember how old exactly but I was a kid, so at first I was like 'but Zuko is good now :(' and didn't get why anyone, not just Katara, was having trouble with him joining the group that episode. Then when I rewatched years later when I was 15 or 16 for the sake of remembering stuff about my childhood (I've been doing a yearly rewatch since then lmao) I was like "okay, I would probably have been even angrier if I was Katara tbh."

Maybe when you're watching for the first time (and as a little kid in my case), it's normal to be like 'hey, I get you're mad but Zuko's trying tbh', but as soon as someone starts thinking about it a bit more from Katara's perspective instead of just Zuko's, anyone realizes that she's completely justified in her anger and that honestly she could have been way worse.

The problem is that many times people don't bother trying to see things from Katara's perspective. I've seen people talking about how 'all she does is talk about her mother', which is-- wrong. Rewatching the show, you see that she doesn't even talk that much about her mom. And even so, Zuko talks a lot about his honor and his father —often his mother as well—, Iroh has also talked about his son's death, and I feel empathy towards them because they were awful things that really affected them. So when I see people act like a 14yo girl like Katara doesn't get to be deeply affected over her mother being killed when she was a child —and later it's revealed it was while pretending to be the Waterbender instead of Katara, at that, actively dying for her daughter, which probably ended up triggering a lot of guilt—, I find it disgusting.

It's the same in Korra's place, by the way. Lots of people feel empathy towards other characters, but Korra often gets none. People do not even bother trying to understand why Korra acted the way she did when in Book 1 —you know, not knowing how to act out in the world after literally being locked in a compound in the South Pole with no friends other than a polar bear dog for her entire life which clearly strained her personal growth, her social skills and her spirituality and training (how the fuck is she supposed to be able to bend Air, the element of freedom, when she doesn't even know what freedom is)—. To them she's just a brat and they don't even try to think twice and understand her. I've even seen people say that what happened to Korra at the end of Book 3 wasn't that bad. Sure, she was basically tortured, and poisoned, and nearly died, and was left in a wheelchair, and had to go through a recovery and couldn't even walk in over a year, and after that she had a severe case of PTSD. But sure, what happened to her wasn't that bad, and some not even bother trying to feel an ounce of empathy towards her.

Yes, I feel like it's gotta be sexism and probably racism as well, about both of them.

After rewatching The Crossroads of Destiny, I still believe that the people who criticized Katara over her being "too mean" to Zuko after he finally joined Team Avatar in Book 3 are the dumbest people who ever walked on Earth.

Zuko searched for Team Avatar and by the end of the episode, Aang and Toph thought he'd proven himself to be worth giving a chance —they weren't friends though, that took a bit more time and it's clear— Sokka was like 'well, of you must' and gives him a chance as well and later he'd end up warming up to him along with the others.

But Katara kept being a meanie to him oh why. Well, maybe because while everyone was giving Zuko a chance, Katara had already done so before? Dear God, Katara herself explains it several times. They opened up to each other in The Crossroads of Destiny, she felt bad for him and she offered to use the Spirit Oasis water to heal his scar and started believing he'd changed-- only for him to join Azula and help her five minutes later, betraying his own uncle that had gone to rescue him. She was ready to give him a chance and it ended up with him proving in her eyes that he didn't deserve it, with Aang barely surviving and with Ba Sing Se captured by the Fire Nation. Katara was right, what's assuring her that he won't end up doing the same thing and hurting her friends again?

Listen, I love Zuko, he's one of my favorite characters overall. But yeah, Katara had every right not to trust him and dislike him and to be furious at him, most of all when you remember that this was the second chance she was giving him, not the first like the others. Anyone who thinks otherwise and only empathizes with Zuko but never with Katara-- well.

[psylid]

possibly the funniest thing in hannibal -- right behind "is your social worker in that horse?" -- is hannibal staring morosely at the empty chair across from him after will can't come to their therapy sessions because he's in prison for the murders hannibal framed him for

[spideyanakin]

grand prix's and spider bites (p.p)

summary - (f1 driver + spider power!reader) you drive for the Stark Industry racing team, so well that Tony Stark suspects you're more than human.

the second I rewatched iron man 2 and realized Tony had a Formula 1 team - my heart went WRITE THIS

back to main masterlist

peter parker masterlist

You were the little 'protégée' of Stark's racing team.

Not that Tony really cared, he had other things on his plate. His racing team was just an additional money maker mixed with more press for the Stark Industries.

His father was the one who had cared for it the most. So he seemed to keep it just for Howard Stark's memory, and his own nostalgia of seeing races with his father as a child.

"Oh and how's that Formula 1 team going?" Tony took a new sip of his drink before going back to tweaking one of his projects.

Happy blinked in surprise. Tony checked on the team about once a year, or maybe twice at most. He only wanted to be up to date when he went to Monaco for the yearly race.

"Well..." Happy scratched the back of his neck as he fumbled with his iPad for the data. The screen lit his face with the bright red Formula 1 logo and the page opened. He cleared his throat, Tony wouldn't like this - "Second on the driver's constructor championship, and our drivers are 2nd and 4th." he winced, bracing himself for Tony's remarks.

Tony looked away from his project and looked at Happy in surprise.

"Happy can you tell me why's that?" He folded his arms. "We have the best car on track, then why aren't we winners?" Tony hated loosing, even if it was in a sports he didn't particularly care about.

"Our star pilot signed with Mercedes last year, remember?"

"Hmm." He looked around the room. "Tell the team manager - what ever his name is, that I want two new pilots for next year, and they better be the best. Or else I’ll get him fired and hire that Toto Wolff guy who works for Mercedes."

And that's how you got your chance.

You were the best rookie driver to ever step into formula one in years, and people weren't shy to talk about it. You had managed to beat everyone's expectations in your first season as an F1 driver, and that’s what Stark racing searched for on Tony’s orders.

Although the team manager was skeptical at first, something in the back of his mind telling him he was gambling on taking not only a girl in his team, but also someone with barely any formula 1 experience under their belt. But when he heard Toto Wolff wanted you for Mercedes, he was quick to make you a contract.

And it turned out to be the best decision he ever made in his entire career.

"Alright Happy." Tony sighed as his friend walked into the room. "Since I'm going to Monaco it's only normal I know what's going on." He stated as he tried to pick between two suits. "How's that F1 team of mine?"

"First in the driver's constructor, and one of your drivers; Y/n L/n is leading the championship by 40 points. I'm going to be honest this is quite impressive, Tony. No driver has lead the champion ship by so many points so young and in such little amount of time in the sports."

"Hmm good, good." He was too busy scratching his chin to care "Do you think the blue or black suit is better?"

"I'll pick the blue. Makes your eyes pop and matches the color of your racing team.

You on the other hand, you were unstoppable on track. You were not only the youngest but only female pilote on the grid, which would make you a double record holder if you got the tittle of world champion this year.

You started your karting career when you were 6, travelling through the USA and slowly making your way up. Through middle school you stayed in Queens, and went to Mid-town high as you tried to get into F3. School was taking a toll on you, and your driving results seemed to go down as well. It wasn't a good two years if you were honest.

But your entire life changed when you visited Oroscop with your class.

You got bit by a spider.

A radioactive spider to be exact.

You remember going back home after the trip feeling like the sky was about to crash on you. Your head was spinning and your eyes couldn't see properly. You wanted to throw up, scream - anything to get the pain away.

That day you had to cancel a karting practice, and the chief of your karting team was threatening to take away your seat - not a fun twenty four hours.

Little did he know you would come back to become ‘the best pilote who ever lived’

You weren’t blind to the friendly neighborhood Spider-man. He was exactly like you, could climb walls, probably had hyper senses and super strength as well. It would be a lie to say it didn't make you guilty. You were using your powers for your own career, while he was out saving the world.

But you couldn't dwell on those feelings for too long.

You had a World Champion ship to win.

~

Ah, Monaco.

The best race of the year.

Not only for the parties but for the amazing track.

As usual you got into your car and soaked in the comforting feeling.

With your spider powers you could feel every single part of the car, everything that was wrong or right. You could feel how perfect that car was. How well the air circulated around it as it glided through the track. Everything was right with this car, and it filled you with a feeling of gratitude.

You could feel the entire track, where everyone was or how fast they were going. It was so easy to drive. So easy that last year even with the shitty car you had before joining Stark Racing you found ways to do podiums.

You took everything in.

Monaco was your favorite track. Just because it was the most challenging for you. The sharp turns and tight streets. You knew this track like the back of your hand, and loved every single bit of it.

That day you were a beast on track as usual. Staying first during most of the race, your rival finding it a real challenge to fight you.

"Is she like this every race?" Tony leaned to his team manager.

"Yeah." He nodded with a proud smile.

Tony nodded as he kept his eyes on the TV to watch you race. After you pitted to change your tires, a bad strategy from your engineers almost made you collide with another teams car.

It should have ended in an accident.

It should have.

But Tony and the entire team stayed breathless when they watched you turning around and double the car in front of you. There wasn't even room for a finger when you passed by. Any other driver would have collided and caused a crash by the pit lane.

But you didn't.

And you even won the race after that.

"Interesting." you had suddenly caught Tony's attention and he nodded, watching you get out your car. A small smile appeared on his trait when he watched how much his team cheered for you.

He kept a close eye on you as you removed your helmet to replace it with the 1st place cap. You proudly walked up to the podium, your entire team cheering and screaming at your achievement once again. You hugged your teammate who had also gotten a podium, and one of your friends from another team who was third.

Bottles of champagne later and someone tapped you by the shoulder.

"Boss wants to see you." The person had an intimidating look in their eyes.

"Boss?" you raised an eyebrow with a playful smile. "I just talked to the boss-" you pointed to your team manager who was shaking some champagne off of him.

"Other boss." He pointed to bright blue name on your racing overalls, and you felt your heart stop.

"Oh." You gulped. You knew more then anyone Tony Stark wasn't one to follow Formula 1, nor who wanted to talk to his drivers. So him wanting to see you wasn't something you were expecting. "Can I get changed first?" You pointed to yourself. You were disgusting and sticky with a mix of champagne and sweat.

He shook his head and your breath caught in your throat "He wants to see you, now."

"Alright." You nodded, and followed the assistant all the way to Hospitality, fumbling with your hands in the process.

You tried to fix your hair, trying to wring out the champagne out your locks, but it didn't seem to help. You fixed your overalls, and furiously rubbed your hands onto your side as they started becoming stickier by the second.

"Great." You muttered.

The doors of a large room opened and you were met with the faces of a few millionaires and important personalities. You gulped - you were sticky and recking of champagne and you knew in the back of your mind that if you weren't a formula 1 driver they would look at you as if you didn't belong.

You followed the assistant all the way across the room, giving the usual small smile and wave at people who greeted you. You removed your cap as a sign of politeness and used it to fidget with.

And suddenly - you were face to face with him.

The one and only Tony Stark.

The one and only Iron Man.

He gave you a bright smile as though you were old friends, lifting his arms up as if to embrace you.

"Ah Y/n!" He smiled and glanced towards a few guests as though the two of you were close. He wrapped an arm around you, making a face when he realised you were sticky.

"Well i'll just throw that suit away." He grinned before giving your shoulder a squeeze and letting you go.

"It’s nice to meet you- Mr.Stark." You awkwardly nodded, suddenly feeling extremely shy around him, compared to a few seconds ago when you had just shaken hands with the royal Monégasque family.

"Oh call me Tony." He grabbed two champagne flutes from a waiter and handed one to you. "Here" instead of waiting until you grabbed it, he ‘accidentally’ let the glass fall.

With your stupid quick reflexes, you caught it before any drops could be spilled.

"Nice reflexes L/n"

"I have to for my um job sir, um Tony" You awkwardly fiddled with the cap in your hands.

"Oh I’m sure there’s more to it!" He said as it was no big deal, a large smile still plastered on his face as though he hadn’t just revealed your biggest secret.

Your face went white, and you froze - not sure of what to say next.

"Sorry?"

"Would you come to the tower this week? I believe your next race isn’t until the week after. Leaves you time to travel to New York." You blinked in surprise. Shocked he was so fast to change the subject.

"Yeah- Yeah of course."

"Ill get a jet for you, and we can talk about your accomplishments over lunch."

~

So that's how you found yourself standing in front of the Avengers tower, looking up to the meters of height as a shiver passed through your shoulders.

"Y/n, right?" The man you regonised as Happy stepped out of the building, and you nodded. "Follow me."

What you didn’t expect was an overwhelming feeling. It was hard to describe. As if someone was pushing you towards a force so strong you felt like a small magnet trying to get away from the bigger one.

You tried your best to shake the feeling off, but the more you walked into the tower, and the more the elevator went up - the more you felt yourself being pulled.

It wasn't until the doors of the elevator opened to the large dining room / living room that you understood why.

Standing next to Tony Stark was a boy that way too familiar to you.

And suddenly you understood.

It was Peter Parker.

Peter Parker was Spider-man.

The quiet nerd from your bio class was Spider-man.

Was that why you felt so attracted to him? Was that why you felt like you could trust him with everything in you? Was that why you wanted to just walk to him and have a conversation.

Almost like you were two pieces of a puzzle meant to work together.

"Y/n!" Tony greeted but you couldn't stop looking at Peter. "How's my favorite F1 driver! It's nice to see you again."

"I- I'm good. Thank you."

"This is Peter. He was around so I thought it would be nice to have someone around your age. What are you two - 12? 14?"

"19" You both said at the same time, making Tony roll his eyes.

Suddenly the two of you made eye contact again, and Peter was looking at you like he was trying to figure out a murder mystery.

Tony looked between the two of you and almost felt the sparks in the air, he was about to clear his throat but Peter spoke first.

"Y- you're like me?" He breathed out.

"You're Spider-man aren't you?" He nodded.

"H- How is this even possible? I-" You watched him as the wheels in his brain turned around. "That- were- You were there! I remember you! You too?"

Tony didn't understand one bit of Peter's blabbering but you did.

"I got bitten when we did that field trip in Oroscop."

"Me- me too! I remember you! You left because your driving was getting serious!"

"Wait you two know each other?"

"We use to be in class together." You nodded. "Until I left to join F3 in Europe." Tony raised both his eyebrows at your words.

"Oh well I didn't have to kick it out of you then. I knew you probably had powers but I didn't know you were a spider person like Pete." He chuckled before sitting down for diner.

"You knew- what!?"

"Something you should know is that I have an eye for these type of things. Plus I got a call from Nick Fury about you. He's been watching you for a few years now. The papers about you are in my office."

You stayed frozen - the only thing you could do was blink. That made Tony laugh.

"Don't worry. I'm keeping you on the team. Your little secret is safe with me." He nodded. "But if one day you want to play the hero you'll also be welcomed. We could use a very good get away driver. Now will you two stop staring at each other and sit down, I'm hungry."

The rest of the diner went surprisingly well.

"You don't know who Niki Lauda is!? Are you serious?" You almost choked on your food at Peter's lack of knowledge. "You don't know James Hunt either?"

"No-" He shook his head.

"Kid! Even I know these famous names!"

"You can't be serious." you frowned. "you never heard of Niki Lauda? Formula 1 legend? Looks a little bit like Zemo? His rival was James Hunt - people even say he looked like Thor's twin! Both of these guys are legends."

"Oh yeah I saw the posts about him looking like Thor." Tony smiled at the thought.

"You have a lot to learn, Parker." you shook your head.

"Honestly teach me! I didn't know the name of any drivers until tonight when Tony said you were coming over."

"Not even Schumacher."

"Oh yeah, never mind. I knew that name."

Diner went to fast for your liking. Tony was incredibly nice and less intimidating than you thought. But most importantly you and Peter seemed to have an unspoken bond that even Tony could sense.

You felt safe around him, that feeling you felt the first time you walked into the tower only becoming stronger.

"Well that was amazing, thank you so much Tony." You nodded as you slipped your coat back on.

"Thanks kid. It was nice getting to know you." Tony clapped your shoulder. "I think I'll be coming to more races."

"That would be fun." You nodded and turned to Peter. "It was nice seeing you again Peter, it's a shame we didn't talk as much back when we were at school."

"Yeah." Peter chuckled. "It was nice seeing you again." Your stares lingered and Tony wasn't blind to it.

"Peter why don't you bring her back to her hotel? I'll let you two share and compare your spider being experiences."

"Oh I'd love too. Only if you're ok with it, I mean." Peter turned to you.

"That would be nice, Peter."

Good thing your hotel was a little far.

You hadn't noticed but the two of you had started to walk almost shoulder to shoulder.

"So you're telling me you got stuck in your own webs once?" You bit back a laugh.

"Yeah."

"It's brilliant that you made them. I would have never thought about that."

"I mean - you have no need for it."

"True."

"I never thought our powers could be used for what you're doing. It's impressive you know."

"Not as impressive as you, Peter. I've always felt self conscious about the fact that you're a hero and I'm just- an F1 driver."

"Just an F1 driver? Y/n everyone says you're the best driver in history." He shook his head. "I checked you out on google during diner. All these articles are wondering where drivers like you were all these years." His enthusiasm was making you smile.

"But I don't save people in my free time. I race and race and race and race some more when I could use my powers for good."

"You're doing a great service to motor sports."

"I guess."

Your heart dropped to your stomach when you saw the door of your hotel.

"That's my stop."

"Oh." He looked up to the sky scraper with the bright logo of your hotel onto of the door. "Alright... Well um-"

"Would you like to come to my next race? I'll get you tickets." That took him by surprise. "Tony can bring you with one his jets I suppose, and we could go to London after, it's only an hour away from Silverstone - that's the circuit where the race will be. There's this restaurant I really like- we could go there." When he didn't reply you continued rambling. "But I mean- of course if not that- that's ok-" You were shut up with a kiss to your cheek.

"I'd love to come to your next race."

[chickenparm]

oh no i’ve been rewatching that scene where silco leans back and smokes & my whore mind was like what if he smokes + getting a bj

don't worry i'm on it babes, i got you. help is on the way dear. i dropped everything to come do this one.

Silco/gn!Reader 1,602 Words - NSFW Blowjobs, deep-throating, mild praise, Silco doing his usual cigar shit

---

"Then it's agreed. We'll uphold our end of the bargain so long as you stick to yours."

"Your men will have walk-in access to the clinic, and we'll keep sending the bill monthly."

Silco hummed in agreement, his eyes following the movement of your hand as you stretched it across the table for him to shake. After a moment of deliberation, he tucked his cigar between his teeth and accepted your hand. His skin was warm against yours, and it caught you off guard when his fingers curled around your palm to shake your hand twice.

And if his fingers brushed against yours until the very last second as you pulled away, you tried not to think about it too hard. Your bi-yearly negotiations with this man always had you in shambles, and today was no different.

It was like he knew what he did to you. Especially when he lit that cigar up just before completing the deal, wrapping his lips around it as he set the lighter down and took his first pull. The ember glowed nearly as bright as his eye.

Carefully, you got to your feet and reached for the coat you'd hung on the back of your chair. Smoke drifted lazily from his lips as he eyed you, "Leaving so soon?"

"I've work to do today, and I assumed you didn't want to spend time on inane small talk," You answered honestly, leaning an elbow on the top of the chair instead of grabbing your jacket. Silco's good eye narrowed as he followed the line from your chest to your waist to your hip and down your thigh.

Silco didn't look away from you as he stretched an arm over the back of the couch to tap the ashes from the end of his cigar with two short bumps against the ashtray. It came back to his lips, but he paused to speak first.

"I can make time. Can't you?"

You eyed him warily, suspiciously, and he seemed to catch onto it right away, "It's not a trick. We've been working together for years, I'm simply interested in learning about one of my most-trusted business partners."

Trusted. Right...

"You know the important details," You leaned a bit more weight on your elbow, using the chair for support as you watched with a dry mouth at every move this bastard was making. The gentle bob of his boot as he crossed that leg over the other, the long line of his arms as he propped them over the back of the couch, the way his eyes seemed to be burning into you as he looked anywhere but your face. His eyes followed every line on your body, from your shoulders to your chest to and lower.

"Then tell me the unimportant ones."

"What do you want to know?"

Silco regarded you for a long moment, finally meeting your eyes with a knowing smirk, his lips wrapping around that cigar again as he spoke, "Everything."

"Everything is quite a bit. If you're gonna weasel information out of me, you have to be more specific, Silco."

"How do you feel about casual sex?"

Gods above, you nearly choked on your spit. If he felt ashamed at such a brazen question, he didn't show a single ounce of it. Only the quiet sound of his boot tapping the underside of the table punctuated his expectant silence. You knew you must have looked ridiculous, wide-eyed and staring in disbelief.

Then, his tapping stopped and you watched with rapt attention as he uncrossed his legs and set both feet flat on the floor. If his intentions had been in suspect before, they certainly weren't now when you finally saw the bulge in his pants, made more prominent with the open way he was sitting.

"Answer any way you'd like."

Pushing yourself out of your leaned position, you hooked a boot under the tabletop and tugged it toward you, leaving ample room in front of Silco for you to approach. When you were in front of him, you slowly got to your knees and reached for the buttons on his pants that were straining already.

Your hand reached in his trousers to pull him out, and you took a moment to marvel at the cock in front of you - thick, heavy, and perfectly cleaned and manicured like he fully expected for someone to see his dick today.

You tried not to think too hard about that one as you wrapped your hand around him to give an experimental stroke. Silco hummed in pleasure, cigar nearly falling from his lips as he spoke, "Good answer."

Something in your preened at the praise, and feeling bolder now that you were sure of his intentions, you leaned forward to swipe the flat of your tongue along the bottom of his cock from base to tip. You earned a quiet groan of appreciation, and you decided that as long as you had a chance to suck this man's cock, you were going to get as many of those sounds out of him as possible.

Silco was heavy on your tongue as you slid him past your lips, easily bumping into the back of your throat and making you suddenly back off and gag. Silco's hand curled into the hair at the side of your head just behind your ear, providing a surprisingly sweet gesture of support as he spoke.

"Only do what you can handle - Perhaps later we can practice with more, hm?"

Your eyes flashed to him and he only had a tiny, knowing smile as he let go of your hair to lean back on the couch again. He dropped the remains of his used-up cigar in the ashtray, and as you swirled your tongue around his tip you got to watch him try to prepare and light another one with trembling hands.

Then that hand came back, fingernails gently raking against your scalp as you worked him deeper in your mouth, getting used to the feeling of his cock on your tongue and hopefully down your throat. Smoke wafted upward as he moaned your name to the ceiling, head lolled back as you worked him with your tongue and hands.

Silco's pre-cum was salty, and whether it was normal or because you'd somehow worked him up enough, it ran down your chin in glistening rivulets that Silco's eyes followed as he looked down at you from his boneless position.

"I've always wondered what you'd look like with my cock stuffed in your mouth," Silco paused, a swipe of your tongue gliding perfectly along his frenulum and making his breath catch. The hand in your hair started to guide you, setting a slow, leisurely pace that you allowed him to control instead.

"But this is much better than I could have dreamed up when I fisted my cock the moment you'd step out of here. We should do this more often, hm? Better than a handshake, I-I'd think."

You caught the stutter in his words as he pulled you a bit further onto his dick, brushing against the soft flesh at the back of your mouth and feeling it constrict around him as you swallowed, willing yourself not to gag so he wouldn't pull you back off again.

"Y-You've wanted this as long as I have," Silco spoke lowly, the smoke from his cigar settling around you as he leaned closer, "Maybe longer, judging by how eager you are."

With your mouth full of his cock, you could do nothing besides whine in approval as his hips shifted up to push deeper, "Keep this up, you're doing so well for me."

You moaned around him at his praise, and like a missile he honed in on it immediately, "Oh, you like that? You like it when I praise you? Mmh... It's well-earned, you're going to make me cum down that pretty throat of yours if you keep this up."

You didn't know how badly you wanted that until this moment, and you rocked forward as his hips raised, finally brushing your lips against the base of his cock. Silco's head dropped to the back of the couch with an audible thud as he stuttered your name out, your throat spasming around him as he intruded further than anyone ever had.

His cum hit you fast and with force, nearly making you gag with how thickly it caught in your throat as you swallowed around him desperately. Cigar long forgotten, smoking away in the ashtray, Silco's hands dug into both sides of your hair as he held you on him through his orgasm. All you could do was brace your hands on your knees and take him until he started to soften in your mouth.

Silco did nothing to stop you as he panted heavily, watching you tug his handkerchief from his pocket to clean his cock and tuck it gingerly back in his pants, mindful of the sensitivity he'd have. As you tossed the used cloth to the cushion next to him on the couch, Silco finally sat up fully and reached both hands to cup your jaw and hold you still so he could kiss you.

You accepted the gesture, tilting your head up and at an angle to allow him more access to your mouth as his tongue slipped passed your lips to glide along your own. You vaguely wondered if he could taste himself on your tongue.

Silco pulled away, breathless all over again, and smoothed both thumbs along your jawline as he spoke, "Just seeing to it that you swallowed it all."

[fishoutofcamelot]

Since October is my yearly Fullmetal Alchemist Rewatch MonthTM, it's time to rehash the ol' BBCM AU

Arthur as Colonel Roy Mustang. Naturally my gut instinct is to put Arthur as Edward. They're both angry blondes with a red cape-thingie and twice their weight in daddy issues. But honestly, if we look at this from a perspective of themes and character arcs, I honestly think Arthur would be a better fit for the role of Roy Mustang. Both of them are members of an oppressive military structure, have a history with participating in genocide that haunts them and requires redemption, and are in a position of authority over a found family group of soldiers (drawing parallels between the Round Table and Team Mustang). Also, Mustang stages a coup to overthrow the evil/oppressive government, and it would have been *chefs kiss* good character development to see Arthur do that

Merlin as Edward Elric. Y'know I didn't think Merlin as Edward would make any amount of sense. In terms of personality they couldn't be more different. But the more I think about, the more I realize that while they are very different people, thematically there's a lot of similarity. First and foremost, themes of sacrifice. Merlin puts himself through so much crap just to protect his friends, while Ed lost his leg trying to bring his mom back, and gave up his arm and later his alchemy in order to save his brother. Also, they're both young magical prodigies and considered anomalies within their respective magic systems - Merlin because he was born with his powers, and Ed because he can use alchemy without a transmutation circle. Also also, they're both being used as weapons in service of an oppressive authority - Ed is a State Alchemist, aka a "dog of the military" and one of Father's chosen sacrifices; and Merlin is both a servant to the Pendragons and destiny's chosen protector of the Once and Future King. Both have to struggle with balancing duty/obligation with their own morals and desires, and both characters inevitably fall on opposite sides of that fence. (I also put Merlin as Ed because I'm a slut for whump and I would love nothing more than to see Merlin endure all the angsty crap Ed goes through)

Percival as Alphonse. At first it might seem like Percival would be Major Armstrong since they're both muscle-y boys. But actually, Percival is Alphonse. They're both large and imposing guys who are secretly total softies and don't have nearly the amount of screentime they deserve. Also, if Percy's soul had been bound to a hollow suit of armor like Al, he would definitely start hiding cats in there and you cannot change my mind

Freya as Nina Tucker. Don't hate me for this one, but it makes sense right? Like, like, forget the romantic shippy stuff for a sec, that's just gross in this context. Freya as Nina is so accurate it hurts. RIGHT????

Kilgharrah as The Truth. They're both morally ambiguous, physically displaced entities who are often visited or called upon during magical/alchemical events, who dispense wisdom and judgment based on their own strict adherence to a certain code - Kilgharrah to destiny, and The Truth to equivalent exchange

Uther as Father. Daddy issues

Balinor as Van Hohenheim. This one's a bit of a no-brainer. Balinor and Hohenheim are both absent fathers who have a brief reunion with their son/s and then die shortly thereafter. Also, parallels between them both having ~special magic~ that make them a target (Balinor's a dragonlord and...whatever the hell Hohenheim has going on). Also, both of them became lonely wanderers after suffering mass death within their community - the Purge and the fall of Xerxes respectively

Hunith as Trisha Elric. Ooh this one hurts but it just fits so well

Gwaine as Ling Yao OR Jean Havoc. Comic relief foodies and fun-loving characters who are secretly royalty but don't even remotely act like it? Wanderers from a distant land, coming to Camelot/Amestris with seemingly the sole purpose of messing with everyone? Yeah he's definitely Ling. But I'm also willing to accept the idea of Gwaine as Havoc, what with them both being the chaotic bastard subordinates to Arthur and Mustang respectively. Not to mention parallels between Gwaine being tortured and/or killed, and Havoc being hospitalized and paralyzed - both of these tragedies occuring after a fateful run-in with a murderous black-haired sadist

Mithian as Lan Fan. Can't explain this one, it just feels right

Gaius as Pinako. I don't think I have to justify this choice even a little bit

Nimueh as Scar. Yeah you heard me. Thematically it makes a world of sense. Both are members of a group of people that were subjugated, oppressed, and overall victims of genocide that became extremists in their quest for wholly-earned revenge. Also because Scar got an interesting redemption arc and I want Nimueh to have what he had

Lancelot as Maes Hughes. OOOOHH THIS ONE HURTS TO THINK ABOUT. But uhh. It makes sense. Both of them figured out the big secret before everyone else - Lancelot found out about Merlin's magic, and Hughes found out about what Father was planning. Not to mention that both of them are loveable characters whose deaths will be forever burned into my psyche. Also, if Lancelot had a wife and child you can bet your ass he would show off pictures of them to anyone and everyone

Elyan as Maria Ross. Mostly I made this choice because both of them were on the run at one point for crimes they didn't necessarily commit, Maria for accusations of murder and Elyan for all the stuff he did while being possessed by a ghost. Also because the idea of a shapeshifter using Elyan's face to murder Lancelot hurts in all the angstiest ways. At first it was tricky thinking of a place to put Elyan and then it HIT me and now I can't stop thinking about it

Gwen as Winry Rockbell. Hello, Winry's a mechanic and Gwen's a blacksmith? And then there's the dead family trauma, and them both being caring and compassionate but also won't take anyone's crap. And if Nimueh is Scar in this universe, then it makes a bit more sense from that angle too. Y'know, since Nimueh poisoned Gwen's father and indirectly led to her almost getting executed, while Scar straight-up killed Winry's parents. Just thinking about the scene where Ed gently pulls the gun from Winry's hands, telling her she shouldn't kill Scar because she has the hands of a healer not a fighter...but with Merlin and Gwen instead....oh my GOD I am going to EXPLODE with FEELINGS

Isolde as Izumi Curtis and Tristan as Sig. Fighter-type power couples who could wipe the floor with you while also held within each other's passionate and tender embrace? Sign me up

Agravaine as Cornello. Both of them are horrible people. Enough said

Leon as Riza Hawkeye. A weaker man might place Merlin or even Gwen as Hawkeye. But I have the balls to admit that if anyone fits the role of Arthur's badass yet stern ride-or-die second in command, it's Leon. If you can't see that because you're too busy trying to think of this from a shipping perspective, then I really can't help you. Leon is so obviously Hawkeye it hurts

Morgana as Olivier Armstrong. They're both BAMF girlbosses. A lot of people would classify Morgana as Lust instead, but that's low-hanging fruit. Uwu Morgana and Lust are both dark-haired, black-clad evil beauties who kill people and cause mayhem. Get real. As if Morgana would willingly follow the orders of someone who calls themselves 'Father'. C'mon guys, Olivier is just Morgana but blonde and not evil. They even have a similar relationship with their siblings, for crying out loud (although the concept of Arthur as Major Armstrong is absolutely terrifying and that mental image will haunt me for years to come)

[firelxdykatara]

Hi omg I just found out that you ship sorayla and alshdjskjsjsjsb. I love rayllum with all my heart but during my recent rewatch of tdp I noticed the potential with Soren and Rayla and I thought they'd be so good together. Anyway, I just got really excited that you ship them too cause your taste in ships is elite. And you're right with it being so niche cause I'm literally starved for some sorayla content

AHHHHHH YES ANOTHER ONE SOBS

i do love rayllum too and i enjoy their relationship a lot so i 100% wont be upset if sorayla doesn’t happen but soren just has that Big Himbo Energy i love and also they have more of those tropes that just make my heart RACE so im like -eyes emojis- at ALL TIMES

there’s some absolutely gorgeous fanart in the tag and i’ve literally reblogged all of it lmfao there’s so little content im starved for crumbs, SOME DAY i will actually write fic for them but im praying that s4-7 of tdp when it comes back will have SOME crumbs, just anything, i’ll take it, i can make a mountain out of a few pebbles i just need them to have on-screen interactions cause even if they don’t develop beyond friends i LOVE the energy of all their interactions and the potential their friendship has??? just immaculate

plus sorayllum has potential as an ot3 i know we’re all thinking it im just saying it RAYLA HAS TWO HANDS THAT’S ALL I’M SAYING

-sets out my twice-yearly offering for sorayla crumbs if anyone has the slightest desire to draw a lil sumn sumn- -pleading eyes emojis finger touch-

[andromeda-nova-writing]

My Entire Life

Fem!Reader

Summary: When you say you can’t imagine life without each other it becomes clear to everyone that becoming a couple is only a matter of time. Who knew falling in love with your best friend was something that was going to happen.

Words: 1762

AN: Exposition time is over. It's time to start playing around with the plot.

Previous / Next

Chapter 2: Distance

Y/N’s task was simple. Watch Hop while his mom picked up the cake and Leon from the train station. It was just gonna be a small birthday party for hop who was turning 7.

Hop was a good kid. In a few ways, he was a lot like Leon growing up. His nose was already in books trying to learn about Pokémon. In fact, he was using a lot of the same books Leon had Y/N quiz him on. It was quite cute.

“I’m gonna win against Lee one day.” Hop spoke after rewatching one of Leon’s past matches.

“You know I told Leon I was gonna beat him too.” Y/N said leaving her phone open on whatever news site that popped up in her recommendations.

“Why didn’t you?” He sat on the couch looking ready for the most exciting story.

“He’s just a strong trainer. It’s like he traded his sense of direction for being an amazing strategist.” She spoke highly of her friend. “It’s like any time I thought I had him backed in a corner, I would lose faster than it took to snap my fingers.” 

“Was it like that with everyone?”

Y/N frowned. “Kinda. Depending on who you were.” She debated on continuing with her thought. Sonia and Leon were rivals at one point. She hadn’t got the answer to what had happened that made her so upset at Leon that she dropped out. It was probably best not to bring it up. They wouldn’t talk for a year, even now they weren’t close. 

“He was good at befriending different Pokémon.” She hoped Hop wouldn’t be annoyed at the subject change. 

 “Like how?”

“Well, sometimes it would be like you and your Wooloo. Creating an inseparable bond built on mutual trust.” Y/N smiled at a memory. “That it's not about having the strongest Pokémon. It’s about-”

“Having a partner you can trust in. Understanding where their limits lie and knowing when you are going too far for them. Knowing when you can push you and your Pokémon into being the best version you can be.” Leon finished as he walked over to the couch where Y/N and Hop sat. 

Leon sat down in the middle between Y/N and Hop. Hop had a huge smile on his face. “Lee you made it!”

Leon pulled Hop into a hug. “I would never miss your birthday. We are going to do whatever you want to do today.”

Y/N fought a frown from appearing on her face. Leon missed her birthday twice. He’s missed their annual Halloween movie night. Every movie they talked about seeing in theaters. Game nights with both of their families. Testing out terrible ice cream flavor combinations. The Halloween costume competition. The yearly ‘drink as many different hot chocolate types till you’re sick’ day. 

Y/N forced a smile and took a breath. “I’m gonna go grab Hop’s present from my house. Don’t have too much fun without me.”

“We won’t.” They spoke together.

Y/N grabbed her jacket and walked out of the house. The moment she stepped outside, tears started forming. "Honestly who said all because you're champion now that you can't come home and hang out with us anymore." She wiped her eyes with the bottom of your sleeve. "It's not right to leave us behind like that."

-

Y/N called Leon. It was late at night and his last match ended over an hour ago. It was probably safe to call him and actually have Leon pick up. The after-match interviews had to be over by now.

The phone rang a few times. "Hey Y/N. How’s it going?" 

“Pretty good. I'm turning 17 in a few days. Me and Sonia are supposed to go out to eat with Nessa on Saturday. It’d be nice if you could come with us.” She told him, making it sound more like a question. It would be nice since Leon and Sonia had gone back to being friends like normal again. Even if their friendship now included some occasionally awkward moments.

“You said Saturday?” Y/N sat up straighter in her desk chair.

“Yeah. You know I haven't seen you in months and I’m getting tired of being stuck only being able to hear your voice on the phone.” Y/N wouldn’t admit she was begging but she was.

“Let me pull up the calendar real quick. I’m putting you on speaker.” Leon began to scroll through his schedule.

Y/N smiled even though she hadn’t got an answer yet. “While you do that, You want to hear what happened while I was at the store?”

“Sure.”

“There was a guy who saw my lock screen of the two of us in the Wild Area. He called me one of your rabid fangirls. Claimed I photoshopped the photo.” Y/N laughed. “I almost started messing with him but it was my turn to pay in line.”

Leon shook his head. “You get that happening to you a lot?” He spoke with concern. He hadn’t said it allowed yet but he was nervous about accidentally bringing his friends and family into the spotlight.

“Yeah. It really doesn’t bother me. Not like anyone has said anything that’s actually hurtful.”

“What time are you three going out to eat?” He asked.

“Around 5 then I think we were planning to also go see a movie.” Y/N looked over at her Drifloon and the Mimikyu she got during the gym challenge. Even they looked excited in suspense of possibly seeing Leon again.

“I have a night shoot for an ad at 6.” Leon sounded like he was already getting ready to apologize.  

“It’s okay. It was last minute. I’ll talk later. Mimi keeps pulling on my leg. Have a good night.” She looked away from her Mimikyu that was on the other side of the room.

“Goodbye. I’l-” Y/N hung up quickly.

She looked back to Mimi who looked like the definition of offended. “I’m sorry. I needed an excuse.” 

Y/N got up from her desk and flopped onto her bed. “It's just every year he misses my birthday now. We’re supposed to be best friends.” She pulled a pillow over her face and screamed. “I get it, he's the champion and he has things to do. But it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.” Y/N spoke into the pillow.

Drifloon and Mimi looked back and forth at each other and Y/N. Both of her Pokemon were a bit worried.

Y/N dropped the pillow on the floor and laid on her back. “It’s just so unfair. You know I always try to make time for him whenever he comes back to Postwick. Even if I was already busy and had plans. I’ve canceled a date for him before.”

Drifloon moved over to the light switch and bumped up against it turning off the light.

“I just miss him. So much.” It wasn’t long till her anger turned into tears. She curled into a ball trying to give herself a hug.

Mimi got up on the bed and sat next to her trainer. She rubbed her head against Y/N. It wasn’t the first time something like this had happened in the past 4 years. 

-

Leon laid in bed at his apartment in Wyndon. He couldn’t sleep. At least there was nothing scheduled to do in the morning. He rolled over and grabbed his phone, checking the time to see it was 1 am. He got maybe an hour or two of sleep at most. 

Maybe he could, no that’d be too rude. But she probably was still up. She does have a habit of staying up late. She’s usually editing late at night though, she would be so focused. It also means she’d be wide awake. Leon tapped the back of his phone for a minute continuing his internal debate.

He sat up, giving in to his boredom he called Y/N.

One ring. Two rings. Three rin- “Leon, why on earth are you calling me so late?” She was clearly very awake at least. 

“I couldn’t sleep. I figured you would still be up.” He pulled a blanket around himself. The cold of the room bothered him more than he would have thought.

"Well, I'm glad it's that and not you being lost. Still, you never call this late. Is something wrong?”

“No nothing’s wrong. I just can’t sleep and thought maybe if I just talk to someone long enough my brain would finally give into sleep.”

Y/N laughed. “Okay. Well, what do you want to talk about then?”

“Welp I didn’t think that far ahead.” He looked up at the ceiling of his room.  “Um, are you working on anything right now?”

“I am but it’s more of a personal project." I'll post it once I'm done editing it."

"Can't wait to see it. What is it?"

"It's just some photos I took earlier this week for Halloween. I think it’s my best work this year.” He could hear the excitement in her voice.

“Do I at least get a hint of what you’re dressed up as?”

“No, You might try and top my costume. You can’t win everything.” 

“Well, I think I’ve won enough to have this cape at least.” He laid back, leaning against the headboard.

“Bleh. Are you sure you can’t get rid of that damned cape?”

“What’s wrong with the cape?” Leon laughed through the question.

“You’re right. Throw out the entire outfit and put something on that has actual fashion sense.”

He laughed more. “I didn’t know you hated it so much.”

“Loathe is the correct word.”

“Damn.”  He laughed. “Well I’m sorry to disappoint you but I can’t get rid of it.”

“The day I don’t have to see you in that sorry cape anymore is going to be great.”

“It’s gonna be a long time till that happens.” A smile went across his face. “How’s the editing going now?”

“It’s done. I’m just going to post it then go to bed.”

“I guess I’ll let you go then. Good night.”

“Good night.” 

He hung up the phone and pulled the blanket off of himself, placing it back where it was supposed to lie on the bed. He opened up an app on his phone to see Y/N had already posted the photo that appeared on top of his timeline. He liked the photo and left a short comment before getting to try and go back to sleep.

[love-thefanwhocan-t]

Bouta do my yearly (twice this year bc...well u kno) re-watch of oofuri and I'm already in my feels about it 😭 Why mihashi and abe like that? And the whole team? So sweet, nice, and patient uuugh the themes gonna come on and I'm just gonna start crying why is it so good? AND THE SUNSETSss, smh best anime ever 💕🙌🤩

omg saaaame!! you hit like the first ep & you're already in love again

RIGHT! the visuals OMG

imma need to rewatch it too, it's been so long & need myself some wholesome Baseball children who are (clearnly) in love

[joecial-distancing]

2019 in review in review:

A few years ago I started tracking yearly goals, books read, movies watched etc in a year, along with overview blurbs, in private posts. End of 2019/beginning of 2020 I was really frazzled/burned out about a lot of stuff and just never finished up making the thing. 8 months later, got the urge to read back what I’d got done, then figured I’d maybe go ahead and see about finishing. 

Media tracking below the break. thoughts/blurbs written in 2020 italicized, 2019 not.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_____________________________~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Didn’t do so hot on explicit personal goals, but had a lot of stuff go ok around them this year.

School’s been fine/better than fine.

Job’s probably the biggest failing. Still with same job, haven’t made the firm moves to jump off, dragging my feet too much on exploring stuff w/ Columbia/NASA GISS.

Did not get better with covid, lol

Dating life still non-existent, but I’ve registered on apps, gotten more comfortable with selfies, improved general social life dramatically, been flirted with, updated my wardrobe, and generally started to get comfortable accepting that I’m a hot person.

Somehow got extremely better during covid.

Books

Grant (finished)

We stan a taurus legend

Guy was good at exactly one job, and was fortunate enough to have been in the right place/right time to get to do it.

Mort (discworld)

Definitely best discworld I’ve gotten to so far.

Don Quixote p. II

Really entertaining in a way that part 1 wasn’t; I was shocked how much the meta element landed for me.

Consider the Lobster (DFW collection)

had zero context on who DFW is/was when I read, and still don’t exactly tbh. Wanted to wait for a pause in The Discourse before diving into more of him, but dunno if I’m ever going to get that.

Crime and Punishment (revisited)

Weirdly didn’t get much more out of this than I did the first time I’d read it

Better Than Sex (HST Gonzo papers)

Xerox/widespread fax accessibility opening citizen access to mass media in a manner really reminiscent of what social media would go on to do at a much larger scale. Has a much more deliberate narrative arc than the other gonzo papers collections, also has that excellent HST richard nixon eulogy

The Brothers Karamazov

SPQR

Slouching Towards Bethlehem (Didion collection)

Pet Sematary

Not my favorite King, but not bad

Sourcery (discworld)

still funny/charming, but Mort really made clear/reminded me how much the hapless sadsack Rincewind mold of protagonist wears on me after a while.

The Devil's Teeth

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

Liked it a lot more once I realized it was doing a Fear and Loathing thing.

Homage to Catalonia

This should be the Orwell that gets taught in schools. Make it a followup to All Quiet on the Western Front or something, jeez.

Lyndon Johnson I

Having now finished all of them, this one’s probably the least-interesting but sets up a bunch of important context that the others still then feel the need to retread.

The Razor's Edge

Recommended to me as a “white guy discovers eastern mysticism” book, but also is more interesting in its treatment of that than I’d expected (helps it was written in the 40s). 

Cat's Cradle

There’s a part in this where Vonnegut’s making fun of people who try to bond with strangers over being Hoosiers, and my dumbass immediate thought was “ooh, Vonnegut’s a hoosier? Me too!”

Lyndon Johnson II

Robert Caro felt compelled to apologize for spending so much words lionizing Coke Stevens, segregationist opponent to Johnson’s senate run. His goal was pretty clearly to show lbj’s lack of campaign charisma by contrast, definitely definitely overcommitted in his own narrativising.

Libra

I want to go back to this after reading some more De Lillo.

Gravity's Rainbow

This book absolutely kicked my ass

Overstuffed and referential in a specific way that really keeps me hooked in instead of put off. When I learn about some piece of cultural context that I retroactively recognize as being referenced in this, I want to go back and reread the entire thing.

From Caligari to Hitler

Kind of fails both as film criticism and cultural analysis, but absolutely made me want to run for the hills when considering current relationship between mainstream movies and demands of pop culture.

I took a class on Weimar cinema in undergrad that I now realize was probably biting pretty heavily from this and never once referenced it.

Movies

Venom

Movie itself is not as fun as the Tom Hardy hype coverage. PG13 was the absolute worst space to aim for, PG- or R- versions of this could have been a blast.

Harryhauser Argonauts

Was tripping when I put this on, and it was all kinds of fun.

2001: a Space Oddyssey

First time seeing this, all-time classic for a reason!

A Good American (the NSA doc)

Dr. Strangelove

Mel Brooks History of the World p. I

Not my favorite Brooks, best joke was at the beginning.

In Bruges

Had been a while since I saw a proper dark comedy.

Spiderverse

Fukkin awesome!

Visually great, and extremely better than usual superhero stuff for being aimed at PG instead of PG-13.

You Only Live Twice

Highlander (Revisited)

I watched The Old Guard on netflix recently and it mostly just made me wish I was watching Highlander instead, because at least Highlander knows exactly how goofy it is

Moonraker

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Much like The Shining, I though this would have been 100% spoiled for me by cultural osmosis, but turns out it wasn’t, and even the scenes I had seen *totally landed* in-context still.

Kung Fu Hustle

Ichi the Killer

Really gross, really fun

Matrix Reloaded (watched thru highway scene) (Revisited)

The highway scene was not nearly as cool as I remembered it being.

John Wick 3*

Probably dumbest plot of all of them, best choreography. I like how every single fight had its own distinct flavor. “Knife museum fight” “horse fight” “halle berry dogs fight” 

Akira

A classic

Pet Sematary * (ugh, bad)

Why can’t john lithgow be in good movies anymore

The Revenant

MCU Spiderman

Fuck this was awful.

MCU Spiderman 2*

Really weird, complete Rorschach Test of a movie: it’d be totally valid to read into this that global warming is Fake News, for instance.

Lmao this was completely awful

Rites

Dredd (non-stallone)

oh hey Lena Headey’s in this

For All Mankind!

Watched in honor of moon landing anniversary

Lion King *

Watched it way too stoned, was like dark side of the moon + wizard of oz except instead it’s a lion king script reading + nature footage edited for lip syncing.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood *

Many scenes of very long setups for really stupid shaggy dog jokes, which sometimes worked and sometimes didn’t. I do kinda want to rewatch now knowing more about manson, which I knew pretty much nothing about beforehand

Blowout

A good john lithgow movie

also I think I like travolta in things.

Lord of War

A Good cage movie

I like when Eamon Walker shows up in stuff.

Taxi Driver

A classic

Snowpiercer

Watched in a bar with only one speaker working, which is the correct way to watch. Weirder and funnier than I thought it was going to be, which still doesn’t make it good, but,

dbz big green dub

Exorcist III

Brad Dourif just tearing it apart

Deep Red (argento)

Suspiria (1977)

Watched the remake in 2020, which was ok, but nothing tops the Goblin score.

Elf Bowling

Thanks, Gnome

Parasite *

Interesting to me that this one seems poised to hang around people’s good esteem for a while

TV

FMA: B

Rick & Morty

Saw some episodes, generally pretty funny, some misanthropy that’s probably appealing to a certain type of teen al a something like House, but ultimately I don’t totally Get the intensity of discourse about it.

Leterkenny

Mob Psycho 100

One Punch Man

Deadwood

Watchmen

Only watched like half of it. Was playing around with a lot of hefty imagery/thematics, but didn’t really seem ready to rise above playing (tho also I feel like it’s weird on some level to *expect* them to rise above that in the first place)

Music

New Avantasia

HEALTH/ show

lol remember concerts

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard/ show

Just learned about King Gizz in 2019 and got completely obsessed with them. I don’t tend to expand my music selection very readily, and a lot of what I currently *do* know is old/inactive stuff, so it was/is incredibly exciting to have an active group with good momentum just immediately win me over like that.

Mistimed the edibles and ended up with a really good finale and a really long subway ride home.

New Yeasayer

Sad they split up

Steve Wilson Tull remixes

Aqualung’s a good album and the sound mixing’s kinda bad, so I liked this project.

Stonefield

Opened for Gizzard. Really good as studying music

Video Games

Civ VI: Gathering Storm

Hades

Turns out Supergiant’s design proclivities all work *extremely well* on a roguelike

Baba is You

Untitled Goose Game

Cute, if maybe a bit overhyped

finally fucking finished Pillars of Eternity

Had fun with it, but too long, and really dour for how long it is.

Pillars II

Kinda drifted off it eventually, but I do genuinely like that the flavor of the fantasy is colonial era rather than medieval.

There’s a Balancing Bastard Factions element where it’s like the writers are just being smartasses after a while. Having to go extremely out of their way to make siding with colonizers seem like a competitive option.

Pokemon shield

Cuphead

pisses me off, which was a nice outlet when I was stranded by flight cancellations during thanksgiving

Celeste

Also very difficult, but really easy to stay patient with, which is nice.

Disco Elysium

None of the discourse made me want to play this, but people talking about the mechanical stuff it did got me extremely interested. Mostly Delivered IMO.

Breath of the Wild

You can approach the nodes of the main quest in the order you choose, and the second one I chose made ninjas start fucking spawning everywhere when I’m just trying to explore, and there’s no way to make it stop. May go back to it one day.

Podcasts

Relentless Picnic Patreon feed

The treats really helped me start distinguishing individual personalities, compared to the regular eps.

Picnic Discord!

<3

FatT Counterweight

Fun, but also I think Mechs are not my shit.

FatT Spring in Hieron/ end of that particular world

8 months since I’ve last tuned into FatT. ah well.

Law School

He’s in everythiiiing!

You Must Remember This: Manson family

*There’s* the context

Misc.

Kindle train guy

Times Square sleeping guy + kids taking selfies w/ him

toddler singing along after Psycho killer (a, ya, ya ya, ya)

drunk and dragged to a drag show

Central park football family

Soft Steel Drum Subway Busker

Weird old lady going to grand central for oysters

2018 in review (cards):

MySelf (CC)

Self: Tower

Blocked: 10 Cups

Ethereal/subconscious: 8 Swords

Material: 3 Swords

Past: Justice

Future: Page Wands

Attitude: Sun

External: King Swords

Hopes/Fears: 5 Coins

Trajectory: High Priestess

Also Self:

Hierophant

7 Cups

7 Coins

Blind Spot:

(self & others): 5 cups    ||    (others not self): High Priestess

(self not others): Moon   ||    (nobody): 3 Cups

[lockdownuk]

Lockdown Diary Part 6

A personal account during the lockdown in the UK due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

23/03/2020 8:30pm Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, gives a live address to the nation to, effectively, put the country on lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus strain, Covid-19.

Many of us have been self-isolating for days but this latest development within the UK in reaction to the pandemic feels very serious and very scary. I decided to keep a simple diary and where better but online.

Day 151: Great hour or so last night around Foggy’s. When I got home I watched World War Z and some stand up by Nate Bargatze and drank and smoked loads. Today, I got up just before 2pm and felt soooo unmotivated. I was going to have a day of doing fuck all but had a change of heart around 7pm so did my stair climb then walked for over an hour (7km) and got home at 9:30pm!

Day 152: Typing on day 153. I popped up and saw Foggy last night. One of the reasons was I wanted to take him a beer to say thanks for looking over my mitigation statement for my impending court hearing for speeding. He liked what i wrote but has given me some key amendments. Basically free solictor advice and I am very grateful. While there he hit me with the news that Ham’s sister, Preeya, has died (last Friday 14th August) from Covid 19. To say i was gobsmacked is an understatement. She was 49. The family could only talk to her over a loud speaker and had to say good bye that way as her life support was swithced off. Fucking hell, it’s terrible. And, what makes it worse, is how complacent I have become about the disease while it’s causing so much tragedy. As I said to Foggy, it’s important to renew our efforts in combatting this disease so that Preeya’s death at least means we learn. I also feel guilty for not realising that many people have passed like this - just because I (sort of) knew Preeya doesn’t mean I shouldn’t feel any less sorry for the dozens of people dying and many more affected everyday. My emotions are in turmoil and yet I’m not directly affected.

Day 153: Typing this on day 154. Gone midday before I woke up. Beers in the evening and watched Den of Thieves. Great film.

Day 154: Woke up at 2:37 pm FFS. Just done a walk and I feel like shit (booze induced).

Day 155: Went to bed at about 4am yesterday but was up at 10am today so, usual Monday correction of sleep patterns. Two long walks today plus a little housekeeping on photos, sharing to the Oundle chatter group, so, quite constructive. Hoir chat with dad plus a chat with a recruitment agemt about a helpdesk manager role in Peterborough.

Day 156: Typing on Day 157. I saw Karen sitting with TTP (and two others I couldn’t make out) at the T&K on my second walk. Why does that piss me off so much? I am being like Jack in Midnight Run. I need to let go.

I am also getting wound up with Tumblr - I can only make entries on this diary blog on the PC - when I try on the Android or Apple apps, they pop up with ‘post too long’. Trying getting info from Tumblr’s online help on that though - fucking not happening. I think I might move this to a Google Blog...it’s not like anyone else reads it. I’m not sure I’d want that - it’s far more a private diary now rather than the cute ‘blog’ idea it started out as. It is now a disciplinary exercise more than anything.

Day 158: Feeling less sorry for myself now. It’s 10pm and I am having a midweek beer as I wait for tea to cook.

Day 159: Decided I will split this diary into 30 day sections to appease Tumblr. My second walk today was at 8pm ‘cos it was pissing down from about 4pm ‘til 7:30pm...very dark and so wet. Home by 9.15pm.

Day 160: I went shopping in Corby (Tesco and Asda) - I only really went so I could get blue eggs. £75 on booze! I was going up to Fog’s tonight but at around 6pm it started to piss down. So, I shall drink at home. It’s 9.15pm, I think it’s going to get messy.

Day 161: Not sure when I wnet to bed last night but I didn’t get up until 2pm. Nice long walk (9km) in the rain!

Banners and Sam G went to London to have a few with Andy P. I’m a little flabbergasted, it’s like there’s no Covid19 all a sudden.

Day 162: Bank holiday Sunday so I am having a beer or two. Tea’s cooking, gonna watch The Accountant on BBC1 at 10.30pm. Today I got up at 1.55pm and managed to have a shower and be downstairs to see the start of the Belgian GP. Hamilton won, pretty easily. I then did my stair climb and a 9.8km (6 mile) walk.

Last night I watched a rather quirky, entertaining comic horror film called Ready or Not and then Ricky Gervais - Fame. That’s the tour I saw him live after seeing Henman’s final tennis match at the Davis Cup at Wimbledon. Bloody funny - the recording could even be the show Karen and I were at. Bed at around 5am, hence not egtting up ‘til way past midday!

Day 163: Bank Holiday Monday, just like a Sunday. I am making this entry on my phone as I'm now able to due to breaking up the diary blog into 30 day sections.

Molly's Game, a film I've tried to rewatch several times but it's never been free, is on BBC2 tonight. I'm recording it right now but actually watching Seinfeld from the start on All4. The first couple of episodes are a bit ropey if truth be told. Luckily, I know it improves.

Day 164: Managed to get hold of Michelle via her daughter Daisy to place a nice big order for C. Just as well ‘cos Tim’s ignoring me!

Rang and spoke with Barry Haddon today to check he’s OK.

Day 165: Picked up C from Michelle’s in Yarwell. While there I was mauled by her over friendly Staffordshirebull terrier getting bit on the thigh. Twice in six months I’ve been bitten by dogs.

Karen WhatsApp’d to see if I’d seen Miley Cyrus on the Live Lounge!

Day 166: Forgot to say that yesterday, I also bumped into and chatted with Pete Gilder. We mainly talked about (getting caught) speeding.

Today I did over 22k steps and I am fucked. 

I replied to an email from Shirley at work HR. After the furloughed staff call on Thursday, which I didn’t attend, they want us to cash in some (more) hoilday, which is fine by me, but I have also asked if we are any clearer as to what happens on 1st October, when the rentention scheme ends. I await her reply.

Day 167: Another 20k stpes today. Just 24k needed to have completed 1m steps since the start of July.

It’s Friday, about 9.45pm. I’m going to watch Molly’s Game and have a few beers.

Day 168: Got up at just before 2pm. It’s now 10.15pm and I am just having my first beer, Today was a lazyish day, completed 12k steps.

Day 169: Completed the 1m steps with 24 days to spare. Woohoo. Now, I am unsure whether to reduce the walking I have got so used to doing? I think I might keep up an average of 11k steps a day which is all I would have needed to accomplish to reack 1m in 3 months.

I’m pleased I did it today since I :went to bed a nearly 5am this morning!

Day 170: Actually typing this on day 171. Feels weird having done the 1m steps, almost like I’ve nothing to do. However, I am of course going to keep walking but not quite as hard/much. I did feel liek I was walking myself into the ground all in the name of finishiong the task ASAP. So, today I only had one walk, did 11,5k.

Yesterday’s Italian GP was a cracker. Hamilton had a penalty and ikt ended up with Gasly winning. Full of incident including a red flag so the race ‘restarted’.

I completely forgot ot make this entry on the correct day?

Day 171: I have decided to press on with the walking - not quite so urgently as before - to see what I can achieve steps-wise in 3 months. So, today, an unusually hot day for September, I did 18k steps plus cleaned the bathroom, hoovered my room and stairs and hallway. I am fucked!

Today I have bought a set of smart scales and a new pair of Skechers. The Skechers were almost free (£69 reduced to £30ish which I had in Paypal) and the scales were £20. Still, I shouldn’t. I don’t know what will happen at the end of October when the CJRS ends plus I don’t know what punsihment will be dished out, any day now, for the speeding offence! Fuck it!

Day 172: An eventful day. Boris has restricted gatherings to no more than 6 people and will use ‘Covid Marshalls’ to police this. It’s causing a stir amongst the online community. I have set up accounts with Gurushots and Picfair to showcase my snaps. The latter offers the opportunity to sell them. I watched Anchorman 2. It was pretty good. I also postd on the Oundle chatter group about walking in front of a car the other day - the driver, a yound lady, was enchanting the way she just smiled and let me pass - I used it as an opportunity to ask about George Higgins saving a child from near death at the hands of a lorry, the post about which has disappeared.

Day 173: Lots have seen my post re: my car incident but the bait hasn’t been taken.

Sarah Haines made a nice comment about my photo posts on the Oundle Chatter group also saying that she doesn’t know me but, it turns out she does. She is James Watson’s ex from when I first moved to Oundle so we caught up on Messenger.

Rachel Harris posted a meme slating Boris about the fact we were all encouraged to go out and about (inclding the Eat Out to Help Out scheme) and now we are being sent back to ‘our room’. Some of the comments continue to slate the government. I couldn’t resist commenting that, had the royal ‘we’ maintined social distancing and remembered there’s a fucking pandemic, perhaps we might not be under impending severe lockdown, as it now looks like. I also mentioned photos I have seen (one posted by Rach herslf) whereby you could be mistaken for thinking that there isn’t a pandemic. I have finished the comment with a line about we can only blame ourselves, not the hapless government! I wonder what reaction that will get!

Day 174: Scales were delivered today. If they are accurate I am a little over 11 stones, from 12st 7lbs before lockdown. Can’t quite believe it. I have a yearly diabetic review with Lynne in October so i can check then. If the scales are wrong, I’ll be livid on 2 scores!

Friday night beers as I type. Been looking forward to them since last Saturday!

Day 175: I do not trust the new scales. I get a different reading each time I step on them and by 10-12 lbs. Fucking things. Boots arrived today - they’re going back as well. Footy season started today. Posh lost away to Acrrington Stanley. “Who are they?”

Day 176: The GP was reflagged again today (a new track at Tuscany. A red flag two races on the trot is most unusual. Hamilton won.

Day 177: I managed to get the scales working. I’m pretty much the same weight I was prior to ld (about 12.5 st). This leads me to believe that if I wasn’t doing all the walking I am, I would be as fat as a fucking house. On that note, Google Fit is playing up. It loses the step and heart point count for each walk (although the workouts retain the route map info) Wtf?

I think K and TTP might be a thing from a post I saw on FB whereby some chap (who I don’t know) commented on TTP’s post that it was nice to see him and K. Kinda gutted if it is true but I shouldn’t be. That’s all I will say on here.

Day 178: Jim contacted me today to let me know he’s leaving RCI. He was quite secretive about why and what’s going on but, there it is. He went on to say that HR will be contacting me shortly to call me back from furlough. Sueanne is taking over as team leader but that’s temporary. and that they will most likely promote from within. I struggling to think what it would be like if Mark was boss! The way RCI are and how disjointed it is with Jim as boss, I shan’t take it as read until HR do contact me. Also, I dunno how I feel about it...I have got so used to not working. But, and it’s a big but, I doubt I’ll have a job after the retention scheme finishes so, if this does pan out, it’s good. I’ll be back to job hunting while in a job, as per before the pandemic.

Also, I received an email letting me know the punishment for my speeding offence was 6 points and a £233 fine, plus costs (£90) and victim support (£34), £357 in total. More than I expected. But, no ban, so I’ll suck it up. 

Day 179: Having midweek beers. I'm in that sort of mood.

Day 180: I WhatsApp’d Jim to let him know HR haven’t contacted me. His garbled response went from telling to give them a shout and let them know he is leaving, to which I asked ‘don’t they know?’, he then said hold fire (on Sueanne’s instruction) and she has said for me to sit tight and then, finally, that HR will contact me! Fuck knows what’s going on! I had a diabetic review with Lynne today. When you go to the surgery you have to let in, which I was by Keren. It was nice to see and chat with her. She is back with Ronnie which was news to me. Then Lynne came and got me. It was nice to see and chat with her also. She weighed me and I’m 12st 3lb. Apparently in Jan last year I was over 13st!

[lookupatthesky]

2018 Goals - September

HELLOOOO I was going to say LiveJournal. Not hello LiveJournal, sadly. (Sadly?) Hello tumblr! This post is super late because I have had a pretty intense week! My mom moved today, and work has been overwhelming (emotional! and busy!), and I’ve been waking up at 4am because apparently my body thinks it’s the cool thing to do, sure, 4am, that’s the time to be awake, and anyway. Now it’s October 5th and maybe I’ve already failed at some goals I haven’t even written out! But first, how did September shake out?

Yearly goals are: Cook one new recipe a month. I cooked a lot in September! My stepfather gave me three HUMONGOUS zucchinis and I baked four new recipes with them (mini-quiches, muffins, bread, and rice with cheese and pulled pork). I also winged a recipe for the first time in my life, it went swimmingly. It’s still early in the year to do year-end reviews (obviously), but I’m really happy I set this goal, because I now feel pretty damn comfortable with my cooking and the routine of making meals. At least for the day-to-day with my daughter. Yay me!

Do something every week with friends or alone (no boyfriends or people I’m hooking up with) to strengthen friendships and become more emotionally independant. I had drinks with friends twice, I went to the museum alone, I saw two plays alone and one with a friend, I had lunches with work friends, I saw Crazy Rich Asians with a friend, I played board games with other friends, friends friends friiiiiends fall is for friends. Read 111 books. 78/111. Stiiiiill behiiiiind. I have also the maximum number of books borrowed from the library which is problematic when I still want to take out ten books every time I go. BOOKS

Watch 12 movies. 14/12!!!! Haha and I had decided I wasn’t doing this goal after all. I saw Sierra Burgess is a Loser (problematic to say the least, but there were some good parts), Voyage au centre de la terre (outside! Marianne’s school organized it), Iron Man 2 (MCU rewatch! I hadn’t seen it haha oops), and Crazy Rich Asians as mentioned (that mahjong scene!). Write two yuletide fics and another outside the exchange. Well I did my Yuletide noms at least? Hopefully I have it in me to write something, but I have to say I’m currently not feeling it at all. The writing energy is spent on other stuff.

September goals were: Declutter bookshelf in office. HOLY SHIT DID I DECLUTTER IT. It was overflowing and ugh and I decluttered my mom’s house and my own house (in other parts) and I was all ready to say I had super-failed at this but on the last weekend on the month I took a “before” picture and then SHIT WENT DOWN. Stuff was thrown out, donated, and put elsewhere (the latter including stuff that probably should have been thrown out or donated, but who am I, Marie Kondo?), and the bookshelf is now downstairs, currently waiting to be filled with puzzles and board games, and there’s a new couch in the office, ready to have me chilling in it when Marianne commandeers the living room to watch Teen Titans for the bazillionth time.

Do a plank every night. I mostly did this! I have stopped in October, though, so I feel like I have failed, but I think I must have done it between 20 and 25 times. I must say that I had some lady stuff happen (IUDs!!!) that made me not want to work on my abs which made this goal a little more difficult.

Read three books from the unread shelf. I did this! 

Don’t go to the restaurant. Haha no I still ate out a lot. Less than in August though, and I tried to only go for social reasons, since I consider the social goal so important that it trumps every other one. So, half-pass! And since I like talking about myself so much, I’ll do a lightning round on the goals I had thought about but didn’t pick: - document my life more (check!!!! I did so many insta stories and I’m addicted to them now) - figure out what to put on the walls (nope) - cook from the freezer more (yep, did two recipes from the freezer, though there’s still work to do) - catch up on podcasts (apparently decided I wanted to mainline a new podcast instead haha, but I did work on it) - lose 5-10 pounds (nooope) - call someone to do the small stuff around the house I can’t be bothered to do (not at all!) ALL RIGHT AND NOW FOR OCTOBER: Journal every day. I’m cheating because I already started ten days ago. I’m using 750words.com which is very encouraging with its little badges and stuff! Wrestle the basement into submission. My sister moved in a couple of weeks ago and with my mom selling the house, we both have a lot of stuff that we need to sift through in order to try to make the basement a homey place and not just “the place where we store our stuff”. Stop being tired all the time. I’m... honestly not sure how to do that, though. Maybe do some research, maybe calm down more... I’ll see. There’s the waking up at 4am thing but also the “I always want my life to feel so FULL” and most of the time it’s a great feeling (in the past month I did a road trip between a full day of work and a school meeting in the evening and it was my favorite thing to ever happen), but sometimes it just turns into feeling rushed and that is not great. Read three books from the unread shelf. Maybe I’ll just re-use the goals that work every month from now on, haha. I’d count how many months in a row I’d have to do this to clear them all but that would be too depressing, haha. Onwards and upwards!

If you’ve read all of this, congratulations, you’re as obsessed with me as I am! Message me sometimes, I’m sure we’d have a lot to talk about! ;)

[amisbro]

Let’s answer this

If someone asked me RIGHT NOW “Where are you in terms of UtaPri and the fandom?” That is arguably the most complicated question I would ever have to answer...and I took World Culture in High School!

Okay let’s be serious UtaPri is legit one of the few franchises that tests me mentally in the sense of Figuring out Broccoli’s next move with Merch What they could do gamewise What is going to happen with the Anime Information on other projects (Shining Masterpiece/Theater ,DVDs ,Stage shows etc.) What the next step in the universe would be as a whole with the different units and COULD THEY CREATE MORE...I never discussed this one but its something I had been thinking about Its also one of the few that has allowed me to mess with the Canon and treat groups that might not have been treated fairly and write them in ways that I enjoy...matter of fact SPOILER TIME but one of the next fic works coming this month is my yearly Birthday concert but with a twist that you’ll see for the first time when the birthday comes up. It HAS also been one of the more frustrating fandoms lately that I have been in/dealt with and I’m not going to bullshit it anymore. History Lesson So back in 2013 (and more specifically near the end of it I discovered a gif of one of the characters from the series...at the time I had no idea who it was and ,if you remember, Tumblr made an update that hid the tags unless you went in the post on a person’s blog (generally the OP) and found out what it was.  In this case it was Ren Jingugji of STARISH whom I found out was voiced by Junichi Suwabe.  That name sounded familiar and I discovered he was in BroCon as the brother Kaname whom was a Monk (and also a womanizer...there’s a comho) (Also if I got the occupation for Kaname wrong I apologize.  I could have sworn that was his occupation but its been a while since I watched the series so forgive me on the mistake if there was one) Well after this discovery about UtaPri I went and looked it up on my favorite website (okay second...ANN is first anymore) in Wikipedia and I discovered it was a Otome/Visual Novel game and that intrigued me...what intrigued me more was researching some of the characters and at the time legit five intrigued me Natsuki Shinomiya of STARISH and the whole of QN QN was interesting because ,since I was just discovering UtaPri at this point, I knew jack about them...but I wanted to see what I could learn about them from observation/  Legit the ONLY SPOILER I retained at the time was that Ai was programmed with the memory of Aine or something of that effect...again its been a good while. Season 1 I watched through DVD and if you go through this blog you will see that I did two different blogs on that and Season 2.  When I did Season 2 that was through the site crunchyroll and I remember at the time I was talking with someone using the “Fan Mail” option (hey tumblr staff bring that back will ya...I actually liked that option) and before I got to Season 2 someone had told me about Camus.  The reason for this was because I mentioned (at the time) I despised Ren’s character for being a womanizing playboy that didn’t give a s**t about being an idol.  Now yes that was actually wrong but it was the thing I remembered from my first watch through (which was when the conversation with the tumblr user occurred). Before we discuss Season 2 you have to know this.  Because I knew at the time info would be readily available on the “initial 6″ (Cecil wasn’t in STARISH yet) legit the only one I remembered reading about was Natsuki and originally I thought I was going to enjoy his character...matter of fact for anyone that wants to know that doesn’t from S1 the “Best Boy” spot was something like this Tokiya (before Cecil has {BEEEEP]) Cecil And once the Season was rewatched it was Ren after realizing the crap he not only went through in Season 1 but then later in Season 2 HOWEVER Once Season 2 came about and QN was introduced anyone that knows me knows that my faves showed up in Ai and Camus (and also Ran)...Reiji I never could really embrace and I have TRIED!  Something about him I just can’t get with. (I know I know...I can’t deal with him but I have no issue with Myu right?  Yeah I’ve been working on that one for over 4 years and it ain’t easy) So Season 2 was ON FIRE! Legit all of the songs I could kind of embrace (I legit replayed Crystal Time all day for like 3 weeks straight if I remember...might have been shorter but it was a murderous loop trust me) and the story (for the most part) was a very light and funny tone from what I remembered.  Yeah there were the “heavy” moments but you didn’t want to have a nervous breakdown after the episodes ended...that was me in Season 4 when Episode 11 happened BUT ANYWAYS Season 2 was ALSO the introduction of the “Renegade Princes” in HEAVENS and around this time they were just a trio (June 6th would be the airdate and the “official” birthday of HEAVENS I guess?  I think some use the 27th of June so its funny) and I was like most people.  I wanted them to fall on their ass and never be seen again so we could get to the STARISH/QN part of the story (cos I legit watched the SSX OVA like 50 times and can damn near recite that fucker word for word if I remember scenes hard enough...I think it was the first time I saw Myu with glasses too!) Now here was the thing about HEAVENS AT FIRST I was like the fandom like “Look at these jackasses.  All they want to do is start shit and cause problems for STARISH so they need their ass beat” and well they did lose and I think I remember the first time being REALLY HAPPY about it but I think around the second time I THINK (and I would have to go back through my notes) I was less harsh on them.  I know by the time I got to their debut episode (and I finished it) a THIRD TIME I had no issues with them left...then again this might have been during the space between Season 3 and 4. Actually...yeah the third watch was between Season 3 and 4 cos I wanted to see how the “Original Trio” acted and then I would compare that with the “new boys” later.  If I remember right (cos I am trying to NOT rewrite history) when I first saw the “Fully Powered” HEAVENS The one I probably took the most issue with was Van (sorry @baku5ds) but it was because he reminded me of Ren from Season 1 and I wanted to deck his ass...still kind of want to punch him then for acting like a knob but he’s aight now! Season 4 was going to be an interesting time for me See before Season 4 started I remember asking people how they thought the season was going to go and they thought it would go like this HEAVENS would lose (well they were initially DQ’d so kind of right) and then it would be down to STARISH and QN with HEAVENS as background characters (which is what they were in Season 3 cos we didn’t see them again till the new 7 showed up). When we found out it was going to be duets between STARISH and HEAVENS it became interesting for me because remember this:  Because I watched legit the initial debut for the Trio (and their subsequent loss) twice a part of me wanted to see what Broc would do FOR THEM because I personally had kind of “been there/done that” with STARISH and I learned as much as I could for three seasons and dealing with their personalities...nothing wrong with that but after a while you need to interject new characters to freshen up a series. One thing I remember being asked was basically this “How can you like HEAVENS when you don’t know about them?” (That’s not the question verbatim but considering this question was on skype legit now over 2 years old I dunno if I can find it again) We have to remember that around the time of Season 2 (when I watched it) I legit only remembered Ai’s part of the wikipedia entry so...why should I have liked QN? I really DIDN’T read the STARISH part of the wikipedia entry so why have liked them? See the way I work as a fan is through observation and I see what I see and then make my judgements based on that.  I STILL think that the School staff was borderline antagonistic (all of them and that includes Shining) and when STARISH officially got to debut with Nanami as the composer I smiled cos in the end the “bad guys” (even if they really weren’t) “got theirs” What I got legit curious about was this during Season 4 Even if my opinion and a STARISH fan’s opinion on HEAVENS never matched up could we have that civil discussion to say “okay you don’t like them that’s cool but please respect that I do” We all know about the “3 weeks of hell” and I won’t relive those but those were the WORST 3 weeks of my life.  I legit think I damn near had a headache that lasted that entire stretch I was that annoyed cos I could legit see the story in front of me but everyone else was like “Nah fam...that ain’t true” then HEAVENS lost in the Triple S after their perseverance of dealing with “Daddy’s bulls**t” and I don’t know if I was more annoyed about that or the prior weeks with the “EiiOto Mess” and the rest of the duet project cos in my head I knew one part of the fandom would be THRILLED while the other would be annoyed...I think anyone that knows me knows where i was to the point someone made a stalk account on twitter to try and get on me...didn’t work cos I know how to block people! ANYWHO! I’m going to try and keep the rest of this brief af...I say try so we won’t go over 6th stage (and how I thought that was a trainwrck...maybe I was too harsh back then to be honest) but I do want to discuss this Whenever I hear (and others I know) that “HEAVENS’ role is only to make STARISH better” I half ass chuckle because if we are talking about groups to make STARISH BETTER well...there was QN and then STARISH was again kind of like “Nah fam” and we know what happened. I dunno that I am annoyed with the fanbase...matter of fact I can almost tell you flat out I’m not but if I had a gripe with the “Western/International” base it felt more like at times y’all didn’t want there TO BE fans of the “Renegade Princes” because I know a friend of mine made a VERY INNOCENT post when it came to Shining Live and HEAVENS and they asked “What would the HEAVENS fans want in Shining Live for them” and I remember the Anons and how they were kind of rude...not a good way to grow a fanbase kids. Let’s be clear on this and I’m going to try and make this brief I don’t hate STARISH nor their fans I don’t hate QN or their fans (obviously I am one) I’m more frustrated because you see when you are someone like me who IRL dealt with a lot of s**t and was an underdog his whole life I always root for them...I want to see that upset! I think I would have enjoyed STARISH’s story a bit more IF they showed that they could “take it on the chin” one time and then go “Okay we lost that round...let’s give it hell next time!” I know they technically COULDN’T do that with the story they were telling but don’t you think that Suwabe right?  He worked on KnB and he could have said “Well look...in this series my school beat the main school (Seirin) and then they came back eventually and beat us...couldn’t we do something like that?” Irony before anyone says anything is he ,SuzuKen ,Kishow ,OnoD ,to a lesser extent Shimono and Tatsun (might have been more...I think Toriumi was on Suwabe’s team) all knew what happened but I think because of certain issues they HAD to write UtaPri where STARISH was basically unstoppable...best guess It gets frustrating sometimes to be a fan of the series (less so for me now that I play on the JP account more full-time now) and you want...really all of the groups to do well but you know you really want your group to do well.  It also somewhat gets upsetting when you ask people “Would you watch a season that was just HEAVENS?” and then they tell you they would skip it...never mind that you watched effectively 2 full seasons of the “main group” but EYYY I dunno I think I get agitated and I know there are others that do too.  I would NEVER just turn my back on the franchise because I love it but I think I just wish that HEAVENS got repped well on this site and even facebook better than I feel like they do.  I think sometimes they will never get this “stigma” of being an “antagonist” off of them and that sucks...but for some people the “first impression is the one that lasts” so I can’t fault that anymore I guess In closing I don’t think I could ever leave UtaPri behind but all I want is what is best for my boys and hopefully their day is coming very soon Au Revoir!

[amandajoyce118]

2020 In Review

I used to end the year with blog posts highlighting 100 things, or 50 things if I wasn’t that ambitious, that I loved about the year. Usually, those things were pop culture things. 2020, however, is a special year, no? I mean, a pandemic, quarantines, political unrest, massive bread lines, natural disasters, refugees seeking better lives, stressful elections, etc. For most people, to make a blanket statement, this year sucked.

Most of the people following me know that I’m a freelance writer, but I have a full time day job as a fresh merchandiser for a food service distributor. That means I never “shut down” or worked from home or any of the other things people have been forced to do. I work a full day pretty much every day with customers who don’t understand why distribution has slowed, why I have “long term outs” of items like cases of hard boiled eggs or fresh ginger, why there are certain days of the week when they just can’t get chicken wings. I have people who refuse to wear masks, employees who forget to disinfect work stations, and a questionnaire I have to fill out before every shift as to whether or not I think I’ve been exposed to covid. And when I’m done there, I escape by writing.

As a result, I haven’t been doing much for fun. Outside of my day job, the media I consume is generally for freelance work, which has made this year really exhausting, no matter how much writing/stories is an escape for me. That’s why, instead of just things I loved this year, I’m going to give you a list of 10 pieces of media I’ve consumed - over and over and over again - that I’ve somehow not gotten sick of when writing listicles about the subjects. I feel like we all need to feel like we’re getting lost in a good story, or with characters we genuinely enjoy, even if, like me, we’re getting lost in those worlds with those characters to be able to write about them.

The Baby-Sitters Club

I was obsessed with the books, the ‘90s show, and the eventual movie as a kid, so it’s no surprise that I was counting down the days until the Netflix adaptation premiered - and I loved it. I’m not going to lie, I’ve watched this show from beginning to end four times this year. It’s such a quick watch and there’s something really great about watching these girls grow up.

Nancy Drew

Again, obsessed with Nancy Drew as a kid. More specifically, obsessed with the ‘80s case files as a kid. I read all of them I could get my hands on. The new television show is a little more Riverdale than the novels are, but it’s an interesting spin on the characters and stories we already know - and the representation of a diverse community on the show is fantastic.

Anne With An E

I’m still holding out hope for a movie to close out this show since there are something like seven books in the original series and the show basically only covered the first one? Where is the justice? But, this is another show I think I’ve watched three times from beginning to end because Anne Shirley Cuthbert is someone you want to be friends with, no matter how old you are. You also want her to come to her senses within about 30 seconds of being introduced to Gilbert Blythe, so you know, it’s a fun and angsty time.

Agents Of SHIELD

One of my favorite Marvel properties ended this year, and… I should probably be more sad about it? Like, I absolutely would have watched more episodes of this show if it had kept going, but I’m also incredibly satisfied with how the show concluded this year, which is rare for me. I’ve gone back and rewatched a handful of episodes for articles, and Agents Of SHIELD feels like a show that I’ll end up rewatching yearly because it’s one of the few shows where I’ve actively engaged in fandom for years and still genuinely love.

Timeless

Yes, I rewatched this gem this year while writing a handful of listicles, and I’m bitter that this didn’t get more seasons. The cast chemistry, the stories of those often overlooked by history, and the twist of a shady organization being closer than you think? It’s pretty perfect. I miss it. It’s a yearly rewatch already.

Pitch Perfect Trilogy

Every so often, I find myself in the mood to hear Anna Kendrick belt out a few songs. Pitch Perfect tends to win out over Into The Woods, and I can’t ever seem to stop at just the first movie. Pitch Perfect is cheesy and not as perfect as its title implies, but it always puts me in a good mood. I want more comedies about a capella groups, please.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

If I had to say where my love of serial storytelling, or my ability to engage in fandom, started, it was with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. I had friends who would create their own team of Rangers when I was little, and we’d trade kicks on the playground (which got us in trouble), and yeah, as an adult watching a show made in 1993, this show is ridiculous. Full stop. But it’s also the kind of show that makes you remember that a whole generation was raised on the idea that even if the good guys don’t always win, they keep trying. They never give up. And that’s just as important today as it was then.

Teen Wolf

I recognize that this show is sometimes a mess and that continuity is not always its strong suit. Does that mean I love it any less? Nope. And neither does the rest of the internet since some of my articles still get heavy rotation even though the show has been off the air for years. It’s the kind of show that pulls me in, even when I already know what’s about to happen.

Leverage

Oh, Leverage. How do I possibly explain how excited I am that you’re getting a revival? I don’t think I can. Also, I don’t know why I’m talking to Leverage directly when I haven’t to anything else on this list. Leverage is about a group of criminals who steal from the corrupt to give back to their victims. I mean. It’s Robin Hood for the modern age. It’s a found family. There are love stories. There are redemption arcs. It’s just chock full of greatness. And Aldis Hodge as Alec Hardison.

RWBY

I only really got into RWBY last year, and it’s fast becoming one of my favorite anime, though admittedly, I don’t watch a ton of anime. I love the references to fairy tales, mythology, and history mixed into this crazy fantasy world. I love that the villains are as compelling as the heroes. I love that in such a large cast of characters, I want to know more about everyone. It’s a fascinating show and some of the episodes are only five minutes long. 

Sailor Moon

I grew up in the ‘90s era of television, so, of course, I watched Sailor Moon after school. The English dubs because I’m a heathen, what do you want from me? I’ve really enjoyed revisiting the ‘90s series after watching Sailor Moon Crystal because, obviously, the ‘90s anime is not exactly the story that was told in the manga. It has such a rich mythology and fascinating characters not to mention beautiful designs.

Naruto

I’m going to be honest, you guys. I never thought I would be into Naruto. But something about it just hooks you. I got into it because there were always listicle topics that editors created for the show on the sites I write for, and I was curious. Unlike manga purists, I actually really like the filler episodes. I think they add a lot to understanding the characters. Also, there is no anime character I love more than Shikamaru in Naruto Shippuden.

New Girl

Okay. New Girl has really been the saving grace of 2020. I know this show ended a few years ago. I know that people should be ready for other things. But here’s the truth: I’m not really a sitcom person. I was as a teenager, but as an adult, I like my serial storytelling to be completely unrealistic and dramatic, usually. But 2020 has been so heavy that I needed the lightness New Girl provides. 

And I love each and every resident of the loft - even the ones I would never be able to stand hanging out with in real life. I love how much they all grow up over the course of the show. I love the one-liners. I love the running jokes. I love the musical numbers. I love the Nick and Jess of it all. In 2020 alone I have watched the first five episodes of this show about ten times. I’ve watched the show from beginning to end twice in just the last three months of the year. I love it so much I’ve even considered writing fanfiction for it (though I really don’t have the time and haven’t even finished old works over the last year). When this pandemic is behind us all, I’d actually consider playing the (arguably dangerous and would likely give everyone alcohol poisoning) game of True American just to see if my friends and I could get through it. 2020 has been rough, but at least New Girl is still on Netflix.

There you have it, a baker’s dozen of the things that got me through this year - mostly in television format. There’s something I just love about serial storytelling, and when it looks like the world is falling apart, it’s nice to have the comfort of happy endings and stories you can plot out yourself. Here’s hoping 2021 is kinder to all of us, and has plenty more stories for us to get lost in.

[gvbejvmes]

Weekly Task: Fall Bucket List

1. GET MARRIED! Again. Jay and I are getting married again, and I’m just so fucking excited. Who gets to marry their best friend not once but twice. I’m the luckiest fucking fella in the whole wide world.

2. Finish a god damned painting, I don’t want to be one of those painters who only does good work when they’re sad, but I haven’t finished a piece I’m happy with showing for a couple of months now.

3. Go to a Corn Maze. We get a little spooky in the James-Michaels house. Every year we go to at least one haunted house, but I want to up it this year and go to a corn maze, too. What says fall like letting someone chase you with a chainsaw?

4. Buffy Marathon, It’s my yearly tradition to rewatch Buffy during the month of October. And this year, Nik is going to be my Buffy buddy!

5. Movie night with Nik, This is different than our Buffy marathon. We have plans to eat junk food and drink cocoa as we watch Hocus Pocus, okay? It’s a date we keep putting off, but it’s going to happen sooner rather than later.

6. Get that wedding shit done. So... maybe it’s a marrying an artist thing. Or maybe it’s because one of my best friends is our self-appointed wedding planner. Either way, somehow I have a million crafting tasks to get done before the wedding.

7. Go apple picking, Someone decided to go apple picking without me. So I’m making him take me so I can go, too.

8. PUMPKIN CARVING. I’m not going to say that it’s a competitive sport in our house, but it is serious business. And maybe it’s another artist thing, but I do all in with carving and it becomes more using it as a canvas than anything else.

9. Collect and preserve leaves. I like leaves. There’s something about them that has always appealed to me. I find the best ones I can and preserve them in resin. 

10. Spend time with my family. It’s my favorite time of year. There’s something magical about autumn, and I plan to share that magic with my family as much as possible. Autumn is for family.