#don't even get me started on patrick or frank

[skulkinspirit]

I swear to fucking gods if i have to add one more pretty emo boy to the gender folder i am going to commit something egregious

[which-qsmp-egg-would]

Time for the March Summary!

First of, the egg that haunts my dreams,

Richarlyson

For the 3rd month in a row, with 13/62 polls won last month, Richas has been voted most likely to:

Eat a random nut/berry/bug he found outside

Aim for the head during dodgeball

Intentionally cough/sneeze on someone while sick

Pick up something gross and chase his siblings around with it

Play computer games in class instead of doing his school work

Play football indoors and accidentally break a family relic

Play Julius Ceasar in a recreation of the Ides of March

Love a cursed food combination

Hunt down islanders that aren't wearing green on St. Patrick's Day

Pretend to be possessed to scare a sibling/parent

Refuse to wear shoes, even in the woods

Be the Rico (Penguins of Madagascar) of the island

Be covered in band-aids all the time

I do not know how he managed to win this many without me noticing. I think he's stealing trophies from me when I'm not looking.

Dapper

Wait, what? Even I wasn't expecting our favorite literal-demon child to win 2nd! With 11/62 polls won, Dapper has been voted most likely to:

Read Wikipedia articles for fun

Berate adults for coughing into their hand

Be a "Home Alone" protagonist

Love "Doctor Who"

Read Homestuck

Make a recreation of the Ides of March

Actually catch a leprechaun on Saint Patrick's Day

NOT have to sing the alphabet song to remember what order the letters are in

Love the Sherlock Holmes books

Know everything about demon folklore and scare everyone with their knowledge of it

Be determined to find every single easter egg at the island-wide easter egg hunt

She's a nerd, what else is there to say?

Chayanne & Pepito

Tied for 3rd, with 6/62 polls won each! Chayanne has been voted most likely to:

Love Hockey

Hyperfixate on the Percy Jackson series

Be a try-hard in P.E. class

Start a game of King Of The Hill everytime the school replaces the woodchips at recess

Fight with a teacher over a test grade

Sleep through fasting all day

Only look for the difficult to find eggs so their younger siblings can have fun at the Easter egg hunt

And Pepito has been voted most likely to:

Lose every round of Hide N' Seek because Pepito can't stop giggling

Believe in the Tooth Fairy

Chase Pepito's own tail

Still not know how to swim

Actually break a leg during a school play on accident

Eat paper because Pepito thinks it tastes good

One of the oldest eggs tying with one of the youngest. It's perfect.

Sunny

With 5/62 polls won, I'm sure Sunny is a little miffed that she's ended up in 4th. But it's okay, you all are sure to put her in 1st place one of these months. Sunny has been voted most likely to:

Secretly paint their closet an obnoxious color

Have a fashion show using her parents' clothes

Sleep with all of their stuffed animals so they don't get lonely

Treat the masjid shoe racks as their own personal shoe store

Have an imaginary friend

Tallulah, Ramón, & Pomme

Tying for 5th, with 4/62 polls won each, I'm very happy to see Pomme winning her first ever polls! And a total of 4 of them, no less! Tallulah has been voted most likely to:

Try and dye her own hair (making a huge mess)

Fit the main character role in "Coraline"

Perform Tarot card readings

Catch bees to pet them

Ramón has been voted most likely to:

Be obsessed with cowboys and the Wild West

Race to recalibrate the SmartBoard at school

Set up an elaborate rube goldberg machine to suprise a parent for their birthday

Have a space hyperfixation and want to be an astronaut

And Pomme has been voted most likely to:

Be a monster at PaintBall

Hyperfixate on Splatoon

Be very meticulous while coloring in a coloring book

Write a book

I think there's a pattern with that last one.

Leonarda

With 3/62 polls won, Leonarda has been voted most likely to:

Be obsessed with Power Rangers

Be into ice skating

Read every single Warrior cats books

I don't have anything funny to say here, It's hard to pay attention while listening to Ze Frank talk about coral kkkkkkkk

Empanada

With 2/62 polls won, Empanada has been voted most likely to:

Spend recess burying herself in woodchips and sleeping

Have Batik as a hobby

Oh hey, it's the first time Empanada's gone a full month without winning a poll about sweets!

Chunsik

Finally, our youngest has won a poll! With 1/62 polls won, Chunsik has been voted most likely to:

Be exempt from a Federation experiment because he politely declines it

What a polite kid!

...

...

That's it, right? That's all the eggs. All 11 eggs, all 62 polls for the month of March

...

Why does my clipboard say I'm missing two polls.....

...

Oh! Yes!

Juanaflippa & Bobby

In an absolutely unprecedented event, Juanaflippa AND Bobby have become our first ever dead eggs to win a canonical poll, with 1/62 win each! Juanaflippa has been voted most likely to:

Have a million allergies during the spring

And Bobby has been voted most likely to:

Get BANNED from playing Bulldog

It's still insane to me that you all managed to get these two a win. Bobby was going up against RICHARLYSON for void's sake. You all were fighting against the current on that one.

See you all soon!

[stumped-on-bennington]

The Kind of Human Wreckage That You Love

Summary: Frank got jumped by a couple of weirdos and as been acting strange ever since. Gerard and the rest of the guys try to take care of him, but to no avail. That is until they get a visit from Pete and Patrick.

Vamp!Frank

Word count:1500

It all started when Frank got into a fight with some weird guys from across town. He was jumped by these dudes who thought they were from the 1920s or something. Since then he has been acting really weird. Sleeping all day, getting weird cravings, and overall looking really sickly and almost dead. Gerard, Mikey, and Ray were doing everything they could to help him, but Frank was refusing to see a doctor. They were at their wits end until Gerard was approached by Pete and Patrick.

“He isn’t sick, but there isn’t a cure.” Pete told Gerard.

“What are you talking about? Frank just has a really intense stomach flu or something, we have it under control.” Gerard said, defensive over his friend. 

“What stomach flu makes a man look dead? Makes him sleep all day and gives him uncontrollable urges at night? I can already tell you that about this time he has cold sweats, is shaking and vomiting up anything you're trying to give him.” Pete growls, ready to pounce on Gerard. 

Patrick put an arm in front of Pete, holding him back from Gerard before speaking. “We know what's wrong with him, but it’s not as simple as just treating it like a cold.” 

Just then Patrick gets a text on his phone. “Shit, there’s rumors of another swarm that’s been picking people off by Make-Out Point. We have to go re-group with the guys.” Patrick tell’s Pete, putting his phone back in his pocket and pulling out an old beaten up journal. “Here, you're going to need this. This will tell you everything you need to know to help out your friend and to protect yourselves.” 

Gerard takes the journal skeptically, but willing to try anything at this point. He flips the journal open, seeing pages upon pages of recipes, rituals, and other entries. Gerard looks up to question the two, but the strange duo is gone without a trace. 

Gerard takes the journal back to the rest of the guys, showing them the entries and telling them what Pete and Patrick had told him. 

“This thing says to mix holy water, garlic, and human blood and to give it to him, man. I don't know about this.” Ray says, flipping through the pages.

“I read one of them that said we have to have a weekly visit from a priest to come and bless him. Even has a number of a priest that quote ‘understands the situation’ end quote” Mikey says, mocking the entry that he was referring to.

Just then Frank stumbles into the room, covered in sweat and clutching his stomach. “Let's do it.” He says, nearly falling.

 Gerard bolts up, rushing to stabilize his friend and guide him to a chair. “No dude, this is just a bunch of psycho rambling. Whatever you have, we can fix it with some cold medicine and rest.” 

Frank growls, “We’ve been trying cold medicine for weeks now. I sleep all day, there isn’t any more rest I can be getting! ...I’ve been having nightmares when I sleep, they’re all the same. Flashes of me covered in blood, and you guys laying lifeless at my feet.” Frank’s expression softens, “I’m tired of this and I’m willing to try anything at this point.”

Gerard looks at Frank with a sorrowful expression. “Ok.”, he says.

“Wait, seriously? You’re going to go through with this crazy stuff?” Ray says, a little shocked at Gerard’s willingness to comply with the odd manual.

“We have to at least try. If it doesn’t work then we stop.” Gerard says, giving Ray a serious look. 

Ray sighs, “Fine, But i'm not going to be the one bleeding for this, ok?”

“I’ll do it.” Mikey says, everyone turning towards him. “I’ll supply the blood. Luckily it doesn’t seem like we’ll be needing that much.” Gerard gives his brother a thankful smile.

“Ok.” Gerard says, “Let's get to work then.”

With that Ray, Mikey, and Gerard get to work following the instructions in the journal. Gerard calls the number in the book and informs the priest of the situation, Mikey starts the concoction that they are to feed to Frank, and Ray starts collecting all the crucifixes he can find. By 11 PM the priest finishes blessing Frank and the other preparations have been finished. 

“Here, we go, Frank. Now this probably isn't going to be pleasant.” Gerard says, bring the cup to Frank's mouth, letting him sip the mixture. As soon as the liquid touches Frank's lips, he starts coughing violently. Gerard pulls the cup away and rubs Frank’s back, trying to sooth his friend. 

“I told you this was a bunch of horse shit!” Ray says, “This entire journal was just some weird, sick prank from those guys! Just some freaks that-” Ray stops at the sound of Frank chugging the liquid. The three turn back to Frank, who is now standing, the bottom of the cup in the air as he swiftly gulps down the mix. With a loud sigh, Frank finishes the ghastly drink, crushing the plastic up in his hand. 

The three men stare in disbelief. Frank, who was nearly a corpse mere seconds ago, is now standing strong before them, looking as youthful as ever. Frank uses his sleeve to wipe the residue from this mouth, leaving a bloody streak across his face. “That’s better.” He says, dropping the cup to the ground.

“You were saying?” Mikey says, turning back to Ray. 

The four men read through more of the journal, following all the instructions to a T. Preparing more mixtures and rituals to help keep Frank stable. They even found a number to a blood bank that had shady practices so that Mikey wouldn’t have to keep bleeding for the holy water mixture. The group stayed up until 5 in the morning making everything so Frank could be comfortable. About an hour before sunrise, they got a knock on the door.

Gerard answered the door, a wooden stake and crucifix ready. He slowly creaked the door open, revealing Pete and Patrick. The two immediately notice the items that Gerard is holding, Pete hissing at the sight of the crucifix. 

“So, you actually followed my instructions.” Patrick says, a slight smirk on his face. 

Gerard put away the crucifix. “So, you knew what was wrong with him because he’s also one of them.” He says, motioning towards Pete. “And you're trying to hunt all the other ones to reverse it all, right? That’s why you had all those instructions for weapons in there too.” 

“That’s right.” Pete says.

“So now what, you’re here to take out Frank too?” Gerard says, clutching the stake in his hand.

“No, no. Nothing like that.” Patrick says, raising his hands. “Your friend is safe. So long as you keep his urges under control, then we have no reason to come after him.” 

Gerard lowers his weapon, feeling a sense of relief. 

“But, we could really use you guys, if you're willing to help. We’re always looking for more people on our side. The more of us there are, the quicker we can go through the bad ones and get our friends back to normal.” Patrick says, hopeful.

Gerard thinks for a second. “I’m sorry, but we can’t. Frank never has been one to have very good control. If we go out and try to do what you guys do, I'm afraid that he’ll get carried away and cause more trouble than help.” He says, with an apologetic expression. 

“No worries, we understand.” Patrick says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a slip of paper. “But if you ever change your mind, or if you just need some help, give me a call.” 

Gerard takes the paper and stuffs it in his pocket. Pete and Patrick turn away and begin to walk off, but before leaving, Patrick stops.

“Oh, and if you hear anything about any attacks or turf fights, don’t hesitate to call!” Patrick says, calling over his shoulder. With those final words Patrick begins walking off into the night. Pete lunges into the air and jumps rooftop to rooftop, disappearing just before the sun rises. 

Bonus!:

~A couple weeks after Gerard’s last encounter with Pete and Patrick.~ 

“Any word from the hunters?” Mikey asks his brother. 

“Nothing. I’ve tried calling and texting, no answer.” Gerard says. There has been a spike in activity around their side of town, more and more lurkers at night, making it hard to get supplies for Frank.

The four men jump as there is a knock at the door. The group ready themselves with weapons, crucifixes, and holy water as Gerard opens the door. Standing before them are the hunters, only this time they’ve changed, moonlight reflecting off their fangs. 

“We’ve hit a bit of a snag in the extermination process.” Patrick says, his own pair of fangs hanging in his mouth.

“Let’s get training then.” Gerard says, allowing the group to enter their dwelling.

[yorshie]

Hey so like did you happen to drop a tutorial for how you draw the turtles and I somehow missed it???? Cuz.... if not.... and you're willing........ please *gets down all fours* just the tip please drop some tips-

Hello Nonnie 👋! I uh.... I can't really do a video of how my process goes from start to finish (I don't know how to link it without my irl name popping up), but I can talk about the tools i use and how I problem solve. I’m afraid my tips aren’t especially good because I’m flying by the seat of my pants and how I learned was to just —> do the thing and watch others.

Ok. So, I'm sure by now you've skipped to the image below, and you've probably hurt either your eyes or your brain with the amount of shit there. I'm sorry. Yes, there is a butt. We all got em. (if for some reason you find yourself buttless, i am sorry.) But I'm not hiding the butt, because well. It's just a butt *shrug*

Alrighty Now I'll break down what that God Awful image above is. Starting in the Top Middle with Raph, that's me trying to draw with a perspective rectangle. To the right of that, we got arms and hands. Right below that, we got the basic shapes I use for a male torso (bigger) and a female torso (smaller) Below that, the infamous buttocks and hips. Basically a front and back shot of how that fits together. Then to the left of that we have the base sketch and final lines of my last Leo drawing. Right above that is a side view on how I'm trying to decide on how the shell works, and then little headshots of how I handle each turtle's face. Donnie is who I struggle most with, he has such a soft cute face but it's hidden under all his tech. In the middle you can see a sketch I did of Donnie in a hoodie, since I'm determined to put them all in clothes. Eventually.

[Dusts off glasses, squints, clicks projector button to move to next slide] Okedokie, I guess we start with anatomy, and understanding it. If you wanna draw anything, ya gotta know anatomy. Your "style" comes secondary to anatomy. If your anatomy is wack, no amount of dusting will fix it. And the more you draw/better you get at anatomy, the more "cheat" codes you unlock. So first thing you gotta do is draw ALOT and always be thinking about anatomy. It can be something as simple as looking at how people stand on the train, how they walk, big shapes and how they connect together. Or it can be detailed as what muscles connect and how they interact with each other to make the body move. You can also look at how other people handle anatomy, what they emphasize and what they put aside. I, for example, look at a lot of Frank Franzetta, Jeff Watts, and Patrick J. Jones. When in doubt however, break things down to the most simplest shapes and build from there.

Life long journey with anatomy aside, the thing I ended up focusing on when I draw the turtles is how I want them to appear. I deviate a lot from the way they are depicted in the films, and I think that's the most important part. Find a way to make them your own, in a way that's second nature to you, whether or not you take influence from others. For me, I wanted to soften them a little more, and get rid of that friggin flying saucer of a shell, even though I haven’t completely decided how I want to depict the carapace. There's a balance between making them recognizable and putting your own twist on it. You may not care about that though. I would just say find what works for you, and run with it.

You can also see that I am not neat At All. I like to feel around for lines and shapes a lot until I’m happy with how things look. I’ve been told my approach is very sculptural and “weighty”, and that works for me. I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t care how other people do things, I like how I do things. And I think that’s very important for all artists. I think of things as three dimensional, and for some reason one day bayverse just clicked.

If I had one piece of advice, it would be to start light and don’t get overly committed to your sketches. I use photoshop and I knock the opacity of my brush down a bit while working, but I start with basic shapes and lines. Limbs are sticks and circles on where I think the elbow/knee “might” be, but if when I’m working on muscles or toning I find I’m off a little, I move the “joint” to where it makes sense. A lot of times I draw the head too big, and I have to size it back down, or the arms to short for some reason, and I have to drag the hand down. Idk. Practice makes you better. It’s not always a step forward, but it’s always a step in the right direction as long as you’re thinking while you draw.

If this spawned more questions, feel free to ask them- I don’t mind answering at all, even if it’s expounding on something touched here. Might drop some more of my messy sketch work if there’s interest

[krsonmar]

I don't think I ever posted my Nandermo playlist, so here it is, with annotations: "Their Love Can't Be Put Into a Box full of Oreos and Pedialyte", a Nandermo fan playlist

1.) Please Don't Leave Me--P!nk

One way to describe this show is "it's bouncy and fun and about how horrible we are to the people who know us best". That called for radio pop about knowingly unhealthy relationships, so of course I went for P!nk. Listen to that bridge ("I forgot to say out loud...") and tell me that's not a Nandermo dynamic.

2.) King of Wishful Thinking--cover by Newfound Glory feat. Patrick Stump

Denial is the name of the game, kids! This cover gives the song a nice rock anthem feel. I'm proud of finding this for this playlist.

3.) I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE--Måneskin

A nice little song about inverting the servant-master dynamic. Who's really dependent on who? And who's really "corrupting" who? Also it's very queer, good old-fashioned campy glam rock. Play it for your Sunday School group!

4.) How's It Going To Be--Third Eye Blind

It's getting to be an unspoken rule when I make a playlist that I have to have one of three songs by Third Eye Blind and one of three by Vertical Horizon. In my defense, these two bands fell into a sweet spot in the late-90s where alt rock was getting just poppy enough but not too poppy.

This one's about knowing you want to leave, you're just waiting for something to happen to finally start the actual ball rolling on it, an inciting incident of some sort: a fight, a snafu you should be able to handle together but that snowballs instead, so on. It's the point in a deteriorating relationship where you've decided you want this to end and you just need an opportunity to enact the decision...but you're also mad at what you've lost. It's before the resignation where there's nothing left to say except "goodbye". Fifteen years and you're not a vampire yet, so please won't the other person give you a reason to leave? Special stuff, kids, and here it has a good singalong chorus and another rockin' bridge.

5.) If You Ever Leave I'm Coming With You--The Wombats

"This relationship degrades me so badly and don't you even think about trying to escape me!" Great to listen to on a loop while nailed into a coffin for weeks while sobbing quietly about how you were *going* to travel the world with your Nan-with your Master!!

6.) I Get A Kick Out Of You--Frank Sinatra

Yeah this one is out-of-place for this playlist but this playlist goes to some weird places. It's a fan playlist about goofy vampires, I do what I damn well want.

Nandor is 700 years old and can't die. He's been a deadly military warlord, watched empires rise and fall, and outlived the majority of his own descendants. He's gotta be pretty jaded. When you drink the blood of other people to live, a lot won't phase you anymore. That's the thinking behind this song. I think Nandor is kind of fascinated with Guillermo's mortality in a way (I wrote a meta post here) and that might play into why he doesn't want to turn him.

Also this song is a standard that gets remade all the time, so if you know of a version that isn't by Old Blue Eyes that you think would fit this playlist, I'd love to hear it.

7.) Dancin' In The Moonlight--either the 1970s original by King's Harvest or the 00s remake by Toploader, take your pick

Ah yes, a good old-fashioned autumnal ball for the supernatural who walk among us, perhaps held on the night when the veil between worlds is thinnest! And a classic song to dance to. I like to imagine our boys having a cute moment to this one; Guillermo trying to spin Nandor around by the hand until he realizes a second too late that the height discrepancy is ridiculous, Nandor doing some medieval Persian dance moves Guillermo tries to copy, long coats sweeping behind them as they twirl and boogie, lots of giggling. It ain't all angst here, folks.

8.) One Week by the Barenaked Ladies (the acoustic version from The Bathroom Sessions, find it on YouTube)

I have always loved this song, so I was thrilled to see it in the Fitness Center episode, and you know I had to get it in here. The song's about having a fight that could end in a breakup but you both know each other too well to stay mad, and this version--recorded in one of the band members bathrooms as an experiment in acoustics-turned-full impromptu YouTube series--conveys a good-natured casual intimacy and amiability that comes from years of deep familiarity--haha--and learning to get things done together and have fun with it while fully expecting each other's shortcomings and planning for them so it'll be okay. Maybe that's me reading a lot into it; yes, it's filmed in a bathroom, and it's an acoustic version of a song the band is known for even to non-fans, so Ed Robertson and Steven Page's easy back-and-forth ad libs have the comfort of years of doing this under it; but also, the song was almost 20 years old at the point this was filmed, so it's *that* level of "we know how to do this", and it you know the band's history, a few years later, the band kicked Steven out due to a lot of drama, with, IIRC, the understanding he could come back at some point if he worked on himself. Knowing that, the recording can read a lot like a comfortable, long-lived domestic relationship that eventually went south, but this is a snapshot of when times were still good.

I'm way overthinking this, but anyway, the song fits that episode of the show really well and I think this version heightens the "why" of that.

9.) You're A God, by Vertical Horizon

This is the other band with three songs that end up on all my playlists somehow. I really think Nandor and Guillermo have each other, despite what it seems, on a pedestal somewhat, and might even see each other as having a type of divinity that makes them untouchable to the other in some sense. Guillermo, to Nandor, is pure, fragile, mortal, in need of protection, unsuited to being "ruined" by vamipirsm...because then what other human would dare risk gracing Nandor with their time of day? Nandor, to Guillermo, is a powerful, aloof being, literally supernatural, infinitely more powerful than him and far less vulnerable (in multiple ways, so it seems), and promising him access to this thing he wants so badly if only he just proves himself enough.

Catholicism ahoy! And I'll take mine with a side of a modified Madonna-Whore Complex, please!

They've got some complexes, these two.

10.) Last one and then you can stop reading (why are you still reading this??)

Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler, or, depending on a few things, go for the techno remix by Nicki French

This song was actually written by the composer best known for his work with Meatloaf, for a campy rock opera about a human in an emotionally abusive relationship with a vampire. I know, right? If they don't use this song somewhere in the final season, I will riot. A good finale piece; I want to see it used in its techno incarnation for a climactic fight scene, I wrote a stupid thing a couple years ago about the idea. A nice, very fitting wrap-up to the playlist...and the show, perhaps?

Go take a break, you just read way too much meta about a fictional neurotic gay couple.

[transastronautistic]

Unfortunate Coping: Neurodivergence, Addiction, and Recovery

Two AuDHD mental health professionals discuss neurodivergent peoples' vulnerability to developing "unfortunate" coping mechanisms involving alcohol, gambling, etc., and what kind of recovery process actually works for us, in episode 41 of the Divergent Conversations podcast.

I found this episode very informative and figured I'd paste the highlights here; but I also recommend the whole episode! Content warning for frank discussions of addiction, including in-depth descriptions of a gambling addiction.

To include the most important thing first: the program these two recommend is SMART Recovery; please check it out if you or a loved one is struggling.

Why ND folk are particularly vulnerable to addiction / "unfortunate coping" strategies:

PATRICK CASALE: We want to talk about why it's so easy for neurodivergent people to reach for something or use something that is going to take away the pain, that feels like a coping strategy, which is really just a temporary strategy. It's not a long-term one, by any means.

...And I think it's because of all of our life experiences, our pain, our trauma, the way we move through the world, our sensory systems, our struggles, socially.

And Megan uses the word social lubricant or ligaments a lot. I think that that is exactly why so many people turn to substances, in the first place, is because they feel like they don't belong, they don't fit in. And in the meantime, in the short term, it is a temporary, and I want to highlight and emphasize temporary dopamine hit. It is a temporary way to let your guard down, and to not be so hyper-vigilant, and to not be so anxious, and to not feel so overwhelmed.

And of course, it's easy to reach for something that can just give us a glimpse into the normalcy of socializing in a neurotypical world when we feel like we just don't have a landing spot.

...

MEGAN NEFF: [Another reason we're more vulnerable to addiction:] we are more vulnerable to emotional avoidance, which I would say is a pretty big driver when it comes to addiction — just the, "I cannot tolerate this emotion, I must escape it."

... And [when drinking,] I would get a lot of reinforcement. People would be like, "You are so fun when you drink." And I'm a pretty serious person. And because my filter would come off, my silliness, my playful side would come out. So, socially, there's a lot of reinforcement for my drinking.

...

PATRICK CASALE: [Plus] culturally, we promote the hell out of it. I mean, you can't turn the television on without alcohol commercials or marketing everywhere. And it's always glamorized. Like, "Let's go to this party and drink this cocktail, and like, we're going to have this wonderful time." Or it's always about connection, and partying, and having a great time. You never see the aftermath. You don't see like, the depression that kicks in intensely, like immediately after, you don't see the sleep deprivation that comes with it. Even if it helps you sleep temporarily, you're not getting actual restorative sleep in those moments. Like, there is so much destruction, physiologically and psychologically that come with alcohol usage.

And for those of you who are trying to abstain, or maybe have some sort of minimization, or harm reduction, which I'm a huge proponent of, it's really hard to start thinking about your world where it's alcohol-free.

Recovery is possible!

PATRICK CASALE [after describing his years-long struggle with a gambling addiction]: It is such an unbelievably painful part of my life. And I want to highlight that fact that it's been 12 years without gambling. So, when I was in the throes of it, there was never a part of me that thought I would get out of it. There was never a part of me that could have thought that I would be sitting here and talking with you about some of the stuff.

So, I want to just really name that for those of you who are struggling with any sort of addiction that you can recover and recovery is possible. And it is hard. It is a long road. But it is absolutely possible.

...[The gambling addiction] started as a coping skill, and it became uncontrollable. And I think that's how most addictions start and develop:...it starts as an unfortunate coping skill to deal with pain, suffering, struggle, trauma, anxiety, depression, socializing, whatever. And then all of a sudden, fast forward 10 years, and you're like, "How the hell did I get here?"

...you lose so much of yourself in this moment that when you come out of it, you almost have a newfound perspective on how you want to live the rest of your life. ...

MEGAN NEFF: Yeah, yeah. I mean, so like, there are, obviously, critiques of [12-step models], understandably. But I think what they do well, is the vulnerability and the sharing, and the, "you're not alone in this experience." And, like, if we have one thing to think Brene Brown for it's this idea of the connection between shame and vulnerability, and that is what helps eradicate shame is when we connect over these stories. And I think it is so important.

A more effective recovery model for ND people

PATRICK CASALE: SMART Recovery is the way I would go and recommend for those of you who are looking for alternatives [to 12 Step]. ...SMART Recovery [stands for] "skills management and regulation tools." So, you're really just learning how to cope. You're just learning strategies and techniques to deal with triggers and urges.

You're not going down, like, the war story path that happens in 12 Steps so often. There's also not the mentality that if you do relapse, that you're suddenly like, ostracized from a group until you can find your way back.

So, SMART Recovery is all evidence-based, and science-based, and is a nice alternative for those of us who really want like, the concrete steps, the rationalization, the ability to like, implement and incorporate strategies and techniques. I think it's a really good alternative. And it's everywhere all over the world.

So, you can look up SMART Recovery, and you can find meetings in almost any city or any state and a lot of virtual options as well.

MEGAN NEFF: I love that. Yes, that is such a great resource. And I love that they teach the regulation skills because that is — so many of us, and like, humans, not just neurodivergent people — but so many of us go to addiction as a…form of emotional avoidance. And so I think learning that regulation piece of "how do I handle sitting in distressing feelings," and then regulating is such an important part of that recovery process.

I'm circling back to earlier in the conversation about why are we more vulnerable, when I was doing research on alexithymia, this was really interesting to me. So, alexithymia is linked with more emotional avoidance, which makes sense because we're having a hard time to identify our feelings. And that's linked with addiction. And so alexithymia and addiction are very linked.

And then I would say until we address that, many of us will fall into... cross-addiction, when you hop from addiction to addiction.

I know for me until I finally really addressed my emotional avoidance, like there'd always be some sort of addicting object in my life, to some varying degree, because I hadn't resolved the fact that I just could not tolerate to be with myself, to be with my emotional experience.

Harm Reduction / Reframing

MEGAN NEFF: The other framework that has been really helpful, so I think the binary that we've fallen into, and I think partly this comes from how the mental health world and addiction world, but either like you're an alcoholic, or you're not, either you have a problem, or you [don't]. And thankfully, we're seeing a shift away from that. But something can be a problem without your body being dependent on it. Like, earlier, you talked about dependence.

PATRICK CASALE: For sure.

MEGAN NEFF: And so, I think, giving new language for people to be able to be like, "No, when this is in my life, I don't show up in the world the way I want to be or it's not healthy." But without falling into this, "it means I'm in this bucket or that bucket." I think that's so important.

PATRICK CASALE: So important. So, so important to try to break away from that black and white thinking, which is, again, I'm not a proponent of AA and a 12 Step GA gambling anonymous because of the binary, because of the black and white. It's either you abstain or you're barred, and you can't control, and I cannot get behind that mentality.

So, I'm a big proponent of harm reduction, I'm a big proponent of moderation management, you can apply moderation management into your life. I also believe, wholeheartedly, that addiction is the opposite of connection.

...And think about, for those of you listening who are mostly neurodivergent, community and connection can be really hard. So, if it's not there, if it feels like it's not existing, if it feels like it's hard to obtain, there's some likelihood that you're going to reach for something to replace that. And to deal with the emotional impact of having that lack of connection and community.

MEGAN NEFF: Yeah...I think, in general, it's way more motivating when we're adding something in our life than when we're trying to not do something. For me and my journey, for years, for a long time, I was like, "I'm going to stop drinking." There was a shift — and I don't actually use the language of sobriety, I choose language of alcohol-free — But when I realized sobriety was not the absence of drinking, but it was a choice for something additive in my life; once I made that mental shift from try not to do something to try to do something — it's hard to explain, but it totally changed my energy towards how I thought about it.

PATRICK CASALE: I like the way you reframe that language, because, first, a lot of you may be listening and thinking like "I've been trying to be alcohol-free or sober from whatever, but I'm white-knuckling." That terminology is like: I'm not drinking, but all the same behaviors are still there, all the same emotions are still there. I'm still angry, I'm getting irritable, I'm getting frustrated with my partner, I'm reacting in a way that I don't like. And I'm thinking about alcohol or whatever the substance is all day, every day, although I'm not putting it into my body.

Nothing's really changed here, aside from the intake of substance. So, that's really where this community-based and connection-based healing has to happen. Like, I believe, wholeheartedly, to combat some of these struggles like, and to save our lives from potential addiction and destruction from it, we need therapy...We need community, we need connection, we need coping skills, we need strategies.

...We can't escape temptation, we can't escape these urges, we can't escape these triggers. They are everywhere in life. And just incorporating coping skills, and strategies, and being able to talk to someone...we can learn how to cope with these things. ...And again, trying to work through that shame, that complete and utter desire to have that control back. So, the more you can talk about it, the more vulnerable you can become, the more you can kind of take that power back from that shamefulness too.

[pwblogarchive]

August 2005

August 4, 2005

when i walked through the door there was a kid standing therein shorts and an argyle sweater. we went downstairs and played "through being cool" front to back. i knew we would be best friends forever.

this is my first memory of fall out boy. post yours. i wanna know.

yes yes we know everybody is hot. patrick is. joe is. andy is. because they are all good people. and that makes my heart beat.

yes, i am obsessed with the show 24. yes, i want to make a life with kim bauer and have 10,000 babies.

if you can find it inside to vote a couple more times for "sugar..." on TRL we would love you (oh who are we kidding, we do anyway). the info is in the news.

more dates for the nintendo fusion tour will keep being announced, so don't worry your pretty little head.

lets fall in love all over again from the start.

zzzzzz.

lately i have been feeling like i am just a headache for everyone.

08/04/05

question

what kind of guitars do you play? And who is better Joe or Patrick

answer

patrick is the love of my life but i cant deny joes doggie style. they are both pretty good in bed i guess.

question

did you really go out with Frank from my chemical romance?….oh and you and patrick are really hot!!!!

answer

i definitely have a boy crush on frank.

question

hey pete tell patrick he is hot. and ask him whats with the glasses?

answer

okay 2. i think they help him see

Other Q&As from this time that are undated

August 5, 2005

Hey. Updater.

Florida in august is a sweatlodge. Take my word for it you don’t want to know.

The kids here are amazing.

I lied. I’m sorry, please forgive me. We are selling the clandestine bartskull necklace at the clan booth on warped.

If you get a sec light up the trl lines for us with a couple of votes. You mean the world, either way.

August 12, 2005

I am the koolaid jammer. Romances last terrorist, locked away in the back watching emilio estevez and friends dance on the screen from deep in the back. Heyhey updater: the panic! At the disco record is still better than whatever you are listening to right now. Lets get married and move inside one of their songs. October fall is recording out in l.a. Right now. Get ready for big things babies. Me and patrick have been working on new songs already. Swoon. We’ve got an annoucement coming up really soon about a performance. We also did a pretty big interview that will be out in september… It covers a lot we haven’t ever talked about: getting bigger, me missing europe, etc… We’ve got some new merch coming soon and some special nintendo fusion show offers….

“Swear to shake it up if you swear to listen…”

Yeah I wrote a lyric for that song, guess which one… Ill be honest ryan writes circles around me….

August 18, 2005

dear warped tour,

even though you made us hot and dirty, we had the best summer of our lives and wanted to thank you.

thank you to every single one of you guys that came out, sang the words, crowd surfed, watched or came up to our signing and told us we suck (hehe).

the love is back on.

bigplans.

"we only do it for the scars and stories" still holds true. you don't even know, and im not telling.

- petey

August 19, 2005

Things I have been thinking about lately:

Warped tour was fun. Since being home I remembered that's showering and sleeping are fun too.

My real feelings on the sunburst bass. I loved that thing. But then it started cheating on me with mikey way. I had to hit it. Its not my fault- spousal abuse is an ugly thing. I'm in therapy that includes playing lots of warcraft online.

Writing messages on your arm for someon to see at a show is the new away message - stealing peoples real diary is the new livejournal.

On the topic of computers: lets stop talking like- u r lyKE soooooo Haawt.... My dogs can type bettere than that. And sending this I M "how come you're on my buddylist" or "who is this, is this really pete from fob" - honestly I love talking to people but these ones get instanlty rejected.

See also: peoples whose screenames are like: petehoppuslovespatrick65 - I know what the conversation is gonna be like already. I've had enough of them.

Oh yeah- mikey's screename is not xiheartweedx

I hear were a week away from retiring on trl. Lets do it. Cause honestly I'm not gonna live long enough to get retired from a real job (like 65?) we gotssss to party it up if it happens.

On us playing the vmas: we have this insane idea that mtv is considering. If they let us do it you may see something really insane. (Its not me and frank kissing in wedding dresses, or is it).

I hear there is a turbo voting thing for the vma on our front page.

Ill have a serious update later

Peter

August 19, 2005

The Warped tour was fun. Since being home I remembered that showering and sleeping are fun too. My real feelings on the sunburst bass. I loved that thing. But then it started cheating on me in a mikey way. I had to hit it. It's not my fault- spousal abuse is an ugly thing. I’m in therapy that includes playing lots of warcraft online. Writing messages on your arm for someone to see at a show is the new away message - stealing peoples real diary is the new livejournal

August 26, 2005

i should be in miami florida right now. stalking out jessica alba on a beach at night somewhere but instead i am lurking the internet from the safety of my parent's house. sorry i have been gone. there are plans afoot. i hate this hurricane nonsense- when we heard we were playing the VMAs we tried to come up with some hilarious stuff to do- you know- like first we suggested that we throw a big party on stage while we play and have some live deer and maybe two tranvestites dressed up like madonna and brittany spears, kissing- mtv was like: try again. so we rented space suits from a movie company and planned to play in those and kind of just smash eachother with our guitars- but now with this tropical storm mtv just wants us to actually be normal and play- hehe i'm sure we'll think of something. i need to go eat count chocula. we're putting some new gear into the clandestine webstore over at clandestineindustries.com and decaydance.com is up and you can preorder the panic! at the disco record along with the vinyl version of from under the cork tree. my hand has swollen to the size of a grapefruit, but if you think that looks bad, you should see the other guy, or in this case the wall.

if you get a chance, you could make our day and go over and vote for us a couple of times at FBRVOTE.COM - an easy way to do it...

ive got pees on my head but don't call me a pee head. bees on my head but don't call me a bee head. bruce lee's on my head but don't call me a lee head.

i'm crazy for you sparkle.

August 26, 2005

from the retirement home.

have i told you guys lately that you are the best?

our video retired on TRL today ONLY because of you.

thank you.

that is all.

- petey

August 26, 2005

on pete’s friends or enemies blog

August 29, 2005

Live from the defjam party.

I am in disbelief.

Everytime I question what I am doing, you prove me wrong.

We won the m2 vma. In my opinion the most important award of the night.

We weren’t sure.

I never should have doubted you.

You have NEVER let me down.

You make me proud to be in this band.

We aren’t the biggest. But you make us feel like we are.

We are in love.

More later.

Peter

August 30, 2005

the roc is still alive when fall out boy hits the mic.

can we say that we love you anymore.

you rbought it.

did you hear the collective gasp when they said fall out boy.

shock.

we were standing up to clap for our friends in My Chem, who we were sure had one.

we then realized we didn't know where to walk to or what to do.

we definitely noticed Usher give us the "WTF?" look when we went by him and hugged my chem.

we didn't write anything down, so we were very nervous when we got to the mic.

we dressed up like harry potter when we played so we would feel the magic.

we drove to the red carpet in a saturn and fell out cause we are broke.

we realize that beyonce quoted us. we wanted to return the favor "say my name, say my name- you're acting kinda shady aint callin me baby..."

jayz is the coolest. but luda is kinda close to as cool. and we have a super crush on christina milian. we are happy to be part of the defjamfam.

we realize that you made the world shake just for a second.

we want to pay you back with more than just a discount in our webstore. let me think of how.

one night can change it all. and you did that for me. so thank you.

- petey

[sinceileftyoublog]

SPRINTS Interview: Personal to the Bone

BY JORDAN MAINZER

The first great album of the year came out five days into it, belying the post-New Year haze and bitter cold, walloping us into paying attention. Letter to Self, the debut LP from Dublin post-punk quartet SPRINTS, out via City Slang, is a tremendously assured collection of songs that the band describes as "to-the-bone" personal. They're led by singer-songwriter Karla Chubb, whose taut shouts, full-throated yells, and pained but deliberate lyrics match the utter tenseness of the compositions. She sings about her life, and topics ranging from depression and ADHD to sexuality and Catholicism, but without the overt autobiography that can plague even the most well-intentioned writers. Her singing sonically traverses the sinews of Colm O'Reilly's lead guitar riffs and bassist Sam McCann and drummer Jack Callan's brawny rhythm section. Each song is its own journey, and when they end, it feels like you've been holding your breath the whole time.

Though SPRINTS showed promise with their early material, they sound like a complete band with their debut. Working with Gilla Band's Daniel Fox in the studio helped them embrace the charged intensity that makes their live shows so thrilling. Letter to Self begins with "Ticking", the song that's been at the start of their live setlists, on which foreboding guitar, a double-tapped snare, and Chubb's chants build to a false explosion before the full beat truly drops. (Moments like this make it clear that the majority of the band are horror and sci-fi fans, but not necessarily obsessed with jump scares.) "Heavy" builds up similarly, with twangy guitar squalls and trilling drum fills, as Chubb asks pointed questions like, "Do you ever feel like the room is heavy?" before melismatic belting, lamenting that she's "watching the world go round the window beside me." Elsewhere, they combine the frankness of Fontaines D.C. with the cascades of Midwest emo ("Shaking Their Hands") and delve into swirling soundscapes ("Can't Get Enough of It"). As for Chubb, she knows when to scream; at her most full-throated, like on "Shadow Of A Doubt", she's a dead ringer for Courtney Love.

As much as SPRINTS' instrumentation purveys the spirit of their songs, Chubb is a deft lyricist, writing clever rhymes and cutting barbs alike. On "Cathedral", she chides the heartlessness of the Irish Catholic church when it comes to their views on queer folks like her: "He's singing from a hymn sheet, I'm singing for the others / They say I've gone cold while I'm sat drowning in the gutter." "Adore Adore Adore" bemoans the sexist double standards of the music industry, wherein anybody but a straight cisgender male is subject to only love or hate. "Am I everything you wish you had?" Chubb asks, "Or am I everything you detest?" Perhaps best is the album's closer, the title track, where Chubb honors her own ability to conquer trauma, generational and otherwise. "I can shake the leaves of hereditary," she sings, pronouncing the final word "he-re-di-tree" in a cheeky bit of wordplay, continuing, "I don't have to take the path that was carved out in front of me." On Letter to Self, Chubb and SPRINTS in general toss off a world of fear and shame in favor of self-love and acceptance.

SPRINTS plays Schubas on Tuesday night. Back in January, I spoke with Callan about Letter to Self, playing live, horror, and film scores. Read our conversation below, edited for length and clarity, and know the Irish band is excited to be in Chicago mere days after our raucous St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Since I Left You: One of the things I love about Letter to Self is that the instrumentation and the song structures engage the themes just as much as the lyrics do. Can you talk about creating a mood between words and instruments?

Jack Callan: That boils down to the songwriting process. It usually starts with Karla. It could be one riff on guitar or start with lyrics or melody. A lot of the time, and especially with the two opening tracks on the album, "Ticking" and "Heavy", from the get-go, we talked about building a literal feeling of anxiety. That's probably the case for most of the songs. We're trying to match the emotions of the music. The intensity of the song dictates the dynamics. It's quite natural: We all know each other so well.

SILY: As the drummer, specifically, you're at the forefront of toying with our expectations, especially on a song like "Ticking". You think it's going to explode into a rousing moment, but it pulls back. It eventually explodes, but there's a push-pull throughout.

JC: Yeah, absolutely, particularly with "Ticking". It's probably one of the oldest songs written on the album. We probably wrote it at the same time as the songs on our second EP. It didn't really sit well with those [songs], but we always knew we were going to come back to it. When we started properly planning for [Letter to Self], we knew it was going to be the opening track because it has such a slow build. You think it's going to kick in, but it doesn't. Live, we start sets with that, and it sets the tone nicely and builds the anxiety.

SILY: One of the most powerful things about Karla's lyrics is that she asks questions. "Do you ever feel like the room is heavy?" You don't know who she's talking to, but as a listener, it almost feels like she's talking to you. How do you feel about that confrontation when playing live?

JC: I think it's incredibly effective. The way Karla writes is very personal and vulnerable, but in a way it's not so specific you know exactly the circumstance what she's talking about.

SILY: The album title Letter to Self reminds me of a diary. It's a cliché album descriptor when writers say that a personal album is "like reading someone's diary," but this one truly is. If I were to pick up somebody's diary without knowing them, it wouldn't make total sense. I might be able to relate to vague feelings, but I wouldn't know the specifics they refer to. Do you think the record achieves an ideal level of abstraction?

JC: Absolutely. A lot of it was about dealing with those emotions or experiences. Since we've started out as a band, Karla's become more comfortable being vulnerable and open in her songwriting. Our first EP had some personal things, and our second EP was about the self and everyday life, but this is more to-the-bone personal. I think that felt very natural to Karla. There's an honesty to it. She's writing about her own experiences and how she feels about them.

SILY: How is playing the songs live from an emotional standpoint? Do you find yourselves in a similar headspace to when you recorded them, or do you let loose?

JC: I think the recording process, especially for Karla, was more taxing emotionally. Before recording, we rehearsed songs a bunch, and we messed around with demos for a while, but because the lyrics are so personal, putting down the tracks in the studio, that's when it hits you that the songs are going to go out into the world and everyone will listen to them. When you're in the studio, and there's no live audience, just us and Daniel Fox, our producer, it just feels a lot closer. By the time you get to the live set, the music isn't just ours anymore. People will interpret it any way they want. The live shows take on a life of their own, as well. It's more about the band at that point. The live shows have a lot of energy, a lot of fun. On stage, we've never really taken ourselves too seriously. We have a bit of a laugh, even when the subject matter is heavy.

SILY: Have the live versions instrumentally or structurally taken on a new life? Do you extend things or change things up at all?

JC: A little bit. Not as much with some of the album tracks yet, because we haven't been playing them as long. It's usually something that happens naturally. Some of the songs from the EPs we play differently. "Literary Mind" was recorded again for the album. It's is way faster than the original recording. We recorded it and started playing it live. How it is on the album is closer to how it is live.

SILY: Do you have a favorite of the Letter to Self songs to play live?

JC: Probably "Cathedral". The start of that song is a bit scary, but the chorus is proper all-out headbanging. We've played it a little bit live, but not for that long.

SILY: I can imagine that's a cathartic song for you to play live. You're just pounding along.

JC: Yeah. Loud and fast.

SILY: What's the story of the cover art?

JC: It was a still taken from the music video for "Adore, Adore, Adore". During the video, there's a scene where Karla has been abducted and wrapped up in gauze. If you look closely, you may notice the thick eyebrows and mustache: I'm one of the abductors. There's a plastic bowl with water in it her head was being dunked into. The photo was taken from underneath.

SILY: Something not everyone would realize just listening to the album is how much all of you--except for Sam--love horror films and sci-fi.

JC: It was definitely a big inspiration for the videos in particular. It was thematically linked to the "Adore, Adore, Adore" video, but also just a bit creepy and weird.

SILY: Over the past 10 years or so, there's been a resurgence of artful horror films that aren't just genre pieces, that deal with a lot of the same themes on this record. They use an aesthetic to explore themes that might be traditionally explored in different genres. Do you have some favorite contemporary horror films?

JC: I'm definitely a big fan of Hereditary and Midsommar. They were a reference point, slightly thematically, and aesthetically as well. Slightly creepy but not slasher horror. Stuff that's unsettling. Especially with the music. It's not jump scares, just that slight feeling of, "I don't feel right about this."

SILY: Have you ever thought about trying film scoring?

JC: I would absolutely love that. I saw the original Suspiria not that long ago that Goblin did the score to. It's super weird. The film's amazing, but the score is incredible as well. When I saw it, I thought, "I could totally see us doing something like this." It would be a lot of fun.

SILY: I know Letter to Self just came out, but are you the type of band constantly coming up with new songs? Or do you have to sit down and dedicate time to it?

JC: There's constantly new stuff knocking around. There are already demos for what could be album 2. Even from [Letter to Self], there are plenty of demos that couldn't make it in the end. You do eventually need to find time to sit down all together and work on stuff. It's increasingly difficult as we're on the road so much, but we need to block in weeks throughout the year so we have time to do it.

SILY: Is there anything you've been listening to, watching, or reading lately that's caught your attention?

JC: I just finished Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood. The last book I read was Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu, which came out 20-30 years before Dracula. It's similar, with vampires, but there's a lesbian love element to it. It's really good, only 150 pages. A lot of people reckon Bram Stoker stole a lot of his ideas for Dracula from it. There's a lot of what we now think of as vampire lore in it from what we [attribute to] Bram Stoker. There's a castle in vague Eastern Europe [in Carmilla], so he definitely lifted some ideas from it.

I went to see Spy Kids in the cinema last week. That was a lot of fun. I don't know why they were showing it, but it was a favorite of mine as a kid. I'm going to see Poor Things tomorrow.

[cosmictulips]

So Books? Yea that's right. I read. lol

Anyway @tsundoku-reads asked me about what kind of books I read, ones that I enjoy... and just books! and honestly, I am very glad you asked because, I do love to read. one of my close friends comes to me a lot for reading advice because I have a very extensive book collection that is ever growing and changing lol.

so this will be quite long! so here's a warning for that! to keep this witch related and astrology related I'll start with those and then go from there. also! feel free to add me on goodreads. I've been reading more witch related books lately.

MOST OF THIS IS SUITED FOR BEGINNERS!

so lets begin.

Witch & Astrology books

Astrology :: using the wisdom of the stars in your everyday life :: Carole Taylor.

Llewellyns Complete Book of Astrology

The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need :: Joana Woolfolk

I started with the Last one here and sure enough. that's the only book I ever needed. I think last year and some years ago I bought the other two because I wanted to see what else is out there.

I'm highly skeptical of most witch books and astrology books. I'm not going to lie to you guys. so I found these three to be the only ones I ever actually needed. especially the last one. I bought it when i was like fourteen and i devoured it and that's literally how I learned how to read charts.

Anything by Shawn Robins

Anything by Scott Cunningham

the Modern Guide to Witchcraft :: Skye Alexander

The Modern Witchcraft Book of Tarot :: Skye Alexander

A Little Bit of Runes :: Cassandra Eason

A Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs :: Judy Nock

Mountain Conjure & Southern root Work :: Foxwood

The Green witch ... :: Arin Murphy- Hiscock

so I read Scott Cunninghams stuff when I was first getting into magic and witchcraft. as most of us do, we start off in Wicca. to me, like I said I'm highly skeptical, while I did like some things in his works, and I do refer to his work sometimes, I found myself going deeper into magic lol. these books I can attest to because they help me develop my craft, figure out whats good for me, what isn't, etc.

I also just like to learn. so a lot of this I don't use in my craft anymore, but I like having the knowledge as I go along my craft. I feel like I have to state I'm literally studying Cultural Anthroplogy in College and I focus heavily on different "witchcrafts" among other things. but yea, if you're looking for beginner books in magic and stuff, these helped me get through the door, and I still even use the Tarot Book.

I also personally know Shawn Robins and trust her with a lot of info.

If you want something more serious in terms of magic and stuff, I did just read uh

the Book of Enoch

The Devils Dozen thirteen craft rites :: Gemma Gary

Neither of really given me what i'm looking for. to be quite frank I don't think any book is going to give me what I am looking for. they are just things to help build my knowledge and my ever growing hunger for it.

so for the more fun books click below. otherwise, let me know your book recs! I am always looking out for good witchy books and i have a lot lined up to read this year.

5 books I think everyone should read in their life time in no order

The Book Thief :: Markus Zusak

The Great Gatsby :: F. Scott Fitzgerald

A Brief History of Time :: Stephen Hawking

A Little Princess // Anne of Green Gables // Little Women (all by different authors I know lol )

A Monster Calls :: Patrick Ness

Yea... I don't know if this gives a good insight to what I like to read. it's funny that not a single poetry book is listed on here.

I think the most controversial thing on here is probably the great gatsby. Maybe it's all that venus energy that both Scott and I give off and have but I feel everything that man writes.

number four has a three way tie because when I was little, these would be the books I read. there were a few others like Nancy Drew and Pippi Longstrockings but these were the three that really carried over with me into adulthood. I always felt so connected to the characters of each of those stories and everyone I think can. they gave me friends when I had none and made me feel normal. and even now when I read them as an adult, I do still feel connected to these books.

the last one on this list I'll talk about is Stephen Hawkings books. they are incredibly easy to understand and I never felt so connected to the cosmos as I did reading his books. and... yea. if you want to get into astronomy or understand the universe a bit better, read this.

Some other great books I think you should read in no particular order::

the Chronicles of Narnia. C.S. Lewis. :: Everyones always like Harry Potter! or Lord of the Rings! but NARNIA! Lewis was best friends with Tolkien. love them both dang it!

Literally every fairytale. I just re-read Peter Pan and even reading the biography of Barrie, the whole reason why the story exists is amazing.

The Lumberjanes! by Kitten Holy it's a fun graphic novel.

Over the Garden wall! :: Fun show and good comic

... I could probably list more but I'm going off the top of my head right now and like I don't have my whole library with me lmao. so yea, those are my top suggests for things. and if you want more book recs, let me know. or just follow me on good reads lol.

[cyrillean]

Here's a sasara playlist i spent too long putting together!

tracklist under the read more

arrow by half•alive (i know that i can't run forever / but i can't stand still for too long / this heart is afraid to beat slowly)

this city by patrick stump (from every corner / to every block / whether it’s warm or storming or downright stupid hot, hot)

a mask of my own face by lemon demon (i'd rob my own apartment and i wouldn't give a damn / i'd blame it on the person that nobody knows i am)

kidoairaku by task (i want to be able to have serious conversations / if i could, i'd want to always be smiling)

thinkin bout you by frank ocean (got a beach house i could sell you in idaho since you think i don't love you, i just though you were cute)

wires by the neighborhood (he tells me to be raw / admits to every little flaw / that never let him sit upon the top)

charles by balloon (it was you who said goodbye / even with tears running down your face / if you're going to erase yesterday like this, that's enough / laugh it off)

miss missing you by fall out boy (i will sing to you every day / if it will take away the pain / and i've heard you got it, got it so bad / cause i am the best you'll never have)

hard times by paramore (walking around with my little rain cloud / hanging over my head and it ain't coming down / where do I go? gimme some sort of sign / you hit me with lightning, maybe I'll come alive)

it gets better by fun. (it's hard to stay inside my head when words keep pouring out / like starlight crashing through the room, we'll lose our feathers / yes i know it hurts at first but it gets better)

so what by the mowgli's (anything you say a million times is gonna sound insane / maybe it's a waste / maybe everything is these days)

street fight by smallpools (hit the ground, nobody to hold / i'll lift you up again / lost and found on the side of the road / i'll bring you back again)

do it all the time by i don't know how but they found me (we're taking over the world / a little victimless crime)

glory and gore by lorde (tired little laughs, gold-lie promises / we'll always win at this, i don't ever think about death)

ghost city tokyo by ayase (it's alright / someday it'll be alright / god knows how many times i've told myself / but even now, i fade into the tokyo night alone / almost like a ghost)

some nights by fun. (and some nights i'm scared you'll forget me again / some night i always win / but i still wake up / i still see your ghost / oh lord, i'm still not sure what i stand for)

all i want by walk the moon (the river of cars keeps flowing / all i can see is what's in front of me / this isn't where i thought i was going / this isn't who i thought i would be)

omen by mother mother (something about the world today / makes a boy feel a little insane)

what's good by tyler the creator (i see the light / dracula, dracula, dracula / suck me first, i might get back at you / is that shit clear? check the aperture / hahahahahahaha, i can't laugh at you)

it's alright by mother mother (oh hey / i had a night / i had a day / i did one million stupid things / i said one billion foolish things / i'm not okay)

blinding lights by the weeknd (the city's cold and empty / no one's around to judge me / i can't see clearly when you're gone)

home by vince staples ft richie kohan (i wanna be home free / where's one that was lonely / but i'm ready and waiting / for my day of salvation / and i'm patient)

in my city by ellie goulding (rolling down the streets in my new town / with the lights blinding and my heart weighed down / i think i'll get a job stealing people's thunder)

still feel by half•alive (lost in the in-between / or so it seems / i'm out of control / floating in outer space / have i misplaced a part of my soul? / lost in the in-between but it can't keep me asleep for long cause / i still feel alive)

spotlight (new regrets) by patrick stump (every word's a new regret if you say it right / every wound can be forgotten in the right light / oh nostalgia i don't need you anymore / 'cause the salad days are over and the meat is at my door)

roaring 20s by panic! at the disco (oscars and emmys and grammys / everyone here is a trophy / and i'm sipping bourbon, the future uncertain, the past on the pavement below me)

wilson (expensive mistakes) by fall out boy (there's nothing more cruel than to be loved by everybody but you)

when the party's over by billie eilish (quiet when i'm coming home and i'm on my own / i could lie / say i like it like that / like it like that)

surrender by walk the moon (and for all the pretty mouths and pretty words that turn me up / i just end up at your house)

begin again by purity ring (my moon, oh, my moon / not even into another eternity / would stop your lovely orbiting)

i wish i had a shatterproof heart (i wish i was more confident / so i wouldn't overthink everything i say / it's not / something i can easily find anywhere, / but i'm not giving up anymore)

lost in the wild by walk the moon (now i'm tracking you into the city / under the pressure of traffic lights / i'm chasing the clues you left me / that you might still join me in the wild)

dance apocalyptic by janelle monae (but i really really wanna thank you / for dancing 'till the end / you found a way to break out / you're not afraid to break out / but i need to know / if the world says it's time to go / tell me, will you freak out?)

fifteen minutes by mike krol (see it's times like these with a change of heart / it was over and done with before we had a start)

coward montblanc by deco*27 (which of us was loved by which? / back then, all those years ago / it's all disappearing, fading away / though i know it's still somewhere deep in here)

catabolic seed by the scary jokes (i'm safe / i'm whole / i've got it under control / i'm safe / i'm whole / i've got it under control / and i will protect you / even if you won't protect me too)

are we still friends by tyler the creator (don't get green skin, keep in contact / don't say goodbye, smell you later / no, i can't / i don't wanna end the season on a bad episode)

[hopevalley]

its super bizarre - i feel there has been next to no progress with this love triangle for almost three years. like we still don't know much about these men, why she should go with one or the other and they write them in a very strange fashion. but even elizabeth herself - there has been no talk between her and her friends about how she is processing her grief over her dead husband, when and if she wants to move on, there's alot of assumption and not alot of back up. weird.

I think you sent three messages but I’ll reply to each one separately because I’m lazy and it seems simpler. :P

I agree that the biggest issue with the love triangle is almost in two parts.

We don’t really feel like we know these men let alone why she would like them, but also

The writing is clumsy sometimes and it throws everything off.

Related to #1 you could also say, “Why should either of these men like Elizabeth beyond her good looks?” Like sure, her being good with kids is an admirable trait (from Nathan’s POV, anyway), but it’s not exactly romance-worthy on its own.

I wish there was a little more meaty discussion about “moving on” and the processing of grief. Here are some examples of grief that were addressed in the show:

Cat loved her husband but they’d been having a lot of troubles due to his gambling addiction, and the debt Joe left with her left Cat to care more about how her children felt about him than how she felt. I can’t help but feel that there was a little resentment there.

Florence straight up was still in love with Paul. Like he still left her love notes toward the end of his life and everything. As late as S5 she was still not ready to move past him.

Molly loved Patrick but was trying to live in the present by focusing on Rosaleen (so maybe struggled to process that loss). We never really saw her get over it.

Mary loved her husband and emotionally wasn’t ready to move on from him but felt she needed to take advantage of someone expressing an interest in her because she had a son to worry about and no way to provide for him long-term. We see her fall for Dewitt over time but it’s pretty clear to me that had she been financially sound, she would have never bothered with him from the start (because she wasn’t ready to move on).

Abigail seemed to be grieving for Peter way more than her husband Noah, so it’s possible they weren’t the uh...most in love anymore by the time he died, but they barely knew each other when they got married so there’s that. There are a few episodes that show her processing her grief, particularly for her son. She had nothing left of her family, so the difficulty for her was in leaving the house they had shared to get on with her life, and, much like Mary, not having the luxury of taking her sweet time to decide what to do.

When Dottie’s husband died and Bill expressed his condolences, she said, “Please. We both know my husband was no saint.” I never forgot that line. It’s hard to get a read on her relationship to Silas, but I got a “convenience” vibe from them. (In fact, at one point I thought she was going to hook up with Henry...lol.)

We also got a “moving on” theme with Bill and Nora for quite some time, where we saw that both characters grieved the loss of their son Martin differently (and in fact, were incompatible in this way as their methods of grieving only ended up hurting each other). Nora was very open with her grief; Bill was very closed about it. Even after a couple of years Nora couldn’t seem to finish processing her grief and felt she was alone in her hurt. I think Dottie was a catalyst for Nora being able to move on; she told her that she was not alone and many women in Hope Valley understood the hurt she was feeling very well. She then made a conscious effort to get on with her life and stop wallowing in her grief.

We also saw Clara struggle a little with the memory of Peter, but it was just a glimpse, and I think serves to show the audience that moving on doesn’t necessarily mean forgetting, and it certainly doesn’t mean the love you felt disappears.

I know they had a whole episode dedicated to people grieving Jack, but it didn’t really have the time to get into the heart of it for everyone. We saw bits and pieces of the characters dealing with it. Rosemary was close (childhood!) friends with Jack. Bill was his mentor/viewed Jack as a son and he’s already lost one son. Abigail probably also saw Jack a bit like a son/family member. They all sort of...grieved for Jack and we caught glimpses of that, but never the full resolution. Has everyone processed that grief except for Elizabeth? We have no way of knowing.

I really just want Elizabeth to have a frank discussion with some of her friends. I don’t even care which friend. She could talk to Rosemary, Lee, Bill, Clara, Florence, Molly. Heck, she could write to Abigail and let it be narrated like her journal entries. Sometimes those were a bit heavy-handed but at least we weren’t left to just Assume Everything (which is a disaster in HeartieLand).

What kind of conversation would I want? Just something open and honest. Raw. The girls had that discussion about feeling “cheated” in S5 and that was one of the best lines this show has ever seen. I want Elizabeth to have that conversation with someone. I almost don’t care who it is, but it might be nice if it was someone a bit unexpected (so...not Rosemary or Clara). My vote would be for Bill because I want to see him have a bigger role with Elizabeth and Jack, but also because Jack meant a good deal to him, too, and he might be able to offer an interesting perspective, but Lee or Florence would be incredible, too, and the conversation being so belated would feel more natural (these aren’t people she confides in about deep emotional things, but she bottled it up until it just exploded). 

Plus I feel like those three characters wouldn’t push her the way Clara and Rosemary pushed Elizabeth in the past. Was it #badwriting? Yeah. But they were really pushy about Elizabeth needing to fall in love again/put herself out there. I think Bill, Lee, or Florence would encourage her more from the perspective she needs encouragement from, in my opinion: sometimes moving on takes a long time, sometimes a person needs to process their grief without pressure from other people.

(Plus, I’m kind of tired of seeing Rosemary just fill Abigail’s shoes as the only friend Elizabeth apparently has. I want to see other characters Elizabeth can lean on, too.)

[fvckyouimaprophet]

Hey so you probably know heaps of music since you do these playlists and stuff... Could you do a "sleep" playlist? I love sleep baby sleep by broods? I'm trying to start sleeping without Netflix going so I love having music on. All good if you don't/can't, just figured I'd ask! The playlist you made for me was surprisingly good even though it's not my usual genres and yeah. Thanks! Have an amazing day!!! ❤

Hey! 1) I’m so glad you liked it! I’m generally curious whether the playlists I’ve made have jived with people’s tastes or not. 

And 2) absolutely, I really enjoy making “themed” playlists as well! In any case, I made a playlist that’s five hours long. I guess not a full night’s sleep, but enough that you can set it up a little bit before you’re going to bed and have it play through half the night. There a small handful of instrumental songs, but otherwise I tried to keep it chill. In any case,  here it is.

Under the cut, I’ve listed the songs for those interested.

Sleep Baby Sleep by The Broods

Bison on the Plains by Grandaddy

American Boyfriend by Kevin Abstract

Mermaid by Skott

Fear & Force by Vagabon

Postcard by Troye Sivan

Warrior by Air Traffic Controller

Daydreamer by Adele

Nikes by Frank Ocean

White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes

Space Song by Beach House

Smoke Signals by Phoebe Bridgers

Burned Out by dodie

Sorry I Was Sorry by Adult Mom

You And I - Stripped by PVRIS

Daydreaming by Rosa Pullman

Oblivion by Bastille

The Shape of Water by Alexandre Desplat (from The Shape of Water)

La valse d’Amélie by Yann Tiersen (from Amélie)

TALK ME DOWN by Troye Sivan

Follow My Girl by The Japanese House

Kettering by The Antlers

Comme Des Enfants by Cœur De Pirate

If U Love Me Now (Acoustic) by MUNA

Dawn by Jean-Yves Thibaudet (from Pride and Prejudice)

3 Gymnopédies: No. 1 by Erik Satie

Once Upon a Dream by Lana Del Rey

Closing In by Ruelle

Slack Jaw by Sylvan Esso

Saturday by Phantogram

Rêverie by Claude Debussy

The Sixth Station by Joe Hisaishi (from Spirited Away)

Love Like You by Rebecca Sugar (from Steven Universe)

Slow by Rumer

Call Me Baby by Beach Bunny

Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine

The Great Escape by Patrick Watson

To Build a Home by The Cinematic Orchestra

Ace by Noname

Youth by Daughter

Love Has No Limits by Fleurie

Hide and Seek by imogen Heap

I Need Some Sleep by Eels

Sea of Love by Cat Power

How To Disappear Completely by Radiohead

Matthew by Shortly

Waves (Piano) by chloe moriondo

Seven Words by Weyes Blood

Sunbeam by Flo•res

Jealousy by SASMI

Direct Address (Audiotree Live Version) by Lucy Dacus

Shadowboxing by Julien Baker

Karen Don’t Be Sad by Miley Cyrus

Drone Bomb Me by ANOHNI

Truss Me by Lower Dens

Up We Go by Lights

All Alright by Sigur Rós

Foreground by Grizzly Bear

placeholder by Hand Habits

reverie by isaac gracie

Notion by Tash Sultana

Nothing Arrived (Spotify London) by Villagers

If You Need To, Keep Time On Me by Fleet Foxes

Tears For Affairs by Camera Obscura

Mary by Big Thief

You byKeaton Henson

Waiting Game by BANKS

I Need My Girl by The National

Different Now by Chastity Belt

Half-Light byRostam

Already Gone by Alvvays

feelings are fatal by mxmtoon

Nice and Quiet by Bedouine

How It Gets In by Frightened Rabbit

baglaens by Lowly

I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie

Be Here Now by Gustavo Bertoni

(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano by Sampha

This Woman’s Work by Greg Laswell

Cold Is the Night by The Oh Hellos

Moon River by Henry Mancini

[geek-gem]

Transformers Dark Of The Moon

I've finally seen the movie again after these years. Let me warn you, spoilers and I have a lot to say.

Their is really a lot to say about this movie. But I'm glad I finally got my to do list of watching the first three Bayformers now.

Another thing I'll be honest about I was gonna play the Dark Of The Moon game on PS3 but it requires more MB's to clear out but I decided fuck it I don't care. Especially it's a short game but I'm not doing that shit. I just wanna watch this film especially remembering this is a long film.

But back to the movie. I'll be honest and I'm not critic and my opinion may be invalid because lots of people hate Bayformers. We have a new continuity with the Bumblebee movie which I think is the best decision this franchise has done.

To me this movie while I like the first film from 2007.

After watching this and I'm still having some feelings after being it. But I feel this is my favorite out of the Bayformers saga. This is basically where it should of ended and should of let the Bayformers end with dignity. Or at least until a new director came along like Travis Knight or others.

Especially like I remember a movie guy named Cure4 on DeviantArt but he's gone from that shit. I agree with him and I'm thinking this is the sequel the 2007 film should of had.

I'm pissed and I hate that Age Of Extinction was the follow up to this film. Despite how people feel about this film, my God Bay tried to redeem himself after Revenge Of The Fallen a film that is like some sort of weird parody there the video game tie in's I see as the best version especially the PS3/Xbox 360/PC versions and even the Wii/PS2 versions.

Another thing I wanna reveal when I saw this film for the first time in theaters I actually used this.

I seriously wore that and it worked and it was awesome. It was a experience despite I felt nervous. I was young but what the hell it's gonna be 8 years since the movie was released. Especially the 3D was awesome when I saw it in theaters.

But back to the movie again I'm sorry. I'm not gonna make this a full review I don't wanna waste anyone's time.

When I think about it Sam is a lot better in this film. While I do feel some moments could be worked on. He should of apologized to Bee after he meets him I know Sam's angry. Especially this development of Sam wants to matter. This is much better then what we had in Revenge Of The Fallen.

Carly I honestly find more likable then Mikaela. Seriously I do especially that moment where she literally tells Megatron that he will basically be Sentinel's bitch if he doesn't do anything. She basically treats Sam with a bit more respect and well I like the relationship more then what Sam and Mikaela had.

Lennox and Epps were always great. Especially Epps during the scenes in Chicago. Simmons is seriously entertaining in this and Dutch is a blessing.

Let me just talk about Dylan Gould. This guy he's been on my mind. I made two joke posts him deleted the first one of he's been waiting for that betrayal towards Sam.

Patrick Dempsey honestly and his portrayal of Dylan is a performance that left an impression on me. Because I was actually surprised by his reveal of who he actually was. But seriously this man is a dick and in a way I like him. Despite seeing in the film him talking about making tough choices and him being on the winning side. Yet over the course of the film he starts to take it a bit personal.

While I kept thinking before seeing the film he was enjoying it maybe. But my view on it changed. I just think Patrick Dempsey kind of owns the role.

Yes we should talk about the robots and let me be honest. What I love about this film it's basically the Decepticons strike back. They are basically winning in this film. I love the Chicago invasion scene.

I do feel like the entire Bayformers series yes their should of been more Transformers screen time. Especially the Decepticons in this case. While I feel in Revenge Of The Fallen I can tell Starscream feels like he's a little snarky in some parts. While I know he's kissing up to Megatron to cover his ass. I would of liked some what....I don't know more snarky shit or something Starscream would say or do. Maybe even during his confrontation with Sam he mentioning after the Decepticons win that he would overthrow Megatron and become the winner.

I remember when I was young when I saw this for the first time. For Starscream I had hoped he would betray Megatron yet that would be so much for one film. Because that's Starscream from G1, Animated, and other continuities. At least one last hurrah before he dies.

Especially I remember when I was young I wanted Skids and Mudflap, along with Leo to come back....I was young and I enjoyed Revenge Of The Fallen a lot more okay. Wouldn't mind Leo but their seems to be a bit much but what the hell I wanted Dinobots in this film.(well it's said Skids and Mudflap are shown as cars but they were supposed to die....they did die by Sentinel in the movie comic)

I dig Soundwave in this film. Even Laserbeak these guys are douches but would of liked to seen more Soundwave. Especially I like this little dynamic between Dylan and Soundwave I know that's weird of me to say. Would of liked to seen more.

Shockwave in this film seriously I was hyped for him when I was young and playing the prequel game. I feel it's stupid he's not as important. He should of had more lines and more interactions. I even agree with a comment on YouTube he should of been in the Africa scene.

While he is badass it's stupid how he goes out but give him a better send off and a fight with Optimus Prime. I wanted to see more Shockwave and I think it would of been better if he was voiced by Mark Ryan. Frank Welker didn't do a bad job and he actually had two lines spoken in English.

At least his driller creature is cool. But seriously after all the hype and I want to just put some promotional stuff.

Whatever if this one is official or not. It's just in Shockwave's own words......logical. Or my own words fucking logical.

The reason I'm saying Mark Ryan because of his English accent and I want to be reminded of Corey Burton. Sorry for sounding weird.

Let me say I feel Sentinel Prime is probably the best antagonist actually we've had in a Transformers live action film especially in the Bayformers. Characters like Shatter and Dropkick are great. Even Lockdown was nice. But I liked Sentinel. I'll be honest I was actually surprised when I witnessed his betrayal when I was young. I thought the Decepticons were gonna force him to use the Pillars maybe even Shockwave but what we got was something else.

Also I really liked the scenes with Optimus and Sentinel. I do feel we should of gotten more and had them be longer. Especially I like Optimus in this. I do see their was this father and son or brother like relationship that Bay talked about. But would of liked to seen more.

The other Autobots are alright cool. I do feel the whole Que/Wheeljack thing was just seriously stupid. Especially now before Bumblebee a Wheeljack design that was more accurate. Tragic about the way he died.

Looking back at the film theirs not a lot of Cybertronian scenes but they leave an impact.

Also I really wanna talk about the ending with Optimus, Sentinel, and Megatron. We should of gotten more Megatron I agree.

But the scene where leading up to Optimus killing Sentinel seeing it in action after going through the movie. It is awkward in a way.

Yet I'll be honest Sentinel basically deserved it. In fact of the Decepticons, and Dylan fucking deserved what they got. Because after everything they did their to me was not a way shit would end peacefully or something. Including your hearing this from a Steven Universe fan a show that deals with pacifism and other shit.

I do feel and I've talked about this before but I might delete it now because I'm gonna mention it here. But I feel if the scene went like it was Megatron who kills Sentinel or this dark idea of Sentinel killing himself or even himself dying from wounds. Especially giving Megatron and Optimus more of a fight even with Optimus haven't one arm.

Or hell seriously Bay should of gone with the original that was kept in the novel that Megatron teamed up with Optimus to kill Sentinel and Megatron would stop what he's doing. Also hearing that it would of explored Megatron more. That ending would have his look in The Last Knight make sense that he went to Cybertron after Dark Of The Moon and over time he decided to go back leading the Decepticons. Instead they had to kill him off and the whole Galvatron thing. Even though Megatron got what was coming to him.

Gonna be honest the Starscream death while I like the idea of Sam having the courage to take on Starscream and even killing him. But I do feel Starscream should of died a more I guess epic death.

Especially I weirdly wanted Sam to be all Cade Yeager shooting Decepticons and some how killing them. I mean you Sam jumping on cars and even sliding under them.

Gonna say before seeing the movie I kept thinking Dylan in his fight with Sam should of died a more brutal death. Such as Sam telling him to shut up after the messager comment and beating him to death. But Dylan's death is perfect. Seriously he gets hit in the face with some sort of pole thing and dies by the pillar.

Listen I'm sorry for rambling a lot. This became more of some review or reaction. The action was seriously nice and the special effects, score was always excellent.

Gonna be honest while I wasn't emotional much throughout the movie. Did feel emotional over the, "The fight will be your own" scene and felt a little at the, "No Prisoners Only Trophies" scene....that should of had more weight. I'll be honest when I was young I was expecting Sam for some reason come out of hiding yelling no in slow motion, surprising everyone then the Decepticon drop ship gets hijacked.

Gonna say did enjoy Wheelie and Brains I like them. Glad they we're still around in later films.

I think I've talked too much. Basically I think this is the best Bayformers sequel, this is what we should got gotten as a sequel to the 2007 film. It's better then Revenge Of The Fallen, Age Of Extinction, and The Last Knight.

My only weird complaint that isn't towards the movie.....Dinobots could of been in this some how.....during the battle of Chicago. We should of gotten Dinobots vs the Driller. Grimlock voiced by Vin Diesel or whatever I've had that weird casting idea I think for years. Or even Devastator in this because it's a huge open battle with so many opportunities. While I understand Michael Bay didn't wanna go larger like he did with Revenge Of The Fallen. I'm just disappointed that the next film we got after this was Age Of Extinction.

Tags dealt with sorry that got wrong, their was a lot to talk about. Glad I could talk about this and again I finished my to do list of rewatching the original trilogy. Bring on the new cinematic universe in the Knightverse that started out with Travis Knight's Bumblebee I'm ready for more excellent films.

[subin1009-blog]

To the seven: Which minor god would you swap for a major god?

Hazel: Come on, Hecate should so be a major God!!

Frank: She's very passionate about this subject

Hazel: She literally has magic, is that not much cooler than starting wars?

Mars/Ares: Hey!

Hazel: or wine?

Bacchus/Dionysus: That's fair

Hazel: See!

Frank: But who would you swap?

Hazel: Ceres because she always tries to give me cereal

Ceres/Demeter: It's good for you

Hazel: I already eat Cheerios

Frank: Okay, calm down

Hazel: I AM CALM

Leo: Yeah, Frank, she is calm jeez

Frank: Zip it, Valdez

Leo: Just sayin'

Percy: Hazel can get angry?

Piper: Did not expect that

Leo: Anyway moving on. I think Iris should switch places with Little Miss Sunshine aka Apollo

Apollo: Dude, I'm way cooler than Rainbow girl

Iris: Uh-uh, I have better cupcakes

Apollo: Gurl, I'm a poet

Iris: You couldn't make a decent poem if you had a rhyming dictionary in front of you

Artemis: Ooooooooh

Apollo: You can't have a rainbow without sunshine

Iris: And...

Apollo: You'd be useless without me

Iris: Helios was the better sun god

Apollo: Not true, I'm way cooler than that douche

Iris: You keep telling yourself that

Apollo: See what you caused?!

Leo: #noregrets Helios was better

Apollo: Fine, your summer is gonna be crap from now on

Percy: The weather is always good at CHB

Apollo: And who do you think helps maintain that?

Percy: Hello, son of Poseidon. Rain is water and water is my turf

Apollo: *grumbling* I preferred Greece

Percy: *stick tongue out* I think Hestia should be a major God again and swap with Dionysus who caN'T EVEN LEARN PEOPLE'S NAMES

Dionysus: I know your name, it's Peter

Percy: See what I mean?

Dionysus: Patrick? Piers?

Percy: It's Percy, P-E-C- forget it I can't spell, it's Percy!!

Dionysus: That's what I said, Pierce

Annabeth: He's just messing with you, Seaweed Brain

Dionysus: See, Annabelle gets it

Annabeth: Don't push it. I think Nemesis should be more important, someone has to keep the balance - way more important than Hera

Hera: How dare you, my job is much more important!!

Annabeth: Oh, go back to you cows

Hera: Don't make me throw their waste at you again!!

Annabeth: Try it, see what happens

Jason: Okay, as much as I'd enjoy to see Hera get her ass kicked we need to calm it

Hera: She started it

Jason: I find that hard to believe with your reputation

Hera: What's that supposed to mean?

Jason: Nothing nothing

Jupiter/Zeus: Jason

Jason: What, I've not said anything

Jupiter/Zeus: Just make sure you don't

Jason: Fine, whatever. I think Fortuna and Mercury should swap. I mean good luck vs a mailman - it's a no-brainer

Mercury/Hermes: That's not my only job

Jason: Oh, yeah! I forgot the thief bit, Lord knows we need more thieves

Mercury/Hermes: Your next birthday presents may just get lost in the mail

Piper: I've never really thought about it. I suppose Harmonia because we all need a little Harmony. And I think she should replace Ares because who needs wars?

Mars/Ares: Wars aren't always a bad thing punk

Piper: How is war not bad

Athena: Without war think of all the dictators who would have power

Piper: I suppose

Frank: I think she means all the people who die...

Piper: Yeah...

Annabeth: Frank, you haven't answered

Frank: Hmm

Piper: Oh yeah

Frank: Well, I think everyone likes to sleep so I think Hypnos should have a higher status

Hypnos: *yawns* did someone say my name?

Frank: Yeah, I think you should be a major God

Hypnos: Too much work, I'd rather sleep

Frank: Meh, I still think you should be. I'd swap you with Hera tbh because everyone says she's mean

Hera: It was Annabeth wasn't it? I knew she talked about me behind my back

Annabeth: Oh yeah, that's right blame me straight away

Hera: It's an educated guess

Annabeth: Educated, you?

Percy: Okay okay, don't start another war

Hera: It was her

Percy: We were literally here whilst it happened, it was you

Hera: N-

Percy: Not bothered, just leave it

Annabeth: *sticks tongue out*