#faire a Chiang Mai

[vasyandii]

KruegerNak FIC- PLUMERIA

Synopsis: Nak tries a cigarette, talks before a mission.

Warnings: Mentioning of Drugs, Smoking, Violence, Murder

Word Count: 1,000+

Type: Casual, dialogue heavy

Characters: Sebastian Krueger, Phayvanh "Nak" Sotsvahn

Creator Notes: This is actually the most I've ever written in my life xD have fun

Sop Ruak; Chiang Saen, Thailand. It’s the heart of The Golden Triangle; Laos was just across from where they stood. Nausea rarely gripped her, but being here was too close for comfort. The Mekong River was the only thing separating her from what she had two years ago.

It felt familiar, almost nostalgic—if she could even call it that.

She's never been fond of Counter Narcotics Operations; interdictions specifically. Nikolai proposed that Phayvanh's first hand experience with this area would be useful during their time in the East. The setup, at least for larger trafficking operations, was always the same; outdoor labs, “product” stored in barrels or polypropylene woven sacks.

Maybe her feelings are more akin to regret.

“Light.” Sebastian requests, leaning against the guard rails overlooking the Mekong, an unlit tip of a cigarette dangling from his lips. That snapped her out of her introspection.

She pats her pockets, nothing. Fuck, was it like her to be so forgetful?

“Don't got one.”

“Right.” He murmurs, retrieving his own to light for himself.

“Why even ask?” Phayvanh squints, scowling.

A smirk plays across his lips, tendrils of smoke spiraling from them, “I like it when you light them for me.”

That son of a bitch.

“Drop dead.” She mutters, not wanting to look at him after his ridiculous confession.

That got a chuckle out of Sebastian before a silence settled in. It felt uncomfortable, something she’s not used to feeling with him. Maybe it's just her.

It wasn't like she could ignore and forget where she was even for a moment– the humidity in the air, the smell of leaves that were too sickeningly sweet– it's all overwhelming. Not to mention that damn sight in front of them. Maybe that's why he smokes? It Feels like she could break out in hives or have her hair turn gray.

“May I?” She holds out her hand.

Sebastian gives her a skeptical look, cigarette perched comfortably between his fingers. “Thought you didn't do shit like this.”

“You're going to die sooner because of it, might as well catch up.” Phayvanh utters, waving a dismissive hand.

“Fair.” He hands her what remains of his cigarette.

Her fingers awkwardly held it up; more familiar with handing them out than holding one. Phayvanh tentatively brought the borrowed cigarette to her lips. As she inhaled, a harsh burn seared her throat, and a sudden fit of coughing overtook her. The acrid taste lingered, catching her off guard.

“You're supposed to inhale, you know.” Sebastian watches with amusement.

She couldn't help but shoot him an exasperated glare between coughs; a miserable attempt of recovery as the acrid sting from the back of her throat shoots back out.

“So much for trying to catch up with me, huh, Schatzi?” He teased, retrieving what remained from the cigarette , Sebastian expertly drew another lungful before tossing it somewhere on the ground.

"So much for that" She grumbles, finally being able to speak properly.

Krueger smirks, nudging her shoulder with his.

“Want to try that again?” He goads, giving the end of her ponytail a light tug.

Phayvanh swats his hand away “Not really. I thought it'd have more..you know.”

"Tastes like shit and kills you slowly, Phay." He shrugs. "It doesn't offer much in the realm of comfort or relief.”

"I want it to." She sighs, overlooking the Mekong."I feel like I'm back to where I started again.”

A silence settles between them, only the hum of insects and faint splashing of water. "This place isn't Laos," Sebastian says finally after what felt like an eternity.

"But that place is." Phayvanh's eyes direct him to look the strip of land across the river. “And we have to go back there.”

Sebastian follows her gaze. "Are you up for it?" He doesn’t add anything, just leaves the question to hang there in the space between them

The words seem to not want to come out. Phayvanh makes a vague gesture with her hands, hoping he gets what she's trying to say.

"Wow, you should become a spokesperson. Really got me raring to go." he says with a dry grin.

“Don’t be a dick.” She complains, wanting to sulk a little longer.

"Too late for that," Sebastian retorts,the smirk on his face tightens; he gazes at Phayvanh as if he's challenging her to toss another insult.

“I don’t know where I stand in this anymore,” she vents out.

“Bullshit.” Krueger cuts through any potential excuse or argument Nak could throw up against him. “Right now is not the time for a fucking existential crisis."

His curt tone stings worse than when she had taken a puff from earlier -

“What if he's there?” She gives him an incredulous expression- just what right does he have giving life lectures?

Sebastian's gaze sharpens. He doesn't need to ask who she is referring to - he knows.

The snake of the Laotian underworld, mingled with blood and fear.

“He’d kill me.”

“Not if I’m there.” Sebastian chuckles

"He’d kill you first."

"Then we kill him," he replies, as if they were discussing the weather instead of plotting murder.

“..What?” She takes a step back.

Phayvanh had to do a double take at Sebastian's words. Kill him? She was lucky enough Kapano didn't send anyone after her the first time she tried.

"We kill Vang." he repeated,

"No." She lets out a small laugh of disbelief, it eased her more than she liked to admit "Is the heat getting to your head? There's no guarantee we'll even run into him.”

"No guarantee, no," Sebastian concedes with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders. He then leans in to look at her directly.

"But you and I both know this world isn't kind enough for sweet coincidences." His voice lowered into a whisper "This is your chance Nak-- One bullet- just one can send him straight back to the sty he slithered out from”

"What, so we go out of our way to find him? I can't do that Sebastian." Phayvanh reasoned, crossing her arms.

"That bastard has had a chokehold on your neck since you were old enough to walk,” Sebastian retorts, he knows he's not wrong “It's deserved.”

She wasn't stupid. Naga would cut off the hand she used to stab him with. Then he would use it to do the same thing she did to him years ago; he'd get away with it as well.

“It's not about that, I could lose my job. Isn't this against protocol?" She reminds “He's not a target.”

"No one's going to care if that bastard drops dead, Phay." He urged her

It was clear she considered it for a second.

"I'll take care of it- You just have to be there with me. Like always.”

“You wouldn't.”

"You underestimate me." Sebastian scoffs. "I’d have his head put on a tray for you, Phayvanh.”

[northstarco]

˚.  ﹙ 㶌 ﹚ ☆  NIKO's FACTS !

001 ⭑ ͙ niko was born on may 8 1996 in brisbane, queensland, australia as an only child to a naval officer father and a musical instructor mother. due to his father’s occupation, he did not see him much growing up, technically only raised by his mother.

002 ⭑ ͙ as a child, he lived in a two-bedroom apartment with his parents, though his father wasn’t around much for that one. though he did grow up in australia, he considers his mothers hometown of chiang mai to be his second home.

003 ⭑ ͙ his name, nikolas ( meaning “people of victory” ) was given to him by his paternal grandmother, though he has since denounced this part of his past. while he does like his name, he does not like his father’s parents. on the other hand, his thai name kiet ( meaning “honor” ) was given to him by his paternal grandfather, naming him after his great grandfather.

004 ⭑ ͙ he does not have much extended family he actually likes seeing besides his mother’s father and a few godparents. he actively avoids his father’s side of the family.

005 ⭑ ͙ his parents divorced in 2006 when he was ten years old in light of a few personal issues. as the years have gone by he’s ceased communication with his father, he moved out of australia in 2008.

006 ⭑ ͙ niko’s musical interest stemmed from the musical interests of his mother, who he basically credits for getting him into the idol industry in the first place. considering his mother is basically a musical prodigy he doesn’t think he’ll ever measure up to her level of talent, however, courtesy of her endless knowledge, he’s learned how to play several instruments; the guitar, piano, and the violin (though he hates that one).

007 ⭑ ͙ niko is very nearsighted and has been for a good sixteen years. he’s been wearing glasses for fourteen years, he currently owns three pairs just in case, he has a horrible track record of breaking things. it’s also so obvious because he’s always squinting in 127 content.

008 ⭑ ͙ niko was scouted by sm entertainment in late 2011 on a trip but he was so convinced the scouting was a scam that he didn’t reply until the following year. he was completely clueless concerning the world of kpop at the time.

009 ⭑ ͙ according to his groupmates, niko picked up korean very quickly, becoming semi-fluent in less than a year. of course it took him a while to comfortably speak it around people, but he was easily able to write and somewhat communicate throughout his trainee days.

010 ⭑ ͙ niko graduated from hanyang university with a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics. he has always had an interest in both science and astronomy, which he decided to combine for his studies.

011 ⭑ ͙ niko, despite many preconceived notions, absolutely hates coffee. every time he drinks it he has that terrible anxious feeling that heightens for the rest of the day that just remains for the rest of the day and renders him pretty much sick, not even hyperactivity, it’s always bitter, and it practically makes him want to die in most circumstances (that’s dramatic, he’s always been dramatic).

012 ⭑ ͙ niko has his fair share of lyrical credits, post-regular irregular he’s had consistent credits on 127 songs, he only has two producing credits which are on the we are superhuman and walk albums.

013 ⭑ ͙ niko has two half siblings, courtesy of his dad’s second marriage, aria ( 2009 ) & theo ( 2012 ), despite the fact that he actively avoids his father at all costs, he makes sure to spend time with them whenever he can. considering the age differences, they’re basically his kids at this point.

014 ⭑ ͙ niko has a bombay cat named susi who he adopted in 2014. she’s his pride and joy, she’s so prominent to him in fact that all of his social media is just her. he’s never been a pet guy, not even that much of a cat guy, but he’ll curse any tongue that rises against her.

015 ⭑ ͙ he’s always had a pretty good memory and is often referred to as the groups memory bank because he remembers everything they do, events, dates, specific time stamps, etc. he’s the member to go to for help whenever you want to remind someone of an embarrassing moment, he remembers everything.

016 ⭑ ͙ niko has his drivers license, however, he’s not that on par with driving. his only ever exception is whenever jungwoo asks because he is afraid of being in a car with the other behind the wheel.

017 ⭑ ͙ niko is just a little obsessed with beanies and decorated hats. he owns a lot of them, several colors which clash against his typically not so colored clothing, he isn’t exactly sure why he’s so obsessed with them, but he feels it’s apart of his brand now. he originally only did wear them because he didn’t enjoy styling his hair, he still doesn’t really, but he’s also the “beanie guy” now..

018 ⭑ ͙ niko also has a bit of a strawberry obsession. why? he cannot tell you. he just likes them, they’re easy to bake with, they’re also nice to bake with. he could probably eat strawberry scones forever.

019 ⭑ ͙ niko is the least active member on social media, especially instagram because he keeps forgetting his password and deletes the app every few months to save up his storage.

020 ⭑ ͙ he’s a huge horror game fanatic, just a huge horror fanatic in general, he enjoys getting terrified. it’s the works of junji ito that inspire his mess of a notebook, among his favorite horror games are resident evil, parasite eve, until dawn, and eternal darkness.

021 ⭑ ͙ niko’s favorite artists are rina sawayama, anri, kendrick lamar, f(x), sza, 2pm, frank ocean, and lauryn hill.

022 ⭑ ͙ he’s actually a pretty good cook, however, he enjoys baking much more because he has a strange sweet tooth. he doesn’t mind cooking for his other members, but he prefers having people cook for him.

023 ⭑ ͙ he’s one of the members netizens usually dislike because he has a stupidly impulsive mouth and forgets to filter himself on most occasions. it isn’t as if he causes consistent problems, he just sometimes forgets about the whole ‘watch what you say’ thing.

024 ⭑ ͙ he sometimes collects japanese baseball cards despite having little care for the sport. he has a couple of rare ones that probably sell for millions, but he likes keeping them in a binder to admire.

025 ⭑ ͙ despite the fact that he never sleeps, he is a consistent early riser, always up pre-7am busying himself with something. usually it’s journaling or just rewatching the same thing over and over again.

026 ⭑ ͙ his handwriting often flip flops, sometimes it’s really neat or it can be sloppy beyond recognition. it is very inconsistent, johnny calls it “completely bipolar”.

027 ⭑ ͙ niko has two very specific journals he’s owned for about five years, one is for writing, poetry, and somewhat personal entries whilst the other is completely dedicated to sketches. he never erases anything or rips out any of the pages, he looks back on his mistakes to do much better.

028 ⭑ ͙ he has basically become an honorable member of the suh family, whilst he and johnny do consistently butt heads, he’s adored by his mother and has been invited for chuseok every year post–2015.

029 ⭑ ͙ his recently newly instated hobby is scrapbooking, he simply enjoys preserving memories physically because having his memories constantly circulate is boring. he currently owns only one scrapbook, but once he farms enough embarrassing photos of each member he’ll have plenty.

030 ⭑ ͙ niko rarely dyes his hair and basically acts in the manner of a fussing child if you even attempt to get a color other than black near his hair. he went literally seven years without dyeing his hair once until 2023 when he went blonde for the first time, and subsequently 2024 when the blonde returned.

[queereads-bracket]

Queer Adult SFF Books Bracket: Preliminary Round

Book summaries and submitted endorsements below:

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon

A millennial turned magical girl must combat climate change and credit card debt in this delightful, witty, and wildly imaginative ode to magical girl manga.

Twenty-nine, depressed, and drowning in credit card debt after losing her job during the pandemic, a millennial woman decides to end her troubles by jumping off Seoul’s Mapo Bridge.

But her suicide attempt is interrupted by a girl dressed all in white—her guardian angel. Ah Roa is a clairvoyant magical girl on a mission to find the greatest magical girl of all time. And our protagonist just may be that special someone.

But the young woman’s initial excitement turns to frustration when she learns being a magical girl in real life is much different than how it’s portrayed in stories. It isn’t just destiny—it’s work. Magical girls go to job fairs, join trade unions, attend classes. And for this magical girl there are no special powers and no great perks, and despite being magical, she still battles with low self-esteem. Her magic wand . . . is a credit card—which she must use to defeat a terrifying threat that isn’t a monster or an intergalactic war. It’s global climate change. Because magical girls need to think about sustainability, too.

Park Seolyeon reimagines classic fantasy tropes in a novel that explores real-world challenges that are both deeply personal and universal: the search for meaning and the desire to do good in a world that feels like it’s ending. A fun, fast-paced, and enchanting narrative that sparkles thanks to award-nominated translator Anton Hur, A Magical Girl Retires reminds us that we are all magical girls—that fighting evil by moonlight and winning love by daylight can be anyone's game.

Fantasy, contemporary, climate fiction, novella, adult

In Universes by Emet North

Endorsement from submitter: "Mind bending alternative universe novel that plays with the concept of identity and decisions. Deeply queer both in representations of sexuality and gender, but also in the sense of queering identity across alternate universes."

Raffi works in an observational cosmology lab, searching for dark matter and trying to hide how little they understand their own research. Every chance they get, they escape to see Britt, a queer sculptor who fascinates them for reasons they also don’t—or won’t—understand. As Raffi’s carefully constructed life begins to collapse, they become increasingly fixated on the multiverse and the idea that somewhere, there might be a universe where they mean as much to Britt as she does to them…and just like that, Raffi and Britt are thirteen years old, best friends and maybe something more.

In Universes is a mind-bending tour across parallel worlds, each an answer to the question of what life would be like if events had played out just a little differently. The universes grow increasingly strange: women fracture into hordes of animals, alien-infested bears prowl apocalyptic landscapes. But across them all, Raffi—alongside their sometimes-friends, sometimes-lovers Britt, Kay, and Graham—reaches for a life that feels authentically their own.

Blending realism with science fiction, In Universes explores the thirst for genius, the fluidity of gender and identity, and the pull of the past against the desire to lead a meaningful life. Part Ted Chiang, part Carmen Maria Machado, part Everything Everywhere All At Once, In Universes insists on the transgressive power of hope even in the darkest of times.

Science fiction, alternate universes, speculative fiction, literary fiction, adult

[thaifanfests]

💧The Religious & Cultural Significance of Water💧

Water plays an important role in Songkran, in that there is a religious significance to water splashing and pouring alongside all the festivities. As mentioned in our What is Songkran? post, the Thai New Year is closely tied with Brahmanism influence and Buddhist practices, so people will make merits at the temple. Making merit is a process in itself that is composed of many factors, but it generally refers to offering donations towards a particular cause and involves “...some sort of force that can lead to positive results in the life of the donor. As you donate, you will expect a benefit in various forms, especially improved karma. That is, merit making can influence the next lives of an individual as well as the destination where such a person will be reborn.” Thus, making merit is a part of Songkran, in which it becomes an opportunity to “practice [merit making] by giving to the monks support of a more material kind, especially food…” or listening to sermons (Merit: Buddhist Concepts).

Visiting the temple during Songkran also consists of ��รงน้ำพระ, or song nam phra, which is the ritual bathing and cleansing of the Buddha statue with nam ob. While the ritual can be done at the temple, many people bathe Buddha statues in public places and in their homes as well. Doing so is symbolic of purifying oneself for the New Year (Thai Embassy).

Being it is a time for celebrating with family, Songkran also means paying respects to older family members or elders in one’s life. This is done through the water pouring ritual, รดน้ำดำหัว, or rod nam dam hua; a younger family member will pour scented water on elderly family members’ hands to pay respect and receive their blessings (Thai Embassy). The following video shows a more detailed walk through of preparing the nam ob and the members exchanging blessings:

The water pouring ritual is also done to other older people who may not be related, such as mentors or coworkers.

Beyond religious significance, Songkran is famous for its massive water fights; water splashing is done to signify good fortune in the New Year. Friends and families take up water guns, buckets, bowls, and anything else that can be used to drench someone else. Public water fights take place all across Thailand, and the vlogs in our previous post show just how many people take part in them. It is safe to say that everyone is fair game once the water fights begin, but if you want further visuals, you can check out Golf Pichaya’s vlog below:

Golf and his brother, Mike Angelo, spend Songkran 2019 together with water fights, masks, and dancing. The vlog has footage of large crowds, in which almost everyone is equipped with a water gun before the brothers go back to their room and have a water balloon fight.

We also recommend listening to BRO WHAT NOW?!, a podcast by Mikael and Mathias Lao as they reflect on their teen years and celebrating Songkran in Chiang Mai. They reminisce getting into trouble with drunk festival goers, playing with machine water guns, pacing themselves over the three days, and other fond memories.

🌸 What's SongkranFest2024? 🌸 Guidelines 🌸 Prompts 🌸 Discord & Carrd 🌸

[thatgirl4815]

I'm actually pretty pleased with how this ep played out - I don't have an issue with Ray's behaviour pre-party - he obviously misses Sand and though yeah it's not fun for Sand, at this point I don't think Ray's deliberately trying to have his cake and eat it because he still hasn't really processed how much he likes Sand, he just knows he's 'so damn happy' when he's with him (oh Ray, doesn't that tell you anything??). Besides, Sand still hasn't explicitly made his feelings clear, yet the second Ray picks up on Sand's pain, he addresses it - he is visibly upset by it. Then when (thanks to a mixture of drugs and alcohol and the at least subconscious knowledge that Mew is just using him) he does cross the line and act like a certified shit, Sand is having none of it. But, just like the end of ep 6, Sand is still able to put aside his hurt and try and help him evade the police because at the end of the day, he's a compassionate person, he cares for Ray, and he knows Ray is damaged and prison will do nothing but make that damage ten times worse. And yet he doesn't STAY with him, he doesn't soothe his sweaty, coked up brow (it's a very conscious choice to have Top caring for Mew immediately followed by Ray left alone to sleep it off) - Sand takes action to try and protect Ray from an external threat, BUT HE STLL LEAVES AFTERWARDS. He might 'yield' more to Ray than anyone else, but imo it hasn't come at the cost of his dignity or his integrity.

And so I think I've found a way for this to play out that I'm cautiously optimistic about! I think between them, this ep and next ep will put the Mew thing to bed - ep 9 will be them dealing with that elephant/the Halloween shitstorm, talking about their feelings, and making a go of it. We'll get five mins of happiness, incl. playing music to little kiddies (that scene cracked me up: 'Sand, tHInK oF tHe oRPhAnS!') before the next obstacle, which will be Ray finding out whatever his dad asked of Sand, which will feel like a massive betrayal and cause the trailer fight. If that's the case, then that fight is actually just a stepping stone to the real Final Boss, which is Ray's mental health/addiction and that's what will occupy the last few eps - via the fight and the aftermath, Ray will eventually realise that whatever Sand did, he did out of care and concern which will help Ray admit he has a problem and needs help which will lead to rehab/therapy, making reparations with Sand, and sober camping in Chiang Mai THE END! (I'm taking no questions and accepting no criticisms!)

That’s a great point about the comparison between Top caring for Mew while Ray is left alone in the end…I’m also pretty pleased with how this episode turned out overall, largely because Sand did not enter his Nick-pathetic-era like I was fearing. He stands up to Ray and gets a few delicious jabs in, yet he still runs after Ray when it really counts. I think the biggest problem now is Ray’s recognition of his feelings for Sand and what that means. Sand even says that it isn’t fair what Ray is doing to him, but I don’t think Ray is fully processing that because, like you said, he’s still contending with his own mixed feelings. All he really knows for certain is how happy he is with Sand. He’s too deep in his feelings for Mew to think much beyond that yet.

Something that stood out to me: Ray comments that he knows Sand loves him. Yeah, Sand has admitted to caring for Ray, but Ray really targets Sand’s emotions in that fight at the party. It’s something I don’t think we’d see if Ray was sober, because I’d argue Ray would struggle to accept that that love is valid. To me, Ray calling out Sand’s feelings just emphasizes how desperate and possessive he is, and just how much he wants it to be true. He can say it flippantly because he hasn’t really processed it yet.

Re: your predictions about things going forward…if that’s how it pans out I will be fully onboard, haha. I’m personally more interested in Ray’s mental health as the obstacle to his relationship with Sand rather than the love triangle, though I do think the love triangle is a nice segue into a much deeper conflict. In a lot of ways, the love triangle veils Ray’s inner struggles and where those stem from. I think Sand is the key to exposing them and putting him on a better path.

Anyways, if this ends with happy Sand and Ray in Chiang Mai, I’ll be over the moon (pun absolutely intended). :)

[rachelbethhines]

60 Years of Doctor Who Anniversary Marathon - C. Baker 1st Review

The Two Doctors - TV Story

I was so disappointed when this was the story that the randomizer chose.

Unlike most fans, I genuinely enjoy Colin Baker's time as the Doctor on tv. I would have gladly watched any other story, yes even The Twin Dilemma or The Mysterious Planet. Heck, I personally think Timelash is loads of fun.

But this....

Not only is The Two Doctors my least favorite C. Baker episode, it is perhaps my most disliked episode of the classic era. And quite possibly in the bottom ten stories out of the show's history.

However, fair is fair. This is what the randomizer picked and I haven't given the story an honest shot since my first viewing of it.

So is it as bad as I remember?

Yes.

It really is that bad.

Granted there are moments in the story that are entertaining, but these are few and far between and don't do enough to save the serial.

The first and foremost problem is that the story suddenly turns the Doctor into a racist!

These are Androgums. They're an enslaved race, born into servitude because they are deemed to be "less intelligent" then more "civilized" races.

The main villain has been experimented on by a mad scientist, used as a sentient lab rat, and has gained genius intellect and knowledge through her forced upon mutations.

She uses her brains to manipulate people, framing the time lords for crimes they, lets be honest, would have committed themselves anyways, and kidnaps the doctor to force him to teach her time travel so that she may free her people and conquer those that had enslaved her.

You would have thought that the Doctor would be at least sympathetic to her motives, if not her methods, but no!

The Doctor constantly repeats through out the story that Androgums are inherently evil. That it's "in their nature" to destroy everything. That they can never become better people no matter what, and constantly dismisses their plight.

Worse, the story goes on to prove this outlook as correct when the Doctor is forced to become an Androgum himself through genetic experimentation and briefly becomes "evil."

Like why the fuck would you write that into your story!?

Did you not stop to think at all that this might not be the best way to write your hero, nor the most appropriate message to put forth in your narrative?

Then again, this is the written by the same man who wrote The Talons of Weng-Chiang because he unironically loved Fu Manchu movies.

I don't place Robert Homes on any kind of pedestal unlike the rest of fandom and bullshit like this story is why.

Oh but there's more offenses to find here.

See, Homes is not only racist, he's also that smug fake leftist that pretends he's better than you because he doesn't eat meat.

His preachy, holier than thou, anti-meat arguments have popped up a couple of times on the show, but here is where it's at it's most overbearing and obnoxious.

See, there are plenty of legitimate reasons to adopt a vegetarian/vegan diet... from religious beliefs, to health and safety concerns in commercial processing, to personal dietary needs... but Homes never makes this argument.

No Homes believes that people who eat meat are no better then murdering cannibals!

Man what I wouldn't pay to see Robert Holmes in a debate with the current writers of the Poison Ivy comics.

But to add injury to insult, Holmes then decides that the Doctor and Peri must become vegans like him at the end of the story.... You know the two characters who are not his creations and have no previously established reasons to adopt his personal belief systems.

Peri has since been retconed into having always been a vegetarian in the expanded universe, and that works okay as there's nothing in previous episodes to contradict it. It also nicely ties into her being revealed as a botanist in the next story.

But the Doctor not only has never held this practice before, the story makes a point to establish that he does enjoy eating meat and has him fishing for fun at the beginning.

So this is essentially the writer forcing his personal beliefs on to the main hero of a long established running series that he himself has only been a part of for a brief amount of time.

Trying to morph a character that isn't yours into just another version of yourself, ignoring anything that came before to do so, is bad writing. Plain and simple.

It's not only disrespectful to the character and their creator, it's also just flat out boring.

If you can't write anyone but yourself and can't present anyone else's view other than your own, then why the fuck are you even writing to begin with?

This a personal pet peeve of mine in professional media, writing characters that aren't yours out of character cause of ego, and I truly think it's a waste of everyone's time.

What else...

Oh the pacing is poor, the direction is flat, and I truly despise the scene where Oscar dies with the passion of a thousand suns!!!

It is the most tone deaf, poorly directed, poorly acted, poorly written scene in the entire story with perhaps the stupidest dialogue in the entirety of the classic era.

I hate it!

At least we can only go up from here.

[pharawee]

I started reading I Feel You Linger in the Air last night and I can confirm that this is the historical BL you've been waiting for.

I'm only three chapters in, but I'm already in love with how the author describes historical Chiang Mai. Most BL novels get straight to the point and only concentrate on its characters which, you know... fair enough... but I love details like that, especially when the setting is historical.

The translation itself is okay - I'd say it's one of the better ones. It even comes with clickable footnotes for terms people might be unfamiliar with. There's editing errors (every line or so the space between two words is missing and that can be mildly frustrating) but the narrative style of the translation more than makes up for it.

++ more Thai BL novels

[burnwater13]

Concept art by Doug Chiang of a Kraft Dragon collapsing on Tatooine, while Sandpeople look on, next to a bantha. Image from The Mandalorian, Season 2, Episode 1, The Marshal. Calendar by DateWorks.

NOTE This story was originally published on August 14, 2023. I'm still on vacation and thought folks might like to read this one again.

Grogu almost missed Cobb Vanth. He was a person, one of the few humans, other than Peli Motto, who had noticed Grogu’s relationship with the Mandalorian right away. Grogu almost missed him, because despite Cobb’s fancy words, he didn’t try to stop the bounty hunter from risking his life when they were helping the Tuskens and the Mos Pelgo town folk with the tiny little problem of a rampaging Krayt dragon. 

After all, how much of the work was the Mandalorian supposed to do? All of it? Sure the Sandpeople and the town folk had come out in numbers to try to solve the problem they both experienced in the worst way, but the Marshal had just let Din walk right into the Krayt dragon’s lair without so much as a ‘Hey, what about the kid?’, passing his lips. 

Nope, he’d been much more concerned about the Mandalorian armor he’d purchased from the Jawas years before. The only way he was going to be able to keep it was if Din Djarin failed to help with the Krayt dragon and that just didn’t seem fair or right to Grogu. Mandalorian armor belonged to Mandalorians. Not Jawas. Never Jawas, really.

Grogu had seen the writing on the inside of the cuirass (don’t ask him how, Grogu knows how to keep a secret) and knew it said, in very fine print, ‘Property of Mandalore. If found, return immediately. Otherwise we’ll come and take it off you and you know that means and it won’t be pleasant.’ Or words to that affect. 

Cobb Vanth bought the armor, put it one and immediately fell subject to the requirements written on it. He did the protect your clan part pretty well (normally on the inside of the vambrace) and the help people in need part really well (on the flight pack), but the returning it to the people who made it at such cost and with so much riding on it (someone’s whole family tree was written on the rest of the cuirass) was something the Marshal had failed at.

So while Cobb Vanth was busy fussing and fretting about how the whole thing was going to go down, Grogu had to sit there and listen to them talk about every plan for attacking the critter. None of those plans included just feeding it. None of them included a method for getting it to move out of the area. Nope. They were all about ending the critter. 

Grogu’s Jedi training told him that there had to be another way, but no one was paying attention to him. If they had, he would have suggested that they just work together to move the town. It wasn’t like Mos Pelgo was huge. It was a handful of buildings and very little in the way of infrastructure. Tatooine was mostly empty, so moving away from a Krayt dragon freeway and nest seemed like a good option to him. 

Or, they could have lured the Krayt out of it’s den and then destroyed the den, nest, whatever. The Krayt would have to find a new place to live. They could have even looked for a better place and set it up and then encouraged the critter to go there. Krayt dragons were native to Tatooine, which was pretty hard to believe, because it takes a critter forever to evolve and Tatooine had once been a very different planet, green and lush with oceans and everything. 

But Grogu supposed that anything was possible with the Force, so that may have been part of the problem that Tatooine had. Maybe some Force adept had been there and made changes that allowed the giant critters to survive in such a hostile environment. He supposed he could have done that as well. Used the Force to compel the critter to leave them all alone. His former masters would have frowned at that, but they weren’t there to scold him or help him solve the problem a different way. 

When Grogu complained to his protector, the Mandalorian had laughed and commented that he seemed to like eating the Krayt dragon meat, so maybe he wasn’t that concerned about it’s fate after all. Grogu had to admit, the critter was tasty and he was a sucker for a good meal. Huh. Maybe he shouldn’t have been day dreaming during the situational ethics course that Master Windu had delivered so many years before. It would probably come in handy while he and the Mandalorian were just trying to get him to safety. Maybe he could ask Cobb Vanth to give him a refresher course. He seemed to understand that topic pretty well for a marshal.

[darklordazalin]

Azalin Reviews: Darklord Tsien Chiang

Domain: I’Cath Domain Formation: 732 BC Power Level:💀💀💀💀⚫ Sources: Domains of Dread (2e), Islands of Terror (2e)

Previously, I wrote about Malus, the boy who hated all of nature because his druid father ignored him. This extreme rebellion continues with Tsien Chiang, a woman ignored by her father and decided she hated all those of the male persuasion just to spite him.

Tsien was the princess of I’Cath and though she was intelligent and beautiful, her father saw no worth in her. Naturally, this resulted in an overlooked child who studied many subjects forbidden to her – war, necromancy, and toxicology. I suppose this was before her obsession with the number four as I am sure she would have chosen a forth course of study.

In Tsien’s land of Kara-tur the character for the number four is the same as it is for death. Four winds bring storms, heat, ice, and dust. Four curses are written upon the scrolls of the gods: pestilence, despair, malice, and ill fortune. Superstitious beliefs entail that one who can unravel the secret of the number four may also learn of the secrets of life and death. Did Tsien ever find out this secret? Well, she certainly tried.

Tsien crafted a tincture made of four deadly poisons that she administered to her father who died in extreme agony. Upon his death, she enchanted her mother and 3 brothers turning them into helpless idiots and Tsien was named the ruler of I’Cath.

Tsien ruled her land with an iron fist. She could have used a bit of a velvet glove approach as well, but I can appreciate the tight grip she had on her people.

Of course, despite how tyrannical and evil one becomes, one always obtains a fair amount of suitors whether they want them or not. Tsien would wait until she obtained four suitors then bade them to fight to the death, promising to wed the survivor. She wed four times through this ceremony of hers, ending the life of her husband and obtaining another when she saw fit. Through these marriages, she bore four daughters.

Three of these daughters inherited their mother’s evil and they were named Scream, Hate, and Spite. The fourth, however, was a pure spirit with a voice loved by the gods and was named Nightingale. I wonder if her mother had named her Malice if she would have turned out differently?

Tsien became one of the most feared and hated rulers in Kara-tur, but there was little to be done about her for, unlike Drakov, she was a military genius and a powerful sorceress. Any attempts at defeating her, she easily repelled. Unable to dethrone her, the surrounding lands offered her gifts in attempt to gain her favor. She was given fruit trees, which she killed all but four and transformed them into malicious, cursed creatures.

Tsien also demanded a tribute of four sacred bells. She transformed these bells, placing her daughter’s spirits within as well of a piece of herself in order to hold their souls’ captive. A rather unique method to make a phylactery though as obvious as the giant, golden dragon skull my tormentors ‘gifted’ me with. Whenever the bells toll, they bring about great evil, except for Nightingale’s bell, of course. Trapped within these bells, Tsien has complete control over her daughters bodies and none of them, daughters nor mother, ever age.

As the daughters received suitors, Tsien put them to the same ritual combat she had placed her own suitors and over time she created a palace made out these suitor’s bones. The carpets of her palace were made of their hair and the walls painted with their blood. The shear amount of suitors it must have taken to create such a place leads me to belief that perhaps all the men of her land were the complete dullards Tsien saw them as, given more kept on attempting to win the hearts' of her daughters.

The three evil sisters delighted in their mother’s cruelty. Nightingale, however, took pity upon those her mother tormented and pleaded with her to stop, but only received her mother’s cruel hand. Each time she was beaten, the gods sent a warning the Tsien, which she ignored.

However, it wasn’t until she had beaten her daughter four times for questioning her four times that the Mists came for her and brought her into the mist surrounded I’Cath.

I’Cath is only inhabited by Tsien and her four daughters, four evil trees, and four cursed bells. She dwells in her Palace of Bones with her three evil daughters and trapped Nightingale’s body within the summit of a high tower with stairs made from the ‘broken promises of men’ and thereby endless.

Though Tsien does not realize where she is and she rules over a land of no one, she is quite formidable. Not only is she a powerful sorceress, but our tormentors have gifted her with the ability to take on the form of a treant. The only way to destroy her is to destroy the bells that contain her and her daughter’s spirits.

[lifeinbottles]

hello, i feel like we have very similar taste and my resolution in 2024 is to read more, so - what are your 5 favorite books read in 2023?

This is a great ask! I had a reading renaissance of my own in the past year and a half, so I feel you, and I hope there’s a book on my list that’s both new to you and something you would enjoy. My top 5 were:

The Space Between Worlds. A dystopian setting. A queer protagonist. Multiversal travel. Easily, easily the best thing I read all year.

This Is How You Lose the Time War. Enemies to lovers. You may have also seen a rec for this by internet user bigolas dickolas.

Quiet by Susan Cain. This one’s nonfiction, about introverts and how we interact with the world. I didn’t agree with everything, but most I did, and some of it I had never quite put into words before.

The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas. My favorite thing about this was how it described a realistic version of our current society, but with the slight twist that a group of women scientists invented time travel a few decades ago. Also there’s a murder. An easy read despite all the layers to it.

Ted Chiang: I finally read both his Stories of Your Life and Exhalation short story collections this year (shoutout to the movie Arrival)… but the story that really, unexpectedly stuck with me was The Lifecycle of Software Objects.

Not ranked: my reread of the locked tomb series. It just wouldn’t be fair.

[une-touille-en-vadrouille]

Petite journée toute simple pour nous remettre de la nuit ... Raccourcie dont nous avons disposé, étant finalement arrivées au fond de nos lits à 3h passé alors que nous étions parties à 15h30 la veillle. Fiou.

On monte donc dans le Songtaew pour Chiang Khan vers 10h (alors qu'on s'est levées à 8h30, on n'était pas bien efficaces haha), au milieu des sacs de riz et des colis (visiblement, les bus ou Songtaew font tout le temps transporteurs, on a vu plein de fois des soutes avec des gros colis et des gars arriver avec tout un tas de cartons à ranger dedans), et on démarre … à 10km/h. Allez, peut être 20! Ça n'avance paaaaaaaaas.

On récupère des gens sur la route, à des arrêts complètement aléatoires (il faut vraiment savoir que ce sont des arrêts de bus !), et ils redescendent à des endroits tout à fait aussi aléatoires en ayant appuyé sur un bouton au niveau du plafond qui fait sonner le klaxon du chauffeur. (Petite pensée pour la dame descendue au milieu de la voie rapide avec son petit garçon de 2-3 ans dans les bras, au milieu de NULLE PART, pas du tout sur un arrêt…). Le klaxon veut parfois aussi dire récupération de cartons, et des gens apparaissent du vide intersidéral pour prendre le riz ou les colis et glisser un petit billet au conducteur. On paiera nos 40B en descendant, heureusement qu'on avait maps pour nous dire où on en était, le chauffeur ne nous a rien dit du tout et ce n'était pas le terminus ! 

On descend vers le Mékong, qui est bien plus large que ce que j'imaginais. Sur l'autre rive, on voit le Laos, des bancs de sable, et une pelleteuse qui fait on ne sait quoi sur les berges. Honnêtement, je m'attendais quand même à plus impressionnant, mais ça reste mignon.

Les bords ne sont pas trop mal aménagés, on en profite pour faire une photo insta, puis on fait une micro sieste à l'ombre.

On mange dans un petit resto, puis on essaye désespérément de trouver l'usine de tisserandes vendue dans le Routard … impossible de mettre la main dessus ! L'adresse n'existe pas sur maps, les marchands ne comprennent pas, c'est un échec :( en faisant nos recherches, on apprend qu'il y a un village d'artisanat pas trop loin, mais comme on doit attraper le bus de 17h on n'aura pas le temps d'y passer, dommage … en échange, on verra un joli temple aux murs peints!

Et on aura des jolies couleurs dans le ciel en rentrant, tout était rose et orange !

La soirée se finit sur une pizza de l'échec, avec une base type mayonnaise sucrée, un massacre, beurk beurk beurk. A noter la prochaine fois que je n'en pourrai plus du riz : attendre de trouver un vrai italien plutôt qu'essayer pizza Hut 🤢

[lashifteuselibre]

Motivation d'un simple Goéland

Jonathan Levingston

Jonathan n'était qu'un simple goéland. La seule chose qu'il le differençiait des autres étaient sa soif de connaissance et sa perseverance. Un jour, il rencontra des Maitre Ascensionnée et il voulut apprendre le voyage par la pensée. Chiang, un grand Maitre lui dit simplement ceux-ci " c'est comme volé. Le principe est le même. Pas besoin de Foi ". Jonathan essaya farouchement pendant des heures, de l'aube jusqu'au soleil. Et un jour, il reussit.

— Ça marche ! disait-il.

— Oui, ça marche, quand on comprend le principe, répondit Chiang. Maintenant, pour la durée dans le passe, futur, cela se travail. Il suffit simplement de cesser de se considere comme un etre de chaire, mais un etre parfait et sans limite oú en faite, on est deja partout dans l'espace et le temps. Le secret disait Chiang, etait d'avoir la conviction absolue qu'on y etait deja.

Nous devons cesser de nous considerer comme un corp de chair enfermé, mais comme un corp parfait et libre. Pour faire le voyage par la pensée, il suffit d'être convaincue qu'on est déjà a destination. Si un petit Goléand peut le faire, alors on peut tous le faire !

[toutelathailande]

Comment la Thaïlande peut-elle faire face au déluge ? La mousson 2024 a suscité de vives inquiétudes, car de nombreuses zones économiques clés ont été touchées par de graves inondations. De nombreuses provinces, notamment Chiang Mai et Chiang Rai, ont vu leurs économies ravagées par des niveaux d'eau élevés pour la première fois depuis des décennies. Voir : Thaïlande : le nettoyage continu à Chiang Mai dévasté par...

[famousinuniverse]

Lanterns in Thailand

In Buddhism, the light of a lantern represents the moving away from darkness into a brighter future. And in northern Thai culture, making lanterns or donating them to the local wat (temple) is a way for Buddhists to make merit.

Chiang Mai is the place to be for Loi Krathong (loy kra-tong). Although the Lantern Festival is celebrated everywhere in Thailand, Chiang Mai will have the best (and most famous) views of thousands of lanterns being released into the sky all at once.

Thailand Festivals

There are many colourful festivals taking place around Thailand throughout the year. Some of these events, such as the Songkran New Year Water Festival, are celebrated nationwide and the dates are fixed in advance. However, for a number of Thai festivals and Buddhist holidays, the exact date varies each year depending on the lunar calendar. These dates aren’t always confirmed until much nearer the time, but we will add updates once known. And for any of you who are missing Thailand, we will also highlight dates of special Thai-themed events taking place around the UK and Ireland. Check out our news and events page for more details.

15 of the most colourful festivals in Thailand

January

New Year’s Day (public holiday): 1 January

Children’s Day: 13 January 2024

Teachers’ Day: 20 January 2024

Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankhampaeng Handicrafts Festival, Chiang Mai: 19-21 January 2024 (to be confirmed)

February

Chiang Mai Flower Festival: 2-4 February 2024

Chinese Lunar New Year: 10 February 2024

Trang Underwater Wedding: usually held mid-February to include Valentine’s Day

Makha Bucha Day (public holiday): 24 February 2024

Chiang Mai Flower Festival

March

National Thai Elephant Day: 13 March

National Muay Thai Day: 17 March

April

Poy Sang Long Festival: held at various locations around north Thailand, particularly in Mae Hong Son (late March/early April).

Chakri Memorial Day (public holiday): 6 April

Songkran Thai New Year Water Festival (public holiday): 13-15 April

Songkran Thai New Year Water Festival

May

Labour Day (public holiday): 1 May

Coronation Day (public holiday): 4 May

Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Bangkok: 10 May 2024

Visakha Bucha Day (public holiday): 22 May 2024

Rocket Festivals, Isaan: date varies, usually held mid/late May.

June

Birthday of HM Queen Suthida (public holiday): 3 June

Phi Ta Khon Ghost Festival, Loei: date for 2024 to be confirmed

July

Asahna Bucha Day (public holiday): 20 July 2024

Khao Phansa: 21 July 2024

Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival: 19-21 July 2024

Birthday of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) (public holiday): 28 July

Phuket Yachting Race Week

Pai Jazz & Blues Festival

A novice monk in Chiang Mai meditates on Asahna Bucha Day

August

HM Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s Birthday (public holiday): 12 August. Also celebrated as Mother’s Day.

Por Tor (Hungry Ghost Festival), Phuket: dates for 2024 to be confirmed

September

Thai National Flag Day: 28 September

October

HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day (public holiday): 13 October

Awk Phansa 17 October 2024

Vegetarian Festival: Phuket Vegetarian Festival dates for 2024 to be confirmed

Chulalongkorn Day (public holiday): 23 October

November

Pattaya International Fireworks Festival: dates for 2024 to be confirmed

Loy Krathong: dates for 2024 to be confirmed

Yi Peng Lantern Festival, Chiang Mai: dates for 2024 to be confirmed

Loy Krathong Festival, Sukhothai

December

King Bhumibol Birthday Commemoration Day (public holiday): 5 December. Also celebrated as Father’s Day and National Day.

River Kwai Bridge Festival and Red Cross Fair, Kanchanaburi: 8-17 December 2023

Constitution Day (public holiday): 10 December

New Year’s Eve (public holiday): 31 December

Thailand Festivals • Fan Club Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand

[travelloverr]

Siam Niramit Phuket: A Cultural Experience Like No Other

Location and Accessibility of Siam Niramit Phuket

Where Is Siam Niramit Phuket Located?

Located in the heart of Phuket, Siam Niramit is easily accessible from key tourist hubs like Patong and Phuket Town. The venue is just a short drive from most hotels, offering a convenient cultural escape for travelers staying anywhere on the island.

How to Reach Siam Niramit Phuket

Reaching Siam Niramit is simple, with multiple transportation options available. Most visitors choose to travel by taxi or shuttle service, both of which are widely available throughout Phuket. For those looking for a hassle-free experience, many hotels also offer pre-arranged shuttle services directly to the venue.

Read more Thailand Itinerary 7 days

The Spectacular Siam Niramit Show

Overview of the Performance

The Siam Niramit Phuket show is a breathtaking theatrical experience that covers over 700 years of Thai history. The show is divided into three acts, each reflecting different aspects of Thailand’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Through a mix of traditional dance, music, and modern technology, the show brings Thailand’s past to life in a visually stunning way.

Act 1: Journey Through Thailand’s History

The first act takes the audience through the early eras of Thai civilization, showcasing important historical events that shaped the nation. From the ancient Kingdom of Lanna to the grandeur of Ayutthaya, this act paints a vivid picture of Thailand’s historical milestones.

Act 2: The Three Worlds

The second act transports the audience into the spiritual realms of Thai belief, depicting scenes from Hell, Heaven, and the mystical Himmapan Forest. This section of the performance uses advanced stagecraft and technology to create a visually striking representation of these spiritual domains.

Act 3: Joyous Festivals

The third and final act is a lively celebration of Thailand’s most significant festivals. This part of the show brings to life the joyous traditions of Thai culture, such as the Loy Krathong and Songkran festivals, offering a vibrant and colorful conclusion to the evening.

Read more blog

Que faire à Chiang Mai

Tsunami Museum Khao Lak

Pre-Show Thai Village Experience

The Thai Village Walkthrough

Before the main show begins, visitors have the opportunity to explore a traditional Thai village located on the premises. This village offers a glimpse into rural Thai life, complete with authentic wooden houses, craftsmen, and interactive cultural displays.

Cultural Activities

Visitors can take part in a range of activities, from learning how to make traditional handicrafts to observing Thai cooking demonstrations. This interactive village experience provides a deeper understanding of Thailand’s rich cultural heritage.

The Dining Experience at Siam Niramit Phuket

Traditional Thai Buffet

One of the highlights of visiting Siam Niramit Phuket is the chance to indulge in a delicious traditional Thai buffet before the show. Guests are treated to a wide variety of dishes, including classic Thai favorites like Tom Yum soup, green curry, and Pad Thai.

International Cuisine Options

For those with more diverse tastes, the buffet also includes a range of international dishes, ensuring that every guest can find something to suit their palate. Click here

[pocketgamesslot]

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