#fun to use but hard to photograph when you have bad lighting haha

[wukkio]

[superhero--imagines]

Part 1 Here! / Part 2 Here! / Part 3 Here! / Part 4 Here! / Part 5 Here! / Part 6 Here! / Part 7 Here! / Part 8 Here! / Part 9 Here! / Part 10 Here!

A/N: I apologize for all the profanity in this part ahead of time. I think I’m going to do M/W/Sat updates, as long as my writing permits, and then maybe Wed/Sat updates. I got the day off because it snowed so I thought I would post this since it’s ready haha

* Well you’re royally f*cked

* There’s a big stupid smile curled on your face, and every time you try to hide it, it just comes back wider

* You really shouldn’t be happy right now

* “What has you in such a good mood?” Edward’s got a matching smile of his own.

* Oh shit. It’s fine, you’ll just play dumb.

* “How do you know I’m happy?” How about the dumb grin you’ve got on your face you stupid b*tch.

* You would have smacked your own forehead if you weren’t aware Edward was watching your every move

* You’re lucky Edward’s nice and he doesn’t call you out on it

* “Whenever you’re happy it kind of radiates off of you,” his voice lowers “you know because of your powers”

* Ah, you didn’t know you did that

* “So what do you think about the new girl?” You blurt it out like it’s an intrusive thought

* F*ck. Just-okay just play it cool. Play it cool.

* F********ckkkkk what’s wrong with you.

* Is being happy making you act like a moron?

* He shrugs

* “Just another human, I kind of wish everyone would shut up about it though. Having to hear people talk about her and think about her is getting annoying. It’s like being in a tunnel with one too many echoes.”

* Ah, so he hasn’t noticed yet.

* “I wonder what she’s thinking about.”

* Edward just shrugs again.

* What the f*ck Edward take a hint!

* “Edward?”

* “Yes dear?” He has the nerve to grin after using that pet name. The criminal is teasing you. Some best friend.

* And still it makes you outrageously happy

* You have to force your smile into a straight line

* “What’s the new girl thinking?”

* He looks over to her, Tyler and Mike are fighting for her attention, both of them a moment away from tugging on each arm and shouting “mine!”

* You see him search, you’ve heard enough about his powers to know right now it’s like mall food court level of chatter for him, but in a few seconds he’ll focus on her and realize he can’t hear her thoughts.

* Knowing how prideful he is though, he’ll probably deny it.

* “I don’t know I can’t read her mind” he says bluntly. “Do you think the school music teacher would teach me how to play violin if I asked?”

* “What?!?”

* “I know it’s kind of inconsiderate to ask but-“ you click your tongue

* “No not that!” You gesture towards Bella “you can’t read her mind?!? Isn’t that kind of a big deal?”

* His eyebrows thread together

* “I can’t read your mind either”

* Yes but you’re from a completely different world, in a body that radiates despair (and apparently joy now). You’re basically like some type of eldritch being from another dimension. 

* Edward doesn’t see it that though

* “Honestly it’s a relief, one less mind I have to tune out.” He walks ahead of you as you stay motionless in the middle of the hallway

* What the f*ck is happening?

* “Are you coming? We’re going to be late for Biology if you keep lagging behind like that.”

* How could you forget? The whole story starts because Edward is super into Bella’s blood! He fantasizes killing her for like- the entire class period.

* You were worried for nothing, just because they didn’t have the cafeteria moment isn’t that big of a deal

* The thought makes you both relieved and a little sad

* Still it’s for the best, this is the way things are supposed to be

* And who knows, if you have to leave maybe you can poach Rosalie and Emmett to leave with you

* And maybe Jasper, he won’t like having a human around the house all the time

* “Mr. Cullen, Ms. Eleazar” Mr. Banner hands you each a worksheet.

* Oh right the onion cell worksheet. Ah right the mitosis crap. Well hopefully Mike remembers enough that you both can hobble through

* “New year means new seating arrangement!” He tells you both excitedly. The seating arrangements on the projector.

* “Why am I next to Edward isn’t the seating arrangement supposed to be alphabetical?”

* “I decided to go by grade this time, you should be happy! Aren’t you two...friends?” You can tell your teacher is confused by the nature of your relationship, almost as much as you are. 

* “Super happy Teach.” You mumble taking your seat next to Edward who’s grinning like an idiot

* “You can’t say he’s picking favorites when it’s merit based.” He grins and you roll your eyes

* Angela’s sitting next to Ben Cheney, they seem to be discussing the trigonometry homework, and how it’s basically impossible

* Oh right, he’s supposed to be her boyfriend this year. 

* Personally you think Angela could do way better. But love is blind, you’ll ship it if you have to. 

* And right on cue Mike walks in, Bella following close behind. He takes his seat on the table behind you while Bella talks to Mr. Barnes

* “Why didn’t you guys sit with us at lunch today?” Mike is practically leaned over the entire width of the table.

* Before you can say anything Edward snorts

* “Because (Y/N) was getting lectured for staying out all night again”

* Mike looks like his eyes might pop out of his head

* “W-what? Out all night?! Without inviting me!” You roll your eyes.

* “He’s making it more dramatic, I went out for a run early in the morning because I couldn’t sleep and everyone was freaking out because they thought I got kidnapped.”

* Like any vampire or human stood a chance against you and your violent mood swings

* Mike’s so caught up in lecturing you about how you need to be more careful

* “There’s a lot of weirdos out there!” Yeah you live with them

* That he doesn’t even notice Bella’s taken a seat next to him

* Now that you get a better look at her, she is kinda pretty. She’s the kind of person who probably always looks good in photographs, no matter what the angle. Nice cheekbones and big brown eyes. Modest on boobs and butt, but she’s skinny so it works for her.

* “Hey, you’re Bella right?” You give her your friendliest smile, and you don’t miss the light blush that blooms on her face.

* You’re not sure whether it’s from your beauty or because she’s just not used to so much attention. She just nods.

* “Have you already seen the three whole things there are to do in Town on a Friday night?”

* Bella actually laughs at that. She’s got dimples, and little wrinkles that show up at the corner of her eyes. It’s cute.

* “One of those things is going to the library, so really it’s only two things.”

* She giggles again.

* “Is the other one going over to your house to play monopoly?” Mike asks, a grin arching onto his face

* “No my house is out of town, the other thing is to go to the school football game”

* “I’m not really a big fan of football” Bella hesitantly says, and Mike and Edward laugh

* “Yeah no one here does, everyone goes for the half time show, or just to hang out.” 

* You’re pretty sure your entire friend group only goes to the games to see your cheer routine, especially this year since you’re captain now. The first junior captain in a long time apparently. The news actually made the local newspaper.

* Everything is going good, and you’re starting to think maybe you and Bella might be friends.

* “Why don’t we have a board game night at our house again? Last time was-“

* You stop sentence, you were having so much fun you almost forgot why Edward was so obsessed with Bella.

* The slight breeze from the air conditioning brings her scent to you.

* You cover your mouth and nose with your hand

* Her scent is REVOLTING

* “(Y/N), are you okay?” Mike asks

* You vaguely feel Edward’s hand on your shoulder, has he not caught her scent yet?

* It’s pretty hard to miss

* Like gym socks, with a overly sweet base, it’s like-

* Your head snaps up, and your hand clamps over your mouth and nose even harder, but not because the scent is revolting

* She smells like cheese, perfectly aged Gorgonzola cheese, or maybe Brie?

* You smell the sweeter undercurrent stronger now, it’s like warm juicy peaches

* Roasted peach salad tossed with Gorgonzola and olive oil

* How many times have you dreamed about eating that while basking in the warm sunlight

* “I knew you shouldn’t have eaten those leftovers at lunch,” Edward says, but you know it’s performative, thank god he’s still got some sense after smelling her.

* “Mr.Banner, I think (Y/N) ate something bad, is it alright if I help them to the nurses office?”

* “Yes and hurry!” He’s practically shooing you out as Edward pulls you by the arm

* Nooooo, you wanna smell her moreeee

* You have the sense to not wine and keep your mouth covered.

* Edward doesn’t take you to the nurse, you both don’t stop walking until you’re at the parking lot

* “What the hell was that?” He asks, it’s the first time he’s seemed even remotely angry with you

* He seems more confused then angry though, you’re so shocked you actually sit down on the curb.

* And after a moment of hesitance Edward sits beside you, placing his hand over your own

* “She smells good Edward, like really good.”

* Edward laughs

* “Yeah I gathered that” he shakes his head. “I thought you were supposed to be a picky eater”

* “I aaaaamm” you moan, your head is cradled in your left hand. “She’s like one in a million”

* “You’re one in a million” you lift your head to see Edward looking at you with that stupid sh*t eating grin.

* “Really Edward my life is falling apart because I want to eat someone, and you think the appropriate response is to flirt?”

* To be fair, he’s always flirting, it’s basically apart of his personality at this point

* “You’re being melodramatic.” He chuckles and throws an arm over your shoulder. “Worst case scenario you kill her, Carlisle doles out his funeral punishment-don’t ask, and then we have to start over as freshman again somewhere else.”

* You groan, you finally worked your way up to a junior, you were just starting to get used to this crappy town, you don’t wanna start all over again in a new one

* “What’s the best case scenario?”

* Edward thinks hard for a minute.

* “Best case scenario...the music teacher agrees to teach me how to play the violin and I impress you with my magnificent playing.” You smack him on the arm.

* “Not the best case scenario for you!” You know he’s doing it on purpose. He just wants to make you laugh

* It works, you do laugh. How much more absurd could this situation get?

* “Everything’s going to be fine, if Jasper can handle having to smell 300 students he thinks smell good, you can handle 1.” 

* He’s got a point

* “Wait-didn’t she smell good to you?” Wasn’t that like, the whole d*mn point?

* His eyebrows thread together and he shrugs

* “Um, she smelled alright, no better or worse than the others. I’m not sure what you smelled-“

* What you smelled? The rich but refreshing flavor profile is sublime

* The f*cking heathen doesn’t even know what he’s missing

* “But to me she smelled like peaches”

* Well he kinda knows what he’s missing

* “She’s definitely anemic though, there’s a sever lack of iron in her scent” ah that must be that cheesy smell you’re getting

* Well ain’t this ironic. The girl who’s going to steal your best friend is only getting noticed because of you.

* “I don’t know, personally I prefer Henrietta the 3rds blood, but that��s just me” he’s lying, your blood is good and all, but it’s definitely still not on par with a humans blood

* He’s just trying to make you feel better.

* He rubs your shoulder, before patting it and moving to stand up.

* “Now come on, we have to make you eat some human food so you can throw up in front of the nurse and she lets us leave school early”

* You roll your eyes, anything to leave school early huh?

* “Yeah all right, lead the way Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Brooding”

* “Why do you always say that? I don’t brood that much anymore!”

* “You know how some people have resting b*tch face? You have resting brood face.”

* “Says the person who literally radiates despair” you shove him as you both walk towards the vending machine

* You take a deep breath as you watch Edward fumble with the vending machine

* The dork literally sticks a credit card up to the glass and demands the machine give him chips. 

* (Y/N/N) why isn’t this working? Am I supposed to insert my card through this slot?” 

* You laugh. You’re pretty sure he’s not doing this on purpose.

* “You’re supposed to use cash Edward.”

* You watch as he fumbles with his wallet muttering:

* “Do you think it’ll take a twenty dollar bill?”

* You watch in amusement as Edward tries - and fails- to use a twenty dollar bill, and then proceed to use obscure profanities to curse “this vile wretch of human technological advancement” 

* You feel a sigh of relief escape you.

* Yeah, everything is going to be fine. 

Tags:  @moonlights27 @thebluetint @the100thtwilight @awesomebooklover17 @oneofthepotterheads @smileygirl08 @imdoingathingmom @iconicgguk @yrawn @alyciaswhore @little-horror-show @wicked-watering-can @lazydreamers @xxxmuxxx @puritanicalhypocrite

[marveloussupernerd]

It’s Good Luck - Jumin Han

This is the last part (maybe? Idk) of my Jumin wedding series bc all of a sudden I have baby fever and want to write a pregnant series oop. In fact, I had to FORCE myself to write this ceremony. I might write a reception chapter later, who knows. Reminder: this is part of a mini-series but everything can be read and interpreted as one shots if you’re like me and dislike series haha also idk if this even makes sense but I hope you maybe like it?

Summary: they say rain on your wedding day is good luck. Jumin takes that to a new level and proposes you go outside in the rain before you’re due at the reception.

You had returned to your dressing room, watching as the men in the sharp suits carried your flowers and chairs from the tent outside to the building. Why did it have to rain? Sure, they said it was good luck, and you didn’t truly care so long as you were marrying Jumin, but you had looked forward to the outdoor wedding. You had planned for an outdoor wedding, not one inside.

“Don’t worry about it,” your wedding planner comforted you, noticing your mournful expression as you looked at the heavy raindrops running down the window, “We’re going to do everything in our power to bring the outdoors in. Do you want to give it a look-over before we start everything?”

Honestly? It would make you feel better. You nodded, standing up and straightening out your wedding dress. You followed behind her, taking the back way to avoid any guests, and made your way into their indoor venue.

They did a really good job for such a short amount of time. The wall of flowers was up behind the altar, large flower arrangements were set by each row of seats, and gigantic mounds of flowers lined each side of the aisle. It was pretty. Yes, outside would have been ideal, but whatever. This was lovely as well!

“Is it to your liking?” The wedding planner asked, nervously toying with her watch.

You nodded. “It’s very nice. Would it be possible, maybe, to get a different color table cover for the altar? The cream worked well for the outdoors but now it’s a little too... casual.” You had learned a thing or two from planning the RFA parties after all.

“Would you prefer white then?”

“How about an antique white? You cringed internally; you sounded so uptight. But you knew antique white would look best with the color tones of the room. “Oh! If you don’t have it just normal white will do as well.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get it set up right now. Any other changes you’d like to make?”

“Is there any way to dim the lights? They’re a little bright... it’s giving me a hospital feel.” You added awkwardly. Your wedding planner walked over to a panel and immediately dimmed the lights. “Perfect. It’s lovely. Thank you for doing all this,” you turned to her, smiling.

“If that’s all you need, I’ll get somebody to switch out the cloth and then we can start seating guests,” she offered. You smiled and nodded.

When you arrived at your room you were greeted with even more surprises: this time there was a masseuse, table set up and everything. “Hi, are you MC? Mr. Han called for me,” she greeted, holding out a hand for you to shake, which you took.

“Oh! What a nice surprise.”

“Yes, he said it was quite urgent. I understand this all must be pretty stressful. My wedding got rained out too, but the good thing is my husband and I have been married for over thirty years now.” The lady seemed very warm; her presence was comforting. You allowed yourself to sit down on the edge of her table.

“I’m not sure how much time we have, but would you mind doing my shoulders and back? I’ve got a lot of tension in there from everything going on.” You still felt awkward being accomadated so well, but it was something you had to get used to, especially because you were marrying Jumin.

“Of course,” you felt her push your veil to the side, fingers gently working around your upper back. “You weren’t kidding: you are tense. Did you have trouble sleeping last night?”

You let out a laugh. “That tradition that the groom can’t see the bride on the wedding day. I’ve been sleeping next to my fiancée for months now. It was hard not to, and the pre-wedding jitters didn’t help.”

“Well,” she commented, her hands hitting a knot by your shoulders and gently trying to work it out. “I can tell it’ll all be worth it. He seems like a very nice man, and he definitely cares about you.”

“Yes, I’m not sure how many other brides get masseuses in minutes before their wedding,” you joked, a fond smile on your face. A knock at the door. The wedding planner peeked in. “You’ve got about five minutes until it’s go time.”

You thanked the lady and went to take your spot, waiting for your entrance. As you heard the bridal march start playing, you anxiously stepped into the room, heavy bouquet in hand. The antique white looked quite nice, you thought to yourself. It was a good choice. In front of the tablecloth though.

How could he possibly be even more handsome than usual? Maybe it was the light gray suit, a stark contrast to his typical black attire. Maybe it was the glisten in his eyes as they watered with tears. Maybe it was the smile that he couldn’t hide- no, he didn’t want to hide. Walking to him felt like running a marathon; it took forever.

Finally your hands were in his. Him mouthing how beautiful you looked, wiping away a stray tear that leaked down his cheek. You didn’t realize you had such a death grip on his hands until he started gently running his thumb over your hands, easing the tension.

“You and me only, remember?” He whispered softly. You wanted to hug him. No, that would be weird. The priest was quite literally in the middle of his speech. You but your lip and looked down at your shoes.

A hand on your cheek brought your attention up. Was this allowed? Why did you never go through this wedding etiquette?

The words spoken were a blur. Jumin recited his vows perfectly, not straying from the traditional vows. The two of you had agreed that you would rather share those thoughts, those emotions, in private. You stumbled over the words when it was your turn. For richer or for poorer? Not only was the statement comical considering the Hans’ wealth, but why was it so hard to say? Jumin’s lips quirked into a smile upon hearing you fumble, and it made you feel better to see him smile like that.

Finally, finally the moment had come. “You may now kiss the bride.” Swept up in the moment, Jumin pulled you close in one swift motion for a kiss. You had agreed to keep it chaste and sweet, but he hadn’t seemed to remember that part of it!!!!! You pulled away before it got too PG-13, planting a kiss on his cheek and promising him more later.

“How soon is later?” He asked, pouting for what was likely one of the first times in his life. “I just want to embrace my wife. We still have a reception after this?” He groaned.

“You’re so needy today Honey,” you teased, the two of you sharing your own moment at the front of the room while the guests filed out.

“We don’t have to do anything. It’s just... I had trouble sleeping last night without you. You can’t blame a man for wanting to hold his wife in his arms and never let go.” He flushed, rubbing the back of his neck.

The guests had finally filed out and it was your turn to leave, greeting them at the exit. “I’ve noticed you saying wife a lot,” you teased, holding his hand tight, your cathedral-length veil wrapped around his free arm so that you wouldn’t trip or get caught up by it.

“Well, I like it.” It was such a simple statement, but it made your heart race. The two of you finished thanking your guests, and it was time for the cocktail hour to start. You and Jumin had planned about ten minutes together without a photographer or anything just so you could take in the events of the day and reflect together. You had been looking forward to it for hours.

“You know all those things you vowed to me?” You asked, staring out the window as he helped you remove your veil. The rain hadn’t slowed; it was wise of you to move it inside.

“Sickness and health, better or worse, rich or poor, those things?” He listed them off as if they were so simple. It made you laugh.

“How about in grace and in stupidity?”

He plopped your veil down on a bench. “What? My love you’re not stu-“

“You wanna go out into the rain with me? It’ll be fun... and we have about eight minutes after to dry off before pictures,” you proposed. It was an AWFUL idea. It was pouring. You had your hair and makeup done. This dress was designer.

“Truly?” He asked, looking skeptically.

“Yeah in retrospect it’s a bad idea. I don’t know, I thought it was good luck or something.”

Out of nowhere, he swept you into his arms, barreling towards the exit to the building. “Jumin!” You shrieked. “I take it back! I said it was a bad idea!”

“But it’s good luck,” he shouted as he swung open the door, trying to be heard over the rain. He looked cautiously at the puddles forming on the sidewalks, then took a deep breath. “In grace and in stupidity?”

“Of course, my husband.”

It was out of a movie. The dramatic kiss in the rain. All the passion Jumin had wanted to put into your kiss when you were standing in front of all your family and friends. The rain dribbling down your back. It made you squeal. He couldn’t stop laughing. He held his hand above your head, attempting to shield your makeup from the rain. It didn’t help.

What felt like eons later, he carried you back inside, setting you on a bench. He tried to keep a serious face, but burst out laughing. You had never heard him laugh so hard.

“Honey? Why are you laughing? Is it my makeup? Jumin!” Nothing could get his attention.

“We may need more than just eight minutes to dry off,” he chuckled, pushing back soaked strands of hair that were hanging on his face. “I’ll call Assistant Kang and let her know.”

“Was it worth it though?” You asked, trying to wipe your face (and failing).

“Oh absolutely,” he pulled you close to him. “I feel luckier already.”

[rose-wine-selfships]

Oh goodness I'm sorry I missed it! I fell asleep😓 Anyway! Can I ask.. Like everything from the wedding ask game for you two? All of it, if that's alright, I'm really curious. (Or whichever ones you want!) 💜💜

🎨 - What are the wedding colors you and your F/O decided on? 

Atsushi: Ah, that’s a tough one to be honest. I just let my wife decide since we both have very different opinions on color schemes. *laughs* She likes pastels, but I’m more into neutral or metallic colors like brown and silver. 

Me: So we met in the middle and did softer colors such as light gold, silver, purple and pink for our wedding’s color scheme! And it definitely seemed to work! 😊 

Atsushi: Yeah, yeah! It definitely looks good, but please don’t ever let me decide the schemes. My wife is better at that stuff than I am please! 😆 

👗-What kind of wedding dress or suit did you and your F/O get? Give an explanation or show a picture. 

Me: For my wedding dress, I went with a classic romantic trumpet dress shape with beads and lacy long sleeves with a back outline. It has bits of champagne pearls around the corset part of the dress. I also have a flower crown tiara with a mantilla veil to complete the piece. A little traditional, I know, but I love it. It outlines my body in the perfect shape and it doesn’t make me look too bad.

Atsushi: What are you talking about? You’re already perfect to me sweetie. Your dress just makes you even more beautiful than you are already. Don’t you dare talk yourself down in front of me! *fake pouts* 

Ah anyways, the suit I had was one Dazai-san suggested to me when we were suit shopping before the wedding. He suggested I go for a white tux with a black bowtie and grey undershirt and pants. I’m not too good at fashion detail, so I just went with what he said. *chuckles* But I like it, it really shows off the best of myself too. It’s fitting, but comfortable. The suit was just right, so I thank Dazai-san for suggesting it! 😊 👍 

💕-Who said “I love you first”, you or your F/O? 

Atsushi: Well, I did say it first actually. Truth be told, it was a very dark time when I did so. Christina just lost someone close to her on one of our failed missions from the Armed Detective Agency, and it completely devastated her. So much that she was willing to take a dark route (suicide) because she felt like no one here cared for her. I couldn’t let that happen. I kind of—no I did cry when I found out about it and refused to leave her alone. I told her I loved her without thinking, and it left her in shock. At the time she wasn’t ready to confess yet, but she did tell me she would give this relationship a chance. And I’m glad she did, for I found the love of my life in her. 💕 💞 

💒- Are you two getting married outside or inside a certain place? 

Me: Well, we’ve been thinking for a while about having an outdoor wedding celebration. However, we didn’t know where to pick the venue. Then my husband Atsushi gave me a random idea. 

Atsushi: Yes, and I asked her if she would like to go to Fukuzawa’s cherry blossom park? It was privately owned by the Armed Detective Agency, and it might be a great wedding venue. So we walked around the park a couple hours, and she fell in love with the idea right away. More than anything, she loves seeing cherry blossoms bloom around, even if it wasn’t springtime. 

Me: It looked so beautiful there, and I absolutely thought it was the best choice for our outdoor venue. It looked so gorgeous with even with the homemade pink and purple paper lanterns me and the agency created ourselves. I owe my thanks to my husband for suggesting this park to me, for it made the best memories of our lives now. *kisses his cheek*

Atsushi: You’re welcome sweetie! *grins ear to ear*

👨‍🦳-Did you and your F/O get a priest to have you two married? Or did you two 

get another religious or neutral official for your marriage? 

Atsushi: Truth be told, we already have a priest in the ADA. Fukuzawa-san actually has his own government-issued license for religious practices and wedding ceremonies. How he got it, I don’t know? It’s a lot more complicated than that and I don’t want to get into it for complex reasons. But nonetheless, he did a wonderful job officiating the wedding ceremony for us. He’s a great boss, and I wouldn’t have anyone else over him. 😊 

👣-Who walked you down the aisle to your F/O? A familial or platonic F/O? 

Me: Actually, Kunikida-san walked me down that aisle to my husband. He was trying so hard not to cry while doing it, but a few tears did slip out. Before I went up the steps, I did smile at him and patted his shoulder to let him know it’s ok in my own way. He calmed down a bit after that. After all, a wedding isn’t complete without a few people shedding tears of joy. He’s honestly a sweet guy underneath it all. 😃 

🎶- What kind of music did you play at you and your F/Os reception?

Atsushi: We did a mix of oldies and new music to get everyone involved regardless of age or group. 

Me: Yup, it was a mix of pop, rock, EDM, and a dash of dance music. It was a really fun reception overall. Everyone hit the dance floor and definitely got drunk more than once at the cocktail bar we provided. Hahaha! 😆 

🎧- Did you and your F/O hire a DJ at your reception? Or get a live band to play all your songs there? 

Atsushi: We got the Tanizaki siblings to be our DJs for the night. We paid them a good sum of money to get the music going. Truth be told, they’re great at DJ-ing and are really fun to be around. Although I do have one problem with them. They always sneak off somewhere during a “music break’, and it’s always behind a curtain!

Me: Yeah, what the heck is up with that? Haha! We’re supposed to be the ones making out and doing other “stuff”. Oh well, that’s their dynamic though. 

🥘- What kind of food did you give your guests at the reception? What about desserts? 

Me: For us, we went all out with the food at the reception. We provided a Mexican-Japanese fusion of food for people to eat. For appetizers, we had either chazuke, albondigas (meatball) soup, or smoked salmon tapas. For dinner we had either Norigami tacos or sushi burritos. For dessert we provided either fried ice cream or Japanese street crepes. 

Atsushi: The tacos were delicious! Ah, my mouths salivating because of it! Oh, I’m getting off track anyways. Hehe~ We also provided a full bar because we knew people would not be fully entertained without a drink or two. We provided full bodied cocktails, beer, sake, martinis, and much more alcoholic beverages. Chuuya-san wanted to come over and be the bartender just to rub it in Dazai’s face. Surprisingly, he didn’t pick a fight with Dazai and just made great drinks through the whole night. Which is good, we needed peace at our wedding. 😆 

🥂- Who gave the first newlywed toast to you and your F/O? Did they give a good speech?

Atsushi: Dazai-san provided the first wedding toast speech to both. Surprisingly, he was very relaxed and open after having a few drinks himself. His speech was definitely genuine, I could tell. His eyes were flickering with something—passion I think? And a little bit of happiness for us both. I’m really glad he provided the first speech for us, just to have his blessing alone is wonderful. 

🎥 - Who filmed you and your F/Os wedding? Did they take a lot of pictures too? 

Me: Akiko-san was a great photographer. She did well with the props for our engagement photos. She made sure we posed in the right positions, and that my bouquet was well photographed besides my dress and face. She really captured the spirit of us in love at our wedding, and I cannot thank her enough for that! 🙏 💕 

🏡- Where will you and your F/O settle down for a new home? 

Atsushi: We’ll be settling down somewhere in the suburbs close to where we work in Yokohama. It’ll be a gated community, yes, but it won’t entirely be away from the city. The great part is there are a few parks within this housing complex, and our house is right next to most of them. We can just go out and walk around the parks, get our exercise, and talk a bit. Honestly, it’s the best part about us getting married, knowing I’ll have an even closer bond with my wife. 💕 

🕰- How long have you and your F/O been together before getting married? 

Me: Honestly, we’ve been together for at least 3 1/2 years before getting engaged. Even after meeting him, I couldn’t imagine falling in love with anyone else other than him. He’s the love of my life, and I want to spend the rest of my time on this Earth with my Atsushi.~❤️ 

Atsushi: Same.~❤️ 

[rabidbuffalo]

Melody ( @summerxmelodies) & Ash’s letters, courtesy of Pvt. Joker!

Dear Mel, 

 Sorry I haven't written. It's been a hell of a time. ***** everywhere. That's what we call the Vietnamese. It only took me one try to get through boot camp. Couple of the guys that were with me failed. No idea what happened to them. Word is they're just sending them through over and over until they pass. I found someone to help me write to you. His name is Joker. He's a photographer. (I'm a Combat Correspondent.) 

 Cowboy, that's our squad leader, he says Joker will make us famous. I guess they're sending pictures and shit back home. (We are. There will be video footage as well.) I don't wanna be famous, I just wanna be home with you. 

 We're in a place called Hue (pronounced Way) right now. All the guys ask why I don't go with the hookers they bring in for us. Only one that knows I got a girl back home is Joker and that's 'cause he's writing to you. I figure no one will believe me anyway. Most of 'em are scared of me. (I'm not.) 

 Oh, I was sergeant of a platoon. Can you believe that? They let me be in charge of a bunch of grunts! 'Course it only lasted 'til I flipped the bird to a Colonel. Demoted me back down to Private. It was fun while it lasted. Cowboy says I got real skill, though. Never thought anyone would ever say that about me. Finally found something other than cars that I'm good at. 

 I really miss you. All the time. I hope you're doing okay. I can't wait 'til I'm done and I can come see you. I'll try to write again. I don't know how long Joker will be with us. I didn't really want to tell anyone else that I have trouble writing. He figured it out. I hope I get to see you real soon. I love you. I'll write again when I can. 

 Love, 

Ash 

 (I made him sign it for you.)

***

Dear Ash, 

 It's so good to hear from you baby! I miss you so much. I can't tell you how proud of you I am. Come home to me, okay? You're amazing, baby. Why'd you flip a Colonel off? Maybe they'll let have command again. Just don't go flipping off the higher ups. 

 I'm doing good. Better now that I know you're alive. I never stopped writing, but I was so scared. I love you so much. I can't wait for you to be home. Even mom and dad are looking forward to you getting back. 

 Joker, thank you for writing for him. You don't know what hearing from him means to me. I can't thank you enough. Mom asked me to let you know that if you're ever in town to please stop by for dinner. 

 Love forever and always, 

Mel

***

Dear Mel, 

 Proud of me? You might want to wait on that. I promise I will come home to you. There's nothing more in the world I wanna do. 

 I flipped him the bird 'cause he was an asshole. Lots of shit happened since I last wrote. Cowboy went and got himself killed. I took command of the Lusthog Squad. That's my unit. Fuck them ***** in command. This is my squad now. Joker's not happy about it. (Could be worse!) 

I can't believe your mom and especially your dad are looking forward to me getting home. That's crazy. I thought they hated me. A lot. 

We're getting ready to move out again. Hopefully it won't be much longer. I'm fucking done with this shit stain place. I love you forever. 

 Love, 

Ash 

 (Hi, Melody! You're welcome. I'm glad I can do this for you! All in all, Mother's a good guy. That's what we call him. Animal Mother. He still won't tell me why. He just grunts and laughs when I ask. Maybe that's why? Not sure! My real name is James, and now that he's found that out, he won't stop calling me Jimmy. If I'm ever in New York, I'll be sure to stop by! Never know where I'll end up! We really do have to move out, though. We'll write again when we can. Take care of yourself. -James)

***

Dear Ash, 

 Sorry to hear about Cowboy. You take care of your men and Joker. I know they're in good hands. 

 Lot has happened while you were away. They did, but I think they realize how happy you make me? They just disliked how old you are honestly. Plus that whole thing with the law. You've always been good to me so they've got no reason to dislike you for that. 

You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Big Bad Wolf. 

 I'm so ready for you to be home. 

 Love, 

Mel xoxo 

 ( Hi James. Please be careful. Watch out for Ash and yourself? I look forward to hearing from you both. I'm glad Ash has a friend over there. Be safe boys!)

***

Dear Mel, 

 I was really hoping we'd be back in the states by now. They're really dragging this bullshit out. We're just slaughtering ***** left and right. We don't even have a mission other than stay the fuck alive. 

Thanks about Cowboy. Haven't lost anybody else yet.

 I'm glad they see that. I wish they could see how God damn happy you make me. Bet they flipped their wigs when they found out how old I really am, didn't they? You're the only good thing I got back home, so I gotta take care of you. Promise I will forever, Little Red.  

I'm so ready to be home. Soon. (We hope.) 

 Love, 

Ash 

 (He said he's not putting hugs and kisses, but I'll do it for him. XOXO! Wish you could see the way he lights up and smiles when a letter comes from you. I tried to capture it in the photo I enclosed.  There's one of me, too, just so you know who what I look like! And one of Cowboy from before. Hold onto that one for him. We got lucky and I found a way to develop some film. I wrote on the back of the photos for you! Thank you for the well wishes! Stay safe! - James)

***

Dear Ash, 

 I think everyone here is just as ready as you for the war to be over. I know I am. I'm glad everyone's still alive. 

 They did. Dad especially. Think he's still sore about it. He'll get over it. I know you will and I'll do the same. 

Always and forever, baby. My handsome Marine. I hate that you're over there, but you look really good in the pictures baby. Short hair suits you. So does that big gun. What is it? 

 Love,

Mel 

 (Thanks James. Wow. The pictures are amazing. I love them. Nice to be able to put a face to you. Why do the guys call you Joker? I've added a few photos of me. I know I sent Ash off with one, but he might need a new one. I know you guys have been through hell. Stay safe!)

***

Dear Mel, 

 Tell your dad I'm sorry I lied and I won't do it again. I just want to take care of you. Tell your mom I sure could use some of her meatloaf and that casserole I like that I never remember the name of. Joker thinks it's green bean but I don't remember a lot of green beans in it. 

 It's an M-60. I named her Melody. You shoulda seen me in boot camp. They shaved every bit of my God damn hair off! I miss my hair. Especially the way you used to play with it. Hell of a lot harder to do that now. 

 Thank you for the pictures. I didn't want to tell you but the original one you gave me got all fucked up and then I lost it when my helmet got knocked off in a fucking ditch. Joker keeps trying to take one of the pictures. He said you're gorgeous and there's no way you're real. (You look like an angel? It's just not possible! Haha! Mother's a lucky man!) 

Miss you. 

 Love, 

Ash 

 (You truly are beautiful, Melody! Nice to put a face to the letters, too! They call me Joker because I have a tendency to make jokes. Mother says it's because I'm scared. Maybe he's right. I'm not gonna lie, it's scary as Hell here. Hopefully we'll be done soon. Take care of yourself! - James)

***

Dear Ash, 

 Mom and I cooked a bunch of food. Sweets and meals. Don't know if it'll make it to you in one piece or not, but we tried. Share some with Joker? And the other guys if enough survives. 

 You named that big gun after me? Dad told me it's a machine gun and people don't carry it around like that? 

God, I love you so much. Miss you even more. When you get home you can grow your hair out again. I miss playing with it too, but you are super handsome in your military stuff. 

 I wouldn't have been upset if you'd told me baby! I'm glad I sent you some new ones. Should I send one for him too? Glad he's there with you. 

I love you so much Ash. Miss you too baby. So much. Mom and Dad say you're welcome to stay with us when you get back. Spare room is yours. 

 Love, 

 Mel 

 ( Thank you! My mother says you're very handsome, but obviously I'm partial to Ash. I'm scared for all of you. Always thinking about you guys. Stay safe! Hope you all get to come home soon!)

***

Dear Mel, 

We got the sweets, but the rest of the shit didn't make it. But thank you! We shared what we could. People are starting to believe you might actually be a real girl now. (You should see the smirk on his face when he said that! Ha!) 

 Yeah. It's a machine gun. People don't carry it around like that but I do.  It's fully automatic. I just pull the trigger and rain hell down on those fucking *****. No don't send him one. (Yes, send me one!) 

 They're gonna let me stay there with you? Fuck, I must've done something right for a damn change, huh? Don't know what exactly I did, but I'm glad they changed their minds about me. 

 Command says just a few more weeks, but I'll believe it when I see it. My tour was supposed to be up three days ago and I'm still in the Crotch. Maybe soon. I miss you and I love you. 

 Love, 

Ash 

 (Tell your mother I said thank you! Not that I don't love him, but it blows my mind that he got a doll like you. Maybe there's hope for me yet! Until next time, James)

**

Dear Ash, 

 Well I'm glad something made it to you guys! 

Are they? I'm glad. I know shit is ugly over there, but I am proud of you for how you've taken care of Joker and the others. You're a good man. 

 Wow. You really are the Big Bad Wolf. Love you. So much. 

 I've sent a few more pictures, just let him have one of the copies? 

 Yeah, they are. You're family. It's a long story that can wait until you get home. 

Love you more than anything and miss you more, baby. 

 Love, 

 Mel 

 (There's definitely hope! You're a good looking guy. Plus, you've been so sweet to write for him. I thought he was dead for the longest time, but I kept writing just hoping I was wrong. It was so hard. Hope you guys come home soon!)

***

Dear Mel, 

 We're supposed to be on a plane back to the States in a week. I don't know if this will make it to you before I do, but just know that we're headed back. What's left of the Lusthogs anyway. Joker included. 

 I let Jimmy (JAMES) have one of the pictures. He teases me that he's using it to jerk off to. Can't say I blame him for that one. We don't have anything pretty to look at over here. Just pictures of you. 

 I really hope they're not shitting us and we're headed home next week. I love you. 

 Love, 

Ash 

 (Aw, gee, thanks, Mel! I do what I can. Despite popular belief, I'm actually very nice. I'm glad that I've been able to keep you two in touch. Mother's been much more tolerable since he's been able to write back to you. I can't imagine being on the other end of this and just waiting. Hopefully he'll be back to you soon. Don't know where I'm headed yet if they're telling us the truth and we're actually headed home in a week. It seems like a pipe dream that's too far away right now. We'll see. If not, we'll be writing again! Keep your head up! - James P.S. Thank you for the picture! I'm happy to know you!)

[houseofvans]

ART SCHOOL | Q&A with ALBERT MERCADO

Lover of art, BMX and pickles, artist Albert Mercado aka Box Palm creates colorfully rad drawings that not only had us laughing for more, but also curious about the man behind the broccoli riding the bike. We’re exploring some of Albert’s works as well as chatting with him to find out more about his artwork, what he listens to when he’s drawing, and what his experience was like using the Vans Custom shop to create his own one-of-a-kind Slip-Ons. 

All photographs by Justin Kosman.

Introduce yourself? Hi, Im Albert Mercado. I’m from sunny San Diego, California. I’m a Professional BMX rider and the Illustrator behind Boxpalm! I love pickles and if you ever brought me one (or a jar) id be forever grateful. 

How would you describe your artwork?  Puns personified? Basically taking anything that I think would look silly on a bike. I keep them light hearted and playful. Some based on BMX riders, current events, my friends, and a lot of is based on FOOD.

When did you start really getting into drawing?  When I was younger, my two older brothers and I used to all draw together. It was really fun and one of my favorite memories. I kind of fell out of it for awhile because I spent a lot of time riding bikes, but then I slowly got back into it over the last few years. It took a second to get the hang of digitizing everything, but that’s the direction I really wanted to go. 

What’s your process like? When do you find you are the most creative? Morning or night?  I carry a sketchbook around with me most the time. If I have time, I’ll sketch out a funny moment I saw or take a quick note on my phone. I feel more creative in the morning for sure. Fresh morning energy and a giant cup up coffee usually gets me going. Don’t get me wrong though, I spend a lot late nights doodling. Creativity is hard to pin down down. It’s a wild creature.

Would you say that your personality is reflected in your drawings?  Absolutely! Growing up I always imagined people as inanimate objects or inanimate objects as people. It’s a blast to be able to translate that into art.

You draw a lot of bikes in your stuff. When did you start seeing this crossover with art and bmx? I’ve been riding BMX forever. Its pretty one sided of me, but bikes surround my life, family, friends, travel, and my day-to-day is all about bikes! I love it. It was only fitting to have my art based around bikes. So a few years ago, when I started getting back into art, I decided I was going to mesh my worlds together and create Boxpalm!

You recently did some amazing Vans using the Vans Custom Shop. Can you tell us a little about the design and how the process was for you?  Thanks! The design is based around a handful of my favorite Boxpalm characters. I’ve always wanted to create a pattern with them. Vans Customs were the perfect opportunity to bring that idea to life. I am stoked on the outcome! The shoes came out so rad. 

What do you do to overcome drawer’s block? I usually just get outside. I’m always inspired by pedaling around on my bike. Sometimes all it takes is a little fresh air and a quick session at the skatepark to reset my brain and get me back into the creative spirit. After all my first creative outlet was BMX. 

What do you do when you’re not drawing?  When I’m not drawing, I’m usually riding BMX, I spend a lot of time pedaling around San Diego. With all the constant construction and renovations going on it’s pretty easy to catch a session just about anywhere in the city. 

What kind of music are you jamming to when you’re working on something? Arcade Fire, Pixies, Of Montreal, Clap your Hands Say Yeah, and tons of stuff in that genre. I mean the list is endless haha. Mostly relaxing melodic music that’s easy on the brain, that’s usually what vibes with me.

If you could own any piece of art, what would it be and why? Thats a crazy question! My first thought was to have some crazy priceless art from hundreds of years ago. Then I thought I’d rather have some originals from one of my all time favorite artists, Jim Houser.

What are your favorite Vans? Old Skool Pros for sure. To me they are perfect shoes to ride in and they are stylish. Just high enough to have ankle support and not low enough that I feel so exposed. Can’t go wrong with a pair of those bad boys.

What are you super excited about that is coming up this year?  Oh lots! New Sticker packs will be out soon, I’m in the process of sorting out some new tees and accessories, and I plan to bring back prints this summer! All fun things coming real soon. Also I have a major collaboration coming around August. I really can’t speak on it, but I’m super excited to show everyone!

FOLLOW ALBERT | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

[saportuh]

ok panic concert highlights

(plus some personal adventures)

this was the portland show on the 12th k

so it was a fuckin hour and a half drive bc where i fuckin live now is far away from everything i hate it anyway that sucked & i ran my phone down to 80 percent during said drive which proved problematic

we get there (me & my lil sis) & our dad drops us off & we run up & im bitching about how weird the fucking venue is (it’s normal, it’s just not what i’m used to - in vegas the venues were typically in the casino/resorts so you lined up inside the halls & sat against the walls & tourist-watched, in this venue u stood outside in a line???? ughhh)

so we approach the line & something happens, i’m gonna make a separate post about it because holy shit

befriended two excitable gay kids, maybe 8th or 9th grade?? & i was like woah i was u once. now im old & jaded. eugh. then they bailed on me so.

we got into the arena & were on the wrong fucking side so we had to JOG all the way AROUND THE WHOLE FUCKINGN PLACE UGH

THEN WE GOT IN & SAT IN THE WRONG SEATS so the guy next to me (dad w a thick accent, maybe ukranian?? it wasn’t russian but it was close) politely informed me & i was like fuck well until they get here we’ll stay, but i had anxiety so during an arizona song i pretended to go to the bathroom & came back to look for our actual seat, someone took it so i pussied out & went back, had hella anxiety about it, then before hayley the ppl showed up so we had to move & i had to kick some preps out of their seat & they called my lil sister a bitch ;-;

OK SO ONTO THE PERFORMERS

arizona was cute, gotta check them out... singer kept getting emotional & wiping his eyes, it was sweet, and he was hella feeling himself dancing & stuff lmaoo. idk em but im proud of them.

HAYLEYYYYYYYYYYY her dancing & drumming & outfit??? also all the lesbians/wlw getting crunk in the crowd was so damn good haha

ALSO shout out to hayley’s band, they were so cute??? the guitarist & her kept having moments & he seemed like a cool dude, & the girl on synths was so pretty omg??? & smiley i loved her. & the drummer, they were goin so hard i couldnt get a good look, but they had kewl hair

“if you don’t know anything about me, there’s one thing you should know: I LOVE GIRLS” there was so much gay energy at that show i was teary the whole damn time

k confession, i love everything about hayley but i find her voice a little grating on the ears, something about it, but it was super angelic live & didn’t bug me once, & wanna be missed fucked me up cuz it’s my fucking f a v

SHE DID THE DRUMMY IT WAS HOT 

her oufit was so damn iconic rlly tho, the pants & shoes totes fit her but wouldn't look good on anyone else, but that shirt, the hot dad look w the open v & all the jewelry, holy fuck that’s how im tryna be

during girls like girls, everyone had their lights out & there was a bunch of pride flags out, and i got this gorgeous shot of a gay pride flag illuminated by lights (i posted it)

most of the songs they played between the breaks were gay themed too which was powerful dude i was so damn emotional

then during the countdown to panic, they played the next episode by dre (the “smoke weed every day” song) & then africa by toto jsfndjfndjskfnjdk

THEN PANIC CAME OUT 

WHOLE ASS STRING & BRASS SECTION BDEN RLLY WENT THERE WOAH

KENNY & NICOLE WERE SO CUTE THE WHOLE TIME THEY KEPT GOOFING AROUND ESPECIALLY KENNY IT WAS ADORABLE

THEN BREB POPPED OUT THE DAMN FLOOR

ok several things about breb

one, i never was heavy into panic, but considering how obsessive i was into bandom a few years back, i still know a lot about early panic, livejournal shit, ryden bullshit, etc, so it was really weird being there with normies who were just like “he’s hot & sings good” when i was like “yall lucky fucks never heard of myrtle beach ” dsjfnjsdnfds

two, four years into panic & i never was attracted to brendon, but dude, EVERYONE fell in love with him at this show, myself included, & i was starin at this bitch ass motherfucker in a trance before i was like “wait ur a bastard STOP U ENDEARING DICKWAD” he was so fucking endearing it was ANNOYING cuz i’ve seen some of the shit he’s pulled damnit. srsly tho, so absolutely charming, wow.

three, and what stuck with me most; brendon loves what he does. a little bit of exhibitionism, i think; he likes ppl looking at & admiring him, he’s that type of person, a showman, but also, i think he just loves making music, people singing along to the music, etc. ive been to eight concerts now, and i don’t think i’ve seen someone who clearly loved being on stage so much. a lot of ppl act like it’s a chore to tour, but brendon clearly loves it, and it made me happy, especially as an aspiring musician. 

four, the straighties drooling over him and the gays drooling over him was truly straight/gay solidarity

ok what else happened... brendon would throw in random ass high notes towards the ends of songs... my sister looked at me super alarmed when he first did it during dtmwagt lmfao... ppl would cheer & it was impressive, but kinda piercing & i was like “show off” lol

HE DID THE ‘I MAKE THESE HIGH HEELS WORK’ thing, i thought he retired tht?? so i was pleased lmfao

i dont rmr anything that stands out about ready to go or la devotee but the lights & backgrounds during them were very pretty & i got some good pics of brebbois face (i finally got semi decent quality pics im rlly happy abt tht, concerts r so hard to photograph)

hallelujah was cool cuz there were, like, those catholic(?) church windows projected on the top part of the stage, it was pretty af, they rlly outdid themselves with the visuals

and mona lisa had like pipes & industrial stuff?? idk it looked dope, and it contrasted rlly cool it was super pretty

nine in the afternoon,,,, the only pretty odd song... i dont even like pretty odd but it was like,,, damn. & he had the piano, total live in denver vibes ;-; but he wasnt dripping sweat this time lmao

golden days, brebweenie knows hes hot, kept winking & doing mic flips & shit & i was like u fucken weenie ive seen that pic of u w a bowl cut in a bra, die

k he’s a fuckin bastard but hhe’s pretty & talented fuckin big ego bitch ... can yall tell i hav a lovehate relationship w him bc i do

I GOT THIS ONE PART ON VIDEO DURING GOLDEN DAYS WHERE KENNY & NICOLE R FUCKING AROUND & MAKING FACES & GOOFING IT’S SO CUTE

during casual affair in the chorus, the mic would echo each word (just lay (lay) in the atmosphere (sphere) & the ‘lay’ was rlly good on my ears idk sometimes certain vocal notes sound GOOD & that was one i keep replaying it

SO VEGAS LIGHTS as yall kno i was born & raised in vegas & a vegasfucker69 it’s my fucking home i moved last november (not my choice) & miss it violently & i was CRYING during vegas lights hard & it was so beautiful im gonna watch the video i got over & over & over that song means so much to me IM SO FUCKING HOMESICK

speaking of which, im pretty bitter i didnt see panic in vegas, this was my first panic show & that kinda bothers me, like i should’ve seen them in vegas a few yrs ago but it never worked out.... still, im grateful i saw them at all & im glad i saw the song live. i had my fob snapback on too, it says ‘las vegas’ on it cuz i got it there haha, wore that on purpose

he did the fucking running man thing towards the end & everyone cheered & i was like dONT ENABLE HIM

sat down during dancing’s not a crime cuz im a bitch who doesn’t like half the new record & also my knees hurt cuz im old apparently, anyway this chick glared at me then sang every word wat a fuckin prep lmao

o yah i forgot, in golden days he got in the crowd & let a girl sing the last chorus it was amazing i bet that made her life

AND DURING DOAB HE WALKED THRU THE CROWD that was SO FUCKING ENDEARING i was like “wow what a guy” then i was like “HE’S A BITCH U KNOW HIM” & i was like “hmm??? what a guy” but omg he made so many people happy it was really beautiful & sweet & i was like... half in love & then i came to my senses jksjfhjsdhfkjsdn

RLLY THO HE WALKED THRU THE CROWD & HIGH FIVED PPL & SHIT & GAVE HUGS & TOOK ART/LETTERS IT WAS SO DAMN GOOD HE WAS SO SWEET & LEGIT EVERYONE WAS FALLING FOR HIM & I WAS LIKE SUFFERING

legit guys, like it’s weird i used to watch his parascopes in 2015 or w/e & he’d say some Bad shit on there sometimes, like ik he does some messy shit BUT HE ACTED SO FUCKING LOVELY BLEH

also he’s very short, like he’s 2 inches taller than me but he looked so little in the crowd i was like... aw

the piano thing ;-; it was rlly pretty but my paranoia & anxiety was off the charts i was like that things gonna fucking fall & crush the crowd it’s gonna fucking fALL but it didnt ofc but i was stressed bleghh

but ok on a positive note, that was soo fucken lovely, bden stopped to try to make eye contact with as many ppl in as many places of possible, like he made the effort to get to everyone & make them have a special moment & it was ... magical ok thts fucken cliche as shit but it rlly was

ok i did smth lowkey embarrassing, i doubt he saw, but when he faced towards us i was just overwhelmed w like.. gratitude?? ive had a bad 2 years in every way, so being somewhere filled with love & fun & kindness & joy & all around good vibes, i was so grateful? i just wanted to thank him for creating that kinda atmosphere. so i like,,, blew kisses but not in a weird way, like later i was like oh that was kinda weird whyd i do that, but at that moment i didnt use my head & it was jus my instinctual way of saying thank u idk it’s lame but it happened so there ya go idfk

fun fact, my vid of it is out of focus cuz i was so enamored watching him & watching the crowd react it was pretty fucking magical it rlly was

once he got down from that piano he went “wow i feel so fucking inspired now” & i was like “bitch me too tf” 

legit it was absolutely indescribable, even watching my vid now.... wow. and u can hear me lightly crying in the back of my video too lmao, and i was shaking p hard, it was so fucking magical. like im getting emotional rn cuz it was exactly what i needed to remind myself that there is good stuff in the world thats worth staying for. 

i never was super big on panic or breb like i said but if i ever meet him im gonna thank him bc that. wow. transformative.

also that transition from the piano cover he did to dying in la was smooth af. it was all around gorgeous.

OK GIRLS GIRLS BOYS, I WAS SO CONCERNED W FILMING I COULDNT PUT MY LIGHT ON (i had a red heart) BUT OMG

he got a bi flag first, then a rainbow one, then another rainbow one... one was those hayley ones lol, and one ended up on the stage out of his eyesight & he never saw it & i felt so bad fjdnfds

G-D ALL THE GAYS SINGING WAS SO EMOTIONAL & THE RAINBOW BEHIND THEM ON STAGE (AND PAN FLAG COLORS AT TIMES?!??!?!)) IT WAS FUCKING MAGICAL & BRENDON LET A FLAG DRIFT IN THE WIND FOR A SEC BEFORE HE PUT IT ON IT WAS GORGEOUS

AND ALL THE RAINBOW LIGHTS IN THE CROWD FUCK DUDE

breb might be a turd but he’s the only one of these emo dudes who parades around draped in flags & so aggressively empowers gay fans through it, and for that, i respect him. ik the song has more perverse origins but now it’s a bi anthem that rlly connects w lgbt fans & it’s rlly beautiful, AND i got another gorgeous shot of a pride flag surrounded by lights & im just. wow.

after, breb said “that is gorgeous btw” about the rainbow lights, and “thank u for participating in love” & giggled, i got this shot of the lights in the dark lookin incredible ;-;

also said “this a record number of flags tonight, very cool” so portland is rlly gay apparently, kewl

nicole doin the nicotine bass line slayed me dead wowie u can hear me go “WOO” on the vid lmfao (im a bassist so i lov her double)

ive seen miss jackson live twice now cuz at my monumentour show, new politics brought lolo out to cover it so that’s dope lmfao

anyway bden did the fuckin valley girl voice for “the scenery is so loud” which was delightful

he had us do the ‘ayyyy’ bit woo

NICOLES BASS,,, SPARKLY

drum thingy ;-; speaking of monumentour, andy & patrick famously did a drum off & i MISSED IT cuz the stage at my venue wasnt large enough to fit both sets ;-; so they didnt do it ;-; but bden doin his own drum solo kinda made up for it a little bit

fuckin show off tho he played like 3 instruments & i was like u bitch stop

there was some kinda audio sample that went “i got a fever & the only prescription is more caffeine(?)” & bden mouthed the words along, and some girl behind me went “SAME” 

UPDATE: googled it, i knew i recognized chris walken’s voice, he says cowbell not caffeine & it’s a skit from snl that i’ve SEEN im a disgrace anyway that was fun also woo cowbell

the big screen kept cutting from bden drumming to a shot of the crowd & someone holding a pride flag & i was like yah drumming is gay now

lmao i only filmed like a minute of a song unless i rlly liked it so i could spend the rest of the song gettin funky right?? & i like king of the clouds but not a ton, but i filmed the whole thing cuz the visuals were so pretty lmfaooo i jus was staring at them like wowwww prettyyyyy

during the ‘i dont feel anything at all’ he looked rlly sad & i couldnt tell if it was genuine or if he was goin for like a pouty look djfdsjfndjks then right after he winked so ig pouty thx breb

at some point he introduced nicole&kenny plus the strings & brass ppl as “his friends” it was sweet & he was like “these lovely ladies” about the strings & “these handsome men” about the brass & i was like WOO GAY RIGHTS

FIRE DURIN CRAZY EQUALS GENIUS. BOZ FLASHBACKS. FIRE ON MY FACE HUNDREDS OF FEET AWAY. FEAR. DONT LIKE FIRE. SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. KENNY WAS TOO CLOSE. FEAR.

a whole arena singing bohemian rhapsody 25+ years after freddie mercury’s death was Incredible, i dont believe in afterlives but if there is one i hope he was watching & enjoying & knowing his legacy was staying alive bc wow that was powerful

THE END WAS CRUNK AF HOLY SHIT BDEN GOT DOWN

i cant believe i remember the day emperors came out like,,,, jeez. so lit live tho

I HAVENT MENTIONED HIS SPARKLY SUIT YET. KING OF SPARKLY SUITS

BRENDON DOIN HIS HIGH NOTE BIT & THE STAGE LIGHTING UP FULLY ON FIRE FUCK DUDE

bitchden took his shirt off when he came out for the encore..... bitch

SINS,,, FUCK DUDE,,,, MY CHILDHOOD WAS CRYING HHYSTERICALLYYY, 

in the background of my vid u can hear me do the ‘ily’ ‘ily’ from the mv emo ass

my lil sis got fucken turnt to sins lmfaooo??? danced her ass off???

us: W H O R E bden: ily

VIOLINISTS GETTIN WILD TOO

they played footage of the music vid & breb & his fuckin iconic outfit & i was a lil emo kid again omg i cant believe i saw it live

he did funny voice durin calls for a toast nerd ... least he’s not entirely bitter abt songs ryan wrote anymore tho lmao... or maybe he is considering theres only two on the 30 song setlist ;-;

i gotta listen to afycso again damn it’s so iconic

oh yah at some bit he said “ive been doing this for 14 years, im 31 now” & it reminded me like.. most of these emo bands, they started so young. & got successful at such a young age. it’s so crazy. idk. wow. 

he got growly during the chorus, that’s pstump’s thing beeb dont steal it lmao

CONFETTI fitting ending, & i got him walking off which is cool, other bands it goes dark & they just kinda disappear & it’s unsatisfying ;-;

so yah i finally saw breadman live, i got 400 pics and 30 videos so that all got spam posted over the last few days lmao

[melissagt]

Is daz studio difficult to use?

Hi there!

The answer is kind of “yes” and “no”. I know it’s not really an answer, but there are a number of factors that come into play.

1 - Level of Knowledge - I have a background in texture modding (Skyrim and Fallout 4), so this has helped greatly. Bump maps, normal maps, specularity, metalicity…it all comes in handy. Of course, you can use what is available out of the box without that working knowledge, but to truly bring figures home, you kind of need it. Which leads me to other programs, such as Photoshop (or GIMP…I use Photoshop). I regularly am reworking and tweaking textures to my liking, as well as creating things from scratch. Any of the tattoos I’ve posted were built there, as well as within another program to paint them directly onto the model - Mudbox. To take things even further, you will want to familiarize yourself with the concepts of 3D modeling. I came into it with a little (I guess?) knowledge, and am learning as I go. But, this requires learning other programs, such as zBrush and Blender. I decided to learn zBrush. Theron’s implants that I posted recently were done in zBrush…I literally took his SWTOR in-game model and sliced them off his head (I’m sorry, Theron! But it was worth it!). I have a long time to go before I can build my own models because I really am just a beginner when it comes to that stuff. Scourge’s dangly bits come next. I know you guys love hearing me say “dangly bits”. DANGLY BITS. DANGLY BITS. DANGLY BITS. 

2 - Photography - I am an amateur photographer (I guess I’d say I have the knowledge to be pro, I just don’t get paid to do it, lol). These skills come into play with designing scenes. Posing characters fluidly. Lighting. Shadow. Overall composition. Then there is the post-processing done in Photoshop. Something I do even with photography. Sadly, it isn’t as simple as just dropping bodies in and hitting “go”. I mean…you can do that, but all of the above comes into play to really make a scene flow. 

3 - Cost - This is a big one. Big. DAZ is free. Well. Not really. Yes, the program is free. But everything else is not. So is not. A single base model alone will set you back about $100, if you want them to be anatomically correct. I’ve had to purchase several. Then there’s clothes. Hair. Skin. Lights. Props. OMG just everything. I’m not trying to brag here…it’s just a huge shock to perspective. I’m probably in the hole about $4,000 already getting my base started with everything (and I am so mad at myself for doing it). That’s not including the cost of secondary software. Photoshop is $10/mo. Okay, that’s not so bad and I use it constantly for other stuff too. zBrush will run you about $900. There are free alternatives (Blender), but I’ve heard it’s a nightmare to work with and there are things it can’t do that zBrush can. Mudbox is $10/mo, but can easily be gotten free by checking the “student” box. I’ve also purchased some other add-ons, such as Lazy Nazumi, to help smooth out my mouse brush strokes (I refuse/cannot use a wacom tablet…I try…then I just want to throw it at the wall). That was $30. The Nik collection (something I use for all of my post-processing) (and haha, Nik…*giggles*) was I think $60. 

4 - Horsepower - This could probably be looped into #3. Last August I went overboard on building a custom computer. Like…creepy overboard. I had to question why I’d ever need it, but now I’m glad I did, because I use it. My current computer specs are as follows - AMD RYZEN 7 1800X Octa-Core processor w/ NZXT Kraken X62 AIO CoolerMSI ProCarbon Gaming Mobo32 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 RAM (16 x 2)EVGA GTX 1080TI FTW3 11GB GPUEVGA SuperNOVA 850 PU Platinum PSUCorsair Crystal 570x Tempered Glass Case (all fans replaced with Corsair HD series)Samsung EVO 960 M.2 250GB (OS)Samsung EVO 960 M.2 1TB (games and DAZ)Samsung EVO 850 2.5 500GB (games)WD Black 3.5 4TB (storage)WD Black 2.5 3TB (storage)

Ok, so why the horsepower? If you want to beat the crap out of your system (and not by overclocking), try 3D. The more cores, the better (and to be honest, I wish I had an AMD Threadripper chip, but they hadn’t been released at the time). And even with all those crazy specs, my computer gets brought to its knees easily. A single render can take hours, depending on the lighting complexity. The piece pictured below took just over four hours to render at 3840 x 2160. 

So, I’m sorry if I didn’t answer your question. Or perhaps I did! Yeah, DAZ is fun. But it’s expensive. And excessively time consuming. And you do still need to have artsy fartsy tendencies, just of a different sort. I can’t look at someone’s gorgeous digital painting and say “yup, I can do that” because I can’t. It’s enough for me to just scream bloody murder at my damned wacom tablet that sits on top of my computer and stares at me like a creepy owl. Judgy bastard. Once upon a time, I could draw…but I missed the boat on that digital wave. But art is hard. Any artist would be the first to tell you it’s fucking hard…even if it looks easy. And even though it might not look it, rendering is hard too.

I hope that helps!

[sundaynightbombers-blog]

Chapter Three

III

    Gator gets to the hotel earlier than he was expected. He waits outside where the rain has stopped and it has been dark now for a few hours. The street lights shine orange onto the sidewalks and it’s busier than usual. He watches the crowds of tourists go by, stopping to take pictures of the hotel shaped like a castle. He decided to go in and get it over with.     He walks into the hotel and nobody tries to stop him walking into the service elevator and into the underground tunnels of the large hotel. The basement is a different existence; with corridors that build a maze, extending beyond the ground floors of the hotel, past Sussex and reaching out into The Market underground. The corridors are narrow in some spots but wide enough in others to drive a golf cart through. The walls are dungeon-like and rough. Overhead are the bare pipes rushing sewage in one direction and water in the other. Along the walls are stacks of old furniture and big wooden crates from a long time ago. Gator hears voices coming down the corridors in a garbled language from an unseen crew of people. He follows the directions in the letter that was sent to him; listening to his own footsteps and the scurrying of the mice racing by the walls. He walks and walks and the turns in the halls disorient him. He doesn’t know how far he is from the elevator. He keeps going, not seeing anyone else but hearing voices bouncing off the walls. It’s just him and the mice that are scurrying as if they are following him. He catches his shadow on the wall and it frightens him for a moment. He’s so big he’s been ducking his head and arching his back and his shadow looks like the wall painting of a serpent.      Finally, he finds the office. It’s the size of a storage closet and probably should be one. Nobody is in it. There is one desk with a computer on it. On the surface of the desk is a big calendar and strewn around are papers and bolts with nuts and other screws. There are two chairs, one behind the desk and the other right by the door. Gator tries to sit down in the chair beside the door but he finds it too uncomfortable. He goes back into the hallway to stand by the door.      I hope I don’t wait long. I hope it’s worthwhile. I hope it won’t be boring, like following his wife to some other guys house.      There are moments where it’s quiet in the underground complex and others where it’s loud. The echoes of machinery hum through the tunnels like the breath of a large beast in deep slumber. Prehistoric hibernation.     I’ll call Ramona in the morning to tell her I came anyway. She will be happy there’s something for me to do.     He keeps waiting and starts pacing around so his legs don’t hurt. He wonders who this Aramis is, and after making sure the coast is clear he returns to the man’s office. He looks over the papers, nothing that speaks to him. He opens the drawers in the desk and all except the top one is empty. Inside is a gun, along with some paper clips, pens, assorted office junk. Beneath it all are some more papers in a folder, but Gator doesn’t try to read them because he doesn’t want to touch the gun. He shuts the drawer and steps back into the hall. Something doesn’t feel right.     Nothing that day has felt quite right. Gator can’t remember waking up. And seeing that car crash feels like it happened weeks ago or inside of a dream. That gunfight too, in broad daylight. He wonders if he should just leave, all of these have been bad omens. He could come back tomorrow or another day, pretend like he hadn’t seen the envelope.      Around the corner turns Aramis. He’s wearing black work pants and boots with a white golf shirt tucked in. On his belt are a radio and a big ring of keys.      “Sir. How’re you? What can I do for you?”     “I’m looking for Aramis. My name is Frank I’m from the detective agency.”     “Ah yes, yes, please buddy come in, come in. Have a seat.”     Gator stays standing in the doorway while Aramis sits at the desk.     “Thanks for coming.” He puts his feet up onto the desk. “Is it still raining outside?”     “Yes, it is. I don’t think it will stop soon.”     “Better than snow! Can you believe we haven’t seen none yet?”     “No. It’s unusual. I don’t mind I don’t do well in the cold.”      “Haha yes, the cold it’s brutal.” They stay in silence for a minute as if they had no business to discuss. Gator doesn’t like getting too friendly generally. He wants this to be quick. The sound of dead space makes him uncomfortable.      “Hmm yes, well it definitely will come. That’s what you can bet on living here. But anyways thanks for coming. I wasn’t sure when to expect you and see I work nights so I just can’t come see you during the day. Sit down please, sit!”     “I’m ok I prefer to stand.”     “Come on, please.”     Gator doesn’t say anything.     “Be my guest come on.”     “No. I, uh, I don’t think I fit in the chair it’s ok, I’m ok to stand don’t worry, it’s good, I can stretch my legs.”     “Ok buddy, no problem. You want a drink? Water?”     “No, I’m ok, thanks.”     “You sure? I have a little refrigerator under here. I have water, juice, I have beer if you want.”     Gator didn’t notice the mini-fridge when he was behind the desk. “No thanks, I don’t drink. I actually don’t have that much time; would you mind telling me about the note you sent us?” “Ah yes of course. I don’t want to waste your time. I have to get back upstairs too in a bit, the action never stops around here. Always asking for more and more this old hotel. You know it might be haunted? Is what they say. Anyways, the job. The job, it isn’t hard. But, I think I need someone like you to do it.”     He opens the desk drawer and takes out the folder underneath the gun. It’s done in a way where he doesn’t try to hide the pistol.  He puts the folder on the desk.      “Inside are photographs of a person I need you to follow.”     Gator takes the folder and opens it to see a picture of a young man with black wavy hair. It looks like a mug shot but less serious. Could be from an ID card. Another photo is of the same man, taken from a security camera. Lastly is a better photograph of the man, a close up of him while he’s out somewhere. He looks relaxed.     Gator keeps studying them, “is he fucking your wife?”     Aramis laughs from his gut. He really thought it was funny. “No, no Frank nothing that simple. Well, what I want you to do is simple. Just follow him, see where he goes, who he talks to. Try and find what kind of business he is in, how he makes his money. What he does for fun.”     Gator kept looking at the young man in the photograph. “For what?”     “That is nothing for you to worry about.”     “I mean if you kidnap this kid I might worry about it.”     “It’s nothing like that. My associates and I just need to know more about the fellow. It’s about business, as usual. No one will get hurt here. That’s what you investigators do right? Follow people? Figure things out?”     “Sort of. Ok look I can do this if you are willing to pay. It depends how long you want me to follow this guy. I would say two weeks minimum to figure out his habits. And I won’t be cheap, I would rather do other work than follow someone if I were to be honest with you.”     “Money won’t be a problem, just come drop off a bill. If you need to talk you can come find me here, I am here every night. From what I know this guy goes to the university, you might be able to start there.”     “Can I get a name at least?”     “Horatio Bolastro.”                          * Although it had been raining all day the pavement was dry when Gator walked back to his minivan. The clouds were gone now and the moon was very far away.     He will start the case in the morning. For now, he will go home and rest and maybe feel normal in the morning. He drives off east and is the only car on the highway as the orange lights pass one by one by one by one overhead into the deep night.

[fayewonglibrary]

Extraordinary 3,000 seconds (1998)

* SOME REVISIONS TO SPELLING/GRAMMAR/WORDING *

Text: Liu Jie Qi

Before flying off to Hong Kong for my interview with Faye Wong, the record company promotions manager told me: "Since Faye Wong entered the music industry, this is her first time formally accepting a face-to-face interview with Singapore media. It is really considered an extreme rarity”. She then jokingly said: "You can consider it as 'the big empress’ giving face, right?"

But even then, not until the last second, no one can guarantee that this interview with Faye can go smoothly. Not until I see her in person, there's no confirmed outcome.

Maybe because of this reason or maybe after hearing too many reports, everyone was feeling worried, especially the reporter from "8 Days" who was going on this trip too. She was very interesting. Before the interview, she was browsing through all her notes and taking deep breaths as if she was in gastric pain.

I consoled her: "Relax a bit. Faye Wong is not a three-headed monster. She is just a person." Just like this, we got into the record company's car.

When the big door was pushed open to the small meeting room, Faye who was chatting with the make-up artist Zing turned around and looked at us. She smiled and said hello to us. She wore a simple light-colored T-shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and her face was calm. From the beginning to the end of the interview, all we saw was a person.

Faye Wong Live Interview Date: 22nd September 1998 (Tuesday) Time: Evening 6:08 pm to 6:58 pm Place: Hong Kong Person(s): Faye Wong, i-weekly’s Liu Jie Qi, 8-days’ Andy Chen, Zing, record company manager Ah Han, our photographer Alfie Lee & special image director Daniel Goh.

Q: In your new album, the style seems to go in many different directions. What is the most important thing that you wish to express to music listeners? Faye: What to express? I’m not expressing much. Actually...how to say it... actually every time I make an album, I never think of expressing a particular issue or whatever. I only wish to make a very good album. If I can be totally involved in the compositions, that would be best! However, I don’t make many compositions, but will try my best to put in more of my own things, just like that. Actually whether it expresses something or not is open to the audience's opinions, I only wish to make a good album.

Q: In your albums, there are more and more of your own compositions. In the near future, will there be a full album of all your own songs? Faye: I really hope it can be like this. But I feel that currently I still cannot fully do that. Because although now, I only release one album per year, but I still feel that the time is too short.

Q: Then how much time do you feel is the most ideal to complete one album? Faye: This is very hard to say. Cannot guarantee if it is 3 or 5 years, 8 years or....keke (Faye's laughter is not the big ‘haha’ type) Actually my ideal thought is to make my album as my interest and not a job, maybe I can do that.

Q: Many singers hope to release at least 2 albums or more per year to let their popularity grow and to get a stable income. As for your style of only releasing one album per year, as compared with typical singers who follow the formula, are there any disadvantages to that? Are there any problems to maintain a living?

Faye: I don’t feel it is hard to maintain, can still maintain a living ah! keke....but if I could spend a very long time to produce an album that I like a lot, I feel it would really be worth it. Maybe you release 2 albums per year, but it is poor quality and the results are not good....I feel the most important thing is still quality.

(At this time, Andy asked her about the conflict between interest and work, she replied: "Currently it is hard to separate between interest and work, so sometimes there will be a dilemma. Because music itself is not a business product. But now it became a business product that is popular, thus very naturally will result in this very hard to solve dilemma. Unless I don’t continue to sign on with any record company in the future and only purely do my own music, if I can also make a stable living that way, then I think I would be happiest." As she says this, she smiles again.)

Q: Will you feel that you are helpless when faced with those questions regarding the sales of your albums and the market problems? Like you are living in very hard to control surroundings?

Faye: Yes, thus I need to make it balance. But I feel it should not be like that. Like the environment that I am in now, I feel that I should go and face it and not just feel helpless. Thus I feel I have to make it balance. To do it is quite hard, but I will try my best.

(Andy wished to understand why the song she wrote for her daughter "Tong" was in the dance genre, she replied : "Many songs written for children are those heart-warming and soft [gentle] types. Actually heart-warming things do not need to be only expressed in soft ways, because she is very active. This song was arranged with Dou Wei. We discussed beforehand to make a dance kind of song, thus when it was finished, we feel it is very suitable for Tong Tong."

Q: Have you let Tong Tong listen to this song? Did she dance to the music? Faye : Yes, yes!

Q: She likes this song?

Faye: Yup, I think she likes it. (smiles)

Q: Your image in this album seems to give people an innocent feeling?

Faye: (immediately turned to Zing who was sitting next to her) You explain lah .......actually I never really think carefully of what image to use. Also I never really seriously go and plan it. I give it all to Zing, the art director, the hairstylist and the photographer. They will have meetings and discuss it. Actually it is all very natural, go with the feelings.......I think the main thing they want is for it to still represent me?  keke.

Q: Is this also the more true you? Faye: There's really no true or false I guess? No matter what make up he puts on my face, it still needs me to express it, thus no need to say if it is true or false. It is all me.

Q: Basically you will not have any objections? Faye: Sometimes there are some images I don’t accept or don’t like...but usually it’s not the case because we have been working together for very long. We are friends and they all understand me. We all have a kind of chemistry. They know what suits me and what I don’t like.

Q: You give people the impression that you have an "I do things my own way" kind of image. And towards music, it is also the same manner. Basically are you concerned about the direction of the music industry?  Faye: It’s not that I am not concerned. But my music still starts with myself. I will not do what is popular in the market now. I don’t necessarily follow it. It mainly still stems from my own likes.

Q: Your good friend Na Ying in a recent interview said: "Privately, Faye is very friendly to guests, loves friends, loves having fun, sometimes can get wild. She is like a totally different person from what you all see". To what she said, do you have any agreements or disagreements? Faye: I don’t disagree. Actually I...how to say it? Actually I'm not like what the outside people say. Maybe I’m cold to strangers. Maybe it is because of my character, I'm not too good at socializing and will not take the initiative. But if we become friends, I'm quite active and can be very wild, keke....but no choice lah, the audience is still the audience. No matter how much they like my songs, there's still a distance between us. There’s no way that they can fully understand me. I feel there is also no choice here, I also don’t wish to force them to fully understand me. As long as they listen to and like my songs, that is good enough.

(Andy asked Faye what makes her feel very happy? Faye thinks for a while and said: "Many things can make me very happy and unhappy. A small matter can make me very happy, but can also make me unhappy, I feel I am a sensitive person and my emotions tend to change quite frequently. Actually I'm not much different from the past, still in the state of paradox....humans are basically paradoxical!" When she was saying this, she was smiling but there seemed to be some dilemma expressed in that smile.)

Q: After having Tong Tong, were there any changes in your attitude towards life? Faye: Actually many thing have two sides. Being a mother of course is very happy, but there are also many worries, many troubles....being a person is like that, good and bad, right and wrong. It has two sides.

Q: What about the way you view things? Any changes?

Faye: I'm always quite an optimistic person, even if my emotions are bad at times, I will still try to find a positive direction...

Q: There's people who view life as very very important. In a limited life span, will you very enthusiastically wish to do all that you wish to do? 

Faye: I cannot say that I’d be very enthusiastic, but also not unenthusiastic. I will try my best. The main thing is let nature take its own course! In this way, it is more comfortable.

Q: You will not force it?

Faye: Right, there are many things you cannot force.

Q: What is your ideal life?

Faye: Ideal life? Ideal life ....(she is stumped for almost 18 seconds, can sense that she is seriously thinking about this question) Actually I feel that there is no truly ideal life. What I mean is, if you currently think you will be like this and that in the future and that’s good enough, but when you reach this and that later, you might still not be satisfied, you will always wish for more things. Thus I will not think about what I wish to be like, I only wish to face the problems in the current times. I feel this is life. Don’t think too far ahead.

(At this point, Andy asked her how she feels about Kit Chan’s performance in “Snow Wolf Lake". Faye's first response is laughter: "She finished already? She hasn't yet right?!" But after a short while, she realizes she seems to be overdoing it a bit and think we have misunderstood her reply to the question as not good, thus she immediately calmed down and said: "Kit Chan is good, I always felt she is someone who can sing. She is quite suitable for the musical world too, as compared to me, I'm always scared of acting." These few words dissolved the almost awkward situation.)

Q: Because you are scared of acting, is that why you have had no more new projects after "Chungking Express"?

Faye: At this point not yet, but I will not say I threw away acting in movies completely. But I must definitely have interest and I must have confidence in myself.

Q: Wong Kar Wai will not let you off easily.

Faye: (smiles) He found me before, we are still discussing the part and still have not reached a final decision.

Q: This album is called "Sing and Play". Was that the producer’s idea or yours? Faye: The producer. Actually my thought was to call it "Faye Wong", because I have no concept. I only wish to do a better album. I don’t have any particular thing to express, not much concept. I suggested naming it "Faye Wong", but they said it would be the same as the last album......

Q: We saw the album cover and inside pictures of this latest album and were all very very surprised that Faye can actually be so cute and so fun.........

Faye: Haha ......you all thought Faye Wong can’t smile, right? Wouldn’t that be so horrible! haha.....

Q: In the 1994 "Movies Double Issue", there's an interview where you said the job that you don’t wish to do is "interviews". I wonder after so many years, has  your attitude towards the media changed? Have you softened a bit?

Faye: The situation now does not allow me to soften. I feel that the Hong Kong media is overdoing it now and became worse. Actually my attitude change in the past was not because after I became famous that I became uncooperative. It is because I feel that some Hong Kong media are too unreasonable and I don’t want to have anything to do with them. If it’s about work, I will not mind. What makes me dislike them is their following and chasing you. Like today, we are here doing this interview, I do not have any objections. Because if they do something that makes me feel uncomfortable, I will have an attitude towards them. I never like people to interfere with my personal matters, I feel everyone doesn’t wish for that. Some artists will feel it is part of their job and cannot avoid it, but I will not allow such things to happen. If they have ways to secretly take photos, whatever, I have no way to stop them. But it is not possible for me to cooperate with them on this matter and my attitude will not soften. I’ve always been like this.

FANS QUESTIONNAIRE

Q: Which is your most favorite song of Teresa Teng?

Faye: Too hard to say. I like almost every one of her songs.

Q: Can you play any instrument?

Faye: No

Q: What is the most touching thing that a fan has done for you?

Faye: (thinking for 16 seconds) I can’t remember.

Q: Besides singing, what else do you very "crazily" like?

Faye: I love to play, as long as it’s a game, I like to play it. (she asks Zing next to her) I play mahjong, does that count?

Q: What is your most favorite Singaporean food?

Faye: That green cake....( Zing smiled and said: "It’s pandan cake.") Because it left a deep impression, other than that I have not eaten much. Oh, I still like Hainanese chicken rice, I feel it is quite good, better than Hong Kong.

Q: If possible, what is the thing that you wish to change most in life?

Faye: Never thought of it before.

Q: What is the degree of your eyesight?

Faye: 400 degrees, I have a bit of astigmatism too but it’s mild.

Q: Normally when you need to leave your daughter, will you miss her?

Faye: Cannot say lah! Depends on what I am doing. If I'm playing mahjong.....(everyone understands her meaning: if I'm playing mahjong, I can forget her for a bit longer! Thus, everyone including Faye laughs.)

Q: Now what do you feel is the difference about the media in different areas (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, China)?

Faye: Actually it seems like I haven't been in contact much with Beijing media. I only live there and very rarely have interviews .....actually the media that I have the most contact with is the Hong Kong media. I think the most uncomfortable is the Hong Kong media because they are closer to me. I spend a lot of time in Hong Kong, so they have many chances to follow me. Maybe if I lived in Taiwan, it would also be this way?

Q: Where do you wish to spend most of your time?

Faye: Paris, France. Because I like Paris. It gives me the feeling of living in Beijing, I feel very free.

Q: For a fan that has not been to Beijing, what is the most attractive thing about Beijing?

Faye: Beijing is a historical place and has many historical monuments, places of interests...of course, I don’t live in Beijing because of that keke.......There is a family feeling....this should be easily understood right? At home is where I feel the most freedom.

[Faye's autograph to i-weekly readers] (in Chinese):

Singapore friends: Wish you happiness! - Faye

Me & Faye: Two Feet Away Story

When the interview was over, Faye opened her eyes wide and asked: "Finished?" She could not believe that we so easily "let her go".

But I still heard her softly give a sigh of relief. She smiled, stood up and twisted her waist and continued to chat with the other company people happily. The atmosphere was very relaxed and pleasant.

Actually, for everyone present, who wasn't giving a sigh of relief?

When we exited the building, my companion Daniel very excitedly said: "Faye is simply too good, I love her even more!"

Everyone was very happy. We felt that this interview was too perfect and not painful at all.

After we returned to Singapore, whenever I talked about this interview with colleagues, friends and family, they all had the same two questions: “You really spoke to her face-to-face for 50 minutes? What is she like?" It seems that Faye gives people the deep impression that you "cannot get close to her and better not mess with her because she is very hard to handle". However, if you see the above interview, you should be able to make a decision on her character now.

The interview with Faye was in a small meeting room, at a circular table, her every gesture and every smile was clearly shown.

Frankly speaking, Faye is just like any one of us. When she talks, she is full of expressions. Her big eyes always love to look here and there. She looks like a mischievous child. She also has her own friends and family. When talking about them and mentioning some funny events, she will also laugh.

After thinking carefully, I feel that Hong Kong, Taiwan and China are bigger markets than Singapore. So why did she choose our interview and not spend more time with the other three medias?

There's only one conclusion: Faye Wong only does things accordingly to her own wishes. She wants to be true to herself because she knows you still need to face yourself in the end. Thus she said: "I was like that in the past, I am like that now, and I will always be like that."

------------------------------------------------------------------  

SOURCE: I-WEEKLY // TRANSLATED BY: UNKNOWN - PLEASE CONTACT ME

[thefunnyamericanspersonal-blog]

Combat knowledge and airsoft.

A lot of people have been asking ma about what is airsoft and where Ive gotten my combat knowledge... Read below the cut! Its kinda long. 

Alright as many or you have learned I love a sport called airsoft. Its like paintball but more realistic. Its a combat simulation sport. Real looking guns and real tactics. All the guns shoot are little BBs. I myself am a support gunner. Meaning I carry a big ass gun. My BAR, MG36 or mainly my RPK These are classified as light machine guns. I carry lots of ammo for myself mainly and quite a bit of gear sometimes. I specialize in heavy fire and area coverage. I point my gun and pull the trigger. Laying down a large amount of BBs into one area. I like this job because its easy and I can stand in the middle of the group. When things go down everyone dives for cover. Not me, I point and rack up the “kills” (Ill be saying kills but they are a stand point kinda thing. I dont kill anyone but in the game if you are hit by a BB then you are dead as far as the game goes. More to come) Sometimes I does result in me being killed but thats the fun of it. A medic will come over and patch me up. Whether its applying a fake tourniquet or placing hands on me for 30 seconds im back up and shooting again. In the Games I go to sometimes full auto, continuous fire, is restricted to the support gunner class. So I normally lug around my RPK which is like 15 pounds and a spare drum magazine and two regular magazines. Bringing my total ammo count to 7,600 BBs. Thats a LOT most normal guns like an M4 only holds 30-148 BBs and consequently I produce a lot of noise when walking. A lot of rattling. But it is really fun. Ive met a lot of really cool people. I go to milsim events or “Military Simulation events” Sometimes I have to carry a lot more equipment for my class. The 7600 bbs I was talking about. I normally sport 4600 at any given time at any game. I play indoor and out door. But I use my PPSH for indoor due to semi auto, single fire, restrictions. Its all great fun. At the Milsim events I normally get chosen for special teams since ive been playing since 2008. The special teams sometimes get some training by special guests or by the squad leaders. I always go to events with friends who have more experience then me and im always the support gunner for them. So I learn many new things. I am also asked to the their support gunner due to my luck, or lack of luck... I am known as a Grenade magnet. (The grenades either make a big pop/bang or shoot bbs and make the big bang all are gas powered CO2) Ive had grenades thrown at me and they always seem to hit me before going off. Like the actual grenade itself hits my chest or leg and then goes off and showers me in bbs. One time, one went off, literally. right in my face that was fun. Didnt hurt cuz of my protection but it was still pretty cool. Then there are things called Tag grenades. They explode in a power cloud to tag a vehicle thats been hit. That was the only time I got hurt playing airsoft. It hit me in my side didnt go off but it felt like a good solid punch. I just kinda laid on the ground for a bit while a massive battle raged on, I was the only person in the town to fully die in the battle. I bleed out in the game standards. I was in the middle of the open yelling at some civilians (Milsims have many fractions one including a civilian fraction that is sometimes hostel) I was busy talking to them so I didnt notice a green truck (ours) rolled up a few yards behind me and a tan truck (enemy) tried to take it out and missed, hitting me. So I bled out after 5 min and walked like 10 yards to the respawn in the hospital and sat up there and drank a bunch of water and ate food. Thats just one of many stories I have. Have some photos!

Me with my RPK and a 44 revolver. I have a holster and a backpack with some repair tools and food and bbs and water thats all I had. and the red rag is my “Dead Rag” to show I have been hit in the game and are bleeding out. The fanny pack had more bbs. 

This here is a 2.5 tonne truck stuck in a river bed. On the other side in the town, is where I was hit the fallowing year by the tag round. We went down the wrong path and well... he got stuck trying to turn around. Luckily they brought two of these and with the help of a bobcat they dug out the river bank and pulled out out by that tree across the river bed

This is me, 4 or so years ago mind you, in my tent at a milsim. It was hot as hell and this was on the final day when my parents came to get me. My dog came to my rescue haha. But yeah that area you see is about all the room I had. I over packed for this one. Some milsims let you sleep in your tent and others make you carry all your gear onto the play field and sleep in the ruff as it were. 

Here is my buddy Zach testing out, back then, a new grenade. The “Thunder B” it makes a really loud bang. I have a video of this somewhere... But yeah. It took us a while to figure these out. We are in a back yard in this pic XD

Indoor games. When put in like a small office space with 20 other people and 5-6 enemies coming for you, “Swat” gets real wild. I love my revolvers XD  But yeah. This was my favorite mode. There were 7 rooms all like bedroom sized with 2 larger rooms. The swat team would have to take out all the bad guys. I was on the swat team several times and it was always nerve racking cuz we only had one medic while the badies could heal whoever. 

This is over 100 pounds of gear I carried up a mountain. Aptly named “Fuck Mountain” It was THE WORST airsoft milsim ive been to. Not because I nearly had a heart attack climbing the mountain and walking 2 miles with all of this but because when we set up... I was sat at a wall with my “Ammo Bitch” as I called him and we sat there for 5 hours... My ammo bitch was my buddy jared. Its a refernce to Dragon Ball z abridged by team 4 star.  “Im Max, and this is Jared, He was an Ammo Bitch...” 

With play sometimes comes injury! These are some of the injuries ive gotten while playing airsoft. My buddy lost a tooth because someone got way too close... 

This ones hard to tell but that is my thigh and those red bots are from an airsoft 40mm grenade. Its a tube loaded grenade and its basically a massive shotgun. I failed to realized after 2 days the shell might be pressurized still... Matrix makes some good stuff... 

Saving Private Brian! And finally we have Brian. He, by far, is my favorite photographer ive met at these events. Hes a really cool dude and he takes a lot of photos and lets me use them and stuff. The first and second photos were both taken by him.  I added this pic because there are lots of shenanigans that go on.  If you have any questions feel free to ask ^^

[generationphotoandgift]

Wedding: October 7, 2017

Ceremony: Timberhouse at Rolling Acres Country Club, Beaver Falls, PA  

Reception: Timberhouse at Rolling Acres Country Club, Beaver Falls, PA

Hair: Samantha Horne from Christine’s Salon and Spa in Hopewell

Makeup: Jessica Olsavsky

Florist: EcoFlowers

Bakery: Family Friends

Entertainment: Tim Cain from JL Entertainment

Colors: Plum and Gray

Honeymoon: Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico.

Let me just start this blog post by saying that sometimes the stars align, you meet someone that brings you joy, they enrich your lives and will forever hold  a special place in your heart. While there is no doubt that Theresa and Nate have this but here, I am talking about my relationship with this couple. Theresa is truly one of the sweetest, most hard working individuals that I have ever met and she can no longer be called a client, I knew this, I felt this about 5 minutes into meeting her…she is my friend and I treasure her.

Our day started at Theresa’s sisters home with pre-ceremony coverage, where I truly believe that I witnessed a family dynamic that is unparalleled on so many levels. The entire family gets along so well and it made everything run so smoothly that we were able to leave and arrive at the Timberhouse to continue the getting ready photos. Once we completed the pre-ceremony coverage with Theresa complete with photos of her very soon to be in laws, we proceeded to another area to get photos of Nate and his family and groomsmen.

I have met Nate a few times but the stunning woman that is his mother has got to be the reason to which I had the honor of photographing Theresa and Nate’s wedding. Nate’s mother, Susan AKA Sue is so sweet and a long time friend of ours. She is an amazing chocolatier and the owner, operator of Noland Chocolates. Seriously, if you have not tried her chocolates, they are a must! They are so delicious and creamy and the take away box that Theresa and Nate packed up for me at the end of the night seriously saved my sanity of the weeks following their wedding haha. October is always a crazy month for me with several, always popular October weddings and my amazing daughter Addison’s birthday is on Halloween, which since she was born has become a month long celebration with Pumpkin Festivals and Fall farm visits all month long.  But truly Sue Noland’s chocolates are amazing and I insist you try them I promise you won’t be disappointed!

FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE DAY: Pre-ceremony…who knew that it could or would happen so soon! Theresa and Nate’s only photo request was that we capture their prayer prior to the ceremony. You will see tons of wedding samples on Pinterest that have a photo of the bride and groom on either side of the door, to preserve that precious first moment of seeing each other as being that moment that she walks down the aisle but this, this was different. These two are starting their lives together is the best way, they are putting God first! A marriage requires three people for it to be whole, to be successful, for it to be long lasting and true. Those three people are a bride, a groom and God.  These two…they just get it!

We had gorgeous 82 degree weather and the Timberhouse steps set the stage for this amazing couple to get married. The ceremony had all the perfect elements to unite these two, there was family, friends, laughter, tears, pure joy and excitement!

Following the ceremony we use those same steps for family photographs, I LOVE how you can see the reflection of the gorgeous fall trees in the reflection above that window, immediately followed, by bridal party and bride and groom portraits. This Rolling Acres Golf Course and Timberhouse have so many options for photography that we just simply walked across the street to capture all those special moments.

After heading in to the reception, they made quick work of the first dance, toasts and blessing. Now in talking with the couple they expressed extreme interest in sunset photos, based on our timeline that sun was going to set right in the middle of dinner, while I wouldn’t normally interrupt a couples dinner for photos,  let’s be honest, we need that break for food as well, but Theresa said to come get her and we will go.  So we hit up the buffet line after immediate family, scarfed our food and got back to work. Boy o Boy am I glad we did! The sunset portraits are definitely my favorites, the sky was fairly clear and the colors are spectacular. I also LOVE getting that photo on the front steps of the Timberhouse with the warm ambient light indoors contrasting with the cool twilight sky outdoors.  I feel these moments are essential to a successful wedding; it gives the couple a moment to calm down, regroup and realize just how quickly this day is flying by and to really savor the moment of THEIR day!

Following dinner we started the dancing off with parents dances. Theresa and her father, followed by Nate and Sue and in quick succession was Theresa and her step father, bridal party and open dance floor. Open dance floor, there wasn’t an open space on that dance floor that wasn’t being occupied but a guest dancing the night away! Everyone was having so much fun and it was a blessing for us to capture all the love in that room. Speaking of love and it may just be my second favorite moment of the day, let’s talk about Nate’s dad Pat and his mad dancing skills, now I don’t want to call myself judgmental but maybe I just happen to lump all men into a category of non-dancers and bad dancers LOL.  I see a lot of my dad’s “type” in Pat, strong, hardworking, amazing providers and fantastic fathers…but my Dad will slow dance with my mom but that is 100% absolutely it, my Dad would never even consider “fast” dancing on the dance floor! I truthfully don’t know why I do this judgment, my husband is a dancer, he’s quite good also, he has good rhythm and doesn’t look goofy at all. I just never in a million years expected that from Pat, to the point where my husband was jealous and taking notes haha. Kidding of course, but it was one of those moments where I thought to myself, everyone should have video at their weddings because this is fantastic! Theresa, please tell me someone, anyone captured this!

We left shortly after the garter and bouquet but not before hugging and congratulating my dear friends Theresa and Nate. That’s when Theresa asked if WE could get a picture together, I don’t get very often but once in a while and let me just say, its super sweet and I treasure it each time it does happen, it really shows me that I have made some sort of impact on this bride, I am appreciated and an important part of their day. While I HATE having my photo taken just as much as nearly every groom I encounter, which is why I am behind it haha.

I will forever treasure Theresa and Nate, as clients whom I was honored to photograph on their wedding day, but more importantly I am blessed to call them friends. We made a promise on her wedding day that just because the wedding day was “over” that we would remain friends and stay in touch, I intend to keep that promise because I made a vow many years ago to surround myself with kindness, with people who have good values and integrity, people who love the Lord and recognize their blessings as much as I do and those who just simply make me feel good.

These are the Hands

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

[bundeslihaha]

Chapter 11: Under the Spotlight

The Media Days have started! Join the Bundesliga boys and girls as they prepare for the part of the season they wished they could skip!

Whoever’s documenting us, SV Darmstadt 98 thought as she reread the address on her phone, must be lazy as fuck…

Somehow, she wasn’t surprised at her vocabulary – hanging out (well, arguing) with Karlsruhe, Kaiserslautern and Braunschweig would do that to anyone…

Hmm, speaking of those three, it was unfortunate for such big clubs with rich history to not get promoted, wasn’t it? But naaaah, Darmstadt grinned mischievously. She was definitely looking forward to filling the next page of her football fairytale!

FC Ingolstadt 04 looked up at his coach slowly. “Papa?” he called, tugging the sleeve of Ralph Hasenhüttl’s shirt.

“Yes, Ingolstadt?” Papa asked. His face looked sooo bored, but Ingolstadt knew anyone would be, like really! It seemed like they’d been on this train for years! “Papa, are we there yet?” he whined, secretly hoping that asking would make the trip faster.

“Not yet, Ingolstadt,” Papa replied, messing his hair. “No, Papa, don’t do that!” he protested, swatting his large hand off his head, “I’m not a kid anymore!” He was already eleven years old, okay? He didn’t need a Papa. He wanted to live alone like RB Leipzig, to do whatever and whenever he wanted! Why did the bosses still force him to live with a “father figure”? He’s a personification, not a normal kid! Why should he go to a boring school? Why should he be watched while eating? Everyone knew he hated vegetables! Why?!

“Ingolstadt,” Papa said, touching his cheek instead, “I’m sorry, okay? You know I like your hair when it’s neatly trimmed like this.” He chuckled a little. Ingolstadt pouted. “Of course you like it, Papa, you trimmed it yourself!” the boy playfully punched his caretaker, “Why can’t I have long hair like Bochum?”

“Bochum?” Papa asked, raising an eyebrow, “His hair is awful. Especially with that hairclip.”

The little Bavarian groaned. “But- but I want my hair to touch my shoulders! It’s so cool, Papa!” He patted Papa’s shoulder for good measure, but all he got was an unconvinced glare. “Fine,” he grumbled, “at least I can grow bangs? Like Karlsruhe?”

Papa’s eyes were unfocused. Maybe he was picturing his (old, haha!) bully, with his shaggy brown hair.

“He looks like he doesn’t have a comb,” Papa finally said. Ingolstadt decided to change tactics. In a second, he was staring at his coach with dark eyes as big as saucers, causing Hasenhüttl to wince and changed the topic himself. “Anyway, are you excited for the Media Days?”

Ingolstadt’s face brightened that instant. “Of course, Papa! I can’t wait to meet the others!” He was jumping on his seat now, earning him annoyed looks from other passengers. “Especially Bayern. She’s so… so badass!”

When Ingolstadt realized what he’d just said, his hands comically flew to cover his mouth. “Sorry, Papa,” he squeaked.

Now, Ralph Hasenhüttl couldn’t bring himself to be harsh to the spoiled, irritating boy that was the physical embodiment of FC Ingolstadt, but he couldn’t the child grow up with no manners, either.

“Ingolstadt,” Hasenhüttl said, a patronizing hand on the 11-year-old’s shoulder, “what did I tell you about bad words?”

The personification sighed, head hung in shame. “I must not say them, Papa,”

“Good,” the manager nodded. Let’s all pray the first division clubs wouldn’t undo everything he’d taught his ‘son’…

Elsewhere…

 As usual, Europe-bound clubs gather on a corner of whatever meeting place they were in (in this case, studio), FC Augsburg looking out of place.

The UEL club was sandwiched between 25-time-German champions, FC Bayern München, and her chaser, VfL Wolfsburg, his lean body a stark contrast from the fanservice muscles of the two. It didn’t trouble Augsburg much, though. What troubled him was how… casually the six other clubs spoke of trebles, Spanish giants and the like, and though he was an expert at poker faces, intimidation froze him in place.

“Earth to Augsburg,” Bayern called with a hard pat on his back, “you still there?”

He blinked before meeting her gaze. “Yeah.”

“Don’t be so shy, mate,” Gladbach added, flashing the ginger a toothy grin. “It’s my first time in Champions League, too. Ish."

“But you’ve been in Europa,” Augsburg said matter-of-factly.

“Yeah, but you’ll make it!” Dortmund cheered from opposite his seat, a fist punching the air. “Sure, I’ll be your rival later on, but I’m rooting for you! You’re too good to go down…” He trailed off. Must be remembering Freiburg, Augsburg mused, feeling a pang of sympathy for the relegated club and the friend she’d left behind. Would he have to sacrifice Europe for domestic survival, like she had?

“Tch. No one’s ‘too good’ to go down,” Gladbach spat as if forcing everyone to recall his recent brushes with relegation.

“But I think you’ll do well, FCA,” Schalke piped up, a grudging note in his deep voice. “You’re more consistent than Lüdenscheid over here,” he poked his fellow Ruhr club right on his ‘BVB 09, Echte Liebe’ tattoo.

“Oh, shut up, Scheiße,” Dortmund snapped, “just because you consistently suck, doesn’t mean you can bully those who don’t.” A sneer twisted Die Schwarzgelben’s handsome face, practically begging the Royal Blues to punch it. And so, Schalke did.

“Ouch,” Gladbach snickered. That was one hell of a punch. Leverkusen hid his snicker behind his hands.

“You…” Dortmund growled, rubbing his aching nose.

With Schalke sneering back, they left the group for a more physical Revierderby.

A chuckle escaped Bayern at her enemies’ antics. “Oi, Augsburg!” she called again. The ginger beside her responded with a ‘hmm’. “How does it feel to watch the two up close?”

Wolfsburg and the Rhine boys stared hard at the younger Bavarian, trying to coax an answer out of the stoic man.

“Funny?” Augsburg answered, with a tone that made it sound like a question. Wolfsburg laughed. “You don’t sound like you mean it!”

The Fuggerstädter shrugged. “I guess I’m used to it.” He really was used to seeing clubs fight. Nürnberg and Fürth's drunken Oktoberfest brawls weren't much different from the Ruhr Valley rivals', really. He hoped he could be used to being in the company of these giants, too…

There were confident people, and then there was Hamburger SV.

Six-time German champion, playoff specialist (Fürth and Karlsruhe could stay in 2. Bundesliga forever, he didn’t care) and especially beater of “oh-so-great” Gladbach, Augsburg and Bayern was entering the studio with a swagger unseen in him before.

Unfortunately, his swag didn't impressed anyone, except if you count Hannover’s friendly ‘hi’ as an expression of awe. Even worse, Mainz and Frankfurt didn’t even try to hide their laughter (or in the case of Hoffenheim, his derisive remarks). Ugh. He should find Werder lest he died of boredom here. He opened his mouth to ask his boyfriend where the shit is, but when he saw Hertha’s suspicious glances, an imaginary light bulb appeared over his head.

“Yo, Karlsruhe’s whore!”

At her death glare, he couldn’t help but think: This photoshoot won’t be so boring after all.

“Welcome to the Bundesliga!” Eintracht Frankfurt exclaimed, snaking a hand around Darmstadt's shoulders with a less-than-friendly laugh. At the physical contact, she tensed, but took it in stride a moment later. “Thank you, Frankfurt. How are you?”

“Great,” the Eagles replied. “And you, Darmstadt?”

She looked up at him with a beam. “Never better!”

“How can you not?” Frankfurt’s hearty laugh rang in the hallway, “really, I can congratulate you all day.” There was a strangely comfortable silence as they walked inside the studio. “Anyway,” the taller man continued, “Ready for the derby?” Challenge sparkled in his red eyes, dangerous yet inviting.

“Of course,” Darmstadt accepted, her blue eyes echoing his. “And I’m gonna win them all!”

If there was one thing every club preferred their archenemy over, that thing would be a makeover.

Bayern was insisting “Hertha’s kind of makeup” didn’t suit her, demanding the poor makeup artist to 'fix her up' the way she did the male personifications.

Stuttgart had had his dark brown dye forcefully removed, leaving his hair very, very blond. “It will bring out your eyes,” the makeup artist had said, his green eyes glinting with evil.

Even Hertha almost cried when they said she had to take off her bow (a parting gift from her lover years ago) despite accepting her new, layered hairstyle.

So when 1. FC Köln came in to a horde of dissatisfied clubs, he feared for himself as he took his seat on the torture chair.

“Hi, Köln,” his makeup artist, a young woman whose build reminded him of Nuernberg. “Don’t be afraid, ‘kay?”

“Uh…” Köln said, “do I have to take this off?” He indicated at the thin hair tie holding his ponytail.

“Of course,” she smirked.

And then, the torture began.

“Afternoon, everyone!”

Seventeen Bundesliga clubs gathered in the middle of the spacious studio, prepped and pumped for the so-called ‘BL Media Days’. Or for it to be over, but that didn’t really matter. A DFL official welcomed them in their headquarters. The greetings/bullshit was followed by Darmstadt’s introduction, and of course: “But most importantly, have fun!”

The first photoshoot was standard – they’d be photographed head to waist with hands on their hips, a plain white wall their background.

To make things simpler, the officials would call the impatient personifications in alphabetical order, because of which, Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg decided to treat themselves (and the others, on the officials’ insistence) lunch.

“FC Augsburg!” came the first call, and true to his no-nonsense personality, it only took him a minute or two, even with the touch-ups.

“Bayer 04 Leverkusen!”

The Retortenclub rolled his eyes. “Later, okay” he told Bayern, who gave him a thumb up in reply. As a true PR man, Leverkusen stepped up to the stage with confidence, a charming smile set to melt fangirls and fanboys’ hearts on his face.

“Hello, cutie,” the makeup artist teased, applying a dash of bronzer on Leverkusen’s cheek. He responded accordingly – with a wink and “Hello to you too!”

Then crash! The door to the studio slammed open, causing almost everyone to jump in surprise, and came in Ralph Hasenhüttl, red-faced and panting as he helped his charge up from his face-down fall. “We… apologize for our lateness,” the coach said. Beside him, FC Ingolstadt 04 stood with a broken nose and tearful eyes. A laugh could be heard from his fellow Aufsteiger, but she disguised it as a cough before Hasenhüttl could do anything.

“No problem, Sir!” one of the officials said amicably. After a grateful nod from the manager (and a three-minute chiding to Germany’s youngest club), he left. “Use Darmstadt’s phone to call me when I’m done, okay?”

Darmstadt’s fists clenched - she couldn’t make a bad impression in front of the Bundesligists, but everyone was laughing at her! Not to mention Inge’s annoying ‘okay, Papa! See you later!’

Like she hadn’t had enough of that squirt in the second division…

Desperate to stop the laughter directed at him, the club nicknamed Die Schanzer turned to face his new ‘friends’. “Hi, guys!” he shouted, waving his hands in the air. “I’m FC Ingolstadt! And you?” He jumped to a bench where two clubs, one in green and the other blue, sat. “What’s your name?”

The guy in green stood up, and damn he was huge! Ingolstadt had to stand on his toes just to see his beard! Fortunately, he could see his arms, his legs, and woah he had so much hair… how cool! I wish I had a body like that, the little boy thought, hand almost touching his muscular calf… almost… almost…

“Wolfsburg,” the huge man answered, snatching Ingolstadt’s hand to shake it. “And this is Hoffenheim,” he gestured to the man in blue, who was black-haired, blue-eyed and sulking.

(The introductions, unnecessary as they were, continued, much to the officials’ annoyance – to make it worse, everyone was either too amused or too mesmerized by the pint-sized Bavarian’s “cuteness” to stop him.

Seven minutes and thirty-one seconds later – “THANK GOD!” one of the officials whooped – Ingolstadt had made himself known to every club but Die Werkself, who had just finished posing for the cameras.)

When Leverkusen stepped off the stage with another stranger’s (well, at least she wasn’t a Scheißbock fan) phone number, a red-haired boy – promoted Ingolstadt, Leverkusen read his club crest – approached him, confusion narrowing his dark eyes.

“What’s wrong, Ingolstadt?” he asked, letting his persona do the job.

“I’m confused, Sir,” the boy replied, scratching his head with a pudgy finger. “This thing is for… personifications only, right?”

He’s more stupid than I thought, Leverkusen made a mental groan, but outwardly, he kneeled to the Audi-backed club’s eye level, his hands on his small shoulders. “Yes, it is,” he said, his voice as soft as the gaze he sent the Bavarian, “you may be young, Ingolstadt dear… but you are one of us.”

To Leverkusen’s surprise, Ingolstadt didn’t jump up and down with renewed self-esteem, but gave him a blank stare instead. “’Us’? Who are you?!” the boy shrieked, as if Leverkusen was some kind of intruder. He resisted the urge to kick the newbie in the groin by offering him a hand to shake. “Bayer Leverkusen,” he introduced himself, grinning eye-to-eye, “nice to meet you!”

“You’re Bayer Leverkusen?!” the boy echoed, dumbstruck as he squinted at the cross and lions on his chest. “I thought… I thought you were a player!”

He could hear Gladbach and Köln’s too-loud whispers of ‘The guy looks like Kießling and he doesn't even admit it'.

"Fuck you," Leverkusen muttered, turning on his heel to leave the baby boy. He'd give those two assholes a lesson... but first, he needed a plastic surgery.

[asterinjapan]

And at last I see the light

Well, my legs look like I’ve got the bubonic plague. I hope it wears off by the time I’m flying back, stupid mosquitoes.

Anyway! Good evening from Tokyo! It’s sadly already my last Friday here, so I’ll slowly have to start the important preparations, like checking the weight in my suitcase so far. Oh and eh, buy a train ticket for the airport I guess, haha. Priorities.

Today however it was time for another day trip! A half day trip, actually, since I went to Odawara and back before 3 PM. Busy, but a nice day. Follow me below for the report!

Well, Odawara as I said. The second time I’m hitting it this trip, but this time, I actually meant to go into the city itself. You see, Odawara is home to Odawara Castle, the closest castle to Tokyo with a main tower. (Tokyo itself has castle ruins, but no towers anymore, reconstructions or otherwise.) Since I have a rail pass that allows me on most of the JR trains including the super fast shinkansen, the trip only took half an hour from Tokyo. I had the Kodama (echo), which stops at a couple of stations before reaching Odawara at 10 AM on the dot, as predicted by the schedule. I’m not entirely sure since there’s also a station called Shin-Fuji a little later on, but I think that you should be able to see Mount Fuji from this train at this point – not that it matters, because that bloody mountain just insists on being invisible this trip, haha. (It’s illusive anyway, and even more so in the summer haze. Unless you actually climb it, odds are low you can even see it.)

It is a 10 minute walk from the station to the castle, but I was still kind of worried I’d mess up – until I took the turn and could already spot the castle in the distance, haha. I could manage that without getting lost!

I did go in through the ‘wrong’ gate though, at least not the main one. This gate took me directly to the main tower of the castle, aka the most impressive part. Actually, it’s a reconstruction – Odawara castle burnt down and got demolished, but the locals wanted it rebuilt and raised enough money to actually managed so in 1960. The current tower is based on historic evidence on how it used to look, and because it’s still new, it means they took a modern destination into account for the building. This means no super small stairs to break your neck over, but normal ones leading you all the way to the top of the tower, while leading you through several exhibitions on the castle. That’s right, the inside of the tower is one big museum.

Sadly the amount of English is limited – they usually only translate the titles and summaries of parts of the exposition, and leave the details in Japanese only. That being said, it is possible to download an app for an audio tour, which might offer more info in English (I didn’t have my earphones with me, so I opted out). The museum is super interesting as it leads you through the history of the castle: it was taken over by the Hojo family, and was one of the last castles to stand its ground against the unification attempts of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, near the end of the period of the Warring States (Sengoku). The tower features plenty of information, short movies, and a lot of artifacts throughout the centuries, and the English descriptions do usually give a guideline of what you’re looking at, even if it means missing the details. There’s a LOT of info – if you want to read it all, you can easily spend a full day here, I guess. (And I’m a slow reader in Japanese, haha, so I freely admit to skimming.)

I was getting kind of hungry once I’d made it out of the tower, so I had lunch at the nearby food corner before making my way to the samurai way of life museum, or however they wanted to call it, haha. Basically, the tower had been changed last year, and as a result, they had armor and weapons they couldn’t display in the tower anymore, hence the display in a separate building. It was just one floor, and a small one at that, but it had very interesting armor on display and a 5 minute long movie featuring projections on an armor, making it look like an actual samurai got up from there and walked away. Pretty impressive.

That being said, this building takes like 15 minutes tops to get through. It is also possible to dress up as a samurai (or in kimono for the ladies) here, but since you have to take your own pictures, I opted out. I haven’t mastered the art of full-body selfies, haha.

I had a combination ticket, which also allowed entrance at the historic observation museum a short walk away from the main tower. I walked the rest of the castle premises, which are really pretty (and I thus spotted a lot of people drawing and painting the views, which is quite the common sight in Japan near landmarks like these; a lot of people draw and/or paint here).

The museum was a lot of fun, since it’s pretty hands-on and lets you play around a little. There was even a tiny reconstruction of a street from the Edo period, one house featuring pictures from a century or longer ago that you could lift to see what it looks like today. Too bad that here, too, most information was only in Japanese. Still enough to see and to do!

You could also take a picture here with a background of your choosing, so I did just that with Mount Fuji as a backdrop just to beat that mountain into submission once, haha. The quality is not superb, but hey, I’ve got my picture!

After this, I slowly made my way back to the main tower, picked up an ice cream, and then walked back to the station. I got startled quite a bit as I waited for the Kodama, as these tracks are also used by the super fast Nozomi (the fastest train on these tracks and also one of only two shinkansen I can’t use my JR pass for). It doesn’t stop at Odawara, so it just zooms past at top speed, which is 270 km per hour, whoa. Quite the noise.

Upon arrival at Tokyo station, I spent some time very leisurely walking around and eventually walking to Otemachi station, to take the subway to my next stop: the Chiyoda floating lanterns, which were scheduled for tonight. I thought it’d take me a while to find it, but I got there over an hour in advance, so I settled down in a cafe with some matcha latte to kill some time, haha.

I secured myself a spot near the shore and waited together with many other tourists (lots of Americans by the sound of it) for the sun to set enough to see the lights. A band first performed traditional Japanese music, while people who had rented a boat were slowly lighting their lanterns and let them float on the water.

I was actually under the impression they’d float into the air, but they really meant floating as in, on the water. Nevertheless, it was a very pretty sight, although hard to photograph, espeically since all the lanterns drifted to the side opposite of me, haha. The band also played some Disney music, although I personally feel it was a wasted opportunity they went with When You Wish Upon a Star instead of, I dunno, I see the light from Tangled, but hey, who am I.

Just as the lanterns started to go out and people started walking back to the stations, it started to drizzle – as if the rain had waited for the show to be over.

I took the subway back (but to Shibuya this time, since I really didn’t feel like walking from Otemachi to Tokyo station again) and made it back to my room, where I quickly hopped into the shower to hopefully calm down my legs a bit after yesterday.They warned for mosquitoes tonight, but luckily I didn’t get any new bites – would have been a long shot anyway, I don’t think I have any skin left that hasn’t been bitten yet… Yikes. Fingers crossed my legs will go back to normal size by the time I’m going back home!

So, that was it for today. Tomorrow will be a bit calmer I guess, since I’ve got a ticket for a museum in Shibuya (it’s for an animated series this time), and I have some plans here in Ikebukuro. Then again, it’s also a day when I can use my JR pass, so it’s a bit of a waste not to use it… Oh well. We’ll see.

After that, I will visit Ushiku on Sunday, Sendai on Monday, To Be Determined on Tuesday (the last day my pass will be valid), Yokohama on Wednesday, and then it’s already my final day in Japan! Yikes. I’d love to see everyone again, but I really love it here and I definitely wouldn’t mind staying for as long as my visum would let me (which is 90 days, haha). I feel like I have to do a lot of things now because it’s so short, but oh well.

I’m definitely not done with the country or even Tokyo by next week though, I can tell you that much.

Well, for now I’ll still be here for 6 more full days, so I’ll be sure to enjoy them! See you tomorrow!

[xivu-arath]

okay going for a couple i ask about less often: barry/kara, caitlin/ravage, SOUNDWAVE/ravage, and. okay fine ill be obligatory, the superfriends

barry/kara

thingsthey do together in their spare time: hang out, prank each other, goout for lunch together... they’re the most alike in temperament andcan also meet up at each other’s place in seconds at any time, sothey spend a lot of time just unwinding from heroic stuff or talkingout their problems.

onephotograph they’ve hypothetically or canonically taken together:they have so many photos tbh - especially deliberately goofy onesjust to poke fun at each other

oneunspoken sentiment from my character to yours: “No matter what youdo, you’ll always be a hero, Kara.” not that it’s v unspokentbh

waysmy character shows affection for yours: listen it’s hard to prythem away from each other at any given moment. there’s lots ofbumping shoulders or slinging an arm around her exuberantly andleaning against each other and all the hugs!!! literal puppies tbh

onerelationship good end: best au where barry can just have cisco vibehim over whenever and they hang out and he drops in like... at leastonce a week to go out for ice cream or team up to take someone down.

onerelationship bad end: barry goes back to his world, createsflashpoint which is what triggers mon-el showing up. Regrets are had.

mycharacter’s general thoughts on yours/a relationship ramble: karaalways has barry’s respect and admiration – he thinks the worldof her, of how empathetic and compassionate she is, how loyal, howfucking brave. she has so much faith in people, and itinspires and awes him whenever he witnesses it. he also just adoresher for being... bright and cheerful and dorky, and empathizes withher anger and loss, and... just thinks she’s one of the best peoplehe’s ever met and he’s very lucky to have her as his friend.

caitlin/ravage

thingsthey do together in their spare time: I think they mostly talk –they’re both too guarded people to really spend a lot of timeunwinding together, and when ravage really wanted to relax he’djust go stealth out by himself, but... in the spare moments betweenrift research, or when resting or tossing around ideas, they’d justshare fragments of where they’ve been, what they’ve done.

onephotograph they’ve hypothetically or canonically taken together:caitlin has taken a few photos only to find herself in an empty roomand quickly caught on to the No Camera rule.

oneunspoken sentiment from my character to yours: “You deserved betterthan this. I’m sorry, even if I had to do it.”

waysmy character shows affection for yours: fleeting moments of honesty,talking willingly about what Cybertron was like, grudging shows ofrespect or admitting that sometimes she might even have a good idea.as long as it doesn’t go to her head, that is...

onerelationship good end: if ravage hadn’t leaked all the rift info,he might have stayed in touch and even if they couldn’t find a wayoff of denny together, he could have begrudgingly – and thenslowly, less so – started helping her and barry, just sort ofeasing into handling tech and comms stuff since it’s not like youcan trust organics to do it, right?  

onerelationship bad end: their relationship continues to fray after theleak and ends up... almost hostile on both sides. the next time theymeet, he’s a little too goading and caitlin loses her grip on herpowers for a moment, long enough to make him feel threatened, andafter that... well, she never sees ravage again

mycharacter’s general thoughts on yours/a relationship ramble: ravagehonestly does respect caitlin. for all that she’s human – orwell, metahuman, whoops – she’s the kind of person he’dnaturally work with well. efficient, intelligent, focused on doingwhatever task is at hand... he’d admit that working with her hasbeen far better than trying to dig up information and work all thisout on his own. thus he does genuinely regret hurting her too, but...it wasn’t a personal decision. to him, it had to be done, and hethinks that maybe, she might even be able to understand that. too badthey’d had a bonding moment right beforehand, but...

soundwave/ravage

thingsthey do together in their spare time: given their specific abilities,soundwave and ravage probably low-key gather information and keeptabs on everyone around them even in their spare time. but they dodefinitely try to relax, recounting missions when they were separate,hanging with the rest of the cassettes... ravage tends to be thesounding board for decepticon philosophy sessions, not that he minds.soundwave is also the sole person that ravage is 100% comfortableacting cat-like around – not even megatron is someone he completelyrelaxes around, though he’s definitely in second place – sosoundwave gets to put up with ravage draping himself on him andforcing him to stay still for fear of disturbing him, or casuallygetting in the way just to be obnoxious.

onephotograph they’ve hypothetically or canonically taken together:soundwave is the One Person who’s allowed to take photos of ravageand thus has like. hundreds.

oneunspoken sentiment from my character to yours: “You will always behome to me. I’ll come back.”

waysmy character shows affection for yours: all the casual physicalaffection which he’s so incredibly sparing with otherwise. opensincere honesty, because even if soundwave can tell what he’sthinking anyways, it matters to say what he means, just because hecan.

onerelationship good end: the djd never show up? megatron and soundwavemeet and talk out their differences and ravage never has to choosebetween them?

onerelationship bad end: the dying of the light remains canon

mycharacter’s general thoughts on yours/a relationship ramble:megatron might have been the leader the decepticons needed butsoundwave is more than a decepticon, more than a leader or lieutenantto ravage – he’s also, no matter how the war changed them,undeniably a good person. ravage took a chance to be kind to someonelost and suffering, and soundwave paid back that kindness and trust athousandfold. soundwave is, apart from the cause itself, theunwavering anchor to ravage’s life, the only home he has everneeded, and while he can no longer express the significance of theirbond in words alone, he doesn’t need to.

superfriends

thingsthey do together in their spare time: they do some measure ofsparring bc if sasuke is involved, some kind of training isInevitable. but honestly they do a lot of chill stuff, trying outhobbies and hanging out and watching movies or planning parties –all the sorts of things that sasuke and ratchet had absolutely noexperience in, and that kara is... driven to try to give them.chances at what a normal life feels like, even when their lives willnever be any kind of normal.

onephotograph they’ve hypothetically or canonically taken together:they have a scrapbook okay there are so many. the most recent are allstarring uzume bc none of them are used to having a pet and sasuke is100% more okay with being photographed if his cat’s in the picture

oneunspoken sentiment from my character to yours: there’s three ofthem so I’m just going to stick with how much they love and carefor each other??? which admittedly kara at least is quite. open aboutbut less so for ratchet and especially for sasuke haha

waysmy character shows affection for yours: ratchet and kara arenaturally inclined to be affectionate already, even if ratchet’s onoccasion unsure or overwhelmed and needs some time to work throughsome sentiments. sasuke is... v touch-averse most of the time and hasjust been gradually getting more comfortable with expressingaffection at them – they know how rare it is, so him letting karatake his hand or clasping ratchet’s shoulder is an effective methodof showing he cares and is engaged that he knows they’ll value.it’s... really sappy. he also likes to encourage their banter bypurposefully exaggerating his own disdain or disinterest andteasingly shut down suggestions to then make them more determined todo it. by now they’ve probably caught on but it’s still justthis... fond habit he has

onerelationship good end: just. best au. it’s even in the name!

onerelationship bad end: mmmmm do I have to... but I guess like.okay sasuke does the whole reveal of the rinnegan and kara especiallytakes it... really harshly because of her history with being gaslitand lied to and the ensuing fight ends with sasuke leaving the team,both for her and ratchet to cool down and figure out how they feeland because he’s... guilt-ridden and angry with himself and wellaware that he has no excuse for this. that’s when a rift takes himback and kara and ratchet get to deal with both their v valid angerwith being lied to and deceived and the ensuing loss ofsomeone they loved. I hope you’re happy now!!!

mycharacter’s general thoughts on yours/a relationship ramble:sasuke... really fucking cares about these two. like kara is 100% theperson he trusts the most in denny’s world and he’s so gratefuland pretty damn bemused that he’s actually one of ratchet’sguardians, that ratchet looks to him as an example to follow. hequite often doesn’t feel he deserves the affection and trust theyshow him, because of how he’s treated his past teams, and there’sa lot of... parallels between naruto and sakura and kara and ratchet– ones he often draws and dwells upon a lot. ratchet and kara areundoubtedly good, warm people and he can’t help but compare himselfand feel how much he’s lacking, which is a particular hurdle thathe’s going to have to get over one day. until then tho, he valuesthem so much and wants to avoid past mistakes like... letting hisjealousy eat him up and make him do something he regrets. oh wait!!!

[ginnamaarie]

Mark & I at Winter Ball!❄️💕

Our first Halloween together!🎃🦇

Our work’s Winter Banquet☃️🎄

I think the caption explains itself…

Thanksgiving!🦃🍽

Welcome to the first official post to my new blog! Before we get into the normal “everyday” posts that will generally appear here, I promised you guys that I would recap my past school year for you all since I’ve been sort of M.I.A. on all social media! Let me tell you, I thought last year was crazy? This year has by far been the absolute craziest of my life! – and I wouldn’t change it for a thing.

You see, unlike last year, this year’s crazy has had some of the most amazing crazy!! Okay, yes, coupled by some terrible crazy, but the good, the amazing, absolutely positively outweighs anything bad that has come my way this year.

I left you guys on a pretty crappy note in my life. I set my last post to private, because it’s negativity I don’t want sitting on my site, but for those of you who read the post, you know that last year was a crazy time in my life, that made me learn a lot. I had been dumped…twice, by guys I thought were pretty cool (not to say they aren’t cool, they just weren’t the types of guys I would want to be in a relationship with). I was in a pretty dark place, I had put myself out there and put my heart on the line, and it got crushed. That never feels good.

I ended my last post saying how I wish I would find my prince charming, the love of my life, and that I was going to keep going forward and focusing on myself and my goals, and that I’d find the right one when I would and that would be that, but if I’m going to be honest with you all, I was not very hopeful. You see, I’ve always had this vision of the perfect guy in my head, what he would act like, what his personality would be like, the different things he would like, and the things we would do together; this vision has always been so specific (like, annoyingly specific) that I never thought I would ever find him. So when I got dumped (twice) last semester, I truly believed that there were no good guys left out there. I truly believed that I would never find my Prince Charming, and that I was destined to settle for a relationship I never wanted.

I left you guys in a place where I was wishing, hoping, praying that things would get better, that I would meet someone new, but no end was quite in sight. There was no light visible at the end of the tunnel, and I was left trudging through the dark like an idiot, hoping I’d eventually find my way.

Well, luckily I did.

If you guys follow my Instagram, you already know the news — sorry this reveal isn’t fun for you guys — but this year, I found my Prince Charming, and I have never been happier in my life.

His name is Mark, and we met at work. It’s actually kind of a funny story how we started dating. We each worked in a different office at the college we go to, so we never formally met last year, but our offices worked together very often, so we saw each other a couple times, but never interacted. I always thought he was so cute from afar though, and as he tells me, apparently he thought the same thing.

The second the semester of last year, our offices announced that they were merging with one another, so because of this, (as I said in my last post, I’m a videographer and photographer) I started getting scheduled to cover events for the other office to start the merger slowly before it was official the next semester (Fall 2017). The first event I covered was an Open Mic Night, which unbeknownst to me, Mark worked. This event was a week after my first boyfriend broke up with me. Honestly, at this point I was totally fine; I really wasn’t upset about the breakup at all, but at the same time, I wasn’t necessarily on the lookout to start dating someone new, so I didn’t talk to Mark at all. He noticed me that night though, and asked one of our coworkers who I was. She told him about me, but mentioned that I had just been dumped, so he figured it wasn’t the best time to try to talk to me and see where things could go, so we didn’t meet that night. Of course the next week was when I met Hans, which is the nickname I gave my ex in my last post, and if you read that one, you know how that went. I always jokingly yell at Mark for not talking to me that night — boy could have saved me so much hurt! haha! Also, I just would have loved to have met him even sooner!! But everything happens for a reason, and I needed to go through that…I don’t even know what to call it, I don’t necessarily think it was a relationship — whatever it was — I needed to go through it to know what I wanted in a relationship, to know what I wasn’t going to put up with, and in some weird way, to know that I’m worth more than what I had been given at that time.

ANWYAY — fast forward to our summer training for work — the newly merged office. Initially, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the merger — I don’t like change (or rather big changes) — but after a day or two, my mindset definitely changed. I met some awesome people, and started making a lot of new friends, and I realized that these new coworkers weren’t as different as I feared they’d be — our offices really had the same goals, and this merger turned out to be an awesome plan! Along with this, spoiler alert, there may or may not have been a certain person who made the merger a little more appealing.

I noticed him the first day of our training — I mean it’s kind of impossible not to notice Mark, he is one of the friendliest people you will ever meet, and hands-down the most enthusiastic person on the face of the earth; he’s loud in the best of ways, and lights up every room he walks into — I thought he was the most adorable human being on the face of the earth, and when I saw him interact with those around him, I saw how genuine of a person he really is, and I fell for him — hard. But everyone in the room seemed to not only know, but love him. I thought, He’s so loved by everyone, I’ll be lucky if I can even be friends with him. I never thought in a million years that he would actually be interested in me! So I set out to just be his friend, because I thought even that would be unattainable.

I could talk about Mark for a million years — sorry, I’m a girl in love! (spoiler alert) I can’t help it!! —  so I’m going to try to start condensing here fam!

Basically, Mark and I didn’t talk so much during training, but that’s only because we both thought the other would never be interested in a relationship (basically, we’re both idiots), but at the end of the training week, we had these personalized bags where you could leave notes to people with nice memories and such from the week — they were called “Warm Fuzzies” — and we both ended up writing each other one. I remember mine was kind of platonic talking about a joke we had because (contrary to the vibe of my blog post here) I’m not generally the mushy type. When I write, I get super mushy, but that’s not generally the Gina you get in a public setting, let alone when I don’t know you that well yet. Also, I had told myself I was not under any circumstances EVER dating someone I worked with again … that worked out well. Mark on the other hand, was much more adventurous than me, and wrote the sweetest little note that warmed my heart. I still have it to this day, and I like to read it every once and a while when I miss him. — ew, that’s so mushy, don’t tell him I said that.

Okay, so I know what you’re thinking…GINA SHUT UP AND GET TO THE POINT. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m getting there! And I know what else you’re probably thinking — umm, so if neither of you thought the other was interested, and neither of you was making a move because of it, how on earth are you dating now? Well my friends, that is a beautiful question.

So during the first event our office held for the semester (one of which I was covering) our bosses came over to me and told me they wanted to set me up with someone. I was really not having it at this point — again, to recap, had just been dumped by not one, but two guys who I worked with in this same office. I did not want to date someone I worked with again! So I told them I wasn’t interested, but they pleaded that I at least hear who they had to say. Internally, I was praying they would say Mark, but I knew they never would — my life has never worked out for me the way I wanted it to, why would it now? I didn’t want to have to deal with the awkwardness of seeing whomever they were about to mention that I was not interested in dating around at work all the time — but curiosity killed the cat and was not about to spare me, so I caved and asked who it was,

…and they said my ex’s name.

LOL JUST KIDDING! Come on, you guys made it too easy to get you there! They said Mark’s name, and of course, I immediately took back all of my prior oppositions to the matter, and in my best attempts to act cool said, “Well, I’d be willing to see where it goes.” Smoooooth

I know, I know CONDENSE – CONDENSE! So my bosses didn’t tell Mark that I was interested, or in fact, ask if he was interested until a week or two later. They told me they were going to wait to tell him, but I didn’t believe them, so every time Mark complimented me or flirted with me, I was sure it was because he knew that they wanted to set us up, but little did I know, he had no idea. So when they finally told him, he asked for my number (because we all KNOW I’m WAY too chicken to ever make the first move) and we started talking.

A week later, during a blacklight dodgeball game he was playing and I was covering, he told me that if he won the next game, he would take me out the next week. He almost single-handedly won the game in about 45 seconds — best game of dodgeball I’ve ever seen. A couple days later, we went on our first date, a week later we officially became boyfriend and girlfriend, and 8 months later I still fall even more in love with him every day (ew barf, I know, I need to stop).

Of course there’s been way more to this year than meeting the love of my life, which I intended on going into in this post, but…well, I kind of got off topic I guess! This year has had a lot of ups and downs, but Mark has been with me through them all. I don’t know what I would have done this year without him.

I’ll probably write another post later in the week about the drama from this semester, but until then, I hope you all enjoyed this incredibly long, barf-worthy post! I promise this blog isn’t going to be me talking about boys all of the time, we’ll be getting to more fun things from here on out!!

If you guys have any topics you’d like me to write about, questions/requests/ let me know!!

Until next time!! Gina💕

Where to begin? Welcome to the first official post to my new blog! Before we get into the normal "everyday" posts that will generally appear here, I promised you guys that I would recap my past school year for you all since I've been sort of M.I.A.