#guess who ursula always is for halloween

[thoughtfulfangirling]

2023 Reads

A new year means a new book list! I don't think I can top my 2022 count, but that's okay! I'm not totally sure what my reading goals this year will actually be, but I guess I'll sort it out on the way! XD For future reads, here's my 2024 list!

Four Treasures of the Sky - Jenny Tinghui Zhang

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass - Frederick Douglass+

The Bear and the Nightengale - of the Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden

The Secrets We Keep - Mia Hayes

Indian Nations of Wisconsin: Histories of Endurance and Renewal - Patty Loew+

The First Sister - Linden A. Lewis^

The House of the Seven Gables - Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian - Sherman Alexie

Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury~

Fin Mac Cool - Morgan Llewlyn^

How Long 'til Black Future Month by N. K. Jemisin

Lavinia - Ursula K Le Guin^

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austin*

Black Cowboys of the Old West: True, Sensational, and Littke-Known Stories form History - Tricia Martineau Wagner+

The Mysteries of Thorn Manor - Margaret Roberson%

Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space - Amanda Leduc+

Her Majesty's Royal Coven - Juno Dawson^

She Who Became the Sun~ - Shelley Parker-Chan*

The Witch King - H.E. Edgmon^

Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Legends & Lattes - Travis Baldree*

Mistress of the Art of Death - Ariana Franklin^

The Adventures of Amina El-Serafi - S.A. Chakraborty

Humankind: A Hopeful History - Rutger Bregman+

The Folk Keeper - Frannie Billingsly*%

Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Jazz Chickens - (Suzy) Eddie Izzard+

Juniper & Thorn - Ava Reid

Upright Women Wanted - Sarah Gailey%

I Await the Devil's Coming - Mary MacLane+

Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut~

Revolting Prostitutes: The Fight for Sex Workers' Rights - Molly Smith & Juno Mac+

The Woman in White - Wilke Collins^

King of Battle and Blood - Scarlett St. Clair

Sarah - J.T. LeRoy^

The City Beautiful - Aden Polydoros^

Freshwater - Akwaeke Emezi

Always the Almost - Edward Underhill

All Systems Red - Martha Wells%

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

Nevada - Imogen Binnie

A Dowry of Blood - S. T. Gibson

The Prince - Niccolo Machiavelli

The Second Rebel - Linden A Lewis

Get a Life Chloe Brown - Talia Hibbert

The Hero and the Crown* - Robin McKinley

What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing - Bruce D Perry & Oprah Winfrey+^

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea - Rebecca Thorne

The Eye of the Heron - Ursula K Leguin

Artificial Condition -Martha Wells%

The Kraken's Sacrifice - Katee Robert%

Crown Duel - Sherwood Smith*

Rogue Protocol - Martha Wells%

Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self Involved Parents - Lindsay C Gibson+

Wildcat: The Untold Story of Pearl Hart, the Wild West's Most Notorious Woman Bandit - John Boessenecker+

The History of Wales - History Nerds+%

Ander & Santi Were Here - Jonny Garza Villa

The Glass Castle - Jeanette Walls^

Rosemary and Rue - Seanan McGuire^

The Gilda Stories - Jewelle Gomez

Irish Fairy and Folk Tails - Various+

The Dead and the Dark - Courtney Gould

Haunted Wisconsin - Michael Norman and Beth Scott+

The Other Black Girl - Zakiya Dalila Harris

The Ruins - Scott Smith

He Who Drowned the World - Shelley Parker-Chan

Fledgling - Octavia Butler

Vampire Forensics: Uncovering the Origins of an Enduring Legend - Mark Collins Jenkins+

The Vampyre - John Polidori%

This is Halloween - James A Moore

Sorrowland - Rivers Soloman

The Lamb will Slaughter the Lion - Margaret Killjoy%

Mexican Gothic - Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Love Her or Lose Her - Tessa Bailey^

One Last Stop - Casey McQuiston*

The Last Hero - Linden A. Lewis

Lovelight Farms - B. K. Borison

Reindeer Falls Collection: Volume One - Jana Aston

Currently reading: One Last Stop (Audiobook to help me sleep XD)

Nonfiction is annotated by + A Re-read is annotated by * A book completed from the list below is annotated by ^ A Read with Empty will be annotated by ~ A Novella %

My current, loose and not that interesting goal for this year is to really work on the books I have current access to right now... at the start of this year. Because it's a lot XD This means books currently favorite in Scribd, on my StoryGraph 'to read' pile, or a book I currently own on my shelves. Main goal is at least one of these a month.

For my own personal reference, I'm putting a list of such books below to hold myself accountable.

Edit: Now the end of 2023, and here's a breakdown of my goal to read books I already had access to at the start of 2023:

I didn't read one a month per se, but I got more than 12 done, so I call this a win. These books are:

-Can't Spell Treason Without Tea - Rebecca Thorn -The City Beautiful - Aden Polydoros -Finn Mac Cool - Morgan Llewlyn -The First Sister by Linden A Lewis (proceeded by the other two in the series) -Get a Life, Chloe Brown - Talia Hibbert -The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls -Haunted Wisconsin - Michael Norman & Beth Scott -Her Majesty's Royal Coven - Juno Dawson -I Await the Devil's Coming - Mary McClane -The Kraken's Sacrifice - Katee Robert -Lavinia - Ursula K Le Guin -Love Her or Lose Her - Tessa Bailey -Mistress of the Art of Death - Ariana Franklin -Nevada - Imogen Binnie -The Prince - Niccolo Machiavelli -Rosemary and Rue - Seanan McGuire -The Ruins - Scott Smith -The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller -Sarah - J.T. LeRoy -Vampire Forensics - Mark Collins Jenkins -What Happened to You? - Oprah Winfrey -The Witch King - H. E. Edgmon -The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

The books I did not get around to reading from this list are as follows: Black Water Sister by Zen Cho; Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye (o); The Book of M by Peng Shepard (o); Charity and Sylvia by Rachel Hope Cleves (o); The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (a); The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey (s); Fallen by Lauren Kate (o); Fanny Hill by John Cleland (o); Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender (s); The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea (s); The Great Hunger by Cecil Woodham-Smith (o); Helping Her Get Free by Susan Brewster (o); The Impossible Girl by Lydia Kang (s); Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (o); The Merry Spinster by Daniel Lavery (o); On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong (o); The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang (s); Radiance by Grace Draven (a); Watching the Tree by Adeline Yen Mah (o); The Willows by Algernon Blackwood (s); Wings of Fire (o); Witches Steeped in Gold by Clannon Smart (o); The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid (s)

23/46 Whoa! That's exactly 50% of the books I had on my list! That's pretty cool! All in all, I consider this 2023 goal successfully done!

[msweebyness]

Weeby & Sparky’s Song Ratings!!!

Hey, y’all! This was something me and Sparky did, where we rated the hero/villain songs of the characters we used for MirrorVerse! @imsparky2002 @artzychic27

Villain:

Weeby:

1. Be Prepared- God Tier. Everything about this song is amazing. It’s memorable and has a great sound. Just the most epic villain song, and Jeremy Irons absolutely kills it.

2. Oogie Boogie’s Song- Loved this song since I was a kid and that’s not changing. Catchy as all hell, and so creepily entertaining. Also, Ken Page can SING!

3. Friends on the Other Side- Fun, jazzy and that ending hits SO hard. Gotta love Keith David.

4. Poor Unfortunate Souls- Just so much fun to listen to and sing along as dramatically as possible. The perfect song to introduce us to Ursula.

5. Shiny- Tamatoa is just such a fun villain and this song always makes me get up and dance. SHINY~!

6. Gaston- Never fails to make me laugh and just an all around fun tune. So overblown and conceited, it’s Gaston as a song! Also the meme parodies are fun.

7. Hellfire- An epic and dark tune, love the choir backing and chants. Not one of my top, but still awesome.

8. Mother Knows Best- Disney managed to take gaslighting and make it into a catchy tune. Props for that.

9. Cruella De Vil- A classic that you can’t help but hum every once in a while, but not one of my top.

10. Snuff Out the Light- It’s an okay song, I just don’t see Yzma as a villain to sing, I guess.

11. You’re Only Second Rate- So-so. It’s catchy enough, but the lyrics feel a bit too…silly for Jafar.

12. Hi Diddle Dee Dee- Eh. It’s a song that exists, kinda annoying to be honest.

Sparky:

1. Hellfire - SUPREME GOD TIER. In my opinion not just the greatest disney song, but the greatest villain song of all time. Absolutely gothic, epic, suggestive and fits Frollo's character to a T. The ending gives me chills EVERY time. I would sin for Tony Jay.

2. Poor Unfortunate Souls - Now I admit I prefer the Annapatsu version, but overall it's so delightfully bombastic and dramatic. You really feel like you're being manipulated by Ursula.

3. Friends on the Other Side - Keith. David. Is. Amazing. Oh, and Randy Newman killed it with the ending.

4. Mother Knows Best - It's like the friendlier version of Poor Unfortunate Souls and really nails the manipulative horrible parent feeling.

5. Shiny Gayest song and a great tribute to David Bowie, so you know it's amazing.

6. Oogie Boogie Song - A awesome ragtime halloween bop and Oogie's got some pipes!

7. Gaston - So hilarious and perfectly arrogant, just like Gaston.

8. Hi Diddle Dee Dee - It's a joke song and it's short... but goddamn it I find it hilarious. I feel like it's the perfect sort of fake conjob song for John.

9. Be Prepared - I love Jeremy Irons performance... but overall the lyrics and tone just feel too goofy for Scar? I actually would've loved if it sounded like the 2019 version, even if Scar never sang, the orchestrals sounded awesome.

10. Cruella De Vil - Eh... it's alright. A small little jazzy tune, but man we missed out on a frantic rocker for Cruella.

11. Snuff Out the Light - Eartha King nails it but overall it's mid.

12. You're Only Second Rate - Feels like them trying to capture the magic of Friend Like Me, except Jafar isn't Robin Williams by a longshot.

Hero:

Weeby:

1. When Will My Life Begin- Whenever this song comes on, I am singing the lyrics at the top of my lungs. So bright and fun and really tells you who Rapunzel is.

2. Just Can’t Wait to be King- Such a fun and spunky tune, I’m always dancing and singing with baby Simba.

3. Almost There- Inspiring and catchy as all hell. I’ve always loved Tiana and this song really reflects her determination.

4. Go the Distance- Just a sweet, beautiful and kinda dorky song, perfect for Herc! Love this one to death!

5. Evermore- SO. FREAKIN. EPIC. Favorite song from the remake. Was…on the fence about them giving the beast a song, but they knocked it out of the park!

6. A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes- SO underrated, and just an all-around beautiful and sweet song.

7. Reflection- Such a gorgeous song, Lea Salonga’s vocals are on point and you can’t help but feel for Mulan.

8. Let it Go- Epic power ballad that I can’t help but sing to. Not my fave but I love it!

9. Friend Like Me- Robin Williams is incredible, so is the Will Smith cover, this song is just a bop.

10. Part of Your World- Jodi Benson is an amazing singer and this song is super fun for karaoke.

11. What Else Can I Do?- Love my girl Isabela and seeing her come into her own in this song!

12. Out There- A sweet and hopeful song that makes my heart hurt for Quasi. It gets me every time.

13. One Jump Ahead- Upbeat, frantic and fun, the perfect intro to Aladdin’s life.

14. Nobody Like U- Catchy as hell and SO 2000’s nostalgia.

15. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo- So fun and makes me miss my childhood, pretending to be the fairy godmother!

16. Once Upon A Dream- Lived this song as a kid, but now…it’s just average. Vocals are beautiful but it just doesn’t stick out.

17. Belle- Eh, the song is catchy but I always felt so bad for Belle. Like, they are essentially *singing* about how weird she is TO HER FACE.

18. Someday My Prince Will Come- Beautiful vocals but just never grabbed my attention I guess.

19. I’ve Got No Strings- Just eh. Pinocchio’s part is cute, but the rest…just eh.

Sparky:

1. Reflection - Amazing vocals, absolutely tearjerking lyrics and instrumentals. It's one of if not the only hero song that's truly depressing. Also the part where she belts as she takes off her makeup... soul shattering and beautiful.

2. Someday My Prince Will Come - I know that it isn't exactly empowering but.... oh my god this song is absolutely gorgeous. It is sort of hard to understand what she's saying, but the orchestrals are phenomenal and the singer gives it everything she's got. I genuinely feel like tearing up everytime I hear it.

3. Part of Your World - This goes entirely to Jodi Benson. My god what a singer. Such an epic "I Want" song.

4. Friend Like Me - Both Robin and Will knock it out of the park. There's so much bouncyness and explosive music in this and it totally fits the character.

5. A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes - Just... beauty in auditorial form. Reminds me of a Sinatra song for some reason. My god is it beautiful.

6. Once Upon a Dream - It feels like a waltz and a lullaby at the same time. Reminds me of a Paul McCartney track.

7. Almost There - A very determined tune and subtle and grounded, perfect for Tiana. Randy Newman once again nailed it.

8. Go the Distance - Roger Bart perfectly fits it and you really feel for young Herc. It's very Broadway but I love it for that reason.

9. One Jump Ahead - Such a punchy and frantic track and really makes you feel like you are running alongside Aladdin.

10. Nobody Like U - GODDAMN! Easily the catchiest song for me and such a nice fusion of modern pop and 2000s boy bands.

11. Out There - Like you said, sweet and hopeful, though I don't really like Quasi's vocals.

12. When Will My Life Begin? - Perfectly fitting of Rapunzel, and a great pop song... but I feel like it's a bit too 2010 Pop song rather than Disney opener.

13. What Else Can I Do? - Eh... I just found the song to be sort of forgettable. Nothing against the character, the song just didn't stand out to me. Felt too much like a generic pop song.

14. Belle - It's just a song about how Belle's "odd". Not much else to say.

15. Let It Go - In my own opinion, extremely overplayed AND overrated and only saved by the fact that Idina Menzel is an amazing singer.

16. Just Can't Wait to be King - The child singer is amazing, but overall I guess I just found it to be a bit forgettable?

17. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo and I've Got No Strings - Both of these are joke songs to me. Perfectly fine little ditties but just that, little ditties.

18. Evermore - This is entirely because they absolutely BUTCHERED Dan Stevens' voice with autotune. I mean... my god he sounds like a malfuctioning vocaloid! Pianos and strings are nice but the voice is just too horrendous. A shame, it could have been decent.

Leave your own rankings in the comments and reblogs!

[hyperfixationspam]

THOUGHTS

-RHJEDJRJEKDJDJEJDN YIPPEE YIPPEE YIPPEE

-I CANT TELL WHAT THE FUCKING SONG IS IT SOUNDS SO FAMILIAR BUT GOOGLE IS NOT HELPING

-izzys face looks weird is he dirty or bruised up or something??? ed pls do not abuse this man ive been defending you

-all i can get from this is villainous pirate murderer thrice over i cant read the rest 😭😭

-i thought the "hes a fucking madman" line was minnie driver doing an american accent but anne bonny was irish so why would she do an american accent it might be ruibo it sounds a little deep for her voice but im not sure???

-LIL ED WEDDING DRESS FIGURINE IDC THAT ITS PROBABLY BEING USED FOR NEFARIOUS OR AT LEAST INTIMIDATING PURPOSES ITS CUTE HES THINKING ABOUT GETTING MARRIED TO STEDE (IN AN EVIL TRAGIC WAY)

-ivan replacement?? maybe?? if it is i feel conflicted cus i want ivan back but if they fired guz just to recast him im gonna be pissed but it might not be related anyways so

-i know this is like two pixels but it kinda looks like madeleine sami to me lmao

-FANGS NEW COSTUME YES YES YES

-FRENCHIES NEW COSTUME YES YES YES THE CLAWS THE BLACK CAT AESTHETIC I LOVE THAT ALSO GO CRAZY GO STUPID ARC??? bestie are u ok

-JIM!!!!!!!! SHORT HAIR GOTH ASS OUTFIT PAINTED ON BEARD YESSSS I WAS HOPING FOR THE PAINTED ON BEARD THE THEMES ARE THEMING THEY LOOK SO GOOD AHHHHH potential halloween costume idea for this year i wanna wear it

-anne is so pretty also why is she towering over stede

-STEDES NEW RED JACKET IS SO CUTE

-STEDE AND IZZY ALLIANCE REAL???? IS IZZY GONNA REALIZE HE WENT TOO FAR AND JOIN UP WITH HIM TO HELP ED????? YES YES YES YES IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS DYNAMIC

-STEDES LIL TWIRL HES SO SILLY

-buttons doing magic???? idk whats going on there but hes certainly vibing

-izzy fighting candles shirtless?? okay?? get that energy out productively i guess??? good for him??

-susan probablyfakename my beloved. also shes always next to oluwande are they besties ive decided they're besties

-are these the same setting or am i tripping

-JACKIE GETTING SOME 😏😏 (why did it turn red when i tried to brighten it) (but seriously whats going on in the back there)

-probably not lucius (im not even sure if these are the same scene??) but hes fine

-WEE JOHN DRAG WEE JOHN DRAG (why he look like ursula)

-the clips at the end make it seem like eds hitting stede with the barrel even though its very obviously not the same scene 😭 but that only brings up more questions who tf is ed hitting with a barrel??? and at that angle??? and why is stede moaning 🤨

-OCTOBER FIFTH YIPPEEEE

-THE COVER WITH THEIR FACES AS A HEART SFSGFDD

[mariesocuniverse]

Little Mermaid [210803]

 eric turns on vlive and fixes his hair, watching as more fans join the live

E: deobi come in!!

Eric makes a gesture telling ppl to join

He turned away from the camera, looking at the person who seemed to be hiding behind the chair

E: You’re probably wondering why I titled this “The Little Mermaid…Guess why!

@/tbzdeobi: you’re hair is coral colored?

@/kingsandqueens: you had a disney marathon?

@/onlydeobi: i’m so curious!

Eric pretended to think, keeping suspense for one more minute

E: Well…. come out!

Melody popped out from behind Eric, waving her arms around

The two immediately started singing “Under The Sea”, while Melody moved another chair to sit next to Eric

M: Hello! I’m your resident mermaid, Melody!

She grabbed a pillow from the bench behind her, before leaning forward to read the comments

@/melodyslove: should we put u in water to see your tail then?

M: No! I’ll be fine as a land person for now!

Melody kept humming the lyrics to Under The Sea while the chat kept spamming

@/princess: isn’t Ariel the main character?

M: Well yes and no…Ariel and Prince Eric have a daughter named Melody so…

E: She doesn’t like the second movie but for the title she just rolled with it 

Melody playfully slapped Eric’s chest, scolding him for exposing her

M: The first movie is always better when it comes to Disney!

Eric was shaking his head, seemingly agree with her statement

@/melodythemermaid: does that make Eric your dad?

M: Absolutely not!

Melody shook her head, putting her arms in an X shape for better effect

M: Absolutely no way, that Eric will be my dad

Melody keep shaking her head, not wanting to go down that spiral

Eric laughed at her, and gave her a hug

E: Noona you’re so cute

Melody sighed and leaned closer to him

M: This is why we can’t have nice things Eric

The comments exploded on how cute the two are, and how cute of a relationship they have

@/melricsuperior: why don’t you dress up as Ariel and Prince Eric for Halloween?

M: I’m down! how bout you?

E: Oh? That sounds fun!

Soon enough, the two began to discuss the specifics

A buzz offscreen distracted the two, with Melody picking up her phone and returning a text

Putting her phone down, she turned her attention back to the curious fans

M: Kevin asked if he could be Sebastian

E: He’s watching??!?

Eric leaned closer to see if he could find Kevin’s account, and laughing when he did

M: Kevin can be Sebastian and Jacob could be Flounder

E: Sangyeon hyung can be King Triton and Sunwoo can be Ursula

M: Ursula?!?!?

The two continued bickering before they turned to the comments for opinions

@/deobiland: Doesn’t Ariel have six sisters?

M: She does? Then the other members can be them!

E: Problem solved! Thanks deobi~

M: Look forward to our Little Mermaid Cosplay everyone!!!

A knock on the door interrupted their talk, causing Eric to move and open it a bit

After a bit of talking, Eric went back and whispered something to Melody

E: our manager said we need to go do schedules

M: Let’s talk a more next time deobi!

E&M:  Bye bye!!

[Broadcast has Ended]

[cosplayinamerica]

The thing I found most interesting was the biggest fans of Prince John weren't the little kids, it was the adults! I was stopped constantly for pics and had people telling me how much they loved the movie growing up.

When deciding what cosplay to do, I consider several factors, First, how much is it already done? Second, how to I feel about the character I want to portray? Third, how will people respond to seeing it done, especially kids? Little kids and their reactions are one of my favorite things about cosplaying.

Growing up, Robin Hood was one of my favorite movies! I had a mad crush on Robin, but always got such a kick out of Prince John and his bratty behavior. He is the ultimate younger sibling, always competing with the older brother, trying to be the favored one. I had yet to see a Prince John cosplay done at any con I have attended and thought it would be fun to pull together.

I admit I cannot sew to save my life, not even buttons! All of my cosplays are put together by an amazing team of friends. For Prince John, my normal seamstress was busy with her day job, so I had to find a new magician with a needle and thread who understood that cosplay is about the details and not just a Halloween costume that can be slapped together. I put out a request for recommendations on the Twin Cities Geek Facebook group looking for help and was matched up with the amazing Michelle Lucas by her husband.

Michelle not only sewed my Prince John robe but also Sir Hiss' (who I found on Amazon) cape and hat. My crown was put together by another talented friend of mine, Matt Feikema. He has done other prop work for me in the past including my Flash Gordon green egg and Jayne Cobb's Vera. Matt had the crown printed in a 3D printer for me, sanded it down, applied gold leaf and his wife Nikki, who is a jeweler, applied the stones, as well as made the rings for my fingers.

Under the robe, I wore a blue nightgown from Amazon and gold sandals from Walmart. Makeup was much easier and a lot of fun. I surfed Pinterest for ideas on various ways to do cat/lion makeup. The most difficult thing to figure out was the whiskers. While I could have drawn them on or used a pair that clipped to my nose, that wasn't the vision I had. I wanted to figure out how to apply a whisker to my cheeks. I wanted to look like Prince John but still on the slightly realistic side.

After lots of googling, I found a great YouTube tutorial by Luka. She showed how to create whiskers from wig hair and attached them using eyelash glue. It worked amazing! I was shocked at how well the whiskers stayed on all day long with no touch ups. Much of my makeup was covered up with my posing (after all, John does love to suck his thumb), but I was extremely happy with how everything turned out!

I started cosplaying about 8 years ago, after my first time at Comic Con. Since then it has become an important part of my Con experience and my life. My friends and I spend the better part of the year planning and deciding what to do, how to do it, when/where to do it. We have lists of characters we want to cosplay but have not yet attempted. It is so much fun to see how happy it makes people when they see a character they recognize and love, especially one that is more obscure.

Most people I meet are shocked that I am a cosplayer. I guess I don't have the stereotypical "look" that they would expect a cosplayer to have. But what they don't realize is that cosplay is for everyone and anyone who wants to try it!

My favorite thing is their reactions when they see photos of me as Prince John, Ursula, Jem, whoever I have become in the photo. I love that my own daughters, as well as nieces and nephew are so into my cosplay. They often dream about what they would like to do themselves when we might be able to cosplay together (hopefully this November at a local Con!). I think it is teaching them it is OK to be different, to stand out, to be silly, and to just have fun, not worrying about how you look or what others might think. Cosplay teaches that kind of confidence and independence.

--- https://www.instagram.com/sisustylegirl/

[wigwurq]

WIG REVIEW: LITTLE MERMAID LIVE!

You guys. Many of you already lived through me live tweeting this musical event last night on twitter (which if you don’t already follow me, you should! @WigWurq) but let’s take a deep dive together into the roller coaster of confusion that was: Little Mermaid Live! And yes, we’ll even discuss the wigs. 

First off, the 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid WAS AND IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. It was my favorite childhood movie. I saw it thrice in the theater and wore out several vhs and dvd copies of it. My mom even convinced our local video store to let me have their display for it which we installed in my bedroom and I worshipped it as a shrine. It then became my daughter’s first movie and chosen Halloween costume. Needless to say, I had a lot of feelings going into this one and somehow even more feelings coming out of it. 

ABC (who shares a parent company with Disney) decided to broadcast this as a “live” TV event since it is (gasp!) 30 years after its original release. Leaning heavily on nostalgia, they started this event by having the OG voice of Ariel, JODI EFFING BENSON, introduce the show. Obviously, this woman is a goddess in my book and this was a super classy way to start this whole thing.

Then the movie began! No, not the “live” event, but just the actual 1989 animated movie. ABC had prepared us for this, calling it a hybrid live event WITH ONLY THE SONGS BEING PERFORMED LIVE. This confusing conceit truly made me wonder why they bothered with this production at all, and my 4yo daughter, who I allowed to stay up and watch the first 20 minutes, just kept asking me “when are the people going to come back” and honestly: SAME QUESTION!!!

Anyway, after the credit sequence, the movie stopped playing and a stage was overtaken by sailors while the live audience (also subjected to the film) were also forced to become an ocean of rhythmic gymnasts and this was the moment I knew we were really in for something. 

I could not possibly tell you who this wigless kid is playing Eric but he seemed genuinely happy to be involved and THERE WAS A LIVE DOG PLAYING MAX so whatever! Fine! 

Also someone made the fabulous choice to cast Eric’s wet blanket guardian, Grimsby, as an African-American! I am here for #BlackGrimsby even if his wig looks like something out of colonial reenactor hell which does beg the question: is this supposed to be a powdered wig within the narrative? Probably so FINE. Still, we as a nation had to still watch animated #WhiteGrimsby and can you see how this whole hybrid live event thing was a bad idea?!?! 

After some more of the movie, including the animated introduction of Sebastian (NOT SHAGGY YET), we got to see the concert appearance of Ariel’s sisters, played by a lot of randos and also AMBER RILEY. YESSSS.

Amber Riley should be in all live musicals and also her wig and costume makes her look like a drag queen who would win All-Stars which is to say: PERFECT. 

After some more animated movie scenes I’ve seen 5000 times and now a full 18 minutes into the broadcast: WE FINALLY GOT LIVE ARIEL. AND OMG WHAT THE EFF IS THAT WIG. The lace front fully gave me the shivers and twitter agreed with me. Truly, what is this lacefront?! There is none! It is just more hair! WHERE IS HER DAMN FOREHEAD?! The consistency of the wig itself is also generally horrific: my daughter’s Halloween wig when she was Ariel was vastly superior. Which is all really a shame because Ariel here is being played by Auli’i Cravalho, aka MOANA HERSELF and she truly deserved a better wig. 

Still, when Ariel flew over the audience, it was kind of magical and this Moana chick can SANG. My daughter was completely entranced. And then as soon as it hit the commercial break, I demanded that she absolutely go to bed (don’t worry - she’ll watch it probably 500 times on hulu later). 

After more animation, we finally got Shaggy as Sebastian and truly WHAT IS THIS COSTUME. More Michael Jackson in Thriller than any form of crab, I have many questions. Did Shaggy just straight up refuse to be in a crab costume? Not even crab hands?

This Moana chick is in fully mermaid tail and harness, a stage full of people have just straight up become muppets, and yet Shaggy is running around in damn driving gloves and we’re supposed to be ok with this? I AM NOT OK WITH THIS. GIVE ME MORE CRAB!!! Also “Under the Sea” was a total acid trip which I may never recover from.

 We got some more animation, including Ursula and although I LOVE the original, Pat Carroll, I am forever mad at ABC for denying me Queen Latifah’s line reading of “we mustn’t lurk in doorways” SO MANY MISSED OPPORTUNITIES. Still, I’m into the puppet versions of Flotsam and Jetsam and remain completely horrified by the lace front on this Ariel wig. 

AND THEN FINALLY MY KWEEN ENTERED. Truly, this is the kind of entrance that only a true diva has (AND DESERVES) and it really was everything. 

Truly epic. 

Also epic? This damn wig! This is serving RuPaul levels of wig greatness and if the wig budget had to all go to this, then I guess: OK! 

Queen Latifah obviously sounded amazing and also she had a mid-song costume change into this leather daddy dress and honestly, this whole mess of a “live” musical might have been worth it just for this song. 

YESSSSSSSSS.

And then there’s John Stamos. His inexplicable casting as French chef, Louis, had all of us baffled (though I guess he already had played this role at the Hollywood Bowl once?) Anyway, he was having a lot of fun and this moustache is terrifying but not as terrifying as....

THIS SMALL CHILD AS THE CRAB LOUIS IS ABOUT TO COOK. Why oh why wasn’t this Shaggy? Truly, did he just have it in his contract to not be a crab in this? Is Shaggy allowed to do that when he signed on TO PLAY A SINGING CRAB? WHY ARE WE SUBJECTING CHILDREN TO THIS (also including the children, including my own, watching at home!)

DON’T WORRY - IT GOT WORSE! AKA A POT FULL OF CHILD CRABS! WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND WHY?!?!?!

Back over to the only crab I thought we were getting who is still definitely not in a crab costume, “Kiss the Girl” was totally fine and also inexplicably involved children playing music. OK?

HOWEVER, EVEN ON LAND, THIS WIG REMAINS A GHOSTMARE.

Meanwhile, they decided to add in this song that (a currently voiceless) Ariel sings with Eric. I’m sure this song existed in the Broadway version of this show, but I mainly blocked that out of my collective memory. 

I have said it before and I’ll say it again: I’ve always loved Prince Eric because of the way he casually wears capes. 

Still, this song was very boring. 

BUT THEN MY KWEEN CAME BACK! I don’t know if I support new Little Mermaid songs UNLESS they are in the form of reprises solely for Queen Latifah. And then we were denied a LOT of Queen Latifah acting (including what I was hoping would be a giant Queen Latifah) in lieu of just watching the entire ending of the movie. 

And then it was over! Confetti and wedding dresses and....huh what did I just sit through?

STILL PLEASE GIVE QUEEN LATIFAH AN EMMY FOR THIS. 

In the end, I cannot let my love of Queen Latifah (and this movie) change the fact that this was totally a mess (if only it had all been live!) and the wigs most definitely needed some help. 

VERDICT: DOESN’T WURQ

[heartbxnd-blog]

The interview

@inlovewithdisaster / @kalosian-writer

The template

“Before we start, I want to make one thing clear: I’m not here for rumor mills or sensationalism. I want my article to be a proper reflection of what’s going on. So please don’t try to feed me rumors as truth, alright?”

“Of course, please go on miss.Jules.”

“Tell me a bit about yourself, mon ami(e). Is this your first competition, or if it’s not, how long have you been participating? Have you participated, specifically, in a Trainer Showcase before?”

“I am...Not really participating in it as an entrant, I am here as a voter. And that is for the best...I don’t really have the best track record when it comes to competitions like this.”

“What sort of background do you come from-are you a trainer, a breeder, a coordinator, or perhaps something else? Do you see this giving you any advantage in the competition/as a voter/ect.?”

“Most people know me as Ecruteak city’s gym leader- the fourth one of the Johto region. My specialty are ghost type pokemon...And that’s pretty much it. I don’t really have much to tell about myself.”

“There are champions- and people with an actual track record. I doubt that just a gym leader is going to do any difference at all when it comes to voting.”

“What are your thoughts on the competition here today? It looks like we have quite a diverse cast of Pokémon fans present. Anyone you know? Rivals, perhaps?”

“I agree, I am honestly quite excited to see what everyone is going to bring to their showcases!”

“I heard a past challenger of mine is attending this event, Lyra! But I still haven’t had the chance to stumble into her...I have run into Steven Stone as well- although in his case...I haven’t really met him beforehand. I knew of him because he used to be Hoenn’s champion, but that would be it...”

“Oh right Lance was the one that brought me here in the first place, so he also counts.”

“How are you feeling about this showcase in general? Are you nervous at all?”

“No I am actually quite excited for it! I love watching and staying up to date with pokemon contests- I am actually a big fan of these events! I a b s o l u t e l y adore Wallace and Fantina’s works and- ah sorry about that Miss.Jules.”

* “Were you here for the All Hallows Faire, or did you tune into that? If so, has that affected any of your choices going into this event?”

“No, not really. The short answer: I hate Halloween. I don’t celebrate it. I don’t consume anything related to the whole thing. Which is a shame, because my idol- Agatha former elite four member at the Indigo Plateau attended to it. I got to watch the performances later- and I did like her showcase.”

“She did great for someone who has no experience at all in this field- I am sorry, let’s continue.”

* “I know there was a lot of drama regarding scoring during the Derosier’s last event, to put it mildly. How do you think things will change now that there’s a second main judge? Are there any other changes you think should have been made for the sake of transparency or fairness?”

“There was? I am not aware of anything...So I can’t really comment on any changes...”

*-ish “It’s pretty clear from AHF that Ursula struggles with personal biases in judging. Does this raise any concerns for you? Or do you think that your/ the best performers’ talent(s) will shine through enough to keep you/them safe from any bribery-boosted scores?”

“As a gym leader, I hope that one’s skills will be more than enough to secure their place...But as someone who watches and keeps up with contests...I know very well that isn’t always the case. If one of the judges are known to be extremely biased, I guess people will have to heavily rely on the others to save their appeal.”

* “Speaking of, I know that Ursula brought Lotor on as a judge in hopes of leveling the playing field, so to speak. But that brings their own relationship into play. So…what do you think as them as a couple? And as judges, do you believe they’ll be able to judge independently of each other?”

“I don’t have anything to comment on ithe matter.”

* “What are you looking for in contestant’s performances? What makes a Theme or Freestyle stand out as extraordinary in your eyes? If drama does erupt, do you have any thoughts on how you’ll keep yourself unbiased?”

“A showcase of the trainer and pokemon’s bond, I am looking to see how strong that is. The stronger the bond is, the experience becomes a thousand times better overall. I am speaking from experience taken from my badges trials back at Ecruteak.”

“The most memorables battles I have had, were the ones that showed the potential for this bond to bloom into comething powerful and ultimately beautiful.”

* “How would you describe the current atmosphere here, in light of these changes? Hopeful? Uncertain?”

“I would say things got a bit hectic since that scandal had been brought into the light. But I haven’t seen anything concrete of any effects from it...”

“Is there anything else you’d like to say about this competition? I’m admittedly going to leave soon to get this article going, but I hope everything goes smoothly for you!”

“I wish the best of luck to the entrants! I am offering my locating services in case something goes missing!”

* (Off the record) “Do you have any other thoughts about this event, or any suspicions? I’m not going to publish them since, like I said, I’m not one for rumors. But I personally want to know what I might want to be keeping an eye on in case things do happen. Have you seen or heard anything suspicious?”

“...”

“I am kinda of worried about Steven Stone...I don’t know how to explain it...But something doesn’t seem right about him...Please keep his in anonymosity. I don’t want him to...”

“Anyway, I must go. I hope this was of some help for you miss.Jules.”

[surveysonfleek]

348.

5000 Question Survey Pt. 1

1. Who are you? dee. 2. What are the 3 most important things everyone should know about you? i live in sydney, i’m 26 and i’m so bored that i’m gna attempt this. 3. When you aren't filling out 5,000 question surveys like this one what are you doing? working, sleeping, eating or hanging out with my boyfriend and/or friends. 4. List your classes in school from the ones you like the most to the ones you like the least (or if you are out of school, think of the classes you did like and didn't like at the time). i liked visual arts the most, religion the least. 5. What is your biggest goal for this year? to find a new job.

6. Where do you want to be in 5 years? hopefully found a good career, married with either kids or planning to have kids. 7. What stage of life are you in right now? i’m still finding myself. 8. Are you more child-like or childish? childish i guess.  9. What is the last thing you said out loud? bye.   10. What song comes closest to how you feel about your life right now? 20 something - sza. 11. Have you ever taken martial arts classes? i did back in 7th grade, quit after i got yellow belt lmao.   12. Does your life tend to get better or worse or does it just stay the same? it’s been the same for the past couple of years. hopefully it’s just better from now on. 13. Does time really heal all wounds? kinda. it definitely eases the ‘pain’. 14. How do you handle a rainy day? i complain if i have to work, i love it if i’m staying home. 15. Which is worse...losing your luggage or having to sort out tangled holiday lights? definitely losing my luggage. 16. How is your relationship with your parents? Will you miss them when they are gone? my relationship with my parents is pretty good. we’re not super close but we all get along. 17. Do you tend to be aware of what is going on around you? usually. 18. What is the truest thing that you know? haha not sure. that i’m currently living this life? 19. What did you want to be when you grew up? a singer or actress even though i couldn’t sing or act. 20. Have you ever been given a second chance? yep. 21. Are you more of a giver or a taker? giver. 22. Do you make your decisions with an open heart/mind? yes. 23. What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you? this weird migraine/virus thing i had a couple years ago. it’s probably the last time in forever i’ve cried because of pain. i’m surprised i didn’t go to the hospital. 24. What is the most emotionally painful thing that has ever happened to you? going through my parents’ separation and having my grandmother die within three months.   25. Who have you hugged today? like five of my friends. 26. Who has done something today to show they care about you? my boyfriend drove us to dinner tonight lol. 27. Do you have a lot to learn? of course. there’s always room to learn. 28. If you could learn how to do three things just by wishing and not by working what would they be? all skills needed for i.t., all skills needed for nursing/doctor, all skills needed for management. 29. Which do you remember the longest: what other people say, what other people do or how other people make you feel? how people make me feel. 30. What are the key ingredients to having a good relationship? basically having the same kind of relationship as best friends and being in love with each other.  31. What 3 things do you want to do before you die? get married, have kids, live to see my grandchildren. 32. What three things would you want to die to avoid doing? pap smears, long plane trips and taking shoes off and laptops out at airport security lol. 33. Is there a cause you believe in more than any other cause? hmm idk lol. gay marriage and feminism. 34. What does each decade make you think of: The 19.. 20's: flapper girls (i could totally be in the wrong decade, my bad) 30's: american gangsters 40's: betty boop 50's: sound of music 60's: marilyn monroe 70's: disco era 80's: neon 90's: grunge 2000: sept 11 2010's: eyebrows 35. Which decade do you feel the most special connection to and why? 90s. i loved my childhood. 36. What is your favorite oldie/classic rock song? bohemian rhapsody. 37. What country do you live in and who is the leader of that country? If you could say any sentence to the current leader of your country what would it be?  australia, malcolm turnbull. make gay marriage legal already. 38. What's your favorite TV channel to watch in the middle of the night? i don’t really have a favourite channel, i just watch certain shows i like.   39. What Disney villain are you the most like and why? ursula hahaha. that makeup tho. 40. Have you ever been a girl scout/boy scout? nope. 41. If you were traveling to another continent would you rather fly or take a boat? definitely fly unless it’s on a luxury cruise ship. 42. Why is the sky blue during the day and black at night? because of the sun. 43. What does your name mean? goddess of wine. 44. Would you rather explore the deeps of the ocean or outer space? neither tbh. i don’t like the depths of the unkown. 45. Word association What is the first word that comes to mind when you see the word: Air: bender Meat: sweats Different: strokes Pink: panther Deserve: more White: dove Elvis: presley Magic: carpet Heart: love Clash: band Pulp: fiction 46. If you could meet any person in the world who is dead who would you want it to be? my grandparents. 47. What if you could meet anyone who is alive? rihanna. 48. Is there a movie that you love so much you could watch it everyday? haha not really. 49. You are going to be stuck alone in an elevator for a week. What do you bring to do? a ton of food, a puzzle book, my kindle, my phone and charger, a bed lol. 50. Have you ever saved someone's life or had your life saved? nope. 51. Make up a definition for the following silly words... Fruitgoogle: a fruit that’ll appear every time you google something and you have to eat it to get the results lol Ambytime: time for an ambulance Asscactus: a cactus in the shape of an ass 52. What was the last thing you made with your own hands? food. 53. What was your favorite toy as a child? probably my cabbage patch doll. 54. How many TV’s are in your house? five. 55. What is your favorite thing to do outside? lie down in the sun. 56. How do you feel when you see a rainbow? happy i guess. i always point it out. 57. Have you ever dreamt a dream that came true? yep. 58. Have you ever been to a psychic/tarot reader? nope. i don’t think i’d want to tbh. 59. What is your idea of paradise? a sunny beach resort that’s all inclusive. 60. Do you believe in god and if so what is he/she/it like? yeah i do, but idk what they’re like. 61. Do you believe in Hell? i think so. 62. What one thing have you done that most people haven't? visit nearly all continents of the world. 63. What is the kindest thing you have ever done? do any favours that weren’t expected of me i guess. 64. Are you a patient person? not really. 65. What holiday should exist but doesn't? ha idk. 66. What holiday shouldn't exist but does? none. 67. What's the best joke you ever heard? i’ve heard plenty, i just don’t have a favourite. 68. Where is the most fun place you have EVER been? disney world! 69. Is your hair natural or dyed? the ends are dyed, otherwise natural. 70. Do you have any deep dark secrets or are you pretty much up front? i’m up front. 71. What is under your bed right now? boxes of junk, presents i never used, a huge bag of hand sanitzers from bath and body works, old uni booked etc. 72. If you were in the Land of Oz would you want to live there or go home? go home thanks. 73. If you drive do you frequently speed? yes. 74. What is the world's best song to dance to? idk haha. 75. What song was on the last time you danced with someone? i forgot. 76. Do you prefer Disney or Warner Brothers? disney. 77. What is the first animal you would run to see if you went to the zoo? panda. i don’t think i’ve ever seen one in real life. 78. Would you consider yourself to be romantic? not really. 79. If the earth stopped rotating would we all fly off? no idea. 80. What is the one thing that you love to do so much that you would make sacrifices to be able to do it? traveling. saving money to travel is a bitch, not to mention getting time off from your job etc. 81. If you (and everyone) had to lose one right or freedom, but you could pick which one everyone had to lose, what would you pick? idk tbh. 82. If you had to choose would you live on the equator or at the North Pole? equator. 83. Would you rather give up listening to music or watching television? errrr. that’s hard. watching tv i guess. since i watch all my shows on my laptop anyway. 84. What do you think makes someone a hero? doing something good for the masses and being inspirational. 85. What cartoon would you like to be a character in? aladdin. 86. Name one thing that turns your stomach: bad smells. 87. What was the last thing you paid for? dinner. 88. Are you a coupon clipper? nah, we never get any good coupons here. 89. Get anything good in the mail recently? yeah, my purchase from ebay. 90. Which would you rather take as a gym class...dancing, sailing, karate, or bowling? bowling lol. 91. In Star Trek people 'beam' back and forth between different places. What this means is they stand in a little tube and their molecules are deconstructed and sent to another tube somewhere else where they are reassembled. Only problem is when the molecules are deconstructed the person is dead. When they are put back together it is only a clone that has all the dead person's memories. So... Is the person who gets beamed the same person on both ends? physically no... it’s like that ship paradox i guess. 92. What insects are you afraid of? cockroaches. 93. If you could print any phrase on a T-shirt, what would it say? nothing to wear. 94. What's the most eccentric thing you have ever worn? cat ears? lol it was for halloween. 95. If you could pick one food that you could eat all you wanted but it would have no effect on how much you weigh, what food would it be? hotdogs. actually ribs. 96. What are your parents interested in? they love tv shows and movies. my dad loves fishing too lol. 97. Have you ever caught an insect and kept it as a pet?  Have you ever caught and tamed a wild animal? no and no. 98. What is more helpful to you, wishes or plans? plans definitely. i’m too lazy to make my wishes come true. 99. When do you feel your life energy the strongest? when i’m the most awake? 100. You are spending the night alone in the woods and may bring only 3 items with you. What do you bring? a tent, bed and food.

[lindsglenne]

Who doesn’t love fall? I’ve always lived in a place with no definitive seasons, the weather always being in the mid-70’s and sunny. However, the four years I lived in Oregon, I really got to experience the gloriousness of fall. The lush greenery as we walked along the Willamette River to get to the football stadium. The leaves falling all around campus littering the damp ground as you walked to and from class. Yeah, it rained a lot, but it was so beautiful that it didn’t even matter. I got this lovely autumnal tag here

1. Best autumnal themed book cover?

Basically anything with leaves and the colors orange and yellow

2. Which fictional friend group would you trust with a Ouija board?

I don’t necessarily think I would trust them, but the Creekwood Gang from Simon Vs. would be pretty entertaining and probably just a big mess.

3. Which book setting would you love to be celebrating in during Halloween night?

Hogwarts, duh. When ever I’m asked a question about joining a fictional universe the answer will always be Harry Potter.

4. Best autumnal food description inside of a story?

There’s a reason channels play Harry Potter at Halloween time! It’s so autumnal. I mean, who doesn’t want to eat at the Grand Hall during the Welcome Feast?

5. Which fictional character would you dress as?

Not book related, but I think dressing up as Daria Morgendorffer from Daria would be fun or Spinelli from Recess. I guess I just want to dress as my animated alter egos. Hmmm…

6. An antagonist you would pledge your allegiance to?

Honestly? Probably Ursula from The Little Mermaid. I ccould deal with no voice if it meant I had legs and the ability to hang out on land.

7. The creepiest book you’ve ever read?

One thing that I got out of 11th grade English was my love of Edgar Allan Poe. I think he’s the king of creeps. I have an old book of his stories that I got from a used bookstore and it looks real spooky.

8. A book you’ve yet to read but will read this October?

I’m trying to tackle as many mystery/thrillers I can for the month of October and so far I’ve read five! Going back to my love of Edgar Allan Poe, the one book I really wanted to get to this October (and I did) was His Hideous Heart: 13 of Edgar Allan Poe’s Most Unsettling Tales Reimagined edited by Dahlia Adler. I listened on audiobook and it was so much fun for the authors to share their remixes of these classic tales.

9. Which fictional character would you put in charge of the decorations for a Halloween party?

Hermione Granger. I would put her in charge of anything that needed to be done. Bitches get shit done.

The Autumn Tag Who doesn't love fall? I've always lived in a place with no definitive seasons, the weather always being in the mid-70's and sunny.

[yespoetry]

An Interview with the Authors of 'DICTIONNAIRE INFERNAL' (And Download It For Free Here)

DICTIONNAIRE INFERNAL is a co-authored with Chris McCreary and Mark Lamoureux and was originally published by Empty Set Press on Halloween 2017. With the close of Empty Set earlier this, we have partnered up with ESP and are offering the chapbook as a free ebook. You can read a poem from the chapbook here, an interview with the authors below, and download the collection here and below.

Did you write this collection to any kind of music?

Mark: This is a hard question to answer, because I listen to music more or less constantly and I listen pretty widely (Bill Corbett once told me I have "big ears").  Looking at the poems in Dictionnaire Infernal I see references to Skinny Puppy, Big Black and the theme song for The Karate Kid Part II by Peter Cetera, but that was probably Chris.  I'm sure I was listening to a lot of other stuff, too, but it's impossible to say what.

Chris: In general, I write while listening to instrumental music. The band Earth is probably my favorite for this. That said, this chapbook does have a sestina, “Abraxas,” that is in part a riff on lyrics from the band Baroness, who we both admire. (After the chapbook was published, I sent a message to the band’s singer asking if he would want a copy, but I never heard anything back from him. This might be for the best - it would be mortifying if he read the poem and didn’t like it.)

Describe your favorite meal.   

Mark: There's the socially responsible answer to this question and the honest one.  

The socially responsible one is good moules frites and a bottle of burgundy.  Red wine with seafood because I’m a madman who lives on the edge.

The honest answer is a cheeseburger that they serve at a dairy restaurant where I grew up called Shady Glen where they fry a specific type of American cheese on the fry table so that it gets sort of brown and curled and bubbly, paired with a vanilla milkshake.  Said restaurant was more or less the inspiration for my chapbook 29 Cheeseburgers.  It’s definitely Americana kitsch where the servers all wear these anachronistic uniforms and these little paper hats. 

Chris: Jenn McCreary makes great vegetarian chili. If I could cap off that meal with coffee and a salted chocolate chip cookie or three, all would be right in the world for a moment.

Choose three books that you've always identified with?  

Chris: I’ve always felt an affinity for Tolkien’s hobbits, who mostly want to avoid trouble and stay at home with a book and a good snack. Maybe The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings count as two of the three books?  I think The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was probably formative for me as well, particularly in terms of its fatalistic dark humor. 

Mark: I’ve definitely always identified with Satan in Paradise Lost--he is actually an ethical person who has no choice but to fractiously rebel against his creator because that’s how he was made.  He feels bad about leading the fallen angels into a conflict they are destined to lose, but he doesn’t know how to do anything else. Like Chris, I was weaned on fantasy and science fiction books--the first book I ever took out of the school library of my own accord was Ursula le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea because I liked the cover.  I felt an affinity to the main character, the wizard Ged, who winds up in a conflict with his own shadow, which he liberated in a ritual he was not supposed to be doing.  The shadow winds up killing his beloved pet otak, which spoke to me at the time because my parents had just gotten divorced and my mother bought me a jet-black rabbit at the state fair that I named Obsidian that was eaten by a coyote about a week later. 

Before I read “serious” books, the first books I read were comic books and I was obsessed with the X-Men, particularly the character Nightcrawler, who was the most freakish of the already freakish team. There is a graphic novel called God Loves, Man Kills in which a televangelist tries to exorcise Nightcrawler, which I found particularly moving.  I have a drawing of Nightcrawler’s signature “BAMF” onomatopoeia that appears when he teleports done by his late creator David Cockrum for me at a comic book convention when I was 12 or so that is one of my prized possessions.

Choose one painting that describes who you are. What is it?  

“The Sphinx & The Milky Way” by Charles Burchfield (Mark)

“Torches Mauve” by Franz Kline (Chris)

What’s a gif or meme that you relate to?

Mark:  I see this as akin to Caspar David Friedrich’s Wanderer above the Sea of Fog but with more screaming. 

via GIPHY

Chris: This meme is a pretty solid representation of chronic anxiety.

What do you imagine the apocalypse is like? How would you want to die?  

Chris: In middle school, I thought a lot about nuclear war and assumed that we’d all die in a fireball at any moment. (There was a period of several months where I didn’t want to be in a room without a radio or TV playing because I wanted to be able to hear the warning broadcasts as soon as they started.) Now I imagine the apocalypse as slow moving, a game of inches where basic resources like clean water are hoarded by the wealthy. As for how I’d want to die… I hope I’m at peace with friends and loved ones, no matter the circumstances.

Mark: Under the Baron Trump administration, faculty at Trump National Stable Geniuses University College must, in addition to their yearly self-evaluations, submit paperwork detailing how they are employing The Art of the Deal Parts 47-72 in their curriculum to Make America Great Again Again Again in order to justify their annual rations of Trump Sausage and potable water.  I will forget about the deadline and be summarily executed the last semester before I retire at age 108.

If you could only watch three films for the rest of your life, what would they be?  

Chris: The Empire Strikes Back, The Fellowship of The Ring, and Heathers.

Mark: Labyrinth, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  (It was really difficult to just pick three). 

Where do you find inspiration lately?

Chris: The second season of the show Fleabag is one of the best things that I’ve seen in ages. 

Mark:  I have been writing poems to Bill Evans compositions lately, as well as finishing up a project where I “write” poems to episodes of the old Leonard Nimoy paranormal TV docuseries In Search Of.  I have done almost all of the hundreds of episodes, so I will need to find something else pretty soon.  

Where did you write most of your book? 

Chris: The poems in Dictionnaire Infernal are part of five years’ worth of poems that Mark and I have written together. Each April (aka National Poetry Month), we’ve written a poem a day and posted it to a blog. At the point when we were writing this particular series, one of us would choose a picture of a demon and riff on it, then the other person would finish the poem from there. I would often write my half of the poem first thing in the morning before homeroom at the high school where I teach or maybe later in the day while proctoring a study hall. 

Mark:  Likewise, definitely written either at home or at my office at Housatonic Community College. 

What was something surprised you recently?

Chris: This summer, we went to the shore for the first time in a few years. Our kids, who are now 16 years old (they’re fraternal twins), just got up and… went to the beach with a friend, aka without us. It was a jolt to realize that, Oh, right, they’re at an age where we don’t have to watch them in the water the whole time and scold them if they swim out too far. Although of course we ended up doing some of that, too. If I turned this anecdote into a piece of creative nonfiction, I’d begin to work some sort of metaphor here. 

Mark: At the risk of sounding cliché, as Chris mentions, parenting is pretty much a continuous stream of surprises.  To be honest, I was pretty ambivalent about becoming a parent, but ultimately I find it to be the best thing in the world.  Even at 2, my daughter is my best friend and we continue to discover surprising things about the world. I find it really easy to adopt the perspective of a small child and to see the world in that way, which is a nice panacea to the way I usually see the world. 

What do you carry with you at all times?   

Mark: Major depression and my iPod.  Yeah, I still have an iPod. 

Chris: Journal, iPhone, a 20-sided die, and an asthma inhaler.

Tell us a bit about your writing process. What works and what doesn't? What doesn't, but you keep trying it anyway?

 Chris: Left to my own devices, I’m a fairly slow, fussy writer who builds from scraps and takes a long time to shape those fragments into whole poems. I’ve tried to push myself to approach the process differently, often through the use of source texts, but the idea of a larger “project” tends to fall flat each time, and I end up writing more lyric poems with Duran Duran references in them. Collaborating with Mark over the years has freed me from my own obsessiveness - with those poems, I work quickly and don’t look back. Sometimes, though, there is still some Duran Duran.

Mark: I guess I am an ideal counterpoint to Chris because I tend to work quickly and improvisationally.  I identify with Jack Spicer’s adage that writing is dictation--it’s like capturing a mere segment of a steady flow of words.  Most of the “writing” occurs in revision and making things more (or less, depending) lucid and readable to other people, although I don’t necessarily concern myself with this too much.  It helps to have something to focus on, so I do a lot of what might be called ekphrastic writing, though the pieces themselves are rarely that ekphrastic.  Oftentimes I wind up with pieces titled for the source of the inspiration or improvisation that have little or nothing to do with the source content. I liken this to the jazz tradition of improvising upon standards. 

When I try to write something specifically “about” something starting from scratch, it usually fails pretty miserably.  Lately, though, I have been able to write more narrative things stemming from my quotidian life, which is definitely something I’ve had trouble doing in the past. 

 What are some of your daily rituals or routines?  

Chris: I’m trying to get better at establishing healthy routines. I want to meditate more regularly, for instance, but I have a tough time really establishing it as a daily practice. A lot of my established ritual is based around preparation and consumption of coffee, ideally La Colombe’s Corsica blend with Silk soy milk and raw sugar. 

Mark:  Routines are literally impossible for me - despite even my conscious intentions I will subconsciously sabotage anything that smacks of routine to my unconscious brain, which is troublesome when one is caring for a routine-oriented toddler.  I do my best to adhere to her strictly ritualized schedule nevertheless. The only part of my day that is really sacrosanct is reading non-work related stuff, sometimes for even just five minutes due to exhaustion, before I go to sleep. 

What was the hardest part about writing this book?

Chris: The most difficult aspect for me was the self-imposed deadline of finishing a poem every day, but it was also liberating. Mark and I have now completed five Aprils worth of poems - 150 of them! - without missing a day.

Mark: With these and some of the other ekphrastic projects Chris and I have done for NaPoWriMo, it is challenging to write something that isn’t merely a description or a riff on the song or image that we are writing to or about. 

Define happiness for you.  

Chris: Taking an unnecessarily long nap with my cat Frida.

Mark: Hanging out at the beach with my daughter.

Chris McCreary is the author of four books: [neüro / mäntic], undone : a fakebook, Dismembers, and The Effacements. His review of Arrive On Wave, the Collected Poems of Gil Ott, is forthcoming in Tripwire. Mark Lamoureux is is the author of four full-length collections of poems, It’ll Never Be Over for Me, 29 Cheeseburgers + 39 Years, Spectre) and Astrometry Organon. A fifth book, Horologion, is forthcoming from Poet Republik, Ltd. in 2019. Joanna C. Valente is a human who lives in Brooklyn, New York. They are the author of Sirs & Madams, The Gods Are Dead, Marys of the Sea, Sexting Ghosts, Xenos, No(body), and is the editor of A Shadow Map: Writing by Survivors of Sexual Assault. They received their MFA in writing at Sarah Lawrence College. Joanna is the founder of Yes Poetry and the senior managing editor for Luna Luna Magazine. Some of their writing has appeared in The Rumpus, Them, Brooklyn Magazine, BUST, and elsewhere. Joanna also leads workshops at Brooklyn Poets. joannavalente.com / Twitter: @joannasaid / IG: joannacvalente / FB: joannacvalente

[horrible-monstrosity]

bois we’re back wif som more trigger triggerage with little witch witchamalafuckula!!

11 Akko fails at repair magic, news at eleven So why is she trying to repair a large heavy statue with multiple broken pieces, and not something smaller and simpler, if she's supposed to not even have the bare basics down yet? The reason she failed at this five million times is because it's too high level for her. This is sad to watch. - blatant telegraphing that usula is chariop engaged i like how the crow familiar has a shabby shitty trigger star on it. sums up this show... this studio...

The theme of this episode is "we did this shit already". We've had an episode already where Akko saw that Chariop was a normal to shitty student. why is akko convinced again she was some sort of magical super-hyper prodigy? We've had an episode where Akko went to mystic magic spooky place conveniently located on campus to convince herself she could become Chariop in the future. Akko already learned this lesson about chariot that magical competence won't just magically come to her. GUESS EVERYONE JUST FUCKING FORGOT ABOUT THAT, HUH?

telling akko to work hard for her dreams or whatever shit isn't going to help because that's ALREADY WHAT'S SHE'S FUCKING DOING. Intermittently, sure, but we opened the fucking episode right up with it. It's not her fucking fault her teachers can't teach worth shit. I mean, it's not like hard work is really doing much of anything for her, buuuuuut we'll get to that later.

and i just realised and/or remembered that the arrowhead of the shiny arch arrow is a trigger star aaaaand there's a four-pointed star shine in Usrula/Akko's eyes when it activates. WE. FUCKING. GET. IT. TRIGGER. YOU. MADE. A THING. THAT ONE TIME. Ursula says "she doesn't understand" regarding Akko's inability to magic... implying the problem is a need for a paradigm shift on Akko's part to, uh, master the stick or something. Which is why you know Usru is just enabling Akko to keep on smashing her head against a brick wall instead of doing a single fucking little lick of fucking anything to even most slightly niddly nudge her towards whatever the fuck it is she needs to learn or realise to ~understand~ whatever it is. Your actions do not match your words, woman! then ursu randomly powers up her magic spy window to spy on akko like a fucking creeper. ok why do some of the statues in the pit seem to have wizard beards? there aren't any wizards, or male magicians of any kind, in this show. but these hollow-eyed horrifying hell monster statues seem to have some testosterone flowing aboust them. what the fuck is that supposed to mean?

So the bulk of this episode was about working for your dreams and not letting them just be dreams. In going to the founta- I mean the blue moon sarlacc pit, Akko isn't actually ignoring this, since she's just seeking a vision of the future, not asking to be magically turned in to a competent magician. (which would actually be a pretty interesting character situation if the show was actually handling it properly or, like, handling it at all- she's mature enough to know not to just demand power or expect it for nothing, but still insecure and desperate enough that she turns to a magic seer to tell her she'll succeed...) So already that's a thematic mismatch. But then when she gets there, all of a sudden the tree gost is offering her an immediate path to her future, in exchange for... erasing her past? Where did this come from?? Akko goes on about how her regrets and mistakes are still a part of her, but that's not what this was about! The setup was for Akko to declare she doesn't want to cheat and she'll work properly for her dreams (which she can't actually say because she was already doing that, but they decided to go with this plot anyway), but it randomly turns into her being offered to erase her friends from existence! You'd only do that if she'd been considering or moving towards leaving them behind to become like Chariot! This is just completely fucking incoherent. What shit.

and then akko suddenly turns the wang into an anchor-shaped axe with a pirate sword handle and thEN WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT? The mannish tree-person "ghost" turns into a gute gril with antlers and a bunch of incoherent too-deep-4-u flashes on screen. I shouldn't have to freeze-frame your shitty fucking anime to get the foreshadowing or lore or whatever the fuck you're trying to get across with this. fuck OFF And then Akko cries, much as I desire to do after having witnessed this fucking garbo. The end.

12 akko turns into inflation fetish and gets popped. that seems grossy painful usula continues to be a shit teacher who can't even tell akko she's shit and thus enables akko to continue to be shit. good - bootleg halloween because of course it is - then the really old lady witch projects an image of sexy chariot who looks like she's wearing nothing under that cloak and you just can't see because it's in shadows....... OOOOKAY ... Okay, the lil babby mangrove lottery is pretty fucking stellar. I will allow this. Why are the auxilliary cunts so insistent on Akko going up when she says she's terrible with lotteries? I mean, it's pure luck so she literally can't be right about that, but it still makes it seem like it's their fucking fault for ending up sacrifices because they didn't fucking just listen to her. Also, WHY THE FUCK IS THIS FUCKING SCHOOL PUTTING THEIR FUCKING STUDENTS THROUGH THIS SHIT? -akko totally flashes everyone in the bedroom while they're bitching over the book/orb. ok and then akko gets turned into diana by the magic mirror and you know it's just going to be more of her getting shat on and bitched at over things entirely outside of her control. . ... akko's only skills seem to lie in getting out of awkward situations. And in fucking with Diana's side bitches. No, really, if we take this situation seriously, the amount of bullshitting and japery Akko pulls her would really suit her as an entertainer. Buuut she still stumbles her way into a stupid and personally embarrassing situation anyway. Aaand then, Diana shows up to bitch at her as though she'd done everything on purpose even though she'd just repeatedly gotten dragged into things against her will, about how she's totally a flake who gives up on things because she doesn't want to spend time in disgusting unnecessary ghost intestines... even though she's been doing her damned best and she just doesn’t want to go into the fucking ghost intestines.

i still don't get the focus on the big dipper. it's... the fuckign big dipper. it's a fucking giant spoon. I don't know for sure, but I don't think there's any particular historical or mythical significance to it (unlike say I don't know tHE PLEIADES). It really doesn't  inspire any awe. get the fuck over it

then akko goes back to the fountain of polarity despite the previous episode having established that we'd forgot that happened ... the fountain gives her a new spell that Chariop used while shapeshifting, but Akko doesn't use it during the show and just uses the spell she was ""practicing"" before. Does she use it to remove the Grief Seed from the sadwitch, or was that some other spell she just randomly attained in the heat of the moment? I literally can't even fucking remember. If it was this spell, why was Chariop using it to like turn into a centaur and shit? Aww fuck it this shit makes no sense

13 So these episodes seem to be the readaptation of the second ova. The one that made an entertainment event out of children reenacting the equivalent of the jews getting gassed. Now it's children being fed to and subsequently shat out by a blob demon, for the entertainment of the masses, plus those singled out for this will apparently become social outcasts and a laughingstock of their peers if the classes reaction to the lottery result is any indication. Because muh traditionfs. witch culture is really fucked up. why is it like this? I don't know, the writers don't know, fuck you

So this time instead of just bullcharging ahead like always Akoo actually goes to the teacher for advice. and she's actually supportive. i actually like that. ursu might be a shit teacher but she's a good person. Plus, you know, the festival event sucks cock and needs to be not done and at least someone besides Akko sees this. you're right minor bitch, lotte really is just a paperweight (:

Even though Akko's been trying her damnedest, we're *informed* that she's not getting any better. It... really comes off as if the narrative is just set up to shit all over her no matter what. And also makes all her work completely pointless. If doing the same spell over and over again doesn't actually help you git gud at it what the fuck is she doing? Her shapeshifting ability when she's working with Ursa at the begining of whichever episode it was is basically the same as what she does at the festival. She still turns into a balloon when she tries to become an elephant, just this time she does it on purpose. With all the going on about "work for your dreams!!" it sure fucking looks more like Akko needs to stop actually working and just use the shitty skills she has as is. It's just everyone around her who's too fucking retarded to realise this, because they're too addicted to keeping their absolutely shitty fucked-up child-torturing witch culture exactly the same shit as its always been. There was no fucking reason for Akko to spend time up until the last second "practicing" metamorphosis magic. Either that or there was no fucking reason for the show to showcase her shapeshifting skill level as being at that level beforehand. This was all just a massive waste of time with no narrative coherence or value at all. and also she still can't fucking fly? like, at all? jesus christ

The event is staffed by alumni of Luna Nova. LN only has female students, and we've never seen indication males can even have magic. Yet one of the people there is a minister, i.e. male. Okay.

do the students chosen for cleaning duty not have a shot at being moonwitch? even though it's chosen entirely by lottery. I can't imagine the students picked for the sacrifice have much of a chance at being moonwitch either. So these students don't even just get a shitty role in the festival, they get fucked out of their shot at prom queen, all by chance. GOOD FUCKING SCHOOL.

... someone gets rushed away on a stretcher........ even the adults (including the minister, who has a distincly female dub voice despite looking male and being... like, a "minister"... but that purple-haired blob next to xir sure looks and sounds fairly masculine. I give up) are bitching about having to watch this shit. WHO'S ENFORCING THE FUCKING STATUS QUO IN THIS WORLD?????

you know, there's another thing this show could benefit from, actual worldbuilding. there's a whole buncha fucking sbhit piled on about muh dipper bear n shiet, but there's no other comparable entities, just generic shit like water unicorns. Have Diana summon Cygnus or Cetus or Aquarius or fucking something. Oh wait, I know why the Big Dipper thing isn't properly integrated into the show's worldbuilding, it's because it's a fucking ripoff of Houkago no Pleiades for the sake of ripping it off and Trigger are A BUNCH OF FUCKING A HACK WRITERS

look, even the headmistress loves this shit. why was the festival always a dreary shitshow if the fucking headmistress would prefer this? why? why? IT'S CALLED A SEED OF GRIEF, ARE YOU FUCKING WITH ME? ... This is fine. This is probably fine. so this whole time sadghost's ghostsads could have been solved with like no fucking effort at all, but instead of raising a single goddamn fucking finger the administration just keeps feeding children to it in front of a live audience for entertainment. FUCK AWF and then akko n ko have to get eaten anyway so what was the point? also has no student who got chosen as sacrifice ever noticed the giant pulsating evil thing in the fucking middle of it?

"it was okay i guess"- sushi borden they were disqualified for breaking the rules, even though they did something way more fucking amazing than the fucking administration of this fucking school ever fucking managed to do and from the sounds of it put on a better show than most of their classmates while they were at it. O KAY.

so, with this episode everything ako ever stood for is validated. entertaining performances are better than absolute fuckijg terrible godawful garbage, not shit things are better than shit things, (IF ONLY TRIGGER THEMSELVES COULD APPLY THIS LESSON TO THE ANIME THEY PRODUCE) so what is this show going to do for the rest of the like remaining half of itself? are they just going to forget any of this ever happened and never build off of it and just keep shitting all over akko for being entirely fucking right because the rest of this fuckong wortld is just a compressed dense soup of absolutely fucking retarded? i'd put my money on thaft

and then suddenly....... cubes. remember when we saw those cubes for one entire frame of animation back in fucksyouville? man that's some good fuckng """""""foreshadowing""""""", no need to weave a coherent narrative that actually fucking builds up to things just FUCKIG SLAM THE SHIT INTO A FLASH FRAME DRUG SEQUENCE IT'S TOO DEEP FOR YOU THE PEROPLE AT TRIGGWR SHURE CAN WRIGHT A FUCKING ANYTHING EVER AND AREN'T COMEPLERETE FUCKING HACK FRAUGDS AT ALL WHO NEED TO FUCKING TAKE A LONG WALK OFF A SHORT PIER NO SIRREE FUCK I HATE TBHIS FUCKING SHIT FUCK FUCKF CUFCF FUCKFI CKUF MLIDHUNZKRYSZLJID BIYTSE3BOIHA6TSEBWO8TJIDBSHLBs&TZ OJE6BSW28 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[zumiex]

Can’t Sleep

*dododododododododododododo! (insert tales from the crypt theme here)* It’s a bit late for scary stories, and like a Simpsons Halloween special pushed aside for a Football game nobody gives a shit about, I decided to post parts of a little story I made.. sometime ago I forget. But, the story and characters are a bit different from what there is available now. But regardless the basic idea is still the same, ooooooo!

So it’s in parts since I’m unsure of the attention span on tumblr! So do, sit back and turn on your nightlight for our upcoming story “Can’t Sleep”.

Runie shivered in her bed, it seemed to be getting a bit cooler inside as the temperature dropped outside. The winds were now howling outside the windows of her room. She didn’t like the idea of sleeping by herself on such a stormy night, but she had to get over her fear eventually.

“There’s nothing to fear outside! Nothing at all..” she said as she pulled the blanket over her head. The windows were closed and curtains were drawn, a little lamp in the corner made all the shadows in the room twisted and big, yet still gave off a cozy yellow light.

              “This is stupid..!” she insisted to herself. She still didn’t allow herself to come out from the safety of her blankets. The sounds of the wind picking up speed too loud for her to ignore now. She moved her head up slowly and looked around the room, all was normal. At first she wasn’t sure where she had picked up this absurd fright of thunderstorms. But then she remembered that when she was young, her father used to make her stay out during them. She’d sleep beside one of the barn yard animals for comfort, normally a cow or other large farm animal. They didn’t seem to mind too much either, in fact they actually almost seemed to enjoy her company. The storms from her old life were violent, always hail, always extreme winds, and bad dreams when she was alone.

              She shook her head once again, “No, no! This is different, snap out of it Runie! You’re 35 years old!” she said to herself.  She got up out of bed, moving the blankets away from her.  She padded across the carpeted floor bare feet and looked at the lamp. She wanted to make sure it was alright for the night, safe to leave alone. The windows creaked, and the outside shutters rocked. The sounds of light scratches could be heard from behind, like something was trying to get in. That always happened here though, there were beasts outside during the storms. They’d come out to look for something to eat, maybe, no one actually was totally certain why they appeared or where they came from.

Though the complex was more than secure to forbid them passage inside, still the idea flew in her mind one of those things could get in. Though she knew there was nothing to really worry about. What would it look like? Would it be really scary? Maybe they were cute? She didn’t dare look out at the storm for the fear of it, Elise told her it was a bad idea. That if they saw living beings they could go into a frenzy. However, the creatures outside didn’t scare her as much as the storm itself did.

Runie sighed and stared at the lamp with its yellow shade, its (watch out for it’s and its problems) brass like body that looked oddly plant like, and the object in general seemed to be like it was supposed to be a tulip.

“No, no..” she shook her head and walked around “I can’t. No!” She stopped in her room and wondered if there was something, anything to help her feel more comfortable.  Here were books and something similar to a TV set, but it never worked well in storms. The room itself was a fairly decent too, depending on how you looked at it. The bed was a double, with a red satin skirt and matching canopy above. The blankets were different colors but the sheets themselves were white. The carpet was a slightly darker maroon shade than the ones that accented the bed but still close to be considered the same. Green trim was circled around the room. The framing along the wall and the floor was some kind of dark wood and the walls were a beige color, save the one on the end with the tulip lamp which was another dark shade of red. Near the front of her bed was a desk with different books and papers scattered about. A TV was in the corner  facing the side of the bed. And to the left side of the TV, beside the desk, was a dresser. The room was odd because it had two closets for some reason, though one had a hard time guessing why.

Runie stopped and sighed “Oh god I am bored..” she said, as she finished her survey of her room. “I wonder if I will ever get to sleep..”

Runie tried to think, wondering what time it was. Finally looking up at a clock above her desk; it read that it was about 1:25am. She sighed, not very many people stayed up late here since there wasn’t exactly anything to do this late at night. Shen was up, but she was normally fooling around with her boyfriend so that was out of the question. Elise would be asleep and so was her daughter. Rosalie might be up..

Runie didn’t like it but she thought she might have to admit defeat. She wondered if she could also bug Daniel to perhaps sleep in his room. Though he probably wouldn’t  mind his pet might. Chickie was a six foot tall chicken. That looked a bit like an ostrich and seemed to be a bit temperamental than a bird had any right to be. Runie wondered if there would be a good chance Chickie might decide her sweet eyes looked yummy or not but she shook her head. “It would squawk like crazy at a time like this..” she muttered and rubbed the area between her eyes. Maybe she really had painted herself into a corner.

There was also Alex who was pretty new and didn’t like storms either. Alex was 13 though, and even though Runie didn’t have anything against him; she knew that having him sleep with a woman who looked 18 might cause his head to explode. Either way in more ways than one it could be messy and so she shook her head. Sure he had slept with Rosalie before but he was 8 at the time, not on the cusp of puberty.

It suddenly hit her, Ursula! Ursula was the night owl around here, she’d still be awake right? And normally Ursula doesn’t go to bed for a while.. (Remove the blue part, because it’s repeating what’s implied with her being a night owl) maybe she could bunk with her? The only thing was, that Ursula was on the second floor. Although on the same side of the building, she was a bit close to what people called a “dark quarter”. Which basically meant she was in an area that didn’t have as much light for some reason. A shudder passed through Runie. What if one of those things was hiding there in the shadows waiting to pounce on her? What if one of those things could come out from behind and drag her away into the darkness outside, into the storm never to be seen again? Who knew where those creatures were from or what kind of magic they possessed?

(to be continued...)

[ayyani123]

Camp Drama 32

Camp Drama 32 She laugh "OK ok well you see on Thursday the cafeteria will cook something foreign so when you're walking back here I told Harry to look at the menu behind you and choose something for Mike " Millie laugh."he said likes the idea and will totally give Mike some weird food to eat'" Millie explains I came back to the table and order some weird stinky food . "Alright let's eat faster so i can bring this to Mike " I said with an evil laugh. I rolled my eyes playfully and smiled "that's all, really?" I laughed a little. "Why didn't you just say that to begin with?" I said. I knew I didn't have anything to worry about really "because I want for Harry to show the food first ,what did you get for him Haz" Millie said. "It's some kind of beans with a sun side up egg " I said and look at you oddly. "It's not that weird" I shrugged "but it really doesn't smell the best" I laughed softly and shook my head I laugh as I start eating I pick back and some good sandwich . I smiled and started to eat my own food. It was a shame, because I really wished that all of this happened so much earlier, but I'm just grateful for these few days When I finish my Sandwich It takes me 2 minutes before standing up and go to the clinic. "Stay here I'll be back as soon as I can" I told you giving you a kiss. "Okay" I nodded and kissed you back "try not to be too long" I laughed softly I nod and jog towards the clinic giving Liam his food and Mikes stinky brown beans. I went back to the cafeteria and decided we go for boating today. I continued to eat my food and waited for you to come back. I went at the back and cover your eyes . I smiled as I signal Millie to be quite. I laughed softly and smiled "well I hope it's you Harry, unless I'm being kidnapped" I laugh and shake my head "sounds like a plan ,do you want that to happen" "Not really" I smiled and moved your hands away gently then looked up at you I sit down beside you ."I'm so bored let's go boating" I said smiling. "Okay, are we allowed though?" I asked, biting my lip softly. I didn't want to do something if it wasn't allowed "it's almost the end of the camp I don't think they would mind" I said and shrug. "Alright then" I nodded, taking hold of your hand and smiled I smiled as Millie get up too and wave goodbye. "I'll be at the clinic enjoy boating " she said before walking away. "So let's go" I smiled at you as I hold your hand interwine our fingers . "See you later" I smiled and waved at her before leaving with you, smiling widely and gave your hand a light squeeze We went to the lake as I start to push the boat. "You know what this remind me of something" "What?" I asked, looking at you and smiled a little. "Kiss the girl song " I said hop on the boat and start puddling . I laughed softly and nodded "that's one of my favourite movies. I'm surprised you know that" I smirked "are you a secret Disney fan?" I laughed "hmmm well my sister become an Ariel for Halloween once and I become Sebastian for a reason so why not" I said and shrugged. "Really?" I laughed, shaking my head "I can't imagine you as Sebastian" I smiled "I think more of prince Eric" I laugh "well I'm too young to have chest hair like Erik and flounder is too annoying for my sister so I got Sebastian " I said and continue puddling. I laughed and rolled my eyes "fine, that makes sense" I nodded "you could've been Ursula" I laughed "you know I'm too cute to have baby fat . I wasn't even that chubby " I said laughing . "You have you even tried dressing up like a princess before?" "Yeah when I was little" I nodded, laughing softly "obviously not now" I smiled I smile at you "that must be adorable " I said picturing a little girl in my head. "Well it's almost every little girls dream to be a princess" I smiled, blushing a little I chuckled "isn't that lovely your blushing infront of me" I said "I don't really mind I getting wet infront of you anyway" I said laughing . I rolled my eyes playfully and smiled "you really are annoying" I smirked, leaning over and kissed you softly I kiss back and laugh between the kiss. When we both pull away I said. "Yes but I notice that when I annoy you ,you get pretty turn on" I laugh louder " then I guess you should do that often so I won't say something annoying at all" I laughed more and shook my head, kissing you again and smiled "shh" I giggled a little I laugh between the kiss and start tickling you forgetting the fact that our boat is no longer moving. I laughed and pushed your hands away lightly "you have to ruin it" I smirked, rolling my eyes playfully I laugh and wrapped my arms around "am I?" I said and start sniffing you around your leg like a dog. "Yes you are" I nodded and laughed, pushing your head away "stop it" I smiled "if I would be a pet and you are my owner I would be a dog. " I said smiling at you waiting for you to ask why. "Why a dog?" I asked, laughing a little, raising my eyebrows slightly at you "so I can pick and sniff you all I want" I said hugging you tighter as I lick your cheeks and sniff you. "I can chase you around all day. And the best part is that I'll always be looking forward to see you . It's like my day is not complete without you" I laughed and pushed your head away gently "that's cute, but please don't act like a dog all the time" I smiled, kissing your cheek softly "I'm just trying to make you laugh but OK if that.is what you like " I said kiss you gently. "You are making me laugh, you always make me laugh" I smiled, kissing you back softly I smiled and slowly pull away . I chuckle and shake my head. "I'm surely gonna miss your laugh"I bury my head against your neck. I sighed softly and looked at you "I'm going to miss you making me laugh" I said, wrapping my arms around you. "I wish we could just stay together" I mumbled "yeah or at least I wish I can make this just like the first time " I press my eyes close and trying my best not tear up so I maintain my head to your shoulder. "You make me happy and sad at the same time ." I mumble. "Why do I make you sad?" I asked quietly "you make me happy now, after making me sad for all this time. I think you're making it up to me in the best way really" I said I chuckle and look at you . "I'm sad because I finally get what I wanted but I can't able to keep it . " I look up from resting on your shoulders. I look on to your eyes and smile as tears fog up my eyes. " I was so frustrated and so jealous how happy you are in somebody else arms without realizing I'm hurting you. But now that I make It up to you it's like time so flies so fast that tomorrow I've been seeing you packing your bags saying goodbye " I said and chuckle. I nodded slowly and sighed softly, biting my lip softly. "I suppose so" I said, wrapping my arms back around you. "But who knows, we might see each other again. I hope so because I really don't want to say goodbye to you" "I hope so too" I said why is this so hard for me ? Is it because I waited for so long to make this happen? Or it's just because I just never thought I loved her so much than I ever thought I could. "I want to stay in your life as long as you live" I said and hug you tighter. I smiled softly and nodded "I want too as well." I said. "I suppose we could try a long distance relationship?" I said "if you want to be in a relationship" I smiled a little. I knew what your answer would be already, but I had to make sure My jaw drop and my eyes widen when those words comes out from your mouth. I wipe the small amount of man tears from eyes.I pull away from you and deeply in your eyes. "Say that again" i said raising my eyebrows. I laughed softly and blushed deeply. "Maybe we can try a long distance relationship if you want to be in a relationship with me" I smiled, blushing more "ugh huh " I said nodding . "That's your proposal . Do you want a microphone to announce that because I'm not saying no even though you started with Maybe" I said shrugging. I laughed and rolled my eyes "be quiet, is it a yes then?" I asked, taking hold of your hands and smiled widely at you I laugh "I can't say no while you're blushing infront of me am I?" I said and open my arms for a hug. I smiled and hugged you tightly, kissing you softly "I'm so happy" I whispered softly "I am too,I ..." I stop and look at you. "We're together now right ? Is it OK if I say I love you . Ohh wait" I said and cross my arms. " You're the one who wanted this relationship you're the one to saying I love you first " I said acting like a crazy girl friend mocking some girls as I imagine them doing it. Because usually guys insist this kind of thing which is very rare in your case. "Yes we're together now" I smiled then looked at you, laughing a little and nodded. "I love you, I really do. I think maybe all this time I was actually just hiding my feelings but I do love you" I smiled, blushing again. I dramatically hold my chest after you said. "Ohh no I think I'm gonna have a heart attack because I waited for you to say that and your just hiding from me shame on you .I love you too" I said in the sassy tone "Harry be serious about this" I whined a little and smiled, covering my head with my hands I chuckle looking at you. "Alright , I love you" I said smiling I smiled widely and wrapped my arms around you and kissed you softly "I love you too" I smile and press my lips against yours. I hold the side of your face and continue. I continued to kiss you, smiling softly against your lips and wrapped my arms around your waist Before I slowly pull away I peck your lips leaving them wet . I smiled and moved my hands down to your hands as you pulled away, keeping hold of your hands I look at you as I tuck a piece of hair behind your ear . I smiled and blushed slightly. I leant forward and gave your lips a quick peck, giggling softly I smiled and laugh between your kiss as you give me a peck . "What a tease" "Not as much as you" I smiled, laughing softly and gave your hand a light squeeze I laugh and wrap my arms around your waist. "We should probably start getting back" I said, looking up at you and smiled I nod as i start puddling towards the camping site. "Im glad we did this" I said smiling."it made me forget about leaving in awhile" "Yeah, me too" I nodded and smiled softly "it was really nice to do this" I smiled at you and continue puddling . I start whistling to tune of kiss the girl until I can almost see the our camping site. I giggled softly and listened to you, smiling a little then carefully got out the boat once we had reached the campsite, but kissed you before getting out I smiled as you kiss me before going again. As we pull away I feel someone I watching us I look around and see Louis from the distance. I laughed softly and kissed you back then held your hand. I frowned a little and looked at you "what's wrong?" I asked quietly "Nothing let's just go" I said smiling at you and put arms around your shoulder as we went inside to go back to the clinic. "Okay" I nodded slowly and walked with you, walking back inside then took hold of your hand Kiss your forehead and smile I love being with you all the time . I will miss spending the majority of my time with you, especially since we've become so attached really. It'll be hard but I do just hope we could make it work There was nothing to do in the clinic aside from clearing out some things away the clinic. I think I should start packing by now. I sigh I notice it was already afternoon. I went to go help Millie clear out some things. I smiled and bit my lip softly "I told Harry that I loved him" I whispered softly to her Millie immediately turn around as her eyes widen . She squeal and give you a hug. "Ohh my gosh so you guys are officially together" I laughed softly and hugged her back. "Yeah we are. And hopefully a long distant relationship will work between us well" "ohh I'm extremely happy for you two" Mille said and smile and hug you again . "Thank you" I laughed softly and hugged her back "now we need to find someone for you now" I smiled "no need " Mille said smiling ."I just found out Liam entered the same university as I am " she biting her lower lip. "I give him a sponge bath and there is a heavy tension I think I will snog him before we leave tomorrow" Millie whisper at your and laugh. I raised my eyebrows slightly and looked at her then laughed, shaking my head. "Well you better get a move on" I smiled "tomorrow he asked me to go for a walk.So let's just see where it goes" she said nudging you. "Hmm, walks have proven to go well" I said, laughing softly She laughs "I know they always works" she said smiling and pack more things. I was currently talking to Liam and I heard the head teachers agreed us to get some freedom to night before we go leave tomorrow. They all agreed that we can share some of the cabin with selected people but was told to give additional fees for it. "Yeah, they've worked very well for me" I laughed, packing a few more things away as we continued to talk I went towards you wrapping arms around your waist and give you a kiss on the cheek. "Hey Jess what do you say about ugh sleep over tonight ?" I asked I smiled as I felt your arms around me and I turned to face you, frowning slightly. "But we're not allowed?" I said. I didn't know what he teachers had said yet "alright let's wait for their announcement " I said smiling at you and rest my chin on your shoulders. "What announcement?" I asked, wrapping my arms around you and turned my head to look at you a little "Liam just told me that as sign an ending of our camp the teachers agreed to give us freedom to choose other available cabins we only have to pay some fees for it and strictly no loud music or parties" I explained. "Really? That's great! I would love to sleep over" I laughed softly and hugged you "yeah but it consists five in that special cabin who would you want to invite ?" I asked looking at you and shrug . "Or we can just arrange to you roommate I'm pretty sure Alison wont mind I'm sharing bed with you anyway" I said chuckling. "No, I don't want Alison there" I shook my head. "We can have Liam and Millie. Do we have to have 5 or is 4 okay?" I asked I nod "OK we can ask the teachers we can have four. so stick with in dinner time OK?" I said smiling. "Okay, great" I smiled and kissed you quickly, taking hold of your hands I smiled and pout. "hey i didn't get a chance to kiss you back " "Kiss me back then" I smiled, looking at you and shrugged "OK 5 minutes" I said and pucker my lips. "5 minutes?" I asked, frowning slightly then smiled, kissing you again I chuckle when you press your lips against mine and try my best to maintain it against mine until I was carried away. I smiled and wrapped my arms around your waist and continued to kiss you for a little longer before slowly pulling away "hey is that 5 minutes?" I asked pouting . "I don't know, was you timing?" I giggled softly "if not I'm sure it'll be 5 minutes tonight" I smiled I laugh "OK " I said putting your hands behind my neck allowing you to hold my hair before leaning forward to touch your nose and shook my head. I played with your hair gently and laughed softly, closing my eyes I watch you close your eyes and chuckle planting few kisses on your face. I laughed softly then opened my eyes "I hope tonight's going to be fun, better than the first night here" I laughed I look "first night ? Isn't that the night I came in you cabin?" I asked looking at you.