#i did this instead of reading a play and now its 1:30am and i still have to read and answer a discussion post

[st4rstudent]

YES I AM A NERD A BOOKWORM IM STUDIOUS TO MY CEREBRAL CORTEX TO MY GLUTEUS

no text ver

[academicallysimping]

Shoto Todoroki: “flirty drunk”

fluff/imagine

TW: Alcohol/drinking

length: 2,560

Female reader

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

All Characters mentioned are over 18

After graduating from UA you had heard that the school staff had made a college to further help the students work on their quirks.

Your grades were beyond good for going to UA university and so was your quirk, especially when it was as strong as it was. You even found out that both the Deku and Baku-squad were going to UAU, alongside you.

While unpacking all your things Mina, Momo, and Tysu came over and talked about the things you guys were most excited for during your future years at university.

You had never told them about your crush, simply because it never came up on conversation. 

And, just like magic, your said crush had texted you asking if you wanted to eat out at both your favorite soba place. After agreeing, you rushed the girls out of your dorm and immediately started getting ready. You ended up changing your outfit into a simple T-shirt and jean with some basic sneakers. 

After changing, you put some lip gloss on and fixed your mascara and fixing your hair. The text read that said crush was going to wait for in the common room.

There he stood. Todoroki Shoto, to you, he was the sweetest, funniest, low-key stupid, high-key dense, and of course hottest human you’ve ever laid your eyes on.

You knew it was him based on his iconic two toned hair along with his expensive outfit, which he of course bought with his father’s money. Dressed in a nice light blue short sleeved button up with one side tucked into his black jeans, wearing a Gucci belt, that he considers cheap, and nice, yet casual black dress shoes.

Todoroki was looking down at his phone, pushing his mixed hair off his forehead while a few strands didn’t fit in between his fingers letting them lay on his temples. When you finally make your presence noticeable by walk up to him and tapping his shoulder, looking up from his phone quite fast, nearly giving himself whiplash.

“Oh, hello y/n. I didn’t notice you had arrived.” He said as he greeted you.

“Hello Todoroki, I hope you don’t mind that I’m a little early.” You reply to his greeting.

“Well, then technically both of us are early.” He let out a small chuckle making you blush.

“Well, I guess we are,” you giggle, “do you wanna head out now or would you rather wait?” You asked hoping for the former.

“We can go now, if you like?” He says, holding out his arm for you to take.

You happily link your arm with his, “ I would love to!” Smiling and blushing up to him, due to your height difference.

You could’ve sworn you saw him blush back at you but decided that it was just your mind playing tricks on you. Walking to the elevator, arms linked, and both of you slightly smiling to yourselves, you started what was considered to you a date.

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

Whenever Todoroki was in your presence he could never think straight. Although he seemed calm and collected he was actually overthinking everything he said and did. His heart pounding in his ears as he hears you laugh at something out on the street.

One of the reason you both liked the Soba place was because, at the front of the shop, there was a window with a counter and bar stools for the customers to sit at.  Since the shop was surrounded by bars and karaoke places when it got late and all the drunks got kicked out of the bars and the people would go out and do stupid stuff.

While you guys ate, your favorite thing to do was to go really late at night, around 12:00 or 1:30am, and make fun of the people and things they did while drunk, since that was when everyone started to get kicked out.

Shoto couldn’t help but smile a small smile while looking at you in awe as you giggled and laughed. To him all he wanted to do was hear you laugh. When you started to come down from the cloud nine that you where on, you looked to him.

Not once did he take his eyes off of you. You had always thought that he paid no mind to you, but for him, you were the only thought.

He knew everything about you. From your different moods, to how you were with your friends, or your little ticks you would do when you where happy or anxious. He even knew your favorite foods, drinks, shows, movies, even music and the different bands you listened to. He even gave them a listen so whenever you would be listening to them and softly sing the lyrics he would softly hum the tune. 

“What? Is something on my face? Is it my hair? Did i smear my makeup?” You asked rambling as to why Todoroki was staring at you.

All he did was chuckle and pat your head, not in a childish way but in a caring ‘don’t worry’ kind of way.

“No, its nothing I was just thinking.” He said calmly though he had a slight pink color resonating on his ears.

All he could think about was how beautiful you looked laughing and just being silly together. How lucky was he to be able to spend this time with you this late at night.

What he did not expect tonight was for you to be drinking. Your exact words actually were: “We are starting Uni next week we should celebrate!” To which he said that, because of how late you guys were going to be, he would just let you enjoy yourself.

When you would get tipsy Todoroki would always make sure you were safe, but drunk y/n was by far his favorite type of y/n. You were bubbly and giggly, a light shade of pink across your nose and cheeks. It was the most adorable thing to him. You would also talk what sound to him like nonsense but, nonetheless, still cute. It was especially cute when you would speak a little bit of different languages that you learned during your last year at UA.

 After you finished off your fourth bottle of beer you both decided it was time to go back to the dorms and sleep.

Knowing you would wake up with a hangover, he got a bottle of water before you left the shop incase you wanted to sober up. Another way he knew to sober you up was by walking, so instead of walking the same route home as you came, he decided to walk the long way, obviously, making sure you stayed close to his side and making sure you didn’t walk off.

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

As both y/n and Todoroki walked down the empty streets y/n at Todoroki’s left side because she didn’t expect it to get as cold as it did that night. As she snuggled into Todoroki’s upper arm, he gently let his fire quirk warm her while his right side held the water he had gotten for y/n, keeping it cold in his hand ready for whenever she wanted to drink some.

Y/n started to mumble words that were, mostly, incoherent to Todoroki. However, he did manage to catch a few words along the lines of  "I love you” He tried to pay no mind to is but the longer you guys walked the more he started to think about what you said, although you were pretty drunk he knew that the word love, no matter what the situation was, came out easily.

“Hey y/n,” he nudged you, “what did you say?” He asked, ears burning red with anxiety for your answer.

“What do you mean silly? What did I say?” Y/n asked back shyly now full knowing that Todoroki heard her small mumbles of a mixture of her feelings for him and her appreciation for his quirk.

He stopped y/n and himself from walking any further. Turning to y/n, grabbing her upper arms to guide her to face him. He noticed how her cheeks were not as pink they were earlier but, instead, her face was now a deep shade of red. Was it from embarrassment? Was it from discomfort? Of course if y/n was uncomfortable she would’ve said something or the male would’ve noticed and stopped whatever he was doing in an effort to make her comfortable again.

He didn’t want y/n to be uncomfortable. In fact, he wanted to make her feel as comfortable as possible around him, he wanted to be there for her when she was sad and anxiety ridden just so he could make her feel better. He wanted to be the one she would call if she needed a ride home or to just chill with her in her dorm watch movies, maybe even cuddle a bit or maybe have her fall asleep with her in his arms for once. But he knew that to her he was just a friend, which is why he decided that in this moment he was just going to let his feelings flow. 

He was going to tell her and get these feelings and thoughts off his chest. After all, he couldn’t handle another night of watching y/n smile with him, at him, but not for him.

“Um, y/n I need to get something off my chest, so can you please hear me out before you say anything?” He said pushing his hair away from his face and with such feeling behind his eyes. So much feeling that even y/n started to worry. So instead of saying anything she just nodded and waited for him to speak.

“I know this is sudden but...” the words struggle to leave Todoroki. Before he could continue y/n blurted out words she was never planning on letting out.

“I LIKE YOU!” She yelled almost scaring the man in front of her. She continues her words.

“And I don’t know if you like me back, and if you dont thats okay. I just don’t wanna lose you.” She said looking down at her shoes, “And if what you’re about to say that you want to stop being friends or stop hanging out then i would be sad.” She starts to tear up and continues to ramble until a firm hand is places on her mouth making her stop talking.

Before he says anything he smiles down at her with a real smile, something she has never seen on the man in front of her. “Don’t worry about that.” He said sincerely, “I was going to say the same thing but i guess you beat me to it.” He laughed a little while looking away. When he faced y/n once again, he noticed tears slipping past her lower lashes.

“Woah, hey hey hey, what’s wrong. I didn’t mean to make you upset.” He said a frown now replacing the smile he just had, making y/n cry harder.

“I thought you wanted to drop me,” she said sniffling and wiping her face free of tears, “I was so scared. I didn’t want you to drop me because this is the only time I spend with you. I mean we don’t have class together and when school starts you will be dragged to train with Midoriya and Bakugou and I’ll be busy studying and training as well and I just didn’t want to stop hanging out with you. And on top of it this is the first time i actually see you smile and I just ruined it.” She cried a little more ending her short rant.

“Well listen baby, you never have to worry about me leaving anytime.” Wiping away some tears that fell, “I don’t plan on going anytime soon, unless you want me to,” he said hand cradling her cheek, y/n happily leaned into his warm touch, “ and even if you are a bit tipsy right now I want you to know that.” He now noticed how y/n leaned forward to lay her head on his chest.

“You promise?” She asked, almost sounding like a child.

“Yes, I promise baby.” He replied holding out his pinky for what he knew she was going to do next.

“Do you pinky promise?” She said hold her pinky out to him feeling him wrap his pinky with hers.

“I pinky promise baby.” He said placing a kiss on their intertwined pinkies and her crown head letting his lips linger. She then looks up from his chest when he pulls away. He cups her chin making her look fully up at him, his heterochromatic eyes filled with adoration and something else that she can’t quite read well. As they both lean into each other their pinkies come undone y/n’s hands raising to wrap around Todoroki’s broad, but slender shoulders, his hands resting at her waist moving comforting circles with his thumb.

“Can I-“ he’s cut off as y/n gently forces Todoroki to stop talking. The kiss is slow, sensual but with every second passing the emotion that was hidden in Todoroki’s eyes became more apparent, it was want, not the kind that made a person lust but the kind of want that made someone drop everything for one special person. And for him that special person was y/n. They both pulled away breath fanning each others face as both their foreheads rest on each other.

“I’ve wanting to do that for a long time.” Todoroki said has he lifted his head to place kisses on her cheeks and forehead and tip of her nose. She scrunched up her nose in the way he always adored. “I’m sorry if i rushed things i just...” his sentence falls off. “You just wanted to wait and make it really count?” Almost as if she read his mind he pulled her closer and nodded his head.

A few moments of silence passed before one spoke. “So if I asked you to spend the night with me in my dorm so we can cuddle and fall asleep, what would you say, hypothetically of course.” y/n finished with a giggle but not a tipsy one a sober giggle. “Well if we are talking hypothetically then i would say we should hurry up back to the dorms so we get more cuddle time don’t you think?” He replied knowing she was being serious. She looked down at the man’s slender but big hands and intertwined it with hers. “I would say that we should start heading back now.” she said dragging him in the direction of UAU.

That night y/n and Todoroki both slept very peacefully and even in the morning stayed in and cuddled while watching morning cartoons, another little tradition they did if they ever pulled an all nighter.

“You know,” Todoroki started, “we should date.” he finished as y/n started to laugh slightly trying to stay serious for the mood. “Oh? Todoroki Shoto are you asking me to be your girlfriend?” She gasped to add to the fake surprised tone in her voice. He laughed and looked down at her in his arms loving the way she looked in them. She looked up and booped his nose to which he returned with a kiss much like the one they had the previous night but longer and this one made him seem more hungry for her.

-Rose🃏

[mysideblogofsurveys]

Survey 19

1. Do you wear accessories? Not really, just a thin hair tie on my wrist

2. Do you remember your childhood phone number? Address? Yes, my parents still have the same landline phone number and still live at the same address

3. Have you ever moved? If so, when/how many times? UGH SO MANY TIMES!  We moved the first time in Aug 2012 (from the Midwest to Seattle WA), then May 2014 (Seattle to Florida), then June 2019 (West Coast of FL to East Coast of FL) and we’ll be moving a FOURTH TIME sometime in Oct 2020 - not sure exactly when but we are for sure (back to the West Coast of FL).

4. Do you wear deodorant every day? I don’t >< I don’t trust the chemicals (aluminum) in deodorant so I just wash my pits every day and they’re fine.

5. What was the last thing you bonded with someone over? Umm, I can really only think of bonding with my husband over our shared interests

6. What are your plans for the upcoming weekend? UGH well we had the “Cat 1 Hurricane” that thankfully turned to a Tropical Storm - so we just stayed home and played video games and watched UFC.  Its actually supposed to pass through us today and so far, its just windy and rainy.  Nothing too bad.

7. What TV shows are you watching? I’m kind of between shows right now.  Just finishing Jason Mesnick’s season of the Bachelor on Netflix currently but not sure what I’ll put on after that.

8. What is your favorite music genre? I love so many - mostly Rock/Metal, Anime/Japanese songs and 80s.  I was heavily into Kpop for about 5 years but I’ve recently stopped paying so close attention. I still like it but definitely don’t follow it as closely as I did before.

9. What is something you’re super into right now? Honestly, nothing in particular. I need to find some type of hobby.  I want to start journaling or a journal of games I play (with screen shots) or something. but I never have the patience to sit a do stuff like that. However, I always want to play games like Stardew Valley (its always on my mind.  I just love that game so much).

10. Do you have a celebrity crush? Ok, I have a few haha: - Henry Cavill (Have you SEEN him build a computer? Or his role in the Witcher?? *heart eyes*) - Tom Hardy (I really liked him in Mad Max and Venom) - Do Kyungsoo and Park Chanyeol from EXO (Korean boy band) - I melt every time I hear their voices.

11. Do you have a goal you’re trying to accomplish? Yes but I can never decide what I want to spend my time on so I end up just wasting time.  Like this morning for instance - I get up at 8am, briefly scroll through social media/watched the Bachelor with WIP of a Stardew Valley fic open on my laptop but now its 10:30am and I added maybe 15 words to the fic...WHERE did the last 2 hours go?? I have all of these ideas but for some reason, I have the hardest time sitting down and typing it all out..and procrastinate and do this survey instead ><

12. What was your last dream? Did you tell anyone about it? I had a dream of a Stardew Valley one-shot (which is what I was trying to write this morning) but of course, didn’t get it written out.  I usually tell my husband about them

13. Do you like workouts where you count reps or by 30 seconds? I’ll take either.  I like working out

14. Whats your favorite thing to do on a Sunny day? What about a Rainy day? On a Sunny day, I like going for walks with my Husband and playing Pokemon Go.  On rainy days, I like sitting and studying something (like a language) or even playing games.

15. Do you have a "Rainy Day fund"? No, but I just push most of my income (whatever is left over after paying bills/buying the necessities) into my savings account.

16. Do you "RBF" (resting bitch face)? Not really?  But I get told I look “angry” sometimes?  I hate that I have that expression but I know I frown when I’m in deep thought ><

17. If your house was one fire, what is the first thing you would grab? As long as my Husband was safe, my second thought would be my computers and external hard drive.

18. What is your favorite feature about yourself? Worst feature? I like my eyes and smile, my worst feature..well I guess it’d be my social anxiety ><

19. What is your “must get” from the grocery store? (What item is always on your list?) Lately its been watermelon, a great snack. 20. Do you have a favorite show or song you put on every time you’re sad? Not particularly. I have a playlist of songs that I put on when I’m in that mood but no specific song or show 21. What is your favorite holiday? I like Thanksgiving and New Years Eve/Day 22. What is your dream occupation? UGH I wish I knew.  I’m in the financial field right now and I don’t really like it but its not too bad.  I know I don’t belong in this field but I don’t have experience in anything else to fall back on so I guess I’ll continue with it (plus I’m in my early 30s, I don’t want to have to start ALL OVER again since we’re finally close to getting a house and finally starting a family). 23. Do you like dressing up? Eh, not really.  I like casual, comfy clothes 24. Ever been on a cruise? Bungee jumping? I’ve been on several cruises (they’re a lot of fun!) but I have not bungee jumped..not sure if I’m brave enough for that. 25. Have you ever been on a date?  What has been your favorite date? I have been on quite a few dates!  My favorite one was going to a rock show for our 3 month anniversary (WAY back in May 2010) with my husband (well, he was just my boyfriend at the time :) ) 26. Have you ever been through a Hurricane?  Tornado? Earthquake? Well, Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Dorian in 2019...lets hope we don’t have anymore this year >< I have not been through a Tornado or Earthquake. 27. Are you the adventurous type? I’d say so?  I don’t know many people who would move as much as we have 28. Do you live close to your family? No :/ all of my family (and in-laws) live in the Midwest.  Well, aside from my Mother/Father-in-law.  They are snowbirds and have a house on the West Coast of FL and we’re moving back to be closer to them in a couple months. 29. Are you creative?  Is there anything creative you’re working on right now? I WANT to be creative but I have a hard time sitting down and getting something done.  I have half-written about 20 fanfiction pieces (for several fandoms) since 2017 but I haven’t completed any of them. 30. Do you have a morning routine?  Nightly routine? - Morning routine on the week day: Get up, start coffee, take a shower, scroll through social media/watch a show before getting ready for work - Morning routine on the weekend: Get up, start coffee, wash my face, watch a show/play a video game/scroll through social media until my Husband wakes up Nightly routine on the week day: Get my lunch ready the night before, brush/floss, read at least 10-20 min then go to sleep by 11pm to get up at 6:15am Nightly routine on the weekend: Brush my teeth and go to bed lol

[redeyedryu]

Cross Dimensional Problems

Chapter 8 - Warmth | [Ao3] | 1 | « | x |  » |

And now we’re caught up! Tried to sprinkle a wee bitta fluff in this chapter after the events of the previous one. I apologize if the French is weird, I only have Google to rely on. *sweats*

Summary: There’s something not quite right about that guy.

The next few days pass in a haze.

Not long after your “discussion” with Rus, Sans had knocked on your door to return your phone and pass along a charger he had put together for you. You had given him a simple thank you, then closed the door in his face, unable to muster up the energy to put your manners to proper use. 

Maybe you should have told Sans about that night, you find yourself thinking some time after he had already left. ...But would he have even cared? Your mind flashed to Rus’s words, to his dismissive attitude, and a stabbing ache radiated through your chest. No, no, it’s better not to bother anyone with this. It's not like they would care.

It was easy to hole yourself away after that. Among your phone and the charger, Sans had included a bit of paper with their network information, allowing you to connect to their alien internet. When you weren't sleeping, you distracted yourself with this world’s equivalent of YouTube and Google. You searched through various news articles: local, national, global; political, entertainment, technology, arts. It was… strange and disconcerting. There were a surprising number of parallels between this place and yours, and yet the differences were stark. Major brands you would be able to recognize in a heartbeat seemingly didn't exist here; certain well-known game series, while they did exist, hadn't garnered the same attention here and had petered out after a single instillation—two, if they were lucky. You thought it some kind of interesting that the Mother/EarthBound series didn't seem to exist. Neither did Smash, apparently.

That made you smile a bittersweet grin. No wonder Sans seemingly hadn't understood your reference before.

Nightmare hasn't shown himself since, but sometimes, when you're just on the border between sleep and wakefulness, you think you catch movement in the darkest corners of the room. Your gaze never lingers, and you never focus, scared of what you might see.

You only ever sneak from your borrowed room to go to the bathroom or rummage something from the kitchen when everyone else is asleep. You're aware you're avoiding everyone, that this isn't healthy, but at the same time you just can't bring yourself to care. Why should you, when no one else does?

It's once again ass o’ clock and you're currently standing in the darkened kitchen, lit only by the open fridge you're staring into as if it holds the answer to life itself. There are various stacked tupperware, a package of thawing ground beef, and quite a few other food bits scattered about. Needless to say, it doesn't appear that anyone is hard up on food stuffs in this house. You don't feel any less guilty about taking from them, though.

You eventually settle on nabbing the carton of eggs, a bottle of mustard, and some shredded cheddar. Setting them on the counter by the stove, you swipe a packet of English muffins from the bread box. As you pivot on your heel, bread in hand, intent on digging up a pan, you’re startled to find someone standing right behind you.

“JESUS!” you shout, arms pulling to your chest, which leads to you accidentally whacking your would-be assailant with the packet of muffins straight across the face.

They don't move, don't so much as flinch, just stare at you with mis-matched eye lights. He blinks, whether in disbelief or offense you can't say. One thing’s for sure though: the floor is now littered with bread.

A smidge of guilt and no small amount of annoyance rolls from you as Ink grins. Then he starts chuckling.

“What the hell?!” you hiss, “You scared the shit outta me!” You scowl as you squat down to gather up the floor bread. Man, what a waste. Maybe the boys will still eat it? Do germs affect them?

“My apologies,” Ink manages out between chuckles, drawing you from your spiraling thoughts. “Though… you did just hit me.”

“Yeah, will serves you right for sneaking up on me! Seriously, what the hell, man?! You're lucky it wasn't the eggs or something, shit.” You dig your phone from your pocket and turn the flashlight on, pointedly ignoring the skeleton and scouring the floor for any bread you might have missed.

“Ah, but can you really blame me?” Ink follows along as you place the floor spiced bread on the counter beside your other ingredients. He props himself against the counter, an elbow resting on the surface and his chin resting in his palm. You ignore his gaze—it doesn't feel as innocent and disarming as you're sure he’d like you to believe. “It’s so hard to pin you down, with how you’re holed away in your room as you’ve been lately,” he practically whines,

Just ignore him. Surely he’ll get bored and leave you alone. You busy yourself with inspecting the muffins. Knowing how cleanly roughly half of your cohabitants are, you doubt it’d kill you to still eat these. You pick two and begin dusting them off—just in case.

“Why is that, mon bonheur?”

You pull a sour face at his words and squeeze a piece of bread a little harder than it probably deserves. Was that… is he… is he speaking French? And the way he’s playing ignorant… you know he had heard your conversation with Rus that day. He damn well knows why you’ve made yourself scarce. You clench your jaw and don't acknowledge him, instead shifting to turn on the light from the over-the-stove microwave. You tell yourself the way the darkness twists and coils as it retreats from the light is a mere trick of your mind.

You need a pan.

“Ah, ma douce,” Ink goes on to say as you dig a small skillet from a cabinet, “must you give me the cold shoulder?”

Still very clearly ignoring the vexing skeleton, you settle the pan on the stove-top and ignite the burner. He says something, but what that something is you couldn't say, having opted to completely tune him out. You're still hungry and you still have an egg sandwich begging to be made, dammit.

As you reach for the egg carton the hairs on the back of your neck raise and a bolt of electricity shoots down your spine, radiating through your entire body. Not a second later, you feel the presence of someone settling behind you and arms moving to wrap around your waist.

"Ma poupée," Ink whispers into your ear, pulling you flush against him. You freeze. There’s a ringing in your ears and it’s suddenly hard to breathe. “Je veux juste un peu de goût…” 

Ink’s talking, you know he is, but all you can hear is Nightmare’s echoing warble, those tentacles holding you down, feeling trapped and unable to escape.

You don’t even register grabbing the pan from the stove, nor do you recall swinging it towards the shocked skeleton now standing several feet away, hands raised in a placating manner. Your chest is tight and there are tears streaming down your cheeks, your breath coming out in short, ragged pants.

You don’t know what just happened.

You look from your hand, grasping the pan’s handle in a white-knuckled grip, to the skeleton, and back to the pan. Had… had you really tried to hit Ink? A strange numbness washes over you at that realization.

You… you can’t deal with this right now, you can’t. You need… you need to get out of here—be anywhere but here; anywhere but that bedroom. Maybe… maybe some fresh air will do you some good?

You set the pan back on the stove and flick the burner off, moving as if in a fog. You don’t hear Ink call to you, don’t remember to put away the floor bread or the rest of the food stuffs you had pulled out, focused solely on getting as far away from him and everything wrong with this place as possible.

—–—–—–

Despite what a lot of people seem to think, Blue isn't an early riser by nature. No, that would actually be his brother—which Blue believes isn't very fair, considering how much the lazybones sleeps in and lazes about. It's not until he’s had a good cup of coffee (or three) that Blue feels like he’s adequately prepared to take on the day.

And thus, he starts his early morning by shuffling into the kitchen and brewing a pot of coffee. It’s early, roughly 5:30am, and the majority of the household is still asleep. Papyrus—the “classic” version of his brother, that is—is due up any minute; Edge will likely be short to follow. Hickory, despite the apparent Papyrus gene of being able to readily face the day the second one wakes up, often does not leave the room he shares with his brother until the late morning.

Blue is pulling down a mug (his top favorite one—something his brother had gotten for him a couple years back for Gyftmas, that appears to be nothing more than a plain black piece but once something hot is placed in it, a stunning scene of the aurora borealis is revealed) when the coffee maker gurgles out the last of its brew. And just in time, it seems, as Black shuffles into the kitchen, looking no less exhausted and rumpled than Blue feels. He grabs a tumbler (the one that reads, “I don't give a sip” in a loose script font) and hands it to his sharper self.

Black grunts out some unintelligible response (probably a thank you… probably), and wastes no time in pouring himself a heaping helping of coffee. Like his namesake, he prefers to drink the bitter bean juice black, and so wastes no time in screwing the lid shut and taking a generous sip. Blue, on the other hand, proceeds to stir in creamer and no less than three spoonfuls of sugar before helping himself to a taste.

He and his darker counterpart stand in silence for a few moments, leaning against the countertop, simply enjoying their chosen poison. It’s nice, Blue thinks, moments like these where he can just bask in the company of others.

Sufficiently caffeinated, Black is able to muster up the energy to string together a coherent sentence.

“So, Tell Me, What Is On The Agenda For Today?”

Huh. Black must be more worn out than Blue thought, for him to be speaking so softly. Work must be running him ragged.

Blue hums as he thinks on it. He’s got the day off—actually isn't needed in until next Tuesday, if he’s remembering correctly—so…

“I’M NOT SURE YET,” he admits. “PERHAPS AN EARLY MORNING JOG AND THEN I’LL SEE FROM THERE. WOULD YOU CARE TO JOIN?”

Black seems to ponder it as he takes a long pull from his tumbler, before finally, he grimaces and says, “No. Unfortunately Not Today. Perhaps Another Day.”

Blue frowns and sets his mug on the counter, turning to give Black a sympathetic look. “EARLY DAY?”

Black grumbles, his posture dipping into a slouch as he drags his claws over his face. “If Only That Were The End Of It…”

Blue winces. “OUCH… SORRY.”

With what can only be described as a whine, Black straightens his posture and pulls away from the counter. “It Is What It Is. But… Unfortunately I Best Be Off, Lest Those IMBECILES Screw Something Else Up.”

“GOOD LUCK!” Blue calls as Black heads off. The skeleton merely lifts a hand in acknowledgment before disappearing into the house. It's unfortunate Blue is down a running partner but he’s sure if he waits a bit longer, that problem will quickly resolve itself.

So he meanders over to the lounge, though not before refilling his mug with another helping of coffee.

Just as the skeleton is about to make himself comfortable on one of the couches, he catches something that registers as not quite right, out of the corner of his eye socket. He pauses and looks to the floor to ceiling glass windows that overlook the courtyard, gaze scanning for that irregularity and oh! There it is! Leaned up against the wall just outside the door leading out. Blue squints, focuses, and… is that-? It is! It’s you, their new human friend, sitting outside, propped against the wall. You're hidden in the shadows cast by the house this early in the morning but he can see you well enough.

Blue’s brows furrow. What are you doing out there? Temperatures don't  really affect him or any of the other skeletons but he knows humans are more sensitive to that sort of thing. And it isn't the warmest time of year, either—just the opposite, in fact! To make matters worse, it doesn't look like you have a jacket or even a blanket to help warm you up. Are you an idiot? Did you want to get yourself sick?

He sets his mug on the coffee table and hurries to the nearby linen closet, grabbing a heavy blanket and making his way to the door. He huffs as he maneuvers the door open, fumbling to not to drop the blanket, and rolls over a few choice words he's going to have to share with you. But when he finally gets a good look at you… it's not exactly… “good”.

It can't have been more than a week since your arrival and yet you look nothing like you had during that dinner. There are heavy shadows ringing your eyes and he’s not sure but… he thinks you look a little pale? Though that might be due to the fact you've been sleeping outside in the nippy morning air. Your clothes—the very same ones you had arrived in—are rumpled and probably well overdue for a wash. He can only describe your hair as a bird's nest—tangled and mussed as it is.

Really, he thinks, you should take better care of yourself! At least change into some… thing… else…

Oh. O-oh goodness.

Any building annoyance at your unkempt state drains away as it finally dawns on him. You had only arrived days ago, and like he and his brother and all the others before, you had appeared with nothing more than the clothes on your back. You didn't have anything else to change into, and stars, Blue realizes with a growing sense of guilt, not once have you asked for anything other than a phone charger. By the Angel, you probably felt uncomfortable asking them for anything.

Blue’s not an idiot, he’s more observant than a lot of people give him credit for, and he’s noticed a distinct lack of your presence lately. But he had chalked it up to you needing some time to settle in, to digest your situation. The more he thinks on it, however, the more ashamed he starts to feel. Maybe… maybe you had been purposefully isolating yourself from them? Red and Edge had made it painfully obvious they didn't like you—Edge in particular had been quite vocal in not wanting you around, and Blue had heard Red grumbling about you nearly bowling him over in the hallway, seemingly in a rush to get out of Classic’s room. When Blue had questioned Classic about it, he had merely brushed him off with an all too casual, “don't worry ‘bout it, s’nothin’ soul-shatterin’” and Blue had decided to take his counterpart at his word. But maybe… perhaps that had been a mistake?

He gently unfolds the blanket and carefully sets it around your shoulders, taking a seat on the chilled concrete beside you. You let out the softest of content sighs at the warmth now engulfing you and nuzzle into the fabric. The unbidden thought of how cute that is (how cute you are) flits across Blue’s mind. He lets that thought sit for a moment before pushing it away, feeling now isn't really an appropriate time for such things.

So he sits and he watches you, takes in how different you are when your defenses are down and you don't have to put on such a brave front—don't have to try and act like you're unaffected by the craziness happening to you. And he thinks… he hasn't been a very good friend to you, has he? To let you suffer alone as you clearly have been.

The more his thoughts spiral, the more he realizes they haven't been treating you very fairly at all, have they? Even the worst of them to appear hadn't been as ostracized, as persecuted as you have.

You shift in your sleep and he’s caught off guard when you suddenly tilt sideways, curling the blanket and clutching it tight to your chest. Your head finds its place in his lap and his sockets widen at that, magic rushing to his zygomatic bones in a heated blush. He just watches for a moment, frozen and afraid to move for fear of waking you. You really do look like you could use the sleep, which is odd because isn’t that all you’ve been doing lately?

…

…

…

He undoes the scarf from around his neck and, gingerly lifting your head, carefully places it between his femur and your head. He decides he can just do a double run tomorrow.

[diaryformytravels]

#27 Orlando (Day 1)

For the first time in Blog history, it’s both J-Dawg, and the M-inator writing the same blog!!! We thought if only one person wrote it, it would drive them mental and it the end product, would be very similar to Auschwitz!!!

The alarm was set for 5:50, thus we woke at the crack at of dawn. We got ready and ate breakfast and were ready to go at 6:15am as agreed the previous night. Of course at this time, nobody else was ready. Fun fact, they tease Morgs for eating chocolate all the time, yet they gave Max a large chocolate muffin for breakfast. So off we set at 6:25am to be there at 6:30am to beat some of the crowds. Last night we told them that when we looked it up, it said we needed to be there no later than 90 minutes before the park opens at 7am. Of course there was no way we were gonna be able to get MMM to Hollywood Studios at 5:30am, so we told them that that is what the site said, but let’s try aim for 6:30 instead. They agreed and said it wouldn’t be that busy. Come 6:38am when we get dropped off, its is absolutely packed. Cue shocked faces from the hitler crew. 

We rushed into the park, getting our bags checked and Disney cards loaded with our ID’s to get into the park. We then hastily made our way to the entrance of the new Galaxy’s Edge Star Wars World, along with the other 7000 people. We figured out you could join a virtual queue that places you in a group for one of the busier rides, Rise of the Resistance. The queue opened at 7am, so everyone was ready to pounce on their phones at 6:59. J was in charge of doing this and he secured us with group 18, it then said it would notify us when to go board the rides queue. (There were over 130 groups, so this was a score, yay me!). 

First ride we did was called The Hollywood Tower, and was eerily similar to Gold Coasts ‘Tower of Terror’, we were unsure what the ride had in store, but before joining the queue, the spooky look of the tower had Max almost in tears, after a tantrum. Also someone kept farting horribly in the line, disgusting. The ride was quite fun and bit creepy, with lots of jumps and falls, but with only a single seatbelt keeping us in our chair, we questioned the safety behind this ride. 6/10.

Ride number 2 was our first Star Wars ride. It was called ‘Star Tours’ and was a 4D ride. It was pretty cool and was based on the most recent Star Wars movie. We were lead on a wild goose choose, by C3-PO and he was actually there with us in person 😉. 6/10.

We got our notification for Rise of the Resistance, and head straight on over for our third ride of the day. We asked how long the queue was, but they refused to give an answer every time, Michelle did not like this at all and whined a lot. The Star Wars world itself was really care and you could tell Disney went all out, and we were thinking the queue would be really cool with lots of Star Wars references in it. For the first 20 minutes it was quite disappointing, with some more feral farts, but then suddenly we were captured by the First Order and it was really funny, because the employees were pretending to be mean and yelling at everyone and insulting everyone, eg. Someone was leaning on the wall in the line and one of the First Order Captains came over and stared at him 10cm away from his face and said “Do you own this wall?” the guy replied laughing, “No...”, the captain replied quickly, “Then why are you touching it?”. It was very funny and everyone couldn't stop laughing. Then the ride actually begun and it was so much fun, it was kind of like transformers, but without the the 3D glasses, the effects were phenomenal and there were no obvious tracks of where we were going. The ride was us escaping a Star Destroyer and away from Kylo Ren. 9/10.

Next was the ‘Rock’n’Roll’ coaster, but before, Morgs and I decided to get a cookie because we were a bit peckish (it’s now 10:30am). As we got to the front of the line and ordered our two cookies, Max suddenly appears, “I want a cookie too”. Too late bucko! Ride was fun, same as the Paris one. 7.5/10.

By this stage Michelle was getting cranky because she hadn't had her coffee yet, so she went and lined up at Starbucks, and sent us two with Max to get a hotdog. The funny thing is, the hot dog stand was where we bought the cookies, right next to the rollercoaster, that we just left. Fuckwit. I took Max and Morgs had a look in Pandora, and bought herself a new ring. 

Next was a show!! Beauty and the Beast live! This was fantastically hilarious because of how shocking it was. The only 3 people who had mics could not sing, it was so bizarre. And again! The farts were here again! Is there a pattern forming? Morgs says 0/10. Jasper says 10/10. 

Then we went to another show. The Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. This was a bit of a yawn and a boy show, surrounded by noisy, crying children. Before the show even started, we could taste yet another fart! If you haven’t caught on, Max has been letting them rip all day. He is without a doubt, the most disgusting creature to ever plague this earth. The show had volunteers from the audience and one was a plant and he started doing stunts and Morgs was shocked, until she figured it out. 3/10. Would have been 1/10 if not for the plant. 

Next was lunch! We had booked an Italian restaurant and headed there right after Indiana Jones. The food was pretty good, but I think the highlight was a text that Michelle got, and showed us, when Max went to the toilet by himself. The message read as follows:  “Mum are you there? Can I do a number 2, the bathroom is very clean. Respond fast” 

Now in the rain we made our way to some shops and did some browsing, then went to Toy Story Land. Max cracked the shits because we didn't wait 35 minutes to go on the kids roller coaster. 

Next on the cards was the other new Star Wars ride, The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Again we had no idea what we were going into, but it was a 55 minute wait, so it must have been good. Max of course hated this idea and threw yet another tantrum, but luckily no more farts. The ride ended up being an interactive almost video game like ride, but still like a 4D ride. It was something else. So much fun, Max and Michelle were piloting, Morgs and I were shooting, and two randoms were the engineers. 9/10. 

By this stage we were all shutting down (4pm now), did some more shopping and then Mikko came and collected us and took us home for a rest before dinner at Disney Springs. 

Dinner was at a Mexican restaurant which had fantastic guacamole that reminded us of Zambreros ❤️. We played uno and then did a recon at the big shops there for when we purchase on Saturday. 15 minutes into looking at shops, Max cracked it because Mum wasn't letting him buy a $300 replica lightsaber. Since Max cracked...so did Mikko and he decided it was time to leave because he was ready to go now. We took our time in that store, and then Michelle informed them we were still going to Kate Spade, cue angry Fins. 

Now back at home on our new couch bed living the high life. Should be better nights sleep on this than the single-double bed. 

God bless, and Godspeed. 

M&J

[sarakuper]

Envigado; Spanish School!

Stop #2, December 8-21

We started Spanish School!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!

On Sunday afternoon we arrived at our Air BnB in Envigado. After settling in we walked within 2-3 blocks from our place and did some grocery shopping. We pretty much ate out for all our meals since we arrived, so I was really looking forward to cooking and eating healthy. On Monday we start Spanish school at Colombian Immersion, which is about 25 minutes away walking. Envigado is a more residential city just south of Medellin. This city has all Medellin has to offer including its beauty and liveliness, except without the crowds, tourists, AND it’s much safer :). We are now surrounded by locals and traditional Colombian life, enjoying the slower pace than the center of Medellin and the freedom to explore the entire town without worrying about walking into a sketchy neighborhood. Don’t worry, we are still being cautious, as you must be in any foreign city. Colombians like to say “don’t give papaya!”. It means “don’t give opportunity”; don’t bring more attention to yourself, because if you do your asking for trouble. Walking with your phone out and talking loudly, using fancy electronics in public, etc, are all examples of “giving papaya”. 

So, Day 1: We arrived at the Evigado campus for Colombian Immersion at 8:30am, just in time for coffee, buñelos (typical Colombian fried dough, often eaten for breakfast), and a short orientation before our classes began. We met other tourists from the US (including NYC!), New Zealand, England, and China who we shared the class with. Our first 4 hour class got me so excited and left me feeling super motivated to learn Spanish. I’m also a much better student now than I was when I was in high school and so I won’t be taking it for granted. Anyway, it was an amazing amazing day. Colombian Immersion offers actives every day after classes to really immerse you in Colombian culture and force you to practice your Spanish. 

Between our first class and the afternoon activity, a walking tour around Envigado, Sean and I walked around the neighborhood of the school and found a healthy plant based restaurant called Tulsi. And yes, I’m working on being vegan! I haven’t been perfect with cheese because EVERYTHING is made with cheese here, and I’m only now learning how to order vegan food in Spanish, but it’s a work in progress for me. Anyway, after a yummy and healthy lunch we walked back to our apartment to relax before the activities. During our walk we pass a large park that contains a soccer field, running track, exercise equipment, and a basketball court. Every time we pass it there are so many Colombians playing sports, working out, or just socializing. I was surprised by this because it really feels like Colombians all together live modern lifestyles, which I haven’t seen as much in other Latin American countries. Also, they LOVE their dogs in Medellin. Everyone has a dog, and they are all so cute! (WE MISS YOU JAXON <3)

Anyway, our cultural guide from Colombia Immersion, Felipe, took us on a tour of Envigado. We tried a delicious and also very strange fruit called granadilla. Ive never had to hit a fruit several times before in order to get it open! We also went to the park where there were tons of Christmas lights. Its super lindo (cute) and excellent to see at night.

Our first day left me on cloud 9. We felt like we were part of a community in a new community, getting out of our comfort zones in many ways and exploring this city from a local perspective. And this was all just our first day. I felt just as hyped and excited the entire 2 weeks we did it.

Instead of going into details of every singe day, I’ll give you a quick run down. Every day classes were from 9am-1pm, and at some point in the afternoon or night we participated in an activity with the friends we very quickly made in the school.

Tuesday- a barista came in to explain the coffee production process in Colombia and show us different methods of preparing for different tastes! Yes, we sampled 3-4 coffees as well!

Wednesday- we learned how to make Patacones (YUM) which is fried plantains smashed and then fried again. This was super fun and also extremely tasty! It was definitely my favorite activity this week.

Thursday- NADA. We took a breather and relaxed.

Friday- Every Friday there is a language exchange at the school from 6-10pm, and then everyone usually goes out dancing afterwords. It was a fun night out!

Saturday- We slept in, hung out, and explored our neighborhood. I found out that our local Panaderia (pan=bread, bakery) was absolutely DELICIOUS and cheap (like most things we find here. Starting that day I ordered fresh fruit juice and smoothies from them every day, and sometimes their baked goods with a chocolate drink. I often brought my notes to study, and even practiced with a local a few times.

At night we met up with our Australian friend Grace who was our classmate this week. 

Sunday- We met with our other friend Ari from class (also Jewish, also from New York, and happens to be a famous comedian…. ) and went hiking. This hike was super cool, but also A LOT more dangerous than we expected. We hiked to several waterfalls, but at one point we had to climb down something so steep, I wondered why we chose this hike. In the end, it was absolutely gorgeous and a great day.

Week 2 at school! Almost everyone in our class was the same (me, Sean, Ari, and Mason), except we lost Grace (our Australian friend who was traveling onward) and gained another student, Brian, from Texas. Week 2 was just as great. We learned how to make buñelos and another classic Colombian desert specifically eaten around Christmas time, sing typical Christmas songs, play a competitive game of soccer with some local kids, hiked and walked through more barrios in the city, and more. In our time here Colombian Immersion made us feel like we were all family, and I really wished we didn’t have to go.

Next we are heading to San Rafael, a small town about 3 hours east of Medellin, for our first Workaway experience.

Thanks for reading fam, love you all!!! Kisses to Jaxon!!!!

[lapis-lazuliie]

why eggscellent is the best rs episode

so you all know this episode is my #1 favourite in the entire show, and nothing you can say will change my mind. below i’ve written a pretty long, almost detailed, reasoning of why i hold this one in particular so close to my heart and i would put it under a read more, but again, tumblr on mobile is complete horseshit

so lets get on w/ the “review/rant/opinion piece” ;

i’m going to start at the argument scene between benson and mordecai. what i love most about it is how well recognised it is. i don’t exactly know how to put it bc of course it was “”“well recognised”“” since jg himself wrote the entire episode but…..it’s just such a tense moment already, and it becomes suddenly Worse when mordecai socks benson in the face

the entire argument between them is so emotionally charged and you’re not given a moment to ‘breathe’ until the next scene rolls over of mordecai ordering the omelette. the episode definitely deserved its’ emmy, but that scene ALONE is worth a lot of praise. it was so well written and it’s crystal clear jg /loved/ those two characters in particular

honestly……and i have absolutely no qualms typing this……..i truly think a flip switched on the show after this episode

for the first two seasons, it was really the viewers learning about who these characters are and the world built around them; us seeing the hilarious banter between mordecai and rigby (and others lol), and sure the first few episodes of the 3rd season did that, but when eggscellent aired…….it was an entirely different ballgame

the core of the show is really mordecai and rigby��s friendship; we see their antics through seasons 1 + 2 where it just exists w/ a lot of hilarity in the situations they get in. but nothing actually happened to showcase that friendship (and their characters) propery until ‘eggscellent’, where we were introduced to a truly dire situation where their relationship and mordecai’s character were put on complete display

in the earlier seasons, rigbys defining trait was that he fucks around and doesn’t bother with the backlash from it. mordecai’s defining trait was recognising the responsibility put on him and using that…….(there’s probably a better, more obvious trait, sorry but it illustrates my point plus it’s like 12:30am right now and i just want to get this out of my system lmao….)

in the episode, these traits take an absolute turning point in that it’s not all fun and games anymore; rigby does a completely idiotic thing that lands him in a coma and mordecai makes absolutely no hesitation in stepping up to the plate and making the right decision by doing what rigby now can’t

yes rigby still does fuck up in episodes (and seasons) after this and mordecai still has to stick up for him sometimes but that situation obviously made their friendship a whole lot stronger, and it made the audience extremely aware of the lengths mordecai will go for somebody he deeply cares about…..and that trait was shown countless times after this through various episodes. it made us come to the realisation of how important rigby is to mordecai and had us love their friendship even more bc of what mordecai was willing to do for him

bensons defining trait is his inability to put up with bullshit, namely mordecai and rigby’s bullshit. just as he comes to learn rigby could possibly not wake up from the coma, his IMMEDIATE understanding of the situation is “this is what your idiotic behaviour gets you. this is what happens when you don’t listen to me and this is a perfect fucking learning curve for you two”. and while mordecai can understand this to a certain extent, he still has no hesitation in punching him straight in the face for it bc now is not the time to bring this shit up, especially in the worst fucking situation imagineable and their argument starts from there before mordecai walks out

being on the outskirts of this relationship, benson only witnesses a fraction of mordecai’s caring nature for rigby. but what he doesn’t see or at least doesn’t exactly consider is the absolute compassion and responsibility mordecai feels when faced w/ a scenario where their screwing around takes on an entirely different set of circumstances. and it still doesn’t comprehend bc he’s never fully grasped the idea of them being two seperate people. yes he knows mordecai is capable of responsiblity, moreso than rigby, but it’s somewhat easier for him to simply jam them together because a majority of the dangerous shit caused around the park is always their fault. mordecai could easily blab to benson a lot of the time, but bc of his basic dedication to staying by rigby’s side, he chooses not to, and so benson really has no choice BUT to see them as a unit no matter the situation they find themselves in

a lot of what benson’s about is work and that’s very clearly shown to us from the get go. it’s who he /is/, he’s the boss at the park and that’s all we really get to see of him (until the first few episodes of s3 where we’re given some honest insight into who he used to be and currently is), so of course he holds a certain expectation for the employees who work under him. he expects rigby to do this shitty thing and pay for the aftermath later. he expects mordecai to follow along and pick up the pieces that’ve been dropped by him

bc he’s grown so used to their daily fuck ups, it comes as no surprise to him that rigby lands himself in the hospital from an absolutely idiotic decision he was consciously aware of making. and bc benson is so strongly aware of this, he has the absolute gall to turn around and tell mordecai exactly why this has happened; because they skipped on work

to reiterate: he wants the two to come away from this knowing that a very real and terrifying thing has suddenly come about because they didn’t do their fucking jobs. and this is the exact kind of shit benson had been trying to avoid since hiring them. to him, this was GOING to happen. this was inevitable

these characters and their relationships have already been so well established that having a situation between them suddenly be cranked all the way to 11 is of course going to call for some incredibly needed development; not only does mordecai physically lash out at benson, he also verbally attacks him too by admitting to him that nobody truly cares for him beyond the general boss/employee relationship. it’s extremely harsh and is said in such a cold way that we’re just sat there wondering when benson’s going to speak his mind again to counter with him

but he doesn’t. of course he doesn’t. and why? bc that punch to the face and those verbal insults were a fucking wake up call. in all the time he’s known mordecai, this is the very first instance where he sees firsthand just how mordecai takes on the emotional backlash from shit like this. and he stands there and takes it because he knows mordecai is 100% in the right in his actions and his words; and even if he isn’t, benson takes it on anyway bc mordecai has every fucking right to react like this from being fed such a ballsy piece of bullshit in an incredibly extreme situation that shouldn’t call for this whatsoever

it’s in mordecai’s exact reaction that benson’s logical, “no bullshit’ attitude comes to a grinding halt and he’s suddenly forced to take a step back and really come to terms with seeing mordecai for who he truly is without rigby by his side for the very first time since he’s known him. it’s mordecai’s raw devotion and love for the people he cares about, in this case: rigby, that causes benson to come to the gradual understanding of how much he truly fucked up in saying what he had before

in an earlier s3 episode, benson tries unsuccesfully to get rid of a stick hockey game mordecai and rigby find holed up in the garage. though the two want to know why he’s so against them playing it, we’re not exactly told much of anything until close to the end of the episode, where it’s revealed to us that benson used to be a stick hockey champion and had taken a young apprentice under his wing by the name of dave. without going into details, dave is killed in a match against a man named chong and since the incident, benson has had to put away another facet of his past until the duo dig it up again. so he has no choice but to go down there and play chong, thus winning and getting the closure he needs with daves death

you would think bc of all this, bensons empathy card would come running through the gate as soon as he realises just how serious the situation is. if he wasn’t constantly wearing a shell made of wax paper, maybe the first thing to come out his mouth would’ve been “oh shit mordecai i’m so sorry” instead of “you fucked up and this is why” like a decent human being

……okay

when benson realises what he said was completely uncalled for, he not only apologises to mordecai, but he takes it upon HIMSELF to give him jonthans own book and work with mordecai to complete the challenge, and this leads into what has to be one of my favourite uses of a licenced song in this show since its airing; bonnie tylers ‘holding out for a hero’ played over an animated 80s-esque training montage

the music has always been a main fixture of the show for a lot of people. older audiences can very much appreciate the brief nostalgia trip while saying aloud “they got that song in here? kudos to them!” and younger audiences can appreciate the flashy colours and coming to the realisation that this was played in the cinematic masterpiece that is shrek 2, while both can be similitanously distracted by how truly boring these scenes would be without music overlaying them. that’s the beauty of a montage, folks; no matter the age, they’re still enjoyable to watch….unless they have a shitty song playing over them. 'holding out for a hero’ was such a perfect song choice to have in this episode; not only does it encapsulate the utter cheesiness of every training montage of the 80s but it fits for the exact scenario that rigby is in. i don’t need to spell it out for you bc it’s already there in the damn title, but let me just say that jg could not have chosen a more 'right’ song than this one

they stop outside the restaurant, and as everyone clambers out of the cart, we get ANOTHER one of my absolute favourite scenes between benson and mordecai; i believe this scene was christened amongst the rs fanbase as 'the apology scene’, where mordecai admits to benson that he is a good friend despite how much of an absolute dick benson can be sometimes. it’s incredibly sweet and written in a very direct way; from what we’ve already seen between them up until this point, there is no doubt mordecai holds a complete plethora of feelings about benson and their relationship, benson likewise upon suddenly learning just how highly mordecai values the friendships around him, his own with rigby especially, and instead of getting all choked up about it, mordecai makes it very clear that as of right now, it’s all he has say to benson, and it’s from bensons reaction and one line response that it’s all he needs to hear from him too

in that brief moment, without so much as a few sentences said between them, they’ve come to a mutual understanding of one another, in that both are very aware of just how much this situation has impacted their previous “water and oil” relationship. in fact, this scene was so ridiculously important that in the middle of his commentary for the episode, jg pauses midsentence to watch this scene play out, despite already knowing exactly what happens in it, bc he recognises how pivotal it was in not just their relationship, but in the series as a whole

in an earlier draft of the episode, jg explains in the commentary that they were going to have rigby upchuck the omelette then have the sick come to life and train him in beating the challenge. hilarity and moral questioning ensues when he slowly realises he’s aiding rigby in eating his own kind for a stupid hat and a fight breaks out in the restaurant

not only do i personally fucking adore this change, obviously, but i also find it incredibly interesting in that the absolute craziness of a general episode, where rigby is very much awake and is the main character, is switched out for an episode that showcases the utter importance of friendship, and how rigbys fucking around can get him almost killed, which is what we had seen in previous seasons, but never this bad. in a roundabout way, rigby is the main character, even if he isn’t consciously aware for a second of the events happening around him, bc we see the complete fallback rigbys idiotic decision has on not just mordecai, but benson too

jg clearly took this episode idea and fucking ran with it. it was the only episode to win them an emmy, and rightfully so; every single scene is an absolute masterpiece and it pales in complete comparison to almost every other episode following it. with a show so trenched in its tagline “anything but regular”, the much needed turning point comes as an absolute surprise to the audience, where the core of the show is flipped on its head and we’re suddenly told that your moronic behaviour can have extreme backlash when you’re unaware of the consequences that come with it. having benson and mordecai be front and center of it all, the two characters who are very knowledgable of the sheer stupidity rigby can pocess at times, is so fucking perfect in itself bc it forces them to push aside their differences to work together in something benson would usually find as completely ludicrous and would most likely opt out of if the stakes weren’t so high

i’ve already said before that i love this episode and i will continue to love it bc it is so fucking important. in the 11 minutes of runtime, jg manages to write an episode that, at its core, is about friendship and the lengths you’re willing to go for somebody you deeply care about, while also developing a relationship that goes from absolute hatred to the beginning of a friendship based around that very lesson

though the show had produced some truly great episodes from various board artists, jgs always seemed to have a very distinct style to them; they were always wacky and fun, but took on a serious note at times while also hiding some sort of message underneath the antics, and as every show creator, he was highly keyed into the beats of his show. one of the main reasons this episode was so incredible is bc it was made by somebody who has an extreme love for and deep understanding of his characters; yes the artists episodes were fantastic at times, but when it comes down to it, the creator really does know them best, and being the sole artist for this episode gave jg a ton of creative freedom to try his hand at throwing them into such an intense situation for the first time, where mordecai could potentially lose his best friend and seeing just how everybody responds to the weight of that scenario is exactly something we, the audience, needed to see. and the shows creator healming the reigns for this entire episode was just 👌🏼

you really could not have trusted anybody else to board this episode

[offshore-writes-blog]

searching for a roommate: maybe also love (4/5)

soulmates!au  (part 4/5)

part 1/ part 2/ part 3/

genre: angstttt and yearning (so same thing?) pairing: Mark x OC inspired by prompt: (i’ll add the link of the list when i find it) 8. “You’re so fucking hot when you’re mad.” 100. ”You’re my soulmate?!”  even soulmates have a hard time admitting they want each other

when i come home from work, mark’s home unlike last night. i should’ve expected that though; he’d been drinking last night and he doesn’t work on weekends. when he hears me, mark’s looking at me with his cute eyes, head turning expectingly to me. there’s even a grin on his face. god, i wish he wasn’t so cute.

“hey, arista!”

“don’t hey arista me.” i feign annoyance as i make my way to my room. why am i even pretending to be mad? because it’s just easier than being freaked out about what i saw on mark this morning. it makes me a little mad at my life because when am i going to get an actual soulmate; not one who’s going to leave me when they meet the actual love of their life.

sensing my fake tone, he chuckles. “i’m really sorry about last night.” he tries, almost following me into my room. “i think i have something to make it up.” god, he’s even actively trying to sound cute; knowing that i’ll crack. BE STRONG ARISTA.

“it’s fine. i was just kidding.” forcing out a small smile, i start closing my door. “i’m really tired so i’m just gonna…sleep.” i look at him a little longer before really closing my door. it literally feels like i ripped my heart out my chest because i could see the playfulness on his face completely fade.

i don’t sleep. i text jackson instead. --text-- arista: about those blind dates.. jackSUN: is horny arista on the rise? arista: SHUT UP maybe yeah definitely set me up jackSUN: are you sure arista: did it ever stop you before GOD jackSUN: right right right right he disappears a while after that. i assume nothing of it. he’s a busy man so i put my phone away only to have it beep with jaebum’s texts. jb: why are you suddenly going on a blind date arista: does jackson ever shut up you two are so dating…………. i literally just texted him jb: we’re together right now seeing as we work together as musicians u know remember when you used to sit here annoying us at our music studio arista: whatever jb: is there anything you wanna tell me? arista: not with jackson there jb: we can meet arista: it’s not that deep Bro chill

i try to lie.

jb: who said it has to be

and out of all the times he’s believed my lies; he sees through me this time. i groan into my pillow. i wallow in my own reality for a while; trying to remember everything that’s happened with mark and i. which is really nothing but... it feels like something. me discovering him as my soulmate.... then i text jaebum. 

arista: after you and jackson are done recording text me don’t let that idiot know say u got a booty call or whatever u must say that a lot anyway jb: wtf first of all r u calling me a whore? second of all ok see u later arista: yeah we can fight it out defSOUL

when i step out my room at around 1:30am, all the lights are out. mark must be sleeping already. i don’t even hear the incessant clicking of his mouse which is normally present at this time when he’s playing whatever frat boy video game.

jaebum’s waiting at the front gate of the apartment complex. only gives me a nod when i reach him and starts leading the way to the convenience store near my place; which is where we’ve had many late night talks. normally with our third companion, jackson.

“how’s the new track coming along?” i try to make conversation as we walk in the literal dead of night. only the sound of our shoes scratching the pavement and shallow breathing in the chilly air, jaebum scoffs and laughs at me a little. it’s dark but i know there’s a fucking smug smirk on his face.

“stop trying to distract me.”

i push him. “is it a crime to be interested in your music?”

“i know you are. but we’re here to talk about something else.”

“right.” i mumble. “it’s about mark.”

“hmmmmmm.” he says in a higher pitch and nudges me with his elbow. “i knewwww it!” 

i scoff and try to look over at him but i only see half his face with the street lights so low and orange. “it’s not what you think. i think he and i are soulmates.”

“what?” he stops mid-step and turns to face me completely.

i begin to explain; how i saw the mark, how i feel about mark and how gut-wrenchingly sad i will be when mark, unsurprisingly, leaves me for his actual romantic soulmate. by the time i’m done talking, we’re finally at the store and jaebum’s been quiet mostly.

when he finally starts to talk, he stops. following his eyes, i look to see mark. jaebum and i are only two steps into the store while i notice that mark’s already gotten everything he needs; holding a large plastic bag. i can even tell what he’s bought, having eaten most of those snacks with him. the memories of such nights makes my heart warm; my entire body actually...but NO NO NO, i shouldn’t feel this way.

“hey mark.” jaebum’s the first to speak with an easy smile. “what’s up?”

“jb, what’re you doing out so late?” mark also says but his smile falters for a second but he manages to smile again.

“mark, i thought you were asleep.” why the fuck did i add that?

“and i thought you were asleep.” mark says immediately without glancing at me but pretending to look into his bag.

“yeah, well. she was.” jaebum lies for me. “but…i…had something to…talk to her about…” he speaks slowly; eyes looking up, probably trying think of another lie to back it up.

“oh.” is all mark says and clears his throat.

“yeah, and since he’s so busy. 2am is really the only good time.” i smile and pretend to elbow jaebum; feigning annoyance.

mark forces a smile. “yeah, well. i was gaming and got hungry. turns out, we were all out of snacks.” he shrugs and looks at me during the last part. “so, here i am.”

“god, stop gaming so much.” jaebum teases with a chuckle. “you’re only stroking your ego at this point. you make video games for a living.” this makes mark actually laugh; shaking his head. this puts my heart at ease just a little.

silence again. the three of us stand there for a few moments too long. mark finally clears his throat and says, “well, i’ll leave you guys to it.” before walking past us.

“see you next week, man.” jaebum remarks, about the beach trip we’d all be taking over the long weekend but we don’t hear mark reply.

// when jaebum drops me off, it’s about 3:24am. we’d eaten instant noodles and drunk his favourite strawberry milk whilst being serious adults and discussed my impending future as an old maid.

“i think you’re overthinking this, arista.” he’d shrugged shoulders so easily, wiping the corners of his lips after breathing in the ramyeon we were meant to ‘share’. “you won’t even give mark a chance? ray was gay but mark’s pretty straight from what i’ve seen.” he laughs.

“yeah, you are too. but you never saw me that way.”

“we aren’t soulmates.”

“fuck.” i mutter, he’d cornered me there. groaning into my hands, i feel even more tensed than before. “that’s what makes it worse. soulmates just have this bond, jae. like, imagine being so attached and then watch him being taken away.”

“do you like mark?”

“i don’t know!” but i do know. i don’t like mark. never, no.

// as quietly as i can, i close the door behind me only to catch mark in the kitchen from the corner of my eyes. “hey.” i mumble and stop in the hallway.

“hey.” he answers, closing the fridge door. “do you want something to eat?” it sounds like something my mom would say to me right after school which makes me smile. “what’s so funny?” his smile mimics mine.

“nothing.” my smile widens. “why are you still up?”

he shrugs.

“you’re not jealous about me meeting jaebum, are you?” i tease, remembering his admission from before. but i regret it immediately when i see how his face shrinks at the mention. “i ate just now. i’m good.” as an attempt to save the conversation, i quickly add.

we just stand there for a few moments. like when i’d seen at the convenience store a few hours ago. i can’t fucking read his face. but i know he’s not happy. but i’m not sure if he’s mad.

“right.” he says and presses his lips into a tight smile. “well, i’m gonna sleep now.” walking past me, he stops. “i’m not, by the way. really. me being jealous, was a one off.” mark explains before he disappears into his room and i cringe. god, i’m such an idiot. yeah...he’s mad...i think?

/// “how does this look?” i walk out my room the third time. with my fellow date-night judges, all sitting on the couch; grace, jackson, bambam and mark. jackson’s finally hooked me up for another blind date.

the moment i walk out grace and bambam are howling. “this!this!this!” they’re both yelling but unsynchronized which makes me laugh. “this outfit makes all the other outfits look like its bitch.” grace comments as i turn around for them.

“jackson, c’mon. you know the guy, so tell me.” i stand before him, hands on my hips waiting for

jackson mumbles something but i can’t hear. normally, he’d be excited that i actually cared about the blind dates he’d set me up on. “yeah, this one’s the best.” he finally says, looking up at me.

“forreal?”

“why are you asking him?” bambam whines. “I STYLE PEOPLE FOR A LIVING.” he groans. “honestly, arista! this is perfect. just the right amount of skin. by that i mean, legs for days. and those heels? god, that guy’s gonna drop dead.”

“we won’t wait up.” grace adds with a wink which makes me burst into another fit of laughter. “okay, babe but really, you look amazing.”

“i don’t know. i liked the first one.” mark croaks, clearing his throat. his comment earns him a round of disapproving groans.

“that?” i frown. “that was a joke. i was in sweats.” originally, i’d wanted to annoy jackson which it did. “that’s not even remotely funny.” rolling my eyes, i head back into my room to get a better look into my mirror. okay, so, bam and grace are right. i look good. and i feel good? i’m excited for the date. it’s one of grace’s little black dresses’ which she’s graciously lent me. it hugs me perfectly and whatever tits i do have aren’t spilling out. so it’s a modest dress mostly.

i wave everyone a goodbye as i grab my coat, leaving for the date. still giddy. but as i wait for the elevator at the lobby, my heard turns instinctively and i see mark. “what’s wrong?” are the first words out my mouth when i read his face.

“um, just, good luck.” approaching me instead of keeping a distance, he smiles at me. “will you be back?” the way he asks it so innocently but it almost makes me believe he means something else.

i nod, laughing. “of course, i’ll be back.” my hands are reaching to his but we’re interrupted when the elevator arrives. “hopefully, tomorrow morning.” sticking my tongue out, i close the elevator door.

and yeah, i don’t go home. jackson’s practically set me up with the perfect guy. like perfect. perfect. but why? in the back of my mind, i keep reminding myself that he’s not my soulmate. now we’re completely naked right now, with his hands in my hair and mouth on breasts but all my dumbass could think about his mark somewhere; indicating whether or not he’s my soulmate.

he isn’t.

but henry’s just so nice. and sweet. and really..really..talented…in bed. so i stay the night and he wants me to.

[montydollcrew]

The Experience - Getting my Luka

As I said before, I will soon be the proud owner of DD Luka - tomorrow evening is when she should reach me. Before she arrives I thought I would write about how the actual experience went down as something separate from the event reports I like to do. After all, while I initially wasn’t going to get her for a while due to recently buying a new laptop, one of the main reasons I wanted to get Luka at Dolpa was because there’s a good chance that it will be my last Dolpa I can attend for a long time, and I thought it’d be a nice memory. There have been numerous different methods of doing the limited dolls at Dolpa over the years, and recently its changed slightly again. If the process interests you, read on.

First, we arrived at Tokyo Big Sight bright and early. There are two lines - the general line and the Sumika line. The people in the general line have immediate access to the event itself and the Dealer space, but the line for the Sumika store - the store for licensed Dollfie/Dollfie Dream items - is for people who wish to try for the limited dolls - like me. The Sumika store doesn’t open for everyone else until after everyone in the Sumika line has already gone through it, so you have to decide if you want to try for (but possibly fail) the limited dolls, or try for (and possibly miss out on) dealer items of limited quantity.

The Sumika line had us standing about five or six abreast. An amazing coincidence - the person I was standing next to turned out to be one of my twitter mutuals who has a custom Kaito! She was there with her friend who was super hyped for Luka, and she let me take a pic of her itabag. 

I wasnt too far from the head of the line, but at this point, the position doesn’t actually matter as it’s not first-come first-serve.

Around 9:30am, the staff distributed numbered tickets to all of us - but vertically, rather than in the horiziontal snaking order we were queued in. (Meaning, my number was 217, the person in front of me had 216 and behind me 218, but the my twitter mutual next to me, who was technically the person in front of me in terms of the order we lined up in, had 139. So yes, the numbers were in some kind of order and not randomly distributed which is where I believe this method differs from one of the old methods I read about on the DD forums in the lottery guide, where the queue order was determined by the random number you received alone(correct me if I’m wrong on this as that info is gone now). 

After everyone had their number, some Volks staff addressed us with a megaphone and told us that there were over 900 people in the Sumika line. (I cant remember the exact number, but it was a lot). Obviously, not all these people can get Luka - not even half of them I would guess (although many people in the line were aiming for the other limited dolls - the two new SDs Lucia and Mia, and the rerelease of DDs Sheryl and Ranka). The staff member then drew three numbers from a box - ping pong balls with numbers from 0-9 on them. The person with that number would be the head of the queue. I remember it very clearly - it was ticket number 885! 

This meant that the queue order would be first 885, then all the people behind them, and then the rest of the queue from the very beginning. (885-->900andwhatever, then 1--->884. A moment of silence for the person who got 884.) At this point I wasn’t sure if that was good news for me or not, and I started looking around to see other peoples reactions. Some were pretty pokerfaced and others had started smiling. I calculated in my head that, since I would be the number 217, with 216 people in front of me and the people from 285-900andwhatever, that put my position roughly in the early 300s. I had read from SakuraSylph on the DD forum that any line position under 400 was a sure thing, but I was too anxious to believe it, and didn’t want to get my hopes up just in case.

That wasn’t the only reason I was feeling a bit nervous - it was also because i was in line to get a doll I hadn’t seen in person before, which i’ve never done for any of my other DDs. (I had been hoping thered be a display Luka in Akihabara before the event but there wasnt). Even though I knew that almost every single DD ever released looks better in person than the official photos, and I already liked Luka’s official photos, I still had a nagging feeling that I might not like her when I saw her. And then finally the line was moving into the venue through a back door near where the Sumika store was (a different point of entry to the people in the regular line), and the first thing we saw was the dolls in cases, letting us get a really good look at them as we went past, and I saw her.

And that was the moment I decided I definitely wanted her, but I still had no idea if I was even getting her today at this point. The Sumika store was still up ahead - first we approached a counter with one Volks Staff member at it.  On the counter were pictures of the limited dolls with numbers. There was no sold out sticker on any of them yet. When the guy asked me what doll I wanted, I was so nervous and so elated that I pretty much blurted MEGURINELUKA like a dumbass. When he asked for my numbered ticket, I accidentally thrust the ticket from Doll Show the previous day at him instead. I really hope I wasnt the only one that got like that, but I didn’t really care, because the next thing I knew I had this in my hand:

and then went back to stand in the queue still waiting to get into the Sumika store, and all I could do was stare at it. And then I thought ‘oh...I did get her’, and immediately messaged everybody who wanted to know. I didn’t know this at the time, but I found out later looking through tweets and time stamps exactly how close I was to missing out. According to those time stamps there were no more Lukas available not that long after I’d gotten my purchase ticket. I also found out just today that two people from the Fukuoka doll group I am in had also tried their luck and failed. So it was definitely a close call, and I feel even luckier about it.

The wait for the store was pretty long, but I didn’t care - I was holding that ticket so tightly because I was scared that I would drop it or something. I didn’t even want to put it in my pocket in case it fell out. But even though I didnt even have her yet, it felt very special. The Sumika store was even playing my favourite Luka song (Dreamin’ ChuChu by emon) so it felt extra special (and was also a relief, because although the song was only audible around the Sumika store area, the rest of the event space has the...extremely questionable playlist thats at every Dolpa, and needless to say I still have Dancing Queen stuck in my head)

Once I finally was able to go into the Sumika store I went right through it - I didnt even want to look at the other new items because I can get them from the Fukuoka store later anyway, and I’d rather save my money for the dealer stuff. At the cash register I paid for Luka, was instructed to come to the designated area to pick her up after 12, and then went off into the event hall to enjoy the event.

Some time after 12 I went to that designated area with my receipt. The staff member went out the back and came back with a huge box, and I’m thinking ‘oh shit! That’s my one!’ As I took the box another staff member took a photo, explaining that they were taking photos of ‘the moment the owner receives the new doll’. I have no idea what they do with these but he did at least tell me they dont put them online without permission. 

Just like the other vocaloids, Luka’s box is huge...honestly annoyingly so. I don’t really know how I’d get her on my flight home without either paying extra or unboxing her now/throwing the box away (or maybe folding it up). Since I wanted to unbox her at home I decide I wouldn’t open her and would mail her back to my apartment. Luckily Dollpa has a booth just for this with various boxes of all sizes (including one big enough to fit four doll boxes in...) As I was going to be busy with a few things and didnt want distractions, I made the delivery request field be the night of Thursday 10th.... tomorrow after work, now. 

It was pretty hard to resist the urge to just have a quick peek at her but quickly boxed her up and sent her off.

Many other people at the event were not so patient, and so after 12 there were quite a few Lukas around the event space. Some people had even already put her in different outfits and wigs. I might show some of those when I do a report post.

Anyway, that was my experience - I dont know if it was interesting to anyone other than me, but it was my first time experiencing getting a DD in this way. Among other things such as getting to hang out with some friends from the forum, it certainly made it a Dollpa to remember.

[tkmedia]

How Argentina’s Olympic gold earned redemption for Bielsa

When Marcelo Bielsa finally celebrated success with Argentina at the 2004 Athens Olympics, he marked it in the most Marcelo Bielsa way possible: by resigning and heading off to spend three months locked away in a convent.“I took the books I wanted to read,” Bielsa said. “I did not have a phone nor did I have a television. I read a lot and I don’t think anyone reads as much about football as I do. I lasted three months before I started talking to myself and answering back and then it was time to go.” In truth, he could be forgiven for needing a little time to decompress. Up until that point, Bielsa’s time as manager of the Albiceleste had been nothing short of a nightmare. “Nothing goes right in Argentina anymore” Appointed in October 1998, Bielsa’s first big test came at the 1999 Copa America – a tournament that’s best remembered for Argentina’s farcical 3-0 group stage defeat to Colombia in which Martin Palermo contrived to miss three penalties. Bielsa, for his part, was sent to the stands after contesting one too many decisions with the referee. Yet there was no debating the manner of their eventual exit with an understrength Argentina outgunned in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to a Brazil team boasting Ronaldo and Rivaldo in their pomp. Even so, things looked good going into the 2002 World Cup, given the way Bielsa’s Argentina had romped through qualifying finishing 12 points clear at the top of the South American standings. What followed remains their worst ever showing at a World Cup, with Argentina dumped out at the group stage thanks largely to a defeat suffered at the hands of bitter rivals England. Fans across the nation wept after staying up until 3:30am local time to watch Bielsa’s team, who had been among the favourites, bow out following an ineffective 1-1 draw with Sweden. Coming at a time when Argentina was in the midst of its worst-ever financial crisis, it had been hoped that the World Cup would provide the nation with some much-needed respite. Instead, it deepened despair. “Argentina really, really needed at least one good thing to happen to us,” one fan lamented. “But nothing goes right in Argentina anymore. We had such high expectations. And now we have only the economy to think about again. What a disaster.” Yet if the fans reacted badly to the shock exit, it was nothing compared to Bielsa. “I feel a great sadness and disappointment,” he said. “To be favourite is a presumption prior to playing. Afterwards, you have to confirm that in practice and we didn’t.” In private, his reaction was even worse. Juan Sebastian Veron recalled how the Argentina manager began banging his head against the changing room lockers after the game. “It was the saddest thing seeing Bielsa crying,” Veron said. “He wasn’t able to talk to us for a long time. His words were short, his sentences brief. He said he felt a very great disappointment and we all started crying.” In the aftermath, Bielsa was criticised in the press for relying too heavily on Veron, who had just completed a torrid first season at Manchester United, and for sticking rigidly to a 3-3-1-3 system that left room for only one striker. Hernan Crespo was the main casualty, benched in favour of Gabriel Batistuta, despite finishing as Argentina’s top scorer in qualifying with nine goals. After Batistuta had bagged an impressive nine goals across the previous two World Cups, most felt more could have been done to accommodate both men. That Argentina went on to score just twice vindicated that viewpoint. Yet for all of the criticism garnered in the wake of the World Cup collapse, Bielsa retained the faith of the Argentinian Football Association thanks, in part, to his imperious record in qualifying. However, the knives were out once again after the 2004 Copa America final in Peru and a game Argentina undoubtedly should have won. A youthful Albiceleste had twice led Brazil in Lima, only for the tournament’s best player, Adriano, to come to the Selecao’s rescue with a brace that included a 93rd-minute equaliser. • • • •

READ: ‘Adriano, I want to kill you’ – When The Emperor ruled the 2004 Copa America • • • • Robbed at the death and mentally shot, Argentina went on to lose on penalties, leaving Javier Zanetti lost for words at the final whistle. “There are things that can’t be explained in soccer,” he said. “That’s what happened against Brazil, we can’t explain what went wrong.” In truth, Bielsa had little time to ruminate on what could have been. A month later, he was heading to Athens for the Olympics. Argentina arrived in Greece as the firm favourites to win gold in the men’s soccer tournament – but the pressure was on. An Olympic Achievement While treated as an inconvenience by many across Europe, the quest for gold in Olympic football was something of an obsession in South America. And though the World Cup had undoubtedly usurped it in terms of importance, it was once the only international title to elude both Brazil and Argentina. With the Selecao absent from that year’s Olympics men’s soccer, Argentina had an opportunity to steal a march on their great footballing rivals and gain a modicum of revenge for their Copa America capitulation. Yet history was not on their side. Twice previously, Argentina had reached the gold medal match only to fall at the final hurdle with their most recent loss coming in Atlanta back in 1996 against Nigeria in a game they twice led before losing to a last-minute Nwankwo Kanu goal. To add to the pressure, Argentina were going in search of their first gold medal in any event in 52 years, with their last having come in the men’s double sculls at Helsinki 1952. They had subsequently sent 1076 athletes to 11 Olympics without another gold. Knowing what was at stake, Bielsa drew heavily from the squad that had narrowly missed out on Copa American glory, Roberto Ayala, Kily Gonzalez and Gabriel Heinze were the three overage players. Heinze’s inclusion gave the Manchester United-bound star a chance at redemption having been one of two players to miss a penalty against Brazil at the Copa America. The other to miss, Andres D’Alessandro, was one of a glut of exciting young attackers – along with Carlos Tevez, Mauro Rosales, Cesar Delgado and Lucho Gonzalez. A young Fabricio Coloccini, then of AC Milan, joined Ayala and Heinze in defence with Javier Mascherano offering protection and River Plate’s German Lux in goal. The future West Ham duo of Tevez and Mascherano would prove the stars of the tournament. Mascherano, then of River Plate, marshalled the midfield to fine effect while Tevez, who was starring for Boca Juniors, led the line so impressively he reduced Javier Saviola to a bit-part role. • • • •

READ: Carlos Tevez: A priceless striker who even proved Fergie wrong • • • • Of the 19 players who would represent Argentina at those Olympics, 12 would go on to feature in at least one World Cup. Approaching the tournament in his familiar style, Bielsa had Argentina on the front foot and pressing high up the pitch from the off in their opening match against Serbia and Montenegro. It couldn’t have gone much better either with Tevez bagging a brace in a sensational 6-0 win that set down a marker. Rosales was another standout performer, scoring one and setting up two while D’Alessandro racked up two assists and there were goals for Delgado, Kily and Heinze. Tevez was on the scoresheet again a few days later when Argentina secured their place in the knockout phase with a 2-0 win against Tunisia. And though the Albiceleste barely got out of first gear in their final group game against Australia, they did enough to keep their 100% record intact with D’Alessandro getting the only goal of the game after just nine minutes. Any suggestion Biesla’s team might be taking their foot off the pedal was quickly quashed in the quarter-finals against Costa Rica, with Argentina running out 4-0 winners in another impressive display. While Delgado opened the scoring, it was Tevez who took centre stage again. Still only 20, he lived up to the hype in his homeland with a sensational hat-trick that took his tally to six for the tournament and had Argentina within sight of a medal match. The semi-final showdown with Italy was the biggest match of the men’s Olympic tournament so far. While the Azzurri had stuttered through the group phase, they had a squad brimming with talent. Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Barzagli and Alberto Gilardino all started for Italy and would go on to win the World Cup two years later. A young Giorgio Chiellini also got his first taste of tournament football at the Olympics. Yet despite that pedigree, Italy were no match for Argentina in one of the most impressive displays of the Bielsa era. This was the Albiceleste at their clinical best, attacking in numbers and at speed. It took Tevez just 16 minutes to open the scoring with an acrobatic volley that came after some lovely build-up play by D’Alessandro and Rosales. Argentina then pounced again in the second half as Italy chased the game with Lucho slamming home a second to finish off a neat counter attack before Mariano completed the scoring with a fine team goal. Treat your #WorldCup fever with the highlights of one of the best individual performances in an international tournament ever! Bienvenido, Tevez. pic.twitter.com/ssRaOSCjSL — Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) July 4, 2018 The final pitted them against Paraguay, who had beaten Brazil to a spot at the Olympics. Oddly, the first all-South American final in 76 years was played at a half-empty Olympic Stadium in Athens at 10 o’clock in the morning on a Saturday with FIFA president Sepp Blatter among those in attendance. Not that the eerie scene mattered that much back home, where millions tuned in hoping to see their 52-year wait for a gold medal end. Thankfully for Bielsa and all of Argentina, they got their wish. Tevez was the star of the show yet again, scoring after 17 minutes to send them on their way. While the score stayed the same, Paraguay rarely threatened to get back into the game and the result was all but sealed in the final 20 minutes after Argentina’s opponents were reduced to 10 and then nine men. At the final whistle, the players collapsed to their knees, in a mix of joy and relief. “A great worker and a great person” For Bielsa, this was, at last, some form of vindication for his methods. Much maligned in the Argentinian media, he had delivered something no other Albiceleste manager had ever done – and something Brazil still had yet to achieve themselves. Though the Selecao would eventually go on to claim gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016, no other nation has come close to matching the style and dominance of Argentina in Athens. The Albiceleste scored 17 goals across six games and conceded precisely zero, goalkeeper Lux going 540 minutes unbeaten in a feat never matched before or since. In Tevez, they had the tournament’s top scorer and a star in the making, a man who proved the undoubted difference with eight of Argentina’s 17 goals. For Tevez, though, winning was about more than enhancing his own reputation. “I am happy for Bielsa,” he told reporters after the final. “He has had so much criticism and he deserves this. He is a great worker and a great person.” After all the pain, the disappointment and the personal anguish, Bielsa had found a way to write himself into the history books for Argentina. “To be champion of the Olympic Games is quite an achievement,” he said. “There are other elements that fit in professional football, the feelings of instability and constant analysis. But what has just happened, it is something that fills me with happiness.” Yet within three weeks he was gone, announcing his resignation in a hastily arranged press conference. “I realised the amount of energy which is absorbed by the various tasks which are involved in being coach of the team… and that I didn’t have this energy any more,” he explained. It would be nearly three years before Bielsa returned to the dugout with Chile and a national team stint that helped rebuild and repair any of the residual damage done by his time with Argentina. Today, speculation continues to fly around linking the Argentine with a return to the national team job and a second bite at the World Cup cherry. He’d be mad to take it. Then again, this is Bielsa. By Jack Beresford More from Planet Football The Marcelo Bielsa effect? Man-to-man marking showing signs of a resurgence Messi ‘removes thorn’ with Copa glory, but he’s never won or lost alone Can you name the all-time top scorer for every South American nation? The story of the blogger who got to work with Bielsa after inspiring Pep Read the full article

[remembermemorablememories]

Thursday, June 28, 2018

post #171

main points:

- volunteer painting/hang out with mentor + team

- lunch

- barely getting stuff set up to try iOS bug and then going to a meeting with secondary mentor

- intern archery event

- playing pool at the office/hanging around

- uber eats and watching the office at home

- fortnite

today i:

- woke up at 8:15am. snoozed until 8:30am again. forced myself out of bed a little earlier than i usually do, like around 8:45am instead of 9am. i needed to get to the office a little earlier to grab breakfast and then take the shuttle to the far 999 building. 

- i grabbed take out breakfast, sat at my desk reading through some emails really quick. then went downstairs and caught a shuttle to 999. once i got there i wasn’t really sure where to go. cause i didn’t see anyone. but a woman named candice luckily helped me contact the volunteer organizer cause i couldn’t on my phone (i have no corp emails or messaging). and i left my laptop on my desk so...

it turns out the volunteer organizer was just at the front of the building and i had already walked past her.

hopped on the shuttle for about 15 minutes and that took us to the elementary school we were volunteering at. i saw a vine this morning in bed to mine by bazzi (the meme song “u so fukin precious wen u smile”) and i listened to the whole song for once. it’s atually pretty catchy. i played it on repeat on the shuttle ride lmao

- got to the elementary school. registered and then got volunteer shirts. then we split up into groups to figure out who was doing what. i was in the group of people who were painting in the circles for the thing where you slap the ball around the pole. they wanted to color it with ROYGBV and there were 3 circles. we split up into pairs and i worked with my mentor

it was a lot of fun getting to know him more and hanging out with the team. i felt like i haven’t had an opportunity to get to know him since i started. some of our conversation topics from the time span of being there/commuting back: i learned that he was from the same part of china where my parents are from. and we talked about self driving cars, west coast vs east coast, post graduation travels, netflix, i told him about npr planet money cause it’s a cool podcast, and other random stuff

we worked on the 3 circles, it was basically filling in a pie chart. we put some tape down on the ground and then painted based on that

we were at the elementary school from 10:30am-1:45pm ish. they provided lunch (sandwich, banana, granola bar, water)

then we drove back to the office. we just missed the shuttle but fortunately he had driven his car to the school anyway, so we just hopped into the car to head back

- got back to my desk around 2:15pm ish. checked some emails and started my builds for the day. i had a meeting at 3 with my secondary mentor LOL rip

after 20 minutes everything was set up and i stepped through the debugger (again) in Xcode on the same code path (again) to see if i could understand it better. i did this like twice and then had to go to my meeting

- chatted with my secondary mentor. it was chill, we met in 900 at the coffee bar. i grabbed a yogurt thing, which still blows my mind that it’s free

we talked about our work stuff and just hanging out. we were there from around 3:10-3:50pm

- went back to my desk, then tried to focus on work again but everyone began to head out to happy hour. i would’ve gone but there was an intern archery event. xueyan came by around 4:05pm and we left to meet with the other interns

we ubered to an archery place about 15 minutes away. there were about 9 of us even though 15 of us were on the reservation. rip. got to the venue and learned how to shoot a bow and arrow. then we practiced against a wall. it was pretty cool, we wore the gear and everything and learned the proper techniques and stuff. i was a pretty bad shot though lmao

we had some friendly competitions at the end and we got rekt in all 3 by kylie (who’s previously only done a bit of archery in girl scout camp)

- ubered back to the office and got back around 6:45pm. i decided to hang around and play pool. i just kind of messed around and chilled for a bit. explored the office with some of its rooms, some more of the gaming setup that i never looked at cause i always go straight to the gamecube, and then i headed back home around 7:30pm

- ordered poke from uber eats and ot it around 8pm. then i watched the office S5E11 “moroccan christmas” and S5E12 “the duel”. it was when andy finds out that angela was cheating on him with dwight. i forgot how it played out but i got sucked into the story quite a bit

- switched to bootcamp and updated fortnite. i showered and watched some david dobrik vlogs to pass the time since the update took a while. played a few games on the new mode (12 teams of 8, where it ends not on the storm, but on the number of players still left standing at the end) 

now i’m ready to sleep (it’s 12:21am)

good night folks

today was a fun day, i feel like it was a good emotional and mental break. but i was unable to get anything done at all LOL

i hope i can solve the bug tomorrow finally. we’ll seeeeee

[studymotivation53]

How to extend your focusing abilities when studying? Before giving you the tips. I’d like to tell you “What type of student I was.” I didn’t have time to study for a long period of time actually, I have classes from 7:30am to 8pm. I’ve got 4 major subjects of 4 different topics that would have a quiz the next day. I have manuals for my laboratories to finish. Hours of Classes to attend. I have to sleep and study and do this and that chores and etc. I have 8 hours of laboratory duty during Saturday. So as you can see. I’m tired. I don’t get much studying done. I’m a huge blah and tell you the truth? I don’t even know how to time manage at that time. Now that I’m done I wish I was able to like focus right away and when I have a Sunday for myself instead of sleeping and resting I wish I spent it on studying. Before the tips. I want you to put this as your routine in life. Sleep very very important!!! No way are you be able to focus without it .I’d rather sleep than study believe me! Next focus on class. Some people wants to write while listening. I do to but not the wordy type. I place my pen and notebook on my desk empty page and all cross my arm and listen real well. I process what my teacher is talking about not just listening but actually visualize what he is saying step by step I try to put the thoughts together in my mind. (For example. The Immune system is at a constant of battle. We have 3 lines of defenses The skin and the mucous membrane (and impenetrable barrier that cannot be easily destroyed, lines the nose and etc to trap antigens so that they can be flushed out), next are fever and inflammation (Increase heat makes the antigens uncomfortable this is due to increase in blood flow of RBC and the fever produced by the body) , last but never the least the Immune system (T cells and B cell are responsible for I.D and production of antibodies which destroys the antigen that has entered).) People would write it down this way. Line of defense 1.skin mucous membrane - and impenetrable barrier that cannot be easily destroyed, line the nose and etc to trap antigens so that they can be flushed out like coughing and sneezing 2.fever inflammation - Increase heat makes your antigens uncomfortable this is due to increase in blood flow of RBC and the fever produced by the body 3.immune system - T cells and B cell are responsible for I.D and production of antibodies which destroys the antigen that has entered Me: sure I have to read the book and read this too. Great more things I need to do with my schedule. -__- My version? I’ve processed this in my mind like a drawing. To tell you the truth I wouldn’t have to write it down. I got it in here (Brain) let’s just imagine this as kind of like a hand drawing. Antigens = red circles; Triangle = heat; y=antibody Pic on top.

Then Eat real food. You’ll have more energy this way for the day. Then you can still study when coming home instead of feeling like dying. Now on to the tips!

1. Get it started. When you aren’t used to studying for a long period of time. It is normal that you can’t stay focus for more than 15 minutes. I experienced this as well. Start a time you want to study like 7 am in the morning choose a desk that is wide enough for you to place your things, oh and Don’t eat a lot! We get sleepy when we are too full, sometimes apps that will refrain you from using my phone can’t help me because it has become an essential part of my life now not to mention I’m used to holding and using my phone all the time. So what I did was use a timer app that would time my progress of studying (Brain focus is what I use (not sponsored)) I studied for like what? 3 minutes at first then I was grabbing my phone because I was sooooo bored with studying. But that clock that counts my time makes me stop myself from holding it. But when I do use my phone I press the pause button of time I’m studying.

NOW a minute or two of progress is a great deal already. Yes it is! Progress is progress no matter how small it is. You just have to keep going! Now if you can’t study anymore then get off the desk and do something else. Don’t watch movies and if you have that feeling that I won’t get up after this I’m sure try to push yourself to try again. If you really want to watch a movie I have a Chinese series called Love O2O. The girl is a Gamer but she is also a scholar student so her friends studies for exams and all and she’s like I’m done with my studies gonna play a game now.(I so want to be like that!!!) gives me a boost whenever I see her study.

2. Keep studying at your assigned time 7 am EVERYDAY yes EVERYDAY. You have to get used to it train your mind to think in the morning (Sidetrack I used to be a night own now I’m a morning bird. You have to teach your body to work in the morning that is when exams, quiz, class usually occurs right? You have to sleep at night remember? I know studying is boring but you’ll get used to it . YOU HAVE TO GET USED TO IT. 3. Track your status, the app (Brain focus has like statistics on how much studying you’ve done for the day) you have to make it your goal to improve! Push push push yourself and let it get used to it. Habit is the key! 4. I used to be someone who doesn’t like any sound when studying. For me this is a no no, your future circumstances like me I aim to be a surgeon someday is not going to adjust for you. Is the O.R or E.R or the hospital itself quiet? Nope! It is one of the noisiest place when during an emergency, the sound of machines beeping, people calling out for aid, groans of patients, bustling sounds of clothes, footsteps etc etc. I changed this by listening to study with me videos from youtube (Ways to study is a fave of mine. Awesome study tips by the way! Check her out, my friend tried her methods and she’s having perfect marks recently) not full blast ofcourse just enough for it to be a background noise (Using an LGK10, app mx player volume 12(This lets you play Videos like an MP3. I have to see the Brain focus app)). 5. Don’t eat too much! You will get sleepy!Tthe body will focus on digesting your food. So you will get sleepy and you won’t be able to study and a 10 minute nap? No way man! My bed is too comfy. I suggest a cup of water if your thirsty, or an apple. For me I don’t eat anymore when I study. I study when I wake up, then have breakfast after an hour or two as for snacks I have them in the afternoon. Around 3 pm just a piece of bread study again then dinner. Hmmm go online a little bit(I post on my studygram studymotivation53. I don’t have to set that much time on going on line because when I have my break I post on my studygram so no need) then study then sleep. 6. If you achieved a 30 minute or more improvement of focusing test yourself. Move your location. I was scared to go home when I did this because I’m staying at a boarding house for my review. I was scared that I MIGHT NOT GET SOME STUDYING DONE SINCE I’ll be staying home for a bout 2 weeks and that’s a lot but glad to say that I can study even though its not my desk with the TV with just a wall separating us. I used to get frustrated that my brother screams or plays loudly now it doesn’t bother me anymore or the sound of what used to be my fave show TEEN TITANS now teen titans Go! My laptop playing Ways to study’s study with me vlogs. 7. Hmmm nice study stuff is a bonus too a great pen and a smooth white paper or notebook really helps me out when I study. Highlighters are great too. My pens are color coded (Blue = Title; pink = terms or names of organisms or test etc etc.; orange = explanation or notes). Nice things makes you want to stay more on your table so make that desk simple but efficient. 8. Planner. I do have a Bujo but I prefer to use my challenge accepted pad. Like I want to finish 12 topics for today so I list them down and check them out after I finish the topic. Remember a cute Bujo would be useless if its not going to help you. Don’t spend too much time on doing them.  9. So to summarize it all. Start. Discipline. Make it into a habit. Change yourself don’t stay on your comfort zone. Sorry If I have some grammar mistakes or like commas are missing. English isn’t my mother tongue sooooooooooo Sorry!!!!!!!!

I hope I could help! 1 person that can improve is a big big motivation for me. Speaking of which I also have a studygram (studymotivation53) I post motivational quotes over there. If you could give me tips on how to improve myself then I am always open for messages and Dm’s!

[sweet-ree]

I was tagged by the sweet @hiroike for this, thanks honey!. Its pretty tame, but still more personal details than I’ve ever shared here. This was fun.

The Last: 1. Drink: grapefruit mimosa 2. Phone call: car repair place with bad news about the bill 3. Text Message: if tumblr counts, ellebee 4. Song you listened to: Lady Marmalade - moulin rouge soundtrack

5.Time you cried: a few hours ago, I think a friend got his heart broken

Have You: 6. Dated someone twice: yes 7. Kissed someone and regretted it: sort of - torn between reveling in it and regretting it

8. Been cheated on: yes 9. Lost someone special: yes, my mom 10. Been depressed: yes, off and on through the years

11. Gotten drunk and thrown up: lol, um, yes. Lots. Not in a year or so though

List Three Favorite Colors: 12. yellow

13. cyan - that sounds so pretentious, like my blog color but brighter

14. gray In The Last Year Have You: 15. Made new friends: many 16. Fallen out of love: no  17. Laughed until you cried: frequently, every few days at least. I have some fun people around me 18. Found out someone was talking about you: yes, in both a good way and a bad way

19. Met someone who changed you: yes 20. Found out who your friends are: no, I already knew 21. Kissed someone on your facebook list:  in the last year, only my husband. other than that, there are a lot of exes on that list

General: 22. How many of your facebook friends do you know in real life? All but one, and he’s really funny so I let him stay

23. Do you have any pets: no, but I’m working on it

24. Do you want to change your name: nope  25. What did you do for your last birthday: sushi and cocktails 26. What time did you wake up today: 7:30am 27. What were doing at midnight last night: sleeping. For the first time in a long time I went to bed early. Usually it’s gaming or reading

28. Name something you can’t wait for: all of my sports injuries to heal fully

29. When was the last time you saw your mom: January 15, 2016 - a few hours before she died 30. What is one thing you wish you could change in your life:  there are a lot of things actually. Mostly I wish I’d done college differently. I’ve been talking to a friend about that recently, and thinking about what could have been if I’d studied what I wanted instead of worrying about graduating in a specific time frame. 31. What are you listening to right now: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Henrys Dream  32. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: my neighbor, he’s a verbally abusive prick and my friend needs to kick his ass out 33. Something that is getting on your nerves: slow people in the fast lane 34. Most visited website:  google

Random Info:

35. Mole/s:  “beauty mark”&#157; above my lip

36. Mark/s: lots of scars 

37. Childhood dream:

I wanted to be a teacher - but a crippling fear of public speaking put the kibosh on that, lol

38. Hair color: um, mostly brown for now, but I have a little color (having format issues with picture and can’t get it to turn but you get the idea

39. Long or short hair: longer than I’ve ever had it

40. Do you have a crush on someone: always - some fictional some real 41. What do you like about yourself:  I’m a pretty straight forward person. I have few secrets and for the most part, wysiwyg. 42: Piercings: 2 in one ear, 5 in the other

43: Blood type: I have it written down somewhere

44. Nickname: I have a few: Mags, Susan, and sweet ree is based off of another - if you really care I’ll tell you but not here

45. Relationship: married with children 46. Zodiac: Aquarius 47. Pronouns: she/her

48. Favorite TV show:  Psych - but its not on anymore

49. Tattoos: 2 - Van Gogh iris on my hip, shuriken on back of my neck 50. Right hand or left hand: right 51. Surgery: 4 - 2 are c-sections 52. Hair dyed in a different color: see above. In the past I’ve tried red and pink, and I really liked blonde 53. Sport: I earned my black belt in karate last october 54. Vacation: I’ve been to lots of places, the most interesting Israel. I want to go to Greece, England, Japan

55. Pair of trainers: I have to do timed runs for karate, so yes

More General: 56. Eating: too much! 57. Drinking: LOL - um yes. Lots of champagne, Monsters, Diet Coke, and a wide variety of cocktails. Basically anything except egg nog and carrot juice. They should be illegal. 58. I’m about to: open another bottle of champagne 59. Waiting for:  AC Origins - coudn’t think of anything more profound, sorry 60. Want:  a PS so I can play Uncharted, it looks awesome. Some people here have tried to make me MORE jealous about it. You know who you are! :P THBBFT! 61. Get married: yes I did 62. Career: no, history degree doesn’t open many doors of you don’t want to teach

63. Hugs or kisses:  both and lots of them!!! I’m a hugger, squeeze hugs! 64. Lips or eyes: lips! 65. Shorter or taller:  don’t care, husband is shorter than I am 66. Older or younger:  don’t care, both have pros and cons

67. Nice arms or nice stomach: arms!!!

68. Senstive or loud:  neither. Sensitive is often too wussy, loud is often too obnoxious. 69. Hook up or relationship:  both are awesome. 70. Troublemaker or hesitant: another case of preferring something in between. If you meant me, I’m definitely a troublemaker.

Have You Ever: 71. Kissed a stranger: yes 72. Drank hard liquor: early and often 73. Lost glasses/contact lenses:  no

74. Turned someone down: definitely

75. Sex in the first date: oh yeah 76. Broken someone’s heart: yes 77. Had your heart broken: oh yes 78. Been arrested: um, I hate to admit it, but yes, (twice) 79. Cried when someone died: always 80. Fallen for a friend: yes, didn’t work out, but at least we are still friends

Do You Believe In: 81. Yourself:  depends on the day 82. Miracles:  no 83. Love at first sight:  no. lust yes, love no 84. Santa Claus:  really? 85. Kiss on the first date:  ALWAYS - or there won’t be a second date! 86. Angels: no

Other 87. Current best friend’s name: Alie

88. Eye color: blue 89. Favorite movie: Steel Magnolias - but to me it’s a comedy! 90. Strangest thing in your room:  a statue of a bull, maybe 8"x12". It was wedding present. It was so strange, we kept it and still laugh about it. 91. Ever visited any countries outside your own:  Canada, France, Switzerland, Israel 92. Favorite fantasy creature:  DRAGON!!!!! duh

I had some issues with formatting ignore any strange characters I missed. I‘m not sure I got the cut thing to work, so if not, I apologize for cluttering your dash with this silliness.  I’m not actually going to tag anyone this time, but if you read this and want to share, remember that I’m nosy and I’d love to read it!

[2019dclmed]

Monte Carlo/Monaco - Thursday, May 30, 2019

Monte Carlo/Monaco - Thursday, May 30, 2019

It was another 6:01am alarm for us with the PA call time of 7:30am. UGH. 

We were technically anchored at Villefranche, a central point for Nice, Cannes, Eze, & Monte Carlo/Monaco. I say anchored instead of docked, as this was our sole port that required tendering. 

Our PA for this port is the one we questioned the most, and it was the only one we did that was just a half-day.

Monaco, The Marina and The Little Train (V01)

Due to the “little train” portion of our PA, as expected, we had a large group with a handful of pretty young kids. In fact, I think they split our PA into 2 or 3 different groups, each filling an entire charter bus. I think there were actually about 30 in our group after tendering, which took longer than expected. 

Our guide was a nice British bloke, Paul. I think it was 8:15am by the time we pulled out. The port is at - and the busses travel through - a castle to exit; the tight turns required maneuvering by a charter bus that I didn’t believe was possible! Phew!

Kara: I love the water, but our only other experience with tendering was in the Caribbean, which is a bit unnerving. As we made our way out to the tender, I leaned back to G and said, “This isn’t your grandma’s tender boat.” They attached an entire ramped dock system to the side of the ship and our tender boat was a nice size touring ferry. Very, very easy. We also managed to get a couple of great shots of the ship while on the tender.

Also as expected, we drove around curvy roads and tunnels to get to Monte Carlo. They said there is one police officer for every 60 people in Monte Carlo, which totals 38,000 residents. (That’s over 600 police!) Honestly, you would need it for all of the overt wealth apparent everywhere you look. Overall, it was beautiful, clean, and the one word I’d use to describe it is “Opulent.” 

Of course our guide educated us about Princess Grace and Prince Rainier along with their children, the filming of 2 Bond films, and homes of U2 and Elton John. The Cannes Film Festival had been held just a few weeks prior. We walked through (quite quickly) the Cathedral. It reminded me of a much smaller version of a mix of both Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, as it had aspects of both “dark and light”. Somehow the combination worked beautifully here. 

We were given only about 10 minutes to browse around a few tourist shops, so it was no useful time at all.  

Then we took our 30 minute Little Train Tour, which had a good auto-audio guide. During the tour we witnessed the holistic dismantling of the Grand Prix circuit. Just the week prior the 90th running of the Monaco Grand Prix was held. We got to drive down the starting line and saw (didn’t drive on) the (to me) famous Tony Stark curve from “Iron Man 2”. 

Sidenote: The above statement is the main reason I chose a Monaco PA. Between my love of fast cars, Iron Man, and Disney-Pixar’s Cars 2, I really wanted to “be here”. My thoughts really changed weeks earlier, as (not being overdramatic) I was traumatized by what they did to Tony Stark in “Avengers: Endgame”. (I doubt I will ever be able to watch this movie again.) Thus, my experience was sadness rather than excited elation. However, between my Tony Stark/Endgame reflection and a book I was reading at the time, the experience gave me some deeper thoughts on what it means to be driven by fear….

Our tour ended with a beverage at the Marina with spectacular views of the harbor with its multi-million dollar yachts and the (no kidding) yacht-shaped Yacht Club - LOL! Monaco is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited, but with more time, I don’t know what we’d have done other than stroll around and find an overpriced cafe.

Kara: I could spend a few weeks in this general area and not take it all in. Between the museum, the castle, watching the water, going over to Eze and Nice and strolling - easily a few weeks. While there was certainly incredible opulence in Monaco I loved every moment of this tour, well except for one thing which you’ll read about in a moment.

We took a scenic route back through Eze - & inexplicably, Nice! In fact, we got stuck in traffic, not getting back to the ship until 1:15pm. (By the PA description we were supposed to be back by noon at the latest.) Thus, we could definitely see how people could easily miss the all aboard time in this port! 

When we finally did get back everyone was running off the bus, as we had a non-stop screaming infant in our group. He reminded me of Jack-Jack in full-on flame mode. (Kara said the same family was on her Naple/Sorrento tour during which the baby shrieked the entire time then as well. Kara nick-named him Demon Child.)

Kara: I adore kids, especially when they are cute and engaging as this little guy could be. G’s statement is true though - he had some demonic issues with being in a bus and I was OVER it.

This photos on the way back was fun to capture.

We dashed up to Cabanas before it closed at 2pm, since by this point we were starving. We did capture some lovely photos during/after lunch.

Then we escaped (finally) to our stateroom for some much-needed quiet. It was finally sunny and almost warm, so we sat on the verandah (me in a hoodie and jeans with sandals) to read. 

Kara - We enjoyed a little table right by the window in Cabanas - it was LOVELY! Then we strolled around on deck enjoying the sunshine.  I think Gayle might have been on a different cruise than me at this point because the weather was purely delightful.

Today’s VIP treat from Zoe was cookies - yum! We also stopped by Guest Service to make sure the gratuities were on my folio, as we always dedicate our onboard credit for this.

At 4pm I started to get ready for dinner, as I didn’t want to be late. Tonight we were in Rapunzel’s Royal Table for the second time. Part of the reason I requested this rotation was so we could be in Rapunzel’s Royal Table for the “Lantern Show” on the same night as the “Tangled” stage show. This was perhaps the thing I was MOST excited for on this cruise!

Thus, we were the FIRST people into the restaurant! As our head server indicated earlier in the cruise, we were able to move to an empty table nearby/on the center aisle (the exact location we were at on the Disney Wonder in Tiana’s)! I captured some video and Kara selflessly took pictures of me with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. 

Kara: We started OUTSIDE the restaurant with photos: 

The Famous Sea Bass!

Dessert Menu

My dessert came in a mini-cast iron skillet! (It was basically a donut with chocolate sauce & ice cream, which was underwhelming.)

Rapunzel VIDEO https://www.dropbox.com/s/83thkfq30cgwsw1/IMG_1843.MOV?dl=0

Our server challenged us to find the 3 “hidden” Pascals around the restaurant. I found 1; Kara found the other 2. BOOM. (We will not give away the locations here!) Since we were in early and are quick with ordering our meal, we again had time for our server to try to stump us with table/crayon puzzles. (FYI with the “Mickey Mouse” clue we were then able to solve the “4 boxes to 3 by moving 3 crayons. I include this here to recall it in the future!)

After dinner, I spotted Hotel Director Lisa (Zoe’s boss) to share our positive feedback about many aspects of our cruise experience. 

Part of tonight’s “Tangled” theme was O’Gills Pub being “taken-over” as the Snuggly Duckling! 

Kara taught me rummy, while we simultaneously played and sang “Thugo” (Thug-themed bingo) with the entertainers. 

Kara pointed out a great banner that I may (will definitely) duplicate in my office for my university honors students:

We all have dreams. Now go follow yours and get out!

LOL!!!

Kara prompted us to the theatre before the doors opened so I could pick a prime location to view “Tangled”. 

I will say the show was...good. (The puppeteer for Max was great and the singer portraying Mother Gothel was INCREDIBLE.) This is tough because the stage shows are simply a performance of the movie. My stance is I can go to my stateroom (or stay home - gasp!) and watch the movie. Disney Cruisers get accustomed to and have a deep appreciation for their original Broadway-style shows - something you can only get on Disney Cruise Line. (I’m looking at you “Disney Dreams”.) And some are only offered on one or two of the four ships at that. So putting the movies on stage seems like a lesser effort on their part. Based on the limited time and facility they really can’t go “full out” like they do with the Broadway tour productions. (FYI they do “Frozen” on the Disney Wonder, something I found to be a painful experience and have no intention of going to ever again.) Still if they have to choose a movie to put on stage, “Tangled” is definitely at the top of my list! 

Overall, it was a great night! And even more so since there was no alarm for the next day’s Day at Sea! Back in the stateroom we journaled and enjoyed our regular nightly cookies. 

Kara pointed out on this trip we visited the 2 smallest countries: The Vatican and Monaco! 

We tried not to go into pre-emptive “sad mode” since tomorrow was the last full day of the cruise. With all the PAs, a 7 night cruise never flew by as fast as this one. 

Disclaimer: I (Gayle) am a travel agent with Authorized Disney Travel Planner agency - Off to Neverland Travel. Contact me today for a no-obligation quote!

Next up: Day at Sea!

[runfront3-blog]

Burmese Style Vegan Coconut Curry with Cauliflower & Baby Ira Quinn’s Homecoming

A Burmese style vegan coconut curry recipe with mushrooms, cauliflower, and spinach. Serve this coconut curry over sweet coconut rice for a bright and refreshing comfort dish great for any season!

This vegan coconut curry recipe is inspired by my favorite dish at Teni East Kitchen – a Burmese restaurant we frequent in Oakland. The same dish I drove 25 minutes for on two different occasions try to induce labor a couple weeks ago. Spoiler alert: Our chunky baby boy finally came barreling into our lives two weeks ago – just 2 days past his due date. Making us a (very tired) family of four, Ira Quinn joined us on July 26th at 3:06am, weighing 9lbs 1oz and measuring 21 inches long. Here’s the story of the day I went into labor and the role this vegan coconut curry played.

At 39 weeks pregnant, my OB gave me a list of scientifically-supported home induction methods that I supplemented with a whole bunch of very non-scientific lists I found on the internet (obviously). When my daughter was born, I predicted she’d be a week late. She wasn’t. And that’s why it took me almost two years to finish her baby quilt. This time around, I fully expected baby boy to be a week early and I tried my darndest to make it happen.

Spicy food, my OB instructed, has only been shown to help with induction if you don’t normally eat spicy food. That’s me! I beelined to Oakland for this Burmese style vegan coconut curry. When I quizzed the waiter for the spiciest things on the menu because I was trying to have this baby TONIGHT, he also recommended a plate of spicy chicken wings to seal the deal. He was also definitely uncomfortable at my line of questioning. I started contractions that night. Contractions that lasted four hours and then stopped, but not before I called my mom to start her 3 hour drive down. A trend that continued for almost a week.

So a few days later, I went back for more vegan coconut curry. Given how determined I was to have my baby the first time, even the waiter was shocked I was still pregnant several days later. Spicy food never worked, but honestly, trying to induce labor was just a convenient excuse to eat this coconut curry again and again. We went back again today, this time with the baby, finally.

After our 40 week pregnant OB check-up, I decided to bake chocolate chip cookies for the nurses, just in case. On our way home, my mom double checked that I was planning to make enough cookies that she’d get to eat some too. Contractions ramped up again while I measured flour, but I kept mum because I didn’t want to jinx it again. Around 10:30am, I casually texted Lucas at work, “FYI I’m having contractions. Not to alarm you but these are more intense. You might want to come home.”

He asked if he could stay for company lunch first (!!). It was pho, he pleaded, and he was hungry. This feels like an appropriate time to point out that everything about labor and parenting with the second kid is much more lax.

I agreed and continued baking cookies, still not convinced this was the real deal. That is, until contractions came every 5 minutes, intense enough that I had to stop baking and breathe through them. When the on-call nurse told us it was go-time, I insisted on putting the last two sheets of cookies in the oven first. After all, I promised my mom she’d have cookies too!

Ira Quinn was born later that night. Turns out all he was waiting for was a batch of freshly baked cookies. He’s a soft snuggly little guy, who’s sweet as pie. He asks for milk with little coos and if he does cry, he melts into a calm puddle as soon as you pick him up. Possibly because I’ve already gone through the process of assuming the identity as a mother with my first born, Ira and I bonded much more instantly. He’s fit into our little family from day 1.

We’re also shocked by how huge Zoella now seems after holding a tiny newborn. As if almost overnight, my 2.5 year old baby seemed to grow into a kid, becoming more mature as she assumes the role of big sister. For all of her jealously about needing mama, she hasn’t directed one ounce of it at her baby brother. Instead, she requests he come everywhere and is already so thoughtful, loving, and gentle with him. Watching a new tiny human is pretty rad, but the most heart-melting part about it is the two of them together. Watching Zoella peel off one of her prized stickers to place on his onesie. Watching her belt hush little baby when he gets fussy. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Back to this vegan coconut curry. Its unlike most curries I’ve had before – its flavor is distinctly different than both Indian curries and Thai curries. This is a Burmese curry – or Burmese-style I should say, speaking as someone who is definitely not an expert on Burmese cooking. Instead I did research and tried to match the flavors of the beloved Burmese curry that I can’t stop ordering. Here’s the result. It’s heavily coconut-y, giving it a sweet base layered with subtle flavor from bay leaf and lemongrass. Chilis bring the heat, which can be controlled to your liking.

To keep the curry vegan without using fish sauce, I’ve used mushrooms to add umami. The key is to add the mushrooms toward the end or else they’ll overpower the dish. You can sub in whatever vegetables you want, but just make sure you keep those mushrooms or your dish will feel like it’s missing a flavor note.

Make this comforting version at home to serve over sweet coconut rice and make sure to visit Teni East Kitchen next time you’re in the East Bay.

Unrelated – did you know Pantone’s 2018’s color of the year is ultra violet? It’s no wonder I’m obsessed with Luvhaus’s Ametrine purple glazed ceramics. They’re the perfect backdrop for this bright yellow coconut curry.

Thanks for reading Snixy Kitchen! To stay up on what’s coming out of my kitchen, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Bloglovin’, or Pinterest, or subscribe via e-mail to get new recipes right to your inbox!

Burmese Style Vegan Coconut Curry

Author: Sarah Menanix

Yields: 4-6 servings

¼ cup vegetable oil or coconut oil

3 small to medium shallots, minced, about ½ cup

2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, mninced

2 stalks fresh lemongrass, peeled and minced

2 fresh or dried chiles de arbol, seeds removed, and minced (use more if you you like heat)

1 cup kale, ribs removed and leaves ripped into 2-inch pieces (I use curly kale)

1 small head cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets

1 tablespoon turmeric

¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste

¼ cup chickpea flour

2 cups vegetable broth

2 cups unsweetened full fat coconut milk (*See note)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 bay leaf

1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced if large

1 cup fresh spinach, for serving

¼ cup chopped salted roasted peanuts

2 scallions, thinly sliced

2 cups jasmine white rice, rinsed

3 cups low fat coconut milk

Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots, ginger, garlic, lemongrass, and chiles, and cook, stirring, until fragrant but not browned, 2-3 minutes.

Add remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, kale, cauliflower, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until cauliflower begins to brown, 3-5 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk together chickpea flour with 1 cup vegetable broth until smooth. Add this mixture to the pan with remaining 1 cup of vegetable broth, coconut milk, lime juice, and a bay leaf.

Bring to a simmer over medium heat, reduce to low until the cauliflower is beginning to become tender, but is not yet cooked through, 5-8 minutes.

Add mushrooms and cook just until the cauliflower is tender when pierced with a fork, 2-3 minutes, adding more broth or water if your sauce is too thick.

Just before serving, stir in spinach and 3 tablespoons peanuts, and serve over coconut rice. Garnish with remaining 1 tablespoon fresh peanuts and sliced scallions.

Bring rice and coconut milk to boil over medium heat in a medium saucepan.

Cover and reduce heat to a low simmer, and cook for 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and leave covered for 5-10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

*If you're also making the coconut rice, use 1 can of full-fat coconut milk and remaining coconut milk from the can of low-fat coconut milk you use for the coconut rice.

3.5.3226

  More from Snixy Kitchen

Filed Under: cauliflower, coconut, curry, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian

Source: https://www.snixykitchen.com/2018/08/06/burmese-style-vegan-coconut-curry/

[sendmenot]

9/25/18 Butterflies and Farewells

Hey there, devil. Yes, you! That’s my pet name for you (and I also call you lolo but hey, who cares).  

It’s already 1:20am, and I just really need to release these thoughts I have inside. Just got home around 12:30am. I’ve had the loveliest night in months, truth be told.

It started earlier when I was playing league. Paul (you) suddenly messaged me whilst I’ve just started playing a normal game with a friend (lil’ bro K). 

“ how far are u from makati? “, your message read. 

“ let’s go out tonight! cmon cmon “

I got really excited when you asked me out. After the game ended, I showered as fast as I could and put on cute clothes and make-up. I was late, but hey, it’s deffo not my fault! You asked me out so suddenly!!! My heart wasn’t ready...

I first saw your back. You were wearing a gray shirt with black tones. You were fiddling your phone. I tapped your arm and announced my arrival. You smiled; Gods, it was such a beautiful smile. I love the way your eyes sparkled as you smiled. We were awkward for a bit; we haven’t seen each other for months (although we have been talking a lot for the past 6 months)! After a few moments of awkwardness, you told me that our grab driver has arrived. We looked for it, but we were too stupid to see it right before our eyes, hahaha~

Inside the car, we were just making small talk. I made sure not to sit too close to you. We aren’t even touching! You showed me your waifus and your beloved love live game. You suck at playing on pro mode!!!! :P

At long last, we’ve finally arrived at our destination. It was already around 9 pm. We ordered food and drinks. You told me that they serve local beer there and that you really wanted to try them. It was a tad bit too sweet for your tastes though. More conversations followed as we munched on our chips and chicken nuggets.

I told you that I’ve had the weirdest dreams for the past few weeks. (A.K.A. the preggo dreams). You called me a slut!!!! But I laughed it off, knowing that you were just kidding. As it turns out, you’ve been having nightmares of your own. You’ve dreamt of your ex gf doing something really bad, and you were trying to get her to stop doing that thing. There was another dude, and she’d rather listen to that dude AND flirt right there on your face, instead of believing you. You were pissed- hell, you LOOKED pissed. Kinda scary, truth be told. I wanted to hug you right then there but opted not to. It might not be welcomed yet..

I just let you rant about it- the way you wanted to get back with her, but couldn’t. There’s always doubt at the back of your mind. I played that role again, and I guess that’s just how it is with us. I know I’ve had my share of rants to you as well, and you never complained. I just extended the courtesy back to you; there’s nothing I can do about it at this point.

You took out your phone and told me to log on my okc account. I noticed that you weren’t even hiding your phone when you were putting in the code. (Yeah, I notice the little things) You told me to match with some guys and that you’ll chat them up. We’ve had fun looking at weird profiles, pointing out our observations.

Out of the blue, you suddenly asked me if I’m going home soon to Japan. 

“Yeah, but not so soon though”, I replied.

“But we’ll keep in touch, right? Let’s keep in touch!”, you said.

“Of course! Knowing you- there’s probably an ulterior motive behind that, yes? You wanted a dakimakura?”, I asked.

“No, not that.”

“I thought you wanted that? You told me so before.”

“That was before. I want figurines.”

Suddenly, you told me that you were leaving Manila soon. You were going back to your hometown, Iloilo. Tomorrow (later), to be precise. 

I suddenly felt really sad. There’s this crushing feeling and I feel so suffocated. It’s as if I have forgotten how to breathe. I can’t sleep right now since I’m still thinking about this lovely night we’ve had. I can’t handle how miserable I feel. 

Anyhoo, you told me the reason why you hated our school. Guess all schools are actually rotten to the core. You told me how school wasted your potential, and that you wished you could have gotten an apprenticeship instead (since your father already asked). You told me how you hated the fact that your father has a lot of connections, which is the precise reason why you avoided your previous school/ course. Gods, we laughed and ranted our hearts out tonight! I totally had a lot of fun! I just wish that it was the same for you.

A few drinks later and my bladder can’t take it anymore. I asked you to accompany me to the rest room (we were both new to the place, haha). God, you were so adamant not to! 

“God, do that to your okc boys.”

I saw you smoking outside, upon returning from the restroom and decided to just join you. I’d rather spend my time standing beside you than sitting by myself alone. You asked if I had a curfew and I shook my head. You asked for my address so you can walk me to my house. 

“It’s fine. Let’s just go back where we met tonight. I can walk home.”

“No! What kind of man do you think I am? I might be an asshole, but I’m a gentleman with etiquette. Speaking of which, will you offer me coffee?”

“NO.”

“Don’t you have etiquette? I was hoping to get atleast a glass of water..”

“Nawp, go home already!”

I noticed a cool place while we were in the car. It had a  humongous display of dino skeleton! I pointed it out to you and you said:

“Yeah, next time I come back..”

We got out of the car and started walking towards my house. There was a car passing by, but it won’t hit me by no means. You jokingly said:

“See! If I weren’t here to escort you home, you’d probably get hit by that car!”

“That car won’t hit me at all! And I’m not that drunk; I can walk home.”

“Naaaah, I’ll walk with you.”

We walked a looooooong way from the lrt station. Welp, I love walking home. Especially if I get to walk by your side...

You were panting by the time we were on our street! It was funny ‘cause you kept complaining. I think it’s cute though...

Soon enough, you were in the car, on your way home. We bid our goodbyes. I waited on our street until I can’t see that car anymore. It dawned upon me right then- the sadness I was trying to hide tonight when you told me that you were going home. We won’t play league together anymore; you’re gonna try your best to act like a responsible adult.

At home, I saw a message on my discord. It was from you.

“ you home yet? “

I thanked you for the lovely evening. 

“you're welcome! praise me more!!! im home n btw”

“ That was fast @@ You're the greatest human being to ever grace the planet~ “ 

“ man... make it a little more believable at the least “

“Alriiiggght”

“try again~ go!!”

“ You're an asshole but at the same time a gentleman “

“ see was that so hard!? work on the delivery though “

“ Which is highly contradictory “

“ no its not. u suck “

“ U suck too “

I remember consulting runes about a month ago. It said that my future decisions will rely on someone else leaving. Someone close to me. I thought that was my friends- Maj and Nikki were sent home as well. I don’t get to see them a lot anymore. Sleepovers were over. Their absence hit me as well, but it did not prepare me for what I’d feel when you said that you were leaving... 

Guess it’s time for me to grow up as well. No more hiding behind the safety of my room. I just wish I hugged you before you left... 

I realized it last night, you know? My feelings for you. Told myself not to fall since I’m still trying to heal myself from the scars of the past- I knew you were on the same boat. That didn’t help though. I still fell for you, stupid cocky human. 

Come back soon, alright? I’d love to hear your stories again. 

Love, Amoeba

P.S. You took me by surprise when you asked me to go out with you.

 “Let’s date! I won’t cheat on you.”

Tongue-tied, I just laughed it off. I didn’t know what to say. You looked serious but I didn’t know if you were just kidding or not. Ask me again when we’re both ready, okay?