#i think it's interesting how it's such a strong song that hits great highs and has a steady wind down

[bogusbyron]

NOW THAT I'M HOME:

Copy pasting les mis notes from today's matinee (30th may) here instead of posting screenshots from my notes app like last time cause i think thisll be easier to read.... There's 73 points and it's LONG so i'll put it under a read more . Go wild hope you find them somewhat interesting. Ignore any errors puhlease 😭🙏

1) Jordan Simon Pollard was on as Javert and he is. Fucking massive. Very imposing. His silhouette on the top of the boat is crazy good

2) Harry Lake as Marius, saw him on may 14th schools matinée, god his voice is gorgeous. As usual amazing

3) the guitar riff in Work Song kind of gets me lol

4) Valjean (Chris Jacobsen) flinching when Javert lifted his hand to pass him the slip. Additionally he has a GREAT voice. Quite gentle

5) The fight where Valjean gets beaten up was a bit awkward lmfao

6) More valjean flinching when the Bishop goes to touch his shoulder

7) chris spitting "thanked him like i should" interesting delivery, quite liked it.... his "took my flight" wasnt as strong is Milan's but whateverrrrrr

8) WILL ALWAYS BE STUNNED BY ADAM PEARCE'S VOICE🔥 THE LOW NOTE ON "BOUGHT YOUR SOUL FOR GOD" YUMM

9) The "I missed" on "I missed it 20 long years ago" was very harsh, as was "mouthful" in "mouthful of bread. LOOOVE thankyou Chris. "any other" in "treated me like any other" apparently was very gorgeous. I dont remember how but thats what I have written. Then i just wrote "Holy shit". He also was sobbing a little bit between "One word from him" and "offers me my freedom" which was lovely. Then i wrote "Chris ate jesus" so thats a high commendment

10) the bassline in At The End Of The Day is so delicious always

11) I kept seeing tom hext and harry lake in the ensemble (it was, uh, a bit thin  male ensemble-wise)

12) synth tones as usual heavenly I LOVE SYNTHESISERS!!!

13) the foreman was northern which was kind of funny #northrepresent

14) i think someone dropped somethijg offstage just before I Dreamed A Dream lmfao

15) Now i know that Fantine's wig cost £4000 i kind of appreciate it more. Doing my part

16) KATIE'S VOICE IS DIVIIIINE the low note she hits on "tear your hope apart" is ssoosooooooo goooode i get goosebumps bro

17) harry lake was the 2nd guy in lovely ladies though thought that was funny. He got his arse slapped on the "if you want to take all year" line . Giggled

18) javert big ass hat with the feather 😭😭😭😭😭

19) he was throwing some bitchy ass glances at the other policeman (who was harry lake. Btw) when fantine was begging whats his problem. His faces were so fun to watch hes so expressive. Hes also delightfully imposing

20)  not very homoerotic at the cart although they did get dangerously close on "brand upon his skin".

21) i loved Jordan's performance honestly, he was very curt and harsh in his lines. Makes you want to cower away when he speaks

22) i cant remember when, but Chris spat a lil during Who Am I ans i wrote "spittin a bit there Chris. Hit that shit"

23) Katie was so wonderfully and convincingly weak for Come To Me ouuhhh my heart

24) I liked the little detail of Valjean looking over his shoulder a lot when he was with Fantine... ughhhghhhhhh

25) THE LOW NOTE JORDAN HIT 🤤🤤🤤🤤 different chainn

26) good strangle. Didnt fuck it up! He was stood up rather than knelt or laid like javert usually is but thats probably a Jordan thing since ive seen Stewart thebother times. He stood up quite fast rather than writing around a bit like stewart does and thenWIPED HIS MOUTH cool whagever. Then valjean kneed him in the balls at the tousle at the end lmfao

27) TOMMMM😍😍😍 i love his thenardier withbhis gruff voice lol. He did a little shimmy on "content to be" looove. I love his gay little dance he does with his pointed toes. And he flashed the gentleman guest at the start. As usual he does the bisexual thing. He flashes everyone again after mme thenardier's "whats happened since" someones gotta stop him bro

28) chris was so gentle with cosette i could cry .

29) tom hext thenardier does this thing where he's asleep when valjean comes in until he says "pay" at which he wakes up with a snort. Love

30) cosette runs to valjean  when he starts reassuring her when the thenardiers are trying to get him to spend more money snd it warmed my heart

31) tom squeaking "monsieur" in "one of our own monsieur" tickled me hes so funny. Also the jazz hands after "christians must do". I did keep getting blinded by his shiny shoe buckles though

32) chris was delightfully harsh on "too long to Forget" get his ass valjean

33) THE HUG AFTERWARDS WAS SOOOOO CUTE VALJEAN WAS CLEARLY SO TOUCHED UGGHHH IT WAS SO LOVELY I LOVETHAT SCENE SO MUCH

34) LOVE YOU HARRIUS his face when he sees cosette is so nice hes so good bruh

35) JAVERT IS HUUGE ITS CRAZZYZYYYYY especially  in that coat and the hat ohmt god dude

36) when thenardier pipes up after valjean runs off from javert he steps forward and gets choked a little itwas great. The way he goes up to javert to lean on him and the slide on his voice on "told you so" as well when he walks backwards lmfaoaoooo

37) stars was GORGEOUS . I mainly made very messy notes on Jordan's inflections during the song because i like the different delivery choices.... "face to face" was quite soft which i liked. The quick slide on "fall in flames" was delish.. hissed "scarce" and "silent" on "silent and sure". HOLY SHIT also his expressions, so good. Stewart is largely kind of deadpan just with a furrowed brow but jordan's face is all over the place its delightful. Also "bars" in "safe behind bars" was SO powerful and low ohhhhh his voice bruh. Bloody hell

38) marius' blank ass stupid ass smile when he offers the money to eponine its so fucking funny

39) i think the foreman is rhe ssame guy as grantaire but i do Not know. He did a silly giggle after "some wine and say what's going on" which i liked

40) i wrote "marius is so [see below image]" which lke ueah he was. Nothing behind his eyes at all. Love you harrius

41) i absolutely LOVE djavan as enjolras hes very engaging and shit i LOVE him . Dont even care about les amis that much but djavan is great at getting me to gaf about enjolras i cant lie. Hes so good

42) i wrote "harmonies. I came" do you hear the people sing getting me good as always

43) cosette was still shaky im so sorry girl i dont like her voice very much😭 great voice very talented her vibrato is just all over im so sorry

44) shamefully, i had to write "cosette your dad fit as fuck"  when he appeared for heart full of love lmfao

45) he was quite harsh on "better unsaid" ..😔 contrasted the otherwise gentle deljveries for the rest kf the show

46) marius looks constantly, like, aghast and bewildered and stunned by the fact that cosette is looking at him and i loved that. Bless him. Love you harry

47) babet always cracks me up whats his deal. Also in attack on rue plumet there was a guitar riff after "why's she hanging about you" giggled

48) felt a bit 4th wall-y when valjean was saying his plan to escape idk. Hello vro❤

49) enjolras' bit in one day more will always fuck. I got goosebumps so bad when he came in bruhhhh. FUUUUUUCCCCKKK I LOVE ONE DAY MORE

ACT 2

50) not much exr chemistry  surprisingly. Tom hext clearly doing the heavy lifting for the enjoltaire fandom

51) AMENA I LOVEYOUUUUUUU GOD HER VOICE IS SO GORGEOUS I LOVE HEERRRRRR goosebumbppsss

52) never getting over the barricade reveal . As a techie the lighting makes me geek the fuck out bro. Id say it gave me a boner but would that be going too far. Anyway the lights were bright and i could finally see clearly what i was writing for a bit lol

53) i wrote "byron for army general 2025 i dont know why because my voice is nowhere as good as that. I am the biggest fan of those bits though its so catchy i love it. They really went harsh on the Guns or DIE!!!!!! looove

54) the only one taller than javert is enjolras and i find this hilarious

55) JAVERT WITH THE DARK RED RIBBON IN HIS HAIR i said "dorothycore" later in the evening. Also his sideeye to gavroche when he was being ratted out was funny

56) HARRY SO GENTLE IN FALL OF RAIN OHHMY GOD DUDE THEIR DUET WAS SO TENDER AND HIS FACE OF DISBELIEF AND SHOCK WHEN EPONINE DIES WAS SO HEARTBREAKING FUCCKKKKK

57) "javert slutty red waistcoat" he had a deep red waistcoat to match his hair ribbon. Ir was kinda unbuttoned off his shoulder when he was dragged back out okayyyyyyyy

58) chris delightfully harsh when he says "give me the spy" yesssss bro yessss

59) NOT AS HOMOEROTIC AS ID LIKED BUT AGAIN  SCHOOLS MATINÉE TUESDAY REALLY SET THE BAR HIGH😭 valjean did grab javert lapels though and hold them until "i'm a man. Held out hope in my soul my psychic mind beams would cause them to kiss like my comic but alas! Also as usual javert very expressive. Yummm.

60) gavroche and grantaire's friendship for evarrrrr. Theyr so fire

61) chris was so lovelyand delightfully soft for bring him home HE ABSOLUTELY HIT THAT SHIT, IF I DIE... BROOO... i thimk i prefer milan still but chris absokutelt did NOT disappoint.

62) did not shit myself this time when gavroche died. Winning

63) djavan's voice as always insanely good its insane dude holee fuck hes so good brugh

64) when grantaire died he qas kinda hanging off the side in a really awkward spot and i think javert stood on him a lil when climbing down the barricade lol. On that note hes still so fucking big its crazy im obsessed. Also Again with the cross over gavroche's body though godbless

65) kind of looked like tom's mic wasnt on his head properly in the sewers but whatever thats just a techie nitpick of mine. He sounded great as usual though no problems just looked a bit odd lol. He kicks marius on "stiffs at my feet" poor guy

66) javert raised his brows and bulged his eyes on "i wont be swayed" i just had to note that because of how good it was. His expressions seriously so enchanting

67) the heavy breathing and kinda growling before soliloquy dude ohhmy gourd. Hell yes brother. His hair was so good too his wig is slightly curly and its like all over his shoulders and shit whenever he brought his chin back it kind of cowled his face and it was delectable . His EYES .............. as a bulging eyes javert truther it was sso good. Great inflection on "i am the law", "valjean", "dominion", "insTEAD"..... soft on "gave me my life" which i LOVED, as well as delivering "heart of stone" in such a deeply sad tone which was so good bro ohhmy god. "Killed me" was very harsh LOVE! he absolutely GROWLED "world of jean valjean" hellooooooooo bruhhh

68) HARRY LAKE WHEN I GET YOU HARRY LAKE. the low notes on "tomorrow never came" get outtttt. "Theres a grief that cant be spoken" whole line got my heart torn apart . He deliverwd it SO emotionally it got me screaminf crying. Also he was kind of harsh on "don't ask me" which i LOOOVED.

69) dont really know how to describe it but chris' valjean i liked himmmm he felt like ? Quite .. mature ? Well duh cause hes like old ass man . He played it wonderfully anguished as he was confessing to marius, got more anguished as he went on until the "who am i" ouuughhhhhhh . He was delightfully desperate and frantic when he was asking marius to keep the secret too, shaking his shoulders a little and all bro ohhhmy

70) HARRY SO HANDSOME IN HIS SUIT 😊😊😊😊🥰 HIS SMILE ALSO i might be a little bit in love with him but what evarrrr lol

71) THE THENARDIERS AS ALWAYS DELIGHTFUL stole the show. Tom's spin when he gets punched by marius omg so good . GAY ASS DANCING .... plus return of the funny little toe dance he does in master of the house. He did a little pose on "paris at my feet" which i loved. The pose:

72) chris' frail voice OUCH. so gentle. He was like muttering into cosette's hair when she kneeled in front of him i was going craaaaaazzzzyyyyyyyyy bro kmsss. The way he delivered the "i will try" was so fucking heartwrenching cause he sounded so earnest and final  and like the smile he gave her ohmy god i was tweaking so bad HRURRYUYYGGGHHHHHH he whuspered "its a story" as he handed her the book. Suicide tomorrow gang⁉️

73) nearly cried i cant lie. NEARLY. i didnt but nearly. Goosebumps on that final note ugh OUGH eugghhh. Anyway yeah final  verdict this cast fucked amen 🌈🌈 harrius and tomardier on top

[starblue2406]

The path behind the process: Arceus

With Arceus I guess I'll go a bit faster, because compared to Acomfire, even though he's been in my head longer, he hasn't really had many changes over not only the four years since I wrote this story, but also the time I've been managing the character, since I was in high school xD

Argique is more of a plus for the publication since as we know, it is the same character.

Initial concept :

Original Arceus: When I took the character to make comics in my free time or during classes, I was just getting into the Pokémon hobby.It was thanks to the movie "Detective Pikachu" that I became interested in the franchise, but above all in the lore.

But at that time I was a person who liked to make stories that were both funny and epic, I was very influenced by Marvel as well as the parody videos of the time.So when the song of Pascu and Rodri singing the story of the god Zeus came out, it inspired me to make a somewhat hilarious Arceus.

In this case, it gave me the idea to imagine a carefree Arceus and maybe a shameless one. He didn't really care about his creation and was a walking joke of a single dad with kids who only cause him trouble... At least that's what I remember.

For some reason I also shipped it with the Princess Celestia xD

Yep, at first, in my crazy imagination, the one who was kissing Arceus was Celestia. I hadn't seen Arceus and the Jewel of Life back then and if I had,I would have surely imagined more ways of Arceus hitting his children with a sandal xD

I think he was also a self-centered bastard for having created the world, a bit like Adam from Hazbin Hotel and very hard on his children, he had strong conflicts with Giratina and was basically like that mother who always has her sandal in her hand...

It was until the stories in those comics started asking for more epicness and seriousness, so I drastically changed the character's personality, in this case to the typical image of a serious office boss and a strict single dad.

It was not until the arrival of a certain character that the real change took place.

White Diamond from Steven Universe.

I've never really been a fan of this series, but I was struck by its lore and especially how it handled its characters, for better or worse.

The concept of seeing White Diamond as a great matriarch of a system that seeks perfection and expanding it throughout the universe was incredible.... Too bad they wasted him as a tremendous villain.

Anyway, the concept that x character is looking for something as ambiguous as perfection in a system that should work like the gears of a clock stuck in my head and never left.

I hope it's not considered copying or something like that.

So I decided that my Arceus would be a god who sought absolute perfection in his creation, a sort of moral and utilitarian perfection where everyone focused on properly fulfilling their function in existence and coexisting peacefully with others. It doesn't sound so bad until they tell you that you will be judged and disowned by this one if you don't do it.... God, to me that's one of the best things I could come up with.

Every so often I review video analyses on the philosophy of White Diamond or her character as such.I still haven't let go.

Original comic version:

This version was the origin of the infamous comic that started it all...

When I saw that iconic image that made me know this ship {please go to the second anniversary posts to know that story), it made me think "Ha, my Arceus would have had a heart attack to see this, how funny".

And that's how with the idea of doing a "What if...?" type story. Like the Marvel one and by the way, parodying the genre bl I made the original comic and of course, the Arceus we know. Although I guess in this version I had lowered his temperament over perfection, since comparing it to other media I did, you could definitely tell I did it that way for the sake of the script and making a functional parody. I don't know, in a way in the comic version it was still related to its first version, that is, being an exaggerated joke of a concept.

Written version

Let's say the same as above But severely adjusted in a way that can be taken seriously. At least enough so that the tension of this soap opera.

The concept was balanced to make it work and the archetype of this god who realizes he really doesn't have the moral high ground as he thought he did could be something that actually mattered to the story.

However, actually this concept has had to be tweaked again for the remakes of this story, the concept is still the same, but now I feel it is balanced and his change in thinking is believable, while at the same time you really believe his initial role and the concept he represents.

Personality:

I suppose that what I will say will be very redundant because of what has been mentioned in the sections above, but I will still comment quickly.

Original Arceus:

An absurd attempt to be a father and a chief god, just a good-for-nothing who lives bragging and makes everyone praise him. Quite a lot of narcissistic vibes.

After that he became a single father struggling to raise his creation and his children. Quite paternal at times, but mostly busy being God.Compared to the current one, he has little patience and is always somewhat reluctant.

With the new change of direction of both hair and concept, here Arceus takes the role of a moral and strict god... To soon after reduce the parody of the previous one, yes, let's say that the poor guy changed a lot of mood.

I could say that in some ways and to some degree it's based on my dad LOL.

When I wrote Arceus in a more serious tone, it was during my high school days (between first and second grade) and even though I didn't hate my dad, I did consider him a bit strict.

Hahahaha, I remember that I was afraid of my dad, but not because he would hurt me, but because of his imposing figure and his scoldings, because he is a guy who looks for order and because of my age, it was something I was against.

Besides it was with him that I had the teenage rebelliousness fights; they weren't frequent or maybe they were frequent enough for me to capture it a bit in Arceus' parental personality XD

That actually has changed, both my relationship with my dad and also with my way of writing Arceus' character, nowadays I feel it's quite far away from that and I'm very happy about it, I don't want to capture my daddy issues XD

Original comic version:

After adding White Diamond to the mix, the concept of God seeking perfection I explored for a while in other content. His personality was pretty rigid, warm only when things were working out and his expectations were being met; clearly Mew got the most love {he was basically Arceus' Alexa), but even that he was flexible enough to be able to relax with his kids and they actually had a nice affection for him.

But when the comic came along, it had to be toned down to be "What if...?" Yaoi parody would be reality.

At the end of this anniversary I'll post the full original comic as far as I got, but if I may add that if you notice, Arceus' personality is quite contradictory, something I did on purpose precisely to make an absurd drama. It's even funny and ironic that he lives up to his main inspiration.

White Diamond in his last appearances was a mockery of the imposing cosmic figure they were selling us and only appeared in 2 episodes.

What a coincidence, Arceus goes from being the most serious and intimidating thing to the most ridiculous thing when it comes to his little heart. The good thing is that being a parody story I didn't hit my head too much with it... Until what...

Written version

Let's see, from chapter 4 I had a tentative feeling that this story could give more and I explored a bit of that in chapters 6 and 7 of the comic, with its touch of soap opera and cringe but at the end of the day there was something more.

So I put chapter 8 of the comic on hold unduly and decided to adapt the story into a written novel.

Here Arceus was changing in a very strange way, even I don't understand what I did. To be faithful to the original product, he was almost like what was narrated before, that is, a lukewarm pretentious with his ideals, but since this was supposed to be more serious, I half tried.

I would say that while it did convey that firmness of ideals, it lacked putting the moral softness in the right place. I feel like you don't buy his change to Argique because a lot of times he still conveys his moral firmness, but at the same time too soft for the plot to move forward and it doesn't do it in an organic way.

I mean, one day he's the strict guy with his rules, the next he's a mess But he's still about perfection and the next he's already a guy with a completely different identity and willing to learn... There is no harmony in this.

Written version 2 (remakes)

Once again, a minimal change in hairstyle tells you that he has changed his personality again.

Nowadays in remakes I try to make his change as organic and believable as possible, being that despite making a bad face at Mew's chosen one, he's actually willing to wholeheartedly thank a human who saved him m even if he nomes the best of his lineage, Arceus knows that doesn't change what drove him to do such an act.

It is that small space with which he is slowly progressing in how he understands his own world and feeling for the first time why it is so hard to follow his own rules. So yes, I would say Arceus is now just a strict guy But with a little hole in his heart that will slowly grow so you can access him.

As with Acomfire, I have also used the MBTI and the Hogwarts houses as a reference base to write about their personality.

In the case of Arceus, I use the ESTJ personality and for me, Arceus has the qualities to be a Slytherin.

The characteristics of an ESTJ:

*They are born leaders, even assuming the role spontaneously.

*They are sociable and enjoy group activities.

*They are practical and prefer structure, if something has no structure then they create it.

*They look for tangible and useful ideas to solve problems or achieve goals.

*They are responsible and committed, and expect that from others.

They are defenders of the status quo in family and cultural traditions, they believe in rules and procedures.

*They are sincere and express their opinions.

They are meticulous and focus on objectivity and rationality

*They are organizers and excellent at managing people and things.

*Determined and focused

*They hate wasting time and look for ways to optimize all resources to get the most out of them.

*Confidence and security

*They obviously have a hard time with change

*Difficulty in expressing emotions

Now I will talk about the characteristics of Slytherin:

*They are cunning

*They are calculators

*They are determined

*Great desire to achieve goals

*Search for doing what is necessary

*Born leaders.

*Smart

*Ambitious

Backory:

Not much really.

I prefer to comment on it in the story with help from Mew, some notes from Paul, mentions from Damos and of course, Arceus himself.

I'll just say that Mew's creation is for better or worse his masterpiece.

Arceus in his most primitive understanding thought that there must be order,everything had to work like the gears of a clock,For this there should be no contempt between individuals,only absolute virtue shines forth.If everything had its place, then he was the creator, Mew the creation and therefore, Their duty was to serve Him and to see to everything that came out of the rest of the heavenly creation.Mew is perfect and as long as he recognizes the one above him, he will obey his orders.

Evolution in history:

Written version 2 (remakes)

Since I expect this version to have a clear and definitive conclusion, I would describe his character arc as going down some golden stairs only to find out what you were missing at the bottom, for better or worse.

Gosh, I think I talked too much with that but it's the shortest way I can describe his development without giving so much detail at the same time make my point.

General reflections:

It's because of all this that Arceus is definitely my spoiled child. He's been my favorite since I was doing the comic, it's because of him that I realized there's a lot to explore in that little heart of 🦙 perfectionist.

He's been with me since high school, a funny fact is that at that time I used to watch Miraculous Ladybug, I liked it quite a lot (that's why his design has been like I'd er a full body lycra glued and skin tight XD) and just for that, his design hasn't cam5en six years I've known the character, just for the damn nostalgia alone.

Physically he's only changed in the way I've arranged the hair on his forehead, but he's changed so much in mind that I've put so much of myself into him. No, he is not a self insert, that prize goes to Pili; but it makes me realize that much of what I think and reflect about life itself is in him.

[notoriousbeb]

TTPD Notes - The Manuscript (Pt. 3)

TTPD Notes Glossary

"Florida!!!"  

Recorded June 29, 2023; however, I'd wager to guess the first pre-Florence draft of this was first penned earlier, as it probably took a bit of logistics to meet up with Florence in the studio  

While probably a bit about all three recent exes ("So, I did my best to lay to rest all of the bodies that have ever been on my body") I'd say it's mostly about one. "And the hurricane with my name [Taylor Russell, is that you entering the chat?], when it came, I got drunk, and I dared it to wash me away. Barricaded in the bathroom with a bottle of wine. Well, me and my ghosts we had a hell of a time."  

If you peruse my timeline, I think you’ll find that the “shitstorm back in Texas” and her need for the release/high of the Tampa shows suddenly snaps into clear focus.  

Why does she want to be told that she’s despicable and unforgivable? The Matty thing is my guess.  

"Guilty as Sin"  

I think this was written pre-Eras Tour, but maybe not recorded until during?  

Interesting note, a few years ago, Harry shared “The Downtown Lights” by The Blue Nile with music journalist Zane Lowe as part of a playlist he put together  

A hedge maze is an outdoor garden maze or labyrinth. In "Labyrinth," she says, "I thought the plane was going down, how'd you turn it right around...I'm falling in love again." To me, this is saying, "I thought we were through, but I am falling in love with you again." And it's a clear reference to the Harry and Taylor of yore — paper airplanes. I am so confused about other people's confusion as to the muse of this song.  

She says she keeps “these longings locked in lowercase inside a vault.” Hmm. Maybe keep an eye out for the “reputation” vault tracks? I know I am.  

“I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)”

See this post

"loml"  

I’m guessing recorded Spring 2023  

Lion references make me think of this image from April 13, 2023 at Electric Lady. Were they shooting a music video for TTPD? If so, gimme now. She’s wearing a Gucci lion ring. From Harry? (If you are unaware, he also has two Gucci lion rings). 

It was legendary, you say? Like, they were “born to be suburban legends” and when he holds you it holds you together and it’s “the only thing that’s holy” (“Guilty as Sin?”)  

I don’t think “you shit-talked me under the table” means he talked shit about her. Harry would never do that. I think it refers to the alternate definition of the term. Like he was talking out of his ass or bullshitting.  

“Love of my Life” is Harry’s only track 13.  

This song makes me cry every time I hear it. Every time. It’s so beautiful, though, so I can’t stop won’t stop. “Dancing phantoms on the terrace/are they second hand embarrassed?” Fuck me all the way up. 

Can you imagine being Joe Alwyn and knowing you put in six years and also knowing this song is not about you? I would simply turn to dust and blow away.  

“I Can Do It with a Broken Heart” 

God, this is such a great goddamn, perfect pop song. It has to be a single, right? 

In my heart and gut, I believe this is about Harry. I really think she’d already processed the Joe breakup before Era’s even started. She didn't love Matty—she said so herself and I believe her. She started the tour strong. But then late April hits and boom she was crying on stage and falling apart. Why? See my crazy Haylor Magnum opus and timeline for my thoughts.

"The Black Dog"  

I didn’t want it to be, but unfortunately, I’m convinced this is about Harry: Regarding the line, “I just don’t understand how you don’t miss me in the shower and remember how my rain-soaked body was shaking,” if you’ll refer to my scary stalker timetable, you’ll see it rained at the first night of the Arlington, Texas, show where I think Harry was.

In the original lyrics, it was “these weeks of breathing clean air” so the timeline means nothing.

Joe didn’t leave with his tail between his legs. She left him (see: “So Long, London” and “Fresh Out the Slammer”). Some might even say she bolted. And Matty was in the states when she wrote the song. But you know who was spotted and pictured in London just days before his Horsens show on May 13? Harry Styles.

Updated June 15, 2025: Joe confirmed to The Sunday Times’ Style magazine that he’s never been to Vauxhall where the Blackdog is located. In the intervening months, Matty Healy has since stated he and Taylor were not serious in any way.

These lyrics are clearly, to me, about someone she was with long term and left (Joe); this muse is someone she had a prior history with who left her—and suddenly. “Was it hazing? For a cruel fraternity I pledged? And I still mean it. Old habits die screaming.” And “Were you making fun of me with some esoteric joke?” “Hazing” and “cruel fraternity” are not apt metaphors for a six-year relationship. But they sure are for a two-week rebound with an on-and-off four-year situationship, though.

She was so, so big mad about Harry being at this bar. Why? Was he not answering her texts or calls/actually or appearing to “avoid her like the plague” as per “I Can Do It with a Broken Heart?” Why is there a girl there with him who is too young to know the Starting Line? Why does Taylor know this girl is there? Is she imaginary? She had better be imaginary! Goddamnit, Harry. I don’t want to be mad at you.

[lexolfraser]

Depeche Mode Albums Ranked:

#15 Exciter (2001)

I like every album, but I will never feel the need to listen to this one. Just not my style of music. Kinda boring and not necessarily what I am looking for when I want to listen to Depeche Mode. Not a fan of Freelove. At all.

#14 Delta Machine (2013)

I don't really care too much, not disappointing or anything as it's still completely decent. I like Welcome to My World and Soothe My Soul. But not something I think I'll go back to unless I'm doing a full album runthrough.

#13 Spirit (2017)

I went to this tour 2018! I saw Andy while he was still alive! It was wonderful. This album is quite decent too. The lyrics in "Going Backwards" were insanely ahead of its time looking at America in 2025. Anyways I really like that song, I like Scum and Fail too. I haven't listened often though, the replay value isn't too high, but It's still solid.

#12 Sounds of the Universe (2009)

This album is not bad. I like the song "Fragile Tension" a lot. I like how they went back to pure synth-pop for this one after a couple alternative rock albums.

#11 Speak & Spell (1981)

I actually really like certain songs from this album. I like songs such as "Photographic" and "New Life". It's definitely a debut album with lyrics hard to listen to (in an enjoyable way) for many fans. It's interesting to hear their sound before they really mastered it, but of course the albums that closely followed show quite a bit of improvement.

#10 Playing the Angel (2005)

This is definitely an album that Depeche Mode made past their peak that a large majority of fans like. I like "A Pain That I'm Used To" among others. Some fans would place this a lot higher than I personally would though. But noticeably a return to form from Exciter.

#9 Some Great Reward (1984)

This is a generally strong album. People Are People and Blasphemous Rumours are hits among many others. This is essentially the hitmaker album. This is surprisingly lower than I expected myself to put it, but looking at the track lists this honestly seems about correct.

#8 Ultra (1997)

I like this album because this is the first album after Dave Gahan almost died, and Alan Wilder left. It's really good even with all the chaos amongst the band. "Barrel of a Gun" is very good and I think the industrial influence of this album sets up a nicely consistent album.

#7 Memento Mori (2023)

I love this album! It's the best album they made in decades! Ghosts Again is such an amazing song and I loved it when it came out! Also, Wagging Tongue, Never Let Me Go, and Speak to Me are very good too. I feel like the production is perfect. It also shows that they can even be great as a duo. I also saw this concert! There was an irritating drunk person yelling but I don't care. It was wonderful to see them live.

#6 Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993)

I think this album has very strong highlights and I would want to listen to it more. I love I Feel You, it's probably my favorite on the album. It deserves praise. Not a lot to say. It’s just good!

#5 A Broken Frame (1982)

I absolutely love this album! Leave In Silence and Nothing to Fear are both such good songs. It's also such an improvement over Speak & Spell. This album definitely deserves more love.

#4 Construction Time Again (1983)

This is probably their most underrated album in my opinion. I love the Industrial Synth influence on this album, and songs like Everything Counts, Love in Itself, and Told You So are so good. Way more consistent than some people give it credit for. One of the albums I actually come back to the most.

#3 Music for the Masses (1987)

Now we are at the three best album, which just so happens to be a trilogy. Music for the Masses actually used to be my favorite album by them, and I think that To Have and To Hold is in my top 5 Depeche Mode songs ever! Never Let Me Down Again, everyone loves that song. Also, Nothing and Behind the Wheel are great. It's such a wonderful album.

#2 Black Celebration (1986)

This is definitely the album I come back the most to. So many great songs on this one. The title track is totally my favorite, but I also love Stripped and New Dress among others. This is truly their dark-wave album, and I absolutely love it.

#1 Violator (1990)

I know it's a stereotypical choice, but this really is my favorite Depeche Mode album. It is one of the most consistent albums I have ever heard. I love every song (apart from the second song which isn't bad or anything), but Policy of Truth is my absolute favorite. I also really like Clean and Personal Jesus. I also like Enjoy the Silence and I find the two minute instrumental tagged on to the end of it rather underrated. But I just have to say, the consistency!

Share your rankings if you wish.

[sweetbottletops]

A music leaning review of the series that Agu did a shout out to recently. Read here

Or check out horrible MTL behind the cut.

Manga “The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy At All” Review: A Modern and Nostalgic Story

The first volume was released on April 19, 2023, and the second volume was released on February 27, 2024. A manga by Sumiko Arai, ``The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy At All'' This work instantly became a hot topic when it was published on the author's X (Twitter), and when the book was released, it received the most notable manga awards and rankings in the Japanese manga world. This manga, which features real artists and songs, was reviewed by writer Shino Kokawa. It has also been announced that carefully selected songs from the playlist will be released on CD as a comic soundtrack on May 29, 2024, and on color vinyl on July 31. The official manga playlist is available here.

The Finest Youth Story

I was recommended by several acquaintances, saying, ``I think you'll definitely like it, so you should check it out,'' and I started reading it, and I was hooked, ``The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy At All.'' The manga, which went viral on author Sumiko Arai's social media and became a huge hit with over 400,000 copies sold after it was published as a book, has a number of great points, especially if you like Western rock music like the author. For those who spent their adolescence together, this work is truly emotional as it depicts their experiences and feelings one after another! That's one word. It's an exquisite coming-of-age story where you can project your past self and shake off the emo meter, and you can also reminisce about how you wish you had spent your high school days like this.

Aya, a high school girl, can't help but be curious about the "old guy" who works at a CD shop. However, when the true identity of the "brother" is actually Mitsuki, a classmate from high school, the story of the two's "love" begins to unfold. Aya, who is more of a gal, and Mitsuki, who is more of a down-to-earth character, have one thing in common: they love Western music, especially alternative rock. In this work, music plays a role in the relationship between the two, from Nirvana, where they met, to the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert they were planning to go to for the first time, to Radiohead, which Mitsuki sings to express her feelings to Aya. The main point is that it is used as an important tool to connect and deeply understand each other.

Aya and Mitsuki are modern-day high school students, but they seem to be particularly fond of 90s alternative music, and in the movie they mention Beck, Blur, Foo Fighters, Deftones, Guns N' Roses, etc. in their conversations and albums's jacket, which frequently appears on smartphone screens. The reason why they dig these artists may be due to the influence of Mitsuki's uncle (former band member), who works as a manager at a CD shop. From there to post-2000s artists like The Strokes, The Shins, Willow, and Turnstile, to more classic rock bands like Aerosmith and Black Sabbath, these girls freely traverse eras and find their favorites in the manner typical of the streaming generation. The two of them decided to share it.

Western Music Rock Listeners Who are a Minority in School and Society

By the way, the reason why overseas alternative rock has such a strong connection with Aya and Mitsuki is because there are very few friends around who can talk about Nirvana and Willow, and Western rock listeners have always been a minority in schools and society. There is no difference. I'm probably the same generation as Mitsuki's uncle, who was baptized as an alternative in the 1990s in my teens, and I've had exactly the same experiences as both of them.

Since I attended an all-girls school for middle school and high school, none of my classmates listened to US alternative or UK indie music, and after school, my daily routine was wandering around record shops in Shibuya by myself. As Aya monologues at the beginning of the film, saying, ``Music can only be listened to alone,'' I didn't feel particularly lonely, and like Aya, I was able to get along normally with friends from ``different genres'' at school. there was. Still, I had a lot of fun following bands that came to Japan with friends I met from outside of school at concerts, talking endlessly about albums over the phone, and going to events together, and we just liked the same music. There is no doubt that it was an irreplaceable experience for me to be able to understand others (and myself again), and to want to understand them even more.

Metaphor for Growth and Salvation

However, if you ask me, ``So, is ``The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy At All'' a coming-of-age story that only appeals to music and alternative fans? That's not the case at all. The music that connects Aya and Mitsuki is just a metaphor for growth and salvation for all teenagers who are in the midst of the vicissitudes of adolescence. This work repeatedly depicts things like ``not being able to match the rhythm of those around you'' and ``not being able to make friends if you're from a different genre,'' but the musical terms ``rhythm'' and ``genre'' are used here. However, it is a problem that everyone experiences at least once during their teenage years.

As I wrote earlier, "The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy At All'' is a story that allows you to project your past self and immerse yourself in a nostalgic mood as a 90's alternative real timer. At the same time, I feel that this work is an extremely modern story that could not have been born in our time. For example, Aya and Mitsuki's feelings of "interest" and "love" toward each other are portrayed in a very neutral manner. The two clumsy characters pass each other many times, but gender is hardly a consideration among the things they have to overcome. There is no doubt that they love each other and are important to each other, but the type of love is not specified, and the interpretation is left to the reader. In the first place, these women themselves probably do not define their feelings strictly.

What's also nice about this work is that both ``CD = physical'' and ``streaming'' are effectively used for music as a tool to mediate between two people. In the 1990s, when I was listening to alternative music in real time, physical music was the only option available. The main way I communicate with my friends is by lending and borrowing CDs and making original tapes to give them to them (although that was a lot of fun), and like Aya and Mitsuki, I immediately share songs that catch my attention with them. I feel so jealous of the immediacy of being able to exchange the songs I want to hear at any time with my smartphone. However, without the object of a CD, they would not have been able to meet or connect directly, and the reason why such old school communication is being put to good use is because ``The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy At All.'' This is why it is a modern and nostalgic story.

Exclusivity That Does Not Confine Itself Inside

And finally, one thing I especially like about the modernity of this work is that the relationship between the two, which deepens through alternative rock, becomes an exclusive one that is confined to just the two of them. The point is that it is not. Rock is a genre that sometimes strikes at naive sensibilities and excite the outlaw feelings of adolescence. Sometimes we want to indulge in the classic rebellion of ``Adults don't understand'' or create a structure of self versus society. You could even say that Nirvana and Radiohead in the '90s were music for outlaws who had no choice but to go through adolescence in the dark.

However, Aya and Mitsuki in the 2020s is not bound by that old-fashioned rock mentality. The music that flows between the two, who are searching for the ideal sense of distance in interpersonal relationships, actually helps them connect with others, expands their circle of friends, and creates a lively beat for those who don't "match the rhythm." It's refreshing to see it help people accept society.

The story has now changed from Aya and Mitsuki listening to their favorite music side by side, to Mitsuki discovering that she wants to make music, and Aya watching over and supporting her. There is a big difference between ``creating'' music and ``listening'' to it. The new relationship between the two is likely to continue to have its ups and downs, as there is a line in the movie that says, ``Even though we're supposed to be listening to the same song, it feels far away.'' Even so, I would like to watch over Aya and Mitsuki, who will be drawn together as fate would have it, along with the playlist of this story.

Written by 粉川しの

[montygatorguy]

all the question for the fic ask thing just all of them

this took ages but thanks for the ask dude :D

💖 Which of your fics is your pride and joy?

i love all my fics, but i think im most proud of look all around at the mountains you haven’t climbed

🎥 Pick a fic and I'll tell you the song I imagine playing during its movie trailer.

ill go with an easy one, terrible things would be terrible things by axie

📝 How many words do you have posted?

55,334

🤩 What's the most meaningful comment you've ever received?

either when i saw your (reggies) bookmark on my autistic may fic or the guest that commented a bunch on my alenoah sickfic

🔮What's your favorite plot twist you've ever written?

i don’t write that many, but bringing romeo back as a ghost in glass half empty was fun

👄 Your OTP are having their first kiss. What song do you imagine is playing?

i won’t use maycois here, imma use gweather from td. they remind me of good luck babe by chapelle roan so that

🎭What genre of writing comes easiest to you?

probably just fluff. it’s fun

🙊Your coworkers or classmates stumble across one of your fics, but don't know you're the author. Do you fess up? Or keep quiet?

my friends and my parents all know i write, but if one of my classmates said something i would probably stay quiet.

🙌What's a line or paragraph of yours that you're proud of?

“When you’re a superhero, no one thinks you can die. They think that with every injury, big or small, you’ll always get back up. But that’s a lie. Superheros, no matter how strong they may be, are still human. And for the first time since they were bitten, the police saw the two of them as such.” from chapter 1 of glass half empty

🦉Is there another author that helped inspire you to write?

a couple, maybeimamuppet, onthelasttrain, and flylikeajailbird. all really good writers that i read on my early days on ao3. also all of my insanely talented mutuals here <3

👶Fankids: How you do you feel about them? Would your OTP have kids?

may and frankie would make great parents and i could imagine them probably adopting :)

🐗How do you handle trolls?

never had to deal with any thankfully, probably would just ignore

🟥How long do you spend in edits?

not really that long tbh

🏡What is your perfect writing envrionment?

school, usually when im supposed to be doing something else lol

💪What motivates you to write?

its fun getting to share the ideas i have with others and seeing what they think

🚿Where do your best ideas seem to strike?

almost all of my fics started out as scenarios i would think of before bed.

🌠What are your top three most commonly used tags on AO3?

from the other tags catagory it’s alternate universe - high school, canon divergence, and modern setting

💻What do you write your stories on? Laptop, phone, paper, etc.

my chromebook from my school, but i started out writing all the way back in first grade where i wrote a story about a superhero fish (that was vaguely base off shark tale lmao)

🤔What are some words or phrases you find yourself overusing?

probably just finding different ways to have people express affection, idk

📕How do you feel about people printing your fics?

if any of you ever do this i will lose my mind /pos, please tag me (but give credit!)

🤷‍♀️What's a fic you didn't expect to be popular, but really took off?

my one singular fnaf sb fic. i don’t understand why it has 300 hits. i need to write a better one sometime

🍎What's something you learned while researching for a fic?

that APPARENTLY the canadian date format starts with the year. it was interesting

🥘What wip are you most excited about?

i hope sometime i get the motivation to finish terrible things because i have lots of ideas i just don’t wanna write them

🦗Do you write in sequence or jump around?

in sequence, but i usually plan things out first

👀 Would you ever accept requests or commissions?

maybe!

😱What's your greatest fear as a fanfic writer?

like you said, the actors reading my fics. that would be terrifying if i just woke up and checked my inbox and there was a comment from like. justin david sullivan. i don’t know what i would do.

☕Coffee or tea while you write?

i don’t like hot drinks. usually i just drink water

📈Which are your top three most popular fics by bookmarks?

throwdown (chase and mk sibling fic, 8) blaze (alenoah sickfic, 7) and haven (hg/ss lance and silver fic, 5)

🎬One of your fics gets turned into a TV series. Which one is it and what network is it on?

terrible things (let’s just pretend it’s finished) id love it to be a 2d animated show but im not sure on what network

🛌 What's a trope you haven't written, but want to?

oh god, i have no clue. maybe like a swap au thing or something with &j idk

🐸 If you incorporated your OTP into a Disney movie plot, which would it be?

the only movie i can associate with maycois or jumeo is moulin rouge tbh

👩‍🎓 Do you have an 'official' creative writing background such as a degree or previous experience publishing?

im just a high schooler with a chromebook, blorbos, and a dream

⏳If you could go back in time and tell your younger writer self something, what would it be?

that people won’t think you’re cringe or anything. people love your writing

💯 What rating do you write the most? Gen Audiences, Teen, Mature, or Explicit? How many fics at that rating do you have?

20 general, 8 teen. none for mature/explicit

😁What makes you happiest? New fic comments, kudos, bookmarks, user subscribers, story subscribers, or Tumblr asks?

comments or bookmark messages!

🐎 Would you ever do a medieval or pirate au?

maybe. i do love pirates.. yargh

👩‍🏫Pick a character and I'll tell you their favorite season and why.

ill pick may, they like spring. cause flowers :)

🎵Do you make playlists for your fics?

nope. i just listen to my fnaf playlist most of the time

🌷What's one of your fics that isn't as popular, but you hold dear?

holy shit, my vacation simulator fics. hats off to the one guy who commented on them, i love you

[fantastickkay]

Album Review of the Week: Lana Del Rey - Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (2023) ☆☆☆☆

LDR's ninth album opens with The Grants whose intro reflects a rehearsal of background singers which then morphs into a relaxed piano ballad. Her vocals are strong and better than ever thus far. The track swells into an emotionally gripping crescendo as the background singers take their posts, the piano grows more insistent and strings begin.

The album's title track Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard is next. The vocals are not quite as clear, we get back to the mumbling that tends to plague LDR tracks. Meanwhile, the melody flows like a swirl of autumn leaves on a soft, windy day. The pleading cries of "when's it gonna be my turn / don't forget me" echo throughout the track and again swells into a driving chorus, really folding you into this soundscape that is being introduced to you.

Sweet continues the piano ballad streak, it's a bit more sleepy and not quite as gripping as its predecessors.

A&W was the second single for this album and what made me interested in hearing the entire project (I tend to skip some LDR releases, mostly because it's hard to keep up with!) The second half is what gripped me at first but the more I listened to it, the more I appreciate the entire seven minute track. Something about the melody when she says "this is the experience of being an American whore" just really snaps you into it, as do the urgent high notes in the verses. Once we hit the four minute mark, the bass comes in and I was like 👀, excuse me... hello! After lamenting trouble finding love due to her apparent promiscuity, we get into a sassy moment where she tells them they're f*king up big time! And then I find myself bopping big time to a Lana Del Rey song, which doesn't happen too often just because they don't usually go this hard!

the judah smith interlude is an instant skip, bye. i hate the yelling!

Saving the moment, Candy Necklace comes in. The piano on this one is absolutely haunting. The music video definitely made me pay more attention to this track. I love the chorus's melody and how it quickens pace throughout. The piano solo is so incredibly gorgeous! This is followed by the Jon Batiste Interlude, he was featured on the previous track, and we get more of that haunting piano which is really great. It is also accompanied with studio chatter and some playful vocals from our main songstress.

With Kitsugi, we enter a portion of the album that doesn't have a lot of re-listen value to me. I'll play the songs when listening to the album in full but I don't think about them otherwise, just too slow! Maybe it is leftover fatigue, but Fingertips is somehow less interesting.

Paris, Texas picks things up with an interesting piano riff and vocals that closely follow its melody in a music-box fashion. One can nearly picture a ballroom waltz.

And now, for a title so long you cannot even read it in Spotify if you tried! Grandfather Please Stand On the Shoulders of My Father While He's Deep Sea Fishing. It has an almost movie-like quality as it picks up, almost feels like you are entering a fantasy world. Perhaps, an ocean that you can fly and breathe in, enjoying the scenery and wildlife around you.

Let the Light In is a good medium between the sleepy ballads and something that makes you pay attention. It is a sweet duet with Father John Misty that makes me think of a sleepy morning with the one you love!

Margaret takes a while to grab my attention, but I do really like the ending with spoken word and then the background singers become more prominent. That brings a more casual feel to end this string of more serious tunes. I really like the piano as it fades out as well.

Fishtail brings some bass back into the equation and even has some vocal effects which is unusual!

Okay, now we get into the fun part and the REASON I went straight to Target after work the day this came out. Peppers! The energy, the reverb, the beat, the hook. I never thought I would hear Lana Del Rey chant "hands on my knees" let alone follow it with "angelina jolie". I can see this being a great end-of-the-night cool-down track at the club. And then it takes another turn with a 60s bass line?? Ugh, so good.

Taco Truck x VB is my favorite track off of this album. What a closer! The instrumentals are absolutely fantastic. Spoiler alert - let me tell you when it morphed into Venice Bitch I lost my damn mind!!! That is one of my favorite songs of all time and having a "mini" version is so much fun as well as the fact that it was spiffed up a bit.

One thing I don't really love about this album is how the volume fluctuates, that is a big pet peeve of mine. It is very quiet and then we get to a song's climax and suddenly I have to scramble to turn it down a bit!

Although I do feel this album is a bit bloated and could lose a few tracks, the ones that I enjoy are songs that I kind of cannot stop listening to and this album has been in the back of my mind ever since it came out. I really wish I could appreciate Lana Del Rey the way that I know a lot of her fans do, but even though I am not there she still fascinates me a great deal.

While most of this album is the usual fare, there is a lot more experimenting as well which I absolutely love and hope to see more of in the future!

[strawberryjamsara]

🔥I’m interested in your LeoNeed is better than Wonderland Showtime opinions🔥

Well Ruikasa shippers are fucking annoying.

This post was sponsored by Audible-

Okay so jokes aside. Putting aside fandom grievances, how did Leo Need my least favorite band start to rise above Wonderland now one of my most hated?

So yeah I didn’t like Leo/Need at first. I honestly wasn’t too enthralled with the idea of childhood friends which… I’ll be honest, I think I was just projecting my own experience of my childhood friend becoming my bully onto that. I was like ‘Ugh is it really so bad if Shiho wants to leave the band?’ partly because I was thinking of how my friend started to spread rumors about me for being clingy. But we don’t have time to unpack all that. I think the event that made me start to really like Leo/Need was the Stage Of Sekai event. Ironically the LN event from before was probably my peak boredom with the group, having to spend a whole event on writing lyrics, but Shihos struggles and the push and pull between her friends wanting to help and not being experienced as her so she wanted them to be able to relax was so refreshing and it made Shiho start to rise through the ranks as one of my favorites. I started picking up on more of Honamis silly and neurotic tendencies, and Ichikas shy but goal oriented personality. And like. There are still things I have problems with. Their sekai is probably the most boring (just a school? Why not an observatory?) and I also get very annoyed at how Ichika hogs the mic during songs. I also think that the hard rock songs like teratera and Peaky Peaky are more fitting to their brand than slow soft ones like Made To Order, but that’s probably just me. But I started to reread some older events and I realized how strong a team they are. I loved watching them slowly march forward, their set goal, the discussion of what makes musicians create. Even the Miku software thing, while it’s pretty egregious product placement in a game that is a literal giant product placement, shows a want to understand how to make music. They very much go over how yes, achieving your dreams isn’t easy, and you will have to work hard and it might not be at the same pace as others so you’ll just have to commit which is a theme they commit to (unlike Wonderland does later but I’ll get there when I get there) and also Saki is a great character when you get her out from being ‘Tsukasa’s sister’. She’s incredibly peppy despite the fact she lost so much of her childhood and even because of that so she has to make up for it now. They write her illness well, and I adore how even though Shiho is strict, she will drop everything and make sure Saki is okay if she pushes herself too hard.

Okay now Wonderland…. Um…. So I read ahead some of the events and I remember being so upset at the ending of Arc 1 Wonderland. One of the most mature ideas in the game was that this high school friend group couldn’t last forever, but that was okay, they were going in different directions with their different dreams but they’d treasure these memories forever. The scene of the group hug where they cry together hit me hard. And I’m fine if a story wants to be a coffee shop au where nothing bad happens. But a cop out? Oooooh I get mad when a story spends so long building up that something sad will happen, and then it cheats out of that happening at the very last second. And yes I know it’s a gacha game they weren’t gonna make their most popular group disband but I think there was a very easy fix to this. Just have them split apart and post timeskip, have an inciting incident that gets the gang back together and show how they’ve changed. And boy does it make it feel like the last few events ruminating on this were filler when this happens. And that’s not the only event that feels like filler. Tell me what was the point of the stranded on an island event? Nothing of significance happened there, it felt like watching a filler episode with the ‘Were going our separate ways’ part tacked onto the end to give it meaning. Like do the writers even know what to do with these guys? These are good characters who are being put to waste! Oh yeah and also there’s that racist event that weirdos treated like 9/11 was happening when it wasn’t put in the English version. Sorry they hit the fucking Ruigon I guess, wish you’d show this same enthusiasm for literally anything else in the game.

[poedameronwifey]

A true home(The hobbit Fanfic)

Chapter 10

Third Pov

It had been a few days since that night. The girls had gotten used to riding with Fili, Kili and Bofur. The boys would tell them stories from their younger days. Turns out they got into a lot of trouble. The other dwarves would tell them their stories and the girls really felt part of the company.

The only ones who were not happy about them coming along were Thorin and Dwalin. They had nothing against the girls, they just feel protective over them and want to ensure their safety not just because they are women but because they are the youngest of the group and dwarves were always protective of the adolescence. They know that they are strong but still worry. Thorin has been very distant with Lilith because she reminds him of his lost love. He feels if he remains distant, the feeling would go away but it just gets worse. He hates not knowing why she has such an effect on him.

It was currently raining and everyone was fed up. They all had their hoods up and followed the path with sombre looks. The girls however had no problem with the rain, in fact they encouraged it. Everyone was fed up at this point.

"Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?"

"It is raining, Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard."

Bilbo looks curious. Renée turns her attention to Gandalf and Bilbo's conversation. Kate and Lilith also stopped what they were doing to listen in on the conversation.

"Are there any?"

"What?"

"Other wizards?"

"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman the White. Then there are the two blue wizards. You know, I've quite forgotten their names."

"And who is the fifth?"

"Well, that would be Radagast the Brown."

"Is he a great wizard or is he more like you?"

The girls tried to hide their laughter behind their hands but were unsuccessful. Gandalf was slightly offended. Kate then just hit the back of Bilbo's head, making him look at her in disbelief.

"Pops, come on be nice. Those are stuff we think not say." She pauses for a second and turns to Gandalf. "Well, are you?" Renee and Lilith couldn't help it anymore and started laughing like hyenas.

"I think he is a very great wizard in his own way. He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others."

Eventually the conversation ended. After a few hours Lilith got very fidgety and became insanely bored. Renée picked up on this and turned to her.

"You good lils? Want me to play some music to make you feel better?" Lilith just nodded like a little kid saying yes to candy. Kate just chuckled at her while Renée took out her phone and looked through her playlist. Lilith requested a song. Renée put the speaker on high volume and pressed play.

Lilith was singing along while Renée just moved her head to the beat and Kate was humming. The others were looking at them with so much confusion. Bilbo just smiled at his daughters having fun. Kate then requested a song. One of the old classics.

Kili and Fili were so enthralled by Renée and Kate. Lilith noticed and smirked at them. Looks like their feelings are mutual. At least she doesn't have to worry about killing them and hiding their bodies. Bofur was interested in how they were able to do that. The girls then explained everything they knew about phones. The others also listened in and asked questions.

"So you can talk to anyone from anywhere at any time with that box in your hand? Amazing." Ori exclaimed with fascination, causing the girls to nod with pride.

"Not just that but you can play music from it and games. You can also take pics as memories from your adventures. It really comes in handy where we're from. We each have one. If you want we can play some more of our music." They all nodded with excitement. Renée then looked through her playlist for something appropriate and fun. She finally found one and pressed play.

The girls sang the rest of their trip. The others felt a lot better after seeing how happy the girls were. Renée played Whitney, Michael Jackson, James Brown and basically all the classics. The atmosphere changed thanks to the girls and now everyone felt a lot more positive. The Company eventually approached a ruined farmhouse. Thorin scanned the area, before turning to the others.

"We'll camp here for the night. Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them." The group began to dismount. Gandalf wanders into the farmhouse, examining the ruin. The girls huddled together to come up with a plan. They sat away from the group.

"Okay so we need to think of something. We know that there are trolls around these parts but I doubt Thorin's going to listen to us. So we need to put a plan in place. That means girls, we need to come up with some form of distraction. Kate, what do you have in mind?" Renée and Lilith looked at her. Kate started thinking of a good distraction.

"Hmmmmmm. Well we need to wait until they are captured. We can try to keep the trolls busy until Gandalf comes back. But Dad would also need to buy us time. My guess, Thorin's going to make us stay here which gives us a slight advantage. Whatever we do, we need to make sure the others don't find out. Not even Dad."

They nodded and came up with a plan. Meanwhile Thorin and Gandalf were discussing the best move but of course he was stubborn.

"A farmer and his family used to live here."

"Oin, Gloin, get a fire going."

"Right you are". Gloin nodded in agreement, leading his brother into the woods. Gandalf locked eyes with Thorin as he went further into the farmhouse.

"I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley."

"I have told you already, I will not go near that place."

"Why not? The elves could help us! We could get food, rest, advice."

"I do not need their advice."

"We have a map we cannot read; Lord Elrond will help us."

"Help? A dragon attacks Erebor, what help came from the elves? Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls, and the elves looked on and did nothing. You ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather, who betrayed my father?

"You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold onto the past."

"I did not know they were yours to keep."

Gandalf scowled at Thorin and turned around, angry with Thorin. He passed Bilbo, tending to the horses. Bilbo seemed confused.

"Everything all right? Gandalf, where are you going?" The girls looked up to see Gandlf stalking away. They tried to call out to him to stop him but no luck.

"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense."

"And who's that?"

"Myself, Mr. Baggins! I've had enough of dwarves for one day."

Thorin stepped out of the farmhouse, glowering after Gandalf. Lilith marched up to him. Renee and Kate didn't even stop her, sending glares his way.

"Come on, Bombur, we're hungry."

Bilbo turned to Balin.

"Is he coming back?"

Not even Blain knew the answer to that, making Bilbo even more worried.

"What the actual fuck is wrong with you? Were you dropped on your head as a baby? Are you so prideful and thick headed that you won't even go to the elves for help? They could help us figure out the fucking map but no, you let your pride and ego get the best of you. You are such a selfish asshole." Thorin stepped closer to her with a glare but that didn't scare Lilith. Renee came up to them while Kate walked to where her father was.

"You have no right to speak to me like that. You understand nothing. You are nothing but a child. You shouldn't even be here." Lilith just glares right back at him. She wasn't scared of him. She's dealt with assholes like him before.

"Do you think I give a fuck? I really don't. I'm not scared of you. I've dealt with enough dipshits like you, I'm practically a pro at this point. You think that just because you are some king, you can speak to me or anyone like that? I don't care if you're a god or deity. I wont let you disrespect people when you don't get your fucking way and act like a child. You think we've had easy lives? No we haven't but you don't see us acting like a toddler who just got his favourite toy taken from them. You're the one who doesn't understand. And we aren't children, We're 23 fucking years old." Lilith looked like she was on the verge of tears but she still stood her ground. Renée put her hand on her shoulder and pulled her away from Thorin.

"Lilith that's enough. He'll realise the decision he's made and he will come to regret it. Go sit down now and cool off." Lilith nodded and walked to find a nice and comfortable place to cool off. Renée then turned back to Thorin.

"I hope you realise that you just put us all in danger. We tried to warn you, Gandalf tried to warn but you are too fucking prideful to listen. So don't say we didn't warn you when things turn south. We aren't your enemies so stop treating us as if we are. We're just trying to help you. Now I'm going to make sure Lilith isn't plotting your murder because knowing her, she most likely is. We won't bother seeing as we're such burdens on your quest so we ask that you don't bother as well. Thank you." Renée was calm the whole time and Kate knew she was very angry.

The entire camp was silent and in shock from Lilith's screaming match. Kate and Renée walked to her and did their best to not let her kill Thorin in his sleep. Everyone just went on like nothing happened but Thorin could not get Lilith's words out of his head. He looked at her and for a split second he thought he saw his lost love, Elanor. When he heard Lilith's words, his heart broke a little and he didn't know why. Even now he doesn't understand why her words can have such an impact on him. He shook his head and went to talk to Dwalin. The rest of the afternoon, everyone except Bilbo stayed clear of the girls. They were afraid they might go off on them. The girls were grateful but didn't say anything. They were mentally preparing themselves for what was to come.

Lilith's POV

After the girls made sure I was okay and ,as Renée so lovingly put it, not planning Thorin's murder. I still felt annoyed. So standing up and going to my bag I brought with me everything I needed. From fresh clothes to snacks to weapons. Mom signed me up for all types of weapon training as well as self defence classes along with Ren and Kate. I sigh.

"Mom, why did you have to leave me? Leave us? I know you haven't actually left us and you are still here with us but it's hard. I miss you. So do the girls but... It's not the same. I know you have been gone for a while now and I guess I should be over it but I'm not."

I muttered not realising Dwalin was making his way towards me. I sigh and take a deep breath in. I turn to the girls and Papa.

"Guys I need to cool off. I'm going into the woods for a bit and do some things. So don't freak if you can't find me. And don't worry its not anything harmful. I'm just going into the woods to collect my thoughts. Girls, you know how to get my attention."

I told them, referring to a code that we used when we needed to get each other's attention. It was a high pitched quick whistle. For some reason we learned Morse code and we incorporated both of them. The girls and Papa nodded and softly smiled at me.

Making sure I had everything I needed in my bag I turned to the rest of the company making sure that they didn't need any help. Looking over our camp I noticed that everything was basically sorted. So turning on my heel I made my way into the woods making sure to stay clear of the directions I knew the trolls to be.

After walking for a little bit I found where I wanted to do some training. So pulling out my bow and knives and some other things I set up a target to practise on and got to work listening to music.

After about an hour of this I take a break. I'm not sweating but I am taking shallow breaths. All of a sudden I hear a twig snap and out of instinct I spin around pointing my blade at the attacker's neck.

"Lass, relax it's just me."

I recognise the voice to be Dwalin. Lowering my blade I let out a sigh of relief.

"Master Dwalin. Sorry. You gave me a fright. Thought you were something else. What can I do for you?"

"Some of the others got worried when you didn't come back. I wanted to take a leak and heard noises. So I followed them and saw you training. I must admit I'd hate to be on the receiving end. You were very good, miss Lilith."

At the unexpected compliment from grumpy pants- I mean Dwalin. I smiled feeling prideful. I smiled and said thank you. At this point we both sat down on a rock that was near to where I was training.

As we sat in silence I looked around at my surroundings. I didn't really do that before but I'm glad I am now. I notice that there is a little stream with some fish swimming in it. Around us the trees sheltered us from the wind so everything was still.

"Lassie, I have been thinking. You seem really good with weapons and fighting. How about I help you train? I think we could both use it?"

Dwalin's gruff voice brought me back. Surprised, I turned my head and looked at him with wide eyes. Shocked, I nodded with a smile on my face. Out of nowhere I heard whistling.

Lilith can you come back please. The guys are getting worried and we don't really know Middle Earth outside of The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings.

Okay I am coming now.

"Come one Master Dwalin. The girls are calling us."

With a confused face Dwalin follows me back to our camp.

[animusiem]

Billboard USA Exclusion Zone Episode 16 (06/17/2023)

I'm so excited for this week not gonna lie. Yes it's mostly because of Metro Boomin Spiderverse mini album bomb which crossed over to the Global Excl US chart. But looking at the new entries and I just realized the scope of what "global music chart excluding America" really like because damn this is a very chaotic week.

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

8. "Sprinter" by Dave & Central Cee

It's kinda interesting to see a grime song having its biggest debut as I do think that grime might be the next big thing in Europe around 4 years ago. I do think this song has a good beat, but the lyrics man are just bad. One particular highlight is talking about Central Cee hooking up with a feminist...seriously.

15. "S-Class" by Stray Kids

Well I found another penis music-core again and it's due to the chorus which...what's up with the melody here?

20. "Los del Espacio" by LIT killah, Maria Becerra, FMK, Rusherking, Duki, Emilia, Tiago pzk & Big One

Remember that posse cut Te Bote that somehow became a hit in 2018? Well we got another one of those posse cut here with all of these artists. All I can say here is that it's at least more upbeat and fun than Te Bote. Apparently this type of posse cut is a big thing in Argentina alongside BZRP Music Session. I love how it changes genres so that it didn't felt stale. Good stuff.

27. "Popular" by The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti & Madonna

From what I heard, The Idol is another show about exploitation in the entertainment industry? I mean there's already Oshi no Ko and Perfect Blue that have done this concept better but hey just like the former, we have a pop song to go along with it. Now this is one of the few Abel songs that I actually enjoy. 2000's pop-n-b is a perfect fit for Abel and I want Madonna like this. Oh btw fuck Playboi Carti, he didn't add anything to this song but a nuisance.

42. "Ta OK" by DENNIS E MC Kevin O Chris

I think you know how big of an impact streaming and TikTok has in music being more decentralized that we have high debut for Reginal Brazilian song that only ran one and a half minutes.

51. "Calling" by Metro Boomin, Swae Lee, & Nav ft. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

Short review for Across the Spiderverse: One of the best animated movies of all time go watch it if you haven't already. Now for the soundtrack though, I would say it's consistent and played it straight. But because of that, there's no standout songs unlike say Sunflowers or What's Up Danger. But Metro is still a great producer and this song is a great example. I love Swae Lee hook, NAV gave his best performance ever, and A Boogie didn't embarrassed himself here. I hope this became a radio hit...but I want this to be bigger.

61. "Annihilate" by Metro Boomin, Swae Lee, Lil Wayne & Offset

When the beat to this song was used in the movie I felt chill and really showed the scope and the eerieness of the Spider Society looked like. I do think that Offset should do more than his basic verse, but Lil Wayne just go off in this song. I don't know why he always turned up in these CBM films' soundtracks but I approve it.

62. "Am I Dreaming" by Metro Boomin, ASAP Rocky & Roisee

The production saved it from being mediocre. That string and the percussion is just immaculate and showed that he can do more than his typical trap rap stuff given the budget. Roisee got too much filter on her and ASAP Rocky just doing decent here.

77. "El Cielo" by Sky Rompiendo ft. Feid & Myke Towers

I think I'm kinda sick of Feid but with this song, I'll give him another chance because I like the groove and the atmosphere of this song.

79. "Pişman Değilim" by Semicenk ft. Doğu Swag

We got another first here as this is the first Turkish song I am reviewing. And wow this sounds like 2016-17 pop rap stuff complete with the piano, blocky percussion, and strong hook.

103. "Lilith" by Halsey ft. SUGA

So apparently Diablo IV came out recently and seems like video game devs seeing the success of Enemy, are gonna hired musicians to soundtrack their games. Here's one observation of this song, this beat is actually great. But seems like SUGA just cannot ride the beat well.

114. "Makeba" by Jain

This song has one of the tightest bass I've ever heard this year so far. Of course beside that this song seems to be influenced by some Arabic element to it by the sandy feel of the production. It's just a good song.

116. "Obsessed" by Riar Saab ft. Abhijay Sharma

I think I knew that this week is gonna be the most diverse one I've covered when right after a song from French artist that had Arabic influence, I got a punjabi rap song that blew up in Canada.

153. "Self Love" by Metro Boomin & Coi Leray

This is definitely the most underrated song from the Spiderverse album. I love the lowkey pop trap sound juxtaposed with Coi Leray voice which I would describe as if Playboi Carti going pop. And I love this song because the lyrics can be about anything, but the voice clip of Gwen at the end of the song made it seems like it was her song and I love that kind of soundtrack writing.

163. "Tere Vaaste" by Varun Jain, Schin-Jigar, Shadab Faridi & Altamash Faridi

Last time I talked about the soundtrack from this movie it was a ballad. Now we got the upbeat song here...which is still kinda lowkey. But as someone who only watched like bollywood movies from the 80's and 90's, hearing synthetic percussion in this song does threw me off.

186. "Topline" by Stray Kids ft. Tiger JK

...At least the trumpet is good here???

190. "All The Way Live" by Metro Boomin, Future & Lil Uzi Vert

I think this is the weakest song on the album which is such a shame. I love it when Future on Metro's production, but he's kinda checked out here. The production does saved it but this is indeed sounded like above average Baby Pluto song.

193. "Me Entere" by Tiago Pzk & TINI

Tiago Pzk was supposed to be the next big thing in reggaeton scene...and then he just didn't. Anyways this song is too bouncy even for me.

I highly recommend everyone to listen to these songs

[nfumbewalk]

About Rodolfo! 💖💀💖

Here's Rodolfo's altar the way he wants it, when not doing magical/spiritual work. Only thing I'm missing is a red "kerchief" (he used this old term) for underneath his vessel. I ordered him some. He also wanted that damn rosary around the skull, which is hard to do. Thank God he is happy with the crucifix on the rosary that's hanging. I didn't want to buy one. His Bible has to be there too. 😊 Coffee and tequila to left, not right. Lol! He suddenly got fussy. The vessel? He says, don't touch until kerchief arrives.

He just told me to write his name in the Bible. Interesting. I think he's showing more presence and a stronger personality lately. And...I'm noticing that if I mention Rodolfo around my husband Tom, he acts strange. Uncomfortable and like he's not wanting to listen. I wonder if Tom has seen Rodolfo? He's been pretty active lately and Tom and I were bickering badly for a while. I doubt Rodolfo will put up with shit. Being a Free Soul biker, and a fellow military man as well. Both Army. Though Rodolfo's rank was PFC, they were both medically discharged. I think Tom was an E3.

Anyway, things quieted down. Not Rodolfo though. He scratched at the bathroom door again and I heard his denim clothing very close to me. He touches my hair, sometimes he brushes my shoulder. Its very lovingly and sweet though. He's 59 now, died at 35. Seems tragic. He told me that he died of a gunshot wound to his gut but that it wasn't crime related, an act of his own will. He said he didn't want to trigger my harmful thoughts by telling me that he killed himself.

I understand though. Having been too close way too many times myself, I feel that familiar sense of desperate woe with the cycle of constant ideation. I'm sure the Army caught it too. He said when "he had the accident with his hand, he felt worthless, no job, without potential anymore. It all weighed him down and he could barely seek treatment because his family judged him and his father called him weak. At the end, he went with some heavy drugs, MD (Mad Dog), and a single shot .38 pistol aimed for his jaw. The gun slipped (he was high on heroin), the shot hitting him in the large intestine and pierced the sac. He was taken to Sacred Heart by a buddy nearby.

He died on the table during surgery because of a heart problem unrelated to the injury."

This is verbatim from what he has told me via channeling. Some was knowledge that I picked up because Rodolfo cannot recall parts of his own death. This is a common feature for most ppl because the "death process" is quite tough and sometimes traumatic - like with Rodolfo. Ppl usually do not remember their own death, though some with extreme trauma do. The death process is different for everyone. The smoother the better.

I really feel Rodolfo's pain. Luckily, he remembers, but isn't obsessed by it. It doesn't haunt him.

I was going to mention how I initially met Rodolfo! I'll probably be repeating shit, but here goes. Lol!

So, Tom was off of work on disability. For some reason, we loved Dairy Queen in 2011 or so. There happened to be a great, secluded, graveyard a little ways down 126 from DQ. Its a town called Noti. Dinky little spot. I 💖loved💖 that graveyard! My Tata in Palo wanted me to do more work in the graveyard, particularly assembling a spirit group to work with or collecting a muerto into a specific quartz crystal of mine. Yes, he was a Tata. Yes, he was on the fringes of Palo. And, yes, he is deceased now and refuse to speak ill of the muertos!

So, Tom and I kept going to the graveyard several times a week. The death energy was so frightfully strong. It had a sound - like those Solfeggio songs that you can find on YouTube for chakra cleansing. It sounded like the 852 hz tones, activating the Third Eye. Rather than the 452 hz which is opening and balancing the Third Eye.

What was I doing there? Meditating, communing with death energy, chatting with muertos, and visiting Free Souls! We found a modest grave with a simple stone. Tom noticed the Army rank and we saw Vagos and Nomad, other biker gangs. I liked this bikers name. It looked romantic. Rodolfo! I couldn't manage his last name!

We spent time there. My gifts weren't all apparent or present yet. I was a powerhouse according to Antonio, my Tata. His predictions came fuckin true! I decided to bring my quartz to the graveyard plus the payment and booze. I did the ritual collection my own way. I wasn't sure that it worked.

Well, it DID work, but Rodolfo had no shelter. Stupidly, I thought he was gone. Oh, little did I know. From 2012 to the beginning of October 2022, I had no idea what was going to happen. I met another Tata, Angel. He taught me things. About vessels. I remembered Rodolfo out of the blue. Angel told me to do the ritual. It was like a switch got turned on! My entire life changed for the better. 😊 Angel said my vessel looked very powerful, muerto within, and a total success.

Sorry but Paleros are quite special - they see and pick up things others do not. Maybe its the special "eye" of the cauldron - the mpaka. Dunno. If I mess up Palo terms, I apologize. I don't use them daily. 😉 I will be looking for some Spanish language Palo books though!! I'm not even close to knowing Spanish, but I can read a little. Rodolfo makes fun of me when I pronounce things funny, but its all in jest.

Now I know how Rodolfo died. I channeled it as I was writing this post. I had to pretty it up. Made me teary.

Thanks for reading if you got this far!

M.M. 💖💀💖

[radellama]

29, 42, 58?

29. favourite film(s)

Whenever people ask my top choices, it's always these:

Gattaca - beautiful character driven narrative, low concept sci-fi, and dramatic all at once. I really liked this movie the first time I saw it as a young teen when there was a run of it on TV, and then we had to watch it for year 11 English and I was like 'yoooo I love this movie!' (but unfortunately we had to compare it to a piece of shit play called cosi which I was lowkey offended by the way they handled the subject matter, but I digress. Worst thing to write a comparative essay to🙄) I also took the opportunity to write the scene analysis I wanted to in uni while studying film, which is so fun cause there's such evocative imagery in the film, even if it's a bit in your face at times haha. I watched it a lot during lockdown, I think at least 20 times in the latter half of 2020. It's just a nice film I like it. And Andrew Niccol (writer/director) also wrote The Truman Show, which adds a fascinating layer when you look at both films together 😉

Napoleon Dynamite - this is just such a funny and quoteable movie, and every other moment makes me laugh, either at a visual gag, the dialogue or delivery of, or just out of endearment. There's some interesting points at just watching a slice of life type of movie like this, and when they're pulled off in such an entertaining way like this I reaaaally love the mundanety of it!

Daddy Day Care - childhood favourite, what can I say. I could probably quote 90% of the movie off the top of my head, so much is ingrained in my mind lmao. Like any time I come across anything laminated, or this iconic scene, or the 'loser, loser, looooser!!' that I do to my siblings often. Another down to earth, slice of life type movie. Also all the licenced songs in the soundtrack I associate with this movie, and being a Trekkie enhances the experience but isn't necessary lmao

Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan - brilliant fucking movie. I know most Trekkies say this is their fave, but I think this is mine for the series. I started a new tradition when I trans gendered and now watch it every year the night before my bday with some apple crumble and ice cream. Been going strong the past couple of years! I just love how tense the story can get when there's the chase and circling of each other when Khan decides to get his revenge, and the emotional highs and lows of the movie just hit. It's the perfect kind of drama for star trek, and I'm so glad Nicholas Meyer chose to bring back Khan as an antagonist and create such a rich and layered narrative to enjoy

42. favourite book(s)

Unwind - Niel Shusterman

I read this in the library of my last high school, the one I graduated from. I had already moved a couple of times and was incredibly socially anxious (still am, but not that bad anymore.. Usually) and didn't really try to make any friends cause I couldn't be bothered LMAO. Before I ended up with a nice couple of friends, I'd just go through the sci-fi and dystopian sections in the school library, and amidst all the schlock, THIS stood out and was genuinely a great read. I bought the box set for a past bday gift to self, but haven't had the time and remembering to read align to go through it again. The topics explored here are so fascinating and get dark and confronting in ways that were really great and harrowing to read as a 16/17 year old, and I look forward to reading it again.

Levius - Haruhisa Nakata

This is a manga I just took a chance on, seeing it on the shelf and really liking the art style. Flicking through the pages just confirmed that it was fucking gorgeous, and after buying and reading it, I'm soooo glad I did. Although I enjoy the sequel/continuation levius est as well, there's just something about the original run that hits harder, and it was sad to see some details of it changed and undone in est. Still, great manga and I wanna go through and read it again soon and try draw stuff for it maybe

Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis

Childhood favourite, I read and reread all the Narnia books over and over as a little kid. I don't remember much anymore cause it's been years, but I should really pick them up again and see what changes now I've lived a bit more life. I remember really liking the horse and his boy in particular when I was a kid, which is funny to look back on... But I'm saying the chronicles as a whole lol can't stop me

Noragami - Adachitoka

Na na na na naaa I'm saying the whole manga series! I need to finish catching up with the manga (I was doing well reading them but then some health issues popped up and I couldn't read for so long and it made me sad, I'll get back to it soon hopefully 👊😔) but seriously. What a fucking fantastic story, I love the kind of.. religious inspired fantasy here, it was my favourite anime as a teen (and probably still is) cause a lot of the drama and plot points just feel so good. The characters are all so fun and I loved the main trio of yato, hiyori and yukine so much, but the extended ensemble cast are so great and it's really fun getting to know them and their histories...

58. description of my best friend

Reverse jerk off time 😏

We've been friends for so long and it's funny to think about how different the dynamics have been over the years. I remember when we were in every single elective class for some reason in year seven, even tho all the electives were supposed to have rotating students so we all got a chance to meet each other and not have the same students all together. We didn't talk to each other until a mutual friend at the time introduced us, but I remember we got along singing Smosh songs and would discuss (and argue) almost everything LMAO. We also got on due to our mutual interest in writing, and I remember a lot of times where we'd share little bits of our stories and even try write some stuff together.

All these years later and we're still doing that. It's been fun seeing how much you've changed over the years, and how that reflects in your story telling (tho you should write more) cause you've had some really interesting ideas for characters and stories and it's fun hearing them grow into what they've become. We definitely need to write and film stuff together at some stage, even if it takes a few years to get going lolll

You're funny, a bit cheeky, clever and way too tall. Can't wait for the next phone call where we just make noises for a few hours and then once it's 2 am start discussing deep character motivations, like "do you think they get horrrnnyyyyyyyy???" And make up silly shit that is not at all canon to our stories. Unless it is, just depends 😏

[music-industry-updates]

Mastering the Craft: How to Write a Hit Song and Sell It

Writing a hit song that sells well is a goal for many musicians. It involves a blend of creativity, technical skill, and market savvy. This guide will walk you through the crucial steps of crafting compelling lyrics and melodies, ensuring high production quality, and effectively marketing and selling your music.

1. Lyrical Mastery

Theme Selection: A great song often starts with a strong theme. Choose themes that are relatable and impactful. Love, heartbreak, joy, and struggle are timeless themes that resonate with a wide audience. Reflect on your personal experiences or observe the world around you to find inspiration.

Lyric Structure: A well-structured song can enhance its appeal. Common structures include verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus. This structure helps build anticipation and release, making the song more engaging. Pay attention to rhyme schemes and rhythm to ensure the lyrics flow smoothly and are easy to sing along to.

2. Melodic Prowess

Crafting a Hook: The hook is the most memorable part of the song. It's the catchy phrase or melody that sticks in the listener's mind. Spend time experimenting with different melodies and rhythms until you find a hook that stands out. Simplicity often works best; think of iconic hooks from songs like "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson or "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran.

Chord Progressions: The right chord progression can evoke specific emotions and set the mood of your song. Experiment with different chords to find a progression that complements your melody. Popular progressions like I-V-vi-IV are widely used in hit songs for their pleasing and familiar sound.

3. Production Value

Recording Techniques: Achieving high-quality recordings is essential for a professional sound. Use a good microphone and audio interface to capture clear and detailed audio. Record in a quiet, acoustically treated space to minimize background noise and unwanted reflections.

Mixing and Mastering: Mixing involves balancing the different elements of your track, such as vocals, instruments, and effects. Use EQ to carve out space for each element, compression to control dynamics, and reverb to add depth. Mastering is the final step that ensures your track sounds polished and cohesive on all playback systems.

4. Understanding the Market

Current Trends: Staying updated with the latest trends in music can help you craft a song that feels contemporary and relevant. Listen to current hits and analyze what makes them popular. Pay attention to production techniques, lyrical themes, and overall sound.

Target Audience: Identify your target audience and tailor your song to their preferences. Consider factors like age, gender, and musical tastes. Understanding your audience will help you make informed decisions about your song's style and promotion strategy.

5. Promotion and Distribution

Marketing Strategies: Effective promotion is key to getting your song heard. Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to share your music and connect with fans. Create engaging content, such as music videos, behind-the-scenes footage, and live performances, to keep your audience interested.

Building a Brand: Developing a strong personal brand can enhance your music's appeal. Your brand should reflect your personality and artistic vision. Consistency is crucial; use similar visual styles, colors, and messaging across all your platforms to create a cohesive image.

6. Selling Your Song

Distribution Methods: There are various platforms to distribute your music, including streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Each platform has its own audience and marketing tools. Use a digital distribution service to get your music on multiple platforms and reach a wider audience.

Revenue Streams: Monetize your music through multiple channels. Streaming royalties from platforms like Spotify can provide a steady income. Additionally, consider selling merchandise, offering exclusive content on platforms like Patreon, and licensing your music for use in films, TV shows, and commercials.

Conclusion

Creating a hit song involves more than just talent; it requires a strategic approach to writing, producing, and marketing your music. By mastering the craft of songwriting, understanding the market, and effectively promoting your work, you can increase your chances of achieving both artistic and commercial success.

[spinstrackingsystem]

Country Artists reel in nominations at 2024 NMAs

We thought it might have been a misprint but once confirmed it was quite something to see that Beyonce was #1 “most added” at Country radio. Her new “Texas Hold ‘Em” (Parkwood/Columbia) has been quite the surprise so far in 2024. It appears that this one has broken wide open on multiple formats and Country radio is now leading the charge.  Quite an accomplishment I would say, and it will be interesting to see just how high this one can fly. Nate Smith Chris Stapleton is out and about with a new single that appears to be another huge hit single for him. “Think I’m In Love With You” (Mercury Nashville) has really taken off big time and the support from many music and programmers has been truly off the charts.  Nate Smith has a solid record on his hands. Many are singing the praises of the song “Bulletproof” (RCA Nashville) and for good reason. It’s a solid winner from start to finish.  Dylan Scott is following the path of many out there talking about some hometown support and love. “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” (Curb) is his latest and the spins on this one are quite powerful. Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton have a good thing going and they want the world to know it. “Purple Irises” (Warner/Interscope) is the song from this happy couple. It was great seeing them together at this year’s Super Bowl and we wish the best to them with this new single that appears to be quite well on its way. Dan & Shay Dan + Shay keeps their strong list of hits alive and well. “Bigger Houses” ( Read the full article

[logginspromotion]

Country Artists reel in nominations at 2024 NMAs

We thought it might have been a misprint but once confirmed it was quite something to see that Beyonce was #1 “most added” at Country radio. Her new “Texas Hold ‘Em” (Parkwood/Columbia) has been quite the surprise so far in 2024. It appears that this one has broken wide open on multiple formats and Country radio is now leading the charge.  Quite an accomplishment I would say, and it will be interesting to see just how high this one can fly. Nate Smith Chris Stapleton is out and about with a new single that appears to be another huge hit single for him. “Think I’m In Love With You” (Mercury Nashville) has really taken off big time and the support from many music and programmers has been truly off the charts.  Nate Smith has a solid record on his hands. Many are singing the praises of the song “Bulletproof” (RCA Nashville) and for good reason. It’s a solid winner from start to finish.  Dylan Scott is following the path of many out there talking about some hometown support and love. “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” (Curb) is his latest and the spins on this one are quite powerful. Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton have a good thing going and they want the world to know it. “Purple Irises” (Warner/Interscope) is the song from this happy couple. It was great seeing them together at this year’s Super Bowl and we wish the best to them with this new single that appears to be quite well on its way. Dan & Shay Dan + Shay keeps their strong list of hits alive and well. “Bigger Houses” (

[newmusicweekly]

Country Artists reel in nominations at 2024 NMAs

We thought it might have been a misprint but once confirmed it was quite something to see that Beyonce was #1 “most added” at Country radio. Her new "Texas Hold 'Em" (Parkwood/Columbia) has been quite the surprise so far in 2024. It appears that this one has broken wide open on multiple formats and Country radio is now leading the charge.  Quite an accomplishment I would say, and it will be interesting to see just how high this one can fly. Chris Stapleton is out and about with a new single that appears to be another huge hit single for him. "Think I'm In Love With You" (Mercury Nashville) has really taken off big time and the support from many music and programmers has been truly off the charts.  Nate Smith has a solid record on his hands. Many are singing the praises of the song "Bulletproof" (RCA Nashville) and for good reason. It’s a solid winner from start to finish.  Dylan Scott is following the path of many out there talking about some hometown support and love. "This Town's Been Too Good To Us" (Curb) is his latest and the spins on this one are quite powerful. Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton have a good thing going and they want the world to know it. "Purple Irises" (Warner/Interscope) is the song from this happy couple. It was great seeing them together at this year’s Super Bowl and we wish the best to them with this new single that appears to be quite well on its way. Dan + Shay keeps their strong list of hits alive and well. "Bigger Houses" (Warner/WAR) Read the full article