#i'll promo them in another post eventually

[not-so-superheroine]

deseret book is more persistent than duolingo.

i ordered 2 books for a church research project on Black saints in the early Church and also in the Reorganization, on which the one book had a small section us and all had info from the our shared early church history, and it was an ebook too!

and i get physical mail from them once a month. i have no idea how to cancel.

herald house, the community of christ publishing house, contacts me much less, and i buy books from them all the time.

and oh their church book app reminds me to read my scriptures and the words of their prophets regularly if it's not in sleep mode.

i have to admire the effort behind it, ngl.

[sugar-and-pearls]

Howdy ghouls, folks and dearie- ohs

My name is Hedone and I've been in this community for about three years now. I love it truly and wish never to be parted from it. But in that time I've noticed somethings. Like how it can be difficult to survive it, especially when your starting out I feel. So, to give back I made this;

This is your guide on how to make friends and survive the selfshipping community.

So with that out the way, there are some steps to survive.

Create -

In my view, self shipping is often a creative outlet as it is a comforting one. The ability to take a piece of media into my hands and shape it to my whims and will is often awe-inspiring. I'll admit it's easier to see it with other people than with ourselves.

So with this in mind - start off small, though if you want to go guns blazing you can do that too. It doesn't have to be a lot. If you feel embarrassed, don't be. If you are afraid then don't worry cus your definitely not alone there.

Often times it helps to make a promo. This way people who find you can know some quick facts; your title, your fos and any other bits of info you wish to give. Most people will want to know if you share an fo or not - whether this is in case they are uncomfortable with share or want to know if your comfortable with sharing. Whether you are or not is your choice.

'this user' boxes are a fun way to decorate and tell people about yourself. If your worried about how it looks, then make another one, there's no limit unless you make one. Some people make Cards for it. If that's intimidating, don't worry boo, this is Tumblr - you do you.

My first real post was about what it would be like my mind was like a house and what which fos would stay and which ones would come and go. I posted it three years ago and in all that time it has gotten 16 notes on it. Does that mean that I shouldn't have created it? no, no it doesn't. Because when I read it it makes me happy.

Do a gush post, make art, start 'reblog with your f/o' game, write stories, make a moodboard - start the flow on those creative juices.

interact -

I've seen a lot of people be nervous about talking to new people and I can tell you, I feel the same. Its daunting, talking to someone new and it can be awkward wading through the small talk. Most people are in the same boat as you; nervous and wishing to talk about their fos.

Instead of focusing on being popular, try and make friends instead, its much much more emotionally fulling than the first option. Find people with fos in the same source, and try and build it up from there. You'll find your weridos eventually - you just got to sieve though the rest first. You don't have to be best pals with everyone on there but be friendly.

If you recognise a character, why not send an ask? If you have a mutual in mind, why not try and talk with them? Reblog other people's art and moodboards and posts. Doing content trades is a great way to interact with people (and boo if your worried or don't think your content is very good, don't be - we're all evolving here). Also if you can or just like to draw, you can make fanarts for a selfship you like or would like to be your mutual - like I said before, everyone on here just wants to talk about their fos here, all that is needed is a small push first.

With that in mind not everyone you talk to is going to like you, or interact the same way you do. Everyone has a style to themselves and that's ok - the trick is find someone who has the same, or a similar style as you. Even though we are interacting through a screen, remember that there is another person behind that screen; ask them how they're doing, what they're up to, if anything positive happen in their life.

Also be careful about the kinds of people you want to befriend- do they give back what you give first? Do they share your joy? You're bound to find many you click with, just be patient and don't give up - you got this 👍😊👍

Make Friends From All Walks Of The Community -

You'll never know who you're fandom buddy will be - Antis, proships, all are people and all have a different flavour to one another. Its up to you to pick. I've found that to survive here you have to lay roots. No man is an island after all. If you don't agree with a someone's ship or like it doesn't cost much to just be polite. Being considerate and kind to other people's selfships goes a long way round here.

Insecurity

Its pretty easy to feel intimidated by other's success. feeling like their ships are being validated while yours aren't (trust me here - I know what I speak of) but here's what you have to remember: We're all just people daydreaming about fictional characters - No one is better than you and you f/os will always love you!

This is one of the many reasons why building a foundation of fellow weridos is important, its good to have a someone that your able to lean on and vice versa.

But main point here is that no matter what, no one can take away your fos love for you nor your love for them. And if they try, flip them the 🖕 cus we don't give a 🦆

Karma -

I see a few newbies do this where they go onto someone's blog, reblog a game but not send in an ask from that game. If you reblog an ask game off of someone, sent in an ask from that game. Every little helps and it spreads the love around.

Tumblr is not like Instagram, likes are not the currency here. Reblog other people's art and moodboards and posts. Leave a comment in the tags about the things you like or what you felt like when you saw it, send in an ask about their post.

Remember that even though we are interacting through a screen, there is another person behind that screen; Wishing for the same things as you do.

Take Breaks

It can be tiring on here, takes up a lot of energy so taking breaks can be good for you.

It's not like your fos are going to run away the second you turn your back - come away from Tumblr for a bit and reconnect with the outside, touch some grass, take a walk outside for a while. Its can be for as long as you like. I usually find that I like to take these breaks when I have things planned, so like if I'm going somewhere or have a thing planned I generally just try and stay off Tumblr for as long as I can, till I really want to.

If you feel like your abandoning your fos then why not take them with you? what would they say when your outside? How would they react? What would you say back? things like that.

Like with many of my posts, I doubt it will get much attraction. But if one person sees it and it helps them, then that's my dues paid, my contribute made. A very special thank you to @echoes-lighthouse @wisemins @hibiscus-ships @tex-treasures @missnaunet @vanilla-ending, @multyshipping for all your tips and helps with making this post.

With that said, thank you for reading this and if you never see me again

Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry met Again.

[swearingcactus]

Obscure Far Cry Promos and Content

I'm a big far cry fan, which means I have to make my own food in this economy. But sometimes I just want some ACTUAL canon or canon-ish or even just canon-adjacent content, y'know? It has gotten to the point I go into youtube rabbit holes or watch a remarkably below average hallmark movies for 5 minutes of an actor's screentime to hopefully hear Jason or Ajay or whoever talk. And so in these quests, I've found a couple obscure promos. Gonna compile them here for myself mostly :)

Far Cry 3

Far Cry 3 - The Voices of Insanity: Doctor Earnhardt //a live action video with Alec Earnhardt's VA

Far Cry 3 - The Voices of Insanity: Vaas //same thing but with Michael Mando

Hoyt Audition Far Cry 3 //the last part of "The Voices of Insanity" videos, couldn't find the one from Ubisoft's own account but someone else had posted it on youtube

Far Cry 3 for PS3: TV Spot

Far Cry 3 -- Island Survival Guide: Psychopaths, Drugs & Other Dangers // video narrated by Willis Huntley

Far Cry 3 -- The Savages: Vaas & Buck // this video shows a rare render of vaas with tataus on his arm!

Far Cry 3 | The Tribe: Citra & Dennis //this video has a deleted scene where Jason hallucinates the tatau snaking up his arm

Far Cry 3 -- The Tyrant: Hoyt

Far Cry 3 - Insane Edition // this is a promo done for a special edition for the game, Michael Mando probably couldn't shoot the promo himself and just voice acted, and so they used another actor and made it so the camera never sees Vaas's face.

^ There is also a survival guide titled Face Your Insanity written by post-Rook events Jason Brody as part of the Insane Edition.

Far Cry 3 | E3 2012 Step Into Insanity Trailer [NORTH AMERICA] // this has a few close-ups of Jason and Vaas switching places with each other

Far Cry 3 Interviews (via @lulu2992)

Far Cry 3 Tweets by Jeffrey Yohalem, the lead writer. (also compiled by @/lulu2992! Thanks again!)

Far Cry 4

Divya Kandala's Blog (archived on the Wayback Machine) // Divya Kandala is a fictional journalist who wrote a blog about her travels to Kyrat, her blog's basically world-building promo for FC4. You could also find the house she stayed at in Kyrat!

Far Cry 4 TV Commercial

Far Cry 4 | Kyrat Tuk Tuk Stories //this is the MOST we see ajay in third person in promo content

Far Cry 4 - CGI Trailer // this isn't exactly RARE but it took forever for me to find that clip of ajay's eyes reflecting from the kukri. plus he looks EXTREMELY caucasian which really doesn't help the rumors I've heard that they originally wanted Jason again as FC4's protag

Comedy Central Far Cry 4 Commercial feat Danny Pudi & Donald Glover

Far Cry 4 and Childish Gambino: The Collaboration | PS4, PS3 // a music video for Crawl by Childish Gambino done as a collab

Old Archive.Org link to the Far Cry 4 webpage that had a choose your own adventure campaign

^ and the youtube video to promote it

Far Cry 4 | Behind the Scene Trailer 1/3 [Europe] // developer vlogs when they visited Nepal and interviewed the ghurka that became base for Golden Path, you can see the village that resembles Banapur a lot!

Far Cry 4 Performance Capture Interview // you can see Janina Gavankar, Amita's actress doing some mocap in this

Janina Gavankar Talks Far Cry 4 - ^ and the interview with her after

World Gameplay Premiere - Walkthrough E3 2014 - Far Cry 4 // this was to showcase gameplay but they eventually took out this entire mission where you have to wingsuit to Ratu Gadhi (Yuma's fortress), which is a shame because it looked very nice.

Far Cry 5

i'll be honest, im not a fc5 girlie, so i dont usually do a lot of digging, and im pretty sure these are actually not obscure at all. but these are trailers i found that really blew it out of the park. the marketing team for 5 really went HAM

Far Cry 5: Teaser Trailer | Ubisoft //this has a peggie banging someone's head to a church bell rhythmically with the gorgeous view of Montana mountains as backdrop and i for one, find it hilarious

Far Cry 5 | The Sermon - Live Action Trailer

Far Cry 5 | The Baptism - Live Action Trailer //somebody once mentioned this one has Joseph looking like Trevor GTA and i have never quite known peace ever since. it really also shows the reality of how Joseph is actually just really Unwell, and lore that Joseph killed Pastor Jerome's daughter that never showed up in-game.

Far Cry 5: Anything Can Happen, Everything Will - Live Action TV Spot | Trailer // mixes live action and game CGI renders, pretty cool actually!

The Making of Far Cry 5 | Behind the Scenes of Ubisoft [Documentary]

Far Cry 6 Comics

not gonna put in FC6 stuff because they're actually very easy to find! lots of trailers and mocaps and interviews on youtube :) Far Cry 6 actually has a more obscure lore in their comics

Far Cry: Esperanza's Tears comic // this is a Juan-centric prequel comic that features a completely new country, lore about Far Cry universe's political landscape, and lots of cameos from 3-6's characters! very interesting read especially if you're a sucker for backstories like me

Far Cry: Rite of Passage comic // this is more popular as it features Anton telling Diego the backstories for 3-5's villains.

There is also a book titled The Official Far Cry Survival Guide written by a fictional character called Hunter Nash, who supposedly grew up with Hope County-level of a doomsday prepper dad and winds up as a journalist who travels to the locations of 3-6 and wrote how to survive each location accordingly. It's adorned with official artwork of the games and plenty of survival tips. Not much lore-wise, but cool nonetheless! it also fuels my co-workers au ideas but that's personal.

i have actually found stuff like a really old MTV show called Undressed with Gianpaolo Venuta where he uses his Jason voice for his character, and how Patrick Kwok-Choon, the new voice actor for Ajay does voice acting in Thomas the Train Engine and Paw Patrol, and an indie movie with Greg Bryk where he wears fun sunglasses like Joseph, but that's neither here nor there to the franchise, so eh. // i'll edit this post if i find more, so maybe check back sometimes!

[vexx-ation]

Account Update (mostly music project stuff)

Hi all! Just wanted to give a quick update on my music project (dw it's still going). I just started medical school, and while I love it, there's a lot less time to fool around and listen to albums than at my last job (alas.). Luckily I've backlogged everything until December 15th, so I'm not in danger of missing a day, but this does mean I likely won't be able to extend the project into next year while keeping the daily format. I do plan on reviewing every album sent to me, and eventually want to make it to 1000 albums, but after 2024 the reviews likely won't be posted daily anymore. That being said, because the backlog is so long and I'm so busy, please know that if you send in an album it'll likely be months before I actually post the review. Just wanted to say that I appreciate the recommendations more than I can say, and feel kinda bad it looks like I'm ignoring yall with how long it takes to post anything. Feel free to keep sending them-- there's no such thing as too many recs when I'm trying to get to 1000 albums!! Also, feel free to Truly send anything, the more niche the better. I've found some of my favorite albums that way :)

TLDR for this part: Daily album reviews for 2024, then switching to a looser schedule. Keep sending recs if you have them, I love what yall have sent so far! <3

In terms of other projects, especially daily ones, I do have another that I'm gearing up for 2025. I love taking photographs (landscapes almost exclusively), and plan on queueing up those to post daily starting in 2025. I'll also be posting reviews of things that I read, listen to, or watch, but those will be more sporadic and of varying quality

Final note: Thank you SO much to every single one of my followers and people who interact with my posts. I post some really niche concept and love to yap, so to know that people are reading it, finding new music, and sending in recs because they like my stuff means the world. I don't really browse tumblr much (I only really post) so if you have a project you want me to check out or promo on my more popular fandom blog (it literally has over 10x the follower count of this one lol) hmu!! I love seeing people's projects :)

Sorry for the wall of text-- I hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

[maxwelljacobfriedman]

Can you explain the conditional love post, including who max is?

Well, it wasn't really a fully fleshed out idea, and I'm not totally clear on how far back to start if you're asking (I'm assuming genuinely) who Max is. I'll try not to be too long-winded, but if you/anyone want(s) more clarification feel free to ask.

Max is the wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman, my usernamesake. He has a tattoo in Hebrew on his ribs that translates to unconditional love:

Which in kayfabe is ironic, because the character has no room for love in his life, and pushes everyone away, uses people until they're no longer useful and then betrays them, hates himself, wants to make people hate him before they have a chance to reject him, etc.

But once upon a time, MJF was just little Max, who LOVED wrestling, and his hero, CM Punk. There are definitely better summaries and meta analyses of them than I can get into right now, but let's just say that Punk and Max are insane about each other, and even while Punk was out injured/suspended/status unknown for 9 months, Max continued to be insane about Punk, and occasionally Punk was also insane about Max even though he wasn't on tv or giving interviews or officially part of any AEW storylines.

CM Punk comes back to tv this past Saturday, and one of the things he says during his return promo, where he seemed to be signalling he'll be more of a heel this time around, was, to the Chicago crowd, "I love you because you love me." This really struck me as a discordant line for a returning hero thanking his fans for sticking by him, because it implies a condition to the love, right? I wouldn't love you if you didn't love me - I won't love you if you don't satisfactorily demonstrate your love - I will turn on you if I don't feel properly loved by you.

How does this go back to Max's tattoo? That was the "something something" in the original post ie I don't have that fully articulated, which is why the post was sitting in my drafts, and when I posted it just sort of thought it'd be funny for like, @pepsi-maxwell and @unconditionallovebot and @purplehairsecretlair and a few others, (sorry if I didn't tag you, I don't want to be annoying).

But having thought about it some more, I guess I would say the "something something" is about how similar they are, and how much they obfuscate to the audience, how they're so terrible because they believe everyone eventually leaves, and the only person you can count on is yourself, but, at the same time, wear the thing they really want on their bodies: unconditional love, and, while the more prominent tattoo is the drug free one, above that, spelled across Punk's fingers is ROMANCE (I think blood is romantic, he once wrote on livejournal), and in one another they've found someone - maybe it's not love (or maybe it is), they've found someone who, no matter how cruel they are, no matter how much they insult each other or make each other bleed, or find the most painful emotional chord to pluck, they're unconditionally obsessed with each other.

Romance.

[pechaberriesandsoju]

One More Time Promo

🍑Heyya! Names Peach! Let's try this one more time this month! I'm a short 23 year old Mexican self shipper! I'm bi ace, and I go by she/her, and they them!

🌌 My original blog, starstruckpeaches, was a side blog. Now I'm not a side blog! Talk about an upgrade!

🍑I have adhd so my brain bounces around from stuff to stuff! Currently, it's NSR (No Straight Roads) and another game that I'll occasionally hint at.

🌌I have a lot of f/os, but I'm currently focused on Zuk.e and Elo.ni/Green 1010 from NSR, along with a kinda secret f/o that I'm kinda shy about talking about atm due to anxiety and trauma. I'll open up more about my 🧢 f/o eventually! Feel free to ask me about them! I'll give some hints!

🍑Please read my pinned post before you interact - my carrd is there!!

🌌My inbox is open! Feel free to talk to me! I'm shy, so you gotta approach me first most of the time, sorry! If we were mutuals on my original blog, then don't worry, we don't have to restart!

🍑I believe self shipping is all about comfort, fun, self care, and self-love! We're all here for a good time, so let's try to get along, please!

Pro.shippers, com.shippers DO NOT INTERACT. You will be blocked. Respect my boundaries.

Stay awesome!

Divider by @/saradika

[denniswilsonzine]

Made a thing - anyone want a sampler/test print preview copy of the zine?

Sent some stuff off to mixam (UK) to see how they looked like in print versus just being on my screen, mostly came out really good. One of only three copies to exist - ordered one test zine & they sent me two extra copies. Got one copy plus some promo merch on ebay right now ... * eta: somebody incredibly cool actually bought it omg squee

[and an almost identical copy is on ko-fi or available to trade. *** message me if you're interested in trading **** ]

*(sorry this took a ridiculously long time for me to finish writing and uploading all the images thanks to exhaustion & shitty internet - the ebay copy'll probably have sold by the time you see this post / it escapes being stuck in drafts, and I still haven't added image descriptions.)

...with not quite world wide postage via ebay's Global Shipping Programme, I'm keeping the best quality one & was thinking of doing a giveaway of the other* when I finally write the review of mixam's print quality I promised months ago, unless anyone wants to trade? - fake edit: *scratch that, copy #2 of #3 is now up in my ko-fi shop & I'll probably stick it on etsy, now I've seen people are actually interested in the ebay copy.(eta: somebody incredibly cool actually bought it omg squee)

https://ko-fi.com/s/483109b440 *** message me if you want to trade **** copy #2 has the same content as #3 shown below, just slightly different margin/bleed printing & Copy #2 of #3 written on the front cover. - it's 44 pages of a couple of articles and extracts of bits of issues 1 & two plus spreads from possible future issues (mostly graphics) inc. rough drafts etc.

Thoughts Of You a Dennis Wilson fanzine Mixam Zine test print no #1 Sept Nov 2023 Stapled, bleed recycled silk 130 GSM 44 pages #1 of 1 #3 of 3 by Jenna Appleseed (me)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226162925472 includes coverage of virtual zine fests, inc KC Zine Con; earlier issue's cover art; collages by Valarie Simadis; zine promo; being featured on De_ziners instagram; Dennis performing Angel Come Home on The Midnight Special; a Dennis t-shirt, a Dennis song recommendation from The Horrors & tributes and art by Gino Dal Cin. Some of this is reprinted from pdf issues 1 & 2 and/or going to reappear in a proper print issue/future digital zine, revised/updated or with a better layout.

Colours are richer in print than they look in the photos. (it's impossible to get decent photos without glare or off colours) Promo stuff:

sticker is a 10cm x 3.3cm vinyl sticker showing the fanzine logo/header with a white border. (done with a stickermule discount before I realised they were as dodgy as fuck, sorry.)

Business cards are printed by Moo on card made from recycled cotton t-shirts & have three different designs on the front & fanzine info on the back.

Designs are: the zine logo, issue one's front cover, and a photo of a silver heart trinket engraved with Forever.

Three million photos showing all pages incoming, click keep reading to see them: One or two pics are NSFW for swearing

10 page feature from issue 2 about virtual zine fests inc. KC Zine Con & zine merch. (lots of trash pandas reading zines).

Two variations of a layout with a song recommendation from The Horrors, one'll end up in a zine when I work out which looks best. (background taken from the cover art for their album Skying)

A couple of Dennis image edits/layer blends & layout I designed. (these'll probably eventually appear in a proper finished zine)

Collages by Valarie Simadis from pdf issue 2. (background added by me from a stock illustration).

Zine links page & call for submissions /promo art - also from digital issue 2.

Two page feature on being featured on De_ziners instagram (from pdf issue 2)

Preview of a double page spread layout/graphic design/digital art/image editing for a future zine feature / themed issue on Dennis singing Angel Come Home on The Midnight Special.

Another couple of pages with added swearing - just need to make the text make sense and write the bloody rest of it.

Another double page spread layout design with a pull quote and a digital collage/image manipulation of Dennis singing Angel Come Home.

Page layout design experiments for Pacific Ocean Blue & Bambu that may eventually appear in a zine.

Double page spread of my photo of Dennis & Venice Surf (Dennis tee's from Bathroom Wall & Venice Surf tee was from Pep & Co at Poundland) - extract from an unofficial t-shirts feature in pdf issue 1.

Two different heart themed page designs from two different features in pdf issue 1.

A couple of digital collages/image manipulations based around Dennis' performance of Angel Come Home on The Midnight Special + lyrics from the Manic Street Preachers song You're Tender & Your Tired, that just seemed to fit so fucking well.) Probably need to rework/improve one of them if/before including in an actual issue.

Double page spread with a quote on the song + a screenshot of Dennis from youtube. (needs a little bit of tweaking before it's ready for a finished zine)

Sample credits page from issue one about Forever inspired art by Gino Dal Cin, & a sarcastic fanzine promo graphic I made.

Two versions of the same page so I could see how much of a difference the image resolution actually makes (remade the second one from the original photo - the higher res really does make it look better quality when printed) - the dpi notes won't be on the finished version (fucked up and had to replace a page in the files I'm sending to mixam to print a real physical issue one of the zine cos I got so used to having the dpi note over a lower res graphic I accidentally forgot it wasn't permanently meant to be there).

So i'm goin' away but not forever"

Back cover art by Gino Dal Cin, blue & silver (& pink) star background from a scrapbooking site.

[kumoriyami-xiuzhen]

Gokushufudou: The Way of the House Husband Live Action PV English Translation File Availability

Well... I finally got hit by a copyright strike on the video of the Gokushufudou: The Way of the House Husband Live Action PV that was published to commemorate manga sales that I translated into English on youtube (it was the one where the subtitles were translated from Chinese into English).

Honestly, I've expected this to happen eventually, though I am surprised that it's taken this long.

Since this happened, I've uploaded a copy of the video I translated to dropbox, but it has since been edited a bit so the timing and font style has been fixed when compared to the original video I had uploaded... though I am not happy that someone uploaded what I originally translated onto another site without crediting me as the translator, because regardless of how I might have somewhat grey morals when it comes to content I translate, and a laissez-faire attitude when it comes to content that was originally published publicly that I chose to translate ending up elsewhere online, I really despise not being credited for something I've done. Also, I will say that this has sufficiently discouraged me from translating the 8th and 12th manga volume promo videos into English :S (I only translated the 5th one for the manga).

Anyway, the text to the video file is below:

aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcGJveC5jb20vc2NsL2ZpL2dzY3RkMnMyeWw2YmUyM3ZyZHNlMC9Hb2t1c2h1ZnVkb3UtUFYtRW5nbGlzaC10cmFuc2xhdGlvbi5tcDQ/cmxrZXk9eTVvcnl6cGlkM3Jyejg3OGVicm9uOGY4eiZkbD0w

To access the file, you'll need to decode the above blurb of text using a base64 decoder since I am not in the habit of just posting links online.

Should something happen to the link... I will probably replace it with another one? Eventually? For the time being though, I've set 2 of the PVs with Tamaki Hiroshi to unlisted as a precaution since I can't risk 2 more copyright strikes within the next 90ish days... and if those get removed, I suppose I'll make them available elsewhere?

[foxlorist]

do you have a blacklist of what graphics you wont make ?

Hie anon ! I currently do not have a blacklist, but I will decline requests when I don't feel comfortable or just don't want to fill them.

If it's a case of me not wanting to make the graphic due to genuine inexperience, I'll do my best to point you to another editor who might be able to fill your request !

Generally, I'm tentative to edit characters from media I haven't watched (which is quite a lot), but I'll do my best if it's a rather popular character. I also like to avoid fanart in graphics, as I can't be certain that the people using it will credit the artist. If you commission a graphic from me to be NF2U (shameless self promo that I'll be working on a commissions page), I won't mind so much about using fanart.

That being said, I will eventually update my request info in my pinned post, and it'll be updated as I get more requests and decide what I do and don't like editing!

(a final note that I forgot to add in the above text, but I will not edit medias that glorify or incorrectly portray any kind of mental illness, disability, or negative experience)

[crashandswirl]

Mun is 20+. No minors.

I'm semi-selective. It primarily comes down to whether I can see our muses interacting or not. I also won't follow if you don't have any form of information on your muse(s) up.

There's no time limit on replies, memes, open starters, or starter calls. Take your time!

I'm OC, AU, & crossover friendly. I also love hearing about OCs and AUs, so feel free to share with me.

I multiship. Lemme know if you're interested in shipping with any of my muses.

I like having multiple threads. If you wanna start a new thread with me while we already have another going, feel free!

I don't have any exclusives. If you see me already RPing with somebody who has the same muse as you, that doesn't mean that I'm not interested in interacting with you.

You're not required to fill out my interest tracker, but it makes it easier for me to send you stuff since I'll know what muses you're interested in interacting with.

You'll find blood, gore, & other potentially triggering stuff here, so be warned. It appears both in my writing and my reblogs. It'll all be tagged the same way. For example, cw: gore, cw: body horror. If I forget to tag something or you need something tagged, please let me know!

I don't write smut. My ace ass simply can't <3

Non-RP blogs can follow me. You guys can send asks and I'll respond IC, but I won't turn them into threads. Everyone is free to like my posts, to reblog GIFs/images I reblog, etc. All I ask is that you don't reblog threads if you aren't a part of them.

Also on @wanderingaroundwithmysoul (Rain Ocampo) & @roleplay-evil (starters).

If you have any questions or anything, feel free to ask!

Starter memes || Starter calls || Interest tracker || Thread tracker || Promo || Open starters

Note: all of my muses will have full info posts eventually, but in the meantime, the temporary version can be found here.

Alfonso Warner — Resident Evil (2002)

Alice Abernathy — Resident Evil (2002), Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004), Resident Evil: Extinction (2007), Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010), Resident Evil: Retribution (2012), Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)

Angela Miller — Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)

Ana Lucía Cortez — LOST (2004)

Bruce McGivern — Resident Evil: Dead Aim (2003)

Calita Martínez — Driv3r (2004)

Cassandra Dimitrescu — Resident Evil: Village (2021)

Inéz Diaco — Biohazard: Heavenly Island (2015)

J.D. Salinas — Resident Evil (2002)

Jill Valentine — Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004), Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010), Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)

Joseph Frost — Resident Evil (1996), Resident Evil REmake (2002)

Katarin — BloodRayne (2005)

Letty Ortiz — The Fast and The Furious (2001)

Luther West — Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010), Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)

M-13 — The Limit (2018)

Nica Pierce — Curse of Chucky (2013), Cult of Chucky (2017)

Salgado — 3 A.M. (2001)

Terri Morales — Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)

Tiffany Valentine — Bride of Chucky (1998), Seed of Chucky (2005), Curse of Chucky (2013), Cult of Chucky (2017)

Vance Drew — Resident Evil (2002)

[chirpsythismorning]

Thank you for sharing this!!!

Something I also want to bring up in regards to this whole thing, is that TV static was used a decent amount in s4 promo.

I do think there are several reasons for this.

First, it's the 80s and VHS tapes were extremely popular. The setting in the literal show, Family Video, gives them the excuse to use a line like please be kind rewind, which is an obvious message from the Duffers telling us to rewatch the show if we want to be ready for what's to come (also a nod to them going back in time potentially).

Secondly, TV static on its own is a fairly common editing effect in general, with it being included on even the most basic editing apps. Though I do think what's unique in this case is that they made a major point to use it in s4 more than previous seasons.

We see it literally with the Nina plot-line, and the tapes being used to help El remember the massacre. We even got a promo, titled HNL Control Room.

In this promo, there are 7 TVs, all airing static, though slowly, one by one, they each take turns shifting into a visible frame from the massacre. Only one TV projects at a time, and eventually after all TV's have shown a total of 9 images (besides the middle/right TV, it got left out), the video ends.

This is just the start of their little tour in using a basic editing technique, but in a way that also fits into the narrative that is happening, making it feel more intentional than not.

The static kiss itself comes (allegedly) from the livestream countdown for the season 4 trailer. This countdown lasted 24 hours, leading up to the official release of the trailer on YouTube. Though soon after this livestream finished airing, Stranger Things made the livestream private.

There are only a few sources left for this stream, and I'll link them here, here. If you want to go hunting to try to find a way to piece together the validity of the static kiss, based on the static provided from these few sources, be my guest!

The first one I linked is from the 7 hour remaining mark. What we also have is the primary color theory doing its thing at the top of each hour, with the light on the clock going from yellow, to blue to red. (According to IMDb the Duffers wrote this promo, not sure how true that is, but these tiny details make it very likely they played at least a small role in guidance for how they wanted the promo to fit with their vision, also simply foreshadowing what is still to come.)

The second one I linked is from the moment before the livestream ends and the trailer is being shown. Oddly, they don't go straight to the trailer like any normal instance where they would, instead they continue to have the static accompany the early part of the trailer. It's a stylistic choice, but a weird one...

From what people who watched the live stream have said, it sounds like there was mostly just a live stream of the creel clock with scientists standing around it, interspersed with static at each hour, then transitioning into clips from past scenes, as well as b-roll footage made specifically for this promo.

These (here, here) are the few posts I could find of fans talking about the stream itself. It's interesting, so I would definitely check it out if you're curious about the clips from the show that were shown during the livestream (might be interesting for theory sake).

Another usage of tv static, ironically enough, relates to byler. It's actually known as one of the most ballsy examples of byler promo to date, and it's from one of the Stranger Things Experience locations, pre Vol 2.

Back then a lot of bylers saw this and got excited bc it looked like they were holding hands and that maybe this could mean they would be canon by the end of season 4 (naive children, that's not how slow-burn works). Though we know now this promo was probably meant to allude to Will and Mike sticking together by the end of Vol 2 and how that is predicted to continue into s5 (endgame). Regardless, a very interesting time to use a TV static effect considering...

And yet, the byler tv static effect saga doesn't stop there, according to this post:

This one in particular is so fucking odd to me. Because it almost looks too choppy, like borderline unprofessional? Why are they being so dramatic with the static here, when they could have just went with a simple fade to black to a s4 poster like a normal screening with intermissions in between? Why did they feel the need to haphazardly transition byler shots with choppy TV static? Why?

I do think that if the static kiss is real (i'm like 50/50 rn...), then it would make sense to do this weird shit they're doing with the tv static effect and having it pop up in other random pieces of content they're rolling out to promote the show. The Stranger Things Experience has a lot of really limited stuff, with even the cast themselves being contracted to take the time to act out scenarios as content for it, along with the screenings being something the Duffers really fought for. If byler is endgame and they have the proof of it hidden (static kiss), then these little references to it, poking fun at it basically, would be pretty hilarious.

I also think what makes the static kiss so fascinating, is that it opens up the possibility of unused footage which has already been speculated a lot about, especially in relation to rink o mania. And with what little we get of the lighting from the static kiss, it looks like its dark and almost blue in the setting it's taken in, quite similar to rink o mania. Which is interesting...

With them filming s4 when they had all of it written, means that they also knew while filming they wouldn't be returning to set for another 2 or so years... meaning that they could very well have had the time to look at their s5 outline, and come up with a s5 opening so that they could deal with their characters not looking the exact same as when we last saw them once they returned to film all of s5.

For example, just thinking about the ending scene of s4, if they're going to have us go right back to that scene or shortly after that moment, it might feel too obvious to the audience that these characters have aged, if they plan to have them return right back to that hill 2 years later in our time.

Usually we get time jumps between seasons, so we don't have to deal with this, but in this case we are presumably jumping right back where we left off within the timeline of the show...

And so it would make sense for them to have filmed the iconic opening to the final season, in advance, avoiding dealing with their characters aging, even potentially having this opening scene initiate the time jump, in turn accommodating the aged up cast who is able to film the rest of the season without it being distracting for the audience.

ALSO if a rink o mania-esque vision is in the cards for the opening of s5, it would make sense to have these easter eggs during s4 promo. This is because more often than not, the opening to new seasons is what gets revealed in advance. We saw that with s1, where the first 8 minutes were released before the premiere. And we saw that with s4 where the first 10 minutes were shown before the premiere. They film that opening knowing it's going to make everyone pumped up, and it's also going to be used for a decent amount of trailer footage so they don't have to waste too many later spoilers.

Same with the whole Will harness debacle (Noah debunked it saying he needed a harness for van scenes but i digress). Same with the Lonnie actor being at the s4 table reading. Same with Noah being at the rink-o-mania location in his yellow plaid instead of the blue one he wore for those episodes. Same with birthdaygate being alluded to all season cryptically, but not outright addressed, bc it's going to be addressed right at the start of s5...

Also feel free to call me crazy. All it takes is season 5 coming out to prove me wrong/right. Until then I am speculating and questioning anything and everything.

So like, if you take a video of something, a timeline is created where you can see each individual frame. Same thing for animation, but you’re the one that’s drawing the frames- like I attempted to draw three frames here

And each one of those frames is it’s own picture and set up like a classic film reel (but not sideways) even when done digitally. So what if we’re not looking at static (in the static picture source video/s4 promotion video) but a bunch of frames that are smushed together in a line and degraded just enough that people won’t be able to recognize them?

Like, okay, I zoomed in on one of the strips in the image above and then zeroed in on a random section of it- and it almost looks like there’s breaks in the image that create a pattern similar to that of a timeline (film reel).

What are the chances of all of this just being individual frames, which pieces that made up the static kiss were taken from and smushed into a single image? Which would make sense as to why I was able to pull information of out it (with my brain) and create an animation based off of it. @chirpsythismorning

[desnoot]

Hy everyone, I'm going to be reviewing the third Umbrella Academy season chapter by chapter couse I couldn't fit every thought in a single post!

I'm going to comment some important bits and then list the details I liked most in chronological order, hope you enjoy and feel free to rant in the comments/taggs with me <3

Episode 1: Meet the Family

Theories and analysis:

I think Ben is a bit sensitive about the scar because he got it during the Jennifer Incident and even though it didn't kill him this time around it probably was what led to his eventual demotion to number 2

I don't know if it's confirmed but I want to believe Christopher communicates through telepathy with the others

I'm going to bring this up again but why do they all suddenly think Five knows what might be different in the timeline? The whole show is about him not knowing this kind of stuff and trying to find out.

One of the things that bother me this season is that some of the conflict seems a bit fabricated. For example, I get that we need conflict right away but the Sparrows dismiss the Brellies so fast and have a very bullie like kind of humor? And the Brellies get so defensive of their childhood home, which they didn't even seem to like during the previous seasons, even before the Sparrows become hostile

Another example of this is nobody realizing that Claire doesn't exist before it's revealed. Allison hasn't lived the same life in this timeline, obviously Claire is not going to exist

I love how it's a consistent theme that Klaus kind of just comes across plot relevant shit without trying (Part 1. Hotel Obsidian)

Watching Viktor and Allison during the first half of the season hurts me so much because they could have finally had the good relationship they wanted since season one

I know we don't get to know much about how the Sparrows work in this timeline but I think the closest we get to knowing are Marcus' interactions and him referring to civilians as "sheep" when he talks to Viktor

Ok. As much as I love the Stanley plotline and Diego trying to figure out how to be a dad, how does anyone entertain this???? Does. Does it look like Lila is 12 years older now??? TO ANYONE????

I'll come back to this later too but after all the promos and such I expected all the Sparrows to have more screentime during this season kind of the way Lila did the previous one so it's a bit of a shame we didn't get to know them that much.

Details + Stuff I liked:

I didn't expect Ben's family in particular to want to keep him so it's a bit reassuring that they did

WTF is RegiNaLd WeAriNg

Jayme and Alphonso beating up racists

Marcus discreetly motioning Ben out of the way so he can be in the center

"Cute hat, Sundance" is my new favorite sentence ever

I love the dynamic between Sloane and Luther since minute one (1)

Diego immediately putting the knife back when he sees Grace

We do not deserve the footloose scene but man, do we love it:

"Oh shit, we're really good at this!!"

Alphonso's very excited face while dancing

Christopher becoming a disco ball

Ben and Klaus dancing together will ✨never✨ fail to bring me joy

GRACE DOING THE ROBOT

Klaus immediately going "wow look at you not being dead, shitty haircut btw, oh look at that scar in your face, anyway how about a hug???" at Sparrow Ben

Klaus' very dramatic fall after the punch

Reginald noping out of the fight and going for some biscuits

Klaus interrupting Luther and Marcus' fistfight to pass through without being hit

Christopher using telepathy explicitly to insult Diego's hair

Five very calmly going through existential problems while discussing with Ben

Alphonso, Jayme and Sloan chilling with some popcorn while Fei fights cause "she's making a point"

"See? We're hugging! This is progress!"

Finally knowing what Five imagines Delores like and them lovingly talking in Italian to each other

If he didn't before Five definitely has a concussion after falling down the stairs. Repeatedly

The Sparrows casually discussing dinner while beating someone up

The umbrellas knowing the secret passages of the house

Reginald struggling to open the biscuit box

Klaus going for the biscuit

Five noping out the second he sees Viktor starting to glow

"Here you go, it's your ass"

Luther also being concussed

"Dickhead"

The sandwiches in numeric order

The Brellies looking like a decadent boyband

People actually looking at them because they strangely resemble the Kennedy 6

Klaus encouraging Luther, even if it's to insult the Sparrows correctly

Everyone slowly turning to Klaus because they need a weirdass place to stay and Of CoUrSe he knows a place

Them all going though the same door but Five going through the door even though he points out there's another one

In this house we stan Chet

Luther and Diego both playing with the doggie like the himbos they are

Ok we love Luther being like "put the knife awaY" when Diego shows the knife but can we talk about the fact that FIVE HAS TEETH IN HIS POCKET???

None of them asking Allison to rumor them some rooms

That's cute, Diego thinks Reginald loves them

The Sparrows training scene, for reasons

Sparrow Ben having the audacity to say they can use the Brellies' lack of loyalty towards one another when he himself doesn't have an ounce of it

Luther loving the summer camp experience

FIVE FINALLY SLEEPING

Would also need my headphones if a baby was crying on the bus

Marcus being a poser

Marcus assuming Viktor is number 1 and being like "well somebody screwed that up" after finding out he is number 7

Viktor being both hot and scary af during that scene

Klaus having the audacity to criticize table manners after peeing through an open window hours/minutes before

Diego, sweetie: Five being older than you doesn't make him a boomer, you were born the same day

Klaus being a confirmed pro clone-fucker cause oF CoURse hE iS

Lila just dropping Stanley with Diego like "here you go, a child"

"Hello Stanley"

I know Grace being religious is a reference to the comics but omg I was not prepared

Damn Marcus. That was fast

[askmajiinsonic]

Welcome, Welcome! (Promo post!)

**FAIR WARNING TO ALL!! THIS IS SONIC.EXE BASED AND THERE WILL BE BADLY WRITTEN HORROR SOMETIMES!! KEEP THAT IN MIND!! THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD DAY**

You take a deep breath as you load up the sound test screen, your hands typing in the code shakily. Are the rumors true? Do they really appear if you type in this code?

You take one last look at the digits, making sure they're correct...

You hit enter.

The accept noise sounds off and a flash of white hits you.

You blink, groan from the intensity of the flash...And find yourself in a void like space. It's dark blue and black, and figures look at you from pillars leading to nowhere.

Wh-What? What just happened?

"Why, Hello there!"

You spin around and see...Sonic. But it's not Sonic. Instead of sonic's face, it has a creepy, mask like, smiling face with a wide grin and large empty eyes. You shiver. It's so...off.

"Came in from the Sound test, huh? Curiosity really gets at you, doesn't it?"

The creature holds out a gloved hand to you.

"Nice to meet ya! I'm Majin Sonic! Feel free to Call me Majin or Ji. Feel free to stay as long as you'd like! ...I only have one warning. "

The creature's aura grows dim and dark, and intimidating. Your body fills with the weight of dread. Their expression, while still holding a smile, seems foreboding. And frightening.

"Stay close to me, and do NOT wander off without me. Understand?"

You nod in fright, and the shadow lifts from the creature's face.

"Splendid! Ask away! And have fun! After all, the FUN IS INFINITE!"

**CHARACTER INFO, EVENT CHARACTERS, AND SUCH UNDER THE CUT!!**

Name: Majin Sonic/Majin/Ji

Age: ??

Pronouns: He/they/it

Height: A bit taller than classic sonic

Speaks: Like so!

Sexuality: Ace/Aro

EVENT CHARACTERS:

Green wisp

Nicknames: Hover, Roh.

Pronouns: They/them

Appearance: A green wisp. Duh.

Explanation: During a mishap, Roh and a lot of his friends became trapped in the Infinite. Majin found them and became friends.

Currently in the Infinite? No.

Infinite Majin

Nickname: Inf. Majin

Pronouns: He/they/it

Appearance: Majin, but with a mustache. Occasionally his eyes glow with white pupils.

Explanation: Early in the Infinite, Majin used to help the Endless spread their fun. This is the result of what would happen if Majin continued on that path.

Currently in the Infinite? Yes.

Minus Majin

Nickname: Minus

Pronouns: He/they

Appearance: Like Majin, but a lighter blue. He has a bright orange bowtie and a wind-up toy turn key in his back.

Explanation: A random rift opened up and dumped him in the Infinite. Simply my interp of the Minus Majin design.

Currently in the Infinite? Yes.

Tenma Mighty

Nickname: Tenma, D-sides Majin.

Pronouns: He/him Xey/xem clown/clowns/clownself

Appearance: Resembles Mighty the Armadillo, but a purplish pink color with mustache and a clown nose. And, of course, a large grin.

Explanation: Mun needed a way to conclude the Infinite Majin event, so here we are.

Currently in the Infinite? Yes.

Majin Snick (Dimin)

Nickname: Di, Creepy Snick

Pronouns: He/him

Appearance: Like Snick from pizza tower, but dark blue instead of purple and red. Has a small infinity sign on his hat.

Explanation: The Majin version of Snick from Pizza tower, got lost in the Infinite during April fools. Mun basically saw Snick and Snick.exe, and thought "MAJIN SNICK TIME" and created this version. He appeared during April Fools' 2023.

Currently in the Infinite? No

((THE MOD WILL SPEAK LIKE THIS!!))

TAGS:

Infinite fun!--Ask

A break from infinity--Ooc

Another soul--Anon

What fun!--Rp/reply

A change in infinity--M!A/Rp meme

What's this?-- Random posts/etc

the fun grows

The Fun Army Event

"Reach for the fun!" Event

Welcome to the Fun! --Promo

Nonsensical babbilings... the Endless

BEFORE YOU FOLLOW:

--Please do not spam my inbox, replies, reblogs, etc. If you sent in an ask or a rp starter, I'll get to it eventually! Just be patient, ok? However, it is alright to ping me after a day or so if I forgot an rp thread.

--Majin Is Ace/Aro- Little kisses and flirting is fine, just keep in mind that he's not looking for a relationship. (Mun is an adult, but this isn't a place for sex rp.)

Dni's don't really do anything, but keep in mind: Here we love trans folk, queer folk, jewish folk, black folk, and if you are here to spread hate of any kind, you will be blocked.

[papirouge]

UPDATE : I eventually accepted the job offer

I'm too broke and I mentally can't bear having to rely on my family to help me (unemployment insurance helps but does just the bare minimum and I can't stand living on the edge like that...). The good news is that it's a temporary position so I'm not committing to a job that's unsatisfying on several levels (I'll miss remote work...). I still have room to do the training later (and try to save up a bit)

The only perk of this job is that it's very close to home though (<20 min ride on bicycle), so I'll be able to manage some time for personal projects after work. But only and ONLY if I stick to a dedicated posting schedule. Fighting against the discouragement that drove me to stop all my activities ("nobody cares about what I can pull out.." "there are so many more talented people out there...") and STICK TO A PLAN is definitely my 2024 priority. My brand online activity fell off the moment I put out my articles online because I just didn't know how to handle cruising with content beside promo.

I know this might sound surprising, but creating content online asks to be genuine and comfortable with sharing. ..I'm quite of a very privy person who 1)dislike showing vulnerability 2)constantly having to put stuff out there (that's why I love Tumblr, bc you can have a blog whose 99% of its content are reblog lol). Both are very limiting weaknesses when you try to build up a branding online..

Whoever said that "do it alone " wasn't the real challenge but rather to "do it tired " was absolutely right lol That's why I'm committed fixing myself a steady daily routine to keep progressing on several of the projects I want to work this year (comic, podcast, rehaul of my brand, etc.)

Still on tbe fence for the podcast lol I feel the urge to have a space to vent my crazy conspiracy theories/tinfoil with a Christian femcel twist but again...my brain is like "who cares". I think everyone will agree that everyone and tbekr mama has a podcast these days, so...

I stopped uploading my brand socials since summer 2023... I'm currently working on my YouTube comeback, and a video is already ready but I refuse to upload it unless the another one isn't done as well (it's tackling my japanese learning app thanks to which I passed the jlpt 3 and it's taking me waaayyy more time than expected....). I initially aimed for a 2 updates/month schedule but considering the time it takes to edit them (I'm still a newbie) I'll stick to one.

I won't reload my socials unless my 2 YouTube update are ready and my Instagram feed queued until the next few months. I'm resuming work next month so I'll capitalize off the last few weeks when I'm 100% free to finalize it all and relaunch (during March then)

Thanks everyone for your support. I'm tryna keep up the crazy papi facade online but I been really going through stuff IRL so its nice having nice people to get surrounded with here :)

Going to sleep now, see ya 🩵

guys I'm so conflicted rn :/

For those who wouldn't know, I've been jobless for a while and money has been seriously lacking

I've been steadily looking for a job since january and passed a bunch of job interview. I just got a proposal for a temporary job but the pay is very low...

Lately I've been prepping up my comeback (YouTube + website) and I've been committed these last few weeks to rehaul my entire 'brand'.

Despite money lacking, I really appreciate having this free time to do things that really mattered to me and that may previous 9-6 job didn't allow me to. That's why I'm very wary of picking this job with a very low pay (so pretty hard to save money), no remote work, and a taking significant part of my time (at least my previous job paid quite well so it was worth it...). I feel like it's a lose-lose situation...

I also have a bunch of other interviews for better paying job (allowing remote work) I'm still waiting for their feedback but there's no guarantee I might get selected so it's a risk to dismiss the current proposition for potential jobs...

I asked the company who made the proposal to leave me room until Wednesday to give them my answer

relevant note : I'm not looking for a permanent job right now bc I plan to do a training to access a new profession that I could do entirely on remote (I did a benchmark of job offers lol). This training asks 💶 so I either 1)need a job to save 2)ask for a government financial aid (if I stay unemployed) which might take time and I'm not sure my application to be accepted

[theji]

我的世界守则 The Rules of My World: An Analysis

I came across this video while browsing Weibo last night. It was taken during Yibo's rehearsal for his 'The Rules of My World' performance. I've listened to the song countless times and I like it, the rhythm and all, and the dance. But as with many rap music, I don't pay attention to the lyrics. I suddenly realised I don't really know what the song is talking about, save for the few phrases that stood out. That sparked my interest and inspired today's post. I had previously done some analysis of Zhan's songs, so it's Yibo's turn.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional translator or lyricist. And obviously I'm not Yibo nor do I know him personally, so I can't say for sure what the song is really about. The following analysis is purely based on my personal interpretation. It has CPN components. Please skip if you don't believe that BJYXSZD.

'The Rules of My World' is the 2nd song that Yibo penned the lyrics to himself. The fact that he wrote the lyrics is significant and makes the song worth analysing. 2019's 'Wu Gan' was more 'inward-looking'; about Yibo expressing his own thoughts on navigating the entertainment industry. To me, 'The Rules of My World' is him making a statement, a stand, at the same time, he's sending a message to those he cares about - GG and his (real) fans. Yibo released this song on 30 Dec 2020. The timing is interesting cos it like he's summing up his sentiments based on the events that took place during the year. To outsiders, 2020 was a good year for Yibo. He had many endorsements, projects, high exposure, his commercial value rose. But in CPN reality, 2020 was terrible for so many reasons. GG's incident, him being overworked, crazy fan wars and antis etc etc..anyone who cares about Yibo would be delusional to think he had it good last year.

欢迎你们来加入我的世界 (You're welcome to join my world)

入场券上面有正义的光源 (There's a light of justice on the admission ticket)

DD is giving fans an open invitation to enter his world, to understand him as a person and not just an idol. And he also hopes that his world can bring some light to the fans' world, to bring some positivity, encouragement and guidance to them.

此生面对严厉又仁慈的一切 (In this life we'll face harshness but also kindness)

轻松一点，我们一起度过黑夜 (Just relax, together we'll overcome darkness)

In the entertainment world (or life in general), there will be ups and downs, criticisms and compliments. Regardless of what may come, we can overcome any challenges together. Darkness here could also refer to the antis who seem determined to bring GGDD down. This could be a message to fans - to tell them that they don't always have to rush to defend him, and they don't need to retaliate (aka fan wars). It could also be a message to GG, to make a stand of solidarity and to reassure GG that DD will face any challenges alongside him.

新的征途 (A new journey)

愚蠢的，不好相处 (These fools, they aren't easy to get along with)

愚蠢的，不会打住 (These fools, they won't stop)

但衬托明天更耀眼的路 (But they will set off a brighter path for tomorrow)

It was said that DD matured considerably after the 2*7 incident. Took up more responsibility, became more focused on his career and mindful of future advancements etc. Started to take on more serious acting projects and to shift his career trajectory towards something more sustainable and less 'idol'. The new journey could be a reference to this new path. The fools - the antis, those against GGDD - may have caused damage but their actions have also sparked off DD's desire to do better and to find his footing in the entertainment industry. He now has a clearer view of what he wants, the path he wants to take.

我是我的样子 (This is how I am)

我生来就固执 (I was born stubborn)

讲自己的故事 (I'll tell my own story)

活独特的气质 (Living my unique self)

Follow me, 找到自己的价值 (Follow me, find your own value)

不去迎合别人活 才会觉得有意思 (Life is interesting if you don't cater to others)

我的世界不退让 (It's my world I won't give in)

我的世界不退让 (It's my world I won't give in)

Here, DD is being assertive. This is me, I follow my own rules, I'll make my own decisions, I'll forge my own path, I won't be influenced, I won't give up on my beliefs. So antis, capitalists etc can f*ck off.

It could also be seen as an advice to his fans - to follow his lead and live their own lives. This is also something that GG has repeatedly said to fans - to focus on their own lives, personal relationships, studies, careers etc. Don't devote so much time on chasing idols, online fan wars etc.

阳光耀眼 (The sun is dazzling)

乐观地，走向前 (Just move forward with optimism)

阳光耀眼 (The sun is dazzling)

无所谓，多危险 (Doesn't matter how dangerous it is)

阳光耀眼 (The sun is dazzling)

这是我的世界 (This is my world)

我世界的守则，不许你诡辩 (These are the rules of my world, I won't allow any sophistry)

I see this as DD's words of encouragement, to himself and to GG. Despite all the challenges and hardship, darkness will pass and the sun will come out eventually. And it's shining brightly, there is hope left in this world, there's is much to look forward to. So don't fear, be brave and forge ahead.

Sophistry: the use of clever but false arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving

Poor DD is always hit with industry rumours, about him dating his co-stars etc. Last year, someone even made a false police report against him. Just look at the number of statements his company had to put out. There have also always been ongoing rumours about rivalry between GGDD, tales of backstabbing etc, especially in 2020 at the height of the incident. DD is saying that this is his life, his world. No one knows better than the both of them. So to those who don't know better but continue to spew nonsense about his life and relationships and spread hate, know that I don't care about your antics, they don't hurt me but I won't tolerate them as well.

在我世界行走 (Walking in my world)

什么人生主题你透露 (What kind of life theme do you envisage)

是胆大勇猛所向披靡 (Is it to be bold, courageous and invincible)

或胆小逃避钻进壳里 (Or to be timid and escape into your shell)

喧闹倾诉众人party (Is it to pour out your troubles at a rowdy party)

寂寞相思不停地哭泣 (Or to cry silently non-stop out of loneliness and love-sickness)

都欢迎你来我这里 (All are welcome)

只要跟从自己的内心 (So long as you follow your heart)

跟限制和噪音 说一声 bang bang (I'll say 'Bang Bang' to restriction and noises)

怪兽都退散 (Monsters, be gone)

What kind of person am I in your eyes? The cool guy or soft sweet babie Yibo? Here, DD is acknowledging that the public has many different perceptions of him, and fans love different personas of him and he's ok with that. But if you love him, then let him be. Don't try to restrict him, don't quarrel or force him into a certain mould of your preference. He won't hesitate to shoot the haters (monsters) down.

迈出轻盈的步伐 (Take a light step forward)

一声令下 (With a single command)

来宣布 告别孤勇 (To announce a farewell to having to fight alone)

On this new path, with a new-found realisation of what he wants, DD is clear of what he wants to achieve and he is no longer burdened by fear, uncertainties etc. Both GGDD now have each other by their sides, they share a common purpose as they navigate the intricacies of the entertainment industry together and work their way to the top. And I think this is something that we're seeing more in the fandom since end 2020 - GGDD seemingly becoming more bold in their actions and messages they put out (silent or otherwise).

想要做盘旋的龙 (Wanna be a hovering dragon)

还想做懒散的虫 (Or a lazy worm)

别打扰我 走开 没空 (Don't bother me, go away, I have no time for that)

In public, DD is that proud and confident king. He's not a pushover. But behind the cameras, he just wants to chill and relax (and play games). Please don't bother me, give me some privacy to lead my own life, don't tell me what I can or cannot do.

Cue DD's message. He meant it.

Follow me, 找到自己的价值 (Follow me, find your own value)

不去迎合别人活 才会觉得有意思 (Life is interesting if you don't cater to others)

我们永远不退让 (We will never give in)

我们永远不退让 (We will never give in)

This is a repetition of the earlier verse but what has changed is the last 2 lines. From <It's my world I won't give in>, DD now says <We will never give in>. This was actually the first thing that sparked off my CPN, and hinted to me that this song concerns GG in some ways. Who's We? We all know how GGDD almost always use the word 'we' in their CQL promo interviews and bts, as though they come as a package and all views represent both of them as a entity. This also echoes the earlier sentiments - both of them, after the 2020 incident, have developed a steely resolve. They won't let the antis or challenges or societal views hold them back anymore. Their world, their rules. They will fight for their rights and what they believe in, and they are determined to reach their goals.

阳光耀眼 (The sun is dazzling)

乐观地 走向前 (Just move forward with optimism)

阳光耀眼 (The sun is dazzling)

无所谓 多危险 (Doesn't matter how dangerous it is)

阳光耀眼 (The sun is dazzling)

这是我的世界 (This is my world)

我们的世界不会被改变 (Our world will never be changed)

Again, similar to the above 'we' example. From this part of the song onwards, DD is referring to them both. The last line could also be viewed as an affirmation of GGDD's commitment to each other. Whatever is it, our relationship will not change. We will go through it all together.

Don‘t stop, get it, get it

Let me see you work up on it

Don’t stop, get it, get it

Let me see you all up on it

Let me see you work up on it

Don‘t stop, get it, get it

Don't stop

Hey

I interpret this as DD's words of encouragement to GG. Like don't stop fighting, continue to work hard towards your (our) goals. Go for it, you can do it!

在我的世界 (In my world)

本能很关键 (Instinct is the key)

坚持自己 (Stay true to yourself)

就是你们的世界 (It is your world)

DD's parting words to fans: to stay true to oneself, to build and enrich your own worlds, to fight for your goals, like how he is trying.

Well, I had fun working on this. Maybe I'll do Wu Gan another time. Reminded me of literature class during my schooling days, although I never did Chinese literature back then. Feel free to share your thoughts on the song with me. =D

[xialing-tenrings]

What We Know About the Character: Shang-Chi + some speculation about the events

Shang-Chi (played by Simu Liu) is the main character of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. GET READY FOR A LONG POST ABOUT WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT WE DONT KNOW ABOUT HIM

EVENTS IN HIS LIFE/TIMELINE

-Born to Jiang Li and Wenwu, leader of the Ten Rings organization, aka the Mandarin. He has an estranged sister named Xialing. We don't know if she's younger or older.

-In the trailers, we hear Wenwu say he gave Shang-Chi "ten years to live [his] life" and we see him being happy being friends with Katy and Jon Jon and using the name Shaun according to his name tag and working as a hotel valet. This movie likely takes place in 2023-2024, similar to other films and shows that have been released recently, so that means Shang-Chi likely began living in San Francisco (we saw the Golden Gate Bridge in the trailers) in 2013-2014. After this is when the movie takes place.

-Prior to this, he was trained to be an assassin at a very young age for his father. (I couldn't find the age of the actor, Jayden Tianyi Zhang, but I would guess maybe 5-7ish?) It appears that Wenwu directed his training, though Death Dealer, one of the warriors of the Ten Rings, was his mentor and trained him more personally.

-During this time while being trained, Wenwu also demonstrated his power and his penchant for murder with the rings, as it seems. As the user of the ten rings (the maybe-magical weapons). In the trailers, we see a young Shang-Chi witnessing his father in fights and likely teaching him about the Ten Rings (organization), likely how to rule it someday.

-At some point, Xialing, his sister, leaves him and their family, assumably cutting contact. Judging from their fight in the fight ring in the trailers, there is some kind of bad blood between them. Probably a sibling rivalry, though with more to it, maybe a certain event. However, they later team up (discuss it later in the post).

-Wenwu wants Shang-Chi to take his place by his side, according to the trailers.

-It seems like Razor Fist is sent to attack Shang-Chi on a bus (maybe one of many places), kickstarting the events of the movie. He is said to be a mercenary sent to kill Shang-Chi. I think this happens in the beginning because one of the promos has Katy saying "and a guy with a machete for a hand just attacked our bus" in an incredulous tone, so this is before Shang-Chi's identity is revealed to her.

-"I trained you so the most dangerous people in the world couldn't kill you...glad I was right" is said from Wenwu to Shang-Chi in the trailers. Because of this, I think there's a possibility that Razor Fist may have actually been sent by Wenwu to test/retrieve him. Also see the gif above from when Shang-Chi exits the helicopter with his dad. Razor Fist is behind him and clearly not attacking him.

-At some point, Shang-Chi end up in some sort of fight club with Katy (Jon Jon might be there too, I think he's in the background of a shot from the Most Likely Featurette at 0:29). Abomination and Wong are there too, but we haven't seen Shang-Chi interact with them. Shang-Chi is set to fight Xialing, and we can assume this is the first time they've seen each other in a while.

-I think they make up very soon after. Also from the same featurette, we see a shot of Katy telling Xialing "you're like, such a badass, everything you do is like so cool" with both of them wearing the same outfits as the organized fight scene.

-From then on, Shang-Chi, Katy, and Xialing are presented as a trio (they also are in the featurette as the primary trio who save the world). They eventually meet up with Wenwu as guests, it seems. We see them sitting together with him and arguments between Shang-Chi and Wenwu (Shang-Chi: "you're just a criminal who murders people." Wenwu: "be careful how you speak to me, boy" at a table).

-It becomes very clear that Shang-Chi hates Wenwu and everything he stands for. After Wenwu realizes Shang-Chi doesn't want to be an assassin, I guess that then they start fighting over ownership of the ten rings (weapon) and possibly the destruction of the Ten Rings (organization). We see tug-of-war between the two for ownership of the rings.

-At some point, Shang-Chi meets a dragon and something akin to a civil war breaks out, where he and Xialing and Katy (who may or may not also have a secret identity) are fighting together.

-Also at some point, Shang-Chi is in a fight with Death Dealer. I would guess this is towards the beginning, as it seems like they're4 still in San Francisco, but idk

-At another point, Shang-Chi meet up with Jiang Nan, who is the guardian of some mythical city. My guess is that they visit her for advice or info

-Shang-Chi, Xialing, and Katy save the world. From what exactly, something to do with Wenwu and the ten rings (weapon), but we don't know exactly.

PERSONALITY / ABILITIES

-Master martial artist and generally a good fighter. What more is there to say?

-I guess he knows how to use the ten rings (weapons) and can use their magic?

-Awkwafina says he (and Xialing) have superhero genetics, so maybe he also has a little something going on there

-A classic snarky Marvel protagonist who likes to say wElL lEt'S gO bIg BoY and could maybe talk his way out of a fight

-Not as likely to get into a fight as Xialing

-Could survive a zombie apocalypse, or at least stay alive a while

-Probably wouldn't fall for a phone scammer

-Would maybe, possibly, potentially order coffee in more than five words

-Enjoys saving the world ig

anywho, get ready for this movie!! I'm excited.

Feel free to add on/tell me to add on something :) I'll be making something similar for other major characters in this movie:

Katy

Xialing