#i'm not a big country music fan myself but i can see how the lyrics are very much that of a 'country song'. ofc it's devastatingly sad

[daddy-long-legssss]

Love Is A Laserquest

"I’ve never listened to country music before, it was just something I totally didn’t get until pretty recently. I’ve always been, ‘Nah, not into that world’, but I’ve started to get something out of that now. The sort of sounds of that music I’m still not crazy about but the words are really good. Like Hank Williams, George Jones and Roger Miller and even like Johnny Cash – they’re just smart-arses, those guys, who write good country tunes, y’know. It’s really funny or really sad. And they do that thing so well. This tune is the closest to that. Not like in the sound, but in the lyrics."

[x]

[plastic-summer]

my current album ranking, and why

i think some of this will be pretty controversial, so i've done my best to explain. what i'll also say is that i genuinely believe that every album of hers is truly brilliant in every way, but i simply prefer some over others and that comes down to personal feelings. yours may well be different.

10. evermore.

ouch. sorry. i can hear the pained screams from here. i really do apologise. here's the thing about me: i'm a big pop girlie. like, almost exclusively. i love pop music for its energy and passion and power. i know evermore has at least the latter two in its own way, but i can't mesh with it. i have tried, and i continue to try. basically, when folklore came out, i was a little feral for more taylor, but i knew it wasn't for me. that meant my reaction to evermore at first listen was "really? again?" i'm so sorry. i really am.

favourite song: closure.

least favourite song: it's time to go.

9. taylor swift (debut).

i think it's pretty common to have this one so low, and for me it's roughly the same reason as everyone else. one, i'm not a big country fan. i like it, but it's not really what i like, and that's the way of things. it's a very good country album, but i can't force myself to be a big country fan, even for taylor. second, she just became a better artist as her lyrics, production and voice matured and developed. this happens with virtually every artist and it's great to see. i don't have anything really critical to say about debut, just that it is not as good as a lot of the rest of her catalogue.

favourite song: a perfectly good heart.

least favourite song: cold as you (sorry).

8. fearless.

i did not like pretty much all of the fearless vault. i'm sorry. i just didn't. i could see exactly why they didn't get onto the original album, which doesn't happen anywhere near as much with the other vaults. just to get that out the way, because a vault shouldn't judge the album.

this was one of the very first cds i ever owned. i thought it was the coolest thing ever. her face on the cover is scribbled all over, because i was six when i got it. okay? forgive me. it gives the album a lot of nostaligia factor, and i do genuinely love it, but for some tracks i feel like nostaligia is all they have going for them. the rerecord really helped this, but ... yeah. it's just not as good as her other stuff.

favourite song: fifteen.

least favourite song: bye bye baby.

7. folklore.

put your pitchforks away. it's a good album, a great album if i'm honest. i understand the hype wholeheartedly. i don't think it's overrated. it's just not for me. i wanted to be a folklore girl, i really did, but it just didn't work out between us. the thing that makes it better than evermore at least for me is the fact that the songs are a lot more varied in production - not to say all the evermore songs sound the same, but i find the production of it to be a lot safer in several ways. i'm just not an indie girl and i've come to accept that.

favourite song: seven.

least favourite song: hoax.

6. speak now.

this is another one i've spent so much time with, mainly because i just LOVE the concepts and aesthetics of this album. it's just gorgeous. but it's not my favourite. i do really like it, much more than i used to in recent years, but again, i'm a pop girlie through and through. i don't have a lot to say really, it's pretty middle of the road for me. i think the best thing about it is how well and clearly emotions are shown in it, which is just so so brilliant, especially seeing as she was so young when she wrote it. some of her best work lyrically is in speak now for sure.

favourite song: speak now.

least favourite song: innocent.

5. red.

okay, i love red. i love red so much. this was the album that made me a swiftie. i don't know how many people agree with this, but when i think of red i don't think of autumn, i think of being younger and things being simpler, i think of late summer. my favourite taylor swift song (which has been so since the first time i heard it) is on this album. the lyricism (which, shockingly, exists in songs other than all too well!) and the emotion is to me at one of its peaks for taylor. the likes of we are never ever getting back together, 22, and i knew you were trouble will be fossilised, like them or not. it's just so quintessentially taylor in every way and deserves so much love beyond atwtmv.

favourite song: treacherous.

least favourite song: not picking one. no way.

4. lover.

this one moves sooo much for me and is actually my most played album of hers which is pretty crazy. i'll never relate to it probably, but it's just too underrated. it's gorgeous and it screams summer and dancing and being so mindlessly happy you can't think of anything else, but still holds close to it that painful relatability taylor songs are so special for. i just love it so much, i couldn't put it into words. go appreciate lover more! i'm also an unironic unapologetic me! stan. it's great, you're just boring.

favourite song: i think he knows.

least favourite song: it's nice to have a friend.

3. midnights.

i'm a firm believer in the idea that her "best" album is a different question to "your favourite" album because they're affected by different things. THIS is her best album. i don't care what you say. it has it all. narrative? gorgeous and cohesive yet tasteful. production? thematically on point, cohesive but never derivative. lyrics? every emotion, every experience, packed into 13 songs. wow wow wow. she did that, released it, and got on with her life. most artists could only dream of releasing midnights. and then the 3am edition??? even more of the same. we don't deserve it, i fear.

favourite song: question...?

least favourite song: glitch.

2. 1989.

as i listen to the rerecord more and more, this will definitely go up at some point. this is just sonically, lyrically, vocally, conceptually pop perfection. there is not one bad song on this album. there isn't even a song below an 8/10 on this album. it's just amazing and beautiful in every way. no notes.

favourite song: i wish you would.

1. reputation.

REPUTATION !!!! i can't say enough about the beauty that is reputation. i don't even know where to start. it's too good. it's the perfect revenge album, the perfect comebacl album and the perfect love album. i still live in 2017 with how this album gets me. perfection, everywhere.

favourite song: call it what you want but also all of them at once.

[daisyneptune]

Hello, it’s Sunny! Good news, my Secret Santa gave me a visit yesterday. I like the fact we’re all classic rock blogs or fans. It does help us find something talk about and bond over. Other fandoms should do it too. So I see you like anime. I do too but I’ve been watching less lately. What shows do you like? Do you like Studio Ghibli films? I’ve watched quite a few of them myself starting with either Spirited Away or Kiki’s Delivery Service. They are so stunning visually. The music in them is wonderful too. As for shows, I didn’t watching them until I watched the original Fruits Basket show with my brother and then eventually Naruto and Naruto Shippuden (which I still haven’t finished). I’d like to hunt for new shows to watch so recommendations would be nice. :)

There’s another 60s band that reminds me of The Zombies called The Left Banke. They’re a lot more obscure but very very good. The lead singer also reminds me of Colin Blunstone a bit. They had good hits like Walk Away Renee, Pretty Ballerina, and Desiree. Shadows Breaking Over My Head is really good too.

I’ve never listened to 60s music from other countries besides US and UK. I’m curious to know what music in Japan sounded like. By the way do you have any favorite anime openings/endings or anime music in general? I really like the classic Pokemon theme song myself.

By the way, the types of history I love the most is US history, European history, and Ancient history (esp Greece, Rome, Egypt), film history, women’s history,and black history. This semester I took classes about The Holocaust, Modern Europe, and California History. Very interesting and but also very sad at times. How do you like your classes? What exactly do you learn in emergency management? My dad’s an EMT/Ambulance driver. I’m guessing you probably learn how to work with people like him. Anyways, I got class. Talk to you later! Bye! ☀️

I do like anime and manga! Most of the things I like are older, though. I'm pretty bad about keeping up with new things in all forms of media ;; I do like Ghibli films! Kiki's Delivery Service is probably my favorite. Right now, it's about the time of year I start wanting to rewatch Dear Brother, which is a gorgeously animated soap-opera-levels-of-melodramatic show from the early 90s. (It's based on a manga from the 70s, which is when shoujo melodrama was at its peak, so that explains it.) I feel like a grandma having to watch her "stories" when I put that one on. I can't stop watching!

Look at it! Even little moments like this just look so nice. :3

Ooh, I love the Left Banke and baroque pop from the 60s in general! Walk Away Renee was one of my favorite songs I heard on the oldies station as a kid, and Pretty Ballerina sometimes makes me legitimately emotional (but a lot of things do tbh).

Music in Japan in the 60s was a lot of covers of US/UK artists, but a lot of the time, lyrics were translated into Japanese. If you have Spotify, a few compilation albums you can check out are Monster A-Go-Go, Slitherama, Big Lizard Stomp!, and Sixties Japanese Garage-Psych Sampler. The first three have some weird interludes of music from kaiju films that the person who put the compilations together threw in, but they're still really good. Also, you can find whole albums by The Mops and The Tempters on there.

There are also some compilations put out a while ago called Nippon Girls (vol. 1 / vol. 2) and G.S. I Love You, which I found on YouTube. As far as music from all over, a compilation I really like is Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts from the British Empire and Beyond. I found that one on CD on eBay so I listen to it in my car sometimes.

I was always interested in natural disasters and things like that when I was a kid (I was a nerd who would read the 'what to do in case of emergency' manual we had at home), so I thought emergency management would be an interesting thing to pursue. Basically, emergency managers are the ones who create response plans for disasters in their areas, coordinate the response when the disaster does occur, and keep everyone up-to-date with the latest information gathered from people on the front lines (like EMTs). I'm good with organizing information and things like that, so I thought it would be a good fit.

Now that I've gone on for way too long ... I hope you have a lovely Wednesday and the rest of your classes go well!

[ezginthegetawaycar]

Delayni: I love taylor because she is single handedly the most gorgeous person inside and out. I feel like she has been there for me in a way that nobody else was and that's never going to change. I love her music and her lyric writing abilities. She is flat out amazing💗

@daisyadorestaylor : she’s my world and i love(r) her 😌💓

@bbswiftieforlife: Dear Taylor, I have been by your side and a fan for a long time I look up to you so much keep doing what your going love you!

@yourmybestfriendd: hey taylor!! 💌how are u doing?? i hope you’re doing well!! i just wanted to say that i love you SO much and thank you for being my idol for almost nine years!! you’re so kind and generous and i love you!! take care of yourself!! -Livvie ✨🦋💌

Aleisha: I love you Taylor because you are a source of inspiration for me and also for other people. Thank you for teaching me so much Taylor. I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART 💖

@faithlovestaylor : “thank you for everything you do ❤️🥺”

@drunkonswiftxo: i love you taylor, thank you for being a constant in my life for the last 12 years! here’s to 12 more!

@cruelsummerx89 : You're my inspiration to be a better person. I would love to meet u💘

@alltootaylorswt : Heyy Taylor I just wanted to let you know that I love you so much and I'm so thankful for everything you've done!! I will never stop supporting you and I'll always fight for you as much as I can. Love u - Kaya

@tayloroftodayy : ‘thank you so much taylor helping me through all my highs and lows, i love you unconditionally - hunter 💗’

@naomilovestay : hi taylor it’s naomi!! i love and miss you endlessly. thank you for writing daylight because that’s my baby. i hope you’re doing well and i’m sending you the biggest hug❤️❤️❤️so proud of you and stay safe lovie!

@allisonworshipstswizzle : dear Taylor, I can’t put into words how much I love and respect you but you have impacted my life so much! love you!!

@whoscountingswift : she’s the most beautiful girl! :)

@lyssaswiftie : “You inspired me to write my own songs

@gemmaheartstaylor :Hey buddy, it’s Gem. I just want to let you know how much of a huge part of my life you are! I can’t imagine a world without you or your music and I am so proud to call you my role model💘💓💗💕

@ashleylovestaylor13 : I love Taylor with my whole heart. She has inspired me in many ways. She is an absolute ray of sunshine. I will forever be thankful for her.

@meganstanstaylor : To Taylor💘You mean so so so much to me and i’m so proud of you. I will always support you every step of the way and i stand with you! Thank you for making my life so much more enjoyable with your tours, personality,easter eggs,music videos,award speeches and of course music and love!! I LOVE YOU -Megan💗

@georgiaadorestaylor : i’m so so proud of you @taylorswift!! i love u so much and i’ll always stay by your side💘

@indifferenceswift : hey taylor i love u!! thanks for always being there for me

@newromanticsss89 : taylor thank you for being an amazing role model to me! i am extremely proud of everything thing you do! thank you for your amazing music that i can dance to and cheers me up when i’m upset! i’m really hoping i can give you the biggest hug in the world soon! i will always stay by your side! i absolutely love you with my entire heart! -priscila💗

@taylorismygod-13 : Taylor Alison Swift I just wanna thank you for being in my life for all these years and inspiring me to be the best version of myself💓

@onlyseedayylight :Taylor, I’m Sophie and I love you SO much. Daylight is literally the best song you’ve ever written. Thank you for being such an amazing role model!

@kayleeheartstay : hi taylor!! i wanted to thank you for being my best friends for the past six years. i am so beyond grateful to have you in my life, i don’t know where i would be without you. i love you endlessly and im so proud of you and I will always have your back!! love kaylee 💞🧚🏻‍♀️🧸💌

@kristinarain13 : taylor, thank you so much for being not only my biggest inspiration and my idol, but my best friend. you’ve taught me and showed me so much and that you for all you have done. you mean so much to me and i love you endlessly.love, kristina 💌

@i_was_born_in1989 : Thank you for writing Back To December!💕

@eliselovestay : She means the world to me

@lookatyounowswift13 : “hey taylor, it’s lexi, thank you so much for being there for me over the past eight years. you have shaped me to be the person i am today. i admire your selflessness and your work ethic. i am so proud of how far you’ve come, and i love you so much. thank you for making me so happy, i promise to always stay and support you💗”

@megan-swiftie :“hey taylor! i just wanted to say thank you for being such a light in my life and inspiring me so much. i love you endlessly and hope we can hug someday soon💓🧚🏻‍♀️✨”

@claudialovestay : hi taylor! i’m so proud of you and love you endlessly! 💞

@tswiftenergy : I love you so much thank you for changing my life and making the BEST music to blast!💗💗💗

@leaadorestaylor : There are 171,476 words in the English dictionary and they're still not enough to describe how much you've affected me, inspired me, and healed me, in so many ways... I love you, thank you for everything 💓💖

@dont_blame_emma :My note to Taylor: thanks for everything you have done and continue to do thanks for changing my life ILY Taylor xo Emma

@iolalovestaylor : hi taylor is me (( your supportive icon )) iola !! I love you with my entire heart <3 I hope you are doing well angel 💋

@natalialovestay : hi taylor buddy! I love you so so so much and I hope you are doing well. You’re my biggest inspiration and I honestly don’t have a clue where I’d be if I didn’t find you or your music. thank you for everything, I love you more than words could ever say 🥺💓

Hira: I love you very much taylor. You are a very successful singer. We love the songs. so glad that I have you💓

@anastasialovestay : Taylor I love you so much and I’m so proud of you!! I’ll stand by you forever💖

@asdfghjklswiftt : Hey, Taylor! Just wanted to say how much I love you and how you’ve been my motivation to do music as a career :) can’t wait to see you at Hyde Park Lover Fest 💕

@lucythirteenswift : Dear Taylor: Thank you for playing such a big part in my life! Will always love you 💕

@ezginthegetawaycar *ME!* Hi Taylor!! i love you so much you have always been an inspiration for me you're music is my everything i hope you are stayed safe buddy we always supporting you!!! 💓💗🥰💌

@sophiaswiftiee13 : “ t i love u so so so much. thank you for inspiring me everyday ♡ “

@taysdead :“hey taylor i just want to say thank you SO much for everything you’ve done! you’ve made me so much happier since 2008, and i can’t wait to keep to see you again live, i love you💕”

@jaylinlovestay : Hey Taylor!! Thank you so so much for being such an amazing role model! I love you!! xo Jaylin

@livel0vetaylor : Taylor, I am so proud of everything you accomplished and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me I could never thank you enough!

@frustratedswift : "i love you all the way from the Philippines🇵🇭, 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮, 𝐀𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐬𝐚"

@ellaswift13 : “she is my best friend and biggest role model”

@iwillholdontoyoutay : Hi taylor, I’m Rana!! i just wanted to say that your heart is the kindest and like.. we don’t deserve you. Thank you so so much for being so kind and thoughtful. I’m sending you the biggggest hugs & i love you so so much🥺💗💗

@hearthandsswift : Hii! I’m Marisa and Taylor has helped me so much. I’ve been a Swiftie for 10 years and throughout the years Tay has inspired me to be brave and to be kind. She has been so inspirational and strong and always talks about stuff that’s important to her. She has helped me through some very dark times and means the absolute world to me. Love you so much Tay 💞💞💞💞💞

@deathbyathousandcutsx :"Taylor please come to Mexico, many people love you in this country" 🇲🇽

@zoelovestay13 : Taylor, I just want to say that you changed my life and inspired me in so many ways! Your music is inspiring and I don’t know what I would do if I never discovered you and your music. Thank you💗💗 Zoë🌹

@sparklesswift13 : My message: Taylor has changed my life forever and who I am today ❤️

@tswiftnme : I am very proud of her and I love her so much

@tswiftenchnated13 : Thank you Taylor for being such an amazing songwriter and having the sweetest heart ❤️

@jaslovestaylor13 : Taylor swift helped me be ME! Taylor is the best, i love her Soo much!

@foreverandalwayswithtaylor : you're my happiness ❤️

@enchanteddreamsswiftie : Thank u so much Taylor for always helping me when I most needed someone to understand and help me, I love you so much💕💕💕

@brisalovestaylor : I love you so much Taylor you are my world ❤️

@swiftcutiepiee : I love you Taylor stay safe!

@alicelovestaylorsblog : Taylor you are amazing people in the world. I love your music and your voice. You are the most beautiful girl in the world and you very kind to everyone. You are the one of my favourite women in the world and no one can be like you because you are so special to us. I love you so much Taylor 🥺❤️. - Alice

Ceren: Taylor i love you so much, you are one of the most perfect people in the world 💛

@cuttyswift : Hii taylor, How are you? you have been my inspiration.. lots of love and support to you 😘

WE LOVE YOU AND WE WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOU! 💗💗💗

LOVE, SWIFTIES 💌

@taylorswift

[reddiemorelikeredyee]

NOTE: Feel free to make any original content based on this album description if you want to! (lyrics, songs, art, edits, memes, etc.) I love them a lot and they warm my heart. My only request is that you give credit and tag me in the post so I can see what you made! ❤️

Traumatized is an EP that shows off the band's calmer side. There is a almost lofi feel to the album not previously done by the band. Shark Puppy is known for changing up their style frequently, so this isn't surprising, but it was still received with critical acclaim. It seems that this band can truly do it all and do it well. The EP has songs written by each member about their childhoods, bullying, and coming to terms with who they are. Each band member has said this is a very personal EP and it took a lot of discussion to be able to put it out there.

Track List

1. The New Kid written by Ben Hanscom. Hanscom, in a departure from his usual romance songs, sings about his struggle with his weight when he was in middle school and high school. This track is soft and has very sweet whistling, which Hanscom recorded himself. He talks about the bullying, the failed diets, and the days alone in the library. But Hanscom picks himself up, makes friends, and loses weight not for the bullies or his friends but for himself. "This one is for all the kids who only got called hot when they lost weight. I was handsome before, but only the important people noticed back then." Vocals on record by Ben Hanscom.

2. Dirty written by Beverly Marsh. The sound is more upbeat, but agressive. This song is about all the terrible names Beverly used to be called as a child. Bullies would spread rumors about her sleeping around and even once threw trash on her. Beverly sings about how she used to be scared of breaking societal norms or breaking rules, but now she has found freedom and joy in it. Marsh is quoted saying, "Fuck anyone who doesn't like this song. It's funky as hell." Vocals on record by Beverly Marsh.

3. Let Down written by William "Big Bill" Denbrough. This song is a more somber tune where Denbrough lets out his fear that he's failed those he loves. Denbrough has previously written and spoken about the tragic death of his younger brother Georgie, but this song also mentions him feeling like he isn't enough for his parents or his friends. That if he can't lead them properly and be perfect, he'll let them down. Denbrough has now moved past that thinking and now lets down his guard so he can be himself around his friends and his fans. Vocals on record by William "Big Bill" Denbrough.

4. Breathe written by Eddie Kaspbrak. Kaspbrak sings frantically over calm music about his worries. He then remembers to just breathe without going back to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Kaspbrak has been very vocal about his experience with anxiety and wrote this song "to show people that recovery from trauma is never linear, that you'll have bad days. But you push through them to get to the good days. And you never punish yourself for it. Because we're all human." Vocals on record by Eddie Kaspbrak.

5. Alone written by Mike Hanlon. After the release of the EP, Hanlon spoke out about a time during college when all of his friends had moved away, leaving him alone in his hometown. "It was the loneliest couple years of my life. But I think I learned more about myself in that time. And when everyone reunited, we were closer than ever. Now I know that even when I'm by myself, I don't have to be alone." the tune can be described as like honey and lofi, but a bit country somehow. Vocals on record by Mike Hanlon.

6. Don't Say It written by Richie Tozier. Tozier has frequently discussed his struggles with finding out about his ADHD and depression. The music is erratic, but suddenly halts and slows at certain points. He left home at eighteen for college. He talks about meeting new people at college and in the entertainment industry who didn't accept him for who he was, who told him to not talk so much. Tozier has been very open about his past addiction problems and sings in this song about using it to become someone more palatable, more marketable. After reuniting with his childhood friends some years later and forming Shark Puppy, he "eased back into being himself, went to therapy, and started running my mouth again. Now they can't get me to shut the fuck up." Vocals on record by Richie Tozier.

7. Disappointment written by Stanley Uris. A more acoustic sound than the other tracks, with birds singing in the background. Uris sings about growing up as the son of a Rabbi and never being enough for his father. Always being the disappointment of the family. He came out as pansexual at seventeen and was promptly kicked out of his home, told to never come back. "My father didn't like that I didn't fit his idea of what a son should be. I had to learn the hard way that he wasn't my idea of what a father should be. Now he's my disappointment." Vocals on record by Stanley Uris.

[zekejeagrs]

Hi friend! This is mha-adore; I'm on my main blog because my mha blog is a side blog and I can't send a question from that blog. Just to prove it's me - you came to me asking about a matchup exchange and I asked you to explain what it is and I agreed, and the day after I wrote my side matching you with Shoto, and in our personal messages your recent message is, "I'm so excited to do your matchup!" something to that idea. I hope that's enough to prove it's me.

I'm asking for a matchup with mha please.

I'm a quiet and well mannered person who strives to appeal to everyone I meet. I happen to have a personality disorder and as such, some people get a different idea of who I am. I consider myself friendly but emotionally distant, a friend of mine has accused me of not caring at all because I'm naturally a distant person. I'm mostly very respectful and try to avoid any conflict or fights, but the moment someone insults or fights a friend of mine or my partner I drop my friendly exterior and hone in on the person, insulting them, spilling any tea I know about them, I say whatever comes to mind that I know will make them feel terrible, and I end it by stomping on their foot. With close friends or my partner I'm more talkative - not loud or boisterous, just more talkative. I insert my opinions more, I hold a conversation and I openly give my thoughts about different topics without worrying that I'll upset them.

I'm a trans male who uses he/him and they/them pronouns; I'm pansexual. I'm 19 and a Leo sun, Aquarius moon, Virgo rising. The only characters I don't feel comfortable being matched with are Endeavor, Dabi and All Might.

My hobbies involve drawing (I'm working on a comic), I love to play both Pokemon and Animal Crossing, I enjoy writing fan fiction, studying and playing card games. (Like Old Maid, Go Fish, Crazy 8s, Blackjack, Solitaire, you get the idea.)

My love language is to show my love in subtle ways. Cooking someone a meal they love without being asked to, spending time with them doing whatever they want, giving them hand made gifts and giving them cute pet names like love bug, sweetheart, sweet tea (a different way of saying sweetie). I offer genuine advice to them, even if I know it'll hurt or upset them. I want the best for my partner, even if it means taking the path of most resistance. I want someone who can aim an arrow into my heart. I look for someone who shares my taste in music and who will listen to music we both enjoy together. I like the area of Melanie Martinez, Billie Eilish, Ricky Montgomery, lofi beats and some of the older country music, like from the 80s and 90s. Generic, I know.

As for anything specific, perhaps my matchup's opinion on having children? I'd really like to have a child someday.

Thank you again so much for the matchup exchange offer, it's very kind of you 💗

— matchup exchange

ty sm again for doing this exchange with me! you seem so nice i’m v down to be mutuals/friends with you (only if you want ofc)! also, what would your quirk be? i’m v interested in what it would be since i mentioned what mine would be on my submission to you. i hope you enjoy your match! 

i match you with...

fatgum

| hi yes i matched you with a human marshmallow. one of the reasons why i matched you with taishiro is because of the difference in your personalities and the way he would work well with your personality because of how much he cares. the way you’d meet him would probably be by working at his office. he’d find you to be so sweet that he wants to get to know you better. he actually doesn’t mind how proper and emotionally distant you are because he understands that everyone is different and present themselves differently.

| you’d take some time to open up to him and become friends but he’s completely fine with that! he understands reserved people because of tamaki & only wants you to feel comfortable around him. because of that,,, taishiro definitely always starts the conversations. “how’s your day?” “what did you do over the weekend?” “what did you think of that movie?” once you become more talkative with him and have your conversations, he’d be so happy because he sees it as a new level of friendship.

| that’s when he starts realizing he actually has a crush on you. he’d confess at the end of a long work day and explain that he’d like to be your partner,, “i really enjoy your company and i want to be your partner for a long time- oh i just realized what i said, only if you also want to be my partner- or i mean would like to give me a chance to prove myself-“ idk how he managed to get himself out of that one but it would end with you accepting to have dinner at his house.

| like i’ve said before, taishiro doesn’t mind that you’re emotionally distant. he knows you care and just show it differently than others. the first time he saw you angry at someone he was very scared & shocked because he’s never seen you that way before. he just stood behind you as you absolutely slaughtered the person you were angry at and watched with wide eyes before trying to diffuse the situation. he asked if you were okay and that it wasn’t a big deal that that person was insulting him but he expressed how grateful he was for you standing up for him. he never wants to see you like that again but he’s glad he got to see every part you.

| HE IS VERY RESPECTFUL ABOUT PRONOUNS!! that was probably the first thing he asked you! “oh! he/him and they/them? i go by he/him too!” he’d even write it down to remember because he doesn’t want to make any mistakes or offend anyone.

| taishiro would be so supportive of your comic! he’d check up on you when you’re working on it and bring you cut fruit and water. he’d genuinely be so interested in your drawings and writings— he’s not artistic so seeing it come so easily to someone would be so cool to him. he’d only read and look at what you’re comfortable with sharing though! if you ever ask for any creative help, he’d be 100% down to help you. he comes up with the coolest ideas too and you wonder why he says he’s not artistic.

| on his days off you guys either stay indoors and play animal crossing or walk around and collect pokémon. his island would be so messy so he’d always try to copy your island. island visits & he always leave you gifts. he’d have so many pokémon because he plays when he’s on parole (oops!). he’d jokingly brag about it to you and would offer to take you with him next time but he doesn’t want you to get hurt. he seems like the type to be secretly very good at card games?? he’d just surprise you with how good and competitive he is when you play together and with other people.

| taishiro listens to old country music. he knows every lyric to every dolly parton song and sings when he thinks he’s alone. you’d have to introduce him to your other favorite artists & he’d absolutely love their songs! ricky montgomery makes him cry a little but he’s fine! he swears! even though there’s tears rolling down face!

| PLEASE COOK HIM FOOD! the first time you cook him food to show your love he just blushes and smiles the whole time. he can’t. HE CAN’T! HE JUST LOVES YOU SO MUCH ALREADY HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO LOVE YOU EVEN MORE??? every other food is ruined for him after you cook for him because your cooking is the absolute best to him.

| he’d love the small gifts you give him, he’d treasure every single one of them and display them around the house. sweet tea would be a perfect pet name for him- he loves it so much. he’d call you love bug in return and cook you dinner and give you small gifts. he’s definitely an acts of service and quality time guy. just being in the same room as you doing separate work is good enough for him. your presence just soothes him and he has a blast!

| taishiro values your opinions very much. he always tries to be the best partner for you and listen to you because you have so much insight. he also trusts you so much and knows you mean well when giving him advice. he just loves you so much, he doesn’t want to disappoint!

his opinion on having children

| he basically already adopted tamaki & kirishima, of course he wants kids!

| you’d have to be the one to bring it up because he doesn’t want to seem like he’s forcing you into anything.

| he’s so relieved once you do bring it up though! “yes! i want to have a family with you!”

| it doesn’t matter if you have them biologically, adopt, or have a surrogate— he loves his child so much and cried because he was so overwhelmed with love and finally being a dad.

| he’d be the best dad! (although a bit clueless) he wouldn’t imagine having a family with anyone other than you. you’re just perfect for him.

| he’d also ask if you could adopt a dog

| he is so protective over his family too. if anything were to happen to either of you, he would be so upset because you’re his life.

| overall, taishiro would try to give you and the child the best life!

i hope you enjoyed! pls lmk if anything is inaccurate or if you want me to make it longer.

@mha-adore @space-cowbop

[loftec]

Hi i don't know if anyone haven't ask you about it or i'm the only one who wants to read it but CAN YOU PLEASE SHARE YOUR NOTES (ch.44) i don't know if you were serious about that but i really would love to read them cause i'm obsessed with everything what is ntw related 🖤 hope ur well

Hi friend! It’s possibly just you (or one other person, in case of separate anons) but that is enough! I was absolutely serious. 

Note on the notes! This is not all of it, because my notes for this chapter were often repetitive and very messy, and some older notes were from four years ago when I didn’t bother writing things out properly, so they barely make sense even to me. But! I’ve done my best to sort everything in some kind of linear order, and removed most of the repetition. And, well, you asked for it... sorry! 🖤

Ian shows up in the morning, Mickey digs out the magazine Iggy stole from Amelia’s dentist’s office the other day and confronts Ian about the big-ass article in Rolling Stone about IAN’S BAND, says he’s listened to some of their songs, takes out a paper where he’s written down some lyrics that sound strangely familiar.

You’re famous!

I’m in a band, people know about us right now, tomorrow they might not. I’m not famous.

You’re kinda famous.

Ian talks about Mickey recognizing him because of Frank. Hints that there might be several songs inspired by Mickey. It’s awkward as fuck, didn’t want you to know.

Were you ever gonna tell me?

Oh yeah, I had a plan. 3 dates, dinner and a movie, day out with Yev, dinner at my place turned vigorous love-making. Second prong; cohabitation, engagement, marriage, then on our wedding night I tell you about crushing on Justin Timberlake when I was 12,

then I tell you I’m semi-famous, if it still applies.

Mickey thinks his face might be on fire.

What the?

I’m fucking with you, Mick. Figured you already knew.

This again?

You angry?

No, I’m not fucking angry. Just-

Freaked out.

Kinda, yeah.

You shouldn’t be. Please.

It’s weird that I didn’t know, I feel like a schmuck. (And I’m pretty sure by your count we’ve already been on those first two dates.)

I’m sorry. I thought you knew and by some fucking miracle didn’t treat me different. I’d been gearing up to maybe have to have this conversation on our date, ‘cause it’s shit sometimes, you know? I don’t do interviews and I never talk about myself when I gotta do them, but there’s still a limelight and a lot of bullshit that complicates

I’ve been crushing on you since we met basically, and I thought I’d just… let it run its course, keep my mouth shut about it and deal until it went away and we could remain friends without me fucking it up.

Didn’t work, by the way.

Good.

Mickey is talking about it with Etch, who suggests that Ian’s been writing at the diner for a reason.

Etch looks up some lyrics and Mickey caps locks them to Ian

You might have inspired a few lately…

Fuck off. How many?

Since we met? Pretty much all of them.

Maybe one or two made it on to the album, but I wrote those before we really got to know each other so they’re just like… about moments, and how I would feel around you.

Didn’t think of it as creepy but it kinda sounds that way now.

No it’s fine

I won’t do it again.

Said it’s fine. Kinda like it.

Yeah?

You gonna tell me which ones are about me, or is that a secret too?

What are you doing tonight?

Thought you said you were going on tour?

We are, it starts tonight. It’s a small fan club gig here in Chicago.

You have a fan club?

Kinda. I’ll put you on the guest list if you want to come.

(Mickey calls Svetlana to make sure Yevgeny can stay with her over the weekend.)

It’s fine if you don’t want to, we’ll do something else when I get back.

Calm your tits Gallagher, course I wanna go. Needed to make sure I’ve got Yev covered.

Oh okay, good. You’re on the list. Doors at 7, gig starts at 8, no support.

You’ve got no chill.

(Ian doesn’t answer for a while)

I like it.

Good, that was torture. Never doing that again.

(Etch teases him about having his nose in his phone, and makes him aware of new guests arriving)

Gotta get back to work

Yeah, me too. See you tonight?

No chill at all.

Ian invites him to the concert and gives Mickey his phone number. Mickey makes sure Yevgeny stays with his mom on saturday, and after work he goes home and gets ready. Showers and cleans himself thoroughly, puts on cologne and a band t-shirt he hasn’t worn in ages, it’s gotten kinda tight on him since he got it. (He puts on a dress shirt first, tucks it into his pants and glares at his reflection).

He’s on the guest list when he gets there, the girl in the box office can’t find him at first but then Anne shows up and points him out, he’s on the VIP list and gets a pass that he’s told he needs to carry so it’s visible. He makes a point of shoving it in the admission guy’s face, but then shoves the ostentatious thing down the pocket of his jeans. Anne shows him in and tells him about the gig, about how the fan club got started. Anne says he can go backstage but he says he’ll pass, thank you. He gets a beer and finds a good spot, there’s a balcony halfway through the venue where he’s got a perfect view of the stage without having to stand in the front.

They text a little, Mickey says he’s there and Ian says he’ll make a sign when they play a song inspired by him.

run-through of the concert, Ian touches the side of his nose when the song is about Mickey. He’s sexy as fuck, and has some ridiculous stripper moves.

He takes off his hoodie at some point, and sweating through his tank he and Anne put on gloves and start hitting the barrels with crowbars.

Anne is the maestro, maybe Ian crowd surfs at some point? Warren Ellis that violin, man. He has little routines with Anne, and some with Jon too. One song, Anne gets one of his guitars and he does noisy stuff with his violin and plays on the oil barrels with Stran, completely in sync.  

They got some good stage banter going, and at some point Ian does a Tom Waits impression, and Anne groans and says he’ll sing the whole thing if they’re not careful. There’s a reason why he’s

For the encore, Ian touches the side of his nose and they start playing a song, Anne saying that this is a first. It looks like Ian is about to sing, but then it looks like he changes his mind and they start playing a song that Mickey sure as fuck hope isn’t about him. The insufferable man on a date right next to Mickey tells the woman he’s with that they were about to play the mysterious title track from their last album that never ended up on the record

“it’s derivative, but cute”

how can it be a title track if it’s not on the album

the guy talks about how he’s got a friend working as an engineer in the studio and he’s sent him an early demo version. It’s not their best song by far, but it’s cool that pretty much no one else has heard it.

Mickey asks the girl if she’s ok with this joker, and she says she’s fine. He offers to get her a cab or something, if she wants to get out of there.

She says she’s not interested

Lady, if I wanted to get with either of you, it wouldn’t be you. Just sayin, I ain’t picky, but that guy would’ve gotten the boot ten minutes into the date if he were here with me, no offense.

WHAT IF.

The concert is over, and crowd starts to let up. Then a fight breaks out at the front and Mickey makes his way towards it. It’s over before he gets there, and sees a guy in his 40s with a bleeding nose, and Lip shaking out his fist, a security guard between them.

Mickey talks to the guard and defuses the situation, putting the bleeding man in the position of a sad overzealous fan. It somehow warms Lip to him, absurdly, and he finds himself apologized to, Lip shaking his hand and wincing when Mickey grips his bruised knuckles a little too hard. Lip vaguely explains that that was an old ex of Ian’s, a real piece of work, and then offers Mickey to come backstage with them to see Ian. Mickey declines.

It’s Lip, Carl and Debbie (Liam is too young, and Fiona too pregnant).

“I was drunk, and wrong, and when I’m wrong I say I’m wrong. (IT’S FROM DIRTY DANCING YOU LITERALLY FORGET EVERY TIME AND HAVE TO GOOGLE IT WHENEVER READING THIS NOTE should I really be quoting Baby’s dad in this fic? Probably. If anyone can, it’s Lip.) And Ian tells me you’ve been there for him a lot lately

I wouldn’t say that

But he did, he doesn’t tell me a lot these days, but he told me that.

Mickey gets another beer at the bar as people mill towards the merch and exit, he sits on a stool with an eye on the backstage passage. He watches the band come out to talk to some of the lingering fans and sign shit. Ian comes out and is immediately surrounded by fans, he locks eyes with Mickey across the room and Mickey raises his beer in a silent cheers. Ian comes up to him after a few minutes, he looks damp and exhilarated and unexpectedly nervous,

How was it?

Not bad, Gallagher.

he asks Mickey over. He has to pack up his shit and do the rounds, but he’ll be done in half an hour, tops. Mickey says he’ll meet him outside.

Ian leaves and Mickey finishes his beer, watching Ian talk to some fans, signing shit and taking pictures. He goes for a piss and then goes out for a smoke.

Ian comes out after twenty minutes, carrying two guitar cases and a large wheelie-bag. Mickey takes one of the guitars off his hands and they walk together.

(maybe Ian has a banjo and he gives it to Mickey to carry and Mickey is all really? I wanna kick your ass so bad right now, country boy, but then carries it anyway.) (banjos are cool)

Walk from the club. Mickey mentions talking to Lip. They talk about Ian’s Tom Waits impression. You’re not musically illiterate at all! Talk about Mickey’s Radiohead tee that he stole from a hookup when he was sixteen, he’s grown into it now. Talk about Ian’s onstage dancing, used to be a stripper, well, not saying you can’t still do private performances (?? you know what I mean! this is not what they’re saying but you’ll remember it) (Note from 2020: I DID NOT REMEMBER IT.)

Talk about wanting to learn playing the trumpet. Don’t have trumpet playing lips.

”Sure you and your lips can do whatever you set your heart to, I believe in you.”

Looks at Mickey and smiles.

”What?”

”You’ve been flirting with me since we first met, haven’t you?”

”Maybe.”

”Huh”

“What?”

“Oh nothing.” “Just re-evaluating everything you’ve ever said to me.”

”Re-evaluate this;” gives Ian the finger.

”That an invitation?”

”Fuck you is what it is,”

“sounds like an invitation.”

Ian tells him a little about his different instruments, Mickey picks up the beat up guitar Gus first gave to Ian and strums it, Ian asks him to play him something but Mickey snorts and says he’s counting on getting laid tonight and him playing would be detrimental to that plan. Ian doesn’t think so, but accepts it when Mickey gives him the guitar.

”I’ve walked some thousand miles,” he starts softly, eyes on his left hand, moving over the strings, ”I have slept many hundred nights, and people’ve said hello and bye through the years since you were mine. But don’t think I’ll stop my mourning, don’t I know it’s overdue. Just because I’ve gotten older, none the wiser I cry for you.”

”Honey, cutie, sweetie-pie,” ”My darling boy, sweet old times, as long as I keep you in mind I will remember what love is like. So, don’t think I’ll stop my mourning, don’t I know it’s overdue.”

”Just because I’ve gotten older, none the wiser.”

”I cry for you.”

I’M THINKING OF WRITING MY OWN SONG BECAUSE I WAS THIS MOMENT TO BE MORE BEFORE SUNSET THAN ANYTHING, ALL SMILES AND DRAMA FREE. SO MAYBE A TEXT THAT IS A LITTLE MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD.

Ian plays the song and when he’s done, Mickey kisses him and they have really enthusiastic sex on the couch. Mickey is about to leave after when Ian invites him to stay,

How about some long-ass foreplay on the couch and then they move into the bedroom.

They start on the couch, they take it to the bedroom, they collapse on the bed after and Mickey is feeling too good to argue when Ian mumbles at him to “stay”.

(Sings the song, says it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a song, it’s one quick thought put under a spotlight. Feeling like he should have known Mickey his whole life already. It’s too much, isn’t it? In the kitchen.

”do you normally take guys home and serenade them?”

”nah, don’t think it’d be very effective with most.”

”But you figured I’d swoon?”

”Figured you’d want the truth.”

”which is?”)

??? Need to find a good mix of excitement and new and easy, balanced with ho shit wtf are we doing this isn’t going to end well i think i fucking love him shut the fuck up. needs to be sexy and a little rough, as well as painfully sincere against better knowledge. kissing will do that. they’re doing stuff the way they usually do stuff, but for some reason it feels completely different.

Important that Mickey kisses him.

They stand up and stand chest to chest, Ian says they don’t have to do anything, Mickey says shut up and get naked

he helps ian take his shirt off and kisses him the second his face comes back into view

They fucks on the couch.

OR ALT FADE CUT END and don’t go explicit. Just saying, it’s an option. A valid option.

They can go at it in one of the sequels? Like the roadtrip can be more explicit? If I want? But also not?

I mean, there is such a thing as a nice middle ground right.

I just don’t think I’m interested in going all out porn after 40+ chapters of whatever.

THEY KISS AND THEN THERE’S A MOTHERFUCKING FADE TO BLACK MY FRIEND, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT I HAVE DECIDED. Soz

WHAT IF!!

Iggy comes in, is all: guess what I found at the dentist this morning?

M: again? Did Amelia break another tooth?

I: It’ll grow back, take a look at this

E: Did you steal that from the dentist’s office?

M: Rolling Stone, wtf?

E: your dentist’s got rolling stone?

Mickey reads the headlines out loud as a customer comes in and asks Etch about something they’ve lost the other day, and Etch starts rifling through boxes behind the counter as Mickey moves over to sit down in Ian’s booth, rifling through the magazine.

M: what am I looking for?

I: I marked the page

E: what’s this note?

Mickey starts reading the article, realizing that the blurred picture is of Ian, and the interview is with Ian, and holy shit. Ian is legit famous.

Etch starts reading the list of coffees, eventually turning the page over and pointing out that there’s a phone number.

Iggy comes to the diner in the morning, Etch is rifling through stuff behind the counter and Mickey is doing the rounds with the few guests still there after the morning rush.

Iggy shows him the magazine he found at the dentist’s and Etch is in the background like wtf is this, reading from Ian’s note with the coffee orders, Mickey only half listens, trying to take in the fact that Ian is fucking famous.

Etch says there’s a phone number too and Mickey brushes him off.

Then he’s like, hold the fuck up! And gets the note from the trash and tries the number, and Ian fucking answers. And they have the you’re famous conversation on the phone and voila, Mickey has his number and vice versa.

So Mickey calls Ian in the morning, then there’s text talk during the day.

From Ian

So, you’ve had my number for x days and you only now decided to use it?

That’s cold.

From Mickey

You wrote it on a piece of paper you then balled up and threw on the floor, asshole, it’s a miracle it didn’t end up in the trash. didn’t know I had it until this morning.

You suck at this. (This is a nice revelation that he likes, but Maybe that doesn’t come across in text.

Not a complaint btw, just gleeful observation.

From Ian

Are we still on?

From Mickey

Of course.

Dumbass.

Ian

I probably deserved that.

At some point Mickey starts capslocking and sending lyrics to Ian, who has to explain through text why he’s written songs about Mickey, saying that he’ll point them out tonight.

HERE’S A QUESTION

SHOULD I SKIP THE WHOLE “WRITING SONGS ABOUT MICKEY” BUSINESS??

Isn’t it enough that Ian is famous and kept this fact from Mickey? Isn’t the writing songs business a little creepy? and if he did write songs about Mickey, would he really publish them without Mickey’s consent? No. Maybe I’m deliriously tired and about to fall ill right now, but I actually think I should skip that part. It’s a little sad because it’s been part of this idea for three years, but if I’m uncertain about it now imagine how I’m going to feel about it later?

When I started writing this story, it was supposed to be a quick and silly thing, and now it’s something else. It’s not important or anything, but also it is. To me. And making a decision on the rating was a big deal for me, and I think this is another one of those things. I’ve been holding on to this idea for so long but when I really think about it, is it even romantic? It’s romantic in that kind of teenage dream way, maybe? It’s more romantic to me if they fall in love for reasons other than Ian writing songs. But he’s written NTW, and he still thinks about performing it live, but we skip the whole thing about songs being about Mickey.

So they talk on the phone in the morning, and then there’s a text coming in after a little while asking if Mickey wants to come to the show.

HEYHO IT’S A REVOLUTION AND I FEEL FREE

Mickey and Ian text after the show (after Mickey declines going backstage) Ian asks him to meet him round back in twenty minutes. When Mickey goes out there, he sees Ian talking to a couple of fans by the bus and Mickey hangs back to smoke while he waits. The fans leave and Ian looks around, checks his watch, he has a bunch of guitars with him.

I AM LEANING HEAVILY TOWARDS MICKEY KISSING IAN HERE. He’s like “Stop, hold this” giving Ian back the guitar, so he can grab on to him and kiss him, smiling against Ian lips as the guitar tips over and clatters against the asphalt.

They’re outside Ian’s house, Ian says he has to get up at an unholy hour tomorrow. Invites him in anyway.

They’re in the elevator, then they’re in Ian’s apartment. Ian plays him the song, Before sunset ending.

almost none of that rhymed, just letting you know. kinda embarrassing.

(almost none of that rhymed, just letting you know. kinda embarrassing.

yeah, it’s not a very good song. is why we cut it from the record

oh yeah? thought it was ‘cause of the like, intensely personal subject

that too)

They smile at each other like fools and Mickey feels like he is exactly where he’s supposed to be, and there’s no rush. Fade to black.

Etch finds the paper, says there’s a phone number on it. Mickey dials the number and goes out back as it rings out. When Ian answers, he reads a question from the interview and they talk.

He goes back into the diner and basically blows the whole thing off, it doesn’t make any difference to him and he has to go back to work. Yevgeny does his homework and Iggy leaves, and Ian invites Mickey to the gig via text. Etch invites Yevgeny to stay over at theirs for a movie night.

Does Mickey tell Yev about the gig?

Start with Mickey out back, smoking. The phone rings and he waits for Etch to take it, but it keeps ringing. He bangs the door and yells PHONE and then it stops ringing. He kills the cigarette and goes back inside. Etch is behind the counter talking on the phone and going through the lost and found, looking for whatever the caller has lost. Mickey clears a table. It’s afternoon. Etch hangs up but keeps going through stuff in the box, talking to Mickey, when Iggy comes in.

It’s maybe more like afternoon (?) when Iggy comes in and shows Mickey the magazine. He calls Ian and they have a quick conversation (he probably goes outside to have it, to escape his audience) and they establish that Ian is sorta famous. Then they text back and forth a little, until Ian invites him to the show.

Mickey calls Svet to arrange it so Yev can stay with her, and then accepts. He goes home after work to eat, have a shower and change out of his clothes. He wears the only band tee he owns, mostly because it’s funny and because it’s kinda tight and he doesn’t think he looks too bad in it (and a dress shirt is way too much for a concert not-date, not that he tried on a couple first. Then he does a little bit of cyberstalking only to find very little personal information and a lot of crazy fans. Maybe he watches a couple of music videos, but they’re all really weird cartoons so they give him nothing. They’re cool though, and guess the music’s alright, even though he doesn’t have a connection yet to it so it’s hard to tell if he likes it.

Yevgeny calls, because Mickey switched the days and he wants to know why. Mickey asks if he knows about the Broken Bells, and Yev’s like duh who doesn’t? And freaks out when Mickey tells him about Ian. He doesn’t tell him about the whole date situation though, just that he’s going to the concert. Maybe Yev asks for some merch.

Mickey takes an Uber to the venue, even though it’s not too far from the diner (but on the other side, so at least a 30 minute walk) and it seems like they’ve already started letting people in. He hangs back until the admissions office is clear and then tells the lady that he’s on some kinda guest list. She can’t find him, and he’s about to give up and go home when he sees a familiar figure in the background. He calls her Stay-puft first, but then also remembers that her name is Anne and calls her that too. She remembers him, and finds him on a different (VIP) list, the venue staff woman is embarrassed, but Anne is borderline flirting she’s so nice about the mistake. Mickey gets a pass that he’s supposed to keep around his neck, but he shows it to the guards and then tucks it down his back pocket. Anne shows him inside the venue and asks if he wants to come backstage and say hello, but he kindly declines.

He has a quick peruse of the merch table (he checks the CDs, and then sees a smaller table next to the merch with a guy handing out pins, Mickey talks to him and finds out that it’s “fan club” pins to commemorate the gig and Mickey asks if his VIP pass gets him one, it does, and then the guy asks if Mickey wants to sign up for the newsletter) and then gets a beer, before finding a good spot on the mezzanine floor. He’s got a balcony railing for support and beer holder, and he’s got an excellent view of the stage. The floor is filling up with people packing themselves against the front. He texts Ian saying he’s here and they text a little back and forth. He gets someone to watch his spot and goes to the restroom. There, he finds a kid getting cornered by a middle-aged man. The kid looks vaguely familiar and not older than sixteen. Mickey steps in and casually accuses the guy of creeping on a kid and the guy immediately backs off, the kid says thanks and that he’s eighteen (because it’s an 18+ gig) and Mickey says sure.

Getting back to his spot, There is a douchebag on a date behind him that he wants to move away from, but he doesn’t want to surrender his good spot. He decides to tune him out, he’ll hopefully shut up once the set starts. It’s just a couple of minutes after eight when the lights dim and a song comes on louder than before, and the band start coming out on the stage. Ian is wearing jeans and a hoodie, like he normally does, but he’s clean shaven and his normally smiling face is set in blank determination. Anne is the front person, and she commands the audience with the slightest gesture. It’s obvious that the venue is filled with old fans, they all know exactly what to do exactly when she asks them to do it. Ian’s got like four guitars and a whole lot of other shit around him, and he’s super focused on doing his stuff, but now and then he does little routines with Anne and Jon, and gets a big cheer for his occasional solos.

A few songs in, Ian gets up to stand on one of the oil barrels, and Anne starts banging on it with a crowbar. That’s when Mickey starts to really get into it. It’s cool, and it’s a lot harder than Ian made it out to be, but kind of theatrical at the same time. Ian is brilliant, even though he dances like an uncoordinated stripper.

There is banter between the songs, mainly between Anne and Stran (girl sure bangs those drums!) Anne starts banging one of the oil barrels again and Ian and Jon do a little step dance next to each other across the scene.

At some point Ian takes off his hoodie. He’s wearing a white tank and he’s already sweating through it. He gives his guitar to Anne and puts on gloves. Him and Stran do a little bant-y thing and then they start a new song by both banging the barrels in unison while Anne and Jon start playing (maybe Jon plays something else, like an electric piano or a marimba?). At the crescendo of the song, Ian takes out a baseball bat and goes to town on the barrel, sweat shining on his muscly arms and his wet hair flopping down his forehead.

They go off the stage, but come back when the crowd chants a song, stomping their feet and clapping their hands. Anne says they’ve got one more song for them, and they start playing. She moves away from the microphone and it looks for a second like Ian is going to step up and sing. Douchebag behind Mickey tells his date about an unreleased b-side to the last album. But then Ian steps back and says something to Stran, who nods and moves into a slightly different beat. Without blinking Anne, steps back up to the mic and sings the last song.

Some of the crowd lingers by the stage after the lights have gone back on, but most move towards the bar or the merch table. Mickey hangs back to watch the crew take down the stage, and the two oil barrels being handed over to someone in the audience, along with set lists and left-over picks. Walking down from the mezzanine floor to go look for the restrooms, a fight breaks out on the floor. Mickey immediately recognizes one of them as Lip and the other one as the creep from the bathroom, and intervenes by clearly positioning himself on Lip’s side and reminding the creep that he could get him in trouble, the creep backs off and agrees when Mickey tells the security guards it was an accident (in a way that isn’t obviously helpful, but in the end still makes sure that Lip isn’t hurt or arrested for punching a guy) (because he did, he punched a guy, who is thrown out by the guards after Mickey’s intervention). Lip, Carl, Debbie, and Liam is there, but it’s only Lip who knows who Mickey is. He hangs back to talk to Mickey while his siblings go backstage (and PROBABLY DOESN’T tell him a little bit about the guy being Ian’s ex, making it clear that Lip really doesn’t like him). He also apologizes to Mickey for last time. He asks if Mickey wants to go backstage, but Mickey declines. He’s decided earlier with Ian through text that he’ll wait for him and thinks it’s better to do it somewhere that isn’t backstage where he might get asked questions and have to talk to people who aren’t Ian.

He gets another beer and stands in the bar next to the merch, watching as Ian and the rest of the band come out to sign some stuff and shake hands. Ian still looks slightly damp from sweat, even though he’s obviously changed clothes and run a towel through his hair. Mickey wonders if his skin tastes like salt. He drinks his beer.

Ian comes up to him after a little while, asking well? (or texts him, which probably makes more sense? But I also want Mickey to see Ian post-show)

Not bad Gallagher, not bad at all.

Ian looks pleased and asks if Mickey wants to come over, even though Ian has an early morning. Mickey says yes and Ian asks him to wait until they’re done packing up.

Mickey finishes his beer, goes to the restroom (where he sees douchebag by the urinal) and then he goes outside to wait for Ian. (He talks to douchebag’s date and offers to get her a taxi before the guy comes out.) He smokes a cigarette, and before he knows it, Ian is by his side, carrying a fuck ton of guitars. They decide to walk, for some reason, talking on the way.

HEY

Ian says he’s got a car coming and they walk a little bit to where they’re getting picked up. They talk about trumpet lips and stuff and Mickey kisses him. They get interrupted by the car arriving, and Ian picks up his guitars and says “you coming?”

Fuck yes

They sit in silence in the car, but it’s a good one. Ian says

Lip told me what you did back there.

He didn’t tell you shit.

He did, told me you stepped in and stopped him from getting arrested

He was getting his ass kicked, someone had to help the guy

And Liam told me you got him out of a tough situation in the restroom

That was Liam? Some pedo’s creeping on a kid by the urinal, I’m not gonna stand by doing nothing.

You know that’s not what happened

Yeah, well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

He isn’t a pedo, and Lip would’ve beat the shit outta him if you hadn’t stepped in.

You defending this guy?

No, trying to say thanks.

You’re shit at it.

Thank you, Mickey

Better.

So… friend of yours.

No. (Ian isn’t forthcoming with the info)

Alright, whatever.

And he’s definitely not someone I wanna talk about, tonight.

(Ian is smiling at him, all the promise in the world in his eyes)

Fucking fair enough.

They arrive.

OR Ian joins Mickey outside and they stand around and talk

They talk about Ian’s Tom Waits impression. You’re not musically illiterate at all! Talk about Mickey’s Radiohead tee that he stole from a hookup when he was sixteen, he’s grown into it now. Talk about Ian’s onstage dancing, used to be a stripper, well, not saying you can’t still do private performances (?? you know what I mean! this is not what they’re saying but you’ll remember it)

Talk about wanting to learn playing the trumpet. Don’t have trumpet playing lips.

”Sure you and your lips can do whatever you set your heart to, I believe in you.”

Looks at Mickey and smiles.

”What?”

”You’ve been flirting with me since we first met, haven’t you?”

”Maybe.”

”Huh”

“What?”

“Oh nothing.” “Just re-evaluating everything you’ve ever said to me.”

”Re-evaluate this;” gives Ian the finger.

”That an invitation?”

”Fuck you is what it is,”

“sounds like an invitation.”

That’s when a taxi pulls up and Ian walks toward it

Could use some help with these.

They ride in silence

They carry Ian’s instruments from the car, and Ian says something cute

Mickey’s like “Stop, hold this” giving Ian back the guitar, so he can grab on to him and kiss him, smiling against Ian lips as the guitar tips over and clatters on the asphalt.

They’re outside Ian’s house, Ian says he has to get up at an unholy hour tomorrow. Invites him in anyway.

There he asks Ian to play him something that other people don’t get to hear (mostly to be a cheeky monkey, but also because he wants it) and Ian plays him None the wiser.

I’ve walked a thousand miles to end up in your corner booth

Grinning idiot when you bitch, falling fool for your dirty mouth

Sitting on my busy hands when you swagger by and I say -

Hey waiter, pour some coffee in my cup and bring me my toast, before you fuck me up

I’ve been in some thousand fights and it’s clear that so have you, too

Faded threats and cigarettes, sharp glass polished by the sea

Wish you’d put your hands on me and make your feelings clear

Hey waiter

meet me ‘round the back door, tell me I’ve got it wrong and fuck me up some more

‘Cause I’ve fallen a thousand times but never felt this way before, like I should have met you long ago

Walked with you by my side and had your back through thick and thin

Sickness and health, come what may, and I say-

Hey waiter

pop the damn champagne

None the wiser

you fuck me up again

Hey waiter

tell me you’ll be mine

I’ll give you my life

and fuck you up in kind

I wish I was just a plain white shirt

then you could wear me off to work

and I’d be one of the things you keep close to your heart

soft white cotton wrapped around your heart

(Contrasts have faded now

but color still haunt my mind

And words ripped off from their lines

Make bitter tears flood my eyes

Don’t think I’ll stop my mourning

Don’t I know it’s overdue

Just because I’ve gotten older

None the wiser, I cry for you)

Honey, cutie, sweetie-pie

My darling boy, sweet old times

As long as I keep you in mind

I will remember what love is like

So, don’t think I’ll stop my mourning

Don’t I know it’s overdue

Just because I’ve gotten older

None the wiser, I cry for you

’Cause I always say ’I love you’

when I mean ’turn out the light’

And I say ’let’s run away’

when I just mean ’stay the night’

But the words you want to hear

you will never hear from me

I’ll never say ’happy anniversary’

Never stay to say ’happy anniversary’

Bom-chaka bom-chak 23 verses

And he climbed up a mountain

And he looked around

Some kind of forest

With all these dinosaurs

And he stripped his woman

He stripped her bare

But there was a pterodactyl

There!

[lunebinnie]

(1/11)Oh my gosh yesss I'm glad that you like long messages too because I talk way too much 😂 (And yeah about my friend and just hanging out w/ her more that's exactly what I was thinking 😂) It's actually kind of funny bc just yesterday I was hanging out at her house and her younger brother needed to go to Walmart and I was like 'I've been meaning to go to Walmart, I'll take you' and ofc since I have a bluetooth radio adapter the whole drive I had my Spotify going with some quality k-bops, lol

2)And as we were driving I noticed him kind of jamming and I was like 'Oh my god Mickey do you actually like this???' And he was Like 'yeah, these are some good bops 👍' I was shooketh. I had to go home before I had the chance to show him any music videos but he says he's open to watching some with me next time I see him. One way or another I'm going to turn someone in my social circle into a kpop fan you mark my words ☝ and then maybe we can team up and try to work on his sister some more 😂

3)I only started first getting into kpop last June so I'm still very new, but it's definitely super frustrating how so many ppl act like it's an inherently bad or cringey genre of music just bc it's kpop! The stigma is ridiculous! I also started out with BTS (lol) and since they're pretty popular in the US at least I was able to be like 'See, this isn't just a niche thing, lots of people know abt and like this group' but of course my dad still says 'Just cause it's popular doesn't make it good'

4)And I'm like? You're a band teacher, you of all people should understand that music doesn't have to be in your native language (or even have lyrics) in order for you to enjoy it, but go off I guess... It's the same with one of my college friends. They make fun of me for liking kpop but this is coming from some who still treats March 22nd (the day My Chemical Romance broke up) as a day of mourning. Like, no tea no shade no pink lemonade, MCR was a good band nothing wrong with liking them.

5)But like if you're 22 and you still haven't grown out of your emo phase do you really have room to pick on other people for their music taste?  🤷 Anyway that's the person who follows my main that I didn't want to know I had a kpop sb. I think I made it around July. Tbh it was pretty dead for most of 2018. But like I said I've started using it way more since I recently revealed that it exists, lol. Especially since that good good Astro cb 👏💗😩 But honestly Astro is such a blessing

6)Idk how I lived so long w/o them. When I first got into kpop I was planning on just sticking to BTS since the reaction to me being into kpop was so volatile. I was like 'I'm only into one group, ppl already are negative about me liking kpop so I'm just gonna stick to this and not become a full on multifandom fan' and then in Nov I accidentally let myself fall in love with Monsta X and that plan was foiled. And realizing I wasn't gonna be able to stick to just one anymore opened the floodgates

7)And I was like okay in that case, let's just start getting into *all groups* Lol. My story of getting into Astro was actually bc of my best friend's roommate (can you tell I have like one friend and my whole social circle kinda revolves around her? Lol) so this roommate when she heard me being sad about having no kpop friends was like 'oh hey, I'm kinda into kpop' and it turns out she didn't like very many groups and was one of the ppl who blah blah BTS is overrated, which ya know isn't ideal8)But I was just really desperate to have someone to talk about kpop with. And Astro was her favorite so I was like, okay I'll get into them so that I have something to talk about with her! So I started watching some videos and I fell in love with them pretty much instantly! And I was real excited bc #1 now I can talk about kpop with someone! And #2 this group is actually amazing? Bonus! ... And then they got in a big fight about their living conditions and the roommate ended up moving out RIP

9)So that didn't work out, lol (Your story about finding them during that internship sounds amazing though! Haha) But yeah, so this is my first cb too! And although I love them w/ my whole heart and would have loved to have them in my life even sooner what an amazing cb to be your first! The concept was wonderful, the album was excellent, the visuals were to *die* for. They worked so hard and I'm so proud of them and I'm so happy we got to see their work come to fruition and get them a win 🤧🤧

10)The dance practices though? You're so right omg 💗 Me and my Rocky bias *fully* understand 😂 All of them are such good dancers?? I never fail to be impressed. Of course you know who I always end up watching tho 👀 lol (̶i̶f̶ ̶I̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶h̶a̶l̶f̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶p̶r̶e̶t̶t̶y̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶R̶o̶c̶k̶y̶'̶s̶ ̶f̶o̶o̶t̶w̶o̶r̶k̶ ̶I̶ ̶w̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶a̶l̶m̶o̶s̶t̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶p̶r̶e̶t̶t̶y̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶e̶y̶e̶s̶.̶.̶.̶)̶ ̶ I also love how at the end they always pause all dramatic for a minute and then start screaming 😂

11)It's like? Amazing talent *and* dorky personalities? What more could you ask for? Lol. In regard to your last question though Unfortunately I also won't be able to see them 😔 I live in the smack middle of the US and since they're only going to coasts all of the venues are way too far away to get to. Esp since it's the school year and I can't skip class to drive cross country for a concert much as I'd like to (Holy lord I talked over twice as much?? Why am I like this?) Talk again soon! -ASA

Okay SO I’m very sorry I haven’t had the time to answer everything until now bc I’ve been busy studying for midterms and also I was a lil trashy today since my uni closed bc of freezing rain so I slept in but I’m glad that FINALLY everything got sent like damn tumblr you really don’t want us making friends huh. 

Yessssss I love the feeling of seeing someone else also get into the same interests! I’ve been pretty lucky in the sense that I grew up around mostly other asian americans, so kpop was never something that was considered super “weird,” like some people were into it and some weren’t but even if you weren’t you still would’ve been familiar with the more popular groups from when you were younger. Even now, I have a bunch of friends also into kpop (one of them is even my roommate) so tbh I was definitely the one in my friend group late to the party aha. Even my university hosts kpop nights at our bar and I’m pretty sure we have a kpop dance team as well? So tbh if I met someone new there’s probably like a 50% chance they’re into kpop or at least listen casually. 

Tbh I used to be a little bit judgy too but moreso because of the obscene amount of money I’ve seen some of my friends spend (no joke one of my friends has spent probably like $500+ on Loona stuff in the past month and a half and another friend bought like 5 copies of the same album for herself like damn idk how do you have that much money).

I also really don’t like it when people bash other people’s music tastes, since I feel like it’s something so personal? Idk but for a long time I used to be really self conscious about sharing my music with other people and even now I feel like that sometimes. For me after getting into BTS I kind of expected to get really into other groups since I was in Korea anyway and I was already listening to a lot of other artists casually. For me it started with NU’EST (fell for them immediately at the same concert that I saw Astro at) and then after was Astro, and then I just started slowly getting into other groups after that (even though I haven’t totally been able to get into Got7′s music they’re SO funny and I just kinda fell for their personalities  you know). 

I honestly think that they did such a wonderful job with this comeback too! I like seeing their concept evolve and mature but they’re not straying too far from their original cute concept so I feel like it’s a nice middle ground that’s very unique to them, you feel? Also I feel like the visuals especially and the execution of the whole plant concept was just done so well?? Even my friend who’s not in kpop was like “k idk who they are but that was the prettiest music video I’ve ever seen”. What are your favourite eras and songs? For me I’d have to say either the Spring Up or Baby era BUT right now my favourite song is probably Again/Should’ve Held On though tbh my mood and my tastes change like every few weeks loool. 

I have no idea why I tend to be most attracted to the dances rather than vocals or rap (maybe has to do with the fact that it’s something I’ve always wished I could do but have always been bad at lmao). But Astro’s stood out to me for the exact same reason! I just thought it was so funny seeing them all break character at the end because you really get to see how hard their choreos are and you get a glimpse of their personalities like damn, how can you not stan these dummies?

That’s really unfortunate that you won’t get to see them either :/ They’re also coming to the closest city to me but it’s on a Tuesday, but I *hypothetically* looked up flight prices and tried to see if I could get away with just missing a day of classes if I flew back in the middle of the night since I have some friends who did the same thing and drove down to Buffalo but I seem to have underestimated the size of New York State LMAO. But apparently my university’s too far from the airport so it’s “not realistic” (and also I’m hella broke from travelling to Taiwan and Japan while I was in Korea but that’s a minor issue ig). I hope we do both get a chance to see them live though! Who knows, after the success of this comeback I’m expecting a lot more cbs and world tours out of them ;)

[jaimieolivier]

29.03.2015

Dear One Direction,

Boys, here I am celebrating another whirlwind of year of being your loving fan. This year it'll be five years since you boys stepped into my life. What a complete Rollercoaster it's been. I can't believe that I've been a fan of yours for half a decade already, it seems like just yesterday I was waiting for the intro clip to finish and the concert starting. I remember dancing, not knowing any lyrics and laughing your antics, seeing how beautiful the crowd became when you performed Little Things or at the end of Best Song Ever and witnessing those fireworks going off.

I somehow remember every detail of the concert eventhough it was so long ago. It's actually hard to remember a time when I didn't have your songs, your interviews, the memes, looking at my posters each morning literally everything. I just felt this sense of coming home and a safety net for what was about to happen. Boys I will never have enough words to ever express how you make me feel on daily basis. Thank you for making me laugh, sob uncontrollably and make me proud of the four of you each and every day.

You really have saved my life and as cliché and cheesy as it sounds it true. I've had to fight within myself to stay alive, forced myself out of love with somebody, hurt myself on multiple occasions but you were there to say "It's okay love, we're here" In those moments I'm beyond thankful that I could lean into your music and make it seem all okay. Over the past five years I've had to keep my promise to stay and wait for you to come back and well it's been five years and I'm still here.

I still can't believe that you four were here in South Africa and have to remind myself that I saw the four of you in person and I pinch myself. I do hope that the four of you can come back to SA and do a Meet and Greet and I'll finally be able to hug you ans thank you for everything you've done for me.

My boys, these past five years have been the futherest thing from easy but I couldn't be more grateful for you being there for each and every step of the way. The amount of sleep, meeting Dari and still waiting has been all so worth it to see the four of you happy. I couldn't be more proud of the four of you for your solo material even though it gets intense at times but I wouldn't have it any other way. Boys from the memes, to Aaood, This Is Us, the diaries, footage of the tours to the best quality memes and videos and all the memories that you four have givern me is something so special.

So now Liam;

My Lima Bean thank you for being the heart and soul of the band and loving me and us so wholeheartedly and being the sweetest role model I couldve asked for. Thank you for absolutely everything in thr past five years and I can't wait to watch you grow more successful

and watch little Bear grow up.

Louis;

Lou- I honestly have no idea how or what to say to you because there's far too much to say. My Lou my word what a whirlwind it's been being your fan. But I wouldn't want it any other way. You really have me wrapped around your finger and have such a special place in my heart, you've come so incredibly far from that timid 18 year old to this incredibly talented, funny, amazing artist. You've had so many obstacles thrown at you yet you've over come them with so much strength.

Niall;

My Ni, Nialler just wow. Is all I can say you. Thank you for laughing for five years now and again coming so incredibly far feom your audition. At 16 you wanted to be a big name like Beyonce or Justin Bieber, selling out arenas and make an album and hoping it would all work out. But Ni guess what--you're one of the BIGGEST names in music, have sold out not only arenas but STADIUMS around the world and made not only ONE but TWO incredible albums that is #1 in more than 40 countries. Whether it's the Heartbreak Weather video or your Instagram livestreams thank you for being unapologetically yourself.

And finally Harry

H, my word. What can I say? I've been so unbelievably in love with you. You've been my rock for five years now. There will literally never ever be enough words to describe how or what you mean to me. Harry I'm lost for words every time I hear you sing or see how much you've grown. I'm stunned that I actually saw you live. It does seem real. Harry you really are my favorite person in this entire world and thank you for giving me the chance to love you. I wouldn't want any one else to have my entire heart except for you. You were right there for me the first time I did it or having those poisonous thoughts and now you're right here for me as I turn 19 in a couple of days. Whwn I say "I love you" to a picture of you I say it so honestly and I truly mean it. Thank you for being my biggest inspiration, the person who makes go from crying to laughing so hard it hurts with a couple of minutes and constantly reminding me to Treat People With Kindness. I love you.

I'm thankful for these past five years.

Happy 5th Anniversary my boys.

❤️

Boys, here I am celebrating another whirlwind of year of being your loving fan. This year it'll be five years since you boys stepped into my life. What a  Rollercoaster it's been. I can't believe that I've been a fan of yours for half a decade already, it seems like just yesterday I was waiting for the intro clip to finish and the concert starting. I remember dancing, not knowing any lyrics and laughing your antics, seeing how beautiful the crowd became when you performed Little Things or at the end of Best Song Ever and witnessing those fireworks going off.

I somehow remember every detail of the concert eventhough it was so long ago. It's actually hard to remember a time when I didn't have your songs, your interviews, the memes, looking at my posters each morning literally everything. I just felt this sense of coming home and a safety net for what was about to happen. Boys I will never have enough words to ever express how you make me feel on daily basis. Thank you for making me laugh, sob uncontrollably and make me proud of the four of you each and every day.

You really have saved my life and as cliché and cheesy as it sounds it true. I've had to fight within myself to stay alive, forced myself out of love with somebody, hurt myself on multiple occasions but you were there to say "It's okay love, we're here" In those moments I'm beyond thankful that I could lean into your music and make it seem all okay. Over the past five years I've had to keep my promise to stay and wait for you to come back and well it's been five years and I'm still here.

I still can't believe that you four were here in South Africa and have to remind myself that I saw the four of you in person and I pinch myself. I do hope that the four of you can come back to SA and do a Meet and Greet and I'll finally be able to hug you ans thank you for everything you've done for me.

My boys, these past five years have been the futherest thing from easy but I couldn't be more grateful for you being there for each and every step of the way. The amount of sleep, meeting Dari and still waiting has been all so worth it to see the four of you happy. I couldn't be more proud of the four of you for your solo material even though it gets intense at times but I wouldn't have it any other way. Boys from the memes, to Aaood, This Is Us, the diaries, footage of the tours to the best quality memes and videos and all the memories that you four have givern me is something so special.

So now Liam;

My Lima Bean thank you for being the heart and soul of the band and loving me and us so wholeheartedly and being the sweetest role model I couldve asked for. Thank you for absolutely everything in thr past five years and I can't wait to watch you grow more successful

and watch little Bear grow up.

Louis;

Lou- I honestly have no idea how or what to say to you because there's far too much to say. My Lou my word what a whirlwind it's been being your fan. But I wouldn't want it any other way. You really have me wrapped around your finger and have such a special place in my heart, you've come so incredibly far from that timid 18 year old to this incredibly talented, funny, amazing artist. You've had so many obstacles thrown at you yet you've over come them with so much strength.

Niall;

My Ni, Nialler just wow. Is all I can say you. Thank you for laughing for five years now and again coming so incredibly far feom your audition. At 16 you wanted to be a big name like Beyonce or Justin Bieber, selling out arenas and make an album and hoping it would all work out. But Ni guess what--you're one of the BIGGEST names in music, have sold out not only arenas but STADIUMS around the world and made not only ONE but TWO incredible albums that is #1 in more than 40 countries. Whether it's the Heartbreak Weather video or your Instagram livestreams thank you for being unapologetically yourself.

And finally Harry

H, my word. What can I say? I've been so unbelievably in love with you. You've been my rock for five years now. There will literally never ever be enough words to describe how or what you mean to me. Harry I'm lost for words every time I hear you sing or see how much you've grown. I'm stunned that I actually saw you live. It does seem real. Harry you really are my favorite person in this entire world and thank you for giving me the chance to love you. I wouldn't want any one else to have my entire heart except for you. You were right there for me the first time I did it or having those poisonous thoughts and now you're right here for me as I turn 19 in a couple of days. Whwn I say "I love you" to a picture of you I say it so honestly and I truly mean it. Thank you for being my biggest inspiration, the person who makes go from crying to laughing so hard it hurts with a couple of minutes and constantly reminding me to Treat People With Kindness. I love you.

I'm thankful for these past five years.

Happy 5th Anniversary my boys.

❤️

[rusticrevivals]

Mom/Joy has come up with a superior project to a) give her some variety from her crosswords, yoga, reading and listening to CBC radio on these winter days and b) offer New Brunswick a solution (and raise awareness) of what each person can do to reduce their carbon footprint in this environment that is in dire straits.  As I keep complaining, having lived in two countries in the U.K., and two in North America, both east and west- New Brunswick is by far the most ‘behind’ when it comes to reducing waste, re-using, and recycling!

The mater of the upper suite of Blue Belldon is making shopping bags from old T-shirts we have around and others she’s buying for peanuts from 2nd hand shops. She looked online and, while she found many options, she chose the “No-Sew, Fringe-Bottom” .  She got a lot of red ones, and those will be used to ‘wrap’ Christmas gifts, and then serve AS the Christmas gift when recipients realize they can reuse them for their groceries, etc.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Just as the now-famous Banksy artwork that got shredded as soon as it was sold last month, Mom is shredding the bottoms of shirts as quickly as she can get her hands on them, and also like Banksy, made her own artwork (sign) on the back of a split-in-half canvas bag she had lying around, and thus (like Banksy) plans to bring attention to her items in this fashion:

The link to make your own simple bags is here:   www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/no-sew-t-shirt-bag   and even if you aren’t as responsible for your part in  keeping our planet from dying, at least it saves you from buying plastic bags, which is what HOPEFULLY all grocery stores, at least, will soon be doing.  Remember, though – take your bags into EVERY shop, not just grocery stores.  If I ever forget and leave the bags in the vehicle, I both educate the check-out people of drug stores, gift shops, etc. and punish myself by saying “darn, I forgot my bags in the truck, but don’t give me any plastic please” and then I make myself carry everything out via my purse, pockets and hands.  Mom hopes to be going to some grocery stores and handing her great bags out for free, just to help educate, if nothing more.

We have GOT to stop polluting the earth (and yes, allowing plastic in your house IS polluting, because it still ends up in a land-fill and/or the ocean.)  If you’ve forgotten or missed earlier rants, see this:

Plastic bags don’t just bung up the works and disallow animal and plant growth, they also release toxins into the earth and water AND wildlife can get caught up in them, often killing them:

It also means the greedy oil companies continue more and more mining, fracking, pipelines and tree-chopping, because of course it takes petroleum to make plastic!

One of my favourite  modern composers, musicians (pianist phenom!), actors, comedians, satirists, humanitarians and environmentalists is Aussie/Brit Tim Minchin. That’s right, he’s in his early 40s and is ALL of those things! (Most recently composer of the lyrics and music for Broadway/West End smash hits Matilda and Groundhog Day, and soon opening in his first big-screen role as Friar Tuck in Robin Hood). Tim has a great little catchy tune entitled “Canvas Bags” – a bit more rock’n’roll than most of his songs, but he wanted people to sing it in their heads all the time, and it WORKS. (This is hardly indicative of most of his enormous body of work, and doesn’t show his incredible piano skills, so please google his name and look for other amazing stuff!)  But here’s Canvas Bags:

And if you can’t make out all his spoken words they go as follows:

Just think about the world And how the world would be fantastic If we could get rid of all the plastic We just need to get enthusiastic Organise a competition, gymnastic Or a bag-making comp at your school Fuck it, make it interscholastic Canvas is for everyone Whether you be rebellious and iconoclastic Or conservative or ecclesiastic I don't care if you're loud and bombastic Or quiet or virtually monastic Sober or on the floor spastic A yoga master or completely inelastic I'm not trying to be ironic or sarcastic Do something drastic To rid the world of plastic

Of course Canvas and Cotton (Mom’s upcycled T-shirts) are also natural fabrics, so this is even better than if you use something with Polyester or other man-made materials! See what you can do to “rid the world of plastic” . Every little bit helps!

The very last of the garden was processed last week, and yesterday the snow flew all day and looks like it’s here to stay. I brought the last of the onions in from the porch. They have to dry out in a shady but windy spot for a few weeks before you can rope them together:

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Then I finished the arduous task of finishing off our Dakota Black popcorn, of which we had a very successful long row in the garden all year. First,Richard and I scraped the corn off the cobs after it had already sat inside for a few weeks drying. That was about a month ago:

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Then I put all the kernels in the lids of my great-aunt’s cheeseboxes and set them on a high shelf in a closet to thoroughly dry:

After some weeks, it was ready to winnow, which I did a few days back.  This involves a fan and a lot of sifting through colanders, hands, etc. to get all the dried husky stuff to fly away.  (Richard then had to go do some sweeping and dusting to immediately clean up all those flying dried shell-bits, so maybe if we’d let them dry less time and done the winnowing outside it might have been better…)

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Once all the winnowing was complete (takes a long time!) we had a winter’s worth of snacks, and as popcorn is the only snack-food we allow ourselves (partly because it’s all we can grow to be self-sufficient, partly because it’s better for you than most snacks!) this made us happy!

I put it in our glass canister, and then we tried popping it a few nights ago.  Doesn’t it look fluffy? You just need to get used to the insides being black, which traditionally makes us thing it’s burned… but of course it isn’t in this case! And Richard does make great popcorn.  His one real ‘kitchen’ speciality (although he’s getting better at making toast!)

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And thus, that’s it for the garden-processing blogposts from this year, and if you aren’t on Facebook to see my postings there, this was Richard and Chevy about an hour ago – he’s reminding him how to drive in the snow, as we have a possible buyer coming to try him tomorrow. We’ll be sad to see him go, but between Richard’s hip and my knees, we can’t keep up… maybe after some surgeries and replacement body parts are made. So, this might be the last photo blog-readers see of dear Chev!        Cammie will be devastated!

Fringe-Bottoms, Dakota-Black Mom/Joy has come up with a superior project to a) give her some variety from her crosswords, yoga, reading and listening to CBC radio on these winter days and b) offer New Brunswick a solution (and raise awareness) of what each person can do to reduce their carbon footprint in this environment that is in dire straits.