#if oscar wilde can do it so can i because i am better than oscar wilde

[cupidsncheerios]

love how in human radiostatic fics everyone describes alastor's life like

"alastor had long since become accustomed to new orleans' sweltering days, and early into his adulthood he had gained an affinity for the comfort provided by the humid air and the scent of blood, bayou water and beignets that he could always trick himself into sensing, even during his worst moments."

whereas vox's life is always just

"vox turned the corner and saw the hollywood sign. he kept walking."

[atinylittlepain]

ok so given that the oscars just happened, imagine a joel x actress!reader. before everything went to shit joel was a normal human being who loved watching movies and like any basic person had a celebrity crush. fast forward and the world has gone to shit and joel and ellie (and maybe tommy too) go on a patrol that goes wrong and get saved by miss “i just smashed a guys head in with my oscar” or something like that, just a fluff and fun imagine that isnt gonna break my heart in a million pieces like last nights episode

oh my god, your mindddddd - I love this idea :)

Big Fan

Joel Miller x actress!reader

Joel Miller masterlist

Joel recognizes her right away. After all, she starred in his favorite movie of all time.

warnings | 18+ a little angst, nothing wild, this is fluff through and through

Read part two!

.......................

“Are you–”

“I am.”

“You were in–”

“I was.”

“Well I’ll be damned.” 

“Alright, somebody better start speaking in full sentences, because I have no clue what the hell is going on.” Joel huffs, glancing at Ellie who's looking at him like he’s gone crazy, her gun still cocked at the woman in front of them.

“What? You don’t recognize her, kid? I just showed you Curtis and Viper.” Ellie’s brow furrows, but then she looks back at the woman and her eyes finally widen in recognition.

“Holy shit.” The woman laughs, eyes still focused on the barrel of Ellie’s gun.

“That’s not usually the movie people recognize me from. But I suppose it was my big break.” Joel nudges Ellie, muttering for her to put her “damn gun away, jesus christ,” and she quickly tucks it back in her belt.

He’s trying to not be weird right now, they did just kill five clickers together, but he’s finding it hard not to lose his cool over the woman who had been a silly crush of his since he first saw that cheap action movie as a teenager. He knows she did much better films afterward, remembers hovering behind the couch one night while Sarah was watching one of those awards shows, lingering just a bit longer when he saw her giving an acceptance speech with a blinding smile in a dress that probably cost more than his house. She’s certainly less elegant-looking now, but even after twenty years in a world like this, he can’t help the quick kick of his heart at actually meeting this woman in the flesh.

He clears his throat, also trying to clear his mind.

“Are you alone?” She sighs, wiping the blade of her knife on her jeans before sliding it back into its sheath.

“I wasn’t, and then I was. We were headed toward a settlement we heard about, I think a bit further north from here?” Joel keeps his expression steady, but can feel Ellie glancing at him. Movie star or not, he knows they have to be careful about who finds out about Jackson. But apparently, this woman isn’t just pretty, and she seems to pick up on the heavy pause after what she said.

“Do you two know about the place I’m talking about? Are we close?” Joel, sighs, looking at Ellie before making a decision that Tommy is probably going to smack him for later.

“We, um– we’re from there, actually. If you’re talking about where I think you’re talking about.” She huffs out a laugh, and offers them that megawatt smile Joel remembers seeing on his TV screen. Ellie, meanwhile, scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest as she glares at Joel.

“No shit. Do you think you have room for one more?” Joel’s eyes dart once more to Ellie, just seeing the subtle shake of her head, but he chooses to ignore it. How could he say no to the woman who had, embarrassingly, been one of his first wet dreams?

��You’ll have to talk with my brother, but I’m sure you’ll be welcome to stay on.” Megawatt, megawatt, megawatt. He reckons that smile could melt steel beams.

…

“Joel, what the fuck–”

“Ellie–”

“No, what are you thinking? If not Tommy, Maria’s gonna be so pissed she’ll probably cut your balls off.” He shushes the girl, glancing ahead at the woman hiking further in front of them.

“Look, she’s all alone– hardly a threat– and she’s looking for somewhere to stay–” She scoffs.

“Oh, so this has nothing to do with the way your eyeballs practically popped out of your head just looking at her?” He grumbles, hand tightening around the strap of his rifle.

“You just mind your own business, alright? I’ll take care of it.” Ellie huffs, starting to trudge further ahead of him, but not before muttering out “whatever you say, fanboy.” Joel is stunned still by her words.

“Where the hell did you get that word from?” She turns on her heel, walking backwards for a beat as she smirks at him.

“One of those old magazines. Pretty sure she was on the front page if you wanna borrow it.” Before he can get a word in edgewise, she’s already turning back around and continuing their hike back to Jackson.

…

“Holy shit. Joel, look who it is!” Joel grunts, nudging Tommy out of his starstruck stupor.

“Yeah, I know. Just hiked five miles with her.” Tommy laughs, slapping him on the back before grinning at her.

“It’s real nice to meet you. You know, Joel here had your poster on his bedroom wall–” The nudge he gives his brother this time is a little less friendly, causing Tommy to grumble and rub his arm. She, however, takes it in stride, laughing lightly as she shifts in her boots.

“I’m flattered, really. It’s, um, it’s nice to meet you, Tommy.” Tommy’s eyes go wide.

“I can’t believe you just said my name. This is crazy–”

“Tommy.” Joel cuts his brother off with a hard look before he embarrasses himself anymore. He clears his throat, seeming to get a hold of himself as Joel continues.

“She had been traveling with a group, looking for this place. She’s the only one left though. Was hoping to join the town.” Tommy grins again, glancing between her and Joel.

“Well, I’m sure we can make that happen. I think Joel would kill me if I didn’t let–” He squeezes Tommy’s shoulder hard, willing him to shut his mouth. 

“That little house next to ours is still empty. Why don’t we set her up there?” Tommy’s smile at his brother’s words is all too smug for Joel’s taste, but he still nods, turning his attention back to her.

“If that’s alright with you, ma’am. I’ll let the folks know to turn the gas and electric back on for that place.” She smiles brightly at that.

“That would be amazing. Thank you so much. I owe you all big time.” Tommy snorts.

“I’m pretty sure you can pay Joel back with an autograph, he’d probably cre—“ Joel’s heard enough, resorting to kicking Tommy in the ankle to shut him up. Ellie huffs from where she’s watching their pathetic display.

“Alright, well if you two freaks are done making fools of yourselves, I’ll show her over to that house.” 

…

When Joel gets home, the first thing he does is look at that DVD. He had found it a week or two ago on a patrol shift, left in a hollowed-out RV. Ellie was less than impressed and Maria refused to show it at movie night because it’s so gory, but he held onto it anyways. He can still remember going to see it in the theater with Tommy, both of them too young to get in if not for their friend working the ticket booth. He flips the case over in his hands, and sure enough, there she is on the back cover, looking impossibly beautiful while firing a machine gun. What’s not to like, right?

He’s broken out of his revelry by the sound of the front door opening, and soon enough, Ellie is stomping up the stairs to come looking for him. When she finds him in his bedroom, sitting on the end of his bed, she glances at the DVD he’s holding, a grin spreading over her face.

“Just like you remember, huh, old man?” He grumbles, getting up to set the movie back on the bookshelf before turning back to Ellie.

“She settling in alright?” She hums, nodding lightly.

“Yep, made a beeline for a shower. Told me to thank you. I told her you’d be coming around for your autograph later.” His face crumples in indignation while Ellie lets out a cackle.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding. But in all seriousness, I think she’s interested– in you– which pains me to even say, but, I figure you deserve to know that the woman of your pubescent dreams was asking questions about you.” Joel’s jaw goes slack, his eyebrows shooting up his forehead.

“She– she was asking about me?” Ellie nods around a smirk.

“Mmhmm. And I told her you’re a grumpy old bum who doesn’t take kindly to strangers.” He huffs, but she laughs again.

“Sorry, kidding again. I didn’t tell her much. Just that you’ll be around. But if I were you, I’d “be around” sooner rather than later, before the rest of Jackson gets a piece of her. Snatch her up before there’s sweeter bait to bite down on, you know?” He thinks briefly that he needs to see just what sort of magazines this kid is reading, because he can’t quite believe what’s coming out of her mouth. He grumbles, shaking his head at her antics.

“There ain’t gonna be any snatching going on. Just mind your–” She huffs, already walking out of his room.

“Mind my business, yeah, yeah, I know. But think about what I said, old man. Better cast your line quick for this one. My guess is you weren’t the only one who had her poster in your bedroom back before.” 

He’s not letting that kid read magazines anymore.

…

When he steps out on his porch later in the afternoon, fully intent on what Ellie has affectionately started calling his “adult nap time,” he’s interrupted by someone calling his name. He catches sight of her sitting on the porch of the little house next door, waving and smiling at him like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

“Hey, neighbor.” He tentatively waves back, but that doesn’t seem to satisfy her as she motions for him to join her. He sighs, rather stiffly walking over to her porch and joining her on the bench seat, keeping a very respectable distance between them. Clickers, raiders, general imminent danger, he can handle. Pretty lady? That’s touchy. Pretty lady who he imagined marrying as a teenager? Just put him out of his misery already. He knows it’s ridiculous, that none of that matters now. She’s just as worn and weathered as the rest of them by this crumbled world. But that smile she keeps flashing him might just bring him to his knees.

“I wanted to thank you– for bringing me along. I was, uh, starting to lose hope back there a little bit.” He nods, glancing at her.

“No need for thanks. Just the right thing to do in this world. I’m sorry– about your group. I don’t know what happened, but that couldn’t have been easy being out there on your own.” She shrugs, waving off his sentiment.

“It was barely a group to begin with. Just some folks who happened to get out of the San Francisco QZ together.” His brain is quickly trying to knit together the movie star he remembers from the past and this woman who sits before him now, an obvious edge to her.

“Were you in California? Back when everything…” She nods, her face set in a grim look.

“LA, where else? Now that was a nightmare. I bet the only worse place to be when everything went down was New York. Bodies everywhere. Don’t think I’ll ever forget it.” She lets out a humorless laugh before glancing at him.

“That movie you like so much? I remember when I got the role, I had no idea how I was gonna pull it off. Grizzled heroine with a dark past and a penchant for violence. I was nothing like her. But now, I feel a whole lot more like her and a whole lot less like me.” She sighs, shaking her head.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I dumped that on you.” Joel is quick to shake his head, leaning over his thighs to catch her gaze.

“No, no. I get it– in my own way, I guess. The world changed and– we had to change with it.” That coaxes a crooked smile out of her as she looks at him. A simple silence descends between them as they share quiet smiles. She finally giggles, scrunching her nose at him.

“That girl– Ellie? I think she said something about you wanting an autograph?” Joel can feel the hot blush creeping up his neck as his face goes slack. She just splits out in a laugh, tipping her head back in delight.

“I’m sorry, I’m kidding. But, you know, what I went by, what people still call me, that isn’t my real name.” Joel’s eyebrows quirk up and she sighs, shaking her head.

“Just a stage name. I don’t really mind people calling me that, but can I tell you my real name?” He can feel the smile tugging at his mouth as he nods. Before he knows what she’s doing, she’s taking his hand into her lap, slowly tracing out her name with her finger across his palm. An autograph, of sorts. He’s pretty sure his brain short-circuits, just barely stringing together her name as she finishes. He murmurs it lowly and she offers him her brightest smile yet, still holding his hand lightly in her own.

“And you’re Joel, right?” He’s only a little embarrassed by how quickly he nods.

“Mmhmm. Miller– Joel Miller, yep.” She lets out a breathy laugh, now clasping his hand in a firm shake.

“It’s nice to really meet you, Joel Miller.” 

[shoutosbaeby]

This is my first post ever and I’m pretty new on this so bear with me here 😭😭

I’m not exactly the biggest bnha fan but I’ve always really liked Shoto, Monoma and Hawks. Especially Shoto. But whenever I see fanfics or smau’s or one shots, (you name it), in my opinion he’s 99% of the time VERY mischaracterized.

Call me crazy (I am) but I kinda sorta psychoanalyzed his character and here are A FEW of my head canons :))

Feel free to disagree ofc and I mean absolutely no hate to anyone these are just my opinions !!

★ - He’s not morally good, per se, but morally complex. He’s a good person for sure but doesn’t exactly always do what is “heroic.” For example, if there was a battle going on and Shoto had to choose between saving 10 civilians or a loved one, (e.g Rei) he would definitely choose to save Rei.

★- He’s not as dense as people think he is. Shoto is usually portrayed as dense when it comes to girls flirting with him or sarcasm. But I don’t think he’s always like that. Especially because he’s quite sarcastic himself. I think over time he’d start understanding things like that a lot more. I also think he’s secretly really funny lmao. He’d have peak dark humor.

★- Sleep deprived but not exactly an insomniac. It’s canon that Shoto can sleep at anytime in any environment, but we all know he has PTSD. I feel like he’d have nightmares really often and would avoid sleeping because of that. It’s not that he can’t sleep, he just doesn’t want to.

★- The way he got over his trauma so quickly in anime was kind of unrealistic in my opinion. I feel like he’d only JUST processed some of it and hadn’t exactly gotten over it. It would definitely take more time than just a few months.

Okay so here are some cute/funny ones !!

★- DEFINITELY plays piano and guitar. I feel like he was forced to learn piano as a kid and learnt guitar and got better at it to be petty.

★- A lot of people headcanon that he’d be a Mitski fan but I think that’s more of a Deku thing. Shoto would be a Nirvana, Deftones and Radiohead kind of guy. Maybe he’d even listen to the neighborhood or Lana Del Rey. (Off topic but I DEEPLY believe that Bakugo listens to Ayesha Erotica religiously.)

★- LOVES to rile Bakugo up. Shoto just enjoys the way Bakugo gets mad lol. He definitely provokes the guy a lot when they’re hanging out. (They’re best friends, Bakugo is just in denial)

★- He’d either be straight or bi. (imo)

★- Has watched mean girls (Karen is his fav)

★- Shoto would read books by Osamu Dazai, Oscar Wilde, Charlotte Brönte, Kazuo Ishiguro, Haruki Murakami and is a deathnote fan.

★- He’s pretty cold, quiet and reserved but has a kind heart. But he’s also quite rude lol. Shoto is the type of person to say it how it is and be as blunt as anyone could be.

★- He loves cats and cats love him.

★- Unlike a lot of people say, I don’t think his texts would have good grammar and he wouldn’t send long texts. I feel like he’d try to keep his texts as short as possible because he just can’t be bothered. And I also think the only emojis he uses are “💀🖕😒”

★- Definitely doesn’t speak formally or properly. It’s canon that he’s really blunt and rude. Basically a quieter and more sarcastic version of Bakugo. Shoto is probably very rude but not always on purpose lol. (On purpose a lot of the time, though)

Anyway these are just some of my headcanons for Shoto ^3^

Please keep in mind this is just my opinion !!

[the-bi-space-ace]

“Send me a character” ask but I want to ask for both Arthur and John from Malevolent if possible. 💜

Of course you can ask for both 🩶

Arthur:

Favorite Thing: he gives off my favorite traits in a character: sad, traumatized, angry, and genuinely caring. He is The Character. Also I love horror.

Least Favorite Thing: he tends to judge people based on his own biases really quick. Very human of him so I love it from a writing and character perspective but it is one of his least desirable traits.

Favorite Line: “Daddy should’ve taught you to tie a better knot.” ARTHUR LESTER WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!? I cannot believe that came out of his mouth I am SHOCKED say it again Arthur. That was the coolest he’s ever been.

brOTP: genuinely it’s him and Peter, his partner who is dead. I wish we got to see more of them because Peter sounds like the BEST MAN.

OTP: I’m gonna say something wild. I want Arthur, Oscar, and John to be a weird mind bendy throuple and I’m not sorry about it. Any relationship Arthur is in is always between Arthur&John and someone else so I would gladly take that relationship any day of the week.

nOTP: ya know what I’ve not seen much in the Malevolent fandom that I can’t get behind. My nOTP is Arthur and Sleep.

Random headcanon: he really loves his hair played with. Like. Realllly loves it. He will fall asleep if someone does it to him. It hasn’t happened in so long he just wants to be loved 😭

Unpopular opinion: I actually really vibe with his ‘fuck around and find out’ attitude and I think more characters should be his level of gremlin energy. I love that he’s angry and vicious and he puts out this ‘don’t fuck with me’ vibe into the world. I love how intense he can be. How he’s so raw and real and has this amazing humanity to him that gets twisted and betrayed and I love it. I love how complicated he is. That he’s done bad things. That he’s hurt people. That sometimes he straight up doesn’t feel bad about it. I wish more characters had that kind of effort put into them. Podcasts do something that visual media rarely ever pulls off: perfecting the character work with the plot.

Song I associate with them: Fear & Delight by The Correspondents

Favorite picture of them: this art is excellent

John

Favorite thing: he’s a terrifying god trapped in a man’s head and he’s the equivalent of a cat. I love this energy he has. He’s a clingy, loud, ball of fury. The perfect killing machine in an itty bitty package.

Least favorite: he can be incredibly selfish and very manipulative and it hurts not only Arthur but also himself and the people around them.

Favorite Line: This Too Shall Pass. Classic.

OTP: same answer 🩶🩶🩶 although I ship him more with Arthur than Oscar but still. Weird other worldly throuple where he once tried to have Arthur kill Oscar and now they're all just like kinda chill about it.

brOTP: John & the movies. Besties 🩶

nOTP: John & the axe. Put it DOWN JOHN.

Unpopular opinion: 99% of the time podcasts are better than other forms of media. Genuinely could not think of an unpopular John opinion lol

Song I associate with them: Fire by Barns Courtney

Favorite picture of them: I love this art the best <3

[nothingelsematterswrites]

omg new chapter so im back at it again hi :) the only way I can describe ch 11 is satisfying!! payoff for all of oscar’s conflict over control by finding and accepting love in spite of the circumstances! i am such a sucker for the trope of loved ones knowing someone better than they know themselves so the david & oscar scene was reread many, many times. kicking squealing fainting giggling unwell about oscar immediately going to logan and being all happy n stuff. Very cute. 11/10 no critiques! if you need an excuse to drop some lore about the background characters that we won’t get to see in the fic, i am always so incredibly interested in this au

hi!!!! :D i am so glad you liked ch11 and found itt so satisfying! hopefulyl ch12 will be equally satisfying since it is The Chapter.

lore? let's do lore!

Sir Carlos and Lord Lando

They are a love match! Lando, of course, came out the season before the current one, and it just so happened that Sir Carlos was visiting from Spain. Everyone had always warned Lando that if he did not mind his manners and behave properly he'd never catch a mate during the Season - but for Sir Carlos, it was love at first sight! Carlos' family is not very wealthy, so there was a long battle over marriage settlements that nearly nixed the marriage altogether, but Lando insisted to his parents that he would not take anyone else.

At the time of Ch11 Lando is carrying their first child.

Duke Mick and Marquess Jack

This one was arranged, and while happy enough, Mick and Jack are still learning a lot about each other, as they were married pretty much the second Jack hit marriageable age. The mating was planned by Archduke Michael and Marquess Mick from Jack's birth (had Jack been an omega, he would have been mated to Duchess Gina, instead) as a means of uniting the families of these two longstanding friends. Michael and Marquess Mick met on the battlefield and were renowned as two of the greatest generals of their time; however, in a fall from a horse while Mick was young, Michael was wounded, and no-one has seen him since.

Mick is very insecure about being older than Jack, though Jack assures him it doesn't matter, and Mick had plenty of offers. Mick is carrying their first child, but is also insecure about the fact that it took him some time to get pregnant.

Duke Lewis and Lord George

I won't drop all the juiciness of their story here - that's for the prequel! But they are a love match, and while it is not uncommon for an older single alpha to arrange a marriage with a much younger omega, it is very unusual for their marriage to come about from love.

George and Oscar have been friends for a number of years, and their love has been something Oscar has aspired to have in his own life.

Prince Daniel and Master Max Verstappen (and King Christian)

I won't drop the full story here - that's for the sequel! (Yes, lord help me, I'm planning both). Lord Webber is one of King Christian's favourites largely because in Mark and Oscar he sees a reflection of his own relationship with Daniel. Daniel is a wild free spirit who didn't much fancy the idea of marriage and was indulged by his father - until he met Max...

Duke Hamilton and Lord Webber

They met fighting in France, and became firm friends after saving each others' lives several times. Lewis is one of the very few people who knows the truth about why Mark never married.

When Lewis' family started to get on his back about marrying, he and Mark considered marrying Oscar to him, to serve multiple purposes: to meet Oscar's marriage requirement, to provide heirs for Lewis, for Oscar to be mated to an alpha Mark could trust, and to combine their political power and wealth. Both felt weird about it, but thought it the best option. Then Lewis met George...

Oscar's birth family

This was asked in one of the comments, and no, Oscar's birth family won't be showing up. Why? They don't know he exists!

(CW: abuse, scoundrels, death)

Oscar's birth father is a wool merchant who deals with the great estate, and unfortunately, had a reputation as a scoundrel. He seduced one of the maids of his house and took her to his bed, lying to her with promises of marriage and a happy life. When she confronted him after her heat, however, he threw her out, not knowing she was expecting. Later, he left Greenleigh to work at another estate up north.

She went to family at first, in London, but no-one would take in an omega pregnant out of wedlock, and she wound up giving birth in a poorhouse. She was very ill after the birth and, in the hope of giving her son a better life, decided to abandon him at Greenleigh - she had heard the staff were kind there and hoped that perhaps he would be taken in by them, and maybe grow up as a footman or a stablehand.

She never knew that Oscar was adopted by Mark himself, because she sadly died not long after.

While society knows that Oscar is adopted, they don't know his origins, and indeed, he looks enough like Mark that more than a few people believe that Oscar is Mark's bastard son. (There are also rumours he is a bastard of the King, given to Mark to raise to cover up his existence. Christian, Daniel, Mark and Oscar all find this very funny.)

Oscar and Lily

Lily is the daughter of a former chambermaid in Shell House and the head gardener there. (Their love story was so romantic that even Mark got involved to bring them together.) She was born only a few months before Oscar was found, and she was often allowed to be taken into the nursery to play with him.

When she was old enough to start in service herself as the scullery maid, Mark asked the housekeeper and David to keep an eye on her and ensure she was taught everything needed to be a lady's maid, as he planned for her to be Oscar's friend and advisor. Lily was put into Oscar's service when they were sixteen, and they are fast friends, as close as society and their roles will allow.

Oscar, Mark and their instincts

A lot of people viewed Mark suspiciously when he adopted an omega pup, because they believed that an alpha could never properly raise or love an omega pup he hadn't sired, without it being weird...

But because baby Oscar had never scented anyone before - his mother had never done so - Mark's was the first scent he smelled, stored indelibly in his brain as father. His instincts recognise Mark as his father, regardless of blood, which is why he can still chirp to him like a pup, and is unaffected by Mark's cycles. (The second person Mark handed the baby to was, of course, David.)

Logan, Kyle, and Dalton

Kyle is the under-valet of the Sargeants' house, and assisted both Logan and Dalton as needed from the time Dalton turned eighteen. With Logan often overlooked or ignored by his parents, not being the one who will inherit their fortune and business, Kyle became his best friend and confidante.

Logan has a modest fortune settled on him, but Dalton will be the wealthy one. Mark's concern was not with Logan's fortune during the settlements, but to make sure that Oscar would be properly protected; nevertheless he has promised that Logan will be looked after if the marriage goes sour.

Dalton married the daughter of a wealthy steel family as was required of him, but only agreed on the condition that his parents let Logan find a love match. To say he is angry that his parents went back on their word is an understatement. He has already decided that whatever the gender of the child his wife is carrying, they will not have an arranged marriage.

[symeraid-s]

2024 Retrospective: Movies and TV Shows

Movies

Arthur the King

It’s a dog movie based on a real story. It’s cute and was very entertaining to watch, but some of the dialogue was a little weird. The team has good synergy though and the dog does steal the show. As he should. Mark Wahlberg is pretty good in this movie and him talking about how much he wanted to adopt the dog from the handler is what got me interested in seeing it. If you want a good dog movie, this definitely is it.

Dune Part 2

I didn’t catch this movie in cinemas, but even so, I can tell that it’s a visual experience. The designs of the spacecrafts and everything else are still really cool and how they portray the different planets is incredibly striking. Austin Butler is amazing in this movie and personally, I’d say he deserves an Oscar nomination for it. I don’t think he’ll get one, but it would be cool. It should be nominated in all the technical categories though. And for the score, because holy shit! Objectively speaking, of everything I have watched, I think this is the best movie of the year.

The Zone of Interest

This movie released in Germany in January 2024, so for me it’s a movie from this year. Why did it release so late? I don’t know. It was a really good movie. It feels more like a documentary at parts, like it was filmed with a secret camera, glimpsing into the lives of the family, which is a really unique directing decision. It also leaves you on an ending that gets you thinking for a while. And also, no Jimmy Kimmel, we do not think this is a rom com, kindly fuck off.

The Wild Robot

Next to Dune, this was my most anticipated movie of the year and it really lived up to my expectations. The Animation is beautiful, and the story is touching. Sure, there were a few cheesy moments, but they feel earned and are scattered far between. The dry and dark humour was really unexpected, but very welcome to me. I’m also not ashamed to admit, that it made me cry multiple times throughout. The voice cast really is amazing. Lupita Nyong’o is really good as the robot and Pedro Pascal shines as Fink, but the biggest surprise for me was Kit Connor as Brightbill. He just seems to be capable of everything.

Deadpool & Wolverine

It’s just a fun conclusion to the trilogy and a nice send off to the Fox X-Verse, if that’s what it’s called. The tribute on the credits is really cool and a nice sentiment. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have great chemistry and do a great job in this movie. You can also really tell that this was a passion project for a lot of people. Like A Prayer is also an inspired song choice for the final fight and the conclusion. Also, I’m contractually obligated to mention that they definitely fucked in the Honda Odyssey.

Ultraman: Rising

Is this movie a good introduction to Ultraman? I’m not sure. But it definitely is a good movie. It’s fun, the fight scenes are exciting, and the animation looks striking. Sure, it might not have the most original story, but the way it tells it is really good, and the character growth of Kenji is really satisfying to watch. Kenji in general is just a really good character.

TV Shows

Arcane Season 2

The money really is on the screen, but the 250 million floating around is definitely too much. That may be both seasons including marketing costs, but not purely the Animation. The Animation is stunning and, in my opinion, better than the first season. But I don’t actually know if I prefer this season over season 1. It was an amazing finale, don’t get me wrong, but it does seem a little rushed. A lot of the side characters are very flat and don’t really get anything to do and I still don’t understand what the deal with the Black Rose was. That aside though, I really did like this as a finale and am looking forwards to the other shows.

The Umbrella Academy Season 4

I did enjoy this season up until episode 4. I liked Ben and Jennifers chemistry, the cult leader antagonists were fun and the fight scene in the town where they run over Santa Claus was cool. But then it all began to go downhill. Klaus’ subplot was really tasteless and unnecessary, and I might have thought it was fine, had it not come after he learnt to control his powers in Season 3 and ended with him helping himself. The constant fat jokes with Diego also are really stupid, especially when they later rip off his shirt to reveal that he still is ripped. Diego and Lilas relationship also feels really misrepresented, which leads into that stupid Five and Lila romance that nobody, including the actors liked. This finale was a whole fucking mess and the only reason I didn’t just drop it, was because I thought if it had a good enough ending the show could be redeemed a little. It doesn’t. Why does the fucking handler get to live happily ever after, but the main characters have to die? And also: what was the purpose of bringing Ben back, if you’re just going to kill him off again? It’s all just a big mess and it feels like the writers themselves gave up. So, I’m just going to consider Season 3 the finale.

Heartstopper Season 3

I think this might be the best season of the show so far. The way it handled its heavy subject matter was delicate and masterfully executed. Kit Connor and Joe Locke continue to be great actors. Tao still is my favourite character and the scene where he comforts Nick at the party is probably my favourite of the season. The only complaint I really have is that it ends in a weird place. Like, the finale needed 15 more minutes. Even so, I really enjoyed it.

Connection

I started this K-Drama because the premise sounded interesting and only then realised that it was starring Ji Sung, who might just be my favourite Korean actor. I loved him in the Devil Judge and Kill Me, Heal Me and he is just as good here. His ability to have great chemistry with everyone he comes across really needs to be studied. Back to the show though. It’s good. Some twists are predictable, but they are well executed so I’m willing to give it a pass. There is also a lot of attention to detail. One that I think is really cool is that the drug, the main character is forcefully addicted to, is stated to be an appetite-suppressant and we don’t actually see him each much from Episode 2 to the end of the show. I just thought that was a really cool detail. If you want a good crime drama, this really is the show for you.

Hazbin Hotel

I did enjoy watching this show, but I don’t think it was good. There were a lot of moments that felt weirdly stiff and there were too many songs, really. One per episode would have been more than enough, because most of them seem to be about nothing relating to the plot. Characters break out into song just because. The few songs I do like (Hell is Forever, Hell’s Greatest Dad and Stayed Gone), are really good, but some are borderline unlistenable (Out For Love). It does have a lot of great voice acting talent though and I do really like Alastor as a character. Whenever the show focuses on him, it becomes a lot better.

Helluva Boss Season 2

The animation for this show somehow is better than Hazbin Hotels and only one of these two is streaming on a major streaming service. Especially in the later episodes of the season, the animation was outstanding. For me, this season had some of the greatest highs and the lowest lows of the show so far. The finale pulled it all together though and also finally convinced me of Stolas and Blitzos relationship. The music this season was also outstanding. 2 Minutes Notice has become my anthem, and Just Look My Way is also gorgeous. Bryce Pinkham as Stolas is still really amazing and needs to do more voice acting. Alex Brightman as Fizzarolli is also really good.

[wingeddisasterpuppy]

Good Omens and Oscar Wilde's “The Nightingale and the Rose”

‘The Nightingale and the Rose’ is a tragic fairy tale / short story by Oscar Wilde. The story is about romantic love and the sacrifice of a nightingale. The nightingale is a romantic soul, pure in its decisions and acts but also naïve in its conclusion that true love is at hand and that its sacrifice will be valued.

It is a slow paced, romantic and sweet story with a very bitter ending. A bit like Good Omens Season 2.

The Nightingale listens to a lovelorn student lamenting his hopeless love and feels sorry for him. Because the student claims that all it takes to be together with his “love” is a red rose, the nightingale gives her own life in exchange for said red rose. But when the student presents the girl the rose, she rejects him anyway (talking about superficialities like it wouldn’t go with her dress) stating that everyone knows that flowers cost far less than jewels (when we as the reader know that the cost of this flower is basically immeasurable, it literally cost everything).

The lovesick protagonist is referred to as a student who, in the end after being rejected by the girl he claimed to love is saying that love is a silly and unpractical thing anyway and that it is not useful as logic. And that “in this age to be practical is everything”. The story ends with him returning to his room to read a big and dusty book.

Just for the fun of it (“fun” as in it’s probably going to hurt) let’s read Aziraphale as the student because he loves book and also because behind his very soft and romantic ways, there is a rational heart who thinks love is something that is “always telling one of things that are not going to happen”. Someone who says “nothing lasts forever”.

And let’s read Crowley as the nightingale herself, shall we? Because behind the “I’m not nice, Nice is a four-letter word” exterior lies a very soft and romantic heart. I mean think of how he looks at the newly created universe. Think of how he looks at Nina and Maggie under the awning. So soft and full of love. Such a romantic, this one. Like he believes in love without hesitation. When he gives his heart, he gives it fully. And he does give it his all in this season, doesn’t he? And also, “because, underneath it all, Crowley (is) an optimist.” (Good Omens, 1990) Whose natural inclination is to believe that everything is going to be okay even if his experience could have made him an absolute cynic.

And don’t get me wrong. I don’t read any of this as foreshadowing for season 3 (even I am not that masochistic). I just saw some parallels of the fairytale and season 2 of Good Omens. How the hope that Crowley’s heartfelt and vulnerable confession would bring them together shattered to the ground. It gives a bitter ending for all the optimists, the romantic hearts. Aziraphale chooses duty in heaven over his love for Crowley. Does he do it to protect Crowley or because he genuinely thinks he can change heaven for the better? Does he have a secret masterplan? Only season 3 can tell. But for now, we are left with the bitter ending of someone ready to give anything for love and being disappointed.

Anyway, here’s the ending to the short story (go (re-)read it, it's really good):

“What a silly thing Love is,' said the Student as he walked away. 'It is not half as useful as Logic, for it does not prove anything, and it is always telling one of things that are not going to happen, and making one believe things that are not true. In fact, it is quite unpractical, and, as in this age to be practical is everything, I shall go back to Philosophy and study Metaphysics.'  So he returned to his room and pulled out a great dusty book, and began to read.

[mclwcc]

going off his post from when he announced his extension as ceo, most people who dislike him seem to claim it's either because he's american and shouldn't be involved in european motorsport (which is already wild considering f1 is an international competition and not a european one), like this is an exact word-for-word critism that i saw more than one person use. or they're australian and feel that zak/the team unfairly favor lando at the expense of aussie drivers. just look at any mclaren affiliated social media after the australian gp. i personally think both are pretty irrational excuses and like don't get me wrong, i am all for people hating for the purpose of being a hater but if you're going to try to justify your hatred with reasons at least find one based in some sort of logic. or even reality.

anon a person after my own heart i too love hating for the purpose of being a hater but this isnt that, its a more widespread and vitriolic fandom phenomenon that clearly different from, say, me hating on clement novalak bc his eyebrows freak me out, ykwim?

i do think his obnoxious americanism is kind of hard to swallow and thats fair if u find him annoying but it rly doesnt explain to me y ppl immediately label him a villain? maybe bc he has that rich man in a black and white hollywood movie vibe abt him or smth but like surely its smth more serious than that. idk i think its just the american salesman core of it all... he's slimy and slippery and persuasive and he does it VERY well

also like i do think the idea that he mistreats oscar is frankly silly - mostly bc oscar keeps yapping on and on abt how much he likes having a team where hes finally wanted and appreciated, but also bc its clear zak loves the guy. i think ur right in that i do think some ppl think that: i keep seeing ppl on twitter saying that the fact that lando has done a couple factory debriefs that oscar wasnt there for means they clearly favour lando. but like.... if i were renowned introvert oscar piastri i would WAY prefer not having to fly 12h to speak in front of a crowd and instead be allowed to spend another couple days w my family in melbourne. like bffr please

also also can i just say re: team orders bc i think thats the other reason ppl think oscar is mistreated - do ppl not realise that last week oscar literally got the priority strategy? they helped cover him against russell instead of helping lando cover against leclerc, which is how lando ended up losing second place - he wouldve kept it if he'd pit on lap 9 with charles or even maybe lap 10 just after him (if the oscar pitstop was unplanned). and also, in general, lando and oscar often end up on diff strategies where lando shows up behind oscar with fresher tyres (and hence has to b let by w team orders) because lando is better at managing tyre wear. thats y he often gets the stay long - overcut strat (germany situation beloved), whereas oscar is often on the undercut - defend strat, and they'll often meet in the middle. the fact that we get these kinds of strategy team orders is GOOD. it means the team has enough faith in both drivers' skills to give them diff strategies and trust them both to execute them well. it also means the drivers r next to each other on track - id take lando team-order-passing oscar any day over lando blue-flag-passing daniel.... oof.

sorry a defense of zak brown turned into a defense of randy singh but like im just saying that the idea that the entirety of mclaren hates and mistreats oscar is rly quite laughable if ur actually engaged in the strategy game or like if u have eyes idk. im very very glad that oscar has become kind of a people's princess character and ppl rly do seem to universally love him but i find it so infuriating that they have to do so at the expense of mclaren. if u wanna find an enemy to hate on behalf of oscar carlos sainz is literally right there

[adamsvanrhijn]

So what do you think it is that John actually loves about Oscar? What made their relationship work for as long as it did? We never really see Oscar treating him all that well in the show, but I'm sure there have been occassions when Oscar has been fully on John's side too or otherwise he wouldn't have stayed so invested in him especially post breakup.

God. Okay. so this is one area where i would love S3 to spell it out a little more, for all the people who are Not insane and are Not making things up in their heads about these guys nonstop and seeing all the things etc. because until then i can only hypothesize and make shit up outright.

ergo. disclaimer as always that

🚨 THIS TUMBLR USER IS NOT NORMAL ABOUT THESE GUYS!!! 🚨

now. because of the very nature of john & oscar's story, we only see them in the midst of conflict — their very first intimate scene together includes oscar hiding information from john, and that information, when it comes out between them, drastically alters their status quo... at least for john, visibly. oscar is determined not to let it do that, but to john this is contrary to everything he wants and the way he thought he and oscar were living their lives together.

i do think john is drawn to oscar in an oscar-is-john's-type way. like the other two guys we can infer john is interested in are, guy who is physically similar to oscar but taller and cleanshaven, and, literally oscar wilde. oscar van rhijn is giving off a certain vibe and also approaches the world and their culture a different way than others, which sets him apart. at first glance it would be easy to assume oscar doesn't care what others think of him: he dresses and speaks in a certain way, he disregards etiquette norms, he seems to have, if not necessarily disdain for or disillusionment with his society, then a sense that he specifically knows better than and is above it. in fact oscar cares very deeply what others think but just has certain traits he does not seem to be willing or able to compromise about himself. but i think john, who by 1882 is so totally decided in his path to live a life that feels authentic to him, would be attracted to that — even if i am sure he comes to know soon enough that it sits on a bedrock of (largely warranted!) social anxiety. it still takes some combination of courage and not giving a fuck and lack of willingness to compromise yourself to behave the way that oscar does.

john, despite his personal beliefs and intentions, does not seem to be living his life such that it conspicuously challenges any norms or mores, in a way that could only be seen as intentional, the way that oscar is. his rejection of marian could be social awkwardness. his introversion — as with all recurring characters if it happens twice it's a habit ✌🏻 — is just a personality trait. his gender expression is giving 19th century masculinity ideal such that future confirmed bachelorhood would be easily explained as plenty of things other than exclusive interest in men. to another person, he simply would not seem to have anything to live with discretion about. there is nothing About john that indicates that the way he wants to live his life and the way he sees himself as a person is deeply incongruent with his culture, and if he needs to or chooses to he can actively pretend otherwise very effectively. i think there is an element of john's attraction to oscar that is tied up in their outward expression and what it takes or doesn't take for them to express themselves the way they do. john isn't the same type of guy as oscar but i still get the impression that if he wanted to be, he wouldn't or couldn't act the way oscar does, where he is trying to be one person throughout every sphere of his life with nothing reflecting or bearing on anything else.

BUT that is all reasons to be into a guy, but not necessarily to live with him for years and be totally in love with him and design your mental future around him. which is not to say that attraction is not important! like the sex is clearly phenomenal! but also, look at john with your eyes and tell me he couldn't have anybody else he wanted you know.

which brings me to.

first of all, i totally agree with your estimation that oscar must have been there for john in some way that john appreciated in the past that we just haven't seen. i also think it's safe to assume that there are Very Many aspects of their relationship that we haven't seen — in 1.08, john says he doesn't see why they can't carry on as Before, meaning before oscar was looking for a wife, meaning 1.01 was like, the tip of the iceberg for them, for us as an audience. we have not seen Before! they have known each other long enough aurora describes them as old friends and they're clearly obsessed with each other, there's a wealth of history there the audience just doesn't get to see.

and then digging into that... i actually think john and oscar could be really compatible and complementary and Good For Each Other under the right circumstances. opposites attract in this case! john is clearly very cerebral and very sensitive, and even under the circumstances we Have seen them in, oscar has demonstrated an understanding of that and how to draw John out of it when he needs to — "I am preoccupied but nothing's the matter", the entire 1.09 interaction; despite his steadfastly not listening to what John actually wants let alone acknowledging it in this particular topic when it Is eventually made clear to him, he clearly understands what will upset John: "never mind about that now" is bad communication when it isn't followed up on but good recognition of time and place and emotional needs. i think oscar not only Gets john but for the most part knows how to actually deal with him....

BECAUSE last but not least. the thing that looking at him with your eyes two paragraphs ago was Supposed to bring us to. john adams the gilded age is like, the absolute embodiment of He's A Ten But. this man has SO many emotional problems! i do not think they have ever like, Infringed on oscar in quite the way they do in 1.08 before, but i do think they must have Manifested and oscar was perhaps what John needed if not necessarily the most straightforwardly Supportive about it. i think oscar has a lot of what John needs and is in that position where he can draw him out and keep him grounded, up to the point where the issues are between them and relationship rupturing. and i think oscar is his own little brand of weird that means he not only puts up with it but even takes satisfaction in doing so — oscar clearly likes Knowing Better and taking care of the people he is close to, and john gives him opportunities for that, and that obviously could benefit john immensely too.

[dream-meister-translations]

HARVEST FESTIVAL RICHE - VOICE COLLECTION

━

"Enjoying the food. That is the essential ingredient for a fruitful harvest festival. I must make it a banquet to remember."

"My face is tense…? You must be watching me very closely to have noticed that."

Please do not misunderstand. The only reason we can talk like this is because you are my partner in this project. Others cannot."

"I don't want to get my costume dirty."

"I want to get rid of the "me" who only admires his older brothers and become as good as them."

"It's hard to come up with good ideas when you're all alone. Thank god I have someone who will listen to me… You."

"As a gastronomy sommelier, I will do my best to make you proud."

"Finally I can tell you…No…Wait a moment…I'm so nervous, I'm having heart palpitations…"

"What do you think? We're getting pretty close, aren't we? It seems I'm getting accustomed to you."

"You really like to make my heart race, don't you? I wonder, will I ever get used to this feeling?"

"The harvest festival is about to begin. Let me guide you to an enchanting banquet of delicious wine and gourmet food."

"With this Harvest Festival's success, I have taken another step forward as a sommelier. With you by my side."

"This wine is for you. It's a fine wine that deepens with time…Just like the feelings I have for you."

"I'm no good at tricks and games, but I have something to tell you. Will you please listen to me?"

"I will not tolerate pranks."

"For a long time all I wanted was to stay away from you, but now I'd rather…"

"Why are you looking at me like that? You enjoy teasing me… You're a naughty girl, aren't you?"

"I'm still struggling to convey my feelings to you."

"We should really head back soon. It is regrettable, but I want to properly fulfill my responsibility as the organizer of the festival."

"The other day Cuit made walnut and cheese canapes. It was an exquisite dish."

"Kuchen made chocolates in the shape of skulls…"

"Since it is a harvest festival the menu is eccentric."

"Considering how much time we've been spending together, I may be becoming unknowingly influenced by you."

"Victor and I are in a similar line of work. I have a lot I could learn from him."

"I was up late preparing for the harvest festival and Victor warned me that it was bad for my skin. I have to admit, I didn't see it from that angle."

"Victor asked me to name a new cocktail, but I don't think I'm the right person for the job…It's a big responsibility."

"Typically, I have a policy of never mixing anything with wine, but my way of thinking has changed. This must be Victor's influence."

"Unthinkable, is it? Well, it is true, people do change."

"I must admit I am a woman-hating person, but now…No, nothing. I shall tell you at a later date."

"Walter says that there are poisonous plants that go well with wine. I will have to sample one next time."

"Walter listens to me a lot. He doesn't say anything. Ever. I think that helps."

"Walter is a man of few words, but he is trusted by Oscar for his reliable work."

"When I became the host of this banquet, he encouraged me, saying that I would make it even better."

"I'm shocked…I never thought I could be this close to you."

"You say we're not even that close? Well, this is more than I ever imagined…I'm not ready to be closer yet."

"If you ever feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to rely on me. During a festival like this, many people will be going wild."

"Thanks to you, I feel like I've loosened up a bit."

"As the organizer, I thought it would be best to dress a little more modestly…Surprisingly the costume has been well received."

"I wanted my brothers to wear costumes too, but it's difficult in the kitchen…So I'll have to wait to see them in costumes some other time."

"Wearing so much white makes me nervous…What if I get a red wine stain or something…?"

"In that costume, I think you are so beautiful that you cannot help but attract the attention of everyone around you."

"I looked up how to make a pumpkin lantern in a book, so if you have any questions feel free to ask."

"Can you use my face as your model? That's fine…I'll use you as my model."

"Can't cut a pumpkin properly? Then hand me the knife. I'll help."

"You want to hold hands so we don't get separated…? No… I need to be more prepared."

"You don't want to leave yet? N-No there is no problem…My chest is just getting a little tight."

"I was thinking about spending next year's harvest festival with you like this…

"I found a bag of candy in my jacket pocket…When did this happen?"

"I'm sorry, I'm just trying to regain my composure."

"If you're the one I'm holding hands with, I have no problem doing so."

"I know this isn't my place…But I would appreciate it if you didn't hold hands with anyone else."

"Oh, was my hair messy? Thank you very much. I try to be careful, but…"

"Do you by chance touch other people's hair like this…? No, nevermind, it's nothing."

"You touch is gentle. I don't want to run away anymore."

"When you touch me…It feels so good…It's hard to remember who I used to be."

"I can't stand it, yet I can't seem to stay away."

"Can I…Um…Can I touch you? I swear I won't play a prank on you."

"Not only as a guild keeper, but also as a woman, you are very important to me."

"If you have something to say, please do speak clearly."

(gift like) "Thank you. You seem to have the makings of a sommelier."

(gift like) "You are really good at making people happy. I admire that about you."

(gift normal) "If you have a gift for my brother don't leave it with me…What? A gift for me? Sorry, I misunderstood."

(gift normal) "Is this a thank you for the wine tasting the other day?

(gift dislike) "Are you drunk? This choice of gift is rather unprecedented."

(gift dislike) "As a sommelier I really try not to be picky, but…I expect more from you.

"You understand that I am not good with women, so please leave me alone."

"Can you stop touching me soon? No, I mean…It's not that I don't want to…I just…"

━

RICHE : This outfit is not terrible. But the wine is a bit difficult to pour in it, how do you manage? VICTOR : You must have fun with these things! Why don't you try pouring the wine while pretending to cast a spell like a magician?

━

RICHE : The more I attempt to be confident, the more I withdraw…I knew my brothers would be better at this than me. WALTER : Don't hold onto your insecurities, Riche. Let 'em out. We're all on your side. Let's have a drink and get ourselves together.

━

RICHE : Normally, I'd stop drinking so much, but this time I really need it. CHELL : I know what you mean, Riche. You've got a lot of work to do tonight. Let's try all the wine!

━

VICTOR : Riche, you are both strong and honorable. RICHE : That is very kind of you to say, but I am not quite there yet.

[the-celluloid-correspondent]

Beau is Afraid

Following the sudden death of his mother, a mild-mannered but anxiety-ridden man confronts his darkest fears as he embarks on an epic, Kafkaesque odyssey back home.

After over a week of contemplating Beau is Afraid, I am finally ready to put my thoughts into words. Many thoughts went through my head over the past week about this film. Was this one of the most ambitious and creative films of 2023, or was it the worst? Whatever my debating thoughts, I always respected this film. I respect its ambition, creativity, and out-of-the-box filmmaking seen here. Though the film might not succeed in all aspects of its story and pacing, I still have reverence for it.

Director Ari Aster described Beau is Afraid as a "Jewish Lord of the Rings," which it somewhat is. Moreso draws inspiration from its episodic storytelling, with the film being broken up into four parts. Each part peels back a layer of anxiety and trauma of our protagonist. It's a fascinating character study of the consequences of parental abuse. It tells this study through a comedic yet anxiety-inducing lens that no one but Aster can do. He lets his creativity run wild with him trying to induce new anxieties and fears within his audience. However, in this epic of penis-monster proportions, you feel the three-hour-long runtime. Though I personally didn't mind, the general audience will feel the drag. Because of the drag, not all the elements of the story were fully polished and dragged points. Because of this, Beau is Afraid is definitely not a movie for everyone.

Aster always knows to bring the best out of his acting ensemble, and here his directing delivers. Joaquin Phoenix gives a fantastic performance as the forever-traumatized Beau. He conveys all the layers and mannerisms of anxiety, depression, and mania perfectly. If this wasn't so far out there, he would be in Oscar contention. Patti LuPone shows up and delivers an Oscar-worthy performance. She masterfully deserves her character's abusive and psychopathic nature. She is intimidating and owns every scene she is in. Nathan Lane and Amy Ryan look like they are having so much fun with their performances. Richard Kind also gives a commanding performance even though being in the film for only a few minutes.

As with all A24 films, they know how to maximize their budget. The production design is outstanding and filled with an insane amount of detail. I could spend hours studying the vandalized street of Beau's apartment. Furthermore, the animated sequence in the middle of the film was absolutely stunning. The cinematography, again, is fantastic and masterfully showcases the stunning production and visual storytelling. The score is minimally used and, when used, masterfully elevates scenes. For $35 million, this film looks better than most blockbusters.

Overall, Beau is Afraid is definitely not for everyone. Personally, I am still conflicted and require another rewatch to fully formulate my opinion. However, I still respect this film for what it is.

I am giving Beau is Afraid, a B.

[aro-simp]

Hiii!!! I wanted to ask ⏰️, 🆘️, 👾, 💐, 🦋, for whoever wants to answer 👀

[...aaaand another one recovered! I think this should be the last one hmm, I think Desmond might know best how to answer these...]

⏰: If you had to very publicly profess your love for (S/l), how would you do it?

preferably in whatever way is gonna embarrass him the most, and that means another shift at the Bad Weather on a busy saturday, shouted across the room. (And... don't worry too much about the embarrassment part, he might get a little grumpy but I know for sure he enjoys it immensely when I make sure others know I'm taken)

🆘: How do you let (S/I) know that they're on your mind when you're someplace crowded?

well nature of the job has it that we're usually hooked up via comm when we're anywhere crowded, and in that case there's little I can do, with Shaun already talking at me nonstop.

when it's something casual tho, so we're just going somewhere together, I'll take his hand or lightly nudge his shoulder. Saying anything might be the worst idea since he's either already talking himself or decidedly not talking because he's trying to focus on something

👾: What are your favorite things to do with (S/I)? Who's better at them?

Together with Rebecca we've started having regular movie and game nights! Rebecca's like... scary good at games, and Shaun and I both tend to be sore losers...

But obviously also depends on the type of game, with video games it's no question that Beccs's is gonna beat our asses, and in general I am also better at them than Shaun is, he's not big in short lived competitive games.

Board games tho are a different thing, he plays like an old man and by that I mean with no mercy and an incomprehensible focus, so board games are more or less just battles between him and beccs, I participate but I might as well just watch

💐: If you saw this thing in the store, you would instantly buy it for (S/I)! What is the thing?

One of those huge dusty ancient tome looking books, like those... the ones with the fabric covers? Especially if it's an older story, anything by Oscar Wilde would do, or a Sherlock Holmes collection... Saw him stare down one of those a few times.

I mean you know those books stuff like Dracula and Frankenstein.

🦋: What's the most special moment that you and (S/I) have ever shared?

I don't think there has ever been something like a most special moment for us? We've had enough "special" (by which I mean horrifying and awful) moments as is, and enjoy the casual more domestic times most.

I think one moment I have especially good memories of was one of our first movie nights (Rebecca included obviously!), we built a pillow fort and all that, got snacks, and huddled together in a pile to watch a few childhood classics. Great evening!

[thestareyedfictionaddict]

This is my first ever post so I hope you enjoy reading it.

I'd like to talk about something that's been on my mind for a while. Exclusion.

All of us know what it is, right? And all of us know it's wrong? Well, sometimes, you do end up excluding people. Whether or not it's on purpose is up to you.

I just want to say that, if you exclude people on purpose, you better have a good reason for it! Exclusion sucks! I myself am a victim of it. The feeling of being there among your peers but no one includes you is a horrible feeling and oftentimes you feel like crying but you can't because then you'd embarrass yourself and be whispered and talked about.

I get it. I understand. I made this blog so everyone would have a place to vent out their frustrations or see that they're not alone. I know I would love to see my problems and struggles talked about so I wouldn't feel so alone, so I'm going to make a blog like that. I know it can be scary to talk to the authority figures in your life because you'll feel vulnerable and weak and you don't want to shed tears in front of people, so let's all just cry here. Together. In solidarity.

That's the first post from me, The Star-Eyed Fiction Addict.

And remember, if you ever feel ugly, just think of this Oscar Wilde quote: "A fashion is merely a form of ugliness so absolutely unbearable that we have to alter it every six months!”

And if you ever feel bad about being talked about, here's another quote from Oscar Wilde for you: “There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”

[denimbex1986]

'Ripley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A grifter named Ripley living in New York during the 1960s is hired by a wealthy man to bring his wayward son home from Italy. Ripley sees the opportunity of a lifetime to make a killing.

It’s probably a bit unfair, but also quite natural, to compare this miniseries on Netflix to the 1999 film The Talented Mr. Ripley by Anthony Minghella. After all, they are both adaptations from the same novel, written in 1955 by Patricia Highsmith; they both follow pretty much the same main plot points, they have (for the most part) the same characters, and they are filmed in the same Italian locations, and yet the two final products could not be further apart.

I won’t be going into which one is better because it’s a silly argument to have. Just the fact that one is a miniseries, and in eight hours or more can make the story breathe in a way that impossible in a film, makes the comparison pretty pointless from the start.

If anything, this Netflix series proves that there is definitely room for both: the lush technicolor Italy, where passions run wild, and jealousy can lead to murder on one side, and a much colder, darker, seedier version where Ripley, beautifully played with a hint of cold menace by Andrew Scott, who just disappears into this role, is a real sociopath, at times a bit weird and other times truly terrifying (he rarely ever blinks!), but always absolutely mesmerizing.

The choice of filming this in black and white is obviously key to the success of this series, offering the viewers a fresh and compelling perspective on the narrative and its characters. Of course, on the surface, it makes everything feel a lot darker, sinister, colder (it was also filmed during winter), but also more unsettling, and fits perfectly with this new depiction of Ripley. And as it happens, it also makes this one of the best-looking TV series I’ve seen in a long time.

You might not get that romanticism from Minghella’s vision of Italy, and yet every frame can still be hung on a wall: those wet cobbled streets looking so timeless, the southern towns built on stairs, ancient and evocative.

Andrew Scott plays Ripley as a real enigma, just as Highsmith had written about 70 years ago (and yet, it’s a book so modern and fresh that often feels like it could have been written just yesterday). Ripley is a man lacking morality, “a human vacuum,” as described by writer-director Steven Zaillian (the Oscar winning screenwriter of Schindler’s List). He is a much more difficult character to decipher and instantly like than Matt Damon ever was, yet the power of the story is such that pretty soon, we are with him wholeheartedly, and we just don’t want him to be caught.

I loved this series, and the more I think about it, the more I appreciate what it did.

I loved how the series took its time and did not want to rush things. I adored that one of the episodes was basically entirely spent watching somebody trying to get rid of a body (and that cat watching everything!! Brilliant!!).

I loved how it often focused on details that were just red herrings, basically placed there with the only purpose of making us feel jittery, anxious, unsettled, but nothing more than that (I’m talking about the suitcase with evidence against Ripley’s crime, the stains of blood in the bathtub, the ashtray as a weapon of possible murders to come).

These are things that only a TV series of more than eight hours can do. I also loved how authentic it all felt, even to an Italian like me. The locations are real, lived-in, the characters talk the way people really talk, with their different accents, depending on the region they are from, whether they are from the north or the south.

Yes, of course, there are a few clichés here and there, but hey, it’s an American product after all. In Rome, for example, they can’t help but have a nun or two walking in the background at every possible moment.

I was a bit annoyed by the signs at the train station showing names of cities in English as opposed to Italian (something that, especially in the ‘50s, would have never happened), but those are silly minor quibbles in the big scheme of things.

I was willing to get past those tiny faults. In fact, I was quite surprised by how much of the dialogue was in Italian (subtitled obviously). What did bother me a little bit more was the fact that I found Andrew Scott a little bit too old for the part: even though he carries his 50 years very well, Tom Ripley is supposed to be a twenty-something young man, with his whole life ahead and very little to lose, hence the reason why he decides to go to Italy in the first place anyway: because he’s so young.

As it is, both the beginning and the reasons for his decision to go to Italy still feel a bit contrived and slightly forced (as they did in Minghella’s version, to be honest). They only just about get away with it in the novel.

But there is so much to like here.

This is a meticulously crafted piece of filmmaking, the best of classic noir, Hitchcock, Italian cinema of the ‘50s, all in one. A piece of beauty that rewards your patience and is really one of the best things Netflix has ever produced. I binged it in two days and I can’t wait to revisit it again (and there’s a little bit of me that hopes they might adapt the next four Ripley books too!)'

[lestappenwdc]

Australia unserious serious race overview

If you're new here i decided to do a short recap of each race after it's done on here, mostly for my own sake so I dont forget what happened in each race.

This recap will be less unserious since the results were 😐 not by my liking and I have serious topics to cover.

Bahrain part 1 Bahrain part 2 Jeddah part 1 Jedah part 2

Australia will be 1 part under a cut

1. Ferrari

Oohhh boy. Do I have thoughts.

Most of my thoughts are summed up in this post I made discussing how Charles not attacking was not due to team orders and how attacking would not have helped him. Now I'd rather move on from this since every time I think about who won I want to cry.

I am really pissed off today but not because of ferrari and team orders but because the one time charles is out of the front row in 8 races Max DNFs thus giving everyone else a chance. I know, I know I should want Charles to beat Max on track and that's probably what Charles wants also BUT it does not erase the fact that cs55 is so lucky with his front row starts that he is now 2/2 qualis he was better than Charles in the last 10 races that lead to Max/Red Bull having issues. What kind of luck do you have on your side? And can the rest of us get some?

On the positive side Charles is now closer in the championship to Max than any driver has been probably since Bahrain 2023 lol. And I will choose to look on the bright side and remember that after Singapore Charles obliterated Carlos in every single race and hope that this one sparks a similar fire in him. You got this Charlie.

2. Mclaren

They were good I guess. They had no one to fight with thanks to Mercedes. I feel like they had a slightly better race than the last 2. I will not talk about the team orders since they did undercut Lando with Oscar's strategy in the beginning. So I have.. no opinion on it. Especially since Oscar made a big mistake towards the end that everyone kinda overlooked with everything that happened after. He would not have been on the podium either way. He lost a lot of seconds there I dont remember how much but it was a lot. Lando would've overtaken for sure.

3. Aston Martin

Stroll had an amazing drive here 🙌. I like to hate on him sometimes but not today. Amazing quali amazing drive great points.

Alonsos move in the end? Extremely dangerous to do on a street track surrounded by walls. I'm happy he got the penalty (although I didn't expect 20 fucking seconds????? Idk what is happening with the penalties being so harsh this year but I like it)

4. Red Bull

Poor Maxie. We are so not used to seeing this that it felt like a fever dream. What the fuck happened? And on the race he was supposed to match his streak 😭. Anyway he'll live. At least now he gets to fight Charles (yes I'm delulu what about it)

Perez was invisible. Were RB slow here or is Perez just mid? Well I guess we'll never know (but we can take a wild guess). He could not pass the Mclarens? Really?

5. RB

YUKI TSUNODA THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!!!!! I can not explain to you guys how happy I am with 6 points for Yuki jgjejxjwnd that's insane.

Daniel did ok I guess. He had a more difficult drive too but I only care about Yuki today. So so happy.

6. Haas

Did you guys see this drive by both Haases? Did you see what they did? They climbed the most out of everyone. Both in the points????? How did we get here? I don't know but I love it. Hulk is for some reason growing on me more and more. So is Kevin. Idk what happened. Double points for Haas. Who would've thought. Amazing. So excited for them.

7. Williams

James Vowles I'm in your walls. Men will do nothing but disappoint. Would Logan have done better than Alex? Probably not. Is it okay what they did to him? Absolutely not. And they didn't even manage to get a singular point. Disgusted disappointed and flabbergasted. Was it worth it James? Cos I don't think it was. Wasnit worth it for Alex to lose respect in Logans eyes? I don't think so either. And before someone goes but it wasn't Alex fault. If I was in Logans place I would lose respect for Alex for allowing this to happen I said what I said. I would never consider him on my side anymore if I ever did.

This coupled with Alex saying he'd rather have a teammate that's bad so he can get all the praise? Falling lower and lower. Not yet daniel-lando-carlos level of low, far from it, but still dissapointed in him.

8. Alpine

Woohoo can you believe they are not last on my list for once? They did something guys!!! The thing they did is they are not BOTH dead last. Only Este is. AND no one dnfed. Actually there is not much to celebrate. Next race I guess

9. Sauber

Idk what was in the air in Bahrain but Sauber are getting worse and worse. Zhou has completely disappeared. Bottas had another 1 min pit stop (what is it with bottas and put stops?????) And they were just... they were bad. This is starting to look very similar to last year and they gave me hope for .2 seconds for NOTHING!

10. Mercedes

Damn. Where do I start. So nice of Hamilton to park his car in solidarity of Max dnf ing. We love a supportive king. In all seriousness tho (because this is a serious race overview) Mercedes suck. The car sucks. First engine failure of the year and its their own car 3 races into the season. It's not looking good at all.

George oh my god. On one side it's funny bc this exact same thing happened in Singapore? That's insane? I'm ready to light some candles about how crazy it is. On another more important side, it was so so scary. The placement of his car was so dangerous. His radio was so devastating. I cant even imagine sitting there in the middle of the road and just waiting for a car to hit you at 300kmph without being able to do anything about apart for yell for a red flag and hope they listen. So traumatic. I hope he's okay mentally after this. I know these people are stronger than us and their relationship with death and fear is different than mine but this cannot be easy. God I have tears in my eyes just writing about it. Poor George 🥺

That's it. Thank you for reading. There is not conclusion to this I simply covered everything ND my thoughts on everyone 😌

[jaspersummerbummer]

Free Write 3/11/24

Language oozes from me like an infected wound. I am desperate to communicate something, yet what exactly alludes even to my unfortunately incurious mind. That particularly may come as somewhat of a surprise, to those younger than the version of myself who wrote these mostly-fictions. A witness to what may appear on the surface to be an outward explosion of raw creativity can easily be seen through by the well traveled mind to be mere artistic ramblings. Not that ramblings lack artistic value, but those who wish to find a voice of a generation may be upset to find that my words are only my own. Unfortunately I am afflicted with this artistic condition, my family and friends speak to me with such reverence that I should expect my life to move upwards. A train moving on its already laid track, my destination appears a roller coaster of impossible possibility. Now I must consider each choice carefully, every note in a song sung without precision yet chosen acutely, and every letter carefully typed into an old laptop keyboard, while I idly pretend I am invested in a lecture on poetry written during the AIDS crisis.

My advisor explained to me very plainly that the best writers are the worst students; would Oscar Wilde be a good student? He asked me, the question obviously rhetorical in nature. These words clung to my neck like a thick rope, the corpse of a heavy bird hung, pulled my neck down toward the earth. Rejection stings like bug bite itch covered with Neosporin. My roommate told me that I will be better remembered in death than life, a fear that she unknowingly stoked back to life. Perhaps if I organize all my writings so that each word I dare scribble into margins of literature shall remain immortalized. Manuscripts unfinished, unpolished, fear of touching my words at risk of raising the fury of my resting corpse. I have no plan of dying, yet the possibility remains tempting. Not because I do not value my own life, but that I see a potential way to cheat this silly game. If I die tragically, my words will be immortalized by my frenzied mother desperate to chronicle every passing thought my unfortunately incurious mind conjures. Repaint these ramblings as words of prophecy and suddenly I am divine. I envy the Albatross. 

First snowfall of March, the eleventh stands tall, two ones combined into the roman numeral. I spotted a poem; To a Dead Graduate Student. Suddenly I am paying attention;

"The whole rich process of twined opposites,

Tendrils round stalk, developing in tandem

Through tangled exquisite detail that knits

To a unique promise - 

checked at random.

Killed, wasted. What a teacher you’d have made:

Your tough impatient mind, your flowering looks

Would you've seduced the backward where they played,

Rebels like you, to share your love of books."

To a Dead Graduate Student

Thomm Gunn

My egomania is my own unique madness. Every great work is really made to be seen by me the moment I witness it. Art made with foreknowledge of my life, so complex and multi-layered that only I can untangle its truth. Perhaps now that I’ve admitted this truth I can avoid it overwhelming my future. That is quite a pleasant thought. One day I will shed this ego like a snake sheds its skin. Perhaps then I can simply read to enjoy the act. I can write simply to enjoy the act. To merely tell a story, instead of trying to solve this artistic condition.