#in my first (and currently only) solo save it was winter year 1 when i decided i wanted to marry this man

[jojaxcola]

It would be fun if we could go sledding, wouldn't it? I don't think there are any good hills nearby. Plus, I don't have a sled.

[keltonwrites]

I'm not sure if that's a good thing

“Well you’re definitely the first.” This past week, we screened-in the eastern facing porch on the side of the cabin. The porch slopes to the South, with the brick-on-dirt floor crumbling in that direction as well until it reaches uneven slabs of stone acting as steps down to the “yard” below. A mixed material retaining wall wraps beneath the steps to the south facing garage, holding up one corner of the narrow deck on the front of the house. The deck, in the heat of a high altitude summer, droops off the house like it’s daydreaming about the winter snow’s embrace. It’s safe to sit on, though I would not recommend leaning on the railing.

The side porch takes the brunt of the wind. Our wooden rocking chairs have been rocked some 20 feet into the yard more than once in the two months we lived here. In the myriad of threats we heard about the weather, most people included the wind. We all know how I feel about this ongoing weather intimidation tactic. I asked, “what speed are the gusts?” “Oh, they get up to 70 miles per hour on some days.” This was the first quantifiable piece of weather information someone had offered — an actual number we could react to with data and our historical personal experiences of various weather events. And our reaction was: uhhhh…. OK???? Look, I get it. No one’s preaching the skin benefits of -20 degree wind gusts at 70 mph, building snow drifts against your house in the span of minutes that Cooper could die in. I am not going to pretend that’s pleasant. But 70 mph? Any wind I’ve driven faster than does not intimidate me. I used to rally the horses at 12 years old in winds over 70mph to get them in the barn before the latest tornado whipped through. I helped shutter the resort in the BVI as the Category 5 hurricane rolled in. Even in Topanga, 70 mile per hour gusts were not uncommon in Santa Ana events. We had our single pane windows shatter more than once from debris in the wind. We taped cardboard up and went to sleep. That “70 mph” was all I needed to hear to confirm our next project: we were going to build a catio for these cats, and we were going to do it on the pre-existing porch structure to save time and money. We spent a week framing out the structure. We had to carve into the logs of the house to embed the wood supports for the framing.

And from there, every piece of wood was custom carved and cut to fit around the existing timber supports. The existing porch was so wildly uneven that there are gaps between each piece of old wood and the new framing. Our plan is to mix all the wood chips from the project with mortar/chinking and stuff the gaps — a good solution for the log cabin look. We built a plywood pony wall up to 28 inches from the interior of the porch, which gives a height of ~4-5ft from the exterior ground below. It’s capped with a 2x6” railing for even the fluffiest of cats to find a perch. The exterior will be wrapped with corrugated metal that we’ll quick-age to match the metal that wraps the bottom of the cabin. On the interior of the porch, we’ll use shiplap to hide the framing.

The screens themselves can withstand winds up to 120 mph, but to-be-determined if they can hold the weight of a growing maniac cat who has already tried to climb them. In the event the screens succumb to cat (or wind or snow or neighbor judgment) we’ll reinforce with metal mesh. We’re going to maintain this screen porch regardless of what the screen is. We had the pleasure of running into one of our more industrious neighbors the other day, and Ben asked him, “hey we’re building a screen porch. Is this a terrible idea?” He laughed. “Well you’re definitely the first.” But he liked it. Great way to diminish wind into the house. Simple way to regulate the temperature with massive south-facing windows. And indeed a practical outdoor safe haven for cats in predator territory. Just because you’re the first doesn’t mean you’re foolish — just foolhardy. There’s plenty of that here. This town has the typical mountain town’s truncated version of a colonizers’ history: “established 1881.” But it was plenty established prior to that by the Uncompahgre Band of the Ute Nation, removed by the U.S. Army on September 7, 1881, nearly 140 years ago. The government relocated the Uncompahgre Ute People to Utah, and one year after the Ute were forcibly removed from their ancestral land, San Miguel County split off from Ouray County and was made its own political subdivision in the newly-formed State of Colorado. In 1879, the ore-laden valley already had 50 people living in it, with a new narrow gauge railway only 2 miles away. By 1885, it was a town of 200 people. There was a hotel, a couple saloons, a pool hall. Winters were treacherous; the valley was and is prone to avalanches. But where there’s gold, there’s gumption. The power needed to run the stamp mill to process ore drove innovation. Timber was scarce at such high elevations, so a wood powered steam mill wouldn’t cut it. But the San Miguel River just a few miles down from the mine looked promising. Thus began the development and construction of the Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant. It was a hit. In fact, it was so successful that the Ames Plant led to the adoption of alternating currents at Niagara Falls and eventually to being adopted worldwide as a viable power solution. The plant remains, but the gold rush obviously didn’t. By 1940, the U.S. Census declared this little town I call home as tied for the lowest population in the country: 2 people. By 1960, it was one of four incorporated towns in the U.S. with no residents. But the joke was on the Census — the town’s single resident was just out of town the day the census came through. 1960 population: 1. By 1980 the population grew to 38, 69 in 1990, and about 180 now. (Plus 51 dogs according to the town’s website.) With modern amenities, it’s easier to be here. Studded snow tires, satellite internet, solar panels, instant coffee. No matter the hardships, there’s the reality of the present. In the 1880s, as the town boomed, the Ouray Times declared, “it will be at no distant day a far more pretentious town than it is now.” That day hasn’t exactly arrived, but I guess it depends on what you consider pretentious. I don’t think the town claims any airs of excellence beyond what’s true. In fact, the town hardly claims anything at all. There’s no sign indicating it’s even here. There’s just the old side and the new side. The new side, the Eastern half, was drawn out in the early 1990s, some 100 years later, and is separated from the Old Town by an avalanche zone—preserved open space for hiking in the summer, preserved open space for surviving in the winter. The town forbids short-term rentals, no one has a fence, dogs roam free, and all the houses have that cabin look to them. A boulder nests in a grove near a trailhead in the center of town with a plaque paying respect to the Utes who called this valley home. There’s no industry here. No businesses allowed. If you want a $7 latte, you can drive the 14 miles required to get it, assuming there’s not an avalanche blocking your path. You can, however, buy a pink lemonade in a

solo cup at the permanent lemonade stand run by the local feral child mafia. Crystals (rocks) can be purchased for an additional cost. We bought one, hoping to buy favor at the same time. The town plan has a few guiding principles, and it’s all in the name of preservation. We must preserve: 1 - the quiet atmosphere 2 - the rustic character 3 - the natural setting

And finally: 4 - protect the health and wellbeing of the people here No snowmobiles, no ATVs, no drones. In fact, the only sign of the outside world here are the passers-through. When you take the dirt road through town to the end, you enter National Forest, and you can hike over the pass saddle at nearly 12,000 feet before descending down the other side into Silverton. The pass road climbs rutted through an aspen forest before scaling across a scree field and then lurching over to the other side. Every day, it seems like 30 or so Texans and Arizonans in lifted and loud Jeeps with unused mods climb over this mountain in the comfort of their air conditioning, simply to drive down the other side. You could hike it, ride it, run it, and ski it, but they don’t. They rev their engines, kicking up dust in a town of feral children and roaming dogs, staring at us instead of waving. I’ve lived here for two months and look how salty I am. I’ll fit in yet. But today, there is a temperature that whispers of perfect trails and the dwindling of ogglers driving 35 in a 15. It’s already snowed in the mountains we see from our kitchen. Today, like a dedication to the Septembers of our youth, you can feel a chill in the air. A temperature akin to pencils and sweaters and reinventing yourself. A temperature that doesn’t exactly sing “screen porch” but could if you had the right slippers on. That’s what I did this morning: put my slippers on and sat there in the cool mountain morning air, thinking about the cemetery behind our house, about the Ute tribe, about the miners, about the mailman who died on Christmas in 1875 on the pass, about the 5 people who died in avalanches here just last year, about the people in their cars on their phones driving through, and all the people who’s very first question to us was, “so are you gonna live here part-time or full-time?” Maybe it will be a hard place to live. But at least we’ll have a screen porch.

Every week I'm writing about moving to log cabin in a small town at 10,000 feet. Subscribe here for free: tinyletter.com/keltonwrites

[sincerelyrachelr]

Get to Know Me Tag

Thank you for tagging me @writerjuliannaf

MUSIC

Favorite genre(s)?

Movie soundtracks, classical, acoustic/folk, hymns, some 60s.

Favorite song(s)?

For the Beauty of the Earth, Photograph and A Little More by Cody Fry, South by Sleeping at Last, Look At the World by John Rutter, the Overture to the Sound of Music, Winter from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi, anything by Chopin, currently Ballade No. 1.

Most listened song recently?

'Non So Piu' from the Marriage of Figaro, sung by Cecilia Bartoli - but that's for studying! Other than that, Sunflower by Glen Cambell.

Song currently stuck in your head?

Handel's Water Music, Suite No. 2 in D Major, II. Alla Hornpipe. Because I'm currently listening to it and studying it.

5 favorite lyrics?

"Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh, When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee; Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight, Dawns the sweet consciousness I am with Thee." Harriet Beecher Stowe - Still, Still With Thee

"If I could see through anger, would I discover people that are broken, or hurting? Oh, I think that that would change my whole view, and probably change yours too." Cody Fry - A Little More

"Some truths, over time, can learn to play nice Some truths are sharper than knives Some truths we only see in the corners of our eyes Some truths we wish we could hide Some truths can save us, some take our lives Some truths are fire and some truths are ice." Sleeping At Last - South

"Think of the spring, Think of the warmth of summer Bringing the harvest before the winters cold Everything grows, everything has a season Til' it is gathered to the Father's fold" John Rutter - Look at the World

"If i had my way time would just stand still wait for me until I find some magic film to take a photograph and live inside" Cody Fry - Photograph

Pick!

radio or your own playlist | solo artists or bands | pop or indie | loud or silent volume (quiet) I slow or fast songs | music video or lyrics video | speakers or headset | riding a bus in silence or while listening to music | driving in silence or with music playing

BOOKS

Favorite book series?

'Hands of Time' by Ashley Nikole.

Comfort book(s)?

'The Princess Bride' by William Goldman and anything by James Herriot. 'The Little Women Letters' by Gabrielle Donnelly is one that is highly underrated and I want someone to discuss it with!

Favorite book(s)?

'The Pilgrim's Progress', 'Little Women', 'The Princess Bride', 'The Little Women Letters' by Gabrielle Donnelly.

Perfect book(s) to read on a rainy day?

'The Enchanted April' by Elizabeth von Arnim seems like a good choice, especially for a rainy April day. Or, 'To Live & To Breathe' by Katelyn Buxton.

Favorite character(s)?

Ellie Daniels & Tom Holt from the 'Hands of Time' series, Jo March, Marmee, Professor Bhaer, Westley, Fezzik, Buttercup, James Herriot, Christian, Christiana and Mercy.

5 favorite quotes from your favorite books?

“History is alive. Who are those of the future to say the past is silent? Let history speak for itself, and may those who have ears, listen. For many hear, but few listen. Even fewer still are those who understand.” Ashley Nikole - Present History

“I am your Prince and you will marry me," Humperdinck said. Buttercup whispered, "I am your servant and I refuse." "I am you Prince and you cannot refuse." "I am your loyal servant and I just did." "Refusal means death." "Kill me then.” William Goldman - The Princess Bride

^ There are so many good ones, but this one highlights Buttercup's actually having a backbone. ^

"A man there was, though some did count him mad, the more he cast away the more he had." - John Bunyan - Pilgrim's Progress

"the wilderness of books, in which she could wander, where she liked, made the library a region of bliss to her.” Louisa May Alcott - Little Women

“I think most places can be interesting to live in if you find a way to make them so.” Gabrielle Donnelly - The Little Women Letters

Pick!

hardcover or paperback | buy or rent | standalone novels or book series | ebook or physical copy | reading at night or during the day | reading at home or in nature | listening to music while reading or reading in silence | reading in order or reading the ending first | reliable or unreliable narrator | realism or fantasy | one or multiple POVS | judging by the covers or by the summary | rereading or reading just once

TV AND MOVIES

Favorite tv/movie genre(s)?

Historical Drama, Drama, and also offbeat clean comedies.

Comfort movie(s)?

'Cold Comfort Farm' 1995, 'The Princess Bride', 'Harvey' 1950, 'The Grand Seduction'.

Movie you watch every year?

'The Princess Bride'

Favorite movie?

'Little Women' 1995, 'The Sound of Music', 'The Princess Bride', 'Amazing Grace' 2006,

Favorite tv show(s)?

'All Creatures Great & Small' 1978-, 'Get Smart' 1965-

Comfort tv show?

Definitely 'All Creatures Great & Small'.

Most rewatched tv show?

Probably 'Little House on the Prairie.'

5 Favorite tv/movie characters?

Jo March, Caroline Ingalls, Helen Herriot, Westley, and then I'm going offbeat to say Siegfried from Get Smart - because he makes me laugh. There are so many more!

Pick!

tv shows or movie | short seasons (8-13 episodes) or full seasons (22 episodes or more) | one episode a week or binging | one season or multiple seasons | one part or saga | half hour or one hour long episodes | subtitles on or off | rewatching or watching just once | downloads or watches online.

I tag: @lettersfromavonlea @lauricia and anyone else who wants to join in on the fun

[the-blind-assassin-12]

no one asked but here we are:

i am procrastinating my ass off today and i saw this on @something-tofightfor ‘s page and thought “OH LOOK A NEW WAY TO PROCRASTINATE MY ASS OFF!” So here’s some useless information about me: 

1. Do you put ketchup on hotdogs?

Yes. Alllll the toppings. Onions, relish, mustard, mayo and ketchup. 

2. Choice of soda?

I don’t really like soda because I don’t love sweet beverages. Ginger Ale, I guess, if I had to pick. 

3. Do you put salt on watermelon?

So I never knew this was a thing until I worked at a fancy schmancy place where there was a fancy schmancy watermelon cocktail that was finished with a wedge of watermelon that had been sprinkled with kosher salt. And it was fine but seemed unnecessary. So that was my long winded way of saying: not on purpose. 

4. Can you swim?

I can. I had a small above ground pool in my backyard growing up and I was in it ALL the time. I also took lessons and grew up only a few miles from the ocean, so learning to swim with currents was part of my childhood. 

5. Hot dogs or burgers?

Toss up. Gimme one of each at a cookout.   

6. Favorite type of food?  

Tacos. All kinds. Any kinds. 

7. Do you believe in ghosts?

I do. But I’m not afraid of them. 

8. What do you drink in the morning?  

Coffee, black with a little drizzle of honey. 

9. Can you do 100 push-ups?

The most I ever did at once was 40 (not the kind some asshats call “girl pushups”- we don’t have time for why I hate that- with your knees on the floor, but with my legs all the way extended) but I could certainly get to 100 if I had a few weeks to build up to it. I couldn’t do more than 12 a few years ago. 

10. Summer, Fall, Winter or Spring?

Fall and Spring over Summer and Winter. But Winter is last. 

11. Your favorite animal?  

Giraffes. I got to feed one once and it was one of the best days of my life. 

12. Tattoos?

I have one - the number 26.2 on my right foot. I got it after I ran my first and only full marathon (marathons are 26.2 miles). I have plans for more but there are other things I need/ want to save my money for before I can spend on ink. 

13. Do you wear glasses?

I sure do. I have thick coke bottle glasses and without them the world is just a bunch of formless blobs of color and light and shadow. 

14. Do you have a fear?

I have a very irrational fear of something happening to someone I care about while they’re driving. If it takes someone longer than expected to get somewhere I start to panic until I hear from them. It’s a problem. 

I used to be afraid of clowns and I still certainly do not like them, but now I know how to choke people so... they can come at me I guess. 

15. Do you have a nickname?

Most people call me Lyss. A few family members call me Lissie. My sister calls me Sissie because she had trouble with L’s as a small child and couldn’t say Lissie, not because it’s a cute form of sister. One of my very good friends from college calls me Fro-ho Baggins because of my giant ass hair. 

16. Can you change a tire?

I’ve done it once and I dented the wheel well. After that time I always ask for help. I *could* do it...but I don’t wanna fuck up my car. 

17. Favorite flower?

Daisies. 

18. Can you drive a stick?

No, but I want to learn. I always wanted to know that in an emergency I could drive any vehicle I needed to. But that’s not true currently. I know that soon they will probably do away with manual transition altogether but I still wouldn’t pass up the chance to learn. 

19. Ever gone sky diving?

No but I really want to! Fun fact- the head instructor at my gym has done like over 100 solo jumps. 

20. Kids?

Nope. 

21. Favorite color?

Green. All kinds of greens. 

22. Can you whistle?

Yeah, like, really well. 

23. Where were you born?

New Jersey

24. Surgeries?

I had major surgery on my right foot in 2018. I had an accessory navicular bone, which is the roundish kind of bump bone on the inside of your foot, right under your ankle. I had a second one growing on top of the existing one, and it was pulling the tendons in my calf and foot in the wrong direction. It caused my arch to completely collapse and it got to the point where it was excruciatingly painful to even walk. So they removed the extra bone, cut my heel away from my foot, moved everything back into place, took out about a foot of diseased tendon, and then screwed everything in place with one LONG screw through my heel and into my foot, and one small threaded anchor holding the good tendons to the spot where they’re supposed to go. I was in a cast for...I think it was 8 weeks total, and then a walking boot for about a month after that, and then another two months of PT. 

25. Shower or bath?

Shower. Baths bother me. I know they’re supposed to feel relaxing but I can’t help feeling grossed. Maybe if I had like a super nice jacuzzi tub with like jets and enough space to really lounge and stretch it would feel better, but i’d prefer a shower anytime. 

26. Last song you heard?

Papillion by The Airborne Toxic Event is playing right now. Does that count? 

27. How many TV’s in your home?

One.

28. Worst pain?

When the nerve block wore off the second day after the aforementioned surgery. I was so out of it for the first like 20 hours that I was home that I really couldn’t feel a thing, but then all at once it was there and it was awful. I have a VERY high pain tolerance and I was just in tears. 

29. Do you like to sing?

I do! I’m not very good but I do not give a single shit. 

30. Are your parents still alive?

My father is. My mom passed away 9 years ago. 

31. Do you like to go Camping?

I LOVE CAMPING. I want to camp every state. And I want to do a Canadian camping adventure sooooo badly. 

32. What do you binge watch?

So, binge watching is the only way I watch anything anymore. So...everything I watch I watch all in one go. Most recent binge of something new (to me) and not something I’ve seen a million times was Hanna on Amazon Prime and I frickin loved it and I love Erik and I’m not okay. 

33. Pumpkin or pecan?

Neither. Sweet Potato, not pumpkin (a new development) and Pistachio not Pecan. Replace the pecans with pistachios and voila. 

34. A photo of yourself.

Ew. Okay, fine, but I look like absolute garbage right now so you’re getting one from like... two months ago: 

Idk why I feel the need to stick my tongue out in so many pictures. Gosh I can’t take me anywhere.

[mightydragoon]

Prince Luke fanfic Recs

@silvereddaye you know the drill

For all your Prince Luke Skywalker/ Amidala/Organa etc needs.  Also ft a lot of Leia Skywalker along with that. 

1. The Prince and the Bodyguard  Toomanyfandoms99

Bail is unsure why he’s being told this, but he is intrigued. “Where is the boy now?”

“Here,” Mon smiles, “on this base, being cared for by Shara Bey and Kes Dameron.”

Bail nods upon recognizing the names. Shara is their best pilot, and Kes is their best combat leader.

“However,” Mon states, “they cannot care for the boy full-time. There is something...unique about him. Something you are more equipped to handle.”

Bail narrows his eyes. “What?”

“Ezra Bridger is Force-sensitive,” Mon reveals.

Bail leans back in his chair and blinks once. “I see…”

“If your son is anything like his true parents,” Mon says, “he will soon require guidance. This boy also requires that guidance.”

“So,” Bail says, “you want me to shield them both from the Empire. Get them a...teacher.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22633573/chapters/54092221

2.First Impressions   Idhren15

Mara Jade attended the rich party on Coruscant for one purpose: to kidnap the Alderaan heir, Prince Luke Organa.

She didn't expect any of these complications.

 https://archiveofourown.org/works/22740592

3. Crowned Usurper  planningconquest

Princess Leia managed to capture the elusive rebel Jedi. She finds someone she never expected.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17663147/chapters/41657678

4.  The kidnappings of a Sith Lord  maedre13

How a certain Sith Lord may or may not kidnap his rebel son. One-shots. Strongly inspired by sparklight´s “Where Our Intrepid Hero Doesn´t Get Away”.

Current chapter: In which the prince of the Sith gets a new bodyguard (3/3)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/10606992/chapters/23453241

https://archiveofourown.org/works/10606992/chapters/52681459 (Part 1)

(Note* Fic is episodic often not connecting, sometimes is, so there is a good variety of stories, some involving Prince Luke others not) 

5. Sparks  SpellCleaver

Vader had every intention of ignoring that petty—if notorious—burglar on Coruscant, until evidence suggested that this "Angel" had Rebel ties.

Meanwhile, Luke never expected his father to actively hunt him down, and he doesn't like it.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20031373/chapters/47433331

6. No Distance Far Enough   KaelinaLovesLomaris

Imperial Prince Luke Skywalker is kidnapped by the Rebellion. His father is not happy.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17549516

7. Hostage  Slx99

AU in which Luke grows up as the Prince of Alderaan and Bail and Breha Organa’s son. When Luke is sixteen Bail becomes too outspoken against the Emperor, who sends Lord Vader to take the young prince as a hostage and cow his father into submission. Held captive aboard Vader’s ship, Luke is faced with the unpleasant reality of being the pawn in this power play under his captor’s watchful eyes; until they both realize a thing or two…

https://archiveofourown.org/works/9707774/chapters/21902741

8. Hostage Interludes  Slx99

Interlude pieces of the ‘Hostage’ universe from my ongoing long-fic that don't fit into the main story, but which I still wanted to share. Some will be more fun, others more serious. They have no influence on the main story.

Basic premise of the main story: Luke grew up with Bail and Breha Organa as the Prince of Alderaan. When Bail becomes too outspoken against Palpatine he orders Vader to take the young prince as a Hostage. Luke now lives aboard the Executor. He finds out rather soon that Vader is his father and the story goes from there.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/15148811/chapters/35129507

9.  Hostage

https://archiveofourown.org/series/1063433

10. Runaway   SilverDaye

Imperial Prince Luke runs away from home to escape his overprotective father Emperor Vader. Jumping from planet to planet he finds himself creditless on Tatooine. While working for more money to leave the planet, Luke meets an old man named Ben Kenobi. But Luke knows he can't stay in one place for long for surely his father is hunting him down.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/14630196/chapters/33813027

11.A Song of Dragon's Fire & Slaves Blood   Fan0fFIM17

A Slave is finally truly made Free.

Lost in a strange primitive Land, he takes advantage of his circumstances to rise to the position of King. A Slave, a Jedi Knight, a Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker, Father, Son, all this and more. Read as he Fights for the Iron-Throne!

Winter Is Coming!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/15400920/chapters/35743227

12. My sister has it    jedileia (cptnwintersoldier)

"You want me to fight my dad? Kill him? How could you think I would be capable on any of that, after what I just heard? Have I been training just so I could kill my father? Is that what this Jedi training was about? If so then i deeply regret the evening I went to look for parts for my speeder and ended up at Obi-Wan's yard."

Leia, a farm girl from Tatoiine, learns that she is force sensitive and the daughter of the evil Darth Vader, once known as Anakin Skywalker. She begins her Jedi training, meets her twin brother Luke Organa and confronts his father.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6537682/chapters/14957098

13. what is lost in the darkness.....hanorganaas

Starkiller is destroyed, the great Jedi Hero who saved the Galaxy Leia Skywalker Solo and her husband Han are presumed dead, and Luke mourns. But he isn't alone in his grief

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7668604

14. our eyes; they were pointed at the sky (looking for answers) pieandsouffle

The last few weeks have been a nightmare: Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru are dead and gone, the farm is skeletal and dead, she found out her father was a Jedi, brutally murdered by a traitorous friend, and now she's going to die because Han Solo is an incompetent nerf-herder who is apparently completely incapable of opening a krething door.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11159772/chapters/24904917

15.  Possibilities of If May Be - Valerie_Vancollie

Co-authored by Selinthia Avenchesca.

What if two different Star Wars realities started to merge?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12946578

16.  Skywalker Swap -  stitchy

https://archiveofourown.org/series/930435

(Note Series is a mixture of a fancomic and a fanfic and it is glorious) 

17. There Is Another  stitchy

A comicbook retelling of Episode IV in the spirit of the old Star Wars Infinities!

Luke and Leia are placed in opposite homes after the fall of the Republic. Young Leia Skywalker is called to adventure when she meets two droids that belong to the strange witch, Old Kah.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/10597686/chapters/23428284

(Note* Seriously this comic retelling is fantastic ) 

18 Here Among The Clouds   stitchy

In a universe where Leia Skywalker joins the Rebel Alliance of her long lost brother Prince Luke Organa, the Millenium Falcon and her crew arrive to Cloud City with a fully functioning hyperdrive. In the weeks following the Battle of Hoth, Lando Calrissian becomes entangled in their their quest to defeat the evil Empire. 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/13507038

19. A Farm girl, a Twink, and an Uber driver-  Daniellecluck

This is literally just a collection of drabbles of a New Hope rescue scene various original trilogy scenes but gayer and Luke and Leia swapped places.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/13345347/chapters/30553272

20. The Adventures of Leia Skywalker, Episode One: The New Hope   MaraWinchester

Nineteen-year-old Leia Skywalker lives with her Aunt and Uncle on the remote desert planet Tatooine, where there’s something ready to kill you behind every corner. Three moons make the nights bitterly cold, and the two suns makes the days unbearably hot. When a droid bought by her uncle contains a message by a prince, asking for help from a legendary Jedi Knight, Leia senses her ticket off world. Little does she know that her journey will take her right and center to a galaxy torn apart by war, involve smugglers of ill repute, and possibly shed more information on her father that she could possibly imagine...

https://archiveofourown.org/works/8122483/chapters/18619693

21.  Another Kind of Hope  Skyrissian (ErinacchiLove)

In a period of a galactic civil war, the brave Rebel Alliance has won their first victory against the Galactic Empire and stolen the plans of the Empire's ultimate weapon, the Death Star.

When the starship of Prince Luke Organa, who is transporting the plans, falls under the Empire's attack, the future of the galaxy depends on two droids carrying the secret plans and their new owner, a farm girl named Leia Skywalker.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18705637

22 The Princess, the Smuggler and the Sith Lord's Son  Sassaphrass

Han Solo was trying to rescue her Royal Annoyingness from the Death Star when he runs smack into Vader's kid. Naturally he does the logical thing and takes him hostage. This is where the story starts. OR

Luke just wanted to get some snacks when he ran into a Wookie, a Princess and a Space Pirate. The day's pretty much downhill from there.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/5751661/chapters/13252696

23. At Least the War is Over  Sassaphrass

The only thing Luke and Leia have in common are those nine months they spent in the womb and that time they brought down the Empire.

It's hard to build a new family when the last one got blown to smithereens with the entire planet, but Leia's never thought anything worthwhile would be easy.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12663834

24. His Imperial Highness Luke Amidala -  Sassaphrass 

https://archiveofourown.org/series/744999

25.  Chiaroscuro  SpellCleaver

A series of oneshots focusing on Luke and Vader's relationship, with other characters occasionally thrown into the mix. 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/16363772/chapters/38293637

26. Prince Luke Organa: A New Hope   -lightningbisexual

An AU where Leia was sent to Tatooine with Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru and Luke was sent to Alderaan as the prince. It begins from where Luke is captured by the Empire in A New Hope. I follow more his story than Leia's because we all know she's going to be a badass on her own and I really want to see Luke grow up and learn to face his fears.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19024390/chapters/45181531

(Note* see sequel below Leia centric) 

27.  Leia Skywalker: The Empire Strikes Back  lightningbisexual

A continuation of my twin swap fic. Leia Skywalker is being sought by the Dark Side and the Light, who both hope to use her power for their own agendas. However, her ferocity and anger make it difficult for her to train as a Jedi. Han Solo is also developing feelings for Prince Luke Organa and has no goddamn clue how to deal with it.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20533487/chapters/48737117

28. Between the Light and Shadows: Luke & Vader One-Shots  SilverDaye

One-shot collection focused on Luke and Vader. All AU.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/15128117/chapters/48583628

29. How the Other Half Lives -aradian_nights

(Note* How can I talk about Prince Luke fics without mentioning them cause WOW. 10/10.  I  highly recommend even if you aren’t a fan of the Prince Luke trope cause wow. It is something.  Warning: Angst . )

https://archiveofourown.org/series/609151. 

Trial and Error - https://archiveofourown.org/works/8417668

Layers of Dust  -  https://archiveofourown.org/works/8900971

For Love of a Queen - https://archiveofourown.org/works/9342596/chapters/21167591

Deep Doubt-  https://archiveofourown.org/works/10361913

Vision Void-  https://archiveofourown.org/works/10628475/chapters/23511120

Fate Defied- https://archiveofourown.org/works/10947714

When Destinies Split -  https://archiveofourown.org/works/11017986/chapters/24552093

Risk and Chance - https://archiveofourown.org/works/11506092/chapters/25817655

A Shout in the  Dark -  https://archiveofourown.org/works/11699232/chapters/26341971

Walking the Line Between - https://archiveofourown.org/works/13172817/chapters/30129249

AO3 Tag

https://archiveofourown.org/tags/Prince%20Luke/works

[zorasublime]

So, here it is. My (I like to think) long-awaited submission to @enigmainvestigations‘s Detective Riddler Prompt 1: The Fire. Hope you enjoy, story’s under the cut. It’s called: Not Quite Cinematic

     The alley still smelled like fire, even after a week. And yet, there I was, nose to the ground — figuratively, I assure you — trying to figure what exactly had caused it. I glanced down to my notebook, opened just this morning for the first time ever, frowned, and pulled on my cigarette as I remembered how I even came to be there in the first place.

     You see, there’s a formula to the classic detective story. They all start the same. A beautiful woman enters the detective’s office with an urgent case. She gives him a large amount of money, usually in cash. And he offers her his services, knowing full well that, by the end of the case, he’ll have won her heart and her hand, even if she tries to kill him.

     But, as the cliché goes, real life isn’t a movie.

     For starters, did you know that most private detectives work in agencies? Fiction would have you believe they’re all self-starters and lone wolves, but, in truth, many are mere peons — or, if their names’re on the door, they have peons to do all their dirty work for them. Think about it this way: do you think Bruce Wayne invents all those nifty little Wayne Enterprises gadgets, the same ones we all use daily, on his own? No. He has an entire staff to do that. The only screwdriver that dolt’s familiar with is the drink.

     Now apply that to being a private eye, and you’ll start to understand just how similar this business is to any and all others. It’s all about who trusts you and how much money you’ve already got. Even that famous Dibny snob has only gotten where he’s gotten because his wife’s loaded. Well, that and probably the fact that working to uphold the law in his tights-time helps the general public in thinking that he’s swell.

     So, when I tell you that my name, my very well-know-for-all-the-wrong-reasons name — one E. Nygma, Private Detective — was posted on my own office door, when I tell you that I had no underlings, no peons to speak of — none on this side of the law, anyway, and none still taking my calls — you can start to imagine just how deep of a hole I was in. And with that in mind, when my first official client came through the door, you can understand how it wasn’t a beautiful, elegant, rich lady draped in furs. There was no cash, not even any payment up front. The case wasn’t even all that important, and it certainly wouldn’t have struck anyone as a dangerous one.

     But in blustered the portly old landlord all the same, with a request for help, a promise of a check, and no respect for the elegance of the genre.

     No matter. I write my own stories.

     “I just need someone to take another look at it for me,” he had said.

     I’d laughed and sat back down so I could put my feet up on the desk. “I’ll be sure to bring my giant magnifying glass.”

     He hadn’t liked that, but still offered me the job. And me, looking for anything to pay off that last bottle of hooch, I’d taken it. Wouldn’t mind a bit of a reputation boost if it did turn out to be worth my time, too.

     And so, there I stood at dusk, staring at a pile of cold ruins right smack-dab in the middle of the slums. I let my cigarette butt drop to the ground and stomped it out with my foot, thinking about what the landlord had told me. His building had burnt down the week before, and the fire inspector’s reasoning didn’t sit right with him.

     “No wonder, that,” I muttered to myself as I crouched down in the ashes. I could see just enough of what was left to tell that the wiring was, surprisingly, brand new. I pushed a few charred shingles away from a small, warped wire panel. Metal conduit. “Must’ve been one of those Wayne charity cases from when Brucie-boy tried to fix up the city last year.”

     “And so what if it is?” I spun around, but the child who had spoken was sticking to the shadows very well. My eyes narrowed. One of them. “What’s that to ya? You comin’ here to set a trap or something?”

     I could tell he was trying to deepen his voice and roughen his accent, and I sighed. He was clearly too green to be a threat and, realizing that his keeper wasn’t with him, I relaxed, rolled my eyes, and pulled out another cigarette. His novelty had worn off quickly. “And here I thought the last Robin was the dim-witted one.”

     He made a noise as though I’d hit him, but I ignored him in favor of crouching back down and sifting through the rest of the debris. I knew in a few moments he’d try and establish his Bat-given sense of superiority, and I was determined to figure out as much as I could from the site before having to go through too many of the familiar “heroic” lectures.

     Sure enough, I had barely moved a brick before the boy was standing in front of me.

     I slowly drew on the cig.

     “You know, I thought your kind preferred much brighter colors.”

     He stopped in the middle of flourishing his cape, an obvious attempt to replicate his mentor. “My kind? What’s that supposed to mean?” I’d caught him off-guard, enough for his voice to break. This one was young, but, then again, not as young as the first.

     “Children? Robins? Bat-groupies? You’re the new one, correct?” I didn’t wait for him to answer. Instead, I shoved the panel into his hands. “Do you know what this is?”

     He paused for a moment. I kept searching the ground. “... Metal conduit wiring?”

     “Bingo. You get a cookie.” I pushed him away and took a step forward, squinting at what remained of the upper floors. I took the cigarette out of my mouth and held it to the side of my head. “I take it you know how new that must be, then?”

     “They only came out with this a few years ago. But that’s not suspicious. Wayne Enterprises--” I waved for him to shut up and picked my way through the rubble and toward the stairs.

     “Yeah, yeah. Exactly. Point is, it’s new. Keep up, won’t you?” I heard him start, then the noises of him trudging through the ashes behind me. I smirked. So much for silent creeping.

     “Look, I don’t know what you’re playing at here, but--” He was trying to regain his assumed authority, but I didn’t care. I had a hunch.

     “I’m on a case. The landlord hired me to figure out what really went on here.”

     “The… landlord? But this building--”

     “Burned down a week ago. I said the same thing to him. I guess he figured he could find the cause on his own. Or maybe he realized the insurance wouldn’t pay for this. To be honest, I don’t really care. This is my job, and I’m doing it.” I stopped suddenly and turned around to stare at him. His eyes widened. He suddenly looked much younger than I’d thought. “Do you question your Batman when he tells you to investigate?”

     While the other two would have fought me on that, this new child had the self-awareness to lower his gaze. Shame is an odd thing to see in a bird, but, while once that may have intrigued me, I had bigger fish to fry.

     And on reaching the second floor, I noticed exactly who had fried this fish for me.

     “Got it.”

     “Really? That quick?” The Robin was at my side in an instant, but this time his wide eyes seemed more excited than shocked. “What are we even investigating?”

     “‘We’?” I pushed him aside in disgust. This time there was a bit more force behind it, my way of telling him: Save the gaga looks for the Bat, kid. I’m not your idol here. “I am investigating the burning of this building. You are investigating how best to get in my way.”

     I knelt down by the remnants of a portable heater and examined the wiring. Just as I thought.

     “Actually, I’m investigating a serial stalker for Batman. A few people said they saw him come around here a few weeks ago, but no one fitting his description was living in these apartments. Since the building had burnt down, Batman thought it’d be safe enough for my first solo mission.” While the other birds’ chests would have puffed up with pride at that, this one looked as though he was carrying the responsibility directly on his shoulders.

     “Okay, then, little Atlas. Riddle me this: if you need a base of operations for your unsavory activities, would you do it out of your apartment?”

     “I don’t think so, no. But, then again, you’d know more about that than me, wouldn’t you?” He tried to smile, but my glare forced his nerves back. He coughed. “Well, I mean, it wouldn’t be smart, but it’s a fact that most criminals aren’t the brightest, right?”

     “Only the ones who get caught,” I agreed through gritted teeth, fully aware that both of us knew just how many times I myself had been caught. I cleared my throat, straightened, took one final, long drag on my cigarette’s stub, then continued.

     “But, let’s just suppose for a minute that this man has basic intelligence, as difficult as that may be to believe. He’d not use his apartment, and likely not one with his own name. In fact, if he was smart enough, he’d find a seedy place where he could easily slip in and out without any attention. And to minimize that attention…” I trailed off, waiting for him to finish.

     The child stared at me blankly. I sighed and pushed my fingers against my forehead, letting the butt of my cigarette fall to the floor.

     “Squatting, kid. The guy you’re looking for was squatting here. Look at the heater--” I indicated it with my foot, my eyes still closed against the oncoming migraine. “It’s small and new, yet the scuffs on the side indicate it’s been moved a lot recently. While that in itself isn’t damning, I happen to know that there was one apartment currently uninhabited. 204.” I pointed to the door, just barely hanging off its hinges. “You can check if you like. This shouldn’t have been here. The wiring leading to it was poorly done, clearly not professional, and, judging by the winter chill and the looks of all this twisted metal lying around here, this wasn’t the only heater in the apartment. My theory is that the squatter -- your stalker, if you will -- got cold and brought in a few extra heaters, tried to hook them up himself, and the combination of extra appliances and screwy wiring overloaded the system and caused the fire.”

     I kicked the heater again for good measure, then turned back around. Robin was staring at me with those awed, doe-eyes again. I felt my mouth begin to twitch into a sneer.

     “What are you, a duckling? Go follow someone else around. Your man isn’t here.”

     I made my way down the steps, and Robin was right on my heels.

     “Didn’t you hear me? I said, fly away, little birdie. I’m sure you’ve got a wonderfully comfy cage to return to.”

     He ignored me.

     “But don’t you need to find the guy who did it? We could work to--”

     I spun around and held my hand just close enough to his face to make him lean backwards. “No. Nope. Not happening. This isn’t the movies, kid. My job was to look at the scene of the crime and find out what happened. I just did that. Justice is your job. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a paycheck to collect and a bottle of whiskey to finish. Ta-ta!”

     I walked out of the ruins and back down the avenue to the nearest busy street, and didn’t look back until I’d hailed a taxi and given him the address of my office building. When I did turn around, I saw the boy standing there on the sidewalk, watching me. He looked oddly disappointed. I pointedly looked back through the front windshield.

     Later, my therapist would tell me that I’d just missed an opportunity to make what might have been my first genuine friend. I’d tell him to piss off.

     But I am curious to see if that Robin might be interested in doing a few side jobs for Gotham’s newest up-and-coming private eye. I could use a shadower, and who knows? Maybe with a hero on the team, I’ll have the respectability I need to get some serious clients. And then, I can finally find out if crime-fighting, instead of crime itself, really does pay.

[viterbofangirl]

first line meme!

@fallynleaf​ said in her post to consider myself tagged, so I’m happily indulging in this lil’ ego boost! Thanks for the opportunity, m’dear! ^_~

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag 10 authors!

NB- These are all unfinished and unposted WIPs. It behooves me to note that some of these are not at all recent. However, they ARE fics that have “first lines” at all, which is not necessarily a given as my Creative Muse is obnoxiously nonlinear in her inspirations.

~~~~~

1- The Gray Ghost had suffered some engine trouble somewhere on Interstate 65, so Mom and Dad hadn’t managed to make it to Chuck’s wedding. (Early Edition: ”Belly Up to the Bar”, a canon-compliant continuation of the episode “Occasionally Amber”, Gary/Toni except kinda not really because she’s totally pissed)

2- Oracle, Texas. 1878. A gnarled husk of a town still trying to deny that its glory days are past. (”Gunslinger”, my serious treatment/retelling of the Roger Corman western)

3- The gate clanged shut behind him, and Meng Yao took a deep, steadying breath. (MDZS: ”Leverage”, an Untamed AU based on inspired by pretty much continuing @littlesmartart​‘s brilliant setup and concept)

4- Many, many nights would Jiang Cheng lie awake at night, staring at the ceiling and pondering the razor’s edge of chance he’d toed. (MDZS: an Untamed chengqing fic set post-canon, current working title is “Second Chances” but I don’t like it)

5- Napoleon Solo flipped though an outdated magazine with little real interest as he lounged in one of the chairs lining the lobby of the car rental establishment. (TMFU (2015): ”Girls Just Want to Have Fun”, a fic set in my “Eight Strapping Daughters” universe where it is currently 1987 and Gaby and Illya have had eight daughters, any of whom are capable of taking over the world... and all of whom are about to spend the day at a shopping mall)

6- He felt the phone vibrating in his pocket. (Sailor Moon: ”Moon Revenge”, a Minako/Kunzite bodyguard AU)

7- The Moon was visiting Earth. (Sailor Moon: ”No Miracle for the Likes of Us”- another working title- which is Venus/Kunzite-centric exploration of the end of the Silver Millenium)

8- Chibi-Usa hasn’t stayed very long after Helios departed. (Sailor Moon: ”Rebirth AU”- you guessed it... working title- a Minako/Kunzite-heavy-but-not-exclusive AU that deviates from the manga/SM Crystal canon after the end of the Dead Moon Circus arc where the Shitennou are revived and the events of Star never occur)

9- Monday, 7:00 AM: Alarm goes off.

Monday, 7:00:08 AM: Alarm thrown across room. (Sailor Moon: “Codename: Teen Idol ‘Dite”, a side arc set in the above AU where, lacking any catastrophic galactic conflicts to fight against, Minako is going out of her mind with boredom and takes an undercover job as an idol as part of a police/Interpol sting operation)

10- Normally, Salazar Slytherin took great pride in his self-control. (Harry Potter: ”Release”, a short Hogwarts founders one-shot involving a maddening magical construction project and a sudden bout of swearing)

11- It was the first truly warm day since winter had broken, and Salazar Slytherin wandered the grounds with no purpose or destination in mind, simply basking in the sunlight until he began to feel the chill of the dungeons recede from his bones. (Harry Potter: ”And Treat Them All the Same”, a Hogwarts founders story about Helga Hufflepuff’s background and why she feels very strongly about equal treatment)

12- Salazar Slytherin stared at the wardrobe for another minute before finally deciding to throw another fur over his fur-lined cloak, leather jerkin, and wool tunic.  (Harry Potter: another one-shot Hogwarts founders fic with a teeny bit of Helgazar where the very cold-blooded Slytherin has to deal with a snowball fight, currently but not definitively titled “Snow Day”)

13- As the sun disappeared beneath the horizon, Brooklyn burst through the thin stone crust encasing him, his awakening roar shifting into a yawn as he stared blearily at the skyline and tried to remember what century he was in. (Gargoyles: ”Return of the Time Dancer”, Brooklyn’s return to New York- family in tow- after his Phoenix Gate adventures)

14- The couple breaking their fast that morning were strikingly handsome, if perhaps past the most fashionable age. (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Pride and Prejudice: “Scarlet Impressions”, a crossover fic that pretty much unfolded itself when I a) crunched numbers regarding the dates and years of respective storylines and b) realized that while Lizzy and Marguerite would get on like a house on fire, Darcy’s only possible reaction to Sir Percy would be unmitigated horror poorly repressed due to the latter’s much higher social standing)

15- Paris really was lovely this time of year. (MCU: “Threads and Patches: Part One”, first part of a three-part Clintasha AU set after the events of Civil War and most emphatically *not* farm-family friendly)

16- The briny air filled her lungs to bursting, but she continued to draw in breath until it hurt. (Highlander the Series: “The Mad Viking Saga”... because, frankly, EVERYONE should have an Immortal™ self-insert character and I refuse to apologize or feel ashamed of mine)

17- “Your Highness?  The oracle is here.” (Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas: “Sinbad and the Garden of the Hesperides” a sequel to the animated movie that actually should be titled “Proteus and the etc., etc.” bc it’s mostly about him and giving him the ending I think he deserves, a.k.a. an OC love interest and a chance for adventure while on a quest to save his city from a plague)

18- Bare feet pounded on the hot, rough pavement as Sinbad dashed around another tight corner. (Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas: “Fast Friends”, an eight-chapter prequel telling the story of how Sinbad and Proteus met and grew up together, wherein each chapter progresses with each year they know each other from when they meet to when Sinbad leaves)

19- Reed was well-known as your stereotypical absent-minded professor. (Fantastic Four: “Shut Up and Dance With Me”, a Reed/Sue fluffy one shot where Reed is adorable because fight me)

20- The spaceport on Aruus Minor reeked of fuel, welding torches, and sweaty coveralls, but it was a welcome change from the recycled air of the Lambda shuttle. (Star Wars Legends Expanded Universe (BITE ME DISNEY): “Everything Unsaid”, a Luke/Mara chance encounter set during the we-share-an-unbearable-degree-of-compatibility-to-say-nothing-of-the-overwhelming-sexual-tension-but-both-of-our-lives-are-kind-of-a-mess-and-neither-of-us-feels-ready-to-deal-with-our-feelings-for-each-other-so-we’ve-individually-decided-to-just-ignore-said-feelings-while-simultaneously-being-drawn-to-each-other-whenever-we’re-so-much-as-in-the-same-fucking-hemisphere years)

~~~~~

WHEW! Well, it sure was fun to tease all my followers with a taste of fics that will neverrr be finished! As far as patterns go, seems I tend to prefer either set-up paragraphs or punchy one-to-three-liners intended to trick intrigue people into reading further. My favorite is definitely #9. It’s a diary/log of Minako’s day, and her POV is hilarious and sooooo much fun to write like that!

Anyone who wishes to participate should consider themselves tagged, and PLEASE TAG ME IF YOU DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE!

[spaceorphan18]

SO’s Guide to the MCU

A handy guide for @coffeegleek to decide if she (or anyone else) would like join the ranks.  It’s fine if you don’t want to, but that means more shawarma for us.  

1. Iron Man - 

Robert Downey Jr. plays himself Tony Stark, an asshole billionaire, genius, playboy, philanthropist, who nearly dies, and saves himself by becoming Iron Man.  This film kicks off the tone of the MCU combining humor and action and just being a fun ride.  Completely recommended to get a jump start into the MCU to see how it all begins.  

2. The Incredible Hulk

Rightfully considered the black sheep of the Marvel family.  It’s... not good.  In fact, I couldn’t even find a gif for you.  Eventually, they’ll switch out Edward Norton for the much more entertaining Mark Ruffalo, and pretty much nothing in this movie matters to the big scheme of things, so it’s entirely skippable.  And I mean, even if you are a huge Hulk fan - I’d probably still recommend skipping it. 

3. Iron Man 2

This film is considered by a lot of people to be one of the weaker ones - and while I still enjoy it a lot, it’s understandable as to why people think that.  It’s funny and has charm, but it’s kind of a mess - so... if you had fun with Iron Man 1 and really want to see more Tony Stark I recommend! Otherwise, feel free to move on.  Black Widow is introduced here, but her introduction in The Avengers is just fine.  

4. Thor

For me, the first Thor film is a little ‘meh’, though it does have some charm.  Chris Hemsworth plays a frat boy god who gets grounded to Earth after he misbehaves by his father Odin.  The real gem of this film is Tom Hiddleson’s Loki and the family dynamics between Thor, Loki, and Odin.  The stuff with Natalie Portman and the Earlings is fine.  But I almost recommend watching Avengers first and seeing if you like that first, and if you do, come back and watch Thor if you’re interested or if you just want to see Chris Hemsworth be pretty for two hours. 

5. Captain America: The First Avenger

The epic romance that is Steve and Bucky starts here.  If you’re totally intrigued by tumblr’s fascination with ‘Stucky’ this is a must!!  But more seriously, C:TFA is a fun film, yes set in the 40s, but I think it handles that well and Chris Evans is an absolute delight as Cap -- or Steve Rogers, a plucky kid from Brooklyn who just wants to prove what a big heart he has.  It’s much more entertaining for than the Thor film (IMO), though if you’re still on the fence, again, watch Avengers first, and come back if Cap holds your attention. 

6. The Avengers

If you’re really unsure about any of the first phase of films, then start off with The Avengers.  This film is amazing -- it’s funny, and emotional, and is nicely paced, and you really get a nice sense of who the characters are and what they stand for.  This film is just fun, with the MCU’s trademark humor and intriguing action (and I say this as a person who really isn’t into action films if you can believe it).  I can’t say enough good things about this film - it’s really good, go watch it!! 

7. Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3 is the continuing adventures of Tony Stark.  This film is batshit insane at times (but I kinda love it - though I love Iron Man, so...)  It’s got some great character work for Tony Stark if you’re interested, which I think is the best thing this film has going for it.  It doesn’t, however, play much of a part in the bigger scheme of things, so if  Tony isn’t your person, then you can skip past it. 

8. Thor: The Dark World

This film is often considered the weakest (after Incredible Hulk), but I’m not gonna lie, I find this way more enjoyable than Thor 1.  It’s... not a good film, but if you’re a fan of Thor, or Loki, or just utter nonsense in a fantasy setting then check it out! 

9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The Epic Romance of Steve and Bucky pt. 2: The Return of Bucky!!  I’m kinda being tongue-and-cheek, this film is honestly pretty amazing.  It’s a political spy-thriller where Cap has to go underground and undercover when Shield (the good guys) is infiltrated by a Nazi organization.  Everything about this film is done wonderfully well, and I highly recommend this one.  (Though, I’m not doing it justice - just ask @ckerouac) 

10. Guardians of the Galaxy

Do you like epic space operas with a quirky sense of humor and a good soundtrack?? Well then Guardians is right up your alley.  The first film Chris Pratt is Star Lord - a scavenger Han Solo type who finds himself caught up in space hijinks.  There are green aliens and talking trees and raccoons and whatever Drax is.  It’s fun and entertaining.  I think general audiences like it more than I do - but I do agree that it’s a wonderfully done film. 

11. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Well, let’s be honest - the Avengers sequel just isn’t what the first film is.  It tries, and has some charming moments, but just doesn’t hold together very well, the main issue being that the villain - Ultron - just isn’t a very good villain.  If you liked Avengers - give it a shot, it introduced Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver and a lot of the next batch of films, but I recommend going into it without much expectation.  However, you can always come back to this one if you want to wait to see if you like some of the later films first. 

12. Ant-Man

Ant-Man, played by the delightful Paul Rudd, is a low stakes fun heist film that’s kind of a mix between Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Ocean’s 11, and every other MCU film.  It’s cute and lighthearted - and if you find Paul Rudd charming, I totally recommend it.  If you’re still on the MCU fence, though, there are other films I’d much rather recommend first. 

13. Captain America: Civil War

Captain America: The Epic Stucky Romance pt. 3 -- Steve Rogers breaks up with his current BF Tony Stark so to be with his one true love, Bucky Barnes... Meanwhile, Tony Stark finds out he’s a dad -- to a teenager. 

Okay, I’m kidding.  Here’s the thing... 

This film is hard to discuss.  Some people love it (me! - I love the characterization stuff we get in it, plus the deep nods to the comics, and the introduction of Spider-Man), others hate it (@ckerouac - this is not a Cap film, It’s Avengers 2.5.  I want my Cap film!!) and, much like the film itself, there are valid reasons for everyone’s point of view.  It does play a major part in the fabric of the MCU - so I do recommend seeing it at least once so to gather your own opinion. ;) 

14. Doctor Strange

Benedict Cumberbatch plays a mystical Tony Stark Doctor Strange.  I think it’s an interesting film - it’s kind of got an Inception/Matrix vibe about it, but I like both the character and Cumberbatch in the role.  However, I don’t think it’s anywhere near the strongest of the MCU films, so if any of that doesn’t interest you, then it’s okay to skip -- Doctor Strange’s appearances in other films are better if I’m being totally honest. 

15. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

Guardians 2 is probably my second least favorite film of the bunch.  I think it kind of lacks the charm of the first one and amps up the 12yo humor.  But that’s just me.  If you really liked Guardians 1 check it out! Otherwise, feel free to move on. However, it does gain a few points for Baby Groot. 

16. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Let’s be real - This film is basically Tom Holland being a precious little muffin for two hours, and if you aren’t sold entirely on that premise, well then, I can’t help you. ;) 

17. Thor: Ragnarok

Underwhelmed by the first two Thor films? Thought the Hulk movie sucked? Well - welcome to Thor Ragnarok -- the film that just does not give a shit what came before it and does whatever the hell it wants because it’s like a 70′s acid trip.  And walks away being, perhaps, the best comedy in the MCU.  Everything is delightful about this film -- and if you wanted more from a Thor film, more Loki, more crazy antics with Mark Ruffalo - then you’ve come to the right place.  Also - bonus batshit crazy Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson as an amazing lesbian/bi (?) female warrior, and Jeff Goldblum -- Jeff Goldblum-ing.  

18. Black Panther

Chadwick Boseman is Black Panther - and I’m sure you’ve heard all the stuff swirling about how amazing this film is.  There are two things I personally really enjoy about the film -- the fact that it digs deeper than your average superhero film and is not afraid to tackle relevant questions we’re talking about in society right now, and the fact that the female cast in this one is fantastic and incredibly worth watching.  This one’s a definite must! 

19. Avengers: Infinity War

So...  I’m sure you’ve probably heard all about this one by now.  Here’s what I have to say about it -- I recommend seeing if after you’ve seen all the previous ones that you’ve wanted to see -- it does build on the others in a way a TV show builds to its finale.  And honestly, left me emotionally satisfied (knowing it was the first half of a two parter).  It’s a great film, imo, and worth it.  

20. Ant-Man and the Wasp

Ant-Man and Wasp is a lot like the first film, only ramped up a little more.  After the heaviness of Infinity War, it’s light and a treat.  It’s not entirely (or at all) essential, but it’s a lot of fun if that’s what you’re looking for.  

21. Captain Marvel

Okay, so Captain Marvel isn’t out yet - but the trailer looks delightful, I know who Cap Marvel is from the comics, and it’s time the MCU got its shit together and put a woman in the front.  I say go see it! Plus, I’m sure it’ll be relevant for the next Avengers film. 

22. Avengers: End Game

So, um, also not out yet - but if you’ve liked everything up until now, I’m sure you’ll not only go see - but cry buckets full <3 

23. Spider-Man Far From Home

Let’s be real - we’re all gonna need another two hours of Tom Holland being a precious little muffin after whatever Endgame throws at us.  ;) 

///

And that’s it! That’s the MCU in a nutshell (so far).  Marvel has, like, it’s next ten years planned out, so definitely not the end.  But - hey - if anything interests you - I really do recommend checking that out first and coming back to fill in things if you want to know more. :) 

Guide to Non-MCU Marvel Films Part 1 Guide to Non-MCU Marvel Films Part 2

[afterglow-prompts]

a hundred dialogue prompts

hey all! awhile ago i decided that for every 25 sets put out, i’ll be doing mass prompts! i hope you enjoy this. i have each original prompt list linked in each number for your convenience. also, i’ll link the other ones below this note as soon as i put them out! thank you all so much!

this is going to be long lol, all prompts under the cut

fifty otp prompts                         

#1

“That was my sarcastic voice.” “That sounded a lot like your normal voice.” “So I’ve heard.”

“I’m going to lose my last shred of sanity.” “You can’t lose what you don’t have.”

“I can’t tell if they’re enemies or lovers.” “Neither can I, but I can sure as hell say that they’re entertaining.”

“I’m going to need you to put on pants before we do anything else.” “I am wearing pants!” “Male booty shorts in the dead of winter do not count as pants.”

#2

“Do you want to know what you’re feeling right now?” “And what would that be?” “Absolute stupidity.” 

“Even if I had a week, I couldn’t list all the reasons why this won’t work.”

“I’m going to need about six more cups of coffee before I lose the nerve to do this.”

“I may act like an angel, but I’m definitely not Cupid. Do you know why? First, I can hardly find a date for myself. Second, my butt only looks semi-fabulous in a diaper.”

#3

“See, someone thinks I’m funny!” “Well statistically, someone has to.”

“Both of you have been glancing at each other for the past two fucking hours when the other isn’t looking. Will you please make out already!”

“I read a lot of fanfiction. Trust me, I know how this will turn out.”

“Don’t put money on me losing, you dipshit.”

#4

“Stop fighting over her, we don’t have time for a love triangle right now!”

“I’m the world champion of laziness. I’d go and grab the fake belt my parents made as a joke, but it’s all the way upstairs.”

“Let me help you, I know you’re not that strong.” “I’m strong enough to carry your corpse into the woods, so I suggest you shut up.”

“People say I act like I don’t care. It’s not an act.”

#5

“My feelings for you are like the colors of the night sky, blinding, beautiful, and seemingly endless.”

“I can’t tell them I’m writing the love notes, they’ll kill me!”

“I didn’t mean to fall in love with them, it kind of just happened.”

“I’ll be yours until all the stars fall out of the sky.”

#6

“Are you allergic to happiness?” “No, but I’m allergic to your stupidity.”

“You can’t lose weight by running away from your feelings.” “I can damn well try.”

“You should apologize.” “Fine. Unfuck you or whatever you want me to say.”

“I could hurt you if I wanted.” “So could a dedicated duck. You’re not special.”

#7

“I’m here to save you, of course.” “Sorry to ruin your fantasy, but I don’t need to be saved.”

“My mood is currently screaming into oblivion.”

“Are you okay?” “No, next question.”

“You’re cute as hell.” “Coincidentally, that’s where I came from.”

#8

“Why for the love of everything good and holy are you screaming like your ass is on fire?”

“I am nothing if not consistent.” “Yeah, a consistent pain in my ass.”

“This is the most humiliating thing to ever happen to me!” “What about the time where-.” “Let’s not do this!”

“Sorry I hit you, my first instinct was to attack.” “You didn’t know it was me?” “Oh, I knew.”

#9

“You need to lay off the caffeine.” “Do that and you might need to lay off your life because I will make it a living fucking hell.”

“You made me chocolate chip cookies? How thoughtful! You are the best person ev-. OH MY GOSH. THIS HAS RAISINS IN IT YOU ASSHOLE! YOU KNOW I HATE RAISINS GET BACK HERE.”

“There are 1,013,913 words in the English language, but I could never string them together to accurately enough to explain how much I want to hit you with a chair.”

“I love you dearly, but I am going to shove you into a trash can the first chance I get.” “Fair enough.”

#10

“If you take that cupcake, I will hit you with a chair. Repeatedly.” “Don’t do it. They’ve done it to me before.”

“Be polite.” “Go fuck yourself.”

“Sing this with me or I’ll kick your ass.”

“When every door around you is closed, kick one in with brute force.”

#11

“I dreamed about you last night.” “I’m just the pizza delivery guy. Please sign the receipt and let me leave.”

“Haven’t you ever heard the phrase ‘pick your battles’?” “Yes, and I pick all of them.”

“I will not hesitate to strangle you.” “Can you even reach my neck?”

“I hate you with every inch of my being!” “That’s not a lot of inches.”

#12

“For fuck’s sake, stop, stop talking about yourself like that! It makes me sick!” “Why? You don’t care!” “The fuck I don’t! I love you. Every single part of you.”

“Breathe for me, my darling. You have to breathe to live.”

“This unworthy heart of mine will always be yours, do not forget that.”

“A warrior without scars is either play-acting or very, very good.” “Who said I didn’t have scars?”

#13 (what is it with me and the terrible angst?)

“C’mon, they’re only a few scratches.” “You were in a car crash you insolent little shit!”

“I thought I lost you. Do you have any idea, even a minuscule one, on how much that hurt me?”

“Don’t you dare lie to me. Not about this.”

“Giving away love never hurt anyone.” “But if you give away too much, what is left for yourself?”

#14

“You are the human version of a migraine.”

“Is it too early to have a breakdown this week?” “It’s Monday.” “That doesn’t answer my question.”

“In your opinion, what is the height of stupidity?” “How tall are you?” 

“I may be a mechanic, but I can’t fix stupid.”

#15 

“Why do you have a picture of your dog on the top of your tree?” “Because he’s the brightest star ever.”

“It’s Christmas!” “Yeah, it’ll also be your death date unless you let me go back to sleep.”

“And you put a picture of Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson in my stocking because?” “Because I couldn’t find any coal or other rocks so I put that in there instead.”

“Christmas is overrated.” “There’s the door, I think it’s time for you to go through it and leave.”

#16

“You really think you can beat me at Mario Kart? I have spent years studying the game and developing my skills. I spent hours upon hours training until my hands cramp. Even my TV is judging the amount of time I’ve spent playing, and you think you can beat me? Let’s fucking go.”

“Shut up? Shut up? I haven’t shut up for seventeen years and I’m not about to start now!”

“Um, did you tell me it was impossible to sing along with a guitar solo? Stand back. Your insurance doesn’t cover blown minds.”

“My songs are lost on you. You simply don’t know how to enjoy them.”

#17 (this is my most popular prompt list & it is full of the fluffiest prompts)

“Did you just kiss me?” “Was I not supposed to?” “I don’t know, but could you do it again?”

“I might be in love with you.” “That’s great to hear since I am in love with you.”

“I’ll be yours until all the stars fall out of the sky.”

“You missed. Your lips were supposed to touch mine, you dingbat.”

#18

“You’re really good at Mariokart.” “You say that like you’re surprised. It’s almost like I didn’t train for years to be the best.”

“I need to be twenty times hotter than I am right now.” “Twenty times zero is still zero.”

“I can’t tell if you’re being arrogant or ignorant.” “Both, probably.”

“Let’s not do this.” “What could go wrong? We’re all wearing helmets and the shopping cart is fully padded!”

#19

“Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.” “Well if I didn’t have sarcasm, I’d have to flat out tell people that they’re an idiot. My mother raised me better than that.”

“It’s what’s on the inside that’s beautiful.” “Oh yeah, my intestines are blushing up a storm right now.”

“Why are you laughing at a picture of a potato?” “It reminded me of you.”

“Is that supposed to be an insult, you unimaginative dishrag?”

#20

“Get over here, being apart of the group means being apart of group hugs.”

“My pants may be down around my ankles, but judging by your blush, I look very attractive in my underwear.”

“I’m sorry for all the stuff I said.” “And the punch to the jaw?” “No, you definitely deserved that.”

“Bad things keep happening to me. It’s like I have bad luck or something.” “No, the reason you have bad luck is because you’re a dumbass.” 

#21

“You have beautiful eyes.” “Thanks, I need them to see.”

“Fuck off, it’s three in the morning.”

“Definitely not my finest hour.” “Do you think?”

“We do not have time for theatrics, move your ass!”

#22

“I have updated my list of people I trust and things I believe to NO ONE and NOTHING.”

“Do you think I have anger issues?” “Well, I wouldn’t call it an issue. An issue is something you can fix.”

“I’m sorry I called you stupid, I thought you already knew.”

“You said you wanted my honest opinion, and there you have it. You’re a dumbass.”

#23

“Don’t underestimate us.” “Our team motto is maybe we’ll get lucky this time.”

“What am I allergic to?” “Blueberries, roses, and the full spectrum of human emotions.”

“Don’t look at me, this isn’t my fault.” “But aren’t you the one who set the kitchen on fire?” “How was I supposed to know that a slim jim is flammable?”

“Fuck off.” “It’s always nice to feel wanted.”

#24

“As the saying goes in Shakespeare’s time, goest fucketh thyself.”

“I am sixty percent water, twenty percent mountain dew, twenty percent pizza, and one hundred percent swag.” “That’s two hundred percent.” “I’m twice the person you’ll ever be.”

“Go crawl up Satan’s ass.”

“I wish I was one of those people who thrives on the danger of leading a double life. You know, Bruce Wayne, Peter Parker, Hannah Montana.”

#25

“Why must you attack me with your words.” “Do you want me to use rocks?”

“On a scale from one to ten, you’re a nine and I’m the one you need.” “No, what the fuck, I’m a ten.”

“You have a cute nose, don’t make me break it.”

“It’s been a long week.” “It’s the middle of a Monday.” “As I said, it’s been a long week.”

[annakie]

I made it, and now there's no turning back

Hey, so, this is about to be a very long, spammy post about Critical Role season 1.  This is mostly for my own memory, so in the future when I want to revisit watching the show, I'll have my own log, of sorts.  It's really long.  And a lot of it is my chatlogs about the show with @janiemcpants , posted with her permission.   So if you hate reading other people's chatlogs, this may not be the post for you.

But if you wanna read a lot of words about a show where some nerdy-ass voice actors play Dungeons and Dragons, this may be the post for you.

Also, for unknown reasons, I’ve had Jimmy Eat World’s song “Cut” stuck in my head the last couple of days, and it’s basically all I’ve listened to today.  The words don’t really fit my emotions, but the overall feeling the song gives me does.  So that’s where my head is.  

I said some of this an a post I made a few weeks ago, but I’m saying it again now.  Ever since I heard of it, I was pretty sure I’d love Critical Role if I could get into it.  And so for two years I meant to catch up.  

I’ve played Dungeons and Dragons since the late 90′s, second edition, and have been in epic campaigns of my own before where I fell in love with not only my character but our entire party.  I love this party just as much as I’ve loved Annotea, Sekhar, Ike, Ta’Rik, Annwyl, Krivken, Liek, Colin, E’a and Rhyz.

I have looked for a post I made like a year and a half ago asking for help figuring out how to get into Critical Role on my blog a few times but either I tagged it badly or deleted it.  I don't know.  I remember some people said to start at episode 19. Some people said to use it as background sound when cleaning / cooking / driving etc.  I knew I didn't want to start midway through the part of the story we had, I was disappointed to learn they were already 8th level and we'd missed like two years of story before the show.

I have a post from June 2016 saying I'd made it an hour into the first episode, but I think I finished that ep, or got close, and didn't pick it back up for like, another year.  I think it was like mid-summer last year when I made my second push to get into it.  

I made it through like eight episodes, and I remember having episode 8 up in a web browser for weeks or a couple of months and things were just so crazy with everything happening with work at the end of the year.  And I only watched it as background noise at work.  I'd frequently realize I had no idea what was going on, and through like the first 30 or 40 episodes I'd find some kind of recap to read at the end of the episode to make sure I didn't miss anything important.

Here's some negativity, so skip it if you'd like: It took me a very long time to get through like episode 10 to 27 because long before I learned all the things that happened since he left, I couldn't stand Orion.  I've looked into it a bit and basically for all the normal reasons people didn't like him.  I respect that some people did, but being honest here, if he'd have stayed on the show, I probably would have stopped watching.  Around episode 20 I learned that he'd leave soon, and dragged myself through the rest of the episodes until he was gone.  And then, it was much easier to get into.

The first half of this year my job went from crazy drama to just plain boring.  I really didn't have much to do, and everyone knew I was just biding time until it was time to go.  So I'd watch like half the day sometimes, often while doing what work I did have to do.  But often that work was like, wiping laptops or organizing keys or just... busywork.  But CR made the days pass quicker, and it was enjoyable.

The Feels apparently really started on 3/09 when I sent this to JanieMcPants: Grog winning his second solo battle with the orc JUST BARELY thanks to Scanlan's sneaky inspiration is my new favorite moment in the show.

This would begin a very long chatlog of me just yelling feelings at her.  After this, my current comments are italicized. 

---------- 03/10/2018 janiemcpants: That whole episode is SPECTACULAR Did you finish it? I don't want to spoil anything if not!

annakie: I did, I got to the part in the next episode where Percy finally confessed a bit of what is going on with his life since they're back home and have been invited to some feast.  Still pretty early on in that ep, work got crazy yesterday. :)

---------- 03/23/2018 annakie: Man, I'm on ep 26 now (I watch in bits and bursts as I have time at work, it's real slow going) and I have to say, (I deleted some negativity about Orion here).  EVERYTHING ELSE IS GREAT though. I'm really enjoying everyone else and their characters.  The episode with the dinner at the Briarwood's was AMAZING especially and I'm so worried about Percy.  I was almost in tears as Liam was talking about him thinking about Keyleth and Vex when Vax was going unconscious and thought he was going to die.  That was so, so good.

BTW did I just miss it all this time that Vax has a thing for Keyleth?  Like I didn't notice it at all until that moment he was going unconscious and now it's obvious.

janiemcpants: Vax’s last thoughts about Vex and Keyleth KILLED. ME. That was also the first time I realized he was into Keyleth, and I think it was the first time any of the others realized it, judging by their faces. Liam did say later that he already was aware of it when the show started, and he dropped a few hints before he outright said it. I’m listening to the podcast right now from the beginning and there are some little things there that you can pick up if you’re looking for them, but nothing that would have given it away, I don’t think. So it was a fun surprise for everybody. (Vax and Keyleth are one of my favorite pairings on the show. I just love them.) This arc is THE BEST and so intense. So much suffering, but also so much goodness!

(We chatted more for awhile about Percy, and the cow episode (Very fun!) )

---------- 04/12/2018 annakie: OH MY GOD SO MUCH IS HAPPENING CASSANDRA IS ALIVE AND VAX IS KISSING KEYLETH. This is so good.  SO GOOD.

janiemcpants: I didn't see that kiss coming AT ALL It was SUCH A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE And Percy gets one sibling back, MY HEART

---------- 05/02/2018 annakie: I've been studying a lot and haven't had a lot of time for CritRole but I watched some today like the END OF THE BRIARWOODS HECK YEAH and Cassandra is good again, and then VAX TRYING TO HOLD KEYLETH'S HAND ON THE TREE and she didn't know how to respond she's so awkward and unsure and needs time to figure it out. I was sitting there just staring at the screen instead of working for like 20 minutes during that part haha. 

And I watched the winter fair episode with Trinket winning the pie eating contest and Grog losing arm wrestling to Trish the Dish and that was GREAT.  I stopped like right after Matt had Tiberius leave the party for good.  It was a very good day of very awesome CritRole at work. :)

janiemcpants: Keyleth and Vax just KILL ME. It's such a slow burn until suddenly STUFF HAPPENS and then it slows down again and pulls at my heartstrings the entire time.

---------- 05/17/2018 annakie: "I don't want to be alone tonight."

"I haven't wanted to be alone most nights..."  And I let him in. THE SHIP HAS SAILED.  YAY!! :D

annakie: Haha aww Marisha switched seats so she could be closer to Liam, that's sweet.

lol of COURSE the VERY NEXT DAY they see Kashaw again. And Will sits on the other side of Marisha... that's great.

janiemcpants Yay!!! They’re the slowest of slow burns but it’s so worth it. Liam and Marisha manage to be adorable even when they’re seated far away from each other. And yay to Kashaw coming back! I had mixed feelings about him at first, because the second Trial of the Take group had a blend of personalities that was tough to work with, and he got lost in the sea of grouchiness. But he ended up being great and every time he comes back I love him more.

(I'd grow to feel the same way about Kashaw.)

---------- 05/29/2018 annakie: Episode 44 - Oh my gosh, there was a beholder fight AND NOW VEX IS DEAD WHAT IS HAPPENING? And yeah, I think Kashaw is definitely more stand-out-y here, I'm really enjoying his character here. :)

annakie Keyleth: "Why did you do that?  Kashaw: "Because I knew you wanted me to."  D'awwww....

janiemcpants: AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH Vex’s death there kills me extra because it comes AFTER they win the fight! Everything is supposed to be okay, and then NOPE. THANK GOODNESS Kash was there. They're so lucky he happened to be their guest that night!

I mean, they probably could have come up with another way to save her, but being able to do it right away was a relief. And it was a great character moment for him

--------- 6/15/2018 I made this post, and I was at episode 49.

----------

A lot happened, and I didn't yell about it much of anywhere. I don't know how I let 20 episodes go by without reacting much to them, especially when SO MUCH HAPPENED in there. Right about when the Chroma Conclave hit, I knew I was sucked in, completely.  

But in a month and a half I made it through 14 episodes.  Near the end of July, things started happening very quickly.  

---------- 07/27/2018 annakie: I'm on episode 63 now and I just realized today I'm JUST BARELY over halfway through this campaign. Which makes me both happy and not, haha.

Woah Tiberius.  This actually sad. :(

That was really rough and I cried a little.

janiemcpants: TIBS That was so sad All of it was, but "I encourage peace" really got me And when I rewatched it and realize that's what Percy's DM whisper was about, and you can see it on his face and then he has to sit on it for like 20 minutes AUGH

07/28/2018 annakie: Oh man I'm going to have to go back and watch that again.  I was touched at how sad EVERYONE was.   And yeah, the burial part and "I encourage peace" got me too.  It's always sad to lose a friend, but also Tibs defending Draconia was really the perfect ending for his character.

I started ep 65 and YAY. FINALLY.  KEYLETH AND VAX.  FOR REALS. I have LOVED the slow-burn of the last 40 episodes but I'm glad they're moving into an actual relationship now.

I got spoiled about Vex and Percy just the other day (No one's fault, someone I follow on twitter liked a tweet, which twitter OH SO HELPFULLY put on my timeline.  So, it's twitter's fault.)   There have already been some hints that it's coming with Vex's titling and all, but I'm looking forward to it.

(Getting spoiled accidentally about that was my "OK TIME TO CLAMP DOWN ON SPOILERS!!" wakeup call -- especially since that Really Big Thing happened in Campaign 2 right about then and despite trying real hard to not be spoiled I know all about it.)

And Scanlan, what character growth with his speech to Pike a couple of episodes ago, apologizing for the proposal and realizing he was more in love with the idea of Pike, even though he does really love her, so proud of that boy.  And the note he gave Pike awhile ago for if he dies AND SHE READ IMMEDIATELY.  That was like the first real sign she's given.  The only thing that's bothered me about Scanlan, (who is probably my favorite, though I love THEM ALL) is that he was nice-guying / trying to wear Pike down this whole time, albeit in a charming way, and now he gets that, so YAY!

---------- 07/28/2018 annakie Watching 65, and having Matt torture Marisha by having Kashaw ask Keyleth out the night after she finally gets together with Vax is masterful.  Haha

Awww Gilmore's parents, so sweet.  And then Sam "Well, they're both over 70, so who's going to kill them?" buhahahahaha

07/29/2018 annakie: Oh my God, episode 68.  I'm bawling.  I obviously know Percy will be back but this was really, really, really rough.  Taliesin took it better than anyone.  Matt seemed just as devastated as everyone else.  Marisha's crying made me cry. 

That ending, with everyone gathering around Ripley and each doing their own killing blow for Percy.... it was so, so, SO GOOD.

I hope the internet wasn't too hard on Matt that week.

(I really did bawl about Percy's death.  That's when the show went from “I love this” to "This is masterful.  This is amazing. This might be elevated to rank of "FAVORITE THINGS!" 

This is also when I started watching at home -- because I had to know what was going to happen.  And because I realized that this show will MAKE ME CRY and I can't cry at work.  I also started watching on the weekends, basically as much as I could, every night, all Saturday and Sunday when possible.)

janiemcpants: Keyleth and Vax took a while, but I think they played out perfectly in the end :) I’m so happy the way the official couples turned out, because they’re all so different and so great in their own way. Truly something for everyone! (Vax and Keyleth are my favorites, but I don’t think I have ANY NoTPs, which is awesome.) When I first started the show, I thought I was going to HATE Scanlan, specifically because of the nice-guy thing. But then that sort of started to taper off and he won me over anyway, and I was so happy that he actually realized what was going on and apologized for it. Especially since I love their relationship, as she’s more or less the group’s moral compass, but he’s also basically the group dad--the one who keeps the to-do list and helps everyone keep their shit together (even if it’s not in the most conventional way). Thank goodness he finally realized it was more important to keep her as a friend than to keep trying for romance and probably eventually lose her by being a shithead.

68/69 are two of my favorite episodes, and two of the very hardest to watch Rough, but really emotionally and narratively satisfying

---------

7/21/2018

I made this post,  My first big feelings post.

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

08/03/2018 annakie: I JUST FINISHED 78.  SO MANY FEELINGS!  VEX ANSWERING THE DOOR NAKED.  THE WHOLE PLANNING.  GILMORE IS WITH THEM!  AND OH MY GOD KASH AND ZARAH PLS DON'T DIE BUT IF YOU DO SACRIFICING YOURSELF LIKE THIS IS AMAZING, I LOVE YOU. Also I'm now watching Talks Machina too so each episode is an hour longer!

08/05/2018 annakie: OH MY GOD SCANLAN.  THIS IS SO MUCH WORSE THAN PERCY. I DIDN'T THINK IT COULD GET WORSE I AM BAWLING AT PIKE'S POEM OH THANK GOD SHE ROLLED A NATURAL 20

Liam breaking during Pike's poem double killed me

I'm also so glad Ashley could be here for this one. I wish Sam was.

Also I'm SO GLAD Keyleth was so amazing last episode, both the feeblemind (totally, 100% saving this fight) and spotting Kima and Allora in the ocean.  Just MVP'd the hell out of that ep.

janiemcpants: OH MAN that feeblemind!!! And I’m so glad it was Keyleth who landed such a huge blow on Raishan. And spotting Kima and Allura was such a HUGE RELIEF. What an emotional rollercoaster that episode was. I’m convinced the dice themselves have a sense of drama. That’s the only way to explain some of the narratively amazing 1s and 20s we’ve gotten

annakie: Oh my God, I know.  Just absolutely insane.  THAT NAT 20 MERCER ROLLED FOR THE FINAL RESURRECTION ROLL OMG

I didn't stop for Talks Machina between those eps.  I couldn't, I had to see what happened.  I'm so glad this entire ep was so laid back after the resurrection. 

This show... I'm so, so mad I wasn't into it from the beginning.  On the other hand, having to wait a week between THOSE EPISODES would have been the worst.

janiemcpants: IT WAS It's so good that they generally have breather episodes once something huge is over with, because I don't think I could handle the tension otherwise

---------- 08/06/2018 annakie: WHAT THE FUCK I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE FUN AND HAPPY AND EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE. I had to stop watching at work

Because I started crying a little and then Percy gave his speech and I almost lost it haha That's where I am right now, raced home from lunch to watch the rest of this where I could cry

janiemcpants: Are you on episode 85? That one really hit like a slap in the face

annakie: Yep!

janiemcpants: That's the only one I think I won't be able to watch again

(I made this post.)

annakie: He's gone now, they're awake the next morning. Like I knew he was leaving but I thought it wouldn't be THIS TERRIBLE.  I thought it’d be like “Hey guys I’m taking some time off, love you, bye!” but nooooo.

janiemcpants: And it really felt like it came out of nowhere!

annakie: But also props to Sam because that was such a good representation of depression.

Like I really understood where it was coming from but yeah you really didn't expect THAT.

janiemcpants: Yeah, he's definitely not afraid to take risks and let his character be imperfect, and he had some good points and some not so good points in a very realistic way But BOY was that hard to watch

annakie: Yeah exactly.  Like, yelling that nobody cares about him.... that they don't love him.... I have felt that way about people who I absolutely knew loved me and that just shook me.  It was just... so... real.  And the way everyone reacted.  Man I just wish Ashley had been there.

I already know Sam plays someone else for awhile and eventually, Scanlan comes back but man... again... so glad I don't have to wait to KNOW THAT.

janiemcpants: You're lucky you know that! I totally thought he was gone for good Are you at the end of the episode, or still going?

annakie: Still going, they're at Whitestone still the next morning deciding what to do next.  Keyleth just scryed on Scanlan and Kaylee.

Grog: "I know you on a more intimiate level."  Vex: "Because you saw my titties."  Grog: Basically, yeah.

Real question: Can I watch the rest of this episode and maybe next without crying, so I can finish it at work, or should I not?  Gotta head back in a few minutes

Oh heeey it's already Sam's new character. :)

janiemcpants You can probably finish it up Since you met Sam's new character and he's pretty good And the next one has a lot of funny stuff in it

---------- 08/07/2018 annakie Episode 88:  The Kraken Fight.  FIVE AND A HALF HOURS (more like five after the break BUT STILL.)  I feel like I was watching this episode for a week.

janiemcpants That was intense! Them not being able to kill the kraken really added some stress to the fight Although they might not have been able to anyway

08/08/2018 annakie Yeah!  That added a whole crazy layer onto it!  I was pretty sure there would be more deaths than just Vax.  Not that him dying wasn't bad, but you know.  I think I'm becoming desensitized to the deaths because I didn't cry during his resurrection.  Also, poor Ashley, it feels like every time she's there lately it's to resurrect someone.

Finished Ep 90 this afternoon, Keyleth's Aramente ceremony was really good. :)

Also Grog and Tary potion shopping, I laughed so hard at work and had to keep it quiet, I'm sure my coworkers think I'm a maniac.

Ep 91 - Vox Machina Go To Hell... sounds amazing.  Just starting.

janiemcpants: Grog and Tary shopping was a total trash fire and it was so great And Vox Machina Go to Hell was such a good title! And a good episode!

---------- 08/11/2018

annakie: Ep 95!  Past the time skip!  The last two have been SO MUCH FUN and just what we needed after all the sadness and tension!  And YAY ASHLEY IS HERE FOR AWHILE.  SHE'S GETTING A STORYLINE!  Also I love Tary so much now, that character growth! :D  But I only have 20 episodes left noooooo

(later that night)...I should probably be doing other things with my life other than watching CR + Talks Machina but I'm already on 98.  Clearly Tary is leaving soon, it's neat to meet his family and all, though.  I'm gonna miss him.  I thought Tary would just be like... a filler character. But he's so great.  So.   Great.

---------- 08/12/2018

annakie: OH GOD IT'S SCANLAN HE'S BACK I'M DYING (also I'm real sad Tary is leaving soon, the conflict of emotions!).  I JUST got to the part where Vex runs up and hugs him and they go to break I'M CRYING.

annakie: EVERYTHING HURTS but Jon Heder's character is hilarious

janiemcpants: Oh no, goodbye Tary! Tary was a cross between Gilderoy Lockhart and a J Peterman catalog and I absolutely adored him, but it’s so good to have Scanlan back I wasn’t sure what to expect from Jon Heder, because I’d only seen him in Napoleon Dynamite and didn’t like it, but he was so great in this

annakie: Oh man I missed him so much.  He's having to apologize SO MUCH.  Poor Sam, haha.  The Talks Machina with him, Ashley and Laura was great, though and Laura saying Travis was too emotional to go on the show was so.... awwww.  I'm into ep 100 now  Yay the new look!  AND LADY BRIARWOOD IS BACK WHAT THE WHAAAT.  And Poor, poor Sam having to play three characters, though, he did this to himself. :D

--------- 8/13/2018 annakie (about the first Vecna fight): That shoulda just been called "Vox Machina gets their asses kicked." Vaaaaax

Scanlan MVP'd the hell out of that fight though No time for Talks Machina, I'll do that at work tomorrow, RIGHT ON TO 103!

janiemcpants: Episode 102 was an ABSOLUTE DISASTER Thank goodness Scanlan came back when he did!

Although I did enjoy everyone guilt tripping Sam for making him leave

And then THE ENDING

annakie: GOD EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. ALL OF THIS.  I NEED TO PAUSE TIME SO I DON'T NEED TO SLEEP AND CAN JUST WATCH CR STRAIGHT THROUGH FOREVER UNTIL IT'S OVER. These are disaster children and they are terrible I love them.

(I made this post.)

janiemcpants: I had to laugh at your last post because that's exactly what it's like! There's SO MUCH in each episode it's almost impossible to post about it. TOO MANY FEELINGS

And not enough time!

I think this last arc has really good flow to it You can feel the urgency, but it still gives things the time they deserve

annakie: It really is!  Like you know if I had a week between episodes than it'd be way easier to sort but I can't take any time I have to watch as much as I can now. I'm at the part where they're trying to sort out why Vax is back and I WANT TO DIE.

janiemcpants: WASN'T THAT A CURVEBALL I was expecting a tense, elaborate ritual like the others got, and they were planning for it, but nope! We're skipping that part

annakie: I read something like a tweet or untagged post MONTHS ago about Scanlan not being able to save Vax.  So when he got disintegrated I was like "Oh this is that that meant." and now I'm like "OH SHIT NO IT WASN'T, WAS IT?!"  I'm scared.

(Oh, you sweet summer child, you have no idea what you’re in for.)

janiemcpants I just love how Vax getting disintegrated totally changed the context of everything that happens, but not in the way anyone expected Matt's mind is truly a place of wonder

annakie: Also Yay Grog just asked Scanlan to hang out with him in Vasselheim :3 Nothing like a terrifying near-death experience to spread some forgiveness.

TRAVIS + SAM IS THE BEST, WHETHER IT'S SCANLAN OR TARY.

--------- 8/14/2018 annakie Me today: OK my boss asked me to go to this important meeting and take notes I need to concentrate.

What I actually thought about : SERENRAE GAVE PIKE A SPECIAL BLESSING AND LOVES HER SO MUCH AND ALSO TOLD SCANLAN SHE HEARS HIS PRAYERS AND HE IS A TRUE BELIEVER, HE HAS A HOLY SYMBOL AND FOUND HIS WAY TO THE TOWER HIMSELF WE ARE SO BLESSED. REMEMBER SAM AND ASHLEY'S FACES THROUGH ALL OF THAT IT WAS PERFECT.

Also Scanlans face when. Grog mentioned that he was looking for Scanlan, the moment passed so fast but I cried.

(later that night) annakie: I'm so mad I have to run my own game tonight so all I'm gonna have time to watch is to the end of 104 Glad I prepped my game a week or two ago though

janiemcpants: THEIR MEETING WITH SERENRAE, I WEEP It’s just so good to see both a character who’s been so devoted but struggled with it at the same time, and a character who had to develop so much to get there, actually be seen and acknowledged by their god

annakie: I REWATCHED IT WHEN I GOT HOME

janiemcpants: What a great moment for both of them

annakie: SO amazing, I loved it so much.

janiemcpants: Also, I love how it doesn’t even matter how the group splits up, any combination of them is going to be interesting and fun (But especially Sam and Travis because of their shared delight in chaos)

annakie: I'm RIGHT NOW at the part where everyone is talking about Vex to Pelor and OH SHIT SHE AND PERCY ARE BETHROTHED THAT'S THE SECRET YES that's so true every pair is amazing

Also once again Scanlan MVPs this, with his polymorph on Vex

janiemcpants: It's truly astounding how many times Scanlan single-handedly saves their bacon

annakie: Yeah as much as I loved Tary like... they really NEEDED Scanlan.

janiemcpants: They really did I wish they could have both!

annakie: When I rewatched the Serenrae meeting I watched Ashley's face and every time Scanlan did something positive like made it to the tower or Serenrae acknowledged Scanlan as a true believer Ash's face was just amazing. She's so pleased at Scanlan :3

janiemcpants: Ashley's just so good

annakie: I KNOW, ME TOO.  I peeked and saw that we don't see Tary again and I'm sad!  I hope he gets an epilogue!

Also I NEED VOX MACHINA PEOPLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE HOW GREAT SCANLAN IS BEING HERE.

Last Tuesday at 11:24 PM *screaming into the void* http://blog.annakie.com/post/177011924723/critical-role-stuff-spoilers-up-to-ep

--------- 8/15/2018

janiemcpants Everything you said is SO TRUE And I still just can't believe how Sam took what was meant to be a joke* and turned him into this incredible three-dimensional person who never fails to surprise me. Will he turn into a dinosaur and destroy a building? Will he sing at the giant monster instead of fleeing like everyone else? Will he melt my heart with beautiful words about friendship? Will he devastate my emotions when he stops covering up his pain? Will he make a dick joke? We never know! And he's grown so much! *(Apologies if you already knew this, but when they were getting ready for the original one-shot home game that started all this, Sam had never played before, and Liam helped him pick out his character. Sam said he wanted to be the worst, and asked what the worst character would be, and Liam came up with gnome bard. And here we are. That was all captured on the podcast they sporadically do together and it's pretty funny.)

annakie Hilariously, I just found that out about Liam helping create Scanlan an hour ago.  On the episode of Talks I was watching at work Sam kept mentioning his Reddit AMA and so I googled it and read it, literally an hour ago.  So if I would have seen this earlier, it would have been new information! And YES SO MUCH I AGREE.

Like I love them ALL so much but I mean... Scanlan.  Fucking Scanlan.  Fave.  Sorry.

(Later) annakie Darin DePaul is hilarious lol I was like "Uh who is this?" when he showed up but he keeps making me laugh.  I'm still in the initial fight right after they find Sprigg

janiemcpants Fun fact: Darin de Paul played D&D thirty something years ago with Matt's mom, and Sprigg is the character he played back then I think that old session ended with Sprigg disappearing or something, so this is the continuation of his story, set thirty-whatever years later He’s really terrific, though! I only knew him from Overwatch, but I get such a kick out of him here

annakie OMG, that's awesome!  Thank you for that fun fact!  I was wondering if he ever played before, he seemed to get it pretty quick with only a little help from Sam. He's saying goodbye now, aww, such a good end for a fun character!

annakie Oh good, Ioun told Scanlan how awesome and important he is to VM and Kaylee and in general, I feel better now. I'm a little sad that I guess Ioun is his god now I guess and not Serenrae but it also seems fitting.

8/16/2018 janiemcpants Yeah, I was surprised by that, but in the end I think I'm glad he got his own god who appreciates him, rather than being wrapped up in Pike's story Not that Serenrae didn't appreciate him, but I like that he got something of his own

annakie That is so true!!  Like Serenrae gave him comfort when he needed it, and accepted him, but he prayed to her because it's what he knew because of Pike, but I think he didn't do it FOR Pike. But it turns out Scanlan wasn't destined for Serenrae.

Also I meant to mention awhile ago that I really loved Percy holding everything together after Vax died and they were in the Feywild.  He really stepped up and kept everything from falling apart and I was really proud of him.

Scanlan being constantly dismissive of them talking about Tary is hilarious.  "Scanlan can you scry on Tary?"  "Who? Oh... you mean that fancy fellow?" haha

(Later) annakie Oh yay I'm glad they sent word to Tary that everyone is OK.

janiemcpants Yes!! I was so concerned about poor Tary. The necklace is a good idea in theory, but in reality all it does is tell him something is wrong, but he doesn't know what or how he can help What an anxiety-inducing item!

Also yes to Percy! His growth is really inspiring to me on a personal level (all of theirs are in different ways, but he's the most relatable to me personally) I love how, since they're all so different and grow in different ways, there's a good story there for everyone

--------- 8/17/2018 9:07 PM annakie Just finished the ep where they forge the trammels.  Starting to close in on the endgame :o

annakie OH MY GOD... hahaha using the love potion TARY gave Vax to prank SCANLAN, this is amazing, I love it so much.

I CAN'T BREATHE

Last Saturday at 1:15 AM Hi it's 1:14am and I'm still awake because I had to finish this live episode.

--------- 8/18/2018 annakie: In the middle of 112 now, and I have to stop watching to go to my Pathfinder game.... nooo... one of the few times I'm unhappy about going to gaming. :) I think I'm going to be able to finish tomorrow if I just power through and don't stop for Talks.

---------

(And here we go, into the endgame.  I woke up, turned on Critical Role, and knew I'd finish the campaign that day.  In addition to the gifs and posts I made: http://blog.annakie.com/tagged/episode+114, here's the rest of that experience.  I’m not going to link the individual gif posts.)

8/19/2018 12:53 AM annakie: THE STRANGLING WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS

This entire episode is like the most fucked up episode lol

9:21 AM BRIARWOOD FIGHT WITH Joe Manganiello!!!  I'M SO SCARED.

11:58 AM OH MY GOD KAYLEE AND CASSANDRA AND SHAUN THANK GOD THEY STOPPED AND FIXED IT OH MY GOD I'M CRYING

3:17 PM I'm liveblogging.  AND DYING.  ZARAH AND KASH OH THANK SERENRAE!!!

janiemcpants: I was out of town for the weekend and just got home, and I can't believe how fast you're going! Although once you hit a certain point you can't help but tumble unstoppably towards the end, because it's all going so off the rails at once I WAS SO WORRIED FOR KASH AND ZAHRA

annakie: I STILL AM

janiemcpants: And having Cassandra and Gilmore and Kaylee as death knights was a particularly cruel stroke of genius on Matt's part

annakie: Arkhan just got back though, so that's good I guess haha

SO CRUEL

janiemcpants: CAN YOU IMAGINE, if they hadn't left one alive, they might not even have taken their helmets off and they never would have known

annakie: GOD I KNOW I KNOW... That would have just been.... oh man I can't even imagine And thank God Matt let them revivify even though it could have been more than a minute

annakie: There's so much happening I can barely breathe I feel like I've been watching this episode for ten hours already All I've watched is 113 and this today.

janiemcpants: It's probably even better watching it all together like you're doing, because a whole lot of interesting things happen in a not-that-long amount of time There's so much!

annakie: Yeah... I mean TBH for the last month I've just lived this show, I haven't watched any TV shows.  It's been so great to just really LIVE IN IT and there's so much of it especially after taking a year to get to this point.

annakie: Well, it was around the point of Percy dying the really sad time to get to "OK I can't stop watching", that's when I started watching at home and not just at work.  And then I stopped watching at work much after Scanlan left because I was too invested to only sorta pay attention. Yeaaaaah Grog just kicked ass.

janiemcpants: Percy dying was right when I started watching live! I was trying to catch up on the old stuff before I started doing it live, but when I heard that happened I just COULDN’T stay away. What a hell of a pair of episodes those were.

annakie: OH WOW that's awesome!  How many episodes did you skip to get to that point? haha OH ALSO PIKE TELLING SCANLAN HE HAS TO STAY ALIVE BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENS AFTER.  MY HEART. I was a little worried because since she was back she'd hardly interacted with him, except for that butt-slap a few episodes ago and then this conversation happened and I DIED.  (And then Sam joked it was Scanlan2 and I refuse to believe that it wasn't actually real Scanlan, they're dressed different, she would have known.)

(Also in the Vecna fight Real Scanlan had to use the Death Ward Pike put on him so yeah, she said it to Real Scanlan.)

Oh also I found online where Sam posted the letter Scanlan wrote to Pike and OH MAN, TEARS.

janiemcpants: RIGHT?? At the beginning I never thought I'd be invested in Scanlan and Pike's relationship, just because of the nice-guy stuff, but it got really, really good as it went on I still had about 15 episodes or so to go when I started watching it live, so I missed a little bit of context, but it was worth it That letter was so good

annakie: Oh man we just almost lost Vex and the looks on Liam, Travis AND Taliesin's faces all killed me. I can't wait to start watching live, still probably going to be a month or so.

annakie: OH NO THE JENKY TRAMEL.

annakie: PIKE BLEW SCANLAN A KISS!!

annakie: I can't believe I still have an hour to go (probably 45 minutes of game time) and Scanlan and Grog just got banished.  Also I know something bad happens to Grog so I'm just waiting for that.  Maybe he never comes back from banishment!??!

annakie: Hahaha Scanlan dispelled Vecna's teleport and MATT'S FACE. Oh no, he's saying sorry to Liam This is why... “I was going to save Vax.” OH MY GOD  Sam is crying And Liam is crying

janiemcpants: That moment is where I cried the hardest in all of 114 Especially because they called each other Sam and Liam instead of Scanlan and Vax IT'S SO PAINFUL

annakie: THIS HURTS SO MUCH, I’M BAWLING. Most of the table doesn't even see what's going on Like they're having this private moment while the game keeps going.

annakie: Oh God that Nat20 for Scanlan to counterspell dominate person on Keyleth. Could you imagine this fight with Tary instead of Scanlan?  It'd have been over in round 2

annakie: lol I watched Jocks Machina on the D&D twitch channel awhile ago so I knew Arkhan was going to betray them, that's amazing how he did it. Also, so great that Keyleth was able to finish the ritual

annakie: Oh no Sam and Liam are crying at the end this is the worst

annakie: Annnd here we go.  115.

janiemcpants: GOOD LUCK

annakie: I'm really going to miss this credit sequence, I love it so much I always watch it every episode. I've seen the new one and it's cute but I love this one.

janiemcpants I miss it too! It's so good

annakie: I get why they did a more generic "look at us playing D&D" instead of character intro credits but this one is amazing I mean especially after what happened to Taliesin's character in season 2.

annakie: Yay Kash and Zahra :D I'm so glad they got a goodbye. :)  That was a great sendoff!

janiemcpants: It was so good! Even with Liam wreaking emotional havoc

annakie: vax is saying goobye and I'm bawling

even matt is crying, i can't

(I made this post.)

janiemcpants: I cried through that ENTIRE EPISODE

annakie: I'm taking a crying break to watch the fanart Glad Ashley made it just in time for that moment

Oh man this great series of fanart with the quote where Sam asking what's the worst character, and Liam saying gnome bard, and the art is all showing how Scanlan saved the party, that was amazing

annakie: Oh my God Liam isn't even at the table anymore THIS IS SO SAD

janiemcpants: That art sounds fantastic! Must try to hunt it down Oh no, I can't cope when they leave the table

annakie: "We'll fill in each other's gaps, we'll be the glue." THANKS LAURA NOW I'M CRYING AGAIN BECAUSE I LOVE VEX/PERCY SO MUCH.

That even broke Taliesin a little

There's a part of me right now that's still screaming "GO FIND GILMORE AND CASSANDRA AND KAYLEE!"

janiemcpants: I know!!! There's so much they should be doing, all at the same time! HOW IS EVERYBODY??

annakie: Percy just mentioned cassandra, maybe they'll remember lol

NOPE, off to a bar!

Yay Kima's there!

Oh ok good they're in whitestone whew

annakie: GROG NO DON'T PULL CARDS

Oh man Kaylee and Scanlan's conversation, I'm crying again.

janiemcpants: Grog pulling the card was so goddamn funny Especially in the midst of so much sadness

annakie: Oh my God he just pulled the card in whitestone

omgomgomg

AND ASHLEY'S INTERNET DROPS

Annnnnnnnnnnnd this is why they have to go rescue Grog omg omg omg

annakie: Aw, I was almost hoping they'd actually do one last adventure but that was funny.

janiemcpants: Yeah, I really wish we could have seen the rescue, but they were clearly planning on this being the last episode, and it would have thrown everything off But it was worth it

annakie: ASHLEY’S FUCKING INTERNET DIES RIGHT AS SHE'S ABOUT TO ASK SCANLAN ON A DATE I AM SCREAMING I'M SO MAD

Scanlan and Pike’s conversation was everything I always wanted THEN HER INTERNET DIES

annakie OK Scanlan's epilogue was awesome :3 “I will do literally whatever Pike wants to do.”

And YAY we get to hear about Tary!

YAY LAWRENCE!

janiemcpants: I'm so glad Lawrence wasn't dead! I was totally convinced Tary's dad had him whacked

annakie: Oh God Pike’s marriage proposal and one last grog & scanlan conversation I love it so much I'm crying again

I've known they ended up married for a long time but that was great. :3

janiemcpants: I just love that they both planned to ask each other out in their epilogues!

annakie I KNOW, so great :D

I'm really glad that Scanlan let Pike lead, that was amazing.

janiemcpants: Yes! That brought it from great to perfect

annakie: And he just wanted to follow where she went and helped out.  And they have a home, and Grog with them, and are a perfect weird family! :D

They're my favorite ship, though I love all three very much.

janiemcpants: And Grog gets to stay with his gnomes forever! And he's not left alone even though he didn't end up with a romantic relationship!

annakie: YES!

I love Percy and Vax being so Percy and Vax in their epilogue.  Kids with lots of names!  Tinkering!

janiemcpants: The part about Percy making clocks made me weep BUCKETS

annakie: Percy finding redemption helping Cassandra omg

YES

"Make a clock tower, make art and never make another weapon. I'm good." :D

annakie: Aww Grog taking punishment from Vasselheim

Hahaha the potion guy being the tutor ohhhhh my God this is amazing.

This guy never even got a name did he and yet he's brought so much joy

janiemcpants: I don't think he ever did!

annakie: Marisha is making Liam cry this is so sad

janiemcpants: EVERYONE CRIES SO MUCH AND THAT MAKES ME CRY EVEN MORE

annakie: "And every day that Raven comes to visit."

I'm dead.

Oh my God Matt and Marisha get married THE NEXT WEEK!?

janiemcpants:

YEP!

annakie: Well I'm completely emotionally drained.

(We said a bit more here, but it was personal.)

11:28pm:  I made this post. ) -----------------

I couldn't do much yesterday but think about this fucking show.  I'm catching up on the Talks Machinas I missed from like 108 through 115, I think I'm on 111 now?  I also watched Matt Colville's recap of the episode and why it's so great.  I'd been looking forward to watching that since he made it, since I watch most of what he puts out it's been sitting in my suggested videos like for almost every episode I watched.  That was perfect, as well.

I removed some talk about this in the chatlog Janie and I had but I'm going to take like this week off and catch up on the Specials & Oneshots I didn't watch before.  I need that cooling off period.  I'll probably power through season 2 after it's done and start watching live and wondering if It's Thursday Yet? within a couple of weeks from now.

I'm still sorting through feelings, too.  I'll probably have more to say.

But you know how there's a lot of media you like, and some that you love but only a few make it to that "Favorite things" level, the place where it turns into something that you love wholeheartedly and will remember forever and kinda wish you could erase from your brain so you could re-experience it for the first time again?

I have a few of those.  Futurama.  MST3K.  Parks and Recreation.  Psych.  Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.  The entire Mass Effect trilogy.  Neverwinter Nights 2.  The Thrilling Adventure Hour.  U2's Songs of Experience album.  Sugar's Copper Blue album.  The Princess Bride.  All of Star Wars.  The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  Star Trek: TNG and DS9.  The Good Place will end up here once it's done.  

And now Critical Role: Season One.  

[strangecowplant]

Seasons Tags

i was tagged by @duskysimmer thank you bb! ♡ 

1. which season are you going to play with first?

probably autumn so I can transition into winter after!

2. from what you’ve seen in the trailer, what are you most excited about?

oh gosh...so much tbh! more gardening features like flower arrangements, the swing set and kiddie pool, creating my own holidays and playing existing ones and definitely the changes in weather like blizzards!

3. what’s your favorite season irl?

autumn and winter ♡

4. what’s your favorite flower/plant?

I love so many flowers (or rather just...all of em) so its hard to choose >< I do especially love any sort of small ground cover flower or big bushy ones like hydrangea! As for plants I love any sort of succulent, ferns, more ground cover and big ol pine trees

5. are you going to create a new sim/family or are you going to keep your current household?

def going to keep both my current saves, I can’t wait to experience seasons in generation 2 of my legacy because I can experience every season with all age groups!

6. what would you like to see in this new add-on that we haven’t seen yet?

ugh, spiral stairs PLEASE or even just like.. different stairs with wide bottoms/tops, the ability to split them ect ofc theres more I’d love to see but it wouldnt be in this pack

7. how do you feel about not having a new neighborhood?

I’m actually really glad they decided not to focus on a new world, chances are if they did only that world would have seasons lol I think they did a great thing by focusing on what they already have since they havent done that yet and the packs we’ve gotten werent.. all that great

8. snow, rain, sun or wind?

SNEW ❄️

9. favorite refreshing drink in summer?

iced tea/snapple peach tea though I drink it throughout the year

10. favorite hot drink in winter?

peppermint mocha!

11. walk through the forest or by the beach?

forest def, though to be fair the forests near me are right next to the ocean so..

12. swimming pool or ocean?

pool, the ocean near me is too cold and others I’ve been to are too strong or just gross (and I mean like.. muddy bathwater gross)

13. where would you like to travel if you could leave right now for a week?

honestly I’m kinda on a kick of wanting to go to london so maybe there

13. how is the weather today?

surprisingly sunny with some fluffy white clouds, meaning if I so much as walk out the door without antihistamine in me my head will feel like a stuffed up watermelon

14. what new traits would you like to see in the new add-on?

gardening ones! loves/hates warm/cold weather, and just some more general ones tbh

15. do you like to play with supernatural creatures like vampires and aliens? and if so, would you like to have witches/fairies/elves?

typically the only supernaturals I ever liked to play with were aliens but ts4 isnt all that great with them, but I do love having a variety so I would definitely like to have at least witches, zombies and werewolves again

16. what is your favorite thing to do during winter?

go walking in the snow with my pups, taking pictures, sitting and watching snow fall through a window (I can do this for HOURS), cooking/baking, listening to christmas music and watching christmas movies!

17. …during spring?

staying indoors, though I do like going to a drive to see all the flowers blooming

18. …during summer?

never going outside LOL sometimes I like going into our backyard with the firepit on and roasting marshmallows but only if its still somewhat cool - if I get hit with the sun or heat I break out into a rash on my hands and that’s no fun 😒 (as you can imagine, driving through arizona was hell, I had to cover myself with a blanket in the car rip me)

19. …during autumn?

sorta the same things as winter tbh! taking pictures, cooking/baking, going on walks and drives to see the leaves changing

20. have you already pre-ordered seasons? and if you haven’t, are you going to pre-order it or wait until it comes out?

nuope, tbh this is the only pack I would love to buy if I could!! but for now I’m still using a crack (sorry but I’m not paying $500 that I don’t have right now for the rest of the packs I need when I’ve already spent thousands on the franchise, in the future I will)

21. in which neighborhood are you going to play first with seasons?

gen 2 might still be in san myshuno when it comes out, but I’d love to see windenburg and brindleton bay during the seasons!

22. do you listen to music while playing? and if so, what are your favorite songs to play to?

sometimes, its usually just my mix of ballads I always have on (dbsk, solo super junior, exo ect) or instrumental music I grew up with (ie sanctuary series by sam reid) but most times I just have youtube on in the background watching achievement hunter lets plays or watching most haunted

23. what’s your favorite thing to do in the sims? creating sims, building, etc?

before it was always creating sims and decorating, but now I have to say my favourite thing is actually playing the game (which is a shocker for me outside of ts2) I’ve actually gotten quite into having a retail store and tbh I want to have more

24. what’s your favorite kit/pack/add-on?

so far I’d have to say pets because of the obvious

25. and finally, what add-on/pack would you like to see next?

UNIVERSITY!! I would also like to have a pack for more various jobs like in ts3 ambitions, I never realized until yesterday how much I needed the ability to have a tattoo parlor or hair salon. I’d also like a more sciencey themed pack! With bots and more mad scientist type objects

I tag @simcophogi @thatonebrobo @miniculepxls @grimsimm @pollinationqueen @moodensim 💖

[sabraeal]

get to know MEme

Tagged by @onoheiwa

RULES: answer 30 questions and tag 20 blogs you’d like to get to know better.

NICKNAMES: Jen, Sabraeal, Sab, Sabs

GENDER: Female

SIGN: Gemini

HEIGHT: 5’9-5′10, depending on how nice I’ve been to my back lately

TIME: 11:22 AM; just finished my fresh-from-the-oven banana bread, and I don’t have to get ready for people coming over yet, yessss

FAVORITE BANDS: Guster always remains at the top, but I listen to a whole smattering of things.

FAVORITE SOLO ARTIST: Vienna Teng, probably a bunch of others i can’t remember off the top of my head right now

SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: Somehow nothing. Yet.

LAST MOVIE I SAW: In theaters? I think The Last Jedi. At home I think was...Seven Samurai?

LAST SHOW I WATCHED: Boko no Hero Academia. We always watch on Saturdays after dinner when there’s a new ep.

WHEN DID I CREATE MY BLOG: March 2014, because my friend saw me checking like, 7 tumblrs regularly and was like “this is getting fucking sad”

WHAT DO I POST: I reblog a whole bunch of stuff -- I prefer to think of it as “ecclectic”, but mainly post ANS fanfic and meta, specifically obiyuki

LAST THING I GOOGLED: My search history leads me to believe it was about monster advancement in pathfinder, but I could have sword I’d searched for something since. WHO KNOWS.

DO I HAVE ANY OTHER BLOGS: I co-mod both @snowwhite-andtheknight and @obiyukiweek, but that’s about it. A wordpress I used many years ago for keeping track of nano stuff as well, but i haven’t been there in YEARS.

WHY DID I CHOOSE MY URL: It’s what I use for most internet stuff, and it’s not usually taken! Sabraeal is the angel of curing disease.

FOLLOWING: 157

FOLLOWED BY: 478

AVERAGE HOURS OF SLEEP: 6-8

LUCKY NUMBER: 13!

INSTRUMENTS: None. I self-taught myself some basic piano as a kid, but i wasn’t very good

WHAT AM I WEARING: Pajamas! A tank top and some sweatpants

DREAM TRIP: Uh....anywhere in Europe? I don’t really have anywhere I’m dying to go specifically

FAV FOOD: Right now I could really go for some chocolate cheesecake. Or any cheesecake at all, as long as it doesn’t come from the grocery store

NATIONALITY: American

FAVORITE SONG: Uhhhh I’m pretty sure I don’t have one! I sort of rotate though music, and I don’t have any one in particular I’m obsessed with at the moment.

LAST BOOK I READ: The last book I finished was Winter’s Heat by Denise Domning, which I’m pretty sure was my first dedicated romance novel ever. Not bad, she clearly did a LOT of research into the medieval setting, but since this was written in the 80s? 90s? something like that, it’s a little out of date, and the romance itself fell a little hard into some cliches I was not totally into, but I managed to like it anyway.

I’m currently reading Children of Earth and Sky by Guy Gavriel Kay, which I am, as usual, enjoying, save for that he does some very Male Literary Author things that make me roll my eyes, but his writing is enjoyable enough to overlook it.

TOP 3 FICTIONAL UNIVERSES I WANT TO JOIN:

1. Star Trek, because even being a human on Earth in Star Trek would be enjoyable, since they figured out the utopia thing, with minimal dystopia

2. Harry Potter, but only if the tumblr post errata I like is real too

3. I’m sure there’s a third, but honestly, it’s really tough to find a modern era or future era fictional world (I am NOT leaving the internet, thank you) that does not have disturbing dystopian elements that would probably get me killed quickly and ALSO has magic, SO

Tagging (not 20, let’s try like, five): @superhappybubbleslove, @claudeng80, @utsukushiiyume, @infinitelystrangemachinex, @glitterberry

[latenightsomewhere]

It’s a Wonderful Life-Part 1

Summary: Cor Leonis didn't mean to ever have a kid. Nor adopt one. Nor did he ever expect this unexpected part of his life to end up cuddled up with the young men that will one day run the entire nation.Maybe he should take Regis' advice on spending more time in Insomnia more seriously.(Aka the story of Cor Leonis and discovering his son's love life) Pairing: Polyship Roadtrip

[Ao3] 

Cor Leonis had faced a lot in his short 25 years of life. A decade with the Crownsguard and personally dealing with King Regis and his retinue to solo work he was currently doing.

But this? This was nothing he had faced so far. He’d rather face off a pack of daemons alone than deal with the problem in front of him.

Said problem was what had to be a less than a year old baby that was screaming in the metal, harsh-looking container he was being kept in. A handful of tubs was being kept situated on his skin haphazardly with medical tape and a needle.

He came here for information, for anything to help them grasp what the MTs actually were since they kept disappearing before anyone could get close enough to say what they actually were. What he didn’t expect to find was human experimentation. Nor did he think said experiments started when they were not even a year old yet.

Did this kid even have parents? Was he willingly given up or taken? Or did it go deeper than that? Bred in a lab just to be sent to war with no life to be given, much like a machine. To be dehumanized from the minute you start breathing.

Cor, for all the horrors he’d seen, couldn’t imagine.

Somewhere when he was lost in his thoughts, the baby had stopped full on screaming and had turned to curiously looks accompanied by the occasional whimper.

An alarmed in the facility started going off and Cor forced himself to turn and leave. Of course this simple plan to just leave was ruined when he made the mistake of meeting this baby’s big blue eyes, light and shining despite the dim facility and grim circumstances.

The baby give him a big smile before letting out the first happy laugh he’d let out in Cor’s presence.

Cor was well and truly fucked.

It was well past sundown by the time Cor found a suitable spot to hide out for the night. The daemons were out and he could hear the howls from beasts in the distance.

And the baby wouldn’t stop screaming.

It’d been smooth sailing for the most part. As soon as Cor had gotten the kid out of it’s containment area and out of the immediate area he’d soon fallen asleep. How he’d managed to sleep between the blaring alarm of the area and the sounds of Cor shooting at MTs and soldiers alike as he escaped the facility.

Cor had, in the process found out how hard it was to use a katana with one hand, since he had to keep the baby cradled in one arm. As a response he’d grabbed the gun out of the armiger and went at it. Not nearly as effective a tool but got the job done nonetheless.

Now, blessedly miles away from the Imperial facility and out in the woods, Cor could now realize the full ramifications of taking a baby Gralea.

Mostly realizing that he had no way to take care of a baby out in the middle of nowhere, nor did he have any idea of how to take care of a baby.

Said baby that was sitting on the ground of a haven, screaming its head off while wrapped in his coat. Cor wasn’t afraid of much, but he was sufficiently terrified in that moment.

Really he should have thought this through. Then again, leaving the child in the care of the Empire wasn’t an option, but now having to track back to Insomnia with a 6ish month old sounded even less appealing.

Gently he attempted to calm the screeching child, picking him up the same way he’d seen Clarus do with his son. Oh how he can never know about this.

It was an absurd thought in that moment, he’d have to bring the baby back to Insomnia and Clarus wasn’t stupid by any means. He’d be more than able to put the pieces together of Cor and baby care during the trip home.

Where was he again? Right, screaming baby.

“Who’s out there?” a voice cut out of the screaming around him.

Cor had his Katana in hand as he turned to the voice in question to see an old lady standing there, flashlight in hand. Her gray hair was almost black in the night frost.

“Who’re you,” he growled at her.

If the old lady thought anything of his hostility, she didn’t show it.

“Marie,” she finally answered. “Now how about you tell me why you’re out here in the cold with a babe on the way back to my cabin.”

Cor didn’t budge an inch, nor did he put his katana away.

“Now be sensible,” she said. “I share no love of the Empire, nor am I so cruel as to leave you out here to freeze with your child.”

He almost interjected with a “not my kid” but he supposed admitting that would raise more questions he wasn’t sure he could or would tell her.

Slowly he put his weapon away and gathered the baby that was still wrapped up in his jacket close to him.

“Alright,” he conceded.

“Come now, this way,” she made a leading notion with her fingers. “This way quickly, I’d rather avoid daemons if we can.”

“I can take care of them,” he said, careful not to jostle the kid too much.

“I’m sure you can,” she huffed. “Now I don’t suppose you have much for baby formula do you? Don’t say anything your face says it all; I have some milk at my cabin it will have to do…”

Looking back years later, Marie probably saved his life that night. If not his, Cor could admit, he saved Prompto’s.

She brought him in, chastising him the entire way on how to care for a baby properly. She never asked how he came to have a kid with no way to care for him and Cor never offered details.

Cor always felt she knew more than she let on, if not the exact story than an edited version of it.

She taught him the basics of baby care, gave him vital items for surviving winter for both himself and the kid and sent him on his way soon after.

“Please dear,” she said when he tried to deny taking the blankets and baby clothes. “My boys are long gone now, at least stop all this from collecting dust now.”

Cor didn’t need to think hard to understand what she meant underneath Marie’s sad eyes and stopped protesting as she shoo’d him out the door with instructions to get home safely and completely in tact.

She stopped right before closing the door. “Oh and hon,” her eyes met his in a air of dead seriousness. “You may want to consider naming him sooner rather than later.”

Cor spent his entire life priding himself on how well he kept his composure, on how well he kept his ‘emotionless’ facade up.

He could honestly say that Marie was one of the only people on the entirety of Eos that had ever seen him sputter.

It was a matter of weeks later as he Cor finally got to the safety of Lucis again that the name Prompto came to him. He wasn’t sure where the name came from, or why it seemed to fit perfectly but he said it once to him and Prompto looked at him, smiled before giggling and cackling.

So ‘Prompto’ it was.

It was just under two months since finding him that Cor stood in the throne room with King Regis and Clarus Amicitia, Prompto on his hip trying his damndest to grab at what hair Cor had and giggling about it the entire way.

Regis looked insidious sitting on the throne, staring at Cor and Prompto while Clarus had to look away with arm brought up in a cough to cover his low, cackling laughs.

Soon thereafter, Cor was laying in his bed, Prompto asleep next to him. Cor’s explanation of acquiring Prompto had gone, all things considered, well enough. Details would have to be gone over later, talks of finding him a family to adopt him tabled to a later date once Cor had gotten a full night’s sleep and Prompto had been properly looked after by a doctor.

Soon enough, Cor was out in a dreamless sleep.

[rosarkahamill]

***TRAVELTIPS*** I've had a ridiculously busy year of travelling, and on my various trips I've had a lot of different experiences. I'm currently in the last leg of planning my biggest adventure yet: a 12 day solo-trip to Cuba, happening in 6 weeks time! As a part of this I figured I could share some tips I've gathered through my trips and experiences. Hopefully at least some of them will be useful for others, and maybe even get someone to take a trip they otherwise wouldn't have dared to go on? Who knows! 1: GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND You can save yourself from a lot of hazzle with some basic searches on google. "Best area to stay in [name of place]" for instance will often lead you to reviews, travelblogs, yahoo answers etc. These are great for travel to places you haven't visited before, because you'll get a much bigger and more honest overview of a place than just reading reviews (which should be your next step, but more specified to hotels/accommodation in the area you found from using this tip). Often people who actually live in the area will tell answer these type posts and give honest feedback on where to stay and which places to avoid. When I was in Lithuania last year, a guy who lived parts of the year in Vilnius told me on the bus to town that the hotel I had picked was in the worst area of the city because of drugs and prostitution. I wasn't rattled though, and even though I stayed out late at night I was perfectly fine, but, I could probably have gotten a hotel in a nicer area for a similar price if I'd done my research first. Speaking of which… 2: RESEARCH AND READ REVIEWS So the "R" word might sound boring, but, it's one of the most essential tips I can give you. Also, if you go about it with the right attitude, researching for a trip can actually be a lot of fun! When you're looking for a place to stay, whether it's a hotel or private accommodation, take your time to read reviews. Specifically, I look at a few of the reviews that give top marks, and more of the ones that give bottom marks. Most places will have a bit of both, and some of the bottom reviews are completely unreasonable. Generally, you want to weed out the places that have many bottom reviews with similar complaints. This would've saved me from a hotel in Brussels, Belgium, where several people had written about rude/unhelpful staff, poor cleaning/maintenance, and theft from the rooms. Unfortunately, I only thought to check the worst reviews when I signed in to tripadvisor to leave my own 1* review… 3: PRIORITIZE Another "boring word", but a great tip for your wallet. Think about what you want from the trip, and what you're willing to sacrifice. If you plan on spending a lot of time shopping, at museums, exploring the city, lounging on the beach etc, then you're probably not gonna do much other than sleep at your hotel. So does the hotel need to be 4*? Not really. Get a cheaper hotel and spend the money saved on shopping instead. Or is your aim to just relax and get a good nights rest, reading a book with a cuppa and use whatever luxury is available at the hotel? Then yes, a good hotel will be worth your while. When in New Orleans with my mum, we stayed at an old historic hotel in the French Quarter. The room was tiny, smelled of damp, and to use my mums words: "the balcony was so slanted it was like a shipwreck". BUT, we pretty much only used the room for sleep, showers, and a few beers in the sun on the sinking balcony. The hotel was in walking distance from everything we wanted to check out, and because we got a cheaper deal we had more cash for beers, shopping, and excursions. (AN: despite the less luxurious feel of the place I'd actually recommend it, just for the location and customer service alone!) 4: STOCK UP ON TRAVEL APPS Do yourself a huge favour and download the travel apps you need before you go. Apps like Tripadvisor can be a major help in finding places to go out for a meal, pubs, sights etc. Downloading these off WiFi at hotels in eastern Europe can be… a major pain. You'll save yourself from a lot of "rage" by just having them ready before you go. Also, when you find something, take screenshots! You never know when the app might glitch, and suddenly that nice pub with local food and a name consisting solely of consonants (I'm looking at you Poland) is long gone. Same goes for maps and directions. Because I'm from Norway I can only really recommend the apps that I myself have used, but I don't know if these will apply/be as useful for everyone. My main recommendations, for what it's worth, are: Tripadvisor, Momondo, Hotels, ETaksi (specifically for use in Lithuania. It's pretty much the same as Uber, and is used by everyone. Unless you're a millionaire or fluent in Lithuanian I think this one is a must-have. Some of the local taxis charge extortionate prices, and the level of English varies a lot), AirBnB, Uber. 5: CHAT IT UP This one might seem a bit scary, but it's so rewarding once you give it a go! If you're in a shop having a browse or buying something, chances are the person at the till is somewhat local. Try out a little smalltalk first. It doesn't have to be good enough to win you a date with Tom Hiddleston, just everyday pleasantries is enough. This is just to get a feel of the person, if they speak English and if they seem like the friendly and helpful type. If they do, this is a perfect opportunity to find some hidden gems. When I was in Israel I discovered a bar I would NEVER have found otherwise. This was just from asking a lovely lady working at a bookshop (!) for tips, and she gave us the name and address. The place is enough to fill a Tumblr post in itself but that's a story for another time. But asking the locals can really give you some unique experiences. 6: USE YOUR HANDLUGGAGE WISELY So you've arrived in Oslo, but your luggage hasn't. You're wearing skinny jeans, a tee, and a thin jumper. It's -11 degrees Celsius outside, and you have to scrape the ice off the windows of your car that's been left in freezing temperatures for two weeks, while shivering like a penguin and swearing like a sailor. That was me and my mum when we returned from New Orleans and were told that one of our bags got left behind at Atlanta, with all our winter clothes in it… A good story now, not so much at the time. After this frosty mishap, I learned to make better use of my handluggage than just magazines and empty space. Now I always pack the following in my handluggage (I use a mini suitcase that is cabin approved): - Toiletries (just the bare essentials, i.e toothbrush, mini toothpaste, mouthwash tabs from Lush, wetwipes, hairties and of course tampons etc) - Underwear and socks (if I'm going to a "summer destination" I also put a swimsuit in my handluggage) - 2 sets of clean clothes that can be combined (for instance two tanktops, a pair of jeans, and a skirt. This is in case I get stuck with no luggage for more than 1 day and I don't have time to "waste" on needless shopping or I don't want to. I'll then have something nice for everyday and something "dressy" for evening or at worst just a clean set of clothes in case I spill something etc). - A pair of shoes that can be worn with anything (worn for everyday or dressed up) - Chargers for my phone (with adapters!) - Printed receipts of plane tickets, payment for accommodation, and addresses 7: USE LOCAL TOUR OPERATORS Using the tour operator you know from home can seem convenient and easy, but in my experience you can make some really big misfires with this tactic. When I was younger we always used a big tour operator in Norway to book our little daytrips on holiday. Some were decent, others were either wilfully misadvertised or just plain bad. We booked a day trip to see Knossos (ancient city ruins) in Greece once, with the promise of a Norwegian guide to show us around the site and the museum. The "guide" was a "yolo-girl" in her late teens/early twenties who read robotically off a sheet she had printed off Wikipedia, and subsequently couldn't answer any questions we had other than questions about the schedule. Unfortunately, this is often how the big tour operators work. They can rest on their laurels because of their big brand name, and don't need to care about good service. Also, the teens that they use as "guides" are often extremely overworked and get zero training. I'd advise you to give the locals a go instead. They can take a bit more effort to seek out, but in my experience and opinion they're worth the work. They are more dependent on quality and positive word of mouth to survive, and weed out the tours that offer experiences like the one I had above. 8: AVOID THE SAFE This tip might seem a bit weird, but as someone who meets crooks at work pretty much every day of the week, take my advice on this one. Most people and travelblogs will tell you to use the hotel safe. This is just a candybox for "unfaithful servants" at your hotel. For emergencies/mishaps they'll have a spare universal key. So, when you leave your passport and mastercard there and the maid "takes you to the cleaners", you'll have no defense. There's no log anywhere of what you actually put in your safe, so when you complain the shady a** hotel you booked by accident will just give a standard apology and tell you that they'll "look into it". What I normally do is to hide my passport folder in my suitcase among my laundry/undies or under the suitcase lining (under the undies). I also spread my valuables so that they're not all in the exact same place. Chances are even if you get unlucky and they get to your valuables, they'll stop and take what they have found and not keep on ransacking you for the rest. 9: STAY COOL No, I don't mean in the #fashionista sense, I mean more in the "keep calm" way. Even if you feel a little nervous, try to give off the vibe that you're a local who knows your way around. Don't look like my mum at the London Tube, clutching her handbag for dear life and glancing nervously from side to side like a startled guineapig. If there ever is a look that screams "lost tourist with cash", it's that look. I walked down the streets of both Vilnius, Lithuania and Riga, Latvia, by myself, at night, in a mini skirt, and never did I feel unsafe. I dressed "like the locals", walked at a normal, calm pace, and carried my handbag normally. You'll draw a lot less unnecessary attention to yourself, and avoid making yourself an obvious target. 10: USE COMMON SENSE Common sense isn't as common as you'd think, and we all do things that later make us go "what the ¤#&£ was I thinking?" and sometimes even "I'm lucky that didn't turn dangerous for me". If something seems iffy and too good to be true, there's usually a reason for it. Check your governments general advice for the particular country you're travelling to. Avoid getting drunk as a lord (especially if you travel alone). Check the news and stay alert. If there's a mass demonstration about to happen, LEAVE. Don't take insane risks and generally, think of what advice you'd give your best friend. Would you tell them to get in that unmarked cab with a driver with a thirsty eye? I hope not, so don't do that yourself! 11: GO OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN! :)

[caron517gaming-blog]

My Main VBUCKS Lesson

'My Child Spent £150 On Fortnite'

Fortnite is one of the most popular activity in state, with an estimated 12m+ active monthly players. Fortnite policies and credit aren't being marketed widely on top darknet marketplaces, from what I found. They're on Ebay They're on They're on Selly. How much money is anybody getting off this? Hackers I met with say everywhere from $50 to $900 a week, depending on what good your software exists and the amount time you have. V-Bucks can be earned in Fortnite by completing daily in-game challenges or bought online.

As mentioned before, all issues contributing Fortnite's success are intertwined. Here's a sum up in one word: A free-to-play game that's easy to understand and is great joy to perform along with friends. That here is the reason why Fortnite completely puffed up. Fortnite Battle Royale's setting is smart with unusual, with a storybook quality. PUBG was originally a big hit with the PC gaming crowd, eventually migrating to a specific console platform with a $30 price. Fortnite Battle Royale is free.

Demands the basis game Fortnite on COMPUTER in order to performance. Those people who are not very professional and do not know how to maintain your fortnite account stable with safe need to look at following factors to know your security online. Unlike another v-bucks generator our Fortnite generator is suitable with Opportunities, Linux, Android, iOS, and can be used happening many means including smartphones, tablets, iPhones, ipads, with ordinary desktop computers. Thus, this last a different tradition in which everyone can make use of our generator tool.

3 Guilt Free VBUCKS Tips

Fortnite gift certificate is a pre-paid card. The credit card contains signs for a pair sum of V-Bucks. Fortnite is far from the first or single competition to carry out that place going on. Last year, Naked Security reported that many free-to-play activity in mobile means were actually being pursued and used in the same make with fraudulent credit card purchases of virtual currency to be resold on third-party markets at a lower price.

Epic is launching X-Ray Llamas to Fortnite's Save the planet mode therefore which persons may distinguish the contents just before they accept. Epic Games continues to support Fortnite with various large substance with switch almost with a constant basis. Update 8.10 created new bats with points for the activity, but since it seems, they have other significant improvements in the pipeline as well.

A Concealed Treasure object is reaching quickly” to Fortnite, according to the latest in-game News message. Clean the isle for hidden loot using the new Buried Treasure thing,” the note reads. Type ‘Fort' in the search prevent with click on on Fortnite: Battle Royale as it seems in the suggestions box on the correct. Fortnite © 2018 Epic Games, Inc. Epic, Epic Games, Unreal, Unreal Engine, and Fortnite are enrolled hallmarks of Epic Games, Inc. from the STATES (Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Away.) and away.

When Fortnite: Battle Royale developed, the similarities between the two became wasted about public. Chang Han Kim, CEO of PUBG Corporation, slammed Epic for "replicating" the game with endangered to take further action. The matter was confused by the fact that PUBG uses Epic Games' Unreal Engine. The PaySafeCard is great payment choice for gamers who don't have a PayPal credit or credit card available to buy V-Bucks. They change easily between different currencies and are undertaken by virtually many games, including Fortnite.

It's a very predictable thing to happen, but this fact is worth celebration anyway - Fortnite Battle Royale PvP for 100 players is finally ported to iOS, and Machine mobile systems with most PC version features entered. That release confirms, to mobile devices can be used as gaming consoles of full respect. The leaks put new gas to the already heavy flames of speculation that Epic Sports take one thing good designed for the upcoming winter term in Fortnite, which many state estimated may contain snowy terrain.

Fortnite is a up for that goes through a lot of frequent updates. Week-by-week you can presume to refer to patches which both squash problems or am little trade to gameplay that help the overall game encounter. The sim is the chief one among many were likely to control with expectations. And forthwith let's encounter the customization panel with educate what is there for us. We can assure you that the Fortnite V Bucks Cut or Cell say almost nothing to do in this part of the game.

Epic keeps Fortnite Battle Royale feeling fresh with interesting timed affairs with extra methods. Personalization and development, rather than the game itself, is the cause of monetization. You can find Timed Missions with 25-40 V-Buck rewards. Track current Timed Missions in Fortnite here. Developer Epic Games has revealed detailed information about the Fortnite World Cup 2019 Players who consider they can be crowned the best Fortnite: Battle Royale participant from the world will be able to compete regarding a total prize consortium of $30 million distributed across a Solo and Duos tournament.

There will a new Fortnite Battle Pass, giving people entry to further Term 8 skins and Flavor 8 emotes - offered people and then put in the time with sweat to next unlock them, of course. That and worth highlighting the importance of personal Fortnite's PVE component, Save The planet. That pretty pricey at $39.99, but it often goes on seasonal deal regarding a $19.99 so ensure people continue an eye out.

Fortnite seasons tend to live a complete of 10 weeks. For the standard Epic Games website, that states the Movement Occur and Time 6 may determine by Thursday night, December 6. While it may be disappointing to some participants to Fortnite isn't currently free to play, know that you're at least getting some further content on top of early access for the money. In a daze chance of consequences, Apex Story came back. See its statement in February, the sport has a very similar narrative to Fortnite. It quickly gathered a huge audience, hitting 50 million players just 28 time once the idea took place off.

Past six seasons here training Epic games released Fortnite in July 2017. Those who are not very technical and do not know how to keep your fortnite account safe and secure need to study following points to know your security online. At the BRITISH Safer Internet Centre, we regularly deliver online safety training meeting to pupils, parents and instructor. Recently we have noticed an expansion number of young folks talking about the game ‘Fortnite'. In this blog we are doing assistance to parents about Fortnite, glaring by what the action remains also many of the things being aware of.

1 ‘To help pick up any desired number of Fortnite V Bucks Hack free so click right here at ‘Get Fortnite V Bucks” Button below, you will make free what specifically you are looking for. The first Fortnite World Cup is determined to throw in 2019 , and will as well become offered to non-pro players, though there will be a certification process to ensure that only very top can compete. Gameplay will centre in alone and dual play.

Fortnite: Battle Royale Season 8, Week 5 happens today officially live along with it yet another batch of regular obstacle to sink the pirate land into. Avast me hearties, 'tis time to make Battle Celebrities next levels up the Campaign Pass. Complete 55 weekly obstacles and you'll uncover the surprise Discovery Outfit. Fortnite Battle Royale is available by Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Samsung Android devices while But the World is presented in PROCESSOR and consoles platforms.

Where To Start With VBUCKS

To perform Fortnite to its broad potential, you don't really need a very good PC. The biggest advantage Epic Games cover with Fortnite is the cartoon art way they selected, that does not require a great deal of hardware even though it provides a good overall experience. Fortnite players are ended through community media scammers who are using websites claiming to offer free in-game currency, known as V-Bucks, to take over considerations and appropriate personal data.

Investigators from Malwarebytes showed in April that scammers are developing data-stealing malware as well as cryptocurrency-stealing malicious value in targeted strikes against Fortnite gamers. For 4K contest with Fortnite and other activities, however, something with a little more processing strength is recommended. Such as the i7-9700K or at least the i5-9600K would be a solid option regarding a higher-performing rig.

Now that Fortnite is a total sensation vbucks generate fortnite many dishonest players are trying to take advantage of participants that need to get some new in-game gear. There are dozens of unofficial sites, youtube tapes, and put up in social media to agreement free V-Bucks. It's likely that every single one of these are fake. Casual gaming aside, Fortnite is a fundamental question. New products can cause controversy if they don't secure the authorization on the community the ones who show in a un-sportsperson-like approach can be the subject of online opprobrium - even when they stop in-game records in the process.

According to Epic, it will "play as a free item for you to state in the in-game Fortnite store" once you get performed the game. Whether this as basic as put in the request on the call is uncertain, but it looks pretty straightforward each respect. The schedule is to ensure all the required DLLs are present to the treatment you want. With Fortnite, this could happen many; the position is to allow Epic Games' own tools do the work.

How To Get Free V Dollars In Fortnite? This is the problem which suddenly being increased by the many Fortnite Game Participants. The logic is because; with V Bucks, you can easily access all the articles in Fortnite game. Along with main quest line you also get side quests in fortnite to finish, The magnitude v bucks will be reduced and they could go away faster. So if you find a side quest which is awarding you v bucks then try to end that on the same day.

The stolen cards are used to buy V-bucks, the personal currency in Fortnite. Typically, V-bucks are obtained to buy in-game outfits, weapons, emotes and other things in-game. For Fortnite and Epic Games, V-bucks have been a huge revenue course, with over $3 billion net profit for Epic Sports in 2018. Fortnite gives everyone being up until stupid times in the morning. I've not been this way with a game while Black Ops.

[terrestrialdaydreamer-blog]

bourbon & ginger, hot fuss: an interview with Phourist drummer Scott Boice

FULL INTERVIEW:

Name: Scott Occupation (outside of Phourist and the Photons): Online tuxedo rental concierge Current mood: Tired. F*ck daylight savings AND working Sundays. Last Thing Eaten: Two ginger chicken tacos from El Lobo Bailando (the food truck outside of Kaiju) Favorite drink: Adult beverage? Bourbon and ginger beer. Normal? Probably Ale-8.

Now that the essentials are established, we can get to the real "meat and potatoes" of the interview. (Unless you're a vegetarian - in which case there will only be hearty potatoes to follow)...

Q: How do you feel about the words "your release show is in two weeks?" A: AAAAHHHHHHHHHH haha. Truthfully I've been stressing out about it a LOT lately, but I trust us to come through and pull it together. I'm mostly excited though. I've been itching to play a show for almost 3 months, and this signals the start of doing that again. Plus I'm ready for people to hear the tunes we've been whipping up.

Q: What do you generally do right before a show? A: Depends on where we are playing. If it's a bar, I like to have a small bite to eat, maybe a drink or two. Right before we play, I grab a (patent pending) Stage Beverage™ and set up. If it's a normal venue, I don't really do too much. Watch the other band(s) if we're not opening, find a way to dick around. Mostly I'm building internal energy. Stuart suggested that before each show we should find a place to yell.

Q: You've been playing with the Photons since 2014, but tell us a little about your Drum Quest. How long have you been playing drums? What made you pick up sticks as opposed to bass / guitar / oboe / etc. ? What else do you play? 

A: That's a lot of questions. My Drum Quest (I love that, feels like a DnD campaign) began after a viewing of the famed percussion super show STOMP. I think I was 8 years old? I was totally blown away by the sounds. My parents bought me a pair of sticks with the stomp logo on them, the first pair I ever owned. I still have one of them next to my kit. Soon after, my parents bought me my first drum set and I immediately set to work trying to play Immigrant Song. My mom swears my Quest began at age two when I pulled out all the mixing bowls and set them up in a semicircle on the linoleum and wailed on them with a wooden spoon. I remember at one point picking up a guitar right around age 9, but I couldn't figure it out so I stuck to drums, and woodwinds never made sense to me. These days, I play guitar, (poorly, I should add. Mostly just walls of sound.) and synthesizers. I've been pretty into synthesis for the last couple of years. That, and effects pedals. I couldn't have picked a more expensive hobby. I'm going to go into diorama building instead.

Q: Musically speaking, who is your biggest influence? 

A: This depends on when you ask. Right now it's probably Brian Chippendale from Lightning Bolt, which sounds nothing like Phourist. Also Greg Saunier from Deerhoof.  Five months ago it was Zach Hill. Going back a few years, it was mostly jazz drummers. Max Roach, Art Blakey... Of course when I first started it was the law offices of Bonham and Peart.

Q: Who would you love to open for? 

A: Does it have to make sense musically? Either way, The Killers. I love the Killers so much, I'm not ashamed to say it. Their drummer goes in the list above. MMJ would be fun of course, I feel like we can get a similar ambient vibe going on. Dr. Dog would be another huge one. Pretty much anyone on Anti Records (please be our label, I'll do anything. I mean anything.). I'd open for any band I want to see pretty much. Aby Laby Land.

Q: Describe yourself in three albums.

A: This one is also a matter of "when" but right now.... -Hot Fuss (the Killers) -Wonderful Rainbow (Lightning Bolt) -Best of Chuck Mangione (Chuck Mangione)

Q: In your personal opinion, what makes a good performance? When you go to see a band play live, what are you counting on seeing / hearing? 

A: I try not to count on seeing anything. The key to happiness is low expectations. I think Chuckie Finster said that. I do expect to be entertained or something. If not entertained, I want to be full of questions, I want them to provide an experience. A good performance is all about attitude. And movement, which is all about attitude. You'd be surprised how much "getting into it" can change your sound. If you're building up a song, get low, go higher physically. I saw a band recently that did a really long build to basically nothing. It felt like the same level the whole time and they were static. As a performer, you've got to get into it. There's no other way. You have to be 100% in the zone. If you're not, the audience can tell. I've seen mediocre bands that have completely blown me away with their performance. They're not mediocre in the slightest, but Daikaiju put on one of the best shows I've ever been to. Shit was on fire, drums and drummers were held above the crowd, the energy was primal. I couldn't hear right for a week but it was worth it.

Q: What are your feelings on drum machines? 

A: I like them. I don't want to be replaced by one, nor do I think they have the capacity to replace a live drummer. However, I have seen some people (Tony Robot, Atomo) play them live instead of as a backing track and that's always cool. I personally have the Korg Volca Beats and that thing is a blast. There's a time and place for them, which is whenever and where ever you want. It's your music.

Q: Describe the best gig you've ever had: 

A: Best or my favorite? Best phour us is usually Poorcastle. You can't beat that crowd and the album sales that follow. Headliners was also a good one because 1. we got to play that level of venue and 2. we drew a crowd. “Drew?” I guess. You know what I mean. Our first album release was also cool as hell. Something like 100 people showed up, we had never had that happen before. My favorites are a little different. Phat Bites in Nashville is definitely on that list. We were the last of four band, two of them sucked. The place was a deli during the day and a bar/venue at night. When we got up to play, everyone else just went outside. We sat through two hours of shit garbage and they just go outside. The room was empty. I think anger fueled (what I remember to be) a fantastic show. I was a little drunk. I remember yelling something about Kenny Chesney and George Strait. Nick and Stuart are probably tired of hearing me say Be Here Now, but sweet fuck I love that venue. The place has a great vibe and they put our name up on a marquee, which as it turns out, is the way to my heart.

Q: Describe the shittiest gig you've ever had: 

A: Melody Inn in Indianapolis. It was on the way home from Chicago on our tour last winter. It was maybe 12 degrees outside, ice on the roads. Immediately when we got there the door man told Stuart he had to wait outside and we were dude, no. That's not going to happen. The bartender was really cool about it though. Coincidentally, those were the only two people that saw us play, minus Phil Brown of course. The opening band sucked ass and left immediately after their set. It was horrible but at least I got to go home and sleep in my own bed afterwards. 

Q: Who do you think is your biggest fan? (Besides, like, your mom. Hi Jennifer! @jenlynmed) 

A: Oh man. Probably Annie from Talkupy. And the Flies on the Wall guys. We've got a pretty solid fan base, I'd say. They're really supportive. 

Q: Where would you love to go on tour? (The sky’s the limit with this question. France? Spain? Muncie, IN?) 

A: I'd love to tour up and down the West coast. I think it'd be cool to go play a bunch of islands that don't get outside live music too often, too. Also the ISS. 

Q: In a parallel universe, what are you doing right this second? In life, in general? 

A: I'm definitely dead. That or I have two dogs and minimoog and my life outside of that is largely the same. 

Q: #1 thought that keeps you awake at night: 

A: It doesn't make sense that animals are "alive." What the hell is that all about? That, or I become conscious of my breathing and that keeps me up for another hour. 

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 minutes? 

A: Finishing up Nightmare on Elm Street 3. And this interview. 

Q: This time [March] next year, what do you want to have accomplished? A: in my personal life, or the band? 

With the band, I'd love to be working on our next album and my solo stuff. In my life, I'd love to have my new place decked out, have some terrariums built, have all my shit together. And I want to own a Bitquest by Dr. Scientist. 

Q: “Why you dressed like ‘at?” -Nick 

A: I gotta upstage you somehow.   

Q: Parting words / closing arguments: 

A: Buy our album, come see us live and follow us on social media! Also do whatever you feel in your heart. 

“I'M NICK”

Be sure to check Terrestrial Daydreamer for more upcoming interviews – including those of a video’d nature – as well as more behind-the-scenes intel about the Photon’s upcoming album, While We Still Have the Morning.