#it is straightforward and simple potatoes

[angorwhosebabyisthis]

honestly it is really encouraging to me though that this time around i can talk about quarry bullshit without getting Upset. it was genuinely triggering and distressing as fuck running into it facefirst last year, and then having to go through it with a microscope to process the psychic damage it did me. doing so did, however, lay the groundwork for unpacking LL's shit this year, and unpacking LL's shit has laid even more groundwork for me to go back to TQ and confidently describe what i'm talking about.

as much as the AAAAAAAAAAAAA has sucked to wade through in both cases, i've said it before and i'll say it again, it's genuinely therapeutic and it will hopefully make it even easier to unpack the next time i run into something like this.

[willowser]

bakugou makes me so insane like i think he's so choppy and awkward and weird about expressing his feelings for you and he is physically incapable of doing it straightforward—but he will offhandedly gruff out the most romantic things to you.

you're sitting on the kitchen counter as he's chopping veggies for dinner, and he'd brought home the awful news that sero and his long-time—long, long-time—girlfriend had just broken up, and you're like—

"man, that's so sad," frowning down at your feet as you kick them out, glancing over at how focused katsuki is on cutting equally sized potatoes. "can you imagine having to get out in the dating pool after so long? i wouldn't know where to start."

and he's in the zone, so you get a simple hum in response.

now, you don't mean it when you say it, at all, but to be a little shit you poke him lightly in the butt with your toe and wiggle your finger when he glances up at you, at the soggy band-aid wrapped around the tip. "maybe you need to get back out there," you tease, raising your eyebrows when he frowns. "maybe you'll find someone that doesnt nearly cut their finger off in the kitchen or someone that isn't such a crybaby."

it earns you an ugly look, talking like that, and he huffs out his annoyance before going back to the task at hand. "shut up, as if you weren't fuckin' made for me."

and he says it so—unbothered, doesn't even look back at you when your legs finally still and you're stuck just staring at him. because he's too worried about his stupid potatoes.

"what?" you ask, trying not to let your lower lip jut out because he'll hear the tears in your voice right away. "what do you mean?"

katsuki looks anyway, just glances, but at the sheen to your eyes and how big they've gotten, he straightens up immediately. he's alarmed, for a moment, but then it seems to settle what he's said out loud, and he hikes his shoulders up to his ears and pointedly looks away. "y'know what i mean."

and then he scowls and grits his teeth and his cheekies turn so red as you burst into tears.

[klutzyroses]

IkeVamp HCs: S/O trying to carry them while they're sleeping

How do they react when they fall asleep and their s/o tries (and fails) to carry them to bed?

Suitors: Napoleon, Leonardo, Drake (AKA The sleepy bunch)

Napoleon

Monsieur le Empereur is the worst at waking up. This is common knowledge.

Sometimes, he is so beat in the morning that he just falls back asleep, even at the dining table after he managed to get this far, only to lose consciousness there.

Such was the case when Y/N found him in this state after attempting to bring him breakfast. She shook her head in disapproval, sighing as she put his plate down on the table.

"Napoleon, honey..."

She tried to wake him back up, but no such luck, he was far beyond the reach of wakefulness. She stared at him helplessly for a couple of seconds, unsure what to do.

Did she let him sleep a bit more? Normally she would have done so, but the position he was in was looked a bit...

He was definitely going to wake up with a sore back. Or neck.

Or both.

No, she had to move him. Or try to get him somewhere more comfortable. Surely she could get him to his room...it couldn't be all that hard...

Right?

Shaking her head and imbuing herself with faux confidence, she tossed his arm over her shoulder, securing her grip around his waist. Counting to three, she huffed as she eased him out of the chair.

The second, no, even before she was fully standing, she knew. She just knew this was a horrible idea.

Napoleon, well he...was not light. And she did not have super strength. And she was smaller than him. And he was bigger than her.

One would think those clearly obvious facts would have stopped her from ever trying this in the first place, but she had thought manifesting success would ensure this would go smoothly in real life.

It did not.

Seeing as the former emperor just...slid out of her grip and landed on the unforgiving floor. And since she was trying to hold onto him, she went down with him, suffering his fate.

Napoleon's jade eyes snapped open as dull pain briefly flooded his senses, a small weight on top of him. After quickly- and groggily- assessing the situation, he narrowed his eyes as he sent a mock glare her way, his voice taking on a warning tone at his love, who gave an uneasy laugh as she sat in his lap.

"Nunuche..."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

He's not really mad, but honestly... Did she think this would end well? He shook his head, his lips tilting into a smile against his will as he messed her hair up. He could not believe her, the silly sweetheart.

"You're too much, cherie. Just wake me up like a normal person instead of hurting us both."

Leonardo

How was she going to do this...?

Leonardo, as is typical of....well, Leonardo, had fallen asleep in the hallway, for his cara mia to find him.

She felt a long suffering sigh well up in her chest, held it back, then instead released a heavy breath as her shoulders sagged.

Why was he this way? The other residents usually just ignored him, or didn't realise he was there, therefore stepping on the man.

A quick glance around the hall let her know that it was up to her to make sure he didn't wake up with footprints all over him. And pureblood or not, she would not have him catch a cold out here.

Wiping her hands on her skirt to dry her grip, she slid her arms under him, trying to work an angle to best sweep him into her embrace, whisk him to his room and tuck him in lovingly into his bed.

A simple, straightforward task, yes?

Unfortunately, as soon as she tried to lift him, she was met with an insurmountable obstacle, a merciless foe intent on thwarting her plans.

This enemy, called reality, had different ideas concerning her physical capabilities and very much reminded her why she never tried to carry a 6ft sleeping man before.

The main reason? Plain and simple, he was too heavy for her to carry.

Hence why when she stood up, her arms almost immediately gave out and she practically tossed him onto the floor like a bag of potatoes.

Leading to his tired amber gaze peering up at her from his position on the red carpet, blinking the sleep away slowly as her horrified look came into focus.

"...Got a bit too ambitious there, Cara mia?"

A sleepy half smirk curled onto his lips as the flustered woman quickly knelt by him, apologies spilling forth.

"Papi, I'm sorry, that was an accident, are you ok-aaaayy?!"

She found herself on top of him as he pulled her close to him, holding her hostage on the floor.

"We'll get up in a minute, just stay put for a bit, hm?"

He finds it amusing that she thought she could even drag him across the floor, let alone carry him in her arms. But she was sweet for caring enough to try.

Drake

Oh dear oh dear...

That particular evening, Y/N had hurried to see Drake at his tour boat as promised and stumbled upon a...most unexpected sight.

Finding her beloved laying in his boat she initially panicked, thinking he was hurt.

No, he was just sleeping. Thank goodness...

The sailor's impulse control was that of a cat's. He did whatever he wanted when the mood struck. So she supposed she shouldn't have been too surprised to find him taking a nap on a whim.

But...she couldn't leave him sleeping there, could she? It couldn't be all that safe. But he also looked so...peaceful. So sweet, she felt bad waking him up. He probably had a long day.

She tilted her head pensively. Maybe she could move him? Tired or not, she didn't feel good about leaving him on the boat. She should at least get him on solid ground.

Nodding to herself, she wriggled her arms under him, hooking them under his. She groaned as she braced to stand under his weight.

"Okay sweetie, up you go!"

And she managed to lift his much larger frame, shaking with the effort, but then came the humbling realization that she in fact could not carry a grown man and even attempting to was a mistake with unthought of consequences.

Because one moment she had him, next thing, she'd dropped her boyfriend into the Seine.

Two seconds later, he surfaced, bewildered as his aquamarine eyes landed on her sheepish form kneeling by the river, her hand over her mouth in shock. She then nervously smiled at him while he gaped owlishly at her.

"Oopsie...sorry..."

He's not too fussed about it, he finds it funny actually. What did she think she was doing? She really thought she could carry him? She was so adorable...

Laughing it off, the soaked sailor pulled himself up from the water, rubbing their noses together affectionately.

"I'll get my revenge for that, little fawn."

He cooed against her lips, a smirk forming on his own that promised retaliation, sending a shiver down her spine.

🌸

[homunculus-argument]

Had a dream last night there was someone on TikTok whose gender presentation and accent were so distinctly and deliberately unusual and anbiguous that it was impossible to draw any conclusions of them. Their whole thing was people asking them questions about who they are and them giving answers that were both creatively poetic, oddly specific, and also not giving the simple straightforward answer that the straightforward question was clearly asking.

It had apparently started out as people demanding to know what exactly their assigned gender and nationality were, but since their answers were so funny it became a meme of people asking the most simple and direct questions and them giving these iconic kind of non-answers, as a bit that everyone was in on.

Like the video I remember seeing was of someone asking "hey what colour are your eyes? I can't quite tell from the video quality" and them answering "my eyes are actually the colour of potato flowers". And as potato flowers' colour ranges from white and pale yellow to shades of lilac, and their eyes were clearly either hazel or brown, this was not only an unusual way to describe someone's eye colour, but also a flat-out blatant lie.

I'm not even on TikTok but in hindsight that does sound like something that'd go down over there.

[levisjinchuriki]

insatiable - ch 9

summary: there's tension when haru asks if you and gojo are happy together

warning: slow burn, fluff, angst, unspoken feelings, haru being too smart for his own good

word count: 2.6k

life following your first dinner date with gojo feels different—lighter, more hopeful. there’s an understanding between you two, a shared determination to keep moving forward. you spend more time together, not just with each other, but as a family. it starts with small outings—going to the park, visiting the zoo, and even the simple act of grocery shopping together. big or small, haru is always thrilled to have both of his parents around.

gojo stays for dinner one evening after a long day spent together as a family. as you work in the kitchen, he’s by your side, his presence a familiar and comforting constant. haru is at the dining table, engrossed in his coloring, the soft sounds of crayons on paper adding to the peaceful ambiance.

the kitchen is filled with the aroma of your cooking, mingling with the soft hum of casual conversation. it feels like a return to simpler times—those moments when the three of you were a seamless unit, content in each other’s company.

haru has noticed the change too. he sees how often he’s with his dad now, no longer just on weekends, and how different the two of you act when you’re together. even though you’ve always tried to shield him from conflicts and kept conversations civil when he was around, children have an uncanny ability to sense when something is wrong. 

he’s witnessed the subtle drift between you and gojo– the distance, the unspoken tensions, and the emotional coolness between you two. but now, as you and gojo rekindle your relationship, haru can sense the change. he sees the smiles that come more easily, the laughter that fills the spaces once occupied by silence, and the small gestures of affection that you both share.

“daddy,” haru calls out, his voice rising above the clatter and hum of the kitchen.

“yes, precious” gojo says, he gives haru his attention while staying focused on the mashed potatoes. haru’s little face peeks up from his coloring, his eyes bright with curiosity. 

“are you and mommy happy?” haru asks curiously.

the hum of the refrigerator and the soft sizzling of the chicken in the pan become almost exaggerated in the quiet that follows. gojo's hands pause mid-mash, his gaze shifting to haru’s expectant eyes before landing on you. 

you freeze, your fingers gripping the spatula you’re using. for a few seconds, time seems to slow down as you and gojo exchange a look, trying to gauge how to respond. there’s a flicker of hesitation in his gaze.

you can feel the weight of haru's words pressing down on you, making your breath catch slightly. you know haru is a smart boy and catches on quickly, but you didn’t expect him to ask something like that. 

as things progressed between you and satoru, you both knew it was important to be honest with haru about where your relationship is heading. he’s young, but perceptive, and you didn’t want to keep him in the dark. you had planned to bring up the conversation soon, but now the moment is here and you can’t shy away from it. 

your mind races, trying to find the right words to address such a simple yet profound question. there’s an uncertainty of how to answer—how to reassure your son without overcomplicating things for him. 

as you look at gojo in the silence that has settled between you, the question lingers in your mind: are we happy?

your thoughts drift back to the complexities, challenges, setbacks and small victories that have marked your journey. the relationship you’ve been rebuilding with gojo has been far from straightforward. at first, it was uncertain, stressful, and filled with emotional turmoil. but now, there’s a sense of peace, a feeling that you’re in a good place, even if it’s still fragile.

despite the progress, doubt continues to swirl in your mind. am i happy, or just going through the motions? 

am i happy that i’m in a relationship that once failed so tragically before? the pain of that past failure still echoes within you, a reminder of the deep scars that time and effort have tried to heal.

am i happy that we still live separately? the physical distance between you and gojo is both a comfort and a reminder that things are not yet fully mended. there’s safety in that space, but also a lingering uncertainty about when, or if, that gap will ever truly close.

am i happy that there are still boundaries we haven’t crossed yet since reconnecting? these boundaries, carefully constructed and maintained, serve as both protection and limitation. they’re necessary, but they also keep you from fully embracing the relationship in the way you might have once hoped.

you feel a mix of emotions—gratitude for the progress, anxiety about the future, and a cautious hope that happiness might still be achievable. you’re not entirely sure if you’re truly happy or if you’re simply holding on to the idea of what could be. 

you never officially put a title on what’s happening between you and gojo. yes, technically you’re still legally married, but there’s a lingering uncertainty that neither of you has brought up. it’s as if you’re dating each other again, navigating the relationship as if it’s brand new, despite the years of history between you.

this situation feels confusing, too confusing to fit into a neatly packaged box. the lines between past and present blur, leaving you unsure of where you stand or what the future holds. you’re treading carefully, aware that defining things too quickly could disrupt the fragile balance you’ve both worked so hard to maintain. but it leaves you wondering—how long can you continue like this, and is it enough?

gojo's mind mirrors your own turmoil. the recent weeks have been good—great, even—but neither of you have had a deep conversation like this in a long time. he feels a pang of guilt, almost selfish for not directly asking how you’ve been feeling, for assuming that you both were on the same page. the thought weighs heavily on his mind: is she happy?

gojo reflects on the recent changes, the shared effort both of you have put into healing and moving forward. the road has been anything but smooth, marked by ups and downs, yet there have been moments of joy and reconnection that have rekindled something between you. 

but even as he holds on to those positive memories, he worries about what you’re truly feeling beneath the surface. he wonders if all the effort to rebuild, to create a sense of normalcy and happiness, is really translating into what you need. 

in his heart, he hopes that he’s been proving himself to you, showing through his actions that he’s committed to making things right. he’d never ask you to forget about the past—it’s part of your story, after all—but he holds on to the hope that one day, all of this will be behind you both. 

gojo’s heart aches with the desire to be the man you need, to ensure that your happiness isn’t just an illusion, a facade covering unresolved pain. he knows he can’t rush you, can’t force answers, but the uncertainty gnaws at him. he’s always been the strong one, the one who kept it together, but now he feels the weight of the situation, the delicate balance between you, and he anxiously wonders if he’s doing enough.

his usual confident demeanor fades, replaced by a vulnerable sincerity. it's not often that gojo allows himself to be this open, but he can’t hide it at the moment. his gaze drops to haru, who remains blissfully unaware of the emotional exchange happening just a few feet away.

you turn the burner on low, before you make your way over to haru. gojo follows your lead, setting the pot aside and wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. he steadies himself before kneeling beside haru. his eyes meet his son’s with tenderness. 

"precious," satoru addresses him gently. "mommy and i want to talk to you about something important”. you can feel the tension in the room, not from haru but from yourself and gojo. this conversation is one you've been preparing for, knowing how much haru's happiness means to both of you.

gojo reaches out to hold haru’s tiny hand in his. "you know how much we love you, right? and how we've always been a team, no matter what?”.

haru’s small fingers curl around gojo’s hand, the trust in his eyes unmistakable as he nods slowly, a sign that he understands.

you take haru’s other hand, your thumb gently brushing over his knuckles as you offer him a reassuring smile. “and you know how daddy and i have been spending more time together lately?”.

haru nods, again. “yes. we have so much fun!”.

you smile back, encouraged by his enthusiasm. “yes, we do” you agree warmly. then, with a gentle squeeze of his hand, you continue, “but we want to let you know that we’re trying to work things out between us. we’re not sure what the future will look like, but we both love you very much, and we want to do what’s best for our family”.

gojo stays close, his eyes soft as he watches haru process your words. the sincerity in your voice, the care with which you choose your words, reflects the deep love you both have for your son. haru’s happiness is the priority, and even though the road ahead is uncertain, you’re committed to navigating it together as a family.

“are you happy?” gojo asks haru,his voice gentle but laced with genuine concern. he wishes he had asked haru about his feelings earlier.

haru nods without hesitation. “yes, daddy.” his innocent smile is filled with a simple joy that tugs at your heart. he doesn’t fully grasp the weight of the conversation like you and gojo do—his happiness is rooted in having both of his parents together after half a year of co-parenting. his understanding is pure, unburdened by the complexities that cloud your minds. but that’s okay. for now, his happiness, however simple, is enough.

gojo’s expression softens as he looks at haru, realizing that, while the depth of the situation is lost on him, the love and warmth he feels are not. it’s a reminder that, no matter what, you’re both doing something right.

the simplicity of haru’s answer brings a wave of relief to both you and gojo. haru’s happiness and reassurance are vital, and hearing him express contentment, even in his own uncomplicated way, provides a sense of comfort amidst the ongoing adjustments.

gojo relaxes his grip on haru’s hand, turning it into a tender, affectionate squeeze. “that’s good to hear,” he says softly, his voice filled with warmth. “we’re glad you’re happy.”

you rub his knuckles. “and we’re going to keep working to make sure it stays that way,” you promise him, your voice soft but firm with determination.

before you can say anything more, haru surprises you both by wrapping his small arms around each of you in a tight hug. “i love you, mommy and daddy”.

you and satoru exchange a look over haru’s head, both of you feeling the same wave of emotion swell in your chest. in this embrace, you’re reminded of the true reason behind all your efforts to mend your relationship—the love you share, not just for each other, but for the family you’ve built together. this love, so pure and unwavering, is what keeps you going, what makes every challenge worth facing. it’s a powerful reminder of what’s at stake, and why you both continue to push forward, despite the uncertainties

—

gojo returns from putting haru to bed when the question haru had asked earlier continues to linger in the air, as if it were just waiting to be fully addressed. dinner and your movie night had been filled with awkward, almost nervous glances exchanged between you, neither of you wanting to be the first to break the tension.

now, you find yourself sitting on the couch, lost in thought. gojo sits across from you, his expression pensive, clearly wrestling with the same question that has been weighing on your mind. his eyes, usually so bright and confident, are clouded with contemplation.

you take a deep breath, the silence becoming too much to bear, and finally ask the question that’s been gnawing at you all evening. “are we happy?” the words leave your lips with a directness that surprises even you. there’s a noticeable vulnerability in your voice, a rawness that you can’t hide.

gojo’s eyes soften as he looks at you, the weight of your question reflected in his gaze. he doesn’t answer immediately, carefully considering how to respond. 

when he finally speaks, his voice is gentle, filled with an earnestness that matches the seriousness of your question. “i’ve been wondering the same thing” he admits quietly. “i want to say yes. i really do…”.

he trails off, struggling to find the right way to express the complexity of his feelings. “but it’s not that simple, is it?” he finally says, his voice tinged with a sadness that mirrors your own thoughts. 

you shake your head. “there’s so much we haven’t talked about, so much we’re still figuring out. i know we’re making progress, but i’m not sure if ‘happy’ is the right word” you admit. 

he reaches out, his hand hovering between you as if he’s unsure whether you want the comfort of his touch. “what about you? are you happy?”.

you sigh, feeling the weight of everything that has passed between you two. “it’s been nice spending time with you. but we never put a label on whatever this is. we’re together, but not. a family, but still separated. it’s all a bit confusing”. 

you feel a swell of emotion rise in your chest. “i want to be happy,” you say, your voice wavering slightly. “i want us to be happy together, but i’m also trying to figure out what that really looks like now”.

gojo’s hand gently covers yours, the comforting warmth of his touch grounding you. his gaze is soft, filled with a sincerity that cuts through the confusion. “we don’t have to label anything,” he says, his voice steady. “there’s too much pressure with labels. i care more about how you feel. haru’s happiness means everything to me, and so does yours”.

the idea of not having to label anything is both comforting and unsettling. on one hand, it takes away the pressure of defining what you have, allowing you both to move at a pace that feels right. on the other hand, it leaves things open-ended, and that uncertainty is something you've struggled with before.

as you sit there, your thoughts drift to everything that’s led to this moment—the ups and downs, the distance that once felt insurmountable, and the slow, careful steps you've both taken to find your way back to each other. his focus on your happiness, on haru’s happiness, means a lot to you. 

gojo watches you with that familiar intensity, as if he’s trying to read your thoughts. there’s a softness in his eyes, a vulnerability that you don’t often see. you realize that he’s just as unsure as you are, that he’s feeling his way through this just as carefully, just as cautiously.

it’s not a definitive answer, but it’s a start—a shared understanding that happiness is something you’re both willing to work towards, together. your relationship, though imperfect, is real. it’s grounded in a genuine commitment to each other and to haru, and that’s something worth nurturing. the journey ahead may be complex, but tonight, you both find solace in the shared commitment to making it work. and that’s enough for now.

---

ch 10>>

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ thank you for reading!! everyone is welcome to leave feedback and requests in my inbox!! please let me know if you want to be added to my taglist! ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

@tardis-23 @clearlysworld @sloppynatoppy @shaytoru @concealedeuphoria @svt-backup @padmaaaa @gojosatorumyoneandonly @satoru2716 @eldweiss @luvuyuuji @dark-agate @gojolovrrrr @wysefyre @s-x-m-m-y @jeankirsteinwh3re @funkyotaku7 @um-no-ok @ghostlymilkshakeglitter @domilovestoru @pepperyduck @celestialgojo @smolpotatosstuff @sanriovin @himi009 @yourpalheapass @scgsposts @gojoswaterbottle @sasukun @meforpr3sident @lady-of-blossoms @readingfan @pastelchan94 @luns-exlipse @devils-blackrose @gallifreyansunsets @ekaterinatepes @kkshahrewar @megumisthirdog @cherryblossomfox @kalopsia-flaneur  @mangomagiii @junslay @bokuatsubro @toujours-black @xmendi @rohann-s @paleprofessorbatdragon @lunaauroraheart21 @purehearttt @urmoonlightbebe @sadmonke @sad-darksoul @lovetiara @hoeforchoso @dulcecreatura @andromeda0starlight @sorcerersseestars @cactisjuice

[corviiids]

If possible, could you talk about your favorite lines from either telltale or call me by? Or just about the little bits and pieces behind either in general? Because I'd love to hear about it! :D

[No pressure though! Feel free to ignore this ask if it bothers you ^^;]

you are VERY kind thank you so much. people taking the time to ask me about my words is never a bother i am very honoured!!!

from telltale - a few random ones:

The amount of agency he has during these dreams fluctuates, but the awareness is—more frustratingly—pretty stagnant: it's there, oh yes, but it's there in the way your keys are there when you've dropped them in the drain.

pretty straightforward line but i like finding fun ways to describe the unique weirdness of dreams. the idea of reality being very visible to you but frustratingly out of reach is just fun to me

“What normally happens when you're feeling guilty about something?” L finally swivels to eye him. “I already told you that you can have it,” he says. “If you're feeling guilty, just go buy me more right now.” “That's not what I meant,” says Light. Then: “Is that why you offered it to me? So I'd feel bad and buy you more?”

L and light's dream interactions were super fun to write, because of this need to balance light's ordinary sharpness and focus with the fact that he's in a dream and that your agency in dreams wavers. so he keeps buying into these misdirecting bits of dialogue from L even if he's not strictly falling for them. also, funawa propaganda (pastry shop in jp) it got mentioned in L change the world and rightly so because the youkan and sweet potato cheese puffs literally haunt me every day i miss them so fucking much

“I didn't think so,” says L, nodding with some solemnity. “Domestic life, it's more a matter of going through the motions, isn't it?”

me trying desperately to force my agenda that lawlight aren't really in love per se and that the domesticity is sort of a function of something else, no less intimate, but not traditionally romantic. i just think they're so interesting when they're not "dating" but they are, like, eternal soulmates obsessed with each other forever. in the same vein:

“Do I love you?” Light asks. “It doesn't really matter to me,” says L. “Do you love me?” “That doesn't really matter to me, either,” says L.

ok last one

Light knows the layout of the apartment he shares with L by heart. So well, in fact, that when he falls out of bed in the middle of the night to stumble gagging to the bathroom, he'll smack into the east wall feeling for a door that isn't there.

MAN i just really like playing with dreams that fuck you up so bad they bleed into reality. i have nothing deep to say about this i just like fucking with light yagami and ruining his life

ok heres some from call me by im putting them under the cut

i think my favourite recurring idea is light's thing about friendship and loneliness:

I don't mind talking to my classmates, but feeling lonely isn't just about having people around you. Well, how do I put it? I guess talking to them doesn't make me feel less lonely.

light is a very isolated character to me. this is a pretty simple line but it happens surprisingly early on for being a fairly vulnerable confession, given how guarded light is. i think the unique situation of the bodyswap makes L a more intimate confidant. anyway later in the fic L says he considers light a friend

at this point in time, i already consider asahi-kun a friend. . Really? Okay. Then I'm glad you're my friend. :)

after that, light repeats the point a couple more times

I can't let you die. You're my friend. [...] You’re my friend.

i know these aren't like poetic lines or anything lol but i am fond of them because i like the idea of light, like... getting permission to consider L a friend and then kinda labouring the point after that, worried about L but also just like "wow! i have a friend!"

[novelnibbles]

The Perfect Taco Orders for Every Major Percy Jackson Character

Let’s be real—everyone loves tacos, even demigods. Whether you're battling monsters, navigating the latest prophecy, or just chilling at Camp Half-Blood, a good taco is essential fuel. So, what would the major Percy Jackson characters order at a taco truck? I could be lazy and say gyros, but a good quest is never easy, so... Let’s break it down.

Percy Jackson – Blue Baja Fish Tacos

Percy is all about the sea and anything blue, so his perfect taco has to include both. He’d go for Baja-style fish tacos—crispy battered fish, shredded cabbage, and a squeeze of lime—but with blue corn tortillas and a tangy blue slaw made with red cabbage and blueberry crema. Does it make sense? Maybe not. Does Percy love it? Absolutely. And yes, he’ll wash it down with a blue raspberry soda.

Annabeth Chase – Carne Asada Street Tacos

Annabeth is practical, efficient, and appreciates quality. She’d go for classic carne asada street tacos, served on corn tortillas with cilantro, onions, and a side of salsa verde. No unnecessary toppings—just simple, well-executed food that gets the job done. She might judge you if you put too much sour cream on yours.

Grover Underwood – Mushroom and Black Bean Tacos

As a vegetarian (and protector of nature), Grover would be all about mushroom and black bean tacos. Earthy, protein-packed, and topped with avocado and fresh pico de gallo, these tacos are both delicious and environmentally friendly. He’d probably also ask if the tortillas are organic.

Luke Castellan – Barbacoa Tacos

Luke is complicated, and so is his taco order. He’d go for barbacoa tacos, slow-cooked and rich with flavor, topped with pickled onions and queso fresco. Something a little smoky, a little bittersweet—just like his story.

Clarisse La Rue – Spicy Chorizo Tacos

Clarisse isn’t messing around. She’d order spicy chorizo tacos with extra heat—maybe a habanero salsa, just to prove she can handle it. If you can’t take the spice, that’s your problem.

Nico di Angelo – Birria Tacos

Nico’s got that dark, brooding aesthetic, so he needs something equally intense. Birria tacos, slow-stewed beef dunked in a rich consommé, are the perfect match. Messy, flavorful, and a little dramatic—just like him.

Thalia Grace – Al Pastor Tacos

Thalia needs something bold, so she’s ordering al pastor tacos—pork marinated in achiote and pineapple, grilled to perfection. They’ve got just the right mix of spice and sweetness, with a rebellious kick. Plus, they pair well with a can of Coke, her go-to drink.

Rachel Elizabeth Dare – Jackfruit Tacos

Rachel is unpredictable and artsy, and she’d totally go for something unconventional—jackfruit tacos with mango salsa. They’re bright, colorful, and a little weird, just like her.

Leo Valdez – Breakfast Tacos

Leo is the kind of guy who’d show up at the taco truck at the weirdest hours, so his best bet is breakfast tacos—eggs, crispy bacon, and potatoes wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. Classic comfort food, perfect for eating on the go while working on a machine that’s probably about to explode.

Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano – Tacos de Lengua

Reyna grew up in Puerto Rico and has strong Roman roots, so she respects tradition. She’d go for tacos de lengua (beef tongue)—a dish that requires patience and skill to prepare. Topped with onions, cilantro, and lime, it’s straightforward, no-nonsense, and full of history—just like her.

Hazel Levesque – Sweet Potato and Poblano Tacos

Hazel has a love for old-school flavors with a modern twist. She’d enjoy sweet potato and poblano tacos, roasted with spices and topped with a drizzle of honey-lime crema. A little sweet, a little smoky—something that feels both nostalgic and new.

Frank Zhang – Carnitas Tacos

Frank wants something hearty and filling, so he’s getting carnitas tacos—slow-cooked pork with crispy edges, loaded up with avocado and a squeeze of lime. It’s strong, dependable, and satisfying—just like him.

Piper McLean – Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Piper has that effortlessly cool vibe, so she’s ordering grilled shrimp tacos with a citrusy slaw and chipotle crema. Light but packed with flavor, these tacos are casual but impressive—kind of like how she can charm-speak her way into (or out of) any situation.

Jason Grace – Chicken Tinga Tacos

Jason plays things safe but still appreciates a little kick. He’d go for chicken tinga tacos, made with shredded chicken simmered in a smoky tomato-chipotle sauce. Not too spicy, not too mild—just balanced, like his need to be the responsible one.

Bonus: Chiron – A Burrito

Okay, okay—Chiron wouldn’t order tacos. He’d get a burrito because it's easier to eat while lecturing a group of demigods about their next impossible quest. Probably carne asada with extra beans for protein.

What do you think? Do these taco orders fit, or do you have a better match? Let me know! And if you’re ever on a quest, remember: you should never face a monster on an empty stomach.

[power-quest-wrestling-au]

As Brief an Introduction to Warball as I can Possibly Attempt.

Below the cut, of course.

Warball.

The most popular sport on the dodecahedron*, Warball has an ancient history.

It is believed that Warball started in the days of ancient tribes, in celebration of hunts that brought down ancient and mysterious beasts. Part of those celebrations included a massive brawl over the slain creature's heart. Often neighbouring tribes and villages would also travel for these great feasts and brawls, and over time it became a proper sport...

...as proper as a sport could get when the earliest record of a rulebook discovered by scholars (dated c. 640s, Year of the Second Moon) simply says:

Get ball to other side of field to score. Most Gets wins.

Of course with such straightforward rules, everyone thought that meant the game would be nice and simple. Problem was, each race and tribe and nation liked to play warball a little differently than everyone else. So whenever a game was to be played, the teams had to meet beforehand and discuss such things as how big the field was, how many players were allowed on the field, what kinds of tackles and blocks were legal, could the referees be bribed, whether or not weapons would be allowed, could the ball be moved forward by kicking, throwing, head-butting, or via catapult (the dwarves were very upset with the goblins over that one); and of course whether or not the losing team should be sacrificed and/or eaten in the post-game.

Naturally the teams themselves didn't much like these pregame discussions, which usually led to brawls almost as big as those on the field itself, so over time the unsavoury character of the Manager was created, or more accurately, created itself. Any mercenary individual who could politick a little would gladly take a sack of copper from a team of sweaty, angry warball players and sit with another similarly cutthroat individual representing the other team and argue and chat and bribe each other in various ways, eventually returning to their respective team with a gingivitis smile to let them know of the arrangements, and carefully dodge the thrown implements that inevitably came when it was revealed that, in fact, you could not take your opponent's teeth to make a necklace for your spouse.

These Managers, as universally disliked as they are, did a great deal for the infant sport of Warball, and made great efforts to codify much of the game, usually adding rules that seemed to come up a lot in those pregame meetings so they wouldn't have to discuss them for the thirty-second time. This gradually led to the development of the Second Edition Rulebook, a tome of roughly 284 pages, full of rules, exceptions to those rules, exceptions to those exceptions, and a few unexcepable rules**.

Once the effigies of the Managers were put out and the teams ended their strike in protest of the 2nd Ed., they found the rules lore helpful than anyone wanted to admit, and even agreed to start playing in organized Leagues. Another beautiful idea by the Managers, the idea of Leagues had less effigies burnt, mostly because now everyone could see their favourite group of brutal skull-crushing maniacs*** on a regular schedule, and be playing (more accurately, fighting) somebody different almost every time, and (this next but was deemed most important to the Managers) buy overpriced and poor quality sausages, beers, thinly sliced fried potatoes with too much salt, and flattened cornmeal with suspiciously liquid cheese, along with cheaply made sweaters and other things emblazoned with the team logos. The Managers knew their target: the average man, someone named Olick or Harg, who just wanted a good time on their day off, have some food and drinks with their friends, and watch some violence with a straw-stuffed animal bladder bouncing around in there somewhere.

Such is the history of Warball.

*(no one actually knows what shape the world is, so the philosophers decided to pick the one shape no one seemed to believe in. They also found it the funniest shape to imagine the world in)

**(namely that a Get was worth 3 points, and the scoring team could try to follow it up with a 1-point goal kick, or a 2-point running play into the goal area. This one rule was the result of nearly three years of arguments and a gathering of Managers that made a holy synod look like an overfull bird bath)

***(those fans that always manage to sit right behind the goal area)

[happymetalgirl]

Undeath - More Insane

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

Well in the spirit of dusting off this blog and scrubbing off some of the rust with some brief album reviewing, what better way to ease back in than with some simple, good ol' meat & potatoes death metal. This is the third album from old school Floridian death metal revivalists (from New York), Undeath!

Their 2020 debut album, Lesions of a Different Kind, instantly hooked a great many death-metalheads clearly hungry for the primal, groove-focused, hardcore-influenced stew of gory, straightforward death metal that Undeath was cooking, myself included. Though a subtle feature of their craft, I think the band's hardcore influence is what ultimately gave them the edge over the surrounding death metal crop with the dynamic punch of hardcore, and the surge of bands with similar influence like Frozen Soul, Gatecreeper, Sanguisugabogg, and 200 Stab Wounds represented, I think, a shift in the death metal landscape toward leaning into allyship with the meteoric rise of metallic hardcore thanks to bands like Code Orange, Harms Way, Kublai Khan, and especially Knocked Loose. Undeath's sophomore effort in 2022, It's Time...To Rise from the Grave, deviated basically not at all from the mission statement they'd put out two years prior, in style or quality, to the dismay of no one really.

More Insane finally does show a change of trajectory for Undeath as they showcase some technicality and finesse through some slightly more sophisticated composition as a break from the infectiously filthy, nonstop go-dumb approach. Nothing radical, but I think a fresh approach for the band relatively speaking, even if Cannibal Corpse worship or Bloodbath worship aren't exactly new in the death metal landscape broadly.

I actually was kind of disappointed by this album's playing into those over-played death metal compositional tropes on my initial listens to it because the shift of focus onto more intricate guitar passages and more ornate song structures does indeed kind of clash with the simple, no-nonsense, anti-overthinking approach that made Undeath's hooky and delicious pair of albums before More Insane such a breath of fresh air for death metal. And it was disappointing to hear what I first heard as being dragged into the muck of death metal by the mere gravitational pull of it simply to keep on schedule and put out an album. The more I listened, however, without the expectation of the same jungle-pit-opening death metal experience the band already kindly delivered twice, the more I came to appreciate the finer details of the arpeggiated melodic leads on "Sutured for War", the ripping speed of the drumming on "Cramped Caskets", the intricacy of the riffing on "Disattachment of a Prophylactic in the Brain", Alexander Jones' more expansive vocal technical prowess all across the album, and the more I came to appreciate More Insane as a finely crafted death metal album in a slightly different vein that showcases the instrumental talents Undeath has to offer without sacrificing too much of the hooky, meaty core of the band's primary compositional appeal, and definitely one of the year's most solid death metal records from a band who has, through both their consistency and boldness, definitely earned being trusted to try something different and to expand their sound in the future.

The strength of More Insane lies less in the brute force and hardcore-infused muscularity of their prior output and more in the band's practiced and meticulously honed technical abilities in death metal's foundational elements both in writing and playing. And with less of a lean-in to the novelty of the hardcore influence that colored the previous two albums, Undeath prove that they're not on top of the death metal game because of a gimmick or a trend, but because they know their shit, and they've got their shit together, and in that sense, More Insane is an even simpler display of their death metal supremacy than It's Time and Lesions.

8/10

[pretchatta]

butterflies & hurricanes

kanera domestic fluff for GliblyCastGeas as part of the @kanera-discord-events! featuring breadwinner Hera and SAHD Kanan

also on AO3 ->

---

Monday mornings at the Syndulla house were often hectic. 

Kanan navigated them with the help of a routine. He would calmly and methodically work through each step while his family tore through the house like person-sized tornadoes around him, and once they were all done, he would clean up the chaos they left behind.

It had admittedly become a lot easier after first Sabine and then Ezra had moved out, but between their new arrival and Hera’s latest promotion, sometimes the house still felt just as full as it used to.

The first step in his current routine was waking his two-year-old son and carrying him down to the kitchen for his breakfast. Jacen was a heavy sleeper, something Kanan frequently found himself very thankful for, and in the mornings he generally didn’t fully wake up until he had finished eating. This made breakfast a fairly straightforward affair and Kanan could leave Jacen to his egg and soldiers while he prepared Hera’s lunch. 

This second step in his routine was his favourite. There was something about providing for his wife so she could excel at her job that filled him with a sense of pride and fulfilment. Keeping one ear listening to Jacen, he took the glass container from the fridge that contained the roasted sweet potato and feta salad he’d made for his wife the previous night, and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl. He set to chopping it into slices before laying them in a plastic container, squeezing a little lemon juice over them (to prevent browning) and then sealing them in with the lid. 

His eyes drifted to the cupboard where they kept the more sugary snacks. Hera had had a sweet tooth since before he’d met her, but had recently decided she wanted to stick more firmly to the diet that would help her lose the last of her pregnancy weight. She knew Kanan thought she was beautiful no matter her size, and he knew that for her it was less about feeling attractive and more about feeling herself, so it wasn’t a topic they disagreed about. She wanted her body back after the unplanned pregnancy had changed it, and so he would support her in that. He’d save the sweet treats for a special occasion.

The final item in her to-go bag would be what Hera would consider the most important: coffee. The offices at the New Republic government buildings all had kitchens equipped with coffee machines, but Kanan had listened to his wife complaining the night before about how her morning today would be back-to-back meetings from the minute she walked through the front door, which meant she wouldn’t have time to make herself a cup. It was in the best interests of everyone working in that building today that he ensured Hera was caffeinated.

He brewed up some of her favourite grounds and poured it into the thermos for her to sip in place of saying something she shouldn’t, like “this meeting could have been an email and I could have been making coffee right now”. She’d drink it straight from the thermos instead of using the little cup it came with, because “that’s not a cup, that’s a thimble, and by the time I’ve poured the 100 cups I’d need to get through the flask, it’ll have gone cold!”

But that just meant he could use the cup for his own purposes.

He took a post-it from the stack they kept next to the house phone and wrote a simple note of three words with the first pen he could find – a green sharpie. He poked it into the cup and screwed it onto the thermos, and then placed the thermos, glass salad container and plastic fruit container into Hera’s work bag along with her water bottle, which he refilled.

His timing was perfect; he set the bag on the counter just as Hera burst into the kitchen. “Tornado” really was an apt metaphor. She grabbed her bag, planted a kiss on his lips, and was already moving to the dining table as she called to him,

“Got to go, I love you, I’ll text you when I leave tonight.”

She reached Jacen and expertly dodged a balled fist clutching a yolk-drenched toast soldier, protecting her work uniform as she kissed the top of her son’s head – the part of him most likely to still be clean. She still wiped a toast crumb from the corner of her lipsticked mouth as she straightened.

“Be good for your daddy today, Jacen,” she told her son. “Bye bye!”

She swept from the room and the sound of the front door shutting a moment later announced that she’d left the house. All that remained was the lingering scent of her perfume, which made Kanan smile.

That was one tornado dealt with. He turned to his son.

“Okay, buddy, do you wanna tell me how you have egg yolk on your ear?”

[lurinatftbn]

If you’re down to answer another question like the music one, what are the characters’ favorite in-universe cuisines/culinary preferences? Or, are there any fun reasons why some characters like/dislike certain things as we see in the glossary?

Off the top of my head:

Utsu dislikes fish because it's ubiquitous in Itan cuisine and had a lot of it served to her poorly-prepared as a kid. I think it comes up in the text at some point, but her favorite food is layered pasta dishes like lasagna. (I know what you're thinking, and no, I didn't do it on purpose.)

Kam is a vegan, but obviously only for health reasons since they don't slaughter animals for meat in the setting. She likes very spicy food like chilis and curry - her favorite is stuffed jalapenos. She also likes crepes.

Ran also kinda likes spicy food, but isn't super passionate about cuisine and mostly just goes for low-effort stuff. She eats a lot of stir fry and dumplings.

Theo also worries about his longer-term health which is why he's on a low-carb diet, but renders this pointless by eating tons of chocolate and sweets all the time. He likes hot fudge cakes the best.

Ptolema just really likes meat. Her favorite is just a really well-seasoned blue steak, probably with blue cheese, and she also probably really enjoys whatever the equivalent of brazilian barbecue is.

I don't think I ever decided what foods Seth likes best except that he eats a lot of junk food. I do remember deciding at some point that he really likes almonds despite being allergic to them.

Ophelia is a pescetarian for cultural reasons. Beyond that, she loves trying all sorts of foods, though shellfish and mushrooms are her favorite ingredients.

Lilith is a hyper-picky eater and doesn't like most vegetables or anything too complicated or mixed together. She probably most enjoys very simple things like chicken nuggets, and only takes small bites so she isn't overwhelmed.

As comes up in the story, Bardiya is a recovering alcoholic, which is the reason for his preference note. I think I put somewhere that kebabs are his favorite food.

Ezekiel dislikes onions because of their slimy and crunchy texture. He likes really straightforward food like Sunday roasts, which in-setting would mean he prefers Rhunbardic cuisine, though he'd never admit it.

Fang will eat anything under the sun, but also doesn't care that much about food in the grand scheme of things. Left to their own devices, they will cook everything into some kind of omelette and think it's great.

Linos doesn't like shellfish because, like Su, he ate a lot of it prepared badly when he was young. He enjoys participating in prestige/fine dining, especially for Ysaran and Viraaki food, more for the sense of being part of a cultural moment than the actual flavor.

Neferuaten likes foods like beyaynetu (or, like, pizza) designed specifically to be eaten communally. On her own she mostly just eats salad, though she has extremely specific opinions about wine and whiskey.

Durvasa likes to grow and preserve his own food, and his favorite is dal soup. He also has extremely specific opinions, though only about whiskey. He doesn't like red meat because he dislikes the idea that he's eating the flesh of a one-living being, even if it's replicated.

Zeno technically does not have a diet, and is sustained nutritionally by other means. He enjoys the taste of very indulgent foods like foie gras and controversial food like cultured human meat. He thinks Viraaki food is 'stinky' and 'greasy'.

Hamilcar does not eat except with company, which is why his entry says N/A. He can't taste food in the way he could when he was young, and he finds it upsetting.

Anna enjoys sushi, but is too old to eat much at all.

Mehit theoretically likes the kind of high-concept Saoic cuisine described by Ran early in the story, but is not a very good cook, so mostly eats things like baked potatoes and fried rice. This is partly why Lilith is the way she is, but only like, 20%.

Balthazar skips breakfast because otherwise he ends up overeating, since he's the type who can just keep going long beyond what's healthy. He's the sort of person who enjoys bizarre high-calorie flavors like fried squid dipped in ice cream.

[scamornoreviews]

The Invincible Marketer Review - Is The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen Legit?

Read this honest review of The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen program. Discover how Aaron Chen’s step-by-step affiliate marketing course can help beginners succeed online.

Want to make money online without falling into another scammy trap? The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen might just be the golden ticket you’ve been looking for. Let’s dive into the details of this popular course and see if it lives up to the hype.

Introduction

Let’s face it—making money online sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? With all the “get-rich-quick” schemes flooding the internet, it’s hard to tell who’s legit and who’s just out for your wallet. That’s where The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen steps in, turning heads with a course that promises real results for real people.

But hold your horses—before diving in headfirst, it’s only fair to ask: Is this course the real deal or just another flashy program wrapped in marketing magic? Well, buckle up, because we're about to break it all down in simple, plain English.

Who Is Aaron Chen?

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of the course, let’s take a moment to talk about the man behind it—Aaron Chen.

Aaron’s no overnight sensation. He’s spent over a decade trying and testing what works and what doesn’t in the digital marketing world. From dropshipping to network marketing, he’s seen it all—and failed more times than he can count. But those failures? They’re exactly what shaped his no-fluff, straightforward teaching style today.

He’s not just tossing theory at you—he walks the walk and shares his own strategies that brought him consistent success.

What Is The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen Course All About?

At its core, The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen is a detailed, step-by-step affiliate marketing training program. It’s designed for beginners, intermediates, and even those who’ve tried before and hit a wall.

Here's what the course promises to deliver:

An honest approach to building an online business.

Step-by-step video lessons that are easy to follow.

Email marketing and sales funnel strategies that actually work.

A long-term vision instead of “make money overnight” gimmicks.

Let’s peel back the layers and see what you really get once you’re inside.

What’s Inside The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen?

Once you sign up, you’ll be greeted with a clean and user-friendly dashboard. No bells, no whistles—just clear training organized into modules.

🧠 Key Modules Include:

The Affiliate Marketing Game Plan

Introduction to the affiliate model and realistic expectations.

Crafting the Perfect Offer

Learn how to find top-notch affiliate products to promote.

Creating a Value-Driven Funnel

Set up a funnel that builds trust and drives conversions.

Traffic Generation (Free & Paid)

Dive into strategies using YouTube, blogs, and ads.

Email Marketing Mastery

Understand how to build and nurture your email list.

Scaling & Automation

Tips for automating tasks and growing your business over time.

What Makes It Different From Other Courses?

Honestly, there’s no shortage of marketing courses out there. So why does The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen stand out?

Well, here’s the kicker: It doesn’t sell dreams—it builds skills.

✨ What Sets It Apart?

Transparency: Aaron’s brutally honest about what works and what doesn’t.

Beginner-Friendly: No tech wizardry required.

No Expensive Upsells: The course isn’t a trap to push you into buying more.

Weekly Coaching Calls: Yep, live support from Aaron himself.

And let’s not forget—Aaron practices what he preaches. He’s grown his own affiliate business using the same methods he teaches.

Pros and Perks of The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen

Let’s break down the good stuff, shall we?

✅ What People Love:

Clear and easy-to-follow video lessons

Great support through private Facebook group and coaching

Focus on building long-term, passive income

Teaches both free and paid traffic methods

No hype or fluff—just real talk

🤔 A Couple Things to Keep in Mind:

Not a quick fix—you’ll need patience and consistency

Some might find the pace slow if they’re more experienced

But truth be told, slow and steady often wins the race—especially in online marketing...

Full The Invincible Marketer Review here! at https://scamorno.com/The-Invincible-Marketer-Review-Aaron-Chen/?id=tumblr

Who Is This Course For?

Great question!

This course is ideal for:

Complete beginners with zero experience

Struggling marketers who want to reset and restart

Content creators wanting to monetize their audience

Side hustlers looking to build real online income streams

If you’re expecting to earn a million bucks in a week? Well, you’re in the wrong place. But if you're in it to learn, grow, and build something solid—this is your jam.

What’s the Investment?

So, what’s the damage to your wallet?

At the time of this writing, the basic version of The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen comes with an affordable monthly fee—way cheaper than most big-name programs out there. And guess what? There’s even a $1 trial, which lets you test-drive the first part of the training without any risk. Not too shabby, huh?

Is It Worth It? A Quick Recap

Let’s put it all on the table.

👍 The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen Is Worth It If:

You’re tired of shiny objects and want real guidance

You appreciate step-by-step coaching

You’re ready to build a long-term business (not chase trends)

You want to learn from someone who’s been through the wringer

FAQs About The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen

Q1: Is The Invincible Marketer Aaron Chen legit? Yes, it’s a legit program created by a seasoned affiliate marketer with over a decade of experience. No smoke and mirrors—just honest, actionable strategies.

Q2: Do I need experience to get started? Nope! The course is tailored for beginners. If you can follow simple video instructions, you’re good to go.

Q3: Is there a refund policy? Yes, there’s a trial option and a refund policy. Check the official website for the current terms, but it’s designed to be risk-free.

Q4: How long does it take to see results? It varies. Some people see progress in a few weeks, while others may need a few months. Consistency is key.

Q5: Will I need to buy tools or software? You’ll need a few basic tools like a funnel builder and email autoresponder—but Aaron guides you on the best (and most affordable) ones to use...

Full The Invincible Marketer Review here! at https://scamorno.com/The-Invincible-Marketer-Review-Aaron-Chen/?id=tumblr

[agentnico]

Top 10 BEST Movies of 2023

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all partied hard and are now surviving a dreadful hangover by sitting with your family or friends and enjoying a well deserved marathon of Lord of the Rings. 2023 - what a year! In the movie biz alone there were those little minor events known as the strikes of the actors and writers. Just when we thought COVID was over and stopped affecting releases, these strikes were like “errr no, actually..!”. To be fair, the way the streaming services were underpaying their actors and the studios enforcing AI so much into the media, it was good that these artists stood up for themselves and showed it to the man so to speak! Anyway, we’re not here to talk Hollywood politics, but to celebrate all the quality filmmaking that was exhibited this past year. I’d say in all honesty this year felt weaker compared to 2022. To be fair last year gave us Everything Everywhere All at Once, Top Gun: Maverick and of course the legendary RRR, so the bar was high for 2023. That being said, I still enjoyed some solid films, so let’s rank my Top 10 favourite movies of 2023, but first some honourable mentions…

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

Evil Dead Rise - one heck of a gore fest, and the best opening title card of the year hands down!

Past Lives - a simple yet brutally honest love story.

The Boy and the Heron - Wanna hear Robert Pattinson sound like not Robert Pattinson?!

Guy Richie’s The Covenant - The least Guy Ritchie film Guy Ritchie directed.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar - Wes Anderson and Roald Dahl are a match made in heaven.

Barbie - I’m Just Ken…need I say more??

Wonka - Timmy makes for a good Willy.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 - A solid Marvel entry - a rarity these days.

Tetris - Gosh those tetrominos really get ya!

Right, with that, let’s get into the actual fun stuff - The Top 10 Best Movies of 2023!…

10) MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKONING - PART ONE - Tom Cruise - what a guy! I mean yes he’s a Scientologist, has a constant death wish by breaking his ankles on film sets and also guilty of jumping on Oprah’s sofa like a monkey, but my my is he a charmer! You guys know the drill with these Mission Impossible movies - Tom Cruise throws his body around like a potato fearing not for his life nor broken limbs, but you have to respect the man for wanting to give the audience their tickets’ worth of entertainment, and Dead Reckoning not disappoint! There’s never a dull moment, the action is constantly inventive and exciting, and honestly with how consistent the quality of these films are, I say keep ‘em coming, Cruise-man!

9) DREAM SCENARIO - Anyone who knows me knows how much I love me some Nicolas Cage! The guy’s an acting legend, and he’s had it rough a decade ago when he got stuck paying off hi tax money and starring in crappy B-movies, but recently he’s been on a hot streak of great original content, and Dream Scenario adds to that. I love this idea of a random dude suddenly appearing in people’s dreams for absolutely no reason. It’s so rare to have a new original conception in a film in our day and age, and the execution here is great. As a bonus, the movie features possibly the best fart joke in the history of the cinema.

8) FALLEN LEAVES - This features the deadest karaoke ever - the Finns sure know how to party!! Also bonus points for featuring an out-of-left-field reference to Jim Jarmusch’s zombie flick The Dead Don’t Die, which by no means is a great film, but the fact that the director of Fallen Leaves knows about such obscure pieces of cinema only reiterates the fact that he gets cinema. Which in this case is a straightforward romantic love story, but one that I instantly connected with. Reminded me of Compartment No. 6.

7) OPPENHEIMER - On one had this is probably the most “well-made” movie of 2023 cinematically speaking. Christopher Nolan does not hold back in using his typical non-linear way of storytelling, with the film weaving narratives and different time periods seamlessly as it explores the profound depths of a man who’s actions altered the world’s trajectory forever, for better or worse. It’s an incredible historical piece of cinema, and the movie gets extra points for the whole ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon, but the reason this film is not higher on the list is due to the fact that I believe it is overrated. Cause every single person raved about how bloody amazing this thing was, I became tired of the positivity. Yeah, I know, I’m being a Scrooge but what you gonna do about it?? Oppenheimer is stuck at No. 5!

6) ROBOT DREAMS - I’m sorry to go vulgar on this occasion, but my-my was I shipping this dog and it’s robot to absolutely fudge each others brains out!! Yet the movie happens to do the funny thing of being the biggest cockblock ever….. and that’s the best thing it could have done. Simplistic cartoon-network style animation made beautiful by an earnest story, accompanied by the delightful sounds of Earth, Wind & Fire.

5) KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON - When a movie forces you to stay in the cinema for over 3 hours, it better be one epic film, as your man here was straining his bladder to health threatening levels. However this is a Martin Scorsese picture, as such this is event cinema! And this one may be up there with one of his best. Killers of the Flower Moon is a major saga of greed, murder, corruption and despair, told through the eyes of a filmmaker who somehow is still managing to mature more as a director even though he’s already over 80 years of age.

4) THE HOLDOVERS - The Holdovers is very much a vibes movie. It has that old-timey retro feel to it from how it is shot to make it look like it’s from the 70s (reminiscent of John Hughes films and Dead Poets Society). You also have the constant snow falling and the Christmas music just really delivers that cozy winter feel. It’s a wholesome Christmas movie through and through. Paul Giamatti gives a career-best performance and the writing is absolutely stellar, as such The Holdovers is destined to become a holiday classic.

3) BEAU IS AFRAID - A 3-hour long anxiety attack that A24 spent $30 million to produce. For a movie studio to spill out such a massive amount of cash on a completely original IP that is divisively out-there and wild is such a unique thing to happen in Hollywood in this day and age, that like the film or not this act needs to be applauded. It just so happens that Beau Is Afraid is batshit bonkers and truly an act of madness, yet one that I will forever cherish. I bet David Lynch had the biggest hard-on when he watched this movie - you betcha!

2) PERFECT DAYS - Essentially plays out like a live-action remake of WALL-E from the director of Paris, Texas. Honestly this is such a sweet and delightful film about a toilet cleaner doing his thang, and somehow inspired me to want to clean toilets myself. A beautiful piece of independent cinema that appreciates the little things, and truly embraces the ideology of stopping to smell the roses.

1) SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is, put simply, brilliant! It’s everything that made Into the Spider-Verse great dialled up to 1000%, and the result is honestly fantastic. Look, I watch a lot of movies. And yeah, movies are great and I love them deeply. But in watching so many films I have in a way lost that magic of being in awe every time I go to the cinema. Cliches and repetitiveness in films stick out like sore thumbs. However with Across the Spider-Verse I felt like a kid again, purely stunned in amazement at every single frame, engaged with the characters and story-line, not knowing where it will go next. Like I cannot reiterate how much fun I had watching this movie! The animation is phenomenal, the narrative so rich, a pulse-throbbing music score (I even have Pemberton’s score on vinyl now just cause I love it so much!) superb character development and so many fun and unexpected twists and turns. Across the Spider-Verse is THE movie of 2023 for me and I believe this is the first time ever an animation took a top spot on my list. Here’s hoping Part 3 of the Spider-Verse saga will play out like The Return of the King!

There you have it - my favourite films of 2023. Naturally I don’t expect my list to be the same as yours, so don’t go throwing a tantrum if I missed out a movie you loved. Or do throw a tantrum, see if I care. But also don’t, cause like we’re all friends here, right? Right??!

[if-only-angels-could-prevail]

In starting production, the musical team was interested in keeping the sound of the original (but scored for a smaller orchestra) and, at the same time, in adding elements of traditional folk music. When I looked at the original, however, I was concerned because the orchestration was VERY 'meat and potatoes'... that is, very straightforward, almost nothing in the way of countermelodies or texture. Basically the original orchestration doubled the melody A LOT and left the rest of the orchestra to do "oom pah pah" accompaniment figures. It was a style that, with a million strings, would sound simple but very lush, but in our orchestra (of 7 strings on opening, cut down to a string quartet as the production went along) would not be very interesting AT ALL. So I asked (and received) permission to do whatever I wanted, so long as it still sounded like The Sound of Music to an audience member. I think the result was quite successful in that it's often very, very different from the original (LOTS of countermelodies, lots of moving horn lines, etc), yet not stylistically jarring in any way. And by using recorders, handbells, tuba, a zither and other folk instruments, I was able to capture the authentic Austrian folk music quality the director was after.

-Bruce Coughlin (orchestrator of the 1998 revival)

[ashburninks]

Your Line Art Looks Bad and Here's Why

ok, now that I have your attention let's go over some housekeeping first.

one, take what applies and leave the rest.

Two, I'm stupid. Please be nice to me if you do happen to disagree with whatever I'm about to spew all over this god-forsaken website.

Now! On to the meat and potatoes!

Do you remember when you were in art class? and your teacher would be like "Line is a moving dot" or whatever the fuck

Like, sure you could say that's what line is but I've personally found it to be a road in which your eye travels; this can be figurative-like with leading lines- or literal, like with line work on paper done with a pen.

For the sake of clarity and sanity, I'm just going to talk about the literal aspect for the most part since leading lines kinda run in the background as you learn the more important, foundational aspects of art such as composition, shape, etc.

There are a few things that make good quality line art: Intent, quality, and control.

The most straightforward of the three is Quality.

good quality line art is stable and confident strokes with your brush or pen. It is also effectively using line weight and line opacity.

someone I've found to be quite proficient in this is Kim Jung Gi (rip King)

If you look closely at his work there are a few things you can notice immediately. He has incredible line confidence and his lines vary in opacity and weight. He truly was a master of his craft and I strongly encourage you to study his other work as well.

Control is tricky because it's not about what you put down on the paper but more about what you don't. This doesn't mean you can't do what you want but consider the reason for every stroke of your pen and what it adds to the piece. An absolute master of control is Jamie Hewlett.

Every single line he put down, has rhyme, reason, and bears visual weight. also, peep the use of line weight.

Finally, Intent. this one is similar to control but unique in that in using this tool, you can change the entire aesthetic of your piece; because let's be real - not every drawing calls for super delicate strokes. this is where you make the important decision as to what good line work looks like for the piece that you're creating.

An artist I find to be quite interesting in their use of intent is Deathburger on Instagram (also My favorite artist).

Deathburger intentionally keeps his line work rigid and consistent in line weight throughout his whole piece; it lends itself to the cyberpunk aesthetic that he absolutely dominates. his lines are organic and not totally straight which is endearing and makes the work feel alive. This is an excellent example of what good line work looks like that isn't necessarily smooth and super line-weighty.

also, yes, people can tell when you're just bad at line art or if it's your style. please stop lying, it's embarrassing.

Now that I've gone over what makes good line work it's time to talk about how to get better.

try drawing the same thing over and over as a warmup. for me this was Garfield. I recommend something simple, quick, and cartoony.

another thing you can do is practice calligraphy and script; this is a trick that tattoo artists do and it works incredibly well since it involves both straights and curves.

staying on the topic of what tattoo artists do, try wrapping your paper around a soda can or something round. it's challenging, humbling, and effective at getting better at line confidence.

Last but not least, study your favorite artists and see what they're doing that's effective, and try it yourself.

anyways, let me know if I missed anything lol

bye

Cole

[andypantsx3]

omg hi yeah i am by no means an expert in korean cuisine but i think an easy soup to make for me is doenjjang jjigae!! similar to miso, but it’s a fermented soybean paste! w some firm tofu, zucchini and potato? such a yummy filling soup!! and honestly cheap to make once you have korean cooking essentials on deck! also soondubu jjigae! at an asian market you can probably find the BCDs Soon Tofu Soup Kit, medium hot has better flavor imo! and it comes with soft tofu, and the soup base needed and you can zuch, mushrooms, and an egg if you want!! i also love just a good soybean sprout soup, souper ;) simple!! i also recommend checking out the youtuber Maangchi! she’s an icon and she’s where I first found a ton of great and straightforward Korean recipe videos!! :) cafemaddy and gleetzbapsang have some great t*ktok recipe vídeos!! (i really love korean food lol)

Oh my god this is a treasure trove!! Thank you so much!!!

I am sticking this in my recipes tag to come back to bc all of this sounds soooo unbelievably good and 100% up my alley and I think I need to make literally every single thing you mentioned lmao!!

Thank you my benevolent Korean soup angel!!!! 🍲👼💕