#it’s almost like we all have our individual talents and interests and my interest in theology and doctrine is not sex dependent

[violet-viriditas]

Some TradCath on the Internet: “The man is the spiritual head of the household, and his wife must come to him with all spiritual questions and NEVER correct him outright.”

My husband to me: “Hey can I ask you a question? I want to make sure I’m not accidentally believing heresy.”

[leaderwonim]

꒰ 사랑𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆: 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐧. 🫀

002: she fell in front of her sunbaenim 🤓

It wasn’t until a week later that you met the other actors and actresses in the film.

Your manager, Hongseok, had cleared pretty much your entire schedule so the rest of PRISM was out promoting while you were waiting awkwardly at the film studio, straightening out your white skirt and thinking of what to say to Sunghoon.

After all, you did kind of audition for Belift as a joke. You were really into Enhypen and Newjeans, so you sent in your singing and dancing tape thinking you weren’t going to get picked anyway. You did, though.

“Hi, sorry I’m late!” The all too familiar Australian accent pops out of nowhere, and your breathing is 10 times rapid knowing exactly who it belonged to. Pham Hanni from Newjeans.

“No worries!” You say, almost choking on the piece of bread you were taking a bite out of. “Greetings sunbaenim!”

You bow but Hanni shakes her head quickly, “ah.. no need. I read your profile, you’re a year older than me, so if anything, I should be the one saying the formalities.”

You don’t get to say anything else before the Park Sunghoon and Kim Gyuvin walk in.

Oh my God. You internally think. You almost have to hold back from fainting because how the hell are you in the presence of Hanni, Gyuvin, and Sunghoon at the same time?!

“This is our main cast,” the director says, who your manager has told you to refer to as Director Jung. “We have a few more idols but they’ll be in and out between episodes.”

The four of you nod, you suddenly feeling so small when in the same room as your talented sunbaenims.

“Today is just introduction and get to know each other day since I know this was probably brought up upon you guys suddenly and it can seem overwhelming and uncomfortable.” Director Jung smiles, showing off his bright white teeth.

“The drama is a romance one, kind of like an American coming to age except Korean, you know? It’s called Parallel Love. The main character, Baek Yunhee is played by Yoon Y/N as you all know.” He then points towards your direction, making the other 3 idols all turn their attention to you. “Yunhee’s love interest is Min Suho, played by Park Sunghoon. The reason I chose the two of you was because you were exactly how I pictured Yunhee and Suho visually and I feel like you would astound me and the viewers with your acting.”

Your eyes subtly peek at Sunghoon, who looks absolutely glorious despite his messy hair and tired eyes. The engene inside of you screamed, but you masked it by biting the inside of your cheek.

“Now, the main female antagonist is Choi Sanghee, which will be played by Pham Hanni. The main male antagonist is Park Wooseok, played by Kim Gyuvin. Sanghee and Wooseok are somewhat love interests, but they’re also Yunhee and Suho’s biggest rivals.”

The rest of Director Jung’s words went from one of your ear and out another as he kept speaking, your vision instead focused on Park Sunghoon.

“Alright, that’s all I have to say! Any questions?”

There’s a few murmurs but no one says anything, so Director Jung hands the four of you individual scripts that were so thick you could slap a person with it.

“It’s time to take the poster photos so let’s get to work guys. Don’t disappoint me.”

Way to not pressure an idol who’s life is already hectic, you think.

synopsis. you’re a newly debuted girl group under belift, and in order for your group to gain more popularity, your ceo offered you the lead role in a new romance kdrama. this all seems great, so what’s the problem? well, for starters, your co star is your senior, park sunghoon from enhypen, and he doesn’t seem too happy about being in a romance drama. especially when your fans have started to ship the two of you!

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[amateurvoltaire]

When I first saw a draft of what failed to  become David’s Oath of the Tennis Court, one man caught my eye. He stands out from the others around him, with his hands pressed over his heart, his emotion so intense, so clear, it’s almost unbearable. He’s not just joining in the moment, but he is giving himself completely to the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. This man is not simply swearing an oath but dedicating his very heart. This is Robespierre.

Beside him stands another man. Perched on a chair, firm stance and extended arm, he swears the oath but doesn’t lose himself in the moment. This is Dubois-Crancé.

They make for an interesting and contrasting duo, don’t they?

In 1792, Dubois-Crancé wrote a book expressing his views on his fellow members of the Constitutional Assembly. It’s an interesting collection of portraits of men whose work still shapes the world we live in today. This is what he said about the person forever depicted beside him.

As always, this is my translation and is by no means perfect. Explanatory notes are included at the end.

Portrait of Robespierre by Dubois-Crancé (translation)

General of the Sans-Culottes, the enemy of all subjugation and fearless defender of the rights of the people, Robespierre lacked only an imposing physique, a voice like Danton’s, and, at times, less presumption and obstinacy. These minor flaws often harmed the cause he defended; he was proud and jealous yet just and virtuous. His fiercest detractors have never been able to accuse him of a moment of misjudgement. Always steadfast in the most austere principles, he never wavered.  Like he was in the beginning, so he remained until the end, and such praise applies to very few individuals.

In the Constituent Assembly (1), Robespierre was neither president, secretary, nor member of any committee. The patriots themselves respected him but did not love him. The reason is simple: this man, nourished by the morality of Rousseau, had the courage to emulate his model.  He possessed the same austere principles, manners, reclusive nature, uncompromising spirit, proud simplicity, even moroseness. He lacked the talent, but that did not make Robespierre an ordinary man. Taking counsel only from his own heart, he often faced disfavour for his opinions, which were almost always seen as extreme because Robespierre never wanted a monarchy and believed that freedom exists only in a state of perfect equality. He always spoke from his principles, and at the time we were concluding our constitution, he spoke as if its amendments did not exist.

Robespierre had enough discernment to constantly despise Barnave (2), the Lameths (3), and that minority of the nobility who had betrayed their order only to rise individually on its ruins. Calumnies, even outright insults, never deterred him. I saw him resist the entire assembly and demand, as a man conscious of his dignity, that the president calls it to order.

The Jacobins contributed more to Robespierre's glory than the National Assembly. There, he had friends, was listened to and encouraged, and often developed excellent ideas. He rarely had this opportunity in the National Assembly. In the beginning, he was almost non-existent, even showing a condemnable indifference in deliberations that did not please him. At that time, he would have seen limited liberty as objectionable as slavery. He refused to support the suspensive veto (4) because he wanted no veto. He was right, but since the cause was lost, was it better to leave to the schemers the ability to grant an absolute veto?

After the death of Mirabeau (5), the defection of the patriotic party (6), and the betrayal of the Lameths (7), Robespierre showed great character. Despite the extreme disfavour of his opinions, he compelled the respect of his enemies, even triumphing over them in some very thorny circumstances, and at least deprived them of the right to scheme in the following legislature.

I do not know if Robespierre was well-versed in the tactics of the Assembly. This seems unlikely, for he would have sacrificed his zeal or self-esteem for the public good. He did not place himself next to the president’s desk to seize and stubbornly hold the floor. He would have known that the Assembly's scheming leaders called him their Maury (8), deliberately giving him free rein by preference (and then the president was at their command) to alienate the moderates, shape their opinions, and secure a majority. He would have seen that while he might gain glory through the press and the tribunes, he was harming the public cause within the Assembly. Finally, he would have let men as pure but less extreme than himself, less absolute in their opinions, and who, in more measured terms, would have redirected the assembly's focus towards its duties and the principles of the Constitution.

Nevertheless, let us render justice to virtue, honour, and integrity. Robespierre was never involved in any intrigue. Always alone with his heart, he bravely faced the most violent of storms. If the Assembly had been composed only of Robespierres, France might perhaps be nothing but a heap of ruins today. Still, amidst so many intrigues, baseness, vices, and corruptions, amid the clash of opposing interests, diverse opinions, tumults, calumnies, fears, and assassinations, Robespierre stood as a rock, an impregnable rock. Thus, he did his duty, he served his country well, and his example is a precious model for our successors.

Source: Le véritable portrait de nos législateurs ou Galerie des tableaux exposés à la vue du public depuis le 5 mai 1789, jusqu’au 1er octobre 1791. A Paris, 1792

Notes

(1) In the text, Dubois-Crancé refers to two separate bodies, both of which he and Robespierre were members of, the National Assembly and the Constituent Assembly. While related, these are not the same thing. The National Assembly (Assemblée nationale)  existed from June 17, 1789  to  July 9, 1789 and was an initial revolutionary body formed by the Third Estate during the Estates-General. The Constituent Assembly (Assemblée constituante)  was its successor and existed from July 9, 1789, to September 30, 1791. The purpose of the Constituent Assembly was to draft France's first written constitution and restructure the government.

(2) Antoine Pierre Joseph Marie Barnave (1761-1793) was a prominent figure in the National Constituent Assembly who was part of the Feuillants, a group known for supporting constitutional monarchy and advocating moderate reforms. He is most known for escorting the royal family back to Paris during the Flight to Varennes, and secretly acting as Marie Antoinette’s advisor in the aftermath.

(3) The Lameth brothers—Charles (1757-1832), Alexandre (1760-1829), and Théodore (1756-1854)— were French nobles known for their general moderatism and  support of constitutional monarchy. Both Charles and Alexandre were active in the Constituent Assembly, with the former also joining the Jacobin club. The brothers were known for their liberal views and were part of the moderate faction within the revolutionary movement. Dubois-Crancé probably refers to Charles and Alexandre, because Theodore primarly  served as an officer in the French army and did not engage as directly in the political sphere as his brothers. Fun Fact: Like Robespierre, Charles represented Artois in the États Généraux.

(4) The suspensive veto was a political power granted to the king by the Constitution of 1791. This type of veto allowed the king to temporarily block legislation passed by the Assembly. However, it was not an absolute power to prevent a law from ever taking effect; instead, it delayed the enactment of a law. If the king used this veto, the law could be reconsidered and potentially passed by the next legislative session, bypassing the king's objection. This system was designed to limit the monarch's power, ensuring he could delay but not permanently block legislative progress.

(5) Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau (1749-1791) was a prominent politician and orator during the early stages of the French Revolution. He came from a noble family and had a rebellious and scandalous life In 1789, he was elected to represent the Third Estate at the Estates-General as a representative of Provence, where he emerged as a leader and an advocate for constitutional monarchy. He was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and was a prolific writer and speaker, earning the nickname "the tribune of the people". He died of natural causes in 1791, at the height of his popularity and influence.

(6) The revolutionaries split into several different factions in 1791, because they had more and more divergent beliefs and many members quit the Jacobin club.

(7) The Lameths were initially active members of the Jacobin Club and were influential in its early days. However, they were part of the moderate faction that sought to work within the bounds of constitutional monarchy rather than pushing for more radical Republican changes. As the Jacobin Club became increasingly radical in their eyes, they and other moderates found themselves increasingly alienated. In 1791, this culminated in a split where the Lameths and other moderates left the Jacobin Club to form a new group, the Feuillants Club.

(8) Abbé Jean-Sylvestre Maury (1746-1817) was a significant counter-revolutionary figure, known for his inflexible defence of traditional values and the ancien régime. Initially celebrated for his sermons and literary acumen, Maury quickly ascended as a key clerical voice in the Estates-General, defending the privileges of the Church and the monarchy against revolutionary reforms. As a member of the National Constituent Assembly, he opposed the civil constitution of the clergy and other radical changes, positioning himself as a leader among royalists and conservative factions. Calling Robespierre "their Maury" implies that he was seen as a dogmatic and dominating presence within the assembly, albeit for a different ideological cause.

[zephyrine-tale-archived]

im doing the rant about N25 KAITO i fucking lied about it coming on the weekend because im bored as hell :3

*ahem*

so N25 KAITO is memed a lot because in the April Fool's event, there's an area convo with N25 Rin where she's talking with another unit's KAITO (either VBS or WXS i can't remember 💀) and she's like "oh. i wonder if our KAITO will be like that :)"

and in EN server there's almost certainly people meming the way the new stamps tastefully ignore N25 KAITO

and I'm interested by this because I think niigo KAITO coming last was a very purposeful decision by the writers?

let's look at the first four KAITOs. Leoni KAITO is quiet, shy, but still a helpful senpai- exactly what the Leoni girls like Saki and Ichika have been needing for direction in their music studies and becoming a better band by working together individually and as a group.

MMJ KAITO is a hardworking manager, who provides that "push" that's shown to help Minori the most. Minori has her head in the clouds often and is shown to be helped by very severe, what I would consider maybe slightly "harsh" instruction from the others. (Think Airi always training her and pushing her to go harder, that's what Minori needs.) KAITO provides that push and also shows the management side of being an idol group for MMJ- all of MMJ are idols after all, to my knowledge none of them have managing experience. But keep in mind, he's still kind. He's still helpful and nice, and smiles often.

VBS KAITO is shown as mostly a direct contrast to Akito and how since the main story, he (akito) has wanted to work hard and consistently for the goal to surpass Rad Weekend, even perhaps putting his studies aside. KAITO represents keeping talent and being hardworking, while still being lazy and having fun. I think he also represents as motivation for Kohane, who was convinced by the main story she needs to work constantly and hardly and push herself beyond other things she enjoys to be able to reach this goal- but she doesn't. All of VBS can achieve their goal while still having fun with it, and that's what their KAITO represents.

WXS KAITO is literally fucking WXS KAITO idk what you want

Okay jokes aside as the "main" KAITO he is there to provide the more serious aspect to WonderShow's silly goofiness. Tsukasa definitely also has is head in the clouds, but all he wants is "to become a STAR! ⭐️" without really knowing how to achieve that goal. KAITO represents the path to that goal, and motivates him to work for that future. We see before PXL and SEKAI, that Tsukasa wasn't really getting anywhere with his acting career, right? And there's a whole other bucketload of info about what he represents for Emu, Nene, and Rui, but I can't figure out how to word it 😭 😭

So to sum it up, KAITOs seem to show what the unit members (especially the "leaders" but not always) need and motivates them to get to their overall goal, they were created in the image of what they want and what they need. And in contrast to Niigo KAITO, they are all NICE. They are all helpful, kind, fun, and genuine.

Now, remember what I said just now, about how they were created in the image of what the unit members want and what they need.

With Niigo, it's a common theme that could be said that "all roads lead back to Mafuyu." Kanade wants to save someone with her music, and Mafuyu represents that desire for her. Ena wants to prove herself as a talented and respectable artist, and she'll know she reaches that goal once Mafuyu is able to genuinely tell her, from the bottom of Mafuyu's heart, that Ena had improved and gotten the feeling she wanted to convey across to someone who is practically incapable of feeling anymore. And Mizuki ,,, there's definitely something for them to but I can't remember anything abt their stories rn 😭 😭 im a failed mizuki kinnie istg (also this entire paragraph was not supposed to invalidate any of their individual stories and characters and say that mafuyu is the best and only character of N25 that's not it at all)

So, considering Mafuyu under this lens, and quoting that KAITOs tend to represent what a unit member needs and wants to move forward, this becomes interesting because deep down, Mafuyu doesn't know what she needs or wants. There were definitely people who predicted that N25 KAITO was gonna be an asshole, but for the most part KAITO's harsh strictness and rudeness came as a direct contrast to all of the kind, helpful SEKAILOIDS we've seen before. Even N25 MEIKO was just kinda chill and quiet with the occasional not nice comment, but KAITO came forward with the sharp, harsh comments about what exactly Mafuyu needs to do. I heard somewhere that Mizuki tells Mafuyu that maybe running away would be a good idea, and that Rui tells her something similar.

But KAITO flat out fucking commands her (and the others i think) that she needs to confront and cut ties with mafumom IMMEDIATELY, and not in a nice or encouraging way either.

Anyways that was my midnight thought I had and I definitely did not do any research, so if I said something totally wrong or you'd like to make an argument/bring up new points, PLEASE feel free to reblog and tell me your thoughts! Plus I didn't beta read this or anything so it probably won't flow well and there might be a few typos or grammer mistakes. Hope you enjoyed reading!

[amnesiaskulls]

My silly drv3 experience so far (by someone who has yet to finish the game)(only prologue)

this post details me and my friends drv3 prologue experience. We are currently almost done with chapter 5, keep in mind that THERE MAY BE GAME SPOILERS FOR ANYTHING BEFORE DRV3 CHAPTER 6, last thing i wanna do is spoil a game for someone

before i get into the funny stuff (bear with me please) i just gotta give a little insight as to why my experience is so funny to me, skip to the green if you just wanna hear the stuff leading up to the actual experience, and to the pink just to quick skip to the prologue

my friends who I ran through with: @h3r0b0y and @rexecutioner, go take a look at their stuff, both of them are incredible artists who have content other than drv3 (this is also an excuse to tag them so they can fact check me)

pre-game experience (not required to understand, but recommended if you want backround info)

when i consume a new piece of media, usually its because ive seen things about it that i find cool or funny, or ive been told good things about it. In all honesty damn gone grandpa was never i game i thought i would ever get into or care about, because my only experience with it was some of the immature fans and one kid in middle school who liked it. I had only heard about the negative parts of the fandom from like 2018 (peak people misunderstanding character territory) even until like a year ago (wow so great of me to judge a game based on like 3 negative experiences wooww). during middle school, i also met my best friend (this is important later).

Another thing about our silly friend group is that Hero is great at improv (like really good, hes seriously one of the funniest people on earth) and Rex, my twin, is really good at making silly voices and VAing different characters with unique voices (they both are good at these things, but i wanna give them each individual credit). Im pretty amateur at both, but I can hold onto my voice a bit longer without having to take a break

The actual drv3 prologue experience

what we do with our amazing great and cool talents is dub over various pieces of media that we like or find funny, such as mystreet or mcsm. My best friend, Hero, is someone with impeccable taste in outfits and clothes in general, and owns a checkered bandana and was wearing it when me and Rex were over at his house, and kept talking about how “he would be compared to the twink from daganronpa” if he wore it out. The same day that Hero brought up the checkered bandana thing, we finished dubbing the last interesting piece of mystreet media, and now had nothing left to do. Being in the damn gone grandpa headspace with the whole kokichi thing, Hero suggested that we voice over it. The only things i knew about it was monokuma and kokichi because of the one banger fan song and the bandana kokichi wears. Im not exaggerating, I personally had no clue that there was more then one game, and at the time i still didn't care much about the game and didn’t think that we would get too far into it to care (we’re going through a 43 hour playthrough), i personally thought we would get bored after seeing kokichi and then quit (i was so wrong).

Our plan was that there was no plan except that we would mute the game and do all of the voices ourselves, not much thinking went into it. Also, no assigned characters other than kokichi, who went to Hero because it was his idea in the first place, just take whoever you want before someone else gets them

PROLOGUE

I actually have all of the prologue on video, as i like to look back on things to remember stupid details like jokes and predictions for the rest of the game so I can see how close we got. I will not be posting it anywhere for privacy reasons, so please respect that. Its also the only one i videoed for some reason, so its the only one I remember that well due to large time frames between sittings.

it started with the black nothingness and a voice, whom Rex claimed immediately, and used a slightly deeper voice for them thinking that it was a man. Its was infact not a man (there is a video clip of all three of us exclaiming “ITS A GIRL??” After kaede steps out of the locker) after we see the banging on the other locker, a boy falls out. I immediately decide that i get to be the pathetic emo, and while the voice tends to fluctuate a bit for a while, the voice i settle on is something akin to the snapcube silver the hedgehog voice. We run through the rest of the room stuff and get chased by exisals to the gym. (Another fun fact, due to a reading mistake i made, we have since called the exisals “exsials” like ex-ee-uls and i only noticed during chapter 5. Over 3/4s of the way through.)(im not going to pronounce it correctly ever)

Because we have the game muted, we have no clue whos talking because everyone is labeled ??? until the second half of the prologue, and after rantaro introduces himself i think. We each claim a couple characters, Rex claims noticeably less because they have the main character, kaede. The only other interesting thing in the first half is all of us shitting on ryoma for being short. the second half is when we meet all of the characters and get all roles assigned unequally because that would mean a plan, and plans are lame (this is a joke i love plans) some notable meets were with Maki, where after learning about her ultimate, Hero comments “so thats where your soul went”, and originally had a pick me girl voice, Rantaro, where I called him the ultimate empath and Hero used a stoner-surfer voice combo for him, Ryoma, whos voice at this point in time was the highest pitch british youve ever heard without a voice changer (it eventually changed to something a lot more like the official english voice), and finally poor Shuichi. During the entire beginning after they get their first memory we make fun of Shuichi a lot, call him the ultimate dork, ultimate wuss, and other funny things like that. The most notable however is when he stated something incredibly obvious, so Hero said “wow how did you figure that out, what are you, the ultimate detective?” And we laugh it off and skip around a bit because we were honestly not that enthusiastic about doing the exact same thing again. We skip to when kaede meets tsumugi and learn her talent. We realized we skipped over shuichis talent but didnt want to go back, so Rex looked it up bravely facing spoilers for us. Something something ultimate detective and we were FLABBERGASTED.

there were more funny things but im not going to rewatch it to find them

The current character distributions were:

REX: Kaede, Keebo, Maki, Monokuma, Monokid and Monosuke

HERO: Rantaro, Ryoma, Tenko, Angie, Kiyo, Kokichi, Tsumugi, and Monotaro

AMNESIA: Shuichi, Kirumi, Gonta, Miu, Kaito, Himiko, Monophanie and Monodam

some notable silly bits were also: comparing kaito to the vocaloid, predicting kirumis murder, cheering the moment gonta mentioned entomology, Hero leaving during Mius intro and coming back to her saying shes going to drug herself to get high, Hero predicting them all being in space, the Tenko Tussle where Hero had her originally, i tried to take her but Hero took her back for some reason despite not wanting to voice her, tsumugi being immediately hated by all of us and being dubbed the ultimate nerd, both me and Hero constantly telling Rex that rantaro was giving off death flags, rantaros many names- ultimate idk, ultimate beats me, ultimate bogus, ultimate empath, ultimate weed, and ultimate boyfriend eventually, us screaming at ryoma being in the game room, us saying “i dont think we should have gotten a friendship fragment for that” after talking to kiyo, Hero calling kirumi super nanny, us cheering when angie said she was an artist, calling gonta the alpha because he was raised by wolves, the cage wall getting a “what is this, mcsm?” Someone said rehab amami??? When Rex checked for Shuichis ultimate, I wanted to avoid spoilers so i said “oh yea and he killed 8 people”reffering to us knowing nothing about the game, with Hero saying “also he killed 17 people in 1905”

its not letting me write more without glitching so ill probably make a separate post about the other chapters eventually lmao, might link it when im done, or if you have a specific one you wanna hear about PRE CHAPTER 6, send me an ask!

[obsidianpen]

I ADORE YOU

Weres my vape boo?

Saying spend too much time who?

You’re best mom, whoo!

Um u don’t have to post this but I just wanted to say I grew up with a stay at home mom and it was the greatest thing in the world. My mom had four kids in 6 years and somehow found time to watch the sopranos full series. And I wish she had more time! Like she was the hardest working most beautiful women ever and all I wish now that I’m an adult is that she had more fun because I got enough of her. Not that I’m upset I had sm time with her bc she was the bestest part of my childhood but every mom deserves time for themselves. I love my dad and he worked so hard to supply the family with money. But my mom worked tiredlessly to make sure that money was enough for medical care, food, home needs, school, etc. She made sure every dime was well spent while when she asked by dad to go get food he’d pick up 6 Pringle cans and a bag of onions. She is an extremely talented women who during her middle 40s stopped realizing that (she was also in the art field). Idk that one commenter really made me be like wtf (no hate i think they meant well) Because pls pls pls never loose ur love for writing. Not even for my own benefit, but bc I love woman who are dedicated to their interests. Because moms are the hardest working most important individuals (you are literally creating and then raising the next generation) and because moms deserve to have a life outside of their kids and husbands. I think moms are the most important people in society and I’m proud of anyone who can just call themselves a mom.

Sorry for the rants, you don’t need to respond I just wanted to say I love my mommy despite all her faults. Girl idk your faults but u seem like a good person which makes you a good mom and kids r so resilient. I don’t remember anything other than the fact that my mom tried. And that’s what’s most important. If moms loose sight of their interests (which happened to my mom), when their kids are older, they won’t know what to do with themselves. Normalize women not becoming an extension of their husband (not that I would ever suggest this happened to you but I just think it happens too often) Again sorry for the rant, I just hate the way society views women as baby carriers and nothing else. WOMAN DESERVE HOBBIES! So never ever ever feel bad about taking time to write. My sibilings and I always encourage our mom to draw and express herself and wished she did it more.

well this was an interesting rant/post!

To be clear, and i know you weren’t saying this was true of me, but it should be said - I have never once viewed myself as an extension of my husband, so no worries there, lol. As for being a stay at home mom… I did go back to work nearly full time for a bit, and it was rough. We moved across the country so he could take a job so I could be home with Bebe. It was a choice we both agreed on. I personally love being home with him. This is a season of life; I’m basking in it.

I’ve never felt guilty for taking time to write. Granted, i do it almost exclusively when he’s asleep, but still.

I think some reframing can be helpful. I don’t view myself as an extension of anyone, but at this stage in his life, I sort of view my Bebe as an extension of me, if anything. He’s still so young that he needs me 24/7 (even when he playing independently, can’t take your eyes off these guys for a mo). And that’s fine. Bebes are only bebes once. I don’t know any parent who’s ever looked back and said, gosh I wish I would have spent less time being present with my kiddos when they were young!

I’m also not someone who would ever have to worry about ‘what to do with myself’ when my kid gets older. I have plenty of ‘hobbies’ and look forward to being able to pick things like glass up again. However. I would wager that any mom/parent etc that finds themself at a loss for what to do with their time later in life got that way because hobbies were a luxury they could not afford to have while doing all the child rearing and domestic labor and perhaps also working a job job. Yes, women - and everyone - deserve to have hobbies. But no one needs to be guilted for not being able to maintain them in a society as demanding as ours when you are simply trying to be a good parent and make ends meet. You say you ‘encouraged (I assume this was meant to be past tense, as in during your childhood as well) her to draw more.’ I might be making some unfair assumptions here, but maybe she could have if someone else was helping her? Encouragement does not do the dishes, clean the house, do the laundry, make the meals, get the groceries, take the kids from here to there, run the errands, blah, blah, blah, blah. I’m sorry but I really disliked the way that was worded! It implied that if was your moms fault for not keeping up with drawing, despite being ‘encouraged.’ I bet she wishes she could have done it more too, but I also bet that when she had to make the choice between ‘get shit done’ or ‘quality time with kids’ or ‘draw’, she chose option one or two most of the time.

as for me, I love drawing too, and I can’t WAIT until my kid can draw. Some of my fondest memories with my dad were when we had ‘drawing contests’ and would sit and draw the same thing together, sometimes for hours (strangely, I always ‘won’). My dad was no artist mind, but it was fun, and it’s where I started to learn to really look at things. I’m super excited to be able to teach my kid how to draw when he’s young. This Bebe is going to know how to cross hatch and shade with charcoal before kindergarten haha!

So I guess I’ve just responded to your rant with some ranting of my own! Sorry if I’m super off base with any of my comments. I think we should normalize letting moms - and all parents - make the choices they want to make that’s best for them and their family.

[dodginglife]

Under the Skin Season 2 Subjective Overview - Meta?

+ a little attempt at du cheng x shen yi drabble in the end for welcoming me here so warmly

+ beware of spoilers for the finale I warned you

Every time I finish the second season (if any) of a show, I am hoping there will be no third one no matter how much I enjoyed it (I am not a traitor I swear). Typically, the odds of solid expansion fall dramatically, and there are not many examples that can be called truly successful. The story just eats itself like ouroboros, failing to bring anything new to the table. However, in this series, there is no consecutive plot, as it is mostly centered on cases, so it may work out; the ending is quite unexpected too. Nonetheless, I love skillfully completed piece more than any possibility of continuation.

Let's start with the negative points first, as they turned out more extensive.

1. Shen Yi is too reckless and egocentric. Everybody (except husband Du Cheng) seems to be okay with him violating every possible protocol. As far as I am concerned, no one in the team takes any action until Cheng-dui says so, only the troublemaker himself. That's so messed up the show even had to remind him that he has to ASK for permissions, that he is a police officer and most importantly a SUBORDINATE with (presumably) a bunch of responsibilities, including for his own life (bulletproof vests and guns are for the big boys obviously). I can assume it would not have been so interesting to watch if it had been otherwise, but it is quite strange to justify such behavior with artistry. And yes it was done for the plot. Even Du Cheng gave up in the end (I should not have tried to limit your talent), leaving me disappointed, while Shen Yi himself apparently admitted the problem long ago, not denying anything (You are the center of my circle, preventing me from flying away). Finally the verbal recognition our captain deserves, well done Shen-laoshi!

Still he has some professional qualities. Take for example how unbiased he is. Whether it is Mr. Genes or Cheng-dui, he does not hesitate to dig up the truth. Sorry baobei for thinking you may side with someone other than Du Cheng, my bad. This biology guy is a walking fucking robot after all.

2. Lack of personal stories. Li Han taking almost an entire episode was a daring move, but it was worth it. That's exactly when the bridge between an imaginary on-screen hero and a real person made genuineness the final destination (not including the excellent work of secondary actors, of course). We also got to know Yan (even if it is his daughter) and He a little, and can add Jiang Feng's cute courting to the list, but as I have already said, it seemed not enough. The police side of the characters overshadowed them as individuals, and at one point the neverending slideshow of murders ended up being boring and exhausting.

3. The process of Shen Yi's understanding of the criminals' true motives seemed extremely unproblematic and thus unrealistic, even more so than in the first season. A number of deductions came up too quickly, forcing me to think he is the only one able to crack the first nut—the show's desperate to accentuate this—which is actually far from reality. Moreover, Ao Li's case revealed that reasoning and intuition combined are not enough to predict anything accurately, making the success of Shen Yi's artistic interrogation course largely a question of pure luck (heads up to episode 13), desperate confidence (20), or simple stubbornness (everything coming after 20). The talent is here, no doubt about that, but he clearly had a hard time turning it into a deliberate strategy, for some reason almost completely ignoring the need to consult with teammates or report on progress/plans (he did both fewer times than he should have had).

4. The decision to leave the culmination between the leads for the very end was not such a good idea either (as well as making it so hella theatric), although it is still important for thrillers to boast an intense buildup. The first season did it at the beginning to introduce the characters—I get it—but this is no less important element that kept the viewers on the hook. I imagine the veterans, like me, who are familiar with the story, waited for more details as Shen Yi was obviously hurt greater than it was shown if he burned all his works (not to mention multiple drowning attempts). It is as if he is only living to prove himself useful. All in all, the delay took way too long. This is the same problem I had with Taiwanese First Note of Love—Sea's story was brief and lacked introspection even after the final episode.

And here we are, still with almost nothing about Shen Yi or his past, thank you very much, please rewatch season 1 instead. What darkness is he talking about non-stop (besides the cases being emotionally demanding)? That he may have turned into a murderer? Yeah but what about the prerequisites? I guess they decided to leave it behind together with Lei's case. Or maybe there is not much to it and we are all being too dramatic. Giving the ending, if there is a season 3, I really hope it will explore both of them more. The Shen Yi from 7 years ago appeared for a reason I suppose.

Speaking of the things I liked, it will obviously be acting, cinematography, new forms of art used, and thought-out plot. That's it folks!

P.S. When bros say such deep and emotional lines romantic dramas could never.

The drabble is below - please enjoy!

Du Cheng believed he has been expressing his concerns—both with his mouth and through actions—in a way that is impossible to misinterpret. Direct and authoritative, he strived to make sure his efforts end in nothing but successful, tangible results. Many thought he wasn't good with words, but in reality, he always knew what to say to those dear to him.

Don't make hasty decisions.

Why can't you explain to me what you want to do?

What if I've arrived even a moment later?

I could not take it if you are wrong at least once.

Don't push yourself too hard.

The deeper you dive in, the more painful it will be to surface.

I would try to understand.

Aren't you sleeping well again?

I can't guarantee I will always make it in time.

I've never doubted you.

However, it seemed that Shen Yi's genius yet too head-in-the-clouds brain simply could neither accept nor comprehend the care and support directed at him so straightforwardly. Without exaggeration, such a genuine unmasked fear for his life reflected in Du Cheng's usually steady eyes seven days a week made him open up to a feeling unknown to humanity.

Not everyone has a committed person by their side.

The usual shallow smile glued to his face was like a ballistic vest, protecting him against every worried look, distressed voice, and shaky hand landing on the shoulder as if it were bullets. He never bothered to wear body armor or carry a gun for the missions though, ready to meet any raw damage head-on. Damn, he only recently stopped considering the mere surviving a terrifying outcome.

Constantly taking refuge in baggy clothes, he appeared approachable yet so distant and painfully calm no one could have possibly spotted even a slight hint of other emotions on this beautiful, aristocratic face if it wasn't for the sake of acting. He was bold, cocky and highly independent, but at the same time in ghostly, barely readable need of a strong anchor he eventually managed to find.

Du Cheng had no expectations whatsoever, okay? It was obvious that sensual little tête-à-tête filled with palpable gratitude for keeping Shen Yi grounded would have no particular effect in the long run. He still happened to catch a couple bullets, pass out right on the street from extreme fatigue, and even get kidnapped again. The last straw that almost drove Du Cheng crazy was him hardly emerging from a week-long coma.

He thought, Don't you want to live? Why would you leave me behind like this after all we've been through? Talk to me, get angry, smash some canvases after all. Show me what I can, I would try to patch up.

They have never been targets really, it's just that Shen Yi's nature could not resist kissing the danger passionately enough to feel the familiar metallic fluid smearing his lips like wine red paint. He got too involved, sympathetic, obsessed. Everyone in the department had glimpses of a savior complex, but Shen Yi... Du Cheng often wondered if he blamed himself for not preventing two world wars despite not even being born at the time.

Three months have already passed since the artist's official semi-retirement. Du Cheng recalls dozens of nights he spent persuading this stubborn gremlin to continue the work in the beloved branch on a freelance basis, namely at home under state-of-art surveillance, before he started to perceive every incident as his personal responsibility, not just those resulting in murder. He was of no use in physical operations anyway, though Du Cheng made sure he finished several self-defense courses. Fortunately, Shen Yi decided to focus more on his classes and even return to art, albeit gradually. He still draws portraits and visits his friends at the police station every weekend, but as the dark veil of guilt is long gone after a series of quite challenging therapy sessions, he can breathe fully at last, laying out one painting after another in his studio like dominoes.

Turns out people do change, and now every time Du Cheng opens the door to their apartment facing two cats that lean in closer to him so happily—one in his large shirt almost reaching knees and the other with fish toy in its mouth—he is confident this personal victory of his has secured not only the present, but also a major part of their joint future.

He zoned out for God knows how many hours once again. Du Cheng found Shen Yi sitting on the floor against the sofa and drilling the lounge room's bare wall with his eyes as if he was an experienced construction worker or the head of a designer department. The sun's morning rays have already reached his pale cheeks, stained chaotically with oil paint...

“I thought we agreed on not keeping things bottled up,” Du Cheng says, coming down too and clasping hands on the bent knee for support instead of relying on the piece of furniture like the artist. “What's on your pretty mind this time?”

Shen Yi almost jumps out of his skin—he himself clearly does not remember switching off so deeply.

Face softening, he blinks and looks at Du Cheng. As he opens his mouth to reply, he yawns heavily, making the captain chuckle and instinctively sway back a little. Next thing Du Cheng knows he loses the balance and falls on the back with a thunk, hands waving in the air before the impact.

After a single silent second comes the joyful laughter from both men, who gaze lovingly at each other cementing the moment into memory.

“I looked miserable as hell just now, didn't I?” Shen Yi asks after they calm down. “I was actually thinking about the before and after,” he adds melancholically, probably recalling years of self-doubt, search for a place in the world, and fear to accept the consequences. With the look locked on his hands and a little shy smile showing through, he admits, “I never knew my life—not my art—was worth so much until I shared it with you.”

This is the first time Du Cheng struggles to find a fitting answer. Instead, he reaches out and takes Shen Yi's hand to press a gentle kiss to the small palm.

“I hope your gifted hands won't mind another wave of inspiration,” he eventually whispers heatedly in the artist's ear as he lifts him by the hips in one easy move and carries back to bed.

I adore him so much it aches my heart, Du Cheng hears in his head.

Maybe the captain indeed is bad with words, but whatever's coming next, he is ready to remind Shen Yi to take it easy as many times as he needs.

[ukrainianfellow]

The story of a Ukrainian gay sniper couple

When Russian aggression began, almost all Ukrainian citizens stood up for their country regardless of age, gender, political beliefs or sexual orientation. There are a lot of LGBT representatives in the AFU. The rainbow flag has spread much wider across Ukraine.

Homophobia was a traditional value among Ukrainians before Russian aggression. However, it is widespread among only a part of the population now. Moreover, it is associated with soviet totalitarianism, and the homophobia-tolerant stratum of the population is actively expanding.

It is noted that the number of LGBT servicemen and homosexual couples in the ranks of the AFU has increased significantly.

Pavel Legoyda, an anti-aircraft gunner in the 112th separate brigade of the AFU, is an open representative of the LGBT community. He does not hide his orientation and has a love partner. Unfortunately, he has not escaped abuse from his comrades. Not everyone in the Ukrainian army shows tolerance to people of non-traditional orientation. Pavel felt it by himself when he was almost stabbed to death by a soldier returning from the front line.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that in 2023 the LGBT Military group claimed that around 50,000 LGBT people were fighting Russian occupants.

We've checked some journalists, that are in Ukraine, and had a talk with a gay couple and find out what is it like to defend the Motherland and fight together with a loved one.

Interviewer: “Could you tell a little bit about yourself and how did you realize your orientation? “.

“Anderson“: "My call sign is “Anderson”, I am a former sniper of the 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade. Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, I decided to join the ranks of recruits to defend my homeland. At first, I served as a gunner in a motorized infantry platoon. I confess, that even before the service, I had a slight interest in guys. In the army, I made a final decision about my orientation, but I had to hide it from my comrades."

“Heretic”: “Yes, actually he hid it for about six months, maybe a little more. My call sign is "Heretic." I served as a sniper for more than four years. in AFU”

“Anderson”: “Well, I don't deny it – it was hard to hide my identity. It's a very sensitive issue because you have to worry about how your comrades will react on this."

Interviewer: “Yes, indeed, it's a very brave step. Many people still struggles about it. How did you meet each other?”

“Anderson”: “Well, I was quite good at marksmanship and combat actions. Even before the service, I attended individual courses of shooting, and when I had to use my gun in real battle, I immediately realized that not only could I shoot, but kill occupants. The commander noticed my talent and recommended me to snipers. From that on, I became Heretic’s sniper pair.”

“Heretic”: “At first, I thought he was a newbie who had recklessly joined the snipers. That’s why the relationship between us was quite dry and even cold. Of course, over time, the ice began to melt between us. The daily routine and the constant threat to our lives made me realize that I had misjudged him. I thought: “Damn, he's a good guy!.” Training together, escaping artillery fire, resting and living together in the trenches strengthened our bond. One day, I admitted that I was ready to trust my back to my comrade.”

Interviewer: “And how did you realize there something more than simple sympathy or trust?”

“Anderson”: “Well, I don't know exactly when, where or by what circumstances, but one day I suddenly realized that I felt something more than simple sympathy towards “Heretic”. Maybe it was when we wiped out another Russian orcs, maybe it was when we ate in the trenches. I worried that my feelings would be rejected by my comrade, so I didn’t tell him what I felt.”

“Heretic”: "Well, I was in a similar situation. I just realized that was terrified of losing him. And the constant threat to one of us just made feeling worse."

Interviewer: “And how did you decide to confess?”

“Anderson”: “While we were on another combat mission, and stuck under heavy artillery fire. It was so close that there was no chance of survival. Then we revealed our feelings towards each other.”

“Heretic”: “God bless that we had similar feelings!”

“Anderson”: “Unfortunately, we lost our legs and the ability to fight.”

“Heretic”: “At least we survived. We were found by comrades after the bombing was over.”

Interviewer: “Do your comrades know about your relations? What can you say about their reaction?”

“Anderson”: “Yes, they already know about it. After all we’ve been through we decided to reveal our relations to comrades. We talked with brothers after out hospitalization. We didn't care about anyone’s thoughts.”

“Heretic”: “We didn’t even think that our comrades will support our sights. It turned out that we are not the only ones who have such a relationship.”

[thesinglesjukebox]

JADE - "ANGEL OF MY DREAMS"

And single of ours...

[7.45]

Julian Axelrod: You never know when you'll hear the song that changes your life. It could come from a DJ, or an algorithm, or a girl group lifer who you could have sworn was the third most famous member of Fifth Harmony but was actually the first or second most notable member of Little Mix, depending on who you ask. I had no idea what Jade Thirlwall's debut single would sound like before I first pressed play, but even if you gave me 1000 guesses, I never would have landed on "Rina Sawayama doing Uffie over a Eurovision sample that curdles into the nastiest dubstep drop since the Obama administration." This isn't the first time an X Factor alum has stuffed a solo single with a million disparate elements to keep things interesting; it's not even the first time it's happened this year. But the magic of "Angel of My Dreams" is the way it extends that first-listen feeling to listens 2-500. Even though I know the song by heart, each individual section is so strong that I never expect the drop, or the rap verse, or the intro melody reprise at the end. (I didn't even notice the camera flash sound effects at the 2:07 mark until my third listen!) This could be the start of an all-time pop run, or it could be a fleeting moment of glory. I couldn't care less: When I'm listening to "Angel of My Dreams," I just want to live in each moment until it ends, then immediately live them all again. [10]

Harlan Talib Ockey: Girls Aloud doing nightcore “Bohemian Rhapsody”, except also emotionally brutal. We will watch your solo career with great interest. [7]

Dave Moore: How do you even write a pop melody like this these days? Nothing borrowed yet nothing new -- dozens of refreshes of WhoSampled yields nothing to alleviate my nagging sense that surely I've heard it before; my brain refuses to play a rousing game of earworm hunt like with Chappell Roan. It's a bit of a shame that the whole thing devolves into a K-pop-ish party-by-numbers muddle, but in the end she wins, is not in the bin, etc. [8]

Kat Stevens: If I don't win, I'm in the bin. Specifically, the bin on Deptford High Street opposite Perfect Fried Chicken. [8]

Iain Mew: Some of the joy "Angel of My Dreams" has brought is that it's 80% of the way to being a maximalist Rina Sawayama song, and yet is also a persistent enough UK hit to have re-entered the top ten in its fourth week. The range of possibilities looks newly widened. Jade brings some specific things to make it her own triumph too. It's not just leading off with something so ambitious and inventive, but that she is able to wear it so lightly and naturally, Harry Styles-style. It's even more impressive to do so with a song that appears to dig into bitter personal experience, centred around repetitions of IT'S NOT FAIR so resonant as to move from sulk to deep truth.  [9]

Nortey Dowuona: Jade Thirlwall apparently sees the chance to etch her name into stone, rather than make a safe, easy pitch that might simply be forgotten or regarded as nice. But there are many songs about the cruel and unusual punishment of daring to use one's talent and love to make random weirdos who wear unflattering V-necks a lot of money. Thus Mike Sabath, creator of the world-conquering "Escapism" (and, in a fun little twist, another Jade and Mike Joint as well as the second best Liam Payne song) starts us off with a wilting cry of desperation that has to be walloped by the heavy swing of the chorus, glittery synths sitting atop. The song zips into raspy bass and flimsy and flimsier kick/snare patterns from then on, slowly flattening you until you are nearly crushed. The heavy-handed swing of the first chorus sweeps back in to save you and bind you to it as it disappears, Jade's firm, fluttery soprano left hanging out on the ledge. It's almost as if JADE, unlike RAYE, is not begging to be set free -- she's begging to be let in. [6]

Jonathan Bradley: Cycling through three different song concepts in the first 35 seconds suggests not so much a desire to "do something crazy" as a struggle to hit on anything melodically memorable. It turns out that the slowed-down bass-heavy breakdown works, as does the twinkling fairy dance augmenting the chorus, but a lot of this mistakes attitude for tune -- the sort of B-grade effort that made Little Mix only intermittently worthwhile. See, for instance, Jade stretching out  "feels li-yi-yi-yi-yi-ke" and "spoli-yi-yi-yi-yi-ight" for no real purpose beyond filling time before the next switch up. [4]

Taylor Alatorre: The lack of concern for the cleanliness of the transitions make this feel like a promising storyboard in search of a director, or least someone to step in and say that a desire to be seen as daring and boundary-pushing does not equate to such, and can in fact expose the whole gambit. Most listeners should walk away with a favored segment to return to -- mine is the chrome-polished, push-to-start recitation of the title phrase -- but a quarterlife retrospective like this should feel more internally cohesive than a sitcom clip show. [5]

Ian Mathers: The classic "pick your battles. pick… pick fewer battles than that. put some battles back. that’s too many" tumblr post, now in song form! [7]

Mark Sinker: The idea was like a will o’the wisp or Capt.Fawcett’s Lost City of Z, a gleam, a flicker, a dangerous promise glimpsed across a clearing and through the trees -- and it was something like this (it was always hard to explain clearly). A manufactured alt-pop girlie gang, perfectly designed to win reality TV competitions because also able to fashion the drama of their rise -- and their internal ebbs and flows -- into quilted chart-prog rap-adjacent concept EPs and singles-length mini-musicals, like the Hamilton of the Sugababes. It’s there, always beckoning, just out of reach -- and the acts that pass through the glamour of it are always great, of course, very great, but they also always dissipate too fast, before they really land on the absolute thing itself. Perhaps that's the point; perhaps that's my doom.  [9]

Katherine St. Asaph: I am banned from time machines now because I abused my time-travel privileges to do frivolous shit, like posting this song to the Popjustice forums in 2007 and measuring the blast radius of Xenomaniac rapture. [9]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox]

[gerdy-sertorius]

The Shifting Mound and Tumblr

(In which it soon becomes abundantly clear that I prefer the former.)

It's seemed to me that the overwhelming majority of people on Tumblr are generally far more opposed to Slay the Princess's Narrator than the average consensus (which admittedly has very few Narrator defenders). Not necessarily with the idea that there are few Narrator likers. No, that's to be expected. What's interesting is the sheer amount of disgust that the Narrator receives, almost on a nonsensical level. That's intrigued me, especially with Tumblr's, shall we say, unique reputation both in terms of bias towards certain positions as well as the generally intriguing style of media analysis.

The theory that I think sticks best is that the Princess is exactly the kind of character that the most active folks on Tumblr would love, to be frank. She's a god stripped from her godhood, a Lovecraftian entity for all of the horror fans who like religious theming, something directly associated with this platform. She is a genuine "girlboss" (as opposed to the plastic, artificial "girlboss" plaguing our corporate slop), something that this site, both overwhelmingly disgusted with modern media's analysis of women and the only one to openly tolerate blatant misandry, is absolutely dying for. She is a Princess, in a romance of magnificent proportions, one toxic and healthy and horrific and beautiful all at once, one with an innumerable amount of the platform's endless shippers begging for a bit of anything to turn into homosexual romance.

She is something of an ideal character, both in the narrative and in the meta narrative, an individual that can and will be perceived in many different ways, to wear so many hats that the local haberdasher goes out of stock. She has all these positive traits, and infinitely more can be tacked on at the creator's intention. In a way, the Shifting Mound herself begins to deconstruct, every bit of her, even the genuinely nasty parts like Tower or Nightmare, being flanderized into this nothingness, this being that is whatever you want it to be, well, that leads to a lot of opportunities for fan creation, for genuinely talented fanart with an audience for quite literally everyone.

So of course, when something threatens the Shifting Mound, then things begin to get spicy. The Narrator, who fully threatens both the Princess and her endlessly farmable romance with the Long Quiet, already plays something of an antagonistic role. But you attack the cash cow (the golden calf, if you will) of the fandom, one that so many people have a far greater investment in because she embodies those values that creators here so value, then obviously the antagonist must become a villain, no? So with that, the Narrator becomes a pariah, not only being the prideful, unlikable jerk he is as is, but as a threat to the Princess, a threat to the truly *over*loved character in this slice of the fanbase. And while the former would almost certainly be allowable (I can see the "skrunkly" art already, Madre de Dios), the latter is unconscionable.

As I'm sure you can see, I just wanted to dunk on Tumblr while also talking about my favorite game of all time. It's all in good fun, though. Despite everything, you fellas are still the number one site I go to for any fandom, because for all of the irritation that you cause within my fragile body, you make quality. And I do not take that for granted, you magnificent ladies, gentleman, and the remaining 80% of you.

[rankingthehousewives]

Eight years later, or, "I'm not getting older; I'm just getting bolder."

Hi divas,

It's been the better part of a decade since I first posted this list, and a lot has changed: for me, for Bravo, and not least for the various superestrellas herein. I'm forced to fess up to some clunker opinions (Stacey Forsey is not a better Housewife than Vicki Gunvalson; Teresa Giudice is [heartbreakingly, devastatingly] not actually in love with her brother), and a few overall sea changes in the way I conceptualize the show and Bravo in general.

First of all, I underestimated the delight of the Housewives blog/news cycle, which has only refined as an apparatus since the posting of this list. A key component in being a Bravolebrity is one's ability to titillate with delightfully brain-bending headlines (Teresa Giudice 'can’t relate' to Jen Shah’s prison sentencing: 'I would never do something like that.') and to shock and delight with one's antics, public snipes, absurd feuds, and assorted felonies. When I first compiled this list, it was after my first watch of each of series, and I didn't understand that a good chunk of the captivating material occurs offscreen, as a thrilling little adrenaline hit during an otherwise mundane day. If I had to make a list like this again, I'd take that into much more rigorous account.

But I wouldn't make a list like this again, because fundamentally... I really like all of these women now, at least as highly edited TV characters! Shock twist: they're all now tied in my heart! I see them all as rich and necessary players in the show's milieu, and I honestly think that my individual moral judgments of them are totally irrelevant—and, in fact, I think the show works best approached as non-judgmentally as possible. I respect that each viewer will have their own individual lines in the sand as to what is and isn't Too Far, informed by their own personalities and experiences, and I can't ask for carte blanche approval of these problematic women and their problematic ways. But for me, I have genuinely come to appreciate Kyle Richards and Jeana Keough and THE Mary Schmidt Amons, and of course I still love Phaedra and Tamra and Sheree and all of the other beautiful Botoxed gladiators who have taken to the Coliseum (and The Traitors season two) for our collective entertainment.

I think part of what's brought me to this conclusion is that in the current era of BravoCon and celebrity superfans and Peacock exclusives, the social media discourse has gotten increasingly tense, heated, and even abusive—between fans and other fans, certainly, but also between fans and the talent. People frequently direct really cruel messages to the Housewives and other Bravolebrities without thinking of the impacts of those sorts of messages, individually and en masse. I think a ranked list like this one, with its favourites at the tops and least favourites at the bottom, isn't a great format for communicating the nuance of these programs at their best, and for expressing my appreciation for these many strong, interesting, entertaining women who love vaginal rejuvenation and axe-throwing. Basically, I think we're too quick to judge, and I think I judged too quickly.

I still get really sweet messages from readers about this list (please forgive me if I haven't answered yours!), so I won't strip it from the web, even though I disown a lot of the opinions underpinning it. If you're reading this in 2024, or later, just know that I almost universally wish I were kinder and more thoughtful in my appraisals. And, hey, thanks again for reading.

If you're interested in keeping up with me eight years later, I write, produce, and host a podcast with my friend, Josie, called Bittersweet Infamy. We cover infamous non-fiction stories, including an excruciatingly in-depth dive into the Salahis' white house crash with lots of bizarre celebrity cameos, from Shaq to Sugar Kiper to Bai Ling. Three and a half years in, we're revving up for our 100th episode, so we'd love the well wishes.

If that's not your vibe, then please continue to enjoy the weird and wonderful worlds of Bravo—and please, by all means, make it nice.

xoxo

t.

P.S. RHOSLC kicks ass.

P.P.S. Luann is still my favourite.

[mileapo]

The Story Of Mile Phakphum In Three Parts

Hello Mile, how are you these days? I'm currently doing well, although quite occupied at the moment. If we were to represent it as a graph, it might appear as a lull period. However, I am utilizing this time to engage in self-care — both physically and mentally — and to make necessary preparations.


What did it feel like waking up the morning the show debuted? 
 I'm thrilled to be addicted to the series once again. Its irresistible charm keeps me coming back for more, just like others who are captivated by its captivating story. Seeing people enjoy it and receiving positive feedback brings me immense joy. These moments are truly cherished, and I take great pleasure in being a part of it.

In a few interviews, you mentioned that a career as an actor and singer/songwriter was not your first choice. Looking back, do you still have any reservations about acting? Each of us harbors a multitude of aspirations, not confined to a singular goal. For me, true fulfillment lies in pursuing what truly ignites my passion and brings me joy. I am steadfast in my commitment to constant self-preparation and growth.

When presented with an opportunity, I choose to wholeheartedly embrace it — giving nothing short of my best. I am prepared to immerse myself in the pursuits that captivate my interest, dedicating my heart and soul to them. Though it may not be my ultimate objective, I am aware of my deep desire to embark on this path and so, I persistently ready myself for it.

Your life has now changed seeing that you are arguably one of Thailand's most recognizable personalities. What is one thing you miss from before your fame arrived? Engaging in conversations with strangers holds a special place in my heart. As of right now — due to time constraints — I haven't had the opportunity to fully immerse myself like that anymore. The days of encounters and spontaneous conversations with unfamiliar faces have become a rarity. However, such encounters have always been a source of genuine enjoyment for me. The sheer pleasure of conversing with individuals from all walks of life knows no bounds. Regardless of their background or disposition, I find immense fulfilment in the simple act of exchanging thoughts and ideas.

Any moments with your fans that have had a lasting impact on you? Each encounter with my fans brings an overwhelming sense of joy and fulfillment. Lately, I've been immersed in reading the heartfelt messages written on cards by my devoted supporters. I'm already halfway through this heartfelt endeavor. Last night, I came across a touching note from a fan expressing their desire to learn English in order to communicate with me. It's remarkable to witness the lengths people go to — dedicating their time and efforts to learning languages ​​like Thai, English, or even regional dialects — solely for the purpose of connection. Their dedication truly moves me.

You are almost inseparable from Apo, both on and off-screen. What is your most fond memory of him? 
 It has been twelve years since we coincidentally worked together, and his unique appearance remains vivid in my memory. Recently, passionate fans stumbled upon a video of our first meeting, leaving me pleasantly surprised. This unexpected revelation serves as a gentle reminder of life's unpredictable nature, occasionally gifting us with delightful surprises along our journey. On fashion, Mile elaborates that “the fashion world captivates us and draws us into its allure. Active participation in this industry involves immersing myself among talented stylists and continuously expanding knowledge.” But while Mumbai is not his first breakthrough with Dior, Mile has always had his eye on fashion. “I actually embarked on this journey at the age of eight,” Mile explains. “Seeing my mother in beautifully crafted clothes when I was young and experiencing the influence of television were transformative moments that sparked my passion for the captivating world of fashion.”

Tell us more about the Dior Men Fall 2023 collection you are wearing today. What did you like most about it? 
 This collection exudes an exceptional uniqueness and embodies the distinctive character that Dior presents. I was remarkably comfortable during my time in Mumbai, which pleasantly surprised me. Despite the inquiries from others about its potential heat-inducing qualities, I found it to be quite the opposite. Even with its simple yet captivating designs and understated color palette, it effortlessly stands out. Wearing these pieces becomes easy and is an enjoyable experience. Rather than mere excitement, my emotions were fueled by an intense enthusiasm when I delved deeper into the realm of Dior.

How about your first fashion show with Dior, what was it like?
 Attending a fashion show proved to be a transformative experience, one that expanded the horizons of my perception. It was a delightful and invigorating journey, allowing me to witness the unfolding of a whole new world. The show by Dior in the enchanting city of Paris was truly remarkable. Each garment conveyed a profound message, intricately woven into the fabric of the event. This combination of creativity and storytelling made for an unforgettable spectacle.

Are there any Dior items in your wardrobe that you would consider your favorite? I love the Dior Lingot bag in the large size, I believe it is the 50. It truly holds everything I need. And when you have a very busy schedule, a large bag is just what you need.

There has been quite a bit of buzz about Be On Cloud's Man Suang, especially since there has not been much information released at this moment other than its debut at this year's Cannes Film Festival. It is noteworthy to mention that the film marks your first main role in a motion picture. Can you tell us more about it? 
 This movie carries a truly unique essence, captivating its viewers with a narrative that invites imagination and contemplation. It weaves a mysterious tapestry intertwined with the rich traditions and stories that unfolded in Thailand during the Rattanakosin period. The beauty lies in the artful portrayal of each character as they share their tale, allowing us to witness the profound transformations that humans undergo. It serves as a reminder that our beliefs — though held strongly — may not always yield definitive outcomes, offering a glimpse into the diverse possibilities that exist.

Let's also get into the fact that it will be a historical film, and it marks a departure from the contemporary style of KinnPorsche. What kind of research did you do to get into the role? For every character I embody, I dedicate myself to meticulous preparation, adopting a consistent approach. I delve into the era in which the character resides, immersing myself in its historical backdrop. It is almost like method acting and it is very similar to how I live my life. This thorough understanding enables me to comprehend the motives behind their actions and thoughts. I am grateful to be surrounded by a supportive team that encourages my creativity throughout this process, granting me the freedom to explore and bring my own unique perspective to the role.

While it is a new project for you, you will be starring alongside Apo again. Will we see a different dynamic between the characters both of you are slated to play? 
 In every performance I deliver, there lies a remarkable blend of 90% embodiment of the character and a 10% essence of my own being. This 90% is a testament to my growth as an actor, an opportunity for people to witness my evolution through each role I undertake. I wholeheartedly invite audiences to appreciate the dedication and effort I invest in every project. As each character holds a unique identity, spectators will recognize the striking distinction, unveiling the diverse range and versatility I hope I can bring to the stage or screen.

Before we end, would you like to share any messages with your fans? 
 My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all the devoted fans who have supported me wholeheartedly throughout my journey. Your unwavering support has touched me deeply and means the world to me. Thank you for being there, from the bottom of my heart.

[theautisticdoctor]

Entry #015

Participation

In Entry #002 I discussed the Positive Health Theory (PHT), where one of the dimensions is participation. Participation refers to the active involvement of individuals in activities that are meaningful to them. It includes having social contacts, having the support of others, having the sense of belonging, having the feeling of being taken seriously, doing fun things with others, doing meaningful things and being interested in society.

For us autists, by viewing socialising and participation in the community from the PHT perspective it helps recognising our unique strengths and challenges. Emphasising on the importance of accommodating and creating opportunities that support active engagement and autonomy. For me, for example, I do not require much social interaction because it exhausts me rather quickly. I always thought I needed to have contact with all my friends at least a couple times a day, otherwise I would lose them. I know now, that my real friends do not leave that easily. They know that I think about them every day and in my head that is enough communication, they know that if they text or call when they're in need, I will respond right away. I am just not good in talking about nothing. I therefore experience much anxiety around communication. The communication that happens needs to be clear and concise, it needs to have a purpose. Otherwise I just do not know what to say, I just don't do well on small talk and that's okay.

I love my daily routines and I love my personal special interests, so please let nobody bring chaos to my day or take the time from my special interests away (because chances are I'll go mental). But I do often encounter specific challenges that can affect my participation in various aspects of life. It could be difficulties in understanding social cues, non-verbal communication, or navigating social contexts. It can hinder my participation in social activities and relationships. It also includes the sensory sensitivities to sound, touch, light, or textures which may impact my participation in sensory-rich environments or activities. Furthermore, the dependence on routines and preferences for predictability can influence my participation in new or unfamiliar activities.

Other difficulties with socialising include the differences in communication, I think quite literally and am quite bad in picking up non-verbal cues. Afterwards it makes me overthinking the social interaction, because in the past I had so many bad experiences with it. I also do not like really large gatherings, small gatherings or one-on-one interactions I do best. The large gatherings get less of a problem if I can talk about a special interest of mine, then I might just not shut up anymore. I also do not really know my limits, at a certain point my social battery is drained and I just need to head home immediately or I could get in a shutdown.

Therefore, I should recognise and build upon my strengths and talents. I am allowed to do activities that mostly align with my interests and abilities, for this promotes a sense of competence and accomplishment and will give me motivation. I started accommodating myself to my sensory sensitivities and am giving myself a clear structure and routine. I allow myself help in communicating this to others, and I allow myself in communication in general. Because, by fostering supportive environments and recognising our unique perspectives, we can empower ourselves to actively engage in activities that enrich our lives and contribute to their overall well-being. Instead of badgering ourselves down because "I do not feel good enough for the neurotypical community". If I like to sit inside almost all day when I'm off work and am happy doing some creative work or making music, that's okay. If I can talk about a special interest of mine and therefore be social according to societal norms, that's okay. If after a certain point my social battery is drained, that's okay. I do not have to go out or sit in the park all day, unless it makes me feel good and relaxed.

To help you fill in the participation dimension, ask yourself, the following questions. What does make you feel included? How do you feel included? What gives meaning to your day / to your life? What gives you a sense of belonging? What do you interest yourself for in the community or society? What do you like to do with others? What does having fun with others mean to you? How often do you want to have contact with others? How do you like to get support from others? What does being social mean to you?

[bohemian-rhapsody-in-blue]

SIX OF CROWS DOLLS!

So, at the beginning of July, my mom and I were shopping at a local used bookstore when we found an adorable little Nikolai Lantsov plushie (originally from this Illumicrate box), and I immediately fell in love. I furiously Googled to see if any other Grishaverse plushies existed and was disappointed to see they didn’t—so we decided to take matters into our own hands.…

Almost two months, several late nights, and many trips to craft stores, Dollar Tree, and Wal-Mart later, all six of them are done!!! My mom, a fellow Six of Crows fan and a ridiculously talented crafter, worked really hard on them, adding little details to make each of them true to their canon counterparts. She made them all from scratch, not using any pre-existing patterns or tutorials—she'd never made dolls before and sort of figured out the process as she went.

The dolls themselves fall somewhere between figurines and plushies—they have weighted boots so they can stand on their own, but they're made from soft material (felt, chenille yarn, velvet, etc.) that makes them perfect to snuggle, cuddle, and hug, which I've done in spades. I’m so happy to have these one-of-a-kind dolls, made with love, to call my very own. 💖

Photos of each individual doll and couple are under the cut! If you guys are interested, I’ll also make individual making-of posts for each doll, with photos of each of them in progress—let me know in the notes if that's something you'd like to see!

First we have the Bastard of the Barrel himself, Kaz Brekker! He sports a snazzy tailored suit and tie (made from a ribbon), with some rakish locks of chenille yarn hair falling over his eyes from underneath his impeccably-groomed velvet ‘do. His gloves are black duct tape over his hands, and they even have five individually cut-out fingers! (He does not yet have a cane; we’re working on that. The man needs his mobility aids!)

We decided early on that we wanted all the plushies to smile—I wouldn't really want them to scowl at me while I snuggled and hugged them. I imagine Kaz has some serious schemes being brewed up in that soft little head of his, though...

Next we have Inej Ghafa, the Wraith! She was actually the first doll we made (and was originally much shorter than Kaz and Jesper; her legs became longer when we duct-taped them for stability!). The top of her hair is black felt; the braid is jumbo strands of chenille yarn, braided together. Her cowl (purple felt, held in place by a matching purple pipe cleaner) provides the perfect cover for spying on dark Ketterdam streets, and her boots have beautiful silver trim—well-suited for hiding a knife. Her top has some similar trim, though it's hard to see in these pictures, with a subtle dash of magenta tulle to make her extra glam.

Kanej together—Ketterdam’s ultimate power couple 💖 I love that their height difference was maintained; this was sort of accidental when we made the dolls, but it ended up being a really nice canon detail!

As a licensed Toy Therapist (a profession I made up—I'm sure half a bachelor's degree in English and psychology is enough for me to qualify for licensure; after all, I AM the licensure board!), I have, through many intense sessions, successfully cured Kaz and Inej of their touch aversion—so they have both been the recipient of many, many snuggles and hugs from me. At one point, my mom told me, "You've probably given these Crow plushies more hugs in the past week than the characters have had in their entire lives"—which almost reduced me to tears. One thing I love about these dolls is that if I'm ever rereading the books and thinking, "[insert character here] needs a HUG," I can just reach over and give them one!

Now, here’s Matthias Helvar! His luscious golden locks are made of individual strands of chenille yarn (pulled back into a queue), and his scarf is hand-knitted. Also note the boots, with thick soles and “fur” lining to withstand the toughest Fjerdan winters. In the second picture, you can sort of see some blue “fur” around his collar—this was actually made from a blue glove, with fuzzy lining, that was part of a Cinderella costume for Halloween that I had when I was 6!

Mom and I imagine this is Matthias post-series, after having gotten into a relationship with Nina and overcoming his Wizard Racism, so instead of a serious, brooding expression, he has more of a happy smile. (Because as we all know, nothing bad ever happens to him, ever.)

Nina Zenik, Heartrender extraordinaire! Here we see her in her lovely red kefta with gold trim (the same gold trim used for Matthias' suit—fun fact: it was also part of an old Halloween costume, specifically Belle when I was 5) and some lovely golden boots with flowered trim—maybe the ones she was flirting with in a shop window? Fun fact: she originally had some green staining on her face from a mishap when we tried to use a marker to make her eyes look more green—but then Mom took a darker marker and turned it into eyeshadow. And now this doll has better makeup than me.

Helnik! They look very happy together, if you ask me. Matthias' right arm permanently sticks out at an angle, as you can see—a consequence of the duct-taping we did to his body for stability (it also makes him feel very solid and buff when I hug him, which is nicely in-character). This either means he's constantly reaching out his arm around Nina's back (awww) or he's constantly sticking out his arm to hitchhike and get himself far, far away from all the crazy people in Ketterdam.

Jesper Fahey, decked out in all the Barrel flash! He's rocking the green and gold look with a plaid jacket, tailored pants, and a tulle ascot. His hair is jumbo chenille yarn and it's SO ridiculously soft, oh my god, I cannot even properly convey to you guys how good it feels to nuzzle my cheek against his soft little head. His shoes have tiny laces, and it's hard to see here but his belt buckle has a tiny "F" for Fahey. 🎵 'Cause every girl (and boy)'s crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man! 🎶

And finally...Wylan van Eck! This was the last doll we made (we finished him in the wee hours of this morning), and Mom seriously went above and beyond with him. His hair is red chenille yarn—it turned out to actually be the least curly/kinky of all the yarn we used, but Mom sewed it in specially to make sure it curled on his head. He carries a little messenger bag made of duct tape; inside is some rolled-up sheet music and plans for explosives, tied together with twine that you can see sticking out from inside the bag. (It also has a sticker with the initial W for Wylan—just like the sticker with Jesper's initial on his belt!) And in the second picture, you can see that he has tiny safety goggles! They're made out of duct tape and the plastic packaging of some bobbins for the sewing machine.

A funny quirk: because Nina, Matthias, and Wylan were made after the first three with a different and more standardized body mold, Wylan ended up being the biggest of the three...by a lot. He's a lot bigger than his boyfriend, that's for sure! You can see this height disparity in the first pic. My theory is that one of his chemical experiments went wrong and ended up acting as some sort of growth serum for him. Mom's theory is that he was jealous of being so much shorter than his boyfriend, so he asked Nina to Tailor his height, but Nina got distracted during the process and accidentally made Wylan a LOT taller than he was supposed to be and now can't figure out how to change him back.

Or I can just pose them in photos so that Jesper is standing on a box or something—like in the second pic—so he looks just as tall as he's supposed to be.

And finally, here's a picture of all six of them with the Nikolai plushie that started it all! He looks happy to have so many new friends.

And that's it! I love these guys so much and can't stop looking at them, cuddling them, and kissing them on their soft little foreheads. I'm so happy to have embarked on this project with my mom over the summer—we learned a lot, bonded over crafting and our love of the Grishaverse, and had a lot of fun! Let me know in the notes if you'd like me to post individual making-of posts for each doll—with behind-the-scenes pictures and explanations of how some of the features of each doll were made! NMNF 🐦

[whitehartlane]

hello hello! i'm still buzzing from the game <3 assorted (mainly sonny-related) thoughts off the top of my head:

me and everyone i knew understood even a goal against south korea would be considered to be a great result for singapore, given the gulf in quality, investment, structural support etc. practically no-one expected that there would be a 7-0 loss, however...

quite a few spurs shirts everywhere in the local crowd! whenever sonny scored some would take their shirts off and wave it to sonny. they went absolutely mad when he did his iconic celly <3

the lions could've been two goals up in the first 45 minutes if they took their chances. that was the closest they came to a sniff at goal, which wasn't helped when the defense folded and they were meek in regaining possession. there were some great clearances and individual moments of brilliance, but unfortunately they never were at the same level as south korea, who took their chances and were so clinical and daring.

the korean away support was elite! the chants, drums and the energy definitely made them the south korean team's twelfth man.

everyone (both south koreans and plenty of singaporeans) was so excited whenever sonny had the ball or took a corner. my mum and i almost yelled our lungs out when he got his brace! sonny was at his best, getting into so many dangerous positions; beating his man; making those crucial runs and practically storming up the pitch towards goal.

watching sonny play with such ease and skill made me miss angeball so much though. the energy, the pace, the vibes... can't wait for preseason & next season where we can see sonny knock more in for spurs <3

when sonny did his lap of honour around the entire pitch i was cheering so loud i think i was alienating the non-spurs crowd around me 😭 although this isn't a spurs match, i'm so grateful sonny's our captain. he gives his all towards any game he's in and he's nothing but heart. i just admire him so much <3

my mum and i got what we came for (sonny scoring and seeing a good match) but i couldn't help but reflect on our national team. they definitely put up a good fight, but the discrepancy in the strength of our players vs south korea's shows how long we have to go as a nation to be a force in football.

hope you don't mind me ending the ask on a little bit of a melancholic note (and reading through the word salad that's my ask) but those were some of my thoughts on the match! it was definitely an exciting one and i loved the atmosphere throughout. - 💙

hi there friend!!! ah i’m so glad you had a good time! i did not expect it to be a 7-0 either honestly 😭 but it’s nice to hear that there were lots of spurs shirts in the crowd, it’s so lovely seeing the support for sonny and spurs all over asia. it just speaks testament to sonny’s legacy that it doesn’t really matter where we’re from on the continent, we’re all just proud to see him doing so well and seeing that love being passed over onto spurs as well is wonderful!

no need to apologise for ending the ask on a melancholic note either, i’ve been thinking about the same these days. we as a continent have a long way to go when it comes to football and especially investment and grassroots development. i can speak for where i’m from in india and though football is well loved amongst my friends, sports like cricket will always take first place and the lack of investment shown in football by sporting organisations doesn’t help. i really hope that one day we’ll see more and more asian countries produce talent the likes of sonny and not just stop there but revitalise their local leagues and the structures in place to get people interested in local footy. we’ve got a long way to go but asian football is more exciting by the year! 🤍

[notalostcausejustyet]

Random pic of my hometown for visual interest haha.

I finally had the chance to watch The Assembly interview and I need to talk about it.

I wasn’t diagnosed autistic until I was in my 30’s. I went my entire life missing a measure with the humanity around me. I was forever off time. Out of pitch. The orchestra played along without me. Arguably they sounded better when I didn’t try to join in. Or at least that’s the message that was very strongly given. I didn’t understand why making friends was SO hard. Interactions so stilted and painful. Why people seemed ok with me until I got excited about something we were talking about. I misread signals. I missed entire essays worth of subtext in conversations. I spent my entire life until almost a decade ago feeling like a stranger in a strange land, all day, every day.

When I was diagnosed an entire world of understanding opened up to me. Maybe I would always be a bit of alien on Earth, but at least I had a reason why. And while how society views and often treats autistic individuals hasn’t changed, it has helped me to stop hating myself for all the ways I’m not “normal”. Many of us go through our lives being disrespected, talked down to, excluded, made to feel as if we are damaged beyond repair, a drain on society, a burden to our peers, too much, too loud, too weird. It’s exhausting. And it can lead to a level of self loathing that can be nigh impossible to overcome. Many of us are capable, impassioned, and damned talented in our respective fields and interests. Yes we are loud and miss inference in conversation and we tend towards a rather alarming amount of candor. But we aren’t less. We never have been.

How does this come back around? It’s about respect and kindness. Michael was absolutely respectful to every single one of his interviewers in The Assembly. He met each one of them where they were at, he was gentle and patient when needed. Encouraging or funny as a matter of course. Complimentary in a way that wasn’t disingenuous. He answered questions honestly and he didn’t “dumb things down” (hate that phrase) when he answered questions. He engaged actively and respectfully and treated each and every single person as worthy of his time, patience and respect. That sort of acceptance is exactly what we are talking about when we are pushing for “acceptance not awareness”. We aren’t a disease to be cured. We’re just human. Albeit on a bit different wavelength, but human nonetheless and deserving of being accepted and treated as such. Not forced to shove ourselves into a societal mold to survive, not shunned. Just treated like everyone else. Michael did that. Didn’t even blink. Just went about it like it was how everyone acts. As if I didn’t want to hug the shit outta that man and thank him for his frankly astonishing amount of genuine decency before. Neil cast him perfectly.