#it’s interesting how both have a deep connection to dreams in particular

[chloesimaginationthings]

FNAF movie Mike and Michael compare nightmares,,

[mintsuwu]

Took a lil break from the asks in order to cook some ✨SMILING CRITTERS FAMILY TIME✨ with @rexmk0153universe-blog because why the hell not??? I might have to divide it in two parts though-

(1/2)

DogDay

DogDay's journey begins when a stork delivers him to the wrong family of wolves, leading him to be adopted by Big Bad's parents. However, his presence triggers jealousy in Big Bad, his adopted older brother, who resents the attention their parents give to the newcomer.

Despite the pack's focus on abilities related to weather phenomena, Dogday stands out due to his unique qualities and talents. As he grows older, he feels a deep longing for a sense of purpose and identity beyond his wolf upbringing. Seeking to find his true self, he leaves the pack and ventures to Jolly Valley, where he encounters the Smiling Critters and forms close bonds with them. Over time, Dogday becomes a leader among the Smiling Critters, embodying their values of friendship and unity.

Big Bad, driven by pride and a mix of emotions, followed Dogday to Jolly Valley, intending to both antagonize his little brother and secretly monitor his progress. Despite his outward bravado and mischievous nature causing ocassional trouble, Dogday remains welcoming towards his older brother, except when his antics go too far. Hus unwavering cheerfulness and open-heartedness serve as a beacon of hope for both the Smiling Critters and his troubled older brother.

BONUS: "Big Bad" is actually a nickname! His actual name is "WindWolf"... Dogday usually calls him "Big Bro", but the rest of the critters "misheard" it and began calling him "Big Bad", much to his dismay.

CatNap

Catnap shares a unique connection with a deity known as SandMan, who reigns over the Dream Realm, a distinct reality separate from the main universe. The origin of Catnap traces back to a moment when Dogday, as a young member of his pack, made a wish upon a shooting star for a friend, and this wish brought Catnap into existence.

SandMan took particular interest in Catnap due to his remarkable qualities, leading to a special father-son dynamic between them, despite Catnap starting off as just another creation of SandMan like many others.

Catnap, however, felt a strong pull to leave the Dream Realm in search of Dogday, the source of his creation. Eventually, the feline succeeded in finding Dogday and chose to remain by his side, along with the other Smiling Critters. Despite Catnap's origin in the Dream Realm and his connection to SandMan, his loyalty lies with Dogday and their companions, forging a lasting bond beyond the confines of the Dream Realm.

Kickin'Chicken

Kickin'Chicken comes from a predominantly female family, consisting of his mother, sisters, and himself as the middle sibling. His father, known as "Rockin'Rooster," is a famous singer, an example that Kickin' aspires to follow. However, Rockin'Rooster's focus on his career leaves little time for family, causing conflicting emotions for Kickin'. Despite his admiration for his father's success, Kickin' yearns for more attention and connection within the family... Yet he hides it under his "cool and tough guy" persona.

However, among his family members Kickin' has a strong bond with his older sister, Pecky. She is level-headed compared to Kickin', but shares his adventurous spirit and openness to new experiences and people.

BONUS: Kickin's family is quite fond of Bubba Bubbaphant, given how he was Kickin's first friend and all of them consider him another member of the family.

CraftyCorn

Craftycorn, born in a magical kingdom governed by four elemental monarchs (Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts and Spades) was raised as the daughter of the Queen of Spades, destined to become a warrior. However, Crafty harbored a distaste for violence, finding joy in art and nature instead.

Despite her mother's attempts to grant her freedom to choose her path within the elemental realms, the other rulers disapproved, doubting Crafty's suitability for the throne. When Craftycorn was to receive her royal Merry Charm, symbolizing her assigned role, she unexpectedly manifested her own charm—the flower. Fearing disappointment from her mother and influenced by the other monarchs, Craftycorn fled her home, unaware of the devastation her departure caused her mother.

Their relationship is complicated, marked by love and care, yet tinged with Crafty's mixed feelings towards her mother.

LoolaLamb

Loola is a special sheep born into a flock known as the "Sleep Sheep" or "Slumbering Guardians." These sheep have the unique role of wandering through villages, signaling to people that it's time to sleep and seek safety from the dangers of the night. Once their task is complete, SandMan, a mystical entity who the sheep "worship" due to its previous helps toward the flock, can traverse their realm to ensure everyone enjoys peaceful dreams and restful sleep.

She's the daughter of the flock's leader, tasked with protecting the sheep, particularly during the day when they're less vigilant due to needing rest after their nightly duties. However, Loola lost her mother at a young age and was raised by her father, who prepared her to take on a similar role in the future.

Despite her upbringing, Loola yearns for adventure and exploration beyond the confines of her flock's duties. After much persuasion, her father allows her to leave, although they maintain communication through letters.

The lamb often travels alone, but occasionally spends time with the Smiling Critters in Jolly Valley for extended periods of time.

[rafecamerons-national-anthem]

𝐻𝐸𝒜𝒟𝒞𝒜𝒩𝒪𝒩-𝒩𝐼𝒞𝐻𝒪𝐿𝒜𝒮 𝒜𝐿𝐸𝒳𝒜𝒩𝒟𝐸𝑅 𝒞𝐻𝒜𝒱𝐸𝒵 𝒜𝒮 𝒜 𝐵𝒪𝒴𝐹𝑅𝐼𝐸𝒩𝒟

Boyfriend!Nicholas seems to value genuine connections and would likely be the kind of boyfriend who truly listens. He’d remember the small things, your favorite coffee order, a random story you told, or a passing comment about something you love. Whether you’re having a tough day or celebrating a big achievement, he'd be right there with you, offering his full attention.

Boyfriend!Nicholas seems like he enjoys trying new things and living in the moment. He’d want to plan spontaneous weekend getaways or try out new activities together, from hiking to going to concerts. He’d probably be open to exploring both your interests and his, making life feel exciting and unpredictable.

While he may come across as laid back in real life, I imagine Boyfriend!Nicholas as a boyfriend would have a romantic side. He’d surprise you with handwritten notes, flowers "just because," or plan cozy nights where you can binge watch your favorite shows together. The little gestures would mean a lot to him.

Despite his growing fame, he seems pretty grounded and humble. In a relationship, he’d value honesty and clear communication. Boyfriend!Nicholas wouldn’t play games or leave you guessing how he feels; instead, he’d be direct but kind, always working to build a strong foundation of trust.

Boyfriend!Nicholas would be the type of boyfriend who encourages you to chase your dreams and passions. Whether it's supporting your career goals, a personal project, or a hobby, he’d be your biggest cheerleader, helping you stay motivated and believing in you when you doubt yourself.

Boyfriend!Nicholas strikes me as someone who balances being serious and having fun. There would be deep, late night conversations about life and what you both want out of it, but there would also be moments where he just makes you laugh, doing silly impressions or cracking inside jokes.

While not overbearing, Boyfriend!Nicholas would be protective of you in a thoughtful way. He’d be the kind of boyfriend who makes sure you feel safe and respected, standing up for you if needed but never smothering you.

Beyond emotional support, Boyfriend!Nicholas would value meaningful conversations. He’d enjoy discussing books, films, and philosophies that provoke deep thought. He’d ask about your perspectives on things, showing genuine interest in how you see the world. Whether it's debating a plot twist in a show or discussing current events, your intellectual bond would be just as strong as your emotional one.

Boyfriend!Nicholas would definitely have a playful side, teasing you in a lighthearted, affectionate way. He’d make silly bets or jokingly challenge you to random games, like seeing who can cook the best meal or who’s better at a particular sport. He’d probably have a mischievous smile when he’s trying to get you to laugh, making the relationship feel lively and fun.

Boyfriend!Nicholas seems like someone who deeply values family. He’d be the kind of boyfriend who’s excited for you to meet his family and would take an active interest in getting to know yours. He'd likely enjoy spending time at family gatherings and might even get involved in family traditions, showing respect for what’s important to you.

Boyfriend!Nicholas might express his love through acts of service. Whether it’s picking up your favorite snacks after a long day, helping with something you're stressed about, or offering to take care of a task you’ve been dreading, he’d find small ways to make your life easier. His kindness would often show up in practical ways.

Because Boyfriend!Nicholas is artistic and has a background in acting, he’d probably enjoy adding a creative flair to the relationship. Maybe he’d write you a poem, record a cute video message when you’re apart, or plan a surprise date that’s inspired by a favorite movie or shared memory. His creativity would keep the relationship exciting and unpredictable.

Boyfriend!Nicholas would be the kind of boyfriend who fully supports your independence. He’d encourage you to take time for yourself and pursue your own interests and friendships outside of the relationship. He’d understand the importance of maintaining individuality while also building something strong together, never wanting to make you feel smothered or confined.

Boyfriend!Nicholas would likely approach conflict with a calm and patient demeanor. If you ever argued, he’d want to talk things through thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively. He’d make sure that both sides are heard and understood, always striving for a resolution that makes you both feel good about the relationship.

Being someone who seems focused on self care, he’d probably be a positive influence when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. Boyfriend!Nicholas wouldn’t push it on you but might encourage activities like working out together, eating well, or practicing mindfulness. He’d want you to feel good, physically and mentally, and would be there to support you in that journey.

Though Boyfriend!Nicholas might have a bit of an adventurous streak, suggesting hikes, spontaneous road trips, or trying out new experiences, he’d also have a soft, homebody side. He’d enjoy the balance of adventure and quiet nights in, where you could unwind together with a good movie or book, showing that he doesn’t always need excitement to feel connected.

Boyfriend!Nicholas would likely be someone who fully respects and supports your ambitions. He’d understand if you have busy schedules or demanding projects, and he’d never want to hold you back. In fact, he’d be there to remind you of your strengths when you feel uncertain and would always celebrate your achievements as if they were his own.

[zenkindoflove]

Elain Archeron and Sansa Stark: A Comparison

I’ve been wanting to make this post for a while because I have seen a lot of similarities between Elain’s character and Sansa Stark (ASOIAF/GOT), not only in their mannerisms and narrative but the way that the fandom unfairly undermines and outright despises them. So, this post is going to be a bit of an exploration of both of their characters, speaking mostly to the ACOTAR fandom, to try and give some predictions I have about Elain’s narrative journey and lessons learned from Sansa’s narrative.

Elain and Sansa fit a very similar female character archetype in fantasy (and other fiction genres), which is that they are more traditionally feminine characters that conform to their roles as women in their patriarchal societies as compared to their counterparts who buck gender norms often by learning to fight. In particular, Elain and Sansa are often directly compared to their sisters who fit the more beloved sword-fighting, sassy, smart-mouthed heroines. What is important to this post, is that these characters are almost always heavily maligned and criticized by fandoms at large with critiques that are often rooted in misogyny, which fundamentally undervalues expressions of femininity and feminine roles. 

Both characters also have a lot of other similarities when it comes to their personalities, characteristics, and narratives. Both Elain and Sansa are obedient daughters who are described as sociable and make friends easily. They both are well-skilled in navigating courtly politics, and they begin their journeys as deep romantics, dreaming and wishing to fall in love. They’re both betrothed to men for political gain, and both undergo tragic and heartbreaking violations to their bodily autonomy. They are also both frequently undermined by characters’ in their stories, often underestimated in their strengths and abilities, and in both stories, those assumptions are proven wrong.

Now, we do not know where Elain’s journey is going, but we do Sansa’s, at least from the show. Sansa eventually finds her independence and her strength, taking back her ancestral home and being declared Queen in the North. She did not do this by becoming a warrior or a great battle commander. No, she did this by leaning into her political skills, inspiring nobles and armies to fight for her because of her name and what it represents. And when she had some power, leading her people and putting their care first, a narrative journey I hope to see for Elain coming into her own leadership position one day. 

One of the ways I wanted to outline drawing some of these parallels, is to break down some of the criticisms that Elain faces now that Sansa Stark also faced by fans. And if you are reading this and these criticisms are ones you have expressed, hopefully you reconsider your assumptions about Elain and where her story is going. 

Elain is boring. 

This accusation is often ascribed to Elain based on her interests and hobbies and refusal to participate in more traditionally masculine roles in the narrative (fighting, swordplay). Elain is often described as gardening, baking, helping with domestic duties, and purposely kept away from the political and adventurous parts of the narrative. And yet, this does not mean that in order for Elain to be interesting, she suddenly needs to be thrust into her own version of a training montage to start learning to use swords and daggers. Elain is a powerful Made Fae. She has one of the rarest abilities, being a Seer. She is deeply connected with the Koschei plot, as she was the one to see a vision of him, Vassa, and the other cursed women, which brought about Lucien’s journey to the continent and connecting that overall plot to what is happening in Prythian. It’s very likely her story will focus on her exploring her magic more, likely with Lucien, to figure out how to break Vassa’s curse and destroy Koschei once and for all - none of which requires her to actually become a warrior. 

Elain will become evil. 

Sansa too was often criticized as being boring by fans. They saw her struggles, being passed from cruel husband to cruel husband, as signs she was weak. Sansa was often directly compared to her sister Arya who was learning to fight with a sword and training as an assassin. But Sansa was undergoing a very different sort of training. We see her shed her sheltered POV of the world, and instead, became deeply involved in the politics of the game of thrones. She learns from several characters how to play the game and play it right, as she is one of the few characters to survive until the end, having a true hero’s journey of ascension. We see that she uses people’s assumptions that she is stupid and naive to their disadvantage, allowing their underestimation of her abilities to make them turn away from how she outsmarts them in the end. Elain is also hinted at being deeply intelligent, in ways that even her sisters seem to ignore. She is also described several times in ACOSF as being sneaky, foreshadowing that she will surprise her family based on their assumptions of her. Ultimately, I foresee Elain leaning into her courtly knowledge and social skills, much like Sansa, to push forward her own journey.

Elain and Sansa are also both very inward characters. When they are struggling, they are more quiet and unassuming, to disarm others and draw attention away from them. As we know from Sansa's POV chapters, she was constantly strategizing her pretty words to save her skin. And I think Elain similarly shows the world one side of her, but hides a rich and complex inner world that we won't see until we get her POV.

This critique - which is also not always presented as a critique but sometimes as a wish for Elain to become a villain so she might be more interesting to those who find her boring - is one that I really dislike. And one of the biggest reasons I dislike it is because I saw the exact same predictions thrown at Sansa crash and burn. Often fans would revel in the idea that “finally, Sansa can become interesting” if she were to turn into the next Cersei or Littlefinger. But we did not see that happen. Instead, we saw that Sansa clung to her compassion, empathy, and her Stark morality, while shedding the blind trust that put her father and brothers into so much danger. She took lessons from Cersei and Littlefinger, but rather than becoming them, she bested them. Especially Littlefinger, where she outsmarted him when he tried to turn her and her sister against each other, and ultimately is the one who passed his execution sentence, achieving justice for all the crimes he committed against her family and Westeros. Sansa did not let the brutalization of her body and spirit turn her against her family. She never betrayed them, even when she was wed to their worst enemies. Instead, she made it her priority to serve and represent the North and its interest in all things, including standing up to Dany, because she understood to hold the North, she must not bend to other rulers and respect all that the North had sacrificed for the Starks. 

Similarly, I do not see Elain betraying her family. There are several times she asserts her loyalty and insists that she wants to help them and their interests. I think her story will be more about being underestimated by her family and overlooked for leadership roles and her insight (as was Sansa) and this will push her to branch out on her own to discover who she is outside of her family and the expectations they have of her. But I do not think she will become the antagonist to them. Instead, I see her using her own strength to “save” them too in ways they would have never imagined that Elain can do. Sansa was not an outright antagonist to Jon, for example, though she often challenged him (which upset many fans, more on that later) because she believed her perspective was valuable. I see Elain's difference in how she sees the world and what she values being in similar disagreement with the Night Court, and her having to "prove" herself to them that she needs to be taken seriously.

Elain and Sansa are also very similar in that they both are described as abhorring violence. Sansa, in the end, does sometimes use violence as a means to an end, and even is shown enjoying Ramsey’s brutal execution by being eaten by his own dogs. Yet, Sansa is never shown to enjoy moments like these again (and of course this moment is most understandable given all the torture Ramsey put her and others through). Sansa does not lead with anger or brutality like Cersei. Rather, she shifts from a bright, sunny girl to an authoritative woman who ices out her enemies and shows kindness and warmth to her friends and subjects. To me, in keeping with character archetypes, I do not see Elain straying from this core feature of herself as well. I don’t see her desiring to follow in the footsteps of others who use torture and violence to extract information or to hurt others who have hurt her. I do think should Elain come into a position of political leadership, that like Sansa, she will care for the people (as she is already shown to do in Velaris and was known to do in the human lands) and when needed, show her steely, authoritative voice that is unbending (much like the infamous quote from Sansa in the books “my skin has turned from porcelain, to ivory, to steel”). 

Basically, female characters do not have to be either warriors or evil villains to be interesting. Sometimes, female characters who are kind, compassionate, intelligent, and full of hope can still have badass stories and stand as heroines in their own right while maintaining all of those characteristics. 

Elain is two-faced/bitchy/spoiled/selfish. 

Of course, the classic, when the feminine character does anything SLIGHTLY unsettling to the reader, she is hated and tons of stereotypically misogynistic insults are thrown at her. 

I will first off start by saying that when people say this about Elain, it is when she is essentially displaying behaviors that counter their first argument - that Elain is boring. When Elain is being compliant and nice to the other characters, she is called boring. When she very briefly, pushes back on them at all, these insults are hurled at her. I don’t even want to waste time breaking down why these are just comically unfair. Because the fact of the matter is is that every character in the book displays moments of being two-faced/bitchy/spoiled/selfish. And yet, it is Elain who is given these monikers as if they are core features of who she is. Other female characters in ACOTAR are also called these names. However, Elain faces the unique situation of only ever being boring or bitchy to those who dislike her. She can't win either way.

Sansa, of course, had all these insults hurled at her too. She was a traitor and two-faced for having a girlish crush on Joffrey when she was 13 (11 in the books) and literally betrothed, by her father, to a prince. When Sansa at all stands up to characters like Jon or Dany and disagrees with them or argues with their logic about how to handle different choices, she is bitchy, even though Sansa is often proved to be correct in her logic, hesitancy, and how she thinks politically. And of course, in line with the previous point about becoming evil, it was assumed that Sansa would be two-faced with her family. And yet, we saw, time and time again, Sansa was loyal to House Stark. Even the ultimate “sin” of Cersei guilting her to write to Robb about their Father being a “traitor” to the crown - Sansa did it because she thought it was one way she could save her father’s life. Basically, Sansa’s crime was being a girl who didn’t win the audience over by being spunky like her sister. Sansa’s crime was her naivete early on - when she was only a child, and it haunted her throughout the entire series and how fans saw her. Even though, out of every character in the books/show, Sansa at her core, is the one who represents the audience the most. She is the most removed from the magical storylines. The way she lives her life is closer to our own modern way of living than any of the warriors or magical characters in their world. Sansa represents who we would be if we were suddenly thrust into a fantasy story - defenseless and easily abused. But most readers and watchers want to see who they are not, rather than follow a story of who they actually could be and what strength might follow. 

What I want to see from Elain’s story:

Following the lessons of staying true to my girl, Sansa, I hope that Elain, like Sansa, finds her own way in the empathy, kindness, and social skills that she has - along with exploring her powers. Now, as Elain is in a romance, and not a dystopian fantasy like Sansa is, her ending will have a HEA with her love interest. Sansa became Queen in the North, it’s true. But she has no love interest. Her family is all scattered. And there is a bit of a coldness to her now. Many suspect that she will play more of a Queen Elizabeth I role in her rule and never marry, as to keep House Stark as House Stark. But if she were to marry, it will likely be a political alliance, though, my hope is she will find love in it. Because while Sansa might have had her dreams dashed at an early age, I truly hope for the sake of that little romantic girl, she can find love after all the hurt she had to experience. 

Elain will end up with a romance at the end of her story. And I think harkening to her character archetype and who suits her narrative best, it will of course be with her mate, Lucien, who mirrors her characteristics, values, and morals the most. I imagine for them a story where they act as courtiers, helping piece back together Spring, working on alliances with the human lands, and eventually, once Lucien learns of his heritage, finding another home in the Day Court (though I do imagine them to be life-long travelers, making many friends and allies across Prythian and the continent together - as Elain always wanted to travel). Similar to how Sansa used her political intelligence and compassion for her people, I see Elain and Lucien as well using their courtier/emissary skills and knowledge and devotion to serving the people of the courts, putting diplomacy first, to heal a broken and divided world. I think especially the alliance with humans will be so important for Elain’s journey. Where Elain has struggled the most with no longer being human, Lucien has been immersing himself in human culture and political interests. And once they are ready to start their journey, I think both putting their heads together will be invaluable in representing both the interests of the Fae and the humans. I also think Lucien has more invested interest, as her mate, to push her to explore her powers rather than dismiss her ever exploring them like those in the Night Court do. Lucien’s connections through the world can also help her find ways to find the information she needs to learn more about being a Seer and whatever else is going on with her. He also has his own personal experience with exploring and learning of his multitude of powers as well, including what it means to suppress and hide them, as I suspect Elain has been doing. Where Sansa had to prove herself to every character in the story to take her seriously and respect her, I think the one person who has always and will always believe in Elain is the person who has a soul-to-soul connection with her. Who puts her and her needs before his own, and will serve as her devoted sworn shield (cries in Sansan) to fight for her if need be. 

Also maybe I wish and hope for the unlikely Lucien and Elain as High King and High Queen narrative which would fit so perfectly to Sansa’s own rise, but I suspect SJM won’t go in that direction.

Anyways, if you made it to the end, thanks for reading my desperate need to get all these parallels out of my head. I have adored Sansa since I first watched the show in 2011 and fell even more in love with her when I read the books in 2013. I have been defending her to nasty people ever since, and when I joined the ACOTAR fandom, the way people criticized Elain felt SO familiar. Which of course it did. These kinds of criticisms do not stop with Sansa and Elain. Most characters like them are disliked for being soft women with big hearts who are vulnerable to cruel people in their worlds.  

[atla-recluse]

Some Not-So-Gentle Reminders and Points for the Gravity Falls Fandom (And for Fandoms in General) to Consider, Especially the Dishonest and Clueless “Apologists”

Note: So here’s my official first Gravity Falls post. I’m not exactly a new fan, though I am having a second wind of interest and appreciation for it and everything in it. For this particular post, I guess I just really felt like getting some thoughts off my chest and just kept going after that. Sorry for lack of pics/direct evidence. This was supposed to be quick and most of this stuff should be pretty obvious if you just pay attention and take the bias goggles off. I might come back and add images/media later. I’ll gladly correct any mistakes too, big or small, if need be.

Now consider this:

- Stan, in the scene where he allegedly “broke” Ford’s science fair project, didn’t even touch it! I repeat, Stan DID NOT touch Ford’s science fair project! What he touched, was the table it was set on when he slammed his fist down! Yet he was and still is blamed for it breaking by everyone in the fandom and show, even himself. How has this common claim so rarely been questioned by a fandom that prides itself on being skeptical and solving mysteries? Just use your eyes and rewatch the scene, people!

- The fact that Ford was so quick to accuse Stan—the one person in the whole world out of his entire life that had supported him through thick and thin and always protected him—of breaking his project based on minimal evidence at best, implies that Ford already had a low opinion of Stan by that point and probably much earlier. It implies that even if he did love Stan, he definitely didn’t believe in him. No one had ever believed in or supported Stan until Soos came into his life, followed by Wendy, Dipper and Mabel.

- No matter how you try and slice it, Ford had been outright shown time and time again, through both words and actions, to have not appreciated Stan’s love or devotion to him, or their closeness. At least not outwardly, to us viewers. His true feelings might not always show and we do get some glimpses here and there of his thoughts on Stan, but appearances matter a lot! Someone being open to doing things with another person, seemingly to keep up an air of decency and calm while they’re trapped in the same place together, doesn’t mean that person appreciates the other. It doesn’t even necessarily mean that you want a relationship with that person or to reconcile.

- Ford’s usage of the words “suffocating” and “meant for something greater” when talking to Dipper about familial relationships and specifically the boy’s connection with his sister Mabel, besides many other talked-to-death things, is very telling and shows how much he was terrified of the intimacy he had with Stan. There’s literally no nicer way to put it. He didn’t just want to escape the bullying he received or the crappy town he grew up in. He wanted to escape Stan. At some point in his adolescence, Ford seemed to have grown to view Stan as an obstacle to his success, a weight on his shoulders, a leech or spotlight hog of some sort, or just a painful reminder of awful experiences. This in itself is a very realistic reaction and when you look at the examples, the case for Ford truly being proud of what he had with Stan looks very shaky. Despite what I’ve noted here, I do think Ford did and does greatly love Stan deep down. But he also seemed to be afraid of something, which seems to have led to him wanting to run away from his feelings—and from Stan.

- Again, it’s possible to love someone dearly but still harm them or view them as harmful to you or for both of you to harm each other. If you really want to view Ford’s immediate discarding of what was supposedly both his and Stan’s dream, along with Stan himself, in a somewhat more positive (well, more selfless) light, you could argue that Ford thought he was holding Stan back (instead of solely vice versa). After all, if Stan did depend on Ford as much as we see him do in the series to the point where they were practically a (mis?) matched pair of socks, it could very well be that Ford felt like he was forcing Stan to be the ‘dumb but brawny and funny’ twin to his ‘smart but weak and weird’ self. Maybe he figured Stan shouldn’t have to keep defending him and making a fool of himself to make Ford happy and feel less alone in his ‘freakishness’ into adulthood. Perhaps he thought some separation was what they both needed to finally grow into two fully-fledged, separate beings.

- There’s an argument to be made that Ford is/was extremely narcissistic and insecure. You know what many narcissists (with or without NPD) have in common? They have low self-esteem. Low self-esteem often born from a childhood of emotional abuse and neglect and constantly being told there’s something wrong with you, that you’re not and will never be good enough. Low self-esteem and a need to hide it and look for ways to avoid rejection or coming rejection, even if it’s just perceived. It can be easy to forget that Stan and Ford were both treated terribly inside the home as well as outside it. Ford was on some level the golden child whereas Stan was the scapegoat. There are some narcissistic dynamics going on here. (They’re very prevalent in families, you know?) Childhoods like theirs are known for breeding such people. This means that Ford may have saw himself in a negative light but felt Stan’s love was exacerbating the problem because he was being led to believe that Stan was a problem; The problem child.

- Stan shows signs of extreme codependency to the point of having traits that practically mimic that of BPD/EDD/EUPD (including insecurity and low self-esteem as well). He’s clearly terrified of abandonment yet of closeness too, at the same time. This is likely also caused by his and Ford’s childhood. Many people with BPD come from homes like theirs, too. Now I understand these are cartoon characters, so the urge to diagnose, while understandable, is typically pointless. However, if we’re speaking theoretically on which disorders match up with characters the most based on what we see and find out about them, then yes, Stanley seems to be extremely codependent—especially toward Stanford—and likely suffers from other emotional trauma that was made far worse after he was kicked out.

Do we ever see it so much as implied that this concerns Stanford though? That he sympathizes with whatever current plight his brother is going through even once outside of the finale of all times, particularly before Stanley had seemingly already been erased out of existence? I don’t think we do. Well, maybe once. Stanford gave Dipper a pretty and high tech tie to give to Stanley... I guess he wanted to throw his poor, dumb dog of a brother a bone. (I kid, I kid. But not really.)

You can’t even claim that it was the same the other way around and say that Stan doesn’t pay mind to Ford’s struggles or want to help him out of them ever, because the show often goes out of its way to illustrate to us the opposite and often also makes it clear just how much Stan adores Ford. Spending their childhood protecting and sticking up for him. Dropping/giving up everything for Ford repeatedly. Being concerned over Ford’s sanity/behavior when he visited him that fateful day in 1982. Still holding out hope he’ll change his mind on their old dream despite the hell he’s been put through. Forgiving Ford for everything even after he almost ‘dies’ to clean up the problem that, mind you, FORD CAUSED TO BEGIN WITH. Ford “ruined” his own life! (And is implied or explicitly shown to have had a hand in bringing about the intense hardship of others’ lives. E.g. Stanley, Fiddleford....the evidence is there.)

- In fact, there can be no talks about “who was more responsible for Weirdmageddon” without acknowledging who was the first one to shake the devil’s hand: Ford! I mean, of course it’s mainly Bill’s fault, he’s the villain! The point is that it’s harder for others to do wrong when we refuse to help them. We know romantic relationship cheaters are jerks but what about those who knowingly help the cheaters cheat? They never get a pass, now do they? Then the same can especially be said for Stanford, who did not refuse to help Bill—even despite warnings about summoning him—until it was too late and the cat was miles away from the bag. At that point he had no one to blame but himself for the problem continuing to escalate. I mean, don’t you remember the many questionable ways he tried to contain it?!

- Stanley is not even close to being the dumb twin. Not in anyway. On top of all the skills he’s learned over the decades, he’s actually implied to be close to as smart or even equal to Stanford. His whole life is actually a testament to how amazing he truly is at surviving and, given the right tools, thriving. You know what some of you sound like when you have nothing but crap to say about this main’s relatively positive traits, irrespective of his actual wrong-doings? Stanford Pines, pre-realization of all the ways he has screwed things up for those around him. You know, who the man was only after he erased Stanley’s memory. Though a lot of you seem to self-insert and project onto Stanford to an unpleasant extent anyway, so I guess that’s not surprising. You know who else you end up sounding like? Filbrick Pines. Yeah, that one. I don’t know, seems a bit disturbing to be. You know who else you often end up sounding like? Bill Cipher, if I remember properly. In fact, wasn’t it implied that much of Stanford’s negative views of Stanley and not needing family, was influenced by Bill? Hmm.

- You can not blame Stanley for pushing Stanford into the portal while completely ignoring the context of the scene and all the actions that lead up to that point. Ford sent Stan a vague postcard (implying he may have known how to reach Stan all along). Ford allowed Stan inside and in the basement where things were bound to be the most dangerous. Ford told Stan to take the book and get as far away from him (“sail as far away as you can. To the edge of the Earth”) as possible despite knowing their were a lot of tender feelings there, especially when it came to the two of them sailing together. Ford started the fight when Stan tried to burn the book he was given, that Ford wanted to get rid of anyway! Ford pushed Stan while trying to get said book back onto a bunch of buttons which activated the portal to begin with! The accidental lever turn came after that and the Stan accidentally pushing him into the portal was just the nail in the coffin of their faux family reunion that Ford caused to happen. 

No one made Ford choose an unsuspecting Stan as a tool and means to an end for the mess he put himself and possibly the whole world in. That was his choice. Either they’re both to blame or Ford is solely to blame. What you’re not going to do is put the entirety of the blame on Stan. Call me every name in the book for this, but I believe the BIGGEST innocent victim in that scenario was Stan! You don’t need to blame him for every single terrible thing that happened to Ford because Stan already blames himself for everything! Even when it doesn’t look like it could have been him responsible for it! He already is full of shame and remorse that fill every step he takes every single day. He worried every day for thirty years that the blood of one of the only people in his life that he’s loved, may have been on his own hands.

- I think it’s possible that one of the reasons Ford latched on to Bill despite all the red flags, was because Bill reminded him of Stanley. He wanted a friend. He wanted his best friend back. Bill played the role almost perfectly—until he didn’t anymore and Ford realized his mistake. This could mean that there’s a chance he realized the biggest difference between Stan and Bill since he did end up contacting the former after Bill’s betrayal, and in his own words, chose Stan because he trusted him. He still trusted Stan. It could have been less than when they were children though and all that time with someone that reminded him of Stan yet ended up betraying him ‘too’ may have caused him to start associating Stan with Bill. I can imagine that after he was sucked into the portal, Ford’s associating Stan with painful betrayal may have worsened. But bringing him out of the portal could have slightly improved it. And seeing as they finally sailed away by the end, he realized must have he was wrong to ever associate them, if he had before. I bet they’re probably still sailing around the world together over a decade later right now.

- If the thought of both twins not returning home and choosing to live with their grunkles and exploring gravity falls/world and sailing the sea together, bothers you, ask yourself how it would have been soooo much better if only Dipper had stayed while Mabel went back home? You see the issue with that now? I won’t argue whether or not it’s okay for a 12 - 13 year old boy to stay in a far off place with an adult family member. After all their parents didn’t mind sending them alone to Gravity Falls for the summer to live with their great uncle anyway, which was likely dangerous/irresponsible of them for many reasons. I just think it’s suspicious that some people can only see the issue if someone suggests that both twins should have left their parents and life in California behind to resolve the issue of the apprenticeship and keeping close to one’s sibling all at once.

- The Stan Twins told their story in ATOTS but only we, the audience, actually see it play out. The characters don’t. The way brothers explained it may have made it seem to each other like the other still had no sympathy for them and didn’t think that what they did was wrong. Stan even called Ford’s dream college “stupid” while the flashback was being shown and he was explaining his side of the story. The fact that neither apologizes for the painful things they helped contribute to in their young adulthood which affected them, probably didn’t help either.

- In one of the scenes from the ATOTS flashback, Ford yelled at Stan “Help me Stanley!” as he was slowly sucked into the portal. He wanted Stan to save him! These were Ford’s final words to him that Stan internalized and are what Stan immediately set out to do! He likely worked for decades with these last words in mind, not knowing whether Ford would still be alive when he brought him back to their world! Ford even threw the book that they’d fought over to Stan before he disappeared. How do you think that looked from Stan’s POV? Like a visual cry for help on top the audible one I bet! Also, Ford had some awful nightmares thanks to Bill. It was terrible what was done to him and pushed him to the point of insanity. However, he wasn’t the only one with fears, regrets and a troubled past. Imagine what Stan’s nightmares must have been like, especially the ones with Ford in them? The parts of Stan’s dreamscape that we got a view of were depressing. The dreary colors, the symbolism...

- Both sets of twins are extremely sensitive to and immediately take things to heart, especially insults/criticism and all of them can at times act less mature than their actual ages. They all feel inadequate in some way. They just showed these traits to different extents and unhealthily cope in different ways. Be careful with their feelings and what you say to them because all of them wear a front as a cover for protection. They also all occasionally lack common sense, act silly and say and do the oddest things at times. Plus they all need someone who genuinely loves them dearly to hold them down and would die for their family (or die of heartbreak if they didn’t get there in time).

- Stan and Ford after decades apart and so much animosity between them, are sailing on a ship. They could be together in the middle of nowhere very often. Knowing of all those negative feelings that were present, it leads me to think about all the ways their trip could have gone wrong. Many understand that their father was abusive, but what if they were or became abusive to each other? I don’t want to believe this would happen and I doubt we were supposed to consider such a thought. However, the terrible possibilities are still there. At worst, I prefer to think that things are at times bitter but then sweet.

- It’s very fascinating to me how so much “Stanford Defense” seems to be built upon throwing other characters under the bus to make him seem less culpable for his own choices. It boggles my mind how the same people who claim that characters such as Stan and Mabel are never questioned on anything (laughable to say this point, especially coming from them) seem to be the ones doing everything in their power to keep people from so much as voicing displeasure anymore at any part of Ford’s character. I swear I’m ever seeing the same names on different sites arguing with people about how wrongly ridiculed he is. It’s really is starting to look like all the “Stanford gets soooo much unnecessary HAAAAATE and is always bAsHeD” people are trying to take things in the opposite direction. Which is just as upsetting if not more so, because such behavior only leads to the shutting down of discussion and critique. That’s horrible for a fandom to go through, just like the other way around. Can’t Gravity Falls do better than that?

- Your faves won’t ever be every single person’s faves. Sometimes people will even dislike a character that you like. That’s fine! That’s life! Just don’t forget while loving said character, that this does not have to mean you approve of everything they say or do. You don’t need to jump to one’s defense whenever someone makes a point. Especially a valid one that can’t truly be disproven anyway. It makes you look delusional and like you’re in a parasocial relationship with that fictional character. Learn and never forget the difference between arguing an important point with societal implications and solely defending a character for the sake of it, please.

- Mental illness is not a joke or something to wear as a badge of honor. It’s also not something that, if noticed, should be swept under the rug. In the case of fictional characters, I think it’s quite admirable when people can see certain traits of themselves or their loved ones in characters past the stereotypical ones, but that also gives us a chance to talk about those traits and just how hard it can be to live with them and why sympathy and amnesty is so important to healing and moving forward. I believe Stan and Ford especially show signs of extreme mental illness in the show that I have a hunch were placed in them on purpose. This seems to be one of those cases where we’re supposed to see our own family dynamics in them.

- It’s asinine to claim to love a character but ignore or even outright deny their faults and flaws, even when they admit to it! If you love someone, love all of that person, even if you’re often at odds with them. When someone says they love Stanford for literally deny things about him that are proven to be true, I’m left wondering if that person actually loves him—or just the idea of him. Same with any other character this happens with. Enough with the need for our favorite characters to be pure, perfect versions of ourselves. Enough with the need to wipe away issues and to go as far as making up traits for the character, or even stealing their traits from another to make him or her look better and the other character look worse. You’re in effect masking what depth is actually present and risking putting a bad taste in the mouth of those that are neutral on them; souring them to the character and even fandom. 

- Even the characters with potential who were unfortunately underutilized—such as Caryn Pines, the mother of the Stan Twins—still tended to fill their main roles in the story pretty well, even despite time restraints. Some of these and other side characters even managed to gain their own small group of fans and fan-creators on their behalf, within the larger fandom. That is pretty wild and deserves some praise. Nice one writers!

- Sometimes it really does help to just remove yourself from the story and just be meta with your takes, i.e. to distance yourself when discussing something because it helps make you less biased and more evidence-based. There are times where we really do see something in a character that indeed was not there or meant to be there. Death of the author can only allow for so much leeway in interpretations. Authorial intent will always matter. This show was very detailed and there are so many things you only noticed after looking again. Some theories exist that imply the whole story for the Pines Family would have mattered no matter what in-universe. We need to be careful when arguing things, we may be/end up wasting our time even more than we think. Oh and ...cartoon logic haha. Also no one loves or will ever love the Pines Family like the Pines Family can. Nor like the creators/writers themselves do. We also can not understand them the way the ones who made them can. When in doubt, it tends to be best to just trust them and their intentions, and your gut as a last resort.

- The Gravity Falls ending was meant to be a happy, fairytale-like ending. That’s how it’s been implied to be the case by the creator (probably not with the company known for fairytales, Disney, even asking him to) and is the reason why every character was so quick to forgive and forget, and why everyone but the ‘super bad guys’ got their ideal ending. Sometimes it’s really not about what would have been the most interesting or profound (or logical) to viewers when making directive choices but about what would make us feel most at peace.

Note: This was all written with mostly one perspective in mind. There are however, many others ones and I do think lots of them are valid takes too, some of them I may even agree with as well and may have hinted at. Also, although it can be hard to tell with so many questionable decisions made, things not done that should have been and even some writing errors here and there, I do think all four of the Pines Family members and those adopted into the family, truly love each other and express it in different ways. That’s what this whole show is really all about and how it ended: With Love for Family prevailing.

[semper-legens]

153. This Is How You Lose The Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Owned?: Yes Page count: 198 My summary: Red and Blue, time-travelling agents working for rival agencies, start writing to each other just to gloat. They write in fire, in animals, in plants, in tastes and colours - but what they don’t realise is that they’re growing closer with each letter. If they are caught, they will certainly be killed. But Red and Blue are falling in love… My rating: 5/5 My commentary:

I've spoken about this book before. It took me a long time to read This Is How You Lose The Time War initially - I knew about it as I follow one of the authors, Amal El-Mohtar, on social media thanks to her being featured in a Blake's 7 podcast I was listening to. It's been long enough since my first read-through, however, that a reread would be both an interesting prospect. I remembered some things about the book going into it, but not all of the details, which is always fun when you're reading something like this. Overall, I still really liked it, for many of the reasons I highlighted in my first writeup of the book. So, let's get into it!

First of all, I absolutely love the lyricism and poetry of the prose here. Long-time readers of this blog might remember that I like my prose on the purpler side, and this does not disappoint in that capacity. The words are archaic and modern, teasing and serious, playful and sombre all at once, and the overall impression is of a hazy dream, the kind of thing that would get endlessly quoted online to show how deep and cultured the person doing the quoting is. Not that I think that's a bad thing. It very much fits the tone of the piece and the impression of these two endlessly smart, endlessly devoted women. And I absolutely love how the letters between Red and Blue are themselves written - not just pen and paper or keyboard and screen, but found in smell and touch and taste as much as sight and hearing. It's a very sensual experience, by which I mean that it involves all of the senses. This is a book that you can feel, deep in your soul. (Now who's wanting to sound deep?)

Red and Blue are incredibly engaging protagonists. Blue is from some sort of biopunk flower place, where everything is grown and everyone is supposed to be encompassed in a sort of hive mind, led by the Garden. Red is more cybernetic, with hacking and connecting to computers being her thing, and she's led by the Commandant. Nevertheless, they both employ very similar methods in their fight to change time to favour their particular future, perhaps highlighting the similarities between their two shadowy organisations despite their very different backstories. They're two very similar women, but I found their voices to still be unique and distinguishable, both in the narrative style of their chapters and in the letters they write to one another. And, of course, the fact that this is a love story between two women is a huge selling point for me. We see their relationship go from slightly flirty rivalry to deep and pervasive love, the kind that would have both sides ultimately desert their original function and devote themselves entirely to each other.

Overall, this is still an incredible book, and I would still highly recommend it! I'm sure it'll be popping up on this blog again in due time.

Next up, snapshots of life in Weimar Republic Berlin.

[kamreadsandrecs]

Title: Paladin's Faith (Saint of Steel #4)

Author: T. Kingfisher

Genre/s: fantasy, romance, mystery, romantasy

Content/Trigger Warning/s: gore, death, violence, murder, sexual harassment (not explicit)

Summary (from author's website): Marguerite Florian is a spy with two problems. A former employer wants her dead, and one of her new bodyguards is a far too good-looking paladin with a martyr complex.

Shane is a paladin with three problems. His god is dead, his client is much too attractive for his peace of mind, and a powerful organization is trying to have them both killed.

Add in a brilliant artificer with a device that may change the world, a glittering and dangerous court, and a demon-led cult, and Shane and Marguerite will be lucky to escape with their souls intact, never mind their hearts…

Buy Here: https://argyllproductions.com/product/paladins-faith-saint-of-steel-book-4/

Spoiler-Free Review: Kingfisher does it again! As always the romance was on point and delightful. Marguerite is a delight to read, and honestly strikes me as much more…open, I guess? Than the previous protagonists. Which is funny given her line of work, but she read as the one with the least to hide, and was most willing to acknowledge her own feelings and the feelings of others.

And then there is Shane. I was not entirely expecting this storyline for him, but I am IMMENSELY pleased with and delighted by how it went. His connection to the Dreaming God was mentioned in passing in previous books, but now that I know how deep that connection goes, and what the loss of both that connection AND the connection to the Saint of Steel did to him, well… I mean, is it any surprise that his self-doubt runs VERY deep? This facet of his personality plays a lot into his dynamic with Marguerite, and makes for some admittedly squee-worthy moments between the two of them.

Wren is also a delight and a darling in this one. There is an entire subplot going on with her that in some ways was more enjoyable to read than Shane and Marguerite’s, largely because while the beats for the Shane/Marguerite romance were more or less familiar and unsurprising, Wren’s subplot was less predictable.

Speaking of the Dreaming God, it was fun getting to meet more of his paladins! I kind of hope some of them will get books of their own eventually, but given that there are still three more paladins of the Saint of Steel to go before the current series is finished, I suspect it’s going to take a while. And honestly, I’m more interested in seeing more paladins of the Forge God; they seem pretty cool, based on the few glimpses Kingfisher’s shown of them in previous books in this series.

I was also delighted by all the throwbacks to the Clocktaur War duology! Readers who’ve read those books are going to be in for a TREAT, given how many nods and mentions are made in passing to characters and events that happened in that series.

Since there’s a rather heavy Dreaming God presence in this book, it shouldn’t be any surprise that there are demons at play, and the one featured here is VERY interesting. Won’t say more to avoid giving out spoilers, but I think a lot of readers are going to be fascinated by this one - and by the implications that particular plotline has for a whole lot of things in potential future books in this series and in others set in the World of the White Rat.

Overall, this was a great continuation of the series, even if the connection to the bombshell ending of Paladin’s Hope isn’t as direct as some readers might’ve wanted. Then again, that’s been the pattern for this series all along, with each book able to function almost as a standalone and instead lightly referencing previous books instead of being direct sequels. Still, that plot thread in Paladin’s Hope is picked up in this one, though in a highly unexpected way that might leave some readers feeling a bit rabid about the release of the next one.

Rating: five rats

[a-couple-of-notes]

stray willow 1x07 thoughts

it's hard when you finally have the time and energy to write meta and all the meta has already been written. anyway please check out the what the force podcast and all the great stuff here on tumblr. throwing a few extra pennies in the well because I love this damn show.

two particular line callbacks that I caught! the crone tells airk "forget all you know or think you know, and come with me." this is willow's line to elora from 1x02 about magic: "now forget all you know, or think you know." this connects the crone to elora, (they're both entities who have connected to the deep mystical magics) but also, obviously, to willow, as the dark version of his mage. the other is boorman's line "I'm nobody." this echoes elora's line from the first episode, where she's rejecting her heroic identity as elora danan. it shows boorman is also at that point, and is ready, like elora did, to build his way back up.

time is a big thing this episode! and specifically very messed-up, nonlinear time. the main party jump around from location to location, conversation to conversation, with a very loose sense of where it fits on the actual calendar - because the continuity is emotional. they'll only reach the end of the shattered sea and come out of the night once they've worked through all their baggage, which the darkness provides them cover to do (something something rest/subconscious). meanwhile airk is stuck in an endless day, kept from exploring his real feelings and subconscious. there is simultaneously too much and no time for him, as he becomes thirstier and thirstier but does not experience the rest or growth or transformative journey that the others do.

all of kit and elora's interactions were gold this episode. I've always loved their dynamic but now that kit's come into herself, I think this is a representation of how fulfilling that friendship can be: mirrors pushing each other to be better. I love how elora's training with willow spurs kit to train with jade, which spurs elora to train harder. like they're silently challenging each other, but in a much healthier way than before.

kit's "my lady" line is so interesting because given her stated desires ("to be brave and loved and to not be a princess"), the specific role she's taken up in the ensemble (the skeptic/elora's lancer), and some of the ways her relationship with jade has hashed out (their first kiss being very reminiscent of sleeping beauty with kit as the prince, kit's arc of having to prove herself a worthy partner for jade, jade's origins as a bonereaver princess), I sort of wonder if kit did want to be a knight. either way, I think that moment is doubly heartwarming for the way kit fulfills elora's dreams of being a princess and the fact that kit has grown enough to truly embody the chivalry of that gesture.

graydon's love confession was so good both as a romantic moment and a demonstration of his self-confidence. this boy was choking on his drink at dinner in episode 1! look at him now.

the flirty sparring was super hot, and I am very aware that all the spinning and sword-twirling is unrealistic but I don't care (and also choreography is character - this was more of a dance than an actual fight, kit was absolutely showing off her moves, and maybe the fact that kit spins around so much is a sign of trust! she knows jade won't stab her several times in the back! I admit that's probably a stretch.)

kit's look back at jade before falling off the cliff is so heartbreaking and good, both for what it conveys in the moment and for what it conveys about kit's growth as a character. in the beginning, kit would have charged ahead without a second thought, not caring about jade's feelings and probably assuming she'd be right behind her. now kit is still charging ahead (she hasn't lost her core self, a person who will forge ahead when others won't), but she does care about jade, she does look back and check in, and I don't think she assumes jade will follow her, even if she hopes she will.

I hope kenneth is all right.

[rise-my-angel]

I'm going insane rn. I made the mistake of visiting the asoiaf subreddit, I want to bleach my eyes. Why are secret Targ theories everywhere? Why does everyone need to be a Targaryen? Why are some people so convinced that Mance Rayder is actuay Rhaegar? That secret Targ theory, in particular, infuriates me, mainly because not everything has to be about the damn Targaryens, they interpret every single plotline to ever exist in this series to have something to do with the Targs and none of them are spared, appadently- But also because Mance Rayder is much, much more interesting, as a character, than Rhaegar can ever dream of being.

Like, I consider this an insult to the time and effort grrm spent to write about Mance and develop him into a well fleshed out character. He is a brute, tough guy and leader of the Free Folk but he's also a trickster type bard who loves his bawdy songs, He's a Night's Watchman and a Wildling but also neither, Qhorin Halfhand was his enemy but also a dear friend once- All of these show an active effort by the author to create a complex character, to not leave him as a generic cardboard cutout but flesh him out into an actual, believably realistic person, and I find it kinda rude to look at all that effort and artistic intention, and just go 'Actually, no, it's this other guy instead.'

Why take an already interesting character and make him a secret Targ? Is nobody in this universe allowed to be interesting and important without having some sort of connection to that fucking house?

Also, just because they both play music doesn't mean that they're literally the same fucking person, and I can't believe that's a sentence this fandom has made me have to say. I never would have thought I'd have to explain how two people having the same hobby doesn't make them the same people, to whom I assume are grown adults. I'm starting to think these people live in a planet where only a single person is allowed to specialise in a particular field, and the guy who does music is called 'Greg Musicman' or something, and that's what they base these theories off of.

I HATE the "everyone is a secret targ" theories. It's so uncreative and pointless. It's as dumb to me as the "everyone is secretly a faceless man" theory. The whole reason why there are so few Targaryeans left is because the house basically cannibalized itself, leaving how few there are today. There are no secret targs besides Jon, because Jon being a secret Targ is actually extremely relevant to multiple characters major plotlines (Ned for example).

Everyone else being a secret targ is so stupid. HOW ON EARTH WOULD RHAEGAR DISGUISE HIMSELF AS MANCE RAYDER. MANCE LOOKS NOTHING LIKE HIM.

From the wiki for reference:

"Mance is a slender man and of middling height, but broader in the chest and shoulders and taller than Rattleshirt. His long brown hair has gone mostly to gray, and laughter lines appear at the corners of his mouth. Mance has a sharp face with shrewd brown eyes."

"The beautiful Rhaegar had deep purple or indigo colored eyes. He had long, elegant fingers, and was taller than his younger brother, Viserys would be in his adulthood. Rhaegar's hair was similar to the silver-blond of Viserys and their sister Daenerys."

Yeah, I can see how people could possibly mix the two up. Like, Mance is such an interesting character and by making him secretly Rhaegar it just diminishes his interesting backstory. It feels literally like a cheap ploy for theorists to have Rhaegar actually alive to interact with his secret son.

They have this for everyone though. Tyrion is secretly a Targaryean. Melisandre is secretly a Targaryean. Samwell Tarly is a secret Targaryean. Craster is a secret Targaryean. I'VE DEAD ASS HEARD PEOPLE THEORIZE LYANNA STARK WAS A SECRET TARGARYEAN.

It's exhausting these people are so fucking obsessed with this house that everyone has to connect back to it when it literally makes no sense for a single one they;ve ever come up with and a reveal of them being a secret Targaryean would add up to literally no relevance. The entire point of Jons parentage is because he is the one person whose reveal would be impactful. It would effect multiple characters and stories, thats the point. Its so unthinkable to happen, and yet it is the truth Ned Stark hid for Jons entire life to protect him.

To have this be casual for anyone else, means that Ned risked jack shit to protect his son because apparently its easy to hide secret Targaryean lineage.

The brain rot amongst Targ stans is honestly baffling. They are just delusional at this point it feels like. Like, I'm sorry to say this, but...

The Targaryeans aren't actually that interesting in the first place.

[vadvis]

Listen I agree with the general sentiment happening here and I get where you're coming from but there are 2 factors missing from this conversation a lot of the time: Which is the understanding of the evolution of communication, and also (more specific to like, right now, and more based on observation rather than history) this deep need for escapism in children right now.

The first part of what I'm talking about is that a lot of what op has mentioned here and what I see brought up a *lot* in similar sentiments is a heavy emphasis on media consumption, and the mediums which that consumption takes place. Yes, children are absolutely not flipping through channels to find random movies. But this is because children don't *have* television right now. Television is an actively dying medium of communication. This has nothing to do with a lack of curiosity or desire to learn in children - it is a natural progression of communication channels changing. As they always have. When television was first introduced, elder generations who had only known radio had extremely similar criticisms and feared that sitting in front of moving pictures would also create a lack of imagination. Hell, I remember reading a story in one of my classes of the fear of the use of typewriters leading to a loss of the ability to write anything by hand in children of the time. This is just how communication medium changes are. One of my communication professors tried to argue recently that communication was "dying" because her students (currently mostly older millennials) were turning in essays with less formal academic speech than in years prior. She failed to understand that language is simply transforming, not dying. Now, you *can* make the argument that the digital age (and rapidly approaching artificial intelligence age) of communication demands less "creativity" to make the active choice to pick up a particular interest in something without the influence of advertisments and algorithms, but this leads into my second point.

This is anecdotal and based also on my own observation of my mother as an educator for over 30 years. She is less concerned with the lack of reading in her kids, and instead the lack of general interest in *anything* in kids right now. She describes a deep apathy in the classroom and also a general seeming lack of any sort of social norms that are common for certain age groups. She theorizes that a combination of living through intensely traumatic community events (especially covid), financial hardship at home manifesting in malnourishment, lack of parental attention, etc., and an over saturation of distressing information via unfiltered internet access are to blame. It is a deeply, deeply scary time to be a child right now.

However, there are positives to *both* of these things. The first is more obvious, which is that digital communication channels create more rapid connections with people that we really did not have 20-30 years ago. There was a time VERY recently where ever communicating with someone in a different country was something people never did in their entire lives. We do this daily now. Of course this has so many benefits to children. Cultural connections that a lot of kids could never dream of having several decades ago are the norm right now. That's amazing. As fun as reading Warrior Cats in the school library was, there is just as much value in reading a poem someone posted to a trending song on tiktok, or sharing jokes with friends that were found on tiktok, or picking up a form of art like crocheting from watching a tutorial on tiktok. There are plenty of terrible things on tiktok, but there are also plenty of terrible books, films, TV shows, etc. It's not an inherently *bad* communication channel. It's just a different one. One that steals a lot more data from you, sure, but again this is a natural progression that is not inherently discouraging creative thinking.

In the same breath that my mother speaks of her worries about apathy in her classrooms, she also expressed excitement about how incredibly motivated children are to express themselves. Learning to hold strong opinions online has translated into real life for a lot of these kids. Student walk-outs organized on social media are *routine* in many districts now. I think the closest I ever saw when I was in high school were a handful of kids (including me) wearing masks to school to protest don't ask, don't tell. I can't even properly picture the idea of *dozens* of kids organizing themselves to speak up about issues they care about.

My point is: Yeah, the kids really are not alright right now. But the reason isn't the existence of social media or other digital communication channels. It isn't even directly the fault of the algorithms or advertisements somehow taking away a desire to learn or be creative. It's a horrible mixture of trauma, physical illness, starvation, unstable housing, lack of parental attention, crumbling education infrastructure, and an overload of deeply troubling information at their fingertips at all time. Of course they'd prefer to just watch whatever movie someone recommended on letterboxd for the explicit *desire* to turn off their brains and indulge in escapism for a little while. But by no means are children losing their creativity, or their curiosity. In many ways they are communicating these traits in more profound ways than previous generations have ever been allowed to. So don't worry so much about what's going on in their heads - worry more about what's going on in their homes and communities to drive them to feel apathetic and unmotivated.

(sorry for making this super long I just really worry about the bleak outlook in conversations like this - I can literally source my examples in communication history if someone asks lol)

Sometimes. I’m struck by how. Incurious. The Kids are these days. A 2022 Pew survey showed that 2/3 people under 25 preferred tiktok to any other form of media. If something is not on their tiktok fyp they simply don’t care to know it exists. And even when something *is* on the fyp, they stick to just that one thing and don’t use it as a stepping stone for discovery. Like. Streams of Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams and Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill shot up exponentially after they were featured on that tiktok and Stranger Things, respectively. But *just* those songs. It never occurred to them to. Listen to the rest of their discographies. Even just the rest of the album each was from. They’ll watch a movie if a clip goes viral but not seek out any other works in the lead actor/director’s filmography. Especially if it’s something from before 2001 that isn’t a constant on the letterboxd “popular this week” list. A buddy of mine who is a middle school teacher said that, of the 120 kids she teaches, just 3 of her students read for pleasure. None of them watch movies or shows that aren’t fed to them through tiktok. They don’t spend time in the library just taking in as much as they can. They don’t flip channels and land on a movie made before they were born. They don’t seek. Whatever is going on. It’s only getting worse. I don’t know what to do about it.

[esoteric-spirit-blog]

Soul mate vs. life partner: In search of the perfect match

In the world of relationships, there are two particular types that have a profound impact on our lives: Soulmates and life partners. Discover what sets soulmates apart from life partners and how both types of relationships shape your happiness and growth. I actually wanted to buy a book at the local bookstore to help me become more relaxed. I found The 7 Secrets of the Turtle. But I came across something much more interesting: The 3 loves of your life. I was intrigued by the table of contents and knew I had to have this book. Unfortunately, the titles are only available in German and I tried to find similar books on the American market. The book talked about a journey through love that everyone goes through: the first love, which is often naive and idealistic; the second love, which is full of challenges, pain and lessons; and finally the third love, which comes so unexpectedly and changes everything we thought we knew about love. It was as if the universe had sent me a sign at the exact moment I needed it most. Inspired by this idea, I decided to reflect on my own journey. I thought about my first love, which was so full of hopes and dreams, but ultimately didn't last. Then I remembered the second love that shook me to the core and taught me what it really means to fight and forgive. And now, in this moment of reading and self-reflection, I began to understand that I must be open to the possibility of the third love - a love that questions everything I thought I knew and accepts me as I am.    

What is a soul mate anyway and how does it differ from a life partner?

Although the terms 'soulmate' and 'life partner' are often used interchangeably, there are some important differences between them that we should understand. A soulmate is someone with whom we feel a deep spiritual connection. It is the person who touches our heart and soul and with whom we feel connected on a deep and meaningful level. A soulmate can help us grow, heal and realize our full potential. On the other hand, a life partner is someone with whom we enter into a long-term and stable relationship. It is someone who stands by our side in good times and bad, supports us and with whom we share common goals and values. A life partner is first and foremost a companion and partner in daily life. It is important to understand that a soulmate does not necessarily have to be our life partner and vice versa. It is possible to meet our soulmate but not have a romantic relationship with him or her. Likewise, we can find our life partner without feeling a deep spiritual connection. By understanding the differences between a soulmate and a life partner, we can better manage our expectations of relationships and potentially find a more fulfilling and harmonious partnership.    

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Understanding the spiritual and emotional connection

A soulmate is someone with whom we feel a connection on a deeper level. It goes beyond the surface and touches our soul. This connection can manifest on different levels, be it emotional, mental or spiritual. It is the feeling that we understand each other, even without words. It is the feeling that we have known each other for ages, even though we have only just met. The connection with a soulmate is intense and can lead us on a journey of self-knowledge and personal growth. The relationship with a soulmate is often characterized by mutual support and encouragement. We can feel safe and understood when we are with our soulmate. It is a connection that encourages us to overcome our fears and insecurities and to pursue our dreams and goals. A soulmate is someone who helps us realize our full potential and evolve into our best selves. It is important to note that a soulmate does not necessarily have to be our romantic partner. We can also find soulmates in friends, family members or mentors. Connecting with a soulmate can manifest in different ways, and it's important to be open to how they can enter our lives.  

Recognizing the signs of a soulmate relationship

The characteristics of a soulmate relationship can be different and vary from person to person. However, there are some common signs and characteristics that can indicate a deep connection with a soulmate. One of the most important characteristics of a soulmate is the feeling of familiarity. It is the feeling that we have always known each other, even if we have only recently met. We can understand each other without using many words and share our thoughts and feelings on an intuitive level. A soulmate can understand our innermost desires, fears and dreams without us having to explain them explicitly. Another sign of a soulmate relationship is mutual attraction. It is the feeling that we are magnetically drawn to our soulmate and that there is a strong chemical connection between us. This attraction goes beyond the purely physical and is based on a deeper connection and resonance on a spiritual and emotional level. A soulmate can also help us to get to know ourselves better and promote our personal development. They can help us to recognize our strengths and weaknesses, heal old wounds and develop our full potential. A soulmate is someone who helps us to be the best version of ourselves and accompanies us on our journey through life.    

The Role of Fate in Soulmate Connections

The concept of predestined connections and fate plays a significant role in the world of soulmates. Many people believe that we choose certain soulmates before birth and that we come together on Earth to learn specific lessons and support each other. Believing in fate can bring comfort and hope when it comes to finding our soulmates. It can give us the sense that there is a higher order and that everything happens in its own time and way. Believing in fate can also help us be patient and wait for the right moment to meet our soulmate. However, it’s important to note that we also bear responsibility for our relationships. Just because we believe in predestined connections doesn’t mean we should sit back and wait for things to happen. We need to actively work on our relationships and invest the necessary energy to build and maintain a deep connection.  

Life Partners: The Secret of Compatibility and Cohesion

While soulmates represent a deep spiritual connection, life partners stand for a long-term and stable partnership in everyday life. A life partner is someone with whom we share a common foundation and want to share our life. A life partnership is based on shared values, goals, and interests. It is someone who stands by our side and accompanies us through the ups and downs of life. A life partner can be our support pillar during difficult times and celebrate our greatest successes with us. Compatibility is an important aspect of a life partnership. It’s about whether we fit together well on a practical level and whether our life goals and visions are in alignment. It includes the ability to make compromises, resolve conflicts, and build a life together. It’s important to understand that a life partnership doesn’t necessarily have to include a deep spiritual connection. It’s possible to have a harmonious and fulfilling partnership without feeling deeply connected on a spiritual or emotional level. Every person has different needs and priorities in relationships, and it’s important to respect and acknowledge them.  

The Differences Between Soulmates and Life Partners: Recognizing Opposing Dynamics

The differences between soulmates and life partners are varied and can differ from person to person. However, there are some fundamental contrasts that can help us better understand the dynamics of these two types of relationships. One of the main differences lies in the nature of the connection. A soulmate connection is a deep spiritual and emotional bond that takes place on a deeper level. It is the feeling that we have known each other for ages and that we understand each other on a deep and meaningful level. On the other hand, a life partnership is a practical and everyday connection based on shared goals and values. Another difference lies in the type of relationship. A soulmate connection can be intense and energetic. There can be a strong attraction and chemistry between the partners. A life partnership, on the other hand, is often more stable and less characterized by intense emotions. It’s about mutual support, trust, and building a life together. The goals and priorities in these two types of relationships can also differ. A soulmate connection can lead us to focus on our personal development and self-awareness. It can lead us to heal old wounds and realize our full potential. A life partnership, on the other hand, can lead us to focus on building a shared life and achieving common goals. It’s important to understand that there is no right or wrong way when it comes to choosing a relationship. Every person has different needs and priorities, and it’s important to choose the type of relationship that best suits us. Some people find fulfillment in a deep spiritual connection, while others focus more on a stable and practical partnership.  

Soulmates and Life Partners: Searching for the Right Balance

Finding the balance between a soulmate connection and a life partnership can be challenging. It requires understanding the different needs and dynamics of these two types of relationships. It’s important to recognize and respect both our spiritual and emotional needs as well as our practical and everyday needs. A relationship that is only based on an energetic level may not provide the stability and security that we can find in a life partnership. On the other hand, a relationship that is only based on practical aspects may not offer the deeper connection and emotional resonance that we can find in a soulmate connection. The balance between these two types of relationships can vary from person to person. Some people find fulfillment in a relationship that offers both a deep spiritual connection and a stable partnership in everyday life. Others may prefer a stronger emphasis on one of the two aspects. Communication and understanding the needs and expectations of both partners are crucial in finding a balance between a soulmate connection and a life partnership. It requires openness, honesty, and the willingness to make compromises. It also requires the ability to accept changes and growth on both an individual and a shared level.  

Creating a Strong Foundation for Your Relationship with Your Chosen Partner

Building a lasting relationship requires work, commitment, and a strong foundation. It’s important to build a connection with someone who shares our values and goals and with whom we have a common foundation. One of the most important foundations for a strong relationship is communication. It’s important to speak openly and honestly with each other and to share our feelings, needs, and expectations. Communication helps us understand each other better and resolve conflicts. Trust is another important foundation for a lasting relationship. It’s important to trust our partner and to trust that they support and are there for us. Trust helps us feel safe and protected and build a deeper connection. Shared values and goals are also important for building a lasting relationship. It’s important that we have similar views in important areas such as family, career, and lifestyle. Shared values and goals help us develop a shared vision for our future and work towards it together. It’s also important to invest time and energy in nurturing our relationship. This means giving each other time and attention, engaging in shared activities, and maintaining the connection. A relationship requires continuous work and commitment to remain strong and fulfilling.   Tips and Strategies to Attract Your Soulmate The search for a soulmate can be an exciting and challenging journey. However, there are some tips and strategies that can help you attract your soulmate and establish a deeper connection. Self-Reflection: Before you can find your soulmate, it’s important to get to know and understand yourself. Take time for self-reflection and ask yourself what you’re looking for in a relationship and what your own values and goals are. By understanding yourself better, you can more easily recognize the type of connection you seek with a soulmate. Openness and Receptivity: Be open and receptive to new encounters and experiences. A soulmate can appear in unexpected places, so it’s crucial to be ready to recognize and accept the possibility of a deep connection. Be open to new people in your life and approach encounters with a positive attitude. Energetic Alignment: Work on your own energetic alignment and vibration. Soulmates attract each other on an energetic level, and the higher your own vibration, the more likely you are to attract someone on the same frequency. Find ways to increase your energy, whether through meditation, yoga, or other spiritual practices. Patience and Trust: The search for a soulmate requires patience and trust. It may take time to meet the right person, and it’s important not to give up and to believe in the power of the connection. Trust that the universe has the right timing and person in store for you, and be patient during the process. Self-Love and Self-Acceptance: Love and accept yourself as you are. Healthy self-love is the foundation for a fulfilling and harmonious relationship. By loving and caring for yourself, you also attract people who can love and accept you in the same way.   The Difference Between Soulmate and Twin Flame While the terms "soulmate" and "twin flame" are often used interchangeably, they describe two very different types of connections in spiritual and esoteric literature. Both concepts speak of deep, soulful bonds, but the nature of the connection and the associated experiences are fundamentally different. Soulmates are beings with whom we feel a deep, harmonious, and often immediate connection. These relationships are characterized by a sense of coming home or familiarity. Soulmates can appear in many forms—friends, family members, or romantic relationships—and often serve mutual growth and support. The relationship with a soulmate is usually less turbulent than with a twin flame and is based on mutual respect, love, and understanding. They bring out the best in us and help us fulfill our life goals and tasks. Twin Flames, on the other hand, represent a more intense type of soulful connection. It is said that a twin flame is one half of your soul that exists in two bodies. This theory suggests that the soul was split into two parts to go separate ways before reuniting in physical form. Meeting a twin flame is often accompanied by a deep spiritual awakening and can lead to intense, sometimes challenging experiences. The relationship is marked by a strong magnetic attraction but also phases of separation and conflict, ultimately leading to personal transformation and spiritual growth for both partners. While soulmates give us a sense of peace and belonging and support us on our life path, twin flames challenge us and drive us to confront our deepest fears, insecurities, and shadow aspects. Meeting a twin flame can be understood as a catalytic process that not only brings us closer to our own true essence but also prepares us for the ultimate union with the Source. It is important to understand that both types of connections are valuable and educational. They serve different purposes on our spiritual and personal development journey. While soulmate relationships offer us stability and harmony, twin flames challenge us in ways that accelerate and deepen our spiritual growth.   Conclusion - What Distinguishes Soulmates from Life Partners Distinguishing between soulmates and life partners can help us manage our expectations in relationships and possibly find a more fulfilling and harmonious partnership. It is important to understand that there are different types of connections and that there is no right or wrong choice. A soulmate relationship can lead us on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It can help us recognize our innermost desires and needs and realize our full potential. A life partnership offers us stability, support, and shared goals in everyday life. Whether we choose a soulmate relationship, a life partnership, or a combination of both, it is important to recognize and accept our own needs and priorities. Read the full article

[tmarshconnors]

Power of Repetition in Public Speaking

After watching "Oscar-winning actor & writer Tom Hanks gives the Oxford Union an acting lesson" on YouTube I felt inspired to write this blog. The link below if interested.

Public speaking is an art that transcends mere words; it involves a deep understanding of human psychology, effective communication techniques, and the strategic use of rhetorical devices. Among these, repetition stands out as a powerful tool that can elevate a speech from ordinary to extraordinary. In this blog, we delve into the Repetition class in speaking, exploring how this technique can captivate audiences, enhance message retention, and leave a lasting impact.

The Basics of Repetition:

Repetition involves the intentional reuse of words, phrases, or ideas within a speech. When employed thoughtfully, it can create emphasis, reinforce key points, and establish a rhythm that resonates with the audience. There are various forms of repetition, each serving a unique purpose:

Anaphora: This involves repeating the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. For example, Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech masterfully uses anaphora with the repetition of "I have a dream."

Epistrophe: In contrast to anaphora, epistrophe repeats a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences. Winston Churchill's famous "We shall fight on the beaches" speech is a classic example of epistrophe in action.

Anadiplosis: This technique involves repeating the last word of one clause or sentence at the beginning of the next. This creates a seamless connection between ideas and builds momentum. Yoda's sage advice, "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering," is an example of anadiplosis.

The Impact of Repetition:

Emphasis: Repetition serves as a spotlight, directing the audience's attention to specific words or ideas. By repeating a key point, a speaker can emphasize its importance, making it more likely to be remembered.

Rhythm and Flow: A well-crafted repetition adds a musical quality to a speech, creating a rhythmic flow that engages the audience. This cadence can make the message more memorable and enjoyable.

Connection: Repetition helps to establish connections between different parts of a speech. It ties ideas together, creating a cohesive narrative that is easier for the audience to follow.

Persuasion: Through repetition, a speaker can subtly persuade the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action. The consistent reinforcement of a message can influence attitudes and beliefs.

Practical Tips for Using Repetition Effectively:

Choose Key Points: Identify the core messages you want to convey, and strategically repeat key words or phrases associated with these points.

Consider Your Audience: Tailor your repetition to resonate with your audience. Understanding their preferences, values, and expectations will help you use repetition more effectively.

Vary Your Approach: While repetition is a powerful tool, overusing it can diminish its impact. Vary your repetition techniques to keep the audience engaged and interested.

Practice Pacing: The timing and pacing of repetition are crucial. Practice delivering your speech with the right rhythm to maximize its impact.

In the world of public speaking, the Repetition class is a formidable ally. When wielded with skill and precision, repetition can transform a speech into a compelling, memorable experience for both the speaker and the audience. By understanding the various forms of repetition and practising its implementation, speakers can elevate their communication skills and leave a lasting impression on those who listen.

[nmenvs3000w24]

Unveiling Banff: My Journey as a Virtual Environmental Interpreter

Envision this: you’re surrounded by the gorgeous mountains in Banff, Alberta, where the air is fresh and the landscape is a beautiful blend of turquoise and lush evergreen trees. Consider hiring a virtual guide however, they tailor the experience to your learning style. In this blog, I am going to discuss my ideal role as an environmental interpreter working as a virtual guide in the landscapes of Banff, Alberta, and the skills required to create a narrative that resonates with a wide range of audiences.

As a visual learner, my venture into environmental interpretation starts with a deep understanding of my preferred learning style. Visual elements have consistently played a big role in both my academic and personal life, from participating in hobbies like watching movies and drawing. I have recognized that I succeed in classes that have visual aids and classes in which I study using diagrams and visuals which have also fostered a keen interest in the art of visual storytelling.

Catering to different learning styles is an important skill as an environmental interpreter (Dr. Hooykaas, n.d.). The visual richness of Banff provides an ideal place for engaging auditory, kinesthetic, and visual learners alike. The interpreter's art is in constructing an experience that resonates with each visitor's particular manner of learning. 

Considering this, my role can entail:

Visual Storytelling vlogs: Crafting captivating vlogs for visual learners by showcasing Banff's scenery through bright visuals, panoramic views, and wildlife encounters. My dream would be vlogging a "Join me on a hike through Banff National Park"

Interactive and in-person nature trips: These are designed for kinesthetic learners who want to explore Banff's trails firsthand. Participants can interact physically, digitally, or both, developing a kinesthetic connection through immersive activities such as tactile encounters, virtual scavenger hunts, and emulating wildlife motions.

Podcast Series including Expert Interview: Developing a podcast series featuring expert interviews on Banff's ecology, geology, and wildlife for auditory learners.

As I consider my ideal role, the guiding questions for environmental interpretation take on new significance. Who am I as an interpreter? I'm a storyteller and a visual, auditory, and tactile narrator of nature’s beauties. Who is my audience? Anyone seeking a greater connection with the landscape of Banff, regardless of their learning style. How can I make this experience meaningful? By creating storylines that go beyond knowledge to trigger emotions and engage multiple learning styles (Dr. Hooykaas, n.d.).

Skills that would offer greater success in this role as a Virtual Guide include:

Effective communication: As a virtual guide in Banff, excellent communication is essential. I will need to communicate information clearly and engagingly in a variety of channels, including vlogs, podcasts, and written content. Tailoring my communication style to appeal to a wide range of audiences, ensures that participants with varying learning styles can connect with and comprehend the material (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2018).

Adaptability and technological proficiency: Remaining adaptable and technologically proficient, altering my approach to meet diverse audience needs (Beck, Cable, & Knudson, 2018).

Landscape knowledge: Having the necessary knowledge of landmarks and the history of Banff is essential in creating stories and providing accurate information in my interpretations.

In conclusion, my ideal job as an environmental interpreter finds a home in the stunning surroundings of Banff, Alberta. With an awareness of my visual learning style, I hope to guide others, through this natural symphony, constructing a tapestry of stories that go beyond standard learning. 

Below are photographs of the stunning scenery of Banff taken during my visit last summer, which is now one of my all-time favorites. This incredible adventure has fueled my enthusiasm for environmental interpretation, making Banff the ideal location for such a role. I've also given glimpses of my most recent sketches, which are strongly rooted in my visual learning style and highlight my dedication to immersive storytelling.

Reference:

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for a Better World (1st ed.). Sagamore Publishing. https://www.sagamorepub.com/products/interpreting-cultural-and-natural-heritage-better-world

Hooykaas, A. (n.d.). Unit 02: Teaching Learners [Lecture notes]. ENVS3000 Nature Interpretation. University of Guelph.

[reginrokkr]

If you love someone let them go, they say. If they come back to you, you were destined to be together— and if they don't... they were never yours, they also say. Imagine how hard it is to stay still and let that person leave, chase their dream when it is possibly at their fingertips... only to be in no man's land, conflicted and torn betwixt two opposing sides: Reason demands serenity of mind to give Rèn what he would've desired to receive in kind, were he still in the same position as he was not long ago. On the other side stands a weeping heart, begging to reach out for him and plea to stay, so they find another way together.

For all the sentimentality Dáinsleif feels at this moment, even he can wonder thus: what if he doesn't want to seek another way when he already has one to try?

So he stands there, eyes closed to force all threatening tears inside for just a few more moments, heavy heart pulsing within the confines of his chest against the hand that just found its way to rest atop, mind reproducing a notion that ascended luminary never had before: a light to shine in his dark world. Despite all the what ifs and possibilities that may open were he reach out for Rèn so he doesn't leave, he roots himself to perfect stillness. He won't be the one whom out of selfishness prevents him from pursuing his dream, to ruin his one opportunity to see it through if he succeeds.

...A familiar feeling... almost as if... we've returned to my first sword lesson. You used the sword Yìng Xīng crafted... and pierced, sliced and impaled me time and time again... The swordplay used to slay our enemies of old is still engraved on this despicable shell. All I can do is watch as my flesh become severed, healed and restored... It's as if they're saying... "Why... why did you and Imbibitor Lunae commit such an unforgivable sin?"

I know that you have no interest in my answer.

...Which is why I asked the question as you looked me straight in the eye. I've asked myself that same question infinite times... but was never able to find the answer... Why... why is that only the abominations can return time and time again...? Why does someone like her have to be buried, burned to ash and eventually forgotten...? Why?! In the end, you unleashed the final piercing blow, and left both me and the sword in the withered grave.

The miraculous thing is that in that brief moment of death... all the pain went away...

To have one's soul connected to another is a notion Dáinsleif has yet to grow accustomed, such seems to be the case betwixt his and Rèn's, perhaps byproduct of their connection when in a moment of earnest interest in the other's well-being he decided to show him the truth of his still foggy past. Crystalline tear cascades down lunarescent skin as those words reverberate within the confines of seraphic mind, where sentiments of sorrow and despair, frustration and resignation flow within his heart in tidal waves.

Amidst his own particular sorrow at the sentience that he must've found Death's release only briefly, there is a detail the lunarescent knight captures and tucks deep in his heart: a solution, a variable to do better in making more bearable this hell of a life that must be to Rèn. The same reason that he refused to be touched amorously even when it was crystal clear that the two of them were on the same page, everything makes sense.

Yet new conflict arises within him: Should he go to his encounter? Or let him go permanently? Would he want to return to him? Before he could find answer in the multiple musings of his mind, his body wanders to the dock on the Alchemy Commission west and looks into the distance.

Dream. Yes, what he's doing sounds about right. To seek the right to die that he had lost several centuries ago is like chasing a dream, so palpable every time his body suffers irreparable damage incompatible with life, yet so distant when he's forced to wake once again after just a brief moment of sweet death. This is one of the reasons why he seeks so desperately to go into battle no matter how dangerous it is to him (yet he's even more dangerous after centuries of honed skills), to chase after that feeling only passing away briefly gives him.

There is a piercing sorrow in his soul when these words come from Dáinsleif of all people, who has been by his side ever since they have reunited unconditionally. But in his words there is understanding that he prayed would be present, and like a miracle so it is. After everything they've gone through, he wouldn't have demanded it from him, no. Actually, he's in a place where he has no right to even ask anything of him— and still Dáinsleif would give it to him, unasked, unprompted.

Once may be coincidence, twice would bring suspicion, but thrice is deep understanding borne from nothing more than having experienced it oneself. Skeptical as Blade once was when the blond's words suggested that he has a smidgen of understanding on his situation, he never once thought he's lying. Now, even if he believes it must be well behind him, he can only pray that he finds the happiness he deserves.

And happy is what the Twilight Sword made him, even if happiness is a concept that has evaded him for a long time. So with new vigour, Blade rouses and prompts Dáinsleif to do the same by holding his hand still, before daring to forget about the despicable shell to his soul or the self-disgust he feels to take him in his embrace and press a kiss on his left eyebrow. "You shone a ray of light in this dark world of mine... thank you."

Because against all odds and every trepidation they have encountered, he was happy to have someone willing to become his safe haven in a moment when long ago he has lost the ability to call something home. Dark eyebrows frown as his eyes close, doing his best to fight the urge to cry. For if this time she succeeds, it would be the last time they would meet. And if not... he would've abandoned him again. After minutes that feel hours, Blade lets go to wander towards a reunion most bitter.

For this time, it remains abundantly clear that not even she can put him to rest.

...A familiar feeling... almost as if... we've returned to my first sword lesson. You used the sword Yìng Xīng crafted... and pierced, sliced and impaled me time and time again... The swordplay used to slay our enemies of old is still engraved on this despicable shell. All I can do is watch as my flesh become severed, healed and restored... It's as if they're saying... "Why... why did you and Imbibitor Lunae commit such an unforgivable sin?"

I know that you have no interest in my answer.

...Which is why I asked the question as you looked me straight in the eye. I've asked myself that same question infinite times... but was never able to find the answer... Why... why is that only the abominations can return time and time again...? Why does someone like her have to be buried, burned to ash and eventually forgotten...? Why?! In the end, you unleashed the final piercing blow, and left both me and the sword in the withered grave.

The miraculous thing is that in that brief moment of death... all the pain went away...

[theharpermovieblog]

#HARPERSMOVIECOLLECTION

2023

I re-watched The Saddest Music In The World (2003)

I was in my 20's when I discovered the odd films of Guy Maddin, by stumbling across this very movie. I almost immediately became a fan.

A beer baroness with no legs stages a $25,000 contest in which people come from around the world to prove they can make the saddest music in the world.

Guy Maddin makes movies that use classic film styles, techniques, rear projection, odd characters and dream logic to create vision-like stories that defy genre. At once they are comedies, dramas, horrors and none of these things.

Of the Guy Maddin films I've seen, The Saddest Music In The World seems to me to be the most accessible to a wider audience. It's the film that I came across late night one night, which I was unable to turn off. But, that's not to say that a wider audience would accept it. It can be off-puttingly strange at times.

It's hard to explain to someone that watching a drunken doctor saw off a woman's legs is both hilarious and terrifying. It's hard to explain dream logic as something that is at times clear and at other times almost pointlessly odd. Hearts in jars, naps in the snow, glass legs. The creepy angles, grainy film and hazy light that smears the screen. All of it evokes something which is up to the viewer to decipher how it makes them feel.

While Maddin has nothing in common stylistically or thematically with David Lynch, I imagine what makes me a fan of one is what makes me a fan of the other. Using film to make their audience feel strange and off kilter. Leaving me with certain images burned into my brain and with my own feelings, which may differ from the next viewer.

This particular movie is very comical. But, it's not exactly a clearly defined comedy or laugh-out-loud stuff. It's funny like a dream, when you wake up you're not sure what was so funny. Is an advice giving tapeworm funny?

It's an undeniably interesting film to look at, as are all Maddin's films. His visual style is something I really love. It switches and swaps and is always a firm decision of editing and technique. It is itself a character.

The cast is excellent and they all seem to understand what's expected of them and what kind of film they are in.

The final message I get from The Saddest Music In The World is that there can be no saddest music in the world, as the truth is, we all connect to things on a personal level. Sadness is personal like tragedy and trauma. The film ends with truly human moments and the music that means the most to the main characters, which really gives a satisfying conclusion we were t expecting.

Guy Maddin's films have a deep artistic merit, but as much as I love them I can't explain why. I suppose it's because they walk the line of being strange for no real reason, until you realize that there is meaning behind all of it. Maddin makes me even love the things I find flaw with in his films.

Another visionary expression of a Canadian Auteur.

[thegodwithinblog]

Dreams and magic.   Creativity and love. He's a little of the story I'm writing so far: "Here’s the funny, and very interesting, thing about dreams:  Even though our dreams are product of our minds, we never actually dream exactly what we consciously want.  Sure, we can have pleasant dreams, or twisted ones; however, moments before sleep we don’t say to ourselves that we want to dream what we dream... "We are not in control.  Our subconscious takes over.  We just go along for the ride.  But, deep in the crevices of our minds, the truth, the beyond, the darkness and the light hide in wait for the awakening conscience living in dreams.  And now, unknown dreams had taken over while Red  remained in her coma, placed inside a slumber pod, and located in a semi-lit chamber of The Castle of Illusions...   "No one had been able to do anything about it.  After that last event with the shadow ghouls in the skies, after she fell hundreds of feet the dragon-wolf grabbed her just in time, her mind had simply gone inwards, isolated itself, shut off from outside reality (see series #4).  Now a tear rolled down her face.  She dreamed and experienced some hidden, challenging truth... "Count Morgol had put 2 of his highest mages in charge of discovering what was happening inside her mind.  The mentioned gremlins observed a sphere of energy hovering a few feet above ground and away from the slumber pod.  This head-sized ball radiated a yellow, green and red substance around it, more like the dazzling vision of a rainbow in the sky...     “I’m afraid your attempts to learn anything from the orb will not be successful, little ones,” the voice came from the shadows.  “I too thought The Great Sphere would give us the answers we wanted about Red.”... "The silver god stepped into the light and approached the slumber pod, then he felt the energy coming off it with his hands.  The gremlins became very humbled, and yet excited, by his presence, so they started immediately communicating their respects in their language.  But they didn’t really know how to treat a Celestial god, so they just knelt on the ground to worship him... “O, please, there’s no need for that,” he said while smiling, approaching them and offering his hand.  “Get up.  And tell me:  What are your names??”... "And so they told him their names.  And, of course, he clearly understood their gibberish... “Well, Pkontuksunu and Pkontiksini, nice to meet you.  Would you call Morgol down here for me??”...     “Yes, Mr. Detreus!” they both cried at the same time, then went about their new duties... "In the background, the spiritual orb, or The Sphere of Truth and Wisdom, had started releasing slight, but still somewhat critical, pulses into the air that, mixed with the projected colors, appeared to be similar to heavy sound waves without any particular sound.  He became interested and started feeling the pulsing pattern... "There was certainly a strange reading in the air, and as he came to the center of the room he became connected to it.  As the holographic lights flashed in front and around him, he sat quietly in meditation pose on the ground and felt his surroundings.  Not far from this event, Red stirred slightly and quietly grimaced in her dream-containment pod... "Detreus then proceeded to shut his eyes and extend his arms, thus touching the flashing colors and merging with it.  There was indeed a special communication that was going beyond the physical here, because the sphere held great secrets, even greater knowledge, and magic beyond comprehension.  Now, The Great Sphere had been created by the ancient Celestials, and the silver god, being a Celestial himself, was a direct descendant of these gods...   "Created from the blood and tears of the first fallen angel, or of the first Celestial who led the revolution against the old established system of governance, the said orb now possessed great sentiency and was entering his mind.  The images he was seeing, as the voices he was hearing, were catastrophic and ominous; but also familiar and comforting...       “Show me more,” he said as he suddenly opened his eyes and stood up.  Then he walked towards the orb and continued,  “Great Sphere, tell me more.”... "Then Count Morgol quietly entered the chamber, but seeing the event happening he stayed in the shadows watching the silver god communicate with the sentient sphere.  There were more lights flashing, and even shadows dancing, which lasted for a few more seconds.  Then the orb became peaceful and the communication ended... “I take it you found your gokurawani,” Morgol started as he left the shadows for the light... “Yes, The Chosen One is ready,” replied Detreus while sensing the orb one last time.  “He’s not lost.  He found his way.  And he also found some new friends it seems.”... “There are all sorts of creatures in the dream worlds...” ~ Ben #5, "Son of Darkness"  ~