#its also just like. i dont get dedicating yourself so totally to a piece of media

[daforged]

actually the older i get the more i find myself growing out of tumblr. like im happy here and ill probably keep using this site until it implodes but i feel so disconnected from the mindset of like. treating media consumption like its a pillar of life you need to maintain and polish and repair and debate like you’re an ancient philosopher or whatever in the same way your close relationships and sense of self are. does that make sense. like obviously what you consume and how you consume it shapes you as a person in some respects but jesus christ the heights this website takes it to. baby boy go outside and look at a butterfly for a while. watch a bee pollinate.

[tigerdrop]

hey i just wanna say the long posts genuinely make my day. also can you talk more about gordon freeman character because the way you write him makes me quake in my gay little boots

i would love to talk about gordon freeman. thank u for the opportunity

the first thing i need to communicate about gordon is that this dude sucks. and i say this in the fondest way possible. he is a bitch from the moment he drops into the world until the moment he goes out. if you dont believe me, give it another watch! gordons mouthy and rude for no real reason, at least so far as “being a regular dude on his way into work” goes, and this dude goes around calling his coworkers names with zero provocation. (of course, we all know that the reason is because its a funny guy improv stream that borrows a bit from freemans mind, but im talkin from a character sense.)

but my argument isnt just that gordon freeman sucks. its that he sucks in a very specific way that i find insanely endearing. i love this dude. i love to hate him. hes awful in a very mundane sense - weve all known a guy like this, at least if youve spent too much time online - and its cathartic to watch him suffer because of it.

gordons a smart guy. as written, hes gotta be - hes a recent MIT grad, on his way to work at a top-secret research facility to do weird shit with crystals and theoretical physics. but the thing about smart guys is that theyre often......selectively intelligent. we can see this in the way that he has a hard time navigating his surroundings, and needs the science crew to guide him through it and keep him alive.

this is one of those things that is a natural consequence of somebody going through the game for the first time, but that i am interpreting as “gordon is kind of stupid sometimes”. its uncharitable but its not like he doesnt deserve it. he likes to boss around the crew as if he knows what hes doing, when he often very much does not, and is fond of demeaning their intelligence. hes real bad about this with tommy in particular, treating him like hes a kid whos playing at being a scientist when tommy is actually a decade older than him. all i am saying is that gordon ought to stay humble. hes awful cocky when he perceives himself as better than others.

which, i think, tracks with how cocky he gets when he gives up on the whole “well-meaning citizen” thing and just unloads bullets into people. he puts up a front of being a Nice Guy, you know, just some dude caught in a bad situation who doesnt like seeing his companions obliterate every NPC they come across, but that doesnt stop him from cackling like a fucking madman and mowing down aliens (and soldiers) every once in awhile. when he stops seeing himself as helpless and starts seeing himself as the one in control, the gloves come off. he gets mean. and i think thats very sexy of him

this, among other things, is why i am insistent that gordon freeman is a control freak. he desperately wants to be in control of the situation at all times, shepherding around the science crew primarily by bitching at them, but its of limited success. its futile. sisyphean. tommy, coomer, bubby, and benrey exist almost to torment him with exactly the thing that would make him suffer the most: a gaggle of people running around causing problems for him, but he cant go anywhere without them b/c hes reliant on them to make it out alive.

its perpetual suffering, and its cathartic to watch. and funny, too. and if youre a little weirdo like me, its very, very enjoyable. how twisted up he gets when nobodys listening to him! how sweaty and frazzled he must look. its cute, and it also makes me want to reach through the screen and shake him and tell him to just be a little nicer. he wants control but he doesnt know how to attain it, he doesnt know how to play nice like a real leader. i think its a neat contrast to gordon freeman as we know him in HL2, where he literally is the leader of the resistance and has to live up to it. this is gordon freeman but if he was moe through helplessness.

“helpless” is, i think, a great way to describe him. a core bit of imagery in half life is this sense of railroadedness and helplessness, with gordon freeman being put into play like a chess piece and having no choice but to move forward. and this iteration of gordon leans into that by being totally dependent on the science crew in order to make progress and Not Die. and hes also subject to the whims of benrey, local eldritch weirdo who has basically made it his life mission to fuck with gordon.

gordons anxieties dont help with that. if he wasnt so fun to stress out and fuck with, the science crew probably wouldnt do it so much! too bad for him that they like fucking with him so much that he was driven into a panic attack (multiple times, even, depending on your interpretation). hes got that real neurotic mindset. always worrying about shit that could go wrong, and attempting to exert control over his surroundings in an effort to control the anxiety.

IMO the real way to nail the Neurotic Gordon Freeman Experience is to combine the ever-present anxiety with his pervasive sense of self-loathing. he openly states that he has no friends and nobody seems to like him, and to that, i really gotta say, i wonder why. he doesnt really seem to factor in that hes kind of a bitch, and has way too high an estimation of his own intelligence relative to everybody elses. its really one of the worst ways to be: aware that people dont like you, but unaware of exactly why. if he was like, 10% nicer, he probably wouldnt have had half as many issues getting through black mesa, but also, its funny to see him squawking his way through the game. so, you know.

its stuff like that that makes me headcanon him as a dude with low self-esteem in general. convinced that hes not likable, not attractive, out of his element......impostor syndrome, except that theres some truth to it. this is a guy who truly does not realize how good he has it: he really is just an average shitty dude, and yet, somehow, benrey took a shine to him. some poor motherfucker out there actually likes him and wants to suck his dick. thats dedication

also, i keep bringing up “repression” when i talk about gordon. and hopefully, what ive been talking about helps explain why. he has a strong desire to be a regular dude, not just murdering his way through black mesa, but if hes pushed hard enough he leans into it. gets bossy. picks up a cigar off a dead soldier and takes a long drag, before smacking forzen around with a pistol and ordering him around. gordon freeman is a regular, kind of anxious guy who likes competitive swimming and streaming on justin.tv and making anime references, and he is also a guy who takes a filthy pleasure in making a trained soldier his bitch. and i didnt make up any of this shit - this is purestrain canon, baby. this is a guy with problems

to me, this screams the kind of guy who represses a lot of shit b/c he doesnt feel like its morally decent. you run into this guy a lot online: the wokeboy, the online leftist, the guy who spends too much time on social media websites. (like reddit. i think he would actively use reddit and he would never get any appreciable amount of karma but he never stops posting. its sisyphean! cathartic.) from the way he talks about “bootboys”, i think it tracks. he knows about imperialism, he knows about feminism, but at the end of the day hes your average american white dude who struggles with internalizing it.

a lot of those dudes struggle with sex and gender issues. (dont we all.) when youre trying to be a Good Person(tm), you spend a lot of time thinking about your own relationship to sex and kink and all that shit. and i maintain that a too-online dude who buries a lot of his control freak tendencies would also try to bury a lot of weird sexual shit in an attempt to seem Normal and Well-Adjusted and not like a little freak. i justify this by the sheer number of times gordon blurts out weird sex shit as a joke. there are only two outcomes to making that many piss jokes: either youre secretly a piss guy, or you lathe-of-heaven yourself into becoming one. i will stand by this

ive talked a lot about why this dude sucks. now, let me talk to you about what makes gordon so much fun to write. first things first: hes funny! a subjective evaluation, yeah, but both in- and out-of-character, hes aiming to be funny. and being the straight man to everybody else plays into that whole “helplessness” thing.

secondly: underneath it all, there is a good dude under there. gordon worries when his companions get hurt, he tries to clean them off and patch them up, and hes got his lil leftist heart in the right place. you could even read a lot of his bossy, bitchy demeanor as him wanting to make sure everyone gets out okay and doesnt hurt themselves. when it comes to animals and anti-imperialist sentiment, gordons a pretty good guy.

hes the kind of guy who would probably see a dog on the street and get excited and play with it, but would get really prickly about the correct way to put dishes in the dishwasher. control freak tendencies.

finally, subjecting such a miserable, tormented guy to even more psychological anguish is really, really fun. you feel a little bad for him, but he kind of deserves it. so many problems he goes through are purely of his own making, and if gordon would just relax and quit trying to hard to maintain control - of himself, of the people around him - and own up to having Problems and Issues, he would be a happier guy. but thats why its fun to bend him until he breaks. being a little control freak myself, putting gordon freeman thru psychosexual torment is cathartic.

when it comes to writing his thought processes, the fact that he is canonically some kind of psychotic (yes, i am boldly claiming this. suck me) and i am also canonically some kind of psychotic makes it easier to write what i think his thought processes are. i just give him my brain issues of “getting lost in thought” and “overthinking fucking everything”. a touch of paranoia helps. even if i dont explicitly label him as schizophrenic please know that i am writing him as a paranoid little nutcase at all times because, uh, you write what you know.

paranoid. anxious. of the mindset that everyones out to get him (which isnt helpful when everyone is out to get him). repressed and deeply Not Normal but trying so very fucking hard to be normal and well-adjusted. a control freak with sadistic tendencies who also really, really likes getting bullied by his best frenemy. a hapless little nerd who sounds really cute when his voice starts to break from nerves. and, most importantly, a dumb jock. do not ever forget this.

thats gordon freeman, babey. hope that helps

[thewolfmanslayer]

Honestly the amount of people who say artists and writers should do stuff for free, or try to rip them off on comissions still royally piss me off.

I think the worst part of it is the entitlement, I dont want to make this too much about generations but a lot of commissioners are millenial/Gen z's who grew up on the "steal and pirate everything" mentality, take everything that you can because no one else is going to hand it to you. which I can get behind, when you are screwing over MULTI BILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES. NOT THE STRUGGLING ARTISTS AND WRITERS who are trying to keep food on the table as desperately as you probably are!

It's simple, you wouldn't walk into a restaurant, order food and tell the server "sorry I don't have any money, but I've got like a few thousand followers on social media, I can get your name out there, get the restaurant some exposure" NO! They don't need "exposure" they need you to pay the damn bill!

On top of that, most of these artists and writers ALREADY HAVE FOLLOWINGS. They already have thousands of people following them, waiting for the chance to get a commission, who are willing to pay for said commission, they don't need "exposure" when they're already out there! He'll even the artists and writers with a few hundred don't need it, they'll get more followers as time goes by, their skill alone will see to it.

And what is with people trying to get free art and writing? It's not going to work! You can't harass someone until they cave, trust me, you'll be long since blocked before you even have the opportunity. I don't do comissions, online anyways, but my own friends and family, people who actually know me STILL PAY ME whenever they ask for me to do art for them because they KNOW it takes TIME AND EFFORT.

How many times do we need to have this discussion???? Like when is it going to finally click that people who need to pay their bills just as much as you do AREN'T going to do this shit for free!?

Here's the thing about art and writing, that you've heard a billion times but still aren't getting; IT. TAKES. TIME. AND. EFFORT. TO. GET. DONE. the art isn't going to magically appear and the writing isn't going to suddenly write itself, if either were so convenient YOU WOULDNT BE ASKING AN ARTIST OR WRITER IN THE FIRST PLACE!

Look at that, you see that? The first picture I did back in 2012-13, the picture beside it? I did that TWO YEARS AGO. I didn't suddenly know exactly what to do, or had anything close to a god given talent for drawing (I'm not that talented). The first picture WAS THE ABSOLUTE BEST I COULD DO AT THE TIME THAT I MADE IT. In the time between these two drawings I admittedly took a break from art, but then I got back into it four years ago. EVEN STILL that was four YEARS of starting over from the basics, relearning everything, learning new things, wanting to actually improve my art.

Which, guess what, DID NOT HAPPEN OVER NIGHT. It was HOURS UPON HOURS of my limited free time as an adult drawing over and over and over and over again, every single goddamn day to get to the point that I was able to make that redraw look as good as it does in comparison. He'll, my art now puts them both to shame! Because I spent the time improving my quality!!

Now look at these artists doing comissions, they've probably put EVEN MORE of their time to get that good! They've put in LITERAL YEARS of sweat, blood, tears, frustrations and dedicated hardwork. Some did the same as me, self teaching and lots of practice, others probably had to go to school, which definitely wasn't cheap. But all of us put in that time and effort TO REACH THESE POINTS. Of being better artists, developing our styles, getting faster at drawing.

And maybe you think that this is super easy, right? That I or every other artist can just fire some art off and boom its good and done in like an hour?

FUCK. NO.

Even now it takes me several hours a day OVER MANY DAYS to make something exceptionally good! It doesn't matter how good an artist is, it still. Takes. Time.

Maybe the issue is that you don't understand how much actually goes into art, let me break it down for you, the steps that most people follow to finish ONE drawing.

-Rough draft: general character outline, get a feel for what I want to draw.

-Rough sketch: I start doing a bit of pencil to start filling in details like mouth, nose, eyes, hair, clothes. Ect.

-Penciling: I go over the rough sketch and clean everything up, maybe do some editing, this is when you can start making out all the details.

-Ink: I trace over the finished pencil with a pen tool and actually have the line art, everything looks clean, presentable, it actually looks like a character now. I'll spend time editing this and possibly redoing the inking many times over to get to a point where I like it.

-Flat color: I decide on which colors to use for skin tone, clothes accessories. Ect.

-Shading/highlights: I figure out where my light source is and how strong it is, I then apply the correct amount of lighting and shadows to the color to give it depth, I also have determine the texture of skin, clothes and accessories to make everything look real and natural.

-Blending: I smooth out the shading and highlights so that it looks more natural and isn't too hard (noticeable difference between color) so that it looks as natural as possible.

-Finish: I go over last minute details, finish any editing or corrections that need to be done. Once it's good I call it a day.

Each process is longer in length then the previous, with the exception of the final editing (as long as everything looks good) and even the rough draft can take some time. Over all this is SEVERAL HOURS of work for a SINGLE DRAWING.

So is it sinking in yet? How much is put into doing even a single character drawing? God forbid if its done with background. This isn't a "scratch a pen around and be done with it in ten minutes" kinda deal, no, this is SEVERAL HOURS OF SOMEONES LIFE BEING PUT INTO THIS

And if you still have the AUDACITY to try and wrangle free art from an artist then there's no helping you, you're just a selfish piece of shit, no question and I want nothing to do with you.

Someone might say "But I got free art/writing from.-" look I don't give a shit if someone did something for you THAT ONE TIME, these other artists and writers? Totally seperate and different people. You're one freebie experience does not, and should not apply to other artists and writers.

"But what if I really want this commission but don't have the money right now?" Well, that's tough shit. Save up and properly commission them when you can, it's not their problem.

"But what if I'm in a really bad financial situation and really want it?" That sucks, and I'm sorry, but again, not their problem. Chances are this is their only source of income and they need to make money so that they don't end up in a similar situation.

"They have a gift! They should share it!" What kind of cheap ass- LOOK, just because someone is talented or really good at something does not automatically obligate them to do anything for total strangers in anyway shape or form. These are living, breathing people, the same as you. They need to eat, they need to pay rent/mortgages, they need to pay vet bills, send their kids to college, do their taxes and everything else that YOU YOURSELF need to do. Asking anyone to spend their time doing something for free, when that something is how THEY ARE SURVIVING is beyond asinine. Not only that, this obviously isn't a hobby to them, it is very clearly THEIR JOB. Would you want to do a job where you didn't get paid at all? Doing a shit ton of work for absolutely nothing? No? Didn't think so.

"It shouldn't be about the money!" Well unfortunately, as with almost every other job, it is. We live in a world where we desperately need to make money in order to survive. That's the painful fact of the matter. If money never had to be an issue ever again then this would be a very different story. But it's not, plain and simple as can be.

Look, these people are just like you, artists and writers who are just trying to get by in a shitty ass world, using the one thing they have that let's them have an income. Leave them be, don't try and trick them, guilt them, or cuss them out when you don't get your way. Either properly comission or leave them the hell alone, plain and simple.

[local-thembo]

how do you get motivations to write? i want to write but i dont have motivation nor do i have ideas, prompts, to write...

Hi! This got away from me a little, but I’ve got a few pieces of advice! I’m very aware that most of them are easier said than done, but it’s still a starting point…

I’m going to start with ideas! You mentioned it yourself, prompts can really help you get started. There are some awesome lists out there, and there are entire blogs dedicated to them on tumblr. Really, you can probably just google “writing prompts” and be offered heaps of them. Now obviously, not all prompts are going to speak to you. That’s why I really like to get into specific categories depending on my mood!… Feel like writing some gut-wrenching angst? I go hunting for these sweet sweet angsty prompts. Wanna stay light-hearted and cute, I just gotta go through fluffy prompts and find one I like! You can easily just pick a prompt that sparks something in you and then work on it, but sometimes it’s also nice to challenge yourself and have another person involved in the process. That’s why we writers on tumblr love to reblog these lists and ask for prompts! So, you can do that if you’ve got a blog (and don’t worry if you don’t get any response; I get that it’s not a nice feeling, but it happens all the time, and it doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer); but you can also ask a friend! Send them the list, ask them to pick one! Or maybe just discuss the list with them to get these creative juices flowing! You can also totally ask them/a website for a random number, and then use the prompt that’s associated with it. You might find some really interesting stuff!

If you don’t quite know what genre you want to write, look for the things that excite you. Try and find what you love about other people’s stories, be they novels, fanfic, movies, podcasts, and go into that direction. There’s no sense in creating anything that doesn’t hype you up.

Kind of contradicting my above point here, but: come to terms with the fact that not all of writing is fun. I love writing so damn much, I’ll tell any stranger about it because it’s part of my soul, and yet… yet sometimes I’d rather eat my sock than write lmao. Sometimes it’s a pain in the ass. But everything worth making is. And in the end, we make stuff because the good parts outweigh the bad ones.

I’m a real hypocrite when it comes to this next one, but: if you want to publish your stuff (and by publish I mean even just posting on tumblr) and if you think it’s the audience part that holds you back, you might have to work on that. If you’re afraid of getting no reaction/negative reaction for your writing and it keeps you from writing, that’s not great. You might want to shut down that part for now, and learn to write only for yourself and potentially a few close friends. (Again, real hypocrite here, I very much want and expect validation when I write stuff… but I’ve heard that detaching yourself from that is good for the creative process lmao)

Here’s one last piece of advice regarding ideas, from someone who’s on their phone A LOT and can have trouble just existing without constant stimulation: don’t do that. Let yourself just be in the world sometimes, without the Internet, without music, just let your mind stretch out and wander a little bit. Let yourself be a little bored. You could do that by properly setting up a time to meditate; or you can simply decide not to give yourself extra distractions when you’re, say, brushing your teeth, when you’re in the shower, when you’re cooking, etc. Sometimes the ideas are JUST THERE, but we can’t quite reach them because we’re always clogging our minds with external stimulation. Let your mind breathe a bit. You might be surprised!

When it comes to motivation, the best hack I’ve got is this: remove the choice. Instead of asking yourself if you should write later today, just put it in your mind that you’re going to write, it’s going to happen. Pick a time if you can. Add it in your calendar if you use one. And when the time comes, sit down and don’t think about whether or not you want to do it, or should do it; just switch into writing gear and do your best. That whole attitude is super useful to make me go to lectures, and sometimes it works with writing too!

If you’re very easily distracted like me, sometimes taking away the distraction for a bit can really work wonders. If I’m trying to write and I blank for over ten seconds, I just grab my phone and then my focus is GONE. And I can do that for hours on end, and not write a single word. If this happens to you, identify the prime suspect (your phone, a certain website, etc), and block it. There’s tons of apps and extensions for that. It doesn’t have to be for hours, sometimes just ten, twenty minutes where you don’t have your usual distractions can go a long way! I often find that the hardest part is to start writing, and that can really help you on that plan! I use the Forest app on my phone to entice me to not use it for a few minutes, and I usually keep on writing looong after the app has finished its task.

Get someone to hold you accountable. Could be a friend, another writer, a website… Give yourself a goal (“write something before monday”, “finish and publish one prompt today”, “write x amount of words this week”, etc) and tell your buddy about it. Nothing bad happens if you don’t respect it, but sometimes all you need is just the right amount of external pressure…

Stop making writing so important in your head. I know that sounds counterproductive, but here’s the thing: it’s very easy to completely block ourselves from creating if we’re putting too much pressure on ourselves, or expecting everything to be a masterpiece and change the world. It won’t. It’s okay to reframe your expectations.

TL;DR: Remove distractions, use lists of prompts you can find online, and set goals without putting too much pressure on yourself!

I hope some of these help!! Don’t hesitate to come back for more advice, or to ask for clarification on any of my points! And good luck with your writing 💞💞

[goffilolo]

Demise!Izuku as a Youtuber?

Yep! You heard me right. Demise server is a strange little land, full of strange little ideas, unfortunitely this one idea in particular wasn’t so little. So without further ado here’s all the shit we came up with in the server in regards to izuku as a youtuber within demise!au:

If Izuku was a YouTuber can you imagine the fucking chaos dumpster fire his channel would be

He's be like an edgy twink Jenna marbles(edited)

Doing Me time every damn day

bandit is jennas dogs

tenya is julien

He'd have weird ass videos like dipping bandits feet in red pet dye then putting a sign on him that says "you pet and you'll meet the last person who dared to"(edited)

And he's also make videos about him breaking into UA and interrupting classes and stuff

"hey gamers, today we're breaking into UA to see my boyfriend and read all of my friend's secret files"

And a video just of him filing Aizawa in weird places and at the end putting him on an inflatable mattress and watching him float away 

He wakes up in Canada

They don't know how or why

He just attaches a go-pro to trash bandit and let's him run wild. He probably has a seriesJust letting him loose in weird places

DONT LET TRASH BANDIT EAT AIZAWA'S SLEEPING BAG AT 3AM | VERY SCARY"hey guys so today ill be doing the 'How many bottles of quil can i steal before i get caught by Tsukabitch' challange. feel free to make a video of your own!" 

He probably dyes Bandit according to holidays and puts him as the profile picture. The kicker is, he only does it for holidays that his country doesn't celebrate

Like 4th of july

And Canada day

"Hewo soulless fuckers it is me your overlord, King of the soulless fuckers. Today I'll be going up to people in the streets and telling them that I killed God and Satan. But y'all know me, that's not enough. So I'll be asking them which one I killed first and if they get it wrong I take a shot of quil. The quil I'll be taking is the plain ol kind so don't worry your little marshmallow heads about it." 

He only makes text posts in OwO speak this just makes me realise demise!izuku would make a great youtuber

He would twitch stream all the time doing the weirdest shit for hours on end

"what is up gamews! today i wiww be weviewing the new game cawwed life! i have been pwaying it fow about 16 yeaws now and i have to say it's pwetty bad my guys!"

I feel like he'd be absurdly popular and whenever someone mentions him and they look up the channel they are like "wth have I stumbled upon?!"

I'm just imagining what his front page would look like

The seasonal trash bandit profile picture, the banner would be a flaming hellscape with people he dislikes burning and trash bandit looming on low opacity in the background 

(He made it so that only people who view it on TV get the full experience.)

He probably has his own segment on buzzfeed unsolved

Not talking

Its about him

The intro video would just be him staring into the camera while mixing together a horrible concoction of quil then downing it without breaking eye contact(edited)

His about section is written in 3 different types of code and it's all in owo if you manage to crack it

i love demise|!izuku as a youtube cryptid

Clown Speak and OwO speak mixed together

I feel like in the beginning Izuku was this obscure YouTuber that you only find out about if someone in the know tells you about it until a bigger YouTuber found him out on a deep dive video and just couldn't stop watching yes

i imagine once he gets big people from react channel would invite him to react to videos of people reacting to his videos 

What if in one of his videos he started acting like his old self just to freak everyone out. He didn't say anything about it instead he talked about hero analysis with a bright smile and trail off into muttering a few times only to blush when he realized it. He have his hair in a ponytail with only bangs framing his face and some messy pieces falling out. Also her be wearing something plain but like old Izuku, maybe hero merch or something. The comment section was just people flipping out and shit

He never acknowledges the video after he made it

No matter how many comments he gets he acts like it doesn't exist

omg you know wha tthat would actually allign with the demise and canon swap places for a da

yand you know what that gives me a lot of feels

the millions of subscribers get to see the old izuku

Maybe after a milestone he would post a video he made in middle school of him analyzing a quirk in video format to make sure it wouldn't get destroyed

And he put a couple videos of younger him after it

But it starts being supporting Izuku

And his present and past self and stuff

PEOPLE MAKE FAN ART first Its all full of trash and memes

What if that picture of canon Izuku meeting demise Izuku was a fan art someone made of his old self meeting the new him 

Kids from his class kinda Piecing together they really screwed up?Some even sending in apologies, perhaps

For mental health day I could see him posting a serious video about what he went through and his time in the mental hospital 

And on national stop bullying day he would talk about his decade of abuse including the details of how the school and teachers fucked up and everything aboutbakugou

izuku using youtrube for shitposting and advocating

And for mothers day he features both Rei and Inko?

Endeavor exposure video

What if Rei helped edit or something?To help pass the time for her

Give her something to do

People love the mysterious editor

I feel like villains watch his content like maybe Dabi

rei and fuyumi sometimes make appearances

Dabi just shows up in the videos

Quickly become faves

I feel like Dabi would become a fan and start crying after seeing his mom happy in one of Izuku's videos

"...and this is rei, my hospital mom and this if fuyumi, her daughter so like my sister she helps me keep my shit together and sometimes gives me quil.." 

dabi crying from seeing his mom happy in some lunatic's youtube videos

“...and this is shin, dont let the looks deceive you this man went to jail"

Shin comes in and covers the cameras a lot

FATHERS DAY IS A PICTURE OF TRASH BANDIT WITH HIS DADS VOICE SCRAMBLED OVER IT

“and this is the local florida woman and her alligator

WHAT IF BNHA VERSE HAD QUIRKLESS AWARENESS WEEKizuku would go ape shit during that week

"who needs a quirk when my dad gave me a gun!"

He would give axe sharpening tips

"Remember kids! Society won't help you, so you gotta help yourself!"

he would make 'how to cook videos' except it would only be quil combos

What if one day he just put quil in the ovenand pulled out a muffin

Remeber, don't try this at home kids." makes A horrifying quil combo "rememer never ever do this even if you have a quirk that allows it." downs the horror concoction

"so today were gonna do my boyriend does my makeup challange and since both me and tenya are dumb and know nothing i borrowed my mums makeup..." 

It’s a given he’s gonna do makeup tutorials. The real question is would they be good or absolutely horrendous?

good or horrendous? Both

Amazing makeup at horrendous things? Hmmm interesting

“Hey guys today I’m turning myself into a real like eldrich abomination with the help of eyeliner and glitter!”

izuku has a whole playlist of videos dedicated to tenya and UA

theyre all jsut shitposty compilations of some footage when tenya isnt looking

Even tho it looks like he couldn't give a fuck he is very selective with which footage makes it online. He's very careful at how much is revealed and makes sure no students or secret identities would be in danger with his content

izuku isnt stupid...hes jsut having a good time

Sneaking into UA highschool by hiding in pro hero eraserhead's sleeping bag | NOT CLICKBAIT

Izuku would totally play carefree and childish games while just being Izuku

Like his animal crossing series

Fucking legendary on his channel in terms of gaming

izuku's sims lets play

it's like a 10 generation long telenovela lowkey based off the todoroki family

He has no straight sims, he recreated UA and class 1a in sims

the wedding of sim izuku and sim tenya is like the biggest party in the sim neighbourhood

He creates endeavor just to lock him in a room with 50 ovens

Omg his draw my life has got to be super depressing

He'd be super blunt and monotone during his whole draw my life going through all of the abuse and bullying that he went through because of his quirklessness and also his suicide attempt and all that jazz(edited) 

izuku would paint on a potato

Izuku would make a get ready with me where he does something totally batshit crazy then ends it with "Ah. Yet another day in my life."

Izuku meets Marie Kondo

“Only keep what brings you joy”

“Well this gun from my father sure brings me joy”

Knifemaking videos but with axes

Izuku decided to do a wardrobe tour and like 4 things were bloodstained which he never addressed. The most popular comment was what happened, which of course he never answered.

Izuku does these new year (like all of the questions from last year) or milestone Q+A’s/AMA's which are basically people just asking a bunch of the things he wouldn't answer or address before. A lot of his viewers write down and timestamp when he does something and doesn't address it. If you don't you'll never hear an answer.

He has his boonk gang phrase which is probably like Bandit gang or some shit like that, which he shouts while breaking into places. UA dorm rooms, UA facility office, UA, Hero Agency’s, Endeavour's bedroom (Don't ask), etc. 

He has a variety of videos where he does things from different communities. For example he has a few hair tutorial and following hair tutorial videos. Same for makeup.I feel like Izuku would also have some dresses and slutty Halloween costumes that be put on in a video all while looking like someone who just had finals and was studying for 4 days straight beforehand.

At like 4AM a thought hit Izuku to have Trash Bandit meet Kouta for the first time and learn what his sheep talks about and what he has to say. Needless to say he took his camera, went to UA, stormed the dorms, went up to the shy kid sheep in hand, looked him dead in the eye, and asked “What is my sheep saying.” bandit speaks and Kouta goes from confused and slightly scared to disgusted and horrified. What did Bandit say? Who the fuck knows…

Izuku loves analysis and while he doesn't do it for heroes anymore when he misses it too much sometimes he does it with tv shows or other things.

Idk what yet but Izuku is weirdly good at something and only showed it on camera once. (He's casually known to be a good artist) Whatever he's good at he did it once for a video and it's in one of the most popular compilation videos of him. 15 minutes of Izuku being a cinnamon roll.

Izuku has a shit ton of videos featuring the UA kids. He has some playlists dedicated to certain ones even if all you see is the back of their head.

Any proceeds Izuku manages to get (he is popular but he gets demonetized a lot) goes to different charities for the quirkless.

He made only 1 serious cooking video on his birthday, but instead of using a knife he used an axe.

He has a video called “My sharp things (tour)” where he just shows off all of his knives and axes and shit along with a massive pair of scissors he got Momo to make.

Izuku makes videos of himself destroying endeavor merch while staring at the camera.

[domesticangel]

here’s a big ol dump of art thats been sitting in my folders for anywhere between 1-3 years that at this point ill probably never finish to accompany some Really Long rambling under the cut

im a junior in college now (””should be”” a senior/whatever that means/since i took a gap year but) but when i was in my like....sophomore-senior years of high school i drew like.....every. freaking. day. like literally i feel like i would draw like, 1 or 2 fully fleshed out, give-all-my-attention to type drawings every single day of my life, and i always had so much fun doing it.

after having a while to self-reflect though ive concluded theres kind of some layers to this. because i figure theres at least a little romanticization of the past going on, because i KNOW i wasn't a very happy person in high school; in fact, mental health wise, late high school into my freshman year of college was probably my very lowest point. i did lack motivation at these points, but not for drawing; i kind of put off school work and college prep, which wasn't good, but drew like HELL every single day, and pretty much all of it was fan art. thats one of the main differences between me then and me now; i used to dedicate so much of my time and energy to “fandom” and the media i was into, and it totally fueled my desire to draw, whereas now, i obviously still enjoy different series, but... my life doesn't really revolve around them like it used to.

the way i see it, i think i definitely used to use media and fandom participation as a form of escapism, but not really the good kind... i think it was more of a maladaptive obsession i failed to keep in check that i know for a fact really got in the way of my schoolwork, and i only doubled down when it came time to apply to colleges, because of course that stressed me out and scared me; during times like that, which was almost always due to my mental health issues at the time, i clung to fandom because its what brought me comfort and kind of shielded me from my responsibilities.

either way, that obsession with whatever media i was into at any given time is also what i think gave me that desire to draw all the time that i miss so much. i think being THAT invested in something is what actually gave me the constant desire to create, and being able to create something and feel accomplished in something without having to face anything uncertain or scary kept me totally hooked. so its weird trying to parse how i feel about that time period in my life.

on one hand, my mental health has gotten SO much better. obviously ive matured a lot since high school, so over time ive learned about much better coping mechanisms and ideas about mental health, ive gotten on a medication that works for me, and ive really gotten into my major so I'm really enjoying school as well. and obviously this is progress that i would never, ever, just want to give up or throw away. however, its also this progress that seems to have inadvertently influenced how often i draw, because I'm no longer fully diving into media/fandom because i dont need that escapism anymore, and therefore i don't have this like, feverish, obsession-fueled desire to draw like i used to. its kind of a double edged sword i guess and something i don't have a clear answer to.

i also think another factor i can't ignore is that i used to have a very large following in a lot of fandoms on tumblr, and if i remember correctly before i deleted my old tumblr i had around 12,000 followers that i had accumulated over probably the course of about 5 years. so that meant that my fan art got a LOT of attention. not to sound like hur-de-blur-social-media-is-evil but like at least in my personal experience, i kind of taught myself to think, “your art is only worth something if it gains a huge, instantaneous reaction, and peoples’ reaction to your art is the ONLY thing that decides its value.” and thinking like that really has hurt how i feel about my art over time! often times, after deleting my tumblr, i would find myself thinking, “well whats the point in doing any art, because nobodys going to see it anyway” so i honestly didn't draw or feel anything for art for a long, long time. in that time i channeled my feelings and energy into much more harmful activities, and i really could've used art at the time, but it had become such a worthless concept in my head since i could no longer associate it with immediate praise and attention.

i forgot a lot of important things about art, most importantly, how it could be fulfilling to just ME and that that was ok. i forgot that drawing regularly would help me improve, or give me something to focus on when i felt down, or give me the power to create something when i felt like i messed up everything else around me, or just make me happy because i thought of something i wanted to put on paper and then just put it on paper. and thats one of the main reasons i created this tumblr; i want to kind of rekindle that passion i had for art, but this time, without the maladaptive obsessions and without the need for approval from everyone around me. and i know this isn't a unique struggle; i know lots of artists who share their work online get discouraged by how little attention their work gets after they put so much time and effort into it, and like them, i don't have an answer as to how to “fix” this feeling either. but i can at least try. i want to prove to myself that the time i spent feeling hopeful and happy about something i created justifies its entire existence regardless of now many notes it gets, whether its OCs, fan art, digital, traditional, whatever. i just want to learn how to draw because it makes me happy.

that said, finding the motivation can be hard. however, i think I'm sometimes a little too hard on myself. I'm on winter break right now, and ive kind of defaulted to thinking “you haven't drawn enough, you've wasted so much time wishing the motivation fairy would visit you and make you draw that you haven't put in the time and effort needed to make yourself do it, youre pissing away every chance you have.” but when i think about it, i don't think thats true.

ive spent a lot of time thinking about OCs recently, which is kind of wild, because i haven't had the desire to make OCs in probably literally ten freakin years, so thats honestly huge for me--i actually really WANT to make original content despite the fact that i know it won't get as much attention as fan art, and i want to just do it for me, because i want to get it out. ive done a whole character sheet and I'm working on another! and sure, it didn't take me half a day like it maybe used to would've, but what does that matter? i thought, hey, i wanna get this out, and i got it out, and thats good enough for me. ive even written up storyboards in case i wanna ever make some small comics about my OCs just for fun, which is exciting cause ive never done it before. ive also been working on a commission for a close friend who wanted me to design her a fursona, and not only has it been a really fun process, but its the first commission ive done in a really, really long time, and it feels really rewarding. on top of that, I'm working on a painting for my dad as a late christmas present, and its my first really ambitious traditional piece in a while, so thats been pretty exciting too. and sure, ive done some fan art, but it feels like its coming from a better place; its less “please assign me value” and more just, really feeling something for the characters and wanting to try to connect with other people who feel something for those characters as well.

so, while it seems challenging, i also need to remind myself not to be blind to my own progress. i think i am doing better, and feeling better about art even if sometimes it feels like i spend way more time thinking about doing art instead of actually doing it. i think thats probably normal, and i think i can keep heading in the right direction.

ANYWAY this got really long but sometimes typing out how i feel about something and then reading it back helps me understand my own head a little better, so thats ok

[legion1993]

Chained By Sweet Hungover Rhythms

Pairing: Dean x Female Reader

Prompts: “It’s 8:30, i have a hangover and you’re annoying me.” (Dialogue Prompt) Chained To The Rhythm by Katy Perry (Song Prompt) 

this is dedicated to the wonderful person who put this lovely idea together and inspired me to write this lovely piece @thing-you-do-with-that-thing may you enjoy this as much as i did writing it 

Plot: Based in Season 11 ep 9 we find a distracted Dean who with his brother Sam decides to investigate the murder of a preacher they think it could be connected to Amara but Dean goes into the morgue to look at the body and runs into our reader who he had hooked up with 3 years prior... what starts as something innocent soon discovers as something that was ready to be more but didnt cause they had their memories erased and only now do they get them back and thus also getting eachother back... But how long will that last?????? 

A/N: this is written specifically for week 1 of the Supernatural Hiatus Writing Challenge 2017 this contains a few of my own twists to the in between points of this episode so bare with me for this crazy adventure... hope you guys enjoy it if so give it a love tap and a few comments would be most appreciated... :)

Never once had either of you thought things would end, but that night it did for a Jinn hunt gone wrong 2 lovers seperated for they were so sure it could have been more..

“Dean don’t the floor its rigged to blow... i know you came all this way to save me but save yourself, save your brother get out of here...” Dean looked around and got knocked over by a jinn hitting him on the head your name falling from his lips in a slow breath; shortly after that you screamed Dean’s name as that same jinn knocked you over the head as well, then everything to them felt as though their bodies were being dragged off...

they both woke in the hospital a few days later with no memory of who eachother was nor what happened. they were released only hours later after a few tests and talking to the doctors but still felt like they were missing something, they felt like something had been torn away from them.

no one expected this to last no one had wanted them to do this hunt, they exited the hospital only to discover there wasnt any shortage of space for they bumped into eachother exiting the hospital you got knocked off your balance but apoligizing to eachother Dean strode off with his brother Sam towards the impala and you towards a taxi which would take you to the nearest bus depot.

over time the reader & Dean have emerced themselves in hunting full time no questions comments concerns or anything, they were trying to find someway to fill the void the emptiness within their own hearts, the void that was created when the jinn wiped their memories of eachother.

for together they were stronger, but you seperate them you kill their strength and you show them what its like to be truly weakened by your own emotions.

It is said some lives are linked across time and space. Connected by an ancient calling that echoes throughout the ages. something that is older than fate herself. you and Dean had always been connected by Destiny. for it would be another 3 years before you would see eachother again.

----------3 YEARS LATER----------

amara is slaughtering preachers in search of a way to get in touch with her wayword brother God, Sam and Dean meet with crowley who didnt believe Dean at first when he told him about how if Amara were to unleash her full power that not even crowley the king of hell would be safe.

crowley then tells the boys that there may be a way for Sam to meet with Lucifer, but that they would need to neutralize Lucifer`s power. Upon their discovery of that knowledge, Crowley continues to tell the boys that the only way to neutralize lucifers power is the need for certain spell work; which would come from the book of the damned, which they learn is in the book of the damned, which they find out is with Rowena.

the boys work with Rowena and Crowley to get everything ready while Dean catches wind of the murders being done by amara decides to leave Sam and rowena in the bunker to set up the spell while dean goes to investigate. Meanwhile, you are rolling into town the same time as Dean you both end up at the police station not acknowledging eachother at first until the sherif turns to acknowledge you noticing your badge he says, "well agent your partner is already inside the morgue come let me show you where it is.."

at this point you were very confused, you had no idea what kind of idiot boy scout you were dealing with but you were sure going to kick them in the ass if they screwed this up for you. you followed the sherif who let you into the morgue and you wlked in behind him, stopping slightly as you caught sight of the other 'badge' you immediately cleared your throat and gave him a small smile as he extended his hand to you, "agent dean macoy..."

you took his hand, "agent 'your first and last name' so your my new partner... from headquarters i assume... funny they didnt tell me you were coming in on this..." you said with a snarky attitude kinda not getting a good vibe from this guy. as he chuckled and began to show you the otopsy report you as the radio in there was going it was playing your favorite song,

"Turn it up, it's your favorite song Dance, dance, dance to the distortion Come on, turn it up, keep it on repeat Stumbling around like a wasted zombie Yeah, we think we're free Drink, this one is on me We're all chained to the rhythm To the rhythm To the rhythm"

you sang loud enough that your 'partner' could hear you, he then smiled and looked at you, "you know this song is like totally easy to strip to right?" you turned to him and chuckled, "whats the title if your a fan of this song for your own twisted reasons?" agent macoy chuckled and you could tell he liked your sass, "Chained to the rhythm by katy perry... im not an idiot i wasnt born yesterday sweetheart.. would you like to get a beer after work partner?"

you agreed and walked out of the station together and started talking you both discovered your interests were the same, you also discovered you were both staying at the same motel across town. you guys drove back playing leap frog on the road, upon their arrival back at the motel to discover that their rooms were beside eachother.

with a swift chuckle out of Dean he got out of his sweet looking 1967 Chevy Impala, coming to your drivers door and smiling as he opened the door helping you out of the car. you smiled as your hands lingered, your eyes locked onto eachother with the look of lust swelling across the seas making your heart beat faster in your chest.

Dean cleared his throat and walked you to your room and kissed your hand and smiled, "such nice soft hands for a hunter... how long you been in the life?" you smiled and sighed, "that is a story better left for the bar... meet by ur nice impala when we are cleaned up and done?" you say as you lean over and kiss his cheek the stubble off his chin tickling you.

"absolutely sweetheart..." dean smiled at you one more time before you both entered your rooms at the same time. you were relieved to remove your fed outfit, and now to find your perfect outfit to go to the bar in with Dean. you loved the way his name sounded but you wondered if that fed name was his actual name or his fake name.

considering he is a hunter too it wouldnt surprise you if that wasnt his real name so you called Garth and decided to check in, "your name whats the word on those church murders is it something heavenly or hellish???" you chuckled and smiled, "calm down Garth i met up with another hunter when i went to talk to the sherif. he has these green eyes that make my heart soar... we are actually going to grab some beers for some relax after our win at the police station."

Garth chuckled on the other end and you smiled as you zipped up your favorite mini jean skirt and put on your jet black tank top, "oooo your name gots a date your name gots a date... i want a full report on it within the fortnight..."

that made you laugh as you tried to do up your leather boot, "of course Garth i gotta go ill call you tomorrow.." you hung up the phone and laughed grabbing your holister and tucking it under your right boot and tucking ur gun in there and then you grabbed your brand new leather jacket (cause your other one had been shredded by a werewolf a while back).

you made sure you had your phone but left your pager in the room and obviously had your ID and your wallet you werent sure where this night was going but it was looking good so far. you made sure your room key was in your wallet and then you exited the motel room. you looked up to see Dean, looking ravenously hot leaning on the hood of his sleak black 1967 Impala.

"well well well she cleans up good for a huntress... perfect to match my hunter... wouldnt you agree..." Dean said as he strode towards you, making you smile, "Dean when i checked in with my friend he mentioned to me that i should have started dating years ago... not saying you know i dont actually know if this is a date or not but he said he wants a full report within a fortnight..."

Dean laughs as he opens the passenger door to his 1967 Impala and lets you inside. the leather interior cool against ur skin but u didnt care, things at that moment just seemed to feel normal like it had all happened before. Dean closed the door when you were safely inside and he crawled in on his side. he stuck the key in the ignition and your face lit up happily as the engine purred to life, you smiled as led zepplin or metalica or whoever it was blasted thru the radio you didnt know why but it made you all warm and fuzzy inside.

like something out of a dream or a movie, something that made your heart skip a few beats till he reached and took your hand in his and your heart stopped slightly as you turned slightly to look in his eyes, "this is gonna sound crazy but i feel like i already knew you before today... i'm sorry if that sounds crazy but its just how im feeling."

Dean tightened his hold on your hand for the fear he had in his stomach was far too great, "no no no 'your name' dont ever think anything sounds crazy for infact i feel the same way... but why would we both be feeling like this i mean it cant possibly be the fact that... no no no there wasnt anyone with me on that hunt and plus i think i would remember...."

you looked at his now very confused, confused as to what he was talking about you took a sigh and you smiled lightly, "remember what dean?? whats going on???" you asked now slightly worried that dean might have... "yourname dont walk out on me please i dont want to loose you after i say what i am going to i fear i might..."

you reached out and touched his cheek lightly feeling his stubble run across your palm, "im not going anywhere dean i promise.." Dean breathed in and sighed, "about 3 years ago to this day i woke up in a hospital and my brother said i had been attacked by a jinn with no major injuries but he also mentioned someone else had been found where i had been found too but why would he mention that to me if not for me to question eventually he ignored me on it and everyday since ive had to live with the feeling like im missing something."

at that moment it occured to you that a similar thing had happened to you about 3 years to date, "it doesnt sound horrible actually something similar happened to me about 3 years ago too except i dont know what happened doctor said that i came in with brusing and a small concussion and a sprained shoulder but was also knocked out from the time i was brought in till 2 days later and that i wasnt the only one brought in too... same sitchuation what the hell is going on???"

Dean at that moment had an idea, he knew it was gonna be a long shot but it was their best chance possibly at finding out more about what this all means and what actually happened... dean then turned to the window and turned off the car as a smile crossed his face. he got out of the car and came over to your side and smiled as he twirled you closing the door and walking with you into his motel room, "just relax 'yourname' im not gonna get freaky but we are gonna get some answers... Castiel if you got your ears on get your feathery ass down here we need answers and we need them now"

at that moment a small woosh, suddenly a man in a trenchcoat was standing across from you and dean. now dean who now got up and sighed, "cas we need help something happened to us and made us not able to remember all the details we need to know what happened and whether or not we are connected by something..."

"actually you are... Dean Winchester meet YourFirstandLastname and vise versa your story is one hella complex thing you already knew eachother but 3 years ago you were on a hunt together you had slept together and chased this cluster of jinn across america agreeing to meet in the middle for the final 2 but when you arrived together you were a couple and it had taken you guys 1 year and 7 months of working as a couple to get that far but along the way... well why dont i show you that very same day...."

Castiel came to you and dean and touched your foreheads showing you everything from that same 24 hours:

Dean stopping at a little jewelry store and getting an engagement ring,

you both showing up at the abandoned mental hospital where the jinn had set up shop,

Dean following your every move as you did his and you both killing the first jinn only before Dean getting hit really hard and passing out slightly and you getting taken by the second jinn,

dean getting up and scowering the entire facility but finding you tied to a chair in what he presumed to be the morgue but the floor had been booby trapped and dean getting clunked on the head,

saying your name as he passed out and then you screaming his name before you got clunked on the head and passed out both of you waking up in the same hospital, both of you walking out of the hospital and back to present day...

once Cas took his fingers off yours and Dean’s foreheads you both shook your heads from the sudden return of your memories and then Cas smiled,

"your parents were destined to have both of you exactly at the precise moments you were conceived and born because you are soulmates... your destined to be together written in the stars type thing. you both were destined for a greater purpose and for that i leave you to get back to your original states."

Castiel disappeared shortly after his statement, you got up and stood at the mirror in the bathroom sighing as you splashed some cool water across your facial features you looked at dean through the mirror. you smiled lightly as your head felt like it was about to explode, your memories changing and you started to giggle,

"after all this time i thought i was alone, i never imagined that coming here would not only let me figure out this case but allow me to find my soulmate. let alone finding out it is the famous Dean Winchester, Garth Fitzgerald talks about you all the time."

you said as you strode back to him slowly but hearing him chuckle was what made you look up at him, "Garth that’s your friend, Garth really why him why Garth... is that who wants you to report in..." you giggle as you trip over his napsack, landing in his lap, his arms tightening around you, "yourname i know that this has been just crazy, its been very crazy and we have been seperated for 3 years but right now we need to make things official they should have already been official but you need to accept my question now..."

you felt dean reach into the pocket of his leather jacket and then move himself out from beneath you, you watched him kneel on the ground in  front of you,

"yourname i know that getting our memories back filled in alot of blanks but right now its just about us. so one very important question still needing to be answered, yourname will you become a Winchester and marry me in the process???"

you nodded as he slid the ring on your finger, "yes Dean although me becoming a Winchester means my family line is officially dead, oh well we were all ready a dead line, together we start something new cause we are all chained to the rhythm and we can turn it up cause its our favorite song and we will dance dance dance to the distortion..."

you kissed him pinning him to the bed between the giggles, laughing, beers, shirts flying, everything flying around the room the feeling of sensation and pleasure fill the bed your lives and the room.

-----THE NEXT MORNING-----

you woke up to your ringtone, "It is my desire Break down the walls to connect, inspire Ay, up in your high place, liars Time is ticking for the empire The truth they feed is feeble As so many times before They greed over the people They stumbling and fumbling And we're about to riot They woke up, they woke up the lions (Woo!)"

Dean stirred beside you and tightened his grip on your waist as you reached for your phone and groaned at the call display, "Garth, its 8:30 i’m hungover and you're annoying me with this call because..." Garth cleared his throat on the other end as you felt dean bury his face into the back of your neck as he groaned kissing your neck now sort of conscious his stubble drafting cross your neck, "well yourname how did the evening go..."

dean picked up on the fact that it was Garth you were talking to and he nodded for you to put this on speaker, "Garth you best have a good reason for disturbing me and my gorgeous fiance at this obscenely obnoxious hour of the morning." Dean kissed your lips softly as Garth gasped, "dean my man hows it going??? & yourname you didn’t tell me you were with Dean Winchester, nor the fact that you knew him i mean both of you... but how?????"

you smile as dean buries his lips into the crook of your neck and you giggle, "Garth, that`s a long story which i will tell you when we next do a meeting, but i plea you to spread word around amongst the hunters that Dean Winchester is getting married and formal invites will follow..."

you smiled as a light moan slipped from your lips and Garth cleared his throat, "well well well so whens the wedding????" dean then sighed, "bye Garth we will speak to you when we do..." dean then closed the call and hung up you only smiled and laughed it was the most amazing night ever.

-------- 1 year later---------

THE DAY HAD ARRIVED, the flowers everywhere, the bunker dun up in loads of twinkle lights, the hustle and bustle of Charlie and others rushing round, getting everything ready but mostly the annoyance of Sam and Charlie having you and Dean trapped away from eachother.

Charlie having you stuck in your old room & Sam having stuck Dean in what was soon to be your shared room but there was something that made today seem like something out of a dream.

thru text tho you and dean were able to exchange i love you's and chit chat while you both were prodded and poked and dressed and such by Charlie and Sam. everyone was having fun but as the music started you started to get nervous...

you and dean were allowed to call only once both of you were ready, "Dean i don`t know if its just me but now wearing this dress and these stupid heels, i suddenly am nervous to do this in front of all these people..."

"don`t stress sweetheart just think we will be legal after this.. trust me we have been chained into the same rhythm for a long time and today is my favorite day cause today i get tied to the woman who has made me a better man... i`ll see you out there babe..." Dean said as Sam and Charlie both entered your quarters and announced it was time and took your phones away hanging them up...

you breathed in and smiled as you heard the intro to your favorite song and you started to sing along, "Are we crazy? Living our lives through a lens Trapped in our white picket fence Like ornaments..."

as you were led from your room down the hall which now had a red carpet and still yet you continued to sing but once you entered the main hall you were stopped by Sam who had volunteered to walk you down the aisle even tho technically he was also the best man but he was the closest person to do the job and you wouldn`t have it another way.

you walked over to Sam who hugged you and congratulated you before linking your arm in his and the chorus started and everyone rose as Castiel said, "all rise for the entry of the bride..." at which point you started down the aisle with Sam and as soon as you locked eyes with dean you were sure you would fall but you knew that wouldn't happen as long as you lived with these fantastic people.

it was here finally as Sam placed your hand in deans and took his place beside his brother you smiled as you and dean approached Cas who smiled,

      "ladies gentlemen friends family it gives me the extreme honor of marrying Dean Winchester and YourFirst&LastName, these 2 people have been through so much being hunters, this life is never easy but when things get tough the tough stay strong for it is the strength of family and friends that gets us through this rough life. now as dean and yourname have opted for saying the short and sweet versions of their vows i would like to invite them to do so now..."

dean straightened up and smiled,

      "yourname i know we have been through so much but now we never have to be alone again you have a home with me and Sam and everyone here we know how this life is especially for someone who had no one else who searched for so long we know that nothing is easy, but everything comes with a price, you paid that price when you started hunting you killed the thing that took your family from you.. but it was your courage and thrill of the hunt that brought you to me, now we never have to be apart again. i love you yourname and i`m happy your mine..."

you smiled and sniffled slightly as you sighed,

       "Dean your right you always are no matter what anyone says, i know we shouldn`t have taken our time together the first time for granted but loosing you and yet still ever worse loosing my memory of you has made me a better person a stronger hunter and as you said the huntress to your hunter. i`m proud to on this day become your wife and i only regret not stabbing that stupid memory stealing jinn when i had the chance... i know i`ve said it before but i wasn`t kidding you make me happy you are not useless you are my superman and i wouldn`t want anyone else... i love you dean and i cant wait to see where life will take us..."

Cas cleared his throat as Charlie and Sam handed off the rings which were immediately placed allowing Cas to continue,        

"and so by the power vested within me by the laws of heaven and earth i hereby finally pronounce you husband and wife, dean you may kiss your bride"  

Dean was familiar with that part he wrapped his arms around your waist and dipped you kissing you passionately earning claps awes and ooos from the crowd as the song finished,

"It goes on, and on, and on 'Cause we're all chained to the rhythm"

[tourguideexpert-blog-blog]

Best places to eat and drink in Japan: readers travel tips

New Post has been published on https://travelqia.com/must-see/best-places-to-eat-and-drink-in-japan-readers-travel-tips-2/

Best places to eat and drink in Japan: readers travel tips

It might not be hard to find great sushi in Tokyo, or a gem of a saki bar, but where would you go for the best okonomiyaki pancakes, takoyaki octopus balls, gold ice-cream or udon noodles?

Winning tip: Takoyaki, Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Ive eaten the most rarefied meals of my life in Japan, but its hard to beat the charms of a 2 portion of takoyaki fluffy balls of eggy batter studded with boiled octopus, ginger and spring onion in a polystyrene tray. These are anointed with takoyaki sauce (Japans answer to HP) and mayonnaise, then sprinkled with dried pink bonito (skipjack tuna) flakes, which writhe in the heat emanating from the molten core. You spear each ball with a notched cocktail stick and nibble while trying to avoid singing your lips. Its like eating mouthfuls of octopus-flavoured cloud. Osaka invented them, but you can find them pretty much everywhere in Japan. Among the best are the ones served in Kyotos Nishiki Market, where you buy a ticket from a vending machine before placing your order with the cook juggling the golden balls. MoragR

Tofu temple, Kyoto

Photograph: Guardian Witness/MoragR

You need a good-luck talisman (and some instructions printed from the internet) to find Shoraian, hidden in the glorious Arashiyama mountains to the west of Kyoto. To reach it I followed the jade waters of the Hozu river, then took a steep path into the forest to a lonely hillside clearing with a wooden house, which seems to belong in a fairytale. Shoraians fame rests on its tofu-based menu. It sounds ascetic, but this is Japan, where simplicity means invention and elegance. All its tofu is made in-house, which results in something completely unlike the stuff packaged in supermarkets. We ate in a room overlooking the river and shaded by rustling trees. We chose the cheapest of the set menus, at around 25 per head (lunch is always a more affordable option than dinner in Japan). The meal starts with homemade plum wine served with a scoop of tofu as creamy as burrata, served with a pinch of salt. Vegetarian delicacies follow, an artwork on a plate. Then a bowl called sunrise, served with a calligraphy poem, based on a preserved egg as bright as a pocket-sized sun. Then comes yudofu (tofu hot-pot) blocks of tofu simmered in tasty broth. Dessert is tofu ice-cream nutty, toffee-ish and textured. I will never eat a more magical meal. Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, +81 75 861 0123, shoraian.com MoragR

Sushi Tokami, Ginza, Tokyo

Hiroyuki Sato preparing sushi at Tokami. Photograph: Guardian Witness/pfrosty

Ginza is where the best sushi places in Tokyo are found and must be among the best in the world. Sushi Tokami is my pick of the lot, run by Michelin-starred Hiroyuki Sato, one of the young guns of the sushi scene, who loves a joke and is happy to chat and explain while making exquisitely flawless nigiri. The place is a tiny basement affair with 10 seats in total but when you also learn that Tokami means 10 gods then you realise this restaurant is a small but beautiful offering to the world of sushi. Sushi (10 pieces) from 31 including soup and appetiser, Ginza Seiwa Silver Building B1F, 8-2-10 Ginza, Chup-ku, +81 3 3571 6005, sushitokami.3zoku.com pfrosty

Jumanji 55, Roppongi, Tokyo

Photograph: Facebook

You dont get much better than Roppongi for a fun cheap night out in Tokyo. For just 6 you can drink as much as you like here for four hours, and the service is fantastic. It has everything: bizarre interior design, a fine selection of western and Asian music and a real buzz. It also has a great selection of traditional snacks. 3-10-5 Mariner building 1F, +81 3 5410-5455, jumanji55.com Natasha Alexa Searle

Bar Track, Ebisu, Tokyo

Ebisu is known for its izakayas (informal bar and eating joints) and as a cool spot away from the crowds of Shinjuku and Shibuya. A simple sign saying Bar on a nondescript building leads to a warm and hushed interior. Theres a huge selection of rare Japanese and Scotch whiskies and US bourbons. The bartenders play old jazz and blues records from a collection of thousands through vintage wooden speakers. There are simple bar snacks to keep you going banana chips, wasabi peas and rice crackers.

3-24-9 Higashi Shibuya +81 3 5466 8871, on Facebook Sam Seager

Kushiya monogatari, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Photograph: Getty Images/Flickr Open

This is a brilliant restaurant in the Shinjuku area offering a range of tabehodai and nomihodai (all you can eat/drink) options. It specialises in kushiage various meats, veg and fish on skewers. Each table has a small fryer in the middle, you pick out the skewers you want and batter/fry them yourself at your table. The best thing is you can have as much as you want in 90 minutes for about 2,500 (15.50) including drinks. I have eaten in many different types of restaurant in Japan but this definitely ranks at the top of my list. Not only is the food excellent but it is a fun and unique dining experience and great value for money. 1-3-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, 5th fl, Sunflower Bldg, +81 3 5321 6166, sunnypages.jp Roy Searle

Sushibar Hamacho, Nozawa Onsen

Photograph: Alamy

Nozawa Onsen is a great little ski resort, still very traditional. Its tiny streets have a great selection of eating places. My favourite was Sushibar Hamacho, a one-room place with seating at the bar or on the floor of a raised, matted platform. The place is usually busy with seemingly random opening hours. But the fresh, plump salmon and tuna are beautifully presented and of perfect quality, taste and texture. Four of us shared the platter and then polished off another one. Most meals cost around 9. 9519 Toyosato Nozawaonsen-Mura, +81 2 6985 2591 buryboy

Hida beef and sake in Takayama

Photograph: Getty Images/AWL Images RM

Kill two culinary birds with one stone with a visit to Takayama, a historic town in the mountains 200 miles west of Tokyo, famous for both its hida beef and sake. Once youve explored the numerous shrines and temples sprinkled around the surrounding hillsides, keep an eye out for the distinctive balls of cedar hanging from a building which signify a sake brewery; where the cedar ball has turned brown it means the sake is ready to drink. Several of the breweries offer tastings, and tasting cloudy sake is definitely an experience. In the evening, head to a specialist hida beef restaurant, such as Maruaki, to experience the best steak youll taste in your life. 6 Chome-8 Tenmanmachi, +81 577-35-5858, hidagyu-maruaki.co.jp cr7364

Noodles at Gamou-Udon, Shikoku island

Photograph: Alamy

For the true udon experience, go to Kagawa prefecture on Shikoku island. The signature foods here are soup and the al dente udon noodles. Gamou-Udon sits in the middle of farmland, dedicated to serving mainly udon and soba (thin buckwheat noodles) available only during its season from Nov-Apr. The menu is simple: small, medium or large noodles and you can add your own toppings (selection of tempura, fried bean curd and poached egg). I recommend to stay within three toppings to actually enjoy the noodles. This small hut that seats about 15 people gets very busy. People come, slurp the noodles and leave. Locals as well as Japanese tourists queue up during lunch hour. If you go too late, they will run out for the day so go early. It doesnt do dinner. Best udon Ive ever had (Im Japanese). 762-0023 Kagawa-ken, Sakaide-shi Alvin K Shimoju

Somen noodles, Shodoshima island

The small island of Shodoshima off Okoyama often gets overlooked by visitors to the Seto inland sea who favour its nearby arty, even smaller, neighbour Naoshima. Shodoshima, however, is a food paradise, from roadsides lined with olive groves, to the smell of sesame oil wafting through the air; food is central to life here. Highlights for visitors include Yamaroku, a small family soy sauce producer who estimates the age of its business through the ancient barrels its soy sauce ferments in. It is free to visit and you can climb up and look into the dark vats as well as sample a delightful spectrum of soy sauce products. Around the corner you will also find Nakabuan, a local somen noodle-maker where you can watch the thin wheat-flour noodles being hand-rolled, while eating the one dish on the menu, a bowl of fresh somen with dipping sauce. ID5040053

Gold ice-cream, Kanazawa

Photograph: Guardian Witness/Claire Mason

The opportunity to indulge in a golden ice-cream is rare; but not here in Kanazawa. The city was spared from bombing during the second world war and has managed to retain its historic districts and charm. It produces almost all of Japans gold leaf, and there must be a surplus because its even used as an ice cream topping. You can buy the creamy, gold ice-cream from various stands in the historic parts of town. Claire Mason

Okonomiyaki pancakes, Hiroshima

Photograph: Getty Images/AWL Images RM

Street food has been mainstream in Japan for a while now, with variations on savoury pancakes in the 20 or so eateries in Hiroshimas Okonomiyaki building a classic example. Combining whatever ingredients you want fried up with fish stock and cabbage pancake mix is an unpretentious meal, eaten off up-turned beer crates while sat around the hot plate. The snack is highly visual, with a pizza-size lattice of mayonnaise and tangy sauce mingling with oscillating tuna flakes sizzling away. Yours for 7. Tayls79

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us

[neptunecreek]

Sextortion Scam: What to Do If You Get the Latest Phishing Spam Demanding Bitcoin

You may have arrived at this post because you received an email from a purported hacker who is demanding payment or else they will send compromising information—such as pictures sexual in nature—to all you friends and family. You’re searching for what to do in this frightening situation.

Don’t panic. Contrary to the claims in your email, you haven't been hacked (or at least, that's not what prompted that email). This is merely a new variation on an old scam which is popularly being called "sextortion." This is a type of online phishing that is targeting people around the world and preying off digital-age fears.

We’ll talk about a few steps to take to protect yourself, but the first and foremost piece of advice we have: do not pay the ransom.

We have pasted a few examples of these emails at the bottom of this post. The general gist is that a hacker claims to have compromised your computer and says they will release embarrassing information—such as images of you captured through your web camera or your pornographic browsing history—to your friends, family, and co-workers.  The hacker promises to go away if you send them thousands of dollars, usually with bitcoin.

What makes the email especially alarming is that, to prove their authenticity, they begin the emails showing you a password you once used or currently use.

Again, this still doesn't mean you've been hacked. The scammers in this case likely matched up a database of emails and stolen passwords and sent this scam out to potentially millions of people, hoping that enough of them would be worried enough and pay out that the scam would become profitable.

EFF researched some of the bitcoin wallets being used by the scammers. Of the five wallets we looked at only one had received any bitcoin, in total about 0.5 bitcoin or $4,000 at the time of this writing.  It’s hard to say how much the scammers have received in total at this point since they appear to be using different bitcoin addresses for each attack, but it’s clear that at least some people are already falling for this scam.

Here are some quick  answers to the questions many people ask after receiving these emails.

They have my password! How did they get my password?

Unfortunately, in the modern age, data breaches are common and massive sets of passwords make their way to the criminal corners of the Internet. Scammers likely obtained such a list for the express purpose of including a kernel of truth in an otherwise boilerplate mass email.

If the password emailed to you is one that you still use, in any context whatsoever,  STOP USING IT and change it NOW! And regardless of whether or not you still use that password it's always a good idea to use a password manager.

And of course, you should always change your password when you’re alerted that your information has been leaked in a breach. You can also use a service like Have I Been Pwned to check whether you have been part of one of the more well-known password dumps.

Should I respond to the email?

Absolutely not. With this type of scam, the perpetrator relies on the likelihood that a small number of people will respond out of a batch of potentially millions. Fundamentally this isn't that much different from the old Nigerian prince scam, just with a different hook. By default they expect most people will not even open the email, let alone read it. But once they get a response—and a conversation is initiated—they will likely move into a more advanced stage of the scam. It’s better to not respond at all.

So,  I shouldn’t pay the ransom?

You should not pay the ransom. If you pay the ransom, you’re not only losing money but you’re encouraging the scammers to continue phishing other people. If you do pay, then the scammers may also use that as a pressure point to continue to blackmail you, knowing that you’re are susceptible.

What should I do instead?

As we said before, for sure stop using the password that the scammer used in the phishing email, and consider employing a password manager to keep your passwords strong and unique. Moving forward, you should make sure to enable two-factor authentication whenever that is an option on your online accounts. You can also check out our Surveillance Self-Defense guide for more tips on how to protect your security and privacy online.

One other thing to do to protect yourself is apply a cover over your computer’s camera. We offer some through our store, but a small strip of electrical tape will do.

We know this experience isn't fun, but it's also not the end of the world. Just ignore the scammers' empty threats and practice good password hygiene going forward!

Example 1

I am aware one of your passphrase: password. Lets get directly to point. Not a single person has compensated me to investigate about you. You do not know me and you are probably wondering why you're getting this e mail?actually, I actually installed a software on the adult vids (sex sites) site and you know what, you visited this web site to have fun (you know what I mean). When you were viewing videos, your internet browser initiated working as a Remote control Desktop that has a key logger which provided me access to your display screen and also web cam. Right after that, my software program collected your complete contacts from your Messenger, FB, and email . After that I created a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were viewing (you've got a good taste haha . . .), and 2nd part shows the view of your webcam, and its u.  You do have only 2 alternatives. We are going to understand these types of choices in aspects: 1st solution is to disregard this message. In this case, I am going to send your actual video clip to just about all of your contacts and thus you can easily imagine about the disgrace you feel. Not to mention should you be in a relationship, just how it will eventually affect? Number two choice will be to pay me $3000. We will think of it as a donation. As a consequence, I most certainly will without delay eliminate your videotape. You will keep going on your daily life like this never happened and you will not hear back again from me. You'll make the payment through Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search for "how to buy bitcoin" in Google).

Example 2

Hi, victim.I write yоu becаusе I put а mаlware оn the wеb раge with porn whiсh yоu hаve visitеd.My virus grаbbed all your рersonal infо аnd turnеd on yоur сamеrа which сaрtured the рroсеss оf your onаnism. Just aftеr that the soft savеd yоur соntaсt list.I will dеlеte thе сompromising video and infо if you pаy me 999 USD in bitcoin. This is address fоr рaymеnt : 1K2jNTLdbHEwaALQWKMeGoKLWD67Cb6q8BI give yоu 30 hоurs aftеr you ореn my mеssаge for making the trаnsactiоn.As sоon аs yоu reаd the mеssаgе I'll see it right awаy.It is nоt necessary tо tell mе thаt you hаve sеnt money to me. This address is соnneсtеd tо yоu, my systеm will dеlete еverything automаtically aftеr trаnsfer соnfirmаtiоn.If yоu nееd 48 h just reрly оn this letter with +.Yоu сan visit thе pоlicе stаtion but nobоdy cаn hеlp yоu.If you try to dеceive mе , I'll sеe it right аway !I dont live in yоur соuntry. So they саn nоt track my lосаtiоn evеn for 9 months.Goodbyе. Dоnt fоrget аbоut thе shame and tо ignore, Yоur life can be ruined.

Example 3

𝕨hat's up. If you were more vigilant while playing with yourself, I wouldn't worry you. I don't think that playing with yourself is very bad, but when all colleagues, relatives and friends get video record of it- it is obviously for u. I adjusted virus on a porn web-site which you have visited. When the victim press on a play button, device begins recording the screen and all cameras on your device starts working. мoreover, my program makes a dedicated desktop supplied with key logger function from your device , so I could get all contacts from ya e-mail, messengers and other social networks. I've chosen this e-mail cuz It's your working address, so u should read it. Ì think that 730 usd is pretty enough for this little false. I made a split screen vid(records from screen (u have interesting tastes ) and camera ooooooh... its awful ᾷF) Ŝo its your choice, if u want me to erase this сompromising evidence use my ƅitсȯin wᾷllеt aďdrеss-  1JEjgJzaWAYYXsyVvU2kTTgvR9ENCAGJ35  Ƴou have one day after opening my message, I put the special tracking pixel in it, so when you will open it I will know.If ya want me to share proofs with ya, reply on this message and I will send my creation to five contacts that I've got from ur contacts. P.S... You can try to complain to cops, but I don't think that they can solve ur problem, the investigation will last for several months- I'm from Estonia - so I dgf LOL

Example 4

I know, password, is your pass word. You may not know me and you're most likely wondering why you are getting this e mail, correct? In fact, I placed a malware on the adult vids (porn material) web-site and you know what, you visited this website to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching video clips, your internet browser initiated operating as a RDP (Remote Desktop) that has a keylogger which provided me access to your screen and also webcam. Immediately after that, my software program gathered your entire contacts from your Messenger, social networks, as well as email. What did I do? I made a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were watching (you have a good taste lmao), and 2nd part shows the recording of your webcam. exactly what should you do?

Well, I believe, $2900 is a fair price for our little secret. You'll make the payment by Bitcoin (if you don't know this, search "how to buy bitcoin" in Google). BTC Address: 1MQNUSnquwPM9eQgs7KtjDcQZBfaW7iVge (It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it) Note: You have one day in order to make the payment. (I have a specific pixel in this email message, and at this moment I know that you have read through this email message). If I do not get the BitCoins, I will definitely send out your video recording to all of your contacts including family members, coworkers, etc. However, if I do get paid, I'll destroy the video immidiately. If you want to have evidence, reply with "Yes!" and I will certainly send out your video to your 14 contacts. This is the non-negotiable offer, so please don't waste my personal time and yours by responding to this email message.

from Deeplinks https://ift.tt/2M9Z2xS

[jesliey]

Henlo you stinki poop. Go do all the asks, you stinki boi.

OH

alright boiz lets do this... *cracks knuckles*

under the cut because this gonna be fuckin long...

200: My crush’s name is:

Her name is Lucy, and she is really amazing, and thank fuck she doesnt have a tumblr...

199: I was born in: 

1996 BABEY

198: I am really:

Three gnomes in a trenchcoat.

197: My cellphone company is:

Telus, and im less than thrilled about that....bare minimum passable service at best

196: My eye color is:

Blue-grey ish

195: My shoe size is:

Depends on where i go, but generally 12 - 13~

194: My ring size is:

Oh fuck man i dont remember...i think i was 10.5 when i got mine fitted??

193: My height is:

6′3″~

192: I am allergic to:

Pet hair and dander mostly...nothing to the point of lethality, just making me wish it was...

191: My 1st car was:

Still dont own my first car, but if i had a choice of anything itd be a custom 1985 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

190: My 1st job was:

First paying? Retail. Hated it, drove a forklift without a licence, got fired. Whoop.

189: Last book you read:

Not from start to finish, but i started Prison School a while ago

188: My bed is:

A single. Aint got that much room in student housing my guy...

187: My pet:

@vocoterra​

186: My best friend:

@vocoterra​

185: My favorite shampoo is:

Im a tresemme boi. Love me some silky smooth hair

184: Xbox or ps3:

PC

183: Piggy banks are:

Pretty much nonexistent in this house i think....

182: In my pockets:

This question is reserved for someone wearing pants

181: On my calendar:

I have a calendar?

180: Marriage is:

Optional

179: Spongebob can:

Live on forever in my heart, but i know it peaked at Band Geeks...

178: My mom:

Is short and angry and im lov her

177: The last three songs I bought were?

>bought

176: Last YouTube video watched:

175: How many cousins do you have?

Im Polish....its a lot....

174: Do you have any siblings?

2 step sisters, and a half sister!

173: Are your parents divorced?

Yup

172: Are you taller than your mom?

Yeah but thats not saying much...

171: Do you play an instrument?

170: What did you do yesterday?

Did computer maintenance for an hour, went to the gym with Lucy, came home and had realtalk with my upstairs neighbor for like 3 hours. It was a good day :D

[ I Believe In ]169: Love at first sight:

Ehhh not really....attraction at first sight? Oh fuck yeah. Infatuation? Absolutely, but not love. Its two ways of knowing and understanding for each person involved, and a first meeting wont provide that.

168: Luck:

Randomness and chance is just not being far enough back to see all of the factors that come into play to influence an outcome. Those concepts only exist to explain something that cannot be currently understood.

167: Fate:

Not really. Choices and actions continuously influence the paths that everyone takes, and theres no such thing as not making a choice. Fate is all a matter of having the wisdom to discern which choices you want to make to reach a certain path. #deep

166: Yourself:

Fuck no that guys an asshole

165: Aliens:

In an infinite universe where we have no concept of its true size? I find it incredibly arrogant to assume that we live on the ONLY planet capable of hosting life out of something so infinite. #IWantToBelieve

164: Heaven:

Nah. I wont believe in anything until i can see it for myself.

163: Hell:

See above ^

162: God:

Im agnostic at best...if there is a “God” then they have a lot to answer for. Because they are either omnipotent or benevolent. I refuse to believe that a god can be both.

161: Horoscopes:

Its a nice little thought piece to pass the time, but i feel like human choices and actions shape personalities better than relative time of birth ever could

160: Soul mates:

Everyone is their own person with thoughts, feelings, responsibilities, and aspirations. Finding someone who is in every sense perfectly aligned with another in terms of “soul mates” is unlikely. Its all a spectrum of how well lifestyles can mesh.

159: Ghosts:

Nah fam.

158: Gay Marriage:

Spoiler Alert: Gay Marriage Is Just Marriage Between People Who Happen To Be Gay

157: War:

Its a reality, and as much as i hate it, due to human nature it is inevitable and almost necessary. War will never go away.

156: Orbs:

ＯＲＢＳ

155: Magic:

Its a term historically used to explain what cannot conventionally be explained. As soon as there is documentation and explanation, then it becomes a science and it can be studied.[ This or That ]

154: Hugs or Kisses:

I like me some huggin....

153: Drunk or High:

Both? Both....both is good. Gotta be careful with it though

152: Phone or Online:

Online mang

151: Red heads or Black haired:

I MEAN WHY CHOOSE??

150: Blondes or Brunettes:

I usually enjoy brunette more than blonde...

149: Hot or cold:

You can always put on more layers, but you can only take off so much before its a felony

148: Summer or winter:

Winter. Hot cocoa BITCHES~

147: Autumn or Spring:

Autumn season = Best season

146: Chocolate or vanilla:

I like me some vanilla

145: Night or Day:

Imma night owls ngl

144: Oranges or Apples:

Tough choice, but i love me some citrus

143: Curly or Straight hair:

yes

142: McDonalds or Burger King:

Wendy’s. Fight Me.

141: White Chocolate or Milk Chocolate:

White, but only in select quantities...

140: Mac or PC:

PC, but if more programs and games had support id choose linux

139: Flip flops or high heals:

Neither...im more of a work boot kind of guy...

138: Ugly and rich OR sweet and poor:

Jokes on you bud im ugly AND poor!

Ugly and rich tho. I can pay to fix my fucked up appearance, and youre damn right id use my money to fix up my town

137: Coke or Pepsi:

BEPIS BABEY YEAH

136: Hillary or Obama:

Remember when Obama reconciled with Japan for the dropping of nuclear ordinance on Hiroshima and also thanked them for anime? That was pretty damn cool of him.

I mean Hillary dabs though so i mean theres that

135: Burried or cremated:

Cremated. Not necessarily when i die. Just whenever. Surprise me.

134: Singing or Dancing:

Singing...i cant dance...

Cant do either, but at least i feel a bit better about my voice...

133: Coach or Chanel:

I dont understand the question....

132: Kat McPhee or Taylor Hicks:

Wasnt a huge Taylor fan....Kat by default

131: Small town or Big city:

Both are nice, but i think i like the idea of disappearing in a big city more than the peace of a small town.

130: Wal-Mart or Target:

Im Canadian, so Walmart it is

129: Ben Stiller or Adam Sandler:

Owen Wilson. Your move.

128: Manicure or Pedicure:

I dont remember which one is which, so whichever one does feet. My hands see frequent use, and it would not last.

127: East Coast or West Coast:

East Coast. Vancouver is the only thing the west has going for it in my eyes

126: Your Birthday or Christmas:

Birthday. I like having a day just all to myself. No one is gonna take that from me.

125: Chocolate or Flowers:

Ehhhh both are really temporary...wanna get me a gift that lasts? Make it a really cool looking sword

124: Disney or Six Flags:

DIDNEY WORL

123: Yankees or Red Sox:

[ Here’s What I Think About ]122: War:

Its unclean at best, its inevitable, and its almost certainly necessary.

121: George Bush:

By comparison right now his administration is looking pretty good

120: Gay Marriage:

Completely legal and totally socially acceptable. The fact that its an issue is baffling to say the least.

119: The presidential election:

You guys elected the annoying orange so you tell me

118: Abortion:

Her body, her choice, end of discussion. Die mad about it.

117: MySpace:

An artifact of an internet age gone by...

116: Reality TV:

If i wanted to watch peoples daily lives, there are vlogs out there that are a thousand times more genuine than anything ive seen on network television

115: Parents:

They should do their absolute best to raise their child to be better than them. The next generation should always be pushed to be able to leave the world better than the previous generation did. Thats how humanity evolves.

114: Back stabbers:

Pretty sure theres a circle in hell dedicated entirely to them according to The Divine Comedy

113: Ebay:

Never tried it, but it has its uses.

112: Facebook:

Not worth my time.

111: Work:

All just to fuel my long term expensive hobby of making swords.

110: My Neighbors:

For most of them, completely indifferent. Theres a lady upstairs who is really nice.

109: Gas Prices:

Now i dont drive anymore, but theyre ridiculous...

108: Designer Clothes:

Completely unnecessary, and feeding the bougie capitalist machine, but I NEED THEM. I WANNA LOOK GOOD.

107: College:

Its hell, and im stuck there...

106: Sports:

SPORTS

SPORTBALL

105: My family:

At the end of the day they should be the people that you can fall back to no matter what.

104: The future:

Tired and jaded as to what it can bring. I survived 2016 so anything that is yet to come might as well happen.[ Last time I ]103: Hugged someone:

Its been a couple weeks....for someone who very much enjoys physical affection im actually pretty shy and touch starved....

102: Last time you ate:

Yesterday at about 4 ish...i should really eat something...

101: Saw someone I haven’t seen in awhile:

Yesterday actually! I dont get to see my old highschool friends too often, so im glad i went to see one yesterday

100: Cried in front of someone:

Oh fuck its been a while...came close last night, but not quite.

99: Went to a movie theater:

Probably to go see Rogue One....I enjoyed it at the time, but its a bad Star Wars movie. I cant remember a single thing about it.

98: Took a vacation:

OH FUCK ITS BEEN A WHILE I DONT EVEN REMEMBER

97: Swam in a pool:

Years at the very least...

96: Changed a diaper:

Never...I was an only child growing up, and i never babysat

95: Got my nails done:

Ehhhh like a year or so?

94: Went to a wedding:

A couple months ago! Thats probably the last time i cried in front of someone actually!

93: Broke a bone:

Never broken a bone before, and im not about to start

92: Got a peircing:

You could not pay me enough money to have someone jab needles through my flesh

91: Broke the law:

I pirate frequently so like maybe a day or two

90: Texted:

While i was writing this[ MISC ]89: Who makes you laugh the most:

Oh prolly @vocoterra

88: Something I will really miss when I leave home is:

The comfort of being at home...i like going out, but nothing else feels like home

87: The last movie I saw:

Pass Thru by Neil Breen...i was stoned out of my gourd when i saw it, so i knew it was either gonna make perfect sense or none at all, but what i didnt expect was for it to do both at the same time

86: The thing that I’m looking forward to the most:

Im going to see Nightwish in a couple weeks so thatll be really fun!

85: The thing im not looking forward to:

Midterms are still going on...

84: People call me:

By my name usually

83: The most difficult thing to do is:

Pee with a boner. Prove me wrong. Ill wait.

82: I have gotten a speeding ticket:

Not a speeding ticket, but i did get a ticket for going too fast passing a fresh accident

81: My zodiac sign is:

Cancer

80: The first person i talked to today was:

In person? My landlords wife came by for a viewing, but i talked to the nice lady living upstairs over snapchat first

79: First time you had a crush:

The first one that comes to mind was a girl i was in daycare with growing up named Tori. I dont really remember what happened to her, but i guess she moved away.

78: The one person who i can’t hide things from:

Thats the thing. I can hide things from everyone. Most of the time i dont because im bad at lying, but there are a lot of things i will take to my grave. Most of them dont even involve me directly.

77: Last time someone said something you were thinking:

Last night when the upstairs neighbor came down to talk. Its kind of odd how on-the-same-page we were about a lot of the things we talked about

76: Right now I am talking to:

Neighbor lady. She has a date today and shes pretty nervous and wants someone to talk it out with.

75: What are you going to do when you grow up:

Hopefully be less of a mess of hot garbage, but ill settle for freelance software developer and occasional swordsmith

74: I have/will get a job:

Ive found work pretty reliably through temp agencies. Theres never a shortage of manual labour that needs to be done.

73: Tomorrow:

Is saturday. Whats the question?

72: Today:

Is friday. I have a game to go to in about 30 mins.

71: Next Summer:

Ill hopefully be doing an IT internship if my parents can pull some strings at their work. Ill see what happens.

70: Next Weekend:

Nothing major going on i think...

69: I have these pets:

@vocoterra

68: The worst sound in the world:

@vocoterra

67: The person that makes me cry the most is:

Ehh im pretty emotionally calloused by this point...i think itll take a lot to make me cry

66: People that make you happy:

Friends from highschool. @vocoterra. Some of my newer college friends. Definitely my parents.

65: Last time I cried:

Wasnt this asked already? Pretty sure it was a wedding.

64: My friends are:

Gay dumbasses

63: My computer is:

RIPPED AS HELL AND CUSTOM BUILT

62: My School:

Its kinda shitty

61: My Car:

Nonexistent

60: I lose all respect for people who:

Commit sexual assault.

59: The movie I cried at was:

Bridge to Terabithia....dont lie you did too

58: Your hair color is:

Light brown/dirty blonde ish?

57: TV shows you watch:

The Netflix Marvel TV series’

I was a particular fan of Luke Cage

56: Favorite web site:

9 times outta 10 itll be youtube. Theres just everything to watch there.

55: Your dream vacation:

Scotland highlands, rural Japan, or urban Poland

54: The worst pain I was ever in was:

Depression

53: How do you like your steak cooked:

Medium rare like god intended

52: My room is:

Reasonably tidy i think...got a few things lying around that i should pick up

51: My favorite celebrity is:

Taliesin Jaffe. I hold an immense respect for him.

50: Where would you like to be:

Anywhere where im not writing this honestly....

49: Do you want children:

Yes, but i will never father my own. There are too many genetic fuck ups for me to want to pass this on.

48: Ever been in love:

No. Thought i was a couple times, but its supposed to be reciprocated. It never was, therefore I never have been.

47: Who’s your best friend:

I tagged him like 4 times in this post already it should be obvious

46: More guy friends or girl friends:

Pretty even split i think

45: One thing that makes you feel great is:

Coming back after home after the gym. Just the relaxation of it is unforgettable.

44: One person that you wish you could see right now:

No one in particular at this moment. Im heading out to see friends in a few minutes so im enjoying alone time

43: Do you have a 5 year plan:

Farthest i really go is about 2

42: Have you made a list of things to do before you die:

Nope. If i start, it wont end. Theres too much that the world has to offer, so ill just find what i like as i go.

41: Have you pre-named your children:

I did. Thats never happening though.

40: Last person I got mad at:

Last night i remembered some of the more racist shit that some of my friends can just get away with in that particular group and i genuinely fucking hate it.

39: I would like to move to:

Maybe somewhere in Germany. The only place i can think of in Canada would be Vancouver, but even then ehhh...

38: I wish I was a professional:

Ass Eater

[ My Favorites ]

ＬＩＧＨＴＮＩＮＧ ＲＯＵＮＤ

37: Candy: Coffee Crisp36: Vehicle: 1985 Pontiac Trans Am35: President: Obama34: State visited: Tennessee 33: Cellphone provider: Wind32: Athlete: Shiho Yoshimura31: Actor: Taliesin Jaffe30: Actress: Laura Bailey29: Singer: Rob Swire28: Band: Sabaton27: Clothing store: Mark’s Work Warehouse26: Grocery store: Food Basics25: TV show: JJBA24: Movie: The Boondock Saints or American history X23: Website: Youtube22: Animal: Potoo Bird21: Theme park: Canada’s Wonderland20: Holiday: SPOOKYWEEN19: Sport to watch: CSGO18: Sport to play: Sportball17: Magazine: I dont read maagazines...16: Book: 198415: Day of the week: Thursday14: Beach: Whichever is the closest one to where i live. Theyre all far away...13: Concert attended: Soon Nightwish! :D12: Thing to cook: SPAGEDDY11: Food: Sushi10: Restaurant: Pho Dau Bo9: Radio station: My phones music library8: Yankee candle scent: Anything lavender7: Perfume: I prefer cologne...6: Flower: Lavenders and Lilacs5: Color: Royal Blue4: Talk show host: Uhhh...3: Comedian: Bo Burnham2: Dog breed: Corgi or Samoyed1: Did you answer all these truthfully: Fuck yeah i did

[symbianosgames]

Chicago's own NetherRealm Studios is best known for its work on the long-running fighting game series Mortal Kombat, but in the space between Kombat outings the studio has also tried its hand at other projects.

One of those ventures, the 2013 DC Comics tie-in fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us,  seems to have done well enough for the studio that it's now poised to release a sequel next year. But Injustice 2 is interesting from a game developer's perspective because it takes an established fighting game chassis (based upon the Mortal Kombat games) and bolts on an item system that players can use to change the way their characters work.

In brief, players basically get loot drops at the end of every match that they can then choose to equip on characters in their roster (everyone from Aquaman to Wonder Woman), changing those characters' stats. It's not totally unheard for a fighting game to include items that change characters' stats (see Street Fighter x Tekken's "Gems" system) but it is rare, and notoriously tricky to pull off without upsetting the game's balance.

NetherRealm's Adam Urbano served as lead producer on the original Injustice, and he's reprising his role for the sequel. At E3 this week, Urbano chatted with Gamasutra a bit about why, exactly, NetherRealm is making another Injustice game and what he's learned about how to build a balanced, tournament-grade fighting game.

Why are you making Injustice 2? What shortcomings did you see in the first game?

Urbano: One of the things is, we wanted the game to be accessible. We wanted Injustice to be something casual people could jump in and play. Thats why you saw the environments and the interactions and a lot of the one-button things you could do that just looked powerful. Unfortunately, it's extra difficult in just the short amount of time in the [training] mode in Injustice to really get good at things. So the gear system is a fundamental redesign to address things like that.

The goal is that you start out with a much more accessible easier-to-play character, and then you're going to grow with that character, over weeks and weeks and weeks if you choose, giving you a chance to customize it and make it play the way you want it. Actually getting to learn how to play, as well. Instead of just presenting you with 26 or so completed characters from the start, this is 26 sort of...character templates, for players to take and turn into what they want.

That sounds incredibly tricky to balance.

You correctly identified the core issue: we've been working on it for years. Throughout development of Injustice 1, really, because that's when we started thinking about how to do this. So this has been in development for a long time. You can expect a sort of arena system, like you'd see in something like a MOBA, that will give players a chance to use the gear but still keep everything balanced.

So balancing really involves the modes, the gear itself, and then making sure the changes players can do with gear and acquiring specials and all that are balanced. To do that, we have a dedicated little team that focuses on the tournament crowd. Because we love them; it's part of our studio culture at this point. And it's really hard, it's our great challenge.

Wait, how did studying MOBA design influence this game's development?

I think MOBAs, RPGs, this is a game where we've looked at all the genres we love to play and tried to integrate the elements in a way that makes sense for a fighting game, for the first time.

How do you adapt those elements to a fighting game?

So, itemization. It became something that....we had to hire experts, and it's really a core piece of the game and a whole new skillset.

Let's circle back to the tournament crowd for a minute. What is it, do you think, that defines a tournament-grade fighting game?

I think it has to be easy to learn and take a lifetime to master. I know that's kind of a platitude, but for the most part it's...can I get in there, can I learn my specials, can I beat up on somebody, if I I'm new to the genre. And then as I go, can I learn some of the enhanced moves, things like footsies, and other advanced elements of the game that probably mean nothing to most people.

One of our goals is to get people to learn and understand that throughout their play experience, so that they can do those sorts of things. Because there are a ton of people that play our games that don't know it's there, and we spend years designing all these intricate details that are so fun once you get them. But we have to start teaching people that they're there. We have to give people progression.

How do you ease players into the deeper intricacies of your fighting game, as a developer?

So...it's time. Time is the variable we've never had before. We've tried training modes, as many have; we've tried many different things, as many other developers have. But we tend to be asking people to go into a separate mode, that's typically a short experience, to learn to play, and then we say "okay now here's the actual game."

So with Injustice 2 we'ev taken that time variable away and we're designing it so that people can play characters for weeks, through all sorts of different single-player and multiplayer experiences, and you'll progress. You'll be able to try out different things. You'll be able to spend the time that other genres give you to train, finally, in the fighting genre. Without the time, it's a very hard problem to bring players up speed on a decade of evolution in the fighting game genre.

Fair enough. What's one key piece of advice you'd give to fellow developers looking to build a great fighting game?

My generic answer is risk. One of the things that developers tend to do, as time passes, is assume things are the ways they need to be and never go back and rethink them. A good example of that is like, holding back to block in the first Injustice. It was unthinkable for us at the time; it seemed so weird for us!

Yeah, if you're coming from Mortal Kombat you're supposed to have a block button.

Right! And so that was a decision where we said okay we've done this forever, let's change it up. And that worked out, so on Injustice 2 we were like okay, anyone who makes assumptions on this team, you have to go take a time out and come back. Because everything is up for debate. So we started talking about things like back to block, that came up again, but also things like the new tech roll, how and why we wanted characters to evolve. Every single thing in a fighting game, we went back and said...do we have to have blocking? Do we have to have running? What do we have to have? And then we rebuilt from there.

That sounds like it could turn into a self-destructive loop at some point. Like, you have to eventually ask yourself what you're even making.

Yeah. Well, it is Injustice, to begin with. So we wanted to have similar gameplay: transitions, super moves, all those core elements. Because those are the things people loved, when we went back and looked at it.

But to be a fighting game, competitively, really what you need are: the basic attacks, two people one on one, with semi-equal health bars. And we did experiments from there. And at the end of the day we still loved how Injustice played, but we wanted to incorporate an entire new overarching system that kind of tweaks and pokes and changes all that basic stuff.

So if there really were no sacred cows during development, you must have been trying to distill the core elements of a fighting game. Why add in a whole new overarching system of gear?

The item system is essentially choice. In a fighting game, people always ask "what's the roster?" It's a valid question, but in this particular instance it's way more than that. There's the roster, but it's more than that: it's your roster. Batman could play a million different ways -- with some balance built into the overall equation -- so if you love Batman, you could just play Batman a million different ways, forever. Characters have completely different gear, different styles, different classes.

Seems like a handful of god-tier builds would bubble to the top. How do you keep players from clustering around a small number of optimal builds?

We have a balance team for that. We're also going to have a live team in place, and their job is to sit there throughout the lifespan of the game and do nothing but work with pro players, listen to the community, and make adjustments on the fly.

So we've actually increased the frequency with which we can update, even from what we could do with Mortal Kombat X, so we can make changes to these thousands and thousands of pieces of gear, the special abilities, and so forth. 

We're at a point now where microtransactions and post-launch DLC are an expected part of big-budget game design. How do you balance a gear-based fighting game, knowing you might add additional paid gear options down the road?

The idea is the game is going to have thousands, tens of thousands, of pieces of gear on disc at launch. The thing we've always done is try and get as much content as humanly possible, up until the last second we have to submit. So at this point, we're not even thinking about that sort of microtransaction DLC stuff. There's going to be enough content. There's stuff to level up, change your character, customize your build, for weeks and weeks and weeks.

[expectations-premise-blog]

Its an orb, of Personal Information, SOME of it Actually legally guarded, in such a way that, if you Start a Sentence to make a Point, you’d actually be breaking a law . .. So, since .. 2012 or so when they started takingn the Diaper off Publically, it began to Match the strongest scent in the Room, which, was the Nuclear Rodef Shalom, Dedicated to Nietzsche . So, the Cheat, for “Coolness/Wicca-Grade magic”, is Hormones --- I didn’t know they existed , first off, or I’d already be a Girl, so -- while everyone was pivoting around a Pool of online, coded, shady information that just got more and more compicated ... I (this was Never a Contest . ) -- I went Up, and learned how to Make Lightning and Break time and stuff... -- -So, , Now I have the cheat as well, and what it does for me Logistically is the same way Rodef perfetly played into my Arms, and it deals with Similiarites into Assimiliation .. thats where All the strength of a Society lies , and, that’s not necessary a matter of Details, mind you, so much as detail ... Now, that being True, still, that , Philosophical Pattern, was NOT enough, to achieve Total-Transcendane, which, at leas in the Warrior world, or the part of it that you See, is a very important thing . -- Its also defined, charaterized, generally-obvious, and virtually-known. So,.... that tiny Schizim (.. what was my line : “Like and as are not exact!”) -- makes me Larger than Life, and, whats Funny, si that because of the Rumor (Unless you’re an Enlightened Buddhist _)--- you’ll see that , Space’, instead of what I’m currently acomplishing --- It makes me look like a Cloud. NOW -- what I was Stating so far as Witchcraft is that it REQUIRES an EQUAL RECIPIANT. --- You have to have .. not only a Reason, but a Medium .. or like, a Piece of Paper To which to Draw on -- So, when i get “Come-at”, -- in the Space ONLY SO LARGE AS YOURE ASSUMIng --- I can Pack that, with , like, the best, tightest, super-symmetrical grade (TM), ... um, stuff, .. and -- you might not know all the PREMISES, is what the ISSUE gets to --- Like, its all True, but because of the PROBLEM (which is very involved, complicatede, and desribed at this point .. {Essentially, how to function when you’re Hot.} So whatever (drinks)

- Its, truly, the Less you know, about it, OR/and, about Me, the More I can POSSIBLY take advantage of you. Now, despite my Life being the most Possibly Humiliating set of cirumstances possilby Ever contrived by Man--- ESSENTIALLY, all the Government action has been a mix of making me doubt myself, breaking me down, hurting me, makeing me confused, and so on, beause , ONCE IM FAMOUS , be it Tomorrow of 100 years from now .. Anyway, they started letting that question go as I proved step by step i knew better than them what their Books were talking about - which, is the only reason they didnt outright kill me in one of the billion chances I gave them to do so . ..-- now, -- They couldn’t accept, that I COULD accept, “Please don’t kill anyone”, which ,

....-- is kinda a fucked up PSYHOLOGY, however , due to the ENVIORNMENT, that , PSYCHOLOGY, is being PROPOGATED, from the EXTERNALLY, onto the COMMUNITY -- and, that ... fucking “Heat” -- is why in Go’d name you hate Socialism , and, call it, “Godless Communism”, apparently . . . -- Here’s Some More : NO - because what the IDEA is in an “Aryan-Nation” is that how COMFORTABLE you are, is how COOL you are, and how COMFORTABLE you are, is how much you WORK, so, with the MAGIC, it became an endevaor of LOVE, to try and produce the Strongest Love-Based Super-Baby (Dr. Emoto’s Ice Experiment) -- HOWEVER, because of ARMAGEDDON, the entire POLARITY (of, not only hte world, but, the History of the world is how the Math shook down) of the THEATER was fucking Backwards, until I Fixed it --- I Fix it as it becomes more Known -- It becomes more Known as i Fix it, and, EVRYBODY WHO KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT I DONT AT THIS POINT , IS EITHER TOO SCARED, OR, CONSIDERES IT TOO RUDE TO SPEAK UP --- DESPITE WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT POLITICS-OF-WAR-AND-RAPE --- IM LOOKING MORE FOR THE SPEAKING SIDE, BECAUSE IF YOU’RE GOING TO CHANGE, ANYTHING AT THIS POINT, ITT WOULD BE TO MAKE IT MORE HOLISTIC, WHCI HC ,.. Frankly, only Strengthens me, because , -how could it not ?  -- it will do that to you Too , but, as you learn the Ropes , I myself, will become smaller and smaller and smaller and smaller ... so ... you’re , essentially, at this point, teaching YOURSELF, how to deal with NOT having a Leader, (which , is what Im doing too, and trying to stuff Girlfriends in the Holes ... )-- anyways, -- THAT, is the CURRENT Pace of something I’m coining right now as “Social-Philosophy”, and -- ill hold it as Steadyy as I can, buit the more you Know that, the less im going to Care about it, thus, care to do so about it ... --- Prepare to be fucked up with Drugs, Sex, OR Fists ... to maintain Semblance . Thank you very much ,

[tourguideexpert-blog-blog]

Best places to eat and drink in Japan: readers travel tips

New Post has been published on https://travelqia.com/trending/best-places-to-eat-and-drink-in-japan-readers-travel-tips/

Best places to eat and drink in Japan: readers travel tips

It might not be hard to find great sushi in Tokyo, or a gem of a saki bar, but where would you go for the best okonomiyaki pancakes, takoyaki octopus balls, gold ice-cream or udon noodles?

Winning tip: Takoyaki, Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Ive eaten the most rarefied meals of my life in Japan, but its hard to beat the charms of a 2 portion of takoyaki fluffy balls of eggy batter studded with boiled octopus, ginger and spring onion in a polystyrene tray. These are anointed with takoyaki sauce (Japans answer to HP) and mayonnaise, then sprinkled with dried pink bonito (skipjack tuna) flakes, which writhe in the heat emanating from the molten core. You spear each ball with a notched cocktail stick and nibble while trying to avoid singing your lips. Its like eating mouthfuls of octopus-flavoured cloud. Osaka invented them, but you can find them pretty much everywhere in Japan. Among the best are the ones served in Kyotos Nishiki Market, where you buy a ticket from a vending machine before placing your order with the cook juggling the golden balls. MoragR

Tofu temple, Kyoto

Photograph: Guardian Witness/MoragR

You need a good-luck talisman (and some instructions printed from the internet) to find Shoraian, hidden in the glorious Arashiyama mountains to the west of Kyoto. To reach it I followed the jade waters of the Hozu river, then took a steep path into the forest to a lonely hillside clearing with a wooden house, which seems to belong in a fairytale. Shoraians fame rests on its tofu-based menu. It sounds ascetic, but this is Japan, where simplicity means invention and elegance. All its tofu is made in-house, which results in something completely unlike the stuff packaged in supermarkets. We ate in a room overlooking the river and shaded by rustling trees. We chose the cheapest of the set menus, at around 25 per head (lunch is always a more affordable option than dinner in Japan). The meal starts with homemade plum wine served with a scoop of tofu as creamy as burrata, served with a pinch of salt. Vegetarian delicacies follow, an artwork on a plate. Then a bowl called sunrise, served with a calligraphy poem, based on a preserved egg as bright as a pocket-sized sun. Then comes yudofu (tofu hot-pot) blocks of tofu simmered in tasty broth. Dessert is tofu ice-cream nutty, toffee-ish and textured. I will never eat a more magical meal. Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, +81 75 861 0123, shoraian.com MoragR

Sushi Tokami, Ginza, Tokyo

Hiroyuki Sato preparing sushi at Tokami. Photograph: Guardian Witness/pfrosty

Ginza is where the best sushi places in Tokyo are found and must be among the best in the world. Sushi Tokami is my pick of the lot, run by Michelin-starred Hiroyuki Sato, one of the young guns of the sushi scene, who loves a joke and is happy to chat and explain while making exquisitely flawless nigiri. The place is a tiny basement affair with 10 seats in total but when you also learn that Tokami means 10 gods then you realise this restaurant is a small but beautiful offering to the world of sushi. Sushi (10 pieces) from 31 including soup and appetiser, Ginza Seiwa Silver Building B1F, 8-2-10 Ginza, Chup-ku, +81 3 3571 6005, sushitokami.3zoku.com pfrosty

Jumanji 55, Roppongi, Tokyo

Photograph: Facebook

You dont get much better than Roppongi for a fun cheap night out in Tokyo. For just 6 you can drink as much as you like here for four hours, and the service is fantastic. It has everything: bizarre interior design, a fine selection of western and Asian music and a real buzz. It also has a great selection of traditional snacks. 3-10-5 Mariner building 1F, +81 3 5410-5455, jumanji55.com Natasha Alexa Searle

Bar Track, Ebisu, Tokyo

Ebisu is known for its izakayas (informal bar and eating joints) and as a cool spot away from the crowds of Shinjuku and Shibuya. A simple sign saying Bar on a nondescript building leads to a warm and hushed interior. Theres a huge selection of rare Japanese and Scotch whiskies and US bourbons. The bartenders play old jazz and blues records from a collection of thousands through vintage wooden speakers. There are simple bar snacks to keep you going banana chips, wasabi peas and rice crackers.

3-24-9 Higashi Shibuya +81 3 5466 8871, on Facebook Sam Seager

Kushiya monogatari, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Photograph: Getty Images/Flickr Open

This is a brilliant restaurant in the Shinjuku area offering a range of tabehodai and nomihodai (all you can eat/drink) options. It specialises in kushiage various meats, veg and fish on skewers. Each table has a small fryer in the middle, you pick out the skewers you want and batter/fry them yourself at your table. The best thing is you can have as much as you want in 90 minutes for about 2,500 (15.50) including drinks. I have eaten in many different types of restaurant in Japan but this definitely ranks at the top of my list. Not only is the food excellent but it is a fun and unique dining experience and great value for money. 1-3-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, 5th fl, Sunflower Bldg, +81 3 5321 6166, sunnypages.jp Roy Searle

Sushibar Hamacho, Nozawa Onsen

Photograph: Alamy

Nozawa Onsen is a great little ski resort, still very traditional. Its tiny streets have a great selection of eating places. My favourite was Sushibar Hamacho, a one-room place with seating at the bar or on the floor of a raised, matted platform. The place is usually busy with seemingly random opening hours. But the fresh, plump salmon and tuna are beautifully presented and of perfect quality, taste and texture. Four of us shared the platter and then polished off another one. Most meals cost around 9. 9519 Toyosato Nozawaonsen-Mura, +81 2 6985 2591 buryboy

Hida beef and sake in Takayama

Photograph: Getty Images/AWL Images RM

Kill two culinary birds with one stone with a visit to Takayama, a historic town in the mountains 200 miles west of Tokyo, famous for both its hida beef and sake. Once youve explored the numerous shrines and temples sprinkled around the surrounding hillsides, keep an eye out for the distinctive balls of cedar hanging from a building which signify a sake brewery; where the cedar ball has turned brown it means the sake is ready to drink. Several of the breweries offer tastings, and tasting cloudy sake is definitely an experience. In the evening, head to a specialist hida beef restaurant, such as Maruaki, to experience the best steak youll taste in your life. 6 Chome-8 Tenmanmachi, +81 577-35-5858, hidagyu-maruaki.co.jp cr7364

Noodles at Gamou-Udon, Shikoku island

Photograph: Alamy

For the true udon experience, go to Kagawa prefecture on Shikoku island. The signature foods here are soup and the al dente udon noodles. Gamou-Udon sits in the middle of farmland, dedicated to serving mainly udon and soba (thin buckwheat noodles) available only during its season from Nov-Apr. The menu is simple: small, medium or large noodles and you can add your own toppings (selection of tempura, fried bean curd and poached egg). I recommend to stay within three toppings to actually enjoy the noodles. This small hut that seats about 15 people gets very busy. People come, slurp the noodles and leave. Locals as well as Japanese tourists queue up during lunch hour. If you go too late, they will run out for the day so go early. It doesnt do dinner. Best udon Ive ever had (Im Japanese). 762-0023 Kagawa-ken, Sakaide-shi Alvin K Shimoju

Somen noodles, Shodoshima island

The small island of Shodoshima off Okoyama often gets overlooked by visitors to the Seto inland sea who favour its nearby arty, even smaller, neighbour Naoshima. Shodoshima, however, is a food paradise, from roadsides lined with olive groves, to the smell of sesame oil wafting through the air; food is central to life here. Highlights for visitors include Yamaroku, a small family soy sauce producer who estimates the age of its business through the ancient barrels its soy sauce ferments in. It is free to visit and you can climb up and look into the dark vats as well as sample a delightful spectrum of soy sauce products. Around the corner you will also find Nakabuan, a local somen noodle-maker where you can watch the thin wheat-flour noodles being hand-rolled, while eating the one dish on the menu, a bowl of fresh somen with dipping sauce. ID5040053

Gold ice-cream, Kanazawa

Photograph: Guardian Witness/Claire Mason

The opportunity to indulge in a golden ice-cream is rare; but not here in Kanazawa. The city was spared from bombing during the second world war and has managed to retain its historic districts and charm. It produces almost all of Japans gold leaf, and there must be a surplus because its even used as an ice cream topping. You can buy the creamy, gold ice-cream from various stands in the historic parts of town. Claire Mason

Okonomiyaki pancakes, Hiroshima

Photograph: Getty Images/AWL Images RM

Street food has been mainstream in Japan for a while now, with variations on savoury pancakes in the 20 or so eateries in Hiroshimas Okonomiyaki building a classic example. Combining whatever ingredients you want fried up with fish stock and cabbage pancake mix is an unpretentious meal, eaten off up-turned beer crates while sat around the hot plate. The snack is highly visual, with a pizza-size lattice of mayonnaise and tangy sauce mingling with oscillating tuna flakes sizzling away. Yours for 7. Tayls79

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us