#learning a new style is hard 😆

[davsoldart]

[nipuni]

Yapping time, Hello! It's rainy and Nicolas is making lentil stew 🥰

I wanted to thank everyone for the enthusiasm over my art and all the comments you sent yesterday 😭 you are all very sweet you make me excited to share and keep making art and that is such a huge gift I'll always be grateful for. I not very proficient at social media and keeping up with everything everywhere and end up feeling like I'm not thanking you enough or talking enough so I want to make sure you know that every comment and funny tag makes my day!!

I was going to make more posts talking about DAV but halfway through writing down my frustrations I realized I was not having a good time (and most of my issues with the game have already been covered by Chelsea over twitter way more eloquently too 😆) so I'm going to focus on the parts I did enjoy! I settled on a personality for Rook and now I'll probably replay as a couple of classes to find the one I enjoy the most since I've only tried mage so far.

We also got back to our quest of watching all of David Tennant's work! now in our cozy new sitting room with a fireplace 😭 what the fuck

We finally watched 'Rivals'! We were not expecting it to be a raunchy Pride and Prejudice in the 80's lmao. It was very YA and very gratuitously sexual which is not something we normally go for. We were not really into the main couple and were more invested in Declan's success and whatever Tony and Cameron had going on lmao but it was a fun watch regardless!

Then we also watched 'You, Me and Him' and we were expecting it to be one of those 'it's so bad it's good' cringy comedies but it was genuinely so funny and sweet lmao we always seem to have opposite taste to most critic sites sjakfh The styling was so accurate and hilarious and it felt very Hallmark. We loved it!!

Now we will probably watch the second season of Arcane! we loved the first one a lot so I'm sure this one won't disappoint.

We are trying so hard to resist the urge to rewatch Doctor Who, Broadchurch, There She Goes and Jessica Jones though lmao our crush remains as strong as ever if not stronger 😭

I think I've read every single Broadchurch fic in existence at this point, and I'm painting Alec as we speak oughhgrh help

Other random updates, we managed to get train tickets for a short trip to Madrid on Christmas so we can spend it with Nicolas' family who are still visiting. And also Nicolas is learning about mushrooms since he found a bunch growing in our garden and it has become his latest passion. Now he wants to go gathering, he has already cooked a bunch, he is so excited.

Anyway I think that is all for now!! I'll have more art soon now that I'm finally settled and can get back to my normal schedule 😊 I hope you are all doing well!

[nerdieforpedro]

Notes with Dieter

Dieter Bravo/husband x female reader/wife

My blog overall is 18+ MDNI

Word Count: about 1.1k

Summary: You're leaving for another work trip and Dieter is sad once again. This time, he decides to show you how much he cares in full Bravo style.

Warnings: Dieter is the softest boi 😭, side-eyeing a suitcase, illusions to smut?, kisses, doodles, just all the fluff, bad jokes

Notes: So this is a follow up to The Day before was always difficult. @angelofsmalldeath-codeine and @mysterious-moonstruck-musings are always asking more for more soft Dieter. So naturally, I took it as a request even though they didn't really ask? FYI Dieter is a koala 🐨 in this one, but he'll always be our lovable messy trash panda. 🦝 I think I used all the colors Hemmy. 😆

Main Masterlist / Dieter Bravo Masterlist

Dieter used to love suitcases. It meant he was on the move to a new job or some new fun, sometimes both. Now he was more ambivalent about them. Coming home and seeing the hard shell gray suitcase meant that tomorrow morning you’d be gone again for a time.

It’s not like he didn’t know it in advance, you’d always let him know ahead of time. Especially if he was going to be at home alone. It didn’t make it hurt any less. Some might say that he should get over it, just relax and wait for your return, but Dieter isn’t that type of man. The tea kettle screeches with steam and he knows where you are: the kitchen. Instead of alerting you to his presence, he waits until you’ve poured your tea and is covering it to let it steep.

His chest gently presses against your back before his arms ensnare you just under your breasts, propping them up as you’ve showered and in your black cotton nightgown. You’ve decided on an early evening for yourself but Bravo has other plans as his lips to the nape of your neck tell you. A chuckle leaves your chest while you fix the rest of your tea, not intent on giving him a quarter into the game he’s trying to play.

But the two of you sit on the couch. Chatting about current events, he hasn’t made any more moves. Just watching you, listening to you, with an enamored grin. Another chuckle from you for how cute he looks, he’ll do this from time to time when you’re going to leave town again. Like he’s trying to paint a picture of you in his mind. You always remind him that he’s your reason to come home. Dieter always tells you he’s grateful for that.

After tea, it’s bedtime and there are kisses goodnight. He wraps his arm around your waist. You kiss his neck and begin the nightly activities. Apparently Dieter’s learned to just give you a nibble and you’ll do the rest. In the glow of the short hours of the dark, you pinch his cheek, figuring out his game before dozing off on his chest. Sticking to him, not wanting to let go.

Dieter steals out of the bed when you’re asleep and uses a notebook he keeps in his nightstand. He sketches your various expressions you made while on the couch and then how you look in bed right now, sheets half-covering you, your glory exposed for him to see. He has to capture it now else he could miss his moment.

Another idea pops into his head so he grabs his phone and steps out into the living room to record it for you. He plans to send it tomorrow morning while you’re at the airport so you can listen to it on the plane.

A handwritten note slid into your suitcase is for when you unpack. Carefully he slides back into bed, his thumb running down your back with a kiss to your shoulder.

The sun has barely broken the horizon when the alarm sounds, groans fill the room as you both stir. Washing up and getting dressed is your focus so Dieter makes a light breakfast for you with coffee. His eyes cut to your suitcase before he picks it up to carry it to the car his ordered for you, thankfully he was able to zip it back properly.

A text from Dieter says to listen to the message on the plane and to download it just in case. Your headphones are in after greeting your coworkers and the plane is at cruising altitude.

“Hey pretty lady, you know I never want you to leave. I know it’s selfish but I know I always feel better and do better when you’re here. You’re my person you know? Plus who else is going to tell me that many patterns don’t go together, everyone always tells me yes.

Anyway, have a safe flight and kick those old dudes asses. I hope your project goes well. I know you were trying to explain it to be but once you got into Access and databases I was gone. I’m so sorry. I’m gonna try googling it later. You can’t wear that navy blue dress because they’ll think they have a chance and you’re already with an Oscar Winner. They’re too late and I love you Ms. Smarty Pants. Hmm… You should wear pants. Bye.”

The two people sitting next to you thought that you needed some oxygen based on how hard you were wheezing trying to hold in your laughter. You told them that you were fine and it was just a message from your sweet husband, he has quite a way with words.

Thankfully when you landed, everyone was given time to rest in their rooms before the initial group dinner. Opening your suitcase, a piece of notebook paper fell out and you picked it up off the floor. Sitting on the bed you read it, shaking your head.

Sometimes I really do wonder why you’re with me at all, why you come home to me. Hell, why you call me home. I can be a complete and utter mess, irresponsible at times and I’m sure annoying. My one redeeming quality I thought was in creating art through film, painting and drawings. You helped me see that I’m more than that though. So much more. I can be faithful, I can be loyal, I can put someone above myself and I can do all these things without needing an escape.

I often wonder what would have happened if you hadn’t run over my foot with your suitcase and I didn’t sucker you into having lunch with me. You look as beautiful then as you do now, actually more so because we enjoy nighttime KitKats a few times a week. We dance it off part way so it’s fine.

I love you my brave, clever, gracious muse.

Your koala bear who runs hot,

Dieter Bravo

P.S. - You should frame this FYI

Falling back on the bed, you question when Dieter would have slipped this into your suitcase let alone written it. It’s completely in character for him and at the same time, seems so unusual. Trying to hold your tears back only makes them fall harder, you’ll need to re-do your makeup for the dinner but it doesn’t matter to you if you’re late. Dieter will never fail to make himself memorable.

Life as Dieter Bravo’s wife is always full of the unexpected and something to hold onto.

Trash Panda Posse 🦝: @katw474 @readingiskeepingmegoing @megamindsecretlair @pamasaur @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @sp00kymulderr @titlee78 @magpiepills @soft-girl-musings @morallyinept @rhoorl @wannab-urs @survivingandenduring @missladym1981 @yorksgirl @fhatbhabie @tinytinymenace @yourcoolauntie

Special fluff guests: @grogusmum @maggiemayhemnj and @frenchiereading

[tsuki--sora]

helloo i was wondering if u have any tips on how to start learning how to draw?? i’m gonna try it for the nth time and force myself to not give up and since i absolutely LOVE ur art i was hoping you could help me?? thank you in advance and have a happy new year 🥰

omggg i just saw this :O!! i havent been around here so i didnt see :C but anyway!!! im not sure what advice or tips to give tbh so ill just share some things that helped me 🙇

knowing what im drawing (basically...using reference lol ) u might've seen this tip a lot but its true 😆 think of it as like... training wheels on a bike AHSAHSAHHA u use training wheels for some time until u can be good enough to ride a bike without them or something like that.... its the same with using reference. u have to know and get familiar with what an object looks like first before you're able to draw without it and with confidence. tbh i dont always do this bcos sometimes i just wanna mindlessly draw ykno 😔 and thats okay as well!!! just remember that reference is very helpful when u hit a dead end with ur artwork :D also learn from real life!! look around u! sometimes id stare at something and nod in understanding. ----------------------------------

draw what u love <33 honestly, i only got back into drawing when i went down the vtuber hole a few years ago LMAO i would draw vox akuma eveyday 🙂‍↕️ and then my love for one piece got revived so now i draw my favorite characters every chance i can get bcos its all i can think abt!!! its honestly a good motivator. ----------------------------------

accepting and learning from mistakes ive always struggled with perfectionism and that really took my enjoyment and love for creating🥹 and that also stopped me from experimenting and exploring coz id always think that it wont come out as i hoped it would. SOOOO for the past 2-3 years i think?? i make it a habit to STOP ✋ being super critical when i see or make a mistake. the perspective is wrong? noted. the anatomy looks wonky? okay!! i let them exist in my artworks bcos how would i even know where to improve in if i dont know what it is 😅 i also make sure to keep those errors in mind so i know what areas i should be working on. u can always correct them on ur next work!! and the next!! again and again!!! its never-ending! ure always improving, always learning. ---------------------------------

i also have a board of artworks and styles that i really really like and i look at them when i need inspiration hahaha sometimes u just have to scroll thru pinterest for hours and draw nothing lol

personally, i think one doesnt have to draw everyday to be good. i mean, you can if u want to! but u might burn out fast if u force urself to draw everyday. just.. pace yourself. remember to rest and be good to yourself as well :))

thats all i can think of right now. i feel like i could share more but im just not good with words or explaining things. forgive me 😔🙇 our experiences may differ and what helped me may not be of use to u,,, but i hope this can help u even juuuuust a bit :"D be proud of every piece u make. u worked hard on it after all <33

(also sharing my art throughout the years!)

[astrasdolliriumbadasdollz]

A version of Tim Burtons "Corpse Bride"

Emily..

progress shots top ones are current.

magnetic based maggot going in her eye soon

some darker streaks adding to hair

A new dress which ill show soon..

shes a commission doll for a customer on etsy..

So hmm i do commission

just get in touch via etsy

and ill be happy to create yr doll vison in my style and/or as close to your style as possible as ive done here,

its been a hard road, it has pushed me further to try harder for the customers doll to be the way they want it..

frustration and anxiety at times but im really happy with how its turning out!

not anywere near finished yet as times not a luxury and when the clients very picky things get redone and redone again!!😬😂😆

things id do again...things i wont...

lessons learned on what works best.. and what id do differently next time around, all information good and filed away in my brain for next time!!

i think the hardest thing for me will be actually letting this doll go lol 😂

ill have to make another one jst for myself!!

[mikuni14]

The Sign - Ep 8

We all see you Tharn, how you are eager to be petted and kissed, like Namami! For a second, but still, because, like a true cat, you stopped it for reasons known only by you 😭 100% cat behavior 😆

...............

I have mixed feelings after this episode 👻 On the one hand, it was very interesting, we learned a lot of new things, most of my wild theories turned out to be true, there were a lot of funny scenes that made me laugh out loud. But this episode left me feeling very unsatisfied. For so many reasons:

Phaya looks terrified after waking up from a nightmare. And after a short conversation they both just go to sleep like…..roommates lol Tharn should have hugged Phaya and comforted him, I would give my right kidney for Phaya cuddling up to Tharn like Tharn was cuddling to him before. This scene begs for Tharn to comfort Phaya!

Phaya and Tharn spent a 💞🔥 night, confessed their feelings to each other, and Tharn even said that he made an important decision for himself and Phaya. And their morning after after all this was… nice. That's all. Phaya, Tharn and we deserve better!

Scenes from their past lives. Hmm. First of all, I find it strange to insist on calling Wansarat a girl when the series shows Tharn as a man. I know they didn't want to show Phaya (Billy)'s romance with Wansarat (Freen) so as not to damage BillyBabe's Brand Couple™ image, but there is a very simple solution to this problem: they could have hired another actor to play Garuda and Freen to play Wansarat! And it would even make sense, because at one point Phaya himself says what does it have to do with him, since he already loves someone and it's Tharn - a guy, while watching himself and… Tharn on a fantasy TV with us 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ Maybe it's just me, but I don't see any great love between Garuda and Wansarat, certainly not like between Phaya and Tharn. Like, they met, bam! they're a couple now, then in a very soap opera-ish (which makes it a bit comical) style, they both die. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this story lacked depth, emotions of these characters, their feelings. The most emotional scene was Chalathon's horror when he killed Wansarat. I just... I just don't believe in their love being powerful enough to want them to be together again, to create new reincarnations 🤷‍♀️

Ok, enough with tis negativity :) What I liked about it:

There was no awkwardness between them in their mornig after scene, they are both adults, they are both smitten, Tharn tries hard to hide how mushy he feels and I love his sparkling eyes and hidden smiles. 🥰 I like that Phaya immediately suggests moving in together, it's very much in his character. (It's a shame that there is no conversation about their relationship status, I think Phaya is the type of guy who immediately wants the rest of the world to know that Tharn is with him)

I love the abbot, how uncompromising and badass he is, how he has no qualms about fucking up the deity he serves, talking back to him, reprimanding him and how he uses his superpowers. He's super cool.

The training scene was great:

Khem is fun and a little shit in combat, but very skillful

Thongthai ending the fight and winning it with one, well thought, well placed, killer sentence 💀😎

Khem who puts being Thongthai's boyfriend above everything else, including his pride, him winning the fight, everything. The scene where he beats himself with Tongthai's hands: 10/10

teasing Tharn but again in such a nice, friendly way 😊

astounding detective work in figuring out where Tharn spent the night

Phaya coming to Tharn's rescue and stopping any situation that might cause Tharn discomfort 🤩

Phaya kicking Khem's ass and CALLING THONGTHAI TO HELP HIM AND THONGTHAI WITHOUT HESITATION JOINING IN KICKING KHEM'S ASS 😆😆😆 it was SO FUNNY

Yai telling Phaya to take care of his baby brother and Tharn smiling shyly and sweetly and not protesting at all! 🥺 ok, just kill me now, too much uwu 🥺

The scene of Tharn and Phaya by the river, how Tharn takes care of Phaya, them holding hands, Yai feeling happy for them and the scene of him making a heart gesture with a random guy 😆 I also really liked Phaya's panicked look when he doesn't see Tharn. The strange thing is that Tharn, who pulls Phaya away from the water, promises to take care of him, is stressed by the whole situation, when later doesn't see Phaya for a long time does… nothing. He's not even aware that Phaya's gone! Well, it's not the first time that Tharn is a victim of the plot and what currently suits the scriptwriters, and it probably won't be the last 😑

I liked Phaya saying: cool story bro, this cgi is nice and shit, but what does it have to do with me, as I already have a sweet boo back home, who is a whole ass DUDE (I know, I checked thoroughly last night) and also my whole world 😤 I love him for that 👌 I really wanted to make it clear that Phaya fell in love with THARN, not someone else's reincarnation, even if that's technically the case.

I liked Tharn's fight with that masked guy.

And I liked Tharn in white shorts and Phaya's oversized clothes. Phaya also served some sexy looks in this episode 👌

Absolutely perfect, heartbreaking scene of Tharn's anguish. I love Babe's voice in the scenes of his despair, his voice cracked just as much when they were pulling Phaya out of the water during their training, as it does now. It's... wow...

And finally, the question… what exactly are Phaya and Tharn paying for, what was the abbot talking about, what is their karma, what did they do wrong to keep paying for it? Because this story shows that they are both victims of OTHER PEOPLE, and that karma should be a bitch only towards Chalathorn?! Am I missing something?

(Phaya must have pleased and served Tharn well, since he did not wake up either when Phaya was being strangled and he tossed around in bed, or when he got up first in the morning 🤭🤭)

[cineflections]

So I opened Netflix on a whim since Youtube failed me, and a new movie had been released. Looked like a costume drama, so my attention was immediately piqued. Then I read the synopsis: Red Riding Hood and Cinderella go to a ball, and there's murder afoot!

I just had to put it on!

I'm of course talking about the movie Once Upon a Crime

It started just as I was expecting. Over the top camp, like a stage play, brilliant costumes, and elaborate hairs. The protagonist, Red Riding Hood, is seemingly the normal logical character in this world of over the topness. This is enforced when she meets a witch and promptly ignores her (but we get hints that she has an incredibly dark mind, which was sadly underused)

I love that witch. She knew what she was playing and she went hard on the camp. Doing squats and pestering Red until she can cast spells on her. She didn't even get anything out of it 😆

This movie is very much a Cinderella story but with a twist (the murder plot). And I love how it's set up:

The greatest hairstylist in the kingdom *clears throat* Clair De Lune has been killed. A murder most vile according to the king who stops the ball in order to find the killer.

We learn that in this kingdom, being beautiful is everything. If you're ugly or dirty, then you have no rights (you see where this is going in regards to Cinderella?).

In comical fashion, the deductions are shouted out for all at the ball to hear. Until Red steps up and takes charge.

This is where the camp slowly begins to dissipate. With the witch gone, the king has only a few scenes. The true camp characters are nowhere to be seen anymore, and instead of a camp stageplay, it leans more toward drama, which disappointed me.

When I saw the king I recognized him from an old rpg style "fantasy" comedy series where he plays Buddha. Wish I remember the title now because that one was CAMP. But I just got snippets of him here, and left craving more.

Overall it starts promising, but falls flat towards the end. I wish they'd kept the energy up for the whole 2 hours. The story itself is not bad. There's potential in a retelling of Cinderella like this. Whether it should be a camp stageplay esque comedy... well idk. I think any type of genre would've worked. This movie however doesn't commit to the one it promises in the beginning.

Overall, I was excited, but now I'm just left feeling wanting for sth else.

[aisquaredchoco]

Get to know you - Sims Style

Thank you @bioniczombie, @puffkins2000, and @bast-sims for tagging me! also @twinsimming for mentioning me as one of your favorites! 😍😭

What’s your favorite Sims death?

I like the old age death in TS2 the most, especially with the dancing hulas alongside the grim reaper

Alpha CC or Maxis Match?

I'm mostly MM, but wouldn't completely disregard alpha as long as they aren't ridiculously that high poly

Do you cheat your sims weight?

not really, but I also don't make them overeat so they don't gain much weight

Do you move objects?

OF COURSE I DO! I won't live without this cheat..😅

Favorite Mod?

I have a lot on my mind, but I'll mention this one game changing mod I couldn't play without (well besides the NRaas ones that are the staple TS3 mods everyone should have), which is the Set the table/call to meal mod by icarus_allsorts.

First Expansion/Game Pack/Stuff Pack?

uhh..Livin' Large I guess? I couldn't recall if it was from a deluxe edition or something..

Do you pronounce live mode like aLIVE or LIVing?

the second one, for sure. I always thought the first one was more associated with tv and news, at least here on where I live..

Who’s your favorite sim that you’ve made?

Quistis Trepe, no one else. She holds a place in my heart because of the metamorphosis she went through while making her. I swear my initial version of her was total crap (I just couldn't show since I already deleted the MTS Creator Feedback post) but here she is now..

Have you made a simself?

um, yeah. I wasn't going to, but I already made a sim version of my cat so I think I need to make his servant hooman a sim as well..

Which is your favorite EA hair color?

ehh...I know this is a thing in 2 and 4. But I play 3 so nothing specific..color wheel for the win! 😆

Favorite EA hair?

I always like Jennifer Burb's hair from TS2 a lot, I wish TS3 implemented curly hairs like that..

Favorite life stage?

I like playing with teens. more drama happening in the household 😜

Are you a builder or are you in it for the gameplay?

I think I'm more inclined with building and creating cc, but I still find time playing whenever I feel like it..

Are you a CC creator?

yes I am!...and still learning as I make more stuff.

Do you have any Simblr friends or a Sim Squad?

as an introvert, I seldomly (and find it extra hard to) interact with people but I try to be as friendly as I can be and I think I already made friends with some simblrs. but I don't know if I consider myself a member of a sim squad..

Do you have any sims merch?

nope

Do you have a Youtube for sims?

nopenope

Who’s your favorite CC creator?

*breathes nervously* 😨😩 I've been avoiding this question because I have many to mention, and if I do I might leave someone out. and personally I don't like the feeling of being left out so I don't want to make someone feel like that as well. so sorry if I have to skip this question..😔

How long have you had Simblr?

I had this account for like 8 years but only became an active simblr on 2020 starting with sharing lots for download until today, where I'm also posting 2to3/4to3 conversions and EA object edits along with some random screenshots from my game..

How do you edit your pictures?

most of the time I post my pictures unedited, except for adding some text using Photoshop. I only did edit a picture once using some filters from Win10's picture editor and that's about it.

What expansion/gamepack is your favorite?

TS2's Bon Voyage wins for me. I like the travelling aspect of it, and beach lots of course! I still remember how excited I was when watching my sims actually swim on the beach. Up to now I still wish World Adventures was as exciting as that..

Since I did this already late, most of you might've been tagged already. But if you're not yet tagged and saw this, consider yourself tagged!

[wistfulwisp]

Okay fellas, this is the moment we’ve waited for: Edgeworth came back. And… I have no idea how to feel about it. More than anything I’m happy he’s back, because man did he NEED to leave to figure his shit out but also he NEEDED to come back for his glorious redemption, which I’m so ready for, that guy deserves it. So, on one hand I’m happy. But, on the other… this guy comes in after leaving a super vague note, putting my man my boy the love of my life phoenix through hell and grief for a year (still thinking in my head that if I wrote the Investigations games a part of it would take place during this gap year…) , and then shows back up unannounced acting as if he’s all cool and collected, with a new victorious redemption style motif (which I love the fact he has his own motif now!!!), acting all sly talking about how much Phoenix doesn’t know and how only he knows “the truth” that Phoenix will come to learn with time. I’ve honestly never seen him as more of a villain 😆 and would’ve let him have it just like Phoenix did. So, I’m on the fence. He’s still my favourite character, right next to Phoenix I think in my books. But… man, does this make him hard to get back on his side. Hm…

[fahrni]

Saturday Morning Coffee

Good morning from Charlottesville, Virginia! ☕️

My time as a pinch hitter on my current project comes to an end next Wednesday but I’ve enjoyed the ride.

My next project is undecided at the moment but I know there are two possibilities. I’d be happy to work on either.

Lisa Respers France • CNN

Paul Reubens, who found fame as the quirky man-child character Pee-wee Herman, has died, according to an announcement on his verified social media.

I liked Mr. Reubens as the flatulent “superhero” Spleen in Mystery Men. Pure sophomoric comedy.

RIP 🪦

Naomi Nix and Will Oremus • Washington Post

Initially, the team carried just two product managers and one or two designers alongside dozens of engineers — a flatter and more coder-dominated group than most Meta product teams, Mosseri said. (At launch, it had grown to three product managers, three designers and 50 coders.) Instead of 30-minute presentations on a single design decision, typical at Facebook and Instagram, “It would be like, ‘Here are six things we need to go through this week.’”

Lean teams can often pull off amazing things if they’re extremely talented. I’d imagine this team is extremely talented. The other thing that helped them succeed was the freedom to cut to the bare minimum allowed to make a great 1.0.

Also, 50 engineers isn’t a small team. 😃

Raymond Chen • The Old New Thing

Depending on what version of Windows you have, you might see a body of water where Poland should be.

Mr. Chen has been involved with the Windows team for 30 years and has been sharing his stories on The Old New Thing for 20. He’s a real gift to us old guys who wrote Windows apps.

His title should be Microsoft Historian. 📜

Gleb Tsipursky • Fortune

Unispace found that nearly half (42%) of companies with return-to-office mandates witnessed a higher level of employee attrition than they had anticipated. And almost a third (29%) of companies enforcing office returns are struggling with recruitment. In other words, employers knew the mandates would cause some attrition, but they weren’t ready for the serious problems that would result.

This doesn’t shock me. Once you settle into a routine at home it’s really difficult to muster the desire to go back to the office. Some folks need to be in an office with other folks but other, like me, don’t need it.

I like the control I have over my environment. My desk, my chair, heck I even bought my own monitor so I could make my setup just the way I want it. Couple that with no commute and the convenience of walking up stairs to our kitchen for lunch or coffee and it’s hard to beat. 🏡

Kim Zetter • WIRED

The backdoor, known for years by vendors that sold the technology but not necessarily by customers, exists in an encryption algorithm baked into radios sold for commercial use in critical infrastructure. It’s used to transmit encrypted data and commands in pipelines, railways, the electric grid, mass transit, and freight trains. It would allow someone to snoop on communications to learn how a system works, then potentially send commands to the radios that could trigger blackouts, halt gas pipeline flows, or reroute trains.

Wow. This is a nightmare. We work really hard to make sure our code isn’t exploitable and here you have a company who intentionally made their software just that, exploitable. If you have a back door it’s an invite to every bad actor to walk right on in. 🫣

Jim ODonnell • Barn Finds

Before I could get this post completed, this 1947 Lincoln Continental cabriolet disappeared from Facebook Marketplace.

I love this car! Design in the 40’s and 50’s was beautiful. Lots of curves and fins and just plain style. Restoring a car like this would be a real honor.

Beyond the beauty of the design it sported a whopping 125 horse power from its 292 V12. 😆

Kylie Robison • Fortune

But in June, Bluesky found itself embroiled in its own controversy after a user signed up for the service with a racist handle incorporating the N-word, and had apparently been permitted to use the platform for weeks without anyone at the company seeming to object.

Bluesky seems to be attracting a lot of the folks who make Twitter so attractive to many and with that it’s also attracting the terrible people.

I miss some actors and writers from Twitter and some seem to have taken to Bluesky. But if Bluesky is going to allow racism and hate to exist on the platform then I really don’t care to use it.

Yes, I have an account but I rarely use it. I’ve found a home in Mastodon.

Joshua Sokol • The Atlantic

One dusky June evening, two days before the 2022 Pennsylvania Firefly Festival, the biologist Sarah Lower sat on a back porch, watching the sky for a specific gradation of twilight. A group of Lower’s students from Bucknell University hung around her, armed with butterfly nets and stopwatches for counting the time between firefly flashes—a way to differentiate between the multiple lightning-bug species that live here at the edge of Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest.

I love fireflies! It’s one of the things I’ve come to love and look forward to here in Virginia. Little critters with butts that light up! What could be better?

I feel fortunate to be able to walk outside and watch these beautiful creatures at work. Alas, it seems they’re almost finished for the season but watching them was a real joy while it lasted.🧡

Justine Bateman • The Daily Beast

Hollywood CEOs Would Sooner Wreck an Industry Than Suffer Bruised Egos

It feels like this could get really ugly and I hope for the sake of the writers this whole mess will work itself out in their favor, but I’m not holding my breath. 😮‍💨

Lauren Forristal • TechCrunch

Warner Bros. Discovery reported its second-quarter earnings results Thursday, revealing that it dropped in 1.8 million streaming subscribers across HBO, Discovery+ and its new combined streaming service Max.

This is a real bummer. Max is my most watched service, but only from the HBO perspective. To see them combine the catalogs of Discovery and HBO feels like a bad idea. Why not have two apps with one set of credentials? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[allthingsfook]

Hi! I saw you were doing ships and was interested! Please and thank you!

I’m 4’10 (shout out to me fellow shorties), have black hair that waves at the bottom (I’m trying to make them not), my eyes are green, and skin pale. I usually wear baggy t-shirt, sweat pants or shorts, and green slides (Birks if that helps).

I’m a scorpio, and I’ve been told I can be short fused.

My love language is touch

My hobbies include art, listening to music, cooking, and baking. Over the years I’ve become very interested in Wicca and have been reading up on it intently. My favorite color is green like I live and breath the color.

My music taste is very broad from Nu Metal to Indie music. The genres I don’t really enjoy is new age rap and country.

Again thank you! 🤩

Awesome! I hope I can give you an accurate ship!!!

I ship you with….

Sammy 🍹

One thing about that man is he in enamored with women as a whole. He does not have a type or judge women for their appearance. He loves with depth and is attracted to what people have to offer the world. Style isn’t so much of concern either, he is so versatile! Watch out for your birks tho! He might steal them 😆

Scorpios and Aries = soulmates!!!!! The trust among your relationship with him would be unparalleled! It would be anything but boring, full of risk taking and adventure. Scorpios can be intense and passionate, so maybe that is a different way to view “short fused”. Good news and bad news is, so are Aries. Either you can come together in an iron clad alliance or duke it out mercilessly.

There is no doubt Sammy’s love language is physical touch as well. You’d be spoiled with huge, cuddles, and kisses. If you had a hard day, Sam would be able to pick up on that quickly and make you feel heard and safe with his touch. He would pull you into a sweet embrace, holding your head on his chest, and rubbing your back.

Your hobbies sound completely compatible with Sam. He’s shown how art intrigues him. Either touring a gallery or creating pieces himself. A little out of the box, but I can see him coming up with the idea of painting a huge canvas with your bodies. He’d cover you in paint, helping you do the same to him, then tackle you onto the canvas, creating sensual silhouettes.

He also has a passion for cooking/baking too. Much like music, food can speak to the soul. It is quite an expression of ourselves, and that’s why Sammy finds it soothing. Maneuvering around the kitchen with you would be his happy place.

I’m not sure what his opinion on Wicca would be, but what I can say is Sammy is extremely inquisitive and he’d love to learn more about it. I’m sure he has a pretty superficial idea of what it is, but would give you his undivided attention when you talk about it. His curiosity is sweet.

I hope you enjoyed this ship 🖤

[lostinfantasyworlds]

End of the year asks! 15, 19, 23!

Ahhhh thank you so much @ruddcatha!! 🥰❤️(also sorry for the late reply!)

15. something you learned this year

Considering I only started writing fic about a year ago, I have learned SO MUCH about creative writing in general this year. Just all kinds of little tips and basic writing advice I’ve seen here and there on tumblr, such as ‘show don’t tell’ and ‘use adverbs sparingly/with purpose,’ have helped me improve so much. I’ve been soaking up all of this new info I had never known about before and have steadily been trying to apply it to my writing as I go on. It’s crazy because even looking back at the earliest chapters of UTNL, which I started writing only 9-10 months ago, I can see how much I’ve grown as a writer since then.

One term in particular that I had never heard of before but recently learned about is “purple prose” and I was like 👀….oh shit I am totally guilty of that sometimes...sorry everyone😂. So I try to be aware of all of these things now when editing, while still maintaining the style I’ve established (I just like to be a lil poetic/fancy sometimes when I write and I’m sticking to it! 😆)

19. any new fics to start next year

Ahh YES!! So right before Under the Northern Lights popped into my head out of nowhere and completely took over my life, I had actually begun planning another (much shorter) multi-chapter fic titled Sometime Around Midnight that is based on a song of the same name by The Airborne Toxic Event. I plan to finish UTNL before the end of the year, and then take a lil writing break to finally catch up on all the reading I’ve wanted to do, but once I get back to it, Sometime Around Midnight might be the first one I finish!

I also wrote a very rough draft of an AU oneshot over the summer that is a childhood friends-to-lovers story based on the summers I used to spend in Maine while growing up! I’m really excited about that one, so that will be coming next year too!

And then I have another long multi-chapter fic planned that is post-apocalypse, enemies-to-lovers, and very loosely based on the anime Darling in the Franxx. Except this time, I want to write the entire story before starting to publish it (I kind of regret not doing that for UTNL), so who knows if it will actually be published next year or not 🤷🏻‍♀️

There are a couple others floating around in my WIPs as well, but those are the three I definitely want to work on!

23. fics you wanted to write but didn’t

I only participated in a couple events this year because I know my limits/how long it takes me to write, so I knew I couldn’t stretch myself too thin. But I also get major FOMO 😂. So I always kind of wished that I had participated in certain events, even though I didn’t necessarily have any specific ideas for them. Also I really wish I had the capacity to write birthday fics for more people, but I’ve had a really hard time managing my time and life lately so I sadly don’t think it’s going to happen unless I eventually speed up my process significantly.

So I don’t really have any specific fics I didn’t write, just more of a general, ‘I wish I wasn’t so slow at writing so that I could get more stories done’ type of thing. 

Thank you again for the ask!! 🥰

For the Fanfic End of the Year Asks

[userpeggycarter]

hi! in your cap quintet halloween creatures edit would you be willing to share how you added the images on top of the gifs?

hi, anon! 😊

i'm going to assume that you know the basics of gifmaking and how to use a timeline to answer this question, but if that's not the case, here's a tutorial:

https://hayaosmiyazaki.tumblr.com/post/622410677786705920/gifmaking-for-beginners-as-requested-this-is-a

to put it simply, it's basically the same method used for lettering! i will link a gradient text tutorial just in case my explanation doesn't make a lot of sense 😅 my Photoshop is in another language, so i might fumble a bit while explaining it. (https://anya-chalotra.tumblr.com/post/639781287958364160/idk-how-to-explain-but-how-do-you-make-gradient) but here's the explanation for using images like that: after i had selected the images i was going to use (i've found them all on Google btw!), i made sure that all of them were in b&w. you can do that by either removing all saturation (ctrl/cmmd + shift + U) or putting a gradient map over the image (image > gradient map or layer > new adjustment layer > gradient map). my second step was to drag a image to its matching gif and select "exclusion" as the layer's blend mode. to add color to it, i put a color overlay (right click of the mouse on the layer > layer styles or click the little "fx" sign in the layers panel) over it. (you can choose a gradient overlay instead, if you want!) there's no rule for what blend mode works best, it depends on the image that you're using and what color. for the vampire gif, it was multiply (100%), while for the wizard one it was screen (also 100%) and for the werewolf, hard light (100%). a tip: sometimes the image will look better if you invert the colors (ctl/cmmd + i)! that's what i did for the werewolf gif :) after that, i sharpened the image (filter > sharpen > smart sharpen) so it would look just as crisp as the gif itself. i use the settings for sharpening my gifs and play with the amount number to see what looks good with the image. usually i get a number around 250% with a 0.4 radius, basically half of my regular settings for gifs (500% amount, 0.4 radius, no noise reduction, remove gaussian blur). i've added a stroke (layer styles > stroke) in two of the images (the cat and the ghost!), btw. you can play with all the layer styles available really, but gifmakers usually use color/gradient overlays and stroke with texts/images over gifs. sometimes a drop shadow, if necessary, but that's another conversation 😆

i hope this was useful, anon! if it wasn't, don't be afraid to ask me again, i'm glad to help. don't be like me, i'm usually a wuss to ask for help, it just makes my gifmaking learning a more difficult and longer experience than it should be. lol

[teenwolf-theoriginals]

I’ve just wanted to let you know that everytime I log in in Tumblr I hope that you have uploaded new MacGyver imagines 💕I love writing and I freaking love the way you write “sexy” scenes: some writers are too explicit, others are too vague, your style’s just perfect 😍 I wanted to ask you two things, too. 1)I’d like to start write something but I don’t know where to start. Any advices? 2)Where are you from?I always wonder where others fans are from 😆 (I am from Italy). Have a good day ❤️

That’s such a massive compliment, thank you!. And to answer your second question I’m from Australia. Italy sounds beautiful, I’d love to go someday!.😍

Things I learned:

- Start writing for whatever you’re passionate about (tv show characters, movie characters, etc). It’s important to have that passion because if it isn’t there wholeheartedly, it’ll feel like writing is a chore rather then something you want to do for fun or in your spare time. Also don’t be afraid to write for characters that may not be as popular within the fandom, they’ll always be someone who will appreciate you taking the time to write for those characters (and any other characters as well).

- Tagging the correct fandoms is important

- Allow yourself to grow and learn. You’re not going to be the best writer at the beginning (my earlier fics were terrible), but overtime you will see your writing improve. So don’t be to hard on yourself at the start.

- Patience is also a big one especially with yourself, because there will be times were you will get frustrated either because your not writing fast enough, no or minimal feedback, etc. During those times remember to take a breath, maybe take a step back and focus on other tasks as well.

- Adding onto the above point, know when to take breaks and if you need time away from writing then take it. Don’t burn yourself out just to please anyone, your followers will (at least I hope) understand that sometimes writing is difficult and you need a break from it.

-  And overall just make sure you have fun with it.

If you have anymore questions feel free to message me. x

[gamehayapkmod]

Tile Master - Classic Triple Match & Puzzle Game

Tile Master - Classic Triple Match & Puzzle Game

Game Tile Master - Classic Triple Match & Puzzle Game là dòng game Board

Giới thiệu Tile Master - Classic Triple Match & Puzzle Game

Tile Master - Classic Triple Match & Puzzle Game is a challenging matching game.🧩 In the game, you need to blow your mind and match 3 numbers of blocks. When all tiles are matched, you can pass the current level!🏆 Our puzzle game includes large numbers of levels. Some levels might be hard. Challenge your mind and solve the puzzles, and then you will find them easy and exciting! Learn more about Tile Master📣 - The new version of Tile Master with simple rules and addictive gameplay: Match pairs of identical fruits 🥑 or butterfly 🦋 tiles (choose three of same block), clear all the tiles, Win! Have a blast in Tile Master! - Have no time limit. Choose tiles into the box. Three of the same tile will be eliminated! Enjoy your time and train your brain in this match-3 puzzle game! ⭐️ - Complete different levels, unlock maps one by one. Let's travel around the exciting world with Tile Master!! 🤩 Game features🌟 - 30+ styles of cute tiles: Fruit 🥑, Cakes 🍰, Animals 🐱, ... Each tile board is different and varies from one to the next! Change the styles day by day! - 20+ skins and themes: Beaches 🏖 , Mountains 🗻, Sunset 🌄, ... Unlock by chapters! - Thousands of layouts and useful tips 💡, undo , and powerful boosters ! - Challenge interesting levels, collect more stars ⭐️, unlock more world maps 🗺 and enjoy your brain time! Start Tile Crush journey with Tile Master! Ready to play - Available to play on mobile and tablet devices! - Casual and easy gameplay, open your mind! - Connect all fruits and eliminate them! Enjoy this free puzzle board game! 😆 - Much harder level, unique tile sets. Challenge yourself! ✊ Try our free solitaire puzzle games and Play OFFLINE/FREE in any time, anywhere either Phone or tablet! In this new version, we have updated more new content: - Added more Showdown gameplays - Fixed BUGs - Added more levels - Added the function of changing profile name - Added the festival activity Come to download and play!

Download APK

Tải APK ([app_filesize]) #gamehayapk #gameandroid #gameapk #gameupdate

[vxntxchoso]

1. TOMG

2. Yes! Rep tour chicago night 1!

3. shake it off, i’m trying to do that a lot these days ❤️

4. Lover, rep, 1989, red, speak now, fearless, debut😆

5. STYLE

6. reputation!

7. ikp, style, idsb, lwymmd, and dbatc i would say. i’ve lost a lot of friends this past year with circumstances similar to what idsb and lywmmd are about, taylor wrote about a very important and hard lesson some of us have to learn very harshly, but it doesn’t have to destroy us. and for dbatc, i more relate to it in a friend way, i think about a friend i don’t have anymore and how it’s over now but it still takes up my mind all the time.

8. just once😩

9. style, dwoht, dear john, new romantics, the lucky one.

10. back to december because it makes me SaD :(

11. STYLE👀

12. reputation, but honestly if i could choose to see what lover turns out to be or go back, i would choose lover!

13. no :(

14. shake it off😆

15. style

16. Cruel Summer😁

17. Rep tour chicago, the only time i’ve seen her, but she waved to me during delicate 😄😄😄😃

18. ayhdtws

19. N E W R O M A N T I C S

20. iftye, i really thought some stuff people did would kill me, but evidently, it didn’t :)

21. delicate, lwymmd, sio, wanegbt, ME!, YNTCD💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

22. play with her cats and maybe shopping? i feel like just going out and going to different places would be SO fun!

taylor swift asks

what was the first song you heard of taylor’s?

have you ever seen taylor live? if so, which show was your first?

which taylor song describes your current mood the best?

which of taylor’s album is your favorite?

which of taylor’s songs is your favorite?

which of taylor’s tours is your favorite?

which taylor song has the most meaning attached for you? why?

how many times have you seen taylor live?

if you could have taylor perform five songs for you, which would you choose? why?

which taylor song do you skip most often? why?

which taylor song is your most played?

if you could go back, which era would you want to relive?

have you ever met taylor? when?

which taylor song will you never get sick of?

which taylor song is your favorite to drive to?

what was the last taylor song you listened to?

if you’ve seen taylor live, which show was your favorite? why?

a taylor song you haven’t listened to in a long time but love?

favorite deluxe taylor song?

which taylor song do you relate to most?

favorite taylor music video?

if you could spend a day with taylor, what would you choose to do?