#let's go dino nerds

[swan2swan]

And so it begins.

[kyuairyeo]

yes, that's riley's actor in that twerking gif 🤣 (credits to this gif post)

[juniperdugong]

Couple Costumes Maknae Line ver.

What you guys would wear as a couple on Halloween and how they react!! || 95s || 96s || 97s || Maknae line || A/N: I tried to make these examples as inclusive as possible, if you don't like that THEN GET OUT! Also, the characters or costumes I mention DO NOT correlate to the boys' personalities and this is all just for some silly Halloween fun! I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE ART, all credit goes to their respective artists!

Seungkwan Sun & Moon/Doraemon

He's another one who thinks it's silly at first but puts up with it because it's you! Really, for such an extrovert who loves being a comedian, he tends to get embarrassed a bunch. But as it goes, he is willing to do anything for love—of course with his own "professional input."

He runs the show in terms of what y'all are picking. He needs it to be a good mix of funny but cute ALWAYS. I see a small argument as you guys go back and forth on what to wear and how it should look. But ultimately, if you really pushed for it... he would go with what you want because he's above fighting over costumes (sometimes)

He could settle for a simple sun and moon costume, he is after all the brightest sunshine boy to exist. But it's fairer to say that y'all would end up going with a childhood favorite comedic character and who better than Doraemon! He would adore this idea up and down and out! Of course, he's gonna be Doraemon and you're going to be Mii-chan or Noramyako... let's be real he wouldn't let you get the chance to steal the Doraemon spotlight from under him.

Vernon Sarah & Wirt/Adventure Time

Go with the flow all the way~ Which is to say he'd love to dress up with you and go with whatever ideas you have for him in terms of costume. He doesn't play into it as enthusiastically as others would but definitely is supportive through and through, constantly pushing you to challenge your ideas of what the costume should be. Very much the type to be like "What were you originally thinking?" if he notices you trying to tone it down - because despite what people may think he is very expressive, especially through fashion (as we know)

If he did give any sort of input or inspiration forward I definitely think he would be going for some sort of cartoon or comics, he's mentioned Hellboy before so I feel like that's a good route, I can also see X-men being a thing. But I'm a cartoon nerd at heart and OG carats know he used to rave about Adventure Time so I can definitely see him bring Simon & Betty to the table, maybe Marshal & Gary, perhaps a Fin & Flame Princess, or Jake & Lady. I'm a sucker for the idea of y'all as Wirt and Sarah from Over the Garden Wall though, like would die to see him in the vicinity of that show.

Dino Morticia & Gomez/Scream

He is 100% the type to vehemently refuse, but as soon as you give him even an ounce of that sulky attitude, he changes his tune and is in for whatever you want. Such a lover boy, honestly. It's getting on my nerves how fast I see him change his mind for you tbh. If you actually get mad I feel like he would go off the rails and in a frenzy get a bunch of costumes as revenge/malicious compliance? In short, he gets mad at you for being mad but does what you want anyway... Yeah.

He's so Gomez Addams coded, I'm sick! Also you guys as the power couple of the Addams family? Yes, puhhhlease!! It's insane how much y'all would rock that shit. Down and out winning the costume contest, for sure! But I also see him turning down the idea if he doesn't know the movie... In that case, I feel like even if he hasn't seen Scream he would be down to do Ghostface. Not only would you guys look hot but he doesn't have to wear different makeup and I feel like that's a win for him in his book.

A/N: A day late but it's better than nothing! The jjk fiends will have to wait till tmrw for the official end to the Halloween event with a Gojo fic lmao

Please Reblog and Comment if you enjoyed ! (They act as power-ups for me)

Taglist (OPEN): @bemybabiibish @bath1lda @porridgesblog

[danceonmygravewhenthemoon]

Remus loved dinosaurs. He learned about them in muggle school and has since been obsessed.

He told sirius and regulus but they didn’t understand the hype.

Peter let him info dump to him but never reciprocated his enthusiasm for them.

Mary and Lily also grew up knowing about dinosaurs but they cared more about the prehistoric animals.

Remus tried explaining dinosaurs to Marlene but she just wanted to her more about the meteor that killed them.

But James, James was ecstatic to learn about dinosaurs. He wanted to learn everything about them. James read books and learned every obscure fact he could find and he would always tell Remus everything he learned. James would enthusiastically listen to Remus’ info dumps and bring up his own points. The two of them could go on talking about dinos for hours. Finally Remus found someone to share his hobbies with. Someone who didn’t judge him and shared his enthusiasm.

Remus and James were bestfriends, they were major nerds and their friendship deserves more representation.

[goldenlionprince]

Can't Sleep?

We had such a nice soft vibe going on yesterday with all of @sorenphelps cuddle pictures for the Bodyguard AU and @neverenoughmarauders taking care of James' fic so today y'all get a little softness from me too (I swear the gala is coming soon. and the kidnapping. and probably dino emojis (if you know you know and if you know your name is Lau) and a sick fic... I can't write as fast as the ideas are coming in and writing time is also a bit short the next few days so I'll do what I can!)

.

There is a soft knock on the bedroom door and James quickly switches over to an innocent looking web search about beddings on his laptop screen. “Yeah?”

Sirius opens the door, illuminated only by the soft light from somewhere down the hallway. He leans against the doorframe, crossing his arms over his chest. “I've seen your light still on and just wanted to check. Can't sleep?”

“Can't a guy watch his porn in peace?” James grins, running a hand through his messy hair as he winks at Sirius. “Although, if you want to join me, I won't say no.”

Sirius pushes away from the doorframe and walks over to the bed, much to James' surprise. His eyes follow Sirius through the room as his hand drops back to the bed.

“You have some very interesting taste if hacking into Voldemort's business is getting you going.”

James freezes and stares up at him. “How did you know?”

“I didn't.” Sirius drops down onto the bed next to James, making the laptop bounce in James' lap. “Not until right now when you looked like a deer caught in the headlights when I said it. It was just a guess.”

James curses under his breath and puts the laptop aside.

Sirius leans back against the headboard of James' bed and looks at him. “Why didn't you tell me?”

“Because you would have told me to stop.” James lets his head fall back against the headboard too and looks up at the ceiling. “And I can't. I just can't. Not after what he did.”

“Your parents,” Sirius says softly. It's not a question. James swallows hard.

“Look, I know it's a security risk.”

“Good.”

“I'm not stupid.” James lifts his head and looks at Sirius. “But I won't stop.”

“I'm not asking you to.”

James blinks at him. “You don't?”

Sirius shrugs. “You're correct, it is a security risk, which is exactly why you should have told me. I can't do my job properly if you keep things from me.”

“Yeah, I know.” James' knee bounces under the blanket, his fingers plucking at the fabric. “I'm sorry.”

Sirius brushes his shoulder against James'. “I'm your bodyguard, not your nanny,” he moves on, like he didn't even hear the apology. “All I'm saying is that you should tell me things like that and, as your bodyguard, I have to urge you to be cautious.” He pauses and waits for James to look at him again. “As your friend, on the other hand, I do get it.”

“Friends,” James says, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “Is that what we are?”

Sirius just looks at him for a long moment that sends little goosebumps all over James' skin.

“I'll leave it up to you to decide that,” he finally says and pats James' leg before getting back up from the bed and walking back over to the door. James' eyes follow him all the way across the room.

At the door Sirius pauses, his hand on the doorknob. “Get some sleep, Nerd,” he says, his voice warm and a little teasing.

James can't help the bright smile spreading on his lips, his heart doing a little flip in his chest. “Good night, Soldier Boy.”

[ngray192]

Ok, Chaos Theory came out and I watched ALL OF IT.

So, I'm gonna share every thought I had while watching, with no context whatsoever!

SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT!!!!

• Brooklyn is already dead ig

• The animation is beautiful

• Darius to the rescue!!

• He's so grown up

• Hes still so Darius

• Sammy would be proud

• This animation is gorgeous omg

• He took mannerisms from his friends omg

• Allosaurus killed Brooklyn!!!?!?

• Omg this show is darker than the first

• His groceries are gonna fly out

• Curse, I know you want to

• Is it a gun gun or tranq gun?

• Omg is he leaving voicemails to Dead Brooklyn??

• Did they get Jenna Ortega back or no?

• He's got a little cabin

• Wtf is that gun??

• Brand!!

• He's like 20 rn?

• CAMP FAM

• Kenji and Darius had a falling out??

• AAAA NEWS VIDEOS

• I miss them

• Someone do the "despite everything it's still you"

• Ok he slayed that electric staff whip tho

• BEN

• He's anxious af

• HES STILL WEARING A FANNY PACK

• God this is so sad wtf

• Ofc there's a site caller Dark Jurassic

• I saw this scene in the clip already

• Teamwork

• That was the whole episode?!

2

• "Aw crud"

• Someone broke the fence

• Why did you park so far away??

• Ofc he drives a van

• The eyessss

• Lockwood Estate mentioned

• Always the logical one

• He wrote down his theories

• Boyfriends??

• "Dork pouch"

• BUMPY DRAEN ON THE WHITEBOARD

• NO HESITATION LMAO

• He's so goofy I love him

• Facial expressions on point

• SHE SENDS CARE PACKAGES

• "Yee-haw"

• Do they only have one picture of them all?

• It's a female voice??

• Oh it was Brooklyn

• They didn't even try to make her sound the same

• I don't like her hair

• She's still Brooklyn

• Isn't that the plot of someone's fanfic on the Discord??

• Someone's gonna read that scene as romantic

• Ben is a reckless driver god damn

• Where are they that they can drive to Texas easily?

• Move dino move!!

• No rear view mirror doesn't sound safe

• Let this boy pee

• BENJAMIN

• He's so done with him

• Hes giving season 4 episode 2

• Boyfriends??

• NERDS

• OMG FIRE

• Hero Ben!!

• Ew the face

• Camp fammmmm

• THE HEAT WAVES this animation is everything

• We get different end-credits every ep??

3

• Cows!

• "Chip me"

• He's so happy to see the ranch

• The ranch is so Sammy

• Awww she's so Farm Girl

• She's STRONG

• She got tall lmao

• Bessie had a calf?!?

• Do Yaz and Sammy usually live together?!!

• "Ding-dong"

• NO FUCKING WAY

• ITS BUMPY!!!!!!

• THE PUPILS

• THIS IS EVERYTHING

• Is Mantah Corp back??

• KILL HIM BUMPY

• Boooo Sammy

• Fuck Carl

• She's an herbivore tf

• Me and Ben on the same wavelength fr

• Tell him, Sammy

• Let this girl have her pie

• She's Sammy, but she's grown up a lot

• She still has her jacketttt

• What happened to her???

• She's so saddd

• Why aren't her parents talking to her??

• NOT YAZ PULLING AWAY

• Don't split up!!

• Omg Carl

• Communication through hand signalsss

• That shot with the raptor and the moon tho

• We haven't had many cute moments yet, it's really about survival now, they've really grown up

• Not the pieeee

• The genuine fear in her eyes holy shit

• BUMPY

• No more Beanie Ben

• So now he has a rear view mirror

• This reminds me a lot of Jurassic Park 2

4

• This episode is titled Brothers

• Season 3 episode 7 vibes

• I love how Ben loves Bumpy

• Their faces are so close

• BENJAMIN

• HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND

• Fucking liar lmao

• Does Kenji blame him???

• THEY STILL GLOW

• God I cannot get over the animation

• Poor boy kenji???

• The kick lmao

• He almost sounds like Ryan Porter

• He's not the tallest anymoreeee

• Benji???

• He doesn't act like Kenji 100% but it's still there

• I miss Ryan Porter

• Another framed photo!!

• They use the words "death" and "dead" a lot, but not "died" or "killed"

• DANIEL KON?!??!

• Yes, go get your girl

• Ok but Sammy and Ben are so Mom and Dad

• Good thing he just had spare gear???

• Oh it's probably for Brooklyn

• That shot he looked so much like Little Darius

• Oh no they broke up, so sad 😐

• Woah

• Valid reason to break up

• He's completely valid for being mad idc

• NOOO DONT GET BUMPY

5

• COMPIES

• Ofc he loves this kind of music

• You guys are supposed to be family tho

• DAMN THATS COLD

• EVERY WEEK I love Kenji

• "Love you" awwww

• She's so sassy I love her

• The head sway omgggg

• The carobbbb

• These background characters are way too hyped for this

• Bobby Nublar?

• Awww poor baby dino

• Free the dinos!!

• Oh he got OLD

• Damn straight in there

• She's so hurt :(

• He only thought Sammy was suspicious

• Creepy ass big ass forehead bitch

• Daniel Kon is a LIAR

• We should've gotten Kenji speaking Japanese in JWCC

• Love sassy Kenji

• "Yeah ok, I'll get my violin" GIRL

• Omg he almost punched Ben

• Yesss Sammy beat the shit out of him

• Those are the smallest corn dogs ever

• You're a shit dad

• What?! Brooklyn would never

• Kenji and I are on the same wavelength

• Different? Was it her voice?

• Are those lillies?

• These bitches are everywhere

• Kill Daniel

• He's old af hes about to have a heart attack anyway

• DAWG WHO TF ARE YOU

• CREEPY ASS BITCH

• Shitttt Daniel tackled that raptor

• Holy shit they killed Kenji's dad

• She's so fucking creepy omg

• I hope she's not from Dominion cause I haven't watched that

• Who's driving the car???!

6

• YAZ

• She's coping!!

• She wants to make it work!!!

• Ok but the crop top on Yaz???

• THE PICTURE ON HER PHONE

• Ben is everything this season

• "Love you too" AWWWW

• Where is there an island in Wyoming??

• She's so nervous/excited

• They're perfect together

• "Fadoula"

• She's happy here. Writers, let her be happy

• "Benny-boy"

• She's so geeky

• "Your favorite"

• They're all the same but so grown up

• Ben's scream lmao

• BENS SO SUPPORTIVE

• So Brooklyn has been dead less that 14 months

• They're both valid in this argument

• Ok but Ben and Yaz friendshipppp

• Is Ben actually dating someone??

• Ooo that's a cool dino

• Omg this show is darker than the og

• How did she walk so far??

• Yaz holding Ben's arm is cute tho

• Girlfriendssss

• BIG BEN

• Dumbass DPW

• Wtf??

• Omg

7

• Therapy girlfriend to the rescue

• Omg I forgot about Darius and Kenji

• Noooo baby boy Kenji

• Wow 2 major deaths already

• God I love Ben

• I feel like they should've drowned by now

• They held hands while swimming up

• Aw he has a daughter

• He lowkey sounds like Ryan Porter

• Idc about this Brooklyn death backstory

• Sammy looks fucking crazy in their one picture of the 6

• Ben 3rd wheeling just like all of season 5

• Their heads SLAMMED together

• He's so weird about this car lmao

• The car scene is funny

• They're in Colorado now??

• This hill is STEEP

• He's been waiting to throw those phones for DAYS

• Why tf would he be coming with you?

• Why did I believe the voicemail?? I saw her phone get ruined

• Darius CALM DOWN let kenji have at least something about Brooklyn DAMN

• Dude this mystery is DEEP

8

• Reminds me of Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom

• Gonna barf because of this "bwookie bear" scene

• He always has been a bad liar

• Sammy is physically fight for EVERYBODY'S lives

• Omg we're actually doing the Darius×Brooklyn plot??

• So that means no Ben×Darius plot???

• BUMPY (again)

• What did they do to you, Bumps???

• "Oh heyyyy" "boo" I LOVE THEM

• I love a good chase scene

• If a car can just drive through it, that fence was shit

• Nobody does a stampede like this show does

• Lots of death (even if they're all cutaways)

9

• God I'm flying through this show

• The heartbeating is EVERYTHING

• Anxious girlfriends

• More good camerawork and angles

• Ofc they'd be good at charades

• Are there still no male dinosaurs?

• Big Eatie mentioned

• "Ok I get it, you're a climber"

• Oh are Camp Fam at the same place?

• She's sick???

• If Bumpy dies I'll kms

• Why is he just carrying a stick?

• GIRL STOP KICKING THINGS

• I love reunions

• No cause why am I sad

• Did he call her "MICROBANGS"

• They're still the same kids from the island and I love that

• Once again, they're so Mom and Dad

• Is she in labor?!?!?!

• YOU CANNOT SCARE US LIKE THAT

• What're they gonna name the egg?!??!

10

• Last episodeeee

• Oh shit we used the word "killed"

• His hat is so tall

• Omg he shocked Ben

• Benji?

• We have so much to wrap up in 23 minutes

• This is lowkey scary

• This is so suspenseful

• She looks familiar

• THE FIRST PERSON SHOTS IN THISSSS

• Is she just dead then???

• Toro!!

• THE EXPLOSION BEHIND THE T-REX IM SORRY THAT WAS AWESOME

• THEY'RE ADORABLE

• The slow-motion scene is so cool

• Coolest dino fight ever

• FUCKING CREEPY BITCH

• Awww she's bonding? with her guard-raptors? I don't care

• Wait is that it??

• They better make another season

• Everyone's so happy for Darius being in love

• She didn't feel the same?! THATS why he didn't show???

• I fucking knew she was still alive

• SHE LOST AN ARM?!

• Her hair got even worse

• So we're getting another season???

[differenteagletragedy]

I'm sorry if someone else has asked, have you played Error143? I would love to someday get HCs for Mr Micah Yujin

-- I finished just moments ago, so these are more first impressions but I want to talk about this guy

-- OH MY GOD

-- DLC spoilers ahead btw, just gonna mash everything together

-- This guy fell for you IMMEDIATELY. Hard and fast, but like SO fast. A cute little hacker taking the time to mess with him? Done. It's over. This is it. He is in love, and his heart will never want another.

-- After the first time he talked to you he was giddy like you would not believe. He probably literally had to lie down on his bed and kick his little feet, he was so excited.

-- Absolutely had to have a conversation with Skrunkly about you. Probably texted the group chat too. He is OVERWHELMED BY EMOTIONS.

-- First love, last love. He's obviously never had these feelings before, so it honestly is a little overwhelming, but in the best way. He has trouble focusing while he's working, trouble sleeping because he can't stop thinking about you.

-- He got your favorite food delivered like two seconds after you hacked him lol, he's going to be holding himself back from doing so much more. He's thinking about all these romantic gestures but he doesn't want to come off as too intense, you know? But he's definitely opened a flower delivery service site about 2-3 million times and was THIS CLOSE to ordering your favorite flowers for you but he stopped himself.

-- Thinks about how he'd propose on Day 2. You can't even really fathom how bad he has it.

-- If you asked him to move in at some point during his visit, he'd say yes. No hesitation. He works remotely, you've got room for Skrunkly, everything is good to go. Yes please, he very much would like to move in, thank you so much for asking.

-- But obviously if you want to take things slower, that's good too! But please let him visit often, because it's going to be so hard for him to go back home alone and leave you. Does he cry on the flight back? Yeah, maybe!

-- If you don't move in together right away, then joint custody of Nugget is going to something you both have to take very seriously. The first time you visit him and you pull out your lil dino baby? He was already a goner way before this lol and there's really no way that he could fall for you any harder, but this might do the trick.

-- Oh oh but what really gets him is when you meet Skrunkly? Besides you, that cat is the light of his life. Please take a moment to consider the effort it would take to do a themed photo shoot with a cat and turn one of those photos into that poster. That's the kind of cat dad he is. So if kitty takes up with you, like if after a few days he walks in the living room and you’re lying on the couch with Skrunkly curled up purring on your lap? It's over.

-- He pats himself on the back whenever he manages to come up with a smooth line, because the guy really just lucks into them. He's SUCH a nerd (I say affectionately). The first time he calls you "angel" with a straight face, internally he's like "MICAH LOOK AT YOU GO!!!!"

-- That's why he calls you that ALL the time, because he's so proud that he can do it.

-- He's also practiced doing tricks with his split tongue (he's the biggest dork in the world). He'd like get the giggles doing it too, but it'll be worth it during the maaaaaaake oooooout.

-- RESPECTFULLY if he has a split tongue AND a tongue piercing then it wouldn't be much of a stretch to think there are other body mods/piercings elsewhere.

-- He joked about your love language, but once you told him he did his research. Looked for examples on how to show love in that way, looked at more examples, took notes. If he can (sorry physical touch friends, I'm not the one who did the research but this seems tough for a long distance relationship), he'll make a point of showing you love in your preferred way.

-- Please for the love of god steal this man's clothing and wear it for him. You hop on a video chat wearing his hoodie and he can't think straight for 2-3 weeks.

[funsized-panda]

Because we're best friends and you've made now one post in the cars fandom, I'm going to force you to make another/hj

BEST FRIEND/BROTHERLY HEADCANONS FOR MATER AND LIGHTNING PLEASE 🙏

HEHDIKQXJENF you're gonna make my blog become entirely cars and I honestly don't mind it

forewarning: I base all these headcannons off of things my siblings/friends and I do :)

Mater and Lightning fight like siblings

they also call each other names (i.e. slut, whore, bitch, cunt. you name it, it's being thrown out)

during the off season, Mater will drag Lightning around to mess with the tractors like they did originally when they first met (THATS MY FAVORITE FUCKING SCENE FOR NO REASON)

they info dump with one another ALL the time

Lightning never shuts up ab dinos they just so kewl :3

if they're playing a game, it's immediately a competition on who can come in first

doesn't matter what game it is or if there really will be a winner for it, they're at each other's heads trying to be first

except Mater is a sore loser

he has youngest siblings syndrome

Lightning is the oldest with middle child energy

they shit talk ab ppl they hate ALL the time

"did you see what they were wearing?" "call the fashion police, this guy is NOT it"

yk how sometimes your siblings will walk into your room for no reason? yeah they do that

except Lightning is the one who never closes the door when he leaves

Mater gets on him for it all the time

"CLOSE MY DOOR" "ITS YOUR DOOR??" "YOU LEFT IT OPEN"

they'll tease each other when the gfs/bfs are around

depending on who you ship them with, Mater will see Lightning with his partner and just "awww so you do have a heart"

cue Lightning just tackling Mater

Lightning does the same thing right back to Mater tho

no one's safe

remember Mater eating wasabi?

bc of that incident, Lightning becomes OBSESSED with trying to figure out where Mater's limit is

unfortunately Mater is extremely white 💀

Lightning also can't cook

anytime Mater sees thay mf in the kitchen he's scrambling to get him out or find Doc

bc wHO LET HIM COOK?????

THATS ILLEGAL AND ALL OF RADIATOR SPRINGS KNOWS IT

they do that "I'm not touching you" thing

Lightning always instigates it

"DOC!!" "Lightning, by all things burnin' in hell if you don't stop messin' with Mater"

Mater isn't innocent either tho

yk how younger siblings always act like the world is ending if you touch them?

Lightning accidentally tapped elbows with Mater and the reaction was SO dramatic

Mater flung himself into the wall, fell to the floor, crying so hard he almost made himself throw up

Lightning was so confused

Doc turned the corner and didn't even know how to react or respond

Anytime Lightning has an issue with his car he can't figure out, Mater is the first one on the case

they're both car nerds, but sometimes Lightning gets too overwhelmed

yk they're always causing chaos around RS

but if ANYONE touches a hair on one of their heads?

the other is behind you already

you're done

R.I.P.

anyway there are my headcannons. do with them as you please :]

[iaf]

Okay, let me get some of thoughts out about season 2 before rewatching.

Nothing major for now, just a few little comments

- The animation was BEAUTIFUL. Love the colors, models, and setting for this season

- I don't say this enough but fantastic voice acting from everyone, especially Brooklynn's VA

- I didn't enjoy this season as much as s1 BUT it's still good. Great stuff is going on here, dont get me wrong, though I do think it's not on the same level as s1.

- I wasn't sure how I felt about Brooklynn's design/model at first but I did get used to it and like it now

- Character dynamics were entertaining overall. Love the groupings the kayaks provided

- I enjoyed Zanya and her mother. Nice additions imo <3

- Would have liked more time between Kenji and Darius. Or at least have the "talk" Darius was trying to go for last a little longer and not get interrupted

- Not sure how I feel about the Darius confession. On one hand it was a kinda underwhelming?? But on the other hand it was also kinda funny and I like that

- Loved Ben's anxious/panicky behavior. Body language was great and I was feeling everything he was

- Really liked that Yaz was trying to look out for the mental well being of all her friends. Which reminds me...

- KENJI WAS STRESSING ME OUT. Dude's behavior was breaking my heart. Still glad they included and (tried) to address it this season

- I like what the writers were doing with Sammy this season but I REALLY need to know what happened between her and her family. PLEEAAASSSEEEE

- Brooklynn was stellar but she too is stressing me out.

- no handler/raptor lady :(

- I LOVE YOU DINO-NERD DARIUS!!!

That's it. I'll go through a slower watch through soon and (maybe) give my thoughts on individual episodes later. Overall though, great season. I had fun and was entertained and that's all that matters.

[zzthekaiju]

Best of the Reptiles in Media - 02 - Heart

Here we are again taking a look at some of my favorite scaly heroes. And this time, we go to the realm of animation. That golden frontier where anything is possible.

A lot of people have asked me what my favorite animated film is. And ever since 2016, I've had the definitive answer. It's a film from Japan staring who might be one of my favorite animated protagonists of all time. One that I wish was recognized by way more people than just the cult following his movie got.

You could say that this character...has a special place in my Heart.

And yes, that is his name. You'll learn to appreciate it.

Omae Umasou da na (You are Umasou) (2010) is an anime adaptation of a series of children's books revolving around a belligerent Tyrannosaurus Rex who ends up adopting a baby Ankylosaurus, with all the mishaps that implies. I'll admit, when I heard about this film for the first time, I wasn't sure what to think. Surely, this free film uploaded to Youtube wouldn't possibly--

It proceeded to rewrite my brain chemistry forever. It really is a great film. It's beautiful to look at, the animation is really action-packed and cute at the same time, it's got a gripping story (which I'll get into), and above all, it's main character is a martial arts-practicing Godzilla-looking T-Rex who engages in interspecies adoption. WHAT MORE COULD I HAVE ASKED FOR?!

But enough beating around the bush, why is Heart so compelling to me?

Let's start with an introduction. Heart is a Tyrannosaurus Rex from a prehistoric world whose lost egg winds up found and adopted by a kindly Maiasaura. Unfortunately, a carefree life of fun and peace with his mom and half-brother Light is brought to an end when he discovers his true nature as a "Big Jaw" (as in, carnivore). After running away out of fear of what he might do to his family, he grows up hardening both his soul and his combat skills so that he may survive the unforgiving badlands outside of the forest he grew up in (complete with training montage).

Then, as if life wasn't done throwing him curve balls, Heart is imprinted upon by a little baby Ankylosaurus he was just about to eat (complete with calling him the Japanese word for delicious, hence the name). Soon, Heart is caught between going with his true nature or taking a few cues from his own adoptive mother...

Design-wise, Heart isn't winning any accuracy contests, but then again, no creature here is. And it hardly matters, either. This dino manages to find a great balance between looking like the kind of character I'd want a plushie of (seriously, why haven't we gotten on to that) and one that conveys great ferocity and coolness. A major part of how that's conveyed is his expressions. This guy is a GOLDMINE of reaction faces for almost every occasion. So much so that, long ago on my Instagram page, I posted a compilation of faces that either cracked me up or just showed his facial range in general.

What's your favorite? Let me know in the notes/reblogs!

Anyway, then there's when he fights. And MAN, does it go hard! Heart doesn't exactly wear kiddie gloves when he's put in a combat situation, utilizing heavy kicks and deceptive agility as his opponents barely keep pace. We see him go up against sauropods and other Big Jaws, and really, I just need to show you these GIFs to sum up what it's like.

But that's not where Heart truly shines. It's his role in the narrative. You see, in most dino media aimed towards younger audiences, the big mean carnivore is the villain. This was most prevalent in works like The Land Before Time with Sharptooth, and the Carnotaurs from Disney's Dinosaur (both of which were the stuff of nightmares for little dino nerds like me). Not that this is necessarily a bad thing. Giant theropod dinosaurs are indeed scary, so of course they make for good villains. But then you consider that most of these predators aren't hunting our adorable plant-munching protags because they're evil. It's just in their nature as predators. What are they gonna do? Go vegan?

And that's the troublesome crossroads Heart finds himself at. You could say this film offers a deconstruction of the "vicious meat-eating dinosaur" archetype. The Anti-Sharptooth, if you will. We're obviously meant to root for him because he's the protagonist and an altogether pleasant guy, but at the same time, both herbivore and carnivore are fully-sapient beings here, and Heart must feed.

The film does NOT restrain from showing him hunt down his prey, but it has the intelligence to show that this is not malice or even pleasure, it's simple survival instinct. He is a huge shade of grey in what would otherwise be a very black-and-white scenario in any other film. And it gets even harder for Heart when Umasou enters the picture.

For the record, almost all of Heart and Umasou's interactions are the definition of adorable. Little Umasou is such a little ball of sunshine both inside and out, and poor Heart just doesn't have the...well, heart...to either eat or abandon him. Seeing his exasperation while keeping him safe while also training him in the ways of fighting like an anime protagonist (complete with training montage) is all kinds of endearing and a testament to Heart's strength of character. Of course, it leads to the inevitable point where he has to let him go...but unlike the source material, it doesn't take. Umasou knows that he and his adoptive dad are as different as can be, but he doesn't care. He's his family, and vice versa, something Heart comes to accept whole-heartedly (I did it again, didn't I).

And with that, the ending to this amazing nature vs. nurture story is very bittersweet, starting with Heart and Umasou reuniting with the former's mom.

Actually, before I keep going, I just want you to know that this scene in which they finally see each other again made me go from "wow, great movie, ten out of ten" to "I NEED TO TALK TO MY MOM!!!" in less than a minute. Seriously, if you're looking to strengthen your maternal bonds, watch this movie and watch the magic happen.

Aaaaanyway, after a heated battle between Heart and the one implied to be his real dad, the truth remains that he can't stay. He's resigned himself to a life as an outcast, never being compatible with his parent and brother's kind while at the same time being shunned by his fellow Big Jaw for adopting food. Nevertheless, he leaves in high spirits, having mended what had for the longest time been a broken bond. That, and he doesn't have to be a straggler alone, anyhow.

Really, Heart is everything I love about a lot of protags in one big package. He's a reptile (a dinosaur no less), he's a badass, he's a nice guy, he rages against what he is in order to be WHO he wants to be, and he's undoubtedly dad of the year. I hope more people come to recognize and appreciate him as much as I do.

Also, he's heavily implied to be in a steady relationship with an adorable Elasmosaurus, so he's got that "interspecies romance" trope possibly going for him too! C'mon, fellow You are Umasou fans old and hopefully new, you can't tell me you don't see it too!

[nattule29]

My thoughts?

Weeeeeellllllllllllll

one, I SAW THIS COMING!!!! ITS KINDA IN MY FIC

like my fic is an alternated universe where they do get pushed overboard

Im crying this guy was my fav character

I'm sad I didint see them attacking the camp fam from like a mile away I should have. I'm actually Darius Bowman but with animals, he goes by Dino Nerd, and I go by Dr.Dolittle (I HATE WHEN PEOPLE CALL ME THAT) also hippos are brutal and could have easily chopped them all being able to go to speeds of 28 mph but they can't die in this show so :/

No raptor lady I'm sobbing

Brooklynn cooking LET HER COOK. SHE WILL GET THIS CASE TRUST!

veryyyyyyy littel benrius...

ALL THE BENJI ANGST AND DINOSTAR

Yasammy always win, YASAMMY ON TOP

this was an overall sad season

[swan2swan]

Brooklynn: "Thanks so much for letting me crash here, Darius. Oh, wow, sorry about the smell--I've been driving since Texas, and I am SWEATY and I need a shower SO BADLY, but I know you'll let me use yours. Just gimme a few minutes, okay? Oh, dangit, I totally forgot my towel at Sammy's...it's cool if I use one of yours, right? The rest of my laundry made it, it's all in the bags, mind going through and getting me a fresh set? They're all matched in order, so just take it from the top, shirt, jeans, underwear, tops and bottoms in the same bag...don't worry about the socks, you look like you keep the floors clean enough for me to get my own socks. You're the best, Dino-Nerd!"

Darius:

[mineralsrocksandfossiltalks]

Wordplay Wednesday: Ordovician Period

Happy New Year folks and welcome to Minerals Rocks and Fossil Talks! If this is your first time visiting this blog, let me give you a quick overview of what it's all about!

My name is Jennifer Cozart and I am a geologist who specializes in paleontology, specifically Late Jurassic dinosaurs and their environment.

This is me with festive dino clips. My goal is to help make science more digestible to those who didn't go to school for it because everyone should be able to enjoy science to the best of their ability. I try to break it down into 5 different categories: Monday Musings, mini deep dives into certain topics, Trivia Tuesday where you get to answer questions about geology and paleontology, Wordplay Wednesday, where I teach you scientific terms and how to use them to impress your friends, Throwback Thursday, where I teach you some of the history and about the scientists who got us where we are today, and Fossil Fridays, where I talk about a fossil! I also host livestreams on Sundays where my colleagues and I discuss recent discoveries in our nerdy ways to those who love to listen to nerds nerd out. You can also check out Monday's Mineral on Youtube

and actual college level lessons, and previous live streams on Patreon

as well as joining the discord server!

Okay, now for the Ordovician Period, the topic for January. The Ordovician Period started 485 million years ago as the Cambrian Period ended and lasted until 443.8 million years ago. That's about 42 million years. The most complete record is found in Britain, where it was named after the Ordovices tribe in Wales.

Tune in tomorrow to learn about the scientist who named this period of time! Fossilize you later!

[sweettease88]

”keep talking, I love your voice.”

Fandom: Camp Cretaceous

Pairing: benrius 

Setting: at isla nublar, not specifically a time just a random day

Warnings: none 

(Fluff)

It was another day stuck on the Dino infested island. The campers lost track since when they got stuck there, when the Indominus Rex broke out and mostly caused panic to the island, or Mitch and Tiff, and everything else that happened on this island, made them focus on that than what day or month it was. On the positive side, ben is back and now is..island boy?- no man! 

But anyways.. Today was like no other, the campers were in the camp they made from the scraps from their OLD camp that got.. demolished. Kenji was taking his 45 minute showers, Brooklyn was sleeping, and Yasmina and Sammy was talking and going through Yas’s sketch book. Ben and Darius though, went off on a walk through the forest (with bumpy of course) to get supplies that were needed for a raft. Darius had his mini book he puts information of dinosaurs in. Ben, sweet ben, asked what it was and now an endless conversation started. The Dino nerd was delighted someone asked, he really didn’t want to keep it to himself, you know?

Darius spoke in such a happy and excited tone to Ben, who was walking beside him, bumpy not far behind. The dark skinned male presented his drawing and details about each individual dinosaur he had upon his book, commenting random jokes on a few and laughing at his own joke. 

However, the other male was focusing on Darius’s features and expressions. How his curved jaw was moving as he spoke long words that Ben didn’t even want to try and figure out, how his hair looked so healthy and luscious, how his eyes sparkled brightly against his dark almond eyes that Ben could get lost in forever, and his voice..

Darius’s voice, it was cheerful like an enthusiastic kid who wasn’t in danger all the time, but it was also smooth like honey. It just had the thing that could make anyone could listen to on hours..well Ben at least. The island boy didn’t want to admit it- well he didn’t mind to admit it to himself just not to Darius, that he fell in love with his voice- he fell in love with Darius himself. Everything was perfect about the sweet boy.

Ben mindlessly curved his lips into a smile, just listening to Darius. The enthusiastic boy looked upon Ben and takes in his smile. He stopped talking, because he got embarrassed from rambling on about something Ben probably didn’t even care for.

“Sorry.. I can stop talking now- I wasn’t even letting you talk.” Darius claimed, he smiled at Ben nervously before glancing at the ground, his mini book gently patting against his forehead as he thought of the humiliating moment.

“Keep talking, I love your voice Darius..” Ben insisted, giving the boy a genuine grin, Darius choked on air as he blinked at Ben. 

He was shocked at what words uttered from his friend’s mouth, Ben finally realized what he said and the tips of his ears turn pink, so does his face.  They both stopped their walk, bumpy as well.

Darius slowly smiled ear to ear at Ben, letting out a nervous laugh as he spoke. “Really?.. you like my voice?” *Darius muttered. The island boy cleared his throat, hands hands on his waist as he nodded “yeah, it’s nice to hear someone have such enthusiasm in such a place,” Ben chuckled, before they both started laughing together.

Ben glanced at Darius’s smile upon his lips, he hummed and stepped closer. He was close to Darius, before pecking him in the cheek with his lips. The boy gasped and looked at Ben who was scrambling off to bumpy and shouting ‘I’ll go get the stuff! I’ll see you at camp!’ Or something of sorts. Darius blinked, taking in what had just happened. He placed a hand on his cheek and glanced at the direction Ben ran off to with bumpy.

“..huh..”

—————————————-

notes: FIRST STORY!! 🫶🏻 it’s not the best and if I made any mistakes I’m so sorry! But I hope you guys enjoy it, sorry it’s short too😭 but I love these two sigh.. BYE!!

[hurlingsupport]

Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (Gender Neutral Reader Insert)

Chapter 2: Bedtime Mishaps

<- Previous Next ->

You stand atop a frighteningly tall tower, along with the other campers. And if you weren’t so entranced by the dinosaurs right in front of you, you would’ve gone into full Ben-mode and puked from how high up you were.

Instead, you let out excited “ooh’s” and “ahh’s”, only becoming more enchanted when the dinosaurs continued to bellow.

“Dinosaurs!” Darius whisper-yelled, leaning over the wooden railing.

He continued, “There’s Brachiosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Stegosaurus, Ankylosaurus!” Pausing between each name, not truly able to believe what he was seeing.

“Wow, you really know your stuff, dino-nerd.” Brooklynn complimented.

Kenji, panicked for attention, and made a guess. “Check out the… Brontosaurus!”

“They don’t have those here. Common mistake.” Darius said with a smile.

Then he gasped, pointing somewhere in the dinosaur-packed herd, although no one would know which one he was referring to because of their distance. “Are those Sinocceratops? When did you get those!?”

“They are cooking up all kinds of dinos in that lab.” Dave said as Darius turned to him.

“Whoa!” Sammy squealed. “Where are they herding ‘em to?”

Her country accent was especially apparent now that you were standing next to her. You hadn’t noticed earlier because your nerves were fried. Now that you had the time to pay attention, you could really see how different everyone here was.

Tuning back in, you realized Roxie was answering her. “They’re herding them back to their nighttime enclosures.”

Suddenly, Dave walked towards an opening in the railing. “Enough banter!”

It was only then that you noticed what he grabbed ahold of.

“It’s zip-line party time!”

Dave immediately buckled Ben in. A bad choice for being the first person to go, but Ben had already brought up that point multiple times.

“Me?” He sputtered, gripping the pole connecting the trolly to the actual zipline as if his very soul would splatter onto the ground below if he didn’t.

“Maybe Yasmina should go first, or… y/n? Darius?” His eyebrows raised with each name listed, an attempt to egg on Dave to switch him with someone else.

You almost had the heart to be offended that he’d offer you up, but to be completely honest, you’d do the same thing if your roles were switched.

“Or anyone!” He yelled, “I really don’t-”

Dave pushes him off the edge. Ben’s last words being screams of terror and jumbled sentences that weirdly resembled that of a birthing mother.

After that whole situation, everyone else had gone. Including you, although reluctantly.

Despite your initial fear, it was honestly fun. More akin to that of a swing than the death ride you believed it to be earlier.

You could feel yourself laughing, although it went unheard because of everyone else yelling and cheering in delight.

Now below you, the dinosaur’s bellows were evermore apparent.

You only took your eyes off the dinosaurs on the ground when the screaming from Ben picked up again.

Then, you saw one of the Brachiosaurus lifting its head towards you all, and if you weren’t afraid of your arm being torn off because of your speed, you would have reached it out in an attempt to touch the animal.

And with that, zip lining was over.

Later, when everyone was sleeping,

you lay awake. Sure, you were tired, but you always had a hard time falling asleep anywhere else but your room. Unless that somewhere else was a car, but that’s a different story.

Although you were sure you were the only one still awake because of all the snoring, the creaking on your top bunk said otherwise.

Darius had asked to bunk with you, saying you were both “dino-buddies”. However, you’re sure it’s mostly because you were the only one he’s really spoken to.

You were originally going to just let him be. After all, you could understand how excited he must be. Though when you saw him climbing down the latter to your shared bunk, you had to ask.

“What are you doing, Darius?”

He froze, arms in a sneaking position as he slowly craned his head towards you.

“Uh… bathroom?”

The two of you stared at one another, him hoping you’d believe him, and you because he was so obviously lying.

“Oh.” You turned to lie the other way. It really wasn’t any of your business what he did. And if he ended up becoming a chew toy for a dinosaur or getting kicked off the island for breaking the rules, you really couldn’t care.

It wasn’t any of your business what he did, plus he probably wouldn’t want you to get all nosy. So you’d lie in your bottom bunk, and mind your business like you should.

“Y/n?”

God dammit.

You turn over, and Darius is standing over you, a hand stretched out.

“Uh, could you come with me?”

“To the bathroom?” Your face scrunched up in both confusion and a bit of disgust.

“No!” He almost yelled, but when the snoring in the room paused, he did as well.

When it resumed, he spoke again in a hushed voice. “I lied, about the bathroom, I mean.”

He leaned forward, cupping a hand to your ear as he spoke.

“I want to see some dinosaurs.” He whispered, and your brows furrowed.

Pushing him back, you got off the bed and walked out of the shared bedroom. Only then did you ask what he meant.

“You saw some today didn’t you?”

Now that you were in the ‘dining room’ which is what you assumed it to be. You didn’t know the specific house room terms, you spoke a bit louder.

“Well, yeah but-”

You both gasped as the lights suddenly came on.

“Oh, hey there, dino-nerd.” Kenji stood in the doorway, leaning against the door frame. His eyes met yours and his face wrinkled.

“And… you?” To be completely honest, you were glad he didn’t seem to think much of you.

He continued, “Whatcha doing?”

“Huh? Uh, nothing!” Darius unhelpfully added. You hit his shoulder with your own. Even someone like Kenji could see through a lie like that.

Darius winced. “We were just, uh, heading out ‘cause…” He stared down at his hands, which were pointing in opposite directions.

“Thirsty.”

Kenji smirked and pointed to some water dispensers on the other side of the room.

“Oh, yeah.” Darius nervously giggled. “I… I meant, um… hungry.”

He slowly walked towards Kenji, along with you. Because honestly you didn’t know what was going on.

Kenji patted one of the many cabinets, which you assumed was full of snacks. Man, he really paid attention when Dave was telling everyone where the consumables were.

“Oh, heh, look at that. Thanks, Kenji!”

As Darius grabbed the cabinet handle, Kenji grabbed ahold of his hand and forced it to slam shut.

“Look, bros.” He then grabbed your arm too, pulling the both of you into this weird, half-hug-not-hug.

“I don’t want you to be intimidated by me just because I’m rich, my father owns a few condos on the island, and I’m rich.”

“Uh, I’m not intimidated by you.” Darius said, weirded out by Kenji’s words.

“I don’t think anyone is.” You muttered.

“Oh, good.” Kenji leaned down a bit, brushing some nonexistent dust off of Darius’s jacket. “I just want us to be friends, and friends tell each other stuff.”

You three were most definitely not what you’d call friends.

“For instance, what they’re doing out of bed after curfew.”

Kenji’s head swiveled in your direction. “What do you think?”

“Uh…”

“I think you best get your arms off us, friend.” Darius said, saving you from having to talk to Kenji. Great, now you owe him.

“Oh! Why don’t you make me, friend?”

Right as it was getting too awkward to bear, the flash and click of a camera shutter alerted the three of you to a new presence.

“Huh,” Brooklynn murmured, “So that’s what toxic masculinity looks like.” She said as she scrolled through her phone.

Darius immediately stepped up to apologize, while Kenji simply crossed his arms with a smug smile. “Uh, sorry, we woke you. I-”

“THEY were sneaking out, but I set them straight.” Darius’s eyes widened as he shook his head.

“Look, I try to look out for the younger kids. It’s who I am.” Kenji bragged.

“We’re the same age.” You said, in absolute disbelief at how big this guy’s ego was.

He looked back at you for less than a second before looking away. “Oh, right.”

“You guys don’t understand.” Darius spoke up. “I’ve been waiting my whole life to get here, and I’m gonna make the most of it.”

His whole life? Were there really people that liked dinosaurs so badly they’d wait their entire life to see one?

Darius turned to a window. “Those lights must be coming from the Compy enclosure. I gotta check it out!”

Brooklynn intercepted, “Sneaking out to see dinosaurs in the dead of night,” she listed, Darius turning to her with his brows raised.

“Mad danger of getting caught, great mood lighting…” She sighed with intrigue.

She can’t be serious.

“I guess that means…”

There’s no way.

“We’re going rogue!”

She’s serious.

“Um, not to be a downer or anything, but I think I’ll pass.” They turned to you.

Darius sputtered. “What? But we’re dino-buddies! Don’t you want to see some up close?”

“Yeah but, not this bad.” You walked back to the shared bedroom.

“Do whatever. Just keep me out of it.” You didn’t want to appear cold, but you would not get kicked out of Camp Cretaceous because of some kids you barely knew.

You heard a muffled, “loser!” which was definitely from Kenji, but all you could focus on was getting back to bed.

You picked up your covers, prepared to dive under before a weird sensation came over you, like that feeling when your stomach drops because you forgot something.

You turned and counted the empty beds. One, two, three, that’s right. But as you looked to where Ben’s was, you noticed he was gone.

He probably went to the bathroom. It wasn’t any of your business.

You pulled the covers back up and fell into the bed. Sitting there, you couldn’t help but wonder where he was.

You should probably be more concerned about Darius and Brooklynn, not including Kenji, because he was a jerk. After all, they could be completely dissolved in some dinosaur’s stomach before the sun rises!

Yet you couldn’t stop thinking about where Ben could be. He was clumsy.

….

He was really clumsy. You remembered how many times he had slipped trying to get up after stumbling out of the trunk.

….

Oh God, what if he fell off the tree house?

You got up in a hurry, because he was probably enough of an idiot to do it. You speed walked past the beds, and the balcony–before backtracking and looking back at the balcony.

There Ben stood, FannyPack and all. What was he doing outside this late? Wasn’t he all about the rules?

Well, now, you were curious.

You slowly walked up to the balcony window, peering through it with squinted eyes.

….

He was just standing there menacingly! What was he doing?!

At this point, you became frustrated, and knocked on the glass.

You almost laughed when he jumped. Maybe he really would fall off the treehouse if you kept that up.

He was quiet as you walked onto the actual balcony area. And even once you stood next to him, looking down at the ground below, he stayed silent.

“Aren’t you a rules guy? Why are you outside of bed after curfew?” You said, resting your forearms on the railing.

Ben’s fingers anxiously tapped against said railing, and he cleared his throat awkwardly before saying anything.

“Uh, you won’t laugh, right?”

Your brows furrowed as you stared at him through your peripheral.

“Right, I didn’t think you would. I just wanted clarification.”

You nodded. His off-putting behavior was really getting to you now.

“I’m just… homesick, I guess.” He whispered, scared of being too loud although you were both alone on the balcony.

“Oh.”

Well, that was much more normal than you expected. It was also nothing to be embarrassed about. You’re pretty sure everyone would be homesick if they weren’t so focused on the exciting experience.

Your eyes widened as you stared at Ben’s face, the way his lips pursed and his eyes searched for a predator that didn’t exist. This wasn’t an exciting experience for him. That was the problem. The only aspect of this trip he seemed to openly enjoy so far were the rules, and he was already breaking them.

“So, why did you come here?” You realized you sounded rude a bit too late, as Ben immediately replied.

“I didn’t want to.” He sighed, not one of relief or exasperation, more so of anger. An emotion you didn’t expect from the boy. “My mom made me go. She works for Mr. Masrani.”

He continued, brows furrowing with every sentence. “She said it would help me face my fears but…” He paused, mouth closing as if he came to a conclusion in his mind.

“I won’t say I get it–because I don’t. But, I understand.” You said, avoiding Ben’s stare. “This whole thing must be more of a chore to you than an exciting adventure, huh?”

He huffed, a smile resting on his face. “Yeah, that sounds about right.”

Okay, so what you just said wasn’t total bullshit to him. Good. The two of you sat in comfortable silence for a bit, at least until Ben randomly stood up straight and walked into your personal bubble.

“Uh.” You muttered, copying his stance, and almost chuckling at the constipated look on his face.

However, you went quiet when he stiffly wrapped his arms around your taller frame.

….

Okay, now this was uncomfortable. Ben seemed to agree as he let you go not long after initiating the hug.

“Uh, sorry.” He apologized, avoiding your gaze.

“No, it’s fine, man.” You pat his back, attempting to relieve the tension. “We kinda had a moment there, guess this makes us friends.”

His eyes seem to light up at that, and he grips his shorts in exhilaration. “Really?” He asks, almost in wonder.

“Not if you act like that, no.”

He huffs, rolling his eyes. Though, he reluctantly agrees not to act like it’s such a foreign concept, as he walks back with you back into the treehouse.

After that, you slept quite well.

[gchoate17]

In keeping with tradition, here’s my top ten list of the best events of 2024 and the worst events of 2024, vaguely ranked in the order that they most impacted my life/mental health.

BEST

The boys reached an age where they can run wild with limited supervision. I’ve especially loved watching them run free with their cousins on holidays – just like I remember doing. Is this the smell of freedom? (September-ish)

With much trepidation, Liz and I attempted a cross-country road trip – Arizona and back with lots of planned stops – with the boys. We removed screen-time restrictions and let them fry their brains, but the trip was more fun than we thought it would be because they were champions (and because Liz bought a Dino Potty that allowed Mags to go wherever we were). (June 8-19)

Potty-training Magnus was so easy that I wasn’t even sure we were doing/did it. He’s had like two accidents after the initial housebreaking. (February-March?)

Watching Gus absolutely light up at UA-Little Rock’s Nerd Night – so much science and technology. Everyone was so inviting and engaged about all the things my seven-year-old is excited about. We can’t wait to go back next year. (October 23)

My mother gifted Magnus a book about the symphony last year and we have read it so many times that he knows all the instruments by name and most of them by sound. This year he got to hear lots of live instruments – a chamber orchestra at his Montessori school, the symphony with the St. Mark’s Baptist Church choir at the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s grand opening, the Avett Brothers, among other places – and it’s been wonderful to see him absorb it all with so much joy.

On her deathbed in 2018, Alice Marie Choate told her children and grandchildren she wanted us to stay close – I assume she knew she was the glue. In the days after she died, Liz and I committed to each other that we would host everyone at our house in honor of my grandmother’s birthday when we could. We finally made that happen with Mum’s Birthday Brunch at our house and I felt as proud as I would have if she had been there to witness it. (May 11)

A video I helped make was accepted by a film festival at Columbia University, which led to a fantastic trip to New York with Liz.

CAMP WEEK! Gus went to sleepaway camp for a week (!), Magnus went to Camp Nene for a week (!), and Liz and I went to Camp Chicago for a week and – among other highlights – ate one of the best meals of our lives at Jeong.

I set a goal of 10,000 steps per day and finished with an 11,458 average for the year.

I’ve missed going to Little Rock Trojan basketball games, which was something Liz and I did a lot early in our relationship. We decided the boys are finally at an age where they can sit through the games without making us miserable, so we bought season tickets. Magnus is there for the popcorn, Gus reads the whole time, but he’s learned to like the dance cam and the dunks, and I can work with that. (September-December)

WORST

During a trip to Chicago, a homeless person stole Liz’s phone/wallet off the patio table where we were eating lunch. It took us ten seconds too long to realize it happened. The worst part was the embarrassment of feeling so much like a…[gags]…tourist. (July 9)

I pulled a calf muscle, then pulled a hamstring. Recovery lasted forever and maybe sparked a depression. (April-September)

After eight years of taking pictures of my food, I stopped ranking my restaurant meals. I miss the data, I miss the ability to look up where I’ve eaten and when, but I’m glad to have saved myself a considerable amount of time. (Also, it’s worth noting that this almost made my Best list.) (May 12)

Liz and I had separate trips abut each other, which resulted in not seeing each other for 10 days. I did not like it. Not one bit. (September)

Major home expenses hit this year – new gutters, new A/C, new furnace – and they were expensive.

While walking through Gus’s room barefoot, I was ambushed by a stray Lego brick and it broke the skin and gave me a limp for a solid three days. (October 3)

Magnus had a double ear infection, but he didn’t give us any indication until he perforated his ear drum. (June 10)

Mostly due to an organization called General Mills and a product called Cinnamon Toast Crunch, I developed an intense, late-night snack habit that kept me from maintaining any sort of control on my weight-loss goals. (July-December)

I had my worst (and most expensive) fantasy football year since I started playing 16(?) years ago.

Our outgoing pipes froze for five days, limiting us to one sink, one shower, and one toilet. Could have been worse, but it wasn’t fun. (January 16-January 21)

Previous Best/Worst Lists: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.