#love ball arabia

[astonmartinii]

i still miss the smoke | ollie bearman social media au

pairing: ollie bearman x fem singer ex reader

where there’s smoke, there’s fire and maybe we miss the warmth

MASTERLIST | TIP JAR

y/nfanpage

liked by kimiantonelli, user1 and 102,309 others

tagged: yourusername

y/nfanpage: folklore is finally out and i say for everyone: thank you y/n!!!! another banger i believe, what did you guys think?

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user2: my ears have been BLESSED

user3: she really looked inside my brain and created the exact thing i needed

user4: and THIS is why i have a parasocial relationship sorry!

user5: you can tell she's been writing this a long time because she still sounds so in love

user6: i don't want to be that person that makes all her music about the men but like she's so obviously still in love with ollie

user7: she put the songs invisible string and the 1 on this record and didn't think we would see that she's so in love still

user8: maybe she's hoping that he'll listen and call her?

kimiantonelli: HE BETTER FUCKING CALL JESUS CHRIST

this comment has been deleted

user8: why did an account with over a million followers just reply to me and then delete his comment?

user9: babe that was soon-to-be mercedes f1 driver kimi antonelli (he's ollie's current teammate)

user8: WHAT?

user10: surely this is a sign?

user11: mum come pick me up they've made up yet another conspiracy about y/n and ollie getting back together

user12: 1. they're still in love argue with the wall 2. fuck ur mum

user11: excuse me?

user12: i said what i said, kimi commenting has proved the fact ollie clearly misses y/n as much as folklore proves she misses him

user13: as an f1 fan it still actually boggles my mind that ollie was actually with Y/N Y/LN

user14: no it's crazy because when he got called up in saudi arabia the first thing charles said to him was 'why didn't you bring y/n we wanted to meet her'

user15: also like the way the viewer count spiked for saudi with all the y/n fans watching

user16: well some of us didn't leave so now i have another expensive hobby and an unhealthy attachment to both of them

olliebearman

liked by charles_leclerc, yourusername and 409,300 others

tagged: kimiantonelli

olliebearman: back to the action this weekend

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user17: thank you for my daily dose of bearnelli

user18: i can't believe both will be on the f1 grid next year 😭

user19: i hate that they won't be teammates

user20: you can't separate them they're like bonded cats

charles_leclerc: so when are you growing some balls and calling y/n?

olliebearman: huh?

charles_leclerc: answer me quickly oliver or you're not getting my car in FP1

olliebearman: i don't think you can do that?

charles_leclerc: do you wanna find out the hard way?

olliebearman: i know we have this cool father son thing going and i love that but STAY THE FUCK OF MY LOVE LIFE

charles_leclerc: i don't appreciate your tone young man

charles_leclerc: and i loved folklore and want my vinyl signed :P

olliebearman: go to a meet and greet like a normal person?

charles_leclerc: JUST CALL HER FOR FUCK SAKE

user21: so everyone lost their minds over the summer break i see

user22: well i hate to say it but they have a point - y/n is in the likes

user23: they're feeding my delusions i fear

kimiantonelli: we look like a couple here.... which reminds me ... you could be in a relationship ... if you just PICKED UP THE DAMN PHONE

olliebearman: do you fucking mind?

kimiantonelli: don't speak to me like that :(

olliebearman: this is my instagram page?

kimiantonelli: you keep fucking moping and it's bringing the mood down so do something about it for the love of god

olliebearman: stop airing me out online? I SAW UR TWEET

kimiantonelli: and yet she's still in your likes THERE'S STILL TIME JACKASS

user24: we're trusting these fools to drive f1 cars?

yourusername: i can see all of these comments?

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f1insider

liked by user25, user26 and 21,843 others

tagged: olliebearman

f1insider: ollie meeting fans this weekend - one fan has stated that when she asked ollie to sign her y/n y/ln shirt he was more than happy to and said that his favourite song from the new album is invisible string and said "i'm still holding my end"

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user27: so he's freaking out about charles and kimi airing him out in public when he's spouting poetry to random f1 fans

user28: I WAS THE FAN and let me tell you bro was GOING THROUGH IT

user29: how so?

user28: well first of all he did a double take when he first saw my shirt and took time to properly look at it before signing - he knew in less than 5 seconds what his favourite song was and had this far off loved up look when he said about the invisible string

user29: oh he's so down bad

user30: the way i just know kimi was there groaning up a storm

user28: you would be correct

user31: someone needs to get that dude some compensation for real

user32: bro is coming into his f1 career known by the wider community as the guy who is the eternal third wheel to a couple who have been broken up for six months

user33: i'm sorry he can't say he's still holding onto the invisible string and just expect us all to be normal about it ?

user34: you can tell he's been with y/n though because before that the most eloquent thing he's said is when he sent carlos his condolences like he DIED

user35: we can't even say he's doing it for her attention because how did he know that the fan would run to social media

user36: based on how kimi is right now i'd put a lot of money on him going on like this at all times

user37: all this to say i hope they get back together because i think seeing y/n at an f1 race would send me into cardiac arrest

user38: she'd be up there for best ever wag i won't lie

user39: i do think she'd be the best but that's also because arguably ollie is more her wag

user40: they've mastered the lovestruck look of watching the person you love doing what they love

user41: we're all going to look so dumb if they never get back together

user42: SHUSH

yourusername

liked by kimiantonelli, olliebearman and 3,209,577 others

yourusername: you thought i was done? my bonus track 'the lakes' is out now!

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user43: STUNT ON THEM HOES

user44: this is such a funny comment in the context of how the music actually sounds

user45: okay well she's stepping on the girls' neck and hearing the snap like autumn leaves on the ground

charles_leclerc: amazing song once again y/n!

yourusername: thanks charles :)

charles_leclerc: now, what are we doing about this heartbroken son of mine?

yourusername: excuse me?

charles_leclerc: don't play coy with me miss, i know you're just as pathetically sad as him so why don't you get ur head out of the sand and call him up !!!!

yourusername: you know i saw all of your comments shouting at him to do the same thing

charles_leclerc: i'm standing on business - he was the one who deleted the post

yourusername: does he know you're doing that on my post as well then?

charles_leclerc: don't be stupid i know that fool still has your notifications on i can hear his phone buzzing every time you reply - he's trying to play it cool in the engineering meeting

yourusername: and you don't have to?

charles_leclerc: i told them it was a family emergency

yourusername: charles ????

charles_leclerc: whether you like it or not you are my grid daughter in law and so it does personally pain me when you IDIOTS don't see what is right in front of you - it's not like you have to use messenger pigeons, you can make it work

user46: i know ollie is going to have a heart attack when he finally reads this comments

charles_leclerc: he just snuck to the toilet and i could hear him drop his phone from the meeting room

olliebearman: STOP ARE YOU INSANE

olliebearman: also this is not "family drama" i was genuinely worried something had happened :/

yourusername: come on ollie you should know not to trust that man by now

user47: i know ^^ this is crazy but like bro THE LAKES ??? i swear in an interview y/n spoke about it was her and ollie's dream to spend christmas by the lakes?

user48: WE ARE SO FUCKING BACK

user49: plus the replies??? basically remarried

user50: genuine question for everyone in the comments talking about her getting back with this mystery man - why did they even break up?

user51: ollie was starting his f2 season that was going to secure him an f1 drive and y/n was starting an album cycle and finishing a tour so they broke up because of distance :(

user52: NOT FOR LONG :P

olliebearman

liked by charles_leclerc, kimiantonelli and 1,204,377 others

tagged: yourusername

olliebearman: i took her to the lakes where all the poets went to die (i didn't let her die)

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user54: WE HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE BACK

user55: shout out to kimi antonelli, you survived king

yourusername: you're such a cutie pie

olliebearman: just for you

yourusername: thanks for pushing me in the water and insisting on giving me mouth to mouth .... i think it might have been a front to kiss me tho

olliebearman: sue me, i've missed it :(

yourusername: you'll never be without it ever again

olliebearman: yay 🥳 🎉 😀 !!!!!!!!!

user56: why is he such a fucking nerd when his gf tells him she loves him

user57: he's so fucking real

charles_leclerc: FUCKING FINALLY

kimiantonelli: don't pretend you were on the front line old man

charles_leclerc: old man???? i'm 27

kimiantonelli: okay grandpa do you need directions to the nursing home

charles_leclerc: coming at me when fernando exists is a choice

kimiantonelli: i don't see fernando here complaining up a storm ?

fernandoalo_oficial: i am not taking sides here but the one time i have had a full conversation with ollie this season was during the pre-race parade and he spoke about y/n the whole time

yourusername: awwwww that's so cute bear :3

olliebearman: i told you i am obsessed with you

kimiantonelli: you don't say

olliebearman: just because you can't make references to bearnelli being real now

kimiantonelli: it's not real /??????????

yourusername: ???????

user58: just got her boyfriend back and is immediately has to battle his homoerotic situationship with his teammate

yourusername: i will never be free

olliebearman: he's just a funky lil guy babe, it would be rude to leave him out

kimiantonelli: yeah i'll take it!

kimiantonelli

liked by lewishamilton, olliebearman and 731,044 others

tagged: olliebearman, yourusername

kimiantonelli: WAR IS OVER

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user59: the way this man will never let them forget anything about this

user60: i know he's getting his evidence for his best man speech

kimiantonelli: you make a great point

olliebearman: that's a bold assumption that you would be my best man?

kimiantonelli: do not piss me off this morning oliver

yourusername: you can be my man of honour kimi :)

kimiantonelli: score !!!

olliebearman: how did we get here?

yourusername: i am weaponising your homoerotic tension against you

olliebearman: sure, you got me there

user61: are these people ever normal?

user62: nope!

user63: i know the merc and haas PR teams are shaking in their boots

user64: tbf i think haas will be welcoming it - i mean all the y/n fans will probably get the ollie merch next year ?

haasf1team: WE LOVE YOU Y/N 🥰

haasf1team: new wheel guns here we come - thanks y/n fans!

yourusername: thanks for being our lil messenger pigeon for these rough six months, we love you kimi <3

olliebearman: we're so lucky to have someone like you in our lives, forever grateful

kimiantonelli: i know i complained the whole time, i love you guys and i'd go through this weird three way conversation all over again

charles_leclerc: okay now this is all done @yourusername when are you coming to the paddock i have a lot of vinyls for you to sign!

yourusername: you've been very loud throughout this whole situation, why should i?

charles_leclerc: BECAUSE I LOVE YOUR MUSIC

charles_leclerc: and plus i do really want the best for both of you so i let kimi play nice cop

kimiantonelli: you were NOT in on this?

charles_leclerc: YOU'RE WELCOME 😉

olliebearman: let's all smile and wave

yourusername: 😃

kimiantonelli: 😃

yourusername

liked by kimiantonelli, charles_leclerc and 4,298,400 others

tagged: olliebearman

yourusername: i knew you were still the 1 for me x

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user66: back to flexing their love on us again

user67: i am cripplingly lonely but i am so happy for them

user68: honestly i think i've been through this breakup with them i also deserve compensation

yourusername: i only got so many hampers i'm sorry gal

maxverstappen1: is now an okay time to ask for tickets to the tour?

yourusername: yes! i'll grab you at a race and we can discuss what shows you want (spoiler alert it mostly lines up with the f1 calendar)

yourusername: also @charles_leclerc take notes on how to ask for things

maxverstappen1: schooled again bozo @charles_leclerc

charles_leclerc: EXCUSE ME I AM NUMBER 1 Y/N FAN ON THE GRID I AM ALLOWED TO BE INSANE ABOUT HAVING YOU IN THE PADDOCK

olliebearman: .... you're the biggest y/n fan on the grid?

charles_leclerc: you of course don't count

yourusername: you know what? sure! i'm just confused at this point

user69: i think this six month breakup rotted all of our brains at this point

user70: charles being a y/n fan makes a lot of sense tbf

user71: at least he didn't do the corny thing of just pretending his gf is a fan

olliebearman: i did say i'm still holding onto the end of the invisible string

yourusername: and if i told you i never let go either

olliebearman: then i know we were always meant to be

yourusername: ugh i love you

olliebearman: i love you more

kimiantonelli: i love you guys too :D

yourusername: 😭 😭 😭 we love you too kimi

olliebearman: we love you kimi :3

fin.

note: my ass finally finished a draft GOOD LORD and a first one for OLLIE !!!!!!!

[awesomedbzmerch]

So… in light of the announcement that a Dragon Ball theme park is being built, I will be doing a series of posts related to the topic on this and @uglydbzmerch- mainly discussing things like the Universal Studios Japan Dragon Ball collab (which I own some merch from, and will be sharing), for example.

Ya see, your mod, Maji, is a major park enthusiast (with a particular love of rollercoasters). I am extremely lucky in that I live in SoCal and get to go to Disneyland/California Adventure, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Universal Studios Hollywood somewhat frequently.

My enthusiasm would be through the roof for the upcoming park- two of my favorite hobbies coming together!- except for the choice to build it in Saudi Arabia. But I still figure this would be a good place to start a series of posts.

Here’s some of the concept art for the upcoming park to start us off-

And the announcement here.

[aceredshirt13]

So my buddy @oshawolt and I have watched the first two episodes of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, and by far the funniest part about the show is that its complete inability to give teenaged Indy anything like a concrete logical reason to enlist in WWI results in it reading like Indy is willing to go against his friends, his family, his loved ones, all logic, and a significant number of his moral codes, solely because his bestie T. E. Lawrence signed up for the war, and he apparently values that above literally all other aspects of his life.

Like. Listen. In the first episode, Indy joins Pancho Villa and the Mexican Revolution because he wants to help people, but when a poor villager tells him how even the most just of wars inflict untold suffering on the innocents the soldiers claim to be fighting for, Indy becomes disillusioned with the war effort... only to read a letter + photograph he keeps with him from Lawrence, who says he's joining the war effort in Arabia because he believes it is a cause worth fighting for. And Indy proceeds to immediately forget literally everything he just heard that Mexican villager say and go "fuck it, we ball. and by ball I mean go to the trenches." Indy has decided that the Mexican Revolution "isn't his war", but he's American - WWI in 1916 isn't his war any more than the Mexican Revolution is. So that obviously can't be his justification??

Now, ostensibly he goes because his friend Remy, a Belgian guy he met in Mexico who was fighting for the revolution after his family was killed, decides to go back to Belgium and fight in his own homeland's war instead of the Mexican one. In fact, in the upcoming episodes, he and Remy are together quite a lot. But during the first episode set in Mexico, we are never given to believe that he and Indy are particularly close - they seem like acquaintances at best. Not much time is shown of them together, and we hoped that in the second episode, when the two of them disembark in London and enlist in the Belgian Army, we'd get some of that good old intergenerational friendship energy and really see why Indy, despite not necessarily believing in this war, might want to go to support his friend in Belgium, and his more distant friend in the Middle East.

Nah. Remy ditches Indy for a hot widow almost immediately, and for the entire rest of the episode his ass is GONE. He literally doesn't show up again except to give Indy the papers saying it's time to go to the army, and to be like "oh by the way I'm married now!" at the train station. Bro apparently does not hang out with Indy or tell him anything. Which would be understandable if they were acquaintances, but like??? Aren't they meant to be so close as friends that Indy would up and fight a war with this guy???

Meanwhile, Indy follows a cute girl to a suffragette meeting, they become best friends on the virtue of "speaking an unbelievably unrealistic number of languages" and "having literally identical backstories" (to the point where we found ourselves wishing she'd been Indiana Jones in this show instead, given that she's apparently just his cooler genderbent version played by someone who can act better), meet and get along with his tutor since childhood (who apparently is close enough with Indy now not to want him to enlist in the Army and endanger himself, despite the fact that she disliked Indy so much as a child and allowed him in so many absurdly dangerous situations that we became convinced she was deliberately trying to get him killed in a way that looked like an accident), and eventually fall in love. All through this, Indy helps with the women's suffrage movement, lends money to a poor woman and her children, watches his friend/girlfriend throw a dessert at Winston Churchill (who is in this episode for five minutes because Why The Hell Not I Guess), meets multiple people whose loved ones have been killed in the war, and is told by an older suffragette that one day of the good work he's put in today is worth one year of time in the trenches. At one point, while visiting the girl's family, he is asked why he joined the war effort, and gives an unbelievably vague and evasive answer that all but proves he doesn't even know why. And in the end, he wants to ask the girl to marry him, but she says no - partially because of the implication that she doesn't know him quite well enough to be willing to sign her rights away, and partially because she doesn't know if after the war they'll be two different people.

So let's look at the facts. Here in London, he has friends, family, someone he loves who he could spend a life with and eventually marry after they've established themselves, and a purpose he enjoys with clear, positive results. Sure, he's already signed up for the Belgian Army, but he enlisted under a half-assed fake name that couldn't possibly be traced. He scarcely ever sees Remy - he seems to owe him nothing, and owe his country no allegiance. Why not just... not go when his number is up? What reason on Earth could he have to do anything but stay?

So naturally, he just. He just fucking goes! For no conceivable reason - no conceivable reason other than that Lawrence is also in the war!

Indy's been friends with Lawrence since they met when Lawrence was 20 and Indy was a nine-year-old kid who couldn't act very well - Lawrence asked him to call him "Ned", and he still does (which, for the record, Indy's tutor, who has literally known Lawrence longer than Indy has and is on good terms with him, does not. Apparently she didn't get the nicknaming permission. Rip). Still does, because the only time Indy is able to give a concrete answer about anything in the war is when said tutor angrily asks him why he's enlisted, and he says that "Ned" is in the war! He knows this because apparently Lawrence actually kept his promise to write to him, and they've been writing letters and sending stuff to each other since Indy was a child! And - judging by every other thing in his life suggesting otherwise - Indy values the actions of his pen pal more than anyone else's opinions, his friends and love life, and his own safety and happiness! That doesn't seem like a normal way to react to the actions of a guy you only knew in-person for a few days as a child!

Unless...

...

...In conclusion, world-famous fictional film character Indiana Jones would not have become the person he is if it hadn't been for his gay little crush on real human man T. E. Lawrence.

[renaultphile]

‘Get to know me’ tag game.  Thank you for the tag @rottenlaertes and @nurseadriansbrother!

Do you make your bed?  Always air it first though!  Plus it’s a duvet so not exactly arduous……

Favourite number?  Has to be seven

Current job?  Public sector, can’t say more than that!

If you could go back to school would you?   Totally – it’s wasted on the young!

Can you parallel park? I can’t even drive!  But I am a very good backseat driver (apparently!)

A job you had that would surprise people? I once got free entry to a ball playing keyboards in a student band.  Yes it was downhill after that……

Do you think aliens are real?  100%  My favourite theory that I’ve seen is that they are so big we can’t see them!

Can you drive a manual car? No and not even an automatic either! I'm waiting for the driverless car technology

What’s your guilty pleasure? Anything sweet (literally and figuratively).

Tattoos?   No, too scared of pain, and too indecisive.

Favourite colour? Anything turquoise-y or aquamarine-y

Favourite type of music? Anything eclectic (I know that's cheating, sorry!)

Do you like puzzles?  Love puzzles but they can’t be too difficult.

Any phobias? So many to choose from but heights is a big one, following by enclosed spaces.

Favourite childhood sport? Swing-ball (you know with the tennis ball on a string that goes round….never mind)

Do you talk to yourself?  Constantly in my head.

What movie(s) do you adore? Lawrence of Arabia, The English Patient, Dune.  I do also like movies without sand dunes. 

Coffee or tea? Mostly coffee, pot of tea if I’m out though.

First thing you wanted to be growing up? There was this counsellor who used to do a phone-in and solve people’s problems in five minutes flat and for a long time that’s what I wanted to be!

Sorry I was late to the party so I think everyone's been tagged!!

[lolotheparagon]

Sofia the First Season 1 in a Nutshell

Gonna rapidfire review each Sofia the First episode in one paragraph cos I wanna gush about this show. Might do this with some other shows

Once Upon a Princess - 4/10

Local village girl Sofia becomes a princess cos her mum married the king and now has to deal with being part of the monarchy. Her half sister Amber goes into jealous bitch mode and makes Sofia's day a living hell then Cinderella literally appears out of the aether to gaslight Sofia into giving Amber a second chance. Not a great start, show.

Just One of the Princes - 7/10

Sofia learns about the inherent misogyny in Royal Prep regarding the flying horse derby and immediately goes lol fuck you im gonna fly a horse and win the race cos I can. Bluebell princess is best princess

The Big Sleepover - 9/10

Sofia invites her old besties from the village for a sleepover while Amber invites her own princess friends and Sofia legit thought that 3 snobby princesses and some village girls could get along.

Let the Good Times Troll - 8/10

Sofia befriends a bunch of trolls who quite literally cause panic on the dancefloor. They also perform a jazz musical number that fucking slaps

Cedric's Apprentice - 10/10

Hapless sorceror Cedric tries to take over the kingdom by getting Sofia's amulet but cant bring himself to do it cos Sofia is too baby must protect. One surefire way to make a villain sympathetic is make them completely incapable of hurting a child's feelings

A Royal Mess - 5/10

James destroys a stained glass window cos he played ball in the castle when THERES A COURTYARD JUST OUTSIDE

The Shy Princess - 10/10

Sofia befriends the class introvert and end up having the most adorable musical number together. In this house, we approve of the baby gays

Blue Ribbon Bunny - 4/10

Okay fuck off, Sofia would never replace her fave bunny Clover for a show rabbit just cos Amber suggested it.

The Princess Test - 8/10

Sofia having major insecurities over being a worthy princess while she's unknowingly flexing on every other princess in school by being her kindhearted self.

Baileywick's Day Off - 2/10

Baileywick finally gets a well deserved break. The royal family immediately proceed to bother him for help every 2 minutes cos they cant even tie their shoelaces without him. Oh but its okay cos they gave him a party at the end of the day.

The Tri-Kingdom Picnic - 5/10

Ooo, a tri-kingdom episode? Surely this'll be a great way to teach kids about different cultures and how it relates to the charac- oh wait its a James episode...great.

The Little Witch - 9/10

Sofia befriends the wicked witch who's pulling pranks on everyone. Turns out she's actually a little witch whos lonely cos everyone fears her so they work together to change her reputation. Awww

Takes Two to Tangu - 6/10

Amber and Sofia get lost in Arabia and the former is slowly losing her mind. Oh and Princess Jasmine's there.

Finding Clover - 7/10

Finally, a good Clover episode. This time, Sofia is travelling across the entire kingdom to search for him cos this kid is willing to trek through the Nine Circles of Hell to get her bunny back

The Amulet of Avalor - 10/10

This is just an extended Scooby Doo chase scene but with an amulet and I fucking love it

The Buttercups - 4/10

I find it really insulting that Baileywick is coddling poor Sofia from doing her outdoor Girl Scouts activities cos the king was being needlessly overprotective over her and Sofia just has to deal with it the majority of the episode

Make Way for Miss Nettle - 8/10

So the show's recurring villain is also a spiteful ex-member of the Sleeping Beauty fairies? And she's voiced by Megan Mullally? OH THIS IS GONNA BE FUN

The Amulet and the Anthem - -3/10

Remember, kids. Its good to have confidence in your achievements BUT DONT YOU DARE BOAST ABOUT THEM. And by boasting, we mean talking about your achievements for more than a minute. So we're gonna curse you until you apologise and we'll have PRINCESS BELLE OF ALL PEOPLE tell Sofia to make an effort to be a better person when she wasn't even that boastful to begin with (especially compared to Amber's boasting) like why is Belle here why couldnt Sofia's mother tell her that WHAT IS THIS EPISODE

Tea for Too Many - 5/10

Amber takes over Sofia's tea party because of her obsession with decadence and the inability to shut up. Sofia, you really need to stop being a pushover

Princess Butterfly - 10/10

A wonderful lesson about cheaters never prosper and that its wrong for to get someone else to give up something to fix your own mistakes. The first time Amber gets some proper development

Great Aunt-Venture - 7/10

Well, Roland's sister is an absolute delight. I sure do hope she wont become a boring quest-giver to Sofia later on!

The Baker King - 6/10

King Roland commanding a cow to make milk is the highlight of the whole episode. No, you will not get context for that.

The Floating Palace - -3/10

Sofia befriends a mermaid named Oona but the merpeople have this racial prejudice against humans so they hate Sofia because she's human but dont worry its all fixed by the end, Cedric wants Oona's comb cos apparently thats more powerful than Sofia's amulet??? so he turns into a sea monster and captures Oona so Sofia doesnt have any allies to help her but her family Oh and Sofia doesnt recognise Cedric in sea monster form EVEN THOUGH HE AINT EVEN HIDING HIS VOICE OH MY GOD THIS EP'S A MESS

Holiday in Enchancia - 7/10

Its a typical Christmas episode but its a very low-key, cosy one. The fact the royals are spending the holiday with a peasant family and giving them all their presents is so sweet. Like this is just pure serotonin

Four's a Crowd - 9/10

We see Sofia's jealous side conflicting with her happiness to see Amber getting along with her own friends, which is really interesting. Also its nice to see Amber being friends with characters who aren't royalty.

[atlasofearth]

when u get this, list 5 songs u like to listen to, publish. then, send this ask to 10 of your favorite followers/mutuals (positivity is cool)

omg I love this i adore talking abt music

1- my tears ricochet by taylor swift ; this song is everything to me i literally have analyzed every lyric like it’s shakespeare

2- lullaby by the cure

3- secret life of arabia by david bowie

4- wicked game by chris isaak

5- dreamers ball by queen 🥳

[selkienight60]

🌵 A/B/O Mafia AU 🐛

Preview: (CW: Mafia + Platonic A/B/O). Please feel free to leave me with your thoughts, suggestions and questions! I am trying something new and practicing a different style of writing and would love to get opinions!

“They fled to Saudi Arabia.”

Bruce exhaled, a muscle in his jaw working as he templed his fingers thoughtfully, elbows resting heavily on the desk.

“Hn. When?”

The inner sanctum study tasted of rusted iron and city concrete.

Alfred was unfazed by the wretched scent rolling off Bruce. Then again, thought the Alpha with a tight smile, Alfred knows me better than most.

“Last night.”

“Hn,” he said again, eyes narrowing. Off to the side, Alfred shifted toward the dying fire, promptly throwing on a new log while Bruce was lost in thought. 

“And the boy?”

Alfred turned and straightened. “Asleep.”

Admittedly, the child had not been a part of Bruce’s original plan. A spanner in the works, so to speak, but spanners were tools just like any other and they had their purpose.

“I will speak with him when he wakes.”

“Very good, sir.”

The Drakes’ debt was more than they could ever hope to pay off in their lifetime, more so now that their business was on the edge of bankruptcy.

“Have Lucius keep me informed,” he ordered, balling his fingers into fists. “If the Drake’s are in Saudi Arabia then it appears they may be looking for sanctuary with the Al Ghul’s. Monitor them. Twenty-four seven.”

Alfred inclined his head. “I believe Mr. Fox is already apprised of the situation.”

“Hn.”

“Cough drop, Master Bruce?”

“H—No.” The Alpha’s gaze had drifted from the paper stack to the fire, but they flicked up then.

One arched, exasperated eyebrow met him there.

Bruce would not be cowed by his own butler. He cleared his throat, and any slight trace of embarrassment lingering there. 

“Thank you, Alfred. That will be all.”

Stooping a short way, Alfred bowed politely at the dismissal, leaving Bruce to recline in his chair with his thoughts.

∘₊✧── 🌸 ──✧₊∘🌸∘₊✧── 🌸 ──✧₊∘

🌸 If you liked this preview please feel free to let me know by leaving a comment!

🌸 Please feel free to follow me on Tumblr or on AO3.

🌸 Translations/remixes/edits/fanart, etc. is always welcome of this work!

🌸 Constructive criticism is welcome on this work.

🌸 Please do not leave mean comments or ratings in the notes.

🌸 Thanks for reading!

∘₊✧── 🌸 ──✧₊∘🌸∘₊✧── 🌸 ──✧₊∘

[new-berry]

I love that fresh open feeling after you finish a fic, when you carefully open your WIP and…

Oh wait no I hate that feeling. I want to write allllll of them, and I also want someone else to write them.

Right. Pick a random name (I don’t know who I’m asking to do that, me I guess?) and finish something.

John Terry is probably going to chip off bits of his soul in Saudi Arabia. Hmmmmm Frank Lampard. Frank Frank Frank.

Or for the like one person who managed to make it through the John Stones and the Kids then John Stones and the women might be surprised to know I have other horrible things for John Stones and the grown ups.

“One night Son called him, drunk, he said cloud of fireflies or fireworks or aliens or disco balls were seen in the DMZ. Loud explosions like a hundred hand grenades were going off.”

[kindheart525]

“Heavenly? Where are you?”

She’d noticed her wife’s absence almost immediately. It wasn’t like Heavenly Glow to just up and leave like that, especially during an event as high-profile as this. Why, she would be disgusted at even the thought of it. Sahar could tell from Heavenly’s unusually-shy and anxious demeanor earlier that something was off with her, so she was the first to go looking for her.

“There you are!”

Deep within the gardens Sahar finally found Heavenly, just out of earshot of the ball. The mare was pacing and muttering to herself before she jolted up like she was being interrupted from something secret.

“Oh! Hello, Sahar.”

“Why you are here? Why you leave the party?”

“I just needed some time to think, that’s all.”

Heavenly brushed her off, though her tone was more soft and introspective than her usual sternness.

Sahar didn’t accept this as the whole truth, not for a second. She’d known all day there was more under the surface. So she gently pushed her to open up.

“All day you are very nervous. You like my parents?”

“Of course I do. They seem very kind and loving, especially towards you. How could I not like them after they’ve raised somepony so wonderful?”

A soft smile spread across the hippogriff mare’s face as she nuzzled her wife.

“My concern is more about whether they like me.”

Sahar’s eyes widened in surprise, hardly able to fathom the idea of the two ponies who raised her not approving of her lover. She knew them better than that.

“How do they not like you? My mother is excited to meet you, very excited! My father is happy that you learn Saddle Arabia culture! Because I do not write letters, they worry. Not because they see you as bad pony.”

“I suppose so. You know them best.”

Heavenly hesitated.

“It’s just…well, I’ve been absolutely awful to you, Sahar. We both remember it clearly. I have been trying to be better for you, every day I step out of my comfort zone and I do so willingly. But I know that no matter how much better I become—even if I were blessed by Gaia this instant—it will never undo what I have done. I fear…”

She bowed her head in shame.

“I fear I don’t deserve you.”

Sahar’s heart dropped upon hearing this, this was so unlike the mare that she’d grown to love. It hurt to know she thought herself unworthy when Sahar was absolutely in awe at her growth.

“Do not believe it, Heavenly!”

Sahar lifted up her chin until she was looking her in the eye.

“You deserve me and I deserve you! We are a team, we are���equals! Yes! Before you do many bad things, but now you do many good things. The good things only matter because you are good pony now.”

Then she got an idea.

“We have a saying in Saddle Arabia, a lesson for life. My parents tell me, ‘تجري الرياح بما لا تشتهي السفن.’”

“What does it mean?”

“It means, ‘The winds do not blow as the vessels wish.’ The past you cannot change. In your life, not everything you can control. You have to…um, go with the flow. That is how you say it?”

Heavenly nodded.

“Yes! Go with the flow, and try to be good pony. Then it will be a good life. You try to be good pony already, that is enough.”

Sahar’s words were the most comforting Heavenly had heard all night, her optimism was always infectious but this was more than that. Heavenly was enough. And she was right, she couldn’t change the past. But she could keep trying to be better, keep making the conscious choice to be selfless and caring. As long as she did so, she was forgiven.

“Thank you, Sahar.”

Was all she could say in response.

“Yes! You are welcome!”

She took her hoof in hers.

“You will come to the party and dance with me?”

“Let’s dance right here first.”

Heavenly pulled her close and started swaying to the music they both heard faintly, a song which was louder in both of their hearts. Sahar quickly fell into rhythm and they danced, following each other’s strides and twirling until the stars were spinning. It was a traditional dance that they’d practiced, but in this moment, it felt as if they’d invented their own dance to their own song.

Slowly they danced their way back to the ball, but it felt as if they were the only ones in the universe even as the voices of others grew louder.

Before they got too close, Heavenly remembered something.

“There’s one more phrase I learned in your language, by the way.”

“Oh? What did you learn?”

Heavenly leaned into her wife’s ear, their heartbeats both in sync as she uttered tenderly in her tongue,

“I love you, Sahar.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Previous: Sire and Dam

Background by csillaghullo

[breathetoseethetruth]

Amber Heard is an incredibly intelligent, inspiring, and interesting person.

Sadly, throughout the past years, not enough attention was brought to that. The vile lies that were told about her were numerous and unimaginable, every possible shortcoming of hers, even if insignificant, was magnified by a tenfold.

That's why I want to bring more attention to one of the many positive things about her: her impressive literary taste.

Here are just some of the books she's read, oftentimes just in a single day:

1. The Genius book series, by Leopoldo Gout:

Trust no one. Every camera is an eye. Every microphone an ear. Find me and we can stop him together.

2. Empire, by Niall Ferguson:

Once vast swathes of the globe were coloured imperial red and Britannia ruled not just the waves, but the prairies of America, the plains of Asia, the jungles of Africa and the deserts of Arabia.

3. The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, by Carl Sagan:

How can we make intelligent decisions about our increasingly technology-driven lives if we don’t understand the difference between the myths of pseudoscience and the testable hypotheses of science?

4. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, by Jared Diamond:

Jared Diamond's Collapse uncovers the secret behind why some societies flourish, while others founder - and what this means for our future.

5. Arguably: Selected Essays, by Christopher Hitchens:

The book forms a bridge between the two parallel enterprises of culture and politics. It reveals how politics justifies itself by culture, and how the latter prompts the former.

6. Cinderella Liberator, by R. Solnit:

Cinderella goes to a ball, and makes friends with a prince. But that is where the familiar story ends. Instead of waiting to be rescued, she learns that she can save herself by being true to herself and standing up for what she believes.

7. Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow, by Yuval Noah Harari:

Humankind has managed to do the impossible and rein in famine, plague, and war. Famine, plague and war have been transformed from incomprehensible and uncontrollable forces of nature into manageable challenges.

8. 100 Love Sonnets, by Pablo Neruda:

The line of poetry that is one of her tattoos:

Te amo como se aman ciertas cosas oscuras, secretamente, entre la sombra y el alma - I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

9. The Rubáiyát, by Omar Khayyám:

The line of poetry that is one of her tattoos:

Since the fate of the world is non-existence, since you exist, be merry.

10. Midnight's Children, by Salman Rushdie:

The Book is amazing, both fairy tale and political narrative told through a supernatural narrator, who is caught between different worlds. It's a book with themes of India's nationhood and of ethnic and personal identity.

11. Cleopatra: A Life, by Stacy Schiff:

The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer brings to life the most intriguing woman in the history of the world: Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt.

12. The Immortalist, by Alan Harrington:

Within the last few years, we have circled the moon, harnessed nuclear energy, artificially reproduced DNA, and now have the biochemical means to control birth; why should death itself, the Last Enemy, be considered sacred and beyond conquest?

13. Various works of Simon Sebag Montefiore

14. Bertrand Russell (most famous work: The Principles Of Mathematics: in this work, the author presented his famous paradox and argued his thesis that mathematics and logic are identical.)

15. Selected Poems, by Robert Herrick:

A great survivor among the Cavalier poets, most of his poems were composed in a remote Devonshire parish. Even so, the body of his poetry is large and his religious vocation hardly shows in the almost innocent exhuberance of his fine verse.

16. Blueprint for Revolution, by S.Popovic:

A book for those who wants to improve neighborhood, make a difference in community, or change the world. The 1st part of the book discusses modern nonviolent revolutions, and the 2nd explains how nonviolent techniques can be put to good use.

17. The Female Persuasion, by Meg Wolitzer:

The author delivers a novel about power and influence, ego and loyalty, womanhood and ambition. The book is about the flame we all believe is flickering inside of us, waiting to be seen and fanned by the right person at the right time.

18. Eve Was Framed, by H. Kennedy:

Focuses on the treatment of women in courts - at the prejudices of judges, the misconceptions of jurors, the labyrinths of court procedures and the influence of the media. Cases affected by race/class poverty/who are burdened by misleading stereotypes.

19. Mythos, by Stephen Fry:

Stephen Fry breathes new life into beloved tales. From Persephone's pomegranate seeds to Prometheus's fire, from devious divine schemes to immortal love affairs, Fry draws out the humor and pathos in each story and reveals its relevance for our own time.

20. The Portable Atheist, by C. Hitchens:

In an anthology of atheist and agnostic thought, he writes briefly about the selected essays of past and present philosophers and scientists. Atheist? Believer? Uncertain? No matter: it will speak to you and engage you every step of the way.

21. Flowers of Evil: A Selection, by Charles Baudelaire:

The greatest French poet of the 19th century, Baudelaire was also the first truly modem poet, and his direct and indirect influence on the literature of our time has been immeasurable.

22. Twelve Against the Gods, by William Bolitho:

This book is intended to elucidate history somewhat, more to illustrate it, to honor without hypocrisy the deeds of men and women whose destiny was larger, if not deeper than our own.

23. The Culture-series, by Iain Banks:

An Utopian Sci-Fi series that spans a large number of novels. Amber was seen reading the novel "Surface Detail" out of the series: it begins in the realm of the Real, where matter still matters. It begins with a murder. It will not end until the Culture has gone to war with death itself.

24. Collected Poems, by Robert Graves:

Graves described poetry as his ruling passion, and for him love was 'the main theme and origin of true poems'. He created a rich mythology where love, fear, fantasy and the supernatural play an essential role.

25. The Properties of Perpetual Light, by Julian Aguon:

The Properties of Perpetual Light is a collection of soulful ruminations about love, loss, struggle, resilience and power. Part memoir, part manifesto, the book is both a coming-of-age story and a call for justice.

26. Sus Mejores Versos, by Victor Hugo:

A collection of intimate love poems, satires against the political establishment, serene meditations, religious verse, and narrative poems illustrating his mastery of the art of storytelling and his abiding concern for the social issues of his time

27. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman, by Robert K. Massie:

Catherine the Great is the extraordinary story of an obscure young German princess who travelled to Russia at the tender age of fourteen and rose to become one of the most powerful, and captivating women in history.

Source: @artsaheard on Twitter

[littlebluedragonspetz]

A Couple Of Chill Days With The Drakenz

Yeah, no double post. Was busy yesterday so there wasn't much to take note of and today was laidback so I'll be posting about both days in this post.

Funny enough, as of yesterday Malta now has actual claws after seeing a sneak peek of them the day before! To celebrate she gets a whole hunk of beef steak. Yummy!

Panther also now has fully visible claws, so he gets a whole, fresh fish to celebrate!

I took the two to Arabia yesterday, although I turned off host characters since I'm giving the two chances to see if they'll breed on their own.

No lie, the snake basket was my main reason for taking the two to Arabia. They may find (one of) their inspiration sources too scary but I love snakes!

Err... Way too scary, apparently.

Fun fact: Olives are fish flavored. Or, at least, they share the same flavor value as fish. For some reason. No surprise Panther kept staring at the olive tray during the trip, which they both did get some olives (although the less energetic Malta definitely got less olives, that girl's getting a bit chunky).

Can also say me and the drakez have bonded well, Panther gave me a licking even while he had that Arcanine in his mouth! Sweet creatures!

By the next day I see more signs of further development, not only has Panther started growing a little nose horn but it seems the both of them will grow spiky backs! Impressive!

For today, the Drakenz get to hang out in the Fantasy castle. Although Panther was pretty sus of the Knight. Can't say I'm surprised, they've grown big enough to look like they're ready to pillage a princess and kidnap a village!

And yet, despite appearances, they're the same goofballz I had since they were tiny, tiny li'l wyrms! Admittedly, my attention today was mostly elsewhere while I had Petz running but the two were more interested in playing together rather than stuff like fetching. I had the Auto Ball out to try and get Malta more active but it was Panther who showed the most interest in it and, even then, he wasn't that enthusiastic over it. Kind of surprised, considering it's the Auto Ball! But what did grab their attention?

Catnip.

Of course.

[mygreatadventurehasbegun]

Top 5 popular movies you still haven't seen, top 5 movies with the worst costuming, top five comedies, top five movies other people generally dislike that you enjoy

Top Five Movies I haven't Seen:

Vivacious Lady- though I found it at my library yesterday, so I'm watching it tonight or tomorrow!

Deception- A Bette Davis/Claude Rains melodrama where he's the antagonist?? Yes, please!!

Pearl- After watching X a couple weeks ago, I definitely need to see Pearl! I had heard of it, of course, and was originally going to just watch that, since I heard good things...but X was available for free, briefly, and then I discovered that Pearl is a prequel! And it looks like such a cool horror flick.

Lawrence of Arabia- It's been on my list for a long time...but it's so damn long, that it's tough to find the time to watch it!

Deathtrap- It looks like such a fun mystery thriller! And it would be nice to see Christopher Reeve playing someone other than Superman.

Top Five Movies with the Worst Costuming

Little Women (2019)- I mean, I've written about my loathing for this movie and its costumes so many times, it's no surprise that this is number one.

Beauty and the Beast (2017)- Honestly, this isn't a critique of the entire film's costumes...just the two ball gowns, which clash so much with the rest of the fantasy 18th century clothing, and it makes me sad.

Phantom of the Opera (2004)- Another one where the costumes aren't atrocious...but you can tell that they just didn't have much of a budget. So when you compare them to the stage production, everything pales in comparison...especially because the lighting/cinematography is so bright and washed out that you can see everything. The costumes might have looked better if there were more shadows or darkness.

I honestly cannot think of two more movies where the costumes annoy me, so I'm going to make the last two TV Shows!

Reign- I have never seen this show...but...I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that that is not how they dressed in the 16th century.

When Calls the Heart- this show is supposed to be set in the early 1900s.

Top Five Comedies:

The Philadelphia Story

How to Steal a Million

Clue

Drop Dead Gorgeous

The Princess Bride

Top Five Movies you enjoy that other people Generally Dislike

Phantom of the Opera (1943)- I feel like if you're a Phantom purist, you probably don't like this movie, as it changes too much from the book...and I've seen a lot of general "meh" reviews on the movie...I DON'T CARE, I LOVE IT SO MUCH

Drop Dead Gorgeous- Now, I don't think people dislike this movie, in general, but I can totally understand if people don't like it...this one is interesting, because I feel like if you grew up at a very particular time, you love this movie. But I feel like most people who watch it for the first time nowadays don't love it, because there are moments that...have not...aged well. The "r" word gets thrown around a lot...there's one side story where a white girl keeps referring to herself as Asian-American...I can see why it's not for everyone. But as a MN girl who was a teenager when this movie came out, there's no way I cannot love it.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers- Another movie that maybe hasn't aged that great...I feel like this one has a lot more "general dislike", and I totally get why...I just like it for the fun musical numbers and tone, while totally agreeing that on first viewing, there are definitely some issues...I mean, it's about a bunch of brothers that kidnap the girls they have crushes on. I mean, if you examine it, you can talk about how the character of Millie generally takes no shit from her brothers-in-law, and teaches them how to be decent people...but I mostly watch it for the choreography, lol.

Little Women (1949)- I wouldn't say this one is generally disliked; it's just usually put down lower on the list of LW adaptations. People who love the 1933 version call this one a tired retread, people who like the newer adaptations think this one is boring. But there is something about this one that I just love...and it is probably my personal favorite (while admitting that the 1994 film is the best film overall)

Tuck Everlasting- I don't think this film is necessarily hated, but I know it's very different from the book and it changes a lot/leaves stuff out, etc. And I think most people give it an "it's ok, I guess" review, and then promptly forget about it. But I saw this movie before I knew the specifics of the book, and I really enjoyed it. I still watch it every once and a while, and it gives me a bit of nostalgia...and I do think it's a very pretty movie...really nice cinematography and set/costume design.

*This last one was tough, cause I don't have that many "unpopular opinions" when it comes to movies...at least for films that I like (obviously really disliking LW '19 is an unpopular opinion)...so some of my choices were sort of "middle of the road".

[rockislandadultreads]

Women’s History Month: Memoir Recommendations

Both/And by Huma Abedin

The daughter of Indian and Pakistani intellectuals and advocates, Abedin grew up in the United States and Saudi Arabia and traveled widely. She launched full steam into a college internship in the office of the First Lady in 1996, never imagining that her work at the White House would blossom into a career in public service, nor that her career would become an all-consuming way of life. This volume grapples with family, legacy, identity, faith, marriage, motherhood - and work - with wisdom, sophistication, and clarity.

One Life by Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe, Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women's World Cup champion, reveals for the first time her life both on and off the field. Only four years old when she kicked her first soccer ball, she developed a love - and clear talent - for the game at a young age. But it was her parents who taught her that winning was much less important than how she lived her life. Guided by her personal journey into social justice, she urges all of us to ask ourselves, What will you do with your one life?

My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor

The first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor has become an instant American icon. Now, with a candor and intimacy never undertaken by a sitting Justice, she recounts her life from a Bronx housing project to the federal bench, a journey that offers an inspiring testament to her own extraordinary determination and the power of believing in oneself.

Here is the story of a precarious childhood, with an alcoholic father (who would die when she was nine) and a devoted but overburdened mother, and of the refuge a little girl took from the turmoil at home with her passionately spirited paternal grandmother. But it was when she was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes that the precocious Sonia recognized she must ultimately depend on herself. Along the way we see how she was shaped by her invaluable mentors, a failed marriage, and the modern version of extended family she has created from cherished friends and their children. Through her still-astonished eyes, America’s infinite possibilities are envisioned anew in this warm and honest book, destined to become a classic of self-invention and self-discovery.

My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The first book from Ruth Bader Ginsburg since becoming a Supreme Court Justice in 1993—a witty, engaging, serious, and playful collection of writings and speeches from the woman who has had a powerful and enduring influence on law, women’s rights, and popular culture.

My Own Words offers Justice Ginsburg on wide-ranging topics, including gender equality, the workways of the Supreme Court, being Jewish, law and lawyers in opera, and the value of looking beyond US shores when interpreting the US Constitution. Throughout her life Justice Ginsburg has been (and continues to be) a prolific writer and public speaker. This book’s sampling is selected by Justice Ginsburg and her authorized biographers Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams. Justice Ginsburg has written an introduction to the book, and Hartnett and Williams introduce each chapter, giving biographical context and quotes gleaned from hundreds of interviews they have conducted. This is a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of America’s most influential women.

[jellogram]

I love the classic film concept of movies being however long they need to be. Pre-code and code-era horror movies are regularly 70 minutes, some under 60. Fuck it, Lawrence of Arabia can be four hours long. Who cares.

Nowadays everything is 90-150 minutes long varied by genre and you get a lot of middle-length movies that either feel rushed or drawn out. Where's the guts. Who has the balls to say "No this movie only needs to be 62 minutes" or "No this absolutely needs five hours. Deal with it." Where's your audacity.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 7.8

Holidays

Air Force and Air Defense Forces Day (Ukraine)

Arafat Day (Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Kuwait, Libya, UAE)

ASB & Health Day (UK)

Be a Kid Again Day

Carver Day (Missouri)

Child Honoring Day (Raffi Foundation)

Constitution Day (Palau)

Corban Bairam Day (Sudan)

Family Day (Ukraine)

Gospel Day (Kiribati)

Hajj Day (Maldives)

Hamburg Massacre Anniversary Day

Historic Places Day (Canada)

International Body Painting Day

International Paramedics Day

Killer Joke Day

Kurban Bayramı Eve (Turkey)

Liberty Bell Crack Day

Math 2.0 Day

Mediterranean International Day

National Day of Righteous Outrage

National Denise Day

National Kathryn Day

National Love Your Skin Day

National Scince Day (Brazil)

National Videogame Day

Old Crafts Day

Olive Branch Petition Day

Oneofusismissing Day

Park Day (French Republic)

Picking Up Women Day (Japan)

SCUD Day (Savor the Comic, Unplug the Drama)

Soapy Smith Wake (Alaska)

There Has Always Been Something Day

Video Games Day

World Day of Allergies

Ziegfeld Follies Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Coca-Cola Day

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Omelette Day

National Blueberry Day

National Freezer Pop Day

National Ice Cream Sundae Day

National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day

World Tea Party Day (SPANA or Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad)

2nd Saturday in July

Bald In / Bald Out Day [2nd Saturday]

Blissfest begins (Michigan) [2nd Saturday]

Bohemian Club Rites begin (California) [2nd Saturday]

Bon Odori (Festival of the Lanterns; Japan) [2nd Saturday]

Carver Day (Missouri) [2nd Saturday]

Grange Day [2nd Saturday]

International Brick & Rolling Pin Throwing Contest (Stroud; Australia, Canada, UK, US) [2nd Saturday]

International Skinny Dip Day [2nd Saturday]

Lindenfest begins (Rhineland, Germany) [2nd Saturday]

The Mooning of the Amtrak (Laguna Niguel, California) [2nd Saturday]

Stone House Day (New York) [2nd Saturday]

World Rum Day [2nd Saturday]

Independence Days

Empire of Pavlov (Declared; 2012) [unrecognized]

Kingdom of Beaver Island (Declared; 1850) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Abda and Sabas (Christian; Saint)

Artemisia Gentileschi (Artology)

Auspicius of Trier (Christian; Saint)

Charlotte the Penguin (Muppetism)

Eid al Adha (Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen)

Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal (Christian; Saint)

Feast of Sunniva (Norse Goddess of the Sun)

Grimbald (Christian; Confessor)

Innocent III (Positivist; Saint)

Itchy (Muppetism)

Justica II: Day of Dike (Pagan)

Kilian, Totnan, and Colman (Christian; Saints) [Kilian: Bavaria, Austria]

Meatball Appreciation Day (Pastafarian)

Nummius (Christian; Confessor)

Peter and Fevronia Day (Russian Orthodox)

Procopius of Scythopolis (Christian; Saint)

Sunniva and companions (Norse Solar Maidens)

Theobald of Marly (Christian; Saint)

Vitulatio (Ancient Roman Fruits of the Earth celebration)

Withburge of Norfolk (Christian; Saint)

Zorak Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Batman: Gotham Knight (WB Animated Film; 2008)

Beauty and the Beat, by The Go-Go’s (Album; 1981)

8 Ball Bunny (WB LT Cartoon; 1950)

Fantastic Four (Film; 2005)

The Goblet of Fire, by J.K. Rowling (Novel; 2000) [Harry Potter #4]

Having a Wild Weekend (Film; 1965)

Horrible Bosses (Film; 2011)

How to Have an Accident in the Home (Disney Cartoon; 1956)

Inception (Film; 2010)

Melrose Place (TV Series; 1992)

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (Film; 2016)

Murderball (Film; 2005)

Nowhere Man, by The Beatles (4-Track EP; 1966)

The Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling (Novel; 1999) [Harry Potter #3]

Radio Free Europe, by R.E.M. (Song; 1981)

The Sea Beast (Animated Film; 2022)

The Secret Life of Pets (Animated Film; 2016)

Shuffle Off to Buffalo (WB MM Cartoon; 1933)

Sword Art Online (Anime Series; 2012)

Thor: Love and Thunder (Film; 2022)

Wannabe, by the Spice Girls (Album; 1996)

You Better Run, by Pat Benatar (Song; 1980)

Today’s Name Days

Amalia, Edgar, Kilian (Austria)

Akvila, Eugen, Hadrijan, Priscila (Croatia)

Nora (Czech Republic)

Kjeld (Denmark)

Eleonoora, Ellinor, Leonoora, Loora, Loore, Noora, Nora (Estonia)

Turkka, Turo (Finland)

Edgar, Killian, Priscillia, Thibault (France)

Kilian, Amalia, Edgar (Germany)

Prokopios, Theofilos (Greece)

Ellák (Hungary)

Domenica (Italy)

Ada, Adele, Adeline, Antra (Latvia)

Arnoldas, Elžbieta, Elzė, Vaitautas, Valmantė, Virga, Virginija (Lithuania)

Sunniva, Synne, Synnøve (Norway)

Adrian, Adrianna, Chwalimir, Edgar, Elżbieta, Eugeniusz, Kilian, Prokop, Wirginia (Poland)

Astion, Epictet (România)

Ivan (Slovakia)

Adrián, Adriano, Priscila (Spain)

Kjell (Sweden)

Prokip, Prokop (Ukraine)

Aquila, Aquiline, Easton, Kilian (USA)

Thibaut (Universal)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 189 of 2024; 176 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 27 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Duir (Oak) [Day 27 of 28]

Chinese: Month 5 (Wu-Wu), Day 21 (Ding-Mao)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 19 Tammuz 5783

Islamic: 19 Dhu al-Hijjah 1444

J Cal: 9 Lux; Twosday [9 of 30]

Julian: 25 June 2023

Moon: 65%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 21 Charlemagne (7th Month) [Innocent III]

Runic Half Month: Feoh (Wealth) [Day 10 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 18 of 94)

Zodiac: Cancer (Day 18 of 31)

[weatherman667]

Rise of the Third Power: Characters

Rowan

A drunken former pirate.  He joined the navy during the Great War, and was kicked out for being drunk.  When he was asked if he was mad, he feels it was his own problem for being drunk.  He tried being a pirate, and it didn’t end well. He has nothing to live for, but something to die for.

He is the first tank you get, and the tankiest of the tanks.  He has talents that let him develop a LOT more rage when being attacked, this allows him to taunt an enemy army, tank their attacks, and use his most powerful attack every turn.  Considering he is the tankiest, he has the lowest natural damage of any character.

Well, unless you use his signature ability, Booze, where he drinks from his flask. This heasl 25% of his total HP, (he has a LOT of HP, so this is extremely useful), increases his damage by 25%, and reduces his defence by 25%.  The best way to use this is to have him tank until you thin out their numbers, and then drink to your damage to finish the boss off.

Corrina

She’s interracial, and her parents died when she was young.  She grew up in street gangs.  She is convinced she’s not going to live very long.  This means she can’t keep herself alive, but she can die well, and go and see her parents in the afterlife.

She is a rogue, and most of her attacks focus on creating vulnerabilities and then exploiting them.  If you do it right, she has the most powerful attacks in the game.  If you do it wrong, she is one of the weakest.  She also has the Death Blow ability, which is extremely powerful, but takes most of her energy.  She gets some of it back if she kills target.  If she can deal enough damage to kill enemies in one hit, she can take out two enemies before running out of power, and becoming a LOT less power.

Arielle

Finally a red-headed princess that uses the feminine version of her name.  As much a love The Little Mermaid, her being called Ariel has pissed me off for years.

Anyways, she picks up a Carronade.  Her attacks are power, but draining.  It’s impossible to have her actually fighting without getting at least some fatigue.  She’s the only one who does not have an attack that does not cost rage/energy/mana.  All of her attacks cost energy, and she has the ability to reload, which recharges her energy.  She can get four cannon balls before running out of energy.  Grapeshot costs half as much, while mortar shells take almost double.  She can prepare, which can be upgraded to deal double damage, and preparing is free.

She is extremely powerful, but also extremely vulnerable.

Reyna

Priestess of the Stars.  The religion that covers the gameworld has three main paths, Sun from Tariq (fantasy Arabia), Moon from Arkadya (fantasy Russia), and Stars from Cirinithia (fantasy Europe).

She is almost the only one that can heal.  She has a lot of great support abilities, a good attack that recharges half of her mana, and a powerful attack.  She can miin/max her default attack to become one of the most powerful default attack in the game, which reduces her healing abilities.  Most of the characters can be healed fully even if you do this, but the tanks are a different story.

Aden

Evil-ish Warlock.  He’s working with you because he wants to kill his sister.  His sister happens to be the most powerful opponent in the evil empire.  He actually does care about people, but just wasn’t socialized every well.

He is one of the best Warlock characters I’ve seen in a video game.  Most of the time they give you a bunch of demons that are generically different.  He has one.   It has high all-around stats, the ability to curse enemies with amplify damage, and the power to Doom anything but bosses.  In order to summon him you need a Dark Pact, which Aden gets by killing someone.  This works with any way of killing someone.  His basic attack is powerful, and heals him.  Next he has Plague, which does two stacks of heavy DoT to one enemy, or one stack to all enemies.  If you do it a few turns in the row, he can deal a lot of damage to enemy groups, or a lot more damage to one enemy.

Rashim

Arabian sunlight Paladin.

He has the Lure ability, which gives a chance to cause enemies to attack him based off the number of stacks you have.  His lure includes a regeneration, along with two kinds of counterattacks.  He is the only one with a basic/free all-target attack.  It starts off weak, but you can a) use the spy to poison his weapons, causing him to poison every enemy, every turn, for free, or b) min/max his damage for his basic all-target attack.

My personal favourite.

Natasha

Spymaster for the resistance.  She is fully committed to the cause, meaning she will do pretty much anything to see it through.  Good thing she’s on your side, or else she would be one of your most powerful enemies.

Her abilities focus on support, either herself or her allies.  She has the only other healing ability in the game, that can be upgraded to cure status effects as well.  She can give an ally another turn, (next round), poison an ally’s weapons, (even all-target attacks), mark enemies for you Princess of the Carronades. She can upgrade her basic attack to add 1 turn for all DoT effects.  This means you can have a bunch of people cause DoT effects, swap them out, and as long as Natasha attacks every turn, they will never expire.

(semi-spoiler)

Storm Paladin.  He is the least tanky of tanks, but makes up for it with powerful, often all-target attacks.  He can also learn to have his attacks mark targets for the Princess of the Carronade, meaning he doesn’t have to waste a turn to mark a single target.

All of the characters are incredibly interesting, have important roles in the story, dramatic moments, character development.

And you can make them as powerful as you want.  You can make min/max them, balance them.  They have different roles in the party, and picking the wrong one for a battle can mean your doom.  At least on Hard, which is what I’m playing on.