#motoring review

[legendary-guest]

what r ur favorite drakgo fics?

A very good question! I have a lot of favourites! List with blurbs and commentary incoming, giant. Reviewed Mad Angry, Mad Crazy by bcbdrums Hell hath no fury like a mad scientist scorned! Borderline psychological thriller, equal parts character deconstruction and tragedy, a twisted telling of the aftermath of So the Drama and Mad Dogs and Aliens. Love having your brain scrambled, heart torn apart? This one's for you! I've reviewed this one in particular for anyone who may feel lost when following the story; also, because I adore it.

Mint by OhBoyOhBoy A moment of deep sentiment and romance amongst chaos and debris. Tension is built upon excellently, the sweetness is the peak and the end, a (literal) gasp. This author has great work, but this is my absolute favourite. Contains my favourite Shego name ever.

Drakgo Drabbles by gofordrakgo Some of the best drabble work I have ever seen. No word is wasted. Moments in time, bits of unique characterisation, huge events condensed into 100 words; a wide variety of topics and themes. You will find something you love here, don't let the word count put you off. Less is more, and how! I recommend revisiting a piece that catches your interest to appreciate it better, don't fly through. Dwelling by gofordrakgo A unique origin story for our favourite villains, where a young Shego, Shea (my second favourite Shego name), worms her way into dorky Drew Lipsky's derelict apartment and the domino effect that comes of it. Reverse-engineered Drakgo; unrefined, naive, and...innocent? Lots of sweetness and humour with an underlying, creeping darkness. Developing story, I recommend sticking around - I know I am! and now i'm covered in you by soulffles (NSFW 18+) A fantastic post-Graduation get-together fic with wonderful prose. Deeply romantic, intimate and funny! The internal monologues for this piece are spot on, the way the author weaves in humour amongst these vulnerable moments and thoughts just endears me to Drakken and Shego's plight of...realising that they love each other. A Precise Hand by eclipsing-dreams Fantastic subject of hands being the focus, revolving around all the wonderful things they can do (and can elicit!). Two chapters, one for each of them. Excellently constructed, fantastic characterisation, and just a touch (har har) naughty. A slightly unique edge of characterisation is given to Shego's part that I find intriguing. Happy, sweet ending; you aren't left hanging! Highly recommend the author's other pieces, this is simply my favourite. Here by gofordrakgo Drakken and Shego show-up for each other when they need someone most. The Shego section in this story is my favourite; the best depiction of, to avoid spoilers, a 'vulnerable' Shego I have ever seen. This convinced me, this was her. Dr. D showing up for her in that part, my goodness. I love it. The wounded pride, the shame, the quashing of feeling she presents is just great. Fantastic balance. So lovely. Happy ending. Friends by gofordrakgo Shego realises she may not have been the greatest friend to Drakken, and questions the nature of their relationship post-Graduation in her emotional exhaustion. Fantastic character breakdown, very tightly written. If you love slow-on-the-uptake Drakgo, an emotionally exhausted Shego who suddenly lets her thoughts (and feelings) run wild and awkward domesticity, I recommend. Forfeit by bcbdrums The only winning move is not to play! Somewhat non-linear story-telling, smashing together the bits of Dr. Drakken's shattered life post-Graduation, and post-Shego. O, we love a good Greek tragedy! Parting is such sweet sorrow. Jealous by TheyCanHaveTheSex (NSFW 18+) How can I say no to angry, angst fuelled sex, anguish and repressed feeling? How can I say no to jealousy? I can't, is the answer. Love the tension and how bizarre Shego is in particular in this piece, at least to a certain point. The way the story gives way to genuine hurt, too, I really love it a lot. It's not very heavy, in my opinion, but it does get a bit sad. Sweet, happy ending, I really love this one.

Unreviewed A New Beginning by Windcage (NSFW 18+) Yet another fantastic post-Graduation get-together fic! Mature, sort of refined atmosphere that I love, featuring a particularly distracted Dr. Drakken and an unusually patient Shego - until she isn't. Very, very sweet, romantic and funny. Doc's plant mutation is characterised in a fun way here as well. Highly recommend. come back when you can by obijuankenobi (NSFW 18+) A Drakgo exclusive Graduation Part 1, basically! Excellently written exploration of Drakken and Shego's new careers post-Graduation, and insight into how Dr. D really sees himself, after all the fanfare. Well-written, fun plot that does not overstay its welcome, fun action scenes, Drakken and Shego protecting each other, and, most of all, extremely sweet and tender romance. A++, five gold stars, Honour Roll, you name it. And, Motor Ed gives Shego a sexy motorcycle! Why didn't she ever have one in the show? This author gets it. Bad is Good and Good is Bad by split-n-splice Realistic, gritty and somewhat surreal depiction of how Drakken and Shego met, before they became Drakken and Shego. Strong, tense atmosphere. Visceral, ugly, the lowest they have ever been in their young lives, and, when they meet, consequences are inevitable and paths are determined, set in stone. The author makes clever narrative choices, such as omitting names entirely, which builds upon the emerging, almost 'blank slate' aspects of the Doc's and Shego's identities as youths at this point in time. The setting is fantastic, probably my favourite aspect of this piece. So many strong bits of imagery that involve the environment, especially in the second and third chapters. A great scar origin story, too. I highly recommend for anyone who likes something meatier, more grounded. O yeah, and there's great art inside! How considerate of the author to help the reader out! Durable by tabbyclaw Love this one, especially the bluntness of Shego's inner monologue/prose. Possessive, cheeky, somewhat domineering, almost feigning playing second-fiddle to Dr. Drakken. The setting for this is great, there's a great sense of Shego-flavoured risk and recklessness involved without sacrificing her glamour. This might all sound like nonsense, but, I assure you, it is all there in the text! Fans of kissy-face, this one is for you! (Meaning, every Drakgo fan ever, but I digress).

Untitled by tabbyclaw I always appreciate this author's maturity when dealing with Drakgo, I adore it, and it's present here, too. No skimping on the romance at all, it's just wonderful. A take on a love confession that's just so...nice. After the whirlwind and fervour, realisation rolls in. Comforting. Ocean Views by Aleego ; Tumblr fanfic link inspired by art by midnightcaptions (NSFW 18+) An excellent fic inspired by a great piece of art! Truly a merger of great minds! Phone sex might be nothing new, but it works excellently here to establish tension. It's actually a fantastic headspace for Drakken and Shego to be in as characters, not having to face each other, but to speak as if they were alone. It's a strange bit of intimacy between them that, potentially, serves as a lynch pin to how their dynamic changes. Tastefully written. Truth or Dare by those-other-ones (NSFW 18+) Love this one. Love how unique it is, how casual it is, how unglamorous it is. It's also incredibly sweet, vulnerable. Romantic drunkenness, if you will. Captures their competitive and stubborn personalities very well, sabotaging themselves without even knowing by throwing alcohol into the mix. Happy ending, very tender, intimate, sweet. Full-on sex not something you can handle? Try this one. Untitled by those-other-ones (NSFW 18+) An alternative take on an existing fic where Shego is still a hero in Go City and Dr. Drakken makes his villainous debut! I enjoy how weird this is as a first meeting. The setting allows for a great sexual tension and atmosphere that's very unusual, and, when villain and hero are alone together, fervour, desperation and tenderness are unleashed. Very different, highly recommend. Love this one. Routine by Nikki-wr (NSFW 18+) Drakken and Shego's relationship suddenly becomes physical, but it's not all roses. This is a really excellent, weighty, angsty fic. I love how their misunderstandings, miscommunication and insecurities are depicted, their fears of honesty and taking risks when it comes to each other, juxtaposed with irony of perpetuating a self-destructive path. My words might be strong, but this fic ends very, very sweetly. In truth, all of this author's pieces are strong, and angst-tinged, which I adore, but I've chosen this one to highlight. Love the passion. Oldies: Fics from Years Gone By! Vietnam by Dr. Agent My absolute favourite Drakken-centric Drakgo fic ever, bar none! Drakken's developing feelings for Shego are documented in unguarded moments, woven with masterful, restrained prose. The language in this blows me away, it's just. Wow. There is one line in this, a single line, that I obsess over. Powerful imagery and metaphor that ties together the wilderness, war and jungle-theming of the piece - just brilliant, multi-faceted. The author also has a Shego-centric one to mirror this, but Vietnam is my absolute favourite. Beautiful Dynamite by Crystal Allen My favourite Shego character-study fic, ever! Set during Two to Tutor, the author utilises Señor Senior Sr.'s wisened voice as our guide into the ferocious, yet unattractive, side of Shego. Brilliant, I cannot think of a more polarising pair to make commentary on each other, despite their shared hedonism, passion for wealth and villainy. SSS makes slight Drakgo commentary at the end, which I love. Makes me want to read more from his perspective on the two of them, since in this fic, their relationship sort of parallels and contradicts ones he has had in the past. I highly recommend for any big Shego fans. Jealous by NAster Another great Shego-centric fic with jealousy as a core theme that makes the list? Say it isn't so! Wonderful take on Shego's flighty, ornery nature and how it's influenced her behaviour with Drakken, and, with everyone else. Understated, sweet Drakgo, possessive Shego. What's not to love?

Out of Control by Blackfire 18 The Supreme One's treatment of her last line of defence has warped him, not just in body, but in mind. Some of my favourite nasty lines from Supreme Shego and Drakken live here. Rage, angst and tragedy, all in one. The Supreme One's future is miserable for all, even herself. Downer ending. Seeking Shelter from the Rain by Blackfire 18 A classic. Adore this author's Gothic atmosphere, it's very nostalgic, and very prominent in this dreary piece. Amidst a recent failure, Shego is vulnerable and Drakken is there with her. Comforting, sweet ending. Fatal Mistake in the Dark by Blackfire 18 In my opinion, not as strong as the other two pieces. However, it is the ending to this that I really like. The author's sense of building dread is fantastic and present in all her dark fics, but the pay-off for this one is intriguing. Tragedy...? Everything by Hematitebadger A measured, mature, sweet, outcome of a scenario where Dr. Drakken wins. The sheer gentleness, the duality of Lipsky, what he is capable of and who he is. Just lovely. Minutes and Years by Hematitebadger 50 sentences, a real relic from the past! One of the very best that Drakgo has to offer. You only need one sentence to grab you! Symbiosis by Ninnik Nishukan from The Ones That Never Happened Liked Out of Control? Watch a similar dynamic play out and end in a completely different way! Understand the reasons behind Shego and Drakken's transformation and relationship in this timeline, and the brief humanity they end up sharing. Optimistic, relieving ending compared to its sibling-fic. The author's best work, in my sincere opinion. More? Interesting ideas/cute moments/unique settings that I like Stay by Eienvine - Oldie Any Road Will Get You There by Crystal Allen - Oldie Definitely Exactly What It Looks Like by souljelly - Reviewed Sick Day by split-n-splice - Reviewed Practice Makes Perfect by split-n-splice - Reviewed The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie by split-n-splice - Unreviewed Not Sentimental by sweet_tangerine_dreams - Reviewed New and Not New by Malvolia - Reviewed A Knotty Situation by bcbdrums - Unreviewed In All the Gin Joints in the World, He Asks for Coco Moo by UnapologeticallyMeatwad - Unreviewed The Aftermath by dragannahEireann - Unreviewed / Incomplete Fic Expected by gofordrakgo - Reviewed Just a Pair of Cold Dwellers by OhBoyOhBoy - Unreviewed

Thanks razzledazzledrakgo, for breaking in my ask box, and for breaking the dam! I don't know how to add a Keep Reading cut.

[carcarrot]

i dont even use letterboxd anymore and when i made my account i used it for like. a week but i wanna redo my top 4 but that also means ill be tempted to look at what people are saying about certain movies and i have to remind myself not to do that. looking up letterboxd reviews is the fun killer

[euphorbic]

Off the back of my photo dump post, here’s the detailed bit.

First, anyone that follows me should likely know that one of my Special Interests ™️ is motorcycles. Second, others follow me for ball-jointed dolls (BJD) stuff. BJD are just big action figures for me.

Concept

Motored Cyborg Runner (AKA 少女発動機) is a line of 17.5cm action figures, which are a mashup of “girl” and motorcycles. These designs are based on AF Kuro’s work.

I am n o t a fan of his barely-pubescent t¡ts and aśś and pυbis mons work. (Someone call the Hawkeye Initiative on this weird and gratuitous twät shot.) BUT I DIGRESS!

Here’s a pallet cleanser:

As you can see: basically sportbike gajinka. My (very gross) hero!

The details

Sen-ti-nel and Goodsmile teamed up to create action figures based on these designs. I’m assuming that this design is Tsujigiri. (I use Hepburn spelling, despite all packaging and marketing materials using Kunrei-shiki: Tsu-zi-giri. Why? Because there is no “zi” sound in Japanese and because I love you, of course!)

Onward! Have a recap photo:

Here’s where the motorcycle enthusiast in me gets consumed with glee. The motorcycle details. Starting with the removable fuel tank backpack. The tank shape isn’t motorcycleish, but from this angle? Yes, yes it is. It’s like looking down at your fuel cap from sitting on the seat.

Then there’s the torque wrench settings. On race bikes and cars, torque settings are painted next to bolts so nobody has to remember how many newton meters (N/M) is needed for each one.

Sorry, this shot sucks because I just used my phone all these. The warning label on this one reads: Caution, hot surface. The black arrow points up to the engine, but more specifically the engine’s header. Caution is appropriate: I don’t know a single motorcycle tech that hasn’t been burned on a header.

The single cylinder engine is very accurate to a motorcycle. Even the silver cover combined with the darker case is iconic. It’s so accurate that I can’t help but question why anyone would go with this single cylinder 4-stroke model when they could go with a 2-stroke? Better choice in my opinion… on a completely made up future that has internal combustion still in existence.

And, of course, we have the 4-stroke style collector/silencer/muffler. If I had some Akrapovic, Arrow, or Yoshimura decals in the right size, I’d slap that sucker on. The figure comes with two silencers, but the other one is very short.

Not a motorcycle thing, but look at this tiny QR code on the arm pocket! Adorable.

So there’s my word vomit on motorcycle things that make me half the target audience for these figures. Just one more thing, to mention, I guess. Scale.

Scale

Have a super crappy, backlit photo:

Pictured with:

Masterpiece (MP) scale Starscream

Classified scale Cobra Viper

Figma Utena Tenjou

The figure is the same sort of scale as Classified G.I. Joes if you compare them knee-to-knee. Tsujigiri has a lot of height in those wheels.

If you don’t mind that her height obliterates the illusion of “massive machine” she scales very well with MP scale Transformers.

Go to the photo dump post

[ficklecat]

9 and 13!! Happy new years eve fickle! May 2024 be great

Happy new year my friend! I still can’t believe it’s already about to be 2024 🤯

Thank you for the ask! I answered #13 already but here’s #9 for you! (TW for mentions of suicide)

9. What fic meant the most to you to write?

I think it’ll have to be Afraid of What Might Be. Digging in to things like mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts is a heavy thing to do in something as seemingly low stakes as fanfic, but I feel so strongly about portraying those things with realism, dignity, and brutal truth. There are so many misconceptions about suicide in particular, so many harmful narratives in online and fandom spaces, and it was important to me to ensure that when I wrote my piece on it, I honored what I know to be true.

I wanted to be careful not to simply remove Kakashi’s despair and flirtation with death simply because he knew he was loved, I wanted to show that even loving people can’t save them, that living is a choice they need to make, and sometimes they do make the choice to stay but it doesn’t mean they’re “cured” or they don’t think about it. I wanted to show how grief can occur even when a life is “saved,” even when someone changes their mind. I wanted to show that not everyone is happy and elated and has a full change of heart after a suicide attempt. In fact, many times they may feel worse - lost, afraid, trapped, or empty. I wanted to show that the most important thing when any of that happens is that the people who love them don’t turn their backs, but also don’t become their unofficial heroes or life-jackets, that they simply remain there to offer hope with open arms, and that when you choose to hold onto someone’s hope, you don’t get to choose when they’re ready for it. You simply hold it as long as you can, and you keep it safe until they’re ready. And they may never be.

Anyway. That fic meant to say a lot. I’m not sure if it did. I hope so.

Send me asks about my 2023 in review!

[machinavocis]

amazon & all other ecommerce product-plus-customer-ratings-type sites (but especially amazon) need a parallel review-rating system that works like that "helpfulness" thing (x percent of users found this review helpful; here is a side-by-side view of most helpful positive & most helpful negative review, you know, that sorta thing)

except instead it's the "is this reviewer too stupid to live" factor.

like...all i want is a button to filter out the opinions of anyone who buys a piece of ikea-style assemble-from-illustrated-guide furniture & leaves a one star review like "umm product immediately returned; it was literally impossible to assemble because it contained Two Different Lengths of Screws that were not interchangeable & frankly i'm offended as a consumer that i was expected to understand this."

[worldsportsboats]

Majesty 111

This year saw the launch of the Majesty 111, slotted between the 100 and 120 the new arrival has private and charter markets in its sights. The 230GT superyacht features a six-cabin layout with living spaces split across two-and-a-half decks. The 111 embraces a new direction, with a new look and feel, but still maintains the essence of the brand, as with the 100 and 120. The WSB team took a…

[earl-grey-love]

Well, I'm back home from London anyway. Being in the city was better than I expected, and getting my fingerprints taken was worse than I expected. But at least its over now.

[awesome-casuallyfamouscollector]

A Week In The Ora Funky Cat

Apologies, this video is 3 months behind schedule. This week we've been driving the Ora Funky Cat. This is another product of the Chinese EV onslaught the UK are currently seeing, and by all accounts, people love it, from a 'looks' point of view at least. Join us to see what we thought(..)

[f1]

Driven to Crime: True Stories of Wrongdoing in Motor Racing book reviewed | Reviews

I’ll get the joke out of the way first – no, ‘Driven to Crime’ isn’t the first of a 3,000 volume set detailing the history of criminality connected to motorsport. Instead, this book is a whistle stop tour of some of motorsport’s more infamous characters who also found themselves on the wrong side of the law. First-time author Crispian Besley has both the motorsport pedigree – having spent several decades racing immaculately prepared Formula Juniors – and a career at the top of the finance industry, which is perfectly for succinctly summarising some of the financial crimes covered. Split into sixty-six chapters, each focusing on an individual, all the usual suspects are to be found, together with a few lesser-known stories. I can’t think of any prior publication that links former FIA president Jean-Marie Balestre and infamous Brands Hatch trespasser Jack Cottle (who, in mitigation, never got the credit for staying within track limits during his illicit intrusion onto a live race track). For a relatively recent fan of the sport, ‘Driven to Crime’ is a treasure trove, unearthing characters and news items that have been quietly forgotten. Those involved in the sport for longer will still find plenty to enjoy – for example Bernie Ecclestone quietly manoeuvring to ensure Pablo Escobar-connected rookie Ricardo Londono didn’t get an F1 superlicence (although one could argue the Medellin Cartel were just a friendlier and less ruthless forerunner to the Red Bull junior team). Besley’s writing brings two great qualities. Firstly, his ability to clearly and succinctly explain some highly-complex financial crimes means that would could easily be impenetrable passages are highly readable. Secondly, the nuance to his tone allows him to say a lot while objectively reporting the facts. For those that strayed the wrong side of the law solely in order to advance legitimate motorsport activity, and without causing direct harm, there is a often comprehension that stops just short of empathy. Meanwhile utter disdain is shown to anyone who caused misery and hardship in order to fund their racing. The list of credits is also revealing in identifying which of the subjects provided direct support to the author, and generally these are the strongest sections allowing for a more rounded discussion. Of course, there are then the omissions. Anyone who has spent time in a motorsport paddock would almost certainly be able to provide at least ten names that could be included – personally I can think of two where legal proceedings have been concluded that would have fitted well. In part this is because Besley has gone after the story, rather than the name. Sadly, my personal favourite story will never appear in print – although I’ve heard it consistently from several sources, it just won’t stand up. The £40 price tag may put some off, but at over 500 pages at Evro quality it is well worth the money and would make a great Christmas present for a motorsport fan who wants to get off the driver biography treadmill. Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free RaceFans rating Read all the RaceFans book reviews. Driven to Crime: True Stories of Wrongdoing in Motor Racing Author: Crispian Besley Publisher: Evro Publishing Published: October 2022 Pages: 512 Price: £40 ISBN: 978-1-910505-70-0 Reviews Browse all Reviews via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net/

[legendary-guest]

Even more Motor Ed headcanons because I really, really like him! A.K.A things I forgot.

A Gen 1 Transformers fan. Giant robots that turn into cars, bikes and planes? Say less. Megatron is his favourite but he's mad at the fact that he turns into a gun. Begrudgingly has to say he prefers Optimus Prime. You can't go wrong with a fire engine....

This issue is amended in Beast Wars where Megatron is a T-Rex. He's happy.

Christine and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas are his favourites, both the books and movies. (Classic car possessed by a she-devil who transforms a geeky teen into a ruthless killer, written as if they were girlfriend/boyfriend. Come on. Come on. Fear and Loathing is nutty and chaotic enough for him; classic cars, drugs, motorcycle races).

A natural blond; and, like many natural blonds, his hair turns, well, less blond over the years and, okay, maybe he tints it, alright! Seriously.

[metalhead-brainrot]

Summer 2024 Music Review

There's this period in my life I refer to as "The Long Summer of Iron Maiden;" I fell in love with Iron Maiden circa summer of 2017 and then went to the Southern hemisphere from January-April 2018, giving me a full year of summer to digest a new fascination with metal music. I still can't access memories of that year without viscerally remembering the music that guided me through it.

The current season is my favorite season (always has been). As we transition from a rainy Minnesota summer to the early days of autumn, I'd like to report on my the albums I came to love over this past season. I'm sure many of you associate this summer with the 100th Charli;* this is what you might have heard us bumping at our place.

CLEEN - Excursion grunge, desert rock, stoner rock; FFO: Dope Smoker** Flint, MI Citric Dummies - Zen and the Arcade of Beating Your Ass punk, egg punk; FFO: Devo Minneapolis, MN

Globular - Lifts The Curse of the Grey Goo Assimilators electronic, psydub; FFO: Shpongle, Ott England, the Divided Kingdom

Brux - Fills de la Nit oi punk + reverb and lofi Cataluña

Gross Motor All Stars - I Had A Dream I Got Everything I Wanted hardcore punk Minneapolis, MN

Defect Designer - Chitin technical death thrash Olso, NOR

o()xxxx[:::::::::::::::::> o()xxxx[:::::::::::::::::> o()xxxx[:::::::::::::::::>

* Was I going to get through this post without a reference to brat summer? Probably not. Have I listened to it yet? No, despite the best efforts of my pophead friends. But don't take it personally: I was a teenager in the 2010s so I reflexively wait until hype has died down before exploring media. Is that weird? Probably, but so are rhetorical questions and we're three deep so far.

** Have also been crushing a lot of Dope Smoker's Zeroin, an old flame I now have the cannabis tolerance to keep up with. I also love that short music video of one of the View Askewniverse films; Rosario Dawson is a forever baddy.

[facedeem]

2024 Yamaha FZS V4 - All FZ-S V4 Colors Revealed - 7 colors Which One Re...

[vmantras]

Srivaru Motors Prana Grand: Comprehensive Review of Electric Sports Bike

₹2,55,150 1. General Overview Model: The Prana Grand is part of Srivaru Motors’ lineup aimed at those looking for an electric alternative to traditional sports bikes. Type: As a sports bike, it’s designed for those who appreciate speed and agility, but with an environmentally conscious twist. Warranty: The 1-year or 30,000 km warranty suggests confidence in the bike’s durability, though it…

[worldsportsboats]

Itama 45RS

The new Itama 45RS is the contemporary restyling of this matchless style icon imbued with values and looks that reflect the brand’s signature style. Timeless appeal, a sporty spirit, and innovative technology: Itama 45RS takes excitement to the next level in perfect Made in Italy style. The WSB team takes a closer look at this new and exciting updated model. Continue reading Untitled