#my multitalented husband i love him so much

[saturnerens]

this was me the first time i read too much is not enough

[magic-ace]

[Dolls, Barbie] The Short Yet Fabulous Life of Earring Magic Ken

Or, that time Mattel gave Ken a cock ring and created a legend.

This is my first time writing a post here, but this story has made me laugh for years now, so I'm excited to share it with all of you. I'll have my sources listed at the bottom of the post. If I get anything wrong or miss any crucial details, please let me know and I'll edit the post.

Anyway! Gather 'round for a tale of marketing, frosted tips, and kitsch.

# Who is Ken?

Ken, full name Kenneth Sean Carson, is a fictional character and fashion doll sold by Mattel. If you know who he is, you probably know him as "Barbie's boyfriend," and that's because that's exactly what he is. Barbie is *the* fashion doll, easily the most iconic doll in America and one of the most famous toys... ever. She's had hundreds of careers and thousands of iconic fashion looks, and has appeared in a wide variety of media, including a movie coming out July 2023 where she's played by Margot Robbie. Barbie is The Legend. Ken, while not quite as famous as she is, does have a lot of name recognition - at least, while he's standing next to Barbie.

While various toys and tie-in media has depicted their relationship in various ways (coworkers, serious committed couple, childhood besties, friends with a mutual crush they're both too shy to act on, sometimes they're even married), Ken is Barbie's primary love interest, male companion, and boytoy/trophy husband. (Okay, okay, to give the guy some credit, he's had 40ish careers since his introduction. Not quite as impressive as Barbie's resume, but then again, few things are.)

Ken debuted in 1961, two years after Barbie, both characters invented by Ruth Handler. (Fun fact: just as Barbie was named after Ruth's daughter Barbara "Barbie" Handler, Ken was named after her son. Feels a little weird to name love interests after a pair of siblings, but it is a cute tribute.) Ken dolls tend to be less detailed and complex than Barbie dolls. Ken dolls, especially in the early days, didn't always have bendable limbs or torsos, and in general there's less clothing options available for them. One fun fact is that while the first Kens had felt hair, after a couple years, he started having molded plastic hair, rather than the brushable synthetic hair Barbie had.

Barbie at her core is a feminine power fantasy, and Ken is very much part of that. If Barbie is meant to emulate who the little girl playing with her wants to be, Ken is meant to emulate that girl's ideal boyfriend. (Of course, not everyone who played with Barbie is a girl or wants a boyfriend - a young not-yet-realized queer kid, I thought Ken was boring as hell and never wanted one; I was perfectly happy to have my Barbies living in a vaguely gay girls-only castle going on adventures.) He's handsome in the blandest way possible, and always dressed to the nines, and if you buy a Barbie and Ken doll that are packaged together, or a set of clothes for both dolls, Ken's clothes will always match and complement Barbie's.

So, that's Ken. Handsome, well-liked, presumably rich, multitalented and with the world's most beautiful and accomplished woman as his adoring girlfriend. He's even going to be played by Ryan Gosling in the upcoming movie! Let's be real - Ken's got it made. Why would anyone want to shake things up?

# "Cooler"

Well, like I said before, Ken just isn't as impressive or #iconic as Barbie. He's not as sparkly or fun or memorable, and is often more of an accessory than a character. There's a reason the meme of the moment is "Barbie is everything. He's just Ken." That has been their dynamic for decades, and Ryan Gosling GETS it. Lots of kids ask for a new Barbie for Christmas, and can often point to one or three or seven specific Barbies they want - but how many ask for a Ken? Apparently, this showed up in the sales numbers, too.

So, in the early 1990s, Mattel sets out to find out what they can do to make Ken more popular - or if he should even stay at all. Yes, you read that right, Mattel was considering getting rid of Barbie's boyfriend altogether. So, what do you do when you want to find out what your demographic will buy? You ask them what they like! Working with a focus group of 5-year-old girls, Mattel asked them what they wanted, and what would make them like Ken more. Should Barbie dump Ken for someone more hip with the kids?

The girls responded with, no! They liked Ken! Barbie should definitely stay with Ken. Phew! The then-thirty year old romance was saved.

(This would not, however, be the last time Ken would be on the chopping block - anyone growing up in the early-to-mid 2000s like I did who was into Barbies likely remembers the tragic but ultimately temporary breakup between Barbie and Ken, during which Barbie dated an Australian surfer named Blaine. But that's a different story.)

But, the girls said, they did wish Ken was... cooler.

"Make it cooler" is quite possibly the least helpful bit of advice ever, right up there with "do what feels right" and "take that business opportunity from your high school friend." There's a reason there was a My Little Pony meme about this.

But, okay, the girls said they wanted cooler. Mattel could do that. They could totally do that. They knew what was cool.

Right?

# The Makeover

How exactly the Mattel execs collected their coolness data is unclear. This was pre-social media, so figuring out the hottest trends wasn't as simple as opening TikTok and scrolling until you have 4 new insecurities. Most sources I've looked at seems to agree that what *probably* happened is that Mattel looked at what little girls found cool - aka, singers on MTV, dressed in bright colors and funky jewelry - and also did some research to find out what the hot trends are. And where do you go to find the hot trends? Go to the hot clubs! It's worth noting that we can't be 100% sure, because Mattel hasn't ever talked about the process behind creating Earring Magic Ken. Actually, they don't like to talk about him much at all. Strange.

What we do know is that within two years of the focus group, Mattel had given Ken a makeover. You can check out Ken's look [here](https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/earring-ken-proud-billy-new-york-historical-celebrates-pride-two-new-acquisitions), but I'll break down the basics.

First, he had platinum blonde highlights. And he was wearing a leather(?) purple vest over a mesh purple top in a look that I'd describe as "so tacky it circles back around into being kind of awesome." Like Tyler Durden's fur coat and bright orange pants. The key is confidence!

Per the name, Ken also has an earring in his left ear. Interestingly, Mattel *did* expect some pushback from this line, but they thought it'd be about the earring, which in hindsight is hilarious. But it does make sense from their perspective; in the early 90s, men wearing earrings wasn't exactly mainstream or accepted fashion. But, times were changing, Mattel reasoned. You see more and more guys wearing earrings nowadays, and Ken should keep up with the times. People might complain, but so what? Little girls would love it.

The most important detail to note for our story is Ken's necklace; a long chain with a big, silver ring on it. Now, Mattel will swear up and down that the ring is meant to match Barbie's accessories - he can even wear some of the charms from her bracelet on his necklace, how cute! And, to be fair, all the Barbies in the line wear rings like this, too, on their belts.

Mattel had *greatly* misunderstood those pretty necklaces that some guys were wearing out to the club. But they didn't know that yet. (As I stated in the Hobby Scuffles thread, there must've been at least one employee - probably several - who *did* know that and could make a couple predictions about how this was gonna go, but they couldn't say anything without explaining *why* they knew that. Or maybe they just thought, "Oh, this will be *hilarious*.")

Earring Magic Ken was released in 1993.

# Ken-sation!

Honestly, whoever set up that focus group with those little girls must've been spiking the football when Earring Magic Ken hit the shelves. Because the grand plan to make Ken cooler and sell more toys? Reader, it fucking *worked*.

Earring Magic Ken was not a standalone doll, but rather, a one in a collection of six. The "Earring Magic" collection featured Barbie and her friends in bold, bright colors, with their hair done up in big bouncy curls, with flashy, sparkly earrings. You can check out the other dolls [here](https://www.flickr.com/photos/20837663@N08/4671335912). (Wikipedia says it was six dolls, but for the life of me I cannot find a picture with all six dolls in it, so unless someone has one they'd like to drop in the comments, you'll have to settle for five.) Each doll comes with a pair of clip-on earrings for the owner to wear and match with their doll.

By all accounts, all the dolls in the line sold well, but none more so than Ken. I have to imagine they were pouring the champagne over at Mattel - the line was doing great, and for the first time ever, Ken was outselling Barbie. Hell, they couldn't keep that doll stocked!

Earring Magic Ken was the bestselling Ken doll of all time when he came out, pun intended. (Whether or not he still is is unknown.) He was inevitably the butt of some gay jokes; a man wearing an earring? Absurd! Frosted tips? Hilarious! A mesh top? Get out of here! In many ways, it was the same kind of jokes late night hosts would crack about male pop stars who dressed flamboyantly. Annoying to some, sure, definitely at least slightly homophobic, but ultimately, nothing Mattel didn't probably see coming. And, hey, kids clearly loved Ken's new look. They were raking in the cash, so what did they care what adults had to say?

And then one man, like the child who finally points out that the emperor is naked, was brave enough to stand alone with his head held high. And he said:

"That doll is wearing a fucking cock ring."

# People Notice the Cock Ring

I didn't know until I started research for this post that the "whistleblower" as it were in this whole rainbow debacle was Dan Savage. But now that I do know that, I am not even slightly surprised. Like of course it was him. For those of you who don't know who he is, Dan Savage is a relationship/sex advice columnist. He's openly gay and known for being very sardonic, very blunt, and, depending on who you ask, very funny or very obnoxious. Sometimes both. His column, Savage Love, has been going since 1991, and he also has a podcast by the same name. (He also started the It Gets Better Project, which is neat.) To give you an idea of his general vibe, his catchphrase is "dump the motherfucker already," aka DTMFA.

It really is no surprise to me that when Dan Savage sees "cock ring," he *says* "cock ring."

See, Ken's outfit wasn't just any old clubwear. It was *gay* clubwear. It was stuff that gay men were wearing to raves and nightclubs and parties.

And that necklace? Yeah, that circular "pendant" would be a cock ring. As u/ginganinja2507 put it in 4/10/23's Hobby Scuffles thread: *"yeah if it had been barbie finger sized it would've probably not raised any eyebrows but it is. not that size."*

Obviously, Dan was not literally the first person to notice this, but his article helped bring the conversation from "this doll looks kinda gay with his vest and his earring" to "no, y'all, this doll is literally wearing a gay sex toy. He's gay."

The irony that this doll with no genitalia was wearing a cock ring was lost on nobody.

I'll let Dan himself explain, in his article "Ken Comes Out." I linked to the article in my sources below if you want to read the whole thing.

>*When they’re not fashion statements, cock rings are worn around the base of your cock or your close personal friend’s cock if you don’t have one of your own. Slip one on when you’re soft; once you’re hard, it traps blood in the penis, increasing sensitivity and prolonging orgasm.*

>

>*Chrome cock rings like Ken’s were long worn by the leather crowd on the shoulders of their biker jackets (left for top, right for bottom). In the waning years of our long national nightmare (aka the Reagan-Bush years), younger gay-boy-activist types with brand-new leather jackets took to wearing cock rings on whichever side looked best or, to the horror of the leather crowd, on both sides. Tops? Bottoms? Versatile? Clueless? Who knew? Then dykes started wearing them—cocks or not, they didn’t want to miss out on any of the sex-positive accessorizing.*

>

>*Cock rings exploded (ouch!)—as vest zipper pulls, as key rings, as bracelets; rubber ones, leather ones, chain ones. But the thick chrome variety, the Classic Coke of cock rings, was and is most often worn as a pendant. Chrome cock ring necklaces became de rigueur rave wear. For about a year every gay boy at a rave was wearing at least one—these cock rings were often pressed into service later in the evening, to help totally tweaked ravers keep up what the X was pulling down.*

>

>*On closer inspection, Ken’s entire Earring Magic outfit turns out to be three-year-old rave wear. A purple faux-leather Gaultier vest, a straight-out-of-International Male purple mesh shirt, black jeans and shoes. It would seem Mattel’s crack Ken-redesign team spent a weekend in LA or New York dashing from rave to rave, taking notes and Polaroids.*

What I find especially funny about this is the fact that Ken wasn't just wearing gay clubwear, but *outdated* gay clubwear. I feel like Barbie would be more affronted by that than anything.

So, a lot of those astronomical sales turns out to have come from adults buying the doll not for a kid, but for themselves. This is nothing new; loads of adults collect fashion dolls, either because they find a specific doll really beautiful or interesting, or they consider it to be culturally significant, or it has a schtick or branding that aligns with another interest of theirs. In this case, a lot of the buyers were gay men, who found the doll hilarious and honestly, kind of iconic. (In a bit of anecdotal evidence, my mom, who's always had a lot of queer friends and remembers when this all went down, says she knew gay men who owned multiple "Cock Ring Kens." I assume some were given as gifts, but I also know people who would definitely have, like, four of these guys around just for the hell of it.)

It's worth noting that Ken, to quote Savage again, "always read kind of gay." I'm guessing it's a combination of the fact that Ken often wears soft, pastel colors (to compliment Barbie!), rides around in a pink sports car (he's a passenger princess!), and, well, look at that hair. I've always seen jokes about how Barbie is Ken's beard... or maybe they're each other's beards.

While some of this is pure "haha, man cares about appearance is gay! Children's characters being gay is funny!" coming from cishet people, I do know a lot of queer people (myself included) on social media who love Barbie and Ken, and consider them to be "ours," whether because Ken is a bit on the "meterosexual" side (to resurrect a term that died in 2008), or because Barbie is an ultra femme icon, or because of the campiness of the franchise, or because some of those direct-to-DVD Barbie movies are kind of sapphic (hello, Diamond Castle), or because the franchise was near and dear to us as children and we want to make it our own in adulthood. I think that's why Earring Magic Ken was such a hit; not just because of the inherent hilarity in Mattel unknowingly making Ken a gay club-goer, but because, in a batshit, accidental way fueled by capitalism, he *is* ours. I know I'd love to get my hands on one.

# The Aftermath

Obviously, once the alarm rang that Earring Magic Ken was getting the nickname Cock Ring Ken, and for good reason, Mattel issued an apology and the doll disappeared from shelves. Cowards!

EDIT: I originally said there was a recall, and many articles on this whole thing say this. However, as u/InevitableBohemian pointed out, it's hard if not impossible to pinpoint where that claim started, and no contemporary articles about a recall seem to be out there. It seems highly likely that the doll was simply discontinued and unsold dolls were pulled from shelves, but that the "recall" detail is an exaggeration.

They adamantly denied that they'd meant to put a cock ring on a Ken doll, because of course they did. To be clear, I do believe them - there's absolutely no way they would've let that go through on purpose. But it did give us this amazing quote from Lisa McKendall, who was working for Mattel's marketing department at the time.

>We’re not in the business of putting cock rings into the hands of little girls.

Incredible.

# The Legacy

Earring Magic Ken is still famous in the Barbie enthusiast community. It's one of the first stories you hear when you get into dolls as an adult collector/enthusiast, and these days, he's highly sought after. (As of this typing, a new Earring Magic Ken goes for $179 on ebay. A commentor on the lot said they have one, which they keep next to their Cher doll, which - amazing, incredible, no notes.) This is one of my favorite stories to tell to people who don't know much about dolls, so writing this up has been an absolute joy. I really hope this Ken gets a cameo or a reference in the movie, because it's such an iconic story and doll; it's just the right blend of camp, corporate cluelessness, funny, and audacious to be not just a memorable scandal, but one that's looked back on with fondness. (Seriously, it is so nice to talk about a drama where the worst outcome was some embarrassment.)

I think Dan Savage put it best:

> The little girls of our great nation wanted a hipper Ken, and Mattel gave them a hip Ken. A queer Ken.

He may have only been on shelves for six months, but Ken and his purple mesh shirt and his glorious, glorious cock ring will live on in our hearts forever. Amen.

# Sources

* My mom, when she could stop laughing.

* [Ken (doll)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_(doll))

* [Earring Magic Ken](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earring_Magic_Ken)

* [Barbie Media: Ken Timeline](http://www.barbiemedia.com/ken/timeline.html)

* [How Barbie's Boyfriend Ken Became an Accidental Gay Icon](https://money.howstuffworks.com/barbie-earring-magic-ken-gay-icon-1993.htm)

* [The True Story of Mattel Accidentally Releasing a Super Gay Ken Doll](https://www.intheknow.com/post/earring-magic-ken-gay/)

* [Ken Comes Out](https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/ken-comes-out/)

* [Toys Will be Toys: The Stereotypes Unravel](https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/11/garden/toys-will-be-toys-the-stereotypes-unravel.html)

* [Earring Magic Ken and “Out and Proud” Billy: New-York Historical Celebrates Pride with Two New Acquisitions](https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/earring-ken-proud-billy-new-york-historical-celebrates-pride-two-new-acquisitions)

I do not know how to respond.

...Penis blast?

[watermelonlovershigh]

You Help Calm Harry's Nervous Belly Before His Concert /blurb/ {HSLOT}

This story contains: mentions of throw up, small bit of crying, comfort, fluff

{ husband!harry - HSLOT Harry era }

word count: 682

Harry gets a tummy ache due to pre show nerves and you help him feel better.

You went to grab something off of Harry's tour bus, leaving Harry in the dressing room to continue getting ready for his concert that's in about an hour. He seemed fine. A little nervous but other than that, he was his cheerful self and was even cracking jokes.

But when you come back to his dressing room, you don't find Harry how you left him. No, Harry is laying on the small sofa with his eyes closed and a hand over his bare stomach, as well as a small bin sat on the floor beside him. You walk up towards the couch and squat down beside his pale body. Then you quietly whisper, "Baby, what's wrong? I thought you were excited to go on stage tonight. What happened?"

Your voice startles Harry a bit and he slowly turns his head towards you and mumbles, "I was. And I still am but my nerves have gotten the best of me and I have a bit of a tummy ache. I don't want to be sick y/n. What if I throw up on stage or some'in?" He now has tears rolling down his face. You knew Harry's nerves created tummy aches for him sometimes before shows or live tv performances, but he seems genuinely upset right now. You also know Harry hates getting sick. So you must try your best to comfort him and prevent any misfortune on his special night tonight. The first night of his tour.

You carefully help Harry rise up and you sit down on the sofa where he once laid, allowing him to curl up in your lap. You place one hand on his tattooed tummy, rubbing it in soothing circles and the other ghosts up and down his arm. Then you coo to your husband in a caring tone, "Harry, you'll be alright. It's just a bit nerves that has your tummy feeling sick. Take deep breaths for me and you won't feel sick anymore." "Does my hand feel nice on your belly?"

With his face burred in your neck, Harry whispers, "Mhm, feels good. Thank you for helping me feel better." You sit with your large bodied of a husband in your lap and help calm his nauseous belly with your soft and gently hand. Harry's tears have slowly stopped and his body seems to have relaxed from your touch.

Harry has always said you're the only one who can calm him down when he's sick or is having anxiety, but you often forget that that's true. But times like now, you know it's true. Having you hold him and say such soothing and reassuring words has Harry's pre show anxiety and nerves washed away and all he can think about is how much he loves you.

After minutes of holding Harry, he lifts his head from your neck and wraps his arms around your upper body for an even tighter hold. Then with his face an inch away from your face, he softly smiles and says, "I love you so much my love. I feel better now that you've held me. Not nauseous anymore, thank god." When Harry is done speaking, he pushes his head forward and connects his soft lips with yours in a loving kiss.

You except Harry's kiss by mimicking his lip movements with yours and run your hands up and down his bare back. Then you get interrupted by some of the stage crew that barges in his dressing room and says Harry needs to head out to the stage. You help him put on his sparkly top and make sure he doesn't have tear stains on his cheeks. With a small kiss goodbye and a wish good luck, Harry is off towards the stage where he will preform to his loving fans. And you head out behind him, sitting stage side and showing your support for your multitalented husband, Harry.

Masterlist (regular smut, fluff & sicfics)

My Favorite Harry Styles Fics MASTERLIST

Harry Styles Series - One Shots & Blurbs Masterlist

Harry Styles blurbs, concepts, & short stories Masterlist- (short writing with little to no dialog)

[juminsmysticmc]

Hey, it’s me, the one who request the moth headcanon, sorry about the trouble and if it’s okay, instead I would like to see an MC who’s major is digital arts and animation. If not, it’s fine, just have a great day.

RFA + Minor Trio with a Mc who's major is digital arts and animations

Hey! It was no trouble at all! I hope that it’s okay for you tho, I am happy that you could request something different! I hope you enjoy this one too! Have a nice day!

Jumin

Your husband observed you. Ever since he installed a room for you alone in his penthouse, you could finally work from home a bit more.

He hadn’t realized that even before you came into the RFA, he had already worked with you.

Your major, digital arts and animation, was often used for his advertising or other programs.

You often wanted to meet the CEO, but since he always thought that you would be just a gold digger, he always rejected you, just making Jaehee send emails with the things he wanted to have inserted.

Well, today he regretted his choice back then.

Instead, he observed you.

You were working on a new project.

,,How many years did you have to study? I mean, you have so many majors… Design Director, Storyboard Director, I didn’t know, you were multitalented, my love,’’ he praised you.

You even worked a lot with the audio.

You looked up and smiled at your husband.

,,Thank you, my love. I’m trying to make your latest project work. Wanna see?’’ you asked him.

However he knew that your work would be amazing and wanted to have it be a surprise rather than get spoiled.

Zen

Your boyfriend never understood how you could be such a good multitasker.

You could cook, set the table, chat with Jaehee, and even post something on your blog.

But once he saw you at work, he understood.

It had something to do with your job.

You had to work in different kinds of media at the same time.

,,This isn’t just one,’’ you told him and scrolled through your phone.

Your long hair was in your way so you put it away with one hand.

,,I have to work with the sound, video, and stop-motion graphics at the same time. I do this and much more, but I don’t want to annoy you,’’ you laughed as you looked up.

,,You don’t annoy me, Mrs. Director,’’ he laughed and kissed you.

You were even the director of a whole section and helped new students get into the job.

,,Okay, so, see this video?’’ you showed him an animated movie you just got via email.

,,This was made by my students, but she used the wrong program because the audio is slightly separated from the video itself,’’ you told him.

He hadn’t noticed anything at first, but after you told him, he saw it too.

,,And you noticed after a few seconds? You’re amazing!’’ he smiled and looked over your shoulders. You were still cooking.

Yoosung

Your husband wondered why he never saw you or met you since your college wasn’t that far away from his building.

But thank God both of you finally met thanks to the RFA.

He was also amazed by you because you were pretty famous among students.

You even had your own blog and of course you programmed everything yourself.

It looked amazing.

You had every single section working in there, but your point was the digital arts and animation.

,,Did you really have to submit a portfolio to be admitted?’’ he asked you when he read your latest blog.

You nodded at him as you typed something on your keyboard.

,,Mhm, especially to bachelor of fine arts,’’ you told him.

He didn’t quite understand, but he still nodded.

,,I didn’t have to,’’ he mumbled.

,,That’s why it’s written on there. The little word ,,may’’ says that you possibly have to, but not always,’’ you told him, making him sulk.

,,I know what ,,may’’ means… ah, and tell me. What are the admission requirements?’’ he asked you.

You turned your head and looked at him.

,,Can you maybe read the whole post instead of just the keywords? You need to check on the page itself for the requirements. Every university does it differently,’’ you told him and closed the page.

,,Ah. I just wanted to test you,’’ he smiled and looked at you.

He looked so up to you. You always knew what the latest LOLOL update changed in the game. You were amazing...

Jaehee

,,What? You went to Harvard University?’’ Zen asked you. He didn’t know that he was in a group with such an intelligent person and you were even Jaehee’s girlfriend.

You nodded.

,,She’s also very creative. Did you see our advertisement? She did it herself. Pretty amazing, right?!’’ Jaehee said proudly, no one had ever seen her that excited.

You changed her.

You and Jaehee also often went to different festivals to check the latest innovations. It was something even Jaehee was interested in.

And thanks to you, she even understood a few things since you were very good at explaining things.

,,Should we buy this new keyboard? It fits much better than the one you have now in your studio,’’ she told you and admired the keyboard in front of you.

She looked up to you since you were such a hard worker as a owner of a coffee shop and even a designer of word advertisements and 2d animation.

Saeyoung

,,You make pretty good money, huh?’’ he asked you as he looked around.

Your studio just looked so aesthetically pleasing in the middle of Seoul.

You shrugged your shoulders as you kept typing something.

Then you took your pen between your fingers and began to draw something.

You were a storyboard artist.

Saeyoung, your finacé, loved to watch you.

He sometimes even helped you when a program stopped working.

,,Look, which one do you like more?’’ you asked him as you turned your screen towards him to show him a park.

,,Mh, I don’t know. What’s the story? LIke, this one looks cute as if you’re in a fairy tale, but this one looks more realistic,’’ he answered, making you turn the display again.

You nodded and stood up, taking your jacket and facing your fiancé. ,,We are going to the park now,’’ you said and pulled him by the hand.

That’s what he loved about you.

He, too, was someone who would simply do his work, but you wanted to give your best, even at  that moment.

At the end of the day, you however, knew which one you would decide on and you were happy that Saeyoung opened your eyes.

Saeran

,,Mc! It’s so nice to see you here!’’ someone said and hugged you.

Saeran observed the person who was so happy to see you.

Both of you were in a foreign country and people still knew you?

You hugged the person who was apparently named Mira.

,,Saeran, this was my teacher, Mira,’’ you said and told Mira about your boyfriend.

She was so happy to see that you got a boyfriend.

,,Have fun here and go visit Josef! He will be happy to see you!’’ she said, meaning your other teacher.

You took Saeran and with him you walked through every department.

,,They try to motivate you to be creative, get started, start your own company, make your own shows, produce medical videos or animations, and they want you to learn things by doing,’’ you explained.

At some point, you arrived at a place that was lit by lights. Students had pencils in their hands and they began to draw something on their papers. This was something that amazed Saeran.

,,I thought it’s digital art,’’ he whispered.

You nodded. ,,They first try to make you get used to it. When you’re ready, you can move to the digital version,’’ you told him and observed the students.

It was a pretty good day and Saeran also enjoyed seeing you presentate something on a stage about your own work in South Korea.

He was proud of you.

Jihyun

Hand in hand, both of you walked into an institute to talk about digital art.

Jihyun also liked art a lot. However, he was a painter.

But your art was also something beautiful in his eyes.

He once tried it, but failed.

,,I remember back then, I also was unsure if digital art was real art, but after I saw it myself… I’m sorry I was like that back then… so don’t give up if people are the same here as in this art institute,’’ he told you.

You nodded.

Your goal was it to teach digital art in that institute and they first invited you to talk about it.

They first invited you in and then they were ready to listen to you.

,,Thank you for your words,’’ the older man said and nodded.

,,However, digital art is, itself, placed under the larger umbrella term new media art that doesn’t require any effort, Mrs. Kim. Digital art is not considered real art,’’ he said and closed his book with the notes.

,,Why did you invite my wife then?’’ Jihyun asked as you watched your dreams get crushed in front of your eyes.

No one dared to say anything. Were you just the laugh stock? Why did you even make the effort? You were ready to give up when Jihyun began to say something again. ,,I can understand you. At first we thought that digital art was easy. Why should we ask a teacher to teach us? I’m an artist myself and I thought like that too, but here too, just like the art with real pens and colors, you need to start with it gradually. I experienced it myself and I was surprised by how difficult it was. I beg you, try at least once to draw a forest in digital art,’’ Jihyun said, begging the person in front of him.

,,Very well, I have been an artist since my twenties and I am now sixty years old,’’ he laughed and took your tablet, ready to draw.

While he was drawing, you did the same on the second tablet and a bit later you all noticed the difference, making them all apologize to you.

,,I can’t thank you enough,’’ you sobbed as both of you walked out of the room, you overjoyed about the good news.

,,I told you not to give up on them. They were just like me,’’ he laughed and kissed your hand before you could both go and pick up Lucy at Jumin’s penthouse.

Vanderwood

When he first saw your room, not Rika’s, but your own home, he was kind of shocked to know that you were almost like Agent 707.

He quickly noticed that just like him, you loved your profession.

It was something that satisfied you immediately ever since you first learned how things worked.

Indeed, animation was attracting more and more people and you were one of them.

,,Back then, when we lived in Japan, we somehow won a sightseeing trip and I got to see the Ghibli studio. I think that that was the moment I fell in love with it,’’ you told him as he looked around.

,,And then? I mean, Japan is one of the best countries to study animation, right?’’ he asked you. Vanderwood was truly interested in it.

He wanted to know everything about you.

The brown haired man wanted to know what made your eyes shine so brightly and why you were so in love with your job.

,,Uhm, yeah. Spain is the best country to study animation, but I also expected it to be Japan. Back then and still today, living there was too expensive. My parents wanted to move back to Korea and so I went to Spain to study my dream,’’ you laughed.

,,I’m amazed. I expected you to go with your parents,’’ he laughed and observed you.

,,I was amazed by myself too, you know? It was a hard decision, but I never regretted what I did. I could fulfil my dream and it’s my life after all.

And knowing more languages is even better because there are so many more opportunities,’’ you laughed.

,,Please never lock the door in other languages like Agent 707,’’

You laughed at his comment. ,,I won’t… but maybe something animated?’’ you teased him.

MASTERLIST 1

MASTERLIST 2

MASTERLIST 3

17.04.2021// 00:18 MEST

[that-bi-bitch-writes]

My Favs... and possibly why

(Haikyuu, My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen)

Haikyuu!!

1. Iwaizumi- tbh if you think it’s because I find him hot you are partially correct. but like he is a multitalented athlete who cares about his friends(strangers too) and despite having all the traits of a strong leader he spends his time supporting and helping others and is passionate about it marry me now. He strong also. My haikyuu husband

2. Kenma- Anxious gamer boy supports nerdy friend, in his passion finds joy in it, is incredibly smart/perceptive, hot , awkward, puts his all in the things he likes doing. everyone says he’s not baby he’s aggressive, chaotic and would not hesitate to fight but that is what makes him MY baby.

3. Noya- Hello what show are you watching if you don’t like nishinoya?? although he is very energetic and it would exhaust me at time he’s talented, pretty, passionate, shorter than me, loving and motivating. I want to be the kiyoko or asahi in his eyes. that look in his eyes. I want it to be for me.also i want to go on a gay trip around the world with him no fair asahi

4. Asahi- Trope subversion yes please. Give me my big softie who is a ball of anxiety but a normal teenager even though he looks so tough and mature i love him so much and he’s strong and reliable and would support you in whatever you’re doing come on what is there not to like (besides his new design) i want him to smile for me and design some clothes for me.

5. Tie for Hinata and Bokuto- Idk i don’t have that shounen mc aversion so i love loud passionate babies. Hinata is not my favorite but I haven’t seen the whole series and I think i can fall in love with him a little more because he’s adorable and passionate and hardworking look at him why would I hate him. Bokuto is like hinata if hinata had his personality put in a bigger body. It’s a little more unstable in the bigger body but still fun and so amazing. beefy.

honorable mentions: Aone & Ushijima: Asahi in different fonts. Suga: I would marry him if he asked but in terms of fav characters he narrowly missed top 5. Tendou & Kyotani: They are seen as scary but i don’t find them scary and want to tame them and have them for myself. Matsukawa: Hot. you need anything else?

 Jujutsu Kaisen:

1. Yuji Itadori- He is SO CUTEEE. Hellooooo are you watching jujutsu kaisen? like I know you’re all unnecessarily horny for Gojo and Sukuna but no one is better than Yuji. He is sweet and cute and considerate and loving and trusting and a beautiful himbo. He is adaptable, welcoming, passionate, and he’s like one of the only characters i know who says “i don’t want to kill because I value human life but one day I will have to. Until then I am going to look for other ways” He accepts the darkness of the world and that he is going to be put in a difficult position. He is not on the “killing people is always bad no matter what situation you’re in” train. I dislike those people. 

2)Teenage Gojo and Geto- to avoid spoilers I’m just gonna say icons. mwah

3) Nobara- I am not a gay disaster I am a bi/pan disaster. All other men (except the ones above) pale in comparison to this wonderful woman. She is chaotic, badass, smart, amazing wonderful talented gorgeous where was I going with this. Anyway when she was fighting that one guy and she was whooping his ass it was amazing (this happens i would say often so it’s not a spoiler)

4) Nanami: I feel better about him than Reigen Arataka but they are similar. Nanami wants Yuji to be a child, though he respects Yuji and recognizes his power and passion. He wants kids to be able to be kids and let the adults handle the big problems. Unlike reigen he actually realizes when he can’t handle everything by himself and the kids will be put into hard and horrible positions so he teaches/advises. Also he hates working as he should

5) Megumi: He is cute and i love his non gendered preference for good people. plus i think his animals are cool. He is respectful and cares a lot, i like how his bad backstory affects him but doesn’t control/motivate him. pretty dry otherwise

honorable mention: Adult gojo: cutie! Junpei: no words. Sukuna: bastard but likeable

BNHA/ My Hero

1. Aizawa- Did you think I would put anyone else in the number one spot? please. Aizawa Shouta is my one and true husband above all fandoms. This man is hot, all other words for attractive, gorgeous, funny, sleep deprived passionate (“really cool”-shigaraki) he cares about his students, regular people and i think a little bit for people who become villains out of necessity. I have read the manga and vigilantes and oh my god he is such a great hero and so strong ugh. Him and the kitty in vigilates 10/10. He is a true hero and I think he’s better than all might

2) Bakugou- It took me a long road to get here but I am 100% a bakugou fan. When he was in middle school I wanted to beat the crap out of him and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one. He took things too far. But then I started to think about his life and i’m 100% sure I would’ve become a villain in like season 4. He matured, and became a strong willed passionate person who cares about saving people over proving his worth and I know that was hard for him. I dare say he had even more character growth than anyone else in the series that stuff speaks to me. It definitely doesn’t hurt that he’s attractive

3) Shinso- I think I saw a tiktok where people were confused how we like shinso so much after seeing so little of him and I was so confused as to how his little screen time wasn’t enough for y’all??? Traumatic backstory? pretty hair? sleep deprivation? strong motives and an amazing quirk? sarcasm and cutthroat attitude to get where he wants but he refrains from violating people too much? he is like aizawa and bakugou mixed together and then given some insecurities what’s there not to like

4) Midoriya- He’s a really cool MC i’m gonna be honest. He just isn’t my favorite person in the series. He’s a hard worker, brave, strong, admirable, adorable, and sweet. he can also get violent and lets loose and cares about people. I for one am really glad to see him living out his dream and thinks he’ll be fantastic

5) Amajiki & Kirishima- These two are the opposites of each other but make up for it and make great work partners. Amajiki is cute and shy with a lot of anxieties but he’s powerful and smart and can take control of a situation very quickly once he makes his mind up. He is wonderful i love him. Kirishima is handsome and bold showing off his strength and charisma but he has a lot of insecurities about inaction yet he can be great support especially when he’s got a good partner/leader fighting with him (bakugou, fatgum, amajiki). An he’s sweet and amazing

honorable mention: Twice: He is caring and so sweet and i love him, also he’s hot. Iida: loosen up a little class rep, you’re smart and semi adaptable, you are passionate and pretty handsome too. Present Mic: amazing talented brilliant showstopping. the only other person who can have aizawa. 

[jongdality]

me thinkin' about how i've grown up with exo and watched as they lived and learned and developed as professionals and humans, overcoming the struggles of a poor debut concept and scandal after scandal with their tenacity and love for each other

Then thinkin' about how Kyungsoo, a somewhat aloof, awkward and weird boy who decided to be bold and try out for SM after old people at karaoke competitions told him to and he made 8 brothers for life who love him dearly and support him and his antics and his acting career and call him cute no matter how much he says he isn't good at anything and that he's boring and Manly and how he has starred in a full-ass movie and is partially credited as breaking the "idol-actor" stereotype and writes love songs with chanyeol on the DL that chanyeol reveals on his lives and wrote the lyrics to a lovely, comforting song for us before leaving to join the military so he can become an even bigger star in multiple films once he gets out

Then thinkin' about how bbh, an outgoing boy who flicked lights on and off to make his friends giggle, met a friend for life, kjd, on the very same day they both were to audition to get into a group that was about to debut, how he worked hard to break down barriers in the group and became the moodmaker, and how people thought he was bad at dancing because he hadn't had time to train but actually every solo dance he's been given he's slayed to the point that he became the CENTER FOR CBX, how he worked hard to learn piano in a very short amount of time to play The Answer for his EXO-Ls, how even after an early scandal in which is privacy was invaded he still looks at us with such love and protection and is NOW an amazing solo artist who texts the exo group chat saying he misses them so much

Then thinkin' about Suho. Kim frickin' Joonmyeon. The underdog of the entire group. Born rich, charismatic and well-educated, could have been ANYTHING but CHOSE to train for SEVEN YEARS due to his love of music. You guys. When Baek and another member got into trouble for cussing while playing video games sometime in 2012-2013 and a sasaeng threatened to reveal the voice clips of them cussing purportedly to apink members, joonmyeon texted her personally, so cold, so professional, "are you blackmailing us? If you release the clip you won't be forgiven" big fuckin dad energy, worked so hard on his singing and dancing yet still asks not to be given too many lines or placed center too often, gives up his seats for his members ALWAYS, accepted their first awards show win alone stoic and professional as the boys broke down in the back room after the news of kris leaving broke, now has multiple solo songs and acts and is literally set to be higher-level management at SM due to all his hard work, definitely puts out that goofy mom energy but is actually extremely intelligent, protective and the go-to guy for all the members and this para has no point i just think kim joonmyun deserves everything

Remembering that chanyeol has a famous sister and is a multitalented instrumentalist that didn't actually need to become an idol, but he did because he wanted "brothers", how he skyrocketed an entire foot from debut til now, how he's all teeth and ears and big anime eyes and legs and he's confident and happy after years of struggling w his weight and self-image, makin music and writing lyrics and modeling for tommy hilfiger and riding scooters in paris and despite the fact that he can't dance he tries, despite the fact that he didn't audition to be a rapper he became one of korea's best, how he turns into a little kid every time he's around any small animal and just tries to cuddle and feed it as he coos in his Low Man Voice, his tough raps but then his soft exo station song SSFW, and now exo-sc with his bestie and ACTING!!!

Thinkin' about Xiumin. Xiumin who came in as a vocalist and ended up being one of the best dancers in the group (even tho he hits the highest notes!!!). Xiumin who is the oldest and wisest but is still willing to throw that ass back to havana to make cbx laugh. Xiumin who is korea's pick, who kids and ahjummas alike fall for. Xiumin who is beautiful and quiet and humble and supports his brothers from the sidelines, who is so loving and caring, who released an adorable solo that matches him so well and is now winning fckn awards in military training for being so goddamn amazing. Xiumin who attends TVXQ concerts and supports all of his fellow celebrities. Mark's dad. Amazing man. Says he has no friends outside of exo but literally everyone loves him. Dedicated his formative years to the group even when he wasn't spotlighted like he deserves to be and-

Lay. That's it. That's the paragraph. He came in not speaking Korean and is now one of the top-grossing musicians in all of China. Breaking barriers. Learning languages in a matter of months. Solo albums out the wazoo that he composed. Coming back to wish Kyungsoo goodbye even though he hasn't been on a stage with them in years. Didn't leave, although I'm sure he was mistreated just as much as the members who did. All of exo loves him so fucking much.

Kai. Kai who could have been a professional ballet dancer, could have been a full-time model, debuts as the SCREAMO BOY in mama. Gets made fun of for his skin complexion. Is shy and embarrassed for the first 2 or 3 years of exo interviews, and is still pretty shy and introverted. But boy became the fucking IDOL'S IDOL. FANCAMS GOING VIRAL LEFT AND RIGHT. SUSTAINING INJURIES, CRYING WHEN HE MESSES UP AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT DANCE ROUTINE TO "I SEE YOU". Is such a perfectionist to the point of pushing himself into constant injury, and besides that has had his personal life broadcasted all over the news MULTIPLE times even though he's so shy and withdrawn irl. People cry to meet him, now. Front and center of every exo dance. A dancing god and the reason half of NCT auditioned. I cannot emphasize how proud I am of Kai, who is only a few months older than sehun yet has had to grow up so fast as the face of the group. Solo during the olympics with plantar fasciitis. Model who stuns at every Gucci show in new and experimental designs.

Sehun. Oh fuckin' Sehun. Ran away from recruiters because his mom told him not to talk to strangers, and now he's modelling for every major fashion campaign, is on the cover of vogue, has his dream dog and certifiably has the biggest dick of all exo members. Became a main dancer through hard work and practice even though nobody ever talks about how hard osh works bc he's sort of overshadowed by kai. Insecure about his singing voice but makes crowds go wild every time he even croons out one beautiful, dulcet line. Babied by junmyeon, kissed and coddled by all the exo members, still has Big Baby Energy but is debuting in a group with his fellow chaotic neutral yeol and looking all sexy with his swooped back hair and his 0 follows on insta. Sings in We Young and raps his little heart out. His solo during concerts still shake my very uterus and im pretty sure he's gay. That's how powerful ohs is, and he can only go up from here.

And finally my baby boy kim jongdae. Chanyeol once said Jongdae is so nice that he comes off as stupid and that is absolutely positively true. Boy is the manifestation of the john mulaney quote "you could pour soup on my lap and id apologize to you". Is a ray of fucking sunshine whose only goal as he was singing in that video from high school was to "become a singer". It's his passion. It's the reason he LIVES. He prays to jesus before every concert but worships music. One of THE best vocalists in the game with the cleanest and most controlled voice, sings in the shower, sings in the car, sings while walking to pet some deer, sings because he loves it and now he's a soloist with his own album out and another in the works, and not only that, he dances his feet on fire in CBX and exo routines and remains steady to hit those high notes. Duets abound because everyone loves him. Will tell a bitch to back off when talking about his private life bc he's probably a husband with 6 happy, healthy children at home. Started out as the nervous boy chasing a dream on that fateful day with bbh and became the nation's pick, sings CONSTANTLY, yet is still so humble he opens up a yt channel just to cover other artists' songs. MCs for Baekhyun's solo and shows up to all his performances to monitor. Heart of gold. Smiles when he's hurting. Deserves this solo career and deserves the happiest life this world can provide him.

Words aren't enough to express how grateful I am for these men, how proud I am and how much I just want them to know that we know how hard they've worked to get as far as they have. Compare them to any other group, even other SM groups, and it's clear that their passion, drive, skill and professionalism is unrivaled. They are all born artists and musicians down to their core, and with that, they're all kind, sweet people who are who they are because they debuted as 18, 19, 20, etc year old men 7 years ago and have grown up together, suffered together, celebrated together and loved together. They've switched up sounds, concepts, gone experimental, have created some of the most beautiful ballads and harmonies music has ever seen, and they strive for nothing but the best. ALWAYS. They have never disappointed me, and they never fail to inspire me every time they show the fruits of all their labor (as well as multiple creative people and teams that come together to create EXO) onstage as one.

Exo we are one, saranghaja.

[artificialqueens]

Laws of Motion / Chapter 1 (Trixya) - DenDenMonMon

Summary: “Every object persists in its state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed on it.”

A/N: 

Hi. Hello. How are you? Welcome to another crazy idea that came to my mind and have no clue where it’s gonna take us! Wooh! Usually I’m not a big fan of crude smut thrown at you right from the start, yet, here we are haha so, if that’s not your cup of tea, you can just skip that part once you reach it, there’s no other impact on the story other than it happened. Hope you enjoy the ride. Thanks for reading! -Monkey

AO3 Link

Laws of Motion

Chapter 1 - Pink.

The music was loud.

More than hear it, Katya could feel it.

She could feel the waves of sound pulsing all through her body. She could feel her blood running through her veins to the rhythm of the unfamiliar song. Her eyes were closed as her ears filled with the blaring noises of the club, clashing and mixing together. Her arms were up in the air as she allowed her mind to go blank. Her body responded to the movements dictated both by the music and the hands of the stranger holding her hips.

She could feel the man’s fingers digging into her flesh, but she didn’t mind. She could feel his semi-erection against her ass, but she didn’t care. She liked it. She liked the fact that she was utilizing him. Right in that moment, he was nothing but an object to her. He might as well be a wall she was slamming her body against while dancing, he had as much importance. His reaction to the way her body moved was all she was looking for. She liked that power. Taking advantage of that power, of the symbolic grip she had on the guy, she turned around in his arms. Her hips pressed hard against his. She could feel him through her tight skirt. If there hadn’t been clothes between them, they could very easily be fucking already.

She knew that.

He knew that.

His stare told her as much.

That was the only reason why she turned around and walked away. He called after her but she didn’t listen. One of her hands went up in the air, dismissing him completely. He really had nothing else to offer her.

She made her way through the crowd. The dance floor was completely packed and she loved to feel the pressure of hot bodies against her own, even if it was just for a second. The only problem was, it was too hot and she was sweating. She needed a break.

With a little bit of trouble she managed to step away from the moving bodies, and went to find her friends. They were all drinking and dancing in the little private area. That particular booth was permanently reserved for them. That was the type of privilege they got for being regulars at the club. The seats of the small round tables were not always filled, but that night was a special occasion.

“That was quick. Did you fuck him already?” Violet swung her long ponytail from one shoulder to the other. Her dark hair shone with the fluorescent lights blinking behind her.

Katya laughed at her assumptions, her head shaking in disbelief. “You are rotted!” And that was all the attention she dedicated to the matter.

She went around the circle, pretending to give lap dances to those sitting down, and watched them get shit-faced as she sipped from her tall glass of Coke. She felt happy, she felt alive, she felt completed. There were no visible cares in the world. All the people that mattered to her the most were right there, in that stinky booth, having fun and enjoying themselves. If only things could stay like that forever, or at least for a little bit longer, but they couldn’t. Because time waited for no man, nor woman, and life went on, leaving behind whoever wasn’t ready to catch up.

Suddenly, she noticed the bucket in the center getting empty, when it had been filled to the rim with beer bottles not so long ago. Placing her fingers between her lips, she whistled in the direction of the bar.

Her eyes caught a girl sitting alone on one of the stools. Her hair was blonde, flat-ironed, and parted in the middle. It went all the way down to her waist, creating a remarkable contrast against the bright pink dress she was wearing. Her shoulders went up and down at an erratic pace, not really following the beat of the song.

The bartender whistling back took Katya out of her trance. She shook the empty bucket, the remaining ice cubes rattling inside. No other explanation was needed and the bartender sent a waiter her way, to retrieve the bucket to be filled again.

Her eyes were glued to the girl during this entire time. She watched her fingers rapidly tap against her phone, probably sending text messages that she was going to regret in the morning. Her head hung low. She was most likely crying. Her long fingers wrapped around the neck of a beer bottle, and she seemed to down it all in one swing. Katya had to guess it hadn’t been completely full; the girl didn’t look like the type that could drink an entire bottle of beer at once.

A waiter finally approached her, new round of beers in his hand, making her stop her observations. For the time being, she forgot about the girl drinking alone at the bar, and she concentrated her attention on making sure everybody had a drink in their hands.

It wasn’t necessary, but she couldn’t miss the chance. She drank the last bit of her soda and made her way through the crowd again.

“Hey, Bob!” Katya approached the bar, the empty glass high in the air. “Oops, sorry. I touched you.” She apologized when she felt her arm bump against the person on the tall stool. The girl simply looked away, hiding her face behind the curtain of straight hair. “Another one, please and thank you.”

Bob took the glass from her hand and reached for a new can of Coca-Cola. “Coming right up!”

The process was simple, but took the bartender enough to give Katya time to analyze the blonde girl. She still wouldn’t look in Katya’s direction, which gave her the freedom to shamelessly scan her up and down. She was cute. Really cute.

Bob finally gave her the long glass back, filled with ice cubes and bubbling soda.

“You are the best.” She flashed her biggest smile his direction. “Put it on my tab, and, please, give Depressed Malibu Barbie over here a double of whatever she’s drinking,” she said as she turned around to leave.

She heard a loud ‘I’m not…’ coming from the girl but Bob quickly cut her off.

“Just take the drink.”

Without looking at them again, Katya made it back to her friends. She stepped on the cushions of the booth, holding on to someone’s shoulder for balance.

“Hi, yes, hello. May I please have your attention, you dirty whores?”

Everyone around her stopped what they were doing. They turned to look at her with amusement on their faces. Nobody knew what to expect, but were perfectly aware that there was not one time that Katya didn’t make them laugh with her speeches.

“Thank you, thank you. As you know, Miss Ginger Minj over here, AKA female Danny DeVito, AKA Tony Soprano, AKA…” She had to stop mid-sentence, laughing hysterically at her own words as everybody else chuckled slightly. “AKA my best friend and partner, decided to abandon us all and get an early retirement.”

She exaggerated a face of disappointment, only as a cover-up for the real sadness that had invaded her for months. Ginger had recently gotten married, and she was the happiest she had been in her entire life. It didn’t surprise anybody when she let them know she was leaving, wanting to dedicate her entire attention to her husband and the new life they were about to start.

“You will be greatly missed,” Katya continued with put-on solemnity. “Luckily, your BO will linger around the halls forever.” There was one more pause as she recovered from her own joke, before she actually turned serious. “Come on, now, raise your glasses and join me in the celebration of the one and only, the multitalented, the incomparable, the often imitated but never duplicated, Ginger Minj! May her smoker’s breath continue to infest every room she ever walks into, may her big juicy ass only grow bigger and juicier, and may that new husband of hers fuck her so hard every night that she can never walk straight again.”

There was a round of laughter as her friends lifted their drinks to her words.

“To Ginger!” She ended loudly, making the people around her to repeat in unison. The words were followed by the sound of bottles and glasses clinking with each other.

She got down and hugged her friend. The smile was still on her face when she turned around in the direction of the bar again. The mysterious girl was looking at her, or at them, probably their toasting had called her attention. Katya wasn’t sure. All she knew was that she was intrigued by the girl, hiding behind the heavy layers of makeup that made it impossible to even look at her eyes.

Katya would later learn that her name was Trixie, that her heart had just been broken, and that she tasted sweeter than any other girl that had ever ridden her face. For the time being, she was reduced to a sad woman, drinking alone at the bar, wearing a pink dress and too much makeup.

It was very unusual of Trixie to be doing so, she had to admit as much to herself, but the circumstances called for it. The rough and sudden shift in her perfect little life didn’t seem to have any other solution but to drown it in alcohol.

She had been there before. She had been hurt by a man before, but never like this. This time it felt different. She wasn’t even sure why she had such strong feelings about it. Things had been good, but there was no reason for her to be destroyed about the end of her relationship.

Her finger unlocked the phone, even when it didn’t show any new notifications. She went to the messaging app and opened a specific conversation. It could barely be called that, if she was being honest. Nothing but blue bubbles appeared on her screen, filling up the right hand side of the unilateral discussion. The smiley emoji wearing a cowboy hat, followed by pink hearts and sparkles, at the top of the screen, suddenly made her feel sick.

Drunk texting was never a good idea, she knew as much, she was smart enough to know that. The pressure in her chest, the pain in her soul, and the alcohol running through her veins, gave her enough courage to type yet another message.

Thank you for teaching me what true love ISN’T.

She backspaced the entire thing, deleting the message and starting over.

You just made me realize how much I don’t need you.

That was a lie. She did need him. She did miss him. Or at least she missed how it felt to be loved by someone; but that was a feeling that had been gone for some time now. They had lived miles and miles and hours apart, but they had been able to make it work. She would visit him every other weekend, and he would take a trip down to meet her whenever he was available. Through many phone and FaceTime calls is that they had made it possible to stay together even when being apart. Trixie had to wonder if that was the reason why they lasted so long, because they didn’t really see each other. If she had to put together all the days they actually spent together in the course of so many years, they wouldn’t sum up to more than a few months.

With a heavy sigh, she pushed the button to lock her phone again.

No message was sent.

She looked around instead, noticing for the first time how loud the music was. She had been immersed in her own pathetic little world that she had taken no regard on the people partying behind her.

The spinning of the stool was enough to make her dizzy, she decided to sit still, like she had been doing the whole night, and asked for another beer.

The tall man behind the counter, Bob, looked at her with a side grin. “Girl, don’t get me wrong. I’m from New York. I’m all about getting plastered and then riding the train home at the same time that people are going to work.” He laughed at his own words, taking the empty bottle from her hand. “Are you sure about that drink?”

“Oh, my God! I’m so glad you asked!” Trixie’s sarcasm was not missed by the bartender who laughed wholeheartedly. “Yes, I’m sure about that fucking drink.”

The beer was placed in front of her, then a bottle of water landed right next to it. “Meet me halfway?” The guy asked with the same shit-eatting grin.

Trixie rolled her eyes, but took the cap off of the water bottle anyways. “I’d really appreciate it if you stayed away from my business. Thank you.”

He lifted his hands in surrender and moved along to serve other customers. No other words were said. For a moment, Trixie was sad the interaction was over. She had finally been given a distraction from her own destructive thoughts and she had pushed it away. All she could do now was watch the bald man as he laughed and handed out glasses filled with liquor. Trixie wondered if he was giving them a hard time as well, if he was always protective of his customers or if he had felt pity for her. She was drinking alone, and visibly crying, after all.

That had to stop immediately.

She drank the entire water bottle at once, not really realizing how much her body needed it until the first drops touched her tongue, and stood up. With the phone in her hand, she made her way to the bathroom. Walking was a struggle, and her high heels were not helping. Maybe she was, indeed, drunk.

She entered the last stall of the row. Her body felt heavy as she sat on the toilet. Her elbows landed on her knees and she let her head drop to her hands.

As Trixie was receiving the epiphany that she needed while peeing, on the other side of the club Katya felt claustrophobic. There were too many people in the small space with the extremely low roof. The room felt hot and air was not circulating enough. Ironically, she knew that the thing she needed to be able to breathe at peace again was a cigarette.

She stepped outside and the warm breeze hit her face. It was as much as she could ask for a LA night and she took it gladly. Up until that moment she hadn’t realized just how sweaty she was. The belt around her waist was too tight, making it even harder for her to breathe normally. She liked her top, and was grateful for picking something see-through. It allowed air to flow and her tattoos to show, but the feeling of mech against her arms and torso was itchy. She could feel every piece of clothing sticking to her skin. It wasn’t a nice feeling but it was one that she was rather used to.

The calming effects of the nicotine worked wonders right away. She could feel her lungs expanding as they filled with smoke. Her thoughts immediately stopped racing and a sense of utter peace enveloped her whole.

She kicked pebbles with the tip of her shoe. One arm was wrapped around her waist, the other one finding support on it to place the cigarette to her lips. Everything around her was quiet. And she liked it that way. She could see the cars driving on the street, their lights bright enough to reach her all the way at the end of the alley.

Her peaceful moment was disrupted by the back door of the club opening roughly. The girl from the bar walked out, her steps stomping hard against the pavement as she walked with alcohol induced confidence.

“That’s right,” she said to the phone glued to her ear. “I am walking to the dumpster right now. I am taking the key out of my purse,” she narrated her every move. “If you don’t say anything right now I will throw it in there, and you will never see me again.” There was a pause, which clearly didn’t give her the answer that she was looking for. “Fine. It’s done. Bye, see you never,” she assured as the small piece of metal landed on trash bags with a small thud. “I guess you don’t love me after all.”

Forcefully, she pressed the red button to end the phone call. She turned around and spotted Katya for the first time.

“Ex-boyfriend?” Katya asked, respectfully blowing smoke in the opposite direction.

Trixie nodded her head. “Ex-boyfriend’s voicemail, to be exact.”

Katya smiled, throwing the butt of the cigarette on the ground and stepping on it. “You are too hot for him anyways.”

Her eyes grew wide open in surprise. “How do you know that? You don’t know him, or me.”

“But I have eyes, and I can see you are hot, Barbie doll.”

“Trixie, my name is Trixie.”

“Nice to meet you, Trixie. Say, do you feel like dancing the depression away?”

The girl extended her hand and Trixie took it, allowing the total stranger to pull her back inside. She didn’t realize, but Trixie never got the girl’s name. It didn’t seem to matter then, not when their bodies grinded together and the music did all the talking. The name was going to be a big deal in a few hours, though, when Trixie’s orgasm was going to rip her to pieces and she was not going to know which name to scream in delight. Right that instant, however, it was irrelevant.

Trixie allowed Katya to press her body against hers, to let the song that was playing loudly from the speakers to provide the necessary words to fill up the space around them. It felt good. It felt nice to have soft skin brushing against her own. It felt electrifying when nails dug on her flesh. It felt hot when the perfectly round ass rubbed against her crotch.

Hot.

It was hot, both the room and their dance. Katya was a complete mystery and an enigma. She would whisper silly nothings into her ear, making Trixie laugh with joy, and, at the same time, use her body to set Trixie’s on fire. She had never felt like this before, so free, so careless, so turned on. Trixie knew her heart was still torn into a million pieces, but the thin girl exploring her body with her hands, was melting her in such a way that the broken parts seemed to glue themselves back together.

Everything around her was spinning, and Trixie didn’t seem to find another anchor that it wasn’t Katya’s body crashing against her own. She became the gravity center that she needed. And the pull was so strong that Trixie couldn’t help it when she suddenly found herself pressing her lips against the other woman’s. This was something completely new to her, but the feeling was so amazing that she didn’t want to deprive herself from it.

Katya smiled for a moment, moving her lips to Trixie’s ear. “You are drunk, bitch.”

The new position only allowed Trixie to plant a kiss on Katya’s neck, never stopping the swaying of their bodies. “So are you, so what’s the problem?” she said against her skin. She simply couldn’t stop herself. She wanted– she needed more of her. “Wanna get out of here?”

Katya pushed her away, just enough to look her in the eye. “Are you sure? You may regret this in the morning.”

“Are you really that bad in bed?”

Both looked at each other for a moment, before erupting in uncontrollable laughter. Katya was the first one to recover her voice. “I’ll grab my stuff.”

“I’ll get us an Uber.”

The car drive was made in silence. Katya had enough conscience to leave some space between them in the backseat. Trixie had been drinking, a lot. Katya wanted to give her that time to sober up and think if that was really what she wanted. Trixie seemed to be doing just that. Katya observed her from the far end of the seat, kept a close eye in the way she looked out the window, the city lights making the glitters on her face shine bright. It was a beautiful sight of a beautiful girl.

Trixie was completely aware of Katya’s eyes on her. She liked that feeling. Something in the bottom of her stomach had been set on fire, and the heat spread all the way down to her most private area, making her throb with desire she had never felt before. It was new and interesting and she couldn’t wait to explore the feeling some more.

She turned around abruptly, expecting Katya to look away and pretend she wasn’t watching her, but she didn’t.

“Are you one hundred percent sure you wanna do this?”

If there was any trace of doubt in Trixie’s mind, the sincerity in Katya’s eyes made it fly out the window. “Are you kidding me? Yes, of course I am.”

They both held their stares for a moment too long until Trixie extended her hand, taking Katya’s and interwinding their fingers. Still holding hands, they walked inside the apartment building. It wasn’t until they were inside the elevator that Katya even tried to make a move.

Still holding hands, they walked inside the apartment building. It wasn’t until they were inside the elevator that Katya even tried to make a move.

“Come here, Mamma.”

Trixie did as she was told. With a side smile on her face, she moved to stand right in front of Katya, towering her. Each of her hands flanked Katya’s head as she leaned forward, pressing her lips softly against hers. It wasn’t a kiss, not really, it was a tentative move, almost as if they were testing the feeling under these new circumstances. There was no loud music or sweaty people dancing around them. There was nobody but them in that small metallic box, space that kept feeling smaller and smaller the longer they kissed. Because the elevator was not big enough to contain the immense waves of desire that washed over them like tsunami tides.

The door slid open with a ding, revealing their own image reflecting on the mirror across from them. They looked a hot mess. Katya stared at herself, at the mascara creating dark circles under her eyes, where it mixed with the liner that had already ran. Her hair was gone beyond the point of no return.

If she had gotten into this state, just by dancing, she couldn’t imagine how she was going to look like walking out of that apartment, all fucked out by the real size Barbie doll dragging her through the narrow hallway.

They stopped by the door with the letter F on the front. Trixie pulled her closer, her lips once again meeting Katya’s as her hand fished the key in her purse. Doing both things at the same time proved to be too difficult for her, but she didn’t stop either. She allowed her mouth to continue devouring Katya’s as she pushed the key into the knob. Her tongue was running against each of Katya’s teeth when the front door closed with a bang.

“You need to take off your shoes,” Trixie informed her between kisses. She turned around and found stability on the wall in front of her, trying to kick off her high heels.

That was when she felt Katya’s hands on her ass. “I think you need to take off your panties.”

What happened next, Trixie felt in slow motion. Her eyes closed when her dress had been moved up. Katya’s finger hooked on the sides of her underwear and she pulled it down her legs. Trixie’s hands were planted on the wall, holding on for dear life, when she first felt Katya’s tongue against her center. Her legs spread by themselves, giving Katya more access. Her back arched, as she forcefully pushed herself against Katya’s mouth. She pressed her front hard against the wall, just because her upper half needed some attention as well.

Nobody had ever eaten her out like that.

Nobody had made her legs feel like rubber with simple touches like that.

Nobody had brought her so near an orgasm within the first few seconds like that.

She could have been softly moaning, she could have been screaming loudly, she didn’t care. Except that, when a particularly loud moan escaped her lips, suddenly something came to mind.

“Oh, my God. Kim!”

Katya smiled against her thigh, kissing it softly, and speaking against her skin. “Oh, so you wanna role play?”

“No, you stupid.” Trixie stood up straight, reluctantly moving away from her spot, away from Katya’s hot lips. “Kim is my roommate. I don’t know if she’s ho–” She couldn’t even finish her sentence when she fully looked at Katya, kneeled down right next to the front door, mouth and chin wet, both with saliva and what Trixie could only imagine was her own arousal. She bit her lower lip, her want increasing by the second. “You are so hot.”

Katya took Trixie’s extended hand and allowed her to pull her up. Katya let her take the lead as Trixie kissed her roughly one more time, forcing her to walk backwards and guiding her towards the bedroom. Their lips never parted until they reached the last door at the end of the small apartment.

Trixie walked inside and turned on the light on the bedside table. Suddenly they were surrounded by nothing but pink. The shade on the lamp was bright pink, bright enough to almost drown the different shades of the same color around the room. The pillows, the sheets, the comforter, and even the picture frames on the wall, were all pink.

Her observations stopped once Trixie entered her space again. “I want you so bad,” she whispered so low it barely reached Katya’s ear. But she heard it, and she took the invitation happily.

She reached down and took a hold of the hem of Trixie’s dress, pulling it up and above her head. With deft fingers she found the hooks of her bra and Trixie put her arms down so it could slide off of her. There she stood, one of the most amazingly beautiful girls she had ever seen before in all her naked glory. Her breasts were full, and her small waist provided the perfect contrast for her fleshy hips. She pushed Trixie on the bed, making her land softly against the mattress.

Without even thinking about it, she knelt down between her opened legs again. She could tell Trixie was not expecting to have sex that night, which turned Katya on even more. She ran her fingers through the slightly uneven pubic hair until she found her entrance. The first finger entered with ease, making Trixie’s hips buckle up to the touch. Katya moved it around in circles, preparing the girl for the second one, which she took without a problem. When the third finger found its rightful place inside of Trixie, Katya made sure her mouth paid attention to the delicate bundle of nerves as well.

Katya fucked her with her fingers and her mouth for what felt like an eternity. The scream-like moans falling out of Trixie’s lips were enough to make her feel close to the edge herself.

Just when she felt Trixie’s walls clenching around her fingers, everything stopped. Trixie pushed herself up, propping herself on her elbows. “Can I sit on your face?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” Katya replied with a smile.

She stood up, removing her belt in the way. Her top found the floor right after, and Trixie helped her unzip her skirt and toss it to the side.

It was now her turn to lay her back on the mattress. Trixie’s thighs flanked her head and she couldn’t wait to have her again. She stretched her neck and gave her a quick lick. Trixie giggled and held onto the headboard, asking her to wait until she was ready. Katya couldn’t. She reached up and caressed Trixie’s breasts as her tongue entered her over and over. The mixture of sensations had Trixie reaching her orgasm almost immediately. Trixie’s legs gave out and she literally sat on Katya’s face, her thighs sending her to a blissful state of suffocation. Even that wasn’t enough to stop Katya, she continued licking her, sending electroshocks through her already sensitive body.

“I want to taste you,” Trixie said after a few seconds, her body was still recovering from the earth-shattering orgasm.

Katya didn’t protest. She saw how the girl started a trail of kisses down her body, dedicating extra time to her breasts. Nobody had to tell her, Katya knew Trixie had never been with another woman before, she could tell by the way she bit on her nipples, the way she unskillfully sucked on them. That was the reason why she paid close attention when Trixie’s face got lost between her legs. She wanted to see her reaction, which was just how she expected.

“You know, you don’t have to do it if you don’t like it,” Katya said with a reassuring smile.

Trixie’s face relaxed from its contorted state. “No, I do want to.”

No other word was spoken. Katya closed her eyes to the feeling of wet tongue and hot lips. Turned out the girl was pretty good at it. Her tongue went up and down and around, in patterns of a few seconds that already had Katya losing her mind. Her hands took a hold of Trixie’s hair, trying to find anything that could ground her to her Earthly surroundings. She truly felt as if she could touch the sky in that mere instant. It only took one hard suck from Trixie on her most sensitive spot to have Katya screaming out her name. Her hands pressing Trixie’s face against her core so she wouldn’t move from her spot.

As soon as she relaxed, Trixie moved up to lie down next to her. She wrapped an arm and a leg around her, and Katya had no energy to move her away.

“Will you stay the night?” Trixie asked, kissing her shoulder. Her eyes already closed from exhaustion.

Katya didn’t reply, because she couldn’t. She couldn’t stay the night. She waited until Trixie fell asleep to extract herself from her embrace. Katya found her clothes scattered around the floor and turned off the small lamp. Walking out of the room, she got dressed by the front entrance. When she put on her shoes, she spotted the pink thong she had rolled down Trixie’s legs and picked it up. She stuffed it in the pocket of her jacket as she exited the apartment, closing the door behind her as quietly as she could.

End notes:

Thank you so much for reading, and giving this crazy story a chance. You seriously have no idea all things I have planned for you. Expect the unexpected. As always, would love to hear what you think.

[atiny-piratequeen]

It's me! Hope I'm not bugging you. If you can give me a rundown of Ateez (their personalities in life), I'd love you forever! -Minty the Cookie

Okay here we go!

Starting with our beloved leader, Kim Hongjoong is the second oldest member of ateez. He’s incredibly multitalented, he can sing, he can dance, he can rap, he produces music in his studio all the time (which is why he falls asleep in a lot of places. He exhausts himself too much). 

Also something very special of note since debut, Hongjoong has had his one pinky painted in support of the painted man campaign, a campain that encourages men to paint one of their nails in order to raise awareness for CSA victims. I’ve seen plenty of men do this, and I love them for participating, but I’ve never seen anyone do it for as long as our leader and precious Mini Hong

Next is Park Seonghwa. He’s the oldest and the shortest member of who I have dubbed the ‘Tall Line’ (Him, Mingi, and Yunho). Seonghwa is the king of murdering visuals and the members affectionately call him Angry Bird (because of his eyebrows) and Toothless (because of his smile). Seonghwa also appears to be the ‘no nonsense’ member of the group due to his resting bitch face and such, but he’s just as much of an adorable dork as the rest of them.

Next is Jeong Yunho, Ateez’s energizer and self proclaimed ‘puppy’! Yunho is the tallest member of Ateez (some people will tell you him and Mingi are the same height. They’re wrong.), and he has the most adorable nose scrunch in the world when he smiles. Yunho is one of the members of the performance line (with Mingi and Yeosang) and he’s honestly the softest baby bean ever, please give him smooches, okay?

okay okay, next is my soft boy. My baby boy. My absolute-*cough*ahem.

Kang Yeosang is one of the visuals and performance members of Ateez. He’s a shy boy that sucks at winning games (its so sad but also so cute). His favorite thing in the world is flavored chicken and he has a big sweet tooth. He used to be a BigHit trainee (the came company as BTS and TXT) but then he left and joined KQ. He’s also been friends with Wooyoung for 5 years and they aren’t afraid to talk about it. He’s a little petty, tbh, and he likes to casually talk shit about/to the other members (in a friendly way, obviously. But this makes people lable him as ‘savage’ and I have to laugh sometimes bc if yall think that’s savage than I-). He also has the most adorable lisp and birthmark ever near his eye. You don’t see the birthmark often because it’s covered by makeup but seriously, just listen to Yeosang talk. His lisp sends me to a higher plane of existance.

Also his natural eye color is gorgeous, kk thx bye-

Next is our king of dualities, the one everyone calls ‘demon’ one second and then ‘babie’ the next, Choi San! San is honestly a jack of all trades. Main vocal, stunning visual, chaotic but wonderful performer, lOUD(tm). San is honestly just a babie whenever he’s not on stage and he has a habit of collecting plushies. The one we know of the most is a shiba inu plushie named Shiber! San also is highkey Wooyoung’s husband *cough*

Next is Mr. Fix On, himself, Song Mingi! Mingi is the only other rapper of Ateez alongside Hongjoong. He’s the second tallest member of the group, another member of the performance line, and he’s full of energy at all times. Unfortunately, baby boy has been out on injury shortly after this era began, so any recent ateez videos you watch won’t have Mingi in it, since he’s resting. But please love him with all your heart, okay?

Now we have the one ‘in charge of the sexiness in the group’ even tho they’re all sexy wtf, Jung Wooyoung. Okay so remember how I said Yeosang was a BH trainee and then he left for KQ? Guess what? Wooyoung’s friendship and love for Yeo was so strong that he actually followed him to KQ. He said he wanted to debut with his friend and even if they failed, they’d fail together and if that isn’t the cutest shit ever-

Wooyoung is also the epitome of baby boy culture. Small, loud(tm), very affecionate. He’s also a little sHIT and we love him for it. Wooyoung gets a good amount of visuals in mvs and choreos, and you may know him well for the little smirk and wave after the first ‘Will You Be My Friend?’ in Pirate King, or the wiping of the lips after all the boys fucking ended themselves at the end of Hala Hala. Honestly, what a legend.

and last, but not least, is Choi Jongho. Our maknae and local strong boi(tm). Jongho is one of the main vocals and his nickname is “the maknae that’s not really the maknae” because out of all of these crackheads, he’s definately on the more mature side of the spectrum. (Don’t be fooled completely tho, he’s got the chaos energy in him, too). Jongho has some wicked powerful vocals to accompany the fact that he can probably break you with a finger flick to the forehead. He’s also known as the “real life fruit ninja” because, like....he breaks fruit apart (mostly apples) with his bare fucking hands. Showoff.

[sunbird-tells-stories]

Fourteen Facts About Clay (from Monkey Wrench!)

He gets one extra fact because he’s my favorite :)

14 Facts About Clay From MW!

1.) Clay’s parents are named Clifford ‘Cliff’ Bailey and Judith ‘Judy’ Bailey - and they are divorced. He has a baby sister named Jessamine ‘Jessie’ Bailey and a younger brother named Patrick ‘Patty’ Bailey. Right now Patrick lives at the Bailey Ranch with his Pa and Grandpappy Bailey, and Jessie is low key feral and moves around a lot with the Black Vipers all over the American Southwest. She does however technically live with her mom in their modest little trailer in town, and despite the sometimes troubled relationship they have it is a place she is comfortable with hanging her hat.

2.)The Bailey ranch is located 20 minutes away from the small town of Rockwood, Texas. There’s paranormal activity everywhere but otherwise it’s tiny and hot and boring af and everybody knows everybody else and nothing ever truly changes. At times that’s cozy and comforting, especially around the holidays, but other times it sucks. The most exciting thing to do in town is go to the diner, go to the drive in for movies from three decades ago, or go ghost hunting. A lot of the teens that live there are bored out of their skulls.

3.) Clay gets along best with his grandfather Grandpappy Bailey. The two have been close since Clay was a baby and they hold a very special bond. Besides being a pillar of wisdom and love and good humor, Grandpappy is tied with one other person as Clay’s number one confidante and the one he goes to when he’s in need of advice.

4.) The other person mentioned above is Clay’s mom, Judy. She’s strong, loving and the right balance of “Warrior woman who takes no shit” and “motherly matron who makes everything better.” Despite her somewhat tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband, she still is in good standing with Grandpappy Bailey, who often invites her over for cards and dinner when Cliff is out of town. Judy loves each of her children dearly, and wants them to grow up strong and happy and good. Clay is a total momma’s boy and writes and calls her often, and she sends him plenty of postcards from places she visits and little care packages full of stuff from home.

5.) Clay and Jessie are still working on patching up their relationship, but it’s on a much healthier level than it was before. They call each other often and Clay even has a pleasant (if a little shaky) relationship with the rest of the Black Vipers. Jessie still doesn’t like visiting the ranch anymore, but she’s reconciled with her Dad enough to come over for dinner every now and then. They still fight sometimes though, mostly over her future and what she wants to do with her life. (The thought is kind of scary to her)

6.) Clay’s relationship with his brother Patrick, on the other hand, is very, very tense. There’s a lot of pain, bad memories, and old grudges between them and Clay doesn’t like to talk about it. It hurts too much, and if you try to bring it up, he’ll shut down completely and won’t talk for a few days. The two brothers don’t even speak to each other anymore. It’s gotten that bad.

They weren’t always like that though. They used to be quite close, think Stan and Ford from Gravity Falls as kids. Total partners in crime. But as the years went on, their relationship became more and more strained until a certain incident over a certain girl just...broke them apart.

FYI, Clay wants to make up, but Patrick does NOT.

7.) Clay knows how to play the guitar. It’s a side hobby of his and he’s very good at playing and even singing. But nobody really knows about this because he’s so, so shy and is terrified about performing in front of others. Telling people about his love for guitar would mean they’d ask him to play music for them and he doesn’t want that. His music isn’t for other people - its for himself. And he would prefer to keep it that way.

At this point he’s trying to write his own songs, but he knows plenty by heart. The only others he’ll perform in front of are animals right now.

8.) Clay is a total Agent Mulder and believes in the existence of aliens, ghosts, demons, supernatural beings, angels, cryptids, etc. He absolutely believes in the Mothman, Bigfoot, chupacabras etc, and in addition to studying animals and their behaviors, he studies cryptozoology, demonology, ufology and general occult stuff. He’s not as vocal about it as Jessie is, but it is a big interest of his.

9.) When it comes to being the most religious of the Dragons, Clay and Omi are tied for number one. Rai is a little more casual with his Catholicism and Kimiko doesn’t emphasize or think about her beliefs much, but Clay and Omi are pretty serious and devoted. Not overly so, but they definitely say prayers before meals and bed and never ever skip special days of worship.

On that note, Clay is very open minded and respectful of what others believe and how others choose to live their lives. He only gets upset when people choose to live their lives in a way that hurts others.

10.) Clay’s biggest hobby is learning about animals, all animals, on all levels. This is because he has always jived more with animals than people. This is partly due to his shy nature, but also because Dragons Of Earth have always been natural animal magnets.

11.) Clay truly loves Daddy Bailey and Daddy Bailey truly loves Clay. But there’s a lot about Clay’s personality, opinions and interests that Clay keeps hidden from his father because he’s terrified of disappointing his father and getting reprimanded for just being himself. To this day, Clay still has a hard time denying either of his parents anything.

12.) If it wasn’t already clear, Clay’s family is moderately dysfunctional. It does get to him a lot, especially after holiday visits with the family, but he won’t talk about it with others, not even his own team, and often stays silent because he was raised to keep that stuff inside. It has really affected him. Because of his dysfunctional relationships with his dad and siblings, Clay has a tendency to stay overly humble, downplay his strengths, make a visible effort to not stand out and take responsibility for any failures, even if they’re not his fault. The condition of his family weighs heavily on his shoulders.

There are two other Dragons in MW! that Clay could really connect to and find kindred spirits in when it comes to family issues like this. It’s not that hard to guess who they are.

Maybe they’ll all talk someday. I would like to think they’d support each other as close friends when it comes to that stuff.

13.) Growing up, Clay was THE ACE in his small town and was really loved and respected by the community for being so multitalented, earnest, kind and all around awesome. He always made an effort to make others proud and live for other people because he wanted them to know they could rely on him and that he’d never let them down.

So you can imagine how much it hurt when his actions were never good enough for his dad and when those same actions drove his siblings away because they triggered their own insecurities and jealousy. And that really got to him.

Deep down, Clay resents himself. Sometimes those feelings are almost non-existent. Other days they fill up his whole head. Change is hard and healing isn’t linear, even when you’re surrounded by loving, supportive friends.

14.) Clay, like Kimiko, is still at Wudai status and is still working to become a Shoku Warrior. The attainment of Shoku Warrior status is heralded by the attainment and mastery of one or more Shoku powers. You’ll see Clay’s start to show up pretty soon ;) I hope you guys like it! Here’s a hint:

Time.

[space-whalesharks]

nic/john/sharky and “I may be an idiot but I’m your idiot.”

Combined with @zacklover24‘s prompt #11: “Be my wife” - though changed accordingly. 

It’a Beautiful Morning, We’re Looking for Something Dumb to Do

During a particularly lazy morning, Sharky lets some insecurities slip and John and Nic have a question for him in response. 

Nicolette Raylan had marched back into Prosperity’s master bedroom, intent on letting her husband and their boyfriend have it for letting her be the only productive one that morning. They had a lot of work to do that day. They needed to turn one of the vegetable gardens, check up on the Ryes and deliver a few building supplies to Wheaty, and she wanted to get a head start on the day. But her boys hadn’t moved at all, and they hadn’t even come to investigate when she had showered and left the bathroom door open. She was intent on finally dragging them out of bed, but the sight to behold stopped her in her tracks in the doorway.

Sharky was out cold, but he had shifted since she had left. His head was on John’s forearm and he had brought up his knees to John’s chest.

For someone who, even before the Collapse, never shut up about John’s assumed sexual prowess, Sharky seemed more content to cuddle with the man.

Still, the sight was adorable, and she went to retrieve the old Polaroid camera she had found while scavenging one of the old bunkers a while ago. The boys were going to kill her, but if she got to commemorate this, so be it.

She found the camera and took the photo.

The noise woke John and he blinked wearily at her for a moment, then upon realizing Sharky had one of his arms pinned, he heaved a tired sigh and lifted one hand in order to beckon her back to bed.

“We’ve got things to do,” Nicolette pointed out.

“Then what was the point of coming out to my place? Besides, yeah we do, and you’re on our list, Shorty,” Sharky pointed out, though his voice was sleep-heavy.

“We run this place. We’re entitled to sleep in.”

Nicolette tiptoed over to him and poked the Sloth tattoo on his chest, but realized too late it had put her in grabbing range, and John leaned up in order to get an arm around her and pulled her across his body and in between him and Sharky. For someone who had at least initially protested, she gave up immediately and stretched out along John’s side.

John turned his attention to Nic’s outfit- if you could call it that. One of his button-ups with nothing underneath- she knew he could appreciate that, at least. It was the fact that he was clearly distracted by her wearing a pair of Sharky’s boxers- made perfectly evident by the flame patterns-  was paired with his shirt. “What… is this?” he snapped the waistband of the boxers for good measure.

“Hey, they are freshly washed entirely clean, thank you very much.”

John had no idea what the Hell that meant, but judging by how Sharky snorted, he figured it was an inside joke. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to understand it.

“I just miss my college hot mess days,” Nicolette protested.

“You’re always a hot mess,” John corrected.

“Thank you. I just wanted to look the part again,” she replied as she passed him the mug of coffee then lay down so she was back to chest with Sharky and draped her legs over the man. “You love it, don’t lie.”

“I do but I’m still appalled at your taste.”

“I can say the same about my choice of men, too.”

John shrugged. “Well, you did pick Charlemagne.”

“Hey, fuck you,” Sharky cut in,

John flicked his ear, and Sharky immediately did it back.

Comfortable silence passed for a while as  Nicolette got settled back into bed- or at least what two of them thought was comfortable silence.

“Hey.. … you guys know I love you, right?”  Sharky asked after a while.

Nicolette, already experienced with Sharky’s switch of topics gone from comparing shitty action movies to comparing him and her to the characters and then an extremely heartfelt confession, bolted upright in order to face him. “Of course we do.”

“I was joking, Boshaw,” John agreed.

“No! I know that, I jus’… I dunno, I ain’t good with words like you two.”

“Sharky,” the other two said simultaneously, same tone inflection and all, by sheer chance.

Sharky motioned at them. “See? That. I don’t have that with y’all, and I just… I don’t know. I just… wonder if I’m starting to intrude here is all. I mean I know we’re all a thing and it goes beyond this place an’ all but-”  

Nicolette stared at him for a moment, and she could feel John tense, at a loss. “Of course it goes beyond a bed. You’re my best friend, pretty sure John can count the number of friends he’s got on one hand and you’re one of the first couple of fingers, Cal still calls you ‘Dad’ half the time and the jig’s been up for years, you’re part of us, part of this,” she insisted. She thought for a moment. “You know that garbage show V you had me watch during one of our marathons back before things went to shit?”

“Yeah?”

She pointed to herself. “Erica,” she pointed to John. “Hobbes,”  she pointed to Sharky. “Jack. Hell, Star Wars. Leia, Han, Luke before it got weird. Ariadne, Eames, Arthur, get me? You’re part of us. I promise. There’s just…”  she trailed off.

“We had to come a long way before we could happen,” John offered, squeezing Nicolette’s hip gently to make the point he meant just the pair of them. “It was a lot of work and changing, so… we might have a… deeper understanding of each other on some level. With you two it’s easier because there was… nothing to change. You weren’t on opposite sides- well, as heavily as we were. You two were immediately best friends, immediately something- I didn’t have that luxury.”

Sharky paused, considering.

“Hey, we love you too. You’re one of us. Promise. Okay?” Nicolette tossed her leg over his again and leaned into him.

“Yeah, yeah,” Sharky nodded, though he only seemed two-thirds convinced.

“Hey,” Nicolette repeated, “You only aren’t official because we didn’t think you were big on the whole commitment thing. We figured with all your stories about all your game you’d wanna move on.”

Sharky looked perplexed for a few seconds. “I mean, I did, but… then I realized what you just said. I mean y’all are the closest thing to best friends I’ve got and we’ve all been through some shit together and I fuckin’ love Cal and you’re both so attractive I just wanna slap you and then this shit happened and we didn’t fuck anything up and you still like me and we’re still friends and I uh… I just… really… like this? And uh-”

“Marry us,”

Sharky slammed his mouth shut at her request, then looked at John who looked equally startled, but John being John immediately let the look of surprise drop and he looked at the other man expectantly.

“Uh, wha…?”

“Be. Our. Husband,” Nicolette replied.

Sharky blinked at John, who shrugged. “You’re… proposin’? Here?”

“If I’ve let my idiot of a best friend-boyfriend think for a second that he’s not good enough for me or us, I’ve fucked up nearly beyond repair, so yes. Be our husband.”

Sharky looked from her to John and back. “Uh… Johnny Boy?”

“My wife is asking you a question, Charlemagne. We’ve… discussed it. Now all that’s left is you actually answering.”

“And I wouldn’t be-”

“You haven’t been imposing at all ever,” John cut him off. “We were just… being weary of you mentioning not wanting to get married.”

Sharky started again, then scoffed. “Fuck what I said, man. I’d marry the shit out of y’all. So uh… Yes.”

Nicolette shrieked at that and immediately started peppering him with kisses, and John merely managed to reach up and take Sharky’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze to avoid overwhelming the poor man.

When Nicolette finished with him, Sharky pulled away, beaming, then stopped short. “Hold up, is this like your guys’ common law marriage bullshit with you guys just calling each other it, or that whole to do by the Yes sign when y’all got actually married?”

“Your call,” John answered.

“… Can we just have a small thing at your place?”

“Of course.”

“Right on,” Sharky nodded slowly. “Man, Auntie Addie’s gonna be so jealous.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet,” John deadpanned playfully.

“Holy shit, I’m gonna be a fuckin’ Raylan. How badass is that?”

“Pretty badass. And babe, you’ve been a Raylan since you went dynamite fishing in my presence like, the first week I knew you. I thought only my family was dumb enough to do that.”

“Hey, it fucking works.”

“Only you would focus on that, considering what we just asked you.”

“Hey, I can multitask. I’m just that multitalented,” Sharky objected.  “Like right now, I am perfectly happy if we get to the X-rated celebratin’ part.”

“That, is the most sensible thing you’ve said the whole day,” Nicolette pointed out, though she scooted up so she could throw one leg over his hip.

“Including ‘yes’?”

“Especially including yes. Horrible mistake you’re making, marrying us.”

“Yeah, well, I’m an idiot, but I’m your idiot.”

“You’re damn right you are,” she replied, before the three of them promptly went through with Sharky’s request.

[toyahinterviews]

TOYAH ON BBC BREAKFAST 31.8.2021

(The "Zoom Zoom" video plays) LOUISE MINCHIN : I’m really excited! Toyah’s here! Good morning! TOYAH: Good morning! I’m excited! I watch you guys every morning! DAN WALKER: I can’t believe that all of that was shot on an iPhone basically? TOYAH: I shot it all in lockdown on an iPhone. DAN: That is a pandemic album then? TOYAH: It's a pandemic album. It's also an album about freedom and getting out again, hugging, kissing people, celebrating, dancing, celebrating those that you love as well, so (it's a) very up album LOUISE: It definitely is and it's also so you - you literally listen to 10 seconds … I know who that is.

TOYAH: Yes, and it's doing incredibly well. Midweek chart is five for me in the main charts, and we're trying to get me my first number one ... so let's see what happens - DAN: I can’t believe you haven’t had a number one album ... TOYAH: No … actually - by association, Teletubbies. I was the narrator on Teletubbies and they had a number one in the 90’s. LOUISE: I’d take that, Teletubbies number one - that's good!

TOYAH: So "Posh Pop" will be my highest chart placing possibly ever. Especially since 1985. It's gone crazy out there ... DAN: And in terms of - you're trying to sort of purposely make it fun. Having done this during lockdown - did you go against the national feeling if you like ... because people were struggling ... Did you think "I've got to sort of fight against this and make a really positive record"?

TOYAH: I didn’t have to fight against it. I felt really unified with with my Toyah YouTube audience. May last year, I put a video out of me teaching my husband to jive and with within five minutes (it had) 100,000 viewers. That was May. By January, we had 14 million viewers, and I've never felt so connected. It was the great leveller. There was no point being a rock star. We were suddenly agony aunts, and people were confiding in us and telling us incredible things.   (“Zoom Zoom” video plays) That's my husband Robert Fripp, the gorgeous man in the blue suit, who I adore, and my co-writer Simon Darlow (above on the left) in the red shirt. So we created a pod where we tested, so we only worked together during the five months this album was made. And then I shot the videos on an iPhone with a wonderful neighbour, who held the iPhone so I could get all the shots. LOUISE: Honestly - you are multitalented … I mean somebody is holding the iPhone but this is quite something!  

TOYAH: Yeah, that's my garden (Dan and Louise laugh) It was warmer in April than it is now. And that is my kitchen - LOUISE: Absolutely brilliant. Is this your kitchen? ("Levitate" and “Summer Of Love” videos play)

TOYAH: Yeah, we did it all on green screen DAN: Must be lovely - essentially that entire editorial control over everything? TOYAH: I loved it because no one can tell me what to do and I didn't tell my husband and my co-writer what we were shooting. I just put them in the picture holding a guitar, and then we just added all the green screen information behind it which allowed us to put really deep messages in when it came to the edit like “peace, no war” “summer of love”, “dance”, “have peace”, “make love”. LOUISE: Absolutely brilliant. Tell us about the title "Posh Posh"?   TOYAH: Well, if it was just a Toyah album - it became "Posh Pop" because my husband Robert Fripp is on it. World famous guitarist. In the top 40 of all time guitarists. If he wasn't on it, it could have been called "Pop Tart", or if it was just me it would be “Pop”

LOUISE: Right - so he's the posh bit TOYAH: He’s the posh bit because instantly around the world - and this is going to be my first international album and I'm 63! This is about my 29th album … because he's on it it's instantly perceived as something incredibly posh   LOUISE: Oh, that’s lovely and very useful having him in the house. From a guitar point of view -   TOYAH: Well, yeah. But what was beautiful about going into the studio - because Simon and I prepared everything. We recorded and wrote the songs first - we put my husband in the studio for half an hour once a week, handed him the chord chart and we said, “do whatever you want”. And we said "channel Blondie. Channel Talking Heads. Channel Bowie" - all of who he (has) worked with, and he just did one take and that’s it on this glorious album   DAN: That’s talent, isn’t it? TOYAH: It’s talent 

DAN: Is he involved – because you’re on tour next month. Is that right? TOYAH: I’ve been on tour for the last five weeks. He is now in the States and was hit by the hurricane in New York and had to move his outdoor venue indoors. So he gets home in two weeks.   I’ve been on the road now at least for five weeks doing the festivals, which is fabulous and carrying on! Because everyone you talk to in show business … all the gigs that were sold out last year are now buffered into this year. So we're very, very busy.   DAN: What's it like now having lived through the pandemic and everyone involved in the arts, as you said - the creative industries are so frustrated, not being able to perform. What's it like to have a crowd out there singing back at you now? TOYAH: I have to stop myself from crying. I just want to kiss the stage, and I'm meeting people face to face that I helped through lockdown. Some people who lost relatives who contacted me and asked me to do singing in their virtual funerals.  

I mean ... really deep connections that I'm now seeing face to face in the audience. And they're coming to say thank you and they're able to hug me now. So it's been a really intense, and remarkable time that's taught me a lot about myself, I've come out of this a much better person. LOUISE: Your enthusiasm is infectious. TOYAH: Sorry!     LOUISE: No - it’s brilliant! TOYAH: Is that a good thing or a bad thing? LOUISE: No - it’s absolutely brilliant! It really is and the album's actually fantastic. It's a great listen. Thank you very much for coming to see us, and spreading your energy.   TOYAH: Thank you. DAN: I do feel energised by sitting next to you. Thank you and hopefully we will sort out that album for you as well -because we can't have the Teletubbies being your only number one!

TOYAH: No, this has got to be number one, hasn’t it? (they all laugh) DAN: The new album is called “Posh Pop” LOUISE: Absolutely brilliant to see you, Toyah. Thank you very much indeed    

[glorykrp]

SHOWING RESULTS FOR: SOOIL.

✩ Nam Sooil                              ✩ November 2nd, 1995 ✩ Namyangju, South Korea       ✩ Halcyon

LATEST RESULTS ON THE TOPIC.

Nam Sooil – Artist Profile. Sooil is Halcyon’s maknae and lead vocalist. He trained for 4 years prior to debut.

Halcyon (할시온) “Erase / 삭제” Music Video – Youtube. Feb. 8, 2013. Watch the official music video for Halcyon’s debut song.

Halcyon’s Sooil Is The Newest Model For CARIN – Naver. ❬ +2,697; -216 ❭ Sooil-ah, Alway are always cheering you on!

RELATED SEARCHES.

» Nebula Black          » Tales Album          » Sooil 2017 Drama

PERSONAL LIFE.

november 2nd, 1995 - 9:27 PM

after twelve grueling hours of labour, nam sooil is born. he reportedly screams so loud that patients in the hospital’s neurology ward, two floors up, issue complaints to their nurses. his mother soon falls asleep, but she and her husband spare a moment to share a smile - with that kind of voice, there’s no doubt, their son will belong onstage.

january 19th, 1998 - 8:04 PM

his mother is on a world tour, performing pieces from her most notable operatic roles and a few of his father’s best compositions, and sooil is given permission to follow along. tonight they are in sydney, australia, and he is so tired from the flight earlier that day, and it’s so close to his bedtime. as his mother’s makeup artist completes her finishing touches and she heads towards the stage, the tears come. he’s crying, his mother takes an extra thirty seconds to hug him and wipe his tears, and her manager crouches down to his height and tries to reassure him that “she’ll be back soon, i promise!” they carry him backstage and let him watch his mother perform from the wings, but he doesn’t care about that anymore - his eyes are fixated on the audience, the applause. he’s fascinated. he watches the stage for the rest of the tour, and doesn’t cry once.

april 12th, 2000 - 2:48 PM

he sits at a shiny grand piano, stacked on top of a pillow and the bench so that he could reach the keys. his father blows notes through a harmonica and he plays them, matching each one perfectly. another man (dad says he’s korea’s best music teacher but really he just seems kinda loud and scary) laughs and claps his dad on the back. he is not entirely sure why he smiles as he keeps following along.

january 30th, 2002 - 9:15 PM

he is at the piano again, but this time there are people watching and lights pointed at him that make him squint. his feet can’t touch the floor but his knee bounces; sitting still for stretches of time makes him restless, and he wishes he weren’t stuck there. but he can see his parents standing backstage, beaming and giving him a thumbs up, squeezing each other’s hands. he knows what they want so he complies - his small, six year old fingers find their places on the keys and he plays. the reviews that come out the next day are glowing - how could such a young child play chopin so easily and so skillfully? with the parents he has, it’s no wonder it comes so naturally to the boy. he becomes a name in the classical world overnight.

september 22nd, 2003 - 10:34 AM

the park near the nams’ house has a community centre with a kids’ baseball team, and sooil begs his parents to let him join. they have a hundred concerns - if he hurts his hands now, he risks losing a career that has hardly begun. but the coach comes over to talk to them. they’re just kids, they don’t hurt themselves too bad, he’s careful, and if something does happen, he’ll heal quicker now than when he’s older. finally sooil gets to do something he really wants. he runs around, rolls in the dirt, catches and throws and bats to his heart’s content. for the first time ever, he is able to run all the energy from his body.

august 26th, 2006 - 12:09 PM

he’s out with his friends getting burgers for lunch when a car drives past them, blaring some kind of noise with an upbeat rhythm that he can feel through the pavement. he stops walking, his heart pounds. in his ten years of life, he’s never heard something like it. one of his friends says “ugh my noona always plays super junior so loud i hate it” and sooil is hooked. he stays up all night listening to old shinhwa and tvxq cds borrowed from the library, and he fills an entire notebook with compositions that week. they’re messy and awful, but he knows he has to keep going.

december 15th, 2008 - 6:17 PM

it’s not like he’s given up classical. he’s still playing recitals, helping his mother rehearse, dropping by her concerts every once in a while to accompany her. but one day over dinner he announces that he’d auditioned for an entertainment company, and that they’d offered him a contract, and he can see it. his parents hate it. they think he’s wasting the gift he has on garbage. they don’t say much about it, until it’s too obvious, and everyone is sensitive and everyone is yelling and he’s tired, so so tired of it all.

march 3rd, 2010 - 7:54 AM

he thought being a piano prodigy would’ve been a bit more of an asset in the music industry, but boy did he know now. after just over a year of training, sooil has discovered every flaw and crack in his talent that exists. training to be a vocalist should be easy for the son of a celebrated opera singer, but sooil’s narrow range proves that not all of his mom’s gifts were passed on to him. he’s a hard worker, and he knows they see a debut ahead for him - his compositions are where his talent really lies, and even his not-ideal vocals are improving. it’s just a matter of determination and patience.

february 10th, 2013 - 12:41 PM

it took a while, but now he’s here. onstage, grinning from ear to ear, a mic in his hand, his sweaty palm no match for his vice-like grip. for a moment he forgot about the blood, the sweat, the tears that brought him this far; he forgot that his parents were likely not watching the broadcast at home. sooil felt that he’d climbed everest, and now he had no choice but to go further, higher, into the stars.

STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES.

+ comfortable: sooil is very comfortable onstage, in front of a camera, in front of the public. his infectious bright energy allows him to draw attention towards himself, which is a great asset on variety shows and much appreciated by shyer group members.

- anxious: since early on one of the best ways for him to contribute to the group was by composing, but when halcyon went through their decline soon after debut, it was easy to put the blame on himself. as they’ve started picking themselves back up, sooil still can’t shake the threat of easy and quick failure that lurks around every corner.

+ sponge: sooil is good at picking up skills and learning quickly. even if he can’t quite master something completely, he can usually get to a decent level of comfort with it - it’s helped him a ton in his acting career, especially right at the start.

- spread too thin: while sooil is obviously multitalented and versatile, it’s impossible that he masters everything. the expectations placed on him to write music, act, work on his voice, ignore antis, and keep his bubbly energy up means more stress and less confidence.

+ vitamin: sooil is the cute, youngest halcyon - he learned from the start how to work it. he’s good at making people smile and laugh, even if it’s at his own expense. when things start going in the wrong direction, sooil turns the mood back up.

- proud: although he learns easily, sooil is not usually ready to admit he needs help with anything. this means that a problem that could be fixed with a few pointers and practise runs takes way longer, way more convincing, and way more frustration than necessary.

2017 INTERVIEW.

being famous was great when they were the rookies everyone loved and talked about, but it got old real fast. about a year after their debut, halcyon had their highly anticipated second comeback - another full album, with four whole tracks written by sooil. the press fawned over them, the fans counted down the minutes, the album was polished with pride. they released it and the responses were… tepid. it was worse than if they had been truly bad. after a year of so much praise and popularity, sooil scrolled through chatboards and twitter threads calling his music, the music he and his group wrote and poured so much work into and bled for, “boring”, “repetitive”, “old”. as soon as he heard it, he knew the fans were right. suddenly he hated performing the songs, hated having to talk about them over and over on tv, hated having to write new ones. he hated standing onstage and seeing fewer signs with their names, fewer lightsticks in their colours, hearing less and less voices chanting along.

for the next comeback, sooil tried to write songs that were more upbeat, uptempo, exciting, a dance track like the ones he’d found and fallen in love with as a kid. nebula turned them down. they kept releasing more of the same, they kept watching fans go. by 2015, sooil could walk around town without a mask on to hide his face. after hex debuted, there was another, more exciting boy group from nebula. the fame and recognition they had worked so hard to earn was being taken out from under them.

now that he’s earned some more personal fame from acting and that halcyon’s recent releases have gotten better responses, sooil’s ego is sufficiently pampered with crowds waiting to take his photo at the airport, full schedules, sold out fansigns. but fame has a new edge to it now that he knows how easy it is to lose it, and how hard it is to earn it back.

[goldengoddess44]

444

Its April 20th, 2020 - Monday

I am in Porto Portugal still, and who would have honestly thought.

I left so much behind, and I’m not entirely sure I mean what you think I mean when you hear that. But of course, ignoring all the amazing people and perks I had from living in Canada can never be disregarded. There are negative and positive sides to everything.

But lets just say that I was leaving a place that was my home, and was also a very amazing environment. I wont necessarily say that it was because of the people or the way of life there. It was actually my way of life that I carved out for myself over the few years. 

You have to do a lot of things you don’t really want to do when you’re young. You have to go to school at least until you’re 22 at least, and do a bunch of other things you never planned on doing. I remember constantly dreaming of the time where all my responsibilities to other people would cease to be, and I would finally be free to make all of my own choices. And when that day came, let me tell you. I designed a life that I was completely in love with.

I only got out of bed when I felt FULLY rested. I only worked when and where I wanted to. I would do what I wanted when I wanted, which was a bunch of fun and magical stuff. God I really did have the best time ever. And the amazing thing is, is that I still do, even though the entire scenery has changed.

It’s safe to say that I wasn’t running away from anything when I came here. I had endured even the worst things of my surroundings and made the best of it! I didn’t care! Nothing was going to ruin the amazing days that I lived out in my home town. Following my bliss took me on the most incredible adventures. If I told you some of thing you wouldn’t be able to deny how movie like and beyond they are.

Thinking back to it now, I really never could have said that someone could leave such a beautiful life that they had set up for themselves to something completely new and it not have effects on them. I mean, how could you leave such a perfect set up to begin with really? I really had everything I wanted at that time. 

There was a point in the limbo of waiting to fly over to this country, where I completely freaked out as reality hit me. I would be leaving all of this?! My freedom to never have to worry about money? The freedom to be submerged in nature with my dog and my car and my family. Surrounded by what I know so well. No more nature walks down my massive country road with my dog at 2 in the morning underneath the starlit sky, surrounded by an enchanted forest and as free as a  Staleon. Free to dance as intense as I wanted to to my music, or bike ride to new places. I had the perfect life for me. 

But after two days of doing all those things I loved. All those things that I had done countless times and enjoyed thoroughly each time. I realized, I was ready. I was full. I had taken my time and done what I needed more than enough. My cup was full AND over flowing times three.... or twenty. I was ready to see what was next.

Mind you, for the first time in my life I really didn’t predict a ‘’next’’. I was so happy and fulfilled that really I only imagined my life staying the same with additions coming along with me. But I have to be honest here. Change is the theme of my life, and I am not talking about out of control change. I am talking about me walking right through those doors of change, knowingly and willingly. Nothing excites me more, and although many might look at me and assume that I’m sensitive and fragile even, I’m actually incredibly strong, so taking the hit of change not being all that great or positive never made me afraid to take that chance again and again. 

You know those crazy things you hear about in the movies, like two people meeting on vacation and then the woman or man flies over to their foreign country because of how in love they are? Or anything else out of this world and more? Yeah those are the kinds of things that happen in my life. I was that girl, and I was only 16 when I flew to England, by myself and paid for it by myself. 

But, as I said. Everything in my life for those few years after I got out of University, was perfectly designed and in my control. I had it all. And yet, life was just waiting for me to be ready to take the next step. 

After I broke up with my former boyfriend. I was really done with it all in the love area of my life. I always knew that I would be with the love of my life from a very young age. I don’t know why it was always the most important thing to me, even before I even knew how amazing being in love was and felt for me. I always feel the most myself when I am in love. It was my biggest desire really. Everything else would come and will come later. I didn’t really care because I knew from a very young age that outer things in life like career and success and money don’t make you truly happy unless you really are truly happy. I also always knew that all those things would and even should come from you and your love’s life that you create together.

But after this break up, I truly was done. I had just had it you know? I had had it with the breaking up part of it. I hate the brokenheartedness that both people now have to go through when it doesn’t work out, and I’ve always been someone who always knows deep within me. I’ll admit, sometimes I knew how I felt about someone and so it was a sure thing for me, but it wasn’t returned, and I had to deal with that. But with experience now, you really do know how a person feels about you. You know because they will show you and it wont take that long to see.  

After we broke up I finally gave up looking. I never wanted to do that dance again unless it was forsure the real thing. I had done my exploring and I had played all the games with x amount of people. I mean, if its there its there. Lets stop wasting each others times with the I like you 75 percent and up. Hell, at this point, even if it was at a 99 percent, I wasn’t doing it anymore. I want my 100, and he will find me when the time is right, and until then I am not going to worry about it!

It was the first time I gave up something that meant everything to me to the universe to take care of. I had no doubts that it was only a matter of time, and for real, I was focusing on enjoying everything but! AND IT WAS AWESOME! UGH so much stress was taken off my hands haha. It’s like I finally put faith and used my divine assistant to do what they do best, ASSIST!

I had foreseen a new unfolding plan to my life. I mean, I just thought that I was thinking logically about how things were likely to play out. Now with all this free time on my hands, clearly I was going to get my career and money started and set up before that area of my life would come in. I even logically thought I would have my own house and life too! Oh, how off I was!

It literally took the universe four whole months to put me and my soul  together. When I say my soul, I am talking about my husband, there’s just not better way to describe him. And who would have thought that things would have happened the way they did.

I mean for one, he lived in a completely different culture and country than me, across the Atlantic Ocean. Also, the fact that we even met each other is so fucking slim I can’t even describe it as slim. I just did not see this coming at all.

And now, fast forward to where we are now. And that is why I said, that looking back now, I never would have been able to understand that although I had thought that I had everything I wanted- to the point where I really couldn’t see me leaving it all behind for the new- I still had so much more ahead of me that I didn’t even realize I needed and wanted.

Being with my husband now, I can’t ever imagine not being with him. We really complete each other and not being with him is insanity to me. Sometimes I wonder how we even did it without each other! I mean the amount of love and fun we have! It makes everything feel so small compared. 

He and our love really is the reason why everything I had before could be dropped just like that. I had never had love like this so honestly I wouldn’t have been able to even think about this as a possibility. All the happiness I had wasn’t even close to what I have and feel now. What we have together and what life has become and is becoming because of us and our joined forces. I mean my god! It’s just so much fun and so perfect for us it’s crazy. And the funny thing is, its like we’re not even the ones in control of our flow that we have. Everything just feels like the easiest most natural choice for us as we create our life together.

So yes, as I said, it is April 20th, 2020 - Monday. And I am so blessed and grateful for everything I have and have ever been through. It is 7:44am and my angel of a husband is at work right now. Judging by the time, I would say he is just about to arrive at his destination and see what he will be doing today!

He is currently working in construction right now. Might I just say that he is so multitalented that its really kept his life wide open in terms of new things and experiences. He’s able to always find something new in his life because of this and I am so damn proud of him and the person he is. He is my biggest inspiration. 

It’s crazy. Him and I are very positive and some would say lucky people. We just always remain positive and life returns that to us. Right now, there’s a pandemic going on, and while so much of the world isn’t going to work, we find more work. While so many can’t get a pay check, we literally get one delivered to our hands. So I say thank you universe, thank you so much. 

I’m happy for us and I am happy for him. He gets to get out of the house and to top it off he is safe and also with his two friends! One of whom is considered to be one of his best friends and the other a really good friend he has known half of his life. So, I am happy that work will be very pleasent for him, which makes me so thrilled. I am grateful that he is out there doing this for us.

It really all is for us and our life. Everything we do is to build our beautiful life together. I mean I can’t lie, it seems like a lot of things just get handed to us with a smile. Our living arrangement, money, bills, support, family, friends, love, everything really. And on top of all the blessing we get handed without really asking it seems, there are still things that we strive for.

Right now we have a few things in the works. We are creating a Tattoo world and empire together. I will be the Tattoo Artist, and he will be the master at everything else. I will be managing and he will be managing but he will also have his fun things that he likes to do and wants to persue as well. Who knows what it will be!

We also want to buy our own house together :) Which will be very possible with our career in the Tattoo world, so it is all very exciting. 

Anyways, I don’t know how long I have been here typing but it is now time for me to move onto the next new thing of my day. Stay well and stay safe in these times.

K

[zizliine]

Hello TUMBLR! It’s been a super long time since the last time I type things on a blog. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time, sometimes I just jot my removable pen on a random note that always gone, or on a memo app that tend to deleted accidentally. So I decided to share my thoughts on this platform, idk what would it be, but I’m sure it’ll be healthy for my mental lol.

There is a loooot of things I have in my mind. I always have this roller coaster brain, juggling up and down.

DECEMBER 2015 - I GRADUATED! I was one of the best student you can say. Graphic design. After my graduation, there is a lot of things happened. I do regret that up until this early 2018, I still don’t know what to do with my life. Since I was a kid, I always love doing tons of things, you know it if you’ve been followed me through my junior high school blogs. I used to aim to be a multitalented someone, independent woman, and self-sufficient. 

It happened mostly on being someone who is talented on doing a lot of things, "Jack of all trades, master of none”. I keep jumping on wanting to be a graphic designer, interior designer, chef, business owner (clothing store and cafe mainly), Muay Thai fighter, youtuber, makeup artists. Its crazy. 

JANUARY 2016 - So this is what happened, after my graduation. My dad hospitalized, he was diagnosed with Hepatitis B at first (early 2016) and the other hospital said he got Hepatitis C afterward. Me and my mom went back and forth accompany my dad, to Kuching, Malaysia, to Singapore too. I guess it took only 6 months for him to recovered and free of the virus, THANK GOD. Because of that, my grandma was sent to Jakarta to stay and treated with my uncle, because we were busy taking care of my dad (for 3 months).

MAY 2016 - Then my Dad bought a new house, we were so busy designing the house. My dad assigned me to communicate with the interior designer, and I kept looking for design inspiration that match with my family’s taste. I always consider others, always want their taste to be contributed to the house. I want the touch of us, in every part of the house. My sister was capable of choosing the look and feel of the house, the way she wanted. My bro and my parents only told me they want “Hotel” theme, which is sleek and clean, specifically brownish n warm tone just like Marina Bay Sands hotel. The construction started around May 2016.

During that time, my dad kept going back to Singapore for a following check up, I am soo grateful that my boyfriend always had my back, up until now. Idk what to do if I don’t have him, I wasn’t that strong :)

JUNE 2016 - My lovely Auntie taught me how to bake eggtart, and it was a really good experience cos I LOVEEE EGGTART! It was my grandmother’s recipe. The outer crisps was damn good. I modified the recipe by adding some grated cheese and grounded almond. My family was proud of me and really loving the tarts. I baked a lot during that time, I gave it away for my friends and family (including my boyf’s grandma, and she sent me a pumpkin egg tart too)

JULY 2016 - Its the Hari Raya Holiday again, so my family went to Singapore again. I brought the egg tart that I baked 3am in the morning for my boyfriend’s family, I choose the best ones and hand carry them to Singapore lol. We went to the zoo, I remember how I was super influenced by Mathilda, Leon The Professional’s clothing style. On 4th of July, I was invited to Emilie’s 4th Birthday, she is my boyfriend’s cousin.

NOVEMBER 2016 - I was texted by someone, I was shocked at first, but she became my best friend now. She contacted me to become a model for her clothing store, I was with my other friend, who turned out to be my boyfriend’s cousin too. We had fun at the photoshoot, we played with makeup too. After that, I told them how I enjoy making lace choker, then we started our first business together, Dixi Choker, but it only last for a while lol.

DECEMBER 2016 - The three of us are three musketeers, we went everywhere together, it was a great time. There was a lot of great event we had, going to Jessandra’s bday party together, had Christmas dimsum & went to the church on Christmas Eve, it was really great. Then in the end of year, I bleached my hair to blonde! I had awesome time. My family went to Singapore again to spend our New Year. 30th December, me and my boyfriend went to Art Science museum, we happily bought the NASA tshirt as a couple lol. On the 2nd of January, my fam supposed to go back to Indo, but the plane had trouble so we postponed the flight, and went back the day after, just the day before my birthday. 

JANUARY 2017 - On the 5th of January, my best friend Klara and Jessica surprised me at King’s Restaurant, I wasn’t expected that at all. These two girls are really sweet that I guess, I opened myself to them the most. You know, it is not easy to get close to me. I have such a cold heart. Just like cold turkey in the cold storage lol. I had a lot of Star Wars gift too from my friends and my boyfriend!

We held our grandmother’s 85th birthday party on 11 January. I forgot when she went back, but we gather all her relatives, her siblings and had our dinner at Restoran Gajahmada. She carried her peached shaped pao, very happily. She really loves pink, so we dressed her all in pink. “Dadu”, is how she named pink. I miss her so much as how I look at her pictures. During my house construction, we took our grandma with her wheelchair to visit the house too, she was so happy and resists to go back to our old house lol. She’s so funny. On January 27th, we fly back to Singapore again for Chinese New Year & go back again on 31th of January. 

FEBRUARY 2017 - Klara, Jessica and me went to Kuala Lumpur for farewell trip because Jessica was going to pursue her study to New Zealand. It was a very sad moment tho, but so memorable. I’ve never really go anywhere with friends before, I did, but for a study tour to Taiwan when I was in senior high school. It’s because of the school, lol. So we had a really good time you know, we went shopping and had so many photoshoots. Cafe hoping and culinary mostly, play dress up and make up. 

MARCH 2017 - On 15th of March, Jessica fly to NZ. I am not a type of person who melts easily, who cry easily in front of people cos I am trained to hold my tears as I always want to look strong. But I’m dying inside, I miss her a lot. When she was around, she talked to me a lot, maybe she does it to other of her friend too, but I listened to her as she is my only friend. She shared me her secrets, we had a lot of deep talk and quality things. You know, I’m into deep talks and building deep connections. The next day, my friend from Korea, Ji Eun (She is actually my older sister’s classmate, and her bro was my classmate, so we got so close) visited Pontianak. We had empek2, ice cream angi, and she boughts some DVD contained Indonesian Folklore animation, then we had our dinner at KBAB, played monopoly deal together with my sister.

I took my Ielts class with Klara, we had 3 months of course. I was actually disappointed with my results lol, but its okay cos the score is above the requirements.

APRIL 2017 - Me and my fam went to informa a lot to buy furnitures, it was a great experience cos it was the first time we move lol. We decide together for our garden design too. It felt great, after 3 years away from my family, we had a lot to catch up. On Easter (16 April), I went to church with Linda, accidentally met my boyfriend’s auntie and cousins. Then on April 29th, me and my family went to Singkawang. We had great time, such a wonderful road trip. This is what I love the most, when we usually have our holiday in Singapore, my dad is always busy at the casino, stucking his nose up to those machine lol. I was always busy with my boyfriend too. So this little trip helps a lot you know. Its an awesome go-getter.

MAY 2017 - My english teacher since I was in high school, the one who help my IELTS when I was going to Singapore came back to Ponti after she Moved to US with her husband. We had a great lunch at Saung Kedah. Then on 22nd of May, My boyfriend visited Pontianak! With the whole pack, his parents, his twins, lil bro and older sis. I spent a lot of time with his family. I was invited to his parent’s Anniversary, and her grandma’s new house blessing (24 May). It was a great opportunity. On 26th of May, me and bf went for a movie together, it  was our first time watching movie together in Pontianak. We watched Pirates of the Carribean lol. Then I took him and his grandfather to Ice cream Angi, and we went to fix his portable wifi too. I dragged my boyfriend to Kopi Aming too, his first time trying my favourite coffee in Ponti. 

JUNE 2017 - We moved to our new house! I was so happy organizing our house, especially my room. I made drawer separation system by using pretty cardboard and turned out pretty well. It was the time when I was all crazy about plants too, disgustingly obsessed. It was a bad obsession I can say, until I bought a lot of gardening stuff, seeds, and hydroponic system. It was also the time I tried to import stuff from China, started my online business clothing store. I bought my ringlight too, oh GOD I spent a lot of money. On 25th June, My family went to Singapore again. I guess it was only me, mom and dad. I went to Ikea and daiso a lot to buy organizing stuff. We went to Universal Studio for the first time (we went twice for the Halloween Horror Night, but never for the day rides lol). I introduced him the Pork Bun too, the one I had when I was in Hongkong.

JULY 2017 - It was when I went so deep into gardening. Had my pretty marigold flowers blooming from seeds. Then my Auntie came back from Jakarta and taught us to make Pizza from Pan, sweet potato purple doughnuts, and Biji Salak. It was so great. Then my cousin introduced me to Sims 4, and I was impulsively bought the game from tokopedia. Which is a huge regret now. I hate myself when I got into games, I could play it all day long until I neglect my life. That is how fast I get addicted into things. 

My dad always pet a specific fish, its Red Parrot Fish. He really love it, but everytime we move the fish, from house to house, they always get stressed out. The older and big fishes died slowly. One by one, then he got new ones, I guess almost 20 fishes lol. I got myself succulents too, and I got some for my sister. I also bought a lot of IKEA furnitures, sent them through an container expedition sent by ship cos it costs so much if I use the regular one. I had fun in assembling the furnitures too. I went crazy in buying plant seeds too lol.

On July, my boyfriend visited ponti again. We surprised our friend Shella with other friends too. As usual, when my boyfriend come to ponti, we always have Ice Cream Angi with his Akong. His Akong loves Ice Cream so much. Then me and my boy went to Shinjuku, a Japanaese Yakitori Street Food. We had kaloci, tausuan, and pentol as a closing of our dinner lol. At night, we tapao Bakmie Atie for Ama. The morning before he go back to Sg, we initially wanted to have tiammie for breakfast, but the store was closed, so we ate Bakso in front of my complex, and I drived him to eat some Tua Ce Ie too. He love it so badly. (25July)

I sold my first clothing piece on 27th of July. I was so happy lol. During this month, I spent my day promoting my clothing store and taking care of my plants.

AUGUST 2017 - My auntie came back again, we made some handmade noodles and sponge cakes. I took pictures of her recipe books as she told me to. I spent my time with my Senior High School friend too, as he is a photographer, I  asked him to help me to take pics for my clothing store. I asked Anggi and Michelle (my niece) to be the model.

26th August, is when my Grandma passed away. I was torn apart. I hate myself so much that I did not spend more time with her. I spend more time with my boyfriend’s grandparents a lot more than with mine. I was so sad that I lose her. It my first time to lose someone who is so close to me. She was buried on 1st of September 2017.

SEPTEMBER 2017 - We visited Singapore again. I forgot what it was for hahaha. But mainly I just had fun with my mom and boyfriend. We had nice dinners so many times. We went to China town to buy some jerky beef, and as usual my main restaurants to go in Sg are Genki Sushi, Tanuki Raw, Mcd, Menya Musashi, Kanshouku, any Kbbq or Hotpot restaurant. When I went back to ponti, I always limit my food intake lol.

OCTOBER 2017 - We held my sister’s birthday too, I bought her mangoo cheesecake. She was happy, and me and my friend surprised her for the second time at Tyga per Ampat too.

NOVEMBER 2017 - I prepared my bro’s bbq party. I made him sate taichan, bbq chicken, sauteed potato (4NOV). My housemate when I was in Singapore visited to Ponti too, they are originally from Batam & Medan. We surprised Brenda’s bday party too, twice (6NOV). First at Botani, followed a BBQ party at William’s house. I was still in a journey to lose some weights, so I bought a lot of granola during that time. I bought an expensive muay thai punching bag too. CRAZY. I always made a bold move in spending my money. (18Nov) I did see results, my waist are smaller. I visited Jakarta on 19th November, mainly for my acne treatment. Then I had nice dinner at Kintant with Gris, and Shaburi with my mom. The rests are random KBBQ, random Indo food with my cousin.

DECEMBER 2017 - I only focus doing muay thai and losing weight, I did some intense classes, follow kayla itsiness and strict with my diet. I made my weight planner, it was crazy. I bought protein powder from my protein, I was really focus in making myself feel stronger and energetic. I determined to be healthy so I can focus better. THEN MY FAMILY FLY TO SG AGAIN TO SPEND OUR NEW YEAR! hahahhaa.. its always like that.

JANUARY 2018 - So from 28 Dec to 6 January, 9 days spent in Singapore. Me and my whole fam spent times in Singapore, then my Fam went back first on 1st of January. I stayed at Derrick’s home. I accompanied him to school, sitting at the cafe and read Girl Boss book. Then on 3rd of January my dad and mom came to Sg again to pick me up! Hahahha that is how my dad spoil his 23 years old daughter. I’m old alr but he is still super protective. He was actually fly from Ponti-Jkt to had his dental surgery, but he decided to pick me up. I want to extend my day in Sg cos I want to spend it with my boyfriend. I don’t wanna be in Ponti for some reasons. It feels like I’m getting old but I have no where to go. I know its my hometown, but it feels strange somehow. I am weird, its hard for me to get along with people here. I hate those eyes staring at me with the thoughts I predict they wud say. I know it might be only in my mind. But I hate myself enough already, those questions asking me about what’s my career now, what am I working now is depressing. I need time with myself. I just want to be with someone I feel safe with, which is my boyfriend. I feel so calm whenever I am with him, might be the reason why I want to be with him forever. I am anxious every time, talking to him was the greatest feeling ever. He always giving me positive feedback and encourage me. It was great.

So I went back to ponti after that, and my parents went to Sg again. My mom was on cruise trip to Thailand & Sg.

FEBRUARY 2018 - My cousin from my Dad’s side had his wedding, somehow we didn’t go there even though they were waiting for our presence. Its kinda pressurize me when I have those thoughts abt ppl asking me what I am doing. So I decided not to go by that reason. And chosing nice dresses on not-so-confident-me is stressful too. idk why i stress everything over small things. Btw we surprised our mom too, she had her birthday! Then again, my dad and mom fly to Singapore again. Kinda bad decision tho, cos Jipek suddenly passed away. He is my best uncle on earth. I love him so much eventho I never show it when he’s alive. He taught me gardening, asked me to eat rose petals, drenching rose plants with crazy tons waters, he pet an orang utan, taught us how to draw, and a lot of things.

So yeah, idk what else to write. There are a lot of memorable things, even though I feel I did not achieve something during this past 2 years, at least I learnt a lot. I always wonder what if , what if I continue to work or just continue my study in Singapore during 2015-2018. But I wouldn’t be as close as this with my family, I won’t have time to catch up with my grandma, I wouldn’t be there when my Ama left. I feel like God sent me to Ponti to have golden time with my family. I was way too harsh with myself when people asked me why am I still in ponti doing nothing. I cursed myself everytime people asked me things abt my future. Guess what? I am okay. I learnt a lot. 

- I lose 2 of my favourite people, but I was there before they gone.

- I was there to help my mom taking care of my dad and ama. So she was not alone.

- My dad bought a house and need me to help with the design.

-I learnt muay thai and made some connections with them.

-I got new close friends, Klara and Jessica, and Gerry too hahah.

-I got close to my bf’s grandparents.

-I participate in makeup competitions and started few videos on my chanel, its growing but slow hahha

-I learnt a lot abt gardening

-I hang out a lot at a coffee shop, and make some friends. 

-I started my online shops and struggled!

-I did some organizing at my new house which is a great thing I guess?

-I cook a looooooot for my family, thank God they love it.

-I fly to places without my parents (hongkong with sisters) and kuala lumpur with my besties.

-I did chalk drawings at a cafe with Linda and Jeff.

-I work with 5 clients on graphic design (Rutos, Achiang, Shica, Cloud Vape, Cokoer) Some cv design for friends, and some i dont really remember lol.

-I catch up with hair dying experiment again with my mbak and myself! I permed and bleach my hair too lol idk whether its smth special to mention or not.

- I did makeup for people too and earn money for it!

Its crazy how time flies, but it was not for nothing. God has been good to me. 

During 2015-2018 (disgusted with myself how i spend my time but you know, its not bad at all! )

So now its 2018 guys! There is a lot more to come. I realized when I try to do graphic design freelancing, it was really hard to manage my time, to make my income constant, pricing my work, to talk with clients and everything. I was alone to do it all.

It was hard to run an online business alone, order stuff, talk to clients, design, market my stuff, branding, send the stuff.

I know i can grow through makeup, cos I can see it is my passion now. But I need to prioritize what I need now. I need to earn money. Real money. So I decided to take my path and take a turn. I’ll be mentally stable in Singapore, working with a good amount of salary, and constant too. 

All i need to do is just to play safe right now. Cos hell yeah ofc, I need money. I just need to save up. I need to be good in saving money, as what ppl say, to earn is easy but saving is hard. I need a stability, I need to anchor myself on something I am sure about. I need commitment. I need something to hang on. Which is what I have and certified is graphic design. 

So now I am planning to revamp rebuild my portfolio, cv, resume and cover letter. I will target myself to apply some jobs in Singapore before March. Hopefully I’ll get some interviews. PLEASE GOOOODDDD! HELP ME! Hehee.

 If not, (worst case scenario lol) I’ll take some courses, online and in school. I want to specialized in UI & UX. Then on early march, I will go to Jakarta with my sister and mom, she had an art exhibition. I wanna grab new laptop for me to work better. 

But yeah currently I’m working on my works, and trying to sharpen my skills, get into my workflow, and learn some more skills on share skills ! WISH ME LUCKKKKKK <3 <3

[elevatephoto]

Abby + Adam | Arrowhead Golf Course Wedding Photos

When I was going through Abby and Adam’s wedding photos there was one common theme, community. They have a strong, deep and extremely close community. This includes their immediate family of course, but their friend and support group had a love and closeness that goes beyond simple friendship. Everyone was so invested in the wedding, relationship and lives of Adam and Abby. It was clear as photo after photo came up where large groups of people were hugging, praying, laughing, cheering and supporting each other. It was really cool to see.

This doesn’t surprise me one bit. Abby and Adam are two of the sweetest most conscious human beings alive. I would whole-heartedly point this to their love of Christ. They have built their inner lives in a way that allows them to outwardly love deeply and create space for kindness and service. And above all that they know how to have fun. They don’t take life too seriously.

There was a running joke that Adam is always smiling. It happened to Jo when she tried to get him to do a serious face during getting ready. He just couldn’t do it. Then later, I did the same thing with him and although he looked great there was just something off about the photo to me. Adam is just full of smiles and he lives life with joy.

Abby is no different and that is why they fit so perfectly together. Everything she does she seems to do with ease. She made and conceptualized many of the decorations, recorded the song that her and her dad danced to for the first time, looked gorgeous, finished her masters and so much more. All the while she had a smile on her face. She is so beautiful inside and out.

There is so much I could say about this wedding. I hope that all that were there will swap stories with each other and share with others who couldn’t make it. For me, I will leave you all with two of my favorites moments of the day. The first was when Adam was waiting to see Abby for the first time. His hands were clasped at his face as if he couldn’t believe he got to marry her and that this moment was about to make that feel more real. He kept asking, now? You could see the excitement moving throughout his body and when he saw her, well, that is a moment that will be forever burned in my brain.

The second was during the ceremony while one of the groomsmen (and videographers- a multitalented group here) was singing during communion the sound cut out. Instead of stoping or looking around the crowd all seamlessly joined in. Under those bright blue skies looking upon God’s wonder the whole ceremony was singing. It turned what might have been a blunder into one of the most beautiful moments of the day.

I was so happy to celebrate with Abby, Adam and the community of love they have. I wish them the very best days to come!

–Katie

A special thanks to Arrowhead Golf Course and all the wonderful vendors.

The flower girls admiring the wedding dress.

I love Adam’s unique floral tie.

Flower girl admiring her custom dress and headpiece.

Getting the dress all buttoned up.

Abby showing off the beautiful train on her wedding dress.

Adam is in shock for his first look with Abby. Perfect groom reaction.

I don’t know which is prettier the bridesmaids or the view of Roxbourough State Park.

The groomsmen look great on the Red Rocks.

Bridal party is having a great time cheering Abby and Adam on.

The prayer before the wedding in the getting ready room at Arrowhead.

Ring bearer and flower girl were pulled down the aisle. by their older siblings in a custom wagon.

A deer came out while we were at the ceremony. I guess that is what you get with a Colorado wedding.

Communion and worship music during the ceremony makes it special.

Hooray, it is official. They are now husband and wife cheering as they walk down the aisle.

Celebrating two becoming one as said in this custom wedding sign.

We head down to the signature hole at Arrowhead Golf Course.

Abby is looking beautiful in her wedding dress.

Adam has a wonderful smile that never seems to go away.

We had sunset on the golf course.

Love the view from the tent at Arrowhead Golf Course.

The joint best men were sweet and hilarious during their toast.

First dance.

The Groom’s dad sang during the mother son dance.

Nothing like the groom getting thrown in the air during the dance party.

Grand exit with giant glow sticks.

Abby + Adam | Arrowhead Golf Course Wedding Photos was originally published on Elevate Blog

[wheresmj]

Hello! Today is my 29th birthday.

Hello! Today is my 29th birthday.

When I was 15, I made a list of 50 things I wanted to achieve by the age of 30. With a year left before my deadline, I thought it’d be fun to do a little audit to see how I’ve done so far, and whether I can squeeze in any last-minute (last-year?) check marks.

MJ Truong

Health, Period 2

October 9, 2003

Goals: By the age of thirty, I want to…

1. Own a house in France

Have I achieved it?

Ha, ha, ha. No. Three words: crippling student debt. But, on the bright side, I do rent a charming garden flat in London with my husband (!) Jeppe.

Do I still want to achieve it?

Not necessarily. We’ll take an abode wherever Jeppe gets a tenure track position, which is unlikely to happen in France because Jeppe ne parle pas francais.

2. Publish at least one book

Have I achieved it?

I have not.

Do I still want to achieve it?

Yes. Actually, I made it a goal to submit some short stories for publication this year. Wish me luck!

3. Achieve Nirvana

Have I achieved it?

No; if anything, quite the opposite. Rather than achieving release and liberation from this world, I find myself quite attached to and fascinated by it, and especially by physical objects which I feel provide valuable avenues to emotional and experiential meaning.

Do I still want to achieve it?

I’ve always pondered what it means to live a good life, and I’m sure that will always be on my mind.

4. Make an amazing movie

Have I achieved it?

No, but I made some pretty fun, silly movies in college.

Do I still want to achieve it?

Not really - I’m too interested in other things (design, pottery, writing, music) to pursue getting good at making movies - but I am very interested in learning how to write stories!

5. Go to a hypnotherapist/past life transgression therapist

Have I achieved it?

No, the closest I’ve gotten is one visit to a palm reader and several animatronic fortune teller machines that print out your fortune, which I LOVE. Seriously love.

Do I still want to achieve it?

No. I’m a pretty hardcore skeptic now, and I think it’s funny that I used to believe in this stuff.

6. Find my soul mate

Have I achieved it?

7. Find a door in Tibet

What the? Was this based on a dream or something? I have no recollection of this at all. I have not been to Tibet. But I have seen some pretty fantastic doors in my time!

Rodin’s Gates of Hell in Tokyo, 2014

Rodin’s Gates of Hell in Paris at the Musee d’Orsay, 2016

Gorgeous gateways in Cambridge, UK

There were some pretty lovely doors at Københavns Radhus, where Jeppe and I married.

8. Travel extensively

This I have done, yes, thanks mainly to my job doing global cooking and kitchens research. And, well, I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon :)

Next on my wishlist: Hawaii, Okinawa, Hokkaido, Florence, Berlin, Barcelona!

Thali in Ahmedabad, India

Dinner with a lovely Japanese family in Tokyo

9. Ride a hot air balloon

Have I achieved it?

Noooo

Do I still want to achieve it?

Oh hells yes. I think we can maybe make this happen within a year.

10. Ride a dolphin

Did I seriously write this? Why was I so corny 🙈 

11. Be a guest on a late-night show

Why did I want this? Didn’t 15 year old me know I’m an incurable introvert?

12. Make a violin

Have I achieved it?

No, not cool or dedicated enough to have nabbed this one.

Do I still want to achieve it?

YOLO, this shit sounds hard.

13. See sunsets from every continent

Have I achieved it?

Surprisingly - for the number of trips I’ve taken - I’ve still only traveled within the northern hemisphere and seen sunsets from North & Central America, Europe, and Asia.

Do I still want to achieve it?

Definitely

14. Change someone's life

I’d like to think I have. But I can’t point to any specifics.

15. Cook like a pro or a mom

I am fairly well on my way, thanks again in large part to my job. Next, I want to learn how to do custard desserts!

16. Paint well

Have I achieved it?

Noooo. I haven’t really painted anything since the late great Robert Reed’s painting boot camp in Auvillar, France in 2009.

Do I still want to achieve it?

I do. But I’m also lazy.

17. Open a Salvador Deli

Hahaha. No way dude, I’m way more suited to design than restaurateurism.

18. Meet Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, Alanis Morisette, and/or Bjork.

Wasn’t I a cute 15 year old? 🙈

19. Be a photographer

I am actually super into photography these days. Check out my snaps here on Tumblr, or on Instagram if you’re into that kinda thing! Here’s a pic of my handy dandy mirrorless camera. I take it with me everywhere. Yesss, my preciousssssss…

I wouldn’t be opposed to getting more serious about photography someday and pursuing a gallery show or something like that. At the moment, my photography tends to be more lifestyle than artistic, but, y’know, things change.

20. See musicals all over the world

I’ve seen musicals in New York, San Francisco, and London (Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Once, Les Miserables).

21. Get a competitive medal in taekwondo

Have I achieved it?

Hahaha

Do I still want to achieve it?

No way dude, I’m old now 😅. Also, I’m a lover, not a fighter!

22. Be the creator of a trademark or famous poster

I’m not too sure what I meant by trademark (probably logo?). I did design the Innovation Factory logo, which is pretty cute if I do say so myself.

Also not exactly sure how I would go about designing a “famous poster”. Well, you never know!

23. Invent something awesome

Have I achieved it?

I may (or may not) be getting my first patent(s) this year (!!!), as some of my early projects for the Innovation Factory are finally coming to fruition. It’s a very exciting possibility - but I’ll believe it when I see it!

Do I still want to achieve it?

Again and again and again baby

24. Be a rock star with my band / Be a versatile, multifaceted, multitalented musician / Hear a song I wrote on the radio / Headline a show that sells out.

Haha :) I’m not going to lie, I harbor a secret desire to form an indie folk band and sing pretty songs in harmony with one or more people who also love indie folk.

Jeppe and I are not sure how much longer we’re going to live in London - but when we have a better sense of where we’re going to be permanently, I definitely want to work up the courage to pursue this dream.

25. Have extrasensory perception

Have I achieved it?

Oh, brother 🙈

Do I still want to achieve it?

No, but I still think ouija boards and tarot cards look cool.

26. Trace my family tree

I sadly have not done this. I want to, but just don’t think I have the time right now.

27. Know my parents' stories

I have several recordings of interviews with my parents. But … can you really ever know someone?

28. Learn a language by total immersion

I conclusively failed at becoming fluent in Cantonese when I lived in Hong Kong, but I can still say a few things, and I’ve been told my accent’s pretty good ;) . Ngo hai MJ! Ngo jyu hai London. Hou sihk le! Mou mun tai. Jou san. Ni go giu joh meh ah? Ngo yi ga hoeui jung waahn. Baai baiiiiiiii.

If I’m honest…I would really like to learn Japanese properly someday. And buy a summer house in Japan. With a Japanese bathtub. ~BLISS~

29. Fall asleep at the foot of a tree in a beautiful place after a wonderful day

I think, with some planning, I can make this one happen.

30. Take regular violin lessons

Maybe when I retire :D

31. Maintain integrity, humility, and goodness through good and bad times

I’ve done some shitty things in my time, but I’ve tried to keep that to a minimum and to learn from my mistakes. Being a good person is not something that’s one and done; you have to work on it every day.

32. Be quoted.

Not yet ;)

33. Watch all of the movies on my list.

Here’s the thing, 15-year-old me. The list just keeps getting longer, and longer, and longer…

34. Write a play.

Nahhhh. I wanna write a book!

35. If I've achieved celebrity status, be asked if I'm me and deny it.

I’m charmed at how ambitious I was as a 15-year-old…

36. Have an engaging conversation outdoors that lasts from sunset until sunrise

… And how painfully romantic.

37. Become vegetarian

I was vegetarian from age 17 until I moved to Hong Kong eight years later.

38. Make a trail of messages/riddles in envelopes and watch as someone solves it.

Ahh, Amélie. I still love that movie.

39. Coin a phrase that becomes popular.

I don't really know how I expected to be able to do this 😅 And with the number of Twitter followers I currently have, I don’t see this happening anytime soon. Or ever.

40. Make a music video. A good one.

I like how I specified that it needed to be “a good one”. Maybe my indie folk band and I will make a music video someday 😄

41. Go to Vietnam.

I have finally been to Vietnam! We stayed in the old quarter in Hanoi for 2 glorious days in 2015.

Vietnamese Coffee!!

42. Mean the world to someone.

43. Bathe in a hot spring

We stayed at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in Nikko and it had private outdoor onsens and it was HEAVENNNNN.

44. Learn Italian

Pasta! Rigatoni! Parmigiano Reggiano! Ciao, bello~

45. Play the accordion

Ah, the devil’s squeezebox. I secretly still want to do this. Don’t tell the neighbors.

46. Meet someone who's had a near-death-experience and make them tell me about it.

This seems insensitive.

47. Write an album full of songs. A good one. / Compose one or several classical piano pieces.

I’ve written a few songs, but they’re not at the level I’d want them to be. Maybe with my indie folk band! Someday!

48. Save someone.

🙈

49. See some wonders of the world; not just official ones.

Some of the wondrous things I’ve seen include:

The Adalaj Stepwell in Ahmedabad, India

The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, Hong Kong

Mount Fuji from my airplane window

The Top of Dragon’s Back at dusk, Hong Kong

50. Have someone be honored to meet me.

The closest I’ve gotten is: When I was single in NYC, my first OK Cupid date told me he was honored that I went on the date with him 😅

My Score: 14/50

Looks like I have a lot of work to do this year!

Xoxo

mj