#new japan cup 2024

[rennarita]

[pepperstreak]

Akira acting very little dog energy

[djvillain]

New Japan Cup 2024 First Round Update

[imyou5kii]

:$

[reasonsforhope]

"Justine Siegal, the first woman coach employed by a Major League Baseball team, is attempting to make more history -- this time by creating an American professional baseball league specifically for women. Siegal is one of the co-founders of the Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL), which aims to begin play during the summer of 2026.

Siegel and co-founder/lawyer Keith Stein have enlisted a few other notable names as special advisors... Those include World Series-winning manager Cito Gaston and Japanese pitcher Ayami Sato, a five-time Women's Baseball World Cup champion. (Sato is also part of Japan Women's Baseball League.)

The WPBL is hoping to land a national television deal ahead of its inaugural season. The league intends to have a full season, as well as playoffs and a championship round. At present, the goal is to field six teams at launch, with those clubs located "predominantly" in the Northeast region of the United States. 

"The Women's Pro Baseball League is here for all the girls and women who dream of a place to showcase their talents and play the game they love," Siegal said as part of the WPBL's press release announcing its formation. "We have been waiting over 70 years for a professional baseball league we can call our own. Our time is now."

Stein, for his part, added: "We believe that the success of other women's professional leagues such as the WNBA and NWSL demonstrates the incredible interest and support for women's sport."

The United States has won two Women's Baseball World Cups, and most recently finished as the runners-up in the 2024 event (that was played in 2023). The U.S. team roster included, among others, pitcher/outfielder Kelsie Whitmore. Whitmore has been a trailblazer in her own right, appearing in games with various independent leagues, including the Atlantic League, Pacific Association, and, as of this year, the Pioneer League."

-via CBS Sports, October 30, 2024

[the-cosmic-cauldron]

Astrology Observation: ✈️🛫🇺🇸🇻🇳🇬🇧😜🫦💋☀️🥇🧘‍♀️🌳Places You Should Visit, Your Flirt Style, How You’ll Find Success & Spirituality That Resonates Based on Your Rising Sign ✈️🛫🇺🇸🇻🇳🇬🇧😜🫦💋☀️🥇🧘‍♀️🌳

Disclaimer: As always, if it doesn’t apply, let it fly. This was fun to make and I enjoyed being random and combining different themes. Happy December, the last month of 2024 & cheers to the holidays approaching 🎉🎊🥳

Aries Rising:

Places You Should Visit: Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Costa Rica, Chile.

Flirt Style: Direct and clear, flirty teasing, compliments, showing off, taking intiative.

How You’ll Find Success: When you understand that your life is not meant for settling, you are the embodiment of constant refinement. If you succumb to pressure and don’t move at your own pace, you risk failure. For you, life is about finding pleasure and enjoyment in every moment.

Spirituality: Advaita Vedanta, Mystical Christianity, Kabbalah, Taoism, Shamanism, Buddhism, New Age Spirituality Animism, Theosophy, Pagnanism and Wicca, Indigenous Spiritualities

Taurus Rising:

Places To Visit: Traveling across the United States, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, UAE

Flirt Style: Subtle signals, listening, patient flirts, intentional compliments, subtle affirmations, quality time.

How You’ll Find Success: You are such an intellectually sound person who has the ability to change your trajectory at the drop of a hat. If you do not continue to explore your mental complexity and versatility, you will feel stuck. Explore all of your options; you are meant to expand, not limit yourself. Fill your cup up with all your wonderful ideas.

Spirituality: Stoicism, Confucianism, Bhagavad Gita, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Paganism, Theosophy, New Age Spirituality, Indigenous Spirituality

Gemini Rising:

Places To Visit: Iceland, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland, Canada, Uruguay, New Zealand.

Flirt Style: Open body language, sweet gestures, humorous, openly sharing, story telling, romantic gestures, casual and flexible.

How You’ll Find Success: Life for you is an intimate experience; the more intimacy you allow into your life, the more connected you will feel to all that is, which will spur much creativity to go after what you want. With support from the right sources, you’ll find that you are ready to kick-start your way to becoming a boss.

Spirituality: Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Sufism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism.

Cancer Rising:

Places To Visit: Italy, France, Ireland, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand, Greece, Indonesia, Turkey.

Flirt Style: Intense eye contact, calm demeanor, indirect comments, giving hints, subtle touches, deep conversations, giving full attention, engaging in shared interests.

How You’ll Find Success: When you embrace your playful side and allow life to be a mix of a hilarious comedy and a romantic film, you will find success. Instead of pigeonholing yourself to the mundane, express the most beautiful expressions of your mind and heart. When you’re supported by those who admire you and validate you, you will win! When your life is focused more on positivity and adventure, you will thrive!

Spirituality: Humanism, Unitarian Universalism, Rationalist Spirituality, Buddhism, Sufism, Modern Paganism.

Leo Rising:

Places To Visit: Major cities in the USA, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, Iceland, UAE, Thailand, Japan, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Morocco

Flirt Style: Adventurous and spontaneous, playful teasing, asking questions, animated body language, chill, very open, smiles a lot and expressive eyes, playful touching.

How You’ll Find Success: You have to be very clear and intentional about your goals. But you must find routines that work for you—your routine is everything. This includes your health, your presentation, how much you know, and how well you execute tasks. Carefully crafting these aspects helps create a successful person. Neatness, learning to communicate, and being a self-learner—constantly looking for ways to improve—are key to creating success.

Spirituality: Hinduism, Confucianism, Judaism, Shinto, Catholic, Islam, Wicca and Paganism, Tibetan Buddhism, Yoruba Religion, Ingenious Spiritualities

Virgo Rising:

Places To Visit: France, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Portugal, Japan, Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, traveling across USA, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, New Zealand, Australia

Flirt Style: Cautious, straightforward and intentional, talking about their goals and standards, dressing up, emotionally distant, controlled body language, calm confidence, subtle tease.

How You’ll Find Success: The key for you is to put yourself out there. Once you start hanging around different people and having a great time doing it, you’ll find what really suits you and meet important people in your journey. Falling in love can also help give you purpose and drive. When you find more balance in your personality and life and can feel less driven towards hyperfixation, you will succeed.

Spirituality: Prosperity Gospel, New Thought Movement, Law of Attraction, Hinduism, Sufism, Yoruba, Taoism, Paganism, Buddhism, Kabbalah, Shamanism, Jainism

Libra Rising:

Places To Visit: Traveling throughout the USA, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Sweden, Canada, South Korea, Netherlands, UK, India, Finland, Israel

Flirt Style: Subtle and chill, quirky sense of humor, thoughtful and shares, mystery, hard to get energy, conversational, witty banter, talking about ideas, friendly debates, unique way of complimenting or gifting

How You’ll Find Success: To find success, you need to gain a very acute and keen focus and dedicate yourself to your passion—complete dedication for years and years. This starts with a need to experience change: change where you live, change your appearance. But overall, overcome your shadow side, embrace your darker elements, heal, and get deeply introspective. Through healing and becoming extremely focused and dedicated, you will reach success. Don’t let the past define you.

Spirituality: Buddhism, Jainism, Shinto, Taoism, Ayurveda, Zoroastrianism, Sufism, Christian Mysticism, Sikhism, Hygee, Stoicism, Native Spiritualities

Scorpio Rising:

Places To Visit: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, travel around the USA, Netherlands, Japan, Italy.

Flirt Style: Expressive through art forms, soft spoken, kind gestures, gentle touch, genuine interactions, calm and serene, understanding and patient.

How You’ll Find Success : To succeed, you have to allow yourself to think outside of the box and give yourself freedom. You need something that allows you to spread your wings and enjoy. Traveling will help you find success, as will moving your body, doing different things, and being explorative. Don’t limit yourself and stay positive—shaping your thoughts positively will help a lot, as well as surrounding yourself with different people, as they will bless you with a lot of support to gain success. Lastly, being authentic is a great way to ensure success.

Spirituality: Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism, New Age Spirituality, Progressive Christianity, Animism, Paganism, Humanism, Zen Spirituality.

Sagittarius Rising:

Places To Visit: Traveling around the USA, Spain, Brazil, UAE, Japan, France, Australia, South Africa, Netherlands, Hungary, Portugal, Argentina.

Flirty Style: Initiates conversations, expressive body language, playful and lively, uses compliments and verbal affirmations, playful teasing, direct, confident, engaged, positive vibes, animated.

How You’ll Find Success: The focus here has to be on patience. The key is to be patient so that when you take action, it’s not about instant gratification but about the long gain. Quality over quantity. Look towards what’s going to be lasting. Be discerning about who you let into your life, have discipline with what you do, be ambitious and go full throttle. Get deep into what you want out of life and be loyal to your goals. Grow thick skin and be resilient to any challenges by believing in yourself the most. Watch what you do because you have great positive karma—if you wield it well.

Spirituality: Gnosticism, Taoism, Mysticism, Occultism, Shamanism, Buddhism, Neopaganism, Sufism.

Capricorn Rising:

Places To Visit: Switzerland, Japan, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Netherlands.

Flirt Style: Touchy feely, eye contact, enjoying quality time, bonding over shared activities, consistency, building a foundation, being present, slow and steady.

How You’ll Find Success: Invest in your grand ideas; you have just the right amount of ambition and pragmatism to execute them. Don’t ever feel like you’re the odd one out because your brain is your asset, and it will carry you far. So, allow your vivid mind to be seen. Don’t be afraid because you can make predictions about the future without even knowing how—your intuition will lead you far if you don’t suppress it. Friends are important for your success, as well as being involved in life. Be hands-on, get out there, speak your truth, and share your voice. Show up, socialize, and share your message. A lot of people will be invested in you—don’t back out. Go far and accept the odd and eccentric parts of yourself. Don’t be afraid of giving because you will be blessed tenfold in return.

Spirituality: Taoism, Sufism, Buddhism, Humanism, New Age Spirituality, Paganism, Existentialism.

Aquarius Rising:

Places To Visit: France, Italy, Spain, Greece, around the USA, Australia, Switzerland, Canada, UK, Portugal, Thailand, New Zealand, Japan

Flirt Style: Quick witted, sharing knowledge, switching topics, funny jokes, teasing, switching up moods, constantly desiring stimulation or intrigue, intellectual conversations.

How You’ll Find Success: Look at your emotions and pay attention to them—they have such an impact. Don’t just abandon your feelings or retreat into hermit mode when you experience them; explore the reasons behind the feelings, do art, dance, and allow yourself to think of and imagine the endless possibilities available to you! Embrace your pure heart and connect with people who are calm, artistic, and chill—they will help you pour more into your essence and guide you towards your imagination. In your imagination lies the key to your success. Focus on your dreams, your intuition, those moments you can’t explain, and connect to your ancestors. Truly dive deep into the other world and heal your soul. Connect and find a genuine, loving group of people who will continue to create art, come up with endless imaginative ideas, and nurture you without judgment. This is where you flourish.

Spirituality: Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Mormonism, Sikhism, African Religions.

Pisces Rising:

Places To Visit: Italy, France, UK, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Japan, Czech Republic, Russia, India, Peru, Sweden, Mexico, Ireland

Flirt Style: Openly and thoughtfully express feelings, take their time to open up, slow and steady, kind and considerate, moody and can be expressive and then introspective, meaningful conversations.

How You’ll Find Success: Embrace your passions, as they fuel you to take action. Without engaging in things you truly love, you risk stagnation. Allow your passions to move you and get hands-on. Don’t feel forced into a box; allow your passions to change and to shift focus. The bottom line is to go after what ignites a fire in you and what brings peace to your inner child. Take action and don’t hesitate—you have the universe on your side when you make bold decisions. Learn to communicate clearly and don’t be afraid to work on your many ideas and fantasies alone! You shine brightly on your own, and people will be intrigued by you. Hang around people with dynamic, passionate, and assertive energy—they will help you significantly and allow you to take the reins yourself.

Spirituality: Humanism, Paganism, Unitarian Universalism, Sufism, Spiritual Humanism, Buddhism, Daoism, New Age Spirituality, New Thought Movement, Feminist Spirituality.

[jikooklove9795]

TIME TO CALL ME DELUSIONAL BUT HEAR ME OUT!!!!!

One of Jungkooks last lives was him wearing the black and white Nike jacket.

Later we seen Jimin wearing the same one.

Everyone pointed it out..

Not to mention they were even matching with wearing beanies but back to my point-

A year ago today Jikookers were in Japan together, they’re safe place really.

Once he saw the snow, Jungkook said he’d remember that moment with Jimin while enlisted.

Today. 11/27. Jungkook changes his/Bams IG pfp with him wearing the same black and white Nike jacket…

Do you see where I’m going with this???

Hey Anon 😊

You really got some points there

We got to see Jungkook wearing the Nike Swoosh Black Jacket along with a black beanie during his Dec 8 2023 live

But we have seen him wearing this Nike Jacket in a live before, right?

When?

The March 14 2023 live. Where Jungkook started the live at 8:11 KST (cough 8/11 cough). The same live where he teased Jimin's SMF pt2 reminding us all that something amazing is gonna come up at midnight. It was White Day in SK.

On Dec 27 2023 we see Jimin wearing the Nike Swoosh Black Jacket along with a black beanie in BTS Monuments Beyond The Star

Jimin was in self quarantine at the time. So, its from Dec 14 2021. We get to know about the date from Jimin's phone screen and also from his conversation with Hoseok the same day

Now let me do a brief recap of Jungkook's Dec 8 2023 live.

When Jungkook starts the live, we see him walking home. He's going home after his workout. He talks about Bam (cause there was a rude comment asking him if he abandoned Bam), how he adopted Bam, took him home and cared for him, about Bam's training center, how he often visits Bam there and brings him home whenever he can. It is during this live that he hints that maybe Bam will have an IG in the future.

He sings songs for ARMY. Complains about the sweat. And changes his outfit to a purple hoodie just 15 mins before the live ends.

Now let's talk about the second part of your ask. About Jikook's conversation in Japan

Jikook got their first snow of this year in SK on Nov 27 2024.

Jungkook changed Bam's IG profile pic on Nov 27 2024 to this pic

And posted a new pic of Bam (the 13th post as pointed out by sydneylaurelseven)

When I saw Bam in this outfit I immediately thought of Jikook twinning on Valentine's Day in 2017

The song is a romantic one released in Dec 2017.

These lyrics:

I hope the white snow will pile up tomorrow morning

Then I'll make you a warm cup of tea

Just keep staying by my side

Promise me

So, I think when the first snow fell in SK Jungkook was reminiscing about his time with Jimin in Sapporo. And also about Bam. His cute family of 3.

According to SK tradition, if you experience the first snow with the person you like, it will lead to a long lasting true love between the two. Because of this many couples promise to meet each other at a certain place to enjoy the first snow and hope for their love to be eternal.

BTS did this interview on Dec 2017. Here, Jimin said that his wish was to see the first snow every year.

And he did. He did it with Jungkook on Jan 8 2018. Their first snow together as a couple (that we know of). Maybe they had watched it before too but this was the only one they shared with us till now. They let us in on their cute, romantic moment

When asked about their favorite weather:

On Nov 25 2018 Jikook went on their ice skating date right after they landed in SK after their Japan Concert

This sweet, romantic moment where Jungkook wakes up, climbs the mountain, brings snow with him and gifts it to Jimin cause he knows Jimin loves snow. And we see Jimin being worried about Jungkook feeling cold. Both of them always thinking about the other

Jikook playing with the snow filters designed by Jimin (Oct 10 2016)

On Nov 25 2023 Jikook flew to Sapporo. Sapporo is also a wonderful winter honeymoon destination for couples.

Jungkook enjoying his trip to Sapporo with Jimin and expressing it

Also, do you notice the watch Jimin is wearing?

He's wearing the same watch he wore during his Sept 1 2023 live. The 1997 model watch, which was set to Jungkook's birth time when he started the live (I love that moment so much. Its so romantic and loud. There's no other explanation to why he did that other than the most obvious one which is proudly showing his love for Jungkook).

Jikook had so much fun in Sapporo, enjoying each other's company, creating memories to take back home with them

Did Jungkook post those 2 pics intentionally on the same day when the first snow fell in SK?

When we (jkks) saw those 2 pics our mind immediately went to Jikook, right? Because in the first pic of Jungkook with Bam, Jungkook's jacket is the same as the one Jimin was also seen wearing (including the black beanie). The second pic is the one where Bam's wearing a green and grey jacket. Again, Jikook were seen twinning in green and grey jackets on Valentine's Day.

So, is it all a coincidence?

In my opinion Jikook and the word coincidence don't go hand in hand. Cause once, twice or even thrice can be considered a coincidence. But when it comes to Jimin and Jungkook its not a coincidence but a consistent pattern of their choices.

We have seen the whole Jikook sharing/ matching clothes, accessories saga, right? They even did it during their Solo Era. So, I'm not gonna share all that here since most of you would have already seen it. But I'll share some which looks really interesting:

1) Jimin wearing Jungkook's old T-shirt in Hoseok's bday live

2) After Jungkook uploaded GCF Tokyo an Army commented under the official BH tweet asking Jimin if he's dating Jungkook and if he is then to post a selca with glasses. After 3 days Jimin uploads a video where he is seen wearing the same green hoodie which Jungkook wore during their Tokyo trip, with a glasses filter on. He captions it "glasses"

3) Jikook in denim shirts. They looked and acted so couple coded here that Namjoon asked them if they were dating to which neither of them responds nor denies it

4) BTS pic with TXT where Jikook are wearing matching black outfits along with the hats

5) Jikook in couple pajamas for LGO MV. Jungkook wanted it to be as realistic as possible. And thats why there were seen sharing a room together cause thats what they have been doing in real life. Sharing a room, a home and being a couple

6) Jikook's color coordinated outfits for AYS Sapporo (Black & beige and Grey)

7) The staff had already prepared pajama sets for them, which can be seen on the bed but they chose to wear the couple pajama sets they brought with them

8) Jimin wearing Jungkook's sweater to bed in Winter Package

Jikook knows very well that we catch on to the hints and clues they keep dropping here and there.

So, I don't think we are delusional if we connected the pics Jungkook uploaded today to Jikook. Cause I think that's exactly what Jungkook was hinting at. And Jungkook himself said that when its gonna snow during their ms he would recall the moment he shared with Jimin during their Sapporo trip.

But add to it Bam too cause he's also a part of their family. So, when it snowed today in SK Jungkook's thoughts were filled with Jimin and Bam. His small, precious family.

Have a nice day, Anon 👋🏻

Credits to the owner of the video

[pedripics]

Pedri via Residency - July 18, 2024

How are you feeling? - "Incredible! Winning the Euros was crazy"

How is the injury? - "Better every day. I've just started my holidays, but I'm training every day to recover and start the season at the top of my game"

Winning the World Cup? - "I can't even imagine that feeling. It's the dream that every child who plays football wants to fulfil. I have already won LaLiga with Barça and now the Euros with Spain. Now on to the Champions League and the World Cup"

How did your family react to seeing you win the Euros? - "They were very happy! They were with us at every game of the tournament and at the celebrations"

Feelings for next season? - "Very good, both personally and as a team. It could be a great year"

Winning World Cup or Champions League? - "Why choose? That's like choosing between your dad and mom"

How did you feel when you were lying on the ground because of your injury? - "I knew what he had done to me that was going to stop me from playing. I was in pain and also annoyed that I had to stop because of the injury."

Do you like Japan? - "Yes! I like sushi... and I won an Olympic medal there"

Will Nico come to Barça? - "I have no answer to that question. What is clear is that he would be a great signing for Barça. He has shown what he is capable of in the Euros"

Would you play as a goalkeeper? - "Hahahaha that's what my father was there for. There is no need for more goalkeepers in my family"

Did you have a great time at the Euros celebrations? - "I had a crazy time, actually. It was a moment of celebration with the whole country after a great tournament. Although I had to take care of my knee at all times. The rest of the players didn't have that problem 🥲" (kroos i am gonna find you istg)

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? - "Well... playing football at the highest level, like now. In the future I want to start a family, but in 5 years i am not so sure"

Is it fun to do photoshoots? - "I always say no to my team and especially at the beginning I was embarrassed, but now I'm used to it. I try to have fun and have a good time, although I prefer a ball to a camera"

Advice when you suffer from your first big injury? - "Well, be patient, because in the end, with work and effort, the good times return"

Feelings for the new season? - "I think it's going to be really good. Now it's time to rest a bit and recover and get back to work as soon as possible under the orders of the new coach. We are sure that this new season will bring us a lot of joy."

Do you have a favourite female singer? - "Hora Cero, by Myke Towers, is the one I've liked the most lately... and of course 'Pedro' by Raffaella Carrá" (sir that's not an answer and we both know it lol)

Real Madrid will win La Liga again - "Veremos..."

Advice for young players? - "Have fun playing and try not to lose the things that street football gives you"

Favourite teammate? - "Ferran. The truth is, he is a great teammate and friend. He always supports me and gives me advice"

Is Ferran single? - "I would say so, unless he's gotten a girlfriend since Tuesday when I haven't seen him"

Your best friend? - "I have several. Dani, Fran and Rubén, who have been my friends since childhood"

Are you excited about the new Camp Nou? - "I am already looking forward to playing there again. Playing at the Camp Nou will surely help us on be on top... The visit impressed me, because of the project and because I saw how it works inside"

Where are you on vacation? - "As always, I am on holidays on my island, in Tenerife"

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Looking like my profile picture (a picture of him being bald)? - "Yessss. Everyone is asking me if I am going bald... one day I will, for sure! That's easier than having Cucurella's hair"

Dream vacation? - "Wherever it is, with my family and friends"

Who do you think will be the next Golden Boy? - "Lamine, 100x100"

Tea or coffee? - "I drink neither"

Are you learning English? - "I learnt a bit… let's see if after the holidays I really get into it and speak it properly soon"

Where did your obsession with bananas come from? - "It's not an obsession. It's true that i really like them and in the Canary Islands, it's a typical product used in many recipes"

What do you do so bad comments don't affect you? - "do things as good as possible. I know what I do and what I do not do; I cannot control what people say or invent"

You promised to grow a mustache. When will you do it? - "Maybe I am doing it these days and then I will share some photos" (NO PLEASE DON'T)

[shilohsylvanian]

Round 2 of the new Japan 2024, Feb 10. Releases: Marguerite Rabbit Easter Egg House Standing baby Luciana is all dressed up for Easter in her egg house. Eggs are hidden all over, including the cup and teapot being able to stack into an egg shape. The mailbox is too adorable and so is the egg clip on the ear! Will go great with the Marguerite rabbit Easter Celebration set.

[greatestrival]

Yuki Tsunoda: 10 Things I Love for GP RACING MAGAZINE APRIL 2024 ISSUE

scanned by me (please credit if you repost lmao these took so loooong)

text under the cut

10 THINGS I LOVE

RB's Japanese racer on his love of saunas, good coffee and - well, food, of course

Fashion

I like fashion. I like to choose my outfit according to my mood or where I'm going. And I like to show my colours, if you like. In short, it feels good to look good.

Food

There's no particular cuisine I like, but for me a good meal is a kind of tool to reduce stress and feel happier. It doesn't matter what kind of food it is - if it's good, I enjoy it, whether it's tacos or sushi. I really like pasta. When I'm in Italy that's what I usually eat. But it's important for me, wherever we go, to find a good restaurant so I can enjoy the food. Because in a way, as strange as it may sound, it gives me the same feeling as driving a Formula 1 car. When I drive, I just concentrate on that. It's not that I don't think - of course I do, especially during the race - but when it comes to driving, it's more about the senses than thoughts. When I'm driving I don't think about anything else. And it's almost the same with food. You just enjoy the taste and flavour - and I really like that!

Nature

We travel a lot and are surrounded by electronics and computers, Laptops, telemetry, data is our world - and sometimes it's just too much. So I like to get away from it all, to go hiking, for example, or just get out into nature and experience a different environment to Formula 1.

Jason Statham

Definitely my favourite actor, especially after meeting him in Abu Dhabi last year. I've always liked his films and Transporter is my favourite - but sometimes when you meet your hero and get to know the person better, you can be disappointed, can't you? It wasn't like that with Jason. He is such a great guy, really nice, talkative, very respectful and really, really strong! He's got everything you need. He's strong, he looks cool, he's bald. I might go bald in the future to look more like him...

Singing

I'm not the one who sings in the shower, but I do sing in the car. I just feel like it, to feel the rhythm, to have fun. And when I'm singing, I feel like a real singer.

Saunas

It's something I like to use to reset. 20 minutes in the sauna, then a cold shower and lying down - at that moment I feel like I'm in space. And it is an incredible feeling. It feels like your body is resetting itself. It feels like all the stress I have, it just comes out with the sweat, so after the sauna I feel fresh. Like a brand new me. It's funny, I didn't really like it before, but my friends kept telling me how great it was. So one day I just decided to give it another try and finally understood what they were talking about. Now it's one of my favourite things to do: just go to the sauna and relax.

Coffee

I have a good coffee machine at home. I like to grind coffee beans in the morning and make myself a good cup of coffee. Good coffee makes my day.

Wine

I don't drink alcohol very often, to be honest. And I'm not a guy who knows a lot about wine, about different types and varieties of wine. I'm not an expert, if you like. But it's nice to have a glass of wine with good food. It helps you enjoy it even more

Apex Legends

I used to play a lot more when I moved to Europe from Japan - and Apex Legends was my favourite game. I don't play as much now, but during my junior career it was a way to keep in touch with my friends in Japan because we were so far apart. Of course you can call and chat, but doing something together, playing and talking at the same time, is a lot more fun.

Football

I sometimes play football with the mechanics, engineers and other guys from the team in Faenza. And I love it. Because first of all I like the game itself, but then it's also good to hang out with the guys from the team - especially considering that it's usually the guys who don't go to races and stay at the factory, so it's also a good opportunity to bond with them.

[rennarita]

[pepperstreak]

Squeeesh

[artbyremi]

Part of the @tmnt-secret-santa-2024

@itzzaira I'm your secret santa!

I wrote a short one-shot with lots of 2003 turtle tot cuddles. I really hope you like it! I tried to focus more on Mikey because I was getting the vibe he was your favorite. He's honestly the hardest out of the four for me to write so I hope I captured him alright.

Prompt: Brumation- just a lazy day with softness and cuddles and fluff while the four turtle babies are just sleepy and clingy to each other.

Maybe it was his memory fading or his old age making him more susceptible to the cold, but Splinter was sure his winters spent in Japan were nothing compared to the New York winters he faced now. The old rat sipped on a cup of chamomile tea then turned the page of the book he was reading.

The lair was quiet besides the sounds of old cartoon reruns playing on the television. Splinter had learned during the boys’ first year that turtles got especially sleepy during the colder months. As mutants they didn’t enter a proper brumation as regular turtles would but the cold weather turned his usually rambunctious and noisy tots into little cuddle bugs.

Currently, the four were all snuggled together on the couch under a plethora of blankets that Splinter had tucked them in. Raph was on the end of the couch, his legs tucked up to his chest forming himself into a stiff little ball. Leo was on the opposite end of the couch, the hood from the slightly too big jacket he was wearing pulled over his head.

It covered his eyes to the point where he surely couldn't see the cartoon playing and his chest was rising and falling slow and even so Splinter figured he must have fallen asleep. Which only spoke to the exhaustion the small tot was experiencing as Leonardo usually liked to watch his brothers fall asleep before nodding off himself.

The two youngest, Donny and Mikey were in the middle, squished in between their two older brothers. Their chubby little arms were tangled together, their heads leaned close, and eyes planted squarely on the television.

It was nice to have silence in their little sewer home for once. As a single father to four under four, Splinter rarely had the opportunity to mediate or read for himself. However, it was the silence that gave his mind the opportunity to wander more than usual.

Their supplies were dwindling. Not enough that they wouldn’t have food to eat but Splinter could tell the boys were growing sick of congee and tea everyday. It was times like this that made him miss his old life in Japan with Yoshi and Tang Shen more than usual.

Things had been so much simpler back then when he had been a regular rat. There was no need to worry about dwindling supplies or staying hidden. Not that he regretted his mutation. It had brought along opposable thumbs and the intelligence and ability to properly practice ninjutsu just as Yoshi had. He was also finally able to understand the many Japanese soap operas he had spent many evenings watching from Tang Shen’s lap.

But most importantly it was what led him to the four little turtles whom he loved just as Yoshi and Tang Shen had loved him. Splinter had never pictured himself as a father and yet here he was single rat dad to four under four.

“Sensei, I’m cold.”

Michelangelo’s mewl brought Splinter’s attention to the pile of turtles nestled together on the couch. Even through all the extra layers and warm blankets, the cold was still getting to them. He wished he could have kept the old kotatsu from Yoshi’s home in Japan. That certainly would have done wonders for the four shivering little turtles.

“Shhh, Mikey,” Donny said, pressing his hand over his younger brother’s mouth. Then immediately turned his eyes back to the cartoon on the TV.

Donny shrieked the moment he felt a warm wetness on his hand. He should have known better. Placing his hand over Mikey’s mouth to shush him was only asking for the younger boy to lick his palm out of retaliation.

“Sensei!” Donny wailed, frantically wiping his wet palm on the side of the couch as Mikey broke out into uncontrollable giggles.

Splinter closed the book he had meant to be reading. He had enjoyed the momentary silence, but now it was time to get back to his 24/7 job as a father.

The rat adjusted the burgundy shawl around his shoulders then gathered the old blanket, he had been using for himself, into his arms. Even with his fur, the cold air was still a little much for Splinter. However, he could handle a little cold. The little turtles needed the warmth more.

The old rat walked over to the tots and tucked the additional blanket around their tiny shivering frames. “How’s that, my sons?” He knew it probably wasn’t much help. Certainly nowhere near the amount of warmth a kotatsu would have brought but this was the best he could do.

“But, Sensei,” Leo said. “Won’t you be cold now?”

The little turtle had said it with such innocence and sincerity that Splinter had to laugh. It was sweet how even at such a young age, Leo was worried about his old father.

Splinter patted the boy on the head, “I will be just fine, Leonardo.” Splinter adjusted the blankets around the tots. “I’m more concerned about you four. Any warmer?”

“I’m still cold,” Mikey whined, puffing out his flushed cheeks with a heavy little huff.

“I’m hungry,” Raph joined in on the whining.

Donny nodded, “Yeah, me too.”

Hungry?

Splinter checked the clock on the wall. It was nearing noon. He had been so caught up in his own mind that he hadn’t realized quite how late it had gotten. “How’s some congee sound?”

Mikey’s face wrinkled up, “Rice porridge?”

“Daad,” Raph whined, “We’ve had it like ev’ryday this week!”

It’s all we have supplies for, Splinter thought to himself. He doubted four four-year-olds would understand their situation and Splinter didn’t want to put that worry on them either way. He was the parent after all. He would handle all of life’s stresses just as Yoshi had done for him.

Splinter took a seat on the edge of the couch, cupping Raphael’s flushed cheek in his palm, “It's good for you and it’ll warm you up.”

Raph huffed, “Well, I’m sick of it!” He crossed his arms across his plastron and made the grumpiest face his four-year-old body could muster. Raph probably thought he looked tough but really he just looked like a chihuahua baring its teeth.

It was quite adorable.

“We have had it a lot this week, Sensei,” Donny said matter-of-a-factly.

It was true. Splinter had prepared the same congee at least four other times that week. Splinter loved it but maybe rice porridge wasn’t exactly the most appetizing thing to a couple of four-year-olds. Maybe he could at least spice it up this time with some chicken or maybe mix in an egg or add some pickled ginger. Of course, they would actually have to have those ingredients in the first place for that to be a possibility.

“I want chicken nuggets!” Mikey exclaimed.

Splinter returned his attention to an excitable Michelangelo.

What?

“Did ya’ hear me, Dad?” He tried again. “Can we have chicken nuggets, please!?”

The look on Mikey’s face melted Splinter’s heart. The small turtle looked so innocent as he stared up at Splinter with wide, pleading eyes. Maybe it was because he had been deemed the youngest and thus the baby of the family or maybe Mikey just had a natural charm about him but there was something about the little turtle that Splinter just couldn’t say no to.

But he needed to.

Splinter cupped Mikey’s chubby little cheek in his hand. “I’d have to go on a supply run, my son.”

The only food they had was enough rice to make a few more pots of congee that could feed all five of them as well as some saltines, a couple containers of yogurt, and a few other miscellaneous ingredients. Nothing that he could make chicken nuggets with.

Splinter knew he would need to go on a supply run sooner rather than later but today was not that day. There had been a massive blizzard the night before. The roads would be slick and slippery with ice and the shops would be barren from people snowed into their homes. It wasn’t exactly the best conditions for a supply run.

However, at the mention of a supply run, Mikey’s face lit up. “Can you get the dinosaur ones?”

“Oh, Please please, Sensei!” Donny joined in. “I really wanna eat a Brontosaurus!” The little boy exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air. “Or a Raptor or a Triceratops or a Skorpiovenator!”

Splinter wanted to shut them down. It was too dangerous for a supply run. They could survive off of congee for a few more days until the ice melted. But Mikey’s cuteness mixed with Donny’s excitement for Dinosaurs made it nearly impossible.

How could he possibly say no to them?

A tiny sneeze from Mikey was the nail in the coffin. Donny wrapped an arm around his younger brother, trying to provide to him what little warmth he could even though he himself was shivering.

Splinter, maybe a little too frantically ripped the shawl from his shoulders and wrapped it around the two shivering boys. That was the last thing he had to offer them. There were no more blankets left in the lair unless they started stripping their bed sheets.

“I’m cold too, Sensei,” Raph muttered as he wrapped his shiering arms around his chest.

“You can have this, Raphy,” Leo said, as he began to unzip his sweatshirt.

“No–no,” Splinter zipped Leo’s sweatshirt back up. His oldest was always quick to think of his brothers’ needs before his own. It was sweet but at the same time Splinter worried how that might develop as Leo grew older. “You need to stay warm too, Leonardo.”

Leo settled back against the couch and pulled Raph close to his side. Raph, who usually wasn’t the cuddly type, leaned his head against Leo’s shoulder and let out a wide yawn. Splinter grabbed the edges of the first lighter blanket and tucked it up to the boys’ chins followed by another lighter blanket then finally the heavy wool blanket.

Donny yawned, then stuck his thumb into his mouth, a habit Splinter had been struggling to break him from. Mikey stared up at Splinter with tired eyes, “Are we gonna have dino nuggets for lunch?”

Splinter’s heart broke. They needed more food. They needed warmer clothes. They needed more blankets. As much as he didn’t want to risk his own safety and possibility of discovery out on the surface. He needed to risk it anyway.

Splinter cupped Mikey’s cheek, “Alright, my son.”

Leo sat up straight, “Am I in charge, Sensei?”

Splinter shut down a coming argument from Raphael almost immediately. “I don’t think anyone needs to be in charge. I’ll only be a few hours.”

Leo’s face fell, “But what if a bad guy comes?”

“I bet I could take ‘em!’ Raph but in.

Leo rolled his eyes, “Yeah, right.”

Raph glared at Leo then turned to look up at Splinter, “You said I’m doin’ really good at trainin’, right, Sensei?” The hot-headed toddler looked up at the rat with a fierce glow in his eyes.

Splinter let out a subtle sigh. “You’ve all been doing excellent.” It was the truth. The boys had all been doing very well in their ninjutsu training, which thus far had consisted of basic punches and kicks.

Splinter readjusted the blanket around the boys’ shoulders. “But remember, we are all very safe down here. No one will find us.”

“Are you sure?” Donny said, followed by a wide yawn.

Splinter chuckled quietly to himself, “Yes, I’m sure.”

Leo took his turn to yawn widely, which then spread to both Raph and Mikey. Splinter smiled at the cute sight in front of him. Whoever said yawns were contagious knew what they were talking about. Splinter bent down to adjust the blankets once more. “Looks like it's nap time, my sons.”

The boys all nodded, their heads falling to each other’s shoulders.. Splinter ran his hand along the tops of each of their heads. “Sleep well, my sons.”

“Sensei, you’re back!” Mikey cheered as Splinter entered through the archway, cloak still covering his head and grocery bags in hand. The tots scrambled their way out of the blankets and came running to greet their adoptive father at the door.

Mikey and Raph each attached themselves onto one of Splinter legs, while Leo and Donnie both grabbed a grocery bag from his arms.

“Hello, my sons,” Splinter greeted.

“What’s this, Sensei?” Donatello asked as he pulled out a small black electronic device from the grocery bag he had been carrying. The object was small and square with a large vent on the front.

“That’s a heater,” Splinter replied, struggling to move with two tots still attached to his legs. It wasn’t a kotatsu but at least they could finally have some heat. Splinter had always avoided snatching a heater out of fear that he would be caught but he was desperate. Luckily, the clerk barely even glanced his way as he walked out the door with a small heater under his cloak. Maybe they really hadn’t noticed or maybe they understood that someone stealing a heater was only doing so for a valid reason.

“A heater?” Leo asked, head cocked.

Raph and Mikey released their tight grips on Splinter’s legs to toddle over to Donatello. “A heater?” Mikey asked, giving the device a poke.

“Yes, my sons.” Splinter said as he grabbed the heater from Donny.

The boys followed behind like obedient little ducklings as Splinter carried the heater over to an outlet in the wall. “This is to help keep us warm.” He set the device on the ground and plugged it into the wall then turned the heat up to high.

Raph held his hand out in front of the vent. “I think it's brok’n, Sensei.”

Splinter chuckled to himself, “Patience, Raphael.”

Raph scrunched up his face in frustration. “But it’s s’pposed to be hot.”

“It’s hot now, Raphy!” Donny grabbed his brother's hand and held it in front of the heater’s vent.

“Whoa,” Raph held out his hand in front of the vent, mesmerized by its heat.

“It’s like magic,” Mikey exclaimed, stepping in front of Raph so he could feel the full force of the heater.

Raph charged at Mikey, “Move outta the way, Pipsqueak!”

Splinter stepped in before Raph could push Mikey to the ground. He knew it was only play fighting but after his trip to the surface he really wasn’t feeling up to cleaning any accidental boo-boos.

“There’s room for all of you.”

Splinter grabbed the four pillows from the couch and set them each equal distance from the heater. The boys each took a seat on an individual pillow and allowed Splinter to wrap them up on the several blankets.

“All snug?”

The boys all nodded, eyes drooping, and heads bumping against each other.

Splinter smiled at the four all cuddled together. “Lunch will be ready soon.”

“Okay, Sensei!” They all called back.

“Boys!” Splinter called, “Lunch is ready!”

Splinter had expected them to come running the moment they could smell cooked chicken. But instead he was met with an odd silence.

“Boys!” He called again.

Still no response.

Splinter grew worried for a moment.

Had they run off?

The old rat hurried his way to the living room and was met with an adorable sight. The boys had all pulled their pillows closer to the heater and were cuddled up together in an adorable ball of snoozing tangled turtles.

Raph, being the biggest, was on the bottom of the pile serving as the base. His arms were wrapped around a pillow and his head was buried into a blanket. Donny was laying across Raph’s shell, his head tucked into the crook of his neck. His thumb was once again shoved into his mouth, causing a bit of drool to run down his chin.

Leo was laying on the other side of Raph. Donny was taking up a bit too much space for him to properly sit on top so he settled for laying on his shell and using Raph’s shell as a footrest with his arms sprawled out at his sides like a starfish.

Mikey was curled up in a little ball on top of Leo’s plastron like a puppy in donut formation. His head was shoved deep into the crevice of Leo’s shoulder. Leo stirred a bit moving his arms to pull Mikey closer to himself.

It didn’t look like the most comfortable of laying formations but they certainly looked adorable. Splinter wondered how many more cute cuddly moments he would be able to catch like this before they grew too old for cuddles.

Splinter grabbed a disposable camera out of a nearby drawer and snapped a photo.

At the sound of the photo snapping, the boys each stirred but they didn’t wake. Instead they only attempted to snuggle closer to each other and the heater.

Splinter smiled at the sight.

Dino nuggets could wait.

He would let them rest for now.

[honestlychiefbanana]

Highlights of Yota Tsuji vs Hirooki Goto NJPW New Japan Cup 2024 Final

[digi-lov]

Bandai Card Game Next Plan Presentation

Summary and pictures under cut

It starts off with some info we mostly know

EX-06 Infernal Ascension

Point.01 - the set features the Three Great Angels and the Seven Great Demon Lords. The cards that hadn't been revealed prior, were posted shortly after the stream as well.

Point.02 - Ogudomon will be debut as a SECret rare in this set.

Point.03 - RagnaLordmon and Mastemon sneak peak! They will have Blast Jogress/DNA Evolution in this set!

BT-17 Secret Crisis

The Set will release in Japan on March 29th.

Point.01 - Character and Digimon from the Movies will appear!

Point.02 - The first alternative Win Condition for the Digimon Card Game! TLDR: (If 4 [Clock of the End]s are placed in your battle area, you win the game.)

Point.03 - Secret rare is the Greymon from the first movie!

Point.04 - Box Topper Pack

LM-03 Limited Card Set 2024

This set will release March 2nd in Japan. It'll contain 6 new Ace Digimon and Option cards of each color!

Digimon Liberator

Reveal of the Digimon Liberator Promotion Pack Ver.1! The Characters are Shoto Kazama and Pteromon, and Arisa Kinosaki and Shoemon! Pteromon, Galemon, Shoemon and ShoeShoemon have also been added to the Digimon Reference Book.

Event cards

Alternative Arts for Lighdramon, Fladramon and Magnamon for the Evolution Cup

Tamer Battle Participation Pack (Japanese)

Alternative Arts for the new Regulation Battle

[mckiwi]

Strange Tales of Halloween

Hosted by A Strange Server. Each Prompt will be treated as a daily journal entry written by Stephen Strange.

On AO3

Prev< >Next

Prompt: "Follow Me"

Saturday, October 19th, 2024

I woke up again. Hooray. I had a cup of tea this morning, per usual. I realized I haven’t had a peanut butter bagel in a few years, so I decided to give that a go. Remembered about two bites in why I haven’t had a peanut butter bagel in years. I then went and picked up something from that corner store for breakfast like a proper New Yorker. I sat outside in the sun to eat because unfortunately that plant potion hasn’t worn off fully yet. 

As it turns out, that job Wong wanted me to do was to defrost the freezer and clean out the fridge. (We have apprentices for this sort of thing, so I decided I wasn’t gonna do it. Not that I would ever tell Wong that.) I told America to follow me down to the basement and played it off as she would be doing me a huge favor if she did the job because I have “super important” things to do today. She made me promise to take her shopping soon. 

I’m writing this from that really cramped storage space in the loft that no one ever uses because I’m supposedly in Japan for the day. Really need to put “clean the hobbit hole” on the ever-growing to-do list. 

Adios desde Japón

-S