#no like literally my bd is this Sunday

[iwtv-az-hours]

I'm sorry, 18th century Armand is so incredibly hot to me (both looking like death & the ponytail couture in palettes that make his skin pop) happy flippin birthday to me

[actuallysara]

Hey I'm sorry to bother you about this but I know you're going to the convention in paris and I would really like to come too but I've never been to a convention before so I really don't have any idea of how these events work and I don't even know where to start? Do you have any tips for me? 😭

Hello anon, this is not a bother at all! this turned out into a full DREAMIT CONVENTIONS GUIDE so I apologize in advance lol but hopefully it will help you and other people out! You can also always dm me about it, I really don't mind talking about it or helping people out in any way I can.

This is all from my experience at DINAH last year so please mind that some things might be a bit different for FRR but here you go:

DREAMIT:

This is dreamit website (you can select the language on the menù at the top on the right), twitter and instagram.

I suggest you turn their notifications on to keep updated since twitter and instagram are where they make all their announcements.

WHEN AND WHERE:

WHEN: June 3rd and 4th, 2023

WHERE: Centre Evénementiel Mairie de Courbevoie in 7 Bd Aristide Briand, 92400 Courbevoie, Paris, France.

The location is not in the city centre but there are several big chain hotels nearby such as: Best Western, Ibis and Mercury hotels among the many.

How to reach the location from the city centre: either by metro, train, taxi or uber. If you use public transports get ready to walk a bit.

GUEST LIST:

Guests are announced whenever Dreamit gets a signed contract. According to their last update (March 2023) they're now focusing on bringing more Station 19 and Grey's Anatomy guests while 911 Lone Star guests are currently on hold. There will be minimum 10 guests.

So far the guests announced are: Stefania Spampinato from Station 19 (bonus guest), Ronen Rubinstein and Rafael Silva from 911 Lone Star (regular guests).

BONUS & REGULAR GUESTS: the difference is basically on their request and their cachet. Bonus guests cost more and their activities will therefore be more expensive than regular ones.

PAYEMENT:

You can pay on their website with credit or debit card, by wire transfer and with PayPal. PayPal gives you the option to split your payement into 4 parts if you want.

ACCESS PASSES:

You need to have one of the below passes to access the event and to purchase extras:

FIRST RESPONDERS PASS: a pass for the whole weekend. It can be paid in 2 parts. In this case you need to buy the First Responders Pass 1/2 first and then the First Responders Pass 2/2.

EMERGENCY PASS: a pass for 1 day only, either Saturday or Sunday.

FAST ACCESS:

This is an extra pass that gives you priority for activities for all/some guests, they basically let you skip queues:

Fast access+ will give you priority access to all the guests activities for 1 day only (you need to choose for which day or you can get it for both days).

Fast access Stefania/Ronen/Rafael/etc etc will give you priority access for the activities of the chosen guest(s) for 1 day only (you need to choose for which day or you can get it for both days).

I personally don't recommend getting these cause they're expensive and not worth it in my opinion. Queues are not that long anyway and there's time for everyone to get their extra done so there's literally no rush. Also sometimes these priorities in line aren't really respected and queues are where most friendship start so just take advantage of that!

PACKS:

Packs allow you to buy extras in a bundle and save a bit of money. They are on sale per guest and per day:

REGULAR PACKS: include a photo, an autograph and a selfie for 1 day only for 1 guest.

FULL PACKS: include a photo, an autograph, a selfie and an individual meeting room for 1 day only for 1 guest.

ACTIVITIES:

You will get a complete schedule of all the activites 1 week before the convention by email.

Every activity gets announced on screen in the panel room. So you don't have to wander around waiting for the activity to start or for your turn. You just need to sit in the panel room and wait for the activity to get announced. Once the activity has started, you can go where it will take place. Staff members will be everywhere to help you out in case you need it. Photo ops are all taken in one room, autographs in another and meeting rooms in other rooms.

PANEL ROOMS: with any pass you can get access to ALL panels for all guests. In a panel you basically have the guest(s) on stage and you can ask them questions going through a moderator first. They usually last 30 minutes.

MEETING ROOMS: they're basically a panel but have place in a separate room with a limited number of people (max. 30 people + guest(s)). They last 30 minutes. You can ask the guest(s) questions and just talk with them. At the end a group photo is taken. Sometimes they let you take an individual photo/selfie with them instead. These meetings can also come under the form of breakfasts, tea time, board games, etc etc. Meetings can be individual (with one guest only), or group ones (with 2 or more guests). The duo/group meetings usually happens with actors from the same show or who portray a couple on screen (see Ronen Rubinstein and Rafael Silva). There's usually an individual meeting per guest per day and a duo/group meeting per guests per day.

1:1s: usually very limited. You have 3 minutes with the guest alone. At the end you'll get a selfie with them.

PHOTO OPS: it's your chance to get a photo with the guest(s). There are individual photo, duo/trio and group photo ops. There are usually 2 photo op sessions per guests and per duo/trio/group per day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon). If you want you can show guests what pose you want to do on your phone or you can just explain it to them. Obviously no inappropriate poses are allowed and guests are allowed to say no if they don't feel comfortable with any suggestion. At the end of the day you will get printed copies of all your photos. Once the convention is over you will get the chance to buy the digital copies too.

AUTOGRAPHS: it's your chance to get autographs from the guests and this is the only moment where you can give them gifts if you brought any. You can get signed anything you want, something you brought from home or photos that you can buy at the convention. You can ask guests to write anything you want on the autographs and have them personalised.

SELFIES: they happen at the same time as autographs so you need to have an autograph if you want a selfie. If you have a selfie ticket but not an autograph one, they won't allow you to take a selfie with them. So you get the autograph done and then you can take a selfie with them. You can ask the guest to take it for you if you want.

PARTY: limited. It happens on Saturday night and NOT all guests will be attending (Stefania Spampinato will be there, Ronen Rubinstein and Rafael Silva won't).

ONLINE ACTIVITIES:

Sometimes they add some online activities so that people who can't be there in person have the chance to interact with the guests too:

ONLINE 1:1s: it usually happens on zoom and you get 3 minutes with the guest alone. At the end you'll get a screenshot of the two of you.

ONLINE 3:1s: it usually happens on zoom and you get 5 minutes with the guest and 2 other fans. At the end you'll get a screenshot of the group.

SHIPPED AUTOGRAPHS: you can order autographs from guests that will be shipped to your home. Dreamit will give you photo options so that you can choose which one you want to get signed and you will have to email them your personal details, shipping info and any request you have for your autographs so that you can get it personalised. They might take some time to get delivered.

VIDEO RECORDINGS: you can order a video recording from guests. You will have to email them any request you have for your video so that it will be personalised. If you don't have any special request the guest will just record a general video. The lenght of the videos is usually around 1 minute but depends on the guest. They will be sent it to you by email. They might take some time to arrive.

TO KEEP IN MIND:

DISCOUNTS: Dreamit has a fidelity program called "Dream It Club" so that you can accumulate discount points with each purchase made. You need to sign up for it here. It's 1 point for 1€ spent: -10% with 500 points, -20% with 1000 points, -40% with 4000 points, -50% with 6000 points.

FANBOOKS: if you want to do a fanbook for a guest you need to fill in a survey that Dreamit will post on twitter to show your interest. You need to have a pass beforehand. Dreamit will randomly pick a winner and contact them directly to be in charge of it.

Bring water and food with you. They don't have stands at the convention where you can buy something to drink or eat so be prepared in advance. There are some grocery stores in the area where you can go during lunch breaks if you want.

The convention place has no running AC so be aware that it's gonna be very hot in there but bring a jacket too cause it gets chilly outside in the evening.

There are several bathrooms at the location.

IMPORTANT:

VIDEOS: the general rule is that you cannot film anything including guests except for the welcoming and farewell parts of the panel room. You can film some bits here and there of panels as long as they're not too long. They'll be making a DVD of the event so they don't want people to leak the whole thing before that happens.

PHOTOS: you can take as many pictures as you want during panels. You cannot take pictures of the guests anywhere else or during any other activity.

AUDIO RECORDINGS: you cannot record anything at any time.

BE DECENT: people are there to have fun, have a good time and share the experience with other like minded people. Every single person will get their chance and time to interact with the guests. If you have a ticket for an activity you will get that activity done. If something happens at one session and you can't get it done then, you will get another chance at another session, that's exactly why there are multiple sessions during the weekend. The staff will make sure that you will get what you paid for. So there's no need to scream, yell, run around, push people to arrive first or be disrespectful to anyone, whether it's other fans or staff members who are just there to help. Please.

[helladirections]

You are the one that needs to be educated

ah ok. On today's episode of "Things I Shouldn't Have to Divulge in Order to Be Taken Seriously", my education on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:

Learning about Israel since birth. Both the physical land, and the concept of Israel as the greater Jewish community. Being told to love this piece of land, which I always thought was a dumb idea because who fucking cares about a piece of land? My temple gives bar/bat mitzvah kids a rock from Israel and I always thought that was weird because it's just a fucking rock.

Spending free time in high school making a serious effort to actually learn more from other perspectives. Looking into sources that are always biased in favor of Palestinians. Learning the political language and history.

Israel as the primary policy issue that got me interested in politics. I always found it really interesting how emotional everyone always got, no matter the "side" they were taking. I wanted to learn why. I wanted to understand people who I had NOT heard from for my entire life.

Before going to college, I was inundated with horror stories of antisemitism on college campuses, which often took the form of seemingly pro-human rights arguments which were actually just covers for deeply antisemitic tropes which had been used for millennium. I specifically went to a college with a strong Jewish community and no history of these movements.

In college I took classes specifically on this, both as part of my Jewish Studies minor, and my Political Science major. One of those PS classes was taught by a professor who very strongly believe that the conflict was a black and white issue, and that Israel was inherently always wrong. I felt unsafe in her classroom based on the rhetoric she was using.

Just before graduation, literally like a month before graduation, there was a BDS resolution proposed on my campus. It was proposed by one person, on a double holiday (Shabbat&something else), while AEPi was on a big trip for the weekend, with less than a week until the student government vote. This one person went to the Palestinian and Arab student groups and got them to agree with her. All of those groups later said that once they learned more, they no longer agreed. I worked my butt of that week. The resolution passed. I cried.

I went on Birthright as a college freshman. And considering how I felt about Israel growing up (who cares???) my family was surprised when I told them I wanted to go. My eyes were open so wide the entire time. I saw archaeological evidence of my people from thousands of years ago. I went to Yad Vashem, the holocaust museum in Jerusalem. I saw Jerusalem on a Saturday and Tel Aviv on a Sunday. I picked up a few rocks from the top of Masada and gave them to my rabbi to give to the next set of bar/bat mitzvah kids. I loved it, I hated it, and it was incredible.

I went on a second Israel trip as a junior in college. This one was not as much of a tour, but a Jewish learning experience. I lived in a house in Jerusalem (new city) for about 3 weeks and learned from Orthodox women about the way they practice the same religion I do in such a different way. I went into the Old City almost every day. This is when I got the custom made ring that I wear on my left ring finger.

I spent almost a year working professionally at a (problematic) pro-Israel organization (that I left by choice, in part because I could no longer support the work) specifically on rectifying the deeply troubling language that the organization was using against progressive values. I studied and taught and did administrative work for (ha) building an understanding of why being pro-Israel and being progressive are not mutually exclusive. I have lobbied congress. I have been in the room as a staff member being lobbied.

I am more willing than almost anyone else I know to admit that yes, Israel does things that are wrong. To know that learning the reasons why is always important, but that the reasons will never excuse the actions. I also look to learn the reasons for why people disagree with my views, why Palestinians say and do what they do. I will always think it is important to learn as much as possible about things you do not agree with. How else can you know what you truly believe if you never challenge it? How can you support something if you don't know the alternative?

And honestly, this is just a snapshot of my education on this area. But the most important thing I want to leave you with is this: no one is an expert, there is always more to learn. Anyone who claims to know everything about this conflict, the history, the nuances, is lying.

Some sources, from different perspectives:

Yad Vashem, World Holocaust Memorial Center: The Holocaust Factor in the Birth of Israel

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and one section I think is helpful Holocaust Survivors and the Establishment of the State of Israel (May 14, 1948)

Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute, United States Department of State on the creation of Israel

Anti Defamation League: Questions, Complexities and Context: Insights into Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

PBS: Declaration of Israel's Independence

Council on Foreign Relations: What is Hamas?

Al Jazeera: What is Hamas? A simple guide to the armed Palestinian group (This is a very pro-Palestinian org, so if you don't believe the other sources, at least look at this article. Most of it is relatively accurate, to my knowledge. Except that they definitely ARE attacking innocent civilians and no one else is denying that. Most of Hamas are publicly celebrating it)

NPR: What did Hamas aim to gain by its brazen attack on Israel? Here's what to know

[shesawriter39049]

|Breakdowns & Bugatti’s| M|

     *****  Headcanon’s for my OT7 AU*****

Genre: Rich Kid AU/ Drama/ Suspense/ Smut/ Angst

AU SUMMARY : The story of 8 heirs, who also happen to be the children of some of the most powerful, and well known political figures in The Big Apple! This is a candid look at all of the sex, lies, drama, scandals, couture and boujee affairs that are caught both on, but more importantly off camera!

OR: Gossip girl meet’s HTGAWM? Essentially if GG was on HBO, darker, and had more depth within it’s plot! Which is no shade, I love me some Gossip Girl, but realistically looking back a lot of the “Drama” wasn’t that...deep lol! But we still loved it all the same!

Note:  The first chapter is called “The Kim’s of New York” So these headcanon’s are solely the Kim boys & the OC! ALSO, I just tried to find the most discrete gif for the Y/N there is NO ethnicity for ANY of my OC’s! Also, it’s set to be a OT7 intertwined plot but the smut with the OC will prob only be 3/4 members deep!

***The sneak peek for part 1 which is Namjoon X Reader will be linked***

~~~~~~~

Name: Namjoon Kim

Age: 21 Birth place: New York, New York

Current Residence: West Village, New York/ Songpa-Gu, Seoul Korea

Profession: Heir, College student, Entrepreneur, Art lover, Smartass, Heartbreaker (Closet fuck boi) 

College: NYU (Incoming Junior)

Degree: Aiming for a Master’s in Journalism & Political communication. Endgame :Political Journalism

Preferred Degree: Opinion, Trade, or Art Journalism, or a Museum Curator   (Namjoon actually anonymously runs a pretty popular art based travel blog)Namjoon also dabbles in that Soundcloud life making beats under an undisclosed name...however that’s just a hobby....so he says...

Business Type:....Co-owner/founder of an exclusive, invite only, dating service....do with that information what you will!

(Bonus Question ) Licensed Business?: LMAO….sure

Net Worth : 10 Figures

Dating Status : Closet Fuck Boi! Wait, is that not an option? Okay fine. He’s single...ish…Kinda? Well to be fair it depends on the time of day honestly! Is it a Sunday? Are we going to Brunch at Society Café? Or, is it Friday night and he’s going to the “Press Lounge”? More importantly is it election season and and does his father need him to not look like a hoe!? This is all crucial information, I need meticulousdetails honestly! So for the time being I guess I’ll have to pass on the question!

Aesthetic : Tom Ford X Hugo Boss X Valentino X Dior X Tommy Hilfiger = Couture Business Casual! I.E Namjoon always looks like he’s going to some business meeting with Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos! Even if it’s like...noon on a Saturday and your going on a day trip to Nappa...He’s still in calfskin loafers and a disrespectfully tight button up. Namjoon’s giving like...hot college professor PornHub realness...Yup His whole “Scholar Student” Aesthetic is a whole ass kink and baby boy knows it! 

Political Tie: Father, Joshua Kim, New York Senator

Parents : Father : Joshua Kim, (New York Senator, son of Billionaire tech Tycoon Sang Woo Kim) Mother: Christine Kim : Luxury Event planner

Siblings : Only child

Political Party: Democratic

Actual Political Party: Liberal Daily : Matte Black Porsche 911/ Satin Red Ferrari 458/ Bugatti Veyron Matte red

Name: Seokjin Kim (Jin Kim)

Age: 23

Birth place: London, England

Current Residence: Upper Eastside, New York/ Chelsea London

Profession: Existing, Retired Editorial Model, Entrepreneur, Occasional influencer (When he feels like it) IE, the influencer that never really asked for the titile...he’s just rich and living his life! I mean let’s be real who isn't curious to see how the -1% lives?!

College: University of Oxford

Degree: Maybe he has a Master’s in Business...maybe he dropped out!

Preferred Degree: Culinary Arts...or honestly...just chillin...maybe eventually open his own modeling firm or something down the line!

Business Type:....Jin casually runs high stakes poker matches...and that’s all you need to know for right now….

(Bonus Question ) Licensed Business?:...Again...that’s all you need to know right now…

Net Worth : 10 Figures

Dating Status : Single, and not in the mood to entertain….unless you’ll like...walk yourself out after then maybe...Oh also it’s a requirement that you’re aware there’s more luxury brands than Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Show up in anything straight monogram and Jin’s going flaccid on command!

Aesthetic : Chanel  X  Dior X Cavalli X Dolce X Fendi  = On Duty Runway Model! It truly doesn’t matter if he’s going to brunch, the movies, or sitting front row at Galliano! Jin always looks like he should be front row at Galliano! Whilst also effortlessly looking 10x’S pretter than half of the bitches in Manhattan even on his worst day! Androgyny at its finest, well Jin and Judge Parks son are kinda tied in that department!

Political Tie: Father, David Kim, Mayor’s Chief of Staff/ “Ghost” press secretary

Parents : Father : David Kim, (Retired Corporate Attorney, son of Billionaire Oil Tycoon Hyun-Son Kim) Mother: Lisa Kim, Co- owner of Hotel Shailla, daughter of Michael Lee, Millionaire Entrepreneur )

Siblings : Taehyung Kim (20), Hae Jin Kim (29) Deceased...( Allegedly)  

Political Party: Democratic

Actual Political Party: Honestly, Jin could give less than a damn

Daily : Matte Pink Aston Martin One, White Bugatti Chiron

Name: Taehyung Kim (Tae Kim)

Age: 20

Birth place: Rome, Italy

Current Residence: Cobble Hill, New York/ Pairs, France (When he’s not in school...or just on the weekends)

Profession: College student, Painter, Podcast Host, unwarranted fashion critique/ Stylist! Tae lowkey thinks his IG feed is the reprise of “Fashion  Police” Joan Rivers bless rest her soul..she would’ve loved him!

College: Bernard (Sophomore)

Degree:  Fine Arts (Painting/ Sculpture)

Preferred Degree: Exactly...what he’s doing...he enrolled at NYU for business. Lasted all of like...5 months before he dropped out!

Business Type:....Tae run’s a very...controversial late night Podcast  appropriately titled “Tae unfiltered”! It wasn’t supposed to be a job, lord knows he doesn't need one...However due to the steady increase in his audience the youngest Kim is on track to ending up on Forbes without his inheritance.

(Bonus Question ) Licensed Business?:...Yup!

Net Worth: 10 Figures

Dating Status : Single, and more than ready to mingle, Tae essentially had the same girlfriend all throughout high school! The pair broke up maybe 7 months ago when she opted to go to college in London. So let’s just say he has a lot of making up to do and he’s very much….open to new experiences…

Aesthetic : Guicci  X  Gucci X Gucci X  Gucci X Gucci = Gucci!? Nah, actually Tae, is fond of anything that doesn't...blend in...so Moschino, GCDS, Vetements, Kenzo, Balmain= If it lowkey looks like it could've been homemade...but it cost like bare minimum 4k! Or he just highkey looks exactly like you’d expect, like a very rich, art student who loves funky. abstract, unethical, clothing! Is he going to Coachella or to the farmers market? We may never know but that’s fine! He’s also young, and well aware that he’s fine as fuck, and that’s a whole ass problem! Tae may not have a ton of experience but he’s far from shy and more than down to learn...

Political Tie: Father, David Kim, Mayor’s Chief of Staff (Ghost press secretary)

Parents : Father : David Kim, (Retired Corporate Attorney, son of Billionaire Oil Tycoon Sang Tae Won Kim) Mother: Lisa Kim, Co- owner of Hotel Shailla, daughter of Michael Lee, Millionaire, Entrepreneur )

Siblings : Seokjin Kim (23), Hae Jin Kim (29) Deceased ( Allegedly)

Political Party: Democratic

Actual Political Party: Liberal AFFFFFFFFFFFFF

Daily : Lime Green Lamborghini Huracan/ Matte Grey Ferrari F60

Name: Yn/Ln

Age: 21

Birth Place: Paris, France

Current Residence: Upper East Side, New York/ Dubai

Profession:...Taking pictures, of both herself and other people, ugh...looking attractive? Does that count? Oh being well dressed...Self taught photographer, Fashion Blogger, Creative Director,Entrepreneur...

College: N/A ...Possible freshman at NYU or Bernard or, FIT for Photography & or Fashion

Degree: N/A... IF, she went it would be for Fine Arts/ Fashion degree for Creative Direction

Preferred Degree: Honestly, none, she lives and breathes fashion and due to her lifestyle Y/n already has the type of connections that up and coming photographers would die for! BUT...said college degree would shut her father up...so it’s a possibility! However, it’s not like he considers photography or being a fashion influencer a real job anyway...sooo she mideswell just not even bother!

Business Type:....Existing? Her main job is essentially...breathing...and occasionally taking pictures of other people! Oh, and herself as well, she get’s paid to post daily content! She runs a website called “MyJobIsToBeWellDressed” Co-owner of an exclusive invite only dating service!

(Bonus Question ) Licensed Business?: Yes and...(lmao)...for the first part, where her blog and all of that is concerned, yes...she’s 1099 the full nine! The other job however...................mmm... next question?

Net Worth: 10 Figures

Dating Status :YOLO

Aesthetic : 90’s Couture meet’s “House of Yes” @ 3 AM ( Back when luxury brands weren’t afraid to have fun and be a little risque)  Chanel X Versace X Dolce X Prada X Gucci X Galliano = Well kept sugar baby??? Or every time you see her your literally like “Dude where the fuck are you even going!!??” Baby girl is always overdressed, she showed up to go on a doggy date through central park with Yoongi and Holly in 7 inch Louboutin’s sooo..we love that! Owns literally every vintage 90′s runway archive you can think of...If you’ve gagged over it on Pinterest it’s in Y/n’s closet. She’s smooth as all fuck...that’s for damn sure, radiating the perfect blend of BD and WAP energy....she’s a bad bitch and she knows it! Fuck the entire upper Eastside knows it!

Political Tie: Father, Christopher L/N, New York Senator

Parents: Father : Christopher L/N, (New York Senator, son of Billionaire Automotive Tycoon/ Real Estate Mogul Gregory L/N/ ) Mother: Ashley L/N, (luxury) Interior Designer & Daughter of Hotel Mogul Michael L/N

Siblings: Only child...maybe

Political Party: Democratic

Actual Political Party: Liberal

Daily : Matte Black Bugatti Divo / Satin Purple Lamborghini Murcielago/ Any car that any of her friends are driving because...fuck that, ridding shotty all day!

~~~~~~~~

There they are!!

The sneak peek is linked below...part 1 is Namjoon X Reader

However Jin and Tae are briefly introduced...and they will eventually have induvial chapters as well!

SNEAK PEEK

[dokidokivisual]

Gochiusa BLOOM episode 7 impressions

Previously: 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1

In real world Halloween might have been a month ago, but in the world of Is The Order a Rabbit it’s exactly the season for all things spooky. And maybe things become a little too supernatural for a slice of life show. In the last episode we’ve seen how BLOOM symbolizes the growth of the characters. And as we enter the second half of the season, another meaning is revealed...

But first let’s visit Ama Usa An, where horror-loving Chiya is decorating the traditional Japanese teahouse for Halloween. Since Halloween is decidedly not a traditional Japanese holiday, it looks kinda surreal, but Chiya’s grandmother is more worried about souls of the dead coming back to life, especially that of Chino’s grandfather (see season 2 episode 9 for more of their backstory). Of course the soul of Chino’s grandfather isn’t actually dead, but is inhabiting the body of a rabbit. It’s not clear how exactly this happened and Cocoa might have been involved.

Speaking of Cocoa, we see her practicing with the magic set she bought in the first episode of the season. She tries to make something appear in her hand, but nothing happens. Clearly you can’t just learn to summon matter into existence in Gochiusa world, or can you? Anyway the shot focuses on a candy laying on a table before the opening sequence cuts in. This must be the object Cocoa has tried to summon and it’s also clearly a foreshadowing for something.

Meanwhile, Maya and Megu are trick-or-treating in matching werewolf(?) outfits hoping to score some free candy. Interestingly the tradition of giving out candy on Halloween has descended from a medieval practice of sharing so-called “soul cakes” which represented the souls of the dead.

Meanwhile the staff of Rabbit House are dressed as vampires. The theme of vampires fighting werewolves brings up to mind the Twilight series although I’m sure the idea came up many times throughout history. If you look closer, you’ll notice that Cocoa, Rize and Megu have fake fangs (I think Maya’s is natural), although they’re not consistently drawn between scenes, even though in the manga they’re drawn correctly. Maybe they’ll fix this in BD. The only one whose fang is not shown is Chino, and ironically she is the one who actually bites somebody.

Also the flashback of Chino “roaring” at the mirror reminded me of the scene from Celestial Method where Noel (also voiced by Minase Inori) roars at a dinosaur standee. To be fair it sounds completely different but I just can’t help but compare them.

Also while I was browsing through my copy of volume 6 I found a cute illustration card that seems to be relevant to this episode, but includes Mocha and Cocoa as the wolves and Chino as the vampire (here’s a highres version).

I think I bought this particular volume in Japan on the day it was released. Good times...

Next MaMe go to Fleur de Lapin and are greeted by Sharo dressed as Little Red Riding Hood (bunny version). This costume appeared earlier in an illustration for the rabbit chapter from the previous episode.

This is also a rare scene where other employees of Fleur de Lapin can be seen, as usually Sharo is shown working there alone. Even in the manga, Sharo is the only employee shown in this scene. In the end it turns out that Sharo is a wolf in disguise and craving for some meat. Which is weird because Sharo hasn’t been shown eating or cooking any meat before.

Anyway, next stop is Ama Usa An, which is called the Witch’s Mansion now. Chiya mentions the beginning of the Sabbath, and the manga chapter’s title 今宵は甘兎サバト also mentions the Sabbath. This might be confusing because in Judaism and Christianity the Sabbath is the day of rest and happens weekly (on Saturday or Sunday). However since we’re talking about witches, this actually references the Wiccan concept of sabbat, or one of eight festivals in the Wiccan calendar. In particular, Samhain, one of the four Greater Sabbats pretty much coincides with Halloween and celebrates the beginning of winter.

Chiya does this thing where the protagonist’s hand hurts only to awaken their dark powers, I’m not really sure where this trope comes from but I’ve seen it referenced in anime before and it’s a common chuunibyo stereotype. In this case, Chiya did really just hurt her hand. There’s also some sort of runic circle drawn on her bandages, but if you look closer it says shiratama anmitsu matcha parfait in hiragana.

Maya and Megu agree to help Chiya, and become her “familiars”. Even though familiars are better known as a video game mechanic today (which is what the “level up” scene references), witches were associated with familiar spirits since medieval times. A familiar often took form of a small animal, such as a cat. Unfortunately MaMe don’t even know which animal they are, so clearly they didn’t take their backstory as seriously as Chiya did. Their ears and tails look canine to me, so I can see Megu being a fox spirit, but Maya being a cat is less believable. Also during their confrontation Megu confirms that Maya’s fang is her yaeba (snaggle tooth).

As a revenge for the trick MaMe pulled on her, Chiya gives them a selection of pumpkin tarts, one of which is laced with wasabi (which she calls ”Russian roulette”). This seems like a common thing for her, since she did the same with botamochi in season 2 episode 6, and with green tea in season 2 episode 7 (except she used aojiru instead of wasabi). However this time, it was Chiya’s grandmother who put wasabi in two of the tarts, unbeknownst to Chiya. By the way in the manga it wasn’t shown that Chiya got one of the wasabi tarts.

Chiya goes shopping for some pumpkins, but is helped by Rize, and later Sharo gives her anti-pain medications, reminding her of how Chiya tended for her when she was sick in season 1 episode 12. It’s not mentioned in the anime, but Rize also had a “motivation” for helping Chiya, as she hurt her leg before (see season 2 episode 2). Chiya invites Rize and Sharo to dinner and brings up the wasabi-laced pumpkin tarts. According to Chiya the probability of getting wasabi is 1/3. Initially there were 7 tarts, of which 2 had wasabi. Megu, Maya and Chiya eat one each, with Chiya’s having wasabi in it. That leaves 4 tarts with 1 wasabi, so either Chiya’s calculation is incorrect, or somebody ate one more tart.

Apparently last day was just a warm up to Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve’s Eve?), so next day Megu and Maya come to Chiya again and try to summon something. A larger and slightly different version of the runic circle previously seen on Chiya’s hand starts glowing and we see that the 3 white rabbits correspond to three people holding hands. There’s also Anko corresponding to the black rabbit in the middle. By the way, in the manga the sign on Chiya’s hand was just a hexagram, and the summoning ritual didn’t have any visible symbols.

Anyway, they want to summon a messenger from demon world/hell, and coincidentally Cocoa and Chino come in (dressed as vampires) and try to attack (cuddle) them. Chiya, Maya and Megu form New Chimame-tai which works because Chiya and Chino have the same first syllable. However Chi is written with kanji instead of katakana in this version (because Chiya’s name ���夜  is one of the few given names among Gochiusa characters that’s always written with kanji). This defeats Chino, and Chiya consoling Chino like a big sister defeats Cocoa as well.

Ok let’s move on to part B, which is the really important part of the episode. The streets of the town are filled with people dressed in various costumes. Cocoa’s classmates can be seen among the crowd, and Aoyama and Rin are enjoying a boat ride on River Sanzu.

Our main character have also prepared some new costumes for the occasion. First we see Chino, dressing up as Phantom Thief Lapin, while Rize is going as a police officer. Soon Chiya and Sharo join them, who somehow independently of each other also went with a Lapin costume. At least Sharo had a good excuse. For Chiya, Lapin’s gloves obscure the bandage on her hand, so maybe that’s why she chose this costume. But what about Cocoa?

Well, she kinda got lost and we find her at the location that you will recognize if you read my episode 5 review. Cocoa says it looks a little different than usual, almost like a different world (isekai). Well, there’s a lot of evidence to support this hypothesis. First, in a scene that parallels episode 1, Cocoa finds a lost child and tries to calm her down with a magic trick. However you might notice that the child’s head is literally a pumpkin with a moving mouth.

And her mother is also a pumpkinhead. Cocoa doesn’t encounter any other people during this segment, even though you’d think a spot that overlooks the town like this would be quite popular. Well, she does encounter one more person, a mysterious masked magician with an angora rabbit on her head. She also wears a G-clef pendant indicating some sort of music connection.

Now, since y’all had already watched the episode, it wouldn’t be a spoiler to say that this is the ghost of Chino’s mother, Saki. The rabbit on her head is the ghost of the original Tippy before its body was taken over by Chino’s grandfather. The original Tippy was a female rabbit, by the way, a fact established early on in the series. In Sing for You OVA (for which I wrote a not-very-detailed review by the way) it’s established that Saki was a singer and even had a record released.

Anyway, as a ghost, Saki doesn’t speak (although she still can giggle and such) and doesn’t physically interact with Cocoa (only indirectly, by casting candies at Cocoa). Nevertheless she does teach Cocoa how to do the candy trick correctly.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group tries to call Cocoa’s phone but she doesn’t answer. This is another evidence for isekai theory. Cocoa is just out of range, you see. Rize and Sharo swap their costumes (the most unrealistic part of the episode) and Sharo starts “policing” the Lapins on how the real Lapin would talk. Chiya has a bright idea to shout out for Cocoa and call her big sister. However Cocoa would obviously only react if Chino calls her that, so Rize encourages Chino to say it louder (referencing her training for the choir in Sing for You).

Cocoa and Saki hear Chino, and Saki looks at her daughter from the terrace. Chino also looks up... but doesn’t see anything. She does get a hunch that there’s something up there though, so the group finds Cocoa eventually. Meanwhile Saki feels like her time is up and makes for a quick exit, literally disappearing.

This is where Cocoa returns to the “real world”, as the current Tippy calls out for her. Why was Tippy with Cocoa anyway in the first place? Cocoa looks around and there are in fact lots of people there as expected.

Cocoa thinks that Tippy speaking is an evidence of a ghost, despite her interacting with a real ghost just a few moments before. The 3 Lapins arrive and start arguing who is the real Lapin. Chino says that it’s the one who gets away with everything in the end, implying she will take the whole Cocoa for herself. However Sharo arrests Cocoa for making everyone worry.

On the way back, Chiya recalls the legend which was also mentioned by her grandmother at the beginning of the episode about the spirits of the ancestors coming back for this one day and then returning to heavens. Chino looks up to the sky, while Tippy gives her a solace in the fact that he was once again turned away, implying that he expected to return to heaven with the other spirits.

Tippy also seemed to know what Cocoa was talking about in an earlier scene where Cocoa said she forgot to give thanks to somebody. Just what’s up with Tippy and why is he not allowed to enter Heaven is a big mystery here.

Cocoa also notices Chino being distressed and shows her the magic trick with the candy. It turns out Chino remembers this trick from her childhood, and we get to see a full flashback with Chino’s mother even getting a few speaking lines (delivered by none other but Nana Mizuki). Since the candy was probably a part of the magic set, it’s no coincidence that it has the exact same wrapper in the flashback. The color of the candy matches with Chino’s clothes at the time but you can also think of it as a combination of Saki’s white and Chino’s blue.

By the way, in the manga Cocoa conjures up two candies, and they have a plain wrapping so there wasn’t One Specific Candy like in the anime. Also in the flashback, Chino is carried by her grandfather. His face is not shown, but Takahiro is seen in the background (with Rize’s dad) so by exclusion it had to be him. And in the current scene Chino is the one carrying Tippy like this.

The episode ends with Cocoa asking Chino to tell her more about her mother, while a star is seen rising in the sky, presumably symbolizing Saki’s spirit.

Let’s go back to Cocoa meeting Saki scene one more time. Like I explained, it’s heavily implied that Cocoa isn’t really in the same world as the other characters when she meets Saki’s ghost. Of course Gochiusa had supernatural elements from the start, such as a certain talking rabbit who happens to be Chino’s grandfather. But now we have a ghost of Chino’s mother and Cocoa is the only one who can see her, but Chino can’t? Just what the heck is going on here?

But wait, there is a rational explanation for all of this! Cocoa had a hallucination triggered by all the Halloween celebrations. She imagines helping a lost child just like Chino did before (and told Cocoa about it later) and then imagines the ghost of Saki teaching her magic, because subconsciously she wants to be like Saki. She had seen Saki before on a photograph, but haven’t heard her speak, which is why the ghost can’t talk to her. Hearing Chino call her onee-chan brings Cocoa back to her senses. But how did Cocoa learn the trick if it was just her imagination? Well, consider the fact that she was practicing this exact trick at the beginning of the episode. By the time she shows it to Chino, she has already practiced it a lot of times, but maybe she only realized the crucial part (feint) during the hallucination. Either way, the blue striped candy wasn’t given to Cocoa by Saki, she had it from the start, as part of the magic set! The candies that Saki uses to show the trick to Cocoa all disappear when Cocoa returns to reality.

Saki appears one more time in the bar time scene with Takahiro, who is listening to her record Silver Spoon from Sing for You OVA and then calls her by name. I think this is the only time the name “Saki�� is mentioned in the show itself, and it’s not mentioned in the manga at all (unless maybe in some recent chapters which I haven’t read yet). The first time it was revealed was during April Fool’s day Clockwork Rabbit event, as a solution to a “puzzle”. Her name is written in katakana as サキ, however one of possible readings of the word “saki” is 咲き which means “bloom”. Now consider how the last few seconds of the opening animation it cuts from a blooming field of dandelions to Saki:

The dandelions connection to Saki was previously seen in season 2 episode 1 and Sing for You. Saki’s character design doesn’t really say “blooming of dandelions” to me, but consider that a dandelion turns into this:

Now that’s more like it! Although it reminds me of Tippy as well. Anyway, that was a very mysterious episode of Gochiusa BLOOM and let’s see what happens next! Only 5 episodes remain...

[thequeendesi]

Title: Never Forget It

Alt Title: You mean me?

Warnings: Vaguely mentioning reader's been assulted before

Pairings: Scott Reed x Reader

AU: N/A

Disclaimer: i dont own you or the 13 Reasons Why franchise, i do own the writing.

Rating: PG-13

..

You sighed, your hand flat on the door. Your mother suggested the group to you. A support group, though you couldn't help but still feel like you weren't victim enough.

"You going in?" You snapped out of your thoughts as you made eye contact with brown ones. "Oh.. hi." You moved out of her way. "I'm scared too." You let out a soft laugh.

"I was my first meeting too. You want me to walk in with you?" Tears threatened to spill as you nodded. The girl reached out her hand as you took it.

The room smelled like vanilla and pop. A few girls had already sat down and made small talk. "Jess! Nice to see you again." The older woman said who sat at the north of the circle.

You bit at your lip nervously as you sat next to Jess, your denim purse in your lap, your ankles crossed.

You watched as Jess conversed with the other girls, smiling happily. "Will you be going to Liberty High?" A girl sat next to you. "I'll be starting the week after your guy's first week."

"My name is Nina."

"(Y/N)."

"What grade are you in?" She asked, trying to make conversation with you. "Senior." You rubbed your shoulder. "I'm taking extra classes so i can graduate earlier."

"That must be a lot work." Nina smiled at you.

Honestly, you could feel your nervousness leave your body.

…

You listened to everyone talk about how they were coping.

"Now would anyone else like to share… new girl?" The woman looked at you. "Can… can i stay sitting down?" You fidgeted with your thumbs.

"Of course, as long as your comfortable."

"Oh.. alright, um.. My name is (Y/N), I'm 17, turning 18 (Y/BD), my favorite color (color), and I moved here a week or so ago." You cleared your throat. "I don't know what else to say."

"And that is perfectly fine. You're doing just fine (Y/N)." Everyone began to chime in, telling you it was fine and you're doing well.

..

You sigh, and rub your knuckles as someone approached you over at the snack table. "I think you're really brave for coming here."

You turned around, "thank you. Justin, right?" You tucked some hair behind your ear. "Oh yea." He laughed a little.

"So, where'd you come from?" He asked, grabbing a red cup of Sprite. "Dothan." You said, looking over at his confused expression. "Alabama." You chuckled nervously, you hadn't really been that close to another person since..

"Have you gone too our towns movie theater yet? Me and Jess we're going to go see that new comedy."

"Oh are you and Jess..?" You asked, looking over at the caramel skinned girl, who, surprisingly, thrown a thumbs up at you.

"Yea. She thought you might need some friends who.. get it."

That's all you needed, honestly, you felt alone and wanted friends who understood.

..

Soon, you were included into Jess and Justin's friend group. Upon that, you met Zach Dempsey, Tyler Down, Clay Jensen, Tony Padilla, Alex Standall, Sheri Holland, Courtney Crimson, Scott Reed and Sheri Holland. They'd allow you at the table at Monet's, you definitely had a strict 'no-touching-me' rule. Which everyone ahered too.

"Did anyone do any of the math homework last night?" Zach asked, sitting down in his usual spot. "I did." You said. "Do you all need it?" You asked, looking up from your other classes' homework.

You ended up discarded your wants to graduate early. The high school experience seemed to suit you.

Your friends nodded, making you give a soft laugh and get the paper out of your binder, putting it on the middle of the table.

You looked over to the other side of the table. "So, (Y/N), got any plans for the weekend?" Alex asked you, prompting you to shake your head.

"Want to go see that new movie with me and Zach?" Alex rose an eyebrow.

Zach and Alex had been dating for a few weeks. "I wouldn't want to intrude." You laughed a little.

"I, honestly, just wanted to stay home this weekend, watch both Zombielands, eat pizza and just… just chill." You messed with your knuckles. "Not to say that I don't really like hanging with you guys, but I just want a weekend in." You dont say love, you haven't in months, not since him. "Calm down (N/N)... you don't have to explain shit to us." Tony who sat next to you, moved to nudge you, but stopped before you could notice.

"I know a pretty good pizza place. I could bring one over." Scott said, looking over at you, holding a mug in his hand. "That sounds... nice. Thank you."

..

You sighed, you wore a pair of grey baggy sweats and a Repzion hoodie, two sizes too big. You sat on the couch, legs crossed. Commercials started as you checked your phone for the time.

A knock at the door made you jump up and walk over to it, looking through the peephole. "I bring gifts." Scott smiled, holding up 2 boxes of pizza and a bottle of Sprite.

You unlocked the door letting him in. "Welcome to my humble adobe." You watched as he found his way to the kicthen with ease. "Wow… you really know this house."

"I actually lived here as a kid, then moved to my current house 8 years ago." Scott said. "I got plain cheese and a pepperoni meat pizza." You walked behind him. "And in case you had an allergy or something, gluten-free."

"Well, don't just stand around," he laughed. "Grab a slice." You nodded, grabbing a (pizza) slice. "So, what made you come here?" He asked as you both ate a slice of pizza.

"I don't like talking about it." You said, discarding the crust. "I can respect that." You nodded. "Do.. you want to stay?" You looked at him. "Watch the movie with me?"

"Are you comfortable with that?" He asked.

You paused, before nodding. "Yea. I am."

..

You ended up asleep, your head on the side of his chest. Your breaths were slow, calm, anxiousless. Scott hasn't even noticed, his arm was draped over your shoulder.

Your parents ended up coming home at around 11pm at night. This wasn't the first time Scott had been over, however it was the first time with out Jess, or any one else for that matter. Scott came over loads of times in the few months you has began hanging out with the group and your parents quite liked him, kind, respectful, 'a good pickle' as your dad said.

They nodded to him as they put the pizzas in the fridge along with the soda. "You get sleep soon Scott." Your mother said too him as she went down the hall to her bedroom with your father, closing the door behind them.

Scott sighed as he turned his head to the TV, watching the remainder of the movie.

..

Morning came and assuming Scott left you let out a disappointed sigh, sitting up you pushed your hair from your face and stretched.

"Good morning sunshine." Scott said before handing you a biscut and a cup of coffee he had gotten at the local breakfast place. "Oh, good morning." He had went into the kitchen, placing down two other coffees and biscuts on the counter before drinking his own walking back over too you.

"How'd you sleep?" He asked sitting next to you on the couch.

"I slept… fine." You said, even shocked yourself at the end part. "Well, I gotta start getting back to the house." He said before reaching his hand out. "Goodbye handshake?" He asked. "I know you don't exactly like touching, but what's a handshake got to hurt?" He asked, smiling softly. It make your stomach flutter as you grabbed his hand, shaking it.

"Come back another time?" You asked, a tinge of hope in the question.

"Maybe Saturday's can be our movie night." Scott smiled before taking his hand back.

"Maybe." You smiled a little.

..

And so it did, just about every Saturday, you two would watch a movie, eat a box of pizza, drink a liter of soda, fall asleep, Sunday, Scott would bring you and your family breakfast and a coffee for each and then leave around midday.

This went on for an entire school year, and in that school year, Scott had immense joy watching you change into someone new.

You were still socially awkward and wary of new people, but it wasn't as bad as it was when you first got here. You didnt wear as many hoodies anymore either, it was upgraded to teeshirts and jackets, his jacket sometimes.

There was no doubt about it. Your best friends definitely went Jess, Scott and Tyler.

"So... plan on telling me the details with Reed?" Justin teased. "(N/N) definitely has a crush." Jessica teased. "Even if I did?" You rose an eyebrow, sitting at the lunch table. "Why dont you ask him out?"

"I don't want to mess anything up with him." You sighed. "With who?" Scott asked, sitting next to you. "My dog! Uh, we're training professionally." You said, making a quick excuse up.

"You don't even have a dog." Scott rose an eyebrow.

"We're getting a Dobbie." You said. "Oh, cool. So what's gonna be the movie for tomorrow night?" He asked, eating a french fry. "I was thinking The Grudge? In theaters?" You asked, looking up at him.

"Oh dude, that's sick. Hell yea. Let's definitely do it."

You heard Jessica snort a little, she could obviously tell your attempt of asking Scott out on a date was, to say the least, failing.

"What are we gonna do for food though?" Scott asked. "I got paid yesterday.. we could go out for dinner too." You paused. "Finally could actually go to that pizza place you talk about." You looked at him.

"Oh, uh, sure." He laughed a little.

"Pizza and a movie? Don't you guys do that every weekend? Switch it up a little. There's a new restaurant opened next to the theater, just gotta go next door." Jess winked at you two.

"What kind of restaurant?" Scott asked, his hands in his pocket.

"Hibachi."

"Hibachi next to a theater… sounds sanitary." You laughed a little bit, causing your friends to look at you. "Hibachi sounds fine." You cleared your throat, shoving your hands in your pocket.

..

You sighed, looking at yourself in the mirror. You couldn't even remember the last time you wore makeup, you wore a smokey eyeshadow look and black lipstick. "Why not do something different?" You asked yourself outloud.

"(N/N)?" Your mom walked into your room, her eyes welling with tears as she saw you looking at yourself in the mirror, a smile on your face. "It seems so long since you've smiled at yourself." She walked over to you.

"Is he here yet?" You asked, rubbing your arm. "Living room." She smiled at you. "No later than 2."

"Alright mom." You said, walking towards the living room, messing with the scrunchie on your wrist. "Hey Scott." You said, making him stand and face you. "Oh wow." He chuckled, looking up at you.

"Ready to go?" You asked, grabbing your wallet.

..

You laughed as you leaned back in your chair. "You didn't!"

"Oh, but I did." He smiled, obviously beeming with pride. "All I've done is talk about me. Why don't you ever wanna talk about you?" He asked, putting a forkful of his food in his mouth.

"I'm not very interesting." You laughed a little.

"C'mon. Tell me something from your past." He grinned.

"Hm.. When I was 13 I dyed my whole head green because I was watching some anime and I wanted to look just like the main character." You chuckled a little at the memory.

"Have you ever gotten into a physical fight?" He asked. "A few times." You looked up at him.

"I didn't expect that from you." He joked.

"I was a pretty scary person at my old school." You paused. "Was the the all mighty 'goddess' there. No one really fucked with me… but it uh.. it changed because..." you trailed off, staring at Scott's hand.

"Hey, if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. Don't stress it." He held your hand.

"Thank you." You whispered. "Ever had a boyfriend before?" He asked.

"Not really." You looked up at him.

"Is there someone you want? 'Cause I could hook y'all up, just say the name."

"Scott."

"Scott Shellings, Scott Quinn, Scott Brown?"

"Scott… Reed."

"We don't have a Scott Reed… oh… oh… oh! You mean me?" He asked, smiling a little.

"Nevermind, it's stupid, I should've figured you didn't like me like that."

"Hey, stop." He squeezed your hand a little. "I… figured it was the other way around." He chuckled.

"What?" You picked your head up, looking at him. "I've... I like you. You're sweet and funny and kind and… you're my best friend." He chuckled.

"You don't have to lie to me." You looked down. "Have I before?" You looked back up at him after he asked that question. "No."

"Do you think I am now?"

"No..."

"Do you think I will ever?"

"No Scott." You said.

"One more question, how would you feel about being mine?"

"I feel… okay with that." You smiled at him.

"Just ok?" He chuckled, kissing the knuckles of your hand. "I'm not gonna say I love you just yet. But when I do, you'll never forget it." He grinned.

"I'll never forget this night."

[tragicallywicked]

TO MY SECRET SANTAS

Yes, I said secret santas because I have embarked on two gift exchanges this year, from different fandoms. I’ll add here two notes, same letter!

First and foremost, THANK YOU, I’m so happy you got me—whoever you are!—and I cannot wait for the amazing works you’ll do. ♡

I am super easy to gift, I’m a trooper, there’s literally almost nothing that I do not like. I’m a sucker for fluff but I really appreciate angst and slow burns a lot also. So that shouldn’t be a big problem! I’m comfortable with any rating as well, and I do very much enjoy reading smut if you were going for that—if not that’s also completely fine! Generally what I don’t like: non-con, major deaths (unless there’s like, a twist to it? lol).

If you’re here for Jalice here’s some stuff that I love involving them:

Absolutely love alternative universes and crossovers for them, all kinds you can think of!! Canon gapfiller/compliant is also great to read, especially considering how little we see of them in the books/movies—that said I think the time they’re away in NM and BD is real interesting, as well as their past together, and Eclipse of course holds amazing content on them—so there’s a lot of room you could go with and I’d be happy! Also love the Jessamine/Alice parallel for Jalice, what can I say? This lady here is bi. Another thing that I do love about Jalice is human/vampire AUs, they really speak to me in many levels! Again, feel free to go wild and surprise me however you want!!

Now, if you’ve come to my blog for the Steggy exchange, here are some things that I do love involving the pair:

Canon gapfiller/compliant are always great—like them at a scene we didn’t see in the movies or the show, or events that took place after they got back together with the time travel. I absolutely love Captain Carter/Britain AUs and skinny!Steve. Also adore modern Steggy, either for time travel Peggy or just a general AU of them in present times. Domestic, I love domestic Steggy with a family and Sunday dinners and all that adorable fluff. Also I can appreciate angst, so if that’s your cup of tea, bring it on! I do love a happy ending tho too. Again, feel free to go wild and surprise me however you want!!

I honestly cannot wait to see what you’ll come up with! My inbox is open anytime you want to anonymously hop in there! Happy Holidays! ♡

[noonetosmilefor]

Harry Potter Spell Themed Asks

 I got asked to answer these. Thank you, @uneven-odds. <3

Accio : If you could summon anything in the world right now what would it be? - Money haha.

Aguamenti: Do you like water? - I LOVE WATER!

Alohomora: Can you and have you, ever picked a lock? - I never have but I’d kind of love to try.

Anapneo: Are you CPR certified? - I actually am.

Aparecium: On of a scale of Mr. Bean to 007 how much of a spy are you? - Wel something in the middle haha.

Avada Kedavra: If you could kill one single person, who would it be? - I wouldn’t want to kill any person. Some deserve way worse than death.

Avis: What’s your favorite kind of bird? - Magpie.

Brachiabindo: Have you ever been tied up before? What was the circumstance? - No, I’ve never been tied up.

Capacious Extremis: If you could make one object bigger on the inside, what would the object be? - BOOKS!

Cave Inimicum: You’ve got to fortify your room from zombies with only objects you have readily available. What do you use? - My books and bookshelves. Idk why tho haha.

Colloportus: Have you ever locked yourself out of your own house before? If so, what did you do? - Yeah, at my dads house. I went to the neighbor and he used a ladder to get into the house, because luckily one window was open wide.

Confringo: Have you ever accidentally set fire to something? - Not that I know.

Confundo : What confuses you most about the world? - Why people are always so goddamn mean to each other? Like why do you have to hate people with a different religion/skin color/sexuality than you? WHY? And why do other people support people who hate on these people..

Crucio: What’s the worst pain you’ve ever been in? - When my stepmom died.

Deletrius: What’s the last thing that you did besides this? - I made tea.

Densaugeo: What’s the most extensive thing you’ve been to the dentist for? - I don’t know, tbh.

Deprimo: Have you ever been knocked over by the wind before? - No.

Descendo: What’s been a low point in your life? - The whole year of 2012.

Diffindo: When was the last time you ripped and article of clothing? - Yesterday.

Engorgio: What’s the worst case of swelling you’ve ever experience? - I HATE when my lips get swollen after I cuddled with my cats.

Episkey: If you could heal anyone in the world right now, who would it be? - My grandpa.

Expecto Patronum: What’s your happiest memory? - A few of my happiest memories happened in 2017 when I literally toured Germany with @uneven-odds haha. :D

Expelliarmus: Have you ever had to disarm someone? If so, why? - No, never.

Expulso: Have you ever made something explode? Explain how and why? - Luckily not.

Ferula: Have you ever had to wear a brace? What happened? - Yes. I crashed my car.

Flagrate: If you could write one thing in the sky, what would it be? - I love you, Tom Holland!

Flipendo: Have you ever fallen down stairs before? - Yes.

Fulgari: If you could be bond to one person, who would it be? - Tom Holland. (sorry haha :D)

Furnunculus: How bad was your acne as a teenage? - Not bad at all. I barely had pimples.

Geminio: If you could have a single copy of something, anything, what would it be? - The deluxe edition of The Hobbit. It’s so pretty. https://www.amazon.de/Hobbit-Sonderausgabe-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/3608938400/ref=sr_1_4?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=3DZXU632RXSFV&keywords=herr+der+ringe+sonderausgabe&qid=1574712020&sprefix=herr+der+ringe+sonder%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-4

Glisseo: Water slide or playground slide? - Water slide.

Impedimenta: You can stop one person from coming near you, ever, like a permanent, unbreakable restraining order, who is it? - A racist I personally know.

Imperio: You can have one person be your slave for a day without repercussion, who? - I never thought about that and idk.

Impervius : In the middle of a storm would you rather have waterproof shoes, or a waterproof coat? - Waterproof coat.

Incarcerous: Have you ever tied someone up? - No.

Incendio: Do you like candles? If so, what’s your favorite smell? - YES, roses.

Langlock: You can stop one person in the world from speaking. Who is it? - DONALD TRUMP!

Legilimens: If you had the power to read minds for a day, would you use it? - Yeah, why not.

Locomotor: You can chose one object to follow you around, what is it? - My bookshelf.

Lumos: Candle, Flashlight, Sunlight, Moonlight, or Bioluminescence? - Moonlight.

Meteolojinx Recanto: What’s your favorite type of weather? - Rainy.

Mobiliarbus: What’s your dream garden? - Not that big, full of tulips and plant some veggies.

Molliare: Have you ever made a surprisingly soft landing when you were sure you’d break something? What happened? - Not that I know of.

Morsmordre: What would your signal in the sky be to mark your presence? - A C with a tiny cat.

Muffliato: Have you ever eavesdropped on a conversation? What was it about? - I tend to not do that, because I think it’s a bit creepy haha.

Nox: Were you/are you, afraid of the dark? - No, never were.

Obliviate: What’s something you wish you could forget? - Some words people I love said to me.

Obscuro: What’s a kink that you have? What about it excites you? - Idk, I don’t really have any kinks.

Oppugno: You’re about to be in a fight! The object directly to your left is what you have as a weapon! What is it and how would you use it? - My phone. I’d turn on the flashlight and BOOM in your face haha.

Orchideous: What’s your favorite flower? - Tulip.

Pack: When’s the last time you did some packing? - Uff, in September maybe?

Petrificus Totalus: Have you ever been/felt paralyzed? - Yes.

Piertotum Locomotor: You can make one  object in your current room come to life, what is it? - My wardrobe so it can clean itself up.

Point Me: How easily do you get lost? - Not at all.

Portus: What object would you turn into a portkey and where would it take you? - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and it would take me to London.

Protego: You can protect one person from harm. Who? - My sister.

Quietus: When was the last time you yelled at someone? - Sunday.

Reducio: What’s something you’d like to make bigger? - My bed. It’s already really big but it could be a bit bigger haha.

Reducto: You’ve got one chance to explode something without an consequences. What is it? - Idk. :D

Rennervate: Have you ever passed out/fainted before? What happened? - Never.

Reparo: What’s one thing you’d like to fix? - My car..

Rictusempra: Where’s the most effective place to tickle you? - I’m not really ticklish. So good luck finding out.

Riddikulus: What’s your greatest fear? Do you think you’ll be able to overcome it? - Losing loved ones, especially my grandparents because they’re really old. I’ll never overcome this fear because when the day may come I know these will be the worst days ever.

Scourgify: What’s something that you should clean up? - My wardrobe.

Sectumsempra: Have you ever hurt someone? What happened? - Yes. Not physically tho. I hurt someones feelings pretty bad and made them cry and I wasn’t intending to, but yeah..

Serpensortia: Do you like snakes? - Yes.

Silencio: How much “quiet time” on average, do you need in a day? - 3-4 hours.

Sonorus: If you had a message you could say to the whole world. What would it be? - Love yourself, your family and friends and take care of each other. 

Specialis Revelio: If you could have a magical property, what would it be? - A wand.

Stupefy: Do you think you’d be able to knock someone out? - No haha.

Tarantallegra: What’s your favorite kind of dance? - The waltz.

Wingardium Leviosa: If you had the power of telekinesis, what would you do with it? - Transport my friends from too far away right here to me. Let’s hope they’re not under a shower at this moment haha.

[skeebopzipzopdoowop]

hewwo dis finna be long and im on mobile rn so u finna have to scroll am sorry

jesus fuck u would think things wouldn’t be so fucking turbulent right now but they do be like that. im glad my rent went straight to my bursar account because id literally be homeless right now if u wasn’t living “on campus” (my apt is through my school, but it’s kinda off campus. far enough to drive to school in the morning, but still close enough to walk if i wanted to).

i still dont even have the ebook/connect for my online class and i have two assignments due sunday and only three (3) dollars to my name right now. my friend gave me gas money just so i could make it to my hometown for work, and my mom gave me some more so i can make another round trip. my car battery has to be replaced bc it’s died twice this week. the thing is maybe a year and a half old and shouldnt be fucked up, but it has to be bc the second time it died, i wasnt running anything w the engine off for more than a half hour. the first time it died, i literally didnt get to eat lunch that day and forgot to eat before band and i definitely should have died bc it felt like 112°F outside. i didn’t pass out, didnt sit out, and somehow didn’t die.

not to mention the wack ass cold i have rn. i sound like a 13 y/o boy bc i lost my voice yesterday and still havent recovered. i have to talk more tomorrow bc i have to work and i am required to greet everyone who comes in.

BUT otherwise, classes are going well, game day is soon, and i had a mf blast playing at the directors pep gig w my brothers and sisters (also my bd has a sweet mf house)

[sunsetsgod]

Cranberry & fog #2

cranberry - a physical feature you get complimented on - my hair lol. one time i was at the library and this girl said she liked it and i didnt hear it at first and then i awkwardly said back to her ‘i like your freckles!!’ because she had really cute freckles. also yesterday in percussion caleb, who is hardly ever there and didnt really want to be but also kinda likes it i think, goes ‘hey i like your fade [i got a haircut sunday or something] is it a two?’ so i said yeah bc it is a two and then he proceeds to sit with his cymbals and keep being like ‘well i really like it.. also youre really good at the bass drum’ yeah man thanks but im standing here literally wearing a drum and ur not helping with your whatever-this-is bc i need to focus so can you shut it thanks. stop being weird. i told him to be quiet and he looked rather hurt whoops but bro our bd is kind of a hardass so seriously just stop talking

fog - is there someone that you miss having in your life? - mm kinda. theres people that i miss talking to more frequently but at the same time im glad that we do communicate! so i miss them but at the same time im incredibly lucky to have them

[angel-nero]

“@” people you want to be friends with, what’s a really good memory you have

1. “@” people you want to be friends with

@shiro... if u out there.... i rlly wanna talk... 

okay this one is really tough? im now wondering in what friend terms im w other ppl ajsajd i guess u? im glad w r interacting more! @kerberosheith @nayuhs @vers-shiro @adoreshiro @stargazershiro and literally every mutual ever adjssdj even if i talk to them i love to talk to nyall

6. whats a really good memory you have?

when i got accepted in my uni, my xv’s bd party, the days i befriended my friends, whenever i go out and actually have a nice time bc it wasnt like that for a good while, last sunday! and yesterday!

risky asks

[duckball]

#BB19 Let the games begin

Summer has officially started! Tonight is the 2-hour premiere of BB19! Hey, it’s Brandon and I’m back this summer to blog and tweet and bitch about all the happenings in the BB house! I cannot wait to get this season underway! Let’s gooooooooo! 

“The most tempting season go Big Brother begins now.” Julie rocking the purple sleeveless dress! She’s as excited as ever. 

There tempting offers could turn the house upside down.....

Money, former fan favorite, and possible first night eviction (OH SHIT)

The first one we meet is Christmas. Author, first female NASCAR print crew member, and obvious fitness buff

Jason is a rodeo clown and auctioneer. Aww, his son’s cute. That’s all I have to say about him. 

Alex loves playing video games, chess, eating, and preparing for the apocalypse. 

Kevin is a stay at home dad with 7 kids who is used to dealing with children so that should help him in the game. Probably not tho. 

Dominique is a nuclear engineer from D.C. Religion is a huge part of her life. So important that she has a YT channel all about Jesus. She seems fierce. 

Mark is a personal trainer who was raised by his grandparents. Awwww his grandparents are adorable! Almost as adorable as he is. 

Elena is a radio personality from TX who is 100% unfiltered. “There’s a really good chance my mouth will get me in trouble.” You think honey? 

Ramses is a cosplay artist, or god, in his words. A BB super fan who is the gay guy of the season. A little over the top. Well, a lot over the top. 

They are playing it off as if Jason and Dominique will get along which I don’t see. 

Elena’s family tells her goodbye by telling her to go get a man. How supportive of them... Who cares about this amazing opportunity she just received go get some dick and bring that home so you can break up in 6 months. 

Alex, Mark, Ramses, and Elena are the first 4 to enter the house this season! 

Ramses is fan boying in the diary room.  

Alex is already looking for clues for the first comp. My first impressions were wrong.

Elena is drooling over Mark, not surprisingly. But Mark is drooling over Christmas. Sorry Elena, trying the next group of bros. 

Christmas is hilarious!

COMMERCIAL BREAK TIME  

Cody is next. A Marine for 4 years, and 6 years in the air force. With an amazing body. And I mean amazing. He’s pretty chill. Aww... he has a little girl! She’s cute! 

Raven owns her own dancing studio and an all woman ghost hunting team. Who seems so much more tame than her pre show interview. 

Josh is a Puerto Rican business man who is super proud of his heritage and will not stop at the chance to remind us of that and his loud personality. 

Megan is a dog walker. When she was 20, she joined the Navy and became a professional interrogator (did not see that twist coming). 

Cameron is microbiologist. The nerd of the season who is athletic. According to him, a triple threat. We’ll see about that.  

Jessica is a something from LA. A model I think. Looks like it. Apparently she’s a super fan who always watched with her dad who passed away 3 years ago :( 

Matt is a...... oh he’s oh.... oh. I heard nothing he said. Sorry. That face, that hair, that body, that everything. 

Jillian is a timeshares rep who is talking about how to get timeshares and I couldn’t care less. Her entire family went to Tijuana to get weight loss. No judgement but judging. 

Well, Megan hates woman because they’re bitchy. Good luck girl.  

Matt, Raven, Jillian, and Cameron head in to meet the first 8 HGs! 

Christmas and Matt (YES PLEASE)

Raven and Matt? (NO PLEASE) 

The first thing Cody notices is Jessica. As well as Josh. Who will sleep together first because both guys basically already have a hard on. 

Ramses, Megan, Alex are hitting it off super well. 

#LivesInHisMomsBasement Alex about Cameron HAHAHAHA

None of these people know what cosplay is. Kevin can’t even pronounce it, not surprisingly. 

Dominque lies about her job, Megan doesn’t tell them she was an interrogator. 

All the girls are drooling over Matt. Which is literally me this entire episode. Ugh I can’t handle him. 

COMMERCIAL BREAK TIME 

“The biggest, wildest, the most tempting summer in the history of the game. The summer of temptation. And it all starts right now!” 

Money, safety, and power are all of tonight’s temptations. 

They all head out to the back yard for the first temptation. BB Garden of Eden. They are all in pods and are lifted in the air. They have a button and if they press the button, they get 25K. Accept it, and the first twist of the summer will be released into the game. The person who takes the temptation will remain anonymous. 

Cameron is not pressing the button. Josh wants to but won’t. Dom says it’s not worth it this early in the game. 

KEVIN PRESSED THE BUTTON 

TWO consequences. One personal. And one for the entire house. The person who claimed it is not eligible to win the first HOH. They must throw it. The second is...... most likely Paul coming back but we won’t know till later. 

Dominique is pissed. She’s out for blood. Get it girl! 

Julie says they’re about to be joined by a former fan favorite. I’m shocked! Wow. Cannot believe. Best kept secret. So excited. Yay. 

COMMERCIAL BREAK TIME 

Doorbell rings......... PAUL FROM BB18 ENTERS THE HOUSE (yawn) 

PISSED 

Cody doesn’t like him and can’t wait to BD him while everyone else is hanging all over him. 

Megan, Ramses, Alex, Jillian head upstairs to chat. They all vibe well. Megan says lets just call it a group of people talking strategy, not an alliance. Smart call, Megan. Don’t jump the gun already. 

Paul is taking one of the HGs places in the game. It’s called the BB Swap. Lmao

If they want to stay in the game, they must tempt Paul. He goes to the storage to get a box and Julie tells him to open it... There are 9 friendship bracelets. One for him, 8 are for the other 8 HGs OF HIS CHOICE. If they get a bracelet, they will be safe from eviction. They other 8 will be up for eviction.  

Jillian has yet to take out her weave. She needs that bracelet! Girl! Me too. I feel ya! 

COMMERCIAL BREAK TIME 

Raven is the first one working Paul hard. 

Elena gives him a cheese sandwich. Practice safe snacks, use a condiment. He’s impressed. 

Cody is literally sitting there in silence. Most awkward date ever I love it. 

Paul is having none of Christmas or Josh. 

TIME FOR THE ROSE CEREMONY I mean bracelet reveal 

First bracelet goes to.... Kevin ugh 

Next.... Raven 

Third.... Dominique

Fourth.... Mark

Fifth... Jason 

Sixth.... Jessica 

Seventh.... Ramses

Eighth... Elena 

Cody, Matt, Cameron, Megan, Christmas, Matt, Jillian, Alex are up for eviction and will compete to stay in the house 

COMMERCIAL BREAK TIME 

Tempted by the Fruit is the safety challenge. 3 will be on the chopping block and up for eviction at the end of this comp. 

They have to hang on to a trapeze. The last one standing will be safe from eviction. When they fall, they have to pick an apple. Some are good, some are bad. The 3 bad ones will land you on the block. Julie will reveal clues throughout the comp as to which apples are the good apples so it’s best to stay on longer. 

Jillian falls first... 

Megan falls next... 

Josh falls next because they got another clue and he thinks he can get a safe apple. Bro. 

Cameron jumps down next 

Christmas falls down 

Matt, Cody, and Alex are left hanging 

COMMERCIAL BREAK TIME 

Matt falls down after an hour and 12 minutes 

Cody and Alex will guarantee their safety 

Alex falls after an hour and 25 minutes 

Cody is SAFE 

Alex is SAFE 

Matt is SAFE 

Christmas is UP FOR EVICTION 

Cameron is UP FOR EVICTION 

Josh is SAFE 

Megan is SAFE 

Jillian is UP FOR EVICTION 

COMMERCIAL BREAK TIME 

The three noms are tempted by how they want their fate to be determined. Either by letting the house vote or take fate into their own hands and battle in a comp for safety. SHIT THIS IS GETTING INTENSE 

Jillian wants the VOTE 

Cameron wants the COMP

Christmas wants the VOTE 

There will be a vote 

Jason wants Christmas out. Cody isn’t impressed with Jillian. Cameron uses a striptease on Jessica and Elena but they seem unimpressed. A hairy butt isn’t the way to Elena’s heart. Now we know. 

Cameron is the first one to cry in the DR! I made the best first draft pick ever. Go me. 

COMMERCIAL BREAK TIME 

It’s time for the first eviction of the season... 

Paul will only vote in the event of a tie 

Jessica evicts.... 

Josh.... 

Okay well they aren’t showing who everyone is voting out. 

I guess the votes are in now.... 

Christmas is safe with only 2 votes to evict 

8 to 3... Cameron is evicted and has been Jodi’d/Glenn’d 

This is legit sad. This kid is a fan and it was his dream and he lasted only 12 hours while a vet takes his place. It sucks. I don’t like it at all. 

BB is back tomorrow night for the crowning of the first HOH and Sunday will the reveal of the next twist..... 

We get to choose one HG to enter the Den of Temptation. Once they get to go in, they cannot enter it again. They’ll be tempted with the Pendant of Protection. The person that gets this will get safety for the next three weeks. But of course it comes with some kind of consequence... 

Well..... that was A LOT. I’m still trying to process everything because there was so much happening tonight. Overall, it was entertaining. Very intense premiere episode and one of the better premieres in a while. Hate the fact a vet is back. Hate the fact that it’s Paul. Hate the fact that he took the spot of a newbie. But I think it’s going to be a fun season if tonight is any indication. Let me know your thoughts on the premiere! Comment below or tweet us @DuckballBB. 

Thanks for following along tonight! You’ll get to chat with the rest of the DB team as the season goes on. I’ll be tweeting all season @oubrandon14 about the episodes AND the live feeds! Follow me and tweet me your thoughts! Until next time..... 

[the-record-columns]

March 20, 2019: Columns

Out of the ashes: An old radio from an old and dear friend…

The 1930 Crosley console radio

By KEN WELBORN

Record Publisher

At this past Monday night's meeting of the Rotary Club of North Wilkesboro, Dr. Conrad Shaw was honored with this year’s Rotary Club Citizen of the Year Award. 

This much deserved award was received by Dr. Shaw with thankfulness and humility as he was literally surrounded by family and friends.

On a personal level, Conrad Shaw was the principal of the North Wilkesboro Elementary  School for 14 years, eight of them when I was a student there.  He was the nearest thing to God-on-this-Earth I ever knew--running a very tight ship--tough, but always fair.  And, when we left the 8th Grade for high school, we could read, write, count, and knew we had better behave.  No if's, no and's, no but's, no or's, no nor’s - PERIOD!

We were none the worse for the wear, either   

Many years later, I helped launch Thursday Magazine, predecessor to The Record.  I used the old Hoyle Hutchens house on E Street in North Wilkesboro for our offices, and it became a refuge for anything old, odd, or eclectic.  Among my favorite things in that office was my old radios.  Over the years I had bought everything from a coin-operated radio in a metal case to a wide variety of other radios out of everything from Bakelite cases to some with beautiful woodwork.  

The one common thread through all these radios was Conrad Shaw, who had become a dear friend in my adult life.  After he left NWES, he worked the rest of his education career at Wilkes Community College, He retired in 1995 and made a hobby of restoring old radios--a hobby which meshed perfectly with mine.  Over a period of time he has repaired and or restored nine radios for me.  When we had that awful fire in 2004, all of them burned up.  Not too long after the fire Conrad asked me about the radios and I told him they were all lost.

Around Christmas time of that year, I received a phone call from Conrad asking me to stop by and see him. Of course I was glad to, and even more so when I realized why he had called.  Sitting in his basement workshop was a beautiful 1930 Crosley console radio.  Conrad plugged it in and in about 30 seconds it was playing perfectly. He went on to explain the steps he had gone through in restoring the radio to its original working condition, and that it came from the home of the late musician and historian J. Jay Anderson. I told Conrad about some of the things I had purchased from that estate and my own somewhat quirky relationship with the eccentric Mr. Anderson. 

"I knew you had purchased several things from there," Conrad began. “And you had told me you had lost most of your radios in that fire. To That end, I want to make this old Crosley console a gift to you.  You can now say you are back to collecting radios again."

I was, and am, more pleased than I can say in words. Yes, I love the old radio, but more importantly, I love being thought of.  It is a wonderful feeling — the feeling of friendship I feel when Conrad makes one of his visits to the offices of The Record.

Truly, Conrad Shaw has been good to me my whole life — even before I knew it.

Congratulations again on being Rotary's Citizen of the Year, a much deserved honor.

 Time After Time By HEATHER DEAN  JOURNALIST/PHOTO JOURNALIST

Generation X: We were the most radical in so many ways. Atari was in three colors, we pulled down the Berlin wall, TV shows and movies were all original (there was no need for remakes or reality TV), the music was full of synthesizers and wicked cool guitar riffs. We were making history in all genres, especially in the areas of the World Wide Web. Star Wars was everything good in life, and the effects were cutting edge technology. David Hasselhoff was the coolest guy ever.

Fast forward to 2019. We the teens of the 80’s are now parents and some even grandparents. Cars can’t fly like we had planned, but they can talk like KITT. We hold palm sized computers in our hands, and can speak or text anyone in the world in an instant. All our Sci-Fi fantasies turned into term papers and valedictorian speeches of our well laid plans for the future, have turned into distant memories, like the fog at a Bon Jovi concert- palpable then gone.

Last week the best of the 80’s were brought back for a weekend as the Wilkes Playmakers presented the hit musical “Back to the 80’s.” All the characters had heartthrob names: Corey, Tiffany, Debbie, Ferris, Eillen, and Alf. The nerd learned karate kid moves and took down the bully at the end. The kids sang songs by WHAM, Madonna, The Buggles, Cindy Lauper, and Jefferson Starship to name just a few. (My favorite was a reference to Milli Vannili.)

During rehearsals, we had to explain why some of their lines were so funny to us, the parents. The kids just didn’t get it. Some of them had never seen the iconic movies they were playing out on stage. The Breakfast who? What’s an Atari? They had never known a time without cell phones and they certainly didn’t know the struggle to create the perfect mix tape.

So here our theatre kids were, learning 80’s dance moves, and songs, albeit with eyes rolled the first few weeks of rehearsal. Then came time for costuming; the girls were mortified at the shoulder pads, blue eye shadow, everything neon, and big hair. As they filed in for dress rehearsal I squealed and said “Oh. Em. Gee. You look AMAZING!!!” They were spot on with the help of moms who lived it. “Heather, we look stupid. I can’t believe y’all wore this mess. It’s so gross.” But that ‘gag me with a spoon’ sentiment soon led into a love of everything glossy and hot pink and was replaced with “hang on, you need more blush” and “is my hair big enough?’ Pass the Aquanet please.”

Our kids had struggled at first, but in the ‘final countdown’ they had morphed into GenX, and it showed. A packed Thursday night rarely happens, and we had to use overflow parking down the street at the First Baptist Church for every performance. Saturday sold out, something that hasn’t happened in a decade, and Sunday’s show was almost sold out, another rarity. These kids were now the history makers, as the audiences cheered and sang along with the live band. Many even dressed up in 80’s regalia to attend the show.

One night, as we were all in the dressing room helping the girls get ready, two of the girls said “If we were teens in the 80’s I bet we would be best friends” This struck me as funny. “If you were bff’s in the 80’s, you would be your mom and me now.” Eyes widened and a hush fell in the hairspray laden air. “Ladies, as cool and amazing as you are NOW, is how totally radical your parents and I were THEN.” Perspective. It will get you every time.  

Then, “Oh, Heather, you’ll always be cool.”

Bless em.

Congratulations to cast and crewmates of Back to the 80’s. It was totally tubular.

Give Peace a Chance

By EARL COX

Special to The Record

Jared Kushner, senior adviser and son-in-law to U.S. President Donald Trump, has been working on a peace plan to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Details of this plan are being kept under lock and key but will be revealed soon after the elections in Israel on April 9th.  If Benjamin Netanyahu is reelected, he will become the longest serving prime minister in Israel’s history thus far.   It would be quite an achievement for both Trump and Netanyahu to have a workable peace plan with the Palestinians however, unless and until the Palestinians and all parties to any such plan agree that Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state, no peace plan will be possible.  Furthermore, the world must stop holding Israel to a different and higher standard.  Rules, regulations, fairness and justice must apply equally to all. 

Israel is often accused of being an apartheid state however nothing could be further from the truth.  All Israeli citizens are not Jewish however all are treated equally under the law without regard to race, religion or sexual orientation.  Muslims, Bedouins, Druze and others serve in senior level positions within the government of Israel, however the media and the liberal left want the world to believe otherwise.

Here in the United States there has been a growing movement on our college and university campuses by various pro-Palestinian organizations such as Students for Justice in Palestine.  These organizations, with the support of liberal professors, are promoting and engaging in BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) campaigns against Israel claiming they are helping the Palestinian cause. Those who promote the truth in an attempt to stop these anti-Semitic BDS campaigns are accused of stifling freedom of speech.  

The aim of the BDS movement is not to help the Palestinians.  It is to isolate Israel internationally and do as much economic harm as possible as part of the plan to erase Israel from off the face of the earth. The Palestinians are then expected to be crowned rightful heirs to inherit whatever remains of the Jewish state.

Thanks in large part to the efforts of the Israel Allies Foundation which is the international arm of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, a total of 27 states have passed legislation making it illegal for local governments to contract with companies that participate in the BDS movement. Opposition to such anti-BDS legislation leans heavily on the complaint that Americans’ First Amendment rights are being infringed upon. However, none of the anti-BDS legislation restricts an individual’s right to boycott Israeli products or businesses. It only restricts the government from being party to such boycotts.

The BDS movement incorrectly and unfairly places blame on Israel for all aspects of the conflict with the Palestinians despite the fact that Israel has made multiple peace offers all of which the Palestinians have rejected. Those in the BDS camp promote a distorted history that Israel is an illegal occupier of the land and maintains that Israel is responsible for Palestinian poverty and suffering. The BDS movement holds out false hope to the Palestinians that they can achieve their nationalistic aspirations without having to negotiate a deal directly with the Israelis because only Israel will be forced to compromise for peace.

By attempting to bludgeon Israel into submission through economic isolation, they believe Israel can be weakened enough to capitulate to every Palestinian demand. This is unrealistic, especially given Israel’s strong economy and superior military capabilities. In short, the Palestinians want a Jew-free state. They want Israel eliminated and replaced with a Palestinian state.  

BDS must be stopped in its tracks.  How can you help?  Ask your local grocery stores and other retailers to consider stocking Israeli products. Buy Israeli Bonds to support the booming Israeli economy and whenever you have an opportunity, speak the truth about Israel.  A loss for the BDS movement is a win for everyone else - Israelis and Palestinians. This is how to give peace a chance.   

‘I’m a Teacher and Legislator: We’re Making Strides in Increasing Teacher Pay’

By REP. JEFFREY ELMORE

N.C. House

This week, we received welcome news in our efforts to increase teacher pay in North Carolina.

According to a new report released on Tuesday by the National Education Association, one of the nation’s largest teacher unions, North  Carolina has now jumped to 29th in the nation in average teacher pay and second in the Southeast. In addition, the average teacher salary in North Carolina has now reached $53,975.

As a public-school teacher for nearly two decades in Wilkes County and a legislator in the N.C. General Assembly since 2012, I have a personal understanding of the challenges facing our teachers. Furthermore, as the only school teacher in the state legislator, I know that teacher pay is an emotional issue for many in our state, as the education system has had an impact in some way on everyone.

Regardless of political party, ensuring quality teachers in the classroom is of the upmost priority. Sadly, teacher pay has been used as a political football, even a weapon, by politicians to advance their agenda and careers for decades. For me, this is very frustrating and it is my goal to highlight the positive work being done to reward our teachers.

Make no mistake, there is more work to be done and we will continue to build on these efforts. This report is exciting news, especially when you look at how far we have come in teacher pay.  

When voters gave Republicans the majority in the General Assembly in 2011, North Carolina was ranked 47th in the nation in teacher pay. Furthermore, due to decades of irresponsible spending and budgeting, school systems across the state were considering a reduction in force, instituting hiring freezes and furloughing teachers.

That’s why we immediately went to work and laid out a plan to reward, recruit and retain teachers in North Carolina. We set out realistic goals, not based on winning votes, but actually delivering real results for our teachers, students and parents.

After five consecutive years of pay increases for our teachers, including over 9% in the past two years, we are meeting those goals and getting the results we planned for. As reported this past week, North  Carolina is now 29th in the nation and second in the Southeast in teacher pay – and has an average teacher salary of nearly $54,000.

In fact, teacher salaries in North Carolina have risen at the third highest rate in the entire country over the past five years.

While the ranking is a step in the right direction, and second in the Southeast is a great accomplishment, we must and will do more. Our goal is and has been to reward teachers for their hard work while ensuring our children are getting the best education possible to prepare them for the future.  

Since the Great Recession, our state has faced many challenges. We have made progress. We will continue to prioritize our state’s sound fiscal footing.  We will continue to save for the unexpected rainy day.  Lastly, we will continue to make strategic investments for our future.

Representative Jeffrey Elmore serves the 94th House District in the N.C. General Assembly and is the Chairman of House Education K-12 and Education Appropriations. He is also in his eighteenth year as a Wilkes County School teacher.

 Conway, a Black River and Spring Time

By CARL WHITE

Life in the Carolinas

I discovered historic downtown Conway, S.C., by happenstance while on my way to Myrtle Beach for the production of our first Christmas special. On that day I was the guest for the morning show on 93.9 FM WCRE in Cheraw. When I left the studio I put the Myrtle Beach address in my GPS. Based on the displayed ETA, the drive time was about two and a half hours; this would give me plenty of time to arrive and check into our hotel before evening activities.  

About midway through the drive I realized I was seeing places and things I had never seen before. For me, this is always exciting and I was stopping more than I had planned, and before long I became aware that time was slipping away. I knew if I were not careful, I would go from having plenty of time to being late, so I got back on the road.

I soon found myself in the midst of a picturesque Southern town with charming buildings reminiscent of times before strip malls and by-passes, times when the town center was the heart of commerce, shopping, dining and entertainment.

It was late afternoon, Christmas music filled the air and the streets and storefronts were decorated, thus intensifying the feeling of being in a special place. This was a part of Conway that I had never seen before. I guess I was like the millions of other people who only knew the Conway by-pass, which, like most by-passes, has no sense of history.  

From downtown I crossed the Waccamaw River and continued to Myrtle Beach. When I arrived at the hotel, I asked the front desk staff what they could tell me about Conway. I collected some information and contact names and went on with the evening's events.

It would be some months before I could make it back to Conway, but when I did, my first stop was the Chamber of Commerce. I learned about the historic Live Oaks that some call the oldest citizens in town. It is said that some of the trees predate the founding of America.

I was given the name of Larry Biddle as a champion for all things Conway. I called Larry and asked if we could meet. He agreed and we met that afternoon and I was given the grand tour of Conway as it is today and a lesson on the founding of Conway and much of its colorful history.

While I had gone fishing in the black waters of the Waccamaw River, I did not know that the river was the highway for the Waccamaw Indians who were in the area prior to the founding of America.

The Waccamaw was also the water way that a young Englishman traveled while charting the Royal Governor, Robert Johnson's Township Plan. The King's Town was formed in 1732 and the name was shortened to Kingston before finally becoming Conway.

I enjoyed discovering this part of our history while strolling on the meandering boardwalk along the banks of the Waccamaw. This is also when I noticed the beauty of spring time in Conway. The tender green color of new leaves on the trees that border the Waccamaw River looked fresh and alive. From certain views, the moss draped ancient Live Oaks and large azaleas were spectacular.

There are many more stories for me to share about historic Conway and her people, this one is about how I first discovered this charming Southern town and the beauty she displays in spring time.

Carl White is the executive producer and host of the award winning syndicated TV show Carl White’s Life In the Carolinas. The weekly show is now in its seventh year of syndication and can be seen in the Charlotte viewing market on WJZY Fox 46 Saturday at 1noon.  For more on the show visit www.lifeinthecarolinas.com, You can email Carl White at Carl@lifeinthecarolinas.com.  

[sourmonj]

Get to know me tag ♡

Sweet and lovely @diolympius tagged me in this funny and curious tag. tysm cinnamon roll 🌸 (yeh, I know,, what the actual truck) 


RULES: you must answer these 92 statements and tag 20 people. 




1. drink: coke,


2. phone call: @chewitgeum (aka Seum)


3. text message: my father


4. song you listened to: Outro: Divina Comedia by GD


5. time you cried: literally and tbh i stopped crying when i started doing this tag c:


6. dated someone twice: couple of months ¿


7. kissed someone and regretted it: i have a very clear memory of a couple years ago,, i was a little bit drunk...


8. been cheated on: three or four years


9. lost someone special: i haven't till the moment


10. been depressed: depression is like my current imaginary friend, with whom I sleep with and listen to good music till I fall sleep


11. gotten drunk and thrown up: like a year or so ¿

LIST 3 FAVOURITE COLOURS:


12-14. Yellow, navy blue, aqua.


IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU:


15. made new friends: yup 


16. fallen out of love: out ¿ is that smith you can do? lol


17. laughed until you cried: everyday, yeah


18. found out someone was talking about you: no that I remember 🤔


19. met someone who changed you: yeh


20. found out who your friends are: I've known that since highschool (two years or more)


21. kissed someone on your Facebook list: lol yes


22. how many of your Facebook friends do you know in real life: All of them,, I'm not the type of person that friends someone on fb I don't know


23. do you have any pets: a very big dog ❤️


24. do you want to change your name: nope, I love it 

25. what did you do for your last birthday: my friends came over and we stayed at my place eating ice cream and pizza and have late night talks until neither our brains or the music stopped,, my best bd ever 

26. what time did you wake up: from Sunday to Sunday I wake up at 6:00 am


27. what were you doing at midnight last night: Netflix :)


28. name something you can’t wait for: living in Seoul with my best friends in the galaxy ㅠ ㅠ


29. when was the last time you saw your mom: I'm with her rn 

30. what is one thing you wish you could change in your life: my indecision and my tendency to doubt of everyone and everything 🙃


31. what are you listening to right now: the creepy noise my washing machine does at midnight


32. have you ever talked to a person named tom: my cousin's name is Thomas and my ex-boyfriends brother's name was Thomas too, does that count?


33. something that is getting on your nerves: freAKING MONEY


34. most visited website: YOUTUBE AND TUMBLR AND WATTPAD AND AO3 AND TWITTER DON'T JUDGE ME 


35-37. 


38. hair colour: very dark brown


39. long or short hair: I have short hair now


40. do you have a crush on someone: yehet 


41. what do you like about yourself: my collarbones,, and after that, everything i can’t see on the mirror


42. piercings: I have two on my right ear (besides the typical earring one) and I have the millennial-hipster one on my nose


43. bloodtype: A~ positive


44. nickname: Jay,, Majin or just Majo (latin girl, yup)


45. relationship status: in love with idols don't possibly know I exist.


46. zodiac: Aries


47. pronouns: whut 


48. favourite tv show: OITNB until whichever season poussey is awfully killed by the writers, Shameless (US), and Friends, oh, and the Simpsons 


49. tattoos: soon :) 

50. right or left handed: right handed.


51. surgery: nah


52. piercing: again ?


53. sport: i do dancing, athleticism, volleyball and some weird shit too 🤣


55. vacation: I went to Brazil once ¿)
 I want to go on a tour through Asia and Europe.

56. pair of trainers: socks and wooden floor so I can slice


57. eating: a dunkin' butter donut


58. drinking: aloe water


59. i’m about to: do my nails while watching House of Cards tbh


61. waiting for: my bills to get paid by everyone but me


62. want: my low self-esteemed biases to be fucking happy.


63. get married: a gentleman


64. career: I will found with my sisters of different mother a Entertainment Company and I'll be one of the creatives and the main publisher. 


WHICH IS BETTER


65. hugs or kisses: a warm hug when crying 

66. lips or eyes: both,, I can't pick just lips :) sorry
or maybe i actually can 

67. shorter or taller: taller definitely, i’m quite short already (5′2′’)


68. older or younger: i don’t really mind,,


70. nice arms or nice stomach: nice smile


71. sensitive or loud: any when needed


72. hook up or relationship: both :))


73. troublemaker or hesitant: one who hesitates to make trouble ¿ 


HAVE YOU EVER

74. kissed a stranger: yes


75. drank hard liquor: yeh


76. lost glasses/contact lenses: do not wear them,, I lost my mother's once, does that count?.


77. turned someone down: yup


78. sex on the first date: never


79. broken someone’s heart: i had and it was painfully necessary bc there was nothing to fix anymore


80. had your heart broken: same person from above, funny thing


81. been arrested: :) almost


82. cried when someone died: I cried really hard when Michael Jackson died, and I was like ten at the time lol and in every drama or movie i cry when someone dies,, rry nt srry


83. fallen for a friend: one-sided-friend,, yeh 


DO YOU BELIEVE IN:


84. yourself: sometimes


85. miracles: yes


86. love at first sight: no, but I might get a little bit romantic sometimes


87. santa clause: i did before heartfully and I do now for convenience 😈


88. kiss on the first date: it depended on my mood


89. angels: yes 


OTHER:


90. current best friend’s name: I have been so blessed I have three: Seum-Seum, Baeyoungie and Jeongji eomma :)


91. eye colour: brown


92. favourite movie: I have 234567 favorite movies,, don't make me start


i tag: @rinacchin @fragmentedfaith @teddycheol @multifandom-hoes (sunbae) and wonderful @chewitgeum (i don’t gave tweNTY TUMBLR FRIENDS I WANT TO TAG GIVE ME A BREAK)

[conflictedrabbit]

that reminded me

i keep forgetting details about my family history (specifically my parents’ non-political childhood and life etc.) since i’m a fake who doesn’t know mandarin and i’ve never lived in taiwan past 3 months so anyway. copy pasta below since i remembered to ask my dad about this. taiwan is a lot like japan in its approach to religion, huh.

Me: what do you know about the sea goddess matsu? Me: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazu_(goddess) Dad: I think the wiki description is largely correct.  Some in Taiwan claim that the woman who eventually became Mazu was in Taiwan turned into a local symbol.  Unfortunately, the detailed writing is in Hanzi (see link below)

https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8F%B0%E7%81%A3%E5%AA%BD%E7%A5%96%E4%BF%A1%E4%BB%B0

I personally know nothing more than that and never participated in any those seemingly fanatic celebration events. Me:  is it a more regional thing? Dad: The huge celebration events are mostly done in the southern Taiwan.  Although Mazu temples are everywhere in Taiwan. Me: is there a reason why you didn’t participate? Me: i don’t really get our family’s cultural history Me: doesn’t seem like we participate in any of the festivities Dad: You are right. Me: i don’t recall learning about these figures as a kid either Dad: Nope Dad: I never did anything related to so called “民間宗教” (translated literally, local religion or religion “within local society”).  It is a mixture of Buddism and Taoism that eventually embedded with local culture and flavors. Dad: Primarily that is because the family is a presbytarian church related since my grandpa/mom time.  I got sent to sunday school. Dad: But I am not religious whatsoever, and I look at local religions with suspicious eyes. Dad: Also I dislike going to place that has tons of people and noisy.  I think that is stupid. Me: hahaha Me: then what about mom? Dad: I don’t think she celebrate Mazu or doing much worship in her family.  I do not know why, she her family is not christian.  It is clear that although Taiwanese do “BaiBai” (worship), not every family is equally devoted.  Many marginally participate.  My family then had nothing to do with it.  It is  a wide spectrum.

[andivebeenafoolandivebeenblind]

my story!

Day 1: Today was a long and very emotional day, M came with me to the hospital, where i had too tell my story from the very beginning, which was difficult. After the D&A team and the MH team finally figured out what they were going to do with me, i ended up waiting for patient transport as they were admitting me in Wyong. After arriving in Wyong and being metal detected, vitals done and shown where everything was I spent an hour or so just in my room which is number 21, at the end of the corridor, away from the desk. When I thought everyone had gone too bed, I went and sat in the common area and watched a bit of whatever was on tv. I had a small reserved chat with a girl who is 31 and in the room next too mine. They’ve taken my phone and bra’s off me. I can hear the rain outside. I’m nervous about tomorrow with all the new Dr’s and having too repeat my story and hopefully be cleared for piggies. M was amazing today! I cried so much on the drive too Wyong :(

Day 2: Today was rough! after a some what hard sleep with a few awoken moments and tears, I found it very difficult for me to wake up for breakfast. After breakfast I had a shower and went to sit out in the courtyard. I sat in on ‘group psychology’ and didn't really say anything. I spoke with a psychologist, psychiatrist and the MH ward GP. Sooooooo many questions asked on their end. I was approved for two, thirty minute breaks (smokes) unaccompanied leave and one hour of accompanied leave per day! We get our phones on each break so I need my charger I had smokes today thanks too a guy in here. Since being back i got very agitated and had a headache, so I was given 1g of panadol l and 100mg of serequel and then the night meds too sleep which were zopiclone. I start a new a new antidepressant tomorrow morning. Right now my mood is 4/10 Megan comes tomorrow and smokes. One step at a time.... still really want too end it all but everyone here is the best kinda support. Tomorrow is a new day.

Day 3: Today most definitely had its ups and downs. For starters NOONE called me, I had too call you and no-one answered, so all g I’m over it now.... I found waking up was different and that i felt like a space cadet its worse than being lit thats for sure. I haven't got too pick my menu yet so morrow will be a surprise as well, the new girl E, she presented too GDH ED the same afternoon I did. M and her mum came too see me today, they saw my room. We just stood outside so i could smoke. Mum is coming up tomorrow around 1-1:30pm but thats when lunch is, hopefully we go shopping and we get ciggies, and fingers crossed she remembers the shit too get me including my thongs and charger. Second night in a row of zopiclone and serequel, administered separately both with effect. Goodnight cruel world.

Day 4: Sunday was eventful thats for sure. I felt sick, space cadety, belittled loved, scared and unsafe. Mum came too see me today, we hung out and got coffee’s. She bought me clothes, smokes and my glasses. We were belittled together by a nurse about bringing coffee back onto the ward. I was also asked if I had spoken too any patients of the rehab ward, too which i responded NO!. I danced outside, I cried, I am currently feeling unsafe and know I’m still a 3/10 if not maybe even a 2/10 because i stole a fucking staple, a singular fucking staple, but I’ve got this. My emotions are sooooooo out of whack, I rang N on my last break of the day  and face timed him and H. Rang C and told him where I was. I haven't had a zopiclone yet, just a serequel, ladies and gentleman “Next on, is A going too kill herself?”

Day 5: Just when I thought I couldn’t feel any worse, I woke up! Today has just been challenging I was woken up too take my medication, breakfast was crap, I did go out into the courtyard and throw oranges at the tree with J this morning. L and I went on the morning walk and snuck ciggies out. Mum wouldn’t visit me today because of my mood! I had an ECG and MSU the ECG was fine, my MSU showed all the recreational drugs I’d been taking outside of admission. *D and A came and saw me. Last night I hurt myself with the god damn staple and I was honest with my morning nurse about it and I was spoken too about HDU, where I don’t want to go! which got me on 1/2hr watches. Ive had 150mg of serequel today so thats not good. I didn’t like the psychology group today, maybe tomorrow’s will be better. I rang N and spoke too him before his phone died, he made me laugh which was good. Hopefully this is as low as I’ll feel which is a 1/10.

Day 6: Today was okay, I was around 3/10-4/10 for a vast majority of the day, but I’ve had some lows. I was so drugged out this morning during my appointment with the psychiatrist, but the general gist is I’m here until I’m not scared of myself anymore, I do however get extra leave. 2 X1hr unaccompanied and 1X2hr accompanied. I walked over too the petrol station today too buy cigarettes and a 30pk of winfield blue crush cost me $40.45! WTF! Snuck a biggie out on the morning walk again and had headpins hahaha. I bought a large soy dirty chai. After my afternoon break I came back in and wanted too sign myself out! I spoke with J and E about it then I rang N and he gave me some hard truths, that i needed. After the morning walk because the psychologist wasn’t there the OT organised cooking, so we baked 2 cakes.  Tonight I have been in and out of tears for god only knows why, no thats a lie there are a few reasons why, I took my night time meds tonight so lets see how i feel when i wake up considering I’m still scared of thoughts. C my nurse this morning has been fantastic.

Day 7:  I woke up a 3/10 I didn’t have breakfast, I went for the morning walk and snuck a biggie. Came back form the walk 2/10 spoke with G the psychologist on the ward, for a fair bit of time and was able to speak about somethings I haven’t ever spoken about. For my first 1hour break i went too Kanwall shops to go too the bottle-o with B, I bought 2 bottles for $12 and there was 7.4 standard drinks too a bottle. We sat at the park had a few ciggies, I tack vommed real good, we walked back too the unit, I had a shower and changed and washed my clothes. For the second break B and I did the same thing except this time I only bought 1 bottle and we shared it. We didn’t finish it and left it near the school, I’ll be going back for it tomorrow. My afternoon was about a 4/10 and then my mood started too drop and now i have been randomly crying for no particular reason. O’s exhibit J’s currently girlfriend is in here and she is a piece of work, J visited her almost all afternoon.  After B and I went for the second walk we were where we normally smoke, I laid down on my back and B sat on my stomach, she looked down at me and kissed me, and then we kinda made out and N saw us, we went too go inside, when she called me over in-between the buildings and we started making out again. N saw it again lol, so we had a smoke with him and then walked back in. According too R I’m fucking “desperate and stupid” because i used a staple too hurt myself, she is so lucky L told me and that I didn’t hear it because Id be sitting in HDU right now. I miss my mum and hope she comes too see me tomorrow and I won’t be drunk.

Day 8: I got lamb drunk today, I saw the psychiatrist and MO today and I’ve been put on 5mg Diazapam (Valium) BD aswell as being on a benzo withdrawal scale, which is weird, why did they wait 7 days too put me on a bento withdrawal scale? any who I get 6 hours/ day accompanied or unaccompanied leave hoping for discharge on monday. If not all good. I wish i was out for the weekend but im going too organise with mum a time too go see N. Mum has saturday, sunday and monday off work so she will see me then with C and possibly Nan. C said he will come and see me tomorrow. I rang N tonight where he told me after his appointment today, he came too see me but I was in the middle of lunch and they didn’t even tell me, he thought I picked food over him! As if that could ever be true. Im getting referrals too psychotherapy and my GP is going too get a discharge summary with how too wean me off Valium. I really miss N and just want an N hug and too play the drums. N left today, I wished him the best of luck.

Day 9: Today is Friday and I went and got super smashed, mum knows about my bento withdrawal scale and is okay with that she doesn’t know I’m smashed. I cant wait too see her tomorrow and go too the beach with her and C. Tonight I was so drunk I couldn’t do the withdrawal scale but they gave me a sleeping tablet. I fell over on my walk back too the hospital and fucked up my knee’s toes and one wrist.  I don’t want to feel this bad again I was literally laying where we smoke and I was tack coming hard. NEVER AGAIN! they want too take my solo leave away but they will let me out tomorrow with mum so I guess thats okay. Mum is taking me too the beach so I’m excited about that.

Day 10: I went too the beach today and it was great! the weather was warm but the water was absolutely freezing, yet refreshing. C was a no show today, which didn’t faze me. Mum bought me a razor so i could shave, but she made me strip too my underwear and show her my body both before AND after the shower and then she checked the razor, it was humiliating, but i completely understand why she did it and I don’t blame her! After the beach mum and I went too Lakehaven shops where we went too coles and Kmart, we got KFC for food. At Kmart I bought a new pair of shorts and a pair of thongs. Once I got back to the ward I had a biggie or two and started feeling really low so instead of doing something I’d regret I walked back through the doors too the ward, where after dinner I went straight to bed, looking back on that feeling I’m sure its because I was surrounded by a lot of people and I was just very overwhelmed, but I spent most of the night in my room or not engaging with people in the common areas. I snuck my phone in tonight, and messaged N until I fell asleep. I only took a 50mg serequel instead of that and a zopi. Im seeing mum tomorrow and she is taking me too see N and I’m super excited, I’ve missed him so much.

Day 11: Today has been a mixed bag of emotions, waking up every hour or so last night probably didn’t help. I woke up for my morning meds and breakfast with no-one waking me up. I went out for my morning smoke at 10 in my pj’s and took an hour. I went and laid in the sun in the courtyard with J, I then started to get ‘bad’ thoughts and went too lay down and read. I ended up getting PRN serequel because I could feel my heart beating through my chest and I was getting really edgy, I think that was because I was nervous about seeing N and Z this afternoon. Mum came up at around 2pm and we sat in the common area chatting for a bit, we then played uno, where I whopped her ass! Mum then signed me out on leave and we went too the small park right behind Tuggerah Westfeild so I could meet up with N and Z. When I saw N he gave me the biggest and best most needed cuddle I’ve ever had, he didn’t let me go, I had a few tears but it was okay, we talked, i laughed we got in Z’s car because the boys had something for me too listen too and it was THEIR SINGLE and it was fucking filthy, I’m so proud of them. N said he would come and stay at mum’s with me when i got out and we would dye my hair and go clothes shopping hahaha. On the drive back too the hospital I started getting really upset and anxious because I just wanted to go home with mum, but I’ve spoken with my nurse and it looks promising for discharge tomorrow :) Fingers crossed everything goes well. I smuggled my phone in again tonight.