#not getting to see it is one of my biggest regrets (got tickets → it announced it was closing right before my trip → just didn't work out)

[notebookmusical]

So unpopular opinion.. I actually like Dear Evan Hansen. I actually relate a lot to the character of Evan and parts of the plot and I've never really seen that in a musical before. Sure, the music wasn't the greatest or anything, but that's why it's still important to me. I know people hate the plot point which is fair, but I don't really love Great Comet either so idk and I think it's appreciated because it's more weird and original at least musically I enjoy Bandstand and Anastasia more though which were also pretty basic by those standards and I think not even nominated. I have always thought that my idea of a musical would be a mix of Spring Awakening and Dear Evan Hansen that was somewhat based on my real life. And that personal stuff didn't even happen until Dear Evan Hansen already came out. But now I know most people would hate that cuz they didn't like Dear Evan Hansen which sucks so I just have mixed feelings cuz of a personal connection I guess. Maybe it shouldn't have won, but the topic was still important. Just trying to offer another perspective..it's not as if anyone who likes it doesn't appreciate real theater or anything.

i'm really glad that dear evan hansen resonates with you — i have a few friends for whom dear evan hansen is very dear to their heart for similar reasons; i have my own issues with the show (and have not been quiet about that in the many years that i have been on this website). i don't think liking dear evan hansen makes you any more or less of a theatre fan; that's not what i'm saying at all.

but just because a show can resonate with you, can be about an important matter (we can agree to disagree on how well it does that), does not mean that it is deserving to win a tony award. there is no tony award for show i feel most personally connected to. i have liked my fair share of shows (and actors) that were snubbed at the tonys and been bitter about it and i can also admit when shows were more deserving, or when shows that i love weren't as strong as other shows that season.

and obviously there are a lot of issues with the american theatre wing, and the entire system of the tony awards, but that's not the point i'm making here. just that i do not personally think dear evan hansen deserved to win the tony for as many things as it did.

[doggerell]

it WOULD be funny to scroll back and show you all. just how many posts Ive made in the past few months were actually me musing on Dunes stuff over the past few months but. also it would be kinda depressing.

[poughkeepsies]

I was going to send this the other day but your anon was off but basically I was going to say hozier was the best concert Ive ever been to and you should under all circumstances buy hozier tickets if you have the chance, so glad you got them !! I've been dying to see him again since the last time (which sadly was during the wasteland baby era like it pains me so much I havent seen any of unreal unearth live)

NO THE ONE TIME I TURN OFF ANON AND ITS ABOUT HOZIER DAMMIT you're so so so right I did get to see him once last year at a music festival and it was incredible but I always wanted to see him at his own concert cause 1) it was really hard to see him at the festival cause we were all standing in basically a makeshift pit and I'm 4'10 and 2) I wished his set was longer and it was right before the new album came out so i wanted to hear the new stuff too. basically getting these tickets is pure wish fulfillment

[tulsa24]

i really miss beetlejuice the musical being on broadway

[gingiesworld]

Obsessions (5/?)

Wanda Maximoff x Rogers Fem Reader

Warnings: angst, longing, huge time skip. Grief. Fluff

Taglist: @sytoran @ginnsbaker @gb12d @lifespectator @natashamaximoff-69 @wizardofstories @canvascoloredin

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 6

18+ MINORS DNI

The last four years flew by, Wanda graduated from the local college as she constantly looked on Y/N's social media. Seeing she had been silent for the last two years.

"Have you heard from Y/N?" Wanda questioned her twin who sighed.

"Look Wanda, I am not going to be in the middle of this thing you have going on." He told her bluntly.

"I'm worried about her, Pietro." Wanda stated as he just shook his head.

"It's a little late now." He scoffed as he stood up from the sofa. "Also if you're wondering, Christine broke up with her and she has been in England for the past year."

"Why?" Wanda pressed as he sighed.

"Peggy is dying." He told her, tears in his eyes. "Y/N needed to be with her mom so she referred the last year of college to stay with Peggy." He watched as Wanda started up the stairs. "How you use this information is now on you Wanda. What you decide to do now will impact the two of you."

Wanda knew exactly what she needed to do. She needed to be the friend for Y/N, the friend she should have been all of those years ago. So she booked a flight to Heathrow, a one way ticket as she didn't know how long she would be there for. How long she needed to be there for.

Y/N had been staying at a hotel nearby the family home, not wanting to stay under the roof as she needed some time to herself as her Uncle and cousin would be there to help her. Y/N was shocked the moment she heard a knock on the door, opening the door unsurely to see Wanda on the other side.

"What are you doing here?" She asked her bluntly as Wanda sighed.

"I wanted to be here for you." She told her, stepping inside and dropping her bag on the floor. "Pietro told me."

"He had no right." Y/N spat as she glared at the woman before her. "I managed to get through losing my dad without you and I can sure as hell get through losing mom without you here."

"I am not going anywhere Y/N." Wanda told her softly, reaching for Y/N's hands. "I am right where I need to be." Y/N searched her eyes for any signs of regret, Y/N soon captured her lips in a hard kiss which Wanda soon pushed her away. "I am not doing this with you again Y/N." She told her sternly. "You are in a vulnerable state and I will not take advantage of you like that."

"You're not taking advantage!" Y/N yelled as Wanda watched her pace the floor before stopping and looking out of the window at the city below them. "I guess, you're right. I am not in the right mindset for that." Wanda listened as she spoke. "I guess I just, I can't lose her Wanda." For the first time in years, Wanda had seen some form of emotion in her eyes. "She is my mom, how am I supposed to go on without her. I lost my dad and that was ok I guess. I had mom and we got through it together but now, who do I have?"

"You have me." Wanda told her confidently. "I am here Y/N. I am right where I want to be. Where I need to be." Wanda stepped closer. "And I am not going anywhere." Y/N let her walls down and sobbed, Wanda opened her arms for her to hold as she cried and cried. Whispering sweet words to her and just holding her in a warm embrace as she cried.

At some point throughout the night, Wanda had moved the two towards the bed as Y/N started to lose her energy, tired from the overwhelming emotions she never wanted to feel again. She soon woke to Wanda talking lowly on the phone as she ran her hand through Y/N's hair.

"I don't think she is doing too well Piet." Wanda spoke softly, not paying too much attention to the girl in her lap looking up at her. "Yes, I am here for the long haul." Wanda scoffed at something her brother said. "No. I am not going to leave her alone. Leaving her in the first place is my biggest regret and I have to live with that."

"Hey." Y/N spoke softly as she tried to save Wanda from a conversation with her brother. "Tell him I'll call him later." She asked Wanda who relayed the message. Wanda watched as Y/N had gotten up and walked into the bathroom. Washing her face before looking at her reflection in the mirror. She looked exhausted and weak, there was barely any life left in her eyes. She didn't even recognise the girl staring back at her.

"Y/N?" Wanda knocked on the door after realising Y/N was in the bathroom for a long period of time.

"Yes?" She asked as she stepped out to see a concerned Wanda.

"I'm going to go and book another room but please just call me if you need anything." Wanda told her.

"Anything?" She asked with a raised brow.

"Anything but that." Wanda told her firmly, stepping away from her. "I already told you I am not going to do anything like that with you while everything is going on."

"You mean my mom dying and me becoming an orphan?" Y/N sneered as Wanda sighed sadly. "I'm sorry." She apologised as she went to grab a bottle of water. "I guess I am just not used to this right now." She pointed between the two of them.

"I am trying to be a friend to you again. I am trying to be the person I should have been all along. The friend I should have been regardless of my own insecurities." Wanda told her.

"Just go home Wanda." Y/N told her sadly. "I just, I don't think I can deal with this right now."

"I am not leaving you." Wanda told her firmly.

"Yes you are." Y/N spat. "You did it easily all of those years ago."

"Yes I did and I hate myself for it." Wanda told her. "Please give me this chance to show you that I am here now. I am all in with whatever this is." She pointed between the two as Y/N sighed, tears in her eyes as she saw the best friend she used to love before she turned her back on her.

"The hotel is fully booked and there isn't another one for about 45 mins away." Y/N told her softly. "You can take the bed and I'll take the sofa."

"No." Wanda shook her head as she wore a gentle smile on her face. "You take the bed and I'll take the sofa."

"You won't fit on it." Y/N stated as Wanda laughed.

"And you will? You're taller than me Y/N." She told her as Y/N nodded in agreement.

"I guess the bed is big enough for the two of us." She shrugged as Wanda agreed. The two did their nightly routines before settling on the bed, leaving a gap between the two. Wanda turned to look at Y/N who remained looking at the hands in her lap.

"I have been seeing my therapist since leaving New York." Wanda told her. "I have figured out a lot of the reasons I was the way I was. I know it's not an excuse but maybe one day we can talk about it all?"

"Maybe." Y/N told her. "I think we do need to talk about it all, but after my mom because I don't think I can deal with all of the grief alone."

"You won't be alone Y/N, I am going to be here for you. Every step." Wanda took Y/N's hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze as Y/N gazed at her.

"I missed you. This version of you." Y/N whispered as her tears started to fall. "This is the version of you I have always loved." Wanda just gave her a guilty look before lifting Y/N's hand and kissing it gently.

"Get some rest." Wanda told her softly. "You're going to need it." Y/N just nodded before bidding goodnight and turning away from Wanda.

As the days blurred together, the pain grew more and more as Peggy came closer to her last breath. Especially since the diagnosis, this was the worst thing for her family to watch. They all witnessed her start to fade away, the disease slowly taking her away. The soft words of love and affection were spoken to each of her family until it was just Y/N left with her. A smile on Peggy's face as she took her daughter's hand.

"I have always been proud of the person you have become." She told her as Y/N listened. "You have a huge heart Y/N, don't ever lose sight of the good in the world, in your relationships."

"Mom." Y/N started as Peggy hushed her.

"Wanda came back." She whispered. "She has changed, well she is more like the little girl I knew when you first introduced her to your father and I." Y/N wiped a tear that fell. "Don't push her away because of the past. Communicate with her. Become friends again and maybe in the distant future, you may become more."

"I don't think so." Y/N whispered as Peggy took a labored breath.

"You two are a match made in heaven." She told her. "You just need to work out the past and work towards the future."

"I'm going to miss you." Y/N whispered shakily as Peggy gave her a sad smile.

"I am never going to be too far." Peggy told her with a smile. "I will always be in your heart with your father." Y/N watched as Peggy started to lose consciousness, she witnessed her take her last breath before she left the room. The feeling of the warmth of Peggy's hand slowly fading as she walked through the halls. Her whole being numb as the world around her seemed to blur. Walking to the nearest pub and ordering a pint as she sat at the bar. The sound of the music melded in with the sound of the sports commentator on the football match playing on the TV.

Wanda entered the pub and took a seat beside them, ordering herself a drink and another for Y/N. She knew that drinking may not be the best thing right now but Y/N needed her more than anything.

"She's gone." Y/N whispered as Wanda sipped her pint beside her. "She's with dad now and I am here. Alone."

"You're not alone Y/N." Wanda told her comfortingly. "I am not leaving you, not again."

"How am I supposed to trust that?" Y/N asked quietly.

"I don't know." Wanda gave a tight lipped smile before talking once more. "I guess I have to earn the trust that I lost back. I have to show you that I mean every word I am saying because I mean it Y/N. I will be here with you. For everything."

"I guess we can be somewhat acquaintances." Y/N smirked as Wanda nodded with a giggle.

"To new acquaintances." Wanda clinked her glass with Y/N who just smiled. The first genuine smile she had given the brunette before her.

[blade-that-was-broken]

Soldier On

Getting that call felt like a nightmare.

Bruce owned a small resort on one of the islands in the state of Hawaii, running it with his wife, Brandy with their gaggle of kids roaming around. He was content where his life was and where he ended up. Good weather, great wife, a few kids. He didn't think he could want anything more. Well, granted, he wishes he had a better relationship with his brothers.

He left home practically the moment he turned eighteen. After his parent's divorce when he was about thirteen, things got difficult. They spent a lot of time with their grandmother and Bruce just could not wait to get out. His biggest regret was leaving his brothers behind with their mother. Their father had cut off all contact. Either that or their mother had. It didn't matter.

Floyd wrote letters but that was the majority of their contact. He started some kind of music career and seemed to be doing pretty well with himself.

Clay was in college, working on a Master's degree or something. Bruce wasn't entirely sure. Clay wasn't on speaking terms with him at all, feeling abandoned when Bruce fled the moment he could.

And Branch? Well, Bruce hadn't really heard from Branch since the youngest had moved in with Grandma. He'd have to be 16 or 17 now. Almost an adult. Almost ready to do whatever he wanted with his life. Bruce had no idea what that was.

And then there was John Dory, the forgotten one. He had been about fifteen when their parents divorced and their father took him in said divorce. They never heard from him again.

It was in the middle of the day when got the call. "Is this Bruce...."

"Yes?"

"This is LA Military Hospital. Are you related to a... John Dory?"

He hadn't heard that name in years.

Decades, even.

"He's... he's my brother."

"We haven't been able to find any contacts. We are glad to reach you. There is some news I have to tell you."

She had to tell him over the phone. Turned out, John had joined the military many years ago but recently had been severely injured in an explosion overseas. She didn't expand on the shape he was in but apparently soon he would be released and he had no where to go. Not that he would have argued but Brandy was with him when he was told and she told him to get him and bring him home immediately. She booked him a couple of tickets - one for him and the other for John - and told him to get him.

He wasn't sure if he had even mentioned John to her. He must have, right? Bruce had been thirteen the last time he saw JD. He didn't know what to expect.

He didn't expect to walk into a physical therapy center and having to ask which one of the severely injured men there was John Dory. He couldn't even recognize his own brother. He didn't expect to be shown the area and he didn't expect to see his brothers struggling to walk with only one leg. He didn't expect the all the bandages or the newly shaved head or the scar on his face.

"Sugar and cupcakes," John hissed in pain.

Oh yeah, that was JD.

The therapist he was with looked amused. "You have to be my only patient I have never heard swear."

"Force of habit, I guess... or nostalgia. Take your pick," John grunted.

"You must be pretty popular with parents."

"Their kids find it hilarious," John managed snarky grin. "Probably corrupted a few."

"You're doing great, John," the therapist smiled. "You are making a lot of progress."

"Maybe I should slow down then," he joked. "The sooner I can walk, the sooner I get kicked out on the streets."

"You don't have any family?"

"Tried finding them when I turned eighteen. Turns out, I'm no detective and finding cut off family can be harder than it looks."

"JD," Bruce called.

John's shoulders tensed. "I told you Mouth, not to call me that. Only my br..." he snapped, turning around. He paused and blinked, staring at Bruce.

"I know I look different than that 13-year old you used to know," Bruce started, awkwardly. "But uhm... the hospital found me? I guess? It's..."

"Bruce," John exhaled, staring at him.

"Yeah, JD," Bruce nodded. "It's me. Been a long time huh?"

[my-castles-crumbling]

Greece anon here

Thank you for what you said about the eras tour rant I went on, it's really helped to calm some of my nerves.

Also good news! We didn't sell the tickets to strangers but to someone my mum works with and they will probably be able to grab the merch we want when they go to their show if we give them money for them so I probably won't have to worry about merch lines at all which is good. But if the lines are short when we go we might go anyway just to see what's left yk.

I have got the loop experience 2 earplugs because I saw a bunch of people recommending them but I'm really scared I'll be able to hear my voice really loudly in my head. I'll see when I get there whether the noise is bad enough to have to wear them.

It is almost only 10 days away and i am freaking out!!!! There is no way I am seeing Taylor swift in 10 days that's not real. She's literally my favourite person in the world and I'm going to see her in real life I am so EXCITED!!!!!!!!!

How did you organise your bracelets? I want to put the ones I get from other people on my wrists and keep the ones I've made separate but I just found out that wembley don't allow metal carabiners inside so I am trying to come up with a new way to hold them. My bag has a bunch of compartments (because I like to organise) so I might just have them loose in one of the big compartments lol

I'm going out with my friends on Wednesday (including the one I'm going to the eras tour with) and I'm going to be yapping about it so much they're going to be sick of me but I don't care because I'M GOING TO THE ERAS TOUR!!!!

I'm trying to get everything that I need to get done over summer break done before my show so after I can just lay and think "oh my god that was amazing I'm so sad it's over" but I tried to open the book I have to read yesterday and I just kind of stared at it for a while, not a lot of reading happened... But I opened it!!! And that counts as progress 😌

I'm so happy I'm actually going to the eras tour!

I got my tickets over a year ago (11th July 2023) and I have been waiting so patiently I can hardly control myself anymore. Like on the 16th August I am going to be AT THE ERAS TOUR!!!!! it's crazy I can't believe it. I watch a livestream of every single show (yes, every. Single. One. I know it's excessive but I just love it so much) and soon it will be MY show. I have seen it through over 100 grainy livestreams at like 2am and during classes and MY SHOW is so close I am so excited I could throw up, my stomach hurts if I think about it for too long.

This was long and it was mostly me rambling but once I get talking about it it's hard for me to stop so sorry but hey it could have been worse! How are you? I hope you're doing well, summer sucks sometimes cause of the heat but sometimes it's great, and I hope it's going great for you!

Hi!!! Ahhh, I'm so excited for you! You have to update me on how it goes, okay?

I organized my bracelets where I had my inappropriate ones on one arm and my g-rated ones on the other lol. Because I knew kids would be there. TBH my biggest regret of the show was that I didn't trade a lot though! I'm super socially awkward irl so I was scared to go up to people, so I only got a few trades done, so don't do what I did! Luckily when I went to the movie later on I was braver, but I still have like ten of my own bracelets left :(

I'm doing pretty good, my summer is going well! I can't wait to hear about how amazing your show is! <3

[highwaytothedangerzone502]

Foxtrot Alpha Alpha - Chapter 5

Pairing: Hangman x Female OC

Word Count: 2231

Warnings: Car Crash, swearing

Summary: Hangman learned his lesson a long time ago to never show his true feelings when someone's words or actions hurt him. To do so showed weakness that could be exploited, and Seresin men couldn't show weakness. Of course, there was an exception to every rule, and Jake's always came in the form of women, three in particular: his mom, Juliette Kazansky, and the girl whose name he could no longer bring himself to speak. She was the girl that got away; she was his biggest 'what if' and his biggest regret; she would forever be the ghost that haunted his dreams. Jake believed that's where she'd stay, for he would surely never see her again after what he did.

Or so he thought.

Notes: This is the sequel to India Lima Yankee; I'm using the same callsign for the Female OC as in Ghost Story because I just really like it, but they are different characters; chapters in italics are flashbacks.

Chapter Songs: A Place in This World Meant To Be

****

Ghost

"I did it!" Jake exclaimed, laughing in disbelief and staring at the guitar in his hands. Then, like he couldn't believe it himself, he turned to his friend for verification. "I did, right? No mistakes?"

"You did," Annalise confirmed, beaming proudly at him. "I've never seen someone pick up guitar so quickly."

"What can I say? I'm a fast learner. I also had a great teacher."

"That goes without saying." Jake handed her the guitar, which she happily took back and started strumming a new song she'd been practicing. "How far into the book are you?"

"I finished it!" he exclaimed, twisting around and taking it out of his backpack. "I see why you love jets so much. They're fascinating! The Blue Angels are doing a show in Corpus Christi in a few weeks. I'm going to see if I can convince my mom to let me go see it."

"I already got tickets," Annalise chirped. "Mom gets special access with her military clearance. She makes a call, and she's there. If you want to go, let me know, and I'll ask my mom to see if she can add you to the list. Your mom, too, if she wants to come."

Jake perked up immediately. "Really?"

"Yeah. It'd be nice to have a friend tag along. My sister goes, but she's usually off flirting with the boys, so I don't have anyone to geek out over the planes with." 

"I'll ask when I get home! Honestly, after reading that book and reading up on the Navy, I see why you want to join."

Annalise cocked her head. "When did you read about the Navy?"

"Checked out a book from the library not long after you brought it up. Seemed interesting, and it was. The more I read about it, the more I want to join."

"Going to become a naval aviator like me?"

"Obviously. It's the coolest job." Jake glanced at his watch and swore. "Shit, I have to leave for practice soon. Coach will have my head if I'm late."

Annalise chuckled, taking the cue and gathering up her things. Jake helped her up when she was done and took her guitar case as he walked her back to her house like he'd done every time before. While they made the trek to her place, Annalise asked, "You ready for school to start next week?"

"This is going to sound strange, but yeah. I love being at school." Jake hesitated momentarily, like he wanted to say more, but then seemingly decided against it. "What about you?"

"Not really," she admitted, omitting the fact that she had no friends outside of him right now, and she was sure he'd forget about her once classes started. After all, he was the most popular guy in school, and include the fact that he filled out over the summer, buffing up and losing some of his baby face, would only increase his popularity. Meanwhile, Annalise was a nobody, someone who had joined two months before sophomore year ended and made no real impact on anyone. No one paid attention to her. She might as well have been a ghost. The fact Jake even remembered her at their initial meet in the woods stunned her, but she chalked it up to them having had a few classes together. Why else would he have noticed her? It's not like he had a crush on her. Even his walking her home was simply Jake being a gentleman. Annalise refused to read into it because it meant nothing more than what it was on the surface.

"Why not?" Jake prodded with the dreaded question.

"I'll basically be the new girl all over again. I barely got to know anyone when I got here last year, and chances are I'll move again by the end of the school year because of my mom or dad's job. I don't want to get close to anyone when I'm probably going to leave again before college."

"I'm not sure if you're telling me I'm the exception to not wanting to get close to anyone or that you're going to ghost me if you do leave."

Annalise smiled but said nothing, already figuring their friendship would crash and burn before she left. Stopping outside the gate, Annalise thanked him for the escort and took her guitar from him. As she turned around to head into her backyard, Jake said, "Same time tomorrow?"

"Always," Annalise replied. Giving him a two-finger salute, she entered her backyard and shut the gate behind her. Upon stepping foot into her house, she'd barely set her guitar down when Jacqueline Blackwood appeared out of nowhere from the shadows of the living room. 

"When were you going to tell me you knew Jake Seresin?" her sister demanded, crossing her arms.

"Since never, because it's none of your business," Annalise retorted, rolling her eyes. 

"People are saying he has a secret girlfriend, you know."

"Wouldn't surprise me if he did. He's cute."

It was Jackie's turn to roll her eyes. "I'm talking about you, dumbass. They'll think it's you if they find out you two are hanging out. Are you two together?"

"Oh, please." Annalise scoffed, grabbing a Dr. Pepper from the fridge. "Jake is not interested in me. It's just a summer thing. Come first day of school, he'll have completely forgotten about me."

"And how often have you been sneaking out to see him?"

"It's not sneaking out if we plan it."

"Then why haven't you said anything about him all summer?"

"Because I knew all three of you would get the wrong idea, and you, in particular, are a busy little brownnoser who would probably find a way to crash the party."

"For your information, I already followed you. How else do you think I knew you were seeing him?"

"What the fuck, Jackie?"

"Language!" Charlie chastised, entering the kitchen in a sharp suit. "Annalise, you know better."

When Charlie briefly turned her back to her daughters, Annalise flipped Jackie off, who stuck her tongue out in return.

"Girls, knock it off," Charlie warned. Annalise wondered how her mom had seen the exchange for a split second until she saw the microwave, clearly reflecting the two Blackwood sisters. "What's going on?"

"Annalise has a secret boyfriend, who happens to be the most popular guy in school," Jackie piped up, smiling smugly at her little sister. Annalise glowered at her sister, thoroughly planning on getting her revenge later on. 

"He's not my boyfriend. I ran into him in the woods, and we started chatting. He was interested in learning guitar, so I've been teaching him. That's it. Nothing more. We're not like Jackie and Oreo."

"His name is Orry."

"I don't care what his actual name is. The guy has super black hair, is always wearing black, and is whiter than Frosty the Snowman. He looks like an Oreo, so I will continue calling him as such."

"Fine. I'll continue calling Jake your boyfriend."

"If that's the game you want to play-" Annalise turned to their mom- "Jackie snuck out of the house two weeks ago to go to a party with Orry and got stoned."

Charlie placed her hands on her hips. "Jacqueline Elena Blackwood!"

"You were supposed to keep that a secret!" Jackie hissed, grabbing an apple from a bowl nearby and chucking it at her sister's head. 

Annalise caught it and took a bite from it. "Yeah, on the premise you would owe me a favor in the future or until you pissed me off enough to divulge it."

"Jackie, go to your room. Your dad and I will talk with you later about your punishment," Charlie ordered, pointing firmly at the stairs. Jackie obeyed reluctantly, shuffling off in dismay to her room, but not before muttering under her breath so only her sister could hear, "You're gonna pay for that one."

Annalise tried to then back away without any further conversation, but her mom stopped her. "Any other secrets you're holding over your sister?"

"Unless they give me leverage over her, I don't keep them, so no."

"About this Jake kid-"

Annalise groaned. "Not you too."

"Have you been sneaking out to see him?"

"No. I just haven't said anything because I didn't want it getting blown out of proportion. It's a summer thing that will end the moment school starts."

"Why's that?" 

"Because he's the most popular guy in school, and I'm a nobody?"

"I'd like to see you have a steady friend group."

"What's the point?"

"We're not going to-"

"Move again in a year?" Annalise responded defensively. "I'm pretty sure you said that in Colorado, California, Florida, Michigan, and Virginia."

"Annalise, don't use that tone of voice with me," Charlie cautioned gently but firmly. "This time's different. Your dad and I want you and Jackie to have stability in your last years in high school. We've already talked to our bosses to ensure that that happens. Listen, Jackie is going out of town for the weekend at the end of the month. Why don't you invite Jake over for dinner?"

"I'll ask him," she lied, biting back a cringe at the idea. She would mean nothing to Jake after school started, so what was the point in even asking?

"Good. Let me know what he says. On a different note, I have a meeting in a few minutes, but I need to get this package sent off. Could you run into town and do it for me?"

"Anything to be away from Jackie right now. Where is it?"

"It's in the mudroom. Thank you, sweetie. Be careful!"

"I will. Love you!" Annalise grabbed the keys to her car and bolted out the door. Blasting some George Strait, she pulled onto the main road and cruised into town. Annalise passed the high school on the way to the post office, its parking lot jammed with trucks belonging to the football players practicing on the field. Jake was down there somewhere, but she couldn't tell which. She didn't even know his jersey number. Annalise continued on her way, dropping the package off and then deciding rather than going home and facing the inevitable wrath of her sister, she'd shop around a bit. It's not like there was anything of interest to buy, but Annalise was a sucker for cruising through stores like Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, and Barnes and Noble. Annalise let her mom know, who had no qualms about the better-behaved daughter being out by herself. 

For better or for worse, all three of those stores were in the same parking lot as the post office, so Ghost strolled over to them, taking her time as she perused through the items. A couple of books did catch her eye, namely about fighter jets, although a romance novel did slip its way into the mix. Nothing at Home Goods or Hobby Lobby was worth buying or was out of her price range, but they were still fun to visit.

While in Home Goods, two girls her age strode past. Annalise ignored them, continuing to look mindlessly at some of the clothes on the racks, when one of them said, "Hey, you're Annalise Blackwood, right?"

Annalise glanced up in surprise. "Uh, yeah. Why?"

"We're having a party Friday night and would love to have you come. You should bring Jake, too!"

Annalise knew precisely who they were referring to but decided to play dumb. "Jake who?"

"Seresin, of course! With you two dating and all, we thought-"

"I'm not dating Jake Seresin," Annalise said, laughing in disbelief. "Where the hell did you hear that rumor?"

"Well, we heard it from Hannah, who heard it from Mackenzie, who heard it from her boyfriend Trevor, who heard it from Orry, who-"

"Heard it from Jackie?" Annalise finished, blood slowly boiling as the epiphany dawned on her. When the two girls confirmed her suspicion, she sighed deeply to rein in her flaring temper. "I'm not dating Jake. It was a rumor spread by my sister as payback for something I did earlier. I appreciate the invite, but I'm going to have to decline. If you'll excuse me, I need to get going."

Annalise left before the girls could protest, keeping her head down in case any other school students noticed her and interrogated her about the false situation. One thing was certain, though: Jackie was dead meat for this.

Annalise pulled out her phone and shot her sister an angry text with more than a few expletives. Leave it to her sister to not only ruin the only friendship she had but mortally embarrass her before school started. What had Jackie been thinking?!

Annalise slid into the driver's seat, setting her phone in the cup holder. Trying to bite back tears of anger and mortification, she backed out of the parking spot and started to head home. Tears tried to blur her vision, but she furiously blinked them away. Annalise white-knuckled the steering wheel, desperately wishing to get home as quickly as possible. The light changed to a green arrow, and after checking both ways, Annalise started moving forward. Then, and only then, did she notice the tow truck coming at her from her peripheral with no apparent intent to stop. Time slowed, and realizing she couldn't avoid being hit, Annalise braked and braced for impact.

****

Tags: @lgg5989 @shanimallina87 @polikszena @summ3rlotus @icemansgirl1999 @supernaturaldawning @thedarkinmansfield @lyannaforpresident @lapilark @getmyprettynameoutofyourmouth @simpofthecentury @shadeops21 @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @double-j @bradshawsandbridgetons @majdoline @catsandgeekyandnerd @peachiicherries @multifandomcnova @fandomsstolemylife00 @bookloverhorses @mak-32 @midnightmagpiemama @luckyladycreator2

Chapters: Chp 1 Chp 2 Chp 3 Chp 4 Chp 5

If you're on the tag list, it's because I copied from the India Lima Yankee tag list. If you don't wish to be tagged for this story, just let me know! If you're not on the tag list and want to be, comment below :)

[metyouattherighttime]

my favorite taylor swift songs over the years / me as a swiftie over the years

~2015: literally never listened to music LMAO didnt even know about the existence of taylor swift

2016: my dad had the red album on apple music so i knew “i knew you were trouble” “22” “we are never ever getting back together” yk. the popular ones.

2017: not knowing wtf was going on with taylor, blasting “shake it off” in the car and singing along because it was on a “thats what i call music” cd

2018: went to the rep tour literally glendale night 1… i basically only knew her popular songs then and i was in the nosebleeds but i wish i had known the songs.. “gorgeous” became my fav. got a spotify account around this time and watched the rep mvs

2019: listened to some of taylors music on spotify (back when u didnt need premium) “welcome to new york” was my fav. i did see that lover came out and i saw part of the man mv on tv

2020: ashamed to admit but this was my gacha phase peak. “i knew u were trouble” is back on the charts but “wtny” stays on top. saw part of the cardigan mv on tv but other than that I HAD NO IDEA FOLKLORE AND EVERMORE EXISTED

2021: FEARLESS TV CAME OUT ON MY BDAY AND I HAD NO IDEA. BIGGEST REGRET OF MY LIFE

red tv comes out. this is my tiktok music era so i hear all too well 10min ver and its stuck in my head. i think wtny was still my fav LOL

2022: ive had her on my radar since red tv so i was excited for midnights! i started listening to her music little by little. i listened to midnights the moment i got home from school that day (i had exams or sm) and i immediately fell in love (especially yoyok, the great war, and dear reader/ literally the holy trio) then i started listening to a bunch of taylor songs and her music was all i listened to LOL yoyok was my fav! (honorable mentions: yail and wildest dreams)

2023: spent 70% of my time listening to music on taylor and the other 30% on gracie abrams… yoyok still remains my fav but i listened to all her albums front to back, loved all of them. and in the summer i got tickets to the eras tour! (listened to speak now tv and 1989 tv the day it came out obvi)

2024: absolutely flabbergasted when she announce ttpd like two days before my show. had the time of my life at the eras tour and died dead when she sang dear reader and holy ground (which im embarrassed to say i didnt know much of the lyrics to) my fav remains yoyok! (honorable mentions; yail, whos afraid of little old me?, long live)

[womenareonline]

The 1975 still...at their very...

I was going to be on a low budget. I knew this when I bought the tickets. I knew maybe I would have to sell them. But I didn’t. I booked the low-cost plane train and hotels. 

And I am so glad I did. A day in Madrid and a day in Paris. 

I met some people in the line who were also alone. That’s the thing about seeing niche smallish artists. To quote Matty “They are the biggest band no one has ever heard of”. Every time someone asked me who I was seeing they were like: Who? It was so funny because the place was packed. 

I’m writing this as a journalistic chronicle which I low-key hate.

I wanted to talk about music, art, and live music. I wanted to talk about that feeling you get when you’re surrounded by people who are there for the same purpose. Because you all love the same music. All of us dress in black, Doctor Martens, converse, and vans. Rectangles everywhere.  This was my third time seeing The 1975 but my first time outside a festival and everyone is right. Their shows are insane. It’s not only the band's energy but everyone around you. All the people around you just get it. They understand all this music. We had this bond who just got this music and what it all meant.  

I’m sure you’ve seen online all the viral shit that goes on at shows. There is still a lot of uncertainty about what it all means. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that the show is a whole experience. The theater and movie themes. The media consumption themes. 

It's also of course about the music. The magnetic music. I don’t get it when people say it all sounds the same because you can have a punk rock song like People and then an acoustic almost country one like The Birthday Party (my favorite one). I could go on about the 1975 music production (thanks George Daniel). But hearing their music live is also a whole ocuurance. They don’t miss for a second, and they transmit this beautiful energy that just either gets you dancing or moves you. I used to hate TOOTIMETOOTIME but it’s truly such a fun experience live. Everyone just gets dancing and screaming the lyrics. And they make that, The 1975 does that.

If I have to note some of my favorite moments: 

- When Matty gets on the roof and sings probably one of the most heartbreaking songs ever “Me”. There is something very heartbreaking to hear him sing “Oh I was thinking about killing myself, don’t you mind?” On top of a roof where you can barely make up his face. I did cry the second night I saw them. 

- The 1975 are known for mixing up their setlist, it’s a surprise every time you see them. Hearing So Far It’s Alright (which for me is a masterpiece of songwriting from Matty) which I did not expect in Paris was truly a great experience. I also got a sneaky You and Chocolate in Madrid which also surprised me.  

- When I saw the Paris date I was like “They have to play Paris there", which is one of my favorite songs of all time. Of course, they did (tbh Matty Healy is such a troll that I wouldn’t put it past him to not include it). That was another moment I cried a bit because that was the moment I realized how worth it all was. I realize that getting on that flight, and spending my money on this when I’m struggling a bit, was so worth it. When my plane was moving a lot that day all I could think was “Oh my god, why am I doing this?” And at that moment I realized why. Because I wanted this experience. I wanted to listen to Paris in Paris, one of my favorite songs in one of my favorite cities. I booked the plane tickets and hotel after I saw a tweet one day that said: “Not once in my life did I regret spending money on an experience (a trip, concert, a nice dinner, etc.) be the money always comes back but this is what life is about”. I just realized at that moment why I was there. Why I spent my money on this for this exact moment.

- Before they played Paris (which is about drugs) Matty gave a very good speech about the trouble of drugs and letting us all know he has been clean from heroin for 5 years and the crowd cheered. The beautiful and overwhelming feeling when a few minutes later he sings “as the crowd cheers for an overdose”. That was a very heart-wrenching moment. We are all proud and happy for you, Matty

I get PCD (post-concert depression) but I get post-concert happiness. Where in those moments and a few days afterwards I get this feeling of happiness of being alive. Like I get to be alive at the time as all these performers. I get to do all this stuff and see all these beautiful shows and listen to this music live. I realize being alive it’s very much worth it because of all these feelings. I realize it’s fine to spend money on this thing when you are going to feel this joy and experience all these overwhelming beautiful feelings. So book the flight and get those concert tickets.

[liverpool-enjoyer]

MAX HEY what got u into soccer (as u call it) / ur football origin story ?!?!?

HI BESTIE I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING!!!

warning in advance i talk. so much. like half this info isnt even necessary to answer the question i jus like to run my big mouth.

so it all started when i was a wee lil lad. actually if you wanna be technical it starts before then!! basically i love soccer cause my dads loved it his whole life. n my dad loves soccer cause his dad loved soccer n i'll probly pass it on to my poor kiddos in the future lmao.

but yeah when i say dad loves soccer i MEAN it. he played when he was in school n continued to play after for the local club, a club made entirely of irish immigrants in new york. he is not irish. but he was rlly good so they were like aight. i have a ton a their trophies n yearbooks n stuff!! my dad was a goalie n helped them win a CHAMPIONSHIP (that he postponed his wedding for)!!! he got a buncha mvp votes n my opa has a plaque thanking him for being their biggest supporter :)) fun fact dads team played against usmnt goalie tim howard when he was younger. dont remember who won tho.

i know less abt opas exploits unfortunately, but by God did he love the sport. man could watch half a dozen games a day. oh wait nvm i jus remembered how could i forget he took my dad to PELES FAREWELL GAME IN '77??? oh yeah my dad n opa used to see the new york cosmos EVERY HOME GAME. so theyve literally seen pele himself more times than my dad can count. funny lil story they were season ticket holders but at the farewell game their seats were given to mohammed ali. as i type this i realize that sounds so made up but im not shitting you. look it up he was there.

so yeah naturally being raised by this man means being raised around soccer. as a baby i had a little plush soccer ball n i actually took my first steps with it. its still lying around somewhere i think. i did play when i was a kid (goalie, ofc) but the fact that i have the atheticism of an asthmatic squirrel cut my playing career short. honestly, i regret not pulling through n playing more. i actually didnt get into european soccer till i was like eleven. up until then i was a DIE HARD mls/new york red bulls enjoyer. i went to my first red bulls game when i was literally an infant n went to damn near every home game for over a decade. which means i jus got to watch the man, the myth, the legend mr thierry henry more times than i can COUNT. i didnt realize till years later how fortunate i actually was!!

now the REAL awakening. so its 2014, either march or april i cant remember. i come downstairs from an absurdly long minecraft playing binge n like usual theres a game on the tv. i ask whos playing n my dads like its el clasico. n im like ??? he explains that barcelona n real madrid are two teams in spain with an intense rivalry n every time they play they call it el clasico. n that barcelona has a player named lionel messi, who many consider the best in the world, n that real madrid has cristiano ronaldo, who many also consider the best in the world. i watched the rest of the game with him, n i honestly dont know what exactly made me a die hard messi fan. my dads a serie a/juventus enjoyer so he didnt care enough to steer me one way or the other. but from that day forward i was the BIGGEST messi n barcelona fan. i remember the 2014 wc VIVIDLY, it made me the woman i am today n NOT in a good way. i also remember growing up watching msn n that was literal crack. the 2015 ucl final especially was an,,, interesting time in my house lmao.

n thats why i love soccer!!!

[starseedfxofficial]

The Secret Sauce of ADX in the 1-Minute Timeframe: Ninja Tactics for the Brave Trader Hey, traders! Ready to dive into the deep end of trading strategies? We’re talking about the kind of thing that’ll have your fellow traders wondering if you’ve somehow gained the power to see into the future—or just cracked the secret Forex code. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on using the ADX indicator in the 1-minute timeframe, something most traders don’t even dare to touch. Brace yourselves, this isn’t for the faint-hearted, but for those who know the thrill of squeezing the juice out of every second (literally). The ADX Advantage: Why Most Traders Avoid It (And Why You Shouldn't) Let’s face it, the Average Directional Index (ADX) is like the broccoli of trading indicators—most traders look at it, scrunch up their noses, and move on to something that seems easier to chew. But just like broccoli, ADX is packed with nutrients. The trick is in knowing how to prepare it right. Most people look at the 1-minute timeframe and think, “That’s too volatile, too chaotic”—kind of like trying to keep track of a hyperactive toddler at a candy store. But here’s the deal: that same chaos hides predictable patterns, if you’ve got the tools to spot them. And ADX is the magnifying glass that helps you see through the frenzy. The Hidden Patterns of the 1-Minute Timeframe Now, what sets the 1-minute timeframe apart? It’s the ‘blink-and-you’ll-miss-it’ price movements that scare most traders off. But here’s where ADX is your secret weapon. The ADX is not just about telling you whether the market is trending—it’s about telling you how strong that trend is. Picture this: using ADX to identify when a trend is actually worth chasing versus when it’s just a mirage—like that 90% off sign that makes you buy a pair of neon-colored shoes you’ll never wear. The key is to identify ADX values above 25. When ADX is above this line, it’s a solid indicator that the market has some real momentum behind it. Below that, and you’re looking at sideways action—the kind that’ll give you whiplash before it gives you profits. But here’s where it gets spicy: in the 1-minute timeframe, those signals are short-lived—blink, and that 25 level may have already transformed into an entirely different trend. Which means quick action is the name of the game. It’s all about moving like a ninja—quick, calculated, and out of there before the chaos catches up. When ADX Hits 40—Riding the Wave Like a Pro Surfer Here’s a little-known trick: if you spot the ADX hitting the 40 level, especially in the 1-minute timeframe, you’ve just struck gold. It’s like finding the golden ticket in your chocolate bar. At 40, the trend is so strong, you’re either in for an adrenaline-fueled ride to victory… or about to nosedive if you’re on the wrong side of it. And guess what? You’re smarter than that—you’re going to ride that wave, not fight it. Here’s how: when the ADX hits 40, check your supporting indicators—maybe an RSI to verify that you’re not diving into an overbought frenzy, or even a glance at volume to make sure the big players are backing this trend. You don’t want to be left holding the bag when it turns out it was just some algorithm having a bit of fun. Don't Get Whipsawed: Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them) The biggest pitfall? Overthinking it. It’s the equivalent of standing in front of a buffet with too many options—you load your plate with everything, and before you know it, you’ve got nothing but regrets and a stomachache. In the 1-minute timeframe, overthinking leads to hesitation, which leads to missed opportunities. The trick is to keep it simple. Stick to a few solid signals. ADX above 25? Consider a trade. ADX above 40? Jump on board with an extra layer of confirmation. It’s like speed dating—you don’t have time to ask about their childhood pet—you want the essentials, fast. Is there a trend, and is it worth my time? How to Make the ADX and Moving Averages Your Power Couple One secret sauce strategy is pairing ADX with moving averages—specifically, the 50 EMA. Now, before you start rolling your eyes at “just another moving average tip,” hear me out. The ADX tells you about trend strength, but the moving average gives you an anchor—a way to make sure you’re not getting swept away by false signals. Imagine ADX gives you the green light with values above 25, and you’ve got price action above the 50 EMA—it’s a double thumbs-up. It’s the market equivalent of hearing your favorite song and finding $20 in your coat pocket on the same day—you’re having a great time, and you’ve got some extra backup. How to Stop Getting Emotionally Mugged by the Market Here’s where the 1-minute timeframe can turn from thrilling to terrifying. The pace is so fast, you can start feeling like you’re just chasing losses, doubling down like you’re in a bad gambling movie. It’s easy to forget why you entered the trade in the first place—to win, not to ‘teach the market a lesson’ (spoiler: the market doesn’t care). The ADX helps here by keeping your trades objective. If ADX falls below 20, it’s time to fold and look elsewhere. The market doesn’t have your back; only your trading plan does. So, if you’re seeing weak trends, it’s not the time to be a hero—save that for your karaoke nights. Strategies for Quick Wins with Minimal Pain 1. Scalping Like a Surgeon: Use ADX above 25 as a starting point, and look for consolidation breakouts. The trick is to have tight stops—in a 1-minute timeframe, you want to lose small or win big, and ADX helps identify if that potential win is even worth your time. 2. Double Confirmation with Stochastic: One advanced but super effective combo? Use a stochastic oscillator to add a layer of confidence. If ADX is high, and stochastic crosses into overbought or oversold territories, you’ve got an extra bit of confirmation for a high probability trade. Trading Stories: Learning from the Bad and the Ugly I once had a trade where I hit the 'sell' button instead of 'buy'—classic blunder. Watching that trade tank was like a bad sitcom plot. You live, you learn, and sometimes, you write a blog post about it so others can avoid doing the same. Remember, it’s all about focusing on what’s measurable (thank you, ADX), rather than getting caught up in market whims. Takeaways: Making ADX Work for You - ADX Over 25: Solid trend—consider trading. - ADX Over 40: Strong trend—jump in, but be smart. - ADX Under 20: Avoid like you avoid buying those ugly sale shoes. - Use Moving Averages: Combine with ADX for a double confirmation. - Watch Your Emotions: Keep it cool. You’re not here to beat the market—just profit from its moves. Go Forth and Conquer the 1-Minute with Confidence Trading with ADX in a 1-minute timeframe isn’t for the faint-hearted—it’s fast, furious, and full of adrenaline. But with the right tools and a solid plan, you can harness that volatility and come out ahead. Remember, use ADX to measure trend strength, keep your trades disciplined, and don’t overthink it. Let the indicators do the hard work, so you can keep your trading stress-free (well, almost). Got questions? Want to share your 1-minute timeframe war stories? Drop a comment below and let’s trade tales! —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated   Read the full article

[dumbbitchfrommars]

im trying so hard, my very hardest, to be kind and sweet and lovely and nice. but im afraid itll never be truly possible - theres a hidden dark side to me, because im so harsh and cruel and hard on myself. it slips out in hidden ways. those comments that spark a sense of alarm in others. that sudden red flag that you dont react or respond to in the moment, just file away as a reminder to never truly trust me, love me, respect me, feel safe around me...

is it true? or is it an idea?

im afraid i cant trust anyone.

but if i trust myself, will that matter?

its jarring, when the tower of love you have for a person comes crashing down after one dirty act. the darkness... the darkness that im supposed to accept is inherently a part of us all. it scares me. it hurt me.

im heartbroken because i feel like this relationship was doomed to end from the beginning. and that was my own doing, because i have such a warped idea of relationships and love. because i have lingering feelings for people that dont matter. because im so afraid of repeating the same mistakes that im more willing to sabotage it all before i get a chance to try something different. because i cant let go of superficial things that ive gotten used to. because i cant set boundaries. because im being fucking stupid.

im definitely pmsing. lets just take these big emotions with a grain of salt.

what happened to being in a goofy mood?

im irritable.

i just want to be happy with him. i dont want to ruin it by travelling and being separated and one of us cheating on the other. i dont want this to end within a year. i want to be happy. i deserve happiness. ive waited a long time for someone to treat me how i deserve. will he treat me how i deserve? he will try, and thats all i can ask for. he actually makes me feel safe and comfortable to be authentically myself. he gives me the space to just be. to feel my confusing emotions.

but why do they both feel so manipulative? is this my own wound? my own lack of boundaries and knowing what it is i really want? because i keep finding myself fearing the powerful people i attract into my life for the same reason i fell in love with them in the first place - that they can tell me what to do, that they can help me figure out what i want. but at what point does that turn into them deciding what i want for me? thinking they know what i want? ugh.

im confused. im tired. im drained. im overwhelmed. im sad. im missing something that doesnt exist - a feeling - nostalgia - the feeling of love and being loved and being heartbroken and in love and completely miserable.

i hate to admit it, but this whole time i keep on thinking back to the time i was with my ex. it was so different. i was so much freer and happier. i was so different. it was a different time! i always thought i could find something or someone like that, to emulate that feeling again. but its just not possible. its weird. like no one else will ever understand but him, because no one else was there. and i wish i could talk about it or explain it but its impossible to understand.

i want to fall. i want to feel okay to just fall and let him catch me and lead the way. but im so scared, i feel like its gonna end, i feel like im gonna get hurt, im gonna regret being so vulnerable, im gonna find something out and wish id been smarter and seen through his bullshit. but he hasnt done anything. but thats the biggest red flag of them all. why are you so perfect? who are you, really? why am i still so afraid and uncomfortable? is it me?

yet, i still miss him. i still text him. i still want to see him tomorrow. i dont tell him to refund the festival tickets he got us. i smile when he tells me about his day and his games and his affirming words calling me princess and telling me hes proud of me. hes so stable. what if he gets sick of me? my constant bad moods? my dark feelings? you cant have the sun without shade.

darkness can only exist in the shadow of light.

[screampied]

i had an idea of a talk show between you and me, called “two horny bitches telling each other exactly” and i imagined you with fairy lights all over your body (vegas) and me with, hm, extremely amount of while liquid hiding my face. moving along.

hiii vegas. today i had a busy day, went to work, washed the kitchen because my dog killed a pigeon (he had a funeral, by the way) and i posted something on my profile. it’s been days since i did this, and i’m scared, but my friends here were hyping me up, cute. i really like them.

ok, so officially i am a squirtling!!!! for once in my life.

RIGHT? he always looked weird to me, i couldn’t see pass the gambling and parental issues, but when he came through megumi’s domain in shibuya i was hooked, i was bamboozled, there was nothing in this world that could stop me from the head i was trying to give that man. by the way, after our little chats about him, i got pretty inspired and added him on my work that i posted today. so it will be my little secret that for him to be there it was inspired by you.

no, vegas, the worm isn’t cute!! i could only relate and tolerate that when it called geto mommy. i hate worms and stuff, but i love snakes. small snakes, because if they are too big i’ll fucking die on the spot. i once held a corn snake, and it’s my dream to have once since then, her name would probably be seraphina. no names for males.

well, you can always experiment it. life kinda sucks when you wait for the right moment, you know? i would be your biggest supporter if you randomly decided to wear glittery suits and sing abba all day because that’s funny. you know i have so many regrets with that, waiting, i mean. i lost many chances, so don’t do that. dress how you want!!

do it again!! vegas saying “welcome to vegas” special tickets for your suite to dearest toji and his worm goes to the garbage, please. maybe toji wouldn’t get well in vegas…actually, thinking about it.

time does get by quick, but it’s really cute. one year and many more, please. and yes, i’ll try to put your print on the cake, i think i’ll be funny and cute.

ALSO, WHY VASELINE?

i would probably not bring anything because i am petrified of zombies, so i would just, you know, stop existing. specially tlof zombies, ain’t no way my messy ass is surviving the clickers. zombieland? maybe, because they can be slow, but on the second movie they’ve had a “glow up” (forgot the world) and i would, again, stop existing.

question for today is how many languages do you speak or would like to speak?

nut anon.

HEYYOU 🫵

bye this is so cute stop sign me up. hehe me with fairy lights kekw.

hiiiii lovieee. omg you have a dog? what breed? A PIGEON ????? i remember my dog caught a mouse it his mouth and tried to give it to me like it was a toy pls i screamed. i love dogs 🙂‍↕️. AWWW GOOD FOR U N UR FRIENDS. as you should !!!!!

real omg. tbh the broke jokes are getting old. they’ve been old, but it is kinda funny sometimes. i only call him broke sometimes bc im his wife (ahaha) but in my mind toji’s always rich with pockets swollen 🤗. RESAAALLY I INSPIRED YOU ???? ough ur edging me i wish i could read it but unfortunately i have to wait until oct. 1st to know who you are ….. which is in like ….. twenty days

stop wormyguro is adorable :((((. i wanna squish it so bad. i saw a plushie for the worm on amazon and im so tempted to by it bye. IT LOOKS SO SOFT. pls when it called geto mommy i cried 😭 geto’s face always kills me. SNAKESSSS I LOVE SNAKES. i used to have one named pork chop, he was a kingsnake ough i miss him. seraphina’s such a pretty name !!!!!!

LMAOOODONT TEMPT ME OMG. not the worm going to the garbage that’s so mean :((((. bye imagine toji in vegas that’s actually hilarious.

vaseline bc i don’t want chapped lips while im trying to survive ✋🏽 also vaseline can help with ermmmm wounds yes. gotta stay cute even while on the brink of death ya know

i speak four languages !!! 💓🙂‍↕️ lingala, french, papiamento and kiswahili—english too now, so i guess that would be fiveeee.

[fuxuannie]

ᡣ𐭩 •｡ꪆৎ 𝐢'𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 | kenji sato x gender neutral reader

love mail — reallllyy quick req from a friend (this took 20 mins pls bear w me) ヽ(o´3`o)ﾉ i love u all chu chu, this is an OVERLY done trope with this song but guys please let me 😞 be delulu

︰꒱꒱ YOU AND KENJI USED TO BE BEST FRIENDS. you met when he transferred to america, and it was mostly due to connections. it was around the time he had gotten popular, but not quiet there yet — and you had been part of an underground band that began gaining traction as well. you two got along well, late night banters, him listening to you sing while he would practice baseball.. you became each others routines. his practices would feel empty without your presence, and your singing wasn't as fun without him.

when he had to move back, you were devastated. you were both at the highest points of your careers, and you relied heavily on each other during an equally difficult time — so to hear him have to leave, and not even sure for how long.. it scared you. he'd likely be missing so many of your milestones, and it's not like you could beg him to stay either. you two were.. just friends. nothing more. even if your heart screamed at you to be something more, to tell him that as you dropped him off at the airport, — when he turned his back away from you and was about to enter.. when he actually looked back before going inside. regret finally settled in when he was no longer in view, and you crumbled, feeling lost as you realized you couldn't see him anymore.

years have passed since that day, and you eventually had to move on. life gets busy, after all. bu5 it wasn't like you weren't keeping tabs on him, though. you had his games livestreaming during rehearsals and you would even watch some of his interviews in japan. one of these days, however — you had accidentally kept a live interview running as you entered the room of your makeup department, preparing for your third live performance of your big tour. not getting to see the rest of the stream as the question for ken sato followed; "with the giants big comeback season coming to an end, do you ever plan to return to america?" the journalist asked curiously, and kenji only laughed — feeling rather excited to answer the question. "yes, actually. i'll be attending a concert with a few old friends, and i'm looking forward to that."

he looked straight to the camera, his smile soft, — he was hoping, praying that you were watching. "i'm coming back, sweetheart."

the fifth night was the biggest one the whole tour, it had completely sold out tickets — and that made you worry. not only that, but now the rumors of ken sato coming back to america were going around.. and the coincidences — they seemed to align a bit too well. but you shook your head, deciding something as trivial as someone from your past be a distraction was something you weren't about to let slide, so you close your laptop and meet your bandmates back stage, chatting away about how exciting tonight was going to be.

on the other hand, kenji arrived in america yesterday. missing just the fourth night of your tour. and decided to plan a little surprise for you, with the power of connections — he had gotten in touch with your manager and bandmates, and it was going to be the most memorable performance of your career.

"how about singing 'still into you' by paramore for our last song?" your drummer suggested, smiling cheekily. "a cover song? a strange suggestion," you respond, only for your guitarist to chime in with an equally endearing smirk. "not at all, we all know the song anyway. i used to play it for my gigs." he shrugged, and you eyed your amazing bandmates curiously. "are you all plotting something...?"

"absolutely not.."

"you're crazy!"

"we just want to play a good song to end the night."

despite their obviously suspicious responses, you shrugged it off. it was a pretty catchy song anyway, and who knows — maybe you'll get to let out those unsaid feelings for kenji through singing.. hoping he'd hear, even if it felt crazy to even imagine that he'll hear, or reciprocate.

the stadium had slowly filled up with people, and in only an hour there were now hundreds of people waiting for your band to show up on stage, — and you still didn't feel any less nervous even after four other shows prior to this. your manager noticed your nerves, and put a reassuring hand on your shoulder. "you'll kill it, (name)." she tells you, giving a big smile. "just perform the last song and you'll be able to head home, yeah?" and that helped you feel a little better.. only a few songs, and perform the cover song, and you will be able to rest again. yeah.. not so bad! you can do this. you will do this.

taking a deep breath — you're the first one to enter the spotlight; people cheered your name, and you relished in the feeling. god, you wouldn't trade performing for the world. as you introduced the rest of your bandmates, who received an equal amount of uproar and applause, you spoke into the mic. "thank you, everyone! we're excited to perform here tonight, — and we've got a special surprise for you at the end, so make sure to stick around for that!" you smiled, the crowd going insane with cheers. all your problems seemed to melt away when you were on stage and infront of an audience.

as you performed the last original song of your band, the applause seemed to only get louder after each ending. you had sat down on the stage, dangling your feet on the edge as you tried to get a little interactive with the audience. "tonight, we're going to be performing a.. cover song! a little unusual, but the band seemed insistent on it — and who am i to deny my family?" you stood up, laughing as the crowd began to once again lose their absolute minds as the instrumental of 'still into you' began.

"you know your cue?" kenji couldn't even focus as he hid backstage, his eyes didn't leave you the moment you went out there and started singing. my god, you were as breath—taking as he remembered, and he put no effort into hiding how he felt as your manager rolled her eyes. "wait till the last few lines, loverboy. don't disappoint."

"some things just, some things just make sense and one of those is you and i!"

okay, maybe you needed this. these lyrics almost resonated with you personally, — with the feelings you've held back for years. you sang for someone who will never get to hear these words from you, and you sang with your entire heart, hoping that by some chance — maybe he'd know. (which he definitely did)

"and even after all this time—"

you needed a breather, and thank goodness the crowd started singing the next bit for you. as you were focused on breathing, your bandmates looked at each other, and to kenji hiding backstage. signaling it was almost his time. taking one deep breath, you continued, your smile much brighter and determined as you kept a firm grip on the mic.

"let em wonder how we got this far, cause i don't really need to wonder at all!" kenji felt a quick shove behind him, immediately rushing him to get on that stage behind you. he had a hoodie up and his head down so to the audience members who were far away — they didn't get a good look at the random hooded man on stage. but to the vip members? they were desperately trying to get a closer look, trying to make sense of who exactly the mysterious figure was. "yeah, after all this time—"

"i'm still into you,"

he'll start by lifting his head up as he walked towards you, and almost immediately, gasps erupt from the vip audience, making you a little confused. if only you saw the wide grinned kenji behind you, he looked like he was looking at an angel, and admittedly? you were one to him.

"i'm still into you,"

next to go was his hoodie, and that confirmed to everyone attending that night who exactly was on that stage with you. now the cheers were getting louder, a few audience members were even pointing behind you; did the visuals mess up? a few people seemed to notice your confusion, so the fans began to yell 'turn around!', so this had to be a visual issue. turning around, your heart drops.

"i'm still—" the sight of his smile, in person, after so long.. you felt your heart genuinely skip a beat as thousands of bottled up feelings suddenly came over you. and all you could do was clutch your microphone, needing to focus the song — with that being the very thin rope holding you back from erupting into tears.

"sweetheart." he calls for you, god, that nickname had you weak.

"—into you."

[theloniousbach]

THE ALLMAN BETTS FAMILY REVIVAL*, THE FACTORY, 25 NOVEMBER 2023

*The Allman Betts Band (Devon Allman and Duane Betts with maybe Berry Duane Oakley, John Ginty, Johnny Stachlea, John Lum, Alex Orbison, R. Scott Bryan) with TAL WILKENFELD and Jimmy Hall, Luther Dickinson, Jackie Greene, Anders Osborne, Larry McCray, Mike Zito, Maddie Schell, Ghalia Volt, Ally Venable, and Cody Dickinson)

I had passed on this show when my rock’n’roll proposed this one (mostly being extremely selective about such shows—last one was Joe Russo’s Almost Dead Labor Day 2022, before that Electric Hot Tuna at the Sheldon Fall 2019 and Phil Lesh and all of Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Festival at the local barn that summer, but also cost, the holiday weekend, and city provincialism as the venue is out in west West County). But one of us felt under the weather and miracled me (I’ll pick up his dinner and maybe even Jameson tab at Jazz St Louis sometime, sssh). So I went anyway and gladly.

Devon Allman is local (as are several members of the core band as well as guests Maddie Schell and Mike Zito) so he started this sprawling tour at home. The Factory is relatively new—swanky and comfortable, perhaps too much so—a bigger Pageant. But it was an old crowd, so good parking and easy out starts to matter. This is what rock’n’roll has become, but so has this fan.

And this fan’s rock’n’roll is largely nostalgic. I got to hear a wonderful repertoire very competently done. Devon Allman’s voice evokes his father’s, but sometimes Jimmy Hall handled the biggest tunes (Statesboro Blues which followed a tune—one of the band’s new ones?—and effectively kicked off the show and the Whipping Post closer). Duane Betts can sound like his father while Johnny Stachela does very nicely with the slide parts. I probably wouldn’t pay $30 to see them at a smaller venue, but that’s not what justifies this as a bigger ticket tour.

It’s an all-star revue with guests coming out to sing/play a tune or two. Thus, Jackie Greene (one of the people whom I regretted foregoing when I didn’t plan to go) played acoustic guitar (Greg’s old Gibson) and sang Melissa and then added a slide solo to One Way Out and Luther Dickinson (another one I was really glad to see) tore up the first set closer Dreams while opening the second set as part of a tune I didn’t know Sailing Away. He was also significant for Come and Go Blues (sung by Maddie Schell who played mandolin). Larry McCray had to plug in three different guitars while singing Soulshine which triply underscored its gospel roots. Anders Osborne sang Ramblin’ Man with gusto but left the soloing to Duane Betts.

Ally Venable did I’m No Angel and Ghalia Volt played slide and sang Pony Boy Blues. So there were deep cuts—or at least later career cuts, including No One To Run With Anymore.

The huge treat was to see TAL WILKENFELD who was both her wonderful self and, in doing so, reminded me/us how important Berry Oakley, Allen Woody, and Oteill Burbridge have been for these tunes. She just burbled under everything, not quite soloing but driving things with inventive idea after inventive idea.`At that—or any—Hot Tuna, I would frequently punctuate my notes with Jack! For this one, there are several Tals! She sang Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More adequately but Blue Sky and Ramblin’ Man stood out even as I often watched and listened for her. She had a full blown start from scratch solo that pushed her speakers to their limits that then, duh, kicked into Whipping Post where she continued to be spectacular. She elevated the entire gig.

I don’t quite get the economics—how much does Larry McCray get for singing Soulshine? Or Cody Dickinson for being the fourth (!) on the Midnight Rider all hands on deck closer? Or Jackie Greene or Luther Dickinson? It makes sense as a one off Thanksgiving weekend party at Devon’s, but they’re off for a dozen shows. Maybe on the road the absence of Schell and Zito will open up solo and singing space for others. The extravaganza as such generates interest in a way that even the Allman Betts Band with Wilkenfeld and, oh, Hall wouldn’t. But the core band is an effective tribute act and their own tunes, the opener maybe and definitely the first two tunes of the encore, are solid.

I don’t regret Jessica being in there but that probably took the In Memory of Elizabeth Reed slot. Otherwise my wishlist was met.