#obvi they���re unique characters and all but it’s like

[mynametido]

Hola a todos!!

I wanted to make my first post on here about the desired reality that I'm currently focused on. This being my Hogwarts dr. Not Harry Potter, Hogwarts. We'll get to that in a minute. Just a note before we go any further as well, I took huge chunks out of my script when re-writing it here because it's quite lengthy, and all you guys need is the gist. Without further ado here is...

Hogwarts

[ a script ]

INTRO

“Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love,” - Albus Dumbledore. I am a 3rd year at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, and I have plans to become a dragon-keeper/dragonologist.

WHERE I ARRIVE

I am riding the Hogwarts express on my way to the Hogwarts School of Wizardry for my first day of year 3.

Our (Fred and I) train carriage smells distinctly like coffee and vanilla beans.

ABOUT ME

Things

- Name = OR name

- 15 years old

- Birthday = February 27th

- I am a full-blood.

- I am an optimistic extrovert.

Background

- Basically long story short my parents died in a house fire when I was 7 and I've been living with my adopted family ever since I was 9.

Appearance

- I don't have a face claim because I just script that I have my desired appearance and let my subconscious fill in the rest. But I guess some unique things that I've written down are:

Food doesn't affect my health or weight.

This just makes life so much easier. No second guessing that extra cookie or unnecessary guilt/shame for "unhealthy" cravings.

I am immune to any facial blemishes, acne, hyper pigmentation, large pores, blackheads, etc. My skin is flawless in every way and is always completely clear.

I'm a little bit of a perfectionist, guys, if you haven't already figured out, but only where it counts. I don't buy into the whole idea that you have to script in flaws for your dr to be "realistic" and meaningful. My motto is, "Even if the world is burning and crashing down around me, at least I'm hot."

(My nails) are indestructible, so they never break when I don't want them to.

Don't mind me, just taking out any minor inconvenience wherever I can. 🧍🏽‍♂️

Skills

- I can sing really well.

- I am fluent in 6 languages: English, Spanish, French, Korean, and Russian + ESL. I am immune to losing fluency in any of these languages.

- I can play chess well.

- My reading pace is 20 spp (seconds per page)

I completely just made that up btw, i don't think that spp is an actual thing. 💀

- I am an amazing artist. My style is so fun. I can easily draw anything and turn it into a masterpiece.

- I can play the piano really well. I am skilled at playing by ear.

You know essentially all of your default run of the mill dark academia associations. Piano playing, chess, speaking Russian, etc etc.

SCHOOL

Academia/status

So I'll just show the first few sentences of each bullet I created because the rest is just fluff.

I get 100%'s on all my tests, assignments, assessments, etc, without fail. I literally am incapable of getting less than perfection on everything. I always get homework and tests done fast with A++ accuracy. I am an excellent student. During a test, I could close my eyes and fill in random answers, and still get full marks on every question.

900 IQ groundbreaking big brain energy with this one everyone (being sarcastic obvi). Why should I work harder when I can...well damn not work at all right?

I am so popular. Everyone absolutely loves me. I am the main character. I live the most exciting teen dream filled life. My life is so interesting and fun, it's like a literal movie. My life is like that one part of the song Art Deco. I can live in the present easily and live each day moment to moment. Everything in my life is perfect. Everyday is an adventure.

I swear I have that song on loop in my head. Lana Del Rey is our lord and savior. 🙏 ❤️

As well as having a separate living area for each house, there is also a designated study space that is outside of the school for each house. The study space is open for students 24/7.

It's such bull that in the movies and books, they have a curfew. No one cares that I'm off doing my hot girl shit hitting them books at 12 am.

Schedule

(First class starts at 8:45 and last class ends at 2:30)

◗ 　1rst period - Core class: Potions

◗ 　2nd period - Core class: Herbology

◗ 　3rd period - All school year: Study Hall (45 minutes)

◗ 　4th period - Elective: Astronomy (1rst semester)

◗ 　4th period - Elective: Transfiguration of charms (2nd semester)

◗ 　5th period - All school year: Lunch

◗ 　6th period - Elective: Divination (1rst semester)

◗ 　6th period - Elective: Care of Magical Creatures (2nd semester)

◗ 　7th period - Core class: History of Magic

◗ 　8th period - Defense Against the Dark Arts

FRIENDS/FAMILY

Family

- Adam Rabon & Lowell Rabon: Adam and Lowell, 38 and 36, are my dads. My parents have been in a loving relationship since Adam was 22 and Lowell was 20. They are in a happy and healthy relationship with each other and will be with each other until death do them part. They are both full-bloods.

- Tobi Rabon: Tobi is my younger brother by 9 years. We have a really strong sibling bond, and my parents adopted him when he was 5 about a year ago.

- Natalie Rabon: Natalie is my aunt on Adam's side. She is a half-blood.

- Aaliyah Haughton: Aaliyah is my aunt on Lowell's side. She is a full-blood.

- 🧸 Fred Weasley: Me and Fred have been friends for 7 years. My family has been longtime customers to the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. We live very close to the Weasley house.

Friends/Other People

- *TB* Benjamin Wadsworth

- *TB* Someone from my OR

- (Mar) Marlon Wayans

SAFETY

- I am immune from any diseases, illnesses/sicknesses, or any other health impairments (such as lice, and etc.)

- My safeword to leave and go to my OR is "Jumanji", I can't forget this safeword.

- 1 second in or = 1 year in dr

- I have a high pain tolerance.

- I can only die from old age.

- I have an infinite amount of money to spend.

- Neither do Harry Potter or he who shall not be named exist in this reality.

They can both take their raggedy petty ass drama to another reality + (disclaimer: I am not talking about Daniel Radcliffe), Harry seems like he'd be super annoying irl. Anyways, side tangent over.

- I have all my desired clothes and accessories.

- Everything in my dr tastes, looks, feels, sounds, and smells 10x better than my or.

So that's the end of the blog. If you want me to go more in-depth about different parts of my script that I left out, pm me, and we'll talk! I'm still trying to figure out Tumblr, so I don't even know if pms are a thing on here. Okay okay I'm done for now. Happy shifting everyone! ☆☆☆

[roseapothecary]

I’m posting this several hours past the deadline, but it’s okay bc I posted a single bingo a couple days ago (so that one counts). This has been an incredible fest! It’s my first EVER as a member of this fandom and I’ve enjoyed all of the wonderful, creative stories that came out of it... not to mention, I really enjoyed writing the three that I contributed myself! Thank you to the mods for organizing this, and to all of you that submitted work.

I decided to come back and fill out a full bingo card with recs.

The one line I did before just wasn’t enough.

... And, this time, I’m going to properly gush. 🥰

Featuring Art: you know what they say: better late than never

This is literally so fucking pure.

Rare Ships: everyday the hold is getting tighter (and it troubles me so)

Do Ruth/Stevie count as a rare ship? They’re not ~technically canon, so I’m counting it. This piece is REALLY sweet and features one of my favorite tropes (“there’s only one bed!!”)

Character Archetypes: breaking open the game

This is a GORGEOUS exploration of Patrick’s experience as a queer athlete. 

Alexis’ POV: Rollin' With the Homies

YA’LL. This fic tho. Like. Not only does Alexis’s POV really shine when read through this lens, it also blends so well with Cher’s tone that it’s... like... It’s perfect. It’s the perfect mashup. The author’s choice to write it in first-person was a boss move and I read the entire thing in Alexis’s actual voice in my head. AND TWYLEXIS KISS IN DISNEYLAND? COME. ON.

Audio/Podfic: [Podfic] Never Felt This Way Before 

This is one of my favorites from @schittposting​, given new life. Such a beautiful transformation of an already beautiful fic.

Patrick’s POV: What's New Pussycat?

There are literally no words to explain this. David is a cat. Literally. I never realized how on brand that would be, but... dude, David Rose is a cat.

Less Than 2k: lost mittens and dryer lint

Not only did this lead me into a spiral watching the original House Hippo advert and reading about that whole thing (fucking fascinating), it also had me giggling and smiling. So cute.

Romantic Tropes: You Look Like a Movie, You Sound Like a Song

SUCH a unique take on rom-com tropes and David’s love for them. I can’t say much more without spoiling the magic of it because it truly is an original concept. Just... take my word for it. Read it.

Set in SC: Budd is a dud! Vote Sands.

Love, love, love this view of Stevie/Twyla’s relationship. There’s a great mix of comedy, romance, and general sweetness.

Over 20k: I Waited My Whole Life

I mean, I love weddings and this has SEVERAL of them, so obviously it’s gonna be on my rec list. It’s a great story and a beautiful ride, from beginning to end. There’s a great balance of comedy and fluff... and tbh the banter? [chef’s kiss]

Fantasy and Fandom Tropes: Captive on the carousel of time 

There is so much to love about this fic. Seeing David and Patrick from Twyla’s perspective is absolutely adorable, for one, and Twyla’s perspective IN GENERAL is delightful. There’s also a time-loop AND Stevie/Twyla. 

Canon-Compliant: to the end of reckoning

This is a cool take on Patrick and Ronnie’s dynamic and I’ve frankly accepted it as part of my personal head-canon. It’s so spot on.

Free Space: More Than a Bird

At no point in my life did I think, “You know who would make a great superhero? David Rose.” Then I read this, and I haven’t stopped thinking... You know who would make a great superhero? David Fucking Rose. It’s a great exploration of his character and Patrick’s character... and also David’s familial dynamic with Stevie and Alexis. I would read another 20k of this, to be totally honest with ya’ll.

Free Space honorable mention: Make a Wish 

Okay, I couldn’t choose between this one and the above one for my free space, so you’re getting both. I fucking love this concept and how the author incorporated the rings into the genie mythos... and the mythos the author created in general for how genies work? The Aladdin references were lovely, but there’s also a fresh, original sorta vibe. And the background of HOW David ended up a genie in the first place is just... gold. Such a good story overall.

Platonic Tropes: Gonna Watch You Shine

Johnny and Stevie are family now. 🥺 

That’s it. That’s all you need to know. Read it.

Rare POV: didn’t ask for this--you freely gave it (so now i watch your mouth for both of us)

This fic takes you on the journey of Twyla and Alexis’s relationship over the course of the show through Twyla’s eyes and it’s stunning.

Based on a Movie: Taste of a Poison Paradise 

It’s Alexis as Harley Quinn. Do I need to say more? This is so so good. I love ALL of the author’s choices re: character alter egos. Rachel as Black Canary?  Stevie as Catwoman? STEVIE/RACHEL??? And, obvi, the Twylexis of it all. My favorite part (and why it gets this bingo slot) is the way Alexis’s thought bubbles actually made their way into the text, ala Harley’s voiceovers in Birds of Prey. It worked really really well. 

David’s POV: Flying Coach 

Genuinely a fucking delight. David’s characterization here is flawless, first of all, and... honestly, whoever you are, author person... I’d really like to see what happens next in Paris. So, if you could get on that, that would be great. [David Rose voice] Thanks so much.

Multiple Tropes: You Happened

High school David/Patrick and Stevie/Twyla? Sign me the fuck up. This is one of my favorite takes on the “David works at Rose Video” concept (which is already one of my fave SC tropes), and it seamlessly folds in so many different nods to canon. It’s sweet and it’s funny and it’s angsty and it’s just a lot. It’s so good.

Canadian Tropes: Close Encounters of the Alces Kind

This had me giggling basically the entire time. Who wouldn’t love a text-based fic about a moose? ...David, probably... but that’s it.

Featuring Music: favored nations

I will never shut up about this fic for as long as I fucking live. I’m literally tearing up writing this stupid little rec and thinking about it. David’s whole story with his galleries translates SO well into what the author set up for him here... and humble!famous Patrick is just Correct in every way. It’s a brilliant, brilliant AU... and tbh? I wish David and Patrick were real so they could actually create this play together. I’d love to see it. 

Set Outside SC: how it's gonna always be

This one stole my heart. It’s SO beautifully written, first of all, and it’s a great story. Both David and Patrick have the habit of running from their problems, but it’s with each other that they finally dive in headfirst. Also, y’know, the fic is 🔥🔥🔥.

WLW Fic: If You Could See The Other Side Of Me 

This had me fucking cackling. By now, ya’ll know how much Stevie/Alexis mean to me and dksvjioehgo dude this take is just... [chef’s kiss]. The author even wrote lyrics. Like. That ALONE sends this fic to the next fucking level. Quebecky Stan 4 Lyfe.

Stevie’s POV: In the Running

Another take on the “Stevie and Twyla compete for a council seat” prompt. I loved how this brought out their competitive sides. A delight.

Multiple Chapters: four four four two 

SOFT!!! ALSO THERE ARE BAKED GOODS!!! AND INCREDIBLY FLIRTATIOUS NOTES!!! AND PEEK-A-BOO STEVIE/RUTH TOO!

Gen Fic: The Guestbook of David and Patrick Rose-Brewer 

The voices are so spot on. Just. So perfect. I wish I could hear the actors read this.

[tamlinsfiddle]

advice for those wanting to start writing fanfics???

oooh, good question. I’m honored that someone asked me. Please PM me! I want to follow you!

Here’s this ramble-y advice:

Be confident - don’t doubt your writing. sounds simple, but it’s hard. don’t focus on numbers or compare yourself to other writers. Just write down whatever comes to mind. I always remember that, even if your fic only gets one note, you had an impact on someone else. I was so excited when my first fic got four (yes, 4) notes that I almost cried. Just try to replace numbers with people. Picture yourself handing your work to a real-life person and having them read it in front of you--scary, i know. I couldn’t imagine sharing my work with 1,000+ people in real life, but I’m doing it online every day. That was kind of a rant, but I’m just saying be confident in yourself and don’t compare yourself. Also, never feel bad denying a request or setting limits on what people can request. Somethings you just don’t want to write, others make you uncomfortable. Do what you want, your fans won’t be disappointed. 

Be creative - the way I got a lot of followers/notes is with unique ideas. I began writing because I had an idea for a fic and no one was writing it, so I sat down and did it myself. BUT THIS MEANS NOTHING IF YOU ONLY FOCUS ON NOTES, as I aforementioned. try to think of things out of the box--add crazy plot twists, make characters live/die, etc. Just have fun because writing fanfic isn’t a job, but a hobby that should make you feel happy. 

Identify characters - pick a character(s) you love and stick to them, make sure to try and capture their personality as best as you can, try to re-read/re-watch what they’re in to identify their mannerisms/personality/speech/etc. OOC characters suck. in-character characters rock and are what make fics good and entertaining. 

Make yourself known- BOTHER PEOPLE. put loads of asks in their inbox, if you make yourself known, you’ll draw readers which leads to requests and MUTUALS! never be shy. these people are part of your fandom, and fandoms are basically online families-- no one is going to judge you. Ask for feedback, demand requests, talk to your fandoms community about what they want, but never forget what you want. REACH OUT TO OTHER CREATORS. no one is bothered by asks or PMs--I LOVE GETTING THEM. (You can also feel free to reach out to me! I would love to read some of your work and give you feedback if you want it! Not that I’m doubting you, obvi, just for reassurance.)

Don’t overwork yourself - as I said, fanfic is a hobby. people get so caught up on this website thinking that if you don’t upload consistently then you suck. thats 100% not true. how do I know that? I upload writing like once a month and people still like me? (also, don’t be like me and make false promises on writing, they never work out) Write when you’re inspired or you’re up for a challange. If you force yourself to finish a request, then you won’t end up liking it and will eventually not like writing at all. 

I don’t know if this is good advice, but this is what I try to live by on this blog, so I must be doing something right. 

[ravenkings]

Hey, what’s your favorite vampire movies? And werewolves movies?

i’m flattered that you’re interested in my opinion, anon! this is also one of my favorite topics to geek out about, so get ready…

vampire films (in no particular order):

- francis ford coppola’s dracula (1992) - not a particularly faithful adaptation of the novel and pretty absurd at times to boot, but the aesthetic is absolutely off the fucking chain and i love gary oldman’s take on dracula

-  interview with the vampire (1994) - a gorgeous and ridiculous vampire soap opera, and i love it to pieces. it’s sexy, it’s melodramatic, it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you want to slap every single character in the face at some point, watch it!! lestat de lioncourt is tom cruise’s best role as well as one of my favorite fictional characters ever, so there’s that. 

- thirst (2009) - a korean film directed by park chan-wook. i’m surprised more people don’t talk about it bc it’s incredible and park chan-wook is a fairly well-known and highly regarded director. i haven’t seen it for a few years, but as i recall (and from checking the wikipedia page lol) it’s about a catholic priest who is in love with his neighbor’s wife and gets medically turned into a vampire. it’s very bloody and gory (even by the standards of a vampire film) and the ending is absolutely batshit. great if you love your vampires with a heavy helping of religious guilt (which tbh i think we all do). 

- nosferatu the vampyre (ger: nosferatu phantom der nacht) (1979) - werner herzog’s remake of f.w. murnau’s nosferatu (1922). i believe they did versions of this in both english and german. a very artsy take on the vampire film (re: herzog). really gorgeous and atmospheric. both klaus kinski and isabelle adjani give great performances and the soundtrack is incredible. just a really high quality film imo. 

- dracula (1931) - a classic obvi. basically required viewing if you’re into vampire films tbh. it’s fun and campy, and it shows you the origin of a lot of the classic vampire tropes and cliches. also bela lugosi’s performance is iconic.

- byzantium (2012) - directed by neil jordan who also directed interview with the vampire (dude knows his gothic horror imo). i love this film. it’s great as a vampire film but also as a compelling feminist mother/daughter story. it follows the life story, more or less, of a mother and daughter vampire duo who live on the english coast and move into an abandoned hotel to escape other (male) vampires who are trying to hunt them down. really well written with great performances all around.

- let the right one in (2008) - also a classic. a swedish film with a slightly more horror-oriented (?) take on the vampire story. follows the story of a boy named oskar who gets bullied at school and then strikes up a friendship with his mysterious neighbor, eli. things progress from there, as you can imagine. doesn’t follow a lot of the typical vampire story beats, which makes it p fresh and interesting imo. 

- only lovers left alive (2013) - directed by jim jarmusch and starring tom hiddleston, tilda swinton, john hurt, and mia wasikowska. obviously the cast is quite good and the aesthetics are incredible. tbh the plot is a bit self indulgent and didn’t totally grab me, but the film is so well made and acted that i kind of forgive it that. 

- what we do in the shadows (2014) - THE BEST. GENIUS. one of the funniest (if not the funniest) movies of the 2010s. a comedy and fake documentary about a group of vampire roommates in wellington, nz directed by and starring taika waititi and jemaine clement. not only is the film hilarious, but you can also tell that waititi and clement really know their vampire lore and use that knowledge to incredible effect here. every moment in this film is brilliant and so fucking funny and i stan it forever. the end. (they also made a really great tv series based off of it that is getting a second season!!!)

- vampire hunter d: bloodlust (2000) - like if you ever wanted a gothic post-apocalyptic space opera vampire anime, do i have the movie for you. based off of the vampire hunter d light novels and the anime. i don’t think you really need to be familiar with those to watch this (bc i certainly wasn’t lmao). the animation is really stunning and i love the world that this film takes place in. the plot basically follows d, a dhampir, who is a vampire hunter for hire and who is tracking down a woman who ran away with her vampire lover across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. as i said, i love the super unique fantasy world this story takes place in and it kind of makes me want to get more into the vampire hunter d franchise. 

- a girl walks home alone at night (2014) - an iranian film that also has a more feminist take on the vampire story, which we always love in this house. advertised (according to wikipedia) as “the first iranian vampire western”, so really, what’s not to love? filmed in black and white, it follows the story of a vampire girl who skateboards around a rundown city and kills shitty men and spends her spare time wearing cool striped shirts and listening to her record player. a legend tbh. 

- van helsing (2004) - okay, so this is not a “good” movie. like it’s actually really bad. but i love it. it’s completely ridiculous and fun. tbh the only reason it really makes it on to this list is for one scene (which you can find on youtube) and which i’m going to link here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJRGBmVOJ5I

like….i was obsessed with this scene when i was younger and was formative in a lot of ways….so yeah. 

as to werewolf movies, i’m going to be honest, i really don’t know a lot about them. i should watch more of them. however, one that i can recommend is:

the company of wolves (1984) - directed by our friend neil jordan and based off of the short story of the same name by angela carter (who also wrote the screenplay). kind of like little red riding hood seen through the eyes of david lynch and with a lot more sex. 

[dillydedalus]

what i read in april

in which i read two (!!) 5-star-adjacent books and also defeat my nemesis thomas mann 

the paper menagerie & other stories, ken liu

impressive collection of (mostly) scifi short stories with some fantasy elements. liu is particularly interested in historical/collective memory, historiography, textmaking and textuality, and the importance of stories. my favourites were the bittersweet title story (feat. living origami animals), an alternative history story about the construction of an underground tunnel between japan and america, and the last story, in which time travel becomes tied to politics of remembrance. some stories are not as strong, especially an honestly boring take on AI/voice assistants/surveillance, but overall these are really good, especially in how they approach SFF from asian perspectives. 3.5/5

der zauberberg/the magic mountain, by my nemesis thomas mann THE EVIL IS DEFEATED!!! after 1.5 months i finally finished the magic mountain & honestly.... i really liked it. literally all that happens is that a sweet young fool called hans castorp goes to a mountain sanatorium in switzerland to visit his cousin for three weeks and then.... just stays there for 7 years even tho he ISN’T REALLY ILL (which is both incredible dumbassery & incredibly relatable). up there he hangs out with a lot of people, has lots of conversations about politics & philosophy, falls in love w/ someone, some people die, some people leave, hans takes up skiing, everyone becomes obsessed with seances & psychoanalysis & whatever else for a time, there’s duels, and most of all, thomas mann is like HEY TIME IS WEIRD AM I RIGHT??? and it is! it is pretty weird. things i didn’t expect: a) it’s honestly pretty funny, b) i had several feelings (’als soldat und brav’), c) i kind of knew what the ending was going to be but still i was. distraught. ANYWAY. sometimes.... books that are classics.... are really quite good. 4/5

city of dragons + blood of dragons (rain wild chronicles #3-4), robin hobb i really enjoyed this series even tho i think these two are not as strong as #1-2. the central characters & relationship dynamics are great, i was happy to see malta back, and i loved the new plot points here (trader conflicts! hest coming to the rain wilds! most of all, chassim and the chalcedean women’s liberation front!!!) BUT i think all of these could have done with a bit more space; it all feels crammed together at the end & not really satisfying. 3.5/5 for both these books, series rating 4/5 

the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy, douglas adams like, it’s funny. maybe i was not in the mood, but funny doesn’t carry a book. 2.5/5

remembering babylon, david malouf (uni) this book is really good but it is also exactly the kind of book you read in a seminar on postcolonialism, which is what i’m doing. it’s set in a small australian settlement in the mid-19th century, where one day a strange man appears who looks like a “savage” but claims to be a ‘british object’. it turns out that he was marooned as a child and joined a native community, and his presence and strange liminal status (’the white black man’) disturb the entire community. it’s all about questions of assimilation, indigeneity, whiteness, and who owns the land, and it’s very very good, well-written, evocative of the australian landscape, dreamy and i’m probably gonna write my paper on it & end up resenting it a lil bit. 4/5

a canticle for leibowitz, walter miller jr. post-apocalyptic monks in the desert preserving knowledge!!! i ADORED the first two parts of this with all my heart (the first set 600 years after the nuclear apocalypse in a new “dark age”, showing the canonization of leibowitz, engineer-turned-protector-of-knowledge; the second 600 years later again, when during the “renaissance”, conflicts arise between church and secular scientists), the third part (a new nuclear/space age w/ mutual destruction threatening) i liked less, especially when it abandoned the themes of cyclical history, the danger knowledge presents to humanity but also its value, and the process of science and culture rebuilding itself from the atomic ashes for a digression on euthanasia, but i still loved a lot about it, particularly the monks sent to human colonies on other planets (”remember this earth... never forget her - but never come back” made me cry). it is very steeped in catholicism (obvi) which i don’t have much of a connection with but i actually loved how the book talked about religion. on the whole, i genuinely, genuinely loved this, loved francis illuminating a blueprint for 17 years, loved benjamin/lazarus (?), the apocalypse being reframed in biblical terms, loved the melancholy & despair over humanity destroying itself again and again, and the mad mad tiny hope for peace somewhere, some time. i will read this again for sure. 4.5/5 

machandel, regina scheer perfectly fine multi-perspective novel about 20th century (east) german history, all revolving around the small village machandel (a lower german word for the juniper tree). it incorporates some interesting perspectives/topics you don’t necessarily see a lot (forced laborers from eastern europe, euthanasia programs during the third reich, a sympathetic look at the promises & failures of the gdr) and it’s a pleasant read but it didn’t resonate with me in any special way. i’m more interested in scheer’s new book, which is literally set right around the corner from me. 3/5 

wild seed, octavia e. butler sooo this is a afrofuturist-y science....fantasy (??) book about two immortal beings, doro (spirit possessing bodies) and anyanwu (healer & shapeshifter) & their complicated relationship over about 200 years. also involving a magical selective breeding programm, changing your gender, slavery of different kinds and a whole lot of babymaking. it’s interesting&unique&very immersive, but not really octavia e. butler at her best imo. i think my next butler will be xenogenesis. 3/5

kokoro, natsume soseki early 20th century japanese classic about a young student and his mysterious mentor. very quiet and slow but still a good read. don’t have much to say about it tho - i’m probably missing a lot of cultural context. 2.5/5

the merchant of venice, willy shakes (uni) tbh i skimmed most of the scenes shylock wasn’t in bc in this house we stan shylock & no one else, but also like why would anyone sign away a literal pound of their literal flesh as a bond for money you don’t EVEN NEED fuck you antonio. 

shylock is my name, howard jacobson (uni) the hogarth retelling of merchant. i’ve read this before & thought it was clever & sharp re: the play & shylock, but ultimately sexist & gross. i still kind of think that but i liked it A LOT more this time around; it’s really the best of the hogarth series (that i’ve read) in terms of actually engaging with & deconstructing the play rather than just retelling it in a modern setting and it does it in a really smart & thoughtful way. everything not about shylock is ridiculous and farcical but that’s really the point - all the characters beside shylock are the worst and already were the worst in merchant. still not happy about the sexism but: 4/5

the complete maus, art spiegelman honestly it really just is that staggeringly good and given the amazing panels about beckett (x), i’m not going to say much more. if you’re interested in the graphic novel (not really novel bc it’s not fictional) and can deal with the subject matter, just like. read this. predictably, my favourite part was the beginning of maus ii, where art (post-publication of maus I) reflects on what he was doing and why (and why mice) and deconstructing the central conceit from within (see the panel linked, where everyone’s wearing animal masks and he wonders whether mentioning housepets will ruin everything). 5/5

[klangpath]

your last re blog!!! i also feel like it's a bit strange when people adopt a korean name, unless there are certain circumstances. like, i remember watching a video abt a guy who moved to korea and his name was karl, but in korean, it means knife so he changed it to 민규. in that case, i kinda understand. but when people randomly adopt a korean name (i've seen ppl do this when they aren't even learning korean or planning to visit korea) it's kinda..... hm. what are ur thoughts?

personally i cant give my opinion too much because im not korean and i would never think myself qualified to speak on their behalf about their culture so take everything with a grain of salt.

with that being said, i do think that people who give themself a korean name for aesthetic reasons or to be “cool” because of their interests in dramas or music or something are obtusely ignorant to say the least. ive heard from many koreans that their names have a lot of thought go into them and theres a lot of meaning and to just diminish all that by putting characters together bc it “sounds pretty” irks me, especially if you dont understand the language or the culture.

if someone were to ask me if they could have a persian name to just have one, i wouldnt know how to react like…why? if you’re not living there, you’re not learning the language or culture, then why? what could possibly be a reason? like my parents for example when they moved here they didnt change their names bc it was easy enough though sometimes the pronunciation gets butchered. they did split my last name in half though since they thought it was too different compared to others. but i also know many immigrants who did altar their names, so that it was easier for americans to say and in turn helped them assimilate. thats fine, thats logical. so it makes sense to an EXTENT for someone with a long or complex name to be given a korean name (by a korean person) so that its easier for other people and for the individual to adapt. when theyre in korea, that is.

HOWEVER, korea has been westernizing at a rapid rate. people are comfortable using normal western names with korean pronunciation like my names (real and penname) are perfectly easy for my korean friends to use (who dont speak much of any english either!): 야스민 and 디아나/다이애나 (as one of them writes it). its not as if koreans refuse to use your name or say it wrong every time like americans do when they deem it “too difficult” if it isnt something simple like “john”.

my point is that its possible and easy for people to use and write koreanized english names. i get it if your name translated is something weird like cow blood or whatever but the excuse that its to “make it easier for koreans” when your name is seriously like david or smth just baffles me.

just like when people come to america and their actual names are easy to pronounce, they dont change it because it doesnt hinder their way of life. some people change their names so that they dont stick out or its easier to fit in but as we all know if you’re visibly a foreigner in korea, you’ll always stick out no matter what your name is. it might depend on the person bc obvi my friends didnt even ask me what my “korean” name is just what my koreanized name is and some koreans ask for a korean name but like…,,,idk.

im looking at this through the lens of me being iranian and if someone were to do this to me. obviously theres situations and scenarios that we need to take into account but in general, no matter what language it is, i think its offensive and wrong to give yourself a name because it just diminishes the entire essence of the history and culture that builds that name. names have a whole unique and individual person behind them so i feel you shouldnt take that lightly, you know?

also, if you’re someone who isnt korean and you have a korean name but you know it was necessary and you have good reasons, then great this isnt targeted to you. if youre someone just trying this for aesthetic reasons then i hope you can understand others’ points of view without offense and take something away from this.

[literallyprentissstwin]

“Light of my Life!” - Timothy McGee x Reader

this was requested by @imagicana <3 

Prompt: #31 - “You are literally glowing.”

Characters: Timothy McGee, Y/N Y/L/N, Eleanor Bishop, Anthony DiNozzo, Simon

Warnings: i tried being fluffy and failed obvi

A/N: this prompt was very hard to include for me but i somehow made it. i hope you´ll like it :) i´d love some feedback! 

It was that time of the year again to which every member of the navy was looking forward to: the annual US Navy prom. The evening where true heroes get honored and shar their unique stories and where the fallen heroes get the amount of respect they deserve for defending and supporting their country. As usual, the NCIS team was invited to join the festivities. 

McGee was the first one to arrive, followed by Bishop, Tony and Y/N. Y/N....it was hard to hide the feelings he had for her and it got even harder when he saw her arriving at the prom looking flawless in that black A-shaped dress with her long, dark hair let down. She was the most beautiful woman he ever saw, but he knew that he would never have a chance. 

It was around 10pm when everyone was finally moving to the dance floor. Some people were casually chatting at their tables or at the bar. McGee was standing in the corner of the room with his drink in his hand when he spotted Y/N talking to Simon, an agent of the cyber bureau at NCIS and his blood started to boil. He couldn´t just stand there watching the love of his life talking to another man. He was taking a sip of his drink when he heard someone coming up behind him. 

“You know, girls don´t like if men keep staring holes into them.”, Bishop said as she stood next to him. 

“I´m not..”

“Ah, don´t deny it. You were staring at her for like 25 minutes now.”

“You time how long I...no way, i didn´t.”

“Oh, sure you did. I think you should just go for it.”, Bishop suggested. 

“What?”, McGee asked confused. 

“Oh, you did not think we did not notice the way you guys keep tiptoeing around eachother. If you´ll never try, you´ll never know, Tim.”

McGee thought about it for a second and gathered up all his courage. “You know what? You´re right.”, and with this he stormed of towards Y/N. 

“Hey Tim. Did you know that..”, Y/N started, but got pulled away by the IT expert. “Woah, McGee. What´s wrong?”, but he didn´t listen and kept pulling her outside.

“Are you out of your mind?! What is wrong..”, but Y/N wasn´t able to finish her sentence because Tim silenced her with a long, passionate kiss. At first, Y/N was shocked but after some time, she slowly melted into the kiss and put her arms around his neck. After some time, they broke apart to catch some air. 

“Wow, I did not expect that.”, Y/N said. 

“I love you, Y/N. I love you with all my heart. I was a coward to not tell you earlier, but I was scared that you might not want me or feel the same way about me and that´s why I kept quiet for so long. When I saw you talking to that guy I just snapped and...I love you. You´re the light of my life. I wanna be with you, but if you don´t want to than...”, McGee rambled but got interrupted by Y/N who leaned in for another kiss. After they broke apart, Y/N took Tim´s hand. 

“I love you too and I would love to see where this will be going.”, Y/N smiled as she squeezed his hand. McGee was about to hug her when Tony joined them. 

“Oh, look who we have here, my two favorite nerds.”, he said as he mustered them. “McGoo, you are literally glowinng, are you feeling okay?”

“Never been better!”, he said as he smiled down at Y/N, ready for what was about to come. 

NCIS Tag List: 

@imagicana

McGee Tag List: 

@imagicana @littledizzyhurricane

[lithugraph]

Rules: Complete the survey and say who tagged you in the beginning. When you’re finished, tag people to do this survey. Have fun and enjoy! Thanks to @gummyboots for tagging me!

1: Are you named after someone? Sort of.  My parents wanted to have a boy so they could name him after my dad but surprise! They had a girl instead.  My mom wanted to name me Rhiannon after the Fleetwood Mac song, but my grandmother – being the All Supreme Catholic – was like ‘That’s not a saint’s name.’ So my parents opted for a feminized version of my dad’s name.

2: When was the last time you cried? I almost shed some tears watching “Moana” the other day.  It was the first time I’d ever seen it and its message about listening to that small quiet voice inside you and how that’s the real you and going beyond yourself and khaljf;akf;akdAS! It could not have come at a more appropriate time in my life.

3: If you could switch bodies/powers with a fictional character for one day, who would you pick and why? Never really thought about it, tbh.  But I wouldn’t mind going for a ride in a big blue police box ;)

4: What’s your favourite song? Too many to list.

5: Do you have kids? One.

6: If you were another person, would you be friends with you? Yeah, I’m awesome!

7: Do you use sarcasm? No, never ::wink::

8: How old are you? 3 decades

9: Would you bungee jump? I used to want to bungee jump when I was a kid.  Not so much now.  I lose my shit on the Mach Tower ride at Busch Gardens.  But I still want to try skydiving.  Go figure.

10: What is your favorite kind of cereal? Lucky Charms all.the.way.

11: Who is your favourite villain? I would say The Master from the Doctor Who reboot with David Tennant, but he’s more mentally fucked up unstable.  I’ve yet to read/see a really good and fleshed out villain.  I want a villain that makes me think they’re the hero throughout until plot twist! you were wrong.  But like gummyboots said, Cathy in East of Eden is pretty despicable.

12: Do you think you’re a strong person? I kind of have to be.

13: What is your favourite ice cream? Birthday cake!

14: What is the first thing you notice about people? Their speech patterns and facial expressions.  And then I try to mimic them.

15: What is the least favorite physical thing you like about yourself? Nothing.  I’m perfect.  Although my hair has suddenly developed a mind of its own.  I used to be able to rock any hairstyle, style it any way, and my hair would comply.  Now it’s like nope, not gonna happen, I’m just going to hang in your face.

16: What color pants and shoes are you wearing now? Rust colored and no shoes

17: What are you listening to right now? I’ve got the crab’s song from Moana stuck on repeat in my head.

18: If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Teal…it was always my favorite.

19: Favourite smell? Hazelnut coffee and sandalwood.

20: Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? My best friend.

21: Favorite sport to watch? I will only watch sports provided: 1.) I am physically there at the arena or whatever to watch the sport 2.) I have beer.  However I did enjoy watching the FIFA Women’s World Cup on the television.  Also fencing.

22: Hair colour?   Auburn

23: Eye colour? Chestnut brown.

24: Do you wish your hair/eye colour was different? I used to wish for blue or green eyes when I was a kid.  But I’ve grown to like my eye color.  My eyes are such a weird shade of brown – in some lights they almost look greyish-green closer to the pupil.

25: Favorite accent? Russian, Scottish, Yorkshire, Caribbean, Cajun/Creole (I met a Creole dude once at a bar and his accent was soooo cool, the interplay of French and English!).  And there’s an accent here in Virginia that is really unique.  I call it the Richmond accent.  I’ve never heard anything like it before with regards to southern American accents.  It still has a bit of a twang, but some of the words are more genteel sounding like “out, about, proud,” and so on. It sounds like a Canadian accent married a Southern American accent and had a child. Here’s a video so you can hear it: https://youtu.be/vJT4wVgTw0k

26: What type of movies do you like? Historical dramas, animated, and sci-fi.

27: Last movie you watched? Moana.

28: What color of shirt are you wearing? Cream with red and orange and black patterns

29: Summer or winter? Winter.  Give me a chance to see snow, or flurries fluttering down, and the metallic scent in the air and black skeletal trees against a grey sky and warm drinks and a crackling fire.

30: Who is your current crush? Seb Stan as the Winter Soldier Michael Fassbender

31: What book are you currently reading? I was re-reading Jane Eyre (the slow-burn just started to intensify!)…but then summer session started and I’m knee-deep in UNIX and networking textbooks.  

32: What fictional character do you feel you’re most like? Jane Eyre (obvi) and Elizabeth Bennet.

33: What is on your mouse pad? What’s a mousepad?

34: What is the last TV program you watched? Sherlock season 4….most disappointed.

35: What is the best sound?

nature.

36: Rolling stones or The Beatles? David Bowie.  The only Stones worth listening to is their bluesy stuff, like Gimme Shelter and Tumbling Dice.  And I have mixed feelings about the Beatles.  I like their early “boy band” stuff…and some of their later stuff, but mostly the songs written by George Harrison.  I think   Paul and John were trying to “outweird” each other.

37: What is the furthest you have ever travelled? Berlin from Virginia.

38: Do you have a special talent? I can predict what’s going to happen in any tv series, movie, or novel.  I’m a walking spoiler-alert.  You don’t want to watch tv shows or movies with me…or suggest a book I should read because I will figure out the plot before the first half of it.

39: Where were you born? Virginia.  And I live there again….except on the opposite side of the state from where I was born.

Totally optional, as always, but I tag: @niniel-kirkland, @irascible-erable and whoever else sees this and wants to do it. 

[climxtologist]

♛

     let me love you!!

my opinion on;

character in general:  like the last ask ;  mercy is a wonderful character with such an opportunity for complex development and with lots of potential to go either way on the spectrum of good vs evil,  i think it`s wonderful tbh.  i would make one if there weren`t like a bunch lmao.how they play them:  even if there are a bunch of mercys,  i think urs is one of my favs tbh.  the way you write her is very unique and not all sunshine and butterflies ;  which is super memorable.  you`ve created her to be such a real person,  and i think that`s spectacular.  sure,  she`s an angel,  but you`ve also really shined a light on the human aspect to her and that`s fantastic!!the mun:  cries bc moro ur literally the nicest person on this planet i don`t understand how you exist and can be so nice at the same time??  it`s fantastic and i just wish you had more attention on your blog because you`re so wonderful??  your headcanons are such a delight to read and i really think you deserve so much more attention than you get.

do i;

follow them:  ye!!rp with them:  yupwant to rp with them:  uhm obviship their character with mine:  yes omg pls they`re super cute okay.

what is my;

overall opinion:  ten outta ten naisu.  really underrated and you deserve far more attention / recognition than u currently get.

[smartstartblogging]

Top 21 Games I Would Want On A PS2 Classic Edition

Let’s start off by saying that getting a PS2 Classic Edition, in a similar vein to the NES and SNES Classic Mini, is almost certainly never going to happen. Sure, we’ve got the MegaDrive Flashback but the idea of Classic Editions is largely a Nintendo thing. That said, it doesn’t hurt to dream and since the PlayStation 2 is my favourite console ever, the idea of a PS2 Classic Edition would be amazing!

During a recent Twitter chat with Mohammed Fi, we started talking about the idea of a PS2 Mini. That, of course, led to the question of what games could be featured on such a re-release, especially as the PlayStation 2 has thousands of games in its library. So I decided to put together a list of the games that I would include.

This is based entirely on personal preference though, so I would also love to know what games you would put on a PS2 Classic Edition if there were ever to be one.

I chose to do 21 simply because that is the amount of games that the SNES Classic Mini featured.

21. Bully

We’ll start off with a game that was a very different take on the Grand Theft Auto style of gameplay; Bully. In this game, you take the role of a new transfer student to a very posh school. You have to take on bullies, complete missions and cause havoc whilst also going to lessons and avoiding detention. The game got a lot of bad press at the time, even getting renamed in Europe, but it’s a really good game with a strong anti-bullying message.

20. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Next up we have the first in a trilogy of great action games; Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. The combat is extremely fun and the time control mechanic is both extremely useful and embedded into the plot and events of the game. The world is extremely well realised with great graphics for the PS2. The voice acting could have been better, but it doesn’t detract from an otherwise awesome game!

19. Soulcalibur 2

On to one of the best fighting games on the PlayStation 2 now. Soulcalibur 2 featured a great roster of characters, each with distinct fighting styles and weaponry to use. My character of choice was always Tali (pictured above on the right) due to her speed and attack style. However, there is certainly a character and fighting style to suit you, no matter how you want to play. That makes for a brilliant fighting game that anyone can pick up.

18. Shadow Hearts

Shadow Hearts is a game I’ve covered quite a lot, most recently in my PS2 games you probably haven’t played post (here), and now I’m going to include it here as well. Why? Because it is a very unique and different type of RPG that really needs to get more attention and awareness than it did. The storyline is so dark and mature, completely going against the idea of happy fantasy storylines full of bright colours.

17. TimeSplitters 2

I’ve not been a fan of shooters in recent years. They just haven’t felt as much fun as classic shooters, such as TimeSplitters 2. If you haven’t played the games, then just imagine a shooter where you get to visit a bunch of different time periods through the past and future. Weapons, enemies and level designs change massively, creating a wonderful mix of gameplay that you don’t often get with modern shooters.

16. Burnout 3: Takedown

If you ever wanted to play an incredible racing game full of high octane action and completely insane crash mechanics, you can’t go wrong with the Burnout series. Of that series, my personal favourite is Burnout 3: Takedown. The feeling of sheer speed was addictive, and the cars control and handle beautifully. On top of that, there is just something inherently fun to crash and smash into just about everything to see the damage mechanics.

15. Rule of Rose

I had to include Rule of Rose on this list. The game is so hard to come by now, which is a real shame because it is a truly outstanding Survival Horror game that is both creepy and downright sadistic at the same time. If you enjoy the Clocktower series of games, then Rule of Rose is effectively a spiritual successor to it. I can’t really say too much about the game without spoiling parts of it, but if a PlayStation 2 Classic Edition was ever to be made, it would be the perfect time to let people experience this amazing game.

14. Beyond Good and Evil

Another game that would be great on a PS2 Classic Edition would be Beyond Good and Evil. The game became a cult classic after its release and now it is even getting a PS4 sequel (finally). With that in mind, apart from a remaster of the game, a PlayStation 2 Classic Edition featuring Beyond Good and Evil would be a great way to let people play this game in all of its glory. It certainly would be worth it.

13. Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening

Going back to the action game side of the PlayStation 2, Devil May Cry 3 would be a must for any PlayStation 2 Classic Edition. It is the most popular in the original trilogy, and for good reason. The combat was stylish and very fast paced, whilst the game could offer difficulty and challenge if you wanted it or be set to just allow you to experience the storyline and game quickly if you don’t have the option for long gaming sessions.

12. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4

Trying to choose between Persona 3 and Persona 4 was actually really hard. However, the reason why I have put Persona 4 on this list is that it improved on the already excellent Persona 3 when it came to dungeon design (multiple dungeons rather than one huge one) and storyline. The general design and visual presentation of Persona 4 is wonderful as well, so it would make perfect sense to put it on a PS2 Classic Edition, if there ever was one.

11. Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal

Do you like Platformers? If so, then I am sure you would agree that including Ratchet and Clank in general on a PlayStation 2 Classic Edition would be the right choice. Out of the games in the series from the PS2, my personal favourite is Up Your Arsenal. It just took the formula that the other games had worked on and made it into a near-perfect 3D platformer. I spent hours on this game and would happily do it again

10. Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly

Going back to Survival Horror, I had to include my favourite game in the genre in a list of games to put on a PS2 Classic Edition, didn’t I? Fatal Frame 2 (also called Project Zero 2 in Europe) is one of the creepiest and scariest games I have ever played. It shows just what a horror game can be if it doesn’t rely on jump scares but focuses on atmosphere instead. If you’re a fan of being scared out of your mind, this would be perfect for you. And a PlayStation 2 Classic Edition would allow so many more people to play it.

9. Silent Hill 2

Continuing on with the Survival Horror games (as we will for the next entry as well), we have Silent Hill 2, a game that really needs no introduction whatsoever. It is the most popular in the Silent Hill series, which is why I put it on this list (even though it isn’t my favourite) and Pyramid Head has pretty much become a mascot of the PS2. Because of this, and the fact that it’s just a really great game, I would definitely put it on a PS2 Classic Edition.

8. Resident Evil 4

Moving on to the franchise that basically started the Survival Horror genre, we have the game that also redefined the genre (for better or worse). Resident Evil 4 was an awesome game that was so exciting to play. Whilst it may have paved the way for some of the worst games in the Resident Evil franchise, RE4 itself is a true gem for the console (even though the Gamecube version looked better). So it would have to be included on this list, wouldn’t it?

7. Ico

Team Ico hit the ground running with this work of art for the PlayStation 2. Despite effectively being one giant escort mission, Ico never felt annoying or stale to me. I was hooked through the entire playthrough of the game, which for an escort mission, is an achievement and a half for the developers. Of course, their more famous and popular game will feature on this list too, but Ico more than deserves a spot as well.

6. God of War 2

What is a PlayStation these days without a God of War game? Seriously… Kratos is one of the most recognised video game characters ever, sitting up there with Mario and Sonic. I don’t think I even need to explain what the God of War games are or why I included one of this list, do I? As for why I chose God of Wars 2; the first game was extraordinary, but the sequel just ramped everything up by 100!

5. Kingdom Hearts

As a child, if you had told me that mixing Disney with Final Fantasy would actually work out well and we would get a good game from it, I would have thought you were crazy. Yet, that’s exactly what happened with Kingdom Hearts. Only, we didn’t get a “good” game… We got an excellent one! The sheer hype surrounding the coming release (finally) of Kingdom Hearts 3, as well as the constant remasters of the Final MIX versions of this and Kingdom Hearts 2 should tell you just why it is on this list.

4. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Come on, you knew there was going to be a Grand Theft Auto game on this list. What kind of PlayStation 2 Classic Edition wouldn’t feature one of these games? I chose GTA: San Andreas because of its scale, scope and gameplay, as well as the sheer amount of memorable moments that I have with the game. Although, if this ever did happen, I would have they sort out that damn train mission!

3. Shadow of the Colossus

Coming in next is Team Ico’s second work of art, which just happens to be their masterpiece; Shadow of the Colossus. The game is pretty simple in premise; hunt down towering behemoths known as Colossus and slay them. However, the fact that you have to climb on them, each one acting as a puzzle as well, was genius. The ending is also outstanding, with Shadow of the Colossus being the true start of the “video games as an art form” debate.

2. Final Fantasy X

We have another obvious inclusion next, since I tried to save the obvious ones for last; Final Fantasy X. One of the Final Fantasy games was always going to be on this list, but no matter how much I love FF11 and FF12, Final Fantasy X was groundbreaking when it was released. Everything about the game, from the storyline to the battle system felt fresh and exciting (and still does today if you play the HD Remaster). So, naturally, it would be on a PlayStation 2 Classic Edition.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3

The final game in the list should come as no surprise. If we were doing this list for the original PlayStation, then Metal Gear Solid would be on that list immediately. So that also means that Metal Gear Solid is on this list too… However, we’re specifically looking at Metal Gear Solid 3, which added so much to the gameplay, such as a camo system, a beautiful game world and some of the best mechanics in a Metal Gear game to date.

And That’s All Folks

That was my list of the 21 games I would add to a PlayStation 2 Classic Edition, if Sony ever decided to make one. However, there are literally thousands of games for the PS2, so I’m sure you would choose different.

So let me know in the comments what 21 games you would put on a PS2 Classic Edition!

  from More Design Curation https://www.16bitdad.com/top-21-games-i-would-want-on-a-ps2-classic-edition/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-21-games-i-would-want-on-a-ps2-classic-edition