#only in the sense that it is something that is shared widely via social media

[sorrygotthesesacks]

OK so there was this qrt thing on that invite-only app thing and since it is still invite-only, gonna do the thing here, too.

(also the irony of still calling it qrt)

Anyway. It was basically like "writers, do you write the same for different ships / across different fandoms? blah blah blah post some excerpts as examples."

I forced myself to pick four different fandoms when I selected the ships.

Silbek (twst)

Fugonara (JJBA Vento Aureo)

Gendice (hypmic)

Creek (South Park)

[thebirdsareafterme]

Fandom Etiquette 101: Formula 1 RPF

Just saw a TikTok of someone finding out that the Max Verstappen/Charles Leclerc tag was on AO3’s top 100 ships of 2024 and someone else commented this:

…mate, WHAT??? Are these people okay? Genuinely why would anyone think that this is something that Max, the real person who they are talking about, would be happy about?

First of all, I hope to high heaven that he NEVER finds this out, and that y’all learn some gosh darn FANDOM ETIQUETTE because it’s been atrocious recently. This applies to every ship.

Second of all, y’all realize that these are real human beings, right? Like with girlfriends and wives and relationships? If you found thousands and thousands of stories written about you and your COWORKER on the internet, written by strangers and sometimes about you being in love with them, would you be absolutely overjoyed? Girl, I would be horrified! You people do not know them! This is weird!! This is why we need to learn fandom etiquette, because people need to understand that it would ABSOLUTELY NOT BE COOL if anyone related to the drivers, the drivers themselves, etc. were to find these fics.

BASELINE RULES:

DO NOT SHARE RPF FICS WITH THE PEOPLE THEY ARE ABOUT! I fear this is common sense?? So do not TALK about fics in any vicinity of the drivers or anyone they know, do not SEND it to them via social media, and do not POST about it and tag them. Please, for the love of God, do not do that.

LOCK! YOUR! FICS! The reason why Lestappen made it onto the list this year is because authors are not locking their fics (only unlocked fics are counted towards the total number). Please please please make it AS HARD AS POSSIBLE for people who may know the drivers personally to find these fics. It is your responsibility as a fan to take necessary actions in order to protect fan spaces! (Plus, it stops AI from scraping your work and stealing it for AI systems like c.ai so that's also a bonus.) Only people who are wanting to find your fic should find your fic.

Use appropriate platforms and tagging systems when discussing fics! TikTok is absolutely not the right place to do it, because many drivers and all the teams are on it! They can see what you post! Even if they don’t search for it, it may come up on their FYP. Tumblr, on the other hand, is not widely used by the drivers, or anyone who is not looking SPECIFICALLY for fandom spaces. The tagging system is extensive and can easily be filtered. IF YOU INSIST ON USING TIKTOK/INSTAGRAM, do not use common tags like #f1 or #formulaone because guess what? Mainstream media associated with F1 ALSO use those tags! They don’t want to see your Lestappen smut about the people that they literally work with, and if you were a halfway decent person, you wouldn’t want them to see it either.

The OVERARCHING RULE is this:

Keep it secret, keep it safe.

To clarify, I am not condemning all RPF works. RPF is inevitable, because people are storytellers by nature. Everyone and everything can be shipped on the World Wide Web, and there's nothing inherently wrong about the shipping itself.

Obviously, many people have different views on the moral aspects of it, but for those to who choose to participate in it, there are indeed rules that should be followed. Fandom spaces like AO3 and Tumblr can only exist when people follow the rules and use common sense and human decency to protect our rights to enjoy fandom the way we want to. Please try and treat these drivers like real humans rather than little cartoon characters from a show. They see everything, and it’s probably pretty uncomfortable for them. Even if they don’t see it, it’s likely that someone they know in real life will see it. Please remember that these drivers have siblings, cousins, friends and relatives that have access to the internet. Consider some of the drivers’ younger siblings, like Blue Jaye Verstappen or Hattie Piastri, for example. Would you really want them to find some of the things you’ve written about their siblings?

If RPF is to continue within an internet space, fans need to respect basic rules so that it doesn’t get ruined for everyone. I’m sorry, Lestappen fans, but your ship being up on that list is not a flex. It means you’ve failed, as a collective, to properly take precautions within your fandom space. Many other ships have similar numbers to Lestappen when looking at fics overall (including locked ones), but they’ve never made it on there, for good reason. You SHOULD NOT be up there!

“But whyyyyy?” you may ask. It’s because YouTubers, Tiktokers, and other influencers start talking about it, which puts it at greater risk of someone finding it who ultimately should not find it. The TikTok that I referenced earlier has a ton of views and likes, and I know a quite popular fandom YouTuber has already made a video on it. This seems trivial at first glance, and maybe even a bit exciting that your ship has gotten so much attention, but at the end of the day, these are real people. Please use discretion.

Lock. Your. Fics.

[airdropfarmencom]

Squirrel Legend: Unleash, Play, Earn – Where Every Game Leads to an Airdrop Adventure

What is Squirrel Legend? How Does Squirrel Legend Work? The Unique Appeal of Squirrel Legend1. Gamified Earning Experience 2. Community Engagement 3. Transparent and Fair 4. Diverse Gaming Options 5. Educational Value 6. Rewarding Loyalty How to Maximize Your Earnings on Squirrel Legend Conclusion In the fast-evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, Squirrel Legend is making waves as an innovative gaming airdrop platform that combines the thrill of gaming with the lucrative prospects of airdrops. This platform, accessible via a Telegram airdrop app, presents a unique opportunity for gamers and crypto enthusiasts alike. By diving into the enchanting world of Squirrel Legend, users can not only play engaging games but also earn rewards, making their gaming experience more rewarding than ever.

What is Squirrel Legend?

Squirrel Legend is more than just a game; it's a dynamic ecosystem designed to reward players with cryptocurrency airdrops. The platform leverages blockchain technology to ensure transparency, security, and fairness. Players can engage in various games, complete challenges, and earn tokens that can be redeemed for valuable cryptocurrency airdrops. This seamless integration of gaming and earning potentials positions Squirrel Legend as a frontrunner in the blockchain gaming industry.

How Does Squirrel Legend Work?

Squirrel Legend operates within a Telegram airdrop app, making it easily accessible to a wide audience. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the platform works: - Download and Install the Telegram App: To get started, users need to have the Telegram app installed on their devices. Telegram is widely recognized for its secure messaging services and extensive use in the cryptocurrency community. - Join the Squirrel Legend Channel: Once the app is installed, users need to join the Squirrel Legend Telegram channel. This is the hub where players receive updates, participate in games, and earn rewards. - Play Games: Squirrel Legend offers a variety of games that cater to different interests. Whether you enjoy strategy games, puzzles, or arcade-style action, there’s something for everyone. Each game is designed to be engaging and fun while providing opportunities to earn tokens. - Complete Challenges: To maximize earnings, players can participate in various challenges. These may include reaching certain milestones in a game, referring friends, or participating in community events. Successfully completing challenges earns players additional tokens. - Earn Airdrops: The tokens earned through gameplay and challenges can be redeemed for airdrops. Airdrops are distributions of cryptocurrency tokens usually issued by blockchain startups to promote their projects. These airdrops can later be traded or held as investments.

The Unique Appeal of Squirrel Legend

1. Gamified Earning Experience Squirrel Legend transforms the traditional concept of airdrops by infusing it with gamification elements. Instead of merely participating in social media campaigns or filling out forms to receive tokens, users can immerse themselves in enjoyable games. This creates a win-win scenario where players are entertained and rewarded simultaneously. 2. Community Engagement By leveraging the Telegram platform, Squirrel Legend fosters a strong sense of community. Players can interact with fellow gamers, share tips, and collaborate to achieve common goals. The community-centric approach enhances user engagement and loyalty, as players feel they are part of a larger, supportive network. 3. Transparent and Fair Blockchain technology underpins Squirrel Legend, ensuring every transaction and action is transparent and verifiable. This builds trust among users, as they can see the direct correlation between their efforts and the rewards. The decentralized nature of blockchain also ensures fairness, as no central authority can manipulate the outcomes. 4. Diverse Gaming Options Squirrel Legend boasts a diverse range of games, constantly updated to keep the platform fresh and exciting. This variety caters to different tastes and preferences, ensuring that every player can find something they enjoy. The continuous addition of new games also encourages long-term participation. 5. Educational Value For those new to the world of cryptocurrency, Squirrel Legend serves as an educational tool. By engaging with the platform, players learn about blockchain technology, how airdrops work, and the intricacies of various cryptocurrencies. This knowledge can be invaluable for anyone looking to delve deeper into the crypto space. 6. Rewarding Loyalty Loyalty is highly valued in the Squirrel Legend community. Regular players who consistently engage with the platform are rewarded with additional bonuses and exclusive airdrops. This not only retains players but also incentivizes them to invest more time in the platform.

How to Maximize Your Earnings on Squirrel Legend

To make the most out of Squirrel Legend, here are some tips and strategies: - Stay Active: Regular participation in games and challenges is key to accumulating tokens. Set aside some time each day to engage with the platform. - Invite Friends: Many airdrop campaigns and challenges reward players for referring friends. Use your unique referral link to invite others and earn extra tokens. - Join Community Events: Keep an eye on the Squirrel Legend Telegram channel for special events. Participation in these events often comes with significant rewards. - Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest developments in the cryptocurrency world. Understanding the value of the tokens you earn can help you make informed decisions about holding or trading them. - Secure Your Earnings: Use a reputable cryptocurrency wallet to store the tokens you receive from airdrops. Ensure you follow security best practices to protect your assets.

Conclusion

Squirrel Legend is revolutionizing the way we perceive and engage with gaming and airdrops. By combining the excitement of gameplay with the tangible rewards of cryptocurrency, it offers a unique and compelling experience. Whether you're a seasoned gamer, a crypto enthusiast, or someone new to both worlds, Squirrel Legend provides a platform where every game leads to an airdrop adventure. Join the Squirrel Legend community today and embark on a journey where play, earn, and fun converge in the dynamic world of blockchain gaming. Farm Go Bot Airdrop on Telegram Read the full article

[bakkenbooks]

📚✨Welcome to Bakken Books: Your Destination for Wholesome Storytelling📚✨ 

At Bakkenbooks.com, we're more than just a publishing company—we're purveyors of imagination, champions of storytelling, and guardians of wholesome content. Nestled within the digital realm, our virtual shelves are brimming with tales that transport readers to enchanting worlds, spark their curiosity, and nurture their hearts.

Join us on a journey where every turn of the page unveils a new adventure, a cherished memory, and a lasting connection to the magic of literature.

🌟 Our Mission: Crafting Wholesome Stories for Every Reader

At the heart of Bakkenbooks.com lies a simple yet profound mission: to create literature that not only entertains but also enriches the lives of readers of all ages. We believe in the power of storytelling to shape minds, inspire hearts, and foster a sense of wonder that transcends generations.

Guided by this belief, we meticulously curate our collection of books, ensuring that each title embodies the values of kindness, empathy, and integrity.

🌟 Explore Our Collection: Where Adventure Awaits

Step into our virtual library and prepare to embark on a literary journey like no other. From the cozy comforts of picture books to the thrilling escapades of chapter novels, our collection caters to readers of every age and interest.

Whether you're seeking heartwarming tales of friendship, spine-tingling mysteries, or epic adventures in far-off lands, you'll find it all and more at Bakkenbooks.com.

🌟 Our Promise: Family-Friendly Content, Always

At Bakkenbooks.com, we understand the importance of providing families with literature they can trust. That's why we've made a commitment to offer books that are free from vulgar content, inappropriate language, and mature themes.

Parents and caregivers can browse our virtual shelves with confidence, knowing that every book bearing the Bakkenbooks.com name has been carefully vetted to ensure its suitability for young readers.

🌟 Join Our Community: Where Readers Come Together

At Bakkenbooks.com, we believe that the joy of reading is meant to be shared. That's why we've created a vibrant online community where readers can connect, engage, and celebrate their love of literature.

From virtual book clubs to author Q&A sessions, there's always something exciting happening in our digital realm. Join us on social media, sign up for our newsletter, and become part of the Bakkenbooks.com family today!

🌟 Shop with Confidence: Seamless Online Experience

Shopping for books has never been easier thanks to our user-friendly website and secure checkout process. Browse our extensive collection, read reviews from fellow readers, and discover your next literary adventure with just a few clicks.

With fast shipping and responsive customer support, you can shop with confidence knowing that your satisfaction is our top priority.

🌟 Get in Touch: We'd Love to Hear from You

Have a question about a book? Interested in collaborating with us? We're here to help! Reach out to our friendly team via email, phone, or social media, and we'll be delighted to assist you.

At Bakkenbooks.com, we're passionate about connecting with our readers and fostering meaningful relationships that extend beyond the pages of our books.

🌟 Join Us on Our Journey: Let's Create Magic Together

As we continue to grow and evolve, we invite you to join us on our mission to spread the joy of reading far and wide. Whether you're a lifelong bookworm or a curious newcomer to the world of literature, there's a place for you in our community.

Together, let's ignite imaginations, inspire hearts, and celebrate the transformative power of storytelling. Welcome to Bakkenbooks.com—where every story begins and every reader belongs.

🌟 Contact Us Today!!

Visit us at https://bakkenbooks.com/

Social Links: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bakkenbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bakken_books/

Payment Method: Payment Type: Amazon, American Express, Apple Pay, Discover, Meta Pay, Google Pay, Mastercard, Paypal, Shop Pay, Venmo, Visa

[r0hitdhiman]

REASONS why you need a digital marketing company to grow your business.

Thanks to digital technologies, how organisations operate today have experienced a considerable transition. Today's advertising campaigns are approached quite differently by advertising companies. From online marketing, businesses of all sizes and well-known brands benefit. Small businesses can benefit significantly from digital marketing as well. As a result, businesses now rely on the digital sphere to develop their brands, have an impact, and draw in clients.

Tremendous changes have been made to people's interactions, routines, and lifestyles as a result of digital marketing. Let's look at how:

Due to the internet's expanded accessibility, more individuals are using it daily. In 2018, social media was used by 3.03 billion people or 50% of the world's population.

Search engines are where almost 93% of all web traffic comes from. 82% of people use their phones to browse the internet before deciding whether to buy something from a store. 50% of consumers are more inclined to choose a brand if its name appears more than once during a search.

Digital marketing refers to a company's initiatives online or through electronic devices. Companies engage with their clients through various digital marketing strategies in this type of marketing. To put it simply, digital marketing is merely internet marketing.

Customer engagement Brands may now communicate with their audience easily and quickly thanks to social media and digital channels. The best feature is that it makes communication easier.

Content marketing- Think about how much content is distributed via digital marketing. "Huge," comes the response. A business can frequently share a lot of content with its audience through social media, emails, applications, newsletters, and other avenues. Advertisers can easily promote their products in this way.

You can see your small business growth because digital marketing gives every company an equal chance to succeed. It is more than a strategy used by big organisations or international corporations. Digital marketing may help small firms authentically expand their operations. They can effectively compete with established businesses. Additionally, by communicating with different consumers on different platforms, they may completely utilise digital marketing. Digital marketing requires minimal financial investments. Small companies can identify effective digital channels that are relatively inexpensive. As a result, digital marketing emerges as a glimmer of light for small firms.

Conversions can be tracked by looking at the traffic that leads to subscribers, leads, and sales. It's encouraging that digital marketing has a greater conversion rate than traditional marketing. Small businesses should create efficient digital strategies with more significant conversion goals. With a firm plan for digital marketing, conversion rates are higher. More money is made as a result of higher conversion rates. Businesses using social media generate 78% more money than those who don't use it for marketing. Additionally, email marketing has a high response rate. When content marketing is used with other marketing strategies, a strong reaction is produced, impacting revenue.

The elements mentioned above suggest that small businesses should select digital marketing. Many start-ups and small businesses employ traditional marketing techniques, but these methods could be faster to produce results and can only target local customers. However, the population of potential clients online is very sizable compared to those targeted locally.

With internet marketing, small firms may connect with a large audience. Therefore, it makes sense for small firms to leverage the potential of digital marketing and succeed in their sector.

Agency Network is the leading consolidator of IT-related services, offering a wide range of solutions to businesses of all sizes and industries. As a top digital marketing companies in noida, we provide a comprehensive range of services to help our clients achieve their online goals. From website design and development to search engine optimization and social media marketing, we have the expertise and experience to help businesses succeed online.

Our team of experienced digital marketing experts has the knowledge and skills to develop and implement effective online marketing strategies that drive results. We understand the importance of a strong online presence and work closely with our clients to create customized plan that fits their specific needs and goals.

One of the critical strengths of an Agency Network is its ability to consolidate multiple services under one roof, which allows its clients to streamline their IT operations and reduce costs. They also offer flexible pricing options and customisable service packages, which allow clients to choose the services that best fit their needs and budget.

Our services include website design and development, search engine optimization, social media marketing, pay-per-click advertising, email marketing, and more. We also offer a range of analytics and reporting services to help our clients track the success of their campaigns and make data-driven decisions.

At Agency Network, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service and results to our clients. We understand the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and techniques. We continuously invest in training and education to ensure that we are always at the forefront of the digital marketing industry.

If you're looking for a best digital marketing companies in Noida to help you achieve your online goals, look no further than Agency Network. Please feel free to contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business succeed online.

[liam-93-productions]

This weekend it’s the UK’s biggest event on the entertainment calendar, with the 74th EE British Academy of Film and Television Awards taking place at the Albert Hall with guests and nominees attending virtually for the first time, thanks to Covid-19. And while the awards promise to be as exciting as possible in these unprecedented times, on Sunday night we will also be treated to another exciting world-first in the form of Liam Payne being beamed into houses up and down the country while performing for the opening of the ceremony.

Yup, if you’ve ever fancied the former One Direction crooner serenading you at the end of your bed, on Sunday you can make your dreams a reality – or augmented reality – as Liam has joined forces with the EE network to create a 3D avatar hologram of himself that can be beamed through the app ‘The Round’ (available on any mobile device) as he performs at the Albert Hall. Super fans can also get to experience the avatar in their homes, or on-the-go, ahead of the performance, if they tune in via the app at 6.45pm, 15 minutes before the hologram joins real Liam on stage to perform.

GLAMOUR caught up with Liam to discuss this sci-fi sounding excitement as well as hear how the past year has treated him. In a wide-ranging chat with the ever-charming Liam, we covered all things from the struggles of lockdown and coping with his mental health to his former bandmates, burgeoning acting career, new music (...).

Is the fact that you're performing at the BAFTAs a sign that your acting career is on the rise?

I've done a lot of auditions, a lot of tapes. The thing about acting somebody told me, it’s very much like: are you right for the part and is the part right for you? I think it takes a lot of talent, luck and judgment going into acting to actually get into a job. I mean, hat's off to anybody who does it because it's a long process. I seem to get through to like the final five or final three people for every role and then not quite get it. Which is frustrating but, you know, that’s how it goes. I've had a fair few auditions and I was lucky enough to get into the final five again for one audition that I got to meet Steven Spielberg [a couple of years ago] on my 25th birthday which was quite amazing. But it's been fairly slow through the pandemic obviously.

And what about music? Have you been writing anything, or even been in the studio?

I'm going to the studio later on today actually, to record something for the first time in a while. Which is quite weird to be traveling back into London to go into work. I've been doing some stuff from home as well, which has been quite interesting. Zoom sessions don't really work out all that well, it's very difficult. I'm sure a lot of musicians will agree. So, it's been kind of hard to work properly during this half of the pandemic. The other first half of the pandemic, I just did these live shows, which was really amazing to play live and do them online, which was kind of strange... It's been difficult in terms of the creative process for me.

The past year has been challenging for absolutely everyone, no matter their circumstances. How has it affected you on a personal and a professional level?

In the first half of it, I was so busy that I didn't really notice it as much, except for having to do a lot of stuff myself without crew and learning to do hair and makeup was kind of a weird experience. But then this second half, I stopped working and I had a full, proper month off [and that was] really hard. And it was all a bit dark for me for a little bit and I'm sure many people experienced it. Just not being able to go anywhere, not be able to do anything. It really, really hit home. And I just found myself sat in the same place day in, day out. And I was like, okay, I really do not know what to do with myself.

You’ve bravely spoken about struggling with your mental health in the past, and you say now that you did go into a bit of a dark place recently, how have you coped with that?

I think it's an ongoing experience. For me, learning to relax has always been quite a hard thing to do because I feel like if I'm not moving forward, then I must be going backwards. And I think that's something that I've always struggled with. So, in a way it's kind of a blessing in disguise, as this has all kind of taught me to relax a little bit more. And to not be so worried about that, like the world is not going to fall over if I don't do something today. So, it's been nice in that respect. But I think for a lot of people it's difficult, and I definitely took for granted how much I miss my family. I'm used to being away from home, I'm used to being abroad and not seeing very much of them. But I'd always see them at a show or at something once a year. And then now that that's all been taken away, it's been a lot to not see my family and realise how much they actually ground me.

So, what have you found helpful or supportive during the past year? Have you turned to anything to get you through these dark times?

Friends that are there for you... [talking to] one of my managers that I'm quite close with. I think a lot of guys struggle to talk about what the hell is going on a lot of the time. And for me and him, actually we're quite heart on our sleeves sort of people, so we talk a lot about different things. But I think if I didn't have that, someone to share that with, I think I would have struggled a hell of a lot more.

Like a mental health mate?

I mean, we literally talk about everything. We're probably too honest with each other! But I think it's important that everybody has that person. I'll be honest, at the start of this, drinking definitely became a lot more of a thing because there just didn't seem to be any boundaries. I wouldn't say I drank too much, I'd say I drank too often. Just through the boredom, I guess. A lot of people were going through that though I think - there was so many funny, great memes about it I saw friends of mine put up. But it can be quite dark at times. I think the only thing that's really helped me through that is just learning to work out again and learning to put boundaries in for myself in terms of what food I'm eating. As a pop star, I think you're always quite weight conscious. My job has always been about having to work out, doing underwear modelling and all that sort of thing, it makes you quite body conscious at times. It was nice to be able to just sit and eat pizza and chocolate, I really enjoyed that. But getting myself back into the habit of working out and then having a cheat day put in place, so that there was more boundaries in line, I think has definitely helped me.

I'm quite fortunate that I don't put a stack of weight on, although I have gone up rather a lot in size over this time. But I think it was more about routine for me than anything. And I always say, having a small victory before you get into bed at night time. Or life just gets depressing. Whether that small victory is making sure you've spoken to a family member, you've worked out, or whether you did learn to do something today, just something small. There's one task that you literally can't be arsed with, you should get done just on the day, so that you feel good about yourself when you get into bed.

That's so important. So, do you almost have a checklist before you go to bed?

I think as long as I make the gym and I've done that bit and I've taken care of my needs, just cooked some nice food. That's mainly it for me, really. And then I feel good about it. (...)

(...)

Moving on to social media, you've obviously got such a massively positive fan base, but how do you cope with the negative side of social media and the impact that can have on your mental health?

I struggled with it for a long time. I argued with people. I was aggressive on their points trying to fight my own side. And I think for some people you are talking to a brick wall, you will not win and there's no point trying. And also, the more you talk about it, the worse it gets. So, I just shut up and put up a lot of the time. I think it's the Queen that says, "never complain or never explain." And that's something I think myself I do live by because it's just like, with some people it gets worse having the argument and trying to explain yourself. But all of it, it's like five minutes of your life for somebody who doesn't know you, it's just a bit pointless.

You have so much intense public scrutiny on you all the time, how do you navigate keeping something back for yourself, and how have you managed to maintain that sense of privacy over the years?

I think this has been one of my biggest struggles this whole time. Because, I'm very much a heart on the sleeve sort of person. I didn't actually realize this for a long time, but I often give a little bit too much away…But it's definitely a difficult one to flick the two people apart. So that you're on stage, you're a certain type of person, and at home you're a certain type of person. That's always something I've really struggled with.

And you've been famous since the age of 16. How did you manage growing up in that sort of public glare?

Never did! [laughs] My friend was [recently] talking about how he’s got a teenage son that he was really struggling with at the moment. And I was thinking, "oh my God, imagine how much people would have struggled having five teenagers, rowdy boys in a band. It must've been terrible, there's no getting through to them!" And for a while, it probably was. I think we all go through that awkward teen phase where you're finding yourself. And most of us, we get to get away with it. And they're funny family photos for later on; here was your emo phase or whatever you went through! And for us, we never got away with being awkward or annoying at points. It was kind of out there for everyone to see; the awful haircuts and we’re talking terrible clothes, it was all out there.

What has your career taught you about the idea of success and the idea of failure?

I think it's taught me lots about how you would measure success. I came from a family that weren't very well off. We didn't have a lot. My dad was in debt actually when I started. So, success for me always meant a monetary thing to start off with. But then as I got older, I realized I don't really buy all that much. I don't really spend a hell of a lot of money. So, it can't be about a money sort of thing. And it's more now become more about happiness and experiences. And the one thing I always say about my job, no matter what, and everybody gets annoyed at their job sometimes, it is what it is. But for me, at least I get to put a smile on someone's face.

Yes, you do! And what has it taught you about failure?

That's a really good question. It’s taught me I think that perseverance will always prevail in that sense. Because it doesn't always go exactly to plan. We were really lucky when we came up, we absolutely skyrocketed. And then, it's been hard to follow that ever since. But you know, measuring a failure as well. What is a failure? And people will look at this and, for us sometimes getting a 100,000,000 streams isn't quite what we aim for, but it's still 100,000,000 streams….you have to kind of get a hold of yourself. Everything is about perspective at the end of the day, isn't it? That was something I struggled with for a long time, because of how well it went [for the band.]

So you had such high expectations for everything?

Yeah. And it's like, time to give that a break really. And Louis from my band has always been quite great to sit with me and talk with me about stuff. And if I'm feeling a certain way. We've been quite good with each other, actually in that respect and helping each other out, which has been nice.

And finally, if you could sit down with the Liam who was starting out in One Direction in 2010, what advice would you have for him?

I think just have more fun and relax a little bit. I think I was a very serious child, one of those man-childs, I was a man in a child's body pretty early on. And I think I would have avoided that stage, to be honest with you. To enter One Direction as that difficult, because it just meant that I got completely a different job to everybody else.

You were the grown up one?

That was it. And it was boring. I should have just larked around and thrown plates out the window and stuff!

More rock and roll?

Well, I mean at the start, and then later on a bit less rock and roll [laughing.]

Well, thank you so much, Liam. And we look forward to seeing your performance on Sunday at the BAFTAs.

I'll see you wherever you want me in your house, I guess.

Liam Payne is performing an exclusive EE BAFTA AR real-time music performance, ahead of his 5G-powered opening show at the 2021 EE BAFTA Film Awards. Download ‘The Round’ app to enjoy the live AR experience through your mobile phone, wherever you are, this Sunday 11th April 2021 at 18:45pm BST.

[the-art-of-animated-gifs]

Hexeosis:  Why I sell my gifs as Crypto Art

Hexeosis is one of the success stories of Tumblr’s golden age.  The psychedelic gifs created under the Hexeosis name became so popular that the person know as Hexeosis quit their day job and never looked back.  Now Hexeosis sells gifs as Crypto Art, something I have been mystified by.  Hexeosis was generous enough to answer my questions at length below.

Why did you decide to put your art on SuperRare and KnowOrigin?

I like SuperRare and KnownOrigin because they both feature clean interfaces and nice designs that I think complement the work being posted. And, they are some of the leaders in the cryptoart space which means they have traffic from many collectors and many artists. Both of the sites do a lot to promote the artists and the art works as well, which is a great feature.

Once a piece is sold, does that mean no one but the purchaser can see it?  Can it ever be posted online again?

This is one of the things that makes crypto art a unique way to buy and sell art. For the most part, the sites selling crypto art do not prevent others from seeing it once it's sold. It's actually more of the opposite, in that the sites will host the images for all to see whenever they want to. Also, posting on-line is a bit controversial, but most feel that posting on-line is a good way to promote the work and to get a larger audience. There's not much of a real world equivalent to how that aspect works. There's a popular saying in the crypto art world "everyone sees it, only one owns it" said by artist Hackatao. They even made and sold a gif about it:

https://superrare.co/artwork-v2/only-one-owns-it-4489

Some artists and collectors don't completely agree with this idea. Some artists argue that posting the same artwork on social media devalues the crypto art version. Some also would like it to be set up in a way that the collector could decide whether to keep the image private or share more widely with the world. I think this is one of the issues that will continue to be explored as the space grows.

What do the collectors do with the art?

There's a wide range of collector behavior after they purchase a piece of crypto art. Some collectors will create galleries in various decentralized 3d / VR worlds to display the art. This is one of the best things about the ETH NFT art now in my opinion. There's a huge degree of interoperability between many decentralized apps right now. I have a museum and a gallery set up inside of CryptoVoxels, which is a 3d / VR world accessible via web browser. The parcels are sold as tokens on the Ethereum network and the world allows users to embed gifs, video, etc.... A lot of crypto artists have been attracted to the space and are building a really interesting world. Here's two of my locations you can check out:

https://www.cryptovoxels.com/play?coords=NE@1E,261N

and  

https://www.cryptovoxels.com/parcels/929

 You can move around with arrow keys and use mouse to look.

Some people are also buying crypto art as investments. There have been notable re-sales of digital crypto art that have traded for many times the original purchase price. Some collectors are interested in curating collections and some have set up museums for this purpose. There are also 2d web sites that work like portfolios / display pages where collectors can show off their collections. I've also seen people promoting and selling physical display panels for the home, that you can send crypto art that you own to display.

Since you have the original source files you are legally obligated to never create a copy again?  Even for portfolio purposes?

Artists agree to not reupload the same thing to multiple sites for sale, but it's ok to have in your portfolio or twitter feed. The terms of SuperRare state that the artist retains the copyright to the image, so the buyer doesn't even get the rights to re-purpose or publish the art without the permission of the artist. Some artists have decided to also include the copyright when selling the NFT.

Have you sold any pieces?  How is the price relative to real world commercial work?

Yes! I started in December of 2019 on SuperRare and have sold 34 gifs so far for an average price of 1.5 ETH  Here's a list of the artists on SuperRare

https://superrare.co/crypto-artists

where you can see number of items sold / created / average price etc......

Can the artwork be resold?

Yes, this is a big factor actually. A number of collectors do look at this as an investment and do re-sell the works. Many of the platforms even have built-in royalty payments to the original creator. SuperRare and others currently include a 10% royalty payment to the original artist on re-sales. I've already had two works resold and have received a percentage of that sale. It's a pretty cool idea, especially since many artists have seen their early creations rise in value as more people enter the space and want to collect rare items.

Do know of other artists doing this?

I've followed both XCOPY (twitter @XCOPYART) and Yura Miron (twitter @YuraMironArt) for years on Tumblr and Twitter. I noticed that they both were posting more about crypto art and their involvement in it and that's what led me to investigate the space further. XCOPY is now one of the top selling artists, if not the very top at SuperRare. Since I've gotten involved, I've met probably close to 100 other artists now through the discussions groups, metaverse meetups, discord servers and twitter messages.

Do you get the sense that this is growing?

It is growing, there are more artists coming on board all the time and the developers of the dapps keep coming up with new ideas, features and integrations. Two years ago, the early artists were selling pieces for very low prices, under $100 and lately there have been digital crypto artworks that have sold for thousands of dollars.

How do you see the future of crypto art?

It seems like it's still in the really early stages. Most people don't really understand what cryptocurrency is all about and so crypto art is still largely unknown. But I do see it growing and gaining more mainstream acceptance all the time. I think in the future, the interfaces will be more user friendly and the backend will become a bit more transparent. I really like the idea of interoperable, ownable and tradable digital assets and people are coming up with new uses all the time.

Do you feel that the idea of 'owning' digital artwork is antithetical to the open idea of the internet?

I like this question.  When I started the hexeosis project back in 2013 on Tumblr, I was making and posting art "for free" as in, anyone could look at what I was making and enjoy it and download it, etc.... If I could live in a world where money somehow didn't matter, I would be completely ok with that format. I really enjoy making and sharing art with people. The social media platforms have monetized all of the free content that we all have been providing them. They sell ads, etc... but don't share with the creators. I can't pay rent with social media likes or buy food with retweets, so I see cryptoart as a good way for creators to have direct control of the monetization of their work. Since most creators and collectors are ok with the idea of sharing the work, it doesn't really interfere with the open internet concept.

Let me know if you have additional questions! This was fun to think about and try to explain from my point of view. A lot of people in the crypto art space have come from various backgrounds, a lot of them are coders and developers and tend to explain things in a very technical manner. I am approaching it as an artist and looking at the crypto art space as a way to earn money from my digital creations. My explanations above probably gloss over some of the technical aspects and I probably even summarize some things wrong, but it's an evolving space and I am learning all the time. Thanks!

[cosplayinamerica]

Cosplay Over 40 group founders : Jae and Ana

Today I’m highlighting one of the Instagram share pages / theme pages, I followed, Cosplay Over 40. For the past few years, I’ve reached out to various  pages asking about how their page got started.

Ana: We arrived at cosplaying via two different avenues. Jae and I were both into anime, comic-book, and science-fiction geeks growing up. He loved — still loves — Macross and Robotech, I was more Star Blazers, Superfriends, and Star Trek. In high school and college, my friends and I made our own Star Trek uniforms and attended Star Trek events in New York City back when it wasn't called cosplaying. It wasn't even called costuming. It was just being a Star Trek geek. I bought my first official costume — a Star Trek Next Generation science jumpsuit — in grad school, and that just opened the door to what would become cosplaying. I pulled together costumes of Ranma Saotome from Ranma 1/2, Jessie from Pokemon, and Kim Possible, and I'd wear them for Halloween, to library events, and to comic-book expos... what would eventually become the cons we know today.

Jae: I have always loved taking photos. I'd take photos of friends, of people at events I'd attend. I love photography. It's my way of being involved without being the center of attention and without being stuck on the sidelines. I became a sports and portrait photographer, but cosplay always called to me. It just appeals to my geek side. And with Ana getting more and more into cosplay, it only seemed natural for me to turn to cosplay photography.

Ana: At first, we were just thrilled to be part of the cosplay scene. I love fandom meet-ups. I love meeting voice actors and artists, especially those behind the anime and comic-book characters I love. When people come up to me and ask to take photos with my cosplay, it's such a deeply satisfying feeling. My cosplay made people happy, made people smile.

Jae: We got really caught up in that scene, seeing other people reacting to Ana's cosplays and to so many other amazing cosplays.

Ana: And then we started to notice a different reaction. I think I first started noticing it at some meet-ups. There's be the main group, and then there'd be a handful of us on the outside. This happened more and more often, and it took me a few years to realize that those of us on the outside were older than the central groups. Once I realized this, my eyes flew wide open. At cons, I started noticing that the photographers would ignore fabulous, intricate cosplays worn by older cosplayers and would flock to take photos of teenagers and 20-somethings in wigs and bikinis.

Jae: It really pissed us off. Here were so many people who obviously put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into creating armor and amazing sewing projects, and they were barely being given a glance. I started going out of my way to photograph these cosplayers... and all over them were our age or older.

Ana: It finally came to a head in 2019. We spent a weekend at an out-of-state con, and we — myself and all the other older cosplayers — might as well have been invisible.

Jae: One of the other photographers actually told me he only takes photos of "young, pretty girls."

Ana: I told Jae that we couldn't just let this kind of behavior continue. We had to stand up and do something about it, let the older cosplayers know how wonderful they are. I have a Master's in public communications and I've worked as a social-media specialist for various companies and organizations since the mid 1990s. Since cosplay is such a visual art, I went straight to Instagram and searched for "cosplay" and our age range: 40. There was absolutely nothing there.

Jae: We also checked 50. There was nothing. Then we checked 30. Two accounts came up, both dead in the water. One hadn't posted since 2015, and one hadn't posted since 2018.

  Ana: Just to be safe, we also checked "old," "older," "geezer," all those types of terms. There was absolutely nothing. Given what we'd seen over the years at cosplay events, this really didn't surprise us, but it still hit us hard that there was no representation for the older cosplayer. I spent a couple of weeks outlining the guidelines we would follow. We looked at successful cosplay feature sites like @sharingcosplay and @women.of.cosplay. We knew we wanted to feature individuals, to give each cosplayer their time in the spotlight. We also wanted it to be structured. We didn't want to give one cosplayer a huge write-up, then give the next one just a few sentences. Everyone had to be showcased equally. After all, the whole reason we were doing this was because of the inequality we'd seen.

Jae: I felt we had to go beyond Instagram with this. I'd recently gotten into videography. I felt — still feel — that a multimedia market exists for the older cosplayer. I told Ana that we had to take this to podcasts, to YouTube, to even a magazine specializing in the older cosplayer.

Ana: I've worked as an assistant editor and managing editor for several magazines and I currently work as a contributing writer for two specialty magazines, so creating a magazine was something I totally agreed with. I also agreed with the podcasts and You Tube channel. That kind of thing is right up Jae's alley.

Jae: We decided that we would make this a multimedia venture, focusing on the older cosplayer and letting the world know how fabulous older cosplayers are. Older cosplayers have the discretionary income to dedicate to cosplaying. At this age, they're serious about their hobby and it's a true labor of love. It's not just something they do with their friends a couple of times a year. It's a passion. And the skill I've seen, the dedication... it all needed to be celebrated.

Ana: But we decided to start with social media first. We launched on Instagram on June 28, 2019, with Facebook and Twitter following shortly after.  We did encounter a small glitch...

Jae: There was a Facebook group with a very similar name...

Ana: We checked them out and saw they were a community group that shared photos of themselves and events they attended, nothing remotely like what we were doing and have planned for the future. Having studied journalism law and having consulted with a copyright specialist, we knew we were in the clear to bring our dream to life: celebrating the magnificent, often-overlooked older cosplayer.

Jae: The reception has been incredible. Not a week goes by that we don't get a message or email from a cosplayer thrilled to have found a place that showcases people their age. Our age.

Ana: We also get messages from people letting us know they'll be turning 40 soon and can't wait to be featured. We get people who message us on their 40th birthday, eager to be featured. Or who message us just days before their 40th birthday, asking to be featured on their special day. It's been wonderful. It's been mind blowing.

Jae: We've gone to several cons, and the reception there has been amazing. We've spoken to so many older cosplayers, every single one of whom had experienced ageism at these type of events and who were absolutely thrilled to discover that our focus is them and only them.

Ana: And then the pandemic hit.

Jae: It really sucked, from the photography standpoint, to watch everything come to a halt. But this also gave us the push we needed to move forward with our plans.

Ana: We started producing cosplay video projects, open to any cosplayer over the age of 40. We figured that cosplayers were looking for ways to continue cosplaying — safely — during the pandemic, looking for ways to interact with other cosplayers. We'd present a theme and state a deadline for submission.

Jae: We had a tremendous response.

Ana: Jae took all the video clips and edited them into amazing montages that really showcased how amazing cosplayers over 40 truly are. For one video, our Fight Challenge, we had more than 50 cosplayers participate from all over the world.

Jae: We also held an online con in March 2020.

Ana: Yes, our "Con Together." It was nine days of scheduled fandom meet-ups and cosplay sharing. We even had an artist's alley.

Jae: But right now, we've moved on to the next stages of our Cosplay Over 40 plans.

Ana: Jae has been building a dedicated podcast studio outfitted with all sorts of live-streaming equipment. I'm sure I'm not using the right terminology for this. It's Jae's baby, and I trust him implicitly to have it ready to go later this summer. I've also started working on the inaugural issue of Cosplay Over 40 magazine. The editorial content has been decided, I've reached out to cosplayers and others in the cosplay community for interviews and photos, and I'm really looking forward to laying out the issue and getting it to print.

Jae: But even with these new platforms, we are not slowing down with our original presence on Instagram.

Ana: Absolutely not! We're still growing — we just passed 3,900 followers — and we are now actually part of the @SharingCosplay family of feature pages. We are always looking for new cosplayers to feature and we always invite those we've featured in the past to share more of their cosplays with us. We have cosplayers in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and even in their 70s sending in their photos. Like I said before, it's mind blowing.

Jae: There's a sense of satisfaction that comes from showcasing cosplayers in our age demographic and beyond, of showing the world how awesome cosplayers over 40 truly are.

https://linktr.ee/cosplayover40

[lilothrowbacks]

This weekend it’s the UK’s biggest event on the entertainment calendar, with the 74th EE British Academy of Film and Television Awards taking place at the Albert Hall with guests and nominees attending virtually for the first time, thanks to Covid-19. And while the awards promise to be as exciting as possible in these unprecedented times, on Sunday night we will also be treated to another exciting world-first in the form of Liam Payne being beamed into houses up and down the country while performing for the opening of the ceremony.

Yup, if you’ve ever fancied the former One Direction crooner serenading you at the end of your bed, on Sunday you can make your dreams a reality – or augmented reality – as Liam has joined forces with the EE network to create a 3D avatar hologram of himself that can be beamed through the app ‘The Round’ (available on any mobile device) as he performs at the Albert Hall. Super fans can also get to experience the avatar in their homes, or on-the-go, ahead of the performance, if they tune in via the app at 6.45pm, 15 minutes before the hologram joins real Liam on stage to perform.

GLAMOUR caught up with Liam to discuss this sci-fi sounding excitement as well as hear how the past year has treated him. In a wide-ranging chat with the ever-charming Liam, we covered all things from the struggles of lockdown and coping with his mental health to his former bandmates, burgeoning acting career, new music and co-parenting his 4-year old son, Bear, with his ex, Cheryl.

Is the fact that you're performing at the BAFTAs a sign that your acting career is on the rise?

I've done a lot of auditions, a lot of tapes. The thing about acting somebody told me, it’s very much like: are you right for the part and is the part right for you? I think it takes a lot of talent, luck and judgment going into acting to actually get into a job. I mean, hat's off to anybody who does it because it's a long process. I seem to get through to like the final five or final three people for every role and then not quite get it. Which is frustrating but, you know, that’s how it goes. I've had a fair few auditions and I was lucky enough to get into the final five again for one audition that I got to meet Steven Spielberg [a couple of years ago] on my 25th birthday which was quite amazing. But it's been fairly slow through the pandemic obviously.

And what about music? Have you been writing anything, or even been in the studio?

I'm going to the studio later on today actually, to record something for the first time in a while. Which is quite weird to be traveling back into London to go into work. I've been doing some stuff from home as well, which has been quite interesting. Zoom sessions don't really work out all that well, it's very difficult. I'm sure a lot of musicians will agree. So, it's been kind of hard to work properly during this half of the pandemic. The other first half of the pandemic, I just did these live shows, which was really amazing to play live and do them online, which was kind of strange... It's been difficult in terms of the creative process for me.

The past year has been challenging for absolutely everyone, no matter their circumstances. How has it affected you on a personal and a professional level?

In the first half of it, I was so busy that I didn't really notice it as much, except for having to do a lot of stuff myself without crew and learning to do hair and makeup was kind of a weird experience. But then this second half, I stopped working and I had a full, proper month off [and that was] really hard. And it was all a bit dark for me for a little bit and I'm sure many people experienced it. Just not being able to go anywhere, not be able to do anything. It really, really hit home. And I just found myself sat in the same place day in, day out. And I was like, okay, I really do not know what to do with myself.

You’ve bravely spoken about struggling with your mental health in the past, and you say now that you did go into a bit of a dark place recently, how have you coped with that?

I think it's an ongoing experience. For me, learning to relax has always been quite a hard thing to do because I feel like if I'm not moving forward, then I must be going backwards. And I think that's something that I've always struggled with. So, in a way it's kind of a blessing in disguise, as this has all kind of taught me to relax a little bit more. And to not be so worried about that, like the world is not going to fall over if I don't do something today. So, it's been nice in that respect. But I think for a lot of people it's difficult, and I definitely took for granted how much I miss my family. I'm used to being away from home, I'm used to being abroad and not seeing very much of them. But I'd always see them at a show or at something once a year. And then now that that's all been taken away, it's been a lot to not see my family and realise how much they actually ground me.

So, what have you found helpful or supportive during the past year? Have you turned to anything to get you through these dark times?

Friends that are there for you... [talking to] one of my managers that I'm quite close with. I think a lot of guys struggle to talk about what the hell is going on a lot of the time. And for me and him, actually we're quite heart on our sleeves sort of people, so we talk a lot about different things. But I think if I didn't have that, someone to share that with, I think I would have struggled a hell of a lot more.

Like a mental health mate?

I mean, we literally talk about everything. We're probably too honest with each other! But I think it's important that everybody has that person. I'll be honest, at the start of this, drinking definitely became a lot more of a thing because there just didn't seem to be any boundaries. I wouldn't say I drank too much, I'd say I drank too often. Just through the boredom, I guess. A lot of people were going through that though I think - there was so many funny, great memes about it I saw friends of mine put up. But it can be quite dark at times. I think the only thing that's really helped me through that is just learning to work out again and learning to put boundaries in for myself in terms of what food I'm eating. As a pop star, I think you're always quite weight conscious. My job has always been about having to work out, doing underwear modelling and all that sort of thing, it makes you quite body conscious at times. It was nice to be able to just sit and eat pizza and chocolate, I really enjoyed that. But getting myself back into the habit of working out and then having a cheat day put in place, so that there was more boundaries in line, I think has definitely helped me.

I'm quite fortunate that I don't put a stack of weight on, although I have gone up rather a lot in size over this time. But I think it was more about routine for me than anything. And I always say, having a small victory before you get into bed at night time. Or life just gets depressing. Whether that small victory is making sure you've spoken to a family member, you've worked out, or whether you did learn to do something today, just something small. There's one task that you literally can't be arsed with, you should get done just on the day, so that you feel good about yourself when you get into bed.

That's so important. So, do you almost have a checklist before you go to bed?

I think as long as I make the gym and I've done that bit and I've taken care of my needs, just cooked some nice food. That's mainly it for me, really. And then I feel good about it. And obviously taking care of my son and seeing Bear as well, that's been quite a difficult one. I got a lot better at bedtime FaceTime.

How have you found co-parenting Bear during the pandemic?

Fantastic. I mean, Cheryl is literally the best person to co-parent with. No stress involved. It's very, very relaxed, and we spend a lot of time on FaceTime. And it's been really lovely, and I'm closer to them than I've ever been before, actually, which is really, really nice. But bedtime FaceTime can go really well sometimes. Or I bought him some toys yesterday that I showed them on the FaceTime and it was like I had to go and travel over and hand the toys over the fence! 

Moving on to social media, you've obviously got such a massively positive fan base, but how do you cope with the negative side of social media and the impact that can have on your mental health?

I struggled with it for a long time. I argued with people. I was aggressive on their points trying to fight my own side. And I think for some people you are talking to a brick wall, you will not win and there's no point trying. And also, the more you talk about it, the worse it gets. So, I just shut up and put up a lot of the time. I think it's the Queen that says, "never complain or never explain." And that's something I think myself I do live by because it's just like, with some people it gets worse having the argument and trying to explain yourself. But all of it, it's like five minutes of your life for somebody who doesn't know you, it's just a bit pointless. 

You have so much intense public scrutiny on you all the time, how do you navigate keeping something back for yourself, and how have you managed to maintain that sense of privacy over the years?

I think this has been one of my biggest struggles this whole time. Because, I'm very much a heart on the sleeve sort of person. I didn't actually realize this for a long time, but I often give a little bit too much away…But it's definitely a difficult one to flick the two people apart. So that you're on stage, you're a certain type of person, and at home you're a certain type of person. That's always something I've really struggled with.

And you've been famous since the age of 16. How did you manage growing up in that sort of public glare?

Never did! [laughs] My friend was [recently] talking about how he’s got a teenage son that he was really struggling with at the moment. And I was thinking, "oh my God, imagine how much people would have struggled having five teenagers, rowdy boys in a band. It must've been terrible, there's no getting through to them!" And for a while, it probably was. I think we all go through that awkward teen phase where you're finding yourself. And most of us, we get to get away with it. And they're funny family photos for later on; here was your emo phase or whatever you went through! And for us, we never got away with being awkward or annoying at points. It was kind of out there for everyone to see; the awful haircuts and we’re talking terrible clothes, it was all out there.

What has your career taught you about the idea of success and the idea of failure?

I think it's taught me lots about how you would measure success. I came from a family that weren't very well off. We didn't have a lot. My dad was in debt actually when I started. So, success for me always meant a monetary thing to start off with. But then as I got older, I realized I don't really buy all that much. I don't really spend a hell of a lot of money. So, it can't be about a money sort of thing. And it's more now become more about happiness and experiences. And the one thing I always say about my job, no matter what, and everybody gets annoyed at their job sometimes, it is what it is. But for me, at least I get to put a smile on someone's face.

Yes, you do! And what has it taught you about failure?

That's a really good question. It’s taught me I think that perseverance will always prevail in that sense. Because it doesn't always go exactly to plan. We were really lucky when we came up, we absolutely skyrocketed. And then, it's been hard to follow that ever since. But you know, measuring a failure as well. What is a failure? And people will look at this and, for us sometimes getting a 100,000,000 streams isn't quite what we aim for, but it's still 100,000,000 streams….you have to kind of get a hold of yourself. Everything is about perspective at the end of the day, isn't it? That was something I struggled with for a long time, because of how well it went [for the band.]

So you had such high expectations for everything?

Yeah. And it's like, time to give that a break really. And Louis from my band has always been quite great to sit with me and talk with me about stuff. And if I'm feeling a certain way. We've been quite good with each other, actually in that respect and helping each other out, which has been nice.

And finally, if you could sit down with the Liam who was starting out in One Direction in 2010, what advice would you have for him?

I think just have more fun and relax a little bit. I think I was a very serious child, one of those man-childs, I was a man in a child's body pretty early on. And I think I would have avoided that stage, to be honest with you. To enter One Direction as that difficult, because it just meant that I got completely a different job to everybody else.

You were the grown up one?

That was it. And it was boring. I should have just larked around and thrown plates out the window and stuff!

More rock and roll?

Well, I mean at the start, and then later on a bit less rock and roll [laughing.]

Well, thank you so much, Liam. And we look forward to seeing your performance on Sunday at the BAFTAs.

I'll see you wherever you want me in your house, I guess.

Liam Payne is performing an exclusive EE BAFTA AR real-time music performance, ahead of his 5G-powered opening show at the 2021 EE BAFTA Film Awards. Download ‘The Round’ app to enjoy the live AR experience through your mobile phone, wherever you are, this Sunday 11th April 2021 at 18:45pm BST.

7.4.2021

[swiftlymoniquesblog]

A Tribute to Supernatural (LONG post ahead)

Well, today is the day. The day I have struggled with for the past year or so, the inevitable. The day the last episode of Supernatural was going to air on television. I never thought I’d be writing about this, about how much this show has meant to me, but with today being the day another chapter in all our lives comes to a close, I feel like I owe it to the cast and crew and to all of you, to make this post. So here it goes.

I haven’t been in the fandom for too long, about two-and-a-half years now. I’ll never forget my anniversary date: May 20th. That was the day that changed my life forever. I know, sounds pretty cliché but it’s the truth. I remember that day very vividly, too. I had gone on a bus trip with my family, out to stay at a casino about an eight-hour drive with my family. It was rather a fun time and I remember on our way back home; I was searching through Netflix for a new series to start, and Supernatural had popped up. I hesitated trying it again, because I had previously watched the first episode of the first season, and it absolutely freaked me out. I had tried to watch the second episode after that but couldn’t make it halfway through. After much deliberation with my friends on Facebook, who had been fans for quite a long time at that point, had told me to just push through and keep watching because it got better. So, with an eight-hour drive ahead of me, I figured I’d start it again and really give it time. Little did I know, that was the day that I would hold close to my heart forever. And of course, my friends were pleased to have heard I was giving it another chance because they knew I’d love it; they were right.

Fast forward to today, and this show is way more than just a show to me. It’s become a way for me to connect with people, complete strangers in most cases, but it’s become a safe place. Sure, I’ve had my share of negative people or “bullies” if you want to call them that, but none of that would stop me from talking or sharing anything about the show. Then, I got more invested in the cast and who they were outside of the show. I never realized how important they would become to me too, but they really have and they’ve become like a distant family. Granted, I’ve only met a lot of the cast just once, but the connection they give us, whether through the characters of the show, or the small glimpse into their personal lives they give us, just makes you feel like you’re apart of something bigger. And they never let you think that they don’t care. Of course, they don’t really know me, just like I really don’t know them, yet they have a way to make all of us feel like we’re tied together somehow, and it’s beautiful.

Like I’ve previously stated, I have met quite a few members of the cast (see photos above). My first Supernatural convention was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. It had been several years since a convention was set up in Texas but when they announced there was going to be one in the Dallas area, I knew I had to be there. The show had already made that much of a difference to me, under a year. 2019 was the year I graduated from university and I wanted to do something really special to celebrate such a big accomplishment. What did I choose to do? Celebrate with the Supernatural family of course! When I began buying tickets, it was scary yet exciting. I, unfortunately, didn’t get a photo with Jensen because they had sold out already, three months before the event was going to take place (hence the photo with a poster of Jensen). I bought the photo with Jared and was extremely nervous about that photo more than any others. I still really don’t have a solid answer as to why I was so scared to meet him but I usually say because he’s so freaking tall, it’s kind of intimidating, and the fact that I had built such a high pedestal for Sam in my mind, that I was afraid I would disappoint myself seeing Jared, but none of that happened.

Getting to go to a Supernatural convention is extremely difficult. It’s so unbelievably expensive, I still can’t believe I’m trying to go a second time (if COVID would just CHILL) but the experience as a whole, is what does it for me. If you go as I did, I went for the entire weekend because I didn’t want to miss a single minute of all the excitement that was building from Creation Entertainment or the fans who were going to. Actually, it turns out, that a few of the friends I made via social media, were going to be there that weekend too, so we made plans to meet up in person; and we did! The fans are what really makes the convention's special. Because we all have one thing in common and we all can share our experiences and laugh or cry with each other. It’s a community I’ve never been apart of before, but that’s what makes it so special. The fandom has, mostly, been very generous to me. Offering up advice on what to expect when going to the convention and advice on meeting everyone. Most of the advice came about meeting Jared and it turned out everyone was right.

Jared Tristan Padalecki is one GIANT teddy bear! So many people described him that way to me but once you get to see him up close, it’s nothing like you imagine. He is HUGE and it is kind of scary with that floating over your head, but when you walk up to him, he smiles so wide at you and is so happy to see you. For me, I went right in for a hug, wrapping my arms around his waist and his around my back or so. It was brief but I felt so safe just being that close to him for that small amount of time. And then my op, is my friend is supposed to be sad that I’m hugging Jared and not her. We weren’t prepared too much on how we were going to pose, but I remember Jared had reached out for my friend to be closer to him in the photo but she said that she was supposed to be over here for the pose. I remember too, Jared grabbing me and wrapping his arm around me, right under my neck, somewhat close to my boobs (no, he didn’t touch them, even by accident) and I responded by bringing my arms up to hold onto him too, then the photo was taken. I made sure I was smiling and had no idea how Jared looked, but I think he looks absolutely adorable smiling like he was. And when I went to walk away, I looked up at him, looked into those beautiful eyes, and thanked him for the photo and being there that weekend. He smiled at me and rubbed my back just briefly, but I felt heat rise in the place he touched. Other fans too, commented how happy he looked, when I went to pick up my photo on the table that held all the freshly printed photos. I was really happy with how it turned out but I kind of wished we planned it better. This second con, if I get to go, will be a lot better because I’ll have a photo with Jensen and two with Jared, and I’ve already come up with the poses for those three ops.

Ultimately, this show and the community of fans, has really gotten me through a lot. Recently too, life has been pretty difficult for me, but I always just look at my phone to see my wallpaper of me and Jared, and that makes me feel a lot better. I’ve invested so much time and effort into this show, that I can’t imagine a world where it no longer exists. I don’t believe everything we’ve built as a fandom is going away, it’s just going to look a lot different.

I’ve had my own fears for how this day was supposed to come. And it was supposed to originally end much earlier in this year but because it got delayed, the final filming, it brought me a small bit of relief because it meant I got to hold on to Sam and Dean just a little longer. But now that this day is here, I am grateful for all it’s brought me; happiness and a sense of family. I’ve worried too much about how we are all going to carry on without new episodes coming on. Will everyone end up forgetting the show? Will it still be as important to people as it is right now? Will all the merchandise disappear? Will conventions still be going, if they get picked up again? How will people see Jensen and Jared now that they have separate plans? Will they lose fans after the last episode ends? Will we still mean as much to them now as we did at the start of it all? What is the future going to hold for Sam and Dean? So many questions plague my thoughts and have ever since Jensen, Jared and Misha announced season 15 was going to be the last one. But I guess that’s all just a part of the life cycle of a show. And maybe all of these questions will have answers tonight, maybe they won’t. Only time will tell.

All in all, I am so incredibly proud of everyone who was involved in that show. They worked incredibly hard to bring these characters to life every week and they gave us a wonderful fifteen-year run. A lot can happen in fifteen years, and it has, for all of us. No one is the same person they were fifteen years ago; I know I was a child and now I’m all grown up. To try and put into words what this show has meant to me, wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, but my level of gratitude to everyone isn’t as easy. I feel like thank you, just isn’t enough. The cast and crew deserve way more than just a thank you and that’s why I’m writing this. But the biggest debt I owe is to Jensen and Jared and everyone who was at the sets from the very beginning. I know it must’ve been difficult, being away from family members as often as you were, but it doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you to Eric for creating this show and this community. For sharing an insight into the thoughts that roam around your head and bringing them to life. For gifting us with Sam and Dean Winchester, two of the most beloved characters I think anyone has ever seen. I can just see years from now, people talking about the ‘greatest television shows of all time’ and I imagine that Supernatural will be on that list, if not at the top. I hope someone not only talks about the show itself but about the fans and the dedication we have to a storyline so unique as this one. To all the writers, y’all have made me laugh and cry and cheer for the good guys. There have been breathtaking highs and heartbreaking lows throughout the years but what a ride! Never have I been this invested in a tv show before, but as my Supernatural Day 2019 shirt says “possessed and obsessed.”

Finally, to the Supernatural fans, I love you all so much. There isn’t another group of people I would want to have as friends to cope with this ending. I know it’s been hard on all of us, having to accept the end, but we’ve gotten this far, so let’s bring it home. Let us be the ones to carry on the “family business.” We can carry the lessons that the Winchesters taught us and we can be the ones who won’t ever let them be forgotten. It is a privilege to have walked this journey this far and I hope to walk through to the end, together as a family. I want this to hold a special place in your heart years from now, as it will mine. Never forget what this show, this family, the cast and crew have meant to you. It can be easy to forget something that is no longer right in your face but keep the memories close to your heart, forever.

Let’s kick this ending in the ass and come together to support each other in this difficult time. And, as a few people have mentioned, carry on wayward son (and daughters) there will be peace when you are done.

[satonthelotuspier]

*slides into your askbox* Could we get a 10. "Am I dreaming or did you actually smile at me?" with SangCheng or SangYu pretty please?

Thank you for the ask dear Anon, I hope you like the below, I went for SangCheng because I thought JC’s personality would fit the prompt premise well (because he’s not a smiley boy normally)

This was his own stupid fault, Nie Huaisang realised as his brother demanded to know who the sour-faced kid who Huaisang had recreated in his sketchbook a thousand times was.

And Nie Mingjue was exaggerating, it wasn’t anywhere near a thousand times. It was twenty times maximum. He hadn’t been here long enough for it to be many more. Yet.

This is what happened when you accidentally left things like your sketchbook lying around when your nosy, over protective older brother came to visit you at university.

“He’s just some boy from around campus” Nie Huaisang tried to play it off. Some boy who lived down the hall from him. Who he stalked every day on social media and drew constantly because he was the only thing Nie Huaisang could think about at the moment.

Nie Mingjue did not need to know this though.

“He’d better be kind to you. Why haven’t you told me about him? Do I need to have a talk with him?” The questions were fired thick and fast and the final was accompanied by the crack of knuckles.

“Da-ge, he’s just some boy. We don’t even talk; he doesn’t like me, he doesn’t know I exist”

Well perhaps the last bit was a lie; Jiang Cheng kind of knew Nie Huaisang existed, he just looked at him with that same expression of…not quite disdain, more disinterest…when they passed on the hallway of the apartment building.

His brother who shared the apartment with him was much more friendly.

“Why doesn’t he like you? Is he blind? Simple? Do you want me to beat him up?”

Nie Huaisang felt a throb of a headache behind his eyes; he rubbed them with thumb and forefinger; this was getting silly.

“Da-ge, you can’t beat someone up for not liking me”

“I can” Nie Mingjue said with perfect logic.

“Well, yes, you can, but that doesn’t mean that you should. Can we forget it? It’s embarrassing. And it’s just life”

He was surprised when his normally gruff brother put an arm over his shoulders.

“Alright” he agreed, “but don’t forget you’re a Nie. You deserve the best; someone who’ll make you feel as special as you are. Don’t you dare settle for less” his brother ruffled his hair then, much to Nie Huaisang’s annoyance.

***

A few weeks and several more sketches later Nie Huaisang was settling into university life quite well. He was quite sociable and had started to build a circle of friends, mostly from within his own art department. And he chatted quite often with Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng’s brother.

As the continued sketches indicated he wasn’t over his crush on Jiang Cheng, but it was an inconvenience he just accepted, telling himself crushes came and went and there wasn’t much point obsessing. He didn’t class the art as obsessing as such, that was his therapy, working through it.

It was a Saturday night and he and some of those art department friends went to a club with a decent dance floor. The first part of the evening passed with dancing, selfies, drinking and general good times.

He was distracted later on by the sudden increase in excited female voices from the other side of the dance floor.

What?

Was that really the object of his unrequited crush? Surrounded by about thirty girls from the social sciences department? Well, no it wasn’t, thirty girls was an exaggeration. It seemed it was a family trait. Brought about by the sharp jab of jealousy Nie Huaisang experienced at the sight of the five or six girls all over Jiang Cheng. Who danced. And there wasn’t a sneer in sight on his face.

What?

Wei Wuxian had never mentioned Jiang Cheng had an identical twin, so it probably was the man himself.

So why did he seem to warm and outgoing when normally he was so aloof and looked like the world annoyed him?

Nie Huaisang’s heart began to pound against his ribcage as the other chose that exact moment to look up and catch his gaze. His eyes seemed to light up as he saw Huaisang, and he pushed through the gaggle of girls, seemingly to make his way over.

A smile pulled up his normally grim mouth, and Nie Huaisang considered calling the police at how much it softened his eyes and the harsh angles of his face. This had to be illegal.

“Nie Huaisang” Jiang Cheng said like they were old friends rather than people who ignored each other as they passed on the hallway, “Dance with me?” he asked.

It was all too much for Nie Huaisang to process, the only thing that occurred to him to say was: “Am I dreaming or did you actually smile at me?”

If it was possible that smile widened as he nodded, “Dance?” he offered again and how could Nie Huaisang say no?

So they danced, Jiang Cheng leaned down to say in his ear, “You look amazing tonight, I’m so jealous of your fashion sense”

Jiang Cheng was a conservative dresser, tonight it was dark jeans, a deep purple button down over a black t-shirt and converse, whereas Nie Huaisang had a distinct style of his own, tonight wearing dark green skinny jeans, gold patent leather biker boots and a silky wide sleeved gold shirt, but he dressed for his own pleasure. Jiang Cheng didn’t put himself together badly, he was just conventional, obviously not wanting or needing to stand out via his clothes.

They continued to dance and Jiang Cheng continued to flirt, and if it went to Nie Huaisang’s head no one could blame him.

If he accepted and responded to the kisses Jiang Cheng began to initiate no one could blame him.

If he took Jiang Cheng home no one could blame him.

Jiang Cheng might never be that someone who treated him like he was something special like his brother had advised, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy themselves if it was what they both wanted.

Nie Huaisang should have noticed something was wrong in the taxi on the way home. And he definitely should have as they sat on the edge of his bed exchanging kisses; that glazed look that grew in Jiang Cheng’s eyes, the unsteadiness.

He only noticed when the other face-planted into his shoulder then slowly slid down his body, completely unconscious.

He was a little slow due to the alcohol he’d consumed himself, but he leapt to his feet with a “What the hell”, then checked the other for breathing and a pulse, thinking it was just his luck to have killed the man he liked at the kissing stage.

Luckily the other was indeed still breathing. Just out completely cold.

Nie Huaisang had assumed the other had had a drink tonight; you didn’t generally go out for the night and not drink. But he hadn’t seemed drunk, he’d seemed perfectly in control of himself; his words; his body. Nothing had said he was particularly far gone.

Nie Huaisang rang Wei Wuxian on his mobile phone.

The other answered eventually, he could hear the noise in the background signalling Wei Wuxian was still out at a club somewhere.

“Just to let you know your brother is passed out cold at my place”

“I wondered where he’d disappeared to, I was about to call him. He did have a lot to drink tonight”

NO KIDDING! Nie Huaisang kicked the unconscious Jiang Cheng in the shin of the leg that draped off the side of his bed, lucky for the other he didn’t still have his boots on.

“I noticed” the tone was acerbic. He briefly wondered if it was too late to take his own brother up on the offer to beat Jiang Cheng up.

“I’m sorry, did he do something to annoy you? He isn’t a pushy drunk”

“No, he just turns into a seducer” Nie Huaisang snapped.

“What?” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, “What happened?”

“Nothing” to my regret, “Don’t worry anyway, he’s here. He can stay; he’s pretty much unconscious”

“Honestly Nie Huaisang, don’t worry, Jiang Cheng doesn’t get handsy or lecherous or anything. He just loses all his inhibitions and actually becomes really out of character honest when he’s drunk. He really likes you but you’ll be safe, he’ll understand no is no, I promise. But I can come get him if you’re uncomfortable with anything he said to you tonight”

“He…likes me?”

“Didn’t he tell you?”

Not in so many words. But yes, if you knew Jiang Cheng was a super honest drunk then yes, he really had told Nie Huaisang he liked him, with actions more than words however.

“He’ll be fine here overnight Wei Wuxian, enjoy your evening” he virtually hung up on the other mid conversation, wanting to consider his words and Jiang Cheng’s actions.

It didn’t mean he would instantly forgive the other for acting like he didn’t exist for the past few months and then drunk passing out on him before anything of interest happened tonight. But it was something to consider for the morning.

He should probably make the other more comfortable instead of leaving him in the pile he’d collapsed into.

He matched actions to thoughts and arranged Jiang Cheng on his side and under the blankets.

Nie Huaisang was still irritated, no point pretending otherwise, but the other was going to get quite a talking to in the morning, hangover or not, now he was forearmed with the knowledge Wei Wuxian had provided.

[journeytothecenterofmymind]

Memes galore!

Today kids, we're talking about memes. Memes are one of my favorite formats of humor, especially when they relate to history and literature. I share memes on my Instagram story every day. I follow multiple meme accounts, but I mostly repost literature memes I see on the many hashtags I follow and on the literature pages I follow. I personally think that sparknotes shares the best lit memes, and I repost those often. I don't post every meme I see, however, I only post memes that I find either particularly interesting or really funny. I think Instagram or Facebook are certainly the best places to find original memes and memes that are reposted from tumblr and reddit. I honestly think reddit is the best place to find original memes, you just have to be looking on the right subreddits. Instagram is the best because it's a picture sharing platform and a lot of memes are in picture form, so it's just common sense. Facebook is similar to Instagram in that it also has the capability to share photos, but this feature isn't the main focus like it is on insta.

There are certainly people who are more likely to post memes than others. People who are really into memes will sometimes start their own meme accounts, reposting memes and posting some original content. Some brands post memes, as it makes them seem more relatable than if they post formal advertisements. Some brands I've seen utilize memes for advertisement are Gucci, Barkbox, Slim Jim, Sparknotes, Bustle, etc. Some athletes and sports associations like the NBA use memes to stay relevant and because people like them.

Memes are incredibly important to the social media ecosystem. Since they are so popular and so easy to understand and create, they can be created and changed slightly to match the aspects of the brand that are desired and are incredibly useful to marketing. Again, people would rather see an everyday meme that makes them laugh than a formal ad for something they may not even want to buy. When I see that brands use memes as ads, I usually don't even notice it's an ad. I see a meme I like and I hit the like button without thinking twice or looking at the account that posted it. Because of actions like this, the memes get likes and the appear more frequently in the algorithm which causes similar ads to appear more frequently on your page, eventually pulling you in to buy something or visit their page or website. I think the companies that dedicate the bulk of their content to ads via memes are smart because when you go to their page and see all these memes, it feels less like they're trying to sell you something and more like their just trying to entertain you.

Memes are incredibly useful for communication because they capture the viewer's attention with a brief message. Since most of the internet seems to appreciate memes, this is a useful means of putting out information. People connect through memes by sharing the ones they find entertaining or even cringy with their friends, family, and even followers. One meme can be posted and get 10 likes in the first 2 hours it's on the web, but once one person shares it with their 5 closest friends and those friends share it with their families, and so on, the meme goes viral and the next day it can have 10 million likes. The internet is amazing for sharing information quickly, efficiently, and widely, and the sharing of memes is not exception.

No matter how entertaining and widely accessible memes are, there are some time when it is inappropriate to use them. One example would be in a business meeting. In a high profile business meeting where professionalism is the most important factor, sharing a light-hearted meme would probably not go over well. Memes tend not to match the energy of the business setting. Another example would be in a doctor's office. Having one or two memes posted on the wall can be a way to make your patients feel more at ease at the doctor, but if the doctor starts referencing memes or shows them to the patient, it can make the patient question the doctor's professionalism and make them not want to go back to that doctor's office.

Overall, memes are amazing ways to start a conversation, educate people on very basic information, they're good for marketing, and they're just plain fun. I have included some of my favorite memes here because how can you have a post about memes but not post any?

[luninosity]

feettootie said:MOR – I mean! thank you. If course I mean Thank You! I’d never be SO rude as to demand an end to Justin’s suffering Right Now. …nope, not me. :-)                            

~

...more, you say? Following on from the previous...

#

“We’ll leave.” Mara slid to her feet. “We don’t want to…to make him feel more than he has to. But…give me your hand.”

 Kris did. The shoved-up sleeve of his shirt caught his eye: indigo, because Justin liked purple; a deeper solid color, because he wasn’t young enough for transparent or fish-net anymore, but with little glittery bits in, under stage jewelry.

 Because he’d been performing. Because it’d been their show—

 He wanted to start shaking. He felt sick.

 Justin’s aunt touched his hand; sparks seared, flared, settled into skin. Kris had worn Justin’s demon-mark, the claiming-mark, for so long that he rarely thought about it; Justin’s fingerprints settled easily in smoke and scarlet over his forearm. Protection from anyone else, Justin had said once, and a promise: Kris could touch the mark, press his own fingers into it, and call his demon-husband to his side.

 The back of his hand glimmered in ruby sunfire, now. Mara said, “It’ll last for two days, more or less, that one. I won’t renew it unless you ask. If you need us…”

 “I’ll call you.” Kris wiggled fingers. “I promise.”

 “Good,” she said, and touched Justin’s shoulder again. “Pet? We’re going. We’ll come back if you ask.”

 Justin blinked, yawned, winced, managed the pencil-sketch of a smile. “Thank you.”

 “Oh, don’t thank us,” Mara said, “you’re going to be human for a while, and we’re very sorry,”

 “I am human.” Justin’s smile grew a fraction. “And Kris will take care of me.”

 “He’d better,” said his aunt, and all three demons vanished, because they knew a good exit line; the air tasted of smoke and hot coals and wild flowers, after.

 Night fell like wings around them: amber light, sofa-cushions, New York twinkling companionably through wide windows. Stars and lights craned their necks; Justin curled himself further under the blanket.

 Kris tucked knitted stripes more closely around him. “Are you cold, love?”

 “A little. Mostly it’s just that everything hurts…” Justin snuck a hand up; Kris took it and kept it and guarded it ferociously. “I’ve pushed myself before, but this feels worse.”

 “D’you want coffee? Tea? Our bed?” He rubbed a thumb over the back of Justin’s hand, marveling: Justin was real and alive and loved him. “Anything.”

 “You’re trying to do something,” Justin said. “To do something, make something, fix something…”

 “Please let me?”

 “It’s not fixable,” Justin said. “You heard them…”

 “They said rest. And stay calm, and quiet.” He lifted Justin’s hand, dropped a kiss there. “I’m here for all of that.”

 “You love me.”

 “I do. Married you, didn’t I?”

 This got a laugh, though small; he’d guessed it would. “Kris Starr,” Justin said. “Married. To me.”

 “To the best person I’ve ever known.” One more kiss. “You didn’t answer me about the tea. And—I know your aunts said human doctors wouldn’t help, but would it, at all? You are half human, and they don’t know everything.”

 “They don’t, but I don’t think it’d make a difference.” Justin scrunched up that nose. “I know what’s wrong—I know how I feel—and there’s not really a fix for this kind of burnout. I could maybe use some extra-strength painkillers, but that’s about it.”

 His phone buzzed again, with a mild sense of shame about interruptions. Kris planned to ignore it some more; Justin said, abruptly horrified, “My family. The news—”

 Kris said a word or two that his mother would’ve never countenanced, and snatched up the mobile. Family. Yes. Six missed calls from Justin’s parents and assorted siblings, eight texts, and three other calls, one from Justin’s best friend Anna, one from his friend and employer Willie Randolph and one from Kris’s own best friend and former bassist. “Gods, even Reggie called you—”

 “You don’t have your phone.” Justin struggled to sit up; Kris dove in for support. “The stories…”

 The stories splashed themselves across headlines and home pages and social media. Accident at Kris Starr concert. Collapsing balcony. Heroic rescue. Lots of pictures of Kris and Justin standing side by side on stage; a few less tactful snapshots of Kris cradling Justin in the wake of calamity.

 Kris scrolled hastily past those. No need to see it. Or to relive it. He was still living it. “Should I call your mum?”

 “Yes, please…”

 They did. Justin’s family answered in a riot of emotion, despite the late hour. Both Professors Moore-Bautista were not only awake but alarmed; the twins and little Isabella had evidently stayed awake, worried about their oldest brother, and even James and Stephanie joined in via shared video call. Justin’s closest sibling pushed up his glasses and asked, “What caused the collapse? Do they know?”

 James always had been an engineer at heart, just like his wife; they were working on the interdimensional gateway project out at that California lab, Kris knew. James also looked too much like Justin: younger, plus the glasses and minus the demon half, but they had the same chin and the same nose and the same unconscious head-tilt when listening. Kris’s heart couldn’t quite handle that at the moment, and tensed a little.

 “We don’t know,” Justin answered, “but someone will. Probably just age; it was an old venue…”

 “Too old,” Kris grumbled.

 “Justin…” Justin’s father had always looked exactly like Kris’s mental idea of a historian: tall and thin, all salt-and-pepper, scholarly and gentlemanly over a secret giddy heart that’d once upon a time jumped into the pit at Kris Starr concerts and loved a demon wife and raised a half-demon son. Right now his eyes brimmed over with anxiety. “The news says you’re hurt?”

 “I’m…” Justin hesitated. “Kris is fine. I’m…not physically hurt.”

 “Yes you are,” Kris said.

 Justin’s family got more worried.

 Justin sighed. “It’s just burnout, okay? Nothing hit me or anything, I just over-extended myself. I’ll be okay.”

 “That sort of psychic trauma can be—”

 “Kells,” Justin said to his stepmother, “I know. I’m going to be fine.” Affection colored his tone, clear and bright. “The aunts came over and checked on me. It’s going to be not exactly fun for a while, but they said I should be okay.”

 They’d said they thought so. Different. Not the same. Kris stared hard at his husband. Justin yawned and put his head on Kris’s shoulder. “Mostly I need to rest. We only wanted to check in. We’re all right.”

 “Don’t do anything much,” Justin’s stepmother said, “and we can send Andy and Eddie over with anything you need, or at least throw some egg rolls or soup or turon and caramel sauce through one of James’s miniature portal prototypes, there’s still one in the lab out back and I could fiddle with the coordinates—”

 “That’s where that one is,” James said, illuminated. “I thought I’d left it on campus…”

 “You left that one with your parents,” Steph said, “and also the hyperstring predictor we were working on, the one that didn’t work, and also the interdimensional camera is still in your mom’s lab, but we’ll pick it up when we’re up there for the symposium next week—”

 “Oh, right, and we can drop by and say hi to Justin and Kris too…”

 “You’re always welcome,” Justin said, “even if that was so unsubtle you might’ve been shouting it through the portal. I really will be fine, guys.”

 Every single family member narrowed eyes at him. Justin held up hands in surrender. “Check on me if you want. But I’ve got Kris. I’m totally taken care of.”

 “You are.” Kris folded an arm around him. “And you’re going to rest, after this, and let me do that.” This time Justin’s family all beamed at him. Kris did not mind. He loved Justin. That was that. Simple.

 Justin’s family got off the phone, with admonitions about resting and being comfortable. Justin yawned again, and winced, and moved a hand to rub his temple. Then winced again.

 “That hurts?” Kris took over the gentle caresses. “Everything hurts, you said. Oh—hang on, we do have some sort of painkillers, I think…want them?”

 “Oh gods yes. Please.”

 Kris practically ran. Found a half-empty bottle—old but not expired—in a kitchen cabinet. Grabbed some water and some biscuits—chocolate, which was good, Justin liked chocolate—and ran back. His demon needed energy. “Here. Also we need to do some grocery shopping.”

 “Well, you’ve been on tour.” Justin took pills obediently, sipped water, nibbled when Kris offered him food. “We didn’t expect to be home much…”

 “We are now. I’ll get anything you want. Delivered.”

 “Love you. Can there be pizza?”

 “There can definitely be pizza. And your garlic breadsticks.” He fed Justin another cookie. “Any better?”

 “Kris, I’ve only just taken them.”

 “I know. I just…”

 “I know,” Justin said. “I know. I think…I do want to try to sleep, for a while. Maybe it’ll hurt less. You should call Reggie. And maybe call Anna back for me? I would, but I’m so tired.”

 “Rest,” Kris said, heart choking his throat. “Rest, love. I’ll handle that.”

 Justin closed both eyes—browner more human eyes, less laced with mysterious spice and smoke—and settled into blankets on the sofa. Kris took a deep breath, bent forward, braced elbows on knees. Scrubbed hands over his face.

 Justin was alive. That was everything.

 The coffee table nudged his leg in sympathy. He put a hand on it.

 Justin was hurt—would continue to be hurt—would be more human. Not fixable. Only rest, and time. The shiver struck his spine and made him shudder.

 He made himself call Anna. Justin’s best friend listened with typical practicality, asked whether she should come over, not necessarily this instant but soon, and if so whether she could pick up any shopping for them. Kris nearly wept at the gesture, which earned a, “Don’t you dare, Kris Starr,” followed by, “if you cry then I’ll cry, and then I’ll have to evaporate your next cup of tea before you drink it.” Anna had minor and entirely human water-related magical affinities; Kris had sometimes wondered whether she and Justin got along so well because of the complementary elements.

 She promised to come by the next day, and to bring groceries and homemade banana bread; she audibly remembered which of them was incapacitated and unable to cook, and also promised to bring some actual meals. She also said she’d stop by Justin’s high-rise editorial office and pick up any physical manuscripts or advance copies of books or authorial contracts. Kris thanked her again, and went on to the next call he’d realized he needed to make, which involved Justin’s boss. Fortunately Wilhelmina Randolph, head of that extensive multimedia publishing empire, adored Justin; she’d known him, or at least known of him, ever since he’d been an excited underground music scene reporter writing for fanzines and punk-rock outlets and occasionally consensually falling into bed with one or more story subjects. She’d seen the news as well; she told Kris to not worry about anything, and to focus on Justin’s health.

 Kris eyed his husband. Justin was asleep now, smaller than usual under heaps of blankets, long legs strangely vulnerable. Even his hair looked wrong: so completely ordinary, soft and lovely but in a purely human way, falling in washed-out ginger waves across a pillow.

 He felt the corners and edges and harmonies of anguish tremble, an explosion of empathic rage and grief and love that did not escape. He did not let it.

 Calm. Warmth. Soothing.

 He made tea, straightforward Earl Grey, and breathed in the scent of it. Justin did not wake.

 He texted Reggie. Reg called back, which meant he was actually genuinely concerned. “Kris? Why’ve you got Justin’s phone?”

 “Mine’s still…someplace. Dressing room. England. Someone’ll bring it.” He looked at Justin and the sofa; he looked at his tea. His hand shook. He set the mug down. “He’s…he’s really hurt, Reg.”

 “Oh, gods,” Reg said. “Kris, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You want me to fly out there? To get you anything, to send you anything? Is he…how bad is it?” And his voice was the voice of the friend who’d been there when Christopher Thompson’d picked up his first guitar, and who’d stood side by side with Kris at Sarah Thompson’s funeral—she’d loved Reggie Jones like a second son—and who’d been the best man at Kris and Justin’s wedding.

 “I don’t know,” Kris whispered, and pressed a hand over his mouth; somehow a minute later he found himself sitting on the floor in the hallway, sobs rattling his chest while Reggie talked to him urgently, gently, with love.

 Eventually he ran out of tears. Justin hadn’t stirred; Kris, sitting on the hardwood planks, felt oddly lighter, if shakier. “…sorry.”

 “Nah, you needed that.” Reggie sounded surprisingly comfortable with being long-distance emotional support. “Get it out. ‘S fine. You said he’s doing okay? But he is hurt?”

 “He’s human,” Kris whispered, “and he’s in pain,” and tried to explain more while Reg listened.

 Reggie said, when he was done, “So he’ll recover. They said so.”

 “Yeah…but…what if—”

 “Kris, they said so.”

 “I just want him to not be hurt…”

 “So you’ve got painkillers, maybe some willow bark, cloves, stuff somebody with some herbal healing gifts worked on? And food. I know he needs food. I’ve seen your adorable husband eat.”

 “I’ll get him pizza…”

 “Okay. You’re gonna be okay. You know what he needs, yeah? And he’ll tell you if something’s wrong.”

 “He will.” Justin would.

 “Okay, then.”

 “Have I ever told you,” Kris said wearily, “how much I don’t deserve you?” The floor was getting extra-hard; he thought he could probably get up now. His tea was waiting patiently over on the table.

 “You have,” Reggie said, “but you can always say it again. Check in with me tomorrow, maybe?”

 “Sure.”

 “Love you both,” Reg said, and got off the phone; if Kris was any judge, his former-bassist-turned-vineyard-owner was already planning care baskets to send them.

 The thought made him smile. Reggie did care. Justin had friends; Kris and Justin had friends.

 He peeled himself off the floor, and went to sit with his husband.

  Justin slept, on and off, for the rest of the night. He did not sleep easily; he woke with small sounds of pain, and creases between eyes. Kris, heart knotting his throat, offered painkillers, tea, coffee, various foods—sweet, savory, anything Justin indicated interest in—and stayed awake. His hands seemed to help: stroking Justin’s hair, kneading Justin’s back or the nape of his neck, being present and steady. A few knots unwound in his chest when Justin smiled tiredly at him, and nibbled pizza, and murmured, “That feels good…” while nestling more into Kris’s touch.

 Trusting. Relaxed. So unguarded about placing himself into Kris’s care. Justin was a fucking miracle. But then Kris had always thought so.

 He sang to his husband, along with the backrubs and hair-petting. His own songs, love songs, ballad rock new and old. Some decades-old silly pop love ditties. Some lullabies, the one or two that he vaguely recalled in his mother’s voice. Justin turned his head, at that last, enough to nuzzle a kiss into Kris’s caressing hand.

 Justin at another point yawned and said, “I can make it to bed, I think, if you want?” Kris shrugged a shoulder and told him that anywhere was fine, the sofa was fine, not moving at all would be fine. Justin pointed out that their bed was bigger and therefore better for full-body cuddling. Kris gave in, in part because Justin did look marginally better, or at least less pale.

 In their bedroom, Justin sank down on the end of the bed, which held him up anxiously; the rainbow-striped duvet tucked itself around him. Kris, heart fluttering in his throat, touched Justin’s shirt, the edge of skinny jeans; Justin laughed briefly, an escape of air. “You just like me naked.”

 “I do. But I was thinking more about you being comfortable.”

 “I know.” Justin smothered a yawn in a hand. “I can change, I think…pajama pants…”

 “Yeah, that was the plan.” Kris found the cozy flannel ones, the type designed for New York winters, plus a long-sleeved old Phantom Fighters shirt that Justin wore a lot around the apartment on icy nights, and came back over. “Want help?”

 Justin made a not-quite-annoyed face, sighed, and held up arms. “Yeah…”

 “Love you,” Kris affirmed, with a kiss to the tip of his nose; and slid rock-show clothing off and protective warm clothing on, with care.

 He did love Justin’s naked body: slim hips, smooth skin, lean thighs, that lovely long swinging cock, that pert backside. His fingers knew the feeling of all those places, the sensations of Justin under his touch. They wanted to linger; he gazed at his own hands over Justin’s waist. Justin wasn’t generally fragile—demon magic, runner’s muscles, punk-kid boots, and writer’s cleverness abounded—and was fearless, exploratory, delighted, in bed.

 Justin was injured now, and moved as if breathing hurt. Kris curled a hand over his hip, tugged pajama pants up, and leaned in to kiss his stomach: feather-light, no demands, full of too many emotions to express.

 Justin put a hand out, touched Kris’s hair, coaxed his gaze up. Their eyes met; Justin smiled.

 In bed, twined together, Kris read to him for a while—a history of nineteen-fifties all-girl all-witch groups—and hummed a few songs for him and held tea for him to sip and some trail mix for him to nibble. Justin, drowsy and safe, draped an arm around Kris, snuggled in, and drifted in and out.

 Kris loved him. Kris loved every piercing, terrifying, potentially heartbreaking moment of life with him. Wouldn’t change a thing. Here in their bedroom, under the kindly glow of a single lamp, some wrist cuffs and the collar from their wedding-night in the drawer under the bed, he understood as much.

 He loved Justin, and Justin had the kind of heart that’d leap in to help people; Kris wouldn’t take that away. He’d never want to. Not when Justin could still feel that way, could still love the world that way, in beautiful courageous defiance of an ex-boyfriend and a past and a world still a little unsure about demonkind, though that was getting better.

 He hated Justin being hurt. But he could never ask his husband, his hero, the man who’d saved his life long before any of the night’s events, to be less than a marvel. Justin had looked at Kris Starr, cranky and petulant aging rock legend, and had seen someone worth salvaging, caring for, loving. Even before they’d been lovers. Even when Kris had insulted him and pretended they weren’t friends.

 Justin loved like that: a gift, freely given. Because he thought someone—an old rock star, a friend, a person he’d only just met, a writer he’d offered a book contract—deserved to be loved.

 Sometimes he couldn’t believe Justin had married him. Sometimes he could believe it, and then he swore on every single battle-lined bit of whatever soul he’d got left that he’d make Justin’s life as splendid and delicious and full of cherishing as his husband deserved.

 He’d stopped reading, as the sun came up. He thought Justin might be asleep; he tried not to yawn, and failed. Not as young as he used to be. Not as bouncy. But Justin needed him.

 Justin folded the arm more tightly around Kris’s waist, murmured, “You can sleep, I’m here,” and wriggled closer: all worn-out half-demon loyal fierceness, even when mostly mortal. “You should rest too. With me.”

 “You sure?” He ran a hand over Justin’s head. So human. Very human. Red and dull. “Was kinda thinking I’d stay awake, in case you needed me.”

 “I do need you,” Justin explained into Kris’s shoulder. “Right here. I’m okay…sort of…mostly, anyway…I’ll wake you if I’m not. If I’m hurting worse. I promise. Sleep with me.”

 Kris sighed.

 “Please?”

 “…all right. But you’ll wake me if you feel worse.”

 “I promise, Kris.”

 “Even a tiny bit worse. Even if you only think you might feel worse. Or you’re thirsty. Or hungry. Or—”

 “Kris.”

 “…I love you,” Kris muttered, defeated. “Love.”

 “I know.” Justin waited for Kris to flip the light off, then fit himself into elderly knightly arms. “I love you. Always. My Kris.”

 “Yeah,” Kris breathed, as Justin’s human hair kissed his chin, as light crept around curtain-edges and traced familiar bedposts and doorknobs in gold, “yours.”

[schraubd]

If You're One in a Million...

Many of you are familiar with the saying "If you're one in a million, there are a thousand people just like you in China alone." It helps illustrate that while one in a million is certainly very rare, on another way of looking it at it's also quite common. A thousand people! You could fill a high school gymnasium with that! Push the proportion down a bit and things get even more stark. Imagine a political view held by only 1% of the population. That's pretty fringe, right (for reference, 33% of Americans believe that alien UFOs have visited Earth)? But it's also one in a hundred -- in America, that translates to well over three million people. That's a lot! (We explored this dynamic previously in my "how to tokenize with proportions" post.) One thing I often think about is how modernity and modern technology, in conjunction with our decidedly pre-modern lizard-brains, don't always mesh well. We know, for example, that fat tastes delicious because in the primordial environment it was rare and vital, and thus highly desirable to consume -- unfortunately, this doesn't translate well to a contemporary context where calories and fat are plentiful and we can easily over-saturate ourselves. I suspect there's something similar going on with political opinions. One of the oft-proclaimed virtues of the internet is it allows you to find communities of like-minded persons no matter how obscure or random the interest. Obsessed with underwater basketweaving? You can find dozens of people who share that passion with minimal effort! What does it mean when the same is true for political opinions? I suspect our brains have a rough heuristic at the ready that correlates how difficult it is to find holders of a given opinion with how uncommon it is in society. If one struggles to come across individuals who believe ideology X, one assumes that X is rarely believed in a given society. If one comes across X-believers without too much trouble, one infers that X is a common ideology. If 1% of Americans hold a particular political stance, that may be three million people -- but (at least until recently) they're not going to be easy to find via the normal modes of political engagement. If you just read newspaper columns, chatted with your neighbors, watched TV pundits, and so forth, you'd probably come across it rarely, if ever. If one really wanted to find a sizable chunk of Americans who believe this 1% view, one would have to expend considerably more effort. Now to be clear: what I'm describing is only a heuristic, which means it's imperfect -- there are all sorts of reasons why, for example, a rare opinion might nonetheless be easy to spot "in the wild" (it's favored among extroverts or celebrities, e.g.) or a common one might be rarely seen (it's embarrassing). But it has some logic as a rough-and-ready way of telling us which views are common in our social circle and which aren't. It's not quite the same as the availability heuristic, but it is similar. Call it the search heuristic. Something easy to find upon commencing a search for it is common; something hard to find even when searching for it is rare. The problem is that if modern technology makes pretty much any opinion with even a speck of public salience "easy to find", that hijacks our heuristic circuitry to make all of these opinions register in our minds as "commonplace". What is the result of that? One potentially positive result is that it might offset some mechanisms that serve to silence dissident views via the so-called "spiral of silence" -- they learn that they're not alone, and so they're more willing to air their dissident views knowing that there are peers who share their perspective. But there are also some potential upshots that I'm more ambivalent about. One thing that we might experience is the erosion of perceived consensus -- a sense of widespread opinion balkanization and a corresponding vertiginous inability to tell when there is an opinion that carries significant social agreement. There's a push/pull on this -- sometimes, a feeling of "consensus" is dependent on wrongly not perceiving the existence of dissent, and so the elevation of dissident voices corrects a widespread social misperception. But, assuming "consensus" does not require universal agreement, sometimes, a feeling of dissensus is falsely inspired by the presence of high-profile but ultimately negligible dissenters. To the extent that modern technology makes very small ideological minorities loom larger, we might believe ourselves to be far more disunited than we actually are. And if the search heuristic causes a wide range of opinions (many mutually incompatible with one another) to register as "common", we may have trouble grasping onto distinctions between actually common versus fringe outlooks. In a similar vein, it is at least plausible that in a democracy there is a prima facie obligation to consider and give airing to certain viewpoints simply by virtue of the fact that they're common. This wouldn't necessarily mean that uncommon views can be automatically rejected, only that they must "earn" their space on the democratic agenda by means other than "because many people believe it". If this is so, then the perception that more views are "common" mean that more views can claim access to this prima facie obligation of consideration. Perhaps that doesn't strike you as a bad thing -- but consider it in the case of, say, openly avowed racism or extremism -- views which might objectively be as rare as ever, but perhaps feel more common than they've been in recent memory. There are also risks latent even for the holders of the dissident opinions themselves, for they as much as anyone might be mislead into thinking their views are more widely shared than they are. If someone holds a view they know is rare but wish was widely shared, they must endeavor to persuade others to adopt it. If they then, say, run for office on its platform whose tenets are held by only 10% of the population, if (or when) they lose they probably won't be happy but they at least probably won't be confused. Unpopular opinions don't win elections. But things are different if the search heuristic misfires and makes the dissident believe they are actually expressing a very common view. If they nonetheless persistently lose in the democratic arena, they might suspect bias, corruption, institutional barriers, or other forms of foul play are obstructing them. To be clear: there are many cases where such things are at work; I'm not saying that everyone who believes their views are not carrying the democratic day because of various social biases is simply misleading themselves. But sometimes a democratic spade really is just a spade; and there is at least the potential for this sort of self-deception to accelerate -- the result being greater mistrust and resentment of social institutions. It's worth noting that there isn't an "objective" way of declaring whether a view is "rare" or not. Much of it already lies in framing: "held by 1% of the population" sounds uncommon, "held by three million Americans" sounds reasonably common. So we can't quite say that, even if the search heuristic is misfiring, it is objectively causing us to label "uncommon opinions" as "common". But I do suspect that our wider net of appraisals around how we relate to an opinion based on its perceived "commonality" are tied to the same set of assumptions under which the search heuristic should function at least roughly well -- meaning that if we no longer exist in that social world, the whole edifice comes under serious strain (if it doesn't collapse outright). These are preliminary thoughts; they are not wholly hashed out in my mind yet, and I'm curious to hear others' views. Here's the tl;dr

The search heuristic tells us that, roughly speaking, a view that is hard to find upon searching for it is rare, and a view that is easy to find upon searching for it is commonplace.

The social media revolution has drastically reduced the search costs required to find large absolute numbers of persons who hold any particular view, even when they are actually relatively uncommon.

Together, (1) & (2) cause us to mentally code many viewpoints which we'd perceive as uncommon as quite common (since we are able to find examples of them with little effort).

The effects of this are unclear, but may include (a) increased willingness to air dissident views; (b) decreased sense of social consensus; (c) decreased ability to distinguish relatively common versus uncommon views; (d) decreased trust that formal mechanisms for measuring public opinion reliably track actual public viewpoints (even when they are in fact doing so reasonably well).

via The Debate Link https://ift.tt/2UIHAaO

[alexsfictionaddiction]

12 of the best feel-good books

I think we could all do with a pick-me-up right now. We’ve been in some level of isolation for over a month and we’re perhaps being forced to accept a new normal. However, we’re still seeing frightening and tragic headlines all day every day (ration your news time, if you’re not doing so already), so of course, fear and hopelessness is going to set in. If you’re not used to spending time alone, loneliness is also a huge possibility but we know that books are a great source of solace in times like this. 

Maybe you want to do your own research and discover how far into the realms of science-fiction we’ve got. For you, I have compiled a list of the best books that pandemic fiction has to offer but if you’re looking for something more light-hearted, I’ve got the perfect tonic. Whether you need a laugh, to be comforted or to simply remember what life used to be like, here are some books that will help you escape the current face of reality. Above all, remember that it’s perfectly natural for your mental health to be suffering at the moment. Do whatever you can to look after yourself and stay safe.

1. The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

Remember when you could just move in with a stranger without worrying about keeping two metres apart at all times? Tiffy and Leon share a flat and even a bed but due to entirely opposite work schedules, they manage to not even meet for months after Tiffy moves in, only communicating via texts and notes left on the fridge. But Tiffy’s controlling ex-boyfriend and Leon’s innocent prisoner brother ignite a connection that is fuelled by basic human kindness and a touch of romantic attraction, of course! This quirky rom-com has been a bestseller for over a year now and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a celebration of love, friendship and the unexpected happiness that can come from taking calculated risks. Beth O’Leary’s second novel The Switch has also just been released, so there has never been a better time to read her debut!

2. Wonder by R. J. Palacio

A beautiful story of empathy, kindness and acceptance, Wonder has fast become one of the most popular and widely read contemporary middle-grade novels. Auggie Pullman was born with a facial deformity and he’s attending mainstream school for the first time but of course, kids can be staggeringly cruel to those who are different. Wonder kickstarted a global kindness campaign and spawned a film adaptation, which is one of the best and most faithful I’ve ever seen. It has already given so much to the world and I know you’ll get a lot of joy out of it too.

3. The Long Way To A Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

Of course, not all sci-fi is doom and gloom. This is the first instalment in Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series and it’s laugh-out-loud funny. It follows a misfit crew of space travellers and their wonderful smile-inducing relationships. Celebrating the coming together of a variety of races, sexualities and personalities, it features a lot of loveable memorable characters who begin to read like dear loyal friends. If you’re looking for quirky, light-hearted sci-fi in a similar vein to Star Trek and Firefly, you’d be wise to start here.

4. Less by Andrew Sean Greer

Arthur Less is a struggling writer about to turn 50 and the love of his life is engaged to someone else. To say that he’s not feeling too hot right now would be an understatement but he has been invited to a range of literary events around the world, so he does the logical thing and accepts them all. We can’t travel right now but with Arthur, you’ll visit Paris, Berlin, southern India, the Moroccan desert and Japan. You’ll also go on a journey of self-acceptance, learn how to love the life that you have and appreciate the time you have left. 

5. Hot Mess by Lucy Vine

It’s rare that a book makes me guffaw out loud in public but Hot Mess did exactly that, when I read it a couple of years ago. Ellie is a single woman who hates her office job and is absolutely nowhere near having her life together. However, she does have some great friends and a lovely relationship with her dad Alan, whose drafts of a romance novel are truly side-splittingly hilarious. We see Ellie through terrible dates, trauma confrontation and a quest for true happiness that is hugely satisfying. It has been described as a modern-day Bridget Jones but I found it much more relatable and actually quite a lot funnier!

6. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

It’s the first in a trilogy of novels that explore the trials and tribulations of finding romance when you’re genetics professor Don Tillman. Don likes facts, logic and reason and he applies all of these things to his latest endeavour, The Wife Project. He knows exactly the kind of woman he wants to marry but then he meets Rosie, who ticks none of his boxes and he’s forced to accept that perhaps true love doesn’t always follow the rules. Don and Rosie’s relationship is such a heartwarming, mutually beneficial one that will make you laugh and leave you with a big bag of warm fuzzy feels. 

7. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

There is a huge chance that you will have read The Hobbit but what better time to revisit a funny, charming favourite? Re-embark on the quest to retrieve Smaug’s treasure, take back the Lonely Mountain and make a plethora of fantastic friends along the way. As well as relating to Bilbo’s personal growth throughout the novel, I think the idea of facing epic threat and mortal peril in unknown environments and yet still returning safely home to a quiet comfortable life is the reassurance we need that this too shall pass. Of course, it will also be an intoxicating nostalgia trip, so there’s really no reason to not pick it up again!

8. The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

I read this over the Valentine’s Day period and was so enchanted by it. Gavin is a top baseball player for the Nashville Legends and he has recently discovered that he has never given his wife Thea a genuine orgasm and it’s threatening the relationship. So he does the logical thing and turns to his team mates, who actually double as a secret romance book club. They suggest taking a leaf out of a smutty Regency paperback to save his marriage -what could possibly go wrong? Funny, heart-warming and touching, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a rom-com with a difference.

9. My Pear-Shaped Life by Carmel Harrington

If you’ve spent a lot of self-isolation being wholly unproductive and perhaps not looking after yourself too well, you may be feeling that you’re simply not good enough. Especially if your social media is full of happy healthy people doing just about EVERYTHING. Meet Greta, a struggling actress who is used to playing the role of the funny, overweight girl in all areas of her life. That’s ok as long as she laughs with everyone else, right? But things have been pretty rough lately and it’s only when she hits rock bottom that she begins to realise that maybe things need to go a little bit pear-shaped sometimes. With joy and despair in equal measure, this new novel, populated with an array of wonderful characters, will teach you that true happiness comes from simply being you.

10. A Boy Made Of Blocks by Keith Stuart 

Eight-year-old Sam is autistic and struggles to make sense of the world. His dad Alex has also lost himself somewhere along the way and needs to change. Minecraft offers a place where father and son can rediscover their bond and put the family back together, block by block. I reviewed this incredibly moving, uplifting story when it was first released a few years ago. It’s actually inspired by Keith Stuart’s real-life experiences, which I think give it an extra dollop of heart-warmth! 

11. The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

The entire focus of this fantastically written YA novel is on embracing your own personal uniqueness and on not being afraid to let it out. Michael is a mixed-race gay teen who has grappled with his identity for his entire life. On arriving at university, the idea of becoming a drag artist causes everything to begin to slot into place. Told in verse, The Black Flamingo will show you how your boldest brightest colours can shine through the darkest of times. Highlighting the power of words and challenging all forms of homophobia, whether it be external or internal, this is a book that I’m sure will become a staple of LGBT+ literature in years to come. As for now, it will simply inspire you to live your very best life, regardless of who tries to prevent it.

12. Reasons To Be Cheerful by Nina Stibbe

As the title may suggest, there is plenty to smile about in Reasons To Be Cheerful. It’s chiefly a coming-of-age novel about a young woman called Lizzie living in 1970s Leicestershire. She has just got a job as an assistant to a work-shy, racist dentist who is desperate to join the freemasons. Navigating this new position alongside a relationship with her alcoholic writer mother, a boyfriend who doesn’t seem terribly interested in her and a few unlikely friends, Lizzie’s life makes for some pretty amusing anecdotes. Whether it’s the simple retro setting or small cast of eccentric caricatures, there is something quite other-worldly yet familiar about it. There is a lot of detail that is relevant to the period it’s set in, including the blatant social prejudices that were so rife at the time. I am too young to have experienced 1970s Britain but it certainly feels authentic to what I know. I have no doubt that those that were there will get even more enjoyment and nostalgia from Lizzie’s life than I did. 

[thinkaboutdobrik]

Welcome To LA (Pt. 2) -> David Dobrik (/Vlogsquad)

Requested by Anonymous: Trisha want y/n and David Dobrik to get together .y/n developed feeling for David but is afraid of loosing their current friendship .Y/n denies having feelings for David to Trisha .a few months later Zane gets drunk and y/n helps take care of him .when Zane’s finally asleep david admits to y/n he has feeling for her

Plot: The reader hangs out with the vlog squad, and David confesses his feelings for the reader.

A/n: This request was so long I decided to split it into two stories, however you don't have to read part 1 in order for this one to make sense (i think)

if you want to read part one, search for the title on my blog (i'll add a link to it when im on a computer)

-

"Are you like, soo excited to see David?" Trisha squealed and smiled widely as she pulled out of your driveway.

You let out a small chuckle and looked at her funny. "I mean, I don't know. Should I be?" you questioned and shrugged.

Trisha was one to share her opinions no matter the circumstances. Ever since she introduced you to some of her friends, David being one of them, she had been gushing over how cute of a couple you and David would make.

After getting to know David a little bit, it was safe to say you were interested in him. He didn't seem like a bad guy at all, and he seemed to be interested in you too.

"Yes! You guys are like sooo cute together." Trisha continued cheering as you drove off to David's house.

The ride from your place to David's was filled with a lot of laughter and gossip. Trisha told you just about everything that had been going on in her life lately, as well giving brief descriptions of everyone in her friend group, preparing you for what you were getting yourself into.

None of her friends seemed bad, perhaps Jonah was the one that seemed the most off, but other than that you were beyond excited to meet her friends, as well as get to hang out at David's house.

Trisha's bright pink car made it's way through the big gates and safely parked in the Driveway.

"Hey, guys!" Trisha greeted everyone as the two of you let yourselves in.

At first glance, David's house was huge. Big windows, open space and a beautiful kitchen immediately caught you eye upon entering his house.

David was standing by the kitchen with some of his friends, introducing them to you after he greeted you and Trisha.

"Y/n, this is Zane, Jeff, Joe and my assistant Natalie." David said, using his hand to point towards the people standing around him.

"I'm also his friend." Natalie laughed, playfully punching David in the shoulder, which made everyone laugh.

"Nice to meet you guys!" you smiled and replied.

After chatting for a bit in the kitchen, you joined David and his friends on his big, white couch, sitting your butt down next to Zane's.

Zane cleared his throat before turning towards you. "So, how do you know David?"

You smiled at Zane. "I actually met Trisha at starbucks once and she later introduced me to him, Jason and... Josh? I think his name was?" you replied, looking over at Trisha who was nodding along.

"Yeah, isn't she so cute? How pretty is she?" Trisha complimented, playfully twirling your hair around her finger as she admired you appearance.

Zane and Jeff nodded, agreeing with Trisha making you blush a little.

Sitting with Jeff, Zane and Trisha, the guys told you many stories about their lifestyle and what they would do on a day-to-day basis. Jeff told you his stories about which celebrities he had cut hair for, and Zane told you all about what craziness goes on in the life of social media influencers.

You continued spending the evening at David's house with all of his friends. Everyone were so open and welcoming, and so nice, and you felt like you fit right into the group right away.

David's friends asked you a lot of question to get to know you better, as well as you got to know them a whole lot too.

David had also been eager to talk to you. He'd sit right next to you, shooing Jeff to the side in the couch so he could sit with you, interested in getting to know everything about you.

He'd laugh hard at your jokes, and he'd joke around as well, excited to see the way your smile beamed and eyes glistened as you looked at him. He'd rest his hand loosely on the back of the couch behind you, basically an excuse for him to 'accidentally' brush his arm against your shoulder, or rest his hand close to yours whilst his fingers lightly touched yours, or tilting his leg so it'd rest against yours.

At the end of the night, David walked you and Trisha out to her car. It was getting late, and some of the guys had already headed home as well, whilst some others were spending the night at his house.

David held his hand on the small of your back as he walked you and Trisha outside. You couldn't help but to blush a little, even feel a few butterflies in your stomach too, at how flirty David had been with you all night.

You enjoyed it.

Whenever you talked, David's eyes were glued to yours. When he insisted on you sharing a spot with him on the bean bag, he rested his big hands on your thighs, rubbing them, playfully pushing them every now and then. His whole face lit up whenever you looked at him and talked to him. And the way he had been giving you most of the attention all night made your cheeks blush just by the thought of it.

"I'll see you guys later." David smiled and waved at Trisha as she got in the car, before opening his arms to pull you in to a tight hug which you gladly returned.

The next few weeks had gone by so quick, and so well for you. Not only were you even closer with Trisha and Zane, but you had also gotten very popular within the friend group. Carly and Erin had hit you up on multiple occasions, you were hanging out a lot with Zane and Matt, and you had also appeared in several of your other friends' videos.

You had also been talking with David a lot. Not only via text messages and phone calls, but he'd often invite you out to whatever him and his friends were doing. You and David had gotten a lot closer, very quickly. The two of you were like two peas in a pod, and you noticed you had started feeling some things for David.

When David invited you out to a party one time, you spent the majority of your time dancing and having fun with Zane and Heath and a few others. As per usual, Zane was the one getting hammered first, but this didn't come as a surprise as you had spent most of your nights caring for the drunken guy, on nights like these.

"Lay down here, and I'll get you some water." you offered as you supported all of Zane's body weight.

Zane crashed down on the couch, arms and legs thrown everywhere as his eyes were glued shut, slurring words every now and then.

"Baby, don't leave me. I need you. Take care of me, pleaseee." Zane slurred as he grabbed a hold of your cold hands, pulling you towards him making you land on the free space on the couch next to his hips.

"You sure you're good?" you questioned and stroked his cheek gently. He smiled widely at you, eyes still shut, as he nodded.

"Do you want me to tell you a secret?" Zane slurred and looked up at you with a big grin plastered onto his face.

You tilted your head in confusion and gave him a weird look. "What?"

"David has a crush on you. Y'all are so cute, are y'all dating?" he asked as he shifted a little in his seat, trying to sit up right.

Your eyes widened at his question and you swallowed hard, unsure of what to respond, but before getting a chance to think you were interrupted by David and Ilya approaching you.

"C'mon, Zane. We gotta get you home." David said and motioned for Zane to get off of the couch.

Zane refused to move, and let's face it: knowing how stubborn he could be when drunk, you weren't getting out of there any time soon.

David sighed and ran a hand through his hair, looking down at Zane and shook his head. "Fine. We can stay a little bit longer, but only until you've sobered up enough to stand on your two own feet." he said before sitting down next to you.

You were still sitting next to Zane on the couch, arm tossed over him as you continued to stroke his cheek, watching him drift off to whatever drunken land he was going to.

You looked at David and chuckled at how drunk Zane and the rest of your friends were.

"Listen, y/n." David started and scooted closer to you on the couch.

His hands were rested on top of his thighs and he had a serious, yet unsure, expression on his face. You looked at him, waiting for him to talk.

"I've been meaning to tell you this, but I don't know how so I'm just gonna say it." David chuckled and rubbed his neck. "I really like you, y/n. There's just something about you I'm very attracted to. Would it be weird if I asked you out on a date?"

Your eyes widened at his words and a big smile fell onto your lips. Your cheeks became flushed and little butterflies started appearing in your stomach.

Your mouth formed an o before you nodded. "Y-yeah, sure. I mean no, it's not weird, but yes I'd love to go out with you." you awkwardly laughed in return.

A big smile fell onto David's lips as he pretended to wipe sweat off of his forehead and chuckled.

You and David continued talking for the rest of the night. When the night came to an end and the closing hours were just around the corner, you and David gathered all of your friends and headed to David's car.

The drive home went by a lot quicker than you thought, and before you knew it David was already pulling up into your driveway.

You unbuckeled your seat belt, but before stepping out of the car David lightly grabbed your wrist making you turn around.

"Are you free tomorrow?" David asked and smiled at you, his cold hands sending shivers down your spine.

You nodded and smiled in return. "Pick me up at 7."