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jimin-bangtan · 22 days ago

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Chameleon Park Jimin 9

My Chameleon Park Jimin (PJM) Series (<link) [Parts 1-8] discusses the emotional, physical, & professional growth, adjustments, and changes Jimin has endured and experienced during his BTS journey, as I see it.

**Scroll down to "My Conclusion" & "My Final Analysis", if you want to skip my reflection on the events of 2024.

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2023 Ends…

When Jimin left in early December, it was such a somber time. Jimin knew it, and fans knew it. So to fans’ surprise, Jimin released the previously mentioned fan song, Closer Than This [full], which had been announced by the #ThisIsJimin dance clips mentioned in part 8.

The song has a comforting melody and words of encouragement and love. In it, Jimin says, “He’ll never let (fans) go.” and he says he’ll be back in a while. The video was a continuous collage of pictures, videos, animations, and images of past BTS performances and events, from the beginning of Jimin’s BTS experience with mostly good times - but at least one bad one - up to the present. It was comforting and uplifting all at once. It was very timely and successful in all the ways intended.

On to 2024…

Once in the military, fans heard from Jimin occasionally at first and then not at all. Fortunately, he had gotten fans used to not hearing from him during the solo era silence, as well with his disappearance from social media years ago. True fans understood his likely reasons and subsequent decision, and continued to actively support him and to wish him well. Proof of his fans’ devotion and understanding showed in how organized, persistent, and effective they were at supporting Jimin’s solo work. His first solo album broke records and is continuing to chart and achieve even at the time of this writing.

Fans communicated the effort to gear up for the new project that was now expected, but they had no idea when. Then midyear there was suddenly a whirlwind of action. The announcement came that Jimin’s next album was going to drop. The travel show Jung Kook (JK) and Jimin filmed was going to drop. V’s photo book and JK's documentary were announced. If that wasn’t already enough, Suga’s concert DVD had been released, and the vinyl version of his album was also advertised for sale too. Eventually, JK and Jimin’s individual pop up locations and exhibitions were announced.

Hybe certainly had a hiatus habit of cluster-dropping multiple activities & projects on fans at one time. I can’t say I understand the tactic, but it was becoming the expected strategy by this point of the hiatus.

In July, Jimin’s 2nd album, MUSE, finally began its release: First, with the (2nd) pre-released song, Smeraldo Garden Marching Band [full], (Yes, the name of his production team, who did appear in the video too!!!) then the entire album dropped. (See my MUSE post.)

In my SGMB post, I had said that the FACE album seemed to be about what brought Jimin down, while the MUSE album seemed to be about what lifted Jimin up. The lighter theme, that was promised, was well delivered in Jimin’s 2nd album. Instead of talking about difficulties and pain, he sang about love and career possibilities. In the promotional material released, Jimin looked happier and more enthusiastic than he had prior to and during the FACE promotions (probably less tired too since it was learned that he had worked on both albums at the same time).

Something that I admire about Jimin is that he never plays it safe. Jimin also had something to prove - to others and maybe even himself. Aside from the recorded official music video of the main track (WHO), all of MUSE’s performances that Jimin left behind were recorded live, including a live recorded track video for his pre-released song (SGMB). He left behind a live recorded performance for Jimmy Fallon’s show, a live performance from the rooftop of a skyscraper in Seoul, live acapella clips of an acoustic remix, and behind the scenes practices, showing him singing in strong, newer sounding, but familiar, vocals.

youtube

With the success of two solo albums and a huge amount of accomplishments, Jimin at least quieted some of the criticism of his live vocals, but he also put the old, foolish accusations about lacking writing credits to rest in the real world, even if not necessarily in the gossip world. Jimin had been directly involved with writing, producing, composing, creating, and recording all 14 songs on his albums (as well as his feature in Taeyang’s Vibe). Even if he wasn’t listed for writing 2 of the tracks, he recorded effects (Interlude: Dive), provided the idea and direction (Who), and participated in the process of development for those 2 songs as well. Every other song he earned official credits for his involvement (See Komca.).

Jimin was also directly involved in the video ideas and designs. He had worked for over a year on the entire 2-album project and was greatly rewarded for his efforts. (MUSE didn’t have an official documentary but Jimin released YouTube videos that showed the making of the songs and videos.)

One of Jimin’s MUSE promotional activities I enjoyed the most was MMM: MiniMoni Music [full], which was 2 videos where Jimin and Namjoon (RM) listened to each other’s albums while having a discussion. I loved the interaction and conversation between them. I enjoyed learning more about them, their feelings about their music, and what they were experiencing in life. It was a perfect pairing, where these two listened to each other well, asked good questions, and offered thoughtful feedback. We heard Jimin explain more about the new vocal lessons and decisions made for the music and album.

Namjoon confirmed what I had stated in previous parts of this series. He reminded Jimin how much attention (set to mark, ~2 minutes) he had brought to the group when they needed it, insisting that it proved that Jimin has the capability of commanding a stage by himself, in case Jimin ever felt in doubt as a soloist.

It was so good to finally hear especially Namjoon, or anyone, say this out loud, and publicly, to Jimin after all the effort and sacrifice he made for the group. I hope it wasn’t the first time Jimin had ever heard the team express that appreciation toward him, but it was great to finally see Jimin hearing it with my own eyes. I gained a greater appreciation for them, their relationship, and their work through those exchanges.

Jimin’s main track, WHO [full], was a smash hit from day 1. WHO and MUSE broke even more records than FACE had. It is still charting and achieving as I write, 7 months after its release. For the album, Jimin danced with more female dancers and even had a female feature on one of his songs. He definitely pushed the bar forward for more expansion of his career.

Happily, this 2nd album also had a far better company promotional effort than his first album did, and that probably helped, but I feel people also liked the happier tone. The entire album was light and lovely. Blonde Jimin sang, danced, and smiled, with confident, happy, relaxed ease. Jimin likely learned a lot from his first album release, so the notable progression was a sight to behold, and made fans even more excited to see what he will do next and in the future - when he will actually be able to be present to promote his own work as well.

Currently, Jimin’s exhibition is touring worldwide. It is a display of the efforts, presentations, and achievements of both of his albums, FACE and MUSE. (Jimin's Pop up link)

For FACE, Jimin did not just reach, but debuted at, #1 on Billboard's Hot100 chart as the first ever Korean artist (only 2nd Asian artist) in history - and with a Korean song. For MUSE, Jimin became the first ever soloist to win the Fan Vote of the Year (AKA Worldwide Icon of the Year) DAESANG (grand prize) award. It had been a decade since a soloist won a daesang of any kind.

Although fans have not heard from Jimin much while in the military, Jimin did contact them recently to thank them for the honor of the daesang (a fan-involved award) but then later to wish fans a happy new year as his military time is heading toward its end. Both letters expressed warmth and gratitude to his fans.

My Conclusion (for now…)

BigHit and BTS made the wise decision for them to go ahead and enlist in the military rather than do the exemption that had been greatly dangled before them and discussed for years. While I feel they had earned a free and clear exemption, due to the economic, international, and cultural contributions they have made (and will continue to make) to their country, region, and the Asian music industry at large, they were likely aware how that exemption would have been tied to a lot of governmental, and possibly societal, expectations for them.

BTS used this time of forced separation well and chose to embark on solo work during this time when they needed the rest, experiences, and individual existences as they staggered into and out of the military as quickly as possible. Jimin’s tears, during Festa 2022, over his musical family’s disruption were likely also due to how the whole situation played out as much as it was about the actual separation from his brothers. There was certainly more going on behind the scenes that fans are still not aware of, as displayed by the recent exposure of government corruption involved in the Busan concert preparations.

I feel BTS made the best of an unfortunate situation. In fact, they did so well that others are angry at their achievements and are planning feverishly to copy every bit of their plan. Some even wish to destroy BTS and their work, but that is a BTS story as old as their existence. BTS continues to persevere, thrive, and pave the way, in spite of it all.

Considering how surprisingly full this solo era has been, I am expecting that I may have to once more update my solo series - and maybe this series too - before Jimin returns in June of 2025. I never expected to have so much more to say from this “hiatus” period. Jimin is continuing to win awards, break records and maintain his chart positions. Older fans and newer fans alike are drawn to Jimin’s sincerity and warmth. They are aware that he works hard and shows concern for others. He is still making charitable donations through his father, even while away.

Final analysis (For now…)

Jimin’s “new” appearance and demeanor resulted from all the introspection and decisions he was forced to and chose to undertake. He was put in a situation where he was not allowed to show you small parts of himself at first then slowly expose more and more of the dynamic energy within. The group and company needed the attention and power from the start and Jimin was compelled to explode onto the scene and immediately reveal himself at the highest, personal levels, likely before he even realized the implications of it all.

Now that he is more in control of his career and understands the power of the stage and the fragility of privacy and exposure, he has made decisions to operate with more discretion and nuance. The part of the public that just wants surface titillation is disappointed or confused by Jimin’s new presence. The fans who understand Jimin’s complexity, journey, and ambitions are willing to continue with him unfazed by the transitions he needs or wants to make.

Jimin had arrived at BigHit with talent and grit and made extensive adjustments and efforts in whatever way was required and asked of him. He didn’t complain or blame and just did what was needed to support and help. He has fought through emotional distress, efforts to distract and damage him, as well as physical injury and pain in order to continue to grow and thrive, professionally and personally.

In writing these posts about Jimin, I have come to realize that even though I have said that Jimin is a chameleon who has changed a lot and often, internally and externally, from growth, need, and difficulties, he has always at his core been consistently the same. In spite of having to develop, mature, learn, and survive, in both normal and extraordinary circumstances unique to his situation, overall Jimin has always been that same sincere, sweet, kind, loving, hardworking, determined guy from Busan that we first met & loved.

2025 finally arrived...

Instead of making this post any longer, if interested, you can see my recent post What are Jimin’s new dreams?, which was motivated by Jimin’s most recent letter to fans. My post is about the thoughts that 2025 has inspired in me and in Jimin, as we both are beginning to see the light at the end of the military service tunnel and are wondering… what comes next?

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NOTE TO READERS: If you have read parts of or especially all of this series so far, thank you for coming on my reflective journey with me.🧡 I hope it added to your thoughts about Jimin and shined light on the connected experiences that contributed to the Jimin we know today. These are only my interpretations of events and outcomes. There is so much more that we don’t know and will likely never know, but with the generous amounts he has shared, we are together able to be inspired by Jimin as an artist and a person. I hope to see you for the next go round!

#Jimin #BTS Jimin #Bangtan Jimin #Soloist Jimin #Park Jimin #Chameleon Park Jimin 9 #Youtube

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arkipelagic · 7 months ago

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Acclaimed and controversial Filipino director Brillante Mendoza has set “Chameleon,” the fact-based tale of a transgender woman who joins the Japanese underworld, as his next movie to direct.

“Chameleon” is inspired by the true story of a Filipino transgender woman, Marie, who is drawn into the Yakuza gangster life after befriending Ai, the rebellious daughter of a powerful Yakuza boss. Set against the pulsating background of the 1990s nightlife in Sapporo, Hokkaido, the film charts the almost impossible decisions Marie faced and her tumultuous journey to discovering family, love and ultimately her true identity.

it’s been two years since this announcement and mendoza’s other film, moro, has just been released on netflix. i wonder if this is still in pre-production? hopefully the ball gets to running because it sounds too interesting to be passed over!

#personal #film & tv #philippines

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moochilatv · 10 months ago

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Pink Chameleons presents: "Some Sunny Feeling"

Pink Chameleons release more ‘mega-psych’ with new single “Some Sunny Feeling”

Earlier this year Pink Chameleons shared a couple of new songs that gave psych a new form, even a new kind of mellow expression. The double single release of “Colors Seem To Fade b/w Meat Deluxe” from January certainly kept the hypnotic vibes so often associated with the genre but perhaps broadened the sound palette to explore new avenues. Pink Chameleons go deeper into this direction with the ‘‘mega-psych’ of “Some Sunny Feeling”, released via Soliti on the 3rd May2024.

“Again this is an older song that's been tested live since 2016” band leader Paltsa-Kai Salama tells us “The track features a wonderful saxophone riff by Jussi Hurskainen that really made the song. The pre-chorus once again features vocals by the ubiquitous Tytti Roto:”

Written by: Paltsa-Kai Salama

Arranged by: Pink Chameleons

Paltsa-Kai Salama: Vocals, guitars

Antti Sauli: Bass

Ville Hopponen: Drums

Jussi Hurskainen: Saxophone

Iiro Tulkki: Percussion

Tytti Roto: Vocals

Follow Pink Chameleons on IG

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A post shared by Pink Chameleons (@pinkchameleonsmusic)

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BIO

Pink Chameleons are a three piece band fronted by Black Lizard’s Paltsa-Kai Salama (Vocals & Guitar) with Ville Hopponen (Verandan) on drums and Antti Sauli on Bass. They've released one EP (Songs, 2019) and one LP (Peace & Love, 2021). Reactivated in 2024 - new material and shows from the band throuhgout the year.

Paltsa-Kai tells us “I’ve always enjoyed band names that are somehow linked to another band but still stand on their own. When I mentioned this to Black Lizard guitarist Joni, he came up with our name Pink Chameleons”.

Chek also in Bandcamp:

#pink chameleons #Spotify #Instagram #Bandcamp

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cordycepsbian · 1 year ago

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Auh we suddenly got inspired to talk about our slugcat ocs so. stuff about their mechanics if they were in the game down there ⇩

the symbiosis:

eight food required to sleep, two can be stored. has a high nutrition demand because the fungus takes a lot of it

gourmand world state, nothing crazy going on story wise because we have no ideas for its story

can release clouds of spores that obscure predators' vision and kill bug enemies at the cost of food pips

weakened by sunlight, so spear strength & running speed are dependent on the region it's in. regions that are very exposed or sunny make them have monk strength and regions that are dark and enclosed make them have hunter strength

can eat mushrooms and spore puffs like regular food (spore puffs give two pips)

rain deer will try to eat it but it can crawl through worm grass as if it's holding a gooieduck

the trickster (formerly known as the chameleon but we decided to change it):

six food required to sleep, three can be stored. can eat meat

pre-spearmaster world state, enjoy your alive moon!

food that she eats affects her color and eating meat from a predator will make her mimic its appearance, so other creatures will behave like they would in the presence of that predator

starts with a pearl in hand and is followed by an overseer from no significant harassment

giving the pearl to pebbles makes him angry and he kicks you out and kills the overseer. giving the pearl to moon reveals that this is the "something unpleasant" nsh sent to another iterator :) she rewrites the pearl to a message scolding nsh and tells you to take it to communications array

so basically spearmaster story and ending but funnier

the sleepwalker:

four food required to sleep, two can be stored

monk/survivor world state

always wakes up in a shelter failure. for the first few minutes the region will be darkened (like shaded citadel but everywhere), after that is a few minutes of just rain, and then it becomes normal

always has neuron glow and can use a flash bang ability at the cost of food pips

unique creatures that only appear during the dark periods (we will have more on them. later. we just came up with this idea now)

not sure what their story is yet

the crusader:

nine food required to sleep, three can be stored. can only eat meat, no fruit or popcorn plants. every modder has one of These scugs come on

post-rivulet world state but not snowy because he's in another part of the world entirely

starts in the puppet room of an iterator named deep impression of a fang. he instructs you to find echoes and return to him

starts with maximum of two karma, and strength scales to karma level. it cannot throw spears at all at karma one (be prepared to eat a lot of batflies), but deals five damage at karma ten

regions and echoes are completely different but we don't have all of this plotted out yet so we can't really tell much about it

ends with a challenge 70-like boss fight against deep impression of a fang :) he really did make this slugcat just to kill him. ending cutscene is the crusader leaving fang's facility grounds to hunt down more iterators. saint but with violence

#rain world oc #oc: the symbiosis #oc: the trickster #oc: the sleepwalker #oc: the crusader

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kirric-the-fan · 1 year ago

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Summary of my four five OC cure teams:

Some of these are more developed than others:

Precure Royale, Precure Memories, Big Band Precure, All Animals Precure, and Verdant Earth Precure.

(Note: characters shown as Civilian name/ modern primary cure name or version/past or varient cure versions)

Precure Royale:

Kyua Chiyoko/ Cure Signet/Super/Sleepy/Support/Shasshin (Cure Royale in Jikan Jinx alt) (chameleon cure- can change cure theme). Princess of the Heart kingdom sent forward in time to avoid harassment by the prince of another kingdom and unfortunate prophecy. Which doesn't really work. Has to figure out what she really wants to do with her life and her legacy.

Takeshi Tara/ Cure Steady/Steadfast. Precure of loyalty. Rock and moss themed. Big hearted, absolute sweetheart, hugger. Strong even for a precure, and reliable in a fight (she's...steady- gettit?). Can and often does trip over her own feet when the stakes are lower though. Older self is very protective of the younger cures, and would be a serial adopter on sight if the rest of the team didn't constantly act as impulse control.

Kagami/ Cure Shadow/Surface. The serious one. The intelligent and perceptive one too. The plotter and the planner and the spy when she needs to be, but she often has to work from behind the scenes to make things happen. The up front battles aren't her forte. Strongly associated with mirrors. Has met Blue before and refers to him as 'pretty boy', thought that's usually prefaced with the words 'Outta my mirror'.

Atsuko/Hita/ Cure Sunfire/Sunrise- Fairy cure. Fire bird. Ends sentences with Hitsu in fairy form. Had her fairy fire taken by Shadow for a little while in the modern day, trapping her in human form until it was released. Looks sophisticated, is michievous as hell.

Suzume/ Cure Swift/Smartish. Music/birds/movement gal. Magic with flute if she's being delicate, sousaphone if she is not. Often ends up in cahoots with Sunfire. Percieved as the smart one, but she's more book-smart.

Toupe – fairy. Red squirrel hairdresser and part-time magical wig. The rest of Chiyoko's court disappeared on route, so it fell to Toupe to try and look after the princess in the modern world.

Percivalance- fairy. Obnoxious. Bossy. Old-school. Doesn’t get on with Toupe.

Prince Kobara- Humanoid villain. Trying to get control of the ancient magic of the Heart Kingdom via Chiyoko.

Cure Queen/Queen Kyua- past ruler of the Heart Kingdom. Can see future possibilities and make prophecies. Was the one who sent Chiyoko forward in time to save her and give her the chance to live freely.

Wilding- plant creature and apparent bbeg that has taken over the ruins of the Heart Kingdom.

Series summary: Sailor Moon type past kingdom rebirth of protectors, except Prince Kobara. Prince tries to woo Chiyoko, and win the power of her kingdom, but Chiyoko is just interested in being a normal girl, and protecting the town from Wilding and that danger. Pre-modern cures (early 80’s), and a prequel to Precure Memories.

Precure Memories:

Suzuki Midori/ Cure Memory (prefers to be known as Suzuki). Green trees + memories themed cure. Grew up an orphan, Suzuki has always been a lonely kid, often spending hours entertaining herself climbing the statue in the local park. At the same time chance seems to shine kindly on her to transfer to a better school, she accidently discovers a fragment of the sapphire clock in an accident, and ends up chasing through three new allies and a transformation to get it back. Cure Memory works with Kokoro, Fumiko and Kirami to collect the missing pieces. Doesn't like using her name, as her mother only gave her her surname before her birth, and there was no clue about her father. Talks to Steady's statue a lot and makes flower crowns etc.

Fumiko/ Cure Reverie: Blue/white, knight and writing themed cure. Hardworking kid, teacher's pet, and oldest of a big family in a small flat, she often watched Suzuki roaming the park with curiosity. When Suzuki transfers to her school, she finally gets the oppourtunity to meet her for good, and quickly gets swept up in the precure stuff.

Kirami/ Cure Express: Black/gold mechanics and gears themed cure. Lives with her parents in their clock/watch repair shop, and likes making mechincal creatures as a hobby. Considered as the disruptive kid at school, and often does her own thing even if it disrupts others. Butts head with Fumiko a lot, but the two come to understand each other a lot more. Gets on with Suzuki because she seemed to be the first person to see Kirami beyond her troublesome aspects and accepts her wholly.

Kazumi/ Cure Serene: Older (1y) sister type friend of Suzuki's who lost contact being in different parts of the care system. Works hard as a competative judo athlete to maintain her scholarship and help her sister. Gets easily frustrated and has anger issues at the start. Mellows out. Older cure. Bell/sand white/gold cure

Tchaikovsky (Chuchuski) Taylor / Cure Connect: Student council president, and seems a bit stand-offish but helps. Rival turned close friend of Kazumi. Is actually responsible for Suzuki's transfer, wanting to help cheer Kazumi up. Sun/sea/shore themed cure- connections, horizons etc. Nets and sails. Mixed blue/white/yellow cure. Year older than Suzuki & co.

Kokoro- fairy stuck in a cat body. Guide to the memory cures. Looking to recover and rebuild the Sapphire clock.

Kibou- nv fairy. Green broccoli bunny. Doesn't appear to do much, but manages to win an entire judo competition in a body swap incident with the cures. Likes napping in the trophy.

Minako- Kazumi’s ill little sister and close friend of Suzuki. Makes herself an alter-ego called Cure Joy.

Headmaster- School headmaster and owner of Kokoro. Helps the cures where he can

Hoshino Yuki/Cure Comet/Slip- Alien from a water planet. Saved Hare the comet fairy and became cure comet to protect him and her planet. Captured by Chaos by blackmail and is working for him. One of the main bbeg generals. Knew Cure Flower.

Hare- Yuki’s comet fairy partner

Kao-san, Chaos- BBEG

Series summary: Years after the last fight of the Cure Royales, the people of Kurogawa have all but forgotten about the precure. After an accident with a strange gem she found in part of Steady’s statue, the only sign of the Royale's left in town, Suzuki finds herself inside a swirl of time and fighting against new villains determined to get revenge on the precure. The Memory cures must seek and reassemble the parts of the Sapphire Clock and uncover the events of the past before the villains can get their hands on a powerful weapon- one rumored to be strong enough to destroy hope itself.

Big Band Precure:

“One! Two! Three! Four! Big-Band Pre-cure!” (Big Band Cures play in their own transformations and use music or music themes for all their attacks)

Setsuko/Fret/Cure Tune/Crescendo Tune- Guitar attacks. Lion (from Aoi’s crystal animal) guitar pick. Pocket extendable guitar neck to become guitar to strum. Good with all guitar-like instruments. Big fan of Wild Azure.

Toshiko/Fury/Cure Rock- Drum attacks. Tambourine bracelet (Bracelet turns to tambourine and/or drum to drumkit, and sometimes other percussion). Pen and pencil drumsticks.

Tsuyomi/Forte/Cure Classic(al)- Fan to piano attacks (The fan has a piano key pattern on and separates to make the keyboard, with the side slats becoming the stand). Princely outfit with a hidden techno-light-up element.

Shiori/Fandango/Cure Pop- Headphones mic dj deck and voice attacks. Compact halves to headphones or microphone. Clashes a bit with Tune over who has lead vocals. Eventually learns to harmonise, and earns Tunes’ approval to sing lead. Best dancer of the squad. Very good with technical skills and runs the school radio station. Often comes across as bossy/forceful in her views.

Timbre: Fairy from the song kingdom hiding out on Earth. Blue fairy with a quaver quiff. Uses her limited amounts of power to help the big band cures, and needs to rest in between. Turns into a keyless music box when asleep. The cures later learn they have to sing the right note to unlock the music box and wake her up again.

Discord- BBEG

Aoi/Cure Gelato/Cure Concert as stuck/ mentor (Adult). Travelled to Kanon town to investigate the diapperance of the Suite cures, only to get stuck there when Ballad attacked. Helps mentor the Big Band cures, overcoming her own uncertainties an insecurities at the same time.

Ako/Cure Muse: Turns up partway through, and is the only Suite member to escape the corruption from Discord. Ends up sheltering as roomates with Aoi, and the two could not be less similar. Eventually learn to understand each other more and they become an unlikely but cohesive double-act. As apparently serious and pragmatic as ever. Chips in with set-building while she is stuck in Kanon Town.

Banshee, Howler and Screech (Ellen/Siren, Hummy and Noise respectively.) (As corrupted bbeg generals)

Axe and Aux: Starter villain generals created by Ballad. Later recouped to power up other generals.

Ballad/Discord- BBEG. Jealous Prince of the song kingdom (Jealous of Major Land and its music). Released the discord to allow him to overcome the songstresses of Major land. Is after the last fairy tone to release the full power of Discord from where it is trapped beneath the Grand Staff, the manifested power of music itself.

Spotlight, Cam-cam, and Shoot: Song Kingdom fairies who work behind the scenes to make Ballad look good. Staging.

The Duet of Despair- Melody and Rhythm turned dark by the corruption of the fairy tones and their tone clefs.

Series summary: Aoi comes to Kanon town to investigate the apparent disappearance of the Suite team. She discovers a new enemy, Discord, and a powerful dissonance that weakens her transformation and traps her within the town, only to be saved by a new precure. Aoi has to uncover the identities of the new Big Band Precure and help train them to take down Discord, and save the Suite team. (Later on Discord causes a time travel break which allows Aoi to go back and find out what happened, only to learn that the corruption of the fairy tones was corrupting the treble clefs, and Gelato is forced to become the one that seals the team away to be saved in the future.)

All Animals Precure:

(Detail in linked post)

Ame/Cure Kindness: Doesn’t have magic attacks or finishers. Protective from impact in serious situations-but not sure if luck or actual magic going on as seems happen in human form too (faint heart imprint leftover outline after). Tough cure. FW-type monster judo. Stronk. Can understand all animals if needed. Can whistle to summon a friendly tiger Tora. Sometimes the tiger appears anyway to help while she’s transformed. She keeps having to take it back. Used as a mount. (Red, ringmaster like outfit. But more Rose bride anthy but with less skirt more coattails)(and red hair)

Minato/Cure Splash (Aquatic themed)(Raincoat top and hat/jellyfish bell skirt/mermaid)

Sayako/Cure Silky (Insect themed)(Silky dress, spider/catepillar vibes/mature/sophisticated dress)

Haruna/Cure Canter (Quadraped themed)(Horse girl x 100)(young adult cure)

Chizuru/Cure Chirp (Avian themed)(Carnival outfit)

Ferren- Ferret-type scout from healing garden. Nothing to do with Tarte or the sweets kingdom despite looking nearly identical.

Sukeru- Pangolin type lead bbeg

Tora: They think this is a magical tiger, but they're not sure if it's just a tiger that Cure Kindness happened to save and has now just...bonded with her. Ongoing bit where Kindness keeps having to return the tiger to increasingly alarmed zoo staff, often just carrying it back and handing it over like it's nothing. The zookeepers disagree.

Big hearted animal-lover Ame seems to fall into the life of her dreams after her dad gets a big promotion allowing them all to move to the zoo where he works. There she runs into Ferren, a scout from the Healing Garden searching for an escaped criminal, Sukeru, with a hatred for humans. Stepping in to protect Ferren from the monsters, Ame becomes a precure, and starts on her journey to protect all animals from the dark magic of Sukeru. (Ends up fighting past cures-turned-animal monsters)

(More detail here:)

Verdant Earth Precure:

A younger, Earth, trees, and growth (forest) themed precure team:

Uesugi Mimori, Cure Crown, Precure of trees

Hayashi Jin, Cure Rush, Precure of insects

Takeshi Kaneko, Cure Bell, Precure of flora

Yasuda Miho, Cure Rice, Precure of foods

Kakogi Haru, Sprout, Cure Spring, precure of animals (fauna)

Info link here

#oc cures #precure #fan series #Precure Royale #Precure Memories #Big Band Precure #All Animals Precure

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grcetxt · 2 years ago

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GOS2 hillywood + poster dissection (spoilers!)

so, i think we all lost our collective MINDS today

when I saw that we have the release date I actually started SCREAMING (I got lots of dirty looks.) anyways I have lots and lots of thoughts that I just need to get down somewhere so buckle up cuz this will be long, rambly, and prolly won't make a whole lot of sense.

First of all, huge props to the whole hillywood team, this was a really high-quality production and I loved every second of it. I'm watching the behind the scenes vid while writing this and it's really interesting to see how such an amazing video was produced. so much work was put into it and it really paid off. Thank you guys so much for making this!

So, the scene where Crowley falls. this could just be something fun hillywood decided to do, but the fact that they worked so closely with Neil makes me wonder if this is something that we might get more of in s2. The scene with the fire (which was awesome btw) maybe not be so much, but Crowley falling from what seems to be heaven into a puddle of what I'm guessing is maybe meant to be sulphur? (I don't really know what sulphur is so correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just spewing stuff here so it could be complete nonsense) idk to me it seems like foreshadowing, especially considering that Crowley's fall isn't discussed in that much depth in s1. idk that could just be me stretching cuz I want pre-fall Crowley SO BAD. and OH MY GOD IN THE VIDEO THEY JUST CONFIRMED ITS MEANT TO BE SULPHUR I FUCKING SGHA ITS THE FALL FROM HEAVEN I KNEW IT.

The post-parody scenes AHHH. first of all, I loved how they stayed pretty much word accurate to the show, with only necessary things changed. I loved Neil in this, Maggie, and Daniel. Does more Daniel mean more Adam? he could just be there for like a fun cameo roll but it got me thinking. if weird shit was happening the first thing Crowley and aziraphale are gonna think is 'Ah shit it's the Antichrist again innit' So maybe more adam s2? idk.

(Maggie was literally me. 'DO THEY HOLD HANDS??' girl is literally the entire good omens fandom)

('the wait and see clause' SO FUNNY BUT ALSO SO MUCH PAINN)

Ok, poster time.

First off, the way they're sat back to back?? no space between them?? and IS AZ READING TO CROWLEY?? :( They make me wanna vomit /pos

Also, I noticed something in the back. a shop outside with 'give me' on the front? this could just be a generic shop but I feel like everything in the poster is deliberate. doesn't seem to mean much now but I reckon we should keep our eye out in the background of any other posters and teasers and stuff we might get. this could just be me going bonkers cuz I've been deprived of new content for SO LONG but idk I could be onto smth.

I also wanna talk about the lighting decisions. the bright light shining on aziraphale, cuz yk- he's an angel but also a little glimmer on Crowley? now it could be interpreted as like 'Oh not all hope is lost for him' but I see it differently. the fact that Crowley's light is coming from below and Azi's is coming from above?? bit on the nose. I think the fact that we've been told that Gabriel is gonna feature heavily in this, is gonna make us primarily focus on heaven (the biggest light being on Az) but that doesn't mean hells gonna be out of the picture. I think, that through the first few episodes, we're gonna be focusing on Heaven harassing Az and we won't notice hell spying on Crowley (Crowley's light being smaller, yet still very much there)

More on hell, something I didn't notice at first was a lil tiny lizard in the bottom left-hand corner. I'm pretty convinced this is supposed to be shax. I mean, we've been shown that like all the demons have some sort of animal form (Beelzebub- fly, Crowley- snake, ligur- chameleon, etc., etc.) but as far as I know, we haven't had a lizard like that yet. it has a little fire tail and it's pretty deliberately hidden (either that or I'm fucking stupid cuz I didn't notice until like 10 mins ago) I think the fact that he's not the center focus is again about how through this hell will just be kinda spying on them rather taking a center focus so that we have our guard down and are like 'WOAH' when hell does smth. but you can't fool ME Neil, I'm expecting it.

Final little closing thoughts on stuff that could be irrelevant but maybe isn't. The clock- both hands on 6, 6 episodes, what else is 6? Is half 6 a significant time? or is it just cuz 666 and like haha devil number? the old ass camera in the bottom right-hand corner, eluding to maybe olden days Crowley and aziraphale pictures?? I would die. maybe also references a scene abt the invention of the camera?? or is it just there cuz Az is nostalgic and likes antiques. am I going insane or is that a new Crowley haircut?? Crowley and Az being back to back they LOOK SO DOMESTIC ILL SOBB

again, thank you so much hillywood for this amazing parody. and thanks Neil for FINALLY answering our prayers while leaving us with like a MILLION more questions, love you Mr. Gaiman

if you actually read this, thanks! that means that someone else is as obsessed and slightly mad as me. let me know if you've got any other ideas or annotations, I love literally everything good omens so even if you think it's a reach I WANNA HEAR IT!

Edit: I'm a fukin idiot and also blind. there are 3 lizards, and literally everyone noticed them (I can't find the third one (I'm pretty sure I need glasses)) BUT YK I still reckon it's shax. or maybe the erics?? oo it might be the Erics now im thinking abt it

Another edit: I'm actually REALLY fuckin stupid. the give me sign outside is Nina's shop 'Give me coffee or give me death' (I kinda forgot there were new characters this season) BUT YK maybe still smth?? idfk

#good omens #the hillywood show #good omens parody #good omens parody spoilers #good omens 2 #good omens poster #im going insane #neil gaiman

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greenpanda-basicfakewitch · 2 years ago

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Witch Tools | Cast A Circle

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Casting a circle could be used for an altar/ a protection before you start a ritual. Or a Symbol affiliated with Wiccans.

A pentagram is a witches Symbol, meanwhile the inverse symbolises satanism/ or a more in depth symbol for Satanism. The Pentagram is a Star, while a Pentacle is the same with a circle around it. A reminder if it has ‘Cle’ for Cir-cle it makes it easier to remember which symbol is which.

The pentagram represents Earth, Air, Water, Fire on all sides with the Spirit in the middle. North| Earth Top. East | Air Right. South| Fire Bottom. West| Water left.

Pentacle:

A five pointed upright star within a circle. It symbolises white magic and good. The Pentacle is representative of intellect and reason. It also represents the feminine element Earth and is equated with the ability of bringing Spirit to Earth that makes us whole. Oftentimes Pentacles are used as talisman-inanimate objects laced with Psychic powers.

Pentagram:

Pentagram: A five- pointed upright star without the circle. In the later 1800’s Eliphas Levi Wrote, “The Pentagram signifies the domination of the mind over the elements. And the demons of the air, the spirits of fire, the phantoms of water and ghosts of earth are enchained by this sign. Equipped therewith and suitably disposed, you may behold the infinite through the medium of that faculty which is like the souls eye and you will be ministered unto legions of angels and hosts of fiends.”

“Cleanse the area with a ritual broom. Use four candles to mark the elements/points for north east south west. Start north and move clockwise, or create a circle and move your wand/athame clockwise. Use salt to create a circle, or other markers such as flowers, rope, keeping the elemental pointers inside.”

North/Earth: Salt - East/Air: Incense - South/Fire: Candle - West/Water: Water Earth: Agate, calcite, emerald jasper. Malachite, black tourmaline. Air: Adventures, Opal, Tigers eyes, Mica, Topaz, white flourite, turquoise,

Fire: Amber, citrine, chameleon, ruby, Fire Agate, Fire Opal, Sunstone, Water: Aquamarine, coreal, moonstone, pearl, sapphire, selenite.

If you feel a negative energy/entity in the house, you can cast a circle to repel it, while also inviting good spirits to join you. All rituals must be completed in the circle. Do not leave until the ritual is complete.

You do not have to mark out your circle, but you can for ritual purposes, or for protection.

Casting a circle creates a protective high energy space, where you can safety carry out your ritual magic, without the interference of negativity/harmful entities.

“Casting a Protective Circle.”

You can mark the boundaries of the circle with candles, rocks or crystals along the edges that correspond to each of the cardinal points.

If you’re completing your ceremony and need to close the magic circle, you’ve opened. Simply repeat the same blessing. But rather than asking the guardians to grant you their medicine, thank them for it and bid them farewell.

Releasing the circle allows the energies contained to dissipate and them to return to its pre-ritual state. At the end of the ritual, turn widdershins (Anti-Clockwise) and say, “I open the circle and it now fades away.”

“Circle blessing.”

Guardians of the South, grant me the gift of your Water Medicine, so that it may flow through my soul, and make me whole.

Guardian of the West, grant me the gift of your Earth medicine, so that I may strengthen the growing roots within, to make me whole.

Guardians of the North, grant me the gift of your air energy, so that I may sing to the spirit within, to make me whole.

Guardian of the East, grant me the gift of your fire medicine so that I may sealt the glowing forge within, to make me whole.

Consecrate: Make or Declare sacred. To consecrate something is to make it holy and dedicate it to the service of the divine. This may be done to an area to create a sacred space, a ceremonial tool or offering or a person. To make sacred is to purify and blessing something and charging it with purpose.

Click here for -> Consecrate Page

#WITA #Witch #Tools #Witch Tools #Altar #BOS #Book Of Shadows #witchtok #witchblr #witchcraft #witch community #wiccan #pagan #wicca #Wiccan #Paganism #baby Witch

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cleverhottubmiracle · 7 days ago

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Robyn Rihanna Fenty turns 37 today, and our favorite Pisces just so happens to be the best-dressed woman in the world (go argue with the wall). While many have her red-carpet looks committed to memory, we’re taking a trip down a less beaten path and reviewing her party dressing over the years. The main theme I’ve noticed in my research is that Riri rarely goes to a party not thrown by her, a flex few others could say. Since coming onto the scene in the late 2000s, she’s thrown album release parties, epic Met Gala afterparties, and countless Fenty Beauty launch events where the main event is her.That’s all to say, she moves stealthily, and when she’s not turning the sidewalk outside her beloved Giorgio Baldi into a catwalk, she can be seen dipping in and out of various soirées in New York and in the Californian desert for Coachella. Her very first party looks had a serious equation: cocktail dress, bangle, and platform heels. But when she stepped into her own, there was no telling what she’d show up in: Some nights, she opted for skin-skimming, all-black fits, other nights it’s Prada pajamas with marabou slippers. The ultimate fashion chameleon and trendsetter always keep us on our toes. Keep scrolling to see our favorite late-night Rih looks.2006, JCPenney Experience OpeningStephen Lovekin/WireImage/Getty ImagesSkinny jeans tucked into boots and statement baubles? It can only be Y2Chaotic.2006, Beyoncé’s Birthday & B-Day Release PartyJames Devaney/WireImage/Getty ImagesA Rihanna outfit formula for the aughts if we’ve ever seen one: A cocktail dress and a statement bangle. This Ingwa Melero dress can be yours for $100.2007, California Speedway's Running Wide Open in Hollywood PartyFrederick M. Brown/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty ImagesSee above for the outfit formula. Despite her broken foot, she still rocked this Basso & Brooke strapless number.2009, Rated R Release PartyShareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic/Getty ImagesHer bad girl era, even after Good Girl Gone Bad was release. This rock-glam gladiator look from The Blonds matched her tough energy for this album cycle. 2009, Rated R Release PartyJohnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty ImagesShe changed to head into Juliet’s Supper Club (RIP) for a night of 18+ fun.2012, Stella McCartney Presentation CocktailDave M. Benett/Dave Benett Library/Getty ImagesA new era for Rih began in 2011 when she started working with stylist Mel Ottenberg. Her look became more cohesive, more high fashion, and it showed starting in 2012 when she hit fashion weeks around the world.2012, GQ Men of the Year PartyJeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty ImagesSimple is best, and when you’ve got a glowing base tan like the Barbadian singer, you don’t need to wear much else.2013, Rihanna For River Island AfterpartyDave M. Benett/Dave Benett Library/Getty ImagesIn her “Fashion Killa” era, Rih had a shaved head, better style, and a way of pulling off a simple white T-shirt very few can replicate.2013, NFL Draft PartyJohnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty ImagesThis Riccardo Tisci-era Givenchy shirt is such a marker of the times, as is the snapback and Saint Laurent heels.2013, New Year’s Eve PartyLeave it to Rihanna to show up in pajamas and still be best-dressed.2014, Pre-Grammys GalaKevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty ImagesThis was a year before her infamous Guo Pei omelette dress at the Met Gala, but Riri’s always looked great in yellow.2014, Met Gala AfterpartyNCP/Star Max/GC Images/Getty ImagesThe start of her infamous Met afters, held at Up & Down this inaugural year.2014, Fashion Awards AfterpartyDavid M. Benett/Dave Benett Library/Getty Images2014 was also the year she wore that Adam Selman Swarovski crystal dress to the CFDA Awards, so clearly sheer and shiny was on the mind.2015, Met Gala AfterpartyDave Kotinsky/WireImage/Getty ImagesShowing up fashionably late to your own party in a feather-trimmed sheer top? Could only be Rihanna.2015, Vogue 95th Anniversary PartyDominique Charriau/WireImage/Getty ImagesA rare babydoll silhouette from Rihanna, right when she was in the midst of channeling Raf Simon’s Dior vibe.2016, Clubbing in LondonRicky Vigil M/GC Images/Getty ImagesWhy not wear Balmain and Dior to exit the club?2016, VMAs AfterpartyJames Devaney/GC Images/Getty ImagesMore Balmain, this time to leave her beloved Up & Down.2017, Met Gala AfterpartyPressphotodirect/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty ImagesWhen the dress code called for sculptural Comme des Garçons, it only makes sense she chose to wear Prada pajamas to relax after the Met Gala.2017, Chopard Space PartyPascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty ImagesAnother silhouette we don’t see much of from Rihanna, this baby-blue corseted number channels a more classic glamour.2017, Fenty Beauty New York Launch PartyBRYAN R. SMITH/AFP/Getty ImagesThe first of three launches for her baby, Fenty Beauty, in more yellow that compliments her skin tone so well.2017, Fenty Beauty London Launch PartyKarwai Tang/WireImage/Getty ImagesShe popped up in London shortly after in this Giambattista Valli confection.2017, Fenty Beauty Paris Launch PartyPascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty ImagesThe final of three launches for her baby, Fenty Beauty, in a short little black dress and really excellent heels.2018, Grammys AfterpartyRobert Kamau/GC Images/Getty ImagesThis vintage Yves Saint Laurent was a subtle flex after being snubbed at the Grammys, yet again.2018, CoachellaRemember her Gucci crystal facekini? She also wore this all-Gucci look that weekend.2018, Fenty Beauty First BirthdayKevin Mazur/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty ImagesAnother monochromatic look that she matched to her lip perfectly.2018, Savage x Fenty AfterpartyThese Gucci black & white sunglasses are great paparazzi shields, so makes sense she wore them for some after-hours fun. 2019, Fabergé PartyNeil Mockford/GC Images/Getty ImagesAll white Fenty (RIP), with a little Versace and Bottega for good measure.2019, Fenty AfterpartyPierre Suu/GC Images/Getty ImagesLeaving her own party through the back door is also very Rihanna.2019, Fashion Awards AfterpartyRicky Vigil M/GC Images/Getty ImagesAll black is a go-to for Ms. Fenty when exiting clubs as the sun rises.2021, Met Gala AfterpartyGotham/GC Images/Getty ImagesFor the 2021 Met Gala, she switched locations and showed up in a black tee, sheer skirt, and kept her sheer cap on from the red carpet. 2021, Scooter Braun Birthday PartyJust because she doesn’t walk the streets doesn’t mean she can’t channel the energy of the streets, like with this bandana and graphic T-shirt.2022, Fenty Skin Launch PartyRich Fury/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty ImagesOne of our all-time favorite looks, and one of her best pregnancy looks. This custom ombré look from The Attico was perfect to show off her bump and her world-class figure.2023, A$AP Rocky Puma x F1 LaunchWhen in Shanghai, throw a $300,000 watch on your ankle, shrug on fresh-off-the-runway Prada, and throw your hair up to stunt on everyone.2023, Met Gala AfterpartyShe’s really just like us: She ended up at a 24-hour diner after the 2023 Met Gala. 2023, LVMH PartyWho else is wearing custom Loewe for an intimate dinner and party on a weekday in New York? I’ll wait.2024, Fenty Hair Launch PartyLeon Bennett/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty ImagesTo launch Fenty Hair, Riri stipped back to her curly roots and cocooned herself in Khaite leather.2024, Socialista AfterpartyRobert Kamau/GC Images/Getty ImagesAnother classic Rihanna look with strappy sandals and a vintage bag, her classic accessorizing move.2024, CoachellaBoxers and fur to Coachella? That’s how a mom of two rolls up.2024, A$AP Rocky’s Birthday PartyBrand-new LaQuan Smith for a little late-night fun, plus some — you guessed it — lace-up sandals.2024, New Year’s Eve PartyThe energy she’ll be bringing into 2025: Bigger is better. Source link

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norajworld · 7 days ago

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ellajme0 · 7 days ago

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chilimili212 · 7 days ago

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oliviajoyice21 · 7 days ago

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ayearwithoutwater · 5 months ago

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Sixteen.

Within the past month, Kelly Clarkson released her takes on two seminal songs: "Good Luck, Babe!" by Chappell Roan and "My Heart Will Go On" by Céline Dion. The songs themselves are special to me for different reasons, but those reasons are irrelevant to the matter at hand; the takeaway here is that Kelly's virtuosic ability to sing anything, over two decades after her very public ascension, has not only persevered—it has actually improved. Watching these now, I am for but a moment as captivated by her as I used to be all those years ago, but it's only momentary nostalgia, fleeting.

I remember, throughout my teenage years, passionately refreshing her Diva Devotee vocal profile (three octaves and two notes seems like a lowball estimate) and attempting to indoctrinate strangers about her being our generation's Whitney Houston-Mariah Carey hybrid, as evidenced by her chameleonic vocal prowess across genres (see: her ever-evolving list of songs covered, on both television and tour) and songwriting skills.

I'd lied earlier, you see, by omitting any allusions to her when describing my favorite musicians in Six. I was, for a decade, a diehard Kelly Clarkson fan, and she was my patron saint of choice during my formative years of angst. That cardboard standee of her that I mentioned in Fifteen? I actually own two. One of them accompanied me from work on the subway, first to a college party photo booth where all my friends insisted on taking pictures with our celebrity guest, then to my Lower East Side apartment where she frequently scared me at night by lurking in the corner shadows, and finally to my father's home in Los Angeles, where they both continue to stand today. Hers was the first show I ever attended at the historic Radio City Music Hall, and the second concert in my entire life overall. The command she holds over gay men is such that she was the bridge between me and the then-boyfriend of a man I'd once loved, who loathed me for whatever affair he feared me having with his partner and who, despite that, still managed to eke out a joke about expecting a child with me—her then-forthcoming Christmas album, Wrapped In Red—because he, too, was a Kelly fanatic. It was her music that played in the background during my first intercourse: "When I'm with you, I'm alone," unintentionally or otherwise, was the refrain in my head as I made my sexual debut (I owe my first boyfriend deep gratitude for his everlasting patience with me).

I'm not "Alone" in my love for her, I know—Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, of Las Culturistas, love her too (and, just like them, I also preferred MADtv over Saturday Night Live)—but I think there's a special grip she has on my demographic in particular. I have never met a gay Asian man who has never, at one point or another, loved Kelly Clarkson. For example: Jun, my third boyfriend, literally had [email protected] as his email address, and Henry, my fourth, only ever listened to three singers, of which she was the predominant one.

I don't want to make outlandish claims, but I think there's something worth identifying about her ubiquity among us.

As the inaugural American Idol, Kelly's victory was delivered by almost nine million votes manually cast in a pre-digital world; it was as democratic as an over-produced reality television show could be. At that point in time, Pew Research Center estimates that Asian Americans numbered approximately twelve million in the United States, just under 4% of its total population. (Currently, we number approximately twenty-two million, or nearly 7% of the overall figure.) The Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law estimated in 2021 that just 3.8% of Asian American adults identify as LGBT. Demographic surveys of earlier American Idol seasons don't exist, but extrapolating these numbers (and somewhat erroneously assuming an even distribution) gives us a working assumption that maybe 360,000 of the votes were cast by Asian Americans, of which possibly 13,680 were sent in by our LGBT kith and kin.

Using more recent statistics as merely illustrative tools, almost 60% of all Asian Americans were born outside the United States, compared to 14% of Americans overall, and we can break this down further by generation. Despite Millennials, Gen Z, and post-Gen Z totaling 57% of all Asian Americans, almost 83% of all U.S.-born Asian Americans are in our age group. 95% of U.S.-born Asian Americans are at minimum proficient in English, compared to just 57% of non-U.S.-born Asian Americans. What's evident, then, is that the vast majority of us here grew up in households where either our parents or grandparents were our immigrant forebears.

Although data disaggregation of Asian Americans by origin subgroups is paramount, and despite Asian Americans being 3% lower than Americans overall (10% versus 13%) to be living in poverty, we know that twelve of the nineteen subgroups have poverty rates at least as high or surpassing the American average. This, coupled with our language proficiency and immigration household statistics, paints a clear picture of trends borne out through personal, anecdotal experience: the Asian American circumstance is one of much travail. It is for this reason perhaps altogether unsurprising that so many of us had instilled within us the mantras of keeping our heads down and working hard, and therefore that we might relate so viscerally to the original American Idol.

Kelly's rise throughout the competition, week by week, was all but certain. She displayed great technical prowess and a down-to-earth attitude, but that was par for the course for a contest of singers. I don't think it's quite accurate to say that she faded into the background for much of the season, but she wasn't a controversial figure. Yet, she established herself as reliably consistent and endeared herself to us during the show and afterwards without ever pretending to be anyone other than herself. It's easy to see why Asian Americans, given the contexts of both her background and ours, would be drawn to her. Particularly to those who wish for a quiet assimilation, her success was an aspirational rags-to-riches story for the ages.

It's Breakaway, however, that I think turned us all into superfans. Just as I was awed by the raw angst permeating the album, so do I assume was everyone else. Anger unfiltered—except, as a cynic would point out, through the machinations of the pop music industry—has a specific appeal to Asian Americans, and even more so to those of us who were concurrently going through puberty. Insofar as anger is a rational response to injustice, it is an accumulated rejoinder that many of us grew up being expected to bite back or bottle within, be it an aggregate result of the overtly xenophobic racism, the microaggressions, or even the so-called lunchbox trauma to which we're commonly subjected. Calling it empowering is too facile; her music, rock-adjacent with pop sensibilities, was anger made accessible, palatable, a pressure valve for emotional release. To those of us who came of age during the era of the music video, the apartment she personally desecrated for the "Since U Been Gone" video was a visual catharsis, a scream expelled yet contained.

I want to consciously acknowledge, for a brief moment, our storied collective activist history, often exemplified by the likes of Yuri Kochiyama and the Third World Liberation Front, the best of us who understood all too well the importance of our proactive participation in anti-racism organized efforts. Indeed, "Asian American" as a term itself owes its emergence to a focused determination by our predecessors to establish a distinct political identity in the pursuits of agency and solidarity. Ergo, the stereotype of Asian Americans being a meek model minority is just that—a(n historically inaccurate) stereotype—and indentured silence is a trope that we can, and should, reject.

Similarly, those of us who are aware of our queer ancestors know the urgency of being loud and proud. "LGBT" emerged, like "Asian American," out of political necessity: public identities and coalitions were forged for the purpose of civil rights advocacy. As inheritors of double political identities, then, it's incumbent upon us LGBT Asian Americans to recognize and dismantle the structural barriers to social equity.

When my (ex-)boyfriends expressed to me their love for Kelly Clarkson, I admit that I felt seen. Although I had finally begun to diversify my own listening habits by the time these relationships took root, Jun's email address and Henry's obsession were indicative of commonalities shared between us, and I had hope that this would portend good tidings. But, while Jun knew more or less all the lore of Kelly Clarkson world that I did (unreleased and leaked songs, significant performances, etc.), Henry was ignorant. Henry's love for Kelly was shallow. He cared only that she was the first (and best) American Idol winner, that she had a couple of hit records, and that she now hosted a television show that he wanted to attend. Henry turned out to be the worst breakup I'd ever have.

My relationship with Kelly was a casualty of my relationships with these men, poisoned over time by my disdain for them resultant of our very bad breakups. I loved her, but I could no longer listen to her because her music reminded me too much of them (mostly Henry, less so Jun). It reminded me of all the effort and time I'd sunk into my failed relationships, and I felt as embittered as she sounded throughout the entirety of My December, but I couldn't even listen to her to commiserate and achieve the catharsis she'd previously provided me; instead, listening to her only made me feel worse.

When Henry and I were beginning to separate, I tried very hard to save our relationship. I'd rationalized to myself that all the effort would be worth it because he was the one I thought I was supposed to marry, because that's how seriously I took our relationship. I sent him a Google Drive folder filled with her deep cuts and unreleased music, some sourced from the materials I'd gained through my former job at her then-record label, and within that folder I buried a Cameo that I'd commissioned from drag star Pangina Heals, who I'd asked to tell Henry on my behalf that I was sorry, that I was wrong, and that I loved him. His reply was: "You don't have to but thank you." I don't know if he ever even saw Pangina's message. I doubt it would have made a difference.

A year after we broke up, Hinge served me Henry's new profile, complete with a picture of him with his Idol at an album release event for Kelly's newest record, chemistry. My first reaction was revulsion at the world forcing me to look at the man who'd broken my heart; my second was to nod and mentally congratulate him on finally meeting Kelly Clarkson in person; my third was to report his dating profile for being an impersonation and catfish, as I'd done to his prior accounts whenever they were forced upon me by unforgiving algorithms that correctly predicted the chemistry between us, because I'm petty when scorned and I wanted to curse him into a life of forever loneliness after what he had done to me—I would have him know, intimately, that his life would suck without me.

Upon chemistry's release, I did give it a precursory listen. She still sounded familiar to me, her voice an old friend to my ears. It's a post-divorce album, and I knew that it would come with all the expected trappings, and it did. It has songs about puppy love, about honeymooning and that initial period where everything's a sugar rush because you're just so excited by the newness of that person and their potential. It has songs about falling in love, about the depths to which two souls would dive, together, as they seek to build a life together. It also has songs about anger, about feeling betrayed and used and forsaken by the person you should have been able to trust most above all.

I had to stop.

Not only did I relate to the content of the music, I couldn't shake a nagging feeling that Henry too was listening to the album and relating to it, except that I was the villain onto whom he projected (wrongfully) all the negativity of her new musical angst. It was Henry in my head as I listened to "favorite kind of high" and "me" and all the songs about the times both good and bad. So, I had to turn it off. I muted her on Spotify, I turned my back on my childhood favorite, and I stopped myself from listening to her because it just hurt too much. Jun had loved her too, maybe even more than I did, but it's Henry who affected my relationship with Kelly the most. I was a human being experiencing desire, and he was the willing recipient of all my desire until he wasn't, until he no longer wanted to be. I wanted depth, even if I thought he was shallow, but still I was upset at having lost him because I loved him despite or inclusive of his shortcomings. I had loved him anyway, and still that couldn't save us.

Since then, I've prevented myself from giving too much to relationships that do not feel reciprocal. I've told myself that I wouldn't let anyone hurt me so deeply ever again, and, as I said those words, I felt once more the emotions that I think are at the heart of Kelly's music. That hurt, that fear, that anger, that sadness—all of that is why my demographic loves her. We desire, we want to be desired, but it feels like it seldom works out.

Kelly Clarkson is the artist who was most important to me as I came of age. My relationship with her was tainted by successive ex-boyfriends, but I've recently been thinking that my history with her should take precedence over theirs; after all, I'm the protagonist of my own narrative. That relationship is mine, and I've been thinking that I should endeavor to heal my inner child, the kid who adored "Behind These Hazel Eyes" as he imagined the end of relationships not yet had to fill the song's storyboards. But, I should be forthright and admit to myself an unspoken truth, that it's also about my relationship with Henry, and that attempting to reclaim my relationship with the music that defined my teenage years would also be an attempt at moving on.

So, I've unmuted her on Spotify. I've been trying to give her a listen with a fresh perspective, but I also must admit that my tastes have changed. As well, I don't feel that her artistry has progressed to where I'd like it to be, and other artists now hit home where she once did, reliably so. I loved her and I love what she's done for me, but I'm also going to allow myself to relinquish her music because it no longer serves me. I'm letting myself walk away from Kelly Clarkson, and by doing so I'm finally walking away from Henry, too.

Miss Independent, eat your heart out.

#a year without water #substack

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portinfinite · 5 months ago

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toadeyes-miqote · 7 months ago

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Dawntrail - summer vacation date expac

The Dating Sim visual novel reason is why MSQ take so long. I was doing Stealing time with Thancred route by default. But when that one scene happened. I think I went unhinged and ended up with this plaguing my brain the whole day.

Thank you Yoshi-p and devs for Catboys routes. It was out of context but it was sweet and ridiculously fun that I drag MSQ over a few days for this.

Spoilery date routes are spoilery after the boys of summer have gone to lvl 100.

This only applies to Hylnyan since this is what I saw.

Wuk Lamat – Young royal, battle sprout, new expac new kouhai

By default the kouhai route is Wuk Lamat. You're her senpai and she's growing into her role. You two hang out the most. Her onii-chan trust you to keep her safe and guide her well. You get to camp and go on roadtrips together. Your chief kouhai Alisaie is even friends with her and not overly jealous about you having to mentor yet another kouhai.

Koana - Arkward-Tsundere green cat Onii-chan route another royal and battle sprout

My sister can' t be maturing this well by hanging out with you? Thanks for supporting her. Baka! its not like you hit max approval/affection with me and i'm giving you your AF gear or something that my sister made it sound like I’m giving you something more. Bakabakabkabkabaka.

Your GNB senpai is horribly embarrassingly mouthy. Baka! its not like we're both phys ranged cats and you're the traditional archer to my modern machinist. Bakabakabakabaka! BAKA! This alone had me expecting a rivalry but he released Thancred at midpoint and all is well.

Thancred – Senpai working a vacation job

Uwu GNB senpai is so professional but he still noticed me. Senpai getting so many dramatic entrances (two leaps). I log Hylnyan out beside him where possible. Dude was in a lovely flower field at one point

Erenville – fussy little bunbun

My fussy little bunbun senpai can't be a kuudere route

I made Hylnyan pick the annoying choices.... it seems like thats how his mum behaves... oopss. This one would have been Squall and Rinoa in a sense. The amount of baggage he carries around physically and emotionally. Would you be the one to get him to laydown his luggage? Remember what G'raha said about helping Wol carry a satchel of responsibility from time to time

Bakool ja ja

– Tsundere route. Baka its not like you help me break a Fruits Basket size family tragedy cycle and we're learning to heal from it and are awkward at best

For some bizzare reason smug mystic head was kinda cute in Chameleon way and mighty head was godzillaish cute somehow... what? Cute lizard dudes were cute even though I wanted to punch the smugness out of him pre Mamook Fruits Basket reveal

Zoraal ja - The I can fix him type route. Well if you like that, I guess but he's cold.

Sphene

- break the wonky AI programming route. Save the tachikoma. Offer the tachikoma natural oil, be like Batou-san.... oh wait Batou- san is in Werlyt.

True G'raha route - The young old man / old young man / whatever the term (comfort this guy yeah. this place not good for him)

- Are train rides, gondola rides and ice cream and museum visits not enough? Thanks Devs for the little outing. Please don't death flag G'raha for this

I don't know who is this person he speaks of. But I had thought he might had lost someone else in Black Rose timeline (whoever it is isn't Wol) or on the First. It would be disappointing if he be locked in the past himself if that person was that Wol who he never met (Only the ARR WoL and ShB onwards WoL)

It would be weird if he is unable to appreciate the living WoL and uses a WoL he never met to be some kind of standard. That be like Mini-filia all over again in expecting to live up to some kind of dieal.

Yes its totally out of context but you get the idea no?

Is OTT? I still don't know what Hylnyan and G'raha relationship is. And I accept that they will tell me when the time comes.

If you're not taking time to uwu with your NPC of choice

Estinian - Secret Estinien route unlocked He promised Hylnyan a hunt and a meal dang it. That’s s a Miqo'te campfire picnic! What more Hylnyan is a recent lvl 90 Cul. I wub this dude for speaking her language

If you haven't seen duty trust glams lvl 100 aka boys of summer - from Meoni

#Book 7 - Dawntrail #7.0 spoilers #Tracking Hylnyan #Not quite FFXIV dating sim #yarns of parody #FFXIV #Erenville seeing shades of Cahciua in Hylnyan

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