#real-time brand reputation tracking

[sagetitans-123]

Guardians of the Digital Galaxy: Brand Reputation and SEO Like Never Before

Introduction

In today's search-first world, where a single good search result determines the survival and success of businesses, digital brands have to get stronger than ever. It takes the unassuming protectors to safeguard your web reputation and its SEO strategies to fight to be among these billions of pages present in this galactic space web. The question is—are you ready to become a true guardian of your brand?

Why Brand Reputation Matters More Than Ever

The Power of First Impressions

Your brand reputation is essentially your business’s digital handshake. It reflects how your customers see and trust you. A strong brand reputation ranking boosts credibility, draws in loyal customers, and keeps your competitors in the dust. On the flip side, a tarnished reputation can drive potential customers away in a heartbeat.

In a world where one negative review or social media post can spiral into a crisis, brand reputation protection is no longer optional. Businesses need a strategy that defends their digital presence and ensures they’re the go-to name in their niche.

The Role of SEO in Building Trust

A high search engine ranking is like having the spotlight in the digital galaxy—it tells customers you’re credible and worth their time. By integrating real-time brand reputation tracking using social media with strong SEO practices, businesses can ensure they’re always putting their best foot forward.

Tools for Becoming the True Guardian of Your Brand

Must-Have Reputation Management Tools

Staying on top of your brand reputation means monitoring what people are saying about you and acting fast. The best reputation management tools help you track, respond, and improve your online presence. Some top tools include:

Google Alerts: Get instant updates when your business is mentioned online.

Hootsuite Insights: Manage and analyze your brand social media conversations in one place.

Brand24: Monitor your brand mentions and take action in real time.

These tools work like a superhero team, giving you the ability to respond to challenges quickly and maintain your brand reputation protection.

Real-Time Tracking on Brand Social Media

Social media is where customers voice their opinions—both good and bad. To stay ahead, businesses must track conversations in real time and respond promptly. This is where real-time brand reputation tracking using social media comes into play.

Want to build the best brand social media presence? Focus on these key points:

Consistency: Use the same branding and tone across all platforms.

Engagement: Respond to comments, messages, and reviews regularly.

Value-Driven Content: Share content that educates or entertains your audience.

How to Strengthen Your Brand Reputation

Proven Strategies to Stay on Top

Creating an unbeatable brand reputation doesn't take overnight, but by these tips:

Offer Excellent Customer Service: Deal with customer problems in a fast and professional way.

Ask satisfied customers for reviews: Send the happy customer messages to provide their reviews at Google and through social media channels

Create Content for Marketing: Release blog posts, videos, or just updates to demonstrate authority.

By consistently applying these strategies, your brand reputation ranking will rise, helping you dominate your industry.

Why Partnering with Brand Reputation Management Companies Works

Managing your brand reputation on your own can be overwhelming. That’s where brand reputation management companies like Sage Titans come in. They specialize in monitoring, protecting, and improving your online reputation using advanced tools and expertise. With their help, you can focus on growing your business while they safeguard your digital presence.

SEO and Social Media: Guardians of Directions for Growth

Connecting SEO to Brand Social Media

Your brand's social media presence is more than just posts and likes—it’s a powerful tool for boosting SEO. Sharing content that includes targeted keywords and links to your website can help you rank higher on search engines. Here’s how to maximize the connection:

Optimize your profiles with keywords like “guardians of directions” to enhance visibility.

Post regularly and consistently to stay relevant.

Use analytics to track performance and adjust strategies as needed.

A strong social media game strengthens both your SEO and your brand reputation.

The Future of Reputation Management

The digital galaxy keeps evolving, and businesses need to stay ahead of trends. Using reputation management tools, real-time monitoring, and expert support, you can adapt to changes and overcome challenges effortlessly. Whether it’s handling negative reviews or maintaining a stellar SEO strategy, being proactive is key.

Conclusion: Step Up as a Digital Guardian

The responsibility of brand reputation protection for any business today is a very serious issue. Social media can track real-time brand reputation tracking, SEO strategies, and support from expert sources such as Sage Titans. that make you stand tall as the real guardian of your brand's future.

The time to act is now—because in the vast digital galaxy, only the strongest and most prepared brands will thrive.

[hellobykittys]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 (𝐈𝐌)𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 ✦ 𝐂𝐋¹⁶

SUMMARY: Charles Leclerc, a Formula 1 star, faces the decline of his reputation after breaking up with art curator Alexandra Saint Mleux. Under pressure from his team, he is forced into a fake relationship with one of the most popular influencers of the moment. NOTES: English is not my first language, so there might be some writing mistakes. I apologize for that, and feel free to point out any improvements. WC: 2.6k WARNING: enemies to lovers, teasing, fake relationship

MASTERLIST | NEXT PART

The meeting room was lit by cold lights reflecting off an impeccably clean glass table. Charles Leclerc sat at the head, his chin resting on his hand, visibly bored. The tension in the air was thick, and he already knew this meeting wasn’t going to end well. Around the table, members of Ferrari’s PR team sat, along with Lorenzo Leclerc, Charles’ older brother and personal manager.

“Let’s get straight to the point,” Lorenzo began, crossing his arms. His voice carried the firmness of someone tired of useless discussions. “Charles, we need to talk about your reputation.”

Charles rolled his eyes, setting his phone down on the table.

“My reputation? You mean the circus the media makes out of everything I do?”

“It’s not a circus if you keep giving them material,” Sofia, Ferrari’s PR head, cut in. A woman with short hair and piercing eyes, Sofia was known for her blunt and impatient approach.

“Seriously?” Charles raised an eyebrow. “Now you want to control my personal life too?”

Lorenzo sighed, rubbing his temples.

“Charles, we’re not here to debate who’s right or wrong. We’re here because your image is directly affecting your career.”

“My career’s fine,” Charles shot back, crossing his arms.

Sofia slammed a folder full of tabloid clippings on the table, making a sharp noise.

“Is it? Because from what we see here, it doesn’t look like it. ‘Charles Leclerc spotted at a party until 5 AM with a mysterious model.’ ‘Ferrari driver involved in a new controversy after a fight at a club.’ This affects the sponsors, Charles. It affects the Ferrari brand.”

Charles leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face.

“Look, I get it. But what do you want me to do? Lock myself in my house?”

“Not exactly,” Sofia replied with a cold smile that made Charles immediately suspicious.

Lorenzo cleared his throat, trying to soften what was coming.

“Charles, we’ve come up with a solution that could help clean up your image quickly while you focus on what really matters: your performance on the track.”

“Great. So, what’s the plan?” he asked, clearly impatient.

Sofia leaned forward, clasping her hands on the table.

“We’re going to put you in a fake relationship.”

The silence that followed was so deep that you could hear the clock ticking on the wall. Charles blinked a few times, sure he’d misunderstood.

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“We’re not,” Sofia replied, serious. “The idea is simple. We want to associate your image with a public figure who’s seen as positive, inspiring, and… balanced.”

“You want me to fake being in love with someone to save my reputation? This is ridiculous!”

“It’s not that simple, Charles,” Lorenzo tried to intervene. “We’re not asking you to fall in love. It’s a contract. An agreement. None of this has to be real.”

Charles laughed humorlessly, shaking his head.

“And who’s this poor soul you’ve hired for this?”

Sofia smiled, clearly expecting this question.

“Y/N.”

The name hit the silence like a shot. Charles frowned, trying to remember where he’d heard it. It didn’t take long before the girl’s face popped into his mind. She was impossible to ignore on social media, with her impeccable style, viral videos, and appearances at fashion and entertainment events.

“You’re talking about that… influencer?” he asked, incredulous.

“Not just any influencer. She’s the influencer right now,” Sofia corrected. “Everyone loves her. She’s elegant, charismatic, and has a solid fanbase. Associating with her will change the public’s perception of you.”

“You want me to fake dating a girl I barely know and who probably thinks race cars are just fancy toys?” Charles shot back, irritated.

Lorenzo took a deep breath, visibly trying to stay calm.

“Charles, no one’s saying it’ll be easy. But think of it as a strategy. Y/N isn’t just an influencer. She’s professional, ambitious, and has as much to gain from this as you do.”

“Great. So, she’s doing it for personal gain too,” Charles said sarcastically.

Sofia rolled her eyes.

“This isn’t about what she wants, it’s about what you need.”

Charles sat in silence for a few seconds, staring at the table. The idea seemed absurd. He didn’t want to give up his freedom for some farce that, deep down, made no sense to him.

“You guys must be crazy if you think I’ll agree to this,” Charles declared, suddenly standing up. His voice echoed through the room, but no one seemed surprised by his reaction.

Lorenzo sighed, already expecting this kind of response. He knew his brother too well to think he’d accept something so outside his comfort zone without resistance.

“Charles, sit down,” Lorenzo said, his voice firm and authoritative. “You have every right to be angry, but if you keep acting like a spoiled child, you won’t get anywhere.”

“A spoiled child?” Charles laughed darkly, pointing at his brother. “This coming from you, trying to convince me to join this ridiculous show. It’s my life, Lorenzo! I’m not a puppet for you guys to manipulate.”

Sofia intervened, trying to stay professional, but her patience was clearly wearing thin.

“Charles, understand this: we’re talking about your career. It’s not just about you. It’s about the team, the sponsors, the thousands of jobs that depend on Ferrari’s success. Formula 1 is a business, and in this business, your image is as important as your driving skills.”

“My driving skills should be the only thing that matters!” he shot back, pointing to himself. “I’m a driver. That’s what I do. I’m not a celebrity who needs a fake romance to get attention.”

“Don’t be naive, Charles,” Sofia replied coldly. “In today’s world, public perception is everything. You could be the best driver on the grid, but if your image keeps getting tied to scandals, no one will want to invest in you.”

Lorenzo crossed his arms, looking at his brother seriously.

“You know she’s right. You don’t have to like the idea, but you have to accept that it’s necessary.”

Charles took a deep breath, trying to calm down, but the knot in his throat only tightened. He hated the idea of being seen as someone who couldn’t control his own life, but Lorenzo and Sofia had a point: the external pressure was becoming unbearable.

“Why her?” he asked, his voice a little quieter.

Sofia gave a slight smile, as though she’d been waiting for this question.

“Because Y/N is exactly what you need. She has an impeccable reputation, knows how to handle the media, and most importantly, knows how to play the game.”

“And how are you so sure she’ll agree to this?” Charles asked, crossing his arms.

“We’ve already talked to her,” Lorenzo revealed. “She agreed. Obviously, she has her conditions, but she’s willing to collaborate.”

Charles laughed, incredulous.

“Of course she agreed. She’s probably loving the idea of being associated with me. She’ll gain even more followers and the ‘Wag’ title. That must be her dream.”

“Don’t underestimate Y/N,” Sofia warned. “She’s far from being a superficial girl. If she agreed, it’s because she saw value in the proposal, just like we did.”

Charles fell silent for a moment, processing everything that had been said. He felt a mix of anger, frustration, and, in a way, helplessness. He hated being put against the wall, but he knew refusing wouldn’t solve his problems.

“And how long is this going to last?” he asked, his disgust evident.

“The contract is for a year,” Lorenzo answered. “Long enough to solidify the lie, but short enough not to be unsustainable.”

“And what if it doesn’t work?”

“It will work,” Sofia assured him confidently.

Charles let out a heavy sigh, running his hands through his hair.

“I hate you guys.”

“Feel free to hate us all you want,” Lorenzo replied, standing up. “But do what needs to be done.”

Sofia grabbed the folder and gave one last look at Charles.

“Y/N will be here tomorrow to talk officially. Hope you’re ready.”

With that, everyone began to leave the room, leaving Charles alone. He slumped back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, trying to accept that, like it or not, his life was about to change.

The meeting room was spacious and well-lit, with glass walls offering a panoramic view of the city. Charles Leclerc was already there, on time this time, sitting next to the conference table in a relaxed yet attentive posture. He was casually flipping through a document, but his mind was elsewhere. The decision to accept the deal still felt surreal.

When the door opened, he lifted his eyes and saw Y/N entering with confident steps. She looked calm, self-assured. She wore a fitted blazer and pants that accentuated her confident posture. Her perfume reached him before her voice, subtle yet striking.

“Hope I’m not late,” she said, placing her bag on a chair and giving Charles a brief glance before looking away.

“You’re not,” he replied, giving a slight nod, observing her carefully.

Lorenzo and Sofia entered right after, carrying folders and an air of seriousness.

“Alright, now that everyone’s here, let’s get straight to the point,” Lorenzo began, taking his seat at the head of the table. “You both know how important this partnership is, both for the team and for your respective careers.”

“It’s not like we have much of a choice, right?” Y/N commented, not aggressively, but with a touch of realism.

“Not exactly,” Sofia answered, unfazed. “But we expect you to see the mutual benefit in this.”

Charles leaned his elbows on the table and glanced at Y/N for a moment before speaking.

“And you? What do you think of all this?”

Y/N blinked, surprised by the direct question, but maintained her composure.

“I think it’s… unexpected. But I won’t deny it’s an opportunity. And you?”

He tilted his head slightly, as if considering.

“I think it could work, as long as we follow a few rules.”

“Rules?” she repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” he answered, with a slight smile. “Like, don’t try to kill me in front of the cameras.”

Y/N let out a short laugh, almost genuine.

“I think I can follow that.”

Lorenzo interrupted, trying to keep the focus.

“Great. Let’s start by clarifying expectations. You’ll need to attend events together, create interactions for social media, and above all, look natural.”

“Does that mean we need to get to know each other better?” Y/N asked, looking directly at Charles, this time with less provocation and more curiosity.

“Probably,” he replied, her eyes holding his for a moment longer than necessary.

Sofia cleared her throat.

“For that, we recommend starting with something simple. A dinner, maybe. Nothing formal, just so you get used to being together outside a professional setting.”

Y/N looked away, pretending to think, but there was something uncomfortably intimate about the idea.

“Seems fair,” she finally said, grabbing a pen to sign the contract placed in front of her.

Charles didn’t say anything but let the corner of his mouth curve into a slight smile. He grabbed his own copy of the contract and signed it right after her.

When they finished, Lorenzo looked at both of them.

“Perfect. From now on, you’re officially a couple.”

Lorenzo’s statement hung in the air like an uncomfortable reminder of what had just been signed. Y/N grabbed her bag, ready to leave, but hesitated at the door.

“Charles?” she called, without turning around.

“Yeah?”

“I don’t plan on complicating this, but I hope you do your part.”

Charles adjusted his watch nonchalantly, as if this kind of deal was something he had mastered.

“I always do.” A discreet smile formed on his lips. “But maybe we should establish a few rules to make sure it works.”

“It’s so nice to see you both so… invested!” Sofia interrupted, letting out a light laugh. “But I’ll leave the details to you two. Just don’t kill each other, please.”

Lorenzo stood up shortly after, giving his brother a nearly conspiratorial look before giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze. When he said goodbye to Y/N, he smiled warmly, as if to say, “Good luck.”

Once the room was silent, Charles broke it with a casual tone.

“So, about those rules…”

Y/N crossed her arms, clearly determined to make everything crystal clear from the start.

“The first limit is simple: don’t touch or kiss me without prior notice.”

Charles raised an eyebrow, surprised, but entertained by her firmness.

“You do realize that’s basically what couples do, right? Touch, kiss, look close… How are we supposed to convince anyone we’re real if we’re so mechanical?”

“I never said it was forbidden,” she corrected, remaining calm. “I’m just saying, don’t do it without a reason or without letting me know first.”

He chuckled softly, tilting his head slightly.

“Do you really think I’m interested in anything beyond what this contract requires?” He stepped forward, not breaking eye contact. “What happened at the club was just an impulse, not a sign that I’m in love with you.”

Y/N narrowed her eyes, as if analyzing every word he said.

“Great. Then it shouldn’t be hard to keep your hands and lips off me.”

Charles opened his mouth to retort but stopped when he saw the look in her eyes. It was a clear challenge, with something more hidden behind that confidence.

“Of course,” he replied, finally curving his lips into a nearly provocative smile. “But I’ve got my conditions too.”

Y/N adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder, unfazed.

“Alright, go ahead.”

“You have to attend my races whenever you can. And when you can’t, show support on social media. It’s the least I expect.”

She let out an incredulous laugh.

“I’m gonna be your fake girlfriend, not your number one fan.”

“As my girlfriend, you should show support. Isn’t that what girlfriends do? Plus, my fans will love it. It’ll be good for our image.”

Y/N rolled her eyes but knew he had a point.

“Fine, but I’ve got commitments too. Don’t expect me to be at every race.”

Charles shrugged, still with that annoyingly confident smile.

“It’s a start.”

Silence fell between them again, but this time it wasn’t heavy. It was as if both were evaluating the other, trying to figure out what was coming next.

Y/N adjusted her bag again and took two steps toward the door before stopping.

“One more thing, Charles.”

“What?” He raised an eyebrow, curious.

“If you want this to work, stop trying to always have the last word.”

He smiled, a mix of challenge and amusement.

“That’s asking too much.”

Y/N laughed softly, shaking her head before finally walking out of the room.

Charles stood there for a moment, staring at the door she had just walked through. There was something about her that made him feel intrigued, and he knew this story was far from simple.

Outside the building, Y/N got into the waiting car and took a deep breath. “This is going to be more complicated than I thought,” she mused as the driver started the engine.

Back inside, Charles picked up his phone and quickly sent a message to Lorenzo.

Charles: “If she thinks she can challenge me, this is going to be fun.”

On the other side, Lorenzo just laughed as he read the message.

[cherryredlove]

☆ his grand prix prize ☆

Modern! F1 Driver! Aemond Targaryen x Model! Reader SMUT

• • • • • • • • • • • • ✦ • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • ✦ • • • • • • • • • • • •

You're the hottest gal on the runway, the face of Highgarden Haute Couture. When your brand invites you to the Oldtown Grand Prix, how can you say no? And how can you deny the handsome driver that steals your heart on the track?

Word Count: 1.7k

Themes: SMUT, 18+, aemond is a simp, oral, worship sex, mirror sex, p in v, pearl necklace, creampie, reader is a baddie and she knows it, aemond's got both eyes

i'm aware the model world isn't as glam as it seems but for fanfic's sake let's pretend xoxo

part two here

• • • • • • • • • • • • ✦ • • • • • • • • • • • •

"Here's your coffee, Miss Y/N." Your personal assisant Dyana scampers over to give you your to-go coffee order, an oat milk cappuccino, which you gratefully accept.

You're standing on the sunlit grid of the Oldtown International Circuit, the excitement of the Grand Prix hanging in the air.

For you, a supermodel who has graced the covers of every major fashion magazine, the scene is exhilarating. This isn’t your usual glamorous world of the runway, but an invitation from the brand you model for brought you here. And standing in the middle of it all, with the air of a man who owns the entire circuit, is Aemond.

Your invite is no ordinary gesture; you're the face of Highgarden Haute Couture, and your presence at the latest F1 Grand Prix is meant to be a statement. As you weave through the paddock, you notice Aemond’s unmistakable figure. He stands by the Red Bolton racing team’s pit, looking every bit the modern racer in his red-and-black racing suit.

You’ve seen photos of him before—the handsome Aemond Targaryen, the rising star in the F1 racing world. Pictures don’t quite capture the striking presence he has in person, though, with his silver-blond hair and piercing eyes.

You catch his eye just as you're adjusting your oversized designer sunglasses, a smirk playing on your lips. His gaze is unwavering, even from a distance. A hint of a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth—a challenge.

You approach him with confidence that matches his own, feeling the heat of the midday sun and the collective gaze of the crowd.

“Impressive,” he drawls, his voice a low rumble. “I wasn’t expecting to see the Highgarden Haute Couture ambassador gracing the pits of an F1 race. Not quite the runway, is it?”

“Not quite,” you reply, matching his sarcastic tone. “But speed has its own allure, don’t you think? Not everything has to be about strutting down a runway to be thrilling.”

His smile widens, revealing a flash of amusement. “Indeed. And what brings you specifically to Oldtown? Here to witness some real action or to simply grace us with your divine presence?”

You tilt your head slightly, enjoying the banter. “Maybe I just wanted to see if the legend of Aemond Targaryen matched the reality. You’ve got quite the reputation.”

“And what’s the verdict?” he asks, leaning his gorgeous body casually against the sleek body of his Red Bolton car, as if he has all the time in the world.

“I’d say reality is exceeding expectations,” you admit, pushing your sunglasses down your nose for effect, allowing your eyes to linger on him for a beat longer than necessary.

He raises an eyebrow, clearly pleased by your answer. “Likewise. I’ve heard of your successes. Modelling must be quite the race in its own way. But here, it’s all about strategy and speed.”

“Then let’s see if your strategy is as good as they say,” you challenge, feeling a rush of excitement. “After all, I didn’t come all this way just for the scenery.”

Just as you're about to continue your back and forth, a team member approaches Aemond, indicating that the race is about to start. He nods, acknowledging the interruption, then turns his attention back to you.

“Stay close,” he suggests, his voice carrying a promise of more to come. “After the race, I’ll show you why this world is as exciting as any catwalk.” You nod, acting with an unimpressed air as you flip your hair and walk away.

You watch the race from the VIP area, a glass of prosecco in hand. Aemond's Red Bolton car shoots down the track, weaving through the pack with precision and grace. The sheer speed and skill he displays are breathtaking, as if he's dancing on the edge of control. Each turn and straightaway is a testament to his expertise, and you can't help but admire his talent.

As the laps progress, you feel yourself drawn into the excitement of the race. Aemond is relentless, pushing his car to the limit as he battles for the lead despite starting on pole. The crowd roars with approval, and you find yourself cheering along with them, caught up in the adrenaline of the moment.

Finally, after a heart-pounding final lap, Aemond crosses the finish line in first place. The stadium erupts in applause and cheers, and you can’t help but join in. His victory is well-deserved, and you feel a surge of admiration for the man who conquered both the track and your attention.

As the celebrations commence after the podium, you find yourself drawn back to the pits, where Aemond is basking in the glory of his win. He looks like a king who’s just claimed his throne, his eyes bright with triumph. He spots you amid the crowd and makes his way over, a glint of satisfaction in his gaze.

“Well?” he asks, that familiar teasing tone back in his voice. “Was that thrilling enough for you?”

“Impressive performance,” you reply, genuinely impressed. “I can see why they call you the best.”

He chuckles, a deep, genuine sound. “Flattery will get you everywhere, especially when it’s coming from someone like you.”

You roll your eyes playfully, but there's an undeniable chemistry between you—a spark that promises more than just banter. As the sun begins to set over the Oldtown Circuit, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, you find yourself looking forward to a night with your champion.

“Care for a victory drink?” he proposes. “The bars are a no-go, but my hotel has excellent room service.”

“I’d like that,” you agree, linking your arm with Aemond, who visibly preens at having some real arm candy by his side.

Aemond's hotel room at the centre of Oldtown is lavish and luxurious, exactly what you're used to. You send Dyana a quick text to let her know you won't be needing dinner at your own hotel tonight. And that you might be bringing a date to the brand event tomorrow.

Aemond orders you a selection of wines to choose from to his room, and you sit on the balcony sipping a Dornish red as Aemond lights you a cigarette.

You love being watched. It's why you're a model. You love the camera, love the fans, and the admiration. You love your job, and right now, you love Aemond's eyes on you. The way his eyes follow your perfectly painted lips as you take a delicate sip. The way his eyes linger on your chest, your coiffed hair, manicured nails. You smile into the glass, loving the effect you have on such a gorgeous man.

The sun has truly set by the time the bottle has been finished, and you find yourself sat on a chaise longue as Aemond kisses your hand.

"You're beautiful, you know?" He murmurs. You giggle chastely, allowing him to kiss the corner of your mouth. "And you're smart, so lovely." His lips seem to beg for more.

You indulge him, kissing him and letting his hands wander to your hips, pulling you closer. His grip becomes firmer as your hands wrap around his shoulders.

"Let me have you, princess." He whispers against your lips. You pretend to think, as he huffs against your neck. You stand up, holding your hand out and walking him like a dog to the massive plush bed.

Aemond sinks to his knees as you lie back from the edge. His hands revently take off your red dress, smoothing over your curves and soft skin. He shakily exhales, massaging your tits, and you guide his head down to meet your perfect pussy.

Aemond's eyes roll back at your sweetness, tongue lapping against your folds. You moan lightly, hands digging into his scalp as you scratch him with your nails.

Aemond's mouth is masterful. He glides over your spread labia, tonguing at your soaked hole, suckling your aching clit. You throw your head back, turning your gaze to the side and notice the huge mirror that covers one wall. You pussy gushes with excitement at your idea, but you are distracted by Aemond's pointed tongue flicking your nub, his fingers curling inside your heat to draw a long, languid orgasm from your hips.

Breathlessly, you sit up, shoving his pants down as he kneels above you on the bed. Your lips part around his cock, your hands jerking the shaft and massaging his balls. Aemond makes the most lascivious noises, your tongue swirling against his tip in a pattern that mimics an infinity symbol.

Aemond caresses your glossy hair, hips bucking into your face as he draws pleasure from your tight throat. You suck in your cheeks, swallowing hard and he cums, pulling out to spray ropes of white hot cum against your collar and chest. You gasp, pussy ablaze.

Aemond pants, kissing you hotly as you let his cum dry on your plush skin, a welcome decoration. He follows your eyeline to the mirror, smirking as he understands your desire. His big hands hoist you you until your bent over with your perfect ass in the air, facing the mirror.

You nearly cum at the sight that greets you, hair mussed up, lashes dewey, covered in Aemond's cum, and the man himself behind you, ready to fuck you senseless in doggy.

His nudges his cockhead through your lips, sheathing himself fully. You moan at the sight of his abs flexing, appreciating the Greek God of a man as he fucks you hard and fast with rapid snaps of his hips.

He is gorgeous, your true match, and Aemond reaches to rub your clit with his deft fingers, and you mewl at the feeling of another breathtaking orgasm at Aemond's hands.

His cock fills you up to completion, and you relish at how his eyes are glued to your tits, your open mouth, your eyes that are lost in ecstasy. He lets out a strangled moan, desperately rubbing your clit as he cums deep inside you, gasping at how your pussy flutters around him as you cum.

You both lie there, eyes locked in the mirror as Aemond strokes your back and hair softly, as if you're made of glass. You smile at him, rolling onto your side to steal a kiss from the man that stole the Grand Prix title and your heart.

• • • • • • • • • • • • ✦ • • • • • • • • • • • •

AN: thought I'd combine my love for f1 with ultimate babe aemond, hope yall enjoy! spent 4ever trying to make a westeros pun on an f1 racing team, red bolton was my best lol. love me a baddie reader and simp aemond, check out my masterlist for more modern aus and smut xoxoxo

[rebeccathenaturalist]

hey there! fellow naturalist (albeit less experienced!) here! in regards to the AI-generated ID guides, do you have any advice for helping the general public learn to recognize them? are there any giveaways other than incorrect information a layperson might not pick up on that we can tell people to watch out for?

Hi, @fischotterkunst! It's a messy topic, to be sure, but here's what I've been seeing of these AI-generated texts, at least on Amazon:

--If you sort your search for "foraging book" or "mushroom hunting" or whatever search string you use by "Newest Arrivals", you'll notice that there is a glut of books that have come out in the past few weeks. Yes, there are always new books, but this is at a higher than normal rate, which suggests AI is behind at least some of them. There ARE occasionally real authors' books that just happened to come out recently, so don't dismiss every single book that is a fresh release. Use the other criteria below.

--They will invariably be self-published or from some publisher with zero online presence. Not a problem by itself; my own chapbooks are self-published on Amazon KDP. But they come out every three months, not every three days, because I am researching, writing, and editing them all myself, rather than churning out content with AI.

--The titles and subtitles are often very long and stuffed with keywords. They are obviously optimized for search engines rather than being descriptive of the book and they have a rather clunky fashion.

--Look for obvious typos and other errors; for example, in the image above we have "WILD MUSHROOM COOKBOOK FOR BEGINNER: The complete guide on mushroom foraging and cooking with delicious recipes to enjoy your favorite". It should be "for beginners", and the subtitle just...ends prematurely. Favorite what? Favorite mushrooms? Favorite cartoon characters? Favorite color? Also, while there are lot of variations on name spellings, "Magaret" instead of "Margaret" stands out as a possible fake in combination with other clues. (All her other books also have this spelling, though.)

--This is a BIG one: Who's the author? Check their bio. In the above image you'll see that "Jason Cones", the author of "The Wild Edible Plants Forager's Handbook: A Beginner's Guide to Safe Foraging, Including How to Identify Edible Plants, Learn About Their Medicinal Properties, and Prepare Them for Cooking", has a very generic picture and bio that has pretty obviously been generated by AI. If you search for him online, the only page for an author named Jason Cones is the Amazon author page--no website, no social media, no interviews, nada. Even a brand new author will at least have something other than their Amazon page, and they'll mention experience, credentials, other biographical info.

--Look at the author's other books. Magaret seems to focus on cookbooks of very specific sorts, but again they've all come out in a very short time. They also tend to often be on really super-specific niche subjects--this, again, is not a red flag in and of itself, but it's a common pattern with AI "authors". Jason Cones, on the other hand, has written over two dozen books not just about foraging but anger management techniques, acupressure, and weed gummies, and all of his titles have come out since last December.

--If all the books have the same cover but slight differences in title, it's also a big red flag. There are reputable publishers of regional foraging guides like Timber Press, but their books are written by multiple authors and have come out over a long stretch of years (plus they're a well-known publisher with a solid track record, online presence, etc.) Also notice the typos in the title and subtitle; everyone says "Mushroom Foraging", not "Mushrooms Foraging", and "Keep Track Your Mushroom Sightings" is missing "of".

--Compare the descriptions of multiples of these new books and you start seeing patterns. If you look at the images above, you'll notice that both Lorna K. Thompson's "Foraging Recipe Cookbook" and Kevin Page's "The Ultimate Foraging Guide for Seniors" have a very similar formulaic description. They start with a brief story about a person in a town or village who discovers some foraging secrets and then transforms his life, and then a list of things you're supposedly going to find in this seemingly miraculous book. This basically reads like "Hey, ChatGPT, tell me a story of a person who improved their life with foraging in two hundred words or less!" Also, the ends got cut off of my screen shot, but they both end with "GET YOUR COPY TODAY!"

I have not purchased any of these books to verify how awful the content is, but what little content I can see in the previews is uniformly formulaic and, again, reads like someone asked an AI to write content on a topic with some specific keywords thrown in. Needless to say, I do NOT recommend any of these books.

Also, I feel really bad for any actual authors who released their books in the past few months. They're likely getting drowned out by this AI junk, though hopefully they're getting enough attention for their work through their publishers, social media, etc. to get some sales. Support your real-life authors, and boycott AI!

Finally, PLEASE reblog this! It's really, really important that people know what to look for, and the more posts we have floating around with this info, the less likely it is someone's going to get poisoned by following what these books have to say.

[whetstonefires]

After seeing your weatherbugapp reblog i installed duckduckgo and tried it.

I don't know much about technology tbh but i downloaded this app less than 30 mins ago and in that time google tried to track me 112 times?? And they tried to collect finger prints? And my first and last name? And my gender? And my country, state and city? My gps coordinates? My postal code? My network carrier? My fricking battery level for whatever reason? Can you please tell me if this is normal at all, because i'm freaking out right now. I just turned 18 and started using mobile banking and stuff and this shit scares me

Why tf does it need to know my screen density???my system volume????my charging status????? What tf are they cooking

Now it's at 476 tracking attempts bro???? barely 5 mins passed.....

I condensed your three asks into one for readability!

And yeah, I'm very far from an expert about any of this, but as far as I know that's just. Normal. That's the normal amount of spying they're doing on your phone. I assume the numbers we see are to some extent because having been foiled, a lot of these scripts try repeatedly, since I can't imagine what use thousands of trackers per phone would be even to the great aggregators.

Tracking the phone stuff like screen resolution and battery level is because (apart from that definitely not being considered remotely 'private' so it's Free Real Estate) in aggregate that data can be used to track what phone use patterns are like on a demographic scale and therefore. Where the smart money is.

Almost all of this is getting sold in bulk for ad targeting and market analysis. This does presumably make it very hard to notice when like. Actually important stuff is being spied on, which is why I feel better about Having Apps with the duckduckgo app blocker thing.

My bank's app reportedly sells data to a couple aggregators including Google. Not like, my banking info, but it's still so offensive on principle that I avoid using the app unless I have to, and force stop it afterward.

The patterns that show up on the weekly duckduckgo blocker report are interesting. Hoopla attempts about two orders of magnitude more tracking than Libby, which makes sense because they're a commercial streaming service libraries pay by the unit for access, while Libby is a content management software run by a corporation that values its certification as a 'B' company--that is, one invested in the public good that can be trusted. The cleanness of their brand is a great deal of its value, so they have to care about their image and be a little more scrupulous.

Which doesn't mean not being a little bit spyware, because everything is spyware now. Something else I've noticed is that in terms of free game apps, the polished professional stuff is now much more invasive than the random kinda janky thing someone just threw together.

Back in the day you tended to expect the opposite, because spyware was a marginal shifty profit-margin with too narrow a revenue stream to be worth more to an established brand than their reputation, but now that everyone does it there's not a lot of reputation cost and refraining would be sacrificing a potential revenue stream, which is Irresponsible Conduct for a corporation.

While meanwhile 'developing a free game app to put on the game store' is something a person can do for free with the hardware they already have for home use, as a hobby or practice or to put on their coding resume. So while such apps absolutely can be malicious and more dangerous when they are than The Big Brand, they can also be neutral in a way commercial stuff no longer is. Wild world.

But yeah for the most part as far as I can make out, these are just The Commercial Panopticon, operating as intended. It's gross but it probably doesn't indicate anything dangerous on an individual level.

[gyllenhaalstories]

ELWOOD DALTON DRABBLE

trope: fake dating

warnings: violence, death, pr relationship. 18+ NO MINORS.

word count: 800

photo credit: iheartjake / divider credits: @/firefly-graphics

notes: thank you to @sizzlingcloudmentality for the spin the wheel activity and for encouraging me to post my results as actual little drabbles. 🥰 thank you for reading & REMEMBER TO REBLOG!

This follows the events of that one infamous fight that ultimately ended Dalton's UFC career. Dalton had yet to decide whether this would put his career to rest for good or not. He still had fights in him, he knew it. He knew he could go for the belt again, but the world certainly did not want him to. His team was desperate to improve the public's opinion of Dalton, so people saw him as more than a murderer, so people stopped talking about how he killed Harris in the octagon that night. Many ideas were thrown around: visit an animal shelter and take photos with a funky looking dog, leak a bunch of nudes and make it seem accidental, say he's going to a rehab facility for God knows what. The rehab one hit a sensitive nerve. Maybe he did not need rehab, but Dalton started to understand he might need help. There was something in him, a fire, that terrified him. He killed his opponent on accident, how far could he go? His team was searching for some miracle. Anything, they considered anything. Brands had ended their contracts with him abruptly, trainers abandoned him, most friends (within and outside of the UFC) left him behind... No one wanted to be around him. No one except you.

Perhaps you were a long-time friend who knew him before he became a notorious fighter, perhaps you were someone who worked with him (assistant? social media manager? nutritionist? a massage therapist? skilled trainer who could kick him across the room? professional ice bath provider? you choose). You stayed by his side and watched everyone ditch him in the dirt. His manager (or whatever replacement they got to handle the crisis since his actual representative left as soon as shit hit the fan, typical) came up with this great idea. A new relationship. A new image. After Dalton the fearless fighter, Dalton the rage-filled killer, the world could discover Dalton the loving boyfriend. Dalton could not be more against it, he refuses to drag you into his mess. Your reputation has been affected already just by existing in his vicinity, he can't let things get worse. He does not want any of this fake-dating story either. But you... You know it would help him. You want to help him.

So Dalton gives in and you guys start to date. Photos are staged so you have content to post on your social media, pretending you had been going on several dates with the former fighter. All these dates happened within the same week and lasted barely long enough to capture a cute picture. Cute captions, cuter anniversary stories to celebrate months spent together and different milestones in the relationship. Appearances to random events, mostly parties or brand deals when they warm up to Dalton again as they see the traction he is receiving online. There are some paid and planned pap walks too, to catch Dalton as he walks in and out of the gym to give the impression he is getting back on track. He slipped, but it does not mean he fell. Everything happens in a hurry. You become his arm candy. You can't lie, you appreciate the luxurious treatment and you enjoy to share these memories with someone you appreciate. However, you hate that it makes Dalton so uncomfortable. You knew this fake and extremely public relationship would help him...

But did Dalton want to be helped at all? The two of you share a real, heartfelt conversation and you are hit with the realization. The relationship eventually ends with a photograph of the two of you looking your best. No harm. No bitterness. A mutual agreement your relationship has lived its time. Dalton and you share a moment together alone again, far away from cameras and people's nosiness. He tells you that he wants to disappear. No. That he needs to disappear. He has spent so many years of his life in the public eye, he craved anonymity. He wanted more than ever to be in control of his life. You understand he is chasing for something greater than you and let him choose his fate now that the world sees him as nothing but a furious animal. Despite all the efforts, despite the fake relationship.

You let him go. Dalton disappears out of your life and you don't hear from him for a long time. Dalton travels the country, taking bus ride after bus ride going nowhere. He gets lost in the different cities he visits, he gets lost in the thoughts that haunt him at night. Maybe, eventually, he realizes that letting go of his career was the right thing to do. Maybe, eventually, he realizes that he made a mistake when he let you go too.

[valleyfthdolls]

1980s mode redesigns & rewrites based on my own rewrite ideas and ideas I've been sharing with and obtaining from a friend (whose tumblr I forgot I'm so sorry)

Info under the cut, as usual:

Ryoko Mitarai (later Ryoko Aishi):

A serial killer. Largely disregards the safety of those around her, and doesn't care much about anything that's not her senpai.

Dresses in shibuya casual/shibukaji inspired fashion. Perms her hair.

Mostly the same as canon.

Kaguya Wakaizumi:

Social, but feels as if she doesn't fit in with the popular girls she wants to fit in with (the rainbow girls). Feminine and likes cutesy, Seiko Matsuda-inspired clothing.

Speaking of Seiko Matsuda-inspired, she wears her hair in a Seiko-chan cut.

The second of Ryoko's victims. Stabbed in the back after being tricked and isolated by Ryoko. This incident made it clear to the police that there was a serial killer at the academy.

Moeko Rakuyona:

A rule-breaker and regular petty criminal with a tomboyish personality who feels more comfortable being around guys and perceived as a guy. Hangs out with the popular boys/Jokichi's friend group (the rainbow boys), but feels like they see her as the girl of the group.

Wears pants instead of the uniform's skirt despite it violating the school rules. They're also not uniform pants, just some white pants she picked up at the store.

Cut her own hair short after accidentally burning it.

Died in a burning "accident" after losing control of a fire she had started thanks to Ryoko's interference.

Honami Hodoshima:

Suffers from severe social anxiety, to the point of struggling to form words when speaking to others. Despite this, she is very lonely, and wishes she had more friends.

Very easy to scare, which Ryoko used against her.

After encouraging another student to befriend her, Ryoko began anonymously threatening Honami to stay away from Jokichi, causing her to become panicky and paranoid until she confided in her new friend, which caused the situation to become publicly known and a bit of a scandal that someone was threatening the girls Jokichi was getting close with.

Sumiko Tachibana:

Considers herself rather feminine, despite her generally "boyish" hobbies of sports and exercising. A member of the school's track team.

Owns Mizuno brand sport gear (like her socks). Also, apparently, the gym uniform was a real type of gym uniform worn at high schools up until about the 2000s.

Often pushes her lifestyle onto others because she thinks it's best for everyone.

Has freckles and tan skin from being outside so much.

Extremely dedicated to her goals of being an athlete.

Died of heart failure during a track event after a week of having her food repeatedly poisoned with heart medication and blood thinners.

Ritsuko Chikanari:

Rich, bratty, and extremely entitled. Believes that she is entitled to everyone's time and admiration, especially Jokichi's due to her romantic interest in him.

Spends time around the other popular and rich girls, though most of them don't like her very much due to her personality.

Died in an "accident", the details of which are largely unclear. Her former friends largely seemed to feel responsible for what happened- it seeming to have happened, in their eyes, as a result of a confrontation- and as such, the police had a hard time gathering an unbiased report.

Ai Doruyashi:

A junior city pop idol. Positive and girly with a very childish attitude, though it's hard to tell how much of it is her idol persona and how much is her actual personality.

Just like Sumiko, extremely dedicated to her goals of being a pop idol, to the point of changing her entire personality and appearance for it.

Pushed to pursue a relationship with a member of the martial arts club instead of Jokichi.

Why Ryoko felt no need to kill or even harm/humiliate her or damage her reputation, I'm not yet sure.

Teiko Nabatasai:

Loves learning, the pursuit of knowledge, and sharing her knowledge and work. Extremely motivated with very high intelligence.

An aspiring novelist with goals of becoming widely known for her writing.

Dresses a bit like a schoolteacher, and is teased for it by her friends.

Expelled from the academy thanks to Ryoko's sabotage. While of course survivable and something Teiko could and did recover from, it was a distressing and humiliating loss of both her social circle and her academic standing, and that was Ryoko's main goal- to humiliate her.

Komako Funakoshi:

The most popular girl at school. Wants to make others happy and do the right thing at all times. Many people at school see her as "ideal wife" material, while those with no romantic interest in her simply enjoy her presence.

Jokichi is probably one of the many who views her as "ideal wife" material, a fact she is generally unaware of at the beginning of her week.

Instead of killing her or turning her friends/admirers against her, Ryoko ends up doing something genuinely difficult for her: she tells Komako about the way her reputation leads her to be viewed by boys, and that Jokichi only sees her as the perfect housewife, not as a potential friend. Uncomfortable with this revelation, Komako asks Ryoko for help in essentially reverse-matchmaking them- crafting ways for Jokichi to see Komako's flaws and the ways their interests and goals don't align until he's no longer interested in her, as his illusion of her perfection has been broken.

Probably is rather fond of Ryoko after her week, but wouldn't speak out against murder charges against her on the basis of "she helped me get this guy I wasn't especially interested in off my back".

Chigusa Busujima:

Flirty, a bit "seductive", and tends to tease others. Also, willing to hurt and put the people around her down for the benefit of her career and fame.

As a model whose target audience is mostly fellow teenagers (and mainly teen boys), getting into a relationship or explicitly pursuing someone else would damage her image as it would break some of the "fantasy" that she was advertised with, so she courts Jokichi secretly- it's only because Ryoko stalks him that she finds out.

Framed as the person who threatened Honami into staying away from Jokichi, causing Jokichi to lose interest in/respect for and be creeped out by her, damaging her reputation at school, and even causing her image as a model to take a hit due to the scandal.

Sonoko Sakanoue:

A year younger than the rest of class 2-2. Skipped ahead a grade in junior high.

Well-respected at school for her sigma male grindset dedication to her job as a junior detective and her duty of protecting her classmates and finding the killer of Sumire, Kaguya, Moeko, Sumiko, and Ritsuko. Has eyes on both Chigusa (as a result of the "threatening Honami" scandal) and Ryoko (because her mentor believes it was her).

Stoic, intelligent, and very serious.

Put in debt to Ryoko using her fear of getting hurt or getting others hurt through her job, which she used to manipulate her into knowingly botching the murder investigation, twisting the facts to make it look like her mentor was framing Ryoko, and testifying on her behalf in court.

She carries that guilt with her years later. It never really goes away. No matter how many people she helps now, she still thinks about them.

Sumire Saitozaki:

A shy, timid girl prone to getting scared and crying when upset. A bit childish, but some find that endearing about her.

Naively considers most of her classmates friends.

Gets her red hair from her mother's side, dark skin from her father's.

Ryoko's first victim. Her spirit still haunts the school, and the incidents that followed gave her "power".

Though not fully aware or capable of much, Sumire's anger causes the school's environment to become oppressive, dangerous and malicious. Her presence is the reason people are always turning to look over their shoulders, finding a reason to look at someone funny no matter how small, forming cliques and gangs to defend themselves and each other from the threats of school life, and even capable of being driven to violence over emotional matters.

Jokichi Aishi:

One of the most popular boys at school. Widely admired and has lots of friends.

Generally not especially serious, and tends to play off when he feels awkward (which, due to his lack of experience in a lot of fields, is often).

Plays fast and loose with romance (again, as a cover for awkwardness). Would probably have gone out with any of the rivals who asked him to. Would have even gone out with Ryoko, if she'd only tried even a little bit to court him in the weeks leading up to her attempted confession. And also, if she hadn't gotten arrested and taken to court for like five counts of murder.

To be honest, despite Ryoko's acquittal, he probably wouldn't have ever been able to get past that. Sort of like Ryoba says at the end of 1980s mode- he'd never be able to see her as the cute underclassman who has a crush on him, only as the girl who was accused of murder on national television. But also, not just accused of murder- accused of murder on behalf of an obsession with Jokichi, and of stalking him. The murder alone would've been too much to ever be able to go out with her, but everything related to him in the case was so much he probably wouldn't have been able to look at her or be in the same room as her until graduation.

Kidnapped by Ryoko after the trial. Both Sonoko and Sonoko's mentor are quite sure they know where he ended up, Sonoko never contacted the police about it, and when her mentor did, he was threatened with arrest for harassing Ryoko.

[whoishotteranimepolls]

Shanks. Oh Shanks…

Yes he is kinda the guy on the beach who wasn’t lying about knowing karate.

When we meet him he’s relaxing/chilling/taking a breather in a little hidden away port to get away from the Navy. This is in a world where stories about Pirates (and many actual Pirates) are about how much chaos and pain and destruction they bring simply looking for treasure. But not Shanks and not in Foosha.

He puts people at ease because there is no reason to antagonize or bully the locals. He spends his days flirting it up at the bar. When someone does come looking for a fight, he’s not easily baited either. Some things aren’t worth it, a message he teaches Luffy. It takes a kidnapping for Shanks to step up and remind everyone that not only is he a real pirate, but a dangerous one at that.

He also has scars. Very sexy scars. And they don’t seem to turn him bitter or spur him on life. His facial scarring is a lesson about how there are people who will never fight fair and if you’re going to get anywhere you should recognize and respond appropriately. And they really give some character and contrast to him. I really can’t explain why. He also SCARIFICED HIS ARM FOR A CHILD. This man jumps into the ocean knowing full well there is a legit sea monster waiting for a snack and swims out to save a boy who had idolized him, acted out, and eaten Shanks’ treasure. What kind of Pirate risks life and limb for a kid who took their most powerful possession? THEN!! Then this man is able to TURN BACK THE SEA MONSTER WITH A LOOK. That’s all! Just a very intense look saying “you may be called a Sea King but I am an Emperor so get!” (Ps he’s not an emperor yet) And it works!!

Now yes, he is a total slut. I personally subscribe to a specific endgame ship where such behavior changes when he falls in love but man is always going to have his manwhore vibe. But they are the best? Like he’s not creeping or forceful about it. He knows he’s attractive and he knows what parties interested in a night (or so) of fun look like. And if he were in this world now or back during the golden age of piracy, I would be like “yeah walking STD” but it seems like everyone whose anyone in One Piece has a capable doctor. If he did catch something he’d appropriatly take care of it.

Shanks is also not completely irresponsible. Man is captain of a ship with a crew and fleet who like him and believe in him. He makes world altering decisions on the regular. He has been granted audiences with the 5 elders. He fights other Emperors. He’s been playing a long game. His first teacher was the Pirate King. Yes, Beckmann definitely keeps things on track at times but Shanks isn’t like a toddler running in all the directions at once. He’s got a plan and he’s been sticking to it. And it’s been working really well.

As for the showers: I personally never thought about it but…in the world of One Piece every ship is complete with all the luxuries of life. This means Red Force is bound to have baths/showers. Shanks isn’t a DF eater so he can take baths and I assume while he might not everyday he does regularly. Plus with a man whose identity/brand is tied to his hair, he’s not letting that get grimy and greasy and dirty. I do believe there is some dependable vanity here which Zoro would lack.

TLDR; Shanks may initially look like a scary threat based on reputation, build, and scaring, but he has a gift for putting people at ease so they see him as some beach bum. But right below that his dangerous aura is ready to burst out when needed (usually in aide of a friend/ally or for his plan). He is an intelligent man who knows what is happening in the World and a very talented swordsman. And the layer below is someone who clearly loves life and all the wonderful things it can offer.

In summary: he has a genuine peacefulness about him that makes him feel safe (when not actively fighting as I mean “peaceful” in relation to being capible of great violence.) and he’s just sexy as sin.

For context, they're responding to this post about Shanks

That's the dichotomy of shakes. He goes from complete dork

To the absolutely terrifying Emperor of the Sea.

People like to talk about the yesification and glow-up of most of the characters post-time skip. The most prominent glow-up to me was the dedorkification of shanks. That man was a complete dork for most of the pre-time skip. Now in Wano. What happened?

He's got a whole new jawline and everything

But at least he still has his dorky moments

[loonarii]

Ari's K-Pop Roundup: June 2024 (LISA, Red Velvet, NAYEON, NewJeans, KATSEYE, CHUU + MORE)

Hope everyone had a nice pride month - I unfortunately was chained to my textbooks for the brunt of it and didn't do anything pride related, but I did see Taylor Swift, so I guess it wasn't all bad. This is the 5th installment of this series - genuinely didn't think I would make it this far - you can check out last month's roundup here, or see my full masterlist here. Enjoy :)

ROCKSTAR - LISA (BLACKPINK)

It's very rare that we see a kpop idol's pure, unadulterated vision for the music they release due to the manufactured, consumerist nature of the industry, but here we have Lisa, arguably the most popular female kpop idol of all time (at least internationally) free from the company that is widely known for formulaic, repetitive music. Will she stick with the brand YG has created for her and reinforce the box Teddy has placed her in sonically, or will she forge her own way?

Right from the teasers, I knew we were in for something a little different. Although conceptually the chrome, futuristic vibe is nothing new in kpop, seeing Lisa without those god forsaken white washing filters was very exciting. And the fact that k-netizens are taking to it very well?? Lisa is here to rock the boat. 'Rockstar' is only a single with no mini album, but hey, it's Lisa, meaning she doesn't need to boost the length of her releases to snatch those extra sales, she do well commercially regardless. Usually a single album would annoy me, but BLACKPINK are back to releasing music, so today I will let it slide.

With a Kendrick Lamar 'Humble' visual reference in the music video, a Tame Impala sample, and a sneaky little writing credit, Lisa clearly wants to reshape her framing in the industry - with 'Rockstar' she's rejecting the somewhat diminishing 'idol rapper' status, and seeking that 'rapper rapper' reputation. She wants to sit at the table with Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion, and 'Rockstar', in my opinion, does a decent job at securing her seat.

You can't reference Kendrick and not put in a double entendre in your lyrics, and Lisa (and her fellow writers) delivered in that category with quite a lot of success actually. In the line 'been MIA, BKK so pretty, Every city I go to is my city' 'MIA' is used to mean either 'missing in action', referencing how absent Blackpink has been from the music industry thanks to YG's interesting management choices, or as a reference to the Miami IATA airport code just as BKK means Bangkok, Thailand - in this context its an allusion to Lisa's multilingualism and her international influence as a member of Blackpink. It's a really good line, is what I'm trying to say.

Most of the issues I have with 'Rockstar' stem from the songs length. With the base track clocking in at 2 minutes 18 seconds (oh my god what have we come to), the song feels like it's just begun when it's all over. Excluding the choruses, hooks, and pre-choruses, and pasting what remains together, we are left with one singular, honestly quite short verse. Yeah it's a pretty good verse, both in flow and lyrical content, but one verse in what is clearly trying to be a rap song is unacceptable.

'Rockstar' is frustrating to me because while it has its genuinely great moments, like when 'lala' is used in reference to singing and to Lisa's real name when bounced onto the next line, a lot of that greatness gets eclipsed by the track's shortcomings (pun somewhat intended). However, although she's done solo work before in YG this is undoubtedly something of a debut, and through that lens, while it is flawed, the track shows potential. 'Rockstar' knows exactly what kind of song it wants to be, and even though it doesn't quite measure up, it's still a step in the right direction. I'm very excited to see what Lisa does next with her career. At the very least, 'Rockstar' was fun, for sure.

Cosmic - Red Velvet (Cosmic)

When I write these reviews, I try to describe the feelings and emotions and energies the song in question evokes, and I have found that when I struggle, the song is good - and I mean exceptionally good. 'Cosmic' is one such track - I fucking love every part of it - it's so addictive to the ninth degree, from that gorgeous music video to the low and slow verses to that utterly euphoric chorus. From Joy's slightly psychotic edge to her lines that she perfected in the 'Peekaboo' era, to Seulgi's vocals in the hook, and Wendy's high note pulling us into that final chorus; everything about 'Cosmic' WORKS. Lines like 'I'm riding on your rhythm through the solar system' and 'love is cosmic' work both in their catchiness and emotiveness. This era is obviously inspired heavily by the 2019's 'Midsommar', a visual feast of a horror film about a disturbing Scandinavian cult, and let me tell you, if 'Cosmic' is a cult, consider me initiated. Not to spoil my end of 2024 ranking or anything, but as for right now, 'Cosmic' is taking the cake for the best kpop song of the year, no questions asked.

Red Velvet b-sides always hit, and the 'Cosmic' mini album delivers as expected. 'Sunflower' furthers that 'i just took an edible and i found my way onto Spotify' energy, and that hook of 'OOH WOW FEELING SO FUN FUN FEELING SO FUNNY' is hilariously good, this is a standout for sure. The other b-side I want to highlight is 'Night Drive', the album closer. With elements of citypop and 80s synthpop, 'Night Drive' feels like exactly that - a 3am drive around a city you hardly know with people you know better than yourself. It's a celebration of music, and that's putting it lightly.

SM might be working up to shunting Red Velvet into their peripheral vision, what with the new 12 member girl group debuting soon, but 'Cosmic' proves their legend status once and for all. We freaking love you RV, never change. (And I would in fact join a cult if Seulgi was my fearless leader xx)

ABCD - NAYEON (NA)

Look, JYP may be my op until the day I die, but I'm not going to sit here and lie - he knows how to write hits when he wants to, and 'ABCD' is a HIT.

2022's 'POP!' was just that - pure, unadulterated pop music, exactly what was trending in Korea at the time - the image of modern kpop. And don't get me wrong, I loved it, but when it came for Nayeon's first comeback, I was worried she was again going to pull from the current trend cycle, and right now that means airy, Pinkpantheress type beats with a UK garage adjacent vibe - and that's not Nayeon. Her voice is full and powerful and rich in colour and flavour, a song like that just wouldn't work for her. I was nervous, for sure, but when the teaser dropped, I knew it was going to be good. In 'ABCD' Nayeon is rejecting the trend cycle almost entirely - it still flaunts that 00s vibe unabashedly, but here we are pulling from a trumpet fueled 'Crazy In Love' Beyoncé energy, and oh boy does it work. The lyricism in this song goes crazy, that chorus is masterfully written and unbelievably catchy, and that post chorus build up is INSANE. Nayeon's range is on full display here, and she sounds incredible.

The rest of the mini album is pretty amazing too. 'Butterflies' has some super interesting vocal layering, and many great moments like 'a little mental picture, every time I'm with ya' - and although it's pretty clear this was supposed to be a TWICE track once upon a time, with Nayeon even appearing to imitate the members' styles of delivery (it's like I can hear Jihyo, Jeongyeon, and Chaeyoung on this track clear as day) it's still an easy hit that I can't help but love. 'Heaven' doesn't quite work for me, it's not unlistenable, but the feeling that it has simultaneously too much and not enough energy perserveres, unfortunately. 'Magic', the song that my girl Julie features on is pop perfection, and these girls work so well together - Julie's interjections are so catchy and her parts steal the show entirely. 'Magic' is a bonafide hit. 'HalliGalli' is very AKMU (as to be expected), but I can't help but feel like it's a little immature, both for Nayeon and this album. It has some fun elements, but the complete track just isn't it for me. 'Something' is a fun pop song, if a little dull at moments, but that post chorus is a stunner. 'Count It' brings down the tempo of the album a little, in a groovy track with some beautiful vocal production - it's exactly the punch up the tracklist needed after the weaker couple of tracks that precede it.

Nayeon is my blog namesake, and she has done me proud on this album. Yes, some tracks were on the weaker side, but the overall product is strong, with Nayeon's oustanding performance on every track, and a killer title song in 'ABCD'. In terms of other TWICE members getting solos, I would love to see how Sana approached a song on her own, or even Tzuyu, who despite being the maknae and visual, tends to get lost in the sauce of a lot of TWICE releases. We will have to see, I suppose.

Right Now + Supernatural - NewJeans

God, I sound like a stuck record every time NewJeans drops some new music, but holy hell is it always good. Following their 2nd single album 'How Sweet' earlier this year, the girls are dipping their toes into the Japanese market for the first time with two tracks - 'Supernatural' and 'Right Now'. NewJeans have captured the attention of all of South Korea pretty much, it's now time to look further afield.

'Right Now', drenched in sassy lilting vocal runs, is bedroom pop at it's finest. The up-and-down choral melodies evoke the energy of a 2am gossip debrief at a sleepover with your best friends. The dichotomy of Minji's languid repetition of 'I don't care' with a chorus that speedy and spirited is humorous and perfectly captures what it is to be a teenage girl with a crush. NewJeans know who their audience is, and are making music directly for that.

'Supernatural' came next, embracing that New Jack Swing sound wholeheartedly - its very 'early 00s street dance movie'. It's quite a bit more mature than 'Right Now', the girls decorating those gorgeous synths and groovy instrumentation with a genuine collected confidence. As always, it pushes the boundaries of the y2k trend and thematically pulls from the era itself, not other people's recent interpretations of the era. It's experimental for NewJeans I think, which works for a debut, and while it takes a lot of the right risks, and makes a lot of the right choices, the chorus leaves a little something to be desired. The melody and hooks are perfect, I have no issues with them, but the vocal direction needs tweaking. A song like this demands a chant style chorus with all the members in my opinion, and while the vocal layering of the individual members singing attempts that anthemic feel, it comes off as slightly limp-fisted. I'm kind of dramatizing this issue because to be frank, it is rare I find something in a NewJeans track that I can pinpoint as a problem. The song is still of a supremely high caliber, and to be honest, any thinness in the chorus vocals just inspires the listener to fill in the gaps themselves with an impromptu karaoke session.

Lyrically, both 'Right Now' and 'Supernatural' break the kpop-takes-on-the-Japanese-market formula by including not only a blend of Japanese and English lyrics, but some Korean lines too. I find it quite clever, like saying 'this is NewJeans' debut in Japan, but they will always be a korean pop group first and foremost'. While some groups like Girls' Generation and Twice find their discographies split into 2 - kpop and jpop, NewJeans are clearly making an effort to unite both markets under 1 discography.

As a debut, this works. Two tracks united by classic NewJeans production and differentiated by themes and tone. It's really been a rough year for these girls, what with the whole Min Heejin vs HYBE drama and with Hyein's injury leaving her out of promotions for both single albums altogether, but there's a light at the end of this tunnel, and as long as the music stays consistently high quality as it has been, I will have no complaints.

(sidenote: the fact that I wasn't at Bunnies Camp in the Tokyo Dome is a little sick and twisted.)

Debut - KATSEYE

I mean, maybe expectations were unrealistically high since KATSEYE is HYBE's first real stab at the western market, but come on, we all deserved better than this. A half-hearted pop song that fails to innovate in every sense of the word, and they have the audacity to not even make it three minutes. IT'S BARELY EVEN TWO MINUTES. Kpop companies pulling from PinkPantheress constantly is truly a double edged sword, on one hand we get fucking incredible songs like 'LOOP' and 'Super Shy', and then on the other we get every kpop company waking up and deciding that actually it's totally okay to release 2 minute songs and act like it's a completed product. As a British girl, seeing the effects of the recession and the cost of living crisis on the people around me in real time is one thing, but seeing fucking SHRINKFLATION weed its way into pop music as well is like the burning cherry on top of my cesspit sundae.

I genuinely don't know what happened in the production of this song, like they got Ryan Tedder, who has contributed so much great music to this world, and then somehow the end product was so dull and uninspired.

The worst part is these girls are absurdly talented and they are getting served dirt. HYBE - that mini album coming later this year better be good istg. Ok, I'm done ranting.

BUT OH MY GOD TWO MINUTES AND THREE FUCKING SE-

Strawberry Rush - CHUU (Strawberry Rush)

(obligatory note: if you want to stream Chuu's old solo tracks, or any other old loona songs, please stream via the loona podcast or the twelveM account on spotify in accordance with the boycott)

Having the LOONA girls free from that cesspit of a company is one thing, but getting new LOONA music this often is certainly an unprecedented win for me.

Following her re-debut under ATRP in late 2023 with 'Howl', Chuu is back for her first comeback with 'Strawberry Rush'; a mini album drenched in electric pink and cherry red and sunny yellow. Chuu has an innately magnetic quality and Strawberry Rush as a title track takes full advantage of that. It's an utterly adorable song that I genuinely can't imagine anyone not loving. That disco synth thrumming the song's heartbeat is reinforced with a killer baseline, and Chuu's gorgeous vocal colour gives the track even more energy than it already has. The intro and opening are perfect at punching up the mood and setting the scene for the chorus, but it's when Chuu comes in with 'packing that heat, packing that heat, packing that PEW PEW PEW' that the song truly swings into motion and you know that this is going to be a fun one.

The mini album doesn't quite match the energy of it's title track, with it maintaining a more relaxed vibe, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. 'Honeybee' is an acoustic track decorated in summer daisy chains and buttercup bouquets, and it works wonderfully with Chuu's more airy vocals. 'Daydreamer' follows a similar sonic theme to 'Honeybee' but with a more late night nap with the cicadas vibe - Chuu's ability to switch between powerful, call-to-action vocals in 'Strawberry Rush' and featherweight tones in the b-sides is truly commendable. 'Lucid Dream' comes next, a perfect midpoint between 'Strawberry Rush' and 'Daydreamer', heartfelt and addictive. It's a real stand out on the album for sure. 'Chocolate' was released as a single a while back, and I enjoyed it then absolutely, but it makes so much more sense on this album - somehow it just got even more catchy.

Effortlessly adorable, effortlessly catchy, effortlessly perfect - Chuu, you have done it again.

MINI REVIEWS:

Boom Boom Bass - RIIZE: absolutely no notes, im obsessed. I've literally never loved a boy groups music like this before. wow.

Inner Dance - tripleS Glow: tripleS' ability to establish their own sound and musical motifs so early on in their career has served them very well, and 'Inner Dance' shows that clearly. Light and casual and airy, it's the perfect backtrack to your summer break.

Summer Festa - IVE: I usually don't dignify these type of advertisement songs with a review, but this one is actually kind of a bop. A little bit 'Espresso' coded; it's something fun for the summer that inadvertently encourages getting blackout drunk at the hotel bar in Bali. I'm still not drinking Pepsi though. Or Coca Cola for that matter, NewJeans pipe down.

BADVILLAIN - BADVILLAIN: (requested by @a-moth-to-the-light) Although apparently capturing the eyes and ears of seemingly the entire kpop community, this one wasn't hugely to my liking. This might be controversial but my first impression was in fact 'wow this sounds like something babymonster would release' - I can see the appeal but unfortunately these songs just aren't meant for me. I do enjoy the classical influenced production and for the most part the vocal performances were fun too, but with the hook I wish they had bumped up the high note at the end of 'villain' another octave - that's such a nitpick I know but the thought struck me immediately when I heard it. '+82' on the other hand impressed me immensely, such a powerful, call-to-action type song. That background production is a killer, and perhaps I just have Kendrick on the brain from my Lisa review, but the beat feels somewhat along those lines. And holy fuck can these girls dance - wow.

Sabotage - Kwon Eunbi: Can Eunbi release a flop title track? Turns out, once again, no she can't. I love 'Sabotage', it's so hilarious and catchy, and singing along feels like accusing an imaginary boyfriend of gaslighting lol. Woollim giving this song to Eunbi feels a little ironic, considering since she left IZ*ONE, it seems all they've done to her career is sabotage her with poor promotions. The song is fun, and Eunbi sounds excellent as always, with 'Sabotage' boasting many a vocal riff, especially following the bridge. Give this one a listen, and whilst you're there, go check out the rest of my girl's discography, she's truly a hidden gem.

[ladyamanda123]

🎶 They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one…..so light me up! 🔥

As I’ve been listening to TTPD, Who’s afraid of little old me keeps scratching something in my brain.

Obviously the line “So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street” gives an immediate “they’re burning all the witches” call back. The whole concept of the crazy hysterical dangerous woman who dared to stand up for herself and tell the truth.

But every time I hear that line I picture The Chicks standing together in their Salem Witch Trials looking attire in I’m Not Ready To Make Nice, holding hands and telling the world fuck you! I’m pissed!

So I finally sat down this morning and watched the music video (which I haven’t for years) and WOW! 🤯 Watch it guys!

The black and white imagery….the dress….the insane asylum….so much Fortnight music video connections!

The way they start off in white then end up on black just like Taylor in Fortnight.

We know Taylor loves The Chicks and how they were used as a Clara Bow of sorts in her early career…..warning warning….don’t be like them! Be the nice girl!

I think this link was intentional. It’s sad seeing how the entertainment industry takes women and chews them up and then brands them as crazy dangerous hysterical women when they break the status quo and start speaking up. That has been Taylor’s whole career. When she does what the world wants…plays the nice girl, dates the football star, writes the love songs, it’s all good. When she gets messy and real and speaks the uncomfortable truths…

(Like say….. “I choose the 1830s but without all that racism and toxic patriarchy”)

Everyone recoils…..no one wants to hear those things because then we would have to acknowledge them and change them.

One other image kept coming to mind as well. The intro to the movie Practical Magic….the whole leap from the gallows….

Combined with the Burning all the witches line it definitely ties this album to the reputation era.

I really hope reputation tv and those vault tracks she herself says are 🔥 (more burning the witches imagery!) will be her claiming her failed coming out. It really does feel like she’s replaying that whole time of her life again for us. The performance art is so loud. TTPD is the very veiled first step like rep was.

It makes me wonder if maybe someday we might get a new version of Lover….the way it was supposed to be. One can hope!

[graceojuola]

How STON.fi and Dune Analytics Are Changing the Game for TON Blockchain Users

If you’ve ever tried navigating the world of cryptocurrency, you’ll know that it can feel like wandering through a huge city without a map. It’s exciting, but also a little confusing. Now, imagine having a powerful tool that helps you see everything clearly. That’s what the partnership between STON.fi and Dune Analytics does for the TON blockchain. Whether you’re a gamer, trader, or just curious about the crypto world, this integration is here to make things easier, more transparent, and more fun.

Why Gaming in Web3 Matters More Than Ever

Let’s talk about gaming for a second. Imagine you’re playing a game where you can earn rewards—let’s say, special items or tokens that are only valuable inside the game. In the past, these rewards were just digital items, locked within the game. You couldn’t do anything with them outside of the game world. It’s like getting a gift card that can only be used at one store.

Now, with Web3 gaming, everything changes. These items are linked to blockchain technology, making them real assets that can be traded, sold, or even used across different games. It’s like owning a gift card that works at every store in the mall.

STON.fi is at the heart of this shift. As a decentralized exchange (DEX), it allows players, developers, and traders to interact seamlessly. If you’re collecting in-game tokens or rare items, STON.fi enables you to trade or use them in real life. It’s not just about playing games; it’s about turning that time into something more valuable. Imagine getting paid for your achievements—not in game points, but real crypto that you can trade or use as you like.

Why Transparency is the Key to Making Smart Decisions

Think about the last time you made a big purchase. Maybe you bought a new phone or a laptop. Did you check the reviews, look up specs, or read up on the brand’s reputation? Probably. That’s because you wanted to make sure your money was well spent. In the world of crypto, making informed decisions is just as important, if not more. You need to know where your tokens are going, how transactions are being made, and whether the platform you’re using is trustworthy.

That’s where Dune Analytics comes in. By integrating with STON.fi, Dune gives you the ability to see exactly how the platform is performing in real-time. From transaction patterns to token movements, all the important data is available for you to explore.

For example, if you’re looking to invest or trade, Dune lets you track trends, see which tokens are being used the most, and get a better sense of how the market is shifting. It’s like having a financial advisor who helps you see the bigger picture.

What Makes STON.fi the Best Option for TON Users

Imagine you’re at a store looking to buy something important. Would you choose a place that only has a small selection, or one that offers a wide range of items, has good prices, and is easy to navigate? For most of us, the choice is obvious.

STON.fi is that better store. It’s the #1 decentralized exchange (DEX) on the TON blockchain because it offers a huge variety of tokens, fast transactions, and a smooth user experience. The platform is designed to integrate with TON wallets, meaning you can trade any TON-based token easily and securely.

It’s not just about buying and selling. STON.fi has a massive impact on the TON ecosystem, with high liquidity, meaning your trades happen quickly and without issues. Whether you're a developer or a trader, STON.fi gives you everything you need in one place.

What Does This Partnership Mean for You

Think about trying to build something without the right tools. You can’t do it alone, and you can’t just rely on guesswork. You need to see how things are working and adjust accordingly. This is exactly why the integration of Dune Analytics with STON.fi is so powerful.

For traders, it’s about making smarter decisions with all the data available to you.

For gamers, it means understanding how in-game tokens are moving, which can give you an edge in the game economy.

For developers, the partnership provides insights into how users are interacting with your project, which helps you build better products.

With this level of transparency, you’re not just guessing. You can see how everything works in real-time and make decisions based on facts, not assumptions.

Explore Dune on Stonfi

What’s Next:The Future of Web3 is Clearer Than Ever

The Dune Analytics and STON.fi partnership is paving the way for a more transparent, accessible, and rewarding Web3 experience. Whether you're gaming, trading, or building the next big project, this integration makes the process simpler and more reliable.

Imagine a world where you can earn rewards from gaming, trade them seamlessly, and know exactly how your investments are performing. That's the future of Web3, and it’s happening now. With the right tools at your fingertips, you can dive deeper into the world of blockchain and make the most out of every opportunity.

So, whether you’re new to crypto or an experienced trader, don’t just watch from the sidelines. Explore the data, engage with the community, and take full advantage of what STON.fi and Dune Analytics have to offer. The future of decentralized finance and gaming is here—and it’s all within your reach.

[fredwardart]

The Stethoscope Sponsorship - Jenson Button/Andrew Shovlin

(with light Mark Webber/Sebastian Vettel/Jenson Button)

So I came up with a headcanon that Jenson is a cardiophile (I wrote about it here) and after @watercolor-hearts did this amazing drawing for me, she sent me a message that Jenson in his Brawn suit would look great with a yellow Littmann. And after some nice feedback from @landoisokay who informed me that I made him levitate and he wanted more about this idea, I wrote up my thoughts on how the team would benefit from some sponsorship from a stethoscope company...

Brawn used to give sponsors a deal for individual races to get as much money as possible, so what would happen if Jenson manages to get a deal with a stethoscope company? The team don't want to go with it but Jenson is very enthusiastic about it. Shov tells the team that it probably would be good to promote Jenson's commitment to health, but he knows the real reason; he's seen all the stethoscopes Jenson has at home. And Jenson couldn't turn down such a sponsorship deal with a company he uses so often, and the team couldn't afford to turn down such a big deal.

Jenson loves the photoshoot the most because he can show off his kink in a "covert" way, right under everyone's noses. He models lots of stethoscopes for a campaign about heart health and since he's known as a merchant of chaos off track, it's really useful in earning him a reputation as someone that really loves health (despite all of the alcohol and drugs).

Rubens also really enjoys it too, he didn't think he'd enjoy all of the different styles and how it suited him. But Rubens' favourite thing is seeing Jenson so excited about it. Jenson did try to keep it down low but it's really hard for him when his kink is so out in the open.

Jenson's so excited that he tells the director about which stethoscopes would look better on Rubens and which ones would be best to promote, even making suggestions for each member of the team.

He makes a passive joke about how the team should promote them too, Nick decides to try it one, but then Shov takes the one from Jenson's neck and tries it on, Jenson almost collapses from the sight of it and Rubens just grins knowingly.

It's not particularly liked by other sponsors - Richard Branson thinks it's a load of crap but he gives in when he sees the money coming in.

Being part of an overall health campaign (like the recent ones with Heineken) is good for the teams rep but the best thing is that Jenson becomes a brand ambassador. He does interviews where he talks about it and people think that he's just a health nut after he got so far into a healthy eating campaign and changing opinions after that one interview where he's very obviously high.

Shov loves that everyone is seeing the Jenson that he sees at home, so openly enthusiastic. And it's not like Jenson could hide it from Shov anyway, it's practically impossible to hide them that amount of stethoscopes and he's walked in on Jenson unwinding before bed with his eyes closed and listening to his chest. Shov actually encourages it because he thinks it might help Jenson calm down quite a bit. They don't use it in bed, but Jenson doesn't need to because he uses it in his time with Mark and seb.

Christian dislikes Brawn as the season goes on so he certainly doesn't want Mark and Seb associated with that, but they do an unofficial photoshoot with Jenson the "leaked" photos get so popular that the team can't turn down the PR opportunity.

Jenson is somehow still going stealth with his kink (he doesn't know how no one's worked it out yet). That is until he's in his driver's room before a race using the stethoscope to get into the zone - definitely important based on how the second half of the season is going - with his race suit pulled down and fireproofs pulled up. He's so focused he doesn't notice that people walk in. They ask him what the hell he's doing. He starts to panic because he has no idea how to explain it. Luckily Rubens walks in and grabs his stethoscope. He gestures to it, saying how the company asked them to test it so they could get real opinions on it. He then comments that Jenson would get a better idea if he moved it further to the left. The people shrug, satisfied with the explanation, and leave them to it. Jenson thanks Rubens for intervening, but he's curious about how Rubens knows about auscultation points. Rubens admits he knows nothing about it and only said it to get the people off his back. Jenson points out that Rubens was directing him to a different auscultation point and offers to show Rubens.

Rubens agrees because he's really curious. He'd embraced the stethoscope endorsement but he hasn't really used them beyond what they were required to do in photoshoots.

Jenson lets Rubens listen as he moves the stethoscope around his chest and explains the advantages of each auscultation point and exactly what he can hear. Rubens gets his own stethoscope and tries his on himself. He has to admit it's really interesting and it's nicer than when a doctor does it. Rubens admits that he's curious about what it sounds like when a doctor listens to someone's breathing, so Jenson offers to let Rubens try on him. They both enjoy it a lot.

However Rubens can sense something is wrong so he asks Jenson and Jenson says that he wishes that Shov would listen to him in that way, he'd like to get a check up. Rubens convinces him to ask when they get home, and if it came to it with all of Jenson's resisting, he would ask Shov for him.

Jenson doesn't bring it up to Shov, he can't bear asking since Shov seems a little reluctant especially after Shov voices his opinion that free stethoscopes are a bad idea because Jenson already has too many. He does say that there's nothing wrong with Jenson having so many but there's not enough space in their apartment.

Shov comes around eventually when Jenson gets excited about which ones he might get, so they have a conversation about which ones would suit them best, flipping through the catalogue and circling them like 2 children with an Argos catalogue at Christmas. So Shov buys display hooks for them to hang in the living room. Jenson is so overjoyed that he buys shov the stethoscope he was interested in. Shov loves it, he puts it round his neck and watches Jenson try to dampen his natural reaction at seeing his partner do something he so obviously loves.

Jenson looks at him with slight confusion as he puts on his glasses with a stern expression. Shov gets immense enjoyment when he informs Jenson that he needs a checkup and can't escape it. Jenson goes wide eyed - Rubens must have told him - but his heart starts racing at the mere suggestion of a checkup from his favourite doctor. Jenson had daydreamed about this so many times and to have it finally happen makes him think he's dreaming.

Shov enjoys it too, inspecting him very thoroughly and listening intently at every auscultation point, before offering stern words of advice that he must slow his heart down, he needs to be functioning at his best so he'll do well in races. He smiles because he knows that it's his fault Jenson's heart is racing, but he can't resist giving him a little playful telling off.

[louisisalarrie]

Hi! I am bbg anon from yesterday (the fairly new one). I had read on one of the other blogs that ppl in the fandom are assuming that harry's next stunt might be with a man. It may be possible because he had been through a lot of queerbaiting allegations and HS4's response (any more might dampen his reputation) might have to do with how they want to navigate it further. I never thought that H and L would come out separately. But I had read that a lot of veteran larries thought they were seedings of a CO of H in 2015. Ending bbg is an indication of Louis being gay and Larry being real (indirectly within the fandom and outside as well if anyone has their suspicion). I think what they can do when bbg ends is to show that Harry and Louis aren't together anymore (that's the least they can do) because there's no way in hell bbg ending won't create a Larry buzz. And Harry has already been accused of queerbaiting. I think if Harry is to stunt with a man, it's a good time to end babygate. Because Harry is dating someone else now. In the present moment. And Louis had a kid for almost nine years. He must be het. And then Louis must dip for another year and come back with LT3. Maybe stunt with another woman while Harry is out with a man? I think showcasing that they have broken up is a good barter for ending babygate. It will also help Harry in his queerbaiting allegations? What do you think?Harries might be supportive if it's not Louis he's in a relationship with. Solo louies will also be sympathetic towards Louis and accept the fact that he had been cheated on with the fact that he's a father and that Louis isn't with Harry at least. Us, Larries, on the other hand will know as we always do 🤪

Hey anon! Lovely to hear from you.

Yep, I think you’re on the right track here. And again, I can’t shut my damn mouth/stop my damn brain ever so this is now an official welcome to the show!

In short, bbg was the perfect stunt so Harry could come out and Louis 100% couldn’t be tied to him, because he was a dad. It separated their relationship from the public and when you think about the time this was all happening and their team, this was the best way to solidify the end of larry, while allowing Harry to be free. How could Louis be gay if he has a kid and is fucking every little blonde thing at a club? He can’t possibly be gay, and could never possibly be with Harry, so that was the plan. It was pretty foolproof, to the public and antis at least, until it all fell apart.

Now, we’re looking at a switch in stunts. Harry comes out, and yes, if he has to stunt with a man, so be it. It’s no different than stunting with a woman, but it is an acknowledgment of his sexuality and that’s an important step forward. As I’ve said before, this is a shitty long process and it’s not gonna be easy, but if we survived bbg, we can survive anything.

So, Harry comes out with a boyfriend in the ramp up of HS4. Explains some of the love songs, right? Removes queerbaiting allegations, which you’re right, is now tarnishing his brand, and solidifies an undisclosed sexuality that’s certainly not straight. If he is seen as bisexual/not straight but still likes the gals, he still has huge market appeal and it’s not gonna lose the amount of followers he’d lose if he came out as gay. What is his sexuality? I couldn’t tell ya. But he’s not straight, that’s for sure.

Anyway, maybe this will be the best way to visualise it and theorise:

1. Louis finishes tour, has a couple of festivals, and stays far away from Harry before taking a break/writing. Opposite sides of the world.

2. Harry comes out with a boyfriend in some pap pics in the lead up to HS4, just holding hands or something. No snogging or anything, just small caresses that pick up the public’s interest. It can be a very lowkey coming out to begin with, and still while he’s flapping about kinda quietly like right now and not 100% in the public eye yet. Think of it as… a soft launch to test it with the fans.

3. After some more little soft launches of his new relationship (Insta story perhaps), Harry and boy start ramping up the PR by making more appearances and hanging out with some other super high profile celebs (this boy will not be high profile, and perhaps an influencer or something instead. They won’t be getting another proper fandom involved. That would be bad news bears).

4. Harry makes some “thank you for accepting me” style tweet, and posts an image that’s just plain colour or something, that will allude to HS4.

5. Harry drops HS4, and is active on social media more so than usual. Connecting with fans, listening parties, etc.

6. After the initial HS4 hype drops a bit, seeding starts that Louis and baby mama are having fights over F, and the timing is VERY important here between larry btw. But a possible good reason would be that now louis is done with tour, he wants to spend more time with F, B is like “nooooo u left him for so long you can’t have more custody than what you have rn” and then that ends up in court and paternity test etc. bc she’s being super shady. Also keeps his name relevant while being off tour.

7. Harry carries on with fan interaction and projects, some more pap walks with boy and perhaps something more intimate.

8. It’s further seeded by “insiders” and then confirmed by Louis’ team that he’s not the dad/he’s having personal issues right now/pls respect his privacy bc he going through some SHIT

9. H and boy are going well, he’s booked in a tour, and Louis disappears completely from public eye/social media.

10. Louis reappears months later, on the other side of the world to Harry bc he’s on tour, and says that he’s not the dad, he’s gonna still love F like he’s his own kid, and that he’s gonna just focus on writing and spend some time with his family.

Boom. 10 steps to happiness. Now, granted that the above all goes well, it seems like the perfect plan. It ends bbg, allows Harry to come out, makes the public sympathise with Louis and gives him the “good guy” award while also upholding his hettiness, and keeps larry rumours super far away.

After that happens (which could probaaaaaably take about… 6 months? If it’s done correctly? Lol) the next step is larry reconciliation, which would probably take another 4-6 months to get them fully comfy, and then it’s a decision on whether they get to come out before, during, or after a 1d reunion. Which is a whole other bucket of fish.

Alas, 10 steps, which if done right, minimise harm to both Harry and Louis immensely. This is a foolproof plan that yes, willl lose them some followers, but can be handled correctly by the right team.

So, fingers crossed that the game will begin soon!

[computerknowledge27]

what is digital marketing ?

Digital marketing refers to the use of digital channels, platforms, and technologies to promote products, services, or brands to a target audience. Unlike traditional marketing methods that rely on offline channels such as print, television, or radio, digital marketing leverages online channels to reach and engage with consumers. The goal of digital marketing is to connect with the target audience in the right place and at the right time, driving brand awareness, customer acquisition, and retention.

Key components of digital marketing include:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing a website or content to rank higher in search engine results, improving visibility and organic (non-paid) traffic.

Content Marketing: Creating and distributing valuable, relevant content to attract and engage a target audience. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, and more.

Social Media Marketing: Utilizing social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) to promote products or services, interact with the audience, and build brand awareness.

Email Marketing: Sending targeted messages and promotional content to a group of people via email to nurture leads, build customer relationships, and encourage conversions.

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: Running paid advertisements on search engines or social media platforms, with advertisers paying a fee each time their ad is clicked.

Affiliate Marketing: Partnering with other businesses or individuals to promote products or services, with commissions earned for every sale or lead generated through the affiliate's efforts.

Influencer Marketing: Collaborating with influencers or individuals with a significant following to promote products or services to their audience.

Online Public Relations (PR): Managing a brand's online reputation and relationships with the public through various digital channels.

Analytics and Data Analysis: Monitoring and analyzing data from digital marketing efforts to measure performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions for future campaigns.

Digital marketing provides businesses with the flexibility to target specific demographics, track and measure campaign performance, and adjust strategies in real-time. It has become an integral part of the overall marketing strategy for many organizations in today's digital age.

[the-most-humble-blog]

🔥Taylor Swift: The Queen of Post-Nut Clarity Revenge Anthems

Feminist Warfare in a Sundress 💀

You ever notice how every single one of Taylor Swift’s songs boils down to the same tired, manipulative script?

🔹 “Is my boyfriend famous enough to be worth a song?” If not, abort breakup track. 🔹 “Is feminism at an all-time high?” If not, delay victimhood until further notice. 🔹 “Is misandry trending?” If yes, drop another ‘men are the problem, not me’ anthem.

Taylor isn’t just writing music—she’s leading a billion-dollar, anti-male psyop with a guitar and a Starbucks in her hand.

Modern female warfare doesn’t use swords anymore—it uses breakup anthems and mass gaslighting.

Step 1: Pick a Dumb Enough Dude to Think It’s a Real Relationship

He needs to be just famous enough to generate media headlines.

If he gets more popular than her, now we have a problem.

If he’s a politician or cultural threat? Time to offer a ‘private concert’ in his hotel room.

(Diplomatic blowjob with a side of "swallowing the olive branch" to secure peace talks.)

It’s not romance—it’s a calculated chess move. Taylor Swift is female warfare wrapped in acoustic heartbreak.

Step 2: Weaponize Private Conversations for Profit

🚨 RULE #1: NEVER Admit You’re the Problem. 🚨 RULE #2: Make the Poor Bastard’s Private Confessions the Chorus.

Taylor Swift doesn’t date men—she recruits them for the next album.

Cheated on him? Oops, he didn’t appreciate my free spirit.

Nagged him into therapy? He’s just intimidated by a strong woman.

Drove him into depression? Perfect, time to make his trauma a Billboard #1 hit.

Because why work on yourself when you can cash in on simps and man-haters?

Step 3: If the Male Opponent Gains Popularity, Deploy ‘Swift-ian Diplomacy’

If a politician, actor, or male public figure gets too powerful, suddenly, he gets a ‘personal invite backstage.’

If he won’t fold to the feminist overlords, the next move is to imply he’s emotionally abusive in a song and let Twitter do the rest.

If that fails? Fake feminist empowerment collabs until the problem disappears.

And if all else fails? Offer a "private summit" featuring the legendary "olive branch swallow" special. 🎤👄

(We call this the "Prostate Relief Peace Offering.")

Step 4: Target Politicians, But Only the Unpopular Ones

The misandry playbook says you must align with any political movement that boosts your brand.

If a politician disagrees with you? Label him a toxic male oppressor and weaponize your fanbase against him.

If he starts gaining popularity despite your feminist anthems? Whoops! Time to schedule a one-on-one meeting with a “happy ending.”

If he accepts the backroom peace treaty, it never happened.

If he refuses? Drop a song about “how scary and aggressive” he was behind closed doors.

Because nothing says "girl power" like weaponizing sex for social and political influence while pretending to be oppressed.

Step 5: Always Be a Victim, Even When You’re the Villain

Taylor Swift’s entire existence is proof that modern feminism is just rebranded narcissism.

She can date up to 12 men publicly, and it’s self-exploration.

If a man does the same? He’s a misogynistic whore-monger.

If she gets dumped? "He was too immature to handle her."

If she dumps him? "She outgrew his toxicity."

But never, under any circumstances, admit that maybe, just maybe, she’s the problem.

🔥 Final Verdict: Taylor Swift Isn’t Singing Love Songs, She’s Writing Corporate-Sponsored Hate Speech Against Men

🚨 Taylor Swift isn’t making breakup anthems—she’s running a multi-million dollar feminist propaganda machine. 🚨 She isn’t writing love songs—she’s crafting weaponized heartbreak and mass gaslighting, one chorus at a time. 🚨 She doesn’t date men—she recruits album inspiration and dumps them after the PR campaign writes itself.

She isn’t a girl boss. She isn’t a feminist icon. She’s the CIA of ex-girlfriend terrorism.

If you’re a man with a dick and a public reputation, congratulations—you’re her next single.

🔥 REBLOG If You See Through the Feminist Bullshit. 💬 COMMENT If You’ve Ever Seen a Woman Pull This ‘Victimhood & Vagina Warfare’ Tactic IRL. 🚀 FOLLOW If You Want More Unapologetic Reality Checks Disguised as Jokes.

[michaelespositostatenisland]

Michael Esposito Staten Island: Innovative AI Solutions for Influencer Marketing in the Digital Age

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, influencer marketing has emerged as a powerful strategy for brands to connect with their target audience and drive engagement. With the rise of social media platforms, influencers have become key players in shaping consumer preferences and purchasing decisions. Michael Esposito Staten Island — Influence in the Digital Age exemplifies this trend, highlighting how digital influencers can significantly impact marketing strategies and outcomes. However, as the digital space becomes increasingly saturated with content, brands are turning to innovative AI solutions to enhance their influencer marketing efforts and stay ahead of the curve.

AI-Powered Influencer Discovery

One of the biggest challenges brands face in influencer marketing is finding the right influencers to collaborate with. Traditional methods of influencer discovery often involve manual research and outreach, which can be time-consuming and inefficient. However, AI-powered influencer discovery platforms leverage advanced algorithms to analyze vast amounts of data and identify influencers who are the best fit for a brand's target audience and campaign objectives. Michael Esposito Staten Island: An Influencer Marketer Extraordinaire, exemplifies how effective influencer collaboration can transform marketing strategies. By harnessing the power of AI, brands can streamline the influencer discovery process and identify high-potential collaborators with greater accuracy and efficiency.

Predictive Analytics for Campaign Optimization

Once influencers have been identified and partnerships established, brands can leverage AI-powered predictive analytics to optimize their influencer marketing campaigns. Predictive analytics algorithms analyze historical campaign data, audience demographics, and engagement metrics to forecast the performance of future campaigns. By leveraging these insights, brands can make data-driven decisions about content strategy, audience targeting, and campaign optimization, maximizing the impact of their influencer collaborations and driving measurable results.

AI-Driven Content Creation

Content creation is a critical component of influencer marketing campaigns, and AI is revolutionizing the way brands create and optimize content for maximum impact. AI-powered content creation tools can generate personalized, high-quality content at scale, helping brands maintain a consistent brand voice and aesthetic across their influencer collaborations. From automated image and video editing to natural language processing for caption generation, AI-driven content creation tools empower brands to create compelling, on-brand content that resonates with their target audience and drives engagement.

Sentiment Analysis for Brand Monitoring

Influencer marketing campaigns can have a significant impact on brand perception, and it's essential for brands to monitor and manage their online reputation effectively. AI-powered sentiment analysis tools analyze social media conversations and user-generated content to gauge public sentiment towards a brand or campaign. By tracking mentions, sentiment trends, and key themes, brands can quickly identify and address any potential issues or negative feedback, allowing them to proactively manage their brand reputation and maintain a positive online presence.

Automated Performance Reporting

Measuring the success of influencer marketing campaigns is crucial for determining ROI and informing future strategies. However, manual performance reporting can be time-consuming and prone to human error. AI-powered analytics platforms automate the process of performance reporting by aggregating data from multiple sources, analyzing key metrics, and generating comprehensive reports in real-time. By providing brands with actionable insights into campaign performance, audience engagement, and ROI, AI-driven analytics platforms enable brands to optimize their influencer marketing efforts and drive continuous improvement.

In conclusion, as influencer marketing continues to evolve in the digital age, brands must leverage innovative AI solutions to stay competitive and maximize the impact of their campaigns. From AI-powered influencer discovery and predictive analytics to automated content creation and sentiment analysis, AI is revolutionizing every aspect of influencer marketing, enabling brands to connect with their target audience more effectively and drive measurable results. By embracing these innovative AI solutions, brands can unlock the full potential of influencer marketing and achieve success in the digital era.