#self-drive boat riding

[sealifewatersportsdubai]

What are the Most Unique Water Sports Activities Available in Dubai?

Looking to indulge in some thrilling water sports? Let us tell you that there is no better place on the planet than Dubai to fulfil your desire for water adventure. With a range of unique water activities on offer, you are bound to experience an adrenaline rush like no other. From flying above the water to surfing on the water, Dubai’s watersports scene is simply spectacular.

Here are some of the most unique water sports activities available in Dubai you definitely want to give a try:

Efoil Surf boarding:

Want to glide effortlessly over the waves? Then, Efoil Surfboarding is what you want to try! Driven by ultra-modern technology, efoil surfing is far ahead than your conventional surfing. Equipped with a hydrofoil, e-foil surf boards lift riders above the water’s surface.

This experience is further enhanced when it is done in the unique backdrop of Dubai’s iconic landmarks such as the Palm Jumeirah or the incredible Dubai Marina.

Self-drive Boat Riding:

Self-drive boat riding in Dubai is a must-try if you are seeking autonomy on the water. Rent a boat from Sea Life Dubai, follow all the safety instructions explained by their crew, and get ready for an unforgettable aquatic adventure.

The luxury to surf Dubai’s stunning water courses at your own speed, from the dynamic JBR Beach to the serene Dubai Marina, is an experience that you don’t want to miss out.

Flyboarding:

Unleash the inner acrobat in you with a flyboarding adventure in Dubai. Perform gravity-defying stunts above the water as a jetpack-style device propels you into the air. Flyboarding against the backdrop of Dubai Marina or Palm Jumeirah’s stunning skyscrapers is simply a dream come true for many watersports enthusiasts.

Water Jet Car Riding:

Take the concept of amphibious vehicles to a completely new height with a water jet car riding adventure in Dubai. Seamlessly transition from land to water while enjoying a pulsating ride along the coastline of Dubai. As you accelerate through the waves, relish the panoramic sights of Dubai’s iconic skyline from a unique perspective.

Speed Boat Ride:

Do you have an inclination for high-speed thrills? Then, a speed boat ride in Dubai is tailor-made for you. As you zoom across the azure waters, pass by the Palm Jumeirah or Dubai Marina, you are bound to get feel the thrill you are craving for. An adrenaline-pumping experience is guaranteed, whether you are on a solo adventure or a group outing.

Subwing Adventures:

Looking for an exciting experience that combines the thrill of underwater discovery with the splendid views of the Arabian gulf? If yes, then subwing adventure is truly a beautiful water sport to try.

As you dive deeper, explore the mesmerizing underwater world consisting of colorful coral reefs and vibrant marine life.  The sensation of flying underwater is something you don’t want to miss out at any cost. Dubai’s warm water and favorable weather, make subwing adventure a must try for all skill levels.

Jet Ski Ride:

If you are keen to try a classic water sport in Dubai, then jet skiing won’t disappoint you. Rent a powerful jet ski from Sea Life Dubai and steer the azure waters with absolute precision.

You will simply enjoy the experience as you glide past lavish yachts, beachfront resorts and architectural marvels. There are many designated jet ski zones in Dubai that assures a safe and exciting ride for enthusiasts of all levels.

Seabob-jet-diving:

Adventure seekers looking for extraordinary aquatic experience should definitely try out Seabob-jet-diving in Dubai.

Sea Life Dubai provides top-of-the-line Seabob rentals in Dubai, tailored for adventurous individuals seeking the opportunity to dig into the depths of marine life.

With its sleek design & cutting-edge technology, Seabob lets you dive, twist, and turn like a dolphin in the azure waters of the Arabian gulf. This is the watersports you want to give a go to explore the incredible underwater landscape and marine life of Dubai.

Banana Boat Ride:

If you're looking for group fun and laughter on the water, a banana boat ride is the perfect choice. Climb aboard an inflatable banana-shaped boat, hold on tight, and get ready for a thrilling ride as a speedboat pulls you through the waves. With friends or family by your side, enjoy the adrenaline rush and shared moments of excitement amidst Dubai's stunning coastal scenery.

Water Sports Adventure with Sea Life Dubai:

Board on an unforgettable water sports adventure with Sea Life Dubai, where a customer-centric approach ensures your safety and enjoyment. Our high-end equipment is meticulously maintained to guarantee optimal performance across all water sports activities.

Whether you're into efoil surfing, flyboarding, jet skiing, or parasailing, our professional crew team is always by your side, providing essential details and ensuring your safety at every step.

At Sea Life Dubai, we prioritize education and awareness, offering insights into the marine environment and safety protocols. Our professional crew members are not just guides but experts trained in water exercises, ensuring that you receive top-notch guidance tailored to your skill level and preferences. We believe in empowering our guests with knowledge, making your water sports experience not just thrilling but also enriching.

Water Sports Activities at Dubai’s Best Locations:

Our customer-centric approach extends to our convenient and affordable packages, designed to cater to your specific preferences and budget. Whether you're seeking adventure at Dubai Harbour, Skydive, Atlantis, Burj AI Arab, JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence), or other exquisite locations in Dubai, Sea Life Dubai promises to create a remarkable vacation picture with your loved ones.

Water Sports Packages That Everyone Can Afford:

Sea Life Dubai offer Water Sports Packages That Everyone Can Afford. We have great deals on unique waters ports activities like Efoil Surf boarding, Self-drive Boat Riding, Water Jet Car Riding, and Flyboarding among others.

This affordability factor makes Sea Life Dubai's water sports packages appealing to a diverse audience, including tourists looking for memorable experiences and locals seeking fun adventures in their city. Whether you're a beginner looking to try out water sports for the first time or an experienced enthusiast seeking new challenges, there is a watersports package to suit every need.

[bestwatersportscompanyindubai]

What are the Most Scenic Locations for Water Sports Activities in Dubai?

Dubai can be a lot more alluring than you think, it offers something for everyone’s perfect idea of a vacation. Whether you want to spend some time soaking in luxury or want to shop until your drop, or you were made to enjoy the rough side through the best water sports activities in Dubai, Dubai can always offer you a place. So are you up to going on a trip to Dubai? Let’s take you on a tour of the most scenic places for water activities in Dubai.

5 Most Scenic Locations For Water Sports Activities In Dubai

Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah is one of the most famous landmarks as well as architectural marvels in Dubai, not just that it has become a playground for water sports activities. What are the best water sports activities in Dubai that you can enjoy here? You can Jet ski and speed boat along the crescent-shaped island that makes you witness the enticing views of Atlantis, Dubai Marina as well as Palm Resort. The serene waters offer picturesque locations for jet skiing, jet car riding, efoiling and self-drive boat riding, as well as parasailing.

Dubai Marina

If you are looking for more than just picturesque views then Dubai Marina offers towering skyscrapers, chic cafes, and a vibrant atmosphere. The stunning background gives you a whole new level of excitement for water sports. There are a lot of adrenaline-pumping sports that keep making your day and can be enjoyed at the glittering waters of Marina like wakeboarding, flyboarding, jet skiing, and jet car riding.

Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)

This magical background is stretched along the mesmerizing waters of the Arabian Gulf making it a playground for water activities. The pearly white sand and the clear waters of the beach welcome thrill seekers and sun lovers alike. Going on a Jet Ski tour along the coastline gives you beautiful views of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel, while if you go on a parasailing tour it gives you a bird eye view of Dubai’s skyline. If you are looking for a leisure experience then jet skiing or banana boat rides can be the best option to enjoy the beauty of the Arabian Gulf.

Kite Beach

This beauty stretches near the shoreline of Burj Al Arab and was made famous by the kite surfers. The beach has golden sands and turquoise waters that become a perfect background for adventure activities. You can either enjoy kite surfing and harness the wind as well as ride the waves, while jet skiing enthusiasts can zoom along the coast while soaking in the views of a snail-shaped hotel. There are a lot of other water activities that you can enjoy along the coast that consist of kiteboarding and Jet skiing in Dubai which gives you views of Kite Beach, as well as the Dubai skyline. Discover more: Enjoy a Jet Ski ride Rental in Dubai with Beach Riders Dubai

The World Islands

If you want an exclusive water sports experience along with soaking in some scenery then the World Islands can be the best fit for you. These are artificial islands that are shaped in the form of a world map, it offers pristine beaches and clear waters. The secluded islands offer unique landscapes that can be explored through Jet Skiing or you can explore the underwater beauty through scuba diving. These islands provide you with an unforgettable water sports experience in a secluded as well as remote location.

Choosing The Best Location For Water Sports Activities

Are you confused about what to choose among the five listed above? Then it depends on your preferences, the amount of thrill, the kind of scenery, and lastly what water activity you are interested in. Plus you can take the help of Beach Riders Dubai to learn about what would fit in your budget as well as go to our blog to explore the best of Dubai beaches an extensive guide to know about more places to enjoy water activities

If you are someone who wants an adrenaline-pumping experience with a view of iconic landmarks then choose Palm Jumeirah.

For a more laid-back and serene adventure, you can choose secluded beaches or coves.

For both water sports and sightseeing, you can explore the world of JBR Beach or Dubai Marina.

Wrapping Up

Dubai is lined with places where you can enjoy adventure activities and we have listed a few of those above. So no matter what you prefer, whether it’s a scenic location or the adrenaline rush, you get a place that offers you just that in Dubai. And if you are stuck with the prices then you can certainly come to us, at Beach Riders Dubai we have tours and water activities that fit right into your budget.

[epitomees]

~ Zenkichi Hasegawa’s Tags ~ 

More will be added as needed. 

[dubaiwatersportsrental]

Family-Friendly Water Sports in Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah: Fun for All Ages

Planning a family vacation? For families looking for a mix of excitement, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences, Dubai is a perfect destination. Specifically, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah offer an array of water sports that are not only thrilling but also family-friendly, ensuring fun and safety for everyone.

Exploring Dubai Marina Water Sports Activities

Dubai Marina is a bustling waterfront, offering a stunning backdrop of modern architecture and sparkling waters. It’s an excellent destination for families looking to engage in a variety of water sports. Here are some top Dubai Marina water sports activities that cater to all ages:

Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is a serene yet exciting activity perfect for families. The calm waters of Dubai Marina provide an ideal setting for beginners. Paddleboarding is easy to learn, making it a suitable choice for children and adults alike. It’s also a fantastic way to explore the marina from a unique vantage point, offering stunning views of the skyline.

Kayaking

Kayaking in Dubai Marina allows families to navigate through the marina's intricate waterways. Double kayaks are available, making it possible for parents to pair up with younger children. It’s a wonderful way to bond as a family while getting some exercise and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

Family Yacht Cruises

For a more luxurious experience, consider booking a family yacht cruise. These cruises often include a variety of water sports such as snorkeling and swimming. The yachts are equipped with all necessary safety gear, and the crew ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Banana Boat Rides

Banana boat rides are a hit with kids and adults alike. The inflatable banana-shaped boats are towed behind a speedboat, offering a thrilling ride over the waves. It’s an exhilarating experience that guarantees laughter and fun for the whole family.

Donut Rides

Similar to banana boat rides, donut rides involve an inflatable ring pulled by a speedboat. The donut shape offers a different riding experience, often bouncing and spinning on the water, providing endless fun and excitement.

Parasailing

Parasailing is a thrilling yet safe activity that allows families to soar high above the water, enjoying breathtaking views of Dubai Marina. Strapped securely into a harness, participants are lifted into the air by a parachute, providing a bird’s-eye view of the stunning landscape below.

Self-Drive Boat

Self-drive boats offer families the unique experience of being their own captain. These small, easy-to-navigate boats are perfect for exploring Dubai Marina at your own pace. It's a fantastic way to create your own adventure while enjoying the scenic views of the marina.

Discovering Palm Jumeirah Watersports Activities

Palm Jumeirah, with its iconic palm-tree shape, is another premier destination for water sports in Dubai. The calm, protected waters around the Palm make it an ideal spot for family-friendly watersports activities.

Snorkeling

The waters around Palm Jumeirah are teeming with marine life, making snorkeling a popular activity. It’s a safe and easy way for children to get acquainted with underwater life. 

Aqua Parks

Palm Jumeirah is home to several floating aqua parks that are perfect for families. These parks feature inflatable slides, trampolines, and obstacle courses. They are a great way to let children burn off energy while enjoying the water in a safe, controlled environment.

Jet Car Riding

Jet car riding is an extraordinary experience where you can drive a car-like vehicle on water. This unique activity combines the thrill of driving with the fun of being on water, making it a hit with both kids and adults. It’s a fantastic way to explore the waters around Palm Jumeirah in style.

Speed Boat Rides

For families looking for a thrilling and fast-paced adventure, speed boat rides around Palm Jumeirah are a must-try. These boats offer a high-speed tour of the Palm, zipping across the water and providing a unique perspective of this architectural marvel. 

If you are interested in any of the aforementioned watersports activities for your next family outing, get in touch with Sea Life Dubai, the best Dubai Water Sports Provider. Call Sea Life Dubai at +971504332725 to know more about the Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah watersports activities!

[fvaleraye]

limbus company is a wild game. you play as a nonbinary amnesiac who got their head cut off and responded by replacing it with a flaming wall clock, whose second job is to (ineffectually, at first) be the manager of a group of people on a bus and whose first job is to revive and heal them anytime anything happens, which is all the time. your party is comprised of a dour scientist who has a habit of speaking in poetry, a mysterious white haired genius implied to be in a constant mental discord call with different versions of herself across multiple universes, an autistic woman who named her shoes after a fictional horse and turns into an ancient and powerful vampire if they're ever taken off, a swordswoman who speaks a third of her mind in acronyms and loves to murder people "artistically", an autistic frenchman built like a fridge who refuses to be a person unless ordered to, a long haired rich pretty boy who accidentally pisses people off with his sheltered behavior half the time and pretends to be dumber than he is to purposefully annoy people the other half, a british thug whose entire plot could have been solved by just spitting it out and also turned into a wolf monster for a bit, a ginger who got bored of her office job and decided to get on a boat and hunt whales about it, a russian gambler whose mental health and self image are rapidly deteriorating while she is also getting progressively worse at hiding it, a young man who is really in over his head while also being very good at killing people who also is weirdly good at translating the earlier mentioned swordswoman's acronyms, a kiss-ass former military woman who would probably kill everyone else in the party if she thought she could get away with it, and a german former-soldier who got a mutant bug arm and intense ptsd and depression. there's also the all powerful guide who tells you where to go who is legally not allowed to be too helpful and is also perpetually sick of your shit, and the strange girl who drives the bus you all ride in without a license or a lick of training. also the bus looks like a train. add onto the fact that most of the characters and their backstories are references to classic literature, and you have what is possibly the world's MOST dysfunctional dnd party.

we love this fucking game.

[starkeyisthelastname]

I think about riding rafe while he’s driving the boat everyday. Just bouncing in his lap, arms around his neck, pouting and whining. He acts like ur not even there, letting out mere grunts and swerving in the water AHHHHHHH 🤤😵‍💫

One ringed hand would be resting against the steering wheel of the Druthers, the rest of his lanky body leaned back against the leather seat. He glanced down from the view of the North Carolina waters to watch your thick ass bounce on his cock, a breathy groan leaving his lips.

You would cling to him tighter, pout on your face as your pillow princess of a self didn’t like doing all the work. The boat would swerve to your left, your finger tips digging into his tan skin as you came back down onto his massive dick. He filled you up to the brim in this position, never having to worry about being feeling empty with a dick like he had. You had only wanted his attention and despite being close to him, it still felt like you were invisible.

“Rafey…” You whined, slowing down your hips in hopes he would thrust up into you.

You were on his time, meaning if you wanted dick then you got it yourself. Of course he was that much of an asshole to let you work for it. Your whimpers and whines only making him want to torture more.

“I’m enjoying driving the boat. Either ride me or get off me with your clingy ass.” He would snap, causing you to pout more.

[hallietblr]

So my conrad request is basically the scene in season 1 where they (jeremiah and conrad) go to pick up the girls after they go skinny dipping but reader is there too and drives home with conrad?and smut but it could also just be fluff if you want

i’ve got you, always | c.fisher x reader

a/n: yay!! another conrad fic :) <3 thank you so much for the request, i loved writing it and i hope you enjoy. i had it super fluffy at first but it kind of took its own turn so i hope it’s ok. also, thank you to everyone for all the support for my writing recently — you guys make my day and i can never thank you enough. i love you all truly!

warnings: slight angst, mentions of anxiety, panic attacks, and swearing.

—

“are you fucking kidding me?!” taylor screams, putting her forearms onto the dock and searching, “i knew those girls were fucking bitches!”

belly and i swim towards her, “what happened?” belly asks,

“your fucking snake friends took our clothes and ran off, that’s what!” taylor hisses, “all that’s left are our phones.”

“they did what?” belly panics, lifting her high high enough to see the dock, “oh my god.”

i feel my heart drop to the bottom of my stomach and the colour in my face drain away. i didn’t even want to go skinny dipping in hopper’s cove but i did it anyways since taylor and belly along with belly’s friends were going.

“what do we do?” belly asks us, frantically looking around for a possible solution, “there’s a boat cover we could use!”

“are you fucking joking?” taylor scoffs, shaking her head, “absolutely not.”

“i’m calling conrad,” i tell them, grabbing my phone and clicking his name on speed dial.

i hear the girls bicker by me as my hands shake, bringing my phone to my ear, “c- conrad? i need you.”

“where are you?” he asks, concern laced into his voice. i briefly explain the situation as my lip quivers, “please hurry”

“i’ll be there as soon as i can, lovie. hang tight.” he promises before hanging up.

i turn to the girls and tell them that conrad is on his way while belly says that jeremiah is also coming. we patiently wait for what feels like hours in the water. i could feel my hands shaking as i keep myself propped up on the small dock since my legs were exhausted. my eyes were welling up with tears from anxiety — only hoping conrad will get here soon.

after what felt like hours, we heard a car’s engine running and then stop. he’s here.

“bells, n/n, oh my god,” jeremiah pants out, “i came as soon as you hung up.” he tells belly, “conrad is here too.”

on cue, conrad comes up behind jeremiah while holding a plastic bag of clothes, “nicole gave these to me. i hope everything’s in this.”

“thanks guys,” belly says sheepishly, “do you mind turning around?”

their eyes go widen in embarrassment but quickly turn around while taylor, belly, and i climb up onto the dock. we sift through the plastic bag, handing each other our clothes.

i quickly pull on my dry clothes onto my wet, water dripping body. i pull my drenched hair into a messy bun, with water droplets crawling down the back of my neck. the night breeze was freezing on my body. i shiver and close my hands into tight fists in attempt to stop the shaking.

taylor and belly are soon fully dressed again, in somewhat the same state as i was but much more collected than my embarrassed self.

“okay, you can turn around,” taylor tells the two brothers. they face us and motion us to follow them towards the cars.

“i can’t believe that they did that” jeremiah says, his arms crossed over his chest.

taylor scoffs, “i do, i literally called it that they were all bitches.”

conrad lets belly and taylor pass him to follow jeremiah, he gives me a small sympathetic smile and puts a comforting arm around me, “come on.”

we reach the two cars, belly and taylor whispering to each other, “we’ll ride with you, jere.” belly tells him before herself and taylor climb into the jeep. taylor gives me a quick wink before closing her door.

“see you two at home?” jeremiah asks conrad, who nods. the jeep soon pulls away onto the pitch black road and heads towards the fisher summer home.

“you okay?” conrad asks, facing me, “i’m sorry that happened, you didn’t deserve that.”

his hand is on my shoulder, his thumb slowly rubbing circles against the material of my shirt. i couldn’t even focus, and not in the typical sense when i’m around him. it’s usually butterflies, racing heart rate, heat on my cheeks, but this felt nearly the exact opposite.

it felt like my heart was being squeezed, my stomach was churning, and my stupid hands wouldn’t stop shaking. my vision was slightly blurry from the tears that were threatening to fall.

“you’re freezing,” he breathes out, “hold on”

he turns away and rummages around in the backseats of his car. conrad turns back to me and hands me a grey hoodie, his hoodie, “take this.”

i slowly take it from his hands, trying with every ounce of my strength to stop the shakiness of my hands. i didn’t want him to see the anxious state that i was in. it was such a stupid reason to be anxious anyways, taylor and belly were completely fine after getting their clothes. pissed off maybe, but not acting the way i was.

i have his hoodie in my hands but i don’t put it on.

“lets get you home, love.” he says but i can barely hear him with the ringing in my ears.

conrad starts walking towards his side of the car, assuming that i was also getting into the vehicle — but i feel frozen. stuck in one place.

why was it getting harder to breathe?

conrad’s hand is on the small of my back and my heart rate spikes up to an unbelievable high level, but not in that way. something is wrong, and my chest is hurting.

my hand goes to my sternum of my chest, slowing rubbing it as my breathing picks up. my body was trembling and my chest was rising and falling at a concerning pace.

“babe?” he stands up from his seat. my legs felt weak yet everything else felt heavy, why is it heavy? i feel myself collapse towards the gravel, but i don’t fall.

conrad was able to get to my side quick enough to prevent me from falling. his strong arms wrapped around me, “hey… hey, what’s wrong?”

i shake my head repeatedly, “i- i-” i stutter out and it’s hard to speak, my throat feels dry and it hurts.

he cradles me on the side of the road, “sh, it’s okay. nice and slow, what’s going on?”

“i c- can’t breathe” i tell him, his finger interlace with my shaking ones. he brings my hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on them,

“you’re okay, love,” he says softly, “you’re having a panic attack.”

my eyes widen, i’ve never had one of those before. i shut my eyes in fear. my breathing doesn’t slow down for a moment, if anything, it feels like it’s going even faster now.

“look at me,” he whispers, tucking a fallen strand of hair behind my ear, “baby, look at me please.”

i open my eyes to look into his blue ones, “breathe with me, okay? nice and slow.”

i watch as conrad takes a deep breath, i try to but i don’t think it’s even possible to breathe.

“in,” he inhales, i attempt at copying his actions by taking a breath of air in, “and out.”

exhale.

my breath trembles out of my lips, he slowly nods, “just like that, in…. and out.”

we take a few more deep breaths together, until mine regulates again. conrad smiles at me, “there you go, now do you wanna tell me what’s going on?”

i swallow, “i didn’t even want to go skinny dipping with the girls, i don’t fit in with them. they’re all so pretty and fun and everyone loves them. i’m nothing like them.”

a tear slips from the corner of my eye, conrad is quick to wipe it away, “so, i thought if i did it then maybe i’ll be like them. i thought they liked me too, fuck’s sake i’m so gullible. they all left! with me naked in some stupid cove.” i cry out, burying my face into my hands.

“oh, baby,” conrad coos, “sh…” he places a kiss on my hair.

he pulls me closer, wrapping his arms around my torso and placing his chin on my head, “you don’t deserve that, and you’re perfect the way you are. i don’t want to hear any of that ‘no one likes me’ shit, ok? because i do.”

“wh- what?” i ask, looking at him with watery eyes.

“i think you’re amazing just as you are,” he repeats, “you’re my y/n, i don’t want you to be one of those debutante sheep. i love you as y/n.”

my heart fills with so much love, i reach up to pull him into a kiss. he kisses me back immediately, his hands trailing up from my waist to cup my face.

“lets go home, yeah?” he asks after pulling away, “lets get you showered and into some comfy, warm, and dry clothes. we can cuddle and watch a movie. sounds good?”

“sounds perfect.” i blush, i finally pull on his grey hoodie. it falls to my mid thigh and it smells like him; cologne, cigarettes, and ocean water.

conrad helps me to my feet and opens the car door for me, “oh, and conrad?”

he looks down at me and hums, “thank you for coming to get me.” i say to him.

“i’ve got you baby, always.” conrad responds with a kiss before closing the car door.

[jmdbjk]

All things Walmart, poo, ticks and inspiration...

Spoiler alert but to hell with it, I know y'all have watched it all already.

Things I cannot relate to and will never happen to me:

• Pushing my cart down the snack aisle at Walmart and running into Jungkook searching for Tostitos and a sponge.

• Going out to the mailbox to gather the day's junk mail and two guys on a Harley drive by and wave at me and me not know it was Jimin and Jungkook.

• Hiking through the forest and not realizing that guy way up ahead swatting at mosquitoes is Jimin.

• Enjoying my lobster mac & cheese at a restaurant and not know Jungkook is discreetly (not so discreetly) staring at my food trying to decide if he wants to order what I'm having.

I didn't have time today to spend on this like I wanted to and I feel like everyone has already talked about the finer points they're most interested in so I'm going to just drop a few things that made ME laugh, smile and cherish the fact they even started this thing, this show. Episode 3 will be here tomorrow night (for me) so I don't want to delay this anymore so I'll be brief for Ep. 2.

Saturday, July 15:

They left the campsite and Jungkook got to ride the motorcycle. Jimin said he looked like a proper American.

They stopped at a park and hiked a trail. Jimin fought mosquitoes. It was brutal. I've seen people worried about ticks. And snakes. Jimin pointed out a spider on a tree. Jungkook fantasized about alligators. Tick inspections occurred all around later on I hope.

We didn't see the transition from woods to marina. Maybe they had to make a bathroom stop for Jimin. Or urgent care to get him some meds. Who knows. Poor thing was suffering.

On the yacht, Jimin was still feeling puny but he tried. He ate though he knew he was risking it all.

He horsed around with Jungkook with the beast still rolling around in his guts.

I really wasn't expecting so much poop talk during Are You Sure but here we are.

I think this summed up the yacht trip. Especially after how it all started with the excursion being leaked by the boat captain himself. Perhaps the editors did this on purpose.

FYI those concentric ripples in the images are my camera trying to capture the screen in a different frequency than the monitor refreshes or some tech mumbo jumbo. Apologies and please ignore. It's Disney's fault for not letting us screen cap using an app.

I think Jungkook was looking for ticks. He would take something like that seriously, don't you think?

But Jimin mostly slept on the yacht. He had a rough night before. They still salvaged what they could and they still seemed to enjoy the experience.

A trip to Walmart. On the way they have one of those rambling conversations where Jungkook, who is not the most talkative type, decides to talk Jimin's ear off. They talked about making music and what drives them personally in their choices about their work.

We'll visit that thought again in a minute....

The whole Walmart visit is surreal to me. I go to Walmart at least once a week so to see Jimin and Jungkook browsing the aisles just blows my mind. NEVER did I EVER dream I'd see them looking for bacon at WALMART.

They look just like anyone else pushing their shopping cart going down the cereal aisle past the boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Sugar Pops.

Jimin was a tad testy when JK disappeared. He even cussed him out. HAHAHAHAHAAA. BEEN THERE DONE THAT!!!

I know Jimin-ssi, why are men like that? I swear to god...

I saw someone say this sums up their dynamic perfectly: Jimin calculating in his mind how to work the self-check out while Jungkook does the helicopter cam above him.

You gotta give it to Walmart though, they do know their customer. The self check out is pretty self-explanatory.

The content of their cart:

TWO boxes of Twinkies???? And both Prego AND Ragu...

Getting to the AirBnb accommodations. Cooking. Chilling out before bedtime and Jimin lets Jungkook hear Who.

Horsing around in bed. You know, all these years, I've wondered how they keep the toothpaste spit inside their mouths while brushing their teeth? We've seen them brushing their teeth backstage, in the bathroom, walking around the green room, outside practicing choreo... HOW DO THEY NOT DROOL ALL OVER THEIR CUSTOM MADE OUTFITS? And now wrestling on the bed...

Waking up, JK and his frosted flakes. Jokes about abandoning Jimin...more horsing around on the bed. And then they doze off again. I know they did. Hard to tell but Jungkook is glued to Jimin's back.

Jimin gets to ride on the back of the Harley with JK. It starts to rain. I guess they were bringing it back to the rental place.

Going back to the store for a sponge.

I think Jimin was feeling much better. Looked like he slept better.

We see the Army who said they met Jimin and Jungkook last year. When I first heard about it I thought how lucky and random and what kind of stars need to align for that to happen??? What a great experience!!! When will it be our turn???

And then the next idea for Run BTS (the show)... hide and seek while shopping for specific ingredients to cook with and the twist is they're in a foreign country. WORLD TOUR RUN BTS!!! BIGHIT I HAVE IDEAS!!!! LISTEN TO ME!!!!

Its raining, dancing in the rain as they exit the store. They leave in the Jeep and head back to the house to eat their pizza.

Army in Connecticut won in life.

Then they start their journey back to NYC (I'm assuming) so Jungkook can go on to London and Jimin can head back to Korea. They stop one more time for lobster rolls and lobster mac & cheese.

That's when we see Jungkook contradict himself...

In the Jeep just a little while ago you said nothing inspired you. Was it the rain or the beer that was inspiring you? Or was it the head full of new memories and ideas about the next trip that were swirling around in there?

By the end of this trip, they are back in sync.

Their closing interview: JK wants to keep doing this until they're 50, 12 more seasons! JK said "practice being better variety show entertainers so the two of us can continue doing this" as motivation to continue doing this type of thing way into the future. Jimin found humor in that. And that's where we fade to black.

And during the credits, Jimin is eating again, spicy ramen, possibly the next day. Apparently his stomach is back in order as he readies to fly back home.

What a trip.

Deeper thoughts:

Jimin and Jungkook wanted to spend time together. We knew that. It didn't seem to happen when it could have. They even said so in the Jeep. But JK concluded the discussion succinctly:

Finally.

Finally they were spending quality time together. Though their talk was brief, we have no idea if there was more to it before or after what we saw of it. The editors showed us that much enough to explain the situation and why it had not happened. The end result of it all was: finally.

Finally, after wanting this. Finally, after saying we would. Finally... doing something together that we loved doing before and we've wanted to do again. Finally.

Jimin pushed for it. He knew. He made it happen. Finally.

They are two distinct personalities and their journeys through this solo era leading up to their enlistment were different.

Jimin is a leader and doer. He is the initiator. Jimin said if he hadn't pushed for this show to happen it would not have gotten done.

There were a few moments in these first two episodes where Jimin brought up MS. Jungkook didn't seem thrilled to talk about it.

They truly didn't know what they were going to film for this show. They got in the car and started to make it up as they went. I can see how that would be awkward.

They don't understand that just them being themselves is what we want to see. They don't have to try to make something happen. Its the spontaneous moments that make the best content (see kayak dump and Walmart trip). Maybe Jimin was more in tune with this than Jungkook was but he is the one who turns on a live and sits there and watches Netflix while eating chicken. They had to get back in sync and they did.

So the first episode was a little slow, a little cautious, a little quiet. Reserved. That first day they were finding their groove, getting 're-acquainted' if you will, finding the slots and spaces in each other that fit and feel the most comfortable to them. You could see them relax as the day wore on.

But, they still had challenges. JK's head cold. Jimin's stomach bug. You want some TMI's? Watch Jimin run to the bathroom for the fifth time.

We may see a little bit of this quiet re-acquainting when BTS does its first group live next year. And yes, I am 100% confident we will see this first live shortly after Jimin and Jungkook are discharged. We will see them in a way we've never seen before.

After both episodes... my conclusion is we saw about 2 hours out of the roughly 3 or three and a half days Jimin and Jungkook were together. Thursday evening, July 13 through Sunday evening, July 16. I'm not exactly sure when JK left for London but Jimin went back to Korea on July 17.

I wonder if the plan was to create hour long episodes or if there was so much they wanted to show the episodes just ended up being that long. They could have easily hidden Jimin's stomach issues from us. They could have edited a lot of it down. But in making the episodes this long, they showed more and more of their dynamic in play.

I didn't put everything into this post that I wanted to but we've got six more episodes coming and I still haven't had time to watch Run Jin.

Hashtags arent working... I'll add them later.

[rotdistressxox]

Hiii thank you sm for your kengan works! Just wondering what are some head cannons about agito post KAT gap and his biggest changes. As well as maybe raian post training arc? 💜

Not a problem! I'll include both of em' in this post. Sorry if this seems short!

Kanoh Agito and Raian Kure: Post KAT HC'S

Kanoh Agito

• It was a gigantic humble for him to lose for the first time in his life. He knew he had a lot of self-reflecting to do after.

• Number one thing to do was to help ground himself as a human. All this time he's viewed himself as this god, he's never truly experienced strong emotions. Apart from some sadism and god-complexes.

• He truly did love you, but after this, he feels as if he hadn't really been there for you.

• He needs boat loads of reassurance. You still love him. He's still a strong fighter. He knows that, but then there's doubt.

• Is noticeably less tense or formal. Loosens up, doesn't wear a suit and tie as often when out of his usual fighting outfit.

• Got a motorcycle, duh! Now he can take you out for nice scenic rides.

• Embraces the human side in himself while fighting. He doesn't think too highly of himself anymore. Knows his place in the fighting ring.

• That doesn't mean he stops training, there's always room for improvement

• Spends more time with you, exploring the outer parts of Japan.

Raian Kure

• SORE LOSER

• Still sour about his loss with Ohma. That's what drives him during in training.

• After being gone for a while. He still has the same old cocky personality. Which I guess is to be expected, this is Raian afterall.

• It's different when he fights though, he doesn't toy with his opponent as much like they're food to him. Goes straight for the kill.

• Just because of some training doesn't mean he's not a psychopath still. He still pursues he's other means of work. Being an assassin / hit man are now his main source of income.

• He doesn't go out in public much, prefers to stay in the village and help out. Now that he's tasked with restoring Ohma to his full strength, he finds his patience to be growing. Not his usual short-fused self.

• I guess he learns a thing or two from Ohma. You like to watch them go back and forth with their unbalanced personalities.

• If we're talking his relationship with you, he's matured a bit. He's taken a liking to being vulnerable with you. He can pour his heart out to you about 'shit that pisses him off'

[blackcouplesera]

50 intimacy building exercises for black couples ❤️‍🔥

1. Take a long walk together for the sole purpose of sharing your thoughts and feelings with each other.

2. Plan a surprise date night in for one another.

3. Cook a meal together and enjoy it by candlelight.

4. Write love letters to each other, bonus points if you exchange and read them.

5. Take a couple’s dance class together.

6. Read an erotic novel together. Reenacting it is up to you!

7. Volunteer together for a cause you both care about.

8. Make time to shower together, let your partner cleanse you.

9. Go on a weekend getaway and spend quality time in bed.

10. Take a bubble bath and enjoy wine.

11. Watch your favorite movies and cuddle.

12. Take a hike and enjoy nature together.

13. Write down your goals and dreams together, affirm each other in the process.

14. Take a cooking class together.

15. Try a new hobby together.

16. Plan a picnic to enjoy each other's company.

17. Schedule a couples' massage or self care day.

18. Create a vision board for your future together.

19. Take a pottery class together.

20. Spend a day exploring your city and discovering new places.

21. Invest in a polaroid or film camera and take spicy photos of each other.

22. Write a poem or song for each other.

23. Plan a surprise weekend getaway.

24. Create a couple’s board game to play together.

25. Go on a road trip to explore new places together.

26. Plan a sip and paint night together. Grab some body paint, and use each other as canvases!

27. Attend a concert or live performance together.

28. Create a language for only you to use together.

29. Go on a bike ride together.

30. Watch the sunset and enjoy each other's company.

31. Play a couples' trivia game.

32. Attend a wine tasting together.

33. Create a recipe together.

34. Plan a date night at home and cook a romantic dinner together.

35. Attend a drive-in movie together.

36. Visit a botanical garden.

37. Go on a cabin trip and disconnect from technology.

38. Take a hot air balloon ride together.

39. Attend a poetry night together.

40. Go on a boat ride and enjoy the water.

41. Take a couples' pole dancing class.

42. Have a game night with other couples.

43. Try meditating together.

44. Attend a book reading or signing together.

45. Go on a couple’s retreat.

46. Bake each other’s favorite sweets.

47. Create a playlist and swap headphones.

48. Take a mixology class together.

49. Plan a scavenger hunt for each other.

50. Go on a day trip to a nearby town.

[fromthedragonsdesk]

On Visual Novels and Catharsis

I never had a high opinion of Visual Novels. In my mind, they always seemed to boil down to the most basic wish fulfillment tripe that we'd collectively assign to the isekai genre these days, I'd wager. To me it was a waste of time or energy trying to interact with them (as an aside, I'm well aware that the Phoenix Wright series is arguably a visual novel, but I missed that boat by not having DS-era device). Even today, with a glance over most of games tagged 'visual novel' on Steam, you'll see what could be generously described as fetish pornography. So, seeing all this, I reinforced my belief that visual novels were for people who wanted some plot with their porn, and never thought much of it.

To my surprise, Steam insisted on recommending visual novels to me. I usually just tossed them aside from the recommendation queue, until I got two recommended almost back-to-back: Mice Tea and Changeling Tale.

Mice Tea had generally positive reviews, and many of them cited that the game's writing and characterization were generally humorous and appealing. So, given that it was on sale during the Steam Winter Sale, I figured it was worth a shot. Then, after basically binging on the game for 20 hours, I walked away thinking that I might have misjudged the genre on some levels.

I wouldn't say I was entirely surprised by Mice Tea - the reviews did it justice in terms of you, as the reader, wanting to root for the main cast to succeed. Most of the conflict didn't necessarily arise from an outside force, but rather internalized conflicts and the struggle to essentially be honest with yourself and those around you, risking vulnerability, essentially. At its core, I still felt like it was wish fulfillment to a significant degree, but the implausibilities were generally smoothed over enough to allow for suspension of disbelief to ride along with the story. And yeah, there... was a fair amount of catering to various fetishes and such worked in, but all in a fairly world-consistent sort-of perspective? At its core, the story was light, cheerful with moments of self-reflection and introspection, and wrapped up in a generally nice bow all in the end.

But what Mice Tea ended up doing for me, personally, was allowing me to lower my defenses during a particularly stressful point in my life, staying present in my mind when I then read over the reviews and such for Changeling Tale. I brushed off the emotion reviews, thinking that they were likely being dramatic.

I could not have been more wrong.

While set in a backdrop of old Scottish fantasy, I continually found myself impressed at how grounded Changeling Tale managed to make itself felt. I believe this is because the main character / player character of Changeling Tale (hereafter referred to as "Malcolm") is primarily reacting to the supernatural events occurring around him, rather than necessarily driving them by his own volition. Malcolm is thrust into a world that he already feels disconnected from due to his service in the military, and it cracks further open as fae magic begins seeping into the world around him.

That said, no one in the backwater town in which Malcolm has returned to handles the public appearance of fae magic particularly well, much less the three parallel storylines available to the reader between Jessie, Marion, and Grace. If anything, the most unreasonable reactions come from the player themselves, in how flippant or otherwise easygoing they handle changes happening to the people around them. That said, many decisions have a snowballing / weighted effect that can change plot directions far later on than one might expect, leading to fallings-out with friends and family, or worse.

But then something strange happened to me, as a reader, while working my way through these split storylines. Core messages seemed to stick out to me, interwoven among the stories. But they cut me straight to the core as a person; after finishing all 3 major storylines I was left shaking and bleary-eyed, wishing events could have turned out differently, desperately trying to reject the messages that had been suggested despite knowing deep-down that they were right.

"Be the best you that you can be."

"Encourage people to chase their dreams, but make sure you're pursuing your dream too."

"Sometimes peoples' dreams are irreconcilable with one another. That doesn't mean the love is gone, it just means that it isn't fair to either person."

"The size of the dream does not diminish its value; the holder of the dream determines its value."

(I intentionally omitted the storyline associations I would make)

When I held all of these thoughts together, an emotional dam burst in my heart. For years I never considered myself as having dreams or goals. For years I felt kind of confused and wondering if what I was doing mattered, or had worth. But somehow, a visual novel about fae shenanigans that dances alongside a transformation kink broadsides me with the realization that I AM where I want to be, doing what I am doing. I have a family who l love and loves me back. I am not pursuing a dream; rather, I am cultivating and maintaining a dream I have already attained. I am doing what is important to me and my family, and even if I'm not changing the world around me and leaving a name in the history books, I know that I am here and directly affecting the lives of those around me, and I'm not sure what more I could want for at this very moment.

And for the first time in quite a while, I feel content and satisfied.

[sealifewatersportsdubai]

How to Fully Enjoy Your Dubai Self-Drive Boat Tour

Want to become a captain of your own boat and have an exciting and adventurous ride along Dubai’s iconic Shoreline? If yes, then a Dubai Self-Drive Boat Tour is just tailor-made for you. A self-drive boat is the perfect way for you and that special someone to hit the ocean in luxury and ease.

Plan Your Route

Before you set sail, it's essential to plan your route. Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and JBR are iconic destinations with unique attractions. Start your journey at Dubai Marina, where you can marvel at the skyline dotted with some of the world's tallest residential towers. 

Navigate through the man-made Palm Jumeirah, shaped like a palm tree and home to luxurious resorts and villas. Finally, cruise along the coastline of JBR, known for its beachside cafes, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife.

Key Stops to Consider:

Dubai Marina: Explore the marina's waterways, admire the architectural marvels, and take in the bustling atmosphere with your self-drive boat rental in Dubai Marina.

Palm Jumeirah: A Self-Drive Boat Tour in Palm Jumeirah will let you cruise around the Palm's fronds and crescent, where you can spot the Atlantis, The Palm resort and other luxury residences.

JBR: Enjoy the lively beach area, perfect for a quick swim or a beachside stroll.

Timing is Everything

The timing of your Self-Drive Boat Tour in Dubai can significantly impact your experience. Early mornings and late afternoons are ideal for a more serene and picturesque journey. The weather is cooler, and the lighting is perfect for photography. 

If you’re an early riser, a morning tour can offer a peaceful escape before the city fully wakes up. An afternoon or sunset tour, on the other hand, provides breathtaking views as the sun sets over the Arabian Gulf, casting a golden hue over the skyline.

Add Other Water Sports to Your Adventure

Combine your Dubai Self-Drive Boat Tour with other exciting water sports activities. Many self-drive boat rentals companies include options for water skiing, wakeboarding, or paddleboarding. This can add an extra thrill to your boating adventure.

Go For Nighttime Boating

For a completely different experience, try a nighttime boat tour. Dubai’s skyline is illuminated after dark, creating a magical atmosphere on the water. Night tours offer a unique perspective of the city’s architecture and vibrant nightlife from the comfort of your boat.

Make it a Social Experience

A self-drive boat tour in Dubai is an excellent activity to share with friends and family. It’s a perfect opportunity for bonding, creating lasting memories, and experiencing the thrill of adventure together. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a day out, the shared experience will make it even more memorable. 

Enjoy the Freedom

One of the greatest advantages of a Dubai self-drive boat tour is the freedom it offers. Unlike guided tours, you can set your pace, choose your stops, and linger at spots that captivate you the most. Whether you want to spend more time admiring the architectural wonders, enjoying water sports, or simply basking in the sun, the choice is yours.

Plan Post-Tour Activities

After your boat tour, there's still plenty to explore in Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and JBR. Consider dining at a waterfront restaurant, enjoying a leisurely walk along the marina promenade, or visiting the numerous attractions these areas have to offer.

Recommended Post-Tour Activities:

Dining: Indulge in a meal at one of the many fine dining restaurants along Dubai Marina or JBR.

Shopping: Explore the high-end shops and boutiques in Dubai Marina Mall.

Leisure: Relax at a beach club or take a stroll along the JBR Walk.

Get The Best Self-Drive Boat Rental in Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and JBR:

For an unforgettable self-drive boat experience in Dubai, connect with Sea Life Dubai. Renowned for the top-notch service and fleet of well-maintained boats, Sea Life Dubai offers the perfect blend of adventure and luxury. Whether you want to navigate the vibrant waters of Dubai Marina, cruise around the iconic Palm Jumeirah, or explore the lively coastline of JBR, Sea Life Dubai ensures a seamless and exhilarating journey.

[augenblicklich-lila]

cod incorrect quotes #4

I did warn you that I have a ton of these :D

the usual jazz, mainly Y/N/reader stuff, platonic and romantic, also some suggestive stuff but I feel like that's a given with these dummies. Also has some Soapghost!

at some point, I feel like a masterlist might be useful.

- Lila

・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.✭・♛ ♛ （ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)つ━━✫・*。 ⊂　　 ノ 　　　・゜+. しーーＪ　　　°。+ *´¨)

・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.✭・♛

Y/N: Made you all playlists! Y/N: Ghost, yours has only heavy metal, and is dark like your soul. Y/N: König, yours has sad songs and blues to pair with your crippling depression. Y/N: And Soap has the ABBA Gold album.

Price: For self-defense reasons, I'm going to pretend to be a burglar and you guys have to act wisely. Ghost, Soap, & Y/N: Okay. Price: If you don't want to die, give me all your money. Soap: Bold of you to assume I have money. Ghost: Bold of you to assume I don't want to die. Y/N: Bold of you to assume I can die.

Y/N: Subs are so fun to play with. All you have to do is hint at what you might do, back them into a corner with a look, or grab their wrist in a certain way and they're a wide-eyed mess. Ghost: What the fuck kind of Subway are you going to? Soap: Substitute teachers deal with so much shit. Gaz: Guys.

Soap: I just found out from Gaz today that when Sheperd died and the service did the 21-gun salute at his funeral, Y/N said, “They should aim at the coffin to be sure.”

Gaz: What’s up with Ghost? He's been laying on the floor for like….an hour now? Soap: He's just a little overwhelmed. Gaz: Why? Soap: Y/N smiled at him.

Price: sees Ghost and Soap together Price: They're cute. I would put them on a boat. Y/N: You mean… you ship them?

Y/N: I am darkness. I am power. I am your worst nightmare. I could kill a man in more ways than you can imagine. I am the night. I am fury, I am a weapon, I am- Soap: A doll. Gaz: A cinnamon roll. Ghost: A sweetheart. Y/N: Y/N: …stop it.

Price, teaching Y/N to drive: Okay, you're driving and Soap and Graves walk into the road. Quick, what do you hit? Y/N: Oh, definitely Graves. I could never hurt Soap. Price, massaging his temples: The brakes. You hit the brakes.

Y/N: You were stabbed. Do you remember anything? Ghost: Only the ambulance ride to the hospital. Y/N: That wasn't an ambulance, I drove you. Ghost: But I heard a siren. Gaz: That was Soap. Soap: Sorry, I got nervous.

Y/N: That's ridiculous, Ghost doesn't have a crush on me. Price: Yes, he does. Gaz: Yes, he does. Ghost: Yes I do.

Gaz: What is it called when you kill a friend? Ghost: Homicide. Soap: Murder. Y/N: Homiecide.

König: What is love? Alejandro: An emotional minefield. Ghost: A neurochemical reaction. Y/N & Soap: Baby don't hurt me.

・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.✭・♛ 　 ∧＿∧ （｡･ω･｡)つ━☆・*。 ⊂　　 ノ 　　　・゜+. しーＪ　　　°。+ *´¨) “Hie thee home, little wanderer.”

・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.✭・♛

[hinamie]

Your "sympathy for Cain" piece is killing me even more than it did before, because it seems that Yuuji tossed the finger because he still, despite Sukuna's threat, wanted to leave open the opportunity of giving him another chance? And trusted Sukuna to take a different path in the future? And how that ties with not actually forgetting Gojo —mimicking his strength in the form not of power, but in Gojo's drive to teach people so that they are not "left behind", and giving "problematic children" second chances— it melts my heart. How kind Yuuji is, how tenderhearted, how optimistic despite everything, how soft. And thus why precisely he's so strong. Yeah... Your sympathy for Cain piece is really hammering my whole body right now haha

Thanks for making it and sharing it with us all! And all your other pieces too. Thanks for the ride, overall

You're very welcome omg :'> full transparency i drew that piece as a vent bc i personally was feeling left behind n lonely in life that particular day, and as is normally the case w my vent art I didn't like the final product very much ..,, while I was drawing it I was thinking a lot about my fears that even the people closest to me will one day move on and leave me behind to be stuck in my ways until I die, but I'm in the same boat as you now with the context of the final chapter. the message that there are people like yuuji who are so sure of the potential for goodness in others and refuse to give up on people no matter their shortcomings or past actions, and that people like sukuna can self-reflect and choose to change despite it all.... yeah their ending struck a pretty major chord with me too

the sukuna/yuuji dynamic drives me lowkey in sain already, and i'm very happy to assign a new, more hopeful meaning to a piece that came from such a dark mental place initially <3 i'm touched that it resonated with you as well

and thank you for sticking by me through this rollercoaster of a manga!! this series still has me in a death grip so I'm not planning on going anywhere, but in the spirit of the final chapter, let me just say it's been a blessing drawing for u all up until this point so truly from the bottom of my heart, thank u <333

[starblightbindery]

Binder's Note for Forms by Trebia

How Forms fits in the long tradition of Star Wars fanfic.

My hope is that this project captures a snapshot in time from Star Wars fandom het shippers between December 2015 and December 2017, before the franchise confirmed any emotional intimacy—if you can call it that— between Rey and Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017).

Trebia, then aged 24, wrote and published the first chapter of Forms on Archive of Our Own on December 18th, 2015—the exact release date of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. When posting this first chapter, Trebia noted, “I’m just working off of memory from the one viewing I saw last night.” The entirety of the fanfic was completed and posted an exact month later, making this fic historically significant in Star Wars fandom as one of the earliest published “Reylo” stories.

A serialized novella that was churned out in an astonishingly short time frame, Forms is notable for predicting many elements of The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019), including the Reylo Force bond, Rey walking away from her training with Luke Skywalker, Kylo Ren pleading with Rey to join him, and Kylo Ren pushing his Force energy into Rey to save her life.

Throughout the story, Trebia mashed new and old Star Wars elements together—characters like the Mandalorians and Admiral Daala, settings like Illum and Kuat⁠—evincing her fondness for the Galaxy Far, Far Away. Forms has classic tropes from this franchise, like stealing a uniform to go undercover in an enemy base and the forced proximity of a “Slow Boat to Bespin.” Present in Forms are scads of fan theories from between the release of The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. These included the theory that—echoing a Legends plot line from Dark Empire (1991) where somehow Palpatine returns and Luke Skywalker joins the dark side to try and take him down from the inside—Kylo Ren had strategic reasons for his apprenticeship to Snoke. Like many Reylo fan-works set in-universe, Trebia lends justification to his many antisocial acts, part of shipper efforts to make the character more self-relevant and sympathetic.

Forms weaves in tantalizing threads that were tossed around by fans and concept artists but ultimately not pursued, including Dark Rey, Stormpilot (Finn/Poe Dameron), and Rey's saberstaff. Trebia even predicted the Kuat Drive Yards plot line started in The Last Jedi (Rose Tico’s contempt for weapon's manufacturers on Canto Bight) and continued in the abandoned Episode IX: Duel of Fates script by Colin Trevorrow. Forms also addresses loose ends that probably should have been covered for a more cohesive nine film saga, like the Chosen One prophecy and direct interaction between Anakin Skywalker and Kylo Ren.

No discussion of Forms can be complete without also placing it in the context of Star Wars fandom in 2016. Reylo was a fringe pairing that made intuitive sense to many Star Wars fans, particularly women; however, prior to The Last Jedi, the ship was dwarfed by the popularity of slash ships like Finn/Poe and Kylo Ren/Hux. At the time, many fans theorized that Rey was Luke Skywalker’s long-lost daughter, making her Ben Solo’s first cousin, making Reylo an incest ship.

As noted on the Fanlore wiki, the tags on this fic changed over time. In addition to “Riding the bus to hell either way” Trebia joked with tags like “Possible incest?” and “Not incest until proven guilty in the court of law.” Following the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Trebia celebrated by replacing those tags with a celebratory “IT AIN’T INCEST.”

The story's strong influence in early Reylo fandom reflected a hunger for more Star Wars romances about the pull between light and dark. After all, the sequel trilogy did not set up Kylo Ren as a horned, alien-appearing monster or a wrinkled geezer. Unblemished by the ravages of the dark side, Kylo Ren was depicted with pillow lips and a fabulous, voluminous coiffure unencumbered by his helm (which really should have flattened it to his scalp.) The groundwork for a lightsider/darksider romance was previously explored in other Expanded Universe stories. At the forefront of these were watered down lightsider/darkside romances like the tepidly written romance between Luke Skywalker and former Palpatine agent Mara Jade. Given Mara Jade was hardly a champion of the dark side, there was no risk of corrupting Skywalker. But the Expanded Universe also boasted stories that played with this dynamic, like the twisted connection between Fable Astin and Jaalib Brandl by Patricia A. Jackson for the Star Wars Adventure Journal (1994), the conflict between Jaina Solo and Zekk in Kevin J. Anderson's Young Jedi Knights (1996),or the passion between Darth Revan and Bastila Shan in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003). In this respect, Forms and the rest of the Reylo fan fiction oeuvre continues the grand fan tradition of Star Wars villain fucking.

“Darksider and lightsider conflict is one of the most fascinating points of Star Wars,” Trebia said in 2016, when interviewed by Spencer Kornhaber for The Atlantic. “Rey and Kylo represent the fight to find the balance.” Yet, at the time, the fledgling “Reylo” ship was abhorred by affirmational Star Wars fans who despised the emphasis on shipping with a female gaze, as well as scorned by media commentators who found the ship to be “problematic.” In male-dominated, established fan spaces like Reddit and Jedi Council Forums, discussion of Reylo was effectively banned by moderators through the freezing of threads. In other fandom spaces like Twitter and Tumblr, discourse about Reylo mirrored larger purity culture. The ship became a convenient target for alt-right misogynists, and also for anti‑shippers concerned that the ship “romanticized abuse.” Productive and unproductive debate arose around media consumption construed as agreement or approval, whether a sympathetic Kylo Ren lends people to give more latitude to real-life white right-wing men with anger management problems (or if it's the other way around), and if shippers can tell the difference between a fictional antihero and the same dangerous thing in real life. Critiques of Reylo fandom also included the implicit racism inherent in the sidelining of John Boyega’s heroic character Finn in favor of white whiny fascist Kylo Ren. (It did not help that 2016 also saw the election where white American women voters decided to displace a competent Black man with a white whiny fascist.)

In the September 2020 issue of the Journal of Fandom Studies, Andrea Marshall notes that Reylo “fan fiction acts as a locus of resistance to gendered oppression as feminist authors construct selves that critique the source material and the fandom for gendered oppression within tropes and attitudes.” By having Rey actually interact with and befriend a woman other than Leia, Forms already improves on the source material. It's a delight to see Forms depict older women over age fifty who are plot-significant and interact which one another, if only because Star Wars movies are fairly gender regressive. On the other hand, Rey's strategy to convert Kylo back to the light is to uh, suck the badness out of him. It's Padmé Amidala logic—sure, he arranged the wholesale slaughter of an entire village, but he can also deftly finger you to orgasm! Granted, Star Wars is infamously a franchise of excuse making, where really shitty dudes manage to turn it around and do the right thing at the last minute. Forms also doesn't push all that hard to actively resist the neo-fascist allegory in the sequel trilogy, particularly in Trebia's appendix, which dissatisfactorily explains that all of the First Order war criminals in the story ended up as instructors in military academies. (Who would even hire them, Albus Dumbledore?!)

Fics like Forms led to “ship wars” discourse, which led to the publication of ozhawkauthor's “The Three Laws of Fandom” meta essay on January 1st, 2016. “Laws” is a bit of a misnomer since there is no enforcement body; the essay is more of a request for courtesy in fandom spaces. The laws were also meant to apply specifically to shipping, not fandom or media criticism as a whole. “It’s not up to you to decide what other people are allowed to like or not like, to create or not to create,” wrote ozhawkauthor. “That’s censorship. Don’t do it.”

For fans conscious of fandom history and the impact of censorship in spaces like FanFiction.net and Livejournal, ozhawkauthor's guidelines—(1) Don't like; don't read, (2) Your ship is not my ship, (3)Ship and let ship—felt intuitive. This is reflected in spaces like my bookbinding guild, Renegade, which—similar to Archive of Our Own—takes a hands off approach to policing content. This did not prevent widespread handwringing about Reylo content. Star Wars fan ughwhyben reflected on the “gigantic fandom that is suddenly experiencing a renaissance, where an influx of mainstream folk are trickling into (or running into) the fic side for possibly the first time right now and don’t have this training. It’s like we’re flickering back and forth between the modern evolution of fic side fannish culture and what things were like in, for example, 2001 when I first stumbled in.”

Decades ago, in May 1981, Lucasfilm reacted to the publication of “Slow Boat to Bespin” by Anne Elizabeth Zeek & Barbara Wenk by declaring a ban on smut in fan fiction. I've included in the errata of this binding a letter from 1981 written by the Star Wars fanclub president to circulating fanzines threatening legal action. While slash was also caught in this net—disproportionately targeted given non-explicit gay romance was not okay even though Star Wars has non-explicit het romance—it was this fairly tame (by fic standards) heteronormative fic, featuring Han Solo and Princess Leia, that signaled to Lucasfilm that smutty fanfic was no longer on the fringes and now needed to be addressed to protect the “wholesomeness” of the franchise. Subsequently, fanfic writers had to make a conscious decision to flout Lucasfilm’s policy and go forth with propagating their smut.

And, in 2016, of all the ships in all of fandom, it was the Reylo Star Wars pairing, featuring this specific heteronormative female power fantasy (of being able to leash a villain by the dick to drag him back to the light) that led to a communal reaffirmation of these fandom norms. In her interviews with the The Atlantic, Trebia directly quotes from the Three Laws of Fandom, endorsing “ship and let ship” as a basis for creating Reylo fanworks. “I am fully involved in the garbage compactor that is this pairing, and I love it,” Trebia said. “No matter what way it goes, I will stick with it.”

After studying early romance novels from the late 1600s and early 1700s, Ros Ballaster observed a polarity between didactic love fiction and amatory fiction. Didactic love stories are sweet—aspirational, moral, and idealized—while amatory fiction is spicy—erotic, transgressive, untethered from social sanction. We do see representations of didactic love in Reylo fan fiction, particularly in contemporary romance “Modern AUs” like Ali Hazelwood's The Love Hypothesis (2021)where the Kylo's homicidal Sith rage is sanitized to a more socially-acceptable grumpy academic brooding. One can comfortably bring Adam Carlsen, Ph.D home to meet Mother. But certainly, the majority of Reylo fic written by fans gravitate towards and come with the self awareness of the amatory. For one, Trebia loudly proclaims in her Chapter Two author note: “MORE TRASH FOR THE TRASH GOD.”

Discourse over the “morality” of Reylo fan fiction tends to overlook the distinction between the didactic and the amatory. As compelling as the idea of a “Force dyad” is in fantasy, this relationship is not meant to be aspirational in a literal sense. Yet, readers of Reylo fiction were and continue to have to defend their interest in the archetype with disclaimers—yes, it's trash, yes, I know it's problematic—while men in fandom are not held to the same standards when it comes to “problematic” media they consume or enjoy, whether it's a Michael Bay blockbuster film or male-gaze pornography.

As Deborah Lutz notes, “The Dangerous Lover Romance” is a centuries old, conventional way to represent erotic desire and romantic love. The “sublimely tormented Byronic hero” is hardly groundbreaking, to the extent that Rian Johnson's depiction of Reylo in The Last Jedi subverts the trope—at the end of the film Rey isn't enchanted, she's repulsed. The same way Star Wars replicates Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey monomyth, Reylo stories like Forms reflect the broad appeal of the “how-the-turntables” Dangerous Lover romance—where the woman protagonist, initially subjugated by the debased, restless misanthrope, ends up subjugating him through her strength of will and the power of love. Trebia's Kylo even sports malevolent scars like so many Gothic male romantic leads before him—always on the face. In the Gothic romance, the heroine accesses socially undesirable aspects—power, rage, craving, desire—as expressed by her double, the Dangerous Lover. His presence in the story provides a basis for her disinhibition. The Reylo ship follows a well-trodden cultural script of transgressive female desire.

Forms the fan fiction novella is a notable cultural artefact reflecting a distinct period of time in Star Wars fandom. At the time, Reylo fanfic held all the promise of improved representation for women characters, crossed with the instinctual, regressive insistence that maintains a white male character in the forefront. Reylo fan fiction produced in early 2016 also led to the reification of anti-censorship values in fandom. Seven years later, a fandom that was once derided has gone fully mainstream, as fic writers like Ali Hazelwood, Ashley Poston, and Thea Guanzon top traditional publishing bestseller lists. What Trebia knocked out, hours after her introduction to the characters, is now it's own Star Wars literary tradition.

[floridaboiler]

What a Young Man Should Know, 1933. A checklist for becoming a proper man.

This was published in the March 1933 issue of Harper’s Magazine.

The writer, Robert Littell, details the abilities, skills, accomplishments, and extra-curricular proficiencies that every man should have if they are to become a self-sufficient and well-rounded human being, ready for life, and eventually, marriage and raising their own children. The learning starts from a very young age.

Here is the (short) list:

1. He should know how to swim at least a mile, dive creditably, and not feel panicky under water. He should be able also to revive those less skilful than himself by rolling them on a barrel and pumping their helpless arms.

2. He should be able to drive an automobile well. And he should not be altogether helpless when a car breaks down. He must know how to change a tire and offer some sort of diagnosis when the engine sputters and dies.

3. He ought to know how to clean, load, and shoot a revolver or a rifle.

4. As for self-defense, a man should certainly be able to take care of himself in a scrap. He need not learn jujitsu — old-fashioned boxing will be enough.

5. He ought to know the rudiments of camping, how to build a fire, how to chop wood, how to take a cinder out of his eye, how to deal with a severed artery, how to doctor himself for ordinary ailments.

6. He should also be able to take care of other people in emergencies, to apply first aid, set a broken bone, revive a drunk or a victim of gas, deal with a fainting fit, administer the right emetic or antidote for a case of poisoning.

7. And he should be able to feed himself, to cook, not only because some day he may need to, but because cooking is one of the fine arts, and a source of infinite pleasure. He should be able to scramble eggs, brew coffee, broil a steak, dress a salad, carve a chicken, and produce, on occasion, one first-class dish, such as onion soup. The more he can do, in these days of the delicatessen store and the kitchenette, the better. It is not effeminate, it is not beyond him, and the best chefs are all men.

8. He should know how to use paint brushes, a saw, a hammer, and other common tools.

9. He should also have a beautiful and distinguished handwriting. But the bulk of his writing, particularly if he is a professional man who has much of it to do, should be done on a typewriter, capable of turning out three thousand words an hour.

10. He should play one outdoor game well, and have a workable smattering of several more. An American who cannot throw and catch a ball seems pathetic and grotesque.

11. The bicycle has gone, yet every young man should know how to ride one.

12. He should also be able to skate, sail a boat, and handle a canoe passably.

13. Fishing is a specialty, like chess.

14. Walking is a noble but neglected sport. Americans “hike” once in a long while but seldom walk.

15. He should know a great deal about animals and how to take care of them.

16. He should know how to ride a horse.

17. He should learn how to stay in a saddle with pleasure to himself and a minimum of annoyance to his mount.

18. He should learn how to dance.

19. He should know to play at least one card game.

20. He must have knowledge of how to tip naturally, justly, without fear and without reproach.

21. On the matter of alcohol, he should learn his capacity and stick within its limits; he should know something about the different kinds of drink, and which drinks produce chaos within him when mixed.

22. Where s:x is concerned, nature clearly intended us to make many mistakes in her hope that some of them would be productive.

23. He should know the rudiments of gambling. But gambling might be placed on the same plane as drink — the less use one has for it the better.

24. Higher than almost any other accomplishment on the list is knowing music. There is no reason why any young man who is not absolutely tone-deaf should not learn how to play one musical instrument well enough for it to be a self-resource and a tolerable pleasure to others.

25. A civilized man should know how to read. The ability to read, or rather the habit of reading, is very rare even among intelligent people, and has to be taught and kept up if it is not to become rusty.

26. He should have knowledge of at least one foreign language. French or German preferably both. German children learn an amazingly good brand of English without ever crossing their borders. Why can’t we? For one thing, we don’t really want to. Yet we should. An American who knows only English is blind in one eye.

27. He should know to travel well, efficiently, without fuss or complaint.

28. A young man should be able to express himself clearly before a crowd of strangers, without shyness, muddle, or a pathetic resort to “so much has been said and well said” or “I did not expect to be called on.”

29. The British adult can get to his feet, propose a toast, introduce a stranger, voice a civic protest, heckle a windbag politician, and give utterance to an unembarrassed thought.

30. A a man should command the elementary tool of written language, and be able to put simple things on paper in clear words.

31. He should have a good workable understanding of the structure of business, investments, and banks.

32. Let every educated man, as a necessary part of his education, be thrown into the muddy stream of American industry and see what it is like to swim alone on daily wages.

33. He should before reaching twenty-two have done something because he wanted to, whether other people wanted him to do it or not.

34. He should not acquire property unless he needs it. Insensitiveness to his personal property, unless of course it is extraordinarily beautiful, is a desirable skill for any man to have; It must be learned and worked at.

35. Unusual though this young man may be, he should not seem so. Is not a parent’s basic ambition for his child that he be very different from other people, yet manage to seem almost exactly like them?