#so it's important considering the long run

[ultramaga]

The idea that scientists are settled about gravity is hilarious.

For example, one idea about dark energy was that it was an illusion - gravity just behaves differently at long ranges.

I think leftists have at best a low school understanding of physics, which is understandable considering how much of their time is spent mastering the ten million gender pronouns they invented in the last week.

We KNOW that Newton was wrong - Einstein proved it a century ago.

We also KNOW that Einstein is wrong and quantum mechanics is wrong. These incredibly useful predictive formulas that underpin our civilisation CONTRADICT.

A century has been spent trying to reconcile them.

Just as an example - does antimatter fall up or down?

It's not a trivial question. If antimatter was repelled rather than attracted, it would explain why we exist.

We should not.

Antimatter and matter should have formed and neutralised each other.

If gravity can repel, then there's an equal amount of antimatter galaxies and perhaps life - it's just too far away to interact.

So they tested it.

Bummer, there goes that idea. Are we going to bump into an antimatter galaxy? It's a pretty big deal that we understand gravity to decide whether we need to pack our bags and run.

Is FTL possible?

Yes, if antigravity can be manufactured.

Can it?

We are at the stage of a definite maybe and have sat there for near a century. It's not forbidden. It should be, but it is not.

Our gravity theory is wrong, we know it is, we have spent billions trying to find something better, and we are stuck.

So the last thing we need is Leftists with

Recently, Leftists demanded access to the records of how funding for education was controlled.

If you look at past decades, America was world class, cutting far ahead of everyone else in discovery and innovation.

But under Leftists, every student became an activist instead. The science was settled. Why even bother trying to find something new?

[dashcon-two]

An Important Notice for Panel and Vendor Applications!

We’re very excited for Panel Applications to open tomorrow, and wanted to share some more information about the application process! 

Panel applications open February 10th, 9 am EST, and will close February 15th, 9 pm EST. Shortlisted panellists will be contacted to arrange an interview and discuss further details at a later time. Shortlisting is not a guarantee that you will run a panel. 

For those unaware, panels kinda like convention breakout rooms. They’re typically lecture-style presentations to a small audience of guests! Think ‘powerpoint night where I yap about my hyperfixation’ but on a larger scale, with topics ranging from professional artists giving advice, to in-depth breakdowns of specific media. There’s a lot of diversity, and panels can take forms beyond what we’ve outlined: a trivia show, an art trade, a skill-building workshop, et cetera. We’re open to all your wildest and whackiest ideas!

Initial applications are pretty basic: all you need is a description. Tell us about your panel idea in 1-2 paragraphs at most, and how long you’ll need to run it. A maximum of 7 people are permitted to panel together, but 1-2 people are standard. Applicants may discuss their qualifications or attach a partial or completed slideshow to their application, but these are both optional. 

Our guidelines for panel content are available on the Panel Applications of our website. All panelists will also have to follow our Convention Policies. Please know that DashCon 2 will not permit 18+/Adult content to be discussed or presented during panels. Any violation of these rules will result in the immediate cancellation of a panel, and the offending panelist’s pass being revoked. 

Panelists will not have to pay for a convention pass, but we encourage all applicants to purchase tickets on February 22nd as we cannot guarantee spots in advance. Panelists who have purchased a ticket will be offered a refund. Unfortunately, DashCon 2 cannot refund the processing fees taken by Simpli Events nor those of their transaction processing service Stripe. We do not offer compensation for travel or other expenses occurred as a result of volunteering for DashCon 2. 

Since panellists are considered volunteers, they are free to explore the convention outside the bounds of their panel. However, panellists are expected to have signed in and to be on-call 30 minutes before and after their scheduled panel time. Panellists who do not check in before or show up to their panel will have their pass revoked.

Vendor Applications Will Close Soon!

This a reminder that Vendor applications are still open!! Thank you to everyone who applied to be a vendor, we’re really excited to host so many incredible artists. We’ve decided to close applications on Wednesday, February 12th at 9PM EST. We will be contacting successful applicants before the 22nd, so others will still have the option to buy tickets!

As always, you can find more at www.dashcontwo.com, or subscribe to our mailing list over on substack!

[mandareeboo]

Fanfic Preview: "World's Greatest Actor"

Title: World's Greatest Actor

Summary: Stan does his greatest con yet: pretending he remembers his family.

He's quickly realizing that forgetting his memory didn't make him forget how much he cares about these people. He starts to make two mental piles- stuff Stanley knew, and stuff Stan knows. He knows the kinds of TV he likes. He knows that he enjoys counting cards, and there's a tickle in the back of his throat from what he guesses is a need to smoke. Things he's done every day of his life aren't missing, just the memories associated with them.

So he sneaks into his office. Gotta be clues in an office, right?

The place is a wreck. A big safe is indented into the floor (he'll have to crack it later- important shit in a safe), fractured bookshelves with piles of books on business and physics all over the room, upturned boxes and a beaten-up old printer. Stan carefully picks up every single piece of paper he can find, cursing his sore back, before flopping into an overstuffed chair.

He finds out a lot. Mostly about the Mystery Shack. He's clearly been running this scheme for a long time- and it's a good one, considering the numbers. A lot of tax loopholes he's pretty sure aren't entirely legal, but fuck the government and the cops. There's a garishly big picture of himself on the wall, torn in places from all the hell this house has been through, and he checks it just to see if there's anything behind it. Nothing.

Then he finds the IDs. Stan wonders, aimlessly, why he hadn't chucked them out. It's damning evidence. There's an old monitor and keyboard under the desk that he's pretty sure wasn't part of the office originally, dusty and badly-kept, but he's not quite as bad at computers as the kids seem to think he is, so he flicks the button and powers the thing on. He looks himself up. All of himself.

Stan doesn't find a lot- lazy ass cops didn't bother putting old criminal records online unless they had a reason- but there's enough he knows he did a stint in Columbia and a couple of more out-there crimes (what did the llama know, anyway?). He's been featured in numerous articles by a Shandra Jimenez, so he takes a risk and shoots her an email. She gets back to him with all the footage she has of him- something about storing it on a cloud for when he keeled over, or something.

[baphometsss]

AND ANOTHER THING oml I'll shut up in a minute I swear

Solas's view of the modern people of Thedas obviously influenced the way he saw his relationships with them. How could he connect with people so disconnected from the Fade when he himself was borne from its magic? There's no bridge for them to meet on because he himself severed it, unlike the ancient elvhen or spirit friends he made before. The mental circles this man was running in I stg... It would've only heightened his sense that the Veil needed to come down urgently, so he could bring his 'true' or 'real' friends back.

Yet he does end up forging bonds with the inner circle because ironically it's only through that process of being disconnected from his past (and by extension, his relationships, which up until this point have all been with spirits or manifested spirits) that he's able to be more authentically himself than ever before. There's no pretence of Fen'harel. At what point does he stop seeing his friends in the Inquisition and his love for the Inquisitor as inferior to the bonds he forged with the ancient elves and spirits? When does he start seeing them as 'real', and that Felassan was right? You can very easily say that his friendships with the Inquisition were strong enough to be at least equal to them, that without a war or a rebellion to spearhead, his true nature could shine through more clearly than it had in aeons. I would even go as far as saying that it reminded him of his friendship with Mythal, the version of her he treasured most--her spirit form, which she did not value as much as he did, because it was where they were at their simplest and most peaceful. While distracted from the weight of duty and responsibility, he found that place once again--only this time, from within a physical body, possibly for the first time ever.

However, I do truly believe what Trick was saying when they said that in order to fully appreciate the emotional depth of Solas you have to romance him. Falling in love with the Inquisitor adds a layer of depth to his character that can't be found with friendship. Like I said, the friendship is obviously important enough, but for this man, who has canonically never known romantic love, he finds himself understanding it on a level he could never have anticipated.

Pardon me while I get a bit philosophical here, but I think true love (platonic or romantic) is how we touch infinity. You go beyond yourself in love; your ego transcends and you live in total alignment not just with your own being but the being of another. Experiencing that romantically after only ever witnessing it from the outside is one thing; to be made a part of that kind of love in such an all-consuming way (which is in itself a spiritual experience) is another thing entirely.

Now imagine being an immortal manifested spirit of Wisdom who thinks he's seen it all, enough to be cocksure that a romance won't disrupt your plans or make you consider abandoning your duty, and then... boom. You fall in love with a mortal, and it totally consumes you and makes you consider the true breadth of your own existence and meaning in the world the way only romantic love does, and now you think you've actually changed so dramatically that uhh... yeah. Those plans might not be the best idea after all. Maybe this love is greater than duty, maybe it's greater than the sunk cost fallacy and the mental circles you've been running around in for thousands of years. Maybe this is worth saving more than the Empire of Elvhenan.

That's, I think, the moment he realises that he was wrong about his relationships in the past being more important, and when he realises that the love he shares with these mortals is equally, or even more, important than those bonds from the past. Because these people don't make him pine for spirithood like he did with Mythal and Felassan. And if this is the case, what does he lose, on balance, with all he has gained? The ancient elves have been gone a long time already by this point, and as Cole points out--they're not gone so long as you remember them. In fact, Solas wants to give up his goals, he wants to give up his dream of seeing Elvhenan restored and Mythal avenged. He says so himself and very nearly follows through.

The problem is that he can't. He can't give up now. It's already in motion. It's too late. All his understanding and revelations have to fall by the wayside so he can see it all through. His own heart has to die so he can bring back what he thought he wanted most before. The guilt alone would be enough to destroy him, so giving it up would never have worked anyway. The catch-22 is the tragedy, and how he becomes more corrupted--because now he has to go against his own wisdom and heart.

[bunnwich]

I just found out a Prince of Egypt Musical exists, and one of the addition songs— 'footprints on the sand'— really gives me Leona vibes

(Spotify link to the song)

https://open.spotify.com/track/40PqpFQdrylghRZgY36W8G?si=wATkespmQyar931PNnNc8A&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A7MOGTYjo3ifwHDBf0EBE71

(Genius lyrics)

https://genius.com/Original-west-end-cast-of-the-prince-of-egypt-footprints-on-the-sand-lyrics

So since you're— at least in my view— one of the Leona experts, I was wondering what your thoughts would be on it!

Not that it fits perfectly; no song ever really fits 100%, after all. But I think it has strong Leona vibes

Leona VS The Weight of Insignificance

(Ahhh sorry I am just getting around to this.;-; BTW DFGHJK I’m flattered that you consider me a Leona expert??)

So this is pretty cool because I didn't realize there was a Prince of Egypt Musical? I’m a big fan of the animated movie and of musicals so I’ll have to listen to the rest someday!

So, I think in general the theme of “Footprints in The Sand” is about the idea of “trying to leave a mark” in life, but feeling like it won't matter in the long run and also exploring the insignificance that we all feel as people.

That being said, I can see why this song made you think of Leona! It brought up some feelings about what being second-born in a royal lineage means and how that can make someone feel insignificant just in concept. The spare heir if you will. 

It's interesting because it also made me think about how Leona has such complicated feelings about his title too?

Like on the one hand, he feels like he's “forever in the shadow of Falena” but at the same time, I DO think a small part of him secretly enjoys the mobility of not having the reasonability of king and therefore the first few lines of the song before it fades into him sounding more melancholic made me think of this.

(AND ALSO since we’ve seen how he would handle being king in his Chapter 7 Dream OOF.) My thoughts on that: X

The second son– My father's wrong (THIS LINE TOO) It's got to be the easiest role on Earth Just play around Just play along Enjoy the bounty of my birth So what's today's amusement For this second son? Which one shall I choose from so many kinds of fun?

I think it leads back to the age-old conclusion about Leona’s character (that his dream really hammered home), is that being king is NOT what he truly wants and it more comes to feeling worthy as a person as if he has to “justify” his own existence of feeling useless. It’s more about the kind of attention he craves. To be useful, respected, adored. 

The song mentions the fear of not leaving behind a legacy and feeling the weight of your own insignificance as a person. I can see how both the characters of Moses and Leona both struggle with “finding their purpose” and not being able to see their own worth like others who care about them do. 

It made me think of the song (also in Prince of Egypt) “Through Heaven's Eyes” which I feel actually continues this theme. The idea that even if you can’t see your OWN value that everyone���has their own innate value as people—and that in itself is meaningful.

A single thread in a tapestry Though its color brightly shines Can never see its purpose In the pattern of the grand design And the stone that sits on the very top Of the mountains mighty face Does it think it's more important Than the stones that form the base?

For Leona—the people he acts as a mentor to like—Ruggie, Epel and Savanaclaw as a whole—have a pretty high opinion of him despite his flaws. And the fact that he can’t always see that and appreciate that value that he unconsciously and consciously brings to them reflects this. He has and will leave an impact even if it's not as “important” as a king. And he could do even more good if he actually tried to do so.

I think it’s a lesson we all struggle with TBH, the whole: seeing our inherent value as people and it’s def why I think Leona is a more relatable character than he first appears in twst. :3

Thank you for sharing with me though! I love finding stuff like this! I hope you have a wonderful day/night!💚

[chemicalcindercat]

Children of Gotham

(Setting/Worldbuilding for the Deity AU I'm working on.)

Gotham has been called many things over the years. A long, long time ago she was considered a continent. Today, most refer to her as a city. 

Gotham isn’t her true name. Gotham is a word humans have assigned to a concept their minds can barely grasp, the same as “continent” or “city”. None of the humans truly understand how far Gotham extends, but that’s okay. Their minds are feeble, simple, not meant to understand those concepts that are above them. Gotham is much more than a city, and her influence extends far outside of the boundaries that the humans have assigned her, but she doesn’t mind. Let them think they know her. It’s endearing. So she accepts the name Gotham with pride, and watches over her humans loyally. 

The humans think they know everything, and she allows it.

The humans know next to nothing. They don’t even know how much they rely on her for help in times of need. But that’s okay; she doesn’t need sacrifices or praise like some of the other gods. She takes pride in their resilience, and the tough skin they become known for. She admires their ability to trust in her and continue to live their lives during disasters. Gotham’s people are easily the most courageous and stubborn people in the world, and she loves them for it. 

Like all humans, they aren’t perfect, and sometimes her people make grievous mistakes. She easily forgives them- they’re only human, after all- and protects them from themselves. And when the consequences of their mistakes start to spiral out of her control, she chooses her favorite children- those who love her people almost as much as she does- to step up and help her protect the others. It doesn’t happen often; in an entire population of special people, it takes an extra special person to stand out to her. But there are those with a potential to do so much good, so she tugs at the strings of their fates and grants them abilities to help them live up to their full potential. 

Gotham sees a man whose heart is already so full of love, yet never seems to run out of room to love others, even in the face of grief. A man who chooses peaceful resolution, despite being perfectly capable of great violence, and chooses to teach his peaceful ways to others. She grants him the ability to protect and heal the ones he loves, as long as he continues to encourage others to choose peaceful ways.

Gotham sees a little boy blinded by his grief for his parents, whose only goal is to make the one responsible pay in blood. A man who learns the error of his ways too late; a life stolen in vengeance that cannot be returned. A man with the potential to change the world for the better by seeing the good in everyone. She grants this man a second chance with the ability to see people in all of their complicated glory, the bits of good and bad that swirl together to make each person human. All she asks in return is that he tries to change the terrible ways of the world, to protect others who are hurt the way he once was, and to strive to make the world a better place.

Gotham sees a boy whose dreams are bigger than any other. A boy learns to fly and still wants to touch the stars. A boy who loves his parents so deeply he would do anything to make them happy, and can’t understand why they still have to constantly look over their shoulders as if being chased by a nightmare. She grants him the ability to bring comfort and safety to others in the form of their dreams. A mind is a powerful thing- one of the most important parts of a person, second only to their soul- and she gives him the power to hold someone’s mind in his hands and weave together their dreams or nightmares as he sees fit, as long as he never gives up on those extraordinary dreams that make him so special.

Gotham sees a boy who is shown the darkness of the world from a young age, and embraces it with open arms. She sees a boy who’s father beats him, who’s mother chooses to feed her addictions rather than to feed her son, and who’s forced to live a hard, tough life on the streets. She sees a boy who learns to find comfort and familiarity in his hunger pains, and chooses to share his food with the corner-girls. She sees a boy who never stops hoping that someday things will get better, that somebody out there will love him. She sees a boy who knows how to comfort everyone but himself. She sees a child who dies too young, waiting desperately for a father that comes too late. She gives him the power to bring comfort to others’ in their final moments; the same comfort he longed for as he died. She gives him the ability to be a friendly face, a kind touch, strong arms for the souls who die too young, to carry them to the other side. She gives him a second chance at life, as long as he never forgets the pain and loneliness she delivered him from, and doesn’t let another soul feel that way. 

Gotham sees a boy that nobody wanted, left in an empty house by parents whose standards were impossible to meet. She sees a boy who fights tirelessly for people who don’t want him, people he will never be good enough for. She sees a boy whose soul is almost devoured by the person he looked up to the most. She sees a boy determined to bring back his dad, alone (once more) in his endeavors when nobody else believes him. She sees a boy willing to secretly sacrifice himself for his dad; not for the glory, or the attention, or because he loves his dad, but because it’s what is best for the people of Gotham. So when he trades places with his dad to become lost in time, she brings him into her arms and pulls him back to where he should be. She grants him the ability to bend time to his will, to turn back the clock and be the only one to remember it, this boy who proved himself capable of handling loneliness. She gives him alone the ability to change history, as long as he continues to use his powers to benefit others and never himself.

Gotham has many more special children. Some choose to use the powers she grants them for good. In the rare case that her child defies her rule for them, she claims their soul for herself. Unfortunately, unless a rule is blatantly disobeyed, she can not interfere directly. There are those who find loopholes in her rules, who manage to use their Gotham-given powers in a way to only benefit themselves and harm others, and she can do nothing about it. So she entrusts her other children with the responsibility of finding ways to stop them.

Gotham loves her children. She holds them close to her (metaphorical) heart, both those who are loyal to her and those who have turned their backs on her. She guides them in the best way she can, and trusts them and their humanness to make the right choices.

And she sits back and enjoys the show.

[icecoldbeauty]

Personally, quitting was the best choice I think I could've made at that time. I made so many memories and connections that are extremely important to me afterwards- I likely would not have gotten to meet as many people as I have, go as many places, and try so many other things if I stayed. It was extremely freeing for me, but that was because I had over time started feeling tied down and restrained by staying. You seem quite happy to be in your position still, so naturally it'd be hard to imagine quitting! I do hope you keep enjoying it- and if there ever were to be a day you don't, well, there'd be no shame in leaving. Funnily enough, one of my closer friends these days is the man that replaced my spot in the League! Just another person I likely wouldn't have met if I'd never left! Oh Arc, I'm so glad I was already away from the league for a few years after I started talking about that choice to people, so the press was already long off my back. i'm inclined to think that would have been like a waking nightmare, especially the damn gossip magazines (which were torture enough as was). You have no idea how many times I'd get my friends and colleagues alike coming up to me showing me the latest one that was claiming I was dating a person that I did nothing but shake hands with. You know? Proper etiquette? Being friendly? Those don't exist to them, nope, anytime a woman interacts with a man they are 100% smooching when nobody's looking! Even though I couldn't be attracted to a man even if I tried, and I have, so I can say that with confidence! But of course being open about being lesbian would have made the press at least twenty times more annoying, so out of the question that was- only close friends and family knew for the longest time. Actually had no idea you were trans, so guess you're doing a pretty good job at keeping down low too! But I really do think it's so sad that being on the down low like that can just... make our lives so much easier. I wish I could've been more open about it when it mattered most. I had a few partners, but none of them lasted long at all. Even if gossip wasn't always threatening to snag me for anything and everything I did, it was just that much harder to be openly anything that wasn't straight when I was growing up than it is now. So I wasn't. I wish it'd been different, but I can't quite rewrite the past to be whatever i want it to be. I've considered dating again, but I'm old now. Doubt anyone'd want me anymore, and I've just... come to accept it, even if it does still hurt just a little when I think about what could've been... Ah, but anyways... I do think the idea of challenging her someday sounds awful fun! It's been a while since I last had a match, I do still enjoy doing them for some enjoyment when I've got myself a worthy enough opponent to properly let loose with. And yes, our gyms are open year round! ... Now anyways. Probably don't need to explain why we don't talk a lot about how the boss of Team Rocket used to run one of the gyms way back! Wish our staff was as extensive as yours is. ... Actually, more staff than just the five of us miiight have prevented the Team Rocket thing to begin with... Yikes. Does sound like a fascinating way to run things, though. Wish I could've given it a shot when I was young enough to be running between gyms and all that good stuff.

Oh yeah wait you're too old to know what inkay games is my bad

Oh, please, I’m only twenty-three.

[ he’s not old. don’t make that mistake again. ]

—💎

[pikkish]

idk if this is a good prompt but put doomguy in myhouse.wad I think he would find it enriching

Right, so I've been mulling on this one for a little bit now, n I'm not opposed to writing something for you, I'm just not... entirely sure what to write? Because the thing is, myhouse.wad doesn't actually really have anything to do with Doom as a story. Sure, Doom is important in that it's the vessel through which the story is told and one of the connections between the narrator and his dead companion. But as far as Doom itself goes, and the story about a man who was too angry/stupid to die, fighting demons and saving earth, none of that is at all relevant to myhouse.wad and its story. For all intents and purposes, Doomguy isn't actually a character in myhouse.wad. So I'm not really sure how exactly to fit him in there.

[vamptastic]

why do christians get mad about jews having 'loopholes'. did i miss something. do you guys strictly follow the 613 commandments to the letter. if you don't even believe you need to fulfill these obligations in the first place, then why do you think jews are wrong for fulfilling them in silly or nontraditional ways? always followed by some shit about us not going to heaven because of it like damnnn i wonder if maybe there's another reason jews believe that following our own laws is a good idea. maybe because we want to be good people on earth instead of only being a good person for the sake of earning a primo spot in the afterlife.

[unproduciblesmackdown]

more bloodsong whimsy for the joie de vivre

[featherymainffins]

i love how absolutely horrifying TLQ gets when you up the brightness. What the fuck IS that

[stillfruit]

i love not knowing if i'll ever be healthy again i love all of the time i've used to move my body become nothing i love spending my adulthood wasting away year after year for various reasons baby!

[septembersghost]

what songs from present day would you want to hear elvis cover?

ANON!!! 🥰💕 i love this message an enormous amount, and then it tormented me for two days because i read it and instantly forgot every modern day song i've ever listened to somehow lol. the actual problem was, i felt like i didn't have a solid enough handle on today's genres that he might lean more towards or that would do him justice? i was sitting here frantically thinking of songs by pop girlies™ and i could hear him softly laughing over my shoulder. so i was going to give you a short answer.

then i ended up looking at my actual music library and came out with a novel.

first, i sent this to both my loves @joons and @headfullofpresley in my initial dilemma, looking for suggestions. sidenote: if anyone would like to add to this, you're welcome to!

chelsea gave me three that i think are simply marvelous and i will weep forever that we cannot have them: million reasons by lady gaga (the taste this has, the vision this has. I bow down to pray, I try to make the worst seem better, Lord, show me the way to cut through all this worn out leather. I've got a hundred million reasons to walk away, but baby, I just need one good one to stay. hello?!), praying by kesha (well, you almost had me fooled, told me that I was nothing without you, but after everything you've done, I can thank you for how strong I have become, 'cause you brought the flames and you put me through hell, I had to learn how to fight for myself, and we both know all the truth I could tell, I'll just say this is "I wish you farewell." I hope you're somewhere prayin'...I don't need you, I found a strength I've never known, I'll bring thunder, I'll bring rain, oh, when I'm finished, they won't even know your name...can you imagine how much i would cry?), and love on the brain by rihanna (baby, I'm fist fighting with fire just to get close to you, can we burn something, babe? and I run for miles just to get a taste. i NEED to hear how he would arrange this).

tam i know would say peace (there's robbers to the east, clowns to the west, I'd give you my sunshine, give you my best, but the rain is always gonna come, if you're standin' with me) by taylor. also slow dancing in a burning room (this is the deep and dying breath of this love that we've been working on. can't seem to hold you like I want to, so I can feel you in my arms, nobody's gonna come and save you, we pulled too many false alarms) and shadow days (did you know that you could be wrong, and swear you're right? some people been known to do it all their lives. but you find yourself alone, just like you found yourself before, like I found myself in pieces on the hotel floor. hard times help me see, I'm a good man with a good heart, had a tough time, got a rough start, but I finally learned to let it go...).

for my part, i feel like there is this endless list of songs i could mention from further back in time, but i wanted to pull from our modern era since you said present day, and i've been mulling some of my favorites in my mind. granted, elvis would play around with how these are crafted and produced, but in my head, i can hear these.

taylor is such an obvious go-to, and i wracked my brain trying to think of what would be right for him. something with her country flavor, or something with a bigger sound, a more rock-infused sound, like state of grace (PLEASE), like the story of us. but these jumped out - the original version of that's when. i love the duet with keith urban, but the original can be carried by one person. i can't explain, but it's very kentucky rain-coded to me. also just the story there, that idea that all these mistakes have been made, but the person you love is always welcome to come back. there's also an unreleased song of hers called just south of knowing why (drive all night) that is SO GOOD, and i hope it'll be on debut tv. for some reason i can connect it with him easily. "if I could drive all night, would I find my peace of mind? would it be a million miles of cold white lies and unfamiliar exit signs? I just drive on by, just south of knowing why. I don't have a plan, I don't have a map, I don't even know if I'm ever going back." lastly, and this is the biggest one, i toyed with a bunch of folklore choices (this is me trying...they told me all of my cages were mental...), but my brain just kept circling back to fearless, specifically to change. this is curious because i never used to like change, it's the re-recording that, well, changed it for me. the initial letdown of it (the final blow hits you, somebody else gets what you wanted again, and you know it's all the same, another time and place, repeating history and you're getting sick of it), and then the hopeful triumph overcoming it (but I believe in everything you do). the spirit of it - and we'll sing hallelujah! anyway i cried thinking about this so that tells you everything.

to the lady gaga connection, can i say that el would sound phenomenal singing any number of the songs from she and bradley's version of a star is born? always remember us this way. alibi. music to my eyes (i know it's a duet!). and especially maybe it's time.

harry's version of just a little bit of your heart where he made it rockier (I know I'm not your only, but at least I'm one, I heard a little love is better than none). canyon moon, you just have to trust me.

and it hit me, LITERALLY ANYTHING by lord huron?! there's an entire playlist of elvis-as-lord-huron songs that i could make, but if i can only choose one, i'm going to say the man who lives forever. (ends of the earth? time to run? love like ghosts? the night we met? louisa? wait by the river? love me like you used to?) also he'd make fool for love really fun.

miscellaneous choices i adore from my library that i know he'd transform amazingly: green eyes and a heart of gold by the lone bellow, in the light by the lumineers, let's be still by the head and the heart, morning comes by delta rae, ghost towns by radical face, the weight of love by snow patrol, all of me by john legend, river by josh groban, you and me by niall horan (time's never been on our side, so would you wait for me?). wait for it (death doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints, it takes and it takes and it takes, and we keep living anyway, we rise and we fall and we break and we make our mistakes, and if there's a reason I'm still alive...). breathe by la'porsha renae (I swear I pray every day, but still nothing's changing, feels like my life might need rearranging. you say that you're here and right now is a test of faith. so open up my heart and have your way, I'm sinkin' in my thoughts, so pull me from the waves, my head's above the water, you're my sweet escape. I need you just so I can breathe).

songs that are absolutely bonkers to choose, but i know how they could be re-worked somehow, i can HEAR it i just can't psychically share it with you: miley's never be me, aly & aj's symptom of your touch, hallelujah by alicia keys, someone new by hozier, graveyard (acoustic) by halsey (they say I may be making a mistake, I would've followed all the way, no matter how far. I know when you go down all your darkest roads, I would've followed all the way to the graveyard), golden by fall out boy (and I saw God cry in the reflection of my enemies, and all the lovers with no time for me...i like to cry idk), and simply because it tickles me as she is a huge fan, lana's get free. there are couple of lyrics in it that i question how he'd feel about, but this is modern elvis, i can open him up a little. here's why i couldn't help but choose this, in the end: there's no more chasing rainbows and hoping for an end to them, their arches are illusions, solid at first glance, but then you try to touch them, there's nothing to hold on to, the colors used to lure you in and put you in a trance. sometimes it feels like I've got a war in my mind, I wanna get off, but I keep riding the ride, I never really noticed that I had to decide to play someone's game, or live my own life. and now I do, I wanna move, out of the black, into the blue.

i could honestly go on forever, but have one last song, and it's an oldie (probably a cliche, but i do not care!), and that is landslide by fleetwood mac. considering how i feel about e's cover of bridge over troubled water, i think if i could hear him sing landslide i might be fixed forever (or shattered, but still healed somehow). picture this with me: I took my love, I took it down, climbed a mountain and I turned around, and I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills 'til the landslide brought me down. oh, mirror in the sky, what is love? can the child within my heart rise above? can I sail through the changin' ocean tides? can I handle the seasons of my life? well, I've been 'fraid of changin' 'cause I've built my life around you, but time makes you bolder, even children get older, and I'm gettin' older, too. it would be beyond beautiful.

honestly, for anyone reading, if you don't understand what i'm talking about in regards to the way he transformed and brought the incandescent soul out of songs, i just...please listen to this. my entire heart forever.

[doesntseeyourbeauty]

coming on here to remind everyone that it's okay to critique and hold your favs accountable for their actions, behavior, and conduct (yes this includes taylor and her overuse of her private jet/her lack of response on the genocide occuring in gaza)

this is something that people tend to forget and instead they place them on a pedestal and refuse to see that there are somethings that cannot be ignored

[nerdie-faerie]

Do you think there's any elements of vampirism that the Mikaelsons sold as being quintessential and a norm of being a vampire that was actually just a side effect of their specific experiences with early vampirism. Like maybe they try to sell that vampires don't need sleep, they're superior to humans but that's because they couldn't sleep while on the run from Mikael constant diligence was expected of them. Vampires can go days between feeds if they wished but in reality they couldn't always find someone to feed on while on the run at least not without alerting Mikael etc. etc. That lil speech Rebekah gives Elena about vampires being a predatory species just screams rehearsed, a story they sell to newbie vampires that also helps dispel they're own guilt

[delightfuldevin]

Long post!! Wanted to share all the deets about my Cookie Run self insert!!

Introducing Pumpking Cookie and their Pet, Gourdie!!

Cookie Run: Ovenbreak

Cookie Class: Epic

Pet Class: Epic

Story: Pumpking Cookie is the elusive king of Pumpkin Land of Fear! You probably won't see him on your first visit to Pumpkin Land, or your second either. Only seasoned visitors of the park know how to spot him while he's hiding. And if you find him, you'll get a treat! Or maybe it'll be a trick... You better be careful! He also puts on his own special show with his pumpkins at midnight in the main tent, so be sure not to miss out!

Skill: When the big gauge is filled, a giant pumpkin appears and the jump and slide buttons turn into carving buttons. Repeatedly tap the buttons to carve the pumpkin and earn Pumpkin Carving Points. Once the small gauge is filled, the pumpkin will come to life and Pumpking Cookie will ride it as it destroys obstacles until the small gauge runs out. Level up for more Pumpkin Carving Points.

Magic Candy Ingredient - Little Pumpkin Seed: This pumpkin seed is the smallest of them all. Can something so small really grow into something special? Only time will tell...

Magic Candy Effect: While riding the giant pumpkin, each destroyed obstacle creates a Roasted Pumpkin Seed Jelly. The stronger the enchanted power, the more points earned from Roasted Pumpkin Seed Jellies.

Pet Story: Pumpking Cookie can bring pumpkins to life by carving faces into them. No one knows exactly how he does it... Gourdie was the first one he brought to life and the living pumpkin became his faithful assistant who helps him with his show.

Pet Skill: At given intervals, the Pet flies ahead and the light inside begins to glow, generating Jack o’ Lantern Points and restoring Energy. Level up for more Jack o’ Lantern Points and more Energy restoration.

Combi Bonus: Extra Jack o’ Lantern Points

1000 Affection Points Bonus: Extra Pumpkin Carving Points

Basic Jelly: A true king earns their title from their subjects.

Daily Gift: “It’s a treat, I promise! Hehe!”

Like: Solid Red Sugar Crystal

Dislike: Breakout Certificate

General:

“Come one, come all!”

“Welcome to Pumpkin Land!”

“Wonder when I can see him again…”

“The rides at Pumpkin Land aren’t for the faint of heart!”

“Don’t forget to check out the Haunted House!”

“Things will get even more fun at night!”

Tired: “Okay, timeout…!”

Tap:

“Heya!”

“Bringing pumpkins to life is a secret I won’t tell!”

“Come and find me! I might have somethin’ good for ya!”

“Is it a trick or a treat? Only one way to find out!”

“Hehehe!”

“Y-you found me? Already?”

“I love watching fire dance!” (Like Hint)

“I don’t need a certificate to run Pumpkin Land.” (Dislike Hint)

Gifts:

“Ooo, for me?” (neutral)

“Flames are so beautiful…” (given Solid Red Sugar Crystal)

“I hope this can become a biiiig pumpkin some day!” (given Little Pumpkin Seed)

“Why would I want one of these?” (given Breakout Certificate)

“How did you find out…?!” (given Violet Sugar Crystal) [note: will not receive any Affection Points for this]

Relationships:

Lemon Cookie (friendly): “I’ll make you smile if it’s the last thing I do!” On Lemon’s chart (trust): “An odd one, but I guess he’s okay.”

Popcorn Cookie (friendly): “Hey, when’s our next movie night?” On Popcorn’s chart (friendly): “My favorite movie buddy!”

Birthday Cake Cookie (friendly): “Pumpkin Land’s a great place for parties!” On Birthday Cake’s chart (friendly): “Let’s throw a spooky Halloween party together!”

Cinnamon Cookie (trust): “Always puts on a good show!” On Cinnamon’s chart (trust): “Pumpkin Land is my favorite place to perform!”

Currant Cream Cookie (friendly): “Studs and spikes can be spooky too!” On Currant’s chart (friendly): “I wouldn’t call my style ‘spooky’, but I like the way you think!”

Raspberry Mousse Cookie (admiration): “Show ‘em who’s boss!” On Mousse’s chart (admiration): “Their opinion of us doesn’t matter!”

Pitaya Dragon Cookie (admiration): “I like it hot!” On Pitaya’s chart (admiration): “Brighter than sssunshine…”

Shining Glitter Cookie (admiration): “Everything about her captivates me…” On Shining Glitter’s chart (admiration): “There’s always room in my schedule for you!”

Moonlight Cookie (admiration): “I’ll see you in my dreams!” On Moonlight’s chart (admiration): “Your smile is the warmest.”

Knight Cookie (tension): “You don’t stand a chance!” On Knight’s chart (tension): “What do you know about the Red Dragon?!”

Ice Juggler Cookie (rival): “Betcha Pumpkin Land’s got more visitors!” On Ice Juggler’s chart (rival): “Pumpkin Land is alright. (Pudding Cup Circus is better.)”

Cookie Run: Kingdom

Class: Legendary

Type: Support

Location: Middle

Story: What a strange one, that Pumpking Cookie is! Just where exactly did they come from? And what is that ominous purple glow that emanates from them? So many questions and so little answers. However, it is known that he created and rules over a Kingdom of his own called the Pumpking Patch. But… the citizens are all living pumpkins! There’s not a single Cookie in sight! This begs yet another question… Is Pumpking Cookie themself even a Cookie…?

Skill - Trick or Treat: Summons a pumpkin bomb which has a 50-50 chance of being a trick or a treat. The treat bomb explodes on the ally side, healing everyone’s HP and raising everyone’s ATK for a period of time. The trick bomb explodes on the enemy side, releasing pumpkin guts on the ground that trap all enemies, making them unable to move or attack for a period of time. It also lowers their DEF while they are trapped. It will not trap Cookies who are resistant to interrupting effects during their skill, but it will lower their DEF more. While using his skill, Pumpking Cookie will be resistant to interruptions.

Skill Activation: “Wonder what this’ll be!”

Kingdom Arena:

“Well well well, look what we have here!”

“Hope ya like pumpkins! Hahaha!”

“You wanna play with the Pumpkin King? Let’s see what you’ve got!”

“Let’s have some fun!!”

Loading Screen: If you look closely at Pumpking Cookie, you’ll find cracks in their dough all over their body.

Gacha Line: “It’s always Halloween when I’m around!”

General:

“You should come visit the Pumpking Patch!”

“I wasn’t always a King…”

“What’s this purple light? Well, the truth may shock you… hehe!”

“This Kingdom is nice. I guess I’ll stay awhile.”

“Is this a trick or a treat? Why don’t you come find out?”

“You’re invited to the Grand Halloween Party in the Pumpking Patch!”

“Ha! My subjects would love this place!”

“My Kingdom means the world to me. No one will ever take it from me!”

“Anyone who dares threaten the Pumpking Patch will have to deal with its King!”

Victory:

“Aw, no hard feelings, right? Hehe!”

“Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King!”

“Whew, that was a close one!”

“I did it? I mean, of course I did! Heh heh.”

Defeat:

“Don’t think I’m out just yet!”

“I… I will protect the Pumpking Patch…!”

“I won’t give in! I can’t!”

“This isn’t over…!”