#strong wine

[haveyoureadthisqueerbook]

[poisindonottouch]

Queer reads: AJ Demas

I’m home from my vacation, so you’d think I’ll be good about my blog schedule, yeah? No, no I am not. Anyway.. here’s day 25: AJ Demas.

AJ Demas writes alt-ancient Mediterranean historical romances, which is to say her romances take place in a set of city states that bears a striking resemblance to Greece, but she’s not tied down to the things that actually happened in Greece. 

There are six books so far, with three of them in one trilogy and the other three stand alones. There’s a bit of crossover, especially in the details of the world building, and it’s fun to recognize faces and places between books. 

Demas’s stories are sweet, queer, and all about found family. They have spicy scenes, and they also have fantastic world building, interesting politics, and great character voice. If you like historical romance, but you want something slightly further afield than Regency England, these are for you. 

[wearethekat]

May Book Reviews: Strong Wine by AJ Demas

Book three of a series, best to start with the first one. Damiskos is just settling into life with his lover, Varazda, when he's suddenly summoned home to deal with a family emergency. Damiskos' deeply embarrassing family drags him into yet more drama-- interrupted only when he's unexpectedly charged with a murder.

This is at the better end of queer alt-historicals, all the more so for picking an ancient Greece inspired setting rather the tired old haunts of the Regency or the Victorian era yet again. It also works decently as a murder mystery, although that isn't the main focus.

Contains: courtroom drama, a truly spectacularly embarassing family, and those wretched philosophers yet again. Highly recommended if you're a fan of historical romances, or especially if you're a fan of KJ Charles. But do start at the first book, the romance develops over the trilogy.

[presidentalpaca]

From: Adam Conover ("Adam Ruins Everything")

"Instead of negotiating with us, Netflix decided to open an overpriced restaurant. Here's what we did in front of it. Starring the incomparable Adam Lustick, with concept and props by WGA writer Shawn Wines."

[livelovecaliforniadreams]

#It's Giving High School Sweethearts Married For Over 20 Years

[warpedwings]

Misha Collins and Jensen Ackles through the years before Supernatural.

1996

Misha at University of Chicago.

Jensen at L.A. premiere of Love Is All There Is.

2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1995 1994 1992 1991

[sukunas-play-thing]

Thighs. Thighs. THIGHS

Hhhhhgggnnnnn STOP SITTING LIKE THAT!!!!!!

OH DEAR GOD!!!!!?!?!?!?!? FOR FREE!!!!!?¿??SO FLEXIBLE!!!!!! SABO JUST FLASHING US HIS SABUSSY 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

[canisalbus]

I feel like Machete would enjoy a piece or two of some thin, dark chocolate one in a while.

That does seem like something he'd like. Just the darkest horribly bitter highbrow chocolate you could think of.

[i-may-be-an-emu]

Wine Under the Bridge is a metaphor for queerness, in this essay I will

[rosalie-starfall]

Chappell Roan

I Heard You Like ✨Magic✨ I Got A Wand And A Rabbit! 💋

Red Wine Supernova

[enden-k]

wanted to draw some halloween art but apparently the shit day i had is affecting me more than i wanted to allow (even tho i took a long nap) ...........i dont like anything i draw rn. maybe ill try later. happy halloween and dont upset the spirits or they will haunt you ❤️

[zu-is-here]

Twins from the other world (*σᴗσ)(ㅎᴗㅎ )

Dentist!Dream idea >:)

Barber!Nightmare by @help-im-a-gay-fish

[12/21] Dream & Nightmare by jokublog

[ieidolon]

Oh my god. I actually have a nemesis. It's the scholar who wrote one of the best articles on my thesis topic where they perform a lot of truly spectacular close readings yet somehow end up reaching the exact opposite conclusion that I do, to the point where one of their quotes summarizes half of my thesis but in the exact opposite way of what they meant by it

[columboscreens]

[askblueandviolet]

Soooooooo how the try to kill each other working out

[letters-of-libertas]

I'm bi and yeah your note on women not having solidarity seems sadly true. Apart from not dating men would there be anything you would suggest to improve ones life apart from stating away from those women if possible?

I love this question because this is how to start thinking: being practical.

What it takes to "improve ones life" is subjective so with that said firstly define what a better life(style) for yourself away from moids would look like. Temporarily mentally remove xy terrorist existence. What would your habits/routine be? What would you work towards & pour your energy into? What would you want to be? What would you center your life around? Take your time with these questions or anymore that come up. Have a general idea then be more specific and start breaking your life down into sectors/sections/areas, then look at where you want to be in those areas and work towards it.

For example; I divide my life into 6-7 aspects:

Physical Strength - Not just about muscle but knowing how to fight, where to hit and when to fight. Being stronger makes it easier to defend yourself in altercations (especially with other women). Some mfs will try you & you cant always rely on others coming to your rescue. Also work on building stamina to help endurance, and keeping as healthy as possible.

Emotional Strength - If you cant control your emotions they will control you. In a world of chaos being emotionally strong will let you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters. Building emotional strength is not easy but it's worth it. Being able to rise above immediate reactions and pace yourself will allow you to assess situations more rationally & make more beneficial choices.

Finances - Get your bag up. Having money to gain resources is imperative to quality of life. I dont care what anyone says having a certain amount of money in life WILL make you happier as you're able to meet your needs better. Having more money/resources also makes it easier to support other women should you choose to do so, it also allows you to be more influential and have more control over your life. However, dont become a slave to getting money tho because that's how you get scammed.

Network - The type of people you hang around can make or break who you are as a person. Aim to connect with likeminded women who will encourage & inspire you as you go on this journey. Hang around people that value & will be honest with you while giving you grace. Not all women you engage with have to be single & childfree but beware the moid crazy ones because they will bring danger to you in their quest for maIe validation. Life isn't perfect but you cant go wrong having the right people around you, valuable relationships are hard to find but it goes a long way even if it's just online. However, no company > bad company.

Spirituality/Guide - Having something bigger than yourself to guide you through the chaos in this world can offer guidance/purpose that keeps you grounded & focused. For many people generally this is religion/god. Not everyone needs or ascribes to religion/spirituality though, but at least consider sets of morals/beliefs to follow. However even that isn't for everyone. So if you feel better off without spirituality or a 'higher' guide at least be clear on it & your reasons why (for yourself).

Hobbies & Interests - As turbulent as the world is, find things to enjoy amidst the chaos. Constant work, doom, and gloom will not change anything you will only hurt yourself. Take time to indulge in things that make you happy to recharge & relax. Engage in hobbies that serve you, share your passion with other women & hear theirs out too. It goes a long way in terms of mental health.

Security - It takes privilege to decide to not get married or have children as a woman & live it out. Everyone's situation is different so what I'll generally suggest is to constantly look into how you can protect yourself, have backup methods, and stay in the loop of xy predation. Dont drown in it but moids are predators & being completely blind to them is being blind to danger. Elaborated on point 10 here.

Sounds like a lot? Great, it'll keep you busy because this isn't a vacation or destination but a lifestyle. And to be honest, some of y'all can do with the busyness as it'll let you focus on what actually matters. This not to say to overwhelm yourself in things for the sake of it but to prioritise your energy on effective things for your life. As you focus on building you'll find that you have less energy to care about insignificant stuff or stuff out of your control anyways. For example, Instead of getting wound up about user somerandomadjectivefem stirring discourse calling you an extremist or whining about how impossible it is for her & other women to live without romantic love n' whatnot (or even women irl pulling this crap), you either ignore or quickly shut down the conversation & swiftly move on.

Everything I've mentioned are just examples, you may feel differently do whatever you feel best applies. Also remember to enjoy the process along the way as you are living through it afterall :3

Long story short: Work on building resources & other aspects of your life up for yourself.