#the acoustic version broke me even more

[rucow]

update:

im devastated

im finally continuing my stone sour journey and OMGGG their 2nd album is so good 😭 i already really loved the 1st album (i love all the alien corey noises in it), but this 2nd album is also super good!!! it's SUPER depressing though :'( made of scars & reborn make me bawl (they hit too close to home for me)

[distressxox]

Headcanons: The Ghouls first meeting / Developing a crush on you

The Ghoulettes + Mountain version here

Dewdrop

• Standoff-ish, is feisty with you at first

• Copia has to remind him to be nice to you since you're still new to the ministry.

• Has a lot of trust issues, but you are patient with him.

• You always greet him with a smile and he just sneers at you. But that doesn't stop you from making an effort for friendship

• One day you do something extra thoughtful and you mend the neck of his favorite guitar when he broke it in a fit of rage. He. Was. Speechless.

• "You did this? But, I've been such an ass to you..." "It's no problem, I know how much it meant"

• His feelings for you did a complete 180. He didn't make any rude face expressions when you smiled at him, he could only look away an blush. Other times he'd just wave.

• His tail wags when he sees you despite his face holding no expression. He has to tuck it in his trousers it gets so bad.

• You complement his long hair and he let's you touch it. His face has never been so red when you leaned closer to run your fingers through it.

• "Fuck, I'm such a pathetic loser. (Reader) would never think of me that way"

• He gnaws at his claws while daydreaming about you

Aether

• Warm and welcoming when you first meet

• Instantly becomes friends with you, he's definitely one of the more extroverted ghouls from the rest of the group.

• Finally, he has a work buddy. It's a little exhausting being Copias right-hand ghoul.

• Enjoys your company so much that he asks you to help out with more things around the ministry

• At first he thought he'd only see you as a good friend. But one day he hears you humming one of his favorite songs while in the library. He stays extra silent so you don't know he's there. Fell for you so hard you could compare it to falling down the steps.

• His pointed ears perk up everytime he hears you, smells you, hell, even by looking at you.

• Copia ships you two

• You gave him a little peck on the cheek when he bought you your favorite food while working. He left your office with the widest grin the world had ever seen.

• Never washed his cheek again until Cumulus had to basically hose his face down.

• Puffs his chest out to look more macho, always loves it when you complement his strength.

Rain

• Introverted. A ghoul of few words. Doesn't say anything when you first meet, only nods his head.

• As soon as you talk to him, he averts his eyes and keeps conversations short.

• You understand that he doesn't like talking, so you try communicating without words before he's comfortable enough talking to you.

• Seeing him while in a meeting, your eyes met. He was about to look away but you slip him a note from under the table.

• 'hiii, how r u?'

• His heart skips a beat, but he gives you a thumbs up.

• First it was notes, then it was hand gestures and face expressions. Finally, you two started having conversations

• He becomes more confident after you two became friends. Spoke up and had more faith in himself.

• He started crushing when you cared enough to slip him that note.

• Writes songs about you but hides them in his acoustic guitar. (Yes he plays bass, but likes to play acoustic guitars from time to time)

• He LOVES your eyes, he feels enraptured in your gaze.

Swiss

• Flirty, very flirty

• You can only laugh at his corny pick up lines. That satisfies him enough to know that you have a good sense of humor

• Is naturally very talkative, so it's easy to have conversations with him.

• Continues with using pickup lines on you, honestly he's never had anyone to use them on besides some of his fellow ghouls.

• Until the day comes when you flirt back with him. Satan, that awoke something in him.

• Also, he's very touchy, so he constantly wraps his arms around you and rests his head on your shoulder.

• You think nothing of it since you've seen him do the same with Dewdrop and Phantom. But he's definitely doing it just so the other Ghouls know you're his.

• Loves to show his teeth off for you, you've nicknamed him "Biggy Smiles"

• Quietly purrs when he hears you talk

• The ghouls know how badly he wants you, he talks about you nonstop.

• This man is so down bad. Catch him making up scenarios about you and him. Sounds familiar doesn't it?

• Likes to watch you work from afar, he doesn't want to make his love for you too obvious just yet

Phantom

• Ah yes, the new guy.

• You were there when he was summoned from the depths of hell.

• The first person he laid eyes on was not Papa, but you. You intrigued him in a way no other human has.

• You were assigned to teach him all of his tasks, introducing him to the other ghouls, and to fit him for his Ritual/concert clothing.

• He is very playful with you, he treats you like a fellow ghoul.

• Follows you around like a lost puppy, still doesn't feel like he fits in. You tell him that he's being silly and that the other Ghouls like him despite what he thinks.

• Well, he also just wants to be with you. He's very protective when he's around you, especially with the more flirty ghouls sneaking glances at you now and again.

• He likes his ghoul friends, but will fight for you if they even think of making an advance towards you.

• He's also a flirt, will tease you when you're working. It's worse when it's at a ritual and he sees you in the front of the crowd. He puts his guitar his shoulder, kneels down, and stares at you while smirking.

[stusbunker]

Spotless: Lilt

Chapter Eight

Featuring: Dean Winchester/Reader, Dean/Bela

Other characters: Ash, Sam/Madison, Pamela, Lee, Kevin, Bobby, Frank, Tiny, Annie, and Dawn the bartender (Adam, Ellen and John/Kate mentioned)

Word Count: 2116

Warnings, etc: Mutual pining, mild drug use, minor jealous Dean, drinking, Dean gets a little existential and realizes he might have fucked up, unbeta'd

Series Masterlist

Divider courtesy of @cafekitsune

The haze of the control room wasn’t noticeable the longer they sat in the small room facing Pam, Lee and Sam getting down the new track Lee wrote through the glass. Dean bobbed his head, bong braced against his lap, as Ash hummed in appreciation, eyes closed and headphones on. Kevin had wandered off to a smaller studio to work out a solo they wanted to put into “Prophet and Loss”. After that and "Hand Me My Axe", which Lee was shredding on at the moment, they’d have a full thirteen for the album. They’d already recorded the bonus acoustic versions of “Brother’s Keeper” and “Baby” for the deluxe editions.

Thank fuck those were behind him, because Dean cried through both of those sessions and Sam would never let him live it down, despite the sasquatch also getting misty during his verses. The fact that Sam wrote his own part and Dean didn’t know what it was going to convey until they were in the box, well, that was just unfair. He blamed it on Sam’s singing, because dude was not a vocalist, but really it had been a lot to hear what Sam went through when Dean was busy self-destructing. 

Whatever, Dean was in touch with his emotions now, who cared?

The finish line on this album was rapidly approaching and Dean was more stoked than he thought he’d be at doing something completely without Cas’ influence. Though he still heard Cas’ voice admonishing him sometimes, it had taken on a nostalgic tone the last couple of days. The music wasn’t the same without Cas, but it didn’t make it worse. 

God, did he miss him though.

Dean cleared his throat and took a hit, letting the mixed emotions have their moment until he carefully blew them all away. Lee was on fire and it was such a mesmerizing thing to watch him play as an audience member and not a collaborator. Sometimes he forgot how good his band was objectively speaking. The music and the energy of performing took over and they meshed making something magical, but beyond that Lee was a fucking genius on six-to-twelve strings.

They spent another twenty minutes laying it down and then broke for lunch. Dean checked his phone as Kevin and Ash hauled in the bags of take out that had been delivered to the front desk. Frank only let the local Chinese place deliver directly to the building, so it had become a weekly ritual instead of them constantly having to go out and find themselves sustenance in the middle of recording. Though Dean was slowly getting sick of it.

He had a couple of messages in their brother group chat from Adam about Christmas. The poor kid was stuck playing the messenger because Kate couldn’t bother to call him or Sam herself. There was a meme from Bela, of all things, and a check in from Ellen. Nothing from you. He thumbed down to the band business chat to see if you had at least been active there, but there was nothing since the shot of Crowley’s flowers.

At first they had thrown Dean for a loop, or a mild case of envy. Because he thought they were from that stupid gym rat waiter that had been hitting on you when he was trying to get to know Bela. But once he realized what chat it was in, it all made sense. Even if the weight of the flowers’ significance was lost on most of the band. 

Huh. Dean thumbed to your one-on-one conversation and sent out a simple “Everything going okay?” It was weird he hadn’t heard from you, especially after you bowed out of his home cooked, post-adoption-event dinner. He squinted, realizing he hadn’t talked to you in over a week, since the morning of Bela’s charity gig.

Since he’d gone down on your best friend in the back of a limo.

Christ, way to be an entire dumbass.

The energy in the studio rallied, laughter and teasing rebounding after a slow start to their final day. Kevin had somehow got everyone to gang up on Sam, who now had a collection of post-it notes both insulting him and begging for violence slapped across his back. Dean took a pull off the bottle Lee had handed him and smirked as they watched Pamela saunter over to where Sam was checking his phone. 

She pinched Sam’s waist, which made him turn and back away from her, hands up in defense as she muttered some of her bullshit. Which left Sam’s back undefended.

“Oh, man, this is almost too easy,” Lee whispered.

“Tell me about it,” Dean agreed, chuckling as Kevin slipped another square of embarrassment onto Sam’s shoulder, butting into Sam and Pam’s conversation with a smoothness Dean had never expected out of the Juilliard graduate.

He handed the bottle back to Lee and pulled his guitar around and laid on a G chord, bringing everyone back to reality. “Alright, last song. Let’s fucking do it.”

The bass and drum parts were already locked in as far as Dean was concerned. Vocals finished yesterday. but hearing it all together made the music what it was. He wanted this one all at once, the final piece to the puzzle of this impossible album. Ash was at the controls, behind him was Bobby and Frank, who had shown up for the last leg of recording. Each nursing their own glass of stupidly expensive Scotch.

It was so close to done, Dean couldn’t help the smile that pulled at his lips as he stepped up to the mic that wasn’t even recording. And waited until Pamela counted them in. Every sensation zeroed into that moment, the strings beneath his finger tips, the weight of his guitar strap, the earpiece in his ear, the carpet beneath his boots and the pick in his right hand. He closed his eyes and felt it. 

And when he hit his entrance, he unleashed, nailing the take with his band at his side, crossing the finish line together.

“Charrrrlie!” Dean purred into the phone. “Your presence is requested at that one dive bar you like so much past Silver Lake. We wrapped today and you owe me a few rounds, your highness!”

Sam shoved Dean playfully and reached past the backseat for a bottle of water out of the cooler. Nerd. 

“Sam says hi. Oh! Pick up Trouble and bring her with you, will ya? She’s been radio silent all week. Anyways, this message is about to cut out. But I know where you live and I will—” Dean lost the race with the time limit. He pressed the button to accept the message, however truncated and hung up.

Sam wiped his mouth off with the back of his hand. “The other driver knows where to go?”

“Don’t worry, Tiny will get everybody there and back safe, won’t ya big guy?” Dean teased the unamused man that sometimes doubled as security for the label.

“We’re all set Mr. Winchester,” Tiny answered Sam with a glance in the rearview mirror.

Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of an unimpressive neighborhood bar ten blocks east of anything that had gentrified. Not a bouncer or a pap in sight, thank fuck. Dean plunked his half finished beer into a cup holder and held the door open for Sam to get out, still giggling at the few remaining scraps of paper that had made it back onto his shirt after he found them when he unhooked his bass.

They met Lee, Kevin, Pam and Bobby at the other provided black SUV before heading inside. The bar was dark for a sunny December workday afternoon in southern California, but the stale beer smell and the sight of well worn pool tables felt like home more than any vegan, new age-y, upstart lounge ever did. 

“Dibs on first game!” Dean called over his shoulder as he made his way to the bar to open a tab before Bobby could beat him to it. Wisely, Sam followed and plucked a menu out from a condiment tray, food was needed if they were gonna stay on their feet. Dean smiled at the bartender, a grizzled woman probably close to Annie’s age.

“Whatcha need sugar?” Her smokey greeting. 

Dean instantly thought of Ellen back home and he knew they made the right call coming all the way out here. He dragged out his credit card and slid it over.

“Open a tab, food and drinks on this card for any of those assholes by the pool tables, all night. Got it? The guy in the trucker cap is gonna try and outrank me, but don’t let him, capische?”

“You got it, handsome. What’s your poison?”

Dean cooed, “Oooo, careful, it’s still early. I’ll start with some wings if you got ‘em and a couple of baskets of fries, gotta ease into it. Then a round of shots of your choosin’ and a couple of pitchers of beer if you’d be so kind.”

“You got it. I’ll bring ‘em out when they’re ready. Anything for you big fella? Or is he sharing?” She asked Sam.

“I’ll have the club sandwich, but yeah, I think that’s it for now,” Sam smiled without teeth, but tucked a twenty into the tip cup to start off on the right foot.

“Sounds good boys, it’ll be right out.”

Madison and Annie showed up together sometime after six, but as much as Dean liked giving Sammy shit for having a legitimate girlfriend and everything, they weren’t who Dean was watching the door for. Annie grabbed him for a tight hug, ruffling his hair as she pulled back. 

“Feel good, don’t it?” 

Dean grinned, almost blushing, but knowing she got it, not just the rush of finishing an album, but doing it as he was trying to drag himself up a hill too. “Couldn’t have done it without you, you know.”

Annie smacked her lips and turned on an aloof air, “I know. I mean, of all the many washed up power ballad divas out there, you got pretty lucky.”

“Shut up. Nobody is gonna call you washed up, not if I have anything to say about it.” Dean gestured the bartender over, who he learned was named Dawn, wanting to get Annie and Madison onto the massive bill they were racking up.

The night continued with the band and their significant others drinking and playing pool or pinball if you were Kevin. Dean was feeling pretty loose when Pam stagger-stepped over to him and threw her arm over his shoulder. 

“This was a good call, miss those seedy dives we used to play in,” she said with a drunken kind of nostalgia in her voice.

“Hell, we wouldn’t exist without places like this,” Dean nodded in agreement, clinking his bottle of beer with the empty dangling shot glass in her hand.

She licked her lips. “Where’s your lady friend, hmmm? I wanna meet her already.”

Dean rolled his eyes. “Tonight is just for the band. And, well, Madison. But last thing I need is to ruin poor Dawn’s night with a bunch of fucking piranhas in here chasing the right shot.”

“Still—- doubt she’d show if it meant living it up in the low places,” Pam snarked.

Dean cleared his throat. “Hey now. Don’t go judging a book by it’s cover. Bela’s tougher than she looks.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Pam huffed and slapped him on the back just as he tried to take a sip. 

Dean glared.

Pam laughed. “Okay, boss, let me know when you’re ready for a rematch, I’m gonna go find the little girls’ room.”

“Don’t fall in!” Dean called after her, which earned him a middle finger and a nice view of her walking away in her low cut leather pants. 

Yeah, Dean was feeling the alcohol among other things. He decided he had waited long enough and checked his phone again when suddenly somebody punched him in the arm.

“What’s up bitches?!” Charlie shrieked.

Dean’s entire mood lifted and he let her pull him off his stool into a big brother little sister hug. “Glad you could make it, red.”

“And, look, she lives!” Charlie stepped back and presented Trouble to him like a game show prize.

Dean swallowed. He felt lost looking into your eyes, searching for any hint of hurt or anger. Luckily, you weren’t drunk yet, so you slipped easily into his arms and gave him a hug of your own. “Hey.”

“Congratulations,” you said against his chest.

Dean squeezed tighter. “Thanks,” knowing he meant it more than he could ever say.

Tagging: @deans-spinster-witch

@mrswhozeewhatsis

@cosicas-cuquis

@fics-pics-andotherthings-i-like

@suckitands33

@ladysparkles78

@deans-baby-momma

@stoneyggirl2

@sassy-pelican

@leigh70

@globetrotter28

@winharry

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@rockhoochie

Chapter Nine: Giocoso

[sasquapossum]

I've discovered a lot of covers of Zombie, by The Cranberries, lately. Some of them have been around for a while but somehow I haven't seen them, while others are genuinely new. Here's the original, to get us started.

This is an extremely powerful song, and I have equally strong opinions about it. If you know anything about Dolores O'Riordan and The Cranberries, or have watched the video, you'll know it's about the Troubles in Ireland. I feel it's critically important for any cover to respect that, both for the sake of Dolores who is now gone and for the sake of Irish people generally. The vocals are meant to express both great sadness and great anger. For that reason I will not be linking to the Miley Cyrus or Halocene covers, because I feel that their performance in an emotionally bland style fails to show that respect.

One particular aspect of Dolores's singing is that at many points she's keening (from Gaelic caoineadh meaning to cry or weep). As the most amazing Elizabeth (Charismatic Voice on YouTube) explains in her reaction video, this involves deliberate crossing from upper CT-dominant to lower TA-dominant registers, over and over again. It's a powerful expression, as you'll see.

The best known cover, by a long shot AFAICT, is by Bad Wolves.

Tommy Vext has a rich, deep voice, so he doesn't do keening. In fact he kind of goes in the opposite direction with an impressively smooth delivery, but he expresses that intensity in many other ways. Again, Elizabeth enlightens with another reaction video. There's also a personal connection to Dolores here (mentioned in the video itself) and a few lyrics changes which I'm sure she must have approved. The first call-back to the original video (at about 1:30) broke me so badly I had to stop and compose myself for a full minute. Very powerful.

Next up is Dan Vasc. I love Dan. Unfortunately, I don't have much to say about his version, except that he delivers this with his customary excellence. Also, this is explicitly a cover of the Bad Wolves version, which makes it third generation and I think that's kind of cool.

Next up is another favorite: Colm McGuiness. This one hits hardest of all IMO. Of all the male singers, Colm comes closest to keening, and his intensity in other sections is something to behold. I hope he had a nice cup of lemon-ginger tea after doing that to his vocal chords. It's hard to believe anyone could go darker and heavier than Dan, or break me worse than the Bad Wolves version, but ... well, just listen.

Shifting gears just a little, but still on the rock/metal side, we have Rock Orchestra. IMO this is the best arrangement of a cover, using all the sounds of an orchestra to great effect. I love the woodwinds, I love the strings, I love the brass, I even love the xylophone. Julian Hinton did a masterful job on that. Erin Fox also does a great job, coming closest to Dolores's sound in the first two thirds and adding some of her own completely appropriate stylings in the last part.

Now for a complete change of pace - sort of a "palate cleanser" if you will. Systir is another one of my favorites. This is an acoustic version, with Lauren McGlynn delivering a shoegaze-y performance that leans much more into sadness than anger. That might seem at odds with the original's intent, but it really does work IMO. One of the things about a great cover is that it can go in its own direction while still remaining connected to the original. As an Irish group, I'm sure everyone involved here understood the importance of respecting the original song and its subject matter, and they thoroughly did those justice. This one might haunt me the most.

There are many more, some of them very good in their own ways. Unfortunately, I need to stop short of turning this into a whole dissertation and - as you can see - the competition for what to include is very intense. I hope you've all discovered some new artists, and maybe learned a little bit as well. Thanks to all of these wonderful artists (and one commentator) for honoring Dolores, and of course the people she was singing about as well.

[1d1195]

IF YOU WANT TO ONLY PLAY 1D AND THEIR SOLO WORKS AT YOUR WEDDING YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT IN THE WORLD i heard an orchestral version of “falling” once and wowwwwwww that thing was BEAUTIFUL ikkk it’s not really a love song 😭😭 BUT STILL i could totally see someone walking down the aisle to that. (potential orchestral songs: sign of the times, and infinity; also ‘black and white’ and ‘i want to write you a song’ were made to be played at a wedding) but seriously if i ever heard abt someone only playing one direction band and solo songs at their wedding i would think they’re the coolest person in the world

I LOVE HOW YOU POINTED OUT MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE SONGS OMG totally real abt going off the grid if that song was about you, i said that about “the smallest man who ever lived” by taylor swift because omggggg😶😶😶 when i first heard it i was SHOOK😭 i was watching tv the other day and this song started playing and it reminded me sm of you !! it’s called “Big Jet Plane (Acoustic)” by Angus & Julia Stone

GIRL I HOPE YOU HAVE THE MOST RELAXING & DETOXING SUMMER OF ALL TIME YOU DESERVE IT🫡🫡🫡 spending time with your friends sounds great !! even if it is dinner on weeknights (which sounds like a blast to me idk) IVE BEEN READING YOUR POSTS ABT YOUR BOYFRIEND GETTING INTO WRITINF AND ITS SOOO FUNNY TO ME HAHAHDAHABAH “i don’t think you like writing that much.” SIR ???? HAVE YOU READ PROTECTION !:!;?3??—?-?-? OR ANY OF YOUR WORKS FOR THAT MATTER BABDJSHAH and the whole dialogue thing 😭😭 girl how do you not bust out laughing ???😭😭

things have been quiet on my end too, after the wedding i���ve literally just been home at the time lol one of my closest friends broke her phone so i haven’t even been talking to anyone much butttt im hoping to hit the bookstore over the weekend so do you have any recs ? what are your favorites ?

hope you have a great weekend sam, love you !!!! <333

~🎶

In case my blog wasn't obvious I Want To Write You a Song is one of my FAVORITE songs of 1D I think I would cry like a baby if I heard it at a wedding. But I also think I can only reserve it for my marriage to Harry (it's a song for us). My funeral is also just everyone going to be sitting there and listening to 1D and solo albums. It's how I want to be honored. I think I would spontaneously catch on fire if I heard one of those songs at a wedding--Black and White especially.

Taylor is so real for that--good for her. I've been listening to Big Jet Plane for the last twenty minutes or so! It's really sweet. Very love at first sight of them 👀 I think I could do something with it! 💕

my bf hasn't a CLUE that I'm a "writer." It's really hard to keep a straight face sometimes. I have to tell him things like I took a creative writing class in high school (I didn't) when I want to suggest ANYTHING to help. But honestly, I think he's a really good writer on his own. Prone to overthinking it. I usually just reference some of my favorite books and such. I would kms if he read one of my stories tbh. This is like a diary for me. I don't want anyone I know in my personal life to know about it 😂

I like to do NOTHING on my weekends. But other people don't feel that way I guess. Idk hahaha I'm just a little different I guess heheheheI just hit the bookstore myself! For once I didn't buy anything--a miracle really. But I do have some suggestions. I made this post when someone asked about book recs before. I stand by this list COMPLETELY. But I can add a few more as well!

Normal People by Sally Rooney -- the actual way the book is written is a little confusing tbh (no quotation marks during dialogue) but it really holds up to the show as well. Not sure if you've seen it but I would highly recommend both.

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow -- a little long at times but I overall enjoyed it! Cool premise and I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships between the sisters and such.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey -- one of the hardest books I've ever read, but actually really good. The movie was pretty accurate to it as well if I recall correctly. It was pretty sad though so don't read it if you're having a good time.

That's all I really got right now. I probably have more to recommend but I've been bringing books I finish that I don't plan on rereading my work and leaving them for other people to take to clear room on my bookshelf. I also give the ones I DO want back to my sister to read so we have something to talk about hehehehe

Hope you enjoy the bookstore! Let me know what you get!

xoxo

P.S. it's a guilty pleasure of mine but I read this book My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick the MC's name is Sam and she falls in love with the boy next door and there is a LOT of drama as well but the falling in love part is... 👌 it's a YA and came out in like 2012 and I'm putting it here in the P.S. because it's been years since I've read it, but I've never read a book where my name was the MC's name. But I think about it a lot. It's in a box under my bed along with other favorite novels of mine from my YA adventures that I can't part with. (Also, a quick Google Search says you can't buy it in Barnes and Noble--at least not near me) but I wanted to recommend it anyway.

[run-down-that-dream]

some concert ramblings from last weekend under the cut!!!

I SAW MY BELOVED OLD MAN and I'm still so AAAAAAAAA about it even though it's the 3rd time lol 😭 I didn't get as close to the stage this time but! everyone stayed out of my way for the most part so I'll take it!!

Setlist:

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

wait wait wait I already have something to say. starting with BOB after the whole farm aid thing???? insane?? plus it was a festival setting so. the crowd's reaction to "everybody must get stoned" was freakin hilarious. definitely started off right 😭

Wreckless Abandon

Dirty Job

External Combustion

MY FAVORITE MY FAVORITE!! shoutout to Chris Holt for his backing vocals throughout the whole show but especially on external combustion OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU CHRIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! also it didn't seem like they were planning on doing that one??? lol there was some discussion and then like. ok let's do it. AAAAAAAAA

Lightning Boogie

Don't Fade on Me

excuse me while I cry. day after tom's birthday and they're playing don't fade on me. that's fine. it was the only song that mike played an acoustic guitar on. and chris had this really beautiful electric part to go with it and. I'm shocked I didn't actually start crying. well. maybe just a little bit. they played it so perfectly. anyway it's starting to feel like it's not a concert unless I cry at least once so!! there it is

Shake These Blues

NEW SONG NEW SONG NEW SONG!! I LOVE!! you know when you hear a song for the first time and you just know. plus I thought it was funny that mike said management keeps telling them to stop playing the new songs but, "we're gonna do it anyway" aslkjlsjklas so much loveeee to him for that

Fuck That Guy

Fault Lines

why does something happen every time they play fault lines lmaoo. the first two times I saw them mike messed up the lyrics and this time they had to play it in a slightly different order 'cause one (or two? hard to tell) of his strings broke. chinner came to the rescue with a whole new guitar in the middle of the song. someone behind me was like hey why does no one do that for me when I play 😭 MOOD

Wicked Mind

I Still Love You

MY OTHER FAVORITE AAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! a song that allows the guitars to go into the stratosphere as mike said. also I wish I could remember exactly what he said but he introduced it as I still love you with like a string of petnames attached asfjlkds STOP 😭 ignore that I would absolutely melt if this 73 year old man called me any of them

Then something very special TO ME happened ok.. mike asked for his rickenbacker 12 string, said the next song was NOT on the setlist, NOT discussed beforehand, and the band had NO IDEA what he was about to do. it was his "request" and one of the songs that made him want a 12 string in the first place. then proceeded to start the byrds' version of

Mr. Tambourine Man

then there's me absolutely losing my mind. I'm - ok. get this. I was literally listening to the byrds that afternoon??? since I got a few more of their records?? and to have mike just randomly decide to play the byrds was INSANE. was there some kind of connection there OR WHAT???? that was just..... 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 obviously that was just for ME 😭😭😭😭😭 that's my guyyy

at this point the band gets their introductions and you know what. they all deserve so much appreciation. I haven't mentioned lance or steve yet but they were absolutely solid as a rhythm section and deserve to be noticed for that. lance might actually be up there as one of my favorite bass players tbh. those songs would not sound the way they do without my favorite instrument holding them up!! also I thought it was cute that mike introduced chris and lance and went that's it! that's the band! lmaoo the crowd knew better and I LOVE that. steve got such a big reaction AS HE SHOULD!! and steve did come up front to introduce mike like he has been. and he made a really heartfelt speech about how they met and how walking into those wildflowers sessions started the best 30 years of his life. I'm so grateful that I've been able to see them together a couple times now. there's clearly a lot of love, respect, and pure friendship there that's really beautiful to see in person. anyway. now that I'm almost crying again, they end on two more of tom's songs

You Wreck Me

mike said, "happy birthday tom, we're still here for you" 😭😭😭

Runnin' Down a Dream

featuring the best freakin guitar solo everrrr OF COURSE

as if I didn't make it obvious enough already, I had such a great timeee 😭 I always do!!! I think what really gets me though is that these guys are just people. of course they are?? but it's so so obvious when you're with them and watching them interact with each other and the crowd. it's really silly little things that I notice too and I'm just like. I love these people. at one point mike asked to have the bass in his ear lowered and lance acted sad about it. during the introductions mike looked at chris and went, "you're trouble" and chris got a laugh out of that. when steve came up to the mic one of the first things he said was "do you like my jacket" lmaoo he bought it from one of the vendors at the festival and they gave him a discount to say that asjfdlkf. talent and songs and everything else aside, those little things make concerts so so special to me. I also absolutely adore how much credit mike gives the guys for keeping him going and inspired. this is a band. not just some random guys. it's kinda like what the heartbreakers were for tom, it just wouldn't happen without the right people.

once it was over, mike left us with a little piece of advice that. I just had to write down for my own reasons

in his words, "love somebody, and let them love you back"

and that felt like the perfect way to end the night 🥺

[mitamicah]

Stories from summer camp pt. 11

This is part 11 of my stories from summer camp series - for better context you can check out

Masterpost | Previous part | Next part

11) Mission Cha Cha Cha week two: how I used my special interest to my advantage in a studio setting

I’d already explained how I tried to get people to play Cha Cha Cha with me the week before and how it didn’t work. Well luck would have it that the second week I’d signed up for a sound producer course where Leah, our teacher, suggested we’d make either a cover or a remix of a song so to not get lost in also writing a song while trying to record it. I immediately knew it had to be Cha Cha Cha that I’d cover.

That Sunday before the second week started I’d been up and excitingly record memos of myself explaining how to make a badass a capella intro (since very few at the camp knew the song my hope was to quickly have them learn the cha cha cha chant by singing it at them before the song even started).

Oh boy I had a lot of nervous energy and excitement to get started when we met out on the team that evening. I was honest from the get-go that I might have way too many ambitions. That turned out not to be an understatement. By the second day I still felt like I wasn’t far enough along (even though the plan was only to get started with the big project the next day) so me and Eva went to Leah and asked if we could borrow her key to get inside the sound studio to work on our stuff.

Here's where I need to clarify something. Normally all equipment would be available to us all day around yet the one room that got locked in the evening was the one I worked in. We’d been getting the short end of the stick with locations on the sound producer course by not having anywhere great to record vocals (except maybe one room that one person already had called dips on) and so we had no choice but to use the room that got locked up at night. Leah fortunately understood our concerns and locked us in. This was a free night with no event in the evening, so I used it to my advantage and recorded around 2/3 of the instrumentals. It took me until half past midnight aka five and a half hours.

  This wouldn’t be my only long night however since the next day I’d be back at the studio until 1 am recording the last part of the instrumentals. I’m glad I did that since on Thursday I wanted to record vocals and so I had to have a wip of the entire song ready to sing on top of.

Here I almost broke down again since as mentioned earlier there was no good place to record vocals, so we had to throw out the guy from the one room and that made me so uncomfortable. Then there was no microphone in the room (I managed to borrow one) and the program was an older version, so I had to convert the audio track to a wav file before being able to record. So, so many more things seemed to go wrong those first few hours. Poor Leah tried to help me in all of this but I couldn’t take it anymore: I cried some stress tears and she immediately backed off. Bless her soul, she later went with me on a walk apologizing for not realizing my stress level earlier.

From eleven o’clock and onward however, I basically got the studio for myself to record vocals (which I later learned almost drove my fellow producers crazy since all they could hear was me screaming CHA CHA CHA). I was done around diner aka 6 that evening. It got to be a long evening with open mic, so I was only back in the studio at 1 or 1.30 to record some acoustic guitar. The next morning, I didn’t go to any morning activity but went straight to the studio afterwards to record some piano.

After all of those long evenings recording, I finally had something presentable– not really as great as I wanted it but it was something – to work with at Friday only mere hours before the deadline. Leah was kind enough to help me make the kickdrum, bass and lead vocal sound great and otherwise I sprinted through a mixdown the best I could. I was done five minutes before the deadline. Had this not been my special interest I am not sure I’d been able to be this disciplined. On the other hand, maybe I wouldn’t have stressed this much either. Either way I was finally able to feel excited half an hour before the showcase started.

[erablaise-blog]

Listen. I'm lucky enough that I actually got a mixtape. And yeah, I understand we still do that - we make playlists on Spotify and what not but

I have a CD. It was burned for me by my first girlfriend. Its been years but I still have it - because at one point in my life, someone cared so much about me that they spent hours picking the perfect songs, off YouTube because an acoustic version wasn't released, because in a live recording the singer's voice broke just so on a specific word - and they agonised over the order of the songs, they spent hours waiting for it to burn (cause that shit took ages) and then they took the time to write down the songs on paper, with tiny hearts and comments and put permanent marker to the still warm CD and wrote my name on it.

There is no identical mixtape like that. It's just mine.

And yeah, we broke up years ago, they and the feelings are long gone, I don't even own a photo of us anymore.

But that CD will stay forever with me. Because someone took the time to put a tiny piece of their love into physical form for me, and it's just mine.

So yeah, that's why we will always go back to physical media, be that music, movies or books, especially if you got it as a gift.

Those physical pieces of memories are worth more than any photo for me.

HOLD THE LINE!! KEEP PUSHING!!!!!

[camilo-makesyousmile]

Camilo Carlos Castillo Madrigal – Character Sheet

my mama told me when i was young, "we are all born superstars" / she rolled my hair and put my lipstick on in the glass of her boudoir / "there's nothing wrong with loving who you are" / she said, "'cause he made you perfect, babe / so hold your head up, girl, and you'll go far"

Archetype — The Joker Birthday — December 28, 1998 Zodiac Sign — Rising Libra, Capricorn Sun, Virgo Moon MBTI — ENFP Enneagram — Type 7: the Enthusiast  Temperament — Sanguine Moral Alignment — Chaotic Good Primary Vice — Sloth Primary Virtue — Patience Element — Air

Overview

Mother — Josefina Carolina Madrigal-Castillo  Father — Félix Diego Madrigal-Castillo Mother’s Occupation — Assistant to the mayor Father’s Occupation — Nurse Family Finances — Middle ground? Not rich, not broke lol  Birth Order — Middle! Brothers —  Antonio [middle name] Castillo Madrigal Sisters — Dolores Adalia Castillo Madrigal Other Close Family — the Madrigals, im not listing them all Best Friend — TBD Other Friends — TBD Enemies — TBD Pets — all of Antonio’s friends Home Life During Childhood — Idyllic, loving family, beautiful house, beautiful town--happy and fulfilling childhood surrounded by love <;3 Town or City Name(s) — Encanto, Isle de Silvia, Avalor; Swynlake, England What Did His or Her Bedroom Look Like — It’s always been the same! Camilo’s bedroom in Casita is a massive auditorium with many fun house mirrors. His bed is actually “backstage” so to speak and difficult to get to if you don’t know how. (It’s a Metaphor for him hiding behind all his different faces.) It has excellent acoustics and when he was little, especially, he used to invite everyone into his theater to see him perform.  Any Sports or Clubs — Theater! Also, he’ll play some football but mostly casually.  Favorite Toy or Game — Charades, ofc.  Schooling — Primary in Avalor, was 16 when they came to Swynlake so he went to secondary in the UK; did not go to college Favorite Subject — Theater lol Popular or Loner — POPULAR! Important Experiences or Events — Getting his gift, Mirabel not getting hers, Antonio getting his (Cami was PRESSED), Avalor…  Nationality — Avalorian-Colombian Culture — Avalorian-Colombian Religion and beliefs — Catholic, tho they have a loosey goosey version of the Bible they follow lol

Physical Appearance

Face Claim — N/A Complexion — Brown skin with freckles on nose/cheeks, some pimples, but not a lot; very little facial hair, etc.  Hair Colour — Dark brown afro with some red highlights in the sun Eye Colour — Hazel Height — 5’7 Build — Wiry, but short Tattoos — Probably a few? I gotta think more about this Piercings — Nose and ears Common Hairstyle — A nice proper fro that they sometimes twist Clothing Style — Queer lol Mannerisms — Big and expressive!! Usual Expression — Smiling!

Health

Overall (do they get sick easily)? — Nah and if they do, tia Julieta got them! Physical Ailments — None Neurological Conditions — Kleptomania Allergies — None Grooming Habits — Stays pretty well groomed tbh. Loves a face mask and manicure. Sleeping Habits — Sleeps a lot bc of his powers -- will fall asleep anywhere. Eating Habits — Eats anything. At all times is snacking on something.  Exercise Habits — Doesn’t exercise a whole lot, at least not purposefully Emotional Stability — Pretty good tbh, Camilo is pretty even-keeled Body Temperature — This is always the weirdest question why is this here? NORMAL Sociability —  Extremely sociable and good with people Addictions — Stealing things, maybe a lil alcohol dependency Drug Use — None  Alcohol Use — Too much probably

Your Character’s Character 

Bad Habits — Not caring enough about things, saying whatever is on their mind, no matter the cost lol Good Habits — Always a friendly face and a good listener, tbh  Best Characteristic — Being funny and charming Worst Characteristic — Too unattached Worst Memory — Fleeing Avalor Best Memory — Getting their gift! Proud of — Their family! Embarrassed by — Their family!  Driving Style — Do not let them behind a wheel, too irresponsible Strong Points — Fun, carefree, easily excitable, loyal (these are the traits of a dog)  Weakness — Being serious about stuff Fears — Something happening to his family Phobias — None…?  Secrets — Their stealing… Regrets — NOTHING BABY! (lies) Feels Vulnerable When — People try and make them be serious.  Pet Peeves — People trying to make them be serious.  Conflicts — Caring about their family v wanting to do their own thing Motivation — Do it for the bit!!  Short Term Goals and Hopes — Doesn’t really have any…  Long Term Goals and Hopes — Also doesn’t really have any… Sexuality — Queer Day or Night Person — Night  Introvert or Extrovert — Extrovert Optimist or Pessimist — Nihilist?  Greatest Want — To make everyone have as good a time as they are 🧡 Greatest Need — To maybe take things a lil more seriously

[setthishouseablaze]

If the sad, painful, moving truth, the magic, (the showmanship?) is in her headlong dive into the ocean waves then what is the ocean to TS?

Her lyrics reference oceans/seas frequently, sometimes lightly e.g. swimming in a champagne sea [4], or lovingly [3, 5, 9], but more often in terms of drowning [3], emotional distance/yearning [5, 8, 9, 10, 12], secrets [5, 6, 13], depression/madness [6, 7, 10], and self destruction. [11]

One of the Jack o Lantern messages [14] to Spade Riddles comes to mind “If you jump into the water, we won’t lay a finger on anyone else. We won’t even take the rubies.” - May 17 2023, in short the message is that she has been forced to dive into the ocean to swim with the sharks in order to protect her loved ones from their enemies. I personally interpret it as being forced into another bearding contract.

Her 'stage dive' happens immediately after the acoustic set, which is in between 1989 and Midnights in the "Eras Tour: Taylors Version" and in between TTPD and Midnights in the current tour set list. She always dives before Midnight(s.)

So then, before we meet her at Midnight she must keep her secrets a little longer, via TK, no matter how depressing and destructive it may be?

Side-Note: Does anybody else think that Carolina's lyrical rhythm matches The Archer?

References below the cut.

References to Oceans & Seas in Taylor Swift lyrics -

[1] "You'll spend your whole life singing the blues if you keep thinkin' that way." He was tryin' to skip rocks on the ocean, saying to me "Don't you see the starlight, starlight?"

Starlight (Taylor's Version), Red

[2] I heard from everybody You part the crowd like the Red Sea Don't even get me started

Now That We Don't Talk (Taylor's Version) [From The Vault], 1989

[3] Ocean blue eyes lookin' in mine I feel like I might sink and drown and die

Gorgeous, reputation

[4] Jump into the pool from the balcony Everyone swimmin' in a champagne sea

This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things, reputation

[5] We were stupid to jump In the ocean separating us

False God, Lover

[6] But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm If your cascade, ocean wave blues come All these people think love's for show but I would die for you in secret

peace, folklore

[7] They say she was seen on occasion Pacing the rocks, staring out at the midnight sea

the last great american dynasty, folklore

[8] Staying friends would iron it out so nice Guilty, guilty, reaching out across the sea That you put between you and me

closure, evermore

[9] A slow-motion, love potion Jumping off things in the ocean I broke his heart 'cause he was nice

Midnight Rain, Midnights

[10] Every single thing I touch becomes sick with sadness 'Cause it's all over now, all out to sea

Bigger Than The Whole Sky, Midnights

[11] I dream of crackin' locks Throwin' my life to the wolves or the ocean rocks Crashin' into him tonight, he's a paradox -Guilty as Sin?, The Tortured Poets Department

[12] Words from the mouths of babes Promises oceans-deep But never to keep

Peter, The Tortured Poets Department

[13] But the sleep comes fast and I'll meet no ghosts It's between me, the sand, and the sea Carolina knows

Carolina, Where The Crawdads Sing

[14] Spade Riddles - Jack's message in full

@spade-riddles

The 🫚 message from back in Dec 2023..

“Don't be the audience applauding the levitation, oblivious to the floorboards creaking beneath your feet. The true magic, the poignant truth, lies in the descent, not the ascent.”

Literally EVERYONE has been posting videos of the Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me? performance…the one with lyrics about levitating and ALSO LITERALLY HER LEVITATING ON STAGE? In front of an audience????

I think we all need to start looking closely at these messages in the context of the show easter eggs vs. just lyric Easter eggs

[seakittens]

Feelings and Emotions about Final Stroke Volume 2

So @kudouusagi and I ventured into Mexico this weekend to check out the hopefully FINAL Free movie. And it was a wild adventure. But more importantly, the movie was probably some of the most I've enjoyed Free since Take Your Marks! I absolutely loved it! That doesn't mean it's not without flaws. But as someone who has watched every piece of Free media, read every single bit of side content and spent untold dollars on Free merch, it hit the sweet spot.

And I thought I'd share my impressions with those of you who may not see it for a very long time.

Okay, let's get some general disclaimers out of the way. 1.) I am not going to summarize this movie. You've read the summaries, you know how the movie goes. This post is just going to be my stream of conscious RinHaru/Free fangirl babble about how the movie affected me in various scenes. It will be in mostly chronological order because that's how I remember things, but I can't guarantee perfectly accurate flow. MOST IMPORTANT I AM A RINHARU FAN AND THAT IS MY PRIMARY FOCUS. If you are not here for that, this is not the post for you! Again, you have actual summaries. This is just a feelings ramble. 2.) I am not going to focus on characters that I am not overly concerned with. Others have covered what they’re doing. 3.) I am not going to mention any dialogue, unless it's dialogue that's been covered in other summaries since my Japanese is garbo and I don't want to lead anyone astray. 4. This movie is EXTREMELY visual-based. Dialogue is kind of minimal compared to most Free content and visual storytelling is KEY. No summary is going to quite convey the same feeling as the movie because framing and visuals are so important to really APPRECIATING this movie. There is a lot that is just surreal as far as dream sequences and out of body experiences. Endless metaphors. Constant flashbacks and Best of RH screen reels. It is just A LOT. So seeing it will be your best way of truly FEELING this movie. But I will do my best to capture my feelings at least. 5.) This movie is not perfect and I will have a section for nitpicks. It's just how I roll.

ONTO THE IMPRESSIONS - HERE THERE BE SPOILERS

THE MOMENTS THAT MADE MY FANGIRL HEART FLUTTER (Or just the really cute/cool stuff) - Ikuya teasing Sousuke about being lost after Sousuke appears out of freakin' nowhere in the beginning scene. - The acoustic version of Dried Up Youthful Fame plays over a combination of the RinHaru fight in FS1 and flashbacks to basically every RH scene in existence. This works AMAZINGLY well and gives you all the emotions. ;; This is the moment when I realized this movie was even MORE RinHaru than previously advertised. It just screams THIS IS THE IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP OF THE SERIES and I love it. You see their whole evolution even as you see everything breaking down. And as you know, you get new dialogue and new angles of their reactions during the fight. Simply gorgeous. - THE PINING - PART HARU. Haru is so miserable without Rin. He's also exhausted from overworking himself but Sousuke bringing up Rin sends him into total Rin despair. Complete with RinHaru flashbacks. - Natsuya appearing in Sousuke's car after Sousuke drops Haru off. I swear to god I thought Natsuya appeared out of nowhere and must have been sleeping on the floor lol. - THE PINING - PART RIN. Rin just sounds so broken for the first section of this movie. Both in his attempting to convince himself his choice in FS1 was right, as he talks to Mikhail's closed door. And in his scene with Asahi in the laundromat, when he basically melts into the bench. It's the most depressed I've ever seen Rin, and this includes Season 1. The poor thing. The way he says "Haru" to Asahi nearly broke me. HE'S SO SAD. - Another case of a character appearing out of freakin' nowhere. Mikhail isn't in the room when Rin opens the door but somehow appears right behind him. Why does this keep happening? - Baby Haru falling in love with a video of a waterfall was too precious. All of baby Haru in the water was too precious. - Makoto watching RinHaru's greatest hits via home movies in the theater. Technically, Nagisa is here too, but this is shown to be Makoto's dream so I'm going with him dreaming about Nagisa being here. It is again just SO MUCH RINHARU. And yes, the scene with them as superheroes is hilarious. The music here is a medley of Boy in the Water, Ever Blue and Words that Changed My Life. ;; - Also Haru is having dreams about running away from the relay and crying and you can see tears in his eyes and WHY DO YOU HURT ME THIS WAY KYOANI. Also bizarre how dream him falls through the screen and tries to stop bb Haru but passes through him like a ghost~. Also bb Haru in Albert clothing was suitably creepy. XD - You really feel how badly Haru and Rin are doing without each other, just unable to reach their full potential in swimming and the coaches keep commenting on it. - Ryuuji is a tsun disaster in this movie but I absolutely love him. - I have no idea what Makoto texted Rin because when he showed up to yell at Ryuuji, he was basically ON FIRE. He was pure rage and manhandling Ryuuji and it was just really intense. Then Makoto calms him down (though dude, Makoto, this is your fault, what did you say to him??) and Ryuuji basically starts hauling Rin around with the same intensity. I swear the angle made it almost look like he had Rin by the throat when it was just his collar. And Rin looks ready to tear up. He doesn't cry but just the sheer broken emotion on his face is SO GOOD. Especially after Ryuuji says his piece about Rin telling Haru how he feels and Rin breaks away. - Makoto and Rin trying to find Haru was suitably dramatic. I love Rin beating himself for everything he's ever said to Haru and just falling and rolling in the dirt until he reaches his sakura. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW HE COULD BLOODY TELL THAT WAS HARU. I could barely tell that was Haru. All you see is the back of Haru's head. Rin must have eagle eye vision. Though the look in his eyes is so awestruck when he finds him that I guess I will forgive the surreality of it all. - Okay words cannot describe how hilarious it is that Rin called Makoto to tell him Haru was there and then waited for Makoto to show up and then the SECOND Makoto shows up and tries to walk toward Haru, Rin stops him and goes over to strip. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY RIN WAITED TO DO THIS. HOW LONG WAS HE JUST STARING AT HARU FLOATING IN THE WATER? WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS, RIN? - The night pool is another thing that can't be put into words. It's gorgeous. The softness between Rin and Haru when Rin challenges him is just amazing. The moment in their race when Rin realizes Haru is racing normally again, the expression on Rin's face, just top fucking notch. So good. Also love the lighting during their race. Even if they are basically racing to techno porno music. I LOVE LIKE A MAGNET OKAY. - Haru is so friggin soft when Rin hugs him. The whole hug scene when they're being honest with each other about their feelings, they are so soft. Just the way Haru just sort of drops his head and looks so tender. And the teasing affectionate look in his eyes. And their gentle smiles at each other. I CAN'T OKAY I CAN'T. It's so fucking intimate I feel like a voyeur watching this. DO I HAVE THEIR CONSENT TO BE VIEWING THIS? - I love them pulling Makoto into the pool without warning. Lol they are such asses. They tease Makoto about it too. I liked that for a split second Makoto looked like he did in Season 1 Episode 1. Great callback. - So we know they ask to train together. And this actually brings my FAVORITE moment of the whole movie. There's this super fast clip of Rin and Haru doing laps with each other. And they swim past each other in different lanes. And Rin does his usual grin at Haru. And Haru does the MOST AMAZING SMILE (click to see it) back at Rin. I was DYING. You have no idea how long I've waited to see Haru happy while smiling with Rin IT'S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL MOMENT. I can't even explain why it means so much to me. It just really captured how far they've come. Because it's an allusion to when Rin beat Haru in Season 1 and he had that wild grin and Haru just looked shocked. Except now Haru is DELIGHTED. And ahhhhh my heart. - Also their cute bickering at one another while everyone freaks out and Makoto just shakes his head. Haru is so tsun in that scene too. XD - I loved the Ryuuji flashback when Mikhail basically does the Rin shoulder lean on Ryuuji before Kiyo shows up. It really cements them as the original MHR trio. Even down to how tsun young Ryuuji is and how Kiyo keeps calling him chan. I loved this. It was just really sweet. - I love Kinjou in this movie in general. But I especially love when he's being tsun about Haru since he cares about Haru's condition more than anyone. I'll never get why we never SAW his redemption arc but I do love slightly more unhinged "Rin" basically. XD - I have long detested the back-walking on Sousuke's arc in Eternal Summer BUT I really like Sousuke in this movie. And I truly enjoyed his race with Rin. It was very sweet and cathartic for them both. I just love Sousuke being wholly his own person in this movie and having so many other relationships with Makoto, Natsuya, Kinjou, Hiyori and Haru. Just good stuff for the lad. Also using "Clear Blue Departure" for their race was very very good. - So there's this scene when they all qualify for Nationals and are celebrating and I could barely pay attention BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL DRESSED SO AWFUL. It's like this is the most important moment of your lives and you are an embarrassment to fashion. Anyway, the positive here is Asahi who is the purest cinnamon roll and so happy about his qualification. YOU DESERVE THE WORLD, ASAHI. ;;b - I love all the races in this movie. Haru defying Ryuuji's advice in his Kinjou race was done really well. It was super intense. And I love the music. Drag Racer indeed. - I am a sap so of course I loved Rin and Ikuya showing up with Makoto when Haru's recovering in the clinic. - As always, I love Rin and Ikuya interactions in general. They're such a great pair. They don't have as much here as FS1 but they're still precious. Them hugging each other after getting their medals MY SOUL IS LEAVING MY BODY. - I AM SO UPSET HARU DIDN'T SEE RIN WIN HIS RACE. (More on that later.) But I did love the callback of Gou wearing Rin's medal to when Tora let Rin wear his medal and told Gou she could wear it next time. MY EYES ARE LEAKING. Also Rin's mom mentioning something that Rin still has to do. Which I'm assuming is about swimming with Haru but GEEZ YOU TOLD YOUR MOM ABOUT HARU TOO, RIN? Have you at least brought him to meet her yet? Anyway, supportive Miyako ftw. - I absolutely LOVED the scene where Haru leaves Makoto in the clinic. It's framed like a relay exchange. Where Haru thanks Makoto and then grabs his hand for a moment and strides past him, as if he's diving forward (into the water). This was SUCH A GOOD symbolism for their relationship. I loved it so much. I loved the metaphor of Makoto turning the race over to Haru aaaaah. - Oh about Haru's crazy dream sequence while he's unconscious. I really liked how he manages to grab his younger self to keep him from running. It's so dramatic. And bb Haru's tears. ;; - Total chaos with the relay changeup. I loved this madness. Even if poor Asahi got screwed over again. YOU'LL GET THEM NEXT TIME, ASAHI. ;;b Oh, I’m squeezing in Ikuya’s absolutely precious smile to Hiyori just before his race. It stole my heart completely. God it was gorgeous. - I love Kinjou seeing the "sight" in his race because he's so darkly unhinged about it and it's just such a cool contrast to Season 1 Rin seeing the "sight." This was a great scene. Kinjou is awesome. What a dick. XD - Okay, the final race was insanely good. From Samezuka getting all possessive over Sousuke. To Seijurou showing up and being all intensely supportive. To the way the powerful music CUTS OFF COMPLETELY when Haru dives over Rin (cue Rin eyecatch of Haru) and only picks up again once he hits the water CHILLS. And just Haru's racing is so fucking INTENSE. I knew how this would end and I was honestly EXCITED AND ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT. Free has never made me feel that way about a race because the winner never matters. But it mattered here and it WORKED. - Oh yeah, I generally loved everyone cheering for everyone. This is something that was sorely lacking since Season 1 after Eternal Summer started the teamsplit trend. And I think everyone cheering for everyone really captures the spirit of Free so this made me REALLY HAPPY. - I also like the flashing back to everyone else watching the race, including Misaki and his friend and Rin's homestay parents and Winnie. D'awww. - I admit being a RH, my hackles DID go up for a moment when bb Haru reached out to bb Albert in the same manner as Haru reaching out to Rin from Season 1 Episode 12. BUT I was relieved that Albert just grabs his hand so it's a different feeling. And I loved Haru "saving" Albert. The whole transition of the dark water around Albert to the bright beautiful water around Haru. - Speaking of Albert, they don't really let him speak that much in this movie. And it's almost entirely to Haru. But I love his lines. He's still an adorable bear. I love his rivalry with Haru so much. They're so good. - Of course I loved the final relay hug. And everyone crying with joy. Even Haru. FEELS. - It was so surreal watching Haru just DROP out of that group hug and fall on the floor. As much as I love Rin holding him on his knee after he falls, it's just such a surreal scene. It's seriously framed like Haru is dying. Bizarre. - OKAY SO HUNGARY. We know about the tracks and this creative version of a Words that Changed My Life playing against Ever Blue. But what REALLY sells this scene is the huge smirk/grin on Haru's face when he answers Rin's question about if he wants to see how the dream continues. That is one HAPPY CONFIDENT MAN. I love it! - Oh yeah, so on the final RinHaru note, I'm going to be real. The way they frame this movie, where Haru is constantly asked or asking himself questions about why he swims, why he swims competitively and what he's after... and then have Rin be his savior more or less. It really frames it that RIN and his relationship with Rin ARE those answers. Like it's not even ambiguous. You really have to SEE this framing to get what I mean. Especially with how the movie starts and ends with RinHaru's relationship. It's just stunning.

THE WHAT THE FUCK MOMENTS THAT STOOD OUT - Who let Sousuke drive? Why is this man driving? Why are people in a car with him? They could have at least shown him with a GPS or something. - Rei and Ai's introductions to Ikuya's team. Compared to Nagisa. Nagisa's is a normal bouncy introduction to Kinjou's team while Rei and Ai break out into full interpretive dance. I don't even know man... - Why is Makoto having dreams of RinHaru's Greatest Hits? It's just so weird. XD Also evil goldfish always blocking him. - WHY IS NAGISA GOING AFTER PRO COMPETITIVE SWIMMING? He has so many other choices. He has never shown interest in wanting to do this forever. He just liked swimming with his friends and THAT'S FINE. He gets to competitive swim but Nao and Makoto don't? The people who ACTUALLY WANTED TO PURSUE THIS? Why? Why does freakin' everyone go into pro swimming except for Nao and Makoto? It's so STUPID. Why can't anyone have any other path? I can buy Rei and Ai since that ties into their "need to get better at swimming" arcs. BUT NAGISA NEVER EVEN IMPROVED AT SWIMMING. He has no swimming arc! They just did this because they didn't know what else to do with him. And yeah, him and Kinjou are incredibly cute but this plotline is STILL STUPID. And miserably unfair to both Nao and Makoto. - SPEAKING OF MAKOTO, we're going to talk about AN INTERESTING SCENE. So Makoto relays the story of how him and Nagisa wanted to get Haru a charm to cheer him up after him losing to older kids when they were younger. An undercurrent of this is Nagisa wants Makoto to tell Haru how he feels about him. He eventually tells him he loves his swimming and is adorably embarrassed. We got back to real life and Haru's reaction to this? HE DOESN'T FREAKIN' REMEMBER. DUDE DON'T TELL HIM THAT. SAY ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT. THIS DUDE POURED HIS HEART OUT TO YOU IN STORY FROM AND YOU TELL HIM YOU DON'T REMEMBER THAT. i can't even. i can't. Anyway, Rin is clearly feeling bad for Makoto after Haru's usual blunt nature so he tells him that he remembers hearing about a kid who defeated a bunch of older kids. And apparently this adds another level to the growing pyramid lore of how Rin first heard about Haru. Lol. But yeah, it was just so weird to have Haru react like that to what seemed to be an important story to Makoto and something he's been trying to convey since the last movie (maybe? we'll get to that). Why? I don't get it. - While I love the scene of young Ryuuji and the others. IT BREAKS THE PKH LORE. Since young Ryuuji is tsun. Now I figured originally that tsun Ryuuji was the result of losing his friend and that's why he didn't have PKH's charming personality. But no Ryuuji was still tsun as a youngster. SO WHERE DID THAT ULTRA LADIES MAN PKH PICTURE COME FROM? He seems like a completely different person from young Ryuuji. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE.

- WHY THE FUCK IS EVERYONE SURPRISED THAT SOUSUKE IS SWIMMING BACK? Like the whole point of the second half of the movie is they’re all training together. But it’s this huge surprise when Sousuke competes in back and qualifies. Was Nao hosting secret swimming lessons at night ala Rin/Rei from Eternal Summer? When did this special regiment happen? Why did nobody know about it? Why was it a secret? Was it supposed to be a secret? This just completely DOES NOT WORK with their whole theme of working together toward their goal. It surprises the audience sure but it holds no logical consistency to what they established about the joint training. It’s so dumb. - I hate the Haru passing out/collapsing storyline. It's stupid and adds nothing to overall story. It just makes dumb artificial drama. Especially since he basically gets over it at the end. It also means Haru sleeps through most of the tournament. Missing BOTH Rin and Ikuya's races. Which pisses me off. Don't you think it would have done him good after being traumatized by his friends' losses in Sydney to see them win here? This just really bothered me. He doesn't see the qualifying relay team either. He loses the chance to cheer for any of his friends. :/ This was a dumb choice. F minus. - So there's a scene where Makoto and Ryuuji are discussing Haru's decision to do the relay and Ikuya and Rin are hanging outside the closed door and Ikuya asks if Rin should be in there and Rin is like "Our relationship isn't like that." And honestly, WTF. This isn't a private moment. They are literally discussing Haru doing a final tournament swim. You know the thing you've been pushing him along for YOUR ENTIRE RELATIONSHIP. You can cry on his face, hug him and pour out your heart, wake up at his bedside... But sure, listening to him discuss his swimming plans THAT'S TOO MUCH FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP. what the actual fuck. And this comes AFTER Rin says he's going to stop playing it cool around Haru. >_< I know it's supposed to be a callback to FS1 where Rin tells Ikuya his relationship with Ikuya is "more complicated than that." But COME ON. - I don't know why anyone is in Hungary. This scene makes no sense. Are they there for a race? Why is Makoto there? Why is Makoto looking around for someone (presumably Haru) and then being shocked to find him? Why does Ryuuji know that Rin is in Hungary but Makoto has to tell Haru that? Why does Makoto have to tell Rin that Haru is there? WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING???

- I don’t think they actually really resolved Makoto’s whole thing he needed to tell Haru in FS1. They set it up as this big moment of Makoto needing to tell Haru something and have him flashback to bb Makoto chasing after Haru and being blocked by goldfish. And I guessss it’s supposed to be the backstory Makoto tells him about him and Nagisa. But this just feels very weaksauce compared to how this was set up as some BIG IMPORTANT THING in FS1. And if it IS the big important thing that Makoto was pining to tell Haru all of FS1... Haru’s blasé reaction is EVEN WORSE. orz

- Wait! I forgot to complain about the utter insanity of making Momo and Ayumu team captains. Momo has the emotional maturity of a kiwi and Ayumu CAN’T EVEN SWIM. Do they even have enough swimming members for a relay team at this point? Captains have to swim! They need to demonstrate things and be the team representative. You don’t always have to SHOW the captains, KyoAni. It’s okay sometimes for people to just mention their new captain and say they’re learning a lot. Just. SIGH.

THE HORRIBLY MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

- Nao. Just Nao. Basically they gave the recovery arc to Sousuke and forgot Nao entirely. HS sets it up so his eye operation isn't supposed to have a long recovery and he can swim again. DF sets it up so he has to keep recovering so he can swim again. WHY DOES HE NEVER SWIM WITH NATSUYA WHEN THIS IS CLEARLY SET UP AS A THING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN? Why is he doing virtually nothing this whole movie? I guess he helps training with Makoto a little but it's barely there. What a wasted character. 

- Natsuya wasn’t used that great here either, but at least he got to relay and react to Ikuya’s win. They were still cute. And yeah, at least Nao and Natsuya are cute now and then. I’m just overall disappointed with both their arcs. Especially since Ikuya got less focus in FS2 so the whole Kirishima brothers taking on the world thing lacked proper oomph. I’m not as disappointed with Ikuya since he still gets to relish his win and he is overall AROUND.

- Rei. Rei does nothing. Woo he makes some bracelets. This is a far cry to Rei's role in Season 1 and Eternal Summer. He is basically there to be cute with Nagisa and nothing else. He doesn't even qualify in Nationals so his whole learn to swim arc is ongoing I guess. He never even gets a suitably meaningful scene with Haru or Rin. Which is the MOST disappointing part of all. But he just feels really flat in this. - Albert. He just really needed more time in this. We needed to see more of his rivalry with Haru. We needed to know if he actually broke away from his mean coach. We needed to see more of his pure swimmer side. He just feels there for Haru to have a goal beyond wanting to swim with Rin. Not well executed. - Kinjou. Again, why didn't we see his redemption arc? Why did he suddenly change between FS1 and FS2? I love Kinjou in FS2 but it just feels so abrupt. And they barely resolve his issues with Hiyori or Kiyo. It's upsetting. - Asahi and Rin Connection. Come on, you had a huge scene with them. You couldn't have fit in a moment of Asahi seeing a pic of Rin's dad at the tournament and pointing out his own father in the pic. KyoAni connected every character under the sun after Eternal Summer but they couldn't even manage the ACTUAL meaningful connection between characters. No instead we get Ai and Mikhail being relatives. :/ This was so friggin' simple. Fail.

- THE FRIGGIN SAKURA TREE. I know they do this beautiful metaphor with the night pool and the way the lights are like blossoms and the colors and it’s great. But you found a way to get Albert’s friggin’ father to Iwatobi but you can’t get Rin and Haru back there to see the damn tree bloom. The thing that has been promised since Season 1, since the Eternal Summer Drama CD. It’s like YOU HAD ONE FUCKING JOB... I still can’t believe they failed this. What we got was beautiful but I can’t pretend this doesn’t irk the hell out of me. >_< - This isn't really a missed point. But dammit Asahi don't sell yourself so short. You qualified for the national team. YOU CAN DO THIS DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM. ;;b JUSTICE FOR ASAHI. He suffers the fate of butterfly swimmer. There are just too many butterfly swimmers. 8(

Overall, despite the WTFs and missed opportunities, I did truly love this movie and think it's the perfect ending to Free and the story they set up since Season 1. I'm amazed they managed to pull this off, given their need to showcase EVERY FLIPPING CHARACTER THEY EVER INTRODUCED. But it somehow worked and RinHaru's relationship shown as the centerpiece it always has been. What a ride, Free fans. What a ride.

P.S. Listen to the OST. It’s sooo good.

[holeynightsky]

overthinking albums: scaled and icy

welcome to the first edition of overthinking albums, where i spew my brainrot nonsense all over the internet and attempt to make every song in an album connect to something within the same fandom!! this is a torment my brain will not cease haha fun game i've played with myself for years. counter-arguments, improvements, and other recommendations are all welcome & encouraged!!

today's album: scaled and icy by twenty one pilots, which can be found here on spotify. today's fandom: percy jackson.

good day - a cornerstone. captures the general light energy of the whole series. a good song, that's what it is. (for character matching, gut instinct says leo but that is based on nothing.)

choker - i mean, is there any clearer demigod anthem?? the angst, the hope, the general "fuck it i'll do it myself"-ness???? sdjfaksjd the demigods who go on quests and realize their godly parents aren't going to come save them + i see no volunteers to cosign on my fears / ... / nobody's comin' for me???

shy away - a thalia & luke song. not them together romantically, but come with me on this journey: this one is a theme that keeps coming up throughout the series, sometimes the way TTP played it, sometimes in a minor key, sometimes slowed + reverb. for thalia, it's a reminder that she broke out of the cycle of death for big 3 kids, a victory over her destiny. for luke, a darker, slower version with more bass: when you get home / you barely recognize the pictures / they put in a frame / ... / don't circle the track / take what you have / and leave your skin on the floor. he sees himself as the hero of the piece, breaking the cycle, but the audience can see bits of humanity flaking away as the ends justify the means. at the end of TLO, we hear a slowed acoustic version play as thalia sits in the ruin and luke is gone: when i get home / boy, you better not be there / you're long gone.

the outside - this one is a bit trickier, assuming you don't want to take the obvious track (percy theme, i am a megalodon, ocean's feeling like a pond / swimming like a beast, underneath they be clinging on). but more specifically, i'd argue this is a percy at new rome. even if he can't place what they are, he know he's done major quests (i'm pretty sure i've seen this one before / i've got a long drive, i'll tape my eyes / so i don't fall asleep again). being a child of "neptune" leaves him isolated, and forming an alliance with the other outcasts is what allows them to succeed. the little cogs got together, start a renaissance.

saturday - the lotus casino. is this on the nose? yes. do i care? no. i have strong emotions and i will listen to them like a good internet kid. as they say, these are my dancing shoes.

never take it - this one is debatable--either octavian or the gods. i lean towards the gods, personally--i could see it being an ethan nakamura-type anthem, raging against the lies and general neglect demigods are subject to. i mean can't you just see it in your head, him bopping along in an oversized leather jacket, headphones blasting? they're trying hard to weaponize / you and i, we'll never take it / they're asking for a second try / you and i, we'll never take it. and then, towards the end of his epic, cut-too-short story: they profit from a great divide / you and i, we'll never take it. don't look at me, i'm sobbing.

mulberry street - a solangelo song, in my humble opinion. but like... older, more comfortable in their skins solangelo? nico will never stop being an emo kid (keep your sunny days / leave us in the rain / ... / you can have your sunny days / we will live between them), and he shouldn't have to! he can be emo and still live a fulfilling life! but also, will's influence is there reminding him to enjoy every day. there's nothing wrong with this / we just wanna feel it all.

formidable - percabeth!!! are you kidding me?? yes. percabeth. you are formidable to me / 'cause you seem to know it, where you wanna go / ... / i'm just worried my loyalty will bore you. are. you. kidding. me. ??? all of the percabeth feels.

bounce man - grover and percy's bromance! it's the perfect anthem of "i know we haven't talked in three years, but i'd still die for you", which i would argue is what that friendship is. i feel like sometimes you get close enough, go through enough, that time stops really being a factor. there are friends i haven't spoken to in five years, and if they showed up with a dead body, i'd grab a shovel without asking any questions. also, such a grover line: oh boy, what'd you do? don't matter now / if you need a piece, i'll break it down.

no chances - a big battle piece, with verses serving as a chance to flash back to individual arcs! mm bada-dum bada-dum dum is slowmo overhead shots that sweep across the battle; we come for you, no chances is individual combat. during rapid-fire verses, we cut back to quick shots of little moments that changed our protags: leo standing in bunker 9, piper on the deck of the argo, percy looking at moonlace growing in the planterbox at his apartment.

redecorate - we started with a general demigod anthem, and we end with one too. is there any character who doesn't fit this, either? i don't want to go like this / at least let me clean my room / 'cause the last thing i want to do is / make my people make decisions / wondering what to do. leo, nico, piper, percy, reyna--everyone's got that nihilistic, is-this-how-i-go streak.

thanks for tuning in to today's edition of overthinking albums!!! please come scream with me about these books & this music, and share any hot takes <3

[otakween]

Digimon Adventure (Blind Watch) - Prequel Movie

This. Was. GORGEOUS! Gorgeous and weird. Plot-wise it was kinda vague and didn't go anywhere. More of a concept than an actual story. It weirdly reminded me of that 90s movie "We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story" where the dinosaurs start out good but then get scary towards the end.

Not sure if this is meant to be canon? If it is canon Taichi would have had to repress/forgotten this whole event.

Notes:

-Every frame of this was so nice to look at. I feel like when the art is good, it automatically makes the characters feel more interesting too because the animator(s) gave them little detailed mannerisms/quirks that make them feel more fully fleshed out.

-Not sure how old Taichi and Hikari are meant to be here but they look about toddler age. I love how puffy/blobby their designs are. So cute.

-I guess the Digimon tradition of kids underreacting to things started here. They're not very impressed or surprised that their computer gave birth lol

-Holy crap, parents! But they're of the headless variety. Not sure if the dad was meant to be an alcoholic or if he just had one crazy night. (Either way, betcha they cut that out of the dub!)

-Hikari's little quirk of always carrying around a whistle was very cute. I think it's a really accurate representation of how kids latch onto random comfort items.

-Taichi fries an egg and looks after his little sister, but he looks maybe 8!? Made me kind of nervous lol. Then again, I never know what's the normal age for kids to do what anymore.

-Unlike in the first episode of the series, we get to see the baby form (Botamon) first all the way up to Greymon in like 2-3 days. Also, there were some major differences in the evolution process. Koromon seemed to be in pain/distress while evolving to Agumon, Agumon and Greymon were HUGE, neither Agumon nor Greymon spoke, and the kids called everything after Botamon "Koromon" because they didn't know any better. It was definitely more interesting to see a transformation that wasn't in a cutaway void (even though it was under a blanket).

-That cat had every right to be pissed off! They just snatched its food for Koromon, poor thing >:(

-I was actually following the plot fine but when Hikari jumped on Agumon's back and was like "let's go outside!" it kinda broke my suspension of disbelief. Also, why do the kids continue to assume Agumon's the good guy when he starts mindlessly blowing stuff up?

-Hikari's extremely detailed crying face was a little bit uncanny valley. Reminded me of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

-You catch glimpses of baby versions of all of the other chosen kids, but I didn't recognize some of them right away. Some of their debuts are blink-and-you-miss-it kinda deals.

-The bird digimon's electric attack felt very Railgun-esque. Very cool. Actually, the fight scene in general was pretty epic.

-Again, kinda weird that the kids looking on immediately know which giant monster they're supposed to be rooting for. If anything, the bird looks more friendly.

-At the end Taichi says something like "and that's why I'm in the digi world" and I'm just like..."wut u mean?" Lol this movie didn't explain shit.

-Nice extended/acoustic version of the OP during the credits. That kinda gave me the feels.

[thatskindarough]

Okay last post on this but here’s my review

Let’s start with the stuff I didn’t like get it out of the way quick

1) I ruined all my recordings with bad singing (my fault)

2) they didn’t play the dumb son or hole in the bottom of my brain, idk if it was time or it wasn’t in their tour lineup but I missed those songs. They did play a lot of old hits tho like karma, the good part, sober up and bang!

3) our seats were very high up (my jobs fault for not paying me enough to get better tickets)

Things I loved

1) although our seats were a bit too high up to get the whole immersive experience, we still had a very good angle to see the stage

2) THEIR SINGING SOUNDS SO GOOD LIVE! The recordings they post don’t do it justice, like I thought their live singing would just be okay cause the recordings catch every little mistake but NOPE! It was incredible to see live, you can’t hear it!

3) THEIR GODDAM INSTRUMENTALS! LIKE OMG! The violin, trumpet, FUCKING SAXOPHONE! Drums, keyboard, all of it, their intrusmental crew is so skilled and it makes me Yern for a more professional life recording with their altered live compositions. It really made me appreciate just how god their instrumental compositions are, it sounds amazing. (they sometimes get lost in the studio recordings.) I’d like to highlight inertia specifically, it was a combo of the acoustic version and album version.

4) Ryans solo. He did turning out part 1,2 and 3. Turning our part 1,2 we’re modified to be shorter, and he did these beautiful transitions into each part. It gave me literal chills, it was incredible, and I’m not even a big fan of p1 and 2 but this was probably one of my favorite parts

5) THE VISUALS! Guys they had these screens and the visuals were so detailed and crazy like you have to go watch it yourselves

6) maybe man and the opening. Look, if you haven’t seen the opening of this concert, go watch it, it’s incredible, and the staging of maybe man was so cool

7) THE ENDING! So they started 2085, and then in the middle they broke away to sing weak, then they continued with 2085 and then stopped right before it transitions into the ending to give this BEAUTIFUL speech about how people always hated them; but the one thing keeping them going was their dad, and he said to always be yourself because there are people out there who like the things you do. AND THEN THE BERY ENDING WAS SO FUCKING INCREDIBLE IT WAS SO GOOD AHHHHH

8) jack Ryan and Adam were hilarious as ever. They did all their little gags and jokes and stuff like the light fake falling and brining and audience member up with a sign. So good.

Overall an incredible experience I will never be over this

At an AJR concert wish me luck

[lydia-yougowith-stiles]

My Top 2021 Ships

Just like that 2021 is coming to an end, which means one of my favorite posts of the year is upon us: Ranking my favorite ships from this past year in TV and movies (that I watched). I look forward to this every year, and feel like there are a lot of new couples being featured this year. You will see some familiar favorites as well. Slight spoilers ahead (you’ve been warned :) So, without further a do let’s do this!

 Crack Ships

Ever since the one year I didn’t include this category and feature Nancy x Ace I have been kicking myself because I felt something early and then it actually became (is officially becoming) something! So, this year I’m including:

Jonathan and Sarah from Superman & Lois. 

I know that Sarah is dating Jonathan’s brother, and that her friendship with Jonathan is cute and a brotp, but I just feel so much chemistry on screen when these two share it and I feel their relationship has the potential to be a strong one romantically. 

20. Luna and Matteo (Soy Luna)

It took me a little bit to get on board the Luna and Matteo train, but once I did I fell hard. I thought the love triangle between Luna, Matteo, and Simon was one where I would have been cool for Luna to pick either guy. (Btw, I have only finished season 1. No spoilers please. Taking a rest before jumping into season 2). I loved Ruggero Pasquarelli as Federico in Violetta, so I was happy to see him on screen again in Soy Luna. His character is very different and while I don’t always love the bad boy trope, as the show grew and he distanced himself from Ambar I liked him more. I think it had to be around the time he officially broke up with Ambar and joined Luna’s team I was sold on him. Definitely when he wrote the song for Luna, which I LOVED the acoustic version. They have such cute moments at school, and the way they joke, and their nicknames for each other. Okay, so I guess I could go on and on about them. I’m just happy that my journey with this couple isn’t over yet. I just want to see some happiness before more drama starts up again.  

19. Zoey and Max (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist)

An anticipated ship from one of 2021′s cancelled shows. I will not get over that Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist got cancelled this year--ESPECIALLY with that finale! I know there’s a Christmas special, but I haven’t gotten the chance to watch it yet, so this placement is strictly from season 2 (which I have mixed feelings about). I was very excited when Zoey chose Max early on. I’m a sucker (…HA didn’t even intend for the irony there) for a friends to lovers romance, and felt Max was more of the underdog in the first season. I feel their relationship was too short/rushed and that maybe it should have been delayed for Zoey to explore her feelings with Simon first. But overall, I liked the cliffhanger at the end and how she came to realize how strong her feelings are for Max. I’ve seen some gif sets of the two of them in the Christmas special and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them. 

18. Geoff and Erica (The Goldbergs) 

Geoff and Erica from the Goldbergs are a ship that I jumped on board early in the show, and I am SO happy with where they are now. The season finale of last season was precious, and I loved how the proposal went about. Geoff’s dynamic with the rest of the Goldbergs is one of my favorites, and I think this show does a great job of the brother’s best friend turned boyfriend trope. I don’t think it’s one we often see on other shows (but the Goldbergs does this a lot with Barry’s girlfriends as well. They always seem to be Erica’s friends and I think it’s happened too much. Even though, I know he’s with Joanne now, but she is Geoff’s sister.) It still warms my heart to know these two are endgame (after that episode of Schooled and seeing future Erica in the 90s), but it’s still nice to see the developments of their relationship in 1980-something. 

17. Alina and Mal (Shadow and Bone)

The first of many Shadow and Bone ships, Elena and Mal are one that I enjoyed more than I anticipated. Another friends to lovers ship, there were times when I wanted less flashbacks to them as kids and looking at their identical scars on their hands, but overall I couldn’t wait for the two of them to reunite and profess their feelings for one another. I haven’t read the books, but I know a good amount of people said their relationship was redeemed if not a lot stronger in the Netflix show. They felt that Mal was more well-rounded compared to the novel. As this is something I’ve heard and not read for myself (and I don’t plan on reading that series, although I LOVED Six of Crows...more to come on that), I’m only judging on the show’s relationship of these two characters, which I loved. I’m excited for season 2!

16. Lois and Clark (Superman and Lois)

Lois Lane and Clark Kent are forever one of my favorite ships. So, there was a lot of pressure on Bitsie Tulloch and Tyler Hoechlin when I started the pilot episode of Superman and Lois. Other than the Elseworlds crossover, I hadn’t really seen them in action as I stopped watching Supergirl after season 3. Well, I can say they are fantastic and a welcome addition to the history of Lois Lane and Clark Kent/Superman on screen. I love how this show is set in the future from the other Arrowverse shows, so we get to see the Kent family raise their two teenage sons in Smallville. Their family unit is one of my favorite parts of the show, and I really like how they’re able to keep the core of these legendary characters, while at the same time show them in new situations-such as being parents. They balance each other out so well, and the trust is so strong. I love seeing an equal romantic pairing (and that’s with him being Superman!). You can just feel how long the characters have been together, which is refreshing. I have seriously loved every minute and am greatly looking forward to season two which will start in January. 

15. Talon and Garret (The Outpost)

From #4 last year to #15 this year, Talon and Garret from CW’s The Outpost will go down as one of my favorite ships of all time. This last season wasn’t my favorite in terms of their relationship as it didn’t feel consistent throughout. The pacing was all over the place and there were several times where I didn’t think they’d be endgame. But in the end they were and (SPOILER ALERT) GOT MARRIED! I truly loved the end featuring their wedding, and both being King and Queen of the Outpost. The flashback scenes showcasing their relationship was beautiful and something I am constantly searching for on YouTube for a re-watch. (This show is so underrated, it’s so difficult to find anything with it). As I’ve stated previously, I absolutely love how evenly matched these two are in their warrior status. It’s something I continue to look for in things I read and watch. (They have even inspired me to try my hand at writing a couple like this.) I think I’ll be re-watching the series as whole sometime in the near future. 

14. Kaz and Inej (Shadow and Bone)

Going into watching Shadow and Bone on Netflix, I knew about the love for the Crows as well as the love for Kaz and Inej. After watching the show and reading the first book (Six of Crows), I understand why these two together are so beloved. They are drastically different from each other, and that’s why they work so well. The tension is amazing, and also heartbreaking at the same time. They LOOKS they give one another are HUGE; and I love how in the book we get to read more into Kaz’s thoughts as he’s not a man of many words. Freddy and Amita’s chemistry is off the charts (and I also enjoyed watching behind the scenes clips and interviews with them. You can tell how much they love these characters). I’m so happy that Netflix picked up the show for a second season and I hope that more of the Six of Crows storyline is showcased. I’m worried about the outcome for these two and the status of their relationship in Crooked Kingdom, which I intend to start my year reading. (Please no spoilers :)

13. JJ and Kiara (Outer Banks)

Another show where I went into it knowing how beloved the JJ and Kiara ship was. So, I was surprised when Kiara and John B kissed early in the first season, and then Kiara was with Pope at the end of the first, and for a good amount of the second. I watched both seasons back to back, and felt my love growing for JJ and Kiara’s relationship as the episodes progressed. The two are often paired up together, and their dynamic is great. As Kiara and Pope became more of a thing, I could feel JJ’s jealousy grow-whether it was a look or how constant he was at bringing up their relationship/how it was going. Then I was totally sold when JJ and Ki helped JJ’s dad leave, and then OF COURSE the above scene in the season 2 finale. I’m very invested in what’s ahead for these two :) 

12. Captain Holt and Kevin (Brooklyn 99)

Captain Holt and Kevin have always been a great ship on Brooklyn 99 and as the show came to a close this season, I knew they had to be included on this list. In the final season, their relationship saw more ups and downs, showing how realistic relationships can be (despite being fictional and on a comedy). I loved how they worked it out, and in the end were stronger than ever. I also feel that we have always seen Kevin in previous seasons, but this year it was more of a focal point in the show’s plot. These two characters will always be Holt and Kevin to me. 

11. Nina and Matthias (Shadow and Bone)

What a rollercoaster it’s been with these two. This is my last Shadow and Bone ship that I’m spotlighting on for this list. While I have enjoyed each of the above ones I listed, there’s something about Nina and Matthias that puts them as my favorite (although, it’s a close list). Once again, I have not read Crooked Kingdom yet, so this is strictly based on the show and Six of Crows. They did give a very accurate backstory for the two of them in the show, and I was impressed how close they were able to get to the book; even quoting dialogue word for word. Their journey is a wild one, and I think that’s one of the main reasons why I enjoy their relationship so much. They’re not supposed to be together or work, but extreme obstacles pair them together and that makes them fall in love. Once again we have an opposites attract trope, which I am here for and think it really works. Shouldn’t be a shock that I’m interested to see what’s ahead of them (and I am worried as they end the book separated). If you haven’t guessed already I highly recommend watching Shadow and Bone on Netflix! 

10. Eliza and William (Miss Scarlet and the Duke)

Miss Scarlet and the Duke was a very early 2021 watch for me as it aired on PBS in January. As an avid lover of all things historical and on Masterpiece, I instantly was invested, and also upset that the season went by so fast. (I know it’s been picked up for a second season, but don’t know if they’ve gotten to filming yet. I hope so.) The show focuses on Eliza Scarlet who is an investigator at her father’s P.I. office after he mysteriously dies in the first episode. Her childhood friend, William (aka “The Duke”) works at Scotland Yard and (at first) does not take Eliza’s detective skills seriously. He’s not the only one as this show takes place in Victorian times and women were not expected to have occupations, ESPECIALLY not something as ‘morose’ as being around murderers and the dead. Eliza and William’s relationship really makes the show. They have a past from childhood, which allows a closeness, but also banter like enemies. While you can always feel the chemistry there, they start to feel it as the first season progresses. (Now you can see why I desperately need a second season.) The last episode was *chef’s kiss.*   

9. Wren and Janzo (The Outpost)

That’s right, Talon and Garret aren’t the only great ship on the Outpost. Wren and Janzo are also one of my favorites and perfectly encapsulate the “pair the smart ones” trope. Wren became a character on the show in the third season, and her and Janzo’s expertise aligned, proving that while, at first, they butted heads, they were bound to fall in love...and they did. Their relationship has always been solid throughout the many conflicts that occurred on the show. I like how much of a powerhouse the two of them are. They are so smart, and so many people look to them for help. I also like the dialogue they had this past season about how she’s a Black-blood and he’s human, and what that means for their children and place in society. I’m upset the show ended before seeing their baby be born.   

#8. Gaston and Nina (Soy Luna)

Another pairing that has warmed my heart this year is Gaston and Nina from Soy Luna. As I mentioned when I spoke about Luna and Matteo, I have only watched the first season of Soy Luna, so I haven’t seen these two date yet. I also know that their ending isn’t satisfying, but I’m going to live in the moment for the good parts to come. Early on I shipped these two. They have so many elements I look for in a couple. They’re complete opposites (especially at the start). Nina is a big introvert and Gaston is popular at school. They had an online relationship without knowing the true identity of the other person, and then Gaston started falling for Nina too! Ah! Still so good as I think back on it. My only frustration is the pacing as the first season is 80 episodes, so there’s times where things get dragged out more than necessary, but they are definitely one of the biggest highlights of the series for me.  

#7. Sara and Ava (Legends of Tomorrow)

Legends of Tomorrow is one of the remaining original Arrowverse shows that I still tune into each week. I didn’t love last season with the aliens plot as it was tough for me to get into, and I didn’t enjoy seeing Sara and Ava separated for such a long time. But there were still so many great moments between this ship as Ava traveled space and time to find Sara, and Sara did anything to get back to Ava. I loved how Ava learned that Sara was going to propose and I am happy they were able to officially get married before the start of the new season. I’m loving seeing them as the Blonde Bombshells, and on screen together at the same time. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: They are both badass, female action heroes, and I’m so happy to see this representation on the CW.  

#6. Wanda and Vision (Wandavision)

Disney Plus’ Wandavision gave us the most Wanda and Vision content in the entire MCU thus far....and I loved every second of it. The show kept you on your toes the entire time as we didn’t exactly know what was going on and who was behind it all. We got to see Wanda and Vision’s relationship, and what Wanda hoped their future would be like. The show was heartbreaking at times, but also gave us so many precious and quotable moments. I absolutely loved their family and don’t want this to be the last we see of them. I wish Wanda and Vision could have more time together, but we’ll have to see what happens in Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Maddness.  

#5. George and Nick (Nancy Drew)

These two are too good for the world. Protect them at all costs!

Nick and George are one of the best ships on the CW’s Nancy Drew. (Here’s my first plug: Make sure to watch this show if you aren’t already. It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ll make.) They are such a healthy relationship that we don’t often get to see on TV. They listen to each other, and don’t jump to conclusions causing unnecessary conflict. While the show has only taken place over a short amount of time, their relationship is well paced and feels realistic and what people could hope for (minus the supernatural stuff that happens). I didn’t see them becoming a couple in the beginning, and it is one of the best things to happen on the show. I am looking forward to how their relationship continues to strengthen and progress. We need to see more relationships like this in shows.

#4. Jake and Amy (Brooklyn 99)

Jake and Amy will forever go down as one of my favorite comedy couples. While I’m sad Brooklyn Nine-Nine ended this year, I was really happy with the way the show ended and how Jake and Amy’s story concluded. Looking back on the pilot, it’s crazy to think that Jake would give up his job to be a stay at home Dad, but he does it for Amy. For her to succeed and advance in her career, Jake stays home with Mac, but that doesn’t mean his time at the 99 is over. (I liked the flashforward in the last scene.) With this couple we have another opposites attract and enemies to lovers, and it works so well. Not only do they balance each other out, but they have also taken on characteristics of each other--like a real couple. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a great show and Jake and Amy are just one highlight of it. 

#3. Nicky and Henry (Kung Fu)

GUYS! I love these two SO MUCH! It has been months since I finished watching the CW’s new reboot of Kung Fu and just looking for a picture of these two have made me want to go back and watch this first season. Nicky and Henry are the perfect combination, and I am SO HAPPY that she chose him in the love triangle. I was worried for a little bit as he was up against Evan who had history as the ex-boyfriend that Nicky left behind without an explanation, but Henry had so much more to offer and I was ecstatic when the two became official. Nicky and Henry are both strong fighters and warriors in their own right, but when they come together they’re even more powerful. They had sleuthing moments as they tried to uncover the mystery behind the sword and the other mystical weapons. And they look great together, btw. The list of my favorite tropes goes on and on and these two check off so many of the boxes. I was so happy when I first posted about them here, and I found the love for this ship was so strong. 

#2. Devi and Ben (Never Have I Ever)

Where do I start with these two? There’s so much that I want to say. This was another ship where I knew the love for them before entering the show and seeing gif sets made me want to check it out. It was also another love triangle that I thought was well done. While I was always pulling for Ben, I liked how the show created character growth in Paxton. Once again, there’s so many of my favorite tropes with these two: rivals-enemies-lovers, pair the smart ones, the banter, Ben’s dating someone else, but you can clearly see he’s still in love with Devi and doesn’t want to see her upset even though she broke his heart. He calls her David and she doesn’t react like anything is wrong. HIS FACE WHEN ELEANOR TELLS HIM THE TRUTH! And now we’re going to have to see his pining for Devi as she dates Paxton, for real this time. I believe Ben and Devi are endgame as he’s always been there for her, and what Devi needs even if she believes Paxton is. Ugh! It’s SO GOOD! But also slow burns hurt so much!!

Speaking about slow burns that are amazing, but hurt my soul....

#1. Nancy and Ace (Nancy Drew)

We all knew where this list was headed...right? If not, then you’ve got to be new to this page. 

I just love these two SO MUCH. They were my number one pick last year and that was even before the season 2 finale. Now I have even more content to help solidify them in this spot. First, the chemistry between Kennedy McMann and Alex Saxon is amazing, and beautiful to watch. In the early season 1 scenes, it’s hard to see them as platonic as there’s just something that oozes between them in each scene. (1x14 will forever be one of my favorites in season 1 because it was one of the first times we see the two of them investigating and the “I love you too” moment at the computer was just chilling!) In season 2 the crumbs continued to grow and then we get the “I couldn’t lose you” moment and the entire fandom lost their minds. We were beginning to get recognition that we weren’t just seeing things and these two had a future together on the show. Now in season 3 we were left off on one of the biggest mid-season cliffhangers of Ace owning his feelings, and wanting to talk to Nancy, but then getting trapped in an alternate world at the last minute (you know, because these things happen-:)

From the close proximity to the eye contact, Nancy and Ace don’t know what personal space is, and I am so looking forward to the moment when they know their feels are mutual. I long for the times they share the screen together whether that’s investigating something supernatural or having a heart to heart about the future. There’s so many layers to their relationship, and it’s a beautiful thing. I’m happy to be a part of Nace Nation, and for getting here so early so I could watch the love for this ship grow. It’s been a pleasure. 

And so, my top 2021 ships list has been completed! Let me know if your favorite made the list, and of any shows you think I should check out because of their fantastic ships. I’m always looking for more to add to my list for 2022. Till then, I just want to say thank you for all who follow or share a like/re-blog, and thank you to the content creators out there. I love searching for your stuff to share. 

Happy New Year :)  

[earthbovndmisfit]

I know it’s been a while but, for those still interested, here’s the Jonawagon Playlist so far, including the song recs some of y’all have sent my way! There’s no particular order save for maybe the first 3 songs since I think we can all agree they’re The Jonawagon Anthems:

Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon

Keep on Loving You - REO Speedwagon

All Heaven Broke Loose - REO Speedwagon

Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Boys Town Gang

Last Rose of Summer - Judas Priest

Baby, I Love You - Ramones

I'm Affected - Ramones

Safe Home (the acoustic version mainly) - Anthrax

Digital Love - Daft Punk

Something About Us - Daft Punk

Kiss From a Rose - Seal

To Be Alone With You - Sufjan Stevens

Amor Eterno (Eternal Love) - Juan Gabriel

Te Lo Pido Por Favor (I’m Asking You, Please) - Juan Gabriel

Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow - Freddie Mercury

Yell! - Amano Yuri

Laguna Sunrise - Black Sabbath

Planet Caravan - Black Sabbath

Love Talkin (Honey It's You) - Tatsuro Yamashita

Mister Deja Vu - Naja

Endless Love - Megumi Ogata

Turn on Your Light - Judas Priest

Sayonara wa Iwanai (Don’t Say Goodbye) - PERSONZ

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers

Do you want to know a secret? - The Beatles

An Angel Is Missing - Ronnie Dio And The Red Caps

Hand in Glove - The Smiths

My Love Life - Morrissey

I Can Have Both - Morrissey

Hazme Sentir (Make Me Feel) - Austin TV

Follow My Heart - REO Speedwagon

Let My Love Find You - REO Speedwagon

Run Away Baby - REO Speedwagon                                        

Kurayami Ni Akai Bara~Romantic Soldier (Red Rose In The Darkness~Romantic Soldier) - Megumi Ogata

I Will - The Beatles

In My Life - The beatles

Songbird - Fleetwood Mac

Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye

La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf

Zukyun Love (”zukyun” is a word in Japanese that is usually defined as “A (romantic) crush that strikes you in the heart” so the title can be roughly translated as A Love That Strikes You In The Heart) - MiniMoni

Fly Me To The Moon - Claire Littley

Thank You - Dido

Strawberry Swing - Coldplay

Yellow - Coldplay

Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash

Like the Night - Moonbeau

Honeybee - Steam Powered Giraffe

100 Years - OR3O

Ask Me Why - The Beatles

I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - Elvis Presley

Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley

Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo´ole

A Lover's Concerto - The Toys

Till There Was You - The Beatles

Hold Me Tight - The Beatles

There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (the demo version mainly) - The Smiths

I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith

Eres (You Are) - Café Tacvba

Las Flores (The Flowers) - Café Tacvba

El Baile Y El Salón (The Dance And The Ballroom) - Café Tacvba

True Colors - Cindy Lauper

Samba Pa Ti (Samba For You) - Carlos Santana

Aunque La Luna Deje De Brillar (Even If The Moon Stops Shining)- Austin TV

Liberation - Pet Shop Boys

Baby, Don’t Believe - Tennis

Always - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Let Me Know - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Poor Song - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Wedding Song - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Sad Beautiful Memory - from the Yu Yu Hakusho OST

Shiki No Uta - MINMI

Green Eyes - Coldplay

Kissalude - Basement Jaxx

Jus 1 Kiss - Basement Jaxx

I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles

Highest Trails Above - Ramones

Praise You - Fatboy Slim

What I Like About You - The Romantics

Ride On Time - Tatsuro Yamashita

Loveland, Island - Tatsuro Yamashita

Love Space - Tatsuro Yamashita

Futari - Tatsuro Yamashita

All My Loving - The Beatles

I keep updating the playlist on youtube every now and then (whenever a new song comes to mind really, lol) in case you want to check it out. Suggestions and song recs are always welcome, so please send them in here or via ask anytime if you have any!

Also, I went with yt since it’s more “universal”, but feel free to take this playlist to the music platform of your choice if you wish! (and also feel free to link me to it if you’d like me to share it here!).