#the cheech of it all is just..... you know?

[theglassespredicament]

frank iero + john lennon parallels

interview with cheech iero, 2015 / frnkieromustdie on instagram, 2022 / john and yoko "war is over!" poster, 1969 / frank iero performing with a custom gibsen les paul, 2007 / john lennon performing with a gibsen les paul junior on the mike douglas show, 1972 / frank iero interview for alterantive press, 2021 / lyrics from "helter skelter" by the beatles, 1968 / casette cover for frank iero and the future violents' "young and doomed," 2019 / alternate lyrics from frank iero and the future violents' cover of "helter skelter" / pencey prep "heartbreak in stereo" album cover, 2001 / quote from "the catcher in the rye" by j.d. salinger, 1951 / "let me take you down: inside the mind of mark david chapman" by jack jones, 1992 / frnkiero andthe celebration and laura jane grace cover john lennon's "instant karma!" 2015 / lyrics from "instant karma!" by john lennon and yoko ono, 1970 / cheech iero, 2015 / lyrics from "a new day's coming" by frank iero and the future violents, 2019 / lyrics from "instant karma!"

[greenfiend]

The Significance of Lover’s Lake and Byler (Theory)

'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact

Yes we're lovers, and that is that (Heroes by David Bowie)

Part 2 here

(Warning: This post has mentions of sex (nothing graphic)… if you’re uncomfortable with that please do not proceed.)

So, Lover’s Lake has existed within the show ever since season 2, when Will mapped out the entirety of Hawkins. The lake is shaped like a heart (keep this in mind for later) thus the name “Lover’s Lake”. Makes sense within the town of Hawkins, but does not provide an explanation on a subtextual level. None of the “lovers” existing within the show has been associated with the lake (you could say Steve/Nancy but honestly it’s a stretch since they never actually rekindled their romance.)

This leads me to the question… why call the lake “Lover’s Lake” without associating any lovers to it?

Because maybe, there will be lovers connected to it… but they aren’t lovers… yet.

Okay, let’s get back to the shape. A heart. ❤️ Hm. Now which character within the show is most associated with hearts? Which character is even referred to as the heart by their love interest?

Mike.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that he’s one part of the “lovers” here. Thus ruling out many other romantic pairings within the show. Leaving only two pairings: Mike/El and Mike/Will. I won’t go into detail on why I believe Mike and El will inevitably break up, you can read a lot of different analyses for that. So that leaves… Mike/Will. Not lovers yet.

Okay, here’s the part where I may get crucified. The definition of lovers.

Please put your pitch forks down for this.

Lovers usually refers to two people in a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

With all the subtext (and actual text) around sex and sexuality, and how we see Will struggle with his own sexuality, there is a likely conclusion here. He’s going to confront his sexuality. To do so, he will have sex. With whom? Well, with the one person he loves the most, the one he affectionately refers to as the heart… his best friend… Mike.

Now, where’s this going to happen? What better location than somewhere empty and secluded.

Reefer Rick’s lakeside house.

Now, who is “Reefer Rick”?

Also known as, Rick Lipton, Reefer Rick is a drug dealer who’s closely acquainted with Eddie.

He’s an enigma. We never see him. All that is known about him are the things mentioned by other characters.

He’s currently in jail apparently for dealing drugs. Also, he seems like a town pariah.

Also, he isn’t too keen on Fast Times (returned on time), at least not as much as “Cheech and Chong” (returned late each time.) That shot at 53 minutes and 5 seconds in Fast Times doesn’t do it for him, I guess. Unlike watching two guys get high.

His name choice is an interesting one.

“Reefer” Rick Lipton.

“Reefer” is a synonym for “marijuana cigarette”. Okay, makes sense, he is a drug dealer after all. But why the term “cigarette”? Well… there’s this other word that also happens to be a synonym for “cigarette”…

Then Rick… short for “Richard”. Richard is one of the few names out there with a nickname that is also slang for male genitalia… “Dick”.

Then finally… Lipton.

As Robin says, spelled like Lipton tea. Now, why would the writers use the name “Lipton” and even reference the tea company if there were no significance to it? They wouldn’t. We know this about them.

So why “Lipton”?

Let’s do a bit of research here, shall we?

The founder of Lipton tea was a man named Thomas Lipton.

Thomas Lipton just so happens to have been a closeted homosexual man who had a long term relationship with another man whose name is… *drumroll please*

William Love.

Okay, that can’t be just a coincidence right?

So moving on to Reefer Rick’s house.

We see glimpses of his living room, kitchen, and briefly his bedroom.

Jason and his buds are searching for Eddie and this involves looking under the mattress? As if, Eddie could successfully hide under there? Haha okay sure.

The angle of this shot is interesting too, because the bed is essentially being shown off to us.

This bed with a blue blanket and yellow sheets. Hm. Interesting.

Keep in mind this scene is essentially unnecessary. They could have easily shown Jason et al searching for Eddie without creating an entire new set for a room that’s only used in one single insignificant shot. Therefore, I do not think it’s unreasonable to believe this is used for foreshadowing.

Then we also get this shot from outside the window into the bedroom.

Look familiar? I thought so too.

Okay. Now for my theory/prediction.

As I mentioned earlier, Will is currently struggling with his own sexuality and feels a lot of shame and internalized homophobia. There’s also a lot of evidence that Mike is experiencing the same thing. Unlike Will, Mike conforms to the society’s expectations. He dates El, performing as her boyfriend. This is comparable to Nancy’s arc in season 1. She also conforms, and like Mike, leaves her best friend behind. We all know how that ended.

Now, what better way to wrap up the show than to have Mike correct his sister’s mistake? To have Mike reject societal expectations in favour of his best friend?

Okay so this is my theory.

Mike and Will have their first kiss an episode or two prior to 5x07. Tensions are high, but they’re busy fighting interdimentional monsters along side their friends.

Then comes 5x07 which somehow leaves Mike and Will alone by Lover’s Lake. The tension between them reaches an all time high, leading to a passionate kiss and then… more. Let’s just say it involves that blue and yellow bed.

At the same time as these two become the lovers they were meant to be, another character is being saved, or perhaps being brought back to life. Perhaps another red head, one we all know and love. Yes, a major parallel and contrast to Steve/Nancy’s sex scene in season 1, which featured Barb dying. But because Mike is rejecting conformity and being authentic, another character lives instead.

I mean, what better way to represent the beauty of the love and intimacy between these two boys? Their love is literally bringing back life to the world.

So yeah, basically I’m saying that Mike and Will expressing their love for each other will save Max.

This also wouldn’t be the first time that Max’s survival is correlated with their relationship. As I doubt that it was merely a coincidence that in episode 4x04 we have Mike’s genuine monologue to Will, then we have Max surviving Vecna. In contrast to 4x09, which features a forced monologue from Mike to El, followed by Max losing to Vecna and barely surviving.

So, as their bond strengthens, Max’s life bar goes up (so to speak). If something interferes with their bond, Max’s outcome is more dire.

The writers have also been associating Mike/El with death…

[Tumblr only allows a limited number of images so pretend we have one of El holding dead flowers and another image of the cut scene from 3x05 with Mike/El having a moment cutting to a dead body on the hospital floor]

Mike/Will on the other hand have been associated with life. The birds chirping in the background of their final scene together, the flowers blooming between them as they stand together. Plus, blue plus yellow does equal green after all. Which is the most commonly associated colour with life.

🌿🌱🌳

To conclude, I just want to say that I personally think this would be a nice way to end their arc. I know a lot of people are uncomfortable with associating Mike/Will with anything sexual… but the show has been doing this already. Whether you like it or not, Mike and Will have been shown implicitly and explicitly that they desire each other both romantically and sexually. The fact that they have sexual desire for each other does not minimize or trivialize their friendship and love, it’s an aspect of it… adding another dimension to their relationship.

Do I think or hope they would show anything pornographic? Absolutely not (do I even have to say this?) But explicit like Steve/Nancy? Yes. Do I think they’ll be only 14/15 years old when this occurs? No. This will likely happen after a time jump.

Being authentically yourself and not conforming is overall a major theme of the show. I mean it’s called Stranger Things after all. Will people be upset by the ending of this arc? Bylers included? Absolutely. Many people within the town of Hawkins and people watching the show will both show disgust for it. But that’s the point. It’s not “normal” and that’s okay. Different is good, and can be a beautiful and wonderful thing. We all just need to open our minds and hearts a bit. I’m not just talking about the GA; many Bylers are also closed minded and stuck in their ways too. Let’s all try to work on that, shall we?

Despite the opinions of others, Will and Mike will choose to love each other which will inevitably lead to their defeat of Vecna. Love concurs all. It may be cheesy and cliche but personally? I think that’s a beautiful thing. We all can learn to love more.

Anyway, would love to know your thoughts on this.

Then we could be Heroes, just for one day

Part 2 here

[crazyk-imagine]

Things I Hate... Oh, and Oranges

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x Plus size!reader

Characters: Rafe Cameron, Plus size!reader, Topper Thornton, Kelce, Sarah, mentions of the pogues

Warnings: Biggest warning ever, yall ain't ready, their characters aren't as bad here, fluff, rafe being a simp, rafe totally in love with reader, topper and kelce are butt heads in a friend way, not the obx way, Sarah and reader are casual besties, like they did a group project, vibed and have been friends ever since

Word Count: 773

Based on this post

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sarah told you to come by around this time because no one would be home, and you needed somewhere quiet to study.

She forgot to mention she'd be out with John B.

You don’t mind though; it makes things a little easier since she won’t be around to distract you with her gossip.

-

Rafe walks in and stops as soon as he passes the entrance to the kitchen, wondering if what he just saw was real or not.

He takes a step back and stays in the shadows, watching you.

He brushes a hand through his hair, wondering if he looks okay or if he needs to change his shirt. He looks down and frowns, the blood stain from Barry is visible.

He runs upstairs to change his shirt, wincing at the tingling in his hand. He groans under his breath, “serves him right.”

He doesn’t regret punching his dealer, Barry knows better than to provoke him.

-

You wander around the kitchen, searching for a few items.

You stir up the better by hand, rather than trying to figure out how Sarah’s mixer works. You swear she only bought it so only she could use it and no one else.

A knock on the doorway alarms you causing you to almost spill the contents in the bowl. “Holy- you scared me.”

He chuckles, “sorry, I was- I didn’t mean to.”

You huff and smile, “it’s fine, a little jump start in the heart never hurt anyone.”

He chuckles, “what’re you making?” He takes a seat on the other side of the counter.

“My special bread.”

“I didn’t take you for a stoner.”

Your jaw drops, “I am not.”

He chuckles, “okay, Cheech.”

You shake your head and place it into the cute little bread pan you bought her. “Now we wait.”

His eyes follow you as you sit back down at your little study corner. “What’re doing?”

“Studying, what are you doing?”

“Watching you.”

You roll your eyes, “wouldn’t you rather be out, talking to some cute girl?”

“I already am.”

“Smooth, too smooth on your part, Rafe.” You glance up from your textbook, “did you practice that one in the mirror?”

“I’d rather practice on you.”

“I hate how good you are at this.”

The corner of his lip tugs upward, “I know.”

The ding of timer alerts you.

“Yay,” you cheer while running towards the oven to take it out and take a whiff of the goodness it’s giving off.

“Do you want to try some Rafe?” You ask, cutting into the hot loaf.

“You actually want to share with me?”

“Don’t be like that, Rafe. I’m being nice here and this is how you pay it back.”

He chuckles, “no, give me a slice.”

“Manners.”

He pouts, grabbing a plate and holding it out in front of him. “Please, can I have a slice?”

“Yes, you can, you dramatic little dork.”

“Nothing about me is little.”

You play off the heat in your cheeks as the air emanates off the bread. “Sure, sure.”

-

Kelce and Topper walk in, searching for the sweet scent wafting through the house.

“Yo Rafe,” Kelce calls out. 

“In the kitchen.”

“You all speak so kindly to each other,” you tell him.

“Always, baby.”

“What smells so good?” Topper asks, stepping closer to you.

“Did you get a new perfume or something?”

You shake your head, “nope, just made my infamous bread.”

Their eyes practically widen at the sight. “We can’t wait.”

Kelce turns to Rafe and furrows his brow, “I thought you didn’t like orange?”

You turn towards him, seeing as he shoves the last piece of bread into his mouth. “You don’t like orange?”

He tries to argue and tell you he does but can’t as the other two take over.

“Yeah, he’s never been a fan of orange since he was a kid and his dad-” Topper smacks Kelce’s chest, causing the man to wheeze.

“I’m gonna kill you,” Rafe tells them as he takes a sip of water.

You grab his wrist and stop him. “Be honest, Rafe.”

He spins around and stares at you. “When am I not?”

You stare at him with a deadpan expression.

“Okay, I’ll be honest.”

“Do you or do you not like the loaf of bread I made?”

“It’s delicious. You know I think I could even eat it by myself.”

“You’re not lying.”

He shakes his head, “when have I ever lied to you?”

You shrug, “fair enough.”

[guardian5tiger3]

Pick a group Tarot Read .

1 2

3 4

Picture one

You guys are needing some time to relax and find some peace and feel good . I'm picking up on a garden. And maybe you could listen to some calm music or some type of calming audio. You might also find it in your interest to visit some first of garden . This is especially for you if you're trying to quit or cut back on any addiction . At least for the mentality part of that, it is good when you get the mental side of a craving to find an activity that makes you feel good , of course that's the best distraction. I keep messing up on my words also and I'm not sure what it means do one of you have a crush cause I also am getting the vibe of like, school desks though .??? Maybe some of you need to mentally take it back to a time when you were younger and felt better in some way, or there might be something you find brings you nostalgia that you liked back then. Maybe some of you need to get yourself to a point where you can have a good cry. Also something about a milkshake . That does sound good if you like those there's an idea if you should make yourself feel better from something .

Picture two

Are you guys stoners or just real mellow types ?? Looks like you're running into some good luck . Y'all might find something and just like, get lucky somehow I don't know...

I think right now I can tell you guys the world is set up in some ways that you're frowned upon if you don't want to participate in things that doesn't even suite anybody and sometimes is completely immoral. Like literally money for instance as a bigger example. Or working a job. You guys might not be the types to naturally want to go with something like that at all and I think that the world is gonna say you're bad or horrible or wrong for that but I don't think you should care. I think it'll work out for you in true pot head fashion . Ride the waves my friends. But don't conform to something your soul doesn't like. I also keep thinking about Cheech and Chong and Scooby Doo ? Maybe you guys need a friend or have friends or maybe you have or are or will go through a phase of separation but you might not be separated forever though . You might also be loners and that's what you want to do then fine don't let the world tell you you have to have people around like that .

Picture three

Like half of you are in love with a person and with them half of you are in love with an activity or something you're learning or participating in somehow . Basically I'm seeing you might be being tested with random suitors or distractions but who or whatever you're in love with right now is the right and only one for you basically. Also picking up on snacks make sure you have those around especially for brain health and snacks uplift a person's mood for sure haha . One love. That's basically it .

Picture four

someone is selfish and also hates on you and wants to or has recently brought you to a place like McDonald's. DO NOT eat there . They put some awful things in their food and that's why they came out with things that are so cheap. Like waste being recycled and stuff and meat from animals you wouldn't want to eat and stuff. I'm gonna keep it real this person has a seemingly happy social life and probably family situation but you don't like them but for whatever reason are accompanying them but you might also fight or just judge them in your mind . They practice mind control and are a member of the cult going on in this world right now you know like from Hollywood to parts of the government (American) fast food and everything stuff like that also child abuse is big for them. I don't know what you want to call it illuminati or freemason's or just American cult or whatever I don't like them . Avoid watching TV instead watch YouTube or older movies . If you guys heal something for yourselves you will realize some type of lie or lies going on. You also some of you might be scared to get kicked out or be homeless . I'm also thinking of the movie the crow. The new one is disrespectful and I do not support it or condone it but the old 90's The Crow . Some of you not only are incarnated but maybe you were a popular person or considered important or well known somehow . Someone might know this about you . Probably your family or for one of you dude it's someone that is friends with your family and it's a man.

I know on my own time I'm realizing a lot about celebrity cloning and they've been doing that since at least 1969 . And basically if an influencer doesn't influence the way they want to influence they will clone them because it would be weird if everyone who did or said something new or against the government just died early asl. Anyway that's why it might be difficult for some of you to put together who you might have been . Maybe someone has told me maybe not outright maybe some fucking how but maybe there's just hints about it you know what I mean. Leave it to destiny I guess in the end though.

[chaoticspeedrun]

Hello!!! Can I just say I love how you write, you’re incredible!! I do have a request, feel free to say no if you don’t want to!! I’ve heard a lot of people mentioning the turtles churring,, how do you think they would react if their neurodivergent s/o started stimming it back at them? I would imagine it’d sound more like purring than anything but how do you think they’d react?

Chirps and Churrs

THANK YOU SO MUCH ANON, I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed my fics so much! And thank you for the wait, I love the idea of the turtles churring and chirping, it’s absolutely adorable, and just?? Stimming back at them? Yes! I like making little sounds with my siblings around the house and then they’ll make the sound back and we’ll have a little back and forth so I thought that would be a nice thing to incorporate! So here you go, with these little blurbs for each turtle.

I may have gotten a tad bit carried away.

Pairing: All turtles x GN! reader (Separate)

Summary: Tooth-rotting fluff with the turtles churring in happiness around you and you surprising them with your own adorable reaction.

Type: Small drabbles for each turtle

Warning: None.

MASTERLIST

Raphael

Dating Raph was extremely sweet, he was always so conscious of his size, his spikes, and the loudness of his voice; he knew he could be intimidating and would always make sure the people around him were comfortable, especially you, he always treated you with care and started letting go the more comfortable he was around you, allowing himself to be a little bigger, a little louder in a way that you still felt so cared for, so protected.

You were arriving at the lair, greeting the guys quickly as you walked straight to Raph’s room hoping to see your giant teddy bear of a boyfriend and spend some time together, when you pulled the curtain to his room though you were met with his actual teddy bears instead of him.

Humming you still walked in, deciding to wait for the turtle there and shoot him a text to let him know. As you sent the test and pocketed your phone the pile of teddy bears took your attention, they were so adorable, and you needed cuddles, they could surely accompany you meanwhile.

Without hesitation you threw yourself onto the space they were at, immediately surrounded by a whole bunch of fluffy companions you hugged close to your chest.

Sighing happily, you rubbed your cheek against Dr. Huggenstein and held Captain Snuggles closer, Cheech sitting on top of you when suddenly, you heard a sound coming from the entrance of the room. Glancing up, you found your boyfriend looking down at you with the softest look and a gleam in his eye as he churred softly, admiring you embracing his plushies.

Your smile softened at the sight of him, feeling a little shy at the way he looked at you, but that look…to think he got that look because of something so silly that you did, it made a feeling bubble in your chest and you loosened your hold on Captain Snuggles to make grabby hands at him while the other pulled Dr. Huggenstein closer and closer in your needy tremble for contact, Raph looked at you with a disarming smile before joining you quickly, suddenly with a little ‘oof’ you were laying atop your boyfriend with a teddy in between you both and the others surrounding you as you squealed slightly in happiness, a little noise of content coming out of your throat while Raph’s churr became louder.

Leonardo

You’d gone to the lair for a sleepover, after setting up the projector room with soft surfaces to lay on, blankets, pillows, and much more, the middle of the room looked like a fortress and was filled with three turtles and April, who were currently fighting over Mario Kart.

Leo and you had been playing with them, but after Leo lost against everyone in 9th place, he just took your hand, pulling you over to the kitchen for snacks while he grumbled at Donnie who kept teasing him for his humiliation.

The both of you could still hear the voices of the others preparing for the next circuit from the kitchen, without letting go of your hand Leo made a small gesture towards the coffee maker and you nodded at him.

His hand swung softly with yours while he used the other one to reach up for two mugs, the grounded coffee, and filters. The mugs were color-coded like most of the boys’ things, his was the same blue as his bandana while yours was a more pastel tone, you smiled looking at the little drawing of a turtle on the middle of both mugs while Leo started preparing the machine, still not letting go of your hand even when he spilled some of the water.

You leaned on his side, your thumb rubbing his hand and he laid his head on top of yours sighing softly while the coffee started pouring slowly.

He pulled out his phone shortly after and started playing a soft song before laying it down on the table and reaching with that hand towards you, he started swaying you in place slowly and you beamed at him, his gaze stuck on your smile before returning a softer one, incidentally unable to stop the churr that started pouring out of him like the coffee in the machine.

Your eyes widened at this, and you chirped at him, or at least you made the most similar noise you could, your legs wiggling slightly in place without you noticing, but Leo noticed and he was surprised for a second before his smile grew eager and he chirped back at you.

You shared little chirps while closing the little distance between each other, his forehead laying on yours as he chirped and churred while you answered and your legs kept being all wiggly in your place, pushing you up and down while he followed the whole time, lost in your presence and unable to hear the voices from the other room or realize the coffee was done.

Donatello

Hanging out in Donnie’s lab was usually a quiet endeavour, ever since you found out Donnie had given you access to his lab, you gratefully took it as a chance to enjoy the company, while sometimes you would chatter, share ideas, talk about your day or something you were excited about usually it was just you and him, happy to be in each other’s presence while doing your own thing.

Today was no different, with Donnie working on an upgrade for his shell and you working on your own thing with your laptop at his right.

After a little while you stopped hearing clatter from Donnie’s side, you had gone into hyperfocus and hadn’t noticed until you went to reach for your already freezing mug. Assuming Donnie was just thinking about his project you continued working.

Donnie had been looking at you, a small smile began forming on his face unconsciously while observing your features and committing them to memory, the way your brows furrowed slightly while you thought, or your tongue would poke out from between your teeth, he noticed how you rubbed your fingers together or bit your lips, his mind wandering off to different fidget toys he could design especially for you when you felt his gaze on you.

You turned to look at him curiously, tilting your head adorably as you looked at him who was so lost on his thoughts and how cute you looked he started churring unconsciously.

Your eyes widened at hearing them since Donnie usually tried to cover up his churring when it happened, you got excited at hearing such an innocent demonstration of his happiness, of how comfortable he was with you, your started waving your hands quickly at your side, finally grabbing his attention back from deep in thought.

Donnie, realizing he’d been churring and staring blusged slightly, but before he could act like nothing happened your happy stimming took a choke hold of his attention, you were so happy, and you were expressing it so freely, he melted slightly at the realization, letting his churr out deeply while you couldn’t avoid giggling in excitement at his reciprocating.

You both stumbled closer to each other in the wheels of your chairs, smiling at each other without inhibitions, just happy to exist within reach of one another.

Michelangelo

Your boyfriend and you had been looking for the perfect place for his newest piece, wandering around the roofs and streets of New York until you found the best wall for him to work in.

Mikey took out his sketch, which he had refused to show you, saying the graffiti he was about to make was a surprise and you’d just have to wait. You were so curious though, so hoping to speed up the process and find out what it was he was painting you opened up the duffle bag with all the cans and offered him a gas mask, he chuckled at your excitement and reached in to pull out a second mask, you both put on the masks on each other giggling a little during the process before he decided to stop torturing you with the wait and start his piece.

With you in control of the music and giving out snacks every once in a while, Mikey’s creative juices seemed to just flow directly into the wall through the paint, he’d numbered a couple stencils and you passed them to him in their number order, trying to figure out what they could become together but failing to understand as they were mere parts of a bigger thing.

The painting flowed, and you started seeing a face, more colorful than any face could actually be but that was the stylish choice you loved in Mikey’s art, however you were beginning to piece together what was going on.

Mikey poured details in the eyes of his piece more than anywhere else, doing his damnedest to make sure they were the right shape and as deep as he always thought they were whenever he stared at them, like those eyes could read him entirely.

He glanced down for a moment to look at his muse and was surprised to see said muse looking back at him with so much love in those eyes, a love he would never be able to fully replicate in his art, it was almost overwhelming, Mikey grinned so wide his cheeks hurt and suddenly he was back at her side churring loudly as he reached up to pinch the cheeks of his beloved.

You squealed as he did and laughed, trying to pinch him back but he avoided you. You made a noise from the back of your throat, mure purr-like than churr but it startled him for a second as he felt the vibration from you.

He excitedly grabbed you and held you up, twirling you around in the air as you laughed.

He could never replicate the look in her eyes, so full of love or the feelings that emanated from him when it came to you, but he could try, gosh darn, he would try.

[oneatlatime]

The Cave of Two Lovers

I always wanted to be a frog on a leaf.

Does Aang have chaps?

Instructed to hold his arms closer together, Aang immediately spreads them as far apart as physically possible.

Hippies!

Chong's wife is not called Cheech. That's a travesty.

Between the 90s boy band hair and the quadrupedal underwear, Sokka is not looking his best this episode!

Uncle, were you watching? Did you see? Lookit Uncle I even threw in some fist shaking at god and a dramatic tumble. Did you watch? Lookitmeeeeeeee.

Seems like it's Zuko's turn with the brain cell. Iroh plays the dumbass a lot but he can't seriously be contemplating risking poisoning himself while he has zero resources.

Appa getting a turn as the couch rather than the whip. Sweet braids.

"Oh it's a real legend" is a remarkably accurate statement when speaking of oral folklore. Real v. Fake legends are an actual thing!

Did anyone watch Arthur growing up? Anyone remember the Crazy Bus song? I feel like this Tunnel song is what Crazy Bus was trying to be.

I like her skirt. Actually all of their clothes are pretty neat.

Why does Appa hate going underground?

That's got to be watercolour.

The stick is a better catch than the fish. It's a damn good stick.

Zuko actually managing to admit that he needs help! Or rather, that they need help. That's growth! Maybe that's why Iroh poisoned himself? Or maybe he's just having a dumb moment? Two consecutive dumb moments?

Do you think being unwanted in literally every country on earth including his own is going to be enough to convince Zuko that maybe his nation isn't so great?

Her earrings are bells. She probably deafens herself when she walks.

Why is the science guy freaking out about curses?

Chong's necklace flowers keep drastically changing size depending on how close up the shot is.

Average fire nation soldier is superstitious. I bet they can use that. And this guy's hands are huge. Also those flying grappling hook chain things are, in my opinion, the fire nation's greatest combat advantage. Who needs bending when you have those?

The math-defying torches apparently work like strike anywhere matches.

Definitely watching this one on a CRT when I have the chance. Too dark otherwise.

Can you do that? Turn a map of the paths you've taken into a solvable maze? Don't you need to see all possible paths to solve a maze?

Three things: a) I like Song's voice actress. Very pretty voice, matches the face well. b) Zuko being terminally awkward when needing to lie is something that's been consistent since the third episode. He really needs to work on that. c) There's a whole world of visual storytelling in the fact that, when hastily required to look natural, Zuko defaults to parade rest.

The latest fashion in men's neckwear.

I mean technically yeah, Zuko's dad is fighting in the war, but Good Lord are he and Song bonding over traumas from the 100% opposite directions.

They snuck in a Bob Dylan joke!?!?!

Poor Appa is having a time of it this episode.

Sokka would rather die in a self-inflicted rock slide than hang with the hippies. That's a very Sokka thing.

The lighting here is beautiful. All warm and glowy.

Poor Song. It's borderline embarrassing to watch how wrong she is. But at the same time, she's completely right. The Fire Nation did hurt Zuko. But the Fire Nation is Zuko. But Zuko was hurt by the Fire Nation. Zuko's brain must be inside out right now.

No touchy.

Why is Zuko surprised by her burns? Did he think his nation took over most of the world by asking nicely? Seriously, did he?

It's good to finally see more burns. Well, not good, but logical. I think I ranted last episode about why I was so surprised by the lack of burns.

I'm with Sokka on this one. There is a (very limited) time and a (very tiny) place for singalongs, and this isn't it. Also I keep thinking that Momo is wearing an Adidas tracksuit.

The last thing cave walls see before death.

What do you know, it is a real legend.

Pretty. This whole sequence is inky.

I love how this show does badass bitches.

How on brand is it that the city founded by think-outside-the-box badgermole wrassling innovators is now ruled by Bumi? Original thought, badass earthbender, giant murderous rabbit; he fits right in.

No kissing until you're 35. What a face though.

Aang STOP TALKING YOU CANNOT WIN!!!

What's wrong with you is that you're 12. No one is smooth at 12.

According to the episode The Storm, the avatar does in fact represent hope to Zuko, but Song just can't stop putting her foot in it. Literally any other earth kingdom refugee would come away from an evening with Song feeling renewed hope, but she's unintentionally and unknowingly hit pretty much every one of Zuko's sore spots. This must have been a very frustrating evening for him.

In case we forgot that Zuko was the villain, he steals a horse bird. Iroh why are you ok with this?

Ouch.

Where is your chin

Chong was right. All they did need to do was play music. These guys would probably kill me if I tried, but gosh they're so cute I want 5.

How many string instruments does Chong have stashed in his robe? His improv skills are top notch though.

You want me to believe that a couple of millennia of badgermoles rearranging things as they see fit has not altered the path of the crystals?

I feel ya buddy.

Sokka assuming his rightful throne. King of the Badgermoles.

Badgermoles have elf ears.

"Really? We let huge ferocious beasts lead our way." I love this line.

Appa's such a good friend. Settling in for a long listening session.

"So are you guys going to come to Omashu with us?" "Nope." "Ok." *fucks off into the sunset* Now that's how you write out a character.

NOOO BUMI!!!

Do you think the hippies knew? Is that why they didn't want to go to Omashu? It would be totally on brand for them to know the whole time and not tell.

Final Thoughts

Well that was a hell of a bait and switch ending. Supreme goof A-plot, Zuko having his dearly held beliefs dragged through the mud B-plot, and then suddenly *BOOM* overarching plot.

So is this season going to be the 'step on Zuko until he's decent' season? Because he's got a long way to go.

Why was Iroh being so stupid in the beginning? Does he have a blind spot where tea is concerned? He made Zuko look like the reasonable one. That's quite a feat.

At first glance, Sokka got to shine in this episode, but actually it was Chong who was right all along. There was a real legend about a secret tunnel, the solution was to trust in love, both as Aang & Katara did and as Chong's group tried (love songs). And that kid WAS the avatar! Three for Three!

I'm still not a fan of Aang & Katara being involved romantically (mostly because they're BABY), but I love the way they related to each other this episode. Their interactions felt 100% natural. What tween hasn't put their foot in their mouth around their crush?

Someone give Appa a hug. You know what? Give Momo a hug too. He worked hard as a wolfbat early alert system.

Speaking of Appa, are his underside sections furry? Covered in short grey fur? Or are they hard grey armoured plates? Are they shell or skin?

I've noticed that animal noises come in three flavours in this show: Appa grumbles, Momo trills, or wolfbat hisses. Most animals make variations of these three.

Are we sure Song hasn't been hitting the White Jade herself? Those are pretty similar.

Poor Song is really crapped on this episode. All she did was be compassionate and she gets her horse thing stolen. It makes sense that she wouldn't try to retrieve her horse thing, both because she's too kind, and because it's just her and her mom against two fairly rough guys. If this is the season of Zuko improvement, how many more innocents like Song will be crapped on in the name of improving Zuko?

Chong's robe's sleeve kind of hangs off his waist, since he's rocking the one shoulder look. I thought Bato was rocking that same look in his episode, and spent the whole episode looking for where he stashed his sleeve, but I couldn't find it. But now I see Chong with the same look and he definitely has extra sleeve trailing. So did Bato cut off his sleeve? Is he wearing the robe he was wearing when he got injured and his sleeve burned off? Is there a known way to tuck robe sleeves in inconspicuously and the fact that we can see Chong's is a bit of visual storytelling pointing to the hippies' general scatterbrained nature? Am I overthinking this?

I liked this episode! Definitely going on my rewatch list! The hippies are just the right amount of stupid, Zuko gets a break from being a shouty jerk, and Aang and Katara get to be just awkward kids (albeit while trapped in a life or death situation - priorities guys). Poor Sokka, Appa, and Song have a pretty bad time. But Sokka being terrorised by stupidity makes for funny tv.

[queenimmadolla]

Hi I wanted to share something that screams penny to me, she accidentally watched Killer Clowns from Outer Space when she was being watched by Cheech and Chong (Jonathan and Argele), and it doesn’t scare her where she’s crying when she sees a clown but makes her cautious (like I know what you are). So her birthday happens and a clown shows up, she’s got her guard up and keeps her distance even though the clown is trying to give her a present and ballon animal (a snake). Soon the clown approaches mommy and Wayne, and gives them both kisses and takesWayne (who doesn’t care) from mommy and penny screams bloody murder. Where the hell is her dad to put a stop to this, she grabs the bat, not only did she have to smack a clown piñata for candy she’s gotta smack this clown to protect her mom and brother. Strangely this clown sounds like daddy when he yells “penny it’s me!!”

Penny isn’t a crier when it comes to being scared (when she was a little baby she was, not anymore), she simply takes care of the problem so she doesn’t have anything to be scared of again 😤

She’d definitely go for his knees with that bat and she gets a good couple of hits in before her dad’s voice starts coming from that evil clown and grandpa Wayne has taken the bat away from her 😭

Even when she does realize it’s her eddie, she’s still distrustful cause why would her dad do that, huh? why would he dress like a clown? wear that big dumb red nose? HMN? She didn’t ask him to do that.

It makes for a great VHS tape though, you caught it all on the camcorder.

Cheech (Jonathan) and Chong (argyle) know what’s up the minute Penny attacks Eddie and are in the background like:

“…you don’t think it’s because we let her watch that movie, right?”

“No. No, no. No. No. There’s no way. ✨No✨. She’s just—clowns are freaks, man. I don’t blame her.”

[pandorasfavorite]

I am a fellow stoner! Can I have Dominik Mysterio x reader where they are high as hell and the judgement day finds them just laughing on the floor while watching Cheech and Chong? I love you my lovely! 🥺

Full turn

Part two

Dominik was raised to be polite and patient, he inherits great traits from Rey when though he’s not happy about it. Dominik was pushed away from non acceptable things such as alcohol, violence, and drugs. During his heel turn he decided to be much more rebellious and live life a different way. With his girlfriend of 4 months (who was previously apart of the judgment day), he indulged in his “dangerous” fantasies.

Me —- Hey, do you wanna come over?

Dom Dom — for what 😏?

Me —- nevermind 🙄

Dom Dom — no no I’m on the way.

Me —- Okay 🫣

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two knocks make sound on the WWE owned hotel door and I rush to it, more than ready to see my boyfriend. Im in a tanktop and plaid pajama pants smiling right back at my boyfriend also in a tanktop but with gray joggers. I smile at him a moment longer before moving from the door way to let him through. He sits on the edge of the bed watching me lock the door and move to the other side of my room to the night stand.

I pull out the joint and I lick the edge from where it unrolled just a little and I look at Dom with a eyebrow raised in question. He taps his fingers on the bed as a nervous tick before rushing out his response, “baby, Im not sure”. I nod and walk to sit beside him, joint still in the palm of my left hand. I hold Dom’s hand with my right hand while I look at him with promise. “I will never make you do something you don’t want to, but I know you’ve been considering it”, I express rubbing the back of his hand with my thumb.

He looks down at our conjoined hands before throwing his head back dramatically, “Okay let’s do it”. I squeal in delight before hopping up and running back to the night stand to grab my lighter. Once sitting beside him I explain how he should inhale and hold to get the whole effect then I light up and show him. I see the reflection of the burning joint in his eyes and the smile gracing his face as I pull away and pass it to him. He repeats my actions but not before coughing it all out and doubling over. Dom is having a major coughing fit and his hair is covering his face completely as he turns red. His cough last longer than usual and after the shot giggle stops I pat his back soothing him, “alright let it all out” he groans dramatically before sitting back up. I pluck the joint from his hands taking another hit, smiling at what happened just moments before. I hand Dom the joint back and tell him to try again and to not take such a heavy hit.

He complies and I hand him a water bottle that was laying on the bed for when he finished. I take two more hits while he is taking things in, I pass it to Dom one more time, informing him this was his last one for now. He nods obediently taking his last hit and laying back on the bed. One more hit for me before I put it out in the ash tray, the remaining bit of the joint gets carded away into the drawer for another night. I hear a short giggle slip past Dom’s lips and I immediately smile knowing it was working. “What’s funny?” I question him turning my face to look at him. He turns his head towards me as well grinning ear to ear, “nothing” he replies before turning his face the other way laughing again.

My jaw drops at the audacity and I climb onto his lap, my hands on his chest, demanding his attention. He looks up flustered for a moment, red tinting his cheeks. “What are you laughing about?” I beg, drawing out my sentence to show how much I’m pleading. He closes his eyes momentarily before opening them and answering “mm just thinking about something you told me before”. This peaks my interest even more because I said it, I lean down and peck his lips before persuading him even more by rubbing my hands down his chest “and what did I say?”. He becomes a little breathless focusing on the movement of my hands, “uhh… what?” Dom says seemingly forgetting everything. I giggle and press kisses to his face quickly making his grin forever lasting, when I’m done I roll of him making him whine in protest.

I start laughing again at his noise and he laughs with me just out of the random. He covers his face with his hands, his laughs flowing out of mouth consistently. Knocks have been hitting the door for two minutes now but no answer from inside. Finn, Damian, and Rhea set out to find the other two members for a quick late night meeting about the morning ahead of them. Rhea gets slightly irritated with the non existent answer and she pushes the door open seeing a unlikely sight. It was normal in the fact that the couple was together but the smell of weed and the droopy eyes brings her to a conclusion. She laughs saying “no way” while telling Finn and Damian to see the sight of Dom high and his girlfriend the same way.

[nfumbewalk]

Opening

A candle I had burned for my son. Its his zodiac sign color, red for Aries. The knot in the wick still has me concerned.

Well, I've been recently been thinking of my opening and attunement that's been happening for the last two years. Its apparently all been due to me accepting muertos and embracing them into my life. Mostly Rodolfo. He's been instrumental in many changes that have happened in me and my environment. He took many of my fears away and helped me realize that I need to chill out and let my intuition come to me at full force - stop trying to muffle it or deny it.

I did not know my full power. And, my dad didn't tell me much until near his death about muertos speaking to him. Plus his amazing intuition, which now I remember witnessing often. My dad was very empathic and tuned in. As a kid, I went to him when I was ill in the middle of the night - he knew before it happened because he was awake and waiting for me with medicine. Mom never awoke.

Dad was so special and had the temper of a devil. But most times, he was gentle to me. Such a Scorpio too! He was quite interested in astrology and witches, and the powers of stones and plants. He had a learning disability, so his focus was off, but he remained interested in some stuff that I did. I think his death last year has really blown off the lid. I'm so open now!

Before he died, I couldn't hear my relatives talking to me, and really, not many other muertos - just Rodolfo. Seriously! I hear both of my grandpa's, one grandma, my dad, and now - my mom! I know other muertos will come. Hopefully it won't be too overwhelming. I know I'm not making this up. The things they say are so separate from the things that I think of. Their words are nothing like mine. And I've mentioned that they sound SO weird!!

My mom, who I had not heard from since she died in 2006, sounded low and warbly. The women have. Men sound kind of high pitched and whiny like old time radio from the 1930's. Yes, I've heard very old radio. Lol! Now, Rodolfo sounds normal. I think its because he's been dead longer. He sounds kind of like Cheech from Cheech & Chong. He took no offense when I said that. But his voice register is a bit lower.

So, I don't have any idea if my attunement is still happening or not. Oh, Rodolfo just said its not over yet! Egads. What's next?!? I don't know of many other relatives to die. Phew! But, I mentioned Tom's stepdad Chuck. I do think he would communicate with me if he passed. He's already giving away belongings, like a $300 watch to Tom. And a exquisite leather coat to me. He was very wealthy, but lost money due to his son and his other stepson. I hope he will hang on for a bit, unless he is really ready to go. I swear I'm the Angel of Death. I was there when both my parents died!! Well, my dad was gone a little bit before I arrived, but I was holding my mom's hand when she died. 10 minutes to 10 AM, December 16th 2006. Dad was August 25th 2023.

You all can see Rodolfo's tombstone on the header of this blog. He was only 35 years old when he died. He told me he was shot in the guts. I believe him, but Tom is skeptical. The Free Souls are a super cool MC (motorcycle club) but they were/are still dangerous af!!! He didn't make it very far in the Army - his tombstone reads, "PFC." That's Private First Class, very low on the totem pole. He must have gotten out, but honorably discharged because his rank is allowed on his stone. If dishonorably discharged, the military won't let that tombstone happen.

Rodolfo has also said his hand got mangled - perhaps that was the military discharge?!? I've mostly just seen his face and silhouette, so I haven't seen his mangled hand yet. Interesting to just put that together. Look! Neurons firing!! 😂 I think he's proud of me! Haha! He got his tequila today and its going pretty quick. His ritual this morning should have been longer.

I'll make it up to him when I do the Siphoning of the Earth with my Baston de Muerto! Rodolfo just loves it. Dunno why but I see a big grin. Probably because I developed this ritual move for and with him. Oh, and he loves this tool of mine, he says. "Baston de Muerto," means Dead Man's Staff, or Cane. Mine is the staff that you can see in all of Rodolfo's altar photos, on the right side, next to his vessel (bottle). Its a bit over 5' so its taller than me. I'm 4'9". But I wield it very well!

Trying not to jump topics. Its all muertos, right? Lol. My post about Palo brought me another muerto today. My dead Tata. He told me a lot. He tried to comfort me. He kind of did. He said to remember that he was a Palero on the fringes of the religion and wasn't accepted either. That was there was no doubt that I can do it, but my own way. Also that I would need to search Spanish Palo books. He reiterated that these other Paleros that I knew couldn't initiate me for a reason. I wasn't meant to be a branch on their trees. Ill fitting and possibly cheats, they are. He also said that I'm not meant for all of the Regla, just some. Weird, huh? Another muerto!

My opening is still going strong! Apparently I have more work to do? I truly had a change in fortune start this September. I did some ritual work...must have really turned the wheels. Well, good!

Hope this was interesting!

M.M. 💖💀💖

[tommyshelby87]

Ranking the boys by how good they would be to smoke weed with:

5. Jonathan - he'd spend the entire time smugly explaining what every psychoactive chemical does and trying to make you paranoid and you'd just be sitting there like, "man, shut the fuck up, I'm trying to chill"

4. Jackson - tbh whether he's gonna be fun or be an asshole is kinda up in the air but he's not actively trying to give you a panic attack so at least he has that going for him

3. Tommy - might freak out and pull a gun on you from the PTSD but his organized crime connections mean he can get some PRIMO herb.

2. Robert - doesn't know how to let himself relax enough to enjoy his high, but always pays for Taco Bell. And Five Guys. And Pizza Hut.

1. Neil - I mean, duh. On one hand, he's a little pathetic, which means he might green out immediately, but on the other, he's weird and nerdy and unambitious, which gives serious stoner vibes. Either way, he kind of built his life around movies and snack food, so his store is a stoner paradise. Time for a Cheech and Chong marathon.

Lol I agree, Jonathan would be kind of a pain. I think he'd also keep listen all the negative side effects, totally killing the buzz.

Jackson might even relax enough not to be an asshole for five minutes, so no downside there.

The gunpulling of Tommy would be worth it, honestly. I'll calm him down with cookies or cake.

Robert is just a classy guy, buying junkfood like that.

Neil does give serious stoner vibes! YES! Ready for the marathon! Plus, how funny would it be to watch him have a laugh attack?

[kharmii]

Calling an African woman a man on your shitty Pokémon blog sure is a hill to die on. Not a good one, or a smart one, or a reasonable one, or one worth dying on at all, but god damn did you choose to die on it anyway.

Did I just get a low-key death threat from my comments about Imane Khelif?

Imane Khelif is that Algerian boxer who grew up thinking he was a female for whatever reason -it's possible he's actually intersex- but when he was tested by the International Boxing Association, he was disqualified for having an XY chromosome. Now it's going viral that Elon Musk and JK Rowling are getting sued for bullying, but they are only spreading information being put forth from the boxing league. If the boxing league is spreading wrong information, then they are the ones who should be sued. Another genetic test should be done to prove that Imane Khelif really has an XX chromosome if he is supposedly a woman.

Side note: Keep in mind, an intersex person more often than not is one or the other. In rare cases, they might be both, and anyone with a "Y" in their chromosomes should still be barred from punching women. IE: XXY....half a man but still a man. XXXY or XXXXY...somewhat of a man but still a man. Both likely severely mentally challenged too, but if they are able to box, then go take on the Big Boys.

I'm not intimidated by someone throwing out "AFRICAN WOMAN, HOW DARE YOU!!1!!1!1". Don't you people scroll? I'm the one who did the post about 'white woman bootcamp'. I'm similar to the white men who don't get lectured because they are able to promote themselves to "Colonel Don't-Give-A-Fuck". That's where I'm at.

Then there's the clowns who are like, "Women can have XY chromosomes! If they get too much female hormones in the womb, then they can have female genitalia!" Well, maybe, but they are still a man. Chromosomes are in every cell in your body, so if you have XY chromosomes, every cell in your body is screaming 'male' and pushing you into a male form no matter what sort of birth defect you are sporting down there. Imane Khelif looks like a Swol-ass Dude looking Bro.

That's not to say I'm not wrong. A genetic test might come out proving he has XX chromosomes, and I'd be forced to call him a 'she' from now on based on the new evidence. I'm just some shlub on the internet. What do I know? I just have to go on my intuition and my five senses. If it looks like a man and punches like a man, then it's likely a man. That reminds me of an old Cheech and Chong skit.

[all-the-things-2020]

Late Night Talking - Chapter Four

Summary: Things are moving along. The G word is used. Emily spends the night at Dieter’s place.

Rating: PG-13 (implied sex but nothing graphic)

Tagging @rhoorl @gwendibleywrites @avastrasposts

Notes: The Cheech is a real art museum in Riverside.

Dieter and I had been seeing each other for about a month. We’d managed to go out at least once a week and talked on the phone almost every night. Things were still low key. We’d visited the Cheech (Dieter was really into art; his mother had been an artist and he dabbled in painting now and then), gone for a hike in the Santa Monica Mountains, had a picnic at the Citrus Park. Nothing fancy, nothing that would attract attention.

Tonight, we were hanging out at his place, snuggling on the couch and watching random shows on Netflix. I had to go back to work in a few weeks, and I hoped that once I wasn’t available on weekdays, we wouldn’t drift apart. His schedule was different all the time, and I knew he had a project coming up that would require him to be out of town for several weeks.

We hadn’t slept together yet. I was wary of taking that step when I wasn’t sure exactly how things were going to work out, and he hadn’t put any pressure on me, even though he’d made more than a few hints. For now, I was content to keep things as they were. We’d had a few heavy make out sessions, one in the back seat of his car that had led to an embarrassing incident with a police officer who seemed surprised to find two middle-aged people steaming up a car’s windows.

I wasn’t even sure what we were watching anymore, since I was so comfortable in Dieter’s arms that I was ready to doze off. I jumped when his phone rang on the coffee table. He chuckled and rubbed his hands up and down my arms. “Easy there,” he said, leaning forward to look at the phone screen. “Oh, it’s my agent. I’ve got to take this.” He snatched up the phone and answered the call.

“Hey,” he said. “No, no, it’s fine. Just hanging out with my girlfriend. So what’s up?”

He wriggled out from under me and walked into the other room, away from the noise of the television. I sat on the couch, stunned. Had he just referred to me as his girlfriend? We hadn’t talked about where this thing was going, hadn’t discussed whether we were exclusive or how serious either of us was.

He disappeared for a while, leaving me to stare at the TV until Netflix asked “Are you still there?” I stirred enough to press the button on the remote, and it started playing the next episode of whatever we’d been watching. Dieter came back in and tossed his phone back on the table. He flopped down on the couch and pulled me into his lap.

“He’s got me an audition for a rom-com,” he said. “Finally, something that isn’t an action flick. Keep your fingers crossed.”

“That’s great news,” I said. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to relax until I knew for sure. “Um, did you mean what you said?”

“What did I say?,” he asked distractedly, busy with the remote looking through the Netflix menu.

“You … you told him you were hanging out with your girlfriend,” I said carefully. “Did you mean that? Am I your girlfriend?”

He dropped the remote. “Shit,” he said. He ran one hand through his hair, making it even messier than usual. “Um, yeah, I know we haven’t really talked about things, but … yeah, I do think of you as my girlfriend.”

I turned around in his lap to face him. “So does that make you my boyfriend?” I asked, cupping his face with one hand.

He smiled. “I guess it does,” he said. I leaned forward and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. “Oh, yeah, definitely your boyfriend,” he said between kisses.

I sat back. “We should probably talk about this,” I said. “I mean, I’m going back to work soon, and I don’t know how often we’ll be able to see each other. This is kind of going to be a long-distance relationship, you know.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I know, but I’m cool with that. It’s not ideal, but we’ll make it work. We can spend the weekends together, maybe I can come out during the week sometimes … we’ll manage.”

“About that,” I said. “If we’re going to be spending the weekends together, maybe it’s time we … um, take the next step? I mean, if we’re serious about each other.”

“Oh, I’m very serious,” he said, his hands sliding down to my hips. “So very, very serious about you.” He kissed me fiercely and I wrapped my arms around his neck, running my fingers through his hair, messing it up even more. After a few minutes, he reached onto the coffee table for the remote and clicked the television off.

“Let’s move this into the bedroom,” he murmured.

“Sounds good to me,” I replied, feeling giddy. He stood up and held out his hand. I took it and he led me off to bed.

***********************************

I woke up long before the sun came up. As I crawled out of bed, Dieter stirred. “Where you goin’?” He mumbled.

“Have to pee,” I whispered back. He grunted and buried his face in the pillow. I stumbled through the darkened house to the bathroom, still half asleep myself. I flicked on the light and immediately regretted it. I had to screw my eyes shut against the blinding glare, and fumbled for the switch. Of course, that meant I was effectively blind until my eyes readjusted and I nearly missed the toilet.

I was laughing as I made my way back to the bedroom. “What's so funny?” Dieter said, his voice muffled through the pillow. “Are you looking at my ass?”

“No,” I said, slipping back under the covers. “I just blinded myself with the bathroom light and almost killed myself.”

“Oh, okay, then,” he said. He pulled me close and pressed a kiss against my forehead. “Now shut up and let me sleep.”

“You’re grumpy when you’re sleepy,” I replied.

“Less talk, more sleep,” he said, pulling his pillow over his head.

************************************

The sun was high by the time we finally got up the next morning. Dieter was definitely not a morning person. He was not talkative at all, pulling on an old t-shirt and a pair of shorts before stumbling to the kitchen to turn on the coffee maker. I picked my clothes up off the bedroom floor, got dressed, and followed him.

“Want some breakfast?” I asked, opening the refrigerator to see what he had. I always wake up starving, for some reason.

“Um,” he grunted, slumped on a stool at the kitchen island.

“Is that a yes or a no?,” I laughed. I smoothed his messy hair back from his face and kissed his forehead.

“Yes,” he said. “Coffee first, though.”

I found some eggs, butter, and a loaf of bread on the counter. “How do you like your eggs?” I asked, not expecting much of an answer. He was busy preparing his coffee and didn’t hear me at first. “I said … how do you like your eggs?”

“Hmm, oh, runny, please,” he said before taking a deep gulp of coffee. He sighed and sank back down onto his seat.

“Sunny side up, coming right up,” I said brightly, as I put the frying pan on the stove. He flipped me off.

“Gee, I’d think you’d be nicer to me after what I let you do to me last night,” I teased.

“You loved it,” he retorted, clearly starting to react to the caffeine.

“Yeah, I did,” I admitted. I tossed a pat of butter into the hot frying pan. “How many eggs?”

“Two,” he said, standing up, carrying his coffee mug with him. He stood right behind me, putting his chin on my shoulder.

“Back off,” I said. “I can’t cook if you’re on top of me like that.”

“Oh, sorry, thought you liked that,” he teased. I elbowed him in the stomach and he stepped back with an “oof.”

I cracked a couple of eggs into the pan, then popped some toast into the toaster while they started to fry. “Make yourself useful and get some plates,” I told him.

“I’d think you’d be nicer to me after what I did to you last night,” he replied. I flipped him off and he laughed. He was definitely responding to the caffeine.

I finished his eggs, plated them, and started on my own. His toast popped up and I slathered it with butter for him. “Go ahead,” I said. “Don’t let it get cold.”

He broke the yolks on his eggs, dipped in his toast and took a big bite. “Mmm, you’re definitely a keeper,” he said after he’d swallowed.

“Eggs and toast aren’t that difficult,” I said. “Don’t get any grand ideas about me being a good cook or anything.” I pointed the spatula at him.

He held his hands up. “I would never assume,” he said. “Traditional gender roles have no place in this house.” He took another bite and pointed at the stove with his fork. “Your eggs are burning.”

“Oh, shit,” I said, quickly pulling the pan off the burner, narrowly saving my breakfast from ruin. Fortunately, my toast came out perfectly.

After breakfast (and two more cups of coffee for Dieter), he did the dishes and retired to the shower. When he returned, he was dressed in a nicer t-shirt and a clean pair of shorts. “You actually look alive now,” I told him.

“It takes me a while,” he admitted. “Hope that’s not going to be a problem.”

“No,” I said. “Lazy mornings are just fine by me, when I can get away with it.” I pulled him down onto the couch next to me. “During the week, I’m in such a rush … this is nice.” I snuggled up next to him.

“So, what do you want to do today?,” he asked. “Go to the movies, take a hike, hit a museum?”

“Just hang out with my boyfriend,” I replied.

“Sounds good to me.”

********************************************************

As I drove home that afternoon, it hit me. I’d slept with a movie star. It hadn’t felt like that at the time. It was just me and Dieter, the guy I was crazy about, who called me every night and talked about stupid stuff until we were both tired enough to call it a night. It had felt natural, easy. But as I steered through traffic on the 10 I realized the implications of our actions.

I was Dieter’s girlfriend. He’d said it. That meant we were exclusive. Things were serious. And now I was part of his story. A story that was plastered all over the Internet and social media and magazines any time he did anything remotely news worthy. A story I would be featured in if we went somewhere public, if he mentioned me in an interview. Part of me — the part that had always told herself it didn’t matter that she hadn’t been asked to the dance because she didn’t want to go anyway — wanted to flaunt it to the world.

A bigger part of me was scared shitless. I hated having my picture taken. I always volunteered to be the photographer on outings, feeling safer behind the camera than in front of it. I offered to help in the kitchen at parties, help clear up after meetings. I liked being in the background, part of something but never the focus. Dieter lived in a huge spotlight. He was the main character of not only his own life, but most events around him. I wasn’t sure I could handle that amount of attention.

But then I thought of him when we were alone, just the two of us together. He felt right. We felt right. My head fit against his shoulder like we were two puzzle pieces. He’d told me bits and pieces about his life, things I suspected he hadn’t told anyone else besides his therapist. I told him stuff, too, surprising myself with my candor. It wasn’t just physical intimacy between us. It was emotional, mental, intellectual.

I tried to concentrate on the traffic. I knew Sam would tell me I was still in the infatuation stage, and tease me that the man must be good in bed if I was so discombobulated by being dicked down for the first time. But I knew it wasn’t that. Or at least not just that.

It scared me. Because for the first time in my life, I felt like the main character of my own story, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to be a star.

By the time I got home, I had a raging tension headache from driving. I flipped through my mail, took some ibuprofen and settled down on the couch to text Sam.

ME: Hey

SAM: Oh, you’re still alive. Starting to wonder.

ME: Ha ha very funny. I just got home.

SAM: From yesterday’s date? No way. I want details!

ME: It was good.

SAM: You fucked a celebrity and all you tell me is it was good? That’s bs.

ME: I slept with my boyfriend for the first time. It was good but awkward. You know how it is.

SAM: Excuse me, BOYFRIEND? When did this go from ‘we’re kind of seeing each other’ to ‘he’s my BOYFRIEND’? You skipped a big chunk.

ME: Last night. Look, are you going to be serious about this?

SAM: Of course. Sorry. Go on.

I wasn’t sure what to tell her. What had happened between me and Dieter was private. I wanted to keep it that way, but at the same time, Sam had always been my safe person, the one I could tell just about anything to because she lived so far away and wasn’t part of my day to day life.

ME: He got a phone call from his agent. He told the guy he was just ‘hanging out with his girlfriend.’ I asked him if he meant it. He said yes.

SAM: So this is serious.

ME: Very serious. Sam, I don’t know what I’m doing! Dieter is amazing. He’s funny and smart and he just gets me.

SAM: And he’s hot.

ME: Yeah, and he’s hot. But it’s summer and I have all this free time and I feel like a kid on vacation. What’s going to happen once I’m back at work and we’re both busy and he’s off filming something and we hardly see each other? How long can we keep this up?

SAM: If it’s meant to be, you’ll figure it out. But you won’t know unless you try. And sweetie, even if it doesn’t work out, you’ll have a hell of a story to tell when we’re in the retirement community knitting socks.

(We had a long standing joke that even though we lived so far apart, we’d eventually end up living in the same senior center and spend our days knitting socks and drinking mimosas between bingo games.)

ME: It doesn’t feel like a fling. But it can’t be the real thing, can it? I mean, he’s got a fucking Oscar on his bookshelf, Sam. I saw it. Just sitting there like a knickknack.

SAM: So what? Thom’s got a degree from Harvard hanging on the wall. Doesn’t make him better than me. Look, Em, loosen up. Enjoy yourself. You always look for the crash that might be coming instead of enjoying the ride. Maybe he’s the One. Maybe he isn’t. But right now, he’s yours. No one else’s. Just yours.

ME: You’re right. You’re always right. I should let you go. Give Thom and the kids a hug from me.

SAM: Only if you give Dieter one from me! Can’t wait to let that name drop next time I have to see that bitch Lana, ha ha!

I always felt better after chatting with Sam. She had a way of taking the blinders off of me, letting me see more than just the narrow path ahead that I imagined, strewn with rocks and danger. She’d helped me through losing both my parents, layoffs and furlough days at work, and various other bumps in the road, keeping me focused on the silver lining of even the darkest cloud.

Dieter wasn’t a dark cloud. He was sunlight and moonbeams and starshine. All I had to do was step out into the light.

[anarchic-miscellany]

Reading "One Piece" for the first time: Part 9 Having wrap up in the village after the fight with the Eugenicist Fish Man was good. Kudos man! I was enjoying the lovable quintet sailing off after the mayhem, it's always better than whatever methamphetamine charged crayon lunacy our author has concocted. Here we have essentially a Dungeons and Dragons party in town, and that makes for some great character moments. The Idiot wants to see where his hero was executed, The Himbo wishes to buy some more gear from the merchants, the Cartographer with a Brain Cell is getting some pretty outfits and materials (happy to see her in a good mood, to be honest), Meme in Progress is adorable and finding eggs on sale, good on him; and the Giga Chad finds a fish which he ropes the Meme in Progress into bringing home. See, these interactions feel natural and- Oh FUCK ME, the Cringe Master "Dracule Mihawk" is reintroduced being vague and edgy and "oh so cool" in the way that only my mate I (and I think everyone else) had when I was 14 thinks is awesome. Fuck this guy, he's like a jumpscare every time I think I'm enjoying this. Anyway, all that bimbling about town is neat, it doesn't quite feel like spinning wheels until the next purple-tinted kaleidascope of stupidity comes along (though it really is); and our Himbo even meets a woman who looks like Uryu from "Bleach". They bond a bit, threaten to make "Bleach" interesting by having this deep-fried dumbass show up in it (alas, no such luck), and part ways after picking up some cursed swords by passing a Charisma check and the DM just going "fuck it". Gotta be honest, I did not expect the "kick off nonsense" to be the return of the Murder Clown and the Club Lady I had completely forgotten about. Where did she find a Magic Fruit? Are they sold in street stalls? Do you ask the author nicely to get one? Was it buried in the club she carries? Not sure how to feel about the "she's hot now" fat joke, but do like that the joke to her is "I'm just as hot as I always was and the only thing missing is my freckles", that was okay. Anyway, I could watch 20 chapters of just Meme in Progress and Giga Chad trying to carry a fish in a hurry, and it was generally pretty funny having everybody rally to come and save The Idiot from being executed by a vengeful Murder Clown ... That was a sentence I had to write. Only OH NO! The 3 way pirate orgy is interrupted by the arrival of an actually pretty cool character I would have loved when I was 14: "Smoker", who smokes a pair of blunts at all times and turns into mist which (no joke) was a character I concocted when I was 13. He and Girl Uryu rush to action, there's panic and mayhem, but then we get... Look, I know that the Idiot is going to escape, I know that he's the main character, but you decided upon a literal act of fucking God to write your way out of this corner, man? You're, well I'm not going to say "better" than this, but certainly wilder. Couldn't you have had, I don't know, Meme in Progress saw the support beams away like a Looney Toon? The Himbo cut a blade with his blade? Cartographer with a Brain Cell bribe some frogs men to brick in the clown? Those were just 3 random ideas I came up with typing this, and they are all better and more sensical than "lightning strike hits the guillotine" (which is my new "Iron Maiden" album); which is really ruining an otherwise dope segment where various pirate groups converge in absolute fucking chaos and we get Captain Cheech and Chong trying to stop them with his raw edge. I like that silly brawl, that madness of varying motivations and grudges, it's a pity about the lightning. ... Another sentence I had to write. This series will be the death of me.

[cowboymeemaw]

Would you be willing to show us your kitties (and maybe other animals)? 🥹

Of course! Gonna try and dive through my camera roll and see what I got

We'll start with the kitties

The ones in my other post were Fee and Batman! Photo'd here are Zz, Posiden, Midas Fortnite (OLD photo), Ethel, and an honorable Mention of Kieren Duffy. My farms named Duffy Farms after my old boy, unfortunately he's one that has passed.

Now I'll round up some photos of our other residents-

Now this is far from all of the critters we have running around, but Lord knows I ain't got photos of em all. But I'll go around and share their names

Andy Dufrense the Rooster and his girl White Chick, Miss Ma'am the broody hen, Elton John the show pig, Ted the supposed cattle dog but now a lazy bum, Nimi the horrible Holstein Steers, Cheech and Chong the turks, Buddy the Nigerian Dwarf breeding prospect buck, Tick the full grown angus Bull with dwarfism, Clark the ferret, Willow the livestock guardian, Dolly Pigeon our gilt that's gonna produce some babies next year (that photo is real old when we first got her), Then there is Brian and Brian the married African geese pair. I also have another female goose, named Brian. There's a lot more u pictured I'm just lazy.

And a little honorary mention to Misty the elderly Appaloosa who lives on my grandpa's property & Oreo the evil who also lives there.

[talesfrombeyond1]

Holy Moly

Daniel, a 16-year-old boy is sitting on the couch watching Cheech and Chong while his older brother Mark walks in the front door.

“The weeds all dried and I’m not waiting until 4:20”, Mark says with a huge smile while holding up a massive bag of weed.

“Stealing that holy water was the smartest thing ever. We should call this shit “The Brain of Christ.”, Daniel says with a smirk.

“Nah, too wordy, let’s call it holy weed.”

Daniel examines that bag. “Let’s just smoke it and let it name itself like usual. With how this smells we could call it cyanide, people would probably still buy it.”

Mark rolls up a blunt as the brothers debate what they will sell this for. But one thing is for sure, watering it with holy water will be the selling point.

The two finish the blunt and call the weed “Holy Moly” because it is extremely strong.

“Mom's boyfriend Larry is about to be here.” Danial groans with a slight eye roll.

“Don’t gotta tell me twice!” Mark heads straight for the door, but as soon as he opens it he finds Larry on the porch about to enter. He also has cleft hooves and horns.

“Why are you wearing that, it’s the middle of July.” Mark says with more than a hint of judgement.

“No matter how hot, I must wear this suit to work. It comes with the job description.

Mark walks straight back to Daniel as Larry heads to the bathroom. “This motherfucker looks like a goat.”

“Did you put extra shit in the blunt?”

“You know I wouldn’t do that.”

Larry walks into the room. “Smells like pot. Don’t worry I won’t tell your mom-”

Mark interrupts “Why are you dressed like a fuckin goat?”

Larry stays entirely still for a couple of seconds… “What?”

Daniel points at Larry and says “You look like a goat, and it’s not the weed.”

Larry slides across the floor towards the boys, hands extended and not moving his feet. Mark jumps up, but as Larry goes to grab Daniel his hand burns.

Larry's voice gets much deeper. “What are you!” He demands. “Tell me your names!”

At this moment the boy's mom Claire walks in. “All of my favorite people in one place.” She doesn’t notice that Larry looks like a goat.

“Oh, we were just discussing life and death.” Larry laughs and when Claire turns her head he gives an evil gaze to the boys.

“Daniel wanted to show me something in his room.” Mark grabs Daniels's arm and ushers him off.

Mark and Daniel sit on Daniel's bed. The room is mostly empty with a television and a poster of Dave Chappelle.

“It’s gotta be the Holy Moly,” Daniel blurts out as soon as the door closes.

“No shit but two people can’t have the same hallucination at the same time, what we saw was real.”

“We’ve got to do something.”

“But what?”

Mark picks up the massive bag of weed. “We’ve got to get way higher than usual. After that, we’ve got to start going to Church more often. There’s obviously something to it.”

The boys smoke three blunts of the Holy Moly in a row and go back out armed with the rest of the holy water they didn’t use on the plants. It’s in a water bottle.

This time they sense an evil presence in their moms belly. They give each other a look of understanding but say nothing.

Mark starts to improvise and goes to shake Larry's hand. “I haven’t fully welcomed you into the house yet.”

Larry pulls away, “I think I’m coming down with something. I’ll have to go to bed right now if I want to have the energy to win in court.”

Daniel opens his mouth to try to stop him. Mark smacks his arm to let him know he’s got something else in mind.

As Larry leaves the room, Mark offers his mom a glass of water.

“How thoughtful I am a little thirsty.”

Mark pours her a glass of holy water while making himself a drink from the refrigerator. 

The boys can see the evil fading away as soon as she drinks it.

“I think I have what Larry has, I’m going to bed.”, Claire says as she holds her stomach and walks towards the bedroom.

The boys contemplate what they are going to do about Larry. They don’t know what he is, but they know he’s not human.

Twenty minutes later, Larry comes back out.

“I want to make a deal.”, says Larry as he sits across from the boys.

“Living in a household where people know…my true nature is a big problem for me. I will leave in exchange for your mother. I will arrange for her to give you the house as we will move to a bigger one.”

“You’ve got a deal,” Mark says.

“We do?” Daniel is shocked.

“I say the three of us smoke a blunt to seal it,” Mark says as he pulls out the fattest blunt he could roll. 

Larry agrees.

Daniel interjects “I have a better idea, we need to break in my new bong.” Both boys are starting to catch on that they have the same plan and opt for the bong.

“Load it up,” Mark points to the bong.

Both boys take a hit and pass it to Larry. Larry takes his hit and falls over before he can exhale.

Daniel looks a little shocked. “Did we kill him?”

“I hope so.”

Larry begins to wake up… “Where is the girl?”

“What girl Larry?” Mark is beginning to fear the plan has failed.

“I need to get a demon out of King Henry's daughter, and who on earth is this Larry?”

[pixuou]

Cynthia recently made a new friend in Vivian.

Cynthia: I just can't even imagine life without my babies! They were the best emotional support when our TV show got cancelled and we were left behind to start from scratch with almost nothing.

Vivian: Babies...? I thought you only had one son?

Cynthia: I meant my fur babies, Gabby and Cheech. They're the best thing to ever happen to me. ... Right after Justin, of course. ... You don't even know what that feels like until you adopt a couple of pets yourself.

Vivian: Well, I'm raising three small children, the eldest of which is not even biologically mine, but I love them all the same, so I think I know a type of devotion that's just as deep...

Cynthia: You know what we need in this city? More hangout spaces that are inclusive to children AND pets!

Vivian: What spaces are you thinking of? You can take pets to parks. I don't really want pets in cafés or shopping centres. My daughter Etsu gets scared of dogs easily.

Vivian, thinking: Oh Watcher, I'm grateful she isn't running for city council representative in MY district!

Cheech is now indeed the star of the family!