#there's more moments but you only get 10 gifs per post

[noneorother]

The secret timeline inside of Good Omens season 2 revealed, *part1*

Part 1 l Part 2

If you’ve ever watched a ballet or an opera, you know how the rhythm in the music is used throughout to determine not only the movements of the dancers, but also when lines are sung or spoken. This is almost unheard of in television, but what if I told you it was hidden in season 2 of Good Omens? If one were to, say, meticulously cut together only the scenes set in the present day into one big timeline, you would get one long video that is exactly 2 hours 22 minutes 00 seconds and 00 frames long. An ineffable cut that is so perfect it defies all logic. (I’ve burnt a timecode into this ineffable edit to help pick up the rhythm.)

Even though there are large swathes of the second season with no music, there is a constant tempo weaving its way through the show: What if the seconds ticking by in the runtime itself was the music? Here’s an example of what I found. Behold a supercut of every single time Shax shows up, or Hell is mentioned in series 2 in the ineffable edit. They always arrive on a 6 in the time stamp (ex: 00:XX:X6).

(SOUND ON is an absolute must here, otherwise you won't hear any of the triggers)

Shax rings Crowley on a XX:X6. Shax miracles herself into the car on a XX:X6. Shax knocks on windows on a XX:X6. Shax’s big scary moment at the bookshop happens at 66 minutes exactly (lol). Crowley calls out for Shax on a XX:X6. Beelzebub starts spewing flies on a 6. People mention hell and it’s always on XX:X6 etc. etc…(Bonus: I also left in Maggie flipping the damned the double-bird on a XX:X6) I’ve also left in the only appearance of Shax or hell at all in the whole series that isn’t tied to a six: the park bench scene with Crowley. Shax seems to be off by one line, showing up on a XX:10, then back to XX:X6 on her second reply: “Bills, mostly”. I can only theorise that this scene, while technically in season 2, is not supposed to *be* in season 2 (even just judging by the trees, sun and the overcoats, it’s not summer like in the rest of the season). And it’s not only sixes! Every time I go through I find more and more little beats that line up exactly with ineffable timings. I can only do one video per post, so I’ll have to cut it up into sections, but Gabriel, doors, car horns, bird calls, Aziraphale, food, drinks, Angels, dialogue, Maggie, Nina, jokes, clocks, bells… The list goes on and on. 

Neil called this season “The bridge”

Because we all know how much Neil loves double meanings and wordplay, I just have to ponder the idea that when Neil said this season was “the bridge” between seasons 1 and 3, he meant it double-literally. First, as in the bridge Aziraphale and Crowley have to cross in order to get them into position for the second coming. We even see the physical manifestation of this bridge leading everyone in the background of the opening credits. But this season is also a bridge in the sense that it’s a musical section that introduces new ideas or material in the middle of a song. This whole season is the music that deviates from the familiar, and re-contextualizes the chorus and the verses so we can appreciate them in a new way. 

Let’s not forget that 2:22 is also exactly the same timing as this (and only this) track from the good omens s2 album (read all about the soundtrack here):

Why is this so bonkers? I think GOS2 might be the first ever “Total” series of television.

Having everything in the series timed and choreographed would actually make it a very faithful adaptation of the Powell & Pressburger film The Tales of Hoffmann (read about the movie and it’s effect on all of s2 here). If you watch the tales of Hoffman, you will realize that the entire film is actually done more like animation, with the music and vocals all performed in a studio, mixed and edited first, and then the actors came back to act out their choreographed and lip-synched parts for the cameras afterwards. The result is "Total film": a movie that feels more like a ballet, with every movement, action, and line happening in time with the music. As far as I can tell, very few films have ever attempted this, with The Tales of Hoffmann and Playtime being the only two “complete” films I could find in this style. (The Red shoes has one section, and An American In Paris has a few)

“Why would ambitious filmmakers simply film an opera? Many admirers of the work of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger have assumed that their decision to make The Tales of Hoffmann (…) was in some way an admission(…) that they couldn’t go on making their edgy, over-the-top melodramas after the rejection and interference they’d suffered, (but) there’s a case for considering The Tales of Hoffmann as one of the finest and boldest works that Powell and Pressburger produced, so far ahead of its time as a wholly “composed” film... Late in his life, Powell himself said that he thought it was one of the best films that he and Pressburger had made.” - Criterion review, Tales of Hoffmann

Here’s a simple example from An American in Paris

If season 2 *is* scripted and choreographed to line up with specific timings, I’m pretty sure that would make this the first ever “total” or “composed” season of television ever attempted. Not only does this take an ASTOUNDING amount of planning, scripting and editing finesse, not to mention a completely controlled set, it takes a real understanding of how to perform as an actor using rhythm and metre, which would go a long way to explain why all of the main actors coming back for season 2, with the exception of John Hamm, are well regarded theatre performers, (especially of Shakespeare).

I’ll leave you with one last surprise I found in the discovery of the ineffable edit: remember Aziraphale’s smile at the very end if the credits? It happens on 02:23:03, as the first step off the bridge, and into season 3.

I will have much more in the next ineffable timeline post. Stay tuned…

__________________________________________

Thanks for reading all the way to the end. It’s taken me a solid month to get this perfect. There are so many hidden cuts and jumps to take into account, and I had a frame rate issue that kept exporting to 29fps instead of 25fps, but I’ve finally nailed the ineffable timeline enough that I am confident sharing in it.

Credits to @thebluestgreen and @embracing-the-ineffable for all the support and help with editing and just general good vibes. 

[the-s1lly-corner]

Creepypastas comforting the reader

except some of them arent particularly good at it + as per usual jeff ben and toby are written as platonic everyone else can be seen as either or writing a silly little thing before i tackle in on requests, falling into the same vibe as the "hugging/kissing creepypasta characters" post from last week since i do enjoy rating these lads on thing ehehehe obligatory "these style of posts go over my personal character limit but since this is writing for the admin he bends the rules a bit" anyways uhuh totally dont give me ideas for these eheheh winks

SLENDERMAN:

not much of a talker in general, and i think that remains true in scenario where you're upset/crying. but he does make it clear that hes here for you... just... in a general sense. you know? refuses to leave you alone unless you directly ask him that you need space; more so watches out of concern rather than his usual curiosity. i think he would make you a warm drink and let you vent to him. more of a logical approach than an emotional one; better at giving solutions rather than giving comfort.. though i like to think that his tentacles will pull you close if you want to lean into him, will let you cry into his shoulder with no judgement. 6/10 low score simply because sometimes one needs comfort in the moment instead of solutions, you know?

SPLENDORMAN:

i think hes the opposite of slenderman. hes all emotions first, logic later. if he already knows you comfortable with it, i think he would come in and scoop you up in a hug.. hell he might even cry with you, or do the equivalent of it (admin is still on the fence of whether or not he has eyes or not! torn between them being actual eyes or markings) will make you your favorite snacks and drinks, all the while letting you cry and vent to him. gets mad on your behalf if someone had done you wrong, does not make your feelings feel small or invalidated. if he could he would confront the person who treated you unfairly.... and in fact he might, who would ever believe the person that they came face to face with a ten foot tall monster? though... this can lead to him being a little quick to make choices that might have big impacts... 7/10 love this man need to write more for him and develop my hcs

EYELESS JACK:

you know now that i think about it, given how much i write for EJ, i swear ive done a similar prompt at some point. regardless of it i did and if my hcs are the same, im going to go ahead and drop my hcs. i think hes very similar to slenderman in terms that hes more of a solutions > emotion person.. though i do think hes more likely to join you in any shit talking if someone did you dirty... do i think he would target that person next when hes going to go 'hunting'? no... unless the person did something truly awful and unforgivable, then he would definitely consider it.. probably wont go through with a harvest, though.. but thats it whole other thing. more of a talker than slenderman, so at least he has that going for him. lets you sleep in his bed if youre venting to him in his cabin 7/10 one point higher than slenderman simply because he talks more n stuff

LAUGHING JACK:

im gonna be so real i think he can go either way if hes going to be good at comforting you. on one hand hes too silly and might not take it too seriously; or he might try to make you laugh.. which COULD work but other times makes it look like he doesnt care about your feelings. on the other hand i think he can give some solid adivce, but thats only based on the fact that i love it when unhinged hyper characters suddenly drop the most valuable info. shrugs. i mean if you need a distraction, i think lj is your man to go to ! he was literally made to entertain so i dont think its going to be too hard for him to take your mind elsewhere. i think he would offer to cook you something but i also think hed probably be banned from the kitchen because he cant cook for shit. has probably set water on fire somehow level shit. so instead you guys just sit together talking... mostly its him leading the conversation, though. doesnt leave you be until you at least give him a smile... 6.5/10 only because i dont know how to rate him here

MASKY/TIM:

oh not at all emotional. well no thats a lie but hes not very emotive. thats the more correct word. look if we're talking about masky, hes probably going to be really bad at comforting you unless your means to be comforted involves being watched... though i do think he would fall into the act of service hole.. does all the chores and such for you so you dont have to worry yourself about cleaning a pan thats been in the sink for two days now. tries his hand at cooking, but i dont think masky is the best cook.. TIM on the other hand.. but we'll get into that in a minute. probably ends in you guys ordering something but hey its the thought that counts. if someone made you upset you notice over the course of the next few weeks that person starts outright avoiding you and overall seems anxious. weird. probably unrelated! 7/10 only because im badly overworked irl and the idea of someone taking charge sounds like a dream

tim i think would be similar, but hes more expressive for you... will cook for you but if your favorite food happens to be really specific or something else, hes probably going to run out and get it. torn on whether or not he would tell you before he goes, or if he sticks to keeping it a surprise.. i think he would tell you just so it doesnt feel like hes abandoning you when youre down..! not much to be said here other than him being supportive 8/10 i would KILL for some white cheddar popcorn rn

HOODIE/BRIAN:

i think he would put you to bed. actually i think both of them would but to keep things clear im still going to divide this like masky/tims. i think hoodie is going to keep you in bed, even if youre not particularly tired. dont bother trying to fight him on it, hes only allowing you to get up for the bathroom. let him take care of things! very similar to masky, picks up on a lot of the chores. i think he can cook, though, definitely better than masky but i dont think hes like. top tier. likes making you little snacks, or food thats generally deemed as comforting (mac and cheese, cornbread, ect). doesnt talk (sign) much but will occasionally sign to you asking how you're feeling 7.5/10 love this man, so mad kid me used to sleep on hoodie

very similar, but an even better cook than hoodie so be prepared to eat good. communicates with you more than hoodie and makes small talk while cooking. i think he would keep the chat lighthearted and on a different topic rather than tackling your feelings, unless you express that you want to vent then hes all ears! not because he doesnt care more so because he doesnt want to seem prying or nosey and wants to give you the choice yourself. sometimes makes jokes about stuff in order to try to get you to smile. feels victorious when he succeeds 8/10 mad i slept on him too

TICCI TOBY:

i think he might actually be TOO strong and in your face when asking you what happened. only one who outwardly offers to krill someone if someone were to make you upset. but thats just because i think toby can occasionally get protective of you. i mean youre one of his best friends (only friends) and here you are upset! if you dont want him to do anything hes going to try to contain himself. he strikes me at the type to retreat to the roof and look up at the stars... i think he would offer to do that with you; but if youre too scared to climb then he can lay out a blanket for you so you guys can go sit on the grass! surprisingly a very good listener, though very emotionally driven and reacts a lot when you tell him the details of your day.. but its nice, i think, reassures you that hes is in fact listening.. 7/10 gives off brother vibes

JEFF THE KILLER:

ohhoho so this is an interesting one, because i like the idea of jeff still acting like an older brother every now and then even after everything. but he also has that attitude of "i dont care about anyone around me and im better than everyone".. more of an actions than words guy. he wont really say it.. you know? one of those "if he actually didnt care then he would bother giving you the time of day, much less break into your house at night with his arms full of your favorite snacks and drinks". good luck trying to vent to him though, i think its rare that he lets anyone vent to him since he also holds the "ew yucky feelings" thing ben has.. though once in a blue moon i think he would let you and give some decent advice... though every now and then that advice involves punching someone 6/10 is fair i think...

BEN DROWNED:

kind of reminds me of how younger siblings will give their older siblings know they like. kind of like the "my brother saw me crying and asked me what my favorite color is... he gave me things in that color" post/image going around that i cannot for the life of me find but i know it exists because it made me cry. i think its like that. except since hes in your phone he already knows what your interests are.. probably pulls up what your comforts and likes are in an attempt to cheer you up. i dont think he would bluntly speak with you about your feelings, but thats just because he thinks heart to hearts are yucky and cringe/lh. uses videos, art, stuff like that. ehehe silly phone ghost 7/10 because as simple as it is, if someone tossed my cc at me i would feel at least a little better for a moment and its the action itself you know?

PUPPETEER:

i thin hes similar to jeff in regard that he tries to play things off but deep down he does care, and that tends to show more through his actions... though i personally think if you were to actually cry then he might lose it a bit, because who DARE? i gotta admit, im still trying to figure out how i want to write pup and what hcs to give him, but i think.. this is an okay take.. might 'confront' anyone who made you upset, with or without your approval which might make some issues between the two of you.. more ready to let you vent to him though, might slip out some mean insults and words about whatever's got you upset regardless of its a person, chance, or object 7/10

[melefim]

Swearing in Dead Boy Detectives: Ass

Overview:

Ass was said 14 times, in all 8 episodes, by 5 different characters.

Uses Per Episode:

Episode 1: 1

Episode 2: 3

Episode 3: 4

Episode 4: 1

Episode 5: 2

Episode 6: 1

Episode 7: 1

Episode 8: 1

Uses Per Character:

Charles: 2

Crystal: 5

Jenny: 3

Litty: 2

Kingham: 2

Percent of Total:

Ass was said 14 times, which is 4.3% of cursing in the show.

Variations:

There are 4 variations of the word Ass used in the show, with Asshole being the most popular with 10 uses.

Asshole: 10

Ass: 2

Assholes: 1

Grotty-Ass: 1

Rankings:

Total Uses: Ass comes in 5th place with 14 uses.

Number of Episodes: Ass is one of only 4 curse words used in all 8 episodes, so it’s tied for 1st with Fuck, Shit, and God.

Total Characters: Ass and Jesus are tied for 6th place, being said by 5 characters each. 

Curse Word Variations: With 3 variations, Ass is tied for 5th with Damn and Screw.

Lines:

Episode 1:

Crystal: He's still a stalker, still an asshole. But I am going to get my memories back.

Episode 2:

Kingham: Baby trapping asshole!

Kingham: What gives, asshole?

Litty: You know what? You can take that sweater and you can shove it up your ass. Do you have any clue how powerful we are? We are fucking gods!

Episode 3:

Jenny: He killed the mom and daughters while they were watching tv. Asshole.

Crystal: Good luck finding it now, asshole.

Charles: I'm just sick of watching this asshole kill his family a million times for no fucking reason. Tried it your way, and it did nothing. Sod it, let's try mine.

Charles: I'm just sick of watching this asshole kill his family a million times for no fucking reason. Tried it your way, and it did nothing. Sod it. Let's try mine.

Episode 4:

Crystal: Niko- thanks for like, saving my ass today.

Episode 5:

Litty: Is it the mystery of smelling like a grotty-ass fish?

Jenny: It wasn't my finest moment, but the guys at the fish market can be real assholes.

Episode 6:

Crystal: You can't get in anymore, asshole!

Episode 7:

Crystal: These are mine, asshole.

Episode 8:

Jenny: Esther's a witch? I thought she was just an asshole.

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

More Dead Boy Detectives Swearing Posts:

Masterlist

Swearing by Episode

Swearing by Character

Swearing by Word

All Swearing Posts

And if you like lists of things like I do, you can check out my other Dead Boy Detectives ones here!

When Charles’ Shirt Colors Change

George Rextrew’s Edwin comic inspo board

Full soundtrack with timestamps

Moves, Incidents, and Cases Masterlist

First pass at finding where the songs in the score are used- full post with timestamps in progress

[sheeple]

Miracles don't exist | 10: The greatest nightmare

Genre(s): Riddle!reader / Slytherin!reader / kinda slowburn / little happy moments Fandom(s): Harry Potter Pairing(s): Theodore Nott x Reader / Harry Potter x Riddle!reader Summary: Being the Dark Lord's daughter and raised under the strict supervision of the Malfoy's is no easy life. Especially if you start crushing on your father's arch-nemesis, Harry Potter. And that while being engaged to one of his follower’s sons. Warning(s): Moldy Voldy is back bitches, now the real shite show begins. A/n: So I'm gonna take a couple weeks off before posting year 5, just to give myself some time to further develop the story and so I don't get burned out lol. Next chapter will be posted 2nd of July [Masterlist] [Mini masterlist] [Playlist]

You're hesitant to knock on the headmaster's door. But the door swings open before your knuckles can make contact with the door.

Professor Dumbledore sits behind his desk, half-moon glasses down his nose. "Ah, Miss Black. For what do I owe the pleasure?" The Headmaster rises as you enter the office. He motions for you to sit in one of the chairs in front of his desk, and you obey.

"Liquorish snap?" Dumbledore holds a bowl with black droplets for you to take, but you politely decline.

"No thank you, Sir. I've uhm... I've come to suspect something is happening, Sir." With a motion from Dumbledore, you continue; "I've this weird feeling. It's dark and festering inside me, down to my bones. And when I saw Professor Karkaroff's Dark Mark and heard him speak about it burning, it confirmed my suspicions. The Dark Lord is returning, Professor."

Dumbledore drops his back against the back of his chair, his hands clasping the armrests. "Are you one hundred per cent sure? Do you know when he will return?"

You frown and look down at your hands. "I do not, Sir. But I am terrified. Terrified of what will happen once he does return. What will happen to me?"

Dumbledore hums, stroking his beard. "I am afraid I do not have an answer, Miss Black. The only thing I can tell you is that Hogwarts is always your home."

You sigh. Great, so nothing can be done at all. And it's not like you can stay at Hogwarts during the summer.

Having told what you needed to tell and getting nowhere, you stand up from the chair. "Thank you for your time, Professor. I'll have to go, otherwise, I'll be late for History of Magic."

"Of course, have a nice day, Miss Black." Dumbledore waves you out of his office, a hand massaging his forehead.

You slip just in time into the History classroom and take your usual spot, which is next to Blaise. He gives you a glance and a nod before turning his attention back towards Professor Binns. It's the only class you have with just Blaise.

Today you're learning about the Goblin Rebellion of 1890, which was led by Ranrok. It was said a Fifth-year student with the help of a professor defeated the rebellion.

As Professor Binns' ghost drones on about the ways Ranrok and Rookwood helped each other, Blaise leans over. "How are you and Theodore doing?"

It makes you turn your head towards the taller boy. "Okay? I guess? Why are you asking?"

"Well... the two of you seem awfully close since Christmas break, I only assumed you and him made it official."

You frown. Did you and Theodore grow closer? You guess... but it's not that much different than before the break. Sure, he hangs around more and you actually enjoy his company now, rather than before. But that's because you're friends.

"We're just friends, Theo and I." 

"Theo?", Blaise licks his lips and looks at you incredulously, "yeah- just friends. Sure. Theodore jinxes anyone else to hell and back if they dare to call him by anything other than his name."

You glance at the Professor — who keeps droning out his lecture, unbothered by the many sleeping students. "That can't be true. You are all just too wimpy to do it. And besides, Theodore isn't that intimidating."

A laugh escapes Blaise, which makes Professor Binns stop briefly in his story before continuing. "You've never been on the receiving end of his hard stare. He has always been soft for you." 

You roll your eyes. "We haven't spoken to each other before this year."

"He's always been too intimidated to approach you. Your family's reputation proceeds you."

You glare at him. Of course, your family is the problem. They are always the problem. 

Blaise flicks your wrist with his fingers. "Hey now, don't give me that look. You should be happy anyone told you."

"Why are you even telling me? Aren't you also in the race to win my hand or whatever?" You fold your arms over each other and slump down in your seat.

Now it is Blaise that rolls his eyes. "Originally. That was until she found out your lot still supports You Know Who."

He refers to his mother, obviously. Miss Zabini is truly a beautiful witch, but something about her is off. At least, that was the one time she was introduced to you. Maybe it was the party filled with Death Eaters.

"I don't blame her", you mutter. You wouldn't want your son to marry into a family of crazy blood supremacists.

The remainder of the class is spent in silence. Blaise has nothing to say and your thoughts are running wild. If what Blaise says is true and Theodore has been quote-unquote 'interested' in you for quite some time... Why? What made him? If you never interacted, what pulled him to you?

You only notice that class is over by Blaise getting up and packing his bag. You snap out of your thoughts and collect your ink and quill, stuffing it in your book bag.

"You're coming to the stands with us?", asks Blaise as he points over his shoulder towards the general direction of the final task. 

You shake your head. "I'm going to the library and finish an essay I have yet to finish. I'll come later."

Blaise nods wordlessly and turns around, loosening his tie and stuffing it in his bag. 

You don't actually need to finish an essay, you just need to have some alone time. And you're glad you took it, because once you reach the tribunes of the final task, people are talking loudly, cheering, and there is a band playing. You spot Draco and his friends and go to stand with them.

Looking around, you see Gjol and his friends standing with Durmstrang and the both of you wave to each other. You also spot Hermione and give her a small smile.

"You've just missed the send-off", says Theodore as he makes room for you to stand next to him. 

You hum. "So we're supposed to just stand and wait here?"

Theodore nods. You let out a huff and go sit on the edge of the tribune behind you. That earns a laugh from the dark-haired boy and he goes to sit next to you. "You've just got here, why are you already sitting down?"

"I am not going to stand for who knows how long waiting for someone to show up with the cup to end the stupid thing."

Theodore chooses to stay silent and the two of you sit next to each other, listening and participating in the conversations around you.

The first thing that happens is a red spark rising up from somewhere in the maze and Fleur gets pulled from the competition. Next to getting dragged out of the maze is Victor, who looks weird. 

Finally, it is between Harry and Cedric. There are no red sparks or anything coming out of the maze, so they're probably lost somewhere.

Suddenly, a cold-like grip travels up your spine and grabs your throat, making you gasp. You reach for Draco's arm. At first, he looks at you annoyed but when he sees the panicked look on your face, his own quickly morphs into that of concern.

"Are you okay?" Draco crouches down so he's at eye level

You shake your head, blood drained from your face and eyes wide. Without knowing exactly what the feeling is, you know what it means. "I felt it..."

"Felt what?", inquires Draco, grabbing your shoulders to stop your shaking.

"He's back."

At that moment, appears Harry with Cedric out of nothing. The elder boy lies limp on the ground. Harry's bent over Cedric, his shoulders shocking. And he says the words you've been dreading your whole life.

"He's back! He's back! Voldemort is back!"

Taglist (bold means I couldn’t tag you): @the0doreslover @lqndkxlmqma @st4rrry @choppedpartymuffinwinner @ledtassoo @literallyobessed @lestat-whore​ @vanishingcherry @harrysnovia @pietrobae @ireallywannasleep127

[cant-get-enough-btr-forever]

Big Time Games: "Recycle Rush."

In my last post, I said I would give y'all a play-by-play of Big Time Rush online games. So, that's exactly what I'm doing.

Unfortunately, I can't upload more than 30 images per post. So, I'm only including Recycle Rush in this one. Don't worry—"Stage Rush" will come next.

Enjoy!

The rules are simple: Hit the spacebar to drop the trash on the boy below you (he catches it). The trash eventually gets dropped into a dumpster.

Also, lol—cows give you bonus points. "Green Time Rush" approves.

This is how my very first game went:

Side note: Notice how the Palmwoods only has two floors. The levels literally stack up as the game goes on. Interesting.

Let's try this again!

Carlos drops it on James...

...James drops it in the dumpster...

And, uh, yeah. That's it. That's the whole game.

Level 2: I noticed that these yellow exclamation points pop up over their heads. They let you know when the boys are about to turn around. Good to know! I just wish someone had told me...

Suddenly, a wild Kendall appears.

To accommodate this new arrival, the Palmwoods morphs into a 3-story building. See what I mean?

Kendall valiantly carries out his duty.

Level 3: There is now a 2-liter bottle magically floating in the hallway.

So this is how you get bonus points—you need to drop the trash on the bottle and the guy simultaneously. It isn't always a bottle; sometimes it's a banana peel or a soda can. Clearly, you need a bit of timing (and patience) for this.

But since I'm an expert, I pulled it off. On the second try.

Ah, Logan. 'Bout time you showed up.

Side note: The elevators' positions don't make sense. Why are they so far apart from each other?

Crap. I dropped trash all over the lobby. Bitters is not gonna like this.

Logan's exclamation point works well here—it's like he's saying, "What the—dude, seriously?! I'm over here!"

Anyhoo, I was able to restart Level 3…

…only to fail once more.

This is not good for my ego.

'Tis but a scratch. I brushed myself off and labored on.

Level 4:

Listen, I really wanted to know what would happen if I dropped the trash on the Cow.

Don't make the mistakes that I made, friends. You must always ensure that the boy is under the trash, too.

Still, it was hilarious to watch the Cow plummet whilst enveloped in a trash bag.

I corrected my actions, and was rewarded with the sight of Logan carrying the whole frickin' frackin' Cow on his back.

Ahem. Anyway.

Does this mean that they're going to recycle a...a cow??

Whew. The Cow jumped out. By the way, in this level, the dumpster moves from side to side. Is the Palmwoods haunted again, or...?

Level 5: The guys are now speed-walking. Thanks, boys. Make my job harder for me.

Also, here's something bizarre: Carlos starts out on the top floor, while James is directly below him.

Moments later, Carlos is several floors below, and James is in the lobby.

Well, they ain't called Big Time RUSH for nothing!

Level 7 (Level 6 is identical to Level 5): Okay, everything is going about the sa—

Wait.

Oh, dear God.

There are two Jameses.

Who recycles more garbage than YOU?

I love this game, guys.

From here onwards, the difficulty doesn't change much. So, I simply got my score to 10,000 before stopping. Which took a lot longer than I'm willing to admit.

Final Thoughts: This is quite fun. More fun than I thought it would be, which is always nice. I give it an 8/10.

If anyone wants to give it a whirl, here it is. Be sure to use a computer, and not a mobile device.

Happy playing! 😁

[whimsicallyenchantedrose]

Season 3 Rewatch Drabbles: 3x22 There's No Place Like Home (Part 4)

Summary:  A series of 100-500 word drabbles to accompany my    rewatch of season 3 of Once Upon a Time.  There will be a drabble–either a deleted scene, a “fix it” fic or a character musing for each episode of the season.  Focus will be on Emma, Henry, the Charmings and Killian–with an emphasis on Captain Swan’s epic love story.

Word Count: 528

Tagging a few people who may be interested (Let me know if you want to be added or taken off the list): @sailormew4 @annaamell @flslp87 @emmateo26 @bethacaciakay 

@ultraluckycatnd @effulgent-mind @ilovemesomekillianjones @brooke-to-broch 

@missgymgirl @galadriel26 @the-lady-of-misthaven @charmingturkeysandwich 

@jennjenn615 @laschatzi @kimmy46 @snowbellewells @iamanneenigma

@daxx04 @nickillian  @gillie  @britishguyslover @ginnyjinxedandhanshotritafirst

@kmomof4 @linda8084 @golfgirld @captain-swan-coffee @searchingwardrobes 

@hollyethecurious @laughswaytoomuch  @allyourdarlingswans  @winterbaby89 @facesiousbutton82 

@therooksshiningknight @lfh1226-linda @tiganasummertree @jrob64  @anmylica 

@booksteaandtoomuchtv @i-will-sing-no-requiem @bluewildcatfanatic @laianely

Other Chapters: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) (24) (25) (26) (27)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Notes: I knew there was no way I could stick to just one drabble an episode for the CS movie, so I didn't even try. There will be 2 drabbles for 3x21 and 4 for 3x22. They are all written, so the plan is to post one per day until they're all posted.

Note 2: You didn't think I could write a series of season 3 drabbles without one about the CS kiss outside of Granny's did you?

She was kissing him, really kissing him.  Killian’s heart swelled, somehow, paradoxically both soaring and settling.  She was kissing him.

He’d never planned to tell her about the deal he’d had to make to get back to her.  He wanted her more than anything in the world, but the last thing he’d wanted was for her to come to him out of a sense of obligation, of owing him for what he’d given up.

He missed his ship, aye, but if it was a choice between the Jolly and Emma, it was no contest.  He’d have given up anything to get back to her.

The kiss went on and on.  It was far gentler and less passionate than the one they’d shared in Neverland, but it was real.  It was not borne merely of lust but of feelings acknowledged without words.  She’d leaned into him not to blow off steam, not in answer to a challenge, not as a thank you.

She’d leaned in to him because she cared for him.  She’d let down her walls and accepted her family and now she’d accepted her feelings for him.  He could feel it in the way her lips and tongue moved against his.

It was overwhelming, the feelings inside so real they nearly brought tears to his eyes.

Later, when he had a chance to reflect on all of it, the elation would come, the joy that would make him want to shout his love to the rooftops, but for now, nothing existed but her and the fact that she was kissing him.

She pulled back for a moment and looked up at him with an almost tentative smile, and the openness in her eyes, the trust, the–dare he say it–love he saw shining back at him through them would have brought him to his knees had he been standing.

He returned her gentle smile before leaning in to close the distance between them once more.  He’d always let her set the pace of this relationship, let her make the first moves.  He’d been hesitant to step forward toward her–not only because he knew he needed to be patient and allow her to lower her walls in her own time, but also because he needed to protect his own heart.  If he moved too quickly and scared her away….

But now, something had changed.  She’d given herself to him–not yet in the carnal sense, of course, but in the emotional sense.  With her kiss, she’d told him she wanted this relationship too; that she was done running, and he could have no more stopped himself from going in for that second kiss than he could have stopped himself from breathing.

She was intoxicating, and it was a high from which he hoped to never come down.  Cupping her head with his hand, letting the silky strands flow through his fingers, he let the kiss go on and on.

No doubt there would be difficulties, set backs, new villains to defeat, but for now, for right now, he felt as though his life was nothing short of perfect, and he’d remain with her in this moment forever if he could.

[anachrosims]

ANACHROSIMS COMMISSIONS

OPEN AS OF 09/30/2023!

ALL COMMISSIONS ARE FOR SIMS 4 ONLY.

Commission prices are based off effort required and, primarily, labor costs per hour. I put a lot of effort and love into what I do and I can understand if that makes these prices prohibitive.

If you would still like to support my work, you are welcome to donate or subscribe to the following places:

Thundersongs @ KoFi

Anachrosims @ Patreon

You can also find me on Pinterest!

Further ways to support me: Reblog here at Tumblr! I also have other blogs, like:

@anachrobuilds which is just me spamming with build project pictures

@anachroccfinds my CC finds blog

@anachroancientfinds a CC-finds blog catering to ancient civ CC

@prydainroyals my story sideblog containing stories about my Sims 4 royal family, as well as other stories within that world.

Thank you all SO MUCH for how kind and wonderful you are!!

Pricing, FAQ, and submission form are under the cut!

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Slots are limited! Filling out the form is not a guarantee. Please keep an eye on my Tumblr for status of whether things are open/closed.

If I am not able to get to you by November, I will keep you on the waitlist and you'll be bumped to the top next time commissions are open.

Patreon subscribers get priority!

All content will be released immediately for the public once you have it and are happy with it.

To request a commission, you MUST fill out the submission form. All other requests sent via Patreon or Tumblr will be ignored.

LOTS & ROOMS (COMMUNITY & RESIDENTIAL)

You can choose to let me include CC or you can choose to have me avoid CC. The price is the same either way since CC is not what is being commissioned in this instance.

I am currently not doing larger/more complicated lots at this time.

Check this image-heavy post for examples of what I can do!

LOTS:

Small lots (max. 20x) are $30

Medium lots (30x - 40x) are $45

ROOMS:

Small rooms (10x10 tiles or less) are $15

Medium rooms (15x15 - 20x20) are $20

SIMS & HOUSEHOLDS

Again, with or without CC.

At the moment, humans ONLY.

2-5 Sims ONLY.

Check out this image-heavy post of examples of Sims!

PRICING:

Single Sim - $6

Sim Household (2-3 Sims) - $8

Sim Household (4-5 Sims) - $10

PORTRAITS

I am not doing large group portraits at this time.

I am not doing portraits of more than 3 sims at this time due to time/energy constraints as I move out of state.

Check out this image-heavy post of examples of portraits!

PRICING:

All portraits will be in 1 (ONE) frame color of your choice included.

Frame can be from any Sims 4 game that I own, OR a custom content frame (you must provide a working link to it).

If you want more frame colors, tack on $2 for each new color. So, if you want gold and wood, you would just add $2 to the original price for the set. (1 sim with two frame colors would cost $9 -- 2 individual sims with three frame colors would cost $16)

1 Sim - 4 portraits on 1 mesh of your choice!

$7

1 Sim - 4 portraits on 2 meshes of your choice!

$8

2 Sims - 2 portraits of each individual sim, totalling 4

$12

For couples, there will be 1 portrait of each sim, and 2 of them as a couple, equalling 4

$13

3 Sims - 2 portraits of each individual sim - $14

For family portraits of 3 sims, there will be one family portrait and 1 portrait each for each family member

$15

OBJECT RECOLORS

For EA meshes and for the CC of creators who allow recolors of their work ONLY.

RUGS:

15 swatches, basegame mesh - $6

25 swatches - $12

30 swatches - $15

FURNITURE/MISC:

$5 per object, you’ll get 8 swatches for each one

$20 for 5-6 objects

$35 for 10 objects

POSES

Currently not doing animal or toddler/infant poses, sorry!

I am also not doing poses with accessories, or animations.

PRICING:

5 CUSTOM POSES - $10

10 CUSTOM POSES - $20

15-20 CUSTOM POSES - $25

Want to commission me? Of course you do!

Head on over to the Google form and fill it out.

Reminder: Requests for commission are not a guarantee of my acceptance.

FILL OUT THIS SECURE GOOGLE FORM TO REQUEST A COMMISSION!

[minefield-of-a-ninja]

28 DAYS: CHAPTER EIGHT

Summary: Dean Winchester is an addict and an alcoholic, a USMC veteran, a father, and an older brother. As Battalion Chief with Lawrence Fire & Medical, Dean comes under investigation when he makes a dangerous and impulsive decision, defying his superiors and abandoning the team he is supposed to lead. He is given a choice to go to rehab for 28 days or jail. His lawyer insists on rehab, and Dean begrudgingly abides.

Chapter warnings/tags: mentions of sex with a minor (Meg's dad)

Words in this chapter: 4,100

Author’s notes: you might recognize a few nuggets (per Stuie) from SPN here.

After this, there are two more chapters and an epilogue.

Many thanks to @brrose-apothecary and @stusbunker for pre-reads and for being my friends.

text divider by @talesmaniac89

CHAPTER EIGHT

“So...” Meg exhales the first drag of her post-dinner cigarette. “How’d it go?”

Dean exhales his own with his eyes closed then drops his head to stretch his neck before finally answering. “She’s comin’ on Friday.”

Meg blinks through the smoke. “Wow. That’s... fast. You OK?” She takes another long drag, watching him closely.

“She’s my baby girl.” Dean stares at the glowing cherry before taking a quick drag and blowing it out. “‘Til 10 months ago, she thought the sun shined out my ass. Now she knows a little more about my ass than I wish she did.”

Meg furrows her brow in question.

“She walked in on me and some friends. In my bedroom. With a side of coke.”

Meg narrows her eyes as she takes another draw from her cigarette. She’s quiet for a moment before she tells him a brief story.

“When I was 13, I walked in on my dad on the couch with my best friend. She was also 13, mind you.” 

She sighs and shakes her head when Dean reaches to place a gentle hand on her knee, mirroring her furrowed expression from earlier. She drops her palms over his hand and squeezes with a watery smile then clears her throat. 

“That’s just the tip of the iceberg with Travis Masters, lemme tell ya!” She chuckles, looking up at the night sky as she takes her last drag, holding Dean’s hand in hers. On her exhales, she continues with her point.

“Anyway... I still loved him.” She flicks her smoldering butt into the bucket of sand at their feet before looking back up at Dean. “He’s still my daddy. And he never even tried to make things right.” 

Dean flips his hand under hers to squeeze her back, letting the ash at the end of his smoke grow. “I don’t wanna be the reason she takes her first drink or goes home with some fucking asshole, who—”

“Hey.” Meg stops him, leaning in to snag his cigarette and suck the last millimeter of life out of it before dropping it in the bucket with hers. “We’ll never know why we make the choices we make — not entirely — but you’re doing the right thing right now, Dean.”

Dean swallows and nods, hoping what she’s saying is true.

“But you’re right. She is your baby girl. You’re always gonna be her hero. If somewhere down the line she slips and gets hurt, you’ll be there to pick her up, no matter what caused it.”

Dean draws a shaky breath and nods, squeezing her hand tighter.

“She’s just hurt and scared. That’s all. And that scares you.”

Dean nods more vigorously. “I don’t want her to be scared — ‘specially not of me.” 

“Right. So you’re gonna fix it.”

Dean sniffles then sits up straight, drawing a deep breath as he slowly pulls his hand from her grasp. “I’m just afraid it can’t be fixed, ya know?”

Meg nods, sitting back as well. “I’ve never met her, but I know how you make me feel — and everybody else in this joint — I know that she knows you love her, and I’ll bet that she’s as good a person as her Daddy.”

Dean smirks, feeling his cheeks heat, making him drop his gaze sideways.

“Hey, I’m only telling you all this now because you’re terrified she’s gonna walk in here and tell you she never wants to see you again, but, Dean... she wouldn’t be coming if that was the case. She can’t, and won’t, stay away forever.”

“Thanks, Meg.” Dean looks up and holds her gaze for a few beats.

He wonders, not for the first time, what if they’d met in another time and place, would they be something other or more than what they are to each other now? He knows he cares for her and knows he will do his level best to have her back, even after they get out of this place. But there’s an unspoken rule between this version of them; they’ll never be other or more in this lifetime.

“We’ll all be there for you,” Meg assures him as she slides from atop their established perch on the deck. “We’ll be right beside you.”

Dean steps in to pull her into a hug, but her gaze is snagged toward the reception area. “Well, except, maybe not him.”

Dean turns toward the windows to see Crowley slithering through the front doors. 

“Huh. Little creep didn’t even make it 48 hours.” He slides his hands into his pockets and tilts back onto his heels.

Meg sidles next to him as they watch the bruised and disheveled Scotsman check in with Missouri. “Three outta ten, Dean.”

Dean nods and drapes an arm around her shoulder. “Two point one.”

“So... hypothetically,” Gabe waves his hands around like he’s doing an impression of Mickey Mouse as the sorcerer’s apprentice. “Let’s say one of us—”

“Two point one,” Rowena murmurs from his side.

Gabe nods. “Let’s say two or more of us get outta here and make it.”

Cain slowly nods and blinks until his head tiredly finds its way to his shoulder. Dean continues to be amazed at Cain’s patience and grace with this group of morons, of which Dean isn’t the least problematic. 

“When can we, ya know, date?” Gabe folds and settles his hands in his lap, and Rowena pats him on the shoulder. 

Crowley rolls his blackened, swollen, and bloodshot eyes, and Cain arches a brow.

“The two of you?” Cain asks.

“Hypothetically!” Gabe pitches forward in his seat, hands open in surrender. “And I’m just asking like what’s a healthy time, ya know, to marinate on the outside in our sobriety so we know we’re good and ready?”

Cain sighs. “What we tell everyone when they leave is — number one, 90 meetings in 90 days.” 

He glances around their circle — Crowley is slumped and grumbling beside Rowena; Jack is quiet and laser-focused; Pamela is knitting a beanie for one of her boys as she watches and listens; and Meg and Dean are similarly sprawled and fidgeting in the uncomfortable chairs, simultaneously amused and bored by Gabe’s antics. 

“Number two,” Cain continues. “Get yourself a plant. If the plant is still alive after a year...” He shrugs. “Get a pet. If after two years, both the plant and pet are still alive? Then you’re ready to date.”

“Two years?!” Rowena shrieks.

Pamela snorts a laugh but doesn’t miss a weft as Crowley appears to fall asleep, Dean and Meg roll their eyes at each other, and Jack looks absolutely lost. 

Gabe pats Rowena’s hand and nods in reassurance. “But what if, hypothetically, we know the person already?”

Cain nods and blinks to the other shoulder this time.

“Do we just ignore that person for two years?”

“Gabriel.” Cain blinks. “We need to refocus on today’s topic.”

“Right.” Crowley grunts from across the circle. “Dean’s daughter’s visit.”

Dean’s surprised, not only because he genuinely thought Crowley had passed out 10 minutes ago, but also because there’s not even the slightest trace of malice in his tone.

Regardless, he’s on high alert and suddenly jittery now that they’re discussing the plans for the weekend.

“Yes,” Cain echoes. “Emma arrives Friday for the weekend. She and Lydia will spend the first day with Billie and the second with Billie and me.”

“Lydia?” Meg mutters to Dean, and he nods.

“Her mom,” Dean quietly answers.

Emma’s only 16, but she did have the choice to bring her mother into the sessions or not. He and Lydia didn’t work out, but she’s a good mother and a good person. Dean thinks Emma’s choice to bring her along was best for her.

“But make no mistake,” Cain briefly turns his attention to Meg. “These sessions are for Dean and Emma's healing; no one else.”

The plans are all similar to what they experienced when Pamela’s boys visited. Emma and Lydia are staying close by, so they will be welcome to dine in the cafeteria and spend as much extra time on-site as they wish.  

“Pamela,” Cain prompts and Pamela sets her knitting aside. “You and your boys did an incredible job. Do you have any input for Dean?”

Pamela nods and takes a deep breath before looking Dean in the eyes. “Be honest.”

Dean nods.

“Remember she’s just a kid.”

Dean’s heart lurches and skips.

“And don’t be defensive.”

“OK.” Dean smiles. “Thanks, PB.”

Pamela smiles back and winks as she resumes her knitting.

“Good, OK,” Cain says. “Now, remember, just as with Pamela’s group, not all of you are required to attend, but please let me know if you are abstaining and for what reason. Any questions?”

Jack’s hand shoots into the air, and he almost takes flight with eagerness. “Yes, Jack?”

“May I say something? About Dean’s daughter’s visit.”

Dean shifts in his seat and tries to calm his nerves and heart rate.

“Of course you may, Jack.”

Jack nods then resituates in his seat to focus on Dean. “Dean. I hope you know what a good person you are. You’re kind and strong, and you make people feel safe. Your daughter’s visit—”

“Emma,” Dean murmurs. 

Jack nods again. “Emma’s visit will probably be emotional and anxiety-inducing. You’re bound to think that you’re a bad person or that people are judging you, so I want to remind you now that we all believe in you. And I’m certain Emma does as well.”

Dean blinks. 

Shock is a medical state for which Dean has been trained, certified, and re-trained to treat. It’s when, for whatever reason, your body doesn’t have enough blood circulating throughout. If Dean didn’t know better, he’d think Jack’s monologue sent him into shock.

Meg nudges him, mumbling something terse.

“Uhh... thank you. Jack. Thank you.” Dean nods, catching his breath and trying to find a comfortable position in his seat as Jack nods and smiles, satisfied and scooting back into his own.

Crowley dramatically clears his throat as he lazily lifts his hand. “I will... I’d like to echo much of what Jack has said.”

“I thought you hated me.” Dean arches a brow.

“No one hates you as much as you do — believe me, I’ve tried.”

Rowena coos and runs a hand down Crowley’s arm.

“Truth is, you are a good man,” Crowley continues. “Your daughter knows it better than we do, I’d venture to guess. Remember that.”

Dean peeks at Meg, and she tilts her head with an I-told-you-so shrug.

“You got this, Sparky.” Gabe gives Dean a thumbs-up, and he chuckles, returning the thumbs-up.

“Oh, Dean...” Rowena begins. “Just... don’t let your darker thoughts get the better of you. Rise above!” 

Dean bobs his head looking around the circle at his new friends. “Thank you. All of you. I appreciate it.”

“OK, everybody — same time tomorrow. Let’s break.”

The week lurches and stalls like a tortuous loop of time. Dean’s scared and anxious, but he also wants so badly to hold his little girl in his arms again that his heart aches with its every beat. 

Dinner on Thursday feels like a manifestation of a thousand-yard stare. His skin itches with a jonesing he hasn’t felt in days for a single Valium or the tiniest drag off a joint because he knows he isn’t going to be able to sleep at all tonight. 

“You eat like a bird, it’s so bizarre,” Meg mutters, nabbing the dinner roll from Dean’s tray to tear it open and slather it with butter. “You’re like,” she rips a piece of the buttered bread with her teeth and chews, talking with her mouth full. “All tall and broad-shouldered and solid as a wall, and I’ve seen you eat like, what?” 

Meg gestures to Pamela. 

“Like a banana and two beans all week,” Pamela replies with an arch of her brow, stabbing what’s left of Dean’s chicken breast and dropping it to her own tray.

“A banana and two beans! Right,” Meg agrees. “And not just this week, you never eat. What’s that about?”

Meg and Pamela stare at him as they chew their own food and his.

“Honestly?”

The women nod encouragingly.

“I dunno.” Dean shrugs. 

No one in his entire life has ever told him that he eats like a bird. In fact, John used to call him an oinker when he was a kid, and he’s spent most of his adult life with a reputation for eating anything put in front of him.

“Wouldn’t you know it?” Pamela narrows her eyes. “The best-looking person in this place also doesn’t get the munchies and immediately gain 15 pounds like the rest of us. Jerk.”

“Exactly. Jerk.”

Dean shrugs again. “Just well-adjusted, I guess.”

Meg and Pamela snort and roll their eyes before Pamela throws a green bean at Dean.

Dean heads to his room after dinner. He tells Pamela and Meg that he wants to take a long, hot shower before bed to try and wind down. 

Pamela makes a joke about the ‘long, hot showers’ somehow figuring into his lack of munchies, as if cursory shower masturbation is a substitute for anything let alone the rush of cocaine and the sensational fucking feel of a warm body under and over you, sliding skin against skin.

Meg argues. “Bitch, I rub one out morning, noon, and night and I still can’t button my jeans.”

Dean groans. “OK, I’m outta here. See you two in the morning.”

“Hiking?”

“Yes.”

“OK, goodnight!”

“‘Night.”

Before Dean can make it to the stairs, Alex stops him. 

“Hey, Dean. Billie told me to make sure you get this before curfew.”

She hands him his cell phone. All he can do is stare at it.

“She thought you might want it for, I dunno, solitaire or something. You still have a couple of hours before Light Out.” Alex reasserts her offer.

Dean cautiously takes his phone.

He didn’t realize until that moment how liberating it had been not having his phone for the past two weeks. He holds it like it’s foreign or cursed. 

“Thanks, Alex.”.

“Welcome,” she replies with a smile. “Have a good night, and good luck this weekend.”

Dean smiles back before turning and heading toward the staircase. 

Alex isn’t much older than Emma. Dean can imagine how proud her parents must be of what a great kid and how smart and kind she is. 

When he gets to his room, Jack’s already in bed with his comics, candy, and stuffed animal. Dean pauses for a moment to watch Jack reading. His brow is lightly furrowed, and he’s absently stroking the soft fur of his gryphon. 

“What’s his name?” Dean asks, setting his phone on his chest of drawers.

Jack jolts and rapidly blinks before looking up at Dean with bleary eyes.

“What?” he asks.

Dean smiles, biting back his laughter. He doesn’t want Jack to think he’s laughing at him in a bad way. 

“Your uhh... friend there.” Dean motions toward the gryphon as he pulls his drawer open for pajama pants and a t-shirt.

“Oh.” Jack looks down at the toy like he’d forgotten it was there. “Her name is Dagon.”

Dean pauses his search for pajamas and then turns to the kid. “Ironic. Dagon. Like dragon without the R?” He arches a brow.

Jack blushes and buries his grin in the neck of his guardian. “And with fur.”

Dean chuckles and turns to retrieve his pajamas. “Hey, Jack, you wanna read me one of your stories? I could use a little somethin’ to get my mind off tomorrow.”

He pushes his drawer shut before turning back and finding Jack beaming at him. 

“Yes. I’d love to!”

Dean nods. “Great. I’m gonna go shower real quick. Pick a good one.”

As Dean makes his way to the bathroom, Jack scurries out from under his covers and calls after him. “I will!”

Jack is an animated storyteller. As he tells the stories more than he reads them to Dean, it becomes clear that he’s read these books dozens of times. He explains the characters’ motivations without judgment, portraying them all as complex and sympathetic.

Two hours later, when their lights are turned out and Dean is gently nodding off, Jack murmurs something so quietly that Dean isn’t sure he’s meant to hear it.

“You could be Batman, Dean. You’re a lot like him.”

If Jack didn’t treasure and portray the vigilante with such love and compassion, Dean might take offense. Instead, Jack’s comment fuels hours of cartoonish dreams of Dean fighting fantasy crime with Jack at his side.

Dean wakes up too early to go down for coffee, but he got almost a full eight hours of sleep for the first time in months.

He gets up to pee and wash his face. On his way back to bed, he notices his phone on top of his chest of drawers. He waits a beat before picking it up. When he finally does, he crawls back into bed and stares at the dark screen for almost a whole minute.

 He checks in with himself like Billie’s taught him to do.

He’s scared. He doesn’t know what he’ll see in his text logs if he chooses to look at them. He doesn’t know what voice messages might be in his inbox. He decides before he opens his phone that he’s not going to look at his texts or his voicemail. He can’t manage that thick, sticky layer of anxiety today. He needs to be at his best for Emma.

Dean finds a game to play until he can get dressed and go down to meet Meg and Pamela for their hike.

“Dean.”

His stomach donkey-kicks his heart, and he freezes at the sound of Lydia’s voice.

Meg peeks around him curiously, and her face brightens with a smile. She looks up at him as she reaches for his smoke. 

“She’s here,” she says, tossing his cigarette into the sand. “Go.”

Dean swallows and nods then takes a deep breath, running his hand through his hair as he turns.

When he sees her, he exhales and can’t help but smile.

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Hi, baby.” He sets his coffee aside.

“You look good, Dean,” Lydia says, watching Emma closely and keeping her distance. “Maybe a little thin, but... good.”

“Thanks.” Dean doesn’t take his eyes off his daughter as she idles at her mother’s side. He takes a step forward then another. Before he can take a third, Emma collides with him, wrapping her arms around his ribcage and burying her face in his chest.

“I missed you so much,” she whispers.

Dean’s eyes close as he wraps his arms around her and rests his cheek on the crown of her head. “Me too, baby. God, me too.”

He opens his eyes to see Lydia watching Emma with tears in her eyes. She looks up at him and tries to smile. Dean shakes his head.

“Thank you,” he says, and Lydia nods, reaching out to smooth a hand along his arm.

Friday and Saturday are long and grueling. At meal times, Emma and Lydia leave the campus. Lydia explains that they just need a little break, but Dean worries. Emma hugged him and told him she missed him, though. That brief interaction gets him through hours of trudging through memories of what a mess he made of his life in the past three years. 

When Sunday arrives, he’s exhausted and wound so tight he’s afraid he might snap. He asks Billie for some tools to calm himself. She reminds him to breathe and to focus on being the person he wants to be and who Emma needs him to be; not on the past. 

At noon, they gather in the group room. As they assemble their chairs in a circle with chairs for Dean and Emma inside, Emma won’t look at him.

“Hey,” Pamela appears at his side with a cup of water. “Drink this and breathe. You’re gonna be great.”

Dean accepts the water and slams it. “Thanks.”

She takes the empty cup with a nod then turns to leave him to his task.

Once everyone is settled and Cain has explained how everything will play out, he turns to Dean’s daughter.

“Emma, what do you want to tell your dad?”

Emma still won’t look Dean in the eye as she chews the inside of her lip. “That he hurt me.”

Dean shifts in his chair and rubs the heel of his palm down and up his thigh.

“Tell your dad, Emma.”

Emma’s chest convulses on a shaky inhale and she side-eyes Dean. She looks so tired and sad. 

“I shouldn’t have to make an appointment to see my dad.”

“OK. That sounds like anger, Emma.”

“Yeah,” she answers, and her voice cracks. She looks back at Dean. “I shouldn’t have to make sure you won’t be high and having a threesome in the middle of a Wednesday afternoon.”

Dean nods and licks his lips, blinking slowly as he drops his gaze to the floor. He agrees with her. She shouldn’t have to do that or see her fuck-up dad doing fucked up things.

“What else, Emma?” Cain prompts.

Emma draws another breath and squares her shoulders. She clears her throat and turns to fully face her dad. 

“That day...” Her lip trembles, and her eyes well with tears. “You were like an animal.” She shakes her head, and tears drop to her hands in her lap. “I didn’t recognize my dad that day.” 

Dean’s chest and jaw tighten painfully. In his line of sight, he sees Pamela’s hands wringing in her lap and Jack perched at the edge of his seat.

“Besides being hurt and angry, what else did you feel, Emma?”

“Scared,” she whispers, dropping her eyes.

Dean winces, squeezing his eyes shut and grinding his teeth.

“Of what, Emma? Tell your dad.”

“You weren’t you.”

Dean looks up again, wishing he could hold her and make it all go away. 

“You were...” Emma shakes her head. “Some fucked up, sex-crazed... lunatic. Not my dad. And I need you. I need you.”

Emma crumbles into sobs, and Dean pitches forward. Billie and Cain both told him he had to hear her out before speaking or acting in any way. He isn’t allowed to comfort her, and it’s killing him.

“OK. That was really good, Emma. Are you ready for your dad to talk now?”

Emma sniffles and nods, and Cain turns to Dean. 

“Dean, what do you want to say to Emma?”

He settles back in his chair.

He draws a deep breath and lets the tears spill, mirroring the little girl facing him. “I’m sorry, baby. I never wanted you to see me that way.”

Emma’s brow furrows, and she huffs a small sob, shaking her head. “Why... do you do that? Why do you wanna be like that?”

Dean stares at her for several breaths. He wants to apologize to her. He wants her to know that he never meant to hurt or scare her. He doesn’t know how to answer her question.

Finally, he shakes his head. “Sometimes I can’t be myself, Em.”

“But I need you,” she repeats her plea from before.

Dean swallows, tipping forward again. “I’m so sorry I hurt and scared you. I never want to hurt you, please... I need you to know that.”

“But you did,” she answers simply. “And if you don’t stop all that, you’ll do it again. Mom covered for you for so long. This needs to stop, I need my dad.”

Something about her tone of voice raises his hackles. “I’m still your dad, Em.” He reminds himself of Pamela’s advice.

“No,” Emma argues. “No, not like that! My dad’s strong and brave — he saves lives. He’s gentle and kind. He loves me—”

“I do love you, baby—” 

“Dean, Emma — let’s stay on track.”

Dean nods, turning back to face his daughter. “Em, honey, I love you. So much. And I wanna be good for you.”

“You are good for me. You help me feel unafraid to tell you anything, ask you anything. You make me stronger — that’s the reason I’m here today.”

All the lessons he’s learned from Billie, all of Meg’s observations, Jack's words, and even Crowley’s come rushing back to him. His daughter is begging him to be what he wants to be. It’s so simple. All he has to do is stop resisting so that he can be what she needs.

Dean hangs his head and cries, but he’s smiling. 

“... and I love you, too, Daddy. Everybody does. Don’t lose who you are because you’re afraid. I need you, Uncle Sammy needs you... these people need you to just be you.”

“Dean?” Cain calls to him. “Do you have anything else to add?”

 “OK.” He surrenders, bobbing his head as he raises it and wiping his tears. “You got me, baby.” 

Then Dean looks at Cain. “Can I hug my little girl now?”

Cain smiles and nods. “Yes.”

Emma is out of her chair just as Dean stands, meeting him with a shaking, sobbing embrace.

Chapter 9

Please let me know what you think!

Series Masterlist

MJ’s Masterlist

[scotianostra]

DavysStreams

@davysstreams

A Tumblr blog for my streams, Sports, TV Shows and Movies, give me a shout if you want anything posted.

Blog settingsAsk me anythingFollowing

Posts

Pinned Post

davysstreams

Jan 18, 2022

If you don’t want to miss a game why not go for an IPTV set up.  DM @Gabbo1980 on Twitter, and mention my name, you get ALL the games and more the costs just £10 a month or £70 for a full year, it is the way forward and in my eyes a bargain. You’ll need an Android box or better still a Amazon Firestick, which costs around £30, but you wont regret it. Some TV’s have also got Android on them nowadays. As well as sports you get loads of other stuff, all the Sky Cinema channels,  documentaries, kids channels, channels from around the world including Irish TV channels, USA Movies,  if you were paying for this through Sky, BT, Virgin etc it would be over £100 per month.

4 notes

davysstreams

4m ago

May 13th 1568 saw the Battle of Langside.

The army under King James VI name was under the command of the Regent and Mary’s half brother James Stewart, Earl of Moray whilst his deputy and commander of the vanguard was James Douglas, Earl of Morton. The army consisted of troops hastily assembled but included some experienced soldiers - notably William Kirkcaldy of Grange.  Furthermore the Regent’s cause was widely supported amongst the Scottish nobility, many of whom had profited from the Reformation not least from the cheap acquisition of former church lands.

The Queen’s army, whilst nominally headed by the Mary, was under the military command of Archibald Campbell, Earl of Argyll. It included a number of a notable magnates amongst them the Earls of Eglinton, Casselis and Rothes.

With The Earl of Morton in command of his main force, Moray appointed Kirkcaldy to have ‘special care as an experimented captain to oversee every danger‘. Kirkcaldy took two hundred hagbutters “musketeers” forward to occupy cottages on each side of Long Loan, where garden walls offered protection from cannon fire, and he reserved two hundred pikemen and cavalry on the west side of the village.  

Realising the danger, Mary sent Maitland to negotiaite with Moray, but the Hamilton’s were spoiling for a fight and jumped the gun. Kirkcaldy rode from wing to wing to supervise the defences, while the twenty-five-year-old Lord Claud Hamilton advanced with Mary’s main army of 2,000 men supported by and George, 5th Lord Seton’s cavalry.  They stormed into Long Loan, where Kirkcaldy picked them off easily with his hagbutters backed by Ker of Cessford and Home, on foot with pike in hand, leading his six hundred spearmen.  Mary’s troops fought their way forward bravely despite the cost, and almost turned Moray’s right flank, but Kirkcaldy, ever vigilant, saw the danger.  He called up the rear-guard led by Sir William Douglas and Lindsay as reinforcement.

Kirkcaldy had orders from Moray to minimise bloodshed, and his forces struck the enemy on their flanks and faces, throwing them into confusion.  Mary’s van needed support from the main body of her troops under Argyll, but it is said that at this critical moment he fainted, possibly with an epileptic fit, and the leaderless Argylls refused to budge without him.  According to a French source, Mary rode forward from a nearby hill to lead them into battle herself, but the Argylls continued to quarrel among themselves and would not listen to her ‘eloquence’.  Yet it is more probable that she made good her escape.

Kirkcaldy now moved forward, sending in pikemen against the Hamilton’s, but obeying Moray’s instruction to avoid loss of life and to capture as many as he could.  Mary’s troops were routed, and the Argyll’s broke away, fleeing back to the Highlands.  Argyll, the unwitting cause of Mary’s disaster, escaped to Dunoon, and would not submit to Moray.  Only a hundred of Mary’s men were slain but three hundred, including Seton, James, 4th Lord Ross, and Sir James Hamilton of Finnart, were taken prisoner.   Robert Melville, who had not been involved in the fighting, was also captured, but, with Kirkcaldy as his brother-in-law and two brothers supporting Moray, he was soon freed.  The whole skirmish that sealed Mary’s fate, and it was little more than this, took three-quarters of an hour.

A couple of interesting asides is the map’s depiction of Glasgow at this period. Despite its cathedral and university, it was little more than a town surrounding its castle. And  William Kirkcaldy of Grange, who basically won the battle for King James as the only experienced “general”, went on to support Mary suggesting a peaceful settlement with her was possible

Grange went on to hold Edinburgh Castle in her name in what is known as the “lang siege” after surrendering he was hanged on 3rd August 1573.

[ofrottenroses]

Stardust’s Divination Commissions

Status : OPEN

Slots currently open : 3

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ──

( Any / All forms of sharing this post is GREATLY appreciated )

HIIIIYA HELLO!!! I thought it’d be neat for me to start doing divination comms as a way of making some cash on the side to help me with saving money & also to help me out until I’m able to get a job of any sort !!!!

( I wanna be able to save up some extra cash not only could I have spending money on hand but also so I can move out in the nearby future ! )

( I’ve been low energy on art related stuff, this is more accessible for me at the moment so please ! If you’re interested ! Don’t hesitate to dm for inquiries !!! )

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ──

GUIDELINES & PRICES BELOW !

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ──

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ──

BASIC TOS

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ──

FOR LEGAL REASONS: My readings are ONLY for Entertainment purposes !

• Upfront payment is strictly REQUIRED . Cashapp only ( My local currency is in USD ! )

• ( I can only take Cashapp at this current moment in time ) + ( idk how well Kofi is working for me at the moment but please do try to stick with Cashapp, it’s the form of payment that’s most accessible for me at this current moment in time . )

• I am within my right to refuse to do any readings that makes me uncomfortable .

• PLEASE don’t hesitate to ramble to me about any / all info that you think I should know before I do the reading !!! The more information I have on hand ——— the better !!! Tell me everything that YOU think I should know / that you’re comfortable with telling me 🫶

• Take what resonates & leave what doesn’t !!! I am still learning & still strengthening my own intuitive abilities pretty much every day, or every single time I do a divination reading of any sort .

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ──

PRICES & OPTIONS

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ──

Pendulum reading - 5 dollar base price

( Depending on how complex the question is . Prices may vary . )

1 Question : 15 - 25

2 Questions : 25 - 35

3 Questions : 35 - 45

( fyi these listings above are for card related stuff . I only put the pendulum reading on top because of organization reasons . )

( If you choose any of the listings above vs the listing below you don’t have to worry ab paying extra unless you ask for clarifiers . Aka if you choose any of the question listings I’m gonna charge you based off of the question listings and not the card related listings ( & vice versa ofc ) please let me know if there is anything I need to clarify about the way I have this post worded / set up here )

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ──

1 card pull - 5 dollars

3 card spread - 15 dollars

5 card spread - 18 dollars

10 card spread - 25 dollars

12 card spread - 33 dollars

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ──

Anything that is not listed here like price per question / time / whatever can be discussed and adjusted / spoken about between myself & the client .

── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ──

All in all, please don’t hesitate to ask any/all questions !!! RB this for visibility purposes & feel free to give me feedback / any or all of your thoughts on the reading that I have provided ! Thank you for your time !

I hope that you’ll enjoy your reading !

[thatonelightyear]

I posted 184 times in 2022

That's 184 more posts than 2021!

57 posts created (31%)

127 posts reblogged (69%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@boeingboingboing

@agentsandracartrip

@carsgeek24

@grussell63

@the-cars-memer

I tagged 140 of my posts in 2022

Only 24% of my posts had no tags

#reblog - 60 posts

#lightrambles - 27 posts

#cars fandom - 20 posts

#f1 - 16 posts

#cars - 16 posts

#my hcs - 14 posts

#my fics - 8 posts

#leland turbo - 7 posts

#boeingboingboing - 7 posts

#finn mcmissile - 7 posts

Longest Tag: 71 characters

#imma just make more subclasses so i can find stuff easier in my archive

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

First Race HCs

Lightning

nervous energy- like. so. much. jitters.

but then the moment he gets on the track it's just all gone

runs on adrenaline high for the next 100s of laps

yk the whole : I guess i never thought i couldnt' stuff? Yeah that came from right after

whoaaa look at all the lights and all the bling... is this what it feels like to be recognised?

pushed and pushed, gave 130%

finished just shy of top 5

the exhilaration stayed for a long while

Strip Weathers

Tried to look calm on the outside, pretty shaky on the inside though

Just in awe. The track is huge-

once the race starts, he's just in the zone

everything feel right, from the roar of the crowd to the asphalt thrumming beneath his tyres

"and that was the moment i realised this was where I belonged"

crashed out 30 laps from the chequered due to a particularly squeezy restart

can't wait for the next race

Chick Hicks

went to his father for advice before the start, instantly got shot down

"what do you mean you won't do well? I expect nothing less than a top 10- 5 would be best, of course. Do whatever it takes."

"...yes sir"

showed concern for a particularly wrecked racer - his dad just snapped at him to keep racing though

rookie mistake caused him to wreck a few others, but he was told repeatedly "as long as you do well, it doesn't matter"

realised he loved the glitz and glamour after.

father gave him a tongue-lashing for being "too soft" and showing concern

he wanted to make his dad proud - he wanted to be good

as long as I win, nothing else matters.

HCs for our fav tiebreaker trio! (Chick's emotional damage definitely shaped his obnoxious character man...) But yeah these were fun

Please send me asks for headcannons, on that note XD

21 notes - Posted September 15, 2022

#4

Beach Day HCs (Lightning, Cal & Bobby they y'all)

Lightning gets really sunburned (as per normal)

They try to play a game of scuffed beach volleyball

Cal faceplants and eats sand

Bobby laughs, promptly gets whacked by the volleyball to his face

Brick enjoys nature, probably the one drinking out of a coconut

Junior stares at the gang, sighs in exasperation as Lightning runs from a crab

He just wanted to have a relatively normal day. The other four said no.

Grumpily sits at a corner and sips a cocktail, on parent duty again

Bobby goes swimming and shrieks when his foot touches kelp

Lightning swears that he'll never forget sunscreen again - he will.

22 notes - Posted October 28, 2022

#3

So I found more- XD

This I found when digging through Youtube... again. I have no life I swear. But yeah our fav spy trio in training! More like Finn and Holley being professionals, and Mater has his Mater-esque genius too... (side note i need to write a fic about Finn being a trainer someday...)

41 notes - Posted September 14, 2022

#2

This One's For You, Doc.

It was- Everything had been so sudden.

Honestly, Lightning had never seen it coming. So when it happened, he couldn't help but feel so... betrayed. He... Doc should have been around longer. How could he just... leave Lightning behind?

A part of him couldn't help but think of all the possible 'what if's, all that. He just- He just needed more time, even when some part of him whispered that actually, all the time in the world would have never been enough.

It just all went by so fast. It had felt like just yesterday, their first win together as crew chief and racer, now it was just, well, him. Lightning felt as though there'd still been so much he wanted to say, so much he still needed to ask, but now... well. He couldn't even if he wanted to, could he?

"Stickers?" Sally's right by his side as he proceeds to the track, giving him a comforting nudge. They exchange a hushed conversation, by the end of it, there's tears in her eyes as she ushers him off to the track, mouthing a 'For Doc' towards him. He offers her a weak smile, knowing it was taking him everything he had to not just break down right here. Because of the pure familiarity, of how before the race, it would be Sal and Doc sending him to the lineup. Now, the absence just... hurts.

Then he's out on the track, warm asphalt beneath rubber. As they complete the formation lap, he can't help but let his gaze wander, then focus back on the track, stung by that empty spot on pit lane.

Yet as the engines roar to life, as the green flag is raised, he hears it, in a sudden burst of clarity, meant for him and him only.

You've got this, hotshot. Gruff and gravely, steady and grounding- Doc.

Lightning takes a breath, the oxygen biting. He exhales slowly.

"This one's for you, Doc," He whispers, fixing his gaze on the track.

The green flag falls, and he's ready.

A.N. : Yeah, I really went full-on with the angst in this one hah- Been toying with this idea for a bit, finally got it out of my system... honestly, I really like this! As for whether this is Carsverse or Human AU, I'll leave that up to you guys- made it kinda ambiguous there.. Hope you enjoyed :)

43 notes - Posted October 11, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

This is GOLD

So I found this like- yesterday and good gosh I had a kick out of watching these XD they are so funny! Also I love how it shows the Mater-Finn-Holley friendship dynamics and how they can be a pretty funny trio!

124 notes - Posted September 13, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[ifridiot]

I posted 8,089 times in 2022

70 posts created (1%)

8,019 posts reblogged (99%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@wambin

@tabakabhangigkeit

@jawnwicks

@grassfire

@rainbow-smite

I tagged 442 of my posts in 2022

#tagged for me - 27 posts

#luce writes - 23 posts

#tyler bait - 13 posts

#frank castle - 10 posts

#uuu - 10 posts

#wade wilson - 10 posts

#cable - 9 posts

#nathan summers - 9 posts

#cablepool - 8 posts

#deadpool - 8 posts

Longest Tag: 129 characters

#or they tell you you're remembering your own life wrong because the story you tell 'couldn't have happened to a child that young'

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I believe with all my heart that he can do this

29 notes - Posted August 5, 2022

#4

For the mini fic: Cablepool, with the prompt 'noise'

Noise

There's a noise Cable makes when Wade does something just right, and call Wade a sucker, but he can't get enough of it.

It's not (shockingly) a sex thing. Or at least, not strictly. Wade can get Nate to make the sound when they're in bed (or on Nate's couch, or in the kitchen, or wherever else clothes happen to come off), but it's just as likely to happen elsewhere.

It's an approval sound, low and throaty, somewhere between a grunt and a hum. With Nate's growly Charlton Heston voice, it's a sexy sound, even when the moment isn't right for sexy things.

Just a little sound, soft even, but Wade loves it. He finds himself, on his best behaviour – or at least his most useful behaviour – going out of his way to make it happen.

39 notes - Posted July 31, 2022

#3

Cash-strapped sexy writer seeks YOUR wallet TODAY!

Home repairs are hell and I’m trying to get out from under a doozy of a bill I’ve had to put on credit. If I can pay my tab before April 30th 2023, I won't owe any interest, which would be rad. Unfortunately, disability pays like shit. SO.

Would you like to buy a series of commissions? Now's your chance. How about a backstory for your new OC? Wham. Want to read some niche porn? I've gotcha there too.

What’s on offer:

Original fiction (includes erotica) – 10c per word

Fanfiction (includes erotica) – 5c per word

Editing (fiction, non fiction, essays) – 5c per word

Copy writing for websites, flyers, etc. – 10c per word

I’m willing to write for basically any fandom, or even OCs if you provide me with character details. However, if you want me to do lots of research (watch a show, read a book, study a wiki about your obscure fave), I have to charge for my time.

Opening five slots a month, starting today!

OCTOBER

1. TAKEN

2.

3. 

4.

5.

Examples of my writing are HERE

Venmo (@Ifridiot) or PayPal accepted

GOAL: 000/ 375 month

TARGET AMOUNT: 1081/$3000 by April 2023

170 notes - Posted August 2, 2022

#2

Hey all, so I finally found a good therapist who doesn’t think that lupus can be cured with positive vibes and veggies, and although he’s only charging me 40$ a session, I’ve now got to find an extra $160 a month on top of the utilities, student loans and the other fun shit that I barely meet each month. I also need to get my cat groomed and vaccinated this or next month, which was planned for until the electric company decided to double my usual bill.

I’m a disabled trans writer. I write gay erotica, angst, and monster fucking, both in fanfic and original work. I’m willing to write for most any fandom, or even OCs if you can provide me with character and plot detail. However, if I’m being asked to do extensive research (watch a show, read a book, study a wiki about your obscure fave, learn the nuance of your OC), I will need to be compensated for time.

I’m doing at least 500 words per $12 spent. This means you are GUARANTEED 500 words, but likely will get something more like 750. The more money you spend, the more words I write you. Spend more, get more words, easy peasy. Max commission at this point is 5000 words guaranteed ($120).

 Please talk to me first before paying for a commission, in case what you want is something I can’t or won’t write. Hard no’s include but are not limited to: incest, bigoted anything (no racism, trans/homophobia, ableism), gratuitous violence against animals or minors, pedophilia.

Email me (fixyouupnice @ gmail) or send an ask to discuss what you’d like written.

I’m currently opening six (6) slots to start!

1. @eritela

2. @formlessvoidbeast

3. @eritela again

4.

5.

6.

If you can’t donate or don’t want to commission, please help by reblogging.

Paypal is HERE

Examples of my writing are HERE

UPDATE: the electric bill has been paid! I'm still working on the medical debt. Unfortunately, I just got stuck with another 500$ bill on top of the 230$ I owe for various blood tests and imaging stuff. Help is still very much needed and appreciated!

387/730$

407 notes - Posted January 8, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Nobody's stopping you from taking 4 tablespoons of butter, melting it in a pot, and adding two tablespoons of minced garlic. Nobody's stopping you from letting that garlic saute for like two minutes, or from then adding in two tablespoons of shaved parmesan. And nobody will stop you from stirring half a pound of al dented pasta into that buttery mess, cracking some pepper over it, and feasting on the garlicky spoils gained from such labours.

Nobody's stopping you. The cops can't even arrest you for it.

33,223 notes - Posted May 8, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[playgameshealkids]

It’s that time of year again to Play Games and Heal Kids!

This is my (Sollitaire) 7th year participating in Extra Life - a gaming focused charity that supports Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. You can read all about who I am and why I do it on my Extra Life participant page. I will use this space here to update people about our (this is a family affair) times and schedule of events so people can keep track and join us if they want. So please be sure to save this blog so you can keep up with our shenanigans!

This year, given the official release of World of Warcraft: The War Within is next week (early access begins today!), we will be commencing this momentous occasion that is followed by a nice holiday weekend with a half day marathon going from 2pm CST on Saturday August 31st to 2am CST (at minimum) Sunday September 1st. During this time I’ll be playing the new WoW expansion (and maybe even some D4 seasonal content to spice it up) live on Twitch where I will be encouraging donations and doing giveaways. A full schedule of what we will be doing and when will be posted here by August 30th.

For those who are familiar with our marathons, we will also be doing our 12am CST Heroes of the Storm 5v5 ARAM as usual. Even if you don’t play, it’s pretty funny to watch 10 people try to murder each other while also yelling at each other over discord all streamed live on Twitch. 🤪

Of note, our full 24 marathon will be on Game Day November 2nd starting at 12pm CST. More details will be provided about that once we get closer to the date!

Giveaway Details:

For those who are wiling and able to donate, you can *donate different amounts from $5 USD to $100 USD or more to qualify for a wide range giveaways such as WoW Game time, Digital copies of both WoW: The War Within and Diablo 4, Battle.net Balance, and one lucky winner will be able to win a physical WoW Collectors edition with the 20 year anniversary statue (winner must pay shipping). For those who are unable to donate, sharing this post, the Extra Life participant page, or my Twitch stream is a huge help!

Specified donation amounts are required for different prize categories. You must donate to win. Only one prize can be awarded per donation. Not all donors are winners. While you can donate in different denominations only the USD equivalent will qualify you for entry. Donation does not equal automatic giveaway entry.

To be entered into drawings to win, please fill out the form via the link provided on my Extra Life participant page page after you donate so you can select the items you’d like to be entered into drawings for. Don’t forget this step!

[digicomm-timecapsule-20009]

Week 5 pt 2 - Reality TV Ranking

I’ll be honest, I watch a lot of reality tv. And I mean A LOT. 

I, together with my dad who secretly loves drama and scandals as much as I do, have more or less exhausted Netflix’s reality competition section. And we’re versatile too, watching shows on topics like glass blowing to wilderness survival to even drag queens. 

With that in mind, I’ll be dissecting the 10 most recent reality tv shows I’ve watched including what I liked/disliked about them, what the most outrageous moment was (in my opinion) as well as how I’d rate the show out of ten. You know what, and just for fun I’ll put down my dad’s ratings too.

Oh, and this goes without saying but there will be spoilers in this post so you’ve been warned. I’ll try my best to stay spoiler free but no promises. Let’s go!

Blown Away

Starting our list we have Blown Away, a Canadian competition show that centres around glassblowing. Running since 2019 with their 4th season airing on Netflix on the 4th of March 2024, the show follows 10 talented glassblowers as they tackle weekly challenges that put their skills and artistry to the test.

What I Liked: The glassworks themselves. Each and every episode produced masterful glass pieces that absolutely blew me away (pun intended). Some of my favourite pieces thus far include an egg with chicken legs, a grotesque looking flower and a strikingly realistic looking syringe and gumdrop combo.

Image credits: https://www.instagram.com/blownawayseries/

What I Didn’t Like: It can get a little stale after a while. Despite how nerve-wracking each episode can get with how fragile the glassworks are, after four seasons of this you start to get used to it. The episode starts, a bunch of people drop their glassworks mid-creation, there’s a panic with some tears shed, somehow everyone pulls through with a half decent creation by the end of it.

Most Outrageous Moment(s): Nothing per se

My Overall Rating: 6/10

My Dad’s Overall Rating: 6/10

The Mole

Right from the get-go the premise had my dad and I hooked. Originally from the early 2000’s, the American reality game show moved from ABC to Netflix in 2022 with its reboot. The show follows 12 contestants working together for a cash prize that they can add on to with each challenge the group wins. However, one of them is actually a secret plant by the producers whose only goal is sabotage, a Mole. 

What I Liked: The premise itself. You see, neither the contestants nor the audience know who the Mole is right until the very last episode. And the Mole will do whatever it takes to sabotage the group, decrease the prize pot and avoid getting caught by any means necessary. Each week there’s an elimination where the contestants have a chance to vote on who they think the Mole is, and countless shady challenges set to cause distrust and disunity between the remaining contestants.

What I Didn’t Like: How wrong my guesses were. This one’s purely personal, I have nothing against the show at all I just couldn’t believe how continuously wrong my dad and I were in our guesses. I mean we even bet money on it!

Most Outrageous Moment(s): The amount of sabotages and downright shady behaviour between the other contestants. Like in hindsight I get why the Mole is sabotaging things, but the rest of you? Purely to throw each other off the scent of the Mole and get one another eliminated.

My Overall Rating: 8/10

My Dad’s Overall Rating: 6/10

Rupaul’s Drag Race

A trailblazer in its own right, Rupaul’s Drag Race is a show about drag queens that first aired in 2009 and has been going ever since. The premise itself is simple: groups of drag queens compete against each other in various challenges to win the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” as well as a cash prize of a hundred thousand dollars. Whilst the show is originally from America the show has since launched multiple spin-offs and sister series in a variety of countries across the globe.

What I Liked: The lip syncs. Not only have they introduced (or rather re-introduced) me to countless new and old songs, but the performances by the drag queens fighting to stay on the show are truly something spectacular. You can feel the raw emotion being conveyed by the queens as they embody every last word of the song and these lip syncs have resulted in moments that the fandom still bring up til today.

What I Didn’t Like: The judging can be...questionable at times. But then again, after 16 seasons, 9 all-star seasons, franchises in 14 different countries and a partridge in a pear tree there’s bound to be questionable judging moments on who “should’ve won” or “should’ve gone home”

Most Outrageous Moment(s): The entire show is outrageous in its own special way. As someone who's seen almost every season of this, there isn’t one single moment from a particular season that stands out or trumps over another. Though if I’m really being honest, picking someone up mid-lip sync is kinda insane.

My Overall Rating: 8/10

My Dad’s Overall Rating: 6/10

Outlast

Outlast is a reality show centred around wilderness survival in the harsh Alaskan wilderness. 16 contestants compete against the extreme cold, potentially dangerous animals and worst of all; each other in order to win a prize of one million dollars. 

What I Liked: The indomitable human spirit is real. Watching the 16 contestants fight tooth and nail to survive in the Alaskan wilderness with little outside help was a feat in and of itself. And then there’s just how innovative people can be when push comes to shove. From crafting weapons from their surroundings, I mean one guy made an entire ghillie suit from scratch. In case you’re wondering what that looks like…

What I Didn’t Like: As much as I hate to admit it, the show reeks of overproduction. Some of the “dramatic moments” that they showcased were just too good to be true but then again it’s hard to say whether they were true or not given how insane human beings can be.

Most Outrageous Moment(s): The contestants themselves are NUTS. Neither my dad nor I remember how we ended up watching this in the first place but we’re both pretty sure it’s because we ran out of reality shows to watch on Netflix…Regardless, neither of us can get this show out of our heads after what we saw. From people needing to be airlifted back to the mainland because they haven’t had a bowel movement in weeks to teams purposely setting other teams shelters on fire, every now and then my dad and I question who greenlit this whole thing

My Overall Rating: 5/10

My Dad’s Overall Rating: 7/10

Next in Fashion

Running for two seasons between 2020 and 2023, Next in fashion follows aspiring fashion designers competing in weekly challenges for-okay I think you guys get the point; all of these shows are a bunch of people competing for a cash prize. In this case, its two hundred fifty thousand dollars as well as their own clothing line with Net-A-Porter.

What I Liked: The sheer creativity of the contestants when it comes to their clothes is worth noting, and that’s just what they’re wearing during the episode. Watching this has really helped me find my own fashion sense and understand clothes on a deeper level, as did the next show.

What I Didn’t Like: NIL

Most Outrageous Moment(s): Nothing actually. In comparison to pretty much everything else on this list this one’s pretty tame.

My Overall Rating: 8/10

My Dad’s Overall Rating: 8/10

Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star

From fashion we now move on to makeup. Glow-Up is a British reality show that’s been airing on BBC since 2019 with its sixth season premiering on the 10th of April 2024. We haven’t seen the sixth season yet, but if it’s anything like the previous five seasons we’re in for a treat.

What I Liked: Once again, watching the contestants interpret the various challenges to the highest creative degree has been thoroughly enjoyable. Furthermore, given how the challenges touch upon different aspects and areas of makeup it’s taught me a couple things that even I can apply to my daily makeup routine. That and all the horror makeup, love horror makeup.

What I Didn’t Like: Again, there’s not much to dislike about this. The contestants, while quirky in their own right and occasionally emotional, aren’t that bad of people. 

Most Outrageous Moment(s): In an “Outrageous in a good way” moment that goes beyond words, here’s my favourite look from every season

Image credits: https://www.instagram.com/glowupbbc/

My Overall Rating: 9/10

My Dad’s Overall Rating: 9/10

Squid Game: The Challenge

Remember back in 2021 when Squid Game first premiered and everyone was like “Oh I could win this no sweat”? Yeah well this show said “Prove it”. Obviously the stakes here aren’t as high as the fictional show I mean nobody actually dies here, but the cash prize and other premises stay about the same as the original.

What I Liked: You can’t fault the set design here. Aside from looking near identical to the original, the atmosphere itself really lends a hand to making it feel like the real thing. I also found the “death” sequences kinda funky with hidden ink packs exploding beneath the eliminated contestants clothes. 

What I Didn’t Like: The show itself had nothing wrong with it, like I said earlier the set design is near perfect and extremely well done. It’s just…doesn’t this feel like we’re missing the entire point of the original Squid Game series? There’s an entire debate about capitalism that belongs somewhere in here, but unfortunately that’s not the aim of this post. Regardless, something about watching this show left a sour taste in my mouth and I still feel kinda icky for finishing the entire thing.

Most Outrageous Moment(s): The whole show itself is outrageous just from a moral standpoint. Aside from that, the twists and turns the show takes along its course coupled with the sheer drama of it all kept us on the edge of our seats throughout with multiple instances of my dad and I turning to each other in confusion? Shock? Horror?

My Overall Rating: 5/10

My Dad’s Overall Rating: 5/10

The Apprentice: One Championship

My dad insisted I add this one in. Across two seasons 10 challengers compete in a series of high stakes business and physical challenges all for a chance to win what is possibly the most valuable prize in this entire post: Getting hired by ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. 

What I Liked: The show is full of strong female representation, with many of the challenge wins being spearheaded by the female contestants. Aside from that the show is chocked full of business acumen and gave me quite a good insight into what my future might be if I choose to go into advertising and marketing in the future. I’d highly recommend anyone interested in business or advertising to watch this.

What I Didn’t Like: Dad’s gonna have my head for this but despite the show teaching me a lot about business acumen and how to hold my own in the cutthroat advertising world, the show can get a little…boring…at times…Sorry dad.

Most Outrageous Moment(s): I still don’t know whether this was a purposeful move on the producers part but “somehow” the challenge schedule was left out in the open and one of the contestants used that to cheat. They were caught rather swiftly however, as they tried to recruit more people into their scheme and got ratted out instead.

My Overall Rating: 8/10

My Dad’s Overall Rating: 9/10 

Is It Cake? (Make bigger later)

Running for three seasons since 2022, Is It Cake follows cake artists challenged to make hyper-realistic cakes to fool a panel of judges.The contestants also have a chance to win additional money each episode if they are voted the most realistic cake.

What I Liked: You can’t deny the pure artistry that this show contains. As an avid baker myself, being able to turn a simple chocolate cake into a hyper-realistic rubber duckie is nothing short of impressive.

Image Credits: Netflix

What I Didn’t Like: The host and his constant bad jokes really makes the show hard to watch after a while. That and the whole premise can get a little boring after a while.

Most Outrageous Moment(s): Episode 1 we’re introduced to a cake artist who does such a good job that we’re sure they’re gonna win the whole thing. Episode 2 and they get eliminated. WHAT?!

My Overall Rating: 5/10

My Dad’s Overall Rating: 5/10

Physical:100

Set in Korea, Physical:100 follows 100 contestants from various professions ranging from athletes to actors to arborists that all have one thing in common: peak physical condition and prowess. Over the course of the show they will compete against one another and slowly the numbers get culled til there’s just one last person standing.

What I Liked: Now hear me out.

Alright all jokes aside, I really liked watching the challenges especially in the second season. Seeing the different strategies the contestants employed within their teams to tackle the brutal physical challenges coupled with the genuinely quite wholesome sportsmanship shown was really refreshing to see.

What I Didn’t Like: For a show centred around finding the “perfect physique” by challenging its contestants physical attributes such as balance, agility, or even endurance, many of the challenges seem to be centred solely around strength and only strength. It’s impossible to compare the strength of a bodybuilder versus that of a gymnast, just as it would be impossible to compare their agility. 

Most Outrageous Moment(s): It happens every single time, you think someone has an easy journey to the finals and then they overestimate their competitors and end up losing big. This entire show is like a constant reminder not to get too cocky

My Overall Rating: 9/10

My Dad’s Overall Rating: 8/10

And that concludes my ranking! Hopefully this post has given some of you out there an idea on what to watch next hehe

[thecheesywritingcabin]

Regular Routine

So, the last two months have been moving at a rapid pace. The third draft feels like it's about halfway done, but it's still too early to start talking about beta-reading and whatnot.

Since I'm working at the moment, I thought it might be nice to talk about my writing/editing routine. It might be nice in terms of catharsis, as well as gives me a little break from my edit today.

So, let me break down how I survive working on this and my job as a pathology collector. Spoiler alert: this is a very, very long way of saying "take some breaks".

What Is Your Current Writing Routine?

Unless I have time off, I only edit on Sundays. Sometimes I'll get spicy and do some the Saturday evening, but more often than not I'm dicking around playing video games and decompressing from work.

Now, sometimes I'll plan some extra writing time in around work, but that can be a little bit of a nightmare.

How Long Do I Work For?

I don't talk about myself much online, so let me give you some context. I'm in pathology, and my roster is a mess. In fact, Wednesday and Thursday I don't know where I am until 6am that morning, or the previous afternoon if my boss has had time to plan. Monday and Tuesday meanwhile I work two shifts that are both three hours long - this used to be eight hours accumulative, but the evening shift had its hours cut. Friday I work five hours and on alternate Saturdays I work three and a half hours.

So, this sounds manageable, right?

Here's where it gets weird. First of all, the mornings of Monday, Tuesday or Friday I can get redeployed elsewhere, working either longer or farther away. One time, I worked from 8-2pm, then 3-6pm about 30 minutes away from the first location. Early in my career, my boss was so short staffed I wound up working close to 12 hours. Never again.

Wednesday and Thursday meanwhile I've more or less been locked into a 9.5 hour shift because few other staff know how to work that particular room.

In summary, most weeks I work about 36 hours, not including the weekend or redeployment. That translates to 75.5 hours per fortnight, just 30 minutes shy of full time hours here in Australia.

How Do I Manage These Hours and Writing?

For those of you who haven't worked in my industry, there can sometimes be gaps as wide as 2 hours between clients. During this time, it's best to do the store orders, stock counts and any miscellaneous tasks since there are a lot of those.

However, doing all these tasks take up about 15-20 minutes of your day. In fact, it's pretty easy to complete them all in the first hour if no clients show up.

In my company at least, you can be sent to rooms where there is nobody but you on site, and your clients are in the single digits.

You can probably see where I'm going with this.

Once the daily chores are done and there's no clients, I will whip out my journal and set a timer for 10-15 minutes, taking advantage of the excess float time. If I'm doing a big chapter, I might even do a draft on my lunchbreak if it's long enough.

In fact, a good chunk of Draft 1 was written like this.

This Sounds Exhausting

Well, that's because it is. There's no nice way to say it, but there's a reason there were 5-6 years where I posted nothing on Tumblr. Writing on the job takes away time that I might have otherwise used to rest in between clients.

It's all about finding balance. I do it on days I have the energy, but if I had a busy day or things have been going badly I won't touch my pen.

I'm sure most of you have heard a variation of this advice: find the gaps in your day, maybe get up earlier or stay up later if you need to, so you can allocate that time to write. That's basically what I do, but sometimes you need to take a break.

The problem for me while writing Draft 1 of Case of the Crawling Shadow, at least for a while, I would try to cram writing into every spare gap I had. This is a side effect of doing Camp Nanowrimo in 2022, but even going into Draft 2 I tried to keep up that momentum.

I wore myself down until I feel like a nub of a person. I was trying to do 3 chapters worth of editing a week, and suffered for it.

What's Happening Now?

At this point, my goal is to finish the Case of the Crawling Shadow's third draft so we can start sending it to beta readers. It's about 50% done, but going slowly. My body is still a bit grimy from the whirlwind drafting process, and I've been working resting into my editing time.

With any luck, we'll finally be able to start getting the ball rolling this year. I'm pretty excited for it. For now, I am alternating editing this chapter and building a McMansion in Sons of the Forest.

[impervioustotheworldssoftdecay]

I posted 889 times in 2022

That's 518 more posts than 2021!

14 posts created (2%)

875 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@luxe-pauvre

@girlcaligula

@quaerendo-invenietis

@detachedperfectionist

@bareniabirkin

I tagged 172 of my posts in 2022

#dracula daily - 60 posts

#analysis - 26 posts

#pers. - 10 posts

#fashion inspo - 6 posts

#london - 6 posts

#much ado about nothing - 6 posts

#tender is the flesh - 5 posts

#shakespeare - 5 posts

#interior design - 3 posts

#tsh - 3 posts

Longest Tag: 111 characters

#the shift from flies to spiders being symbolism for sin is a really interesting aspect i wasn't aware of before

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

0 notes - Posted May 10, 2022

#4

"In den Poren der frauenfeindlichen Narrationen verbirgt sich die Widerständigkeit der Frauen."

~ Die Erschöpfung der Frauen, Franziska Schutzbach S. 43

0 notes - Posted April 20, 2022

#3

watched the first two eps of "The Haunting of Bly Manor" with my gf. surprised by how much I like the characters, they are really three-dimensional. the main character is in equal parts outspoken and fragile, she didn't shy away from being frank with the kids uncle but she obviously has her own struggles with panic attacks etc.

And the boy, I wonder if he's possessed? Possibly the demon/creature sprang over from the former governess or she sacrificed herself for them. Might explain Miles question in the school lesson, if demons need permission to enter men (yes), his curious strength and weird behaviour towards the protagonist. What does he mean with the talk about needing to find keys though? Keys to what? And how does the emphasis on the innocence of animals fit into this? Why do the children leave at midnight to the lake (I'm assuming).

Why does the former governesses boyfriend turn up? Was he possessed as well (and has passed it onto her, driving her to suicide)? Is Owens remark that people are born and die in Bly relevant?

Anyway, I'm quite excited for the next episode.

3 notes - Posted October 12, 2022

#2

saw "much ado about nothing" at the globe today. one of these experiences making me wish I had photographic memory in order to go over every moment again and again. the scenery showing a villa in post-war italy. the wonderful period-appropriate costumes (and Beatrice was the only one of the women wearing pants! very fitting). the hilarious physical comedy - while eavesdropping, Beatrice got tangled in a sort tennis net, then stepped onto the sprinkler on the lawn. The whole theatre was laughing. They also constantly involved the audience, like looking at someone in the audience during the "one woman is fair, yet I am well" monologue.

I also stood during the whole performance, having chosen the cheapest tickets, meaning I was mich closer to the actors and it made for a wholly different interaction with the crowd, it was so immersive. and the actress playing beatrice was so attractive. certainly helped keep my eyes on the stage

4 notes - Posted October 16, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

one thing I like about "Tender is the Flesh" is how it's not a perfect dystopia. The systems has cracks showing, people are sometimes more, sometimes less aware of the inhumanity of this. Not everyone is 100% on board, 100% brainwashed, no matter what the media tries to instill in people. Think of the job applicant getting sick when seeing the slaughtering process for example.

That's what draws you in though, that's the terrifying aspect of it. This world seems so realistic and natural, it's not comfortingly distant from our own reality. And even "good" people, normal people who sort of recognize the atrocity of it, participate in the system because they need to.

21 notes - Posted October 14, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →