#there's some modern original christmas songs

[useless-bulgariafacts]

hi do you know some cool bulgarian christmas/winter related music?

Hi! Sure, I don't know what'd count as "cool" in this case, but I can give an overview + some examples.

Bulgarian Christmas music essentially falls into three categories: traditional carols ("carol" here being a loose term) sung by groups of carollers who go from door to door; Orthodox chants performed in churches during liturgy; and Christmas songs written and composed in more recent times, these ones being often for children.

1. Carolling (коледуване) has a special place among Christmas traditions – it's not just a custom, but a ritual, one that used to serve as an initiation of teenaged boys into adulthood. A group of koledari (коледари) typically had a repertoire of 30-40 songs, which would be practiced in advance, because once they entered into someone's home they had to pick a song to sing for each member of the household, depending on their age, station, marital status etc., then at the end, the leader of the group would say a blessing. As a reward for all of this, they'd get колаци or кравайчета (little bread bun with a hole in the middle that can be stacked on the shepherds' crooks they carry), money, wine and possibly other gifts. Some examples of Christmas folk songs (коледарски песни):

– in this clip you can hear two songs, Малка мома двори мете (A Young Maiden Sweeps the Yard) and Замъчи се Божа майка (The Mother of God Is In Labour). According to Bulgarian folk beliefs, Mary's labour began on Ignazhden (the feast day of St. Ignatius) i.e. Dec 20th, so that's what this song is about.

– this is a fairly good compilation of songs that may be sung in a given household. In an authentic setting, the most common instrument used was a bagpipe. Inlcuded is the carollers' blessing as well (the spoken part)! You may notice the repetition of certain phrases (Стани нине, господине or Коладе, ладе), this is typical of Christmas songs and is part of what makes them ritual songs.

– in certain regions, the koledari also dance or sing/exclaim while they're outside. This dance and melody (specific to Yambol) are called buenek. Here's an audio recording, and also a really nice, albeit old, reenactment.

– Ой Коледо, мой Коледо is an original composition for a girls' choir, but following the lyrical patterns/rhyming schemes of traditional songs. In the late 19th/early 20th century it was very common for composers and writers to take inspiration from folklore.

2. I admit I'm not very well versed in the area of church music, but I did find some Рождественски песнопения, or the hymns sung during a Christmas liturgical service – examples of a Задостойник, Кондак (Kontakion) and Тропар (Troparion). These are actually the names of entire genres of hymns, which are not exclusive to Christmas, but as I understand it, the specific melodies and lyrics I have linked here are for the Nativity. There are also some recordings of entire liturgies, so you can hear how Orthodox choirs sound.

3. Modern Christmas music is kinda all over the place. It generally follows Western trends and tends more secular, festive, sometimes humorous, mentions Santa Claus, deer, bells, snowy landscapes and so forth. A lot, like I said, are children's songs we learn in kindergarten or otherwise around that age, like for example Над смълчаните полета, С червените ботушки, Шаро и първия сняг, etc. These all go in the same category as Bulgarian covers of Jingle Bells or Silent Night. Showing my age here, but I'm also still nostalgically fond of the subversive version of this, which we felt ohh sooo edgy for listening to as kids, lmao. Of course, there's less kiddie stuff too, see BTR's Коледа, or Stefan Valdobrev's Лепило за брада. Bit too sappy for my taste, personally.

I hope I've been comprehensive! I stuck to specifically Christmas music since it would be too long of an answer otherwise, but lmk if you're further interested in anything :)🎄

[uwudonoodle]

If you're sick of the generic Christmas songs you've been forced to listen to while shopping, I made a playlist of some more unique songs.

[celestial-kestrel]

It's that time of year again where Mari Lwyd starts to be talked about and shared around and an INCREDIBLY misleading post gets shared a lot. As someone who grew up with Mari Lwyd I wanted to clear some things up.

Also hello, if you are unaware who Mari Lwyd is. This is about the Welsh tradition of the horse skull who visits houses during the Christmas to New Years period in Wales asking for alcohol.

First off and probably the most important one:

Mari Lwyd is not a cryptid!

I can not emphasise this enough. She. Is. Not. A. Cryptid. There is no story or mystery about a ghost or zombie horse roaming the Welsh valleys. She's not even supposed to be a ghost or a zombie. It's just a horse skull on a stick with a guy under a sheet. She's a hobbyhorse and a folk character used to tell Welsh stories and keep songs alive. When people spread the misinformation that she's a cryptid, it's the equivalent of saying Kermit the Frog is a cryptid.

She is actually only one character in a wider cast of characters who go door to door or, in more modern times, pub to pub. The cast of characters can change town to town and village to village but there are some common ones I see time and time again. The Leader, the Merryman, The Jester and The Lady are just some I see regularly. Punch and Judy used to be more popular a few years ago but I haven't seen them in a while as their tradition has mostly fallen out of popularity. In most cases, almost the whole cast will be played by men. Even the characters are considered and referred to as female. Though this again depends and varies by which group is partaking in the Mari Lwyd tradition.

This point also goes onto my second point,

Mari Lwyd does not rap.

I think this comes from a very common misunderstanding of what rap is vs spoken word. Rap is a very specific style of music originating from the African American communities of the USA and has it's own structure and motifs unique to it. It's a lot more complex than people give it credit for as a style of music and just flippantly assign anything similar to it as being rap. If someone is talking fast or reciting poetry, it is not rap. Or anything that is an exchange of words between two people is not a rap battle. Mari Lwyd does not do rap, actually something that gets left out of these posts is the fact Mari Lwyd does not even speak. It's actually the Leader, who does all the speaking and song based banter between the house/pub owner for entry. Mari Lwyd just clicks her mouth, bites people and bobs her head around.

I think Mari Lwyd is a really beautiful and unique part of Welsh culture. She's not actually as wildly celebrated as a lot of the posts make her out to be. Actually, I think most Welsh people themselves learn about Mari Lwyd through the internet as well. Her popularity is increasing thanks to the drive of local groups wanting to keep the traditions alive and a renewed desire to document Welsh traditions before they're gone. Which is why it's such a shame that she's turned into something she's not to earn horror points on the internet. I think this is why it bothers me so much to see the misunderstandings of the culture and the folk tradition. Mari Lwyd's origin is very hot debated as well as how long it's been going on for. But I think it's thanks to a lot of traditions like this that the Welsh language and our stories weren't lost forever. Welsh culture is recovering as is the language. But it's still in a very fragile place. I think it's why it's important to document and correct information when it's spread.

Anyway, if you want to see the tradition in action, here's a lovely video from the Cwmafan RFC going to one of the pubs for charity. It includes the song exchange with the pub owner for entry and the whole pub singing and joining in once Mari Lwyd and the rest are inside.

As well with another video from St Fagan's showcasing the more traditional and door to door form with the larger cast.

[kyseya]

Once upon a time

‘Prince’ Yandere x reader

Imagine a reader in modern day society. She lives in a normal little town, went to your average school, lives in a normal house and has your everyday friendly neighbours. Like I said, her life is nothing out of the ordinary.

She feels lucky to have so many kind people in her life. Everyone knows everyone and isn’t afraid of lending a helping hand whenever someone is in trouble. The town is on the smaller side but very cozy. They have their own traditions like the annual Christmas market or the summer fundraiser. Nice stuff like that.

Everything is simply perfect! Or…well it would be if not for one tiny detail.

Unfortunately there’s one guy who just can’t seem to take a hint. Reader feels kinda mean thinking of him as a stain on the idyllic life she’s built. She doesn’t understand why he can’t take a ‘no’ for an answer. Everyday this hunk of a man walks right into her workplace like he owns the place and demands reader’s attention. With the way he’s acting you would think he’s dying and reader’s attention is the one and only cure.

It’s not like he’s ugly or anything, but a guy who doesn’t listen is just a 🚩

That’s not even the worst part. Another big issue is his…delusions.

Like, one time when reader was walking home she decided to stop by the market square since she needed some groceries. And guess who was in the middle of the square, somehow managed to climb onto the water fountain and proudly shouting at the top of his lungs? Part of reader’s soul disintegrated that day. What in the world was he doing!? He didn’t seem to be embarrassed either. No, with his nose pointed upwards he said he was going to reveal a big secret about the whole town. Silence filled he air, everyone was curious about what he was about to say.

What was this secret? Had someone committed a grave crime and was about to be exposed? Thoughts like that circled in everyone’s mind. Their imagination came to life and dreamt up various scenarios to what the deal was. People anticipated something foul, raw and sinful only to be met with grave disappointment.

You see, the man had suddenly declared himself as royalty in front of an entire audience. He claimed that the whole town was under a spell and had forgotten about their origins; being fairytale characters. And right now, only he was able to remember the truth. Alright, what the hell? That was ridiculous. What made it worse was the fact that he appointed himself as the towns prince and leader. Yikes. He said most- if not all- of the citizens where peasants and therefore his subjects. That’s why the had to listen to him from now on.

Reader wanted to peel off her skin and scream in that moment. The secondhand embarrassment was too much.

Bringing down shame upon yourself and your ancestors was one thing, but did he have to drag reader into it?? He claimed she was also royalty and should be treated with outmost respect. Why? Because he’s her husband! Of course his spouse need the 5-star treatment as well.

After the painful incident he’s always stopped by her workplace to talk her ear off. No matter what she said or did(or how much others complained) he never left. At least not permanently. In rare instances he did go with a downcast expression but he’d always be back full force the next day.

The man tells reader about the wonderful life they were going to have. If only the curse wouldn’t have been placed and they’d all been transported to the world they currently live in. It pains him so to know she’s forgotten all about him and the great love they shared. But it’ll be alright. After all, they found each other again and he refuses to let go.

Reader only half listens(he will throw a tantrum if he realises she’s not paying attention to him) as he drones on about how they first met in the forest. Of course he found her by hearing a wonderful song travel through the woods, he followed it all the way to her. They danced together and met every sundown from then on. It was so romantic. It’s impossible not to roll your eyes at the cliche imagery, it’s just so corny.

Yandere ‘prince’ also demands reader to refer to him by his royal, ‘real’ name. It’s not his real one, it’s something else. Everyone knows that- except him, apparently, since he refuses to respond to it. If you do use it, he’ll ignore you and pretend you didn’t speak at all. It’s very tiring, more so since he tries to enforce this delusion onto reader. He also won’t use her actual name and instead settles for this medieval one. Apart from that, he calls her ‘love,’ ‘darling’, ‘my heart’ and other cutesy nicknames that are far from appreciated.

It doesn’t matter what reader says, he won’t stop.

He insists he wants to be her saviour again. Sadly for him there is nothing to protect you from except the occasional spider that makes its way inside your house.

‘Well, it’s better than nothing.’ He would say before smacking and tossing it out.

He is willing to do anything for his lover. And that really does means anything. Nothing is off the table. It wasn’t before and it definitively isn’t now simply because of some lame curse. It can’t keep him form his soulmate.

He was your prince before, he’ll show you that he still is.

———————————

[This is kinda based of Once Upon A Time, though it’s been ages since I watched it. ]

[picturejasper20]

Danny Phantom compilation fan animatic list

Based on this post i saw, i thought about doing one for Danny Phantom fandom animatics i have seen around.

Rider's Lullaby by Cap'n Ney Idea: Based on Krossan's AU of Dan Phantom. In the animatic Jazz helps Dan reminding him of who he used to be and how he turned into Dan/Dark Danny. Song is from Centaurworld series

Nothing Left To Lose || Danny Phantom Animatic by Kadziduo (youtube) Idea: Valerie tries to get her revenge on Vlad for manipulating her but Danny tries warning her before she takes it too far and/or gets hurt in the process. The song is from Tangled the Series

Still Feel animatic by Hoodedjelly (Also on tumblr) Idea: It is based on when Danny transformed into a half ghost by stepping into the Ghost Portal and what he saw/felt during that moment. Song by Half Alive

Holy Ghost by Orphe Idea: AU where Danny dies from the portal accident and becomes a full ghost instead of becoming a half ghost-half human like in the series. Song by Modern Baseball

Deepo Phantom by D-Feng Idea: Danny sings a song and tries to befriend Sidney (?) The song is from Deepo movie and was sang by Danny's voice actor.

To be a Ghost King by Kadziduo Idea: Ghost King AU, Clockwork teaches Danny how to be a Ghost King. Song from Barbie Princess Popstar movie

Ghost Meme by Amethyst Ocean Idea: AU where Danny goes missing after the portal accident and Sam goes looking for him. Song by Confetti

You are my daad meme by Saffee Bear Idea: The meme of ¨you are my dad¨ with Danny having Spiderman and Deadpool as his dads

Horse loose in a hospital by Dots Idea: Based on the original audio using Vlad being elected as mayor from Amity Park and not having idea what he is doing.

What does Clockwork do in his free time animatic by auraphantom Idea: A shitpost animatic of what Clockwork does when he has free time

The Ghost Portal Incident animatic by theAxolotlKween Idea: A shitpost about how Danny turned into a half ghost because of the portal incident

Danny hates Christmas by Tumbling Darkling Idea: Different animations with audios that show Danny hating christmas

Vlad Masters' Gamerpad [RTFD x Danny Phantom] by Spooky Ghostpeppers (Also in tumblr as GhostPeppers and ghoulishautism) Idea: Vlad talking to Danielle about his past with the ¨gamer¨ speech meme. Audio from Sonic the Hedgehog Real Time dub

Monster by Soni Dragon Idea: Scenario where Dark Pariah returns and takes over Amity Park, Danny's house is destroyed and Danny blames himself for what happened. Song from Frozen musican and over by Alex Jemphrey

Prom Dress meme | Vlad Masters ( young ) by Bege Tege Idea: It explores Vlad's past, his time in the hospital and how he first turned into Plasmius. Song by Mxmtoon

Mr.Sunfish by Muku GC Idea: It takes place post Phantom Planet. It shows Vlad regretting the way he took Jack's friendship for granted and checking how Jack has been doing (while he remains invisible). Song by YonKaGor

DP AU Clockwork's Apprentice by EP阿佑 (Also here on tumblr) Idea: AU where Danny gets adopted by Clockwork instead of Vlad after the Nasty Burger TUE explosion. Some time passes and Danny finds out about the timeline he turned into Dark Danny. He tries changing the outcome in spite of Clockwork's warning. Audio is from Haoliners and LAN Studio

DP Phantasy AU - Pitchfork Kids animatic by KC Idea: Danny Phantom fantasy AU that reimagines the events of Reign Storm episode. Song by AJR

Danny Phantom Warriors Cat AU-Crystals by Tumbling Darkling Idea: DP Warriors Cats AU, the animation seemed to be part of a bigger project. Song by Monsters and Men

[distant--shadow]

Author’s notes - the witch and the widow chapter 5

Ayo, here’s another round of these caus I’ve gotta indulge myself.

Same as last time there’s some way juicier things this chapter I’d ideally by noting on, but I’ll leave them til they’re made a bit more explicit.

So to start off we got something sentimental and fun:

In amongst all of the metal is a porcelain black bird, back straight and beak open to the sky.

‘You can’t take that, that’s one of the Lady’s favourites. Do you know what it is for?’

‘For looking pretty?’

‘It does more than look pretty; if you give it back to me I can show you, we can make something lovely together.’

This guy is one of these guys, from the search engine it seems a lot of these say made in england but IDK how further afield they got. Surprise surprise this is some mother complex thing I guess, she has a couple of these and I have a lot of memories of her putting them in her various pies she baked when I was growing up. I really like my nik-naks and goobies and just general bric-a-brac and I’ve always thought these little guys are so cool, and bonus points caus the Eurasian blackbird is one of my favourite birds. In the fic I made it so that this guy not only lets off steam, but acts as a whistle of sorts and imitates bird song as the pie is cooking.

I think the contraption itself is in reference to an old nursery rhyme, which my mum would also sing when she’d be dishing out the pies.

Sing a song of sixpence, A pocket full of rye, Four and twenty blackbirds Baked in a pie.

When the pie was opened The birds began to sing— Wasn't that a dainty dish To set before the king?

The king was in the counting-house Counting out his money, The queen was in the parlour Eating bread and honey,

The maid was in the garden Hanging out the clothes. Along came a blackbird And snipped off her nose.

This little youtube video has some interesting theories on the possible origins of the rhyme

“…saying to put someone's nose out of joint conveys the idea of offending or upsetting someone; often by acquiring something they desired for themselves. this idiom was first documented back in 1581 (…)”

All just fits pretty well, dunnit? Is the Lady jealous of the made? Either way, I think Laudna would be a fan of ceramic pie blackbirds.

“Indeed, those are dahlias, I grow them myself.”

Imogen likes how the new word sits on the Lady’s tongue, so close to darling but transmuted into name, like the numerals she planted as flowers around the sundial statue. If Imogen had not carried a briared rose in the same manner of magix maybe she would believe it was the bedside flower that gave her such power. 

“They’re really pretty.”

They are, how their dense arrangement of petals are so flawless they look as though constructed by formula, a stone carved garden stair ornament balustrading a descent onto grand grounds, chiselled according to chalk-stringed-marking and papered calculation, an armoury of plate metal pierced into a crimson-pollened baron-

She remembers the silk touch of the delicate petal under the skin of her bare thumb.

More visual notes here on the variety of dahlia I was thinking of, and its colour, and also here are some ornamental outdoor steps that I was inspired by in terms of imagining architectural details that could have in turn been inspired by a similar flower.

Whilst we’re there, here’s a pomander:

“A pomander, from French pomme d'ambre, i.e., apple of amber, is a ball made for perfumes, such as ambergris (hence the name), musk, or civet. The pomander was worn or carried in a case as a protection against infection in times of pestilence or merely as a useful article to modify bad smells.”

and that orange speared with cloves from chapter 4 (we used to get handed these at church during Christmas, and do a similar thing but with an onion when making bread sauce) i think the tops of cloves make for nic little pommel details of heads of maces and blades various that are sunken in:

“One modern style of pomander is made by studding an orange or other fruit with whole dried cloves and letting it cure dry, after which it may last many, many years. This modern pomander serves the functions of perfuming and freshening the air and also of keeping drawers of clothing and linens fresh, pleasant-smelling, and moth-free.”

Shout outs to both of these being from the same wiki page, I actually didn’t know those oranges were called pomanders too, and I’d learnt the French perfume one from a Picture’s fic (read it):

“Imogen licks her teeth, reveals a violet petal plastered over incisor that she shortly removes with a blade-of-dry-grass toothpick, re-places the petal on the flat of her tongue, rolling it around her mouth and swallowing it.

Laudna stares.

"You like the flowers?" she finds herself leaning towards Imogen. Wants to tell her that for years this one was her perfume - pomanders adorned and concealed in tattered layers.

“They’re purple, ‘course I do.” she giggles, resting sat cross-legged with her weight behind her on her palms. Her head rolls towards Laudna, leaves their foreheads almost resting against one another, Laudna able to count each individual eyelash.

Purple, like the deep undertones of her hair. That much Laudna was very aware of.

“I should have guessed that that would be what caught your attention.” She brings her hand up and wraps her bony index finger in a ringlet of Imogen's curls.

“More like your magic, I was thinkin’…” She drawls, tenor lowered and breathy.

“And the taste?”

Imogen visibly swallows, cheeks flushing a further tint than what the sun has already given - it makes Laudna feel overly aware of the networking of her own heart and veins.”

(sorry im a fanboy idk how 2 not get carried away)

Here’s one for the lols. A genuine old phrase for going down on someone with a clit:

“So now you know at least two things-” the Lady meticulously arranges her skirt’s pleats, perched on the edge of the lip of stone pedestalling the statue, unable to sit fully thanks to her outfitting, also unable to sit on her hands, and Imogen really notices now how much she talks with them. “-add to that a wealth on horses so that makes at least three, and you must know yourself, somewhat-”

“Often that’s what I feel like I know the least about.”

“Well, we know you’re partial to diving for pearls…”

We love a witty Laudna. I did have a source for this at some point but you can just search engine it if youre that much of a nerd.

The statue Imogen and Laudna sit under (and Angharad and Imogen fucked against lol) is this one here:

It’s at one of my very favourite places (and in a serendipitous way has followed me), and also its sculptor was around 1790-1866 so it lines up story timing wise, just maybe let’s say this one statue is less aged than the others idk lol seeing as the estate and all of that is definitely not a new build. Also picturing it being marble instead of bronze, and of course on a hip-ish level plynth near the wall.

This causes Imogen to throw her head back with a laugh, bumping it on the elbow of the statue behind them. She attempts to play it off as she stands, rubbing her skull as her other hand falls to her hip as she stands opposite the Lady, slightly taller than her as she sits.

“I think ya might be havin’ trouble tellin’ me apart from the horses, I don’t share their paddocks like that.”

“Only their porridge. How was your trip to Fairfield?”

She acknowledges Imogen massaging her head, settling her chin on her closed fist with a smirk.

“If it pains you so much to recall you do not have to, I shall make note to send someone else in the future-”

“That won’t be necessary, m’lady-���

“You can call me Laudna.”

“Ms. Laudna-”

The Lady - sorry, Ms Laudna, lowers her hand so it can speak again, shakes her head with a smile.

A little note here is that in the first 2 chapters Imogen was referring to the Lady as The Lady Bradbury fairly often, and after that she has taken to just calling her the Lady, whether that’s formalities or Imogen separating Laudna from the family she married into you decide lol, and I am just taken by the idea of bein’ a good polite country girl and still ma’am'ing and Ms’ing Laudna for a while even when Laudna's asking for her to drop the formalities (hm maybe forgetting class aint that simple, or maybe she respects and fears her too).

some pretty surface level notes for now, im gonna be so wanky in these posts when we're further in (sorry not sorry) enjoy xoxo

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

E Rated Fics Masterlist (35)

Part 1- Part 25 / Part 26 / Part 27 / Part 28 / Part 29 / Part 30 / Part 31 / Part 32 / Part 33 / Part 34 / 

Created: March 17th, 2024

Last Checked:-----

Of Course - An Elevator Tale Demona424 (ao3)  Summary: Katniss Everdeen dislikes Peeta Mellark with a burning intensity. But it's not her fault! Ever since she started working at Panem Advertising Agency he's treated her like some sort of leper. And of course on one of her worst days ever she gets trapped with him in an elevator. She can't help but think somebody up there hates her. Our Time-ashyblondwaves (ao3)  Summary: My original story for Prompts in Panem's modern day Everlark challenge: Baby Boomers Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen meet each other on an online dating website. Pas de Deux-dispatchesfromdistrict7 (ao3)  Summary: AU. Katniss and Peeta, two principal dancers at the Panem Ballet Company, must honestly communicate in order to address a newly arisen trust issue affecting their performance.  Pity Party-Demona424 (ao3)  Summary: Katniss never expected to be in a bar on Christmas Eve drowning her sorrows surrounded by people dressed in Santa outfits but she also never expected her ex-husband to cheat on her with her best friend. She also won't ever expect what the night will bring when Peeta Mellark sits next to her with his own sorrows to drown. Pity parties are the best with some company. Play My Way-HGfanonezillion (ao3)  Summary: Katniss discovered a way to take back a lot of the control she feels she loses with her chronic pain by controlling men for pay. But she is ready to have a more meaningful relationship by tying up the same man every day. Play That Song-Broken_everlark (ao3)  Summary: I really wanted to make a one shot collection based off songs. So for my first post on Ao3 here is my one shot collection. (Mostly based off songs but if I have inspiration for a oneshot it'll be posted here.) I will credit the song artists in every chapter, don't worry. Pound of Flesh-bathsheba78 (ao3)  Summary: My body sings for him, longs for him, like a lover for her beloved, like a flagellant for the lash. Prayers Answered-Alliswell (ao3)  Summary: "Lord almighty in heaven, please show me the plan you have for my life... may I be a bright light in the darkness, a blessing upon another soul. Show me what plan there is for me," Was the nightly prayer of a boy who survived the Mayflower voyage to the new world, he waited patiently for and answer, until the first harvest Plymouth Colony celebrated in the new land, when God showed him a girl, as broken and alone as he was, in need of a defender and a helping hand. Loosely based on Historical accounts citing the voyage of the Mayflower and the pilgrims of Plymouth Colony. Private Dancer-angylinni (ao3)  Summary: Peeta Mellark lives a lonely life. Every night he comes to the Capitol to find solace in the only way he knows how. Katniss Everdeen is a girl trying to get her life back on track. She can't afford any complications but he can't walk away from the one person that makes him feel alive. What happens next will change them both.... Reviving Romance-DandelionSunset (ao3)  Summary: Valentine's Day is around the corner and no one hates it more than Katniss Everdeen. She keeps receiving messages from a supposed secret admirer, who she's positive is a nonexistent, horrible practical joke. Worse yet, she finds herself falling for her archery student and fellow classmate, Peeta Mellark, who is shy, sweet, sensitive, sexy... and assumably gay.

[cartoon-buffoon]

I'm bored and sleep deprived again so I got some headcanons about the silly cartoon cat that is Ortensia and her relationship with her father and Ozzie I wanna share. First off her father's and likewise her full name is canonized in the modern age with their appearance in a comic where her father is named "J.P. Whiskers" as seen on the mailbox.

This would make Ortensia's name obviously Ortensia Whiskers, however because I find it funny I'd like to imagine she also has her father's middle name as her middle name. Now with J.P.s middle initial being P his middle name could be anything, yet considering they're cats I just headcanon the P standing for "puss" as that's a term used affectionately for cats. This would make J.P.'s name J. Puss Whiskers and likewise Ortensia's name Ortensia Puss Whiskers which I feel like is a name stupid enough to be believable for a cartoon character.

Next up because of the comic and the original cartoon we also know that J.P. does NOT approve of Ortensia and Oswald's relationship and actively hates him. We can see this in Ortensia's first ever appearance in "The Banker's Daughter" where he is said banker and Ortensia being the said daughter. This cartoon is sadly lost to time but Some storyboards exist with this being the big one:

The plot is also listed on the Disney Wikipedia so we thankfully know what the cartoon would entail.

From this we learn about Ortensia's (who was at the time named Sadie) father is rich and owns a bank where his wealth presumably comes from. Ortensia coming from wealth is also cemented in the aforementioned comic where the entire plot is J.P. Whiskers having a Christmas dinner for the wealthy and he wants to keep the poor (aka Oswald and his best friend) out. Now Ortensia coming from wealth is interesting as I remember watching the Disney Fandaze parade thing and in Ortensia's song there's this line demonstrating her and Oswald's lack of funds.

With this lyric I personally head canon J.P. cutting Ortensia off and not supporting her financially after marrying Oswald. He shows a clear distaste for Ozzie and I feel like he only lets Ortensia see him in the first place is because of the little rabbit's heroism although still ultimately hates him. This makes Oswald's and Ortensia's relationship even sweeter with the idea that Ortensia knowingly decided she didn't need money to be happy, all she needed was Ozzie and she's content with that. It also makes Oswald even sweeter as I imagine him doing his best in order to impress the in-laws because he wants to prove he can be a great husband to Ortensia.

Overall I think it's really sweet the bond these two have and despite everything they only need each other to be happy. Also I don't think Ortensia and her dad have a bad relationship either. I feel like J.P.'s dislike for Oswald comes from over protectiveness and he thinks Oswald is just trying to marry into the family for the money. I feel like his feelings would shift over time and after the two give him grandchildren he'd realize the love Oswald has isn't shallow. I don't think J.P. would ever like Ozzie yet after seeing Oswald willingly be a dad to 420 kids he'd see the obvious and know Oswald has no ulterior motive other than wanting to be a great husband and dad.

[alphaofdarkness]

🧠, 🖼, 🍪, and 💿 for Sabezra Secret Santa?

Thank you so much for the ask @supersaiyanjedi14 ! 😍

🧠 Any favorite sabezra headcanons

I answered the first two here!

Two more headcanons:

3. Both Ezra and Sabine have their fair share of scars all around their bodies and they definitely share soft and tender kisses over them ✨💜 I am a feral maams over scar kisses, a constant reminder to one another that they are still beautiful and deserving of so much love regardless of how many mark their skin, marks that tell a story of how they have survived so much and are alive 🥺. Sabine loves Ezra’s cheeks scars and often kisses them softly and strokes them gently when she cups his cheek.

Same goes for Ezra on Sabine and the scars on her, gently kissing her lightsaber wound or the many received during their missions as teens with the Ghost. They also kiss some of the wounds inflicted during their individual rough times, such as after Malachor for Ezra or after Sabine was shunned by her family for building the Duchess.

If there is one detail I love adding on Ezra and Sabine is silvery, healed scars 💜🧡 still beautiful people who have made it after so much pain and are alive and loving each other’s beautiful imperfections 🥹

4. They both suffer from insomnia, Sabine more so than Ezra, especially after all her continued losses. Ezra definitely had it bad after Malachor, perhaps even when his parents were taken away, he had his fair share of sleepless nights due to nightmares and basically feeding and maintaining himself to survive. The first time he slept comfortably again was after a few days with the Ghost crew. Same for Sabine when she joined, I can’t imagine how many sleepless night they may have gone through trying to survive on their own, especially with Sabine after being left behind by Ketsu.

After Malachor, I know Ezra had it worse especially with having the holocron in his space for so long and I’m sure he had many sleepless nights evading Thrawn and the bandits and the witches while on Peridea 😭. Sabine definitely had her sleepless nights build up again, especially with losing Ezra and Kanan within the same time frame, it must have left her with anguish and restless nights (especially knowing how he left the second holo for her to have and apologize for leaving, reassuring her, fully aware of her abandonment issues). Many more sleepless nights after losing her whole Clan and then basically being ‘abandoned’ by Ahsoka, like mi vida 😞

As shown in this short animation gif I made last year, even after reuniting with Ezra, she doesn’t immediately fall asleep, fearing that he maybe a dream and disappear again. But he wakes up, reassuring her that he is real and won’t be leaving her alone again. They have each other, they can rest easily now😴.

(and they will fully and surely again when they reunite a second time! 😤 I believe and am confident about it 🙏🏼!)

🖼 Favorite sabezra work someone else has made?

🥹👉🏼👈🏼 I really love both @kazoosandfannypacks last sabezraweek2024 prompt art she made with Sabine and Jacen and @tarisilmarwen’s spooky, Halloween-themed sabezra art too for sabezraweek2024

I sobbed over some fanfics last year with Sabine and Jacen and him asking about Ezra and if she loved him, the art by Kazzy just added a visual to some of those other fanfics and I cry 😭.

And I just love modern!aus too with sabezra, I wish there was more; just the two beans being normal teens and being besties and having soft silly feelings for each other make scream ah! I just love Tari’s Halloween art and the fic that comes with it! 🥹💜

Every sabezra artists (videos, gifs, graphic edits) y'all are incredible and talented!

🍪 Favorite kind of Christmas cookie!

Answered here!

💿 Favorite Christmas song(s)?

Hmm, in thinking about it, I remembered that I really like “White Winter Hymnal” by Pentatonix; I can’t recall where I heard it originally, it may have been a Warrior Cats Multi Animator Project. Also in relistening to it yesterday, i remembered “omg I was trying to make an animation with my og wolf warriors with the song !” 😭 and I never finished it! But also made an ‘spooky’ edit with a particular part of the lyrics because like—

“And I turned 'round and there you go / And Michael, you would fall and turn the white snow red / As strawberries in the summertime”

… maybe I am looking into it too much, but like perdón?!!?? 😭 the lyric just feels so off compared to the upbeat and cheer that is the song, pero anyways, I really should finish that animation, or at least putting together the missing frames with the thumbnail frames 🥹👉🏼👈🏼

I also like “Mary Did You Know” by Pentatonix too, I’ve listened to that song and I just love how I am able to fit my wolf warrior ocs into the song too, I think I made some sketch draws with my Digimon College Au with it. Again, heard the song because of a Warrior Cats Multi Animator Project, again y’all should check those animations out like people are so talented ✨💜

Thank you so much for the asks! I had a lot of fun writing these out! 🥰💜🧡

[from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras]

Thank you for decorating my Christmas Tree! :)

Here are 12 Christmas Questions for you! 

No pressure: feel free to answer some, all, or even none. :) 

Favorite Christmas season activity?

Favorite Traditional Christmas song?

Favorite Modern Christmas song?

Favorite Christmas movie(s)?

Favorite Christmas episode (any tv show)?

Favorite food to eat or serve for the Christmas meal?

Favorite Christmas beverage or dessert? 

Most memorable Christmas gift you received as a child?

Best Christmas gift you ever gave to anyone?

If you have a Christmas tree, what’s your tree topper?

What’s your favorite version of Santa in a movie?

Which fictional character would you like to be caught under the mistletoe with?

Aw, thanks! I was glad to decorate your tree, since I’m glad to be your friend!

It hasn’t been feeling particularly Christmas-y over here this year, so hopefully this will help me get into the mood! I just picked a few:

1. My mom and sister and I bake cookies together every Christmas Eve. It’s lovely.

5. Original recipe animated Grinch for me, please. The songs are bangers and I still get choked up when his heart grows three sizes.

9. When Cameo was still a totally brand new thing, I bought my husband a video from one of his most beloved childhood actors and he had NO IDEA how I managed to pull that off and was SO THRILLED.

10. We haven’t put our tree up this year, but the topper is a crab. (He does look festive though.) (I’m from Maryland and this isn’t as weird here as it probably sounds.)

Happy holidays to you and your whole family! ♥️

[burningthrucelluloid]

Christmas Carol-cember, Day 14

From muppets to ponies to lost television media, it seems A Christmas Carol fits very well into the musical genre. But obviously, a great musical is only as good as the songwriters providing the songs.

So when the writing/directing duo behind “Daddy’s Home 1 & 2,” “Hot Tub Time Machine,” and “We’re The Millers” signed a deal with Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds and got Apple to pony up $75 million in the bidding war, they needed songwriters who could make some bangers for their holiday musical comedy.

Enter the hottest songwriting darlings of musical theatre: Benj Patel and Justin Paul. Two guys who met at the University of Michigan with a love of musicals so strong, they wrote their own called “Edges" while completing their Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in musical theatre. But their true accomplishment was the 2015 musical “Dear Evan Hansen” that shot them into the stratosphere of success after they won the Tony for Best Musical and Best Original Score and later won a Grammy just as Hollywood came a-knocking. They made a splash with writing the songs to 2016’s “La La Land” that earned them an Oscar win for Best Original Song before they truly became Hollywood darlings with 2017’s super hit “The Greatest Showman.” They also won a Emmy for writing songs for the Hulu show “Only Murders in the Building,” making them the newest editions to the EGOT crowd.

Naturally, when you can get these guys to write your musical, you’ve got a guaranteed success.

Right?

In the modern day, the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Sunita Mani), Present (Will Ferrell) and Yet To Come (voiced by Tracy Morgan but played by NBA star Loren G Woods) still perform the annual duty of picking out a miserly human every Christmas Eve and force them to change their ways for the betterment of mankind.

They celebrate every converted human with an elaborate music number.

And before you ask, yes, they openly acknowledge it’s weird but never explain why they do it other than “just cause."

Although the Ghost of the Present is eligible for retirement, he refuses to step down until he finds that one human he can change who will have a meaningful impact on the world. Enter Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds), a selfish media consultant who will do and say anything to stir the pot as well as get ahead in his career, even going so far as to tell his niece to post an unflattering video of her opponent to win class president, much to the displeasure of his Executive Vice President Kimberly (Octavia Spencer).

Realizing this guy is just what he’s looking for, he makes the pitch to his boss, Jacob Marley (Patrick Page), but is warned that Briggs is “Unredeemable.” Unwavering, the ghosts prepare to haunt Briggs, only to learn that Briggs is not too hip to just follow the traditional story beats and finds that it might not be just him that needs to make a change, forcing the Ghost of the Present to reflect on what he really wants...

All done with music numbers that the characters keep recognizing is weird that they do them.

Hope you liked that joke cause they will beat it into your head that it’s weird for there to be music numbers in a musical.

But only for the sequences with the ghosts as they establish the songs are happening within the world of the movie, whereas the music numbers amongst the living are happening inside their minds or as a metaphorical speech given at a convention.

At least I thought that was the idea until Octavia Spencer attempts a reprise of her own song near the film’s end until Ryan Reynolds cuts her off.

Taking a moment to step back let’s drop some film theory to give you an understand why this running joke bothers me so.

In the medium of film or television, there are two modes of sound that connect to the implementation of music or sound effects.

Diagetic Sound is sound that occurs within the world of the story and we can see its source. Whether it’s a baby crying, a car driving past, a conversation between two people or a vinyl record set on a record player, the sound we hear is the same sound the characters in the narrative hear.

Non-Diagetic Sound is sound that is not happening inside the world of the story. This is usually narration but it's most commonly film scores as not everyone can hear the swelling of music happening around them unless directly shown to be, such as the Walkman music from “Guardians of the Galaxy."

Musicals are a tricky act because it’s not so simple to explain whether they are one or the other. For the most part, it’s widely accepted that songs in musicals are non-diagetic. An inner monologue given out in song that represents what the characters are feeling or meant to serve a symbolic gesture behind their actions or words.

Take “Popular” from Wicked. While Galinda is having this conversation with Elphaba about giving her a makeover, we the audience can see her singing, the musical imparts the suggestion that the singing is an internal gesture that is made manifest in song for the audience to hear. The lyrics are a metaphor for the situation and the song is Galindo's internal thoughts.

Of course that’s not to say songs can’t be diagetic in a musical.

“Million Dollar Quartet” specifically makes it clear the songs performed do come from the cast as they are performing their songs within a recording studio. The songs serve both a symbolic gesture while clearly being connected to the world within the musical.

“Spirited” is trying to have it’s cake and eat it too by employing both modes to suggest the music numbers are diagetic and non-diagetic, but it seems to be at odds with itself.

It tries to play itself as funny by poking fun of itself for being a musical….while indulging in elaborate music numbers with complex choreography, colorful set pieces and big bombastic songs that feel right at home on a Broadway stage.

It’s funny once when the movie opens with a music number and a random intern openly asks why everyone is singing before he is told it's just what they do. Ryan Reynolds interrupts music numbers or makes snarky comments how he could perform an elaborate dance number, even one music number that was cut for time plays over the end credits when the joke for that scene was Marley giving Present what he wanted to avoid a music number.

Even during an emotional ballad from Will Ferrell where that same intern from the beginning whispers “What the heck is going on?” It just takes me out of the musical and whatever feeling they want out of me as it slams to a halt.

Contrast that with “Spamalot” where the songs remind you that this is a musical, skewering itself relentlessly but never losing its identity. Such as the number “The Song That Goes Like This,” where Lancelot and the Lady of the Lake perform this duet together, all while calling out the cliche of that kind of musical number in the lyrics or pointing out their own shortcomings to hit specific keys.

It’s the anti-musical musical that still has enough respect for its audience even when it’s taking the piss out of them.

The sad thing is, all that was me speaking to what I got the most worked up about this film.

Because it’s not completely bad, there’s plenty here that’s worth giving a glowing recommendation that I was enjoying.

Ryan Reynolds still remains his usual smart-mouth self that has boosted his career since “Deadpool” but he shows impressive range as a singer (even if there were a few moments I could have sworn I heard auto-tune alteration yet on the soundtrack, there is no alteration) as well as his physicality for the complex choreography created by Emmy-nominated Chlo�� Arnold and her team, Ava Bernstine-Mitchell and Martha Nichols. Coupling that was Will Ferrell, clearly having understood the assignment as he too shows some impressive dance moves and singing that feels like it comes from the heart, even if some of his humor is still screaming loudly. But he balances that screaming at the top of his lungs with pathos and a well timed retort bouncing off of Ryan Reynolds humor.

What’s more, their chemistry actually works. Even when the ghosts are going through the motions of showing Briggs his past, Present sees Briggs is deeply uncomfortable having to face a traumatic moment and supports him while Briggs recognizes Present's desire to experience the world again and helps him to step out of his shell when he recognizes a connection between him and Kimberly.

And they sell it! That bromance feels genuine and if the songs weren’t part of the film, their chemistry would still carry the movie.

As for the songs themselves, they’re really good. So good it’s why I’m annoyed every time the film keeps calling itself out on them.

One main reason why Pasek and Paul are great songwriters is because they know the conventions of musical theatre and are very familiar with what appeals to people. “That Christmas Morning Feeling” is the kind of big flashy modern musical number that gets people to cheer in the cheap seats and usually shows up on Good Morning America. “Bringin’ Back Christmas” is the kind of jazzy dance number that would have been right at home in the big brass and swing musicals like Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes.” “Good Afternoon,” while on the crass side, you get the feeling the two took a lot of inspiration from the playful bounciness of the Sherman Brothers.

The songs are the highlight, even if one or two of them overstay their welcome (“Unredeemable” did that for me, as well as “Do A Little Good” though by then, I just wanted the movie to be over with). But they’re very strong and hold on their own, which is why I find it so frustrating the script has to come off as “witty” to interrupt itself with snide comments about its own songs.

I really dug the overarching modern themes of cancel culture and the online trigger outrage that is rampant and often exploited by companies for profit. Even the whole concept of the Ghosts expecting to scare people into forcing a change is taken into an interesting place as Briggs says that people don’t really change overnight, but it takes real time and effort for people to make that choice to stop being an ass. Heck, it’s not even seeing a vision of his future that really forces a change from him, he outright says that “sure, I’m gonna feel bad for a few days but then I’m gonna get over it. That’s my job.” What forces a change is the bond he builds with the Ghost of Christmas Present and his willingness to be there for him when he recognizes it’s too much.

It’s a genuinely compelling argument without dissing on Charles Dickens but making a modern point in personal growth. Changing yourself takes work, but it helps to have people to support you.

I liked that. It’s not necessarily an open embrace of Dickens nor does it reinvent the wheel, but in this age of post-irony, it clearly has put thought into itself.

Moments like that clearly show there was an effort to insert sincerity into the script. I just keep being pulled out of the narrative every time they do a music number and call attention to how odd the musical cliches are.

As I said above, a musical lives within its own logic. If your narrative is to acknowledge it and move on, fine. "Rocko's Modern World" made that joke and it's funny every time I see that gag.

But this film keeps calling attention to that cliche and it gets tiring, especially when Will Ferrell does this emotional ballad that showcases superb camerawork and choreography with people holding lights and creating patterns with it…only to be offset by some dude watching who interrupts the song with a snide comment.

I didn’t outright loathe “Spirited,” but by the time the movie was over, I was so annoyed with it, I wanted it to be done and over with so I could move on. Which is a shame because there is plenty here that is worth watching. The cast do a fantastic job, especially Ryan Reynolds who clearly knows how to build rapport with his co-stars whether they are Will Ferrell or Hugh Jackman, the songs stand on their own and are infectious ear worms.

But with a sense of self-aware snark that grinds against the sincerity the film is trying to present, it just comes off as irritatingly hollow at the wrong times. Like driving in a fancy car with superb sound quality and smooth driving but every time you hit the brakes, there’s this awful screeching sound coming from the bottom front of the car that you worry might snap the brake lines and send it careening off.

But if you’re not bothered? Hey, I say go for it, just make sure you’re not going over 50 when you do so.

“Spirited” is available for streaming on Apple TV+

Next week, we’re going to focus on a different theme; whether the story still holds weight even when the characters are aware of Charles Dickens and the cliches.

For that? I think I might call a Doctor...

[verdemoun]

REDISCOVERING HOW HOBBIES WORK 100 YEARS LATER GOTTA BE FUN

Arthur and art supplies that have become much more accessible and common!!! SOMEONE DEFINITELY GOT HIM ONE OF THOSE ART KITS FOR KIDS AND HE NEARLY CRIED WHEN THE MARKERS DIDN'T WORK UNTIL BESSIE, BLESS HER HEART, INFORMED HIM HE HAS TO PUT WATER IN THEM. You can't convince me that didn't happen xoxo

Javier and his guitar. The availability of different equipment in modern era. Straps, picks, RAINBOW STRINGS (proud owner of rainbow "training" strings here. i absolutely love them). ELECTRIC GUITARS. Even if he wouldn't like them a lot, he'd still marvel at how far guitars have come. That Hatsune Miku amp/effect unit/whatever that was i don't remember tbh. It ends up either with him or with Isaac.

Knitting!!!! Crocheting!!!! Someone definitely takes that up as a hobby!!!!!! and then cries at the cost of yarn. Curse of the love sweater is a thing they fear.

Gardening not for survival, but for fun. Like yeah we've talked abt plants before but definitely someone noticed those weird ass sets with small pots and different seeds in some dollar store. Someone definitely got it. For themselves or the kids.

That shit has to be healing for the soul you can't tell me otherwise my dear friend you cannot.

i love arthur and modern crafts. yes he bought a kiddy craft kit when he first timewarped because the concept of spending money on hobbies was new. but more than that - he never had the chance to explore mediums. bessie immediately offered to pay for decent watercolors and fancy markers and colored pencils but he insisted on the cheapest option and then was upset (which came across as aggressively frustrated) when they didn't work. bessie explained very softly about the markers being dipped in water and adored how much he still lit up like he was a kid when they started working

arthur even a decade into timewarp gets very flustered over people actually spending money to encourage his hobbies and interests at christmas (which is a gift-giving holiday he can't avoid, unlike his birthday). he gets very emotional over giving given expensive pencils because the idea of people 'wasting' money to encourage his creative pursuits still effects him

both bessie and hosea will frame the few drawings he gives them and hang them in their house. while he prefers drawing from life, he has drawn horseshoe overlook from memory and hosea can be caught staring at it nostalgically

javier tried an electric guitar for all of ten minutes before going no thank you.

he has 4 different guitars because he was a little addicted to the fact acoustic guitars could come in so many different woods and also patterns in modern era. rainbow string, straps, and stickers definitely, because a guitar was actually affordable and no longer a prized possession (on bessie's dime, they're all secondhand)

he has one is acoustic/electric hybrid that he only brings out when isaac is begging for a jam session, because isaac also knows guitar and is obsessed with electric for recording

he does admittedly love playing with music software. is garageband still a thing? sometimes he will plug in his one hybrid guitar and add his own bass and drum to hear an actual full song of one of his more original pieces

susan grimshaw is the first to try crochet and everyone has at least one crocheted animal in their house. karen, charles and kieran are all knitters. karen maintained the habit from canon era and always knits maeve a sweater before winter. kieran learned it because repetitive and a hell of a lot cheaper than his other hobbies, he uses the cheapest yarn and can only make scarves

charles got into it because something creative he can do with his hands like making his own arrows (he admits purchased arrows are more reliable despite still hunting with a bow when he goes camping). charles most strongly believed in the curse of the sweater but arthur wears his charles' knitted sweater very proudly.

kieran is an avid gardener. it was the first 'task' he was given to encourage him to leave his room and once noise-cancelling headphones are introduced most people look for him in the garden first. him and bessie lose entire weekends in the garden, weeding or checking soil phd. she will take time off work when the weather is right for planting saplings

gardening is one of kieran's hyperfixations where he will abandon asl to actively talk to people about gardening no matter what. for this reason jake adler is one of his favorite people, who is more of a survivalist, edibles only, but similarly obsessive gardener

lenny buys bought those kiddy diy indoor herb sets for maeve only to get into it when she neglected the plants and he took over. he appreciates being able to send jake+kieran a group message when a leaf on his basil looks weird and they reply with an essay of what the plant needs

[uwudonoodle]

If you're sick of the generic Christmas songs you've been forced to listen to while shopping, I made a playlist of some more unique songs.

[alwaysahiccupandastrid]

Have to admit that I enjoyed the Chicken Run sequel, it was better than I expected. I’m not going to make a full on post as I have to be up in a few hours, but a few things:

Obviously I’m still mad about Aardman/Netflix replacing Julia Sawalha, and given that I grew up with the original film the change is just so jarring - especially since they used archive footage/recordings of her voice in the first film for flashbacks, which makes it even weirder for me personally.

I’m not going to complain about Mel Gibson being replaced as Rocky given the circumstances tbh

I LOVE the Paloma Faith song used, it’s a great song, but when I first heard it in the opening scenes of the film I was like “…???”, like it just sounded so… modern and pop-y compared to the first film? It’s a fantastic song, don’t get me wrong, but compared to the first film, where you had a rather old fashioned sounding song played during the film (Flip Flop Fly), it made this film seem more American than British, if that makes sense (which kind of irks me because one of the most charming parts of the original for me is how British it is)

Following on from my point above, whole film in general seemed like it was more modern and more set in present day, which in some ways is to be expected because there’s a 23 year gap between movies, but on the other, the original film felt almost timeless, like it could have been set in any decade. As far as I remember, the original didn’t have any televisions, it had a sort of old fashioned radio and while, yes, there was electricity (the pie machine, Christmas lights etc), it felt like it could have been set in an older year than 2000. Maybe that’s just me, I don’t know, but this film really went twenty times more modern and gadget-y

You know how in the first film, Mrs Tweedy picks out a chicken who hasn’t been laying any eggs, then we see the shadow of her beheading the chicken followed by what is clearly a roast chicken skeleton on the Tweedys’ dinner table? I thought it couldn’t get more fucked from that, but Aardman wanted to prove me wrong because what the fUCK

Have to say that the first film strangely never actually made me want to stop eating chicken, meanwhile this film made me feel sick at the thought of a chicken nugget 😭 it might take a while before I can eat chicken again 😔

Hopefully the chickens I eat are NOT mind controlled on a high tech farm to walk to their deaths

Miranda Richardson back as Melisha Tweedy, SLAAAAAAY 💅🏻

I can’t decide what’s funnier, her introducing herself as “Melisha Tweedy” despite getting remarried or her calling Dr Fry “my current husband”

ALSO DOCTOR FRY IS VOICED BY NATE THE GREAT FROM TED LASSO?!? 😭

I don’t believe Mrs Tweedy is dead to be honest, if being inside the pie machine when it exploded (after falling into it from a great height), flattened by a barn wall/door, and going headfirst into the chicken nugget machine and smothered in breadcrumbs couldn’t kill her than I doubt that the killer robot ducks that shoot lasers will do the job, especially given that they didn’t kill Rocky, a rooster 💀

Calling it now there’ll be a third film and she’ll be back, I’m calling it right now!!!

I SAW FEATHER MCGRAW FROM THE WRONG TROUSERS AT THE END LMAO FEATHERS YOU LIL SKANK THIS AINT YOUR MOVIE 🐧

Anyway, I thought it was better than expected - the first one will always be the best of course, but as far as sequels go, this one was definitely on the better end of the scale!

[edge-oftheworld]

13 fave Christmas songs?

anon I’m not gonna lie to you I’m not the biggest fan of Christmas in general. it reminds me a lot of the commercialised and the colonial, oppressive side of Christianity and I find it hard to get into the spirit when neither of these things have been reconciled and the damage they’ve done to the planet and oppressed people hasn’t been resolved.

that said there are a few that hit well for me. I’m not sure I’ll make it to 13, but in no particular order:

Christmas must be something more by taylor swift. I just find it super cute the way she’s like ‘here’s to the baby boy that saved our lives’ like obv everyone is entitled to their own beliefs around Christmas and the holidays, but I appreciate the sentiment behind this song

do they know it’s christmas (feed the world) by band aid (which isn’t a real band, I can’t remember the full lineup but I’m thinking of the 1984 original with boy george etc.) I know it does have some problematic implications with the image it presents of africa, however, when I see it as what it is (a fundraising song trying to break us out of our feel-good bubbles and capture the heart of sharing from our plenty when we’re the ones who happen to have that privilege) it’s a lot more meaningful than a bunch of carols

dtkic (2014). the one where one direction sang a part and so did chris martin, to raise money for ebola. ik it’s kinda a cop out to put the same song twice but they changed it to make it a little bit less politically incorrect, and I’m putting it here to call on directioners who can tell, to tell me exactly which 1D members sang what. also, how cool would it be if we did a new one in 2024 to raise money for palestine and ukraine? (do I want 5sos to sing it? of course)

angels we have heard on high (I think that’s what it’s called). the one with the Gloria in exelsis deo. the modern version. I played it on viola once for a church event and it was fun

silent night. love how melodic this is

o holy night. I love the themes of the slave being our brother, freedom for the oppressed etc. To me that’s what Christmas is about.

taylors last christmas

colin buchanan’s parody of jingle bells, called jesus saves. it’s a bit corny and does present a more simplified evangelical penal substitution version of Christianity/the gospel (aka the one where it requires telling you you’re sinful) but it’s not super dark and it’s kinda fun and I appreciate it way more as an adult than I did as a kid

this one isn’t really a Christmas song but it captures the holiday season in Australia really well and how I grew up celebrating Christmas. Aussie BBQ by eric bogle. I’d encourage anyone who either wants to see their culture represented or wants to realise that the whole world isn’t the northern hemisphere to give it a listen. It’s hilarious as anything and has the best lyrics and little references. I prefer the Goanna Gang cover to the original, it’s got a couple lyric changes to be less problematic and they generally did it really well musically. It’s available on streaming services I’m pretty sure, but I’m not sure if only in Australia. dm me if you want the mp3 though I can post it

I’ll add something that’s not a Christmas song at all but has themes of going to see family: the road to gundagai. It’s a traditional Australian song or something, can’t remember the original, but there’s a cool parody of the main lyrics as well as the original on the goanna gang version. I might have to post that one because the parody verse starts with ‘there’s an old fashioned Ford made of rubber tin and cord’ and I can’t find the version I have on CD anywhere else

come thou long expected jesus

mum by luke hemmings (yeah I’m joining in the trend in this fandom to make this our de facto christmas song just because it contains the words ‘I’ll be home December morning). but anyway I love the themes of this song, and though it’s written to a parent it can also be applicable to a relationship with God, and reconciling that, which is a big part of Christmas to me. The ‘I’m so heavy, jump into my ocean, can’t you see me sinking?’ calling out to the person (or deity, if you’re me) who takes care of you to come and witness you, mirrors really well the ‘call’ of the people that Christmas was meant to be an answer to. which is still the call of the people in the land where Jesus was born especially today. so

tis the damn season by taylor swift

[featherwriter]

A Selection of Mistmas Carols

Ten years ago, I did a Survivorist Christmas cover, and in honor of that anniversary... I decided to make some more! This time we've branched out to some of the other Scadrian faiths too, but I had a lot of fun with these. I hope people enjoy them! Each song has a little lore blurb to go along with it too.

The art backgrounds on these are by @conjchamberlain who created them for our Diceborn series, but was kind enough to let me reuse them for this project too.

Though the inclusion of lyrics in High Imperial evokes an antiquated air, this Survivorist hymn celebrating the life of the Ascendant Warrior is in fact, quite contemporary. Written by notable composer Doxell Venture to commemorate the deeds of his house’s most notable member, this piece was first performed in the Elendel Cathedral in 293 PC. While it is unique among Survivorist hymnary for lacking direct mention of the deeds of the Survivor himself, it remains one of the most popular holiday carols throughout the Basin.

- Historical and Religious Arts Archive, Elendel University

Like many works affiliated with the Pathian faith, neither composer and lyricist of this short hymn are known. The absence of hierarchy or formal clergy of the Path make sourcing historical works like this remarkably difficult, despite its status as the most well known song of the Path in popular awareness.

- Historical and Religious Arts Archive, Elendel University

One of the oldest extant anteverdant songs, this hymn is believed to have been commissioned by the Canton of Orthodoxy in the late 600s of the Final Empire. Its stark lyrics both capture and celebrate the brutal inequality of life before the Catacendre. An additional stanza is notated here which describes a day in which the Lord Ruler will return. Apocryphal testimony sources this final verse to modern day Sliverist cults, but such claims have never been substantiated.

- Historical and Religious Arts Archive, Elendel University

A well documented historical record supports the claim that this hymn describing the fall of the Final Empire as the earliest written work in the Survivorist faith. Its lyrics are believed to have originally been written by an unnamed poet during the turbulent days of the Catacendre itself, but later became the song we know today when it was set to music in the first century PC.

- Historical and Religious Arts Archive, Elendel University