#things to think about

[cannibalchicken]

[ddeck]

braids

[wingsofthesun]

So Garrus says that his old C-Sec clearance didn't get him into the Citadel Archives, and he also brings up how it must hold "thousands of years of history" when you get inside. Is Garrus actually lowkey a history nerd? 🤔

[megatronusprimedecal]

"Aren't you tired of being treated like we're nothing?"

Transformers One (2024)

[heart-of-tyria]

Been thinking I should do a series where I draw all the Firstborn,,, kinda a sudden thing but I think it'd at least help me draw more if I do

Played around with it by sketching a few today so please enjoy

[madokakanamereal]

Since Homura is very heavily influenced by / based on the nutcracker... does that make Madoka Magica a christmas classic 🤔

[frobby]

If anyone missed the iruma sins prints of them paired up here they are

[ingravinoveritas]

Interesting, is it not, that the Romeo and Juliet photos with the most chemistry are the ones with his male co-stars?

Hi, Anon! This is in reference to this post, for anyone who hasn't seen it, featuring production photos of David when he was in the RSC staging of Romeo & Juliet in 2000.

Your observation that the R&J photos where David has the most chemistry are with his male costars is indeed interesting...but also not surprising. Well, let's first take a look at a few particular photos that stood out:

When I say that it's not surprising, it's because we don't have to look any further than David himself, who wrote an entire essay about this production in 2005. From his words, the chemistry and homoerotic undertones to Romeo and the male characters' relationships--especially Romeo and Mercutio (Adrian Schiller, in the first picture)--were absolutely intentional:

"It certainly seems from the text of the play that Mercutio doesn't entirely applaud Romeo's interest in girls. He bombards Romeo with criticism and lewd innuendo about his mooning after Rosaline. Adrian Schiller (playing Mercutio) felt sure that this endless vitriol must be based on something more than locker room horseplay and that the character's fury must stem from a feeling, however subconscious, of sexual jealousy and betrayal. We had no trouble finding this in the playing of the scenes. "

There are many factors that go into the staging of a play--what the director wants/envisions, how/where the play is set (i.e., a conventional/traditional staging vs. a more contemporary one), and how the actors interpret the characters and their relationship to each other. Shakespearean plays in particular are (in my opinion, at least) always a tug-of-war between conveying the author's intended meaning--even references that are narrowly specific to the Elizabethan era--and a larger and more timeless universal message that speaks to a modern audience.

Romeo & Juliet is a play that has had tremendous resonance and countless adaptations over the centuries. (The play itself is an adaptation of the story of Pyramus & Thisbe, originally penned by Ovid.) We can look at those different adaptations and see what each cast/crew brought that others didn't...and it seems clear that David made a purposeful choice to highlight the queer/homoerotic subtext between Romeo and Mercutio.

This also seems to be the starting point for David revisiting these themes throughout various other Shakespeare plays in which he has acted, in ways both subtle (Benedick in Much Ado; Hamlet) and more overt. In particular, his deliberate choice to play Richard II as androgynous and his idea to have Richard and Bolingbroke passionately kiss during one moment in the play. And again, all those factors mentioned above are still pertinent, but we can start to see a pattern in David's readings of these plays that is unique and specific to him.

Which finally brings me to one other line in the above-mentioned essay, still talking about the relationship between Romeo and Mercutio (bold emphasis mine):

"The further Romeo moves away from his 'childhood' friends into the grown-up world of heterosexual desire, the more Mercutio rages and the less Romeo is affected by him."

Almost immediately, I was struck by that line--"The grown-up world of heterosexual desire." Especially in the context of the homosexual undertone of this production of Romeo & Juliet. As we've said, what goes into the staging of a play involves many different factors, but a clear one in this case is David's reading of it/collaboration with another actor. In addition, many actors bring elements of lived experience to their roles, and that made me think of what David experienced when it came to gay relationships and growing up in the 1980s.

In most (if not all cases), gay relationships on television or in movies in the '80s/'90s were shown as tragedies--something that was sinful, unhealthy, and (more often than not) ended in death. This is where the "Bury your gays" trope in media comes from, as such plot lines sadly became so common over time. Another trope that (at least in my estimation) was less common but still present is the idea of queer people "experimenting" in childhood but ultimately having to give up those relationships/hide those feelings when they grew up, in favor of doing what was "expected" instead.

What both of those things mean is that David (and so many others) had no model or picture of a healthy gay relationship in adulthood to look to--to see as something that he could potentially have. Because it did not exist, and never could. So it became this thing that was relegated to childhood--that same-sex attractions are immature and something you grow out of/leave behind for a "real" (straight) relationship--essentially the concept we know now as compulsory heterosexuality (or "comphet").

It sounds so patently absurd to us in 2025 that it's almost impossible to imagine...but this is the world David grew up in. These are the messages that he internalized. And the heartbreaking and long-lasting effect of that on him seems borne out and clear as day in his writing of this essay, and in how he came to view the relationship between Romeo and Mercutio.

So yes, going back to your question, it is interesting to see that chemistry, and when we look at everything surrounding it, the pieces very much start to come together. It's been 20 years since David wrote that essay, and I just wonder if, given time and the shifting attitudes in society, perhaps he is able to see things differently now. For his sake, I hope so...

[phoebebuggers]

modern party high school/college headcanons that will maybe kind of end up in my text au if i ever go back to it

mike is a tote bag user and a letterboxd fanatic!! he listens to alternative rock especially weezer but he's not a music elitist he likes pop and stuff too. he still plays dnd and i feel like he probably reads like classic fantasy book bro books u know (brandon sanderson, GOT, LOTR, prolly also like steven king and stuff which the rest of the party also like.) cat person. he is such a film bro it's obnoxious and he has to shove his letterboxd account down your throat every 5 minutes after meeting you. says he's bitter and evil but would do anything for his friends (canon.) video essay watcher. dirty-ass pair of falling apart converse at the end of their life begging for mercy that he refuses to replace. ADHD diagnosis.

will loves thrifting and coffee shops and museums but not in a performative pinteresty way he just genuinely likes these things. had an art hoe aesthetic phase around 2020 and will never live it down. subverting all gay stereotypes by not knowing anything about gay/stan twitter and being happier for it. kind of a music elitist ('can i see your spotify wrapped??') but not as much as jonathan who he learned from. still loves the smiths, the cure, etc but i think he would also be into modern indie nowadays. i feel like he would have a huge chapsticks/lip balm collection bc his lips are chapped all the time and it's just like a running joke atp. major art kid draws all the time we been knew listens to podcasts while he does art. goes to therapy

lucas is still kind of a jock but i'm kinda anti jock lucas because he will never truly fit in with them he will always be a nerd first!!!! still plays basketball tho and runs cross country (all men who run cross country are a little bit unhinged and free.) wears a hairtie on his wrist in case max needs one. kind of matches will's evil music complex from the other side with objectively good music def likes tyler, brent, frank, SZA (max likes the same their music taste kind of bled into each others.) very good social media presence like color coded feed, highlights, pinterest worthy pics etc (digital camera user.) likes to cook. chronic notes app list user. wanted to be a youtuber as a kid. type of guy to say "um, guys, that was awkward!" etc etc and everyone clocks him for it

dustin is a reddit user but not in a weird incel way in a genuinely helpful and knowledgable way. he also wanted to be a youtuber because he fucking loved matpat as a kid. he also would love the green brothers. a sneakerhead. keeps his keys on a carabiner (max tells him he looks like a lesbian.) also very up to date on pop culture like max is, probably quotes that one baron trump suitcase video daily among other things. does a few very good very niche impressions. i feel like everyone in the party is a good student but dustin is definitely the best a genuis future engineer or smth. he's the friend who always has those party games but can't read a cards against humanity card without laughing (max has to read for him)

el knows it's trash but loves reality TV (real housewives) and also glee. probably volunteers a lot. she was probably like the most boy-crazy fictional man/celebrity obsessed tween but ended up being bisexual/questioning lesbian. chronic story liker and responder so everyone thinks she's in love with them but she's actually just really nice and maybe doesn't 100% understand the social cue. she was also in theater because i want her to be her own genre of nerd maybe not in big roles because i don't see her as someone who loves being the center of attention but in ensemble. type of person to make goals like "try a new type of apple every week for a year".

max is up to date on tiktok/internet memes and kind of speaks fluent reference. probably watches real housewives and dance moms with el (will will join in occasionally for glee.) she also thrifts a lot of her clothes and has very cool style in kind of an idgaf what anyone else thinks way. huge flannel collection. does stage crew. i know she skateboards in canon and she still would but i feel like she would also do roller-derby or like speed skating or something. similar music taste to lucas but also a swiftie from a young age. had a panic at the disco phase and did crazy 2020 eyeliner (it's not a phase, mom) and will never live it down. keeps a journal. goes to therapy

bonus:

mike and max never shut the fuck up during class and always have to whisper something objectively hilarious to each other/one of their friends while the teacher is talking

will el and max have a book club where at least someone lies about having read the book every month and they spend the whole meeting gossiping and eating snacks

will forced them all to get airbuds and airbuds reacts mike listening to mcr with mildly disappointed faces and cat emojis

mike and dustin had a phase where they were really into like conspiracy theories and UFOs and cryptids and stuff

lucas bought a stanley cup with no shame because 'it's so functional'

el is an ex-larry

[cannibalchicken]

[iken]

imagine spending a long day with your f/o. completing chores, going out to eat, having any sort of fun date planned, anything! then you guys come home and the first thing on your mind is to take a nap 🤭 imagine one of you laying on top of the other and falling fast asleep for the night <3

[13-nothing]

Been rereading the early Inky Mystery chapters recently and I have to say I forgot how flirty Bendy was in the beginning like Idk how I forgot about that. In the beginning it's like a huge part of his character and he's just changed sooooo much.

All of them have, like Felix being a Dad to not only Bendy and Boris, but the Cup-Bros too like now it would seem out of character for him to do that cause of the whole Wiseton mess. Then there's all their banter that's more or less up and left (or literally flown off in some cases), Alice and Bendy's puns, Cups and Bendy's play fighting, Mugs and Boris being cheeky against their bros, Holly's excessive questions (like they're there it's just less and she more subdued), Holly joking w the Cup-Bros or Alice and Cala, Cup calling her Tree Princess, and Finley's jokes and little skits w Sammy (oh Finley, u adorable fox, it's been a while).

OH and then there's the "widdle wolfie" thing, my heart hurts anytime as I reread those like com'on man I can't take it. On top of it I finally reached the Group Date thing and Alice is so avoidant of a relationship w Bendy cause of culture and her parents which is killing me cause like her Mom was fine w it (love that btw) and yeah we don't know how the Upper would react but we could've avoided SOME of the heartache we have now and it just makes me wonder what would've happened if she had excepted at the time.

Overall I just miss their family dynamic and just everything before Finley died and the Dark Circus stuff!!!😭😭😭

Like it's so pure and cute and I miss it...

But alas here we are, the Quester Family torn asunder.

.....

Yeah, they were just such cuties and I love them. Unfortunately tho I love drama, angst, and the darker stuff more so I can't wait to see what's next. Anyway I must say farewell to thee my fellow existences.

[dream2bu]

Possibly the Most important thing you'll read this Year...

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them. Just read it straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies.

Awards tarnish.

Achievements are forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money ... or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.

Source: Weird and Amazing Stuff

[impala-dreamer]

JUST FYI

so, if you see some of your authors raise their prices higher than you think is cool, that's because of this.

just for reference, I only make around $1 for the printed versions of my novels. apparently, I will be making $0.00 if I do not raise the prices.

how can writers be expected to work if we can't afford to?

[bixels]

Who in the MLP cast would a member of the communist party in the 1920s.

[trixter-god]

Did you ship Zutara because you wanted zuko and katara to get together

OR

Did you ship Zutara because you wanted to be katara and had a crush on zuko

(EDIT: I am a multi-shipper so I do ship Zutara and meant no hate. This was just something that hit me at like 2 am because my 10 year old self wanted to be Katara)