#this blog is technically a Les Mis blog what is my life

[kingwuko]

So me and @metacrisismako @lautaronahuellopez have had a weird technical glitch (support has been contacted and no solution has been found) where we can't answer each others asks so I'm copy-pasting this one:

Hola buenas tardes. Si, la verdad es que desde hace unos meses tengo problemas con mi blog original "lautaronahellopez" donde están la mayoría de mis posts. Últimamente he estado gestionando mi blog secundario "metacrisismako". No estoy seguro si fuiste tú o "KingWuko" a quien envié mi pregunta, o si ambos son la misma persona, pero aquí está mi AU adjunto. Que tengas un buen día o noche. SINOPSIS: Luego de la invasión de Kuvira, y sabiendo que su brazo nunca sanará, Mako se siente frustrado e inútil por no poder trabajar como lo hacía antes. Sin embargo, el Estado no puede permitirse el lujo de perder a un hombre con tanto talento, por lo que el presidente Zhu-Li le ofrece un nuevo trabajo donde podrá servir a la República... de una manera más discreta. Contrariamente a la creencia popular, los espías pasan más tiempo prostituyéndose con políticos que cazando terroristas en escenas de acción complicadas (aunque eso no significa que no lo hagan). Su vida se parece más a la de un mercenario pagado por el Estado, que, como se dará cuenta Mako, casi nunca tiene escrúpulos a la hora de eliminar a sus enemigos. ¿Pero qué pasa cuando sus amigos son enemigos del Estado? Ciudad República sufrió el embate de cuatro ideologías extremistas, que dejaron atrás a sus simpatizantes. A los ojos del gobierno, cualquiera que amenace el capital o el orden público es un enemigo ¿Hasta qué punto está dispuesto Mako a contaminarse en nombre del gobierno y sus élites? ¿Cuál es su límite? ¿Es esto lo que realmente quiere para su vida? ¿Cómo afecta el trabajo sus relaciones con sus amigos? Con su amante, ¿qué es el Rey Tierra? ¿Qué pasará cuando descubran qué hace por las noches?

Translation provided by the OP

Hello good evening. I am responding anonymously to the message you sent to the blog "lautaronahuellopez" since due to technical problems I cannot communicate through that means. Nor for my secondary blog "metacrisismako". The same problem that you pointed out to me happened to me when I tried to answer you, since after sending my answer the publication "was deleted" and when I wanted to return to the notification through which I had received your question it had also disappeared. I am attaching a synopsis or plot that occurred to me out of a hint of inspiration, I hope you like it. After Kuvira's invasion, and knowing that his arm will never heal, Mako feels frustrated and useless for not being able to work like he did before. However, the State cannot afford to lose such a talented man, so President Zhu-Li offers him a new job where he can serve the Republic…in a more discreet manner. Contrary to popular belief, spies spend more time prostituting themselves with politicians than hunting terrorists in complicated action scenes (although that doesn't mean they don't do it). His life is more like that of a mercenary paid by the State, who, Mako will realize, almost never has scruples when it comes to eliminating his enemies. But what happens when his friends are the enemies of the State? Republic City suffered the onslaught of four extremist ideologies, which left behind their sympathizers. In the eyes of the government, anyone who threatens capital or public order is an enemy. How far is Mako willing to contaminate himself on behalf of the government and its elites? What is his limit? Is this what he really wants for his life? How does work affect his relationships with his friends? With his lover, what is the Earth King? What will happen when they find out what he does at night? I await opinions. :D

THIS IS SO COOL

Spy Mako!!! Political intrigue!!! Divided loyalties!!! Are Wu and Mako already in an established relationship by the time he accepts this new work as a spy, or do they get together as a RESULT of Mako's work as a spy and Wu doesn't KNOW he's a spy??? oh gosh I'm imagining some drama and conflict in their relationship if Wu ever finds out and thinks their relationship is just Mako using him for his work (maybe it starts like that but Mako falls in love during it all???). AAAAAAAH I'm getting worked up thinking about it!!

[eponinemylove]

AFTG First Impressions

If you haven’t read aftg just glaze right over this post because I’m bouta spoil some shit and this is something you need to experience for yourself if you ever read the series

OK so let’s talk about first impressions, because there are a couple of things I immediately assumed when I listened to the books (and yes I never read the series, I listened to them on audiobooks, this is important) that were just so far off from what ended up happening that I thought it would be funny to share them

I THOUGHT KEVIN AND ANDREW WERE AN ESTABLISHED COUPLE. Like it’s not even that I thought that Kevin and Andrew might be having sex, which I know a couple of y’all picked up on too and are in the same boat, I actually believed that Andrew was Kevin’s boyfriend and everyone knew this. I thought that it was common knowledge in the exy world that they were openly and publicly dating. The reason I assumed this was because, in the first fucking chapter, they’re described as 1) Kevin having switched to PSU for the short goalkeeper and 2) Kevin never went anywhere without Andrew. This is c a n o n okay, sounds like a relationship to me. moving on.

So again, I listened to this on audiobooks. The audiobooks were voiced by a man. For the first couple of chapters I thought that Aaron was Erin, and I didn’t exactly piece together that he was a guy? Or even that he was the same person? This is just me being a little slow, but for a solid part of the first half of The Foxhole Court, I kind of thought of Aaron as two separate people: Aaron and Erin. I knew that Aaron was Andrew’s twin in the back of my mind, but then I forgot to make the connection that Erin was anything more than a sort of secondary character (like how y’all be doing my boy Seth) so I was just rolling with everything pretty much until around the time that Neil went to Columbia (yes this is how long it took, shut up) and I sat straight up, paused the book, and realized that I was a huge dumbass and that Erin wasn’t a fucking character at all, that I was thinking of AARON, who was the second short blonde maniac and not the maybe-female player that just chills with Andrew’s crowd

Also just me misunderstanding, but when they talked about going to Columbia pretty often I was like oh?? Oh shit. Y’all just be flying down to Columbia every other week, no problem? And then it’s mentioned that they’re from Columbia and i’m there like on god??? I though y’all were white? Ok I see you. It wasn’t until they were actually in the car driving I realized that they meant Columbia, South Carolina and not the country

Also a really minor thing but I thought Nicky was spelled Nicki. This wouldn’t have really changed anything, I just think that Nicki is a more feminine spelling and I was kinda excited about that being his name until I realized that realistically it wasn’t very likely. 

I definitely though that Kevin was going to be Neil’s love interest. He was the one who flew down to Millport to get Neil!! He was the one who decided they have to have him!! In the book’s summary or blurb or whatever it’s called, Kevin is the one Nora is vagueing about, his mysterious friend from the past who might jeopardize Neil’s whole secret but who he’s inexplicably drawn to!! And then I meet Andrew, again who I thought was Kevin’s established boyfriend, and I’m like ???? Is Neil going to have to break them up? Andrew isn’t going to like Neil very much. What’s happening

Ok no tea no shade, BUT. I mean honestly no offense, but how did y’all not pick up on Andreil? Look I KNOW I just said I thought Neil/Kevin was endgame. After like chapter 6 I realized my folly. Kevin was over here getting NO screen time, while Andrew was getting a lot of focus? Which isn’t exactly what pushed me over, but it got me reevaluating. And then Columbia happened and a bunch of other shit but—ok, do y’all remember the scene towards the end (I think) of The Foxhole Court? Chapter 14? I’ll quote it for you: 

“A group of people shouldered their way up to the bar counter at Neil’s back, pushing him into Andrew. Andrew didn’t budge beneath his weight. He was something solid to lean against, something violent and fierce and unmoving. Neil couldn’t remember what it felt like to have someone hold him up. It was terrifying and liberating all at once. His life was out of his control now; he was giving it up to Andrew and hoping Andrew would keep it safe.”

THAT SHOULD’VE BEEN YOUR FIRST MF CLUE. This is the exact moment I realized that Neil was going to end up catching feelings for Andrew, and, let’s be real, I’d already began to assume that Andrew would return them, because obviously. Look at everything that’s happened so far. He’s bought this boy clothes, kept his secrets, adopted him into his family, offered to fight off the mafia for him and??? otherwise completely obsessed over him thus far. The chemistry was there.

I think this pretty much goes without saying but I thought that first night at Columbia would’ve had a much bigger role than it did? Nicky literally kissed Neil against his will while Neil was roofied, and then the next thing Neil knows he’s waking up in bed with Nicky the next day? And sure he freaks out in the moment and for the next couple of days, but there isn’t a whole lot of follow through after that. It’s talked about a few times and then just... never again. I really thought that that would’ve torn a much bigger hole in Neil and Nicky’s relationship than it did

Do you know how much bullshit Andrew’s coming out scene was from my perspective??? Please refer back to the top of this post where I mention that from the first chapter of the first book and one of the first descriptions of Andrew Minyard that we get, I thought this boy was out and proud and dating Kevin Day. And then for Renee to have to break it to Neil in the SECOND BOOK that not only is Andrew not straight, but that no one else knows this about him, I about lost my shit. And then the scene sometime earlier where Kevin is advising Neil that if he is gay to stay in the closet bc it’s easier for pepople to think Neil’s straight??? As if deep down we all don’t know that Kevin himself is a raging bisexual?? Nora, I hate to tell you this, but no one was assuming that your characters are straight. I appreciate you calling out heteronormativity, but I can assure you that was absolutely not the case in your books.

I didn’t like Jean at first. I can admit it. I thought that he was one of Kevin’s asshole ex-teammates who wanted him to come back to the nest, and if not than he’d make him miserable. I have done a complete 180 and I love and respect Jean Moreau so much more now that I understand his character, but that was my initial assumption and I’m not proud of it

Alright I think that’s about it for this post. Feel free to add on with some of your first impressions from aftg, or if you make a separate post tag me in it!

[bringmoreknives]

tagged by @awsugar and @iero to do this!! i’ve never done this one so ty :’)

1. Why did you chose your url

when i REALLY got into mcr in like january 2020 (i’d been a fan before but pretty much only listened to about half of revenge and then tbp and dd) sorrows was one of the very first songs of bullets i got into specifically the knives/sorrow demo on mdnsy. i was checking for canon mcr urls and i saw that this one was taken and i was DESPERATE to have it (also because it’s a bit more ~niche~ reference to our lady) so on the off chance i dm’ed the blog and its owner just happened to check tumblr for the first time in years a few days later and let me have it :) akdjfhksdjhf that was so long

2. Any sideblogs?

technically THIS is a sideblog because @wakemeupbeforeyouvangogh is my main (i didn’t understand how accounts work when i made this blog) but i also run @seaborns (tv, mostly criminal minds and the west wing), @njolras (les mis), i used to run @vsuvia (the arcana) but it’s inactive now, and i also make gifs and content for @daily-cm

3. How long have you been on Tumblr?

it was my ninth anniversary on my birthday ;____;

4. Do you have a queue tag?

yeah, it used to be #still into queue but now i don’t wanna use that bc ch*d so it’s #drain the fantasy of queue which is from pool by paramore aka THEEEEE song. i try to keep a pretty active queue but i forget a lot

5. Why did you start your blog in the first place?

my friend sarah had a blog in sixth grade and it was all about superwholock (of course) i can still so clearly picture the photo of the eleventh doctor she had in her sidebar. but my parents were super strict on the internet (and also i had just recently had someone creep on me on instagram) so they didn’t let me get a blog until i was 13 and it had to be about something educational (hence the van gogh theme for my main). until then i checked a few blogs like the morning paper. and i made this blog because my dad didn’t know how tumblr worked and i was getting into bandom and bored of not posting about it

6. Why did you chose your icon/pfp?

love of my life

7. Why did you choose your header?

it’s not the best picture of it but i really love the brand new eyes stage setup with the picture frames and it goes with my icon

8. What’s your post with the most notes?

it’s this hayley edit with almost 40k which is so embarrassing because i didn’t properly source either of the pictures and i think the second one is actually someone else’s edited pic that i just slapped a sepia filter over...... i was 14 i didn’t know better

9. How many mutuals do you have?

it’s really hard to tell bc mutual checker doesn’t work since this is my sideblog

10. How many followers do yo have?

3,160 <333

11. How many people do you follow?

okay please don’t lose your minds but 2,308..... a ton of them are inactive it’s just genuinely too many to unfollow with inactivity checker

12. Have you ever made a shitpost?

yeah lasjfhlaskdjfhh a ton i think my best shitpost is the compilation of star wars actors trashing kylo ren

13. How often do yo use tumblr a day?

it really depends and it’s kind of less rn because i work a lot but i’m assuming i’ll be more active when im home in a few days with nothing to do but i tend to try to at least queue some stuff before i go to bed

14. Have you ever had an argument/fight with another blog?

yeah jdfhdkjfh multiple times. when i was younger it was dramatic but now it just tends to be arguing with reposters

15. How do you feel about “you need to reblog this” posts?

if it’s like political or about something going on in the world then i’ll probably reblog it, if it’s one of those old-fashioned “LISTEN HERE FUCKERS LET ME EXPLAIN U A THING” then i will ignore it. unfortunately reblog bait (i.e. reblog this for good luck or you’ll have the worst day of your life) gets me because i have ocd

16. Do you like tag games?

yeah i love them i’m just so bad at remembering to do them

17. Do you like ask games?

YES i absolutely adore them but for some reason like EVERY time i post one i have to go do something else but i want to do more

18. Which of your mutuals do you think is tumblr famous?

i honestly have no idea. mack and kay both have a lot of followers but idk if that counts as tumblr famous... is tumblr famous even a thing anymore

19. Do you have a crush on a mutual?

i am in a healthy loving relationship with my polycule the bandom creators server <3

20. Tags

hm i tag: @dangersday @smileandasong @raytorosaurus @lolalovesu @girlfriend-frank @adamlazzara and @mikeywayinc! sorry if any of you have been tagged before i cannot read <3

[n5md]

Cloudwalker

In our newly relaunched "Learn more about..." interviews, we switch up the continuity slightly and focus on just one release: Gimmik's Cloudwalker. Martin kindly agreed to answer a few questions to kick off what we'll refer to as v2 of the "Learn More About..." blog.

While Entre Les Chambres was the actual return of Gimmik to the public eye, Cloudwalker is more of a return to form. It is undeniably Gimmik; however, Cloudwalker treads some new ground for you. Can you shed some light on how the creative process changed from Entre Les Chambres / Deux Nouvelles and how those two albums might have influenced Cloudwalker?

Very well observed - they did influence Cloudwalker! Entre Les Chambres and Deux Nouvelles were both produced under technically limited circumstances. On top of that, I thought that no one will ever hear this material. Luckily it was not the case, and I got the chance to become a member of the n5MD family. When you produce with the idea that the material will never get released, it gives you a lot of room and space. You are not concerned about expectations. The music can flow and evolve freely. The calm nature of those albums helped that process. It was research where I experienced myself more as a witness than a composer. For me, that is a new approach. This approach was still the same when I produced Cloudwalker. That is the reason why the tracks are so diverse. Short Wave Memories and In My Family do not have anything in common, but that is the way they evolved, without me constructing anything. The most significant difference is that Cloudwalker was produced in a proper studio environment. Plus, I took a step into eurorack, which brings a very unpredictable element. And yes, that is Mutable Elements "Rings'' what you hear on In My Family. I was working on a self-generative patch with "Marbles'' when all of a sudden, the melody appeared...

I think you sent me In My Family shortly after you finished it, and it was one of the darkest days of the early pandemic; where our local government-issued curfews and such. It was the track that I needed at that moment; it brightened my day. It's very cool that the melody was a generative experiment gone right. I seem to remember you have quite a bit of the Mutable Instruments modules. Modular, to me, seems like a bit of a wormhole of experimentation. So, how do you stay focused when experimenting with new sounds and textures to bring, say, one of your Modular Nature tracks, which you have on your Youtube channel, to life.

Working with a modular system is entirely different. My approach is always a question. What will happen if I connect this with that and modulate with this? Then you start patching, and the results are entirely different from what I expected - a lot more exciting and better! In the beginning, I thought modular was about rebuilding synth voices. So I started emulating the signal-flow path of a 101 for a start. I missed the whole point of modular... A system has a life of its own and takes you to completely different places, and sometimes I do not even understand the results. (-: But that is not important. The decision to work with modular is to avoid walking down paths I have taken too many times when composing. What keeps you focused is your ear. The trick is to learn when to stop. In the beginning, I lost a lot of great patches when the result was already at 90%. When trying to reach 100%, my tweaks destroyed that patch's beauty, and I never found a way back to 90%. That happened a lot of times in the beginning. A modular system really helps to learn when to let go… (laughing). I chose Mutable Instruments because those modules are very focused on musical and harmonic results.

So, going back to Cloudwalker, how did it feel getting back to basics as far as Gimmik goes. People may not know that Entre Les Chambres and Deux Nouvelles were made for very personal listening. Care to shed a little light on those two, and more importantly, what made you want to go past those themes and bring Gimmik full circle for Cloudwalker?

Entre Les Chambres and Deux Nouvelles were NOT a conscious decision. Those were a necessity! The title Entre Les Chambres means "between two rooms", the space that is between two rooms. That is nowhere! It mirrors how I felt at that moment. There were many significant changes in my life, luckily nothing concerning my family, but still major changes. In order to cope with it all, I started making ambient tracks. It was the only thing that helped me to cope and focus again. The tracks happened by themselves. Listening to them and working on those albums was a calming experience. When they were finished, I played them to Chris, and he convinced me that he liked them. That led to the decision to make those first tapes. Later I sent them to you. Your reaction was very motivating because the music got released. With that motivation and getting back into a studio environment, the Cloudwalker tracks just poured out of me very quickly - it felt terrific to go back to the studio. My family gave me the time to work in my studio, and you and Chris gave very motivating feedback! From my perspective, this makes Cloudwalker my most important album so far, and I am very thankful for this chance! Another key element is that you gave me total freedom regarding artwork, choosing tracks, and their order. Just great!

Well, I knew going in that you know what you are doing. So I shouldn't have needed to step in and manage such details. For release prep, I'm available to take care of the details that an artist doesn't have access to or the working knowledge. You and Chris ran Toytronics, and you are a graphic artist as well, so I knew that you know the drill. If something was glaring or didn't work under the n5 stylistic umbrella, it is my job to say something, but I was pretty confident that wouldn't happen. I also know that after you completed the tracks, you took a great deal of time to get them to flow perfectly and also fit on four LP sides—your care in craft shows, and it's been great to work with you.

You brought up Chris, and there is an Abfahrt Hinwl remix on Cloudwalker, so; I'm going to ask. Are we going to hear some new Abfahrt Hinwl soon?

Thank you, as I said, that means a lot to me. And I still think that it is a fortunate situation. The AH RMX of Sailing Everest on Cloudwalker was just me, to be honest. That is why I used an abbreviation - AH. It is more a hint. It has a lot of the Abfahrt Hinwil ingredients. We tried to revive the project and realized that working over a distance via the internet does not work for either of us. The key of Abfahrt Hinwil was that we worked in the same room, at the same time, with the same equipment - listening to what the other one does - giving an immediate reaction. The most important point is communication, which has to happen immediately - you need to respond straight away, not with a delay. Today we find ourselves in two different life situations. We both would like to continue. After an online experiment, we realized it would be only possible when we visit each other and then work in the same studio. That is not possible at the moment, and Covid plays a significant role in that.

Ah, I see; Abfahrt Hinwil was you and Chris basically feeding off one another; also, there are cheques and balances, which is great to have. I completely understand why it would not be feasible to do it from a distance effectively. So, I'd like to pivot to these little builds I see on your Instagram. You recently sent me a pic of a peculiar little box that looks to be a synth. Assuming this is something you built (loving the stickering, by the way). What is this, and does it appear on Cloudwalker?

(laughing) That is a drone box handmade by a guy in Russia. Six oscillators, each one with a kill switch. Three standard range oscillators and 3 Sub. A very rough-sounding machine, great for drones. The filter sounds very nasty, just great. There is a little bit in the track Cloudwalker itself but washed out by Big Sky. The downside is that there is no midi, trigger gate, or voltage control. It is more of an experiment tool. The important parts of the track Cloudwalker have Mutable Instruments: Plaits and Tides 1, using the Sheep mode. Both outputs went into Warps, modulated by Stages. The little melody was played live on the Yamaha DX Reface, going into the Big Sky. It was all recorded live onto tape to 4 tracks to a Tascam 234. Then it was mixed the classic way, patchbay, fx, analog mixer main out to digital. 75% of the album was recorded to a Sound Devices MixPre-3 II.

It sounds like your Big Sky gets some action! Strymon makes some exceptional pedals. It seems like you can almost entirely make music out of the box if you needed to, which is excellent. So one last question: When we collaborated on the Cloudwalker one sheet text, you added something about the production tools "representing technology from 1958 to 2019," and I asked if 1958 was a type-o that needed to be corrected to 1985 when it was not. When people read that, I think they will be very curious as to what technology you utilized from that far back…

Yes, it is a great pedal, I love the sound and the fact that you get nice results very quickly.

1958- (laughing) There is an on oscilloscope from Russia, which can be seen in some of the videos on HIDDEN REALITY, and 2 vintage function generators. I got those old function generators from a close friend, he is an electronic engineer and professor for physics at a university. They got rid of all their old equipment, and he asked if I wanted to have something. He could not throw those old machines away, so he rescued them to his cellar. He changed the connections for me, so I can use them with the modular environment, using my standard patch cables. I used them a lot as modulation sources, as they can modulate extremely slow (like MI tides). But I have to admit that I got them for their looks in the first place…(laughing) - Those machines look like the machinery you see in Qs research center in old James Bond movies...

Order Cloudwalker now: US / UK / EU

Learn even more about Gimmik

[gellavonhamster]

Tagged by @robertcapajpg (thank you! <3)

1. what do you prefer to be called name-wise?

Natasha or Natalia. Or Gella, it’s basically my second name by now  

2. when is your birthday?

November 7th

3. where do you live?

Latvia

4. three things you are doing right now?

filling in this ask meme, llistening to music, thinking gloomily about how tomorrow is another working day again (and I worked a little today and yesterday too, so it didn’t feel like a full-scale weekend)

5. four fandoms that have piqued your interest?

First of all, definitely ASOUE/ATWQ/Snicketverse in general - I think it’s the best fandom I’ve been part of in years, maybe ever, with so much fascinating material to analyze and so many theories to explore and extremely talented people (mwah!). Dark is also great for similar reasons - fertile ground for all kinds of theories and interpretations and filling in various gaps, and a lot of amazing fan content as well. As it is easy to see from this blog, I am currently very much into Dracula - it’s strange that it hasn’t happened earlier, honestly, because old novels and found family trope are things that I’ve always adored. For the fourth one... let it be The Folk of the Air, I loved this series much more than I expected to, and I check its fandom tags and read fics often, though my own involvement is mostly limited to making niche content that no one else cares about, lol

6. how has the pandemic been treating you?

Not too bad (fingers crossed!). I am working from home, just like I did during the first wave, and, although I hate it, I recognize that it is a privilege. 

7. a song you can't stop listening to right now?

She’s Kerosene by The Interrupters

8. recommend a movie

St. Trinian’s (2007) is one of my all-time faves - it’s hilarious, irreverent, action-packed (Ocean’s 8 WISHES it was St. Trinian’s), with a stellar cast (I’m talking Gemma Arterton, Colin Firth, Lena Headey, Lucy Punch, Stephen Fry, Rupert Everett, the list can go on and on, everyone and their mother was in this movie), and I honestly don’t understand why it didn’t end up becoming one of the cult classics about teenage girls like Mean Girls or Jennifer’s Body. Part 2, The Legend of Fritton’s Gold (2009), is not as good, in my opinion, but also a lot of fun. 

9. how old are you?

27

10. school, university, occupation, other?

I’m a translator of technical documentation in a construction company

11. do you prefer heat or cold?

neither is good when it’s too much of it, but probably cold

12. name one fact others may not know about you

I was born with a black eye :D My mother thought it was a huge birthmark and was worried, but it disappeared later.

13. are you shy?

mostly yes :/

14. preferred pronouns

she/her

15. biggest pet peeves

People putting their bags on separate seats on public transport when it’s crowded and other people have nowhere to sit. Also when the wire of the earphones gets caught on something and they fall out, it’s the easiest way to make me swear out loud

16. what is your favorite "-dere" type?

??? I have no idea what this means tbh

17. rate your life from 1 to 10, 1 being crappy and 10 being the best it could be

About 7? It’s quite nice and comfortable, but there’s room for improvement both in terms of what depends and does not depend on me. And I don’t see how anyone’s life could be 10 in the middle of the pandemic and Everything Else Going On, honestly

18. what's your main blog?

this one

19. list your side blogs and what they're used for

@javert-jajaune-jarouge - Les Mis sideblog, @grecocerullo - L’amica geniale/My Brilliant Friend sideblog. Also I’m one of the contributors (moderators? I can’t change blog layout or block users (unfortunately) or anything, I can only reblog posts) of a Snicketverse aesthetic blog @veryfinedisguises

20. is there something people need to know about you before becoming friends?

Probably that I am always (well, maybe 99% of time) willing to hang out but my default reaction to people being friendly is “they are actually just being polite and don’t find me interesting at all” so I am constantly afraid of being too clingy, and that’s why I might often be reluctant to contact and invite them to hang out first (especially if there have been such attempts before but plans got cancelled for some reason). It’s a stupid problem to have in one’s late 20s, I guess, but it is what it is. 

Tagging (if you want to answer, of course!) @claudiatiedemann, @hensons, @olivia-calidamn and @thebeautifulsoup

[barricadebops]

Let's play truth or dare!

1. • Truth: Have you ever kissed somebody?

  

• Dare: Close your eyes and type your url.

If you have brown/black hair, truth.

If you have blond/red hair, dare.

If you have dyed your hair and it is none of the mentioned colors, you choose which one you want to answer.

2. • Truth: Who was the last person you stalked on social media?

    

•Dare: You have one minute to draw yourself and post the picture.

If the name of the country you live in starts with a consonant, truth.

If the name of the country you live in starts with a vowel,  dare.

3. •Truth: Have you ever been in a fist fight?

    

•Dare: Tell me the story of a time you thought you were sick/injured but you actually weren't.

If the day you were born is an odd number, truth.

If the day you were born is an even number, dare.

4. •Truth: Do you have a mutual you'd like to get to know better?

  

•Dare: Tag them.

If you have curly hair, truth.

If you have straight hair, dare.

5. •Truth: What name were you supposed to have, had you been born a different gender?

  

•Dare: Tell me the story of how you got your name (you don't need to share your name).

If your name ends with a consonant, truth.

If it ends with a vowel, dare.

6.  •Truth: If you had to choose, would you rather be dancer or a musician?

•Dare: Tell me three songs that make you feel like you're in a movie.

If you are the youngest child, truth.

If you are the eldest, truth.

If you are a middle child/only child you choose.

7. •Truth: Would you rather bring the  characters from your favorite book to this world, or you go to the world of your favorite characters?

•Dare: Tell me something embarassing you did because you wanted to impress someone (a friend, parent, crush, etc).

If morning is your favorite part of the day, truth.

If night is your favorite time of the day, dare.

8. •Truth: Have you ever been caught in the rain? How was it and what did you do?

•Dare: Tell me an inside joke between you and your friends.

If you have brown/hazel eyes, truth.

If you have blue/green eyes, dare.

9. •Truth: Have you ever performed in front of an audience? What are some things that happen backstage/on stage people don't notice or know about?

 

•Dare: Tell me the story of how (and why) you made a Tumblr account.

If you have are over 5'5, truth.

If you are under 5'5, dare.

10. •Truth: Would you let your parents go through your Ao3 history? (And if you don't have Ao3, then search history).

•Dare: Describe what are you wearing right now (for example: a red skirt).

If you have short hair, truth.

If you have long hair, dare.

If you have medium length hair, you choose.

AND A FINAL DARE: Tag your favorite blogs so they can play too!

No I haven't kissed anyone.

Honest to God, it was Aaron Tveit.

I had really, REALLY, bad cramps one day, thought I was legit dying, and didn't go to school. Turns out, it was just my monthly period.

Ah, why would you do this to me...um, how about @my-life-as-a-reader because we've just started talking recently so there's a lot I still have yrt to know about her!

My grandfather picked out this name for me! I don't really like it, but I guess he did, so. It's a rather unique name, not many people have it (in case you're wondering--yes, Annie is my online pseud. I have a different real name.)

I'm already kind if a musician? So I'd go with musician, because creating music is so lovely in a way I can't even describe. Also, technically, aren't singers musicians? I love singing, so yeah, my answer is musician.

I fucking pretended to know shit about hockey to impress a guy, which is something I cringe VERY HARD AT when I look back at it. Smh, I don't even like hockey and he certainly wasn't worth it. I'm glad I can now openly express my disdain for hockey (I KNOW, I KNOW, HOW UNCANADIAN OF ME.)

Yes I have. I wear glasses, so honestly, not really pleasant. I prefer rainy days when I'm inside home with a warm mug of coffee, not when I'm outside half blind.

The thing about me having to do the dare because I'm under 5'5 reminds me yet again of how short I am... I created a tumblr because I was bored, my friend made one, and I was like, "well, I write fanfic, would be nice to activelly engage with the fandom. So here I am, having made a tumblr for one of my biggest fandoms, Les Mis.

I'm wearing pyjamas! The long sleeved shirt is very pretty because it's dark blue and has tiny little flecks of white all over it and the pants are also dark blue with white stars all over it!!

I tag: @whoever wants to!

[smoothborescattergun]

Tagged by @slunecny-hrob ! Thank you! 🥺😳

Rules: Answer the questions and tag people you’d like to get to know better

When is your birthday: 29th September 

Where do you live: Poland. Unfortunately.

Three things you are doing right now: I woke up an hour ago. I’m still lying in bed. Probably I’m gonna finish some drawings when I get up. But bed is the magnet.

Four fandoms that have piqued your interest: Since I was 8 year old I’m still Sonic fan. That’s not changed. My fav game is Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes. Similar situation is with My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. But at a certain point, I stopped being interested in this animation because I missed too much episodes. TOO MUCH. But now I think I’m surviving something I call “The Renaissance of the interest” and I rewatching this cartoon on Netflix. These are the things that interest me mainly. I don’t think I belong somewhere. I just like something and I don’t want do to anything with any groups. :]

How has the pandemic been treating you: I didn’t do anything that it could make my life better. I’m going to sleep and I always think: “Damn. I’m getting old. I’m just here. I don’t feel my body. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing here. Tomorrow is the (...) and I’m still nobody.” I don’t think that’s by pandamy. I’m just getting depressed, and depressed.

A song you can’t stop listening to right now: I’m obsessed with J’attends les Marines by Wayne/Jayne Country & The Electric Chairs. There’s something magic it this song when you woke up too early, it’s dark outside and you listen to this.

Recommend a movie: Hell. I don’t remember when I’ve watching TV last time! I just turn on because of game console, not for these dumb content they serve to people.

How old are you: 19. But I’m mentally 15 year old. I don’t like to talk about this.

School, university, occupation, other: I choosen IT technical school. I don't think I've learned any useful things in this school... And I’m only “good” at hardware.

Do you prefer heat or cold: I wish I could live in Texas.

Name one fact others may not know about you: I hate myself but I’m trying do not show this outside.

Are you shy: It depends on who's “in my head right now.”

Pronouns: She/her. But I like when somebody call me Patryk... The masculine equivalent of my name. Shortly is just Pat... Or call me Patka.

Biggest pet peeves: Snoring. I’d kill myself if I hear somebody’s snoring.

What’s your favourite “dere” type: I never undestood this shiet so I won’t tell.

Rate your life from 1 to 10 (1 being crappy and 10 being the best it could be): 2. Dwa. I just feel like shit.

What’s your main blog: It’s my main blog. I like to spam with reblogs of pics of some bands here. I’m not surprised of this that somebody’s unfollowed me. If I were somebody I’d unfollow myself too.

List your sideblogs and what they’re used for: I have one but I stopped post there.

Is there something people need to know about you before becoming friends: I sometimes don’t understand sarcasm, jokes etc. I’m always nervous. This is why I started to getting addicted by sugar. Because I don’t know how to deal with anything. I could cry but I won’t. I grew up in such strange conditions and now I hide my sadness. Ogółem to mam wrażenie, że ktoś zabrania mi płakać.

I’m tagging @happygirl327 :3

[16ruedelaverrerie]

It makes so much more sense to answer this privately, but this message is still one of the funniest things I’ve seen over the last six months, so I need to enshrine it in visible form. @king-kodi​​ I hope you figured out the answer in these SIX MONTHS SINCE YOU MESSAGED ME, I’m sorry! This account is still active, in the way that a lizard that does not move for 10 years is still alive.

The answer, belatedly, is that the little shit cat in question (when not hungry or ill) decides whether it wants to go for a stroll or not. Sometimes it just wants to chat instead of going for a stroll, but them’s the breaks, all control is an illusion and the tiny virtual piece of shit must be left to its own devices to do what it wishes. I love this game. All cats are perfect, even the ones that aren’t real.

 ANON!!! YES!!!!! Wow wait first of all can I express how touched I am that you remembered having been in previous disbelief over people liking Theon Greyjoy, then after you started reading the books you came back to this blog to let me know about your changing thoughts THAT IS THE KIND OF ENGAGEMENT THAT I AS AN EDUCATOR CAN ONLY DREAM ABOUT AND WOULD NOT EVEN DEMAND FROM MY STUDENTS

Truly it is a no-good life for Theon, when the only friends and family he has are a bunch of people who are technically licensed to execute him WITH THE SWORD THEY MAKE HIM CARRY AROUND FOR OTHER BEHEADINGS fkl;dhgk and the whole “the Starks are such lovely people” angle that the show takes most of the time... really fails to shed adequate light on how there are so many bigger issues here than individuals being decent individuals! ANON... THEON JUST WANTED TO GO HOME, ANON. HE JUST COULDN’T FIGURE OUT WHERE THAT WAS. ANON HOLD MY HAND.

 Oooo did you get around to it? How did it turn out?? I feel like Markus was also working on his own version of a Les Mis crossover! This is always the case when I think about crossovers or AUs of any kind, but what delights me the most tends to be moments that crack me up and don’t necessarily have any staying power as an extended parallel-- like, this is an AU and not a crossover, but just the thought of Javert infiltrating the barricades with a beanie and a wide stance because that’s what he thinks insurgents look like....................................... that is so fucking funny to me.............

 This is so kind, thank you! I hope you are taking care of yourself too! All these messages are from a thousand years ago so “taking care of yourself” had somewhat less urgency and gravity then, but it is important to take care of yourself regardless of circumstances. I’m doing okay, overall. Actually my work and life situation are a bit unorthodox at the moment, but in a way that is very conducive to leading a hermit-like existence, so at least in that way I am fortunately equipped to weather these times. Seriously though! I hope you are all taking care of yourselves!

 Thank you very much! I think it’s always easier to recognize and define other people’s styles than your own, but I have an especially hard time figuring out what my ~art~ ever is, so it’s very generous of you to say so. Because of my aforementioned unorthodox work and life situation, I find myself with no more leisure time right now than I did in the before, but I am trying to brush up on very basic art stuff a little bit! I feel really unsteady with art most of the time because I don’t have solid basics, so I’m hoping this will ameliorate some of my THIS LOOKS WRONG BUT I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY problems u__u

 ~*~THE CONTINUATION LIVES IN YOUR HEART~*~ wow what a cop-out answer. This is one of those things that HAUNTS ME anon! I remain a “never say never” person at heart so I am still refusing to say that there won’t be more comics in that universe, but... in all honesty, it’s been so long since the first one that all the ideas and jokes I had related to it have become... well, I’ve thought about them so much that I’ve become unable to tell whether they’re funny at all, is what has happened. I mean really! Chivalry Comics was posted more than SIX YEARS AGO! I SHOULD HAVE MADE SOMETHING LONG BEFORE THIS POINT, I’VE FUCKED IT UP

And yet, I remain a “never say never” person at heart. One day, anon! One of these godforsaken days.

 Ah thank you for this annual message! And for the NAKED REMINDER OF HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN SINCE I HAVE ANSWERED MESSAGES... I am deeply ashamed of this, but some amount of self-abasement builds character.

 H-HAPPY NEW YEAR, DEAR ANON! I know, once again, I am rubbing this timestamp into my face while demanding of myself, LOOK AT WHAT YOU’VE DONE, YOU HIDEOUS MISCREANT, but also that does mean that your message has been warming my inbox for the last three+ months! That’s why I take so long to answer these, so that whenever I feel a pang of guilt for not having gotten to them yet, I also at least get to feel a corresponding pang of gratefulness and joy at how nice the message is.

I so vividly remember reading so many instances of Nines noticing Gavin’s core temperature spike that I was like “this is a good trope and I am into it, but also I’ve never seen this much talk of core temperatures outside of, like, natural family planning discussion forums” ON THE OTHER HAND WHY HAVE I EVER SPENT ANY TIME ON NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING DISCUSSION FORUMS????

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL

AND ALSO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES!

[walkinsauce]

Christina Walkinshaw’s Health & Wellmess Blog- Chapter 1: Veganuary

Well, I’m 40 now. I guess I have to start caring about my body. For the most part of my life, I have not cared about the following:

Mani’s/Pedi’s

Shaving/Waxing 

Showering

Opening mail

Scented candles

Detox/Cleanses

Back up hard drives

Fashion/style

Oil changes

Flossing

Eyeliners over $4

Waze

Diets

Oh but I do recycle.

Do you know I’ve never lost weight in my life? My weight has been on a slow and steady incline in one direction my whole life- like the yodeler on “The Price is Right.” Up, up and away, like that sweet 5th Dimension song you’re probably too young to know. But now, as I enter a new decade of my life, I know for sure my metabolism is on it’s downward spiral. For the most part, I feel good. I’ve never been one of those super skinny chicks. The sick part is, I look back on photos of me when i was 40 pounds lighter and know I never even felt skinny back then, when I truly was. Weight and self-image can be a fucked up thing. Especially when you live in a town like this. (L.A., obviously. To be fair, I felt fat when I lived in Ottawa too.)

I’m not necessary trying to lose weight this year, I’m just trying to stop from gaining it. This is more of a preventative thing. I don’t even know how I’d track a weight loss blog. I don’t actually own a scale. When I was in my 20′s I lived with girls who owned that scale that said THINNER across the top of it and I’m still scarred. Who the fuck put that scale on the market? Cruel. The only place I consistently weigh myself is on Fremont Street in Vegas, at the Heart Attack Grill. (Hot tip: If you’re over 350lbs you eat for free!) The last I checked, I was 165lbs. 

When people think of me, they think “happy hour” and not “personal trainer.” I’m not anybody’s “health & wellness” coach, that’s for sure. That being said, if I’m going to try to fix myself, I’m happy to take any delinquents like me along for the ride. Why are there no diets for people who drink and smoke marijuana? Seems a little rude if you ask me. My favourite gift is a bottle opener. I recently joined a wine club. I’m only JUST getting into Prosecco. I like beer, okay? (That line has been tarnished, I know.)

But every January, as the clock nears midnight on Dec. 31st, I get this overwhelming feeling that this year is going to be different. This year I’m going to be my personal best. I fantasize about changing for the better, and yet every February I’m right back to being the same IPA fart machine I’ve always been. This. Year. I. Will. Be. Better.

So I’ve started with…

Veganism. 

Yup. There’s a whole thing right now called #Veganuary, and I’ve jumped on board. I’ve read a lot of Vegan propaganda in the past ten years. Eating Animals, Skinny Bitch, The Lean- they all have good points. I’ve tried being a vegan twice in my life. (The second time I referred to myself as a “stay at home vegan,” meaning I was only a vegan at home. I couldn’t deal with the social ramifications of being a picky eater.) Both times, I came back to my usual carny diet of chicken wings and first and foremost, cheese. Let’s see how I do this time…

I warned people at the end of December I was going to try a “plant based diet” for January. Somehow saying “plant based” seemed less jarring than “vegan.” Well, seems like nobody believed me.

I came home New Year’s Eve after my show (so technically it was January, but do we have to be nit-picky?) and decided I couldn’t let the last of the delicious Canadian Mastro’s Hot Calabrese go to waste. Or the blue cheese. Both cured meats and blue cheese are so much better in Canada. Plus I had a little wine after my show, and it would be detrimental to my health if I didn’t eat before bed, cuz everyone knows eating before bed stops you from getting hangovers.*  

Plus, how am I supposed to become a vegan when there’s still salami lying around the house? Do sex addicts let their last condoms go to waste before they go to sex rehab or wherever? I highly doubt it.

I wake up, January 1st, feeling fresh thanks to my 2am lite supper. I’m ready for Veganism! Me, my parents, cousin and cousin’s daughter meet at the Cactus Club in Vancouver (k-Burnaby, but close enough) and I am excited to find all the V’s on the menu. I order the Crispy Tofu Bowl, with NO radish. (When I was in Kindergarten we had a vegetable garden and it made me barf my first ever ingested radish. I’m still not over it.) 

I gotta say, it was delicious. I poured hot sauce over the whole thing obviously. My cousin is a vegetarian, but she has a side of fries, edamame and a Bellini. (So you know we’re related.) My meal is delish, and doesn't make me feel overly full like last week's lasagne did. Perhaps it's the tofu, or perhaps it's the Canadian portion. 

I’m still making my holiday rounds in the mother country, so afterwards we hit up Grandma’s house. (I have a very busy social schedule, as you can tell.) I check Grandma’s Danish cookies in the round blue tin to see if they’re vegan. They have those controversial “MAY CONTAIN” ingredients which are really stressing me out. I eat one pretzel shaped cookie and call it quits. 

Then off to my sister’s, for dinner. We’re supposed to order in, and I pray they don’t order without me, but of course they did. Pizza Hut. Four pizzas, all with cheese. To be fair, I don’t think anybody actually thought I’d stick to a diet. I never have. And I never turn down pizza, I just pick off the mushrooms. I decide to double down and order Thai. I love Thai food- coconut curries will literally get me through Veganuary. I know it.

Oh god is blogging about food boring? I was probs more exciting when I was blogging about my Tinder dates, but at least the food won’t get mad at me for blogging about it. (Except the maybe the mushrooms.)

I fly back to L.A. the next day. I know L.A. will be easy to pull of Veganuary. This place is full of picky diets. At the Vancouver airport I hit the Banh Mi place, which seems like the only vegan friendly joint past security. Of course they’re out of tofu. January! Fuck. Should I give up now? I can’t starve. And I can’t get drunk without eating lunch first and who can get on an airplane without a glass of wine?

Luckily I like to get to the airport 82 hours early, so I decide to wait for them to make more tofu. That’s right- I’m really doing this. Twenty-five minutes later I have my tofu Banh Mi (with hot sauce.)

I couldn’t be happier when I get home to my cute new L.A. pad. I open my fridge and of course, there’s not much in there after being away for two weeks. And you know what’s staring me right in the eye…

That’s right. My old pal, Trader Joe’s Calabrese salami. 

Shit. That stuff lasts forever. (That should scare me.)

I close the fridge, and slowly give it thought…

“Well, I shouldn’t waste food. I could be a vegan starting January 3rd. No one’s watching me. I’m not even THAT out of shape…”

But then something miraculous happens. A thought so exciting it overpowers any craving for food.

“OMG my VIBRATOR! I haven’t jilled off in weeks!”

I def don’t take it home for the holidays, ya pervs. I get in my pajamas, crawl into bed and satisfy myself sans le food. Straight to single girl dessert. I don’t need salami after all.

And just like that, I wake up the next morning, still a vegan.

xoxo with fruits and veggies, your new vegan (for now)

walkinsauce

p.s. Not sure I can give up cheese forever. If I fall off this diet, I’ll just try another. I hear there’s more than one...

* None of my “theories” on health and diets are proven or approved by doctors. This is just me, and what I think I’ve figured out about my body specifically.

[acekatherineplumber]

Questions! Yay questions!

1: 6 of the songs you listen to most? Out Tonight (RENT), Tightrope (The Greatest Showman), Candy Store (Heathers), Delicate (Taylor Swift), Gorgeous (Taylor Swift), So Much Better (Legally Blonde)

2: If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be? Taylor Swift. It would be so nice.

3: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17. You will have to pay for excess baggage.

4: What do you think about most? How much cleaning I constantly have to do

5: What does your latest text message from someone else say? “I once again work until [private information], but I hope you have a great day”

6: Do you sleep with or without clothes on? It depends. 

7: What’s your strangest talent? I’m doubled jointed in three places

8: Girls… (finish the sentence); Boys… (finish the sentence)Girls are wonderful. Boys can choke.

9: Ever had a poem or song written about you? No.

10: When is the last time you played the air guitar? No idea.

11: Do you have any strange phobias? I’m afraid of stairs

12: Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose? When I was like 5. It was a bead.

13: What’s your religion? Atheist

14: If you are outside, what are you most likely doing? Taking a walk

15: Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it? Behind it

16: Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band? I like solo artists more

17: What was the last lie you told? I don’t remember

18: Do you believe in karma? Kind of? I believe that the way you treat people affects how they treat you.

19: What does your URL mean? Katherine Plumber is ace. Fite me.

20: What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength? Perfectionism, passion

21: Who is your celebrity crush? Emma Watson? I just think she’s pretty, but I’m not sure I want to date her because I don’t even know her, and I’m not sure she would like that.

22: Have you ever gone skinny dipping? I have a hot tub, so regularly.

23: How do you vent your anger? I like to vent it through art

24: Do you have a collection of anything? I used to collect state quarters, but nothing current

25: Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online? Phone

26: Are you happy with the person you’ve become? Sometimes yes, sometimes no

27: What’s a sound you hate; sound you love? I hate windshield wipers, I love cats meowing

28: What’s your biggest “what if”? Everything is a what if for me

29: Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens? Yes to both

30: Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? Do the same with your left arm. My earbuds, one of my cats

31: Smell the air. What do you smell? I have a stuffed nose today, so nothing

32: What’s the worst place you have ever been to? Probably my old private school

33: Choose: East Coast or West Coast? East

34: Most attractive singer of your opposite gender? No.

35: To you, what is the meaning of life? Finding and pursuing your own happiness

36: Define Art. Anything that makes you think (except Modern Art, because that is fucking elitist and pretentious and terrible)

37: Do you believe in luck? I believe in making your own through hard work, but sometimes shitty things just happen.

38: What’s the weather like right now? Cloudy, slightly rainy

39: What time is it? 10:07 am

40: Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed? Yes, and unfortunately yes.

41: What was the last book you read? The Count of Monte Cristo

42: Do you like the smell of gasoline? I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it

43: Do you have any nicknames? Yes, but it’s personal

44: What was the last film you saw? The Princess Bride

45: What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had? I’ve had a lot of bad sprains. Also a concussion.

46: Have you ever caught a butterfly? Yes

47: Do you have any obsessions right now? Bubble tea. Don’t judge me

48: What’s your sexual orientation? Asexual

49: Ever had a rumour spread about you? I used to be bullied really badly, so yes

50: Do you believe in magic? Yes

51: Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong? Yes.

52: What is your astrological sign? Leo/Virgo

53: Do you save money or spend it? I try to save it

54: What’s the last thing you purchased? A stuffed cat

55: Love or lust? Love

56: In a relationship? Yes

57: How many relationships have you had? Technically 5, but only 2 of them have been really serious

58: Can you touch your nose with your tongue?No

59: Where were you yesterday? At home for most of the day

60: Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? My cat’s nose

61: Are you wearing socks right now? No

62: What’s your favourite animal? Cat

63: What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you? Honesty and passion

64: Where is your best friend? At her school. She has a summer class. The other one is at work.

65: Give me your top 5 favourite blogs on Tumblr. @hoogwoorts @schmackarys, @keepers-quaffles-and-old-clocks, @berrykikwi, and @purplerainbowsrachel

66: What is your heritage? German, English, Irish. Very white.

67: What were you doing last night at 12AM? Browsing the Internet.

68: What do you think is Satan’s last . It’name? I don’t give out the last names of real people.

69: Be honest. Ever gotten yourself off? Yes. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and is actually really healthy. It’s good for anxiety.

70: Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as a friend? I hope so.

71: You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do? I call someone else over and head on my way.

72: You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid? I would probably wait until my last two weeks to tell people. I would travel. Yes, I would be afraid.

73: You can only have one of these things; trust or love. I don’t trust people anyway, so love

74: What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it? Love Song by Sara Bareilles

75: What are the last four digits in your cell phone number? Not giving that out.

76: In your opinion, what makes a great relationship? Honesty, kindness, and common interests.

77: How can I win your heart?You can’t! You can have eggs and you can have bacon, but you can’t have Elphie because they are taken!

78: Can insanity bring on more creativity? Yes, but it should still be medicated

79: What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far? Going to London.

80: What size shoes do you wear? 7.5-8

81: What would you want to be written on your tombstone? I don’t know, but I think it should be in French.

82: What is your favourite word? At the moment? Princesa.

83: Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart. The color blue.

84: What is a saying you say a lot? It’s amazing what you find when you clean up.

85: What’s the last song you listened to? Delicate

86: Basic question; what’s your favourite colour/colours? Aqua

87: What is your current desktop picture? Liberty Leading the People

88: If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be? Mike Pence. I hate Trump, but Pence is scary and would be harder to impeach.

89: What would be a question you’d be afraid to tell the truth on? Everything that is wrong with my brain.

90: One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren’t really doing anything, they’re just standing around your bed. What do you do? Run and lock the door.

91: You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What is that power? Invisibility

92: You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again? Probably the latter half of the first act of Les Mis in London.

93: You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? The thing that caused my PTSD.

94: You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be? I don’t really want to do that. I don’t know of trust them.

95: You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go? Berlin.

96: Do you have any relatives in jail? No

97: Have you ever thrown up in the car?Yes

98: Ever been on a plane? Yes

99: If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say? Something about education rights for all.

[lesamis]

tagged by @kazimirov to answer thirty questions, then tag blogs you would like to know better! the original said tag twenty blogs but like. who's even interested in that many people

1. Nicknames? lil if you’re mieke, lilleken if you’re my dad & lilie if you’re my mum

2. Gender? does that like........even exist my guy

3. Star sign? aries / pisces depending on what school u wanna go with

4. Height? 1.70m

5. Time? 11:44

6. Birthday? april 10th!

7. Favorite bands? of monsters and men, bastille

8. Favorite solo artists? sleeping at last, florence + the machine. lately also moses sumney

9. Song stuck in my head? that cover of hallelujah in yiddish it’s so good

10. Last movie watched? i. genuinely don’t know D: actually that might have been when liz was still here? gotg 2? 

11. Last show watched? queer eye!

12. When did I create my blog this one? late 2015 i think 

13. What do I post? pretentious quotes & pretty pictures w some les mis and romanticism interspersed :D

14. Last thing I googled? "it seems like you were the one offended my good bitch” (i just wanted to look at the tweet bc it makes me happy)

15. Do you have other blogs? yeah! never rly use any of them but technically i have like four

16. Do you get asks now and then!

17. Why did you choose your url? bc i'm petty as shit over those “the novel isn’t abt les amis and those Silly Fangirls are too stupid to read” posts that happen sometimes bc it miraculously wasn’t taken

18. Following? 152

19. Followers? had those hidden since day 1 :D 

20. Favorite colours? light blue + soft pink. pastels 4 life

21. Average hours of sleep? 7 ish? i try to go for eight but  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

22. Lucky number? 4!

23. Instruments? tiny bit of guitar + piano, the only thing i technically have training in is vocals but like what does that even mean u know

24. What am I wearing? warm sweater & skirt & tights bc it is FIFTEEN DEGREES and FALL IS HERE (shhh the weather’s totally gonna stay this way i can dream)

25. How many blankets I sleep with? just this. massive comforter and i used to add a blanket in the winter when i was still in an uhhhh badly heated house

26. Dream job? librarian or archivist in a place with old things & good people. alternatively assistant or secretary at a place that does good. basically just give me little responsibility no capitalism and a clear conscience

27. Dream trip? i rly wanna go to boston this winter to hang out at harvard with two Best People In The World, fingers crossed!

28. Favorite food? every pasta dish that also involves tomatoes and cheese

29. Nationality? german

30. Favorite song now? the ukulele cover of valerie the bff did the other day where he replaced every “valerie” with “lilli.” the absurdity was delightful & it was my first time being serenaded thanks again bro

tagging @hero-ofcanton​, @williamvapespeare, @longingonthewind annnd that’s just about all i can think of rn :D no pressure of course!

[sayitaliano]

300 basic words - IT

First Verbs

be - essere

there is - esserci

have - avere

do - fare

go - andare

want - volere

can - potere

need - avere bisogno

think - pensare

know - sapere

say - dire

like - piacere

speak - parlare

learn - imparare

understand - capire

Conjunctions

that (as in “I think that…” or “the woman that…”) - che

and - e

or - o, oppure

but - ma

because - perché

though - però, sebbene

so (meaning “therefore”; e.g. “I wanted it, so I bought it”) - così

if - se

Prepositions

of - di

to - a, da+article

from - da

in - in

at (a place) - al/dal... (al mare = at the sea...)

at (a time) - alle (alle 9 = at nine)

with - con

about - su, a proposito

like (meaning “similar to”) - come, simile a

for - per

before (also as a conjunction) - prima

after (also as a conjunction) - dopo

during - durante (between = tra/fra)

Question Words

who - chi

what - cosa

where - dove

when - quando

why - perché

how - come

how much - quanto (how long = per quanto tempo)

which - quale/i

Adverbs

a lot - molto, tanto

a little - poco

well - bene

badly - male

only - solo

also - anche

very - molto, tanto

too (as in “too tall”) - troppo

too much - troppo

so (as in “so tall”) - talmente, così tanto

so much - molto, tanto

more (know how to say “more … than …”) - più... che/di...

less (know how to say “less … than …”) - meno... che/di...

as … as … (e.g. “as tall as”) - tanto... quanto...

most - più

least - meno

better - meglio

best - migliore

worse - peggio

worst - peggiore

now - ora, adesso

then - poi, dopo

here - qui

there - là

maybe - forse

always - sempre

usually - di solito

often - spesso

sometimes - qualche volta, a volte

never - mai

today - oggi

yesterday - ieri

tomorrow - domani

soon - presto

almost - quasi

already - già

still - ancora

even - uguale, lo stesso (same), ancora (still, yet)

enough - abbastanza

Adjectives

[Remember to check gender/number versions where necessary and the preposizioni articolate and articoli partitivi]

the, a (technically articles + prepositions) - il, lo, la, l’, i, gli, le / di, a, da, in, con, su, per, tra, fra

this - questo

that - quello

good - bene

bad - male

all - tutto

some - un po’

no - non, nessun/o 

any - un po’ di

many - molto/i

few - poco/chi

most - la maggior parte

other - altro

same - stesso

different - diverso

enough - sufficiente

one - uno

two - due, un paio

a few - pochi, alcuni

first - primo

next - prossimo, vicino

last (meaning “past”, e.g. “last Friday”) - scorso

last (meaning “final”) - ultimo

easy - facile

hard - difficile

early - presto, in anticipo

late - tardi, in ritardo

important - importante

interesting - interessante

fun - divertente

boring - noioso

beautiful - bello

big - grande

small - piccolo

happy - felice

sad - triste

busy - impegnato

excited - eccitato

tired - stanco

ready - pronto

favorite - preferito

new - nuovo

right (meaning “correct”) - giusto, esatto

wrong - sbagliato

true - vero (false = falso)

Pronouns

Subject (“I”), direct object (“me”), indirect object (“to me”), and possessive (“my”) forms.

I - io || mi || mi/a me || mio/mia/miei/mie

you - tu || ti || ti/a te || tuo/tua/tuoi/tue

she - ella/lei || la/l’ || le/a lei || suo/sua/suoi/sue

he - egli/lui || lo/l’ || gli/a lui || suo/sua/suoi/sue

it - esso/a || lo/l’//la/l’ || gli/le//ad esso/a || suo/a [rare]

we - noi || ci || ci/a noi || nostro/nostra/nostri/nostre

you (plural) - voi || vi || vi/a voi || vostro/vostra/vostri/vostre

they - essi/loro || li/le || gli/le/a loro || loro (il loro,la loro,i loro, le loro) 

Nouns

[ check articles here and find more about their use on our blog ]

everything - tutto

something - qualcosa

nothing - nulla/niente

everyone - tutti

someone - qualcuno 

no one - nessuno

Italian - italiano, (la lingua italiana)

English - inglese

thing - la cosa

person - la persona

place - il posto

time (as in “a long time”) - tempo

time (as in “I did it 3 times”) - volta

friend - amico [m. - can be conjugated in gender/number]

woman - la donna

man - l’uomo

money - i soldi

country - la nazione

Italy - l’Italia

city - la città

language - la lingua (idiom), il linguaggio (wording, IT language...)

word - la parola

food - il cibo

house - la casa

store - il negozio

office - l’ufficio [m.]

company - la società, l’azienda [f.]

manager - il manager / il direttore (la direttrice [f.])

coworker - il/la collega

job - il lavoro

work (as in “I have a lot of work to do”) - lavoro [m.]

problem - il problema

question - la domanda

idea - l’idea [f.]

life - la vita

world - il mondo

day - il giorno

year - l’anno [m.]

week - la settimana

month - il mese

hour - l’ora [f.]

mother, father, parent - la madre, il padre, i genitori

daughter, son, child - la figlia, il figlio, il bambino (la bambina [f.])

wife, husband - la moglie, il marito

girlfriend, boyfriend - la fidanzata, il fidanzato

More Verbs

work (as in a person working) - lavorare

work (meaning “to function”, e.g. “the TV works”) - funzionare

see - vedere

use - usare

should - dovere

believe - credere

practice - praticare

seem - sembrare

come - venire

leave - lasciare

return - ritornare (come back), restituire (give back)

give - dare

take - prendere

bring - portare

look for - cercare

find - trovare

get (meaning “obtain”) - ottenere

receive - ricevere

buy - comprare

try - provare

start - iniziare

stop (doing something) - smettere

finish - finire

continue - continuare

wake up - svegliarsi

get up - alzarsi

eat - mangiare

eat breakfast - fare colazione

eat lunch - pranzare

eat dinner - cenare

happen - succedere, capitare

feel - sentire

create (aka “make”) - creare

cause (aka “make”) - causare

meet (meeting someone for the first time) - conoscere

meet (meaning “to bump into”) - incontrare

meet (an arranged meeting) - avere un appuntamento

ask (a question) - chiedere

ask for (aka “request”) - richiedere

wonder - domandarsi, chiedersi

reply - rispondere

mean - voler dire, significare

read - leggere

write - scrivere

listen - ascoltare

hear - sentire

remember - ricordare

forget - dimenticare

choose - scegliere

decide - decidere

be born - nascere

die - morire

kill - uccidere

live - vivere

stay - stare, restare

change - cambiare

help - aiutare

send - inviare, mandare

study - studiare

improve - migliorare

hope - sperare

care - tenere a qualcosa/qualcuno, interessare/si

Phrases

hello - ciao

goodbye - arrivederci

thank you - grazie

you’re welcome - prego

excuse me (to get someone’s attention) - mi scusi, mi perdoni

sorry - mi dispiace, scusa

it’s fine (response to an apology) - non importa

please - per favore

yes - sì

no - no

okay - va bene

My name is - Mi chiamo

What’s your name? - Come ti chiami?

Nice to meet you. - Piacere di conoscerti

How are you? - Come stai?, Come va?

I’m doing well, how about you? - Io sto bene, e tu?

Sorry? / What? (if you didn’t hear something) - Scusa?, Cosa?, Come?, Eh?

How do you say ______? - Come si dice _______?

What does ______ mean? - Cosa vuol dire _____ ?

I don’t understand. - Non capisco.

Could you repeat that? - Puoi ripetere?

Could you speak more slowly, please? - Puoi parlare più lentamente, per favore?

Well (as in “well, I think…”) - Beh

Really? - Davvero?

I guess that - Credo che...

It’s hot. (talking about the weather) - Fa caldo

It’s cold. (talking about the weather) - Fa freddo

—

source - @funwithlanguages​

Notice that 3rd singular person is used to speak in a formal way, while the 2nd singular person is more informal, so remember to check verbal conjugations as well according on that. Also, there might be more ways to translate a word, this is especially caused by all the dialects Italy is filled with (some idiomatic words are now used also in common Italian sometimes, as for girlfriend/boyfriend for example) but also according to the context: if you want to know more, feel free to check others vocabularies you can find on our blog and our grammar masterpost or just send an ask. Being this a list of 300 basic words, I won’t add too many ways to say something, but the most common one/s.

[andrewtheconqueror-blog]

Blog No. 9

Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini’s Aria (Analysis)

                                        Gioachino Antonio Rossini

                            (February 29, 1792—November 13, 1868)

Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868) was an Italian composer who wrote 39 operas as well as sacred music, chamber music, songs, and some instrumental and piano pieces.

Life and Music 

Having produced a whirlwind series of 38 operas, following the premiere of William Tell in August 1829, and with close on 40 years of life still remaining, he laid down his operatic pen for ever. Perhaps Rossini had finally had enough, as he was once reputed to have remarked: "How wonderful opera would be if there were no singers!"

Rossini was born in Pesaro in 1793, the son of a town trumpeter-cum-inspector of slaughterhouses, ‘Guiseppe Rossini’ whose questionable political sympathies once resulted in a short jail sentence. The family was otherwise constantly on the move, Rossini's mother appearing as a principal singer in a series of comic opera productions, while the budding young composer learned his craft, based in Bologna.

He composed his first opera, Demetrio e Polibio, while still a student at the Liceo Musicale in Bologna, where his love of Mozart led to his being nicknamed, "the German". Such was its success that it led to a series of operatic ventures which initially culminated in the Barber of Seville. When Donizetti heard that Rossini had composed it in a matter of just three weeks, he remarked sardonically: "Rossini always was a lazy fellow."

Rossini's stage output culminated in the premiere of William Tell in Paris in 1829, after which he virtually stopped composing, save for a few songs, piano pieces and two famous large-scale choral works - the Stabat Mater and the Petite Messe Solennelle .

Rossini died at his villa in Passy on 13 November 1868 following a short illness. Having initially been buried in Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, his remains were subsequently moved to Santa Croce in Florence in 1887.

Did you know?

For Rossini's 70th birthday celebrations in 1862, a number of his friends clubbed together in order to have a statue built in his honour. His reaction was typically boisterous: "Why not give the money to me and I'll stand on the pedestal myself!"

Figaro's “Largo Al Factotum,” From 'The Barber of Seville'

"The Barber of Seville" (Italian: Il barbiere di Siviglia) is a comedic opera by Giachino Rossini. It's based on the first play of of "Le Barbier de Seville," the three-part story of Figaro written by French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais.

"Largo al Factorum," Figaro's opening aria in the opera's first act, is considered one of the most challenging operas for a baritone to perform, due to its brisk time signature and convoluted rhyme structure.

Modern audiences may recognize "Largo al factotum" as a staple of the ​"Looney Tunes" cartoons.

History of 'The Barber of Seville'

The opera premiered at the Teatro Argentina in Rome in 1816. Now considered a masterpiece of musical comedy, "The Barber of Seville" had a difficult first performance, but quickly grew in popularity.

Figaro's Opening Aria 'Largo al Factorum'

In the first act, the audience meets the flamboyant Figaro who introduces himself as the city's top quality factotum, or handyman. Figaro is quite assured of his abilities and describes his popularity and his many talents. He's a jack of all trades. He loves his life, saying that and a more noble life cannot be found.

Italian Lyrics Largo al factotum della citta. Presto a bottega che l'alba e gia. Ah, che bel vivere, che bel piacere per un barbiere di qualita! Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo! Fortunatissimo per verita! Pronto a far tutto, la notte e il giorno sempre d'intorno in giro sta.

Miglior cuccagna per un barbiere, vita piu nobile, no, non si da. Rasori e pettini lancette e forbici, al mio comando tutto qui sta. V'e la risorsa, poi, de mestiere colla donnetta... col cavaliere... Tutti mi chiedono, tutti mi vogliono, donne, ragazzi, vecchi, fanciulle: Qua la parruca... Presto la barba... Qua la sanguigna...

Presto il biglietto... Qua la parruca, presto la barba, Presto il biglietto, ehi! Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!, ecc. Ahime, che furia! Ahime, che folla! Uno alla volta, per carita! Figaro! Son qua. Ehi, Figaro! Son qua. Figaro qua, Figaro la, Figaro su, Figaro giu, Pronto prontissimo son come il fumine: sono il factotum della citta. Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo; a te fortuna non manchera.

English Translation Handyman of the city. Early in the workshop I arrive at dawn. Ah, what a life, what a pleasure For a barber of quality! Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, very good! I am the luckiest, it's the truth! Ready for anything, night and day I'm always on the move. Cushier fate for a barber, A more noble life cannot be found. Razors and combs Lancets and scissors, at my command everything is here. Here are the extra tools then, for business With the ladies... with the gentlemen... Everyone asks me, everyone wants me, women, children, old people, young ones: Here are the wigs... A quick shave of the beard... Here are the leeches for bleeding... The note... Here are the wigs, a quick shave soon, The note, hey! Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!, Etc.. Alas, what frenzy! Alas, what a crowd!

One at a time, for goodness sake! Figaro! I'm here. Hey, Figaro! I'm here. Figaro here, Figaro there, Figaro up, Figaro down, Swifter and swifter I'm like a spark: I'm the handyman of the city. Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, very good; Fortunately for you I will not fail.

Musical Analysis:

Written in ABA form, also know as a ternary form or a song form. The flamboyant opening of the orchestra gave preparation to the robust melody of the baritone solo. The bass section opens the music with a masculine one-note pluck, suggesting a dominant chord then suddenly, the orchestra comes in, full blast, with a lot scalar passages, leaps of an octave, and grace notes. The 1st  section revolves in its home key, C major, sometimes sitting to its dominant key, (G)  then transitions to Eb major in the 2nd section by using ascending half step patterns from the note G up to Eb in a syllable ‘Na’. (G-F#-G, Ab-G-Ab-, A-G#-A, Bb-A-Bb, B-A#-B, CBC, D-C#-D---Eb) It goes to its relative minor, (C) then eventually went back to tonic. 

Artist Biography

Gaetano Donizetti was among the most important composers of bel canto opera in both Italian and French in the first half of the nineteenth Century. Many of Donizetti's more than 60 operas are still part of the modern repertoire and continue to challenge singers for their musical and technical demands. Donizetti stands stylistically between Rossini and Verdi; his scenes are usually more expanded in structure than those of Rossini, but he never blurred the lines between set pieces and recitative as Verdidid in his middle-period and late works. Often compared to his contemporary, Bellini, Donizetti produced a wider variety of operas and showed a greater stylistic flexibility, even if he never quite achieved the sheer beauty of Bellini's greatest works.

Donizetti was educated in Bergamo, the town of his birth, studying with the opera composer Simon Mayr from 1806 to 1814. His youthful works include chamber operas, religious works, and some chamber music. Donizetti's first opera of note was La Zingara, which was premiered in Naples in 1822. He continued to work in Naples throughout the 1820's and 1830's, where he was active as both a conductor and composer.

In 1830, Donizetti finally achieved international fame with his opera Anna Bolena; notable for its expressive music and more extended scenes, it established Donizetti as one of the leading contemporary opera composers. The comic opera L'elisir d'amore (1832) and the tragic Lucrezia Borgia (1833) came shortly after. Donizetti's next work was Maria Stuarda, followed the same year by Lucia di Lammermoor (1835), which became an internationally recognized masterpiece. The Elizabethan tragedy Roberto Devereux (1837) completed his trilogy of operas that chronicle the English court from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I.

Donizetti's operas from the late 1830s were unable to match the success of Lucia, and when Donizetti was passed over for the directorship of the Naples Conservatory in 1840, he moved to Paris. There he composed the opera comique La fille du Régiment (1840), which was celebrated immediately for its charm and virtuosity. Later that year he completed La favorite (1840), another major contribution to the French repertoire. In 1842 Donizetti was appointed Kapellmeister of the Austrian court in Vienna, but retained his association with Paris.

Among Donizetti's last operas are Maria di Rohan (1843), an important historic opera, and his French tragedy Dom Sébastian (1843). Caterina Cornaro (1843) is also one of his finest works for its strong dramatic content. These late operas, although rarely performed, are serious works that set the standard for Verdi.

                                                                                             - Steven Coburn

 “Una Furtiva Lagrima” From Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore

Italian Text of 'Una Furtiva Lagrima'

Una furtiva lagrima negli occhi suoi spuntò: Quelle festose giovani invidiar sembrò.

Che più cercando io vo? Che più cercando io vo? M'ama! Sì, m'ama, lo vedo. Lo vedo. Un solo instante i palpiti del suo bel cor sentir! I miei sospir, confondere per poco a' suoi sospir! I palpiti, i palpiti sentir, confondere i miei coi suoi sospir... Cielo! Si può morir! Di più non chiedo, non chiedo. Ah, cielo! Si può! Si, può morir! Di più non chiedo, non chiedo. Si può morire! Si può morir d'amor.

English Translation of 'Una Furtiva Lagrima'

A single secret tear from her eye did spring: as if she envied all the youths that laughingly passed her by. What more searching need I do? What more searching need I do? She loves me! Yes, she loves me, I see it. I see it. For just an instant the beating of her beautiful heart I could feel! As if my sighs were hers, and her sighs were mine! The beating, the beating of her heart I could feel, to merge my sighs with hers... Heavens! Yes, I could die! I could ask for nothing more, nothing more. Oh, heavens! Yes, I could, I could die! I could ask for nothing more, nothing more. Yes, I could die! Yes, I could die of love.

L’elisir d’amore, (Italian: “The Elixir of Love” or “The Love Potion”) comic opera in two acts by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti (Italian libretto by Felice Romani, after a French libretto by Eugène Scribe for Daniel-François-Esprit Auber’s Le Philtre, 1831) that premiered in Milanon May 12, 1832. 

Main Characters

Nemorino — a good-hearted but penniless waiter Adina  — a wealthy and beautiful bar owner Belcore — experienced charmer and Nemorino’s rival Dulcamara — a travelling ‘quack’ (medicine man), who touts a dubious cure-all elixir Giannetta — Adina’s friend and town gossip

Music

What separates L’Elisir d’Amore from dozens of charming comedies composed around the same time is not only the superiority of its hit numbers, but the overall consistency of its music. It represents the best of the bel canto tradition that reigned in Italian opera in the early 19th century—from funny patter songs to rich ensembles to wrenching melody in the solos, most notably the tenor’s showstopping aria “Una furtiva lagrima” in Act II. Its variations between major and minor keys in the climaxes are one of opera’s savviest depictions of a character’s dawning consciousness.

Setting And Story Summary

The opera is set in a small village in the early 19th century, rural Italy. Some early editions indicate a location in Basque country. The important fact is that it’s a place where everyone knows everyone and where traveling salesmen provide a major form of public entertainment. 

Act I

Adina’s farm. Adina is sitting beneath a tree on her farm, reading a book. Her friend Giannetta and other peasants are resting nearby. Nemorino watches Adina from a distance, lamenting that he has nothing but love to offer her (“Quànto è bella, quànto è cara”). The peasants ask Adina to read to them, and she reads them the story of how Tristan won Isolde by drinking a magic love potion.

Sergeant Belcore swaggers in with his troop. Adina laughs at his braggadocio, but when he presses her to marry him, she promises to think it over. She invites the whole troop to her house for some wine, and the peasants return to their work. Nemorino intercepts Adina on her way to the house and awkwardly declares his love for her. She tells him that he is a nice fellow but that she is not inclined to fall in love with anyone.

In the village square, the populace eagerly greets the traveling “Doctor” Dulcamara, who proclaims the virtues of his patent cure-all (“Udite, udite, o rustici”). Nemorino asks Dulcamara if he has the Elixir of Love described in Adina’s book. Dulcamara gives Nemorino a bottle of wine, telling him that it is the magical elixir. Nemorino gulps it down and becomes tipsy. When Adina enters, Nemorino, certain that the potion will work, pretends to ignore her. To punish him, Adina flirts with Belcore, who tells her that he must return to his garrison and so must marry her at once. Nemorino, dismayed by this turn of events, urges Adina to wait just one more day, but she spitefully ignores him and invites the entire village to the wedding.

Act II

Adina’s house. Everyone is celebrating at the pre-wedding feast at Adinas house. Adina secretly wishes Nemorino had come so she could enjoy her revenge. Dulcamara sings a flirtatious duet with Adina (“Io son ricco e tu sei bella”), to great applause. Adina, still miffed at Nemorino’s absence, goes off with Belcore and a notary to sign the marriage contract.

Nemorino arrives, fearing that he is too late to prevent the wedding. Seeing Dulcamara, he begs for another bottle of the magic elixir, but Dulcamara will not give it to him until he can pay for it. Nemorino throws himself on a bench in despair. Belcore now returns, annoyed that Adina has postponed the wedding until that evening. Seeing Nemorino, Belcore asks why he is so sad. Nemorino tells him that he is despondent because he has no money. Belcore advises him to join the army, where he can instantly earn 20 scudi. Nemorino is reluctant, but Belcore persuades him with a vision of the glories (and opportunities for winning the ladies) of being a military man. Nemorino enlists and takes the money, thrilled at the prospect of winning Adina. Belcore secretly plumes himself on having recruited his rival and getting him out of the way.

In the village, Giannetta tells her friends the exciting news that Nemorino’s uncle has died and left him a fortune. Nemorino staggers in, having drunk the second bottle of “elixir.” He suddenly finds himself the centre of female attention, and, not knowing that he has become an eligible bachelor, believes that the elixir is finally working. Adina and Dulcamara arrive and are both astonished to see Nemorino surrounded by the village maidens and fully enjoying his newfound popularity. Adina angrily confronts him about joining the army, but Nemorino, enjoying her jealousy, goes off with a gaggle of girls. Dulcamara tells Adina that the magic elixir has made Nemorino popular, and that he joined the army in order to get the money to pay for it. Adina realizes that Nemorino’s love is true. Dulcamara, seeing an opportunity to sell more elixir, tries to rouse her jealousy, but she vows to win him back her own way.

Alone, Nemorino recalls the tear on Adina’s cheek and is convinced that she loves him (“Una furtiva lagrima”). But when she arrives, he pretends to be uninterested, in order to get her to declare her true feelings. She asks him not to leave and tells him that she has bought back his commission (“Prendi, per me sei libero”). But she still will not confess her love, so Nemorino vows to die a soldier. At last, Adina tells him that she loves him and begs his forgiveness. Belcore arrives to find the lovers embracing. But he is confident that there are plenty of fish in the sea—and that Dulcamara and his love potion can help.

-Linda Cantoni

What style is it in?

L’elisir d’amore is written in the bel canto style, which literally means ‘beautiful song’.  Bel canto is all about exhibiting the beauty of the human voice. The orchestra functions to support the singer rather than to compete, and the orchestration is often quite sparse, leaving the voice exposed. This means that the singer’s intonation and vocal technique must be absolutely perfect, making bel canto a challenging style to master.

Donizetti, Bellini, and Rossini were the three leading composers of the bel canto style during the first half of the nineteenth century.

Musical Analyis:

This aria, written in strophic form has a very lovely and moving melody, in bel canto style. Donizetti tried to capture Nemorino’s feelings for Adina through arching melodic lines, opening the aria in an interval of a perfect fifth downward, descending in a minor second, and then going to a minor third upward with a leisurely rhythm. 

Sources: 

“'Torna a Surriento'.” Classic FM, www.classicfm.com/composers/rossini/. 

Green, Aaron. “Translation of ‘Largo Al Factotum’ From ‘The Barber of Seville.’” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, www.thoughtco.com/largo-al-factotum-lyrics-and-text-translation-724018. 

Schwarm, Betsy, and Linda Cantoni. “L'elisir D'amore.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 4 Apr. 2014, www.britannica.com/topic/Lelisir-damore. 

Green, Aaron. “What Does the Famous Aria 'Una Furtiva Lagrima' Mean in English?” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, www.thoughtco.com/una-furtiva-lagrima-lyrics-and-translation-724077. 

“L'elisir D'amore in a Nutshell.” Opera North, www.operanorth.co.uk/blogs/l-elisir-d-amore-in-a-nutshell.

[acutest-angle]

My favorite mom in the world @thatnormalcrazygirl​ tagged me!!!!!! <3 <3 <3 that you mmmooommmmm  Ɛ>  Ɛ>  Ɛ>

Nickname: I mean technically Nellie is a nickname but also nell and nel (thx zoo) and also nellnellcooljae cuz im cool like that

Pronouns: she/her

Zodiac sign: Aquarius ♒

Height: 5′ 8″ (i think thats like 170cm but tbh idk the metric system so who knows)

Time: 7:10pm

Birthday: February 1st

Languages spoken: English and i mean i can understand a lil bit of spanish but that doesnt really count (gotta love american language education hell yeah)

Nationality: American

Favorite Bands: Famous Last Words (takin me home to my emo roots), Got7, Seventeen, Day6, Stray Kids, SF9, and CNCO.

Favorite Solo Artists:  Yuna, Troye Sivan, Jorja Smith, Khalid, HyunA, Johann Vera, and Yoandri (I love music so much these lists are so stunted there’s so many more for each)

Favorite season: Spring and fall. I really love the like mild relief that happens between each of the two extreme seasons. 

Favorite flowers: uuuuhhhhhh the... flowery kind??? (i know -17 things about plants)

Song stuck in your head: Sheep - Lay (yo thx for this meme lay)

Last movie i watched: I started rewatching Les Mis the other day but got distracted like 7 minutes in... I can’t remember the last full movie I watched lol (im really not a movie person)

Favorite scent: I really like fresh smells like rain and flowers and laundry and things that make you feel clean and light and fressshhhh

Favorite animal: human?

Last thing i googled: “walter fisher” because im friend was taking a final that mentioned him and I wanted to know who he was lol

Coffee, tea or hot chocolate: tea but coffee is a fuckin close second (i only drink hot cocoa once in a blue moon)

Dream trip: traveling the world with my best friend

Do you have any other blogs?: The kpop incorrect quotes blog that zoo and I run together @incorrectk-popquotes​

Blog established?: Well I’ve technically been on this shitsite since 2013 but I’ve had this specific blog siiiiinceeeee 2016??? I think??? The other one was a disASTER of middle school fandom

Do you get asks?: Not really but when I do I get super hype and their usually from my friends as those sweet lil chain ones (that I always forget to continue)

Following blogs: 353

Followers: 251 (my old blog had like 700 when I deactivated it lol)

Favorite colors: blues and purples (but pastels and pinks are so so good)

Average hours of sleep: like 5-10 depending on the night (super consistent I know)

Favorite song right now: Baby Don’t Stop (lol “favorite” i love music just in general)

What am I wearing: Currently? black leggings and a maroon (i think) tank top

How many blankets do you sleep with: 1-3 depending on the season plus a sheet

Dream job: pediatric neurologist (but thats subject to change when i start doing residencies and stuff)

Random fact: i really like making useless lists of fun facts and i have sO MANY fun facts just kinda stored in my brain (another fact is that i just went through and deleted all those damn british ‘u’s yall can suck my american dick)

Favorite food: noodles or any kind. shove some noodles down my noodle receiver. i love noodles. noodles make me happier than anything else in life than a good NOOD.

I‘m gonna tag @studiomayaz​ @bisexualvulpix​ @g0thsgf​ @rtahandotherthings​ and @downtownsummernights​ cuz i love you all 

[inflagranteinnuendo]

Tag Game

cTagged by @writefasttalkevenfaster thanks Syeda!!

NAME: Christine a drunk ass Hun, as recorded by christine

GENDER: Christine- female Hun- I AM GIRL I SAID female

SIGN:  Christine- scorpio; Hun- PISCes THE FISH

HEIGHT: Christine- 5′ 3″ hella my tailor loves me tho I bring her business Hun- i am so tall i am forever iam takker than all the boys 5’10

MIDDLE NAME: Christine- it’s technically Christine. I’m a special ass snowflake (not really); Hun- Paige

PUT YOUR ITUNES ON SHUFFLE. WHAT ARE THE FIRST 6 SONGS THAT POPPED UP?:

Christine-

Often (Kygo Trap Remix), The Weeknd

You Get Me So High, The Neighbourhood

Gold, Chet Faker

One For the Road, Arctic Monkeys

Lovesick, BANKS

The Winter Soldier (CA:CW OST), Henry Jackman

Hun- (sober hun had to come back and do this one bc drunk hun couldn’t handle it)

All Time Low - Jon Bellion

Blue Velvet - Lana Del Rey

Breaking Free - High School Musical LMAO

Life Goes to a Party - Benny Goodman

Government Hooker - Lady Gaga

Hymn for a Sunday Evening - Bye Bye Birdie OBC

GRAB THE 📓 NEAREST TO YOU AND TURN TO PAGE 23. WHAT’S LINE 17?:

Christine - “Il faut souligner la disproportion considérable entre le poids des reins (300g, soit 0.5% du poids corporel) et la fraction du débit cardiaque qu’ils reçoivent, soit 20% ou 1000-1200mL/min (from Néphrologie et l’urologie, 3e édition)” i mean i did say i was studying nephrology. 

Hun- LMAOOOOOOO U THINN THERES BOOKS that’s my answer lollolo

EVER HAD A POEM OR SONG WRITTEN ABOUT YOU?:

Christine -yeah some french canadian kids made a rhyming poem with my name when I was in high school and screamed it at me when I was on the basketball court✌️

Hun- no :((((((( but my Spanish prof said he’d give me his book !!!! he writes poetry

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU PLAYED AIR 🎸?:

Christine- about like. 3 years ago??

Hun- NEVER I PLAY THE REAL ONE I AINT NO POSER

WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?:

Christine- nooo don’t do this to me i cannot ok fine this fine piece of dork Sebastian Stan ugh goddammitttt 

Hun- ummmmm i Love pete scallopini (christine: i have no idea who the fuck this is) (sober hun: thats what i call Peter Scanavino lmao)

WHAT’S A SOUND YOU HATE? 💛?:

Christine-

Hate: when a metal fork scrapes agains the ceramic. STOP THAT.

Love: Any of my loved ones’ voice. I don’t care if they’re reciting the Yellow Pages at me

Hun-

Hate: i hate spooks No sooons SPOONS on bowLS why are u so LOUD eatin cereal fuckin stOP

Love: i loveeeee good clarient best sound. Clarinet! that look wrong

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS? HOW ABOUT ALIENS?:

Christine- Ghosts no, aliens yes 

Hun- YES THEY FUCKIN REAL

DO YOU DRIVE? IF SO HAVE YOU EVER CRASHED?:

Christine- nope and nope

Hun- yeeeee i do tengo un jeep named doddsy but i had a trcuk when i was baby driver and drunk driver hit me bc he wwasnt lit like me he was fukin lame (sober hun: yeah in all seriousness clearly i think alcohol is very fun but when i was 16 my first car was destroyed by a drunk driver swerving into my lane and it was horrifying so i’m out here to say please don’t drink and drive)

WHAT WAS THE LAST 📓 YOU READ?:

Christine- For school: Harrison’s Internal Medicine 19th edition Not for school: Better, by Atul Gawande

Hun-  skme book abt gamet heory game theory imma type good shhh esta bien (christine’s translation: some book about game theory)

DO YOU LIKE THE SMELL OF PETROL?:

Christine- no i do not like the smell of the decayed remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric organic matter processed by mankind

Hun- what’s Petrol???

WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU SAW?:

Christine- Wonder Woman.

Hun- The murder on the train thjng it was boring i sw that moivie (probably Murder on Orient Express 2017)

WHAT’S THE WORST INJURY YOU’VE EVER HAD?:

Christine- Tied between toe injury due to unbroken pointe shoes and ilio-tibial band syndrome from running unidirectionally on the track

Hun- Sprained wrist (sober hun: im an idiot when im drunk i sprained my wrist when i was like 3 - when i was in high school i pinched my sciatic nerve and went to physical therapy for 2 years- i literally just forgot)

DO YOU HAVE ANY OBSESSIONS RIGHT NOW?

Christine- (in no particular order) matching to a surgical residency (don’t even ughhh it’s the biggest stress of my entire life right now and clerkship is next year), USMLE step 1 for potential fellowship in the US (why’d you ever come up with this licensing exam crap, americans, why???), Suits, SVU, writing for this blog, and also why are these ST elevations on the ECG not in a coronary territory????

Hun- lmaoooooo i really Love tequila rn does that count????

DO YOU TEND TO HOLD GRUDGES AGAINST ANYONE WHOSE DONE YOU WRONG?:

Christine- depends what kind of wrong. If it’s a blunder and they apologize, no. But if results from some pattern of cognition or behaviour that is fundamental to that person and they’re not willing to reflect on what they’ve done wrong, then move bitch get out the way

Hun- no I’m fuckin cool af be mi frienddddd

IN A RELATIONSHIP?:

Christine- out of one 

Hun- NO I AM  N O T BC N OONE GETS THAT IN THE FUCKIN COOLEST IM THE BEDT EVER DATE ME

Tagging: @barbabangme, @dreila03

[gellavonhamster]

Tagged by @eramidsummery (thank you, and sorry it took so long!)

rules: answer 17 questions and tag 21 blogs (I’m going to tag less people though)

nickname: Gella on the internet and for the fandom friends, various diminutives of Natalia (usually just Natasha) in other spheres of life

star sign: Scorpio

height: I don’t remember but the passport says 161 cm, let’s roll with that

last film I watched: An Education (2008)

favourite musicians: Melnitsa, Florence + The Machine, Marina, Lorde, Of Monsters and Men, Brainstorm, Mumford & Sons, Hozier, Regina Spektor, Gogol Bordello, AloeVera, Fall Out Boy, Charli XCX, Angel Haze, MØ

song stuck in my head: Hit the Back by King Princess

other blogs: @javert-jajaune-jarouge (Les Mis sideblog), @grecocerullo (L’amica geniale/My Brilliant Friend sideblog)

do I get asks: from time to time, usually when I reblog some kind of ask meme

blogs following: 192

what am I wearing: I am at home and it’s cold outside, so it’s all about being warm and cozy and ugly: sweatpants, shirt, sweater, two pairs of socks

dream job: translator of literature! I already got the translator part covered, so ideally I have to try to switch fields at some point (currently I work with technical and legal documents)

dream trip: England, Ireland, Scotland

play any instruments?: nope

languages: Russian (mother tongue), Latvian (more or less fluently), English (bachelor’s degree in English Philology), French (studied it for four years at the university but haven’t brushed it up for a long time), German (studied it at school, barely remember anything). Oh, and we had Latin at the university for one semester too, but very superficially

favourite food: pasta, ice cream, the chicken pilaf that my mom cooks, garlic croutons

favourite song: is it possible to choose only one? Let’s say Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men

random facts: I’m having my last this year’s vacation next week (starting from Tuesday) but I’m not travelling anywhere this time, so my plans so far include sleeping, cross-stitching, watching movies (will definitely finally go and see It Chapter Two; too bad The Goldfinch isn’t in cinemas anymore so I’ll have to watch it later somehow), fixing some broken jewellery and oh, did I mention sleeping? Also I’m thinking of wearing something closet-cosplay-ish to work on Halloween, just as a sort of an inner joke with myself. I’ll probably try to dress à la Heathers or as one of the barricade boys from Les Mis

tagging (if you wish to answer this, of course!): @u-morna, @tiffanyachings, @kitsnicketts, @whoslaurapalmer, @nabatute, @littlestsnicket