#this is old but i still think about it regularly

[kikicolors]

Screaming into the void about Veilguard. Spoilers!

I have this written somewhere else, but I might as well put it here.

It feels so shallow. None of the places we visit feel like they're even on the same planet as how they're described in the original 3 games, and there's no current politics or set world-state as you can't transfer over choices/saves from past games.

I was surprised when we didn't see an intense scene about slavery or the horrors that regularly occur in Tevinter when Dorian paints such a detailed picture of his home in DAI.

Elves have been turned into humans basically, Dalish no longer exist or feel like they have culture. No longer are they suspicious of outsiders. Hey, join the veil-jumpers and get your grubby shem fingers all over ancient artifacts! Essentially Jesus Christ has come back to earth and none of them seem that bothered about it. It should be chaos among the Dalish as they're so hardcore in their beliefs, established by lavellan and Solas' encounters with them in DAI.

The factions just feel like filler that all have the same feel and milquetoast goody-two shoes goal.

Everyone's accents are all over the place. I heard maybe 1 guy sound Tevene in Tevinter, everyone else was American/Dwarven-esque or Fereldan. It's like Andromeda all over again. They just don't care about the details.

No true arguments or bashing of heads, no characters have a strong opinion one way of politics/beliefs that could be seen as morally wrong. No one feels real.

Not even to mention (SPOILERS!)

Solas for some reason 'abhors' blood magic, when in DAI he was willing to teach you if he knew it.

They butchered Solas' character. They're acting as though he's always been cold and evil, out for revenge, and even in his memories during his rebellious days he sacrificed tons of spirits to get what he wanted, which couldn't be further from his character. They also forgot about the implied elven uprising that was growing at the end of Trespasser. Not once does the game mention an agent, or does he have any followers.

There's an ending that says every big choice in past games (Loghain's betrayal, corypheus going into the golden city) was orchestrated by a secret no-name organization that is basically the illuminati, destroying all agency of past characters.

I haven't finished the game, but I hear the titans are never truly touched on other than Lace's powers.

The crows who torture and kill innocents are seen as this group that helps keep the streets safe...?

Why was solas so against the grey wardens killing archdemons if nothing bad happens when you kill them and they're just creatures assigned to each of the elven pantheon? In DAI he acted as though killing Archdemons was a dangerous thing and would worsen the world.

What ever happened to the soul of the old god that Mythal took from Morrigan's child, then Solas took from Mythal? Is that ever touched on?

What about the well of sorrows!?

I should've steeled myself against this game being bad. I knew it was coming. But man, I love the other three dragon age games so it's still horrible to see it happen. I think solas' character assassination was one of the worst things this game did as he's one of the most interestingly written villains IMO (In inquisition).

[kaythefloppa]

Wild Kratts - Salmander Streaming - Thoughts

Spoilers!!

I've a good feeling that this isn't actually a clip from a movie, but just something the animators whipped up. The fact that the animals running are in blue and green gives me the impression.

But also, the characters being able to stream movies makes me feel old.

If I had a nickel for every time a red squirrel fucked up high tech structure in this show, I'd have 2 nickels.

Also, how efficient are the tellurium crystals (which we saw earlier in the season premiere) are, if shit like THIS can render the turtle ship's power efficient??

Roll credits!

Also, this is the first of MANY moments in the episode that made me laugh unironically.

Martin, that is a fucking exoskeleton. I don't think I have to explain why that is incredibly gross (although it does make for an efficient boat).

Also, random fact: The largest crayfish on the planet has weighed up to 11 pounds. That's huge!

This is another thing about the episode that regularly comes up (and that many people have noticed). The animation is suprisingly fluid. I mean, not surprisingly, there were new riggers on board for the show, which likely explains why it took nearly 2 years for the new season to drop, but still. Screenshots alone do not do several scenes or shots (this included) justice when talking about how eye-catching or interesting the animation is.

I did not know that some salamander species were cannibalistic! This show always manages to teach me new things every day, even at the age of 18.

Am I the only one who is the tiniest bit miffed when they call it "the human fish" and not "the olm." I get that it's a nickname like "Wolf Hawks" but, it's not the only name. 😭😭

I feel like this is yet another moment where I should needlessly harp into the "lore" of Wild Kratts. Because she describes the suit as "universal" and as we see in the episode, the Salamander Power Suit can be reactivated based on species. So why didn't she do this with the Spider, or Wolf Suit. I'm 100% looking too much into this, but just saying.

Also, I really hope that a Universal Salamander Power Suit implies that we'll be getting an Axolotl episode and a Power Suit. I was kinda hoping we'd see some of them in this episode, but the potential is there!

There is DEFINITELY no way I could've done this joke justice using screenshots. You need to see it in video form to see my point. Because the joke was predictable in every sense of the word. I knew what the punchline was. I knew when the punchline was gonna hit. But because the animation was so fluid throughout the frames, and because of how detailed the shading and lighting were and how overtly obvious the punchline was because of the visuals, it still made me laugh my ass off. I legitimately had to look up if James Baxter (yes THAT James Baxter) worked on this episode because it reminded me of a lot of scenes he did for Steven Universe and Owl House. Was surprised to know that he wasn't, but regardless, whoever animated these episodes, whether veterans or newcomers, deserves their fucking raise.

I know that he's referring to the salamander, and yes, the joke has been made before, but like, if someone told you that there's an episode of Wild Kratts where they [by technicality] said the word "hell" *checks notes* twenty-four times in one episode, would you believe them? Yeah that's what I thought.

Also, indeed hellbenders are the largest salamander in North America, the third largest in the world. Adult healthy hellbenders have very few predators and that's because of how gigantic they are.

I used up my one-video free-card on a previous joke, but once again, it's so silly, you know what the joke/punchline is, yet it's presented in such a way that is still really humorous, either because of how it doesn't bring too much awareness to the fact that it's a joke, embraces said fact of it being a joke, or both. Complete with straight-up fucking Looney Tunes style anticts, it's just really fun.

Also, another thing I find funny is that the hellbender ate the crayfish exoskeleton. Like, would that even be tasty?

Spoilers, but Chris does NOT Activate Tiger Salamander Powers. Yes, I am also miffed.

They're so besties.

Ok but like I'm sensing a pattern where Martin activates a Creature Power Suit with Aviva whenever he's not activating it alone or with Chris. Which at first I didn't think much of, but then I realized. Blue is a component color to make up purple. So this occasional running theme/pattern could be a reference to how similar they are, and how both rely on each other in some fundamental way in their adventures, much like how the colors blue and purple are interconnected in a way. Am I looking too much into this as well? Yeah, but I actually enjoy it!

Ok not gonna lie, I actually liked the fourth-wall break. Mainly because they could've easily fucked it up badly by having it drag on for too long, or making it too meta, but quick cuts and gags like this make it all the more worthwhile. And unlike the Camel Chris gag in the camel episode, it sticks around once and doesn't wear out its welcome.

Also, the Salamander Suits were activated by touching a Hellbender, which we've established, is bigger than every other salamander shown in the episode.... so... why the fuck are they that tiny?? They should at least be way bigger than the rocks they're standing on.

Also, the Salamander Suits genuinely look like Dinosaur Suits. At least... from this angle.

-... because from THIS angle they look so. FUCKING. CUTE. I so badly want to hug them like plushies (now I'm even more disappointed that Chris wasn't in one of these)

How the fuck was this guy able to stuff a huge-ass butternut underneath his vest and shirt.

Also, Chris, you do realize that keeping squirrels from eating the nut is a good way to make them endangered as well? Bro is petty 😭

I think this is the first time we've seen the Tortuga miniaturized by someone on the actual crew, not a villain or an accident.

As someone who didn't know or care that much for salamanders (at least in comparison to frogs and toads), this episode enlightened me a lot. I actually hope I do see a hellbender sometime in my life

CONCLUSION:

PROS:

The humor. Like, every single joke in this episode either got me to crack a grin, or laugh out loud

The animation. Once again, the animators have got their rent due. So many memorable facial expressions and cool color designs that just make it nice to look at.

The salamander species themselves.

CONS:

Chris definitely should've activated the Tiger Salamander Suit. Bro was robbed

No mention of Axolotls? The most well-known salamander in the world? For shame.

Final Ranking: 8/10. A nice slice of life mini-adventure with no huge or real stakes, but overall a pretty fun romp. Before this episode came out, there were a lot of positive reviews of this episode on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes, and while I generally take those with heaping grains of salt (because opinions are opinions at the end of the day), I definitely agree that this episode is fun. The very epitome of "camp."

[dizzyduck44]

Do we need to talk about driving standards?

I don’t really want to do this post because I’m about to slate drivers I like, but after today I think we need to discuss one of the issues that doesn’t seem to be being talked about. Driving standards and in particular certain drivers.

(I’m going to try really hard to keep this on track and not have it bleed into the FIA regs rant that is coming).

Today we saw a full race quali and a full race in a day, at times in horrendous and dangerous weather. Some people rose and some I now question WTF are you even doing?

In a race that claims a DNS, a crash on the formation lap, a start procedure infringement that has never happened before, a DSQ and a top 3 that all benefited from a red flag (more on that later) , plus we have no idea if and when the race classification will be finalised as out of 15 finishers, half have to go and see the stewards after the race, maybe we have to accept something went very very wrong here.

Let’s be clear I was the first one to say on Saturday that we need to remember we have 3 rookies and Lance Stroll on the grid and to ask them to run in that weather was asking for trouble and unfair. I really wish I’d be able to style that out as a joke, but after what we have seen today, I can’t.

Let’s get into it. There were 5 red flags in Qualifying as Colapinto, Stroll, Sainz, Albon and then Alonso all high fived the wall at speed. Dooming poor mechanics at the end of triple header, who had already been at the track since 4.30 to massive rebuild jobs.

Was it too dangerous to run? Well Lando in the McLaren (that would later prove to be as much use in rain as a paper boat in a gale force wind) kept improving, so I guess there was something in the track. George and the two RBs found something as well. Car or confidence, your decide.

So on the way to the grid Yuki gets fined TWICE for speeding in the pit lane. On a good day that would be a talking point, today not even mentioned.

We roll round to the race start. Alex’s car can’t be fixed. I struggle to understand why Williams gave up a P7 starting position but that’s another post. Off we go and 3 corners in, Lance is in the gravel 😒 Your mechanics have killed themselves to get you on the starting grid and you can’t even make it to the start? No words.

I’m not gonna lie as soon as I saw Lance stuck I assumed we were going for a second formation lap. I’m old enough to remember abandoned starts were different to aborted starts. When the lights changed Lando and George didn’t hesitate to go for the second lap. I know this is unusual but do we not clarify this with drivers regularly? Well obviously not as some cars moved and others stayed still. What are they talking about in driver meetings?

So we finally get the race under way and people are sort of holding it together. We have a couple of bumps, a few off road adventures and a spin or two but generally all within the realms of a wet race.

Until, Nico Hulkenberg gets stuck. Now Nico is an experienced driver. 200+ races. Now me, sat in a chair at home, knows that if a Marshall touches your car off the circuit you are out of the race. Why then when he saw 4 Marshall’s push him back on did he continue? And then line up in the pit lane at the red flag as if nothing had happened? It begs belief.

Then Colapinto. My heart broke for the Williams mechanics, to see the one car they had already fixed back in pieces. Ultimately in that weather you don’t push your luck on fresh tyres. I assume this is something you learn in karting. However that lack of judgement ultimately decided the race as the red flag gave the three podium sitters a free pitstop under a red flag.

To crown it all off we restarted the race in the most questionable conditions of the day and almost immediately Lando told us they couldn’t really see the car in front (if you are going to get that close to George’s rear end, take him on a date first!). Ollie Bearman showed us (a number of times) drivers were struggling to see the track. The camera couldn’t even see cars. Well it’s ok, cos we about to get a safety car, as yet again Carlos decides to visit the wall. Oh and has to go and see the stewards about driving dangerously!

Now at this point three of the drivers that caused red flags in quali have now caused issues in the race be it flags, safety cars or an aborted start. Three of the same 5. Let that sink in. Had it been 3 different drivers we could forget it, but three in both sessions? WTF were they doing? I’m shocked, annoyed and amused in equal measures. How? Twenty best drivers in the world so we are told.

And Oscar’s name got mentioned way too many times for comfort over this weekend. Spinning, off the track, causing a collision.

Don’t get me wrong we saw some awesome driving today. Max and Esteban in particular stand out, brilliant if lucky. Lando’s over take on George, and Liam defending Checo were what we like to see in the bravery department. Lewis decided to be himself for 10 laps and it was awesome. Finally a special word for Fernando. Clearly in pain but out of respect for the mechanics who had worked so hard to get two cars back on the grid for the race, determined to finish the race.

However it’s difficult to forget that we saw some questionable stuff today. Can it all be blamed on the conditions? Well I always argue that if you want to be an F1 Champion you have to be able to drive in all conditions. I think from now on I will be side eyeing a few drivers in that respect. Which is really hard as I like a lot of the drivers who I have mentioned in this post.

[ghostly-writers]

New Carer?

For @billyfazworth and I'm so sorry for the such long wait, thank you for being so patient! @eggyboyo-here You're next!

The first thing Piper noticed about Mr Roth was that he was tall, very tall and smelt strongly of coffee, engine oil and aftershave with a hint of cigarettes. It was a nice scent, reminding her of everything strong and homely in a way. She stood clutching onto Delia’s hand bringing her younger sister closer as if trying to put a barrier between her and the stranger. He was rugged too, stubble lining his face and he was quite pale as well, but not like in a vampire way or anything, he was a little tan like he had spent most of his inside but still sunned himself regularly and had a messy head of chocolate brown hair that fell onto his face. He was dressed plainly in a plaid shirt, jeans and converse clean shaven but it was done while nervous as there were dots of blood on his face from where the razor nicked him.

Piper liked to think of herself as the stronger character while Delia was the meeker and quieter one, staying closer to her big sister's side, Preferring to look at the hardwood floors than at Mr Roth. “Girls..” Mrs Oakley said her voice was smooth like butter with a hint of impatience. She was tall and thin with sharp angler features that Piper thought made her look a little bit like a horse, with long ginger hair pulled back into a bun that was so tightly it seemed the scalp was barely holding on. She was dressed formally in a long blue skirt, white blouse and black heels “this is Mr Roth…he’s going to be your new carer”. Mr Roth smiled at them both his eyes crinkling at the sides in a kind way, there was no over the top sympathy speech just quiet comfort “Nicky or Nick is fine” his voice was rough but there was a distinct softness, like he was afraid of raising his voice but not in a way that made Pipers skin crawl knowing it was all fake, the way that made them know he was only being soft to seem kind and make her trust him but in a way that made him seem almost fatherly. “Say hello” Mrs Oakely pushed seeing Piper only stare blankly at Nicky with her own pale eyes.

Mrs Oakley wasn't a mean woman by any means but she was certainly strict. She was in charge of them in the foster home they had been staying in for the past couple days, taking up a room in the temporary housing part of the building while she tried to contact anyone who could come get the two girls. She liked to run a tight ship and make sure everyone and everything ran smoothly with no excuses for tardiness or imperfection, working to try and contact anyone suitable who could take the two girls in. Their mother had suddenly disappeared through a kidnapping and the father didn't seem to be in the picture, she had found Mr Roth on a far off branch of friendship and after a quick background check and phone call he had agreed to take the two girls in. 

His home was clean and safe and he seemed to have good habits, bathing regularly, being able to be at home for the girls, cooking, cleaning and overall passing the requirements well enough that he would be approved to be their foster parent until their mother was found. She stared down at Delia and Piper who both seemed content staring at Mr Roth with slight suspicion while he picked at an old mole or scab on his arm smiling politely when they made eye contact. Mrs Oakley sighed and wiped her hands on her skirt since the humid room was beginning to make her sweat “ok girls…” she began taking a extra second to check her watch and match it to the clock on the wall to make sure they weren't behind schedule “go get your bags while I have Mr Roth fill in some forms” she could see the man grimace at the word ‘forms’ it was soon smothered by another polite smile.

Piper knew her and Delia had been in this temporary home for exactly three days, twelve hours, seven minutes and eight seconds, but hey, who was counting? She was certain of two things since she had been brought here with her little sister and sparsely packed bag in tow. That her mother was missing, taken by some bird like creature in the middle of the night and that… she was afraid. Afraid her mother would never come back, that she would never be held again by her or feel her scratchy cardigans or smell the perfume she loved so much. Piper was scared she was going to be alone forever with only her sister for company, she had to protect Delia and keep her safe. She didn't fully trust Mr Roth, sure he seemed non threatening but she had always been taught looks can be deceiving and to always trust her gut especially around strangers, she didn't know this man! For all she knew he could be a serial killer that had somehow bi-pased all the security and was going to kill them and dump them in the woods- “Piper!” Mrs Oakleys snapping voice cut her off a long finger pointed to the stairs impatiently tapping her foot “go pack now” she instructed not leaving any room for argument leading Piper and Delia to slink off like a pair of grumpy cats making Mrs Oakley sigh and shake her head before turning to Mr Roth and leading him to the main office to finalise the main paperwork. 

Nicholas Michael Roth was sure that he was a fully functioning adult. He paid his bills, filed his taxes and took the medication his doctor gave him to suppress any…unpleasant episodes that he may have while still in therapy. He knew he needed to try for these two girls since they didn't have it easy either, losing their mother and now being stuck with a complete stranger who they probably thought was some sort of serial killer. He liked to think he was non threatening despite being tall and having a habit of towering over people when he didn't mean to. So when Mrs Oakley began to lead him to her office he followed obediently behind trying to keep some distance. Watching her as she brought out a thick stack of paper for him to sign off on saying that he was now responsible for the girls and that he would take care of them “they’re lovely girls you know” Mrs Oakley assured giving him a kind smile “I don’t ever mean to snap, but Piper sometimes needs a little extra push to get going” Nicky nodded in understanding giving his initial on the finale piece of paper “they seem it” he said smiling reassuringly. Mrs Oakley smiled again at him, her face softening a bit “may I ask how you knew their mother?” She inquired clearly and Nicky couldn’t really blame her since he seemed like an odd sort of man one would entrust the safety of two children with. “We were friends in college” he started as he fiddled with his hands “we shared a home for a few years, then she moved and we still stayed in contact, we remained good friends but…I didn’t think she would want me to do something like this…” he realised how that sounded and quickly tacked on “not that that's bad, I’m sorta honoured she kept my number somewhere” Mrs Oakley nodded and grabbed the papers he signed, stuffing them into a folder marked ‘Tillman’.

“Right, you're all set!” She said cheerfully standing up, Nicky followed her, the plastic chair he was sitting on scraping against the floor making him cringe. He followed Mrs Oakley out of the office and into the hallways where the two girls stood Piper wringing her hands in her t-shirt ,bag on the floor next to her. “Girls, Mr Roth is now going to take you home, you can always call me if there is any trouble” she directed that last part to Nicky who nodded and picked up both girls bags, holding them in each hand and making his way to the double-doored exit, waving one last time at Mrs Oakley who stood and waved them off. Making his way over to his car Delia and Piper stook close behind him watching him put their bags in the trunk of his car and lock up.

 “Right we best be off-” Nicky started but was quickly cut off by two bodies wrapping themselves around each of his legs looping their own legs around him like snakes on a tree-branch. “Thank you” Piper spoke first her voice quiet from lack of use, she clung to him while Delia did the same both refusing to let go until Nicky literally peeled them off and held them in his arms tenderly letting them both just cling and hug him, the painful sting of his own feeling he had when he was in their position, alone and scared needing someone to turn on the lights in his dark world and give him some comfort just letting him cling to them and whisper sweet nothings to him to try and make him feel better. “You’re welcome” he whispered back as he let them cling to him for a little more before slipping them into the back seat and giving them his jacket which they both eagerly took and held in their arms sharing it between them, Nicky could see them slowly begin to fall asleep in the rear view mirror. He smirked to himself and put the keys into the ignition before making the slow journey home. Yeah, this was a good thing.

[gongliyart]

College Bokuto !!

[souenkun]

Pokémon Masters EX spoilers ahead!

Kabu likes to play TAG with his pokemon... and he's shown to have a much softer side beneath his strictness in pokemas too... he's so grandpa-shaped to me 😭💖

[gralixe]

All objects of worship in one place

[secretlythatsme]

i've seen a lot of dp fans in the dpxdc fandom talk about not having access to comics so here. it's completely free, good quality scans (for most things), basically any dc comic you could want is there. you should have an adblocker but the ads aren't the worst if you don't, just noticeable and annoying. you're not gonna get a virus, i've been using the site for years, as have many other fans.

if you genuinely want to read the comics, take advantage of the sites comic fans have been using. there's new and old stuff and everything in between. crossovers too. whatever you want to read, you'll find there.

[transmascutena]

thinking about how young all the rgu kids are again

[castielafflicted]

it has come to my attention some of you might not truly understand my sandwich qualifications and why I've been calling them "shitty turkey sandwiches" when they're a perfectly normal quick sandwich of cheap white bread, american cheese, turkey lunch meat, and mayo.

behold 6 sandwiches I have made

my normal effort sandwich includes: cheddar cheese, at least one meat (or eggs), (usually) pickles, lettuce, tomato with salt and pepper, mayo, garlic and onion powder, and sometimes dijon mustard. the bread is not always toasted, but for a Good sandwich I dry toast one side in a skillet. a quick sandwich in my mind is cheddar and tomato or cheddar and lunch meat, but never american. my high effort sandwiches get wrapped in wax paper and sit a little bit so i get away from the Sandwich Making Smells and like them even more.

the first sandwich has a whole ass omelette with caramelized onions and garlic and bell peppers. it's on toasted garlic cheese bread. it has roast beef, mayo, yellow mustard, cheddar, the omelette, and tomato with salt and pepper. i still dream about this sandwich. the third sandwich is on sourdough i made myself.

so, comparatively, i am eating very shitty turkey sandwiches.

[carefulfears]

a lot of these fans are scully hardcore fans who call mulder an asshole for fucking someone while scully is abducted and in danger and i’m like maybe let him have the one thing that makes him forget all this even for a split second and makes him stop the self flagellation for a moment ?? you know..

tbh i feel like kristen was kind of more an indulgence into self-hatred (and a sort of feeling of betrayal?) than anything else but i totally get what you’re saying anon and you’re so right like…omg…let me not speak…

[pirefyrelight]

you ever just wish you could start your life over as easy as it is to in minecraft.

[hey-scully-itsme]

got to go on a trail ride yesterday and one of the guides asked if i rode (as in, rode currently) and when i said i used to she was like 'i figured, i could tell from your seat' and it's not a huge deal given i rode enough in the past that it'd be surprising if i didn't stand out in a group of beginners, but also i will be riding (haha) that high for the next week

[poisoned-pearls]

you know, Idk if I have to say it, but, cut off those people who drain you. You shouldn’t always have to text first, your friendship shouldn’t end because you stopped talking.

And I know it sucks, that feeling of crippling loneliness. But when shit was absolutely the worst for me, when everything had fucking crashed and burned, I met a few people who finally reminded me what it meant to have someone care, and you’ll get it soon

[gongliyart]

some observations from kageyama's notebook

[wolpatinga]