#top 10 things that make you want to sell your soul

[eorzeashan]

i feel like those detective guys who are forced to crossdress to seduce a perp

[thepettymachine]

Wandering Souls Challenge for TS3

Heeey so I made another challenge. Might be the last one I ever make who knows. But I got inspired by the Postcard Legacy for TS4 and made something similar but not similar to it. It took a minute to make but I hope you enjoy

Wandering Souls Challenge is a 10 generation legacy challenge where you go through multiple jobs and careers with story elements involved. This is a challenge if you don't wanna do just one career all of your sims life and don't mind moving around + mild drama but not soul shattering.

Tag: "wandering souls challenge" or "@" me

Rules:

I didn't really make any but don't feel obligated to do everything as an objective. Somethings you probably aren't going to get to everything and that's okay. If you do everything congratulations, if you don't move on.

I have no designated way to play this (ex: what town do you recommend in playing with this), I'm giving the player what they want to do within the confines of this challenge. It's your sandbox not mine.

You do have some optional goals for extra fun if you choose to do so.

Have fun

Carry On Wayward Son

When you were young, you didn’t take anything as serious as your music. Your obsession with the chords became as necessary as breathing and you’ll do anything but sell your soul to the industry. But as you grew older and had a family, you wish for more structure with your music in hopes for it to reach the people that desperately need to hear it. So you find an indie record company and work with them because your artistic freedom is still the forefront of why you’re doing all of this. Plus feeding your family and paying the bills. 

Objectives:

Start by making money through collecting tips while working part time jobs

Half way through your YA years, you try a Singing career or being part of a band but it doesn’t work out

As an adult, you enter into the Music career for more structure and to reach a larger fanbase

Pick a branch between classical or rock

Your lover/(s) must be all creative types like you (artist, sculptor, architect, musician, street artist, etc)

You encourage your children to also pursue the arts

Master all 4 instruments (guitar, bass, piano, and drums)

Get at least 3 tattoos somewhere on your body

2. Jeffrey Jeffrey Simzos

If the Grinch and Scrooge had a love child, it would be you. You couldn’t really get behind your parent’s idealistic dreams about music and art, it felt unstable and unrealistic to you. You want wealth and power at your fingertips and anyone at your beck and call. Whether its through a wealthy spouse, your boss, the corporate ladder, or getting into politics, you will reach the top. For there is no redemption arc and no grace to be given for Greed has already devoured the remnants of your dead beating heart.

Objectives:

Have bake sales as a child and dislike any attempts at the arts

Join the Business career

Be enemies with all of your coworkers

Go from a small house/apartment to a big mansion/house

Be the owner of multiple businesses around town + an additional home

Marry a rich sim you definitely married for money

Have at least one child with the butler or maid you hired

You become more power hungry so you join Politics after reaching level 8 of Business career

Steal campaign funds 

Your kids must be the top of their class, no exceptions (straight A’s, no skipping school, be apart of a club) or they are sent to boarding school

You are not close with any of your children

Optional: woohoo your boss

3. Yes Chef

Because excellence was required of you as a child, you tend to have a strong work ethic and unrealistic expectations for yourself and others while despising what you had to endure in your upbringing. The one good thing out of it was discovering your love of cooking. Cooking was a way for you to escape your worries and as an adult you desire to be a chef, going against everything your parents raised you with. You started from the bottom and found your way all the way at the top as head chef. But something is missing and so you explore other cultures and find new excitement in  nectar making. You figure when you retire, you wanna spend the rest of your days being a nectar maker on a giant farm in the countryside.

Objectives:

Start at the diner for the first half of your career, then move over to the bistro for the second half

Bartend for bars at night for extra income

Read every recipe and learn all the fancy drinks

Master Cooking & Mixology

Marry your childhood friend or high school friend you haven’t seen in years

Cook your spouse and children their favorites meals at least once

At the top of your career, you get bored and visit travel other cultures for their cuisine (go to France, Egypt, and China to learn their food recipes)

Get inspired by nectar making 

When becoming an Elder, move to the countryside, retire as a chef, and become a self employed nectar farmer. 

4. Country Roads, Take Me Home

You’ve always found interest in nature as a kid and instead of wanting to be in the comfy suburbs or stargazing the city’s skylines.You even had a knack for bringing stray animals into your home but they always seemed to run away when you left for school (according to your parents). That’s why instead of working a typical 9-5, you fulfill your childhood dream of being on a farm and working with your bare hands. Building a life you always dreamed of yet will work hard to maintain. There’s no sleeping in for this dreamer.

Objectives:

As a child you were part of the scouts

Live on a farm or ranch

Work as a self employed gardener

Master the Fishing, Gardening, and/or Riding skill

Adopt 2 strays (horse, dog or cat)

Marry your helper on the farm or Marry a townie that loves the outdoors/animal lover trait

Wake up in the early hours of the day

Have a big family cause free child labor

Raise a horse from baby to elder 

Optional: Own a cow plant 

Optional: Win the highest horse competition (racing or jumping)

5. He was #1

You’ve always had an interest in the outdoors but sports was your passion and you’re very good at it. So good, you were being scouted by agents who hoped to take you to the pros and have your name chanted by the thousands. Your dream did come true but another did not. You’re a closeted hopeless romantic who always wished to find their soulmate and have a family, but being a professional athlete with a recognizable face has made it difficult for you to find true authentic love. What will it take for you to find love and will you have to choose between your two greatest loves or can they both coexist together for your sake.

Objectives:

Enjoy your outdoor activities (playing ball, going to the pool, camping, etc) once a week

Find love through online dating 

Go on 3 dates with a person before committing 

Host a big wedding party and bachelor/bachelorette party and if possible, ask your partners parents for their blessing

Master the Athletic skill

Become a stay at home parent when you reach level 6  of the sports career

After a sports injury that takes you out of the field. You find yourself recovering and unemployed and decide to take care of your children while deciding your next move. 

You realize you want to be a sports agent so you go back to college as an adult and get your physical education degree 

Reach level 10 of Jock social group. 

Join the Sports Agent career

Gain the Eternally Faithful Moodlet

6. You Blinded Me with Science:

Curiosity killed the cat or in your case it just made you curiouser. You couldn’t keep your hands still and always have to be tinkering with something. So much so that you lost your beloved job at the science lab because you kept goofing around with some scrap from the town’s junkyard during company hours. No worries, you just decided to go all in with being a self made inventor and creating gizmos and gadgets the world has never seen before. Except one day, you find a mysterious device you’ve never seen before and upon activating it, you end up in the future. There are alot more prettier machines than the ones you’ve been messing around with and you sorta take one home with you. Oh well what’s the worst that can happen. 

Objectives:

Start out in the Science career but get fired after reaching lvl 3 in inventing and join the Inventor self employed career 

You spend your weekends messing around in the town's junkyard and blowing stuff up for your experiments. The neighbors even catch you dumpster diving around town 

Marry someone just as eccentric and quirky as you (ex: eccentric, neurotic, insane, socially awkward, slob, etc)

Master the handiness and inventing skills

Create all inventions, including a simbot

Make some of your children through the Time Machine (past: child - YA/ future: elder, you can age down if you wish) 

All your children’s traits have to be randomized

Optional: Go into the future and obtain all the gadgets to bring them back home to the present 

Optional: You even bring back home a plumbot and learn how to take care of one

Optional: Leave the Inventor career and present and work in the Astronomy career in the future.

7. Who You Gonna Call?

This generation can be played in two different ways. The choice is up to you. (Also double heirs can be accepted for this gen)

Super Skeptic Route:

The question you’ve always asked yourself was “Are Ghosts Real?” You believed in the supernatural, the horror stories, and the abduction of Bella Goth and was hoping to find evidence in the graveyards. But alas you could never find your ghosts and your dreams were crushed. Now as an adult, you’ve become a skeptic and believe it all to be a charade and try to speak sense into the “sheep” around you to see the light. Until one day you do encounter a ghost and for the last time, you investigate into the question, “Are Ghosts Real?”.

Objectives:

Work in a graveyard in your teen years

Have the Supernatural Skeptic trait. 

You dabble in Alchemy but it never takes effect on you. 

Join the Con Artist branch of the Fortune Teller career

Encounter 3 ghosts to convince you that ghosts are real

Leave the Fortune Teller career to become a Ghost Hunter

You convince Ghosts to move on/ Set them free rather than have them experiment on by the science lab (avoid opportunities that say otherwise) 

Do all investigations (spirit invasion, paranormal investigation, poltergeist haunting, ghostly presence, angry ghost invasion)

Ultra Fan Route:

As a child, you always found yourself interested in what couldn’t be reasoned or argued against, the supernatural. You obsessed over horror stories, wandered into graveyards, deep subreddits of conspiracies behind Bella Goth’s abduction and studied too many ways to become one. You started to give up hope of ever becoming one. Until one day you befriend a fellow occult member of society and it changed your life forever.

Objectives:

Work in a graveyard in your teen years

Have the Supernatural Fan trait

Master the Alchemy skill

Start a side hustle of being an author writing primarily in the horror genre

Publish 15 horror books

Join the Mystic branch of the Fortune Teller career

Befriend a supernatural of your choice to be turned into

Get 1st place at Trivia night at the Vault of Antiquity

8. Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Being a doctor was something you always thought you wanted to be. It came with status, notoriety, respect, money, student loans, and it was something more stable than what your parents were able to give you. You worked hard and got into the Medical career where you met your spouse and lived in a beautiful home with your two kids and pet. It’s like everything worked out in the end. But your desire to see the world burn just keeps rearing its ugly head and you can no longer contain the person you thought you repressed for so long. It desires the status and respect you’ve obtained but also infamy, underlings, and power.

Objectives:

Have the Evil trait

As a teen, be a straight A student, work a part time job, and be best friends with your parents, enemies with your siblings (if applicable)

Choose to go to college on full scholarship or enter the Medical career immediately. 

Marry a fellow coworker whose as ambitious or hardworking as you

Live in a nice home with a white picket fence, 2 kids and a pet of your choice

Befriend some townies who work in the Criminal career

Donate to criminal organizations at least once a week

Leave your job in the Medical career in your adult years

Join the Criminal career

Choose the Evil branch of the Criminal career and reach the top

Optional: Divorce your spouse, find a new home, bring the kids (or don’t) and marry your criminal coworker.

9. Baywatch

You used to work in law enforcement until the red tape got to you and so you went to become a private investigator. Solving crimes and digging through trash got exhausting and difficult as you try to serve others yet the system kept letting you down. After having a midlife crisis, You’ve come to realize that helping people can be simple, enjoyable, and have a great ocean view. Being a lifeguard wasn’t in the career plan but saving lives from the depths of the oceans and looking good in red too. Not a bad career change.  

Objectives:

Join the law enforcement career

Become friends with/date your cop partner 

When reaching level 5 of the career, you leave your job to go into the Investigative career to get away from the red tape 

Continue being an investigator until your Adult years

Have a midlife crisis and complete all the wishes or go get therapy at the hospital

At the end of your crisis, you join the Lifeguard career

Find an island or befriend a mermaid  

Master the scuba diving skill and logic skills

10. Master of None

Oh the journey you have been on. From caring about the music to fighting robbers in people’s homes, you’ve been through it all. As you worked hard for what you wanted, You have reached this crossroad and wonder what it all means and what it meant before. Maybe discovering yourself is what the journey is all about or maybe it's the experiences that shape you that gives you your form. Regardless, you’ve been feeling torn about what to do now and with no destination, maybe you start to express who you truly are. Who knows. There is no rush in the process or a destination in sight, only the curiosity that keeps your soul wandering on the journey.  

Objectives:

Join at least 5 different careers you haven’t played in this challenge (Education, Magician, Firefighter, Stylist, etc)

Have 3 best friends you maintain until Elder

Start dabbling in painting or sculpting in your free time outside of work. 

Meet the love of your life 

Be apart of your community - take opportunities that involve helping your neighbors/fellow townies

Pamper yourself -  go to a place in town for some you time once a week

Learn a new skill once a week (you don’t have to master it) 

If applicable, befriend your grandchildren 

Optional: turn your hobby into your job 

Thank you for playing. Feedback is welcomed

[ominous-feychild]

😱⚠️ CLICKBAIT WIP GAME???⚠️😱

I've pushed this off for a bit even though I've really liked the idea because of CONSTANT DISASTERS??? in my life!!!, but I'm here now!!! 😂

Thanks for tagging me, @the-letterbox-archives (X) and @the-golden-comet (X)!

The Arcane Rifts:

DISABLED kid RUNS CIRCLES!!! around the cops!!!

SELLING MY SOUL to the DEVIL lol

Making my new BFF SELL HIS SOUL to the devil too lol. I had to, so HE DOES TOO!!! Will he accept??? TUNE IN AND FIND OUT!!!

Devil's errand-boy makes A GIVEAWAY!!!!!! (not clickbait) (This time, when Tazin points the camera at him, Adilzhan promptly yanks it from his hands and shatters it like a foam cup.)

HUNTING DOWN the MONSTER that MADE ME LOOK BAD??? /srs

TOP 10 REASONS why you should NEVER live in Kavo. The sixth may SURPRISE you!

LIVE ROBBERY!!! ROBBING the LOCAL GANGS on LIVESTREAM!!! (not clickbait!!!)

ACCIDENTALLY getting CAUGHT ROBBING people???

ACCIDENTALLY discovering a GOVERNMENT CONSPIRACY!?!? (not clickbait)

purposely EXPOSING a GOVERNMENT CONSPIRACY; starting a REVOLUTION; CLICK THE LINK IN THE DESCRIPTION to sign a PETITION and JOIN OUR EFFORTS rn!!! (NOT CLICKBAIT) (Gene aggressively yanks the phone from Tazin's hands and deletes everything Tazin just set up before they can get tracked down through it)

I am just now realizing how much of a menace Tazin would be with an internet connection... 🤣

Sun and Shadow:

SURVIVING THE IMPOSSIBLE! (not clickbait)

I GOT FRAMED FOR A TERRORIST ATTACK!?!?! (not clickbait)

Getting ENGAGED because my fucking dad thinks it's a better idea than being part of my life!!! (not clickbait)

I'M GETTING ENGAGED TO ANOTHER WOMAN??? HOW DID HE EVEN KNOW I'M BI???

Getting engaged to a princess soon, lol

SOREN ULA'S DAUGHTER CAUGHT ATTACKING FENASTRA MANOR IN BROAD DAYLIGHT??? GALA GONE WRONG!!! 😱😱

Ula heiress WANTED for ATTACKING Lynsmouth's NOBILITY??? 🙊 😱 GUILTY or innocent?? FIND OUT the FACTS!!! 🤯

KIDNAPPED by MY OWN FIANCÉE???

my FIANCÉE'S DAD is CONVINCED of my GUILT???

consulting with the creepy detective because I have literally no other choice lol (crying rn; live on stream)

THE DETECTIVE'S office BLEW UP???

I KEEP GETTING FRAMED for things BLOWING UP!?!?

SAVED by a MONSTER???

oh Levebolg it's the detective's kid, they're LITERALLY CURSED, he sent them to HELP me, and they DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING! i'm so fucked. (not clickbait)

using MY DAD'S CONNECTION with THE LOCAL MAFIA to become ROOMATES with the MOB BOSS?

CREEPY CULT planning A RITUAL during the ECLIPSE??? (NOT CLICKBAIT!!!)

The Ember Masquerade:

SHAPESHIFTING ⚠️😱 CRIMINALS ⚠️😱 STEALING YOUR IDENTITY!?!?!? MORE LIKELY THAN YOU THINK!!!!! 😱😱😱

Best part? That's something I'd already made. 🤣 😱

Seriously, though, I had a lot of fun with this! And my mind is still kinda in clickbait mode, haha.

Maybe I'll eventually (def not rn /gen) work on making another one of these for RFtA and/or adding more for one of these three? Idk, haha!

Tagging (either as part of taglist or for you to join, no pressure!): @honeybewrites @illarian-rambling @48lexr @aalinaaaaaa @urnumber1star

@mysticstarlightduck @paeliae-occasionally @darkandstormydolls @huewrite

[anabdaniels]

Cowboytober Day 10- Body worship

Paring: Agent Whiskey x Plus size!Female reader

Word counting: 1.2k

Rating: 18+

Warning: Self body shaming, praising.

Masterlist

Nothing would ever feel better after a deep cleaning day than a fresh shower. You walked back to the bedroom, wrapped in the towel, smiling softly at the vision of Jack sitting on the floor in front of the dresser, organizing a few bedsheets in the last drawer. You stood in front of the mirror to brush your wet hair.

When you were almost done with your hair, Jack was the one going to shower. Once your hair was finished, you got rid of the towel to get dressed and stopped for a moment, looking at yourself with that self-conscious critical look you would never use with anyone, but was common for you to use with yourself. You leaned your hands on your rounded belly squishing it softly and touching your stretchmarks, trying to contain those mean thoughts about yourself, but failing miserably.

While getting out of the bathroom, Jack noticed your expression, already knowing what was running through your mind due to the look on your face. Calmly, he approached you, holding you from behind while resting his chin on your shoulder, looking at you through the mirror.

“I hope you ain’t overthinking, honey.” He said softly and kissed your cheek.

“I was just wondering how crazy you were to get married to me.” You tried to make it sound like a joke, hoping he’d laugh, but, as always in those circumstances, he didn’t.

“I’d be crazy if I hadn’t got married to the most stunning lady in this world.” He answered calmly and caressed your stomach.

“C’mon, can’t you tell the truth at least once?” you looked at him with a neutral expression “I’m aware of my not-favorable appearance.” Judging by the look on his face, you knew that the matter was almost personal to Jack now.

“If you were truly aware, my precious sugarcube, you wouldn’t say such an unfair thing about your stunning self.” He said while caressing the sides of your body, planting a soft kiss on your shoulder.

“Do you really think that?” you asked sincerely “Sometimes I think you’re just being kind as my husband.” You frowned slightly when he chuckled and shook his head.

“Look, I don’t want to sound like a bastard, but the night we met, I wasn’t hitting on you ‘cause I was interested in your academic achievements. It was this amazing ass of yours.” He said with that flirtatious smirk while groping your butt with one hand.

“Okay, you almost convinced me now.” You answered shaking your head and laughing quietly.

“Wait ‘till a drop my other thoughts about your amazing curves, my darlin’.” Jack kissed the top of your head while pulling you with him towards the bed.

“Have to admit I’m curious.” You said while he placed you mounted on his lap.

“Then let me start for what’s right in front of me.” Before you could question, his hands were already on your breasts, gently squeezing them “I swear ya, honey, you could convince me to sell my soul with this pair of gems.” He finished the sentence leaning forward to kiss both of your breasts.

“I bet you can’t have such good opinions about the rest.” You said calmly, really meaning it.

“Trust me, I can.” He winked at you with a playful expression, moving his hands to your thighs “If you allow me the honesty, I’m a step ahead of "accidentally" throwing those damn baggy jeans you have on the trash, ‘cause it’s criminal that you even though it’s acceptable to hide your amazing thighs, not to mention that they ruin the view of your butt.” Jack kept speaking calmly while one of his hands moved to your ass “I have another important remark, but I don’t know if you can deal with it.” With that, Jack awakened a hundred possibilities in your head, and of course, they were the worst possible.

“This is already living rent-free in my head without even knowing what it is, then just say it.” You answered without second thoughts.

“Well then.” He smiled and moved both of his hands to your stomach “I could spend the next three hours just saying how much I’m down for your soft belly and I’ll lose my composure if I even start to mention how amazing it feels to grab a handful of you.”

You were ready to discuss the topic, but all your questions brutally vanished from your mind when you felt him getting really hard under his sweatpants. You couldn’t control your reflex of looking down, wanting to be sure that you weren’t imagining things, and when you looked back at him, you could see the look of satisfaction on Jack’s face, as if he had managed to prove to you his point.

“See? You can doubt my words as much as you want, but you can’t deny this.”

“I’ll have to agree with that, even though I wasn’t expecting this amount of reaction.” You admitted with a soft expression, even though you were still surprised.

“But you should expect it, honeybee.” He answered promptly while placing you lying on your back on the bed “Y’know I love a good fleshy steak.” You couldn’t keep your attempts to be serious after that.

“Alright, you got me on this one.” You chuckled softly, losing your focus even more as you felt his hands moving through the folds of the skin of your belly. You melted a bit on the bed when you saw Jack caressing your stretchmarks with his fingertips, looking at them as if they were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

 “I’ll never understand how you can even doubt about how perfect you are, sugar.” He said quietly and planted a kiss on your stomach, keeping his hands sunk on your skin.

You sighed softly as he covered your skin with kisses and caressed every inch of you, spending a good time on all the places he reached, but not surprisingly, the top of his focus kept on your stomach, squeezing it, caressing that rounded spot on your lower stomach that you always tried hide and he always ended up with his hands there, and you could swear that he had kissed every single stretchmark he could see.

When Jack moved up to kiss your lips, safe to say that you were about to turn into a puddle after his loving behavior toward everything you saw as a defect in you. You enjoyed that slow passionate kiss, sinking both of your hands on his hair, and relaxing under his body, appreciating while he kept caressing the sides of your torso. After a reasonable amount of time, the two of you needed to catch your breath, and only at that moment, you realized the tears starting to fall from your eyes.

“What’s the matter, honeybee?” Jack asked with a slight frown, caressing your cheek.

“It’s... It still weird for me to feel good about myself.” You admitted quietly, letting out a sigh when Jack pressed a soft kiss on your forehead.

“I hope you know you just gave me the mission of making you feel like that ‘till you got used to it.” He said in a whisper with his forehead resting on yours, letting you with no doubt that he was serious about it.

Cowboytober Masterlist

[fonulyn]

20 Questions for Fic Authors

thanks for the tag @thebrandywine 💖

answers under the cut.

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

268 works.

2. What is your AO3 wordcount?

1,256,253 words.

3. What fandoms do you write for?

RE. and still have the urge to write Gears but lol if you thought nivannedy was a rare pair...

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

nobody's perfect (TOG, pretty gen)

now drunk on lust I drown in you (forever within I'm lost in you) (RE, Chreon)

and who's to find the way right through you (RE, Chreon)

scattered fragments of time (that's all we are) (RE, Chreon)

how to accidentally get adopted - a guide by Piers Nivans (RE, Piers-centric, also background Chreon)

5. Do you respond to comments?

always! i know i missed a couple, sometimes i take ages, but i do always try to respond bc i love and cherish nice comments.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

the bad endings on three words to last forever. i still like the angstiest one the most :'D

7. What is the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

lmao like everything else idk i want them happy. i've written loads of fluff idk how to quantify which is the happiest.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

only ever got a few nasty comments thankfully, so no, not really.

9. Do you write smut? If so, which kind?

yeppp. idk what does 'which kind' mean? anything that feels inspiring lol.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest crossover you’ve ever written?

not really. i did start a few back in the day but i didn't really finish them. i am not really into crossovers tbh i don't even read them 99% of the time.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

yeah. someone was selling it on amazon pffth.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

a few. apparently five on ao3 lol but i think there was one or two back in the lj days too. might be wrong tho :'D

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

lol loads. at one point in life like... fifteen years ago, most things i wrote were co-written with a friend. and i've done it a couple of times after that too. i really like co-op stuff tbh but haven't found people to collab with lately.

14. What’s your all-time favorite ship?

right now i would sell my soul for nivannedy. might already have.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

ehhhh at this moment i doubt i'll ever finish anything. maybe the lifeguard au? i was red-hot for the idea at first but then it kinda... fizzled out. kept changing. got ruined by pushy ppl lol. but maybe i'll get back to it one day bc i would love a nivannedy summer romance tbh.

16. What are your writing strengths?

uhm. characterization. dialogue. emotional shit? idk i think i do best when i have intimate moments with two people. tiny everyday moments and mundane shit. like that. if i get going writing sometimes flows super well and i think i can get consistently readable stuff done in one go. but that'd require getting going lol.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

action. i suck at action. i also suck at it in the way that i can't actually make myself start writing. i got way too co-dependent when i still had people excitedly participating in the process and now i sit here sad doing nothing :'D but anyway. writing action and having some self-discipline lol.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

depends very heavily on the context. in general i do think it should be all in one language for readability but there are exceptions. i've done it too lol but it was only like a line or two in finnish :'D

19. First fandom you wrote for?

diru, twenty years ago lmao, it's like a different lifetime. i only learned of the existence of fanfic at the ripe old age of nineteen lol but yeah it's still been so long now.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

asdjfngkn i can not choose between all of my children c'mon. uhm. am just gonna say the self-indulgent series bc it truly was so important to me for so long and i'm still devastated it ended. sigh. now i made myself sad again :'D

[mytastessuck]

The Residents: Commercial Album

Objectively one of the greatest works of art on the planet, The Commercial Album's development is almost as interesting as the music itself. The whole thing is another dig at Top 40 radio but with a twist: Every song is around one minute as a commercial jingle. As a stunt, the band purchased 40 minutes worth of advertising space on San Francisco's most popular radio station at the time, KFRC, to play the album's songs over and over again for three days. Art or advertising? Who cares when these lucky bastards got to listen to Margaret Freeman on their morning commute?!

Easter Woman

Yes, the perfect ad for a grieving service for your dead spouses! Excellent and ominous!

9/10

2. Perfect Love

Steady thumping beats about whatever you choose to be affectionate with. Perfect for a cock ring commercial.

7/10

3. Picnic Boy

Perfect for an anti-fat shaming PSA...or a chain of restaurants called Picnic Boy.

9/10

4. End Of Home

Eerie and sounds like an approaching intruder...perfect for a security alarm system!

8/10

5. Amber

Got a good western theme to it. Perfect for a cowboy-themed diaper commercial!

8/10

6. Japanese Watercolor

Vaguely far eastern. Perfect to advertise an art gallery!

8/10

7. Secrets

An almost childish melody to accentuate the anxiety of keeping a personal matter (interesting if you know Hardy Fox was gay). Perfect for an antivirus ad!

10/10

8. Die In Terror

Literally horrifying. Perfect tune to advertise any horror movie with. Even Hobgoblins.

10/10

9. Red Rider

Another western themed one. This is perfect to advertise a dude ranch with!

8/10

10. My Second Wife

A bouncy tune that's perfect for any spouse to enjoy! Perfect for advertising a divorce office.

7/10

11. Floyd

Probably the most Residents song on the album with heavy synth and poppiness used to drown out the odd lyrics. Perfect for advertising Taco Bell!

8/10

12. Suburban Bathers

A nice creepy tune about watching others...probably. Perfect for advertising real estate.

9/10

13. Dimples And Toes

A tune that calls to mind horses galloping. Perfect for the defunct chain store Toys R Us!

7/10

14. The Nameless Souls

A nice jingle that feels more like gossip than a song. Perfect for advertising a dating service!

8/10

15. Love Leaks Out

The group gets factory sex on us with machines imitated through their instruments. Perfect for advertising Pep Boys!

8/10

16. The Act Of Being Polite

Absolutely a path through madness. Perfect for advertising therapy services.

10/10

17. Medicine Man

Pounding basses (think that's what they are) accentuate a harmful jingle. Perfect for advertising hospitals!

8/10

18. Tragic Bells

Sounds like a dirge played after a wedding. Perfect for advertising funeral homes!

8/10

19. Loss Of Innocence

The reverb really helps the vocals on this one. Perfect for advertising the phone book!

9/10

20. The Simple Song

A song simple enough that kids can sing it to you while you try to sleep! Perfect for advertising Lionel's Coin Bank!

7/10

21. Up And Downs

Alternating pitches in the vocals really helps the sell the song's titles. Perfect for advertising Chutes And Ladders!

8/10

22. Possessions

A steady tune that never stops picking up throughout the song. Perfect to advertise Dasani to!

7/10

23. Give It To Someone Else

Fretful and anxious, definitely the song you want to pass to another ear like a hot potato. Perfect for advertising condoms!

9/10

24. Phantom

Creeping and threatening, like it was composed by Erik himself. Perfect for advertising Broadway!

7/10

25. Less Not More

Bubbly and fun. Perfect for advertising champagne!

8/10

26. My Work Is So Behind

A bunch of sudden stings make the horror in this song apparent. Perfect for advertising Staples!

9/10

27. Birds In The Trees

Is that a sitar? Sounds like it. Anyway, this is perfect for advertising a botanical garden!

9/10

28. Handful Of Desire

Plinky and sounds like something mice would compose in the church. Perfect for advertising Victoria's Secret!

8/10

29. Moisture

Nice and slippery, as befitting the title. Perfect for advertising Ikea.

9/10

30. Love Is...

You need the drums to have the ladies sing. You just do. This is perfect for advertising a bridal gown shop.

7/10

31. Troubled Man

A surprisingly stringent theme for a troubled song. Perfect for advertising adoption services!

8/10

32. La La

Still hearing a bit of the Western in this one. Did I mention I just left a farm? Anyway, this is perfect for advertising Woody's solo film.

7/10

33. Loneliness

Don't let the loudness fool you. This song encapsulates the melancholy perfectly. Perfect for advertising League Of Legends!

10/10

34. Nice Old Man

Creeping and jarring, like every old man! Perfect for advertising retirement homes!

8/10

35. The Talk Of Creatures

Mumbling of creatures inside you...the obvious advertisement choice for a vet!

9/10

36. Fingertips

Such gallantry that you expect from knighthood. Perfect for advertising Renaissance Faires!

7/10

37. And Between Dreams

Definitely what you hear before you go to sleep. Perfect for advertising a mattress store!

7/10

38. Margaret Freeman

My favorite song from the album so expect no bias when I say it's Andy Patridge's (Sally Sandwich's) best work and should be preserved for future generations to discover. Perfect for advertising Bailey's Ice Cream.

100/10

39. The Coming Of The Crow

Practically getting into metal at this point. Perfect for advertising a Ford truck.

10/10

40. When We Were Young

A perfect way to send you off...and perfect for advertising Power 99 FM.

8/10

Album score: 105/100

Next album is Mark Of The Mole. Hopefully the band will make it through it.

[grassbreads]

Writer Interview Game

I was tagged for this by @torterrachampion . Thank you!!

Since this is my fandom-specific account, I'm going to keep these answers mostly limited to fanfiction.

When did you start writing?

I have been writing my entire life. I was one of those kids that was convinced I was going to write a novel at age 10 (although I never got further than a couple of chapters). For fanfiction specifically, the first fic I ever wrote was a halloween story project for middle school that I turned into D.Gray-man fanfiction. I started writing and publishing fic for real the following summer, when I was 14. (Much like the novels in elementary school, I never actually finished one of the longfics I started in high school).

Are there different themes or genres you enjoy reading than what you write?

Big time lmao. A *lot* of the original fiction I read is horror, and although I've played around with the idea of writing a horror fic, I'm yet to find a good concept for one. I'm also a huge lover of long multi-chapter fics and elaborate AUs, but I publish mostly oneshots.

Is there a writer you want to emulate or get compared to often?

I honestly cannot remember ever having my work compared to specific other writers?

But as I said, I love elaborate longfic AUs yet really struggle to write them myself (long projects are my enemy), so I would sell my soul to be able to emulate the works of travelingneuritis or oxfordroulette, both of whom I really admire. I've written whole long posts before about how much oxfordroulette's Homestuck fics impressed and impacted me when I first read them like 6 years ago.

Can you tell me a bit about your writing space?

My writing space is anywhere in my apartment :). Sometimes I write at my desk, but more often I'm curled up or crosslegged on my couch or futon. Gotta be cozy and comfy.

What’s your most effective way to muster up a muse?

Since fic is a pretty casual hobby for me these days, I mostly just kinda write when inspiration strikes (hence why I publish roughly one fic per year). That said, rereading canon scenes featuring the characters I'm writing always helps me get their voice into my head.

Are there any recurring themes in your writing? Do they surprise you?

I don't know if I write enough to have big recurring themes? I like writing about characters that aren't doing well mentally, but that's both broad and not always applicable.

I suppose it does always make me laugh when I see "Christmas" listed among my most-used tags on Ao3. I'm not even a christian, but I've written two fics set during christmas bc gift exchanges make for good fluff, and with my output, two times puts it in my top 10.

What is your reason for writing?

Sometimes a story worms its way into my brain so deeply that canon just isn't enough. I need to live in that world to a degree beyond what I can get from canon content alone. And when there isn't enough existing fic by others to scratch that itch, or when there isn't enough of the right *type* of existing fic, I simply have to sit down and make my own.

Also, writing fanfiction is fun :).

What do you feel is your greatest strength as a writer?

I'd like to think I'm good at characterization, at least most of the time. And I think I'm good at making sure things flow.

How do you feel about your own writing?

I really like a majority of the things I've written, or at least the stuff I've written as an adult. My really old writing makes me cringe a little sometimes, but I look back on it fondly, and I still reread newer stuff like An Act of Trust and Idle God, Idol Gossip for my own amusement.

The brief answer is that overall, I'm quite proud.

If either of you are interested in joining, I'll tag @cinammonelles and @azapofinspiration :)

[mygeekcorner]

eight shows to get to know me. allegedly.

Tagged by @silversoulstardust

Babe what does this even mean??? What do you mean “get to know me”?? Shows that are the reason that I am the way I am?? That make people watch them and then go “yeah this explains so much about you”? Blorbos I project too hard on?? The vibes? The core memories??? The quoteability?? Which ones make me scream out loud the most?? What does it all mean?? You already follow my blog, you know which shows I'm obsessed with, but what shows do even give insight into anything besides what I like in stories??

But uh yeah. My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. Easy pick. Whatever reasoning you want from the potential meanings of this tag game up there, it has it. The first three seasons are so good! Though I did drop it when Twlight became an alicorn, that just felt too much toy-selling show to me personally, same with equestria girls. But like I grew up watching old school MLP (G1), and I adored it. Then I reach 20 and suddenly FiM (G4 for those keeping track) comes out and it is such a gigantic blast from the past and damn if I didn't get hooves over head from the start. I was obsessed. I was one of the “mods are asleep, post ponies” people. And the way they fucking based Pinkie Pie on me? Like right down to the Pinkamena rock farm backstory? Scary stuff right there I’m tellinng you. 

But 7 other shows to pick?

Monarch of the Glen is an old show, and I will admit that I haven’t Really watched it since I was in school but it has stayed in the back of my mind since I was like 10 so. I never cared for the main couple, as characters they are fine but even back then it felt like a “oh yeah, here’s two pretty people from opposite genders (and social status) and so we have to make them get together” which was Not what the show was about To Me! But just all the other interpersonal relationships? The parents romantic relationship? Top notch.  The struggle of trying to please your parents but still doing your own thing? Trying to find out what that thing is? It does never get old. Also I had the biggest crush on Duncan and that does tell you so much about my type still lol

Galavant released the trailer and at first glance everyone already knew it was a very Me show. I’m not sure what it says about me, but it fits me very well. With the sense of humour, disney references, bursting into unprompted song, wanting to dress like a ren fair character, horseback riding, daring sword fights. A prince in disguise! I mean what. I don’t project on anyone super hard, but I do vibe like crazy to the whole thing, and the soundtrack is a banger that never truly leaves my brain.

Scrubs might just look like the silly little doctor comedy show, and it is! But it also has SO MUCH heart and I just love the lessons it comes with. Again, it’s been a hot minute since I watched it so I won’t vouch for how well the humour has aged, but that was never the point of the show either. The point of the show was watching people care about each other in all different kinds of relationships and so many of the more heartfelt exchanges still live in my soul even now. Like that time JD went to the “evil lab guy” everyone was scared of because he didn’t want his patient to have what the results said they did and the lab guy asked “do you Think I made a mistake or do you Hope I did?” and JD just said “I’m kinda hoping you did” and the whole scene softened and lab guy did the test again. I don’t know, that scene has lived rent-free in my mind for like 20 years whenever I hope things aren’t as bad as they seem, hoping that some higher power lab guy will take pity on me and say they mixed some tests up.

Malcolm in the middle is again just that silly chaotic show from when we were kids - sibling edition - but again it just has so much heart and I don’t know. Watching it again as an adult, yes sure, it has aged, but the big bits stay the same. How the parents Chose each other every day. How the kids might beat each other up with bricks but wouldn’t hesitate to turn to arson if anybody else tried to do the same to their brothers? Yes, it means a lot and even though I might not have “learned” as much from it as Scrubs, it still resonates with me about how growing up felt.

Until We Meet Again because at my heart I am a hopeless romantic who wants to believe in soulmates. It’s a pretty recent show in general, and I only watched it a year ago, but it felt like it understood me more than I understood it, so it is on this list anyway. But I will always hope that if someone meant enough to you and you meant enough to them you Will find your way back to each other, in this life or the next. Not saying this show didn’t absolutely destroy me, I spent 3 hours just crying and shaking after the first episode, and I think I spent a majority of the show being a dehydrated little blob, but it was so worth it. To watch both timelines fall in love and choose each other? To watch the modern timeline have friends and be happy among more than just each other? Everything I could have asked for. 12/10. For real.

Not sure what Goblin has to say about me. We’re all depressed and deserve a good cry and a hug? I guess it means that there is always hope for things to get better, in some way. Even if it doesn’t come about as you thought it would, or when you hoped. But there is always someone out there who cares about you, whether or not you know they do.

I can’t believe I almost forgot about Black Books! Fran is me and I will turn into Fran if bf ever does leave me rip. For real. I even used to have a marriage pact with a friend who was just like Bernard that stated if we both reach our 40s and are single we can be drunk and miserable together. So many of these moments get referenced on a daily basis in our home, everything from how “on no accounts must they know the real you!” to the Cleaner. Yes, if you watch this show it will explain so much about me. (Please don’t do that)

Okay, yeah. This only took like 4 days to complete lmao. Might have taken it a bit more serious than intended, but the theme of the game is just to wide and I didn’t only want “these are the shows I’m currently obsessing over” cause yall already follow me and know which ones those are.

Anyway to pass this on - and feel free to not take it as deadly serious as I did unless you are so inclined - I am now tagging @krippe90 @jacquelinesrumbottle @hobbitsus @imaginarydragonling @tbiris @ablazenqueen @topcatnikki @7nessasaryevils @wanderingwistfulness @happygomadhatter @nevergonnafallfor @genderfluid-faerie-bf and anybody else who might want to play

Edit: added links to the shows~~

[bluberimufim]

Hii! For the ask game: 3. What is your MC trying to achieve, and what are you, the writer, trying to achieve with them? Do you want to inspire others, teach forgiveness, help readers grow as a person?

Thank you for the ask! This was one that I was hoping soneone would send!

I will answer this for my main WIP, "Black and White".

"Black and White" as a whole is mostly about: a) the weight of expectations, and b) the way that power changes you (negatively) as a person. And my boy Darius, the main character, yeets himself from A to B.

The main thing about point A is that expectations often make others see you less as a person and more as a vessel for those expectations.

Because, you see, Darius has the misfortune of looking like Alphonse, the dead son of Diedrich, the stage magician he idolizes and later hires him as his assistant. And on top of that, August, the circus's lion tamer and Alphonse's ex-boyfriend, decides to start dating him for this same reason.

Diedrich gives him his son's job, his son's clothes, and even has him do magic tricks that his son created. And August gives him the same pet names he used with his ex, despite all context for them being gone. At one point, Diedrich even says "I thought you were a morning person", referencing the fact that Alphonse did like to wake up early, to which Darius responds "I've always worked better at night. I would wake up at 10 if you let me".

They barely see him as his own person, he's a ghost they use to correct their past mistakes, even though they never can. And despite their outward appearance, the two boys could not be more different.

Darius has also placed pretty big expectations on himself: he wants to become a magician just as good as his idol. Which is obviously impossible, since Diedrich sold his soul to get his supernatural powers.

And when he discovers this, and that he's been lied to for years, Darius finally snaps. He realizes all these expectations are impossible. But instead of the more healthy character arc other character in the story have, of realizing you don't need to meet expectations if they don't suit who you really are, he goes the opposite direction.

(There is something to be said here about my analysis on the structure of former gifted kid narratives but it's off topic and this is already too long aaaaa)

He sells his own soul without a second thought, representing the self-destruction that unrealistic expectations can lead to.

And from here he basically gets corrupted by his own power. He goes off to become a magician (and also kind of an asshole, but that's beside the point).

And when he cools down a few years later and realizes what he did, he regrets it. Because no expectation is worth destroying yourself over.

So, the basic message is that you shouldn't change yourself to become what others want. You know yourself better than they do.

I hope you enjoyed this (again, overly long) answer!

[stiffyck]

I finally picked up gw2 after seeing you post abt it… do you have any tips for a Beginner? It seems fun but I’m not quite Getting it.

The game can be a bit overwhelming as there's a lot of stuff to do, so here's some tips:

Don't rush. Go at your own pace.

Don't use a lvl 80 boost. You're gonna be much more confused if you haven't played before and just jump straight into lvl 80. Lvl 80 is the highest lvl in the game, if you see people running around with levels over 300, those are mastery levels, they're a bit different but don't worry about those for now.

If you're having trouble with your inventory, come up to any vendor you see, go to the sell option and then click on "sell junk" in the bottom right corner. That will sell anything you have in your inventory that doesn't have any use to you besides getting sold like this.

If you open your inventory, you should see 3 little icons in the top right corner. One of them will say "deposit all materials". That will send all materials you have gathered into your material storage which you can then access at any bank merchant you see, but you won't usually need to have the materials in your inventory. It's better to just deposit them.

If an item you get is "account bound on use" or southbound on use, that just means that if you use the item you will not be able to sell it afterwards. Account bound means you can share it between characters, soul bound means its bound to the character you use it on.

In the early game don't worry about binding things, if it's a weapon with better stats or better armor just use it!

At the start of the game try to just explore, read what your skills do as you unlock them ans try out different weapons. You unlock new skills and new traits by using hero points. Hero points are scattered around the map. Sometimes you'll need to fight someone to get it, other times you get an item you need to consume or you just simply interact with the point.

If you find you don't like the class you picked, you can just make another character. Free to play players should have 2 (or 4? I cant remember) character slots if I'm not mistaken. Each class plays a bit differently but they can all be fun.

Some world information you might need: if you unlock a waypoint by simply walking close to it, you can then teleport to it at any point unless it's contested.

Point of interests, or simply poi, are little squares on the map simply signaling an interesting place. If you discover a point of interest by simply walking by it, it will fill in the square with an orange color.

Quests in this game are called hearts. You don't need to speak to the heart merchant at all if you don't want to. Simply walking into the area where the heart can be done will show you a little text box up top in the right to tell you what to do. If you finish the heart, you can then but something from the vendor.

Events. Dynamic events specifically. If you find an event such as "protect the village from x" they will most likely lead to another event.

If you fail an event, you might trigger another event to clear the village of the enemies. If you win the event, you might need to fight a boss.

You can also stumble across world bosses! Those are on a set timer and will happen regularly. People in chat will usually say where they're happening and to come help!

Every 10 levels you will get a story part to do. It will show you where to go with a green star on the map. The story isn't necessary to do, but it has some fun rewards for new players.

If you're confused about som3thing or need help with something, don't be afraid to ask in map chat! People are always willing to help.

If you need to ping a location or an item in the chat for whatever reason, you simply hold ctrl or shift and click the thing you wish you ping.

Ctrl will send the thing immediately but shift will simply open the text so you can add a note to it. You can ask for help with events like this. Ping a waypoint or a poi in the chat, ask if you could get some help wjth an event and someone will come.

Uhhhh this got long I hope it helps at least somewhat djfjfjgjr

[notasweetnightingale]

Task Eleven → Intro & Connections

Deziree Tremaine // 22 // Fashion Design Major // She/Her [Biography tba.]

+ Disciplined, Calculating, Loyal - Jealous, Cold, Tactless

Quick Facts:

Only call her Dezi if she likes you.

Tries very, very hard to stay on trend and look as fashionable as humanly possible. Yes she is judging your fit.

LOVES shoes and bags. Would sell her soul for a Birkin.

Could wax poetic on the history of Chanel, Prada and Mugler.

Can be incredibly standoffish and difficult to warm up.

Bisexual, but doesn’t like people enough to do anything about it.

She is very well practised in the art of people pleasing, batting her eyelashes, saying the right thing, in an attempt to get a foot in the right places, but as of late has become disillusioned by it. It really isn’t getting her anywhere.

As much as Deziree Tremaine wants to be in the “In-Crowd” she actually, deep down, hates that she’s so desperate to be in with the In. She has always been just on the edge of it, never quite getting the footing she was aiming for.

Forever trying to live up to Mother Tremaine’s impossible standards, seek her approval, and do exactly what mommy dearest wants.

The problem is that Ms. Tremaine has been in prison for going on 2 years (?) which has left Dezi effectively “purposeless”. She doesn’t really know who she is without her mother dictating her life choices. Anastasia and Deziree have both been keeping their mother’s whereabouts a massive secret, which is difficult with people from her old circles ask where she is. The current lie is that she’s on a spa retreat for her health.

On top of that, coming to terms with the fact that their mom had been abusing Ella for years, and that they may well have been victims themselves in different ways is really difficult when you can’t afford a therapist and you’re sure all of your friends were just status symbols.

Dezi has cut herself off emotionally from everything, and is hasn’t really been able to feel anything for months now.

At this point Deziree isn’t sure if she actually has any real friends.

She has no money (except from the secret job she has to try to pay back Ella all the rent she owes her). Deziree really hates that she can’t just buy new shoes on a whim now.

Fun Fact: she doesn’t have a bio on the main because I’m layzee~

Taken Connections

Sister - Anastasia Tremaine @itsme-anastasia​

Ex-Step-Sister - Ella Fontaine @sweetellafontaine​

Closest Friend - Hans Sør @hans-omedevil​

A Something - Travis Montgomery @but-theylovehim (It’s tooooootally not a crush, they were just really good strawberries.)

Other Friends - Charotte La Bouff @charlxttelabouff​ Penelope Deery @penelopedeery

Friends for Clout - Minnie Myshkin @minniemyshkin​

Tries to be in their In-Crowd - The Ashleys

Important Relationships

Ex-Step-Sister - Ella Fontaine

When Deziree first learned that she was going to be getting a new step-sister, because Mom was marrying some guy, she was so excited that she couldn’t shut up about it. Yeah, she had her real sister Anastasia, but a new sister and friend sounded so cool! (She was about 6 at the time, and unjaded. Anastasia was about 8, and this new girl, Ella, 10).

Ms. Tremaine put a quick stop to that excitement, however, and instructed that Deziree was not to make friends with her, as she wasn’t really her family. She kept them separate in all affairs. When Ella’s father passed, Ms. Tremaine’s treatment of Ella only worsened.

Over the years, under the influence of mom, Deziree didn’t treat Ella with much kindness (though there had always been that little niggling in the back of her head that she wanted to be friends with Ella but wasn’t allowed, and had to keep up the act to please her mom and avoid having the treatment turned on herself and Anastasia).

She became jealous of Ella -she was pretty and gentle and kind despite everything- especially of the attention that her mom devoted to Ella, even if it was negative. Deziree’s opinion of Ella was skewed by her mom’s view of her -Deziree had to be better than Ella to win mom’s affection (of which there was very little) and being better than Ella was hard because Ella was perfect.

When Ella won her court case against Ms. Tremaine, Ella agreed to let the sisters stay in her house as long as they paid rent. Deziree was conflicted, knowing her part in Ella’s treatment and knowing that the chances of mending their relationship were slim, but ultimately agreed when she realised she had nowhere else to go.

Ella has always treated Deziree with kindness despite it all.

Their relationship is incredibly strained but she is taking baby steps to opening up to her ex-step-sister to maybe one day become friends after all. At the very least, she is trying to treat her with more sympathy than she ever did before.

Wanted Connections / Wanted Plots

“Friends” - People who Deziree claims to be friends with, or people who were linked to the world of the wealthy. You know, they say they’re all, like, totally BFFs, come be in my selfie! But really they couldn’t tell you 2 interesting facts about each other after all the small talk at parties.

Mentor or Fashion School Professor - Deziree is a fashion student but has always felt overshadowed by Ella’s attendance on the same course, and the fact Ella went on to open her own fashion business. She may be vain, but her self-esteem isn’t actually that great, and she could use a guiding hand that genuinely wants to see her succeed. OR on the other hand, a professor who just can’t stop comparing her to the wonderful Ella and Deziree has to prove them wrong.

Bullied - LBR Deziree was a bully in high school because she thought it would get her in with the cool kids. Someone from Deziree’s year or below at school that she picked on.

Friends of Lady Tremaine - Lady Tremaine knew many, many people (but not enough people knew her or her daughters for her liking). Someone has most certainly noticed she hasn’t been to any functions recently. Deziree will continue lying about it. Probably older people of Redwood Hollow, and more likely to be well-off.

A Real Friend - Deziree really needs to make her first real friend that isn’t part of the wealthy world she has always aspired to be a part of. Good luck to whoever dares try.

I actually don’t have many wanted plots for Deziree that don’t link to the wanted connections above. She really just needs warming up and to get out of the cycle of trying to fit in with crowds that don’t want her. Dezi is stuck in her ‘I don’t know who I am but I don’t know I don’t know who I am’ phase right now so anything that gets her out of her shell and her comfort zone. I’m willing to talk plots for her! If she fits a connection you want or a plot, I’m down.

Wanted Characters

With Bios: Camilla Deville & Patricia “Patty” Marriane

Camilla Deville - A local designer who owns her own fashion store in town. Deziree is desperate to with for her, in the store and eventually as part of her design team.

Patricia Marriane - Ella’s Godmother / Babysitter. I just think it would be an interesting dynamic to explore, as Patricia takes care of Ella and she knows of Deziree’s part in her mistreatment.

[so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed]

20 questions for Fic Writers

I was tagged by the ever wonderful @londonfoginacup and @reminiscingintherain thank you so much!!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

94, though I think one is a collab and one is a translation. But 90+

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

I am gonna do some math here and take off the translation because that adds 220k to my wordcount and that doesn't feel fair, lol. So that leaves 1.243.681 words. Minus about 12k that I didn't write lol, that's still a lot.

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Currently just 1D but I am talking about writing a Lestappen fic so I might branch out!

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

a game that I'm destined to lose [1449 kudos, but it's from 2012] midnight doesn't last forever [1190 kudos, but it's from 2013] you've set my soul to dreaming [1162 kudos] room for your love underneath this tree [1151 kudos] some things fade (some never do) [1047 kudos]

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Um. Theoretically yes. Realistically, I haven't caught up since March and the number in my inbox is too high to look at.

6. What is a fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I usually write HEA but I guess the one that I remember with more of an ambiguous ending is and there's no one to blame except then Sus made me write a follow up so I guess it has a happy ending now.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

All of them? I mean, I put the characters through some serious angst, but after that, they all get their very deserved happy ending.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not that I know of. If I do, it's not in my face.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Occasionally. I write either quirky smut, or I write stuff for wankersday, because the only smut I write is stuff that doesn't involve other people directly apparently.

10. Do you write crossovers? What the craziest one you’ve written?

Not really, but I have a HP AU I should write at one point.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yep! Someone tried to sell TNFIF online on Amazon. With a really ugly cover. Thankfully writing Tumblr came together and sent in so many bad reviews that the seller took it down.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes, a few!!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I've done a round robin a few years ago, which wasn't really my style. I've started writing an advent fic with @evilovesyou but we never got around to finishing it. I will hopefully write a fic with @chaotic-bells soon!

14. What’s your all-time favorite ship?

For as much Larry as I write, my first true love was Ziam.

15. What’s a wip you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

I am stubborn enough to believe I will finish all my WIPs. Eventually.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Emotions, I think. I've made people cry, so that's nice!

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Mostly I think I struggle not to make everything too in depth. A 5k fic probably doesn't need 3k of worldbuilding.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I've come across it a lot in Lestappen fics and I don't mind it as long as the translation is right behind it, and as long as it's not google translated stuff (or as long as it's google translated stuff in a language I don't know).

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Possibly Gilmore Girls. I've written for a ton of fandoms, though I've been a 1D only writer since 2012.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

That's like asking me to choose between my non existent children. If I have a favourite, I can't say it out loud. (But it's this one, for all it brought me)

I'm not sure who hasn't been tagged at this point, so I am gonna tag @jacaranda-bloom and @beardyboyzx and anyone in the @1dcreatorclubhouse who wants to do it!

[cyarskaren52]

what was your favorite holiday song

The 20 Greatest Black Christmas Songs Of All Time

Get into the holiday spirit with these festive songs.

Jasmine Washington

The Daily Grind Video

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer, because the most wonderful time of the year is here! The greatness of Black Christmas music is one of the things that remains the same even in a period of unprecedented changes.

The right playlist can make virtual and/or socially distant celebrations feel reminiscent of life pre-COVID-19 pandemic. 

And there’s a melody for everyone, too. Adorable jingles acclaim the innocence of young children. Soulful records offer encouragement in a time of despair. Sweet ballads fuel romance. Comforting holiday-themed tracks uplift the brokenhearted. Unique recreations of traditional carols highlight the religious aspect of the holiday. There are even festive records with sultry requests for Santa.

Source: Michael Loccisano / Getty

The greatness of Black Christmas music isn’t limited to our personal preferences either. At their best, these classics have landed at the top of the charts and have influenced the way people commemorate the season every year.

Check out 20 of the greatest Christmas songs by Black artists below, and be sure to tell us which ones you’re adding to your playlist.

1. Alexander O’Neal “My Gift to You”

Alexander O’Neal offered a never-ending souvenir of love on “My Gift to You.”

2.  Boyz II Men Featuring Brian McKnight “Let It Snow”

What’s the festive season without a little romance? Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight’s “Let It Snow” honored the “joyous thing” that is love. The collaborative effort peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in 2012.

3. Destiny’s Child “8 Days of Christmas”

The chart-topping trio celebrated the early 2000s and all of its millennium glory by asking their “baby” to give them CDs, belly rings and a “crop jacket with dirty denim jeans” on “8 Days of Christmas.”

4. Donny Hathaway “This Christmas”

Donny Hathaway unknowingly delivered a Black Christmas anthem with “This Christmas.” According to American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), it was the 30th most-performed holiday song of all time. Aretha Franklin, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, John Legend and Ne-Yo are among the singers who’ve recreated the classic tune.

5. Eartha Kitt “Santa Baby”

Eartha Kitt came under fire after the suggestive tone of “Santa Baby” led to boycotts following its 1953 release. According to Billboard,songwriter Philip Springer called the sultry sensation “the first sexy Christmas record.”

6. Ella Fitzgerald “Frosty the Snowman”

The First Lady of Song’s “Frosty the Snowman” rendition served up a jazz swing that made her cover one for the ages.

7. The Jackson 5 “Give Love on Christmas Day”

While most holiday songs focus on the act of giving, this number by The Jackson 5 shines a light on what’s really important. “What the world needs is love. Yes, the world needs your love,” they sang.

8. The Jackson 5 “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”

Filled with holiday hit after hit, The Jackson 5 Christmas Album spent four weeks at No.1 on Billboard magazine’s special Christmas Charts. It went on to sell more than 3.5 million copies worldwide. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” is one of the album’s standout tracks.

9. Kirk Franklin & The Family “Jesus Is The Reason For The Season”

Back in 1996, Kirk Franklin & The Family set the record straight about why they were celebrating. If you listen closely, you may hear familiar voices like that of David and Tamela Mann.

10. Luther Vandross “Every Year, Every Christmas”

Celebrating the holidays may not be a remedy for a broken heart, but Luther Vandross shared his optimism on “Every Year, Every Christmas.”

11. Mahalia Jackson “O Holy Night”

The Queen of Gospel, Mahalia Jackson, offered her special soulful take on this beloved hymn.

12. Mariah Carey “All I Want For Christmas”

The holidays just aren’t the holidays without Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” on repeat. In 2019, the single helped earn Carey the record for the longest span of Hot 100 No. 1s: 29 years, four months and two weeks, Billboardreports.

13. Nat King Cole “The Christmas Song”

Songwriters Bob Wells and Mel Tormé wrote Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” on a hot summer day as a way to cool down. Talk about irony!

14. Otis Redding “Merry Christmas, Baby”

Otis Redding flipped the script on “Merry Christmas, Baby.” The crooner spoke from the delight of a gift recipient whereas most carols focus on the act of giving.

15. Run-D.M.C. “Christmas in Hollis”

Heralded as hip-hop’s earliest mainstream holiday song, “Christmas in Hollis” almost wasn’t recorded. According to The Source, D.M.C. expressed his apprehension about the project to fellow group members, Rev. Run and Jam Master Jay. “Nope. We’re not doing it. That’s what they try to do to hip-hop. They commercialize you and try to make you corny,” he reportedly said. Fortunately, the trio reconsidered and celebrated the single’s 33-year release in November.

16. Stevie Wonder “Someday at Christmas”

Released in the midst of the Vietnam War, “Someday at Christmas” delivered a hopeful message filled with social and political themes. Stevie Wonder imagined what life could be without conflict and with the possibility of a “world where men are free.”

17. The Supremes “My Favorite Things”

“My Favorite Things” recounts The Supremes’ most memorable wintertime moments and how they recall them to fight through bad days.

18. The Temptations “Silent Night”

There are many renditions of this time-honored treasure, but The Temptations’ cover of “Silent Night” is now the standard. The Temptations Christmas Card was a unique release because it gave each member of the legendary group the opportunity to lead a popular Christmas song.

19. TLC “Sleigh Ride”

TLC put a unique spin on music  for the festive season with the release of “Sleigh Ride.” The lively single offered Christmas greetings and well-wishes for the new year in a way that only the trio could. The song, a mix of rapping and singing, appeared on the Home Alone 2: Lost in New York soundtrack.

20. Whitney Houston “Do You Hear What I Hear”

More than just an outstanding interpretation of the story of the nativity, Whitney Houston’s “Do You Hear What I Hear” made a lasting impact. It was featured on A Very Special Christmas benefit album, which raised money for the Special Olympics.

26 photos

Sent from my iPhone

[withahappyrefrain]

tumblr kept logging me out of my account when i was trying to read the newest chapter of the parking spots universe on my phone yesterday but now i finally read it on my laptop and have the time to praise your writing. Complementing you in bullet points so it’s an easier read :) 

The way the story opens with Venus being disgusted by khakis is so relatable. Every time I watch TGM, I always get scared of actually picturing myself being in the Hard Deck and having to be surrounded by that many military people. love the line “wasn't coerced by a recruiter to sell my soul to the US government" no shade at other writers but sometimes I would read a top gun fic that would praise the military way too much and it could put it off the story cause the US government does not need any more propaganda. Like I’m here to read stories about hot pilots. 

I love that Venus’s real name is Danica. That name always reminds me of Danica from season 8 of love island so I was so surprised when they started talking about Jess and Sammy from season 10. I hope Jess breaks up with Sammy soon cause I will never forget the way he kept calling her ugly in the earlier episodes

“It was strange at first-still was-how his Instagram that had once been only thirst traps workout pictures were now full of her and their adventures together.“ I know his ass is paying for more iCloud space to have more pictures of Venus standing in front of sunsets 

Every single Bradley shade is taking me out. “a Hawaiin shirt so ugly that no Dad at a BBQ would go near greeted her” & “Bradshaw finally moving his bigass head to reveal the person that made his heart soar.”  are my favourites. 

Javy and Venus being best friends!! We love a duo that can put up and enjoy Jake Seresin’s company

Jake and Venus wearing each other’s rings and him having her hair tie when he’s flying 🥹 I love their love for each other

 Jake getting hard from a wink and knocking Bradley’s drink 😭 

I love their dynamic so much. The way Jake would always reassure her and make sure Danica knows that she deserves the best and the way she made his competitive ass want to stay at home and have permanence for the first time in his life. I get excited whenever there's a new chapter of this universe cause I get to reread the whole thing from chapter 1 and see their wonderfully written character development. Truly one of the best fic I’ve ever read. Thank you for writing and sharing it with us ❤️

Thank you!!!!! 🥹🥹🥹 I'm so glad you enjoyed it and your kind words mean so much to me!!

[yazzydream]

JJK Playlists: Toji | Gojo

Sounds Like A You Problem (Fushiguro Toji playlist)

Time to share my playlist for this trash man. Some manga spoilers.

-> [Spotify Link]

1. UH OH! (feat. BENEE) - Sub Urban

Uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh You've made a mistake

2. Wish You the Worst - Ryan Mack

Fuck the Zen'in Clan amirite?

Wish you the worst I think you owe me an apology, yeah Ever since I was a little kid, been giving me shit Always calling me a wannabe Saying I'm a loser, I don't have to prove myself to you

3. The Bidding - Tally Hall

Gege Akutami mentioned this in his comments somewhere, the fanbook maybe? but Toji is canonically a sugarbaby who mooches off women. lol

I graduated at the top I like to take advantage of the bourgeoisie So if you have a fantasy of being a queen Maybe you should blow a couple bucks on me

4. Toxic - Britney Spears

Seems the type.

With a taste of your lips, I'm on a ride You're toxic, I'm slippin' under With a taste of a poison paradise I'm addicted to you Don't you know that you're toxic?

5. bad guy - Billie Eilish

So you're a tough guy Like it really rough guy Just can't get enough guy Chest always so puffed guy I'm that bad type Make your mama sad type Make your girlfriend mad tight Might seduce your dad type I'm the bad guy Duh

6. Daisy 2.0 (feat. Hatsune Miku) - Ashnikko

Fuck a princess, I'm a king Bow down and kiss on my ring It's gonna hurt, it'll sting Spittin' your blood in the sink I'm crazy, but you like that, I bite back Daisies on your nightstand, never forget it I blossom in the moonlight, screw eyes Glacial with the blue ice, I'm terrifying

7. queen of broken hearts - blackbear

I'm the queen of broken hearts Break you in a thousand parts Used to be a shooting star When did I become so dark? Yeah, you need to chill, girl, don't play me I'm too far gone, you can't save me And I don't care, fucking hate me I popped a pill and I'm faded

8. Dead or Alive (feat. Madalen Duke) - Stileto

My playlist seems to be made up primarily of songs about Toji being a no-good womanizer and flipping off the Zen'in, huh? Anyway, fuck the Zen'in.

So now I'm asking you for one last favor You've got an enemy inside your blood Could you just take this little parting favor? It's just a little present from my love

9. Brittle Bones Nicky - Rare Americans

Shocking how well these two musical-inclined songs fit Toji. I'm linking the official music video, but the uncensored version is out there. About this guy who just grows up to become a criminal.

You're not gonna push me around (no!) You can't get me down, down, down (down!) Bounce ahead a couple years, king of my peers

10. Brittle Bones Nicky 2 - Rare Americans

Part 2, that guy finds himself in hell but returns to the living.

Thought my story was over, book closed? Think again, we're nowhere close My eyes are open, cheers, we toast I'ma mother fucking ghost (He's a ghost!)

///

I gotta get outta this hell Would you sell your soul to save yourself? I'm not gonna get pushed around I'm not going down, down, down! (down!) I'm not going down!

///

Brittle Bones Nicky He was crafty and tricky Yeah, that son of a bitch was gold! Yeah, that son of a bitch was gold! So, here I am, not quite a man But I always got a game plan I'll ruffle feathers, fuck with folks But you know me, I'm a good bloke

11. Freak - Doja Cat

From Toji POV. Ignore the pronouns as usual. Just know that Toji's a freak.

Freak like me You want a good girl that does bad things (to you) You never been with no one as nasty (as me) Spice up your life, come get a freak Freak like me

12. 12345SEX - UPSAHL

Some call it insane, say, "Baby, you're so vain" But I'm living on overdrive all the time And I like the way you taste, some liquor and a chaser Flavor of forever just for the night

13. Thriving - UPSAHL

Damn if this doesn't describe Toji's life choices.

I just checked my bank account Insufficient funds What the fuck is that all about? I'm barefoot stumbling down the street The hottest mess that you'll ever meet I'm thriving, damn this (la-la-la-la, life is a bitch) Thriving, 'cause I (da-da-da-da-don't give a shit)

14. Notorious - UPSAHL

(Reversed: Opinion, I shove all your) I shove all your opinions to the side I do whatever the fuck I like I'll be in to win it 'til I die

15. IDFWFEELINGS - UPSAHL

Mamaguro was the only woman Toji seems to have loved. Anyone else? Meh.

That's why I don't fuck with feelings anymore Every time they get deep, I just get bored So I'm breaking boys in pieces for the sport Just to lose my mind, I'll just say bye I don't fuck with feelings anymore When I say I want less, they just want more And it feels like I've just felt it all before So I don't fuck with feelings anymore

16. Dick (ft. Doja Cat) - DickStarBoi3

R.I.P. that pussy, ayy

17. Fuck Boy (feat. Kandle) - Apashe

Fuck boy: I didn't know you were crazy To the boarder come chase me I'm gonna break free Oh take off that disguise Show me somethin' real When I look into your eyes

18, The New Knife Game Song - Rusty Cage

A little intermission. Toji was definitely the type to do the knife game for some easy cash when he was younger. Probably even now.

19. Killer - Eminem

Yeah, it's crazy, I'm a (Killer) Made all this money from doin' this (D.A. got that dope) Now count it, five, ten, yeah, fifteen, twenty Twenty-five, thirty, yeah, get the money Throw it in the furnace, yeah, this shit be funny Earn it just to burn it, swag drippin' from me

20. Love Like You - Rebecca Sugar

Yes, the end credits song from Steven Universe. Can't help but think of how Toji felt about Mamaguro.

If I could begin to be Half of what you think of me I could do about anything I could even learn how to love When I see the way you act Wondering when I'm coming back I could do about anything I could even learn how to love Like you I always thought I might be bad Now I’m sure that it's true ‘Cause I think you’re so good And I’m nothing like you

21. I Can't Decide - Scissor Sisters

Toji really, really, isn't a good guy.

I can't decide Whether you should live or die Oh, you'll probably go to heaven Please don't hang your head and cry No wonder why My heart feels dead inside It's cold and hard and petrified Lock the doors and close the blinds We're going for a ride

22. Insane - Baasik, Black Gryph0n

Another sinner in Hell.

It's my pleasure to introduce to you hell's latest arrival The equal-opportunity killer, Alastor! Hello, it's nice to meet you Oh, can you tell me where I am? I don't know how I got here But I, I think I'm starting to understand I don't belong among the angels And baby, that's just fine with me The things I did up there were high school But now I'm going for my degree Hey Sorry, but you just got in my way I promise honey, I can feel your pain And maybe I enjoy it just a little bit Does that make me insane? Haven't been the same since I expired Doesn't mean that I plan to retire And now I have the power to bathe all of you in entertaining fire

23. Trouble - Valerie Broussard

Applicable to a number of JJK boys honestly. But the gambling line specifically made me think Toji.

Dangerously havin' the time of our lives These boys are just poisonous thorns in our sides Startin' fires wherever we go Watching 'em gamble everything they own

///

Trouble coming in the dead of night Trouble making everythin' alright It's in your blood It's in your bones You cannot sleep for [x2]

24. Outrunning Karma - Alec Benjamin

Outrunning karma, that boy He's such a charmer, all the Bugs and their larva, follow Him out to Colorado Ten dozen hearts in a bag Their bodies lying, he'll drag Them down to Colorado A modern desperado

25. You Problem - Cloudy June & emlyn

That one part of the song that kept repeating in my head that the title of this playlist is from. It's just a very Toji thing to say.

That sounds like a you problem

[ohnoitstbskyen]

I'll say that this applies to every form of online Content Creation™ - very much including being a youtuber.

The platforms you operate on want you care about the numbers, because the numbers are the main thing that they care about. The numbers are the things they sell to their advertisers and leverage with their investors. "Engagement growth is up many percent! Look at all these comments! Look at all this interaction!"

They choose which numbers to foreground and emphasize to the end user specifically in order to make you care about making their numbers go up as much as possible. That's why follower counts and retweets/reblogs and all the rest of it gets tracked and shown to you, and notes get put front and center on posts on tumblr, and views get put front and center on YouTube.

But caring about the numbers that a corporation cares about... sucks. They are inhuman entities with inhuman priorities, and getting sucked into their mindset is destructive to the soul.

Every time I log into my youtube back-end to monitor comments and upload videos and so on, this is the first thing I see:

A little summary of how well my latest video is doing relative to the average performance of my work, and then there's the lovely lil' top ten "Ranking by views" list which handily categorizes your last 10 things by size of number generated.

If your latest video is NUMBER ONE on the top 10 graph, YouTube will even play a little fireworks and confetti graphic on it to celebrate your achievement.

ALL OF THIS is manipulation. ALL OF THIS is the platform using Skinner Box reward tactics and oblique pressure to try and make the creators working on it prioritize certain kinds of performance, and chase a certain kind of success.

YouTube does not have a metric for how creatively satisfying something was to make. It does not have a metric for what it means to create a niche video about an unpopular topic which makes just a few people feel incredibly seen and validated.

How many views is it worth if something you created made someone put off their suicide another week? What's the engagement metric on a work helping someone come to terms with their grief or their sexuality or gender identity? Or, hell, what's the ROI on making just ONE person laugh their ass off for a full ten minutes with a really niche joke that basically nobody else gets but THEY got it and now it's the best part of their whole month?

You can't measure creative work in metrics. It simply cannot be done. Corporations try anyway, because that's how they commodify the human condition, but we must not share their philosophy.

It is fucking hard not to care about the numbers, especially when your ability to make rent might depend on them, when the growth of your career and your access to opportunities depends on them. But the numbers must only ever be a means to an end, not the end itself.

Small artists you need to understand that when you see an artist who you think has 'made it' tells you not to worry about the numbers and to not fret about getting more likes than reblogs they are not telling you it because they think you are stupid for caring or because they dont need to network to survive they are very likely telling you that because they have witnessed first hand the way the numbers game tears people to shreds in terms of mental health and motivation