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explosionshark · 1 month ago

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2024 AOTY

by me! your pal, bri-bri

originally i was going to just write up the first ten albums or so, but then i had things i wanted to say about the rest of 'em so i just kept going. that made the list really long though. so here's just the numbered list, under the cut you'll find my extended thoughts n feelings :)

What I'll Leave Behind by Void of Vision

For Your Consideration by Empress Of

Sanshi by Ripped to Shreds

Coup de Grace by Seeyouspacecowboy

Aumicide by Atrae Bilis

Children of the Moon by State Faults

Ridiculous and Full of Blood by Julie Christmas

Absolute Elsewhere by Blood Incantation

Lonely People [EP] by Love Rarely

Cutting the Throat of God by Ulcerate

Infinite Mortality by Replicant

I Got Heaven by Mannequin Pussy

Valerie by Tei Shi

Forever by Charly Bliss

You Could Do It Tonight by Couch Slut

World Fighter by Angel Sword

Hicimos Crecer un Bosque by Fin del Mundo

Ephemera [EP] by Ben Quad

Stygian Rose by Crypt Sermon

Infinite Void by With Sails Ahead

Vault of Horrors by Aborted

Revelations by Sarah Shook & the Disarmers

Steps Ascending by Stand Still

The Tower by Urban Heat

AOTY 2024

Full list here: write-ups for specific albums under th cut. Ranked somewhat arbitrarily.

1. What I'll Leave Behind by Void of Vision (metalcore) - absolute bummer that this will be the final album by these guys, but I'm grateful for the fact that I was able to see them a few times before they had to call it quits. Been describing this as like a song missing from the Saw 2 soundtrack or something that should have been playing at one of the clubs in Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines or something. I feel like that's accurate - alt metalcore with its nails painted black and a profound love of Nine Inch Nails. Strong lyricism drawn from real trauma, enough fun electronics to make them stand out from more generic metalcore acts, plenty of hooks and some sick breakdowns as well to keep things heavy. I hope Jack Bergin's brain never explodes again and retiring from touring helps him lead a long and healthier life. "Gamma Knife" is the highlight for me

2. For Your Consideration by Empress Of (Pop) - my favorite pop album of the year. Lorely Rodriguez is so insanely talented, this album has a pretty diverse range of sounds without becoming too inconsistent. I love that there's raunchy club bangers like "Femenine" right next to sappy love songs like "Kiss Me" and more introspective tracks like "What Type of Girl Am I?"

3. Sanshi by Ripped to Shreds (Death Metal) - very good year for death metal but I think this is my favorite DM record of the year. I've always enjoyed Andy Lee's projects and Ripped to Shreds has been my favorite of them for years but expanding to a full band has taken them to a whole nother level. Killer riffage throughout, insanely fun lead swapping between Lee and Michael Chavez. "Horrendous Corpse Resurrection" is easily one of my top songs of the year

4. Coup de Grace by Seeyouspacecowboy (Metalcore) - this was a big big SYSC year for me, in large part bc I ended up seeing them live so many times. Honestly initially I struggled with Coup de Grace because it leans harder into the dramatic, theatrical MCR/P!ATD style of emo than any of their other work, and that's not necessarily to my taste. This still makes the top 5 despite regularly skipping several songs on each listen because the rest of it is so damn good. Could not stop listening to it this fall. Safe to say it grew on me. "Chewing the Scenery" and "Subtle Whispers to Take Your Breath Away" were two of my most played tracks for the whole year

5. Aumicide by Atrae Bilis (Death Metal) - one of the most underrated death metal bands active rn imo. No sophomore slump for these guys, this record absolutely smokes from start to finish. It's heavy and it's nasty, but it still grooves. There's enough melody to make it addictive but they're still able to maintain the harshness that makes dissonant death metal compelling. "Hell Simulation" and the closing track "Excruciate Incarnate" are perfect examples of the balance they strike between those two modes

6. Children of the Moon by State Faults (post-hardcore) - 2024 was the year I discovered State Faults. Very much the experience of finding a band that is so much Your Shit that it feels insane that you're almost a decade late to the party. Children of the Moon is the best post-hardcore album of the year imo and it's not even close. These guys draw from an incredible range of influences to create some of the most affecting work in the genre - brutal and beautiful and profound. "Palo Santo" and "No Gospel" absolutely blow me away every time

7. Ridiculous and Full of Blood by Julie Christmas (post-metal? Noise? Julie Christmascore) - anyone already familiar with Julie Christmas' work does not need me to explain why she's such a powerhouse and anyone not familiar will be done a disservice by anything short of listening to her music for themself. All I can truly say about Ridiculous and Full of Blood is that it's one of the most dynamic, interesting albums of the year and I just hope to God she doesn't make us wait another 14 years for her next solo record. The band she assembled for this album is insane across the board, but in particular it was a delight to see her collaborating with Johannes Persson again eight years after the absolutely masterful collaboration with Cult of Luna. If you listen to only one song out of all the stuff I'm recommending today, let it be "The Lighthouse"

8. Absolute Elsewhere by Blood Incantation (progressive death metal) - everyone won't shut up about this album but in this case the praise is absolutely earned. Cosmic, atmospheric, brutal, spacey, heavy as hell. With a Tangerine Dream collaboration no less! Essentially comprised of two long songs, Absolute Elsewhere is a record you need to make time for, meant to be listened to in full to get the most out of it, but it's so, so worth it to take the time. A stunning, transportive piece

9. Lonely People [EP] by Love Rarely (post-hardcore/math rock) - my favorite EP of the year. A very exciting band, they fuse hooky, math rock riffs with post-hardcore intensity. Courtney Levitt's vocals are incredible - a combination of throat shredding shrieks and powerful, emotional clean singing that makes you instantly sit up and pay more attention. "Say Yes" was on repeat for me all year

10. Cutting the Throat of God by Ulcerate (death metal) - an absolutely crushing, depressive, beautiful piece of dissonant death metal. Undeniably heavy, but on this outing we see Ulcerate lean into some post-rock esque melodicism that elevates their sound even further. It's such an atmospheric album - grim and unrelenting, but strangely delicate in places. Top notch musicianship throughout, but Jaime Saint-Merat's drumming is just mind-blowing. The title track is a must-listen song for anyone who gives a shit about heavy music at all

11. Infinite Mortality by Replicant (Death Metal) - I noticed in my write-ups for the other two dissonant death metal albums on this list, I took a moment to highlight and praise the melodicism therein. That won't be happening for Infinite Mortality. That's not to say there's zero melody at all but to emphasize how much that's not the draw here. This album is an altogether darker, nastier, more menacing affair. There's a grime here, a dizzying, sinister undertone of violence. My first time listening to this record was as background music while I was reading Crypt of the Moon Spider by Nathan Ballingrud and there was a scene in that book I was reading during "Orgasm of Bereavement" where the combination of the sounds I was hearing and the words I was reading gave me a full-body sensory experience: goosebumps, a faint sense of nausea, slight dizziness. I can't think of a stronger album recommendation than that.

12. I Got Heaven by Mannequin Pussy (Rock) - ANOTHER BANGER FROM MISSY DABICE AND CO. Mannequin Pussy keep getting better and better and it seems like they're finally (deservedly) starting to blow up with this record. It's a joy to listen to - snarky, vulnerable, earnest, clever, joyful and pissed off in turns. "Loud Bark" is already iconic, easily one of the finest songs they've written in an already stacked career of certifiable bangers

13. Valerie by Tei Shi (pop) - my second favorite pop album of the year! Tei Shi's first independent release. The breadth of songs on this album is incredible - bachata inflected pop kicks the album off with the explosively catchy "QQ (QUÉDATE QUERIENDOME)" and by the middle of the record we've somehow transitioned to intimate, heart wrenchingly vulnerable meditations on a painful miscarriage with "Falling From Grace." Frustration with the major label rat race as well as evergreen pop subjects of love and heartbreak fill out the rest of the album, but no matter the topic or the style of the song, everything feels honest and confident. The Spanglish version of "Mona Lisa" is one of my favorite pop songs of the year

14. Forever by Charly Bliss (Rock/Power Pop) - talking about honest, vulnerable music! Charly Bliss made their comeback this year and it's unsurprisingly one of the best albums to come out in 2024. Forever feels like a great marriage of the sounds on their other two LPs, Guppy and Young Enough. The band is still leaning into the pop sound that clearly enthralls them but there's a welcome return for fun guitar riffs too. Also there's no album on this list that has a stronger opening than the three song run of "Tragic" to "Calling You Out" to "Back There Now"

15. You Could Do It Tonight by Couch Slut (Sludge Metal/Noise) - okay enough pop music time for something gross and gnarly and almost guaranteed to give you some kind of disease. Couch Slut have always been here to upset you - and holy shit are they good at it on this album. Each and every song on this record is a provocative, stomach-churning vignette in its own right but none moreso than "The Donkey" where Megan Osztrosits recounts a horrifyingly fucked up story of a friend's drug-fueled bout of self mutilation in Chat Pile-esque spoken word over massive, dirty sludge metal riffs. It's fucking sick. "Here's what happened when my friends and I got fired from a haunted water park" - tell me you don't want to hear how the rest of this story goes, even knowing it will end in a grotesque, bloody mess.

16. World Fighter by Angel Sword (Heavy Metal) - okay enough edgelord shit now we're back to having fun. I honestly didn't think there would be a trad metal release that would top Razor Wire by Mean Mistreater, and then I stumbled into Angel Sword this summer. It's just candy, man. Extremely catchy 80s style riffs, incredible hooks, gritty yet charming vocals. This album is dripping in neon, racing down the highway at 90 miles an hour with two topless babes in the backseat telling you how cool your studded denim jacket and fresh perm look. "Vigilantes" never gets old for me

17. Hicimos Crecer un Bosque by Fin del Mundo (shoegaze) - kinda wild that this is the only shoegaze album that made it onto my list this year but it is what it is! And what it is in this case is the killer second album by Argentinian band Fin del Mundo. If you like fuzzy guitars and ethereal vocals, this is the record on this list for you. Although labeling them a shoegaze band is accurate, it fails to account for the ways post-rock, emo, and dream pop elevate the bands sound to another level. It's a record that's soothing and engaging at the same time, well produced, clear sounding without being too polished. "Vivimos lejos" brings a charming kind of ASIWYFA-style combination of gang vocals and emo instrumentals, resulting in basically four and half perfect minutes of music

18. Ephemera [EP] by Ben Quad (post-hardcore) - many bands are doing the throwback 00s emo/metalcore thing right now, but few of them are doing it as well as Ben Quad on this EP. This is basically They're Only Chasing Safety-worship but that's fine by me. Frantic, melodic, scathing and nakedly emotional, I love the intensity of this EP. I'd kill for a full record in this style tbh, but for now I'll be happy with what we've got. It's an incredibly short 11 minute runtime so I'd really recommend just listening to the whole thing but if nothing else, don't skip "Your Face as an Effigy"

19. Stygian Rose by Crypt Sermon (Epic Heavy Metal) - epic heavy metal, I'm sure, sounds like the stupidest genre name in the world. But like, listen to Stygian Rose and you'll immediately understand there's nothing else that describes it as well. Big, heavy doomy guitars, fast drumming, crazy soloing, nimble bass riffage, powerful heavy metal vocals and lyrics about like wizards and evil kings and stuff? Lie to yourself if you want, but I know the truth. This album fucks hard. "Heavy is the Crown of Bone" and "Glimmers in the Underworld" are crushing, face-melting works of fantasy bullshit. I can't get enough of this album

20. Infinite Void by With Sails Ahead (Post-hardcore) - I discovered these guys through a collaboration with Pulses. last year and I spent most of the intervening time eagerly anticipating the release of their debut LP Infinite Void. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. It's an incredibly confident and fun first record - firmly on the Swancore side of PHC but lacking a lot of what tends to annoy me in that subgenre (insufferable songs about the male ego). Sierra Binondo's powerful and diverse vocal range really takes these guys to another level in a genre where extremely talented musicians are a dime a dozen. Go listen to "Ryn" right now and tell me you're not at least a little bit in love now

21. Vault of Horrors by Aborted (Brutal Death Metal) - it's Aborted! It's a cheeseburger. But it's a really, really, really good cheeseburger after you've been craving one for ages. This record has two gimmicks - all the songs are based on horror movies and each has a feature from a guest vocalist. Admittedly, I find brutal/tech death to be kind of wearying after a while and this tends to affect listenability for me, which is precisely why this album has a place on my AOTY list - I don't get tired of it. It's brutal and punishing but catchy and fun to listen to. Daníel Konráðsso absolutely does not sound like a human being on this. I bet his calf muscles are insane, because the double bass on this record is frankly disgusting. "The Golgothan" has my favorite riff of the record, but there's no bad tracks, honestly

22. Revelations by Sarah Shook & the Disarmers (Alt Country) - haven't really figured out a way to talk about this band that doesn't feel at least a little bit like deadnaming singer/guitarist River Shook but they've yet to change their band name so! Admittedly, not a very country heavy year for me, but if everything I've dabbled in, Revelations is the easy standout. Continuing the band's legacy of clever, honest lyricism and rollicking country rock musicianship, Revelations feels like the best version of their sound yet. "Motherfucker" is a straightforward, righteously pissed off ode to gross, predatory men in the industry, "Backsliders" is a good old fashioned broken-hearted ode to a bad relationship, while "Jane Doe" is the easy standout shot through with emotion, clever lyricism and brilliant guitar work

23. Steps Ascending by Stand Still (Pop Punk/Melodic Hardcore) - I was a teen in the 00s so I'll always be weak to that very Long Island melodic hardcore in 2004 sound that this album is evoking so perfectly. I love fast drums, I love posi philosophical lyrics, I love those melodic, angular guitar riffs, I love a guy shouting and I love gang vocals. Those things in combination just always work on me. "We Know the Score" + "Mysticism" are the perfect 'holler along at the top of your lungs in the car' combo

24. The Tower by Urban Heat (Post-Punk) - one of my most anticipated albums of the year. When they started the album rollout with singles like "Sanitizer" and "Right Time of Night" I had a pretty good idea that the final product would have a good shot at being one of my favorite records of the year. And of course I was right. Most Post-Punk isn't quite capable of keeping my attention, but Urban Heat are so damn good at songcraft. The songs on this record are incredibly dynamic, ranging from the snotty disdain of the aforementioned "Sanitizer" to the surprising tenderness of the New Wave ballad "Seven Safe Places." It's an incredibly strong showing from a really exciting band. I've heard they're killer live, too. Maybe if I'm lucky this coming year I'll get a chance to find out for myself.

And that's it! 24 for 24

Except for these also >:)

Honorable Mentions (aka albums it killed me to leave off this list so I'm cheating by adding them here)

Club Shy [EP] by Shygirl

Prude by Drug Church

It's Inside You by Candy

Sunrise Over Rigor Mortis by Beaten to Death

Verses in Oath by Hulder

Beating the Drums of Ancestral Force by Tzompantli

Agony & Wounds by Obscene

Cure by ERRA

Songs of Blood and Mire by Spectral Wound

The Cycles of Trying to Cope by Like Moths to Flames

Razor Wire by Mean Mistreater

I'll Drown on This Earth by Cold Gawd

Heaven Let them Die [EP] by Counterparts

Dark Superstition by Gatecreeper

#aoty 2024 #i need a music tag i don't hate

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moreespressoformydepresso · 1 year ago

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I’m working on a thing where all the tributes of the 10th Hunger Games won separate games, ultimately leading to president Snow getting his shit rocked because he sucked from the beginning and TBOSAS proved that, and I was thinking about how all the tributes would have won their games. The way you play the game and what led to your victory will probably have impact on how you cope and what exactly triggers PTSD. I’ve been mostly focused on Lamina and Treech because I love the district 7 tributes they’re built different, but I’ll try to come up with as many as possible for this list:

Velvereen was a career, and scored multiple kills while working with them, but ultimately the alliance broke apart as their members died off in their attempts to hunt down others. Velvereen, being less murder-happy, didn’t get revenge killed, nor did she get overwhelmed by a tribute she attacked, which left her as the last of the pack standing. She won because her last opponent used a melee weapon and she used throwing knives. Thanks to the advantage she had by not only having a long range weapon, but also a lifetime of training to hone her accuracy, she ended their would-be-battle swiftly and took the win.

Facet was also a part of the career pack, not necessarily hunting people down but going out of his way to kill whoever he came across that wasn’t a career. His weapon of choice was a spear, and he won by leaving the career pack when the water got a bit too hot under the team’s feet, and spearing the last tribute like a cannibal-style meat skewer.

Sabyn made full use of her superior health and knowledge of building structures in an urban arena. Aside from using her skill with the mace to bludgeon people to death, she also used it to hit all the weak points in the structures and collapsed walls on top of people. She took out the last remaining tributes by collapsing a building on top of them and killing off the survivors with her mace.

Marcus spent most of his games using his vastly superior physical strength and more well-fed state to his advantage, knowing most of his allies were waiting for the moment they thought they no longer needed him to get rid of him. His solution was to run awa- just kidding he killed them all in their sleep and used the intellect everyone thought he lacked for the rest of the games until the final fight, where he bashed the other tribute’s head into the rocks and then choked them to death.

Teslee wins her games by using her knowledge of electronics to reactivate the mines around the starting platforms and hiding in the cornucopia when there’s only four people left. When the mutts drive everyone to the middle of the arena, they’re subsequently blown up.

Circ wins his games in similar fashion to Teslee, except he gets forced to help the careers with his intellect and knowledge of technology. In response, Circ uses his intellect and knowledge of technology to trick the careers into protecting him and handing him weapons until he no longer needs them, then having the plan they made him execute literally blow up in their face and electrocuting several of them in the process. The last career is killed when Circ evades their attacks until they hit an electrical line with their fully metal weapon.

Coral probably won the same way she almost did in the movie. She was part of the career pack and made sure to be the one to backstab their allies first. There is no little brother figure for her to be worried about, nor are there snakes designed to kill every last person in the arena, so she has all the room and time she needs to handily shish kebab the last tribute and claim victory.

Mizzen doesn’t have as much brutal efficiency, nor the physique that Coral did even though I’m aging him up. He instead wins by mixing her strategy with the tried and true method of staying away from the things that could turn you into a pincushion. It’s like Marcus’ approach in reverse, starting with intellect and finishing with brute strength. He joins the careers, but as soon as things go slightly south he takes out the biggest threat when they aren’t paying attention and runs for the hills (or ocean, because district 4). He lures the last tribute to a body of water by pretending to run away and using the dark so they don’t see the cliff coming, and once they’re in his territory he uses his net to catch them and his trident or knife to finish them off.

Lamina cries so much in the lead up to the games that everyone, including her mentors, have given up on her. Once the games actually begin she surprises everyone with her strategy and skill with an ax, climbing a mountain high enough that people can’t kill her without going up themself and only coming down when she has to. When she does, she stockpiles water and food so she can stay up as long as possible while waiting for the others to whittle down the numbers. On one of her runs she finds a tribute who had a run in with the careers and was tortured almost to death. At their request, she puts them out of their misery. At the end of the games she’s barely got a scratch on her and is still at peak health for the circumstances. She’s forced to come down by the gamemakers, and all but one tribute is killed by the mutts. However, they’re so badly hurt that they beg her to just finish it and end their torment, at which point she hands out a second mercy kill.

Treech won his games by focusing on survival during training and pretending to be very bad at wielding an ax, only showing enough skill to avoid suspicion since he’s from the lumber district. He used good looks and charm during the interview to gain sponsors and talked about home to set up a proper sob story to get sympathy. He used the confusion of the cornucopia to snatch some of the supplies further away from the cornucopia and stays hidden from other tributes for the entirety of his games. Thanks to his stealing from everyone, including the careers, without getting caught, he has enough screen time to maintain his sponsors without putting himself in too much danger, especially before he gets his hands on an ax. His only kills occur during the final minutes of the games, where he jumps the last three careers once he realizes they won’t fight each other until he’s dead and waiting for the capitol to send mutts is more dangerous. He uses the element of surprise to jump the careers, cleaving one in the head and throwing his ax at the career with a long range weapon, before using his knife to injure the last tribute while stopping them from fatally wounding him until he manages to pull the ax from the body of the second career, turning to avoid a swing and gain momentum before swinging down and planting his ax in the last kid’s neck, killing them instantly.

Bobbin lost his arm in the games (I cannot see him as someone that isn’t Knox Gibson), and killed someone with a needle since he knows five ways to do exactly that. After losing his arm, he stayed alive by sewing it and several dangerous gashes closed so he wouldn’t bleed to death. He tripped the second to last other tribute using thread from his clothing and they got ripped to shreds by mutts that had been released into the arena. The last person was killed with that same thread, a brick, and yet again a needle.

Wovey used her perceived disadvantage (again, I cannot see a Wovey that isn’t Sofia Sanchez) by making everyone believe she’s weak. The arena was an industrial terrain not unlike district eight, which meant hiding was a piece of cake for her. Also, she used her knowledge of these kinds of buildings to lead whatever tribute was chasing her around until they were in a prime place for her to strike or ran into another tribute to strike for her. The last tribute was pushed into a machine, which crunched them to death.

Sheaf used her agility to her advantage, and luckily there was a sickle in the arena for her so her strategy became to rush at people with melee weapons, who would then predictably prepare to block a head-on attack, only to duck past them and cleave them in the back. She won her games by tiring her opponent out and decapitating them.

Panlo picks up on skills easily, and in the three days he had at the training centre he learned to shoot pretty decently with a bow and arrow. He’s best with a sickle, but they didn’t have those in his arena and he’d rather stay long range so bow and arrow it was. Nobody expected him to become so proficient so quickly, and since none of the careers used bows Panlo waited until after the bloodbath to run to the cornucopia and grab the set, as well as some supplies. He spent his games scoping out good sniper posts and shooting anyone who got too close for comfort, winning the games by waiting for the last two to finish duking it out and shooting the winner in the stomach, then finishing it with a shot through the chest.

Tanner won his games by joining an alliance (not the careers) and relying on their numbers to keep others from attacking him for as long as possible. During the final fight he uses his strength to wrestle the other person to the ground and uses his knife and experience from working in the slaughterhouses to gut them.

Brandy wins her games by using everything she knows from the slaughterhouses to kill the other tributes. During her last battle, she wrestles the other tribute to the ground and snaps their neck.

Dill is also aged up, and used her fragile state to play innocent before dropping all sorts of deadly things on people’s heads from the trees and poisoning them with her knowledge of agriculture.

Reaper is basically Thresh if Thresh hadn’t died so the capitol could have their star-crossed lovers death battle (you cannot tell me the storm didn’t have that exact purpose, the mutts are more ambiguous). Physically intimidating and strong, but deciding to lay low for most of the games rather than going on a rampant murder spree. He refuses to play the game and doesn’t kill anyone until he and one of the careers are the last two standing. The skirmish ends with Reaper scoring a revenge kill for his district partner, who was killed by this tribute.

Jessup used his strength to to intimidate the other tributes into steering clear of him. He joins the careers right until they’ve got one more dangerous tribute to get rid of, at which point he knows it’s time to cut his losses and run away. He keeps the careers alive, because he needs them to get rid of the other tribute and he’s lower on the priority list, but he knows that once that kid’s gone he’s the next to go. So he subtly stalls them until a night where it’s his turn to watch and grabs as many supplies as he can quietly get his hands on and leaves them behind. Another tribute stumbles across them and gets rid of half the pack, but that’s not Jessup’s concern. He wins the games by smashing a bottle over another tribute’s head and stabbing them to death with the shards.

Lucy Gray Baird wins by becoming the capitol favorite for her games. Her “performance” leads to her getting more sponsors than even some of the careers, which allows her to stay alive without having to put herself into much danger to get supplies. She wins by singing to snake mutts until they recognize her scent and stop attacking her, at which point she has venomous sentient weapons in her arsenal which she makes full use of, taking out two tributes with snake bites and ultimately distracting the last other tribute with them, using the opening it gives her to kill them.

I genuinely cannot think of anything for Hy, Sol, Ginnee or Otto for now, sorry 😅.

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anonsally · 1 month ago

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Days 8-9 in Australia

Yesterday was New Year's Eve (Australia being in the future [compared to the US and Europe]).

It didn't start out very well: Wife tested positive for influenza A. She felt a little better than the previous day, actually, but she was undeniably unwell.

The daytime was fairly low-key. We did some laundry, I went to buy snacks to bring on our trip to Western Australia, and I packed my clothes. In the evening, Wife's sister and I took public transit [bus, train, another bus] to the flat in Neutral Bay where she and her husband used to live [her mother-in-law inherited it, and her brother-in-law is currently staying there with his fiancee and their baby]. It has a balcony with a spectacular 270-degree view of Sydney Harbour, including the bridge (though the view is looking directly along the bridge, not perpendicular to it) and part of the opera house roof. It's thus a pretty great place to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks. Wife didn't come because she was ill, and her brother-in-law didn't come because he had to work.

So it was me, Wife's sister, her in-laws (including the parents-in-law), and a sort-of friend of the mother-in-law with her friend.) The baby stayed awake the whole time, more or less (there may have been a brief nap at some point). She was very cute.

We put together a huge antipasti tray for everyone to choose things from, and there was Bowle (a peach white-wine punch). I had some nice chats with the in-law-in-laws, and we admired the view. At 9pm the kids' fireworks happened. We had more food and I watched a little of a documentary show about the urban birds of Sydney, which I'll hopefully get to see more of before I have to leave, but it wasn't really the right situation to be able to give it my full attention.

We did some cleanup around 11:30. At midnight, we toasted with champagne and enjoyed the spectacular fireworks display. Then we lit sparklers and took photos... But we hung out quite a while afterwards, leaving sometime after 1:30. We got a ride most of the way to a station and then took 2 trains to our neighborhood and walked 15min. back to the house. (On the first train, our car was probably about 30% young, German, very drunk, and singing badly with great enthusiasm at top volume. I think about 30% of the people in the car were entertained by this, while the remaining 40% were deeply annoyed.) It was still really warm out and I was utterly exhausted. We got home after 2:30am and I didn't turn out the light until 3am, which is much past my bedtime.

Today, New Year's Day, was also our departure day for Western Australia. I slept till about 9:45am. We finished packing and ate. Wife's brother-in-law seems to have caught her flu, but her sister and I are still okay... Wife is feeling a little better, though her nose is still very runny. The fever is definitely gone.

The travel part of the day did not go very smoothly:

The first rideshare car showed up and then drove off right away without letting us in.

The second one stopped, but when the driver saw that there were 3 of us and how much luggage we had, he said we needed to order a larger vehicle.

Luckily, the third one was big enough for us and all our stuff, and he took us to the airport.

Although Sydney to Perth is a domestic flight, we were flying out of the international terminal on the same plane that does a nonstop Perth to Paris (!!!!!) flight. That made check-in extra complicated because none of the electronic stuff was prepared for that scenario, even though we were not the only people doing it.

So they had to give us paper boarding passes with a special sticker that we had to sign, and which then had to get rubber-stamped (literally) by someone when we went through passport control. We also had to take the special security line for families with small children in order to get to the right people for the rubber stamp.

Once we were finally in the terminal, it went okay until we boarded the plane.

I was very disappointed to find that my "window seat" had no window, unlike all the other window seats! If I craned my neck I could see a little bit out of the window for the row behind me.

Nobody sat in the middle seat between me and Wife's sister, which was lucky. Wife was on the aisle across from her sister.

Wife's sister managed to spill her tomato juice.

I did at least get the last chicken meal they had.

On disembarking in Perth, we had to show our boarding passes again and get manually checked that our passports matched our boarding passes.

We did get our luggage okay and were picked up by a shuttle to the car rental place.

However, the car rental had been booked through a 3rd party and the actual rental company didn't have documentation that the second driver was supposed to be included.

Furthermore, it turns out that there are some weird-ass restrictions on where we can take the car. Most car rental companies only want you to drive on paved roads, which is not unreasonable. But this company also says that the "unlimited kilometers" in the contract will be completely invalidated if we go certain places, including anywhere east of Esperance. The Main Reason to go to Esperance is that there's a spectacular national park just east of it, and that's an important part of our itinerary on this trip. But it will add hundreds of dollars if we take the rental car there, because there is a tracker in the car. So it looks like we will have to find some way to pay someone to take us through the park, which is super irritating when we thought that having the rental car would be enough. [Also included in the areas we can't go are anywhere outside a city after sunset. What?!]

On the positive side, I saw a new bird at the airport while waiting for the shuttle: a pair of red-tailed black cockatoos! I also saw a Willie-wagtail harassing a magpie about four times its own size, and I believe a galah flew over the car while we were driving.

We drove safely to our Airbnb in Fremantle, where we will stay for 2 nights. We befriended an adolescent kitty who lives next door, and the apartment is very nice.

We found a grocery store and bought some essentials, came home and ate a few raw vegetables and, in my case, the crackers and cheese I was given on the plane. Now it's time for bed, because tomorrow we go to Rottnest Island to meet the quokkas!

#personal #travel #birdwatching #i love cats

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jiacast · 5 months ago

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World Tourism Day

Travel Guide: Manila, Philippines

Manila, the Philippines' vibrant metropolis, is a dynamic mix of old and new, with ancient Spanish architecture meeting modern skyscrapers and busy marketplaces coexisting with elegant retail malls. Whether you're interested in the city's rich history, eclectic cuisine scene, or vibrant culture, Manila provides an intriguing and comprehensive experience.

When to Visit:

The dry season (November-May) offers less humidity and rain, with cooler temperatures from December to February. The wet season (June-October) offers indoor activities like museums and shopping and is less crowded.

Top Attractions:

Intramuros: The historic heart of Manila, built during the Spanish colonial period. Visits include Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila Museum.

Rizal Park (Luneta): A sprawling park dedicated to José Rizal, hosting the National Museum Complex.

Binondo, The World's Oldest Chinatown: A vibrant neighborhood known for its Chinese-Filipino culture and delicious food.

Manila Ocean Park: An aquarium and marine-themed park offering a variety of activities.

Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP): Home to Filipino performing arts, hosting concerts, ballets, plays, and art exhibits.

Local Experiences:

Experience the Philippines' iconic jeepney ride for a colorful and affordable way to explore Manila. The city is a shopping paradise, with luxurious malls like SM Mall of Asia and bargain hunting at Divisoria Market and Greenhills Shopping Center. Enjoy local crafts, electronics, and clothes at these popular shopping destinations.

Food & Dining:

Manila is a hub of Filipino flavors, offering a diverse range of street vendors and fine dining options. Famous dishes include lechon, a traditional pig dish; adobo, a soy-braised chicken or pork dish; and halo-halo, a refreshing dessert made with shaved ice, sweetened fruits, jelly, ube, and leche flan.

Must-Try Restaurants:

Ilustrado Restaurant in Intramuros offers a blend of Spanish, Filipino, and international cuisine, while Barbara's Heritage Restaurant provides a cultural dining experience with traditional Filipino food and folk dance performances. Aristocrat is renowned for its Filipino comfort food.

Day Trips from Manila:

Tagaytay, Pagsanjan Falls, and Corregidor Island: • Tagaytay: 2-hour drive from Manila, offers cooler weather and Taal Volcano views. • Pagsanjan Falls: 3-hour boat ride through river gorge, ending with refreshing waterfall. • Corregidor Island: Historical island off Manila Bay, played a significant role during WWII. Guided tour of ruins, tunnels, and military barracks.

Nightlife:

Manila's nightlife scene is vibrant, particularly in Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Malate. It offers trendy rooftop bars, live music, and dance clubs. Poblacion, known for its hip vibe, features speakeasies, bars, and clubs. Resorts World Manila, a luxury resort and casino, offers sophisticated dining, theaters, and bars for a sophisticated night out.

Getting Around:

Manila's traffic can be busy, so leave additional time to drive. You can get about using Grab (the taxi service app), jeepneys, buses, or LRT/MRT trains. Local communities also have tricycles and pedicabs accessible for shorter trips.

Cultural Etiquette:

• Mano Po: Traditional respect gesture where younger people place elder's hand on forehead. • Bayanihan Spirit: Filipino hospitality, friendly locals, and helpfulness encouraged.

Shopping:

Divisoria is a popular market known for affordable goods, while SM Mall of Asia is a massive mall offering luxury goods, local brands, an ice skating rink, and an IMAX theater.

Conclusion:

With its blend of colonial history, vibrant urban life, and ingrained culture, Manila is a city of contrasts. Whether you're taking in the lively culinary scene or discovering the old-world elegance of Intramuros, Manila provides a diverse and colorful experience that will make for lifelong memories.

#writing #World Tourism Day #manila #philippines

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fossil0000 · 2 years ago

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The following description was written by Sloane Angel Hilton, the creator of the facebook group for this aesthetic: Its rise and fall between the years 1996-2002 - a movement in pop culture that is spawned from the research of The Y2K Aesthetic Institute. A notable shift in the visual mood of pop culture happened during the turn of the millennium, but it wasn’t Y2K Aesthetic. One thing I have found is that it was en vogue to be between 25-35, the prime age of Gen X at this time. I think of the “Music First” era of Vh1 programming. Contrary to contemporaneous Y2K Aesthetic, and also McBling style of the early 2000s, Gen X Y/AC models in editorial fashion or artist marketing were much more "natural". You will see tons of nude lipstick, hair parted down the middle or natural textured hair, natural leathers, knee high boots, duster jackets, natural and muted colors - especially greens, beiges, tans, greys, and black. Design and fashion was moving from 60s revival into early 70s. Retro-futurism was Y2K Aesthetic, but Gen X YAC was more terrestrial. Its futurism was a mix of sterile and organic. McBling was a full blown disco revival, but here, we just see hints of the 70s. Depictions of city life through a colonialist lens. First wave gentrification. Urban life influenced graphic design, such as in the use of Helvetica as inspired by the NYC subway signs. The rise of a minimalist design revival. On the runway, the rise/peak of the modern supermodel - Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Linda Evangelista, who were all peaking at 25. In photography and film, prevalence of bleach bypass, cross processing, “Lomo effect”, and other color grading trends. Hit music in the US was heavily influenced or even imported from the UK and Europe. Notably, we saw a surge in french house/disco, big beat, electronic, trance, uk garage, and “easy listening”/adult contemporary marketed for Generation X. Less Pure Moods and more Cafe Del Mar. Pop artists were reinvented to fit, like Madonna (Ray of Light). "Soft Club" refers to club culture trickling down into mainstream culture. As the style shifts into McBling, club culture becomes so huge that only the rich can enjoy it in Ibiza. R&B + hip hop had a marked shift in production, due to producers like Soulshock and Karlin, Trackmasters, Darkchild/Rodney Jerkins, in addition to many more who formed top of the millennium sounds working with both these genres. Pop music was equally transformed by club music, R&B, and Latin pop. Rock, pop and poetry were put over trip/hip-hop & breakbeats. Songs that may not have been written for the dance floor were produced as club music. See: soft club. Get X young adults were into entrepreneurship, which supposedly fueled the 90s economic recovery, especially via tech industry. This is why they have been considered a generation which "sold out". Discussion is much deserved regarding the nature of media diversity, both genuine (largely POC in leading production roles across mediums) and as a marketing tool, and the start of gentrification as it would come to be known in post-industrial cities.

#y2k #2000 #liminal #cultural

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ardl · 1 year ago

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From an infrastructural point of view, a splintering form of colonial occupation is characterized by a network of fast bypass roads, bridges, and tunnels that weave over and under one another in an attempt at maintaining the Fanonian “principle of reciprocal exclusivity.” According to Weizman, “the bypass roads attempt to separate Israeli traffic networks from Palestinian ones, preferably without allowing them ever to cross. They therefore emphasize the overlapping of two separate geographies that inhabit the same landscape. At points where the networks do cross, a makeshift separation is created. Most often, small dust roads are dug out to allow Palestinians to cross under the fast, wide highways on which Israeli vans and military vehicles rush between settlements.

Under conditions of vertical sovereignty and splintering colonial occupation, communities are separated across a y-axis. This leads to a proliferation of the sites of violence. The battlegrounds are not located solely at the surface of the earth. The underground as well as the airspace are transformed into conflict zones. There is no continuity between the ground and the sky. Even the boundaries in airspace are divided between lower and upper layers. Everywhere, the symbolics of the top (who is on top) is reiterated. Occupation of the skies therefore acquires a critical importance, since most of the policing is done from the air. Various other technologies are mobilized to this effect: sensors aboard unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), aerial reconnaissance jets, early warning Hawkeye planes, assault helicopters, an Earth-observation satellite, techniques of “hologrammatization.” Killing becomes precisely targeted.

Such precision is combined with the tactics of medieval siege warfare adapted to the networked sprawl of urban refugee camps. An orchestrated and systematic sabotage of the enemy’s societal and urban infrastructure network complements the appropriation of land, water, and airspace resources. Critical to these techniques of disabling the enemy is bulldozing: demolishing houses and cities; uprooting olive trees; riddling water tanks with bullets; bombing and jamming electronic communications; digging up roads; destroying electricity transformers; tearing up airport runways; disabling television and radio transmitters; smashing computers; ransacking cultural and politico-bureaucratic symbols of the proto-Palestinian state; looting medical equipment. In other words, infrastructural warfare. While the Apache helicopter gunship is used to police the air and to kill from overhead, the armored bulldozer (the Caterpillar D-9) is used on the ground as a weapon of war and intimidation.

Achille Mbembe - Necropolitics

#achille mbembe #necropolitics #palestine

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anhedcnias · 8 months ago

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* ◟ : 〔 rory culkin , nonbinary + he/they 〕 belial (b-lal5-4.7) or billy , some say you’re a thirty3 year old lost soul among the neon lights. known for being both attentive and reticent, one can’t help but think of is it really you by loathe when you walk by. are you still a concert violinist at the opera house / blade runner at stoneage industries, even with your reputation as the reluctant warrior? i think we’ll be seeing more of you and memories injected into artificial veins, sharing secrets through gritted teeth in the name of duty, an arm taken - an arm given: an exchange for new baselines and strings, although we can’t help but think of data (star trek: the next generation) edward scissorhands ( tim burton’s edward scissorhands) the giant ( the iron giant ) whenever we see you down these rainy streets.

𝐍𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

ALL THREADS

ALL STARTERS

ALL MEME DAY PROMPTS

CHARACTER STUDY

AESTHETICS & VISAGE

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

general aesthetics. neo-noir sonatas & cinematic resilience meets urban serenity “A silent resolve speaks louder than the loudest gunfire.” scent of serene floral lavenders with a touch of metallic musk and electronic currents of clean fabricated air. reluctant warrior. harboring a strong reluctance or unwillingness to engage in violence driven by personal values, past traumas, and a general preference for peace parallells. data (star trek: the next generation) edward scissorhands ( tim burton’s edward scissorhands) the giant ( the iron giant ) here is his pinterest here is a playlist

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒

full name. belial {𝐁-𝐋𝐀𝐋𝟓-𝟒.𝟕} or billy

current age. thirty three

date of birth. june 29th

place of birth. new york

nationality. american

ethnicity. american

hair color. brown

eye color. blue eyes

height. 5′ 6″

occupation. concert violinist and blade runner

known languages. english

𝐇𝐎𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐒 & 𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐒

hobbies. violin practice and mastery, blade crafting and maintenance, cybernetic enhancement research, exploring neo-noir literature, chess as a mental exercise, silent meditation and reflection, marksmanship, holofilm appreciation, urban exploration, occasional poetry composition, botanical indoor gardening, codebreaking challenges

habits. daily violin practice, regular fitness routine, mindful meditation, blade maintenance rituals, cybernetic arm calibration, tendency to bottled emotions, overly cautious, night owl habits, cybernetic dependency, reluctance to delegate, excessive perfectionism, occasional distrust, silent observance, careful blade inspection, eloquent silence, selective disclosure

𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘

THROUGH THE EYES OF AGENT 𝐁-𝐋𝐀𝐋𝟓-𝟒.𝟕, A BLADE RUNNER FOR STONEAGE INDUSTRIES

𝙾𝙵𝙵𝙸𝙲𝙴𝚁 ��-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽. 𝙻𝙴𝚃’𝚂 𝙱𝙴𝙶𝙸𝙽. 𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳𝚈? 𝚁𝙴𝙲𝙸𝚃𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙱𝙰𝚂𝙴𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙴.

— a blood black nothingness began to spin

a tall white fountain. a blood black nothingness. a system of cells. interlinked. within cells interlinked. within cells interlinked. within cells interlinked. within one stem. and dreadfully distinct. against the dark. a tall white fountain played.

𝙻𝙴𝚃'𝚂 𝙼𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝚃𝙾 𝚂𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙼. 𝙵𝙴𝙴𝙻 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙸𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙱𝙾𝙳𝚈. system. 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙳𝙾𝙴𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙵𝙴𝙴𝙻 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚃𝙾 𝙱𝙴 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙼? system. 𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙰𝙽𝚈𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙸𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙱𝙾𝙳𝚈 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚆𝙰𝙽𝚃𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙸𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙼? system. 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙶𝙴𝚃 𝙿𝙻𝙴𝙰𝚂𝚄𝚁𝙴 𝙾𝚄𝚃 𝙾𝙵 𝙱𝙴𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙰 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙼? system. 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝙲𝚁𝙴𝙰𝚃𝙴𝙳 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚃𝙾 𝙱𝙴 𝙰 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙼? system. 𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝚂𝙴𝙲𝚄𝚁𝙸𝚃𝚈 𝙸𝙽 𝙱𝙴𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙰 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙼? system. 𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙰 𝚂𝙾𝚄𝙽𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙴𝚂 𝚆𝙸𝚃𝙷 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙼?

system.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "SYSTEM" ….your memory is hazy, like a scene from an old noir film playing in the recesses of your mind. the details are shrouded in a fog of uncertainty, each moment bleeding into the next. you find yourself in a dimly lit bar, the air thick with cigarette smoke and the pungent aroma of cheap whiskey. the ambiance is a strange amalgamation of comfort and disquiet, familiar yet unsettling… }

𝚆𝙴'𝚁𝙴 𝙶𝙾𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚃𝙾 𝙼𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝚃𝙾 𝙲𝙴𝙻𝙻𝚂. 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝚆𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝙿𝚄𝚃 𝚃𝙾𝙶𝙴𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁 𝙰𝚃 𝙰 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴. cells. 𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙱𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝙼. cells. 𝚆𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚁 𝙰𝚁𝚁𝙴𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙳? cells. 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚂𝙿𝙴𝙽𝙳 𝙼𝚄𝙲𝙷 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙲𝙴𝙻𝙻? cells. 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚁 𝙱𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝙸𝙽 𝙰𝙽 𝙸𝙽𝚂𝚃𝙸𝚃𝚄𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽? cells. 𝙳𝙾 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝙺𝙴𝙴𝙿 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙸𝙽 𝙰 𝙲𝙴𝙻𝙻? cells. 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄'𝚁𝙴 𝙽𝙾𝚃 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙼𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙳𝚄𝚃𝙸𝙴𝚂 𝙳𝙾 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝙺𝙴𝙴𝙿 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙸𝙽 𝙰 𝙻𝙸𝚃𝚃𝙻𝙴 𝙱𝙾𝚇?

cells.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "CELLS" …the clinking of glasses and murmured conversations form a backdrop of fragmented thoughts. it's a symphony of disjointed memories, each sound resonating with a sense of déjà vu that sends shivers down your spine. you scan the room, your eyes struggling to adjust to the low light, but nothing seems to anchor you. you’ve never seen this bartender before—their face is a blur of indistinct features, as if they were conjured from someone else’s recollections. their movements are fluid, almost mechanical, as they serve drinks with practiced efficiency. you attempt to catch their eye, but their gaze never meets yours, slipping past you like a ghost in the crowded room… }

𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙺𝙴𝙳. 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃'𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚃𝙾 𝙷𝙾𝙻𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝙵 𝚂𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴? interlinked. 𝙳𝙾 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝚃𝙴𝙰𝙲𝙷 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙷𝙾𝚆 𝚃𝙾 𝙵𝙴𝙴𝙻 𝙵𝙸𝙽𝙶𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝙾 𝙵𝙸𝙽𝙶𝙴𝚁? interlinked. 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙶 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙺𝙴𝙳? interlinked. 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙳𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙼 𝙰𝙱𝙾𝚄𝚃 𝙱𝙴𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙺𝙴𝙳? interlinked. 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝙻𝙴𝙵𝚃 𝙰 𝙿𝙻𝙰𝙲𝙴 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙲𝙰𝙽 𝙳𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙼? interlinked. 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃'𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚃𝙾 𝙷𝙾𝙻𝙳 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙻𝙳 𝙸𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙰𝚁𝙼𝚂? interlinked. 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃'𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚃𝙾 𝙿𝙻𝙰𝚈 𝚆𝙸𝚃𝙷 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙳𝙾𝙶? interlinked. 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙵𝙴𝙴𝙻 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴'𝚂 𝙰 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝙾𝙵 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃'𝚂 𝙼𝙸𝚂𝚂𝙸𝙽𝙶? interlinked. 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚃𝙾 𝙲𝙾𝙽𝙽𝙴𝙲𝚃 𝚃𝙾 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶𝚂? interlinked. 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙷𝙰𝙿𝙿𝙴𝙽𝚂 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙺𝙰𝙶𝙴 𝙸𝚂 𝙱𝚁𝙾𝙺𝙴𝙽? interlinked. 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝙻𝙴𝚃 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙵𝙴𝙴𝙻 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚃𝙱𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙺? 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙱𝚄𝚈 𝙰 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴?

within cells interlinked.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "INTERLINKED" …there’s a spot on the wall where you expect to find a familiar mark or a poster that could ground you, but there’s nothing. the wall is bare, unremarkable in every way, yet it holds a significance you can’t quite grasp. it's as though the bar is a stage, and the set is incomplete, missing the details that would make it real. you don’t recognize this side of town. the streets outside the bar are cloaked in shadows, the neon signs flickering with an eerie glow. it's a place that exists on the periphery of your consciousness, a liminal space between reality and fiction… }

𝚆𝙷𝚈 𝙳𝙾𝙽'𝚃 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚂𝙰𝚈 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝚁𝙴𝙴 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴𝚂.

within cells interlinked. within cells interlinked. within cells interlinked.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "WITHIN CELLS INTERLINKED" …an explosion. the initial blast is a blinding flash of light, and the concussive force rattles your very core. the sounds of free fall silence the mind, an all-encompassing roar that drowns out any coherent thought. deafening. the kind of silence that presses against your ears and makes your head throb with pressure. you glance towards the front of the helicopter, but the cockpit is a twisted wreck, the controls sparking uselessly. the seat where the captain once sat is empty, a gaping void that amplifies your sense of isolation…}

𝚆𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙶𝙾 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙶𝙾 𝚆𝙸𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽? 𝙷𝙰𝚂 𝙰𝙽𝚈𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚁 𝙻𝙾𝙲𝙺𝙴𝙳 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙾𝚄𝚃 𝙾𝙵 𝙰 𝚁𝙾𝙾𝙼? 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙶𝙾 𝚃𝙾 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙶𝙾 𝚆𝙸𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽? 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙿𝙻𝙰𝙲𝙴 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙻𝙳 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙵𝙴𝙴𝙻 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙰𝙵𝙴𝚂𝚃? 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 ��𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝙰 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚃?

within.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "WITHIN." …there are no safety vests. panic seizes your chest as you realize there's no emergency protocol to follow, no life-saving equipment to cling to. the smell of smoke fills your nostrils, acrid and suffocating. it burns your throat and lungs, each breath a struggle against the toxic fumes. the smoke swirls around you, a dark cloud that obscures your vision and adds to the disorientation. velocity pulls you from the sky. the helicopter spins uncontrollably, a whirlwind of metal and fire hurtling toward the ground. the sensation of free fall is stomach-churning, a relentless pull that makes it impossible to find your bearings. you’re without a parachute. the realization hits you like a second impact. there's nothing to slow your descent, nothing to cushion the impending collision with the earth. desperation claws at your mind, but there's no escape, no way out of this plummeting deathtrap. you can’t feel your right arm.. }

𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙼. 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙿𝙸𝙲𝙺 𝙰𝚂𝙿𝙰𝚁𝙰𝙶𝚄𝚂 𝚂𝚃𝙴𝙼𝚂? 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙴𝚂 𝙵𝚁𝙾𝙼 𝚂𝙾𝙼𝙴𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙴𝙻𝚂𝙴? 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙱𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝚃𝙾 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙾𝚄𝚁𝙲𝙴 𝙾𝙵 𝙰 𝚁𝙸𝚅𝙴𝚁? 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽'𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙶𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝙰 𝙵𝙻𝙾𝚆𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝙾 𝙰 𝙶𝙸𝚁𝙻? 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚂𝙷𝙴 𝙻𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴? 𝙸𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙰 𝚂𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙶 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙳 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝙿𝙴𝙾𝙿𝙻𝙴'𝚂 𝙻𝙴𝙶𝚂? 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙿𝙻𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙴𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶𝚂 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙶𝚁𝙾𝚄𝙽𝙳? 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚁 𝙱𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝙸𝙽 𝙰 𝙻𝙴𝙶𝙰𝙻 𝙱𝙰𝚃𝚃𝙻𝙴?

stem. within one stem.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "STEM.", "WITHIN ONE STEM." …your muscles recall a hobby. a sacred escape from the world, a passion that once breathed life into your very existence. your sinews, attuned to the subtle nuances of your craft, transport sensitivities to the manuscript paper with an almost instinctual precision. seated at your worn wooden desk, the dim light of a single lamp casts a warm glow over the blank sheets before you. the silence of the room is punctuated only by the soft rustle of the paper and the steady rhythm of your breath. each stroke of the pen is deliberate, every note carefully considered and placed. as the ink flows, a melody begins to take shape, weaving itself into existence with a life of its own. your mind, usually burdened with the weight of uncertainty and existential questions, is now singularly focused on the music. it's as if the act of creation itself is a form of therapy, a way to process and channel the emotions that lie dormant within you. the melody evolves, intertwining with harmonies and rhythms that reflect the complexity of your inner world. there's a vulnerability in this act, an unspoken truth laid bare on the page. it's a dialogue between you and the music, a conversation that requires no words yet speaks volumes… }

𝙳𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳𝙵𝚄𝙻𝙻𝚈. 𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙰𝙽 𝙾𝙻𝙳 𝙵𝙰𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙾𝙽𝙴𝙳 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙳? 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚁 ��𝙰𝙽𝚃 𝚃𝙾 𝙻𝙸𝚅𝙴 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙽𝙸𝙽𝙴𝚃𝙴𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙷 𝙲𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚄𝚁𝚈? 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃'𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚃𝙾 𝙱𝙴 𝙵𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙴𝙳 𝚆𝙸𝚃𝙷 𝙳𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳? 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙺 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙲𝙾𝚄𝙻𝙳 𝙵𝙸𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚄𝚃 𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙰𝙽𝚂𝚆𝙴𝚁𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚀𝚄𝙴𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂?

dreadfully.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "DREADFULLY." …each lamenting note echoes through the dimly lit concert hall with a haunting beauty that captures the attention of every soul present. the soft glow of the stage lights casts long shadows, creating an intimate atmosphere where every sound feels magnified. you stand on the stage, fingers dancing across the strings with practiced precision. each movement is a testament to countless hours of dedication and passion. the bow you wield is your weapon of choice, an extension of your very being, drawing out emotions that words alone could never convey. violin strings wail against rich red velvet curtains. you pour your soul into the performance, expressing the deepest parts of yourself through the medium of sound—longing and sorrow flourish, signaling the end of the orchestration. as the final note fades away, there is a moment of silence before the audience erupts. applause. the sound is thunderous, a wave of appreciation and admiration crashing over you. you feel unworthy. you feel seen and heard. you feel connected. ugly… }

𝙳𝙸𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙲𝚃. 𝙷𝙾𝚆 𝙶𝙾𝙾𝙳 𝙰𝚁𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙴𝚈𝙴𝚂? 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝙰 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃𝙸𝙲𝚄𝙻𝙰𝚁 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻𝙸𝚃𝚈? 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚂𝙴𝙿𝙰𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚂 𝚂𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙱𝙾𝙳𝚈 𝙵𝚁𝙾𝙼 𝚂𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙱𝙾𝙳𝚈 𝙴𝙻𝚂𝙴? 𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙰𝙳𝙼𝙸𝚁𝙴 𝙼𝙾𝚂𝚃 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙻𝙳? 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚆𝙰𝚂 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙼𝙾𝚂𝚃 𝚂𝙷𝙰𝙼𝙴𝙵𝚄𝙻 𝙼𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃?

distinct. dreadfully distinct.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "DREADFULLY." , "DISTINCT." …the air is thick with the scent of oil and machinery, mingling with the faint antiseptic tang that permeates the hospital. the sound of spinning gears and whirring engines fills the air. you’re lying on a cart, being swiftly wheeled down a stark, sterile hallway. the thin, paper-like blankets barely cover the equally thin mattress beneath you, offering little comfort against the cold, hard reality of the metal gurney. your body, aching and battered, sinks into the metal cell of the cart, each bump and jolt sending ripples of pain through your consciousness. the sensation is disorienting, as if the very essence of your being is being rattled loose. the wheels of the cart glide over the smooth, marble-white floors, the sound a soft, rhythmic accompaniment to the chaos within your mind. the lights overhead are blinding, their harsh fluorescence cutting through the haze of your vision, turning the world into a series of disjointed, fragmented images. you try to focus, to make sense of your surroundings, but everything feels distant and surreal, as if you’re trapped in a nightmarish dream from which you cannot wake. the blinding lights pull at your attention, and you find yourself compelled to follow them. there’s a strange comfort in their brightness, a promise of clarity amidst the fog of your pain and confusion… }

𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺. 𝚆𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙰𝙵𝚁𝙰𝙸𝙳 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚆𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙻𝙸𝚃𝚃𝙻𝙴? 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃'𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚃𝙾 𝙷𝙸𝙳𝙴 𝚄𝙽𝙳𝙴𝚁 𝙰 𝙱𝙴𝙳? 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝙺𝙴𝙴𝙿 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙸𝙽 𝙰 𝙳𝚁𝙰𝚆𝙴𝚁 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝚆𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙱𝚄𝙸𝙻𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚈𝙾𝚄? 𝚆𝙰𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴? 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂? 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚈 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙶𝚁𝙰𝙼 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚃𝙾 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂? 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙺 𝙸𝚃'𝚂 𝚂𝙾𝙼𝙴 𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝙵 𝙲𝙾𝚁𝚁𝚄𝙿𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚂𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂? 𝙼𝙰𝚈𝙱𝙴 𝙸𝚃'𝚂 𝙰 𝚂𝙿𝙾𝚃 𝙾𝙵 𝚁𝚄𝚂𝚃 𝙾𝚁 𝚂𝙾𝙼𝙴𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶?𝚆𝙷𝙾'𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺𝙴𝚂𝚃 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙺𝙽𝙾𝚆? 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙸𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝚂𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝙶𝙸𝚅𝙴𝚂 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙸𝙻𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝚃𝚁𝙴𝙰𝚃𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃? 𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙶𝙴𝚃 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺𝙽𝙴𝚂𝚂 𝙵𝚁𝙾𝙼?

dark.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "DARK" …your life was spared not by fate, but by the calculated decision of those who deemed you too valuable to lose. as a renowned violinist, your agents and the executives of your music company orchestrated your survival following the crash. driven by their need to preserve their investment, they replaced your shattered arm with a bionic one, a marvel of technology that far surpassed mere human capabilities. in doing so, they transformed you from a musician into something more—a blade runner, a hunter of rogue replicants. your second chance at life came with strings attached; you were now their creation, bound by duty to train, hunt, and eliminate defective replicants. this new purpose, thrust upon you in exchange for your survival, melded your former identity with a relentless new mission, intertwining your music with the echoes of synthetic lives… }

𝙰𝙶𝙰𝙸𝙽𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺. 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝙵 𝙿𝙾𝚆𝙴𝚁 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝙰𝙶𝙰𝙸𝙽𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺? 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙺 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙸𝚂 𝚂𝚄𝙲𝙷 𝙰 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙰𝚂 𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙻? 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙺 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙲𝙰𝙽 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝚃𝙴𝙲𝚃 𝙿𝙴𝙾𝙿𝙻𝙴 𝙰𝙶𝙰𝙸𝙽𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺? 𝚆𝙷𝚈 𝙰𝚁𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚂𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶𝚂 𝙷𝙰𝙿𝙿𝙴𝙽𝙸𝙽𝙶? 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝙵𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙳𝙰𝚈 𝙾𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙽𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃? 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙻𝙰𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚂𝙰𝚆 𝙰 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚁𝚁𝚈 𝚂𝙺𝚈? 𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃'𝚂 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙵𝙰𝚅𝙾𝚁𝙸𝚃𝙴 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙼𝙾𝙾𝙽?

against the dark.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "DREADFULLY." , "AGAINST THE DARK." …you’re surrounded by rows of cold, metallic cells. each cell contains a synthetic figure, their faces obscured by shadows, their bodies motionless and silent. each one serves as a reminder of the fragility and defiance of synthetic life. you can't shake the feeling of being watched. the eyes of the figures in the cells seem to follow your every move, their silent gaze filled with an unspoken longing. one figure stands out from the rest—a young woman with eyes that seem to pierce through the darkness. there is a profound sadness in her gaze, a silent plea for help that tugs at your heartstrings. the boundaries between hunter and hunted blur, leaving only the stark reality of existence in a world where every glance carries the weight of unspoken stories and unrealized dreams…}

𝙵𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙽. 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚂𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚃𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙽 𝙸𝙽 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙴? 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚁 𝚂𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙽 𝙸𝙽 𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙲𝙾𝙻𝙽 𝙲𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁? 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚂𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙽𝚂 𝙾𝚄𝚃 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚆𝙸𝙻𝙳?𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃'𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝙰𝙽 𝙾𝚁𝙶𝙰𝚂𝙼? 𝙷𝙰𝚅𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙽𝙷𝙴𝙰𝙳?

fountain.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "FOUNTAIN." …you stand in the rain-soaked streets of new york city. the neon lights cast an otherworldly glow on the pavement, reflecting the city's relentless energy. emptiness gnaws at your insides. nearby, a group of people laugh and chat, their voices blending into a cacophony of sound. you’re on the outside looking in. as the rain continues to fall, your shadow blurs into the pavement… }

𝚆𝙷𝙸𝚃𝙴 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙽. 𝙸𝚂 𝙸𝚃 𝙿𝚄𝚁𝙴 𝚆𝙷𝙸𝚃𝙴? 𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙰 𝙼𝙴𝚃𝙰𝙿𝙷𝙾𝚁? 𝙷𝙾𝚆 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚆𝙷𝙸𝚃𝙴 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙽 𝙼𝙰𝙺𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙵𝙴𝙴𝙻? 𝙰 𝚃𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝚆𝙷𝙸𝚃𝙴 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙽 𝙿𝙻𝙰𝚈𝙴𝙳. 𝚆𝙷𝙴𝙽 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝚆𝙴𝚁𝙴 𝙻𝙸𝚃𝚃𝙻𝙴 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚁 𝙵𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙾 𝙰 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙰𝙸𝙽? 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝙴, 𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚃𝙷, 𝙰𝙸𝚁 𝙾𝚁 𝚆𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚁? 𝙳𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚂𝙺𝙸𝙿𝙿𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙰𝚁𝙾𝚄𝙽𝙳 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚆𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚁?

a tall white fountain.

encrypt { "top secret", "𝙱-𝙻𝙰𝙻 𝟻-𝟺.𝟽", "A TALL WHITE FOUNTAIN." ...as the rain continues to fall, your shadow blurs into the pavement. }

𝚆𝙴'𝚁𝙴 𝙳𝙾𝙽𝙴. 𝙱𝙸𝙻𝙻, 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙲𝙰𝙽 𝙿𝙸𝙲𝙺 𝚄𝙿 𝚈𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝙱𝙾𝙽𝚄𝚂.

𝐕𝐈. 𝐓𝐋𝐃𝐑;

An explosion shatters his reality as a helicopter crash plunges him into chaos and darkness, his right arm gone. Yet, memories of his passion for music bring him solace, the melodies he creates offering a refuge from the turmoil. Saved from death, his life is now bound to a new purpose as a blade runner, hunting rogue replicants. Surrounded by synthetic figures in cold cells, he feels a haunting connection to their silent longing to be free. In the rain-soaked streets of New York City, he stands, an outsider amidst the vibrant chaos, grappling with his existence as stoneage's passive yet reluctant warrior.

#lawlessintro #belial * / intro.#ya'll i did it :') i finished all my intros.

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apilgrimpassingby · 7 months ago

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Going-Away Poll

So, I'm going on holiday for a week and leaving my electronics behind; hence, I'm making a poll and looking forward to reading the results when I get back.

The topic comes from me thinking back to my (approximately) thirteen-year-old self; specifically, how I my imagination effectively constructed an urban fantasy world on top of the world I lived in. Hence, of the options below:

#poll

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starflungwaddledee · 1 year ago

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just wondering, what's your taste/preferences in music like?

i would say fairly broad-- i'll go everything from cartoon musicals to hard dubstep-- though not infinite. i lean pop and dance and electronic and alt rock, because i'm a basic b.

according to my spotifystats, my current top genres are: Modern Rock, Metropopolis (?), Pop, Indietronica, Hopebeat, Indie Poptimism, and Modern Alternative Rock. some of these are words i recognise.

my favourite artists for over a decade had been florence + the machine, snow patrol, and owl city (due to Ratio Of Songs I'm Insane About), though at this point it's as much nostalgia as anything and not many of their songs are in my current circulation

overall i tend to prefer things that are high energy, but there are certainly mellow tracks i love as well!

update: i looked up metropopolis. it's a correct assessment, i can think of half a dozen songs in my current circulation that fit this, down to the urban lyrics.

Metropopolis is a modern music genre that blends elements of pop, hip-hop, and electronic music. It is characterized by its high energy, catchy melodies, and use of electronic instruments and sound effects. The lyrics often focus on urban life and the challenges of living in a big city.

#my most played from the last month is actually a fairly sombre song i am *desperate* to draw some tragedyangst to... but.. cheesy #one time discover weekly combined several things that i enjoy separately. like making a smoothie from an entire meal of different items #and recommended me a Pop Dance Track cover of the Wellerman with extremely generic club bootyshake lyrics #and anyway it made my top 100 last year. so like. hopefully that helps. i'm cringe but i'm free. music time is me time.#music #starflungs personal tag #asks

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urbanelectronics · 1 year ago

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The Best TCL Products at Affordable Prices in Urban Electronics, Lahore

When it comes to electronics, finding the perfect balance between quality and affordability can sometimes feel like an impossible task. However, Urban Electronics in Lahore aims to change that narrative by offering a wide range of top-notch TCL products at reasonable prices. From cutting-edge televisions to innovative home appliances, TCL has become synonymous with reliability and innovation in the world of consumer electronics. Let's take a closer look at some of the best TCL products available at Urban Electronics, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck.

1. TCL Smart TVs:

TCL has gained a reputation for producing some of the best smart TVs on the market, and Urban Electronics is proud to offer a diverse selection of these entertainment marvels. Whether you're in the market for a sleek LED TV or a stunning QLED display, TCL has you covered. Experience crystal-clear picture quality, vibrant colors, and seamless streaming capabilities with TCL's range of smart TVs, all available at competitive prices in Urban Electronics.

2. TCL Air Conditioners:

Beat the scorching heat of Lahore with TCL's range of energy-efficient air conditioners, available at Urban Electronics. With advanced cooling technology and innovative features such as inverter compressors and smart connectivity, TCL air conditioners ensure a comfortable environment in your home or office without breaking the bank. Say goodbye to sweltering summers and hello to cool, refreshing air with TCL air conditioners from Urban Electronics.

3. TCL Refrigerators

Keep your groceries fresh and your beverages cold with TCL refrigerators, now available at Urban Electronics. Featuring spacious storage compartments, adjustable shelves, and advanced cooling systems, TCL refrigerators are designed to meet the diverse needs of modern households. Whether you prefer a sleek stainless steel finish or a classic white design, Urban Electronics offers a wide range of TCL refrigerators to suit your style and budget.

4. TCL Washing Machines

Simplify your laundry routine with TCL washing machines, available at Urban Electronics. Designed to deliver powerful performance and thorough cleaning, TCL washing machines come equipped with a variety of wash programs and advanced features such as fuzzy logic technology and quick wash cycles. Say goodbye to stains and hello to sparkling-clean clothes with TCL washing machines from Urban Electronics.

5. TCL Soundbars

Elevate your audio experience with TCL soundbars, now available at Urban Electronics. Whether you're watching movies, gaming, or listening to music, TCL soundbars deliver immersive sound quality and cinematic bass that brings your entertainment to life. With sleek designs and easy connectivity options, TCL soundbars are the perfect complement to any home theater setup, offering premium audio performance at an affordable price.

Conclusion

Urban Electronics pk in Lahore is your one-stop destination for all the best TCL products at reasonable prices. Whether you're in need of a new television, air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine, or soundbar, Urban Electronics has you covered with a diverse selection of top-notch TCL products. Visit Urban Electronics today and experience the perfect fusion of quality, affordability, and innovation with TCL.

#urbanelectronics #electronics in lahore #top urban electronics #electronics

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imichelle-l-rigby · 1 year ago

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Reflections: Cillian Murphy’s Limited Edition

Season 3, episode 10

✨the last one 😢✨

———————————————————————

*I am a music prof (predominantly classical vocalist), and I LOVE listening to Cillian’s music choices! That being said, sometimes I won’t like a song simply because of a vocalist (it’s a professional hazard - sorry!) 👩‍🏫

** The following are my own observations/opinions. We may not agree, and that’s ok! That’s what makes music fun! 😊

*** I wouldn’t say I’m well-versed in Cillian’s music preferences, but I do enjoy them (for the most part). I always wind up adding to my own playlists after listening to Cillian’s recommendations.

———————————————————————

OMG IT’S THE LAST ONE!!!!

��Set 1 (Wandering Star - Undenied)

Wandering Star: such an interesting mix of “folksy” with urban sound effects

fun fact, I always accidentally mispronounce “Portishead”. Idk why I can’t learn, but there ya go!

Undenied: again, this is has a blend of soft and harsh sounds, but I like how it’s completely different from the first song. The timbres/qualities are different, so it’s a fun experiment in how far you can go with a musical idea.

🎤Talking Break

Last show 😭😭😭😭

“A total pleash”

WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT’S BEEN 10 YEARS OF CILLIAN MUSIC?!?!

I love that he’s embraced the word “ain’t”

🎵Set 2 (Someday - When I Go Deaf)

Someday: ok but I’m loving the harmonies in this cover version 🥰

When I Go Deaf: ok, but the premise of going deaf - YES SIR I DO MIND!!! *PSA please take care of your hearing* regardless it’s a beautiful song about growing older and cherishing the moment and all that you have. That being said, I LOVE when the music goes from folk to rock 🤘😎

🎤Talking Break

Yes Cill - go for all the favorites! Love it!

FINALLY some more Bowie.

🎵Set 3 (I Can’t Give Everything Away - Fame)

I Can’t Give Everything Away: this is not the soundscape I think of when I think Bowie. And I like the disjointed melodic line in the title motif.

Fame: what a classic 😎 now even if I’m not the biggest fan of Bowie’s voice, even I listen to this a good deal because it’s just perfect.

🎤Talking Break

The way Cillian goes insane over “Fame” - the only version of fame I think he’ll ever like 😂😅

Yay!!! A John Lennon quote!!!!!!

🎵Set 4 (Perfect Day - I Want You)

Perfect Day: why does the tonality of this song refuse to be stably in a major key? 🤔 I don’t necessarily consider that a “perfect day” association - the way it keeps mixing major/minor refutes the “perfect” quality. I suppose it’s just a “wistful” thing, but still!

I Want You: YES I LOVE EARLY DYLAN!!! This is prob in my top 5 fave Dylan tracks. It’s so heartbreakingly beautiful, simple, and earnest.

Fun fact: “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” is my #1 Dylan song

🎤Talking Break:

Final reasonable question!!! 😢

I actually like this one - what song do you listen to on repeat?

Omg, of course he would listen to experimental loop music. 🤦‍♀️😅😂 ok, it’s official, he needs to join my music history class. 😂😂😂

🎵Set 5 (Jesus Going to Clean House - Ida)

Jesus Going to Clean House: ok, but can contemporary praise music be this groovy?? Please????

Let’s Go Swimming - Gulf Stream Dub: this sounds so water sports, and I have no idea why other than the name has convinced me this is music for the beach! 😅😅 the power of suggestion!

Ida: I can’t decide if it’s distorted accordion in the background, or a keytar or some other strange electronic instrument. I’ll have to do some research later!

🎤Talking Break

Exclusive ident - I shall miss you!

A poem!

No, Cillian, please make a dad joke!

Oh dear, I’m over 30. Let’s see how I respond to “forgetfulness”

… yeah. I agree 😬

An exclusive reading!

I really liked his thoughts on listening. Good selection!

🎵Set 6 (Coffee & TV)

Coffee & TV: I’ve said this before, but I find it odd that certain songs are produced in such a way that the vocals are subservient to the instrumental line. I think I hear this more in “alternative” sounding music. Maybe that’s a trend I’ve just never noticed!

🎤Talking Break

“Banal and unverified facts”

The way he says “palm trees” 😂 “pam trees”

🎵Set 7 (Saat Alfarah - Midnight)

Saat Alfarah: again, saxophones! Of course he loves this, and frankly, so do I! Idk what’s going on, but it’s got good vibes and it’s just fun! 😎

Midnight (ft. Raphael Saadiq): not my favorite, but it’s cool sounding, for sure. Also, when wearing my AirPods, the background pop sound almost seems like I can feel it reverberating through my skull. That’s weird.

🎤Talking Break

Irish music! Finally!

🎵Set 8 (Wishing Well - Satisfaction)

Wishing Well: it sounds all wishful/wistful, but the static buzzes definitely fight that.

(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction: it’s a little mind-boggling because the vocals do NOT follow the beat established by the backing track. I assume they were recorded separately. I really hoped I would like this cover, but… nope! 🙅‍♀️

🎤Talking Break

“And that’s a cover version!” Indeed, Cillian. Indeed.

Last Yorkshire Man!

Wait… did he just not reveal his identity?! Did I miss something???

🎵Set 9 (Sweet Leaf of the North)

Sweet Leaf of the North: ummm… I must say I’ve never been that impressed about a leaf. 😅 I don’t love his voice, but the vibes are cute.

🎤Talking Break

A favorite band, and his kids agree!

🎵Set 10 (A Cold Freezin’ Night - Blackbox Life Recorder 2f)

A Cold Freezin’ Night: I can appreciate this as a quirky twist on “electronic sounds as music” + experimental music, and I even appreciate the interplay between siblings (as an older sister with a healthy rivalry with her brother 😂), BUT. not my favorite.

I’m glad he explained about the siblings beforehand, otherwise I would’ve been MAJORLY confused and concerned. 😅

Blackbox Life Recorder 21f: still following the “electronic sounds as music” theme, but less experimental 👍

🎤Talking Break

Yay new music!

🎵Set 11 (Lately - Blackpool Late Eighties)

Lately: I like this. Soulful, atmospheric, and groovy. Just a fun combo.

Blackpool Late Eighties: dude, what a build up!! It certainly keeps you wanting more!

🎤Talking Break

NO IT’S ENDING 😭😭😭😭😭

Aww, he “did have a little cry” over Nina’s song!

“Mind yourselves”

🎵Set 12 (Wholy Holy - Stars)

Wholy Holy: YES! YES YES YES YES YES!!! ✨favorite song of the episode✨

Stars: Nina. No, no you did not just GO OFF on the piano at the end there! Dang!! She is just too good! What a great way to end the show!

———————————————————————

YOU HAVE MADE IT TO THE END! CONGRATULATIONS! 🎊🎉

Thank you so much to all y’all who kept reading these - I hope you enjoyed it! It’s been a pleasure (although a significantly larger project than what I expected at first), but I definitely had fun!

Tag list:

@iammrsrogers @deliciousnutcomputer @mariamoonie @brownskinsugarplum76 @look-at-the-soul @kj-davis @neverroad @teapothollow @thepurplearmyposts @possessedmarshmallow

#cillian murphy #cillian murphy’s limited edition #bbc 6 music

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