#tyler's the only one that uses it semi regularly but even that's few and far between

[natureivy]

yeah um why can’t hockey players use their fucking social media like c’mon

[lexthemondo]

Musical Mondays: Holiday Edition

Greetings and salutations, 

I know, I know, I’ve been gone. I have a draft for a normal Musical Monday that I am currently working on right now, but in the spirit of the holidays, I had to put that off so I could find some new Christmas songs for you guys (How do you like the festive banner?). That added on to the wait for the next official update, but I had a big move happen recently and I am also catching up on work. My new school did not have an old class of mine, so I had to catch up on all of the notes, classwork, and tests in time for our grades to get put in. I have been pulling my hair out ever since. I do apologize for being gone, though. I don’t like being stressed out and not have the energy to write. Good news, I am back in action and all caught up so that’s fun. I am still working on my upcoming Jimin fic, and I also had a new idea pop up in light of a certain musical that I adore (wink, wink) and am in the process of mapping that out. Sadly, my Yoonmin AU is on a hiatus for the time being. It’s a decision I have made based on the fact that every time I try to write anything for it I absolutely hate it. 

Now back to our semi-regularly scheduled program. Happy holidays! Tis’ the season, my dudes. 2020 is upon us, and for those who celebrate it, Christmas is only a few days away. I myself do love the holidays, and even though I have only had the pleasure of gifts for the last couple of years, it has made its way into my Grinch sized heart. Now, while I was searching far and wide for some Christmas music fitting for our ever-growing playlist, I realized that there’s not enough chilled out holiday music. Of course, we have Lo-Fi, but I’m talking about more than just an instrumental (I love Lo-Fi Christmas tracks, don’t get me wrong). So, I went on a journey to find some mellow holiday music. You have no idea how hard it was for me to compile this list and not include All Time Low- seriously. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. 

Now, not all of these are centered around Christmas, though I did have a basic criterion for what songs qualified. It had to fit into at least one of the following categories:

Christmas themed

About winter or cold weather

Talk of gifting someone something

A remix of a Christmas beat

Cover of old Christmas song

It was a very broad spectrum, but it was much harder than you would think. I was also limiting myself to 10 songs, I could not use the same artist twice, and none of them could be anywhere close to the original songs that we know and love. For example, Baby It’s Cold Outside, recently covered by Kelly Clarkson and John Lennon was off-limits. Not only did I not really like, the lyrics were different, but it was far too similar to the original to add it to my list. 

Another thing that’s different this time ‘round is the rating system! Usually, the rating system we use on Musical Mondays is based on how upbeat or calming the music is with 5 being the most upbeat and 1 being the most chill. Not this time. For our holiday update, we will be rating them from 1-5, with 5 being the most Christmas-y and 1 being the least. And without further ado, here’s our Musical Monday: Holiday Edition!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and all the best,

Lex

I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Joy Williams (5)

“Please have snow and mistletoe.”

Come Out and Play, Billie Eilish (2)

Wake up and smell the coffee. Is your cup half full or empty?”

Snowman, Sia (5)

“A puddle of water can't hold me close, baby.”

Calypso, Jackson Lundy (1)

“Honey shall I bring you flowers. Would it brighten up your day?”

Like Someone in Love, Bruno Major (1)

“Little missy bounds for hours. Well, just name a time, all day.”

The Perfect Christmas, Daniela Andrade (5)

“ But what's it all worth when darling you look good just being you.”

The Ice is Getting Thinner, Death Cab for Cutie (3)

“ And when spring arrived we were taken by surprise when the floes under our feet bled into the sea, and nothing was left for you and me.”

Chilly, NIKI (1)

“ When she ain't around, is your bed cold without me?”

You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch, Tyler the Creator (5)

“ I wouldn't touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!”

Naughty or Nutz, MF Doom (4)

“ Why spend Christmas Eve waiting for some extra-fat white dude to come busting through the ceiling when you could spend Christmas Eve with yours truly, the super-villain: Doom!”

[celticmess]

Dystopian Descendants City Au or smth idk they’re taken from their hosts and trapped in a city

Starring:

Antisepticeye

Darkiishu

Dorkiplier Darkiplier 

Peevils

Infelix

Madzia

Including:

Sanders Sides

JSE Egos

Iplier Egos

Madpat

Blankgameplays (Corrupted Crank, Ethan’s one)

Apocalypse (Tyler’s one)

Now for the details!

Location

they’re held in a small, secluded + abandoned city by humans

they’re given free rein within the city

egos like Dark + Anti call other egos that they share a host with “siblings”

there’s no government

no law

the place is run by violence

everyone is short on temper for different reasons

all of the egos and their host were taken by special services

no one knows where they are now

two rules: do not attempt to escape + no killing

once a month the humans gather them in the city centre and one figment is taken

for now they’ve only taken a few minor figments + characters (Paultin, Pluck, Heathen + the Author)

no one knows where they go

or why

but they don’t come back.

Anti

like our Anti, but edgier.

hangs around with Darkiishu, Dark, Peevils, Infelix + Madzia

fights with Dark regularly

basically daily

and it never surprises anyone at this point

he’s from a large ego group (they call each other siblings)

he’s the oldest ego but they alienate him the most

he terrifies his “siblings” when he’s angry and/or drunk

usually stays out of the house messing about with his group

by messing about I mean tearing up the area

he comes home when his “siblings” are asleep and leaves before they wake up

whenever he’s home before they go to sleep, they end up being really hostile

never physically, but it’s implied

they know they can’t beat him in a fight

everyone can tell when to stop pushing his temper

his glitches get more uncontrollable as his heart rate heightens

you can hear him before you see him, the sound of static follows him everywhere

Darkiishu

has everyone on strings

you need something? You have 2-3 choices depending on what you need: Darkiishu, Phantom + Darkiplier

only hangs out with Anti, Dark + Infelix because they work as bodyguards without knowing it

bc as if you’re gonna attack a lady who hangs with the power trio

only likes two people: Peevils + Madzia

and she even ends up arguing with the sometimes

they’re usually able to talk it out tho

unlike Dark + Anti who’ll beat the shit out of each other anywhere anytime

can never be in photos bc her ability blurs them

the blurriness of he photo changes with her mood

if she’s happy, it’s not too bad, but photograph her pissed and it’s a blurry mess

she stays in a random old broken apartment she fixed up herself

sometimes Anti crashes on her sofa

she’s always the one who hosts Ladies Nights on Saturdays

she controls illusions

Do̴rk͢ip͜l̶ier  Darkiplier

a lot more reckless than our Dark

wears a lot of hoodies

he has a ornate little silver bracelet to keep his powers in check

the googles made it for him

he probably turns it into the top of his cane later on

his hobby is pissing off Anti

starts the fights on purpose

sometimes to vent, sometimes for entertainment

either way, Anti is happy to fight

he’s the third oldest out of his ego group

the host and Wilford are older than him. There was the Author...

he argues with Wilford a lot and Host too when he comes out of his library

he scares the younger ones (Bim, Ed, Silver, King, etc.)

he also doesn’t control his aura very well (hence why he has the bracelet)

so his shell cracks a lot more frequently than it does in our universe

Peevils

lives with Darkiishu most of the time

can manipulate reflections

if you’ve pissed her off avoid any and all reflective surfaces

she can and will summon your reflection from said surface and have it murder you brutally

she’s very close with Darkiishu

if you mess with one you mess with both

and both are scary

she could not care less about Dark, Anti or Infelix even if she tries

has nearly gotten into a fight with Anti on many occasions

will most likely leave the apartment if Anti is crashing for the night

her and Anti avoid each other as much as possible

is dangerously close to strangling Infelix with his own reflection

Infelix

lives with Madzia in an isolated apartment in a place no one knows about

none of the others have ever been there

he has eyes everywhere

quite literally

can create semi-sentient ink monsters

he’s the most powerful entity

and everyone knows it

even if he doesn’t fight

the other figments and entities can fight over a subject

but Infelix says something about it? that thing is always considered

low-key cares about the people he hangs out with

he pretends he doesn’t tho

he finds Anti + Dark’s fights highly entertaining

makes it his mission to try and start a fight between Anti and Peevils

Madzia

the sclera of her eyes are a faint pastel colour (she can change whenever she wants)

when she uses her powers, her whole eye goes the colour of her sclera

she’s part siren

so she can charm anyone except sirens

she doesn’t need to sing

she lives with Infelix

they get along really well

she enjoys her Ladies Night with Peevils and Darkiishu on Saturdays tho

she gets really fed up with the fights

she herself is actually pretty docile

doesn’t mean she’s harmless though

her, Peevils and Darkiishu are always there for each other

they all love each other’s company

they’re so close because they’re basically the only females

Sanders Sides

by far the most harmless figments

Logan spends a lot of time with Dr. Iplier and Dr. Schneeplestein in the makeshift infirmary

he makes a lot of the cures with what they have

if it weren’t for these three, the no killing rule would’ve been broken ten billion times

Patton runs a safehouse for the smaller, peaceful egos (King, Bim, Silver, Ed, Robbie as well as Heathen and Pluck occasionally) and was one of the most emotional when Heathen and Pluck got taken

Sometimes Virgil hangs out with Patton’s group, sometimes he joins Darkiishu, Peevils + Madzia for Ladies Night

his best friend was Heathen

losing Heathen hit him really hard

now he hangs out with Robbie, JJ and sometimes Marvin when he’s not running around with JB and Roman

Roman loves playing hero with JB and sometimes Marvin

occasionally Silver will join in

the group break up fights before the no kill rule gets broken

Deceit doesn’t “hang out” with anyone

but he’s a good source of information

his top clients are Dark, Peevils and Phantom

NWTB Egos

there’s a lack of entertainment in the city

so Mare performs in the city centre regularly

sometimes he’ll have Anti drum for him

it usually attracts a crowd

there isn’t really anything in the city to do except fight

so most of the population turns up

he’s also had a fair share of fights

Sharper is the one who fixed up the place that the battle egos stay in

so the place is full of tools and random machines

he always patches up Mare and Phantom when they get into fights

he doesn’t trust them not to kill the doctors

Phantom isn’t home very often

usually when he comes home it’s because he’s hurt

the rest of the time he’s in his office

he won the place in a bet

and traded info for interior decoration

it doubles as a bar and it’s pretty popular because it is the only bar

Mare and Phantom were livid when Heathen was taken

fortunately Sharper built a saferoom when he fixed up the place

he had to lock them in for several days

JSE Egos

none of them trust Anti

JB goes into protective mode if Anti turns up while they’re awake

the only one who goes near him is Robbie and sometimes JJ

the others all tend to keep their distance

JB loves spending time with Roman when he’s not protecting his siblings

stopping fights make him feel like a real hero

it also boosts his confidence and every time he goes home he feels more prepared to defend against Anti

he’s convinced Anti is planning something and is determined to keep his siblings safe

on the rare occasion JB isn’t home when Anti is, Marvin steps up

he’s not as confident or as hostile as JB

or as powerful

but he’s just as protective

on the nights he knows Anti is staying with Darkiishu he joins Roman and JB

he loves those nights

JJ is very curious

him and Robbie are the only JSE Egos who have willingly and peacefully approached Anti

When JJ first walked up to Anti, it surprised Anti so much he dropped his croissant

a croissant he stole from Peevils

then he tried to scare him away

but JJ just smiled at him

they don’t interact often at all but JJ will always try and calm JB and Marvin down before they attack

Anti is always hella grateful but never gets a chance to show it

Robbie shocked Anti by straight up walking into his room and sitting down

he finds the static noise that follows Anti really comforting

and Robbie didn’t seem like a threat so Anti let him stay

Robbie always leaves to go back to his room before Anti wakes up

it stops the other egos from jumping to conclusions

Chase is hardly home

but when he is he’s usually a tad drunk after a night out drinking with Paultin, Pluck and occasionally Warfstache

when Paultin and Pluck got taken his mental health took a nose dive

he began to stay out longer

he got drunker

and it got out of hand and he became increasingly depressed

his brothers love him but it gets extremely tense whenever he comes home drunk

he usually starts a fight with Anti on purpose

the nights he comes home sober are the best in the eyes of the other egos

they’re fun and Anti stays away

and it takes Chase’s mind off Paultin, Pluck, Stacy and his kids

one time Chase and Anti both came home drunk

JB ended up fighting both of them to get them to stop while Marvin got the others out of there

they went to Patton and the other sides for safety

the fight lasted all night

the end result was an injured, unconscious Chase with an empty gun, a passed out Anti (sleep deprivation) and a seriously injured JB

Anti avoided them for weeks after

Chase stayed with them while he recovered

Dr. Shneeplestein was the one who saved JB and Chase Brody from dying of their wounds

when he’s not with his siblings, he’s with Dr. Iplier and Logan in the infirmary

the three of them get along incredibly well

but as much as he likes work, he also likes his family

he gets incredibly nervous around Anti

when it was just him and Anti, Anti took great pleasure in messing with the Doctor before he met his current friends

by “messing with” I mean bringing him to the brink of death but stopping at the last second

so Schneep is real wary of Anti

Iplier Egos

They’re more organised than other groups

King, Silver, Ed + Bim spend all their time with Patton in the safehouse that he built

When Dark isn’t home, he’s out on the streets tearing it up with Anti, Infelix, Darkiishu, Peevils + Madzia

he lives for thrill

it’s why he fights Anti

they both love it

the Googles run the place

the place being a several storey building 

the second floor is the Google’s lab

sometimes they work with Madpat

Blue thinks he’s too unpredictable, Ollie think’s he’s scary, Green considers him a risk

Red gets along with him just fine

most of the time though the googles work alone

they’ve banned Anti from the building

Wilford is avoided by everyone

he’s unstable, volatile and unpredictable

Anti has tried to goad him into a fight but Dark stopped him

when Wilford’s bored he spends time with Chase

it surprises everyone

but it’s Wilford Warfstache, he always surprises

The Host used to stay on his library floor with the Author

he stopped coming out of the library after the Author was taken

Oliver tried to get him to come out but he gave up eventually

Lesser Known Egos

Madpat

he’s a crazed scientist

he hangs with Natemare a lot

The pair cause trouble but don’t really get into fights

he also enjoy dragging Google Red into his projects

Blank

Blank doesn’t have friends

he walks the streets aimlessly

just shivering

he’s cold to the touch

don’t test that fact

touch him and you slowly freeze from the outside in

Apocalypse

he’s a brute

he’s big, strong and scary

he’s also the subject of many fights

him and JB always end up in a fight

they don’t get along

he starts most of the fights on the streets

The rest of the population are egos that we don’t even know exist yet.

[jaouad2d]

9 adventures in England's Heartland

You haven’t seen England until you’ve seen its Heartland. This is a region that’ll keep you busy sipping gin in dark parlors, trodding down cobblestones in the land of Shakespeare, and finding nature — both above ground and below — in England’s first national park. It’s where visitors can walk in the footsteps of gangsters, stumble on ancient burial grounds, and wander castle ruins. Just a matter of minutes beyond Birmingham Airport — your gateway to the Heartland — are dozens of adventures that will surprise you. Here’s nine to get you started.

BIRMINGHAM

Photo: Pawl Libera / VisitBritain

As England’s second-largest city, Birmingham is busy and buzzing no matter where you look. Art, music, architecture, food, nightlife — the obvious necessities are all there, but the more interesting things to see in town aren’t always as immediately visible, nor are they in most guidebooks. This is the unexpected side of Birmingham.

1. Uncovering the truth behind Peaky Blinders

Photo: West Midlands Police

Sure, you probably know that the BBC’s Peaky Blinders tells the story of a gang in post-WWI Birmingham, but what might be news to you is that it’s all based on reality. The Peaky Blinders were a criminal gang that ruled the city’s streets around the turn of the century, back in Birmingham’s rougher days. Even if you’ve never seen the show, you can bet touring the real-life sites of their crimes makes for one hell of a fascinating afternoon.

The 3.5-hour tour is conducted by Professor Carl Chinn MBE, who also happens to be the city historian. He’ll take you around what was the underbelly of the city, pointing out the similarities and departures between the series and real life. To top things off, the tour ends with a traditional Victorian meal at The Old Crown — the oldest building in Birmingham, dating back to 1368.

2. Sipping cocktails at a Victorian gin parlor

Photo: The Jekyll & Hyde

The Jekyll & Hyde (80 types of gin, hello) is a five-minute walk from Cathedral Square on an inconspicuous street. The building is purple — which you’d think would help it stand out — but is slim and tiny and easily missed. Keep your eyes peeled.

The brightness of the exterior totally contrasts with what lies inside, where it’s ornate and elegantly furnished in ultra-Victorian, Dickensian style — especially upstairs, in the proper gin parlor. You’ll find sections with dark wood, blood-red draperies, and purple cushions along the walls. And glowing bottles of liquor, of course.

They have an intimate courtyard in the back, too. It’s irregular in shape and enclosed on four sides by walls bearing graffiti inspired by Alice in Wonderland. The gin menu here might be rivaled only by the cocktail list, featuring drinks like “Fifty Shades” and “Lemon Bon Bon.” And if you’re feeling out of your league, they have afternoon tea and cocktail classes to boot.

3. Strolling along the canal until you run into a Dalek

Photo: Richard Weston

…Kind of. Start at Brindleyplace, right on the water, and start early. There’s a week’s worth of things to do just right here: Ikon Gallery (internationally renowned and free), the National SEA LIFE Centre, and The Crescent Theatre are the anchors, while you’ll also find tons of shops and restaurants, along with Symphony Hall next door.

But then wander to the end of the canal and over to The Mailbox. It’s the old sorting office of the Royal Mail, populated now with designer hotels and boutiques and red-carpet restaurants (check out Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill on the 25th floor of “The Cube”). But even if your wallet is empty, make your way to level three and the BBC Birmingham’s Visitor Centre. Tours are available, but the best stuff is free — wander into their prop room (no need to call in advance), choose your costume, and get your picture taken with Doctor Who‘s TARDIS or a Dalek. They’ll also hook you up with the chance to take on a news or weather broadcast. Record it, and go home telling everyone you’re Birmingham Famous.

Pro tip: Stop at Canalside Cafe — in an 18th-century cottage — for a cup, a pint, or a warm glass of cider come wintertime. (Take a few minutes to watch the narrow boats float by, too.)

THE PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK, DERBYSHIRE

Photo: British Tourist Authority / East Midlands Tourism

Less than two hours from Birmingham, the Peak District is the United Kingdom’s first national park, established in 1951. Although you’re not going to find sharp-edged peaks here, as the name might suggest, you’ll definitely find diversity — the landscape changes drastically as river valleys narrow into limestone gorges before spilling out into green plains. The wind fluctuates greatly too, which can seem to create completely different views out of the same terrain. And the adventures? Just as varied as the landscape.

4. Trekking to the top of Hope Valley

Photo: Andrew

The Ladybower Wood, in the Hope Valley, is a great spot to hike in the center-north of the district — it runs through one of the few remaining original upland oak woodlands in the area. Start from the bottom of the hills at the south end of Ladybower Reservoir and zigzag your way north. The best spots are up on top of the hills, overlooking the narrow reservoir running below, the woodland, and, farther toward the horizon, endless green fields. In spring, you’ll hear a regular orchestra of birdsong (quite a few species call the area home — look for cormorants and grey herons around the reservoir).

In the late spring sun, this scenery takes on the best colors — watery gray, greens of every shade, and golden yellows and oranges. Enjoying the water itself (kayaking, canoeing, or boating) is definitely recommended, but since the waterways are private, you’ll need to contact a local outfitter for access.

5. Being Cillian Murphy for a night

Photo: Graham Hogg

Okay, so you took the Peaky Blinders tour in Birmingham — are you ready for your next assignment? Head north out of the city for about and hour and a half (or less than an hour northwest from Derby) to the valley of Dovedale in the Peak District, and check out Casterne Hall. Recognize it? If you’re a fan of the show, you should know this location serves as the Shelby country house on screen. And though it doesn’t have gangster history, the story it does have is just as remarkable.

For starters, it’s been in the current family for more than 500 years, and it stands on the remains of a Roman villa. There’s 21 rooms and a Georgian facade, making it practically a castle by American terms. On one of the outside walls, there’s a Roman arch. You know, just there. No big deal. Oh, England.

You don’t have to surreptitiously wander around when no one’s home, either. The owners have turned the place into a B&B (yes, you can stay here), and they also offer tours, teas, lunches, dinners, and holiday events — but definitely book in advance, as these sell out regularly.

6. Seeing the Peak District from below

Photo: Dun.can

You’ve seen nature from above — now it’s time to see nature from below. Turns out the Peak District is dotted with caves and caverns, some showing crystalline stalactites and the area’s famous semi-precious mineral, Blue John.

For the most epic of formations, check out Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern, both sitting just west of the Hope Valley. These two are the best for spotting interesting structures and tons of minerals — you’ll wander through rooms like “The Vortex” and “Aladdin’s Cave” — and they’re widely regarded as among the finest caverns in Western Europe. What’s more, this is definitely a view of England your friends back home haven’t seen.

SHAKESPEARE’S ENGLAND

Photo: Nick Rowland

This is Shakespeare country. Just south of Birmingham and not far from Oxford and Bristol, the West Midlands’ county of Warwickshire is rich in culture, dotted with medieval castles, and home to the birthplace of the Bard: Stratford-upon-Avon. Look a little deeper, however, and you’ll find plenty more to keep you occupied once you’re done hitting all the Shakespeare-centric attractions. For example…

7. Walking in the footsteps of knights

Photo: Jules & Jenny

The thick and ancient Forest of Arden used to cover the area from the River Avon to the River Tame. While most of it is now gone — cut to fuel the engines of the Industrial Revolution — this famous forest setting for Shakespeare’s As You Like It is getting a second chance. The Heart of England Forest charity is busy replanting 30,000 acres with trees native to the area.

The go-to spot here is the tiny Balsall Preceptory, established in the 12th century for the Knights Templar (after their work during the Crusades). The manor includes a chapel, the Church of St. Mary, and is still in use today. For a building that dates back nearly a millennium, the interior is surprisingly elegant, ornate, and colorful — with plenty of tiles and stained-glass windows. The church is in Temple Balsall, one of the oldest hamlets in the area.

8. Making your way down a medieval high street

Photo: Roland Turner

Don’t Google Henley-In-Arden — it won’t help you. Somehow this little spot roughly 20 miles south of Birmingham has avoided the limelight, even though its one-mile-long high street is totally medieval (and Henley ice cream is the stuff of legends).

The 1,000-year-old thoroughfare is now lined with shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants — stop at The Nags Head for a pint or at Henley Ice Cream Parlour to break up your trip through time. The Market Cross (in the Old Market Place), the Guild Hall, St. John’s Church, and the Joseph Hardy House are a few of the best-known medieval spots, though around 150 buildings along High Street are protected due to their historical value.

9. Wandering castle grounds

Photo: Tyler Brenot

Imagine what it’s like standing somewhere for 1,100 years — that’s what Warwick Castle is busy doing. Widely regarded as one of the most well-preserved castles in the UK, it’s seen sieges, war, and fire, and withstood it all.

The castle — minutes from Stratford-upon-Avon — regularly makes it onto lists that include the Tower of London and Stonehenge, so you know we’re talking serious business in the realm of English attractions. Tours will take you into the medieval vaults, and you’re also welcome to climb to the tip-top of the towers. The views over the River Avon and beyond are fantastic, but the exterior of the castle framed against and reflected on the water might be even better.

If you come in summer, be sure to check out a jousting tournament, and definitely don’t leave before you’ve seen the world’s largest trebuchet launching a fireball. (Yes, that’s the technical term — it’s a giant catapult.) All this just goes to show, in England’s Heartland, you never know what to expect. Travel 9 adventures in England's Heartland http://ift.tt/2rx1NUp via Matador Network http://ift.tt/2hQ222I