#urb ex

[roadtripnewengland]

Massachusetts has a long and storied history, and it has its fair share of fascinating ruins to prove it. While not all of the state’s abandoned spots are accessible, there are some that allow you to drive or hike right up. This road trip will take you across the state to some of the most interesting and easy-to-reach abandoned places in Massachusetts you can visit.

[lingthusiasm]

Bonus 82: Frak, smeg, and more swearing in fiction - Ex Urbe Ad Astra interview with Jo Walton and Ada Palmer

The words that a culture considers taboo or obscene can tell us things about what that culture considers important or profane. For example, many swear words in present-day English relate to sex and body functions, while historically in English we've also had more religious swears, like "God's blood" and "God's teeth". In fiction, authors can use invented swear words to get around censorship, like "frack" in Battlestar Gallactica and "frell" in Farscape, as well as to create a sense of a particular culture, such as "smeg" in Red Dwarf, which then sometimes take on new lives of their own among fans.

In this bonus episode, Gretchen gets enthusiastic about swearing (including rude gestures) in fiction with science fiction and fantasy authors Jo Walton and Ada Palmer, authors of the Thessaly books and Terra Ignota series, both super interesting series we've ling-nerded out about before on the show. We talk about fictional substitutes for the F word, expletive infixations like abso-bloody-lutely, sweary lexical gaps (why don't we swear with "toe jam!") and old fashioned swears in English. We also talk about learning real-life swear words without full awareness of their emotional valence by reading fiction (such as how Gretchen and Ada don't find "bloody" as taboo as Jo does), cultural differences in taboo gestures such as pointing with the middle finger in real life and teeth-baring smiles in Arkady Martine's A Memory Called Empire, and an extra bonusy bit about recording emotional punctuation in the audiobook of Because Internet.

Content note: Lingthusiasm episodes about swearing contain real swears! If you typically play this podcast around kids, for example, it's up to you whether you want to have that conversation with them.

Also note that this conversation was first recorded as an interview with Gretchen for Ada and Jo's podcast, Ex Urbe Ad Astra, where it will one day appear in longer form, but they've kindly let us share some of Lauren's favourite snippets from it in advance (plus a few comments from her at the end!). Listen to this episode about swearing in fiction, and get access to many more bonus episodes by supporting Lingthusiasm on Patreon.

[dirt-str1der]

Some communities are funnier when theyre insanely toxic because of how inconsequential they are. Like r/neverbrokeabone they turn on ex members so quickly and shun them viciously and its always funny

[businesstiramisu]

ada palmer made some really interesting points about this in her essay on those two borgia tv shows

This is.....niche. Do period-appropriate chickens even still exist? Idk anything about chickens. I like the fancy ones.

[mycatwantstoeatpins]

From an essay I think about often:

The Borgias, episode 1.  We are facing the papal election of 1492.  Another Cardinal confronts Rodrigo Borgia in a hallway.  It has just come out that Borgia has been committing simony, i.e. taking bribes.  Our modern audience is shocked!  Shocked, I say!  That a candidate for the papacy would be corrupt and take bribes!  Our daring Cardinal confronts Borgia, saying he too is shocked!  Shocked!  This is no longer a matter of politics but principle!  He will oppose Borgia with all his power, because Borgia is a bad person and should not sit on the Throne of St. Peter!   See, audience!  Now is the time to be shocked!  No.  This is not the Renaissance, this is modern sensibilities about what we think should’ve been shocking in the Renaissance.  After the election this same Cardinal will be equally shocked that the Holy Father has a mistress, and bastards.  Ooooh.  Because that would be shocking in 2001, but in 1492 this had been true of every pope for the past century. In fact, Cardinal Shocked-all-the-time, according to the writers you are supposed to be none other than Giuliano della Rovere.  Giuliano “Battle-Pope” della Rovere!  You have a mistress!  And a daughter!  And a brothel!  And an elephant!  And take your elephant to your brothel!  And you’re stalking Michelangelo!  And foreign powers lent you 300,000 ducats to spend bribing other people to vote for you in this election!  And we’re supposed to believe you are shocked by simony?  That is not historicity.  It is applying some historical names to some made-up dudes and having them lecture us on why be should be shocked.

[chaos-bites]

💀 Subtle Hel Worship 🪦

Honor your ancestors or passed loved ones

Visit cemeteries; leave flowers at graves (with permission!!!)

Try veiling

Have a candle that reminds you of her (no altar needed)

Wear jewelry that reminds you of her

Keep a picture of her in your wallet

Have imagery of birch trees, cemeteries, skulls, snakes, wolves, or dogs (dogs are huge) around

Have a stuffed animal dog, wolf, or snake

Practice mindfulness; try meditation

Explore abandoned places (urb-ex; be safe!!!)

Take time to yourself every day to decompress

Drink relaxing teas or beverages; black tea or coffee is especially good or dark hot chocolate

Eat a comforting meal

Engage in activities you find calming; drawing, painting, crocheting, reading, etc.

Feel your feelings; cry if you need to, scream if you need to, etc.; find a healthy outlet for these emotions (drawing, boxing, dancing, etc.

Support homeless or animal shelters, healthcare or humanitarian organizations

Volunteer at homeless or animal shelters

Feed neighborhood dogs, cats, birds, etc.

If you have dogs, play with and take care of them; play with/take care of any pets c:

Cook a meal for someone you love

Donate supplies to animal or homeless shelters

Cook a warm meal for someone in need

Collect animal bones (please thank the animal's spirit after doing so)

Recycle, make/use compost (great with gardens)

Spend time with loved ones; spend time with any elderly or older folks that you love

Take care of your basic needs; eat three meals a day, get some movement into your day, take a shower when needed, etc.

Revisit things from your childhood; keep any stuffed animals from childhood or buy ones you've always wanted

Practice patience, especially with yourself

Take a walk at night, especially on the new moon (only if it's safe in your area!!!)

Have a nighttime/bedtime routine

Learn more about death; get more comfortable with the concept itself; focus on figuring out what your beliefs on the afterlife are (if any)

Collect old items or antiques; try to restore them or give them a fresh coat of paint/polish; keep them or give them to someone who will love them

Have compassion towards those who are often looked down on by the wider society, such as addicts or the homeless; donate to causes that aid them /their recovery

Eat an apple; go apple-picking; visit an apple orchard

Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable; when at home, get comfy!

Learn to get comfortable with change, especially necessary change; try spontaneous things, go outside your comfort zone, find effective ways to manage stress during changes

Take note of the seasons changing; maybe capture the moment of an Official Season Change™ in a painting or picture

Take time to reflect on yourself objectively; if you find yourself being unkind, take a step back

Observe the life cycles of animals; learn more about the natural world around you

Practice compassion and forgiveness towards yourself and others

Set healthy boundaries; learn what your personal boundaries are

Let go of what no longer serves you; release what you no longer need in your life

Go out in weather that reminds you of her if it's safe to do so (may sound weird, but I associate fog with her)

Be kind to children; play with them if offered

Start a new hobby - something that is calm and enjoyable; crocheting, carving, painting, etc.

Live your life unapologetically

-

I'll likely add more to this later as I feel it's incomplete. For the time being, this is my list of discreet ways to worship Hel. I hope this is helpful! Take care, everyone. 🩵

Link to Subtle Worship Master list

[syrupfog]

Luffy needs a place to crash over the summer because his straw hat crew are all going home or traveling abroad before the new semester starts in the fall. He puts it off to the last minute and ends up claiming a bed in an old half-double with a painted sign reading Polar Tang.

(Is half-double a local term lmao it’s when there’s a house that’s split down the middle into two full houses lmao) 

Fourteen people live here, between three bedrooms on the second floor and two in the attic. It’s absolutely a fire code problem but Luffy’s never been one to care.

(He’s not a fireman YET— not until he can pass the exam). 

Plus, rent is dirt cheap. 200/month and that includes house dinner once a week. 

He moves in with just the duffel bag of clothes, his sleeping bag and his backpack. The guy who’s number he picked up off a telephone pole is the one who answers the door. He’s tall and wide and apologizes for everything; the screen door that’s missing a screen, fireplace that doesn’t work and instead holds all their shoes, the state of the kitchen (dishes are stacked on every surface including the floor).

Luffy feels right at home. Not home like Zoro and Sanji’s place, which is clean and always smells of rubber from Zoro’s dumbbells. Home like with Ace and Sabo in a place that wouldn’t pass a health inspection. 

He grins as they continue on.

Bepo shows him through the bedrooms on the second floor (homemade bunk beds squeeze four to a room) and the tiniest bathroom with a window that looks directly into the neighbor’s shower (“he refuses to put up a curtain so we don’t either” says Bepo.) (“sorry”.)

Then up to the attic, with a sloped bedroom that three mattresses are squished in (two guys in funny hats are asleep on the floor between two mattresses), a second bathroom (“no one is allowed to use that toilet because Shachi’s credit card is wedged in it”), and another bedroom.

“You’ll be in here”, Bepo says, and Luffy can sense the sorry before he says it as he pushes the door open. 

It’s tiny. The ceiling slopes down so low there’s really only three walls. The tallest wall has shelves mounted on it completely covered in action figures.

There’s two mattresses — one bare, one covered in books. And surrounded by stacks of books. And papers. And empty coffee mugs. 

And a guy blearily blinking at the light they’re letting in from the hall. He’s buried between piles of books, his laptop perched on his knees.

“Your roommate!” Bepo squeaks. “Bye guys!” 

He closes the door and slips (noisily) down the stairs. 

“You look like a vampire,” Luffy says. The man looks like he’s never seen sunlight. 

“I’m on a dual pre-med pre-law track,” the man scowls. 

“Cool,” says Luffy.

He dumps his things on the bare mattress. “Robin says I’m a free spirit.” 

The man blinks at him. “Don’t open the window or the raccoon will get in. The aircon doesn’t work in the attic. If you break my Sora figures you will die in your sleep. I’m Trafalgar Law.”

“Hi Traffy! I’m Monkey D Luffy,” says Luffy. He holds out his hand and Law hunches back before awkwardly shaking it. 

Luffy flops back onto the mattress. It smells like frogs. “Hey Traffy,” he says after a moment. Law squints at him. “you seem like someone who would like urb— urban ex— someone who would like to break into buildings.” Luffy looks over at him with a grin. “Wanna explore the underground tunnels on campus?” 

Law scowls. He’s hunched at a 90 degree angle over his papers and books and coffee. He looks murderous. 

“…Yeah.” He says.

Luffy kicks his feet. “This will be a good summer,” he says. 

(He learns quickly that coffee is the only food allowed in their room because of The Ants and The Flies and The Possum). 

(He also learns to take the fall for Law whenever they get caught exploring since Law can’t have a record) 

(Luffy does this gladly) 

(They kiss in an abandoned hospital)

[annabelle--cane]

she gave him a painkiller for his headache on the way to their "throw him into the eternal pit" urb ex date

[nattinatalia]

Urban Wyatt x Harlow Sister : Jealousy & Sibling War

A/N : 🚨 Smut ahead, don’t read if you’re not 18+

Huge shout out and thanks to my bestieeee @harlowcomehome for motivating me and helping me out.

Urban was mad to say the least.

Watching you be all smiles and giggles with another man was having him see red. He didn’t want to make a scene at Jack’s event but he couldn’t help it any longer. The longer he watches you, he feels his insides boiling and doesn't know how to control it.

“Are you okay over there?” Jack chuckles.

“What?” Urban glares.

“You’re crushing that red cup, what’s up?” Jack asks him.

He scoffs and points towards you- “That” Urban takes a quick sip from his plastic cup. “Your sister is flirting with that suit guy.”

Jack looks to where he’s pointing and chuckles “Oh that.”

“Oh?” Urban’s eyebrows immediately raise. “What oh?”

Jack shrugs “He donated tonight.”

“That’s cool.” He says, confused.

“And he had a fling with my sister.” Jack takes a sip from his water, smiling a little bit. “They were in love once, and I’m pretty sure he was going to propose.”

Urban then takes another glare towards your direction, he sees the man brush a strand of your hair away from your face, sees you blushing and smiling. That’s enough for him.

He hands his cup to Jack “That’s it”

“Don’t do that.” Jack chuckles.

Urban didn’t respond to his best friend, he didn’t have it in him anymore to wait and see if you’d push the guy away eventually. All he knew is that some dude was making his girl smile and blush.

The guy in the suit spots Urban immediately and nods at him but all Urban does is glare at him and then faces his glare at you.

“Can we talk?”

You’re confused as to what has made him mad. “You okay?”

“I just need to talk to you about something.” You take notice of the way his nose is flaring, his lips puckered to the side, and his hands in a fist, definitely the signs of him ready to go off.

“Uh-“ you start

“It’s okay, go, I’m sure it’s important.” The gentleman you were talking to says.

You nod and smile “Thank you.” You face Urban and grab his hand, ready to walk away.

“I have your number, we’ll catch up later and come up with some dates you’re free.” The man says without hesitation.

That has Urban pulling away from you. “Actually.”

“Urb.” You warn.

“Why do you have her number? And why would you catch up?”

The guy looks between Urban and you, “I’m sorry I’m confused. Are you one of the brothers she won’t stop bragging about?” He jokes.

“Ha. Fucking funny.” He glares at you then back at the guy. “I’m her boyfriend.”

The guy goes eyes wide. “My apologies, she didn’t mention a boyfriend.”

You cough and decide it’s time to step in. “Matt, if you’d excuse us I need to speak with my boyfriend.”

You pull Urban by his elbow towards the back of the venue and into a storage room away from the guests. “What’s going on with you? I was working.”

Urban scoffs, leaning against the wall of the little room you walked into. “It seemed like you were flirting with your ex boy toy.”

“I wasn’t flirting- wait my ex boy toy? What are you even talking about?” You ask him confused.

Urban rolls his eyes, crossing his arms across his chest. “You and that guy used to sleep around huh?”

You immediately get mad, “I barely know the guy, I just met him.”

“Yeah okay.”

“Urb, I will kick you in the balls.” You sigh “I don’t know him.” You shrug. “You really think I’d be openly flirting with an ex of mine?”

“If that’s true then why’d you let him get familiar? He was brushing your hair away, making you smile, you even rubbed his arm, so explain that.”

“Yes he did all of that but it wasn’t flirtatious in any way. He was asking me about my dress and he asked if I would be interested in promoting his brand.”

“I still see no reason for why he’d have to get touchy.” Urban shrugs, pulling a chair and sitting down. His legs wide open.

“Baby.” You start and make your way towards him. “He plays for the other team.” You place both your hands on his thighs and lower yourself down to your knees in front of him

You brush your hands up and down his thighs. “You’re my man” you look up to him.

“Yeah?” Urban’s hand goes to touch your cheek, and down your jaw.”

“Hmm” you lick your lips. “Was my man jealous?” You peck his wrist.

He scoffs, sits up and grabs your waist and sits you down on his lap, making sure you’re comfortable straddling him. . “You think it’s funny?”

You wrap both hands around his neck and grind on him. “Never, I just like when you get all angry.”

You slowly started to leave a trail of wet kisses down his neck, changing your pace quickly as you started to nibble on it.

You spoke in a soft tone, knowing how it affected him. “Makes it all the more fun.”

You pulled back to make eye contact with him, noticing the way his pupils dilated, a sign of him ready to lose it.

“Want me to show you just how well I can take care of my man?”

“Y/N, don’t play.” He groans, barely fighting back. “I’m still mad.”

You started to smile and slowly start nibbling at his neck some more. Immediately you see a vein on his neck protruding so you give it a long slow lick, you can taste his sweat mixed with his musky cologne.

Your hands go to brush his hair back and bite at his earlobe, “I’m about to show you how well I take care of my man.” You whisper to him and go back down on your knees.

You quickly unbutton and unzip his jeans, as he leans back, shuffling to let you pull his boxers down too.

“Oh? Did you change your mind? Now you want me to show you?” You smirk, eyebrows raised.

“Please, I can’t take it” he spoke weakly between breaths as you pulled his boxers down to his ankles, spreading his thighs apart as you started to play with him.

“Admit you were jealous” you mumbled as you licked the pre-cum from the tip slowly.

“I was- I was jealous” he panted, “you’re my girl. I hate seeing you even look at another dude.”

You knew that was hard for him to admit, and immediately took him into your mouth starting slowly knowing it would drive him crazy as he bucked into your throat.

“Babe!” You coughed, before sitting back.

“I’m sorry, I can’t handle that slow shit” his words started to run together and you knew he was slowly losing control.

You started again, faster this time as he grabbed a handful of your hair. He was as careful as he could be and you knew he wasn’t going to last long as his thrusts into you got sloppier and sloppier.

You suddenly stopped, the look in his eyes was fearful and his pupils were blown. “What are you doing?”

“Apologize” you spoke venomously. “You should know I’d never do anything to jeopardize what we have Urb.”

“Baby, I’m so fucking sorry. I’m so sorry but please-“ before he could finish panicking, your mouth was already wrapped around him once more, it didn’t take long for him to cum. You swallowed as much as you could, wiping what had seeped out of the sides.

“I fucked up your lipstick”’Urban smiled mischievously making you laugh out loud.

He helps you up and helps fix up your smudged makeup. “Well that wasn’t in my plans.”

“Oh it wasn’t?” You ask, smirking.

“I mean it was but not like that, I still need an explanation.”

You nod. “He knows I do social media, he stopped to ask if I would wear some stuff from his new line. I jokingly asked if that was his way of flirting with me.” You shrug “He was way too forward so I did think he was hitting on me, until he told me he was gay.”

Urban then raises his eyebrows, “So that gave you an opening to brush his arm and let him touch you?”

“Babe, it was just innocent, it felt like I’ve known him for years and we were just talking about random stuff.”

He raises his eyebrows “Then why did your brother tell me he was your hookup?”

You’re confused “Wait huh? Which brother?”

“Jack-“ you don’t even let Urban finish his sentence, you throw the door open. “Babe, wait where are you going?” Urban follows after you.

“I’m about to drop kick his ass.” You’re speed walking down the hallway and into the main room. “The fact that you even believed him.”

“Hey I was mad that another man was making you blush and all giggly.” He shrugs.

You spot Jack immediately, he was talking to Copelan, Sunni and Clay. “You little shit.” You snap

They all look confused but Jack looks smug and happy with himself. “What’s wrong little sis?”

He goes to take a sip from his drink and you smack it off his hands, let it fall to the ground. “Y/N”

“Shut it Clayborn.” You glare at your other brother.

“Oh no.” Sunni whispers.

“She’s pissed pissed.” Cope adds.

You glare at everyone, then face your brother “Why the hell did you tell Urban I slept with that guy who donated?”

He shrugs “What guy? Plenty of guys donated tonight.”

You roll your eyes “You know which guy, quit playing stupid.”

Jack chuckles “it was a little joke, laugh a little.”

Urban starts getting annoyed and mad, “Dude, a joke? You-“

You cut him off “Jackman, I know why you’re doing it and it’s childish for you to even be doing that.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

You smile, “It’s okay, continue with the petty tantrum. Continue to ban me from your shows, continue telling Urban all about the things I did when I was single.” You point to his chest “That’s just going to make me want to be with him even more.”

Jack rolls his eyes “You might, but what about him huh?. Don’t you think he’ll eventually get tired of you? Have you ever questioned why he’s never had a serious relationship?”

“Dude.” Urban starts “Don’t start stirring the pot.”

“No, it’s okay Urb.” You turn to face your boyfriend and smile, then turn to glare at your brother “He’s just mad that neither of us puts his needs above ours anymore. He’s mad because we’re actually happy together. It sucks, it really does, that you’re not one bit remorseful about the things you’ve been doing to get us to break up, but I’ll tell you one thing, whatever you plan next, just know it’ll never work. I’ve been in love with him since we were kids, I’m not going anywhere.” With that you walk away and walk out of the building.

The cold air takes you by surprise, so you wrap your arms around yourself.

It’s been six months since your brothers found out Urban and you were in a relationship.

Six months that Jack pushed you away.

Six months that Jack has been doing everything and anything in his power to come between you two, but luckily nothing has worked. Like you told your brother, you’ve been in love with Urban since the very first time you laid eyes on him, letting him go is not in your plans anymore.

You’ve held back, you’ve put Jack’s feelings above yours and didn’t want to do the one thing he prohibited you from doing, but like your mother says, “When you tell me no, I’ll work around and find hundred ways to yes”

“You okay baby?” Urban’s voice and hands around your hips break you out of your mind.

You nod “Y-yeah.”

He smiles at you sadly “He’s an ass.”

You nod “He’s my brother and your best friend.”

“Yes he is, but he needs time.”

“He’s had six months.” You exclaim

Urban shrugs “He copes differently. Let’s not hold it against him.”

“I never do, but he’s killing the best version I had of him. He’s always protected me, he’s been my rock and my role model for so long that him being against me, over our relationship, it breaks my heart. I never thought he’d be the one to make me doubt everything.” You finally confess.

Urban takes in a deep breath, no matter how strong and independent you are, he knows deep down that this little sibling rivalry is taking a toll on you. “I know baby, and no matter how much I want to kick his ass for it, we just have to give him more time. I promise you, he’ll come to his senses soon.”

“What if he doesn’t?” You whisper “what if he hates me forever?”

“He doesn’t hate you.”

You look up at Urban “Were you not there last week? He said if he had a real blood related sister that she wouldn’t betray him like I did. He definitely hates me.”

Urban pulls you in close “That’s his anger and stubbornness speaking, you two are the same in that aspect.”

You hug your boyfriend tight and lay your head on his chest. He’s rubbing your back and hugging you. “Urb, I don’t think I can handle another hurtful comment from him. His words have been ugly lately and there’s so much I can take.”

“You won’t have to baby, I’ll make sure he stays away until he’s ready to grow up.” Urban says, glaring at the little fly standing by the entrance of the building.

Little did you know that the little fly overheard everything you just said. The little fly was broken that you were close to breaking down.

All that little fly knows is that he needs to make things right with his baby sister before it’s too late.

•••••

TAG LIST

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[heavyhitterheaux]

"I'm not going to jail for this”

FL one sentence concept!

I love your work!

Thank you so much bby! I hope you love this!

AN: This was right before they moved to Atlanta and FL had just gotten her license.

“SHIT! ARE THOSE COPS BEHIND US!?” Jack yelled as he was driving behind you and trying to maneuver in order to get in front of you.

Urban was currently in the passenger seat next to him and was high as a kite who simply looked over at him and shrugged.

“URB!”

“WHAT? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? I'M IN THE PASSENGER SEAT!”

“AND HIGH AS A FUCKING KITE!”

“NO I'M NOT!”

You and Jack were currently dragging racing at 2 in the morning and he had been in the lead up until a few minutes ago when you swerved in front of him.

“Damn it, I know she has to see them behind us.” Jack mumbled, but all he noticed was you speeding up in Victoria's car.

“Urb! Call her! You know she's short and can barely see over the steering wheel and I know for a damn fact she can't see the rear view mirror either.”

“Umm….”

“Umm what!?”

“My phone's dead.”

“Just get mine!”

But Urban didn't even have time to call you before another cop car sped past Jack and went behind you. Noticing this, you quickly slowed down and pulled over while Jack did the same and pulled behind you.

The cops asked all of you to step out of the car and now all of you were standing off to the side. With Jack standing next to you and Victoria standing next to Urban.

"I'm not going to jail for this.” Jack muttered and you rolled your eyes.

“Smush, shut up. We're not going to jail.”

“Baby, Urban is as high as a fucking airplane right now! He doesn't even know what planet he's on!”

“Shh! Just let me talk.”

When both officers came over towards the four of you, you put on your biggest smile to hopefully get the four of you out of trouble.

“Good evening, officers.”

“It's really good morning, but do you have any idea how fast you all were going? The speed limit is 45 and both of you were going close to 100.”

“Oh, hadn't noticed.” You replied while shrugging, but one of the officers took a closer look at you and you recognized him as being one of Dani's ex boyfriends.

“I… Y/N! Jack! You know better! What the?”

“Oh my gosh, hi Jamal! How's the baby? You know the one you got by cheating on my sister?”

“Oh good lord, we're going to jail.” Jack mumbled while Victoria looked on with wide eyes and Urban was simply trying not to fall over and decided to lean against the car.

“I… look… me and your sister….”

“Tell her, not me.”

“Either way, stay on topic. I should arrest the four of you.”

“But you aren't going to because I'll call Sheriff Peterson and tell him about…. You know. You just got this job for that baby and I would hate for you to lose it.”

Now all eyes were on Jamal who had a look of shock and then disbelief on his face. His partner looked over at him dumbfounded, but he just shook his head at him.

“I'm letting you off with a warning. Don't do it again.”

“Can we at least finish our race?”

“Y/N!”

“I have him on speed dial, Jamal.”

“Finish it and go home.” He said before the two of them got into their respective cars and drove off.

“Are we… are we going to unpack what just happened?!” Jack asked as he caught your arm as you were making your way back to Victoria's car.

“Hmm later. Jack, we got fifty yards to go and get ready to lose. Oh, but Jamal is an escort in his spare time. I found the website.”

“Wait…. WHAT!?”

[tanadrin]

this is a really good essay from Ada Palmer about how censorship functions in practice--how you cannot often distinguish between public censorship and private censorship, and what makes censorship effective is its ability to get people to self-censor.

[roadtripnewengland]

If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of urban exploration, this book is for you. Learn how to uncover more abandoned places and the techniques used to capture their beauty.

[harlowtales]

Big fight between Reader x Jack on his birthday releases tension in their relationship.

⚠️ toxic dynamics 18+ only ‼️

Jack and Urban blew out the candles together on their Pokemon cake. As the candles fizzled out and left trails of smoke Jack realized you were gone. “Where is she?” He wondered concerned “Babe?” Jack called out in the hallway of the bar where the women’s washroom was trying to find you. Rumbling beats filled the dark hallway. He didn’t hear you crying until he got closer.

He knocked and pounded “Baby? You ok?” He said not 100% sure it was you in there sobbing or some other drunk girl. He pressed a diamond studded ear to the door that was reverberating from all the bass to distinguish your voice and confirm it was you. Unfortunately he was familiar with that cry.

“Y…yeah???” You said shakily through your tears

“Baby what’s wrong. You disappeared. We sang happy birthday. Urb’s worried too.” Jack said through the door

You didn’t answer. You just couldn’t deal with it anymore. With HER….with THEM. Why did they always have to be at everything Jack did. Not one time could he just not invite his exes. Always shaking their asses right in front of him. It was too much. They knew it bothered you and Jack never said anything. Just said his “friends” were playing around.

“Jack go away.” You said finally and seething with anger. “Just… leave me alone, that’s all I want now.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” Jack said banging on the door. “Is it the girls?”

“Gee how did you guess?” You said sarcastically

Jack sank down to the floor in front of the door. You were right and he knew it. He was torn between old friends and you knowing he had been with them in the past. He regretted telling you, but this was one thing he didn’t want to mess up. No lies, just straight up honesty. He knew you were the one. That being said if it was him in your shoes around guys you had been with that you kept inviting to everything, he’d lose it. “Babe I’ve told you they’re just like that.” He reasoned. He didn’t think he had to explain much as he showed you every day how he felt with hours on the phone when he didn’t really have time, gifts showing up at your door when he was gone, FaceTime no matter what time zone he was in, the wining and dining, making you the face of Phocus to bring you into the business, and not exactly hiding you when he posted on IG lately. He told you he was almost ready to go public. You didn’t know but there was an engagement ask in the works. His team was busy planning the whole thing behind the scenes. But right now tequila had kicked in and you were in no mood.

“They’re just like that?” You said angrily “Some of them have an Only Fans for fuck sakes Jack!”

“Ok but am I on it? Babe please. I don’t want to spend my birthday on the floor in front of this door. Open the door….PLEASE” he begged

“You’re on the floor?” You asked through your tears

“Yeah. You think I’m moving from here as long as you’re in there crying?” You heard him say faintly, muffled by the door and thumping beats.

You blew your nose, wiped your tears and after a few minutes you slowly opened the door. Jack stood up and hugged you tightly. “Oh my baby girl” he said holding you close and kissing the top of your head. “Don’t fucking worry about them.”

“REALLY JACKMAN? Are you seriously looking me in my eyes and saying that?” You were a mess now. Your hair was dishevelled and your mascara was smeared. You pushed him away.

“Who am I fucking with?” He said irritated and raising his voice “Why we gotta do this every time?”

“Because your guest list needs to fucking change up that’s why, cuz you fucking playing around on me I just know it, them bitches is too bold with they booty all up in your face and what the fuck do you do? Laugh. You laugh and y’all have a great time and I see they stupid asses every fucking where, like what are you thinking? You know what? Fuck this shit I’m out. For good. You know how many guys I ignore? Nice guys too. Naw this is some bullshit Jack. I’m going to get some other business because your a fucking liar!” You pounded his chest and headed for the door but he easily blocked you and locked it. You furiously tried to get out.

“Are you done because I have something to say too.” He waited for you to finish going off but you weren’t going anywhere drunk and angry on his watch. He loved you even after all the things you just said and all that he knew he was doing to show you what his intentions were. Now in this moment he was hurt and mad. “We need to talk.” He motioned to a stall.

“Oh ok you want more smoke huh?” You challenged in full gangster mode.

He locked the stall door “Turn around” He ordered.

“Fuck you.” You shot back

“Turn.” He repeated

“I said…fuck y……” Jack put his hand over your mouth and his other hand found its way up your dress and yanked down your underwear. His eyes a wild brilliant blue piercing into yours.

“Jack!” You exclaimed breathlessly as you felt his fingers abruptly enter you.

“I’m too soft all the time so you think you can disrespect me but I am not playing. Do you understand?” He breathed heavily into your ear

“Yes. I do. I swear I do Jac…..Ugghhh” You said in delicious agony. He turned you around. His entry into you was slow and not graceful. Jack was gifted and as he opened you up your legs had to adjust and do extra duty to hold you steady. He picked up speed immediately and had you in a headlock as he proceeded to pound you so hard the whole stall was shaking and creaking. Jack was never this aggressive and you were trying to make sense of what was happening.

The sounds of loud tortured moaning and rapid slapping of your flesh collided in painful pleasure echoing throughout the bathroom. You were going to cum already. The tension mounting in your core with each thrust was like how the tension between the two of you had been building for months. He felt how wet you were getting and the tightening of your grip around him. It felt so good tears welled up in your eyes out of confusing ecstasy. “Jack…Jack please!” You pleaded hanging on to the stall door. You were pinned up against him in the tiny space as he relentlessly drove straight up into you in a rhythm that communicated how dedicated he was to his pain in this moment. Every vein was tensed. He was rock hard and void of sympathy for your screams.

He had never seen you lash out like this. You complained but never had this kind of an outburst. Sometimes he wondered if you cared as much as him but there was no doubt now. He was upset you thought all those things but was highly turned on by your display of raw emotion he had been craving at the same time. You felt his beard digging into your shoulder while he concentrated on making you feel every inch of him. Everything came rushing to the surface like all of your feelings.

He loudly called out your name “Y/N!” and shot a stream of desire into the furthest part of you. He stayed in you for a bit and held onto your ass trying to steady himself in exhausted frustration and satisfaction. He was drained. He wanted to send you a strong message that every ounce of passion he possessed was for you. He was mad at himself for making you question how much you meant to him. Knocking and pounding on the bathroom door jolted both of you out of the alternate universe you had been in for all of under 10mins.

“Hello! I need to fucking pee!” The voice said faintly through the throbbing bass in the club.

Jack pulled out gasping and you pulled up your underwear. “Babe” he said heaving “Let’s not do this ok?” You nodded trying to catch your breath not able to speak. You both walked out of the bathroom fixing your clothes and you gave the girl waiting to get in a smug smirk as you walked by. “Ooops! Sorry” you said in fake sweetness “Didn’t mean to hog the bathroom.” She glared back at you and Jack who flashed her a dimpled grin and flipped her off.

It was quite obvious what you had been up to. Your hair was still a bit of a mess and Jack was tucking his shirt back into his pants and readjusting his glasses. All the girls were looking you up and down in disgust as the girl fired off a text to them about what she had just seen. “Bruh” Urban said to Jack taking him aside “She was pissed huh?”

“Not anymore” Jack said “I let her know she’s the boss of these bitches.” He said tilting his head back and taking a long sip of well deserved water. “And I’m going to be changing up the usual VIP guest list.” He said looking around him making a mental note of who was on the chopping block. He shot you a look across the bar as you bit your lip and shot him a look back. You mingled and chatted happily with his friends and family in a totally different mood. “Happy Birthday to me.” He said to himself smiling.

***Had this sitting around since his birthday not knowing what to do with it***😈💋

Tag List: Please DM to be put on, taken off, or for me to follow you✌🏾Thanks for all follows 🙏🏾

***I write family fics, sweet, drama, smut***

@jacks-daycare @killatravtramp @jackslilsecrett @jackmans-poison @jharlowsangels @a-moment-captured @comehomeimissyou @hoodharlow @hotsforharlow @heavyhitterheaux @itsyagirljaz @iheartharlow @spicypiscesthings

[carriesthewind]

This is a very good and relevant essay about censorship:

"The first and most important principle is that we cannot and should not draw a line between state censorship and private or civilian censorship.  Many analyses of censorship start by drawing this line and analyzing state action and private action separately.  There are many problems with trying to draw such a line, but the most important is this:

The majority of censorship is self-censorship, but the majority of self-censorship is intentionally cultivated by an outside power."

[xx-j4nu5-c4t5-xx]

I've never seen anyone talk about this (mostly because nobody plays these games really) but do you guys remember Dudley Landgraab?

His wiki page says he appeared in two (possibly three) games throughout the early years of the franchise: The Sims (Console), The Sims: Bustin' Out (Console), and possibly the Urbz: Sims in the City (Console). He's the son of Malcom Landgraab, and usually appears alongside his sister, Mimi. But he's a genuinely interesting little freak???

I haven't played the original Sims, but according to the wiki, it seems like he's an early game NPC who's characterized as a slacker and a party animal. He's a member of the Landgraab family but doesn't seem to have much contact with them.

In Bustin' Out, he's the first house available to move into when you start the game (the other option being his sister's place). He seems to be a straight up criminal in this one, possibly working in the burglar career (you can't check in game so we don't know for sure, but the schedules seem to coincide according to the wiki). His ex-stepmother (your mom) hates him. It's referenced in his bio that his dad cut him off. He's living in a shitty bachelor pad trailer. Not crazy out of pocket considering the other places in that game.

In the Urbz, there's a much more interesting development, though. In Kicktail Park, the local hangout for a bunch of weird skaters, there's a guy named String Bean. Nothing particularly interesting about him on the surface, but in his profile on the Urbz website he seems to be incredibly secretive and weird about his past/identity. Under his dislikes, one of the things he hates is being called Dudley.

That means there's a decent chance that they're the same guy. He got tired of living in a trailer and being a family disappointment, so I guess he went off to the city to reinvent himself.

I love the weird tidbits of lore that you'd never know unless you scrolled through defunct websites and wiki pages made by people who are way too invested in these games.

Sources:

[servuscallidus]

This blog entry was quoted in a post about The Borgias (2011) serie, and it's really quite interesting. It confronts The Borgias (2011) with Borgia: Faith and Fear (2011), and using that to explore the theme of "historical accuracy" in stories. How accurate can a story be, what exactly makes a story historically accurate, should a story even strive for that, what can changing one detail do?

As someone that has watched neither serie, I've found it very interesting and well written. Quite a fun read!