#which was very enjoyable plane listening

[o-uncle-newt]

We don't talk enough about the Petherbridge/Walter adaptations of the Wimsey/Vane novels.

(Well, we probably talk EXACTLY enough about Gaudy Night, which is really pretty bad, but besides for that...)

(Sorry, just a warning, Richard Morant as Bunter is fine but I won't have much to say about him here. I just really like this picture.)

The casting is basically perfect, especially Harriet Walter as Harriet Vane. I no longer see the book character in any other way- the only notable difference is that in the book she's noted as having a deep voice, but Walter's has a distinctive enough tone that I think it works regardless. She is just so, so, so good- captures the character beautifully, sells everything she does whether mundane or ridiculous (probably the best/most realistic reaction of someone finding a body I have EVER seen in Have His Carcase), makes the most of every limited minute she's on screen in Strong Poison and leaves her mark every minute that she isn't... and she looks AMAZING doing all of it. Just perfect, could not imagine better casting.

Edward Petherbridge I don't hold up to that level of perfection- I think that, try as he might, he's not really able to capture Wimsey's dynamism (possibly because he's a bit too old for the role) and is a bit overly caricatured in many of his mannerisms. But overall he does a pretty good job, in addition to looking quite a lot like how I'd imagined Wimsey- but in particular, I think he does a really lovely job of selling a lot of the emotion that he has to convey in some scenes that feel like they SHOULDN'T be adaptable from the book- specifically the scenes of him and Harriet. Him proposing to Harriet, him being disappointed when she (completely reasonably) turns him down... those shouldn't work on screen with real humans rather than in Sayers's calculated prose, but it DOES work and in no small part because he's great at selling Wimsey's feelings as being genuine even when his actions seem over the top. And, of course, Harriet Walter sells her end of the scenes right back. All in all, I think I have mixed feelings about Petherbridge as Lord Peter Wimsey the detective, but I'm a fan of him as Peter, the man who has feelings for Harriet.

Overall, though, both are, I think, very successful in capturing these characters- the fact that they take these people who even in the book can sometimes push the boundaries of likeability (which to be clear, is part of what I love about reading them) and make them eminently watchable is a great achievement. And also, in addition to their really looking like their characters individually, they're very well matched as a pair in the way that one pictures them from the book. They're even of very similar height and build, which we know is canonically true from Gaudy Night, and thus at least a somewhat relevant element of their dynamic.

Now, the adaptations are very uneven, and that's even without talking about Gaudy Night because, while it has about as good a rendition of the punting scene as I think we were ever going to get, most of the rest of it is crap and massively expands on what I think are serious problems to Peter and Harriet's relationship that the series as a whole had (not to mention cutting the character of St George, which is a travesty). None of the adaptations are perfect, and mess with aspects of their relationship in negative ways- for example, the ending of Strong Poison is exactly backward in a really awful way. I'll get back to this.

But when the show gets the two of them right, it gets them RIGHT, even when it's adapting Sayers's text/creating new dialogue. There are scenes in this one that I love almost as much as the canon text, like this one:

I don't think any of this is in the book, and there are things that happen here that I don't think Sayers would have ever written. But at the same time, a combination of the dialogue and the actors makes it COMPLETELY believable as these two people, and it captures a moment that is just really key for Peter as he faces his limitations and his feelings- something that in the book is conveyed through a lot of internal narrative on Peter's part that would be impossible to adapt as is, but that in the world of the show needed to happen in a much more visual and narrative way. Not all of the dialogue that this series chooses to fill in those gaps works, but even when it doesn't the actors do their best to sell the heck out of it, and when the dialogue DOES work it is seriously brilliant.

Probably my favorite of the adaptations is Have His Carcase, and scenes like this one are a big part of the reason why:

They change the location, but otherwise it's EXTRAORDINARILY faithful to the equivalent scene in the book, and honestly it shouldn't have worked with real people doing it and yet it does. It's just acted perfectly, given just enough arch and silly humor (particularly with the spinning door) that we don't attempt to take it too seriously, while also conveying the relevant emotions so well. The actors in the scene through only their faces and ways of speaking convey subtext that Sayers, in the book, conveyed a lot later on as actual text in the characters' thoughts, and there's something pretty great about that.

Other Have His Carcase scenes are less good (the dance scene is mediocre at best, I think), but if there's another Have His Carcase scene that I think illustrates how great Walter and Petherbridge are at selling the human sides of their characters, it's That Argument- seen here:

The Argument is a pale imitation of that in the book- the one in the book is, in fact, probably unadaptable as is- but it is still just so good because the actors are so good at selling it. Walter is just brilliant in the role and utterly inhabits it while also imbuing it with her own spin, and makes us feel Harriet's pain- and Petherbridge, through some relatively subtle facial expressions and reactions, is able just as well to make US understand what all of this means to him and how he feels. It's actually really remarkable that, just like how Sayers writes a relationship dynamic that only feels like it works because she's the one who wrote it that very specific way, this scene feels like it only works because these two actors play it in this specific way. Could two other actors do it? Very possibly, but it would feel super different and I wonder if it would feel this authentic. (I do want to note though that this scene made me really wish that we'd seen a Frasier-era David Hyde Pierce in the role of a younger and spryer, but equally posh, witty, and vulnerable, Wimsey. It just gave me vibes of something that he'd do beautifully.)

Now, as I said above, this doesn't get EVERYTHING right. In fact, quite a lot of their relationship ends up going pretty wrong- as I think a major mistake is their throughline which emphasizes Peter's continued pursuit of Harriet as not just reiterating his interest to make it clear that he hasn't changed his mind, but actively taking advantage of moments and situations in a romantic sense, taking a much more specific role in engaging with her physically, commenting on her appearance, saying how difficult it is for him to NOT pursue her more, etc. It makes the whole thing feel a lot more cat-and-mouse rather than a budding relationship of equals, and one where Peter acknowledges the whole time that they HAVE to be equals for a) Harriet to feel comfortable with him and b) them to be good together. In fact, however good the Argument above is, it's kind of undercut by this very pattern- he makes the book's point about him treating his feelings like something out of a comic opera, but he also at that point in the story has had a few much more oppressively serious scenes with her that clearly make her uncomfortable- nothing like anything in a comic opera. It's like the show misses the point a little.

I think the place where this really starts is at the end of Strong Poison. (I could see an argument to be made that it starts earlier, in a few smaller nuances of their jailhouse scenes, but I like those enough that I choose not to read into them too much lol.) After what I think is a great addition to the final jailhouse scene (one that I loved so much I repurposed it for a fic)- "it's supposed to be about love, isn't it" and some excellent reactions from Petherbridge- Harriet goes to court, her charges are dismissed, and unlike in the book, when it's Wimsey who leaves first (which Eiluned and Sylvia point out is a sign of his decency in not waiting for Harriet to thank him), here Wimsey is the one who watches as Harriet rejects him and walks away from him- the beginning of the chase. But nothing about their relationship is meant to be a chase! It's so frustrating to watch as that proceeds to be a continuing issue to a limited degree in Have His Carcase (where it's at least balanced by enough good moments that it doesn't matter so much) and to a MASSIVE, genuinely uncomfortable degree in Gaudy Night.

The only praise I will give it is that while the punt scene in the book is unfilmable, I think this adaptation did its best here and it's pretty good.

I'm not going to spend much time talking about Gaudy Night otherwise, because I'd need all day for it and also I'd probably need to rewatch it to make sure I get the details right and I have zero interest in doing that, but the way that it has Wimsey imposing himself and his feelings/hopes on Harriet to a really ridiculous degree, in a way that he never, ever does in the book, is just so so discomfiting and makes me feel terrible for Harriet. She doesn't deserve that. If I recall correctly, in that scene at the dance at the beginning, she's so happy just being with him and then he's all "oh so this means you want to marry me" and she just droops. He's so aggressive!

And that's what makes the worst part so bad, because not only does this miniseries not depict Wimsey's apology as the book does- one of the best scenes in a book full of brilliant scenes- it would actually be weird if it did, because this show doesn't imply that there's ANYTHING for Wimsey to be apologizing for! In fact, unlike in the books where we see Wimsey growing and deconstructing the parts of himself that had been demanding of Harriet, in the series we only see him get more demanding- until finally he wins. It's honestly infuriating and I hate it- the actors do their best to sell it (and apparently they were given bad enough material that they actually had to rewrite some of it themselves, though I have mixed feelings about the results) but it is just massively disappointing. Basically the whole emotional journey between the two of them is not just neutered but twisted.

For all of my criticisms of the adaptations' all around approach to their relationship, I do have to reiterate- Walter and Petherbridge do a wonderful, wonderful job. (Especially Walter.) When they're given good material to work with, and even often when they aren't, they are able to sell it so well- and particularly in the case of Walter, I genuinely can't think of the character as anyone but her rendition now. She IS Harriet Vane for me. And, for all the flaws that the series has, that's something pretty dang special.

Anyway, for anyone who read through this whole thing and hasn't seen these adaptations, I DO recommend Strong Poison and Have His Carcase- but not Gaudy Night unless you're either really curious or a glutton for punishment. The first two, though, have very good supporting casts, are quite faithful plot wise (sometimes to a fault- another flaw is that they are really devoted to conveying the whole mystery with all its clues sometimes to the point of dragginess, but will drop sideplots like, for example, Parker and Mary- which is totally reasonable, but still vaguely disappointing as those sideplots tend to add some levity/characterization), and just generally are an overall good time. (Some standout characters for me are Miss Climpson in Strong Poison and Mrs Lefranc in Have His Carcase.) And, of course, the best part is seeing the little snippets of Peter and Harriet that come through- less so their journey, vs in the book where that's central, but so many scenes where we just see the two of them together as they are in that moment and it's so satisfying.

[peachetteprice]

WAIT i need to say this but idk where to post it but we're all Price enjoyers here so listen up

neighbour!Price or bestfriend or coworker, or whatever, being absolutely disgusted by your boyfriend/husband for not being ''man enough'' to claim you properly. Price thinks why isn't he putting a baby in you yet? haven't you two been together for months now? he's not doing a good job at it! let Price show you and your partner how it's done.

sorry, i am just weak for traditional slightly misogynistic Price, you hear me? good day

Oh... oh dear... I fear you may be on to something, anon... I'm choosing coworker!Price, because that's the first thing that popped into my head... 🧡

Naturally, coworker!Price studies you over a three-month period after the wedding, pressing his stomach against yours as he goes to hug you in farewell for the weekend, as all male coworkers do, such as he's reasoned for the past two years, analysing how your stomach never once bulges and pushes him away from the weight of a bain, despite the ring on your finger having been there for double that amount of time.

When the office Christmas party comes around, it's a secret-santa sort of affair. There's one final gift under the tree in the foyer. It's small, neatly wrapped, placated with a bow and a tag with the words 'from your secret santa' in luxurious cursive. It seems a thoughtful gift for anyone, and you haven't had yours yet - it's been two hours, and you just want to go home so you can shower and determine whether your husband's cock needs caring for - so, when your boss pinches it from the ground and plops it in your lap, it's a momentous occasion.

Sacrificing its beauty for curiosity, you rip open the wrapping paper to reveal a box, a cardboard one, and inside the box... one pink rattle with a cotton bunny tailing the end of it. It would have made a fine gift for an expectant mother, like the receptionist, Emma, for example, except that you're not pregnant, and you voice exactly that to whichever stranger in the cohort was responsible for the gift, expecting to hear a hushed giggle from Ian, sodomised Ian, the creep, who's always ogling the fold in your cleavage whenever you enter the breakroom.

A voice pipes up. It's not Ian's.

"You're not?" It says.

John says, instead of saying 'that bastard', like he wants to.

"No. But... I suppose if I'm ever thinking of having kids anytime soon, I'll... I'll hold onto it." And mutter a very sarcastic 'thank you, Ian,' under your breath.

Which John hears. And it angers him.

Without you even knowing, after everyone leaves the office, he's tagging you on the motorway home, hands gripping the steering wheel hard enough to wrench it from its socket with thoughts of running you off it, careening you into the barrier and heroically coming to your rescue, using the ruse of having just popped to the shops before home, before sweet-talking you like that bastard never did, bending you over the bonnet and stuffing a baby inside you like a true man should with his darling wife, cock fat with semen and weeping cum into that tight, velvet cunt of yours, too cock-drunk to even speak, drooling onto the metal plane of the front of your car as he cements your marriage with a baby, a chubby, healthy one, born from his cum and his cum only.

But you depart from the motorway via the next junction to stop for petrol, and he's too enraptured by the thoughts of fatherhood that he continues straight, right hand in his underwear, eyes dazed as he bursts his load, pretending its you and not his boxers to which he's gifting his precious cum.

| Masterlist |

[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again 1/9/2024

the BEAST (phil) has been SPAYED

listening

my sister ALSO, INDPENDENTLY, keeps tuesdayesqe lists in the back of her planner! which is what i used to do before these posts! You Got A Man by JAWNY is off her 2023 playlist. this philly artist's claim to fame seems to be that he dated doja cat for six months? the song is short, bratty, and fun indie/alt not-quite-rap. i have no knowledge of how much the man overlaps with the song. spotify

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reading

ive never watched supernatural, except by osmosis bc i signed up for this website in 2011. this book is what i imagine people say when they say "what if supernatural was good?"

Rebecca Roanhorse's Trail of Lightning (her debut) and Storm of Locusts takes Maggie, a typical lone hero/monster hunter/horrible bitch of a woman (i say this approvingly) and says listen! you can do way sicker shit if you like. accept help and community and have a support system. it does not read like booktok found family or approach this in the typical fanfic way, which is refreshing. it points out that you will be a much longer lived and successful monster hunter this way. this is optimization, if you really look at it.

most postapoc stuff doesn’t contend with the fact (if it even acknowledges indigenous people at all) that indigenous people have already lived through several colonizing apocalypses. these books make a very sharp point that there is not a tremendous amount of difference between the reservation before the apocalypse and the reservation after the apocalypse. the worldbuilding in these is a interesting spin on sea levels plus the Energy Wars, to keep all of that at arms' length the Diné built a magical and physical wall, which i think is a funny spin on the trump border wall.

neither of them are really romance or kissing books, there is romantic interest but they are kept extremely busy not dying and admiring each other's competence. they are action and gore heavy. this is notable bc the books are fairly short (took me about two and a half hours each) and they have pretty fuckin good action scenes! the first book has an underground club and fight ring run by a cat god: club atmosphere was terrific (there's a bit about them having to drag in hastily camouflaged cheap walmart tables to handle some overflow and i instantly knew exactly the table), it had a dress up scene I was very weak to. i thought the series of events by which they ended up at the big boss battle post-club was kind of stupid but (forgivably) the big boss battle was quite enjoyable. figuring out what to do with your life next when you’re highly trained for a very specific thing but also not trained enough to be a serious danger and were set up to fail was extremely compelling to me, an astronomy major who cannot actually work in astronomy.

second book really hits its stride and (girl who has only played fallout voice) feels very fallout-y. desperate quest to save a loved one. girls' trip through a bunch of weird places with a bunch of weird guys. there's a lot of references that play with tone without ever going HEY REMEMBER THIS OTHER WORK YOU COULD GO LOOK AT RIGHT NOW? there’s a plane and a weird guy that made me think of mad max thunderdome, except the weird guy is his own character and has his own arc. there’s a weird grandpa on a boat who i don't think is a reference at all, except maybe to the timeless genre of weird grandpas on boats. there’s a sentient casino trapping people inside that reminded me of the new vegas dead money expansion, except Maggie barely steps inside bc she immediately gets caught up in a day-long battle of wits against the god of gambling. Maggie is a little more settled in her own skin now that she’s regularly talking to other people and has rejoined her community in her own small ways on her own terms and it HAS made her a much more successful monster hunter. the dialogue is snappier, the action scenes are more elaborate and smoothly choreographed. it's nice to watch an author grow so quickly (from this is serviceable to oh SHIT this is fun) over the course of a duology :) this feels like it was meant to be a trilogy but this book came out in 2019 so i am not holding my breath. it has a nice solid endpoint right here imo.

past sexual violence is sort of orbited around but no sexual violence is actually depicted, which i appreciate as a woman trying to enjoy postapoc.

libby has a very helpful Indigenous Voices category/reading guide/thing. thank u libby now i want to read everything else she's ever written

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watching

saw a piece of fanart i cannot find now for the three minute short PUPARIA by Shingo Tamagawa.

Something is about to change drastically. We can only be witnesses to it.

it's a weird and stunningly beautiful little thing i am still worrying at like a dog with a peanut butter kong. if you have a thing about eyes or clusters of round shapes this is NOT the three minute short for you btw

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playing

the free epic game was the Eidos Montreal Guardians of the Galaxy game, and since i am allergic to dead moms i will not be playing it. widely reviewed as "good writing, but not very much fun to actually play" so i don't feel like i'm missing out on too much.

i have no good story to tell about my time with genshin this week. we're aiming for "can i turn my brain off for forty minutes in the evening" and grinding a lot of one specific boss while listening to podcasts does seem to be enough to turn my brain off.

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making

i have been frantically deep cleaning (including soaking the office in enzymatic cleaner [thanks phil]) bc my siblings are coming to town for a couple days and despite several setbacks (a completely different arrival time than the one they told me) and absolutely no sense of an itinerary we will be fine! we will all be fine and have fun! i will be SO fine and calm and chill and we will all have some fucking fun so help us god

ALSO also phil has finally been spayed and is now dealing with four separate issues: the giant wound still on her side, the spay incision, the necrotic abscess in her mouth from going too hard on a springy toy, and being underweight from trying to heal three things at once. we'll get there! we'll get there. it's just taking a while. we are going to have friday afternoon vet visits every week for the foreseeable future.

i love her so much and i'm glad she's feeling better but i genuinely think owning a horse would be cheaper than owning this one wonky cat. they shaved SO much of her tummy she looks even sillier than usual.

other than being Very Alert for the persistent little orange tomcat that keeps hopping up on my windowsill, mackie is doing fine. no concept of the fact that my siblings are going to pick her up more in two days than she gets picked up in a whole month. this is a girl that likes her feet on the ground thanks much

[gremoria411]

Hoo boy, it was a mistake to play Ace Combat 7 before watching this.

I could probably just leave it there honestly. But I’m going to explain this.

Quick review of Ace Combat 7 - it’s not great. I really enjoyed Ace Combat - Assault Horizon when I was younger, so I bought 7 a little while after it came out and I just found it lacking. Half the missions seem to have you more at risk from environmental dangers than actual enemies, plane selection’s rather lacking unless you grind up some of the few enjoyable missions to unlock new ones (the lightning II is particularly guilty of this) and I was forced to rely on dlc planes for a good chunk of the game (there’s only three dedicated ground attack planes in the base game, all of which need to be bought, one of which is terrible). I will say that the base attack missions - get a certain amount of score within a time limit - were absolutely wonderful, some of my favourite missions in the game (especially the Snider’s Top mission), but because they’re also the easiest way to grind up currency, you have to play them over and over and over again, so the appeal wanes somewhat.

And the story…. Okay. Why are Erusea and Osea at war? Anyone know? Because I sure don’t. Yeah, I’m sure it’s explained in some backstory or other, but I would really like someone to just mention it. Because literally all the intercepted chatter is whatever the opposite of humanising is, because none of them express anything except a hatred for the enemy and a desire to attack them. So why are we fighting? Ace Combat’s cutscenes seem to think that they’re incredibly mature and weighty, but all they seem to be is people just staring at the sky and saying “what does it mean….. to fly” “what does it mean…… to fight”. Forgive me if I’m used to more than that.

I will say though, I actually really like how your wing-mates in 777 “spare” squadron are characterised (Mage Squadron just kinda sucks, moreso that you just never see them again after mission 3), I honestly wish we had more time with them because they’re just such a treat to listen to and fight alongside, since they very much don’t want to be here and are quick to remind us of that (I’m genuinely toying with plucking High Roller for use in Lancer). Also the voice cast is genuinely excellent, any fan of Persona 5 will feel right at home here, and it also led to the absolute wonderful feeling of assaulting an enemy base, and going “Lelouch Vi Brittania, is that you!?”.

Anyway, why did I feel the need to bring it up before talking about the new Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance trailer? Because it feels like it’s around the same ballpark. If I didn’t already know *why* the Federation and Zeon were at war, it’d feel like the whole independence thing would be swept under the rug.

“Why do we fight?” “Because those are our orders” - hey, wouldn’t it be more interesting to characterise someone as actually a true believer in spacenoid independence? Wouldn’t it be interesting to have them talk about what spacenoid independence actually means to them? Wouldn’t it be interesting to engage with the propaganda told to the population of Side 3 to motivate them to war? Wouldn’t that be relevant to an audience living in a world where the media is all-pervasive, and “alternative facts” are rife? Oh, the main character doesn’t believe in Newtypes and has a “Well, you gotta do what you gotta do” attitude to proceedings? Alright then. It just feels like a missed opportunity. Were I feeling especially uncharitable I might even call it cowardly.

To be honest, I think the main thing that’s bothering me here is just the line delivery for the Pink-Haired Character and the Doctor - they’re just so flat, and their lines are just blindingly obvious. “The Federation’s new mobile suit. This could turn the tide of the war” - it’s not foreshadowing if you just state what’s going to happen. “The Feds you save will just come back and kill my people, Doc!” - yeah, but you’re under the Antarctic Treaty, governing the treatment of POWs in wartime. Leaving them to die would likely constitute a war crime (I know Zeon’s got a lot of those, but still). It just feels like baby’s first moral dilemma. Also when Iria Sorari’s giving an explanation on newtypes, she just sounds bored, like she’s reading from a cue card. Y’know, it’s only one of the central precepts to the war for independence, don’t sound too passionate or anything.

Lastly - and I’m aware these are super nit-picky - when the Zaku slashes the shell in the last part of the trailer, it should have just flown off and penetrated anyway. It doesn’t lose all momentum just because you cut it in two. Also, I get that Japanese-to-English is never gonna be a 1:1 translation or anything. But Gundam’s had a bunch of series translated prior that can act as a cheat-sheet for pronunciation and finer details, so it’s really annoying to catch slip-ups here.

Right, now that’s all the negativity done with, what did I actually like?

Mobile suit designs are still top-notch, I really like the Gouf Custom and Guntank designs (it’s an Igloo-style Assault Guntank) in the new trailer, and I really like the new GM design - it feels like it extrapolated out what a GM based on the new Gundam would look like, and also remembered that the Federation’s mobile suits were derived from captured Zaku’s, hence the visor resembling a monoeye - it’s a really good way to take the design is what I’m getting at, and I fully expect we’ll see a model of it. However, it is just very odd seeing the more modern Zaku design side-by-side with the older Gouf Custom and Guntank designs. They had to model them anyway for the new engine, so why not go the extra mile and give us a greebled Gouf Custom or Guntank? (Yeah I know it’ll be a cost thing, and you *could* argue that a more “modern” Guntank would be the Assault Guntank, but come on) I really liked seeing the new Zaku I design also, I just don’t have an awful lot to say on it - it’s nice.

I do expect that we’ll get models of the new Zaku I and GM, but I couldn’t say on the Gouf Custom or Assault Guntank.

EDIT: Okay, so I posted this and had two immediate realisations:

Iris’s Zaku appears to have been repaired in several scenes in the trailer, so it’s likely it’ll get trashed at some point (there may also be another kit of it).

The reason the Gouf Custom hasn’t been given the greebling treatment like nearly every other mobile suit is likely so they can just make a coulor variant of its existing high grade kit, rather than having to make entirely new runners (plus they’d likely feel compelled to completely update the internals too, which would be rather expensive). It’s likely that the new Zaku II (boy I wish this thing had a proper name) will be at least partially based on the most recent Zaku II hg kit internally, again as a cost-saving measure (and a practical one too, come to think of it).

[bluegekk0]

Like I said, I've been thinking about Grimm and FPK this morning and just. How much they mean to each other, especially from Grimm's perspective since I don't talk about his past as much as with FPK's. It's clear that he's completely in love with FPK, but I think looking at his life makes that relationship even more meaningful. And while it's easy to see that from FPK's perspective, since he was clearly very desperate for an emotional connection all his life, Grimm kept a mask for most of his life, so the effect it had on him perhaps isn't as obvious.

Back when he first created his physical form to interact with mortals, and started traveling around the world, he was incredibly passionate about everything. Discovering new places, new foods, meeting new people and experiencing pleasure of all kinds, it was intoxicating to him. It was what he was looking for, the life in the Gods' Plane was, to put it simply, boring to him. Walking among the mortals was exciting, he wanted to see what they saw, feel what they felt. He was obsessed with it.

But over time that enthusiasm faded. Years and years passed, and he reached a point where it felt like he experienced everything. It was still enjoyable, but that excitement was gone, and above all, he started to feel lonely. All those joys in life and no one to share it with. It changed for a moment when he found love, but unfortunately their mortality got in the way - he couldn't stomach watching his partner age and slowly die in front of him, and he didn't want to force them to join the Troupe. So the relationship didn't work out, and he was once again alone.

In response, he started to seek those pleasures in order to keep himself occupied. That's when he started to hook up constantly (he did it before, but back then it was genuinely something he enjoyed), the dopamine rush made him forget about his loneliness at least for a moment. But it was clear that there was no passion in it, all the joy was gone, and he was all by himself. Yes, he eventually made the Troupe, and they were almost like a family to him, but he needed a soulmate, someone he could share all the joys with and someone he could love with all his heart.

Meeting FPK gave him hope. That strange little king would not leave his mind, whenever he heard him talk, he could sense a similar loneliness, a desire for something more from life. And that hope made him engage in the friendship, which, as it turned out, was a really needed change of pace. It allowed Grimm to slow down and enjoy things he did with FPK, all those peaceful walks in the royal gardens, watching FPK in the workshop and listening to his ramblings, it was everything to him, he cherished every second of it. Of course, he was hoping that one day they could be together, he was in love, he desired him. But he promised himself he wouldn't rush it, that he would build that relationship slowly and relearn the joy of discovering new things at a reasonable pace. And more than anything, he wanted to make sure he was ready to express his love in many ways, not just sexually, like he would with his casual partners. He wanted the relationship to be complete.

But unfortunately it was taken away from him when FPK disappeared. It broke his heart, he realized that, in his attempts to build their relationship at a slow pace, he was too slow, he didn't even confess his love to FPK, and now his love was gone. That heartbreak made him double down on his previous life, it was the only thing keeping him from breaking down. When he wasn't busy with hook ups, drinking and other activities that made him forget about his pain, he would sit alone in his Troupe room and just stare into nothingness, clutching the music box locket FPK once gave him in his hand and listening to the soft tune. He never talked about FPK with anyone, though Brumm and Divine definitely sensed that something was off, so they tried to keep him occupied with different activities. He owes them a lot, but he was too heartbroken to properly thank them at the time. But on the outside, nothing seemingly changed, he tried to maintain his imposing image and hide his vulnerable side from the world. All that pain, he kept to himself.

When FPK returned, he obviously became incredibly obsessed. Obsessed, and paranoid, he was terrified that he might lose him again, that something could happen to him. But they were together, and they finally got a chance at a peaceful life. And over time, Grimm was able to find that old excitement again, that passion for life and everything it had to offer. He started to notice the beauty in the world again, the little things that were once overshadowed by his pain, he finally had someone he could share that joy with, someone to shower in gifts from his travels, maybe even a future travel companion. All those breathtaking views, the impressive architecture, the wonderful foods, he could enjoy them again, knowing that he could take a piece of this beauty and bring it back home to share with his love. Then they had Lewk, after years of trying, a fruit of their love that Grimm became just as obsessed with, and it's no surprise that he suggested another child (or children as it later turned out). Not to mention, Holly and Hornet were like blood children to him, he would do everything to protect them like they were his own. He didn't just find love, he now had an entire family. He finally wasn't alone.

And no one except FPK truly knows how much their relationship changed his life for the better. Only FPK sees him at his most vulnerable moments, with everyone else he keeps the mask of intimidation and his vampiric charm. But that just makes their love that much more intimate. In some ways they're polar opposites, but that loneliness and the need for love brought them together. FPK desperately needed someone to love him and respect his emotions, while Grimm was desperate to share his love with someone else. No wonder they're so obnoxiously enamored with each other.

[libraryofjoy]

Books I read in December 2023

Assyria by Eckart Frahm. Nonfiction. I realized that I didn't actually know all that much about Assyria, so this was a helpful find! It was fun to have the familiarity of a Hebrew Bible reference now and then.

The Apology by Jimin Han. Fiction. This book follows a 110-year-old Korean woman in the days after her death as she tries to prevent a disaster caused by a terrible secret she's kept for decades. For how heartwrenching this book could be, it was also incredibly funny! The narrator character is really interesting and made this book enjoyable. Content warning: familial trauma, war, unplanned pregnancy, incest.

The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker. Fiction. A multiracial necromancer seeks to pass an imperial alchemy exam in a reimagined Tang-dynasty fantasy setting. I really enjoyed the necromancy/alchemy in this book. Other elements of the plot felt messier. The ending felt very sudden, shocking, and not quite complete. But I did find it enjoyable enough that I'd probably read a sequel. Content warnings: murder, gore, body horror.

The Bible With and Without Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler. Nonfiction. This book was just excellent. The two authors are Jewish biblical scholars: Amy-Jill Levine does New Testament, and Marc Zvi Brettler Hebrew Bible*. They discuss key passages and their interpretations from Jewish & Christian communities, and also offer some historical-critical insight. One issue I've wrestled with as a deconstructing Christian (who is still trying to remain a Christian) is how to approach messianic prophecy in an authentically Christian way while also respecting Jewish interpretations of the same passages which might conceptualize a messiah very differently, or might not even read the passage in question as messianic at all. This book gave me some helpful perspective for that.

*"Hebrew Bible" is, like "Old Testament", an imperfect term. This book has useful discussion of the flaws and merits of these and other terms for this body of literature.

The Anchoress by Robyn Cadwallader. Fiction. A young woman makes vows to take on the vocation of an anchoress, separating herself from the world to live a life of penitence and prayer. But even locked in a small dwelling, only seeing her maids, her confessor priest, and villagers requesting prayer, she finds that her world is still very insistently present. I found the concept of an anchoress's life fascinating but not very plot-rich, but this book pleasantly surprised me! I also appreciated how this book portrays celibate characters. Content warning: sexual assault, domestic abuse, pregnancy, hallucination, Christian mystic eroticism.

Religion and the Rise of Capitalism by Benjamin M. Friedman. Nonfiction. This book traces the religious influences (mostly Protestantism) on influential writers and doers-of-business from Adam Smith to recent years. I did listen to this at 2.7x speed while dazing off on my plane ride home, so I wouldn't be surprised if I missed a lot of it. But what I heard of it seemed worth reading!

Fiction:3

Nonfiction:3

Total fiction this year: 50

Total nonfiction this year:50

Total books this year: 100

And that's a wrap! I'm planning to post a full list of all this year's books tomorrow. I've really enjoyed this series, and it definitely motivated me to get through more material, which has been great for my mental health. I'm planning to keep posting updates about what I read next year, with some adjustments to target the books my current arrangement deprioritized.

[peach-and-bugs]

To celebrate Taylor Swift releasing her international tour dates (which I personally am super excited for, and have every intention of going), would like to ask (if you want to of course), who out of all of the Yellow Jackets (modern day and/or 90's, it's up to you) would be Swifties?

Maybe as a bonus, what would there favourite song or album be?

-🐝

oh, this is another fun one! I love assigning random things to the girls, lol.

Honestly, I think all of the girls would enjoy/casually listen to Taylor, but if we're talking about who is a Swiftie:

it's Jackie, Misty, and maybe Shauna. But the ultimate, head Swfity of the group is definitely Laura Lee

But let's do albums and songs! This is solely just based on my taste and how I view things. I'm not really on the level of being a Swifty myself, but I am a causal Tayler enjoyer if that makes sense.

All of these are with the teen/1996 version of the girls in mind, btw. you can think of it as a modern Au if you like

Yellowjackets Favorite Taylor Swift Albums & Songs

Jackie - 1989

✰ 1989 is probably one of, if not my favorite album because I got it for Christmas the year it came out on cd, which I still have actually! I used to blast it on the vintage boombox I had growing up

✰ but back to Jackie! 1989 just has this vibe of "I'm really going out and I'm starting my life! I'm an adult!" and that was kinda the stage Jackie was at when the plane went down. She was planning for college with big dreams and ambitions behind her

✰ I really think every song on this album fits her for different reasons, but I think her favorite song would probably be How You Get The Girl. I like to think she imagines the song with Jeff, but then one day, Shauna slips into her daydream instead of Jeff, and then very gay thoughts ensue

Laura Lee - Debut & Fearless

✰ I feel like Debut for Laura Lee might be a bit of a copout, but come on! I'm not wrong. It's got that kitschy, country vibe that I can imagine Laura Lee just singing her heart out too

✰ Her favorite song is Teardrops On My Guitar because its the best and girly deserves her pining main character moment just like we all do

✰ Fearless always kinda goes hand in hand with Debut to me since it's when she was still kinda in her country era, so I think Laura Lee would also adore this one. It was actually tricky for me to choose what her favorite on this album would be, but I settles on Tell Me Why because I think it's funny for her to love breakup songs, because let's face it, our girl hasn't gone through a breakup, but she can't help resonating and loving them anyway

Lottie - Evermore

✰ Evermore just felt like another given. It's got that vintage yet whimsical vibe that I like to associate with Lottie that's also got this sad warmth to it I guess. It's also probably one of my favorite albums so of course I give it to one of my favorite girls

✰ I think her favorite song is a tie between Ivy and Long Story Short. I'm not really sure why. They just both fit in my head I guess

Misty - Lover & Midnights

✰ Oh, my sweet hopeless romantic. Misty is the embodiment of both of these albums and no one can argue with me (of course you can, I'm joking). But poor thing just wants to be seen and loved, and I think that's what these albums embody when paired together.

✰ Lover perfectly fits how Misty wants to be loved so bad and the sweet, innocent positive face she forces, but really she's hurting inside. I think from this album her favorites would be The Archer because come on, it's her, and Paper Rings because again, it just fits her so well (it's also got quite a few lines that are definitely what she's doing when she's got a crush)! She's definitely one of those girls making little origami things in class, like those puffy paper stars and of course, paper rings

✰ Then you have Midnights, which imma be real, I only picked because of Mastermind, because it's also her song!

Natalie - Reputation

✰ Yeah, this is another given. I mean, what else do I choose for her? modern teen Natalie would love this album but she wouldn't want anyone to know about it. I think she could also be a Swiftey, but she's very secretive about it. Maybe only Laura Lee knows she's a fan and it's their little secret together

✰ Her favorite song was kinda hard to pick for her, but I settled on Delicate because it's actually extremely fitting for her character, which surprised me when I listened to it again. I personally see teen Natalie as being pretty self continue under the surface, so realizing that she likes someone and they like her back would actually be pretty nerve-wracking for her, which feels fitting for "delicate"

Shauna - Folklore

✰ I went back and forth between Evermore and Folklore for Shauna, but ultimately Lottie is Evermore and Shauna is Folklore in my mind. They both have this sad, old aesthetic to me that fits both albums but in a different way, I guess

✰ but for her favorite song, I picked Cardigan because that felt like another given. I mean, we all saw the way she was watching Jackie at that part pre-crash, right? It was full of that longing you feel In Cardigan

Taissa - Red

✰ I feel like Tai would enjoy early Taylor, but she's more into her kinda pop era, which would make Red the perfect album for her. It's got its up songs as well as its down songs and it fits her ever-changing vibe, which I think is good for her

✰ Choosing a favorite song was another tough one to think about, but I ended up picking State of Grace. It's another one that I don't have a lot of reasoning/explanation for, but it just kinda felt right, y'know?

Van - Speak Now

✰ Van has always felt somewhat country to me and I'm not sure why, so I guess that's fitting for Speak Now. Speak Now kinda gives a nice transition from country into Taylers more pop-ish era, and that just kinda sounds like Van to me. Like, she grew up in the Midwest, but she still somehow has a little Southern charm about her. That could totally just be a me thing though

✰ Her favorite songs have got to be Mean and The Story Of Us. I can imagine Van blasting both of them in the car, singing at the top of her lungs with the windows down, and a huge smile on her face when she's driving around with her friends. We know Van likely doesn't have a car in her teen years, so she's probably driving with Tai and probably Laura Lee. they like singing together to annoy Tai, though she actually enjoys listening to them

[lobotoboy]

Today I ascended from this mortal plane and remembered why I love movies and want to pursue filmmaking.

For context, I watched Barbie, and the Miraculous Ladybug movie today.

So, I saw Barbie with my mom, in a theater full of women. The first five minutes, I was sat there like "Did the internet lie to me again?" cause I was genuinely confused about what the hell was happening onscreen. But once I managed to get into the groove of things, I really enjoyed myself. I didn't play with Barbies growing up, and it was still enjoyable to me. It was so campy and funny(thank you Kate McKinnon and Michael Cera for being a big source of that), but it had some pretty deep themes, such as criticism against both a patriarchy and a matriarchy, the struggles of women in society, existentialism, and mother-daughter relationships. Definitely a movie for the girlies, but I think it's enjoyable for everyone.

I think the music was great. My mom hates musicals, despises them with her whole heart, but she told me after the movie that she loved I'm Just Ken. And yeah, it was so much. My favorite bit was the fast paced "Can you feel the Kenergy" moments. I've been playing Identity V, and I use that to hype me up for matches. It gives 80s power ballad, and it's super fun to listen to over and over again. Ryan Gosling did a very good job with it. I can see I'm Just Ken and Peaces battling it out for Best Original Song. Push was great as well, despite being underused in the movie, the full version(which is a cover of an existing song) is very interesting, and lyrically fits the movie so well.

I'm not typically a fan of bright colors in movies, catch me watching The Batman any day, but Barbie is the exception, as it just made certain scenes feel so much more important. Mattel offices being cold and gray, really sold that corporate vibes, and the soft white at the ending with Ruth definitely made it feel like Barbie was reaching a life-changing conclusion. It's a wonderful use of color.

Now the themes are the big draw of the movie. Regarding the patriarchy, matriarchy, and daily struggles of women, those themes are definitely hard to miss, but they do so much good with them. Showing Ken being essentially brainwashed by the idea of the patriarchy is interesting, and definitely rings home for anyone who grew up with boys as friends. I've seen a few guy friends of mine turn from sweet guys, into womanizers as they grew older. And it also shows that a matriarchy isn't good either, by showing how the Kens feel less than in BarbieLand. The Ken's situation is a muted version of women's situations in the real world. The Kens aren't sexualized or hated, but they're ignored. In the real world, both in the movie and real life, women have it worse than the Kens, and feel in a similar position. Makes it easy to enjoy both perspectives. Barbie focusing on thoughts of death and change as a whole hits with me on a personal level, as I have a lot of issues with existentialism, and any movie with death as a major theme usually brings me close to tears(such as Puss in Boots 2, curse you good movies). Seeing Barbie meet her creator in Ruth was so sweet, and was incredibly heartwarming.

Special mention to the line "We mother stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they've come". It made me want to give my mom the biggest hug, and I'm in no way a hugger.

Then I went home, and watched the Miraculous Ladybug movie because I had nothing else to do. I've been with the show since 2020, which isn't as long as other fans, but the show still sticks in my brain the same. I knew the animation was going to be great, and that the art direction would make up for any shortcomings in the story. And while yes, the plot was rushed (duh, like, how many years has it taken to get to this point in the show? its gonna feel rushed) but the art was absolutely stunning. My favorite moment was from Hawkmoth's villain song, Chaos Will Reign(available on Spotify) when they pulled out the Disney Villain lime green color. I love that color, and seeing Hawkmoth with it made me ascend. I really love the ending battle as well, the use of colors, lightning effects, butterfly textures, was just perfect. The animation was also really smooth, down to the small details of hair movements, such as when Nino and Alya are on the roller coaster, or when Chat Noir's hair gets wet.

The music was probably my least favorite part, just because I think Cristina Vee could've slayed it, and that the songs sounded kind of generic. But Oh My God, Chaos Will Reign had me bopping and replaying it. In fact, I'm listening to Chaos Will Reign and I'm Just Ken while writing this. It definitely gave me old Disney villain song vibes, mixed with the slightest hint of a Danny Elfman soundtrack. It just sounded so evil, but in a way that I can get behind. Keith Silverstein can actually sing, and that note at the end was wonderful. The vibrato gave me life. I was lowkey hoping Nooroo would stop talking so I could hear more. The chanting was awesome, and gave Friends on the Other Side vibes. I was (and still am) a big fan of villain songs, and this is a throwback to my theater kid days when I exclusively played villains and enjoyed it. Definitely overthrew the Hawkmoth Rap as my favorite Miraculous Ladybug song, but the Hawkmoth Rap is like, second place still. The only crime this song had was being too short. Release the ten hour cut.

Finally, aside from the glory that is Chaos Will Reign, I want to say that the two identity reveal scenes were amazing. I'll start off with Adrien and Marinette's, just because I care about that one the least. I think it was a creative way to go about it, with the masquerade masks. Fanfiction wins again. But I have so much to squeal about when it comes to the Adrien and Gabriel reveal. This version of Gabriel was definitely way more sympathetic than his show counterpart, despite committing atrocious acts. I actually wanted this Gabriel to get some redemption, and I think that bit of forgiveness from Adrien is just that. Let them have a good bond, PLEASE! The whole battle scene was just amazing, the fact that Hawkmoth was willing to do literally anything, and very nearly came close to winning. I knew he wasn't going to win, it's a kid's movie, but I was still on the edge of my seat and biting my nails.

I need both of these movies injected into my bloodstream ASAP.

Do I recommend them? Depends on your preferences. For Barbie, I can see why people wouldn't like it, it's campy(in a fun way), and it's anti-patriarchy and anti-matriarchy, which would make the misogynists and misandrists mad. But I think if you're open to a goofy time that will make you appreciate the women in your life, then give it a watch. It's definitely worth it.

For Miraculous Ladybug, it's a kid's movie, based on a show with a big following spanning years. I think it's something to watch if you're a fan, former or current, of the show. If you're just starting to watch Miraculous, it'll be a better watch if you sit through the show. But, it's a good movie, and still enjoyable for novice Miraculers.

I'm definitely watching these over and over again.

[prettiestboytoy2]

Please can you tell us about your interests?

Oh but i am so shy… Well i am not sure if i can coherently talk ABOUT them but i can at least try to talk what they are. Its also my personal blog after all.

My first and arguably greatest love were video games. Digital entertainment provided sufficient stimulation to my neurodivergent brain and it was also only affordable and feasible escape from abusive parents, bulling and extreme stress associated with school. I've played close to thousand titles, have deep appreciation for not only playing videogames but also for thier design. I temporary even menaged to land game taster job for large company, thanks to my knowledge.

I also love history. I mostly focus on modern era with specialization in history of soviet union. I can talk for many, many hours about common and niche events, characters, wars and horrific crimes against humanity. I wanted to start youtube channel so i can share my extensive knowledge but modern internet is too sanitized and censored.

I used to draw a lot, having immense and inate talent for that since i was born. By my late teens i was able to produce photorealistic sketches despite never taking any lessons. But depression that i've been suffering for most of my life gradually took away any enjoyment took in drawing and my gift gradually faded.

I also love architecture and urbanism, with particular interest in modernist, brutalist and socrealist architecture. For significant part of my life i planed to be architect but everyone around me keep telling me i am too stupid for it so i eventually droped the idea. Not like i had too many opportunities to pursuit in that direction. I had to ensure i won't be one paycheck from starvation for the rest of my life first. I also have great interest in infrastructure which i can effortlessness visualize and conceptualize even on very large scale. It goes well in hand with my diploma in logistics and transport.

I am also intrigued by finances and economics in which i am currently getting degree in. Partially its my innate desire to optimize everything and my unexplained interest in various processes and organizational structures but its also matter of me desperately trying to carve myself some resemblance of decent life after rotting in poverty most of my life. Understanding of complex financial and economic terms or phenomenons comes very easily to me and i like to explain them to those willing to listen which is also somewhat helpful in the hellscape thats labor market in current age.

Those are main ones. I was very neglected child and despite most of my potential already being gone in the gutter i had luck of possessing fast internet since i was kid which allowed me to absorb obscene amounts of knowledge from various fides.

I can't mention all of them in the open, unfortunately.

[veliseraptor]

March Reading Recap

I was going to be like "it feels like I just did one of these" and that's because I kind of did but that's because I didn't do the February one until halfway through March. so. Another kind of slow month but I read some good ones...

Paleofantasy: What Evolution Really Tells Us About Sex, Diet, and How We Live by Marlene Zuk. Very mixed feelings about this book. Listening to Maintenance Phase has got me much more aware of casual fatphobia and this book definitely had its causal fatphobia, even as it was challenging some of the narratives that undergird a lot of casual fatphobia (about what's "natural" and "good for the body" specifically). It was also very gender binary in a way that had me poking at the chapters on sex and gender going "okay but aren't you going to interrogate this? at all? I know Cordelia Fine's book came out before this one."

But it did have some interesting stuff in there, particularly about modern/ongoing evolution, and the emphasis the author placed on the point that evolution doesn't have an end goal or purpose (so saying "humans evolved to [x]" is necessarily a fallacy; humans evolved in tandem with circumstances and will continue to do so) was appreciated. Ultimately, though, not a book I'd recommend to anybody else (unless I wanted to hear their critiques of it, which does sometimes happen), just one I've taken a few things from that I'll move forward with.

Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee. Finally got over my "my fave is going to die" fear and finished my read of this series, and while I think the first two are stronger than this one is in some technical ways, this one finishes out the series - and the family saga of it all - with a bang. The texture of this book feels a little different to me from the more traditional novel structure of the first two, which actually is probably why I said that - so I take it back, I don't actually think it's doing anything technically worse, just technically different. (Though that slight inconsistency might bother others, as it did me before I thought about it a little.)

This book ended up with a five star rating because I have a rule that books that make me cry get five stars, and this one made me cry twice. Well played, Fonda Lee, well played. I'm very excited to see what she does next.

Thousand Autumns, vol. 1 by Meng Xi Shi. I am really enjoying what a dick Yan Wushi is, and the fact that his approach to Shen Qiao is basically "let me do a social experiment on this man"; I also enjoy Shen Qiao especially when he is being kind of a troll. Overall, though, so far of the new cnovels I'm currently reading through (LHJC and QJJ are the others), I am enjoying this one least. I plan to keep reading because I did enjoy the first volume and I'm curious to see where it goes, but I'm not hooked yet.

Eyes of the Void by Adrian Tchaikovsky. I think at this point I can safely call Adrian Tchaikovsky one of my favorite writers and this (sequel to Shards of Earth) was no exception to my general feelings about his books. I devoured this very rapidly and I'm excited to see where it goes. I think the Children of [x] series is still my favorite over this one, but that's really just picking between very good sci-fi series. Excited to read the last one in this series, which I will probably wait for in softcover so it will be a minute.

Will also note that one thing I really appreciated about this one is the way that it kind of oldstyle wove in some "in case you forgot what happened in book 1" mini recaps, which were very useful for me, because I had in fact forgotten some of what happened in book 1.

Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer. I mostly came out of this one going "Into Thin Air was better" and honestly so was Missoula. This one was interesting, I guess, but I didn't get as much out of it as I would've liked, even if the experience of reading it was fairly enjoyable. It served me on a plane ride when the seat outlets weren't working. But Into Thin Air was better.

Did learn some things about the history of Mormonism though, which I didn't know much about.

The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben. This was a fascinating book that suffered from excessive anthropomorphization for effect. Mr. Wohlleben clearly has a lot of feelings about trees, and I understand and support that, and respect his determination to make other people have feelings about trees as well - but his methods of doing so (namely, heavy use of connecting tree behavior to human behavior), for me personally, just ended up feeling a little awkward and labored.

I understand that it might feel less effective, rather than saying "trees! they're just like us (and so you should care about what they're doing)", to say "trees! doing really neat stuff in their own right that you can't see them obviously doing so you assume they're just standing there (and you should care because they're living beings in their own right, quite aside from how they help us)", but at least for me it would make for an equally informative but slightly less irritating book.

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. What a weird book. I keep meaning to read more Russian lit and I'm glad I finally got around to this one. There's something here that's just...it reads in this particular way where it is both absurd and very much thinking hard about what it's doing, and that's a combination that I both really enjoy and don't see all that much.

I had expectations of what I thought this novel was going to be (I knew it was set in Moscow and there was the devil and a cat involved) and it did not fit any of them, which in this case was a very good thing. I kind of feel like I wouldn't want to tell anybody else reading this one very much about it either, if it was possible; I think the book benefits from going in fairly blind. Loved all the translator's footnotes in the back, too. Much appreciated, both as a fan of footnotes generally and someone with a relative lack of cultural context for a lot of what this book was/is playing with.

The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Brains and the World by Max Fisher. I read about half of this book in a single day and texted @paradife-loft (who drew it to my attention) that it was very stressful; they congratulated me on figuring out how to doomscroll a book. Which is a very apt description of how this reading experience felt, actually! In an informative and compelling way that left me madder than ever about the decisions of major social media companies over the last decade or so, and a little bit filled with despair about what's going to happen next, but, you know. I'd still consider it edifying. Maybe read it more slowly than I did, though. Absorbing that much grim information about exactly how the entire systems of algorithm-driven social media (and YouTube, which Fisher comes down pretty hard on) are designed, at their core, with the result that we see now, up to and including provoking genocides.

Which is something I knew, vaguely, but reading a couple-hundred page book about it really hammers it home in detail.

I just finished reading The Spite House by Johnny Compton (literally today), starting reading The Nine Eyes of Lucien for grinsies before I finally go read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, which I've been meaning to do for ages. looking forward to seeing where the rest of April takes me.

[oshiokuu]

Ayukawa Taiyou random facts?

I chose Mithra as my starting character and i have been obsessed with him. Of course while watching mahosute i came to really like his actor! i call him ayu san, ayukawa san, or ayu. people tend to call him Taiyou kun or just Taiyou. how i write his name depends on my mood and sometimes i get affected by how the people who interact with him call him. but yeah! him!

Since this is a personal archive kinda? it will not be very organized. i'll think about organizing it later. feel free to correct me, fellow ayu san enjoyers.

Name: Ayukawa Taiyou (鮎川太陽); His name, Taiyou, means the Sun in Japanese!

DoB: January 18th 1991; Every time he sees the number 118 he will immediately go "!!! ohh!! my birthday!" (jp date format is yyyy/mm/dd hence the 1/18-->118)

Height: 188 cm; He's taller than Mithra by 1 cm! his arms and legs are also very long. People tend to comment on how long his legs are (common praise for tall people especially models)

Aside from butai, he also does voice acting, modeling, and movie/tv actor.

(observation) He touches his earrings a lot when he is thinking about something

People tend to get intimidated by his height thinking he's a scary person.

(observation) He laughs a lot. like, a LOT. his humor standard is on the ground.

He mentioned that when he was a teenager, he was very edgy and hated interacting with people so most of the time he just try to erase his presence and minimize any interaction.

His sister is a flight attendant

He has crazy sweet tooth! he loves his sweets! (which is a nice gap moe because the stereotype in japan is that men don't really like sweet stuffs. then we have this 188 cm guy who enjoys eating really sweet pastries)

he has very low alcohol tolerance! he mentioned that half a can of beer can make him tipsy

Prefers mashed potato with his steak than fried potato

He used to work as a bartender for 5 years in famous expensive drinking areas in Tokyo

(observation) when he is thinking or listening, he tends to look at random places and not at the camera or his speaking partner. maybe he's looking at the staffs!? i want to know what he's looking at!

because people tend to be scared of him because he's tall, he always tries to do cheerful greetings in new environments/locations to show that he's friendly. but, depending on what kind of role he has, he might try to match the character's aura like being calmer and cooler when greeting as Mithra's actor.

he has a streaming series called Taiyou no Uchuu channel (Taiyou's universe, which might be a pun to his name). it airs once a month on his agency's official niconico channel. if you are not a member, you can only watch the first 30 mins of his streams. https://ch(.)nicovideo(.)jp/productionTV

James kun (shylock's actor) mentioned that they are very close

(observation) When he looks down, his right eye closes a bit more than his left. i think this feature of him is really cute.

when traveling by plane, he prefers to use ANA over JAL

He used to be very insecure about his height and deep raspy voice because people keep commenting on it and sometimes make fun of it. but now, he's very proud of these features of his!

He takes good care of his belongings! he said that he always make sure to get clothes he doesn't wear a lot cleaned at least once a year. this includes clothes he received from events when he was in highschool

ayu is good at planning and taking care of schedule, but he's forgetful about his stuffs! in a recent (march 2024) skiing trip, he forgot his clothes in the skiing place coin locker and didn't notice until after he's on his way home(how??)

he can't resist the temptation of sales bargain... even if he doesn't really need it, he will attempt to buy stuffs if it is on sale! he will enter a store, look at the discounted products, take pics of the ones that caught his eyes, and went on to the next store to compare the product/price and will go back to the best one later by looking at the pictures

apparently he enjoys cheaper stuffs (cheap taste if you will lmao). He did "guess which one is more expensive" game on one of his streams and almost everything he likes better is the cheaper items! (he lost the game because of this)

he used to attend a wine-tasting class but he gets drunk really quickly when drinking wine so he stopped going

he likes collecting merch of the characters he played! he's happy when fans give him a box of gacha merch for him to open himself. he also enjoy collecting pokemon cards. sometimes he opens merch gacha with a guest on his stream and make a bet on who can get more characters of their choice.

ayu has so many store point cards that he put all of the point cards in a TCG deck guard box

ayu is well-organized and well-prepared. on a stream where he was asked to show viewers what was in his bag, there were A LOT of stuffs (his bag must be really heavy). from notes, make up, medicine, butai manuscript, etc.

he likes chocolate-flavored stuffs

he used to be in a boy-group as a teenager before becoming a full-time actor (2002-2007)

in 2024, he was contacted by a former group member from his boy-group but the message was so sus he thought it was a scam message. he posted about it on twitter and got a reply from the actual person saying the message is legit. (i like how his first reaction to the sus message is to post about it on twitter and asking everyone if this is legit lmaooo)

on one of his streams, he said that he missed streaming and interacting with his fans even though it hasn't been that long since his last stream. then he said "i wonder why?? are you guys my partner or something lmao???" (reminder that parasocial relationship goes both ways :'))

[couldbebetterforsure]

Still slowly (VERY slowly 😭) making progress on replaying Fire Emblem Engage so I can get back to the point I was at before my save got deleted and continue my liveblog. As I’m doing that I decided it had been too long since I enjoyed an otome game so I have also been playing Jack Jeanne!

It’s funny when I first heard the news of Jack Jeanne being localized it actually didn’t catch my attention. But like a week ago I saw a random post about it praising it and then I looked it up and saw it was getting a TON of praise. I also looked up some non-spoilery art and info and thought the style looked gorgeous and liked the bits of story and gameplay I found. So I said fuck it and bought it like four days ago.

And WOW I am happy I did!!!!!

First off, the art in this game is BEAUTIFUL! Sui Ishida, the writer and artist for Tokyo Ghoul, is responsible not only for the gorgeous art and character designs but also did a bunch of other stuff for this game (even writing the lyrics for the songs which is incredible). Seriously the amount of time I spend just staring at CGs is nuts, they’re all so incredible whether they’re comedic or dramatic. The character designs are all so wonderful too and so expressive!

The music is so incredible too! The background tracks are great and fitting for the situations. So far I only just finished the Newcomers’ Performance so the only vocal songs I’ve heard so far are the main theme Jack & Jeanne of Quartz, and the two songs for The Sleepless King: Fortune Color is Crystal and Beyond the Plane Tree. Bruh….I never skip the main theme that’s how good it is. And it’s sung in character by the heroine and the six LIs. I went and bought the mp3 for it I’ve been obsessing over it that much. Fortune Color is Crystal was not what I expected considering the nature of the play it’s in but it’s so catchy! And holy fucking shit Beyond the Plane Tree is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard, the harmonies in it are so 😭😭😭😭 I’m playing this game blind (with a spoiler free guide) so I haven’t listened ahead to the other songs but I was so impressed by these three that not only did I buy the mp3 for the main theme I ordered the vocal collection since the other songs aren’t available for mp3 download.

The story is definitely interesting me so far. Like I said I’ve only just finished the Newcomers Performance so I’m not that far in the story but it managed to hook me in entirely despite the seemingly simple sounding premise of “heroine disguised herself as a boy to attend all boys academy”. I’m actually surprised by how many times so far I actually forgot our heroine is supposed to be in disguise 😂😂😂 Not because the game doesn’t use the premise properly but more because there’s so much shit going on!!! And it slowly introduces new characters and plot points so that I’m always eager to see what happens next. Especially in terms of the plays (oh yeah this takes place in a theater school sorry I forgot to bring that up)! With this first play I was excited to see who was cast in what roles, the plot of it, watching the rehearsals, and seeing it all come together in the end in spectacular fashion! I like the stat raising element, nothing complex or luck based about it so it’s not aggravating. I’m totally in love with the rhythm game aspect, though it means whenever we get to the actual plays I’m more focused on getting a top score than watching the video of the performance. But that’s what the gallery is for right? The interesting thing about this game from what I hear is that, unlike typical otome games, Jack Jeanne is like 80% common route. Like while you make choices that earn affection and can pick who you hang out with, the LI specific routes don’t come in until WAAAAAY later. I thought I would mind since I generally prefer more romance in my otome (sounds silly but people who play otome games probably understand what I mean) but so far I don’t care because the story is just that enjoyable (and it’s not like there’s no moments at all).

And then there’s the characters. I like when MCs are voiced and I’m especially glad Kisa is voiced since this is a story about theater. I really like her so far she’s sweet and a hard worker, I can’t wait to see how she grows as both an actor and a person! I love her standing up to Otori and doubling down on seeking assistance and working together during practice. And I love how sweet and bell-like her voice is! Suzu (to the surprise of no one because I’m Miss Predictable) is my fave. Sweetheart, earnest, energetic, puppy in human form? Yeah that’s a LI tailor made for Willow! I love how much he has already grown as an actor from how robotic he sounded when he first practiced his lines to his PHENOMENAL performance for his first time on stage in The Sleepless King (which by the way how did my boy Suzu not win any award for that performance?!?!?! This game is rigged😡). And bruh I nearly fucked up both rhythm game segments for the Newcomers Performance because of how blindsided I was by how beautiful his singing voice is (don’t know why I was so shocked I know his VA is incredible). Sou is so soft and sweet so far and I can already see some hints for where his story might go (possibly about him not standing out as much?). I like that he’s in the know about Kisa and I do love me some childhood friend romances! Mitsuki makes me laugh with his tsundereness but I love how compared to typical tsundere characters he’s more softspoken and doesn’t go heavy handed on it. Negi is so funny so far I really enjoy whenever he’s onscreen talking a mile a minute or causing his own little brand of chaos. Kai seems super kind and I love that he seems like an animal expert, I wanna know more about him. And Fumi is just super cool to me, his design to his voice to his personality. I really love this Quartz squad, they’re so lovable and have such enjoyable dynamics with each other! Regarding side characters I’m only just beginning to know some, and I know there are a ton I have yet to meet, but I really like the ones I’ve met so far. They’re either kind, funny, a mix of both, or have yet to really display any trait that makes me feel one way or another. The only side character I have strong feelings towards as of where I am now in the game is Otori. And even then I find him enjoyably annoying. He’s talented and knows it, but he’s also an annoying dick and I enjoy proving him wrong. Also he’s hilarious without ever meaning to be, which keeps me from being too annoyed at him.

Anyways yeah that’s my ramble about Jack Jeanne so far! There’s probably a ton I missed or forgot but I just wanted to gush for a moment about this great game! I’m having so much fun so far and can’t wait to see what the rest of the game is gonna bring. I’m at the very start of June so it’s the Summer Performance next!

[tm-trx]

currents.41[2024]

selections from my week in media [6-12 october 2024]

[listening]

[watching]

9-1-1, ep 3 - The first three episodes were great and told a complete story which I appreciated. Bee swarms and an emergency plane landing make for fun television.

Kidnap, ep 6 - More plot yay. Also, the bedsharing not-boyfriends have finally confessed feelings. Love it.

Monster Next Door {finished: 4 stars} - As much as I wish they'd dealt with Diew's mother a little more realistically, I'm not surprised with what we got. It was very sweet, very emotional, and we're left with the sense that his mother is going to keep working on herself. It was just very very fast. The series as a whole, has been such an enjoyable drama to watch every week. I adore Diew and God so much. I love their friend group, I love the communication, I love the writing, and I love their balconies.

Peaceful Property, ep 1-7 - I didn't intend to sit down yesterday and watch every aired episode in one day, but I did. And it was great.

previous Currents posts

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[atri28]

Best Travel Gadgets 2024: Tech to Pack for Your Next Trip

Come 2024, travel will be more fun than ever with some cool new ideas in the field of travel gadgets. With everything from convenience and safety upgrades to staying connected and entertained, today's devices are designed with the aim of making your rides as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Check out the top travel gadgets for 2024, that every traveler should pack before their next adventure.

1. Smart Luggage

Smart luggage smartens it up and adds a bunch of other features on top. Smart suitcases have their own built-in GPS tracking by 2024, so if you're in a new city and your luggage decides to not come off the plane with you, at least you can find out where it is immediately. Some include built-in power banks where you can charge your tech gadgets while out and about. Others even have a digital lock that syncs up with an app on a smartphone. Search for ones that are light yet durable with plenty of storage space to make travel easier.

2. Portable Air Purifiers

Our travelers need clean air for health while on long flights or sleeping in crowded hotels. Everyone will need a portable air purifier by 2024, so you can take clean fresh air with you. The small devices are made to remove pollutants, allergens and odors from hotel rooms, rental cars or even airplanes. Most of the models are USB rechargeable and have different adjustable fan speeds to choose between air quality levels.

3. Noise-Canceling Earbuds

From a busy airport to just listening in peace to your favorite music, noise-cancellation earbuds are your game-changer. In the year 2024, we have earphones more advanced than ever before, with better sound quality and, much-improved battery life & noise-cancellation effects. Finding models that have a snug fit, touch controls on the sides of earbuds, and recharge fast means you get an even better travel experience.

4. USB — Travel Charger Adapter 

In order to resolve this issue, the need for different plug types and voltage standards arise while traveling other countries. A 2024 essential gadget for your tech setup is a travel adapter with USB ports that will let you charge multiple devices at the same time and versatility to plug into different electrical systems. Select a versatile adapter that also sports surge protection guards to prevent your gadgets from getting fried.

5. Portable Wi-Fi Hotspots

Between keeping in touch with people back home and being able to navigate from our phones, one of the first things we wanted was a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Modern hotspots are small, simple to operate, and provide fast, secure internet access. A few supply worldwide cover. This does not mean that there is a competitive SIM from the region you are in. Find a long battery life and high-speed enabling device to stay connected during any time of your travel.

6. Smart Water Bottles

Smart water bottles that may help ensure you are keeping hydrated. Those different bottles is something like intelligent hydration scales with LED tips on 2024 or a connected UV-C inclusion to help keep water in clear. Some smart water bottles are also compatible with regular cup holders and offer insulation to help maintain your beverages at the right temperature.

7. Portable Power Banks

When you are on the go, a portable power bank is an essential part of your travel gear. By 2024, you have a better range of more efficient and higher-capacity power banks than ever. This often means portable models with superfast charging (using multiple USB ports), and a design that will easily slip into your bag to replace Google as your daily use provider; Power banks, Some power bank that has a built-in cable also.

8. Smart Travel Neck Pillows

If you are traveling, being comfortable is very important and with the right travel neck pillow for your journey can ease some of that relaxation. This is our vision for the year 2024, in which these pillows would come with speakers to play calm music, heat adjustability and ergonomic designs that support your neck and shoulders. Additionally, some of our models are constructed from memory foam for enhanced comfort and include removable covers that can be washed.

9. Compact Drone Cameras

Take some awesome aerial footage from your trips with a pocket drone camera. Compare the 2024 models to its portable, user-friendly, and high-resolution cameras that definitely guarantee thrilling shots from above. Drone-many drones have automated flight modes, obstacle avoidance and lifestreaming functionality makes it very useful for creating memories of your adventure.

10. Travel Health Monitors

Download travel health monitors here. Portable blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters even smart thermometers are some of the tools. Fast forward to 2024, and they say — these things are pocket-sized, simple in operation devices that give you real-time health measurements for your journey.

Conclusion

You might not be able to ride a hoverboard in five years, but here are 10 futuristic travel gadgets we can expect by 2024. Offering smart luggage, a portable air purifier, noise-canceling earbuds, and, compact drone cameras; these advanced tools are a must for all contemporary voyagers. The next time you go on vacation, invest in the latest travel tech to make sure everything goes by smoothly and create those memorable moments. Get more travel advice and the newest gadget info at b0arding.com and start your confident journey to the next one!

[apple-babbles]

Plane Ride to Heathrow

So... I guess I should actually start writing my whole UK journey before I grow older and my memories start messing with me.

(God I hope not, I'm already forgetful as I am.)

(But I'm also hoping that I won't weep as I'm writing this because of how nostalgic it's gonna be. Good, good times.)

Well, so, I've had some trips on the airplane. Some of the longer ones by the time I'm writing this would probably be 1) about 6 hours to Incheon, South Korea, 2) then around 9-10 hours to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and 3) lastly 16 hours to London, UK.

Since I'm here on the subject of my UK trip, we'll talk about the last one.

For some context, I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship to University College London in... you guessed it, London. And it would be my first time visiting a European country, let alone taking such a long journey. The 16-hour plane ride wasn't like straight without transit, though. I actually enjoy taking public transportation (bro, ain't no way I'm flying there on a private jet—I'm no Beyonce) including trains and buses, so sitting on the plane for hours would be no problem for me.

I began actual the trip from CGK, Jakarta, with the first destination to DXB, Dubai. I, along with my three other friends who also were about to start our studies at the same uni, departed with Emirates. We got the ticket for about... 9-10mio? Crazy expensive. However, I'm not kidding if I said I looked like someone who lived under a rock once I boarded the plane. It was probably the best one I've been in?

Look, as I said, it's my first time being in such a huge airplane like this. I'm so impressed by the tiny stars on the ceiling (love the purple shade as well) and how they lit up when the lights were out. So darn cute hello??? And the entertainment provided was also very complete; you'd get to explore recently-released movies, listen to some music, watch series, and even play some games—hence I think why they have this console-looking gadget as seen in the third picture. I did a little bit of everything; I watched several movies until I was sleepy, then switched to music to help me relax before catching some Zs. Oh, I forgot to mention one little detail; the flight was around midnight. I think we boarded when it was almost 1 A.M. in the morning.

Also, my cabin luggage was broken right before I was about to board. RIP. Luckily, my friends were helpful and one of them brought sellotape with them, so we stitched it to the broken part. It was one of the wheels, and the luggage made an annoyingly loud sound as I dragged it with me. Lordy.

Anyways, it took about 8 hours from Jakarta to Dubai. I think I slept through it, mostly, if not for my excitement exploring the screen in front of me. We were also given some bread and beverage—as seen in the third picture—which were quite enjoyable. I had no idea why I ordered juice because apparently the juice in all airlines is the same. As in they're quite superficial and rather too sweet for my liking. But either way, it was an enjoyable 8-hours flight.

We landed in DXB the next morning, around 10-ish. After dealing with the immigration and everything, we spent some time in DXB since we had about an 8-hour gap to the next flight. I mean, it was a long journey, but on the bright side I could explore DXB to the point I even memorized the isles and hallways and corridors, considering how awful I am at navigation.

The three of us decided to have lunch together and tried this Asian restaurant. We ordered those meals above—which unfortunately I can't remember what they're called. I mean, the one on the right surely tasted like fried rice (I think it tastes similar to biryani?) and the one on the right has a rather sweeter flavor. Either way, again, it was pretty delish, since I'd rather explore the food options than buy just some random chicken from fast food restaurants.

[southgatetravels]

Self-Drive Cars in Trivandrum: The Ultimate Guide to Independent Travel

Trivandrum, or Thiruvananthapuram, as it’s officially known, is a city where tradition meets modernity. Nestled in the southern part of Kerala, this picturesque capital city is steeped in history, natural beauty, and vibrant cultural heritage. For travelers who cherish independence and flexibility, opting for self-drive cars in Trivandrum is an excellent choice. This guide will help you navigate the world of Self Drive Cars in Trivandrum, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Why Choose Self-Drive Cars in Trivandrum?

Freedom to Explore: With a self-drive car, you are the master of your itinerary. From the famed Kovalam beaches to the serene backwaters of Poovar, drive at your own pace, make spontaneous stops, and explore hidden gems across the city and beyond.

Privacy and Comfort: Enjoy the privacy of your own space without a driver. Listen to your favorite music, discuss private matters, or simply enjoy the quiet as you drive through the lush landscapes of Kerala.

Cost-Effective: For groups and families, self-drive cars can be more economical compared to hiring taxis for multiple trips. Share the cost amongst yourselves and manage your travel budget more effectively.

Safety and Hygiene: In the post-pandemic world, travelers are more conscious of health and hygiene. A self-drive car provides a controlled environment, away from crowded public transport, minimizing health risks.

How to Rent a Self-Drive Car in Trivandrum

Choose the Right Vendor: Several reputable companies offer self-drive cars in Trivandrum. Popular options include Zoomcar, Revv, and local rental services like Trivandrum Car Rentals. Research online, read reviews, and compare prices and services to find the best fit for your needs.

Select Your Car: Decide on the type of car based on your travel requirements. If you’re planning to drive through rugged terrains or rural areas, an SUV might be the best option. For city tours, a compact car will be easier to handle and park.

Book Online: Once you’ve selected your car and rental service, book your vehicle online. Provide necessary details such as the rental duration, pick-up location, and any other specific requests you might have.

Understand the Terms and Conditions: Before finalizing your booking, carefully read the rental agreement. Pay attention to details such as mileage limits, fuel policies, insurance coverage, and cancellation fees.

Pick-Up Your Car: Most self-drive rental companies offer airport pickups, which can be very convenient if you’re arriving by plane. Ensure that you have all necessary documents like your driver’s license and ID proof. Inspect the car thoroughly for any existing damages before you take the wheel.

Tips for Driving a Self-Drive Car in Trivandrum

Get Familiar with Local Driving Laws: In India, driving is on the left side of the road. Speed limits, traffic signals, and road signs should be adhered to strictly to avoid fines and ensure safety.

Avoid Night Driving: Roads in Trivandrum can be challenging at night due to insufficient lighting and unpredictable traffic. Plan your trips during daylight hours.

Use GPS Navigation: The streets of Trivandrum can be confusing for a newcomer. Using a GPS or a reliable map app on your smartphone can save you a lot of time and trouble.

Prepare for the Weather: Kerala is known for its sudden rain showers. Always check the weather forecast before starting your journey and keep umbrellas and raincoats handy in the car.

Conclusion

Renting a self-drive car in Trivandrum is a wonderful way to experience the city and its surroundings at your own leisure. Whether you’re here for the historical sites, the lush landscapes, or the sandy beaches, having your own vehicle gives you the liberty to create an unforgettable travel experience tailored just for you. So pack your bags, plan your route, and get ready for an adventure on the open roads of Kerala’s charming capital!