#you cannot deny that a great deal of this song is quite in tune with them....

[zebratimw]

"All those empty rooms

We could have been anywhere, anywhere else

Instead, I made a bed with apathy

My heart knew the weight

Ten years worth of dust and neglect

We made our peace with weariness and let it be..."

(Song: The Moon will Sing by the Crane Wives)

[radi0activesmile]

Alastor resisted the desire to protest. He's far more than simply okay at this. He's incredibly giften in a number of ways. Songwriting is a number of talents rolled into one: Picking a proper rhyme scheme is a necessity, so is having a sense of rhythm so that the lyrics flow. Angel also, while not having access to any instruments at the current moment, is clearly knowledgable of what instruments he wants to add. There are plenty of talented poets who can imagine a beat yet are none the wiser when it comes to the instrumentals necessary to bring their songs to life. Angel can clearly do both-- as well as coordinate a dance to go along with these lyrics and music.

... And that's not even discussing that Angel puts all these talents together on stage. So many performers lip-sync when performing live because the amount of control it takes to keep air in the lungs and a flowing tune on their lips while dancing is more than they can handle. Of course, Alastor has never seen Angel perform... but he can imagine the type of dancing the arachnid does is quite... intense.

A soft ding! emanates from Alastor's being when Angel says he has music saved on his phone to accompany another song. Were the deer's ears able to perk forward any more, they would absolutely do so. The prospect of hearing another song excites him-- though he eases the showcasing of that excitement considerably. While Angel is making the offer, he sounds almost reluctant to do so.

Feeling Angel settle in against him, The Radio Demon manually lowers the volume of his sound effects and eases his arm around Angel's backside, slowly massaging his fingertips into the spider's shoulder. "You know better than most that I don't have to do anything," he murmurs softly. Were Angel's performance to be subpar, Alastor still would have thanked him for allowing him to hear it-- though he hardly would have had such an enthusiastic response, and he certainly wouldn't excitedly ask for an encore.

"The subject material is hardly comforting, but it does come from a place of passion," he encourages, his smile growing as he speaks. Alastor not hearing Angel's songs hardly means the inspiration behind them will no longer happen. Music-- like all forms of art, is an outlet. Some of those lyrics are hard for Alastor to hear, yes, of course, but thar's hardly a reason to deny Angel that release, especially in a safe place where Valentino cannot limit what he says and does.

Another soft kiss is pressed to Angel's temple. "If you would like, you and I can add music to the songs that insect says aren't good enough. I know a great deal of instrumental talent~" While Alastor himself doesn't know a thing about club music, it shouldn't be hard to use the radio to track down someone who does.

He closes his eyes as he nestles his face against Angel's hair. "Do you want to perform another song?"

Angel could feel himself flush all the way down his neck. His cheeks practically glowed blue.

"I, uh, I mean, I'm okay at it, but it ain't anythin' that special." He wasn't sure how to handle Alastor's enthusiasm. Usually, when people reacted this way to him, it was because they wanted something. Usually sex. But that was clearly not the case with Alastor. "It'll sound betta' once I have all tha instrumental shit."

That was about when the thought occurred to him that, "I do have that fa' one'a my otha' songs. Got tha music on my phone. It sounds a lot betta' that way. If ya wanted ta hear it."

The offer was somewhat sheepish. Part of him was convinced Al was just humoring him. Or wanted something. However, that second was easily silenced by reminding himself that Alastor was a showman and loved a performance. If the deer was trying to get anything out of him, he had most likely already succeeded. The only thing the smaller demon would be after was a show. And wasn't that novel...

"I got a couple othahs I'm workin' on, but they ain't fa' tha club, so they're probably neva' gonna have music," he added. He did write just to write. As much as he didn't think Alastor would like what those songs had to say. Still, he hadn't reacted negatively to this one. Not even the part Angel had been most concerned about. He had definitely noticed the hand on his knee, though. He wasn't quite sure what to make of that, but he certainly wasn't opposed.

When Alastor stayed close, though, Angel shifted to sit with his legs folded beside him instead of under him. Leaning into the deer, he rested his head on Alastor's shoulder. His upper hands drifted up to clutch at Alastor's lapels, while one lower hand drifted over to rest on Alastor's hip and the other lower arm curled around Angel's waist. He wasn't sure why he felt so insecure about this. Perhaps it was just Alastor's overwhelming reaction. Cherri was usually kind about his singing, but Val could be downright brutal. And it was usually Val he was singing for when not in front of a crowd.

He quickly relaxed into Alastor, assuring him quietly, "Ya don't hafta say yes, eitha'. I ain't expectin' coddlin' an' I'm sure ya don't really... like some'a tha shit I sing about."

[argumentl]

The Freedom of Expression Ep 52 - Kami's avatar plan & Momotaro Dentetsu!? The aim behind the huge spread of conspiracy theories, and related Youtube videos.

K: Hi, this is Dir en grey's Kaoru with this week's episode of The Freedom of Expression.  Joe san, Tasai san, welcome.

K: (To Tasai) You're wearing that.

T: I really like this, I wear it to all sorts of places.

K: Really?

T: Yes. Girls tell me I'm cool when I wear it, it made me feel kinda cocky. Haha

J: You should be!

K: When I saw this (on Tasai) I didn't realise what it was, I didn't remember it. Haha, like was this really ours?

T: When I first heard about this, I heard that Kaoru had made it with great detail, haha.

K: Well, speaking of Dir en grey, we've decided to release a new single.

*applause*

K: At this point it will be in Spring.

J: I see. I can't wait for it.

K: The song will be called 'Oboro'

J: How are you progressing with it?

K: Uh, at the moment we are just starting the mixing..we are at the start of February now.

J: So, like, you can see the finish line already?

K: Hm, well....yeh. We've all finished our parts.

J: Ah, I see. The members' performances are all over.

T: Uh, at the end of year announcement, the talk about the avatars, with Kaoru playing really high up, haha.

Kami: Um...um, are you gonna make a music video for it?

K: Eh?

Kami: You will make a music video, right?

J: Oh, a music video?

Kami: Yeah. Will you make it as an avatar video?

K: Well..we havn't really thought about it yet.

Kami: I am really interested in that, I really liked that idea.

J, T: Ehhh.

K: Thank you.

Kami: I kinda want you to make another one.

K: Oh, for the new song too?

Kami: Yeah, I really want you to make one for the new song.

T: Ah, but you said you havn't thought about that this time?

K: Not at this point, no.

Kami: Why don't you let me do it?

J: Haha

K: Eh? Let Kami make it?

J: Kami, do you have any talent for that type of thing?

Kami: Well, I mean, I reckon I could do it.

T: He reckons he could?

Kami: In my own godly way...I'd like to have a go.

J, T: Ohhh.

Kami: Thats right.

K: Will it work?

T: Haha

J: Yeh, because don't they usually do this type of thing in the workshop?

K: This is a brand new development, right?

T: Yeh, Im pretty surprised too.

Kami: I understand that, but I do think it would be good...like to have it reviewed in the workshop.

T: Ahh, like he wants to raise his reputation.

J: Yeh, but its quite ???*1. Kami, do you have confidence?

Kami:Yes, I do.

J, T: Ohh.

T: He's amazing.

J: Kaoru, he said he's confident?

Kami: Um, it might turn out kinda fun style though.

T: Fun style?

K: Fun style...we don't really have that image though.

J: Right.

K: Well...I'll have to ask the other members.

T, J: Yeh.

Kami: Kaoru, you are the leader, so there's no need to do that.

K: No no no. Its precisely because Im the leader that I have to ask.

J: Haha, yeh, just telling them out of the blue that the god from your own youtube channel will be making an avatar video..they would say thats not a leader!

Kami: No, but say something skillful.

K: Well, I'll just ask them.

T: I'm sorry to say this Kaoru, but I kinda wanna see this happen.

J: Really?!

Kami: A video produced by Kami..what do you think, Joe?

J: Well, it could be scary...

T: Haha.

J: Its not really about something incredible happening, its more like what is gonna come out of the limits of this god.

K: I personally don't have any problem with it, but as for Dir en grey, thats a group decision.

J: Well, yes.

K: It depends on that.

J: So, we'll hand the issue over to you for now to get the other members' approval.

K: Yeh.

Kami: Im being quite brave here, but I also have another request. I've had another idea.

J: You are being brash, aren't you?!

T: He is asking a lot today.

Kami: I thought it might liven up the show a bit.

J: Ahh, ok, go ahead...

Kami: Should we all play Momotaro Dentetsu together?

J, K, T: Momotetsu??

T: Ah, thats a good idea, I'm all for that!

Kami: Lets do it.

T: I really like Momotetsu..

K: Everyone's playing it recently, aren't they?

T: Yeah, its really popular at the moment.

J: I'm sorry, I reacted when he said the name..but I actually don't know what Momotetsu is...

T: Well, its a board game..

K: A board game style video game.

J: Oh right. What is 'tetsu'...like trains?

K: Yes.

T: Do you know Monopoly?

J: Yes, I know that.

T: Its like a train version of Monopoly.

J: Ahh, ok. Well, lets do it! Thats ok. How would we do it?

K: Well, we can think about that later.

J: Yes, ok..but that means its a posibility?

K: Will Kami play too?

Kami: Oh, yes! Thank you!

J: He sounds so happy, haha.

T: Kami, how will you join in with the game?

Kami:.....Yeh, how will I?

J: Yes, you tell us.

Kami:....how would I? I'd have to get some one to do it for me.

K, T: Haha

J: Like a representative of Kami?

Kami: Yeah.

T: Another person that we've never met will come, right? haha. Kami won't have met them, it will be a total stranger.

J: Dubious, right?

K: Ahh, but I havn't played Momotetsu in ages.

T: Ah, in the newest version you get stronger privileges, and its like you can make deliveries freely*2

J: So we are looking towards actually doing this, for now.

K: Well, yeah, its ok. We've got the start of two new plans.

J: Yep, one is a Kami produced avatar video for the new single.

K: Its not really 'produced by' though, more like 'made by'.

T: Making it on his own

J: Yeah, he's making it on his own for us.

K: Its more reassuring that way.

J: Haha, like, not in a collaboration?

K: I approve it of that.

Kami: Im making it on my own, but I don't have any money, so I want to get the money for it from you.

K: No, I can't do that.

J, T: Hahaha

J: He said he wanted to do it himself. He asked you if he could do it! If you want to do it yourself, you have to deal with the cost yourself.

K: This show has zero production cost anyway.

J: Haha, is that right? Thats tough.

T: We finally got a decent mic stand.

K: Yeah, but its kinda been reformed.

J: The mic stand fell over before didn't it? 

K: ???*3

Kami: I don't have any money!

K: Well, it doesn't have to be that high quality.

J: Yeah.

K: He doesn't need a camera though.

J: No. So there are two conditions as for making an avatar vid: one is that Kaoru has to get the permission from the other members, and the other is that Kami has to cover the production costs himself.

*On screen note: Permission was gained from all members in the following days*)

T: Yeah. ????*4, like to show he's made it all himself.

K: Yeh, because if we paid for it, we'd have to approve the whole thing.

J: Oh, yeh, like an official check?

K: Yeah.

J: That would be a bit different. What do you think Kami?

Kami: If I make it, can I sell it?

T: Haha, 'If I make it can I sell it'??

K: No, you cannot. That is that is the biggest rule.

Kami: Oh, please let me sell it!!!

K: That totally depends on how good it is.

J: Right, you might allow it if it was outstanding.

T: Haha

K: Ok, Joe, lets look at today's topic.

J: Yes, 'A monthly income of ¥1million. Chaging tune during game commentary. What is the aim of the massive spread of conspiracy theories, and related Youtube videos?' Well, there is a lot of news surrounding the American Presidential election last year, but a huge amount of conspiracy theories and fake information is spreading even amongst Trump supporters in Japan. Within this are big ones like, 'Trump will unleash martial law, and mass arrests of traitors will begin', 'Nancy Pelosi has been arrested', etc etc. There are even theories that are circulating only in Japan, and which are spreading through Youtube videos and round up sites. Within those, there is one user who brings up such material in the middle of game commentary videos, and can make up to ¥1million per month. The posibility that they are doing it for the advertising revenue cannot be denied. Well, its like, is it ok to spread lies in return for money?... this news questions the 'freedom of expression'.

K: Well, conspiracy theories have been around for ages, havn't they?

J: They always have, yes.

K: But since covid started...there have been...like, a load of theories coming up about it, right?

J: Yeah.

K: I kinda get the sense that a lot of conspiracy  theories about covid have grown to be seen as almost the truth.

T, J: I see.

K: You don't even know whats a conspiracy theory or whats real news now.

J: Well, yeah. In relation to covid, I also don't know what is actually correct. In some sense, there are certain voices that are louder than others, and if you mix in these conspiracy theories, you get this kind of....well, like with these protests in relation to the American election, or even without that, these theories do spread.

K: You kind of watch them in a funny sense to start, but then it feels like they gradually loose power.

J, T: Yeh.

K: There are people who will end up believing them though.

Kami: Um, that game commentator who is talking about conspiracy theories in order to make a profit, I don't like that. I want him to try harder, like, don't be influenced by money.

T: No no no. Kami has been talking about money a lot, haha

J: Yeh, like, 'Can I sell it?' He's only telling other people not to be influenced by money.

Kami: Yeah, gods are influenced by money...gods are. I kinda understand how this guy feels. I can't help it.

J: You can't help it?

Kami: Yep.

J: You can't help it for money?

Kami: Yeah, I take it back, its ok to be influenced by money.

J, K, T: Hahaha

J: Kami, you're weak!

T: That was a quick turnaround.

J: I was pretty shocked that this guy can make ¥1million per month though.

K: Well, if his view count grows...

J: Yeah. 

K: Those numbers would be impossible for this show.

J: Haha, yeah, everyone please help us out with that. Even if we aimed to make ¥1million, conspiracy theories take up a lot of time, right?

T: Yeh, but how about we feature some conspiracy theories?

J: If we will get like this guy, right?

Kami: Ah, lets go with some conspiracy theories!

J, T: Haha

K: There are probably people out there really putting thought into making new conspiracy theories, aren't there?

J, T: Yeah.

K: It sounds pretty difficult. Like, what type of conspiracies would fly?

J, T: Right.

J: ???*5

K: Like Kami's?

J: Kami's conspiracy theories, haha. But it is difficult. Hm, eventually we'll have a 'Freedom of Expression conspiracy theories edition'.

T: Well, lets do more of this kind of stuff.

J: Tokyo Sports loves this kind of thing, doesn't it?

T: Yeah.

J: Do your sales go up when you feature this stuff?

T: Well, not really with conspiracy theories, but we sell at lot when we write about UFOs and stuff. People are really curious about things that are 'unknown'. They really are.

J: Hm.

K: Ok, on that note, lets finish here. Thank you very much.

*1,3,4,5 Couldn't catch/figure out

*2 I've never played Momotetsu so Im not sure if im understanding the explanation right. 

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[loveinstreams]

Edge of the city ficlet under the cut! ❤️

“Hey Axel, you know how to swing it?” 

It was only the two of them that evening, Lucy had gone out with Ellen to go watch a play at the local theatre. Something about civil rights. So Tommy had called him in, asked if he would like a little bit of compagny and help him with the cooking. Axel had told him he didn’t even have to ask.   

Diner had been great, like always, joyfull, warm, all things that came naturally with Tommy. They laughed the whole way through, despite almost burning the potatoes at some point. There’s a mess in the kitchen, but they can deal with that later. Now they’re both in the living room, smoking those cheap cigars - sorry, first class cigars!- as Tommy puts on a record. 

“Do I look like I do?” scoffs Axel.  

Tommy smiles. “To me?” he says “Y’look like the best dancer around the block.” Axel laughs at that, feeling a small blush creeping in. “Come on, quit that! I dig it allright, but compared to you I probably have two left feet.” Music starts and they both begin snapping their fingers. Tommy walks up to him with mischief in his eyes and extends a hand to him. “Come here, i’ll show you.” 

Axel knows there’s nothing else to do but reach it.  

“Now put your right foot in like this.” Tommy holds him a little while showing him the moves and Axel tries to concentrate. “In. Out. Spin. Yeah, like that! Haha, you’re not so bad, jack!” That’s definitely a lie, but Axel takes it anyway. 

They’re not so close at first, keeping their distance a little bit like this is just normal teaching but as the music goes on they fall into a rythm and before Axel knows it, Tommy has his hand on his back. It’s easier that way really, makes them spin faster and catch up swiftly on the song. He’s quickly picken up on it despite his earlier doubt, spinning and turning and not tripping too much on Tommy’s feet. 

“See? You can swing it allright.” Axel laughs at that, because really its Tommy who does all the work here. “Do you say that to all your dancing partners?” For only answer, his friend makes him do an extra turn, echoing his laugh. 

They continue like this for the rest of the song. Axel can’t stop smiling, blissfully unaware his eyes are shining a little. There is a small sweat forming on the back of his neck, but he’s not sure if its the spining or the fact that he has never stood so close to his friend, who is not only significantly taller than him, but also quite strong. He feels it in the way Tommy catches him each time and he tries not to think about it. 

When the song arrives at its end they are still chuckling and Tommy is still holding him. Axel doesn’t let go right away because truly this feels so good and its been so long since he- 

Suddenly, another tune starts. Only this time its not a swing but a ballad. Axel freezes in place.

“You know how to slow?” Tommy asks him with his charming little tone and Axel just blurts out a “Maybe?” because he really doesn’t know what to do and the blush is coming back to his face and - oh god this cannot be happening - Tommy is still holding him like a gentleman, with his hand in the curve of his back as he starts leading him in a smooth easy rythm. 

They are so close now Axel can’t look at him and tries desperatly to concentrate on the music because holy shit. He hopes his blush is not too visible… (above him, Tommy smiles fondly at the red of his neck). Billie Holiday’s velvet voice fills the room as they sway lightly against one another. Softly, Tommy starts humming to the chorus……

[I’ll be seeing you In every lovely summer’s day In every thing that’s light and gay I’ll always think of you that way…]

Axel gives in and let’s himself be rocked gently. It feels a bit like a dream. Axel wonders for a second if he’s not still asleep in his lonely flat upstairs. Then, the records stops and neither of them wants to move. They stay like this, reality coming back with the needle scratching the disc. Axel finally looks up. 

“You didn’t want to go out with Lucy?” He asks, because the question is burning on his tongue since diner and he really cannot figure it out. Tommy is still smiling. “No.” He responds, softly, easily, like there is absolutely nothing to worry about. His hand is still in his and on the small of Axel’s back. An anchor keeping him up. His eyes seem then to flicker to somewhere down Axel’s face…

“Why not?” Axel asks again, voice cracking a little. “Didn’t want to.” Tommy says. “Wanted to stay here.” “With me?” Axel almost squeeks because what does that mean? Eyes flicker back up to his. "Yes.“ "But why? I mean, im not better company than anybody I- im not even that good a dancer!”

“So what?” says Tommy, shruging, “I don’t mind…”  They’ve stopped moving and Tommy’s face is getting closer to the point where there is no denying what’s going on and Axel can’t move because he’s right there he’s-

All it takes is a little tilt of the head. Slow. Almost imperceptible. Jus that, for their lips to meet and Axel’s eyes to close. It’s such a light press, timid, featherlight. Axel closes his eyes and almost wonders again if he is not dreaming it, if Tommy isn’t still a few centimetres away staring down at him. The hand on his back pushes a bit further and, just as Axel can feel the pressure of the kiss growing and growing and kissing, there is a sharp sound of keys turning in the lock of the door. 

“We’re here!” comes Lucy’s clear voice. Axel suddenly puts space between him and his friend, blinking rapidly, looking everywhere but Tommy, at everywhere but his eyes, his face, his arms, his lips-

Oh god. Lucy. He can’t do this to her. 

“I-I have to go.” He blurts out and runs out  the door barely looking at the girls calling his name in confusion while he dissapears up the stairs. He almost rips open his door and falls on his bed trying to calm his beating heart, trying to forget the heat of a hand on his hips, trying to ignore the buzz still lingering on his lips…..

[wtfzodiacsigns]

Dealing with heartbreak

Read for Sun/Moon

aries, you sometimes deny confessing that losing that job, that person, whatever that is, is an actual problem, you continue acting up

sit with your sadness, talk it out, cry it out, heal from it, I know you can pick yourself up quickly, you do not hold grudges and you learn and grow and expand just as quickly

taurus, after losing that person, job you start believing you will never fall in love that intensely or you will never have another perfect job, or you will never have a strong bond with someone like that

but actually you are being prepared for something bigger always, that is how the Universe works, sometimes we just cannot or do not know how to deal with it and we think something like that is never going to happen to us, well yes that is true, something greater will

oh gemini, you rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms by distracting your attention instead of dealing with emotions and problems that involve emotions, you run away

trust me you are just as capable for dealing with it internally by being honest with all those personalities of yours, you naturally improvise and solve problems relating cerebral matters you can touch your own heart and solve it then you will be more than happy sharing information to others as to how you got over it, you will inspire and channel knowledge things you love

cancer, your insecurities bring out the worst in you, it will be very hard to believe you can go on without that job, dream, person

i know this is weird to say, because that was a big part of your life, but you could do it before them/that and you can do it without them/that again, plus by being stronger and wiser

leo, you feel like you cannot go on if you do not have at least one person who can encourage you and store faith and hope right back at ya

sometimes, oh heck, most of the times you are that person honey, you are all THAT, it is lovely having loyal friends and a strong support system but it all starts with you

virgo, over-analyzing the past, trying to figure out the exact moment when everything went downhill, instead of doing all that you need to accept the end

also you need to critisize less and worry more about yourself and those closest to you who are still worth it, who are still valuable, you are among those as well, worry about your future, about them being in your future too, worry about bettering yourself each day by looking at all sides not just the negatives

libra, oh a part of you does not even want to quit this idealization of  this person, this dream, this situation that broke your heart, you like thinking there is a chance that you are still on the wagon, that you are going to continue being with the person, that you are going to help that friend, that you were not fired

honey, life is not perfect, disappointments, failures are going to happen and the first thing you need to do is accept them, cry it out, heal as I said before, and then take the world by storm, because you of all can surely do it

oh scorpio, you are angry and you want revenge, you want to make those people who disappointed you, hurt you feel the same pain you are feeling right now

a complete waste of time, the Universe will have its way, and you will be laughing at something they will surely get, karma is listening honey, but I do not have much to say, after all you are the Phoenix constantly transforming and bettering, constantly rising from the ashes

sagittarius, you constantly exhaust your mind with that person, that situation

it is on your way to greatness, it is occupying your in-fact philosophical mind, it is narrowing it instead of broadening it as you’d like, I believe your free-spirited self will re-invent as you always do, you understand things, just give yourself time

capricorn, you connect hardly, you disconnect just as hardly, you cut off people with difficulty and that is okay, you need some time to get over people, situations, failures

try to listen to an inner voice of intuition, heart, emotions more rather than the voice of critique, that is constantly with us and easily attuned with, easily available, experiences like this do make you more vulnerable, but more human as well

aquarius, you are actually in tune with your mood by listening to certain songs and by watching certain movies, which is good

but the movies and songs have an end as well as your healing should, because healing can easily go to clinging and not letting go, you are a fixed energy so be careful with this, let the music and artistry help your way to re-newel

pisces, the fragile heart, feeling each emotions with such depth, a never-seen depth for a regular human

you are also prone to depression and substances, be careful not to take a very bad route, but however, whatever happens remember to click that switch where your brain has ‘a-HA moments’ where you understand things, where everything clicks, where your intuition is so strong it is making your body do things on its own by reacting, never forget that you are spiritually accomplished, you do not need drugs you are drugs lol

Source: astrroloaries

[kunalsoriginals]

Pearls of Wisdoms for Pakis

Beloved Janta of Pakistan,

I would also like to share a secret with you, which you might never apprehend from a person from any other country, especially from an Indian. We LOVE YOU, We are obsessed with you. We enjoy infatuation comparable to that of a 14-year boy who has one on a girl living in his neighborhood, like that teenager whose heart warms up with the girl's sight. Still, he tends to tease her or plays whimsical pranks on her. It is his way of showing his affection.

Accept it, my fellow former Countrymen, you guys are in deep love with us as well. I have felt it first-hand. You folks love watching our Movies and fantasy our starlets. Sing Bollywood songs while proposing to your love. Ache to enjoy Mumbai and Delhi's nightlife. Some of you would even love to reside permanently here for a better future. There is also constant discrimination in every viewpoint; it may be Cricket or politics; in all honesty, you think of our day and night.

Keeping this indefinable affection for each other aside for a while, there is a bitter revelation that you people will have to accept and even feed it in the brains of the future generations to come. I am sure that maximum people over your side of the border should by now have conceded that India will never ever surrender Kashmir in your Lap. It won't be possible in at least another century ahead.

You see, in the manner where India's GDP had expanded from 10 Thousand Crores in the 1950s to more than 10 Lacs Crores in 2019, our sentiment of Nationalism has additionally, grown in a comparable pattern. There was a phenomenal hike in this feeling after India's general elections 2014 onwards; the reason for such an increase is unknown to me. So, the moral is, with such a vast Nationalism level in the hearts of the Aam Janta here, I don't think so parting away an inch of land to anyone would be possible.

Won't it look dishonorable for us in the front of the entire world if we lose the land to you guys who are quite behind then us in all the aspects? You will have to accept that technically both our countries are 73 years old this year. Over this side of the border, we have gradually upgraded in all aspects a Nation has to grow. I could virtually challenge you in where you guys can prove to be better in any improvement zone. This is the land wherein the year 1981 Indian Actor Amitabh enacted on the evergreen song "Dekha Ek Khawab " and his Dame Rekha in the movie Silsila hence parting away with Kashmir is painful to us as it will not only hurt our Ego and furthermore offer grief to Amitji.  

Forget the BJP led NDA, Even the Congress-led UPA cannot think of such a gormless deal. The primary reason is that they want to come into power next term too to provide Public service. Now you people only tell which government will be such dimwits to kick their own rear and be signed on the history textbook of 10-year-old kids as the People who gave away Kashmir.

Realize this, Pakistani Government, Your Army and also ISI can't withhold the idea of getting the region of Kashmir in your Nation's Map, even they know that your national flag will never rise in Capital of Srinagar but since it was an Inaugural Political Agenda when your Country was created in where the principal objective of this agenda was to collect vote from you guys and funds from other countries in the name of Kashmir. It is their lollypop for you fellows that their respective parties if came in power, an ideal environment will be created where; a newly wedded couple from Lahore can drive to Srinagar for their honeymoon without a stamp on their Passport and enjoy a bite of Kashmiri Apple laying in the front deck of a Shikara in Dal Sarovar. It's All Fake, acknowledge it, and move on.

So to my Indian friends,

There was a massive inspiration for me to compose this article. It was shocking that it came from the other side of the border. In the great Indian lockdown of 2020, I who was ideally workless like many of us all, I went through many videos of this Pakistani Newsreader and Political Debate Show Host Dr. Fiza Akbar Khan on YouTube. By her venomous language, the passion for thrashing India and people over here and that high pitched voice made me think of another Indian Debate Show Host.  I am convinced that they are unquestionably biologically related to each other. So I should not have a problem with her blabbering rubbish towards my Country as her Bhaiya here likewise.  

But I have to admit that her language did hurt me because, unlike her Bhaiya over there who trashes Pakistan in the English language, she uses Urdu, which sounds quite similar to the Hindi language to illuminate unpleasant garbage, the reason is entirely psychological for me being hurt. For example, If somebody calls you a Motherfucker, you might not be offended in the same manner if you are called Madar***d (Pardon my Language).

This Pakistani Anchor goes on and on that How Poor, Uneducated, Physically and Mentally Weak, Shelterless, we Indians live in this Country where our economy is going into the drain. We are foolish people to elect Shri Modi as PM of our Country and that too twice. There is a vast level of discrimination on minorities over here. The world's biggest Democracy is over. In the distant future, if Kashmir is not given to them its freedom, then Islamabad will be the next capital of Pakistan and India.

Can you believe this, she has mentioned all this on her show and that too in a language which can easily pierce in our heart. Let's not get also angered about this and start calling her names. She is just doing her job. She is giving favored content to people of over there what her Bhaiya is doing over there.

As pragmatic as I can get about whatever she says on her show about us, I just can't accept it, I am too egoistic as an Indian to even reply or curse on her Video on YouTube comment section. Hence, I planned to dedicate this entire blog to Dr. Fiza Khan, whom I seriously don't mean to offend as Women, her Nation, and especially not her Religion and would like to give her some advice.

Avoid Echoing about Nukes: A round of applause towards Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan for building Nuclear Weapons, a program from a stolen uranium centrifuge design and a network of grey-market suppliers. But stop jabbering in your show that Pakis can nuke India in case a War erupts between us. Even If Jinnah Sahab from Heaven above commands your Arm Force to it, they will effortlessly deny his orders and don't stress. We likewise won't squander our atomic weapon on you. These weapons are like those expensive Portraits which you can proudly hang in your Living Room, but can't take it out on a date. Stop even using the word Nuke in your show.

Comparison between the PMs: PM Imran Sahab seems to be a jolly good fellow who also appears to try to administrate better than any other PMs or Military leaders of your Country. Let me tell you bluntly that there is no comparison with his Counterpart over here; in fact, he even doesn't stand anywhere nearby India's previous Prime Minister.    

Paki's Diplomatic Policies Debacle: This is a typical miscue. You and many colleagues of you have repeatedly misguided your Citizens that Pakistan can easily use the benefit of its diplomatic relationship with a few First World Country and pressurize India on Kashmir Issue. Well, Honey, This is an open challenge to your PM, along with Mr. Qureshi Sahab go to any so-called super Power for assistance or call end numbers of meeting in OIC ( Organisation of Islamic Cooperation ). Nobody will be ready to intervene in the Valley issue for one of the main reason, Why would any country create enmity with the Country will more than 100 Million Population which is a significant business open doors for their corporates.

Playing Second Fiddle: I initially watched your Debate show of earlier years. You always mentioned the US as your elder brother and will still stand next to you along with Saudi Arabia. These were the two countries which you saw as your personal ATM. Lately, these ATM machines stopped removing Cash and Kinds, which they earlier showered on your Country, so you bashed them and accused both these Super Power for adultery. These started leaning towards us. Then you went to China and become a Virtual Puppet who dances on their tunes. Now the problem arises that the entire world started forming against your elder brother and accused them as the creator of the Pandemic of 2020. So you began a rigid assembly against them as well, and now your nation is in an arrangement for another development with Malaysia and Turkey. Understand this dear Fiza ben that in distant future you will have to abuse these two countries also while your government will go and beg to some other countries, maybe North Korea.

Last but not least, which I have already mentioned why Kashmir will never be part of Pakistan earlier in the blog. Read repeatedly till the concept is glued by heart, and if possible, explain it to your people there.

Defense products will be purchased in the name of Kashmir. For Fiscal Year 20-21 Defense expenditure of Pakistan is 1,289 Billion Dollars. India's expenses on the same would be around 66 Billion Dollars. Can you believe these Figures? This Moolah could otherwise be used in Infrastructure and improving the lifestyle of citizens of the respective Country. Civilians and Soldiers' blood will be shed on the name of Kashmir. Approximately 120000 deaths have been registered since 1989, which also includes unsympathetic deaths of militants and terrorists. Television Media will go on with Live debates inviting aficionados and enthusiasts to increase their TRP on the name of Kashmir. Newspapers and magazines will publish viperous articles vocalizing each other's blame for being troublemakers on Kashmir's name. Many commercial Movies and Web Series will also be produced on Kashmir's name. Still, by endeavoring all means of Peace or War, this dream of some of yours will never be fulfilled.

[daeyenerys]

Most anticipated films of 2017: the second half of the year

I was going to make this post earlier this year, but never had enough time or energy to make it happen. So here it is, a mid-year mashup of most anticipated 2017 films.

Dunkirk

Tbh I never heard of the Dunkirk operation before, and from the looks of it, it seems quite a big deal for the Western countries. I’m always curious to see the depiction of WWII from different sides, and while I’m aware to expect a certain dose of heroic patriotism and flattering to the side making the film and making it as heroes by the end of it (I have a feeling it’s gonna be okay at the end), Dunkirk would be at least interesting to see for that very reason. Besides, Dunkirk promises to be an epic WWII tale, set on ocean shores (water aesthetic! I love all things water ok), that, I suppose, would be accompanied by an epic score and some next level cinematography and production from Christopher Nolan? Getting a ticket today.

Valerian and a City of a Thousand Planets

A fantasy tale set among the stars? From Luke Besson? (Ok he did have some good stuff.) With one of the first comic book female action figures that were actually decently written? Let’s say I heard not to stellar reviews, but I’d like to see it on my own before forming a conclusive opinion. Getting a ticket soon.

(I know these first two are out already, but I haven’t seen them yet, so they are still on the anticipated list for the next few days.)

The Shape of Water

Don’t get me started on this one. After catching a fever of ‘del Toro will get you into fucking a fucking fish’, my life wasn’t the same. No really: a fantasy story set through the eyes of a female protagonist (one), who is mute (two), finds a common language with a deep ocean creature (three), draws fanart of it (four), all that somehow tied into an R-rated (for sexual content, I kid you not) story (five), from a master of fantastically bizzaire films Guillermo del Toro (six)? If The Mummy couldn’t bring a compelling monster story (sorry, Ahmanet, I loved you, but the film still sucked), then something else should. I’m counting on you, 2017. (Plus, water. Remember, I’m into water, fire, and ice, and stuff like that? Now, that, but with sea monsters.)

mother!

Another intriguing project of the year alongside GDT’s monster romance movie. mother! keeps it secrets tight, teasing fans with easter eggs and cryptic trailers. If anything, it promises to be disturbing and bizarre, and I’m so ready for this!

(I decided to limit exposure to the film, which is going to be quite a task given my spoiler hungry nature. Wish me luck!)

The Dark Tower

Idris Elba as a lead, great (and original) source material. What else can one ask for? Just hoping it doesn’t suck. Also, I don’t care how much it deviates from the novels as long as the film can stand on its own and makes an overall decent adaptation (’adaptation’ is a key word).

Blade Runner 2049

Sci-fi, aesthetics, colours, cinematography —  just look at the trailers! Harrison Ford (still cutting it), new Harrison Ford, gosh, forgot his name... the shirtless ‘girl’ meme guy... Ryan Gosling!, again, aesthetics, did I mention it already? Yeah, that, and Denis Villeneuve filling in a director’s chair. He directed Arrival, so fingers crossed for a good one.

Thor: Ragnarok

Looking forward to this one mostly for fun and adventure, and what trailers suggest a Guardians of the Galaxy vibe. While I don’t really like Guardians, I like their mood and colourfulness. Things most looked for: Asgaard. Did I say how much I loved that world? Valkyrie. My new mother of dragons. She had like a few seconds of a trailer time, and already slayed me to death. Hoping she’ll get more time than that in the actual film, though. Also hoping Hela, Cate Blanchette’s horned goddess of death, is not yet another villain passing by, but she very well could be. And Locki, a redeemed good guy? That could be fun, knowing he’s prone to fuckery and trickery. Also, please don’t pull a trick with awesome trailers and freshly minted obsession with vintage songs, while the actual product is, well, not what a trailer was.

(That actually applies to all films that use that trick of relying on a familiar, edgy tune to sell a film, and thus set false expectations, that lead to even bigger disappointment if the film itself isn’t as brilliant as the trailer. I’ll get to that maybe in another post.)

Detroit

Based on real events, the film tackles a relevant to nowadays topic of race and police brutality that led to Detroit riots in late 1960s. I should thank John Boyega and his star power for bringing this one to my radar, as real events/documentary type of films are rarely my jam (aside from nature documentaries. I love nature stuff ok). The trailer of this one promises a raw and emotional take on the story, and actually got me hooked, regardless of John’s involvement in it, though his appearance does raises a chance of getting a ticket for this one. (I’m a huge John fan, as you might have guessed already.) It is also great to see John take steps in different directions other than starring in sci-fi/fantasy films (he’s also co-producing his other upcoming project Pacific Rim: Uprising), and bring attention to films like Detroit that could unfortunately be overlooked amid usual summer crowds pleasers. Fantasy and escape are great. Shining light on our very real history is no less greater.

The Murder on the Orient Express

Again, as in the case with Detroit, this one was brought to my attention by another Star Wars star involved into the project - Daisy Ridley. While in general, I’m quite open to book-to-screen adaptations, this one holds me a bit hesitant. That book is one of my favourite Agatha Christie and mystery books (I used to be into mystery quite a bit), and has a great 1974 film adaptation, so why bother with another remake? (Nostalgia and associated cash grabbing are probably less poetic answers).Though I must admit I would be curious to see what a modern adaptation can do with the novel. (Again, hoping it doesn’t suck. This should really be a subtitle of this post.)

And last, but definitely, not least:

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The crown jewel of 2017. An end of the year treat, if you will. Everything else that came out about the movie so far promises a great adventure and great characters, and I simply cannot wait to see it on the big screen in all glory! Until then, tie-books that are due for release starting from September will do. (My top reading choices are a young Princess Leia novel by Claudia Gray, and a Luke Skywalker myths book.) I could go on and on about how much I love Star Wars, but suffice to say that I can’t wait for a two year agony of waiting for the next chapter to end.

This is it for now, as far as the second of half of 2017 goes. Lots of sci-fi and fantasy films to look forward to, which makes me very happy.

[wirelessheadphonesguru]

Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 vs. Sennheiser HD 4.50

There’s no denying the fact that wireless headphones may seem to cost you a fortune at times, but when you think of the freedom they offer in terms of mobility and a clutter-free musical experience, they are worth a shot. Whatever is your reason to upgrade to a pair of wireless headphone, I get an opportunity to help you choose. And today we are comparing two pairs of wireless headphones from two camps, the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 and Sennheiser HD 4.50.

Plantronics and Sennheiser are two international brands and the competition is quite rough because of the features these two come packed with. The Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 and Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC wireless noise cancelling headphones seems formidable opponents in the wireless headphone category. However, audiophiles will be happy that I picked these two for comparison. There is a clear winner by a slight margin. So, read on!

Build

The Sennheiser 4.50 BTNC fondly knows as the HD 4.50 is a sturdy bad boy. Going over the physical features, the headphones are all plastic, but not the cheap-feeling plastic. They are well made; they don’t rattle or feel finicky. They feel like a confident product to test.  The headband is covered with little padding but does not affect comfort. The ear cups fold in neatly for storage into the included fabric carry-case.

Speaking of Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2, you get a nice carry pouch with the headphones to tuck it away safely inside. In the box (cloth bag), you find an audio cable, a USB charging cable and the instruction book and warranty information. When it comes to build quality, the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 feels solid and little more refined than their previous versions. They are slimmer than both their original and the Backbeat Pro plus.

As far as design goes, these aren’t the prettiest headphones but the plastic around the ear cups has a textured pattern to it. The headphone padding is a dark brown that gives the headphones a more professional look. The fake wood pattern on the outside of the ear cups may, at first, feel out of place and might not be for everyone, but it may grow on you over time.

One other aspect of the headphones that the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 doesn’t have is the ability to fold. The ear cups do swivel 90 degrees; so it is easy to slide them back into the carrying pouch once they are flat. However, if you are looking to save space in your bag while traveling or commuting you might have an issue with these.

Comfort

Moving on to comfort, the Sennheiser 4.50 seems clampy at first but soon you get used to the full size headphones. It was a subjective judgement as the new pair of any headphone does feel a little tight straight out of the box. However, the jawline pressure and wear-fatigue disappears with use and can be worn for extended periods of time without any issue. Weighing a 236 grams, the Sennheiser 4.50 can feel a little clampy if you have a sensitive head/ jawline.

The Plantronics Backbeat Pro weighs a little more than 289g and is a little bulky but manageable than their previous versions and mostly made of plastic. The pleather padding on the earcup and the headband feels smooth and gives it a premium look. The bottom portion of the headband is even made with a breathable mesh and adjustable bands. The overall feel is good but u feel a weight on your crown when you use it for extended periods of time.

Controls

One of the main themes of the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 series is the level of control that the user has over their music without needing to reach for a source device. That trend continues here with buttons, switches, and rotating wheels all over the place. On the right ear cup, there is a multi-function button on the side, micro USB and 3.5-millimeter inputs on the bottom and then a button and a switch along the edges.

The left ear cub has a single switch along the edge with playback buttons on the side and a rotating volume control ring. The Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 is easy enough to connect and it does have NFC, so you should not have a problem if you have a compatible device. The backbeat pro tools do have a confusingly robust set of switches and buttons but they let you control, basically everything, without actually needing to use your smartphone. You can play/pause music, skip between tracks or adjust the volume using the controls on the left ear cup. You can also access any personal assistance or answer phone calls by pressing the button on the right side of the ear cup.  If you take off the headphones, sensors in the ear cup will detect that they’ve been taken off your head and music will pause automatically.

When we look at the Sennheiser HD 4.50 controls, the right ear cup has the power ON/OFF, a very smooth multi-function switch below the power button that allows you to skip and go back and forth on music tracks. The same button is also used to answer calls, which we tested in a public place and found that voice wasn’t very clear to the user on the other end. Light to moderate background noises are picked up by the headphone. There is a 2.5 mm port for wired connection and Sennheiser does offer a locking wire cord, so that the pin is not yanked out while in use. To charge the Sennheiser 4.50, a micro USB port is available.

Battery

The Sennheiser 4.50 has a battery life of up to 25 hours with ANC off. With ANC, Sennheiser HD 4.50 gives up to 19 hours of use. If you connect these headphones to your PC, it charges automatically and do not require any driver installations. One important piece to note is that the headphones switches off while charging and you cannot use them.

Plantronics claims a battery life of 24 hours of constant playback, which seems to be true in my tests as well. Tapping the button on the right ear cup when you’re not wearing them will also illuminate a tiny indicator, so you know roughly how much juice it has left.

Active noise Cancelation

Jumping on to the ANC performance, I found the Sennheiser 4.50 worked absolutely fine, but not as great as the Bose Quiet Comfort, especially outdoors in coffee shops and public spaces, where I wore them continuously for a day as a part of this testing. A rocker button activates the ANC on Sennheiser HD 4.50 when using them wirelessly.

The Plantronics Backbeat Pro has a switch to turn on or off active noise cancellation as well as the open mic mode. This uses the microphones in the headphones to let sound in so you can hear what’s going on around you while the ANC is switched on. These are ANC headphones but the Backbeat Pro 2 just cuts the outside and ambient noise by half when compared to other premium headphones including the HD 4.50.

Connectivity

One of the standout features of the Plantronics Backbeat  Pro 2 series is the solid wireless range they offer. They have class 1 Bluetooth, which means you can stream music up to about a 100 feet and in our testing we got a little under 80 but that’s still pretty good.

NFC, apart from Bluetooth, is one of the features available on the Sennheiser 4.50 for streamline pairing. Bluetooth connectivity is very strong on these on-ear headphones and works with houses or brick-walled areas with ease and personally, I did not experience any break in sound or quality while moving around in the house or office areas.

Sound quality

Speaking of sound, the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 has a decent low end but they are a little too big sounding when compared to our contender today. Songs with deep base thumps or rumbling noises tend to sound a little muddy. It doesn’t feel bad but there is noticeable audio bleed if you are in a silent room. They often give a pretty nice balance with good amount of detailing without piercing through your ear drum in the volume levels of 50% to 70%. The airy reverb and the highs got cut down a little, but even on max volume they were comfortable to listen.

The Sennheiser 4.50 provides a very balanced audio experience – accurate and clean is what you are going to get. The bass is neutral and not altered or base-boosted, the mids are equal with the other high frequency responses and does not come as bright or recessed either. However, I wished for a little more resolution and detail in the mid-range for a more vibrant experience. From a consumer’s point of view, I am confident that these microscopic aspects will be hardly visible (I mean audible) and can pull up a great deal of romance with whatever you listen. The highs does have roll-offs and plays it quite safe because it doesn’t come anywhere near ‘tin-y’ (metallic like that of tin reverbs) and sharp, which is good. The 4.50’s are very easy to listen to without any listening fatigue.

Now let’s condense it in a table so that you can have a quick pick:

Brand Plantronics Backbeat Pro Sennheiser HD 4.50 Model Backbeat Pro 2 HD 4.50 Build quality Premium and heavy Premium, strong, lightweight Earcups Pressure on the  crown and ears Clampy but manageable Gross Weight 289 grams 236 grams Type Wireless Wireless Controls Built on to the ear cups; buttons and volume ring to control tracks and audio Rocker button and traditional buttons Noise Cancellation Technology Active with open mic option Active ANC Performance Average Comparatively better Quick charging – – Battery (usage time) 24 25 Equalizer Mic Open mic mode; inbuilt and sensitive Excellent audio clarity Bluetooth Version 4.0 4.0 Bluetooth Range 100 m – Included in the box Carry case, micro USB charging cable and 3.5 mm audio jack Carry case, charging cable and 2.5 mm audio jack Sound Quality Average Excellent

  Sennheiser HD 4.50 stands out as the winner between Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 and Sennheiser HD 4.50 by a tiny margin. Hope you enjoyed this detailed comparison; stay tuned for more updates. Signing off for today, have a great day.

The post Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 vs. Sennheiser HD 4.50 appeared first on Wireless Headphones Guru.

from Wireless Headphones Guru https://wirelessheadphones.guru/facts/plantronics-backbeat-pro-2-vs-sennheiser-hd-4-50/

[theliterateape]

Meghan Trainor is this Generation’s Andy Kaufman

By David Himmel

I never liked Meghan Trainor’s music, though my brain worked really, really hard to convince me that I did. Her brand of music is not too far out of line with much of the other silly, sugary pop music I am fond of: Teenage Dream Katy Perry, Carly Rae Jepsen, Ariana Grande, occasionally The Killers, Tommy Mottola Mariah Carey and horny Mariah Carey, The Archies, pre-British Madonna, all disco.

But I sensibly resisted the urge to embrace Trainor’s brand of pop because it felt too forced in musical production and lyrical content. Too forced for the quality of pop she was giving us. Trainor was swinging for the fences and landing doubles at best.

I hadn’t heard any of her hack girlie doo-wop in quite a while. It was nice having forgotten all about her. But then, while running an errand at the Bucktown Office Max the other day, her song Me Too played over the store speakers. (It’s important to note that the title of this song has nothing to do whatsoever with the #MeToo movement. It was released in May 2016 long before any of us seemed to actively care about what men did with their dicks at work.) The song was stuck in my head for the rest of the day and it got me thinking about Trainor’s entire cultural existence.

During my afternoon bathroom break with my iPad on my lap, I dove into a Meghan Trainor wormhole to sort out exactly what was so terrible about her music. I considered the shallow, braggadocios lyrics, the over-produced production, that white-collar-suburban-virgin-girl-imitating-a-black-street-thug accent she sings with, and the regurgitated and repurposed musical cues she uses in each song when it dawned on me. Meghan Trainor is not an annoying musician or a pop sensation; Meghan Trainor is this generation’s Andy Kaufman, and she’s fucking with us.

I know there are people who like her music. It resonates with the simpletons who can’t get past a memorable hook no matter how limp or wretched it is. On March 1, Trainor dropped another single, No Excuses, and it’s exactly what you’d expect from a Meghan Trainor pop song. 

But Trainor is not a pop musician. Trainor is a performance artist, a social satirist using pop music and YouTube videos to skewer our modern culture. There’s just no way the person who writes and performs the song Me Too isn’t making fun of something.

It is a misfortune that the song shares a title with the movement against sexual harassment because in so many ways, Trainor’s tune exists in a world where self-awareness and dignity do not, themselves, exist. Lyrically, the song is a clumsy brag about how Trainor is happy with who she is and with her life. All that positive self-image stuff is great. Then, three lines in, it takes a twisted turn when she demands that we respect her because of the gold necklace she wears, and then insists that everyone wants to be her because her life is a movie. Not like a movie, but an actual movie. Assuming that we want to be her because she has a gold necklace and an entourage is pretty shallow and assumes that we are equally shallow. And maybe we are. And I have come to believe that Trainor is churning out this kind of dreck to point out just how delusional and self-absorbed we’ve become.

Dear Future Husband, a single released in March 2015 off her first album, takes the hateful and foolish trope of “Happy wife, happy life” and turns it into a list of vengeful demands and paltry rewards. She lists exactly what she wants and requests that her husband must comply no matter how ridiculous the request. Furthermore, she promotes the stereotype of wives weaponizing sex against their husbands.

 “After every fight Just apologize And maybe then I'll let you try and rock my body right (right) Even if I was wrong [Laugh] You know I'm never wrong Why disagree? Why, why disagree?”

This song is obscenely anti-feminist, and in a unique way, entirely misogynist because of the way it promotes the negative stereotypes of wives and marriage. It’s the only thing unique about any Trainor song. If she’s not putting us on by showing us how absolutely stupid a marriage that she is describing is, then the song is nothing more than blubbering idiocy — the creation of a girl who learned about marriage through only King of Queens and Lockhorns cartoons.

Dear Future Husband wasn’t the first song of Trainor’s that brought accusations of anti-feminism. Her first hit, the big one, the one that actually out performed Michael Jackson’s Beat It on the charts, All About that Bass appeared to be an anthem for body confidence. It was aimed at heavier people, curvier people. All that is fine and well until she takes a shot at “them skinny bitches,” though she does quickly admit to “just playin’.” Still, the crux of the song rests on the pre-chorus, which describes how her mother tells Meghan to not worry about her size because “boys like a little more booty to hold at night.” In my case, she’s not wrong. But to place body positivity on how much sex you’ll have seems counterintuitive to everything reasonable feminists of all sizes and shapes have been working toward for decades.

There’s no way Trainor is that tone deaf. She’s no stranger to the entertainment industry having signed a publishing deal at age 17. Even those who deny the serious inequality and unfairness women face each day in entertainment — and everywhere else in our  culture — know that it exists. Thing is, they’ll deny it. Trainor blatantly promotes it. Therefore, she must be making a satirical, even farcical stance on the issues of the day.

No, which was released two years ago this month, is like Bass in that it seemed like an empowering anthem for anyone who’s ever had to face unwanted advances. The chorus is absolute and strong — lyrically, anyway. In typical Trainor fashion, it sounds like a privileged teenage white girl posing as a street-hardened black girl during a high school talent show, thus losing its credibility. And if that doesn’t do it, this verse will:

“Thank you in advance, I don’t wanna dance (nope) I don’t need your hands all over me If I want a man, Then I’mma get a man But it’s never my priority”

We know that’s bullshit. Bass and Husband are entirely about getting a man. Many of her songs are about boys and gettin' some. There's nothing wrong with that. Not at all. You don't have to write a song lying about it, unless, of course, you're fucking with us, which she must be. Like so many pop songs, the content revolves around gaining and losing love. When a pop songs takes itself too seriously, it loses its impact. See the most recent Taylor Swift and Katy Perry efforts.

As I stated, Trainor is not an overnight sensation. She’s been hustling professionally in this game for almost a decade. She has to know what she’s doing. A 17-year-old doesn’t get a publishing deal if she doesn’t understand the power of pop.

Andy Kaufman’s (and Bob Zmuda’s) Tony Clifton was everything horrible and outdated in show business. The Clifton character, and many other Kaufman performances were meant to confuse us, enrage us, make us laugh. Sometimes all three. Kaufman’s commitment to the Clifton character was so intense that Andy would completely disappear leaving Tony to take the wheel. They functioned as two completely separate individuals, and neither of them would offer even the slightest wink to the truth and the game.

Trainor has done this, too. She has created a pop star character that confuses us, enrages us and makes us laugh with lyrics that may as well have been penned by a coked up chimp with a leaky Bic pen, and musical production headed up by that same chimp with double the cocaine. What statement is she trying to make? I’m not totally sure. But I am damn sure that Meghan Trainor cannot be taken at face value, and we must recognize her twisted efforts even if it is just pop music.

[dorothywoollard-blog]

Make Me Happy

I cannot explain exactly what is actually continuing everyone, yet it surely confirms that it's certainly not just abundance that creates somebody delighted. If you have any concerns relating to where and how to use yellow pages advert 1997 (http://meidaiq.ro/), you can call us at our internet site. Andrew was up next, and when he rose to the mic he said, Thus, I made a decision to vocalize this since I enjoy a really good song about daddy concerns." He introduced into the tune, as well as there was actually something regarding it that seemed to be proper, despite the fact that the track was really various off Andrew's personal account. I discovered by means of cooking food games that making a really good sushi, make certain that the fish is quite clean (as this is actually eaten fresh). Nevertheless, he or she is the a single who knows which people need to exist making this celebration especially significant. 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[jolteonjordansh]

Thoughts on Battle of Adventurers

So Digimon Tamers had a movie! I mean, all of the series so far have had a movie. Adventure just had one at the end of its run, while Adventure 02 had a non-canon one smack in the middle and an actual canon movie at the end. Tamers has its own neat little side story smack in the middle of it, so I went ahead and watched it.

If anyone’s wondering: I watched this movie after reaching episode 21. So the reason I’m writing about this before writing my thoughts on the second arc is because... I’m not done with the second arc yet. But I’ll be done with it pretty soon after. So how is this movie?

I remember when I wrote about my thoughts on Hurricane Landing/Transcendent Evolution that while it wasn’t an awful film, it was definitely questionable in its existence. But one of the things I did commend the film for was its sense of scale and how it really felt like a big adventure.

Battle of Adventurers also manages to capture this atmosphere as well, though in its own way and while also managing to be an interesting, fun, coherent film. It kind of feels like it takes some of the aspects of what made the other Digimon films good and turned it into its own thing--a similar set-up of Our War Game!, the grand adventure of Hurricane Landing/Transcendent Evolution and the teamwork of Diablomon Strikes Back. Maybe that sounds like a forced metaphor, but hear me out.

From what I can tell, Battle of Adventurers is the first material to establish the multiverse in Digimon, with Omegamon (yes, our favorite Omegamon consisting of Tai’s Agumon and Matt’s Gabumon) confronting a manifestation of the remnants of Apocalymon known as Mephistomon. Mephistomon escapes to the Tamers’ universe, and Omegamon cannot pursue him and only travel through digital space. Whether that means there’s separate Digital Worlds in these universes or that they’re one universe, or that Omegamon can universe-hop through Digital Worlds but not “real worlds”, I’m not sure. They don’t really clarify, but it’s not a particularly big deal.

Now, this could have been really cool if Tai and Matt were fighting along Omegamon (ala Our War Game!) and could have actually universe-hopped to help the tamers confront Mephistomon and defeat him. But that unfortunately didn’t happen and again, the whole multiverse thing wasn’t the focus here. Then again, Xros Wars/Fusion tried to do this kind of thing too and from what I understand that didn’t go too well, so...

But onto the main plot. The whole big adventure feel I was going on about goes to mostly Takato going on a summer trip, while Henry goes on his own adventure to some ruins. Rika... stays in Tokyo, because I guess someone had to. It’s been pretty clear in the times Rika has been with her mother that she’s not quite the fond traveler, at least that’s the impression I get. Unfortunately, we really don’t get to see much of what Henry does--which is odd since they’re kinda specific as to what kind of place he goes to. The biggest adventure element comes from Takato and Guilmon, who visit an island with Takato’s cousin Kai.

Maybe it’s not quite as big as the Adventure 02 DigiDestined traveling across America and I could totally be having a personal aesthetic preference here, but I really liked the time Takato ended up spending on the island with Guilmon. The scenery looked really nice and I loved some of the swimming and underwater sequences, which comes with an honestly really nice insert song to boot. Maybe some people found the beginning boring, but I honestly found it really nice, calming and just a good way to ease into the movie by not forcing our protagonists into a fight immediately and just have the Tamers, friends and Digimon having a nice time.

When the fights do start though, they really go by fast. At times, I almost felt they were a tad too fast. There were actually quite a few neat looking Digimon throughout the movie--like Tylomon, Pteramon, Archelomon and Baromon (hello Ganon)--but most of if not all don’t even get scanned or name dropped. It left me thinking “Ooh, what’s this Digimon? What is it capable of--HEY! WAIT! Don’t kill it! You didn’t even tell me what it was called!”. With how many fights there were, I guess some of them did require fast-pacing, and that didn’t even make them bad either. They still looked good and were fun to watch. I think my only grievance is when a Divermon fell through the hut roof and Kai’s grandpa challenged it, he didn’t wipe the floor with it downright Rafiki style. Come on, you know that would have been hilarious!

In regards to the animation, I found it mostly pretty standard. It wasn’t bad, but nothing that wowed me like Our War Game!. There were still some scenes that looked nice (the aforementioned swimming scene and some of the scenes in Digital Space), and honestly one of the oddest things was how well animated the V-Pet was. Granted, it also wasn’t anything mindblowing, but it was still surprisingly smooth for something that’s basically a BonziBUDDY clone. It was certainly a few levels over the actual show, being in widescreen, having nice pastel colors and shading. Still, one weird animation moment was having the Digimon Digivolve split screen, but only having WarGrowlmon’s in his usual CG while Rapidmon and Taomon were traditionally animated. And then the animators decided to cut and paste Rapidmon and Taomon with CG WarGrowlmon--it just really sticks out like a sore thumb.

The plot of the film was pretty nice, not only setting out to be an adventure but also a pretty good story about loss. I’ll be straightforward: as someone who lost her best four-legged friend six months ago, this one was a hard film to watch that hit really close to home. It made relating to Minami effective without feeling cheap, especially with the theme of irreplaceable companions. That alone worked pretty well with Takato, as a sensitive young boy who fears the idea of ever losing his Digimon partner. 

I think something I wish they could have done was had Minami with Seasarmon de-Digivolved to Labramon, considering Labramon’s striking similar appearance to her dog Mei (and I mean, how can you not adore a Digimon this cute!?). It would have been interesting to continue the theme of Mei being an irreplaceable friend to Minami, who she felt responsible for, and having to struggle with Labramon for looking so much like Mei yet--in Minami’s eyes--was not Mei. This could have also fleshed out Labramon/Seasarmon a bit more for dealing with the hardships of being rejected despite his loyalty. But hey, his sheer loyalty was really strong and touching. I can say it was downright cruel of the writers to make poor Minami lose her dog not once, but twice. Again, this hit a pretty personal spot for me that put me in tears yet again.

I still wish the movie could have done a little more with tying into the Adventure universe, but it’s nothing I’d knock it for. Even if it made Omegamon kind of a plot device to help bring Henry and Rika in to help defeat Mephistomon. Regarding Mephistomon, while he isn’t the most interesting Digimon antagonist, his origins were neat (though not really fleshed out) and he could be pretty cunning. I certainly wasn’t expecting him to be able to disguise himself as a human being to get his way, and his Digivolution to Gulfmon did give a sense of helplessness. One thing I couldn’t help but find kind of funny was his reaction to hearing Omegamon when he helped bring in Henry, Rika and their Digimon. His “oh shit it’s Omegamon!” reaction was just priceless to me, but I enjoy villains who think they’ve won only to have the one person or thing they fear come in and completely change their tune... even if it was rather brief. Still, his utilization of ordering around other Digimon, even willing to fire freaking laser beams at Minami to threaten her father was pretty diabolical.

I will say the movie actually did stress me out with some of its sense of danger, having technology shut down and fail. It is similar to Our War Game! in that way as to how Diablomon took control of things like nuclear missiles. Still, just showing me any potential of a plane being in danger of crashing or getting destroyed with passengers inside absolutely strains me. It’s a personal and psychological thing, but still showed how threatening the infection of the V-Pets was.

I do think this movie definitely had one of my favorite battles of the series so far with Mephistomon/Gulfmon towards the end. Not my absolute favorite yet, but pretty high up there--especially with the combined Trinity Burst attack. I won’t deny that I’m a huge sucker for combo attacks (you can probably blame Tales of Symphonia’s Unison Attack mechanic for that). I’m only sad to know that Trinity Burst is never utilized in the series ever again. Seriously, it’s a powerful combo attack, why wouldn’t you use that more!?

Other than that, the movie ends kind of abruptly. Even though I have a couple of minor complaints about it, they are still minor at best and most of them don’t distract from the fun, joy and painful feels I got out of this movie. As I said, it takes a lot of elements of what made the past Digimon films good and did its own thing. And I really appreciate it as a fun side story. I’m not sure if I have a favorite Digimon film so far (I’m torn between Our War Game!, Diablomon Strikes Back and this one), but I think of all of them, Battle of Adventurers is the most balanced in every aspect. For all of the little problems it has, all of the good is just really pleasant and so worth watching. And hey, even if the ending was abrupt, it had a nice ending song by AiM!

So honestly, this was a great Digimon film for all of the good stuff it has, and I could definitely see myself watching it again for how nice it was. It’s a great side story for the Digimon Tamers series.

[wtfzodiacsigns]

dealing with heartbreak

Read for Sun/Moon

aries, you sometimes deny confessing that losing that job, that person, whatever that is, is an actual problem, you continue acting up

sit with your sadness, talk it out, cry it out, heal from it, I know you can pick yourself up quickly, you do not hold grudges and you learn and grow and expand just as quickly

taurus, after losing that person, job you start believing you will never fall in love that intensely or you will never have another perfect job, or you will never have a strong bond with someone like that

but actually you are being prepared for something bigger always, that is how the Universe works, sometimes we just cannot or do not know how to deal with it and we think something like that is never going to happen to us, well yes that is true, something greater will

oh gemini, you rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms by distracting your attention instead of dealing with emotions and problems that involve emotions, you run away

trust me you are just as capable for dealing with it internally by being honest with all those personalities of yours, you naturally improvise and solve problems relating cerebral matters you can touch your own heart and solve it then you will be more than happy sharing information to others as to how you got over it, you will inspire and channel knowledge things you love

cancer, your insecurities bring out the worst in you, it will be very hard to believe you can go on without that job, dream, person

i know this is weird to say, because that was a big part of your life, but you could do it before them/that and you can do it without them/that again, plus by being stronger and wiser

leo, you feel like you cannot go on if you do not have at least one person who can encourage you and store faith and hope right back at ya

sometimes, oh heck, most of the times you are that person honey, you are all THAT, it is lovely having loyal friends and a strong support system but it all starts with you

virgo, over-analyzing the past, trying to figure out the exact moment when everything went downhill, instead of doing all that you need to accept the end

also you need to critisize less and worry more about yourself and those closest to you who are still worth it, who are still valuable, you are among those as well, worry about your future, about them being in your future too, worry about bettering yourself each day by looking at all sides not just the negatives

libra, oh a part of you does not even want to quit this idealization of  this person, this dream, this situation that broke your heart, you like thinking there is a chance that you are still on the wagon, that you are going to continue being with the person, that you are going to help that friend, that you were not fired

honey, life is not perfect, disappointments, failures are going to happen and the first thing you need to do is accept them, cry it out, heal as I said before, and then take the world by storm, because you of all can surely do it

oh scorpio, you are angry and you want revenge, you want to make those people who disappointed you, hurt you feel the same pain you are feeling right now

a complete waste of time, the Universe will have its way, and you will be laughing at something they will surely get, karma is listening honey, but I do not have much to say, after all you are the Phoenix constantly transforming and bettering, constantly rising from the ashes

sagittarius, you constantly exhaust your mind with that person, that situation

it is on your way to greatness, it is occupying your in-fact philosophical mind, it is narrowing it instead of broadening it as you’d like, I believe your free-spirited self will re-invent as you always do, you understand things, just give yourself time

capricorn, you connect hardly, you disconnect just as hardly, you cut off people with difficulty and that is okay, you need some time to get over people, situations, failures

try to listen to an inner voice of intuition, heart, emotions more rather than the voice of critique, that is constantly with us and easily attuned with, easily available, experiences like this do make you more vulnerable, but more human as well

aquarius, you are actually in tune with your mood by listening to certain songs and by watching certain movies, which is good

but the movies and songs have an end as well as your healing should, because healing can easily go to clinging and not letting go, you are a fixed energy so be careful with this, let the music and artistry help your way to re-newel

pisces, the fragile heart, feeling each emotions with such depth, a never-seen depth for a regular human

you are also prone to depression and substances, be careful not to take a very bad route, but however, whatever happens remember to click that switch where your brain has ‘a-HA moments’ where you understand things, where everything clicks, where your intuition is so strong it is making your body do things on its own by reacting, never forget that you are spiritually accomplished, you do not need drugs you are drugs lol

Source: astrroloaries