#you learn things when you’re in a community like musical theater

[redladydeath]

you ever watch a youtube man try to analyze a musical and just realize… oh honey, you don’t actually understand this medium, do you?

[frenchhoneybee]

I’ve always wanted to do this huehuehue. All odd numbers from the get to know me asks :3

omgggggg - first thought is you hate me for having to answer all these questions but i know you don’t 😘💛 ahhhh okay!

1. selfie (hoping y’all focus more on the beautiful Cali rather than me in this pic)

3. do you miss anyone? yes. i miss my friends, especially the ones i haven’t seen in a while

5. is there anyone who can always make you smile? my childhood and high school friends

7. what was your life like last year? the first half of the year i couldn’t drive bc my epilepsy meds were not controlling my seizures BUT i got a clean EEG in april so i was able to start driving in june which helped SO much. i had a great spring semester with my cohort in grad school and a good fall semester with a new cohort. i spent my free time doing theatre stuff, spending time with friends, bingeing tv shows, and doing school stuff.

9. who did you last see in person? my mom

11. are you listening to music right now? yes! haze by tessa violet just came on

13. how do you feel right now? tired and a bit anxious bc school starts next week

15. personality description: like if a cat were a human and swore a lot but also super empathetic and thoughtful

17. opinion on insecurities. everyone has them, therapy can help with them, and you’re your own worst critic

19. have you ever been to New York? apparently when i was like 2, my mom and dad took me to Cooperstown, but bc i don’t remember it, i feel like it shouldn’t count

21. age and birthday? hahahahaha you’re not gonna get me that easy. what - do you want my SSN next??

23. fear(s) - abandonment and cockroaches

25. role model - probably my theater friend/colleague (who is actually younger than me 😅)? they’re super cool and weird and kind and emotionally intelligent and i strive to be like that in my life

27. things i hate: idiotic logic (MAGA, terfs, etc.), ham (but especially if it’s heated in some capacity bc the smell makes me nauseous), the american healthcare system, capitalism, and Arizona drivers

29. favourite film(s): the princess bride, hush, scream franchise (minus 4), the suicide squad, everything everywhere all at once, barbie

31. 3 random facts: a. if public housing tenants, any members of their household, or guests engages in any drug related or other criminal activity on or off the premises, the tenancy will be terminated. b. “the Navajo apply the same word to the color of a robin’s egg and to that of grass. a psychologist once assumed that this meant the Navajo people didn’t have the physiological equipment to distinguish “green” from “blue”. when he showed them objects of the two colors and asked them if they were the same colors, they looked at him with astonishment” - Clyde Kluckholm (i hope that psychologist felt appropriately stupid). c. Cesar Chavez spoke to nearly half a million queer people at the 1987 March on Washington, acknowledging the impact gay support had had on United Farm Workers’ boycotts and pledging ongoing labor support for gay and lesbian rights.

33. something you want to learn. i want to learn spanish (i know a little but i want to learn more)

35. favourite subject. history

37. favourite actor/actress: uhhhh Daniel Craig is pretty top tier and Lucy Liu is also one of my faves. don’t have specific absolute favorites though

39. favourite sport(s)

fuck all sports except for football in ted lasso specifically

41. relationship status - single pringle

43. favourite song ever - OOF yeah no this is an impossible question can’t answer it

45. how you found out about your idol - i don’t think i have an idol? like i have various ppl i look up to but i learned early on in my life that idolizing ppl doesn’t end well for me bc we’re all deeply flawed individuals - we’re all human.

47. turn ons - sexual: confidence, communication, foreplay; romantic: confident sense of self, good scent, passion; platonic: sense of humor, parallel play, communication

49. where i want to be right now - in a cabin with rain falling, curled up on a couch with a mug of tea and a book

51. starsign - cancer ♋️

53. 5 things that make me happy: a. rain b. chocolate c. my cat d. spending time with my friends e. singing along to my favorite songs

55. tumblr friends - okay so i know that i have moots that i’m friendly with but idk if that counts as friends??? like if i regularly reblog and like their stuff and they regularly reblog and like my stuff that’s probably friends? i still don’t know how internet friendship works and i’ve lived on this earth for over a quarter of a century.

57. favourite animal: house cat. sounds basic but i’ve had so many of them over the years that i know they’re my favorite 😽

59. why i joined tumblr: in high school my friends were on tumblr and i wanted to connect with them better and then i never left (even tho they all did)

thank you @tearlessbbshampoo for the ask! ily for connecting on this supposed “social media” webbed site 🫶💛

[booneysboyfie]

SING + SING 2 HEADCANONS (human au)

Part one: main characters

Picrew link, art by Naylissa on various social medias

(One year passes in between movies so for characters who are in both movies, there will be two ages listed)

I’m posting this here instead of on my main because you guys are used to me being cringe <3

Also, important: I chose each character’s ethnicity based either on where in the world their species of animal lives, or (for animals that live all over, like pigs or mice) other contextual things (like Gunther’s accent)— basically, please understand that I’m not making Johnny black because he’s a gorilla, but because gorillas in real life can be found in equatorial Africa— however if you’re black and still find this offensive, please dm me and you can explain to me what’s wrong, and I’ll do anything I can to make it better :)

Buster Moon (he/him, gay and trans)

36-37 years old

5’0”

Australian

Autism, bipolar, and PTSD (after working with Jimmy Crystal)

Hair started going gray due to stress, so he dyed it all

Forgets to eat a lot

Works too much, gets bad burnout

Is best friends with Rosita; she reminds him to eat and sleep and stuff when they’re on the road

Has electrical burn scars on his hands from when he and Ash messed with the electric fence on Clay’s property

Was dating Eddie in the first movie, but they broke up which is why he’s not there in the second movie

Rosita (she/her, bi and ace)

40-41 years old

5’5”

Latina (I chose this for her because of her name)

ADHD, depression

In canonverse she had two litters of piglets, one with 15 and one with 10

In human au she only had five kids— Carrie, Hannah, Kelly, Leo, and of course Casper

Her husband, Norman, is very supportive of her identity— they were going through a rough patch in the first movie because he was taking on too much work (hes a Lawyer) and didn’t have time to spend with family, but they work on it together and have a much healthier relationship now

She got a degree in journalism and used to work for a newspaper

She has been closeted bi all her life, but only found out about the “asexual” label once she met the theater group (mostly Gunther) and learned more about the queer community

Speaking of Gunther…

Gunther (he/him, queer)

39-40 years old

5’5”

Immigrated from Germany when he was a teenager

Was not accepted by his family for being queer— he hasn’t had any contact with them for most of his adult life

He’s very well adjusted and stable now, though

A lot of his energy goes towards helping out his friends at the theater, who are still figuring out who they are— like Rosita!

He gets along surprisingly well with Ash, probably because Ash really needs a really positive friend to hype him up

Gunther has been doing dance since he was a kid, and is really good at it

Johnny (he/him, gay)

19-20 years old

6’0

Very sweet and supportive with his friends

Kind of a puppy punk— he’s discovering a lot of new music and ideas through Ash haha

Always bruised and sore from dance practice

Loves skateboarding

Used to straighten his hair (like in the first movie) but now he takes better care of it

Helps Nooshy get tattoos and piercings because they’re afraid of needles

His late mother is the person who inspired his love for singing

Also loves to do other kinds of art

Dropped out of school at age 16 to help out at the garage so his dad could focus more on his other business

His best friends in the group are Ash and Meena

Ash (he/him, transmasc)

19-20 years old

5’3”

Brazilian

Actually went to middle school with Johnny, but neither of them remember the other

Gives himself stick and pokes

Came out and started his transition in between the first and second movies

Also has electrical burn scars on hands like Buster

Is kind of withdrawn from his family— they love him a lot and want to rebuild their relationship, but Ash feels guilty for having chosen his ex-boyfriend over them when he gave him an ultimatum

Still doubts himself about his gender identity a lot because he grew up thinking everyone felt that disconnected with femininity

Loves getting piercings

He still wears really artistic makeup for shows

Hasn’t even thought about dating anyone after his ex— not because he carries a torch for him, but because he feels like his mind and body has been “ruined” by having spent so much time in such a manipulative and toxic relationship (I’m toootally not projecting haha /sarcastic)

Meena (she/her, transhet)

23-24 years old

6’1”

She and her family are Indian (I chose this because in the second movie she’s a lot smaller than Alphonso, and to make it work with both of them being amab I decided she’s an Asian elephant and he’s an African elephant)

Anxiety, dyslexia, rejection sensitive dysphoria

Her parents have always been supportive of her transition, but it took her grandparents a few years to warm up to it

She has been out as a trans girl since she was a young teenager

She’s been taking singing lessons since she was a kid

Attends a community college in the area and is really self conscious about the fact that she’s not pursuing any other higher education because her cousins and parents are all very scholarly

Her parents are both professors

Gets really dysphoric about her height and size

But she feels really EUPHORIC about her beautiful long hair and the jewelry she likes to wear!

Looks up to Buster a lot even though sometimes he doesn’t make the best choices

Miss Crawly (she/her)

82-83 years old

5’4”

Salvadoran

Half blind and hard of hearing

Was very good friends with Buster’s late parents

Is extremely good at cooking; always feeds the theater group when they work late rehearsing or putting on a show

Is actually married, but none of her friends at the theater know her husband very well

Has two adult children too; she loves them very much and talks on the phone with them a lot, but they both live out of state so she only sees them and her grandkids every few years

Doesn’t mind when Buster doesn’t have the money to pay her; she may technically be an employee, but she views her job at the theater as just helping out a family friend

Is definitely more competent that she appears to be

Porsha Crystal (she/her, lesbian)

19 years old

5’7”

Has lived in Redshore City all her life

Autistic

Has a lot of followers on her official social media, but she also has a few secret accounts so she can goof off with her friends without her dad knowing

Really admires Ash, even if he took a while to warm up to her

Dyes her hair as a way to be in control of her appearance— Jimmy always chose her hairstyle and clothing so she looked “normal”, but didn’t mind if she dyed it because that’s kind of typical for modern teens

Loves to do colorful and fun makeup

Had a little bit of a crush on Suki when she first started working for Jimmy, but obviously that was one-sided because Porsha’s a lot younger than her

Nooshy (he/she/they depending on the day, genderfluid and bisexual)

21 years old

5’4

Finnish

Depression

Was homeless prior to meeting the gang, now lives with Johnny

Dyes his hair black

Is afraid of needles

Gets a lot of nightmares and doesn’t sleep well

Doesn’t spend a lot on clothes, upcycles their own stuff

Still just does street performance as her job

Clay Calloway (he/they, trans, genderqueer, bisexual)

62 years old

5’5”

He and Ruby are t4t

Stealth in public, and has no living family members— the only people who know he’s trans are his friends, who he came out to after a few months of getting to know better

Ash is like their grandson

Completely left behind their old life when they moved to Redshore

Ruby transitioned later in life— when they first started dating, they were technically a mlm couple

Literally hates Jimmy Crystal so so much and is very open about it

Porsha helped them start a social media account. He’s not very active on it besides replying to fan messages and posting things about the shows he does.

[dearestones]

Twisted Wonderland Matchup: Silver

@astralmysteria Request: Can I have a romantic twisted wonderland matchup plz

Gender: cis female

Pronouns: she/her

Sexuality: heterosexual ally

Appearance: 5’2 African American hourglass body (although I’m more top heavy if you know what i mean) black curly wavy hair blackish brown eyes chubby cheeks wears glasses sometimes (im far sighted so it’s usually when driving in class or at the theater)

Personality: kind smart funny motherly responsible empathetic anxious emotional moody perfectionist helpful people pleaser caring compassionate nerdy curious protective polite respectful indecisive fearful nervous introvert shy awkward clumsy low self esteem low confidence (more pertaining to my talents or personality then my looks) sassy sarcastic (I’m mainly these things with people i feel comfortable with like friends or family) soft spoken cute (my friends think im cute because i can be pretty innocent plus I’m small physically)

Likes: animals books reading writing fantasy magic sci fi anime music video games friends alone time learning personality quizzes sweets and bread helping being a part of something bigger than myself

Dislikes: spiders loud sounds people who harm others people who don’t take others into consideration (like make insensitive jokes or don’t consider the comfort of others or are mean just cause they can) people i care about not caring for themselves (im a hypocrite on this i take care of everyone else but not me) not being listened to weird holes and patterns math and tests (I’m being tested for a math disability and i have test anxiety)

Love language:

Giving: acts of service gift giving and physical affection (if they’re ok with it)

Receiving: words of affirmation and physical affection (although i can be shy about it)

Extra: i pace a lot i sing when im alone i talk to myself im a picky eater (mainly with textures) i have a cat

Thank you

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After going through the description given, I believe that you best pair well with Silver!

Silver is a gentleman through and through, so while he appreciates your figure, he doesn’t ogle it mindlessly like some other students might. Although, if pushed, he would find that you are adorable and quite eye-catching, what with your curly black hair and chubby cheeks. And because you’re so short, he may endeavor to help you with fetching things like books or cups from high places—provided, of course, you ask for assistance because he still is a very polite young man.

Silver doesn’t often think about romance or any other feelings relating to that particular emotion. Most of the time, he’s trying to better himself as both a knight to his prince or to become a worthy mage that his father can be proud of. That said, he appreciates your kind and caring nature. As a student of Night Raven College, most of his peers are not as willing to bear vulnerability or compassion so openly. If nothing else, he finds your attitude refreshing because it is also a reflection of himself.

Silver believes in you despite your awkward and clumsy nature. Everyone has their faults and yours is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it’s rather endearing; almost as if you were one of those deer he would find near his childhood home or in the forests that surround the school. 

In addition, if he ever finds that you are feeling doubtful about your talents and abilities, he is quick to reassure you and lay any doubts to rest. It takes a while to become confident, but like all things, when you want to become better at someone, you have to continue to practice and work hard to better yourself. 

Silver is straightforward and serious. Although he is far more adept at interacting with his peers when compared to the rest of Diasomnia dorm, that doesn’t mean that he’s loads better. Therefore, don’t be too discouraged or saddened if Silver doesn’t quip back with his own sarcastic retorts or laugh at your sass. He’s an earnest, polite soul; it’s best that if you want to communicate with little miscommunication, you are clear and concise with your words. 

(That doesn’t mean that there aren’t any moments when he can’t be funny or crack a smile at your humor. Give him time, he’ll get there eventually). 

Don’t blame Silver, but he also thinks that you’re rather adorable. It’s a mixture of your mannerisms and your physicality, but it’s also because you remind him of his woodland creatures that he talks to sometimes. It doesn’t help that you’re rather soft spoken and that you share his love for animals!

Speaking of animals, you can join Silver whenever he decides to take a walk through the forest surrounding Night Raven College. Even though he’s usually busy because of club meetings, schoolwork, and a plethora of activities that he must complete as knight to Malleus, he’ll still make time for you. Sometimes, dates with him will culminate in a lovely picnic underneath a great oak tree. There, the both of you can talk about your wants and dreams, pet the animals that will eventually swarm Silver, or even take naps together. 

(You can even ruffle or comb through Silver’s hair whenever he takes an impromptu nap. Just be sure to wake him up eventually). 

Whenever Silver sees that you are not taking care of yourself —especially when you should—he’ll offer to lighten your burdens. If you need help cooking healthy meals, he’ll take over the kitchen for you. If your living space needs cleaning, he’ll freely get cleaning supplies and get to work. Whatever you need help with, he’ll do his best to uplight you and make it so that it’s easier to enact self care. 

If you are ever worried about not getting listened to, don’t fear! Silver isn’t very talkative, but he’s always willing to listen to others. There may be times when he may not have words of advice should you need them (he might have to refer to Lilia for worldly advice), but his comforting presence more than makes up for it. 

As for your listed love languages, Silver appreciates all three of them. His favorite, however, is acts of service. He’s a knight and had to spend most of his childhood learning how to be self-sufficient. To know that there is someone out there who can share some of his responsibilities lightens his heart. He’s a little confused when you give him gifts (it’s not often that he’s spoiled like this), but will accept them nonetheless. As for physical affection, he’s more than fine with it! He doesn’t often initiate, but won’t stop you if you reach for his hands or pull his face in for a kiss. 

As for you, Silver is not always outspoken, but you can be assured that whatever he says will always be the truth. No matter how blunt his words, know that he means all of it and that he would never directly hurt you with words alone. Again, he’s not great with initiating physical affection, but if you inform him that you would like him to start, he’ll gladly do so. He’s not exactly as shy as you, but he’ll be very gentle, almost hesitant to touch you. After a while, he’ll become bolder and offer you physical affection whenever he sees you.

All in all, your relationship with Silver is pretty mellow, but filled with quiet affection and love between the both of you. 

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If you want to donate a Ko-Fi, feel free https://ko-fi.com/devintrinidad.

TWISTED WONDERLAND MASTERLIST

[theblogs2024]

Fun Day Adventures: Sparking Joy And Relationship

Dating can be an adventure—a combination of pleasure, discovery, and at times even a little chaos. Whether you happen to be new to the dating scene or wanting to reignite your enthusiasm for meeting new folks, embracing the journey may make the encounter way more worthwhile. Here are some exciting and inventive day Thoughts to encourage your next adventure.

1. Attempt a Cooking Class Collectively

Mastering a little something new alongside one another is a terrific way to bond. Enroll in a cooking course in which you can build delectable dishes and share lots of laughs. From pasta-creating to sushi-rolling, this interactive encounter is sure to bring you closer.

two. Examine a neighborhood Farmers’ Current market

Shell out a sunny morning strolling through a farmers’ marketplace. Sample fresh produce, enjoy area treats, and pick components to cook a food collectively later. This peaceful and pleasurable outing delivers a mix of dialogue and discovery.

3. Go with a Mountaineering Adventure

For mother nature enthusiasts, a hiking day combines training, clean air, and gorgeous sights. Opt for a trail that matches your Conditioning degree and pack some snacks for the scenic picnic. It’s a great way to hook up although Checking out The good outdoor.

4. Check out an Escape Home

Test your teamwork capabilities having an escape home obstacle. Operating collectively to resolve puzzles and crack codes can develop a feeling of partnership and accomplishment. As well as, it’s a novel and unforgettable working experience.

five. Have got a Do it yourself Craft Night time

Get creative and unleash your inventive sides which has a Do it yourself craft night time. Whether it’s portray, pottery, or earning candles, this arms-on action allows for calm conversation and plenty of fun.

six. System a Retro Video game Evening

Dive into nostalgia by using a retro recreation night. Play board game titles, card online games, as well as previous-school online video online games. It’s a playful approach to spark friendly competition and laughter.

seven. Attend a Are living Celebration

Dwell music, stand-up comedy, or theater performances make for energetic and fascinating dates. Sharing the Power of the Dwell viewers generates a unique working experience you’ll the two remember.

eight. Discover a completely new Neighborhood or City

Be travelers for on a daily basis and check out a community or nearby city you’ve by no means frequented. Take a look at community shops, cafes, and points of interest. The perception of adventure is likely to make the working day truly feel Distinctive.

9. Stargazing Picnic

For the passionate twist, pack a blanket, snacks, and a few heat beverages to get a stargazing picnic. Discover a quiet spot from town lights and enjoy The great thing about the evening sky together.

10. Volunteer Jointly

Give again towards the Neighborhood when bonding as a pair. Regardless of whether it’s serving to in a food bank, cleaning up a park, or walking shelter canines, volunteering can deepen your link and generate Long lasting Recollections.

Summary Pleasurable day adventures are about extra than simply spending time with each other—they’re options to generate shared Recollections, bolster bonds, and find out new sides of each other. No matter whether you’re laughing by an escape place or savoring a tranquil evening beneath the stars, The true secret is always to embrace the moment with Pleasure and openness. So, move out with the standard and Permit your following date experience provide you closer than ever before.

Learn more info. check out here: Find Love

[linnea-lorenzo]

“And I'm so sick of them coming at me again/'Cause if I was a man/Then I'd be the man/I'd be the man”

[cisgender female and she/her] Welcome to Aurora Bay, [LINNEA LORENZO]! I couldn’t help but notice you look an awful lot like [LIZA SOBERANO]. You must be the [TWENTY-FIVE]year old [TEACHER AT ELEGANCE DANCE STUDIO]. Word is you’re [KINDEHEARTED] but can also be a bit [RESENTFUL] and your favorite song is [THE MAN BY TAYLOR SWIFT ]. I also heard you’ll be staying in [FISHERS COVE]. I’m sure you’ll love it!

@aurorabayaesthetic

Tw:depression and manipulation

FAMILY

Leocardio “Leo “Lorenzo: Father

Pamela Lorenzo(formerly Tate): Mother

Dolores Lorenzo: Aunt

UTP Lorenzo: Sibling

Nico Lorenzo: Son

UTP: Cousin

Wanted Connections

Baby Daddy

Best Friend

“Love, Rosie “ connection

Ex girlfriend

Former hook up

Another parent Bestie

High school Bestie

Former Colleagues

History

Art had always been important to the Lorenzo family. It was how Linnea’s parents had fallen in love. Her mother had owned a gallery out of Los Angeles and her father had been the guitarist of one of the most popular rock bands of the last 30 years. By the time Linnea had been born no one knew what she was going to do with her life. But the had always wanted greatness. Her parents had relocated to Aurora Bay by the time she was born to live close to her aunt Dolores, who had been going through a divorce. It had been a perfect existence. It was only years later that Linnea realized that Aurora Bay had been her safe and happy place.

the first time she had seen a stage production of West Side Story had changed her life. Linnea wanted to be a dancer. Her family feared it wasn’t going to happen living in the beach town with her family. By the time Linnea was sixteen her parents had came to the conclusion that Linnea needed to go somewhere where the work and training was. So they packed up everything and moved to New York so that Linnea could continue to grow. She didn’t stick to any particular style either and wanted to learn everything. She wanted to be on stage, in film, and in competition doing modern, Jazz, Jive, Ballet,ballroom, tap and more. There was no style of dance that seemed too weird or random for her to want to sink her teeth into. One of her favorite things to do on the side was competitive dance and it was where she had met her dance partner.

Linnea was often a hopeless romantic. She blamed it on her love of musicals and instantly fell for him. It was easy to almost put more emotions out there when you were often having to play these huge feelings in the dance floor. Perhaps she had been naive to assume more than there was but she had fallen pretty hard and fast.

It seemed like things were mutual and a lot of the attention the pair got within the dance community was how much passion seemed to be between them when they would enter competitions. It won them trophies and a lot of attention. They would be often cast in theater productions together just so they could be partnered with one another. They wanted to see the magic between the duo live. Linnea was a hopeless romantic though and she quickly realized that while she had been an amazing dancer; he was a much better actor.

Linnea lived in a world of romance and fairy tales because that was how sheltered she had become from her entire world revolving around dance and music. She’d fallen in love with him and had no idea that the feelings weren’t exactly mutual. Every stolen moment with him had been part of the act. She had no idea she was being used by him to earn the favor of others and for him to move up from just a part of the chorus in theatre and the competition circuit to actual stardom. He had feelings for her but not as much as she had felt for him. So he played the part and asked her to be his girlfriend. She had come from famous parents while she was really just a Nepo baby who could dance well and wore her heart on her sleeve. He could swing that relationship into actual fame. The cracks started to form within their relationship and Linnea would at times fall into a deep depression. She knew she was being used but couldn’t prove it and had to deal with the loneliness of having a partner who was also her work partner only being half present.

By the time she was 22 things had changed. Linnea was leaning into choreography a bit more as she was balancing working in the dance troupe for moulin rouge, still competing in the ballroom circuit, and dealing with what she believed were health issues that had arrived quite suddenly. The only thing was, they weren’t health issues. Linnea had gotten pregnant and she realized how much that would affect everything in her life. It became very clear to her that there was a double standard when it came to certain careers between men and women. A man could have a million kids and it wouldn’t affect their career in dance. But Linnea’s was hanging in the balance as soon as she had to quit her work on stage.

She hoped she’d have a supportive partner but soon her former dance partner turned boyfriend left her in the dust. He’d got an opportunity in the West End and Linnea was not part of the plan. She realized quite suddenly and drastically that the love story she thought she was living had been a farce. He didn’t love her the way she had loved him and she had only been a last name to connect himself to so that he could use it to his advantage. It became very clear that’s what had happened when she had seen him locking lips with another woman shortly after her pregnancy announcement.

Linnea was distraught, but she didn’t want to give up her child. However, her parents were thriving in New York and she didn’t want to raise a child in the city. So she had to make a choice and knew the best one was to try and live the quiet life. It had never been about fame for her. She never wanted that m. She just wanted to dance. And Linnea believed she could do that anywhere. So after a few calls, and a very excited invite to move home to Aurora Bay, Linnea went to live with Dolores again in Fishers cove. There she had her son Nico and her life had changed.

While others could assume having a child when you were a performer might end your whole life and career, Linnea realized that perhaps this was where she was always meant to be. Of course she loved to be on stage and on the dancefloor but she never wanted to be famous. Her parents had that and she saw how hard it was on her dad. That man was her hero and she still would see how fleeting and troublesome being a known name was. In a way Linnea was grateful she didn’t have the world looking at her under a microscope and could just be a chorus girl who had a closet full of competition dance trophies. Because in Aurora Bay, her dance classes are full. She can teach kids with wide idealistic eyes like she and had during the day and teach those wanting to compete or make it to Broadway by night. She loved helping people get better. And she often had her little shadow, Nico sitting in the dance studio with her. Dolores often offered to look after Linnea’s son but she didn’t want to be an absent parent. She wanted him to grow up surrounded by art like she had been and hoped he would pick his own niche when he got older. Though she wouldn’t have been mad either if one day he got older and decided to be a an athlete or doctor. Most importantly, she just wanted him to be happy and full of love that her family had given her, even if sometimes she felt a bit unseen by those around her. She never wanted Nico to wonder where his dad was or worry about why he didn’t have one around. She still has bouts of loneliness and tries to use dance to deal with depression that hits quick swiftly and suddenly, but she’s trying her best.

in a life that seems to have gone on so many different directions; the only thing Linnea was bitter about in her life was her ex. She felt like she had been screwed over and believes doubles standards and gender politics when it comes to having a professional career are bullshit. She’s also sworn off love and is wary or people who flirt with her or give her compliments. Linnea swears if she sees her son’s father again she’s going to ruin his life. Or maybe she just hopes karma is the thing that gets to him first. After all who get what you give in the end.

[andromacheflints]

cactus, sage, edelweiss !! <3

cactus ⇢ something you’re currently learning (about)?

i'm���currently not learning about anything *runs away in shame* i've been kind of brain dead + only reading novels… (actually that's a lie I finished the immortal life of henrietta lacks last week but i don't count it as "learning about something" cause I don't intend to follow up on the topic…) I was learning finnish for a while before that but kind of let it fall of the side after returning from there, cause I don't know if I'll ever be back, (even though I'd really like to…) i should start finally reading those jstor papers i have saved lol. I just want to have a system for taking notes of what i read cause rn i put everything on a random paper and then lose it.

sage ⇢ what ‘medium’ of art (poetry, music, fiction, paintings, statues etc.) is the most touching to you? why do you think that is?

i think thats gotta be film, and to a lesser extent theater ig - although with theater I tend to have the effect of being hyperaware that I'm in a physical space and watching someone perform, while with film I become conscious of it more rarely… as for why i think thats the reason lol, in film its really easy for me to just 'lose myself' and think entirely emotionally… film people might look down at me for this but imo films just direct you to an extent no other medium does and its kind of overwhelming… especially when you're in a movie theatre, like this, ig, communal direction of our attention is something else!! it's very powerful to me. also honestly I have very little film knowledge so its just easy for me to be manipulated ig… like when i'm reading a novel i'm more aware of like trying to decode it and figure out what the author's thought process was, so I don't respond to it emotionally as much i guess…

edelweiss ⇢ how’d you think of your url/username? what’s it associated with to you?

she's an oc of mine :3 I made her in high school (middle school?) so shes changed a bunch of times and barely write about her anymore, but I still feel very soft about her… im not sure why i named her like that tbh, it just sounded cool to me and i guess it stuck? looking back i might have inadvertently named her after antigone funn of wooden overcoats fame… the story behind me changing my url is last year an irl texted me like "hey is your tumblr account [old url]" and i had to go like "noooooo" and then quickly change it to the first thing i could think of… but i kind of like it now, it feels like a canon url for a fandom of one. so yeah the association is the crappy scifi story i started to write when i was 15 fdfds

[jcmarchi]

Drinking from a firehose — on stage

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/drinking-from-a-firehose-on-stage/

Drinking from a firehose — on stage

What happens when a bunch of students used to drinking from a firehose decide to channel their energy into musical theater? If what you’re picturing is a bit chaotic, you’re on the right track.

For more than 50 years, the MIT Music Theater Guild (MTG) has put on epic performances that are equal parts ambitious, impressive, and creative. From “Rocky Horror Picture Show” to original remakes of superhero blockbusters and everything in between, the productions are, above all else, entertaining.

“At its core, it’s just students being passionate about the art they are creating and giving back to their community,” says senior Michaela Purvis, who has served as a president, choreographer, cast member, and more with MTG. “Something about that is really special for me.”

Members of the group are quick to point out that MTG is completely student-run, which makes for a quirky, scrappy culture in which members step up to serve in whatever roles are needed for each show.

That may sound like a difficult way to maintain the group’s four annual performances, but since it was formed in 1971, MTG students have consistently committed themselves to complex shows with an enthusiasm that not even a global pandemic could stop.

“The fact that we’ve existed continually for so long speaks volumes,” Purvis says. “I think it shows the persistence and spirit of students in general. When we’re in pursuit of a project, we’re able to carry it through.”

In many ways, current and former members say MTG’s spirit is an extension of MIT’s ethos.

“MIT students have this attitude that anything that is technically possible can be done,” says Matt Putnam ’09, who has stayed involved with MTG since graduating. “It’s similar to the hacks. … Musical theater is similarly bonkers. If musical theater didn’t exist, and I said, ‘We’re going to put on a show that’s like a movie, but it’s going to be live and everyone’s going to have to memorize two hours-worth of lines, and we’re going to add songs and dances people will need to learn, and we’re going to need sets and lights and choreography and props.’ You’d say that’s crazy. But it is technically possible, so I think students dive into it with this attitude of ‘Let’s make it happen.’”

MTG’s members usually wait until a couple of months before their next performance to pick what show they’ll do, which makes for a hectic preparation but ensures students like what they’re performing.

Some MTG positions, like president and treasurer, are decided on a biannual basis. But many positions are filled after a show is selected. In addition to the actors and musicians, there are carpenters, lighting and sound engineers, costume, hair, and makeup managers, and even a webmaster and documentarian.

“The biggest misconception is you need to be able to sing, act, and dance to be a part of the Music Theater Guild,” junior Eleanor Jaffe says. “You don’t need to be able to do anything. You just need to want to do something. That can be painting, it can be acting, dancing, sewing — literally anything. We have a role for anyone.”

About a week before showtime, everyone comes together to assemble the set. Then the group is in production week. Mondays are spent setting up the technical elements of the stage and conducting a full run-of-show. Tuesday night is orchestra night. There are dress rehearsals Wednesday and Thursday where members try to get through everything without stopping. Friday is showtime.

“Opening night, even in the best of cases, feels sudden and rushed and not quite ready,” Putnam says. “You have to accept it’s never going to be perfect. Some people are quite nervous.”

It shouldn’t be a surprise that things don’t always go according to plan. Fortunately, overcoming adversity is one of MTG’s specialties. One year, a blizzard closed campus during two of MTG’s sold-out shows. Kresge Auditorium was already booked for the make-up dates, so MTG performed in a lecture hall (the set and light teams improvised). Another year, on the first day of “Jesus Christ: Superstar,” the actress playing Mary Magdalene walked in sick and unable to sing. With two hours until showtime, the organizers called another member who hadn’t been involved in the show. That member agreed to sit in the orchestra pit and perform every song into a microphone while the original actress lip-synced. Even during the pandemic, the group published virtual shows.

“There’s a very standard way we do everything, and sometimes things get wobbly and we have to figure them out, but there’s such a large history that we know how to get things done,” Jaffe says.

A show that still holds a prominent role in MTG lore is a 2003 performance that lumped the first three “Star Wars” movies into one epic musical parody. That’s the show that hooked Putnam, who remembers one costume designer using a vacuum form machine to create storm trooper armor. Legend holds that the show featured more than 200 costumes. MTG eventually performed the show at the opening of a “Star Wars” exhibit at the Museum of Science in front of George Lucas himself.

“I thought it was the most incredible thing I’d ever seen,” Putnam recalls. “It pulled in so many different resources from the community.”

Current and former MTG members say it’s fulfilling to be a part of something that requires people from so many different backgrounds. There’s truly something for everyone in MTG, whether students are looking to apply their engineering and design skills, find an outlet for their side hobbies, or they just like to sing.

“Putting together a show is kind of like being on an engineering team or working for a company with a lot of different departments,” says Putnam who currently works as a software engineer. “That’s what’s so exciting about musical theater for me: how many different people and skillsets come together to make the finished product.”

[bbtbbctravel]

How to Write a Travel Article

A travel article is an account of a trip or journey that features descriptions, anecdotes, and comparisons from a first-person perspective. It can be published in daily newspapers, popular magazines, or specialist travel publications. Travelling koh phi phi

An effective travel article makes the reader want to go on a trip to the destination in question. To write a travel article, you must have a clear idea of what your readers are looking for and how they like to read about their travels. more info

Getting There and Getting Around

Getting there and getting around are two of the most important aspects of any trip, especially when you’re traveling in a foreign country. From figuring out what the best route is to finding the right bus or train, there’s always something new to learn when it comes to navigating the roads of a different world.

Whether you’re in the market for a first-class flight or an inexpensive city break, the right mode of transportation is the key to making the most of your time and money. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your travel agent or hotel concierge for recommendations on the best route from A to B.

When it comes to actually getting around a new place, the metro or subway is usually the most logical choice for many travelers. It’s a great way to get a feel for the local vibe and see how well your hotel is located within the network of rail lines, and you can often save money by purchasing a day pass rather than buying a roundtrip ticket each time you hop on or off the train.

It’s also a good idea to try and be as active as possible during your stay. There’s no shortage of things to do in a large city, so take advantage of your time and get out and see what the town has to offer! From exploring the town’s landmarks to catching the latest show at the local theater, there are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself.

Festivals and Special Events

Festivals and special events are a great way to see a new place while interacting with other travelers. They are also great places to explore your own interests and get a glimpse into the culture.

While destination articles focus on a traveler’s overall experience in a particular location, special-interest pieces explore a specific aspect of the region or country. These can include art in Colombia, ghost towns in the U.S., trekking in Patagonia, alpaca farms in Australia, motorbiking in Brazil, railroads in France, volunteering in Tanzania – the list goes on!

Generally, festivals are large-scale events that involve thousands of people and bring together music, food, and other attractions. They are usually organized by cities, regions, or countries, and can be a key way to introduce visitors to a destination’s culture.

In some destinations, they’re the most popular event of the year. For example, Utah’s Imagine Dragons puts on a huge three-day music festival twice a year. It’s a celebration of the LGBTQ community, and it’s also a chance to raise money for human rights organizations.

Another type of festival is a religious celebration, such as the Hindu Holi, the Jewish Hanukkah or the Muslim Eid. These are also important ways to showcase local culture and history, attracting international tourists.

Tourists are drawn to festivals for a variety of reasons, but they usually want to immerse themselves in the local community and culture. They want to learn about the country’s traditions, meet locals and experience a different side of life.

Festivals and special events are a great source of revenue for many destinations. The monies generated by them are often distributed to local businesses, including restaurants and hotels. They are a great way to bring visitors into town, and they also give local businesses the opportunity to promote themselves.

While it’s common to think of festivals as a way to celebrate the culture of a destination, it’s important to remember that they can be a way for destinations to boost their tourism revenue and create economic growth. They can also be a way for people to connect with each other, helping visitors form lasting bonds.

When To Go

Traveling to a far off destination can be an incredible experience. Whether you’re looking to see the world or just to get away from it all, there are some things to consider before you book that trip of your dreams.

Among the many considerations, one of the most important is the time of year you want to visit the place in question. The right time of year will determine everything from the weather to the tourist traffic to the amount of attractions open or closed to the public.

Choosing the right season for your adventure can make or break your holiday, so it’s well worth spending some time considering when to go on your next vacation. Besides, the right time of year can also affect your pocketbook by securing better deals on airfare and accommodation. The best time of year to go on a trip will depend on the region you’re in, but most experts agree that spring is generally a good time of year to be traveling in the northern hemisphere. From April through to October, you’ll be able to enjoy more sunshine, more flowers and less crowds than in the summer months.

Unique Experiences

If you’re looking for a truly unique travel experience, it’s important to keep an open mind and seek out opportunities that are outside your comfort zone. This will help you to push your boundaries and have an experience that will leave you with memories you’ll cherish forever.

If your bucket list includes experiences that are out of your comfort zone, make sure to get in touch with locals to find out about unique events or activities that you can participate in while visiting a new destination. Many cities and towns host festivals, concerts, and other special events throughout the year, so be sure to check out these opportunities when planning your trip.

One of the most unique travel experiences is diving into the Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll swim alongside schools of colorful fish and admire intricate coral patterns. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, diving is a truly incredible experience that can change the way you see the world.

Seeing polar bears in their natural habitat is another experience that can transform your perspective on the world. These powerful predators can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and are adapted to living in the harsh Arctic environment. Adding this experience to your bucket list will give you the chance to see these amazing creatures up close, learn about their behavior, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

[ourcherokeeinniowa]

Cherokee Iowa hotels

Northwest of Iowa's Little Sioux River Valley is home to the thriving city of Cherokee. Cherokee County's county seat may be found near the intersection of State Highway 3 and U.S. Highway 59, which are about 60 miles northeast of Sioux City and 60 miles southwest of the Iowa Great Lakes region. The ideal location for a getaway with the family is this city. The best hotels and motels may be found nearby.Cherokee, which is located in the Little Sioux River Valley, provides recreational canoeing, fishing, and a lovely park system. The Historic Downtown of Cherokee is a recognized Cultural District and offers distinctive shopping. The yearly Kee Live Music Festival is one of the best times of the year to find live music and enjoyment. The Cherokee PRCA Rodeo, Sanford Museum and Planetarium, Cherokee County Fair, Depot Renovation, and Cherokee Symphony are all located in Cherokee. Cherokee Iowa Hotel offers a great variety of accommodation to its visitors with luxury stay and hygienic restaurants.

Cherokee Iowa Hotel welcomes thousands of tourists from inside and outside the country every year. Staying in Cherokee hotel while you are in town is the best decision you will ever made cause the hotels are clean and rich with antique crafts and arts. Every hotel in Cherokee is unique in service and quality  

Cherokee Iowa Hotels: History and Culture

Iowa's history provides a distinctive window into our rivers, villages, and people thanks to a history rooted in Native American and pioneer traditions. Visit the unique Squirrel Cage Jail and the Union Pacific Railroad Museum to learn all the fascinating details of Iowa's railroad history. Visit the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, John Wayne Birthplace Museum, and Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum to learn more about well-known Iowans. Visit the Museum of Danish America or Vesterheim, The National Norwegian-American Museum, to learn more about Iowa's early settlers. You can even take in a live performance in a historic theater, eat or drink in a delicious restaurant, or explore a range of historic homes.

Events related to culture, music, and the arts are common in Cherokee. You won't be disappointed if you attend a Cherokee Symphony performance or a Cherokee Community Theatre show. At Cherokee's premier performance space, The Gathering Place, musicians frequently give concerts downtown. We host the Jazz & Blues Festival, which takes place over a weekend in January. The Sanford Museum and Planetarium hosts seasonal educational events, exhibitions, and interactive activities.

Tips for getting the best hotel deals in Cherokee

·        Consider traveling to Cherokee in the off-season if you're seeking for a low-cost lodging. In November and October, hotels in Cherokee are less expensive.

·        Although there are numerous variables that affect hotel room costs, staying on a Tuesday is probably when you'll find the greatest hotel discounts in Cherokee. On the other hand, Saturday, which is often the most expensive day, is the reverse.

·        For how long should I remain? Customers typically reserve a hotel room in Cherokee for a 14-day period.

Family Stuff to Do in Cherokee, Iowa

Looking for fun things to do in Cherokee on a budget? Here are some suggestions about how to enjoy the local vibe to the fullest. There are several excellent places to read in Cherokee. You can choose from a variety of genres, like Chick Lit, Historical Fiction, and Paranormal, depending on your interests. The Cherokee Public Library invites you to spend some time expanding your horizons. Spend some time at the library, and you'll soon be discussing T.R. Hummer's works at social gatherings and wowing everyone with your enormous brain. With all the walking between the many attractions and exhibits, a day at the zoo is guaranteed to be a blast for everyone. It's also a terrific opportunity to get some exercise. Visit Bob Hay Memorial Conservation Area or the Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History. Try a more thrilling endeavor. Cherokee has access to a variety of family-friendly activities. The options are endless if you enjoy riding or are simply thinking about going outside. Get the family outside to enjoy some fun and try new activities. It's not difficult to get to Lewis Bowl & Sports Bar, but while you're in the area, you might also want to visit Sheldon Competition Park or Iowa Karting Association. Cherokee boasts a variety of county parks and family-friendly recreation locations. The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott or some other good books can be borrowed from the Health Science Library, and you can spend the day reading at the Old Cherokee Fort Historical Marker. You can also grab your kite or Frisbee and head over to Spring Lake Park. Reviewers advise visiting Wescott Park to enjoy the grounds and surrounding natural beauty when you wish to spend time outside in Cherokee. I'm exhausted from all of this. There are many excellent coffee shops in the neighborhood. Take a sip of the ideal cafe mocha or try some new speciality tastes like Macadamia Nut Cream Flavored Coffee. We advise you to visit Toad's Coffee & Tea; C C Coffee is also nearby. It's time to unwind a little right now.

Fast Food Place in Cherokee

Are you so hungry that you're going to pass out? From greasy early-morning eye openers to late-night nibbles that sate your thirst for something fried, Cherokee has you completely covered. Still hungry? How about a delightful White Castle Strawberry Shake or a classic Burger King Strawberry Milk Shake in a large size? In the Citywide Information fast food listings, you can find all the possibilities for fast food in the area of Cherokee. You should visit Quiznos Sub or go to Taco Bell to get your mow on. Best wishes!

[theanticool]

Get a Library Card

Going off topic for this one. When I’m not talking about combat sports, I’m a librarian. And it is  frustrating that people don’t understand all the things that library card gets you access to. So I’m going to show you some stuff that’s accessible for FREE from your local library using my own local library system, the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS).

Books and Films (but also eBooks and digital streaming)

I think the vast majority of people understand that you can rent books and films (DVD & BluRay) from your local library. But a lot of people don’t know is that most libraries are part of wider cooperative library systems, meaning their library cards are good at any library that is part of the consortium. A membership to a BCCLS library here gets you access to 77 libraries across like 4 separate counties. And if you can’t afford the time to drive to a separate library to pick up a copy of Partly Cloudy by Tanita Davis, you can have it sent to your library for easy pick up!

I think even fewer people realize that a lot of libraries have ebooks and access to streaming. On the eBooks front some libraries use apps/websites such as Hoopla or Libby, which both offer tens of thousands of free eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, comics, music, movies, and TV shows. Many libraries also have deals with Kanopy, a streaming service that has a collection of classic, foreign and independent films. Straight from your phone or computer. I know the New York Public Library has their own e-reader app called SimplyE, which has titles in multiple languages.

Events and Programs

Want to learn a skill? Meet new people? Learn about assistance programs in your area? Learn English as a second language? Help studying for a citizenship test?

Well libraries are perfect for that! Many offer weekly/biweekly/monthly programs for people of all ages. At my library we have like 6-9 programs a week, just for kids. These range anywhere from baby lap time for kids as young as 5 months old to guitar classes for middle schoolers. For adults we offer citizenship classes, technology classes (to learn the basics of how to work something like an iPhone or android), ESL classes, book clubs, craft programs, open mic nights, and the like. We’ve actually have also had acting classes for people who wanted to get into Community Theater taught by professional actors. And this is all just one library. I know a library nearby that teaches Korean, at multiple skill levels.

Language Learning Software

Speaking of learning languages, many library systems have language learning software. Ever wanted to learn German? Well there’s probably a complete set of CDs and workbooks sitting on a shelf in your library that can help you out. But if that isn’t enough, some libraries offer free access to Rosetta Stone. If you’re a BCCLS member here, you get access to the entire Rosetta Stone lesson plan with your card.

Video Games, Hotspots, Kindles, and Museum Passes

Outside of books and film, libraries also offer other cool stuff. Many offer video games. So if I don’t want to spend $60-70 on Halo Infinite to try it out, I could just order a copy to my library. Don’t have internet access at home? Many libraries have hotspots that they loan out. Same with kindles.

Don’t want to spend $25 a person to get into the MOMA? Well, many libraries offer museum passes. (These may require a deposit to pick, but you get it back when you return the pass).

Cool Shit

Here’s the fun stuff. Certain libraries just have weird, unexpected stuff that you can just borrow! And it’s amazing. Here’s a list of cool random things you might be able to get from the library.

 The Oakland Library in California allows you to check out power tools.

The Athens County Library System in Ohio allows you to borrow bicycles!

The Glen Rock Library in NJ allows you to check out cake pans.

Many libraries, mine included, collect Prom Dresses for those that can’t/don’t want to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars.

The Arlington, Virginia library loans out American Girl Dolls.

The Ann Arbor Library system up in Michigan rents out instruments.

The Chicago Public Library loans out fishing poles.

Many libraries have seed libraries, gardening tools, and even gardening plots you can check out, like the Pima County Library in Arizona.

The Fontana Regional Library in NC loans out hiking gear!

So this is me telling you to go check out your local library and see what they have to offer. Or if you already frequent your local library, consider starting/becoming a Friend of the Library.

[april-avenue-archiving]

Zhongli, Thoma, Xiao and Diluc with a deaf!s/o would be so cute 😭😭😭

Zhongli, Thoma, Xiao and Diluc with a deaf!s/o would be so cute 😭😭😭

I love this idea so fucking much i can’t !!!!<3333

Zhongli ☆〜

>First learns to sign when he first meets you so he starts off slow so he gets it right but you notice that he never gains speed when signing. When you confront him about it he simply says “it’s a good excuse to talk to you forever”

>Starts wearing heavier shoes so you know where he is throughout the house

>Kindly tells you that most things you do around the house make excessive noise so even though you’re a night owl maybe doing the dishes isn’t the best idea

Thoma ☆〜

>Signs songs for you because he wants you to enjoy the “genius lyrics and amazing rhymes that goes behind the badass beats” yep that’s a direct quote from him

>He’s completely fascinated over the fact that you can feel the vibrations of everything and anything. Which also leads to the discussion of him not being allowed to walk around the house after 10:00.

>Has a light flickering pattern to get your attention when he walks into your room. He started doing this after you explained to him that taping you suddenly scares you half to death

Xiao ☆〜

>You guys started long distance at first so explaining the complications of no auditory communication was worrying

>You explained that texting and any type of video calls were probably better for the both of you

“Good, i want to see your face as much as possible anyways”

>Funniest experience was probably when he explained to you that your sneezes were really cute and you just stood there like “they make noise!?!?!”

Diluc ☆〜

>He can’t stay mad at you. He just can’t. Not after you guys had a small fight and you closed your eyes so you didn’t have to ‘listen to his bullshit’

>At first he was slightly offended and then he saw a small smile creep up your face

>tapping his foot to get your attention he just gave you this priceless “real mature” look

>my man is a lowkey romantic. It’s the little things that count

>He buys you a fancy doorbell that sends you a notification when someone is there so your packages stop getting stolen

>Sets up his spotify so that the bass is boosted and his speakers are always on the ground.

>Thoroughly researches movie theaters with cc and by coincidence found a silent theatre that performs signed musicals

[itsmykindoflove]

Even when I forgot how to speak?

Genre: cute

Words: 539

Disclaimer: none

Notes: Based on a dream I had a few days ago, hehe!

-Okay, listen. She's a sweetheart, you just need to stay calm, breathe and concentrate, okay? You can do it. And I'll be by your side, as always.

It wasn't every day you took your boyfriend to meet your grandmother, the woman you grew up with and taught you important things about life. Especially when your boyfriend has learned to speak your language – not completely, he makes mistakes but in general he understands and speaks well, and he will have to use all his knowledge for that. He'd met my family before and been nervous, but this time he looked like he was about to explode.

I pressed the bell and while we waited, I tried to calm him down a little more. As soon as I saw her, I ran into a hug, I missed her immensely and she did the same. My boyfriend in turn, didn't know what to do, so he just shook hands.

-Grandma, this is my boyfriend. And, babe, this is my grandmother.

With a smile she invited us to sit down. On the table in front of us were the cookies she loved, coffee and tea. Typical things she did when she had guests at home.

-You are really as handsome as she said. - we laugh. -But before giving you my blessing, I need to know a little more about you. So, tell me about yourself, what you work with, how you met...

-Well, I work with music and that's how we met. -He was starting to feel confident speaking. -When I saw your granddaughter at the theater where I was meeting my fans, she showed up and...

I realized that neither my grandmother nor I were able to understand what he was saying because he started to speak in his mother tongue without realizing it. Surely nervousness and enthusiasm made him do it.

-Sweetheart. - I held his arm. –You’re speaking your mother language.

He looked at me scared and embarrassed, starting to apologize and not quite knowing how to get back to speaking my language.

-Stay calm, you speak and I'll translate slowly until you get it, ok? -He nodded and placed a kiss on my cheek.

I translated everything he said, always holding his hand to assure him that I was there and everything would be fine. At the end, he couldn't speak my language, but he managed to please my grandmother who bless us and practically adopted him with her grandson.

-You did it! – I said as we drove home. -She loved you.

-Even when I forgot how to speak?

-Yea. I think your effort to try to communicate with her touched her heart. -I said while caressing his neck. -Thank you for that, it means a lot to me.

-And it means a lot to me to know that I was able to fulfill this mission. I know how important she is to you.

We looked into each other's eyes for a moment, I managed to find my happiness in his eyes too.

-As you did it, you deserve a prize.

-What kind? -He said with a flirty tone . -A kiss?

-No, an ice cream. - I said, leaving him disappointed.

-And then a kiss?

-Okay, then a kiss.

[quirkyplutonian]

Be angry the day you need glasses, a painful reminder of the parallels between you and that damned show. Never keep them on when you don't need them for years, until finally you find a pair that makes it not so bad of an idea. You will wear those blue, plasticy ones until they fall into pieces.

Run. Run like hell because you liked it when you were young, and some of your friends are on the team. Watch as they tease and make fun of the school's other autistic kid and almost call him a few things. You can't ever seem to get close enough to have a conversation with them. Makes you wonder what they might have said about you.

Act. Always pretend to be someone else every evening. The applause and approval of the audience is your childhood version of cocaine. Make friends with everyone there, and watch as they all slowly gravitate towards the big kid group that talks gossip and muscials and things you don't understand. You always play the bad guys in the shows now, and you have your own little corner where no one else wants to go. Your more engaging conversation was with some little kid, about how there could be an infinite amount of alternate universes out there, all different by one single event or decision. No one else wants to talk about things like that. You had a friend you'd talk to and joke with a whole bunch. One day, you told him you didn't feel like a woman. He told you to stop, that you'd be "wasting your life" if you spent it all worrying and not simply living. Two others charged at him, screaming "DONT SAY THAT" and chewing him out over the entire thing. I never brought up gender again, in the theater of all places, because I knew the minute I was out of date, mispoke, or was different from them, they'd scream and avoid me that same way. I'd be so focussed on sorting myself out completely, I wouldn't talk with most people prior to the pandemic.

Daydream. Keep daydreaming. There are an infinite amount of scenarios that could happen. Just keep doing it, and listen to music while you're at it. It doesn't matter you eventually spent four hours a day over, and then fall asleep until dinner, and then rush to do homework on the bus the next morning. It doesn't matter that you often desperately wan't to go outside in the winter a lie down in the frozen swamp until your brain ices over and it's all done.

Think you're keeping it all together. That even with the bouts of panic and anxiety clearly visible, the grades and praise cancel it out. Then listen as you try to get through a roung 9th grade art class, "I remember when she used to be normal".

Normal. Normal.

The one thing you desperatley tried to make sure you seemed like your whole time. Allo for nothing. You'd spend the rest of high school thinking of yourself as weird and a freak in so many ways, to the point there'd be days where you were genuinely convinced you were not who you had always been, or that you were weird for any number of things.

Covid. It's the greatest blessing of all, not having to deal with anyone else. Virtual learning is a splendid bliss, and you very slowly conquer your fear of presenting in front of a class. It hadn't always been that hard, but somewhere along the lines the skill just disappeared. Keep daydreaming in all your free time. Don't realize that what little is left of your communication and social skills are finally drifting away. You and your childhood best friend don't really speak anymore. You will again senior year, but never to the point it used to be. You'll always feel you ruined it yourself without meaning to. Your theater friends all gather on instagram. They don’t seem to have anything to say when you’re there. You stop following them a year later, bitter that even the welcoming space felt like it went cold.

Spend your whole childhood pretending to be anyone else to appease anyone else. Thinking of yourself as unlovable, in any shape or form. Heck, you've never even really trusted your parents. Anything negative is a definitive end now. It shouldn't be.

This isn't a story where there's a good and a bad. This isn't a story of an underdog, or whatever in the world it's opposite would be. It's a story that simply exists, exists only within the mind and heart of at least one person.

In a written-down story, one shared or published, known to many people, there are meanings. The are signs and symbols and elements that reveal motive or meaning or predict the future. Life only has those moments when it plays weird tricks on you. But, in all avoidance of the randomness of the universe, most people think it does work that same way.

There was once an 8 year old girl. Or nine, I'm bad at counting. She had a very peculiar fear of a tv show, freaking out at the name, or the song, or the video itself. Measures were taken to avoid it, and, at times, read a small bit or see something relating to it, to try and lessen the fear.

It was due to this that, upon entering third grade, she explained to her teacher, "it's just the ones on a single topic I can't stand".

And she was wrong.

An overestimate. An assumption. As she plugged her ears and ducked under the desk it was certain only trouble would follow.

Phone calls home and arguments. Stage fright and nervousness to any typical thing to be nervous of, like making an argument standing in front of the class, became extreme inabilities, shouting mathces, and lost recess.

A teacher who who never say names and call on people with eyes only. Who would erase things on the board before you could read them, yelling at you that you should have paid attention and memorized like everyone else. Hallways and daydreaming were a kid's best friend, what with getting sent out there so often, sobbing because you don't know where you went wrong.

The bus arrives late one day. Or so I recall, it's been a decade now and all but the feelings are fuzzy. The girl walks over to the classroom, and is asked for the tardy slip. She has no clue what that is. "The pink slip". The only pink slip she knows is the doctors one, and quite certainly, she didn't go to the doctors. And she tells the teacher this.

The next fifteen minutes, an argument ensues, about the girl trying to get out of being late by claiming she had been at the doctor, and lying badly about it.

She sat at the table for recess a few times that week.

In fifth or sixth grade, being late for the first time with her parents driving her in, she got to find out that the late passes the office hands out, are pink. So that's what 'tardy' meant.

In eigth grade, she'd get to hear that late arriving busses are excused, and don't need them.

That entire argument that painted her as a terrible liar had happened for absolutley nothing.

The office was constantly closed, and no assistance could be asked for from the teacher. Any tears or fears was overreaction, lying, and attention seeking.

On the last day of classes that year, the girl was forced to sit and watch 3 epsioded of that damned show. I can recall every one of them. I can almost hear them.

Over a decade later.

[decodingellipses]

Alexis Nikole, The TikTok Forager

This piece is part of the Person of Interest vertical at @bonappetit

Alexis Nikole considers her TikTok fame a fortuitous accident. She knew nothing about the platform until she started an account for her day job as a social media manager. But when the 28-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, began experimenting on her personal page during the pandemic, she got more than she bargained for. Specifically: over 600,000 enthusiastic followers and 10.3 million likes.

Since April of last year, Nikole’s now viral account has been showcasing her immeasurable knowledge of foraging and cooking with wild plants: a sorbet made out of Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) turned into lush salads, and common dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) battered and fried like fritters. She studied environmental science and theater at Ohio State University, and often combines her two passions on the platform—where you’ll find her singing original songs about cattails and sassafras.

By sharing excellent foraging tips laced with undiluted humor, Nikole’s intentions were for people to take agency over their meals and make the most of foods that were free and readily available all around; especially after COVID-19 hit American shores and shopping was anxiety inducing. During the early months of the pandemic, Nikole’s TikToks focused on how foraged goods could extend groceries and increase access to fresh ingredients, especially for those living in food deserts. This is precisely why Nikole’s videos are so grounding; in these times, it’s crucial to feel some sense of self-sufficiency and stability.

Amid global adversity, Nikole forages because it reminds her that she’s human—and humans, at their very core, are part of the ecosystem, no matter how much we distance ourselves from that truth. I called up Nikole to learn more about her foraging background, how she practices gratitude for what is all around, and why the world needs more hyper-localized food systems.

Foraging makes me feel I am a part of something bigger… and that feeling is really good at chasing the depression away. Typically I go out between two to five times a week on average. In the dead of winter, I might only go once, and during the dog days of summer, I’m in the woods and nearby parks every single day. I’ll jam to ’80s funk the entire walk to the creek, but the earbuds go away when I get there. I want to hear everything—the crunching leaves under my feet, the babbling brook, and people conversing and laughing in the distance.

I used to dream of being a pop star… by night and a scientist by day. I’ve been surrounded by music for a long time. I was three when I joined the childrens’ choir at my dad’s Baptist church, I started classical piano at age five, I was in choir every year through junior high and high school, I performed a cappella in high school, and was on the e-board of ukulele club in college. I was never a prodigy, but music brings me so much joy, so I love being able to sneak that into my TikTok videos.

The best meal I’ve made using a foraged ingredient is probably… chicken-of-the-woods mushroom (Laetiporus sulphureus) “crab cakes” and an American sea rocket (Cakile edentula) and steamed beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) salad tossed in olive oil infused with goldenrod (Solidago). Very gourmet!

My curiosity for the outdoors… was nurtured from a very young age by my parents. My two sets of grandparents knew that scouting was good for building connections and recognized the importance of getting outside, and thus got my parents into it early. My mom scouted longer than my dad did and went to sleepaway camp in New Hampshire in the summertime. Eventually, while working at Procter & Gamble, she gardened on the weekends to decompress. I would help her, spreading mulch or digging into the earth with a tiny trowel while she quizzed me on the plants. Unbeknownst to my mom, I was picking up a lot of information. From there it grew into a love of all things growing plants outdoors.

You don't have to go full forager… to reduce your environmental impact. Over the past few decades society has trended away from a localized food system, toward a global one. On the upside, it’s much easier to find ingredients like star anise at the grocery store. However, access to tomatoes year-round means they’ve got a higher carbon footprint because they traveled thousands of miles to get to your plate. Even shopping at your local farmstand helps with lowering your carbon footprint; it’s also a little easier than identifying a plant and bringing it home to eat.

Everyone was afraid of going to the grocery store… when I started my TikTok foraging videos in April 2020. So I thought: Hey! Here are a few plants that are really common and probably growing in your neighborhood that you can gather, and maybe that’ll stretch your groceries a bit.

Poor and POC communities are hit hardest… when major disasters hit. We saw the same thing playing out in Texas with the massive winter storm. So I offer my knowledge to help someone who needs to get some fresh food on their plate.

As a Black, queer female forager on the internet… I’m not the person people expect to see excited about foraging, the outdoors, biology, botany, and history. I have delightful forager friends who are white, and I notice they don’t get questioned nearly as much as I do. That’s heartbreaking. When my dad learned that my account becoming viral also meant me becoming susceptible to online harassment, he got angry and told me, “I’ve been alive for 65 years. It doesn’t feel good that you’re still called into question because of who you are.”

Though, it all feels worth it when… a follower sends me a thank-you message saying, “Because of you, while I was out walking I recognized this plant and it made me feel like my neighborhood was a cooler and happier place.” To be less unacquainted with plants or more connected to surroundings because of me is a huge win. We take better care of the things we know.

[evco-productions]

What Most Biopics Do WRONG

Fun fact: at one point there was apparently plans to have Rami Malek cameo as Freddie Mercury in Rocketman, thus creating a rock-musician-biopic cinematic universe (the RMBCU, if you will). With all the biopics getting announced and released in the last several years, I just think that would have been cool.

But we’re not here to talk about cinematic universes that could have been, we’re here to talk about biopics in general. Specifically, biopics focusing on musicians, since I feel like those are the most prevalent—whenever a biopic about a musician gets made, audiences tend to go see it. I imagine they think to themselves, “If nothing else, I know who the artist being portrayed is, and they know they’re gonna hear some good music.”

Am I counted among those people? Yeah, I guess so. I saw Bohemian Rhapsody and Elvis in theaters, and (if I remember correctly) rented Rocketman.

I paid money to see all these movies because I’m a cinephile and I try to see most movies that I feel are going to be big topics of conversation within the film community, at least for the few months that they’re in theaters.

But, I don’t really like biopics by and large. And while I wanted Elvis to be a better movie than it was, at the same time I’m glad it has the flaws it does, because I think it contains sort of the best and worst traits of your typical biopic (and thus makes for a perfect focus for this entry).

First things first… Austin Butler is fantastic as Elvis Presley. This isn’t a unique thing to say; of course the people casting a biopic are going to make sure the lead actor is a great fit, otherwise the movie won’t work at all and it won’t be considered during awards season (which, let’s be honest, is half the reason most of these biopics get made). But Austin Butler is a particularly fun choice for me because I still think of him as Jake from Aliens in the Attic, which is a movie I loved as a kid (okay, I still love it) and maybe one other person reading this remembers.

I also liked Tom Hanks in Elvis more than I expected to. Excessive voiceover narration often irks me, but in this case, I liked that the movie had the guts to give us an unreliable narrator. Col. Tom Parker is mostly if not entirely to blame for a lot of what went wrong in Elvis’s life and career, but throughout the movie he is constantly trying to convince himself and us that he’s innocent.

The point is, your typical biopic kind of always comes down to the star of the show, doesn’t it? Obviously, you know deep down that Austin Butler isn’t Elvis Presley (they look kinda similar, but only kinda), but it’s the actor’s job to be so good in the movie, to deliver his lines with sincerity, to hit all the right beats of comedy and drama, that you’re willing to let the physical differences slide and just enjoy the show.

If there’s anything else that measures up to the importance of a good leading man when it comes to biopics, I would say that it's probably set design. Biopics are, by nature, period pieces, so obviously if you don’t buy that the movie is taking place in the Fifties, Sixties, Seventies, or whenever, then it won’t work. Elvis also hits the mark here.

But we need to move beyond this surface-level talk of biopics, because my problem with most of them is that I just don’t think they do a good job of convincing me they deserve to exist. Let’s be honest, whatever you think you might learn about Elvis Presley by watching the movie Elvis could be learned a lot faster by googling him.

Besides, the movie is going to have historical inaccuracies anyway—that’s not a complaint, mind you, I accept and sometimes even welcome historical inaccuracies—but like it or not, that’s a feature of any biopic. The key word in the phrase “based on a true story” is “based.” This is a dramatization of real life and creative liberties have been taken. You’re not here to get the exact truth.

But it’s not really about getting accurate information so much as it’s about how long it takes to get said information. If I wanted to learn about Elvis Presley, it takes seconds to google him and find tons of reliable firsthand and secondhand accounts of who he was and what he was like. Meanwhile, this movie is two hours and thirty-nine minutes long, and any movie that passes the two-hour mark needs to do a better job than Elvis does to convince me it’s worth investing that much time.

The first thirty minutes of Elvis are atrocious. There is not a single scene that lasts more than five minutes. The editing is way too busy—and while that might be Baz Luhrmann’s “style” or whatever, that doesn’t make it invincible to critique. The movie jumps all over the place trying to rush through Elvis’s childhood and early years.

During this first half-hour, the movie also commits what a major sin for a period piece in that it uses contemporary music in a few scenes. As far as I’m concerned, this betrays that the filmmakers were worried young audiences wouldn’t be interested in this movie if they didn’t hear a rap song. This movie is about Elvis-fucking-Presley! If you can’t be confident in the music of Elvis Presley, who’s music can you be confident in?

Now, once the movie actually slows down, takes a minute to breathe, starts exploring Elvis’s life at a more personal level, and lets Austin Butler do what he needs to do, it’s pretty good. But to me that reveals the movie they really wanted to make was about the second half of Elvis’s life. So…why didn’t they just make that movie? Biopics seem desperate to cram as much of their lead character’s lives into two and a half hours as possible, especially when it’s a musician-focused biopic, because it’s just so necessary that we see the first time the young boy heard an inspiring song and equally necessary to see the last time the old man performs on stage for his legion of fans.

It is impossible to tell someone’s life story in two and a half hours. Why are we still trying? Filmmakers who find themselves in the unique position of getting to construct a biopic should pick out what they find interesting about the person in question, and focus only on that. I think this would do wonders for making biopics seem less cookie cutter in the way that Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story was so right to make fun of.

In the end, I did give Elvis a ‘W,’ because like I said, the second half of the movie is really good—in fact, I think it’s better than both the aforementioned Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman. I just wish the average biopic felt like there was more care put into it and had a goal beyond selling old music inside a new album and getting people talking about who’s gonna be nominated for Best Actor next awards season.

So, if you haven’t yet seen Elvis, and you’d like my honest opinion…watch it, but consider trying to watch it at an early bird ticket price, or maybe even waiting for it to come on streaming. I predict there are more exciting, must-see titles awaiting us as the summer rolls on.