#But I really love BSB too

[bringbackmyteenageyears]

Backstreet Boys or Nsync?

[famesudeikis]

I know I sound like a broken record but hot damn is my husband something. Something amazing clearly. A part of our dynamic - he needs things planned and I fly pretty much by the seat of my pants. so when he's willing to do something undeniably impulsive, I know truly how much he loves me because one thing he does not enjoy is biting his nails in a time crunch to get somewhere with pressure. This somewhere is taking his wife to BSB in Las Vegas cause this is only time that works with my crazy late summer schedule. I love this man need I say it again? I am also really excited to be doing a Tennessee Williams play weekends into August though. I just love his body of work and it was my first big project in college too. And when Im not I may be setting up a official farm stand just cause Ive wanted, also when Im not training with Yogi for our horse show at the end of August, also giving Etta her first summer experience and also when of course Im not cheering on the hubby in his super secret stuff I was sworn to secrecy upon our marriage so can't tell you anything more about... Yeah the man knows he has to legally bind me in marriage to shut me up sometimes and I dont blame him and love him for it. But am I taking on too much? Who knows.. but we going to have fun and love doing it all.

@hfrpstarters

[zot3-flopped]

I'm not sure if you're aware that Backstreet Boys is doing a residency in the Dome in Vegas right now. It's all over Tiktok.

The sad thing about the rest of the One Direction guys, Louis and Zayn (even Liam before) they're so arrogant they think 1D fans are forever. And in a way they are but the way Louis & Zayn are carrying on they won't be able to sing in 20 years the way BSB can. Not even 10 years, I think, the way Westlife can. The way Nsync can. Their fans will still be remembering them but they'll remember them from a distance. Their fans will not be young girls forever that will have their parents paying for their music & concerts. They'd have to work, live their own lives, pay their own bills.

Liam wasted his talent by chasing drugs, alcohol, sex, comparison of applause between him & the others instead of improving, honing his skills, discovering more of & enjoying the art. It looks like Louis and Zayn are doing the same thing.

Even Niall isn't improving. But that's still a normal phase. He can if he really put his foot on it. But also maybe he won't be singing, touring again but at least, he's got business that he keeps working on. Louis and Zayn are just tragic, I think.

Harry, the most handsome, most adored guy in their group, understood that he won't be a kid forever. That's why he said won't be 19 forever. He's always looking to improve. He's not bored by what he's doing. He is honing his skills. Fine Line was amazing but his musicality in Harry's House was outstanding. And you just know he'll continue to improve. Legends want to work with him. That's an impact & respect that Harry got because he is taking this seriously. He loves the art. The same cannot be said of Niall, Louis and Zayn.

Sorry, I didn't realise it was too long now. 😁

If Louis and Zayn don't stop damaging their vocal cords with weed and cigarette smoke, they're not going to have longevity in the industry.

[viceria]

WAIT YOU'RE WATCHING BSB..... please tell me your thoughts on it so far. explodes also if you're watching dub i'd recommend switching to subs, i can link them on google drive or if you use any totally-legal-TM anime sites they probably have em

I AM!! Finished the first season too 💪. This may become a little bit of a rant but not as long as my previous ones, trust. But anyway, I did pick sub - 100% would never use dub for Beyblade - and I personally loved it.

Each character is AMAZING. I know it’s your typical kids anime where the power of friendship is everything, but man I love how each arc worked to develop everyone.

Takao is one impatient yet considerate boy who does what he can to help others. However, adding onto his impatience, he also is quite stubborn at times, which I don’t really mind. He uses such a basic formula, but I still love him regardless.

Kai is the typical antisocial guy with a dark gloomy backstory. I love his progression in trusting the BBA and bro the entire ice-cracking scene where he was about to drown WAS BEAUTIFUL. How the hole wasn’t anything dangerous - honestly, he has the capabilities to get out - but he DOESNT just represents Kai’s situation with Russia’s team. He knew that place was dangerous but he continued to stay for his path to power. Moreover, he knows he could leave and return to the BBA, but he doesn’t. AND HOW EVERYONE THEN OFFERS THEIR HANDS TO HIM HAIAKAOQKAK. They don’t force him by dragging him out, but rather give him the choice to accept, and he fucking does.

Max is BRO. I love how goofy yet emotionally intelligent he is. Say what you want, he definitely was the mvp keeping everyone together. He could practically understand when something was off and would try his best to soothe the situation before it got worse. Also I am extremely weak whenever he sees his mum, like GAH. I know she means well but man when she ignored him, I was ready to jump her.

Rei is my favourite, like he’s just so cute. I love his desire to travel around the world and introduce the skills he learnt to his clan like HAIAKA. Also, the way he’s the most abused kid is crazy chat. I know Kai is, thanks to the whole og Snake Pit organisation, but Rei was getting kicked around during the series. Yuriy chill, he is not going anywhere please.

Also looking back, Burst copied a lot more from BSB than I expected. It ain’t a lot, but I could definitely see where they got inspiration from. I ain’t gonna say they did it worse, but this anime did MUCH more explaining. Especially what these sacred beasts are. It’s hella cool and it makes more sense why Beyblade is such a popular sport. They’ve been using them for years in wars after all.

Also I made a whole origin story of how Burst got their beyblades, and watching it get said WORD BY WORD - aside from the names - in this anime made me feel like a scientist seeing their theories come to life. LIKE BRO I CANT BELIEVE I GOT MOST OF IT RIGHT FROM SHEER DELUSIONS AND BURST’S LACK OF INFORMATION.

A bit of a complaint about the dub. After finishing everything, I decided to rewatch the last episode in dub. Bro, what just happened. They dumbed down Takao and lessened the danger of him being trapped is an ICEBERG. They made Yuriy into a stereotypical villain when he’s not, and changed a lot of characters too but I didn’t really get to see much of it before dropping. They also changed the meaning of the episode, like how do you even do that? It’s also the most retold message ever too. “Friendship beats anything!” Why was it changed to sheer power??? Plus the acting is so awful that the only time it sounded genuine was when Takao’s eng va sounded confused. Same here man, same here.

[moonpile]

ESO U46 PTS: Bismuth Steam Baths Screenshots

The “Bismuth Steam Baths” house can be purchased for 1.2 million gold after earning the achievement: West Solstice Grand Adventurer – Complete 16 non-repeatable quests in Western Solstice.

This house has a ton of great features to build around! And you can go far out into the water – to build from scratch and/or set a slaughterfish death trap >:)

In fact, it almost suffers from having too many awesome features: it will be hard to decide where to build and what to block off.

Here's another one; ignore the house and live in this cool shell if you want:

Houses with this "problem" always make me wish I could get more than one:

#eso housing wishlist: obtain multiple instances of the same house.

I'd love multiple Sleek Creeks, Moon-Sugar Meadows, Willowponds, etc. for my main account! Right now you can kind of do it by having multiple accounts / using both NA and EU servers. But the time, effort, and even money required to get all of the achievement furnishings, crown/crate items, etc. to build the way you want on multiple accounts is seriously unrealistic.

In BSB, I most want to use the pool area:

Sadly, no, you can't jump over that fence into this giant-sea-creature-graveyard. The side areas are totally inaccessible. But again, there's already so much good stuff in the usable area.

The house itself is pretty standard Summerset style:

For me, one of the biggest drawbacks is this looooooooooooooooooooong interior between the entrance and the house's namesake / one of the best parts: the actual steam baths.

#eso housing wishlist: a 2-way portal furnishing that could take you (instantly*, not load-screened) between locations in a house.

It would help so much to take visitors directly to your build location, instead of wasting hundreds of slots on cover-up.

(Example: if you ever visit some great builds in Potentate's Retreat, almost all of them keep the entry interior empty and build outside. It's one of those silly things – as Weather Control was – that you have to tell streamers or contest judges to ignore. And for Home Tours, since there's no way to provide a description, you count on a visitor already being familiar enough with housing to know, or at least being curious enough to not leave immediately when greeted with an empty hallway.)

(*By "instantly" I mean a black screen is fine, but full load screens like those in Hall of the Lunar Champion are a frustrating barrier.)

Finally! The steam baths in the very back:

So gorgeous! So many creative things you can do here! ...Once you get here. 💀

Anyway, the interior has even more nice features and side rooms, with and without baths, but with only 600 slots, these are going to be ignored by most from-scratch builders. Players who just want a beautiful house and don't mind decorating sparsely might be happy:

The scattered light from the bismuth windows above is really pretty. I'm happy we can get one crystal with this effect from Antiquities:

Solstice Bismuth, Large Tower:

Sadly it is (confirmed) from treasure maps: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/677218/solstice-treasure-map-leads-and-lootable-rewards-sources-rng-bugs – which means it won't realistically be obtainable enough to get multiples for years.

(If you actually read this, please leave feedback about this too! Reply to the forum post above, or in-game.)

By default, the balcony is reached through this enormous room on the second floor. Again very pretty, but tons of dead space – compared to the other amazing areas with special features, this just isn't worth spending slots on.

See also:

Futerko's video tour

U46 PTS: Solstice Zone Screenshots - Part 1

Update 46 PTS: Solstice - furnishings, a few more zone shots, new achievement dyes

PTS 05.05.2025 update on the Argonian House Boat

See you in Solstice!

[cfr749]

20 questions for fic writers

tagged by the wonderfully kind and lovely @coraclavia. If you haven't checked out her work, go do it right now!!

1. How many works do you have on Ao3? 19

2. What’s your total Ao3 word count? 354,235

3. What fandoms do you write for? The Rookie!

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

Beneath Your Beautiful... queue Isn't it ironic by Alanis Morissette 😬

Want You to Stay

However Do You Want Me

One Time Thing

Lucy's Little Secret

5. Do you respond to comments?

I absolutely try to, but sometimes I get behind. Tbh I usually want to respond the minute I see one come in, but don't want to scare anyone lmao. But I read every single one, often multiple times. And you might just get a response from me two years later 😂

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Oh man... I think this has to be We Built Sandcastles, because I have yet to give it an ending and it hurts me too. I'm so sorry. 😭

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I'm gonna go with However Do You Want Me... what's happier than banging on an airplane to save the world?

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not really... thankfully, 99.9% of the interaction I've had on my fics has been positive and that's a testament to how wonderfully supportive this fandom is of its creators 😭

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Yup... the horny kind? Lol... queue Lovin on Me by Jack Harlow. I am pretty vanilla, and I do usually focus a lot on the emotional aspects over the physical. I also generally prefer writing the foreplay over the actual tactics of banging, but I try.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Lol... well... one time when I was 13 I may have written an AU where Justin Timberlake and Nick Carter were normal boys attending the same high school 😂...

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Thankfully, I don't think so!

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? 

I don't think so, but any time someone does comment on one of my fics in another language, I am just honored and blown away that they found it entertaining enough to work through the language barrier.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes! Want You to Stay with the amazing @poppypickle. I will always be so thankful that the Chenford fandom brought us together, and so grateful for that creative experience. Truly one of the coolest things I've ever done. ❤️

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

I think Chenford still holds this crown.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

We Built Sandcastles, but I actually haven't written anything I've truly given up on. I still think about this universe and write down bits and pieces here and there. I'm also still working on Beneath Your Beautiful!

16. What are your writing strengths?

Weird reality TV AUs? Sexual tension? Feelings?

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Probably too much exposition / time in the character's heads spelling out their motivations vs. letting readers come to their own conclusions.

I'm not always consciously aware of it in my own writing, but sometimes I suspect I'm a little sappier than what I'd normally I prefer to read.

Also I'm slow and sometimes leave my readers hanging for extremely long periods of time (I'm so sorry).

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

Depends on the context, but, for me, I'd have a hard time without a native speaker to consult with. No strong feelings against it though.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

BSB + NSYNC

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

I'm going to go with one I haven't mentioned yet, which is Cruel Summer because that fic was utterly batshit, came out of literally nowhere, and was so much fun to write!

--

Thanks for the tag, Cora!

I am tagging @poppypickle @queseraone @goodgirlssayiloveyoutoo @rememberthismomentx @thisnightissparkling089 @makeitastrength and @summerongrand (apologies if y'all have already done this and I missed it)!

[teamtakagi]

7 Songs on Repeat!

Thank you, @woundedsoul12 for the tag!

Rules: Pick 7 songs you would listen to on repeat. Just for fun, to write to, or for inspiration. No repeating artists. So tell me what you picking?

(All Youtube Videos because I find music like the early 2000's with amvs and mixes)

LiSA "ReawakeR (feat. Felix of Stray Kids)" MUSiC CLiP - This came out when I was playing DAO and really fit my semi-unhinged Warden after he emerged from Orzammar and the Deep Roads. I usually listen to it once a day.

2. 90's Pop Party Mix | Britney x BSB x NSYNC x Spice Girls | @djunltd - Brings me back to childhood and hearing these on the radio. Currently my "get crap done" motivation song and background music for writing.

3. Mai Kuraki 倉木麻衣 (Secret Of My Heart) | Romaji + Kanji + English Lyric Translation - I dunno... I just love the longing in this song, and the 90's R&B speaks to my soul. I can literally feel my heartbeat slow down to the tempo.

4. Don't Talk About Bruno One More Time (Encanto × Britney Spears) (Album Version) (Mashup) - I'm counting this even though Britney Spears is also in the 90s mix. I went on a rabbit hole of different mashups, and this one was well-done and surprisingly clever.

5. 'The Phantom of The Opera' Ramin Karimloo & Sierra Borgess | Phantom of The Opera - Once in a while, I just have to go back and listen to this rendition.

6. Smash Into Pieces - All Eyes On You (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube - The start of my OC's playlist and helps me get in his headspace.

7. "Wheels Go 'Round!" 🚘 /// Danny Go! Wheels On The Bus (REMIX) Cartoons Rhymes For Kids - I have kids, so kids' music is always playing at my house. Shout out to Danny Go! for helping me not lose my mind too much. Some of his songs actually slap.

[inbeautifulruins]

get to know me abc edition

a . age: Old enough to know better, still too young to care

b . birthplace: Goldsburo, NC

c . current time:12:03pm

d . drink you had last: Any chance I get to put this in anyone's head, I'mma do it.

f . favourite current song(s): Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter, Leave Me Alone by Renee Rapp, and Hey by BSB

e . easiest person(s) My friends, my husband, the sims I control

g . goals: to stop hating my art, to write a poetry book in honor of my dad.

h . horror yes or horror no: Yes, if it's haunted/ supernatural horror. I'm not into torture horror. <- this, I agree with this

i . in love?: With my husband, Vash the Stampede, several Bioware Men, several Bioware women, several fictional characters ... In my brain I'm the whoriest whore. But in body? Naw, don't touch me.

j . jealous of people: I don't do jealous anymore. It's a waste of time. I look at people and I smile and say "Do you, boo, and do it good" and be happy for them.

k . killed someone: Not in reality, but in the sims with Extreme violence downloaded? All the time.So many times that the Grimm Reaper kicked my ass several times for it.

l . love at first sight or should i walk by again?: Just walk away

m . middle name: Okay so there's a story here. There is what is on my birth certificate and you'd say 'okay then that's your name' but, BUT, my papa named me and he calls me by a longer middle name so does that overwrite it or..? yeah sure legally it is what it is but what Papa says goes...

n . number of siblings: 1 older brother, but then there are the siblings I've collected online like pokemon. They're mine now.

o . one wish: That my dad, my uncle, and that my grandmother weren't dead.

q . questions you’re always asked: "Are you okay?" fam I haven't been okay since 2004.

s . song you last sang: I love this song michael jackson . gif

t . top 3 fictional characters: Danny Williams , Daniel Charles, Will Scarlet

u . inexperienced or experienced writer: experienced, nothing published or anything but I got complimented a lot on my essays in high school

v . vacation: Where I'd go for Vacation, honestly, somewhere with some haunted places or some rich history. I really would love to visit Germany, go back to Japan, and honestly check out England/Spain since my mom lived there for a time. I could have been born in England. I COULD HAVE BEEN TURBO.

w . when’s your birthday: April 12th

x . x - rays: Last X ray was of my mouth for my tooth.

y . your favourite food/cuisine: Oh man...um...fuck, I dunno I just like food. Not like i'm going to eat every five minutes like but I'm willing to try anything once.

z . zodiac sign: fuck you, Nasa, I'm Aries for life.

tagged by:@roguexpogue

tagging: @wachtraeumen, @theforsakenchronicles, @myhappyendiing, @cfthesoul, @healcrs, @deathmaidened, @unitcd, and anyone else who wants to do this! If I didn't tag you I think someone else already did but you're still free to do this. Steal it. Use that klepto sims trait.

[inbeautifulruinsarchived]

put your ' on repeat ' playlist on shuffle, list the first 10 songs and tag 10 people to do the same.

Hey - BSB

I Love You's - Haliee Steinfield

Your song - Rita Ora

Backseat - Nicotine Dolls

Busy Woman - Sabrina Carpenter

I can Fix Him, No Really I Can - Taylor Swift

Apt - Rosie ft Bruno Mars

Miss Me More - Kelsea Ballerini

Too much - Dove Cameron

911 - Zander Hawley

Tagged by @anunkindncss, technically

Tagging: Whoever!

[anemoiawithatouchofobsession]

New Music finds of the week Ep. 1

Gyubin - Satellite (2024) [Indie pop]

Cute little banger. I had Gyubin on my radar snce her debut with "Really Like You" last year, which reminded me a lot of early IU. I liked it. A cute Lil bop, not to[ big not too world changing but just quite there.

--- NON KOREAN ---

Backstreet Boys - Straight Through My Heart (2009) [Europop/dance pop]

I heard this song at a friends' birthday and have been listening to it since. I frankly am not the biggest boy group fan - even in Kpop - but this song slaps (BSB songs slap in general). This sounds so nostalgic because you would hear this type of sound all over the radio in 2008 - 2013.

2. The Cranberries - Dreams (1993) [Prog Rock]

I found this song when I was searching for songs similar to Ethel Cain's "American Teenager" and the chord progression is similar which I like. Another track that was recommended was "Ribs" by Lorde, but I didn't like it as much as I should. It just sounds kinda empty to me. I do remember and really like "Team", "Tennis Court" and "Royals" by Lorde from the same album.

3. Victoria Monet - On My Mama (2023) [Contemporary RnB]

I heard this song on a YT short of a black hairstylist's channel and I've loved the chorus, but didn't really check the whole song out until a few days ago. And what can I say, deserved Grammy win. The slick RnB dance energy with the wholesome (bar one line) lyrics and the homages to 2000s black music totally have me hooked.

[duckuwu]

i do think about how i resisted kpop for so long

and then the one group to snatch me is the princess one.

i dont remember if i've talked about how it happened here before (probably), but... i've had two really close friends (who are both online and semi in person friends) who've been into kpop for many years now. and they kept talking about it, and the specific groups they like, and they kept trying to bring me into it. (just like there's some of you tumblr buddies who were also trying to assist me in that) but i just wasnt vibing w anything they sent.

but they were trying for years, and also getting such genuine joy out of it too, that i felt bad that i couldnt join them on the journey.

so i went to pandora and had it play me a kpop playlist.

and most of the tracks were skips for me. but there were some songs that i really vibed with.

they were always IVE. (okay, sometimes le sserafim would sneak in with newjeans. (enhypen was there too, my boys [pets gently]) but their tracks were hit and miss, whereas every single IVE track that came on...)

so i went to the music videos. went with the track that i loved the most: love dive. and i was like: oh, i get it now.

like, listen, the track is a fuckin bopperino. it's been in the top 100 of korea charts since it was released (it just left this weekend). but there was just something about these young women's attitudes. they know their worth and dare you to like them. dare i say...they were cocky? and the hook of the song "narcissistic, my god I love it" (and how there is some humour in it, but also they're just being honest too). and yeah. that's just what i've been wanting from female pop for decades. confident, cheeky, intelligent, not pandering to the male gaze.

...but now that i've been in this for some time now (and have expanded my listening range). I think it was just simply that the right group hadn't found me yet.

i don't really know how to explain it to people who aren't in it, but all these different groups are put together with a certain style/vibe/personality/goal. like, especially once you get to know the personalities of the members of the various groups. so, like, whilst there might be some crossover with people liking various groups, there's going to be that ONE group that is THE GROUP for someone, the group that truly best suits someone's personality.

like, i'm IVE, and the way they are with each other and their personalities, senses of humour, confidence, the lyrics of their songs... are very much the exact fit for me. whereas one of my RL friends has aespa as their main group, and the personalities, sense of humor, attitudes etc, truly fit the personality of my friend too. the stray kids fans i've met vs ateez fans vs enhypen etc... like you meet them, you talk to them, it's very easy to see why that one group is their main group. and also why their bias is their bias. (bias = favourite group member). it's kinda wild to think about. and very much not at all ... you cant really find the same in western groups. 1D fans were all over the place, same for bsb & nsync, fifth harmony etc.

it's fascinating. obviously subversive marketing that really fucking works. lmao and yeah it's marketing, but it's also based on something real.

but i really do find it absolutely hilarious that it's the group with the princess aesthetic that snatched me. for years now people on tumblr have been like 'dreamcatcher is right up your alley' and aesthetically, i do get it. and yet here we are lmao i do love me my rich intelligent women with hearts of gold (hello lena luthor). we just dont really get to see it in media much. (but also, again, i do want to stress that auditorily and lyrically i was ensnared by them before i even saw the group and their personalities)

this was my first favourite track of theirs:

and this is my absolute favourite track of theirs:

i'll shut up now lmao. idek if anyone'll read this ramble but hey

and if there's any kpop fans (friends/long time followers etc) whove been in this for a minute, feel free to correct any of my wrong assumptions about how things are? i know i'm new. and i also know i've got a masters in IVE specifically, and that I've only glanced the surface of other groups. but when you've found your happy place, it's really hard to watch other things when you could be in your happy place. lmao

[itreallyburns]

https://youtu.be/hdHFECRDuaY

They did a really good job of arranging Liam’s interview clips together. Hearing everything in his own words…it was so clear Liam was struggling for years. I really hope he is at peace now. :(

Right. People just weren't listening. They weren't paying attention because they didn't care, and they still don't. They just pretend now to save face. As if it matters now. Liam needed the support and encouragement in life. I'm sure he got it from close friends and family, but sometimes it takes a village.

I miss him a lot. I know it's strange to say that almost 6 months in and about someone I didn't personally know, but watching these interviews again... he was just so open and human, and it made him relatable. What a loss. He had so much potential to influence others who struggle in such a positive way. I'll always mourn what could've been if things hadn't ended the way they did on that horribly wretched day. I truly think with more time and proper treatment/support, he could've made it out just like Robbie (Take That) and AJ (BSB) did.

Heavy subjects he brought up, but it was nice hearing his voice. I love it so. His tone is so pleasant to listen to. Will miss it. I wish he could've got to a point of peace with himself in life and heard him speak on it and sing on it, too.

[randomvarious]

Today's compilation:

KissFM Flashback: Best of Love 1998 R&B / Adult Contemporary / Pop / Soul / Arena Rock / Pop-Rock

Funny thing about this pretty anodyne and somewhat random assortment of love songs from the Warner Elektra Atlantic catalogue that span between the late 70s and late 90s is that, had you not recognized the radio station logo that's on this album's cover, you'd probably have no idea that this was actually a Finnish release. And that seems to be because of two intertwined things: one, naming your radio station Kiss FM is like the equivalent of naming your American town Springfield; like, I'm pretty sure it's the most popular name for a radio station in the entire world, which also makes it the most generic. And because it's the most generic name for a radio station, it also then makes sense that its own tracklist would not provide a single clue as to where this particular Kiss FM station itself was actually located.

Which I guess just also goes to show how generic the market was overall for one of those hit European radio stations that played a mix of 'the hits from yesterday and today' in the late 90s, because not a single song on this release is actually Finnish-made itself, which would definitely lead you to think that it's not actually Finnish when it so totally is! 

But all that said, despite there not being anything to actually individualize this comp from any other similarly-scoped Euro comp out there, this thing nevertheless still manages to kick itself off with a pair of my all-time favorite big hits of 1996: the terrific Todd Terry remix of Everything But the Girl's "Missing," which was not just undoubtedly that year's single biggest commercial house hit, but was one of its biggest radio hits, period, too; and British one-hit wonder Donna Lewis' dreamy and ever-so-soft disco-pop-slow-dance smash, "I Love You Always Forever," which subtly built up all this tension with an unwavering bassline chug that smacked of the stuttering opening seconds from Survivor's own "Eye of the Tiger," and then suddenly released it all with a much louder and very catchy bridge that was outfitted with some handclaps and sharp, rich, and powerful keyboard chords. Sounds like a ballad that Cyndi Lauper might've made had she been born a decade later, and to that same end, a really lovely tune.

And another thing you might be interested in is that if you wanna hear iconic Swedish teen pop producer Max Martin's signature mid-to-late 90s sound applied to something before he managed to launch the Backstreet Boys into the stratosphere himself, there's Papa Dee's euro-reggae-pop cover of P.P. Arnold's "The First Cut Is the Deepest," which has that same smack-clappy backbeat sound that would define much of BSB's own output. Not gonna say that I particularly enjoy this song at all, but it's still intriguing to hear the Martin sound on something else prior to BSB.

And lastly, we have Lutricia McNeal's largely forgotten cover of Barbi Benton's "Ain't That Just the Way." If you dig that softly bouncy, hip hop-laced contemporary R&B sound of the mid-to-late 90s that made the careers of people like Mary J. Blige, Brandy, and Monica, this Oklahoma City native who ended up launching her career in Sweden and scoring this hit there is a good one too. After hitting big in Europe, "Ain't That Just the Way" crossed over here into the States and achieved moderate success as well, and while it never ended up earning itself the Grammy-winning plaudits of something like The Fugees' Lauryn Hill-led cover of Roberta Flack's own Grammy-winning "Killing Me Softly with His Song," I happen to think that the two tunes dovetail pretty perfectly with each other as 1996 R&B companions 👍.

So, a pretty lame Finnish comp of love songs with most of a selection that could fool anyone into thinking that it actually came from any one of a number of stations named Kiss FM in America instead, but nevertheless, some great intercontinentally popular hits from 1996 on here anyway 😌.

Highlights:

Everything But the Girl - "Missing (Todd Terry remix)" Donna Lewis - "I Love You Always Forever" Simply Red - "If You Don't Know Me By Now" Lutricia McNeal - "Ain't That Just the Way" Mr. Big - "To Be With You" Damn Yankees - "High Enough"

[daydream-comet]

A REALLY MESSY ANALYSIS OF THE CAVE SCENE IN THE BSB MOVIE. 

So HI. YOU PROBABLY KNOW ME. COMET IS KNOWN TO YOU, OTHERWISE HOW COULD YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON THIS. Anywayyys welcome to this messy analysis thingy. I have social anxiety and I make a fool of myself on a daily basis. Enjoy.

So lets just uh kick in to the main scene shall we. Apologies if I switch between dub and sub names.

Also the reason why most of the images are in collages is because. The original google doc was indeed so big. I have far surpassed the image limit. Which is also why like pictures sometimes look out of place compared to the doc. But hey. Atleast they're there.

There is just something about this scene that hits me. Lets look at it like this, Tyson is all alone In a cave, trapped. His lifelong companion is sealed. The world is literally ending. His friends are probably trying to break him free. But in that moment tyson is truly alone, chasing after what seems like a lost cause.

And like tyson is literally just. Talking to dragoon not knowing if his voice is even reaching the other side. Like. He's basically just talking to himself in a sense. He's DESPERATE.

Its like talking to someone who is in a coma, someone really close to you, someone you are just about to lose forever...

You don't know if they can hear you

If they know youre there for them

Standing by their side till the end

"When a story is about to end, we'll always reminisce about its beginning." (Honkai 3rd Graduation Trip animated short reference yes. I'm still recovering. Kiana come backk)

Tyson's words show him doing exactly that

A part of him knows there's a chance that this is probably gonna be the end for both of them

Won't you think of all that you've been through together at that time? Wouldn't you wish to enter whatever realm the dead go to together with that one person who was always there for you from the beginning of your journey?

Now heres the elephant in the room. Or whatever the saying goes like.

Just. Look at him. Dirty, defeated, trapped but still persevering. 

We humans will do whatever it takes to save our loved ones

Even if it costs our life. 

Dragoon was the reason tyson became who he is, so in that moment when dragoon is literally in a fate worse than death (there's a reason solitary confinement renders prisoners mad yk)  and tyson will probably die too if he stays trapped in that cave (he has no food and water?? The cave is unstable?? There are creatures destroying the world outside?? His friends are probably as helpless as him?? How are you going to open a cave? With your bare hands and plastic spinning tops??) it's only natural for him to at least try. 

Drop all logical conclusions, just make a crazy move  and hope for the best or die trying. 

In shorter words, desperation and hope, pessimism and optimism clashing against each other in a battle for survival.

The situation is out of your control, all you can do is hope for the best and that your actions are not in vain.

Tyson repeatedly hitting the wall, trying to break it, which he knows isn't possible but still going on despite being physically exhausted. If that is not desperation, I don't know what is.

It hurts to see him in this state. How….helpless and hopeless and scary  the situation must've been for a kid like him. I'd legit be crying by now. and the fact that he knows everything depends on whether they make it out or not. Like, shit, man thats…..thats too much even for an adult. We've seen adults break down from that kind of pressure and yet this kid is still standing tall despite the fact that it's taking a toll on him as well.

Like. Just. Wow. I have few words to explain this but I tried to my best efforts.

"We humans will do whatever it takes to save our loved ones

Even if it costs our life

Dragoon was the reason tyson became who he is, so in that moment when dragoon is literally in a fate worse than death and tyson will probably die too if he stays trapped in that cave, its only natural for him to at least try"

my earlier message is brought up here again.

Its a "we will either rise or go down, together" Because, this time, its dragoon who is the one needing saving, and its tyson who is fighting for him. 

And despite there being nothing much tyson can do with the resources around him being just rocks, he still keeps on trying. 

(This is the part where I start to tear up btw) (<--- a note I made when writing the og google doc. Rn I'm wearing headphones blasting the sonic frontiers boss themes in an attempt to calm myself down. This is the third time im doing this after tumblr screwed with me. Its therapeutic. Please proceed and ignore this)

Update. Would you believe me if i said that i missed something in the original post, which I noticed after like watching the movie for the third time but. I WAS RIGHT DRAGOON WAS AWARE AND WATCHING THE WHOLE TIME. YEAHH I'M NOT FULLY DELUSIONAL LETS GOO.

That and remember how I mentioned that tyson must be been exhausted af but still kept on going? Yea. Look at the height he fell from. The dust cloud too. And his scream as he stumbles down (it sounds different that a normal comedic scream we hear takao usually do. Motoko Kumai nailed this scene fr).

This line here said by dark dragoon…

I think its obvious that they, the bladers ofc, have some kind of soul-connection or whatever with their sacred beasts (also my do ppl ignore the major lore drops in the movie??)

Like we see that if a bit beast gets hurt during battle, the blader also feels some amount of pain or exhaustion as well to a certain degree (tyson getting a cut on his cheek during his battle with kane, few selective battles from grev and s1 etc.)

And the fact that the blader's emotions influence the beast as well (look at tyson and ralf's first battle. Tyson feeling fear affects dragoon too. And how dragoon said that as long as tyson had hope he'll always keep fighting in their battle against Tala)

And its no doubt that tyson and dragoon have one of the most unique dynamics in the show

Like, he's pretty much the only blader that proclaimed his sacred beast as his sworn brother TWICE (once in s1 in the ralf vs tyson rematch and once in the movie when he gets out of the cave and like dreamscape-like sequence with dark dragoon talking in tyson's mind)

And the fact like when the cave is collapsing and like boulders are falling everywhere tyson doesn't?? React to it at all??? He was just. Standing there. Looking at the wall. Like. He was in shock or like he was stunned and trying to process it. It goes to a point where Max has to approach him and tell him to get the hell outta here, which Tyson understandably refuses to do, and push him aside when a boulder was about to fall on them??? And then Max had to leave the cave but Takao didn't follow him??? Like Takao didn't care to go out without dragoon??? And like after a scene skip when we see Takao again and he's just. Talking to dragoon as shown above and. Do you just think like. During that time he was calming himself down. Like. Taking the time to process what the hell just happened. And figure out a way to get himself and dragoon out safely. 

Something I noticed after like writing the initial document. Takao blames himself for what happened to dragoon. Saying it was all his fault. When it's actually not. Like I'd say the movie is one of those situations where takao really has no involvement or relation with its ignition and was acting fairly maturely. And no takao hurrying to rescue daichi was not a bad decision. In fact if takao had been late things would've gotten worse. Takao understood the need to act fast and acted on that.

Anyways back to the initial scene

After all that desperation, all that fighting, one eventually burns out.

Tyson knew it wasn't possible for him alone to do it, but he still tired.

And ultimately It didn't work out 

Its like he went from shock to denial to persistence to desperation to acceptance

And defeat

Because he failed to protect the person he had sworn to.

(YET. this is me grabbing the plot by its collar and going "no actually")

WEPL UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU, THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THIS. OUR CHAMPS GOT UP. THEY AIN'T GOING DOWN. NOT TODAY BABES.

And then theres the climax of all the buildup that has happened.

Tyson's emotions and actions got through to the seal to dragoon without him knowing.

"I think its obvious that they have some kind of soul-connection with their sacred beasts"

Tyson's emotions and actions encouraged dragoon to fight back,

And in the end

They finally managed to pull it off

After so many failed attempts, so many obstacles and so many hardships, they finally managed to pull the rescue off.

Together.

 (FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC BITCHES *PULLS OUT A LOADED SHOTGUN*)

also remember how dragoon said that as long as tyson had hope dragon would still keep on fighting? Welp. Looks like, even in defeat and what was basically a dead end, Tyson still held hope that maybe, just maybe, things would get better (he's just a CHILD y'all). That and DRAGOON SPOKE EVERYONE STAND UP. and do you realize that. All that time when Tyson was talking in his most vulnerable state ever. Dragoon was LISTENING despite them both being separated by this wall. Dragoon was aware of everything, of what was happening, of what tyson was going through all along. They're like two halves of a whole, they're not. Complete without eachother. They need eachother. They're like platonic soulmates.

This is probably a stretch but. This entire doc is basically me saying stuff that does or doesn't make sense. Anyways I like had a conversation with someone once where i mentioned that if you remove the t and o from 'takao' you get 'aka' which means 'red' (bakuten shoot is filled with name puns in the jp ver anyways)

Tyson's clothing is a mixture of mostly red with blue and yellow. In that conversation I mentioned that blue represents dragoon and his connection with tyson while red represents tyson himself.

And like in the first episode of vforce when during his first battle with ozuma tyson was failing to summon dragoon, he had a reddish tint in the dreamscape-like scene.

Compare this to the movie's dreamscape-like sequence, tyson has a bluish tint there. And guess who's there with him by his side? Yep, dragoon.

In that moment when the entire wall shatters and dragoon breaks free and returns to his blade, The blade turns from white to red.

White usually represents a blank state, A clear canvas.

The blade turning red might be symbolism of the breakthrough, being tyson's efforts help dragoon fight back.

A sign of trust, Of companionship, Of brotherhood.

And that in the end is what helped them save the day once again <3

Also like. This scene when like they all reseal the dark beasts and like the island collapses and they all jump into the boat and watch it all sink. We all can see that they all have different reactions to it but like. Can we all just acknowledge takao's expression here compared to everyone else. That blank-eyed trance-like resigned stare he gives? While everyone else is giving either surprised or wary looks? And like you can see hiromi's hand on takao's shoulder and how she looks….concerned for him? Again this might be my eyes playing tricks or another stretch but it almost as if she was supporting him to stand or like comforting him? Either way yea that look hides a lot of depth. Rare times vforce animation excels with the 'show don't tell' expressions. And how he acts like normal after daichi arrives there on another boat. It's like he's either a great actor or daichi's presence helped him snap out of it.

Okay so now we come to the end of whatever this was. Note that this is just my interpretation of the scene, it might or might not be accurate and most of it is just analysing and speculation, so like no need to treat it like a bible or whatever. Hope you enjoyed this and bye. Comet out. Peaceee.

[fortressofserenity]

Idols and boy bands

There's this video essay/sermon/apologetic on YouTube pointing out that K-Pop comes from a poisoned well when it comes to idolatry, that's worshipping something/somebody other than God. If he's a jealous God, this is why. Though she specifically addresses K-Pop, this could also be applied to any band or musician having a cute name for their fans. But it would be particularly grievous for Christians to do the same, since they shouldn't be proud lest they be brought down in some way (I've been through it too).

In the case with the Backstreet Boys, as it has a Christian member in it, it is particularly grievous and depressing why somebody like Brian Littrell wallows in this a lot. I was a Backstreet Boys fan and it's depressing why Brian never bothered to make fans listen to sermons, read devotionals, introduce them to God in some introductory way if they're new to it or make them read the Bible. Whether or not he has the fear of man (which is something that I have) or does worse, I feel his band would be judged for something.

I remember this sermon on Citi FM (a Ghanaian radio station), where the pastor insinuates that people who indulge in this (while I was thinking of the Backstreet Boys) are wicked. Or at least don't have genuinely good intentions most of the time, because it's like they like to be the centre of attention. They like the adoration fans give to them, it would be especially horrifying that a Christian like Brian Littrell indulges in this a lot. He makes his fans visit his band at cruises, but not make them go to church. Like as if he really does belong to the world.

If you know a tree by its fruit, perhaps Brian Littrell doesn't strive to do anything good. He may sing Christian songs, but sometimes his heart is far from God (something that I also go through, hard to say). Admittedly it's kind of hard for me to believe, to the point of facing consequences like missing something I like before. But I feel with Brian Littrell, it's like even if he believes in God, he seems to believe more in his band and himself. Brian never seems to make their fans read the Bible, listen to sermons and go to church.

Probably because he's too beholden to the world that it's not a surprise why he's like this, why some BSB fans are strangely defensive of one member, despite being a repeat rapist and possible adulterer if his affair gets found out. It's even worse how Brian never really rebukes Nick for his misdeeds, which is what Christians are called to do if somebody they love does something wrong. Like as if he's more concerned about protecting his band's reputation, than protecting them from any sin or things that cause them to them.

As if fame and fortune are more important to him, than God that no sooner or later the Backstreet Boys will be taken out. Some will die in prison for rape and murder, others will die from natural causes. Because they are all spiritually dead in God, that they will all undergo biological deaths at any point in time. Brian will be judged for not only he and his band's pride/arrogance, but also how he enables idolatry and takes people away from God that his band will face more mishaps, hardships and be forgotten to time.

No sooner or later, the Backstreet Boys will be gone forever. While I do believe that fandom is concentrated idolatry, it's kind of depressing for a Christian like Brian Littrell to condone it in some way. Even if somebody like My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way and the like aren't total saints, it's worse for a Christian like Brian Littrell to do the same thing because he should know better. He shouldn't be of the world, so it's on him and his band why they're going to be struggling to be relevant.

Why they'll face more backlashes once they unleash something controversial like say all of them appearing as demons whilst singing 'Everybody' one day, flashing the Satanic pentagram onscreen and in concert. As if Brian Littrell's more beholden to the Devil than he is to God that no sooner or later, the Backstreet Boys will be dealt with and then eliminated for enabling idolatry of themselves.

[babybabychunsa]

Jewel in Our Hearts? Nick Carter’s most underrated song?

this song! Most people never knew Nick has a solo career, let alone, name a song of his outside of the Backstreet bubble! They knew him (the people around me are guilty of thinking Nick is just a cute curtain blonde boy of the ‘90s, but he is so hot during the late ‘00s)

But, that’s not we’ll talk about today!

It’s about his 2nd album I’m Taking Off, and its Japanese edition, which has this song, while Canada has Love Can’t Wait

This, this song is written by Noriyuki Makihara and Motoyama Kiyoharu (i dont have that much info about these two in the first place, but one of them produced this song, soooooooo)

This song, unfortunately, was only a bonus track, but it got the worst treatment of any bonus tracks. Unlike Prisoner, Coma, and Love Can’t Wait which was performed live at least a few times, this song rarely got traction, let alone mentioned by BSB fan sites and Nick fan sites as its a Nick song (and many people did not know Nick Carter have a solo career whatnot), not a Backstreet song; second of all, not a lot of people are familiar with BSB songs or albums after the Millennium or Black and Blue, which is a shame really; considering BSB covered can prove they’re much more than a 90s nostalgia boy band like their rivals, anyways…

Here are the lyrics for y’all —>

[Verse 1] Sometimes you try so hard to be things that you’re not You’re hiding behind a wall you can’t see Just One push and the wall will come tumbling down And then you’re left naked standing all alone Always coming to an end before we can start Sometimes you feel that you have no control We’ll run for cover, under this roof we will be warm Right by side together we’ll wait out the storm Don’t you know a change will come Just stand firm for all you believe Don’t you know that we will be where we want to be Just come with me you’re not alone

My honest reaction, his voice…. The way he sang this just makes me-

[Hook] A star shining brightly, a diamond a ruby A treasure to find, brings a smile to my face Shake off all your troubles, they roll right off your back Just like an old stray dog when he’s caught in the rain And l know that some day we’ll find what we're looking for A new you, a new me, a new start I won’t stop moving forward, feel the strength that truth brings The love we spread shines like a jewel within our hearts

[Verse 2] Sometimes you try so hard to be things that you’re not You’re hiding behind a wall you can’t see Just One push and the wall will come tumbling down And then you’re left naked standing all alone Everyone shares the same humanity Whether a president or a king Don’t you know that the one thing that matters Is living a life to yourself, it’s your choice Then suddenly a friend comes out of nowhere Brings us an umbrella and lends a hand Let’s hope that we soon have the same opportunity When we help our fellow man

[Hook] A star shining brightly, a diamond a ruby A treasure to find, brings a smile to my face Shake off all your troubles, they roll right off your back Just like an old stray dog when he’s caught in the rain Even when you are lost deep in the storm I will search, I will find where you are ‘Cause I know the love we share like a light in the dark Shines so bright, like a jewel within our hearts

[Pre-Chorus] Now that I can see it’s so clear to me Appreciate the beauty that you bring With you here by me side, feel the warmth of your smile Glows like a rainbow in the sun

[Hook] A star shining brightly, a diamond a ruby A treasure to find, brings a smile to my face Shake off all your troubles, they roll right off your back Just like an old stray dog when he’s caught in the rain And l know that some day we’ll find what we´re looking for A new you, a new me, a new start I won’t stop moving forward, feel the strength that truth brings The love we spread shines like a jewel within our hearts

Sorry, y’all, i did not provide commentary as I’m too lazyyyyy….. but, the lyrics are sooooooooooooo sweet and it’s my fave song of Nick, really! It’s a shame he didn’t perform it as much (in his new tour, he didn’t even perform I’m Taking Off songs 😭) , but… if he is available in his MySpace, i will message him IRL for him to perform this, causeeeeeeee, it sounds sooooooo organic compared to Burning Up, and I’m Taking Off!

bye! I’m Taking Off is the most underrated and (possibly his best album yet)