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im going to start writing winx club fics. watch me

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its crazy when i like a female character and i think well she’s clearly flawed but at least she’s interesting :) and then i make the fatal mistake of witnessing other people’s opinions on the subject and find out that the consensus amongst fans is that she’s an irredeemable demon bitch from hell

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scruffy/sweaty/dirty human!cas in dean’s lap is my aesthetic

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Hey bestie whats a narrow boat? I saw you tag that on something you reblogged and I'm pretty curious now!

- Terry Darlington, Narrow Dog to Carcassone

A narrowboat (all one word) is a craft restricted to the British Isles, which are connected all over by a nerve-map of human-made canals. To go up and down hills, the canals are spangled with locks (chambers in which boats can be raised or lowered by filling or emptying them with water.) As Terry says above, the width of the locks was somewhat randomly determined, and as a result, the British Isles have a narrow design of lock - and a narrowboat to fit through them. A classic design was seventy feet long and six feet wide. Starting in the 18th century, and competing directly with trains, canal “barges” were an active means of transport and shipping. They were initially pulled along the towpaths by horses, and you can still see some today!

Later, engines were developed.

Even after the trains won the arms race, it was a fairly viable freight service right up until WW2. It’s slow travel, but uses few resources and requires little human power, with a fairly small crew (of women, in WW2) being capable of shifting two fully laden boats without consuming much fossil fuel.

In those times the barges were designed with small, cramped cabins in which the boaters and their families could live.

During its heyday the narrowboat community developed a style of folk art called “roses and castles” with clear links to fairground art as well as Romani caravan decor. They are historically decorated with different kinds of brass ornaments, and inside the cabins could also be distinctively painted and decorated.

Today, many narrowboats are distinctively decorated and colorful - even if not directly traditional with “roses and castles” they’ll still be bright and offbeat. A quirky name is necessary. All narrowboats, being boats, are female.

After a postwar decline, interest in the waterways was sparked by a leisure movement and collapsing canals were repaired. Today, the towpaths are a convenient walking/biking trail for people, as they connect up a lot of the mainland of the UK, hitting towns and cities. Although the restored canals are concrete-bottomed, they’re attractive to wildlife. Narrowboats from the 1970s onward started being designed for pleasure and long-term living. People enjoy vacationing by hiring a boat and visiting towns for a cuter, comfier, slower version of a campervan life. And a liveaboard community sprang up - people who live full-time on boats. Up until the very restrictive and nasty laws recently passed in the UK to make it harder for travelling peoples (these were aimed nastily at vanlivers and the Romani, and successfully hit everyone) this was one of the few legal ways remaining to be a total nomad in the UK.

Liveaboards can moor up anywhere along the canal for 28 days, but have to keep moving every 28 days. (Although sorting out the toilet and loading up with fresh water means that a lot of people move more frequently than that.) you can also live full-time in a marina if they allow it, or purchase your own mooring. In London, where canal boats are one of the few remaining cheapish ways to live, boats with moorings fetch the same prices as houses. It can be very very hard for families to balance school, parking, work, and all the difficulties of living off-grid- but many make it work. It remains a diverse community and is even growing, due to housing pressures in the UK. Boats can be very comfortable, even when only six feet wide. When faced with spending thousands of pounds on rent OR mooring up on a nice canal, you can see why it seems a romantic proposition for young people, and UK television channels always have slice-of-life documentaries about young folks fixing up their very own quirky solar-powered narrowboat. I don’t hate; I did it myself.

If you’re lucky, you might even meet some of the cool folks who run businesses from their narrowboats: canal-side walkers enjoy bookshops, vegan bakeries, ice-cream boats, restaurants, artists and crafters. There are Floating Markets and narrowboat festivals. It’s generally recognised that boaters contribute quite a lot to the canal - yet there are many tensions between different kinds of boaters (liveaboards vs leisure boaters vs tourists) as well as tensions with local settled people, towpath users like cyclists, and fishermen. I could go on and on explaining this rich culture and dramas, but I won’t.

Phillip Pullman’s Gyptians are a commonly cited example of liveaboards - although they were based on the narrowboat liveaboards that Pullman knew in Oxford, their boats are actually Dutch barges. Dutch barges make good homes but are too wide to access most of the midlands and northern canals, and are usually restricted to the south of the UK. So they’re accurate for Bristol/London/Oxford, and barges are definitely comfier to film on. (Being six feet wide is definitely super awkward for a boat.) but in general Dutch barges are less common, more expensive and can’t navigate the whole system.

However, apart from them, there are few examples of narrowboat depictions that escaped containment. So it’s quite interesting that there is an entire indigenous special class of boat, distinctive and highly specialised and very cute, with an associated culture and heritage and folk art type, known to all and widely celebrated, and ABSOLUTELY UNKNOWN outside of the UK - a nation largely known around the world for inflicting its culture on others. They’re a strange, sweet little secret - and nobody who has ever loved one can resist pointing them out for the rest of their lives, or talking about them when asked to. Thank you for asking me to.

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Gerard Way 🤝🏻 Dean Winchester (being babygirl)

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it’s about an angel acquiring a dick a gender and a sexuality not necessarily related or in that order and then using all three of those things to plow a kansas hick through a mattress

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no but what if 2009 dean had stayed in the 2014 au longer? what if zachariah had sent him there before, before the night 2014 dean sent them all to their death. what if he'd spent time, weeks, months, with his older self, with cas? he would have noticed, that they weren't friends. that they were old lovers, so old they were doing it out of habit rather than real feeling anymore. and what about cas? there he would be, suddenly faced with this hopeful, more caring version of the man he loves. a dean who still wants peace, who still wants to fix things. already a cynic, but still so full of love. something that his dean hasn't let show in a long time. and cas can't stop looking at him, and 2014 dean notices but he's too shut off to admit that he hates it. that he hates himself for not being that version of himself anymore. that he hates his younger self for being something that his cas can look at with fondness in his eyes. all he gets is sadness. and 2009 dean notices too, and it unsettles him but he is curious about it. he wonders if cas regrets this version of him. he wonders how it happened, at which point he and cas got together. he wonders if it was ever tender, or if it's always been this broken relationship, born from the war. and they talk, cas and 2009 dean talk a lot. not at first, but little by little they develop a habit of staying up late at night and just talking. cas asks dean to remind him what life used to be like. dean asks cas what he likes about his dean. and cas tells him, but sometimes it's like he can barely remember. he loves him because it's interwoven with the fabric of who he is. but if he's being honest he isn't sure he likes him. but he likes past dean. he's funny, and not only in a dry, dark way. he genuinely makes him laugh, and he laughs, too, and his eyes crinkle, and he smiles those big smiles that bare his teeth, and he worries, and he cries when they lose a friend to the croatoans, and he cares, he cares so much. and cas falls in love all over again. he cleans up his act, too. he sobers up and he tries to be the version of himself that past dean wants to see. and dean thinks he gets it. he already knows he's going to end up with cas so there's no use denying what he's currently feeling. and he does feel it, the comfort of falling in love with your best friend. and he holds cas's hand, and that's comfortable. he kisses him, and it feels like falling off a skyscraper at first but then that becomes comfortable too. they spend a night together, and dean thinks he has never felt more loved in his entire life. and it's a rush, and it's comfortable, and it's not right. because this cas isn't his best friend, and they don't belong to each other, not really. and there is the very real possibility that 2014 dean might kill him if he keeps it up. so he doesn't. but he thinks about his cas, and how right it would feel with him. he thinks about all the things he loves about his cas, his best friend, the angel for whom time works differently than for him and yet who is so different from this cas right here. because no matter how old you are, things and people still change you. and he doesn't ever want to be the reason that his cas changes into the man standing in front of him. he won't let himself be the reason castiel, his castiel, is ever this sad. this lonely. he knows now, that whether it happens now or a year from now, or ten, he and cas will end up together. he just needs to make sure that when they do, cas still feels like his best friend, and that he is still cas's. that cas wouldn't rather be with a younger, livelier dean. so when he gets back to his time, he begs him. don't ever change. but really he's making himself a promise. don't ever change him.

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that's my (birthday) girl!

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DEAN MURDER MYSTERY BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!

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it's like. he's a son. he's a daughter. he's a bad man. he's a serial killer. he's a cowboy. he's a xerox machine. he's a mother. he's a loose cannon. he's bad writing. he's good writing. he's a swiftie. he's a hero. he's an antihero. he's bad bisexual rep. he's han solo. no he's not. he's a father. he's his father. he's an alcoholic. he's a control freak. he's the michael sword. he's a child. he's a husband. he's a housewife. he's a mechanic. he's the last great american queerbait. he's a soldier. he's a redditor. he's a violent urge. he's a failed man. he's a construct. he's a parody. he's a revenge arc. he's a tragic hero. he's a widow. he's a divorcee. he's a dancer. he's a righteous man. he's a photocopy. he's never wrong. he's always wrong. he's irredeemable. he's redemption. he's a pop culture geek. he's kinda butch. he's a painted whore. he's an archetype. he's an homage. he's a drag king. he's just a guy. he's a hooker with a heart of gold.

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if you live in oklahoma, make sure you register to vote because they’ve purged 430k voters and i was one of them. it’s really simple and takes 2 minutes.

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Welcome, kind donors, your kindness can transform our tragic story into a story of wholeness and renewal.🇵🇸😭

In addition, there is our help in this unstoppable war so that life can survive with the simplest elements.😭🇵🇸

Please, consider lending us a hand in this form.

Empower, heal wounds, restore life, and cultivate brighter futures. We thank all the people who do not forget us in difficult situations and😭🇵🇸 suffering, stand by us, look at us with😭🇵🇸 compassion, and make us happy despite the very difficult situation. How much will we get what we want and get us out of this? 😭🇵🇸We thank you very much, and you are capable. Do not😭🇵🇸 forget us, even with a little money, and scroll the page until you reach... All people, our situation is difficult.

https://gofund.me/36240bc1

Gaza, Deir al-Balah, Ali Helles🇵🇸😭

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Amal's story

Amal is 26 years old and lives in Gaza. She is the mother one 1-year-old Maryam, and before the war she was in the process of getting her master's degree in French language.

In October 2023, Amal, her husband, and their daughter had to evacuate their home and move to the south, where they lived with friends for a few months.

In January 2024, the family had to move to Rafah to live in a tent, in terrible conditions. Since then, they have been displaced several times.

Amal's family need funds to survive. Little Maryam needs to be fed and cared for, and right now even the basics are unaffordable to them.

I have been talking with Amal (@amalashuor), and they still need a little over 18,000€ to reach their goal. In light of what we've been able to achieve together in terms of mutual aid since this genocide started, I'd say 18k is easily doable.

We don't ask that you donate exorbitant amounts of money, but if we all give 5€ then we can get there fast.

And if you have nothing to give, please please still do reblog this post. Help share Amal's story and get her campaign closer to its goal.

This campaign has been verified by me, @/el-shab-hussein, and @/nabulsi

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‌🚨🚨Urgent appeal🚨🚨

To be a human being who feels the suffering of others

What did my innocent little child do to die slowly?

Please, I ask for help for my little child whom I gave birth to after 11 years of suffering until he was born in the war💔😭 No treatment, no medicine, and no minimum necessities of life

He is now suffering from eye infections and shortness of breath due to the heat of the tents, the repeated shelling, and the dust of explosive materials resulting from the shelling and repeated displacement

🚨🚨We need you, save us, help us In saving the life of death 😭😭🚨🚨

https://gofund.me/11525cb3

HE IS ONLY AT 635. Any dono helps

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Sorry to bother you, but the war in Gaza doesn’t left to me any choice. You still have time to donate and support this much needed family. Please don’t leave us here to die.

My home was destroyed and I lost everything. All I have left is what’s left of my family.

https://gofund.me/0b7d47e4

‎‏I’m afraid to lose my only son, Ghaith. 💔 He is just 2 years My wish is to take him and evacuate from Gaza to protect him. Please, I hope you find it in your heart to help us. 💔Small donation, at least 10$ only

I don’t have the means to donate but I’ll share<3

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‼️Hello

I am ashamed of this message and I hope this message reaches you well

My name is Maher, a Palestinian from Gaza, my life has been greatly affected by the war, everything has stopped because of the war, our house was completely destroyed, and my family and I have been displaced more than 7 times. The situation is very bad for us. We cannot bear this injustice and fear. We have endured 11 months of suffering, humiliation, destruction and escaping death. No one asks about us. We are dying here. There is no way to survive now.

I currently live in a small tent with my family, and I am working hard to rebuild my family's life from scratch and get out of the Gaza Strip safely. I need your help in donating to achieve my goal. Any donation from each person makes a big difference and saves us from death 💔🥹

https://gofund.me/1ccd21c2

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Today's vetted fundraisers

Faten’s family We are a family of four girls and two boys from Gaza. At the start of the war, we faced terrifying nights, living in constant fear. We were displaced from our home in northern Gaza due to nearby threats, then again when houses around us were bombed. A third displacement occurred when we were forced to move south, enduring harsh weather, food and water shortages, and health issues. Despite these hardships, we continued to face bombings, and my mother was injured. We lost my eldest brother, Nidal, who stayed in northern Gaza and hasn’t been heard from since November 10, 2023. Our family now struggles with extreme difficulties, including the loss of education and jobs. Our lives and dreams have been shattered. We urgently need help to leave Gaza to continue our studies and ensure our safety. Ke321_kr1,000,000,00

Weam fan My name is Weam. I was in my final year of high school, aiming for a high score to attend university and pursue my dreams. But the war shattered those plans, disrupting my education. We lived in northern Gaza and were displaced multiple times for safety. My family has suffered greatly; my father's shop and our home were destroyed, leaving us without income. My mother has severe back pain from living in tents and urgently needs treatment abroad, as Gaza's healthcare can't provide it. I appeal for your support to help us rebuild our lives. Every contribution matters.£90_£30,000

Mohammed Adel My name is Abdallah, a 23-year-old from Gaza, struggling to survive with my 12-year-old brother, Omar, amid constant attacks. We face daily dangers trying to find food, clean water, and medical supplies. Our resources are scarce, and we've already lost a loved one due to the lack of medical care. We desperately need help to secure basic necessities and survive. Any support you can provide will make a difference in our lives. Thank you for your kindness. €100_€15,000

Jamil Sharaf My name is Jamil Sharaf, and I’m 37 years old. My family and I have been displaced five times since the war in Gaza began on October 7. We now live in a tent on the seashore, struggling with severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. My youngest daughter, Laren, is without milk, and my other children are suffering from health issues due to the lack of clean water and proper shelter. Our home and business were destroyed, leaving us with nothing. Your support and donations can help us rebuild our lives and provide for our children’s basic needs. Thank you for your generosity. $225_€50,000

Hazem Mohammed I am Hazem Mohammed Albardawill. I am 29 years old. I used to live with my small family. My wife is pregnant and my children are Imad and Jad. We are very happy in our lives. On the evening of the black day, October 11, at eight o’clock in the evening, our house was bombed. I did not feel anything. I was taken to the hospital where my injury occurred and I stayed in intensive care for several days. Then after... It was during my coma that I first began to ask about my children and my wife, and when I learned of their martyrdom, and after that I did not feel alive, for my soul had left me. I mean, then, without shelter, without treatment, without work, or family, I felt that I had nothing. Everything was gone with the bombing, even my dreams. Yesterday, my family and neighbors needed to work in order to provide myself with a shelter to help me from the heat and cold of winter, and I need the required treatment in order to return to how I was before the damned war Which left a fire in my heart that will never be extinguished. I do not want the impossible. All I want is for you to provide me with money so that I can provide myself with shelter and treatment. To live a decent life.£375_£20,000

@el-shab-hussein @nabulsi @mohameddd @irhabiya @appsa