itbeleeeee

[itbeleeeee]

um guys, I think we need to stop waiting for ‘the right time’ and just start doing the things we want whenever because the right time’s never gonna come, and if we keep waiting it’s just gonna turn into an endless cycle

[itbeleeeee]

Jinu trolling from the astral plane ✨

[itbeleeeee]

You should get an AO3 account

With the rise of AI and the well known epidemic of AI companies scraping Ao3 for training data most authors on Ao3 have locked down their fics to logged in users only. This is unfortunate for authors and readers. As an author I've noticed a steep drop in readership on fics restricted to logged in users and when recommending fics to my friends I've noticed that the folks without an account can't find the fics. The logged in users only toggle, not only keeps people without an account from reading a fic, but also from seeing its listing at all. More than 50% of fics I come across have this setting turned on. So, you should get an AO3 account. I know this seems daunting and unfair because it's an invite only system but, you can invite yourself through the homepage if you don't already have one, and in the past few years I've never heard of someone who requested an invitation through this method, not getting one. And for those of you who are hesitant because you don't write, that's okay. It's not weird at all to click on a commenter username and find that they have 0 works and 10,000 bookmarks. It might take a week for the invitation to actually show up, but I can almost guarantee you will get one, just keep an eye on your email. It's free to join and donations are optional. You'll have more to read if you have an account and maybe give your favorite author the chance to protect their work from AI without a loss of readership and feedback.

[itbeleeeee]

[itbeleeeee]

So, the other day, when I was discussing AO3's policy on solicitation, a tumblr user came at me saying that AO3's "no monetization/solicitation" rules were "bullshit" because nexus mods allows fan created mods to get paid.

Look at me.

Look at me right now.

AO3 protects you.

AO3 protects you and your works. 

It protects your works from copyright strikes and DCMA takedowns.

It protects your work from advertisers.

It protects your work from overzealous legal challenges.

It protects your right to post adult content.

AO3 is non-profit and AO3 will never try to use you or your work to make a profit for themselves and AO3 will go to bat for you if someone tries to legally challenge you or your works.

Please respect AO3 and its mission.

[itbeleeeee]

I had a dream that unless the teacher told us class was over, we were forbidden from going out the door. Our teacher was very forgetful, and maybe even malicious. After being forced to stay past sunset many days, my class decided we were going to break out every night. Eventually our attempts led us to discovering rifts in space-time where we could warp. So we never used the door. Checkmate.

[itbeleeeee]

“i thought you hated straight couples??”

how DARE YOU assume i would EVER mean them

[itbeleeeee]

anyways i just love the way kpop demon hunters stayed true to its roots in korean/asian culture, especially around the core theme of community vs individualism

the fact that it's not a single chosen one but a group of three

the fact that the honmoon is not powered by the hunters themselves but by the energy and love of the fans

the fact that gwi-ma turns people into demons by promising that he is the only one who can help them when he is in fact reliant on his army of demons to collect souls for him

the fact that "your idol" is about surrendering yourself to a single higher power while "golden" is about soaring to new heights together

the fact that gwi-ma preys on people's individual insecurities and shame to get inside their heads while rumi, mira, and zoey set them free in the end by encouraging them to embrace their differences and reminding them that they're not alone

the fact that you can see the audience cheering individually and even pushing into each other to get closer to the stage during "your idol"

while they're linking arms and cheering together and hugging during "what it feels like"

i have not seen the live action lilo and stitch but it feels like that movie sits on the opposite end of the spectrum from kpop demon hunters as a case study for how to tell a story in way that is culturally authentic and still resonates with a broader audience

and i think given that the core theme of the movie is all about community over individualism, the ending, particularly as it relates to rumi and jinu's budding romance, is really the perfect culmination of that broader theme

rumi and jinu's connection has all the hallmarks of that all-encompassing, all-consuming, borderline co-dependent first love where you keep your relationship a secret and sneak out of the house to meet up and feel like the other person is the ONLY person who really gets you

i'm the only one who can understand you, i'm the only one who will love you is the kind of thing that sounds romantic when you're 16 until you get older and realize how toxic it actually is and i love that the movie counters that in "what it sounds like" with rumi realizing that she had that love and support all along from her girls, and later, from the fans who continue to cheer them on through their comeback

it's about connection and sisterhood and love and sharing your fears and lifting each other up and becoming stronger and better together

and as compelling as i found rumi/jinu and as much as i would like to see their relationship explored more in a sequel/series, i just really love that this movie, which is clearly targeted at young women, ends on the message that romantic love is not the end all be all, that friendship is just as important if not more so than a romantic partner, that single women can lead successful, fulfilling lives, that true happiness and freedom start from within

it's crazy that this message still seems revolutionary in 2025 but given the current state of the world, it feels more necessary than ever

[itbeleeeee]

Here's a fun little detail about "This is what it sounds like". Mira and Zoey start in their "Golden" outfits, as they've had no time or reason to change since all that went down. It's a bit militaristic, spikes, fringes, and the main fabric seems to black sequins.

We get a closer look at the sequins during the start of the fight, when the girls are all coming together along the three stages.

And then the three girls hug, which recreates the Honmoon and rebuilds their magical alliance, and to signify that, Mira's and Zoey's outfits turn white, showing that they've been sanctified. So far, so good.

But crucially, the white outfits don't have sequins anymore. They have something else:

Patterns.

It's subtle and easy to miss, but the post-reunification outfits of Zoey and Mira are both smooth, but feature some subtle pattern work. Zoeys are a bit more playful, Mira's a bit more angular, both unique to them and their styles. But crucially, they match the demonic patterns on Rumi's skin.

The outfits are telling us that not only have the three reunited, not only have they forgiven each other, they're telling us that these girls are a unit. If one of them has patterns, they all will wear patterns, and be proud of it. They're 100% on Rumi's side.

Of course this is also what the text of the movie is literally saying anyway, it's not exactly subtle, but it's great to see it reinforced in subtle ways like this. I'm sure many people noticed it right away, but it took me several watches of the movie and the promotional Youtube videos to notice it.

[itbeleeeee]

You know what’s so sad about the whole real person queerbait discourse?

bbno$ had an interview where he was asked if he’d ever have sex with a dude and he said “I don’t know”, and said he’s kissed his male friends and he’s felt attracted to men but he’s never felt like a proper urge to have sex with a man.

People of course called this queer baiting because of course they fucking did.

But there’s something he said in this interview. That he’s gotten more comfortable with his sexuality, and 10-15 years ago he wouldn’t be comfortable talking like this due to the stigma.

It is only due to new social progress that he’s able to give this answer. That he has the space to not just say he’s straight. I’ve always said that you could not make ‘I kissed a girl’ as a dude, because a guy who made a hit song about kissing guys with a girl waiting at home, he would be pegged as a gay cheater”. And this is the same I think, back then he definitely would have just called himself straight because it’s easier and because of internalized homophobia, and it’s only due to social progress that he’s open to the possibility.

You would think “I have felt really attracted to dudes but have never felt the immediate (read: immediate as opposed to eventual) sexual desire.” would be enough of a confirmation that this person is not strictly straight. Like not “Think they’re attractive” but “Attracted to”. But apparently this is him baiting.

The fact that people are mad that this man finally feels comfortable with his sexuality, and okay being honest about his situation because it means they can’t get a straight answer out of him as to whether or not to call him queer, that’s awful.

But sure i’m a Harry Styles dick rider for not calling him straight.

[itbeleeeee]

💫⭐️✨🌟

[itbeleeeee]

For all of the northerners that stood up for Texas during our freeze and said, "Don't make fun of them, they've never dealt with this before. Their infrastructure isn't made for snow and freezing."

This one is for you.

Where I live 108°F with 80% humidity with no wind is normal.

Pacific North West is dealing historic best waves 35-40°C or 95-105°F.

First of all. Don't make fun of them for bitching about the heat. Just like Texas isn't built for a freeze and our pipes burst, Pacific North West isn't built for heat and a lot of their homes don't have AC.

If you live somewhere with a high humidity like 80+ HUMIDITY IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. The "humidity makes it feel cooler" is a lie once it gets beyond a point.

If you live somewhere with a lower humidity, misters are nice to cool off outside.

Once you get over 90°F (32°C) a fan will not help you. It's just pushing around hot air. (I mean if you can't afford a small AC unit because they're expensive as hell, by all means a fan is better than nothing).

If you have pets, those portable AC units aren't safe. If your pets destroy the outtake thing, it'll leak CO2. Window units are safer.

Window AC units will let mosquitoes or other small bugs in. Sucks, but that's life.

Now is not the time to me modest. If you have to cover for religious reasons, by all means. If you don't, I've seen people wear short shorts and a swim top. It's not trashy if it keeps you from getting heat stroke.

If you do have to cover up for religious reasons, look for elephant pants or something similar. They're made with a breathable material.

Shade is better than no shade, but that shit it just diet sun after some point. Don't think shade will save you from heat stroke.

I know the "drink your water" is a fun meme now, but if you're sweating excessively you need electrolytes. Drink Gatorade, Powerade, or Pedialite PLEASE. I don't care if you're fucking sitting in one spot all day. That shit WILL save you from heat stroke.

Most importantly. RESEARCH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAT STROKE AND HEAT EXHAUSTION PLEASE!

If you're diabetic and can't drink Gatorade, mix water, fruit juice, and either lite salt or pink salt

If you can afford it, cover windows with thick curtains to insulate the house

If you have tile floors, lay on them with skin to tile contact. If you don't, laying your head on cool counters works too.

If the temperature where you're at is hotter than your body temperature, don't wear heat wicking clothing. Moisture wicking is safe though.

Check your medication labels. Many make you more susceptible to sun and heat

-Room temperature water will get into your body faster. This is something I learned doing marching band in high summer in Georgia, and it saved all of our asses. Sip it, don't gulp it, especially if you're getting into the red; same goes for whatever fluid you're drinking. And just in general drink during the day.

-If you are moving from an air conditioned space to an un-air conditioned space, if at all possible try to make the shift gradual. When my dad and I were working outside and in un-ac houses a few years ago, he'd turn the air down to low in the truck about ten-fifteen minutes before we got where we were going. This way your body doesn't go from low low temps to high temps. S'bad for you.

-If you can, keep your lights off during the day. Light bulbs may not generate a lot of heat, but the difference is noticeable when it gets hot enough. I literally only turn my bedroom light on in the evening when it gets too dark.

Don't be afraid to just like... pour water on yourself if you need to. The evaporation will cool you off.

Put your hand to the cement for 15 seconds. If you can't handle the heat, it'll burn your dog's paws. Don't let them walk on it.

Dogs with flat faces are more prone to heat stroke. Don't leave them out unsupervised.

Frozen fruit is delicious in water.

Wet/Cold hat/handkerchief on your head/neck will help you stay cool.

Pickle juice is great for electrolytes! You can even make pickle juice Popsicles!

Heat exhaustion is more, "drink water and get you cooled off." Heat stroke is more "Oh my god call 911."

Image Description provided by @loveize

[Image description: an infographic showing the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The graphic is labeled "Heat Dangers: First Warning." Signs of heat exhaustion: faint or dizzy, excessive sweating, cool, pale, clammy skin, rapid, weak pulse, muscle cramps. If you think you or someone else may be experiencing heat exhaustion, get to a cool, air-conditioned place, drink water if conscious, and take a cool shower or use cold compress. Signs of heat stroke: throbbing headache, no sweating, red, hot, dry skin, rapid, strong pulse, may lose consciousness. If you think you or someone else may be experiencing heat stroke, call 911. End description]

Be safe.

-fae

[itbeleeeee]

(Source)

Mamdani (the DSA-endorsed candidate who focused on the cost of living in NYC) received a call from Andrew Cuomo (the former governor who resigned in disgrace when his multiple counts of sexual harassment came to light) conceding the race.

Technically, the race used Ranked-Choice Voting and no candidate won an outright majority in the first round — but it appears clear Mamdani will take the nomination.

[itbeleeeee]

Source

A huge win for NYC! A better world is still possible

Next stop: general election

[itbeleeeee]

THE ENTIRE WEST IS BEING PUT UP FOR SALE AND I AM BEGGING YOU TO CALL YOUR SENATORS

Trump’s budget bill has many, many things in it, but buried amongst it is the MILLIONS OF ACRES OF PUBLIC LAND FOR SALE.

This is the entirety of the Arizona state forests, the entire Cascades mountain range. Swathes of pristine desert around the national parks in Utah. On the doorstep of Jackson Hole.

THIS BILL IS BIG, BUT IT CAN BE AMENDED AND ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT PASS AS IS please.

If you have ever enjoyed the wilderness, we stand to lose it all forever.

CALLING your senators - NOT JUST IN THE WEST. ALL SENATORS, is CRUCIAL.

Outdoor alliance has a great resource for reaching out.

I don’t have a huge following but please, everywhere I have ever loved, the forests I grew up playing in, the land I got married on, is all at risk and I am begging.

[itbeleeeee]

i truly think the most torturous thing kleya has to get used to on yavin —aside from the living arrangements, aside from carrying her grief, aside from everyone being nice to her all the time, aside from the gaping space of her control centre— is she has to be sincere in her interactions now.

she has to make small talk with strangers and mean it. she has to give constructive criticism and mean it. she has to take compliments on her work and mean it. she has to make connections with people and have it stick and get to know them beyond their utility, their skills, their discretion, their disposability. she has to do all the things she used to do as a facade and be genuine about them.

for so long it's only been her and luthen and her various masks; the customer-first shop assistant, the unnerved and relentless comms monitor, the collected and headstrong logistics manager who makes sure people are calm and where they need to be. and then luthen's gone and she's kept everyone else at arm's length and all of a sudden cassian's seen her panic and melshi's seen her scared and vel's seen her dissociate and it's the emotional equivalent of a nightmare where you're in your underwear in class. she has to accept kindness and aid and affection, all things that she's never been able to give others because she's never been able to afford the risk, has to let them know that she has shortcomings and blindspots and vulnerabilities.

she has to, gods help her, let herself be known.

[itbeleeeee]

Elizabeth Dulau in the latimes