mikeyisbrooklyn

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

Urgent call to action for UK-based people.

The UK government is debating an amendment to a bill on Wednesday that would be the equivalent of making every trans person wear a pink triangle.

It would revert all of their identity documents to the sex assigned at birth, regardless of GRC or transition "status". It is a breach of the European Court's 2004 Goodwin vs. UK judgement, a violation of the human right to privacy and dignity. It is an appalling and ideological attack on trans rights that would make it impossible to live as a private transgender citizen in the UK.

(credit to @/safespacebristol for the above)

Opposition amendments are usually voted down. However, the Labour party is transphobic. It has supported and actively pushed attacks on trans rights. It has been supported by anti-trans hate group Sex Matters, among others, who have been flooded with far right money from the US. This could pass. Contact your MP, flood their inboxes. Call them.

If you ever wondered what you would have done in 1930-33 Germany, you're doing it right now.

Please. Help.

Here's a template: bit.ly/stopthedatabill

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

Truly this has been a PR nightmare from start to finish and I just have to talk to the PR team. Not the cast, not the crew. The people whose job it is to keep shit like this from happening.

Like, this all feels disjointed. Someone in the tags pointed out that it feels like the cast is operating with different assumptions and I absolutely agree.

Ryan has done nothing but joke about it. If the script fakes truly were a joke then that means JLH and OStark also joked about it but before it even aired? Only for OStark to then, as mentioned, post and then delete a seemingly serious goodbye post several times. Corrine, Elijah, and Anirudh are on their socials posting dancing videos on the same set as the/at the same time of filming the funeral. Angela has been nothing but serious and solemn, having previously said that she can’t imagine the show without Peter and openly stated her shock at the decision when finally told. Aisha edited her goodbye post twice, taking it from sentimental to clinical real quick. Kenny was dead to rights crashing out on the internet (literally told a commenter that no one was happy with the decision either and sympathized with people who said they wouldn’t watch anymore!!).

That last bit is the worst of it. You have one of your leads on the internet agreeing with people’s decision to check out of the show?? That alone is terrible for PR but paired with the frankly pathetically unaware musings of the showrunner (and an actor from the cancelled spin-off hello??) regarding Bobby’s death being a boon to the story and show overall?

Yeah, disjointed is the nicest way to put it.

PR where are you? Blink twice if you need help.

Okay, assuming the Alive Bobby script was a prank. So the chain of events was, Tim decided he was going to kill Bobby, filmed that, then wrote an episode to go in the middle, closed out downtown LA for half a Sunday afternoon for a procession they used 50 seconds of, allowed some dude to live stream the whole process to make sure the death of a beloved character leaked weeks before the episode aired, then gave Oliver Stark and Jennifer Love Hewitt half true/half fake scripts that they then leaked to introduce the idea that said character is actually alive, again weeks before the death aired, then Oliver Stark posted a story you could hear Peter's voice, then Kenneth Choi posted a video that contained Oliver filming that particular story to show us that Peter was in fact there, again enforcing the idea that Bobby is alive before his death even aired, then the episode aired and about a hundred different people said that they didn't want this to happen and it was fully Tim Minear's idea, everyone is posting crypticly vague goodbyes that range from edits of Bobby with a bow, Wrath of Khan references, and deleted emotional captions being replaced with stuff more vague and then Bobby's sendoff episode is not about Bobby or the grief of losing him and there are no interviews about it. This is not a prank, this is plain supervillain evil.

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

Overused Words in Writing & How to Avoid Them

We’ve all got our comfort words—those trusty adjectives, verbs, or phrases we lean on like a crutch. But when certain words show up too often, they lose their impact, leaving your writing feeling repetitive or uninspired.

1. “Very” and Its Cousins

Why It’s Overused: It’s easy to tack on “very” for emphasis, but it’s vague and doesn’t pull its weight.

Instead of: “She was very tired.” Try: “She was exhausted.” / “She dragged her feet like lead weights.”

💡 Tip: Use precise, vivid descriptions rather than vague intensifiers.

2. “Looked” and “Saw”

Why It’s Overused: It’s functional but flat, and it often tells instead of shows.

Instead of: “He looked at her in disbelief.” Try: “His eyebrows shot up, his lips parting as if words had failed him.”

💡 Tip: Focus on body language or sensory details instead of relying on generic verbs.

3. “Suddenly”

Why It’s Overused: It’s often used to create surprise, but it tells readers how to feel instead of letting the scene deliver the shock.

Instead of: “Suddenly, the door slammed shut.” Try: “The door slammed shut, the sound ricocheting through the empty room.”

💡 Tip: Let the action or pacing create urgency without needing to announce it.

4. “Said” (When Overdone or Misused)

Why It’s Overused: While “said” is often invisible and functional, using it in every dialogue tag can feel robotic.

Instead of: “I can’t believe it,” she said. “Me neither,” he said. Try: Replace with an action: “I can’t believe it.” She ran a hand through her hair, pacing. “Me neither.” He leaned against the counter, arms crossed.

💡 Tip: Don’t ditch “said” entirely; just mix it up with context clues or action beats.

5. “Felt”

Why It’s Overused: It’s a shortcut that tells instead of showing emotions.

Instead of: “She felt nervous.” Try: “Her palms slicked with sweat, and she couldn’t stop her leg from bouncing.”

💡 Tip: Let readers infer emotions through sensory details or behavior.

6. “Really” and “Actually”

Why It’s Overused: They add little to your sentences and can dilute the impact of stronger words.

Instead of: “I really don’t think that’s a good idea.” Try: “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

💡 Tip: If a sentence works without these words, cut them.

7. “Walked” or “Ran”

Why It’s Overused: These are go-to movement words, but they can feel bland when used repeatedly.

Instead of: “He walked into the room.” Try: “He strolled in like he owned the place.” / “He shuffled in, avoiding everyone’s eyes.”

💡 Tip: Use verbs that convey mood, speed, or attitude.

8. “Just”

Why It’s Overused: It sneaks into sentences unnecessarily, weakening your prose.

Instead of: “I just wanted to say I’m sorry.” Try: “I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

💡 Tip: Delete “just” unless it adds essential nuance.

9. “Thought”

Why It’s Overused: It tells readers what a character is thinking instead of showing it through internal dialogue or action.

Instead of: “She thought he might be lying.” Try: “His story didn’t add up. The timelines didn’t match, and he wouldn’t meet her eyes.”

💡 Tip: Immerse readers in the character’s perspective without announcing their thoughts.

10. “Nice” and Other Vague Adjectives

Why It’s Overused: It’s generic and doesn’t give readers a clear picture.

Instead of: “He was a nice guy.” Try: “He always remembered her coffee order and held the door open, even when his arms were full.”

💡 Tip: Show qualities through actions instead of relying on vague descriptors.

Final Tips for Avoiding Overused Words:

1. Use a thesaurus wisely: Swap overused words for synonyms, but stay true to your character’s voice and the scene’s tone.

2. Read your work aloud: You’ll catch repetitive patterns and clunky phrases more easily.

3. Edit in layers: Focus on eliminating overused words during your second or third pass, not your first draft.

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

Unfortunately I’ve run into a few people who I am now calling “pick me fans” who insist that everyone is throwing a tantrum unlike them, who can appreciate how truly artistic and heartbreaking this all is

Ngl, I’m still not 100% unconvinced it’s not dozens of Tim Minear dummy accounts

i sound like a cunt in saying this but genuinely i take such comfort in the fact that pretty much everyone hates this. facebook moms i do love you

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

8x16: The Last Alarm post-episode stills pt.2

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

My edo period samurai roommate keeps telling me how i’ll bring shame and dishonor to our apartment if I keep forgetting to wash the dishes. Like whatever dude, I’m not the one carrying on a passionate yet illicit affair with the daimyo’s daughter whose hand has already been promised to another.

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

The strangest thing that’s come from the killing of Bobby is the covert and quiet but steadily growing derision and spite towards impassioned fans from what I can only call “pick me fans”, people who can’t simply just say “actually I liked the episode, so to each their own” but must go out of their way to liken their fellow fan to children throwing tantrums.

I digress.

As someone who has grown up in fandom spaces, I can tell you exactly why these reactions are so intense. It’s because the showrunner has explicitly stated in the past that MCD would never happen and, iirc, stated that it would be antithetical to the show theming. Ignoring the fact that procedurals do not necessarily need to kill MCs (L&O:SVU has never killed a main in 26 seasons and has a consistent fanbase), the ones who do clearly telegraph early on in the show’s run that “anyone can go”.

I never watched much of GoT but from what I remember a main character was grievously wounded in the first episode and the first MCD happened in like the first season? Grey’s first MCD was only 4 seasons in. When Degrassi killed JT 6 seasons deep it quite literally rocked the fandom to its core in a likewise visceral and intense way. Why is anime a part of the discussion, this is a live action procedural.

Point is, this is a ridiculous thing to be surprised about. Frankly, I’d be more shocked if most of the fandom and general audience just shrugged this off. If you don’t feel as strongly, that’s fine, good for you—genuinely. But don’t act like this response is unwarranted, people did not expect this from this show and it’s 8 seasons in. That’s a hell of long time to get invested in something before it pulls the rug under you. Let people dislike, criticize, and bemoan things you enjoy. Or just do what normal people do and find the block button.

I’m super sad about Bobby too guys, but like…have y’all never watched a show where a character dies? I’m a little baffled about the extreme reactions, devastation, and tantrums. It’s a bit unusual for a show to go 8 seasons without a main character leaving or dying. This is just how tv works🤷‍♀️ Why are people acting like they’ve never seen Game of Thrones, Degrassi, any anime, Grey’s Anatomy, etc?

I understand being sad and shocked, and I don’t think all the writing choices were very strong, but a character died. It happens. It’s network tv. For those of us that grew up watching this kind of programming, this is pretty parr the course.

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

10/10 dad joke

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

Gonna be so real, gang, I kinda expected Eddie to only get three seconds of screen time but it’s kinda wild that we got a time skip and pretty much everything revolving his immediate, acute grief happened off-screen.

Actually the time skip was the worst decision of the episode tbh. Like, I’m more than fine spending most of the immediate fallout from Bobby’s death with Athena (never gonna complain about more Angela Basset on my screen), but the idea that we hardly see any of the main character’s reckoning with the loss besides Athena and Chim? Thank god we got SOME Hen in the end but fuck man. Why did we jump ahead two weeks? Why did we spend so much time on what should’ve been a B-plot? How is Bobby dead but still had more screen time than other main characters but also got a janky montage as a funeral rather than an entire episode grieving his death? Literally what. Was any of that?

And the stoic Buck of it all? Yeah, people who called that they’re setting him up for captain were right and truly I hate that with my whole heart. For seasons, so much of Buck’s character growth has been routed in realizing that he can’t always be “the guy who fixes things” and how he can’t be everything to everybody and more importantly that he doesn’t NEED to be to still be loved and accepted. And now they’re setting him up to the center point of the 118, the figure that every other firefighter looks to—listens to, follows through literal flames. Literally making him become everything to everyone. The guy whose job it is to fix everything.

Take that with the implication that Bobby was right to think LA was not his real home; just his penance, his borrowed time (burying him with his “real family” in Minnesota)—even after he insisted on his last words that he found a will to live and a new family instead? I just—

It’s like they’re undoing years of character development. And for what? For shock value and “creative decisions”? The characters are no longer three dimensional fixtures in an expansive work of art exploring joy, despair, hope, grief, and the tumultuous lives of first responders. They’re glorified baby dolls being smashed into trauma after trauma—as if the showrunners got tired of telling interesting stories and instead now chasing dopamine rushes with the next big emergency they can torture their toys with.

And I’m expected to watch season 9? Hell, the rest of this season? How? The creative minds behind the show clearly don’t care much for the characters, so why should I?

(Great acting by Kenneth Choi and Angela Bassett though. Phenomenal what pros can do even with shitty scripts.)

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

guy who does unboxing videos but he only talks about the boxes

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

so the thing about english is that people think it's so divorced from other germanic languages based on like. words. I've even heard people try to insist that english is a romance language. because of that whole messy business in 1066 with out-of-wedlock willy and his band of naughty normans. and now a good chunk of the vocabulary is french or whatever and they're prestigious so not using them makes you sound like a rube and this and that and the other

and yes william the conqueror will never be safe from me. I will have my revenge on him. he fucked up a perfectly good germanic language is what he did. this will be me in hell

but the thing is that most words in, say, german do have a one to one english equivalent. not all hope is lost, for those who still dare to see it. it's just that you 1066pilled normancels aren't looking in the right place

dog (en) ≠ der Hund (de) but der Hund (de) -> hound (en)

look with your special eyes. that one was easier. not all of them are this intuitive because of semantic narrowing and broadening and waltzing and hokey-pokeying and whatever else. I'll give you a few more

animal (en) ≠ das Tier (de)

aha! you think. I've got him on the ropes now.

but then

das Tier (de) -> deer (en)

nooooo!! you whine and cry in gay baby jail. the consonants are different!!! listen to me. listen, I say, putting both my hands on your shoulder. /t/and /d/ are the same sound. you just put your voice behind one of them.

nooooooooo!! you wail. deer are animals but not all animals are deer!!! listen to me. LISTEN. they used to be. animals used to be deer. that's just what we called them. it was a long time ago. it was a weird time in all our lives. it's okay.

let's try for a verb this time

to die (en) ≠ sterben (de) but sterben (de) -> to starve

same principle with the consonants, we're just changing a stop (where we completely stop the airflow and then let it through) for a fricative (where we still let some air go through. idk where it's going. maybe to its job or something.)

to starve used to mean generally to die, not just to die of malnourishment. we do that a lot. we take one word for a lot of things and make it mean one thing. or take one word for one thing and make it mean a lot of things. this is common and normal.

"okay but roland," you say, suddenly coming up with an argument. "what about tree? trees are super common. I don't think we'd fuck around too much with that. the german word is baum! what about THAT?"

"when did you learn german?" I ask, but then decide it isn't relevant right at this very moment. but fine.

tree (en) ≠ der Baum (de) but der Baum (de) -> beam (en)

beam??? you ask incredulously. beam???? BEAM?????? you continue with the same tone and cadence of captain holt from brooklyn 99.

yes. beam. like the evil beams from my eye I'm going to hit you with if you don't stop shouting.

but the vowels!!! you howl.

listen. listen to me. the vowels mean nothing. absolutely nothing. they're fluid like water. it got raised in english.

"WHAT DOES RAISED MEAN"

it doesn't matter right now. they were raised better than you, at least. stop shouting. open your eyes and see what god has given you. they're the same word.

"they're NOT the same word. they mean different things!"

we've been over this. they didn't used to. a beam was (and is) a long solid piece of wood. much like the long solid piece of wood I showed your mother last night.

FAQ:

Q: could english be some kind of germanic-romance hybrid?

A: do you become a sexy thing from the black lagoon just because you dressed up as one for halloween? english may have gotten a lot of vocabulary from norman french, but its history and syntax are distinctly germanic. that's what we base these things on.

Q: okay but what does it matter? this doesn't actually affect my day to day life

A: you come into my house? you come into my house, the house of an autistic man living in vienna austria and studying english linguistics and you ask me what does it matter? sit back down. I was going to let you go but now I have powerpoints to show you

Q: you're stupid and wrong and gay and a bad person

A: I know it's you, Willy

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

generative AI literally makes me feel like a boomer. people start talking about how it can be good to help you brainstorm ideas and i’m like oh you’re letting a computer do the hard work and thinking for you???

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

It's still so funny when US military defenders to "the military preys on MINORS!!" like. Girl. "Being a minor" is a defense for like, posting bad takes about cartoon discourse online. Not for becoming a mass murderer.

[mikeyisbrooklyn]

* (Oh, these parentheses I keep opening?

* (I'm collecting them.

* (Right now, I'm 1,762 parentheses deep.

* (Oh, my precious parentheses... (I don't ever want to close them!