#Beebs definitely has to be my favourite

[gen-toon]

[stardropsandrain]

Do you got anymore obey me with trans reader/mc hc or anything like that? Really liked that Lucifer one a lot and would love to see other characters.

Beelzebub HC w/ trans masc MC

TW!!; Mentions of dysphoria, l-bomb, overbinding, period

Warning; Pre surgery and pre t

Please do enjoy

I have to start with dysphoria because this demon is pro at doing everything to try and make you feel better

Brings you your favourite food and lets you steal any shirts, hoodies, etc you want, as long as he gets to steal one of yours back.

Calls you pretty/handsome/lovely etc and gives you all the adoration and love he can

"You're so lovely," A kiss on the nose "I love you."

There's no way you'd be able to over bind with this demon around. You'll get home and he'll immediately coax you out of it

"I'll give you a cookie if you take it off," He'll offer, taking a bite of his offering right after. But how can you deny that face. He'll help you get comfortable and make some snacks

Having a really bad dysphoria day? He's at your beck and call. Anything you need he's there

You've been in your bed all day, ugly intrusive thoughts and lack of motivation keeping you there "Bee can you grab me a water pl-" he's already gone and comes back with two water bottles and a glass of ice all he wants in return is maybe a kiss but he's happy to do it for free

"Bee, can I have a hug?" Oh my gods this man would SMOTHER you "Of course!" And now your trapped in the most bone crushing, heart filling hug ever. What dysphoria? All that's on your mind is this amazing demon (that's a joke I know how bad dysphoria is)

He'll tell anything you want to hear as well. "You're amazing, I love you so much. I know how hard this is but if anyone can make it, you can handsome." Literally has you melting into a puddle of goo in bed

He also has food relating nicknames and pet names. "Hey cupcake," He'll mumbled into your chest, if you allow him to rest there, if not, your stomach while cuddling "I like your cologne."

You call him Bee, Beez, Beebs, Zebby and the normal assortment of love, honey and dear. And a few food themed ones too, but usually they joke names

"Hey frosted flakes," You'll greet Beelzebub as he enters the kitchen. He'll pout and huff "Cupcake that name is stupid..."

He loves cuddles, he loves nuzzling into your stomach if you don't like him on you chest, which he understands completely

If you're on your period he has a burger themed heated bead pillow for your stomach, craving foods at the ready, and lots of affirmations and kisses

Now he definitely struggles, but he does leave you alone if you ask "Beez, I need some alone time." "oh..., okay," He'll be sad, but perk up to not make you feel bad "That's okay! Take as long as you need!" And be on his way. But he'll sulk around when his brother see him "Whats wrong with him," Satan asked Belphegor while Beelzebub sat over a tub of ice cream with a frown "His 'cupcake' asked for some alone time and he's sad."

When you have had enough cool down, or just alone, time and he comes back he immediately "I love you, that was agony," He'll wine and kiss all over your face "are you feeling better?" You'll laugh and kiss his forehead before nodding "Thank you for being understanding Beez."

A/N; I literally love Bee writing for him is so easy he's such a sweetheart. I love doing requests too, so thank you so much anon for requesting!!

Good riddance and stay safe 🖤🖤🖤

[flock-talk]

Hi!! I just got a new house (yay!) and it has an extra room, so I was hoping to covert it into a bird room for my two budgies and my 'tiel. I could've sworn I saw a post about your own bird room, but I can't seem to find it now. I was wondering if you could list a few of your/the beebs' favorite things for their bird zone, like what rope you use, what humidifier/air filter you use, favorite toys, setup tips, etc.! Thanks so much!

This link will have any posts I've made about the bird room before! https://flock-talk.tumblr.com/tagged/bird+room

you'll find images and previous asks on how I assembled things, used materials, etc.

The rope I use is unoiled sisal rope, it's 3/4 of an inch if I recall correctly. The current air filter is a NOMA True HEPA filter and I've been loving it so far. The pre-filter is washable so that's one less cost, it's quieter than my old one, it is quite large but it looks nice so I'm okay with it. It definitely filters through the air enough cause every loose feather gets sucked in to this corner 😂 The blue light on the top changes colour depending on the air quality and you can set it to automatically change how fast it's cycling through the air depending on when it detects pollutants in the air.

the humidifier is just a random one that was on sale, its black shaped like a tear drop by the Crane brand. it does the job, you don't typically need to get too fancy with humidifiers.

My top setup tip is to keep the centre of your room clear, or at least leave a nice walking path that gives you easy access to the enrichment items without ropes hanging overhead. This will help keep poop contained to the sides of the room and make it so you're not smacking your head on ropes whenever you come in to the room.

Favourite toys are just anything foraging related. Birds are big foragers and its so easy to find some cup-shaped toys to hide food/treats in to really get them moving around and utilizing the space!

[surveys4ever]

28.

What colour is the photo frame closest to you? Gold!

Are your pets asleep right now, if you have any? She was but she just got up to go get water I think.

Would you have any idea what your parents are doing right now? They just went to my cousin’s wedding so I think they’re on their way home now.

How many windows (roughly) does your house have? 16 I think?

Do you have a good relationship with your cousins? When I was younger we were all close but they’re all either insane or bigoted as hell so I have no real desire to keep a relationship with any of them.

What was the last kids movie you saw? We watched Wish Dragon the other day but it was really cute!

Do you know anyone who was born in Africa? Yes! A few guys on my husband’s crew are from Africa.

Have you ever been to an internet cafe? At this day in age, aren’t all cafes internet cafes?

Are there any upcoming events for you to look forward to? We’re going on a lil road trip soon and I’m pretty pumped for that.

Has the year gone quickly for you so far? This year has flown, man.

How many siblings does your significant other have? 4 but one committed suicide a few years ago and I’m honestly not convinced he doesn’t have any other siblings he doesn’t know about. His dad is a bit of a slut.

Are you one of those people who can drink vodka straight? I can, I don’t want to tho.

Have you ever done three or more shots in a row? Yes.

Do you share a middle name with any of your friends? With my mom.

What was the last movie you saw in theatres? Dracula.

How many pairs of jeans do you own? Ummm...over 10 but under 20. Somewhere in there.

When was the last time you showered? The day before yesterday.

Do you know the name of the pharmacist at your local drug store? I do not, haha.

What was the first cellphone you had and how old were you when you got it? Oh lord. It was a pink Samsung flip phone and I think I was in the 8th grade.

Do you use public transport in your town or city? Newp.

Have your parents ever worked in a factory? My dad worked at a pig plant when I was younger if that counts.

Do you have several best friends? A few!

How many lights are in the room you're in? One overhead light and two lamps.

Is there a Hard Rock Cafe in your town or city? Newp.

Do you eat fast food more than once a week? Definitely.

What flavour is your toothpaste? Mint?

Have you ever shared a shower or bath with someone as an adult? I raaaarely shower alone lol.

When was the last time you had a bubble bath? A few months ago.

Are you sleepy right now? Not really!

How big is your backyard? We don’t have one!

Do you know anyone with Tourette's Syndrome? Not personally, no!

What time does your alarm wake you up in the morning? Beebs is my alarm and it’s usually 9:30-9:45.

What was the last zoo you visited? Our tiny little local one.

Do you like crime films and tv shows? Depends on the show but they’re certainly not my favorite.

When you shop, do you take a basket or a cart (trolley)? Depends on how much stuff I need!

Have you ever tasted milk straight from the cow? Yes! My aunt and uncle have cows and I used to milk them when I visited. It was actually pretty fun. The milk has a very...interesting odor when its fresh tho.

What's your favourite sleeping position? On my tummy with my leg up haha.

What colour is the bra you're wearing? As if I’d be wearing a bra while being at home lol. I barely put one on to go out.

Have you ever seen A Clockwork Orange? I haven’t, actually!

Are you bitter about anything? Definitely.

Do you like to make games out of chores to make them more enjoyable? I do!

How many letters are in your best friend's surname? 6, 7, 5, and 5.

Is there anything in your possession that probably shouldn't be? Newp.

What is your favourite flavour of yoghurt? Strawberry or vanilla.

What was the first online account you remember having? Oh god...either Neopets or Whyville.

Do you listen to music to fall asleep? Nope.

Where did you go last time you left your town or city? A different city to go thrifting.

Do you use emojis? Definitely. I don’t feel like I can properly express my emotions without them.

Have you ever wanted to be a lawyer? I can’t argue without crying so I don’t exactly think I would be the best at that.

What percentage of battery does your phone currently have? 86%

What was the last type of soda you drank? A coke slushie, if that counts!

How far away from your house is your favourite place to shop for clothes? Couple miles!

Do you have supplies handy right now to draw something if I told you to? Not on me at this exact moment in time but I have them in the house.

Have you ever been married? Yup!

What does your deodorant smell like? Cocoa butter, apparently.

Is your bedroom more messy or clean at the moment? Not messy but the bed is unmade and there are some clothes on the floor.

Do you use Twitter? I don’t really post anything, I just watch what other people are doing sometimes.

Are you any good at baking cakes and cookies from scratch? I’m a great baker, yeah!

Is there a floor lamp in your bedroom? Newp.

What does most of your weekly or fortnightly income go towards? I section it out into whatever bills we have coming out, savings, groceries, gas, and then a portion that we both get to spend on whatever we want.

Do you have any hidden piercings? (this includes bellybuttons) Nope, they’re all pretty visible!

What month is your birthday? January.

What can you hear right now? I’m listening to the Bo Burnham Inside soundtrack.

[themusicsweetly]

[Anonymous submitted] :  Sarah, as you know, Cait has received great reviews about her performance in FvF, so I collected a few you may like to read, maybe post and share with your followers. There are many more showcasing her wonderful performance which warms my heart, because she’s such a phenomenal actress. Her IMBd score jumped to #17 this week, proving that more and more people are searching her. Enjoy. ❤️👏💥

—————

Hello again, Anon! Thank you so much for yet another wonderful submission! Honestly, if I were a professor and this were a research paper you submitted, I’d be seeing if there were a grade higher than A+ for you.

This is an incredible list of glowing reviews for Caitriona! I’m so glad that so many publications saw this movie and immediately saw what we’ve all been seeing: that Caitriona is a force to be reckoned with in her acting! To be in a film with names like Christian Bale and Matt Damon was impressive enough already, but to be compared as their equals in a role that could otherwise have been overlooked is hugely telling of what Caitriona brings to Mollie Miles’s character.

That’s also really cool about her IMDb popularity. Hopefully people are looking her up, finding out about Outlander and seeing even more of her amazing skills and rooting for her to be in other upcoming roles. 

There are so many great descriptions on this list, but is one my favorites list:

Balfe makes the most of her limited but crucial screen time, going toe-to-toe with Christian Bale with much of the same self-possession and strength she displays in her starring role as Claire in the TV series Outlander. (x)

And another:

As great as Bale and Damon are, Balfe is right up there with them. (x)

I hope you don’t mind, I’ve reformatted them a bit and put the majority of the reviews below a cut, just because it’s such an extensive list. Which is INCREDIBLE!

Again, thanks so much for taking the time to compile this list! Cheers, Anon!

[Anon’s Submissions] :

While Bale should definitely be a favourite to receive a “Best Actor” nod at next year’s Oscars, it's Caitriona Balfe as Ken’s wife who steals the show in many respects. A perfect match for her headstrong husband, she delivers some of the movie’s biggest laughs and proves to be an undeniable highlight. Throw in stellar supporting performances from the likes of Jon Bernthal, Tracy Letts, and Josh Lucas, and it’s fair to say Ford v Ferrari boasts one of the best casts of any 2019 release. (x)

Caitriona Balfe is perfectly cast as Mollie Miles, and shows her great strength, intelligence and power. She is able to provide just the right touchstone for her unpredictable, wild husband. (x)

Caitriona Balfe plays Ken’s wife Molie and delivers a solid performance as a wife to match the energy and charisma of Bale. (x)

The chemistry between him and his wife, played by Caitriona Balfe, also works wonders on screen, and we buy into everything these characters do. (x)

Caitriona Balfe excels as Mollie, the tough-as-nails wife of of Ken and the only one able to really keep him in line, whilst running the household in his absence. Balfe makes her presence known when she’s on screen, commanding the scene as she does all she can do to ensure her husband fulfills his destiny. (x)

Caitriona Balfe is playing one of the only female speaking performances in the film, and while it is Mollie Miles, wife to Ken, it is no less of a meaty and vitally important one. Balfe has this inherent beauty in her voice and a physicality that invites you into her world and instantly puts you on her side no matter what. As great as Bale and Damon are, Balfe is right up there with them. (x)

The casting is impeccable and I’m not just talking about the leads. With Caitriona Balfe as Mollie Miles, Tracy Letts as Ford II, Bernthal as Iacocca and the villain turn from Josh Lucas as Leo Beebe, this film is plush full of top-notch acting. (x)

Every time Damon or Bale were on screen, they commanded that scene and proved why there were the best actors in the business. When they were on screen together, their chemistry was also excellent. Jon Bernthal and Caitriona Balfe were also some standouts in supporting roles. (x)

The film also stars Caitriona Balfe and Noah Jupe. They play Miles’ wife and son respectively and I can’t praise their performances enough. Balfe is probably my favourite part of the film aside from Bale. She’s nuts. Ken Miles was always a car nut and she’s almost as obsessed as he is. It’s incredibly entertaining to watch how their relationship is portrayed. They have confrontations but they almost completely understand each other as people, support and listen to one another. It’s refreshing to see a healthy, loving relationship like this portrayed in the film. (x)

All of this comes across, not because of the action sequences, but because of a well written script performed by an outstanding ensemble of actors, which is then brought together by Mangold’s vision of the material.  Never before have I seen a film about racing where the characters seemed so alive. Even the relationship between Ken and his wife Mollie (Caitriona Balfe) and their son Peter (Noah Jupe) adds another emotional layer to the proceedings where the pressure to win is contrasted with the need for him to also come home. (x)

Caitriona Balfe - she did it for me - she was magnetic, enabling character - she gets joy seeing him racing - she’s sexy, fully born character, their relationship is great -has her own beliefs - doesn’t back down. (x)

Caitriona Balfe’s supporting performance as Mollie Miles is simply a delight, and the dimension that her and Noah Jupe (Peter Miles) adds gives “Ford v Ferrari” the substance that helps elevate it into the ‘Best Picture’ conversation. (x)

The biggest surprise of the movie is Caitriona Balfe (Outlander) giving her own charisma and heart to Miles’s wife, Mollie. She not only understands the drive that pushed Ken, but admirably encourages it. (x)

Caitriona Balfe imbues Mollie, the wife and mother pining for Miles’ safety at home, with grit and headstrong allure. (x)

The supporting performances provide Bale and Damon with solid backup. Best of the bunch is Outlander’s Caitriona Balfe as Miles’ wife, Molly – a turn that adds some real heart, humour and human interest, piercing some of the machismo in an otherwise very bloke-heavy film. (x)

And there’s this constant wonderful dramatic tension in the film. The only quiet moments I know you’re a fan of in the film are between Ken Miles and his wife. Yes, Matt Damon and Christian Bale, this is the movie about these two people who were the center of Ford’s effort but there’s a 3rd character who really makes this movie.  Yes, they made a really shrewd decision and they executed it very well. Irish actress Caitriona Balfe plays Miles’ wife Mollie and she is able to stand up to him in the most wonderful ways. I was thinking about it this morning, it being like Bogart and Bacall. They have this great back and forth relationship. She is really right there holding your attention. The scenes between the two of them are some of the best in the film. (x)

Caitriona Balfe is the perfect balance of enchanting, vulnerable, gritty and timeless. (x)

Miles’ love for the sport, and more notably his family comes across marvelously through Bale’s performance, especially when in conjunction to his onscreen family of Noah Jupe and the excellent supporting Caitriona Balfe. (x)

But the two that were my favorites outside Bale and Damon were Noah Jupe and Caitriona Balfe as Ken’s son and wife, where the family dynamic worked in a way that I wasn’t expecting. Outlander actress, though the only main actress throughout, surprised me with the range she brought besides being the typical housewife. (x)

Let’s talk about the actress who played his family because they’re fantastic too. Caitriona Balfe, she plays his wife Mollie Miles. I really liked this actress.I really liked her performance. She has some scenes with Christian Bale in a car where they have an argument. It’s just a scene with a wife and a husband having an argument of sorts and it’s just riveting. It’s just so well done. (x)

Caitriona Balfe’s supporting performance as Mollie Miles is simply a delight, and the dimension that her and Noah Jupe (Peter Miles) adds gives “Ford v Ferrari” the substance that helps elevate it into the ‘Best Picture’ conversation. (x)

And gotta make a mention of Caitriona Balfe, she stood out a lot to be honest. She plays Bale’s wife in the film and was extremely magnetic, adorable, badass and lovely. They have some very touching scenes that were honestly some of the best in the film. (x)

In a movie set in the male-dominated world of 1960s racing, the lone female co-starring role of Ken’s wife Mollie Miles goes to Caitriona Balfe. Balfe makes the most of her limited but crucial screen time, going toe-to-toe with Christian Bale with much of the same self-possession and strength she displays in her starring role as Claire in the TV series Outlander. (x)

Everything from the acting — Caitriona Balfe as Ken’s wife, Mollie nearly steals the show from Damon and Bale — to the screenplay, editing, cinematography, and sound design. (x)

Caitriona Balfe delivering the goods and more despite only having a small role. (x) 

Also front and center almost immediately are Peter Miles (Noah Jupe), the young son the racer is very close to, and — taking pride of place as the film’s secret weapon — Miles’ wife, Mollie. Dynamically played by Irish-born Caitriona Balfe (TV’s “Outlander”), Mollie is unquestionably Ken’s equal, a match for him in Bogart-Bacall type banter and, as it unexpectedly turns out, behind the wheel. To place a convincingly strong and formidable woman in this very male universe was one of “Ford v Ferrari’s” best ideas, and the film has the good sense to return to the couple again and again. (x)

The rest of the cast is full of standouts. Caitriona Balfe likewise terrifically balances varying degrees of loving support and stress over the prospect her husband might die in flames any day, in a role of more depth and impact than usual for the “dutiful spouse” role so common in films of this sort. (x)

The actress who plays Christian Bale’s wife is fantastic. I had not seen her in anything before. Her name is Caitriona Balfe and she was fantastic. Their whole relationship and dynamic was great. (x)

 And while Bale and Damon garner most of the screen time, four-time Golden Globe nominee, Caitriona Balfe (Outlander), keeps both lead characters in check as the boys wind up in fisticuffs as they struggle to make their shared dream a reality. (x)

Actress Caitriona Balfe also makes a great impression as Mollie, the supportive wife of Ken Miles. She doesn’t have a lot of scenes but manages to dominate the screen whenever she’s on camera. (x) 

The film brings you into it; you’re seated next to Milesor feeling the anxiety of Mollie Miles (Caitriona Balfe) as she fears for her husband’s safety. But it is she who is the strongest of the pair, showing a resiliency and level-headedness that her counterpart needs so very much. (x)

Bale’s performance is the petrol (sorry, sorry!) that keeps this puppy purring, and of particular note are the scenes he shares with his wife Mollie (an excellent Caitriona Balfe) who sternly accepts her speed-freak husband’s desire to risk life and limb on the track. (x) 

Irish actress Caitriona Balfe as Miles’s wife Mollie provides a strong foil to her husband’s headstrong ways. (x)  

Caitriona Balfe is wonderful as Mollie Miles, who in real life was something of a gear head herself and isn’t one of those movie wives whose main function is to keep asking her husband to give up his dangerous job. Mollie tells Ken she knows the risks, and she knows he’s going to take those risks. She only asks he doesn’t lie to her and pretend he doesn’t love the job. Chicago Sun Times - Richard E Roeper

The family scenes serve as a tender counter to everything else, adding poignant sentiment to an otherwise testosterone-laden thrill ride, not only between Ken and his wife Mollie (Outlander’s Caitriona Balfe, who’s superb) but also with his son Peter (Noah Jupe, A Quiet Place). (x)  

The performances of the film literally drive the film forward. Each character, large or small, had a purpose throughout this film. Caitriona Balfe does a wonderful job as not only Ken’s wife but as her own character as well. She does not dwindle down to a throwaway character and is given a true arc. (x)

Balfe, so soulfully romantic on TV’s Outlander, and Jupe, a wonder in Honey Boy, have the goods to make us understand and care. (x) 

Caitriona Balfe is excellent as Molie, Miles’s wife and important in maintaining her husband’s mental health, always stealing the scene. (x)  

An actress won’t have much to do in a film about racing cars but Caitriona Balfe makes her presence felt in her small but important role. (x)  

Caitriona Balfe, making her strongest big screen impression to date. (x)  

Caitriona Balfe was a refreshing heart beat to the movie, that I was looking for and I found it within her.  She’s always in the back of your mind while you’re watching and when she comes on screen. She’s a breath of fresh air and \the heart beat that keeps this movie going, keeps Ken going, inspires him to do better. I really liked her performance. (x)  

Bale gives another great performance as Ken, a World War II vet who gave his best years to the military and felt left in the dust when he returned to racing. Fortunately, he has a supportive wife, Mollie (the sublime Caitriona Balfe), an unconventional woman for her time. She’s her husband’s biggest fan, but she’s no doormat. (x)  

The scenes with Miles and his family are some of the movie’s very best.  Featuring ace support from Caitriona Balfe as Miles’ understanding and determined wife Mollie. (x)

It’s worth noting Irish actress, Caitriona Balfe stands out not only as the lone female in the film, but is a dynamic presence and perfect complement to the film’s temperament and consistent soul as Miles’ supportive wife. (x)  

Shelby’s faith in Miles’ abilities is mirrored in Miles’ spirited wife, Mollie (Caitriona Balfe), and his proud son, Peter (Noah Jupe). He is humanised by the presence of his son and wife. Caitriona Balfe is a fantastic actor, and even though she doesn’t have an extensive role (the film’s about men and cars duh!), she infuses it with zest. Two scenes in particular are my favourites—one, where she loses her sh*t at Miles while driving a car, enough to make a racer queasy. And another, when Miles and Shelby get into a ridiculous fight and instead of doing anything, her Mollie plonks a chair in the garden and watches the men fight like kids! (x)  

The only female character in the movie is portrayed by Caitriona Balfe from Outlander. Great performance. She’s and the son are the core of the dramatic moments. (x)

It is impossible not to fall in love with Mollie Miles, Ken’s understanding and temperamental wife - embodied by Caitriona Balfe. (x) 

There are so many little cameos in this movie that make it worth watching. Caitriona Balfe, as Mollie Miles, Ken’s wife, has precious little screen time — she doesn’t need much to have an impact. (x)  

Balfe is nothing short of fantastic when she admits that she loves the smell of burnt rubber and gasoline. When Mollie visits her husband in the shop where Miles works on cars and finds out that he secretly listens to the radio about how Ford is doing during the race, she has a bottle that she drinks with him. (x)  

“Balfe’s wry humour and delicate execution pretty much steal the scene”- The Sunday Times UK, November 10 2019

The supporting cast might not be filled with household Hollywood names, but this cast is without doubt one of the best ensembles you’ll see all year. Noah Jupe - A Quiet Place and Caitriona Balfe - Outlander as Miles’s son andwife will have many viewers look up their names on IMBd.  Balfe stands her ground with her mesmerising charisma. Her chemistry with Bale feels so naturally initiate, as if they’re a married couple in real life - I found myself smiling every time they interacted with each other - magical. (x)

Contributions of actors like Tracy Letts and Caitriona Balfe have to be acknowledged. The supporting roles are key to the story’s success. Balfe superbly portrays Mollie Miles. As hard-nosed as her husband, she was the rock in his life. Her scenes with Christian Bale help anchor Ford v Ferrari.  This is a developed emotional attachment that makes the third act quite impactful. (x) 

Caitriona Balfe as Miles’ spry wife Mollie and Noah Jupe as Mile’s concerned son Peter are natural and engaging. They add heart to the tale. (x)

Balfe, though she doesn’t have a heap of screen time, is forceful in all she does. Annoyed with Ken, Mollie guns their station wagon at such a furious clip that even he, seated beside her, begs her to slow down. And Balfe is there again, in the movie’s best scene—no cars, no crowds, simply a sunny day in suburbia. Shelby shows up at the Miles residence, and Ken, who has a beef with him, clonks him on the nose; soon the two of them are slugging it out on a patch of grass across the street. Mollie emerges, takes one look, and, instead of rushing over to stop them, fetches herself a garden chair and calmly settles down with a copy of Better Living to watch the bout unfold. (x)

[aeori-o]

So long 2019!

I usually try and get these up December 31st not January 1st but, really, it’s 24 hours apart, does it really matter?

End of a year! And end of a decade!

I usually go over my yearly reading first. I wanted to get the “bad” out of the way first this time. This year I continued to stagnate creatively. I haven’t drawn anything since Qelvi back in January of 2018. I have written but mostly in role-plays with Vin and the other stuff I haven’t tracked very well. I don’t know how to track it in a way that’s clear and also easy to remember.

In the past my goals going into the new year have always been along the line of “do a little of  [thing] every day” and that is super not working for me. So this year I’m going to try and change it up. For writing all I want to do is a five minute, free-flow, unplanned just-put-pen-to-paper-and-write based off a prompt. That should be do-able as there’s no pressure of it having to be connected to a larger work. There’s no planning and thus no pressure except to take five minutes and do it. I think in the past I’ve tried to do that in addition to x amount of words or pages per day. I’m just gonna scale it back and see if I can get myself to do the bare minimum consistently and see where that goes.

As for drawing. Ideally I’d like to do a little bit every day so I can actually get better at it, but as that’s been my goal for the last several years and I have not done it even a little bit these past two years I’m going to change my goals for drawing up, as well. Instead of trying to do anything consistently I’m just going to make it my goal to do one drawing a month. That’s it. I don’t need to show it to anyone, or post it, or whatever. Just one drawing I can consider “complete” every month. Complete doesn’t need to be polished I just don’t want to do nothing again and this seems do-able. We’ll see how it turns out at the end of the year.

Reading! My goal was to read 100 books this year and then I got sucked into playing Fortnite halfway through the year and basically read nothing in May. I read as much as I did last year, so I’m not torn up about the amount I read, but just once I do want to read 100 books in a year. (Not counting graphic novels, because I read through them too quickly and it doesn’t feel the same as reading a novel). So next year will be attempt number 2 at reading 100 in a year because I don’t think I should give up after not meeting it once. Life happens, sometimes we play more video games than we should, I still read 78-book-books and 63 graphic novels. For a total of 141 books. Which is pretty good, I can’t be upset at that number.

Part of my goal for 100 books this year, too, will be to slim down my at-home to-be-read pile, which is currently taking up seven shelves and must be stopped. I say this but I already have five more books on hold at the library. Whoops.

Here’s everything I read this year that I inputted into goodreads:

My one hour a day reading calendar (this year I started trying to add dots for every book completed on the day of completion, but I think I missed days, gonna do that some more this year, too, I like it):

And my goodreads badge:

2019 was a pretty wild year, there were some unexpected and costly hiccups. One of my cats went missing for a week; the other got struvite crystals and his bladder nearly exploded; My ancient AV receiver kicked it and on top of those things being expensive there was a whole thing where the new one seemed to be messing up my TV, it was a time; I got rear-ended on the freeway which thankfully didn’t wind up costing me anything except for a lot of stress, some minor pain, and over two weeks without a vehicle. None of these turned out to be that bad, in the end, and thankfully spread out enough that I didn’t just expire from stress.

There was a lot of good this year, too. I got to bring my partner skiing for the first time ever, and for my first time in a very long time (I don’t know when the last time I went skiing was, back when I was in highschool maybe?). I expanded my plushie collection by A Lot this year. I have cute eevee plushes, and some really soft pillow plushes now, and beeb got me a little corsola who I would Die for.

I’ve been more involved with pokemon go. I technically found the group I play with at the end of 2018 (right at the end, it was in December during the community weekend and someone from the group saw me doing circles hitting the same pokestops over and over and was like “hey… wanna join our group?”), but 2019 was the first full year with them. It’s been really nice to reliably be able to get stronger/rarer pokemon and just have a general sense of community. It’s neat because it’s not like I’m close friends with any of these people, but they’re all good people and I like seeing them. I know virtually nothing about any of them, but still, it’s nice.

I also got super into stickers this year (I blame you, beeb) and since my laptop only has so much room I’ve taken to adding stickers to my car. I don’t want to go overboard but I love all the ones I’ve added so far and now that my bumper looks better than new I think my car looks pretty slick.

I started keeping a video-game journal at the beginning of this year, which has been really satisfying and I’m going to keep doing it. I always struggle to remember how much time I sink into games and what happens in this games. Being able to flip through and see all of what I played, when I played it, and what was going on is interesting.

Also got a new phone this year. I didn’t get the latest and greatest but usually when I’ve needed a new phone due to a previous one being busted I have found myself inheriting whatever phone someone else doesn’t want (for the most part). This is the first phone I’ve gone out of my way to get because mine was just not performing well and I have no regrets.

I have a huge issue with upgrading to a new device when my old ones are perfectly serviceable. For instance: the computer I am writing this on is twelve years old. It’s slow but it works for what I need. This computer isn’t even from the past decade, which is pretty wild to me. In thinking about the past decade this computer has been through it all with me.

I guess I’m moving onto the decade now. I was just thinking that this computer still has msn/wlm on it. There’s a dedicated button on my keyboard for it. I hit it and I can see the last icon I ever used on there (I used to change icons constantly, which is a thing I do not do anywhere anymore), as well as the theme I had in place. Absolutely wild. In the last decade(ish) we all abandoned msn/wlm, got skype, abandoned skype when it became a bloated, ad-filled disaster, and got onto telegram, discord, and the dms of various social media websites. (Which I suck at using as if I’m a person three times my age.) In 2010 we were on the iPhone 4 and basically every android sucked, now we’re on the iPhone 11 and androids are a viable option for a phone. Console generations are slower and mess with my perception of time. In the last decade we’ve only gone up one console generation which feels weirdly slow but then when I contemplate any company releasing a new console I inevitably feel it hasn’t been nearly long enough.

On a more personal note, I definitely cannot remember even most of the things that have happened in the last decade. I know I’ve read about five hundred books (closer to six hundred including graphic novels) because I’ve been tracking that since 2011. I’ve been tracking what I read for about a decade.

Left is books by year, middle is graphic novels by year, and right is the total of both.

I became decent at excel in the past few years. I went from not understanding this program at all to trying to find excuses to use it. I used to track all my reading in a notepad document, it looked like this:

As you can see: I only switched over in 2017. And it used to be a total pain because I would have to count all of the dates by hand. Hope I didn’t miscount. Then I’d be looking at my goodreads count and trying to figure out if that made sense against my personal count because I also didn’t count graphic novels as book-books back then and would sometimes mark them on goodreads. So I’d have to figure out how many I had inputted to goodreads to then make sure the two counts reconciled. It was a total nightmare. Now the computer counts for me.

And the reason I even became interested in excel is because of DnD which I have also gotten into in the last decade. It’s one of those things I had always been interested in but had no way to play or had false starts. A group came together a few years ago and we did some of the most fun, fulfilling, and emotional group-role-playing I have ever experienced. Our group has kind of disbanded now, and I’m trying to work on a campaign myself, but our first campaign is definitely one of the things I really cherish from the past few years. It’s definitely a highlight of the decade.

Speaking of meaningful role-plays. I got with my partner in the last decade, too. I’d feel weird getting all gushy about them here, but we’ve been doing written role-plays since before we figured out that we were a thing. They’re a constant source of inspiration to me and the things we create together are some of my favourite things in the world. At times there have been lulls between the things we make that really grab both of us, but this past year we started an AU of some of our characters and I think it’s safe to say we’re both in love with our little creation. Roach Squad is definitely the highlight of 2019 and I suspect it will continue to be the highlight of 2020. I don’t think we’ll be as aggressively into them by the time 2030 rolls around, but our original boys have persisted for the better part of the last decade (the Boys have been a thing since 2013 and we are still enjoying them, so I don’t doubt Roach Squad will persist, as well, but I imagine the next decade will give us a third group that we’re consumed with).

I’ve lost some friends in the past decade, and made some new, but find I don’t have the time to stay caught up with as many people as I used to. That used to be a thing I was good at. Toward the beginning of this decade, I’d regularly keep-up with at least a dozen people (by which I mean: talking to them daily). Now that number is at… maybe three or four people who I interact with daily (not counting group chats of which there is one). But if you’re reading this and we haven’t spoken in a while (“a while” could be years, honestly) and nothing really happened we just sort of stopped talking or hanging out: I still care about you. I hope your 2019 was more good than bad and that you have nice things to look back on in the last decade. Also hit me up, if you want to.

Overall I think the last decade has been pretty good. I’m thankful for all the good times with friends I’ve been able to have, all the sushi eaten and talks on long car rides. I’m thankful for the help I’ve gotten with housing and car situations that would have been outrageously stressful if I’d been dealing with them on my own. I’m thankful for all the creative people I’ve been able to meet and interact with, all the character ideas and moments we’ve shared through written role-plays, tabletop role-plays, and art.

 I hope the next decade can be as socially and creatively fulfilling as the last!

And at the end here, because I never do this and then I always look back and go “what even were my goals” I’m going to make a handy list of goals-discussed:

Draw one thing a month

Write for five minutes every day from an unplanned prompt

Read 100 books and continue with my one hour a day reading

Get my DnD campaign off the ground and keep it going (I don’t think I explicitly mentioned this above, but it’s a goal this year)

[sole-cuore-amore-e-droga]

Tel Aviv 2019: Straight outta United Kingdom to Eurovision with a blatantly non-blatant Melodifestivalen reject

Yes, obviously, Eurovision: You Decide might as well be the safest NF to ever exist. We get that you don’t want to even try, the UK, but can you please act like you’re not in Big 5 for a year and ATTEMPT to try your hardest with the song??? I doubt that, despite SuRie’s bubbliness, “Storm” would’ve pulled numbers if it were in semi, unless the anti-neo-Nazi stage invader were to butt-in there and people would then send sympathy televotes the Brits’ way or something. Unsatisfying. (The man, that is.)

And so we have gotten another safe as ever British entry this year, performed by an excited personality that got a side-dish song and now is tasked to sell the side-dish as greatly as he’s possibly able to - the first season of All Together Now winner, Michael Rice! The dish is “Bigger than Us” and I’m neither glad nor sad the song has not enough factor to eat up Michael as a whole if it’s that much BIGGER. Not even the fact that it’s a Melodifestivalen reject (yes, the title IS correct, one of the song’s co-writers, whom I’ll name later, has possibly said it at some point, and he couldn’t keep it to himself anymore so he sent it over to another country!) could help this poor number out.

If you strip the singer off, you just get a stereotypical Eurovision-y ballad you overhear when scavenging through foreign NF catalogues, wondering which kind of rent-a-songwriter-program person contributed to it. Well John Lundvik (yes THAT one) doesn’t sound like THAT kind of name you’d hear when you think of songwriters of such shtick but Laurell Barker is, so there you go. These are just the two masterminds behind this one, as there are more but icr their names and honestly idc to.

And there’s nothing wrong about these typical ESC NF shlocks. Only when you’re young and dumb enough to enjoy these kind of songs, but I had to unfortunately grow up and see just how “useful” they are... n’t. I mean, it’s great for the artists whose big dream is to taste Eurovision and NOT as a backing singer, but most of the time the singers that get these songs can’t even slightly relate to what they sing, and thus we get people like Bishara entering Melodifestivalen and Isaiah entering Eurovision.

Maybe Michael did get to experience the kind of love that’s BIGGER than him and his partner, idk. I certainly don't want to bother asking him. And frankly, it's only me overthinking this issue, because ain't nobody in the world really got time for that, definitely. Well, at least the relationship’s going on nice! (except for when Mike sings “‘cause I can heare the universe when I’m feeling you breathe”... spooky. o.I)

Anyway, time to get to talk more about the song. It's actually not THAT bad, just a little too typical and unextraordinary, where in the current times the Eurovision has to not be predictable in sound and to excite the viewer with... well, anything that can excite anyone. Be it the visuals OR the song. OR both. What's so special about "Bigger than Us" that can keep the viewer on toes? Probably just that keychange. I wish there were more things about it but not every commentator out there would have enough time to let them people know Michael works in a waffle shop, let alone the time that "HE WON A TALENT SHOW'S FIRST SEASON BUT THE SHOW ISN'T THE X FACTOR OR THE VOICE ZOMFG!!". Let alone people even listen to any Eurovision commenting these days, lol. It might be a charming little piece for some people though, but I don't see them voting for people selling their songs vocally much more than songs that draw in viewers with different ways. It's just a standart talent show winner song for a standart talent show winner that sounds like it's slightly too stuck in the mid-to-late-00s-early-10s rather than the 90s, which is warm and cool and all, but it's likely gonna not do the cool lad Michael the justice he'd need, just like SuRie's song for SuRie. Mayhaps a top 20-ish, or, in Lucie's case, even a top 15, is possible (although it's mostly thanks to the juries - they're the only ones eating up big voice ballads. And anything Maltese. And anything Australian. And anything Swedish... that only represents Sweden. Sorry Lukas Meijer), but when the British optimism levels are set in a deep deep ditch by default every year when the BBC comes with their platter of choices for EYD, what else could be there to raise them up after even Lucie hasn't done that amazing enough for everyone to believe that the UK are capable more than just always finishing last with 0 every year? Of course, a better than average song, but does BBC care about even pulling one out of a songwriting camp? These kind of songs are too shite for their taste, apparently, so with songs they send like these, it's probably yet another meander-er.

Which is a shame, because once again, it's not bad. It's just too plain Jane for Eurovision anymore. It's like everyone dressed up gorgeously for Miss Universe's National Costume event and you went with a cheap-ish designer dress that is decorated by small details that are notoriously known as the country's symbols just to count as something "national". It's like everyone brough their best baked (and dare I say extreme) dish to a dish competition and you only brought in a nice looking baked cod and circled the fries around it. It's like a prom night where everyone dresses casually and you come up all in a dull olive colored jacket and jeans with torn out knees. There might be something hidden in its niceness that can conquer (nice piano, nice chords, nice vocals, nice chorus, nice song formula, nice choir, nice keychange, nice message)... but with everything too nice, it just feels like that the UK are not feeling like getting a 'nice' result. Unless there's something that can make Michael do a 'male Lucie' and launch it around the 14th-19th place at best, but...

And here's the section where I repeat myself some more of what I think of the song as a whole and chances as a whole:

Approval factor: Eh I'll probably have to approve this but only reluctantly somewhat, maybe because I felt positive on the first listen unlike these people who wanted UK to dare to do something else than safe... yeah lol

Follow-up factor: It’s rather marginably favourable song than SuRie’s and only because I like it despite its ‘blandness’. “Storm” is just a song that I don’t really care about. Provided Michael gives all out personality-wise though and the revamp’s not gonna suck balls (if there’s one), this is a decent step in a decent direction for the UK... hope Michael’s not getting stage-invaded by anti-Israel people!

Big 5 factor: Thanks to all this pre-partying kicking in heavily as I put out these reviews (and actually having finished), it turns out that Michael is one of those people that clearly works his hardest to sell this typical British averageness (like he sells his waffles), with his live being so decent enough he was thought of to be a perfect EYD winner this year, so, if he keeps building up his vocal strenghts and rehearses a lot (and stays well and such), he’s actually likely to at least achieve something above bottom 7! Yes, yes, John Lundvik is still the master that will beat his pupil in the end, but that wouldn’t seem that excruciating for the UK anymore if they happen to have a place that’s not bottom 3 or anything. Just for the Michael to do his utmost best out there, and if he does, the UK won’t be in an extremely bad position this year - just not a very high reacher, because at the end of the day there are more nations that run straight with their A-game and therefore continue leaving the common-appealers in the dust. Only Sweden (and Australia until 2018 or so) usually excels at their safeness. The others must outstand to survive. And to wrap things up on this factor section, imo the UK just meanders in the safeness for another year - but at least the good enough safeness that might even be able to qualify if it were sent by a semifinalist country! (apart Sweden ffs, of course Mr. Lundvik would qualify with this one if he kept it to himself, jeez)

NATIONAL FINAL BONUS

Thankfully EYD didn’t really stink this year, because of certain key factors:

• There’s always this one or two act(s) that acts like a saviour each year. Bianca and Dulcima (or Darline idk) from 2016, Holly and Salena from 2017, Asanda (and maybe Jaz? or even Raya??) from 2018 and... ponder no more, Kerrie-Anne’s got you covered in that spot! Her version of the two one’s of “Sweet Lies” was arguably the greatest possible choice for the NF (or, in this case, the “very least bad”, and eventhough it’s incredibly reminiscent of Sigala’s “Sweet Lovin’” (vocals provided by Bryn Christopher, who - controversial opinion - is probably my fave male singer of all time), which makes it “dated” (to a 2012-2014 pop radio degree, yes), it still was a bop that I’d want to dance to in rollerskates (if I had any!!) and spray the colourful smoke things that... well idk what it is but the said video of “Sweet Lovin’” demonstrates the action. Get back to me to let me know what’s that, anyone reading this. K-A lowkey underperformed though (just like Asanda from last year) but the bop remained AND she was rightfully included in the British televote’s superfinal trio! ^^

• The hosts were, yet again, the ever-so-loveable comedienne of Lithuanian roots, Mel Giedroyc, and the witty-ass Eurovision 2015 winner Måns Zelmerlöw. The duo is charming as usual and delightful to see on the Beebs when there’s the Eurovision case. If I didn’t know him better I’d even say Måns is a native English speaker. When there’s at least the drought of the ever-so-good entries in an EYD, we can look back at the hosts provided us some entertainment we’ve probably been missing while trying to find some on those competing entries. My favourite moment throughout that evening was the “next up is” jokes, all randomly stringed together, all in one row - all of those “next ups” were so hilariously random (until one hit the point - I think it was something about adverts or another performance being next up).

• The postcards were lovely too. With the format of EYD upgraded to make it as a three-song duel between two different versions of each one and the juries deciding on the best one for each (one vote per version), we got to see some nice friendships over there (I mean, a postcard for two people who did duel over whose version is the best - they had to listen and compliment each others’ versions) and some nice things the artists said themselves on separate postcards. Like the time when the only band of the competition of the year’s, MAID, named Buranovskiye Babushki as one of their girlband idols (a ‘so random yet glorious‘ answer) and the victorious Michael confessing that he’s “never been to Tel(iv) Aviv”... that’s true Michael, I believe ya. You’ve so never been there that ou struggle to even say it right! Not to mention that the postcard setups were cozy, too.

• Can we all just kind of agree that at least the jury for EYD made THE BEST CHOICES POSSIBLE??? I mean, yeah, it’s a biT cruel they’re the ones to choose the superfinalists without the audience’s interference, but they still made the best choices possible, at least imo. Anisa’s “Sweet Lies” was a godawfully dreary sex slow-jam (no really, I can’t not imagine a scenario where you can’t use it anywhere other than a sex scene in a movie, or a steamy hot shower scene. Call me crazy-minded but it’s true), MAID’s “Freaks” was godawfully too creepy, strange and unbearable, and Holly Tandy’s “Bigger than Us”... well... while much more chill and way less overbearing (also with not enough “BIGGER” memes potential), it would have probably not stood out all that much - just written off as a Kygo remix rented for a cheap price of half a pound (but still co-written by John Lundvik though!!). So thanks to Rylan and the other two for picking the superfinalists reasonably, unlike A Dal jurors this year. It still wrenches my gut whenever I think about it, ugh.

• What even would be an appearance of Måns if he didn't try to remind y'all of his enthusiasm for Eurovision. No one really cares he won Eurovision 4 years ago, if anything, I dread that he's only being remembered as the "male singer guy of Love Love Peace Peace song" by the newer fans. At least Pepperidge Farm I remember how Måns really wanted to get to Eurovision (even if he didn't participate in that many Melodifestivalen editions). So in this year's EYD he went all out to be a part of the Eurovision best (British?) songs medley (and we got Katrina and the Waves later in the show, performing the nation's last winning hit, 22 years later... and that wasn't even a fully British-branded win, if yanno what I mean!), and it's all courtesy of the Melodifestivalen's best known scriptwriter and an occasional Eurovision commentator (and Melodifestivalen's narrator too), Edward af Sillén. Or at least I remember it being written that he has written some stuff for Måns to do in EYD, IDK. Eitherway, it was kind of a fun thing, the interlude. Just remembering all the nice Eurovision entries out there, even including Gina G (whose ESC entry was also sung by another person in another NF whose review will be up next I suppose!).

• Heyyyyy, wasn’t it all kinds of nice to see SuRie doing an interval act and a reprise of her own run-of-the-mill entry “Storm”? I applaud her of doing a tremendous piano rendition of it, with even singing some notes a little higher than in the actual song. Maybe THAT version could have done so much better in Lisbon - showing off SuRie’s vocal decency, intimacy and... idk about the intruder part, hopefully he’d have had no way to wrestle the mic out of SuRie’s hands that time. At least SuRie had just enough support from Eurofans to be wanted to represent the UK one more year in a row, with a special EYD designed for her, where the songs could be mostly composed by her and not by the useless songwriting camp. While it’s a nice idea for some British and non-British people to get to know each other on these camps, the end results barely end up satisfying because the artists barely get involved in the songs they’re singing - not even a song line, not even a hum of contribution! Why can’t you at least take examples from German songwriting camps... (except for the time “Sister” was invented, that one could have been a perfect contribution for an EYD (not necessarily in this year’s format but still)

All in all, this may seem like an improvement of things, but I still am really hoping that BBC will give into a decent internal selection... afterall there are good names that are down to do Eurovision and didn’t even say it will harm their ‘reputation’ (*cough* Paloma Faith *cough* Hurts), and yet BBC refuses them somehow, not thinking that Eurovision is more than just a SONG contest (while ironically not even having their songs sounding THAT ‘great’, oops)? Or at least reformat EYD big time and make it exciting a la Australia Decides is (you know you suck when even your colony does better NFs than you). For now, I’ll just grit my teeth and nicely wish Michael Rice all the best in Tel(iv) Aviv. You’ll need it, chap! And in secret I hope that you’ll get it xx

[itwasanangryinch]

3...2...1... Happy New Year!!

For the first (?) time, I’m actually going to make and complete a New Years meme, because fuck it, I had a good year. I’m also going to put much shorter answers for last year since I had wanted to do this then, but then... didn’t.

Favourite new (to me) band: Against Me!     5 favourite songs:

The Ocean

White Crosses

True Trans Soul Rebel

I Was a Teenage Anarchist

Norse Truth

I’ve known about Against Me! since lead singer Laura Jane Grace since she came out as trans in 2012 with her Rolling Stone profile, but I hadn’t heard any of their songs until a couple of years ago. This year was the first year I really got into her music (both here and with The Devouring Mothers) after reading her biography Tranny while on vacation in Melbourne.

Runner up: Miss Guy and the Toilet Boys, seen for the first time at Wigstock 2.Ho

2017′s answer: Ataru Nakamura, the very, very talented trans performer who played Yitzhak to JCM’s Hedwig in Japan (and because of the staging, also played Hedwig for the non-singing part of the script.)

Favourite new (to me) city: Melbourne, Australia.

If you had asked me last year, my answer would have been Tokyo, Japan and this year’s is my favourite for much the same reasons: Melbourne is very easy to get around, very fun to walk around, and I got to see the wonderful John Cameron Mitchell perform there.

Melbourne is absolutely beautiful with so many shops to explore and a free (within the few square blocks I mostly kept to) public transport system.

Runner up: Sydney, Australia. Very similar to Melbourne and might have been the favourite if I had been able to stay there longer, but.... schedules.

2017′s answer: Toyko, Japan. For the reasons listed above. I could actually see myself moving to Tokyo at some point. Not right now, but possibly eventually.

Favourite concert: John Cameron Mitchell: The Origin of Love, Brisbane

This year I have seen this concert seven times in addition to one very abridged show in Portland, Oregon to go along with a double header of Hedwig and How to Talk to Girls at Parties.

On this particular date, the band gelled really well; John was in a great mood, great energy; the crowd was incredible..... Everything just... Worked. (Even tho this was the concert I had the least amount of interaction with John afterwards, lol.)

Definitely looking forward to seeing where John takes the performances for his upcoming stateside tour and at a later, yet to be announced, time in Japan.

Runner ups: (aside from the rest of the OoL tour), Rocky Horror with Mason Alexander Park, Taboo 15 (with Mason), Alice Cooper, and Wigstock 2.Ho where I finally got to see NPH performing as Hedwig.

2017′s answer: Hedwig and the Angry Inch: October 14th, evening. Tokyo, Japan.

In my estimation, this was the best of all of the Hedwig concerts. By this point, everyone had performed this in front of an audience twice before and the show from beginning to end gelled really well. Again, there was an incredible energy between the band and the two lead performers and the audiences for all of the Japan shows were great. From beginning to end, this one was the best.

From about the Tommy monologue til the end, the final Tokyo show (Oct. 15th) was the best because there was this crackling, alive, angry energy that had an almost dangerous feeling to Exquisite Corpse and was the only show (surprisingly!!) where I cried at the delivery of my favourite line “Then love the front of me.” On that show, with the exception of Exquisite Corpse, I cried from that line til John started the encore song, ‘The End of Love’ and I had only stopped there because I had completely forgotten he was doing an encore song.

Favourite movie: Black Panther

I’ve been waiting literal years for this movie to be made and there was not one thing to be disappointed in in its final rendering in my opinion. I realize that unlike a large portion of the audience, this movie was very much not reflective of my experiences and at no point would I claim to be represented by it as anything other than a nerd and a comic book fan.

Being a fan of the Black Panther for years has meant having tone deaf comic lines, sidelined animated stories, and much less content, merch, and even cartoon adaptation than some of his paler counterparts. So to see a film that was technically and narratively perfect being rendered so beautifully and taking the box office for many, many weeks was a wonderful way to start this year.

Runners up: Deadpool 2, Bad Samaratian, and does How to Talk to Girls at Parties even count for this year if I saw it last year in Japan??

2017′s answer: a strong tie between Transpotting 2 and HtTtGaP. T2 because it was so much better than I could have ever hoped it to be. It married themes and footage from the first film perfectly to the characters’ lives 20 years on. It gave me hope for an eventual Hedwig sequel in terms of quality because based on interviews, they share a similar tone in terms of ageing characters. Plus Danny Boyle’s cinematography was truly beautiful with the use of shadows, call-backs, foreshadowing.... A true equal to the most iconic of Scottish films.

HtTtGaP because well.... John Cameron Mitchell’s direction mixed with an alien invasion set against punk rock and the Queen’s jubilee? How could I not love it? To me, it’s a strong second to Hedwig in terms of quality and netted my absolute favourite review via the BBC (‘This is one of the worst films ever made’, trust me Beeb reviewer, if that were true, cinema would be a far more enjoyable art form.)

Favourite vacation: Australia

Long story short: I met my favourite actor five times. It’s very rare in this life that you can actually tell an artist who influenced your life in a very meaningful way just how much their art and they as a person mean to you. This year, after seeing JCM perform live eight times and on video, no lie, thousands of times, I had the chance to actually do this. And unlike how I was worried about for the past three years, I wasn’t actually nervous to talk to him at all. Part of that is that he is a very easy person to feel at ease with, very comforting presence.... And part of it was that during the first Australian show I went to where I’m dressed as the very first Squeezebox Hedwig, John lay on top of me as part of the final number. How could I be scared to talk to him after that introduction??

Runners up: going to see Taboo 15 in New York with my best friend and touring the David Bowie Is exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum (March), going to see Wigstock with Risa. Technically, I ditched work to be able to go, but.... 10/10, I would do it again. I saw a lot of amazing performers for the first time, had a chance to chat with Mason again, and saw the tour de force that is Neil Patrick Harris as Hedwig and Lena Hall as Yitzhak.

Hopefully next year, the Hedwig section will be able to be longer. (Or maybe Yitz will perform by himself. Or multiple Hedwigs. Or just the entire Hedwig script delivered at the end of a seven hour drag festival pre-show.)

2017′s answer: Hedwig in Japan. Not only did I get to meet my friend @miyacantdecide for the first time in person, I was able to see the wonder that is JCM as Hedwig live. Even when he’s not delivering the script, his presence as Hedwig is truly something else. And having seen him perform as himself (but in a version of her makeup) this year, I can honestly say that She has a completely different stage presence to Him and how incredible of an actor to be able to deliver such radically different interpretations of the same material and songs??

Outside of Hedwig, I can honestly say that I came back from Japan a changed person. Better in so many ways than I was a year previous. Almost completely made whole again after past traumas (and completed a year later on a different trip.)

2017′s runner up: seeing RENT 20 live. I had a blast hanging out with my mother most of the days and the RENT 20 cast? Holy shit. What talents. Cried from ‘I’ll Cover You (Reprise)’ til the end of ‘Finale B’. Just goes to show: it doesn’t matter if the show’s set in December and it’s hot As Fuck outside if you have a talented cast bundled up in sweaters for 75% of the script.

Favourite album: Golden by Kylie

Not only does pop’s most talented princess talk about her recent breakup with Joshua Sause (sp?), there’s themes of her ageing as this year our princess turned 50. While I agree with reviewers that this isn’t her best musically or vocally, I find myself replaying this one over and over on my stereo and headphones more than almost any other album this year. Favourite song: a toss up between Shelby ‘68 and Low Blow.

2017′s answer: Pollinator by Blondie. It had been two years since the release of 2014′s Ghost of Download, but unlike Ghost’s offerings that went largely unnoticed by me at the time, every single from Pollinator got me more and more hyped not only because of the excellent music evident on songs such as Fun, Long Time, and Doom or Destiny, but collaborations with artists such as Raja (on the video for Fun) and Joan Jett (the aforementioned Doom or Destiny), the honey-thick entrancing song Fragments, and the wonderful Love Line.

This year has been weirder, queerer, and more wonderful than any year yet on record. I’ve been to a number of technically-but-not-really drag shows, revisited some of my favourite artists in concert, met two of my favourite Hedwigs, and saw four total Heds perform.... I’ve read and learned more about the queer experience that not only deepened my understanding of my larger community, but of my own experiences and how they fit within the community. I’ve become more confident being out to coworkers and customers at my job....

I had the pleasure of meeting two of my close friends @hedwig-in-a-jukebox and @fdelopera in person (with plans to meet up again early-2019) as well as making some new friends.

Here’s to an even better 2019! Onwards and upwards.

[kinkyacademia]

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)Why hewwo there, guys, gals and nonbinary pals. I heard you're taking in Christmas-themed villain requests. May I ask for Nemoto and Rappa (poly, not poly, fine with whatever's easier, if only one character then pls Nemoto he's my husband) going on a mall/plaza date? Christmas shopping and mall food (that's what you do at the mall, right?) Thank you and I apologise if it will be problematic, I'm too late etc. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) signing off.

Mmm I’m gonna do each separately because I love both of these boys! Btw, thank you for recognizing me, the nonbinary beeb~!HEck is it obvious that I chose a favourite?

-Mod Pasta🍜🍝9

Shin Nemoto:

☂️ He didn’t realize that you were serious at first. You, having been quite the long term crush of his, were a person of little lies. You had never lied to him, and he was baffled at this. You were simply always truthful, and that wasn’t the only reason he had this goddamn crush on you; you’re a very straightforward, no bullshit, knows what they want kind of person - he needs this sort of level in his life. So, when you ask him out on a date to the mall, he’s in shambles.

☂️ It’s a yes, it’s a yes faster than you can say “Toucan Man.” He tries not to seem too dressy, but he obviously way overdose it when you’re only wearing partially fancy attire. He arrives ten minutes early, and you arrive ten minutes late. He didn’t mind, though - you said that you might be late.

☂️ He hasn’t gone Christmas shopping in years. He’s foreign to the ugly sweater trend, and he gapes at the large assortment of sugary Christmas goods. He doesn’t want to admit it, but he will; he has a huge sweet tooth.

☂️ He will buy the entire story of candy (other than the red licorice), and he will forget to tell you that he fantasized about feeding you some of the larger lollipops. Just Nemoto stuff, right?

☂️ He’s only ever eaten the general food at the Yakuza compound or whatever he can get himself, so the mall food is actually quite normal for him. He buys it for the both of you, a bit shy in sharing though. You hold your chopsticks out for him to try your yellowtail, but he gets overwhelmed and lets a single lie slip out, “I don’t like yellowtail.”

☂️ He instantly pauses, his eyes wider than saucers. He just lied to you. This is what you do to him, isn’t it? He instantly corrects himself, going a little overboard, “No, no, I like yellowtail, you just flustered me is all. I did not mean to lie, I am absolutely sorry - “

☂️ It’s best to cut him off with a kiss before he breaks into a sweat.

Kendo Rappa:

🥈 “YES! Town plaza date, whoop-! wait, date?” 

🥈 He’s so giddy and shook. He hadn’t even thought about asking you out to a Christmas Date, he had simply kept pushing off asking you out longer and longer until he eventually set you on a pedestal.

🥈 He absolutely loves everything about the date. He wears his least tattered clothing, actually removing his mask for the first time in a while, and shaves. You can tell that he tried to trim his hair a little bit shorter and gave up halfway, putting it up in a rough ponytail that must have been held together with a steel hair tie.

🥈 After seeing it so many times on TV, he brings you flowers that he definitely did not pick out himself. The little old lady trimming them was quite nice, though, and could tell he had good intentions, so she helped him pick them out. He kind of just arrived and shoved them towards you. Seeing his face for the first time was awe-striking, but seeing him smile so widely at your blush was mesmerizing.

🥈 He wants to see the lights with you, having really been a fan of Christmas his whole life, but he gives in to Christmas shopping too. He ends up buying Christmas lights for the Hideout in an attempt to make it “less dreary,” but he ends up having to put them on the inside on Chisaki’s orders.

🥈 He shows you a food cart that he used to visit all the time after matches, using the money he won to buy himself all that the poor man had. The seller was delighted to have his highest paying customer come back after a year or so of being gone, and Kendo bought you all that you could eat. It wasn’t really comfort food for the holidays, but you liked it anyways when you saw Kendo order half the freaking menu.

🥈 He really, really wants to hold your hand when you pause at the large tree in the middle of the town square. The awe in your eyes is absolutely cute, but he knows he should ask before doing. It’s like an angel and a devil sitting on his shoulders, screaming, “Do it!” “Don’t, she doesn’t want to!”

🥈 He ends up having to lean down slightly (due to his height) and slip his fingers into your own, causing your cheeks to burst into a bright red that was not because of the chilly weather. He laughs deeply, opening his jacket up for you to hide in from embarrassment.

🥈 You both are warm in there, and it’s also where you share your first kiss. He’s a grinning mess, and you have to remind him that you need to go back to the hideout lest you both catch a cold.

[tipsoctopus]

"Born to be a Sunderland player" - Loads of Black Cats fans celebrate summer arrival

Sunderland fans have been heaping praise on Luke O’Nien during the international break.

The Black Cats made a rip-roaring start to their League One campaign, losing just once in their first 20 league matches.

Jack Ross’ side went off the boil at the turn of the year though, registering score draws in six out of seven games, but they have now won four of their last six with the two failures being draws in difficult away games.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

And it’s no coincidence that the recent return to form has coincided with O’Nien hitting a purple patch, as the 24 year-old’s energy from right-back has made a huge different to the side.

O’Nien, who is capable of playing pretty much anywhere across the midfield or on either defensive flank, has five goals and five assists to his name this campaign.

On top of that, the versatile ace just seems to “get” Sunderland, constantly interacting with fans and showing off his passion for the badge.

Loads of fans have been discussing his form, and judging from the Twitter reactions down below the summer signing is already a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light…

“He gets us, we get him” spot on 👍

— Ben Hall (@BenHall_85) March 22, 2019

brilliant article so very true

— margaret hawkins (@mackemmah) March 22, 2019

I can vouch for this. He was absolutely fantastic when Zara met him he asked about her birthday give high 5s top top top bloke hope he is here for years to come !

— Adam Baker (@Adam_baker1490) March 22, 2019

@LukeONien Born to be a Sunderland player this lad , beeb a while since this club has had a player which understands the whole ethos of our football club

— Jase 73 (@JasonGregory6) March 22, 2019

He loves it, Lukey like.

— Jarvis Riner (@JarniRivers) March 22, 2019

@Milesmannin we all love @LukeONien

— Mining Canary (@MartinPJones2) March 22, 2019

I think @LukeONien is most @SunderlandAFC fan’s favourite player because on top of being a class player he also has a ton of passion and you can see that in his game. Definitely my favourite player for us. Him and McGeady

— Daniel Fox (@dxnnfoxx) March 22, 2019

from FootballFanCast.com https://ift.tt/2FuyuXn via IFTTT from Blogger https://ift.tt/2uq2yNA via IFTTT

[surveys4ever]

25.

Section 1 – Who were you?

Think back as far as you can. What is the first memory you have? I think meeting my (now) dad for the first time when he and my mom were dating. I was very upset because he was short and that’s not what dads were supposed to look like in my 3 year old eyes since my bio dad was super tall.

What is something you remember enjoying very much as a small child? Playing Barbies, watching Barney, Happy Meals, being with my grandma.

How old were you, when you made your very first friend? Probably preschool.

Are you still friends with this person today? Facebook friends, yeah. Real friends, no.

Was there a story somebody read or told you that has stuck with you? No one ever read to me after I learned to read for myself so one day I was sick and I came home and curled up with my mom on the couch and asked her to read me a Little Mermaid book I had and she did, even though I had to get up to go shit myself halfway through and it meant a lot to me at the time.

What is something you get an immense feeling of nostalgia from? Hannah Montana for some reason. It was my favorite show and we didn’t get the Disney channel so whenever we went to a hotel, nobody could tell me fuckin NOTHING because we were watching Hannah Montana whether they liked it or not.

As a child, were you a sore loser or a sore winner? I was the only child for 8 years and then the oldest after that so I never lost at anything and now when I do, I feel like I'm the biggest piece of shit loser there’s ever been. So that’s fun.

Did you go through the "naked phase"? I learned that you didn’t have to sleep in pajamas and you could just sleep naked so I did it for a while but then realized that I much preferred pajamas.

Which television shows do you watch the most as a child? I loved TV so basically all of the 90′s/early 2000′s shows there were.

Did you play with siblings, neighbourhood kids or by yourself? Either with neighborhood/school kids or by myself. I didn’t ever really have siblings who weren’t my kids, if that makes sense.

Is there something you really miss from your childhood today? I miss back when everything was simple.

Section 2 – Likes and interests  

Would you ever like to try competitive pinball playing? Ummm, no.

Do you knit, crochet or cross stitch? I’m trying to teach myself to crochet.

Have you ever, or would you like to attend a gaming or comic convention? No thx.

What's your opinion on online multiplayer games? I really liked Among Us for a while there but I don’t really enjoy how rude everyone is on online games.

Do you like to go cycling? If so, where? Uh no.

Have you ever tried woodturning? If not, would you like to? Never tried it, don’t really have any desire to, but it can be relaxing to watch!

Do you enjoy drawing? If so, what do you usually draw? I do! I usually draw graphics for YouTube videos or doodle over Instagram photos, draw things to put on shirts with my Cricut, etc. I use my iPad for so many things.

Have you ever attended a painting class? If so, what did you create? I haven’t but I would like to!

How about a creative writing course? If so, did you get any feedback? I took Creative Writing literally every year it was offered in high school and I always got awards for having the top marks in the class.

What is your favourite form of exercise? No thank you.

Section 3 – People  

Who is the most important person in your life (besides yourself)? My husband.

Do people generally approach you easily? I think so!

Do you get along with people well? If not, what's the problem? Yeah! I’m pretty friendly and easy going.

Do you enjoy being in crowds or do you prefer your own company? I would much prefer my own company than crowds.

Which one of your friends have you known the longest? I still talk to the girl I was best friends with in the 6th grade on occasion so like 17-18 years?

Do you find it easy to make friends now? If not, what makes it difficult? As an adult who works from home, making friends is hard as fuck. 

What is something about people that annoys you? Something I've noticed in recent years is just how entitled and greedy everyone is. Everybody wants something from you or for your skills to benefit them without them putting in any work or paying you for your time. It’s just gross.

What is something about people that you really like? We have really, really harsh winters and if you ever find yourself in the ditch for whatever reason, there will be a lineup of cars stopped behind you to help you push it out or let you chill in their car while you wait for a tow truck. On the really bad blizzard days, there are groups of men in big trucks that literally L I V E to go around and help pull people’s cars out of the ditch. It’s the only time I feel like there’s actually a sense of community around here.

If you live alone, what would be your criteria for a roommate? I honestly would never have a roommate because they could either be your friend or a stranger and living with friends is a good way to ruin a friendship if your living styles aren’t similar and living with a stranger just sounds like a nightmare.

How about criteria for a spouse, if you're single? I am married but my criteria was honestly that I just wanted him to be kind and funny and I got that tenfold with my husband.

In general, what's your attitude towards people? I can’t stand to be around grumpy people. If all you do is gripe and complain about literally everything, I’m out. No thank you. Why is your hobby being angry? Take up knitting or something for christ’s sake.

Section 4 – Habits

What is something you do every day without fail? Baby talk the dog and snuggle with Beebs.

What is your typical breakfast? I’m a leftovers for breakfast kinda gal but lately I’ve been having a bagel and watermelon.

Which article of clothing do you like to wear the most? I loooove me a good baggy T-shirt and booty shorts.

Is there a TV show you watch habitually? We’re currently watching Unhhhh while we eat dinner every night, haha!

Where do you usually spend most of your day? I really only sit in 4 places--bed, the couch, my makeup/work desk, or my sewing desk. Depends on the day which one I’m at.

Is there a product that you do not want to run out of? Moisturizer. I’m a dry son of a bitch.

What is your preferred mode of transport? Car!

Do you usually have something playing in the background when you're home? Nah. I’m in silence a lot of the time.

Where do you usually get your groceries? Walmart for the bulk of it, a local grocery store for the specialty items, and Target if we ever run out of something midweek because I cannot handle Walmart more than once a week.

How often do you go to your local park? Like once or twice a month in the summer!

Which of your hobbies do you indulge in most often? Sewing and Sims currently!

Section 5 – Favourites and dislikes

What is your favourite fruit? Watermelon!

How about your favourite berry? Strawberries are the only berry I like.

Which food do you highly dislike? Fish. It’s all disgusting.

What is your favourite song, and why? I hate this question. Who can pick one definitive favorite song out of the bajillions of songs that have been written??

What is a movie you cannot stand? Anything with Seth Rogen in it, any movie that's got a 3+ after it (looking @ you, Fast & Furious), and all the fuckin’ superhero movies that have the same ‘ah yes, this undefeatable bad guy that we have absolutely no chance against and will undoubtedly kill us all--but we’re going to pull through at the last second with the power of friendship!’ plot line.

Which trait in a person do you find most appealing? I don’t know how to describe it--certain people just have that spark and you can always tell right away if they’ve got it or not and those are my favorite kind of people.

Which trait puts you instantly off? If they’re religious it’s an instant no from me, dog.

Who is an actor/actress who you dislike so much you can't watch them? I really, really dislike Tom Holland. I honestly think he’s a terrible actor.

What colour are your favourite shoes? White!

What is a smell that disgusts you to no end? B.O., on me or others. I just can’t deal with it.

Which door handle/door knob do you like the most in your home? They’re all the same.

Section 6 – Culture

What is something very typical to the culture of your home country? Apple pie and baseball are the only things coming to mind atm.

Do you enjoy art? If so, which form of art is the most enjoyable? I do! But I prefer art that you can look at and know the artist is incredibly gifted and/or has put in a ton of time and effort to master their skills. None of that million dollar paint smear on a canvas shit.

What is something about another country's culture you don't understand? I feel like other cultures take their family and their family’s approval way too seriously. That might be rich coming from someone who doesn’t have a very good relationship with their family but I just don’t understand what the point of making yourself miserable to make your family happy is.

Do you ever attend the theater? If so, which play did you see last? Last thing I saw in a theater was Shangela perform a drag show, haha!

How about the opera or the ballet? Nope.

Which dance troupe do you enjoy, if any? ...they still do that?

Do you attend concerts or gigs? If so, which band did you see last? Not as much as I’d like to as no one good really comes here very often. Last band we saw was X Ambassadors and Paramore!

Are you interested in foreign food? I’m not uninterested but I’m not super interested either.

If so, which country's cuisine do you enjoy the most? Chinese...albiet probably a very Americanized version of Chinese.

Do you enjoy stand-up comedy? If so, who is your favourite comic? I doooo! Bo Burnham and Drew Lynch are my favorites.

Do you contribute to culture in some way? If so, how? I try to? I’m an influencer so I definitely have a platform of a couple hundred thousand people. Not sure what exactly I contribute tho.

Section 7 – Charity

Do you volunteer your time to anything charitable? If so, what? Newp.

Do you donate money to any charities? If so, which ones? No. I don’t trust a lot of charities, to be quite honest. A lot of them are very shady and I’d rather donate money directly to someone who needed it rather than it getting tied up in a charity where it might never actually see the people they claim to be helping.

If you have pets, are any of them rescues from shelters? We adopted our dog from one of my husband’s coworkers but she probably would have gone to the shelter if we didn’t take her.

Do you donate your old clothes, linen etc. to charitable organizations? Yes! We almost always have a bag of donations in our trunk that we always forget to take to the thrift store when we go.

If someone you know is in need, is it in your nature to offer help? If I can, yes!

Have you ever donated Christmas presents to children of poor families? We used to do that when I was a kid.

Have you ever had to rely on other people's charity? One Christmas when I was really young I remember my parents signed up for a sponsorship through the Salvation Army where a family adopted us and bought us Christmas presents and Christmas dinner or whatever.

How do you feel about donating to charities endorsed by celebrities? I would never donate to a charity simply because it was sponsored by a celebrity but I guess its the easiest way for a charity to get the word out that they need donations.

Is there a charity you absolutely never ever will not trust? PETA, Salvation Army, Goodwill, and that breast cancer one with the horrible CEO.

Have you ever donated to a cause that had a person going door to door? No. I extra wouldn’t if someone came knocking on my door asking for money.

In general, what is your opinion on charity? I already did my rant about them, haha.

Section 8 – Entertainment

Which was the very first video game you remember playing? Ocarina of Time I believe!

Which was the very first film you remember watching? That I don’t remember. Maybe that Barney movie with the magic egg?

What is your go-to form of entertainment? TikTok usually.

Do you have a large collection of DVDs/Blu-Rays? Nah. We have a drawer but we usually stream everything.

How about music albums? Beebs collects vinyls!

Do you prefer to have your music on vinyls, tapes, CDs or digital? I prefer digital and Beebs likes vinyl.

When and where do you like to entertain yourself usually? Either the bed or the couch.

Do you ever binge watch shows? If so, what are you binging now? Usually! I’m sadly in between shows rn.

What kinds of books do you like to read, if any? I honestly don’t read anymore.

Is there a book series you're currently collecting? ..

Is entertainment something you prefer to enjoy alone or with someone else? I have my shows and then we have shows we watch together. So there’s a time and place for both!

Section 9 – Internet 

Do you always have access to the Internet, wherever you go? If not, why? Yup!

Which website do you frequent the most? Website website? Google. App website? Instagram or TikTok.

Which search engine do you prefer and trust the most? Googs.

What do you use the Internet the most for? Social media or entertainment.

Do you judge people who have their phones out all the time? If so, why? Random people? None of my business. But if we’re spending time together and I’m trying to have a conversation with you and you're not paying attention to me because your nose is glued to your phone, I’m gonna be pissed.

If your connection goes down, what do you do? Go do something that’s not on the internet?

Is there something you wish you could do online that isn't possible yet? I still wish you could smell things through the internet.

Do you remember the first time you used the Internet? When was it? Yes! I believe the 2nd/3rd grade?

What was a website you used to frequent that doesn't exist anymore? I loved the Disney website with all the games.

Do/Did you ever have your own website? That was the thiiiing back in the day.

Isn't it great how much knowledge and info we have at our fingertips? It’s great but also overwhelming.

Section 10 – And finally...

What is something you consider to be highly controversial? Politics, apparently.

What kinds of jokes do you like the best? I love a good pun.

Is there a person who makes you laugh effortlessly? Oh definitely.

Which part of your body do you like the least? My eyes.

What's something random, out of context you remember from your past? I don’t do well with really vague questions.

Do you wear shoes indoors? No, I’m not a heathen.

What's the silliest thing you've worn on your body in public? I don’t think I usually wear silly things.

What's the most important thing in your life right now? Just spending time with my fam. Trying to get over this anxiety.

What is the most distant point on the planet that you've been from home? Florida.

Do you enjoy trivia games? If so, which one's your favourite? We love some Trivial Pursuit in this house!

Are you more logical or emotional? My emotions take over and then my logic brings it back in. Equal parts, baby.

[viralhottopics]

What we learned from the Golden Globes: Meryl Streep always wins and Ryan Gosling never fails

The curtain has fallen on this years ceremony and heres our key takeaways, including the best anti-Trump speech, the wittiest mention of syphilis and what it all means for next months Oscars

Theres no stopping La La Land, the post-truth underdog

Right from the start, which saw Jimmy Fallons opening skit entirely devoted to a spoof of La La Land, it was obvious Damien Chazelles hymn to Hollywood had converted the 90-odd members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association men and women who had left their homelands to travel to La La Land and pen their own hymns to Hollywood.

But just how faithful the converts proved couldnt quite be predicted: the film took seven gongs over the evening (best song, best score, best director, best screenplay, best actor, best actress, best comedy or musical), beating the likes of One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest to make new record.

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone with their awards. Photograph: Kevork Djansezian/NBC/(Credit too long, see caption)

So how did they do it? Especially when some of the awards (such as screenplay) were felt by some to be a bit optimistic? Well, that opening sequence was also significant, because it showed that La La Land is a lot easier to parody than, say, Moonlight (black gay man in Miami struggles with sexuality and addict mother) and Manchester by the Sea (gloomy janitor returns home after the death of his brother to grapple with previous family tragedy) and may end up with a lot more cultural currency, even significance, as a result.

That the Globes split their categories (drama and comedy or musical) naturally favours movies such as Chazelles, but, as Benjamin Lee pointed out in his liveblog, every La La acceptance speech also pushed the notion of the movie as an underdog a crazy mad idea and a wild punt for the studio to back.

But remember: this is a romance starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, directed by a man whose most recent movie won three Oscars, and which like Argo and The Artist strokes that hand that feeds it. But, whatever works.

Unless its the actual underdog

La La Lands main rival, Barry Jenkinss Moonlight, went into the race with nearly the same number of nominations, and came away with just one win. But what a win: best drama. The fact it was robbed in the supporting actor category (where Mahershala Ali lost out to Aaron Taylor-Johnson) may even help its chances going forward for what we now have is a genuine underdog (albeit one thats so far picked up 120 awards) with a little outraged momentum behind it (thought #JusticeForMoonlight felt a bit of a trending punt). The last movie to take just best drama at the Globes? Best picture Oscar winner 12 Years a Slave

Congratulations can still come with a bouquet of barbed wire

Despite significant wins for actors of colour actors this year, there were slightly fewer than expected (see Ali), and efforts to forget the #OscarsSoWhite controversy were undermined by not one, but two, people (George Bushs daughter, Michael Keaton) conflating the names of the two big nominated movies featuring black actors. Fences are still visible; perhaps Figures still arent, quite.

Meryl 2020

Meryl Streep attacks Donald Trump in Golden Globes speech

Can a blonde white woman in her late 60s defeat Donald Trump? If anyone can, Meryl can. Her speech picking up the Cecil B DeMille lifetime achievement award was easily the runaway moment of the night: impassioned, funny, fearless and picking up perhaps the prize dreadful moment in the president-elects campaign: his mocking of a disabled reporter on the campaign trail.

It kind of broke my heart, and I saw it, and I still cant get it out of my head because it wasnt in a movie. It was real life. And this instinct to humiliate when its modelled by someone in the public platform by someone powerful, it filters down into everybodys life because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing.

Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. When the powerful use definition to bully others, we all lose.

Trump duly responded, not on Twitter, but by telling the New York Times he hadnt watched the show but was not surprised that the liberal movie people ridiculed him. Sad!

Hugh Laurie for VP

A shock choice for supporting actor in a drama series over favourite John Lithgow for that other great statesman, Churchill but Laurie made up for it with a pitch-perfect address, which preceded Streeps and lamented that this was likely the last Globes ceremony. Accepting the prize on behalf of psychopathic billionaires everywhere, Laurie said:

I dont mean to be gloomy, its just that it has the words Hollywood, Foreign and Press in the title. I just dont know I also think to some Republicans, even the word association is slightly sketchy.

Viola Davis for secretary of state

A controversial one this, not because she aced the supporting actress performance for which she won her prize, nor for her great speech, nor even her composed anti-Trump rant backstage:

Viola Davis makes powerful anti-Trump speech backstage at Golden Globes

But for allowing us all to get a glimpse of the real Streep, sharing a strange food-shaming incident in her introduction to the great woman.

Streep: Whatd you do last night, Viola?

Davis: Oh, I cooked an apple pie.

Streep: Did you use Pippin apples?

Davis: Pippin apples, What the hell is Pippin apples? I used Granny Smith apples.

Streep: Did you make your own crust?

Davis: No, I used store-bought crust. Thats what I did.

Streep: Then you didnt make an apple pie, Viola.

Davis: Well, thats because I spent all my time making collard greens! I make the best collard greens. I use smoked turkey, chicken stock and my special BBQ sauce.

Streep: Well, they dont taste right unless you use ham hocks. If you dont use ham hocks, it doesnt taste the same.

Accidents can happen, thank God

In what looked like one of the most locked-down ceremonies in years, a couple of bona fide surprises leapt out. The first with the HFPAs love for Paul Verhoevens hot-potato rape revenge comedy Elle a movie previously deemed too controversial for major acclaim. But it took not just best foreign language film (over the more politically safe Toni Erdmann) but also best actress for Isabelle Huppert: now a major Oscar contender, leaving both previous frontrunners (Natalie Portman and Emma Stone), fretting into their frocks.

The second shocker also showcased the Globess more offbeat taste: two big wins (best comedy series, best actor for Donald Glover) for Atlanta, about the citys rap scene. The Globes can be notoriously wacky this time round, in a good way.

We need to pin our hopes on the other Jimmy

Fallon had a lot to live up to. In part because Amy Poehler and Tina Fey set such a high benchmark for this gig a couple of years back; also because Fallon patsied to Trump on his chatshow a couple of months back. But despite a few early digs at the president-elect, he failed to deliver. Most glaring was his inability to competently wing it when the teleprompter broke. All such issues were highlighted by the brilliance of some of the presenters, in particular Kristen Wiig, who having stolen the showin 2013 with her Will Ferrell double act, repeated the trick this time with Steve Carell. Can fellow talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel top it at the Oscars next month? Probably.

Heartthrobs are called heartthrobs for a reason

Ryan Goslings best actor speech saw peak metrosexual pin-up this year: losing nominees Ryan Reynolds and Andrew Garfield shared a snog, while Gosling further confirmed his dreaminess at the podium. He ended his speech by paying tribute to his lady Eva Mendes for looking after their daughter and her brother (who had cancer, and to whose memory he dedicated the prize) while she was pregnant with their second child and he was off twinkling his toes on La La Land. So, sweetheart, thank you.

Tom Hiddleston, meanwhile, went full humanitarian, closing with a story about a recent trip to South Sudan with the UN Childrens Fund and dedicating his prize to aid workers everywhere. The weird cuts to Christian Slater and the kids from Stranger Things didnt help, but it was still stirring stuff.

The Brits are coming! But so is Netflix

Hiddleston won for The Night Manager, the Beebs big hit of the night gongs also for Laurie and Olivia Colman but the series-which-should-have-been-made-by-the-BBC-but-wasnt took best TV series (drama) and best actress (for Claire Foy). After the anti-climatic hoohah around Netflixs first big film production, Beasts of No Nation, the streaming service finally made good. Lucky, given The Crown still has five very expensive series still to fund and run.

Real actors are never off

Lithgow backstage with Claire Foy and Peter Morgan. Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Greatest ad-lib of the night? Probably John Lithgow, who channelled Churchill with aplomb in the press room. Being told his fly was undone, Lithgow quoted back the great cigar-chomper: Its not a problem. A dead bird never leaves its nest. The runners-up prize goes to Hugh Grant, wrongly leaked as the winner of best actor (comedy or musical), who describes the plot of Florence Foster Jenkins as, accurately enough, about a woman slowly dying of syphilis.

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from What we learned from the Golden Globes: Meryl Streep always wins and Ryan Gosling never fails

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31.

How many hours did you sleep last night? 6ish!

What was the last type of bird you remember seeing? Probably a crow. We have a lot of those around here for some reason.

List all the things on your bedside table right now. If memory serves, a stack of books, a Google Hub, a coaster, a pair of sunglasses, and my water cup from last night.

Have you ever been to Canada? Yuuup.

Who is the biggest show-off you know? My little brother.

What is your favourite condiment to put on fries? Depends on the fries but typically ranch.

Are you content right now? I’m alright.

Do you know anyone who has to wear glasses when they're driving? Technically everyone who wears glasses also has to wear them while they’re driving but my father in law only wears them while he drives.

Have you ever had braces? I was able to narrowly escape them by getting an appliance.

How's the condition of your hair right now? It’s in a bun so it’s contained but if it wasn’t, it would be a mess.

Do you usually take the stairs or the elevator? Always elevator haha.

What salads do you usually get on your Subway order? ....I get a sandwich when I go to subway, like a normal person.

Have you ever made your own cocktails at home? Not really.

Have you seen all the Star Wars films? Beebs made me watch one and I gave him a BJ to get out of watching it.

Are you hungry right now? I’m alright!

Do you need a key card to get into the building you live in? Newp.

What colour is the car you drive or ride in most often? White.

Do you make lists to keep yourself in order? Definitely.

The last person you kissed: did it mean something or not? Of course!

Do you have any secret hiding places? A couple!

Have you ever thrown or dropped a coin off a building? Uh, no? what if it hit someone?

What was the last takeout food you had? We had Chinese last night.

Why are you taking surveys right now? Becauseeee I’m procrastinating doing anything productive.

Are your eyes the same colour they were when you were a baby? Yup. I slept for my first day of life and nurses kept having to prick my foot to see if I was alive and when I opened my eyes, they were brown.

Do you take the pickle off your burgers? I order them without.

Is it AM or PM right now? AM!

What is your favourite soda? Sprite.

Have you ever played beer pong? Noooo.

Have you been to school or work today? Newp.

Who do you share your bathroom with? My husband.

Is there something more important you should be doing right now? Not really.

Have you ever stepped in chewing gum? A couple times, yeah.

Do you feel like life is pretty repetitive sometimes? Oh yeah.

Do you know anyone named Eamonn? I’ve never even heard of that name before.

Where are you sitting/standing/lying right now? Sittin’ on the couch.

Are you angry with anyone at the moment? Why? Not really, no!

What colour is your bed frame? The headboard is this gorgeous vintage round wood one with gold accents. We thrifted it for $5 and I’m still jazzed about it.

Have you ever kissed someone you met that day? Technically??

Do you share a bed with anyone? Yup!

Name all the people you know that you've seen today. Just Beebs and the baby dog.

What colour were the last shoes you wore? Brown.

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6.

What’s the last vegetable you ate, and when did you eat it? I put red bell peppers in the breakfast burritos we had for dinner last night!

What was your last Facebook notification for? Someone requested to join a group I admin.

What bands have you seen live? Sadly I haven’t seen many bands live. Last ones I saw were Paramore and X Ambassadors!

Tell me an interesting fact about your mother: Ummm...she got weight loss surgery a few years ago.

What do you think is the most important thing to happen to you before the age of 13? My dad left and my mom remarried and had a bunch more kids she likes more than me.

What were you super against as a young child but aren’t anymore? Cheesecake, broccoli, water, atheists. Now cheesecake is my favorite, I love broccoli, water is the only thing I drink, and I AM an atheist.

What are your plans later today? I have to shower and make dinner. Other than that idk.

Are you doing anything exciting this weekend? Sadly probably not. Beebs works so I’m probably just gonna work on a sewing project or something.

Who do you talk to the most? My husband or our dog!

What are some things you do regularly that make you feel old? Go on TikTok.

Who is your best guy friend(s)? My husband!

Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker? I’m good where I’m at!

If you had a tiny scar on your face, would you get it removed or just keep it? It depends on the scar and its placement. I’d probably get it removed tho.

Have you had an x-ray in the past year? Nope! Last one was in the 9th grade.

Do you think your first love still loves you? I’d sure hope so.

What is something that is “going right” in your life? We’re debt free for the first time since we got married, my husband is fixed, and we just finished getting a bunch of repairs done on our car!

When did you feel ready to start dating? I don’t think there was a moment I decided I was ready...it just happened!

When was the last time your pet bit you? If you don’t have a pet, have you ever been bitten by someone else’s? I mean...she’s never bitten me maliciously! Just playfully.

Where were you the last time you made out? In bed I believe.

When was the last time you cried tears of joy? When a company I’ve loved forever sent me a massive PR box with so much more than I could have ever expected. I sat on the kitchen floor and cried.

How do you type your sad smileys? :(

Do you have “decorative hand-towels” that cannot be used in your house? Nah!

What was the last soda you drank? I had a coke slushie earlier!

What was the last thing someone made fun of you for? I’m not sure! It was probably something silly my husband was teasing me for.

Have you ever had any type of surgery? No, thank god.

Should kids be allowed to get tattoos/piercings without parental consent? Yeah. It’s their body!

Who was the last person to hit on you? Some weirdo on the internet told me my bellybutton must smell like roses.

What was the last thing you decided not to do, that you were supposed to? Shower..oops.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to tell someone? I don’t know!

What do you put on hot dogs? Mayo, ketchup, mustard, and cheese.

Ever fallen in the shower? Slipped but not fallen!

Do you think that things will get better? I really hope so!

Have you ever legitimately saved a person’s life? Yup.

What’s your favourite book genre? I don’t know if I have one!

Have you ever walked out of a movie at the theatre? I almost walked out of Toy Story 4 because the people behind us were so goddamn rude and their kid kept pulling my hair.

Do dogs like you? Oh hell yeah.

Would you say that you project an air of authority? Maybe? I’m a bossy Capricorn so I exude some level of leadership but I’m also not comfortable being in charge of anyone.

Have you ever jumped off a high dive into a pool? Absolutely not.

Do you use one towel when you shower or two? Two! One for my hair and one for my body.

Have you ever been to one of the great lakes? Nope!

Who do you know that had a baby recently? Um! Lots of Facebook friends but no one personally.

Do you like Usher’s songs? Eh! They’re alright.

When was the last time you went to a waterpark? Oh god. Like 15 years ago.

Have you ever ridden a train? When I was a young tot, yes!

What do you eat your French fries with? Depends on the fry! Ranch is usually my favorite.

Do you have family problems? Hahahahaha....hahahaha...yes. So fucking many.

What’s the last food you ate that was stale? I don’t know? I don’t eat stale food very often.

How do you like your grilled cheese? Extra cheesy with tomato soup!

What is the most challenging meal you have ever cooked? Pasta aglio e olio!

What was your favorite thing to do as a little kid? Spend time with my grandma!

Have you ever been close to drowning? Nope.

Have you ever had a panic attack? Ugh, many times. They are terrifying.

Do you like doing housework? Sometimes! Other times I’d rather do l i t e r a l l y anything else.

Would you ever get implants? I want a breast lift but I’m afraid to go under anesthesia.

Do you own a robe? A few, yeah!

Do you have a little sister? What’s her name? Yup, but that’s none of your beeswax.

Do you like crust on pizza or do you cut it off? If it’s dominos, I just toss it but if it’s anything else, I’ll eat it!

What was the last song you listened to? I Don’t Wanna Wait by Paula Cole.

Have any of your family members been to jail? In laws, yes!

Is there anyone that you feel you still need some closure with? Yeah, sadly.

Can you remember when you first learned how to read? Yup! Kindergarten.

What event in your life has transformed your personality the most? Probably having to give up my childhood to be the big sister. I’m inherently motherly, I take care of everyone, but I have no desire to be a mother.

Have you ever had any teeth pulled? Just my wisdoms!

Do you still want to be what you wanted to be in elementary school? I wanted to be famous.

What’re some TV shows that you would like to get into? I feel like I watch all of the shows that interest me!

How would you feel if you were drafted for the military? Uh...no.

What is your favorite Queen song? Fat Bottomed Girls!

Do you know how to use any foreign currency? Well yeah but I mean...I’m not sure what there is to know about it? You go to the bank, exchange your money for the other money, and then spend it as you see fit. It’s a lot easier to just use your bank card tho.

Been kissed by someone who you knew was “bad” for you? Nope!

Ever taken an at-home pregnancy test? Yeahhhh, sadly. My period is a little bitch who likes to show up late a lot and I’m an anxious mess so I usually take tests to give me some peace of mind while I wait.

When was the last time you were at a loss of what to do? I’m never at a loss of what to do!

What did you do on your favorite date with a guy/girl? We went to a theme park! It was absolutely magical.

What’s a movie you have seen in the theater more than once? Inside out and Just Friends! We saw Inside Out by ourselves, with my husband’s best friend, and then with my family just because it was so fkn good. And then my best friend at the time was obsessed with Ryan Reynolds and saw it I think like 10 times by herself, 2 of which were with me.

What is the reason you’re still alive? My heart is still pumping?

Have you ever had sex in someone else’s bed/bedroom? I’ve had sex in my parents’ hotel room while they were down at the pool...sorry mom.

Do you ever brush your hair before you go to bed? I never brush my hair except for right after a shower. I have curly hair and brushing it is the literal worst thing you can do.

Have you ever had a dream about sleeping with a celebrity? (You don’t have to give details.) I don’t believe so!

Has anyone ever told you that they needed you? Do you think they meant it? Yes and yes!

How did you feel when you woke up today? What was the first thing you thought about? Bleary! My husband was calling me to wake me up.

Do you still tell your parents that you love them? I do, even when I don’t really want to.

Have you ever said “I love you” to someone you weren’t going out with? Friends and family, yeah.

Would you date someone with a physical disability? I mean, I'm married, but in a theoretical world where I was single, that wouldn’t be something that would deter me if I loved someone.

Think of the last person you had sex with. Do you think they’ve slept with anyone else since they last slept with you? He has not!

The last time you dyed your hair, what color did you dye it? Purple! That was only like 2 weeks ago.

Think of the last time you went out to eat. Who paid? We did!

Do you save at least 15 percent of your income? 20%, actually!

Do you ever go on Reddit? If so, what are some of your favorite subreddits? I’ve only ever gone to Reddit because Google suggested it to me to answer a question I had.

Were you ever a flower girl or ring bearer in anyone’s wedding when you were little? I was only 4 but I guess I was my mom’s maid of honor/flower girl at her wedding.

Are your parents in good health? My mom is but my dad has high cholesterol and bad back pain. Nothing super serious tho.

Have you ever been a caregiver to a sick/disabled relative? Nope!

Is there any type of medicine you can’t take? For what reason? Not that I’m aware of but most medications have weird affects on me. NyQuil makes me hallucinate, Novocaine makes me loopy, and oui’d makes me see shit, so?

Do you have a favorite pair of pajamas? What do they look like? I really just wear a T-shirt and shorts to bed.

Do you have any interesting pillow cases? All my pillow cases rn are vintage and I love them!

If something on your body hurts, which part is it most likely to be? I just have really sensitive feet and every pair rubs them raw or causes blisters/bleeding so they usually hurt.

Are you more afraid of spiders or bees? Spiders, definitely.

Have you ever worn fake nails? If so, what did the last pair you wore look like? I had acrylics for a year! I don’t remember the last set I had on tho.

Is Russian or Native American history more interesting to you? Native American.

[surveys4ever]

4.

Why did you first kiss the last person you kissed? Because I love him and I finally got to meet him in person for the first time!

Do you care what people think? I try really, really hard not to but it’s hard when there are hundreds of thousands of eyes on you, all with opinions on literally e v e r y t h i n g you do.

Are you listening to music? If so, what is it? Nope, I’m listening to the movie my husband has on in the background.

Do you like to take walks? My dog sure does!

 Would you ever date someone out of state? My husband was out of state in the beginning!

Plans for tonight? I have to shower and finish redoing my kitchen shelves!

Do you want to go to a party? On one hand, its been nice to have friends that like me enough to invite me to a party but on the other...I have social anxiety soooo no.

Has your birthday past this year? Yup! January baby.

Has anyone seen you kiss the last person you kissed? Plenty of people over the years!

Will this year be better then last? I think every year after this one will be a better year than last year lol.

Can you listen to music while reading a book? Yeah! I enjoy it.

Are Monday mornings the hardest mornings to wake up to? I work from home so all my days are the same! It’s not really hard to wake up ever, unless I was up super late or couldn’t sleep the night before.

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? I would LOVE to go back and relive when my husband and I first met. Just to experience it all again!

Last thing you ate? Doritos!

Who was the last person’s voice you heard? Ryan Reynolds’, haha!

Who do you get along with best in your family? My younger brother or my grandma!

How old do you think you’ll be when you get married? I was 19!

Have you ever been kissed in a car? Many times!

Who were you last on the phone with? Either my mom or the vet!

Do you think anyone has feelings for you? I know someone does!

Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 months from now? It’s been 9 years, so yeah!

Can you commit to one person and one person only? Already done!

Is there someone who continuously lets you down? Of course.

Is there anyone in your life that knows right away something’s wrong with you? My husband knows me a little too well, haha.

Do you miss your past? Some bits of it!

Are you typically a happy person? I try to be! My brain really tries to prevent that though, sadly.

Do you miss the way things used to be between you and someone else? Yeah. That’s the worst part about getting older.

Who last made you smile? Hubs :)

Can you recall the last time you sincerely liked someone a lot a lot? I can recall right now, yes!

Is there a difference between love and being in love? Obviously!

Where is your Mother? At home I would assume!

Have you ever laid on a couch with the opposite sex? Many times, yes!

Would you rather look at clouds or stars? Stars. Looking at clouds hurts my eyes.

If you could change one thing this year about your life, would you? I mean...I’d like for covid to not be a thing. That would be nice.

Did you sleep alone last night? I never do!

Does it matter to you if your boyfriend/girlfriend drinks? I mean, to excess, yes I would care. But the occasional drink, no!

Do you like potato chips? Yessss.

Are you ticklish? Much to my dismay, yes.

Craziest place you have slept? I don’t think I sleep in very crazy places ever.

Have you ever been cheated on? Nope!

Can you count on anyone to be there for you, always? That’s the best part of being married!

Do you think being “heart broken” is as bad as people say? Oh it’s so much worse.

I’m guessing you’ve probably been asked this before, but which do you prefer - Coca Cola, or Pepsi? Coke!

Do you think the last person you texted is a virgin? (You don’t have to tell us who the person is, just say yes or no.) No, my husband is not a virgin.

Has your phone ever gone off in the middle of a class at school? I always had it on mute!

In your phone’s contacts, who is the second person listed under the letter ‘R’? My hair stylist!

What is that person’s favourite drink? I’m unsure what her favorite is but last time we were there, she requested I bring her a berry Propel!

Has the last person you texted, ever been in your bedroom? Yes, as its his bedroom too.

The last time you washed your hair, did you use conditioner? .....there are people who wash their long hair and don’t use conditioner???

Do you prefer light or dark jeans? There’s a time and place for both!

Do you have an item of clothing that reminds you of someone? Tell me about it, and the person it reminds you of. There’s a lingerie set I wore in an ad for a major brand that always reminds me of my husband because we shot it together and it was a really surreal moment.

If the last girl you texted told you that she was pregnant, how would you respond? She is pregnant, actually! I was super excited for her.

How old is the last male you texted? 27!

How would you react if your mother told you that she was pregnant again? I would be P I S S E D. I already have too many siblings, she does not need any more kids, especially at her age.

Who do you have the most text messages from? Definitely my husband.

When was the last time you visited the doctor? Yearssss ago. I’m terrified of doctors.

Do you know anyone who deserves to be slapped? Oooooh yes, she’s had it coming for far too long.

When you listen to music, do you generally sing along, or just listen? It depends! If I'm just sitting around doing nothing, I just listen but if I’m cleaning, I sing along.

Do you have any of your exes as friends on Facebook? No, I think that’s weird.

Would you have sex with the last person that poked you on Facebook? Poking hasn’t been a thing for yearssss but it was probably my mom, so...

Does more than one person like you? Probably but idc.

Who is the youngest person in your household? When is that person’s birthday? Our pup! It’s also in January!

Who was your first love? Do you ever miss that person? My husband! And I don’t have to miss him, he’s right here.

What is a word that starts with the second to last letter of your name? Ever.

Do you like your middle name? Ehhhh! It’s not my favorite. It’s an old lady name that’s been passed down through the generations but I don’t really like my family so I’m not attached to it at all. I’ve thought about changing it.

Would you ever visit a psychic? I really want to! I wanna see what they have to say.

You log into Facebook and see the red ‘1’ notification next to the message icon. Who do you want it to be? I dunno! Someone exciting I guess.

Let’s say I was going to make you something to eat, what would you like? :) I would love some Chinese food, if you know how to do that!

And what drink would you like with that? Just water is fine by me.

Do you know anyone with the same first name as you? Tell me about him/her. I know plenty but the first one that comes to mind is my childhood best friend’s high school best friend, if that makes any sense? We were best friends in middle school and then we went to different high schools so they became best friends. I’m Facebook friends with her but we’ve never actually met in person, haha!

If your hair is long, would you ever think about having it cut short? Or, if it’s short, would you like to grow it long? I’ve had it super short and I’ve had it down to my butt. It’s currently at my shoulders but I’m attempting to grow it out...I’m thinking like titty length?

Can you remember the last time you felt emotional? What was the reason? Period hormones, baybeeeee.

Do you call your partner ‘baby’? Rarely! It’s usually beebs or bean.

What if you were told that your life has to stay exactly as it is right now, and nothing will ever change? How would you feel about that? I would honestly be pretty okay with that.