#HIGHLY underrated in all honesty

[yutopia-eleftheria]

Favorite Pokémon Trainer of Each Type Meme

When I went looking for some Pokémon Memes, I always find stuff like "Favorite Pokémon of Each Type", but never "Favorite Pokémon TRAINER of Each Type", so I decided to change one and turn it into that because trainers also deserves to shine

(And I think we all have a favorite Pokémon Trainer of a certain type, don't we ?)

Normal : Larry Okuba

I can't really explain why but I like this guy. He is so formal yet so funny at the same time.

Shoothout to Aloé Lenora, because she is highly underrated and I almost put her in here.

Other trainers ranked :

2. Aloé Lenora

3. Althéo Ilima

4. Tcheren

5. Norman Mitsuko Senri

6. Blanche Whitney

Grass : Barbara Mallow

I found her to be so cute and kind. Even though she is a Trial Captain, she is still a Trainer after all, so she counts ! ♥

Other trainers ranked :

2. Érika

3. Rachid Cilan Cress

4. Flo Gardenia

5. Colza Brassius

6. Percy Milo

7. Amaro Ramos

Fire : Meloco Braseco

She is way too badass ! Her entire design is *chef's kiss* ♥ Honestly though there are a lot of cool Fire Type Trainers so it was really hard to choose. I'm sorry Kabu :,(

Other trainers ranked :

2. Kabu Arwen

3. Adriane Flannery

4. Malva Pachira

5. Rubépin Crispin

6. Armando Cilan Cress

7. Kiawe

8. Max Archie

9. Adrien Flint

10. Auguste Blaine

Water : Marc Wallace

This man is too sassy for us not gonna lie xD !

2. Donna Nessa

3. Narcisse Siebold

4. Marlon Amana

5. Noa Cilan Cress

6. Ondine Misty

7. Arthur Maxie

8. Néphie Lana

9. Juan Adan

10. Lovis Wake

11. Kombu Marisco

Electric : Inézia Elesa

She is such a wonderful woman. I pretty much immeditely fell in love with her. One of my Waifus not gonna lie ♥

Other trainers ranked :

2. Mashynn Iono

3. Tanguy Volkner

4. Lem Bonnie Clemont

5. Chris Sophocles

6. Voltère Watson

7. Major Bob

Bug : Éra Katy

All the Bug Type Trainers are pretty much in the same Tier for me, but I still like Éra slightly more than the others.

Other trainers ranked :

2. Aaron Ryo

3. Hector Bugsy

4. Artie Burgh

5. Violette Panji

6. Guzma

Flying : Alizée Winona

In all honesty, I love all of the Flying type Trainers. They're all so cool in my opinion and it was one of the hardest choices to make.

Other trainers ranked :

2. Carolina Skyla

3. Albert Falkner

4. Kahili

5. Larry Okuba (Elite 4 Alternate Team)

Fighting : Élige Dendra

Mah gurl alright ! I love Élige with all my heart ! ♥ I wish I could have had a Sports teacher like her OMG ♥ Also Girl supremacy among Fighting type trainers ! ♀♥♀

2. Faïza Bea

3. Cornélia Korrina

4. Nèflie Éri

5. Mustar Honey

6. Bastien Brawly

7. Mélina May-Lin

8. Aldo Bruno

9. Pectorius Hala

10. Kunz Marshal

11. Chuck Shijima

Ground : Cayenn Rika

I'm pretty "meh" about the Ground type trainers, but Cayenn : That's my Elite 4 ! My Ground type gal ! I love her with all of my heart ! ♥

Other trainers ranked :

2. Paulie Hapu

3. Bertha Terry

4. Giovanni Sakaki

5. Bardane Clay

Rock : Alyxia Olivia

It was a hard choice because Roxanne was up there too. They are definitely the best Rock type Trainer Girls out there ♥

Other trainers ranked :

2. Roxanne Tsutsuji

3. Thaïm Rytima

4. Chaz Gordie

5. Lino Grant

6. Pierrick Roark

7. Pierre Brock

Ice : Olga Lorelei

As much as I love Zhu, Lona, or even Grusha and Sina...and Glacia OMG they're so many !!!... Anyways... the OG Ice Type Trainer that is Olga Lorelei will always hold a special place in my heart, especially with her Let's Go redesign ♥

Other trainers ranked :

2. Zhu Brycen

3. Sina

4. Lona Gordie Melony

5. Grusha Nievecima

6. Glacia Prim

7. Gladys Candice

8. Garrett Gaeric

9. Urup Wulfric

10. Frédo Pryce

11. Lilien Zinzolin

Poison : Ério Atticus

If only Mimosa Miriam was a Poison Type as I thought she was at first, she would have absolutely DOMINATED them ! But no she doesn't have a specific type lol. Most of them are ninjas and are therefore pretty cool, but I have to choose Ério because : Handsome guy behinf the mask ♥

Other trainers ranked :

2. Sophora Klara

3. Strykna Roxie

4. Jeannine Kyô Anzu

5. Koga Kyô Anzu

Psychic : Morgane Sabrina

The very first Psychic Type Trainer and Gym Leader is the best one ! She has an amazing backstory and design ! (Except for HeartGold and SoulSilver because they destroyed her...) She is still the best nonetheless !

Other trainers ranked :

2. Saturnin Avery

3. Tully Labiosa

4. Clément Will

5. Lucio Goyô

6. Percila Caitlin

7. Lévy & Tatia

8. Astéra Olympia

9. Dexio

10. Saubohne Faba

11. Travis Bede (before becoming a Gym Leader)

Ghost : Alistair

I mean who doesn't like this little boy ? He is so cute and yet can be so terrifying at the same time. By far one of the best Ghost Type Trainers ever made !

Other trainers ranked :

2. Mortimer Matsuba

3. Spectra Phoebe

4. Laïm Rytima

5. Margie Acerola

6. Kiméra Fantina

7. Anis Shauntal

8. Agatha Kikuko

Dragon : Amaryllis Zinnia

Everything in her is pure awesomness ! From her design to her purpose and her destiny, she is just too incredible ! Note that Iris was still close to her as she has one of the best glow-ups in the entire franchise.

Other trainers ranked :

2. Iris Landon

3. Peter Lance

4. Sandra Clair

5. Roy Raihan

6. Hassa Girasol

7. Dracéna

8. Solane Ryuki

9. Watson Drayden

10. Irido Drayton

11. Drake Aragon

Steel : Shehroz Peony Rose

I think you pretty much know it at this point. He is my favourite character in Galar and one of my absolute favorite characters of the franchise ! I don't care what people say, this is my opinion and I'll stick by it.

Other trainers ranked :

2. Pierre Rochard

3. Nikolaï Akuroma

4. Jasmine Mikan

5. Dhilan Peony Rose

6. Popi Llavesol

7. Nérine Amarys

8. Thyméo Wilkström

9. Charles Byron Roark

10. Molène Mullain

Dark : Rosemary Piers

Our punk girl that turns out to be an absolute cinnamon roll is in this OMG ! Not gonna lie this runs in the family : her brother Peterson is also insanely cool. But some people managed to made their way in between them...

Other trainers ranked :

2. Pieris Grimsley

3. Marion Karen

4. Peterson Piers

5. Giacomo Brôme

6. Damien Sidney

7. Dahn Nanu

Fairy : Valériane

Fairy type happens to be the most recent type added (*kof kof* DLC *kof kof* ?...) But when you come to think about it, it's been already 10 years since X & Y came out and since Fairy was first introduced ! Time flies ! And to this day, I still think that our very first Fairy Type Trainer, Johtonian now Kalosian as well, Valériane, is still on the spotlight.

Other trainers ranked :

2. Taro Lacey Elesa

3. Oléa Mine

4. Travis "Tracie" Bede

5. Sally Opal (when young she is easily above both Travis and Oléa)

6. Ortiga Mejadoha

What about you people ? Who is your favorite trainer for each type ? Let me know ; I'm curious.

[narcopharmacist]

Short Dramione fic review (and some spoilers too)

It's been a while since I finished a long fic/multi-chapter (The Binding by curly_kay). I've only read oneshots so far, because I just could not seem to have the courage to commit to another long fic yet.

Here are the oneshots that I read this week:

Evigilatio by darkcivet - I didn't read the tags so I was confused as to why Draco was suddenly transforming. Anyways cute story, loved the smut. 😉

Blink (dmhgchallenge drabbles) by blackestfaery - SEVERELY underrated. Despite having very short stories, they're fun to read. Lighthearted, fluff.

In All Honesty by darkcivet - this was hilarious 😂 Lighthearted, fluff, fun! Dumbledore was in it yall! He's a shipper!

Exposé (Ginny's Version) by undercoverdrxco - a fun read, implied smut. Loved it! Ginny is our detective, and she KNOWS for sure Hermione's got a man because guess what, she HEARD them 😂 Her first guesses were wrong though!

Marked as Mine by LilithShade - set in an omegaverse. Draco is A, Hermione is O. Smut was hot. Plot twist was good. We got implied NottPott in it too.

One Pleasant Memory by Musyc - my god. So this was set when Draco just got sectum sempra'd by Harry. He's in the hospital wing. Hermione, for whatever reason rushed to see him. They weren't even tgt at the time. Things get spicy later. And guess what, we have a v!Draco here! Hermione isn't 😉 The story ends when the trio are in the Malfoy manor, and Draco has to identify them in front of Bellatrix.

Most of these recommendations were published just a few years from the release of the last Harry Potter movie, because I have a tab that's set to filter Dramione stories from 2011 to 2015, because, as I have mentioned in my previous posts, I wanted to read fics that were fresh from the completion of the movies.

Additionally , here are the DNFs of my night.

On the Nature of Daylight byt ikorous

--> I think this is one of the highly recommended set-in-Hogwarts fics.

I bookmarked this a while back after reading the summary, and I decided to try reading the first chapters of it. I read the tags, dom Draco/sub Hermione (I could totally do that), but then here comes the toxic Draco train (it just popped into my head I swear). I looked this up on Reddit again to see the comments about this, and most said that this had amazing smut. I was definitely in for that. However when people asked for fics similar to this, the damned Water by kissherdraco was recommended. We know how that ended for me (I hated it), but I decided to continue on with this because the structure of the paragraphs was cohesive anyway.

The first 2 chapters I did not really find Draco to be immediately toxic at all (vs Water by Tyla- I mean kissherdraco). He was horny. But because I was dreading the ending after seeing that this fic had an "angst" tag, and I did not see a "happy ending or HEA" tag, I contemplated on skipping to the end of the story to figure out if I could spare my time reading this one. I'm glad I did skip to the end. I checked the comments first, and they were all heartbroken. So then I went to reading the last chapter before the epilogue. I found out that the ending was before the Deathly Hollows, or somewhere during, because it ended with Dumbledore getting killed, and before the war, or the war was just brewing.

Draco left. He was a Death Eater.

I read the chapter preceding the final chapter. Okay there was smut. The dirty talk, jfc. Draco's nicknames for Hermione. I cringed. I just saw insta posts where people shared nicknames that were icky, and it all began with "little." Bestie this was full of it. "Little kitten" 🫠🤢

The dirty talking... It just felt so OOC. Especially Draco. I just could not.

Anyways, I don't have to have my heart broken. I'm satisfied with the contents I read from this fic, even if they were select chapters.

I heard this had a sequel? But author mentioned in the notes/comments that it's gonna be darker, so F that.

A Dish Best Served Cold by MistessLynn

--> Smut, yet again. Of course I'm in here for the smut, but Hermione here was so OOC I had to stop 😂🙈

Set in Hogwarts 8th year. The buildup was really good, until Hermione did the thang 😭💀 I had to skip the entire part. Well, I skipped to the end.

You might be wondering, why on earth do I want to read smut but stop when they do all the weird things? Well I cannot imagine them being so OOC. I don't like it 😭 It does not feel natural for them, the characters, especially the ones in my head. I want them to stick to the original characterization.

This is basically all I can post about tonight.

I would love to reread The Binding.

I'm thinking of making another post about a fic I highly recommend. Though it may need trigger warnings.

Toodleloo!

[the59er]

7 Aug - 12 Aug 2022

7th Aug 2023, Monday Listening: Sleep, Azure Ray

Whole day of on-and-off headache. The pillows I ordered arrived! Rested my head on one of them just to try it out and ended up dozing off for 30mins.

--

8th Aug 2023, Tuesday Listening: Black Out, Pavement

WIO Tuesdays. It was alright despite my continuous sneezing. People at work talked to me. They held elevator doors open for me. Sometimes I forget that strangers CAN be nice, because I tend to think that they are only nice to me for a reason. I wonder if strangers think the same way as I do when I do the basic common courtesy to them too.

Nat & I had ckt for lunch. The glutton in me ordered a large. Did not finish (obviously) even though it was delish.

There was a new barista at yush. Not really feeling the newbie’s vibe, but I felt that way with H when we first met too, but now H is the nicest kid ever.

Also today Im trying to brush off what other people think about how I look, or what I wear. Tbh Ive been practicing "the Leandra" since the first time I read about her many years ago. Wear whatever the hell YOU want. Never dress for people. If someone else thinks you look nice, that’s just extra points.

--

9th Aug 2023, Wednesday Listening: Underneath it All, No Doubt

I think I worked offsite? Bumped into this handsome saab 9-5.

Im not looking forward to go out to vote on Saturday because in all honesty I could not care less about politics these days.

--

10th Aug 2023, Thursday Listening: Long Distance Call, Phoenix

Finally posted my impulse samba purchase from God knows when, today! I honestly could not recall when I bought them..

Mannnn I love my shoes. Specifically cortez, samba, and the ultimate underrated shoe ever, the Nora! If I could get my hands on a gazelle or campus 80s (unfortunately the current reissue is pigskin 😩), that would be dopeeeee.

Also finally doodled something. I am aware I haven't been doing so in awhile until I've forgotten how therapeutic it is.

Note to self to put aside more time for this, for the sake of my own mental health or whatever.

--

11th Aug 2023, Friday Listening: When Did Your Heart Go Missing, Rooney

Off day! Went for ramen without the ramen (substituted with rice, lol). I just wanted the broth. It was delish! 10/10 I highly recommend. Singgah grocer for what, I cannot remember.

Ended the day at yush with a ticket problem.

--

12th Aug 2023, Saturday Listening: It's All Over, The Broken Family Band

Waited for my sister before walking to our poll stations. Went to yush again for the voting day offer, 50% off on second drink! Met this qt on the way to 21. I love mini austin.

--

I think I had one big tiff, but good thing I dont even remember what it was about. Overall a 7 out of 10. ❤️

[adventures-of-a-goth-virgin]

1 2 7

1) What's a sex toy you want to get?

So in all honesty, any of them would be an upgrade as I don't own any. But if I have to pick....probably a vibrator? Those seem to be pretty well liked 🤷🏻‍♀️😅

2) What's my most underrated kink?

Hmmm maybe voice kink? I think most of my kinks are pretty highly rated. Oh or maybe blindfolds?

7) Do I have a secret kink or turn on I've never told anyone about?

Heh heh um let's see.....I have a huge thing for tattoos, scars, and freckles. I don't know if that actually counts now that I've typed it out. If it dosen't, a kink I've never told anyone about is choking but it's less choking and more just being held by my neck.

[losangelesconcretec]

Driveway Contractor In Los Angeles - How To Choose The Best One

There are a lot of steps to deal with that concrete project you have always wanted to do but never had the time. No matter if your project is constructing a new walkway or redoing the driveway, you will need to hire one of the best Los Angeles concrete contractors to carry out such jobs.

Unlike what you are led to believe in a lot of DIY posts, concrete can be challenging to work with and takes skill to be performed properly. Even though, in recent years, DIY concrete projects have turned out to be more prevalent, however, a lot underrate the intricacy of a project and end up shelling out more overall to have a contractor fix their blunders.

This brings us to the vital role that a concrete contractor plays in helping you build your facility. With each job necessitating its own unique set of skills and industry knowledge, connecting with the perfect contractor who will understand your requirements isn’t a simple task. Here is a checklist of some of the most sought-after qualities in a concrete contractor:

Customer service that speaks for itself

1st impressions actually do matter and if somebody can’t pitch their services in a convincing way, then their trustworthiness is definitely dubious. A specialized concrete contractor will be familiar with the ways to walk the customer through the whole process - from mixing concrete to delivery and pouring - and will stay flexibly communicative regarding the timeline, overall costs, and a lot more.

In a nutshell, a professional contractor will have a status for finishing up their projects on time and within the definite costs.

Licensed and certified

When making a decision for a specific contractor, this is one of the most imperative factors to rummage around for. The contractor is supposed to have the right licensed and certification for the project. Make sure that the license is recent and up-to-date, particularly since it needs to be renewed every so often.

In addition, concrete contractors that are registered with industry associations are inclined to stay on top of the latest news in the construction industry and prevalent safety standards.

Experience counts more than anything

A crucial aspect of hiring vetted contractors for concrete project is to have a look at the years of experience that they have and whether they will be capable of carrying out justice to the task at hand. In a labor-intensive industry such as building and construction, experience helps build up the skills and industry acquaintance of the contractor. For example, certain aspects of on-field work can simply be mastered through experience.

If you feel that your task needs an experienced and highly-qualified contractor, then make sure that you look at their previous record. Always keep in mind that a contractor who has been in business longer will certainly be familiar with the ways to work around time delays, back logs, and other such problems during the project.

Good customer reviews build faith

Testimonials by previous customers are one of the most promising ways to judge the status and integrity of a driveway contractor in the business. Research as to what people have to say regarding a specific contractor for concrete work and then make a final decision to choose the one. It is recommended that you steer clear of the ones that have negative reviews online for the reason that this could be an indication for negligence on their part.

There are a few websites such as Home Advisor and Better Business Bureau (BBB) that generally have a list of credible service providers available in different locations, so it is always worth checking with them prior to making the final decision.

Quality of raw materials

A component concrete contractor will stand by their principles of integrity and honesty, and not at all compromise on the quality of the raw materials. If possible, make an effort to track down the supplier from which that specific contractor sources their raw materials. Simply put, what goes into laying the building blocks of a structure or pavement, driveway, patio or sidewalk, goes a long way in making sure its longevity.

Skills and flexibility

External factors such as rain, weather, or other such unexpected challenges can significantly have an effect on the deadline of the project. In such a scenario, it is essential that the contractor that you have employed is experienced enough to deal with such issues that come their way.

Skills is all about taking likelihood factors into account and working your way around it. A backup plan will make sure that any uncalled for postponements do not hinder with the completion of the project.

Price estimation and costing

A proportional scrutiny between the price quotes that diverse concrete contractors offer is supposed to be your determining factor. Always be on the lookout for any hidden charges that the contractor has not evidently acknowledged in the contactor or quote. Mull over it as a red flag and keep away from carrying out business with such contactors for the reason that they are normally not honest.

A dependable contractor will be familiar with the real costs involved in building or revamping any facility and if they are true to their work, they will not at all make an effort to hit you with hidden costs. In addition, here are a few questions that you may ask the contractor prior to taking them on board for your project:

Do you have references that vouch for your quality of work?

Can you provide with a timeline for the end of the project?

Do you offer performance or product guarantees?

What are the safety standards that you follow?

How many members do you have in your team and what are their qualifications?

Are you aware of the labor rights and laws governing the construction industry?

Does my concrete work necessitate rebar reinforcement?

Are there any government or state level permits needed for the project?

Do you have a portfolio?

All these and a lot of more factors that may seem insignificant at first can later turn out to be roadblocks for the successful completion of a project. Hence, it is recommended that you begin by identifying a list of potential concrete contractors in Los Angeles and then assess them on the factors mentioned above!

[margridarnauds]

Did you watch some Shiki Stage Musicals ? I also love how their productions look through th PV and the documentaries but it seems to me that people not talk so much about the Company contrary to Toho Stage. Is that because they have another politics concerning their musicals ? Also what you can tell about the Shiki Actresses ? What are the differences with the Toho Actresses ?

Your timing is actually IMPECCABLE here, because I was only just looking at Shiki’s channel as you sent that on and thinking about how I’ve somewhat neglected it. In Toho’s defense: It’s only really as well known as it is because me and a few others worked our tails off to get it SOME recognition, and we’re still actively working on trying to keep things that way. An awareness of what Toho is has been slowly spreading through the last few years, since we’ve been making gifsets and posting material, but it’s still very much in the shadow of Zuka, in many ways. There just...is not that much attention paid to non-Zuka Japanese Musicals, sadly, and even Zuka tends to fall into the “niche interest” category, and for the past few years, my attention’s been kind of spread thin trying to go from new Toho musical to new Toho musical while also checking on whatever’s happening in Korea at the moment. 

As a warning, I do not know NEARLY as much about Shiki as I do about Toho and Zuka; it can be on the elusive side as far as tracking down material, especially as a non-Japanese speaker, so I’m very willing to be wrong here. 

So, what I would say, off the bat, is that there isn’t really the same rivalry between Shiki and Toho that there is between, say, Zuka and Toho. Or at least. None that I’ve personally witnessed. I think that people are generally willing to attend both, though Toho does have the prestige of having The Imperial Seal™ (at Imperial Prices™ to match.) On a personal level, the reason for why I *personally* don’t work with it as much is nothing really personal against Shiki, but more that, specifically because a ton of their musicals are taken from Broadway, that means that the rights to distribution are...well. Complicated. Which means that you don’t really GET proshots of Shiki musicals as such. Not saying it will never happen. But I’m saying that, as of the present, Shiki doesn’t really do it. Which means that I have considerably less material to properly work with, as opposed to Toho where, okay, proshots are limited, but they do happen, and so I can watch the entire musical and draw material from there. With Shiki, I only ever have a few minutes to work off of. Shiki is, in that sense, still very much kind of confined to Japan, since the only way to REALLY support them is to go to Japan and attend a musical yourself, which...well. I can’t really do. That and, at the risk of being perfectly blunt, I’m a sucker for really, really expensive costumes, and Toho happens to know how to appeal to that. 

Looking online at fanboards, whenever someone asks the question “Toho or Shiki?” the general consensus really seems to be “It’s impossible to really compare them because they’re essentially different styles of musical entirely.” Shiki is....I don’t know how to say this in a way that doesn’t devalue one or the other, but it tends to be a little more light-hearted, it has a little more of that family-friendly “People can bring their families for a night out at the musicals” charm, while Toho....well. Okay, if I theoretically had spawn, I would be willing to take them to, say, Roman Holiday or Fiddler on the Roof at Toho, but....1789? MARIE ANTOINETTE (with its lovely depictions of mob violence, swearing, and references to incest and sexual abuse)? NO. NO. SAVE YOURSELF, SMALL CHILD. And, of course, the light, happy Black Butler musicals. Toho.....not ALL the time, of course, but it tends, in my opinion, to have a darker edge. The musicals are glorious, the production values are high, and the costuming is fantastic, but still. A darker edge. Even among their more family friendly musicals, like Fiddler, they’re still....mature, you know? You get the feeling with Toho that the people watching it are all very much adults. Takarazuka....I’d have LESS trouble bringing my hypothetical spawn to, but also, traditionally, Takarazuka is generally, in a Japanese context, associated with middle-aged women. Also keeping in mind that children have low attention spans and I’m not sure they would REALLY want to watch a 20 minute revue at the end, though the revue is undoubtedly cool. 

But Shiki? It’s bright, it’s colorful, it does musicals like The Little Mermaid, Frozen, The Lion King, and Mamma Mia (which is DEFINITELY not for kids, really, but still has that kind of....happy, sparky vibe to it). Also musicals that have come to really represent BROADWAY tend to get staged there, like Phantom of the Opera, Evita, and Cats. Yeah, it doesn’t quite have the budget of Toho or Zuka, but it’s FUN.  Everyone there IS trained, and it can actually be a decent way of checking who might be up and coming in the Japanese musical world, since, of course, just because someone STARTS OFF with Shiki doesn’t mean they can’t move to Toho (I believe that Mitsuo Yoshihara, for one example, started with Shiki, as did Rie Yoshizawa, who is better known by me for playing Mary I in “Lady Bess” but also played in Mamma Mia and A Chorus Line at Shik, and Megumi Hamada, who is arguably one of the most respected female Japanese musical performers of our time, with her roles in Wicked (Shiki), Mamma Mia (Shiki), Beauty and the Beast (Shiki), Death Note (Toho), Sunset Boulevard (Toho), Love Never Dies (Toho), and Jekyll and Hyde (Toho) giving her a reputation of a truly world-class diva, in the best possible sense of the term.)

As with Toho, you have to go through an audition to get in -- Personally, I think that Shiki has more fresh blood passing through it than Toho, which can sometimes cycle the same cast around repeatedly, with the exception of musicals like Les Miserables and Miss Saigon that tend to be star creators. (ALWAYS take note of who’s playing Enjolras in Les Mis in particular; a lot of Toho stars have made their careers that way, ditto for Eponine and Kim in Miss Saigon. Not that I recommend anyone watch Miss Saigon. Because it’s a racist, orientalist mess. But at least check the cast list for it.) So, as with Toho, you do generally have people who went to school for acting and singing, though you don’t REALLY get, say, former Takarazuka actresses. I don’t think that Shiki is generally (underline generally, because no sooner do I give out a rule than I find that someone broke the rule) considered to be prestigious enough for the REALLY high profile stars. It’s a good place, again, it isn’t like there’s a STIGMA against it, but it’s just a matter of degree. So, my dream of seeing Sayaka Kanda playing Princess Anna of Arendelle on stage is tragically doomed. 

Compared to Toho, I have relatively few actresses I’m really ATTACHED to, mainly because I think that Shiki doesn’t really emphasize the performer as much as the musical, if that makes any sense? Shiki, unlike Toho, subscribes to what is called the “auteur theory” which, put to its core, states that it is a strict meritocracy, with no famous celebrities being cast, and that actors exist to make a musical shine, not the other way around. (Takarazuka is the polar opposite, emphasizing the Top Star system, while Toho is halfway in-between the two of them, as discussed here.) Which is good, to some extent, since I firmly believe that a musical should never be about one person and, quite frankly, I have seen my fair share of cases where a single actor’s vanity tanked my impression of a musical, but it also makes it a little harder to get attached to individual actresses/actors when I don’t really get to see that much of them. Two that I’ve noted: 

- Azusa Hirata - A particularly interesting case because, unlike the usual cases I see where you have a Shiki actress “graduating” to Toho in a sense, she actually went from doing quite a few Toho musicals in her youth to doing Shiki. She actually won the 1st International Szilvester Levay International Singing Competition, where she performed “Blind vom Licht” from Marie Antoinette (of course I have to like her). Her rendition isn’t my FAVORITE in terms of the context of the musical, a little too polished for my personal tastes, but still brilliant, and she definitely earned her spot. 

- Masae Ebata - The youngest Donna Sheridan in the world, at the age of just 30, and renowned for playing both Donna and Sophie in the same performance period. Also the VERY first Korean performer to play the role of Elphaba in Wicked, before the official Korean premiere in 2012. It’s been noted that, along with her voice being very good, she pronounces her Japanese VERY well, which is something that many Korean performers coming to Japan have trouble with (another performer who’s been noted for it is Park Hye-Na in Death Note.) 

- Marie Wakana - Her performance of “Part of Your World” in the PV is SO good. 

(I actually suspect that this might be partially why Shiki doesn’t have as much of an international following, because foreign fans will generally get really attached to a singular STAR, whereas the Shiki musicals don’t have that same bait. They don’t really have a Furukawa Yuta of their own, someone who, just by name alone, they’re like ‘Ah, yes, they’ll be playing in this musical, so it’s going to be a good show.’ And, for most international fans, I feel like, without the allure of a castmember they’re attached to, they might look at Shiki musicals and essentially go “What are they doing that I can’t get closer to home?” That’s my SUSPICION, at any rate.) 

[astrolovecosmos]

Scorpio Common Archetype, The Detective

Inquisitive, a sharp mind and memory, obsessive, controlling, having a “sixth sense”, strong-willed, and relentless tends to be associated with a detective character. The detective much like Scorpio can also have an unwavering view on justice or right and wrong. While Scorpio’s archetype the magician tells how they grow and about their introspective relationship - I think the detective looks into how Scorpio interacts with others and the world. 

Scorpio is an investigative person who pays attention to both details and the big picture. There is a passionate curiosity to their being. Sometimes this curiosity is fueled by a desire for power or control, other times it is a tempting call to discover what lies hidden. Scorpio can feel how deep and intricate the world is and wants to learn about this, connect with it. In their closest relationships they desire intense intimacy and knowledge about others. 

While this sign craves intimacy and strong attachment, sometimes their desire to know more and to dive down into the good, the bad, the ugly can also be a protective method. Astrologers tend to talk about how Scorpio prefers to know more about you than you know about them and this can come from a place of pain and insecurity. A Scorpio who is free of fear or has overcome their past wounds will still want to know all your cracks and threads. Scorpio’s curiosity can be underrated, especially since it goes into the origin of things, how things work. Scorpio wants to know more than the rules or general makeup, they want to know the source, the possible outcomes, the potential of someone or something. 

Many times in our movies and novels the detective won’t let go of the case. He or she is obsessive and won’t stop at anything to bring justice or solve the mystery. Scorpio can be all too familiar with obsession and the madness it can bring... but also the fruits it sometimes brings too. Scorpio is stubborn and unyielding. While it is a lesson to learn to let things go, Scorpio has the willpower that can uncover truths or reach a goal. When it comes to “truth” many times Sagittarius or the fire element is talked about. For Scorpio there can be an obsession of proving themselves right, of discovering secret knowledge, or dispelling rumors or lies. Profound truth can come from this archetype but sometimes the truth is warped into nothing but a bias. Fire signs practice honesty, air signs seek out factual information or knowledge in the realm of study, Sagittarius and Gemini have relationships with inner truth and meaning in life - Scorpio is about facing inner demons, the dark or flawed side of people, the hidden subjects, feelings, fantasies, or ideas of the world. Scorpio is about making the unseen seen, sometimes this is highly “truthful” other times it is a subject that needs to be reexamined - transformed.  Scorpio is to mystery as peanut butter is to jelly. Scorpio can’t resist a good puzzle or mystery themselves. Many times being private, reserved, or mysterious is used as a way to protect themselves. Sometimes they use an air of mystery to attract others. “Moth to a flame” is used to describe Scorpio’s enticing appeal, but Scorpio also finds themselves frequently fascinated and maybe lustful after those who are guarded or a situation that is enigmatic. 

Scorpio has a protective side and one of the best ways they protect their loved ones is by going out and finding why someone is doing something, finding out how the system works. Scorpio wants to be 10 steps ahead, making sure everything is going as planned, THEIR PLAN. While there can be romanticism around Scorpio’s attentiveness and passion, much like the paranoid, compulsive, or hyper focused detective in fiction Scorpio may have to deal with and overcome challenges of getting carried away, obsessions, controlling, and maybe having a superiority complex in their closest relationships. 

The detective in our stories also sometimes fall into habits of distrusting others. It is the detectives job to get inside the heads of criminals. Scorpio does have a great understanding of the sinister or problematic in human nature. This speaks volume to how Scorpio can be in relationships. Everyone can have a level of trust issues, but Scorpio is strongly associated with being suspicious of others, even paranoid. It is Scorpio’s job to overcome that distrust not anyone else, but many loved ones will likely face consequences of that distrustful nature. Scorpio can also fall into the selfishness and preoccupied nature of trying to “solve a case”. Meaning superficial or non-related matters can become a spotlight in their relationship, really covering up the true conflict or challenge. 

While I shared some challenges and negatives with Scorpio as the detective in relationships, the archetype still shows how devoted and truly interested they can be in others. If you shred back their fears and insecurities there is someone who wants to know how the world ticks, how you tick. Someone who sticks to a problem and solves it. Someone who can be passionate about right and wrong, and who in their nature is willing to help others out in the darkest moments or subjects of life. Scorpio as the detective is a complex person, sometimes the hero, but many times more of an anti-hero. While Scorpio themselves may try to fit the world into black and white, you certainly cannot fit them into either; no one knows this better than their loved ones. 

[randomvarious]

Today’s compilation:

Best of Doo Wop Ballads, Vol. 2: Golden Archive Series 1989 Doo Wop / R&B / Soul / Pop

Folks, if you fancy yourself a good doo wop ballad, then this is simply your comp. I mean, we kick things off with maybe the most famous doo wop song of all time in "I Only Have Eyes for You" by The Flamingos, which features that super iconic "D'bop-sh'bop" backing vocal that's come to more or less define the genre as a whole.

But if you're the type who more prefers the finger-snappin' kind of doo wop with backing sections that more prominently feature dynamic vocal ranges, listen to the highly underrated and overlooked "What Time Is It?" by The Jive Five and then dump out. Because, in all honesty, while I totally dig that Flamingos tune, what I really came for are those combinations of searing falsettos and "bum-bum" vocal bass stylings, and unfortunately, I didn't really get much of either. I know I'm not alone in thinking that one of doo wop's greatest aspects is those top-to-bottom vocal ranges playing integral roles in the songs. And a lot of these merely have those singers providing light accompaniment in the form of smooth harmonies instead, either on equal footing with the instrumentation or sometimes even less so. And that's really just not nearly as fun or interesting to me. 😔

Less Makeout Point, more Sock hop, please.

Highlights:

The Flamingos - "I Only Have Eyes for You" Dion & The Belmonts - "That's My Desire" The Jive Five - "What Time Is It?"

[renee-writer]

Chasing Waves Chapter 27

AO3

They sit up on her bed. She rests against him They have their breath back. “You came with me?” he is amazed by this.

“I did. I believe Mr. Fraser, male virginity is highly underrated.” She kisses his chest as he chuckles.

“Happy to be of service ma’am.” They both begin to giggle, falling together in a naked heap that leads to their conversation becoming physical. When they come back up for air, they decide to get dressed so they can really talk. They even move to her living room and she gives him the promised tour.

“Where do we go from here?”

He looks at her with fear. “What? Your not thinking about ending this, are you?”

“Jamie, I love you. No baby. I meant, do we keep this secret or do you want to go public?”

“Oh!” He breathes out in relief.

“In all honesty, even knowing they are just PR girlfriends, I am not sure I will be able to handle another woman on your arms.”

His chest raises with pride. “I don’t want another lass by my side. Only you my Claire.”

Her hand runs over his face. They both breath harder. “So, we come out as a couple? Will that affect your career?”

“We do.” He brings her finger to his lips and kisses it before sucking it for a few seconds. “I don’t think it will. My surfing will stand alone.”

“Yes.” She reaches down and opens his pants before slipping hers down. She takes him on the couch. All he can do is hold her as she bounces on and off him until she takes them both back over the edge.

As their bodies cool and their heartbeats slow, he says, “I need to tell Jenny and Murtagh our plans.”

“No, we do.” He smiles, kissing her sweaty neck.

“Aye, we do.”

[theggning]

Codsworth Is So Underrated, You Guys

ALTERNATE TITLE: Codsworth and the Totally Understated Mindbending Evolution of Artificial Consciousness

I find Codsworth is often the most underrated of the 16 companions in Fallout 4. Your faithful robot butler is among the very first you can recruit and an excellent early-game ally, but he has a few disadvantages in gameplay that mean he’s often sent back to Sanctuary before long. Codsworth is a mid-to-close range fighter only, cannot wear armor or be equipped with weapons. He cannot be healed by stimpak, which makes him a liability if you’re playing on Survival mode. He has no companion quest of his own, so unless you particularly enjoy him there’s not a compelling reason to keep him for a long time. He also becomes recruitable exactly 2 minutes after adorable puppy Best Boy Dogmeat, so he is often (understandably) replaced just as soon as he’s made available.

But there is this great, completely understated facet to Codsworth, so understated that the game does not draw attention to it in any way. And yet, it is a wonderful reflection of many of the themes of Fallout 4 and, I believe, a pretty strong indication of its thesis statement.

Now what in the hell am I talking about?

Like many sci-fi/fantasy universes, the Fallout series is home to many highly-advanced robots. Robots were commonplace before the Great War, and many have survived the bombs intact and in working order. Others have been built or modified by wastelanders to serve various tasks (Percy, Ada.) The most important thing to understand about robots, though, is though they may have vivid personalities programmed in, they are widely accepted to be objects. They are thought of the same way as an appliance, a machine built for a specific purpose and programmed to follow a strict set of protocols.

Many jokes revolve around the relatively rigid intelligence of robots. Pre-War, many were deployed in inappropriate jobs or designed haphazardly (Mister Handies acting as nurses in a hospital, “paramedic” Protectrons with massive deadly tasers for hands, military robots constantly going haywire and erupting in friendly fire.) Others continue to man businesses and play out daily tasks as they were programmed to do over 200 years ago. Most robots are incapable of understanding anything beyond their initial programming, and most pre-War robots are completely unaware that the Great War ever happened.

When the Sole Survivor reunites with Codsworth at the ruins of their home, it seems like he, too, doesn’t understand what’s going on. He talks about tending the (dead) garden, references the (ghoulified) neighbors, and generally acts like the chipper robot butler Sole left behind on their way to Vault 111.

But there is something slightly… off in Codsworth’s dialogue here. Though he acts like the war never happened, he also specifically mentions details that suggest it did:

Player Default: Codsworth! You're still... fully operational?          

Codsworth: {Defiant} Well of course, mum. You can thank the fine engineers at General Atomics for that! At least, you could have. Had they not been... vaporized.

A bit over 210 actually, mum. Give or take a little for the Earth's rotation and some minor dings to the ole' chronometer. That means you're two centuries late for dinner! Ha ha ha. Perhaps I can whip you up a snack? You must be famished.

You've no idea the desperation for human contact one develops over 200 years. {Upset, recalling bad memories of encountering raiders and scavengers. / Disgust} And when you do encounter them? Oh the cruelty! You're either... target practice or... spare parts!

Even stranger, Codsworth mentions details that are plainly made-up (or some kind of delusion):

Codsworth: It's been ages since we've had a proper family activity. Checkers. Or perhaps charades. Shaun does so love that game. Is the lad... with you...?   

Player Default: Codsworth... listen to me carefully... have you seen him? Have you seen Shaun?              

Codsworth: Why, sir had him last, remember? Perhaps he's gone to the Parker residence to arrange a play-date?

(Shaun is an infant. He is too young to play charades or to go to the neighbors for a play-date.)

So at once, Codsworth does and does not acknowledge the war. He does and does not seem to understand what’s happened, and he does and does not seem to follow Sole’s urgency regarding their spouse’s death and Shaun’s kidnapping.

And then, after a speech check, Codsworth finally snaps and breaks down sobbing in despair. Not only does he understand that the war happened, he has developed the ability to get depressed about it. Longing for human contact and with nothing else to do, he’s even developed coping mechanisms to help him try to deal with his loneliness and despair—futilely trying to do his chores and deluding himself into pretending everything is completely normal.

Wait a minute. Sobbing? Despair? Depression? Coping mechanisms and delusions? This Is all pretty sophisticated stuff to be programmed into a robot, and if you spend more time with Codsworth, the reality of what’s happened to him becomes apparent:

Codsworth has evolved beyond his programming. In his 210 lonely years of existence, he has developed emotional reactions and self-awareness far beyond that of most other robots, and, indeed, has basically evolved an artificial consciousness.

“Emergent intelligence” is the theoretical ability of an AI to eventually develop something resembling human thought processes, and it seems that our dear Codsworth has undergone this. Traveling with him, he displays many sophisticated thoughts and behaviors far beyond what most robots are shown to be capable of. He has memories of pre-War time and places, and understands how various locations have changed. He is capable of learning new information and forming opinions on it, gaining his own understanding of the people and factions in the Commonwealth. He can feel happiness, sorrow, fear, disgust. He can anticipate things, predict danger and imagine how people might respond to your actions. The mere he fact he has opinions and a moral code that he applies to you shows he has free will, something even other robot companions don’t (Ada has a personality, but absolutely does not care about your actions.)

He’s also smart enough to make many wry observational jokes, and to lay one hell of a sick burn on you:

{Joking - Found an old bowling alley. / Amused} Fancy a game, mum? Something tells me the bumpers are no longer available.

 Codsworth’s intelligence is even more sophisticated than that. He displays stunning self-awareness, frequently referencing the fact he is a robot and what that means. He is very proud of his background as General Atomics’ finest, and seems pleased with his robot nature and his lot in life. (Unlike Curie, I don’t think Codsworth would ever really want to gain a synth body. He seems quite happy as he is.)

Here he is making reference to still feeling the tug of his programming:

{Seeing an office with chairs arranged in a circle. / Neutral} I've the most incredible urge to rearrange those chairs in a more perfect circle.

Understanding when other robots are restricted by theirs:

A pity. It appears Deezer's programming is too severe to allow for normal conversation. Ah well.

And when they’re actually not:

Codsworth: Greetings, sir. Good to see another robot in town. That chef hat becomes you.

Takahashi: Nan-ni shimasho-ka?

Codsworth: Takahashi you say? I'm Codsworth, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Takahashi: Nan-ni shimasho-ka?              

Codsworth: Is that so? Well, we both know RobCo is no General Atomics. It's not surprising it failed, shoddy work and all.  {Friendly - trying to cheer up another robot. / Friendly} Chin up, though. Never know when parts may turn up.

 And here’s Galaxy Brain Codsworth ruminating on his own state of being and contemplating his nature:

{Disappointed that he can't be 100% human sometimes. / Sad} It's unfortunate that I lack the proper design to consume liquids. Something about camaraderie over a few drinks is very inviting.            

I suppose if I had the hardware, I'd have the software as well. I'd hate to see how that'd affect my honesty and manner settings.

{Reconsidering what he thought was a good idea. / Thinking} Indeed. Perhaps I should rethink my initial desire.

Hilariously, Codsworth does not seem fully aware of how remarkable his intelligence is. He occasionally says things like “if I had feelings” and “if I could feel things,” indicating that in some ways he still believes he is only a robot and defines himself by what a robot is and does.

But as we can see, our humble robot butler has essentially evolved to become the smartest, most emotionally intelligent and person-like robot in the Commonwealth*, and potentially in the series.

([SIDE NOTE: Other FO4 robots nearing Codsworth’s level of consciousness and developed personality include Captain Ironsides, KLE-O, Whitechapel Charlie, and perhaps Takahashi. Curie is close, but also receives the unfair advantage of being uploaded into a synth body with a human brain. Jezebel also functions off of a human brain. Nick is not a robot, he’s a synth (though he does jokingly refer to himself as one) and also has the advantage of a human brain encoded on his processor.])

Also hilariously, the game basically does not acknowledge Codsworth’s impressive evolution. At all. There is absolutely no direct mention of it in the script. It is all left to ambient dialogue and the player’s own observations. And because so many people overlook Codsworth as a companion, they may not even realize exactly how unique his expanded consciousness is.

Now, you might call this total lack of mention a mistake, an oversight on Bethesda’s part, or that old chestnut “bad writing.” I don’t think it is. I think it’s a deliciously subtle little detail to include in a story about humanity, machines, artificial intelligence, and what makes a person.

Many of the themes of FO4 revolve around synths—distinctly not robots, but androids, artificially created beings with fully organic human bodies. Most of the storyline factions have strong beliefs about synths and the relative humanity thereof. The Institute believes that synths are objects, tools, machines no different from a robot who are only simulating their personalities through programming. The Brotherhood believes synths are monstrous abominations, a danger to humanity itself, technology run amok which needs to be destroyed. The Railroad believes they are people. Not humans, but people, built instead of born, free-thinking beings that deserve to be treated with respect and given rights.

Through quests, dialogue, notes, worldbuilding and other venues, players explore these questions. What makes someone a person? If your personality and memories can be rewritten or programmed, then who are you, really? Where do we draw the line between humans and machines, and how do we decide who belongs where?

Meanwhile, as the player contemplates the nature of personhood and the definition of intelligence, their robot butler quietly evolves into a fully-conscious person on his own, right beside them.

Codsworth is unquestionably a machine, but also unquestionably beyond the appliance he was built to be. Which to some philosophies and players should really beg a few other questions. If a robot can be considered a person, then what makes synths so different? And how many excuses do we have to make to pretend otherwise?

Ya boy Codsworth may not be flashy, or powerful, or kissable. He may not be the most glamorous companion around. But he is a good friend, a beloved member of the family, and above all else, a loyal butler—content to serve, quietly and humbly doing his job where some may never even notice him-- or the fact that he’s casually become his own person and sent generations of roboticists and philosophers spinning in their graves.

[comeontaylorspeaknow]

💛 HUFFLEPUFF 💛

"Hufflepuffs are noted for their strong sense of loyalty, honesty, kindness, hard work, and care. They’re perhaps the most underrated House out of the four—most often, people associate Hufflepuff as the House that takes in those who don’t fit the brave Gryffindor, smart Ravenclaw, or cunning Slytherin stereotypes. This is false. Helga Hufflepuff was the only one who was willing to look past the competitive nonsense the other three Houses created and valued Hogwarts as a home for the students, not just as a school of magic.

Hufflepuffs are true, steadfast friends and typically are the embodiment of everything a good person should consist of, in my opinion. They’re highly empathetic people and are the kind of people who have a good sense of the emotions of others, even if they’re not expressed. While Hufflepuffs generally are very nice people, that does not mean they’re pushovers—in fact, they are far from it. Hufflepuffs are fiercely protective of their own and will defend their family and friends if push comes to shove. However, they are much less confrontational or daring about it than Gryffindors. They’re generally pacifists with a strong dislike for conflict and would rather resolve things through common sense and words, making them the literal embodiment of the phrase, “Kill them with kindness.”

Hufflepuffs don’t particularly care about attaining individual achievement or being the center of attention. They are more likely to focus on their relationships with others rather than the things they have done. While they may not have a Ravenclaw’s love of learning and knowledge or a Slytherin’s ambition, they pride themselves on being the hardest workers of them all. To them, hard work is usually all it takes, and they are often rewarded for it.

Unfortunately, Hufflepuffs’ biggest strengths may also lead them to their greatest weaknesses. Since they are usually optimists and can find the good in everything, they can be naïve if their optimism is taken to an extreme. If they’re not careful, they can be easily tricked and taken advantage of. Additionally, since Hufflepuffs have a tendency towards modesty, they can sometimes fail to see their worth, leading to low self-esteem. At best, this can cause them to simply underestimate themselves, but at worse, it can cause severe problems such as a lack of self-confidence and self-worth.

Hufflepuffs are also very practical people, making them the antithesis of Ravenclaws in this aspect. While Ravenclaws relish in discovering the unknown, Hufflepuffs prefer to stick with what’s already known—the what is over the what if. They’re also not risk-takers by nature and would prefer to avoid danger whenever they can. They don’t see the point of putting themselves or others in danger, making them more practical than Gryffindors who are more willing to take risky chances.

Hufflepuffs are nurturing people, and you can see this clearly when they’re tending their plants, looking after animals, or cooking homemade food. They’re the embodiment of comfort and all that’s associated with the feelings of home. Just because they don’t outwardly exhibit typical “strong” traits like bravery, sharp intellect, or cunningness, their goodness and kindness are still very powerful weapons."

-www.hercampus.com

[astrowithkaro]

Hello, luv!

Could you post about November 1 language of birthday, please? 🥺 No pressure, reply whenever you want/can.

Thank you in advance 💖

Language Of Birthdays: November 1 - Scorpio

[You can find the rest of the series here; or check out my masterlist]

The Day Of Onslaught

The active people born on November 1 give their undivided energy to endeavors in which they are involved. There is an undeniable attraction to danger working on this day. Not only do November 1 people tend to seek it out, but it can also come up behind them, often catching them unawares. For those born on this day, excitement in their profession is a prerequisite. If they spend an extended amount of time in an un-stimulating job, they are likely to stagnate or atrophy. Until November 1 people have found a good way to satisfy this need for stimulation, their lives remain unfulfilled.

The aggressive elements of this personality find easy expression. In general, others are not offended by a November 1 person's forceful attitude, since those born on this day usually present themselves in a straightforward, guileless fashion. Honesty in general comes naturally to November 1 people, but they are also capable of hiding very complex covert activities as well. Therefore, they gladly show a great deal of themselves to the outside world, but by no means everything.

November 1 people display immense self-confidence but their disregard of danger can place them in harm's way, both physically and psychologically. They also have a tendency to underrate their adversaries, and brush off those who would warn them to be more guarded. November 1 people must not only learn to be more realistic in sizing up the opposition but also should try to view life in general with a more coldly objective eye. They have to begin, hope- fully sooner in their lives rather than later, to listen to the advice of others and to take it to heart.

November 1 people are happiest when they are in the attack mode in their chosen field of endeavor. Whether it is going at a stack of paperwork, an instrument, their opponent in a game or sport, or pursing a love object, they are difficult to stop. Their mode of operation is generally more in the nature of a blitz rather than a careful probe or limited strike. The all-out nature of what they do makes them forces to be reckoned with but, at the same time, in competitive situations may leave their own defence open to punishing counter-strikes.

Those born on this day usually have excellent, even brilliant, insight into technical matters as well as people, but rarely into themselves. They may need to spend a considerable amount of time getting to know the deeper aspects of their nature. In addition, November 1 people, as stated above, could benefit from a more defensive or guarded orientation. Cultivation of good sound common sense will take them a long way on their path.

Strengths:

Energetic

Self-involved

Expansive

Weaknesses:

Destructive

Chaotic

Restless

Advice

November 1 people are, not surprisingly, accident-prone. They must keep to the good sense they exercise daily, in caring for themselves. Vigorous physical exercise is highly recommended for these hard driving people, along with competitive games and sports. Martial arts are perhaps attractive to those torn on November 1, but should be practiced with great care and restraint. As far as diet is concerned, November 1 people are usually less than fastidious and may indeed resist disciplining their eating habits. Alcohol consumption should be strictly limited.

Common sense is your crying need

Learn to protect yourself in daily life

Remain focused on the vanguard, but don't forget your rearguard

Get to know yourself better

[guess--monster]

Daddy

g e n r e - s m u t

w a r n i n g s - d o m m i n g y u , d a d d y  k i n k, b r e e d i n g  k i n k,            d e g r a d i n g, e x p l i c i t  l a n g u a g e, l i g h t  b o n d a g e,                      o r g a s m  d e n i a l,  f i n g e r i n g, honestly this fic is kinda a lot. 

o r i g i n a l  c o n t e n t - i did write this and it is from a WIP of mine called Mingyu Shorts

a / n - this is written with a plus-size reader in mind. anyone, of course, can read it, and i highly encourage it because i worked hard on this piece, but there needs to be a common understanding that there will be no dramatic throwing of anyone through a wall or anything lmao. like the plus-size community is hella underrated and i hope that i do all my babies justice. also please leave feedback if you have any. also please do not engage in unprotected sex unless you are in a long term relationship with a trustworthy partner.  that being said please enjoy sex as much as you want with the use of aforementioned protection!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sex with Mingyu was all fire and passion. There was no such thing as gentleness when they had sex. In all honesty, sex seemed too kind a word and fuck didn’t seem rough enough. It wasn’t good for him unless her face was left adorned with running mascara, dried tears, and an expression that let you know she had been used. He fucked like a wild animal in heat, all bark and bite. Gnashing teeth and snarls in her ear. A tease naturally, she was left begging for all that she wanted. The pet name Daddy dripping like saliva from her swollen lips. 

He stared down at her beautiful body, all voluptuous curves and deep breaths, chest heaving. Her arms bound to the headboard leaving her fully on display. A meal for his eyes and he was happy to dive in. Words flowing from his mouth, the sound of liquid sin. 

“Tell Daddy what you need baby girl,” he commanded, a mischievous glint in his almost black eyes. 

Mingyu took so much pleasure in watching her suffer sexually. In his mind, she was his and only his to absolutely ruin and so he would do just that. He bent his body down and positioned himself between her fleshy thighs, placing hickies and rough kisses on each and every inch of them. Soft moans leaving her lips as her hips jerk upwards uncontrollably. 

He sits up and tsks in feign disappointment, “Awe c’mon baby, you know better than to move like that.” 

She scrambles to find the words in her already fucked out mind, “Daddy please,” she sniffles in frustration, “please just fuck me. I can’t take it anymore!” 

A sadistic smile spreads across his face, “Oh? Now you know that’s not true,” without warning he shoves two of his fingers into her already abused heat. Mingyu leans over her, letting his lips drop to her ear, “You will be my stupid little cum slut and take everything a give you, won’t you bitch?” 

She would love to answer, but she is too far gone to remember anything other than ‘Daddy’. He thrusts his fingers faster, watching her eyes roll back into her head as she clenched around him, nearing her fourth orgasm. 

“Don’t you dare cum again, I’ve been too nice to you tonight.” He continues his assault on her dripping heat. 

She whimpers and screws her eyes shut, trying to think of anything other than his long thick fingers pumping in and out of her.  “You look so pretty kitten,” he purrs. It’s not long until her body betrays her and she cums, coating his fingers in her slick. He fingers her through her high, before removing his digits and licking them clean. He lets a content sigh fall from his lips as he stands and strips himself of the Calvin Klein boxers that were keeping his cock hidden away. Crawling back towards her, he made quick work of untying her wrists and repositioning her so that she was sitting. Her freedom did not last for long, as he was quick to bound her wrists again, only this time behind her back. The tip of his member only centimetres from her mouth causing it to water. 

“Since you disobeyed me,” he spoke as he brushed her hair away from her face, “you’re going to open this pretty little mouth for me and I’m gonna fuck your throat until I’m satisfied.” Mingyu brushed his hand down the side of her flushed, chubby cheeks and let his thumb rub against her bottom lip. She obeyed quickly. As soon as she opened her mouth, he was inside of it. His salty cock, heavy on her tongue and she loved it. Unable to resist him in any way, he fucked her mouth ruthlessly. Every time she gagged around his length, he couldn’t help but let out a groan. Dirty praises flowed through the air as he neared his own climax and despite not wanting to stop he did. Pulling his dick out of her mouth with a pop, he smirked as he met her teary eyes. Her needy expression was absolutely delectable. 

 “I’m sorry baby girl, I couldn’t just let that cum go to waste, not when I could fuck it into you instead.” The words made her tremble and he wasted no time, pulling her back down so that she was lying, and he could line himself up in between her legs. He pushed his entirety into her, leaving her no time to adjust, and started in at a steady pace, unable to control himself when his member was wrapped tightly in her heat. Mingyu was absolutely feral, and despite the discomfort, she felt from the awkward position of her bound arms, his thrusts left her screaming out in pleasure and in pain of overstimulation. He couldn’t get enough of how she took all of him each time, eventually flipping her over just so he could watch her ass bounce as he fucked her into the mattress. 

Drool pooled underneath her as she called out for her Daddy to fuck her harder, her wrists straining against the rope that was still wrapped tightly around her wrists. Mingyu grabbed her hair pulling her head up. 

“Fuck, look at how pathetic you look. I’m going to fill you up with my kids and you’ll take every drop, won’t you baby girl? You’ll take all of me into your tight, little pussy. You’ll look so pretty all swollen and pregnant.” 

“Please Daddy, fill me with your cum,” she cried out as he let go of her hair and let his hands instead grip her hips roughly. Easily bruising her as he fucked her harder. 

“Daddy I’m close.” she moaned out, but he already knew from the way her heat was pulsing around him. 

“Fuck, me too baby. I’m gonna fill you so good,” he groans as she came around his length and he quickly followed in suit. He continued thrusting into her, using her to milk his own cock until he is sure he has pumped every drop of cum into her. 

Without pulling out, he untied her wrists and leaned down to kiss them gently. 

“You look so pretty like this you know? All fucked out and full of my cum. The only thing stopping it from pouring out of you and down your beautiful thighs is my half-hard cock.”    His hands leaving her wrists to knead her tender, love bite marked thighs. When she convulses around him, he moans out a soft fuck before finally, slowly, pulling out of her. 

Mingyu bites his lip as he watches his cum drip down her legs. He tears himself away and walks over to the bathroom. Soon he comes back with a warm towel and begins cleaning her in silence. Despite the roughness he had fucked her with his aftercare is soft and careful. He taps her butt, gently signalling that she can finally let her overworked and weak body collapse onto the bed.  After cleaning himself up he throws the towel in the dirty clothes hamper and makes his way back to the bed. He quickly slides into bed next to her and adjusts to accommodate her comfort level. Mingyu runs his hands lazily over her plush and ample body, caressing the hills of her flesh. Normally she would complain and push away, but she was too spent to fuss and the feeling of his hands on her body as he whispered sweet nothings was enough to lull her into a sleep that was deep and content. 

[cozypancakes]

12, 14, 16, 21, 22, 25

12. Is there a ship you probably would have liked if it would’ve been done differently? Troy and Britta had decent chemistry leading up to their getting together but kinda crashed and burned afterward. And even Jeff and Britta, they never really explored why Britta was into Jeff. Jeff was just more messed up than her so he was a project? Ew. Give Britta someone who was just as passionate and dorky and kind as she was!! #brittadeservedbetter

14. What is an underrated dynamic that you really like? Again, Chang and Abed! There were little throw away scenes in Season 1 that make me think they actually hung out a lot together and that could’ve been a whole crazy episode! I don’t know if it’s underrated, but Troy, Jeff and Abed were really cute in Season 1 🥺

16. Is there a specific plot point that you don’t like and would change? Whatever the hell the plot point in the RV episode during Season 6 was??? For anyone who’s read my fics, you know how much of a pain in the ass this episode was!! Maybe I’m just missing the reference and therefore don’t get it. Maybe everything is far too subtle and smart for me to get (ie Jeff slaps Abed because he’s going through withdrawals from not having had a drink all day). Maybe it’s supposed to represent how some days life is just stupid and random! I don’t know and as someone who works a lot to understand the intricacies of plot and character development, that is really frustrating!

21. Do you also stan the cast or just the characters? @studiesinmodernmovement can testify to how much I stan Joel Mchale 😍😍😍 And I love the rest of the cast too, especially John Oliver! Had never heard of last week tonight until I was listening to the darkest timeline podcast. I binged that show so hard for two or three weeks until I ran out of episodes. John Oliver is amazing and I love him.

22. Have you watched anything else done by the cast? I only recently watched Hangover!! I know, I was a bit of a snob when I was younger and didn’t think it was my kind of humor but I laughed really hard for the majority of the movie. I also watched Always a Bridesmaid on Netflix ❤️

25. Tell a random community headcanon (of any kind) that you have! Currently the last ask I have in my inbox so let’s have fun! Hogwarts houses!

Jeff: they are sorted when they are 10. I have no clue how to read ages but if this is after Shirley embarrasses him at foosball, then the hat is going on and on about how he has a kind heart and loyal nature. And Jeff is there like “not hufflepuff, not hufflepuff” cause he’s already determined to be cool. “Are you sure? Well, alright, SLYTHERIN!”

Britta: Oh, this is a tough one. Or maybe not. I’m getting Hermione granger vibes, maybe? Willing to do what’s right even if it’s illegal? Her activism peters out in her adult life but how was she as a kid? We know her relationship with her parents is bad...what’s a ten year old Britta like? Sticks up for kids like Abed in the playground? Definitely not books smart or interested in knowledge. I kinda want to put her in Slytherin? She’ll do whatever is necessary to protect her friends. Literally in the pilot, she says she wants honesty above all else but then lies to Jeff to get what she wants. Thinks highly of herself even though she’s not a great activist and her politics isolate others. Yup, SLYTHERIN!

Shirley: Now a ten year old Shirley, having just made a boy pee himself, wants nothing more than to be put in Hufflepuff. She’s kind. She’s good. She’s gonna do what’s right now. But she’s also brave, has strict moral code and if you don’t abide by it, you’re out of her life. I fell like she’ll have a Harry Potter moment where she asks to be in Hufflepuff and then is forever haunted that the hat considered putting her in Slytherin. But, in the end, it is our choices that define us so, HUFFLEPUFF

Troy: HUFFLEPUFF!!

Abed: a sharp mind, quick wit. There’s fear there. A great deal of fear. Fear of being rejected, being the cast out. But the mind! The mind seeks information and knowledge. There’s also bravery. The fear will not stop you from being who you are. You wish to learn, yes, but there is also a fire that burns! A fire that tells you this is who are and you can be that person! Tricky, tricky, where to put you...RAVENCLAW!

Craig: Mmm, interesting, very interesting. GRYFINDOR!

Let me know your thoughts on what houses they would be in! And also, fuck JK Rowling. Terfs not welcome here.

[losangelesconcretec]

Find The Ideal Concrete Contractor In Los Angeles

There are a lot of steps to deal with that concrete project you have always wanted to do but never had the time. No matter if your project is constructing a new walkway or redoing the driveway, you will need to hire one of the best Los Angeles concrete contractors to carry out such jobs.

Unlike what you are led to believe in a lot of DIY posts, concrete can be challenging to work with and takes skill to be performed properly. Even though, in recent years, DIY concrete projects have turned out to be more prevalent, however, a lot underrate the intricacy of a project and end up shelling out more overall to have a contractor fix their blunders.

This brings us to the vital role that a concrete contractor plays in helping you build your facility. With each job necessitating its own unique set of skills and industry knowledge, connecting with the perfect contractor who will understand your requirements isn’t a simple task. Here is a checklist of some of the most sought-after qualities in a concrete contractor:

Customer service that speaks for itself

1st impressions actually do matter and if somebody can’t pitch their services in a convincing way, then their trustworthiness is definitely dubious. A specialized concrete contractor will be familiar with the ways to walk the customer through the whole process - from mixing concrete to delivery and pouring - and will stay flexibly communicative regarding the timeline, overall costs, and a lot more.

In a nutshell, a professional contractor will have a status for finishing up their projects on time and within the definite costs.

Licensed and certified

When making a decision for a specific contractor, this is one of the most imperative factors to rummage around for. The contractor is supposed to have the right licensed and certification for the project. Make sure that the license is recent and up-to-date, particularly since it needs to be renewed every so often.

In addition, concrete contractors that are registered with industry associations are inclined to stay on top of the latest news in the construction industry and prevalent safety standards.

Experience counts more than anything

A crucial aspect of hiring vetted contractors for concrete project is to have a look at the years of experience that they have and whether they will be capable of carrying out justice to the task at hand. In a labor-intensive industry such as building and construction, experience helps build up the skills and industry acquaintance of the contractor. For example, certain aspects of on-field work can simply be mastered through experience.

If you feel that your task needs an experienced and highly-qualified contractor, then make sure that you look at their previous record. Always keep in mind that a contractor who has been in business longer will certainly be familiar with the ways to work around time delays, back logs, and other such problems during the project.

Good customer reviews build faith

Testimonials by previous customers are one of the most promising ways to judge the status and integrity of a driveway contractor in the business. Research as to what people have to say regarding a specific contractor for concrete work and then make a final decision to choose the one. It is recommended that you steer clear of the ones that have negative reviews online for the reason that this could be an indication for negligence on their part.

There are a few websites such as Home Advisor and Better Business Bureau (BBB) that generally have a list of credible service providers available in different locations, so it is always worth checking with them prior to making the final decision.

Quality of raw materials

A component concrete contractor will stand by their principles of integrity and honesty, and not at all compromise on the quality of the raw materials. If possible, make an effort to track down the supplier from which that specific contractor sources their raw materials. Simply put, what goes into laying the building blocks of a structure or pavement, driveway, patio or sidewalk, goes a long way in making sure its longevity.

Skills and flexibility

External factors such as rain, weather, or other such unexpected challenges can significantly have an effect on the deadline of the project. In such a scenario, it is essential that the contractor that you have employed is experienced enough to deal with such issues that come their way.

Skills is all about taking likelihood factors into account and working your way around it. A backup plan will make sure that any uncalled for postponements do not hinder with the completion of the project.

Price estimation and costing

A proportional scrutiny between the price quotes that diverse concrete contractors offer is supposed to be your determining factor. Always be on the lookout for any hidden charges that the contractor has not evidently acknowledged in the contactor or quote. Mull over it as a red flag and keep away from carrying out business with such contactors for the reason that they are normally not honest.

A dependable contractor will be familiar with the real costs involved in building or revamping any facility and if they are true to their work, they will not at all make an effort to hit you with hidden costs. In addition, here are a few questions that you may ask the contractor prior to taking them on board for your project:

Do you have references that vouch for your quality of work?

Can you provide with a timeline for the end of the project?

Do you offer performance or product guarantees?

What are the safety standards that you follow?

How many members do you have in your team and what are their qualifications?

Are you aware of the labor rights and laws governing the construction industry?

Does my concrete work necessitate rebar reinforcement?

Are there any government or state level permits needed for the project?

Do you have a portfolio?

All these and a lot of more factors that may seem insignificant at first can later turn out to be roadblocks for the successful completion of a project. Hence, it is recommended that you begin by identifying a list of potential concrete contractors in Los Angeles and then assess them on the factors mentioned above!

[redscharms]

Can you do a love language reading for Qian Kun from Wayv please?

WayV Tarot

Qian Kun Boyfriend Vibes reading

During this reading the silence was deafening

The first two cards were Five of Scrolls and Five of Stones

He seems to be very defensive, very closed off

Hesitant to share his true thoughts and emotions

Not many are able to access his vulnerable side

When I look at the Five of Scrolls card I think of Excalibur

Only a chosen one is allowed to pull the sword out

The scrolls are pierced by the blade but the damage so far is minimal

If the sword is taken out carefully, then the stories written on those scrolls will be revealed

And the new scroll still untouched by ink could be used to write a new story, a new memory

It feels like something is haunting him

Something from the past perhaps, not too long ago

The image of the deer is engraved on the stone and I think of a gentle, loving touch

He’s sharing his thoughts and emotions very reluctantly and if anyone tries to pry into his personal life, they might not ever get a second chance to get to know him better

I seems though that he feels a little lonely in that mental space where he barricaded himself

The Two of Stones card surprisingly made me think of the Brother Bear movie (love it btw very underrated)

Looks like when he’s in love, he feels like he can do anything

He’s highly motivated and driven by his affection for someone

It’s almost a little self destructive

He might get possessive, overzealous to the point of trying to solve his partner’s problems while also dealing with his own

It feels like a lot of this comes from a place of fear

It honestly feels like he’s not ready for a relationship yet

He has a great potential (King of Stones) but before he reaches that stage there’s Four of Scrolls, preventing him from doing so

It’s interesting to see two Fives at the beginning and two Tens near the end of the reading

It feels like before he becomes that King of Stones, before he can become the gentle, loving, easy going partner, he needs to work on himself and complete his own ‘arc’ and close it with those tens

Justice bears the number 13 which comes with karmic energy

He has to go through some major changes which may not be visible on the outside but ones that change his way of approaching and dealing with relationships

I know that the reading was supposed to be how he’d behave as a boyfriend but this is in a way the answer to that question

He might be sabotaging his relationships but it’s not something he does on purpose

With the Ten of Spirals it seems that it’s the complete opposite and he’ll try his very best to do the right thing

However the problem here seems to be that he doesn’t know what he should be prioritizing in a relationship when setting his boundaries

It’s like he overcompensates his lack of emotional honesty with overbearing care

I think he’s not unaware of that but he still hasn’t figured out how exactly to fix this

He found the keys and now he needs to find the doors

And yes exactly in that order

Because it feels like he knows that he should fix something but he still isn’t sure what that something is

It seems that he knows he should be more open but he doesn’t know in which situations it’s appropriate

It’s like he expects his partner to read his mind because he genuinely thinks that what he thinks should be pretty obvious to them

I feel like he’s a quite honest person but at the same time very reserved with his expressions of love and affection

So he tends to be misjudged quite often for being too cold towards the people he cares for

He’s very selective with his affection, even the smallest demonstrations of it

And so when he starts to get more attentive and warm around the person he likes for him the difference is very evident since it’s an emotional shift

I don’t know if this makes sense at all

I have trouble putting my thoughts and feelings into proper sentences

And I feel that maybe it’s exactly the case here

A barrier in communication

The Ace of Scrolls makes me think that he’s much better at expressing his thoughts through writing

Texting long messages whenever he needs to talk about something

This gives him the opportunity to sort out his thoughts and find the right words

It’s not exactly the reading I was expecting

I think for the time being he might not seem as the best boyfriend material

But it’s not because he’s actually bad at it

It’s just that not everyone would be able to appreciate him because they simply might not understand him fully

And a lot of misunderstandings can lead to a lot of hurt feelings

When there isn’t proper communication in a relationship it’s pretty much doomed

It looks like both him and his future partner need to be patient

But I feel like before he gets into a relationship he needs to work on himself and get to know himself better