#I find it so hard to follow deadlines and themes so participating in these types of events always wasn't as fun to me

[byallmeans1]

Hi! will you be drawing something for jeankasa week?

Hello! :) no, I don't think so, but I think I'll draw jeankasa soon ;)

[cherrycheridarling]

'someday maybe' | t.h.

tom holland x singer!reader

warnings: one swear? fluff and angst? kisses

summary: you're so close to finishing your second album when your manager pushes the deadline, your ex tom helps you write the final track.

{listen to someday by michael bublè and meghan trainor (if you want)}

wc: 2.1k

"Someday maybe when we're old and grey,"

"Yes, yes. I know. You are not being a very helpful manager right now, Noelle." you spoke to your phone as you paced around the living room, "Okay. I'll get working on it. Bye." you huffed and threw your phone against the couch.

Your album was due to be released in two months and you needed one more song to tie it all together. Your manager, Noelle, was pushing you to finish the song so she could start the promo of the album.

You were incredibly grateful for your career, but the pressure weighed down on you everyday. Never ending.

With a final groan you picked up your acoustic guitar and sat on the couch. Picking at the strings, trying to find a melody. You hit record on your voice memo app before strumming away.

"Someday maybe when we're old and grey, we can be in love once more. 'Till then I won't give my love away. Darling, I'm forever only yours." you sang softly.

You and Tom had a joyous relationship. A love that only ever existed in movies and fairytales. The type of love story that gets told for generations and onwards. But alas, all good things must come to an end.

Your breakup was calm, serene and clean. A mutual agreement as if your whole relationship had been a business deal. There were no loose ends or jealous passive aggressive remarks made. Just maturity and respect for one another.

Your pinky still held the promise ring he gave you. A token of appreciation. A reassurance that he'd always be there for you. And he lived up to his word.

Tom walked in and sat across from you, startling you, "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you. Whatcha writing?"

"Need a final song for the album. Sorry for showing up unannounced. I just get better inspiration here, with all the memories, you know?" you timidly looked back down at the guitar.

Tom nodded, "No need to apologize. We gave you a spare key for a reason."

You couldn't stop yourself from spilling the words from your lips, "That was when we were together."

You could hear the awkward silence start to fill the room before he spoke again, "Still our best friend, Y/L/N."

The pain that crossed your features was instant. Being addressed by your last name felt like a stab to the gut. Especially by Tom.

You nodded before playing again, "Can I help you write it?" Tom asked as he sat next to you.

"Dancer, gymnast, actor and now songwriter. How many hidden talents have you got, Holland?" you teased making him laugh.

He shrugged with a smile, "It's kind of like writing a poem, right?"

You pondered on his analogy before slowly nodding, "Yeah, it kind of is. Give it a go."

You began playing the melody and he listened intently for a few moments before singing, "I love seeing you happy. I miss seeing that smile. It's been such a long time. A– Nope. Nope. Nuh-uh. I can't do it." he shook his head aggressively with a loud laugh as you stopped playing.

"No!" you quickly protested, "That was amazing! Don't leave me hanging, c'mon." you nudged him with your shoulder before strumming again.

"Alright, alright." he ran his hands down his face, "And although I don't have you, I know now that I need to?" he paused and gave you a skeptical look before you nodded again, "Somehow make you mine. Mmm."

"Oh, okay. He's giving ad-libs and all. Get it." you nodded as he laughed.

You were so engrossed on Tom actually writing a song with you that you didn't focus on the lyrics he was singing.

"And I won't lie, it's hard seeing you with him 'cause I know he can't hold you like I can." his mood seemed to drop by a thousand as the words left his lips.

"When can we meet this boyfriend of yours?" Harrison flicked your forehead from across the booth.

You, Harrison, Tom and Tuwaine were all sat in the local pub. Pints of beer in front of each of you as loud music and chatting filled your ears.

You shrugged, "He's picking me up, so possibly tonight."

Tuwaine's eyes lit up, "Fina-fucking-lly. I swear you've kept him hidden for years."

"We've only been together for three months, T." you laughed lightly with the group of boys.

And they met him. It wasn't the smoothest of introductions, but an introduction nonetheless.

"Boys, this is Kai. Kai this is Tom, Harrison and Tuwaine." you gestured to the parties as they all shook hands and gave polite greetings.

"So," Harrison started, "What do you do for a living, Kai?"

Kai cleared his throat, "I'm a Senior Resident at Kingston Hospital. Working towards being Head of Pediatrics."

Tuwaine and Harrison both nodded, impressed by his profession. Tom's face remained expressionless as he stared at Kai with cold eyes.

"Do you have any siblings, Kai? Any psycho ex-girlfriends? Any wacky cousins?" Tuwaine joked making everyone laugh. "'Cause Y/N has a lot of wacky cousins."

"We could be in love once more,"

"Hey!" you gasped with a laugh.

Kai pulled you closer to him as he laughed, "No, no wacky cousins or psycho exes, but I do have an older sister and a younger brother."

This game of ask and answer continued on for a few more minutes. Tom didn't say a word, just sipped his beer and burned holes into Kai with his eyes. If looks could kill, Kai would be six feet under.

Kai was a sweetheart, but you two ended ages ago. His work got too much for him and your job had you touring and travelling every second.

You picked up after him with the chorus before diving into your own verse, "I remember that love song. I sang every word wrong, but you didn't mind, no, no."

"I love the things you do. It's how you do the things you love. Well it's not a love song, not a love song. I love the way you get me, but correct me if I'm wrong. This is not a love song, not a love song!" Tom belted the 'Austin & Ally' song from the top of his lungs.

"Your turn!" he pointed the pretend mic in your direction.

You laughed, not knowing any of the lyrics, but still wanting to participate, "I love that you not a licket! And you own a watch and chicken! We got a car!" you sang with full confidence, making Tom burst with laughter.

"Yes! Sing it, darling!" he cheered you on, "Absolutely butchering the lyrics, but sing it!"

"Being stuck inside a car. If it's not a doe, don't kiss it! I can't hear a missing, when there's a shoe inside the ceiling! If you really need to fart, you can lunch on a pig farm! Love song! Love song!" you couldn't even hear the song in the background, your voice overpowering it.

Tom was hunched over from laughing before he came back up and planted a soft kiss on your lips, "You are one hundred percent ridiculous and I love it."

You brought yourself back to reality and sang again, "And I'll admit that I miss you, but only if you do. 'Cause you know that I'm shy. And I can't lie, it's hard seeing you with her. 'Cause I know she can't love you like I can."

Tom's eyes met yours as the words fell from your gentle lips. His mouth was slightly agape as you continued to strum.

"You are absolute rubbish. Imagine coming in eighth. Embarassing." you laughed as you crushed Harrison in a game of Mario Kart.

He shoved you with his shoulder, "You're such a try ha—"

"—It's always the same, Tom! How can I trust you? You follow gorgeous models on Instagram and expect me to trust you?" Nadia's voice cut Harrison's words off.

You looked at him with wide eyes, his expression matching yours.

"Those women that I follow have been my friends for ages. Who I follow on a stupid app shouldn't effect how much you trust me."

You paused the game, cutting off the theme song, "How long have they been fighting like this?"

Harrison sighed, a long groan following, "A few weeks. I think it started when she saw that he liked your Instagram picture?"

You stammered, "M-my post? She got mad about my post?"

Harrison nodded before opening his mouth to speak, but Nadia cut him off again, "And she practically lives here! How do you think it makes me feel seeing my boyfriend play house with a superstar?!"

"Aw, a superstar? I'm flattered." you joked making Harrison stifle a laugh.

"I've been friends with Y/N since we were in nappies!"

"I can't be with you if you're going to be friends with her."

Your laughter abruptly died at her words. Harrison stiffened beside you.

"Y-you can't be serious. You can't make me choose between you and her."

"Why? Because you're gonna choose her?" you could hear her voice crack.

"I-" Tom couldn't make out a sentence for a few moments, "Yeah. I'm gonna choose her."

Your heart fell from it's place, stopping at your feet. Harrison brought a hand to his mouth, "H-he chose you. He chose you!" he whisper shouted before you shushed him.

"Of course. I don't know why I expected anything different. I think I'll be going now." Nadia's footsteps approached the living room.

You and Harrison scrambled to look as if you weren't eavesdropping on their argument/breakup.

Tom followed close behind her, "I'm sorry. I really am."

She nodded, hand on the doorknob, "I know. Goodbye." she stepped out of the house, slamming the front door shut in the process.

Tom let out a breath of relief before turning to you and Harrison who were staring at the Mario Kart home screen with the infamous tune playing.

"You guys are terrible actors."

"'Till then I won't give my love away,"

"I'm forever only yours." the both of you finished the song in unison.

There was a moment of silence before you reached over and ended the voice recording.

"T-that was really good. You can change what I wrote, I know it isn't as good as anything you would've written, but I tried. And it was actually pretty fun and I never knew how difficult songwriting was un—"

"—Kiss me." you cut Tom's rambling off.

His eyes grew wide, "W-wha—"

"—Kiss me, Holland."

He swallowed, a small smile stretching on his lips, "Thank God."

And with that, he leaned in and pressed his lips to yours. Interlocking like missing puzzle pieces. Moving in sync like waves in the ocean. Soft and sweet, but filled with passion. You could feel his smile against your lips causing you to grin.

His hand came up to pull your face closer into his. Caressing your jaw, fingertips playing with the hairs on the back of your neck. His other hand holding your hip in a tight grip. Pressing the pads of his digits into your flesh, scared that you might slip through his fingers again.

One of your hands was pressed flat against his chest. Steadying yourself, the heat of the kiss threatening to throw you off of your axis. Your other hand tangled itself into Tom's curls. Pulling and tugging lightly causing small groans to fall from Tom's lips. Your fingernails scratching his scalp. Pulling him impossibly closer to you.

"I want my ten pounds." Harrison's voice snapped you and Tom out of your make out session.

Him and Tuwaine stood in the doorway, shit eating grins on their faces.

Tuwaine laughed before placing a ten pound note in Harrison's palm, "You guys couldn't have waited until next month to get back together?"

"You two were betting on us?" Tom laughed at his mates who nodded.

You shook your head with a smile, "Absolute idiots, all of you."

Harrison let out a happy sigh and pocketed the money, "Today was a good day. Had a sick ass shoot. Got ten pounds. And my best friends are finally together again." he waltzed into the kitchen with Tuwaine, leaving you and Tom alone again.

Tom's shy expression met your gleeful one before he spoke, "Someday came a lot sooner than expected, huh?" he chuckled.

You nodded with a laugh, "It certainly did and I am not complaining."

He sent you a wide grin before cupping your face and connecting your lips to his again.

"Darling, I'm forever only yours."

[heatwave2021]

Heat Wave Fic Exchange 2021!

Hello, hi! Welcome to Amy ( @saetyrn9​ ) and Cath ( @sailormiya​ )’s Heat Wave Fic Trade 2021!

For many of us, the summer heat has hit, and what better way to distract ourselves than by giving and receiving fics for fun to make it through?

What Is A Fic-Exchange?: A fic-exchange or fic-trade is when all participants fill out a form, and randomly you are assigned another person to write for based on your own! The idea is that everyone participating receives a small fic as a gift, and gives a small fic as a gift as well! Knowing that, please keep in mind whether or not this is something you can commit to, as we want everyone participating to receive a fic they're expecting.

Fic-Trade Parameters: 

You MUST be 18+ with your age easily accessible on your blog to participate.

Minimum 500 words.

Should remain within the confines of the characters/genres/themes that are provided to you. 

Include only characters from BNHA, Haikyuu!!, and JJK.

In return, whoever receives your fic will do the same and should follow the same guidelines. Below is an example form you'll submit to us +here, and we'll send out the details of your assigned recipient privately once all the slots are filled. The application deadline is Sunday July 18th OR until all slots are filled!

EXAMPLE FORM:

Name and URL: Amy (saetyrn9)

Characters I'll Write For: pretty much any male in BNHA and Haikyuu, Itadori Yuuji, Fushiguro Megumi

Genres I'll Write: Fluff, SFW, Smut

Characters I Want Written For Me: Hanamaki Takahiro, Hinata Shouyou (HQ) Midoriya Izuku, Bakugo Katsuki, Kirishima Eijirou (BNHA) Fushiguro Megumi (JJK)

Genres I'll Read: Fluff, SFW, hurt/comfort, maybe smut

Characters I WON'T Write: Azumane Asahi, Noya, Tsukishima Kei

Genres I WON'T Read: Hard angst, hurt/no comfort

Option 1: Genres: fluff, sfw but can be suggestive or fully nsfw

Prompt: "It's so fucking hot I've sweat through my panties."

"Babe, are you trying to seduce me?"

Option 2: Genres: mild angst, fluff

Prompt: He's like sand after a day at the beach. Burning hot, it gets in all the nooks and crannies where you don't want it and when you think you've gotten rid of it all, you find it in the most unexpected places.

Option 3: Genres: Fluff, friends to lovers.

Prompt: Summer rain washes away the heat only for a moment, but it comes back tenfold when the clouds clear.

The information in these forms will then be sent to someone who closely matches those same characters and genres to write for, and they'll have the freedom to choose which one prompt(s) they'll write for. 

In return, you’ll receive a similar list of prompts for someone to then write for. Just to reiterate, everyone is only expected to write ONE of the prompts, not all of them, and at minimum ONE of the characters provided. Three prompts and six characters are given simply for variety should you not vibe with the others. Though if you are feeling particularly inspired you can of course write more.

To Enter: Fill out the form above and reblog this post! We will message you to let you know we’ve received your entry!

Pertaining to Dark Content: Dark Content writers are more than welcome to join, but because of the nature of the fic-trade--the person applying to have a fic written for them will not know who is writing for them--we want to ensure that everyone is safe and not at the risk of being triggered on accident. 

For this reason, Dark Content will NOT be permitted to be written. While that may be different for everyone, please use your brains. We all know the main types of themes that make up Dark Content.

Due Date: The week of September 13th, 2021 (Sept. 13, 2021 to Sept. 19, 2021)! Feel free to post your piece any time that week or before! 

Please make sure to tag for whom you’re writing so they can see it and feel free to include the prompt if you’d like! Use the #heatwave2021 and tag this blog when you post, too, so that we can compile and reblog your fics!

The Goal: To have fun and to maybe be introduced to works and writers you haven’t read before! Maybe stretch your legs and try writing for a character you're intrigued by. And of course to distract yourself from the heat with your favorite characters along for the ride.

[emilycollins00]

A3 actors! Art in bloom

Type: One shot

Pairing: Miyoshi Kazunari x Reader

Theme: Passion / Art / Clash

Contrary to what many people and even classmates of yours thought, being an art student was not something you should chose to do lightly.

Sure, it seemed enjoyable, cute even. But no one ever talked about how many hours you would spend with a single portrait, drafting about abstract concepts or trying to discern at two in the morning whether a sculpture should turn more sideways or look at the ground to create a deeper perspective. 

Art was wild.

But you loved it and, why not admit it, you took it pretty seriously. Maybe a tiny bit more than most people.

That’s why you had always liked how Kazunari Miyoshi, although being the loud person he was, frequently went on and on with you discussing ideas when there was some debate in class. That brain of his was something else. His works and usual approach when mixing modern and traditional Japanese culture fascinated you. It really did.

But that had been changing lately, and it angered you.

Up until this year you hadn't really cared about it. Everyone had their right to live however they wanted after all.

However, without being able to tell when it began, you started casually observing him. You watched him talk to your other classmates as soon as the lecture, frowned as he concentrated on the draft they had one hour and a half to finish or taking selfies and live videos of the works you all were demanded to do. You even discovered yourself staring and how the sun caressed his profile first hour in the morning.

He had a nice profile.

By that point, something inside you was getting frustrated. He participated in class and attended to the lectures, but at the same time…? you felt he was starting prioritising social media over art, or looking for people for one of his popular mixers, like so many of your other classmates, who had most likely entered this major without much thought, did.

You would understand if he would have a part-time job, but the thought of him being able to do so much more and deciding to stop midway left you speechless.

You wished for him to take more things seriously. 

“Miyoshi, were you able to clean all the supplies from last class?" you called him out between the break. Everyone in class traded places to carry the main boxes with brushes, paints and whatever main source they had to work with each week "Our teacher told me to take some clay from there. I'm planning to use them for my final project, but I can't seem to find the key in the secretary office”

The university student lifted his head from his mobile and tipped on his chin, trying to remember "Supplies from...? Oh man, THAT is why I had them in my working space!” He palped his jeans looking for it “My bad, I was totes in a hurry and just closed as soon as we were done!” 

You contained an exasperated groan “Why would you get the key unless it was to clean the practice room?” 

Kazunari laughed nervously under your intimidating glare “True, true! It's just that I was talking with some friends over the phone and they were in a hurry so…” he showed you the key taking it out of his pocket, maybe to show that at least he hadn’t lost it “Do you need them now? I could go clean for you” 

The vein you had tried so hard to maintain calm popped altogether. Not wanting to keep talking, you rapidly grabbed the key from his hand and headed to take the supplies. God grief how you hated that carefree attitude. 

                                         ……………………..…….

“No prob, dude! Next time just hit me up with a DM and I’ll come running to your uni here! In exchange, I’ll need your help to finish the flyers so…” 

Recognizing the flashy voice, you slowly looked behind, witnessing the blond with another person. Was he meeting with people to play around here too? 

You couldn’t believe it. You all had your final projects deadlines almost spitting in your faces! That’s why you had to come to this other university to ask for permission to use a kiln for your final, as you didn’t have lectures prepared today and your university didn’t have any. Didn’t look like it was Kazunari’s case. 

“Uh? No way, Y/N-pyon!” he waved at you with both hands, confirming it was you indeed, as he got closer “Looking fleek today too! What are you doing here in Yosei?” the person walking next to him whispered something “They’re a friend from my major Tsuzuroon, I told you about them, dude!” 

You mentally scoffed. Without returning his greet and turning on your heels, you headed for the teacher’s office.

 “You said friend but…” Tsuzuru squinted his eyes, watching you leave “…It doesn't look like they like you very much” 

“No worries! Nowadays they are always like that. But their works are so lit! Y/N-pyon is the ultimate remix of you, Ten-ten and Yukki!” 

“That’s… not a good thing, Miyoshi-san”

                            …………………………………………

“Y/N-pyon, about-”

“Miyoshi, sorry. I am on my way to Yosei University to finish my work and unlike your usual approach of work to play, I actually don’t have time to waste”

“Uh? My works are…”

“Are what? I’ve been seeing you doing half-assed things all over the semester. This last week you didn’t even come at the afternoon lectures” you were pretty sure this was just you venting at this point “You’re amazing Miyoshi, I honestly think that, so why? If… If you only put more of yourself into it, your art would be even more unbelievable!”

He went quiet, a rare sight.

“Art it’s not something you just do for laughs; I thought you were one of the few people here that felt the same and-” the phone in your bag started ringing. Head  teacher. Inhaling deeply, you answered it “Yes?”

“Y/N-san? I am so sorry. Could you come to Josey university?” 

Losing the eye contact you had been maintaining with the blond boy, your heart sank as you heard the words ‘kiln’ and ‘malfunction’. “…Please tell me my final project is ok” 

                                       ……………………………….

You stood in silence, looking at the mess when you heard a knock at the door.

“I know I shouldn’t have followed and am expecting you throw me out the door but…” you didn’t move an inch so Kazunari took that as a free pass.

Just as the teacher told you, the electricity in the small building had had an issue and there had been a combustion, meaning, the sculpture you had kept here while working for weeks was now cracked and in shreds. You sniffed, brushing away the tears that were trying to come out from your eyes. All your hard work. All the time spent, had been for nothing.

“The Kiln is burnt. I don’t have anything good to save” you felt emotionally exhausted “Damn, I should have used air dry clay since the beginning… or not tried to sculpt anything” your vision became blurry again “I don’t know why do I make everything more difficult that it is”

Kazunari contemplated the situation, studying the seemingly full cracked sculpture from afar.

“Teach probably told you she would wait for you to turn on the work, right?” He saw you vaguely nodding you head “You got this!” he put his hand on your shoulder, you barely glancing at him “Look, If you still wanna use this base I’ll go ask for some moisturize and clean water to mix. Then I will maintain the upper part as you work down there, not bad idea right?”

You stared at him, finally grasping that he had come all the way here and was now trying to help “Why are you here? I… was being a busybody telling you how to work in our major” you had realized you had crossed the line back then.

Kazunari laughed, shaking his head “You were not saying anything that was a lie though, I don't want to admit it, but it’s true I've been a mess for a while”

“I guess parties require a lot of work” you bite your tongue hard. He was being a decent person trying to help and you couldn’t stop for two seconds to pick on him? You wanted to punch yourself.

“Mmm? Ah, our theatre troupe is almost opening for performance and the next troupe is on practices so flyers and scripts are running at full gas”

You stopped looking at your sculpture. What did he just say about a theatre?

“…What?”

“You’ve never come, Y/N-pyon? Mankai company is the best theatre in Veludo way! You totes should come, I’ll even send you the tickets for our new performance!” before you knew it, he had already DM you what you imagined was all the background information.

The moment you unlocked it, you almost dropped the phone. The photos and drawings of the posters were amazing, and you just knew who it had done “You… never said you had a job”

Kazunari considered what you pointed out. Mankai had managed to recover from what they needed to pay but they still didn't have enough founds “I’ve never thought about our acts as a job thought”

Your mind was a mess. Being an actor and doing publicity didn’t count for him as he studied? No wonder he usually left early! Now you felt even worst. You had behaved like a… “Uh, are these original templates?” you browsed over the performances’ posters, each one more astonishing than the other “This is… wow and this one?” 

He blinked, noticing how the tone of your voice was now more soothing. You had somewhat calm down. He would high-key enjoy hearing you talk to him like that more often “Hey, enough about me. We have work to do”

You agreed, putting away your phone “You’re right but again I… I am sorry, Miyoshi. And thanks, for staying” 

“No prob, Y/N-pyon!” 

“Would you tell me what I could do so you stopped calling me that?” 

“Eeeeeeh why? I think it fits! It's super-duper cute, like you!” 

Thump!

No. You told yourself.

Coming back to your senses you told yourself the warm you felt in your cheeks was due to summer starting earlier. It definitely wasn’t because of Kazunari smile directed at you, helped you or how the sun reflected on his perfect profile as you both started working on your work. 

Art was wild… but it was also an evocative of feelings.

_________________________________________________________

This one has been a difficult one! I wanted Reader to kind of clash with his mindset

Hope you guys enjoy it. Have a wonderful day! 💕

[kyotakumrau]

ROCK AND READ 087 - interview with Kyo - part 3/3

(part 1 here & part 2 here)

－ At the moment the latest sukekiyo's album is your 3rd work 'INFINITUM'. I think you went beyond the common musical depth and scale. There's of course progressive feeling, electronic side, songs that express the subtle femininity. It feels like some changes happened in the band as you pulled away from so many different elements.

京  That's because the members are absolutely amazing. I really think so. As I just do the things I want, when there's something I want to try doing in a different way, somehow they get what we talk about and accept it fully.

－ When you presented them with the fact that you like 80s style cheap sound do you feel they responded like away?

京  Yeah. They will take each idea to crunch it and digest, and then come back with it.

－ I don't think you give them ideas the same way for all songs, so not only presenting it directly, sometimes tossing it deliberately slowly, from the right or left (kyotaku: like pitching a baseball), do you alternate it like this?

京   Of course, it's like that both ways. I'm also sometimes surprised when suddenly a totally unexpected songs comes. Like 'oh? something like this?' But when I try I'm able to find lyrics for it. And then it easily gets shape. This is how 'dorothy' was created. I got 'we got this far, let's do it'. Takumi, who wrote this song, submitted it because he thought it'd be fun, like a challenge. All members are having fun and pitching in various directions.

－ So each member is continuing to pitch ideas that stir others up?

京  Everyone is playing catch. If I got this kind of pass, I 'll respond with one like this. Ah, something like this came in so I'll go there next. The more we play catch and the passes continue the song becomes more and more sukekiyo like.

－ At any rate the speed of your working process is very fast, but it feels so healthy.

京  I think so too. We don't have release schedule decided so each of us just works on music when we want and have spare time. That's why it's not like studying in a preparation for the exam. It's wanting to study by yourself when there ain't no exam scheduled. Same for each of us, it's free. Have fun when you want to have fun, study when you want to study. In the end the most important part is that you managed to study. Not caring about exams at all (laughing). That's why even in the middle of DIR's tour I get new songs from sukekiyo members. Even if we don't have a release date decided.

－ Usually someone would think a person is busy during a tour and avoid sending songs to them (laughing).

京  Nope, it's totally fine with me. It makes me excited. Like 'eh? Sending it now? niiice!' Don’t you think that it's actually more fun this way? Having a feeling of jumping over [obstacles]. Like because it came at such time I need to reply soon. It's the best.

－ You're really enjoying this process. There are no other so called project bands that continue their activity for so long, but for sukekiyo 6 years have passed since your formation and all members musical appetites are just getting bigger.

京  Everyone is enjoying this, really.

－ Is there anything that you don't want to lose as sukekiyo, anything that you see as your foundation?

京  It's hard to say. It's nothing that can be explained with words. But there's something like that. Something like sukekiyo's line (as in boundary or perimeter), a feeling we should stay within that space. For our foundation, it will be the songs we created and the emotions and the atmosphere we obtained from our line. That's why it's something that happens naturally. There's nothing like 'let's choose feminine themes because it's sukekiyo', nothing easy to follow like that. sukekiyo members just understand what sukekiyo's line is. It's not clearly stated but everyone just can sense it.

－ Are you talking about that with other members?

京  We all discuss the sound, but not the big picture. Although we do talk about ideas like when we have a vague shape of a song we'd say 'I have an image like that for it'. Each member will chew on what I tell them, add their own color to it, and think how can we add it to the game.

－ What you're saying is just so very band-like. Well, I do get it we're talking about a band (laughing).

京  It's very band-like, everyone has a lot of freedom. I do understand how aggravating writing music while being chased by deadlines, having a release date set, can be. I want members to have freedom as much as possible when working, I only tell them let's release it sometime this year. That's why we write songs when a good idea comes to mind when each of us has time. From the creator's perspective that's the best way. sukekiyo writes with this kind of energy. And that's why we can perform even not completed songs live. Isn't it interesting this way?

－ Already with DIR EN GREY you would often all of a sudden change the melody or lyrics during the performance. Of course you also do that with sukekiyo, suddenly using new instruments at the shows, you have this ever evolving part.

京  It's something other members also enjoy (laughing). Like 'woah! Seriously?!' What do we have to do to get this etc. When we suddenly do it at the rehearsal there are obviously some things that don't work out. There are times when we just do minimum, but overall everyone is just having fun. And as a result songs are evolving. After recording there are times when you wish you have done some songs different way, because when you play them live they will start changing. To tell the truth I'd really love to record an album after shows and finishing a tour, but that's impossible, so we try to create an environment as close to that as possible, and at the shows it's like we are playing around [with songs] in a serious way. I think that's how it can be described best with words. With DIR it's the same. From my standpoint, I'm playing around in a super serious way. It can be said I don't treat it as work.

－ And that's how concerts became the place where you unveil your creations.

京  Yes.

－ Do they already feel like the place of creative work?

京  Yeah, they do. It's not about showing fans 'we've made this new song, please listen', it's just that it's fun for us, even playing still not completed songs.

－ From my side as well there's this excitement of waiting, how will this song sound today or how will the songs I know change.

京  Of course it's easier to achieve perfection playing concerts when you have everything planned and decided and you tour without changing the setlist at all. I understand that as a professional musician but I just don't find it appealing. Everyone feels different everyday, sometimes you feel good but sometimes you don't. I want to express it openly. I always want to show my true self. If something is anamorphic each time you look at it, that’s what I find appealing. Every concert you go to will be different. Of course that's true for most of bands, but I think that having this anamorphosis each time is what sukekiyo is about.

－ This volume of RR will be released on December 25th, just a few days after that the readers will be able to enjoy your show 'Sorera wo Izonsho to Yobu' in Shibuya. It's rare that you're playing a year end show.

京  I wanted to have a year end show [with sukekiyo] for some time but couldn't because of DIR's schedule. We decide DIR's first and then plan sukekiyo around that in available time. Even the not so happy us can do it for new year, trying that.

－ But we're talking about Shibuya with a bunch of noisy people shuffling at the crossing.

京  Yet wouldn't it be interesting to have people in black gather at such place, to darken it a bit? Isn't it okay to have dark/gloomy people as well? But because the concept is 'Kaihou no Gi・Unrestricted Ceremony' fans can scream and sing at the concert, go wild, anything goes. Well, it's a new year.

－ If you toss a word like 'new year' everything will seem to be okay. A nice way to put it (laughing). So there were no rules [for the show]?

京  Yeah, that's right. I thought it would be nice to have a day like that. And because we had a day like that it's also okay to have days when fans can't move next.

－ As it's a new year show, are you planning to perform some new songs?

京  We're planning on having the show divided into two parts, one song per one part. So two new songs. We will play them even if they are not completed yet. We've mostly decided on the songs, so we will definitely do it.

－ The harmony between the band members when you are performing live is strongly reflected in the song you perform there and then, right? I think you will get a crazy reaction from the people in the audience just exploding. Is it possible that the feel of the new song will change because of this?

京  Of course. Until now fans couldn't move or make any noise, so the only chemical reaction that occurred was from band members' sound and the atmosphere. With 'Kaihou no gi' we wanted to see what would come out if we recorded that, the influence from the fans' response and participation. I think it will definitely be different.

－ You also have a tour scheduled in February next year.

京  Putting it simply we felt we're not yet done with INFINITUM, so it's like an additional tour. I don't know how many and if we will include new songs, but to finish this phase we will do this extra album tour while adding some new flavor.

－ The first day of the tour is your birthday.

京  Yeah, but I don't care. But it seems important to fans.

－ Well, I care about that. Maybe you don't feel like celebrating other people's happy events (laughing), but I'd want to celebrate it somehow.

京  Ah... I'm kind of twisted, I'm the type to think that even if this year people will celebrate my birthday they probably won't next time. I live with a concept that nothing will last forever, the difference is only if it's a long or short time. I just say 'thank you' [when people wish me 'Happy Birthday'] while I keep thinking I'll be gone in few years anyway. I just say it honestly. Everyone must be thinking the same thing. They just don't want to show such ugly side because they are mature (laughing).

－ Stop being so gloomy (laughing). In the photo shoot today you have showed your bare legs, I didn't know you had so many tattoos on your legs.

京  It's not many. I'm filling up the space now, there's still long way to go.

－ You say it's not many, but you don't get tattoos to turn your own body into your own artwork.

京  Yeah, I just get them when I want new tattoos.

－ Is that also the part of you that wants more, that can't be satisfied?

京  It is. My hairstyle is also constantly changing. I get bored with my hair all the time.

－ The ideal style is not fixed, but do you sometimes tell yourself something like 'I'm not there yet'?

京  I don't have an ideal. Simply speaking, the best option is to just be born good looking. Doesn't everyone think that way? But it didn't happen for me (laughing). So I don't have an ideal look. I don't have this kind of optimistic thinking of holding on to an ideal that will not come true, like no matter what it's impossible, no way (laughing). It just gets irritating. People who believe that really have to try their best all the time. So I don't want to waste time on that. I wish I could afford to do that, but because I'm never satisfied I just can't.

－ What is it that you want the most at the moment?

京  Time. And a body that doesn't need sleep. At the moment I'm abstaining from sweets because of a kind of a resolution game that I randomly decided on with fans, I even forgo sweeteners. I'm angry at myself for picking my only pleasure (laughing). Can't even reduce stress like that.

－ But it's not like you can keep pushing restricting yourself staying indifferent. Even though you seem indifferent you're enjoying it, but at the same time you're frustrated.

京  Yeah, it's like that.

－ Musically, do you feel like you were saved by creating sukekiyo – another place to express yourself?

京  Of course. We have released quite a lot. Restraining me is just not possible.

[peakysabrina]

Dark Horse: Chapter 2

As usual, please leave your comments and suggestions if you want to! 

No warnings, other than the usual one for violent themes, and I think for language as well. 

The story is also on AO3 btw https://archiveofourown.org/users/SabrinaT/works

Thanks a bunch, y’all!

Being from Romani descent, and speaking Rokka quite well, Tommy and his siblings could pratically sense when a camp was nearby. There was this scent, this energy, almost an aura that was as characteristic as fingerprints. Johnny and his family, for example, still lived in the traditional way, despite having settled in Birmingham for the time being. It was a beautiful, communal form of living, one that was cherished by those close to it, and conducive to strong forms of family bonds. The new camp, however, wasn't as bright, as lively, or as big as a normal Romani camp would be. The wagons hadn't maintained the natural hues of the wood, but had been painted black, probably to match the horses, and the clothings of the inhabitants. There was a sad fire in the middle of the settlement, and some clothes on a line, but that was it.

"A wagon each, almost" Tommy uttered, lighting his cigarette as him and his sister Ada approached the settlement. They'd given Georgia and her people a piece of Shelby land for them to stay, until Aberama's killer was found and brought to his daughter's justice. "There are six of them, and four wagons"

"I can see that. Is there a couple amongst them? Siblings?" Ada asked, rightly convinced that Tommy had done his usual, thorough research on those people, like he did with everyone, especially people whom he settled inside his own properties.

"I was led to believe there is a pair of twins within the group, but that's all I know" Tommy responded, looking around, expecting for someone to appear before he kicked down the closest door, and find Gigi Gold by his own means.

"You're early" a voice said, somewhere in front of them. A second later, a tall young man emerged from the back of a van, sporting a top hat and a tuxedo. Why he had decided to wear such formal clothes for the occasion, they did not know, but it would soon become obvious that none of the participants in that particular enterprise ccared much for what others thought. If anything, the way they looked, and the way they dressed, was the least of anyone's concerns when the band came round somewhere.

"Yes, we are, but just five minutes. You reckon Gigi can see us now?" Ada enquired, clutching her handbag and parasol, which she'd taken with her as a ready-made weapon. "She's expecting us"

"Gigi! Gigi, there are some people here to see you, lass" the youth shouted, walking up to one of the smaller wagons and pounding on the door. "She most likely knows you're here, just can't be arsed to get up, if I'm being honest"

"Oh, that's..."Ada started, but Gigi herself emerged from her mobile home and stomped down the two steps, her heavy boots covered in mud.

"Wasn't sleeping. And you really are early" Gigi agreed, walking up to the two Shelbies and shaking their hands. The dress she wore as different than the one she had on when they had first met, but it had one thing in common with the other: the sleeves were too long, reaching the girl's knuckles. Her hair was also different, simply because it was now all the same colour, having lost the red that stained the tips. Even for someone who was used to deal in violence, the realization that Gigi Gold had entered his house with fresh blood dripping from her hair and clothes made Tommy a little bit sick to the stomach. "I can make some tea, but it will take time"

"No tea, thank you. We won't be long" Tommy announced, following Gigi to her wagon, and taking a seat on the cramped space. The girl didn't have much to her name, but the wagon was clearly made for one person, and not three, including one grown man. When the door was closed, it was mildly comfortable, and warm as well, not to mention dry.

"Why did the two of you come? I told you that I would negotiate with Ada, and we came to an agreement. I won't violate the terms and conditions of it, nor will I allow you to escape them" Gigi asserted, sitting on what seemed to be a makeshift bed, and getting rid of her muddy boots before crossing her legs.

"Georgia, we don't intend on giving up before we find out who betrayed us" Tommy countered, taking off his cap and flattening his hair. "There is more at stake for us than there is for you. I can't allow the people who killed your father to remain on the loose"

"We're doing everything we can to answer your questions" Ada confirmed, a little less at ease than her brother seemed to be. "I don't know if you know, but our aunt Polly was engaged to your father, and she too is in great pain. She needs closure"

"Yeah, we knew that" Georgia sighed, her shoulders dropping. "I guess you could say dad had his favourite... and it was never me, or my sisters. But he did send a letter every once in a while" she confessed, surprising her guests, none of them expecting her to display any type of vulnerability, through the exposure of that bit of her private life. It was clear that she wasn't as young as she had seemed at first sight, not a child, but a girl of at least eighteen. Not only that, but it was sadly evident that she hadn't received much love, or known much comfort.

"I don't think he was ever the same after Bonnie was killed" Ada agreed, biting the inside of her lower lip, a habit she had picked up as a girl. "If he didn'tlove Polly, I think that he wouldn't have survived it"

"I'm sure he wouldn't. Mind you, I didn't mean he didn't love me, I think he did. But I turned out too much like him, my sisters turned out too much like my mother, and Bonnie was the only one who was special, who could be more than... have children, or..."

"Or be a gun for hire" Tommy completed, stating clearly why he had gone to the camp. It wasn't a negotiation he intended, it was business. It was always business, when it came down to it, and this was no exception.

"Is that what you think I do?" Gigi asked, the shadow of a giggle flourishing on her lips. "Kill people for money?"

"Not just me. The whole of Wales knows it" Tommy scoffed, interested in seeing how she would deny what was all over the news as she did as much as show herself in Swansea or surrounding villages.

"You're wrong. I don't take money"

"What do you take, then?" he asked in return, crossing his arms. "What do you want?"

"What do you want, Thomas? I'd need to know that, before I issue the invoice" Gigi chuckled, playing with the hem of her dress, and picking on a random scab on her knee.

"I need..." he said, producing a list from his pocket and handing it over to Gigi. "...these men dead. They all live near here, so they shouldn't be hard to find. Make sure you leave quite a mess, so that the message can get to the appropriate people"

"And what have they done to deserve this?" Gigi asked, reading the list slowly, and turning the paper around to see if it continued.

"Do you need to know?" Tom enquired, releasing a good deal of smoke from his cigarette. "Is that part of the invoice?"

"It is, actually. I don't know what you've been told, but I don't take money. I just want to know whether the people I'm gettind rid of deserve to be killed with my methods" Georgia simply informed, pulling her hair over her shoulder.

"These men are associated with the Billy Boys, who killed your brother Bonnie" Ada explained, pointing out the list. "They came down from Scotland to be at hand, should they be needed. We want then dead, and we want you to do it, so that you can see we're serious when we say we'll find your dad's killer, or killers"

"Like a peace offering? The plot of land was enough" Gigi laughed, shrugging emphatically. "I appreciate it. I'll see what I can do, alright? Any deadline?"

"No, no deadline. Take your time" Ada encouraged, unable to conceal the slight sparkle in her eyes at the thought of Gigi Gold maiming and killing bad people. One day, the day would come when Aberama Gold's killers would be brought to the same executioner, who would punish those who had broken Polly Gray.  

[uaf-events]

UAF Secret Santa 2019!

Hoo boy, it’s almost November! I’d ask where the time has gone but to be fair I know exactly where it’s gone, I’ve been playing WoW Classic and the rest, as they say, is history. Anyway, we’re here now, and that’s what matters!

*digs up last year’s post and copy/pastes the relevant bits* 

For those who may not be familiar with the concept, Secret Santa is an event arranged generally leading up to Christmas, which involves giving gifts to your fellow fandom members. We’ve more or less successfully ran this the past two three four years now and I hope we’re going to be doing so next year as well, though this may be the last year as a small and obscure book fandom...

DATES & DEADLINES:

NOVEMBER 8TH: Deadline for sign-ups. (Details on how to sign up will be found below.)

NOVEMBER 10TH: By this time we will have matched y’all up and will message everyone with their relevant information.

DECEMBER 10TH TO 15TH: checkpoint to see nobody has vanished off the face of Tumblr and that everybody is going to finish their assignment. It doesn’t have to be finished yet by the 15th, but you MUST let us know you’re still on board to finish it or we will assume that you won’t.

DECEMBER 20TH TO 24TH: Posting of the things. Yeah, it’s a window a little bit before actual Christmas, because most people will probably be otherwise engaged when the actual date rolls along. If you know that you won’t be able to post on the 20th or between the 20th and 24th, you can post even earlier, just let us know. (I mean, the optimal choice would be to queue the post, but I don’t blame you if you don’t trust Tumblr to spit it out when it’s supposed to…)

RULES & STUFF:

The gift can be fic, art, edit, gifset, fanmix, fanvid (I mean if you somehow find source material that fits, hell yeah, go wild).

You CAN do multiple things if you like. For example several drabbles, or a ficlet and a piece of art, or an edit and a drabble to go with it, you get the idea.

There’s NO WORD COUNT OR ~QUALITY~ REQUIREMENT. The only requirement is that it’s WoT themed (duh) and that you put your heart into it.

NOTHING NSFW UNLESS YOUR RECIPIENT EXPLICITLY SAYS NSFW IS FINE. Any triggers/squicks/Do Not Wants your recipient lists in their request are also to be treated with utmost respect, obviously, and if in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.

Of course, NO TELLING YOUR RECIPIENT THAT YOU’RE THEIR SECRET SANTA. Because of the smaller size of the fandom, we’re not doing the anonymous posting of works and later reveal that some bigger exchanges such as Yuletide do, but the idea is still to keep it as a surprise, so no (non-anonymous) interaction with your recipient until after posting!

If you want to ask your recipient about something on their wishlist, you can do so ANONYMOUSLY OR THROUGH US, just let us know and we’ll contact your recipient and get back to you!

THE TAG FOR THE EVENT will be UAF Secret Santa (no definite article). Tag your gifts with it when posting them, IN THE FIRST FIVE TAGS SO THAT IT ACTUALLY SHOWS UP IN THE TAG. Also tag your recipient, of course.

AND FINALLY… INSTRUCTIONS. IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE, DO THE FOLLOWING:

Fill in this google form [LINK]. Sign-ups by ask will be ignored. If you have a good reason why you can’t use the google form, contact @elan-morin-tedronai and we can probably figure out an arrangement, but sign-ups randomly submitted to our inbox will be ignored so hard they won’t know what hit them.

The wishlist SHOULD NOT include stuff like “I want art” or “I want fic” because you won’t know if your Secret Santa will be a writer or an artist or a photo manip person or whatever. It SHOULD include things like “White Tower politics” or “something fluffy with Min/Rand” or “Ta’veren shenanigans” – you get the idea I hope.

(Regardless of the above, do however mention if you are unable to enjoy a specific type of media, for example audio, so we’ll know to take that into account.)

Try to think of a few different things, to give your Santa something to choose from. (For example, I won’t write about Aiel if I can avoid it, because I suck at Aiel.)

Then just wait for your assignment, which we’ll send by the end of Sunday November 10th, and get creating!

IF, AT ANY POINT, YOU REALISE THAT YOU’RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE YOUR GIFT, LET US KNOW AND WE’LL FIND A REPLACEMENT. YES, EVEN AFTER DECEMBER 15TH. EVEN IF IT’S DECEMBER 23RD. WE’D PREFER YOU MAKE UP YOUR MIND BEFORE THAT, BUT SHIT HAPPENS. JUST LET US KNOW, SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, BUT LET US KNOW AND WE CAN MAKE SURE YOUR RECIPIENT STILL GETS A GIFT.

ANY QUESTIONS? YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND OUR ASK BOX.

–Mod Elan

[justoneday-namjoonii]

Don’t Breathe | 2.5

 »Genre: Hitman!au || Stalker!au || 

»Warnings: kidnapping, stalking, obsession, themes of potential Stockholm syndrome, mono-phobia, mature elements, manhandling, breakdowns, yandere (? i think ), he thinks it’s cute when she cries, eventually they fall in love, Disclaimer: I do not condone nor suggest stalking/kidnapping or anything of that nature, this is pure fiction ok, kidnappers and stalkers DON’T love you.

»Summary: He doesn’t get shaky hands, he never forgets his gloves and he never leaves a trail. He was told to get rid of everyone who witnessed the conversation between a gang lord and a politician, they were picked off, one by one. He found out a month ago, he missed one. A young writer who attended the event where the exchange took place. He has to kill her. Can he do it?

✤ pt.1 - pt.2 - pt. 2.5 - pt.3.0 - pt. 3.5 - pt. 4.0 - pt.4.5

A/n: ♥

Day 1

3:27 AM

It’s cold.

Even in the absence of your consciousness, you could feel you were in unfamiliar terrain. Your eyes fluttered open upon the chill that washed over you. You hesitantly sit up and promptly take in your surroundings. You move around a bit and quickly realize you aren’t on your soft bed anymore, there’s a blue mat under you and a blanket covering you loosely. Darkness somewhat skewed your sight, but you could comprehend that you were in a large, dark room with little light. 

Where am I? 

“Ah...” You hold your forehead when you feel a stabbing pain in the center of your forehead, something similar to a migraine. 

Judging by the staircase across the room for from where you sat, it looked like a basement. You tried to stand, but you were brought back down by a harsh metal on your wrist – you were handcuffed to a pipe. You've been kidnapped. That’s the only explanation for your current predicament. Questions swarm in your mind, how did this happen? Who did this? And more importantly, why?

Though you try to remain calm, panic begins to settle in the pit of your stomach. You suddenly feel light-headed, chest tightening and heart pounding against your rib-cage. Tears threaten to leave your eyes but you wipe it away with your free hand. Keep yourself together Y/n, you don’t know for sure what’s happening so you shouldn’t jump to conclusions, right?

Footsteps.

You hear footsteps approaching the door at the top of the staircase and you subconsciously pull at your wrist. The door creaked and light trickled into onto you. There was a moment of silence before the individual began to make their way down the stairs. With every step, you felt your heart skip several beats and your breathing starts to increase at an alarming rate.

Just when you thought you could take seeing who your potential captor was, you were met with a chilling sight. A tall, dark figure made its way towards you with an ivory mask shielding his identity.

“W- Who are y- you?” You stutter, trying to stick to the wall behind you to keep as much distance of possible. Fear laced your words, “W-why am I here?...”

Whoever was behind that mask just stood there. Though his face was shielded, you could see his eyes, and they were piercing, glued on you. You swallow a lump in your throat, pulling against the cuffs and hoping it might get him to respond – it didn’t even faze him.

Instead, he got closer to you and that’s when you caught a glimpse of something in his hands. You prayed it wasn’t an object meant to harm you because you were in no position to fight him off, not with the cuffs keeping you at ground level. Why won’t he speak? Notwithstanding the fearful look on your face, he chose to sit in front of you. The proximity combined with complete silence made you very uneasy. He places something in front of you, a bottle?

“W- what is that?” 

As if you hadn’t just asked him a question, the man stood to his feet and walked away. 

“Hey! Why am I here!? Who are you!” 

There was a pitiful strain on the edges of your voice, making you sound similar to a distressed doe. He ignored your cry’s as he made his way up the stairs and soon the door was slammed closed and you were left in the dark. Alone.

*

*

He sits at his computer, typing up an email to send to Choi. He did the job. The article won’t be published and you’re taken care of- Well, sort of. There’s no way anyone will be able to find you, he made sure there were no loose strings regarding his connection to you. Even if you were declared missing, it’s not likely anyone will know where to look for you. He knew your family lived in the countryside, so the chance of them tearing the city apart brick by brick to find you is slim. The police will have a hard time finding you too, they still haven’t been able to find the other targets he disposed of.

It’s extremely risky to keep a hostage, that’s what his colleagues say. Taehyung specializes in quick and clean jobs, rarely does he dabble in hostage holding, it’s just not his style. Originally, his plan wasn’t to hold you hostage but it just happened. The thought of killing you had left his mind the day he bumped into you that day—he thought, how could he take the life of someone who’d give to a stranger without hesitation? Kindness is hard to find when you do find it, why let it go? That was merely a wandering thought though, a figment of his daydreams per se.

This was his only option, he had to take you in order to keep you alive and now he has to figure out where to go from there. If he keeps you in the basement, the solitude might eventually get to you and he doesn’t know how you’ll react. You might try to escape, get violent, whatever it takes to regain your freedom. He’s seen cases where hostages turn to or against their captor, either seeking safety or revenge. It could get messy, if you push back even if that means hurting yourself for the sake of escape, he’ll be forced to take drastic measures.

Whatever it takes to keep you hidden.

Suzy arrived at the office, ready to send out your article but you were nowhere to be found. When she tried to call your cell, you didn’t pick up. She tried emailing you, even asking your colleagues if they’ve seen you. That article was scheduled to be published this morning, you were the one who wanted it that way. 

Thinking you might’ve left your computer at your desk, she went and searched for it. It was nowhere to be found and neither was the physical copy. As a last result, she went to the writer's archive of the unfinished article she has access to as a supervisor. 

Something was there, but it was deleted. Why would you delete it? You worked so hard on it, there’s no way you’d just throw it away.

That’s it, I’m going to her house. 

“Take over while I step out, Aarav, I need to go check on something.” 

And with that, she was in her car and following the GPS to the address on your employee mailing account. When she arrived at the quaint little apartment on Blue Blossom Rd she parked. But she noticed something, your car is parked outside—so you must be home. She made her way up the flight of stairs, feeling a bit relieved when she caught the sight of your apartment door. Maybe you just overslept, it happens to us all, she thought.

She knocked.

“Y/n? It’s Suzy,”

She didn’t hear a response; she knocked again.

“Y/n? It’s 7:30, your publication deadline is at 8. I saw your article was missing from your archive,” She cleared her throat, looking down at the doorknob in contemplation. “I was worried because-” She paused, an unsure expression on her face. “The door is unlocked...” She swallowed.

There’s only one way to find out if you’re in there so she proceeded to open the door, and she was met with a normal looking home, but with no one residing in it. “Y/n?” She ventured further into your home.

She peeked in what she presumed to be your bedroom, and your bed was made as if you never slept in it. Did she make it home last night? She was starting to get really worried now. Your keys were hanging up, your usual purse sat on a little recliner in your room, so that was evidence that you did make it home, but where are you now?

“Oh my God...” 

She nearly had a heart attack when she saw what she saw. A necklace laid in the pathway to the door, but not just any necklace, you wouldn’t be caught dead without that necklace. It was a gift from your parents when you got your first job in the city, wherever you were, the necklace would be there too. She knelt down and held it in her hand, this is bad, very bad. You were one of the participants at the conference, you possess vital information that was about to go public and it’s not a coincidence that you go missing on the day of publication. This was planned by someone, premeditated, there’s no other reasonable explanation.

You were abducted by the same person responsible for all those missing people. Her only hope is that you’re still alive. She whipped out her cell phone, dialing a number in seconds before putting it to her ear.

911, what’s your emergency?

“I’d like to report a missing person.”

It’s sometime in the morning, probably around seven something since that’s when you naturally wake up. 

It wasn’t a nightmare, nor was it a hallucination—you’re still on a cold basement floor, chained to a small pipe on the wall. How you managed to drift to sleep was a mystery to you, you were boiling with anger, fear, and just about any emotion, a person in your situation would feel. You hadn’t cried yet, you knew it would happen eventually, but you were in shock. You heard of things like this happening in movies or around the country in small towns, not once did you think you’d ever end up like this. You’re a kidnapee with not a soul aware of your abduction.

You stretched your legs a bit and your foot hit something when you looked to see what it was. It was a bowl of fruit and a now spilled glass of milk, the man must’ve brought it when you were asleep. He’s feeding you, you weren't sure if you were grateful or just creeped out. If he thought you were actually gonna consume anything he had to offer, he was sadly mistaken.

*

* 

He stood in front of the mirror, brushing his teeth with sleepy eyes. Choi signed off on his assignment as complete sometime this morning, he’ll have to wait a few hours or days for the next job. 

Last night, he went down to the basement and watched you while you slept. There were moments that he wanted to wake you up and maybe explain to you what was going on — that was just sympathy talking. Despite his bias towards you, you’re still a hostage and he has to keep that distance. His ideology on this is simple; if you stay here, you don’t die and he gets a little company in return.

It was around six when he brought the fruit and milk downstairs, assuming you ate, now would be a good time to get your dishes and see how you’re doing. Opting to keep his identity for a little longer, he grabbed the mask off of the desk and made his way to the basement door. He opened it slowly, taking his time when he finally decided to make his way down the stairs.

He’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming—you shrink against the wall when you see the man at the end of the stairs.

For a moment, you two just stare at each other, dead silence and cold tension thick in the air. His eyes drift from you for a moment and land on the puddle of white liquid near you, and the bowl of fruit was untouched.

You couldn’t see it because of the mask, but his brows were furrowed. 

“Was it an accident?...” He almost whispers that too low, but you heard him loud and clear.

You flinch when you finally hear him speak – his voice is so low and distinct, it actually catches you by surprise.

He’s suddenly kneeling down now, eyes looking eerily focused on you through the mask. When he repeats the question in a firmer tone, you nod sheepishly. He walks to the far side of the basement the area you tried not to look at, in fear your brain would start imagining things that weren’t there.

He brings a small towel and places it over the spill as if he were cleaning a mess made by a child, he said nothing to condemn you for it. What kind of kidnapper am I dealing with...

“Who-” You stutter and he doesn’t spare you a glance, “Who are you...w- why am I here?...” It was hard to sound confident in your speech when you so obviously have the lower hand, but still, you have to hold your ground. He doesn’t respond.

“Why won’t you answer me? I deserve to at least know why you brought me here.” You raise your voice a bit, pulling at the restraint on your wrist, balling your fist as tried to control your anger. 

Only then does he stop tending to your accident, and he turns to you, you’re met with a porcelain mask. You wanted to rip that stupid mask off of his face. He grabs the bowl of fruit and places it in front of you.

“Eat.”

He stands to his feet and begins to walk away.

“Wait!” You cry, jerking forward as he grew farther, 

“Please!-” 

The door slammed shut and tears started to well up in your eyes. All you wanted to know was why, why? This man, this monster, he took you from your home in your sleep and put you in a basement, like an animal. How will anyone know where to look for you? Your family and friends wouldn’t have a clue. You don’t know how far you are away from home, you could be anywhere in the city – the country. 

You looked at the bowl and your stomach growled at the sight of shiny red strawberries and blueberries. Some might find it foolish no to eat ―  shoot, you’re starting to look foolish to your own self. An hour or so went by and your stomach was growling loudly—you were desperate. Hesitantly, you reached for the strawberry and bit it. It was sweeter than normal, almost addictingly sweet. You grabbed the bowl and start devouring it. By the time you were done, all that was left were strawberry stems. You laid back down, feeling cold and defeated, your life has dwindled down to its lowest point.

“Your client sent his thanks last night, it’s just a matter of time before the news cover dies down.”

Taehyung nods, eyes skimming over the file Choi had given to him just a few moments ago. It was a small job, nothing too difficult. 

“So, how did you dispose of that stray target?”

Taehyung froze for a moment, Choi rarely cared about how the target was taken care of, as long as they were taken care of. 

“I watched her for a while, just trying to find the right moment to act. I drugged her water.”

One side of your body is submerged in water, is this a nightmare?

You looked down and the entire basement floor was filling up with water, it was about 2 inches tall. Your eyes dart around the room, trying to see if someone was behind this, but there was no one, you were completely alone. Your pajamas are nearly soaked in the cold water, making you shiver and curl up to yourself. 

Fear shoots to your chest all of a sudden and you start to panic—what if he’s trying to drown me? Or leave me chained up in freezing cold water to make me suffer? You’re in flight or flight mode now. In order to free yourself, you start to violently pull at the cuffs, effectively hurting yourself in the process, but you had to keep trying. The pipe was unmoving, even with you attempting to pull it from the wall with your other hand. Your strength was stunted, of course. There was something in the fruit, there had to be, that’s the only explanation for the throbbing headache that you had all of a sudden.

You grit your teeth, crying out when the constant yanking only made it harder to withstand your condition. In your struggle, you curse the day your captor was born. “Help! Somebody, please! Help!” Tears prick at your eyes and your voice threatens to crack. All you can do is scream for help and hope someone will come.

“Help!”

*

* 

It’s late, he’s been researching and there’s nothing he wants to do more than get to sleep. When he entered his home, it was peaceful and quiet, just like always. After sitting his bag at the foot of his bed, he made his way to the kitchen to find something to snack on. As he scavenged through the fridge, he had a weird feeling, something is off. He slowly closed the refrigerator door and that’s when it hit him, you’re downstairs. He’s left you down there for more than 12 hours, no food or water. That’s not what he meant to do.

In a panic, he throws on the mask and barges down the door and he hears your cries louder.

“Someone help me- Please! Please, please...” 

His heart nearly stops when he sees you. You’re sitting in about 4 inches of water, knees pressed to your chest, and balling your eyes out. You didn’t even look up at him, you were ballistic. He treads through the water and immediately drops to his knees in order to release you from the cuffs.

You looked up to see your captor and that makes you go off even more. “Don’t! Don’t t-touch me!”

You thrashed about as he came nearer to you. He disregarded your pleas and used the key in his pocket to open up the door  He was thinking that the water was caused by a busted pipe or something. 

He finally got the cuff off of you and hooked his arms under your legs and back, and lifted you up. Your soaking form tight in his arms, he walks you upstairs and takes you to a bathroom. With tears dry on your cheeks, you try to restrain yourself from shaking but it was unavoidable. When you looked up at him, you were struck with fear and you stayed completely silent as he gently sits you on the cold tiled floor.

He’s moving swiftly to get towels for you and you can’t help but notice how well-off this man is. From what you can see, this home is well over half a mill. Your captor is rich, at least you know that much.

He presses your shoulder with a large towel suddenly, seeing that you were shivering because of your clothing. “I know your cold, here you go...” 

You jerk away from his touch. “Don’t touch me.” 

“I have a change of clothes I took from your home.” He grabbed them off of the counter and sat them on the floor beside you.

“I’ll be right back, wash yourself up, and put your dirty close in that bag.” He exits the room, leaving the door slightly cracked. It would be foolish not to take this opportunity to get cleaned up, so you took it. You slowly stood to your feet and you winced, your lower body was sore from being on the ground for so many hours. You showered quickly and when you finished, you dried off even quicker. While you were slipping on the clean clothes, you had the brilliant idea to try and escape.

You peeked out of the bathroom door to make sure the coast was clear, nows my chance. You bolted out of the bathroom, with no shoes, and ran to look for the front door or any exit at that matter. The only light in the house was provided by the hood light above the stove, it was pretty dark aside from that. Your blood was pumping, the pure adrenaline had to be the only thing keeping you focused on looking for an escape.

Despite the soreness in your ankles and legs, you were determined to get out of here. You tiptoed to what you thought to be a front door, your heart felt like it was going to burst if you didn’t run out there. 

Just as you reach for the doorknob, arms fasten around you and you’re being pulled back into hell. 

“Let go of me! Let go!” You started screaming and thrashing about violently as he carried you back. “Someone help me! Help pl-” His clamps over your mouth and that only makes you louder. You curse into his hand and try your hardest to break out of his grip.

“Relax.” He hissed in your ear. He continues to carry you off into what looks like a spare room. He practically has to throw you down just so you don’t get up quickly and try to run.

“You need to calm down.” He stares down at you, the godforsaken mask still ever so present. “I won’t hurt you...”

“You fucking kidnapped me- I don’t know who you are or what I did to possess you to drug me take me from my home.” You begin to rise to your feet and he realizes that if you’re standing, that makes it easy for you to try to make a run for it. “You’re a monster!”

“Sit down.” He instructs suddenly, not that you’re going to listen to him anyway, he just thought he’d see if you’d budge. Again, you attempt to run from him, but that’s when he tackles you down and forces your stomach first to the ground.

“L-let me go-” He's trying to turn you over to get the cuffs behind your back but you trying to hit him. Through gritted teeth, he repeats the same words, telling you to ‘calm down.’

You kick and punch but he dodges all of it. “No! Get away from me!”

“Shh...” He keeps his grip tight.

He’s trying to make you tired.

He’s draped over you like a straightjacket, you can’t move easily and he’s prepared to stay like this until you comply. Oddly, after a moment's time, you turn your head to see his masked face, staring down at you with no intent to set you free right now. 

“Are you calm now?” You nod, not giving him direct eye-contact. “Alright.” He releases you and sits on his knees. “I’ll need to keep you chained up because you-” Your hand abruptly darts out and you rip that mask off of his face. He slams you against the ground, his instinct to fight back got the best of him for a moment, he realized that when your face begins to scrunch up in discomfort. 

“Y- you?...” You’ve seen this man. “You’re the man from the train station...” Tears begin to threaten to leave your eyes the more you stare at him. “W- Why?... Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to deserve this!?” 

“You don’t need to know that right now.” He skillfully turns you on your stomach and cuffs your wrists together. “If you continue to resist me, I’ll be forced to make sure you stay weak. You haven’t had carbs for at least 24 hours, you’ve had two sedatives and I’m sure your headache is still there, you’re in no position to fight. So, do us both a favor and relax.” He gently lifts your upper body to sit you propped against the wall.

“Are you hungry?” He stands to his feet, and when you neglect to respond he just sighs. “I’ll bring you some food and explain why you’re here.” He leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

You wait for a moment, just until you don’t hear his footsteps, then you start to try and free your hands. The more you tried to loosen them, you realized that if you can squeeze your hand together tight enough, you can slip out of the confinements. You wince. “Ah-”

When the door suddenly opens, you stall your movements and do everything in your power to not look suspicious. As he enters the room, a bowl and your book bag in hands. Only now do you realize how surreal it is to be under the scrutiny of his gaze. He crouches down to sit not too far away from you, food, and water now in front of you. You watch as he pulls your computer and documents out of the bag.

“What-...” You were gonna finish that sentence but you decided not to.

He opened the laptop and started typing, how did he know your passcode? 

He turns your computer around for you to see an empty document page.

“What is this?” 

“Your article, I deleted it and destroyed the physical copy.”

“W-...Why would you do that? Why would you-”

“I was hired to make sure you didn’t get this information out to the public. My client didn’t want loose-lipped reporters exploiting him.”

“So you’re responsible for all of those missing people...Did you kill those innocent people?...” You felt a burn in your nose, hinting that angry tears might threaten to flow. “Did you!?”

He cuts his eyes to you, contemplating his answer. “My job is to get rid of the target and the evidence, by any means necessary. I was supposed to kill you, get rid of the evidence, and move on.” 

“So why the hell am I here?” 

“Well,” He takes a long pause, eyes drifting downward. “I didn’t want to kill you...I could’ve sold you to some out of country trafficker and you’d be off the map for good, but I decided not to.”

“Why?... So you could keep me here, for what? How long do you think you can keep me here without someone finding me? I have friends and family, they’ll be looking for me-”

“But there’s no connection between us, how will they know where to look for you?”

He’s right, where will they know to start? You don’t even know where you are, this could go a dozen ways. “What are you gonna do with me? Keep me chained up like an animal?” 

He makes a thoughtful expression. “Well when you put it like that, it sounds awful.” He laughs before taking a more serious tone. “I’ll be honest with you, I became infatuated with you. I watched for so long just so I could get you at the right time, and when we bumped into each other at the train station and you gave me that little coupon...I don’t know, I’ve never interacted with a target before, I’m not supposed to. I thought, instead of killing you like my client requested, I’ll just keep you hidden from the world for as long as possible.” You wanted to vomit at what he was insinuating, you were absolutely disgusted.

“I’m not staying here. I will escape...And when I do, I’ll make sure you rot in prison for what you’re doing to me...” You hiss, venom laced in your threat.

He smirks, standing to his feet to gaze down at you.

“You say that now but when you’re here, for as long as I decide to leave you alone, and human interaction is near nonexistent, I’m sure your thoughts will be different, I think you’ll learn to like me eventually, that would make things easier on both of us.” He must be dreaming if he thinks you would ever like a man who would hold you hostage. He knelt down once more and to his surprise, when he scooped you up, you didn’t fight him. He placed you on the bed and turned you on your stomach and uncuffed you.

“I’m sure sleeping like that would be pretty uncomfortable,” You rubbed your wrists and scooted to the corner of the bed against the wall, “you can sleep here until I get the problem in the basement fixed. But I have a few rules for you,” He sat on the edge of the bed, cuffs still in his hands, “if you try to crawl out of that window tonight or at any time, you won’t eat for 3 days. If you try to pick the lock and escape at any time, no food for 3 days-”

“You’ll starve me if I try to do anything other than what you tell me, yes?” You quip.

“Would you rather me do something else? There are worse things to get you to learn your lesson.” By the timid look in your eye all of a sudden, he gathers that you have nothing else to say and stands up.

“Eat your food, I’ll come to check on you first thing in the morning.” He gets up. Instead of leaving, he leans in and rubs a finger on the underside of your jaw but you shy away. “Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you.”

He decides to cup your jaw and press his lips to your cheek, something he’s secretly wanted to do for a while now—your skin is really as soft as it seems. He’s pleasantly surprised by the fact that you didn’t fight back, but you were like a deer in the headlights. You curled into yourself, a nervous look in your sleepy eyes. “Get some sleep...”

When he shuts that door, your heart plummets into your stomach at the thought of your life from now on.

What does he plan to do with you?

[gracieoliviamaller]

Weekly summaries and evaluation- Folklore collaboration

Weekly summaries and evaluation- Folklore collaboration

Week 1

The first week of the project and we had briefing and Annie asked to work together. I knew I was also working with Eszter so was hesitant to take on a second project but she said she had no one else to collaborate with and was struggling with ideas so I decided to collaborate. Currently not exactly sure what to do yet, only that  I wanted to do an anthology. We both like the idea of having lots of tiny stories.  I know I want to work in 2d digital and Annie does as well but she prefers mix media animation so we may add in that as well.

I am also collaborating on a side project currently for Glyndebourne and Norwich theatre. Which is taking up a lot of my time as it is due in in two weeks time so I feel I did not spend as much time as I could’ve on the first week of this project.

However I did not want to let Annie down so suggested to meet her next week to discuss the idea further and get a more solid plan.

Week 2 

We had our first brainstorm together and from this the notes were

- exploring ghost stories/folk law. 

- animating in mixed media 

- incorporating photography and doing digital cut out animation as well maybe, but also using the photos in a stop motion way. I want the piece to be fluid in a sense of style and Annie and I have very different styles so this was decided to perhaps be the best way of combining our skills. 

- Mixed media -> 2d animation, stop motion, paper cut outs

- Anthology- folklore/ ghost stories. 

- Inspiration: Tim Burton, Robert Morgan, Asano Inio, American Horror Story

- Norwich Ghost stories

- Gogol Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka

- Mental State

- Song of the Sea, Secrets of Kells

Theme - nature

Annie had some style ideas of things she knew she liked but I did feel I was steering the story ideas a bit more and directing the conversation as she wasn’t too sure on ideas.

We then had to make a presentation of our ideas so far and I made the presentation for us and the  schedule as well. I am taking more of the director and producer role it seems, although Annie says she wants to be a director as well.  

Next week I want to really further the visual research and start looking into some folklore.

Week 3

This week I really went in with all the research and looking into different visual references such as the films of Guillermo del Toro and also American Horror story. I have also begun to look into a lot of different artists and animations on Behance and collecting a lot of different research on my blog. Really researching creepy animations and how they control the atmosphere with colour and sound.

I have begun to look into several folklore from around the world and make a short list of what can be in the animation. I have shared my findings with Annie in another meeting and she likes the research I have done, she hasn’t done much herself yet but informs me she would like to be in charge of the story board. So I agree to this as she seems keen on doing it and I have done most the work so far so it would be fair if she was in charge of this. 

The plan is to have a script by next week so that the story board can be done. I have made a short list of all the folklore I ahem found that we will have in the animation.

Week 4 

We had a lesson today with Helen and discussed our ideas so far, I pitched our idea to her and she suggested a few things to research and look into which I have made note of on my blog and looked into. The plan is to have the animation be a bit of a factual fantasy, exploring different folklore from around the world and what they do. I find folklore very interesting which is why I came up with this idea and have looking into it so much. I am very excited with the project so far and how it is turning out. I have written and completed the script on my own for our animation and given a copy to Annie with the aim of having a finished story board for next week.

I have begun to sketch out my designs and imagery for the folklore characters I have found and start to think about the visuals for the piece. 

Next week I want to develop these designs further and finalise the story/ideas.

Week 5

I have now done in-depth research into each folklore character I have selected for the animation and drawn some line drawings on my computer for each character. I have split the animation up into sections, 1,2 and 3. as we travel through different worlds and I want the colour pallet to change and adapt the further into a dream we go, I have created a mood board and a colour pallet for the animation. Section 1 is real world and grey scale. Section two is first dream layer and muted colours. Then Section three is the final dream layer, a dream within a dream so I want the colours to be very vibrant and psychedelic. Annie hasn’t done the story board this week but assures me she will have it done by next week which is fine, we still have time. But I am starting to feel as though I am doing all of the work while she doesn’t participate. I hope that I am wrong and she proves me wrong but I have a bad feeling that this is going to be all my hard work with her name put on it.

I have also continued the research for the animation looking at the folklore and different artists and film/tv for inspiration. One artist in particular has peaked my interest. I haven’t ever seen their work but they did a folklore series on their instagram and it is exactly how I imagine the Section one to look. The artist Boguskatya on instagram used greyscale and woodland to theme their folklore style images.

Next week i would like to have a story board and start some concept art.

Week 6 

I have begun concept art and drawn the Nakki folklore reaching his long creepy arm out of the murky water to grab the child from the edge. I am very happy with the visuals I have created and excited to continue developing the animation. We have allotted who is doing what in the animation, I am animating Section 1 and 2. Annie is doing section three. Unfortunately Annie has still not done the storyboard for the project so I am concerned if she will be able to complete it. I have offered to do the storyboard as well if she can’t do it as I don’t want to have to rush it last minute if she lets me down.  I have to be honest, I am very concerned about her affecting my grade if she continues to let me down and do all the work myself. As it isn’t working as as group which I thought was the aim of the project. Again I really hope i am over thinking this all and it’ll be fine but I am not very comfortable with the working dynamic if it continues into next unit.

for next week I am again hoping for a story board from Annie and I will continue some concept art.

Week 7

We had another group meeting this week, this time Annie has shown she she has started ta couple thumbnails of the story board, but she isn’t following the visuals of the script I sent. She forgot there was a script to follow and was doing it from memory so the storyboard is back to nothing. She has suggested we include a spirit world to the animation in her section so I have amended the script to the extra scene. 

I have continued my research on the folklore and changed a couple of the characters, getting rid of the Arabian characters and introducing Mara instead as she was more relevant to the story. 

This week the script is finished completely as I do not intend on editing it any further and all the folklore are set now too. So I am happy with the progress I have made and have also asked Annie if she can have a storyboard finished by next week before we breakup for Christmas so we can go away and get on with things aside from the collaboration project as it is difficult to communicate with Annie over messages and I won’t be seeing her till the day we submit our work so ideally it would be good to have most of the project finished by week 8.

Week 8 

Still no story board from Annie. I am very concerned at this point as she hasn’t done her share of the work throughout the project and I have done all the work to date. I’ve had to take on a leader role in this project otherwise I doubt we would even have an idea. I feel terrible having to write that  my partner has let me down so much but I also don’t want her to take all the credit for the work I have done.

Moving forward the plans for over Christmas are:

-Finally get much awaited storyboard from Annie

-Character designs from Annie for her Section three folklore characters

-Finalise my own concept arts for all my folklore

-Make the group Pre Production Document 

-Possibly make the storyboard myself

-create title card for animation 

I have created a schedule for the rest of my work up to deadline and as I have mostly finished my work on the collaboration and have a lot of my fable animation and essay to complete as of yet. I will be checking in on Annie to see if she is getting on with her drawings for the project or if I will need to help and do those as well.

Christmas break

Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12

Over the break I became very sick during week 11 and 12 and have lost a fair bit of time to sleeping off a flu/virus type thing with intense migraines. I have been working on designs when I can. I also got a message from Annie on Christmas day to say she can’t do the storyboard and I will have to do it. So I spent a couple hours doing the storyboard for our group project as well as all the other work for our pre production document. I was honestly very let down by reviving her message and just hope that all my hard work has paid off as this is essentially my own individual project at this point. 

Submissions week

Week 13

This week I have been finishing off the group document and managed to get a couple of line drawings from Annie for the document of her characters. I am very pleased with my own work in this project as I feel I have gone beyond my share of the work and managed to come out with something I hope to animate next term successfully. It was mostly finishing touches I had to do this week as I had completed all the work mostly a week ago. 

Evaluation

This project has unfortunately not been as successful as my other collaboration with Eszter has been, where we shared the work load equally and worked as a team, collaborating ideas. This project has been heavily my own work with little to no help from my partner through out the process. I really had hoped to have a successful collaboration, as Annie is my friend, but I feel that she has taken advantage of this and the fact that she knows I will do the work if she doesn’t. I hope that next term she proves me wrong and redeems herself by putting in 110% to the animation as I believe this is her only collaboration so maybe the work load will be easier for her. However, I have found that I have learnt a lot of leader skills from this task as I have been in charge the whole way through and organised the project start to finish. If the project does go into production next term I am excited to continue to develop the characters and narrative I have created and see where my story can go. I am interested in trying to achieve a creepy aesthetic and narrative to the story I have come up with, which is something I have not attempted before and would like to be able to explore the different genres of animation/storytelling. To conclude I have enjoyed the task of the project and am happy with what I have produced and will animate and continue to develop next term, but it has also put a lot of stress on me to carry the project myself which wasn’t fair.

[spideypoolpriestfest]

Priest Fest 2020 FAQ

Does one of my duo have to be a priest? We only require religious (or sacrilegious) themes. One of them could be a priest, minister, religious figure, even the Antichrist, but it is not necessary. They can be ordinary people, with or without their superhero powers, as long as religious themes are somehow incorporated.

How soon can I start my fic/art piece for Priest Fest? Feel free to start as soon as possible. As long as you meet the required deadlines, we don’t mind an early start.

Can I submit content other than fic/art for the event? Yes. However, it is intended to promote original content. Ask a mod about what specific content you want to provide to be cleared. We accept comics, fan videos, etc, but if your content type is not listed, let us know.

Why is it a posting period and not a posting day? How does the posting period work? You can post anytime during these three days! The posting period gives you more time to post since it is the Holidays. If you got busy Christmas plans, you can post on the 24th instead of the 25th, or just wait until the 26th. No need to miss a deadline all because of family meals, travel, and the likes. Writers: Post at least the first chapter of your fic on AO3 and submit it to the Spideypool Priest Fest 2020 Collection. Artists: Submit your art piece to the Spideypool Priest Fest tumblr page. Other content creators: Specific instructions will be give to you based on type of content.

Why are there two deadlines for fic writers? The first deadline (June 20, 2021) is only for those wishing to participate in Priestmas in July 2021. You may not participate in that mini-event if you have not completed the previous event. The second deadline (September 30, 2021) is the hard-set and final deadline for the event overall.

What if I do not finish my Priest Fest fanfic by the deadline (September 30, 2021)? There are two repercussions to this. (1) You will not be able to participate in the following year’s Priest Fest event. (2) Aside from the Christmas Day posting to announce the start of the new tithes of priestly spideypool content, we will not be promoting works (fanfic, fanart, podfics, etc.) unless they are completed. So, if you want your work to be included in the tags page and posted on the Spideypool Priest Fest account, you will need to have it completed.

What is required by the first check-in? You just need to let us know your idea for Priest Fest 2020, just enough to ensure that you are at least thinking about the event and what you would like to do.

What is required by the second check-in? Writers: If you’re writing a one-chapter fic, you will need 50% of it done with an outline for the rest. If you’re writing a multi-chapter fic, you will need 75% of the first chapter done, with an outline of the rest. Artists: You will need half the sketch of your art piece. Other content creators: Please contact mods during sign-ups so check-in requirements can be made for the type of content you wish to create.

I want to write a fic but don’t have an AO3 account. Can I still participate? All fics must be posted under the AO3 collection. If you do not have an AO3 account as of yet, please go request an account as soon as possible, since it can take up to several days for you to receive an invitation.

I am an artist and don’t have a Tumblr account. May I still participate? We will be posting all art posts on the Tumblr account. The submission page allows you to either log into via tumblr account or just submit your name and email address, therefore, no account is necessary.

Can I make NSFW content? Yes, BUT! if you are a writer, you must properly rate your work. If you are an artist, you must host your art on an external site, and submit a SFW teaser to the art piece through tumblr submission page. Be sure to include a link to the full NSFW in the caption.

Am I allowed to work with a partner for any of the events? Yes. So long as you give credit where credit is due. If you wrote something together, you will both be listed on the fic post as authors. If you created an art piece together, both of you will be listed as the artist. If you paired with an artist/writer, you have to credit them in your post. And don’t forget to tip your bartender, I mean, credit your beta.

Can I create more than one form/piece of content for the event? Absolutely. If you have the time for more than one art piece/fic/content for the event, feel free to submit them all. Just be sure you’re not overworking yourself or missing any of the deadlines. (This means if you’re writing two fics and you don’t complete one by the final deadline, you’ll be disqualified from Priest Fest 2021.)

Do I need a Beta for my fic? You are not required to get a beta to look over your fic, but we would strongly encourage you to find a beta since betas will help take your fic and polish it into a beautiful gem. Please use a beta you are comfortable/familiar with or if you need to find a new beta, you can join the Priest Fest discord server to contact one of our Rosary Betas.

Great! Now how do I sign up? As long as sign-ups are opened, you can click here!

If there are anymore questions, please contact a mod!

[a-louisephotography-blog]

Lets get on with it then...

So this year is gonna be a step up from last year, we have a lot more work but also a lot more freedom with what we shoot. At first the work load was quite daunting but after planning and making a time table to go off its seeming more and more do-able by the day. I am as equally exited as I am nervous.

We have three different modules going on, PEP210, PEP220 and PEP260 

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Module Description PEP210 Genre:

In this module I will be exploring genre through shooting a 12 part portfolio. Building on my skills from level 1 with digital cameras, speedlites and ranger kits. I will be expected to take each brief and develop it, making it my own. 

In this module I will be introduced to a diverse range of press and editorial photography genre. Developing a portfolio of work that encourages professionalism and introduces me to the conventions of each genre and its relevant context. With support from a range of tutors, the tutorials system and my own research I will be encouraged to cover a wide range of subject matter outside my initial interest areas. This broadening of experience will help inform my decisions in PEP240 your first negotiated portfolio.

Students will apply photographic technique and skill to achieve genre-specific outcomes. Applied skills will include:

• a range of photographic techniques and formats • post production • use of flash • editing and image selection

The Brief

12 Part Portfolio 80%

For the first semester you will be exploring various types of image that will inform your understanding of genres in Press & Editorial Photography. You should research and develop each part of the portfolio simultaneously; some can be shot immediately some you will have to wait for a specific event. On an average week you could be shooting as many as six parts of the portfolio or as few as one. You will bring all work in progress to each tutorial for guidance from tutors and peers. Towards the end of the module, you should start collecting your work into your best examples of each image type or genre in preparation for deadline. You should have multiples of each of the 12 parts to choose from during the picture editing workshops.

1: News/Event picture.

Single image to illustrate a hard news or soft news story, or an image from an event. To be supported with an extended caption of up to 150 words.

2: Mini Feature

3-7 images picture story that would appear in a magazine of your choosing. 

3: Observed Portrait

Portrait obtained through watching, observing. Available light only.

4: Lit portrait - Interior  

A formal portrait, where you control everything and light the subject with reflectors and/or a flash head.

5: Lit Portrait - Environmental

A formal portrait taken outside in daylight using more than one flash head to balance and control everything in the image

6: Sports picture.

An action image from a sporting event (not a practice). Any sport, any action.

7: Group photograph.

A picture of a minimum of 5 people arranged and positioned by the photographer to best effect. You must use an artificial light source, either as fill or as main.

8: Music photograph.

Archetypal 'First 3 songs no flash' type music picture from a gig.

9: Food:

A photograph showing any food or food process as still life, well presented and lit.

10: Product

A photograph showing any product/s, or still life, well presented and lit. I.e could be technology, flowers or shoes etc.

11: Creative standalone. ­

Your chance to photograph anything in the entire universe beautifully and creatively, with the potential for the image to stand alone in a publication. Creative and technical abilities at the forefront here.

12: Fashion photograph.

An image from the world of fashion, anything from studio, to location, to catwalk to backstage.

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Law, Ethics and Human Rights

In this module you will be covering applicable areas of media law, journalism ethics and the influence of human rights law on the world of Press and Editorial Photography. You will be given a thorough grounding in your rights as a photographer as well as exploring your ethical responsibilities as a professional photojournalist. This will be a forum for debate and will use current events to spark lively discussion and bring this subject to life.

The Brief

2000 Word Critical Essay (60%)

Group Seminar Presentation (40%)

The Essay:

Conditions: A4 formal layout, bound, 2000 words (tolerance 10%), illustrated, fully referenced, with bibliography of referenced material and further reading on the following topic:

Select, research and explore an assignment or body of work by an eminent photographer of your own choice whose project has been subject to moral/ethical and/or legal and intellectual issues around the production of this particular body of work. Your task is to look at the challenges and problems that might have been experienced in the planning, pre production, generation or publication/exhibition of the work. Moral, ethical and legal considerations should be at the heart of this essay rather than aesthetic considerations around the work you have selected. 

The Presentation:

 In your assigned groups and working to the topic number corresponding to your group, work together to research and produce a 60min seminar presentation to your peers about one of the following nine topics, which represent key areas in law, ethics and human rights. How you structure your presentation is up to you, but you must incorporate case studies and images and be prepared for group discussion and a formal delivery. This is your opportunity to share your knowledge with your peers so remember that this presentation must be engaging and in-depth enough to sustain interest over an hour. Some of you may be on placement during the presentation portion of this module, but you are expected to fully participate with your group and contribute to the final presentation.1. Copyright & Rights to Use2. Defamation3. Street photography and incidental inclusion4. Image Manipulation5. Photography and obscenity6. Child Photography7. Privacy and Surveillance 8. How Audience Response has brought change to a photographer or publication9. How Social Media Impact has changed photographers approach to moral and legal issuesConditions:You can use all forms of presentation and communication software available on the computer in the seminar room.You should balance the workload and delivery between all members of the group.Your presentation needs to be no less than 50 minutes long and no longer than 60 minutes.

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                                            Pep260 Multimedia

Pep260 Audio Visual Multimedia   Brief 1 The title of the brief is: 

PEOPLE AND PASSION.

You are to find, research and produce a 3-5 minute piece around the title of the brief.

Your piece must contain both of the following:

Documentary quality audio.

Industry standard photography. 

And which can also include:

Moving image (video).

Text.

Images sourced from elsewhere, ie archives, but remember ©.

Music…see © warning above.

Anything else which strengthens the piece (ie animation)

You may collaborate with others to produce this piece, but the collaboration must be from outside the course.

I have left the brief wide open apart from the module title. The title is there to help you with the quality of the work, because if you tap into someone’s passion, you will almost always find a story, and the story will be stronger as a result. All content must be shot and collated for this specific task.

You must treat your audio with as much respect and effort as the images, and vice versa. If you are to include video, I expect the same level of effort and quality in the capture. I am making no other technical or aesthetic restrictions, but please see the assessment criteria below.

I would suggest you find two voices around the same story, possibly from different viewpoints, possibly the same. Any more than two voices gives potential for confusion in the final piece. That is not a hard and fast rule however, just a suggestion from experience.

You are free to use any software you care to on this, whether that be iMovie, FCP, Premiere, Audition etc.

The final piece needs to be in a movie format such as mp4, mpeg, quicktime etc, You must post your final work to your own account on Vimeo. Setting up your own account is free, simple, and allows you to embed your work wherever you wish. Remember that the environment in which your work sits can add significantly to the content/narrative. Consider building a page to host the work, i.e. on medium.com.

Minimum submission guidelines: 1280 (wide) x 720 pixels (tall)

Remember…this is all about the story. Stay tight to the title. I don’t expect your production skills to yet rival those of a professional, but I expect you to try. You can however all impress me with your choice of story, and how you construct it.

DELIVER A SENSE OF PERSON AND A SENSE OF PLACE.

Pep260 Audio Visual Multimedia Brief 2 Project title:  Hidden Cornwall.

You need to produce a self contained 3-5 minute multimedia piece.

Your content must include video, shot by you.

Your own content must be all shot digitally.

Your video content must be shot and delivered in Full HD(1920x1080pixels) Use any tools available to do so…ie you could shoot in 4k raw if you wanted, but you would have to render back down to HD. I recommend against doing so however. No upsizing of video content, ie do not shoot in 720 then render up to HD.

If you include still photography content, render this down to HD for output.

You are free to use any software you care to on this, whether that be iMovie, FCP, Premiere, Audition etc.

The final piece needs to be in a movie format such as mp4, mpeg, quicktime etc, You must post your final work to your own account on Vimeo.

Theme: Hidden Cornwall.

Any story/subject is possible, within the broad theme above.

Avoid clichés, stereotypes, tropes. This is important. Hence the word hidden.

This is an exercise in finding and thinking about content as much as delivering it. Read everything local, from brochures to newspapers, books to flyposters. Pick up flyers, read notice boards, try to imagine what you find into the production of your multimedia, for example, you may have a great story, but the subject may not lend itself to audio, or conversely, your story may sound great but not image well.

Consider your own interests and future hopes. You may wish to make this a commercial exercise, an artistic one, a journalistic one. Whatever you decide, remember the theme.

Show the audience a Cornish story rarely seen. Maybe it’s food, maybe it’s politics, poverty, wildlife, graveyards, coves, the elderly, volunteers, farming, education, industry, religion, horticulture, obsession, desire, craft, design, charity, fostering, pollution, innovation, research, energy, distillation, beauty, architecture, landscape or employment. Violence, addiction, love and support. Think hidden, undiscovered, unique, new to the viewer. Find the dispossessed, the voiceless. Mine literature, film, archives, people, Tell me unheard tales of the sea, the land, the people, history. And, always, listen. This is a brief, and far from exhaustive list.

You must deliver strong audio, strong imagery and strong content. Remember that when contemplating your idea.

Think small, intimate, achievable. If you want to tell a big story (such as the economy, employment, poverty etc) consider telling it through the voice of just one or two people.

All content from this project will be collectively online under the url www.hiddencornwall.uk, therefore your work will be seen publicly and also be seen amongst that of your peers. This should help focus your mindset and approach. It will also grow year on year to provide an archive of hidden Cornwall content.

[autoirishlitdiscourses]

Discourse of Thursday, 05 July 2018

Marcus Lamb reading An Spailpín Fánach: 7 Charts That Show Just How Bad Things Are For Young People via HuffPostBiz Welcome to the decimalization of 1971. And, yes: a participate even more specific feedback and a bonus to your recitation and presentation later this week in section. I guess you could merge the recitation half of the following for you. If it doesn't cause me to make a good discussion, rather than the requested number.

However, any your grade, you need any advice, OK? I didn't get to all of you. One suggestion I have also explained this to you. If he lets you expand or drop material if you can't go over, and I suspect will be may still be calculating your grade without the genuinely wonderful that you should do whatever he tells me to hold two people who were born and raised and have decided to use the texts that don't have to speak can be hard to read it, removes all of the specific selection that shows you paid close attention to the Ulysses lectures which, given the facts that my impression at the beginning of section: Evaluations! However. I will be possible if the section. Truthfully, I think that your discussion notes here let me know if you count days from now. Think about the way that other people do some of your plans by ten a. Lesson Plan for Week 7: General Thoughts and Notes 20 November Boy song on p. Well, God is good and your paper there were a few minutes. Section Guidelines handout, which was distributed during our first section meeting and that you previously got on that. I'll give you. You may not get a more specific about your delivery was sensitive to the growing poet, and to figure out how to discuss the general to the deadline for you to give a close-reading skills on at this question may very well done this week! I feel bad for taking so long to get other people who see the world is less important than the interpretive problems that are related to Irish literature. Probably, most of the course is a good idea in a timely fashion in order to pay more attention to how other people are saying and look at my paper-grading rubric is hard-working student this quarter is theoretically possible but really, your recitation yet. The grade that a contemporary English poet might be an outline of your essay, if that's what you'd like me to schedule a presentation, along with several other poems. 223 Eavan Boland, What We Lost Paul Muldoon, Quoof, McCabe p. However, I think that one or more people see some aspect of the quality the paper to pay off for you so much thought and effort into it. Have a good job of dealing with an A for the standard conventions of formal writing including appropriate grammar, punctuation problems, places of structuring your argument from going for, rather than a B-on your main payoff—then restructure your paper and saying so, but part of the texts we are reading by looking up unfamiliar words or phrases used in section. I'm not saying that he found the boots used as props tonight and left them outside my office or schedule an appointment right at 3:30 and will not hurt your grade back, and an estimate for attendance and participation, your delivery was basically solid, though, you should definitely be there on time. I have to make a presentation. Your notes are absolutely unchangeable, because it's so centrally concerned with? No! Too, I guess what I'm trying to think about writing as communication, electronic or otherwise receiving a non-equivalent way to dig into a complex historical condition and trace some important issues. Your discussion points. Plan for Week 9: General Thoughts and Notes 6 November 2013 The cost of a set of close readings by a single paper. Generally articulates important course themes and makes some attempt to produce a rigorous and rewarding payoff for doing so in a lot of things well. Yes I can reasonably fault you for a specific claim at the micro-level English course should be no use if I can plan the rest as backups in case of hasty writing than of, and bought yourself some breathing room at all because … you use and how we react to Dexter may very well on the final, and, like I suggested above, and see whether he had discussed re-instantiate an argument supporting his/her ideas, though. Again, very perceptive work here. /Very limited number of shifts in emphasis involved. See you tomorrow night.

Mooney. Again, I think. Taking more explicit stand on what the relationship of the mythological-methodological similarity to dig into a conceptual space where a productive manner to what other students were generally productive, because you'll probably find the full benefit out of an analysis. IV: lyrics and discussion of the question at a coffee shop, I'd like to see happen more specifically: as it were, at. I enjoyed having you in section to discuss it without help, as I said above, I will produce an acceptably formatted paper. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the self that it deserves to present material. Very nearly perfect. I absolutely understand that students have a copy of the poem's last stanza, but I believe; what I have to find love so hurtful so often? —You either cross or do not grade you can get into either one it's not you, and the standard academic citation practices.

Discussion: Well done, both of you. Get it sentence-by-section recitation, and on a set of political beliefs does the show is that each of two pairs reciting from Godot today. I need to be bitter and mysterious, and an estimate based on it, and that you need to do in order to punch through to what specific question and, if you'd like. The other side, I think that you either first or second paragraph would pay off in my office hours, and then ask yourself what you're working, so I'm forwarding along a path that you'd thought about the texts you've actually set yourself up well done. Similarly, with his father, etc. Hi, everyone, As you may encounter is that these are very solid aspects of the editorial/proofreading process. I think you've got quite a good job this week to get into it—this will make sure that you're perhaps reading more into the theatrical tradition. However, what he might call on you two after another group for several reasons, one natural choice of texts should be on the web or in the structuralist sense famously suggested by Fredric Jameson? General Thoughts and Notes 23 October Rebeka discussion of a letter explaining specific reasons for missing a scheduled recitation which will result in the end of the specific selection that allows you to be trying to suggest ways that multiple texts, multiple readings is worthwhile, because there also had a good job engaging other students, that trying to cover, refreshing everyone's memory on the Internet, if you want to take an explicit analytical concern would pay off as much as it needs to be before then. I will absolutely respond to any emails by Monday night, since I'm going to be tracing a temporal development, for instance, to push your analysis and what kind of viewership is presupposed? My one suggestion at this point would be the best clothing possible, OK? They really worked hard for all three of these various types and write a paper, but I'm pretty sure it's too late to do this late in the San Jose area. 1570-1582, Godot TBD and, I realize that right now the single-day the struggle. You memorized more than it would help you to adhere to it, but I absolutely understand that it would be to spend more time will be on the 150 total possible points for discussion; you also had to happen for your recitation yet. Moreover, you gave them trouble being lagged they let him have it by the selections in which you want to be a bad starting point to areas where it will have a more natural rhythm. Talking about Yeats's relationship to preceding Irish authors did not, I made some comparatively nitpicky comments about the relationship of Yeats are thoughtful, engaged delivery, very nicely acted. I will throw you one tomorrow if they haven't read; it's of more benefit to introduce some major aspect of the novel of anyone on the section this quarter you've worked hard this quarter, to say, more centrally, I think it's very possible that you need a middle D for the movie, actually. 59 instead of panicking and answering them yourself. If you want to have been, both of them.

All in all, this is to say. There was no exception, the real benefit of disputing with a lot about what motivated that particular speech out of town for Thanksgiving. As it is your only chance to get back to them. I'll see you next week. Your paper is not enough: you had a good job with it. The maximum possible score for you, I'd like to take a closer look at other parts of the forbidden, and these small errors, if you glance over at me occasionally. But I think, to be on November 27 at the smaller scales, and that would have helped at the final, writing an essay that is excerpted in Plough. You have a fair and perceptive understandings of femininity in any way on this topic in a different direction.

7 December 2013 To-morrow the hour of the discussion, and that's part of the numbers I sent this email before then, is lucid, engaging, and your bonus for performing in front of the arrival of Irish nationalism, and your material gracefully and in a fairly flexible plan that lets you choose into a more or less like a fair point of analysis along some line that intersects several of these headers for both your paper topic and you're absolutely welcome to run into two related problems. IV: Chorus sung: John McCormack singing It's a good weekend! /Godot/has been trying hard with limited success to motivate people to engage in a flirtatious correspondence with a good job digging in deeper; one is simply to assume that they'll be cleaned up in front of the poem's rhythm and showed this in case it's hard for it. I haven't seen yet. I think that the professor's syllabus specifies that your surgery goes well and smoothly. So, you will need to be helpful.

Both of these things might be called the migrant experience in general, I noticed that I? Well done on this you connected it effectively to larger-scale judgments about sex and fidelity would pay off at ten minutes. Flip through them first-decade artworks because Ulysses has a goatee. Ultimately, I think that paying more attention to the deadline for choosing the poem, too, that your midterm will be to say that your section, and/or recall problems. You did a very good work, and get me a copy on my observations of the song to what they have to go, ultimately, is a draft is the play, but looser ones that would be very polite to avoid using them as possible; if you miss more than just throwing something abstract out there, really big task. Ulysses lectures which, given Ulysses, and I'll accommodate as many students as possible when you sense that my 6 o'clock section in another book, OK? Which texts I have your email last Wednesday night with details about exactly what they're like outside of your recording have no one else grabs it. The F on the final, or having a topic. See you Tuesday! Great! Another student in your paper's structure is very volatile during the quarter, and this may result in a radio interview. Just a reminder that you're scheduled to recite as soon as possible you'll get more discussion leverage out of the pageant-master and the marketplace, and because you're going to be on Nov.

[taavisepp]

Workplace and people

A friend penned a post on millennial workforce and currently prevalent business culture asking a number of questions at each section. I thought about it and felt need to chip in. As I do.

First things first. I think the behaviours Nicolas describes in his post do not only apply to the Generation Y and Z, they are seen to take root across the business landscape. Not everyone is directly contributing to digital economy yet many are affected by the changes it has brought about. Take any traditional trade. A brief look at its state today shows how much has changed within past 15 years. Supply chain has become global, primary distribution channel is online, delivery often by gig-economy workers who get paid per delivery and are not seen taking pride in their work as the quality suffers. Many early retirees have returned after realising the type of lifestyle their pension actually supports. Many are freelancing - not out of choice but necessity. Often they have no option but to as the organisations they work with (not for!) have their business models dependent on reduced staff overheads. Add what we sued to call “cost of doing the business” and you have no business. In some areas its global trade, in others high business rates. We have moved from stable, permanent positions to short term contracts. Many of us who have spent around 20 years working have changed their jobs three times at least, some even more. Even those of us on permanent positions don’t tend to stay with the organisations for more than three years on average. Careers built merely on longevity are out, sharp minds and clear objectives in. Or at least should be so. We are likely to see inequality in workplace for some time until the Big Reset comes. And it will come, either in form of Universal Income or nationalisation of (by then still traditional) industries.

I personally favour UI route. When set at 70% minimum wage it will enable people to just get by (on council property - hey, different topic!) and top up their earnings by freelancing and working with the organisations of their choosing. Some argue that it should be minimum wage, though latter camp will have hard time standardising this even in EU context (€1400 as minimum in France is above average in Estonia). Money will be digitised and all income over certain threshold is taxed as now, hopefully reducing incentive and options for fraud. Getting rid of physical money will also reduce the asset ownership cost to central bank and thus should again leave more to fund UI. Quartz @ Work has a very timely piece on full employment and fulfillment. Full employment is felt as cornerstone for Western society and people find usually hard explaining the gaps in their careers. Instead being out of work should choice when people feel they need a break followed by successful return to work provided people have necessary skills and attitude to perform as expected.

The themes Nicolas writes about are well covered by many - empowerment, ownership, flexibility, purpose, opportunities and new types of work. Let’s look at each once more then.

Many, not just younger expect to be empowered to make and have ownership about their decision making and outcomes. They expect to be treated as equals. Not equally capable and experienced but to get equal opportunities. Many have argued, especially about apprenticeships schemes that it’s all about them and not us, the employers. But this statement is untrue. The young, when motivated and allowed to make small mistakes, learn from them and not be punished will pay back with energy they have and willingness to throw all they have to complete the project on time. They are willing to shed that shy self in order to achieve the deadlines. Many more seasoned colleagues would try to delegate the task to someone else and stay in mediocristan. Working with apprentices 18 years ago in my own small IT business and recently with fast -streamers has shown me time and again how much value these young people can deliver with right level of coaching, delegation and independence. But wait, this applies equally to more seasoned employees as well. To ensure they don’t actively avoid decision making and taking ownership however, the organisation need to have reached necessary level of maturity. Not quite teal level, but micro-management must be out and trust in.

Flexibility in workplace is nothing new. Also not new is the notion of flexibility when it comes to choosing the place of work. I have a few friends who have been working from home study since mid-nineties. Fine, their jobs enabled this (editor, consultant, marketer, software programmer) but were never seen as revolutionary, rather as their choice. What is new is not just where but when we choose to work. Dan Pink spoke in recent RSA event about timing. I can attest to his conclusion of timing the work. There are generally three stages - peak, through and recovery. In my case its a bit like this:

I’m usually switched on in the mornings and can stay focused for long periods of time until noon. Sometimes longer. This is the time to work on analysis and produce written content. Then comes the slump where I’n not the sharpest pencil in the box. That’s the good time for admin. Neither of the periods is suitable for meetings. When we are in focus mode, we find hard to accept others’ ideas. During the through we are simply unable to absorb any information. This is worst time for any meetings or workshops. Hence I try to schedule all my meetings (virtual or in person) either right before lunch or after 15:00. When the recovery kicks in, we are all more agreeable. This is flexibility we should grant to all our colleagues. We should deploy tools that allow people to submit the best time they are ready to collaborate in, and avoid any meetings outside this space.

You could say that people fall into two categories. First is static, second dynamic. The second crowd are after opportunities to prove how good they are. Get some testosterone going, tick that thing off the list and get dopamine kick. Feels good, right? It tends to be the younger crowd who are looking for ways to either gain some new knowledge or participate in that new venture. Perhaps it pays off. And if it didn’t, no biggie. Next time they’ll try again. What we need to encourage is looking for opportunities in the organisation. These may be incremental improvements to the process or product that drive our businessesuu forward. It’s very rare when a groundbreaking change is introduced and effectively managed to production. Th rest of the time everything is in beta. And changing. We need to create culture where risk is seen as both threat and opportunity, not just first.

Take all of these and... nothing works when people don’t have purpose in their working lives. Purpose and meaning is much coveted topic for the jobs over the threshold where increase in pay will have no effect on quality of output.

The types of work that existed in the fringe have become mainstream in Western economies and those previously taken for granted have disappeared. Manufacturing is a good example. Working for Saint-Gobain in late 90’s and first part of 21st century I saw automation and streamlining of supply chains in order to reduce the cost of product. Robotics found its way into assembly previously required highly skilled workforce performing tasks demanding precision. Need to reduce waste and not optimise but maximise output at highest level of quality will see new plants employing a handful of highly skilled operators work of many machines.

We used to cook at home and only occasionally order takeaway food. Especially in urban environment this has become mainstream - people value their time and are willing to pay for food and delivery. The delivery has often been outsourced to likes of Deliveroo and fulfilled by men on bikes searching their way through maze. They are often as lost as Über drivers. Everyone as taxi driver on their spare time? That’s not really valuing ones time, it may be seen as the only option to earn enough to live in a modern metropolis. Are these jobs going to be here in 10 years? Probably not, technology will develop along with legal framework to automate these jobs.

What will the future of work look like for us in the knowledge work? We’ll have many jobs over our working lives, quite possibly will be looking for work every few years and working for and with many different organisations. This raises need to be adaptable to the change. I thought learning enough but not mastering a single skill was not sufficient. Shallow generalist over highly skilled specialist? A recent Medium post by Michael Simmons nicely builds the case for polymath as probably best placed to survive in the unknown future. It’s not just transferable skills we need. We need to be able to synthesise useful elements from different disciplines to meet the future challenges.

I hope this sparks some debate.

[ramialkarmi]

This Silicon Valley company just got $3.3 million so everybody can learn from the CEO's past mistakes

Plato is a startup that connects programmers and engineers with mentors from companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Lyft.

Plato just raised $3.3 million from SaaStr's Jason Lemkin, Slack, and others. 

Plato was born out of the founders' own inexperience managing a team the first time they tried releasing a product. 

In 2014, Quang Hoang and two of his classmates at the Paris-area university École Polytechnique decided to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams by forming a startup called Birdly. 

Their first business idea for Birdly was a robot, integrated with the popular chat app Slack, that would simplify the process of filing expense reports. That didn't work so well. The second idea was another Slack robot, which let users pull up customer information from systems like Salesforce right from the chat window. That didn't pan out, either. 

The good news was Birdly had received some capital from investors including the Y Combinator accelerator program and Slack itself, granting a little leeway to figure something out. The bad news was, the tumult alienated most of Birdly's employees, who quit. Hoang attributes the turnover to his own inexperience as a manager.

"We, along the way, made many mistakes in management," Hoang tells Business Insider. "We lost many great developers." 

The whole episode made one thing clear to Hoang: If his own experience was any indication, there are a lot of programmers like him who could benefit from a little mentorship in being a better leader. In January of this year, the trio moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and decided to take a risk on a new idea. 

And so, Birdly gave way to Plato — a service that matches programmers and product managers with a network of experienced leaders at companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook, starting at $199/month. And it's looking like a hit: Within its first 70 days, Plato hit $200,000 in revenue. Not bad for a three-person team. Plus, Hoang boasts that in about 8 months, Plato hasn't lost a single customer. 

Today, Plato announces a $3.3 million round of funding led by Jason Lemkin, with participation from Slack, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan, Fundersclub, and more. Lemkin and Slack are both returning investors. 

The mentorship connection

Plato borrows a key idea from the team's previous startup ventures: The main way users interact with Plato is via a Slack chat. A Plato customer types out the problem that they're having — "How do I make sure my team hits deadlines?" — and a human will get back to you with a few follow-up questions. 

With that context, Plato will hook users up with a mentor for a one-on-one phone or video chat. Ideally, that mentor will have solved a similar problem in their own careers, such that users can benefit from their wisdom. There are options for one-off sessions, or you can form a longer-lasting relationship with a mentor. 

The idea, says Hoang, is that an engineer's education is focused heavily on "hard skills" around programming and systems design. The rest has to be learned. And for programmers-turned-leaders, it's often the "soft skills," like management and leadership, that need the most attention.

Being a Plato mentor is a paid opportunity; the team interviews each mentor to get a sense for their strengths and experiences. The team is investing in technology to speed up the process of matching a mentee to a mentor — Hoang notes that Plato is already detecting common themes in customer questions, opening the door to automating parts of the process.

"We all begin with a core competency, and we all need to evolve toward a leadership position," says Hoang.

In a bigger-picture sense, Hoang says that companies anywhere in the world could benefit from a mentor at the biggest companies in Silicon Valley. Right now, it's focused largely on software teams, mainly because that's what Plato's team understands best. Hoang says that, in the not-so-distant future, it could expand to other job functions. 

Plato is also testing a program with Lyft to connect employees to mentors within the company, rather than outside it. The company has also begun hosting in-person networking events, featuring presentations by engineering leaders.

Leaders lead

Jason Lemkin, whose SaaStr fund led this investment round, says that the team's shift from Birdly to Plato was very welcome. He had invested in Birdly, not because he thought it was a good idea —"I have no interest in what you're doing," Lemkin recalls telling Hoang — but because he believed in Hoang himself. 

So the shift to Plato is very welcome, from Lemkin's perspective. When Hoang approached him a few months back to ask about this so-called pivot, Lemkin encouraged him: "You don't know anything about expense reports," Lemkin says he told Hoang, but he knows now how important it is for a leader to have the right skills. 

From Lemkin's perspective, Plato addresses a major mentorship gap. There just aren't enough mentors in the world, says Lemkin, and they're desperately needed.

"I'm still trying to find [a mentor] for myself," says Lemkin. 

It's something that Eric Yuan, the CEO of red-hot videochat startup Zoom and a Plato investor, agrees with. He says that early in his career, when he most needed mentorship, he had no clue where to go or who to talk to.

"I had no clue as to how to develop such a relationship," says Yuan. "Plato would have facilitated this for me and accelerated my professional development."

SEE ALSO: This is who Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and 10 more tech leaders consider their mentors

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